bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dislocation Network‐Boosted PtNi Nanocatalysts Welded on Nickel Foam for Efficient and Durable Hydrogen Evolution at Ultrahigh Current Densities
Authors: Zhou Miao , Cheng Chuanqi , Dong Cunku , Xiao Liyang , Zhao Yao , Liu Zhanwei , Zhao Xueru , Sasaki Kotaro , Cheng Hao , Du Xiwen , Yang Jing
Published: November 2022

Large‐scale application of alkaline water electrolysis for high‐rate hydrogen production is severely hindered by high electricity cost, mainly due to difficulties to acquire cost‐effective catalytic electrodes with both extremely low overpotential and long‐term durability at ultrahigh current densities (≥1 A cm−2). Here it is demonstrated that by adopting a synthetic method of laser direct writing in liquid nitrogen via a commercial laser welding machine, a remarkably efficient and durable electrode with large area and low platinum content is obtained, where PtNi nanocatalysts with dislocation network are firmly welded on a nickel foam (NF). The dense dislocation network not only improves intrinsic activity of a majority of surface‐active sites induced by coupled compressive‐tensile strains synergistically promoting both Volmer and Tafel steps of alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), but also well stabilizes surface dislocations for HER at ultrahigh current densities. Such a robust electrode achieves record‐low overpotentials of 5 and 63 mV at 10 and 1000 mA cm−2 in alkaline medium, respectively, exhibiting negligible activity decay after 300 h chronoamperometric test at 1 A cm−2. It displays a high Pt mass activity 16 times higher than 20 wt% Pt/C loaded on NF, surpassing most of the recently reported efficient Pt‐based catalysts.
Single Atom Ring Contraction of Peptide Macrocycles Using Cornforth Rearrangement
Authors: Huh Sungjoon , Saunders George J. , Yudin Andrei K.
Published: November 2022

Site‐selective transformations of densely functionalized scaffolds have been a topic of intense interest in chemical synthesis. Herein we have repurposed the rarely used Cornforth rearrangement as a tool to effect a single‐atom ring contraction in cyclic peptide backbones. Investigations into the kinetics of the rearrangement were carried out to understand the impact of electronic factors, ring size, and linker type on the reaction efficiency. Conformational analysis was undertaken and showed how subtle differences in the peptide backbone result in substrate‐dependent reaction profiles. This methodology can now be used to perform conformation‐activity studies. The chemistry also offers an opportunity to install building blocks that are not compatible with traditionalC‐to‐Niterative synthesis of macrocycle precursors.
Elevated neutrophil extracellular traps by HBV‐mediated S100A9‐TLR4/RAGE‐ROS cascade facilitate the growth and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zhan Xi , Wu Rui , Kong Xue‐Hua , You Yan , He Kun , Sun Xiao‐Yu , Huang Yong , Chen Wei‐Xian , Duan Liang
Published: November 2022

Background

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are considered significant contributors to cancer progression, especially metastasis. However, it is still unclear whether NETs are involved in hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐related hepatocarcinogenesis and have potential clinical significance during evaluation and management for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we aimed to investigate the functional mechanism of NETs in HBV‐related hepatocarcinogenesis and their clinical significance.

Methods

A total of 175 HCC patients with and without HBV infection and 58 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. NETs were measured in tissue specimens, freshly isolated neutrophils and blood serum from these patients, and the correlation of circulating serum NETs levels with malignancy was evaluated. The mechanism by which HBV modulates NETs formation was explored using cell‐based studies. In addition, in vitro and in vivo experiments were further performed to clarify the functional mechanism of NETs on the growth and metastasis of HCC.

Results

We observed an elevated level of NETs in blood serum and tissue specimens from HCC patients, especially those infected with HBV. NETs facilitated the growth and metastasis of HCC both in vitro and in vivo, which were mainly dominated by increased angiogenesis, epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT)‐related cell migration, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)‐induced extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation and NETs‐mediated cell trapping. Inhibition of NETs generation by DNase 1 effectively abrogated the NETs‐aroused HCC growth and metastasis. In addition, HBV‐induced S100A9 accelerated the generation of NETs, which was mediated by activation of toll‐like receptor (TLR4)/receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE)‐reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling. Further, circulatory NETs were found to correlate with viral load, TNM stage and metastasis status in HBV‐related HCC, and the identified NETs could predict extrahepatic metastasis, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.83 and 90.3% sensitivity and 62.8% specificity at a cutoff value of 0.32.

Conclusions

Our findings indicated that activation of RAGE/TLR4‐ROS signaling by HBV‐induced S100A9 resulted in abundant NETs formation, which subsequently facilitated the growth and metastasis of HCC cells. More importantly, the identified circulatory NETs exhibited potential as an alternative biomarker for predicting extrahepatic metastasis in HBV‐related HCC.
A Common Active Intermediate in the Oxidation of Alkenes, Alcohols and Alkanes with H2O2 and a Mn(II)/Pyridin‐2‐Carboxylato Catalyst
Authors: Kasper Johann B. , Saisaha Pattama , de Roo Maurits , Groen Mitchell J. , Vicens Laia , Borrell Margarida , de Boer Johannes W. , Hage Ronald , Costas Miquel , Browne Wesley R.
Published: November 2022

