bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of scattered megavoltage x‐rays on markerless tumor tracking using dual energy kilovoltage imaging
Authors: Kaur Mandeep , Luce Jason , Lehmann Mathias , Morf Daniel , Zhu Liangjia , Kang Hyejoo , Walczak Michal , Harkenrider Matthew M. , Roeske John C.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

To determine the effect of megavoltage (MV) scatter on the accuracy of markerless tumor tracking (MTT) for lung tumors using dual energy (DE) imaging and to consider a post‐processing technique to mitigate the effects of MV scatter on DE‐MTT.

Methods

A Varian TrueBeam linac was used to acquire a series of interleaved 60/120 kVp images of a motion phantom with simulated tumors (10 and 15 mm diameter). Two sets of consecutive high/low energy projections were acquired, with and without MV beam delivery. The MV field sizes (FS) ranged from 2 × 2 cm2–6 × 6 cm2 in steps of 1 × 1 cm2. Weighted logarithmic subtraction was performed on sequential images to produce soft‐tissue images for kV only (DEkV) and kV with MV beam on (DEkV+MV). Wavelet and fast Fourier transformation filtering (wavelet‐FFT) was used to remove stripe noise introduced by MV scatter in the DE images (). A template‐based matching algorithm was then used to track the target on DEkV, DEkV+MV, and images. Tracking accuracy was evaluated using the tracking success rate (TSR) and mean absolute error (MAE).

Results

For the 10 and 15 mm targets, the TSR for DEkV images was 98.7% and 100%, and MAE was 0.53 and 0.42 mm, respectively. For the 10 mm target, the TSR, including the effects of MV scatter, ranged from 86.5% (2 × 2 cm2) to 69.4% (6 × 6 cm2), while the MAE ranged from 2.05 mm to 4.04 mm. The application of wavelet‐FFT algorithm to remove stripe noise () resulted in TSR values of 96.9% (2 × 2 cm2) to 93.4% (6 × 6 cm2) and subsequent MAE values were 0.89 mm to 1.37 mm. Similar trends were observed for the 15 mm target.

Conclusion

MV scatter significantly impacts the tracking accuracy of lung tumors using DE images. Wavelet‐FFT filtering can improve the accuracy of DE‐MTT during treatment.
Harm reduction approach at Miami SSP engages users in medication treatment
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: April 2023

Results of a new study suggest that a sufficiently resourced syringe services program (SSP) could become an ideal venue for improving buprenorphine initiation and retention in patients with opioid use disorder (OUD). Researchers for the study's pilot program at a Miami‐based SSP credit the removal of common barriers to care for the successes of the initiative's harm reduction‐focused approach.
ONDCP at Rx Summit: Hydrazine an emerging health threat
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: April 2023

This year's Rx and Illicit Drug Summit drew 4,000 participants to the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta last week; there were 100 exhibitors, and the pparticipants included ounselors, social workers, therapists, psychologists, and interventionists; physicians, psychiatrists, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists; advocates, families, and people in recovery; law enforcement and other first responders; state and federal lawmakers; and public health and prevention professionals. ADAW was able to pick up many new stories and meet with old friends and colleagues. The conference was also the setting for an announcement about a new emerging threat — fentanyl combined with xylazine (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adaw.33205).
How Coherent and Semi‐Coherent Interfaces Govern Dislocation Nucleation in Lamellar TiAl Alloys
Authors: Chauniyal Ashish , Janisch Rebecca
Published: April 2023

γ/γ interfaces drive plastic deformation in lamellar TiAl alloys. Due to the ordering and resulting tetragonal nature of γ phase, γ/γ twin interfaces exist as different variants, some of which exhibit coherency stresses or semicoherent interface structures. While geometric parameters, such as the lamella spacing and orientation, are explored extensively in experiments, the isolation of individual influence of different interfaces in a nanolamellar microstructure remains a challenge. Herein, the range of γ/γ interface states is modeled using bilayers of the coherent γ/γTrueTwin, and the coherent or semicoherent γ/γPseudoTwin, and their deformation behavior is compared. It is shown that residual coherency stresses arise due to misfit accommodation in coherent γ/γPT specimens, which causes early preferential nucleation in one γ layer. Similarly, semicoherent specimens show preferential nucleation from misfit dislocations at the interface, which obeys Schmid's rule. In contrast, coherent γ/γTT specimens show no preferential nucleation and therefore exhibit higher strength. Thus, it is demonstrated that the presence of rotational γ/γ interfaces with misfit is responsible for localized and early plasticity, that lowers the strength of a lamellar microstructure. The interface type, which considers the coherency state, is used as a criterion for alloy microstructure design in the future.
An Adenosylcobalamin Specific Whole‐Cell Biosensor
Authors: Quispe Haro Juan José , Wegner Seraphine V.
Published: April 2023

