bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COVID‐19 Metabolomic‐Guided Amino Acid Therapy Protects from Inflammation and Disease Sequelae
Authors: Ming Siqi , Qu Siying , Wu Yongjian , Wei Jiayou , Zhang Guoliang , Jiang Guanmin , Huang Xi
Published: February 2023

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has caused a worldwide pandemic since 2019. A metabolic disorder is a contributing factor to deaths from COVID‐19. However, the underlying mechanism of metabolic dysfunction in COVID‐19 patients and the potential interventions are not elucidated. Here targeted plasma metabolomic is performed, and the metabolite profiles among healthy controls, and asymptomatic, moderate, and severe COVID‐19 patients are compared. Among the altered metabolites, arachidonic acid and linolenic acid pathway metabolites are profoundly up‐regulated in COVID‐19 patients. Arginine biosynthesis, alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism pathways are significantly disturbed in asymptomatic patients. In the comparison of metabolite variances among the groups, higher levels of l‐citrulline and l‐glutamine are found in asymptomatic carriers and moderate or severe patients at the remission stage. Furthermore, l‐citrulline and l‐glutamine combination therapy is demonstrated to effectively protect mice from coronavirus infection and endotoxin‐induced sepsis, and is observed to efficiently prevent the occurrence of pulmonary fibrosis and central nervous system damage. Collectively, the data reveal the metabolite profile of asymptomatic COVID‐19 patients and propose a potential strategy for COVID‐19 treatment.
Photothermal Lysis of Engineered Bacteria to Modulate Amino Acid Metabolism against Tumors
Authors: Sun Mengxue , Yang Meichen , Li Shanshan , Wang Chaohui , Zhang Fengrong , Xu Bolong , Zhang Yulian , Sun Xinxiao , Yuan Qipeng , Liu Huiyu
Published: February 2023

Bacterial‐mediated synergistic cancer therapy (BMSCT) is used as a promising tumor therapy approach. However, there are some disadvantages of bacterial therapy alone to be resolved, such as low tumor suppression rate in the treatment. In this study, a novel light‐controlled engineered bacterial material which synergistically regulates amino acid metabolism to fight tumors is developed. It transcribes l‐methionine‐γ‐lyase (MdeA) into Escherichia coli (E. coli) and loads the approved photothermal agent indocyanine green (ICG), namely E. coli‐MdeA@ICG. Using the hypoxic tropism of E. coli, genetically engineered bacteria are first loaded with photothermal agents, then selectively accumulate and replicate in the tumor region. Under laser irradiation, photothermal lysis of E. coli‐MdeA is performed to release the MdeA and consume the essential amino acid methionine (Met) in the tumor environment. In vitro cell experiments confirm that the E. coli‐MdeA + NIR group can reach 90% of the 4T1 cells killing. In 4T1 tumor‐bearing mouse models, E. coli‐MdeA@ICG shows enhanced antitumor efficacy, along with 91.8% of the tumor growth inhibited. Apoptosis of tumor cells is induced under the dual action of photothermal therapy (PTT) and amino acid metabolism therapy. This strategy provides new ideas for the combination of synthetic biology and nanotechnology in anti‐tumor.
Zwitterionic Electrochemiluminescence Biointerface Contributes to Label‐Free Monitoring of Exosomes Dynamics in a Fluidic Microreaction Device
Authors: Cao Yue , Wang Jian‐Xiao , Lin Chen , Geng Yu‐Qian , Ma Cheng , Zhu Jun‐Jie , Wang Leyong , Zhu Wenlei
Published: February 2023

The competence to construct sensing platforms capable of selective manipulation in complex biological fluids undoubtedly underpins critical future advances in healthcare. Despite the fact that electrochemiluminescence (ECL) has long been an influential technology for clinical diagnosis worldwide, ECL interface that optimizes fouling resistance has been mimicked less often, especially in an integrated platform. Herein, ECL transducer is prepared by the integration of protonated g‐C3N4 and Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets, displaying enhanced charge injection/transfer, and inherent catalytic capacities for coreactant ECL. Mussel‐bioinspired polydopamine was exploited as a thin, surface‐adherent substrate to coat the solid‐state transducer and further initiate secondary reactions via Michael Addition for tailing recognition element and zwitterionic segment. This architecture guarantees not only the least suppression of ECL performance but also desired antifouling properties, ensuring < 7.45% of ECL loss after 96 h of exposure to complex biological fluids. Creatively, a highly integrated platform is equipped with the established biointerface, gas diffusion electrode, and fluidic ECL microreactor, affording high‐performance exosome checking and dynamics tracking in a non‐label manner. Our study provides a general design strategy to obtain a robust antifouling ECL sensing interface based on zwitterionic chemistries and provides a fresh perspective in developing point‐of‐care and implantable ECL devices.
Multifunctional Scaffold for Osteoporotic Pathophysiological Microenvironment Improvement and Vascularized Bone Defect Regeneration
Authors: Zhao Yanan , Kang Honglei , Wu Xiaopei , Zhuang Pengzhen , Tu Rong , Goto Takashi , Li Feng , Dai Honglian
Published: February 2023

