bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Usefulness of Gadolinium Ethoxybenzyl Diethylenetriamine Pentaacetic Acid–Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging for the Evaluation of Hepatic Functional Reserve
Authors: Iida Hiroya , Aihara Tsukasa , Ikuta Shinichi , Yamanaka Naoki
Published: May 2023

Background

To determine the usefulness of the enhanced rate of gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid–enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (EOB-MRI) during the hepatobiliary phase as a new parameter for hepatic functional reserve.

Aim

We retrospectively analyzed 153 patients who underwent EOB-MRI before radiofrequency ablation or hepatic resection between January 2008 and December 2012. The enhanced rate during the hepatobiliary phase was estimated using the ratio of regions of interest in the liver parenchyma to that in the paraspinal muscles. The enhanced rate was examined along with liver function tests and fibrosis levels for any correlations.

Results

A high correlation was found between the enhanced rate and indocyanine green retention rate at 15 minutes (r = −0.66, P < 0.0001). Additionally, a moderate correlation was discovered between the enhanced rate and serum albumin (r = 0.57, P < 0.0001), and fibrosis level (r = −0.48, P < 0.0001). The enhanced rate also weakly correlated with platelet count (r = 0.28, P = 0.0005), aspartate aminotransferase (r = −0.37, P < 0.0001), total bilirubin (r = −0.26, P = 0.0014), and prothrombin activity (r = 0.27, P = 0.0014).

Conclusions

The EOB-MRI–enhanced rate during the hepatobiliary phase strongly correlates with hepatic functional reserve.
Black Tongue Discoloration
Authors: Kano Yasuhiro
Published: May 2023

An 80-year-old man developed asymptomatic black discoloration of the dorsal surface of his tongue 1 week after hospitalization for surgical and antibiotic treatment of septic arthritis of the shoulder. He reported no prior lingual discoloration and did not smoke cigarettes, use chewing tobacco or illicit drugs, or drink alcohol. What is the diagnosis and what would you do next?
Perspectives on the Intersection of Electronic Health Records and Health Care Team Communication, Function, and Well-being
Authors: Amano Alexis , Brown-Johnson Cati G. , Winget Marcy , Sinha Amrita , Shah Shreya , Sinsky Christine A. , Sharp Christopher , Shanafelt Tait , Skeff Kelley
Published: May 2023

Importance

Understanding of the interplay between the electronic health record (EHR), health care team relations, and physician well-being is currently lacking. Approaches to cultivate interpersonal interactions may be necessary to complement advancements in health information technology with high-quality team function.

Objective

To examine ways in which the EHR, health care team functioning, and physician well-being intersect and interact.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Secondary qualitative analysis of semistructured interview data from 2 studies used keyword-in-context approaches to identify excerpts related to teams. Thematic analysis was conducted using pattern coding, then organized using the relationship-centered organization model. Two health care organizations in California from March 16 to October 13, 2017, and February 28 to April 21, 2022, participated, with respondents including attending and resident physicians.

Main Outcome and Measures

Across data sets, themes centered around the interactions between the EHR, health care team functioning, and physician well-being. The first study data focused on EHR-related distressing events and their role in attending physician and resident physician emotions and actions. The second study focused on EHR use and daily EHR irritants.

Results

The 73 respondents included attending physicians (53 [73%]) and resident physicians (20 [27%]). Demographic data were not collected. Participants worked in ambulatory specialties (33 [45%]), hospital medicine (10 [14%]), and surgery (10 [14%]). The EHR was reported to be the dominant communication modality among all teams. Interviewees indicated that the EHR facilitates task-related communication and is well suited to completing simple, uncomplicated tasks. However, EHR-based communication limited the rich communication and social connection required for building relationships and navigating conflict. The EHR was found to negatively impact team function by promoting disagreement and introducing areas of conflict into team relationships related to medical-legal pressures, role confusion, and undefined norms around EHR-related communication. In addition, interviewees expressed that physician EHR-related distress affects interactions within the team, eroding team well-being.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this study, the EHR supported task-oriented and efficient communication among team members to get work done and care for patients; however, participants felt that the technology shifts attention away from the human needs of the care team that are necessary for developing relationships, building trust, and resolving conflicts. Interventions to cultivate interpersonal interactions and team function are necessary to complement the efficiency benefits of health information technology.
McDaid's retirement: A legacy of advocacy
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: May 2023

Carol McDaid, until recently with Capitol Decisions as the preeminent lobbyist for recovery and addiction, retired last month. An icon of parity for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, confidentiality for patients, and reimbursement for treatment providers, McDaid has been a tireless champion for the SUD field, patients, and people who just need help with SUDs. ADAW remembers her from many in‐person meetings, as well. In long‐term recovery herself, she recently told us that she was getting much hope from working with people in recovery, alongside her husband, John Shinholser.
Young men especially susceptible to schizophrenia linked to cannabis
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: May 2023

A newly published study adds important findings to the body of evidence linking cannabis use disorder and schizophrenia, suggesting that the risk is particularly high for young men.
Recycling Polyethylene into High‐Value Porous Carbon Composites for Microwave Absorption
Authors: Zhang Zifan , Chen Qiguo , Huang Li , Yang Xueli , Yuan Ye
Published: May 2023

