bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modulating the Anticancer Activity of Square‐Planar Platinum (II) Complex by Its Chelated Diphosphine
Authors: Li Ying , Hou Zhenguo , Xiao Zhiyin , Lu Chunxin , Jin Jing , He Yi , Jin Jia , Suntharalingam Kogularamanan
Published: October 2024

This work reports the preparations and anticancer activities of a set of platinum (II) complexes. Two types of bidentate ligands, azadiphosphine (PNP) and diphosphine (PP), were applied to afford different kinds of platinum centers, the homoleptic complexes, [Pt (PNP)2]2+ (1 and 2) and [Pt (PP)2]2+ (4), and the hybrid complex, [Pt (PNP)(PP)]2+ (3). All these complexes are characterized by various analytical techniques, and their structures were validated using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. Notably, the stability of the complexes 1–4 is differentiated both in phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) and in the culture media (RPMI‐1640), relative to the type of coordinated diphosphine ligands, specifically, the more PNP ligands, the less stability. The bite angles of P‐Pt‐P bonds in 1–4 would be reliant on their stability, so that complexes 1 and 2 with small bite angles tend to be labile. A mechanistic understanding on the decomposition of 2 is proposed with the aid of mass analysis. As a result, their anticancer activities should be also associated with their stability so that the chelated ligands, with more PNP ligands, lead to more cytotoxicity. Mechanistically, the poisonous platinum (II) derivatives of complex 2 should interact with the nucleus DNA, whereas the intact complex 4 is not traceable, confirming from a γ‐H2AX‐related immunofluorescence staining kit. Additionally, complex 2 exhibits severe toxicity toward several cancer cells as well as a normal cell. Furthermore, complex 2 has inhibited the formation and viability of three‐dimensional T24 mammospheres, reminding it of a promising candidate for anticancer treatments. Overall, the present work provides a way for the systematic investigation to elucidate how a bidentate diphosphine ligand modulates the stability and the anticancer activities of the corresponding square‐planner platinum (II) complex.
Preparation of internally‐plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) by grafting hyperbranched cardanol epoxy polyglycerol
Authors: You Zeyu , Nie Xiaoan , Yu Min , Fu Renli , Chen Jie
Published: October 2024

A novel epoxy plasticizer (HCEP) with a hyperbranched polyglycerol structure was synthesized using reduced glycerol and cashew phenol as raw materials. Then it was grafted onto poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) through click reaction to form self‐plasticized PVC. The structure of the product was characterized with various methods. The effects of the degree of internal plasticizer substitution on the properties of PVC were tested through dynamic mechanical, mechanical property, and thermogravimetric analyses. The amorphous dendritic structure of HCEP effectively enhances the free volume of grafted PVC, leading to a reduction in the glass transition temperature and a significant enhancement in flexibility at room temperature. The maximum elongation at break is 289.89%. The grafting of plasticizers onto PVC avoids the leaching of plasticizers during usage, providing a viable solution for reducing reliance on phthalate‐based plasticizers.
Diffusion of Responsibility for Actions With Advice
Authors: Cooper Dylan A.
Published: October 2024

Diffusion of responsibility is typically defined as the effect by which people feel less responsible for outcomes of their actions when they act as a member of a group than when they act individually. The research reported here extends the concept of diffusion of responsibility to contexts in which the actor has received advice. Responsibility when using advice and when acting contrary to advice are compared to each other, as well as to responsibility when acting alone or as part of a group. To provide a more complete picture, this research consolidates disparate concepts from previous work on diffusion of responsibility, including felt, judged, and anticipated responsibility assessments; distributive and case‐based models of responsibility; and positive and negative outcomes. Across three experiments, using advice conveyed less responsibility than either acting alone or acting contrary to advice, with greater use of advice further reducing responsibility. The magnitude of diffusion was influenced by the task outcome valence in ways consistent with self‐serving bias when acting alone and other‐serving bias when using advice. Diffusion was greater with distributive than case‐based responsibility models. The results were generally consistent across felt, judged, and anticipated responsibility, as well as with choice and judgment tasks. Implications and future research possibilities are discussed.
Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping Values Quantification in Deep Gray Matter Structures for Relapsing‐Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Mohammadi Sana , Ghaderi Sadegh , Fatehi Farzad
Published: October 2024

Background/Objectives

This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to investigate the role of magnetic susceptibility (χ) in deep gray matter (DGM) structures, including the putamen (PUT), globus pallidus (GP), caudate nucleus (CN), and thalamus, in the most common types of multiple sclerosis (MS) and relapsing‐remitting MS (RRMS), using quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM).

Methods

The literature was systematically reviewed up to November 2023, adhering to PRISMA guidelines. This study was conducted using a random‐effects model to calculate the standardized mean difference (SMD) in QSM values between patients with RRMS and healthy controls (HCs). Publication bias and risk of bias were also assessed.