The mechanism and the reactive species involved in the oxidation of alkenes, and alcohols with H2O2, catalysed by an in situ prepared mixture of a MnII salt, pyridine‐2‐carboxylic acid and a ketone is elucidated using substrate competition experiments, kinetic isotope effect (KIE) measurements, and atom tracking with 18O labelling. The data indicate that a single reactive species engages in the oxidation of both alkenes and alcohols. The primary KIE in the oxidation of benzyl alcohols is ca. 3.5 and shows the reactive species to be selective despite a zero order dependence on substrate concentration, and the high turnover frequencies (up to 30 s−1) observed. Selective 18O labelling identifies the origin of the oxygen atoms transferred to the substrate during oxidation, and is consistent with a highly reactive, e. g., [MnV(O)(OH)] or [MnV(O)2], species rather than an alkylperoxy or hydroperoxy species.
Patient perspectives of prostate cancer screening vary by race following 2018 guideline changes
Authors: Riviere Paul , Kalavacherla Sandhya , Banegas Matthew P. , Javier‐Desloges Juan , Martinez Maria Elena , Garraway Isla P. , Murphy James D. , Rose Brent S.
Published: November 2022

Background

The 2018 US Preventive Services Task Force guidelines recommend individualizing prostate cancer screening in 55‐ to 69‐year‐old men. Given the higher incidence of prostate cancer in African American (AA) compared to non‐Hispanic White (NHW) men, this study compared reported rates of prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) screening hypothesizing that it would not be commensurate with the relative risk between these two groups.

Methods

Using the 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, we identified 43,685 men (40,301 NHW and 3384 AA) interviewed about PSA screening.

Results

AA men had an odds ratio (OR) of 0.80 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.69–0.93; p = .004) of reporting PSA screening; sequentially correcting for access to care, smoking, and age had minimal effect on this finding, but when correcting for income significantly attenuated this difference (OR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.81–1.12). Further adding education level eliminated the effect size of AA race entirely with OR, 0.99 (95% CI, 0.84–1.17; p = .91). Further analysis found significant interaction between education and race, with college‐educated AA men having 1.42 OR of receiving screening compared to college‐educated NHW men.

Conclusions

Despite prostate cancer being more common and having higher population‐level mortality in AA than NHW men, PSA screening and education patterns do not reflect this increased risk even when adjusting for health access disparities. The authors’ findings of significant effect from both income and education suggest that systemic racism is an important factor in the observed difference in PSA screening between AA men and NHW men.

Lay summary

In the United States, prostate cancer is more common in African American men

New guidelines from 2018 encourage physicians to consider risk factors in deciding whether or not to recommend screening, but overall African American men continue to be screened at a lower rate than non‐Hispanic White men

This effect disappears when correcting for income and education level, suggesting that several factors including systemic racism, medical mistrust, and self‐advocacy may impact this observed difference
Strategies to Enhance the Rate of Proton‐Coupled Electron Transfer Reactions in Dye‐Water Oxidation Catalyst Complexes
Authors: de Haas Titus , van Overeem Hannah , de Groot Huub J. M. , Buda Francesco
Published: November 2022

A thorough understanding of the proton‐coupled electron transfer (PCET) steps that are involved in photocatalytic water oxidation is of crucial importance in order to increase the efficiency of dye‐sensitized photoelectrochemical cells (DS‐PEC) for solar to fuel conversion. This work provides a computational investigation of the ground and excited state potential energy surfaces of PCET reactions in two supramolecular dye‐catalyst complexes for photocatalytic water splitting. The intrinsic reaction coordinate path is computed for the rate limiting PCET step in the catalytic cycle for both complexes. By using time‐dependent density functional theory calculations, we show that the ground and excited state potential energy surfaces have a (near) degeneracy in the region of the PCET transition state. We discuss two possible strategies that take advantage of this feature to accelerate the PCET reaction: (i) through optimizing the conditions for vibronic coupling by chemical design and synthesis or (ii) through populating the product state with appropriately tuned laser pulses.
The role of ombudsman: Resolving financial disputes in Malaysia
Authors: Mohd Zain Muhamad Ikhwan , Rahmat Nur Ezan , Ilias Ibtisam @ Ilyana
Published: November 2022

The paper highlights the establishment of the Ombudsman for Financial Services (OFS) in Malaysia as a good alternative avenue for the equitable settlement of disputes regarding financial services. It has been operating since 2016. However, its accessibility to reach wider financial consumers is restricted due to its limited monetary jurisdiction which is incompatible with the current market conditions. Adopting a qualitative content analysis approach, this study reviews the primary legal framework for implementing the financial ombudsman scheme in Malaysia under Financial Service Act 2013 (FSA), Islamic Financial Service Act 2013 (IFSA), Financial Services (Financial Ombudsman Scheme) Regulations 2015 and Islamic Financial Services (Financial Ombudsman Scheme) Regulations 2015 with special focus on monetary jurisdiction. The study has also analyses the jurisdiction of other countries, and the results found that the monetary jurisdiction of the law in Malaysia is still small and limited. Based on comparative analysis, this study suggests an agile approach in determining the monetary jurisdiction through a flexible provision allowing a review every 3 years based on the consumer price index and relevant reports. This way, its accessibility to wider financial disputes will be elevated.
Development of a compact transverse slot array antenna using corrugation in groove gap waveguide technology
Authors: Ostovarzadeh Mohammad Hossein , Parizi Seyed Ali Razavi
Published: November 2022

