bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BODIPY‐Functionalized Natural Polymer Coatings for Multimodal Therapy of Drug‐Resistant Bacterial Infection
Authors: Zhang Lujiao , Hu Chenyan , Sun Meizhou , Ding Xiaokang , Cheng Hong‐Bo , Duan Shun , Xu Fu‐Jian
Published: March 2023

The fact that multidrug resistance (MDR) could induce medical device‐related infections, along with the invalidation of traditional antibiotics has become an intractable global medical issue. Therefore, there is a pressing need for innovative strategies of antibacterial functionalization of medical devices. For this purpose, a multimodal antibacterial coating that combines photothermal and photodynamic therapies (PTT/PDT) is developed here based on novel heavy atom‐free photosensitizer compound, BDP‐6 (a kind of boron‐dipyrromethene). The photothermal conversion efficiency of BDP‐6 is of 55.9%, which could improve biocompatibility during PTT/PDT process by reducing the exciting light power density. Furthermore, BDP‐6, together with oxidized hyaluronic acid, is crosslinked with a natural polymer, gelatin, to fabricate a uniform coating (denoted as polyurethane (PU)‐GHB) on the surface of polyurethane. PU‐GHB has excellent synergistic in vitro PTT/PDT antibacterial performance against both susceptible bacteria and MDR bacteria. The antibacterial mechanisms are revealed as that hyperthermia could reduce the bacterial activity and enhance the permeability of inner membrane to reactive oxygen species by disturbing cell membrane. Meanwhile, in an infected abdominal wall hernia model, the notable anti‐infection performance, good in vivo compatibility, and photoacoustic imaging property of PU‐GHB are verified. A promising strategy of developing multifunctional antibacterial coatings on implanted medical devices is provided here.
DMSO‐Free Solvent Strategy for Stable and Efficient Methylammonium‐Free Sn–Pb Alloyed Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Zhang Zhanfei , Liang Jianghu , Wang Jianli , Zheng Yiting , Wu Xueyun , Tian Congcong , Sun Anxin , Huang Ying , Zhou Zhuang , Yang Yajuan , Liu Yuan , Tang Chen , Chen Chun‐Chao
Published: March 2023

Harmful Sn(IV) vacancies and uncontrolled fast crystallization commonly occur in tin–lead alloyed perovskite films. The typical dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) processing solvent is suggested to be the primary source of problems. Here, a DMSO‐free solvent strategy is demonstrated to obtain high‐performance Cs0.25FA0.75Pb0.5Sn0.5I3 solar cells. A rational solvent selection process via Hansen solubility parameters and Gutmann's donor number shows that N,N′‐dimethylpropyleneurea (DMPU) has a strong coordinate ability to form complete complexation with organic (formamidinium iodide) and inorganic (CsI, PbI2, and SnI2) components. This treatment suppresses the iodoplumbate (PbIn2‐n) or iodostannate (SnIn2‐n) preformed in precursor solution, thereby promoting pure intermediate complexes and retarding crystallization, realizing enlarged grain size, and improved film crystallinity. Additionally, it is demonstrated that DMPU‐based solvent system can further inhibit the oxidation of Sn(II) and reduced Sn(IV) content by nearly 75% due to its superior thermal and chemical stability. This DMSO‐free strategy generates a record efficiency of 22.41%, with a Voc of 0.88 V and a FF of 82.72% for the MA‐free Sn–Pb alloyed device. The unencapsulated devices display much‐improved humidity stability at 30 ± 5% relative humidity in air for 240 h, impressive thermal stability at 85 °C for 500 h, and promote continuous operation stability at maximum power point for 150 h.
Clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential and clonal cytopenias of undetermined significance: 2023 update on clinical associations and management recommendations
Authors: Mangaonkar Abhishek A. , Patnaik Mrinal M.
Published: March 2023

Condition Overview

Clonal hematopoiesis (CH) refers to age‐associated expansion of somatic variants in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC).

Diagnosis

CH of indeterminate potential (CHIP) is operationally defined as pathogenic variants in HSPCs at a variant allele frequency ≥2%.

Clinical Associations

CH is associated with increased occurrence of several hematological conditions such as cytopenias (also called clonal cytopenia of undetermined significance), hematological (predominantly myeloid but also lymphoid) neoplasms, cytosis (including monocytosis), and non‐hematological conditions such as atherosclerotic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, ischemic congestive heart failure, venous thromboembolism, type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, osteoporosis, gout, with a potential protective effect in Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Management Recommendations

As of now, there is limited prospective data for CH testing; however, CH detection is becoming increasingly prevalent due to ubiquitous use of somatic and germline NGS testing. This in addition to data suggesting that therapy related myeloid neoplasm (tMN) in many cases is preceded by the detection of CH clones, has led to the establishment of CH clinics at several institutions. At our institution, on a research basis, we currently recommend testing for CH for individuals with persistent (≥4 months) unexplained cytopenias, in patients with malignancies prior to adjuvant cytotoxic chemotherapy and/or radiation or radionuclide therapy, screening prior to autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR‐T) therapy and to assess as to whether or not, potential germline mosaic variants actually represent CH.
A tutorial on a marginal structural modeling approach to mediation analysis in occupational health research: Investigating education, employment quality, and mortality
Authors: Eisenberg‐Guyot Jerzy , Blaikie Kieran , Andrea Sarah B. , Oddo Vanessa , Peckham Trevor , Minh Anita , Owens Shanise , Hajat Anjum
Published: March 2023

