bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploratory safety study of an umbilical cord derived urethral sling in bilateral pudendal nerves injury‐induced urinary incontinence in female rats
Authors: Pinar Ugo , Grossetete Florine , Barnouin Laurence , Chartier‐Kastler Emmanuel
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Mid‐urethral slings are the standard treatment for women with refractory stress urinary incontinence (SUI) but are at risk of infection or erosion due to host−prothesis interaction. In this proof‐of‐concept study, we aimed at evaluating umbilical vessel sling (UVS) in incontinent female rats.

Material and Methods

UVS was extracted from human umbilical cord lining and was placed on female rats who underwent bilateral pelvic nerve injury (PNI) to reproduce SUI (Group 3, N = 10). Two control groups were also studied: rats with no PNI (Group 1, N = 4) and rats with PNI but no UVS (Group 2, N = 10). Micturition calendar was frequently recorded using a metabolic cage, and leak point pressure (LPP) test was performed on Day 28. After the LPP test, rats were euthanized, and bladder/urethra were collected for histopathological analysis.

Results

Overall, 24 rats were included, of whom 10 had both PNI and UVS placement. Compared with Group 2, Group 3 had increased maximal LPP but the difference did not reach significance (respectively 21.8 ± 2.1 mmHg vs. 28.4 ± 4.1 mmHg, p = 0.2). Micturition frequencies were similar between the groups. Total voided volume was higher in Group 3 at the end of the study compared with Group 2 (12.5 ± 1.1 ml vs. 9.4 ± 0.6 ml, respectively, p < 0.05). Histopathological findings evidenced a good local tolerance and a moderate to high tissue integration of the UVS.

Conclusions

Biological sling derived from human umbilical vessel could be safely placed with a slight improvement of LPP in a population of rats who had bilateral PNI without major modification of micturition calendar. UVS could be a promising biomaterial in the management of SUI in women. Clinical studies are needed.
Improving HyperCEST performance by favorable xenon exchange conditions in liposomal nanocarriers
Authors: Jost Jan Oliver , Schröder Leif
Published: February 2022

MRI reporters that combine signal enhancement from saturation transfer with hyperpolarized 129Xe show nanomolar detection sensitivity for in vitro studies. However, they need further improvement for accelerated CEST build‐up that sufficiently dominates the intrinsic loss of hyperpolarization under in vivo conditions. This study introduces liposomes with a HyperCEST‐active lipopeptide to enhance the efficiency of a well known Xe host, CrA‐ma, with medium Xe exchange kinetics in aqueous environment, by two orders of magnitude. The depolarization time for constant saturation power but increasing saturation time is used as a comparative measure to rank different nanocarrier formulations. A variable cage load illustrates that the available CEST sites should be well distributed throughout the nanocarriers to avoid inefficiency from back exchange. For a liposome loading with only 2 mol% CrA‐lipopeptide, the higher exchange kinetics allowed us to work even with 17‐fold lower saturation power than for CrA‐ma itself to achieve significant image contrast with 129Xe. Overall, this study illustrates the wide parameter space that is now available when incorporating CrA‐labelled lipopeptides into liposomal carriers.
A brief review of applied psychology in China
Authors: Wang Richu , Han Buxin , Zhang Kan
Published: February 2022

Psychology in China has a long past, but a rather short history. Modern psychology was introduced to China in the early 20th century soon, psychology as a scientific discipline was established when the teaching, research, and academic exchanges began. Specifically, applied psychology was established until the last decade of the 20th century; however, the past 30 years have witnessed the fast growth of applied psychology in China. In this article, we briefly introduce the history of psychology in China, its establishment as a discipline and a profession, and present some applications of psychology in the domains of public mental health as well as in educational and organizational settings.
Precision medicine in mood disorders
Authors: Serretti Alessandro
Published: February 2022

The choice of the most appropriate psychoactive medication for each of our patients is always a challenge. We can use more than 100 psychoactive drugs in the treatment of mood disorders, which can be prescribed either alone or in combination. Response and tolerability problems are common, and much trial and error is often needed before achieving a satisfactory outcome. Precision medicine is therefore needed for tailoring treatment to optimize outcome. Pharmacological, clinical, and demographic factors are important and informative, but biological factors may further inform and refine prediction. Twenty years after the first reports of gene variants modulating antidepressant response, we are now confronted with the prospect of routine clinical pharmacogenetic applications in the treatment of depression. The scientific community is divided into two camps: those who are enthusiastic and those who are skeptical. Although it appears clear that the benefit of existing tools is still not completely defined, at least in the case of central nervous system gene variants, this is not the case for metabolic gene variants, which is generally accepted. Cumulative scores encompassing many variants across the entire genome will soon predict psychiatric disorder liability and outcome. At present, precision medicine in mood disorders may be implemented using clinical and pharmacokinetic factors. In the near future, a genome‐wide composite genetic score in conjunction with clinical factors within each patient is the most promising approach for developing a more effective way to target treatment for patients suffering from mood disorders.
Investigating the effects of perceived student gender on primary school teachers' recognition of autism
Authors: Ward Tanwen B. , Curtis Cate , Seehagen Sabine
Published: February 2022