Results

Nine studies involving 1074 RRMS patients with RRMS and 640 HCs were included in the meta‐analysis. The results showed significantly higher QSM (χ) values in the PUT (SMD = 0.40, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.22–0.59, p = .000), GP (SMD = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.50–0.70, p = .00), and CN (SMD = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.15–0.66, p = .005) of RRMS patients compared to HCs. However, there were no significant differences in the QSM values in the thalamus between patients with RRMS and HCs (SMD = −0.33, 95% CI −0.67–0.01, p = .026). Age‐ and sex‐based subgroup analysis demonstrated that younger patients (< 40 years) in the PUT, GP, and CN groups and larger male populations (> 25%) in the PUT and GP groups had more significant χ. Interestingly, thalamic QSM values were found to decrease in RRMS patients over 40 years of age and in higher male populations. Sex‐based subgroup analysis indicated higher iron levels in the PUT and GP of RRMS patients regardless of sex. QSM values were higher in certain brain regions (PUT, GP, and CN) during the early stages (disease duration < 9.6 years) of RRMS, but lower in the thalamus during the later stages (disease duration > 9.6 years) than HCs.

Discussion/Conclusion

QSM may serve as a biomarker for understanding χ value alterations such as iron dysregulation and its contribution to neurodegeneration in RRMS, especially in the basal ganglia nuclei including PUT, GP, and CN.
Serinc2 Drives the Progression of Cervical Cancer Through Regulating Myc Pathway
Authors: Wang Xiaoping , Jiang Chen , Li Qing
Published: October 2024

Background

As one of the most common malignancies, cervical cancer (CC) seriously affects women's health. This study aimed to investigate the biological function of Serinc2 in CC.

Methods

Serinc2 expression was surveyed utilizing immunohistochemistry, western blot, and qRT‐PCR. CC cell viability, invasion, proliferation, migration, and apoptosis, were detected via CCK‐8, Transwell assay, colony formation, wound healing assay, and flow cytometry. Glucose consumption, lactate production, and ATP levels were determined by the corresponding kit. The protein expression of c‐Myc, PDK1, HK2, PFKP, LDHA, Snail, Vimentin, N‐cadherin, and E‐cadherin was detected via western blot. The interaction between the promoter of PFKP and Myc was confirmed through luciferase reporter assay and Chip assay. In vivo, to evaluate the function of Serinc2 on tumor growth, a xenograft mouse model was used.

Results

In CC tissues and cells, Serinc2 was upregulated. In CC cells, knockdown of Serinc2 suppressed cell invasion, proliferation, migration, decreased the expression of Snail, Vimentin, N‐cadherin, HK2, PFKP, LDHA, and PDK1, increased E‐cadherin expression, reduced glucose consumption and the production of lactate and ATP, and induced cell apoptosis; Serinc2 overexpression led to the opposite results. Mechanically, Serinc2 promoted Myc expression, and Myc induced PFKP expression. Furthermore, overexpressed Myc abolished the inhibitive influences of Serinc2 knockdown on the malignant behaviors of CC cells. Additionally, knockdown of Serinc2 inhibited tumor growth and reduced the protein expression of c‐Myc, PFKP, LDHA, and PDK1 in vivo.

Conclusions

Knockdown of Serinc2 inhibited the malignant progression of CC, which was achieved via Myc pathway. Our study provides novel insight into CC pathogenesis.
Involvement of Cholinergic and Cyclooxygenase Pathways in the Diuretic Effects of Rosmarinic Acid
Authors: Felício Macarini Anelise , Bolda Mariano Luísa Nathalia , de Cássia Vilhena da Silva Rita , Corrêa Rogério , de Souza Priscila
Published: October 2024

Rosmarinic acid (RA) is a natural antioxidant known for its diverse biological activities. Although its diuretic activity has been previously established, the mode of action remained unclear. To investigate this, we examined the diuretic activity of RA alone and in combination with hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), amiloride (AML), atropine (ATR), and indomethacin (INDO) to see if any of these drugs could interfere with RA's activity in an 8 hour acute diuresis animal model. We observed that RA increases urine excretion and may have a synergistic effect in the HCTZ+RA group, with a potassium‐sparing capacity. In the AML+RA group, we also noted increased urine excretion while sodium and potassium excretion decreased. ATR and INDO prevented RA from increasing urine excretion, suggesting a potential interaction with muscarinic receptors or a role in promoting prostaglandin production. Additionally, molecular docking analysis indicated possible interactions with key receptors involved in increased diuresis or free‐electrolyte water excretion.
Synthesis and characterization of hybrid gold‐coated cereal particles from sorghum bran flour and wheat bran flour
Authors: Norton Amie E. , Kim Min Jung , Peiris Kamaranga H. S. , Cox Sarah , Tilley Michael , Smolensky Dmitriy , Bean Scott R.
Published: October 2024

Background and Objectives

This study investigated the effect of using different phenolic‐containing grain brans on nanoparticle properties.

Findings

This study successfully synthesized nanoparticles from bran flour isolated from three different sources: sorghum (Sumac and Burgundy) and hard red winter wheat (cv. 1863). The phenolic contents of the three brans were measured as 33.40, 4.98, and 1.59 mg GAE/g, respectively. NPs synthesized from the bran flour had phenolic content measuring 6.41 (sorghum‐Sumac bran), 5.31 (sorghum‐Burgundy bran), and 1.15 mg GAE/g (wheat bran). Adding gold to the NPs decreased phenolic content in all three cases: 2.50 (sorghum‐Sumac bran), 1.80 (sorghum‐Burgundy bran), and 0.30 (wheat‐bran) mg GAE/g. Thus, the synthesis had an impact on the phenolic content. The sizes of the particles were measured using dynamic light scattering: 159 (sorghum‐Sumac), 78 (sorghum‐Burgundy), and 117 (wheat) nm, respectively. After gold was added, the sizes of the particles changed to 113 (sorghum‐Sumac), 115 (sorghum‐Burgundy), and 94 (wheat) nm, respectively.

