bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Controlling the elution order of insulin and its analogs in sub‐/supercritical fluid chromatography using methanesulfonic acid and 18‐crown‐6 as mobile phase additives
Authors: Neumann Jonas , Schmidtsdorff Sebastian , Schmidt Alexander H. , Parr Maria K.
Published: September 2023

The purity analysis of therapeutic peptides can often be challenging, demanding the application of more than a single analytical technique. Supercritical fluid chromatography nowadays is a promising alternative to reversed‐phase liquid chromatography, providing orthogonal and complementary information. This study investigated its applicability for the separation of human insulin, its analogs and degradation products. A previously published method development protocol for peptides up to 2000 Da was successfully applied to the higher molecular weight insulins (6 kDa). A single gradient method was optimized for all insulins using a Torus DEA column (100 × 3.0 mm, 1.7 μm), carbon dioxide and a modifier consisting of methanol/acetonitrile/water/methanesulfonic acid (65:35:2:0.1, v/v/v/v). Consecutively, the crown ether 18‐crown‐6, which is well known to complex charged lysine sidechains and other amino functionalities, was added to the modifier to evaluate its impact on selectivity. A decreased retention and a shift in the elution order for the insulins were observed. An inverse effect on retention was found when combined with a neutral stationary phase chemistry (Viridis BEH).
Immune Profiling of Secreted Factors from Human Vestibular Schwannoma Cells and Tumor‐associated Macrophages
Authors: Stankovic Konstantina M. , Batts Shelley , Welling D. Bradley , Vasilijic Sasa
Published: September 2023

Objectives

This study compared the immune‐related secretory capacity of human vestibular schwannoma (VS) and tumor‐assisted macrophages (TAMs) with their normal counterparts (Schwann cells [SC] and peripheral blood monocyte‐derived macrophages [Mo‐MFs], respectively), and examined relationships with presurgical hearing and tumor size.

Methods

VS tumors (n = 16), auditory nerve (n = 1), blood (n = 9), and great auricular nerves (n = 3) were used. SCs (S100B+) and TAMs (CD68+) were isolated from VS tissue for culture. The secreted levels of 65 immune‐related factors were measured and compared using unpaired t‐tests with Welch correction (schwannoma vs. SCs) or Mann–Whitney tests (TAMs and Mo‐MFs). Associations between factor concentration and word recognition (WR), pure‐tone average (PTA), and tumor size were evaluated with Spearman correlation.

Results

Secreted factors with significantly higher concentrations in schwannoma versus SC supernatants included IL‐2 and BAFF, whereas MMP‐1, IL‐6, FGF‐2, VEGF‐A, MIP‐3α, and GRO‐α concentrations were significantly higher in TAMs versus Mo‐MFs (all p < 0.05). Worse WR was significantly associated with higher secretion of fractalkine, eotaxin‐3, CD30, and IL‐16 by VS cells; IP‐10, eotaxin‐3, multiple interleukins, GM‐CSF, SCF, and CD30 by TAMs; and TNF‐α and MIP‐1α by Mo‐MFs (all p < 0.05). Worse PTA was significantly correlated with higher secretion of IL‐16 by VS cells (p < 0.05). Larger tumor size was significantly correlated with higher secretion of eotaxin by VS cells, and of IL‐7, IL‐21, and LIF by TAMs (all p = 0.017).

Conclusions

Differential secretion of immune‐related factors was observed in schwannoma versus normal SCs and in TAMs versus Mo‐MFs, some of which were correlated with worse hearing and larger VS tumors.

Level of Evidence

N/A Laryngoscope, 134:S1–S14, 2024
Preoperative Imaging and Surgical Findings in Pediatric Frontonasal Dermoids
Authors: Amin Shaunak N. , Siu Jennifer M. , Purcell Patricia L. , Manning James P. , Wright Jason , Dahl John P. , Hauptman Jason S. , Hopper Richard A. , Lee Amy , Manning Scott C. , Perkins J. Nathaniel , Susarla Srinivas M. , Bly Randall A.
Published: September 2023

Objective

To review cases of congenital frontonasal dermoids to gain insight into the accuracy of preoperative computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in predicting intracranial extension.

Methods

This retrospective study included all patients who underwent primary excision of frontonasal dermoids at an academic children's hospital over a 23‐year period. Preoperative presentation, imaging, and operative findings were reviewed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) statistics were generated to determine CT and MRI accuracy in detecting intracranial extension.

Results

Search queries yielded 129 patients who underwent surgical removal of frontonasal dermoids over the study period with an average age of presentation of 12 months. Preoperative imaging was performed on 122 patients, with 19 patients receiving both CT and MRI. CT and MRI were concordant in the prediction of intracranial extension in 18 out of 19 patients. Intraoperatively, intracranial extension requiring craniotomy was seen in 11 patients (8.5%). CT was 87.5% sensitive and 97.4% specific for predicting intracranial extension with an ROC of 0.925 (95% CI [0.801, 1]), whereas MRI was 60.0% sensitive and 97.8% specific with an ROC of 0.789 (95% CI [0.627, 0.950]).

