bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treatment of depressive symptoms in patients with cancer
Authors: Baltenberger Elizabeth P. , Schmitt Gabrielle , Thomas Christopher J.
Published: December 2014

Depression is the most common psychological condition in patients with cancer. These patients often have worse outcomes, such as decreased adherence to treatment and increased suicide rates. Since depression is common and often under recognized in this patient population, guidelines recommend screening every patient with cancer for depression. Both psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy are shown to be effective to treat depression in patients with cancer. Psychotherapy, specifically cognitive behavioral therapy, is preferred in patients with more mild depressive symptoms, while pharmacotherapy is used for more severe depression. Dignity therapy and supportive-expressive therapy are also recommended for patients near the end of life. Pharmacotherapeutic options for treatment include antidepressants and psychostimulants. Guidelines recommend SSRIs, SNRIs, or mirtazapine as first line treatment, with TCAs often avoided due to side effects. Psychostimulants, such as modafinil and methylphenidate, can be used as well, and are especially effective for patients near the end of life. SSRIs may also be useful to prevent the development of depression in patients taking drugs known to cause depression, such as interferon alfa. Treatment of depression in patients with cancer should be based on patient specific symptoms and situation. This article will review both non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic treatment options in patients with cancer and comorbid depression.
Medication prescribing in liver dysfunction
Authors: Gardner Kristen N. , Bostwick Jolene R.
Published: December 2014

Patients with mental illness often have co-occurring substance abuse which increases the risk for developing cirrhosis, particularly with common etiologies such as hepatitis and alcoholic liver disease. As such, knowledge of how the disease may impact medication prescribing is important. Unfortunately, there is a paucity of data to guide medication prescribing in these patients. Product labeling information should be used in the clinical decision making process. Additionally, clinicians should consider the etiology of disease, adverse effect profile, and pharmacokinetic parameters including solubility, product formulation, protein binding, hydrophilicity, metabolism, bioavailability, extraction ratios, excretion route, and half-life. Thoughtful consideration should be given when prescribing potentially hepatotoxic medications, and those which may increase bleeding risk in patients with coagulopathy. It is essential to ensure every medication has an appropriate indication and carefully evaluate the need for each medication. Overall, more research is necessary to support clinical decision-making with outcomes based research in patients with chronic liver disease.
Recent changes in the treatment of hypertension
Authors: Bradley Bridget , Carlson Lisa Janssen
Published: December 2014

Hypertension affects a large portion of the United States' population and is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular events. A variety of treatment guidelines exist including the American Diabetes Association, European Society of Hypertension/European Society of Cardiology and the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure guidelines. The following is a summary of these guidelines regarding the effective treatment of hypertension.
A review of the evidence supporting the use of lithium augmentation therapy for the reduction of suicidal behavior in patients with unipolar depression: Revisiting an overlooked benefit of an older medication
Authors: Jackson Elizabeth , Endow-Eyer Rene A.
Published: December 2014

Major depressive disorder is a serious, recurrent condition with significant impact on a person's quality of life and functioning, which carries a significant risk of premature death due to suicide. There is evidence that supports the effectiveness of lithium as an augmentation strategy for treatment-resistant depression, as well as for reducing suicidality in this population. This review introduces several theories regarding the proposed mechanism behind lithium's anti-suicidal effects and summarizes a selection of the pertinent literature supporting lithium's beneficial effects on suicidality.
A psychiatric pharmacist in a liver clinic managing treated patients with chronic hepatitis C viral infection
Authors: Park Susie H.
Published: December 2014

A board-certified psychiatric pharmacist is an ideal clinician to manage medication needs for patients being treated for chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Underlying psychiatric symptoms should be managed before initiating medications such as interferons-therapeutic biologicals associated with causing psychiatric adverse events, including suicide. The role of a psychiatric pharmacist in a hepatitis C liver clinic highlights the value of a psychiatric pharmacist providing direct patient care and improving the quality of healthcare services in a subspecialty practice model.
Utilization of a psychiatric clinical pharmacist in an integrated behavioral health program of a community health center
Authors: Silvia Richard J.
Published: December 2014

Treatment of mental illnesses has slowly shifted to primary care settings over the past decade. As more patients are identified as needing treatment for a mental illness, the availability of behavioral health (BH) practitioners has become more strained, leading to this shift towards primary care treatment. With more patients receiving psychiatric health care from their primary care providers (PCP), a need for dedicated BH practitioners within the primary care setting was developed.

This article describes a novel program where a clinical psychiatric pharmacist is utilized as the primary psychiatric provider within an integrated BH program of a busy primary care clinic in a major metropolitan area. Working under a collaborative practice agreement to prescribe, the pharmacist acts as the initial BH contact for the clinic, as well as a liaison between primary care and BH. Patients referred to the pharmacist from primary care are then evaluated and appropriate medication prescribed for their illness. Most patients are followed prospectively by the pharmacist, with more complex patients (i.e., those not appropriate for primary care-based BH treatment) referred to the BH clinic for follow-up care. The pharmacist serves on the intake committee for the BH clinic, and facilitates patient referrals to their clinicians.