Osteoporosis is a degenerative bone disease resulting from bone homeostasis imbalance regulated by osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Treating osteoporotic bone defects tends to be more difficult due to suppressed osteogenic differentiation, hyperactive osteoclastogenesis, and impaired angiogenesis. Hence, a drug carrier system composed of gelatin‐coated hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles (HMSNs/GM) loaded with pro‐osteogenic parathyroid (PTH) and anti‐osteoclastogenic alendronate (ALN) is constructed and compounded into calcium magnesium phosphate cement (MCPC). The spatial‐temporal release of ions and drugs, controllable degradation rate, and abundant pore structure of MCPC composites enhance osteoporotic bone regeneration in ovariectomized rats by accelerating vascularization, promoting osteogenic differentiation and mineralization, and inhibiting osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption. The MCPC/HMSNs@ALN‐PTH/GM demonstrates a synergistic threefold effect on osteogenesis, osteoclastogenesis, and angiogenesis. It improves the osteoporotic pathophysiological microenvironment and promotes osteoporotic vascularized bone defect regeneration, holding huge potential for other functional biomaterials design and clinical management.
Tuning the Coordination Environment of Carbon‐Based Single‐Atom Catalysts via Doping with Multiple Heteroatoms and Their Applications in Electrocatalysis
Authors: Qi Zhijie , Zhou Yan , Guan Runnan , Fu Yongsheng , Baek Jong‐Beom
Published: February 2023

Carbon‐based single‐atom catalysts (SACs) are considered to be a perfect platform for studying the structure–activity relationship of different reactions due to the adjustability of their coordination environment. Multi‐heteroatom doping has been demonstrated as an effective strategy for tuning the coordination environment of carbon‐based SACs and enhancing catalytic performance in electrochemical reactions. Herein, recently developed strategies for multi‐heteroatom doping, focusing on the regulation of single‐atom active sites by heteroatoms in different coordination shells, are summarized. In addition, the correlation between the coordination environment and the catalytic activity of carbon‐based SACs are investigated through representative experiments and theoretical calculations for various electrochemical reactions. Finally, concerning certain shortcomings of the current strategies of doping multi‐heteroatoms, some suggestions are put forward to promote the development of carbon‐based SACs in the field of electrocatalysis.
Piezocatalytic 2D WS2 Nanosheets for Ultrasound‐Triggered and Mitochondria‐Targeted Piezodynamic Cancer Therapy Synergized with Energy Metabolism‐Targeted Chemotherapy
Authors: Truong Hoang Quan , Huynh Kim Anh , Nguyen Cao Thuy Giang , Kang Ji Hee , Dang Xuan Nghia , Ravichandran Vasanthan , Kang Han Chang , Lee Minjong , Kim Jong‐Eun , Ko Young Tag , Lee Tae Il , Shim Min Suk
Published: February 2023

Piezoelectric nanomaterials that can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) by piezoelectric polarization under an external mechanical force have emerged as an effective platform for cancer therapy. In this study, piezoelectric 2D WS2 nanosheets are functionalized with mitochondria‐targeting triphenylphosphonium (TPP) for ultrasound (US)‐triggered, mitochondria‐targeted piezodynamic cancer therapy. In addition, a glycolysis inhibitor (FX11) that can inhibit cellular energy metabolism is loaded into TPP‐ and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)‐conjugated WS2 nanosheet (TPEG‐WS2) to potentiate its therapeutic efficacy. Upon US irradiation, the sono‐excited electrons and holes generated in the WS2 are efficiently separated by piezoelectric polarization, which subsequently promotes the production of ROS. FX11‐loaded TPEG‐WS2 (FX11@TPEG‐WS2) selectively accumulates in the mitochondria of human breast cancer cells. In addition, FX11@TPEG‐WS2 effectively inhibits the production of adenosine triphosphate . Thus, FX11@TPEG‐WS2 exhibits outstanding anticancer effects under US irradiation. An in vivo study using tumor‐xenograft mice demonstrates that FX11@TPEG‐WS2 effectively accumulated in the tumors. Its tumor accumulation is visualized using in vivo computed tomography . Notably, FX11@TPEG‐WS2 with US irradiation remarkably suppresses the tumor growth of mice without systemic toxicity. This study demonstrates that the combination of piezodynamic therapy and energy metabolism‐targeted chemotherapy using mitochondria‐targeting 2D WS2 is a novel strategy for the selective and effective treatment of tumors.
Ultra‐Stretchable Multicolor Fluorescent Hydrogels Based on Polymer Networks Involving both Strong and Weak Crosslinks
Authors: Li Wanning , Zhang Hao , Lu Wei , Zhang Yi , Zheng Tianjiang , Yang Guilin , Chen Tao
Published: February 2023

Owing to their inherent soft wet nature and the capacity to offer tunable emission color/intensity responses, multicolor fluorescent polymeric hydrogels (MFPHs) are attracting tremendous research interests. However, most of the reported MFPHs suffer from poor stretchability, thus restricting their versatile uses in artificial muscles, soft robotics, and so on. In this study, a robust type of lanthanide coordinated MFPHs with an ultra‐stretchability of over 1200% is designed and prepared. It is found that the ultra‐stretchability originates from the unique polymer network structure, in which a small quantity of strong crosslinking interactions (polymer chain entanglement/fixation around the nano‐clay and lanthanide coordination) are utilized to ensure the polymer network integrity, and a large quantity of hierarchical (single, double, and quadruple) hydrogen‐bonding interactions are designed to efficiently dissipate energy. Furthermore, a braiding strategy is proposed to tightly twist several hydrogel stripes into mechanical strong hydrogel ropes that still keep the ultra‐stretchability (>1000%) but can lift heavy weights >350 times their own weight. This study provides new insights into the design of ultra‐stretchable fluorescent hydrogels, and is expected to inspire the future development of multifunctional artificial hydrogel muscles.
Molecular Dynamics Investigation of Hetero Coalescence between Two Ih Ag55 and Cu55 Clusters at Atomic Scale
Authors: Liu Jinhan , Zhang Lin
Published: February 2023

