bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Doppler tissue imaging in congestive heart failure patients due to diastolic or systolic dysfunction: a comparison with Doppler echocardiography and the atrio‐ventricular plane displacement technique
Authors: Jarnert Christina , Mejhert Märit , Ring Margareta , Persson Hans , Edner Magnus
Published: July 2002

Background:

Doppler tissue imaging (DTI) is an echocardiographic technique by which regional contractility, relaxation properties and time intervals are obtained easily. DTI has been reported to be relatively pre‐load independent and could, in comparison with the commonly used mitral pulse wave Doppler (MPWD) method, be of clinical interest for identification of patients with diastolic dysfunction. The atrio‐ventricular plane displacement (AVPD) method is an established technique to assess left ventricular systolic function.

Aims:

To determine the pulsed Doppler DTI‐pattern in patients with heart failure and to examine whether it has a similar capacity as MPWD and AVPD to diagnose diastolic dysfunction.

Methods:

We studied 15 controls without congestive heart failure (CHF), 15 patients with diastolic (EF > 45% + CHF) and 15 patients with systolic (EF < 35% + CHF) left ventricular dysfunction and CHF.

Results:

The DTI maximal velocities during systole (s), early filling wave (e) and atrial filling wave (a), decrease with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, r = 0.75, r = 0.56 and r = 0.66 (P < 0.001) and regional isovolumetric contraction and intraventricular relaxation time measured by DTI are prolonged, r = 0.59 and r = 0.73, respectively (P < 0.001). The 15 patients with diastolic heart failure were identified by MPWD or DTI but only 11 by AVPD with 8, 10 and 9 false‐positive, respectively (P < 0.01, P < 0.05 and NS).

Conclusions:

Regional DTI show a consistent pattern in patients with left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure. Regional DTI has similar accuracy as MPWD in identifying diastolic heart failure patients and is superior to the AVPD technique. DTI may be a useful diagnostic tool in diastolic heart failure patients.
Intra‐fractional patient motion when using the Qfix Encompass immobilization system during HyperArc treatment of patients with brain metastases
Authors: Komiyama Riho , Ohira Shingo , Ueda Hikari , Kanayama Naoyuki , Masaoka Akira , Isono Masaru , Ueda Yoshihiro , Miyazaki Masayoshi , Teshima Teruki
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This study investigated the intra‐fractional motion (IM) of patients immobilized using the QFix Encompass Immobilization System during HyperArc (HA) treatment.

Method

HA treatment was performed on 89 patients immobilized using the Encompass. The IM during treatment (including megavoltage (MV) registration) was analyzed for six degrees of freedom including three axes of translation (anterior‐posterior, superior‐inferior (SI) and left‐right (LR)) and three axes of rotation (pitch, roll, and yaw). Then, the no corrected IM (IMNC) was retrospectively simulated (excluding MV registration) in three directions (SI, LR, and yaw). Finally, the correlation between the treatment time and the IM of the 3D vector was assessed.

Results

The average IM in terms of the absolute displacement were 0.3 mm (SI), 0.3 mm (LR) and 0.2° (yaw) for Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), and 0.3 mm (SI), 0.2 mm (LR), and 0.2° (yaw) for stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT). The absolute maximum values of IM were <1 mm along the SI and LR axes and <1° along the yaw axis. The absolute maximum displacements for IMNC were >1 mm along the SI and LR axes and >1° along the yaw axis. In the correlation between the treatment time and the IM, the r‐values were −0.025 and 0.027 for SRS and SRT respectively, along the axes of translation. For the axes of rotation, the r‐values were 0.012 and 0.206 for SRS and SRT, respectively.

Conclusion

Encompass provided patient immobilization with adequate accuracy during HA treatment. The absolute maximum displacement IM was less than IMNC along the translational/rotational axes, and no statistically significant relationship between the treatment time and the IM was observed.
Non‐Platinum Group Metal Electrocatalysts toward Efficient Hydrogen Oxidation Reaction
Authors: Zhao Guoqiang , Chen Jian , Sun Wenping , Pan Hongge
Published: March 2021

Developing non‐platinum group metal (non‐PGM) electrocatalysts for the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) represents the efforts towards the more economical use of hydrogen fuel cells and hydrogen energy, which has attracted tremendous attention recently. However, non‐PGM electrocatalysts for the HOR are still in their early development stages as compared with the significant advances in those for the oxygen reduction reaction and hydrogen evolution reaction. Herein, this paper summarizes the recent progresses and highlights the key challenges for the rational design of non‐PGM electrocatalysts, aiming to promote the development of non‐PGM HOR electrocatalysts. Fundamental understandings of the HOR mechanism are firstly reviewed, where theoretical interpretations on the low HOR kinetics in alkaline media, including the hydrogen binding energy theory, the bifunctional mechanism, and the water molecule reorganization, are particularly discussed. Subsequently, progresses of typical non‐PGM HOR electrocatalysts in acid and alkaline media are summarized separately. For the HOR under alkaline conditions, the superiorities and challenges of Ni‐based catalysts are discussed with a particular focus as they are the most promising non‐PGM electrocatalysts. Finally, this paper highlights the challenges and provide perspectives on the future development directions of non‐PGM HOR electrocatalysts.
Self‐Recoverable Mechanically Induced Instant Luminescence from Cr3+‐Doped LiGa5O8
Authors: Xiong Puxian , Huang Bolong , Peng Dengfeng , Viana Bruno , Peng Mingying , Ma Zhijun
Published: March 2021

