bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Short Term Clinical Outcome of Provisional versus Routine Kissing Balloon Technique after Main Vessel Crossover Stenting for Coronary Bifurcation Lesions
Authors: Khalil Mohamed Ahmed , Elsheshtawy Fatehia Ahmed , Ashmawy Medhat Mohamed , El-Din Samiah Mahmoud Sharaf , Elsaeed Ayman Mohamed
Published: July 2020

Background: Kissing Balloon Inflation (KBI) technique was the first technique for percutaneous intervention in bifurcation lesions. It's the standard strategy in the two-stent procedure. Its benefit in one-stent approach remains uncertain. Several trials comparing KBI strategy with the No-KBI strategy in one-stent technique did not show any advantages in the clinical outcome. Clinical outcome and the follow up of ischemic symptoms is a useful method to compare the effectiveness of both strategies.

Aims: To study the short-term clinical outcome (3and 6 months) of provisional versus routine kissing‑balloon technique after main vessel stenting for coronary bifurcation lesions.

Patients and Methods: The study included sixty consecutive patients. They were randomized to receive different side branch (SB) intervention strategies: group I (provisional final kissing balloon inflation group - PFKBI) (FKBI only when SB Flow less than TIMI 3) and group II (routine final kissing balloon inflation group – RFKBI).

Results: 1- Dissection of side branch and conversion to two stent strategy was significantly higher in PFKBI group (14,3%) than in RFKBI group (0) 2-The amount of dye, total procedure time and time of admission was significantly higher in RFKBI group. 3-Chest pain immediately after the procedure was significantly higher in PFKBI group while at 3 and 6 months follow up no significant difference between both groups was noticed. 4- MACE, target lesion revascularization (TLR) and stent thrombosis were similar between both groups at 3 and 6 months.

Conclusions: Main vessel stenting with and without final kissing balloon dilatation was associated with favorable and similar 3 and 6-month clinical outcomes.
COVID-19, Various Treatment Options and Special Considerations for Dentistry
Authors: Bhardwaj Smita Singh , Alduwayhi Sami , Bhardwaj Atul
Published: July 2020

Objective: The aim of this article is to analyze the epidemiology of COVID-19, comparison of routes of transmission in children and adults, comparing the clinical symptoms in adults and children, treatment protocol to be followed and possible treatment options during this pandemic. Data Sources: Data is collected from Pubmed, Medline and Embase databases.

Discussion from Previous References Used: Few studies have been done to analyze its effect on children comparing the symptoms of adults and children. Also very less work is done to analyze the special precautions taken while doing dental treatment during this pandemic.

Conclusion: The widespread effect of Coronavirus (COVID-19) or SARS-CoV-2 has created health concerns in the world. Although efforts have been taken to control the disease, it is still increasing due to the community spread. Health professionals may get patients in their practice with this infection and should prevent its spread.

Clinical Significance of this Article: It will help us to differentiate the specific clinical symptoms of adult and pediatric patients coming to dental clinics and the special considerations for them including the emergency dental treatment during COVID-19.
The Effect of Anti-Tubercular Drugs on Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness Using Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Singh Punit Kumar , Prasnnta .
Published: July 2020

Purpose: To study the effect of anti-tubercular drugs on retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness using optical coherence tomography.

Methods: The study was done in thirty patients newly diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis which were given anti-tubercular treatment (isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol and pyrazinamide ) at DOTS centre of K. N. TB and Chest hospital (Dr. S.N M C.) Jodhpur. Visual function tests (visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, color vision) and OCT assessment of RNFL done before initiation of treatment and after two month of treatment.

Results: After two months, RNFL thinning was present in 3 eyes out of total 60 eyes in temporal and superior quadrant.

Conclusion: The study revealed that the first line antitubercular drug Ethambutol causes RNFL thinning within two months of initiation of drug in the recomonded dose. In the initial stage of optic nerve toxicity, there are no clinically significant changes seen on posterior segment ophthalmoscopic examination and fundus photography.OCT can find out the retinal nerve fiber layer thinning even if there are minute changes.
Implementation and validation of an in‐house geometry optimization software for SRS VMAT planning of multiple cranial metastases
Authors: Kuo LiCheng , Zhang PengPeng , Pham Hai , Ballangrud Åse M.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The implementation and evaluation of an in‐house developed geometry optimization (GO) software are described. The GO script provides optimal lesion clustering, isocenter placement, and collimator angle of each arc for cranial multi‐lesion stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) planning.

Materials and methods

An Eclipse‐plugin program was developed to facilitate automatic plan geometry generation for multiple metastases SRS VMAT plans. A mixed, semi‐supervised exhaustive and k‐means clustering method is used to group lesions and place isocenters. The sum of squared euclidean distance (SSED) and the boundaries of lesions’ projection from beams’ eye view are used as supervised parameters to determine the optimal isocenter numbers. The collimator angle is optimized by minimizing the sum of the MLC opening area from all gantry angles for each arc. In all, 10 clinical cases treated during 2016–2017 were compared to plan quality of GO script generated plans. Paddick gradient index (GI), conformity index (CI), and local brain volume receiving 12 Gy (local V12 Gy) around each lesion were compared.

Result

For four cases, the number of isocenters was reduced in the GO plans. For four other cases, the GO plans had the same number of isocenters as their corresponding clinical plans but with different lesion grouping. The GO plans had significantly lower GI (4.1 ± 1.0 vs 4.4 ± 0.9,P < 0.0001) and local V12 Gy (5.1 ± 4.2 vs 5.5 ± 4.3 in cm3,P < 0.0001), but not significantly different mean normal brain dose or CI. The volume of normal brain receiving ≥6 Gy was significantly lower in the GO plans. The total time to run the GO script for each case was <2 min.

