bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sustained and Localized Drug Depot Release Using Radiation‐Activated Scintillating Nanoparticles
Authors: Kang Mikyung , Quintana Jeremy , Hu Huiyu , Teixeira Verônica C. , Olberg Sven , Banla Leou Ismael , Rodriguez Victoria , Hwang William L. , Schuemann Jan , Parangi Sareh , Weissleder Ralph , Miller Miles A.
Published: February 2024

Clinical treatment of cancer commonly incorporates X‐ray radiation therapy (XRT), and developing spatially precise radiation‐activatable drug delivery strategies may improve XRT efficacy while limiting off‐target toxicities associated with systemically administered drugs. Nevertheless, achieving this has been challenging thus far because strategies typically rely on radical species with short lifespans, and the inherent nature of hypoxic and acidic tumor microenvironments may encourage spatially heterogeneous effects. It is hypothesized that the challenge could be bypassed by using scintillating nanoparticles that emit light upon X‐ray absorption, locally forming therapeutic drug depots in tumor tissues. Thus a nanoparticle platform (Scintillating nanoparticle Drug Depot; SciDD) that enables the local release of cytotoxic payloads only after activation by XRT is developed, thereby limiting off‐target toxicity. As a proof‐of‐principle, SciDD is used to deliver a microtubule‐destabilizing payload MMAE (monomethyl auristatin E). With as little as a 2 Gy local irradiation to tumors, MMAE payloads are released effectively to kill tumor cells. XRT‐mediated drug release is demonstrated in multiple mouse cancer models and showed efficacy over XRT alone (p < 0.0001). This work shows that SciDD can act as a local drug depot with spatiotemporally controlled release of cancer therapeutics.
Sub‐Micron Thickness Self‐Limiting Electrospray Deposition via Voltage Bias of Spray Target
Authors: Rouf Ayman , Park Sarah H. , Singer Jonathan P.
Published: February 2024

Electrospray deposition (ESD) is a technique with emerging relevance for applications requiring micro‐/nano‐scaled coatings. Self‐limiting electrospray deposition (SLED) is a regime of ESD where upon satisfying the criteria for self‐limiting behavior, the charge buildup of the material will eventually begin to repel itself until an asymptotic thickness is achieved, based primarily on the properties of the spray solution and deposited material. This work focuses on controlling the coating thickness further to achieve sub‐micron thicknesses. By applying a voltage bias of the same polarity of the spray onto the target substrate while providing a secondary grounded surface, the thickness of a payload can be manipulated for thinner and more precise thicknesses. The magnitude of the voltage bias is varied to show the effect of voltage bias on thickness, and 2‐D and 3‐D structures are used to demonstrate the generality of this technique for complex substrates. The results show how SLED can be included as a potential alternative for conformal coatings deposited at ambient conditions at the sub‐micron scale.
A Microfluidic Perfusion Culture Setup to Investigate Cell Migration in 3D Constrictions
Authors: Geiger Matthias , Marsico Prianca , Pensold Daniel , Wessling Matthias , Zimmer‐Bensch Geraldine , Linkhorst John
Published: February 2024

Cell migration is a fundamental process underlying the morphological maturation of organs, but also in disease‐related conditions such as cancer. Cells are able to migrate through crowded space and a tight extracellular matrix (ECM). Passing through a constriction, a cell deforms strongly, including its nucleus. Such nuclear deformation can lead to changes in the 3D‐genomic architecture, and putatively, DNA methylation. However, the specific effects of deformation on cells are not well understood. It is highly desired to establish an ex vivo methodology to induce well‐defined cell deformation in complex geometrical constrictions. This study introduces a microfluidic system for the study of migrating cells in precisely controlled geometrical confinement. A procedure for coating, seeding of cerebellar granule cells, and perfusion culture is presented. By leveraging direct laser writing, channels with smooth, anisotropically curved surfaces on the cell‐scale can be fabricated. The system consists of constriction channels with a radius of 2 or 4 µm for the cells to pass through. This corresponds to a compression of the nucleus to 3.5% and 14.2% of its undeformed cross‐sectional area, respectively. The system can be used to investigate the influence of confinement geometry on the migration behavior and transcriptome of various cell types.
Nanoparticle‐Mediated Tumor Microenvironment Remodeling Favors the Communication with the Immune Cells for Tumor Killing
Authors: Lucena‐Sánchez Elena , Hicke Francisco J. , Clara‐Trujillo Sandra , García‐Fernández Alba , Martínez‐Máñez Ramón
Published: February 2024

Melanoma is one of the most common types of skin cancer with a bad prognosis and limited treatment options in advanced stages. Immunotherapy has changed the landscape of oncology. Cancer cells can activate various mechanisms to suppress immune responses, such as the immunological checkpoint programmed cell death‐1 (PD‐1)/programmed cell death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1), whose blockage reactivates immune killing of melanoma cells. Moreover, exposure to inhibitory cytokines such as transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β) induces T regulatory cell differentiation, which promotes cancer immunosuppression. These advances provided exciting outcomes in the clinical treatment of melanoma, however, there are still limitations, and a combination of several treatments is usually needed. Based on the above, inhibition of the TGF‐β production and the PD‐1/PD‐L1 checkpoint may be a feasible strategy to increase T cell infiltration and cytotoxicity and thus overcome tumor immune escape. Here, mesoporous silica nanoparticles loaded with a PD‐L1 inhibitor (JQ1, a thienotriazolodiazepine and a potent bromodomain family inhibitor) and capped with polyethyleneimine and a small interfering RNA targeting TGF‐β are reported. An efficient PD‐L1 downregulation and TGF‐β silencing are achieved using the nanoparticles, along with the promotion of cancer death. This system demonstrates to be a specific and innovative therapeutic approach for the treatment of melanoma.
Evaluation of dichlobenil for hair fescue (Festuca filiformis Pourr.) management in wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.)
Authors: MacEachern Craig B. , Esau Travis J. , White Scott N. , Zaman Qamar U. , Farooque Aitazaz A.
Published: February 2024

