bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High Acidity and Low Carbon-Coke Formation Affinity of Co-Ni/ZSM-5 Catalyst for Renewable Liquid Fuels Production through Simultaneous Cracking-Deoxygenation of Palm Oil
Authors: Istadi Istadi , Riyanto Teguh , Anggoro Didi Dwi , Pramana Cokorda Satrya , Ramadhani Amalia Rizqi
Published: May 2023

This study investigates the effect of chemically doped Co and Ni metals on ZSM-5 catalyst with respect to the catalysts’ characteristics and performance for palm oil cracking. Some characterization methods have been conducted to identify the physicochemical properties of the synthesized catalysts, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), N2-physisorption, NH3- and CO2-probed Temperature Programmed Desorption (NH3-TPD and CO2-TPD) methods. The deposited carbon-coke on the spent catalysts is analysed using simultaneous thermal gravimetric – differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DTG-DSC) analysis. The performance of catalysts was evaluated on palm oil cracking process in a continuous fixed-bed catalytic reactor at 450 °C. To determine the liquid product composition functional group and components, we used Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier-transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and batch distillation methods, respectively. We found that the Co metal chemically-doped on Ni/SM-5 catalyst, resulting the increase in the catalysts acidity and the decrease in catalysts basicity. The conversion of palm oil increases as the increase of the ratio of catalysts’ acidity to basicity. The highest triglyceride conversion (76.5%) was obtained on the 3Co-Ni/ZSM-5 with the yield of gasoline, kerosene, and diesel of 2.61%, 4.38%, and 61.75%, respectively. It was also found that the chemically doping Co metal on Ni/ZSM-5 catalyst decreased carbon-coke formation due to the low catalysts’ basicity. Overall, it is proven that the combination of Co and Ni, which chemically doped, on ZSM-5 catalyst has a good activity in palm oil conversion with low carbon-coke formation affinity and high acidity of catalyst.
Outcomes Following Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Severe COVID-19 in Pregnancy or Post Partum
Authors: Byrne John J. , Shamshirsaz Amir A. , Cahill Alison G. , Turrentine Mark A. , Seasely Angela R. , Eid Joe , Rouse Caroline E. , Richley Michael , Raghuraman Nandini , Naqvi Mariam , El-Sayed Yasser Y. , Badell Martina L. , Cheng CeCe , Liu James , Adhikari Emily H. , Patel Soha S. , O’Neil Erika R. , Ramsey Patrick S.
Published: May 2023

Importance

Existing reports of pregnant patients with COVID-19 disease who require extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are limited, with variable outcomes noted for the maternal-fetal dyad.

Objective

To examine maternal and perinatal outcomes associated with ECMO used for COVID-19 with respiratory failure during pregnancy.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective multicenter cohort study examined pregnant and postpartum patients who required ECMO for COVID-19 respiratory failure at 25 hospitals across the US. Eligible patients included individuals who received care at one of the study sites, were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy or up to 6 weeks post partum by positive nucleic acid or antigen test, and for whom ECMO was initiated for respiratory failure from March 1, 2020, to October 1, 2022.

Exposures

ECMO in the setting of COVID-19 respiratory failure.

Main outcome and measures

The primary outcome was maternal mortality. Secondary outcomes included serious maternal morbidity, obstetrical outcomes, and neonatal outcomes. Outcomes were compared by timing of infection during pregnancy or post partum, timing of ECMO initiation during pregnancy or post partum, and periods of circulation of SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Results

From March 1, 2020, to October 1, 2022, 100 pregnant or postpartum individuals were started on ECMO (29 [29.0%] Hispanic, 25 [25.0%] non-Hispanic Black, 34 [34.0%] non-Hispanic White; mean [SD] age: 31.1 [5.5] years), including 47 (47.0%) during pregnancy, 21 (21.0%) within 24 hours post partum, and 32 (32.0%) between 24 hours and 6 weeks post partum; 79 (79.0%) had obesity, 61 (61.0%) had public or no insurance, and 67 (67.0%) did not have an immunocompromising condition. The median (IQR) ECMO run was 20 (9-49) days. There were 16 maternal deaths (16.0%; 95% CI, 8.2%-23.8%) in the study cohort, and 76 patients (76.0%; 95% CI, 58.9%-93.1%) had 1 or more serious maternal morbidity events. The largest serious maternal morbidity was venous thromboembolism and occurred in 39 patients (39.0%), which was similar across ECMO timing (40.4% pregnant [19 of 47] vs 38.1% [8 of 21] immediately postpartum vs 37.5% postpartum [12 of 32]; P > .99).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this multicenter US cohort study of pregnant and postpartum patients who required ECMO for COVID-19–associated respiratory failure, most survived but experienced a high frequency of serious maternal morbidity.
Online verification of breath‐hold reproducibility using kV‐triggered imaging for liver stereotactic body radiation therapy
Authors: Guo Bingqi , Stephans Kevin , Woody Neil , Antolak Alexander , Moazzezi Mojtaba , Xia Ping
Published: May 2023

Purpose

To introduce a new technique for online breath‐hold verification for liver stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) based on kilovoltage‐triggered imaging and liver dome positions.

