bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced Thermal Stability of Planar Perovskite Solar Cells Through Triphenylphosphine Interface Passivation
Authors: Thambidurai M. , Omer Mohamed I. , Shini Foo , Dewi Herlina Arianita , Jamaludin Nur Fadilah , Koh Teck Ming , Tang Xiaohong , Mathews Nripan , Dang Cuong
Published: March 2022

While extensive research has driven the rapid efficiency trajectory noted to date for organic–inorganic perovskite solar cells (PSCs), their thermal stability remains one of the key issues hindering their commercialization. Herein, a significant reduction in surface defects (a precursor to perovskite instability) could be attained by introducing triphenylphosphine (TPP), an effective Lewis base passivator, to the vulnerable perovskite/spiro‐OMeTAD interface. Not only did TPP passivation enable a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 20.22 % to be achieved, these devices also exhibited superior ambient and thermal stability. Unlike the pristine device, which exhibited a sharp descend to 16 % of its initial PCE on storing in relative humidity of 10 %, at 85 °C for more than 720 h, the TPP‐passivated devices retained 71 % of its initial PCE. Hence, this study presents a facile yet excellent approach to attain high‐performing yet thermally stable PSCs.
Copper Carbonate Hydroxide as Precursor of Interfacial CO in CO2 Electroreduction
Authors: Jiang Shan , D'Amario Luca , Dau Holger
Published: March 2022

Copper electrodes are especially effective in catalysis of C2 and further multi‐carbon products in the CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) and therefore of major technological interest. The reasons for the unparalleled Cu performance in CO2RR are insufficiently understood. Here, the electrode–electrolyte interface was highlighted as a dynamic physical‐chemical system and determinant of catalytic events. Exploiting the intrinsic surface‐enhanced Raman effect of previously characterized Cu foam electrodes, operando Raman experiments were used to interrogate structures and molecular interactions at the electrode–electrolyte interface at subcatalytic and catalytic potentials. Formation of a copper carbonate hydroxide (CuCarHyd) was detected, which resembles the mineral malachite. Its carbonate ions could be directly converted to CO at low overpotential. These and further experiments suggested a basic mode of CO2/carbonate reduction at Cu electrodes interfaces that contrasted previous mechanistic models: the starting point in carbon reduction was not CO2 but carbonate ions bound to the metallic Cu electrode in form of CuCarHyd structures. It was hypothesized that Cu oxides residues could enhance CO2RR indirectly by supporting formation of CuCarHyd motifs. The presence of CuCarHyd patches at catalytic potentials might result from alkalization in conjunction with local electrical potential gradients, enabling the formation of metastable CuCarHyd motifs over a large range of potentials.
CO2‐Promoted Direct Acylation of Amines and Phenols by the Activation of Inert Thioacid Salts
Authors: Wang Huan , Li Yudong , Liu Shaoli , Makha Mohamed , Bai Jian‐Fei , Li Yuehui
Published: March 2022

Herein a carbon dioxide‐promoted synthetic approach for the direct amidation between unactivated thioacid salts and amines under mild conditions was developed for a wide range of substrates. The method afforded amides in good to excellent yields under transition‐metal‐free and activation‐reagent‐free conditions, in sharp contrast to early methodologies on amide synthesis based on transition‐metal catalysis. The method offered a greener and transition metal‐free protocol applicable to pharmaceuticals preparations. Phenolic compounds were also found to be suitable acylation substrates with potassium thiosulfide KHS as the only byproduct. Moreover, this approach was applied to amide synthesis of valuable bio‐active molecules such as moclobemide, melatonin, and a fungicide. Insights into the reaction mechanism involving carbon dioxide were provided through NMR spectroscopy and computational calculations. A plausible mechanism was proposed that involves weak interactions between carbon dioxide and potassium thioacetate in a dynamic equilibrium state formation of a six‐membered ring.
Effect of inactive impurity ions on deuteron beam‐fusion in fast ignition approach
Authors: Khanbabaei Babak , Nazirzadeh Mehdi
Published: March 2022

The laser‐generated deuteron beam is a promising scheme for providing the required energy for igniting a pre‐compressed fuel in the fast ignition method in the inertial confinement fusion approach. Deuteron beam provides extra energy through beam‐fusion(BF) reactions during the hot‐spot formation in the pre‐compressed fuel. During the compression and hot‐spot formation stages, Impurities are produced due to the mixing of the fuel with the material of the structural elements of the target. So, the efficiency of BF of the deuteron beam in a spherical deuteron‐triton(DT) fuel in the presence of impurity (such as beryllium, carbon, aluminium, and gold) with arbitrary concentration is investigated. Deuteron beam was considered with Maxwellian energy distribution at a temperature of 3 MeV, which passes through the pre‐compressed contaminated DT fuel with a non‐uniform density profile. It shows that an increase of mixed‐ion charge state and density ratio results in the substantial diminution of the deuteron BF probability, which leads to a reduction in deuteron's extra bonus energy. The effect of fuel temperature on the BF probability in contaminated DT fuel is discussed. Calculations show that increasing the temperature enhanced BF probability.
Elevated ghrelin alters the behavioral effects of perinatal acetaminophen exposure in rats
Authors: Herrington Joshua A. , Guss Darwich Janet , Harshaw Christopher , Brigande Alev M. , Leif Erica B. , Currie Paul J.
Published: March 2022