Conclusion

The GO software automates lesion grouping, isocenter placement, and the collimator angles for SRS VMAT planning. When tested on 10 cases, the GO script resulted in improved plan quality and shorter planning time when compared to the clinical SRS VMAT plans.
Characterization of Patients With Axial Spondyloarthritis by Enthesitis Presence: Data from the Corrona Psoriatic Arthritis/Spondyloarthritis Registry
Authors: Mease Philip J. , Liu Mei , Rebello Sabrina , Hua Winnie , McLean Robert R. , Yi Esther , Park Yujin , Ogdie Alexis
Published: July 2020

Objective

To compare the characteristics of patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) who had enthesitis versus those without enthesitis.

Methods

This study included adult patients with axSpA enrolled in the Corrona Psoriatic Arthritis/Spondyloarthritis Registry (March 2013 to August 2018). Enthesitis was assessed at enrollment via the Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada Enthesitis Index. Characteristics were compared between patients with and without enthesitis using t tests or Wilcoxon rank‐sum tests for continuous variables and χ2 or Fisher exact tests for categorical variables.

Results

Of 477 patients with axSpA, 121 (25.4%) had enthesitis (mean, 3.9 sites) at enrollment. Higher proportions of patients with enthesitis were female and had nonradiographic axSpA than those without enthesitis (both P < 0.05). Additionally, higher proportions of patients with enthesitis had prior biologic (38.8% vs 27.2%) and conventional synthetic disease‐modifying antirheumatic drug (csDMARD; 24.8% vs 13.3%) use and were currently receiving a combination of biologics and csDMARDs (28.6% vs 18.1%) than those without enthesitis. Patients with enthesitis had worse disease activity (tender and swollen joint counts, physician global assessment, Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index), spinal mobility, and quality of life (pain, fatigue, Health Assessment Questionnaire, and EuroQol visual analog scale scores); greater work impairment; and had a history of depression and fibromyalgia than those without enthesitis (all P < 0.05).

Conclusion

In this US‐based real‐world study, enthesitis in patients with axSpA was associated with worse disease activity and quality of life than those with no enthesitis.
Lithium Sulfonate Functionalization of Carbon Cathodes as a Substitute for Lithium Nitrate in the Electrolyte of Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Fretz Samuel J. , Pal Urbi , Girard Gaetan M. A. , Howlett Patrick C. , Palmqvist Anders E. C.
Published: July 2020

A method for grafting lithium sulfonate (LiSO3) groups to carbon surfaces is developed and the resulting carbons are evaluated for their potential to reduce the lithium polysulfide (LiPS) shuttle in lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries, replacing the common electrolyte additive lithium nitrate (LiNO3). The LiSO3 groups are attached to the ordered mesoporous carbon (CMK3) surface via a three‐step procedure to synthesize LiSO3‐CMK3 by bromomethylation, sodium sulfite (Na2SO3) substitution, and cation exchange. As a comparison, ethylenediamine (EN)‐substituted CMK3, EN‐CMK3, is also synthesized and tested. When used as a cathode in Li–S batteries, the unfunctionalized CMK3 suffers from strong LiPS shuttling as evidenced by its low initial Coulombic efficiencies (ICEs, <10%) compared to its functionalized derivatives EN‐CMK3 and LiSO3‐CMK3 (ICEs >75%). Postcycling analysis reveals the benefits of cathode surface functionalization on the lithium anode via an attenuated LiPS shuttle. When monitored at open circuit, the functionalized cathodes maintain their cell voltages much better than the CMK3 control and concurrent electrochemical impedance spectroscopy reveals their higher total cell resistance, which provides evidence for a reduced LiPS shuttle in the vicinity of both electrodes. Overall, such surface groups show promise as cathode‐immobilized “lithium nitrate mimics.”
Ultrasoft Liquid Metal Elastomer Foams with Positive and Negative Piezopermittivity for Tactile Sensing
Authors: Yang Jiayi , Tang David , Ao Jinping , Ghosh Tushar , Neumann Taylor V. , Zhang Dongguang , Piskarev Yegor , Yu Tingting , Truong Vi Khanh , Xie Kai , Lai Ying‐Chih , Li Yang , Dickey Michael D.
Published: July 2020

Soft, capacitive tactile (pressure) sensors are important for applications including human–machine interfaces, soft robots, and electronic skins. Such capacitors consist of two electrodes separated by a soft dielectric. Pressing the capacitor brings the electrodes closer together and thereby increases capacitance. Thus, sensitivity to a given force is maximized by using dielectric materials that are soft and have a high dielectric constant, yet such properties are often in conflict with each other. Here, a liquid metal elastomer foam (LMEF) is introduced that is extremely soft (elastic modulus 7.8 kPa), highly compressible (70% strain), and has a high permittivity. Compressing the LMEF displaces the air in the foam structure, increasing the permittivity over a large range (5.6–11.7). This is called “positive piezopermittivity.” Interestingly, it is discovered that the permittivity of such materials decreases (“negative piezopermittivity”) when compressed to large strain due to the geometric deformation of the liquid metal droplets. This mechanism is theoretically confirmed via electromagnetic theory, and finite element simulation. Using these materials, a soft tactile sensor with high sensitivity, high initial capacitance, and large capacitance change is demonstrated. In addition, a tactile sensor powered wirelessly (from 3 m away) with high power conversion efficiency (84%) is demonstrated.
Engineering Biomolecular Self‐Assembly at Solid–Liquid Interfaces
Authors: Zhang Shuai , Chen Jiajun , Liu Jianli , Pyles Harley , Baker David , Chen Chun‐Long , De Yoreo James J.
Published: July 2020

