bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optical coherence tomography for in vivo longitudinal monitoring of artificial dermal scaffold
Authors: Chen Ziye , Cheng Qiong , Wang Lingyun , Mo Yunfeng , Li Ke , Mo Jianhua
Published: February 2023

Objectives

Artificial dermal scaffold (ADS) has undergone rapid development and been increasingly used for treating skin wound in clinics due to its good biocompatibility, controllable degradation, and low risk of disease infection. To obtain good treatment efficacy, ADS needs to be monitored longitudinally during the treatment process. For example, scaffold‐tissue fit, cell in‐growth, vascular regeneration, and scaffold degradation are the key properties to be inspected. However, to date, there are no effective, real‐time, and noninvasive techniques to meet the requirement of the scaffold monitoring above.

Materials and Methods

In this study, we propose to use optical coherence tomography (OCT) to monitor ADS in vivo through three‐dimensional imaging. A swept source OCT system with a handheld probe was developed for in vivo skin imaging. Moreover, a cell in‐growth, vascular regeneration, and scaffold degradation rate (IRDR) was defined with the volume reduction rate of the scaffold's collagen sponge layer. To measure the IRDR, a semiautomatic image segmentation algorithm was designed based on U‐Net to segment the collagen sponge layer of the scaffold from OCT images.

Results

The results show that the scaffold‐tissue fit can be clearly visualized under OCT imaging. The IRDR can be computed based on the volume of the segmented collagen sponge layer. It is observed that the IRDR appeared to a linear function of the time and in addition, the IRDR varied among different skin parts.

Conclusion

Overall, it can be concluded that OCT has a good potential to monitor ADS in vivo. This can help guide the clinicians to control the treatment with ADS to improve the therapy.
Fabrication of Multifunctional Composite Nanofibers by Green Electrospinning
Authors: González Edurne , Barquero Aitor , Paulis Maria , Leiza Jose Ramon
Published: February 2023

The present work takes advantage of green electrospinning to create novel composite multifunctional nanofibers (NFs) bearing inorganic nanoparticles (NPs), more specifically quantum dots (QDs), cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) and iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs). This is achieved by first encapsulating the desired inorganic NPs into polymer particles by the use of miniemulsion polymerization, and second, spinning the hybrid polymer particles using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as template polymer. It is proved that using green electrospinning, it is not only possible to ensure an excellent distribution and encapsulation of the inorganic NPs along the NFs, but also allows to control and change the concentration, size, and type of the inorganic NPs without altering the NFs size, a fact that is not possible by conventional solution electrospinning. As proof of concept, NFs with up to three different types of inorganic NPs have been created in a single electrospinning step, but this technology allows to incorporate as much inorganic NPs as desired without altering the NFs morphology and ensuring a good distribution and encapsulation of the NPs. This paper demonstrates that green electrospinning is a powerful and attractive technology to create multifunctional NFs that are promising materials for sensing and biomedical applications.
Morus alba derived Kuwanon‐A combined with 5‐fluorouracil reduce tumor progression via synergistic activation of GADD153 in gastric cancer
Authors: Su Jingjing , Thakur Abhimanyu , Pan Guangzhao , Yan Jianglong , Gaurav Isha , Thakur Sudha , Yang Zhijun , Cili Alma , Zhang Kui
Published: February 2023

Despite the application of conventional strategies including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, or immunotherapy, the mortality of gastric cancer (GC) patients remains high. Often, GC is not diagnosed until it has reached late stage, resulting in a missed surgical window. Therefore, a new therapeutic intervention for GC is necessary. Here, the combined application of Kuwanon‐A (KA) and 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) was evaluated for its potential to combat GC for the first time. To determine the anticancer activity of KA (from Morus alba) along with 5‐FU against GC, and their mechanism via GADD153, we examained anticancer potential of KA along with 5‐FU via in vitro assays with GC cells, namely MKN‐45, SGC‐7901, HGC‐27, and BGC‐823, and in vivo assays with mouse xenograft of GC. KA alone could induce G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis in GC cells by activating GADD153 through the PERK/elF2α/ATF4 and IRE1/XBP1 signaling pathways, suggesting a critical role of increased endoplasmic reticulum stress in KA‐induced apoptosis of GC cells. Moreover, the combination of KA and 5‐FU showed an enhanced synergistic anticancer effect against GC both in vitro and in vivo. Conclusively, the combination of KA and 5‐FU can act as an effective anticancer regimen in combating GC.
Modeling of the Copolymerization of Propylene with 1‐Hexene to Predict the Copolymer Molecular Weight and Composition
Authors: Herrero Franco , Brandolin Adriana , Sarmoria Claudia , Asteasuain Mariano
Published: February 2023

A detailed mathematical model of the propylene‐1‐hexene copolymerization based on the two‐dimensional probability generation function technique is developed. It calculates the joint molecular weight‐copolymer composition distribution (MWD‐CCD) of the copolymer, as well as the average copolymer composition distribution, the molecular weight distribution (MWD), the copolymer composition distribution (CCD), average molecular weights and composition, and yield. The parallelized execution of the model code allows for obtaining the different copolymer microstructure distributions efficiently. The model allows for reaching a thorough understanding of the copolymer microstructure under different operating conditions of a semibatch reactor. It also has the potential to become a powerful tool for selecting operating conditions to obtain a material with target molecular properties.
Voiding dynamics of pelvic organ prolapse: Large scale comparative study
Authors: Çetinel Bülent , Kırlı Elif A. , Önal Bülent , Kalender Göktuğ , Demirbilek Muhammet , Okur Alper , Can Günay
Published: February 2023

Purpose

To determine the voiding dynamics of the patients with pelvic organ prolapse (POP).