A growing body of evidence links prenatal and early postnatal acetaminophen (APAP) exposure to atypical development of brain and behavior. In adult rodents, APAP is known to produce oxidative stress and lower anxiety‐related behavior following acute exposure. In models of early‐life exposure, APAP has also been shown to alter anxiety‐related and other behaviors. Since the neuropeptide ghrelin has been recently shown to reduce oxidative stress markers and act as a neuroprotectant, we hypothesized that exposure to ghrelin prior to exposure to APAP would mitigate the behavioral effects of APAP exposure. On postnatal day 7, pups were administered doses of either APAP (51.97 mg/kg), ghrelin (1 mg/kg/ml), ghrelin + APAP, or vehicle only. As adults, anxiety‐related behavior was assessed in the open field and elevated plus maze. Behavior differed based upon treatment condition. In rats unexposed to ghrelin, APAP treatment resulted in increased exploration (i.e., reduced anxiety) in the open field relative to controls. Rats co‐administered APAP and ghrelin did not differ from vehicle‐only controls. No significant effects of APAP or interactions between APAP and ghrelin exposures were observed in the elevated plus maze. These results are the first to demonstrate that ghrelin can mitigate the effects of perinatal APAP exposure in rats.
Caries‐related salivary parameters and oral microbial flora in patients with type 1 diabetes: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Hatipoğlu Ömer , Önsüren Aslı Soğukpınar , Hatipoğlu Fatma Pertek , Kurt Ayça
Published: March 2022

Objectives

This study aimed to conduct a meta‐analysis by synthesising the outcomes of studies that investigated the relationship between type 1 diabetes (T1D) and salivary flow rate (SFR), salivary pH (SpH), salivary buffer capacity (SBC), streptococcus Mutans (SM), and lactobacillus (LB) counts.

Material and Methods

The PRISMA statement guide was followed for the meta‐analysis. Electronic databases were searched, and study selection and data collection processes were performed. The risks of bias in individual studies and across studies were assessed. Mean differences (MD) and Odds Ratio (OR) were used to measure the effect estimates in the comparisons.

Results

29 studies were included in the qualitative and quantitative syntheses. Significantly higher SFR (MD = −0.22, CI: −0.26, −0.18; p < 0.001) and SpH (MD = −0.59, CI: −0.81, −0.36; p < 0.001) were observed in the healthy individuals than T1D individuals. No significant difference was observed among groups in terms of SBC (MD = 0.10, CI: −0.46,0.66; p = 0.73). An increased odds ratio of SM counts were observed regarding the T1D (OR = 3.09, 95% CI: 1.16, 8.20; p = 0.02). No association was found between LB counts and T1D (OR = 2.15, 95% CI: 0.38, 11.98; p = 0.38).

Conclusions

Subjects with T1D have a significantly lesser SFR and SpH than healthy individuals. But no significant difference is available in terms of SBC. Lower SM counts were observed in individuals with T1D, while no association was observed regarding LB counts. The tendency to dental caries is more likely in subjects with T1D due to lower SFR, SpH, and higher SM.
Statistical learning in children with a family risk of dyslexia
Authors: de Bree Elise , Verhagen Josje
Published: March 2022

The assumption that statistical learning is affected in dyslexia has generally been evaluated in children and adults with diagnosed dyslexia, not in pre‐literate children with a family risk (FR) of dyslexia. In this study, four‐to‐five‐year‐old FR children (n = 25) and No‐FR children (n = 33) completed tasks of emerging literacy (phoneme awareness and RAN). They also performed an online non‐adjacent dependency learning (NADL) task, based on the Serial Reaction Time (SRT) task paradigm. Children's accuracy (hits), signal sensitivity (d′) and reaction times were measured. The FR group performed marginally more poorly on phoneme awareness and significantly more poorly on RAN than the No‐FR group. Regarding NADL outcomes, the results were less straightforward: the data suggested successful statistical learning for both groups, as indicated by the hit and reaction time curves found. However, the FR group was less accurate and slower on the task than the No‐FR group. Furthermore, unlike the No‐FR group, performance in the FR group varied as a function of the specific stimulus presented. Taken together, these findings fail to show a robust difference in statistical learning between children with and without an FR of dyslexia at preschool age, in line with earlier work on older children and adults with dyslexia.
SizeExtractR: A workflow for rapid reproducible extraction of object size metrics from scaled images
Authors: Lachs Liam , Chong Fiona , Beger Maria , East Holly K. , Guest James R. , Sommer Brigitte
Published: March 2022

Size is a biological characteristic that drives ecological processes from microscopic to geographic spatial scales, influencing cellular energetics, species fitness, population dynamics, and ecological interactions. Methods to measure size from images (e.g., proxies of body size, leaf area, and cell area) occur along a gradient from manual approaches to fully automated technologies (e.g., machine learning). These methods differ in terms of time investment, expertise required, and data or resource availability. While manual methods can improve accuracy through human recognition, they can be labor intensive, highlighting the need for semi‐automated, and user‐friendly software or workflows to increase the efficiency of manual techniques.

Here, we present SizeExtractR, an open‐source workflow that enables faster extraction of size metrics from scaled images (e.g., each image includes a ruler) using semi‐automated protocols. It comprises a set of ImageJ macros to speed up size extraction and annotation, and an R‐package for the quality control of annotations, data collation, calibration, and visualization.