The recycling of solid plastic waste has been a major challenge to the sustainable development of today's society. Herein, one of the commonly wasted plastic raw materials, linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE), is used as the carbon source to explore high‐value porous carbon composites for microwave absorption applications. The carbon composites are simply obtained through the delicate carbonization of LLDPE, followed by in situ introducing Ni nanoparticles (NPs) into the carbon monolith. The porous carbon composites show a minimum reflection loss (RLmin) value of −52.2 dB at 1.65 mm, which demonstrates excellent microwave absorption properties of the wasted plastic‐derived carbon materials. In addition, the anticorrosion performance of the carbon composites is evaluated by electrochemical technique. Above all, the current study provides a new idea and simple strategy for processing wasted plastics to high‐value porous carbon materials.
Overcoming Moisture‐Induced Degradation in Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Wachsmuth Josua , Distler Andreas , Deribew Dargie , Salvador Michael , Brabec Christoph J. , Egelhaaf Hans-Joachim
Published: May 2023

Unencapsulated organic solar cells are prone to severe performance losses in the presence of moisture. Accelerated damp heat (85 °C/85% RH) studies are presented and it is shown that the hygroscopic hole‐transporting PEDOT:PSS layer is the origin of device failure in the case of prototypical inverted solar cells. Complementary measurements unveil that under these conditions a decreased PEDOT:PSS work function along with areas of reduced electrical contact between active layer and hole‐transport layer are the main factors for device degradation rather than a chemical reaction of water with the active layer. Replacements for PEDOT:PSS are explored and it is found that tungsten oxide (WO3) or phosphomolybdic acid (PMA)—materials that can be processed from benign solvents at room temperature—yields comparable performance as PEDOT:PSS and enhances the resilience of solar cells under damp heat. The stability trend follows the order PEDOT:PSS << WO3 < PMA, with PEDOT:PSS‐based devices failing after few minutes, while PMA‐based devices remain nearly pristine over several hours. PMA is thus proposed as a robust, solution‐processable hole extraction layer that can act as a one to one replacement of PEDOT:PSS to achieve organic solar cells with significantly improved longevity.
Modulation on Electrostatic Potential of Passivator for Highly Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Su Hang , Zhang Jing , Hu Yingjie , Yao Yuying , Zheng Xinxin , She Yutong , Jia Binxia , Gao Lili , Liu Shengzhong (Frank)
Published: May 2023

The perovskite layer contains a large number of charged defects that seriously impair the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), thus it is essential to develop an effective passivation strategy to heal them. Based on theoretical calculations, it is found that enhancing the electrostatic potential of passivators can improve passivation effect and adsorption energy between charged defects and passivators. Herein, an electrostatic potential modulation (EPM) strategy is developed to design passivators for highly efficient and stable PSCs. With the EPM strategy, 1‐phenylethylbiguanide (PEBG) and 1‐phenylbiguanide (PBG) are designed. It is found that the charge distribution and electrostatic potential of phenyl‐ and phenylethyl‐ substituent on the biguanide are significantly enhanced. The N atom directly bonding to the phenyl group shows larger positive charge than that bonding to the phenylethyl group. The modulated electrostatic potential makes PBG bind stronger with the defects on perovskite surface. Based on the effective passivation of EPM, a champion efficiency of 24.67% is realized and the device retain 91.5% of its initial PCE after ≈1300 h. The promising EPM strategy, which provides a principle of passivator design and allows passivation to be controllable, may advance further optimization and application of perovskite solar cells toward commercialization.
Synthetic Self‐Adjuvanted Lipopeptide Vaccines Conferred Protection against Helicobacter pylori Infection
Authors: Xue Ruo‐Yi , Liu Chang , Wang Jia‐Qi , Deng Yan , Feng Rang , Li Guo‐Cheng , Liu Jing‐Yi , Cheng Hao , Shan Zhang Shan‐ , Duan Hao , Jin Zhe , Zou Quan‐Ming , Li Hai‐Bo
Published: May 2023

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) colonizes the stomach epithelium of half the world's population and is responsible for various digestive diseases and even stomach cancer. Vaccine‐mediated protection against H. pylori infection depends primarily on the specific mucosal and T‐cell responses. In this study, the synthetic lipopeptide vaccines, Hp4 (Pam2Cys modified UreB T‐cell epitope) and Hp10 (Pam2Cys modified CagA T/B cell combined epitope), not only induce the bone marrow derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) maturation by activating a variety of pattern‐recognition receptors (PRRs) such as Toll‐like receptor (TLR), Nod‐like receptor (NLR), and retinoic acid‐inducing gene (RIG) I‐like receptor (RLR), and but also stimulate BMDCs to secret cytokines that have the potential to modulate T‐cell activation and differentiation. Although intranasal immunization with Hp4 or Hp10 elicits robust epitope‐specific T‐cell responses in mice, only Hp10 confers protection against H. pylori infection, possibly due to the fact that Hp10 also induces substantial specific sIgA response at mucosal sites. Interestingly, Hp4 elevates the protective response against H. pylori infection of Hp10 when administrated in combination, characterized by better protective effect and enhanced specific T‐cell and mucosal antibody responses. The results suggest that synthetic lipopeptide vaccines based on the epitopes derived from the protective antigens are promising candidates for protection against H. pylori infection.
Graphene Solution‐Gated Field‐Effect Transistor for Ultrasound‐Based Wireless and Battery‐Free Biosensing
Authors: Sharma Sahil , Lernoud Carole‐Anne , Fain Bruno , Othmen Riadh , Bouchiat Vincent , Yvert Blaise , Hébert Clément
Published: May 2023