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is essential for human health and its deficiency results in anemia and neurological damage. Vitamin B12 exists in different forms with various bioactivity but most sensors are unable to discriminate between them. Here, a whole‐cell agglutination assay that is specific for adenosylcobalamin (AboB12), which is one of two bioactive forms, is reported. This biosensor consists of Escherichia coli that express the AdoB12 specific binding domain of CarH at their surface. In the presence of AdoB12, CarH forms tetramers, which leads to specific bacterial cell–cell adhesions and agglutination. These CarH tetramers disassemble upon green light illumination such that reversion of the bacterial aggregation can serve as internal quality control. The agglutination assay has a detection limit of 500 nм AdoB12, works in protein‐poor biofluids such as urine, and has high specificity to AdoB12 over other forms of vitamin B12 as also demonstrated with commercially available supplements. This work is a proof of concept for a cheap and easy‐to‐readout AdoB12 sensor that can be implemented at the point‐of‐care to monitor high‐dose vitamin B12 supplementation.
Creating Chiral Plasmonic Nanostructures Using Chiral Light in a Solution and on a Substrate: The Near‐Field and Hot‐Electron Routes
Authors: Movsesyan Artur , Muravitskaya Alina , Besteiro Lucas V. , Santiago Eva Yazmin , Ávalos‐Ovando Oscar , Correa‐Duarte Miguel A. , Wang Zhiming , Markovich Gil , Govorov Alexander O.
Published: April 2023

Can chiral light induce chiral shapes in nanocrystals in a diluted solution? So far, it has been unclear whether it could be and, if such, under which conditions it may occur. By using realistic models of plasmonic nanocrystals, this work shows that the imprinting of 3D chirality on nanocrystals in solution by circularly polarized light (CPL) is possible. Such 3D‐chiral patterns originate from the electromagnetic retardation effect. This work investigates the formation of chiral spatial distributions of the near fields and hot electrons produced by CPL in both substrate and solution settings. Anisotropic nanocrystals with sharp edges and tips are preferable for inducing 2D and 3D chirality because of the formation of chiral hot‐spot patterns on them. The 2D g‐factors are always much higher than the 3D ones. In addition, 3D‐chiral imprinting on spherical nanocrystals is impossible. With linearly polarized light (LPL), one can create chiral nanocrystals on a substrate, not in a solution. This study provides the principles for emerging technologies to create chiral nanostructures using CPL and LPL illuminations.
Simulation of NOx and COx Gas Sensor based on Pristine Armchair Stanene Nanoribbon
Authors: Fadardi Mahboobeh Amiri , Movlarooy Tayebeh
Published: April 2023

In this study, the adsorption of the most common hazardous gases (CO, NO, NO2, and CO2) on the stanene armchair nanoribbon of width 6 (H‐ASnNR(6)) is investigated using density functional theory. The most stable adsorption sites, adsorption energies, charge transfer, electronic features, transmission spectra, and current–voltage analysis are explored. All molecules are physisorbed on H‐ASnNR(6) through van der Waals interactions, indicating a potential use for this material in recoverable gas sensors, and all gas molecules act as acceptors. Additionally, the highest and the lowest charge transfer is related to the NO and CO2 molecules, respectively. It is revealed that the adsorption of NO and NO2 affects the electronic properties of the H‐ASnNR(6), and the system displays conducting behavior, while the influence of CO and CO2 gas molecules on the electrical properties of H‐ASnNR(6) is relatively small. The results demonstrate that compared to pristine H‐ASnNR(6), the transmission function of the gas plus H‐ASnNR(6) system undergoes a significant change, particularly after the adsorption of NO and NO2 molecules. The presence and absence of the molecules are shown by current–voltage (I–V) characteristic results. The results suggest that H‐ASnNR(6) has the potential to be used in gas molecule detection applications.
MC‐KV: A Prognosis‐Oriented Classifier Based on Semi‐Supervised Learning for Molecular Subtyping of Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Bai Liyi , Bu Fanqin , Li Xiangji , Yang Xiaohan , Guo Shuilong , Min Li , Zhang Shutian
Published: April 2023

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer‐related death worldwide. Many molecular classification strategies are proposed for CRC but few studies include survival data in their models. Herein a prognosis‐oriented CRC classifier is constructed by adapting the natural partially labeled censored survival data into a customized semi‐supervised learning algorithm, which is called Monte‐Carlo K‐nearest neighbor voting (MC‐KV) classifier. Three CRC subtypes with distinct prognoses are identified by this classifier using the data from the cancer genome atlas. Furthermore, a six‐gene risk model is constructed by combining weighted gene coexpression network analysis and least absolute selection and shrinkage operator for variable selection and four algorithms (random survival forest, support vector machine, Adaboost, and logistic regression) for optimization. The optimized model shows great performance in distinguishing high‐risk from low‐risk patients with a maximum area under curve of 0.869, 0.906, and 0.921 in 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year survival, respectively. Additionally, the six‐gene signature identified by MC‐KV exhibits great predictive efficiency for other cancer types. Overall, a tool, Monte‐Carlo K‐nearest neighbor voting (MC‐KV), is provided to identify molecular subtyping of CRC, which suggests the potential contribution of semi‐supervised algorithms and the inclusion of patient‐level survival data in cancer classification.
Reconfigurable Field‐Effect Transistor Technology via Heterogeneous Integration of SiGe with Crystalline Al Contacts
Authors: Fuchsberger Andreas , Wind Lukas , Sistani Masiar , Behrle Raphael , Nazzari Daniele , Aberl Johannes , Prado Navarrete Enrique , Vukŭsić Lada , Brehm Moritz , Schweizer Peter , Vogl Lilian , Maeder Xavier , Weber Walter M.
Published: April 2023

