bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cadherin‐5 facilitated the differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells into sinoatrial node‐like pacemaker cells by regulating β‐catenin
Authors: Zhang Wei , Wang Fengyuan , Yin Lin , Tang Yanhong , Wang Xi , Huang Congxin
Published: December 2023

Our study was conducted to investigate whether cadherin‐5 (CDH5), a vascular endothelial cell adhesion glycoprotein, could facilitate the differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) into sinoatrial node‐like pacemaker cells (SANLPCs), following previous findings of silk‐fibroin hydrogel‐induced direct conversion of quiescent cardiomyocytes into pacemaker cells in rats through the activation of CDH5. In this study, the differentiating hiPSCs were treated with CDH5 (40 ng/mL) between Day 5 and 7 during cardiomyocytes differentiation. The findings in the present study demonstrated that CDH5 stimulated the expression of pacemaker‐specific markers while suppressing markers associated with working cardiomyocytes, resulting in an increased proportion of SANLPCs among hiPSCs‐derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC‐CMs) population. Moreover, CDH5 induced typical electrophysiological characteristics resembling cardiac pacemaker cells in hiPSC‐CMs. Further mechanistic investigations revealed that the enriched differentiation of hiPSCs into SANLPCs induced by CDH5 was partially reversed by iCRT14, an inhibitor of β‐catenin. Therefore, based on the aforementioned findings, it could be inferred that the regulation of β‐catenin by CDH5 played a crucial role in promoting the enriched differentiation of hiPSCs into SANLPCs, which presents a novel avenue for the construction of biological pacemakers in forthcoming research.
Up‐regulation of TNF‐alpha/NFkB/SIRT1 axis drives aggressiveness and cancer stem cells accumulation in chemoresistant oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: de Castro Letícia Rodrigues , de Oliveira Lucas Dias , Milan Thaís Moré , Eskenazi Ana Patrícia Espaladori , Bighetti‐Trevisan Rayana Longo , de Almeida Otávio Guilherme Gonçalves , Amorim Marcio Luis Munhoz , Squarize Cristiane Helena , Castilho Rogerio Moraes , de Almeida Luciana Oliveira
Published: December 2023

Tumor resistance remains an obstacle to successfully treating oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Cisplatin is widely used as a cytotoxic drug to treat solid tumors, including advanced OSCC, but with low efficacy due to chemoresistance. Therefore, identifying the pathways that contribute to chemoresistance may show new possibilities for improving the treatment. This work explored the role of the tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐alpha)/NFkB signaling in driving the cisplatin resistance of OSCC and its potential as a pharmacological target to overcome chemoresistance. Differential accessibility analysis demonstrated the enrichment of opened chromatin regions in members of the TNF‐alpha/NFkB signaling pathway, and RNA‐Seq confirmed the upregulation of TNF‐alpha/NFkB signaling in cisplatin‐resistant cell lines. NFkB was accumulated in cisplatin‐resistant cell lines and in cancer stem cells (CSC), and the administration of TNF‐alpha increased the CSC, suggesting that TNF‐alpha/NFkB signaling is involved in the accumulation of CSC. TNF‐alpha stimulation also increased the histone deacetylases HDAC1 and SIRT1. Cisplatin‐resistant cell lines were sensitive to the pharmacological inhibition of NFkB, and low doses of the NFkB inhibitors, CBL0137, and emetine, efficiently reduced the CSC and the levels of SIRT1, increasing histone acetylation. The NFkB inhibitors decreased stemness potential, clonogenicity, migration, and invasion of cisplatin‐resistant cell lines. The administration of the emetine significantly reduced the tumor growth of cisplatin‐resistant xenograft models, decreasing NFkB and SIRT1, increasing histone acetylation, and decreasing CSC. TNF‐alpha/NFkB/SIRT1 signaling regulates the epigenetic machinery by modulating histone acetylation, CSC, and aggressiveness of cisplatin‐resistant OSCC and the NFkB inhibition is a potential strategy to treat chemoresistant OSCC.
DNA demethylation of promoter region orchestrates SPI‐1‐induced ADAMTS‐5 expression in articular cartilage of osteoarthritis mice
Authors: Liu Zhixin , Lu Tongxin , Ma Liang , Zhang Yuankai , Li Deqiang
Published: December 2023

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most prevalent joint diseases in aged people and characterized by articular cartilage degeneration, synovial inflammation, and abnormal bone remodeling. Recent advances in OA research have clearly shown that OA development is associated with aberrant DNA methylation status of many OA‐related genes. As one of most important cartilage degrading proteases in OA, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs subtype 5 (ADAMTS‐5) is activated to mediate cartilage degradation in human OA and experimental murine OA models. The pathological factors and signaling pathways mediating ADAMTS‐5 activation during OA development are not well defined and have been a focus of intense research. ADAMTS‐5 promoter is featured by CpG islands. So far there have been no reports concerning the DNA methylation status in ADAMTS‐5 promoter during OA development. In this study, we sought to investigate DNA methylation status in ADAMTS‐5 promoter, the role of DNA methylation in ADAMTS‐5 activation in OA, and the underlying mechanisms. The potential for anti‐OA intervention therapy which is based on modulating DNA methylation is also explored. Our results showed that DNA methyltransferases 1 (Dnmt1) downregulation‐associated ADAMTS‐5 promoter demethylation played an important role in ADAMTS‐5 activation in OA, which facilitated SPI‐1 binding on ADAMTS‐5 promoter to activate ADAMTS‐5 expression. More importantly, OA pathological phenotype of mice was alleviated in response to Dnmt1‐induced DNA methylation of ADAMTS‐5 promoter. Our study will benefit not only for deeper insights into the functional role and regulation mechanisms of ADAMTS‐5 in OA, but also for the discovery of disease‐modifying OA drugs on the basis of ADAMTS‐5 via modulating DNA methylation status.
Ethical guidelines for publishing in the Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle: Update 2023
Authors: von Haehling Stephan , Coats Andrew J.S. , Anker Stefan D.
Published: December 2023

The Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle (JCSM) aims to publish articles with relevance to wasting disorders and illnesses of the muscle in the broadest sense. In order to avoid publication of inappropriate articles and to avoid protracted disputes, the Editors have established ethical guidelines that detail a number of regulations to be fulfilled prior to submission to the journal. This article updates the principles of ethical authorship and publishing in JCSM and its daughter journal JCSM Rapid Communication. We require the corresponding author, on behalf of all co‐authors, to certify adherence to the following principles:

All authors listed on a manuscript considered for publication have approved its submission and (if accepted) approve publication in the journal;

Each named author has made a material and independent contribution to the work submitted for publication.

No person who has a right to be recognized as author has been omitted from the list of authors on the submitted manuscript;

The submitted work is original and is neither under consideration elsewhere nor that it has been published previously in whole or in part other than in abstract form;

All authors certify that the submitted work is original and does not contain excessive overlap with prior or contemporaneous publication elsewhere, and where the publication reports on cohorts, trials, or data that have been reported on before the facts need to be acknowledged and these other publications must be referenced;

All original research work has been approved by the relevant bodies such as institutional review boards or ethics committees;

All relevant conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise, that may affect the authors' ability to present data objectively, and relevant sources of funding of the research in question have been duly declared in the manuscript;

All authors certify that they will submit the original source data to the editorial office upon request;

Authors who have used artificial intelligence, language models, machine learning, or similar technologies need to provide a written statement – as part of the manuscript – that details the use of the respective technology; none of the aforementioned technologies can be listed as an author;

The manuscript in its published form will be maintained on the servers of the journal as a valid publication only as long as all statements in these guidelines remain true.

If any of the aforementioned statements ceases to be true, the authors have a duty to notify as soon as possible the Editor‐in‐Chief of the journal, so that the available information regarding the published article can be updated and/or the manuscript can be withdrawn.
Symphyseal morphology and jaw muscle recruitment levels during mastication in musteloid carnivorans
Authors: Davis Jillian Summer , Montuelle Stephane J. , Williams Susan H.
Published: December 2023

In studies of mammalian mastication, a possible relationship has been proposed between bilateral recruitment of jaw adductor muscle force during unilateral chewing and the degree of fusion of the mandibular symphysis. Specifically, species that have unfused, mobile mandibular symphyses tend to utilize lower levels of jaw adductor force on the balancing (nonchewing) than the working (chewing) side of the head, when compared to related species with fused symphyses. Here, we compare jaw adductor recruitment levels in two species of musteloid carnivoran: the carnivorous ferret (unfused symphysis), and the frugivorous kinkajou (fused symphysis). During forceful chewing, we observe that ferrets recruit far more working‐side muscle force than kinkajous, regardless of food toughness and that high working‐to‐balancing side ratios are the result of increased working‐side force, often coupled with reduced balancing‐side force. We propose that in carnivorans, high working‐to‐balancing side force ratios coupled with an unfused mandibular symphysis are necessary to rotate the hemimandible for precise unilateral occlusion of the carnassial teeth and to sustain laterally oriented force on the jaw to engage the carnassial teeth during shearing of tough foods. In contrast, the kinkajou's flattened cheekteeth permit less precise occlusion and require medially‐oriented forces for grinding, thus, a fused symphysis is mechanically beneficial.
Pan‐pox‐specific T‐cell responses in HIV‐1‐infected individuals after JYNNEOS vaccination
Authors: Sisteré‐Oró Marta , Du Juan , Wortmann Diana D. J. , Filippi Marina D. , Cañas‐Ruano Esperanza , Arrieta‐Aldea Itziar , Marcos‐Blanco Agustín , Castells Xavier , Grau Santiago , García‐Giralt Natalia , Perez‐Zsolt Daniel , Boreika Rytis , Izquierdo‐Useros Nuria , Güerri‐Fernandez Robert , Meyerhans Andreas
Published: December 2023

People living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are the individuals most affected by the current Monkeypox virus outbreak that was first announced in May 2022. Here we report Pan‐pox‐specific T‐cell responses in a cohort of HIV‐1‐infected individuals after receiving the nonreplicative, attenuated smallpox vaccine JYNNEOS from Bavarian Nordic. Intradermal (i.d.) and subcutaneous (s.c.) vaccination was safe without major side effects. Dose‐sparing i.d. vaccination was superior to s.c. vaccination and promoted T‐cell polyfunctionality, and the expression of the gut‐homing marker α4β7 integrin on lymphocytes. HIV‐1‐infected individuals with CD4 T‐cell counts ≤500/mm3 blood required at least a booster vaccination to exhibit efficient virus‐specific T‐cell responses. The magnitude of the Th1 response after this booster directly correlated with the CD4 T‐cell count of the vaccinees. Further studies with a larger number of participants are warranted to confirm and expand our observations.
Granzyme B is elevated in esophageal biopsies from children with eosinophilic esophagitis
Authors: Thulin Helena , Säfholm Jesper , Lundahl Joachim , Jovic Viktor , Adner Mikael , Nilsson Caroline
Published: December 2023

Objectives

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an immune‐mediated antigen‐triggered inflammatory disease of the esophagus. Our aim was to investigate inflammatory responses by an ex vivo biopsy provocation‐based method, stimulating biopsies with milk, wheat, and egg extracts.