Hair fescue is an economically destructive, tuft‐forming weed common in wild blueberry fields. The current management of hair fescue is almost completely reliant on pronamide (3,5‐dichloro‐N‐[2‐methylbut‐3‐yn‐2‐yl]benzamide) herbicide with few other products demonstrating effectiveness. Dichlobenil (2,6‐dichlorobenzonitrile) is a group 29 herbicide registered for use in wild blueberry; however, it has seen limited use because of its high product cost of over CAD 1800 ha−1 and limited research on the effect of varying application rates. Treatments (dichlobenil at 4400, 5700, and 7000 g a.i. ha−1, pronamide at 2240 g a.i. ha−1, and a nontreated control) were applied during the 2020 autumn prior to wild blueberry stem emergence in the nonbearing year (2021). Each treatment was replicated five times per field across three fields in central Nova Scotia. Dichlobenil at 4400, 5700, and 7000 g a.i. ha−1 reduced 2021 (nonbearing year) living tuft density by 59%, 71%, and 83%, respectively, and provided residual control in 2022 (bearing year) with densities reduced by 59%, 69%, and 78%, respectively. Comparatively, pronamide reduced 2021 and 2022 living tuft density by 95% and 91%. Reductions in living tuft density resulted in yield increases of 62%, 57%, and 94% in plots treated with dichlobenil at 4400, 5700, and 7000 g a.i. ha−1, respectively, and 73% for plots treated with pronamide. Results demonstrate that dichlobenil is an effective herbicide for managing hair fescue in wild blueberry. The potential for the selection of herbicide‐resistant biotypes to industry standard pronamide could be prolonged with integrated dichlobenil applications.
Biallelic OTUD6B variants associated with a Kabuki syndrome‐like disorder in three siblings: A clinical report and literature review
Authors: Gangaram Balram , Lee Virgina , Slavotinek Anne
Published: February 2024

Biallelic variants in the OTUD6B gene have been reported in the literature in association with an intellectual developmental disorder featuring dysmorphic facies, seizures, and distal limb abnormalities. Physical differences described for affected individuals suggest that the disorder may be clinically recognizable, but previous publications have reported an initial clinical suspicion for Kabuki syndrome (KS) in some affected individuals. Here, we report on three siblings with biallelic variants in OTUD6B co‐segregating with neurodevelopmental delay, shared physical differences, and other clinical findings similar to those of previously reported individuals. However, clinical manifestations such as long palpebral fissures, prominent and cupped ears, developmental delay, growth deficiency, persistent fetal fingertip pads, vertebral anomaly, and seizures in the proband were initially suggestive of KS. In addition, previously unreported clinical manifestations such as delayed eruption of primary dentition, soft doughy skin with reduced sweating, and mirror movements present in our patients suggest an expansion of the phenotype, and we perform a literature review to update on current information related to OTUD6B and human gene‐disease association.
Lattice Strained Induced Spin Regulation in Co−N/S Coordination‐Framework Enhanced Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Lin Liu , Ni Youxuan , Shang Long , Wang Linyue , Yan Zhenhua , Zhao Qing , Chen Jun
Published: February 2024

Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is the bottleneck of metal‐air batteries and fuel cells. Strain regulation can change the geometry and adjust the surface charge distribution of catalysts, which is a powerful strategy to optimize the ORR activity. The introduction of controlled strain to the material is still difficult to achieve. Herein, we present a temperature‐pressure‐induced strategy to achieve the controlled lattice strain for metal coordination polymers. Through the systematic study of the strain effect on ORR performance, the relationship between geometric and electronic effects is further understood and confirmed. The strained Co‐DABDT (DABDT=2,5‐diaminobenzene‐1,4‐dithiol) with 2 % lattice compression exhibits a superior half‐wave potential of 0.81 V. Theoretical analysis reveals that the lattice strain changes spin‐charge densities around S atoms for Co‐DABDT, and then regulates the hydrogen bond interaction with intermediates to promote the ORR catalytic process. This work helps to understand the catalytic mechanism from the atomic level.
Independent Multiple‐Atom‐Site Functionality in Composition Adjustable Immiscible Ru‐Rh‐Pd‐Pt Solid‐Solution High‐Entropy Alloys for NOx Reduction Outperforming Rh
Authors: Tan Zhe , Huang Bo
Published: February 2024