We present the proof of concept of a compact slot array antenna with proper side lobe level in groove gap waveguide (GGW) technology. Four transverse slots are etched at the GGW broad wall along with the nulls of standing TE10 wave existing inside the shorted GGW. To decrease the sidelobes and antenna size, corrugations are applied through the wave path inside the GGW. Proper use of corrugations can reduce the wavelength inside the GGW leading to reduction of the distance between adjacent transverse slots, which can help to suppress the grating lobe problem and consequently enhance the radiation efficiency, which is a challenge in transvers slot array antennas. The designed antenna is optimized to achieve maximum gain, lowest grating lobe level, and return loss at 15 GHz using HFSS simulator. The achieved gain is about 13 dBi, and the SLL is better than 15 dB. To confirm the simulation results, the designed antenna was fabricated and tested. Both simulation and measurement results confirm that the grating lobes are well suppressed at the antenna operating frequency.
Mechanisms controlling the localisation of fault‐controlled hydrothermal dolomitisation, Derbyshire Platform, UK
Authors: Breislin Catherine J. , Banks Vanessa J. , Crowley Stephen F. , Marshall Jim D. , Millar Ian , Riding James B. , Hollis Cathy E.
Published: November 2022

The Derbyshire Platform is a Mississippian aged flat‐topped, steep sided platform that forms the westernmost expression of the Derbyshire‐East Midlands Platform. On the south‐east platform margin, 60 km2 of Visean limestone has been dolomitised, forming two distinct bodies. One of these bodies forms along a major NW–SE trending basement fault and smaller, associated, N–S trending faults and fractures. This study uses outcrop, petrographic and geochemical analysis to better constrain the timing and mechanism for this fault‐controlled dolomitisation. Field relationships demonstrate dolomitisation was multi‐phase and initiated after the main phase of matrix pore‐occluding calcite cementation on the Derbyshire Platform and terminated prior to the main phase of mineralisation. Fluids are interpreted to have fluxed from adjacent basins, primarily along strike‐slip crustal faults that were reactivated during basin inversion at the onset of the Variscan Orogeny. Fluid supply was episodic and progressively confined to fractures as matrix porosity became occluded. The study demonstrates the complex interplay between basin kinematics, host rock permeability and timing of fluid supply through seismic valving along faults that connect the carbonate platform to basin compartments. This ultimately controlled the position of dolomite geobodies along faults and provides a record of fluid flow during the transition from thermal subsidence to post‐rift basin inversion. The findings have implications for the exploration of both minerals and hydrocarbon within dolomitised host rocks and can inform studies of fluid transfer and reaction on carbonate platforms within the burial realm.
Pathways to improve early intervention for eating disorders: Findings from a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Radunz Marcela , Ali Kathina , Wade Tracey D.
Published: November 2022

Objective

Treatment‐seeking rates among eating disorder (ED) populations are relatively low, with only one in four individuals seeking help. Previous research has identified many factors that might be associated with help‐seeking in EDs, but to date no review has investigated the quantitative association between these factors and actual help‐seeking behavior. The aim of the current review was to synthesize the relevant quantitative literature on factors (i.e., perceived barriers, characteristics associated with treatment seeking, demographic variables) associated with help‐seeking using meta‐analytic strategies, as well as provide recommendations on future early intervention research strategies to promote early help‐seeking.

Method

Overall, 19 studies were included, identifying 141 perceived barriers (e.g., stigma) or individual characteristics (e.g., BMI, duration of illness) and 56 demographic variables (e.g., ethnicity), which were synthesized into 24 unique variables.

Results

Less help‐seeking was predicted by higher levels of denial and less perceived ability of others to provide help.

Discussion

Given the small number of studies these results should be considered preliminary. Future studies should consider barriers to help‐seeking when creating early intervention approaches. To improve help‐seeking rates we suggest the use of targeted psychoeducational materials and co‐design with people with lived experience when developing new strategies.

Public Significance

The present study addresses a significant gap in the literature by synthesizing factors associated with help‐seeking, with the aim of informing early intervention strategies to promote early help‐seeking in eating disorder populations. Denial of illness and perceived inability of others to provide help were associated with lower help‐seeking. Future studies should consider barriers to help‐seeking and co‐design with people with lived experience when creating new early intervention strategies.
Development and investigation of an innovative shape memory alloy cable‐controlled self‐centering viscoelastic coupling beam damper for seismic mitigation in coupled shear wall structures
Authors: Qian Hui , Fan Chenliang , Shi Yifei , Xu Jian , Li Zongao , Deng Enfeng
Published: November 2022

To improve the seismic performance of coupled shear walls in high‐rise buildings and to eliminate the problems of large residual deformation and relatively small initial stiffness and damping properties of the traditional viscoelastic coupling beam damper (TVCBD), an innovative shape memory alloy (SMA)‐cable‐controlled self‐centering viscoelastic coupling beam damper (SVCBD) with energy dissipation and self‐centering capabilities was designed and investigated in this study. The construction form and operating principles of the SVCBD were proposed, relevant material performance tests of the cables were performed, and good results were obtained. Finally, the contribution of the SVCBD to seismic mitigation of a 10‐story reinforced concrete coupled shear wall structure was verified by seismic time‐history analyses. The results indicated that compared with TVCBD, SVCBD possesses fuller hysteretic curves, showing stronger energy dissipation capacity, higher initial stiffness, and much smaller residual deformation. The initial strain and cross‐sectional area of the SMA cables and the shear area of the viscoelastic plates affect the energy dissipation and self‐centering performance of SVCBD significantly. The seismic response and post‐earthquake residual deformation of the coupled shear wall structure and the plastic damage of the main components can be effectively controlled by utilizing the proposed SVCBD.
Investigation of pelvic symmetry: A systematic analysis using computer aided design software
Authors: Zheng Qiubao , Xu Kangshuai , Zhan Xiaorui , Huang Fuming , Wang Liping , Chen Sheqiang , Li Jiacheng , Yang Cheng , Chen Yuhui , Fan Shicai
Published: November 2022

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the symmetry of the Chinese pelvis.