SizeExtractR extracts seven common size dimensions, including planar area, min/max diameter, and perimeter. Users can record additional categorical variables relating to their own study, for example species ID, by simply adding alphanumeric annotations to individual objects when prompted. Using a population size structure case study for hard corals as an example, we show how SizeExtractR was used to quantify the impact of mass coral bleaching on coral population dynamics. Lastly, the time saving benefit of using SizeExtractR was quantified during a series of timed image analyses, revealing up to a 49% reduction in image analysis time compared to a fully manual approach.

SizeExtractR automatically archives results, allowing re‐analysis of size extraction and promoting quality control and reproducibility. It has already been employed in marine and terrestrial sciences to assess population dynamics and demography, energy investment in eggs, and growth of nursery reared corals, with potential to be applied to a wide range of other research fields.
Norepinephrine use in cardiogenic shock patients is associated with increased 30 day mortality
Authors: Lu Xin , Wang Xue , Gao Yanxia , Walline Joseph Harold , Yu Shiyuan , Ge Zengzheng , Qin Mubing , Zhu Huadong , Li Yi
Published: March 2022

Aims

Norepinephrine is recommended as a first‐line vasopressor agent in the haemodynamic stabilization of cardiogenic shock. The survival benefit of norepinephrine therapy has not been demonstrated in clinical practice, however. This study aimed to explore the relationship between norepinephrine use and outcomes in cardiogenic shock patients in real‐world conditions.

Methods and results

We conducted a retrospective cohort study based on the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III (MIMIC‐III) database. Cardiogenic shock patients were enrolled and categorized into a norepinephrine group or a non‐norepinephrine group. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to control for confounders. Cox proportional‐hazards models and multivariable logistic regression were used to investigate the relationship between norepinephrine treatment and mortality. A total of 927 eligible patients were included: 552 patients in the norepinephrine group and 375 patients in the non‐norepinephrine group. After PSM, 222 cases from each group were matched using a 1:1 matching algorithm. Thirty day mortality for patients treated with norepinephrine was significantly higher than for those in the non‐norepinephrine group (41% vs. 30%, OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.09–2.39, P = 0.017; HR 1.50, 95% CI 1.09–2.06, P = 0.013). In the multivariable analysis, there was no significant difference between norepinephrine therapy and long‐term (90 day, 180 day, or 1 year) mortality (90 day (OR 1.19, 95% CI 0.82–1.74, P = 0.363), 180 day (OR 1.17, 95% CI 0.80–1.70, P = 0.418), 1 year (OR 1.14, 95% CI 0.79–1.66, P = 0.477). Patients in the norepinephrine group required more mechanical ventilation (84% vs. 67%, OR 2.67, 95% CI 1.70–4.25, P < 0.001) and experienced longer ICU stays (median 7 vs. 4 days, OR 7.92, 95% CI 1.40–44.83, P = 0.020) than non‐norepinephrine group.

Conclusions

Cardiogenic shock patients treated with norepinephrine were associated with significantly increased short‐term mortality, while no significant difference was found on long‐term survival rates. Future trials are needed to validate and explore this association.
Facile synthesis of M2(m‐dobdc) (M = Fe and Mn) metal‐organic frameworks for remarkable hydrogen storage
Authors: Verma Satish Kumar , Shaz Mohammad Abu , Yadav Thakur Prasad
Published: March 2022

Metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) are emerging as promising candidates for hydrogen storage material because of their porosity and adjustable hydrocarbon structures coordinated with the metal element. Present work explore the synthesis of M2(m‐dobdc) (M = Fe and Mn; m‐dobdc4− = 4,6‐dioxido‐1,3‐benzenedicarboxylate) metal‐organic frameworks via solvothermal method for the purpose of hydrogen storage application. The X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope, scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive X‐ray analysis, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic studies have been done to ensure the synthesized material is M2(m‐dobdc) (M = Fe and Mn) MOFs. The Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller (BET) analysis reveals the average pore size of 36.271 nm for Mn2(m‐dobdc) MOF whereas the average pore size for fe2(m‐dobdc) MOF was found to be 2.1992 nm. The as‐prepared MOF samples are in the mesoporous range based on pore size distribution (internal pore diameter greater than 2 nm) with spherical pore geometry. Hydrogen storage studies shows that Fe2(m‐dobdc) has a hydrogen storage capacity of 0.18 wt% at ambient temperature (30°C) under 100 atm H2 pressure, whereas the hydrogen storage capacity for Mn2(m‐dobdc) is 1.38 wt% under identical conditions of temperature and pressure. The hydrogen storage capacity at liquid nitrogen temperature (−196°C) under 100 atm H2 pressure for Fe2(m‐dobdc) and Mn2(m‐dobdc) is 4.31 and 8.21 wt%, respectively.
Advances in metal graphitic nanocapsules for biomedicine
Authors: Li Shengkai , Yang Yanxia , Wang Shen , Gao Yang , Song Zhiling , Chen Long , Chen Zhuo
Published: March 2022