Molecular dynamics simulations are performed to explore the coalescence of the two hetero magic Ag55 and Cu55 clusters having icosahedral packing at room temperature, and the structural changes of the alloying Ag–Cu clusters at elevated temperatures. The simulation results reveal the influence of the contacting distances and relative orientations between the two clusters on the coalescing processes as well as the packing patterns of the coalesced binary clusters on heating. The activation energy is used to describe the energy required to initiate the coalescence. The Lode–Nadai parameter's distributions of the coalesced clusters provide more insight into the loading states on the atoms during different stages. The results show that the two clusters appear to form the neck involving twist and “slip” in the initial stage of the coalescence, and the Ag atoms present significant diffusion along the facets of the Cu cluster. As the temperature increases, different packing structures including Icosahedron, core/shell metastable, core@partial‐shell, and half Cu‐half Ag patterns occur.
Nanoarchitectonics of Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Conversion of Abundant Mechanical Energy to Green Hydrogen
Authors: Ghosh Kalyan , Iffelsberger Christian , Konečný Martin , Vyskočil Jan , Michalička Jan , Pumera Martin
Published: February 2023

In the present world, the high energy demand rapidly depletes existing fossil fuel reserves, urging the necessity to harvest energy from clean and renewable resources. In this study, the use of a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is shown beyond the conventional practice of use in self‐powered electronics, to the production of green hydrogen from renewable mechanical energy. For the first time the use of a magnetic covalent organic framework composite as positive triboelectric material for a contact‐separation mode TENG (CS‐TENG) in which MXene incorporated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) film serves as negative triboelectric material, is demonstrated. A facile way of incorporating micropatterns on the surface of PDMS/MXene film is shown utilizing the advantages of 3D printing technology. The CS‐TENG harvests energy from simple mechanical actions such as human handclapping and toe‐tapping. The energy from such low‐scale mechanical actions is applied for water electrolysis. Scanning electrochemical microscopy is employed to confirm the evolution of hydrogen and oxygen by the harvested electrical energy from mechanical actions. This research is expected to pave the way for producing green hydrogen anywhere, by utilizing the mechanical energy from nature such as raindrops, wind, and the movement of vehicles.
Regulating Na Occupation in P2‐Type Layered Oxide Cathode for All‐Climate Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Liu Siying , Wan Jing , Ou Mingyang , Zhang Wen , Chang Miao , Cheng Fangyuan , Xu Yue , Sun Shixiong , Luo Cheng , Yang Kai , Fang Chun , Han Jiantao
Published: February 2023

P2‐type Na2/3Ni1/3Mn2/3O2 (NNMO) has been investigated as one of the promising cathode materials of sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) due to a low‐cost and wide‐temperature‐range adaptability. However, its application faces a number of obstacles because of the poor cycling stability and bad rate capabilities. Herein, by accommodating more Na‐ions at the e‐site (Nae) in P2‐type NNMO, which is thermodynamically more stable, P2‐type layered oxides (Nae/Naf > 1.64) with outstanding electrochemical performance are obtained. Specifically, the Na0.696Ni0.329Mn0.671O2 (NM‐2) exhibits a remarkable capacity retention of 71.9% after 1000 cycles at 1C and an excellent rate capability of 54.33 mAh g−1 at 50C. In addition, NM‐2 exhibits a wide temperature working range, even at extreme temperatures for batteries (−30 or 60 °C), it still shows a capacity close to room temperature and good cycle stability compared with 25 °C. These performances are demonstrated to be attributed to the fast kinetics of the Na ions in the Nae site, which has a lower energy barrier compared to Naf (0.8301 eV for edge sites and 1.0664 eV for face sites). This work gives a fundamental understanding of the Na‐storage mechanism in Na2/3Ni1/3Mn2/3O2, and also provides a universal strategy to improve the rate and cycling life of P2‐type layered oxide cathode materials.
Differentiated Ionic Electroresponse of Asymmetric Bio‐Hydrogels with Unremitting Power Output
Authors: Pan Xinglong , Jin Yakang , Zhou Yi , Wang Xiao‐Qiao , Lu Wanheng , He Jiaqing , Ho Ghim Wei
Published: February 2023