Conclusion

This is the largest case series in the literature describing a single institution's experience with frontonasal dermoids. Intracranial extension is rare and few patients required craniotomy in our series. CT and MRI have comparable accuracy at detecting intracranial extension. Single‐modality imaging is recommended preoperatively in the absence of other clinical indications.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 134:1961–1966, 2024
Usefulness of Intraoperative Narrow‐Band Imaging in the Site Diagnosis of Respiratory Papillomatosis
Authors: Matsuda Keishi , Matsuzaki Hiroumi , Fujiwara Dai , Makiyama Kiyoshi , Oshima Takeshi
Published: September 2023

Objective

Narrow‐band imaging (NBI) is considered useful for detecting respiratory papillomatosis. However, the choice between preoperative and intraoperative NBI depends on the facility. We investigated the usefulness of NBI and determined whether preoperative NBI can replace intraoperative NBI with a comparable detection rate.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study conducted at single a tertiary care center, patients with respiratory papillomatosis treated between 2017 and 2022 were enrolled. We systematically compared preoperative white light imaging (WLI) with preoperative and intraoperative NBI. The primary endpoints were the papilloma detection rate and lesion site assessed by the Derkay scoring system. The secondary endpoints were the risk factors for increased Derkay scores.

Results

The study included 127 patients with papilloma. Intraoperative NBI yielded significantly higher Derkay scores than preoperative WLI (p < 0.001) and preoperative NBI (p = 0.004). The papilloma detection rates of preoperative WLI and preoperative NBI were not significantly different. Intraoperative NBI detected more lesions than preoperative NBI in 37 of 127 (29%) patients; the overall number of additional lesions was 47 of 279 (17%). Compared with preoperative NBI, intraoperative NBI yielded significantly higher scores for the vocal cords (p = 0.005), false vocal cords (p = 0.010), and ventricle of the larynx (p < 0.001). Elevated Derkay scores were significantly associated with male sex (p = 0.012) and alcohol consumption (p = 0.007).

Conclusion

Intraoperative NBI is more accurate in detecting papillomatous lesions, and preoperative NBI cannot replace intraoperative NBI.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 134:1820–1824, 2024
Now you have to pay! A deeper look at publishing practices of predatory journals
Authors: Freiermuth Mark R.
Published: September 2023

In this study, by using Beall's (Scholarly open‐access, 2014; Beall's list of predatory journals and publishers, 2018) predatory journal lists as well as direct e‐mail solicitations from journals, we intentionally submitted a poorly written manuscript to 58 open‐access journals using counterfeit names and affiliations. Although there have been several studies examining the practices of questionable journals, there is a lack of research investigating the interactive processes in detail. Our analysis, then, was to provide a more comprehensive view of the underlying reasoning for the acceptance or rejection of a manuscript. Of the 31 journals acknowledging receipt of our manuscript, 21 accepted it either unexpurgated or asked only for cosmetic revisions. Regarding ‘positive responses’, we point to five common flaws associated with such journals, namely that (1) they lack any interest in the researchers who are submitting manuscripts; (2) they do not judge academic writing in accordance with expected conventions; (3) they appear to be indifferent to scholarship including research design, plagiarism issues, and citation quality; (4) their review process is opaque and overly hasty, and (5) the tone they use in correspondence e‐mail messages is highly inappropriate. Based upon the investigation, it is clear that such journals' primary aim is in securing the article processing fee. Our findings paint a more comprehensive picture of questionable journal practices with the hope of disseminating such information to the broader scholarly community.
Measuring the Interactions and Influence of Amphipathic Copolymers with Lipid Monolayers and Bilayers as Models of Biological Membranes
Authors: Frost Charlotte , Wiedbrauk Sandra , Graham Elizabeth , Yepuri Nageshwar R. , Nelson Andrew R. J. , Boase Nathan R. B.
Published: September 2023

Amphipathic copolymers are useful materials for nanomedicine, owing to their ability to self‐assemble into nanoparticles, act as surfactants for inorganic materials, or for their favorable interactions with lipid membranes. Despite their widespread use, there is still a range of questions about the physicochemical properties that are necessary to drive their interactions at biological interfaces. To fully understand these interactions requires a diverse range of complementary analytical techniques. In this work, a library of neutral amphipathic methacrylate copolymers is synthesized by reversible addition‐fragmentation chain‐transfer polymerization (RAFT) polymerization, to investigate the effect of polymer composition and nature of the hydrophobic comonomer on interactions with model lipid membranes. These materials are shown to interact with Langmuir lipid monolayers, and neutron reflectometry demonstrates that hydrophobic interactions lead to the polymers intercalating with the monolayers. More complex models of lipid bilayers are studied using an in situ quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) model and shows while the composition and hydrophobic comonomer affect the stability of these interactions, there is no effect on the viscoelasticity of the lipid membranes. The in‐depth understanding of these interfacial interactions afforded by this suite of analytical tools will allow for more complex copolymers to be studied, providing a greater understanding of key processes in nanomedicine, such as cellular entry and endosomal escape.
Federal court overturns lower court ruling that Mississippi violated ADA
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: September 2023

More than seven years following a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) lawsuit against the state of Mississippi for its failure to provide services in community settings for adults with mental illness, a federal court has overturned a lower court ruling that Mississippi violated the Adults with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Federal, state funding announcements boost youth MH services
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: September 2023

