bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative Study between Open Surgical Drainage and Closed Technique of Percutaneous Aspiration under Image Guidance for Management of Breast Abscess
Authors: Rathi Chetna Dilip , Yeola (Pate) Meenakshi
Published: June 2021

Background: The conventional surgical management of breast abscesses consists of an incision taken over the point at which there is maximum fluctuation (or pain) and breaking of the abscess septa by digits. Now antibiotics and repeated abscess aspiration under USG guidance is new minimally invasive method which is on rise

Objectives:

To study the outcome of open technique of breast abscess management.

To study the outcome of closed technique of breast abscess management.

To compare the outcome of open v/s closed technique of surgical management of breast abscess.

Methodology: Sample will be divided into two groups and type of treatment i.e open incision and drainage or percutaneous aspiration under guidance will be decided randomly by chit system.

Expected Results: Feasibility and outcome of Percutaneous drainage is better than incision and drainage

Conclusion: First line management of Breast abscess will soon be percutaneous drainage under USG guidance.
Aggregation and mobility of membrane proteins interplay with local lipid order in the plasma membrane of T cells
Authors: Urbančič Iztok , Schiffelers Lisa , Jenkins Edward , Gong Weijian , Santos Ana Mafalda , Schneider Falk , O’Brien‐Ball Caitlin , Vuong Mai Tuyet , Ashman Nicole , Sezgin Erdinc , Eggeling Christian
Published: June 2021

To disentangle the elusive lipid–protein interactions in T‐cell activation, we investigate how externally imposed variations in mobility of key membrane proteins (T‐cell receptor [TCR], kinase Lck, and phosphatase CD45) affect the local lipid order and protein colocalisation. Using spectral imaging with polarity‐sensitive membrane probes in model membranes and live Jurkat T cells, we find that partial immobilisation of proteins (including TCR) by aggregation or ligand binding changes their preference towards a more ordered lipid environment, which can recruit Lck. Our data suggest that the cellular membrane is poised to modulate the frequency of protein encounters upon alterations of their mobility, for example in ligand binding, which offers new mechanistic insight into the involvement of lipid‐mediated interactions in membrane‐hosted signalling events.
Development of a physical geometric phantom for deformable image registration credentialing of radiotherapy centers for a clinical trial
Authors: Kadoya Noriyuki , Sakulsingharoj Siwaporn , Kron Tomas , Yao Adam , Hardcastle Nicholas , Bergman Alanah , Okamoto Hiroyuki , Mukumoto Nobutaka , Nakajima Yujiro , Jingu Keiichi , Nakamura Mitsuhiro
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study aimed to develop a physical geometric phantom for the deformable image registration (DIR) credentialing of radiotherapy centers for a clinical trial and tested the feasibility of the proposed phantom at multiple domestic and international institutions.

Methods and materials

The phantom reproduced tumor shrinkage, rectum shape change, and body shrinkage using several physical phantoms with custom inserts. We tested the feasibility of the proposed phantom using 5 DIR patterns at 17 domestic and 2 international institutions (21 datasets). Eight institutions used the MIM software (MIM Software Inc, Cleveland, OH); seven used Velocity (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA), and six used RayStation (RaySearch Laboratories, Stockholm, Sweden). The DIR accuracy was evaluated using the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and Hausdorff distance (HD).

Results

The mean and one standard deviation (SD) values (range) of DSC were 0.909 ± 0.088 (0.434–0.984) and 0.909 ± 0.048 (0.726–0.972) for tumor and rectum proxies, respectively. The mean and one SD values (range) of the HD value were 5.02 ± 3.32 (1.53–20.35) and 5.79 ± 3.47 (1.22–21.48) (mm) for the tumor and rectum proxies, respectively. In three patterns evaluating the DIR accuracy within the entire phantom, 61.9% of the data had more than a DSC of 0.8 in both tumor and rectum proxies. In two patterns evaluating the DIR accuracy by focusing on tumor and rectum proxies, all data had more than a DSC of 0.8 in both tumor and rectum proxies.

Conclusions

The wide range of DIR performance highlights the importance of optimizing the DIR process. Thus, the proposed method has considerable potential as an evaluation tool for DIR credentialing and quality assurance.
New hemodynamic criteria to separate classical orthostatic hypotension from vasovagal syncope
Authors: Ghariq Maryam , Kerkhof Fabian I. , Reijntjes Robert H. , Thijs Roland D. , van Dijk J. Gert
Published: June 2021

Objective

To define and evaluate hemodynamic criteria to distinguish between classical orthostatic hypotension (cOH) and vasovagal syncope (VVS) in tilt table testing (TTT).

Methods

Inclusion criteria for VVS were a history of VVS and tilt‐induced syncope defined as a blood pressure (BP) decrease and electroencephalographic changes during syncope with complaint recognition. Criteria for cOH were a history of cOH and a BP decrease meeting published criteria. Clinical diagnoses were established prior to TTT. We assessed (1) whether the decrease of systolic BP accelerated, “convex,” or decelerated, “concave”; (2) the time from head‐up tilt to when BP reached one‐half its maximal decrease; (3) the difference between baseline heart rate (HR) and HR at BP nadir. We calculated the diagnostic yield of optimized thresholds of these features and their combinations.