Currently, most of the mechanoluminescence (ML) phosphors strongly depend on postirradiation stimulation using ultraviolet light (denoted as “UV exposure” from hereon) to show the ML. However, only a few transition metal cations are proven to be effective luminescence centers, which hinder the development of more ML phosphors. This study reports a self‐recoverable deep‐red‐to‐near‐infrared ML using Cr3+‐doped LiGa5O8 phosphor with fully recoverable ML performance. The ML performance can be further optimized by tuning the trap redistributions by codoping the phosphor with Al3+ and Cr3+ cations. Theoretical calculations reveal the important role of Cr dopants in the modulation of local electronic environments for achieving the ML. Owing to the induced interelectronic levels and shallow electron trap distributions, the electron recombination efficiency is enhanced both through direct tunneling and energy transfer toward the dopant levels. Moreover, the ML of Cr3+‐doped LiGa5O8 can penetrate a 2‐mm‐thick pork slice, showing that it can have wide‐ranging in vivo applications, including the optical imaging of intracorporal stress/strain distribution and dynamics. Therefore, this work fabricates a novel ML material with self‐recoverable luminescence in an extended wavelength range, increasing the number of potential ML candidates and promoting the fundamental understanding and practical applications of ML materials.
High‐Gain Chemically Gated Organic Electrochemical Transistor
Authors: Tan Siew Ting Melissa , Giovannitti Alexander , Melianas Armantas , Moser Maximilian , Cotts Benjamin L. , Singh Devan , McCulloch Iain , Salleo Alberto
Published: March 2021

Organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) have exhibited promising performance as transducers and amplifiers of low potentials due to their exceptional transconductance, enabled by the volumetric charging of organic mixed ionic/electronic conductors (OMIECs) employed as the channel material. OECT performance in aqueous electrolytes as well as the OMIECs’ redox activity has spurred a myriad of studies employing OECTs as chemical transducers. However, the OECT's large (potentiometrically derived) transconductance is not fully leveraged in common approaches that directly conduct chemical reactions amperometrically within the OECT electrolyte with direct charge transfer between the analyte and the OMIEC, which results in sub‐unity transduction of gate to drain current. Hence, amperometric OECTs do not truly display current gains in the traditional sense, falling short of the expected transistor performance. This study demonstrates an alternative device architecture that separates chemical transduction and amplification processes on two different electrochemical cells. This approach fully utilizes the OECT's large transconductance to achieve current gains of 103 and current modulations of four orders of magnitude. This transduction mechanism represents a general approach enabling high‐gain chemical OECT transducers.
Injectable Self‐Healing Hydrogel Wound Dressing with Cysteine‐Specific On‐Demand Dissolution Property Based on Tandem Dynamic Covalent Bonds
Authors: Ding Xiaoya , Li Gao , Zhang Peng , Jin E. , Xiao Chunsheng , Chen Xuesi
Published: March 2021

Rapid gelation and on‐demand dissolution are key characteristics governing the effectiveness of clinic hydrogel wound dressings. Here, an injectable self‐healing hydrogel with rapid gelation and cysteine‐specific on‐demand dissolution is designed to be used as wound dressings. The hydrogel is prepared based on the formation of tandem dynamic covalent bonds comprised of CC double bonds produced through the catalysis‐free Knoevenagel condensation reaction and boronate ester linkages. The prepared hydrogel displays excellent injectability and self‐healing ability, showing rapid cysteine‐triggered on‐demand dissolution owing to the formation of the thiazolidino boronate complex. When used as dressings for healing full‐thickness wounds, the hydrogel shows favorable biocompatibility, achieves rapid wound closure in seconds, and fast on‐demand dissolution for dressing changes. These data highlight the utility of the designed tandem dynamic covalent bonds‐based hydrogel dressings for promising wound healing applications.
High‐Resolution Patterned Functionalization of Slippery “Liquid‐Like” Brush Surfaces via Microdroplet‐Confined Growth of Multifunctional Polydopamine Arrays
Authors: Fang Lvye , Zhang Jinghua , Chen Yuxin , Liu Shilin , Chen Qiyuan , Ke Ao , Duan Liting , Huang Shilin , Tian Xuelin , Xie Zhuang
Published: March 2021

Slippery omniphobic covalently attached liquids enable smooth, transparent, pressure‐ and temperature‐resistant, and liquid‐repellent coatings. Patterned functionalization of such surfaces would drive technology developments and fundamental understandings in broad applications from biosensors to sustainable smart surfaces. Herein an additive microcontact printing approach in combination with the microdroplet‐confined synthesis is developed to functionalize slippery surfaces tethered with “liquid‐like” linear poly(dimethylsiloxane) by multifunctional polydopamine (PDA) arrays. Using glycerol and non‐ionic surfactant Tween‐20, microdroplet arrays containing dopamine monomers are printed onto the slippery surfaces and serve as microreactors for the in situ growth of PDA micropatterns. The confined growth approach enables tunable feature size, height, and morphology of the patterns, through which sub‐micrometer PDA dot arrays over centimeter‐square patterning area can be reliably achieved. Furthermore, the reactive and hydrophilic PDA micropatches allow further functionalization of the slippery surfaces with a diverse variety of materials, meanwhile the anti‐fouling and dynamically dewetting “liquid‐like” brushes permit minimum background contamination. Proof‐of‐concept demonstrations include PDA‐initiated photografting for stimuli‐responsive polymer functionalization, protein immobilization for microarray‐based immunoassays, as well as sliding‐induced selective dewetting of organic solutions to pattern photoluminescent perovskite microcrystals and nanoparticles. The current approach illustrates the potential for applying patterned slippery surfaces with multifunctional architectures in many fields.
Harnessing Ionic Power from Equilibrium Electrolyte Solution via Photoinduced Active Ion Transport through van‐der‐Waals‐Like Heterostructures
Authors: Jia Pan , Wang Lili , Zhang Yuhui , Yang Yating , Jin Xiaoyan , Zhou Min , Quan Di , Jia Meijuan , Cao Liuxuan , Long Run , Jiang Lei , Guo Wei
Published: March 2021