Recent research indicates that autism is under‐recognized in girls and women. The current study investigated whether the gender‐based assumptions of teaching staff impact the identification of autism. A survey was completed by 249 primary school teaching staff. After reading a vignette describing the behavior of a hypothetical child whose gender was randomly assigned, participants answered questions regarding possible reasons for the behavior described, including mental health and disability diagnoses and their confidence in their chosen answers. The gender of the described child was not found to have an impact on the likelihood of choosing autism as a potential diagnosis, suggesting that the participants did not make gender‐based assumptions about autism characteristics. Higher qualified teachers were less confident in their answers than those with lower or no qualifications. Teachers may have more nuanced understandings of the complexities of autism than had been expected. Further research into the effect of gender on autism identification is needed.
The growth and development of research on personality disorders: A bibliometric study
Authors: Reis Taylor , Gekker Márcio , Land Marcelo Gerardin Poirot , Mendlowicz Mauro Vitor , Berger William , Luz Mariana Pires , Vilete Liliane , Figueira Ivan , Araújo Alexandre Xavier Gomes
Published: February 2022

This study objective was to investigate publication trends on personality disorders (PD) and to identify patterns of historical development. Publication rates were determined using the Results by Year Timeline feature of PubMed. Time series autoregressive integrated moving average models were used to analyse the publication rates for PDs in quinquennial periods beginning in 1980 and ending in 2019 and to predict the number of publications in the 2024–2029 period. More than 300 articles on antisocial and borderline PD are being published each year, and the models suggest an accelerating growth rate. Approximately 100 articles are being published on average every year on schizotypal PD, and the regression model indicates linear growth in the near future. The mean number of publications per year for obsessive–compulsive, narcissistic and avoidant PDs is in the range of 10–30 with the corresponding models indicating linear growth. Fewer than 10 articles are being published each year on dependent, paranoid, histrionic and schizoid PD, whereas dependent PD shows modest growth and paranoid PD rates tended to stability, histrionic and schizoid PD exhibit declining rates. Personality disorders are a group of conditions with diverse etiological, prognostic, therapeutic, legal, research, social and cultural implications that influence publication rates.
Fischer and Schrock carbene complexes in the light of global and local electrophilicity‐based descriptors
Authors: Patra Shanti Gopal , Jha Ruchi , Mondal Himangshu , Chattaraj Pratim Kumar
Published: February 2022

The carbon atom (carbene) of Fischer and Schrock complexes are electrophilic and nucleophilic, respectively. The reactivity index electrophilicity is a global reactivity parameter and can tell only about the total electrophilicity of the complexes. To differentiate between the reactivity patterns of these two carbenes, the philicity and multiphilic descriptor are calculated. In Fischer complexes, it is found that the philicity of the nucleophilic attack (
) is higher than that of philicity of the electrophilic attack (
) implying the electrophilic nature. A reverse order is found in the Schrock complex pointing nucleophilic character. The multiphilic descriptor (ΔωC = 
 − 
) is found to be positive in Fischer but negative in Schrock leading to the same conclusion. Fischer carbene complexes having general formula (CO)5Cr═CH‐R (R = CH3, Ph, CCH, CH═CH2, OCH3, OH, NHCH3, and NH2) the order of
and ΔωC better describe the trend. The trend has been justified through energy decomposition in the purview natural orbital for chemical valence (EDA‐NOCV) analysis owing to the π contribution from the R group. The change in the reactivity patterns along the intrinsic reaction coordinate of two representative reactions is plotted. This way of understanding the reactivity parameters would help experimental chemists to predict the catalytic application of carbene complexes of transition metal without the classification of Fischer and Schrock type.
Effect of sacrificial bond on molecular dynamics and rheological behavior of hybrid butadiene‐styrene‐vinylpyridine rubber vulcanizates with reversible sacrificial network
Authors: Hu Rongyan , Zhao Shunjie , Chen Feng , Shangguan Yonggang , Zheng Qiang
Published: February 2022

Due to the improvement of strength and toughness at the same time, construction of reversible sacrificial bond network has attracted extensive attention to realize the high performance and functionalization of rubber materials. However, the research on the viscoelastic behavior of vulcanized rubber with reversible sacrificial bond network lags behind seriously. In this work relaxation kinetics, linear rheological behavior and nonlinear rheological behavior of hybrid crosslinked butadiene‐styrene‐vinylpyridine rubber (VPR) with reversible Zn2+‐pyridine coordination bond were investigated in detail. It was found that, the tensile results under small strain were more conducive to reflect the contribution of sacrificial bond after sequential tensile‐recovery process than those under large strain. Although sacrificial bond could affect both G' and G" at low temperature, the contribution of it to G" was more prominent. When the temperature was higher than the dissociation temperature of Zn2+‐pyridine coordination bond, the sacrificial bond could only affect G", which was due to the fact that the pyridine group was equivalent to the graft on VPR backbone and acted as dangling chain. In addition, the destruction and reconstruction of coordination bond was the dominant factor in modulus recovery.
A pediatric hospital‐wide asthma severity score: Reliability and effectiveness
Authors: McBride Sarah C. , McCarty Kendall , Wong Jackson , Baskin Marc , Currier Denise , Chiang Vincent W.
Published: February 2022

Background

Asthma is a leading cause of pediatric hospitalization in the United States. Children hospitalized with asthma are often managed in different care settings during hospitalization, posing challenges to accurate communication among care providers about illness severity. Our objective was to study the feasibility, reliability, and safety of a new pediatric hospital‐wide asthma severity score (HASS) across different care units within a single tertiary‐care pediatric center.