Results

We included 82 VVS cases (40% men, median age 44 years) and 65 cOH cases (66% men, median age 70 years). BP decrease was concave in cOH in 79% and convex in VVS in 94% (p < 0.001). The time to reach half the BP decrease was shorter in cOH (median 34 sec, interquartile range (IQR) 19–98 sec) than in VVS (median 1571 sec, IQR 1381–1775 sec, p < 0.001). Mean HR increased by 11 ± 11 bpm in cOH and decreased by 20 ± 19 bpm in VVS (p < 0.001). When all three features pointed to VVS, sensitivity for VVS was 82% and specificity was 100%. When all three pointed to cOH, sensitivity for cOH was 71% and specificity was 100%.

Interpretation

These new hemodynamic criteria reliably differentiate cOH from VVS.
Concept Design of Transdermal Microneedles for Diagnosis and Drug Delivery: A Review
Authors: Ahmad NurFarrahain Nadia , Ghazali Nik Nazri Nik , Wong Yew Hoong
Published: June 2021

Microneedles (MNs) are one of intriguing approach for efficient transdermal drug delivery that penetrates the protective skin barrier in a painless and less invasive way. In recent years, multidisciplinary studies have been conducted to improve their properties to meet stringent requirements and obtain market release approval. This review aims to summarize the latest concept design with unique properties in the advancement of transdermal MNs for diagnosis and therapeutic application. Numerous significant innovation strategies in improving MNs in aspects of adhesion ability, dosing capacity, drug‐controlled release, diffusion control ability, site‐targeted and on‐demand drug delivery, and biomarker or drug release monitoring are presented. Given that the majority of technologies used in such design are exclusively laboratory‐based, striving toward commercialization is a critical aspect of the revolution. Key challenges and future perspectives in industrial and economic aspects are identified with the intention of translating the reviewed technologies into marketable products.
Detrapping Current Measurement System Driven by Triboelectric Nanogenerators for Mapping Electron Trap States in Dielectrics
Authors: Wang Hanqing , Wang Jiyu , Liao Ruijin , Yang Lijun , Wu Han , Wang Zhong Lin
Published: June 2021

Electron trap states characterization plays a vital role in mesoscale measurement. Previous destructive methods have been applicable only in qualitative comparison. Nonetheless, the imaging of trap states distribution in space and energy level remains challenging. Herein, a triboelectric nanogenerator driven detrapping current (TENGd‐DTC) measurement system is reported. The triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is designed as a high voltage generator, with an output voltage of ≈3 kV for driving the dielectric barrier discharge (DBD). The discharge model with dynamic carriers’ evolution is proposed, thus the detrapping currents can be extracted from DBD currents, based on which energy levels and densities of trap states are quantitatively calculated. The chamber design parameters as the platform for TENGd‐DTC measurement under DBD are optimized. With the optimized chamber, the energy level range within 0.6–0.8 eV can be clearly characterized, and the difference between results of the proposed and the current methods is less than 12%. More importantly, the improved measurement electrode array is applied for multi‐point scanning, and imaging of trap parameters is demonstrated vividly at a spatial resolution of ≈50 μm. This work paves an effective and non‐destructive imaging approach for trap states characterization, and potential applications in mesoscale modification of functional materials.
Intrinsically Stretchable Organic Solar Cells beyond 10% Power Conversion Efficiency Enabled by Transfer Printing Method
Authors: Wang Zhenye , Xu Meichen , Li Zhilin , Gao Yerun , Yang Lvpeng , Zhang Di , Shao Ming
Published: June 2021

Stretchable organic solar cells (OSCs) simultaneously possessing high‐efficiency and robust mechanical properties are ideal power generators for the emerging wearable and portable electronics. Herein, after incorporating a low amount of trimethylsiloxy terminated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) additive, the intrinsic stretchability of PTB7‐Th:IEICO‐4F bulk heterojunction (BHJ) film is greatly improved from 5% to 20% strain without sacrificing the photovoltaic performance. The intimate multi‐layers stacking of OSCs is also realized with the transfer printing method assisted by electrical adhesive “glue” D‐Sorbitol. The resultant devices with 84% electrode transmittance exhibit a remarkable power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 10.1%, which is among the highest efficiency for intrinsically stretchable OSCs to date. The stretchable OSCs also demonstrate the ultra‐flexibility, stretchability, and mechanical robustness, which keep the PCE almost unchanged at small bending radium of 2 mm for 300 times bending cycles and retain 86.7% PCE under tensile strain as large as 20% for the devices with 70% electrode transmittance. The results provide a universal method to fabricate highly efficient intrinsically stretchable OSCs.
3D‐Printed Underwater Super‐Oleophobic Shark Skin toward the Electricity Generation through Low‐Adhesion Sliding of Magnetic Nanofluid Droplets
Authors: Huang Jianyu , Wang Qi , Wu Zhenhua , Ma Zheng , Yan Chunze , Shi Yusheng , Su Bin
Published: June 2021

