bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The dosimetric impact of titanium implants in spinal SBRT using four commercial treatment planning algorithms
Authors: Liu Chieh‐Wen , Cho Young‐Bin , Magnelli Anthony , Angelov Lilyana , Balagamwala Ehsan H. , Chao Samuel T. , Xia Ping
Published: August 2023

To evaluate the dosimetric impact of titanium implants in spine SBRT using four dose calculation algorithms. Twenty patients with titanium implants in the spine treated with SBRT without density override (DO) were selected. The clinical plan for each patient was created in Pinnacle and subsequently imported into Eclipse (AAA and AcurosXB) and Raystation (CC) for dose evaluation with and without DO to the titanium implant. We renormalized all plans such that 90% of the tumor volume received the prescription dose and subsequently evaluated the following dose metrics: (1) the maximum dose to 0.03 cc (Dmax), dose to 99% (D99%) and 90% (D90%) of the tumor volume; (2) Dmax and volumetric metrics of the spinal cord. For the same algorithm, plans with and without DO had similar dose distributions. Differences in Dmax, D99% and D90% of the tumor were on average <2% with slightly larger variations up to 5.58% in Dmax using AcurosXB. Dmax of the spinal cord for plans calculated with DO increased but the differences were clinically insignificant for all algorithms (mean: 0.36% ± 0.7%). Comparing to the clinical plans, the relative differences for all algorithms had an average of 1.73% (−10.36%–13.21%) for the tumor metrics and −0.93% (−9.87%–10.95%) for Dmax of the spinal cord. A few cases with small tumor and spinal cord volumes, dose differences of >10% in both D99% and Dmax of the tumor, and Dmax of the spinal cord were observed. For all algorithms, the presence of titanium implants in the spine for most patients had minimal impact on dose distributions with and without DO. For the same plan calculated with different algorithms, larger differences in volumetric metrics of >10% could be observed, impacted by dose gradient at the plan normalization volume, tumor volumes, plan complexity, and partial voxel volume interpolation.
Correlation between the setting of gating window width and setup accuracy in left breast cancer radiotherapy based on deep inspiration breath hold
Authors: Yucheng Li , Yibo Shao , Wenming Zhan , Yongshi Jia , Qiang Li , Lingyun Qiu , Liu Huaxin , Zhang YingHao , jieni Ding , Weijun Chen
Published: August 2023

Personalized precision irradiation of patients with left‐sided breast cancer is possible by examining the setup errors of 3‐ and 4‐mm gated window widths for those treated with deep inspiration breath‐hold (DIBH) treatment. An observational study was performed via a retrospective analysis of 250 cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of 60 left‐breast cancer patients who underwent whole‐breast radiotherapy with the DIBH technique between January 2021 and 2022 at our hospital. Among them, 30 patients had a gated window width of 3 mm, while the remaining 30 had a gated window width of 4 mm; both groups received radiotherapy using DIBH technology. All patients underwent CBCT scans once a week, and the setup errors in the left‐right (x‐axis), inferior‐superior (y‐axis), and anterior‐posterior (z‐axis) directions were recorded. The clinical‐to‐planning target volume (CTV‐PTV) margins of the two gating windows were calculated using established methods. The setup error in the Y direction was 1.69 ± 1.33 mm for the 3‐mm – wide gated window and 2.42 ± 3.02 mm for the 4‐mm – wide gated window. The two groups had statistically significant differences in the overall mean setup error (Dif 0.7, 95% CI 0.15–1.31, t = 2.48, p= 0.014). The Z‐direction setup error was 2.32 ± 2.12 mm for the 3‐mm – wide gated window and 3.15 ± 3.34 mm for the 4‐mm – wide gated window. The overall mean setup error was statistically significant between the two groups (Dif 0.8, 95% CI 0.13–1.53, t= 2.34, p = 0.020). There was no significant difference in the X‐direction setup error (p > 0.05). Therefore, the CTV‐PTV margin values for a 3‐mm gated window width in the X, Y, and Z directions are 5.51, 5.15, and 7.28 mm, respectively; those for a 4‐mm gated window width in the X, Y, and Z directions are 5.52, 8.16, and 10.21 mm, respectively. The setup errors of the 3‐mm – wide gating window are smaller than those of the 4‐mm – wide gating window in the three dimensions. Therefore, when the patient's respiratory gating window width is reduced, the margin values of CTV‐PTV can be reduced to increase the distance between the PTV and the organs at risk (OARs), which ensures adequate space for the dose to decrease, resulting in lower dose exposure to the OARs (heart, lungs, etc.), thus sparing the OARs from further damage. However, some patients with poor pulmonary function or unstable breathing amplitudes must be treated with a slightly larger gating window. Therefore, this study lays a theoretical basis for personalized precision radiotherapy, which can save time and reduce manpower in the delivery of clinical treatment to a certain extent. Another potential benefit of this work is to bring awareness to the potential implications of a slightly larger gating window during treatment without considering the resulting dosimetric impact.
OASAS rules for funding for MMUs
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: August 2023

Is it necessary to be a methadone provider to apply?
New naloxone spray approved for reversing overdoses
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: August 2023

On July 28, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the second over‐the‐counter naloxone nasal spray product. So it's not just “Narcan” anymore.
Aging Associates with Cilium Elongation and Dysfunction in Kidney and Pancreas
Authors: Adametz Fabian , Müller Annika , Stilgenbauer Stephan , Burkhalter Martin D. , Philipp Melanie
Published: August 2023