Materials and methods

A retrospective patient file review was performed of 877 female patients with lower urinary tract symptoms. After exclusion criteria 373 female patients were eligible for the study. Two patient groups w/wo prolapse were identified. The symptoms, patient characteristics, patterns of free urine flow, and detrusor voiding pressure curves were compared between two groups. A comparison of the urodynamic findings between the subgroups (mild/moderate, severe, and w/o prolapse) was made and shown on a scatter plot graphics of PdetQmax versus Qmax as well.

Results

A total of 373 patients with median age 54 (18–92), 189 (51%) had varying degrees and forms of POP while 184 (49%) did not have any prolapse (p < 0.003). Logistic regression analysis results showed that older age [p = 0.023, odds ratio (OR) = 1.01, confidence interval (CI): (1.00–1.03)], weaker pelvic floor muscle strength [p = 0.032, OR = 1.67, CI: (1.04–2.69)], more frequent symptom of hesitancy [p = 0.003 OR = 2.15 CI: (1.29–3.58)], prolonged‐tailed shaped curve pattern of free urine flow [p = 0.027 OR = 1.97 CI: (1.08–3.58)], and higher PdetQmax (22 cmH2O) values [p = 0.002, OR = 1.02, CI: (1.00–1.03)] were the independent different features of the patients with prolapse. Subgroup urodynamic analysis showed significantly lower free flowmetry Qmax and higher PdetQmax values in patients with severe prolapse. Prolonged/tailed‐shaped curve pattern of free urine flow was significantly more frequent in patients with prolapse.

Conclusions

Voiding dynamics of the patients with prolapse were significantly different from the patients' w/o prolapse. They had higher PdetQmax values, more frequent symptom of hesitancy, and prolonged shaped free flow curve pattern. Free flow Qmax values were lower in patients with severe prolapse.
Artificial instabilities of finite elements for nonlinear elasticity: Analysis and remedies
Authors: Bieber Simon , Auricchio Ferdinando , Reali Alessandro , Bischoff Manfred
Published: February 2023

Within the framework of plane strain nonlinear elasticity, we present a discussion on the stability properties of various Enhanced Assumed Strain (EAS) finite element formulations with respect to physical and artificial (hourglassing) instabilities. By means of a linearized buckling analysis we analyze the influence of element formulations on the geometric stiffness and provide new mechanical insights into the hourglassing phenomenon. Based on these findings, a simple strategy to avoid hourglassing for compression problems is proposed. It is based on a modification of the discrete Green‐Lagrange strain, simple to implement and generally applicable. The stabilization concept is tested for various popular element formulations (namely EAS elements and the assumed stress element by Pian and Sumihara). A further aspect of the present contribution is a discussion on proper benchmarking of finite elements in the context of hourglassing. We propose a simple bifurcation problem for which analytical solutions are readily available in the literature. It is tailored for an in‐depth stability analysis of finite elements and allows a reliable assessment of its stability properties.
Reducing ageism combining ageing education with clinical practice: A prospective cohort study in health sciences students
Authors: San‐Martín‐Gamboa Batirtze , Zarrazquin Idoia , Fernandez‐Atutxa Ainhoa , Cepeda‐Miguel Silvia , Doncel‐García Borja , Imaz‐Aramburu Idoia , Irazusta Amaia , Fraile‐Bermúdez Ana B.
Published: February 2023

Aim

To analyse the impact of an intervention combining ageing education with clinical practice in nursing homes on a nursing cohort's negative stereotypes and prejudices towards ageing.

Design

A prospective cohort study was conducted in September 2019–October 2020 in a population of health sciences students (n = 222).

Methods

Questionnaire of Negative Stereotypes towards Aging (CENVE) and Aging Semantic Differential (DSE) were used to examine negative stereotypes and prejudices towards ageing in the nursing cohort exposed to the ageing education and practice intervention compared to a medical cohort that received no intervention. Group‐by‐time interaction, controlled by sex and age, for the effect of the intervention on CENVE and DSE scores was determined by mixed‐design ANOVA.

Results

The nursing cohort significantly reduced negative stereotypes and prejudices towards ageing when compared to the medical cohort in total (F = 26.926; p < 0.001), health factor (F = 16.812; p < 0.001), motivational and social factor (F = 11.266; p = 0.001), and character and personality factor (F = 19.202; p < 0.001) scores of CENVE scale and in DSE (F = 7.826; p = 0.006).
Testing the guidelines of the New Coimbra Method for recording entheseal changes via interobserver agreement in a Bronze Age skeletal sample from Kültepe‐Kanesh, Türkiye
Authors: Kale Donald , Üstündağ Handan , Özen Semih , Özgü Doruk Cafer
Published: February 2023