Preliminary analysis of the program's effectiveness shows positive results. Within the first two months of the program, 28 patients were referred to the pharmacist (including five referred by BH clinic therapists through primary care). Most patients were referred for depression or anxiety, with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, substance abuse, bipolar disorder, and psychosis also being treated. As such, antidepressants and anxiolytics were the most common agents prescribed, but most every class of psychotherapeutic agents was utilized. Patient wait times to meet with the pharmacist were generally less than a week, with exceptions being found for patients already being prescribed a psychotherapeutic agent by their PCP and being referred to the pharmacist for follow-up care, or for patients being referred by their existing therapist. Initial reviews of the program by patients, primary care staff, and BH staff have been positive, especially in regards to patient access to specialized BH services.
Evaluating pharmacy services satisfaction on an inpatient psychiatric unit
Authors: Grady Sarah E. , Reichert Hannah
Published: December 2014

Introduction

This study analyzed patient satisfaction survey responses in which patients evaluated their experience with the pharmacy staff in an acute psychiatric unit.

Methods

Thirty-one patients rated pharmacy services upon discharge by completing a 13-item survey.

Results

Overall patient satisfaction was found to be high with a 77.4–100% satisfaction rating reported on every survey item.

Discussion

Results indicated that the pharmacy staff should focus their efforts on improving communication with patients by selecting a quiet meeting location and by making themselves more accessible to patients in order to better serve their needs.
Post-traumatic stress disorder in veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom: Retrospective review of treatment received compared to evidence-based practice guidelines
Authors: Oliveira Rosana , Moore Troy A. , Mascareñas Cynthia A. , Rogers Carrie
Published: December 2014

Background: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a syndrome that can emerge after exposure to a traumatic event. In the veteran population, the strongest predictor of developing PTSD is frequency and intensity of direct combat exposure. The 2010 Veterans Affairs (VA)/Department of Defense (DoD) guidelines for the treatment of PTSD published in 2010 recommend psychotherapy techniques and/or pharmacotherapy (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor or venlafaxine) as initial management.

Objective: This study aimed to determine whether Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) veterans received treatment for PTSD in concordance with VA/DoD guidelines.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted for 400 patients at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS) with OEF/OIF service who had a PTSD-related encounter between September 1, 2011 and August 31, 2012. The primary outcome was the percentage of OEF/OIF veterans with PTSD who received treatment in concordance with VA/DoD guidelines. Secondary outcomes included length of time veterans waited to see mental health (MH) providers, and comparison of outcomes between patients who received evidence-based treatment to those that did not.

Results: Two-hundred and seventy-nine patients met the inclusion criteria and the majority of patients (n = 183, 65.5%) received treatment consistent with the VA/DoD Guidelines. The overall median wait time to see a MH provider was 10 +/−26.64 days, and did not differ significantly between groups. Patients whose treatment did not follow guideline recommendations had statistically more psychiatric emergency department (ED) visits (10 vs. 17, p=0.0026).

Conclusions: The majority of patients at the STVHCS received treatment for PTSD in concordance with the VA/DoD guidelines, and 67.7% of patients saw MH providers within 14 days. Patients who did not receive guideline-supported treatment had more frequent ED visits, but the reason for this is unknown and may be due to a number of factors not accounted for in this review. The number of ED visits may be reduced by fully utilizing the processes in place that work to improve veteran access to MH care and the provision of guideline-based treatment. Prospective studies are needed to clearly elucidate the factors that may impact whether or not patients receive recommended treatment.
MHC Toolbox: Drugs of abuse
Authors: Phan Stephanie V.
Published: December 2014

In the past year, several questions have been posed on the CPNP Email Discussion List regarding bath salts and spice. Designer drugs, such as bath salts or spice, are agents that have pharmacologic effects similar to controlled substances, but are not under legal control since they are chemically distinct from controlled substances.1 These drugs may be marketed as a “legal high”. The dilemma in controlling designer drugs based on their structural similarity stems from the fact that these designer drugs may also be structurally similar to approved medications for depression or anaphylaxis.1 Designer drugs can also avoid control by being placed in packaging labeled “not for human consumption”, thereby failing to meet all attributes needed to be considered a controlled substance.1 The example previously mentioned, bath salts, have no legitimate use for bathing and are meant to be abused and the same chemical has also been sold as plant food. This month's MHC Toolbox of Drugs of Abuse, though not all-inclusive, is based on information found through government and drug agency organizations and is meant to provide insight into the effects of many illicit substances, including bath salts and spice.
Saphris: Does a unique delivery system equal a unique drug?
Authors: Gable Kelly N.
Published: December 2014

Asenapine was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2009. This article reviews clinically significant aspects of this new drug including: the FDA-approved indications, mechanism of action, administration, drug interactions, adverse effects, clinical trial evidence, innovative properties and place in therapy.
Iloperidone (Fanapt®): Fan or not?
Authors: Newton Uma , Kreys Tiffany-Jade
Published: December 2014

Iloperidone was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May of 2009. This article reviews clinically significant aspects of this new drug including: the FDA-approved indications, mechanism of action, administration, drug interactions, adverse effects, clinical trial evidence, innovative properties and place in therapy.
Demystifying Zyprexa Relprevv usage
Authors: Kreys Tiffany-Jade
Published: December 2014