Biomolecular self‐assembly is a key process used by life to build functional materials from the “bottom up.” In the last few decades, bioengineering and bionanotechnology have borrowed this strategy to design and synthesize numerous biomolecular and hybrid materials with diverse architectures and properties. However, engineering biomolecular self‐assembly at solid–liquid interfaces into predesigned architectures lags the progress made in bulk solution both in practice and theory. Here, recent achievements in programming self‐assembly of peptides, proteins, and peptoids at solid–liquid interfaces are summarized and corresponding applications are described. Recent advances in the physical understandings of self‐assembly pathways obtained using in situ atomic force microscopy are also discussed. These advances will lead to novel strategies for designing biomaterials organized at and interfaced with inorganic surfaces.
Kirigami‐Inspired Inflatables with Programmable Shapes
Authors: Jin Lishuai , Forte Antonio Elia , Deng Bolei , Rafsanjani Ahmad , Bertoldi Katia
Published: July 2020

Kirigami, the Japanese art of paper cutting, has recently enabled the design of stretchable mechanical metamaterials that can be easily realized by embedding arrays of periodic cuts into an elastic sheet. Here, kirigami principles are exploited to design inflatables that can mimic target shapes upon pressurization. The system comprises a kirigami sheet embedded into an unstructured elastomeric membrane. First, it is shown that the inflated shape can be controlled by tuning the geometric parameters of the kirigami pattern. Then, by applying a simple optimization algorithm, the best parameters that enable the kirigami inflatables to transform into a family of target shapes at a given pressure are identified. Furthermore, thanks to the tessellated nature of the kirigami, it is shown that we can selectively manipulate the parameters of the single units to allow the reproduction of features at different scales and ultimately enable a more accurate mimicking of the target.
Anomalous Behavior of 2D Janus Excitonic Layers under Extreme Pressures
Authors: Li Han , Qin Ying , Ko Byeongkwan , Trivedi Dipesh B. , Hajra Debarati , Sayyad Mohammed Yasir , Liu Lei , Shim Sang‐Heon , Zhuang Houlong , Tongay Sefaattin
Published: July 2020

Newly discovered 2D Janus transition metal dichalcogenides layers have gained much attention from a theory perspective owing to their unique atomic structure and exotic materials properties, but little to no experimental data are available on these materials. Here, experimental and theoretical studies establish the vibrational and optical behavior of 2D Janus S–W–Se and S–Mo–Se monolayers under high pressures for the first time. Chemical vapor deposition (CVD)‐grown classical transition metal dichalcogenides (TMD) monolayers are first transferred onto van der Waals (vdW) mica substrates and converted to 2D Janus sheets by surface plasma technique, and then integrated into a 500 µm size diamond anvil cell for high‐pressure studies. The results show that 2D Janus layers do not undergo phase transition up to 15 GPa, and in this pressure regime, their vibrational modes exhibit a nonmonotonic response to the applied pressures (dω/dP). Interestingly, these 2D Janus monolayers exhibit unique blueshift in photoluminescence (PL) upon compression, which is in contrast to many other traditional semiconductor materials. Overall theoretical simulations offer in‐depth insights and reveal that the overall optical response is a result of competition between the ab‐plane (blueshift) and c‐axis (redshift) compression. The overall findings shed the very first light on how 2D Janus monolayers respond under extreme pressures and expand the fundamental understanding of these materials.
High‐Nickel NMA: A Cobalt‐Free Alternative to NMC and NCA Cathodes for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Li Wangda , Lee Steven , Manthiram Arumugam
Published: July 2020

High‐nickel LiNi1−x−yMnxCoyO2 (NMC) and LiNi1−x−yCoxAlyO2 (NCA) are the cathode materials of choice for next‐generation high‐energy lithium‐ion batteries. Both NMC and NCA contain cobalt, an expensive and scarce metal generally believed to be essential for their electrochemical performance. Herein, a high‐Ni LiNi1−x−yMnxAlyO2 (NMA) cathode of desirable electrochemical properties is demonstrated benchmarked against NMC, NCA, and Al–Mg‐codoped NMC (NMCAM) of identical Ni content (89 mol%) synthesized in‐house. Despite a slightly lower specific capacity, high‐Ni NMA operates at a higher voltage by ≈40 mV and shows no compromise in rate capability relative to NMC and NCA. In pouch cells paired with graphite, high‐Ni NMA outperforms both NMC and NCA and only slightly trails NMCAM and a commercial cathode after 1000 deep cycles. Further, the superior thermal stability of NMA to NMC, NCA, and NMCAM is shown using differential scanning calorimetry. Considering the flexibility in compositional tuning and immediate synthesis scalability of high‐Ni NMA very similar to NCA and NMC, this study opens a new space for cathode material development for next‐generation high‐energy, cobalt‐free Li‐ion batteries.
Deep‐Learning‐Enabled MXene‐Based Artificial Throat: Toward Sound Detection and Speech Recognition
Authors: Jin Yukun , Wen Bo , Gu Zixiong , Jiang Xiantao , Shu Xiaolan , Zeng Zhenping , Zhang Yupeng , Guo Zhinan , Chen Yun , Zheng Tingting , Yue Yutao , Zhang Han , Ding Huijun
Published: July 2020