The development of wireless and battery‐free sensors for biomedical applications is a fast growing research and industrial field. It promises to greatly improve the patient's comfort during the diagnosis phase, but also in the treatment of chronic diseases. While the standard technologies are based so far on electromagnetic waves, ultrasonic powering and communication is offering perspectives to further reduce the size of the sensor in order to develop minimally invasive electronic implants. Wireless and battery‐free ultrasound‐based devices for healthcare monitoring comprise a piezoelectric element for the powering and communication, and a variable shunt load that varies according to a physiological parameter of interest. The changes in the load modify the acoustic reflectivity of the piezoelectric element, which can be detected using a pulse‐echo protocol. In the present study, the use of graphene solution‐gated field‐effect transistor is introduced as a new type of shunt load. Using an mm‐sized device, it is shown that the amplitude of an ultrasonic wave that reflects on the piezoelectric component is modulated by the voltage applied on the gate of the transistor both in physiological medium and biological tissue. This study sets the basis toward a new type of ultrasound‐based wireless and battery‐free biosensors.
Twisted Nanotubes of Transition Metal Dichalcogenides with Split Optical Modes for Tunable Radiated Light Resonators
Authors: Eliseyev Ilya A. , Borodin Bogdan R. , Kazanov Dmitrii R. , Poshakinskiy Alexander V. , Remškar Maja , Pavlov Sergey I. , Kotova Lyubov V. , Alekseev Prokhor A. , Platonov Alexey V. , Davydov Valery Yu. , Shubina Tatiana V.
Published: May 2023

Synthesized micro‐ and nanotubes composed of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) such as MoS2 are promising for many applications in nanophotonics because they combine the abilities to emit strong exciton luminescence and to act as whispering gallery microcavities even at room temperature. In addition to tubes in the form of hollow cylinders, there is an insufficiently studied class of twisted tubes, the flattened cross‐section of which rotates along the tube axis. As shown by theoretical analysis, in such nanotubes the interaction of electromagnetic waves excited at the opposite sides of the cross‐section can cause splitting of the whispering gallery modes. By studying micro‐photoluminescence spectra measured along individual MoS2 tubes, it has been established that the splitting value, which controls the energies of the split modes, depends exponentially on the aspect ratio of the cross‐section, which varies in “breathing” tubes, while the relative intensity of the modes in a pair is determined by the angle of rotation of the cross‐section. These results open up the possibility of creating multifunctional tubular TMDC nanodevices that provide resonant amplification of self‐emitting light at adjustable frequencies.
Balancing the Efficiency and Synthetic Accessibility of Organic Solar Cells with Isomeric Acceptor Engineering
Authors: Yang Qianguang , Chen Haiyan , Lv Jie , Huang Peihao , Han Deman , Deng Wanyuan , Sun Kuan , Kumar Manish , Chung Sein , Cho Kilwon , Hu Dingqin , Dong Haiyan , Shao Li , Zhao Fuqing , Xiao Zeyun , Kan Zhipeng , Lu Shirong
Published: May 2023

With the continuous development of organic semiconductor materials and on‐going improvement of device technology, the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of organic solar cells (OSCs) have surpassed the threshold of 19%. Now, the low production cost of organic photovoltaic materials and devices have become an imperative demand for its practical application and future commercialization. Herein, the feasibility of simplified synthesis for cost‐effective small‐molecule acceptors via end‐cap isomeric engineering is demonstrated, and two constitutional isomers, BTP‐m‐4Cl and BTP‐o‐4Cl, are synthesized and compared in parallel. These two non‐fullerene acceptors (NFAs) have very similar optoelectronic properties but nonuniform morphological and crystallographic characteristics. Consequently, the OSCs composed of PM6:BTP‐m‐4Cl realize PCE of 17.2%, higher than that of the OSCs with PM6:BTP‐o‐4Cl (≈16%). When ternary OSCs are fabricated with PM6:BTP‐m‐4Cl:BTP‐o‐4Cl, the averaged PCE value reaches 17.95%, presenting outstanding photovoltaic performance. Most excitingly, the figure of merit (FOM) values of PM6:BTP‐m‐4Cl, PM6:BTP‐o‐4Cl, and PM6:BTP‐m‐4Cl:BTP‐o‐4Cl based devices are 0.190, 0.178, and 0.202 respectively. The FOM values of these systems are all among the top ones of the current high‐efficiency OSC systems, revealing high cost‐effectiveness of the two NFAs. This work provides a general but accessible strategy to minimize the efficiency‐cost gap and promises the economic prospects of OSCs.
Somatotype altitudinal variation and its relationship with the nutritional status of children in the Jujuy province, Argentina
Authors: Andrade Lautaro D. , Vilca Noelia G. , Figueroa Marcelo I. , Martínez Jorge I. , Alfaro Gómez Emma L. , Dipierri José E.
Published: May 2023

Objectives

To study the somatotype variations adjusted by altitude, age, sex, and BMI categories, and to assess the health status of the children population.

Methods

A sample of 460 children aged 8–13 years was assessed in a cross‐sectional study conducted on anthropometric measurements between 2011 and 2015. Data were categorized into two age groups: Group 8–10, Group 11–13 and two altitudes: Highland (>2000 masl), lowland (<2000 masl). The somatotypic profile was determined by the Heath and Carter's study method and the Body Mass Index was used to assess children nutritional status. Generalized linear latent variable models (GLLVM) were performed to test the association between somatotype and geographic altitude. Individual age‐sex specific somatotypes were plotted in a two‐dimension somatochart, and group dispersion was displayed by the somatotype attitudinal mean.