Cytomembranes with efficient ionic selectivity and energy circulation, essential for biological activities in multicellular organisms, are a source of inspiration for man‐made biomedical devices. However, current man‐made soft systems mainly imitate simple and passive cytomembranes behaviors, restrained by the grand challenge that lies at the meeting point of synchronous engineering of both (dynamic) ionic selectivity and (passive) transcellular‐like potential in one structure. Here a dynamically differentiated ionic electroresponse and passive incessant power output of an asymmetric bio‐hydrogel constructed using a simple self‐propagative flow approach are reported. The unprecedented freely formed p and n analogue hydrogels yield a transcellular‐like potential (110–200 mV) in response to diverse stimuli—where the cathode or anode is capable of perceivable electroresponse to water and/or salt media, respectively. A single hydrogel can generate an output power density of 135–190 mW m−2 superior to most bio‐inspired soft and/or green power sources. The scalable manufacturing and proof‐of‐concept demonstration elucidate the feasibility of mobilizing passive and dynamic behaviors in one structure. This work has the potential for realizing high‐performance soft power sources in parallel to electrostimulation for neural excitation/inhibition, extending into the previously inaccessible region of biomedical applications.
Organic Eutectic Mixture Incorporated with Graphene Oxide Sheets as Lithiophilic Artificial Protective Layer for Dendrite‐Free Lithium Metal Batteries
Authors: Xu Lei , Zhang Qicheng , Niu Shuzhang , Wang Xin , Lian Qing , Huang Yulan , Shi Run , Amini Abbas , Cheng Chun
Published: February 2023

For wide and safe applications of Li metal batteries, the suppression of Li dendrite growth during cycling is the most crucial yet challenging topic. In this work, an artificial protective interlayer of GO‐BQ@LiTFSI (GBL) is designed to overcome this issue. The GBL interlayer is prepared by incorporating graphene‐oxide sheets with a liquid organic eutectic mixture of 1,4‐benzoquinone and bis (trifluoromethane) sulfonamide lithium salt. With the exceptional merits of these functional materials, the incorporation endows the GBL interlayer with rich lithiophilic active sites, good ionic conductivity, superior thermal stability and compatibility with the electrolyte, and the precursor supply stations for the formation of a compact and LiF‐rich solid‐electrolyte interface (SEI). Consequently, the GBL effectively promotes the uniform nucleation of Li at low over‐potentials and regulates the Li‐ion flux, leading to the formation of planar Li metal. After utilizing the GBL interlayer in the Li||Li symmetric cells, high electrochemical stability for 600 h is achieved at a current density of 3 mA cm−2 and a capacity of 3 mAh cm−2. Remarkably, this modification enables Li||LiFePO4 full cells with 1600 cycles at 1C and a high‐capacity retention of 95.23% with a cathode mass loading of ≈6 mg cm−2.
Tuning of morphological, crystallographic, and optoelectronic properties of CuSCN by electrodeposition
Authors: Uda Kyota , Tsuda Yuki , Nakamura Tensho , Sun Lina , Suzuri Yoshiyuki , Yoshida Tsukasa
Published: February 2023

Electrodeposition of copper(I) thiocyanate (CuSCN) thin films has been studied in a methanolic solution on variation of the precursor ratio to control morphological, crystallographic, and optoelectronic features of the product. While the one from a stoichiometric bath containing [Cu2+]: [SCN−] = 1:1 results in a randomly oriented crystalline β‐CuSCN, that from a Cu‐rich bath strongly orient the c‐axis perpendicular to the substrate, whereas that from SCN‐rich in parallel. The Cu‐rich film is dense and transparent, whereas the other two are hazy. All of them have an optical bandgap of about 3.6 eV as typically expected for β‐CuSCN, but their p‐type doping level varied to increase the work function from 5.31 to 5.66 eV on increasing the SCN− content, as found by photoelectron yield spectroscopy. This was caused by stabilization of Cu2+ acceptor level in the presence of excess SCN−, as also supported by an enhanced photoluminescence from the d‐d transition of Cu2+ state of such a film. Thus, electrodeposition has proven its usefulness to tailor‐tune optoelectronic properties on demand for device applications.
Assessing the effects of coral reef habitat and marine protected areas on threatened megafauna using aerial surveys
Authors: Heudier Mickael , Mouillot David , Mannocci Laura
Published: February 2023

Overfishing and habitat degradation are major threats to marine megafauna worldwide. Marine protected areas (MPAs) are effective spatial conservation tools for reducing anthropogenic pressures on threatened species but their benefits for megafauna are still debated. While the effects of MPAs on species abundances are widely reported, few studies have simultaneously investigated the confounding effect of habitat.

This study aimed at disentangling the effects of coral reef habitat and spatial protection on megafauna densities in a shallow lagoon partly covered by a no‐take MPA in New Caledonia (South‐west Pacific).

Twenty replicates of aerial‐video surveys (representing 17 h of videos) were conducted during a 5‐month period to estimate and map the densities of five megafauna taxa (dugongs, sea turtles, sharks, Dasyatidae rays and Myliobatidae rays). A permutational multivariate analysis of variance was then applied to assess and disentangle the effects of coral reef habitat obtained from high‐resolution satellite imagery and spatial protection on megafauna taxa densities.

The analysis revealed a significant effect of protection for sharks and Myliobatidae, with observed densities respectively 9 and 3 times higher inside the MPA compared with outside. The results also highlighted a significant combined effect of habitat and protection for dugongs and Dasyatidae, as well as a significant effect of habitat alone for Dasyatidae. In contrast, no significant effect of habitat or protection was detected for sea turtles.