Zyprexa Relprevv, an extended-release injectable suspension of olanzapine, received FDA approval in December 2009 for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults. Due to the risk of post-injection delirium/sedation syndrome (PDSS) associated with Zyprexa Relprevv usage, the injection is only available through a restricted distribution program. This article reviews the impact of PDSS on the use of Zyprexa Relprevv.
Multifaceted correctional healthcare
Authors: Nelson Jennifer L.
Published: December 2014

Jennifer Nelson is a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Psychiatry at the Dallas County Jail. Dr. Nelson discusses the prevalence of mental illness in the jail system and describes how multidisciplinary healthcare including a psychiatric clinical pharmacy specialist can contribute to the care of patients.
Psychotropic medication abuse by inmates in correctional facilities
Authors: Del Paggio Douglas
Published: December 2014

I noted an alarming surge in the prescribing of quetiapine (Seroquel) in our County correctional facility, Santa Rita Jail, approximately five years ago. The number of quetiapine tablets dispensed surpassed all other antipsychotic medications combined, in the observed three-month period. This sudden four-fold increase in prescribing to inmates by our psychiatrists was extremely unusual and warranted further investigation.
The pharmacogenomics of mood stabilizer response in bipolar disorder
Authors: Leckband Susan G. , McCarthy Michael , Kelsoe John R.
Published: December 2014

Bipolar Disorder (BD) is a common psychiatric illness that has a recurring course and 17% - 24% lifetime prevalence of suicide attempts. Difficulty in diagnosis and individual variation in response point to a great need for personalized medicine. Studies to date have focused largely on lithium and suggest the idea that different medication responses may reflect different disease mechanisms. An overview of current pharmacogenomic studies will be presented and needs and future directions discussed.
Schizophrenia and folate pharmacogenetics: Review of the literature regarding folic acid and its pharmacogenetically regulated metabolism in relation to schizophrenia treatments
Authors: Wechter Andrew , Gardner Kristen N. , Grove Tyler B. , Ellingrod Vicki L.
Published: December 2014

Folic acid and its metabolism and utilization has become of increasing importance within the field of schizophrenia. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is the enzyme responsible for the formation of methyltetrahydrofolate (5-methyl THF) from dietary folate. Multiple studies have demonstrated relationships between MTHFR gene variants and schizophrenia. This review discusses these studies, and their findings regarding the relationship between different variants of the MTHFR gene and risk of antipsychotic-related metabolic syndrome, and the relationship between the pharmacogenetics of folate and the negative/cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia.
Linear Depigmentation After Local Corticosteroid Injection
Authors: Mehta Nikhil , Aulakh Roopanjit Singh
Published: August 2024

This case report describes a linear branching depigmentation with skin atrophy extending from the wrist to the mid-arm of a school-aged boy.
Baricitinib Withdrawal and Retreatment in Patients With Severe Alopecia Areata
Authors: King Brett , Ko Justin , Kwon Ohsang , Vañó-Galván Sergio , Piraccini Bianca Maria , Dutronc Yves , Yu Guanglei , Liu Chunyuan , Somani Najwa , Ball Susan , Mesinkovska Natasha A.
Published: August 2024

Importance

Baricitinib has demonstrated efficacy for treating severe alopecia areata in adults. There is currently limited information about the need for continuous therapy after achieving scalp hair regrowth.

Objective

To report results from the randomized withdrawal period of the BRAVE-AA1 trial.

Design, Setting, and Participants

BRAVE-AA1 was a randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 3 randomized clinical trial with a treatment withdrawal substudy that was conducted at 70 centers in 3 countries beginning in March 2019. It included 654 adults with severe alopecia areata (AA) (Severity of Alopecia Tool [SALT] score ≥50) who were randomized 3:2:2 to receive treatment with baricitinib, 4 mg; baricitinib, 2 mg; or placebo. Data were analyzed in August 2023.

Intervention

At week 52, 154 patients who were responders (SALT score ≤20) were rerandomized 3:1 to continue to take their current dose of baricitinib or transition to placebo (randomized withdrawal). Responders randomized to placebo who experienced a loss of treatment benefit (>20-point worsening in SALT score) at any time after week 52 were retreated with their original baricitinib dose.

Main Outcome and Measures

The proportion of patients who lost treatment benefit through week 152 and the proportion of patients who recaptured response after retreatment. The last observation carried forward was used to impute missing or censored data.

Results

Of 654 patients who received treatment, the mean (SD) age was 37.1 (13.0) years, and there were 383 women (58.6%). At week 52, 10 of 39 responders taking baricitinib, 2 mg, and 30 of 115 responders taking baricitinib, 4 mg, were rerandomized to placebo. At 4 and 8 weeks of treatment withdrawal, 0% and 10% to 11% of patients, respectively, lost treatment benefit regardless of dose. At week 152, 80% of patients had lost benefit compared with 7% for those who continued baricitinib therapy for both dose groups. Within the follow-up observation periods, 5 of 8 patients taking 2 mg (63%) and 21 of 24 patients taking 4 mg (87.5%) recaptured a SALT score of 20 or less response after retreatment.