Material and Methods

Twenty‐five liver SBRT patients treated with deep inspiration breath‐hold were included in this IRB‐approved study. To verify the breath‐hold reproducibility during treatment, a KV‐triggered image was acquired at the beginning of each breath‐hold. The liver dome position was visually compared with the expected upper/lower liver boundaries created by expanding/contracting the liver contour 5 mm in the superior‐inferior direction. If the liver dome was within the boundaries, delivery continued; otherwise, beam was held manually, and the patient was instructed to take another breath‐hold until the liver dome fell within boundaries. The liver dome was delineated on each triggered image. The mean distance between the delineated liver dome to the projected planning liver contour was defined as liver dome position error edome. The mean and maximum edome of each patient were compared between no breath‐hold verification (all triggered images) and with online breath‐hold verification (triggered images without beam‐hold).

Results

Seven hundred thirteen breath‐hold triggered images from 92 fractions were analyzed. For each patient, an average of 1.5 breath‐holds (range 0–7 for all patients) resulted in beam‐hold, accounting for 5% (0–18%) of all breath‐holds; online breath‐hold verification reduced the mean edome from 3.1 mm (1.3–6.1 mm) to 2.7 mm (1.2–5.2 mm) and the maximum edome from 8.6 mm (3.0–18.0 mm) to 6.7 mm (3.0–9.0 mm). The percentage of breath‐holds with edome >5 mm was reduced from 15% (0–42%) without breath‐hold verification to 11% (0–35%) with online breath‐hold verification. online breath‐hold verification eliminated breath‐holds with edome >10 mm, which happened in 3% (0–17%) of all breath‐holds.

Conclusion

It is clinically feasible to monitor the reproducibility of each breath‐hold during liver SBRT treatment using triggered images and liver dome. Online breath‐hold verification improves the treatment accuracy for liver SBRT.
Molecularly Tailored Surface Defect Modifier for Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Wu Yinghui , Liang Qihua , Zhu Hongwei , Dai Xingyi , Yu Bin‐Bin , Hu Yang , Chen Miao , Huang Long‐Biao , Zakeeruddin Shaik M. , Shen Zhongjin , Wang Junfeng , Grätzel Michael
Published: May 2023

Surface defects cause non‐radiative charge recombination and reduce the photovoltaic performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), thus effective passivation of defects has become a crucial method for achieving efficient and stable devices. Organic ammonium halides have been widely used for perovskite surface passivation, due to their simple preparation, lattice matching with perovskite, and high defects passivation ability. Herein, a surface passivator 2,4,6‐trimethylbenzenaminium iodide (TMBAI) is employed as the interfacial layer between the spiro‐OMeTAD and perovskite layer to modify the surface defect states. It is found that TMBAI treatment suppresses the nonradiative charge carrier recombination, resulting in a 60 mV increase of the open‐circuit voltage (Voc) (from 1.11 to 1.17 V) and raises the fill factor from 76.3% to 80.3%. As a result, the TMBAI‐based PSCs device demonstrates a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 23.7%. Remarkably, PSCs with an aperture area of 1 square centimeter produce a PCE of 21.7% under standard AM1.5 G sunlight. The unencapsulated TMBAI‐modified device retains 92.6% and 90.1% of the initial values after 1000 and 550 h under ambient conditions (humidity 55%–65%) and one‐sun continuous illumination, respectively.
Dual Response to Light and Heat of a Metal–Organic Rotaxane Network Featuring Flexible Viologen‐Derived Structs
Authors: Jin Qiu‐yan , Meng Liao , Zhang Zhi‐hui , Liang Yuan‐yuan , Jin Wei , Hu Kong‐qiu , Yuan Li‐yong , Chai Zhi‐fang , Mei Lei , Shi Wei‐qun
Published: May 2023