Results

The sample has an overall endomorph‐mesomorph body type, exhibiting different patterns when altitude and sex were considered. The GLLVM showed that the whole somatotype was different by altitude. Highland children occupied central to endomorphic‐mesomorphic places in the somatochart with lower variation. In both altitudes, girls exhibited higher endomorphy than boys. Several discrepancies between the BMI categorization and the somatotype were observed.

Conclusions

Jujenean children show differential body patterns across geographic altitude which exhibit age and sex variations. Children have a differential tendency to a fat mass gain. The BMI showed some inconsistencies with somatotype, leading to a misclassification of the child nutritional status, this highlights the importance of not to treat the BMI in isolation but with other determinants of the health status.
Übergangsmetallfreie elektrophile Aminierungen von polyfunktionellen O‐2,4,6‐Trimethylbenzoylhydroxylaminen mit Zink‐ und Magnesiumorganometallen
Authors: Sunagatullina Alisa S. , Hess Andreas , Kremsmair Alexander , Li Yifan , Chen Yi‐Hung , Knochel Paul
Published: May 2023

Wir berichteten über eine neue elektrophile Aminierung verschiedener primärer, sekundärer und tertiärer Alkyl‐, Benzyl‐, Allylzink‐ und Magnesiumorganometalle mit O‐2,4,6‐Trimethylbenzoylhydroxylaminen (O‐TBHAs) in 52–99 % Ausbeute. Diese O‐TBHAs wiesen eine ausgezeichnete Langzeitstabilität auf und ließen sich leicht aus verschiedenen hochfunktionalisierten sekundären Aminen in einem bequemen dreistufigen Verfahren herstellen. Die Aminierungsreaktionen zeigten eine bemerkenswerte Chemoselektivität, verliefen ohne Übergangsmetallkatalysator und waren in der Regel nach 1–3 Stunden Reaktionszeit bei 25 °C abgeschlossen. Darüber hinaus ermöglichte diese elektrophile Aminierung auch den Zugang zu enantiomerenangereicherten tertiären Aminen (bis zu 88 % ee) durch Verwendung optisch angereicherter sekundärer Alkylmagnesiumreagenzien des Typs s‐AlkylMgCH2SiMe3.
Transition‐Metal Free Electrophilic Aminations of Polyfunctional O‐2,4,6‐Trimethylbenzoyl Hydroxylamines with Zinc and Magnesium Organometallics
Authors: Sunagatullina Alisa S. , Hess Andreas , Kremsmair Alexander , Li Yifan , Chen Yi‐Hung , Knochel Paul
Published: May 2023

We reported a new electrophilic amination of various primary, secondary and tertiary alkyl, benzylic, allylic zinc and magnesium organometallics with O‐2,4,6‐trimethylbenzoyl hydroxylamines (O‐TBHAs) in 52–99 % yield. These O‐TBHAs displayed an excellent long‐term stability and were readily prepared from various highly functionalized secondary amines via a convenient 3 step procedure. The amination reactions showed remarkable chemoselectivity proceeding without any transition‐metal catalyst and were usually complete after 1–3 h reaction time at 25 °C. Furthermore, this electrophilic amination also provided access to enantioenriched tertiary amines (up to 88 % ee) by using optically enriched secondary alkylmagnesium reagents of the type s‐AlkylMgCH2SiMe3.
Leveraging Torsional and Steric Strains: A Pre‐macrocyclization Strategy Enables Conformation‐Specific Fullerene Binding in m‐Cyclophanes
Authors: Kumar Pawan , Mani Kandan V. B. Raja , Balakrishnan Prabukumar , Antharjanam P. K. Sudhadevi , Parthasarathy Venkatakrishnan
Published: May 2023

Though the chemistry of resorcinarenes is half a century old, the conformationally‐locked resorcinarene crowns are generally constructed using hydrogen bonds or covalent tethers. Often, covalent tethering involves extra post‐macrocyclization steps involving upper‐rim functionalities. We have leveraged the torsional and steric strains through α‐substituents of the lower‐rim C‐alkyl chains and accomplished conformationally‐rigid fluorescent m‐cyclophane deep‐crowns in a predetermined way. The strategy offers a pre‐macrocyclization route conserving upper‐rim functionalities, an aspect overlooked in resorcinarene chemistry. X‐ray structural and computational analyses unveil the cause for conformational rigidity in m‐cyclophanes due to α‐branching in C‐alkyls (linear vs. α‐/β‐branched). The conformationally‐locked fluorescent deep‐crown with a preorganized cavity captures hydrophobic spherical guest C60 in both solution and solid states specifically, when compared to conformationally‐dynamic boats, enabling conformation‐specific binding.
A simple and cost‐effective direct transmethylation procedure for plant lipid analysis
Authors: McDonald Kallum , Xu Yang , Chen Guanqun
Published: May 2023