Life expectancy inequities between more‐ and less‐educated groups have grown by 1 to 2 years over the last several decades in the United States. Simultaneously, employment conditions for many workers have deteriorated. Researchers hypothesize that these adverse conditions mediate educational inequities in mortality. However, methodological barriers have impeded research on the role of employment conditions and other hazards as mediating factors in health inequities. Indeed, traditional mediation analysis methods are often biased in occupational health settings, including in those with exposure‐mediator interactions and mediator‐outcome confounders that are caused by exposure. In this paper, we outline—and provide code for—a marginal structural modeling (MSM) approach for estimating total effects and controlled direct effects originally proposed elsewhere, which can be applied to common mediation analysis settings in occupational health research. As an example, we apply our approach to assess the extent to which disparities in employment quality (EQ)—a multidimensional construct characterizing the terms and conditions of the worker‐employer relationship—explained educational inequities in mortality in a 1999–2015 US Panel Study of Income Dynamics sample of workers with mortality follow‐up through 2017. Under certain strong assumptions described in the text, our estimates suggest that over 70% of the educational inequity in mortality would have been eliminated if EQ had been at the 80th percentile (100th = best) across exposure groups.
Halogen‐Substituted Mesoionic‐Carbene/Palladium Complexes for Catalytic Arylation of Aldehydes
Authors: Arai Naoki , Shibuya Yuga , Koguchi Shinichi , Yamamoto Tetsuya
Published: March 2023

Various halogenated mesoionic‐carbene (MIC)‐coordinated palladium complexes (denoted as TAPs and e‐TAPs) were prepared using triazolylidene precursors that were synthesized in only two steps via a click reaction. Among the prepared complexes, 2‐Bromophenyl group substituted e‐TAP (Br‐e‐TAP) showed optimal catalytic activity for the arylation of aldehydes with arylboronic compounds. Additionally, the Br‐e‐TAP catalyst assisted in synthesizing a wide range of functionalized diarylmethanols and arylmethanols in 29–95% yields with loadings of 0.2–0.6 mol% Pd.
Functionalisation of Graphene Sensor Surfaces for the Specific Detection of Biomarkers
Authors: von Lüders Laura , Tilmann Rita , Lee Kangho , Bartlam Cian , Stimpel‐Lindner Tanja , Nevanen Tarja K. , Iljin Kristiina , Knirsch Kathrin C. , Hirsch Andreas , Duesberg Georg S.
Published: March 2023

We report on a controllable and specific functionalisation route for graphene field‐effect transistors (GFETs) for the recognition of small physiologically active molecules. Key element is the noncovalent functionalisation of the graphene surface with perylene bisimide (PBI) molecules directly on the growth substrate. This Functional Layer Transfer enables the homogeneous self‐assembly of PBI molecules on graphene, onto which antibodies are subsequently immobilised. The sensor surface was characterised by atomic force microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and electrical measurements, showing superior performance over conventional functionalisation after transfer. Specific sensing of small molecules was realised by monitoring the electrical property changes of functionalised GFET devices upon the application of methamphetamine and cortisol. The concentration dependent electrical response of our sensors was determined down to a concentration of 300 ng ml−1 for methamphetamine.
Ein künstlicher in vitro‐Stoffwechsel zu Angiopterlacton B nach dem Vorbild traditioneller Retrosynthese**
Authors: Kiefer Alexander F. , Liu Yu‐Chang , Gummerer Rebecca , Jäger Christina , Deska Jan
Published: March 2023

Die Art und Weise, mit welcher die Natur hochkomplexe molekulare Strukturen im Rahmen vielschichtiger Biosynthesewegen konstruiert, ist durch chemische Synthesen nur schwer zu übertreffen. Da die Biosynthese jedoch auf Kaskaden nativer enzymatischer Umwandlungen angewiesen ist, um bestimmte Zielstrukturer zu erzeugen, ist ihr Spektrum auch erheblich eingeschränkt. In dieser Arbeit werden nicht‐natürliche biokatalytische Module, konkret eine Peroxidase‐vermittelte Achmatowicz‐Umlagerung und eine Dehydrogenase‐katalysierte “Borrowing Hydrogen”‐Isomerisierung, erfolgreich in einen künstlichen Stoffwechsel implementiert, der die Vorteile der traditionellen Retrosynthese mit der Eleganz und Effizienz biosynthetischer Systeme verbindet. Die Totalsynthese des tricyclischen Angiopterlactons B gelingt so in nur zwei Schritten ausgehend von Acetylfuran, wobei das Verfahren vollständig in wässriger Umgebung abläuft und hauptsächlich auf Enzyme als wichtige Reaktionsvermittler angewiesen ist.
A Microporous Metal‐Organic Framework with Unique Aromatic Pore Surfaces for High Performance C2H6/C2H4 Separation
Authors: Ye Yingxiang , Xie Yi , Shi Yanshu , Gong Lingshan , Phipps Joshua , Al‐Enizi Abdullah M. , Nafady Ayman , Chen Banglin , Ma Shengqian
Published: March 2023