Sustainable energy supply by converting mechanical to electric energy is critical for flexible electronic technologies, soft robots, and biomedical applications. The development of magnetoelectric conversion approaches requires new strategies with lightweight, small, and portable features. To address this need, an underwater magnetic nanofluid droplet‐based generator (UMNDG) is designed to convert the mechanical energy of sliding droplets to electricity. The UMNDG consists of four parts: 3D‐printed underwater superoleophobic surface bioinspired by shark skin, oily magnetic nanofluid droplets, bottom coil, and magnetic part. By improving the manufacturing parameters of 3D‐printed shark skin, underwater superoleophobic and low‐adhesion surfaces can be fabricated, allowing for the magnetic nanofluid droplets to slide upon the surfaces freely. When the magnetic nanofluid droplets slide/leave the bottom coil/magnet region, the magnetic flux passes through the coil changes, yielding the generation of electricity. Maxwell simulation is used to study related working mechanism. Finally, a ladder‐type setup consisting of four UMNDGs is assembled in series, enabling to trigger the lighting of a LED bulb by continuous sliding of magnetic nanofluid droplets. Such a setup design may find use in a wide range of applications, from flexible electronic technologies to bio‐inspired materials that interface with magnetic nanofluid systems.
Wavelength‐Selective Organic Photodetectors
Authors: Vanderspikken Jochen , Maes Wouter , Vandewal Koen
Published: June 2021

Spectroscopic sensing combined with optical imaging is crucial with respect to today's ever‐growing demand for instant analytical techniques to be incorporated in various handheld and wearable devices. Further miniaturization and integration of such types of sensors is critical and wavelength‐selective organic photodetectors (OPDs) may provide the required technology. In this progress report, some early OPD applications and their potential are presented. Crucial device parameters such as the specific detectivity, external quantum efficiency, and dark current density of visible and near‐infrared wavelength‐selective photodetectors are compared and assayed to theoretical and semi‐empirical limits. The different organic detector approaches include the use of inherently narrow‐band absorbers as well as internally filtered and microcavity devices. Each of these strategies comes with its own specific material and device design criteria, around which material development and selection should be centered to move beyond the current state of the art. As OPD technology matures, device stability becomes important and is hence also briefly discussed. Via this perspective, it is aimed to provide the reader with critical insights into the device physics and chemistry of wavelength‐selective OPDs, hereby providing leverage for new ideas to bring this technology to the market.
Regulating Ag Wettability via Modulating Surface Stoichiometry of ZnO Substrates for Flexible Electronics
Authors: Lee Taehyeong , Kim Daekyun , Suk Myung Eun , Bang Geumhyuck , Choi Jiyun , Bae Jong‐Seong , Yoon Jang‐Hee , Moon Won Jin , Choi Dooho
Published: June 2021

A novel and highly efficient methodology to regulate (enhance or suppress) the Volmer–Weber 3D growth mode of ultra‐thin (<10 nm) Ag layers by modulating the surface stoichiometry of ZnO substrates prior to Ag deposition is presented. Relative to pristine ZnO layers, oxygen‐deficient surface states formed by preferential removal of surface oxygen atoms remarkably improve Ag layer wettability, whereas oxygen‐excessive surface states formed by oxygen atom incorporation strongly facilitate Ag agglomeration. The dissimilar nucleation and coalescence dynamics are elucidated via combined molecular dynamics and force‐bias Monte Carlo simulations. The improved wettability results in significantly lower sheet resistance in the ultra‐thin (6–10 nm) Ag layers, for example, 6.03 Ωsq−1 at 8 nm, than the previously reported values from numerous other approaches in the equal thickness range. When this unique methodology is applied to ZnO/Ag/ZnO transparent electrodes, simultaneous improvement in electrical conductivity and visible transparency is realized, with a resultant Haacke figure of merit value of 0.139 Ω−1 that is >50% higher than the best reported value for an identically structured electrode. We select transparent heating devices as a model system to confirm that the superior optoelectronic properties are highly sustainable under simultaneous and severe electrical, mechanical, and thermal stresses.
Spying on the Polarity Dynamics during Wound Healing of Zebrafish by Using Rationally Designed Carbon Dots
Authors: Hu Jingyu , Yang Ran , Qin Haoyue , Sun Yuanqiang , Qu Lingbo , Li Zhaohui
Published: June 2021

Wound healing is an essential and complex biological process. Research into its mechanism and factors that influence its effectiveness has led to better treatments. Changes in the microenvironment are demonstrated to affect wound healing. Cell polarity is a significant microenvironment‐related parameter that is associated with many physiological and pathological activities. However, dynamic changes in polarity during wound healing have not been investigated. Monitoring cell polarity during wound healing may open up a new avenue for developing better treatments. Here, a method is developed to monitor cell polarity that involved taking advantage of the fascinating optical properties and biocompatibility of carbon dots (CDs). Specifically, near‐infrared (NIR) polarity‐sensitive N‐phenyl‐p‐phenylenediamine (PPh‐CDs) are successfully prepared, which exhibit high sensitivity to polarity, with 509‐fold stronger fluorescence in dioxane than in water. The PPh‐CDs are successfully applied to monitor the changes of lysosomal polarity during starvation conditions. Using this method, dynamic changes of polarity during wound healing of zebrafish are monitored for the first time. Upon an amputation performed at the zebrafish tail, stronger PPh‐CDs fluorescence appeared at the wound sites, and the intensity increased for 25 min and then gradually decreased. This report provides an important experimental basis for investigating wound healing by employing polarity‐sensitive CDs.
Polarization‐Assisted Visual Secret Sharing Encryption in Metasurface Hologram
Authors: Li Zhenfei , Zhang Dajun , Liu Ji , Zhang Jin , Shao Linda , Wang Xiong , Jin Ronghong , Zhu Weiren
Published: June 2021