Metal graphitic nanocapsules have the advantages of both graphitic and metal nanomaterials, showing great promise in biomedicine. On one hand, the chemically inert graphitic shells are able to protect the metal core from external environments, quench the fluorescence signal from the biological system, offer robust platform for targeted molecules or drugs loading, and act as stable Raman labels or internal standard molecule. On the other hand, the metal cores with different compositions, sizes, and morphologies show unique physicochemical properties, and further broaden their biomedical functions. In this review, we firstly introduce the preparation, classification, and properties of metal graphitic nanocapsules, then summarize the recent progress of their applications in biodetection, bioimaging, and therapy. Challenges and their development prospects in biomedicine are eventually discussed in detail. We expect the versatile metal graphitic nanocapsules will advance the development of future clinical biomedicine.
Prolonged heat and drought versus cool climate on the Swedish spring wheat breeding lines: Impact on the gluten protein quality and grain microstructure
Authors: Lama Sbatie , Vallenback Pernilla , Hall Stephen A. , Kuzmenkova Marina , Kuktaite Ramune
Published: March 2022

Fluctuating climate, heat, and drought are expected to considerably impact bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) quality in the coming years and, as wheat is an essential food element worldwide, this will have significant implications for future food security and the global economy. This leads to an urgent need for developing wheat varieties with stable yield and gluten quality. In this study, we investigated the effect of heat and drought, compared to a cool climate, on gluten proteins in 294 spring wheat genotypes grown in 2017 and 2018 in Sweden. Gluten protein parameters were studied by size exclusion high‐performance liquid chromatography (SE‐HPLC) and grain morphology by X‐ray tomography. The prolonged heat and drought led to: (i) increased gluten polymerization and the formation of large polymers, as defined by the percentage of unextractable polymers in total polymers (%UPP) and the percentage of large unextractable polymers in total large polymers (%LUPP); and (ii) increase in large monomers, as defined by the percentage of large unextractable monomers in the total large monomers (%LUMP) and the ratio of monomers versus polymers (Mon/Pol) in the flour. The cooler climate also led to an increase in total protein concentration and accumulation of the monomeric proteins and total SDS‐extractable proteins (TOTE). No difference in the total amount of SDS‐unextractable proteins (TOTU) was found between the studied climates. Due to the heat and drought stress, the grain yield decreased in most of the genotypes, while the grain microstructure varied only to a minor extent. The wheat genotypes identified in the study that provide good yields and stable gluten properties in both prolonged heat–drought and cool environments are strong candidates to contribute to a secure, self‐sufficient future wheat supply in the face of an evolving climate in Sweden and in similar climates worldwide.
Video‐evoked fMRI BOLD responses are highly consistent across different data acquisition sites
Authors: Byrge Lisa , Kliemann Dorit , He Ye , Cheng Hu , Tyszka Julian Michael , Adolphs Ralph , Kennedy Daniel P.
Published: March 2022

Naturalistic imaging paradigms, in which participants view complex videos in the scanner, are increasingly used in human cognitive neuroscience. Videos evoke temporally synchronized brain responses that are similar across subjects as well as within subjects, but the reproducibility of these brain responses across different data acquisition sites has not yet been quantified. Here, we characterize the consistency of brain responses across independent samples of participants viewing the same videos in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanners at different sites (Indiana University and Caltech). We compared brain responses collected at these different sites for two carefully matched datasets with identical scanner models, acquisition, and preprocessing details, along with a third unmatched dataset in which these details varied. Our overall conclusion is that for matched and unmatched datasets alike, video‐evoked brain responses have high consistency across these different sites, both when compared across groups and across pairs of individuals. As one might expect, differences between sites were larger for unmatched datasets than matched datasets. Residual differences between datasets could in part reflect participant‐level variability rather than scanner‐ or data‐ related effects. Altogether our results indicate promise for the development and, critically, generalization of video fMRI studies of individual differences in healthy and clinical populations alike.
C‐C motif chemokine ligand 5 confines liver regeneration by down‐regulating reparative macrophage‐derived hepatocyte growth factor in a forkhead box O 3a–dependent manner
Authors: Huang Miao , Jiao Junzhe , Cai Hao , Zhang Yichi , Xia Yuhan , Lin Jiacheng , Shang Zhi , Qian Yihan , Wang Fang , Wu Hailong , Kong Xiaoni , Gu Jinyang
Published: March 2022

Background and Aims

Liver regeneration (LR) is vital for the recovery of liver function after hepatectomy. Limited regeneration capacity, together with insufficient remnant liver volume, is a risk factor for posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) resulting from small‐for‐size syndrome. Although inflammation plays an important role in controlling LR, the underlying mechanisms still remain obscure.

Approach and Results

We identified C‐C motif chemokine ligand (CCL) 5 as an important negative regulator for LR. CCL5 levels were elevated after partial hepatectomy (PHx), both in healthy donors of living donor liver transplantation (LT) and PHx mouse models. Ccl5 knockout mice displayed improved survival after 90% PHx and enhanced LR 36 h after 70% PHx. However, primary hepatocytes from Ccl5−/−
mice exposed to growth factors in vitro showed no proliferation advantage compared to those from wild‐type (WT) mice. Flow cytometry analysis showed that proportions of Ly6Clo macrophages were significantly increased in Ccl5−/−
mice after 70% PHx. RNA‐sequencing analysis revealed that sorted macrophages (CD11b+Ly6Clo&hi) manifested enhanced expression of reparative genes in Ccl5−/−
mice compared to WT mice. Mechanistically, CCL5 induced macrophages toward proinflammatory Ly6Chi phenotype, thereby inhibiting the production of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) through the C‐C motif chemokine receptor (CCR) 1– and CCR5‐mediated forkhead box O (FoxO) 3a pathways. Finally, blockade of CCL5 greatly optimized survival and boosted LR in the mouse PHx model.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that inhibition of CCL5 is a promising strategy to improve regeneration restoration by enhancing HGF secretion from reparative macrophages through the FoxO3a pathway, which may potentially reduce the mortality of PHLF.
An optimized morphology transform‐based diagnostic computed tomography image enhancement using edge map
Authors: Rao Karishma , Bansal Manu , Kaur Gagandeep
Published: March 2022