Methods

150 patients between the ages of 2 and 18 years hospitalized with a principal diagnosis of status asthmaticus were included in this study. Study patients were followed from the time of initial triage in the emergency department until the time of medical readiness for discharge. Rates of medical errors, early transfers to a higher level of care and medically indicated hospital length of stay (LOS) were compared between 75 patients before and 75 patients after widespread implementation of the HASS using retrospective chart review and anonymous staff reporting. Interrater reliability was determined by collecting independent HASS scores from blinded staff members after tandem or simultaneous patient assessment.

Results

Interrater reliability among untrained staff members using the HASS was high. Hospital LOS, rates of adverse events, medical errors, and early transfer to a higher level of care were not significantly different before and after widespread HASS implementation.

Conclusion

The HASS is a reliable asthma severity tool that can be used throughout hospitalization and among multiple clinical providers to trend clinical progress and optimize communication, particularly during times of care handoffs.
Do clinimetric properties of LCI change after correction of signal processing?
Authors: Frauchiger Bettina S. , Oestreich Marc‐Alexander , Wyler Florian , Monney Nathalie , Willers Corin , Yammine Sophie , Latzin Philipp
Published: February 2022

Background

The recently described sensor‐crosstalk error in the multiple‐breath washout (MBW) device Exhalyzer D (Eco Medics AG) could highly influence clinimetric properties and the current interpretation of MBW results. This study reanalyzes MBW data from clinical routine in the corrected software version Spiroware® 3.3.1 and evaluates the effect on outcomes.

Methods

We included nitrogen‐MBW data from healthy children and children with cystic fibrosis (CF) from previously published trials and ongoing cohort studies. We specifically compared lung clearance index (LCI) analyzed in Spiroware 3.2.1 and 3.3.1 with regard to (i) feasibility, (ii) repeatability, and (iii) validity as outcome parameters in children with CF.

Results

(i) All previously collected measurements could be reanalyzed and resulted in unchanged feasibility in Spiroware 3.3.1. (ii) Short‐ and midterm repeatability of LCI was similar in both software versions. (iii) Clinical validity of LCI remained similar in Spiroware 3.3.1; however, this resulted in lower values. Discrimination between health and disease was comparable between both software versions. The increase in LCI over time was less pronounced with 0.16 LCI units/year (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.08; 0.24) versus 0.30 LCI units/year (95% CI 0.21; 0.38) in 3.2.1. Response to intervention in children receiving CF transmembrane conductance‐modulator therapy resulted in a comparable improvement in LCI, in both Spiroware versions.

Conclusion

Our study confirms that clinimetric properties of LCI remain unaffected after correction for the cross‐sensitivity error in Spiroware software.
iTRAQ and two‐dimensional‐LC‐MS/MS reveal NAA10 is a potential biomarker in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Wang Dong , Chen Jinyan , Han Junyong , Wang Kun , Fang Weimin , Jin Jingjun , Xue Shijie
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most common and serious malignancies in China. However, the exact mechanisms of tumor progression are still unclear. Thus, identifying biomarkers for early diagnosis, prognostic and recurrence assessment of ESCC is necessary.

Experimental Design

iTRAQ was used to identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in tumor tissues. N‐alpha‐acetyltransferase 10 (NAA10) is confirmed and validated by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. Furthermore, the effects of NAA10 on TE‐1 cells were detected by CCK‐8, colonies formation, anchorage‐independent growth in soft agar, migration and transwell assays. LinkedOmics was used to identify differential gene expression with NAA10 and to analyze Gene Ontology and KEGG pathways. Coexpression gene network was conducted by the STRING database and Cytoscape software (MCODE plug‐in).

Results

516 DEPs were identified. NAA10 was downregulated in cancer tissues and selected for further confirmed. Furthermore, NAA10 can inhibit proliferation and tumorigenesis, and suppress migration and invasion of TE‐1. Functional network analysis suggested that NAA10 regulates the ribosome pathways involving eight ribosomal proteins.

Conclusion and Clinical Relevance

These findings clearly demonstrated that NAA10 is a tumor suppressor and novel potential biomarker for ESCC, laying a foundation for further study of the role of NAA10 in carcinogenesis.
Influence of Titanium Powder on Detonation Characteristics and Thermal Stability of RDX‐Based Composite Explosive
Authors: Huang Liangliang , Ma Honghao , Shen Zhaowu , Wang Yixin , Chen Jiping
Published: February 2022

Titanium, reserved abundantly in the earth, is a kind of metal with high energy density. In this study, RDX‐based titanium powder composite explosive is advocated by adding titanium powder into the RDX explosive as a dual additive. There are several stages in the energy release of composite explosives, and the initial chemical energy used for the detonation velocity tends to decline with the growth of the content of titanium powder. In the experiments, the maximum energy density Eρ of composite explosives is obtained with 20 % titanium powder through underwater explosion experiments, and it is increased by 15.33 % at 0.8 m and 19.31 % at 1.2 m compared with the RDX explosive, respectively, where more power would be obtained in limited space. At the same time, the thermodynamic parameters and kinetic parameters of TG‐DSC curves of composite explosives are studied, and it is determined that titanium powder is an insensitive agent to endow the composite explosives with good thermal stability. What's more, the results of this study may also support the mechanics of the safety performance of high energy explosives. Thus, titanium powder can be used as a potential energetic additive that plays a dual role in improving detonation characteristics and thermal stability of RDX‐based composite explosive.
Dependence of the Elastic Stiffness Tensors of PETN, α‐RDX, γ‐RDX, ϵ‐RDX, ϵ‐CL‐20, DAAF, FOX‐7, and β‐HMX on Hydrostatic Compression
Authors: Cawkwell Marc J. , Zecevic Milovan , Luscher D. J. , Ramos Kyle J.
Published: February 2022