The Biden administration last week announced an award of $206 million in grants designed to expand access to community‐ and school‐based mental health services for youths. Coinciding with the Sept. 25 funding announcement, the state of Virginia received confirmation that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved its proposed expansion of Medicaid funding availability for school‐based health services in the state.
Ultraviolet light differentially reduces viability of fish- and fish farm-associated flavobacteria (families Flavobacteriaceae and Weeksellaceae)
Authors: Knupp Christopher , Faisal Mohamed , Brenden Travis O. , Soto Esteban , LaFrentz Benjamin R. , Griffin Matt J. , Wiens Gregory D. , Cavender Wade , Van Vliet Danielle , Loch Thomas P.
Published: September 2023

Objective

Globally, flavobacteria (family Flavobacteriaceae and Weeksellaceae) are leading causes of disease-related losses in fish-farms and hatcheries. One route flavobacteria gain access to aquaculture facilities is via source water. Ultraviolet (UV) light treatment of source water has been effective in reducing the risk of disease outbreaks caused by nonflavobacteria; however, the UV dose required to inactivate flavobacteria has been understudied. The primary objective of this study was to examine the efficacy of UV light treatments for reducing the viability of fish-pathogenic and fish-associated Flavobacterium and Chryseobacterium species in a planktonic form.

Methods

Sixty-five flavobacterial isolates belonging to ten Flavobacterium spp. and Chryseobacterium spp. were exposed to a low (25 mJ/cm2) and high (126 mJ/cm2) dose of UV light via a collimating beam apparatus under in vitro conditions, after which treatment efficacy was determined via culture.

Result

All assayed flavobacteria were reduced by an average of ~1000-fold or ~100,000-fold at the low and high UV doses, respectively; however, substantial differences in reduction at the same UV dose were noted among isolates of the same flavobacterial species, including F. psychrophilum, F. columnare, and F. oreochromis. In addition, F. psychrophilum multilocus sequence typing variants ST10 and ST78, which are two of the most widespread variants in the United States of America, were among the least susceptible to ultraviolet light.

Conclusion

Overall, results demonstrate that viable flavobacteria can be reduced substantially by ultraviolet doses of 25–126 mJ/cm2, suggesting such treatments represent a promising tool for minimizing flavobacterial loads in hatcheries and aquaculture facilities, thereby enhancing biosecurity and reducing the risk of epizootics.
Effects of live-imaging sonar on Blue Catfish angler success, perception, and behavior
Authors: Neely Ben C. , Koch Jeff D. , Gido Keith B.
Published: September 2023

Objective

Proliferation of consumer-grade live-imaging sonar (LIS) has created management challenges in recreational fisheries. Most pervasive is the question about whether LIS users catch fish more effectively than nonusers. This project was designed to elucidate the effects of LIS use on catch of Blue Catfish Ictalurus furcatus from the Milford Reservoir, Kansas. Additionally, we sought to identify angler perception of LIS and quantify differences in angling behavior between users and nonusers.

Methods

We organized a Blue Catfish angling experiment where 16 anglers used LIS and 16 anglers did not. The experiment was followed by dissemination of a survey to measure angler experience and skill, measure perception of LIS, and identify behavior patterns from groups that did and did not have access to the technology. A multivariate linear model was used to identify how LIS use, angling experience, and self-assessed angling skill influenced fish catch. Comparisons of LIS perceptions and angling behavior were also evaluated between treatment groups.

Result

There was no difference in Blue Catfish mass captured per 5-h angling trial by anglers using LIS (mean = 14.57 kg, SE = 3.38) and anglers not using LIS (mean = 16.97 kg, SE = 2.29). However, self-rating of angling skill was identified as a predictor in a supported model but little variation in catch was explained (R2 = 0.169). Anglers using LIS thought their time spent searching and catch would have been similar if they did not use LIS. Anglers that did not use LIS thought they would spend more time searching for fish and catch may have increased if using LIS. Time spent searching for angling locations was greater for anglers using LIS than those not using LIS.

Conclusion

Results from this study suggest that the use of LIS may influence Blue Catfish angler perception and behavior more than catch.
Trauma and the perinatal period: A review of the theory and practice of trauma‐sensitive interactions for nurses and midwives
Authors: Isobel Sophie
Published: September 2023

Aim

With high rates of trauma in the population, known links between trauma and perinatal distress, and the intimate and close nature of the nursing and midwifery roles, ensuring awareness and understandings of trauma is crucial for guiding practice. This paper aims to explore the relationship of trauma to the perinatal period, based on theory and practice, to consider on how nurses and midwives can deliver trauma‐sensitive interactions.

Design and Methods

This discursive discussion draws on relevant research from the fields of trauma therapy, attachment theory and nursing and midwifery practice to consider elements of trauma‐sensitive practice in the perinatal period.

Results

Nurses and midwives can foster safety for people who have experienced trauma through noticing and responding to triggers, supporting awareness of attachment and its relationships to trauma, undertaking psychosocial screening with care, supporting linearity and cohesion in narratives and developing collaborative care plans that maximise safety and agency. For nurses and midwives, understandings of the relationship between trauma, pregnancy, birth, early parenting and distress is crucial for effective care delivery.