Developing adsorptive separation processes based on C2H6‐selective sorbents to replace energy‐intensive cryogenic distillation is a promising alternative for C2H4 purification from C2H4/C2H6 mixtures, which however remains challenging. During our studies on two isostructural metal–organic frameworks (Ni‐MOF 1 and Ni‐MOF 2), we found that Ni‐MOF 2 exhibited significantly higher performance for C2H6/C2H4 separation than Ni‐MOF‐1, as clearly established by gas sorption isotherms and breakthrough experiments. Density‐Functional Theory (DFT) studies showed that the unblocked unique aromatic pore surfaces within Ni‐MOF 2 induce more and stronger C−H⋅⋅⋅π with C2H6 over C2H4 while the suitable pore spaces enforce its high C2H6 uptake capacity, featuring Ni‐MOF 2 as one of the best porous materials for this very important gas separation. It generates 12 L kg−1 of polymer‐grade C2H4 product from equimolar C2H6/C2H4 mixtures at ambient conditions.
Base‐Promoted Electrochemical CoII‐catalyzed Enantioselective C−H Oxygenation
Authors: Zhou Gang , Chen Jia‐Hao , Yao Qi‐Jun , Huang Fan‐Rui , Wang Zhen‐Kai , Shi Bing‐feng
Published: March 2023

Metalla‐electrocatalyzed C−H oxygenation represents one of the most straightforward and sustainable approaches to access valuable oxygenated molecules. Despite the significant advances, the development of enantioselective electrochemical C−H oxygenation reaction is very challenging and remains elusive. Herein, we described the first electrochemical CoII‐catalyzed enantioselective C−H alkoxylation. A broad range of enantioenriched alkoxylated phosphinamides were obtained in good yields with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 98 % yield and >99 % ee). An unusual cobalt(III) alcohol complex was prepared and fully characterized, which was proven to be a key intermediate of this C−H alkoxylation reaction. Mechanistic studies revealed that the oxidation of CoIII to CoIV was facilitated by a base and the whole process proceeded through a cobalt(III/IV/II) catalytic cycle.
Two‐Dimensional Supramolecular Polymerization of DNA Amphiphiles is Driven by Sequence‐Dependent DNA‐Chromophore Interactions
Authors: Ghufran Rafique Muhammad , Remington Jacob M. , Clark Finley , Bai Haochen , Toader Violeta , Perepichka Dmytro F. , Li Jianing , Sleiman Hanadi F.
Published: March 2023

Two‐dimensional (2D) assemblies of water‐soluble block copolymers have been limited by a dearth of systematic studies that relate polymer structure to pathway mechanism and supramolecular morphology. Here, we employ sequence‐defined triblock DNA amphiphiles for the supramolecular polymerization of free‐standing DNA nanosheets in water. Our systematic modulation of amphiphile sequence shows the alkyl chain core forming a cell membrane‐like structure and the distal π‐stacking chromophore block folding back to interact with the hydrophilic DNA block on the nanosheet surface. This interaction is crucial to sheet formation, marked by a chiral “signature”, and sensitive to DNA sequence, where nanosheets form with a mixed sequence, but not with a homogeneous poly(thymine) sequence. This work opens the possibility of forming well‐ordered, bilayer‐like assemblies using a single DNA amphiphile for applications in cell sensing, nucleic acid therapeutic delivery and enzyme arrays.
Decoding the Fucose Migration Product during Mass‐Spectrometric analysis of Blood Group Epitopes
Authors: Lettow Maike , Greis Kim , Mucha Eike , Lambeth Tyler R. , Yaman Murat , Kontodimas Vasilis , Manz Christian , Hoffmann Waldemar , Meijer Gerard , Julian Ryan R. , von Helden Gert , Marianski Mateusz , Pagel Kevin
Published: March 2023

Fucose is a signaling carbohydrate that is attached at the end of glycan processing. It is involved in a range of processes, such as the selectin‐dependent leukocyte adhesion or pathogen‐receptor interactions. Mass‐spectrometric techniques, which are commonly used to determine the structure of glycans, frequently show fucose‐containing chimeric fragments that obfuscate the analysis. The rearrangement leading to these fragments—often referred to as fucose migration—has been known for more than 25 years, but the chemical identity of the rearrangement product remains unclear. In this work, we combine ion‐mobility spectrometry, radical‐directed dissociation mass spectrometry, cryogenic IR spectroscopy of ions, and density‐functional theory calculations to deduce the product of the rearrangement in the model trisaccharides Lewis x and blood group H2. The structural search yields the fucose moiety attached to the galactose with an α(1→6) glycosidic bond as the most likely product.
Catalytic activity of a new Cd (II) complex in the peroxidation of cyclohexane and the resulting CdO nanoparticles in the removal of Congo red
Authors: Razmara Zohreh , Karimi Pouya , Shahraki Somaye , Shiri Fereshteh , Necas Marek
Published: March 2023

A new coordination complex of [Cd (2,2′‐bipyridine)(dipic) (H2O)2]. 7H2O (dipic2− = pyridine 2,6‐dicarboxylate) was synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. The crystal structure of Cd complex was characterized by X‐ray diffraction. The results confirmed that the coordination geometry of Cd2+is a distorted pentagonal bipyramid. The complex was evaluated as a catalyst for the peroxidation of cyclohexane. The oxidation reaction was performed under mild conditions by hydrogen peroxide at room temperature. In the absence of HNO3, Cd complex exhibits a maximum yield of 31%. CdO nanoparticles were synthesized through thermal analysis of Cd complex and identified by various techniques. The ability of CdO nanoparticles was investigated for the removal of Congo red (CR). The effects of contact time, adsorbent dosage, and pH were evaluated using batch method.Studieshave shown that the uptake process is pseudo‐second order. Also, the adsorption isotherm can be well fitted by the Langmuir model, while this process is spontaneous.
Polyimide/wool blended woven fabrics for comfortable fire protective clothing
Authors: Lv Xiaojing , Xi Chen , Qin Jisiyuan , Pan Hong , Wang Shihua , Cao Genyang , Tao Dan , Jiang Shan
Published: March 2023