In conclusion, this study revealed positive effects of protection (alone or combined with habitat) for four of the five studied megafauna taxa, confirming the effectiveness of the current MPA. Future studies should be conducted over broader spatial and temporal scales to examine whether detected effects hold beyond the surveyed period and area.
Knockdown of Dcr1 and Dcr2 limits the lethal effect of C‐factor in Chilo suppressalis
Authors: Yao Zhuotian , Jin Huihui , Li Changyan , Ma Weihua , Zhang Wei , Lin Yongjun
Published: February 2023

Dicer is a highly conserved ribonuclease in evolution. It belongs to the RNase III family and can specifically recognize and cleave double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA). In this study, the genome and transcriptome of Chilo suppressalis were analyzed, and it was found that there were two members in the Dicer family, named Dcr1 and Dcr2. The dsRNAs of Dcr1 and Dcr2 genes were synthesized and fed to C. suppressalis larvae. The C‐factor of C. suppressalis was selected as the marker gene. The results showed that both Dcr1 and Dcr2 genes were significantly knocked down. The larval mortality was significantly reduced by 43.50% (p < 0.05) after feeding on dsC‐factor and dsDcr1. The transcription levels of C‐factor genes were significantly increased by 33.95% (p < 0.05) and 32.94% (p < 0.05) when the larvae fed with dsDcr2 + dsC‐factor for 72 h and 96 h, respectively. Furthermore, the mortality was significantly decreased by 79% (p < 0.05) after feeding dsC‐factor and dsDcr2. These findings imply that Dcr1 can decrease the lethal effect of C‐factor gene but cannot affect its RNAi efficiency and Dcr2 can decrease the lethal effect of C‐factor gene by inhibiting RNAi efficiency.
Order in multi‐attribute product choice decisions: Evidence from discrete choice experiments combined with eye tracking
Authors: Zuschke Nick
Published: February 2023

Over time, research on order effects during information searching and choice tasks has received thorough attention in marketing, psychology, and economics. When early information search influences choice in favor of that information, it is called primacy; the equivalent for later information search is called recency. However, research that disentangles primacy and recency effects during multi‐attribute product choice, as well as studies on the cognitive processes underlying primacy and recency effects are lacking. I address this gap with two choice‐based conjoint experiments combined with eye tracking and by means of multilevel mediation analysis. Consistent with my prediction that to counterbalance the impact of decision irrelevant information on choice through early information search by later information search is mentally too costly, I find that “spatial position” biases choice due to primacy rather than recency. This bias, however, is small. This suggests that for decision irrelevant information, the causal influence of attention on choice generalizes to more complex decisions, though with little impact. Consistent with my prediction that the level of information elaboration moderates the mediation process, increasing task motivation decreases the dominance of primacy.
Measuring what gets done: Using goal attainment scaling in a vocational counseling program for survivors of childhood cancer
Authors: Pole Jason D. , Williams Barb , Di Giuseppe Giancarlo , Guger Sharon , Stasiulis Elaine , Greenberg Mark L. , Spiegler Brenda J. , Edelstein Kim
Published: February 2023

Background

Childhood cancer survivors face education and employment challenges due to physical, cognitive, and psychosocial effects of the disease and treatments, with few established programs to assist them. The objectives of this study were to describe the implementation of Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) to evaluate an educational and vocational counseling program established for survivors of childhood cancer, and analyze patterns of program engagement and client outcomes, stratified by demographic and diagnostic characteristics.

Methods

A population‐based retrospective cohort study of childhood cancer survivors who were engaged with the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario's School and Work Transitions Program (SWTP) between January 2015 and December 2018 was utilized. Survivors were followed from SWTP engagement until May 30, 2019 to capture goal attainment. Individual goals were summarized across various demographic, disease, and treatment strata.

Results

In total, 470 childhood cancer survivors (median age = 17.9, 58% male) set 4,208 goals in the SWTP during the study period. The mean length of observation was 130.8 weeks (SD = 56.9). Overall, 68% of the goals were achieved. Eighty‐three percent of the goals related to further education. Clients diagnosed with a solid tumor set the most goals on average, followed by those with central nervous system tumors and leukemia/lymphoma.

Conclusions

The SWTP assists childhood cancer survivors in realizing their academic and vocational goals. Application of GAS in this setting is a feasible way to evaluate program outcomes. From the volume and breadth of the GAS goals set and achieved, the overall success of the SWTP appears strong.
Leukemic phase as the initial presentation of ALK‐positive anaplastic large‐cell lymphoma complicated by lactic acidosis
Authors: Nakagawa Noriharu , Yamazaki Masahide
Published: February 2023

The leukemic phase of ALK‐positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is reported to have a poor prognosis. We, herein, report a rare case of the common type of ALK‐positive ALCL complicated by lactic acidosis.
A case of Candida parapsilosis bioprosthetic valve endocarditis
Authors: Sakakibara Kenji , Nakajima Hiroyuki
Published: February 2023

Fungal bioprosthetic valve endocarditis is regarded as a rare, fatal disease. Severe aortic valve stenosis due to vegetation in bioprosthetic valves was also rare. Because biofilm formation is a factor related to persistent infection, the best outcomes for endocarditis are achieved in patients treated surgically with concomitant antifungal medicine.
Total rhinectomy with prosthesis placement as a treatment for moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma of the nose
Authors: Rivera Martínez César Gamaliel , Hernández Abarca Edgar , Busto Ruano José Pablo , Martínez Quincosa Mayrelle , Priego Blancas Raymundo Benjamín , López Chavira Adelaido , Romo Magdaleno Jorge Alberto
Published: February 2023

Squamous cell carcinoma is one of the most common head and neck types of skin cancer. This main objective of this paper is to present a case of a patient who had a moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma of the nose and whose tumor had an aggressive growth.
Incorporating financial toxicity considerations into clinical trial design to facilitate patient‐centered decision‐making in oncology
Authors: Gharzai Laila A. , Jagsi Reshma
Published: February 2023

Plain Language Summary

Financial toxicity is increasingly being recognized as an important and devastating consequence of cancer treatment that receives little attention when clinical trials are being designed.