Cilia are best known and most studied for their manifold functions enabling proper embryonic development. Loss of cilia or dysfunction thereof results in a great variety of congenital malformations and syndromes. However, there are also cilia‐driven conditions, which manifest only later in life, such as polycystic kidney disease. Even degenerative diseases in the central nervous system have recently been linked to alterations in cilia biology. Surprisingly though, there is very little knowledge regarding cilia in normally aged organisms absent any disease. Here, it is provided evidence that cilia in naturally aged mice are considerably elongated in the kidney and pancreas, respectively. Moreover, such altered cilia appear to have become dysfunctional as indicated by changes in cellular signaling.
Engineering of Uniform Epidermal Layers via Sacrificial Gelatin Bioink‐Assisted 3D Extrusion Bioprinting of Skin
Authors: Ahn Minjun , Cho Won‐Woo , Lee Hanju , Park Wonbin , Lee Seok‐Hyeon , Back Jae Woo , Gao Qiqi , Gao Ge , Cho Dong‐Woo , Kim Byoung Soo
Published: August 2023

To reconstruct an ideal full‐thickness skin model, basal keratinocytes must be distributed as a confluent monolayer on the dermis. However, the currently available extrusion bioprinting method for the skin is limited when producing an air‐exposed cellular monolayer because the cells are encapsulated within a bioink. This is the first study to use sacrificial gelatin‐assisted extrusion bioprinting to reproduce a uniform and stratified epidermal layer. Experimental analyses of the rheological properties, printability, cell viability, and initial keratinocyte adhesion shows that the optimal gelatin bioink concentration is 4 wt.%. The appropriate thickness of the bioprinted gelatin structure for achieving a confluent keratinocyte layer is determined to be 400 µm. The suggested strategy generates a uniform keratinocyte monolayer with tight junctions throughout the central and peripheral regions, whereas manual seeding generates non‐uniform cellular aggregates and vacancies. These results influence gene expression, exhibiting a propensity for epidermal differentiation. Finally, the gelatin‐assisted keratinocytes are bioprinted onto a dermis composed of gelatin methacryloyl and dermis‐derived decellularized extracellular matrix to establish a full‐thickness skin model. Thus, this strategy leads to significant improvements in epidermal differentiation/stratification. The findings demonstrate that the gelatin‐assisted approach is advantageous for recreating reliable full‐thickness skin models with significant consistency for mass production.
A Biomimetic Nanoplatform with Improved Inflammatory Targeting Behavior for ROS Scavenging‐Based Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Wang Xiaofen , Jiao Menglu , Tian Fangzhen , Lu Xuan , Xiong Huihuang , Liu Fan , Wan Yiqun , Zhang Xiaodong , Wan Hao
Published: August 2023

Ulcerative colitis (UC), a refractory disease, has become a global problem. Herein, a biomimetic nanoplatform (AU‐LIP‐CM) comprising Au cluster enzymes (AU)‐loaded liposomes (AU‐LIP) camouflaged with the fusion membrane (CM) consisting of neutrophil (NC) and red blood cell (RBC) membrane is designed for the treatment of UC. Briefly, revealed by second near‐infrared (NIR‐II) imaging through collection of fluorescence emitting >1200 nm from AU, the improved inflammatory targeting behavior contributed by CM cloaking, which inherits abilities of inflammatory targeting and immune escape from NC and RBC, respectively, promotes specific accumulation of AU within inflammatory intestines with up to ≈11.5 times higher than that of bare AU. Afterward, AU possessing superoxide dismutase‐ and catalase‐like activities realizes high‐efficiency scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to repair of intestinal barriers, regulation of the immune system, and modulation of gut microbiota, which surpass first‐line UC drug. In addition, study of underlying therapeutic mechanism demonstrated that the treatment with AU‐LIP‐CM can alter the gene signature associated with response to ROS for UC mice to a profile similar to that of healthy mice, deciphering related signal pathways. The strategy developed here provides insights of learning from properties of natural bio‐substances to empower biomimetic nanoplatform to confront diseases.
Natural Wood‐Derived Macroporous Cellulose for Highly Efficient and Ultrafast Elimination of Double‐Stranded RNA from In Vitro‐Transcribed mRNA
Authors: Yuan Xiushuang , Wu Zhanfeng , Guo Jing , Luo Dengwang , Li Tianyao , Cao Qinghao , Ren Xiangyu , Fang Han , Xu Dawei , Cao Yuhong
Published: August 2023

Double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) is a major impurity that can induce innate immune responses and cause adverse drug reactions. Removing dsRNA is an essential and non‐trivial process in manufacturing mRNA. Current methods for dsRNA elimination use either high‐performance liquid chromatography or microcrystalline cellulose, rendering the process complex, expensive, toxic, and/or time‐consuming. This study introduces a highly efficient and ultrafast method for dsRNA elimination using natural wood‐derived macroporous cellulose (WMC). With a naturally formed large total pore area and low tortuosity, WMC removes up to 98% dsRNA within 5 min. This significantly shortens the time for mRNA purification and improves purification efficiency. WMC can also be filled into chromatographic columns of different sizes and integrates with fast‐protein liquid chromatography for large‐scale mRNA purification to meet the requirements of mRNA manufacture. This study further shows that WMC purification improves the enhanced green fluorescent protein mRNA expression efficiency by over 28% and significantly reduces cytokine secretion and innate immune responses in the cells. Successfully applying WMC provides an ultrafast and efficient platform for mRNA purification, enabling large‐scale production with significant cost reduction.
Electro‐Responsive Breathing Transition of Conductive Hydrogel for Broadband Kinetic Energy Harvesting
Authors: Li Zhou , Yun Huiru , Yan Yuke , Yuan Man , Zhao Yang , Zhao Fei
Published: August 2023