The high‐entropy‐alloy (HEA) nanoparticles with four, five or more metals significantly can yield the developments of functional materials with excellent performances in various reactions. However, the underlying reaction mechanisms of heterogeneous catalysis for HEA have been rarely investigated, due to their diverse elements and complex compositions. In this study, we successfully synthesized the homogeneously dispersed Ru−Rh−Pd−Pt HEA with adjustable compositions, as the multiple‐atom‐site catalysts (MASC). In the NOx reduction performance tests, Ru0.4 (Rh0.33Pd0.33Pt0.33)0.6 MASC showed the highest activity, which was significantly improved compared to that of the best monometal Rh, with the light‐off temperature decreasing by ca. 50 °C. The Fourier transform infrared measurements revealed that the outstanding activity of Ru−Rh−Pd−Pt MASC was attributable to the well‐coupled elementary steps of the CO adsorption, NO adsorption, NO dissociation and O spillover on the Ru, Rh, Rh−Pd and Pt sites, respectively, which explained the first clear reaction mechanism in heterogeneous catalysis for HEA.
Glutathione Induced In situ Synthesis of Cu Single‐Atom Nanozymes with Anaerobic Glycolysis Metabolism Interference for Boosting Cuproptosis
Authors: Zhang Wenying , Wang Meifang , Liu Bin , Chen Hao , Tan Jia , Meng Qi , Li Jing , Ding Binbin , Ma Ping'an , Lin Jun
Published: February 2024

Single‐atom nanozyme (SAzyme) has sparked increasing interest for catalytic antitumor treatment due to their more tunable and diverse active sites than natural metalloenzymes in complex physiological conditions. However, it is usually a hard task to precisely conduct catalysis at tumor sites after intravenous injection of those SAzyme with high reactivity. Moreover, the explorations of SAzymes in the anticancer application are still in its infancy and need to be developed. Herein, an in situ synthesis strategy for Cu SAzyme was constructed to convert adsorbed copper ions into isolated atoms anchored by oxygen atoms (Cu−O2/Cu−O4) via GSH‐responsive deformability of supports. Our results suggest that the in situ activation process could further facilitate the dissociation of copper ions and the consumption of glutathione, thereby leading to copper deposition in cytoplasm and triggering cuproptosis. Moreover, the in situ synthesis of Cu SAzyme with peroxidase‐like activity enabled the intracellular reactive oxygen species production, resulting in specifically disturbance of copper metabolism pathway. Meanwhile, the in situ exposed glucose transporter (GLUT) inhibitor phloretin (Ph) can block the glycose uptake to boost cuproptosis efficacy. Overall, this in situ activation strategy effectively diminished the off‐target effects of SACs‐induced catalytic therapies and introduced a promising treatment paradigm for advancing cuproptosis‐associated therapies.
Tailoring the Electronic Metal‐Support Interactions in Supported Silver Catalysts through Al modification for Efficient Ethylene Epoxidation
Authors: Yang Hongling , Li Ganggang , Liu Qinggang , Cheng Haixia , Wang Xiaoxu , Cheng Jie , Jiang Guoxia , Zhang Fenglian , Zhang Zhongshen , Hao Zhengping
Published: February 2024

Metal‐modified catalysts have attracted extraordinary research attention in heterogeneous catalysis due to their enhanced geometric and electronic structures and outstanding catalytic performances. Silver (Ag) possesses necessary active sites for ethylene epoxidation, but the catalyst activity is usually sacrificed to obtain high selectivity towards ethylene oxide (EO). Herein, we report that using Al can help in tailoring the unoccupied 3d state of Ag on the MnO2 support through strong electronic metal‐support interactions (EMSIs), overcoming the activity‐selectivity trade‐off for ethylene epoxidation and resulting in a very high ethylene conversion rate (~100 %) with 90 % selectivity for EO under mild conditions (170 °C and atmospheric pressure). Structural characterization and theoretical calculations revealed that the EMSIs obtained by the Al modification tailor the unoccupied 3d state of Ag, modulating the adsorption of ethylene (C2H4) and oxygen (O2) and facilitating EO desorption, resulting in high C2H4 conversion. Meanwhile, the increased number of positively charge Ag+ lowers the energy barrier for C2H4(ads) oxidation to produce oxametallacycle (OMC), inducing the unexpectedly high EO selectivity. Such an extraordinary electronic promotion provides new promising pathways for designing advanced metal catalysts with high activity and selectivity in selective oxidation reactions.
Potential of Pinhão husk (Araucaria angustifolia) as a structural reinforcement agent in the properties of edible films of Pinhão flour and gelatin
Authors: De Santana Neto Deocleciano Cassiano , Paiva Thainnane Silva , Dos Santos Rogério Willian Silva , Helm Cristiane Vieira , Da Silva Fábio Anderson Pereira , De Matos Jorge Luiz Mário , Jorge Regina Maria Matos
Published: February 2024

In this study, the use of Pinhão husk as a source of reinforcement material for development of edible films, where the Pinhão seed flour and bovine gelatin were used as matrices for the films. Mechanical properties, water vapor permeability, solubility and opacity, microstructure, and thermal degradation characterized the films produced. The films presented homogeneous and cohesive structures. Pinhão husk content positively affected film properties by increasing tensile strength (TS) and decreasing water vapor permeability (WVP), with Pinhão flour film formulations (5.0% Pinhão flour, 1.2% glycerol, and 0.4% Pinhão husk) and gelatin (5.0% gelatin, 2.0% glycerol, and 0.4% Pinhão husk) those that presented the best results (5.06 MPa for TS and 0.14 g.mm/kPa.h.m2 for WVP) and (3.88 MPa for TS and 0.28 g.mm/kPa.h.m2 for WVP), respectively The thermal degradation study revealed that the films are stable at temperatures below 150°C, losing only free water and volatile compounds of low molecular weight. Pinhão husk can reinforce films, making them suitable as biodegradable and edible packaging materials for eco‐friendly food products. This contributes to the circular economy, preserves biodiversity, and reduces plastic waste, offering promising sustainable packaging solutions.
Novel transparent lignin/epoxy resin nanocomposite film development with enhanced UV resistance performance
Authors: Taher Muhammad Abu , Hasan K. M. Faridul , Zhu Jin
Published: February 2024