Conclusions

Cereal bran is an eco‐friendly source of biopolymers for producing nanoparticles. With its high phenolic content, sorghum bran is ideal for making nanoparticles with various applications. Wheat and sorghum bran is a mill by‐product that can be used to synthesize nanoparticles, increasing the value of these agricultural products.

Novelty and Significance

A method was established to develop gold nanoparticles from grain bran. These methods can be used to develop value‐added products across many different applications.
The Role of NiSe2 Nanosheets in Boosting the Photocatalytic H2 Generation of Ultrafine ZnCdS Nanoparticles Under Visible Light
Authors: He Gang , Zeng Qingru , Luo Wei , Liu Yimin , Wei Yuezhou , Zeng Deqian
Published: October 2024

The exploration for a suitable cocatalyst to substitute noble metals is crucial to establishing an efficient photocatalytic system. In this study, a facile solution‐based approach is employed to integrate sheetlike NiSe2 nanostructure as a cocatalyst onto ultrafine ZnCdS nanoparticles, with the objective of enhancing photocatalytic H2 production. Notably, the optimized 3% NiSe2/ZnCdS photocatalyst exhibits a remarkable enhancement in photocatalytic H2 evolution rate, achieving 7779 µmol g−1 h−1, representing an 8.3‐fold increase compared to ZnCdS. Furthermore, the NiSe2/ZnCdS demonstrate exceptional stability during cycling tests. The impressive photocatalytic performance can be ascribed to the presence of NiSe2 nanosheets, which facilitate photoinduced electron transfer and offer active sites for the H2 evolution reaction. In addition, a comprehensive analysis of experimental data and density functional theory (DFT) calculations elucidates a plausible mechanism for the enhanced photocatalytic performance. This study provides valuable insights into the development of noble‐metal‐free ZnCdS‐based photocatalysts, a promising candidate for efficient solar‐to‐H2 energy conversion due to their growing prominence in the field.
Recent Advances in Electronic Structure Modifications of Layered Double Hydroxide (LDH) for the Water Splitting Application
Authors: Gaur Ashish , Sharma Jatin , Lim Dong‐Ha , Lee Hae In , Han HyukSu
Published: October 2024

Electrocatalytic water splitting is a feasible method for large‐scale hydrogen production. Recently, layered double hydroxides (LDH) have been identified as a possible candidate for accelerating the water splitting process. Nevertheless, certain structural alterations are necessary for immaculate LDH because of their weak electrocatalytic activity. These structural changes alter the local reaction environment by modulating the electronic structure of the metal center present in the LDH. This electronic structure tailoring is accomplished by a variety of processes, including heteroatom doping, single atom inclusion, cationic defect, oxygen vacancy creation, and heterostructure formation. Recently, there has been an uptick of advancement in this field, and it is necessary to summarize these developments. This review provides a concise summary of the current reports on the electronic structure manipulation of layered double hydroxide. The review begins by examining the local environmental changes of LDH resulting from the insertion of single atoms. Subsequently, we explore the charge transfer that occurs at the interface between LDH and other transition metal heterostructures. In addition, we explored the impact on the metal center near the vacancies on the basal plane of LDH. Finally, we presented a future perspective and guidance for advancing this field in electrocatalysis.
Composite Separators with Very High Garnet Content for Solid‐State Batteries
Authors: Vattappara Kevin , Finsterbusch Martin , Fattakhova‐Rohlfing Dina , Kvasha Andriy
Published: October 2024

Lithium‐metal solid‐state batteries are attractive as next generation of Li‐ion batteries due to higher safety and potentially higher energy density. To improve processability, solid‐composite separators combine advantages of inorganic and polymer separators in hybrid structure. We report a systematic approach to fabricate composite separators with high content (90–95 wt %) of ceramic Li‐ion conducting Li6.45Al0.05La3Zr1.6Ta0.4O12 (LLZO) powder embedded in a polyethylene oxide (PEO)‐LiTFSI (20 : 1) matrix and understand factors affecting their properties and performance. Separators with good mechanical flexibility and excellent thermal stability were obtained, by optimizing materials and processing parameters. It was found that PEO molecular weight strongly influences the microstructure and electrochemical properties of the separators. In optimized separator with 90 wt % of LLZO and PEO with Mw 300,000 g/mol, a total ionic conductivity of 1.4×10−5 S/cm at 60 °C was achieved. The ceramic‐rich separator showed excellent long‐term cycling stability for more than 460 cycles (1000 h) at 0.1 mA/cm2 in Li/Li symmetrical cells and achieved a critical current density of 0.25 mA/cm2. The separators also enabled initial discharge capacities of more than 160 mAh/g in full cells with Li metal anode and composite solid‐state LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 cathode, although rapid capacity fade was observed after 10 cycles in fully solid‐state configuration.
Performance Effects of Different Shutdown Methods on Three Electrode Materials for Electromethanogenesis
Authors: Rohbohm Nils , Lang Maren , Erben Johannes , Gemeinhardt Kurt , Patel Nitant , Ilic Ivan K. , Hafenbradl Doris , Rodrigo Quejigo Jose , Angenent Largus T.
Published: October 2024