There is a significant need to obtain this important information in an era of increasingly expensive anticancer treatments.

Patients who are informed of all implications of therapy—efficacy, side effects, cost, and broader financial impact—are able to select the best cancer treatment for themselves.
Racial inequities in the quality of surgical care among Medicare beneficiaries with localized prostate cancer
Authors: Nyame Yaw A. , Holt Sarah K. , Etzioni Ruth D. , Gore John L.
Published: February 2023

Background

US Black men are twice as likely to die from prostate cancer as men of other races. Lower quality care may contribute to this higher death rate.

Methods

Sociodemographic and clinical data were obtained for men in Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results‐Medicare diagnosed with clinically localized prostate cancer (cT1‐4N0/xM0/x) and managed primarily by radical prostatectomy (2005–2015). Surgical volume was determined for facility and surgeon. Relationships between race, surgeon and/or facility volume, and characteristics of treating facility with survival (all‐cause and cancer‐specific) were assessed using multivariable Cox regression and competing risk analysis.

Results

Black men represented 6.7% (n = 2123) of 31,478 cohort. They were younger at diagnosis, had longer time from diagnosis to surgery, lower socioeconomic status, higher prostate‐specific antigen (PSA), and higher comorbid status compared with men of other races (p < .001). They were less likely to receive care from a surgeon or facility in the top volume percentile (p < .001); less likely to receive surgical care at a National Cancer Institute‐designated cancer center and more likely seen at a minority‐serving hospital; and less likely to travel ≥50 miles for surgical care. On multivariable analysis stratified by surgical volume, Black men receiving care from a surgeon or facility with lower volumes demonstrated increased risk of prostate cancer mortality (hazard ratio, 1.61; 95% confidence interval, 1.01–2.69) adjusting for age, clinical stage, PSA, and comorbidity index.

Conclusions

Black Medicare beneficiaries with prostate cancer more commonly receive care from surgeons and facilities with lower volumes, likely affecting surgical quality and outcomes. Access to high‐quality prostate cancer care may reduce racial inequities in disease outcomes, even among insured men.

Plain language summary

Black men are twice as likely to die of prostate cancer than other US men.

Lower quality care may contribute to higher rates of prostate cancer death.

We used surgical volume to evaluate the relationship between race and quality of care.

Black Medicare beneficiaries with prostate cancer more commonly received care from surgeons and facilities with lower volumes, correlating with a higher risk of prostate cancer death and indicating scarce resources for care.

Access to high‐quality prostate cancer care eases disparities in disease outcomes.

Patient‐centered interventions that increase access to high‐quality care for Black men with prostate cancer are needed.
Characterization of 3D printed biodegradable piezoelectric scaffolds for bone regeneration
Authors: Karanth Divakar , Puleo David , Dawson Dolph , Holliday L. S. , Sharab Lina
Published: February 2023

Objective

The primary objective of this research was to develop a poly(l‐lactic acid) (PLLA) scaffold and evaluate critical characteristics essential for its biologic use as a craniofacial implant.

Materials and Methods

PLLA scaffolds were designed and fabricated using fused deposition modeling technology. The surface morphology and microarchitecture were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and microCT, respectively. Crystallography, compressive modulus, and the piezoelectric potential generated upon mechanical distortion were characterized. Hydrolytic degradation was studied. MG63 osteoblast‐like cell proliferation and morphology were assessed.

Results

The porosity of the scaffolds was 73%, with an average pore size of 450 µm and an average scaffold fiber thickness of 130 µm. The average compressive modulus was 244 MPa, and the scaffolds generated an electric potential of 25 mV upon cyclic/repeated loading. The crystallinity reduced from 27.5% to 13.9% during the 3D printing process. The hydrolytic degradation was minimal during a 12‐week period. Osteoblast‐like cells did not attach to the uncoated scaffold but attached well after coating the scaffold with fibrinogen. They then proliferated to cover the complete scaffold by Day 14.

Conclusion

The PLLA scaffolds were designed and printed, proving the feasibility of 3D printing as a method of fabricating PLLA scaffolds. The elastic modulus was comparable to that of trabecular bone, and the piezoelectric properties of the PLLA were retained after 3D printing. The scaffolds were cytocompatible. These 3D‐printed PLLA scaffolds showed promising properties akin to the natural bone, and they warrant further investigation for bone regeneration.
Comparison of digital and visual tooth shade selection
Authors: Abu‐Hossin Sabrin , Onbasi Yonca , Berger Lara , Troll Florian , Adler Werner , Wichmann Manfred , Matta Ragai‐Edward
Published: February 2023

Objective

In dental restorations, color determination is very important for achieving esthetic results. The aim of this study was to compare visual shade selection using digital methods and to assess the repeatability of the utilized intraoral scanners.

Materials and methods

In 31 probands, tooth color was determined on teeth 11, 13, and 16. Shade selection was performed visually by a dentist and digitally using Trios 3 and Cerec Omnicam. Three measurements were performed to determine the repeatability of intraoral scanners. Fleiss' κ was used for statistical evaluation of the repeatability and Cohen's κ was used for comparison of methods.