Reclaiming kinetic energy from vibrating machines holds great promise for sustainable energy harvesting technologies. Nevertheless, the impulsive current induced by vibrations is incompatible with conventional energy storage devices. The energy‐management system necessitates novel designs of soft materials for lightweight, miniaturized, and integrated high‐frequency electrochemical devices. Here, this work develops a conductive hydrogel with an electro‐responsive polymeric network. The electro‐responsive breathing transition of the crosslinking points facilitates the expeditious formation of a localized electrolyte layer. This layer features an exceedingly high local charge density, surpassing that of a saturated electrolyte solution by an order of magnitude, and thus enabling rapid charge transport under the influence of an applied voltage. The micro‐capacitor based on the gel exhibits record‐high capacitance of ≈2 mF cm−2 when the frequency of energy input reaches up to 104 Hz. This work also demonstrates a prototype battery charger that harvests energy from a running car engine. This study presents a feasible strategy for waste energy recycling using integrated electrochemical devices, opening a new avenue for ambient energy management.
Electrospinning Fibers Modified with Near Infrared Light‐Excited Copper Nanoparticles for Antibacterial and Bone Regeneration
Authors: Amantay Marziya , Ma Yingao , Chen Liang , osman Henigul , Mengping Liu , Jiang Tao , Zhou Tianyou , Ye Tingjun , Wang Yingbo
Published: August 2023

Bone infection is an inflammatory bone disease caused by infectious microorganisms, which can lead to progressive bone destruction and loss. It is still an urgent and unmet clinical need to develop a rapid and effective sterilized method to reduce bone infection. In this study, near‐infrared (NIR) light‐responsive polydopamine (PDA) adherent Copper nanoparticles (Cu‐NPs) are constructed using electrospun poly lactic acid (PLLA) fibers as a substrate (PLLA@PDA/Cu). Dopamine (DA) is self‐polymerized to synthesize the PDA on the fiber surface, which can reduce Cu2+ to form Cu‐NPs. Results show that the addition of PDA and Cu2+ significantly improves the hydrophilicity and bioactivity of the prepared PLLA@PDA/Cu composite fibers, demonstrating superior physiological stability. Due to the unique photothermal properties of Cu‐NPs, PLLA@PDA/Cu is able to generate a large amount of reactive oxygen species under 808 nm NIR laser irradiation, with a photothermal conversion efficiency of 23.7%. The antimicrobial effect of Cu‐NPs is synergistic with their photothermal effect, which potentiated the antibacterial rate of composite fibers . The results of cell experiments show that this composite fiber demonstrates satisfactory osteogenic and angiogenic properties. In conclusion, a photothermal antibacterial PLLA@PDA/Cu composite fiber with great potential in healing infectious bone defects is successfully engineered.
Advances in Nanoclay‐Based Form Stable Phase Change Materials: A Review
Authors: Zhao Xiaoguang , Zuo Xiaochao , Yang Huaming
Published: August 2023

As the core material of thermal energy storage technology, phase change materials (PCM) suffer serious leakage problems and slow thermal conductivity in applications. Nanoclay with relatively high specific surface area, high thermal conductivity, and abundant pore structure can successfully compensate for the defects in PCM. However, the ability of nanoclay without further modification to encapsulate the PCM for the preparation of form stable phase change materials (FSPCM) and accelerate their heat transfer is limited. Nanoclay is classified into 1D, 2D, and 3D minerals based on their microscopic morphology. In this review, the specific surface and pore structure of three types of nanoclay and their thermal performance after loading with PCM are summarized and compared. Then, different mineral modification treatments, such as pretreatment, surface modification, structural modulation, and functional assembly, are summarized to investigate the enhancement of thermal performance in nanoclay‐based FSPCM. This review also summarizes the state‐of‐the‐art research progress of emerging nanoclay material‐based FSPCM. Finally, a summary of the traditional applications of mineral‐based FSPCM and an outlook on new applications are presented. This paper will help researchers to better understand the recent developments, performance enhancement strategies of nanoclay‐based FSPCM and to identify potential future research efforts.
Novel Spiro Core‐Based Hole Transport Materials for Stable Deep‐Blue OLEDs with LT95 Over 420 h
Authors: Jiang Zhuonan , Yan Hao , Zhang Xiaopeng , Meng Zhiming , Kuang Changchun , Zhang Xinkang , He Yaowu , Zhu Yanan , Meng Hong
Published: August 2023

