bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical and Economic Burden in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus During the First Year After Initiating Oral Corticosteroids: A Retrospective US Database Study
Authors: DerSarkissian Maral , Gu Yuqian M. , Duh Mei Sheng , Benson John , Huang Shirley P. , Averell Carlyne , Vu Jensen , Wang Min‐Jung , Bell Christopher F.
Published: May 2023

Objective

To characterize health care resource utilization (HCRU), health care costs, and adverse events (AEs) among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) initiating oral corticosteroids (OCS) versus patients without OCS use.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study (GSK Study 213061), eligible patients (aged ≥5 years at first OCS claim) with SLE from the IQVIA Real‐World Data Adjudicated Claims‐US database (January 2006 to July 2019) had continuous enrollment during the 6‐month preindex (baseline) and 12‐month postindex (observation) periods and one or more inpatient or emergency department SLE diagnosis codes or two or more outpatient SLE diagnosis codes during baseline. The “OCS‐initiator cohort” comprised patients with one or more OCS pharmacy claims during the study period and no evidence of preindex OCS use and was classified into three exposure categories based on the number of 6‐month periods of more than 5 mg/day of OCS use (0, 1, 2). The “no‐OCS‐use cohort” comprised patients without OCS claims, although patients may have received OCS prior to the study period. Clinical and economic outcomes were reported over the observation period.

Results

Adjusted health care costs differed significantly ($6542 [95% confidence interval (CI): $5761‐$7368], $19,149 [95% CI: $16,954‐$21,471], $28,985 [95% CI: $25,546‐$32,885]). HCRU incidence rates were significantly greater for all OCS‐initiator exposure categories (n = 16,216) versus the no‐OCS‐use cohort (n = 11,137; adjusted incidence rate ratios [95% CI]: 1.22 [1.19‐1.24], 1.39 [1.34‐1.43], 1.66 [1.60‐1.73]). OCS‐related AEs were experienced by 67.1% to 74.1% of patients with OCS initiation, most commonly affecting the immune system.

Conclusion

Within 12 months of OCS initiation, patients with SLE experienced substantial clinical and economic burden, which may imply a need to minimize OCS use.
Spiral‐Shape Fast‐Moving Soft Robots
Authors: Mu Weilei , Li Mengjiao , Chen Erdong , Yang Yiduo , Yin Jie , Tao Xiaoming , Liu Guijie , Yin Rong
Published: May 2023

Soft robots typically exhibit limited agility due to inherent properties of soft materials. The structural design of soft robots is one of the key elements to improve their mobility. Inspired by the Archimedean spiral geometry in nature, here, a fast‐moving spiral‐shaped soft robot made of a piezoelectric composite with an amorphous piezoelectric vinylidene fluoride film and a layer of copper tape is presented. The soft robot demonstrates a forward locomotion speed of 76 body length per second under the first‐order resonance frequency and a backward locomotion speed of 11.26 body length per second at the third‐order resonance frequency. Moreover, the multitasking capabilities of the soft robot in slope climbing, step jumping, load carrying, and steering are demonstrated. The soft robot can escape from a relatively confined space without external control and human intervention. An untethered robot with a battery and a flexible circuit (a payload of 1.665 g and a total weight of 1.815 g) can move at an absolute speed of 20 mm s−1 (1 body length per second). This study opens a new generic design paradigm for next‐generation fast‐moving soft robots that are applicable for multifunctionality at small scales.
Excluding the Trouble from Interfacial Water by Covalent Organic Polymer to Realize Extremely Reversible Zn Anode
Authors: Ni Xuyan , Zhou Jinqiu , Ji Haoqing , Chen Yuejiao , Yu Huaming , Zheng Yiwei , Qian Tao , Wang Mengfan , Chen Libao , Yan Chenglin
Published: May 2023

The side reactions related to water are the major issue hindering practical application of Zn metal batteries. To exclude the trouble from interfacial water, a covalent organic polymer (COP) layer with N, N′‐Bis(salicylidene)ethylenediamine structure is designed, whose strong coordination ability with Zn2+ enhances the de‐solvation kinetics of solvated Zn2+ which is conducive to interfacial water removal thus alleviating the side reactions related to water. This function has been certified by density functional theory along with molecular dynamics analysis. Moreover, measurements including in situ electrochemical gas chromatography, in situ optical microscopy, in situ X‐ray diffraction and in situ Raman spectroscopy verify the weakened side reactions (including hydrogen evolution and corrosion) along with homogenous Zn deposition contributed from the covalent organic polymer layer. Benefiting from these merits, when assemble into cells based on common ZnSO4‐based aqueous electrolyte, the COP layer‐decorated anode exhibits excellent electrochemical performance of a high average Coulombic efficiency value 99.5% at a high capacity of 5.0 mA h cm−2. What's more, the symmetric cells can operate at −20 °C and the full cell with N/P ratio as low as 1.2 can cycle stably for 100 cycles, which would carry forward the promising practical application of Zn metal batteries.
Multifunctional Aminoglycoside Antibiotics Modified SnO2 Enabling High Efficiency and Mechanical Stability Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Yan Tong , Zhang Chenxi , Li Shiqi , Wu Yukun , Sun Qinjun , Cui Yanxia , Hao Yuying
Published: May 2023