Industrial applications of microbial electrochemical systems will require regular maintenance shutdowns, involving inspections and component replacements to extend the lifespan of the system. Here, we examined the impact of such shutdowns on the performance of three electrode materials (i. e., platinized titanium, graphite, and nickel) as cathodes in a microbial electrochemical system that would be used for electromethanogenesis in power‐to‐gas applications. We focused on methane (CH4) production from hydrogen (H2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) using Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus. We showed that the platinized titanium cathode resulted in high volumetric CH4 production rates and Coulombic efficiencies. Using a graphite cathode would be more cost‐effective than using the platinized titanium cathode in microbial electrochemical systems, but showed an inferior performance. The microbial electrochemical system with the nickel cathode showed improvements compared to the graphite cathode. Additionally, this system with a nickel cathode demonstrated the fastest recovery during a shutdown experiment compared to the other two cathodes. Fluctuations in pH and nickel concentrations in the catholyte during power interruptions affected CH4 production recovery in the system with the nickel cathode. This research enhances understanding of the integration of biological and electrochemical processes in microbial electrochemical systems, providing insights into electrode selection and operating strategies for effective and sustainable CH4 production.
Metal–Salen‐Incorporated conjugated microporous polymers as robust artificial leaves for solar‐driven reduction of atmospheric CO2 with H2O
Authors: Wu Wei , Dong Zhaocen , Chen Mantao , Li Waner , Liao An , Liu Qing , Zhang Yachao , Zhou Zhixin , Zeng Chao , Gong Xuezhong , Dai Chunhui
Published: October 2024

Exploration of efficient and stable photocatalysts to mimic natural leaves for the conversion of atmospheric CO2 into hydrocarbons utilizing solar light is very important but remains a major challenge. Herein, we report the design of four novel metal–salen‐incorporated conjugated microporous polymers as robust artificial leaves for photoreduction of atmospheric CO2 with gaseous water. Owing to the rich nitrogen and oxygen moieties in the polymeric frameworks, they show a maximum CO2 adsorption capacity of 46.1 cm3 g−1 and adsorption selectivity for CO2/N2 of up to 82 at 273 K. Under air atmosphere and simulated solar light (100 mW cm−2), TEPT‐Zn shows an excellent CO yield of 304.96 μmol h−1 g−1 with a selectivity of approximately 100%, which represents one of the best results in terms of organic photocatalysts for gas‐phase CO2 photoreduction so far. Furthermore, only small degradation in the CO yield is observed even after 120‐h continuous illumination. More importantly, a good CO yield of 152.52 μmol g−1 was achieved by directly exposing the photocatalytic reaction of TEPT‐Zn in an outdoor environment for 3 h (25–28°C, 52.3 ± 7.9 mW cm−2). This work provides an avenue for the continued development of advanced polymers toward gas‐phase photoconversion of CO2 from air.
Cleavage of a Peroxide Bond via a Dual Attack by Functional Mimics of Glutathione Peroxidase
Authors: Kumar Rai Rakesh , Islam Amirul , Shankar Pati Rudra , Roy Gouriprasanna
Published: October 2024

Nonmetal‐containing peroxidase enzymes, including glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and peroxiredoxins, control cellular redox levels by catalyzing the reduction of H2O2. The remarkably higher reactivity of GPx enzyme as compared to the fully dissociated synthetic selenolate/thiolate molecule is probably due to the dual‐attack on the peroxide bond (HO1−O2H) by the enzyme; The first one is a nucleophilic attack of the selenolate/thiolate moiety to O1 atom and the second attack at the O2 atom of the peroxide bond by the acidic “parked proton” from Trp or His residue present at the enzyme's active site, leading to the facile cleavage of O−O bond. Herein, we report two synthetic compounds (1 and 2), having a selenolate (Se−) and a proton donor (imidazolium or −COOH group) moieties, which showed excellent GPx‐like activity via dual‐attack on the peroxide bond. The combined effect of selenolate moiety that donates electrons to the antibonding (σ*) orbital of O1−O2 bond and the imidazolium or carboxylic acid moiety at the side chain that forms a strong H‐bonding with the O2 atom facilitates O−O bond cleavage of H2O2 more efficiently. 1 and 2 exhibit remarkable ability in protecting Cu(I)‐complex [TpmCu(CH3CN)]+ (9) against H2O2 by acting as a sacrificial antioxidant, thereby preventing metal‐mediated ROS production.
Diels‐Alder Reactivity of Triisopropylsilyl Ethynyl Substituted Acenes
Authors: Jester Fabian , Kaczun Tobias , Maier Steffen , Meiners Paul , Weigold Svenja , Rominger Frank , Dreuw Andreas , Freudenberg Jan , Bunz Uwe H. F.
Published: October 2024

We investigated the Diels‐Alder reaction of 6,13‐bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl)pentacene (1) with small dienophiles such as (bridged) dihydronaphthalenes/cyclohexenes that yielded adducts at the central ring, the other dienophiles predominantly or exclusively attacked the unsubstituted off‐center ring. The difference in regioselectivity was investigated by DFT calculations. Apart from dispersion interactions, it is due to the steric demand of the dienophiles, which need to fit in between the silylethynyl substituents to react at the central ring. Epoxynaphthalene adducts of 1 as well as its anthracene and tetracene congeners were deoxygenated, easily furnishing triarenobarrelenes with TIPS‐ethynyl substituents at the bridgeheads, attractive building blocks for porous solids and higher acene‐based trimers.
Targeting Tetraspanins at Cell Interfaces: Functional Modulation and Exosome‐Based Drug Delivery for Precise Disease Treatment
Authors: Xu Kun , Feng Huixia , Zhao Rui , Huang Yanyan
Published: October 2024