Secret sharing is an advanced encryption method that distributes the secret information into multiple participants and only the predesigned subsets of authorized participants can recover the secret by gathering their independent subinformation. Herein, the security level of secret sharing using electromagnetic manners is further expanded and a simple platform for the realization and direct observation of secret sharing encryption using metasurface hologram is presented. As a proof of concept, a polarization‐assisted secret sharing phase encoding method by integrating visual secret sharing scheme with phase encoding technology using orthogonally polarization‐multiplexing metasurface is experimentally presented. The method achieves its encryption security and decryption simplicity by hiding the secret information into a pair of orthogonal polarization channels ensuring that the secret information is direct decryption as the two channels participate simultaneously while fully concealed in single channel. This scheme may pave a new route for future information encryption, hiding, and authentication.
A Concise Route to Cyclic Amines from Nitroarenes and Ketoacids under Iron‐Catalyzed Hydrosilylation Conditions
Authors: Wu Jiajun , Tongdee Satawat , Ammaiyappan Yuvaraj , Darcel Christophe
Published: June 2021

Starting from nitroarenes, under hydrosilylation conditions, using a well‐defined N‐heterocyclic carbene iron(0) catalyst, (IMes)Fe(CO)4, the corresponding aniline derivatives were produced in 61–92% isolated yields. More impressively, a selective synthesis of cyclic amines such as pyrrolidines, piperidines and azepanes were conducted from levulinic acid, 1,5‐ and 1,6‐keto acids, respectively. The sequential procedure proceeded under both visible light irradiation and thermal conditions with 20 examples in isolated yields up to 69%.

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3D Adipose Tissue Culture Links the Organotypic Microenvironment to Improved Adipogenesis
Authors: Shen Joanne X. , Couchet Morgane , Dufau Jérémy , de Castro Barbosa Thais , Ulbrich Maximilian H. , Helmstädter Martin , Kemas Aurino M. , Zandi Shafagh Reza , Marques Marie‐Adeline , Hansen Jacob B. , Mejhert Niklas , Langin Dominique , Rydén Mikael , Lauschke Volker M.
Published: June 2021

Obesity and type 2 diabetes are strongly associated with adipose tissue dysfunction and impaired adipogenesis. Understanding the molecular underpinnings that control adipogenesis is thus of fundamental importance for the development of novel therapeutics against metabolic disorders. However, translational approaches are hampered as current models do not accurately recapitulate adipogenesis. Here, a scaffold‐free versatile 3D adipocyte culture platform with chemically defined conditions is presented in which primary human preadipocytes accurately recapitulate adipogenesis. Following differentiation, multi‐omics profiling and functional tests demonstrate that 3D adipocyte cultures feature mature molecular and cellular phenotypes similar to freshly isolated mature adipocytes. Spheroids exhibit physiologically relevant gene expression signatures with 4704 differentially expressed genes compared to conventional 2D cultures (false discovery rate < 0.05), including the concerted expression of factors shaping the adipogenic niche. Furthermore, lipid profiles of >1000 lipid species closely resemble patterns of the corresponding isogenic mature adipocytes in vivo (R2 = 0.97). Integration of multi‐omics signatures with analyses of the activity profiles of 503 transcription factors using global promoter motif inference reveals a complex signaling network, involving YAP, Hedgehog, and TGFβ signaling, that links the organotypic microenvironment in 3D culture to the activation and reinforcement of PPARγ and CEBP activity resulting in improved adipogenesis.
Intravital Whole‐Process Monitoring Thermo‐Chemotherapy Via 2D Silicon Nanoplatform: A Macro Guidance and Long‐Term Microscopic Precise Imaging Strategy
Authors: Huang Doudou , Wang Guangxing , Mao Jingsong , Liu Chunlei , Fan Zhongxiong , Zhang Yunrui , Zhang Bei , Zhao Yang , Dai Cuixia , He Yaqin , Ma Heng , Liu Gang , Chen Xiaoyuan , Zhao Qingliang
Published: June 2021

Tumor angiogenesis is a complex process that is unamenable to intravital whole‐process monitoring, especially on microscopic assessment of tumor microvessel and quantifying microvascular hemodynamics before and after the nanotherapeutics, which hinder the understanding of nanotheranostics outcomes in tumor treatment. Herein, a new photoacoustic (PA) imaging‐optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA)‐laser speckle (LS) multimodal imaging strategy is first proposed, which is not only able to precisely macro guide the thermo‐chemotherapy of tumor by monitoring blood oxygen saturation (SaO2) and hemoglobin content (HbT), but also capable of long‐term microscopic investigating the microvessel morphology (microvascular density) and hemodynamics changes (relative blood flow) before and after the nanotherapeutics in vivo. Moreover, to realize the tumor thermo‐chemotherapy treatment based on this novel multimodal imaging strategy, a 2D 5‐fluorouracil silicon nanosheets (5‐Fu‐Si NSs) therapeutic agent is designed. Furthermore, 2D high‐resolution tumor microvascular images in different stage display that tendency of the thermo‐chemotherapy effect is closely associated with tumor angiogenesis. Taken together, the investigations establish the fundamental base in theory and technology for further tailoring the novel specific diagnosis and treatment strategy in tumor. More importantly, this technique will be beneficial to evaluate the tumor microvascular response to nanotherapeutics at microscale.
Relation between Spherulitic Growth, Molecular Organization, and Charge Carrier Transport in Meniscus‐Guided Coated Organic Semiconducting Films
Authors: Zhang Ke , Borkowski Michal , Wucher Philipp , Beaujuge Pierre M. , Michels Jasper J. , Blom Paul. W. M. , Marszalek Tomasz , Pisula Wojciech
Published: June 2021