Methods

An experimental study was conducted on esophageal biopsies from children who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Supernatants were collected before and after stimulation of the biopsies with food extracts and analyzed for 45 different inflammatory markers. Biopsies were also stained for histological analyzes.

Results

Study subjects included 13 controls, 9 active EoE, and 4 EoE in remission, median age 12 years. Of the 45 markers analyzed, three had significant differences between controls and patients with active EoE, Granzyme B, (GzmB), IL‐1ra, and CXCL8 (p < .05). Levels of GzmB were higher, and levels of IL‐1ra were lower in patients with active EoE compared with controls and EoE in remission both at baseline and after food extract stimulation. CXCL8 increased in active EoE compared with controls only after stimulation. The number of histologically detected GzmB‐positive cells were significantly higher in patients with active EoE in contrast to control and EoE remission (p < .05).

Conclusions

The levels of the barrier‐damaging protease GzmB were higher in the supernatant both before and after stimulation with food extract ex vivo in patients with active EoE. GzmB was also observed histologically in biopsies from patients with active EoE. The presence of elevated serine protease GzmB in esophageal mucosa of children with active EoE suggests a role in the pathogenesis of this disorder.
Diagnostic accuracy of multimodal noninvasive follow‐up for pediatric ulcerative colitis: A single‐center prospective study
Authors: Spyropoulou Vasiliki , Russo Giusy , Rossi Eleonora Dei , Ruggiero Cosimo , Volpe Danila , D'Arcangelo Giulia , Papoff Paola , Civitelli Fortunata , Aloi Marina , Oliva Salvatore
Published: December 2023

Objectives

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) often requiring endoscopic evaluations, which can be uncomfortable and costly, especially for children. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a noninvasive approach combining fecal calprotectin (FCP), colonic ultrasonography (US), and colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) compared with standard ileocolonoscopy in pediatric UC.

Methods

UC children were enrolled and underwent FCP and US on Day 0, followed by CCE on Day 1 and ileocolonoscopy on Day 2. All procedures were performed by operators who were blinded to the patient's clinical history and all test results. The accuracy for disease activity and extension of each technique and their combination was assessed and compared. Tolerability and safety were also evaluated.

Results

Thirty‐two patients were enrolled (15 males, mean age 13.2 ± 3.2 years). CCE showed a sensitivity of 95% and specificity of 100% in detecting colonic inflammation, with positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of 100% and 92%, respectively. US demonstrated a sensitivity of 85% and specificity of 92%, with PPV and NPV of 94% and 79%. The combination of FCP, US, and CCE achieved 95% sensitivity and 100% specificity, with PPV of 100% and NPV of 92%. The noninvasive approach was better tolerated than colonoscopy (p < 0.05), and no serious adverse events were reported.

Conclusion

The noninvasive approach combining fecal calprotectin (FCP), ultrasonography, and colon capsule endoscopy demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy and better tolerability compared with standard ileocolonoscopy in pediatric ulcerative colitis follow‐up. Further multicenter studies are needed to confirm these findings and evaluate the reproducibility of this noninvasive approach.
Assessment of families' experience with care integration within an aerodigestive program
Authors: Pottorff Alexandra , Liu Enju , Du Maritha , Catacora Andrea , Rosen Rachel , McSweeney Maireade
Published: December 2023

Objectives

The objective of this study was to assess if enrollment in a pediatric multidisciplinary aerodigestive program significantly impacted families' experiences with care integration.

Methods

A previously validated 48‐question Pediatric Integrated Care Survey (PICS) was administered in a cross‐sectional manner to both new (new‐ADC) and established (est‐ADC) patients presenting for an outpatient Aerodigestive Center visit at Boston Children's Hospital. Survey results were grouped into the following five care coordination domains: (1) access to care, (2) care goal creation/planning, (3) family impact, (4) communication with health care providers, and (5) team functioning. Families were asked to rate their care integration experiences in the prior 12 months using yes/no and Likert‐based questions. Comparisons were analyzed using logistic regression. Factor analysis was also performed.

Results

Ninety patient families were surveyed: 54 (60%) est‐ADC patients and 36 (40%) new‐ADC patients. Est‐ADC patients reported higher levels of experience with team functioning, provider awareness of prior testing, provider communication, and access to alternative methods of communication. Self‐identified non‐White patients reported lower satisfaction in team functioning and provider understanding of their child's long‐term care plan. No significant differences in care integration experiences before and after the onset of the coronavirus pandemic were seen.

Conclusions

Patients enrolled in aerodigestive centers experienced improved care integration, most significantly in provider communication and team functioning. Despite these improvements, self‐identified non‐White families reported a lower care integration experience.
High oxidative stability of a complex fish liver oil nano‐capsules in response to long‐term storage, and to hyperthermal and sunlight exposure
Authors: Tsai Ming‐Fong , Nargotra Parushi , Liao Kuan‐Ting , Wang Hui‐Min David , Tsai Yung‐Hsiang , Liu Yung‐Chuan , Kuo Chia‐Hung
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND

In this study, a biocompatible nano‐carrying platform using chitosan (ChI) and chondroitin sulfate (ChS) was developed for the encapsulation of cobia liver oil (CBLO) to prevent its oxidation and improve its absorption. An ionic gelation method was applied to encapsulate CBLO with different weight ratios (from 1.0 to 1.5) to obtain ChS‐ChI nano‐capsules (ChS‐ChI@CBLO NCs).