Delivering perinatal nursing or midwifery care of any kind, without universal trauma precautions risks reinforcing, misinterpreting or re‐enacting dynamics of trauma. To be trauma‐sensitive in this period requires nurses and midwives to have awareness of the dynamics of trauma in relation to pregnancy, birth and attachment.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

This paper fills a gap in the translation of theory to practice for trauma‐sensitive care in the perinatal period, with a focus on the therapeutic relationship formed by nurses and midwives. The findings highlight that nurses and midwives can foster safety for people who have experienced trauma within their practice, when they hold a robust understanding of the relationship between trauma, pregnancy, birth, early parenting and distress.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.
Dummy template molecularly imprinted polymers as potential sorbents in the separation and purification of active compounds in natural products
Authors: Ariani Marisa Dwi , Zuhrotun Ade , Manesiotis Panagiotis , Hasanah Aliya Nur
Published: September 2023

Molecular imprinting technology is a promising technique for separating, purifying, and enriching target compounds with high selectivity and sensitivity. The molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) technique has developed rapidly in the separation and purification of chemical compounds and secondary metabolites of natural products. However, there are real challenges to the isolation of target compounds in natural products such as the unavailability of target compounds and high cost, so it is necessary to develop another approach to MIP synthesis. The dummy template is a solution to the unavailability of target compounds as it will produce a binding site that is specific enough for the target compound through covalent or non‐covalent bonds and the presence of the same functional groups between the target compound and the dummy will result in an interaction between the target compound and the binding site made using the dummy template. In addition, this dummy MIP (DMIP) is the best solution for overcoming the template leakage in traditional MIPs so that the DMIP technique is very good for removing and purifying compounds that are allergenic or toxic in natural product samples (high traceability). This review article will discuss the development of DMIPs in the separation and purification of compounds in natural products and the factors that affect their performance. Our discussion highlights the importance of selecting the right dummy template for optimal DMIP performance. This selection should be based on factors such as functional group similarity, being in the same bioactive compound group, and structural skeleton similarity. In addition, the selection and composition of other DMIP components can also affect the analytical performance of the DMIP.
Targeting the TWEAK–Fn14 pathway prevents dysfunction in cardiac calcium handling after acute kidney injury
Authors: Poveda Jonay , González‐Lafuente Laura , Vázquez‐Sánchez Sara , Mercado‐García Elisa , Rodríguez‐Sánchez Elena , García‐Consuegra Inés , Sanz Ana Belén , Segura Julián , Fernández‐Velasco María , Liaño Fernando , Ruilope Luis M , Ruiz‐Hurtado Gema
Published: September 2023

Heart and kidney have a closely interrelated pathophysiology. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with significantly increased rates of cardiovascular events, a relationship defined as cardiorenal syndrome type 3 (CRS3). The underlying mechanisms that trigger heart disease remain, however, unknown, particularly concerning the clinical impact of AKI on cardiac outcomes and overall mortality. Tumour necrosis factor‐like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) and its receptor fibroblast growth factor‐inducible 14 (Fn14) are independently involved in the pathogenesis of both heart and kidney failure, and recent studies have proposed TWEAK as a possible therapeutic target; however, its specific role in cardiac damage associated with CRS3 remains to be clarified. Firstly, we demonstrated in a retrospective longitudinal clinical study that soluble TWEAK plasma levels were a predictive biomarker of mortality in patients with AKI. Furthermore, the exogenous application of TWEAK to native ventricular cardiomyocytes induced relevant calcium (Ca2+) handling alterations. Next, we investigated the role of the TWEAK–Fn14 axis in cardiomyocyte function following renal ischaemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury in mice. We observed that TWEAK–Fn14 signalling was activated in the hearts of AKI mice. Mice also showed significantly altered intra‐cardiomyocyte Ca2+ handling and arrhythmogenic Ca2+ events through an impairment in sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+‐adenosine triphosphatase 2a pump (SERCA2a) and ryanodine receptor (RyR2) function. Administration of anti‐TWEAK antibody after reperfusion significantly improved alterations in Ca2+ cycling and arrhythmogenic events and prevented SERCA2a and RyR2 modifications. In conclusion, this study establishes the relevance of the TWEAK–Fn14 pathway in cardiac dysfunction linked to CRS3, both as a predictor of mortality in patients with AKI and as a Ca2+ mishandling inducer in cardiomyocytes, and highlights the cardioprotective benefits of TWEAK targeting in CRS3. © 2023 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Hyperlipidemia in children and adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Laumann Renate Dagsdottir , Pedersen Louise Lindkvist , Andrés‐Jensen Liv , Mølgaard Christian , Schmiegelow Kjeld , Frandsen Thomas Leth , Als‐Nielsen Bodil
Published: September 2023

Background

The established association between acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and hyperlipidemia has, in some studies, been linked to toxicities such as pancreatitis, thrombosis, and osteonecrosis. However, a systematic review investigating the incidence, management, and clinical implications of hyperlipidemia during childhood ALL treatment is lacking.

Objectives

Systematically assess the incidence of hyperlipidemia during ALL treatment, explore associations with risk factors and severe toxicities (osteonecrosis, thrombosis, and pancreatitis), and review prevalent management strategies.

Methods

A systematic review was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Data synthesis was descriptive, and a meta‐analysis of hypertriglyceridemia and risk of severe toxicities was performed.