Meniscus‐guided coating (MGC) is an efficient and promising route to grow small molecule and polymer organic semiconductors (OSCs) into highly ordered and uniaxially orientated thin films for electronic applications. In this work, the impact of domain size and molecular order on the charge carrier transport in field‐effect transistors for a molecular organic semiconductor 4‐tolyl‐bithiophenyl‐diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP(Th2Bn)2) is investigated. The spherulitic domain growth of DPP(Th2Bn)2 in thin films is controlled in the evaporative regime of zone‐casting by varying the substrate velocity. The decrease of coating velocity leads to a lower nucleation density and larger domain size of DPP(Th2Bn)2. At sufficiently low velocity, the spherulitic domains first elongate and then uniaxially grow in the coating direction. Although at the same time the molecular order decreases due to higher film thickness, the charge carrier transport improves for larger domain size and reduced density of boundaries in the transistor channel. These results provide insight on the relation between domain growth, molecular organization, and charge carrier transport in zone‐cast OSC thin films that are important for the upscaling of the technique for practical applications.
Low‐Voltage Electrochemical LixWO3 Synapses with Temporal Dynamics for Spiking Neural Networks
Authors: Wan Qingzhou , Rasetto Marco , Sharbati Mohammad T. , Erickson John R. , Velagala Sridhar Reddy , Reilly Matthew T. , Li Yiyang , Benosman Ryad , Xiong Feng
Published: June 2021

Neuromorphic computing has the great potential to enable faster and more energy‐efficient computing by overcoming the von Neumann bottleneck. However, most emerging nonvolatile memory (NVM)‐based artificial synapses suffer from insufficient precision, nonlinear synaptic weight update, high write voltage, and high switching latency. Moreover, the spatiotemporal dynamics, an important temporal component for cognitive computing in spiking neural networks (SNNs), are hard to generate with existing complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) devices or emerging NVM. Herein, a three‐terminal, LixWO3‐based electrochemical synapse (LiWES) is developed with low programming voltage (0.2 V), fast programming speed (500 ns), and high precision (1024 states) that is ideal for artificial neural networks applications. Time‐dependent synaptic functions such as paired‐pulse facilitation (PPF) and temporal filtering that are critical for SNNs are also demonstrated. In addition, by leveraging the spike‐encoded timing information extracted from the short‐term plasticity (STP) behavior in the LiWES, an SNNs model is built to benchmark the pattern classification performance of the LiWES, and the result indicates a large boost in classification performance (up to 128×), compared with those NO‐STP synapses.
Computational Studies on Reaction Mechanisms and Origin of Stereoselectivity in the [1,3]‐Rearrangement of Ene‐Aldimines
Authors: Momiyama Norie , Honda Yasushi , Suzuki Toshiyasu , Jongwohan Chanantida
Published: June 2021

The mechanism of Brønsted acid‐initiated formal [1,3]‐rearrangement was rationalized using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The computed mechanism comprises I) fragmentation: (a) imino‐nitrogen protonation, (b) proton transfer to olefin, (c) 1,2‐shift, and (d) C−C bond cleavage, and II) product formation: (e) methylene addition, (f) azonia‐[3,3]‐sigmatropic rearrangement, and (g) methylene elimination. The ene‐aldimine fragmentation to the 2‐azaallenium cation was found to be a highly reactive intermediate and the real catalyst species. The stereoselectivity for asymmetric formal [1,3]‐rearrangement of optically pure ene‐aldimine is in good agreement with chair transition state of azonia‐[3,3]‐sigmatropic rearrangement step and is supported by DFT calculation. Our computational study provides important mechanistic insights for ene‐aldimine rearrangements and guides the design of chiral catalysts for rearrangement process.
N‐Monomethylation of Amines with Methanol by Syndiotactic Poly(aminostyrene)‐supported Palladium Nanoparticle Catalyst
Authors: Jiang Lei , Zhang Xiaoyan , Wang Yinran , Guo Fang , Hou Zhaomin
Published: June 2021

Palladium nanocatalyst supported on dimethylamino‐functionalized syndiotactic polystyrene (Pd@sPS‐NMe2) showed high activity and selectivity for the N‐monomethylation of various primary amines using methanol as methylation reagent under air. The excellent catalytic performance could be associated with the ultrafine palladium nanoparticles and high amine‐adsorbing capacity of the catalyst. The Pd@sPS‐NMe2 catalyst was highly robust, and could be easily recovered by filtration and reused more than ten times without decrease in activity and selectivity.
A New Role for Extracellular Vesicles in Cardiac Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
Authors: Wagner Karl T. , Radisic Milica
Published: June 2021