The dependence of the components of the elastic stiffness tensors (or elastic constants) of the organic explosives PETN, RDX, CL‐20, DAAF, FOX‐7, and HMX on hydrostatic pressure up to 10 GPa have been computed using dispersion‐corrected density functional theory. We report the evolution of lattice parameters and the non‐zero stiffnesses for the tetragonal, orthorhombic, and monoclinic crystal symmetries. Linear and quadratic dependencies of the components of the elastic stiffness tensors on volumetric compression and hydrostatic pressure are tabulated for use in single crystal plasticity models.
Dynamics of Hydrogen in Silicon at Finite Temperatures from First Principles
Authors: Gomes Diana , Markevich Vladimir P. , Peaker Anthony R. , Coutinho José
Published: February 2022

Hydrogen defects in silicon still hold unsolved problems, whose disclosure is fundamental for future advances in Si technologies. Among the open issues is the mechanism for the condensation of atomic hydrogen into molecules in Si quenched from above to room temperature. Based on first‐principles calculations, the thermodynamics of hydrogen monomers and dimers is investigated at finite temperatures within the harmonic approximation. Free energies of formation indicate that the population of cannot be neglected when compared to that of at high temperatures. The results allow us to propose that molecular formation occurs during cooling processes, in the temperature window , above which the molecules collide with Si—Si bonds and dissociate, and below which the fraction of becomes negligible. The formation of and most notably of a fast‐diffusing neutral species can also provide an explanation for the apparent accelerated diffusivity of atomic hydrogen at elevated temperatures in comparison to the figures extrapolated from measurements carried out at cryogenic temperatures. Finally, it is shown that the observed diffusivity of molecules is better described upon the assumption that they are nearly free rotors, all along the migration path, including at the transition state.
Effect of turmeric supplementation on the pharmacokinetics of paclitaxel in breast cancer patients: A study with population pharmacokinetics approach
Authors: Kalluru Hindu , Mallayasamy Surulivel Rajan , Kondaveeti Satish Srinivas , Chandrasekhar Vinodhini , Kalachaveedu Mangathayaru
Published: February 2022

Turmeric is one of the most used herbal supplements among cancer patients. It reportedly modulates the function of CYP450 enzymes and drug transporters. This study investigates the effect of turmeric on the pharmacokinetics of paclitaxel in breast cancer patients. This is a prospective longitudinal study with 60 breast cancer patients on treatment with single‐agent paclitaxel and turmeric. The patients were followed up for two consecutive chemotherapy cycles, and their blood samples were collected, first without turmeric (first cycle) and the next after a 21‐day concomitant administration of 2 g/day turmeric (second cycle). Plasma samples were quantified for paclitaxel concentration using High Performance Liquid Chromatograph with UV detector (HPLC‐UV) method. The sparse concentration‐time data of paclitaxel were subjected to population pharmacokinetic modeling, and then noncompartmental analysis (NCA) was performed on the simulated data to estimate the pharmacokinetic parameters of paclitaxel, before and after turmeric supplementation, for comparisons. The population pharmacokinetic parameters of paclitaxel differed from before to after turmeric supplementation. NCA of simulated concentration‐time profiles showed a statistically significant reduction of 7.7% and 12.1% in AUCinf and Cmax, respectively. Given the small magnitude of the changes in pharmacokinetic parameters, the observed changes are not clinically relevant. Thereby, turmeric at the recommended dose can be combined safely with paclitaxel.
Effects of traditional field retting of hemp on soil organic carbon and the soil microbial community
Authors: Lucas Shawn T. , Silvernail Anthony F. , Lewis Michael D.
Published: February 2022

Retting is a process used with bast fiber crops such as industrial hemp (Cannabis sativaL.) to expedite the separation of fibers from the woody core of the stalk. Field retting involves partial decomposition of stalks on the soil surface and is facilitated by soil microorganisms. Effects of field retting on soil C have not been studied, and little information is available on how field retting affects the soil microbial community. We conducted an experiment to investigate effects of field retting on total organic soil C (TOC), permanganate oxidizable soil C (POXC), and relative abundance of microbial fatty acid methyl ester biomarkers (FAMEs). Four treatments were imposed: (a) no retting (NR), (b) low‐density retting (LDR) (2,500 kg stalks ha–1), (c) high‐density retting (HDR) (5,000 kg stalks ha–1), and (d) control (CON). The NR, LDR, and HDR treatments were conducted on plots where hemp was grown, whereas the CON treatment excluded production and retting. Plots under HDR treatment generally had greater TOC and POXC than plots where no retting occurred. Analysis of FAMEs indicated that soil microbial communities were grouped according to retting treatments. Greater fungal abundance and higher fungi to bacteria ratios were associated with soils where retting occurred. Compared with retting methods where harvested stalks are immediately removed from the field, field retting may mitigate soil C losses associated with harvest and may be a useful component of maintaining soil health when used in concert with management practices that build soil C.
A Freundlich‐type multi‐component approach for modeling the sorption of nickel and phosphate in soil
Authors: Padilla Joshua T. , Gaston Lewis A. , Selim H. Magdi
Published: February 2022