The New Coimbra Method is the most recently proposed standardized method to assess entheseal changes (EC). However, the method's developers acknowledge the inadequacy of their guidelines and state that those who will use the method need in‐person training from them. This study aims to determine the applicability of the method's guideline by testing the interobserver agreement (IOA) with observers who were not trained by the developers. The second objective of this study is to apply the New Coimbra Method to a relatively small archeological sample, in this case a Bronze Age population from Kültepe‐Kanesh, Türkiye. Four observers (the authors) scored EC in three entheses of the right upper limb of 52 adults. IOA was analyzed via Fleiss' kappa (FK) and percentage of agreement (PA) tests. FK test results indicate moderate overall agreement (0.458), while PA implies significantly high agreement (95%). The results of the FK and PA tests contradict each other due to the known limitations of the latter. However, FK values among features vary broadly; some of the features indicate substantial agreement and surpass the required benchmark, while the rest remains moderate or lower. The features that revealed substantial agreement indicate the sufficiency of the method's guidelines. However, the guidelines for the other features appear to be inadequate. Further revision of the guidelines could make the method more applicable for all researchers with no requirement of in‐person training.
Self‐assembly of side‐chain liquid crystalline block copolymers to anisotropic polymeric nanoparticles
Authors: Sun Yalan , Deng Zichao , Chen Aihua
Published: February 2023

Anisotropic polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) have attracted considerable attention due to their morphology‐dependent applications in the fields of nanocatalysts, drug delivery and sensors. By introducing liquid crystalline (LC) driving force into NPs, the region of non‐spherical shapes in phase diagrams can be broadened effectively, which attracts great interest of many researchers. LC mesogens can be easily introduced to monomers, such as acrylates and methacrylates, as side groups connected by spacers with tunable length, and then side‐chain LC polymers can be acquired after polymerization accordingly. Among these polymers, amphiphilic block copolymers (BCPs) have been widely studied, attributed to their property of spontaneous assembly into NPs under appropriate conditions. In this review, based on traditional solution self‐assembly and polymerization‐induced self‐assembly, the recent research into side‐chain LC BCP NPs is elaborated in terms of the aspects of the types of LC mesogens, LC phases, morphologies and functionalities. Finally, we summarize recent progress, and prospect the development trend in the future. © 2023 Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Rational design of stimuli‐responsive magnetic polymer hybrid (nano)materials
Authors: Nguyen Thi Phuong Thu , Ménager Christine , Rieger Jutta , Coumes Fanny
Published: February 2023

Combining organic and inorganic materials is a fascinating strategy to produce hybrid materials that combine the advantages of both polymeric and inorganic materials. Among the various types of organic–inorganic hybrids, stimuli‐responsive magnetic polymer hybrids (RMPHs) are particularly promising materials for a wide variety of applications. While the magnetic properties are generally provided by the presence of magnetic nanoparticles, such as iron oxide nanoparticles, the polymeric compound brings the stimuli‐responsiveness, e.g. responsiveness to pH, temperature, redox reaction or irradiation. Furthermore, as the chemical structure and architecture of the polymeric materials are diverse and easily tunable, stimuli‐RMPHs have found applications in various domains, including catalysis, biotechnology, (bio)imaging and cancer therapy. Given the importance of the hybrids' shape and morphology for the targeted application, this review presents the possible synthetic strategies to rationally design stimuli‐RMPHs of various morphologies ranging from nanometric core–shell structures to nanogels, microgels and membranes. © 2023 The Authors. Polymer International published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Exploring the polysaccharide composition of plant cell walls in succulent aloes
Authors: Isager Ahl Louise , Pedersen Henriette L. , Jørgensen Bodil , Willats William G. T. , Grace Olwen M. , Barnes Christopher J. , Rønsted Nina
Published: February 2023

Societal Impact Statement

Aloes are iconic succulent plants native to Africa, Madagascar and the Arabian Peninsula. The succulent leaf mesophyll of aloes has been used extensively as a herbal product for centuries, contributing to their overexploitation. Health benefits are attributed to their polysaccharide content. We present a comprehensive comparison of the polysaccharide composition of succulent tissues from 93 Aloe species. We found polysaccharide composition primarily related to leaf morphology in alignment with the broad range of Aloe species used medicinally. All aloes except Aloe ferox and Aloe vera are endangered raising concern about over‐harvesting of wild species.

Aloes are iconic succulent plants native to Africa, Madagascar and the Arabian Peninsula. All aloes except the commercially grown Aloe ferox and Aloe vera are protected according to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Major factors contributing to their over‐exploitation are their ornamental value and medicinal use with more than 25% of Aloe species being utilised. The succulent inner leaf mesophyll of aloes is used in traditional medicine, with the healing effect ascribed to the properties of their structural polysaccharides.

To explore the correlation between Aloe polysaccharide profiles and other biologically relevant traits across the genus, we (1) extracted polysaccharides and created profiles for nearly 100 representative species using carbohydrate microarrays and molecular probes. We targeted six major plant cell wall polysaccharide groups using 27 different molecular probes. We (2) tested for phylogenetic signal in the polysaccharide profiles and (3) assembled an exhaustive database from literature on the geographic region, level of endemism, altitude, habitat, habit, medicinal use and leaf morphology of the individual species of Aloe.

In the absence of phylogenetic signal of polysaccharide profiles, multivariate linear modelling without phylogenetic correction was used and showed that polysaccharide composition primarily correlated with leaf morphology, highlighting the fundamental role of polysaccharides as the building blocks of plants. No correlations between polysaccharide composition of commercial and non‐commercial species were found.