Methods

Computed tomography scan images of each of 50 Chinese pelvises were converted to 3D models and the left sides of the pelvises were reflected on Mimics software. Then, the reflected left side model was aligned with the right side using the closest point algorithm function of Geomagic software to perform symmetry analysis. The volume and surface area of either side of the pelvises were also calculated. The mean standard deviation (SD), the mean percentage of permissible deviations within the ±2 mm range, the percentage differences in volume and surface area were measured to compare pelvic symmetry. In addition, the distribution of pelvic bilateral symmetry associated with both age and sex were compared.

Results

The mean SD was 1.15 ± 0.16 mm and the mean percentage of permissible deviations was 90.82% ± 4.67%. The deviation color maps showed that the specific areas of asymmetry were primarily localized to major muscle or ligament attachment sites and the sacroiliac joint surfaces. There was no significant difference between the bilateral sides of the pelvis in either volume or surface area. Additionally, no difference in any indexes was exhibited in relation to sex and age distribution.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrated that the pelvis has high bilateral symmetry, which confirmed the potential of using contralateral pelvic models to create fully patient‐specific and custom‐made pelvic implants applicable for the treatment of fracture and bony destruction.
Impact of AJCC 8 pT staging in cutaneous head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in a nonselected real‐world patient sample
Authors: Girardi Fábio Muradás , Wagner Vivian P. , Martins Manoela Domingues , Abentroth Aliende Lengler , Hauth Luiz Alberto
Published: November 2022

Objective

Our aim was to evaluate characteristics associated with worse survival and the effectiveness of AJCC 8 in a real‐world cohort of HNCSCC from South Brazil.

Methods

A 10‐year retrospective cohort study (2011–2020) at a tertiary care center comprising 647 HNCSCC excised from 435 patients.

Results

At multivariable analysis, ear/nose/zygomatic or periorbital site, compromised or exiguous margins, and advanced pT stage were independent factors associated to DFS, while age, pN, and loco‐regional recurrence were independent factors associated to DSS. Cox‐regression multivariable models showed that the pT stage was statistically significant for the DFS, but not DSS. A significant distinction was only observed between T1 and T2.

Conclusion

It was only in the lower categories of AJCC 8 (T1 and T2) that we were able to demonstrate the ability to stratify tumors with a significant risk of poor disease‐related outcomes.
Current status of robot‐assisted surgery in the clinical application of trauma orthopedics in China: A systematic review
Authors: Xu Ding , Lou Weigang , Li Ming , Xiao Jingwei , Wu Hongbao , Chen Jianming
Published: November 2022

Background and Aims

To elaborate on the development and characteristics of trauma orthopedic robots and their real curative effect in a clinical application through the collection and analysis of relevant literature and reported clinical results.

Method

We conducted the Embase, ScienceDirect, Pubmed, Medline, Wanfang, CNKI, and VIP search of the literature on robotic‐assisted surgery in trauma orthopedics in China. We combined search terms with “robotic surgery/artificial intelligence surgery/navigation surgery,” “trauma/trauma orthopedics,” and “China/Chinese.” The exclusion criteria were: (1) articles in languages other than English or Chinese, (2) articles focused on other topics other than robotic‐assisted surgery in trauma orthopedics of China, (3) article types were not clinical studies (reviews, basic research, etc.), and (4) articles were not included in the Chinese core journals or science citation index. Authors, type of surgery, robot type, and clinical research results were recorded and analyzed.

Results

There were three categories of surgical robots in the clinical application of trauma orthopedics (TiRobot, electromagnetic navigation surgical robots, and small medical robots developed by Beijing Jishuitan Hospital). In terms of blood loss, the fluoroscopy time, and fluoroscopy frequency, most studies found that the robot group was significantly better than the traditional group.

Conclusions

Robot‐assisted surgery has obvious advantages in accuracy, stability, and reducing intraoperative radiation exposure, but there is no final conclusion about functional recovery.
Numerical and experimental study of a shell and tube heat exchanger for different baffles
Authors: Kaleru Aparna , Venkatesh Sriram , Kumar Narasimha
Published: November 2022

In the present work, the shell and tube heat exchanger (STHX) is designed based on The Tubular Exchanger Manufacturers Association standards with hot fluid (water) flowing on the shell side and cold fluid on the tube side. A comparison is made between the Nusselt number and friction factor obtained from numerical and experimental results of segmental baffles (SBs) and helical baffles (HB) with different baffle inclinations. The results show that SB provided a higher Colburn factor (js) when compared with HBs STHXs (20°, 30°, 40°, and 50°), but shell side pressure drop is lower for 40° HBs STHXs for the same shell side fluid flow rates.
Neuroscience of consciousness in the locked‐in syndrome: Prognostic and diagnostic review
Authors: Maciejewicz Berenika
Published: November 2022