In this study, the effect of phosphate on Ni sorption by Mahan soil was investigated. In batch experiments, an initial solution concentration of 1 mM phosphate increased Ni sorption by 15.1%, and initial concentrations of 1 mM Ni increased phosphate sorption by 12.8%. The effect of phosphate on Ni sorption, and vice versa, was dependent on initial concentrations of either solute, with greater effects being observed with greater initial concentrations. Sequential extractions suggest that the increased sorption of either species in the presence of the other is due to a combination of electrostatic interactions and the formation of ternary complexes. A novel Freundlich‐type multi‐component isotherm (FMC) was developed and described the sorption of Ni both in the absence and presence of phosphate with a single set of parameters. The effect of phosphate on the sorption kinetics of Ni was evaluated using the stirred‐flow approach. The presence of phosphate increased the maximum sorbed concentration of Ni by 7.3% and increased the rate of Ni sorption. A novel Freundlich‐type multi‐component kinetic model (FKM) was developed and described the stirred‐flow data well. The FKM was able to describe the sorption‐desorption of both Ni and phosphate applied individually as well as simultaneously. The FMC and FKM offer advantages over previous modeling approaches in that they require far fewer parameters than surface complexation models and have greater descriptive capabilities than traditional empirical models. However, both models are empirical, and their ability to describe the observed data should not be taken to imply specific molecular‐level mechanisms.
MXene‐Supported, Atomic‐Layered Iridium Catalysts Created by Nanoparticle Re‐Dispersion for Efficient Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Dai Linxiu , Shen Yiheng , Chen Johnny Zhu , Zhou Lin , Wu Xun , Li Zhe , Wang Jiayang , Huang Wenyu , Miller Jeffrey T. , Wang Qian , Cao Anyuan , Wu Yue
Published: February 2022

Tailoring the structure of metal components and interaction with their anchored substrates is essential for improving the catalytic performance of supported metal catalysts; the ideal catalytic configuration, especially down to the range of atomic layers, clusters, and even single atoms, remains a subject under intensive study. Here, an Ir‐on‐MXene (Mo2TiC2Tx) catalyst with controlled morphology changing from nanoparticles down to flattened atomic layers, and finally ultrathin layers and single atoms dispersed on MXene nanosheets at elevated temperature, is presented. The intermediate structure, consisting of mostly Ir atomic layers, shows the highest activity toward the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) under industry‐compatible alkaline conditions. In addition, the better HER activity of Ir atomic layers than that of single atoms suggests that the former serves as the main active sites. Detailed mechanism analysis reveals that the nanoparticle re‐dispersion process and Ir atomic layers with a moderate interaction to the substrate associate with unconventional electron transfer from MXene to Ir, leading to suitable H* adsorption. The results indicate that the structural design is important for the development of highly efficient catalysts.
Synergistic Silencing of Skp2 by siRNA Self‐Assembled Nanoparticles as a Therapeutic Strategy for Advanced Prostate Cancer
Authors: Liang Hong , Zhang Fangming , Hong Yannv , Wu Yue , Xie Huanzhang , Zhang Chen , Wang Zonghua , Lu Zhonglei , Yang Huanghao
Published: February 2022

Advanced prostate cancer, harboring multiple mutations of tumor suppressor genes, is refractory to conventional therapies. Knockout of the Skp2 gene blocks pRb/p53 doubly deficient prostate cancer in mice, which inspired the authors to develop an approach for delivering siRNA that would efficiently silence Skp2 (siSkp2) in vivo. Here, a facile strategy is reported to directly assemble siSkp2 with the natural compound quercetin (Que) into supramolecular nanoparticles (NPs). This carrier‐free siSkp2 delivery system could effectively protect siSkp2 from degradation in serum and enhance its cellular internalization. Furthermore, the siSkp2/Que NPs exhibit synergistic effects in Skp2 silencing, because they can degrade the mRNA and protein of Skp2 simultaneously. Indeed, siSkp2/Que NPs remarkably diminish the Skp2 abundance and further inhibit the proliferation and migration of TMU cells (RB1/TP53/KRAS triple mutations) in vitro. The in vivo results further show that i.v. administration of siSkp2/Que NPs efficiently accumulates in tumor sites and strongly inhibits the growth of TMU tumors in nude mice. Importantly, the siSkp2/Que NPs do not induce any abnormality in the treated mice, which suggests satisfactory biocompatibility. Collectively, this study describes a tractable siRNA self‐assembled strategy for Skp2 silencing, which might be a promising nanodrug to cure multitherapy‐resistant advanced prostate cancer.
Protein Mediated Enzyme Immobilization
Authors: Caparco Adam A. , Dautel Dylan R. , Champion Julie A.
Published: February 2022