SnO2 as an electron transport layer (ETL) has been widely used in regular planar perovskite solar cells (PSCs) owing to its high optical transmittance, less photocatalytic activity, and low‐temperature processing. However, SnO2‐based PSCs still face many challenges which greatly impair their efficiency and stability of PSCs. Herein, a novel and effective multifunctional modification strategy is proposed by incorporating streptomycin sulfate (STRS) molecules with multiple functional groups into SnO2 ETL. STRS can significantly suppress SnO2 nanoparticle agglomeration, improve the electronic property of SnO2, as well as reduce nonradiative recombination. At the same time, interfacial residual tensile stress is released and the interfacial energy level alignment becomes more matched. As a result, the STRS‐modified PSCs achieve a higher efficiency of 22.89% compared to 20.61% of the control device and exhibit a hysteresis‐free feature. The humidity and thermal stability of PSCs based on STRS‐SnO2 are significantly improved. Furthermore, the efficiency of flexible devices increased from 19.74% to 20.79%, and the devices still maintain >80% of initial PCE after 4500 bending cycles with a bend radius of 5 mm. This study provides a low‐cost, facile, and efficient strategy for achieving high efficiency and stability in PSCs.
Interface Engineering Enhances the Photovoltaic Performance of Wide Bandgap FAPbBr3 Perovskite for Application in Low‐Light Environments
Authors: Li Qingyuan , Zheng Yifan , Guo Xin , Zhang Guodong , Ding Guoyu , Shi Yifeng , Li Fenghua , Sun Mengjie , Shao Yuchuan
Published: May 2023

Underwater solar cells (UWSCs) provide an ideal alternative to the energy supply for long‐endurance autonomous underwater vehicles. However, different from conventional solar cells situated on land or above water, UWSCs give preference to use wide bandgap semiconductors (≥1.8 eV) as light absorber to match underwater solar spectra. Among wide bandgap semiconductors, FAPbBr3 perovskite is under prime consideration owing to its matching optical bandgap (≈2.3 eV), outstanding photoelectric properties, easier processability, etc. Unfortunately, for FAPbBr3 solar cells, substantial interface defects greatly limit the charge carrier extraction efficiency, thus limiting the device performance, especially in underwater low‐light environments. This study employs a molecular self‐assembly strategy to effectively eliminate the interfacial defects. As a result, a great improvement in power conversion efficiency (PCE) from 6.44% to 7.49% is obtained, which is among the best efficiency reported for inverted FAPbBr3 solar cells up to date. Besides, a champion PCE of 30% is obtained under 520 nm monochromatic light irradiation (4.8 mW cm−2). These results demonstrate that FAPbBr3 solar cells present a tremendously promising application in UWSCs.
Multifunctional Additive CdAc2 for Efficient Perovskite‐Based Solar Cells
Authors: Ren Ningyu , Wang Pengyang , Jiang Junke , Li Renjie , Han Wei , Liu Jingjing , Zhu Zhao , Chen Bingbing , Xu Qiaojing , Li Tiantian , Shi Biao , Huang Qian , Zhang Dekun , Apergi Sofia , Brocks Geert , Zhu Chenjun , Tao Shuxia , Zhao Ying , Zhang Xiaodan
Published: May 2023

Polycrystalline perovskite films fabricated on flexible and textured substrates often are highly defective, leading to poor performance of perovskite devices. Finding substrate‐tolerant perovskite fabrication strategies is therefore paramount. Herein, this study shows that adding a small amount of Cadmium Acetate (CdAc2) in the PbI2 precursor solution results in nano‐hole array films and improves the diffusion of organic salts in PbI2 and promotes favorable crystal orientation and suppresses non‐radiative recombination. Polycrystalline perovskite films on the flexible substrate with ultra‐long carrier lifetimes exceeding 6 µs are achieved. Eventually, a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 22.78% is obtained for single‐junction flexible perovskite solar cells (FPSCs). Furthermore, it is found that the strategy is also applicable for textured tandem solar cells. A champion PCE of 29.25% (0.5003 cm2) is demonstrated for perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells (TSCs) with CdAc2. Moreover, the un‐encapsulated TSCs maintains 109.78% of its initial efficiency after 300 h operational at 45 °C in a  nitrogen atmosphere. This study provides a facile strategy for achieving high‐efficiency perovskite‐based solar cells.
Flexible Transparent Electrodes Formed from Template‐Patterned Thin‐Film Silver
Authors: Luo Sihai , Lian Enkui , He Jiali , deMello John C.
Published: May 2023

Template‐patterned, flexible transparent electrodes (TEs) formed from an ultrathin silver film on top of a commercial optical adhesive – Norland Optical Adhesive 63 (NOA63) – are reported. NOA63 is shown to be an effective base‐layer for ultrathin silver films that advantageously prevents coalescence of vapor‐deposited silver atoms into large, isolated islands (Volmer‐Weber growth), and so aids the formation of ultrasmooth continuous films. 12 nm silver films on top of free‐standing NOA63 combine high, haze‐free visible‐light transparency (T ≈ 60% at 550 nm) with low sheet‐resistance ( ≈ 16 Ω sq−1), and exhibit excellent resilience to bending, making them attractive candidates for flexible TEs. Etching the NOA63 base‐layer with an oxygen plasma before silver deposition causes the silver to laterally segregate into isolated pillars, resulting in a much higher sheet resistance ( > 8 × 106 Ω sq-1) than silver grown on pristine NOA63 . Hence, by selectively etching NOA63 before metal deposition, insulating regions may be defined within an otherwise conducting silver film, resulting in a differentially conductive film that can serve as a patterned TE for flexible devices. Transmittance may be increased (to 79% at 550 nm) by depositing an antireflective layer of Al2O3 on the Ag layer at the cost of reduced flexibility.
Mechanical Signal‐Tailored Hydrogel Microspheres Recruit and Train Stem Cells for Precise Differentiation
Authors: Chen Zehao , Lv Zhendong , Zhuang Yaping , Saiding Qimanguli , Yang Wu , Xiong Wei , Zhang Zhen , Chen Hao , Cui Wenguo , Zhang Yuhui
Published: May 2023