RESULTS

Morphological observations of the nano‐capsules revealed a spherical shape and diameter around 267–381 nm. The maximum loading capacity (LC) and encapsulation efficiency (EE) for ChS‐ChI@CBLO NCs estimated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and derivative thermogravimetric (DTG) analysis were 25.7% and 56.2%, respectively. The structural stability of ChS‐ChI@CBLO NCs was confirmed through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis; moreover DSC also further confirmed the oxidative stability of ChS‐ChI@CBLO NCs. Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectra confirmed the excellent stability of ChS‐ChI@CBLO NCs against high temperature and sunlight exposure. Biocompatibility analysis also verified the non‐toxicity of ChS‐ChI@CBLO NCs, further indicating safety and potential application in complex‐nutritional supplements.

CONCLUSION

Nano‐degree of ChS‐ChI@CBLO NCs has a loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency of around 16.5 ~ 25.7% and 33.4 ~ 56.2%, respectively, for encapsulation of CBLO. Characterization results also indicate that ChS‐ChI@CBLO NCs display high oxidative stability against long‐term, hyperthermal, and sunlight exposure. Bioassay results confirm that the ChS‐ChI@CBLO NCs are safe and non‐toxic. This study demonstrates that nano‐capsules are also beneficial in preventing sensitive compounds from metamorphosis, and are non‐toxic. These materials are suitable for use in the food and pharmaceutical industries. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Gain‐of‐Function KIDINS220 Variants Disrupt Neuronal Development and Cause Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Zhang Jin , Zhang Yandong , Shang Qing , Cheng Ye , Su Yu , Zhang Junjie , Wang Ting , Ding Jian , Li Yunqian , Xie Yunli , Xing Qinghe
Published: December 2023

Background

Kinase D‐interacting substrate of 220 kDa (KIDINS220) is a multifunctional scaffolding protein essential for neuronal development. It has been implicated in neurological diseases with either autosomal dominant (AD) or autosomal recessive (AR) inheritance patterns. The molecular mechanisms underlying the AR/AD dual nature of KIDINS220 remain elusive, posing challenges to genetic interpretation and clinical interventions. Moreover, increased KIDINS220 exhibited neurotoxicity, but its role in neurodevelopment remains unclear.

Objective

The aim was to investigate the genotype–phenotype correlations of KIDINS220 and elucidate its pathophysiological role in neuronal development.

Methods

Whole‐exome sequencing was performed in a four‐generation family with cerebral palsy. CRISPR/Cas9 was used to generate KIDINS220 mutant cell lines. In utero electroporation was employed to investigate the effect of KIDINS220 variants on neurogenesis in vivo.

Results

We identified in KIDINS220 a pathogenic nonsense variant (c.4177C > T, p.Q1393*) that associated with AD cerebral palsy. We demonstrated that the nonsense variants located in the terminal exon of KIDINS220 are gain‐of‐function (GoF) variants, which enable the mRNA to escape nonsense‐mediated decay and produce a truncated yet functional KIDINS220 protein. The truncated protein exhibited significant resistance to calpain and consequently accumulated within cells, resulting in the hyperactivation of Rac1 and defects in neuronal development.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that the location of variants within KIDINS220 plays a crucial role in determining inheritance patterns and corresponding clinical outcomes. The proposed interaction between Rac1 and KIDINS220 provides new insights into the pathogenesis of cerebral palsy, implying potential therapeutic perspectives. © 2023 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Bckdk‐Mediated Branch Chain Amino Acid Metabolism Reprogramming Contributes to Muscle Atrophy during Cancer Cachexia
Authors: Chen Li , Zhang Hong , Chi Mengyi , Wang Yaxian , Zhu Xinting , Han Leng , Xin Bo , Gan Run , Tu Yixin , Sun Xipeng , Lu Jin , Li Jie , Huang Jinlu , Zhang Jianping , Han Yonglong , Guo Cheng , Yang Quanjun
Published: December 2023

Scope

Branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) are essential amino acids and important nutrient signals for energy and protein supplementation. The study uses muscle‐specific branched‐chain α‐keto acid dehydrogenase kinase (Bckdk) conditional knockout (cKO) mice to reveal the contribution of BCAA metabolic dysfunction to muscle wasting.

Method and results

Muscle‐specific Bckdk‐cKO mice are generated through crossbreeding of Bckdkf/f mice with Myf5Cre mice. Lewis lung cancer (LLC) tumor transplantation is used to establish the cancer cachexia model. The occurrence of cancer cachexia is accelerated in the muscle‐specific Bckdk‐cKO mice after bearing LLC tumor. Wasting skeletal muscle is characterized by increased protein ubiquitination degradation and impaired protein synthesis. The wasting muscle gastrocnemius is mechanized as a distinct BCAA metabolic dysfunction. Based on the atrophy phenotype resulting from BCAA metabolism dysfunction, the optimized BCAA supplementation improves the survival of cancer cachexia in muscle‐specific Bckdk‐cKO mice bearing LLC tumors, and improves the occurrence of cancer cachexia. The mechanism of BCAA supplementation on muscle mass preservation is based on the promotion of protein synthesis and the inhibition of protein ubiquitination degradation.