Tetraspanins are key players in various physiological and pathological processes, including malignancy, immune response, fertilization, and infectious disease. Affinity ligands targeting the interactions between tetraspanins and partner proteins are promising for modulating downstream signaling pathways, thus emerging as attractive candidates for interfering related biological functions. Due to the involvement in vesicle biogenesis and cargo trafficking, tetraspanins are also regarded as exosome markers, and become molecular targets for drug loading and delivery. Given the rapid development in these areas, this minireview focuses on recent advances in design and engineering of affinity binders toward tetraspanins including CD63, CD81, and CD9. Their mechanism of actions in modulating protein interactions at cell interfaces and treatment of malignant diseases are discussed. Strategies for constructing exosome‐based drug delivery platforms are also reviewed, with emphasis on the important roles of tetraspanins and the affinity ligands. Finally, challenges and future development of tetraspanin‐targeting therapy and exosomal drug delivery platforms are also discussed.
Lack of Concentration‐QTc Relationship and Cardiac Risk With Vatiquinone Therapeutic and Supratherapeutic Doses
Authors: Lee Lucy , Flach Stephen , Xue Hongqi , Arivelu Lavanya , Golden Lee , Kong Ronald , Darpo Borje
Published: October 2024

Vatiquinone, a 15‐lipoxygenase inhibitor, is in development for patients with Friedreich ataxia. The study determined the effect of vatiquinone on electrocardiogram parameters. This was a 2‐part, single‐center, randomized, double‐blinded, and placebo‐controlled study. Part 1 used an adaptive approach to identify a supratherapeutic dose, while Part 2 evaluated the effect of vatiquinone on Fridericia corrected QT interval (QTcF). A safe and tolerated supratherapeutic dose of 1400 mg was identified. Concentration‐QTcF analysis confirmed there was no statistically significant relationship between vatiquinone concentration and QTcF. QTcF effect (ie, ΔΔQTcF) exceeding 10 milliseconds was excluded for concentrations up to approximately 11,500 ng/mL. By‐time‐point analysis confirmed that least‐squares mean ΔΔQTcF was below 10 milliseconds. Largest least‐squares mean ΔΔQTcF of 1.5 milliseconds was observed at 2 hours after dosing. Vatiquinone did not have a clinically relevant effect on heart rate nor on cardiac conduction (PR interval and QRS interval). No new safety signals were found, as safety data are consistent with the known safety profile of vatiquinone. These findings altogether demonstrated that there is a minimal cardiac risk for vatiquinone concentrations up to the supratherapeutic dose level.
Bioequivalence Analysis of Clindamycin Hydrochloride Capsules in Healthy Chinese Subjects Under Fasted and Fed Conditions
Authors: Wang Zhi , Wen Haitang , Qian Xuebing , Huang Min , Cheng Guohua , Zhong Guoping
Published: October 2024

Clindamycin is a lincosamide antibiotic for the treatment of staphylococcal, streptococcal, and anaerobic bacterial infections. We conducted a single‐center, single‐dose, 2‐preparation, 2‐period, 2‐sequence, randomized, open‐label, 2 × 2 crossover study to evaluate the pharmacokinetics (PKs) and safety of the test and reference clindamycin hydrochloride capsules in healthy Chinese subjects under both fasted and fed conditions. Forty‐eight subjects were enrolled in the study totally, with 24 subjects in each group. All subjects were asked to take a test or reference preparation, under either fasted or fed condition, and their blood samples were collected and assayed by a validated high‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry method. PK parameters including maximum plasma concentration, area under the plasma concentration‐time curve from time 0 to the last concentration, and area under the plasma concentration‐time curve from time 0 to infinity were estimated with noncompartmental model and analyzed. Results showed that the PK profiles of the 2 preparations were consistent and met the bioequivalence criteria. Food was identified as a factor that had an impact on clindamycin absorption. The safety of clindamycin hydrochloride capsules was satisfactory. This study proved that the 2 clindamycin hydrochloride capsules were bioequivalent in healthy Chinese subjects under both fasted and fed conditions.
Unveiling Eco‐Friendly Reverse Micelle Systems: Dimethyl Carbonate as a Novel Biocompatible Solvent
Authors: González Herrera Alejandra , Mariano Correa N. , Dario Falcone R. , Moyano Fernando
Published: October 2024