Results

The visual method showed only slight agreement with Trios 3 (Cohen's κ: 0.198) and Cerec Omnicam (Cohen's κ: 0.115). Moderate agreement was found between Trios 3 and Cerec Omnicam (Cohen's κ: 0.452). In terms of repeatability, Trios 3 scored higher overall than Cerec Omnicam (Fleiss' κ: 0.612 vs. 0.474).

Conclusion

Intraoral scanners can facilitate the workflow in clinical practice. They are a good supplement for color determination, but should additionally be confirmed by the visual method. Clinical significance: The use of digital instruments is increasingly being preferred over conventional treatments. Therefore, it is essential to continuously improve the accuracy of intraoral scanners for color selection in order to offer an alternative to visual methods.
Dendritic cell‐based immunotherapy: A potential therapeutic option for chronic Hepatitis B virus infection
Authors: Wu Xuejie , Xu Feng
Published: February 2023

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the most common causes of viral hepatitis worldwide. Patients with persistent HBV infection may suffer from liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma or hepatic failure. In this review, we mainly discuss the immunotherapy for HBV infection. At present, drugs against HBV include oral nucleos(t)ide analogues and interferon. It is difficult to achieve the loss of hepatitis B surface antigen which is an ideal treatment endpoint in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) using the currently recommended agents. There is a need for additional effective therapies among which immunotherapy may be a promising option. Dendritic cells (DCs) exert a key role in initiating the adaptive immune response that could determine the outcome of HBV infection. DC‐based immunotherapy has been explored in chronic HBV infection and shows some promising results. We conclude that DC‐based immunotherapy may be a potential therapeutic option for chronic HBV infection.
Unlabeled fluorescence ELISA using yellow emission carbon dots for the detection of Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris in apple juice
Authors: Sun Yuhan , Yue Tianli , Yuan Yahong , Shi Yiheng
Published: February 2023

Juice spoilage caused by Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris has troubled the global manufacturers for many years. Most approaches have failed to detect this bacterium with desirable sensitivity and selectivity because of their inherent drawbacks. In this work, carbon dots (CDs) with bright fluorescence were prepared which can be quenched by the HRP‐catalyzed oxidation product of p‐phenylenediamine, via inner filter effect. Therefore, an unlabeled fluorescence ELISA strategy incorporating CDs as signal reporter was developed for the detection of A. acidoterrestris in apple juice. This approach showed excellent performance on target identification with enhanced specificity, achieving a limit of detection of 3.2 × 102 CFU/mL. It is expected that this method could provide a reliable way for timely identification of A. acidoterrestris, effectively warning against the emergence of juice spoilage incidence.
The study of single‐cell dynamics contributes to the evaluation of food‐derived antioxidant capacity
Authors: Xiang Xiong , Qing Yinglu , Li Shan , Kwame Amakye W. , Wang Min , Ren Jiaoyan
Published: February 2023

Exploring potential food‐derived bioactive substances that relieve oxidative stress is considered an important goal for antioxidant research. We first used the long‐pair electron index and orbital fingerprint to predict the molecular interactions in a range of polyphenols and polypeptides. We found Rutin and peptide PW5 had the highest LPE index values. Subsequently, by D‐galactose (D‐gal)‐induced oxidative NIH3T3 cell model, we proved both Rutin and PW5 could effectively protect cells against D‐gal‐induced damage, through enhancement in cell proliferation and reduction in β‐galactosidase activity. Although Rutin displayed better performance than PW5 in the oxidative stress model, we confirmed Rutin stimulated obvious changes in the morphology and motility of normal NIH3T3 cells based on the real‐time dynamic images. Taken together, combined computational and typical model experiment methods, proved useful in efficiently screening food‐derived antioxidants. Moreover, the analytical results of cell morphology and movement may provide novel insights for the safety evaluation of antioxidants.
Jitter‐sensitive data communication in emerging wireless networks
Authors: Sheikh Waseem
Published: February 2023

Jitter and time‐sensitive communications (TSC) will play an important role as part of the emerging wireless networks such as fifth‐generation (5G) and sixth‐generation (6G) cellular networks to enable applications including vehicle‐to‐everything (V2X), real‐time audio/video, real‐time industrial automation and control, and synchronized collaboration. TSC is characterized by stringent latency, jitter, and reliability requirements. This paper considers the problem of scheduling time‐sensitive data packets with stringent playout deadlines over a downlink multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) channel, as part of the emerging wireless networks, to minimize the average jitter of a data session. Even though extensive research has been performed on MIMO technology, jitter and time‐sensitive data communication over a MIMO channel remains an under‐studied problem. In the proposed model, early or late arrival of the packets with respect to their playout deadlines incurs an early‐ or late‐arrival penalty, respectively. The proposed scheduling problem is proven to be NP‐hard and three computationally‐efficient scheduling heuristics are developed with varying performance and computational tradeoffs. These heuristics make packet scheduling decisions over the MIMO subchannels with the objective of minimizing the average jitter value of the data session. While making scheduling decisions, these heuristics intelligently take into consideration the playout deadlines and size of the packets, the time‐varying channel conditions, and the cost of the early or late arrival of the packets. The performance of these heuristics is evaluated from a design perspective through extensive simulations. The simulation results provide key insights into the relative performance tradeoffs among the three heuristics as a function of the various system parameters. This information could be utilized in intelligently allocating system resources to obtain the desired optimal system performance.
27‐hydroxycholesterol promotes oligodendrocyte maturation: Implications for hypercholesterolemia‐associated brain white matter changes
Authors: Alanko Vilma , Gaminde‐Blasco Adhara , Quintela‐López Tania , Loera‐Valencia Raúl , Solomon Alina , Björkhem Ingemar , Cedazo‐Minguez Angel , Maioli Silvia , Tabacaru Graziella , Latorre‐Leal María , Matute Carlos , Kivipelto Miia , Alberdi Elena , Sandebring‐Matton Anna
Published: February 2023