Conclusions

Dysfunctional BCAA metabolism contributes to the inhibition of protein synthesis and increases protein degradation in the cancer cachexia model of muscle‐specific Bckdk‐cKO mice bearing LLC tumors. The reprogramming of BCAA catabolism exerts therapeutic effects by stimulating protein synthesis and inhibiting protein degradation in skeletal muscle.
Influence of different cooling treatments on the mechanical properties of granite under Brazilian splitting test by grain‐based model 3D
Authors: Tian Wen‐Ling , Yang Sheng‐Qi , Yin Peng‐Fei , Zhu Zhen‐Nan , Huang Yan‐Hua
Published: December 2023

During the operation of an enhanced geothermal system (EGS), the reservoir rock undergoes different cooling treatments based on the distance to the surface rock. The tensile capacity of reservoir rocks is a key parameter in estimating the parameters of the hydraulic fracturing process. Therefore, the gain‐based model 3D (GBM3D) was constructed to explore the micro behavior of granite under the heating/cooling process and the Brazilian splitting test. The numerical results demonstrate the ability of GBM3D to reproduce the grain interlocking and rotational resistance behavior, making it applicable to simulate the mechanical behavior of granite under uniaxial compression and the Brazilian splitting test. Temperature and cooling rates have significant effects on the stress‐strain curves. With the increase in temperature, the curves after peak strength translate from brittle to ductile, and the turning point of water‐cooled granite is lower than that of air‐cooled granite. When more flaws are present in the specimen, micro‐cracks tend to occur along the loading axial near the center of the specimen. This result can be used to explain the defect in numerical simulation, where cracks are easy to develop near the loading position under the Brazilian splitting test. This work can provide recommendations for hydraulic fracturing.
Tracing the effect of the paycheck protection program on nonprofit capacity to sustain payroll and services during COVID‐19
Authors: Ceka Erica , Warner Lora
Published: December 2023

This study explores the effect of government fiscal stimulus on nonprofit performance during the COVID‐19 pandemic. More specifically, it investigates whether access to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) increased the ability of nonprofit organizations operating in the crisis context conditions to continue supplying funds for payroll and maintain effective delivery of services and programs after the initial revenue shock. The study findings are derived from the analysis of survey data collected from 160 Wisconsin nonprofit organizations in July and August 2020 linked to publicly available Internal Revenue Service tax filings. Regression analysis reveals a strong positive connection between the PPP loans and the nonprofit capacity to continue funding payroll and providing services within the next months of the pandemic. The empirical results suggest that the government stimulus policies offering direct economic assistance can indeed contribute to the continuity of nonprofit services and payroll in times of fiscal uncertainty, albeit the policy may not yield equally significant results across all types of organizations. This study increases the understanding of nonprofit performance during an extended revenue crisis, offering answers to policymakers, researchers, and practitioners interested in learning more about the efficacy of federal stimulus funding in enabling private organizations to mitigate the financial consequences of the COVID‐19 crisis.
Longitudinal assessment of Leydig cell function in male survivors of childhood cancer
Authors: Thrope Alexandra , Gerber Linda M , Thomas Charlene , Antal Zoltan
Published: December 2023

Background

As the number and longevity of childhood cancer survivors increases, assessing treatment‐associated late effects remains crucial. We longitudinally examined the incidence of and associated risk factors for Leydig cell dysfunction (LCD) and Leydig cell failure (LCF) in men treated for pediatric cancers at our institution.

Procedure:

We performed a retrospective longitudinal cohort study of adult male survivors treated for various childhood cancers who are at risk for LCD. The outcomes of interest were serum testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels during childhood and adulthood. Risk factors assessed included treatment with stem cell transplant, total body irradiation (TBI), and exposure to alkylating agents.

Results:

Out of 118 eligible subjects, 7.6% had LCF and 14.4% had LCD. Median age at last testosterone level was 20 years. Subjects with sufficient testosterone levels in adulthood (N = 105) remained sufficient for a mean of 11.1 years following completion of cancer treatment. We found significant associations between LCF and treatment with TBI (p < .003) and between LCF in adulthood and testosterone insufficiency in childhood (p < .001). No statistically significant association was found between LCF and cyclophosphamide equivalent dose greater than 20 g/m2 (p = .2). LCF/LCD occurred in a small number of nonirradiated patients treated with the highest doses of alkylators.

Conclusions:

Incidence of LCF and LCD are low in male survivors of childhood cancer. Longitudinally, there is an association between childhood testosterone insufficiency and LCF in adulthood. Alkylating agents and stem cell transplant without TBI were not associated with LCF in our study.
Methotrexate level discrepancy post‐glucarpidase: A pediatric case series and review of literature
Authors: Kibby Danielle , Trinkman Heidi
Published: December 2023

Methotrexate is a common component of pediatric oncology treatment and delayed clearance increases risk of significant toxicities. Glucarpidase is indicated for patients with toxic plasma methotrexate concentrations with renal toxicity. Laboratory interference with immunoassay measurement post‐glucarpidase administration is well established, with current product labeling indicating this persists for 48 h. However, recent experience in pediatric patients supports this discrepancy persists beyond 48 h. Three cases experienced delayed methotrexate clearance and received glucarpidase with subsequent measurement of methotrexate levels by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) and/or immunoassay. Within this case series, discrepancies between LC–MS/MS and immunoassay levels persisted significantly longer than 48 h.
Shingle cell IV characterization based on spatially resolved host cell measurements
Authors: Kunze Philipp , Demant Matthias , Krieg Alexander , Tummalieh Ammar , Wöhrle Nico , Rein Stefan
Published: December 2023