In this study, we systematically explored the characteristics of dimethyl carbonate (DMC)/sodium 1,4‐bis‐2‐ethylhexylsulfosuccinate (AOT) reverse micelles (RMs) in the presence of water using dynamic light scattering (DLS), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), and molecular probes. DMC, a biocompatible solvent, enables the formulation of AOT RMs without the need for a co‐surfactant. DLS revealed that as the water content increased, the droplet sizes grew larger. 1H NMR studies indicated that at low water content, water molecules interacted with DMC via hydrogen bonding. This interaction promoted the penetration of DMC toward the interface, affecting the solvation of AOT's sulfonate group. At higher water content, a competition for hydrogen bonding emerged between water‐water and water‐surfactant molecules, leading to distinct interfacial properties, as evidenced by molecular probes. The critical micellar concentration for DMC/AOT/water RMs was 7×10−3 M, similar to RMs formed with other biocompatible solvents. The presence of water facilitated the solvation of the surfactant's polar regions, promoting the RMs formation. The polarity of this system was measured using the ET(30) value. This novel micellar system holds significant potential in various fields, including catalysis, nanomaterials, and green chemistry.
The impact of Big Data Analytics on firm sustainable performance
Authors: Ertz Myriam , Latrous Imen , Dakhlaoui Ahlem , Sun Shouheng
Published: October 2024

This study evaluates the impact of Big Data Analytics (BDA) on firm sustainable performance (FSP). BDA is conceptualized as a dual construct comprising predictive and prescriptive analytics, while FSP is considered from a triple bottom line (TBL) perspective comprising the economic, social, and environmental lines of firm performance. The study relies exclusively on independent third‐party BDA and FSP data pertaining to 522 firms from the US S&P500 Index and the Canadian S&P500/TSX60 Index. The data is analyzed with ordinary least squares (OLS) regression, and the findings reveal, on aggregate, that BDA has a direct, positive, and significant effect on overall FSP. The results of the piecemeal analysis show that BDA is positively related to the economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Furthermore, our distinction between predictive and prescriptive analytics suggests that prescriptive analytics outperforms the FSP results obtained with predictive analytics moderately. The study insights provide strategic knowledge for firms seeking to leverage digitalization for enhanced corporate citizenship while boosting their digital capabilities. The impact of technology, especially Big Data, on sustainability, has gained traction in the literature, yet this is the first study to delve deeper into the detailed relationships between both constructs by deciphering and quantifying the impact of BDA components on the TBL.
Seeing is believing: Do face‐to‐face meetings between independent directors and investors enhance corporate ESG performance?
Authors: Liu Qi , Qin Shuai , Chen Chen
Published: October 2024

This article explores the topic of whether face‐to‐face communication between independent directors and investors can help them obtain firm‐specific information and promote management to improve corporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. Our findings revealed a notable positive correlation between the frequency of independent directors attending shareholder meetings (IDASM) and ESG performance. The underlying mechanism for this correlation is that IDASM increases investment in research and development (R&D) and green patent applications, which can drive long‐term firm value. Further analysis reveals that independent directors attending annual shareholder meetings can more effectively enhance a company's ESG performance. Independent directors attending shareholder meetings also exhibits a more noticeable impact on improving corporate governance performance than environment performance and social performance. The effect becomes more pronounced when independent directors possess an accounting background, have shorter tenures, when the meetings attended by more minority shareholders, the degree of enterprise information asymmetry is high. The research results have reference significance for improve the information disadvantage position of independent directors, restrain short‐sighted behavior of management, and improving the role of shareholder meetings in protecting investor interests.
Pb‐N Chemically Anchors CsPbBr3 on 1D Porous Tubular g‐C3N4 for Enhanced Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction
Authors: Li Dong , Wang Kaixuan , Chen Ying , Li Renyi , Tang Jiahong , Zhao Yizhou , Guo Wei , Chen Qi , Li Yujing
Published: October 2024

Halide perovskite CsPbBr3 (CPB) quantum dots (QDs) are considered as a promising candidate for solar‐driven CO2 conversion for their unique optoelectronic properties and suitable band structures. However, the CO2 conversion efficiency of pristine CsPbBr3 quantum dots is severely limited due to their rapid electron‐hole pair recombination and insufficient active sites. In this study, by immobilizing CPB QDs onto one‐dimensional (1D) porous tubular g‐C3N4 (TCN), an effective 0D/1D CPB@TCN heterojunction photocatalyst for CO2 reduction is fabricated. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations combined with experimental studies demonstrate that CPB QDs are uniformly anchored on the surface of TCN through Pb−N chemical bonding, resulting in efficient separation and transfer of photogenerated carriers in CPB@TCN photocatalysts. The resultant CPB@TCN photocatalysts exhibit significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity for CO2 reduction with the highest conversion rate of 22.62 μmol g−1 h−1, which is 5.33‐times higher than that of pristine CPB QDs. This work unveils the interfacial bonding mechanism of CPB@TCN heterojunction through Pb−N chemical bond, which provides new insights for the development perovskite‐based heterojunction photocatalysts.
Insight into prostate cancer osteolytic metastasis by RelB coordination of IL‐8 and S100A4
Authors: Sun Wenbo , Xu Kenny , Li Xiao , Qian Peipei , Xu Fan , Zhang Yanyan , Wang Xiumei , Xu Zhi , Ding Jiaji , Xu Xinyu , Wei Xiaowei , Jiang Qin , Xu Yong
Published: October 2024

Background

Although RANK‐LRANK interaction is essential for osteoclastogenesis, the mechanisms by which cancer cells invade bone tissues and initiate osteolytic metastasis remain unclear. Here, we show that the hyperactivation of RelB fosters prostate cancer (PCa) osteolytic metastasis by coordinating interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) and calcium‐binging protein A4 (S100A4).