In computed tomography (CT) imaging, a low‐quality CT scan, or more precisely, a noisy low contrast CT image, may provide insufficient information for visual interpretation of impacted regions. The purpose of this article is to propose a novel optimal morphological transform‐based method for improving the noise and contrast of CT images in the wavelet domain. The low‐quality CT image is first transformed using the optimized morphology transform method, which determines the optimal value of the parameter included in the fundamental morphology transformation equation. The parameter's optimum value is determined using the particle swarm optimization (PSO) method. The proposed approach then employs the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) to decompose the input and transformed CT image into higher and lower sub‐bands. Following that, the lower sub‐bands are modified by applying the correction factor via singular value decomposition (SVD). The input image's higher sub‐band (HH) is denoised using an edge map (EM)‐based method. This produces enhanced CT images with modified lower and higher sub‐band. Finally, the modified sub‐bands and remaining unprocessed higher frequency sub‐bands are processed using the inverse discrete wavelet transform (IDWT), resulting in an enhanced CT image. Experiments and validations are conducted on a CT images obtained from a publicly available database to assess the proposed scheme's effectiveness qualitatively and quantitatively. Significant quantitative study shows that the proposed approach surpasses existing image enhancement approaches in terms of signal‐to‐noise ratio, discrete entropy, enhancement measurement, and contrast ratio. The proposed method generates higher‐quality CT images, which is advantageous for disease inspection and diagnosis.
Stable one dimensional (1D)/three dimensional (3D) perovskite solar cell with an efficiency exceeding 23%
Authors: Chen Qinghua , Deng Kaimo , Shen Ying , Li Liang
Published: March 2022

The interface properties of organic–inorganic mixed halide perovskite solar cells play a significant role in their photovoltaic performance. Defect states at the interface can decrease the power conversion efficiency through defect‐assisted charge recombination and degrade the long‐term stability. Low‐dimensional perovskites exhibit excellent stabilities. They can be combined with three dimensional (3D) perovskites to utilize their advantages for fabrication of high‐performance devices. In this study, we successfully construct a robust interface for perovskite films through mixed‐dimensional engineering. After the introduction of a one dimensional (1D)‐structured capping layer on the 3D perovskite through post‐treatment, the number of defect states in the perovskite film is significantly decreased, while the lifetime of the photocarriers is increased. In addition, the 1D capping layer can serve as a diffusion barrier to reduce the ion migration and protect the vulnerable 3D perovskite against moisture. Perovskite solar cells based on stacked 1D/3D structures exhibit a power conversion efficiency of 23.3% and maintain 80% of the initial efficiency after storage for over 800 h under ambient conditions with a humidity of 50%. Their performances are superior to those of the 3D devices. This study provides a simple approach to simultaneously enhance the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells and may guide the development of other solar cells.

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Serum‐derived exosomes from SD rats induce inflammation in macrophages through the mTOR pathway
Authors: Wang Ye , Liu Yan‐ping , Sun Zhan‐bing , Deng Wei‐hua , Yuan Xiao‐yan , Lei Yuan‐di , Cai Ying , Huang Lian , Zhang Zhao‐hui
Published: March 2022

Inhalation of beryllium and its compounds can cause lung injuries, resulting from inflammation and oxidative stress. Multivesicular bodies (MVB), such as exosomes, are membrane vesicles produced by early and late endosomes that mediate intercellular communications. However, the role of exosomes in beryllium toxicity has not been elucidated. This current study aimed to investigate the functional role of exosomes in lung injury resulting from beryllium sulfate (BeSO4). Here, Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats were exposed to 4, 8, and 12 mg/kg BeSO4 by nonexposed intratracheal instillation. Murine macrophage (RAW 264.7) cells were pretreated with 50 nmol/L rapamycin (an mTOR signaling pathway inhibitor) for 30 min and then cultured for 24 h with 100 μg/mL exosomes, which had been previously isolated from the serum of 12 mg/kg BeSO4‐treated SD rats. Compared with those of the controls, exposure to BeSO4 in vivo increased LDH activity, elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL‐10, TNF‐α, and IFN‐γ) alongside inflammation‐related proteins expression (COX‐2 and iNOS), and enhanced secretion of exosomes from the SD rat's serum. Moreover, the BeSO4‐Exos‐induced upregulation of LDH activity and inflammatory responses in RAW 264.7 cells can be alleviated following pretreatment with rapamycin. Collectively, these results suggest that serum exosomes play an important role in pulmonary inflammation induced by BeSO4 in RAW 264.7 cells via the mTOR pathway.
EDA‐NOCV analysis of carbene‐borylene bonded dinitrogen complexes for deeper bonding insight: A fair comparison with a metal‐dinitrogen system
Authors: Devi Kavita , Gorantla Sai Manoj N. V. T. , Mondal Kartik Chandra
Published: March 2022