Wearable sound detectors require strain sensors that are stretchable, sensitive, and capable of adhering conformably to the skin, and toward this end, 2D materials hold great promise. However, the vibration of vocal cords and muscle contraction are complex and changeable, which can compromise the sensing performance of devices. By combining deep learning and 2D MXenes, an MXene‐based sound detector is prepared successfully with improved recognition and sensitive response to pressure and vibration, which facilitate the production of a high‐recognition and resolution sound detector. By training and testing the deep learning network model with large amounts of data obtained by the MXene‐based sound detector, the long vowels and short vowels of human pronunciation are successfully recognized. The proposed scheme accelerates the application of artificial throat devices in biomedical fields and opens up practical applications in voice control, motion monitoring, and many other fields.
The Layered Oxides in Lithium and Sodium‐Ion Batteries: A Solid‐State Chemistry Approach
Authors: Delmas Claude , Carlier Dany , Guignard Marie
Published: July 2020

This paper gives an overview of the research carried out on lithium and sodium layered materials as positive electrodes of lithium (sodium)‐ion batteries. It focuses on the solid‐state chemistry contribution to discover new materials and to optimize the properties versus the requirements imposed by the applications. Among, all material structures, which are considered, the layered ones (lithium based), are the best candidates for high energy density batteries for mobile applications. Recently, the homologous Na materials, which have lower energy, are considered for stationary applications due to their low price. Starting for LiMO2 materials or NaxMO2 (0.5 < x < 1), many substituted phases, obtained by high‐temperature solid‐state chemistry, have allowed stabilizing the layered structure in large composition domains to increase the specific capacity, which is directly related to the number of exchanged electrons during the cycling process.
Understanding the Reactivity of a Thin Li1.5Al0.5Ge1.5(PO4)3 Solid‐State Electrolyte toward Metallic Lithium Anode
Authors: Paolella Andrea , Zhu Wen , Xu Gui‐Liang , La Monaca Andrea , Savoie Sylvio , Girard Gabriel , Vijh Ashok , Demers Hendrix , Perea Alexis , Delaporte Nicolas , Guerfi Abdelbast , Liu Xiang , Ren Yang , Sun Cheng‐Jun , Lu Jun , Amine Khalil , Zaghib Karim
Published: July 2020

The thickness of solid‐state electrolytes (SSEs) significantly affects the energy density and safety performance of all‐solid‐state lithium batteries. However, a sufficient understanding of the reactivity toward lithium metal of ultrathin SSEs (<100 µm) based on NASICON remains lacking. Herein, for the first time, a self‐standing and ultrathin (70 µm) NASICON‐type Li1.5Al0.5Ge1.5(PO4)3 (LAGP) electrolyte via a scalable solution process is developed, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveals that changes in LAGP at the metastable Li–LAGP interface during battery operation is temperature dependent. Severe germanium reduction and decrease in LAGP particle size are detected at the Li–LAGP interface at elevated temperature. Oriented plating of lithium metal on its preferred (110) face occurs during in situ X‐ray diffraction cycling.
Soft Spiral‐Shaped Microswimmers for Autonomous Swimming Control by Detecting Surrounding Environments
Authors: Yoshida Koki , Onoe Hiroaki
Published: July 2020

In nature, most microorganisms have motility, which is essential for their survival or reproduction. To move, some microorganisms have evolved soft spiral‐shaped flagella, which rotate through specialized motors. Many of these microorganisms can change the morphology of their spiral‐shaped flagella to control their motility. Herein, by mimicking these flagella, spiral‐shaped microswimmers are developed for various applications, such as target drug delivery, micro‐object transport, and micro‐fluid manipulation. In previous studies, numerous fabrication methods of spiral‐shaped microswimmers are developed. However, the swimming direction and velocity are controlled only by external systems, such as magnetic fields, because the spiral body is not able to deform. Therefore, this soft spiral‐shaped microswimmer for autonomous swimming control by detecting surrounding stimuli is proposed. The velocity of microswimmer largely depends on the geometry of the microswimmer's body. Through usage of a stimuli‐responsive hydrogel in the microswimmer, the geometry autonomously changes in response to the surrounding stimuli. Using finite‐element simulation, it is revealed that the pattern angle is an important parameter for acceleration/deceleration of the microswimmer. The dimensionless velocity of the fabricated bilayered spiral swimmer changes by deforming the geometry in response to the surrounding thermal stimuli.
An Indian child with Coats plus syndrome due to mutations in STN1
Authors: Passi Gouri Rao , Shamim Uzma , Rathore Surabhi , Joshi Aditi , Mathur Aradhana , Parveen Shaista , Sharma Pooja , Crow Yanick J. , Faruq Mohammed
Published: July 2020

The role of the CTC1–STN1–TEN1 (CST) complex in Coats plus syndrome (CP), as well as other telomeropathy‐phenotypes and disorders of genome instability is well documented. We report an Indian child with a clinical diagnosis of CP who presented to us with retinal exudates, extensive cerebral calcification, developmental delay and severe anemia consequent upon chronic gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Whole exome sequencing revealed compound heterozygous variants in STN1 as the probable genetic cause leading to CP in the present case. Of the two variants, the nonsense variant c.397C>T (p.Arg133*) was a truncating variant leading to loss of full protein length whereas the second variant c.985G>C (p.Ala329Pro) was novel and neither reported in ExAC, 1KGP or gnomAD. The deleteriousness of the novel variant was explored through molecular dynamics simulation analysis where p.Ala329Pro mutation affected C‐terminal domain interaction between STN1 and TEN1 complex. Hormonal therapy using ethinyl estradiol and norethisterone was apparently associated with a clinically useful, although poorly sustained, decrease in blood transfusion requirement in the proband.
Stereoselektive Synthese von Tropanen über eine 6π‐elektrocyclische Ringöffnung/ Huisgen‐[3+2]‐Cycloadditionskaskade von monocyclopropanierten Heterocyclen
Authors: Sonnleitner Carina M. , Park Saerom , Eckl Robert , Ertl Thomas , Reiser Oliver
Published: July 2020