Measuring acyl lipid content and fatty acid composition is important in plant lipid research, and direct transmethylation followed by analysis with gas chromatography‐flame ionization detection has been broadly used in various studies. However, many existing protocols are time‐consuming and labor‐intensive, and the long reaction time under high temperature may artificially change fatty acid compositions of the samples. In this study, we optimized the direct transmethylation method for seed and leaf samples with a wide range of seed and tissue sizes, oil contents, and fatty acid profiles, which can be completed in 2 h. We also demonstrated that commercial disposable pipet tips, as well as polypropylene tubes under certain conditions, could be reliably used to replace glass tubes, Pasteur pipettes, and rubber bulbs to improve efficiency. Taken together, this optimized and generalized method could be used as a reliable and less time‐ and labor‐intensive approach to analyze acyl lipid content and fatty acid profile of plant samples.
The effect of aligning graphene‐oxide nanoplatelets on moisture absorption and thermal stability of polymeric nanocomposites
Authors: Karimi Hamed , Khoramishad Hadi , Fatolahi Amir Reza
Published: May 2023

This article investigates the effect of aligning graphene‐oxide nanoplatelets (GONPs) on the moisture absorption and thermal stability of polymeric nanocomposites. Various nanocomposite specimens were fabricated using different GONP contents to improve water uptake resistance and thermal stability by aligning GONPs using an AC electric field during manufacturing. The results showed that aligning 0.3 wt% GONPs resulted in the most significant improvements, with the reductions of 76% and 54% observed in the water uptake of nanocomposites at the initial and saturation stages, respectively. The thermal stability of the nanocomposite specimens was also investigated using thermogravimetric analysis, in which nanocomposites containing 0.3 wt% randomly dispersed GONPs demonstrated improved performance compared with the neat epoxy specimen. However, aligning GONPs resulted in a marginal effect on the thermal stability parameters of nanocomposites. Moreover, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was conducted to investigate the chemical nature and hydrophilicity of the specimens. In addition, the freeze‐fractured surfaces of the neat and nanocomposite specimens were investigated using scanning electron microscopy. The results indicated the role of nanoparticle alignment in enhancing the performance of nanocomposites under hygrothermal conditions in terms of water uptake, which is of high importance in the marine industry.
Bio‐based polymers containing traditional medicinal fillers for wound healing applications – An evaluation of neoteric development and future perspectives
Authors: S Hema , Unni Vaani V. , Gayathri  , B Niranjan , Chandran Smitha , Sambhudevan Sreedha
Published: May 2023

In recent years, health‐care providers have seen more patients with difficult‐to‐treat wounds and burns. The biopolymer‐based wound dressing protects the wounded area while assisting in the recovery of dermal and epithelial tissues throughout the healing process. The overall number of patients with chronic lesions has been expanding due to developing society, over weight, and cardiovascular illness. For the treatment of chronic wounds, there is an increasing demand for the development of ideal wound dressing materials with excellent properties such as antibacterial activity, biocompatibility, free radical scavenging capacity, non‐adherent property, hydrophilicity, and so on. Nevertheless, owing to the above mention properties, natural polymers are being used for several key functions of biomedicine like narcotic distribution systems, tissue manufacturing, bandages, and so on. Accordingly, the significance of these bio‐based polymers interfered with healing functions that lead to informing and inspiring youth and scientist researchers worldwide to grab with these far‐reaching areas of medicine and biology. The review highlights the physiochemical properties of natural polymers, the biological evaluation of various materials as wound dressings, their synthesis and mechanical properties, clinical status, challenges, and future perspectives.
Chemical probes based on GOLD: The discovery and elucidation of mechanism
Authors: Ciaramicoli Larissa Miasiro , Chang Young‐Tae
Published: May 2023

This review discusses the use of fluorescent probes for identifying, isolating, and monitoring cells and organelles. Fluorescent probes have advantages over antibodies in live‐cell staining due to their small size and ability to penetrate the cellular membrane without fixatives or permeabilizers. However, different cell types exhibit different staining mechanisms based on their genetic profiles and the composition of proteins, enzymes, and lipids. The authors introduce a gating‐oriented live‐cell distinction mechanism where membrane transporters such as solute carriers and ATP are responsible for importing and exporting fluorescent probes. The mechanism for known and unknown transporter identification is elucidated through dose‐dependency, inhibitor tests, and genetic techniques such as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat modulation and screening. This review provides insights into cellular staining and its potential for understanding the gene profile of different cell types, as well as guiding the identification of membrane transporters.
Simulation studies on the dynamic heterogeneity of organic ionic plastic crystals
Authors: Park Hyungshick , Park Chung Bin , Sung Bong June
Published: May 2023

Organic ionic plastic crystals (OIPCs) are one of promising solid‐state electrolytes (SSEs) for all‐solid‐state batteries. OIPCs consist of organic ions that form crystalline solid phases. It is a challenging but critical task in the development of SSEs to improve the ion conductivity of lithium ions in such crystalline solid phases. We discuss our recent simulation studies on the transport mechanism of ions in OIPCs and show that the dynamic heterogeneity should be a key to the transport mechanism. We aim to show that both translational and rotational dynamic heterogeneities should play an important role in understanding the ionic conductivity in SSEs. We found from our simulations that the introduction of dopants and defects into OIPCs facilitated both the dynamic heterogeneity and the ion conductivity significantly. We also found that the polarizability of matrix organic ions could contribute to the rotational and conformational relaxations of organic ions in OIPCs.
Prepare to properly respond to various records requests
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: May 2023