Flexible, lightweight, and cost‐effective organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) show great promise for use in displays and lighting applications. However, creating highly efficient and stable deep‐blue OLEDs remains a challenge due to a lack of efficient functional materials, specifically hole transport materials (HTM). In this report, two new spiro‐HTMs are introduced with fluorene (FBP‐SFX) or dibenzofuran (DBF‐SFX) peripheral substituents. This study finds that the DBF‐SFX variant produces highly efficient deep‐blue OLEDs with a narrow emission (full‐width at half‐maximum FWHM of 25 nm) and the highest external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 33.2% among the FBP‐SFX (12.2%) and NPB (11.9%) variants. The superior performance of DBF‐SFX is attributed to its deeper highest occupied molecular orbital level (HOMO) and small trap density, which results in reduced band‐edge offset, lower turn‐on voltages, and balanced charge carrier densities. Importantly, the blue fluorescence OLED with DBF‐SFX displays exceptional device stability with LT95 over 420 h with an initial luminance of 1000 cd m−2. This is due to the stronger bond dissociation energy (BDE) and suppressed Exciton–Polaron Annihilation (EPA) using the dibenzofuran substituent. This work demonstrates a new HTM design approach using a spiro‐core architecture and dibenzofuran substituents to create efficient and long‐lasting deep‐blue OLEDs.
Chemical Vapor Deposition of Ru/RuSe2 Catalyst for Electrolytic Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Megersa Daba Deme , Gudena Gutema Teshome , Kim Youngho , Yu Hak Ki
Published: August 2023

A one‐step synthesis of highly stable Ru/RuSe2 nanoparticles (NPs) on carbon paper is achieved using low temperature and pressure chemical vapor deposition (CVD), resulting in a heterointerface with multiple active sites for catalysis. The catalyst exhibits outstanding performance for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in an alkaline solution, with low overpotentials and fast hydrogen adsorption and desorption kinetics. The Ru/RuSe2/C nanoparticle structure has the potential for large‐scale production and can be used as an efficient catalyst for HER.
Application of Perovskite as Solution‐Processed Solid Electrolyte in Polymer Electrochemical Transistor
Authors: Teng Xinlu , Lin Lin , Sun Jun , Tian Haoxin , Li Jia , Ke Shichuan , Lou Zhidong , Hou Yanbing , Hu Yufeng , Teng Feng
Published: August 2023

The electrolyte serves as a key component in organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) and allows for the modulation of the conductivity of the polymer channel by applying a voltage to the gate electrode. Different from liquid electrolytes in OECTs, the solid electrolyte is beneficial for the integration in the circuit and shows great stability. And considering the fabrication of the device, developing a new solution‐processed solid electrolyte for OECTs is a critical area of research. In this work, the organic–inorganic perovskite is used as the electrolyte to fabricate polymer electrochemical transistors due to its solid‐phase ion migration kinetics. To realize this goal, a separate polyethylene oxide (PEO) layer on top of the poly[2‐methoxy‐5‐(2‐ethylhexyloxy)‐1,4‐phenylenevinylene] (MEH‐PPV) layer plays a crucial role since it can affect the electric field and the ion motion. More importantly, based on this device structure, both a polymer light‐emitting electrochemical transistor and the polymer electrochemical phototransistor are realized. The solution‐processed solid organic–inorganic perovskite electrolytes can enable the development of integration in OECTs, which have significant potential for multifunctional applications.
Investigating mobility and pastoralism in Kerma‐period communities upstream of the fourth cataract, Sudan
Authors: Gregoricka Lesley A. , Baker Brenda J.
Published: August 2023

Objectives

The Kingdom of Kush in today's northern Sudan and southern Egypt (ancient Nubia) is often depicted as a secondary state relative to ancient Egypt. More recent investigations have set aside Egyptocentric and western, colonialist perspectives of state development focused on control of land and agricultural surplus, examining Kushites through the lens of African‐based models of mobile pastoralism in which power and authority were achieved through control of herds and alliance‐building. Here, analyses of radiogenic strontium isotopes in human dental enamel are used to investigate diachronic shifts in mobility patterns linked to pastoralism and state development during the Kerma period (ca. 2500–1100 BCE).

Materials and Methods

From five cemetery sites around al Qinifab, Sudan, upstream of the capital at Kerma, we analyzed the strontium isotope ratios of 50 teeth from 27 individuals dating from the Early through Late Kerma phases.

Results

Individuals from the Early and Middle Kerma phases demonstrated considerable 87Sr/86Sr ratio variability (mean = 0.70835 ± 0.00109), with 50% falling outside the locally bioavailable strontium range. Conversely, most Classic (0.70756 ± 0.00043) and Late Kerma (0.70755 ± 0.00036) individuals exhibited ratios consistent with the local region.

Discussion

These changes indicate a potential transformation in subsistence strategies and social organization as early communities engaged in a more mobile lifestyle than later groups, suggesting a greater degree of pastoralism followed by declining mobility with Kushite state coalescence and a shift to agropastoralism. Because 87Sr/86Sr ratios from enamel reflect childhood geographic residence, these findings indicate that mobility likely involved extended family groups, and not just transhumant adults.
Novel cadmium (II) N2O2‐Schiff base compounds: X‐ray crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface study, thermal behavior, antimicrobial, DNA cleavage power, antioxidant, and cytotoxicity activity
Authors: Malekhoseini Ameneh , Montazerozohori Morteza , Naghiha Reza , Panahi Kokhdan Esmaeel , Hayati Payam , White Jonathan M.
Published: August 2023