Each solar cell is characterized at the end‐of‐line using current‐voltage (
) measurements, except shingle cells, due to multiplied measurement efforts. Therefore, the respective host cell quality is adopted for all resulting shingles, which is sufficient for samples with laterally homogeneous quality. Yet, for heterogeneous defect distributions, this procedure leads to (i) loss of high‐quality shingles due to defects on neighboring host cell parts, (ii) increased mismatch losses due to inaccurate binning, and (iii) lack of shingle‐precise characterization. In spatially resolved host measurements, such as electroluminescence images, all shingles are visible along with their properties. Within a comprehensive experiment, 840 hosts and their resulting shingles are measured. Thereafter, a deep learning model has been designed and optimized which processes host images and determines
parameters like efficiency or fill factor,
curves, and binning classes for each shingle cell. The efficiency can be determined with an error of
enabling a
improvement in correct assignment of shingles to bin classes compared with industry standard. This results in lower mismatch losses and higher output power on module level as demonstrated within simulations. Also,
curves of defective and defect‐free shingle cells can be derived with good agreement to actual shingle measurements.
Initiation factor 3 bound to the 30S ribosomal subunit in an initial step of translation
Authors: Uday Adwaith B. , Mishra Rishi Kumar , Hussain Tanweer
Published: December 2023

Bacterial ribosomes require three initiation factors IF1, IF2, and IF3 during the initial steps of translation. These IFs ensure correct base pairing of the initiator tRNA anticodon with the start codon in the mRNA located at the P‐site of the 30S ribosomal subunit. IF3 is one of the first IFs to bind to the 30S and plays a crucial role in the selection of the correct start codon and codon: anticodon base pairing. IF3 also prevents the premature association of the 50S subunit of ribosomes and aids in ribosome recycling. IF3 is reported to change binding sites and conformation to ensure translation initiation fidelity. A recent study suggested an initial binding of IF3 CTD away from the P‐site and that IF1 and IF2 promote the movement of CTD to the P‐site and concomitant movement of NTD. Hence, to visualize the position of IF3 in the absence of any other IFs, we determined cryo‐EM structure of the 30S‐IF3 complex. The map shows that IF3 is present in an extended conformation with CTD present at the P‐site and NTD near the platform even in the absence of IF1 and IF2. Hence, IF3 CTD binds at the P‐site and moves away during the accommodation of the initiator tRNA at the P‐site in the later steps of translation initiation. Overall, we report the structure of 30S‐IF3 which demystifies the starting binding site and conformation of IF3 on the 30S ribosomal subunit.
Human organ chips for regenerative pharmacology
Authors: Goyal Girija , Belgur Chaitra , Ingber Donald E.
Published: December 2023

Human organs‐on‐chips (organ chips) are small microfluidic devices that allow human cells to perform complex organ‐level functions in vitro by recreating multi‐cellular and multi‐tissue structures and applying in vivo‐like biomechanical cues. Human Organ Chips are being used for drug discovery and toxicology testing as an alternative to animal models which are ethically challenging and often do not predict clinical efficacy or toxicity. In this mini‐review, we summarize our presentation that reviewed the state of the art relating to these microfluidic culture devices designed to mimic specific human organ structures and functions, and the application of Organ Chips to regenerative pharmacology.
Planar Hall Effect and Quasi ‐ 2D Anisotropic Superconductivity in Topological Candidate 1T‐NbSeTe
Authors: Patra Chandan , Agarwal Tarushi , Srivastava Shashank , Chowdhury Rajeswari Roy , Saravanan M. P. , Singh Ravi Prakash
Published: December 2023

Superconducting topological materials have generated considerable interest in condensed matter research due to their unusual gap structures and topological properties. In this study, the normal and superconducting characteristics of a potential topological semimetal, 1T‐NbSeTe are investigated through comprehensive transport and magnetization measurements on bulk single crystals. The results suggest the topological semimetallic nature of NbSeTe, as evidenced by the observation of the planar Hall effect. Moreover, it displays quasi‐2D anisotropic superconductivity, which breaks the Pauli limit. The coexistence of the topological semimetallic nature and superconductivity of NbSeTe makes it a potential contender for topological superconductivity.
Adaptive backstepping asymptotic consensus tracking control of multiple uncertain manipulators with disturbances
Authors: Xu Zhiguo , Zhao Lin
Published: December 2023

This article studies the asymptotic consensus of multiple robots with uncertain parameters and external disturbances. A novel asymptotic tracking command filtered adaptive consensus control approach is proposed. The command filters avoid the differentials of virtual control functions in backstepping, meanwhile, the compensation mechanism is used to compensate filtering errors. Compared with current command filtered control algorithms for the consensus control of multiple robots, the consensus tracking errors can asymptotically converge to origin under the given approach, moreover, the design process is simplified by designing only one adaptive parameter for each manipulator. A simulation example verifies the given approach.
Project management for sustainable development: Critical determinants of technological competency for project managers with smart technologies
Authors: Wei Feiyang , Hwang Bon‐Gang , Zhu Hanjing , Ngo Jasmine
Published: December 2023