The neurological illness known as a locked‐in syndrome is brought on by damage to the brainstem, usually as a consequence of a stroke. It is characterized by total paralysis with intact consciousness and cognitive capacity. The subjective experiences of people with locked‐in syndrome are poorly understood. Presently, there is no systematic evaluation developed to describe them. The most compelling resources come from individuals’ own words; however, only a small fraction of these accounts have been explored. When it comes to bioethics, locked‐in syndrome protocols are almost completely absent. Investigations on how people with this condition feel about their sense of continuity are of importance. Utilizing the locked‐in syndrome to pose questions on embodied cognition and levels of consciousness could serve as a lens through which to examine problems in the phenomenology of neuroparalysis and communication. Care and quality of patients’ lives might be improved by an effort to understand this condition better, and ontological questions like “what makes a person a person?,” “what makes a person appear in continuity?,” and “what are the dynamics of embodiment and intersubjectivity?” might be better explored through that lens. This article aims to explore some biomedical factors that contribute to locked‐in syndrome and offers some prognostic and diagnostic recommendations for this rare condition.
SPARC in cancer‐associated fibroblasts is an independent poor prognostic factor in non‐metastatic triple‐negative breast cancer and exhibits pro‐tumor activity
Authors: Alcaraz Lindsay B. , Mallavialle Aude , Mollevi Caroline , Boissière‐Michot Florence , Mansouri Hanane , Simony‐Lafontaine Joelle , Laurent‐Matha Valérie , Chardès Thierry , Jacot William , Turtoi Andrei , Roger Pascal , Guiu Séverine , Liaudet‐Coopman Emmanuelle
Published: November 2022

Triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive breast cancer subtype and lacks specific targeted therapeutic agents. The current mechanistic evidence from cell‐based studies suggests that the matricellular protein SPARC has a tumor‐promoting role in TNBC; however, data on the clinical relevance of SPARC expression/secretion by tumor and stromal cells in TNBC are limited. Here, we analyzed by immunohistochemistry the prognostic value of tumor and stromal cell SPARC expression in 148 patients with non‐metastatic TNBC and long follow‐up (median: 5.4 years). We also quantified PD‐L1 and PD‐1 expression. We detected SPARC expression in tumor cells (42.4%), cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs; 88.1%), tumor‐associated macrophages (77.1%), endothelial cells (75.2%) and tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (9.8%). Recurrence‐free survival was significantly lower in patients with SPARC‐expressing CAFs. Multivariate analysis showed that SPARC expression in CAFs was an independent prognostic factor. We also detected tumor and stromal cell SPARC expression in TNBC cytosols, and in patient‐derived xenografts and cell lines. Furthermore, we analyzed publicly available single‐cell mRNA sequencing data and found that in TNBC, SPARC is expressed by different CAF subpopulations, including myofibroblasts and inflammatory fibroblasts that are involved in tumor‐related processes. We then showed that fibroblast‐secreted SPARC had a tumor‐promoting role by inhibiting TNBC cell adhesion and stimulating their motility and invasiveness. Overall, our study demonstrates that SPARC expression in CAFs is an independent prognostic marker of poor outcome in TNBC. Patients with SPARC‐expressing CAFs could be eligible for anti‐SPARC targeted therapy.
Inhibition of mitochondrial translocase SLC25A5 and histone deacetylation is an effective combination therapy in neuroblastoma
Authors: Seneviratne Janith A. , Carter Daniel R. , Mittra Rituparna , Gifford Andrew , Kim Patrick Y. , Luo Jie‐Si , Mayoh Chelsea , Salib Alice , Rahmanto Aldwin S. , Murray Jayne , Cheng Ngan C. , Nagy Zsuzsanna , Wang Qian , Kleynhans Ane , Tan Owen , Sutton Selina K. , Xue Chengyuan , Chung Sylvia A. , Zhang Yizhuo , Sun Chengtao , Zhang Li , Haber Michelle , Norris Murray D. , Fletcher Jamie I. , Liu Tao , Dilda Pierre J. , Hogg Philip J. , Cheung Belamy B. , Marshall Glenn M.
Published: November 2022

The mitochondrion is a gatekeeper of apoptotic processes, and mediates drug resistance to several chemotherapy agents used to treat cancer. Neuroblastoma is a common solid cancer in young children with poor clinical outcomes following conventional chemotherapy. We sought druggable mitochondrial protein targets in neuroblastoma cells. Among mitochondria‐associated gene targets, we found that high expression of the mitochondrial adenine nucleotide translocase 2 (SLC25A5/ANT2), was a strong predictor of poor neuroblastoma patient prognosis and contributed to a more malignant phenotype in pre‐clinical models. Inhibiting this transporter with PENAO reduced cell viability in a panel of neuroblastoma cell lines in a TP53‐status‐dependant manner. We identified the histone deacetylase inhibitor, suberanilohydroxamic acid (SAHA), as the most effective drug in clinical use against mutant TP53 neuroblastoma cells. SAHA and PENAO synergistically reduced cell viability, and induced apoptosis, in neuroblastoma cells independent of TP53‐status. The SAHA and PENAO drug combination significantly delayed tumour progression in pre‐clinical neuroblastoma mouse models, suggesting that these clinically advanced inhibitors may be effective in treating the disease.
Novel polyhedral@SiO2 core–shell catalysts designed for Fischer–Tropsch synthesis
Authors: Zhang Yulan , Lin Xizhu
Published: November 2022

Background

Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) has attracted much attention for converting syngas to liquid fuels. Enhanced catalytic stability and excellent product selectivity can be achieved by rational design of catalysts. However, the traditional SiO2‐supported Fe‐based catalysts display higher interaction between active metal and SiO2 support, thus resulting in a lower catalytic activity. Rational design of catalysts with weaker Fe–Si interaction promises excellent catalytic performances.