The aberrant mechanical microenvironment in degenerated tissues induces misdirection of cell fate, making it challenging to achieve efficient endogenous regeneration. Herein, a hydrogel microsphere‐based synthetic niche with integrated cell recruitment and targeted cell differentiation properties via mechanotransduction is constructed . Through the incorporation of microfluidics and photo‐polymerization strategies, fibronectin (Fn) modified methacrylated gelatin (GelMA) microspheres are prepared with the independently tunable elastic modulus (1–10Kpa) and ligand density (2 and 10 µg mL−1), allowing a wide range of cytoskeleton modulation to trigger the corresponding mechanobiological signaling. The combination of the soft matrix (2Kpa) and low ligand density (2 µg mL−1) can support the nucleus pulposus (NP)‐like differentiation of intervertebral disc (IVD) progenitor/stem cells by translocating Yes‐associated protein (YAP), without the addition of inducible biochemical factors. Meanwhile, platelet‐derived growth factor‐BB (PDGF‐BB) is loaded onto Fn‐GelMA microspheres (PDGF@Fn‐GelMA) via the heparin‐binding domain of Fn to initiate endogenous cell recruitment. In in vivo experiments, hydrogel microsphere‐niche maintained the IVD structure and stimulated matrix synthesis. Overall, this synthetic niche with cell recruiting and mechanical training capabilities offered a promising strategy for endogenous tissue regeneration.
Multifunctional Magnetic Oxide‐MoS2 Heterostructures on Silicon
Authors: Yang Allen Jian , Wu Liang , Liu Yanran , Zhang Xinyu , Han Kun , Huang Ying , Li Shengyao , Loh Xian Jun , Zhu Qiang , Su Rui , Nan Ce‐Wen , Renshaw Wang Xiao
Published: May 2023

Correlated oxides and related heterostructures are intriguing for developing future multifunctional devices by exploiting their exotic properties, but their integration with other materials, especially on Si‐based platforms, is challenging. Here, van der Waals heterostructures of La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO) , a correlated manganite perovskite, and MoS2 are demonstrated on Si substrates with multiple functions. To overcome the problems due to the incompatible growth process, technologies involving freestanding LSMO membranes and van der Waals force‐mediated transfer are used to fabricate the LSMO‐MoS2 heterostructures. The LSMO‐MoS2 heterostructures exhibit a gate‐tunable rectifying behavior, based on which metal‐semiconductor field‐effect transistors (MESFETs) with on‐off ratios of over 104 can be achieved. The LSMO‐MoS2 heterostructures can function as photodiodes displaying considerable open‐circuit voltages and photocurrents. In addition, the colossal magnetoresistance of LSMO endows the LSMO‐MoS2 heterostructures with an electrically tunable magnetoresponse at room temperature. This work not only proves the applicability of the LSMO‐MoS2 heterostructure devices on Si‐based platform but also demonstrates a paradigm to create multifunctional heterostructures from materials with disparate properties.
Multienzyme‐Mimicking LaCoO3 Nanotrigger for Programming Cancer‐Cell Pyroptosis
Authors: Xu Ke , Chang Meiqi , Wang Zeyu , Yang Haitang , Jia Yunxuan , Xu Weijiao , Zhao Baicheng , Chen Yu , Yao Feng
Published: May 2023

Pyroptosis, a distinct paradigm of programmed cell death, is an efficient strategy against cancer by overcoming resistance to apoptosis. In this study, LaCoO3 (LCO) lanthanide‐based nanocrystals with multienzyme characteristics are rationally designed and engineered to trigger the generation of cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the release of lanthanum ions, ultimately inducing lung cancer cell pyroptosis. The peroxidase‐ and oxidase‐mimicking activities of LCO nanocrystals endow LCO with ROS production capacity in tumor tissues with an acidic pH and high hydrogen peroxide content. Concurrently, the LCO nanoenzyme exhibits catalase‐ and glutathione peroxidase‐like activities, reversing the hypoxic microenvironment, destroying the activated antioxidant system of tumor cells, and amplifying the sensitivity of tumor cells to ROS. The use of ultrasound further accelerates the enzymatic kinetic rate. Most importantly, the La3+ ions released by LCO robustly destroy the lysosomal membrane, finally inducing canonical pyroptotic cell death, together with ROS. LCO‐nanocrystal‐triggered programmed cell pyroptosis amplifies the therapeutic effects both in vitro and in vivo, effectively restraining lung cancer growth and metastasis. This study paves a new avenue for the efficient treatment of lung cancer and metastasis through US‐enhanced lanthanum‐based nanoenzyme platforms and pyroptotic cell death.
Optical Fibers Embedded with As‐Grown Carbon Nanotubes for Ultrahigh Nonlinear Optical Responses
Authors: Xiao Qi , Xie Jin , Yao Guangjie , Lin Kaifeng , Zhang Hao‐Li , Qian Liu , Liu Kaihui , Zhang Jin
Published: May 2023