Binding of dinitrogen (N2) to a transition metal center (M) and followed by its activation under milder conditions is no longer impossible; rather, it is routinely studied in laboratories by transition metal complexes. In contrast, binding of N2 by main group elements has been a challenge for decades, until very recently, an exotic cAAC‐borylene (cAAC = cyclic alkyl(amino) carbene) species showed similar binding affinity to kinetically inert and non‐polar dinitrogen (N2) gas under ambient conditions. Since then, N2 binding by short lived borylene species has made a captivating news in different journals for its unusual features and future prospects. Herein, we carried out different types of DFT calculations, including EDA‐NOCV analysis of the relevant cAAC‐boron‐dinitrogen complexes and their precursors, to shed light on the deeper insight of the bonding secret (EDA‐NOCV = energy decomposition analysis coupled with natural orbital for chemical valence). The hidden bonding aspects have been uncovered and are presented in details. Additionally, similar calculations have been carried out in comparison with a selected stable dinitrogen bridged‐diiron(I) complex. Singlet cAAC ligand is known to be an exotic stable species which, combined with the BAr group, produces an intermediate singlet electron‐deficient (cAAC)(BAr) species possessing a high lying HOMO suitable for overlapping with the high lying π*‐orbital of N2 via effective π‐backdonation. The BN2 interaction energy has been compared with that of the FeN2 bond. Our thorough bonding analysis might answer the unasked questions of experimental chemists about how boron compounds could mimic the transition metal of dinitrogen binding and activation, uncovering hidden bonding aspects. Importantly, Pauling repulsion energy also plays a crucial role and decides the binding efficiency in terms of intrinsic interaction energy between the boron‐center and the N2 ligand.
Group divisible designs with block size 4 and group sizes 2 and 5
Authors: Abel R. Julian R. , Britz Thomas , Bunjamin Yudhistira A. , Combe Diana
Published: March 2022

In this paper we provide a 4‐GDD of type , thereby solving the existence question for the last remaining feasible type for a 4‐GDD with no more than 30 points. We then show that 4‐GDDs of type exist for all but a finite specified set of feasible pairs .
New index combining multiple inflammation‐based prognostic scores for predicting the prognosis of gastric cancer patients
Authors: Kudou Kensuke , Kusumoto Tetsuya , Nambara Sho , Tsuda Yasuo , Kusumoto Eiji , Yoshida Rintaro , Sakaguchi Yoshihisa , Ikejiri Koji
Published: March 2022

Background and Aim

Several inflammation‐based scores have prognostic value for patients diagnosed with various cancers. However, using only a single inflammation‐based prognostic score may be unreliable, as the cut‐off values and relative usefulness among various inflammation‐based prognostic scores vary. We established a new combined index of four inflammation‐based prognostic scores, namely the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, platelet/lymphocyte ratio, prognostic index, and prognostic nutritional index, and assessed its usefulness to predict the prognosis of gastric cancer.

Methods and Results

We reviewed the data of 635 patients who underwent surgical resection for gastric cancer. We calculated the combined index as the total value of each of the four included inflammation‐based prognostic scores and analyzed the relationship between the combined index and postoperative prognosis of gastric cancer. The new combined index was represented as a value between 0 and 6 in each patient. The Kaplan–Meier survival curves showed that patients whose combined index was 0 had good long‐term outcomes, while the prognosis of patients whose combined index ranged from 4 to 6 was poor.

Conclusion

This new combined index was strongly associated with poor prognosis in patients who underwent surgery for gastric cancer. It is inferred that it can predict patient prognosis after surgical resection for gastric cancer with a stronger correlation and clearer stratification than a single inflammation‐based prognostic score.
Differentiating Benign and Malignant Breast Lesions in Diffusion Kurtosis MRI: Does the Averaging Procedure Matter?
Authors: Pistel Mona , Laun Frederik Bernd , Bickelhaupt Sebastian , Dada Anes , Weiland Elisabeth , Niederdränk Torsten , Uder Michael , Janka Rolf , Wenkel Evelyn , Ohlmeyer Sabine
Published: March 2022

Background

Diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) is used to differentiate between benign and malignant breast lesions. DKI fits are performed either on voxel‐by‐voxel basis or using volume‐averaged signal.

Purpose

Investigate and compare DKI parameters' diagnostic performance using voxel‐by‐voxel and volume‐averaged signal fit approach.

Study type

Retrospective.

Study population

A total of 104 patients, aged 24.1–86.4 years.

Field Strength/Sequence

A 3 T Spin‐echo planar diffusion‐weighted sequence with b‐values: 50 s/mm2, 750 s/mm2, and 1500 s/mm2. Dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) sequence.

Assessment

Lesions were manually segmented by M.P. under supervision of S.O. (2 and 5 years of experience in breast MRI). DKI fits were performed on voxel‐by‐voxel basis and with volume‐averaged signal. Diagnostic performance of DKI parameters (kurtosis corrected diffusion coefficient) and kurtosis was compared between both approaches.

Statistical Tests

Receiver operating characteristics analysis and area under the curve (AUC) values were computed. Wilcoxon rank sum and Students t‐test tested DKI parameters for significant (P <0.05) difference between benign and malignant lesions. DeLong test was used to test the DKI parameter performance for significant fit approach dependency. Correlation between parameters of the two approaches was determined by Pearson correlation coefficient.