In this work, to develop practical fire‐protective clothing with both good flame retardancy and comfort properties, polyimide (PI)/wool blended woven fabrics were carefully made by mixing PI and wool fibers with different mass ratios (100/0, 80/20, 50/50, and 0/100) in the carding process. Thermogravimetric analysis in both air and argon conditions indicated that wool fibers had much lower thermal stability than PI. With more PI fibers added, better thermal stability can be observed. When the mixing ratio of PI/wool was 80/20, the LOI value had a rapid increase from 23% to 31%. Meanwhile, under this ratio, the peak value of the heat release rate surprisingly reduced to a much lower degree (from 425 to 306 W/g), indicating the heat generated is dispersed along the whole burning process. Through comprehensive analysis, it is deduced that the thin molten layer of wool and PI fibers formed a confined space for the heat and volatiles, leading to lower heat release rate and higher non‐flammable gas release of the 80/20 PI/wool sample. Finally, the moisture permeability and fabric style tests demonstrated better comfort properties of the PI/wool blended fabrics.
Development and growth of median structures in the human tongue: A histological study using human fetuses and adult cadavers
Authors: Yamamoto Masahito , Hirota Yoshinosuke , Watanabe Genji , Taniguchi Shuichiro , Murakami Gen , Rodríguez‐Vázquez José Francisco , Abe Shin‐ichi
Published: March 2023

Glossectomy is a surgical procedure performed to remove all or part of the tongue in patients with cancer. The removal of a significant part of the tongue has a marked effect on speech and swallowing function, as patients may lose not only the tongue muscles but also the median lingual septum (MLS). Therefore, to achieve successful tongue regeneration, it is necessary to investigate the developmental processes of not only the tongue muscles but also the MLS. This study was conducted to clarify the mutual development of the tongue muscles and the MLS in human fetuses. Serial or semi‐serial histological sections from 37 embryos and fetuses (aged 5–39 weeks) as well as nine adults were analyzed. The MLS appeared at Carnegie stage 15 (CS15), and until 12 weeks of gestation, abundant fibers of the intrinsic transverse muscle crossed the septum in the entire tongue. However, in near‐term fetuses and adults, the contralaterally extending muscles were restricted to the deepest layer just above the genioglossus muscle. This finding indicates that the crossing transverse muscle showed the highest density at mid‐term. A thorough understanding of both the MLS and the tongue muscles is necessary for successful tongue regeneration.
Tachinid parasitoid Exorista japonica affects the utilization of diet by changing gut microbial composition in the silkworm, Bombyx mori
Authors: Li Fanchi , Zhu Qingyu , Dai Minli , Shu Qilong , Li Xin , Guo Xiqian , Wang Yuanfei , Wei Jing , Liu Wei , Dai Yan , Li Bing
Published: March 2023

Changes in both intake and digestion of feed have been demonstrated in the host following parasitization. However, its regulatory mechanism has not been clarified. In this study, silkworms and Exorista japonica were used as research objects to analyze the effect of parasitism on the midgut immune system of the silkworm. After being parasitized, the expressions of antimicrobial peptide (AMP) genes of silkworms showed a fluctuating trend of first upregulation and then downregulation, while phenoloxidase and lysozyme activities were inhibited. To study the possible impact of the downregulation of AMP genes on intestinal microorganisms, the characteristics of the intestinal microbial population of silkworms on the third day of parasitism were analyzed. The relative abundance of Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidota decreased, while that of Actinobacteriota increased. The increased abundance of conditionally pathogenic bacteria Serratia and Staphylococcus might lead to a decrease in the amount of silkworm ingestion. Meanwhile, the abundance of Acinetobacter, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, and Enterobacter promotes an increase in the digestion of nutrients. This study indicated that the imbalance of intestinal microbial homeostasis caused by parasitism may affect the absorption and digestion of nutrients by the host. Collectively, our findings provided a new clue for further exploring the mechanism of nutrient transport among the host, parasitoid, and intestinal microorganisms.
Optical properties as a tool for the biodiesel industry: A review
Authors: Corach Julián , Alviso Dario
Published: March 2023

Optical properties analysis is not included in biodiesel quality standards. However, it provides valuable information about biodiesel and its feedstocks. In particular, very accurate refractive index measurements can be carried out using low‐cost (less than 1000 USD) and fast (a few seconds) equipment. Therefore, the most urgent question is to determine if the optical properties are a suitable tool for the biodiesel industry and in which applications they can currently be implemented. This work provides a comprehensive and systematic analysis of literature dealing with applications of refractive index measurements of biodiesel, its feedstocks and its blends with other fuels. Experimental data, typical ranges of values and mathematical models of refractive index are systematically presented and discussed, emphasizing biodiesel mixtures with diesel fossil fuel. Other applications, like transesterification monitoring, combustion, atomization and aging are also reviewed. At the present state of knowledge, measurements of refractive index can be used to determine the proportion of diesel and biodiesel blends and monitor the transesterification reaction.
Nanopore Cas9‐targeted sequencing enables accurate and simultaneous identification of transgene integration sites, their structure and epigenetic status in recombinant Chinese hamster ovary cells
Authors: Leitner Klaus , Motheramgari Krishna , Borth Nicole , Marx Nicolas
Published: March 2023