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. Discovering new therapies to treat heart disease requires improved understanding of cardiac physiology at a cellular level. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are plasma membrane‐bound nano‐ and microparticles secreted by cells and known to play key roles in intercellular communication, often through transfer of biomolecular cargo. Advances in EV research have established techniques for EV isolation from tissue culture media or biofluids, as well as standards for quantitation and biomolecular characterization. EVs released by cardiac cells are known to be involved in regulating cardiac physiology as well as in the progression of myocardial diseases. Due to difficulty accessing the heart in vivo, advanced in vitro cardiac “tissues‐on‐a‐chip” have become a recent focus for studying EVs in the heart. These physiologically relevant models are producing new insight into the role of EVs in cardiac physiology and disease while providing a useful platform for screening novel EV‐based therapeutics for cardiac tissue regeneration post‐injury. Numerous hurdles have stalled the clinical translation of EV therapeutics for heart patients, but tissue‐on‐a‐chip models are playing an important role in bridging the translational gap, improving mechanistic understanding of EV signaling in cardiac physiology, disease, and repair.
Photoredox‐Catalyst‐Enabled para‐Selective Trifluoromethylation of tert‐Butyl Arylcarbamates
Authors: Jiang Yaqiqi , Li Bao , Ma Nana , Shu Sai , Chen Yujie , Yang Shan , Huang Zhibin , Shi Daqing , Zhao Yingsheng
Published: June 2021

The direct incorporation of a trifluoromethyl group on an aromatic ring using a radical pathway has been extensively investigated. However, the direct highly para‐selective C−H trifluoromethylation of a class of arenes has not been achieved. In this study, we report a light‐promoted 4,5‐dichlorofluorescein (DCFS)‐enabled para‐selective C−H trifluoromethylation of arylcarbamates using Langlois reagent. The preliminary mechanistic study revealed that the activated organic photocatalyst coordinated with the arylcarbamate led to para‐selective C−H trifluoromethylation. Ten‐gram scale reaction performs well highlighting the synthetic importance of this new protocol.
Carbon nanotube/polypropylene/polycarbonate conductive nanocomposite films: Preparation and characterization
Authors: Li Ting‐Ting , Zhang Xiaoyang , Wang Yanting , Sun Fei , Xu Jiawen , Lou Ching‐Wen , Lin Jia‐Horng
Published: June 2021

In this study, CNT/PP/PC conductive composite films were prepared by compounding PP (polypropylene)/PC (polycarbonate) (1:1) and carbon nanotubes (CNT) using a physical blending and hot pressing method. Next, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and water contact angle measurement are conducted in order to characterize the properties of CNT/PP/PC conductive films. The results showed there is no chemical reaction inside the PP/PC composite film with the addition of CNT. Neither the CNT composite film containing 3 wt% nor the control film decomposed thermally within 220°C. The water contact angle increased from 88.5° for the control film to 110.99° for the composite film containing 3 wt% CNT. This indicates that the film has good thermal stability and hydrophobic properties. The percolation threshold was obtained when the content of CNT was 3 wt%, and the best conductivity of the CNT/PP/PC composite film was 5.53 S/m at this time. In order to improve the tensile properties of the film, a small amount of polyurethane (TPU) was added to the film, and the maximum tensile strength was 24.91 Mpa when the content of TPU was 6.7%. This study can provide a strategy for the practical application of flexible electronic devices.
Functionalized polythiophene for corrosion inhibition and photovoltaic application
Authors: Yadav Pravesh Kumar , Prakash Om , Ray Biswajit , Maiti Pralay
Published: June 2021

Conjugated polymers are encouraging substitute for creating clean and renewable energy for photoinduced charge generation and transport media in polymer solar cells (PSCs). Successful synthesis of a new solution processable n‐type polythiophene based π‐conjugated polymer (P3HT‐CN) is done where polythiophene units are substituted by cyano groups through post functionalization approach of synthesized P3HT which is cheap, stable, easily prepared, and inert against ambient conditions and is expected to be a competitive candidate for the acceptor material in non fullerene acceptors (NFAs) PSCs against fullerene derivative and used as the highly efficient active layer in the bulk heterojunction (BHJ) which increase the donor‐acceptor interfacial area through controlling the phase separation indicating device structure ITO/PEDOT:PSS/P3HT:P3HT‐CN/Al. Photovoltaic measurement of this PSCs device based on P3HT:P3HT‐CN demonstrate the PCE of 0.008% with an increased short circuit current density (Jsc) of 0.11 mA cm−2. The thermal, optical, and electrochemical properties are examined in detail showing high thermal stability, absorbance in the visible part of the solar spectrum, higher charge carrier mobility, and also mixed type corrosion inhibitive behavior with 90 and 78% inhibitor efficiency for P3HT and P3HT‐CN, respectively, built this class of material as smart which can be used for many other applications.
Evaluating the vulnerability of coralligenous epifauna to macroalgal invasions
Authors: Navarro‐Barranco Carlos , Moreira Juan , Espinosa Free , Ros Macarena , Rallis Ioannis , Sempere‐Valverde Juan , Ostalé‐Valriberas Enrique , Altamirano María , García‐Gómez J. Carlos , Guerra‐García José M.
Published: June 2021

This work constitutes the first comprehensive study of the epifaunal response to biological invasions in coralligenous habitats, which are one of the main hotspots of biodiversity in the Mediterranean.