We found polysaccharide composition to primarily relate to leaf morphology emphasising the fundamental and structural role of polysaccharides.
Physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling of tacrolimus for food–drug and CYP3A drug–drug–gene interaction predictions
Authors: Loer Helena Leonie Hanae , Feick Denise , Rüdesheim Simeon , Selzer Dominik , Schwab Matthias , Teutonico Donato , Frechen Sebastian , van der Lee Maaike , Moes Dirk Jan A. R. , Swen Jesse J. , Lehr Thorsten
Published: February 2023

The immunosuppressant and narrow therapeutic index drug tacrolimus is metabolized mainly via cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 and CYP3A5. For its pharmacokinetics (PK), high inter‐ and intra‐individual variability can be observed. Underlying causes include the effect of food intake on tacrolimus absorption as well as genetic polymorphism in the CYP3A5 gene. Furthermore, tacrolimus is highly susceptible to drug–drug interactions, acting as a victim drug when coadministered with CYP3A perpetrators. This work describes the development of a whole‐body physiologically based pharmacokinetic model for tacrolimus as well as its application for investigation and prediction of (i) the impact of food intake on tacrolimus PK (food–drug interactions [FDIs]) and (ii) drug–drug(−gene) interactions (DD[G]Is) involving the CYP3A perpetrator drugs voriconazole, itraconazole, and rifampicin. The model was built in PK‐Sim® Version 10 using a total of 37 whole blood concentration–time profiles of tacrolimus (training and test) compiled from 911 healthy individuals covering the administration of tacrolimus as intravenous infusions as well as immediate‐release and extended‐release capsules. Metabolism was incorporated via CYP3A4 and CYP3A5, with varying activities implemented for different CYP3A5 genotypes and study populations. The good predictive model performance is demonstrated for the examined food effect studies with 6/6 predicted FDI area under the curve determined between first and last concentration measurements (AUClast) and 6/6 predicted FDI maximum whole blood concentration (Cmax) ratios within twofold of the respective observed ratios. In addition, 7/7 predicted DD(G)I AUClast and 6/7 predicted DD(G)I Cmax ratios were within twofold of their observed values. Potential applications of the final model include model‐informed drug discovery and development or the support of model‐informed precision dosing.
E‐Bayesian estimation for the parameters and hazard function of Gompertz distribution based on progressively type‐II right censoring with application
Authors: Mohie El‐Din Marwa M. , Sharawy Ali , Abu‐Moussa Mahmoud H.
Published: February 2023

E‐Bayesian inference is of incremental significance in the area related to the reliability of industrial products dealing with censored data sets. In this article, based on the progressive Type‐II right censored order statistics (PTIIRCOS), the E‐Bayesian estimates (E‐BE) for the parameters of Gompertz distribution (GD) and its hazard function are obtained and compared with the maximum likelihood (MLE) and Bayesian (BE) estimates. The squared error loss function (SE), linear‐exponential loss function (LINEX), and Al‐Bayyati loss function (ALB) are considered for the methods of BE and E‐BE. Some properties for the E‐BE estimates are discussed based on PTIIRCOS. Real data is established to clear the theoretical procedures. Akaike information criterion (AIC) is used to prove that GD is the best to model the data compared to other competitors and could potentially be very adequate in describing and modeling industrial products data. Finally, simulation study has been operated for comparing the E‐BEs with the MLEs and BEs.
The combined addition of citric and aromatic organic acids to an acid soil prolongs phosphorus availability
Authors: Rahman Md. Shahinur , Schefe Cassandra , Weatherley Anthony
Published: February 2023

The role of organic acids (both aliphatic and aromatic) in increasing soil P availability is well established. However, the effect of the combined addition of aliphatic and aromatic organic acids on soil P availability is not well studied, which is particularly important when assessing the efficacy of heterogeneous natural organic acid sources, such as compost and biochar, on soil P availability based on their total abundance of organic acid compounds. In this study, some naturally occurring aliphatic (oxalic and citric) and aromatic (benzoic, 4‐hydroxybenzoic, and protocatechuic) organic acids were incubated with an acidic soil for up to 110 days and their effect on soil P availability (Olsen extractable P) and phosphorus buffering capacity (PBC) were studied. The aliphatic and aromatic organic acids were added as individual and combined treatments. The experimental results suggested that aliphatic organic acids were more effective in increasing Olsen extractable P and decreasing soil PBC when compared to aromatic organic acids. The effect of citric acid on increasing soil P availability was prolonged when applied in combination with aromatic organic acids. The contrasting chemical nature and complementary effect between aliphatic and aromatic organic acids were suggested as the reason for this phenomenon.
Simultaneous Formation of Isomeric and Polycyclic Proton Sponges Derived from 1,8‐Diaminonaphthalenes and Xylylene Dibromides
Authors: Kolupaeva Ekaterina V. , Ozeryanskii Valery A.
Published: February 2023

The interaction of 1,8‐diaminonaphthalene with o‐xylylene dibromide leads to two topologically relevant isomeric products, 1,8‐di(isoindolin‐2‐yl)naphthalene (reported previously), and its structural isomer with the bridgehead nitrogens in a bicyclic system (reported for the first time). This is the first case of isolating two heterocyclic analogs of 1,8‐bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene (proton sponge or DMAN) in one reaction. Both isomers are formed in parallel reactions and are not interconverted upon acid treatment. The first representative of heterocyclic “amide proton sponges”, which is still able to participate in intramolecular protonation due to the amide nitrogen atom, was synthesized by direct oxidation of the corresponding isoindoline derivative. Using p‐xylylene dibromide as a bridging bielectrophile, a macroheterocyclization was effectively realized to construct the first paracyclophane extended by two DMAN subunits. Mostly driven by the proximity effect, the molecular structure, unusual protonation trends and reactivity of peri‐diaminonaphthalenes N‐linked with o‐ and p‐xylylene fragments are also discussed.
Transglycosylation Reaction: Synthesis and Supramolecular Study of Carbohydrate‐Cased C2‐Symmetric 20‐ and 22‐Membered Macrocyclic Dinucleosides
Authors: Hudait Nandagopal , Karmakar Arun , Basu Arpan , Kar Binoy , Bhuyan Samuzal , Chhetri Karan , Kundu Subrata , Gopal Roy Biswajit , Sengupta Jhimli
Published: February 2023