The increased importance of nanostructured lignin exhibits a plethora of multifunctional groups, making it a highly adaptable material basis with significant potential for use in the rapidly expanding composite sector. Initially, lignin nanoparticles (NPs) were incorporated into epoxy networks via an in situ polymerization process where isophorone diamine functioned as a hardener to produce lignin/epoxy resin nanocomposites (lignin@TN). These lignin@TN exhibit promising characteristics, enhancing UV‐blocking efficiency (35.69% at 404 nm with 3.72 wt% lignin) in transparent nanocomposite films while simultaneously improving mechanical properties compared with neat epoxy resin. Adding lignin nanoparticles to epoxy nanocomposites boost up tensile strength by an impressive 24% compared with the pristine epoxy but it affected the glass transition temperature (Tg). After all, this study has opened new possibilities for utilizing renewable, sustainable, and economic lignin feedstocks as a potential ingredient for reinforcing with thermoset polymers like epoxy.
An innovative biomass‐based wood adhesive generated from peony seed meal: Its preparation and properties
Authors: Zhang Binghan , Guo Baicheng , Wang Shihan , Zhang Jiahui , Liu Can , Gao Zhenhua
Published: February 2024

Plant protein‐based adhesives, particularly those derived from soybean meal (SM), have been available for various product applications. However, the high cost of SM has limited large‐scale manufacturing, despite sufficient production capacity. Peony seed meal (PSM) is abundant in proteins, polysaccharides, and polyphenols, the protein in PSM contains highly hydrophobic amino acids, resulting in low water solubility and water holding capacity. It is worth investigating whether the unique composition of hydrophobic amino acids in PSM protein can enhance the water resistance of PSM‐based adhesives. Additionally, the lower price of PSM, which is approximately two‐thirds of the cost of SM, makes it a more valuable raw material for adhesives. Herein, we report a simple and practical approach for preparing PSM‐based wood adhesives by utilizing the highly active cross‐linking agent of polyamidoamine‐epichlorohydrin (PAE). The results showed PSM‐based adhesives possessed excellent adhesion, especially the adhesive of “PSM‐36%”, with the wet bond strength and the aged bond strength reaching 1.60 and 0.83 MPa, respectively, meeting the standards outlined for indoor‐use plywood (≥0.98 MPa). Mechanistic studies indicated that the adhesion mechanism of such PSM‐based adhesives might involve high solid content, low viscosity, high thermal stability, and the formulation of covalent bonds and hydrogen bond networks.
Population genetics, demography and conservation of Mediterranean brown trout from Sardinia
Authors: Splendiani Andrea , Righi Tommaso , Fioravanti Tatiana , Sabatini Andrea , Palmas Francesco , Tougard Christelle , Berrebi Patrick , Talarico Lorenzo , Caputo Barucchi Vincenzo
Published: February 2024

Brown trout is a species complex (Salmo trutta complex, L., 1758) including both widespread invasive (non‐native hatchery strains) lineages and endangered local‐endemic lineages, among which is the Sardinian trout, the only native salmonid present in Sardinia. Multiple stressors (e.g. the spread of stocked brown trout of Atlantic origin, habitat alteration and climate change) combine to seriously threaten the persistence of wild native populations.

In this study, the origin, population genetics and demography of wild Sardinian brown trout populations were extensively investigated. A total of 274 trout individuals collected from 12 hydro‐geographical basins were analysed using both mitochondrial (control region) and nuclear (LDH‐C1* locus and 10 microsatellites) markers.

Although stocking activities have altered the native genetic makeup of some populations in the study area, several (almost) uncontaminated populations showing strong genetic structure were detected. Eroded intra‐population diversity, as well as small effective population size, sometimes associated with a bottleneck signal was also found.

The genetic characteristics of Sardinian trout populations described in this study are probably due, at least partly, to the peculiarity of local environmental conditions at the margin of the ecological niche for salmonids.