Results

Novel polyhedral@SiO2 core–shell catalysts with adjustable shell thickness were prepared. The incorporation of SiO2 shell with suitable thickness can maintain the integrity of the active structure, and thus promising excellent C5+ productivity combined with higher catalytic activity. On the other hand, the SiO2 layer can prolong the residence time of CnHm intermediates on the active surface of Fe particles that enhance the C–C coupling reaction, favoring chain growth for production of C5+ yield. However, excessive addition of tetraethyl orthosilicate cannot increase the shell thickness in the absence of ammonium hydroxide and can be responsible for a poor CO conversion. Si‐66 with shell thickness of 66 nm achieves an optimum C5+ yield of 2.23 × 10−3 gHC gFe−1 s−1 and a higher iron time yield value of 31.5 μmolCO gFe−1 s−1. Obviously, this C5+ yield is comparable to that for the Mn‐promoted FeSiMn catalyst (2.22 × 10−3 gHC gFe−1 s−1) reported in our previous work.

Conclusions

The introduction of SiO2 as shell can improve structural stability during FTS. Moreover, the novel polyhedral@SiO2 core–shell catalyst exhibits excellent C5+ yield, and which is 1.8 times higher than that for a spindle@SiO2 core–shell catalyst reported in our previous work. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Consumer choices with variations in item price, delay, and opportunity cost
Authors: McKerchar Todd L. , Mazur James E.
Published: November 2022

Tversky and Kahneman (1981) told participants to imagine they were at a store about to purchase an item. They were asked if they would be willing to drive 20 min to another store to receive a $5 discount on the item's price. Most participants were willing, but only when the original price of the item was small ($15); when the original price was relatively large ($125), most said they would not drive 20 min for a $5 discount. We examined this framing effect in 296 participants, but instead used a psychophysical‐adjustment procedure to obtain quantitative estimates of the discount required with different (a) item prices, (b) delays until the item's receipt, and (c) opportunity costs (in “driving” vs. “delivery” tasks). We systematically replicated Tversky and Kahneman's results, but also extended them by showing a substantial influence of opportunity costs on the consumer discounts required. A behavioral model of delay discounting—additive‐utility theory—accounted for 97% of the variance in these consumer discounts.
Cochlear promontory anatomy relevant to development of subendosteal and transpromontory electrodes using 192‐section ultra‐high resolution temporal bone CT imaging
Authors: Marinelli John P. , Patel Neil S. , Lohse Christine M. , Lane John I. , Carlson Matthew L.
Published: November 2022

Objective

To characterize normative adult ranges for cochlear promontory thickness relevant to the development of subendosteal and transpromontory electrodes to rehabilitate various neurotologic disorders.

Patients

Adults (≥18 years).

Intervention

In vivo radiologic assessment using a 192‐slice CT scanner (Force‐192; Siemens Healthcare) with ultrahigh‐resolution scan mode combined and iterative reconstruction.

Main Outcome Measure

Cochlear promontory thickness.

Results

Among 48 included patients (96 ears), the mean (SD) age was 56 (18) years (range 25–94) and included 25 (52%) women. Of that 12 patients (25%) had osteopenia (n = 6) or osteoporosis (n = 6). The mean (SD) body mass index was 28 (5) kg/m2. The mean (SD) promontory thickness for the 96 temporal bones under study was 1.22 (0.24) mm (range 0.55–1.85). There was not a statistically significant association between age and promontory thickness (correlation coefficient .08; p = .44). Promontory thickness was significantly greater for men than women (mean 1.28 vs. 1.17 mm; p = .03) and increased with increasing body mass index (correlation coefficient .30; p = .004). Last, promontory thickness was significantly less for patients with osteopenia or osteoporosis compared with those without these conditions (mean 1.09 vs. 1.27 mm; p = .002).

Conclusions

Cochlear promontory thickness can vary by almost 1.5 mm across patients and is significantly associated with patient sex, body mass index, and comorbid osteopenia/osteoporosis. Subendosteal and transpromontory electrode placement techniques must account for this degree of variability.

Level of Evidence

IV
2022 Peggi Guenter Excellence in Clinical Practice Lectureship: Expanding the clinical practice of nutrition—Challenging the known, exposing inconvenient truths, and engaging the young
Authors: McClave Stephen A.
Published: November 2022