Conclusions and Relevance

Severe AA is a chronic, relapsing condition, and this randomized clinical trial found that withdrawal of therapy for a patient population with severe AA who had achieved meaningful hair regrowth after 1 year of treatment with baricitinib resulted in loss of benefit for almost all patients, indicating that continued therapy is required to maintain hair regrowth.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03570749
Long-Term Survival in Patients With Advanced Melanoma
Authors: van Not Olivier J. , van den Eertwegh Alfons J. M. , Jalving Hilde , Bloem Manja , Haanen John B. , van Rijn Rozemarijn S. , Aarts Maureen J. B. , van den Berkmortel Franchette W. P. J. , Blank Christian U. , Boers-Sonderen Marye J. , de Groot J. W. B. Jan Willem , Hospers Geke A. P. , Kapiteijn Ellen , Leeneman Brenda , D. Piersma , Stevense-den Boer Marion , van der Veldt Astrid A. M. , Vreugdenhil G. Gerard , Wouters Michel W. J. M. , Blokx Willeke A. M. , Suijkerbuijk Karijn P. M.
Published: August 2024

IMPORTANCE

Long-term survival data from clinical trials show that survival curves of patients with advanced melanoma treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) gradually reach a plateau, suggesting that patients have a chance of achieving long-term survival.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate long-term survival in patients with advanced melanoma treated with ICIs outside clinical trials.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Cohort study using prospectively collected data from the nationwide Dutch Melanoma Treatment Registry, including patients in the Netherlands with advanced melanoma treated with first-line ICIs from 2012 to 2019. Data were analyzed from January to September 2023.

EXPOSURES

Patients were treated with first-line ipilimumab-nivolumab, antibodies that target programmed cell death (anti–PD-1), or ipilimumab.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Progression-free survival (PFS) and melanoma-specific survival were analyzed, and a Cox proportional hazards model was used to investigate factors associated with PFS after reaching partial response (PR) or complete response (CR).

RESULTS

A total of 2490 patients treated with first-line ICIs were included (median [IQR] age, 65.0 [55.3-73.0] years; 1561 male patients [62.7%]). Most patients had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status of 1 or lower (2202 patients [88.5%]) and normal lactate dehydrogenase levels (1715 patients [68.9%]). PFS for all patients was 23.4% (95% CI, 21.7%-25.2%) after 3 years and 19.7% (95% CI, 18.0%-21.4%) after 5 years. Overall survival for all patients was 44.0% (95% CI, 42.1%-46.1%) after 3 years and 35.9% (95% CI, 33.9%-38.0%) after 5 years. Patients with metastases in 3 or more organ sites had a significantly higher hazard of progression after reaching PR or CR (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.11-1.69).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

This cohort study of patients with advanced melanoma treated with ICIs in clinical practice showed that their survival reached a plateau, comparable with patients participating in clinical trials. These findings can be used in daily clinical practice to guide long-term surveillance strategies and inform both physicians and patients regarding long-term treatment outcomes.
Expanding the Surgical Armamentarium Through Meaningful Use of the Electronic Health Record
Authors: Yi Jeniann , Lin Chen-Tan , Tevis Sarah
Published: August 2024

This Viewpoint proposes several ways to innovate electronic health record (EHR) systems to address surgeon-specific needs and to improve clinicians’ experience and health care quality.
Insurance-Related Disparities in Withdrawal of Life Support and Mortality After Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Shakil Husain , Essa Ahmad , Malhotra Armaan K. , Jaffe Rachael H. , Smith Christopher W. , Yuan Eva Y. , He Yingshi , Badhiwala Jetan H. , Mathieu François , Sklar Michael C. , Wijeysundera Duminda N. , Ladha Karim , Nathens Avery B. , Wilson Jefferson R. , Witiw Christopher D.
Published: August 2024

Importance

Identifying disparities in health outcomes related to modifiable patient factors can improve patient care.

Objective

To compare likelihood of withdrawal of life-supporting treatment (WLST) and mortality in patients with complete cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) with different types of insurance.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective cohort study collected data between 2013 and 2020 from 498 trauma centers participating in the Trauma Quality Improvement Program. Participants included adult patients (older than 16 years) with complete cervical SCI. Data were analyzed from November 1, 2023, through May 18, 2024.

Exposure

Uninsured or public insurance compared with private insurance.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Coprimary outcomes were WLST and mortality. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of each outcome was estimated using hierarchical logistic regression. Propensity score matching was used as an alternative analysis to compare public and privately insured patients. Process of care outcomes, including the occurrence of a hospital complication and length of stay, were compared between matched patients.

Results

The study included 8421 patients with complete cervical SCI treated across 498 trauma centers (mean [SD] age, 49.1 [20.2] years; 6742 male [80.1%]). Among the 3524 patients with private insurance, 503 had WLST (14.3%) and 756 died (21.5%). Among the 3957 patients with public insurance, 906 had WLST (22.2%) and 1209 died (30.6%). Among the 940 uninsured patients, 156 had WLST (16.6%) and 318 died (33.8%). A significant difference was found between uninsured and privately insured patients in the adjusted odds of WLST (aOR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.11-2.01) and mortality (aOR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.50-2.60). Similar results were found in subgroup analyses. Matched public compared with private insurance patients were found to have significantly greater odds of hospital complications (odds ratio, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.14-1.42) and longer hospital stay (mean difference 5.90 days; 95% CI, 4.64-7.20), which was redemonstrated on subgroup analyses.