Enzyme immobilization is an essential technology for commercializing biocatalysis. It imparts stability, recoverability, and other valuable features that improve the effectiveness of biocatalysts. While many avenues to join an enzyme to solid phases exist, protein‐mediated immobilization is rapidly developing and has many advantages. Protein‐mediated immobilization allows for the binding interaction to be genetically coded, can be used to create artificial multienzyme cascades, and enables modular designs that expand the variety of enzymes immobilized. By designing around binding interactions between protein domains, they can be integrated into functional materials for protein immobilization. These materials are framed within the context of biocatalytic performance, immobilization efficiency, and stability of the materials. In this review, supports composed entirely of protein are discussed first, with systems such as cellulosomes and protein cages being discussed alongside newer technologies like spore‐based biocatalysts and forizymes. Protein‐composite materials such as polymersomes and protein–inorganic supraparticles are then discussed to demonstrate how protein‐mediated strategies are applied to many classes of solid materials. Critical analysis and future directions of protein‐based immobilization are then discussed, with a particular focus on both computational and design strategies to advance this area of research and make it more broadly applicable to many classes of enzymes.
Construction of Fe‐doped NiS–NiS2 Heterostructured Microspheres Via Etching Prussian Blue Analogues for Efficient Water‐Urea Splitting
Authors: Huang Shoushuang , Zhang Qian , Xin Peijun , Zhang Jie , Chen Qiaochuan , Fu Jie , Jin Zhiqiang , Wang Qing , Hu Zhangjun
Published: February 2022

Developing efficient and robust non‐precious‐metal‐based catalysts to accelerate electrocatalytic reaction kinetics is crucial for electrochemical water‐urea splitting. Herein, Fe‐doped NiS–NiS2 heterostructured microspheres, an electrocatalyst, are synthesized via etching Prussian blue analogues following a controlled annealing treatment. The resulting microspheres are constructed by mesoporous nanoplates, granting the virtues of large surface areas, high structural void porosity, and accessible inner surface. These advantages not only provide more redox reaction centers but also strengthen structural robustness and effectively facilitate the mass diffusion and charge transport. Density functional theory simulations validate that the Fe‐doping improves the conductivity of nickel sulfides, whereas the NiS–NiS2 heterojunctions induce interface charge rearrangement for optimizing the adsorption free energy of intermediates, resulting in a low overpotential and high electrocatalytic activity. Specifically, an ultralow overpotential of 270 mV at 50 mA cm−2 for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is achieved. After adding 0.33 M urea into 1 M KOH, Fe‐doped NiS–NiS2 obtains a strikingly reduced urea oxidation reaction potential of 1.36 V to reach 50 mA cm−2, around 140 mV less than OER. This work provides insights into the synergistic modulation of electrocatalytic activity of non‐noble catalysts for applications in energy conversion systems.
Solid‐State Electrolytes for Rechargeable Magnesium‐Ion Batteries: From Structure to Mechanism
Authors: Guo Miao , Yuan Chongyang , Zhang Tengfei , Yu Xuebin
Published: February 2022

Rechargeable magnesium (Mg)‐ion batteries have received growing attention as a next‐generation battery system owing to their advantages of sufficient reserves, lower cost, better safety, and higher volumetric energy density than lithium‐ion batteries. However, Mg as an anode can be easily passivated during charging/discharging by most common solvents, which are inconducive for magnesium deposition/stripping. Based on this, the development of Mg‐ion solid‐state electrolytes in the last decades led to the formulization of several concepts beyond previously reported designs. These exciting studies have once again sparked an interest in all‐solid‐state magnesium‐ion batteries. In this review, Mg solid‐state electrolytes, including inorganic (oxides, hydrides, and chalcogenides) and organic (metal‐organic frameworks and polymers) materials are classified and summarized in detail. Moreover, the structural characteristics and the migration mechanism of Mg2+ ions are also discussed with a focus on pending questions and future prospects.
Low‐Temperature Exsolution of Ni–Ru Bimetallic Nanoparticles from A‐Site Deficient Double Perovskites
Authors: Guo Jia , Cai Rongsheng , Cali Eleonora , Wilson George E. , Kerherve Gwilherm , Haigh Sarah J. , Skinner Stephen J.
Published: February 2022

Exsolution of stable metallic nanoparticles for use as efficient electrocatalysts has been of increasing interest for a range of energy technologies. Typically, exsolved nanoparticles show higher thermal and coarsening stability compared to conventionally deposited catalysts. Here, A‐site deficient double perovskite oxides, La2‐xNiRuO6‐δ (x = 0.1 and 0.15), are designed and subjected to low‐temperature reduction leading to exsolution. The reduced double perovskite materials are shown to exsolve nanoparticles of 2–6 nm diameter during the reduction in the low‐temperature range of 350–450 °C. The nanoparticle sizes are found to increase after reduction at the higher temperature (450 °C), suggesting diffusion‐limited particle growth. Interestingly, both nickel and ruthenium are co‐exsolved during the reduction process. The formation of bimetallic nanoparticles at such low temperatures is rare. From the in situ impedance spectroscopy measurements of the double perovskite electrode layers, the onset of the exsolution process is found to be within the first few minutes of the reduction reaction. In addition, the area‐specific resistance of the electrode layers is found to decrease by 90% from 291 to 29 Ω cm2, suggesting encouraging prospects for these low‐temperature rapidly exsolved Ni/Ru alloy nanoparticles in a range of catalytic applications.
Assessing Long‐Term Cycling Stability of Single‐Crystal Versus Polycrystalline Nickel‐Rich NCM in Pouch Cells with 6 mAh cm−2 Electrodes
Authors: Zhao Wengao , Zou Lianfeng , Zhang Leiting , Fan Xinming , Zhang Hehe , Pagani Francesco , Brack Enzo , Seidl Lukas , Ou Xing , Egorov Konstantin , Guo Xueyi , Hu Guorong , Trabesinger Sigita , Wang Chongmin , Battaglia Corsin
Published: February 2022