Based on the results of this study, the need for urgent measures of conservation aimed to ensure the near future viability of the last wild Sardinian trout populations was discussed.
From posts to protection: Ethical considerations regarding forensic psychiatrists and a duty to warn based on social media
Authors: MacIntyre Michael R. , Sones Alexander C. , Li Jesse , Darby William C. , Weinstock Robert
Published: February 2024

Increasing use of social media in forensic mental health evaluations will lead to new challenges that must be resolved by forensic practitioners and the legal system. One such dilemma is the discovery of information that would typically trigger a legal duty and professional ethics obligation for mental health professionals to breach doctor‐patient confidentiality to promote public safety and prevent harm to vulnerable third parties. Although the law and professional organizations offer clear guidance for practitioners in the treatment role, there is currently no clarity from the law or instruction from professional organizations on what mental health professionals should do if they discover such information during a confidential forensic evaluation. For example, a forensic evaluator may find evidence on social media of an evaluee’s threats to seriously harm others, abuse of children and the elderly, or severely impaired driving. There are no clear guidelines for how a forensic psychiatrist should respond in these complicated situations. We review the legal concepts and historical evolution of confidentiality, privilege, and mandated reporter duties that forensic practitioners should consider in these legally ambiguous situations. Finally, we discuss ethics frameworks practitioners can implement to determine their most ethical course of action when faced with such dilemmas.
Nonlinear Impact of Electrolyte Solutions on Protein Dynamics
Authors: Daronkola Hosein Geraili , Söldner Benedikt , Singh Himanshu , Linser Rasmus , Verde Ana Vila
Published: February 2024

Halophilic organisms have adapted to multi‐molar salt concentrations, their cytoplasmic proteins functioning despite stronger attraction between hydrophobic groups. These proteins, of interest in biotechnology because of decreasing fresh‐water resources, have excess acidic amino acids. It has been suggested that conformational fluctuations – critical for protein function – decrease in the presence of a stronger hydrophobic effect, and that an acidic proteome would counteract this decrease. However, our understanding of the salt‐ and acidic amino acid dependency of enzymatic activity is limited. Here, using solution NMR relaxation and molecular dynamics simulations for in total 14 proteins, we show that salt concentration has a limited and moreover non‐monotonic impact on protein dynamics. The results speak against the conformational‐fluctuations model, instead indicating that maintaining protein dynamics to ensure protein function is not an evolutionary driving force behind the acidic proteome of halophilic proteins.
CACNA1B protects naked mole‐rat hippocampal neuron from apoptosis via altering the subcellular localization of Nrf2 after 60Co irradiation
Authors: Yang Wenjing , Chen Chao , Jiang Xiaolong , Zhao Yining , Wang Junyang , Zhang Qianqian , Zhang Jingyuan , Feng Yan , Cui Shufang
Published: February 2024

Although radiotherapy is the most effective treatment modality for brain tumors, it always injures the central nervous system, leading to potential sequelae such as cognitive dysfunction. Radiation induces molecular, cellular, and functional changes in neuronal and glial cells. The hippocampus plays a critical role in learning and memory; therefore, concerns about radiation‐induced injury are widespread. Multiple studies have focused on this complex problem, but the results have not been fully elucidated. Naked mole rat brains were irradiated with 60Co at a dose of 10 Gy. On 7 days, 14 days, and 28 days after irradiation, hippocampi in the control groups were obtained for next‐generation sequencing. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were subsequently performed. Venn diagrams revealed 580 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that were common at different times after irradiation. GO and KEGG analyses revealed that the 580 common DEGs were enriched in molecular transducer activity. In particular, CACNA1B mediated regulatory effects after irradiation. CACNA1B expression increased significantly after irradiation. Downregulation of CACNA1B led to a reduction in apoptosis and reactive oxygen species levels in hippocampal neurons. This was due to the interaction between CACNA1B and Nrf2, which disturbed the normal nuclear localization of Nrf2. In addition, CACNA1B downregulation led to a decrease in the cognitive functions of naked mole rats. These findings reveal the pivotal role of CACNA1B in regulating radiation‐induced brain injury and will lead to the development of a novel strategy to prevent brain injury after irradiation.
Electrochemically Driven para‐Selective C(sp2)−H Alkylation Enabled by Activation of Alkyl Halides without Sacrificial Anodes
Authors: Li Xinling , Deng Weijie , Wen Yating , Wang Ziliang , Zhou Jianfeng , Li Zhenjie , Li Yibiao , Hu Jinhui , Huang Yubing
Published: February 2024

With alkyl halides (I, Br, Cl) as a coupling partner, an electrochemically driven strategy for para‐selective C(sp2)−H alkylation of electron‐deficient arenes (aryl esters, aldehydes, nitriles, and ketones) has been achieved to access diverse alkylated arenes in one step. The reaction enables the activation of alkyl halides in the absence of sacrificial anodes, achieving the formation of C(sp2)‐C(sp3) bonds under mild electrolytic conditions. The utility of this protocol is reflected in high site selectivity, broad substrate scope, and scalable.
Pnictogen‐Rich Heterocycles Derived from a Phosphadiazonium Cation
Authors: Milkovich Shaun K. , Buguis Francis L. , Boyle Paul D. , Gilroy Joe B.
Published: February 2024

Heterocycles that pair main group elements and nitrogen are extremely important within the π‐conjugated heterocycles research community. Compared to the vast number of boron‐nitrogen heterocycles, those that include phosphorus are less common. Furthermore, the use of phosphorus‐nitrogen triple bonds of any type to prepare such compounds is unprecedented. Here, we pair pyridyl hydrazonide ligands with phosphadiazonium cations and demonstrate that the chelated Mes*NP group is directly implicated in the photophysical and redox properties observed for the resulting heterocycles. In doing so, we introduce a novel building block for the production of phosphorus‐containing heterocycles that could find use in small molecule activation and catalysis or as the functional component of emerging organic electronics.
Impacts of Febuxostat on Cerebral and Cardiovascular Events in Elderly Patients with Hyperuricemia: Post Hoc Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Sugawara Masahiro , Kojima Sunao , Hisatome Ichiro , Matsui Kunihiko , Uchiyama Kazuaki , Yokota Naoto , Tokutake Eiichi , Wakasa Yutaka , Hiramitsu Shinya , Waki Masako , Jinnouchi Hideaki , Kakuda Hirokazu , Hayashi Takahiro , Kawai Naoki , Mori Hisao , Tsujita Kenichi , Ohya Yusuke , Kimura Kazuo , Saito Yoshihiko , Ogawa Hisao ,   the Febuxostat for Cerebral and CaRdiorenovascular Events PrEvEntion StuDy (FREED) investigators
Published: February 2024