Conclusions and Relevance

Health insurance type was associated with significant differences in the odds of WLST, mortality, hospital complications, and days in hospital among patients with complete cervical SCI in this study. Future work is needed to incorporate patient perspectives and identify strategies to close the quality gap for the large number of patients without private insurance.
Brief report: Social comparison, hypercompetitiveness, and indirect aggression: Associations with loneliness and mental health
Authors: Farrell Ann H. , Eriksson Mollie , Vaillancourt Tracy
Published: August 2024

Indirect aggression is commonly used in adulthood, but most researchers have focused on this behavior in romantic relationships or from an intrasexual competition perspective. Therefore, we aimed to understand the social characteristics and mental health correlates of indirect aggression by combining perspectives from developmental psychopathology and evolutionary psychology. We examined: (1) whether social characteristics (social comparison, hypercompetitiveness) contributed to indirect aggression (perpetration, victimization) and (2) whether there were indirect effects from indirect aggression (perpetration, victimization) to mental health difficulties through loneliness. In a cross‐sectional sample of 475 young adults (57.7% women, 51.6% White, Mage = 20.2, SDage = 2.18), path analyses revealed that social comparison predicted indirect aggression victimization, which indirectly predicted mental health difficulties (depression, anxiety, somatic symptoms) through loneliness. In contrast, indirect aggression perpetration was only predicted by hypercompetitiveness. The findings highlight that reframing cognitions associated with social comparison could help prevent indirect aggression and mental health difficulties among young people.
Broad‐Wavelength Light‐Fueled Organic Crystal Oscillators Driven by Multimodal Photothermally Resonated Natural Vibration
Authors: Hasebe Shodai , Hagiwara Yuki , Goto Taiki , Ryu Tomohiro , Ehara Takumi , Ogawa Tomohiro , Miyata Kiyoshi , Onda Ken , Morioka Ryota , Morikawa Junko , Asahi Toru , Koshima Hideko
Published: August 2024

Photomechanical crystals have applications in light‐fueled actuators and soft robots. Herein, light‐responsive, versatile, anthraquinone dye crystal oscillators actuated via natural vibrations that are resonated by a photothermal effect are described. A black needle‐shaped crystal cantilever oscillates at 70 Hz in the first mode of natural vibration upon irradiation by broad‐wavelength light ranging from the ultraviolet through the visible to the near‐infrared, and also under continuous‐wavelength light (400–2000 nm). The second and third natural vibration modes are induced at higher frequencies (530 and 1350 Hz) and evidence complex flagellum‐like motions. The frequency can be readily tuned by moving the support of a crystal piece; this is analogous to playing a guitar. The crystal exhibits high durability (more than 10 000 cycles): the high elasticity prevents deterioration. Oscillatory motions can be designed via simulations using finite element analysis. This work will facilitate the use of photomechanical crystals in light‐fueled soft robots.
Tribovoltaic Effect Strengthened Microwave Catalytic Antibacterial Composite Hydrogel
Authors: Zheng Qiyao , Liu Xiangmei , Mao Congyang , Liu Hanpeng , Jin Liguo , Wang Chaofeng , Zhu Shengli , Zheng Yufeng , Li Zhaoyang , Jiang Hui , Cui Zhenduo , Zhang Yu , Chu Paul K , Wu Shuilin
Published: August 2024

Microwave (MW) therapy is an emerging therapy with high efficiency and deep penetration to combat the crisis of bacterial resistance. However, as the energy of MW is too low to induce electron transition, the mechanism of MW catalytic effect remains ambiguous. Herein, a cerium‐based metal–organic framework (MOF) is fabricated and used in MW therapy. The MW‐catalytic performance of CeTCPP is largely dependent on the ions in the liquid environment, and the electron transition is achieved through a “tribovoltaic effect” between water molecules and CeTCPP. By this way, CeTCPP can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) in saline under pulsed MW irradiation, showing 99.9995 ± 0.0002% antibacterial ratio against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) upon two cycles of MW irradiation. Bacterial metabolomics further demonstrates that the diffusion of ROS into bacteria led to the bacterial metabolic disorders. The bacteria are finally killed due to “amino acid starvation”. In order to improve the applicability of CeTCPP, It is incorporated into alginate‐based hydrogel, which maintains good MW catalytic antibacterial efficiency and also good biocompatibility. Therefore, this work provides a comprehensive instruction of using CeTCPP in MW therapy, from mechanism to application. This work also provides new perspectives for the design of antibacterial composite hydrogel.
A Strategy of Killing Two Birds With One Stone for Blocking Drug Resistance Spread With Engineered Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus
Authors: Rao Yu , Wang Yuxuan , Zhang Hengyuan , Wang Yichen , He Qingxiang , Yuan Xiaonan , Guo Jiangna , Chen Hong
Published: August 2024