Photonic crystal fiber (PCF) embedded with functional materials has demonstrated diverse applications ranging from ultrafast lasers, optical communication to chemical sensors. Many efforts have been made to fabricating carbon nanotube (CNT) based optical fibers by ex situ transfer method; however, often suffer poor uniformity and coverage. Here, the direct growth of CNTs on the inner walls of PCFs by the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method is reported. A two‐step growth method is developed to control the narrow diameter distribution of CNTs to ensure desirable nanotube optical transitions. In the as‐fabricated CNT‐ embedded fiber, third‐harmonic generation (THG) has been enhanced by ≈15 times compared with flat CNT film on fused silica. A dual‐wavelength all‐fiber mode‐locked ultrafast laser (≈1561 and ≈1064 nm) is further demonstrated by integrating the 1.36±0.15 nm‐diameter CNTs into two kinds of photonic bandgap hollow core PCF (named HC‐1550 and HC‐1060) as saturable absorbers, using their S11 (≈0.7 eV) and S22 (≈1.2 eV) interband transition respectively. The fiber laser shows stable output of ≈10 mW, ≈800 fs pulse width, and ≈71 MHz repetition rate at 1561 nm wavelength. These results can enable the large‐scale applications of CNTs in PCF‐based optical devices.
A Semi‐Crystalline Polymer Semiconductor with Thin Film Stretchability Exceeding 200%
Authors: Kim Yejin , Ahn Hyungju , Yoo Dahyeon , Sung Mingi , Yoo Hyeonjin , Park Sohee , Lee Junghoon , Lee Byoung Hoon
Published: May 2023

Despite the emerging scientific interest in polymer‐based stretchable electronics, the trade‐off between the crystallinity and stretchability of intrinsically stretchable polymer semiconductors—charge‐carrier mobility increases as crystallinity increases while stretchability decreases—hinders the development of high‐performance stretchable electronics. Herein, a highly stretchable polymer semiconductor is reported that shows concurrently improved thin film crystallinity and stretchability upon thermal annealing. The polymer thin films annealed at temperatures higher than their crystallization temperatures exhibit substantially improved thin film stretchability (> 200%) and hole mobility (≥ 0.2 cm2 V−1 s−1). The simultaneous enhancement of the crystallinity and stretchability is attributed to the thermally‐assisted structural phase transition that allows the formation of edge‐on crystallites and reinforces interchain noncovalent interactions. These results provide new insights into how the current crystallinity–stretchability limitation can be overcome. Furthermore, the results will facilitate the design of high‐mobility stretchable polymer semiconductors for high‐performance stretchable electronics.
Artificial Intelligence Guided Thermoelectric Materials Design and Discovery
Authors: Han Guangshuai , Sun Yixuan , Feng Yining , Lin Guang , Lu Na
Published: May 2023

Materials discovery from the infinite earth repository is a major bottleneck for revolutionary technological progress. This labor‐intensive and time‐consuming process hinders the discovery of new materials. Although machine learning techniques show an excellent capability for speeding up materials discovery, obtaining effective material feature representations is still challenging, and making a precise prediction of the material properties is still tricky. This work focuses on developing an automatic material design and discovery framework enabled by data‐driven artificial intelligence (AI) models. Multiple types of material descriptors are first developed to promote the representation and encoding of the materials’ uniqueness, resulting in improved performance for different molecular properties predictions. The material's thermoelectric (TE) properties prediction is then utilized as a baseline to demonstrate the investigation logistic. The proposed framework achieves more than 90% accuracy for predicting materials' TE properties. Furthermore, the developed AI models identify 6 promising p‐type TE materials and 8 promising n‐type TE materials. The prediction results are evaluated by density functional theory calculations and agree with the material's TE property provided by experimental results. The proposed framework is expected to accelerate the design and discovery of the new functional materials.
Neural‐Network Potential Simulation of Defect Formation Induced by Knock‐On Irradiation Damage in GaN
Authors: Song Chengzhen , Jiang Lilai , Wu Yu‐Ning , Chen Shiyou
Published: May 2023

Understanding the irradiation damage mechanisms of GaN is of great importance for improving irradiation resistance and the ion implantation processes of GaN‐based devices. The understanding of the damage mechanisms, which are normally simulated using molecular dynamics (MD), is bottlenecked by the dilemma that ab initio MD is limited by relatively high computational cost, whereas classical MD suffers from low accuracy. In this paper, a global neural network (G‐NN) potential is constructed for GaN using random stochastic surface walking global optimization combined with global neural network potential (SSW‐NN). By benchmarking the properties of intrinsic defects and defect‐pairs, as well as the threshold displacement energies along different crystallographic directions, this potential is found to provide accuracy similar to ab initio calculations. Furthermore, based on the large‐scale simulations of the knock‐on process, Ga and N vacancies, as well as N interstitials are found to be the major generated defects, whereas only Ga vacancies are predicted in the previous device simulation studies that have been widely recognized. This potential provides an efficient and accurate tool to gain a fundamental understanding of the irradiation damage mechanisms of GaN and refine the parameters in the related device simulations.
Observation of the Unidirectional Magnetoresistance in Antiferromagnetic Insulator Fe2O3/Pt Bilayers
Authors: Fan Yihong , Zhang Pengxiang , Han Jiahao , Lv Yang , Liu Luqiao , Wang Jian‐Ping
Published: May 2023

Unidirectional magnetoresistance (UMR) has been observed in a variety of stacks with ferromagnetic/spin Hall material bilayer structures. In this work, UMR in antiferromagnetic insulator Fe2O3/Pt structure is reported. The UMR has a negative value, which is related to interfacial Rashba coupling and band splitting. Thickness‐dependent measurement reveals a potential competition between UMR and the unidirectional spin Hall magnetoresistance (USMR). This work reveals the existence of UMR in antiferromagnetic insulators/heavy metal bilayers and broadens the way for the application of antiferromagnet‐based spintronic devices.
Bio‐Physicochemical Dual Energy Harvesting Fabrics for Self‐Sustainable Smart Electronic Suits
Authors: Park Jiwon , Chang Sang‐Mi , Shin Joonchul , Oh In Woo , Lee Dong‐Gyu , Kim Hyun Soo , Kang Heemin , Park Yong Seok , Hur Sunghoon , Kang Chong‐Yun , Baik Jeong Min , Jang Ji‐Soo , Song Hyun‐Cheol
Published: May 2023