The integration of a transgene expression construct into the host genome is the initial step for the generation of recombinant cell lines used for biopharmaceutical production. The stability and level of recombinant gene expression in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) can be correlated to the copy number, its integration site as well as the epigenetic context of the transgene vector. Also, undesired integration events, such as concatemers, truncated, and inverted vector repeats, are impacting the stability of recombinant cell lines. Thus, to characterize cell clones and to isolate the most promising candidates, it is crucial to obtain information on the site of integration, the structure of integrated sequence and the epigenetic status. Current sequencing techniques allow to gather this information separately but do not offer a comprehensive and simultaneous resolution. In this study, we present a fast and robust nanopore Cas9‐targeted sequencing (nCats) pipeline to identify integration sites, the composition of the integrated sequence as well as its DNA methylation status in CHO cells that can be obtained simultaneously from the same sequencing run. A Cas9‐enrichment step during library preparation enables targeted and directional nanopore sequencing with up to 724× median on‐target coverage and up to 153 kb long reads. The data generated by nCats provides sensitive, detailed, and correct information on the transgene integration sites and the expression vector structure, which could only be partly produced by traditional Targeted Locus Amplification‐seq data. Moreover, with nCats the DNA methylation status can be analyzed from the same raw data without prior DNA amplification.
A retrospective analysis of ezrin protein and mRNA expression in breast cancer: Ezrin expression is associated with patient survival and survival of patients with receptor‐positive disease
Authors: Storr Sarah J. , Hoskin Victoria , Aiyappa‐Maudsley Radhika , Ghaffari Abdi , Varma Sonal , Green Andrew , Rakha Emad , Ellis Ian O. , Greer Peter A. , Martin Stewart G.
Published: March 2023

Introduction

The cytoskeletal protein ezrin is upregulated in many cancer types and is strongly associated with poor patient outcome. While the clinical and prognostic value of ezrin has been previously evaluated in breast cancer, most studies to date have been conducted in smaller cohorts (less than 500 cases) or have focused on specific disease characteristics. The current study is the largest of its kind to evaluate ezrin both at the protein and mRNA levels in early‐stage breast cancer patients using the Nottingham (n = 1094) and METABRIC (n = 1980) cohorts, respectively.

Results

High expression of ezrin was significantly associated with larger tumour size (p = 0.027), higher tumour grade (p < 0.001), worse Nottingham Prognostic Index prognostic group (p = 0.011) and HER2‐positive status (p = 0.001). High ezrin expression was significantly associated with adverse survival of breast cancer patients (p < 0.001) and remained associated with survival in multivariate Cox‐regression analysis (p = 0.018, hazard ratio (HR) = 1.343, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.051–1.716) when potentially confounding factors were included. High ezrin expression was significantly associated with adverse survival of patients whose tumours were categorised as receptor (oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR) or HER2) positive (p < 0.001) in comparison to those categorised as triple‐negative breast cancer (p = 0.889). High expression of ezrin mRNA (VIL2) in the METABRIC cohort was also significantly associated with adverse survival of breast cancer patients (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Retrospective analyses show that ezrin is an independent prognostic marker, with higher expression associated with shortened survival in receptor‐positive (ER, PgR or HER2) patients. Ezrin expression is associated with more aggressive disease and may have clinical utility as a biomarker of patient prognosis in early‐stage breast cancer.
Singlet Fission Driven by Excited‐State Intramolecular Proton Transfer (ESIPT+SF): A (TD)DFT Study
Authors: López‐Carballeira Diego , Polcar Tomáš
Published: March 2023

Singlet fission is a photophysical process able to generate two triplet excitons after the absorption of one high‐energy photon. Although this process is expected to boost the efficiency of photovoltaic cells, the instability of all known singlet fission materials hindered its implementation in any practical device. In order to overcome this limitation, we present a novel photophysical process that combines excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer and singlet fission (ESIPT+SF). Together with the suggested mechanism, this study provides a computational analysis identifying possible ESIPT+SF materials.
What can a 23‐year‐old quarterback teach us about leadership philosophy?
Authors: Hodges Dawn Z.
Published: March 2023

During the National Football League's play‐off games earlier this year, a 23‐year‐old quarterback led the Jacksonville Jaguars to a 31‐30 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. The team was down 27‐0 in the second quarter. The 27‐point comeback was the third biggest in NFL postseason history.
Phytoplankton competition and resilience under fluctuating temperature
Authors: Siegel Philipp , Baker Kirralee G. , Low‐Décarie Etienne , Geider Richard J.
Published: March 2023