Results

We included 13 studies with 3,425 patients. Hyperlipidemia incidence varied widely (6.7%‐85%) but with inconsistent definitions and screening strategies across studies. Evidence regarding risk factors was conflicting, but age (> 10 years) and treatment with asparaginase and glucocorticosteroids seem to be associated with hyperlipidemia. Hypertriglyceridemia (grade 3/4) increased the risk for osteonecrosis (odds ratio (OR): 4.27, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.77‐6.61). No association could be established for pancreatitis (OR: 1.60, 95% CI: 0.53‐4.82) or thrombosis (OR: 2.45, 95% CI: 0.86‐7.01), but larger studies are needed to confirm this.

Conclusion

The overall evidence of this systematic review is limited by the small number of studies and risk of bias. Our review suggests that hypertriglyceridemia increases the risk for osteonecrosis. However, larger studies are needed to explore the clinical implications of hyperlipidemia and randomized trials investigating hyperlipidemia management and its impact on severe toxicities.
Rearrangement and morphological transition of DNA on adsorbent templates of hydrocarbon/fluorocarbon phase‐separated monolayers
Authors: Maeda Momo , Shioda Yoshiki , Fujimori Atsuhiro
Published: September 2023

A phase‐separated template prepared from a mixed monolayer of fluorinated long‐chain s‐triazine derivatives and comb copolymers containing s‐triazine rings was morphologically controlled by DNA adsorption. The adsorbed morphology of DNA was formed through a morphological transition process at the air/water interface rather than by maintaining the shape of the phase‐separated template. Dot‐like domains, circular domains, centrally protruding domains, network morphologies, and even co‐continuous surface morphologies of DNA were obtained. The phase‐separated monolayer used as a template depends on the mixed ratio of the fluorocarbon and hydrocarbon copolymer components, the copolymerization ratio of the hydrocarbon copolymers, and the chain length of the fluorinated long‐chain s‐triazine derivative, and various morphological transitions occur. The DNA introduced into the sub‐phase was selectively adsorbed onto the s‐triazine ring‐containing comb copolymer, and the adsorbed DNA assembly exhibited a morphological transition based on concerted interactions. Furthermore, by utilizing a fluorescent probe molecule, evidence of DNA morphogenesis itself was supported by its emission/quenching behavior.

Highlights

Morphological control of the DNA assembly was attained.

Immobilization of DNA assemblies on phase‐separated templates was achieved.

Preparation of patterned templates was realized by copolymers a fluorinated derivative.

Adsorption of DNA to the diamino‐s‐triazine ring was achieved by hydrogen bonding.

A rearrangement of the DNA assemblies on the template was achieved.
Soil burial degradation studies of photo‐crosslinked PCL‐PDMS‐PCL triblock copolymer films
Authors: Sachan Radha , Purwar Roli
Published: September 2023

This article focuses on the soil burial degradation behavior of photo‐crosslinked Polycaprolactone (PCL) homopolymer and Polycaprolactone‐Polydimethylsiloxane‐Polycaprolactone (PCL‐PDMS‐PCL) triblock copolymer films. PCL homopolymer and PCL‐PDMS‐PCL triblock copolymer films with varying the chain length of PCL were synthesized. The microlevel, macrolevel, and structural changes in the samples of homopolymer and triblock copolymer were analyzed before and after soil burial test. Microlevel changes were determined by the evaluation of morphological properties with the digital camera, optical microscope (OM), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. These changes revealed that the degradation of copolymer films enhanced with increasing PCL chain length. The Macrolevel structural changes were examined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) crystallinity. The soil burial degradation mechanism was proposed for PCL‐PDMS‐PCL triblock copolymer films based on the obtained results.
Kidney function as a key driver of the pharmacokinetic response to high‐dose L‐carnitine in septic shock
Authors: Jennaro Theodore S. , Puskarich Michael A. , Flott Thomas L. , McLellan Laura A. , Jones Alan E. , Pai Manjunath P. , Stringer Kathleen A.
Published: September 2023

Study Objective

Levocarnitine (L‐carnitine) has shown promise as a metabolic‐therapeutic for septic shock, where mortality approaches 40%. However, high‐dose (≥ 6 grams) intravenous supplementation results in a broad range of serum concentrations. We sought to describe the population pharmacokinetics (PK) of high‐dose L‐carnitine, test various estimates of kidney function, and assess the correlation of PK parameters with pre‐treatment metabolites in describing drug response for patients with septic shock.

Design

Population PK analysis was done with baseline normalized concentrations using nonlinear mixed effect models in the modeling platform Monolix. Various estimates of kidney function, patient demographics, dose received, and organ dysfunction were tested as population covariates.

Data Source

We leveraged serum samples and metabolomics data from a phase II trial of L‐carnitine in vasopressor‐dependent septic shock. Serum was collected at baseline (T0); end‐of‐infusion (T12); and 24, 48, and 72 h after treatment initiation.

Patients and Intervention

Patients were adaptively randomized to receive intravenous L‐carnitine (6 grams, 12 grams, or 18 grams) or placebo.