CLEARWATER, FLORIDA — When it comes to records requests, you know you can feel sure about one thing — they're inevitable. But when it comes to knowing how to properly respond to records requests while ensuring compliance, you're probably a lot less sure. To bolster confidence and clear up confusion, you'll want to consider the guidance offered by Adam Hark, Esq., Legal Counsel, and Shalin Shah, Senior Client Support Specialist, both at Maxient, a database company that provides records management software to colleges and universities. They spoke at Stetson University's annual National Conference on Law and Higher Education.
Chemokines as possible therapeutic targets in metastatic melanoma
Authors: Basson Charlise , Serem June Cheptoo , Bipath Priyesh , Hlophe Yvette Nkondo
Published: May 2023

Background

Cutaneous melanoma is a relentless form of cancer which continues to rise in incidence. Currently, cutaneous melanoma is the leading cause of skin cancer‐related mortality, which can mainly be attributed to its metastatic potential. The activation of chemokine axes is a major contributor to melanoma metastasis through its involvement in promoting tumour cell migration, proliferation, survival, and adhesion. This review will focus on the role of chemokines in melanoma and possible therapeutic strategies to alter chemokine activation and subsequently inhibit the activation of signalling cascades that may promote metastasis.

Methods

A literature review was conducted to evaluate chemokines as possible therapeutic targets in metastatic melanoma.

Results

The crosstalk between signalling pathways and immune responses in the melanoma microenvironment resembles a complex and dynamic system. Therefore, the involvement of governing chemokine axes in the promotion of cutaneous and metastatic melanoma demands a proper understanding of the tumour microenvironment in order to identify possible targets and develop appropriate treatments against melanoma.

Conclusion

Even though chemokine axes are regarded as promising therapeutic targets, it has become increasingly evident that chemokines can play a critical role in both tumour inhibition and promotion. The inhibition of chemokine axes to inhibit signalling cascades in target cells that regulate metastasis should, therefore, be carefully approached.
PDLIM2 can inactivate the TGF‐β/Smad pathway to inhibit the malignant behavior of ovarian cancer cells
Authors: Lv Weiqin , Guo Hongrui , Wang Junxia , Ma Rui , Niu Lina , Shang Yun
Published: May 2023

PDZ‐LIM domain‐containing Protein 2 (PDLIM2) has been reported to be downregulated in ovarian cancer. However, its exact function and mechanism in regulating ovarian cancer progression have not been elucidated. This work researched the exert effect and mechanism of PDLIM2 on ovarian cancer progression. Briefly, PDLIM2 expression in clinical tissues of ovarian cancer patients and cells was investigated by qRT‐PCR and Western blot. The function of PDLIM2 on the proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells was explored via cell counting kit‐8, colony formation and Transwell assays. To verify whether PDLIM2 regulates ovarian cancer progression via regulating the transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β)/Smad pathway, exogenous TGF‐β (10 ng/mL) treatment was performed on the PDLIM2‐overexpressed ovarian cancer cells. PDLIM2 effect on the in vivo growth of ovarian cancer cells was researched by establishing a xenograft tumor model. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were performed to protein expression in cells and tissues. As a result, PDLIM2 was low‐expressed in ovarian cancer tissues/cells. PDLIM2 upregulation attenuated the proliferation, colony formation, migration, invasion and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) of ovarian cancer cells, and inactivated the TGF‐β/Smad pathway. The opposite results were found in the PDLIM2‐silenced ovarian cancer cells. Exogenous TGF‐β treatment abrogated the inhibition of PDLIM2 on the malignant behavior of ovarian cancer cells. PDLIM2 upregulation attenuated the in vivo growth and EMT of ovarian cancer cells. Thus, PDLIM2 attenuates the proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT of ovarian cancer cells via inactivating the TGF‐β/Smad pathway. PDLIM2 may be a usefully target for ovarian cancer treatment.
Advancing Multicomponent Strategies to Macrobicyclic Peptides
Authors: Vasco Aldrin V. , Méndez Yanira , González Celia , Pérez Carlos S. , Reguera Leslie , Wessjohann Ludger A. , Rivera Daniel G.
Published: May 2023

Macrocyclization of peptides is typically used to fix specific bioactive conformations and improve their pharmacological properties. Recently, macrobicyclic peptides have received special attention owing to their capacity to mimic protein structures or be key components of peptide‐drug conjugates. Here, we describe the development of novel synthetic strategies for two distinctive types of peptide macrobicycles. A multicomponent macrocyclo‐dimerization approach is introduced for the production of interconnected β‐turns, allowing two macrocyclic rings to be formed and dimerized in one pot. Also, an on‐resin double stapling strategy is described for the assembly of lactam‐bridged macrobicycles with stable tertiary folds.
Examination of Secondary Metabolite Biosynthesis in Apicomplexa
Authors: D'Ambrosio Hannah K. , Keeler Aaron M. , Derbyshire Emily R.
Published: May 2023

Natural product discovery has traditionally relied on the isolation of small molecules from producing species, but genome‐sequencing technology and advances in molecular biology techniques have expanded efforts to a wider array of organisms. Protists represent an underexplored kingdom for specialized metabolite searches despite bioinformatic analysis that suggests they harbor distinct biologically active small molecules. Specifically, pathogenic apicomplexan parasites, responsible for billions of global infections, have been found to possess multiple biosynthetic gene clusters, which hints at their capacity to produce polyketide metabolites. Biochemical studies have revealed unique features of apicomplexan polyketide synthases, but to date, the identity and function of the polyketides synthesized by these megaenzymes remains unknown. Herein, we discuss the potential for specialized metabolite production in protists and the possible evolution of polyketide biosynthetic gene clusters in apicomplexan parasites. We then focus on a polyketide synthase from the apicomplexan Toxoplasma gondii to discuss the unique domain architecture and properties of these proteins when compared to previously characterized systems, and further speculate on the possible functions for polyketides in these pathogenic parasites.
Predictors of bail‐out stenting in patients with small vessel disease treated with drug‐coated balloon percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Ghetti Gabriele , Bendandi Francesco , Donati Francesco , Ciurlanti Leonardo , Nardi Elena , Bruno Antonio Giulio , Orzalkiewicz Mateusz , Palmerini Tullio , Saia Francesco , Marrozzini Cinzia , Galié Nazzareno , Taglieri Nevio
Published: May 2023