Environmental variability is an inherent feature of natural systems which complicates predictions of species interactions. Primarily, the complexity in predicting the response of organisms to environmental fluctuations is in part because species' responses to abiotic factors are non‐linear, even in stable conditions. Temperature exerts a major control over phytoplankton growth and physiology, yet the influence of thermal fluctuations on growth and competition dynamics is largely unknown. To investigate the limits of coexistence in variable environments, stable mixed cultures with constant species abundance ratios of the marine diatoms, Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Thalassiosira pseudonana, were exposed to different temperature fluctuation regimes (n = 17) under high and low nitrogen (N) conditions. Here we demonstrate that phytoplankton exhibit substantial resilience to temperature variability. The time required to observe a shift in the species abundance ratio decreased with increasing fluctuations, but coexistence of the two model species under high N conditions was disrupted only when amplitudes of temperature fluctuation were high (±8.2°C). N limitation caused the thermal amplitude for disruption of species coexistence to become lower (±5.9°C). Furthermore, once stable conditions were reinstated, the two species differed in their ability to recover from temperature fluctuations. Our findings suggest that despite the expectation of unequal effect of fluctuations on different competitors, cycles in environmental conditions may reduce the rate of species replacement when amplitudes remain below a certain threshold. Beyond these thresholds, competitive exclusion could, however, be accelerated, suggesting that aquatic heatwaves and N availability status are likely to lead to abrupt and unpredictable restructuring of phytoplankton community composition.
Novel frontier in wildlife monitoring: Identification of small rodent species from fecal pellets using near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS)
Authors: Tuomi Maria W. , Murguzur Francisco J. A. , Hoset Katrine S. , Soininen Eeva M. , Vesterinen Eero J. , Utsi Tove Aa. , Kaino Sissel , Bråthen Kari Anne
Published: March 2023

Small rodents are prevalent and functionally important across the world's biomes, making their monitoring salient for ecosystem management, conservation, forestry, and agriculture. There is a growing need for cost‐effective and noninvasive methods for large‐scale, intensive sampling. Fecal pellet counts readily provide relative abundance indices, and given suitable analytical methods, feces could also allow for the determination of multiple ecological and physiological variables, including community composition. In this context, we developed calibration models for rodent taxonomic determination using fecal near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy (fNIRS). Our results demonstrate fNIRS as an accurate and robust method for predicting genus and species identity of five coexisting subarctic microtine rodent species. We show that sample exposure to weathering increases the method's accuracy, indicating its suitability for samples collected from the field. Diet was not a major determinant of species prediction accuracy in our samples, as diet exhibited large variation and overlap between species. fNIRS could also be applied across regions, as calibration models including samples from two regions provided a good prediction accuracy for both regions. We show fNIRS as a fast and cost‐efficient high‐throughput method for rodent taxonomic determination, with the potential for cross‐regional calibrations and the use on field‐collected samples. Importantly, appeal lies in the versatility of fNIRS. In addition to rodent population censuses, fNIRS can provide information on demography, fecal nutrients, stress hormones, and even disease. Given the development of such calibration models, fNIRS analytics could complement novel genetic methods and greatly support ecosystem‐ and interaction‐based approaches to monitoring.
Exploring fishing threat at fleet segment and subregional scale: Least expert knowledge and a resilience versus disturbance‐based approach as conservation's tools for cartilaginous fish
Authors: Scacco Umberto , Di Crescenzo Simone , Sbrana Alice
Published: March 2023

Based on an explorative but rigorous elicitation framework, we obtained the bycatch fishing probability at the fishing fleet segment level using expert estimates. Based on the knowledge of three scientific experts, we developed a new and creative structured method for smart and fast fishery‐related risk assessments for species of high conservation concern. In order to test the method here propose, we applied it to 76 cartilaginous fish species (included in the IUCN Red Lists) and on five different fishing segments at both Italian and Mediterranean scale. The method produced qualitative results specific to the threat posed by fishing for each species and each segment with information between and within the segments. Based on the interpretation of resilience–disturbance interactions developed for ecological systems, the quantitative results provided reliable cumulative metrics, measuring the extinction risk due to fishing and the response to overfishing for the species considered. Additionally, the results highlight that the method perform best on a small geographic scale. Therefore, the application of this new method on other subregional or local scales where very few data are available (e.g., fishing effort) could be a valuable tool for the preliminary assessment for species of conservation concern. In fact, despite the absence of detailed catch data at local geographic scales, the flexibility of this method could help to highlight potential fishery‐related conservation problems and thus redirect conservation strategies for threatened marine species such as many sharks and rays species.
From everywhere all at once: Several colonization routes available to Svalbard in the early Holocene
Authors: Brožová Viktorie , Bolstad Johannes S. , Seregin Alexey P. , Eidesen Pernille B.
Published: March 2023