Drug‐resistant pathogens significantly threaten human health and life. Simply killing drug‐resistant pathogens cannot effectively eliminate their threat since the drug‐resistant genes (DRGs) released from dead drug‐resistant pathogens are difficult to eliminate and can further spread via horizontal gene transfer, leading to the spread of drug resistance. The development of antibacterial materials with sterilization and DRGs cleavage activities is highly crucial. Herein, a living system, Ce‐PEA@Bdello, is fabricated with bacterial killing and DRGs cleavage activities for blocking bacterial drug resistance dissemination by engineered Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus (Bdello). Ce‐PEA@Bdello is obtained by engineering Bdello with dopamine and a multinuclear cerium (IV) complex. Ce‐PEA@Bdello can penetrate and eliminate kanamycin‐resistant P. aeruginosa (KanR) biofilms via the synergistic effect of predatory Bdello and photothermal polydopamine under near‐infrared light. Additionally, the DNase‐mimicking ability of Ce‐PEA@Bdello endows it with genome and plasmid DNA cleavage ability. An in vivo study reveals that Ce‐PEA@Bdello can eliminate P. aeruginosa (KanR) and cleave DRGs in scald/burn infected wounds to block the spread of drug resistance and accelerate wound healing. This bioactive system constructed from natural living materials offers a promising means for blocking the spread of drug resistance.
Materials, Structure, and Interface of Stretchable Interconnects for Wearable Bioelectronics
Authors: Li Yue , Veronica Asmita , Ma Jiahao , Nyein Hnin Yin Yin
Published: August 2024

Since wearable technologies for telemedicine have emerged to tackle global health concerns, the demand for well‐attested wearable healthcare devices with high user comfort also arises. Skin‐wearables for health monitoring require mechanical flexibility and stretchability for not only high compatibility with the skin's dynamic nature but also a robust collection of fine health signals from within. Stretchable electrical interconnects, which determine the device's overall integrity, are one of the fundamental units being understated in wearable bioelectronics. In this review, a broad class of materials and engineering methodologies recently researched and developed are presented, and their respective attributes, limitations, and opportunities in designing stretchable interconnects for wearable bioelectronics are offered. Specifically, the electrical and mechanical characteristics of various materials (metals, polymers, carbons, and their composites) are highlighted, along with their compatibility with diverse geometric configurations. Detailed insights into fabrication techniques that are compatible with soft substrates are also provided. Importantly, successful examples of establishing reliable interfacial connections between soft and rigid elements using novel interconnects are reviewed. Lastly, some perspectives and prospects of remaining research challenges and potential pathways for practical utilization of interconnects in wearables are laid out.
Sustainable and Robust Cellulose‐Based Core–Shell Hydrogels Recycled from Waste Cotton Fabrics as High‐Performance Food Coolants
Authors: Parthasarathy Srividya , Zhang Yirong , Wang Yixiang
Published: August 2024

Ideal temperature condition is one of the essential determinants that critically impact the quality of food products. Conventional water‐based ice cubes present challenges from meltwater being breeding grounds for microorganisms and heightening the risk for cross‐contamination. Hereby, the presented cellulose‐based hydrogels crosslinked by epichlorohydrin are dip‐coated with alginate/calcium chloride to form a core–shell structure for achieving the critical benchmarks of an ideal food coolant with limited meltwater production, high‐water retention capacity, and high mechanical strength. The structures and properties of the hydrogels before and after freeze–thaw cycles are characterized by scanning electron microscopy, compressive test, water retention test, and differential scanning calorimetry. All formulated hydrogels demonstrate promising compressive strength, latent heat of fusion, and water retention properties. Notably, the C2A10Cl hydrogel exhibits a maximum compressive strength of 144.7 kPa and high latent heat of fusion of 272.5 J g–1, which is better than previously reported sustainable hydrogel coolants. Furthermore, comparison studies reveal that the cellulose‐based hydrogels demonstrate a similar thawing pattern to conventional ice cubes but without the generation of any meltwater. The temperature of blueberries can be cooled down from 22 to 3.9 °C in 32 min by the hydrogels and in 26 min by ice cubes, respectively.
Determinants of local food producer participation in state‐sponsored marketing programs: Evidence from Missouri
Authors: Tran Lan , Su Ye , McCann Laura
Published: August 2024

This study examines producer participation choices considering a variety of potential benefits linked to state‐sponsored marketing programs, using a real choice dataset of farmers in Missouri. Multinomial logit models are employed to predict determinants of farmer enrollment in three tiers of the Missouri Grown local food marketing program: free, $50, and $100 memberships. We find that farmers who expect to increase sales or receive special services from the program are more likely to choose paid membership levels, while those who seek new opportunities are more associated with free participation. Furthermore, farms with annual sales above $150,000 and those with male or white decision‐makers are more likely to be $100 members, while young and beginning farmers tend to participate at a paid tier of $50 in the program.
Tunable Isometric Donor‐Acceptor Wurster‐Type Covalent Organic Framework Photocathodes
Authors: Guntermann Roman , Helminger David , Frey Laura , Zehetmaier Peter M. , Wangnick Christian , Singh Apeksha , Xue Tianhao , Medina Dana D. , Bein Thomas
Published: August 2024

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) offer remarkable versatility, combining ordered structures, high porosity, and tailorable functionalities in nanoscale reaction spaces. Herein, we report the synthesis of a series of isostructural, photoactive Wurster‐type COFs achieved by manipulating the chemical and electronic nature of the Wurster aromatic amine building blocks. A series of donor‐acceptor‐donor (D‐A‐D) Wurster building block molecules was synthesized by incorporating heteroaromatic acceptors with varying strengths between triphenylamine donor groups. These tailored building blocks were integrated into a 2D COF scaffold, resulting in highly crystalline structures and similar morphologies across all COFs. Remarkably, this structural uniformity was also achieved in the synthesis of homogeneous and oriented thin films. Steady‐state photoluminescence revealed a tunable red‐shift in film emission exceeding 100 nm, demonstrating effective manipulation of their optical properties. Furthermore, photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting studies exhibited a doubled current density (8.1 μA cm−2 at 0.2 VRHE) for the COF with the strongest acceptor unit. These findings highlight the potential of Wurster D‐A‐D COFs in photoelectrochemical water splitting devices and pave the way for further exploration of chemical functionality‐reactivity‐property relationships in this promising class of photoactive materials.
In‐Situ Growth of One‐Dimensional Blocking Layer to Mitigate Deficient Surface of Single‐Crystal Perovskites
Authors: Jiang Changke , Li Ning , Niu Yawei , Liu Nianqiao , Li Dalin , Jin Gan , Zhong Yu , Tao Xutang , Chen Zhaolai
Published: August 2024