Reconfigurable field‐effect transistors, capable of being dynamically programmed during run‐time, overcome the static nature of conventional complementary metal‐oxide semiconductors by reducing the transistor count and the circuit path delay. Thereby, SiGe and Ge are predicted to boost drive currents, switching speed and to reduce power consumption. Nevertheless, Ge‐based reconfigurable field‐effect transistor prototypes have so far fallen short in reaching both the promised performance due to interface instability to their contacts and gate oxides, as well as in reaching the current–voltage symmetry necessary for circuit applicability. Here, a top‐down fabricated SiGe‐based reconfigurable transistor technology is reported that is comprised of a vertical Si‐Si0.67Ge0.33 heterostructure enabling the envisioned high and symmetric on‐currents of both n‐ and p‐type operation. Monolithic integration with single‐elementary crystalline Al contacts alleviates process variability compared to conventional Ni‐silicide/Ni‐germanide contacts and introduces an ultra‐thin Si interlayer providing stability and equal injection efficiency of holes and electrons. The implementation of a three top‐gate transistor in combination with a hysteresis‐free Si/SiO2/HfO2 gate stack enhances polarity control and leakage current suppression to limit static power dissipation. Importantly, the obtained Al‐Si‐SiGe multi‐heterojunction and advanced reconfigurable transistor design is the first Ge‐based technology showing the envisioned stability and performance enhancements.
Quantitative Decoupling of Oxygen‐Redox and Manganese‐Redox Voltage Hysteresis in a Cation‐Disordered Rock Salt Cathode
Authors: Huang Tzu‐Yang , Cai Zijian , Crafton Matthew J. , Kaufman Lori A. , Konz Zachary M. , Bergstrom Helen K. , Kedzie Elyse A. , Hao Han‐Ming , Ceder Gerbrand , McCloskey Bryan D.
Published: April 2023

Pronounced voltage hysteresis in Li‐excess cathode materials is commonly thought to be associated with oxygen redox. However, these materials often possess overlapping oxygen and transition‐metal redox, whose contributions to hysteresis between charge and discharge are challenging to distinguish. In this work, a two‐step aqueous redox titration is developed with the aid of mass spectrometry (MS) to quantify oxidized lattice oxygen and Mn3+ /4+ redox in a representative Li‐excess cation‐disordered rock salt—Li1.2Mn0.4Ti0.4O2 (LMTO). Two MS‐countable gas molecules evolve from two separate titrant‐analyte reactions, thereby allowing Mn and O redox capacities to be decoupled. The decoupled O and Mn redox coulombic efficiencies are close to 100% for the LMTO cathode, indicating high charge‐compensation reversibility. As incremental Mn and O redox capacities are quantitatively decoupled, each redox voltage hysteresis is further evaluated. Overall, LMTO voltage hysteresis arises not only from an intrinsic charge‐discharge voltage mismatch related to O redox, but also from asymmetric Mn‐redox overvoltages. The results reveal that O and Mn redox both contribute substantially to voltage hysteresis. This work further shows the potential of designing new analytical workflows to experimentally quantify key properties, even in a disordered material having complex local coordination environments.
Perception, regulation, and fitness effects of pollen phytosterols in the bumble bee, Bombus terrestris
Authors: Nebauer Carmen A. , Schleifer Marielle C. , Ruedenauer Fabian A. , Leonhardt Sara D. , Spaethe Johannes
Published: April 2023

Premise

Many flowering plants depend on insects for pollination and thus attract pollinators by offering rewards, mostly nectar and pollen. Bee pollinators rely on pollen as their main nutrient source. Pollen provides all essential micro‐ and macronutrients including substances that cannot be synthesized by bees themselves, such as sterols, which bees need for processes such as hormone production. Variations in sterol concentrations may consequently affect bee health and reproductive fitness. We therefore hypothesized that (1) these variations in pollen sterols affect longevity and reproduction in bumble bees and (2) can thus be perceived via the bees' antennae before consumption.

Methods

We studied the effect of sterols on longevity and reproduction of Bombus terrestris workers in feeding experiments and investigated sterol perception using chemotactile proboscis extension response (PER) conditioning.

Results

Workers could perceive several sterols (cholesterol, cholestenone, desmosterol, stigmasterol, β‐sitosterol) via their antennae but not differentiate between them. However, when sterols were presented in pollen, and not as a single compound, the bees were unable to differentiate between pollen differing in sterol content. Additionally, different sterol concentrations in pollen neither affected pollen consumption nor brood development or worker longevity.

Conclusions

Since we used both natural concentrations and concentrations higher than those found in pollen, our results indicate that bumble bees may not need to pay specific attention to pollen sterol content beyond a specific threshold. Naturally encountered concentrations might fully support their sterol requirements and higher concentrations do not seem to have negative effects.
Development differs between independently evolved staminode whorls in the same flower
Authors: Schenk John J. , Appleton Andrea D.
Published: April 2023

Premise

Staminodes are commonly studied in hermaphroditic flowers, in which a fraction of the androecium evolves into infertile structures, but few studies have addressed the evolution of staminodes as they occur through the loss of stamen function in carpellate flowers. Plants of Paronychia (Caryophyllaceae) are monoecious with hermaphroditic flowers with one staminodial whorl, except for the dioecious P. chartacea and P. minima. Dioecious species have carpellate flowers that evolved an additional whorl of staminodes, providing an exceptional opportunity to study a second origin of staminodes in the same flower.

Methods

Using scanning electron microscopy, we observed the development of carpellate and staminate flowers to determine whether the developmental pathway of the staminodes in hermaphroditic flowers was co‐opted during the evolutionary transition to unisexual flowers.

Results

In carpellate flowers, antesepalous staminodes initiate as sterile anthers that develop similar to functioning stamens, but arrest before full development, leaving a rudimentary anther with lateral lobes that correspond to thecae. After antesepalous staminodes arrest, alternisepalous staminodes initiate as structures that correspond with filaments, as they do in staminate and hermaphroditic flowers.