For many arctic species, the spatial (re‐)colonization patterns after the last Pleistocene glaciation have been described. However, the temporal aspects of their colonization are largely missing. Did one route prevail early, while another was more important later? The high Arctic archipelago Svalbard represents a good model system to address timeframe of postglacial plant colonization. Svalbard was almost fully glaciated during last glacial maximum and (re‐)colonization of vascular plants began in early Holocene. Early Holocene climatic optimum (HCO) supported an expanded establishment of a partly thermophilic vegetation. Today, we find remnants of this vegetation in sheltered regions referred to as “Arctic biodiversity hotspots”. The oldest record of postglacial plant colonization to Svalbard is found in Ringhorndalen‐Flatøyrdalen. Even though thermophilic species could establish also later in Holocene, only HCO was favorable for vast colonization, and only hotspots offered stable conditions for thermophilic populations throughout Holocene. Thus, these relic populations may reflect colonization patterns of HCO. We investigate whether the colonization direction of thermophilic plants (Arnica angustifolia, Campanula uniflora, Pinguicula alpina, Tofieldia pusilla, and Vaccinium uliginosum ssp. microphyllum) in Ringhorndalen‐Flatøyrdalen was uniform and different from later colonization events in other localities and non‐thermophilic plants (Arenaria humifusa, Bistorta vivipara, Juncus biglumis, Oxyria digyna, and Silene acaulis). We analyzed plastid haplotypes of the 10 taxa from Ringhorndalen‐Flatøyrdalen, from later‐colonized localities in Svalbard, and from putative source regions outside Svalbard. Only rare and thermophilic taxa Campanula uniflora and Vaccinium uliginosum ssp. microphyllum provided results suggesting at least two colonization events from different source regions. Tofieldia pusilla and all the non‐thermophilic plants showed no clear phylogeographically differentiation within Svalbard. Two of the thermophilic species showed no sequence variation. Based on the results, a uniform colonization direction to Svalbard in early Holocene is not probable; several source areas and dispersal directions were contemporarily involved.
Tissue‐specific antigen‐presenting cells contribute to distinct phenotypes of allergy
Authors: Schülke Stefan , Gilles Stefanie , Jirmo Adan C. , Mayer Johannes U.
Published: March 2023

Antigen‐presenting cells (APCs) are critical cells bridging innate and adaptive immune responses by taking up, processing, and presenting antigens to naïve T cells. At steady state, APCs thus control both tissue homeostasis and the induction of tolerance. In allergies however, APCs drive a Th2‐biased immune response that is directed against otherwise harmless antigens from the environment. The main types of APCs involved in the induction of allergy are dendritic cells, monocytes, and macrophages. However, these cell types can be further divided into local, tissue‐specific populations that differ in their phenotype, migratory capacity, T‐cell activating potential, and production of effector molecules. Understanding if distinct populations of APCs contribute to either tissue‐specific immune tolerance, allergen sensitization, or allergic inflammation will allow us to better understand disease pathology and develop targeted treatment options for different stages of allergic disease. Therefore, this review describes the main characteristics, phenotypes, and effector molecules of the APCs involved in the induction of allergen‐specific Th2 responses in affected barrier sites, such as the skin, nose, lung, and gastrointestinal tract. Furthermore, we highlight open questions that remain to be addressed to fully understand the contribution of different APCs to allergic disease.
Mechanism of B‐H Redistribution during Reduction of Polyborazylene by Hydrazine
Authors: Bhunya Sourav , Zimmerman Paul M. , Paul Ankan
Published: March 2023

Density functional theory has been used to elucidate the mechanistic underpinnings of the regeneration of ammonia‐borane (H3B−NH3, AB) from polyborazylene (BxNxHx, PBz) in the presence of hydrazine (H2N−NH2, Hz). Herein, borazine (B3N3H6, Bz) is used as the simplest relevant model of PBz for the regeneration process. Digestion of Bz using Hz was found to occur by a string of Lewis acid base adduct (between B atoms of Bz and Hz molecule) formation and Hz assisted proton transfer processes. Later, B−H bonds of HB(NHNH2)2, the Bz digested product, are redistributed to form hydrazine‐borane (H3B−NH2NH2, HzB) and B(NHNH2)3. Redistribution of B−H bonds occurs through hydroboration and concerted proton‐hydride transfer. Another B−H redistributed product, B(NHNH2)3, produces HzB as a result of proton and hydride transfer from cis‐diazene (Dz), the oxidized product of Hz in presence of O2.
Acidic Deep Eutectic Solvents as Active Media for Sustainable Synthesis of Biindoles Starting from 2,2’‐Diaminotolanes and Aldehydes
Authors: Brambilla Elisa , Gritti Alessandra , Pirovano Valentina , Arcadi Antonio , Germani Raimondo , Tiecco Matteo , Abbiati Giorgio
Published: March 2023

We describe an alternative and more sustainable method for the synthesis of 2,2’‐disubstituted 3,3’‐biindoles starting from 2,2’‐diaminotolanes and (hetero)arylaldehydes. The key feature of the approach is the use of an acidic Deep Eutectic Solvent (DES) able to exploit a double activity, i. e., solvent and Brønsted Acid (BA) catalyst, avoiding the use of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) as solvents and additional acid catalysts. By this way, we synthesized twenty‐five biindoles, including eighteen new compounds. The reactions run quickly under mild conditions by microwave heating at 70 °C, with yields ranging from good to very good. The reaction scope is rather broad. The medium demonstrated to be reusable at least five times with only a slight reduction in yields. Based on experimental evidence and previous literature findings, a plausible mechanism is proposed.
Factors associated with preoperative and early and late postoperative seizures in patients with supratentorial meningiomas
Authors: Bogdanovic Ivan , Ristic Aleksandar , Ilic Rosanda , Bascarevic Vladimir , Bukumiric Zoran , Miljkovic Aleksandar , Milisavljevic Filip , Stepanovic Aleksandar , Lazic Igor , Grujicic Danica
Published: March 2023

Objective

Risk factors for epilepsy in meningioma patients are not yet clearly defined, however, seizure freedom is a significant factor for quality of life after surgery.

Methods

We performed a retrospective study of the 333 adult patients who received surgery for supratentorial meningioma at our center. Various clinical, radiological, and surgical variables were included in the multivariate regression, and the outcomes measured were the occurrence of seizure(s) preoperatively, during the hospitalization, and during the follow‐up period.