Nanofluidic ion transport through van der Waals heterostructures, composed of two or more types of reconstructed 2D nanomaterials, gives rise to fascinating opportunities for light‐energy harvesting, due to coupling between the optoelectronic properties of the layered constituents and ion transport in between the atomic layers. Here, a photoinduced active ion transport phenomenon through transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs)‐based van‐der‐Waals‐like multilayer heterostructures is reported for harnessing ionic power from equilibrium electrolyte solution. The binary heterostructure comprises sequentially stacked 2D‐WS2 and 2D‐MoS2 multilayers with sub‐1 nm interlayer spacing. Upon visible‐light illumination, a net ionic flow is initiated through the Janus membrane, suggesting a directional cationic transport from WS2 to MoS2 part. The transport mechanism is explained in terms of a photovoltaic effect due to type II band alignment of WS2/MoS2 heterostructures. The driving mechanism can be generally applied to a variety of heterogeneous TMD membranes with type II semiconductor heterojunctions. In equilibrium ionic solutions, the maximum ionic photoresponse approaches ≈21 µA cm–2 and ≈45 mV under one sun equivalent excitation. Under optimized conditions, the harvested power density reaches 2 mW m–2. The proof‐of‐concept demonstration of photonic‐to‐ionic power generation within angstrom‐scale confinement anticipates potential for light‐controlled ionic circuits, artificial photosynthesis, and biomimetic energy conversion.
Lithium Metal Electrode with Increased Air Stability and Robust Solid Electrolyte Interphase Realized by Silane Coupling Agent Modification
Authors: Wang Yanyan , Wang Zhijie , Zhao Liang , Fan Qining , Zeng Xiaohui , Liu Sailin , Pang Wei Kong , He Yan‐Bing , Guo Zaiping
Published: March 2021

The quality of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer is the decisive factor for the electrochemical performance of Li‐metal‐based batteries. Due to the absence of effective bonding, a natural SEI layer may exfoliate from the Li anode during interfacial fluctuations. Here, a silane coupling agent is introduced to serve as an adhesion promoter to bridge these two dissimilar materials via both chemical bonding and physical intertwining effects. Its inorganic reactive groups can combine with the Li substrate by forming LiOSi bonds, while organic functional groups can take part in the formation of the SEI layer and thereby bond with SEI components. Li metal electrodes with silane coupling agent modification exhibit excellent electrochemical performance, even under extreme testing conditions. This modification layer with dense structure could also protect the Li metal from corrosion by air, evidenced by the comparable electrochemical activity of the modified Li metal electrodes even after being exposed in air for 2 h. This design provides a promising pathway for the development of Li metal electrodes that will be stable both in electrolyte and in air.
A Strategic Review on Gallium Oxide Based Deep‐Ultraviolet Photodetectors: Recent Progress and Future Prospects
Authors: Kaur Damanpreet , Kumar Mukesh
Published: March 2021

With the use of UV‐C radiation sterilizers on the rise in the wake of the recent pandemic, it has become imperative to have health safety systems in place to curb the ill‐effects on humans. This requires detection systems with suitable spectral response to the “invisible to the naked eye” radiation leaks with utmost sensitivity and swiftness. State of the art deep‐UV photodetectors based on the wide bandgap material gallium oxide have achieved responsivities up to few hundred A W−1 while the minimum response time achieved is few hundred nanoseconds. However, due to the trade‐off between these two key parameters, the ultimate performance of the photodetectors remains inadequate. The focus here is to give a thorough review of the gallium oxide based photodetectors, their recent progress and future prospects. This review highlights the fundamental physics and the key parameters such as dark current, responsivity, and response time with their dependence on the material properties. Exploration of the reasons behind current scenario in the field of gallium oxide is comprehensively and critically analyzed. The key challenges which limit device performance and inhibit the realization of real‐world practical detectors are also described. The lacunae currently plaguing the field is also discussed with possible remedial solutions.
Transcriptome analysis of cadmium‐treated Brassica varieties reveals different expression pattern
Authors: Chen Lunlin , Wan Heping , Li Shuyu , ding Ge , xiong Jie , Huang Yang , Song Laiqiang , Fu Tingdong , Shen Jinxiong
Published: March 2021

Cadmium, as a heavy metal, has toxic effects to plant and animals. Some vegetables and oilseed crops might be a cadmium hyperaccumulator while the molecular mechanism behind plant response to cadmium stress is still unclear. In the current study, we sequenced three mRNA libraries from Brassica campestris, B. oleracea, and newtype oilseed rape (B. napus L.) roots responsed to cadmium stress to identify the different express pattern during these varieties. In total, 1,426 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were found in the Brassica varieties response to cadmium stress. The 109 candidate genes were related to cadmium annotated in Arabidopsis, 67 from newtype oilseed rape, 33 from B. campestris, and 29 from B. oleracea. Various DEGs related to ion transport pathway were enriched in gene ontology (GO) terms. Our results also indicated that metabolism genes related to auxin‐affected cadmium accumulation in Brassica roots. Combined with the candidate gene detected by GWAS, several genes were identified and shown to be involved in plant response to cadmium. Our results will provide the basis for the molecular mechanism of Brassica varieties response to cadmium in roots.
Tailoring Flexible Arrays for Artificial Cilia Actuators
Authors: Zhang Xiaoxuan , Guo Jiahui , Fu Xiao , Zhang Dagan , Zhao Yuanjin
Published: March 2021