Die Synthese von Tropanen über eine mikrowellenunterstützte, stereoselektive 6π‐elektrocyclische Ringöffnung/ Huisgen‐[3+2]‐Cycloadditionskaskade von cyclopropanierten Pyrrol‐ und Furanderivaten mit elektronenarmen Dipolarophilen wird demonstriert. Ausgehend von Furanen oder Pyrrolen sind 8‐Aza‐ und 8‐Oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane in zwei Schritten sowohl dia‐ als auch enantioselektiv zugänglich und stellen vielseitige Bausteine für die Synthese pharmazeutisch relevanter Zielmoleküle, insbesondere neuer Kokain‐Analoga mit verschiedenen Substituenten an den C‐6/C‐7‐Positionen des Tropanringsystems, dar. Darüber hinaus ist das 2‐Azabicyclo[2.2.2]octan‐Grundgerüst (Isochinuclidin), das in vielen natürlichen und pharmazeutischen Produkten vertreten ist, über diese Synthesestrategie zugänglich.
Phosphorothioate Modification of mRNA Accelerates the Rate of Translation Initiation to Provide More Efficient Protein Synthesis
Authors: Kawaguchi Daisuke , Kodama Ayumi , Abe Naoko , Takebuchi Kei , Hashiya Fumitaka , Tomoike Fumiaki , Nakamoto Kosuke , Kimura Yasuaki , Shimizu Yoshihiro , Abe Hiroshi
Published: July 2020

Messenger RNAs (mRNAs) with phosphorothioate modification (PS‐mRNA) to the phosphate site of A, G, C, and U with all 16 possible combinations were prepared, and the translation reaction was evaluated using an E. coli cell‐free translation system. Protein synthesis from PS‐mRNA increased in 12 of 15 patterns when compared with that of unmodified mRNA. The protein yield increased 22‐fold when the phosphorothioate modification at A/C sites was introduced into the region from the 5′‐end to the initiation codon. Single‐turnover analysis of PS‐mRNA translation showed that phosphorothioate modification increases the number of translating ribosomes, thus suggesting that the rate of translation initiation (rate of ribosome complex formation) is positively affected by the modification. The method provides a new strategy for improving translation by using non‐natural mRNA.
Pressure‐Suppressed Carrier Trapping Leads to Enhanced Emission in Two‐Dimensional Perovskite (HA)2(GA)Pb2I7
Authors: Guo Songhao , Zhao Yongsheng , Bu Kejun , Fu Yongping , Luo Hui , Chen Mengting , Hautzinger Matthew P. , Wang Yingqi , Jin Song , Yang Wenge , Lü Xujie
Published: July 2020

A remarkable PL enhancement by 12 fold is achieved using pressure to modulate the structure of a recently developed 2D perovskite (HA)2(GA)Pb2I7 (HA=n‐hexylammonium, GA=guanidinium). This structure features a previously unattainable, extremely large cage. In situ structural, spectroscopic, and theoretical analyses reveal that lattice compression under a mild pressure within 1.6 GPa considerably suppresses the carrier trapping, leading to significantly enhanced emission. Further pressurization induces a non‐luminescent amorphous yellow phase, which is retained and exhibits a continuously increasing band gap during decompression. When the pressure is released to 1.5 GPa, emission can be triggered by above‐band gap laser irradiation, accompanied by a color change from yellow to orange. The obtained orange phase could be retained at ambient conditions and exhibits two‐fold higher PL emission compared with the pristine (HA)2(GA)Pb2I7.
Inverse Vulcanization of Styrylethyltrimethoxysilane–Coated Surfaces, Particles, and Crosslinked Materials
Authors: Scheiger Johannes M. , Direksilp Chatrawee , Falkenstein Patricia , Welle Alexander , Koenig Meike , Heissler Stefan , Matysik Jörg , Levkin Pavel A. , Theato Patrick
Published: July 2020

Sulfur as a side product of natural gas and oil refining is an underused resource. Converting landfilled sulfur waste into materials merges the ecological imperative of resource efficiency with economic considerations. A strategy to convert sulfur into polymeric materials is the inverse vulcanization reaction of sulfur with alkenes. However, the materials formed are of limited applicability, because they need to be cured at high temperatures (>130 °C) for many hours. Herein, we report the reaction of elemental sulfur with styrylethyltrimethoxysilane. Marrying the inverse vulcanization and silane chemistry yielded high sulfur content polysilanes, which could be cured via room temperature polycondensation to obtain coated surfaces, particles, and crosslinked materials. The polycondensation was triggered by hydrolysis of poly(sulfur‐r‐styrylethyltrimethoxysilane) (poly(Sn‐r‐StyTMS) under mild conditions (HCl, pH 4). For the first time, an inverse vulcanization polymer could be conveniently coated and mildly cured via post‐polycondensation. Silica microparticles coated with the high sulfur content polymer could improve their Hg2+ ion remediation capability.
Ferrocenylmethylation of estrone and estradiol: Structure, electrochemistry, and antiproliferative activity of new ferrocene–steroid conjugates
Authors: Raičević Vidak , Radulović Niko , Jovanović Ljiljana , Rodić Marko , Kuzminac Ivana , Jakimov Dimitar , Wrodnigg Tanja , Knedel Tim‐Oliver , Janiak Christoph , Sakač Marija
Published: July 2020