Despite the rapid development of various wearable generators to harvest energy from human activity, they are limited to single or intermittent power generation. Here, stretchable and washable energy harvesting fabric is reported, which enables biomechanical and biochemical generation through co‐weaving triboelectric generator (TEG) and perspiration electric generator (PEG)‐based fibers. The two energy harvesting approaches can work individually or simultaneously, thereby combating humidity and increasing the electrical output. The maximum output power density of TEG‐ and PEG‐based fibers can achieve 166 and 5.4 µW cm−2, respectively. The woven‐structured patch‐type energy harvester is conformable with clothing. It can harvest energy from human movements and sweat to drive the wearable Internet of Things (IoT) without charging systems. This synergistic and complementary energy harvester can provide a viable standalone power source relying solely on human activity for wearable electronics.
Residue removal and nitrogen cycling in burn and non‐burn Kentucky bluegrass seed production systems
Authors: Holman Johnathon D. , Johnson‐Maynard Jodi , Assefa Yared
Published: May 2023

Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensisL.) postharvest residue in northern Idaho has historically been burned to maintain stand life and profitability. Alternatives to open field burning are necessary to reduce adverse impacts of burning on air quality and several have been proposed. However, limited information is available on the impact of residue management on residue removal and nitrogen cycling. In this study, the impact of residue management on residue nutrient dynamics and nitrogen availability was evaluated within replicated full load burn (FLB), bale then burn (BB), bale then mow then harrow (BMH), and system (SYST) (BMH year 1, BB year 2, and FLB year 3) plots in Kootenai County, ID from 2002 to 2006. Standing and non‐standing residues were measured immediately following grass seed harvest and periodically thereafter in each plot. Averaged across years, non‐standing residue (thatch) removal ranged from −13% in BMH to 61% in FLB, and removal of standing biomass ranged from 6% in BMH to 92% in FLB. The combined removal of both non‐standing and standing residue was 18% with BMH, 57% with SYST, 69% with BB, and 75% with FLB. Plant N uptake ranged from 53 kg N ha−1in FLB in 2006 to 131 in SYST (BMH) in 2003 and nitrogen use efficiency, calculated using partial factor productivity formula, ranged from 0.6 to 5.8 kg bluegrass seed per kg N fertilizer. Mean NO3−–N concentrations from lysimeters 10‐cm deep were 14 mg NO3−–N L−1in FLB, 12 mg NO3−–N L−1in BB, and 6 mg NO3−–N L−1in BMH treatments for years 2003–2006. Greater concentrations of NO3−–N in burn treatments were available for plant uptake or leaching compared to the BMH treatment. The data indicate that the efficacy of any residue management system will vary from year to year and impact seed production in the following year. Nitrogen availability varied across residue management systems, suggesting N fertilizer product, rate, and timing to optimize N use efficiency may also need to vary.
TOPORS as a novel causal gene for Joubert syndrome
Authors: Strong Alanna , Qu Hui‐Qi , Cullina Sinéad , McManus Morgan L. , Zackai Elaine H. , Glessner Joseph , Kenny Eimear E. , Hakonarson Hakon
Published: May 2023

Joubert syndrome (JBTS) is a Mendelian disorder of the primary cilium defined by the clinical triad of hypotonia, developmental delay, and a distinct cerebellar malformation called the molar tooth sign. JBTS is inherited in an autosomal recessive, autosomal dominant, or X‐linked recessive manner. Though over 40 genes have been identified as causal for JBTS, molecular diagnosis is not made in 30%–40% of individuals who meet clinical criteria. TOPORS encodes topoisomerase I‐binding arginine/serine‐rich protein, and homozygosity for a TOPORS missense variant (c.29C > A; p.(Pro10Gln)) was identified in individuals with the ciliopathy oral‐facial‐digital syndrome in two families of Dominican descent. Here, we report an additional proband of Dominican ancestry with JBTS found by exome sequencing to be homozygous for the identical p.(Pro10Gln) TOPORS missense variant. Query of the Mount Sinai BioMe biobank, which includes 1880 individuals of Dominican ancestry, supports a high carrier frequency of the TOPORS p.(Pro10Gln) variant in individuals of Dominican descent. Our data nominates TOPORS as a novel causal gene for JBTS and suggests that TOPORS variants should be considered in the differential of ciliopathy‐spectrum disease in individuals of Dominican ancestry.
Stereoselective Construction of Tertiary Alcohol at C11 of Zetekitoxin AB
Authors: Nureki Ayato , Adachi Kanna , Ishizuka Hayate , Maeno Kako , Orihara Yayoi , Odagi Minami , Yotsu‐Yamashita Mari , Nagasawa Kazuo
Published: May 2023

The paralytic shellfish toxin saxitoxin (STX) is a guanidine alkaloid that potently inhibits voltage‐gated sodium channels (NaV). Among STX analogs so far reported, zetexitoxin AB (ZTX), isolated from the poison dart frog, exhibits the most potent inhibitory activity. ZTX has a macrocyclic lactam structure with a tertiary alcohol at C11. Here, we describe the construction of the characteristic structure of ZTX at C11, focusing on the C−C bond and tertiary hydroxyl group, via two approaches, i. e., Mukaiyama‐hydration reaction and 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition. The latter approach also enabled introduction of the nitrogen group at C15. The synthesized compounds functionalized at C11 were further converted to STX‐type derivatives, and their NaV‐inhibitory activity was evaluated. STX derivatives with a C11β‐hydroxyl group exhibited more potent inhibitory activity (EC50=160±15 nM) than the C11α derivatives.
Atroposelective Synthesis of Axially Chiral Styrenes by Platinum‐ Catalyzed Stereoselective Hydrosilylation of Internal Alkynes
Authors: Wu Qimin , Zhang Qi , Yin Shuxin , Lin Aijun , Gao Shang , Yao Hequan
Published: May 2023