Methods

The factors promoting PCa bone metastasis were investigated in sera from PCa patients and tumour tissues derived from nude mice using immunohistochemical analysis and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Cell mobility and mineralization were quantified using BioStation CT and Osteolmage assay. The relative cistrome was investigated in advanced PCa cells by standard transcriptional analyses, including the luciferase reporter response, site‐directed mutagenesis, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay. PCa cell‐initiated tumour formation, expansion, and bone metastasis were validated in mice using multiple approaches, including orthotopic, intraskeletal, and caudal arterial implantation models.

Results

IL‐8 and S100A4 correlated with patient Gleason scores and bone metastasis. RelB upregulated IL‐8, facilitating androgen receptor (AR)‐independent growth. RelB‐Sp1 interaction enhanced epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) by activating Snail and Twist. RelB‐NFAT1c super‐enhancer upregulated S100A4 in the organization of the cytoskeleton and bone metastasis. The RelB‐IL‐8‐S100A4 signalling axis was confirmed to promote osteolytic metastasis in nude mice.

Conclusion

RelB‐IL‐8 reciprocally promoted EMT by activating inflammatory signalling and inactivating AR signalling. IL‐8 is essential for provoking PCa metastasis but insufficient to drive bone metastasis. IL‐8‐S100A4 cooperation was necessary for metastatic cells to target the bone.

Highlights

RelB activates inflammatory signalling by upregulating IL‐8 and suppressing AR.

RelB upregulates S100A4 by cooperating with NFATC1.

IL‐8 boosts EMT by activating Snail 1 and Twist 1, and S100A4 exacerbates osteolytic metastasis via calcium consumption.

RelB harnesses IL‐8 and S100A4 to drive PCa osteolytic metastasis.
The role and advance of ubiquitination and deubiquitination in depression pathogenesis and treatment
Authors: Yan Xiaoru , Ma Yunhui , Yang Junting , Chang Xiaoqi , Shi Shuxuan , Song Guohua
Published: October 2024

Depression is a common neuropsychiatric disease that is characterized by long‐term, repeated low mood, pain and despair, pessimism, and even suicidal tendencies. Increasing evidence has shown that ubiquitination and deubiquitination are closely related to the occurrence of depression, including pathological morphogenesis, neuroplasticity, synaptic transmission, neuroinflammation, and so forth. The development of depression is regulated by intracellular proteins that undergo various posttranslational modifications, including ubiquitination, which falls under the epigenetics category. Although there have been studies and reviews of literature on epigenetics and depression, a systematic review of ubiquitination modification and depression has not been reported. In addition, with the deepening of research on depression and ubiquitination, the development of drugs targeting the ubiquitin system has gradually increased, but it is still not mature, so there is an urgent need to find new antidepressant drug targets. E3 ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinating enzymes can regulate the occurrence and development of depression in a variety of ways, which may be a direction for the treatment of depression in the future. Therefore, this review describes the latest progress of ubiquitination and deubiquitination in the regulation of depression, summarizes the published signal pathways of ubiquitination and deubiquitination involved in depression, emphasizes the targets and mechanisms of E3 ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinase in the regulation of depression, and further discusses the therapeutic targets of targeting ubiquitination modification systems to regulate depression.
Propofol‐alone sedative efficacy in observational biliopancreatic endoscopic ultrasound
Authors: Kato Hisaki , Kawasaki Yuki , Sumi Kazuya , Shibata Yuki , Nomura Norihiro , Ushio Jun , Eguchi Junichi , Ito Takayoshi , Inoue Haruhiro
Published: October 2024

Objectives

Appropriate sedative and analgesic selection is essential to reduce patient discomfort and body movement to safely conduct endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS). However, few cases have examined sedation with propofol in EUS, and few studies the need for combined analgesia. In this study, we retrospectively evaluated the usefulness and safety of propofol without analgesics for sedation in biliopancreatic observational EUS.

Methods

This single‐center retrospective study included 516 observational biliopancreatic EUS procedures using propofol alone performed between April 2021 and March 2023. The primary and secondary endpoints were the observational biliopancreatic EUS results obtained with propofol alone and adverse event occurrence, respectively.

Results

The median examination time and total propofol dose were 22 (range: 10–67) min and 186.5 (range: 50–501) mg, respectively. The median starting Richmond Agitation‐Sedation Scale and Visual Analog Scale scores were −5 (range: −5–1) and 0 (range: 0–10), respectively. The median recovery time was 22 (range: 5–80) min. Adverse events occurred in 60 (11.6%) patients. Trainee‐performed examination (odds ratio [OR] 3.52, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.63–7.60, p = 0.0014) and examination length (>22 min; OR 1.67, 95% CI: 0.95–2.92, p = 0.07) were risk factors for adverse events.

High body mass index (OR 1.87, 95% CI: 1.10–3.16, p = 0.02) and extended examination time (OR 4.23, 95% CI: 2.08–8. 57, p < 0.001) were risk factors for delayed recovery.