Conjugates of ferrocene with steroidal estrogens as selective antiproliferative agents against hormone‐dependent breast cancer cells are believed to be limited by the inherent estrogenicity of the conjugates. Motivated by a significant cytotoxicity of the ester of ferrocenecarboxylic acid and the phenolic group of estradiol toward such a cell line, we decided to explore other a‐ring‐tethered ferrocene–estra‐1,3,5(10)‐triene conjugates; in this study, ferrocenylmethylation of estradiol and estrone with (ferrocenylmethyl)trimethylammonium iodide in the presence of potassium carbonate yielded five new compounds (1–5). In dimethylformamide, only O‐alkylated products formed (1 and 3), while a mixture of O‐ and C‐alkylated products was obtained when methanol was used (2, 4, and 5 in addition to 1 and 3). All compounds were characterized using 1D and 2D NMR, IR, UV–Vis, and high‐resolution mass spectrometry. Two of the conjugates, a 3‐O‐ and a 4‐C‐alkylated derivative of estrone (3 and 4, respectively), were also analyzed using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. A cyclic voltammetric investigation of the electrochemical properties of 1–5 was performed. While some of the compounds were shown to have a slight‐to‐moderate antiproliferative activity against at least one of the six tested human tumor cell lines and were nontoxic to (the noncancerous) fetal human fibroblasts, compound 2 (4‐(ferrocenylmethyl)estra‐1,3,5(10)‐triene‐3,17β‐diol) with an IC50 value of 0.34 μM was found to be more active against the hormone‐dependent breast cancer cell line MCF‐7 than doxorubicin. These results suggest that a‐ring substitution of steroidal estrogens is a plausible strategy for preparing other ferrocene–steroid conjugates acting against tumor cells.
Altered Properties of Endothelial Cells and Mesenchymal Stem Cells Underlying the Development of Scleroderma‐like Vasculopathy in KLF5+/−;Fli‐1+/− Mice
Authors: Nakamura Kouki , Taniguchi Takashi , Hirabayashi Megumi , Yamashita Takashi , Saigusa Ryosuke , Miura Shunsuke , Takahashi Takehiro , Toyama Tetsuo , Ichimura Yohei , Yoshizaki Ayumi , Trojanowska Maria , Fujiu Katsuhito , Nagai Ryozo , Sato Shinichi , Asano Yoshihide
Published: July 2020

Objective

In prevous studies, we established a new animal model, KLF5+/−;Fli‐1+/− mice, in which fundamental pathologic features of systemic sclerosis (SSc) are broadly recapitulated. SSc vasculopathy is believed to occur as a result of impaired vascular remodeling, but its detailed mechanism of action remains unknown. To address this, the present study investigated the properties of dermal microvascular endothelial cells (DMECs), bone marrow–derived endothelial progenitor cells (BM‐EPCs), and bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM‐MSCs), a precursor of pericytes, in KLF5+/−;Fli‐1+/− mice.

Methods

Neovascularization and angiogenesis were assessed in KLF5+/−;Fli‐1+/− mice by in vivo Matrigel plug assay and in vitro tube formation assay, respectively. The properties of mouse BM‐EPCs and BM‐MSCs were assessed with in vitro studies. Dermal vasculature was visualized in vivo by injecting the mice with fluorescein isothiocyanate–conjugated dextran.

Results

Neovascularization was diminished in skin‐embedded Matrigel plugs from KLF5+/−;Fli‐1+/− mice. DMECs from KLF5+/−;Fli‐1+/− mice showed defective tubulogenic activity, decreased expression of VE‐cadherin and CD31, and an imbalance in the expression of Notch1/Dll4, suggesting that angiogenesis and anastomosis are disturbed. KLF5+/−;Fli‐1+/− mouse BM‐MSCs exhibited enhanced proliferation and migration and increased collagen production following stimulation with transforming growth factor β1, indicating that these cells differentiate preferentially into myofibroblasts rather than pericytes. KLF5+/−;Fli‐1+/− mouse BM‐EPCs displayed a transition toward mesenchymal cells, suggesting that vasculogenesis is impaired. Wound healing was delayed in KLF5+/−;Fli‐1+/− mice (mean ± SD healing time 15.67 ± 0.82 days versus 13.50 ± 0.84 days; P = 0.0017), and the vascular network was poorly developed in wound scar tissue.

Conclusion

The characteristics observed in the KLF5+/−;Fli‐1+/− mouse model — specifically, impaired neovascularization and vascular maturation — are similar to those observed in human SSc, and could be at least partially attributable to the induction of SSc‐like properties in DMECs, BM‐EPCs, and BM‐MSCs. These findings indicate the critical contribution of Klf5 and Fli1 deficiency in vascular cells and related cell precursors to the development of SSc vasculopathy.
Catalytic Nitrile Hydroboration: A Route to N,N‐Diborylamines and Uses Thereof
Authors: Hayrapetyan Davit , Khalimon Andrey Y.
Published: July 2020

Catalytic reduction of nitriles is considered as an attractive and atom‐economical route to a diversity of synthetically valuable primary amines. Compared to other methods, dihydroboration approach has been developed relatively recently but has already attracted the attention of many research groups due to reasonably mild reaction conditions, selectivity control and the access to N,N‐diborylamines, which emerged as powerful reagents for C−N bond forming reactions. Early developments in catalytic dihydroboration of nitriles implied precious metal catalysts along with harsh conditions and prolonged reaction times, whereas recent advances mostly rely on base and main group metal catalytic systems with significantly improved profiles. This minireview aims to provide an overview of advances and challenges of dihydroboration of nitriles with d‐, f‐ and main group metal catalysts. Mechanistic features of different catalytic systems, functional group tolerance and scope of the methods are also presented. The synthetic utility of N,N‐diborylamies, beyond simple protodeborylation, is discussed in the aspect of N‐arylation, imine and amide synthesis.
Observer‐based adaptive second‐order non‐singular fast terminal sliding mode controller for robotic manipulators
Authors: Liu Haitao , Sun Jian , Nie Jianhao , Zou Lanping
Published: July 2020