Measurements and Main Results

The final dataset included 542 serum samples from 130 patients randomized to L‐carnitine. A two‐compartment model with linear elimination and a fixed volume of distribution (17.1 liters) best described the data and served as a base structural model. Kidney function estimates as a covariate on the elimination rate constant (k) reliably improved model fit. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), based on the 2021 Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology collaboration (CKD‐EPI) equation with creatinine and cystatin C, outperformed creatinine clearance (Cockcroft‐Gault) and older CKD‐EPI equations that use an adjustment for self‐identified race.

Conclusions

High‐dose L‐carnitine supplementation is well‐described by a two‐compartment population PK model in patients with septic shock. Kidney function estimates that leverage cystatin C provided superior model fit. Future investigations into high‐dose L‐carnitine supplementation should consider baseline metabolic status and dose adjustments based on renal function over a fixed or weight‐based dosing paradigm.
Psychological symptoms among adolescents: Latent class analysis of parental attitudes, psychological needs, self‐regulation, and alexithymia
Authors: Haspolat Namık Kemal , Ağırkan Murat , Eşkisu Mustafa
Published: September 2023

Psychological problems are prevalent among adolescents, and previous studies have robustly demonstrated that individual and family factors play a role in the formation and maintenance of these problems. On the other hand, not all adolescents show the same characteristics in terms of these factors and can be categorized into different groups. Identifying this heterogeneity is also important in intervention for psychological problems. Thus, this study aimed to identify patterns of parental attitudes, basic psychological needs, self‐regulation, and alexithymia, using latent class analysis (LCA), and investigated how different patterns of these individual and family factors are associated with psychological problems. Participants included a sample of 331 volunteer Turkish adolescents (140 male [42.3%], 191 female [57.7%]). LCA indicated a two‐class solution fit the current data well and 65% of the participants were classified into the first latent class which was labeled as “positive individual and family context” (PIFC). The PIFC were found to have higher levels of parental sensitivity and autonomy support, need satisfaction and self‐regulation, but lower levels of mother's psychological and behavioral control and father's behavioral control, need frustration, and alexithymia. The second latent class, labeled as “negative individual and family context” (NIFC), included 35% of the adolescents. Adolescents in NIFC had low levels of parental sensitivity, autonomy support, satisfaction of basic psychological needs, and self‐regulation, but high levels of mother's psychological and behavioral control, father's behavioral control, frustration of basic psychological needs, and alexithymia. Moreover, after controlling gender and age, adolescents classified in the NIFC displayed significantly higher levels of psychological problems than those classified in the PIFC. These findings support the idea that individual and familial factors interact to affect adolescents' mental health and suggest that clinicians and helping professionals would benefit from including these factors in intervention processes.
Recent advances in block copolymer self‐assembly: From the lowest to the highest
Authors: Kim Ki Hyun , Huh Yoon , Song Inkyu , Ryu Du Yeol , Son Jeong Gon , Bang Joona
Published: September 2023

A perspective is presented on recent developments in block copolymers (BCPs), capable of forming sub‐10 nm nanostructures and bottlebrush block copolymers (BBCPs), capable of forming supra‐100 nm nanostructures. Over the last few decades, BCP research has emphasized pattern miniaturization for application in next‐generation lithography tools in the semiconductor industry. The first part focuses on the recent efforts that investigated high‐χ linear BCPs evolved from conventional poly(styrene‐b‐methyl methacrylate) (PS‐b‐PMMA) pairs. Recently, novel BCP structures capable of forming nanostructures with significant periodicities for controlling visible light have gained considerable attention. The second part reviews the literature on BBCPs that exhibit the potential to create supra‐100 nm nanostructures. Finally, the future aspect on BCP lithography is discussed.
Flexible PEDOT/NiO@nickel foam composites materials for high‐performance supercapacitors
Authors: Shao Mingfa , Dong Juncheng , Ge Zhou , Ge Runqi , Ge Ying , Lv Xiaojing , Ouyang Mi , Zhang Cheng
Published: September 2023

High‐performance composite electrode materials for supercapacitors were developed by two‐step electrochemical deposition of nano‐NiO and poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) on nickel foam (NF). NF is considered an excellent conductive substrate for preparing porous electrode materials due to its high conductivity and porosity. The electrodeposited NiO nanoparticles were uniformly and densely coated on the pore of NF to fill in the internal voids, which provides an abundant active site for the electrodeposition of PEDOT. PEDOT was prepared by simple electrodeposition and was uniformly coated on the substrate surface which has high conductivity and reversible electrochemical redox properties, as well as excellent cyclic stability. The loose surface morphology not only provides abundant redox active sites for electrode material but also contributes the good pseudocapacitance property. As expected, the maximum mass‐specific capacity of PEDOT/NiO@NF composite electrode material can reach up to 129.7 F g−1 at the current density of 1 A g−1. Moreover, the composite electrode material shows excellent electrochemical cycling stability that the specific capacity has no obvious decay compared with its initial capacity after 200 cycles of cyclic voltammetry and 100 cycles of galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD). This work demonstrates that the composite material PEDOT/NiO@NF could be a candidate flexibility electrode material for high‐performance supercapacitor applications.
Acyltransferase families that act on thioesters: Sequences, structures, and mechanisms
Authors: de Carvalho Caio C. , Murray Ian P. , Nguyen Hung , Nguyen Tin , Cantu David C.
Published: September 2023