Artificial cilia actuators are described as responsive and actuatable cilia‐structured arrays that are mainly made of flexible polymers. Over the past few decades, researchers have investigated the features and functions of cilia in nature, and have developed a vast number of bio‐mimicked cilia based on these findings. Nowadays, great progresses are accomplished, including the optimization of the fabrication methods, the increase in the actuation approaches, and the promotion of the application fields. Artificial cilia are tailored to react to magnetics, electrics, light, acoustics, heat, or even multi‐stimulus, and are endowed with abilities of moving, sensing, carrying cargos, transporting, etc. These achievements create a great leap for artificial cilia actuators being applied in a huge scope of forefront fields, such as digital microfluidics, organ‐on‐chip systems, precision medicine, wearable electro‐devices, minimal robots, artificial intelligence, and so on.
CVN‐AD Alzheimer's mice show premature reduction in neurovascular coupling in response to spreading depression and anoxia compared to aged controls
Authors: Turner Dennis A. , Degan Simone , Hoffmann Ulrike , Galeffi Francesca , Colton Carol A.
Published: March 2021

We compared the efficacy of neurovascular coupling and substrate supply in cerebral cortex during severe metabolic challenges in transgenic Alzheimer's [CVN‐AD] and control [C57Bl/6] mice, to evaluate the hypothesis that metabolic insufficiency is a critical component of degeneration leading to dementia. We analyzed cerebral blood flow and metabolic responses to spreading depression (induced by K+ applied to the cortex) and anoxia across aging in CVN‐AD + C57Bl/6 genotypes. In the CVN‐AD genotype progression to histological and cognitive hallmarks of dementia is a stereotyped function of age. We correlated physiology and imaging of the cortex with the blood flow responses measured with laser doppler probes. The results show that spreading depression resulted in a hyperemic blood flow response that was dramatically reduced (24% in amplitude, 70% in area) in both middle‐aged and aged CVN‐AD mice compared to C57Bl/6 age‐matched controls. However, spreading depression amplitude and conduction velocity (≈6 mm/min) did not differ among groups. Anoxia (100% N2) showed significantly decreased (by 62%) reactive blood flow and autoregulation in aged AD‐CVN mice compared to aged control animals. Significantly reduced neurovascular coupling occurred prematurely with aging in CVN‐AD mice. Abbreviated physiological hyperemia and decreased resilience to anoxia may enhance early‐onset metabolic deficiency through decreased substrate supply to the brain. Metabolic deficiency may contribute significantly to the degeneration associated with dementia as a function of aging and regions of the brain involved.
Investigating the association between cancer and the risk of dementia: Results from the Memento cohort
Authors: Chamberlain Jonviea D. , Rouanet Anaïs , Dubois Bruno , Pasquier Florence , Hanon Olivier , Gabelle Audrey , Ceccaldi Mathieu , Krolak‐Salmon Pierre , Béjot Yannick , Godefroy Olivier , Wallon David , Gentric Armelle , Chêne Geneviève , Dufouil Carole ,   Memento Study group
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Studies on the association of cancer and risk of dementia are inconclusive due to result heterogeneity and concerns of survivor bias and unmeasured confounding.

Methods

This study uses data from the Memento cohort, a French multicenter cohort following persons with either mild or isolated cognitive complaints for a median of 5 years. Illness‐death models (IDMs) were used to estimate transition‐specific hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for incident cancer in relation to dementia from time since study entry.

Results

The analytical sample (N = 2258) excluded 65 individuals without follow‐up information. At the end of follow‐up, 286 individuals were diagnosed with dementia, 166 with incident cancer, and 95 died. Incident cancer was associated with a reduced risk of dementia (HR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.35‐0.97), with a corresponding E‐value of 2.84 (lower CI = 1.21).

Discussion

This study supports a protective relationship between incident cancer and dementia, encouraging further investigations to understand potential underlying mechanisms.
Nanomaterial‐Based Electrochemical Sensors: Mechanism, Preparation, and Application in Biomedicine
Authors: Liu Xun , Huang Lin , Qian Kun
Published: March 2021

Nanomaterials possess unique properties, including excellent electrochemical properties, high surface area, and tunable electric conductivity, making them attractive for sensing applications, especially for electrochemical sensing. Notably, the compatibility of nanomaterials with other techniques opens up opportunities for electrochemical sensors in various biomedical applications. Herein, the enhancing mechanisms and preparation protocols of electrochemical sensors, regarding the material choices, are introduced. The integration of nanomaterial‐based electrochemical sensors with other techniques toward precise health management and controlled drug release is further highlighted. It is concluded with perspectives on the future directions for this topic. Future research directions of nanomaterial‐based electrochemical sensors and the challenges faced by commercialized implementation of the sensors are presented, paving the way for the upcoming era of accurate biosensing toward both academic and industrial use.
Die Hauptprotease von SARS‐CoV‐2 als Zielstruktur: Von der Etablierung eines Hochdurchsatz‐Screenings zum Design maßgeschneiderter Inhibitoren
Authors: Breidenbach Julian , Lemke Carina , Pillaiyar Thanigaimalai , Schäkel Laura , Al Hamwi Ghazl , Diett Miriam , Gedschold Robin , Geiger Nina , Lopez Vittoria , Mirza Salahuddin , Namasivayam Vigneshwaran , Schiedel Anke C. , Sylvester Katharina , Thimm Dominik , Vielmuth Christin , Phuong Vu Lan , Zyulina Maria , Bodem Jochen , Gütschow Michael , Müller Christa E.
Published: March 2021