Results

DKI parameters were significantly different between benign and malignant lesions for both fit approaches. Median benign vs. malignant values for voxel‐by‐voxel and volume‐averaged approach were 2.00 vs. 1.28 ( in μm2/msec), 2.03 vs. 1.26 ( in μm2/msec), 0.54 vs. 0.90 (), 0.55 vs. 0.99 (). AUC for voxel‐by‐voxel and volume‐averaged fit were 0.9494 and 0.9508 (); 0.9175 and 0.9298 (). For both, AUC did not differ significantly (P = 0.20). Correlation of values between the two approaches was very high (r = 0.99 for and r = 0.97 for ).

Data Conclusion

Voxel‐by‐voxel and volume‐averaged signal fit approach are equally well suited for differentiating between benign and malignant breast lesions in DKI.

Evidence Level

3

Technical Efficacy

Stage 3
Characterizing tourniquet induced hemodynamics during total knee arthroplasty using diffuse optical spectroscopy
Authors: Philipopoulos George P. , Sharareh Behnam , Ganesan Goutham , Tromberg Bruce J. , O'Sullivan Thomas D. , Schwarzkopf Ran
Published: March 2022

Tourniquet use creates a reduced blood surgical field during total knee arthroplasty (TKA), however, prolonged ischemia may cause postoperative tourniquet complications. To understand the effects of tourniquet‐induced ischemia, we performed a prospective observational study using quantitative broadband diffuse optical spectroscopy (DOS) to measure tissue hemodynamics and water and lipid concentrations before, during, and after tourniquet placement in subjects undergoing TKA. Data was collected for 6 months and, of the total subjects analyzed (n = 24), 22 were primary TKAs and 2 were revision TKA cases. We specifically investigated tourniquet‐induced hemodynamics based upon subject‐specific tissue composition and observed a significant relationship between the linear rate of deoxygenation after tourniquet inflation and water/lipid ratio (W/L,p < 0.0001) and baseline somatic tissue oxygen saturation, StO2(p = 0.05). Subjects with a low W/L ratio exhibited a lower tissue metabolic rate of oxygen consumption, (tMRO2) (p = 0.008). Changes in deoxyhemoglobin [HbR] (p = 0.009) and lipid fraction (p = 0.001) were significantly different between high and low W/L subject groups during deoxygenation. No significant differences were observed for hemodynamics during reperfusion and total tourniquet time was neither significantly related to the hemodynamic hyperemic response (p = 0.73) nor the time to max StO2after tourniquet release (p = 0.57). In conclusion, we demonstrate that DOS is capable of real‐time monitoring of tissue hemodynamics distal to the tourniquet during TKA, and that tissue composition should be considered. DOS may help surgeons stratify hemodynamics based upon tissue composition and eventually aid the preoperative risk assessment of vascular occlusions from tourniquet use during TKA.
Australian pharmacy student perceptions of employment in the pharmaceutical industry
Authors: Tan Andrea W. , Dwan Corinna A. , Ling Tristan R. , Thompson Angus J. , Peterson Gregory M.
Published: March 2022

Background

In Australia, the predicted oversupply of pharmacists is contributing to concern regarding employment prospects. Traditionally, there have been low numbers of pharmacists employed in the Australian pharmaceutical industry and a lack of data on pharmacy students’ perceptions of employment within this sector.

Aim

To determine pharmacy students’ understanding and perceptions of the pharmaceutical industry as an employment option.

Method

Australian pharmacy students graduating in 2018 were invited to complete an online survey. Participants were recruited via Facebook sites for the National Australian Pharmacy Students’ Association, the Early Career Pharmacists group of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) and through intern training networks of the PSA, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and Chemist Warehouse. Australian universities were also approached via e‐mail to assist in distribution of the survey to their 2018 graduates.

Results

Complete responses were received from 124 students, representing 17 universities. Most respondents perceived the pharmaceutical industry as a good employment option (61%). However, they generally lacked understanding (77%), information and sufficient exposure to industry to fully comprehend the potential employment opportunities available. Furthermore, placements in the pharmaceutical industry are not universally available to pharmacy students, and less than 20% had undertaken such a placement. Respondents desired industry placements (81%), education (86%) and more exposure to this career option during their studies (86%).

Conclusion

Further research is needed on how Australian universities, the pharmaceutical industry and the pharmacy profession can collaborate to raise awareness of industry as a career option and equip graduates for these employment opportunities.
Radio frequency as an innovative method to produce low‐fat French fries
Authors: Zhang Cheng , Lyu Xiaomei , Zhao Wei , Yang Ruijin
Published: March 2022

BACKGROUND

A large amount of evidence shows that excessive fat intake can increase the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular disease. The main purpose of this study was to use radio frequency (RF) technology to prepare low‐fat French fries.

RESULTS

RF treatment for 10 min significantly decreased the force required to cut potatoes and inhibited the enzymatic browning of fresh‐cut potatoes. Moreover, RF treatment increased the hardness, gumminess, and chewiness of French fries from 388.55 g, 85.67, and 33.27 to 776.93 g, 159.36, and 70.11, respectively. Furthermore, RF treatment for 10 min reduced the oil content of French fries by 28.0% compared to that of the control group. This result was related to the pre‐gelatinized potato starch content after RF treatment. Pre‐gelatinized starch forms a ‘protective film’, that prevents oil from entering the fries during frying.