Acyltransferases (AT) are enzymes that catalyze the transfer of acyl group to a receptor molecule. This review focuses on ATs that act on thioester‐containing substrates. Although many ATs can recognize a wide variety of substrates, sequence similarity analysis allowed us to classify the ATs into fifteen distinct families. Each AT family is originated from enzymes experimentally characterized to have AT activity, classified according to sequence similarity, and confirmed with tertiary structure similarity for families that have crystallized structures available. All the sequences and structures of the AT families described here are present in the thioester‐active enzyme (ThYme) database. The AT sequences and structures classified into families and available in the ThYme database could contribute to enlightening the understanding acyl transfer to thioester‐containing substrates, most commonly coenzyme A, which occur in multiple metabolic pathways, mostly with fatty acids.
Rotundic acid alleviates hyperlipidemia in rats by regulating lipid metabolism and gut microbiota
Authors: Zeng Wei , Yang Bao , Wang Yuanyuan , Sun Mengjia , Yang Weiqun , Cui Hui , Jin Jing , Zhao Zhongxiang
Published: September 2023

Disturbances in lipid metabolism and dysbiosis of the gut microbiota play an important role in the progression of hyperlipidemia. Previous study indicated that Ilicis Rotundae Cortex possesses anti‐hyperlipidemic activity, and rotundic acid (RA) identified as a key active compound to be incorporated into the body. The study aimed to evaluate the anti‐hyperlipidemia effects of RA and explored its impact on gut microbiota and lipid metabolism, as well as its possible mechanisms for improving hyperlipidemia. The study methodology included a comprehensive evaluation of the effects of RA on steatosis markers of hyperlipidemia, lipid metabolism, and gut microbiota by assessing biochemical parameters and histopathology, lipidomics, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and short‐chain fatty acid (SCFA) assays. The results showed that RA effectively reduced body weight and the steatosis markers in serum and liver. Moreover, the lipidomic analysis revealed significant changes in plasmatic and hepatic lipid levels, and these were restored by RA. According to the results of 16S rRNA gene sequencing, RA supplementation raised the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria while decreasing the relative abundance of Firmicutes. RA significantly boosted the relative abundance of SCFAs by increasing SCFAs‐producing bacteria such as Bacteroides, Alloprevotella, Desulfovibrio, etc. In summary, RA could regulate triglyceride metabolism and glycerophospholipid metabolism, restore gut microbiota structure, and increase the relative abundance of SCFAs‐producing bacteria to exert its hypolipidemic effects. These findings suggest RA to be a promising therapeutic agent for hyperlipidemia.
Enhancing Electroreduction CO2 to Hydrocarbons via Tandem Electrocatalysis by Incorporation Cu NPs in Boron Imidazolate Frameworks
Authors: Shao Ping , Wan Yu‐Mei , Yi Luocai , Chen Shumei , Zhang Hai‐Xia , Zhang Jian
Published: September 2023

Due to the higher value of deeply‐reduced products, electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) to multi‐electron‐transfer products has received more attention. One attractive strategy is to decouple individual steps within the complicated pathway via multi‐component catalysts design in the concept of tandem catalysts. Here, a composite of Cu@BIF‐144(Zn) (BIF = boron imidazolate framework) is synthesized by using an anion framework BIF‐144(Zn) as host to impregnate Cu2+ ions that are further reduced to Cu nanoparticles (NPs) via in situ electrochemical transformation. Due to the microenvironment modulation by functional BH(im)3− on the pore surfaces, the Cu@BIF‐144(Zn) catalyst exhibits a perfect synergetic effect between the BIF‐144(Zn) host and the Cu NP guest during CO2RR. Electrochemistry results show that Cu@BIF‐144(Zn) catalysts can effectively enhance the selectivity and activity for the CO2 reduction to multi‐electron‐transfer products, with the maximum FECH4 value of 41.8% at −1.6 V and FEC2H4 value of 12.9% at −1.5 V versus RHE. The Cu@BIF‐144(Zn) tandem catalyst with CO‐rich microenvironment generated by the Zn catalytic center in the BIF‐144(Zn) skeleton enhanced deep reduction on the incorporated Cu NPs for the CO2RR to multi‐electron‐transfer products.
Construction of Binder‐Free, Self‐Supported, Hetero‐Core–Shell Honeycomb Structured CuCo2O4@Ni0.5Co0.5(OH)2 with Abundant Mesopores and High Conductivity for High‐Performance Energy Storage
Authors: Sun Yuesheng , Jiang Degang , Wang Jianhua , Zhang Aitang , Wang Chunxiao , Zong Hanwen , Xu Jiangtao , Liu Jingquan
Published: September 2023