A recent meta‐analysis found no benefit of uric acid‐lowering therapy including febuxostat on death, cardiovascular events, or renal impairment. However, there may be populations that benefit from febuxostat in reducing mortality and cerebral and cardiovascular events. The aim of the present study was to examine the clinical benefit of febuxostat in elderly patients stratified by age using Febuxostat for Cerebral and CaRdiorenovascular Events PrEvEntion StuDy (FREED) data. FREED was a randomized study involving patients aged 65 years or older with hyperuricemia and risk factors for cerebral, cardiovascular, or renal diseases. A total of 1,070 patients were included in this post hoc analysis, divided into 2 age groups: 65–74 years and ≥ 75 years. Patients were randomized into febuxostat and non‐febuxostat groups, with uric acid levels monitored for 36 months. The primary composite end point included cerebral, cardiovascular, and renal events. In patients aged between 65 and 74 years, febuxostat significantly reduced the risk of future cerebral and cardiorenovascular events. However, no effects of febuxostat were found in the older population aged ≥ 75 years. Heterogeneity in potential interactions between the age and febuxostat treatment was particularly observed in non‐fatal cerebral and cardiovascular events and all‐cause death. Patients aged ≥ 75 years exhibited more pre‐existing factors associated with cerebral and cardiorenovascular events than those aged 65–74 years. The effectiveness of febuxostat varies by age group, with potential benefits for patients aged 65–74 years. The effects of febuxostat are complex and it is important to consider patient characteristics in its clinical use.
Environmental corporate social responsibility and green dynamic capability: The moderating role of slack resources
Authors: Saleem Shaham , Bashir Hafsa
Published: February 2024

Businesses are struggling to gain a competitive edge by ensuring the success of ecologically friendly products. However, a notable deficiency exists in the current body of research on how organizations can improve their green dynamic capabilities and gain a competitive edge. Companies may increase their competitive advantage by actively participating in environmental corporate social responsibility activities. Therefore, this study examines the role of environmental corporate social responsibility (ECSR) in developing green dynamic capabilities (GDC), leading to green product success (GPS) and competitive advantages. Moreover, the moderating role of slack resources (SRC) is examined between ECSR and GDC. This study applied partial least squares structural equation modeling for empirical examinations by gathering data from 375 manufacturing sector managers. The outcomes explained that ECSR favorably affects GDC, and in turn, GDC positively influences GPS and competitive advantages. Moreover, the outcomes also revealed that SRC moderates the positive relationship between ECSR and GDC. The results have significant practical consequences for businesses. Companies should prioritize ECSR since it helps improve ecological efficiency and boosts the company's green capabilities and long‐term viability. Therefore, businesses need to include their GDC in their product creation processes to maintain a competitive advantage in the growing consumer market that places a high value on ecological sustainability.
Prospective associations between early childhood parental feeding practices and eating disorder symptoms and disordered eating behaviors in adolescence
Authors: Harris Holly A. , Kininmonth Alice R. , Nas Zeynep , Derks Ivonne P. M. , Quigley Fiona , Jansen Pauline W. , Llewellyn Clare
Published: February 2024

Objective

Nonresponsive parental feeding practices are associated with poorer appetite self‐regulation in children. It is unknown whether this relationship extends beyond childhood to be prospectively associated with the onset of eating disorder (ED) symptoms in adolescence. This exploratory study therefore investigated prospective associations between early childhood parental feeding practices and adolescent ED symptoms and disordered eating behaviors.

Methods

Data were from two population‐based cohorts with harmonized measures: Generation R (Netherlands; n = 4900) and Gemini (UK; n = 2094). Parents self‐reported their pressure to eat, restriction and instrumental feeding (i.e., using food as a reward) at child age 4–5 years. Adolescents self‐reported their compensatory behaviors (e.g., fasting, purging), binge‐eating symptoms, restrained eating, uncontrolled eating, and emotional eating at 12–14 years. Associations between feeding practices and ED symptoms were examined separately in each cohort using generalized linear models.

Results

In Gemini, pressure to eat in early childhood was associated with adolescents engaging in compensatory behaviors. In Generation R, parental restriction was associated with adolescents engaging in compensatory behaviors, restrained eating, uncontrolled eating, and emotional eating. Instrumental feeding was associated with uncontrolled eating and emotional eating in Generation R.

Discussion

Nonresponsive parental feeding practices were associated with a greater frequency of specific ED symptoms and disordered eating in adolescence, although effect sizes were small and findings were inconsistent between cohorts. Potentially, the cultural and developmental context in which child–parent feeding interactions occur is important for ED symptoms. Further replication studies are required to better understand parents' role in the development and maintenance of ED‐related symptoms.