Lithium‐ion batteries based on single‐crystal LiNi1−x−yCoxMnyO2 (NCM, 1−x−y ≥ 0.6) cathode materials are gaining increasing attention due to their improved structural stability resulting in superior cycle life compared to batteries based on polycrystalline NCM. However, an in‐depth understanding of the less pronounced degradation mechanism of single‐crystal NCM is still lacking. Here, a detailed postmortem study is presented, comparing pouch cells with single‐crystal versus polycrystalline LiNi0.60Co0.20Mn0.20O2 (NCM622) cathodes after 1375 dis‐/charge cycles against graphite anodes. The thickness of the cation‐disordered layer forming in the near‐surface region of the cathode particles does not differ significantly between single‐crystal and polycrystalline particles, while cracking is pronounced for polycrystalline particles, but practically absent for single‐crystal particles. Transition metal dissolution as quantified by time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry on the surface of the cycled graphite anode is much reduced for single‐crystal NCM622. Similarly, CO2 gas evolution during the first two cycles as quantified by electrochemical mass spectrometry is much reduced for single‐crystal NCM622. Benefitting from these advantages, graphite/single‐crystal NMC622 pouch cells are demonstrated with a cathode areal capacity of 6 mAh cm−2 with an excellent capacity retention of 83% after 3000 cycles to 4.2 V, emphasizing the potential of single‐crystalline NCM622 as cathode material for next‐generation lithium‐ion batteries.
Ion‐Selective Organic Electrochemical Transistors: Recent Progress and Challenges
Authors: Li Yang , Cui Binbin , Zhang Shiming , Li Bingxiang , Li Jianmin , Liu Shujuan , Zhao Qiang
Published: February 2022

The charged species inside biofluids (blood, interstitial fluid, sweat, saliva, urine, etc.) can reflect the human body's physiological conditions and thus be adopted to diagnose various diseases early. Among all personalized health management applications, ion‐selective organic electrochemical transistors (IS‐OECTs) have shown tremendous potential in point‐of‐care testing of biofluids due to low cost, ease of fabrication, high signal amplification, and low detection limit. Moreover, IS‐OECTs exhibit excellent flexibility and biocompatibility that enable their application in wearable bioelectronics for continuous health monitoring. In this review, the working principle of IS‐OECTs and the recent studies of IS‐OECTs for performance improvement are reviewed. Specifically, contemporary studies on material design and device optimization to enhance the sensitivity of IS‐OECTs are discussed. In addition, the progress toward the commercialization of IS‐OECTs is highlighted, and the recently proposed solutions or alternatives are summarized. The main challenges and perspectives for fully exploiting IS‐OECTs toward future preventive and personal medical devices are addressed.
A Low‐Voltage Layered Na2TiGeO5 Anode for Lithium‐Ion Battery
Authors: Liu Zhiwei , He Di , Wang Boya , Wu Tianhao , Zhao Shu , Li Xunlu , He Shiman , Liang Yuan , Zhou Yongning , Sun Shuhui , Yu Haijun
Published: February 2022

Titanium‐based anode materials have achieved much progress with the wide studies in lithium‐ion batteries. However, these known materials usually possess high discharge voltage platforms and limited energy densities. Herein, a titanium‐based oxide of Na2TiGeO5 with layered structure, two‐dimensional lamellar frame and exposed highly active (001) facet, exhibiting good electrochemical performance in terms of high capacity (410 mAh g–1 with a current density of 50 mA g–1), excellent rate capability and cycling stability with no obvious capacity attenuation after 4000 cycles, is reported. The appropriate discharge voltage plateau at around 0.2 V endows the Na2TiGeO5 anode material high security compared with graphite and high energy density compared with spinel Li4Ti5O12. Combining the electrochemical tests and the density functional theory calculations, the Li+ storage mechanism of Na2TiGeO5 is elucidated and the conversion reaction process is revealed. More importantly, this study provides a way to develop low‐voltage and high‐capacity titanium‐based anode materials for efficient energy storage.
Inorganic Electrolyte for Low‐Temperature Aqueous Sodium Ion Batteries
Authors: Zhu Kunjie , Li Zhaopeng , Sun Zhiqin , Liu Pei , Jin Ting , Chen Xuchun , Li Haixia , Lu Wenbo , Jiao Lifang
Published: February 2022

Aqueous sodium ion batteries have received widespread attention due to their great application potential and high safety. However, the serious capacity fading under low temperature dramatically restricts their practical application. Compared to flammable and toxic organic antifreezing additives, addition of common cheap inorganic inert additives to improve low‐temperature performance is of interest scientifically. Herein, low‐cost calcium chloride is served as antifreezing additive in 1 m NaClO4 aqueous electrolyte due to its strong interaction with water molecules. The freezing point of the optimized electrolyte is significantly reduced to below −50 °C with an ultrahigh ionic conductivity (7.13 mS cm−1) at −50 °C. All pure inorganic composition of the full battery delivers a high capacity of 74.5 mAh g−1 under 1 C (1 C = 150 mA g−1) at −30 °C. More importantly, when tested under 10 C at −30 °C, the battery can achieve an ultralong cycling stability of 6000 cycles with no obvious capacity decay, indicating fast Na+ transport under low temperature. Significantly, this work provides an easy‐to‐operate strategy by adding cheap inorganic salt to develop high‐performance low‐temperature aqueous batteries.
Ultrastable and High Energy Calcium Rechargeable Batteries Enabled by Calcium Intercalation in a NASICON Cathode
Authors: Chen Chunhong , Shi Fangyi , Zhang Shishi , Su Yaqiong , Xu Zheng‐Long
Published: February 2022