Organic‐inorganic halide perovskite (OIHP) single crystals are promising for optoelectronic application, but their high surface trap density and associated ion migration hinders device performance and stability. Herein, a one‐dimensional (1D) perovskites are designed and proposed as blocking layer at the crystal/electrode interface to mitigate the surface issues. As a model system, the interface ion migration in Cs0.05FA0.95PbI3 (FA=formamidinium) single‐crystal perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is obviously suppressed, leading to increase of T90 lifetime from 260 to 1000 hours, five times better than previously reported results. Besides, the reduction of surface iodide ion vacancies inhibits nonradiative recombination, thus increasing the efficiency from 22.1 % to 23.8 %, which is one of the highest values for single‐crystal PSCs. Since the deficient crystal surface is a universal and open issue, our strategy is instructive for optimizing diverse single‐crystal perovskite devices.
Rational Design of 7‐Azaindole‐Based Robust Microporous Hydrogen‐Bonded Organic Framework for Gas Sorption
Authors: Carrera Manuel , Such‐Basáñez Ion , Marco‐Lozar Juan Pablo , Bueno‐López Agustín , Vilaplana‐Ortego Eduardo , da Silva Iván , Bautista Delia , Fernández‐Alarcón Alberto , Calbo Joaquín , Ortí Enrique , Curiel David
Published: August 2024

7‐Azaindole has been integrated as building block with complementary N−H⋅⋅⋅N hydrogen bonding sites for the synthesis of a tetrahedral molecular tecton, namely tetra(α‐carbolin‐6‐yl)methane, TACM. The self‐assembly of this molecule results in a 3D hydrogen‐bonded organic framework (HOF). This supramolecular structure constitutes a crystalline microporous material with an extraordinary thermal and chemical robustness. Single crystal X‐ray diffraction reveals how the five‐fold catenation of diamonoid systems, stabilized by hydrogen bonds and π–π interactions, form an interpenetrated network with monodimensional channels. The structural features of the crystalline material are also observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Additionally, the microporosity of the activated TACM‐HOF is characterized by gas sorption (N2, CO2, CH4 and H2) experiments performed at different pressures. A selective adsorption is observed for CO2 uptake and TACM‐HOF also presents a good adsorption capacity for H2 among supramolecular organic frameworks.
Thermoelectric Performance in Triplet‐Ground‐State Polymer Intrinsically Boosted by Enhanced Proquinoidal Characteristic
Authors: Wu Runshi , Wei Yu , Dai Xiaojuan , Yan Liqin , Liu Wuyue , Yuan Dafei , Zhu Jia , Zhu Xiaozhang
Published: August 2024

Over the past decade, polymer thermoelectric materials featuring flexibility, lightness, and bio‐friendliness have been paid increasing attention as promising candidates for waste heat recovery and energy generation. For a long time, the dominant approach to optimizing the thermoelectric performance of most organic materials is chemical doping, which, however, is not always ideal for practical applications due to its tendency to involve intricate processing procedure and trigger material and device instability. Currently, the pursuit of single‐component neutral thermoelectric materials without exogenous doping presents a compelling alternative. In this work, we designed and synthesized a high‐spin polymer material, PBBT‐TT, by simultaneously employing thieno[3,4‐b]thiophene (TbT) and benzo[1,2‐c : 4,5‐c′]bis[1,2,5]thiadiazole (BBT) units with pronounced proquinoidal characteristics, its analogue, PBBT‐T to demonstrate the effect of the TbT unit was also synthesized. The results indicate that because of the enhanced quinoidal resonance, increased spin density and strong intermolecular antiferromagnetic coupling, PBBT‐TT exhibits high intrinsic electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient, which showcases an outstanding power factor of 26.1 μW m−1 K−2 without doping. This achievement surpasses other neutral organic conjugated polymer and radical conductors, and is even comparable to some typical early‐stage doped polymers. Notably, PBBT‐TT exhibits remarkable ambient stability, retaining its initial thermoelectric performance over a 120‐day period. Our finding demonstrates that modulating the intermolecular spin interactions in open‐shell polymers through the introduction of strong proquinoidal units is an effective strategy for the development of doping‐free, intrinsically high‐performance polymer thermoelectric materials.
Integrating Molecular Motions in Ternary Cocrystals for NIR‐II Photothermal Conversion
Authors: Liu Jia‐Chuan , Li Tao , Yu Huiru , Huang Jim Y. , Li Pei‐Xian , Ruan Ze‐Yu , Liao Pei‐Yu , Ou Chenxin , Feng Yuanning , Tong Ming‐Liang
Published: August 2024