Die Hauptprotease von SARS‐CoV‐2 (Mpro), dem Auslöser von COVID‐19, ist ein wichtiges Arzneistoff‐Target. Ein neues fluorogenes Substrat, das kinetisch mit einem intern gequenchten fluoreszierenden Peptid verglichen wurde, erwies sich als ideal geeignet für ein Hochdurchsatz‐Screening mit rekombinant exprimierter Mpro. Zwei Klassen von Protease‐Inhibitoren, Azanitrile und Pyridylester, wurden identifiziert, optimiert und biochemisch charakterisiert. Maßgeschneiderte Peptide mit einer reaktiven Azanitril‐Kopfgruppe zeigten eine duale Inhibition von Mpro und Cathepsin L, einer Protease, welche die virale Zellinvasion befördert. Zur Optimierung der Pyridylindolester wurde ein Positions‐Scanning durchgeführt. Unser fokussierter Ansatz zur Entwicklung von Mpro‐Inhibitoren erwies sich dem virtuellen Screening als überlegen. Mit den beiden irreversiblen Inhibitoren Azanitril 8 (kinac/Ki=37 500 m−1 s−1, Ki=24.0 nm) und Pyridylester 17 (kinac/Ki=29 100 m−1 s−1, Ki=10.0 nm) wurden vielversprechende Kandidaten für die zukünftige Arzneistoffentwicklung entdeckt.
Ultra‐Large Sized Siloxene Nanosheets as Bifunctional Photocatalyst for a Li‐O2 Battery with Superior Round‐Trip Efficiency and Extra‐Long Durability
Authors: Jia Congying , Zhang Feng , She Liaona , Li Qi , He Xuexia , Sun Jie , Lei Zhibin , Liu Zong‐Huai
Published: March 2021

Developing new optimized bifunctional photocatalyst is of great significant for achieving the high‐performance photo‐assisted Li‐O2 batteries. Herein, a novel bifunctional photo‐assisted Li‐O2 system is constructed by using siloxene nanosheets with ultra‐large size and few‐layers due to its superior light harvesting, semiconductor characteristic, and low recombination rate. An ultra‐low charge potential of 1.90 V and ultra‐high discharge of 3.51 V have been obtained due to the introduction of this bifunctional photocatalyst into Li‐O2 batteries, and these results have realized the round‐trip efficiency up to 185 %. In addition, this photo‐assisted Li‐O2 batteries exhibits a high rate (129 % round‐trip efficiency at 1 mA cm−2), a prolonged cycling life with 92 % efficiency retention after 100 cycles, and the highly reversible capacity of 1170 mAh g−1 at 0.75 mA cm−2. This work will open the vigorous opportunity for high‐efficiency utilization of solar energy into electric system.
Targeting the Main Protease of SARS‐CoV‐2: From the Establishment of High Throughput Screening to the Design of Tailored Inhibitors
Authors: Breidenbach Julian , Lemke Carina , Pillaiyar Thanigaimalai , Schäkel Laura , Al Hamwi Ghazl , Diett Miriam , Gedschold Robin , Geiger Nina , Lopez Vittoria , Mirza Salahuddin , Namasivayam Vigneshwaran , Schiedel Anke C. , Sylvester Katharina , Thimm Dominik , Vielmuth Christin , Phuong Vu Lan , Zyulina Maria , Bodem Jochen , Gütschow Michael , Müller Christa E.
Published: March 2021

The main protease of SARS‐CoV‐2 (Mpro), the causative agent of COVID‐19, constitutes a significant drug target. A new fluorogenic substrate was kinetically compared to an internally quenched fluorescent peptide and shown to be ideally suitable for high throughput screening with recombinantly expressed Mpro. Two classes of protease inhibitors, azanitriles and pyridyl esters, were identified, optimized and subjected to in‐depth biochemical characterization. Tailored peptides equipped with the unique azanitrile warhead exhibited concomitant inhibition of Mpro and cathepsin L, a protease relevant for viral cell entry. Pyridyl indole esters were analyzed by a positional scanning. Our focused approach towards Mpro inhibitors proved to be superior to virtual screening. With two irreversible inhibitors, azanitrile 8 (kinac/Ki=37 500 m−1 s−1, Ki=24.0 nm) and pyridyl ester 17 (kinac/Ki=29 100 m−1 s−1, Ki=10.0 nm), promising drug candidates for further development have been discovered.
Novel pseudopolymeric magnetic nanoparticles as a hydrogen bond catalyst for the synthesis of tetrahydrodipyrazolopyridine derivatives under mild reaction conditions
Authors: Dashteh Mohammad , Yarie Meysam , Zolfigol Mohammad Ali , Khazaei Ardeshir , Makhdoomi Sajjad
Published: March 2021

In the current work, the design, synthesis, characterization, and catalytic performance of a novel pseudopolymeric magnetic nanoparticles bearing urea linkers were presented. After the synthesis of urea linker, it was applied for the synthesis of pseudopolymeric magnetic nanoparticles. The structure of the synthesized pseudopolymeric magnetic nanoparticles was confirmed by applying different methods including Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX) analysis, thermo gravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis (TG/DTG), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), differential reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and N2adsorption‐desorption isotherms. The catalytic performance of the titled structure was tested towards the synthesis of tetrahydrodipyrazolopyridine derivatives under mild reaction conditions.
Synthesizing Hindered Structure Poly (p‐Phenylenediamine) by Enzymatic Catalysis and Evaluating Its Antioxidation Mechanism in Biodegradable Castor Oils
Authors: Miao Changqing , Wang Yanbo , Ma Zhiying , Luo Yang , Miao Yu , Yuan Pingfang , Guo Jiao , Chen Gairong , Liu Hongbo
Published: March 2021