CONCLUSION

Moderate RF treatment (10 min) reduced the oil content of French fries without making their texture significantly different from that of commercial French fries. These findings may provide a new perspective for the application of RF technology in the development of low‐fat fried foods. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Purification and characterization of a fungal aspartic peptidase from Trichoderma reesei and its application for food and animal feed protein hydrolyses
Authors: Ahmed Uzair , Pfannstiel Jens , Stressler Timo , Eisele Thomas
Published: March 2022

BACKGROUND

Various neutral and alkaline peptidases are commercially available for use in protein hydrolysis under neutral to alkaline conditions. However, the hydrolysis of proteins under acidic conditions by applying fungal aspartic peptidases (FAPs) has not been investigated in depth so far. The aim of this study, thus, was to purify a FAP from the commercial enzyme preparation, ROHALASE® BXL, determine its biochemical characteristics, and investigate its application for the hydrolysis of food and animal feed proteins under acidic conditions.

RESULTS

A Trichoderma reesei derived FAP, with an apparent molecular mass of 45.8 kDa (sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; SDS‐PAGE) was purified 13.8‐fold with a yield of 37% from ROHALASE® BXL. The FAP was identified as an aspartate protease (UniProt ID: G0R8T0) by inhibition and nano‐LC‐ESI‐MS/MS studies. The FAP showed the highest activity at 50°C and pH 4.0. Monovalent cations, organic solvents, and reducing agents were tolerated well by the FAP. The FAP underwent an apparent competitive product inhibition by soy protein hydrolysate and whey protein hydrolysate with apparent Ki‐values of 1.75 and 30.2 mg*mL−1, respectively. The FAP showed promising results in food (soy protein isolate and whey protein isolate) and animal feed protein hydrolyses. For the latter, an increase in the soluble protein content of 109% was noted after 30 min.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate the applicability of fungal aspartic endopeptidases in the food and animal feed industry. Efficient protein hydrolysis of industrially relevant substrates such as acidic whey or animal feed proteins could be conducted by applying fungal aspartic peptidases. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Simultaneous separation of glycyrrhizic acid, baicalein and wogonin from Radix Glycyrrhizae and Radix Scutellariae using foam fractionation and in vitro activity evaluation
Authors: Chen Caiyun , Li Gaotian , Dai Long , Zhao Huijuan , Li Ning , Mi Wei , Yin Shuying , Wang Shaoping , Zhang Jiayu
Published: March 2022

BACKGROUND

In this study, the optimal conditions for the extraction and purification of glycyrrhizic acid from Radix Glycyrrhizae (RG) and baicalein and wogonin from Radix Scutellariae (RS) by foam fractionation were studied on the basis of central composite design (CCD) and response surface methodology.

RESULTS

The results showed that herbal proportion (RG:RS), gas flow and ethanol concentration were the main factors guiding the foam fractionation of RG and RS. The optimum technological parameters were obtained as follows: herbal proportion (RG:RS), 1.86:1.14; gas flow, 109 mL min−1; and ethanol concentration, 53%. Under the optimal operating conditions, the maximal extraction yields of baicalein, glycyrrhizic acid and wogonin were 56.67, 13.25 and 9.51 mg g−1, respectively, which were 2.32‐, 1.22‐ and 1.84‐fold higher than those of ultrasonic extraction and 17.28‐, 1.15‐ and 9.91‐fold higher than those of ultrasonic extraction without hydrolysis, respectively. Investigations on the antioxidant activity showed that the foam‐fractionated extract exhibited better free radical scavenging activity (IC50 13.80 μg mL−1) than that of the ultrasonic extract (IC50 223.00 μg mL−1). Antibacterial activity showed that the minimum inhibitory concentrations of the foam fractionated extract against Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, Group A Streptococcus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were 1.38, 1.38, 0.69 and 5.50 mg mL−1, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that the foam fractionated extract exhibited better extraction yields and free radical scavenging activity than did the ultrasonic extract. Therefore, this fast and eco‐friendly method was established and could be a basis for the extraction and separation of other active constituents from herbal medicines. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
The involvement of immune system in intervertebral disc herniation and degeneration
Authors: Ye Fubiao , Lyu Feng‐Juan , Wang Hua , Zheng Zhaomin
Published: March 2022

Intervertebral disc (IVD) herniation and degeneration contributes significantly to low back pain (LBP), of which the molecular pathogenesis is not fully understood. Disc herniation may cause LBP and radicular pain, but not all LBP patients have disc herniation. Degenerated discs could be the source of pain, but not all degenerated discs are symptomatic. We previously found that disc degeneration and herniation accompanied by inflammation. We further found that anti‐inflammatory molecules blocked immune responses, alleviated IVD degeneration and pain. Based on our recent findings and the work of others, we hypothesize that immune system may play a prominent role in the production of disc herniation or disc degeneration associated pain. While the nucleus pulposus (NP) is an immune‐privileged organ, the damage of the physical barrier between NP and systemic circulation, or the innervation and vascularization of the degenerated NP, on one hand exposes NP as a foreign antigen to immune system, and on the other hand presents compression on the nerve root or dorsal root ganglion (DRG), which both elicit immune responses induced by immune cells and their mediators. The inflammation can remain for a long time at remote distance, with various types of cytokines and immune cells involved in this pain‐inducing process. In this review, we aim to revisit the autoimmunity of the NP, immune cell infiltration after break of physical barrier, the inflammatory activities in the DRG and the generation of pain. We also summarize the involvement of immune system, including immune cells and cytokines, in degenerated or herniated IVDs and affected DRG.