Hydrofunctionalization of alkynes is one of the most efficient ways to access axially chiral styrenes with open‐chained olefins. While great advances have been achieved for 1‐alkynylnaphthalen‐2‐ols and analogues, atroposelective hydrofunctionalization of unactivated internal alkynes lags. Herein we reported a platinum‐catalyzed atroposelective hydrosilylation of unactivated internal alkynes for the first time. With monodentate TADDOL‐derived phosphonite L1 used as a chiral ligand, various axially chiral styrenes were achieved in excellent enantioselectivities with high E‐selectivities. Control experiments showed that the NH‐arylamide groups have significant effects on both the yields and enantioselectivities and could act as directing groups. The potential utilities of the products were shown by the transformations of the amide motifs of the products.
Antibacterial performance of heterocyclic organobismuth (III) complexes based on bidentate C,O‐coordinating ligands: Synergism of ligand identity and coordination number
Authors: Li Wei , Huang Yan , Liu Yongping , Wang Zixiu , Li Shan , Chen Yi , Ye Yifei , Yin Shuang‐Feng , Lei Jian
Published: May 2023

A series of heterocyclic organobismuth (III) complexes based on bidentate C,O‐coordinating ligands were designed and synthesized as antimicrobials. Antibacterial assays showed that complexes of this type are more effective for Gram‐positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Enterococcus faecalis) than Gram‐negative ones (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Their activities are especially relevant to the synergism of lipophilicity, geometry, and stability, which depends on both the identity of coordinating ligands and the coordination number at the bismuth center. By comparison, the hypervalent 14‐Bi‐6 species diarylbismuth nitrate (8) was found to exhibit the most potent inhibitory effect, together with a high degree of selectivity, which gives an IC50(LO2)/MIC(Staphylococcus aureus) ratio of up to 23.08. Time–kill analysis demonstrated that complex 8 is bacteriostatic at low concentrations while displaying significant bactericidal activity at high doses. The results of drug resistance experiments suggested that complex 8 can inhibit the formation of bacterial biofilm and consequently delay or prevent the development of drug resistance. Furthermore, complex 8 also showed high inhibition efficiency against several drug‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and the MIC values are within the range of 0.39–1.56 μM, thus indicating the lack of cross‐resistance between this organometallic compound and commonly used antibiotics.
Mechanical properties and influence mechanism of hydroxyl‐terminated polybutadiene propellant under confining pressure
Authors: Li Hui , Wang Ting‐yu , Chen Xiong , Guo Zong‐tao , Song Qi‐xuan , Niu Gong‐jie , Xu Jin‐sheng
Published: May 2023

To better understand the mechanical properties and influence mechanism of hydroxyl‐terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) propellant under various confining pressures, the uniaxial tension tests with low to medium strain rate and various confining pressures were carried out. The coupling effects of strain rate and confining pressure on mechanical properties were presented. Meanwhile, the confining pressure influence mechanism was analyzed and revealed using the meso numerical simulation method and scanning electron microscopy images of fracture surfaces. The meso damage evolution processes under various confining pressures were presented. The results show that strain rate and confining pressure affect mechanical responses of HTPB propellant significantly. As confining pressure increases, the maximum tension strength and fracture strength increase. The maximum tension strain and failure strain vary slightly with confining pressure under low strain rate, while they increase significantly with confining pressure at medium strain rate. The fracture energy density increases with the increase of strain rate and confining pressure. Meanwhile, the value of saturation pressure depends on strain rate. The confining pressure influence mechanism is to suppress dewetting damage initiation and evolution. Besides, the failure mode of HTPB propellant under different confining pressures is still particles dewetting.
Shared and Distinctive Transcriptomic and Proteomic Pathways in Adult and Juvenile Dermatomyositis
Authors: Ward James M. , Ambatipudi Mythri , O'Hanlon Terrance P. , Smith Michael A. , de Los Reyes Melissa , Schiffenbauer Adam , Rahman Saifur , Zerrouki Kamelia , Miller Frederick W. , Sanjuan Miguel A. , Li Jian‐Liang , Casey Kerry A. , Rider Lisa G.
Published: May 2023

Objective

Transcript and protein expression were interrogated to examine gene locus and pathway regulation in the peripheral blood of active adult dermatomyositis (DM) and juvenile DM patients receiving immunosuppressive therapies.

Methods

Expression data from 14 DM and 12 juvenile DM patients were compared to matched healthy controls. Regulatory effects at the transcript and protein level were analyzed by multi‐enrichment analysis for assessment of affected pathways within DM and juvenile DM.

Results

Expression of 1,124 gene loci were significantly altered at the transcript or protein levels across DM or juvenile DM, with 70 genes shared. A subset of interferon‐stimulated genes was elevated, including CXCL10, ISG15, OAS1, CLEC4A, and STAT1. Innate immune markers specific to neutrophil granules and neutrophil extracellular traps were up‐regulated in both DM and juvenile DM, including BPI, CTSG, ELANE, LTF, MPO, and MMP8. Pathway analysis revealed up‐regulation of PI3K/AKT, ERK, and p38 MAPK signaling, whose central components were broadly up‐regulated in DM, while peripheral upstream and downstream components were differentially regulated in both DM and juvenile DM. Up‐regulated components shared by DM and juvenile DM included cytokine:receptor pairs LGALS9:HAVCR2, LTF/NAMPT/S100A8/HSPA1A:TLR4, CSF2:CSF2RA, EPO:EPOR, FGF2/FGF8:FGFR, several Bcl‐2 components, and numerous glycolytic enzymes. Pathways unique to DM included sirtuin signaling, aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling, protein ubiquitination, and granzyme B signaling.