Background

Drug‐coated balloons (DCBs) have shown comparable results with drug‐eluting stents in small vessel disease (SVD) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in terms of target vessel revascularization and a reduced incidence of myocardial infarction. However, the relatively high rate of bail‐out stenting (BOS) still represents a major drawback of DCB PCI.

Aims

The aim of the study was to investigate the clinical, anatomic, and procedural features predictive of BOS after DCB PCI in SVD.

Methods

We included all consecutive patients undergoing PCI at our institution between January 2020 and May 2022 who were treated with DCB PCI of a de novo lesion in a coronary vessel with a reference vessel diameter (RVD) between 2.0 and 2.5 mm. Angiographic success was defined as a residual stenosis <30% without flow‐limiting dissection. Patients who did not meet these criteria underwent BOS.

Results

A total of 168 consecutive patients and 216 coronary stenoses were included. The rate of bail‐out stent was 13.9%. On multivariate analysis, DCB/RVD ratio (odds ratio [OR]: 4.39, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.71–11.29, p < 0.01), vessel tortuosity (OR: 7.00, 95% CI: 1.66–29.62, p < 0.01), distal vessel disease (OR: 5.66, 95% CI: 2.02–15.83, p < 0.01), and high complexity (Grade C of ACC/AHA classification) coronary stenoses (OR: 6.31, 95% CI: 1.53–26.04, p = 0.01) were independent predictors of BOS.

Conclusions

BOS is not an infrequent occurrence in DCB PCI of small vessels and is correlated with vessel tortuosity, distal diffuse vessel disease, higher lesion complexity, and balloon diameter oversizing.
Hot‐air drying of corn kernels: Drying kinetics and quality improvement
Authors: Sun Tongsheng , Wang Jinzhi , Ling Feng , Zhu Long
Published: May 2023

Background and Objectives

During the hot‐air drying process of corn kernels, excessive stress can cause cracks to develop. For this reason, it's essential to identify the optimum parameters that can minimize stress during hot‐air drying.

Findings

In this study, a three‐dimensional fitness model was established based on the average geometric size of corn kernels. Additionally, a hot‐air drying model was constructed on the basis of heat and mass transfer, stress‐strain theory, and conservation law of heat and mass transfer. Simulated calculations of heat and mass transfer were performed to obtain the temperature and moisture gradient distribution. This distribution was then coupled with a stress model to reveal the variation of drying stress. Verification experiments were conducted on the drying model. The results indicated that the temperature and moisture gradient were symmetrically distributed about the geometric center of corn kernels. At symmetrical positions about the geometric center, their sizes were almost equal but their directions are opposite. The thermal stress and moisture gradient stress showed the fact of larger surface but smaller interior of corn kernels. Furthermore, they both increased rapidly in the initial stage and then slowly decreased. The maximum value of thermal stress was 4.57 kPa, and the maximum value of moisture gradient stress was 0.49 MPa.

Conclusions

Mass transfer plays a significant role in the hot‐air drying process, and cracks can develop as a result of excessive moisture gradient stress. To mitigate these issues, it's important to increase the air humidity in a controlled manner to significantly reduce the total stress. The maximum error in temperature between simulated and experimental results was 8.5%. This suggests that our drying model can be effectively utilized to explore temperature gradient, moisture gradient, and stress distribution of corn kernels.

Significance and Novelty

This study provides insights into the mechanism of stress generation that occurs during the hot‐air drying process of corn kernels. Our analysis indicates that properly increasing the air humidity can significantly reduce drying stress and consequently prevent the formation of cracks. This ultimately leads to improved product quality and economic value.
Super Hygroscopic Non‐Stoichiometric Cerium Oxide Particles as Electrode Component for PEM Fuel Cells
Authors: Mazzapioda Lucia , Moscatelli Gabriele , Carboni Nicholas , Brutti Sergio , Navarra Maria Assunta
Published: May 2023

The design of highly efficient promoters for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is an important challenge in the large‐scale distribution of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. Hygroscopic cerium oxide (CeO2) is here proposed as co‐catalyst in combination with Pt. Physical chemical characterizations, by means of X‐ray diffraction, vibrational spectroscopy, morphological and thermal analyses, were carried out, demonstrating high water affinity of the synthesized CeO2 nanoparticles. Composite catalysts (i. e., Pt : CeO2 1 : 0.5 and 1 : 1 wt:wt), were studied by either rotating disk electrode (RDE) and fuel cell tests performed at 80 °C and 110 °C. Interestingly, the cell adopting the Pt : CeO2 1 : 0.5 catalyst enabled the achievement of high power densities reaching ∼80 and ∼35 mW cm−2 under low relative humidity and high temperatures. This result demonstrates that tuning material surface properties (e. g. oxygen vacancies) could significantly boost the electrochemical performance of cathodes as a combined result of optimized water retention and improved ORR kinetic.
Fast Visualized Conformational Transition of Polyphenylacetylenes with Stepwise Tunable Circularly Polarized Luminescence
Authors: Wang Sheng , Sun Xiaoqian , Zeng Hua , Zhang Jie , Wan Xinhua
Published: May 2023