Bis‐uracil nucleoside, in which the nucleobase is anchored to C2‐symmetric 22‐membered macrocycle (CSM‐3), was synthesized by nucleosidation of 1,2‐isopropylidenefuranose ring‐fused macrocycle. The bis‐uracil nucleoside exhibited petal flake‐like morphology in ethanolic solution. A change from petal‐like to bundle‐like morphology was observed on the addition of N6‐aminobenzoyl purine to the bis‐uracil nucleoside.
A New Urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor‐Targeted Near‐Infrared Fluorescence (NIR) Probe for Glioma Imaging
Authors: Han Yunfeng , Tu Le , Zhang Yongxue , Liu Qiuyu , Dong Qingjian , Sun Ziyan
Published: February 2023

A new fluorescent imaging probe indocyanine green‐VC (ICG‐VC) in the second near‐infrared window (NIR‐II) was fabricated based on the urokinase‐type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) targeted polypeptide VC (VSNKYFSNIHWGC). The relative quantum yield (ΦF)was 0.34 %. The tail of its fluorescence emission wavelength exceeded 1000 nm with excellent photostability. In vitro cell analysis, MTT results indicated the high biocompatibility of ICG‐VC with U87MG cells. ICG‐VC showed good photothermal conversion behavior and photothermal stability.In vivo NIR‐II fluorescence imaging, ICG‐VC exhibited high spatiotemporal resolution in the lymphatic vessels with a high resolution of 717 μm and signal‐to‐noise ratio of 4.36, and displayed an excellent U87MG tumor uptake within 4 h, which reached the maximum at 8 h with a signal‐to‐noise ratio of 5.32.
Anti‐Diabetic Activity of Flavonol Glucosides From Fumana montana Pomel: In vitro Analysis, In Silico Docking, ADMET Prediction, and Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors: Laraoui Habiba , Lanez Elhafnaoui , Zegheb Nadjiba , Adaika Aicha , Lanez Touhami , Benkhaled Mohammed
Published: February 2023

One of the major challenges in type 2 diabetes is the inhibition of the enzyme alpha‐amylase, since many molecules targeting this enzyme based on or derived from medicinal plants have been synthesized to counteract the α‐amylase action. The present study investigated the in‐vitro and in‐silico antidiabetic capacities of three flavonol glucosides obtained from the plant Fumana montana Pomel using α‐amylase inhibition model. α‐amylase binding interaction with the studied compounds was examined using ultraviolet‐visible absorption spectroscopy technique. Molecular docking and ADMET prediction were also performed for the three phytoconstituents towards human pancreatic alpha‐amylase receptor. The in vitro results revealed that both compound FG1 and FG3 showed a higher antidiabetic activity (84.00±0.12 and 85.36±0.12 μg/ml respectively) than that of standard antidiabetic acarbose (91.12±0.11). The value of the binding free energy ranging from −31.66±0.07 to −32.68±0.03 KJ mol−1 demonstrated the spontaneity and the strong binding betweenα‐amylase and the studied phytoconstituents. Molecular docking study indicated the preferred binding site and binding mode, and further suggested that the binding mode of the three compounds to the target enzyme is of hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic forces. Further analysis by molecular dynamic simulation studies showed that FG2 was stable in the HPA active site. In vitro and in‐silico results showed that the studied phytoconstituents interacted with α‐amylase and their binding interaction resulted in reduction of the enzyme's activity.
Esterase‐Activated, pH‐Responsive, and Genetically Targetable Nano‐Prodrug for Cancer Cell Photo‐Ablation
Authors: Liang Pingping , Zhang Yuanying , Schmidt Brigitte F , Ballou Byron , Qian Wei , Dong Ziyi , Wu Jiahui , Wang Lingling , Bruchez Marcel P , Dong Xiaochen
Published: February 2023

Activatable prodrugs have drawn considerable attention for cancer cell ablation owing to their high specificity in drug delivery systems. However, phototheranostic prodrugs with dual organelle‐targeting and synergistic effects are still rare due to low intelligence of their structures. Besides, the cell membrane, exocytosis, and diffusional hindrance by the extracellular matrix reduce drug uptake. Moreover, the up‐regulation of heat shock protein and short singlet‐oxygen lifetime in cancer cells hamper photo‐ablation efficacy, especially in the mono‐therapeutic model. To overcome those obstacles, we prepare an esterase‐activated DM nano‐prodrug, which is conjugated by diiodine‐substituted fluorogenic malachite green derivative (MG‐2I) and phototherapeutic agent DPP‐OH via hydrolyzable ester linkage, having pH‐responsiveness and genetically targetable activity for dual organelles‐targeting to optimize photo‐ablation efficacy. The DM nanoparticles (NPs) present improved pH‐responsive photothermal/photodynamic property by the protonation of diethylaminophenyl units in acidic environment. More importantly, the MG‐2I and DPP‐OH moieties can be released from DM nano‐prodrug through overexpressed esterase; then specifically target lysosomes and mitochondria in CT‐26 Mito‐FAP cells. Hence, near‐infrared DM NPs can trigger parallel damage in dual‐organelles with strong fluorescence and effective phototoxicity, thus inducing serious mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptotic death, showing excellent photo‐ablation effect based on esterase‐activated, pH‐responsive, and genetically targetable activities.
Efficient Hydrogen Evolution via 1T‐MoS2/Chlorophyll‐a Heterostructure: Way Toward Metal Free Green Catalyst
Authors: Das Debmallya , Manna Jhimli , Bhattacharyya Tarun Kanti
Published: February 2023

Electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is regarded as a sustainable and green way for H2 generation, which faces a great challenge in designing highly active, stable electrocatalysts to replace the state‐of‐art noble metal‐platinum catalysts. 1T MoS2 is highly promising in this regard, but the synthesis and stability of this is a particularly pressing task. Here, a phase engineering strategy has been proposed to achieve a stable, high‐percentage (88%) 1T MoS2/chlorophyll‐a hetero‐nanostructure, through a photo‐induced donation of anti‐bonding electrons from chlorophyll‐a (CHL‐a) highest occupied molecular orbital to 2H MoS2 lowest unoccupied molecular orbital. The resultant catalyst has abundant binding sites provided by the coordination of magnesium atom in the CHL‐a macro‐cycle, featuring higher binding strength and low Gibbs‐free energy. This metal‐free heterostructure exhibits excellent stability via band renormalization of Mo 4d orbital which creates the pseudogap‐like structure by lifting the degeneracy of projected density of state with 4S in 1T MoS2. It shows extremely low overpotential, toward the acidic HER (68 mV at the current density of 10 mA cm−2), very close to the Pt/C catalyst (53 mV). The high electrochemical‐surface‐area and electrochemical turnover frequency support enhanced active sites along with near zero Gibbs free energy. Such a surface‐reconstruction strategy provides a new avenue toward the production of efficient non‐noble‐metal‐catalysts for the HER with the aim of green‐hydrogen production.
Generalization of Self‐Assembly Toward Differently Shaped Colloidal Nanoparticles for Plasmonic Superlattices
Authors: Charconnet Mathias , Korsa Matiyas Tsegay , Petersen Søren , Plou Javier , Hanske Christoph , Adam Jost , Seifert Andreas
Published: February 2023

Periodic superlattices of noble metal nanoparticles
 have demonstrated superior plasmonic properties compared to randomly distributed plasmonic arrangements due to near‐field coupling and constructive far‐field interference. Here, a chemically driven, templated self‐assembly process of colloidal gold nanoparticles is investigated and optimized, and the technology is extended toward a generalized assembly process for variously shaped particles, such as spheres, rods, and triangles. The process yields periodic superlattices of homogenous  nanoparticle clusters on a centimeter scale. Electromagnetically simulated absorption spectra and corresponding experimental extinction measurements demonstrate excellent agreement in the far‐field for all particle types and different lattice periods. The electromagnetic simulations reveal the specific nano‐cluster near‐field behavior, predicting the experimental findings provided by surface‐enhanced Raman scattering measurements. It turns out that periodic arrays of spherical nanoparticles produce higher surface‐enhanced Raman scattering enhancement factors than particles with less symmetry as a result of very well‐defined strong hotspots.
Vanadium and Niobium MXenes—Bilayered V2O5 Asymmetric Supercapacitors
Authors: Saraf Mohit , Zhang Teng , Averianov Timofey , Shuck Christopher E. , Lord Robert W. , Pomerantseva Ekaterina , Gogotsi Yury
Published: February 2023

MXenes offer high metallic conductivity and redox capacitance that are attractive for high‐power, high‐energy storage devices. However, they operate limitedly under high anodic potentials due to irreversible oxidation. Pairing them with oxides to design asymmetric supercapacitors may expand the voltage window and increase the energy storage capabilities. Hydrated lithium preintercalated bilayered V2O5 ( δ‐LixV2O5·nH2O) is attractive for aqueous energy storage due to its high Li capacity at high potentials; however, its poor cyclability remains a challenge. To overcome its limitations and achieve a wide voltage window and excellent cyclability, it is combined with V2C and Nb4C3 MXenes. Asymmetric supercapacitors employing lithium intercalated V2C (Li‐V2C) or tetramethylammonium intercalated Nb4C3 (TMA‐Nb4C3) MXenes as the negative electrode, and a δ‐LixV2O5·nH2O composite with carbon nanotubes as the positive electrode in 5 m LiCl electrolyte operate over wide voltage windows of 2 and 1.6 V, respectively. The latter shows remarkably high cyclability—capacitance retention of ≈95% after 10 000 cycles. This work highlights the importance of selecting appropriate MXenes to achieve a wide voltage window and a long cycle life in combination with oxide anodes to demonstrate the potential of MXenes beyond Ti3C2 in energy storage.
Double‐Transition‐Metal MXene Films Promoting Deeply Rechargeable Magnesium Metal Batteries
Authors: Li Yuanjian , Lieu Wei Ying , Ghosh Tanmay , Fu Lin , Feng Xiang , Wong Andrew Jun Yao , Thakur Anupma , Wyatt Brian C. , Anasori Babak , Zhang Qianfan , Yang Hui Ying , Seh Zhi Wei
Published: February 2023