Public Significance

Prospective research examining how early childhood parental feeding practices might contribute to adolescent ED symptoms is limited. In two population‐based cohorts, nonresponsive feeding practices (restriction, instrumental feeding, pressure to eat) predicted increased frequency of some ED symptoms and disordered eating behaviors in adolescence, although associations were small and further replication is required. Findings support the promotion of responsive feeding practices, which may benefit young children's developing relationship with food.
Time to revisit the definition of atypical anorexia nervosa
Authors: Golden Neville H. , Walsh B. Timothy
Published: February 2024

In this special issue, international researchers investigate how atypical anorexia nervosa (atypical AN) differs from anorexia nervosa (AN) and other eating disorders with respect to demographics, psychological and physiological morbidity, as well as treatment course and outcome. Manuscripts in this special issue report that atypical AN is associated with substantial medical and psychological morbidity, and the majority of studies find few differences between atypical AN and AN. While much remains to be learned about the long‐term course and treatment response of individuals with atypical AN to psychological and pharmacological interventions, the evidence supports conceptualization of atypical AN as part of a spectrum‐based restrictive eating disorder. These findings together with the potentially stigmatizing use of the term “atypical” suggest it may be time to revise the existing definition of atypical AN.
Gut microbiome of the sole surviving member of reptile order Rhynchocephalia reveals biogeographic variation, influence of host body condition and a substantial core microbiota in tuatara across New Zealand
Authors: Hoffbeck Carmen , Middleton Danielle M. R. L. , Lamar Sarah K. , Keall Susan N. , Nelson Nicola J. , Taylor Michael W.
Published: February 2024

Tuatara are the sole extant species in the reptile order Rhynchocephalia. They are ecologically and evolutionarily unique, having been isolated geographically for ~84 million years and evolutionarily from their closest living relatives for ~250 million years. Here we report the tuatara gut bacterial community for the first time. We sampled the gut microbiota of translocated tuatara at five sanctuaries spanning a latitudinal range of ~1000 km within Aotearoa New Zealand, as well as individuals from the source population on Takapourewa (Stephens Island). This represents a first look at the bacterial community of the order Rhynchocephalia and provides the opportunity to address several key hypotheses, namely that the tuatara gut microbiota: (1) differs from those of other reptile orders; (2) varies among geographic locations but is more similar at sites with more similar temperatures and (3) is shaped by tuatara body condition, parasitism and ambient temperature. We found significant drivers of the microbiota in sampling site, tuatara body condition, parasitism and ambient temperature, suggesting the importance of these factors when considering tuatara conservation. We also derived a ‘core’ community of shared bacteria across tuatara at many sites, despite their geographic range and isolation. Remarkably, >70% of amplicon sequence variants could not be assigned to known genera, suggesting a largely undescribed gut bacterial community for this ancient host species.
Medical therapy of cardiogenic shock: Contemporary use of inotropes and vasopressors
Authors: Riccardi Mauro , Pagnesi Matteo , Chioncel Ovidiu , Mebazaa Alexandre , Cotter Gad , Gustafsson Finn , Tomasoni Daniela , Latronico Nicola , Adamo Marianna , Metra Marco
Published: February 2024

Cardiogenic shock is a primary cardiac disorder that results in both clinical and biochemical evidence of tissue hypoperfusion and can lead to multi‐organ failure and death depending on its severity. Inadequate cardiac contractility or cardiac power secondary to acute myocardial infarction remains the most frequent cause of cardiogenic shock, although its contribution has declined over the past two decades, compared with other causes. Despite some advances in cardiogenic shock management, this clinical syndrome is still burdened by an extremely high mortality. Its management is based on immediate stabilization of haemodynamic parameters so that further treatment, including mechanical circulatory support and transfer to specialized tertiary care centres, can be accomplished. With these aims, medical therapy, consisting mainly of inotropic drugs and vasopressors, still has a major role. The purpose of this article is to review current evidence on the use of these medications in patients with cardiogenic shock and discuss specific clinical settings with indications to their use.
Boron Complexes of Tridentate Acyl Pyridylhydrazones
Authors: Watson Alexander E. R. , Boyle Paul D. , Ragogna Paul J. , Gilroy Joe B.
Published: February 2024

Since the development of the chemistry and applications of boron dipyrromethene dyes (BODIPYs), numerous other platforms based on boron complexes of N‐donor ligands have emerged as molecular optoelectronic materials. By tailoring the structure of the ligand bound to boron, the optical and electronic properties of a compound can be precisely tuned for unique properties, such as aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) in the case of boron difluoride hydrazones (BODIHYs). We examine the impact of modifying the typical bidentate hydrazone ligand structure used to prepare BODIHYs to enable a tridentate coordination mode to produce boron complexes of tridentate acyl pyridylhydrazones. This change allows for the use of arylboronic acids as sources of boron and facilitates the inclusion of complex organic components at the boron centre, including the formation of dye‐dye conjugates. The synthesized compounds exhibit distinct optical and electronic properties when compared to BODIHYs, such as reversible electrochemical reduction and up to a >300 nm pseudo‐Stokes shift in the solid state, all of which were supported by density functional theory calculations.
Analysis of active compounds and bioactivity of leaves extracts of Sonneratia species
Authors: Nguyen Lam Thi Truc , Nguyen Thuong Thi , Nguyen Hoa Ngoc , Bui Quynh Thi Phuong
Published: February 2024