Two novel poly(3,5‐diamide substituted phenylacetylene)s bearing L‐ or D‐alanine residues with a long alkyl chain were synthesized. In low polar or apolar solvents, the polymers adopted contracted cis‐cisoid helix showing strong yellow fluorescence, which was transferred to stretched cis‐transoid helix by adding polar solvents or decreasing temperature, accompanied with the disappearance of fluorescence. The critical conformational transition temperature could be readily tuned in a wide range by altering the content of polar solvent, and the conformational variation at molecular level could be directly read out via the change in fluorescent property. The synergistical participation of amide and ester groups in the formation of intramolecular hydrogen bonds accelerated the conformational transition rate, resulting in remarkable reduction of hysteresis. Moreover, the polymers displayed switchable CPL performance and the luminescent dissymmetry factor could be stepwise amplified by forming chiral aggregates or liquid crystalline structure. This study may open a new avenue for the development of controllable helical structure‐based smart CPL materials.
Cyanine‐ and Rhodamine‐Derived Alkynes for the Selective Targeting of Cancerous Mitochondria through Radical Thiol‐Yne Coupling in Live Cells
Authors: Köckenberger Johannes , Klemt Insa , Sauer Caroline , Arkhypov Anton , Reshetnikov Viktor , Mokhir Andriy , Heinrich Markus R.
Published: May 2023

Despite their long history and their synthetic potential underlined by various recent advances, radical thiol‐yne coupling reactions have so far only rarely been exploited for the functionalization of biomolecules, and no examples yet exist for their application in live cells ‐ although natural thiols show widespread occurrence therein. By taking advantage of the particular cellular conditions of mitochondria in cancer cells, we have demonstrated that radical thiol‐yne coupling represents a powerful reaction principle for the selective targeting of these organelles. Within our studies, fluorescently labeled reactive alkyne probes were investigated, for which the fluorescent moiety was chosen to enable both mitochondria accumulation as well as highly sensitive detection. After preliminary studies under cell‐free conditions, the most promising alkyne‐dye conjugates were evaluated in various cellular experiments comprising analysis by flow cytometry and microscopy. All in all, these results pave the way for improved future therapeutic strategies relying on live‐cell compatibility and selectivity among cellular compartments.
Making the connection: The relation of structural and energetic representations in Organic Chemistry
Authors: Braun Irina , Buchczyk Ramon , Graulich Nicole
Published: May 2023

Um Reaktionsverläufe in der Organischen Chemie zu verstehen, ist ein Verständnis energetischer Zusammenhänge unerlässlich. Energieprofile stellen dabei wichtige Repräsentationsformen zur Darstellung energetischer Veränderungen dar, durch welche verschiedene thermodynamische und kinetische Aspekte einer chemischen Reaktion visualisiert werden können. Energieprofile sind in ihrer Interpretation jedoch komplex, sodass in der fachdidaktischen Forschung bereits unterschiedliche lernbezogene Schwierigkeiten und alternative Vorstellungen dokumentiert wurden. Kaum betrachtet wurde bisher, wie Lernende Überlegungen zu Reaktionsverläufen ausgehend von strukturellen Darstellungen in Energieprofile überführen. Daher stellt der vorliegende Beitrag eine qualitative Studie mit Studierenden der Organischen Chemie (N = 20) vor, in welcher neben der Analyse der generierten Energieprofil‐Darstellungen die Schwierigkeiten bei der Verknüpfung beider Repräsentationsformen, von strukturellen und energetischen Repräsentationen, untersucht werden.
Parents reporting partner violence: Reaching or not reaching agreement in mediation or litigating without mediation
Authors: Jiang Lily J. , Applegate Amy G. , Tomlinson Claire S. , Rossi Fernanda S. , Beck Connie J. , Adams Jeannie M. , Holtzworth‐Munroe Amy
Published: May 2023

Using data from a study examining forms of mediation designed to be safer for separating parents reporting high levels of intimate partner violence (IPV; Holtzworth‐Munroe, Applegate, et al., 2021; Holtzworth‐Munroe, Beck, et al., 2021), the current study compares three groups, cases that reached mediation agreement (“mediation agreement group”), did not reach mediation agreement and returned to court (“no mediation agreement group”), or went to court without attempting mediation (“court group”). Ninety‐eight cases started mediation and 68% did not reach agreement. Sixty‐six cases went to court without mediation. The mediation agreement group reported better outcomes, immediately (e.g., felt safer, less upset, higher satisfaction, faster case resolution, more likely to address issues and interparental communication limits) and one‐year later (e.g., higher satisfaction, fewer court orders), than the other groups. The court group only differed from both mediation groups on a few measures (e.g., lower satisfaction, less likely to exchange children at parents' homes). The no mediation agreement group reported more negative outcomes than one or both other groups (e.g., less satisfaction, more harassment from other parent, less social support at follow‐up). In mediation designed to be safer for cases reporting high levels of IPV and with parties willing to try mediation, reaching agreement was associated with positive outcomes, and not reaching agreement was associated with potentially concerning outcomes. Research is needed to identify risk factors for not reaching agreement. Additional services may need to be provided to such cases.