Magnesium metal batteries are promising candidates for next‐generation high‐energy‐density and low‐cost energy storage systems. Their application, however, is precluded by infinite relative volume changes and inevitable side reactions of Mg metal anodes. These issues become more pronounced at large areal capacities that are required for practical batteries. Herein, for the first time, double‐transition‐metal MXene films are developed to promote deeply rechargeable magnesium metal batteries using Mo2Ti2C3 as a representative example. The freestanding Mo2Ti2C3 films, which are prepared using a simple vacuum filtration method, possess good electronic conductivity, unique surface chemistry, and high mechanical modulus. These superior electro‐chemo‐mechanical merits of Mo2Ti2C3 films help to accelerate electrons/ions transfer, suppress electrolyte decomposition and dead Mg formation, as well as maintain electrode structural integrity during long‐term and large‐capacity operation. As a result, the as‐developed Mo2Ti2C3 films exhibit reversible Mg plating/stripping with high Coulombic efficiency of 99.3% at a record‐high capacity of 15 mAh cm−2. This work not only sheds innovative insights into current collector design for deeply cyclable Mg metal anodes, but also paves the way for the application of double‐transition‐metal MXene materials in other alkali and alkaline earth metal batteries.
Covalently Functionalized MXenes for Highly Sensitive Humidity Sensors
Authors: Janica Iwona , Montes‐García Verónica , Urban Francesca , Hashemi Payam , Nia Ali Shaygan , Feng Xinliang , Samorì Paolo , Ciesielski Artur
Published: February 2023

Transition metal carbides and nitrides (MXenes) are an emerging class of 2D materials, which are attracting ever‐growing attention due to their remarkable physicochemical properties. The presence of various surface functional groups on MXenes’ surface, e.g., F, O, OH, Cl, opens the possibility to tune their properties through chemical functionalization approaches. However, only a few methods have been explored for the covalent functionalization of MXenes and include diazonium salt grafting and silylation reactions. Here, an unprecedented two‐step functionalization of Ti3C2Tx MXenes is reported, where (3‐aminopropyl)triethoxysilane is covalently tethered to Ti3C2Tx and serves as an anchoring unit for subsequent attachment of various organic bromides via the formation of CN bonds. Thin films of Ti3C2Tx functionalized with linear chains possessing increased hydrophilicity are employed for the fabrication of chemiresistive humidity sensors. The devices exhibit a broad operation range (0–100% relative humidity), high sensitivity (0.777 or 3.035), a fast response/recovery time (0.24/0.40 s ΔH−1, respectively), and high selectivity to water in the presence of saturated vapors of organic compounds. Importantly, our Ti3C2Tx‐based sensors display the largest operating range and a sensitivity beyond the state of the art of MXenes‐based humidity sensors. Such outstanding performance makes the sensors suitable for real‐time monitoring applications.
Back‐extraction applied to green matrix solid‐phase dispersion for fungicides determination in tomatoes
Authors: Gallo Valeria , Della Posta Susanna , Gentili Alessandra , Gherardi Monica , De Gara Laura , Fanali Chiara
Published: February 2023

Matrix solid‐phase dispersion is an alternate technique to simultaneously extract and clean up pesticides from food matrices. In recent years, deep eutectic solvents have been applied to replace common organic solvents in various extraction techniques. One of the drawbacks of deep eutectic solvents is the impracticality of their evaporation, leading to higher limits of quantification. In this work, a deep eutectic solvent‐based extraction followed by liquid‐liquid back‐extraction was carried out to extract five triazole fungicides from tomato samples followed by high‐performance liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry analysis. For this purpose, choline chloride‐ethylene glycol in a molar ratio of 1:2 and ethyl acetate was used as a deep eutectic‐organic solvent system. Alumina was used as a dispersant sorbent in a 1‐to‐5 w/w sample‐to‐dispersant ratio. Volumes of 4.5 ml of deep eutectic solvents and 2 ml ethyl acetate were the best choices for back‐extraction. The method was fully validated. The limit of quantification was in the range of 5–11 ng/g. Intra‐day and inter‐day precision ranged between 3% and 14%, respectively. Extraction recoveries varied from 61% to 116%. The matrix effect was also evaluated.
Liquid chromatographic method for simultaneous estimation of anti‐hypertensive drug combination Azilsartan Medoxomil and Cilnidipine
Authors: Solanki Dhavalsinh P. , Panday Vishal R. , Shah Dimal A. , Chhalotiya Usmangani , Tandel Jinal N. , Kacchiya Heta M.
Published: February 2023

A combination of Azilsartan Medoxomil and Cilnidipine is prescribed in the treatment of Hypertension. An accurate and precise high‐performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the estimation of Azilsartan Medoxomil and Cilnidipine in a combined tablet dosage form. Symmetry C18 (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) column was used as the stationary phase, and methanol:water (85:15 v/v; pH 3.5) was used as the mobile phase. The method was linear in the concentration range of 4–20 μg/ml for Azilsartan Medoxomil and 1–5 μg/ml for Cilnidipine with a correlation coefficient (r2) 0.995 for Azilsartan Medoxomil and 0.995 for Cilnidipine. The proposed method was validated with respect to linearity, accuracy, precision, and robustness as per International Council on Harmonization Q2 (R1) guideline. A forced degradation study was performed to find out the intrinsic stability of the molecules. The degradation products were well resolved from the drug peak and did not interfere with the analysis. The method was successfully applied for the analysis of Azilsartan Medoxomil and Cilnidipine in combined tablet formulation.
Making “Small Waves of Change”: Dual Language and General Education Teacher Transformation through Instructional Coaching
Authors: Renn Jennifer , Li Haiyan , Choi Woongsik , Wright Wayne , Morita‐Mullaney Trish
Published: February 2023