Results

A total of 89 (26.7%) patients experienced preoperative seizures, of whom 62.9% were seizure free after the surgery. Of 244 patients without epilepsy before surgery, 11.9% had at least one seizure postoperatively. In total, 63 of our patients (18.9%) experienced seizures after the surgery, of whom 20 had refractory epilepsy. Multivariate analysis identified the following predictors of preoperative seizures: the absence of headache (OR: 0.23, CI: 2.55–8.50), the presence of significant peritumoral edema (OR: 4.35, CI: 2.57–7.35), and younger age (OR: 0.97 per year increase, CI: 0.95–0.99). Factors associated with early postoperative seizures were: younger age (OR: 0.96 per year increase, CI: 0.93–0.99) and the presence of preoperative seizures (OR: 2.73, CI: 1.13–6.57), while the presence of preoperative seizures (OR: 4.73, CI: 2.05–10.92), tumor progression (OR: 5.38, CI: 2.25–12.89), and neurological worsening (OR: 5.21 CI: 1.72–15.81) were significant for late postoperative seizures.

Significance

Our results from a single‐center meningioma cohort confirm, in general, data from some previous studies regarding patients' characteristics for both preoperative and overall postoperative epilepsy. Besides previously described risk factors, younger age was important for preoperative and early postoperative seizures. Epilepsy is common in patients with recurrence of meningioma, but the variables of significance for refractory seizures in these patients require further examination.
Pseudohyperkalemia due to cryohydrocytosis in GLUT1 deficiency syndrome. A case report and literature review
Authors: Furia Alessandro , Muccioli Lorenzo , Santucci Margherita , Licchetta Laura , Bisulli Francesca
Published: March 2023

Cryohydrocytosis is a form of stomatocytosis characterized by the leakage of sodium and potassium from red blood cells at low temperatures, characterized by pseudohyperkalemia. Stomatin‐deficient cryohydrocytosis is an extremely rare variant that only recently has been related to pathogenic variants in the SLC2A1 gene, encoding the main glucose transporter of the blood–brain barrier and red blood cells, GLUT1. It follows that GLUT1 deficiency syndrome, a rare but significant cause of metabolic epilepsy, may present with stomatin‐deficient cryohydrocytosis, although this correlation has only been reported in a few instances. We present the case of a patient carrying a novel de novo SLC2A1 pathogenic variant presenting with GLUT1 deficiency syndrome, pseudohyperkalemia, and splenomegaly consistent with cryohydrocytosis. We also review the previously reported cases of stomatin‐deficient cryohydrocytosis in the literature. As highlighted by our case, elevated potassium levels are a cause of concern, and GLUT1 deficiency syndrome patients are thus at risk of being subjected to unnecessary examinations; pseudohyperkalemia may be underrecognized in clinical practice.
Limb‐shaking transient ischemic attack misdiagnosed as focal seizure: A video case report
Authors: Darıcı Didem , Gönül Öner Özge , Ertürk Çetin Özdem , Zanapalıoğlu Ümit , Önal Yılmaz , Karadeli Hasan Hüseyin
Published: March 2023

Content available: Video
Feasibility of high‐density electric source imaging in the presurgical workflow: Effect of number of spikes and automated spike detection
Authors: Heide Ev‐Christin , van de Velden Daniel , Garnica Agudelo David , Hewitt Manuel , Riedel Christian , Focke Niels K.
Published: March 2023

Objective

Presurgical high‐density electric source imaging (hdESI) of interictal epileptic discharges (IEDs) is only used by few epilepsy centers. One obstacle is the time‐consuming workflow both for recording as well as for visual review. Therefore, we analyzed the effect of (a) an automated IED detection and (b) the number of IEDs on the accuracy of hdESI and time‐effectiveness.

Methods

In 22 patients with pharmacoresistant focal epilepsy receiving epilepsy surgery (Engel 1) we retrospectively detected IEDs both visually and semi‐automatically using the EEG analysis software Persyst in 256‐channel EEGs. The amount of IEDs, the Euclidean distance between hdESI maximum and resection zone, and the operator time were compared. Additionally, we evaluated the intra‐individual effect of IED quantity on the distance between hdESI maximum of all IEDs and hdESI maximum when only a reduced amount of IEDs were included.

Results

There was no significant difference in the number of IEDs between visually versus semi‐automatically marked IEDs (74 ± 56 IEDs/patient vs 116 ± 115 IEDs/patient). The detection method of the IEDs had no significant effect on the mean distances between resection zone and hdESI maximum (visual: 26.07 ± 31.12 mm vs semi‐automated: 33.6 ± 34.75 mm). However, the mean time needed to review the full datasets semi‐automatically was shorter by 275 ± 46 min (305 ± 72 min vs 30 ± 26 min, P < 0.001).

The distance between hdESI of the full versus reduced amount of IEDs of the same patient was smaller than 1 cm when at least a mean of 33 IEDs were analyzed. There was a significantly shorter intraindividual distance between resection zone and hdESI maximum when 30 IEDs were analyzed as compared to the analysis of only 10 IEDs (P < 0.001).

Significance

Semi‐automatized processing and limiting the amount of IEDs analyzed (~30–40 IEDs per cluster) appear to be time‐saving clinical tools to increase the practicability of hdESI in the presurgical work‐up.