Conclusions

During observational biliopancreatic EUS, propofol is useful as a single sedative and offers high patient satisfaction and relative safety.
Accounting for effects of growth rate when measuring ecological stability in response to pulse perturbations
Authors: Mentges Andrea , Clark Adam Thomas , Blowes Shane A. , Kunze Charlotte , Hillebrand Helmut , Chase Jonathan M.
Published: October 2024

Ecological stability is a vital component of natural ecosystems that can inform effective conservation and ecosystem management. Furthermore, there is increasing interest in making comparisons of stability values across sites, systems and taxonomic groups, often using comparative synthetic approaches, such as meta‐analysis. However, these synthetic approaches often compare/contrast systems where measures of stability mean very different things to the taxa involved. Here, we present results from theoretical models and empirical data to illustrate how differences in growth rates among taxa influence four widely used metrics of ecological stability of species abundances responding to pulse perturbations: resilience, recovery, resistance and temporal stability. We refer to these classic growth‐rate‐dependent metrics as ‘realised’ stability. We show that realised resilience and realised temporal stability vary as a function of organisms' growth rates; realised recovery depends on the relation between growth rate and sampling duration; and realised resistance depends on the relation between growth rate and sampling interval. To account for these influences, we introduce metrics intended to be more independent of growth rates, which we refer to as ‘intrinsic’ stability. Intrinsic stability can be used to summarise the overall effects of a disturbance, separately from internal recovery processes – thereby allowing more general comparisons of disturbances across organisms and contexts. We argue that joint consideration of both realised and intrinsic stability is important for future comparative studies.
Improving Inference Within Freshwater Community Studies: Accounting for Variable Detection Rates of Amphibians and Fish
Authors: Hamer Andrew J. , Horányi Júlia
Published: October 2024

Research into freshwater communities often aims to link patterns of species distribution in ponds with underlying biotic factors. However, errors with species detection (e.g. false negatives) may underestimate distribution and bias assessments of community structure. Occupancy models that account for imperfect detection offer a solution to this problem. Here, we used three methods (call/visual encounter surveys, dip‐netting and newt trapping) to survey amphibians and fish (potential amphibian predators) at 100 ponds in an urbanised landscape in Hungary over one breeding season. We estimated species detection probabilities for amphibians (all life stages combined) and fish using occupancy models to gain insight into amphibian‐fish relationships and other survey‐specific variables. We detected nine amphibian and 20 fish species. There were relatively low but variable estimated probabilities of detection for amphibians (mean: 0.320, 95% Bayesian credible interval: 0.142–0.598), with three species having detection rates < 0.1. Probabilities of detection peaked in the middle of the breeding season and increased with survey effort. Detection probabilities of five species were negatively associated with the detection of fish at a pond, while there were positive relationships between detection and emergent vegetation cover. We found no substantial differences in detection rates among the three survey methods. The probability of detecting fish was much higher than for amphibians (0.588, 0.503–0.717) but was lower at ponds with high emergent vegetation where amphibian detection was higher. Our results underscore the importance of accounting for the imperfect detection of both response organisms and potentially interacting species in aquatic community studies. We recommend applying multi‐species occupancy models to enable inference for both common and rare species at ponds in landscapes subjected to human disturbances.
Post‐Copulatory Sexual Selection in an Insect With High Levels of Mating Failure
Authors: Balfour Vicki L. , Armand Mélissa , Shuker David M.
Published: October 2024

Sexual selection is not a single process. Instead, multiple processes of sexual selection can interact with respect to a given phenotype, in either reinforcing, independent, or conflicting directions. Here we consider how different processes of sexual selection interact in the seed bug Lygaeus simulans. This species is characterised by limited pre‐copulatory sexual selection, but the potential for rather strong post‐copulatory sexual selection. In particular, mating failure is common in this species, with around 40%–60% of copulations failing to result in the successful transfer of sperm. Mating failure is negatively correlated with female size, with smaller females being less likely to end up inseminated. We have recently argued that this pattern is best explained by cryptic male mate choice for large, more fecund females. Males therefore preferentially inseminate larger females. Here we explore how this potential cryptic male choice interacts with another component of post‐copulatory sexual selection: sperm competition. We first manipulated male and female size variation, generating large and small, male and female, size classes. Using a visible mutant marker to assign paternity, we then double‐mated females with males, in all combinations of male and female size. Our results showed that sperm competition outcomes were primarily driven by copulation duration, with longer copulations leading to greater paternity share for a male. We also confirmed that larger females are more likely to produce offspring than smaller females, as predicted by cryptic male choice for large females. This effect was again linked to copulation duration, with longer copulations less likely to lead to mating failure. While larger males tended to be more successful in sperm competition, especially if copulating second, female size had little effect on paternity, suggesting that cryptic male choice and sperm competition are acting relatively independently in this species.
Zingiber baumii Chatan & Promprom: A New Species of Zingiberaceae From Thailand
Authors: Promprom Wilawan , Munglue Phukphon , Chatan Wannachai
Published: October 2024

Zingiber baumii Chatan & Promprom, a new species from the Zingiberaceae family, is described from Sakon Nakhon Province in northeastern Thailand. This species was identified during field expeditions conducted between 2018 and 2024 in Phu Pha Yol National Park. The morphological characteristics of Z. baumii, such as red or pinkish‐red leaf sheaths, leaf blades (1.5−) 2.0–3.0 cm wide, pink petioles, and bright yellow corolla with a red patch, distinguish it from closely related species such as Z. isanense Triboun & K. Larsen. Zingiber baumii grows in slightly shaded dry dipterocarp forests at elevations of 300–380 m. The preliminary conservation assessment indicates that this species should be classified as Endangered (EN) according to IUCN criteria due to its limited distribution and small population size. Detailed morphological comparisons with related species are provided, along with illustrations and habitat descriptions.