This multisite qualitative case study explores ways in which instructional coaching focused on English language development (content) and teachers' individual beliefs (process) can help general education and dual language bilingual education elementary teachers work within and through perceived institutional barriers to improve their language and literacy instruction for designated English language learners (ELLs). In practice, much literacy coaching in schools is often finite and fidelity‐oriented yet coaching grounded in constructivism empowers and emboldens teachers to become agents of change. Using the Vygotsky Space theoretical framework, we draw on multiple data sources generated during classroom observations, sessions with an instructional coach, and postprogram interviews to examine how 12 teachers moved through the stages ofappropriation,transformation,publication, andconventionalizationover the course of a 2‐year period. Results show that teachers exhibited meaningful shifts in their beliefs and teaching practices for ELLs during their coaching experience, but that sharing and internalizing those changes are protracted processes. We also identified two additional phases in the Vygotsky Space cycle:prepublication, where teachers expressed desires and plans to share new ideas, andscale‐up, where teachers began to reach individuals and institutions beyond their initial context.
Significance of Kampo medicine for cancer supportive care: Overview
Authors: Motoo Yoshiharu , Cameron Silke
Published: February 2023

Background

Cancer has been the number one cause of death in Japan since 1981. Advanced or recurrent cancers need strong chemotherapies to control their growth. On the other hand, tumor‐bearing patients experience pain, fatigue, anorexia, cold sensation, sarcopenia, and frailty. Surgery and radiation therapy also cause adverse events such as ileus, infection, oral mucositis and diarrhea.

Problems

Cancer supportive care includes all measures to prevent or ameliorate side effects of any treatments including anti‐cancer agents, with physical, mental, social, and spiritual care (survivorship care). Neutropenia and nausea/vomiting are generally well controlled in clinical settings owing to the progress in granulocyte‐colony stimulating factors and anti‐emetics. However, anorexia, general malaise, and peripheral neuropathy are refractory to modern medical care.

Solutions

Recently, evidence is accumulating on the efficacy of Kampo medicines in the management of refractory symptoms. Furthermore, action mechanisms of each Kampo formula and its components have been elucidated by basic research.

Conclusions

In this symposium, we learned state‐of‐the art progress in basic and clinical research in the field of cancer supportive care. In addition to the reports on the Japanese situation, we listened to German viewpoints on this theme.
A note about rational surfaces as unions of affine planes
Authors: Caravantes Jorge , Sendra J. Rafael , Sevilla David , Villarino Carlos
Published: February 2023

We prove that any smooth rational projective surface over the field of complex numbers has an open covering consisting of 3 subsets isomorphic to affine planes.
Divisor-bounded multiplicative functions in short intervals
Authors: Mangerel Alexander P.
Published: February 2023

We extend the Matomäki–Radziwiłł theorem to a large collection of unbounded multiplicative functions that are uniformly bounded, but not necessarily bounded by 1, on the primes. Our result allows us to estimate averages of such a function f in typical intervals of length $$h(\log X)^c$$

h

(
log
X
)

c

, with $$h = h(X) \rightarrow \infty $$

h
=
h
(
X
)
→
∞

and where $$c = c_f \ge 0$$

c
=

c
f

≥
0

is determined by the distribution of $$\{|f(p) |\}_p$$

{
|
f

(
p
)

|
}

p

in an explicit way. We give three applications. First, we show that the classical Rankin–Selberg-type asymptotic formula for partial sums of $$|\lambda _f(n) |^2$$

|

λ
f

(
n
)

|

2

, where $$\{\lambda _f(n)\}_n$$

{

λ
f

(
n
)

}

n

is the sequence of normalized Fourier coefficients of a primitive non-CM holomorphic cusp form, persists in typical short intervals of length $$h\log X$$

h
log
X

, if $$h = h(X) \rightarrow \infty $$

h
=
h
(
X
)
→
∞

. We also generalize this result to sequences $$\{|\lambda _{\pi }(n) |^2\}_n$$

{
|

λ
π

(
n
)

|
2

}

n

, where $$\lambda _{\pi }(n)$$

λ
π

(
n
)

is the nth coefficient of the standard L-function of an automorphic representation $$\pi $$
π
with unitary central character for $$GL_m$$

G

L
m

, $$m \ge 2$$

m
≥
2

, provided $$\pi $$
π
satisfies the generalized Ramanujan conjecture. Second, using recent developments in the theory of automorphic forms we estimate the variance of averages of all positive real moments $$\{|\lambda _f(n) |^{\alpha }\}_n$$

{
|

λ
f

(
n
)

|
α

}

n

over intervals of length $$h(\log X)^{c_{\alpha }}$$

h

(
log
X
)

c
α

, with $$c_{\alpha } > 0$$

c
α

>
0

explicit, for any $$\alpha > 0$$

α
>
0

, as $$h = h(X) \rightarrow \infty $$

h
=
h
(
X
)
→
∞

. Finally, we show that the (non-multiplicative) Hooley $$\Delta $$
Δ
-function has average value $$\gg \log \log X$$

≫
log
log
X

in typical short intervals of length $$(\log X)^{1/2+\eta }$$

(
log
X
)

1
/
2
+
η

, where $$\eta >0$$

η
>
0

is fixed.