The present study focused on the quantitative determination of active compounds, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of leaf extracts of different Sonneratia species. The tested species including Sonneratia alba (SA), Sonneratia caseolaris (SC), and Sonneratia ovata Backer (SO) were collected from Can Gio Mangrove Forest, Vietnam. The methanol extract of SA leaves was found to contain the highest content of total flavonoids, total phenolics and gallic acid (4344.16 ± 51.78 μg/g dry mass). The highest luteolin‐7‐O‐glucoside and luteolin amounts (5963.28 ± 59.77 and 234.33 ± 10.41 μg/g dry mass, respectively) were found in the methanol extract of SC leaves according to HPLC‐DAD analysis. The methanol extracts of all three species exhibited strong DPPH radical scavenging activity while the ethanol extracts provided strong antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, and Escherichia coli. By fractionating the extracts over a SiO2 column using CHCl3: EA: MeOH gradients, the fractions containing high purity luteolin and luteolin‐7‐glucoside from SC and high purity luteolin from SO were collected. Moreover, all fractions demonstrated significant DPPH free radical scavenging ability but the fraction enriched in gallic acid showed the highest activity. These findings show that SA is a promising source of gallic acid while SC can be potentially used for the extraction and isolation of luteolin‐7‐glucoside.
Adaptive unscented Kalman filter methods for identifying time‐variant parameters via state covariance re‐updating
Authors: Zhang Yanzhe , Ding Yong , Bu Jianqing , Guo Lina
Published: February 2024

The conventional parameter identification process generally assumes that parameters remain constant. However, under extreme loading conditions, structures may exhibit nonlinear behavior, and parameters could demonstrate time‐variant characteristics. The unscented Kalman filter (UKF), as an efficient online recursive estimator, is widely used for identifying parameters of nonlinear systems. Nevertheless, it exhibits limitations when attempting to identify time‐variant parameters. To address this issue, this paper proposes a covariance matching technique that produces an array of adaptive UKF algorithms. Firstly, the sensitivity parameterηis defined to identify the instant when the parameter change occurs, and its threshold is calculated based on the sensitivity parameter time history curve. Secondly, an adaptive forgetting factor is introduced to simultaneously update the innovation, cross, and state covariance matrices when thekth‐step sensitive parameter surpasses the threshold. Finally, a secondary correction forgetting factor (SCFF) is employed to further re‐update the state covariance values at the identified damage locations. This creative step enhances the adaptive capability and optimizes the identification accuracy of the proposed algorithms. Both the numerical simulations and shaking table test demonstrate that the proposed adaptive algorithms can efficiently identify the time‐variant stiffness‐type parameters, and accurately capture their time‐variant characteristics.
Let's get aligned! Developing a core outcome set for clinical trials in eating disorders
Authors: Brieva‐Toloza Anna Victoria , Hovmand Oliver Rumle , Micali Nadia , Christensen Anne Bryde
Published: February 2024

Objective

Our study aimed to review the outcome measures/assessment instruments used and to assess their heterogeneity/homogeneity in eating disorders (EDs) randomised controlled trials.

Methods

APA PsycInfo, PubMed, and Embase were searched in December 2022 to identify studies published between and inclusive of January 2012 and December 2022. Inclusion/exclusion criteria were: (1) complete articles published in peer‐reviewed scientific journals, which were: (2) randomised trials, (3) in a clinical setting (4) with human subjects, (5) with an ICD or DSM diagnosis of Anorexia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, or Bulimia Nervosa. The selected papers also: (6) used one or more standardised instruments designed to measure one or more psychometric characteristics associated with ED as a primary or secondary outcome, as judged by the authors of this systematic review, and (7) were published in English or Danish.

Results

Ninety one articles were included, and a total of 196 outcome measures were collected.

Discussion

The diversity of outcome measures in ED trials hampers result comparability and data integration. We suggest creating a core outcome measure set using the Delphi method, including clinician and patient‐reported ED assessments, along with relevant comorbidity scales.
Colonial necropolitics in responding to gender‐based violence amidst cascading disasters in Puerto Rico
Authors: León Waleska Sanabria , Torres M. Gabriela
Published: February 2024

This article analyzes how the practice of cascading disaster responses and the relative erasure of increasing cases of gender‐based violence (GBV), including feminicidio, or feminicide, by the government in Puerto Rico evidence the structural and regularly reproduced vulnerability of marginalized populations. Drawn from fieldwork in southwestern Puerto Rico between 2019 and 2020, this essay juxtaposes the lived experience of frontline GBV service providers with the relative absence of GBV from the public record until 2022. For activists and scholars, the prevalence of GBV and its relative exclusion from state discourse and records is rooted in ideological, cultural, and operational concerns: operationally, GBV is too often excluded from planned disaster response. Culturally, state‐supplied statistics on GBV minimized and otherwise naturalized GBV into a cultural norm or reality‐to‐be‐expected. Ideologically, the exclusion of GBV is also tied to the colonial relationship between Puerto Rico and the United States. We argue that GBV and its relative exclusion from the public record sustains high levels of violence that have already fueled notable public protest and the constrained working conditions of GBV frontline service providers. The article's focus on frontline worker experiences highlights their important role at the forefront of decision‐making on how to mitigate GBV during and in the wake of cascading disasters.