Conclusions

The second origin of staminodes in carpellate flowers evolved using a different developmental pathway than what had previously evolved in the alternisepalous whorl. The two androecial whorls in the same flowers are serialogous as members of the androecium, but are paralogous as staminodes on the basis of structural and developmental differences.
The Alzheimer's disease risk factor INPP5D restricts neuroprotective microglial responses in amyloid beta‐mediated pathology
Authors: Samuels Joshua D. , Moore Katelyn A. , Ennerfelt Hannah E. , Johnson Alexis M. , Walsh Adeline E. , Price Richard J. , Lukens John R.
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Mutations in INPP5D, which encodes for the SH2‐domain‐containing inositol phosphatase SHIP‐1, have recently been linked to an increased risk of developing late‐onset Alzheimer's disease. While INPP5D expression is almost exclusively restricted to microglia in the brain, little is known regarding how SHIP‐1 affects neurobiology or neurodegenerative disease pathogenesis.

Methods

We generated and investigated 5xFAD Inpp5dfl/flCx3cr1Ert2Cre mice to ascertain the function of microglial SHIP‐1 signaling in response to amyloid beta (Aβ)‐mediated pathology.

Results

SHIP‐1 deletion in microglia led to substantially enhanced recruitment of microglia to Aβ plaques, altered microglial gene expression, and marked improvements in neuronal health. Further, SHIP‐1 loss enhanced microglial plaque containment and Aβ engulfment when compared to microglia from Cre‐negative 5xFAD Inpp5dfl/fl littermate controls.

Discussion

These results define SHIP‐1 as a pivotal regulator of microglial responses during Aβ‐driven neurological disease and suggest that targeting SHIP‐1 may offer a promising strategy to treat Alzheimer's disease.

Highlights

Inpp5d deficiency in microglia increases plaque‐associated microglia numbers.

Loss of Inpp5d induces activation and phagocytosis transcriptional pathways.

Plaque encapsulation and engulfment by microglia are enhanced with Inpp5d deletion.

Genetic ablation of Inpp5d protects against plaque‐induced neuronal dystrophy.
A Simple Approach to Solution‐Processible Small‐Molecule Multi‐Resonance TADF Emitters for High‐Performance Narrowband OLEDs
Authors: Wang Tao , Yin Xiaojun , Cao Xiaosong , Yang Chuluo
Published: April 2023

Most multi‐resonance (MR) induced thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters generally exhibit strong aggregation and relatively worse solubility due to their rigid and planar molecule structures, which is highly undesirable for solution‐processible devices. Herein, a simple but feasible approach for solution‐processible small‐molecule MR‐TADF emitters is developed by incorporating two MR‐TADF units onto carbazole bridge bearing long alkyl chains. The obtained emitters demonstrate supreme film‐forming capability and narrowband emissions with full‐width at half‐maximums (FWHMs) of 22 nm. The resulting solution‐processed narrowband electroluminescent devices achieve maximum external quantum efficiency of 27.1 %, which represents the highest efficiency among the solution‐processed OLEDs based on MR‐TADF emitters. This simple approach reveals great potential of developing solution‐processible emitters for rigid and planar molecular structures.
Head‐to‐Tail Dimerization of N‐Heterocyclic Diazoolefins
Authors: Varava Paul , Wong Tak Hin , Dong Zhaowen , Gitlina Anastasia Yu. , Sienkiewicz Andrzej , Feuerstein Wolfram , Scopelliti Rosario , Fadaei‐Tirani Farzaneh , Severin Kay
Published: April 2023

The head‐to‐tail dimerization of N‐heterocyclic diazoolefins is described. The products of these formal (3+3) cycloaddition reactions are strongly reducing quinoidal tetrazines. Oxidation of the tetrazines occurs in a stepwise fashion, and we were able to isolate a stable radical cation and diamagnetic dications. The latter are also accessible by oxidative dimerization of diazoolefins.
Tuning the Crystal Phase to Form MnGaOx‐Spinel for Highly Efficient Syngas to Light Olefins
Authors: Bai Bing , Guo Chenxi , Jiao Feng , Xiao Jianping , Ding Yilun , Qu Shengcheng , Pan Yang , Pan Xiulian , Bao Xinhe
Published: April 2023

The oxide–zeolite (OXZEO) catalyst design concept has been demonstrated in an increasing number of studies as an alternative avenue for direct syngas conversion to light olefins. We report that face‐centered cubic (FCC) MnGaOx‐Spinel gives 40 % CO conversion, 81 % light olefins selectivity, and a 0.17 g gcat−1 h−1 space‐time yield of light olefins in combination with SAPO‐18. In comparison, solid solution MnGaOx (characterized by Mn‐doped hexagonal close‐packed (HCP) Ga2O3) with a similar chemical composition gives a much inferior activity, i.e., the specific surface activity is one order of magnitude lower than the spinel oxide. Photoluminescence (PL), in situ Fourier‐transform infrared (FT‐IR), and density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate that the superior activity of MnGaOx‐Spinel can be attributed to its higher reducibility (higher concentration of oxygen vacancies) and the presence of coordinatively unsaturated Ga3+ sites, which facilitates the dissociation of the C−O bond via a more efficient ketene–acetate pathway to light olefins.
Functional DNA Superstructures Exhibit Positive Homotropic Allostery in Ligand Binding
Authors: Yin Qingxin , Zhao Dan , Chang Yangyang , Liu Bo , Liu Yi , Liu Meng
Published: April 2023