A new N2O2‐tetradentate Schiff base ligand entitled as N,N′‐((ethane‐1,2‐diybis [oxy])bis (ethan‐2,1‐diyl))bis(3‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐imine was prepared by direct reaction between 3‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐2‐propenal and 1,8‐diamino‐3,6‐dioxaoctane. After characterization of the ligand, some novel cadmium coordination compounds formulated as CdLX2 (X: Cl−, Br−, I−, N3−, SCN−and NO3−) were synthesized and characterized by physical and spectral techniques. Typically crystal structure of cadmium nitrate coordination compound was determined suggesting crystallization in monoclinic system (with space group of I2/a) and a coordination geometry of square anti‐prism around the Cd (II) ion. Moreover, CdLBr2 and CdLI2 compounds were prepared in nanostructured dimensions by sonochemical method confirmed by SEM, EDX, and XRD techniques. In continuation, thermal behavior investigation of the compounds including thermal stabilities, thermal decomposition steps, and thermo‐kinetic parameters was performed based on Coats‐Redfern equations from room temperature to 900 °C. Furthermore, all the compounds were subjected to bioassay against two Gram‐positive bacteria of Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis, two Gram‐negative bacteria of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli, and two fungal strains of Aspergillus oryzae and Candida albicans. The results showed that all the synthesized compounds act well as antimicrobial agents. DNA cleavage power of the materials was also evaluated using extracted DNA from E. coli bacterium. The cytotoxic activities of some compounds were investigated against the prostate cancer cell lines (PC3) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) (as normal cells) by MTT assay and nitric oxide level evaluation method as compared with cis‐platin confirming anti‐cancer effects of them. Finally, the antioxidant properties of the N2O2‐ligand and its cadmium coordination compounds were examined by DPPH and FRAP methods suggesting all the compounds have good antioxidant activity as compared with standard samples.
Preparation of multifunctional Ag@PAN/PBA nanofibrous aerogel membranes for efficient PM 0.3 capture and effective antibacterial activity
Authors: Jiang Guojun , Wang Xiaohong , Liao Yuwei , He Jia , Zhu Haoping , Ma Hongwei , Lou Shijie , Xu Zhanghao , Zhou Jie , Xie Sheng , Ye Xiangyu
Published: August 2023

Nanofibrous aerogels (NFAs) have great application potential in air filtration due to their unique hierarchical porous structure and high porosity. However, the development of air filter with high air filtration efficiency, as well as good antibacterial activity, remains a major challenge. In an effort to overcome this challenge, here we report a facile methodology for the fabrication of robust and flexible nanofibrous aerogel membranes (NFAMs) with a three‐dimensional (3D) hierarchical porous structure. Moreover, the microstructures and filtration performance of the obtained NFAMs could be easily tuned by adjusting the nanofiber concentration in the aerogel. The resultant Ag@PAN/PBA NFAMs had high filtration efficiency (99.82%) towards PM0.3, low pressure drop (134 Pa) and desirable quality factor (0.0472 Pa−1) under an airflow velocity of 32 L/min. Furthermore, the NFAMs also exhibited excellent antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli (99.46%) and Staphylococcus aureus (99.72%). Together, the results presented here suggest that Ag@PAN/PBA NFAMs have great potential in public health protection applications.
Solvent‐free Ternary Polymer Electrolytes with High Ionic Conductivity for Stable Sodium‐based Batteries at Room Temperature
Authors: Roscher Daniel , Kim Yongil , Stepien Dominik , Zarrabeitia Maider , Passerini Stefano
Published: August 2023

Invited for this month's cover are the Electrochemistry for Batteries and Beyond Li: materials & interphases groups led by Prof. Stefano Passerini and Dr. Maider Zarrabeitia, respectively, at Helmholtz Institute Ulm (HIU). The cover picture shows a solvent‐free polymer electrolyte‐based sodium‐metal battery operating at room temperature for stationary applications. Read the full text of the Research Article at 10.1002/batt.202300092.
Disparities in time to prostate cancer treatment initiation before and after the Affordable Care Act
Authors: Janopaul‐Naylor James R. , Corriher Taylor J. , Switchenko Jeffrey , Hanasoge Sheela , Esdaille Ashanda , Mahal Brandon A. , Filson Christopher P. , Patel Sagar A.
Published: August 2023

Background

Delayed access to care may contribute to disparities in prostate cancer (PCa). The Affordable Care Act (ACA) aimed at increasing access and reducing healthcare disparities, but its impact on timely treatment initiation for PCa men is unknown.

Methods

Men with intermediate‐ and high‐risk PCa diagnosed 2010–2016 and treated with curative surgery or radiotherapy were identified in the National Cancer Database. Multivariable logistic regression modeled the effect of race and insurance type on treatment delay >180 days after diagnosis. Cochran–Armitage test measured annual trends in delays, and joinpoint regression assessed if 2014, the year the ACA became fully operationalized, was significant for inflection in crude rates of major delays.

Results

Of 422,506 eligible men, 18,720 (4.4%) experienced >180‐day delay in treatment initiation. Compared to White patients, Black (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.72–1.87, p < 0.001) and Hispanic (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.28–1.48, p < 0.001) patients had higher odds of delay. Compared to uninsured, those with Medicaid had no difference in odds of delay (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.84–1.06, p = 0.31), while those with private insurance (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.52–0.63, p < 0.001) or Medicare (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.58–0.70, p < 0.001) had lower odds of delay. Mean time to treatment significantly increased from 2010 to 2016 across all racial/ethnic groups (trend p < 0.001); 2014 was associated with a significant inflection for increase in rates of major delays.