In this paper, a second‐order non‐singular fast terminal sliding mode controller is proposed for robotic manipulators in the presence of uncertainties and disturbances. Adaptive control is used to obtain robustness to system uncertainties and disturbances. The improved high‐gain observer is designed to estimate the speed information, which makes the controller more applicable in practice. Theorem proof and simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed controller.
Silica nanoparticle assists determining liver cancer gene sequence on interdigitated electrode surface
Authors: Song Feifei , Yang Yi , Gopinath Subash C.B.
Published: July 2020

A high‐performance interdigitated electrode (IDE) biosensing surface was reported here by utilizing self‐assembled silica nanoparticle (SiNP). The modified surface was used to evaluate the complementation of hairpin forming region from Mitoxantrone resistance gene 7 (MXR7; liver cancer‐related short gene). The conjugated SiNPs on 3‐aminopropyl triethoxysilane functionalization were captured with probe sequence on IDE biosensing surface. The physical and chemically modified surface was used to quantify MXR7 and an increment in the current response upon complementation was noticed. Limit of target DNA detection was calculated (1–10 fM) and this label‐free detection is at the comparable level to the fluorescent‐based sensing. A linear regression was calculated [y = 0.243x − 0.0773; R² = 0.9336] and the sensitivity was 1 fM on the linear range of 1 fM to 10 pM. With the strong attachment of capture DNA on IDE through SiNP, the surface clearly discriminates the specificity (complementary) versus nonspecificity (complete‐, single‐, and triple‐mismatched sequences). This detection strategy helps to determine liver cancer progression and the similar strategy can be followed for other gene sequence complementation.
Balancing All‐Atom Force Field for DNA Simulations Using Osmotic Pressure Data
Authors: Kim Hyeonjun , Pak Youngshang
Published: July 2020

For classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of DNA molecules, several all‐atom force fields have been developed, including the very popular amber bsc1 force field. Despite marked improvement from the standard amber99 force field, this force field has a tendency to underestimate base‐pair hydrogen bonds and overestimate base stacking (BS). Previously, the weakened hydrogen bond with the bsc1 was improved by modulating a limited number of van der Waals sigma parameters. In this study, to resolve the remaining issue of overestimating BS, nonbonding interaction parameters relevant to the BS interaction were tuned, such that the experimental osmotic pressure coefficients of deoxy‐ribonucleoside solutions are closely reproduced. This newly modified force field is more balanced in terms of nonbonding interactions and can be applied to many challenging computational problems of DNA folding and breathing.
Factors influencing the application of nature as inspiration for sustainability‐oriented innovation in multinational corporations
Authors: Mead Taryn , Jeanrenaud Sally , Bessant John
Published: July 2020

Nature‐inspired innovation (NII) is an increasingly common innovation strategy, yet little is known about its implementation within corporate innovation settings. This paper asks what factors influence the application of NII in corporate contexts. It combines theoretical perspectives from innovation adoption and sustainability‐oriented innovation to explore factors that influence the implementation of NII. Six case studies of multinational corporations applying NII were analyzed, using data collected through semistructured interviews (N = 45), a review of internal project documents, and publicly available materials. Results indicate that successful implementation depends upon the characteristics of the innovation context, decision‐making units, and the innovation itself, such as an advanced organizational progression of corporate sustainability, senior leadership support of NII, design expertise within innovation teams, flexible innovation management processes, and collaboration with outside enabling stakeholders. NII should be viewed as a longer‐term investment in developing organizational sustainability culture rather than a one‐off approach to innovation.
Can environmental investments benefit environmental performance? The moderating roles of institutional environment and foreign direct investment
Authors: Li Ruiqian , Ramanathan Ramakrishnan
Published: July 2020

The contribution of environmental investments (EIs) to environmental performance (EP) is a lively topic for environmental researchers across the world. In spite of huge amount of research, there is still lack of clarity on the moderating factors that affect the role played by EI. In this study, we distinguish EI into pollution control investments (PCIs) and pollution prevention investments (PPIs). We further investigate whether institutional environment and foreign direct investment (FDI) can play their moderating effects both on the relationship between EI and EP and on the relationships between different types of investments and EP or not. The results indicate that EI has a positive effect on EP. More specifically, PPI plays a stronger positive role in EP, but PCI does not have a significant effect on EP. In addition, both institutional environment and FDI can strengthen the positive impact of EI on EP. The increase of EI in regions with better institutional environment or high FDI can lead to greater improvement in EP. These moderating effects of institutional environment and FDI are also confirmed on the link between PPI and EP. In summary, our results reinforce the existing views that EI, and specifically PPI, can improve EP but further contribute to the understanding of the positive moderating roles played by the institutional environment and FDI on the link between EI and EP.
Retracted: Circ‐SPECC1 modulates TGFβ2 and autophagy under oxidative stress by sponging miR‐33a to promote hepatocellular carcinoma tumorigenesis
Authors: Zhang Bin , Liu Zhiyi , Cao Kuan , Shan Wengang , Liu Jin , Wen Quan , Wang Renhao
Published: July 2020