Inspired by intrinsically disordered proteins in nature, DNA aptamers can be engineered to display strongly homotropic allosteric (or cooperative) ligand binding, representing a unique feature that could be of great utility in applications such as biosensing, imaging and drug delivery. The use of an intrinsic disorder mechanism, however, comes with an inherent drawback of significantly reduced overall binding affinity. We hypothesize that it could be addressed via the design of multivalent supramolecular aptamers. We built functional DNA superstructures (denoted as 3D DNA), made of long‐chain DNA containing tandem repeating DNA aptamers (or concatemeric aptamers). The 3D DNA systems exhibit highly cooperative binding to both small molecules and proteins, without loss of binding affinities of their parent aptamers. We further produced a highly responsive sensor for fluorescence imaging of glutamate stimulation‐evoked adenosine triphosphate (ATP) release in neurons, as well as force stimulus‐triggered ATP release in astrocytes.
The Sima de los Huesos cervical spine
Authors: Gómez‐Olivencia Asier , Arsuaga Juan Luis
Published: April 2023

Information regarding the evolution of the neck in genus Homo is hampered owing to a limited fossil record. Neandertals display significant metric and/or morphological differences in all the cervical vertebrae, when compared to Homo sapiens. Thus, the important fossil record from the Middle Pleistocene site of Sima de los Huesos (SH) not only offers important information about the evolution of this anatomical region within the Neandertal lineage, but also provides important clues to understand the evolution of this region at the genus level. We present the current knowledge of the anatomy of the cervical spine of the hominins found in SH compared to that of Neandertals and modern humans, and, when possible, to Homo erectus and Homo antecessor. The current SH fossil record comprises 172 cervical specimens (after refittings) belonging to a minimum of 11 atlases, 13 axes, and 52 subaxial cervical vertebrae. The SH hominins exhibit a morphological pattern in their cervical spine more similar to that of Neandertals than that of H. sapiens, which is consistent with the phylogenetic position of these hominins. However, there are some differences between the SH hominins and Neandertals in this anatomical region, primarily in the length and robusticity, and to a lesser extent in the orientation of the spinous processes of the lowermost cervical vertebrae. We hypothesize that these differences in the lowermost subaxial cervical vertebrae could be related to the increase in the brain size and/or changes in the morphology of the skull that occurred in the Neandertal lineage.
Understanding questions and concerns about potable water reuse: An analysis of survey write‐in responses
Authors: Scruggs Caroline E. , Heyne Catherine M. , Rumsey Kellin N.
Published: April 2023

Urban centers around the world are grappling with the challenges associated with population increases, drought, and projected water shortages. Potable water reuse (i.e., purification of municipal wastewater for reuse as drinking water) is an option for supplementing existing water supplies. Public perception research on potable water reuse has predominantly employed surveys with multiple‐choice questions that constrain survey respondents to describe their concerns by choosing from several response options. This research examines hundreds of write‐in responses to a large public survey in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to provide a detailed analysis of residents' questions and concerns about potable water reuse. Findings demonstrate that allowing respondents to voice their actual concerns adds richness and nuance that cannot be obtained from multiple‐choice response data alone. Especially with controversial resource considerations, such as potable water reuse, planners would benefit from a full understanding of the problem before engaging with the community.
Evaluation of the Effects of Power‐Frequency Magnetic Field Exposure on B‐Cell Differentiation From Human Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cells
Authors: Takahashi Masayuki , Furuya Naoko
Published: April 2023

The causal relationship between exposure to power‐frequency magnetic fields (MFs) and childhood leukemia has long been controversial. The most common type of childhood leukemia is acute B‐lymphoblastic leukemia caused by abnormal proliferation of B cells in the early differentiation process. Here, we focused on B‐cell early differentiation and aimed to evaluate the effects of exposing cells to power‐frequency MF. First, we optimized an in vitro differentiation protocol of human hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) to B‐cell lineages. Following validation of the responsiveness of the protocol to additional stimulations and the uniformity of the experimental conditions, human HSPCs were continuously exposed to 300 mT of 50 Hz MF for 35 days of the differentiation process. These experiments were performed in a blinded manner. The percentages of myeloid or lymphoid cells and their degree of differentiation from pro‐B to immature‐B cells in the MF‐exposed group showed no significant changes compared with those in the control group. Furthermore, the expression levels of recombination‐activating gene (RAG)1 and RAG2 in the B cells were also similar to those in the control group. These results indicate that exposure to 50 Hz MF at 300 mT does not affect the human B‐cell early differentiation from HSPCs. © 2023 The Authors. Bioelectromagnetics published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Bioelectromagnetics Society.
Smart hydrogels based on semi‐interpenetrating polymeric networks of collagen‐polyurethane‐alginate for soft/hard tissue healing, drug delivery devices, and anticancer therapies
Authors: Lara‐Rico Rosalina , López‐Badillo Claudia M. , Claudio‐Rizo Jesús A. , Cabrera‐Munguía Denis. A. , Becerra‐Rodríguez Juan J. , Espinosa‐Neira Roberto , Cruz‐Ortiz Brenda R.
Published: April 2023