The epifaunal community inhabiting the invasive macroalga Rugulopteryx okamurae and other dominant sessile hosts on coralligenous habitats (i.e. the sponge Spongia lamella, the gorgonian Paramuricea clavata, and the macroalga Sphaerococcus coronopifolius) was characterized. A total of 137 taxa were found.

There was a lack of functional equivalence between macroalgal species (both native and invasive) and sessile invertebrates. Despite the absence of significant differences in mean density values and number of species per replicate among host species, epifaunal composition on gorgonians and sponges differed significantly from that on both macroalgae.

Epifaunal assemblages, especially those inhabiting macroalgal species, were dominated by generalist detritivorous species that can inhabit different hosts, while specialized interactions between mobile epifauna and sessile hosts were observed almost exclusively on sessile invertebrates. Moreover, epifaunal community associated with invertebrate hosts showed higher spatial heterogeneity in comparison with native and invasive macroalgae.

A competitive displacement of native hosts by the spreading of R. okamurae on coralligenous habitats would likely result in a biotic impoverishment in terms of overall number of species and a taxonomical and functional homogenization of the epifaunal community. Specialist species with a heterogeneous distribution could be gradually replaced by a spatially homogeneous assemblage dominated by generalist species.
Recent decreases in domestic energy consumption in the United Kingdom attributed to human influence on the climate
Authors: Christidis Nikolaos , McCarthy Mark , Stott Peter A.
Published: June 2021

Domestic energy consumption in the United Kingdom depends on both meteorological and socio‐economic factors. The former are dominated by the effect of temperature during the colder months of the year, with the energy demand increasing as the temperature decreases. Warming of the UK climate under the influence of anthropogenic forcings is therefore expected to lead to a reduction in domestic energy consumption. Here, we present an end‐to‐end attribution study that investigates whether the anthropogenic effect on consumption is already evident in the United Kingdom. We analyse data of gas and electricity use in UK households during 2008–2019 and use a simple linear model to express the temperature dependence. Uncertainties in the resulting transfer functions are derived with a recent methodology, originally introduced for downscaling purposes, but adapted here for use in impact studies. The transfer functions are applied to temperature data from simulations with and without the effect of human influence on the climate, generated by 11 state‐of‐the‐art climate models. We thus assess the anthropogenic impact on energy consumption during the reference period by comparing it with what it might have been in a climate without anthropogenic climate change, but at the same level of adaptation. We find that without human influence on the climate, UK households would consume on average about 1,400 kWh more per year, which would increase the annual energy bills by about 70 GBP. Our attribution assessment provides useful evidence of an impact that has already emerged, which can help inform UK's adaptation plans as the climate continues to warm.
From cosmic matter to the laboratory
Authors: Motornenko Anton , Steinheimer Jan , Stoecker Horst
Published: June 2021

The recent discovery of binary neutron star mergers has opened a new and exciting venue of research into hot and dense strongly interacting matter. For the first time, this elusive state of matter, described by the theory of quantum chromo dynamics, can be studied in two very different environments. On the macroscopic scale, in the collisions of neutron stars; and on the microscopic scale, in collisions of heavy ions at particle collider facilities. We will discuss the conditions that are created in these mergers and the corresponding high energy nuclear collisions. This includes the properties of quantum chromo dynamics matter, that is, the expected equation of state as well as expected chemical and thermodynamic properties of this exotic matter. To explore this matter in the laboratory, a new research prospect is available at the Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research, FAIR. The new facility is being constructed adjacent to the existing accelerator complex of the GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research at Darmstadt/Germany, expanding the research goals and technical possibilities substantially. The worldwide unique accelerator and experimental facilities of FAIR will open the way for a broad spectrum of unprecedented research supplying a variety of experiments in hadron, nuclear, atomic, and plasma physics as well as biomedical and material science, which will be briefly described.
The association of in utero tobacco smoke exposure, quantified by serum cotinine, and Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Berger Kimberly , Pearl Michelle , Kharrazi Marty , Li Ying , DeGuzman Josephine , She Jianwen , Behniwal Paramjit , Lyall Kristen , Windham Gayle
Published: June 2021

Previous studies on in utero exposure to maternal environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) or maternal active smoking and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have not been entirely consistent, and no studies have examined in utero cotinine concentrations as an exposure classification method. We measured cotinine in stored second trimester maternal serum for 498 ASD cases and 499 controls born in California in 2011–2012. We also obtained self‐reported maternal cigarette smoking during and immediately prior to pregnancy, as well as covariate data, from birth records. Using unconditional logistic regression, we found no association between log10 cotinine concentrations and odds for developing ASD among children of non‐smokers (aOR: 0.93 [95% CI: 0.69, 1.25] per ng/ml), which represents exposure to ETS, though there may be a possible interaction with race. We found no association between cotinine‐defined smoking (≥3.08 ng/ml vs. <3.08 ng/ml) (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.73 (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.35, 1.54)) or self‐reported smoking (aOR: 1.64 [95% CI: 0.65, 4.16]) and ASD. In one of the few studies of ETS and the first with measured cotinine, our results indicate no overall relationship between in utero exposure to tobacco smoke from maternal ETS exposure or active smoking, and development of ASD.