Conclusion

The combination of proteomics and transcript expression by multi‐enrichment analysis broadened the identification of up‐ and down‐regulated pathways among active DM and juvenile DM patients. These pathways, particularly those which feed into PI3K/AKT and MAPK signaling and neutrophil degranulation, may be potential therapeutic targets.

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Baricitinib Improves Bone Properties and Biomechanics in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: Results of the Prospective Interventional BARE BONE Trial
Authors: Simon David , Minopoulou Ioanna , Kemenes Stephan , Bayat Sara , Tascilar Koray , Mutlu Melek Yalcin , Valor‐Méndez Larissa , Krönke Gerhard , Hueber Axel J. , Schett Georg , Kleyer Arnd
Published: May 2023

Objective

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by erosive joint damage, deterioration of bone mass, and biomechanics. Preclinical evidence suggests a beneficial effect of Janus kinase inhibition (JAKi) on bone properties, but clinical data are scarce to date. In this study, we evaluated the effect of JAKi through baricitinib (BARI) on 1) volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD), bone microstructure, biomechanics, and erosion repair and 2) synovial inflammation in RA patients.

Methods

Prospective, single‐arm, interventional, open‐label, single‐center phase 4 study in RA patients with pathological bone status and clinical indication of JAKi (BARE BONE trial). Participants received BARI (4 mg/day) over 52 weeks. To assess bone properties and synovial inflammation, high‐resolution computed tomography scans and magnetic resonance imaging were performed at baseline (BL), week 24, and week 52. Clinical response and safety were monitored.

Results

Thirty RA patients were included. BARI significantly improved disease activity (Disease Activity Score in 28 joints using the erythrocyte sedimentation rate: 4.82 ± 0.90 to 2.71 ± 0.83) and synovial inflammation (RAMRIS synovitis score: 5.3 [4.2] to 2.7 [3.5]). We observed a significant improvement in trabecular vBMD with a mean change of 6.11 mgHA/mm3 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.01–12.26). Biomechanical properties also improved with mean change from baseline in estimated stiffness of 2.28 kN/mm (95% CI 0.30–4.25) and estimated failure load of 98.8 N (95% CI 15.9–181.7). The number and size of erosions in the metacarpal joints remained stable. No new safety signals with BARI treatment were observed.

Conclusion

Bones of RA patients improve with BARI therapy, as shown by an increase in trabecular bone mass and an improvement of biomechanical properties.
Connected autonomous vehicles: State of practice
Authors: Islam Muhammad Mobaidul , Newaz Abdullah Al Redwan , Song Li , Lartey Benjamin , Lin Shih‐Chun , Fan Wei , Hajbabaie Ali , Khan Mubbashar Altaf , Partovi Alireza , Phuapaiboon Tienake , Homaifar Abdollah , Karimoddini Ali
Published: May 2023

Connected autonomous vehicles (CAVs) have the potential to deal with the steady increase in road traffic while solving transportation related issues such as traffic congestion, pollution, and road safety. Therefore, CAVs are becoming increasingly popular and viewed as the next generation transportation solution. Although modular advancements have been achieved in the development of CAVs, these efforts are not fully integrated to operationalize CAVs in realistic driving scenarios. This paper surveys a wide range of efforts reported in the literature about the CAV developments, summarizes the CAV impacts from a statistical perspective, explores current state of practice in the field of CAVs in terms of autonomy technologies, communication backbone, and computation needs. Furthermore, this paper provides general guidance on how transportation infrastructures need to be prepared in order to effectively operationalize CAVs. The paper also identifies challenges that need to be addressed in near future for effective and reliable adoption of CAVs.
Early childhood outcomes of NICU graduates with cytomegalovirus infection in California
Authors: Lanzieri Tatiana M. , Lu Tianyao , Bennett Mihoko V. , Hintz Susan R. , Sugerman David E. , Dollard Sheila C. , Pesch Megan H. , Jocson Maria A. L. , Lee Henry C.
Published: May 2023

Background

To assess demographics and outcomes up to 3 years of age among children with cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in California neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) during 2010–2021.

Methods

The California Perinatal Quality Care Collaborative (CPQCC) collects data on all very low birth weight (VLBW, birth weight ≤ 1500 g) and acutely ill infants with birth weight > 1500 g across 92% of NICUs in California. VLBW infants and those with neurological conditions are referred to a statewide high‐risk infant follow‐up (HRIF) program. CMV infection was defined as a positive culture or PCR identified during the NICU hospitalization.

Results

During 2010–2021, CMV reporting rates averaged 3.5/1000 VLBW infants (n = 205) and 1.1/1000 infants >1500 g (n = 128). Among all 333 infants with CMV, 314 (94%) were discharged home alive, 271 (86%) were referred for HRIF and 205 (65%) had ≥1 visit. Whereas infants born to mothers <20 years of age had highest CMV reporting rates and those born to Hispanic mothers comprised 49% of all infected infants, they had the highest loss of follow‐up. At the 12‐month visit (n = 152), 19 (13%) infants with CMV had bilateral blindness and 18 (12%) had hearing loss. At the 24‐month visit, 5 (5%) of 103 had severe cerebral palsy.