In this study, poly(p‐phenylenediamine) (PPDA) was synthesized by an enzymatic polymerization method using p‐phenylenediamine as the monomer in the water phase. The PPDA structure was characterized by infrared (IR), gel permeation chromatography, and elemental analysis. The antioxidation behavior of the as‐synthesized PPDA in biodegradable castor oil was investigated using a rotary oxygen bomb test and pressurized differential scanning calorimetry. A theoretical calculation was conducted to investigate its antioxidation mechanism. PPDA was found to exhibit excellent oxidation resistance in castor oil at 150 °C, which effectively prolonged the oxidation induction time of the oil. The results obtained herein suggest that as with phenolic antioxidants, PPDA with a hindered structure effectively improves the antioxidation performance of the oil by enhancing the stability of nitrogen free radicals.
β‐Galactosidase: From its source and applications to its recombinant form
Authors: Movahedpour Ahmad , Ahmadi Nahid , Ghalamfarsa Farideh , Ghesmati Zeinab , Khalifeh Masoomeh , Maleksabet Amir , Shabaninejad Zahra , Taheri‐Anganeh Mortaza , Savardashtaki Amir
Published: March 2021

Carbohydrate‐active enzymes are a group of important enzymes playing a critical role in the degradation and synthesis of carbohydrates. Glycosidases can hydrolyze glycosides into oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, and glycoconjugates via a cost‐effective approach. Lactase is an important member of β‐glycosidases found in higher plants, animals, and microorganisms. β‐Galactosidases can be used to degrade the milk lactose for making lactose‐free milk, which is sweeter than regular milk and is suitable for lactose‐intolerant people. β‐Galactosidase is employed by many food industries to degrade lactose and improve the digestibility, sweetness, solubility, and flavor of dairy products. β‐Galactosidase enzymes have various families and are applied in the food‐processing industries such as hydrolyzed‐milk products, whey, and galactooligosaccharides. Thus, this enzyme is a valuable protein which is now produced by recombinant technology. In this review, origins, structure, recombinant production, and critical modifications of β‐galactosidase for improving the production process are discussed. Since β‐galactosidase is a valuable enzyme in industry and health care, a study of its various aspects is important in industrial biotechnology and applied biochemistry.
Emotional framing of NGO press releases: Reformative versus radical NGOs
Authors: Dzhengiz Tulin , Barkemeyer Ralf , Napolitano Giulio
Published: March 2021

Drawing on the literature on framing, we explore the emotional framing differences in radical and reformative NGOs over time. We analyse the sentiment of a sample of 5880 press releases issued by five NGOs positioned differently on the reformative‐radical spectrum and examine how they address large companies. Our findings reveal an increasing polarisation of sentiment in these NGOs' framing, with individual NGOs gravitating towards ideal‐type radical or reformative positions, respectively. In alignment with the differences in their framing, we observe differences in their approaches to cross‐sector partnerships. Policymakers need to note the implications of the observed polarisation for the effectiveness and credibility of cross‐sector partnerships and multi‐stakeholder initiatives more generally, given the risk of co‐optation (for reformative NGOs) as well as the risk of foregoing significant funding and governance opportunities (for radical NGOs).
Multigene PCR using both cfDNA and cfRNA in the supernatant of pleural effusion achieves accurate and rapid detection of mutations and fusions of driver genes in patients with advanced NSCLC
Authors: Chen Xuejing , Li Kun , Liu Zichen , Gai Fei , Zhu Guanshan , Lu Shun , Che Nanying
Published: March 2021

Background

Pleural effusion from patients with advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been proved valuable for molecular analysis, especially when the tissue sample not available. However, simultaneous detection of multiple driver gene alterations especially the fusions is still challenging.

Methods

In this study, 77 patients with advanced NSCLC and pleural effusion were enrolled, 49 of whom had matched tumor tissues. Supernatants, cell sediments, and cell blocks were prepared from pleural effusion samples for detection of driver alterations by a PCR‐based 9‐gene mutation detection kit.

Results

Mutations in EGFR, KRAS, and HER2 were detected in DNA and cfDNA, fusions in ALK was detected in RNA and cfRNA. Compared with matched tumor tissue, the supernatant showed the highest overall sensitivity (81.3%), with 81.5% for SNV/Indels by cfDNA and 80% for fusions by cfRNA, followed by cell blocks (71.0%) and the cell sediments (66.7%). Within the group of treatment‐naïve patients or malignant cells observed in the cell sediments, supernatant showed higher overall sensitivity (89.5% and 92.3%) with both 100% for fusions.