In this work, hydrogels based on semi‐interpenetrating polymeric networks (semi‐IPN) based on collagen‐polyurethane‐alginate were studied physicochemically and from different approaches for biomedical application. It was determined that the matrices in the hydrogel state are crosslinked by the formation of urea and amide bonds between the biopolymer chains and the polyurethane crosslinker. The increment in alginate content (0–40 wt%) significantly increases the swelling capacity, generating semi‐crystalline granular structures with improved storage modulus and resistance to thermal, hydrolytic, and proteolytic degradation. The in vitro bioactivity results indicated that the composition of these novel hydrogels stimulates the metabolic activity of monocytes and fibroblasts, benefiting their proliferation; while in cancer cell lines, it was determined that the composition of these biomaterials decreases the metabolic activity of breast cancer cells after 48 h of stimulation, and for colon cancer cells their metabolic activity decreases after 72 h of contact for the hydrogel with 40 wt% alginate. The matrices show a behavior of multidose release of ketorolac, and a higher concentration of analgesic is released in the semi‐IPN matrix. The inhibition capacity of Escherichia coli is higher if the polysaccharide concentration is low (10 wt%). The in vitro wound closure test (scratch test) results indicate that the hydrogel with 20 wt% alginate shows an improvement in wound closure at 15 days of contact. Finally, the bioactivity of mineralization was evaluated to demonstrate that these hydrogels can induce the formation of carbonated apatite on their surface. The engineered hydrogels show biomedical multifunctionality and they could be applied in soft and hard tissue healing strategies, anticancer therapies, and drug release devices.
Stable dual cations perovskite nanocrystals as absorbers for perovskite solar cells with efficiencies exceeding 24%
Authors: Xie Zhiqing , Park Ho‐Yeol , Kim Hyerin , Park Jeonghyeon , Song Donghyun , Lee Jieun , Chetan Lakshman , Jin Sung‐Ho
Published: April 2023

FA1 − XCsXPbI3 (formamidinium [FA]; cesium [Cs]; lead [Pb]; and iodine [I]) perovskites are promising candidates in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) for the superior optoelectronic properties, tunable bandgap, and high thermal stability. It is well known that the preparation of phase‐pure perovskite and hybrid cations and/or halides strategy are effective ways to achieve high efficiency and strengthen the stability of PSCs. In this work, dual cation perovskite precursor Cs0.05FA0.95PbI3 was synthesized by a simple and effective one‐step solution process under ambient conditions and successfully used in the PSCs as an active layer. By this strategy, the high‐purity Cs‐FA hybrid cations perovskites not only enhanced power conversion efficiency (PCE) to 22.10% but also achieved long‐term stability. This work explains in detail the effects of Cs+ in FAPbI3 perovskites on precursor chemistry, film nucleation, grain growth, and defect properties. Furthermore, with the incorporation of MACl in the precursor and passivation process, the photovoltaic properties are further enhanced. Encouragingly, the mixed cations PSCs feature the champion PCE of 24.5%, which is one of the highest values reported to date for Cs‐doped PSCs.
Estimation of purity of antimicrobial lead compound sulfonamide‐anthranilate derivative methyl‐ester‐toluene‐sulfonamide using LC to develop a new drug application
Authors: Deshpande Girish K. , Akshinthala Parameswari , Katari Naresh Kumar , Deshmukh Balasaheb , Kowtharapu Leela Prasad , Battula Sreenivas Rao , Gundla Rambabu
Published: April 2023

The newly synthesized lead molecule methyl‐ester‐toluene‐sulfonamide is the combined derivative of sulfonamide‐anthranilate. It was estimated by gradient elution using 0.1% triethylamine in water with pH 2.0 as mobile phase A and the mixture of acetonitrile and tetrahydrofuran in the ratio of 975:25 (v/v) as mobile phase B at a flow rate of 0.8 ml/min and 210 nm wavelength on an Agilent 1260 infinity series HPLC system equipped with a diode array detector. The column used was ACE 3 C18‐PFP (250 × 4.6 mm, 3 μm i.d.) operating at 40°C. The gradient program was time (min)/% B: 0.0/50, 3.0/50, 15.0/70, 25.0/90, 30.0/90, 31/50, and 38/50. The method is simple, accurate, rapid, and selective. The method was linear with a concentration range of 1.6–240 μg/ml. The accuracy data obtained were 98.5–100.5%. The method validation data and quality by design–based robustness study results indicate that the developed method is robust and fit for routine use in the quality control laboratory. Therefore, the ready availability of the method can be useful in pharmaceutical new drug development.
Comparison of neurofilament light and heavy chain in spinal muscular atrophy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A pilot study
Authors: Li Jin‐Yue , Dai Yi , Sun Xiao‐Han , Ren Hai‐tao , Shen Dong‐chao , Yang Xun‐Zhe , Liu Ming‐Sheng , Cui Li‐Ying
Published: April 2023

Background

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) were two major motor neuron diseases with similar symptoms and poor outcomes. This study aimed to identify potential biomarkers in disease monitoring and differential diagnosis of adult SMA patients with sporadic ALS patients.

Methods

This was a pilot study with ten adult SMA patients and ten ALS patients consecutively enrolled during hospitalization. Serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were collected for assessment of neurofilament light (NFL) and phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain (pNFH). Serum creatine kinase (CK) and creatinine (Cr) were also compared between groups. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to identify differentiated values among ALS and SMA patients.

Results

Serum Cr, CSF NFL, and CSF pNFH levels of ALS patients were significantly higher than those of the adult SMA patients (p < .01). Serum CK and Cr were strongly correlated with baseline ALSFRS‐R scores in SMA patients (p < .001). The ROC curves revealed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.94 in serum Cr with a cut‐off value of 44.5 μmol/L (Sensitivity 90%, Specificity 90%). AUC from the ROC curve of CSF NFL and CSF pNFH were 1.0 and 0.84, with cut‐off values of 1275 pg/mL and 0.395 ng/mL, respectively (Sensitivity and Specificity of 100% and 100% in CSF NFL; Sensitivity and Specificity of 90% and 80% in CSF pNFH).