Conclusions

Among infants admitted to the NICU, those with CMV diagnoses may over represent infants with more severe CMV disease and outcomes. The CPQCC and HRIF program findings may help inform implementation of surveillance for congenital CMV infection in other U.S. states and guide strategies to reduce disparities in access to services.
The basal and major pilins in the Corynebacterium diphtheriaeSpaA pilus adopt similar structures that competitively react with the pilin polymerase
Authors: Sue Christopher K. , Cheung Nicole A. , Mahoney Brendan J. , McConnell Scott A. , Scully Jack M. , Fu Janine Y. , Chang Chungyu , Ton‐That Hung , Loo Joseph A. , Clubb Robert T.
Published: May 2023

Many species of pathogenic gram‐positive bacteria display covalently crosslinked protein polymers (called pili or fimbriae) that mediate microbial adhesion to host tissues. These structures are assembled by pilus‐specific sortase enzymes that join the pilin components together via lysine‐isopeptide bonds. The archetypal SpaA pilus from Corynebacterium diphtheriae is built by the CdSrtA pilus‐specific sortase, which crosslinks lysine residues within the SpaA and SpaB pilins to build the shaft and base of the pilus, respectively. Here, we show that CdSrtA crosslinks SpaB to SpaA via a K139(SpaB)‐T494(SpaA) lysine‐isopeptide bond. Despite sharing only limited sequence homology, an NMR structure of SpaB reveals striking similarities with the N‐terminal domain of SpaA (NSpaA) that is also crosslinked by CdSrtA. In particular, both pilins contain similarly positioned reactive lysine residues and adjacent disordered AB loops that are predicted to be involved in the recently proposed “latch” mechanism of isopeptide bond formation. Competition experiments using an inactive SpaB variant and additional NMR studies suggest that SpaB terminates SpaA polymerization by outcompeting NSpaA for access to a shared thioester enzyme–substrate reaction intermediate.
3D printing to construct in vitro multicellular models of melanoma
Authors: Sang Shengbo , Wang Xiaoyuan , Duan Jiahui , Cao Yanyan , Shen Zhizhong , Sun Lei , Duan Qianqian , Liu Zixian
Published: May 2023

Currently, there is a lack of suitable models for in‐vitro studies of malignant melanoma and traditional single cell culture models no longer reproduce tumor structure and physiological complexity well. The tumor microenvironment is closely related to carcinogenesis and it is particularly important to understand how tumor cells interact and communicate with surrounding nonmalignant cells. Three‐dimensional (3D) in vitro multicellular culture models can better simulate the tumor microenvironment due to their excellent physicochemical properties. In this study, 3D composite hydrogel scaffolds were prepared from gelatin methacrylate and polyethylene glycol diacrylate hydrogels by 3D printing and light curing techniques, and 3D multicellular in vitro tumor culture models were established by inoculating human melanoma cells (A375) and human fibroblasts cells on them. The cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and drug resistance of the 3D multicellular in vitro model was evaluated. Compared with the single‐cell model, the cells in the multicellular model had higher proliferation activity and migration ability, and were easy to form dense structures. Several tumor cell markers, such as matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9), MMP‐2, and vascular endothelial growth factor, were highly expressed in the multicellular culture model, which were more favorable for tumor development. In addition, higher cell survival rate was observed after exposure to luteolin. The anticancer drug resistance result of the malignant melanoma cells in the 3D bioprinted construct demonstrated physiological properties, suggesting the promising potential of current 3D printed tumor model in the development of personalized therapy, especially for discovery of more conducive targeted drugs.
Randomized, Phase II study of pemetrexed plus bevacizumab versus pemetrexed alone after treatment with cisplatin, pemetrexed, and bevacizumab in advanced non‐squamous, non‐small cell lung cancer: TORG (thoracic oncology research group) 1321
Authors: Kasai Takashi , Mori Kiyoshi , Nakamura Yoichi , Seki Nobuhiko , Ichikawa Yasuko , Saito Haruhiro , Kondo Tetsuro , Nishikawa Kazuo , Otsu Satoshi , Bessho Akihiro , Tanaka Hiroshi , Yamaguchi Hiroyuki , Kaburagi Takayuki , Imai Hisao , Mori Keita , Ohtake Junya , Okamoto Hiroaki
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Cisplatin plus pemetrexed followed by pemetrexed is an efficacious platinum combination regimen for advanced non‐squamous, non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Data regarding the addition of bevacizumab, especially in maintenance treatment, are insufficient.

Methods

Eligibility criteria included: no prior chemotherapy; advanced, non‐squamous, NSCLC; performance status ≤1; and epidermal growth factor receptor mutation‐negative. Patients (N = 108) received induction chemotherapy with cisplatin, pemetrexed, and bevacizumab every 3 weeks for four cycles, and tumor response was needed to confirm four‐week response duration. Patients with at least stable disease were randomized to pemetrexed/bevacizumab or pemetrexed alone. The primary endpoint was progression‐free survival (PFS) after induction chemotherapy. Myeloid‐derived suppressor cell (MDSC) counts of peripheral blood samples were also analyzed.

Results

Thirty‐five patients each were randomized to the pemetrexed/bevacizumab group and the pemetrexed alone group. PFS was significantly better in the pemetrexed/bevacizumab group than in the pemetrexed alone group (7.0 vs. 5.4 months, hazard ratio: 0.56 [0.34–0.93], log‐rank p = 0.023). In patients with partial response to induction therapy, median overall survival was 23.3 months in the pemetrexed alone group and 29.6 months in the pemetrexed/bevacizumab group (log‐rank p = 0.077). Pretreatment monocytic (M)‐MDSC counts tended to be greater in the pemetrexed/bevacizumab group with poor PFS than in those with good PFS (p = 0.0724).

Conclusions

Addition of bevacizumab to pemetrexed as maintenance therapy prolonged PFS in patients with untreated, advanced, non‐squamous NSCLC. Furthermore, an early response to induction therapy and pretreatment M‐MDSC counts may be related to the survival benefit of the addition of bevacizumab to the combination of cisplatin and pemetrexed.