To expand the clinical practice of nutrition, the influence of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) must reach an audience outside the nutrition community, must be relevant and meaningful to clinicians, and must meet the needs of specific patient populations throughout medical and surgical specialties. Individual members of our society need to share their enthusiasm and expertise with youth through conscious, intentional mentorship. Efforts should be made to promote advanced practice, increasing the skill set of the individual nutritionist. Nutrition research should be of the highest quality, matching that of any current medical or surgical discipline. Members of a nutrition consult service should speak the same language as the physicians they work with, through discussions on rounds and in communication through their charting and consult notes. Our societal guidelines should define clinical practice. Relationships with other societies should be cultivated through these guidelines, position papers, and public health initiatives to increase the relevance and impact of our society. To position itself for future generations, the role of ASPEN should be expanded to be more comprehensive and involve all nutrition aspects of patient care.
Enhancing endothelial differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells by culture on a nanofibrous polycaprolactone/(poly‐glycerol sebacate)/gelatin scaffold
Authors: Majidansari Shima , Vahedi Negin , Rekabgardan Mahmood , Ganjoury Camellia , Najmoddin Najmeh , Tabatabaei Mohammad , Sigaroodi Faraz , Naraghi‐Bagherpour Paniz , Taheri Seyed Amir Ali , Khani Mohammad‐Mehdi
Published: November 2022

Cardiovascular diseases have always been one of the main causes of death worldwide and eventually one of the major medical concerns. Tissue engineering is promising strategies of treating cardiovascular, which can be an effective approach with the design of appropriate scaffold. In this study, to develop engineering basement membrane for endothelial differentiation with good cell attachment, we produced polycaprolactone (PCL)/poly (glycerol sebacate) (PGS)/gelatin nanofibrous scaffold via electrospinning. Attenuated total reflectance‐Fourier transform infrared and the proton nuclear magnetic resonance results confirmed the chemical structure of synthesized PGS. Scanning electron microscope images of the electrospun scaffold revealed that the nanofibers are smooth, continues and uniform. Moreover, due to the presence of hydrophilic functional groups in the scaffold, the contact angle is in the appropriate range for cell adhesion especially endothelial cells. The elastic modulus and ultimate tensile stress of electrospun scaffold were calculated 1.32 ± 0.27 MPa and 1.23 ± 0.18 MPa respectively. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed for evaluation of endothelial differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells cultured on standard plate and fibrous scaffold under chemical stimulation with growth factor. Specific endothelial gene expression results postulated that our modified scaffold could support and significantly promote endothelial differentiation of MSCs.
Methylphenidate as a potential treatment for cluster headache
Authors: McBrien Sophie , Fallon James
Published: November 2022

Cluster headache is a potentially debilitating condition that can lead to restrictions in occupational and day‐to‐day function. Here, the authors outline a case of a significant reduction in headache frequency in a patient who had an incomplete response to NICE‐recommended treatments, and was treated for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder with stimulant medications. This article builds on a small number of case reports indicating a potential role for stimulant medications such as methylphenidate in the management of cluster headache.
Robust model reference tracking for uncertain second‐order nonlinear systems with application to robot manipulator
Authors: Tian Guangtai , Duan Guangren
Published: November 2022

In this article, robust model reference control for uncertain second‐order nonlinear systems is investigated by applying fully actuated system approaches. A robust stabilizing control law is constructed for the uncertain systems based on the Lyapunov stability theory. With the obtained robust control results, a robust model reference tracking (RMRT) control scheme is proposed to ensure the tracking error finally converges globally into a bounded ellipsoid. The established RMRT controller is composed of three parts, the basic part cancels the known nonlinearities in the system and simultaneously assigns the linear dominant term in the closed‐loop system, the robustness part overcomes the effects of the nonlinear uncertainties in the system, the compensator part compensates the effect of the reference model state and reference control input to the tracking error. Furthermore, based on a general parametric solution to the type of Sylvester matrix equations, simple and complete parameterization of the RMRT control designs is provided. An application to robot manipulator indicates satisfactory control system performances with the proposed RMRT control scheme.
Glycolipid‐Type Amphiphiles with a Small Anilinochloromaleimide‐Based Luminogen Exhibiting Aggregation‐Induced Emission
Authors: Tsutsumi Naoki , Ito Akitaka , Niko Yosuke , Bando Yui , Takahashi Kiyonori , Ikeda Masato , Yoneyama Kaori , Nakamura Takayoshi , Izumi Masayuki , Ochi Rika
Published: November 2022

We developed glycolipid‐type amphiphiles with a small anilinochloromaleimide‐based luminogen, H‐AAC‐C6‐Ph‐MS (monosaccharide, MS=α or β‐D‐glucose (Glc), α or β‐D‐galactose (Gal), or α‐D‐mannose (Man)) exhibiting aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) features. Interestingly, the AIE properties of the amphiphiles depend on the epimerism of MS moiety. For instance, H‐AAC‐C6‐Ph‐αMan did not show fluorescence in the aggregate state, whereas the other amphiphiles exhibited fluorescence in the aggregate state. The findings strongly suggest that the design of molecular packing is important to control the AIE features.
Design and Synthesis of Urazole Derivatives via Ring Closing Metathesis
Authors: Kotha Sambasivarao , Singh Deepshikha , Bandi Vijayalakshmi
Published: November 2022

An efficient and short synthetic sequence to highly functionalized urazole derivatives is reported. N‐substituted‐1,2,4‐triazoline‐3,5‐dione (TAD) is a versatile synthetic reagent. Here, simple reactions such as allylation, ring‐closing metathesis and hydrogenation were used successfully to construct the oxygenated urazole derivatives which may have implications in medicinal chemistry and organic synthesis.
A Novel “Turn‐On” Fluorescent Sensor for Screening Triplex DNA Binder Based upon Molecular Beacon
Authors: Fu Yuanxiang , Si Hengdan , Chen Juan , Zhang Wenjuan , Feng Shuang , Xiao Zhiyou
Published: November 2022