Organic photothermal conversion materials hold immense promise for various applications owing to their structural flexibility. Recent research has focused on enhancing near‐infrared (NIR) absorption and mitigating radiative transition processes. In this study, we have developed a viable approach to the design of photothermal conversion materials through the construction of ternary organic cocrystals, by introducing a third component as a molecular blocker and motion unit into a binary donor–acceptor system. Superstructural and photophysical properties of the ternary cocrystals were characterized using various spectroscopic techniques. The role of the molecular blocker in radical stabilization and photothermal conversion was demonstrated. Intriguingly, the motions of the entire pyrene molecules in the cocrystal have been observed by the results of variable temperature single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The excellent performance of the ternary cocrystal as a photothermal material was validated through efficient NIR‐II photothermal and solar‐driven water evaporation experiments. The efficiency of water evaporation reached 88.7 %, with a corresponding evaporation rate of 1.29 kg m−2 h−1, representing excellent performance among pure organic small molecular photothermal conversion materials. Our research underscores the introduction of molecular blockers and motion units to stabilize radicals and produce outstanding photothermal conversion materials, offering new pathways for developing efficient and stable photothermal conversion materials.
Engineering Robust Triazine Crosslinked and Pyridine Capped Anion Exchange Membrane for Advanced Water Electrolysis
Authors: Deng Guoxiong , Liao Yiwen , Lin Yakai , Ding Li , Wang Haihui
Published: August 2024

Exploring high‐performance anion exchange membranes (AEM) for water electrolyzers (AEMWEs) is significant for green hydrogen production. However, the current AEMWEs are restricted by the poor mechanical strength and low OH− conductivity of AEMs, leading to the low working stability and low current density. Here, we develop a robust AEM with polybiphenylpiperidium network by combining the crosslinking with triazine and the capping with pyridine for advanced AEMWEs. The AEM exhibits an excellent mechanical strength (79.4 MPa), low swelling ratio (19.2 %), persistent alkali stability (≈5,000 hours) and high OH− conductivity (247.2 mS cm−1) which achieves the state‐of‐the‐art AEMs. Importantly, when applied in AEMWEs, the corresponding electrolyzer equipped with commercial nickel iron and nickel molybdenum catalysts obtained a current density of up to 3.0 A cm−2 at 2 V and could be stably operated ~430 h at a high current density of 1.6 A cm−2, which exceeds the most of AEMWEs. Our results suggest that triazine crosslinking and pyridine capping can effectively improve the overall performance of the AEMWEs.
Catalytic Promiscuity of Fatty Acid Photodecarboxylase Enables Stereoselective Synthesis of Chiral α‐Tetralones
Authors: Xu Weihua , Mou Kaihao , Lu Zhenyu , Kang Xiuwen , Guo Yue , Ding Bei , Chen Zhirong , Wang Zhiguo , Wu Qi
Published: August 2024

In the field of biocatalysis, discovering novel reactivity from known enzymes has been a longstanding challenge. Fatty acid photo‐decarboxylase from Chlorella variabilis (CvFAP) has drawn considerable attention as a promising photoenzyme with potential green chemistry applications; however, its non‐natural reactivity has rarely been exploited to date. Herein we report a non‐natural reductive dehalogenation (deacetoxylation) reactivity of CvFAP inspired by its natural oxidative decarboxylation process, enabling the stereoselective synthesis of a series of chiral α‐substituted tetralones with high yields (up to 99 %) and e.r. values (up to 99 : 1). Mechanistic studies demonstrated that the native photoenzyme catalyzed the reductive dehalogenation via a novel mechanism involving oxidized state (FADox)/semiquinone state (FADsq) redox pair and an electron transfer (ET)/proton transfer (PT) process of radical termination, distinct from the previous reports. To our knowledge, this study represents a new example of CvFAP promiscuity, and thus expands the reactivity repertoire of CvFAP and highlights the versatility of CvFAP in asymmetric synthesis.
Molecular Iridium Catalyzed Electrochemical Formic Acid Oxidation: Mechanistic Insights
Authors: Zhou Yuzhu , Xu Wenjie , Wei Zhen , Tian Dong , Zhu Baiquan , Qiao Sicong , Chen Yanxia , He Qun , Song Li
Published: August 2024

Electrochemical formic acid oxidation reaction (FAOR) is a pivotal model for understanding organic fuel oxidation and advancing sustainable energy technologies. Here, we present mechanistic insights into a novel molecular‐like iridium catalyst (Ir−N4−C) for FAOR. Our studies reveal that isolated sites facilitate a preferential dehydrogenation pathway, circumventing catalyst poisoning and exhibiting high inherent activity. In situ spectroscopic analyses elucidate that weakly adsorbed intermediates mediate the FAOR and are dynamically regulated by potential‐dependent redox transitions. Theoretical and experimental investigations demonstrate a parallel mechanism involving two key intermediates with distinct pH and potential sensitivities. The rate‐determining step is identified as the adsorption of formate via coupled or sequential proton‐electron transfer, which aligns well with the observed kinetic properties, pH dependence, and hydrogen/deuterium isotope effects in experiments. These findings provide valuable insights into the reaction mechanism of FAOR, advancing our understanding at the molecular level and potentially guiding the design of efficient catalysts for fuel cells and electrolyzers.