Conclusions

Non‐White and Medicaid‐insured men with localized PCa are at risk of treatment delays in the United States. Treatment delays have been consistently rising, particularly after implementation of the ACA.
IMMUNOREACT 0: Biopsy‐based immune biomarkers as predictors of response to neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer—A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Stepanyan Astghik , Fassan Matteo , Spolverato Gaya , Castagliuolo Ignazio , Scarpa Melania , Scarpa Marco ,   the IMMUNOREACT Study Group
Published: August 2023

Background

The main therapy for rectal cancer patients is neoadjuvant therapy (NT) followed by surgery. Immune biomarkers are emerging as potential predictors of the response to NT. We performed a meta‐analysis to estimate their predictive significance.

Methods

A systematic literature search of PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE and EMBASE databases was performed to identify eligible studies. Studies on patients with rectal cancer undergoing NT in which the predictive significance of at least one of the immunological markers of interest was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in pretreatment biopsies were included.

Results

Seventeen studies reporting sufficient data met the inclusion criteria for meta‐analysis. High levels of total CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), as well as stromal and intraepithelial CD8+ compartments, significantly predicted good pathological response to NT. Moreover, high levels of total (tumoral and immune cell expression) PD‐L1 resulted associated to a good pathological response. On the contrary, high levels of intraepithelial CD4+ TILs were correlated with poor pathological response. FoxP3+ TILs, tumoral PD‐L1 and CTLA‐4 were not correlated to the treatment response.

Conclusion

This meta‐analysis indicated that high‐density TILs might be predictive biomarkers of pathological response in patients that underwent NT for rectal cancer.
Al‐Ce Intermetallic Phase for Ambient High‐Performance Electrocatalytic Reduction of Nitrate to Ammonia
Authors: Ge Junyan , Wei Tianran , Ding Junyang , Wang Zhifeng , Liu Qian , Qi Gaocan , Hu Guangzhi , Luo Jun , Liu Xijun
Published: August 2023

The conversion of NO3−‐to‐NH3 by electrolysis is an appealing approach for wastewater treatment; however, such a process is hindered by the lack of efficient catalysts. Herein, taking the nanoporous Al11Ce3 intermetallic phase as an example, its electrocatalytic NO3− reduction reaction capability is first demonstrated. Benefiting from the unique structural feature, optimized intermediates adsorption and formation behavior, and restrained hydrogen evolution, the catalyst shows a remarkable electrochemical performance with a peak faradaic efficiency of 91 % and yield rate of 4.35 mg h−1 mgcat−1, along with robust activity over 30 h. Further, a Zn−NO3− battery by using Al11Ce3 as the cathode was designed, which gives a maximal power density of 8.5 mW cm−2 and a corresponding NH3 yield rate of 1.97 mg h−1 mgcat−1.
Prediction of the biomechanical behaviour of the lumbar spine under multi‐axis whole‐body vibration using a whole‐body finite element model
Authors: Zhang Chi , Guo Li‐Xin
Published: August 2023

Low back pain has been reported to have a high prevalence among occupational drivers. Whole‐body vibration during the driving environment has been found to be a possible factor leading to low back pain. Vibration loads might lead to degeneration and herniation of the intervertebral disc, which would increase incidence of low back problems among drivers. Some previous studies have reported the effects of whole‐body vibration on the human body, but studies on the internal dynamic responses of the lumbar spine under multi‐axis vibration are limited. In this study, the internal biomechanical response of the intervertebral disc was extracted to investigate the biomechanical behaviour of the lumbar spine under a multi‐axial vibration in a whole‐body environment. A whole‐body finite element model, including skin, soft tissues, the bone skeleton, internal organs and a detailed ligamentous lumbar spine, was used to provide a whole‐body condition for analyses. The results showed that both vibrations close to vertical and fore‐and‐aft resonance frequencies would increase the transmission of vibrations in the intervertebral disc, and vertical vibration might have a greater effect on the lumbar spine than fore‐and‐aft vibration. The larger deformation of the posterior region of the intervertebral disc in a multi‐axis vibration environment might contribute to the higher susceptibility of the posterior region of the intervertebral disc to injury. The findings of this study revealed the dynamic behaviours of the lumbar spine in multi‐axis vehicle vibration conditions, and suggested that both vertical and fore‐and‐aft vibration should be considered for protecting the lumbar health of occupational drivers.
Queries Raised During Oncology Business Pipeline Meetings at the European Medicines Agency: A 5‐Year Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Tesileanu C. Mircea S. , Pignatti Francesco , Tognana Enrico , Humphreys Anthony
Published: August 2023