Conclusions

CfDNA and cfRNA derived from pleural effusion supernatant have been successfully tested with a PCR‐based multigene detection kit. Pleural effusion supernatant seems a preferred material for detection of multigene alterations to guide treatment decision of advanced NSCLC.
Impact of Tween‐80 and Deep Eutectic Solvent‐Based Micellar‐Enhanced Ultrafiltration in Dairy Wastewater Treatment
Authors: Ashok Kumar S. , Subathra K. , Srinivasan G. , Jayaraman Sundaramurthy , Gnanasekaran G. , Kanimozhi G. , Govindaradjane S.
Published: March 2021

Dairy industry wastewater was treated by a micellar‐enhanced ultrafiltration (MEUF) process. Sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate and Tween‐80 were used as anionic and non‐ionic surfactants, respectively, along with the dairy industry wastewater sample. A deep eutectic solvent (DES) membrane was prepared by phase inversion via non‐solvent immersion precipitation. The DES (choline chloride/urea) as pore‐forming agent was synthesized and added into the casting solution at various concentrations and blended to form a membrane, using a dead‐end filtration setup. The prepared membranes were characterized to examine the presence of functional groups and the surface morphology. The permeate flux and rejection performance of the prepared membranes were investigated. The newly developed MEUF membrane is promising for the treatment of dairy effluents.
Resveratrol‐loaded nanomedicines for cancer applications
Authors: Annaji Manjusha , Poudel Ishwor , Boddu Sai H. S. , Arnold Robert D. , Tiwari Amit K. , Babu R. Jayachandra
Published: March 2021

Background

Resveratrol (3, 5, 4′‐trihydroxystilbene), a natural polyphenol and phytoalexin, has drawn considerable attention in the past decade due to its wide variety of therapeutic activities such as anticancer, anti‐inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. However, its poor water solubility, low chemical stability, and short biological half‐life limit its clinical utility.

Recent findings

Nanoparticles overcome the limitations associated with conventional chemotherapeutic drugs, such as limited availability of drugs to the tumor tissues, high systemic exposures, and consequent toxicity to healthy tissues. This review focuses on the physicochemical properties of resveratrol, the therapeutic potential of resveratrol nano‐formulations, and the anticancer activity of resveratrol encapsulated nanoparticles on various malignancies such as skin, breast, prostate, colon, liver, ovarian, and lung cancers (focusing on both in vitro and in vivo studies).

Conclusions

Nanotechnology approaches have been extensively utilized to achieve higher solubility, improved oral bioavailability, enhanced stability, and controlled release of resveratrol. The resveratrol nanoparticles have markedly enhanced its anticancer activity both in vitro and in vivo, thus considering it as a potential strategy to fight various cancers.
A game theory‐based route planning approach for automated vehicle collection
Authors: Hadded Mohamed , Minet Pascale , Lasgouttes Jean‐Marc
Published: March 2021

We consider a shared transportation system in an urban environment where human drivers collect vehicles that are no longer being used. Each driver, also called a platoon leader, is in charge of driving collected vehicles as a platoon to bring them back to some given location (e.g., an airport, a railway station). Platoon allocation and route planning for picking up and returning automated vehicles is one of the major issues of shared transportation systems that need to be addressed. In this article, we propose a coalition game approach to compute (1) the allocation of unused vehicles to a minimal number of platoons, (2) the optimized tour of each platoon, and (3) the minimum energy consumed to collect all these vehicles. In this coalition game, the players are the parked vehicles, and the coalitions are the platoons that are formed. This game, where each player joins the coalition that maximizes its payoff, converges to a stable solution. The quality of the solution obtained is evaluated with regard to three optimization criteria and its complexity is measured by the computation time required. Simulation experiments are carried out in various configurations. They show that this approach is very efficient to solve the multiobjective optimization problem considered, since it provides the optimal number of platoons in less than a second for 300 vehicles to be collected, and considerably outperforms other well‐known optimization approaches such as multiobjective particle swarm optimization and nondominated sorting genetic algorithm.
Murine Models for Staphylococcal Infection
Authors: Klopfenstein Nathan , Cassat James E. , Monteith Andrew , Miller Anderson , Drury Sydney , Skaar Eric , Serezani C. Henrique
Published: March 2021

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram‐positive bacterium that colonizes almost every organ in humans and mice and is a leading cause of diseases worldwide. S. aureus infections can be challenging to treat due to widespread antibiotic resistance and their ability to cause tissue damage. The primary modes of transmission of S. aureus are via direct contact with a colonized or infected individual or invasive spread from a colonization niche in the same individual. S. aureus can cause a myriad of diseases, including skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs), osteomyelitis, pneumonia, endocarditis, and sepsis. S. aureus infection is characterized by the formation of purulent lesions known as abscesses, which are rich in live and dead neutrophils, macrophages, and surrounded by a capsule containing fibrin and collagen. Different strains of S. aureus produce varying amounts of toxins that evade and/or elicit immune responses. Therefore, animal models of S. aureus infection provide a unique opportunity to understand the dynamics of organ‐specific immune responses and modifications in the pathogen that could favor the establishment of the pathogen. With advances in in vivo imaging of fluorescent transgenic mice, combined with fluorescent/bioluminescent bacteria, we can use mouse models to better understand the immune response to these types of infections. By understanding the host and bacterial dynamics within various organ systems, we can develop therapeutics to eliminate these pathogens. This module describes in vivo mouse models of both local and systemic S. aureus infection. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

This article was corrected on 20 July 2022. See the end of the full text for details.

Basic Protocol 1: Murine model of Staphylococcus aureus subcutaneous infection

Alternate Protocol: Murine tape stripping skin infection model

Basic Protocol 2: Sample collection to determine skin structure, production of inflammatory mediators, and bacterial load

Basic Protocol 3: Murine model of post‐traumatic Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis

Basic Protocol 4: Intravenous infection of the retro‐orbital sinus

Support Protocol: Preparation of the bacterial inoculum
PIONEER: Pipeline for Generating High‐Quality Spectral Libraries for DIA‐MS Data
Authors: Manda Srikanth S. , Noor Zainab , Hains Peter G. , Zhong Qing
Published: March 2021

Data‐independent‐acquisition mass spectrometry (DIA‐MS) is a state‐of‐the‐art proteomic technique for high‐throughput identification and quantification of peptides and proteins. Interpretation of DIA‐MS data relies on the use of a spectral library, which is optimally created from data acquired from the same samples in data‐dependent acquisition (DDA) mode. As DIA‐MS quantification relies on the spectral libraries, having a high‐quality, non‐redundant, and comprehensive spectral library is essential. This article describes the major steps for creating a high‐quality spectral library using a combination of multiple complementary search engines. We discuss appropriate strategies to control the false discovery rate for the final spectral library as a result of merging multiple searches. © 2021 The Authors Current Protocols © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

This article was corrected on 25 July 2022. See the end of the full text for details.