Ca‐ion batteries (CIBs) have been considered a promising candidate for the next‐generation energy storage technology owing to the abundant calcium element and the low reduction potential of Ca2+/Ca. However, the large size and divalent nature of Ca2+ induce significant volume change and sluggish ion mobility in intercalation cathodes, leading to poor reversibly and low energy/power densities for CIBs. Herein, a polyanionic Na superionic conduction (NASICON)‐typed Na‐vacant Na1V2(PO4)2F3 (N1PVF3) with sufficient interstitial spaces is reported as ultra‐stable and high‐energy Ca ion cathodes. The N1PVF3 delivers exceptionally high Ca storage capacities of 110 and 65 mAh g‐1 at 10 and 500 mA g–1, respectively, and a record‐long cyclability of 2000 cycles. More interestingly, by tailoring the fluorine content in N1PVFx (1 ≤ x ≤ 3), the high working potential of 3.5 V versus Ca2+/Ca is achievable. In conjunction with Ca metal anode and a compatible electrolyte, Ca metal batteries with N1VPF3 cathodes are constructed, which deliver an initial energy density of 342 W h kg‐1, representing one of the highest values thus far reported for CIBs. Origins of the uncommonly stable and high‐power capabilities for N1PVF3 are elucidated as the small volume changes and low cation diffusion barriers among the cathodes.
Er‐Based Luminescent Nanothermometer to Explore the Real‐Time Temperature of Cells under External Stimuli
Authors: Wu Na , Sun Yishuo , Kong Mengya , Lin Xue , Cao Cong , Li Zhanxian , Feng Wei , Li Fuyou
Published: February 2022

Temperature as a typical parameter, which influences the status of living creatures, is essential to life activities and indicates the initial cellular activities. In recent years, the rapid development of nanotechnology provides a new tool for studying temperature variation at the micro‐ or nano‐scales. In this study, an important phenomenon is observed at the cell level using luminescent probes to explore intracellular temperature changes, based on Yb‐Er doping nanoparticles with special upconversion readout mode and intensity ratio signals (I525 and I545). Further optimization of this four‐layer core‐shell ratio nanothermometer endows it with remarkable characteristics: super photostability, sensitivity, and protection owing to the shell. Thus this kind of thermal probe has the property of anti‐interference to the complex chemical environment, responding exclusively to temperature, when it is used in liquid and cells to reflect external temperature changes at the nanoscale. The intracellular temperature of living RAW and CAOV3 cells are observed to have a resistance mechanism to external stimuli and approach a more favorable temperature, especially for CAOV3 cells with good heat resistance, with the intracellular temperature 4.8 °C higher than incubated medium under 5 °C environment, and 4.4 °C lower than the medium under 60 °C environment.
Stable Two‐dimensional Nanoconfined Ionic Liquids with Highly Efficient Ionic Conductivity
Authors: Dong Mengyang , Zhang Kuiyuan , Wan Xinyi , Wang Shilin , Fan Shuaikang , Ye ZhiZhen , Wang Yuqi , Yan Youguo , Peng Xinsheng
Published: February 2022

Amid the burgeoning environmental concerns, electrochemical energy storage is of great demand, inspiring the rapid development of electrolytes. Quasi‐liquid solid electrolytes (QLSEs) demonstrate exciting properties that combine high ionic conductivity and safety. Herein, a QLSE system is constructed by confining ionic liquids (ILs) into 2D materials‐based membranes, which creates a subtle platform for the investigation of the nanoconfined ion transport process. The highest ionic conductivity increment of 506% can be observed when ILs are under nanoconfinement. Correlation of experimental results and simulation evidently prove the diffusion behaviors of ILs are remarkably accelerated when confined in nanochannels, ascribing from the promoted dissociation of ILs. Concurrently, nanoconfined ILs demonstrate a highly ordered distribution, lower interplay, and higher free volume compared against bulk systems. This work reveals and analyzes the phenomenon of ionic conductivity elevation in nanoconfined ILs, and offers inspiring opportunities to fabricate the highly stable and efficient QLSEs based on layered nanomaterials for energy storage applications.
High‐Voltage Electrolyte Chemistry for Lithium Batteries
Authors: Guo Kanglong , Qi Shihan , Wang Huaping , Huang Junda , Wu Mingguang , Yang Yulu , Li Xiu , Ren Yurong , Ma Jianmin
Published: February 2022

Lithium batteries are currently the most popular and promising energy storage system, but the current lithium battery technology can no longer meet people's demand for high energy density devices. Increasing the charge cutoff voltage of a lithium battery can greatly increase its energy density. However, as the voltage increases, a series of unfavorable factors emerges in the system, causing the rapid failure of lithium batteries. To overcome these problems and extend the life of high‐voltage lithium batteries, electrolyte modification strategies have been widely adopted. Under this content, this review first introduces the degradation mechanism of lithium batteries under high cutoff voltage, and then presents an overview of the recent progress in the modification of high‐voltage lithium batteries using electrolyte modification strategies. Finally, the future direction of high‐voltage lithium battery electrolytes is also proposed.