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play vital roles in the pathogenesis and development of multiple cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Nevertheless, the regulatory mechanisms of circ‐SPECC1 in HCC remain poorly understood. In our study, we found that circ‐SPECC1 was apparently downregulated in H2O2‐treated HCC cells. Additionally, knockdown of circ‐SPECC1 inhibited cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis of HCC cells under H2O2 treatment. Moreover, circ‐SPECC1 inhibited miR‐33a expression by direct interaction, and miR‐33a inhibitor partially reversed the effect of circ‐SPECC1 knockdown on proliferation and apoptosis of H2O2‐treated HCC cells. Furthermore, TGFβ2 was demonstrated to be a target gene of miR‐33a and TGFβ2 overexpression rescued the phenotypes of HCC cells attenuated by miR‐33a mimics. Meanwhile, autophagy inhibition by 3‐methyladenine (3‐MA) abrogated the effect of miR‐33a mimics on proliferation and apoptosis of H2O2‐treated HCC cells. Finally, knockdown of circ‐SPECC1 hindered tumor growth in vivo. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that circ‐SPECC1 regulated TGFβ2 and autophagy to promote HCC tumorigenesis under oxidative stress via miR‐33a. These findings might provide potential treatment strategies for patients with HCC.
The impact of bone marrow fibrosis and JAK2 expression on clinical outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma treated with immunomodulatory agents and/or proteasome inhibitors
Authors: Paul Barry , Zhao Yue , Loitsch Gavin , Feinberg Daniel , Mathews Parker , Barak Ian , Dupuis Megan , Li Zhiguo , Rein Lindsay , Wang Endi , Kang Yubin
Published: July 2020

We determined the impact of bone marrow fibrosis (BMF) on the clinical outcomes of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients in the current era of myeloma therapy. A total of 393 MM patients were included in the final analysis. The median followup was 83 months (range: 3.9 to 212 months). BMF was noted in 122 (48.2%) evaluable patients. Median progression free survival (PFS) in patients without BMF was 30.2 (95% CI: 24.7‐38.0) months, and 21.1 (95% CI: 18.8‐27.5) months in patients with BMF present (P = .024). Median overall survival (OS) was 61.2 (95% CI: 51.5‐81.2) months in patients without BMF, and 45.1 (95% CI: 38.7‐57.0) months in patients with BMF (P = .0048). A subset of 99 patients had their bone marrow biopsies stained for JAK1 and JAK2 by immunohistochemistry. Of these samples 67 (67.7%) patients had detectable JAK2 expression predominantly noted on bone marrow megakaryocytes. JAK2 expression correlated with myeloma disease stage (P = .0071). Our study represents the largest dataset to date examining the association of BMF with prognosis in the era of novel therapies and widespread use of hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). Our data suggest that MM patients with BMF (particularly those with extensive BMF) have a poorer prognosis even when treated with immunomodulatory agents and proteasome inhibitors.
Genome‐wide DNA methylome analysis reveals methylation subtypes with different clinical outcomes for acute myeloid leukemia patients
Authors: Gao Haiyan , He Xin , Li Qiang , Wang Ying , Tian Yaoyao , Chen Xi , Wang Jinghua , Guo Yan , Wang Wei , Li Xiaoyun
Published: July 2020

Leukemia is the second common blood cancer after lymphoma, and its incidence rate has an increasing trend in recent years. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is one of the prevalent forms of leukemia. Although previous studies have investigated the methylation profile for AML patients, the AML methylation subtypes based on the genome‐wide methylome are still unclear. In the present study, we identified three methylation subtypes for AML samples based on the methylation profiles at CGI, CGI shore, CGI shelf, and opensea genomic contexts. Analyzing the molecular characteristics and clinical factors of the three subtypes revealed different methylation patterns and clinical outcomes between them. Further analysis revealed subtype dependent marker genes and their promoter CpG sites with regulatory function. Finally, we found that combining the AML patient age and methylation pattern brought better clinical outcome classification. In conclusion, we identified AML methylation subtypes and their marker genes, these results may help to excavate potential targets for clinical therapy and the development of precision medicine for AML patients.
MicroRNA‐92b acts as an oncogene by targeting PTEN/AKT in NSCLC
Authors: Guo Jia‐Hui , Fang Hai‐Yun , Yang Jun‐Mei , Liu Shan‐Ling , Yao Qiang‐Hua , Fan Yi‐Juan , Zhao Mei , Liu Feng , Zhang Quan‐Wu , Gao Feng‐Hou
Published: July 2020

MicroRNAs can act as tumour suppressors or oncogenes by regulating cellular differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis, and the dysregulation of miRNA is involved in the occurrence and development of NSCLC. Here, we provided evidence that miR‐92b as an oncogene in NSCLC by targeting PTEN/AKT. We found that miR‐92b was up‐regulated in human NSCLC tissues and cell lines. MiR‐92b knockdown suppressed the NSCLC cells proliferation and migration in both in vivo and in vitro models. Conversely, miR‐92b overexpression induced an aggressive phenotype. Moreover, miR‐92b‐mediated regulation of NSCLC cell proliferation and migration depended on binding to PTEN mRNA, which then led to the degradation of PTEN and activation of the downstream AKT signalling pathway. Overall, this study revealed the oncogenic roles of miR‐92b in NSCLC by targeting PTEN/AKT, and provided novel insights for future treatments of NSCLC patients.

Significance of the study

MiR‐92b was up‐regulated in human NSCLC tissues and cell lines. Our study demonstrated that miR‐92b as an oncogene in NSCLC by targeting PTEN/AKT in both in vivo and in vitro models and provided novel insights for future treatments of NSCLC patients.