To achieve sustainable development in the construction industry through effective management of projects implementing smart technologies, the technological competency of project managers (PMs) has become increasingly important. This study aims to: (i) investigate the significant attributes of PMs' technological competency when implementing smart technologies for effective project management; (ii) develop a Technological Competency Framework (TCF) for PMs; and (iii) assess critical determinants in the TCF. To achieve these objectives, the attributes of PMs' technological competency and their relative importance were investigated and assessed through a comprehensive literature review, expert interviews, a structured questionnaire survey and statistical analyses. The results showed that the identified attributes in TCF were statistically significant, with project management knowledge, personal characteristics, and skills in managing projects having the highest priority. This study enriches the knowledge of technological competency for PMs in project management and provides guidance for the industry to implement smart technologies for sustainable development.
Efficient Blade‐Coated p–i–n Perovskite Solar Cells and Modules Enabled by Effective Molecular N Doping
Authors: Wang Feifei , Shi Xiaoyu , Yu Han , Wang Lingyuan , Ren Zhijun , Chen Shangshang
Published: December 2023

N doping is an essential strategy to prolong electron diffusion length and improve the photovoltaic performance of p–i–n structured perovskite solar devices, but current n‐dopants generally suffer from air instability, poor compatibility with perovskites, and the compensation from perovskite intrinsic defects, thus limiting their doping effectiveness. To address these issues, in this work, a new perovskite n‐doping strategy is developed by incorporating an air‐stable n‐dopant (1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium‐2‐carboxylate, EMIC) that has no detrimental effects on perovskite crystallinity and morphology. EMIC is soluble in most polar solvents and can be readily introduced into perovskite precursor solutions. Upon thermal annealing of perovskite films, the decarboxylation of EMIC releases imidazolylidene, a reactive species that highly tends to donate electrons and thus efficiently prolongs the electron diffusion length from 0.57 µm to over 1.21 µm. As a result, the blade‐coated perovskite solar cells and modules realize high power conversion efficiencies of 24.3% and 20.6% at 7.4 mm2 and 25.0 cm2 aperture areas, respectively.
Protein Compartments Modulate Fibrillar Self‐Assembly
Authors: Karger Shay , Miali Marco E. , Solomonov Aleksei , Eliaz Dror , Varsano Neta , Shimanovich Ulyana
Published: December 2023

A notable feature of complex cellular environments is protein‐rich compartments that are formed via liquid–liquid phase separation. Recent studies have shown that these biomolecular condensates can play both promoting and inhibitory roles in fibrillar protein self‐assembly, a process that is linked to Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, and various prion diseases. Yet, the exact regulatory role of these condensates in protein aggregation remains unknown. By employing microfluidics to create artificial protein compartments, the self‐assembly behavior of the fibrillar protein lysozyme within them can be characterized. It is observed that the volumetric parameters of protein‐rich compartments can change the kinetics of protein self‐assembly. Depending on the change in compartment parameters, the lysozyme fibrillation process either accelerated or decelerated. Furthermore, the results confirm that the volumetric parameters govern not only the nucleation and growth phases of the fibrillar aggregates but also affect the crosstalk between the protein‐rich and protein‐poor phases. The appearance of phase‐separated compartments in the vicinity of natively folded protein complexes triggers their abrupt percolation into the compartments' core and further accelerates protein aggregation. Overall, the results of the study shed more light on the complex behavior and functions of protein‐rich phases and, importantly, on their interaction with the surrounding environment.
Frameworked Electrolytes: A Pathway Towards Solid Future of Batteries
Authors: Sun Jianguo , Wang Xingyang , Yuan Hao , Liu Yu , Yang Jing , Zhao Qi , Gao Yulin , Wang Tuo , Zhang Yong‐Wei , Wang John
Published: December 2023

All‐solid‐state batteries (ASSBs) represent a highly promising next‐generation energy storage technology owing to their inherently high safety, device reliability, and potential for achieving high energy density in the post‐ara of lithium‐ion batteries, and therefore extensive searches are ongoing for ideal solid‐state electrolytes (SSEs). Though promising, there is still a huge barrier that limits the large‐scale applications of ASSBs, where there are a couple of bottleneck technical issues. In this perspective, a novel category of electrolytes known as frameworked electrolytes (FEs) are examined, where the solid frameworks are intentionally designed to contain 3D ionic channels at sub‐nano scales, rendering them macroscopically solid. The distinctive structural design of FEs gives rise to not only high ionic conductivity but also desirable interfaces with electrode solids. This is achieved through the presence of sub‐nano channels within the framework, which exhibit significantly different ion diffusion behavior due to the confinement effect. This perspective offers a compelling insight into the potential of FEs in the pursuit of ASSBs, where FEs offer an exciting opportunity to overcome the limitations of traditional solid‐state electrolytes and propel the development of ASSBs as the holy grail of energy storage technology.
Interface‐Engineered 2D Heterojunction with Photoelectric Dual Gain: Mxene@MOF‐Enhanced SPR Spectroscopy for Direct Sensing of Exosomes
Authors: Wang Yindian , Xu Chengcheng , Zhou Yangyang , Lee Jaebeom , Chen Qiang , Chen Hongxia
Published: December 2023