Clever and rational design of structural hierarchy, along with precise component adjustment, holds profound significance for the construction of high‐performance supercapacitor electrode materials. In this study, a binder‐free self‐supported CCO@N0.5C0.5OH/NF cathode material is constructed with hierarchical hetero‐core–shell honeycomb nanostructure by first growing CuCo2O4 (CCO) nanopin arrays uniformly on highly conductive nickel foam (NF) substrate, and then anchoring Ni0.5Co0.5(OH)2 (N0.5C0.5OH) bimetallic hydroxide nanosheet arrays on the CCO nanopin arrays by adjusting the molar ratio of Ni(OH)2 and Co(OH)2. The constructed CCO@N0.5C0.5OH/NF electrode material showcases a wealth of multivalent metal ions and mesopores, along with good electrical conductivity, excellent electrochemical reaction rates, and robust long‐term performance (capacitance retention rate of 87.2%). The CCO@N0.5C0.5OH/NF electrode, benefiting from the hierarchical structure of the material and the exceptional synergy between multiple components, demonstrates an excellent specific capacitance (2553.6 F g−1 at 1 A g−1). Furthermore, the assembled asymmetric CCO@N0.5C0.5OH/NF//AC/NF supercapacitor demonstrates a high energy density (70.1 Wh kg−1 at 850 W kg−1), and maintains robust capacitance cycling stability performance (83.7%) after undergoing 10 000 successive charges and discharges. It is noteworthy that the assembled supercapacitor exhibits an operating voltage (1.7 V) that is well above the theoretical value (1.5 V).
Toward Nano‐Specific In Silico NAMs: How to Adjust Nano‐QSAR to the Recent Advancements of Nanotoxicology?
Authors: Ciura Krzesimir , Moschini Elisa , Stępnik Maciej , Serchi Tommaso , Gutleb Arno , Jarzyńska Kamila , Jagiello Karolina , Puzyn Tomasz
Published: September 2023

The rapid development of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) causes humans to become increasingly exposed to them. Therefore, a better understanding of the health impact of ENMs is highly demanded. Considering the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement) principle, in vitro and computational methods are excellent alternatives for testing on animals. Among computational methods, nano‐quantitative structure‐activity relationship (nano‐QSAR), which links the physicochemical and structural properties of EMNs with biological activities, is one of the leading method. The nature of toxicological experiments has evolved over the last decades; currently, one experiment can provide thousands of measurements of the organism's functioning at the molecular level. At the same time, the capacity of the in vitro systems to mimic the human organism is also improving significantly. Hence, the authors would like to discuss whether the nano‐QSAR approach follows modern toxicological studies and takes full advantage of the opportunities offered by modern toxicological platforms. Challenges and possibilities for improving data integration are underlined narratively, including the need for a consensus built between the in vitro and the QSAR domains.
Charge Dynamics Engineering Sparks Hetero‐Interfacial Polarization for an Ultra‐Efficient Microwave Absorber with Mechanical Robustness
Authors: Huan Xianhua , Li Hefeng , Song Yuxiao , Luo Jintao , Liu Cong , Xu Ke , Geng Hongbo , Guo Xiaodong , Chen Chen , Zu Lei , Jia Xiaolong , Zhou Jisheng , Zhang Haobin , Yang Xiaoping
Published: September 2023

Microwave absorbers with high efficiency and mechanical robustness are urgently desired to cope with more complex and harsh application scenarios. However, manipulating the trade‐off between microwave absorption performance and mechanical properties is seldom realized in microwave absorbers. Here, a chemistry‐tailored charge dynamic engineering strategy is proposed for sparking hetero‐interfacial polarization and thus coordinating microwave attenuation ability with the interfacial bonding, endowing polymer‐based composites with microwave absorption efficiency and mechanical toughness. The absorber designed by this new conceptual approach exhibits remarkable Ku‐band microwave absorption efficiency (−55.3 dB at a thickness of 1.5 mm) and satisfactory effective absorption bandwidth (5.0 GHz) as well as desirable interfacial shear strength (97.5 MPa). The calculated differential charge density depicts the uneven distribution of space charge and the intense hetero‐interfacial polarization, clarifying the structure–performance relationship from a theoretical perspective. This work breaks through traditional single performance‐oriented design methods and ushers a new direction for next‐generation microwave absorbers.
Critical Review of Emerging Pre‐metallization Technologies for Rechargeable Metal‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Li Qingyuan , Wang Huibo , Wang Yueyang , Sun Guoxing , Li Zongjin , Zhang Yanyan , Shao Huaiyu , Jiang Yinzhu , Tang Yuxin , Liang Rui
Published: September 2023

Low Coulombic efficiency, low‐capacity retention, and short cycle life are the primary challenges faced by various metal‐ion batteries due to the loss of corresponding active metal. Practically, these issues can be significantly ameliorated by compensating for the loss of active metals using pre‐metallization techniques. Herein, the state‐of‐the‐art development in various pr‐emetallization techniques is summarized. First, the origin of pre‐metallization is elaborated and the Coulombic efficiency of different battery materials is compared. Second, different pre‐metallization strategies, including direct physical contact, chemical strategies, electrochemical method, overmetallized approach, and the use of electrode additives are summarized. Third, the impact of pre‐metallization on batteries, along with its role in improving Coulombic efficiency is discussed. Fourth, the various characterization techniques required for mechanistic studies in this field are outlined, from laboratory‐level experiments to large scientific device. Finally, the current challenges and future opportunities of pre‐metallization technology in improving Coulombic efficiency and cycle stability for various metal‐ion batteries are discussed. In particular, the positive influence of pre‐metallization reagents is emphasized in the anode‐free battery systems. It is envisioned that this review will inspire the development of high‐performance energy storage systems via the effective pre‐metallization technologies.