Conclusion

CSF NFL and pNFH might be useful biomarkers for differential diagnosis of adult SMA and ALS.
Tolerability, acceptability, and reproducibility of topical STAR particles in human subjects
Authors: Kim Youngeun , Jung Jae Hwan , Tadros Andrew R. , Prausnitz Mark R.
Published: April 2023

Topical delivery to treat dermatological disease is constrained by low skin permeability to most drugs due to the stratum corneum barrier. STAR particles containing microneedle protrusions can be topically applied on the skin to create micropores that dramatically increase skin permeability, even to water‐soluble compounds and macromolecules. This study addresses the tolerability, acceptability, and reproducibility of STAR particles rubbed on the skin at multiple pressures and after multiple applications to human subjects. One‐time STAR particle application at pressures between 40 and 80 kPa showed that skin microporation and erythema directly correlated with increased pressure, and 83% of subjects reported STAR particles to be comfortable at all pressures. Repeated application of STAR particles for 10 consecutive days at 80 kPa showed that skin microporation (~0.5% of skin area), erythema (low‐to‐moderate), and comfort with self‐administration (75%) were similar over the course of the study. Comfort of sensations associated with STAR particles increased from 58% to 71% during the study, and familiarity with STAR particles increased from 12.5% to 50% of subjects reporting STAR particle application not feeling different from other skin products. This study demonstrates that topically applied STAR particles were well tolerated and highly acceptable after application at various pressures and repeated daily use. These findings further suggest that STAR particles offer a safe and reliable platform to enhance cutaneous drug delivery.
Image‐based structural analysis for education purposes: A proof‐of‐concept study
Authors: Loong Cheng Ning , San Juan Justin David Q. , Chang Chih‐Chen
Published: April 2023

In civil engineering education, hand‐drawn sketches of structural systems are commonly used for response analysis. Based on these sketches, students may determine the response of the structures either by hand calculations or via some specialized software through the construction of finite‐element models. The former method is prone to errors, while the latter method could be time‐consuming for inexperienced students. It would be convenient if the information within the hand‐drawn sketches could be automatically converted into computer‐recognizable objects for further structural analysis. To address this issue, a novel method entitled Image‐based Structural Analysis (ISA) is proposed as a proof of concept to determine the response of a linear‐elastic structure directly from the image of a hand‐drawn sketch. A selective search algorithm and a deep convolutional neural network are adopted to detect relevant objects in the images. Based on the bounding boxes and the classes of the objects, a finite element model is constructed for further structural response analysis. This study demonstrates the proposed ISA method via several hand‐drawn beams under loadings. Results show that the proposed method, which consists of a combination of artificial intelligence and semantic rules, can produce, and analyze structural models from hand‐drawn sketches.
Singe intraoperative instillation of chemotherapy during radical cystectomy for bladder cancer: Oncological outcome and survival predictors
Authors: Yang Jingtian , Li Kaiwen , Zhang Yishan , Hu Jintao , Liu Hao , Dong Wen , Huang Hai , Lin Tianxin , Huang Jian , He Wang
Published: April 2023

Purpose

To clarify the necessity and effect of a single intraoperative instillation of chemotherapy during radical cystectomy.

Methods

Patients who underwent radical cystectomy for bladder cancer between January 2013 and April 2019 were retrospectively evaluated and divided into a non‐instillation group and an instillation group according to the intraoperative instillation of chemotherapy. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression was used to determine the clinical predictors of overall survival and disease‐free survival. Kaplan–Meier analysis and log‐rank tests were performed to analyze overall survival and disease‐free survival.

Results

Of the 320 patients who were enrolled in the study, 113 underwent radical cystectomy with intraoperative instillation of chemotherapy. Univariate Cox analysis showed that intraoperative instillation was not a risk factor for overall survival or disease‐free survival (HR: 1.04, 95% CI: 0.66–1.63, p = 0.864; HR: 1.11, 95% CI: 0.76–1.62, p = 0.602, respectively). As shown in the Kaplan–Meier analysis, no significant differences were noted in overall survival (p = 0.857) and disease‐free survival (p = 0.600) between the two groups. A subgroup analysis demonstrated that intraoperative instillation was not associated with a statistically better overall survival and disease‐free survival in the nonmuscle invasive (p = 0.852 and 0.836) and muscle‐invasive (p = 0.929 and 0.805) patients.

Conclusion

A single intraoperative instillation of chemotherapy during radical cystectomy was not related to better disease‐free survival or overall survival. It is unnecessary to consider single instillation of chemotherapy as a regular procedure during radical cystectomy.
Comparison of the efficacy between immunochemotherapy and chemotherapy in gastric cancer accompanied with synchronous liver metastases: A real‐world retrospective study
Authors: Lin Guang‐Tan , Liu Zhi‐Yu , Shang‐Guan Zhi‐Xin , Zeng Gui‐Rong , Lin Jian‐Xian , Wu Ju , Chen Qi‐Yue , Xie Jian‐Wei , Li Ping , Huang Chang‐Ming , Zheng Chao‐Hui
Published: April 2023

Background

Few studies have investigated the efficacy of comprehensive therapies, including immunotherapy, for gastric cancer with synchronous liver metastases (GCLM). We retrospectively compared the effect of immunochemotherapy and chemotherapy alone as conversion therapies on the oncological outcomes of patients with GCLM.