MXene is widely used in the construction of optoelectronic interfaces due to its excellent properties. However, the hydrophilicity and metastable surface of MXene lead to its oxidation behavior, resulting in the degradation of its various properties, which seriously limits its practical application. In this work, a 2D metal‐organic framework (2D MOF) with matching 2D morphology, excellent stability performance, and outstanding optoelectronic performance is grown in situ on the MXene surface through heterojunction engineering to suppress the direct contact between reactive molecules and the inner layer material without affecting the original advantages of MXene. The photoelectric dual gain MXene@MOF heterojunction is confirmed. As a photoelectric material, its properties are highly suitable for the demand of interface sensitization layer materials of surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Therefore, using SPR as a platform for the application of this interface material, the performance of MXene@MOF and its potential mechanism to enhance SPR are analyzed in depth using experiments combined with simulation calculations (FDTD/DFT). Finally, the MXene@MOF/peptides‐SPR sensor is constructed for rapid and sensitive detection of the cancer marker exosomes to explore its potential in practical applications. This work offers a forward‐looking strategy for the design of interface materials with excellent photoelectric performance.
3D Fast Sodium Transport Network of MoS2 Endowed by Coupling of Sulfur Vacancies and Sn Doping for Outstanding Sodium Storage
Authors: Kang Jia , Peng Yan , Zhu Ling , Tang Yao , Teng Feiyang , Guo Gencai , Xiang Yanhong , Huang Yonggang , Wu Xianming , Wu Xianwen
Published: December 2023

A sulfur vacancy‐rich, Sn‐doped as well as carbon‐coated MoS2 composite (Vs‐SMS@C) is rationally synthesized via a simple hydrothermal method combined with ball‐milling reduction, which enhances the sodium storage performance. Benefiting from the 3D fast Na+ transport network composed of the defective carbon coating, Mo─S─C bonds, enlarged interlayer spacing, S‐vacancies, and lattice distortion in the composite, the Na+ storage kinetics is significantly accelerated. As expected, Vs‐SMS@C releases an ultrahigh reversible capacity of 1089 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1, higher than the theoretical capacity. It delivers a satisfactory capacity of 463 mAh g−1 at a high current density of 10 A g−1, which is the state‐of‐the‐art rate capability compared to other MoS2 based sodium ion battery anodes to the knowledge. Moreover, a super long‐term cycle stability is achieved by Vs‐SMS@C, which keeps 91.6% of the initial capacity after 3000 cycles under the current density of 5 A g−1 in the voltage of 0.3–3.0 V. The sodium storage mechanism of Vs‐SMS@C is investigated by employing electrochemical methods and ex situ techniques. The synergistic effect between S‐vacancies and doped‐Sn is evidenced by DFT calculations. This work opens new ideas for seeking excellent metal sulfide anodes.
Chiral Au–Pd Alloy Nanorods with Tunable Optical Chirality and Catalytically Active Surfaces
Authors: Liu Chuang , Sun Lichao , Yang Guizeng , Cheng Qingqing , Wang Chen , Tao Yunlong , Sun Xuehao , Wang Zixu , Zhang Qingfeng
Published: December 2023

Integrating the plasmonic chirality with excellent catalytic activities in plasmonic hybrid nanostructures provides a promising strategy to realize the chiral nanocatalysis toward many chemical reactions. However, the controllable synthesis of catalytically active chiral plasmonic nanoparticles with tailored geometries and compositions remains a significant challenge. Here it is demonstrated that chiral Au–Pd alloy nanorods with tunable optical chirality and catalytically active surfaces can be achieved by a seed‐mediated coreduction growth method. Through manipulating the chiral inducers, Au nanorods selectively transform into two different intrinsically chiral Au–Pd alloy nanorods with distinct geometric chirality and tunable optical chirality. By further adjusting several key synthetic parameters, the optical chirality, composition, and geometry of the chiral Au–Pd nanorods are fine‐tailored. More importantly, the chiral Au–Pd alloy nanorods exhibit appealing chiral catalytic activities as well as polarization‐dependent plasmon‐enhanced nanozyme catalytic activity, which has great potential for chiral nanocatalysis and plasmon‐induced chiral photochemistry.
Low‐Temperature Preparation Copper‐Doped Nickel Chloride Cathode for Thermal Battery Overcomes the Energy‐Power Trade‐Off
Authors: Yao Bin , Fu Licai , Gui Yufan , Zhu Jiajun , Yang Wulin , Zhou Lingping
Published: December 2023

Nickel chloride (NiCl2) is a typical hexagonal layered semiconductor material with wide application. However, it is mainly restricted by complicated technological process within ultrahigh dehydration temperature. Utilizing copper doping, a sort of high purity and remarkable crystallinity NiCl2 is fabricated using a simple low‐temperature calcination technique. The dehydration temperature is decreased from 600 to 400 °C because the adsorbed copper ions on NiCl2 dihydrate surface can weaken NiO bond strength. Serving for thermal battery cathode, copper‐doped NiCl2 exhibits remarkable discharge ability at 500 mA cm−2, equipped with supernormal power density of 16.27 kW kg−1 and energy density of 717 Wh kg−1 simultaneously. Its energy density is increased by 28% compared to NiCl2. Copper doping optimizes thermodynamics process of discharge reaction and modifies local electronic structure of NiCl2. For copper‐doped NiCl2, the shift of Ni 3d and Cl 3p to lower energy level results in elevated redox potential, and the reduction of bandgap accelerates the carrier mobility, further promoting discharge degree. Utilizing metal ions dopant, this research surmounts the low‐temperature synthesis of NiCl2 and addresses its inferior electrochemical performance, ensuring high energy‐power output. This will expand the application scenarios of NiCl2‐based cathode materials.