Lay Summary

This study found that women who smoke or are exposed to tobacco smoke during pregnancy are not more likely to have children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This is the first ASD study to measure a chemical in the mother's blood during pregnancy to identify exposure to tobacco smoke.
Determination of nootkatone in rat plasma by LC–tandem mass spectrometry and its application in a pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Qin Zhen‐miao , Li Yong‐hui , Tan Yin‐feng , Li Hai‐long
Published: June 2021

This study aimed to develop a rapid, sensitive, and specific LC–tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of nootkatone in rat plasma. α‐Cyperone was chosen as the internal standard (IS). The plasma was processed using a one‐step acetonitrile protein precipitation method. Chromatographic separation of nootkatone was achieved on a Phenomenex Kinetex XB‐C18 column (2.10 × 50 mm, 2.6 μm) at 35°C with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and water under a gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.35 mL/min. An electrospray ionization source was applied and operated in positive ion and multiple reaction monitoring modes. Nootkatone and IS were quantified using the transitions of m/z 219.200 → 163.110 and m/z 219.200 → 111.000, respectively. The calibration curves were linear over the range of 10–2000 ng/mL (r = 0.9943). The lower limit of quantification was 10 ng/mL. The intra‐ and inter‐day precision (relative standard deviation) ranged from 2.56% to 8.41%, with the accuracy values ranging from 98.9% to 99.17% for four different concentration levels. The matrix effect and extraction recovery were within acceptable limits. The validated method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of nootkatone in rats after oral and intravenous administration at three dosages. The main pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated, showing low bioavailability of nootkatone.
A high‐throughput and simultaneous determination of combretastatin A‐4 phosphate and its metabolites in human plasma using HPLC–MS/MS: Application to a clinical pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Wu Qizhen , Wang Qian , Wang Yixuan , Huang Jingqiu , Fang Yalin , Wu Weiyi , Wu Wenying , Wu Fanhong , Yu Xiaodong , Sun Yan
Published: June 2021

To investigate the clinical pharmacokinetics of CA4P, a high‐throughput high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry assay with an identical positive electrospray ionization (ESI) mode was developed for the simultaneous determination of CA4P, its active metabolite CA4, and CA4 glucuronide in human plasma. CA4P and CA4 were easier to protonate in positive ESI mode, whereas CA4G was reported to produce deprotonated ion in negative ESI mode. Because the baseline separation of CA4P and CA4G could not be achieved, using MS positive/negative ion switching is not feasible. In this study, an abundant ammonium adduct ion of CA4G in ESI+ was observed as an ideal precursor ion. The final precursor/product transition pairs chosen for CA4P, CA4, and CA4G were at m/z 397/350, 317/286, and 510/317, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first report on the simultaneous quantification of CA4P, CA4, and CA4G in biological samples. The proposed method was validated, which showed a wide linear dynamic range, high selectivity and sensitivity, good repeatability, and a short run time. Compared with the literatures, the lower limits of quantification were five‐ and two‐fold more sensitive for CA4G and CA4, respectively. Therefore, this method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of CA4P in phase I clinical trial.
Pivotal factors associated with the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and melanoma metastasis
Authors: Zhang Chuan , Dang Dan , Cong Lele , Sun Hongyan , Cong Xianling
Published: June 2021

Background

Considering melanoma is the deadliest malignancy among dermatoma and presently lacks effective therapies, there is an urgent need to investigate the potential mechanisms underlying melanoma metastasis and determine prospective therapeutic targets for precise treatment of melanoma.

Method

Hub genes in melanoma metastasis were identified by analyzing RNA‐seq data (mRNA, miRNA, and lncRNA) obtained from TCGA database. Then the identified hub genes were validated in human tissues with qRT‐PCR, followed by survival analysis. Competing endogenous RNAs of the hub genes were defined to clarify potential molecular mechanism of melanoma progression. Then central gene‐related signaling pathways were analyzed, followed by immune cell abundance analysis in tumor microenvironment with CYTERSORTx.

Result

A tetrad of IL2RA, IL2RG, IFNG, and IL7R genes were determined as hub genes and verified by qRT‐PCR, which were significantly associated with unfavorable prognosis in melanoma. LINC02446, LINC01857, and LINC02384 may act as competing endogenous lncRNAs of IL2RA and IL7R through absorbing their shared miR.891a.5p and miR.203b.3p. JAK—STAT signaling pathway identified as the most relevant pathway in melanoma metastasis, as well as a wealthy of genes including TNFRSF 13B, TNFRSF17, TNFRSF9, TNFRSF8, TNFRSF13C, TNFRSF11B, LAG3, NRP1, ENTPD1, NT5E, CCL21, and CCR7, may induce tumor autoimmune suppression through enhancing regulatory T‐cell abundance and performance in the tumor microenvironment. And regulatory T‐cell proportion was indeed critically elevated in metastatic melanoma relative to primary melanoma, as well as in highly expressed IL2RA, IL2RG, IL7R, and IFNG group than their respective counterparts.

Conclusion

Elevated IL2RA, IL2RG, IL7R, and IFNG expression may play a central role in promoting melanoma metastasis through up regulation of intratumoral regulatory T—cell proportion mainly by activation of JAK—STAT signaling pathway. LINC02446, LINC01857, and LINC02384 may stimulate melanoma progression by reducing tumor‐protecting miR.891a.5p and miR.203b.3p. A number of identified molecules including TNFRSF13B, LAG3, NRP1, ENTPD1, NT5E, CCL21, and CCR7 can serve as future therapeutic targets in melanoma treatment.