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) offers guidance and support to pharmaceutical companies through bilateral discussions called business pipeline meetings (BPMs). An analysis of BPMs in oncology over a 5‐year period was conducted to identify common topics and recurring queries. The documents of all BPMs available at the EMA regarding the field of oncology from January 1, 2018, to Decemer 31, 2022, were reviewed. For every query, a main category was assigned, and in case of multiple relevant topics, a secondary category was appointed too. For all queries, the follow‐up offered by the EMA was documented, and whether the requested information was available. Subsequently, all queries were scanned for overlapping topics between meetings. From 2018 to 2022, 31 BPMs were held between the EMA and pharmaceutical companies to discuss oncology‐related questions, for a total of 397 queries raised. They were classified into 24 topics, of which 15 were common topics (n ≥ 10 queries) with regulatory pathways/guidelines and trial design having the most queries. Post‐BPM actions were taken or recommended by the EMA for 41.3% of queries, such as referrals to scientific advice or published guidelines. Forty‐three queries were raised at more than one BPM. Targeted therapy, companion diagnostics, institutional collaboration, trial design, and regulatory pathways/guidelines were the most discussed topics in oncology BPMs, with molecular developments being the common denominator. Creating Q&A documents, publishing new guidelines, providing a framework for discussions, and questionnaire‐based follow‐up research can improve the quality of BPMs, and the accessibility of the information requested during the BPMs.
Detection, Purification, Characterization, and Manipulation of Migrasomes
Authors: Jiang Dong , Li Ying , Yu Li
Published: August 2023

Migrasomes are newly discovered cellular organelles, first described in 2015, that are formed by migrating cells. During migration, cells leave behind long membrane tethers called retraction fibers. Numerous micrometer‐scale vesicles grow from the tips or junctions of these fibers, which we have named migrasomes. Migrasomes play important roles in various physiological processes, including releasing signaling factors to ensure organ morphogenesis during zebrafish embryo development, transferring mRNAs among cells, disposing of damaged mitochondria from the cell to maintain cell homeostasis, and secreting pro‐angiogenic molecules to promote angiogenesis during chicken embryo development. Migrasomes are beginning to attract the attention of researchers in multiple fields. Here, we summarize the most commonly used protocols for migrasome detection using fluorescence microscopy imaging, purification through density‐gradient centrifugation, characterization using electron microscopy (EM) imaging and biochemical analysis, and manipulation of migrasomes by targeting integrins and tetraspanins. © 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Detection and observation of migrasomes by fluorescence microscopy imaging

Basic Protocol 2: Purification of migrasomes from cultured cell lines and embryos by density‐gradient centrifugation

Basic Protocol 3: Characterization of migrasomes by electron microscopy imaging and biochemical analysis
Combination of the triglyceride‐glucose index and EuroSCORE II improves the prediction of long‐term adverse outcomes in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting
Authors: Wu Zhenguo , Guo Dachuan , Chen Sha , Sun Xiangfei , Zhang Yerui , Liu Xiaoyu , Liu Li , Lin Zongwei , Yang Jianmin
Published: August 2023

Aims

We aimed to investigate the independent and combined association of the triglyceride‐glucose (TyG) index and EuroSCORE II with major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), and examine whether the addition of the TyG index improves the predictive performance of the EuroSCORE II.

Materials and Methods

This study included 1013 patients who underwent CABG. The primary endpoint was MACE, which was defined as the composite of all‐cause death, repeat coronary artery revascularisation, non‐fatal myocardial infarction and non‐fatal stroke. The patients were grouped by the TyG index and EuroSCORE II tertiles and the combination of these risk indicators.

Results

During the follow‐up, 211 individuals developed MACE. Elevated levels of the TyG index and EuroSCORE II were associated with an increased risk of MACE. The hazard ratio [95% confidence interval (CI)] was 3.66 (2.34–5.73) in patients with the highest tertile of the TyG index and EuroSCORE II. Compared with the EuroSCORE II alone, combining the TyG index with EuroSCORE II achieved a better predictive performance [C‐statistic increased 0.032, p < 0.001; continuous net reclassification improvement (NRI) (95% CI): 0.364 (0.215–0.514), p < 0.001; integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) (95% CI): 0.015 (0.007–0.023), p < 0.001, Akaike's information criteria (AIC) and Bayesian information criterion (BIC) decreased, and the likelihood ratio test, p < 0.001].

Conclusions

The TyG index and EuroSCORE II are independently associated with poor prognosis. Furthermore, the TyG index is an important adjunct to the EuroSCORE II for improving risk stratification and guiding early intervention among post‐CABG patients.
Negative effects of phosphorus addition outweigh effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and nitrogen addition on grassland temporal stability in the eastern Eurasian desert steppe
Authors: Yang Xin , Li Yuyue , Liang Ruize , Ji Bo , Wang Zhanjun , Wang Hongmei , Shen Yue
Published: August 2023

The temporal stability of grassland plant communities is substantially affected by soil nutrient enrichment. However, the potential main and interactive effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and soil nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) enrichment on the stability of plant productivity have not yet been clarified. We combined a three‐year in situ field experiment to assess the impacts of soil fertilization and AMF on the stability of plant productivity. P addition decreased the stability of plant productivity by increasing the standard deviation relative to the mean of plant productivity. However, compared to species richness, the stability of C3 grasses and other functional groups asynchrony were the most important drivers changing the stability of plant productivity. The negative impacts of P addition overrode the impacts of AMF on the stability of plant productivity. Overall, our study suggests the importance of soil nutrient availability over AMF in terms of shaping the stability of plant productivity. Our results also suggest that three‐year anthropogenic soil nutrient enrichment could reduce the stability of plant communities in grassland regardless of AMF in the P‐limited grassland ecosystem.
Long‐term declines in insect abundance and biomass in a subalpine habitat
Authors: Dalton Rebecca M. , Underwood Nora C. , Inouye David W. , Soulé Michael E. , Inouye Brian D.
Published: August 2023