Basic Protocol 1: Searching DDA‐MS files with multiple search engines

Basic Protocol 2: Merging results from multiple search engines

Basic Protocol 3: Creating spectral libraries from merged results

Alternate Protocol: Using CLI for automating tasks

Support Protocol: Creating concatenated FASTA files
OMIP 073: Analysis of human thymocyte development with a 14‐color flow cytometry panel
Authors: Bremer Sarah‐Jolan , Glau Laura , Gehbauer Christina , Boxnick Annika , Biermann Daniel , Sachweh Jörg Siegmar , Tolosa Eva , Gieras Anna
Published: March 2021

This panel was designed for the identification and detailed characterization of the different developmental steps of human thymocytes. We optimized the panel for fresh tissue in order to provide an unbiased analysis of T cell development. Accurate selection of antibodies and precise gating allow us to phenotype 14 major stages of human thymocyte development and illustrate the trajectories of T cell development from early thymic progenitors (ETP) to mature T cells that are ready to populate the periphery. The panel identifies ETPs, T‐lineage‐committed cells (TC), CD34‐positive immature single‐positive CD4 cells (ISP4 CD34+), CD34‐negative immature single‐positive CD4 cells (ISP4 CD34‐), CD45‐low early double‐positive cells (EDP CD45low), CD45‐high early double‐positive cells (EDP CD45high), late double‐positive cells (LDP), single‐positive CD4 cells (SP4), single‐positive CD8 cells (SP8), ready‐to‐egress single‐positive CD4 cells (rSP4), ready‐to‐egress single‐positive CD8 cells (rSP8), T γδ cells (Tγδ), T regulatory cells (Treg), and ready‐to‐egress T regulatory cells (rTreg). To highlight important checkpoints during T cell development, we added antibodies relevant for specific developmental steps to the panel. These include CD1a to define TCs, CD28 as a marker for ß‐selection and CD69 in combination with CD45RA to determine the maturation stage of thymocytes shortly before they become ready to egress the thymus and colonize the periphery. Moreover, Annexin V, as a marker for apoptosis, provides valuable extra information concerning the apoptotic death of thymocytes. Currently, we use this panel to identify aberrations in T cell development in health and disease.
Atypical de Quervain's thyroiditis diagnosed as atypia of undetermined significance by cytology and suspicious for cancer by Afirma Genomic Sequencing Classifier
Authors: Yu Run , Yang Sung‐Eun , Rao Jianyu
Published: March 2021

We report a case of atypical de Quervain's thyroiditis diagnosed as atypia of undetermined significance by cytology and suspicious for cancer by Afirma Genomic Sequencing Classifier. A 71‐year‐old male underwent thyroid ultrasound for goiter and was found to have two American Thyroid Association (ATA) 2015 high‐suspicion nodules. The larger, 2.2‐cm nodule was biopsied and the cytology showed atypical follicular cells and histiocytes. The Afirma Genomic Sequencing Classifier (detecting mRNA expression profile) result was ''suspicious'' (risk of malignancy ~50%) but Afirma Xpression Atlas (detecting specific mutations) did not find mutations in BRAF V600E, RET/PTC1, or RET/PTC3. The patient saw two endocrine surgeons and two endocrinologists who each recommended hemithyroidectomy. The patient chose to monitor the nodules. A new diagnostic ultrasound performed 3 months after the first one showed that the thyroid was significantly smaller and the previously seen nodules were no longer found. Re‐examination of the cellular smears confirmed that the cytological findings were also compatible with de Quervain's thyroiditis. This case illustrates that atypical de Quervain's thyroiditis should be in the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules for cytologists, radiologists, and clinicians. Furthermore, this case demonstrates that atypical de Quervain's thyroiditis can generate false positive results of molecular tests for indeterminate thyroid nodules.
The dynamic spatial and temporal relationships between the phalanx‐forming region and the interdigits determine digit identity in the chick limb autopod
Authors: Suzuki Takayuki , Fallon John F.
Published: March 2021

Background

Interdigits (IDs) determine digit identity in chick limbs. They are located between the digital rays and act as secondary signaling centers downstream of sonic hedgehog to provide positional information for determining digit identity in the phalanx‐forming region (PFR). We examined the dynamic developmental mechanism by which PFR cells obtain positional information from IDs to determine the identity of individual digits in the chick hindlimb.

Results

We identified the specific region of the IDs responsible for determining digit identity and showed that PFR cells actively receive positional information only from the posteriorly, and not the anteriorly, located IDs. We also demonstrated that digits 1, 2, and 3 are interchangeable with each other, but not with digit 4. Finally, we found that both ID4 and digital ray 4 are necessary for determining digit 4 identity.

Conclusions

The digital rays are naïve during the initial stages of their development, at which time digit identity is not determined. To determine digit identity, each PFR cell shows a unidirectional response to obtain positional information specifically from the IDs located posterior to the PFR, regardless of the signal strength from the anteriorly located IDs.