Methods

The clinicopathological data of 100 patients with GCLM from February 2017 to October 2021 at our institution were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into immunochemotherapy (n = 33) and chemotherapy‐alone (n = 67) groups.

Results

Baseline clinicopathological data did not differ significantly between the two groups. The immunochemotherapy group had a higher overall response rate (59.4% vs. 44.0%, p = 0.029) and disease control rate (71.9% vs. 49.2%, p = 0.036) than the chemotherapy group. The immunochemotherapy group showed better tumor regression in the gastric mass, metastatic lymph nodes, and liver lesions than the chemotherapy group. Ten (30.3%) patients in the immunochemotherapy group and 13 (19.4%) patients in the chemotherapy group underwent surgery after conversion therapy. However, the difference was not statistically significant. The overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS) rates were better in the immunochemotherapy group than in the chemotherapy group. Treatment‐related adverse events occurred in 24 (72.7%) and 47 (70.1%) patients in the immunochemotherapy and chemotherapy groups, respectively.

Conclusions

As a conversion therapy for GCLM, immunotherapy yielded better primary and metastatic tumor regression and survival benefits, with no increase in adverse events compared to chemotherapy.
Sensitivity of cytology in liver tumor biopsy and its significance in the prompt clinical diagnosis of non‐hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Nakabori Tasuku , Abe Yutaro , Higashi Sena , Mukai Kaori , Shingetsu Azusa , Nishimura Sanako , Tsuzaki Sayoko , Ryu Ayumi , Tanada Satoshi , Nagata Shigenori , Honma Keiichiro , Ohkawa Kazuyoshi
Published: April 2023

Background

Cytology is a fast and simple modality for identifying malignancies and tumor histology. In this study, we analyzed the sensitivity of cytology for liver tumor biopsy and evaluated its potential for prompt clinical diagnosis.

Methods

This retrospective study included patients who had concurrently undergone conventional cytology, on‐site cytology, and histopathology for ultrasound‐guided liver tumor biopsies. In the case of malignant tumors, malignancy was first diagnosed, then preliminary clinical diagnosis was established using histology based on cytology and clinical information, followed by histopathological diagnosis. Sensitivity of malignancy detection was evaluated by comparison with histopathological diagnosis.

Results

Of the 191 tumors, 164 (85.9%) were malignant. The sensitivity of conventional cytology for malignancy detection was 97.6%. The sensitivity of non‐hepatocellular carcinoma (non‐HCC) (99.3%) detection was higher than that of the HCCs (87.5%; p = 0.001). The sensitivity of on‐site cytology for malignancy detection was as high as that of conventional cytology. Similar to conventional cytology, the sensitivity of on‐site cytology for non‐HCC detection (99.3%) was higher than that for HCCs (79.2%; p < 0.001). In most cases of non‐HCC tumors (126/140, 90.0%), accurate preliminary clinical diagnoses were obtained by combining on‐site cytology with clinical information.

Conclusion

Cytology of liver tumor biopsy has high sensitivity for malignancy, especially in non‐HCC tumors. On‐site cytology can contribute to the prompt clinical diagnosis of non‐HCC tumors when combined with clinical information. This approach may be a reassuring modality for patients with severely advanced cancers requiring prompt clinical diagnosis and quick initiation of treatment owing to their deteriorating health.
Integrated analysis based on vesicle trafficking‐related genes identifying CNIH4 as a novel therapeutic target for glioma
Authors: Fang Zhen , Kong Fangen , Zeng Jia , Zhang Zichen , Wang Yunzhi , Wang Yiping , Duan Jiajia , Chen Lei , Wang Jikai , Liu Fei
Published: April 2023

Background

Vesicle trafficking is a highly important process in numerous human diseases, especially in the central nervous system dysfunctions. However, as a key component of vesicle trafficking‐related genes (VRGs), Cornichon family AMPA receptor auxiliary protein 4 (CNIH4) has not been systematically elucidated in glioma so far.

Methods

Differentially expressed VRGs were selected using molecular signatures database (MSigDB), The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and Genotype‐Tissue Expression (GTEx) mRNA expression profiles. Further exploration of CNIH4 was determined using LASSO‐Cox regression algorithms. Then Kaplan–Meier (K‐M) plotter, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and multivariate Cox regression analyses were utilized to assess the independent significance of CNIH4 in the CGGA validation cohort. Functional exploration was performed with Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and then verified using a series of functional experiments in glioma cells. Finally, the consensus clustering algorithm was applied to identify clusters in glioma samples. After that, differences in prognosis, the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), and therapy response were evaluated between clusters.

Results

CNIH4 was shown to be overexpressed in malignant glioma variants and was frequently observed in GCSs and TMZ‐resistant cell lines. Higher CNIH4 levels were significantly related to poor outcomes and positively correlated with adverse clinicopathological characteristics. Survival analyses revealed CNIH4 as an independent risk factor that outperformed traditional measures. Enrichment analysis indicated that overactive CNIH4 significantly gathered in stem cell processes. Furthermore, functional assays of silencing CNIH4 expression suppressed stem cell‐like properties in vitro and inhibited tumorigenicity in vivo. Finally, the CNIH4‐enriched subgroup negatively modulated immunotherapeutic response and reflected lower chemotherapy sensitivity for glioma patients.

Conclusion

Our study identified CNIH4 as a potential VRG that regulates tumor stemness, microenvironment immunity, and chemotherapy sensitivity. It may serve as a novel prognostic factor and a promising target against glioma therapy.