Recent reports of insect declines have caused concern among scientists and the public. Declines in insect abundance and biomass are ubiquitous across many climatic zones and have been largely attributed to anthropogenic land use intensification and climate change. However, there are few examples of long‐term continuous data in relatively undisturbed environments, as opposed to agricultural landscapes. We sampled insects weekly from 1986 to 2020 in a protected subalpine meadow in Colorado, which is embedded in an undisturbed natural landscape. During the study period, summers became warmer, while winters became drier. Insect biomass declined by ∼47% and abundance declined by ∼61.5% over the last 35 years. Insect declines occurred in concert with changes in climate, as some climate factors were correlated with insect abundance and biomass. Specifically, insect abundance was lower during years with less summer precipitation and winter snowfall, and to a lesser degree with warmer temperatures. In subalpine systems, changes in precipitation and warmer temperatures are expected to continue under climate change; thus, continued insect declines might be expected even in relatively undisturbed habitats.
Selective Zinc‐Catalyzed 1,2‐hydroboration of N‐heteroaromatics via a Non‐Hydride Mechanism
Authors: Shakhman Dinmukhamed , Dmitrienko Anton , Pilkington Melanie , Nikonov Georgii I.
Published: August 2023

A novel bidentate amine‐imine ligand precursor LH has been synthesized. This compound was reacted with ZnMe2 to generate the zinc methyl complex, LZnMe (4). The latter compound was fully characterized by NMR spectroscopy and single crystal X‐ray diffraction. Compound 4 is a catalyst for the hydroboration and hydrosilylation of N‐heterocycles, but with moderate catalytic activity. A more active catalyst, the zinc hydride complex LZnH (5) was synthesized by reacting the lithium salt LLi with ZnCl2 followed by sequential reaction with tBuOK and PhMeSiH2. Compound 5 catalyzes the selective 1,2‐hydroboration of nitrogen heteroaromatics with decreased catalyst load and under mild conditions. Deuterium‐labeling experiments and kinetic studies provided insight into the possible reaction mechanism. It is proposed that hydride transfer to the substrate proceeds directly from the reductant (borane) via a six‐membered transition state facilitated by the catalyst, in which it plays an ambiphilic role, activating the substrate via coordination to the Lewis acidic zinc and enhancing the hydricity of the borane through coordination to the zinc hydride.
Probabilistic assessment of the rules used to combine peak floor responses of special concentrically braced frames under orthogonal seismic effects
Authors: Wang Jianze , Huang Qinyong , Burton Henry , Dai Kaoshan , Qu Zhe
Published: August 2023

Estimating seismic demands and the associated damage to nonstructural components (NSCs) is a critical step in the performance‐based earthquake engineering (PBEE) framework. To facilitate this type of assessment, NSCs are classified as being acceleration, velocity, or displacement sensitive. When two‐dimensional structural models and response history analyses are used in the PBEE framework, heuristics are used to combine the orthogonal responses. Although there has been significant research to develop and evaluate combination rules for structural component responses, comparatively much less attention has been placed on NSC demands. FEMA P‐58 does provide a combination rule specifically for NSC seismic demands; however, the basis and accuracy of these provisions have never been examined. In this paper, the effectiveness of three popular combination rules used to estimate peak floor acceleration (PFA) and peak floor velocity (PFV) is investigated. Incremental dynamics analyses under unidirectional and bidirectional record‐sets are performed on six special concentrically braced frame buildings with different heights and torsional irregularity. The associated floor responses are used to examine the efficacy of the combination rules. Subsequently, a probabilistic approach is proposed to enhance the accuracy of combination rules. The performance of the enhanced combination rules is compared to that of a surrogate model that estimates PFA and PFV under orthogonal seismic effects. The results show that the performance of existing combination rules is slightly affected by building height and plan irregularity. Also, the combination rule suggested by FEMA P58 is found to overestimate the PFA and PFV demands by 10–15% compared to the demands derived from bidirectional response history analysis.
Performance assessment of global open‐access digital elevation models in China mainland coastal region
Authors: Ding Hu , Liu Junhao , Yang Sihang , Luo Junxing , Liu Yi , Liang Xinyi , Na Jiaming , Jiang Shuai , Fu Yingchun
Published: August 2023

Digital elevation models (DEMs) are the fundamental datasets for coastal ecosystem monitoring, and several global open‐accessed DEMs have recently been reported. In coastal regions, a comprehensive vertical accuracy assessment of these DEMs has not yet been carried out. In this study, eight open‐access DEM datasets, including SRTM‐3, SRTM‐1, TanDEM‐X, ASTER GDEM v3, MERIT DEM, AW3D30, NASADEM, and CoastalDEM, were investigated across the coastal region of the Chinese mainland using high accuracy ICESat‐2 data as a reference. Statistical tools including mean absolute error (MAE) and root mean square error (RMSE) were selected to describe the data error/uncertainty and spatial distribution. Moreover, the effects of elevation ranging, slope degree, geomorphogenesis and landuse on vertical accuracy were further analyzed to assess their applicability. The assessment results revealed that the CoastalDEM and NASADEM datasets had the highest accuracy, with MAE values of 1.68 and 1.88 m and RMSE values of 2.55 and 2.61 m, for 3‐arc second and 1‐arc second resolution DEMs, respectively. Other DEMs with close accuracies include AW3D30, SRTM‐1, MERIT, and SRTM‐3 DEM. The results proved that the CoastalDEM outperformed other datasets, indicating its applicability in coastal regions.