Oxidized cholesterol metabolite 27‐hydroxycholesterol (27‐OH) is a potential link between hypercholesterolemia and neurodegenerative diseases since unlike peripheral cholesterol, 27‐OH is transported across the blood–brain barrier. However, the effects of high 27‐OH levels on oligodendrocyte function remain unexplored. We hypothesize that during hypercholesterolemia 27‐OH may impact oligodendrocytes and myelin and thus contribute to the disconnection of neural networks in neurodegenerative diseases. To test this idea, we first investigated the effects of 27‐OH in cultured oligodendrocytes and found that it induces cell death of immature O4+/GalC+ oligodendrocytes along with stimulating differentiation of PDGFR+ oligodendrocyte progenitors (OPCs). Next, transgenic mice with increased systemic 27‐OH levels (Cyp27Tg) underwent behavioral testing and their brains were immunohistochemically stained and lysed for immunoblotting. Chronic exposure to 27‐OH in mice resulted in increased myelin basic protein (MBP) but not 2′,3′‐cyclic‐nucleotide 3′‐phosphodiesterase (CNPase) or myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) levels in the corpus callosum and cerebral cortex. Intriguingly, we also found impairment of spatial learning suggesting that subtle changes in myelinated axons of vulnerable areas like the hippocampus caused by 27‐OH may contribute to impaired cognition. Finally, we found that 27‐OH levels in cerebrospinal fluid from memory clinic patients were associated with levels of the myelination regulating CNPase, independently of Alzheimer's disease markers. Thus, 27‐OH promotes OPC differentiation and is toxic to immature oligodendrocytes as well as it subtly alters myelin by targeting oligodendroglia. Taken together, these data indicate that hypercholesterolemia‐derived higher 27‐OH levels change the oligodendrocytic capacity for appropriate myelin remodeling which is a crucial factor in neurodegeneration and aging.
Identification of medication classes associated with intensive care unit readmissions
Authors: Meckel Jordan D. , Benanti Grace E. , Schomer Kendra J. , Adams Jason Y. , Parker Patricia L.
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Intensive care unit (ICU) readmission is associated with increased mortality, hospital and ICU length of stay (LOS), and healthcare cost. Scoring systems that use physiologic markers to predict readmission have been used with varying degrees of success and literature is lacking on which medication classes might contribute to ICU readmission.

Objectives

The primary objective of this study was to identify medication classes associated with preventable ICU readmissions.

Methods

This was a retrospective, single‐center, observational, and cross‐sectional study of adult patients readmitted to the ICU within 72 h of ICU discharge between June 2015 and December 2016. Patients were excluded if they had multiple ICU readmissions. Readmissions were classified as non‐medication related (NMIR), non‐preventable medication related (NPMIR), or potentially preventable medication related (PPMIR) relative to ICU readmission diagnosis. Clinical outcomes including hospital LOS, ICU LOS, ICU LOS for readmission period, overall mortality, or presence of a rounding ward clinical pharmacist were evaluated, as was the estimated cost of readmissions.

Results

A total of 173 patients were included. Seventy‐six readmissions were determined to be medication‐related (44%) with 43 (57%) of those deemed preventable. The medication classes identified in PPMIRs were diuretics (32.5%), anti‐infectives (14%), opioids (11.6%), benzodiazepines (11.6%), electrolytes (7%), and antiarrhythmics (7%). No difference was observed for median hospital LOS, ICU LOS, ICU LOS for readmission period or overall mortality between those patients with a NMIR, NPMIR and those with a PPMIR. Total avoidable ICU LOS was 240.8 days based on median LOS.

Conclusions

Diuretics, benzodiazepines, opioids, antiarrhythmics, and anti‐infectives were the most frequently identified medication classes associated with PPMIRs. Further study is needed to identify the impact of screening for high‐risk medication classes identified in this investigation and greater pharmacist involvement post ICU discharge in reducing ICU readmissions.
Fast and reliable jackknife and bootstrap methods for cluster‐robust inference
Authors: MacKinnon James G. , Nielsen Morten Ørregaard , Webb Matthew D.
Published: February 2023

We provide computationally attractive methods to obtain jackknife‐based cluster‐robust variance matrix estimators (CRVEs) for linear regression models estimated by least squares. We also propose several new variants of the wild cluster bootstrap, which involve these CRVEs, jackknife‐based bootstrap data‐generating processes, or both. Extensive simulation experiments suggest that the new methods can provide much more reliable inferences than existing ones in cases where the latter are not trustworthy, such as when the number of clusters is small and/or cluster sizes vary substantially. Three empirical examples illustrate the new methods.