Triplex DNA plays an essential role in molecular recognition, gene regulation, diagnosis, and treatment of genetic diseases. However, triplex DNA has some shortcomings, such as poor internal Hoogsteen hydrogen bond stability and the difficult formation of parallel triplex DNA under physiological conditions, limiting its applications to a certain extent. Therefore, it is crucial to screen intercalators to enhance triplex DNA stability. Herein, we established a novel “turn‐on” fluorescence sensor for screening triplex DNA binders based upon molecular beacon. Eight different organic small molecules were screened. The fluorescence of the sensor was significantly enhanced in the presence of berberine, coralyne, palmatine, and neomycin. These four small molecules affect stabilizing triplex DNA as an intercalator; the other four small molecules, kanamycin, tetracycline, ethidium bromide, and 4 ′, 6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole did not show any noticeable intercalation effect. The results of circular dichroism and melting curve were consistent with those of the fluorescence spectrum.
Exploring Solid‐State Supramolecular Architectures of Penta(carboxymethyl)diethylenetriamine: Experimental Observation and Theoretical Studies
Authors: Islam Samiul , Das Prantika , Tripathi Suparna , Mukhopadhyay Subrata , Kumar Seth Saikat
Published: November 2022

Crystals of penta(carboxymethyl)diethylenetriamine have been structurally characterized through single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. X‐ray diffraction analysis reveals that various non‐covalent interactions combine to determine the crystal packing and final solid‐state supramolecular assembling behavior. The title compound exhibited various 2D supramolecular networks generated through O−H⋅⋅⋅O and C−H⋅⋅⋅O interactions. The C−H⋅⋅⋅O interactions are pivotal in building a two‐dimensional framework, whose formation is readily analyzed with zero‐dimensional centrosymmetric dimeric rings as building blocks within the structure. All the intermolecular interactions are quantified through Hirshfeld surface analysis and fingerprint plots. Energy frameworks are constructed to analyze the dominant interaction energy involved in molecular packing strength. Bader's quantum theory of “atoms‐in‐molecules” (QTAIM) has been used to analyze and characterize non‐covalent interactions. The QTAIM analysis validates the existence of hydrogen bonding contacts, and the topological properties of bond critical points (BCPs), such as the electron density ρ(r) and its Laplacian ∇2ρ(r), are presented to correlate with the interaction energy. The topological analysis revealed that all of the interactions are closed‐shell interactions. Finally, the “Non‐covalent Interaction” (NCI) plot index illustrates the solid‐state supramolecular networks.
Multilayered Alternating‐Cations‐Intercalation Chiral Hybrid Perovskites with High Circular Polarization Sensitivity
Authors: Zhu Tingting , Zhang Kun , Ji Chengmin , Zhang Xinyuan , Ye Huang , Zou Yuanchen , Luo Junhua
Published: November 2022

Multilayered chiral hybrid perovskites are highly desired for highly‐sensitive circularly polarized light (CPL) detection rooted in their efficient charge transport and strong chiroptical activity. However, designing multilayered chiral hybrid perovskites remains a huge challenge. Here, through pairing achiral ethylamine (EA)−chiral arylamine in the interlayer space, multilayered chiral alternating cations intercalation‐type (ACI) hybrid perovskites (R‐/S‐PPA) EA2Pb2Br7 (PPA = 1‐phenylpropylamine) are successfully obtained. Significantly, perovskitizer EA extends the thickness of the quantum well and alternating space cation EA greatly alleviates in‐plane tilting distortions of adjacent metal halide octahedra, providing fast channels for in‐plane carrier transport. Consequently, single‐crystal photodetectors of (R‐/S‐PPA) EA2Pb2Br7 exhibit high circular polarization sensitivity with a large anisotropy factor of 0.3, which falls around the highest value among the layered hybrid perovskites. In addition, a fast responding rate (τr )of 308 µs and a high CPL‐detectivity of 8 × 1012 Jones are also presented. This work opens up a new perspective to design multilayered chiral hybrid perovskites for high‐sensitive CPL detection.
Coupling W18O49/Ti3C2Tx MXene Pseudocapacitive Electrodes with Redox Electrolytes to Construct High‐Performance Asymmetric Supercapacitors
Authors: Liu Shuang , Zeng Ting , Zhang Yuanyuan , Wan Qijin , Yang Nianjun
Published: November 2022

A pseudocapacitive electrode with a large surface area is critical for the construction of a high‐performance supercapacitor. A 3D and interconnected network composed of W18O49 nanoflowers and Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets is thus synthesized using an electrostatic attraction strategy. This composite effectively prevents the restacking of Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets and meanwhile sufficiently exposes electrochemically active sites of W18O49 nanoflowers. Namely, this self‐assembled composite owns abundant oxygen vacancies from W18O49 nanoflowers and enough active sites from Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets. As a pseudocapacitive electrode, it shows a big specific capacitance, superior rate capability and good cycle stability. A quasi‐solid‐state asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) is then fabricated using this pseudocapacitive anode and the cathode of activated carbon coupled with a redox electrolyte of FeBr3. This ASC displays a cell voltage of 1.8 V, a capacitance of 101 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1, a maximum energy density of 45.4 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 900 W kg−1, and a maximum power density of 18 000 W kg−1 at an energy density of 10.8 Wh kg−1. The proposed strategies are promising to synthesize different pseudocapacitive electrodes as well as to fabricate high‐performance supercapacitor devices.