Metal–organic rotaxane compounds (MORCs) with supramolecular (pseudo)rotaxane motifs as main structures have inherent dynamic character, but their potential as responsive molecular machines is largely hampered by poor responsiveness to external stimuli. In this study, using a multi‐functionalized pseudorotaxane linker that combines two kinds of functionalities, a novel MORC, U‐bpybc‐CB8 (U refers to uranyl, bpybc refers to 1, 1’‐bis(4‐carboxybenzyl)‐4, 4’‐bipyridinium, and CB8 is cucurbit[8]uril), with multi‐responsive capability that can respond to both light and thermal stimuli, is reported. The characterization, combining spectra measurements and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, shows that, due to the involvement of viologen‐functionalized flexible organic dicarboxylate guest molecule in the CB8‐ involved pseudorotaxane ligand, the resultant uranyl‐based MORC exhibits photochromic behavior after UV or visible light irradiation. More interestingly, it is revealed that the exceptional thermal response of U‐bpybc‐CB8 as temperature increases from 170 to 270 K, i.e., volume expansion followed by contraction after the inflection temperature of ≈230 K, can be stemmed from the lattice flexibility of this metal–organic supramolecular network. The dual responsiveness of MORCs reported here demonstrates the potential of such supramolecular assemblies as smart molecular components like sensors and switches that respond to light irradiation or temperature changes.
Macrophage Hitchhiking Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Myocardial Infarction: An In Vitro and In Vivo Study
Authors: Torrieri Giulia , Iqbal Imran , Fontana Flavia , Talman Virpi , Liljenbäck Heidi , Putri Andriana , Nammas Wail , Rajander Johan , Guo‐Li Xiang , Low Philip S. , Teesalu Tambet , Roivainen Anne , Hirvonen Jouni , Ruskoaho Heikki , Balasubramanian Vimalkumar , Saraste Antti , Santos Hélder A.
Published: May 2023

Myocardial infarction (MI) is the leading cause of death worldwide. However, current therapies are unable to restore the function of the injured myocardium. Advanced approaches, such as stimulation of cardiomyocyte (CM) proliferation are promising, but suffer from poor pharmacokinetics and possible systemic adverse effects. Nanomedicines can be a solution to the above‐mentioned drawbacks. However, targeting the cardiac tissue still represents a challenge. Herein, a MI‐selective precision nanosystem is developed, that relies on the heart targeting properties of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and lin‐TT1 peptide‐mediated hitchhiking on M2‐like macrophages. The system based on pH‐responsive putrescine‐modified acetalated dextran (Putre‐AcDEX) nanoparticles, shows biocompatibility with cultured cardiac cells, and ANP receptor‐dependent interaction with CMs. Moreover, treatment with nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with two pleiotropic cellular self‐renewal promoting compounds, CHIR99021 and SB203580, induces a 4‐fold increase in bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation in primary cardiomyocytes compared to control. In vivo studies confirm that M2‐like macrophages targeting by lin‐TT1 peptide enhances the heart targeting of ANP. In addition, NP administration does not alter the immunological profile of blood and spleen, showing the short‐term safety of the developed system in vivo. Overall, the study results in the development of a peptide‐guided precision nanosystem for delivery of therapeutic compounds to the infarcted heart.
Self‐Assembly Induced Photosensitization of Long‐Tailed Heavy‐Atom‐Free BODIPY Derivatives for Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: li Jigai , Du Xianfa , Zhou Xin , Yoon Juyoung
Published: May 2023

Type I photosensitizers (PSs) are a promising approach for photodynamic therapy (PDT) since they can generate radicals that are tolerant to hypoxia. Thus, the development of highly efficient type I PSs is essential. Self‐assembly is a promising strategy for developing novel PSs with desirable properties. Here, a simple and effective approach is developed to create heavy‐atom‐free PSs for PDT by self‐assembling long‐tailed boron dipyrromethene dyes (BODIPYs). The resulting aggregates BY‐I16 and BY‐I18 can efficiently convert their excited energy to the triplet state, producing reactive oxygen species that are essential for PDT. Furthermore, the aggregation and PDT performance can be regulated by adjusting the length of the tailed alkyl chains. As proof of concept, the efficacy of these heavy‐atom‐free PSs both in vitro and in vivo under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions is demonstrated.
Constructing Oxygen‐Related Defects in Carbon Nanodots with Janus Optical Properties: Noninvasive NIR Fluorescent Imaging and Effective Photocatalytic Therapy
Authors: Zhang Tesen , Cheng Quansheng , Lei Josh Haipeng , Wang Bingzhe , Chang Yifu , Liu Yupeng , Xing Guichuan , Deng Chuxia , Tang Zikang , Qu Songnan
Published: May 2023

Noninvasive fluorescence (FL) imaging and high‐performance photocatalytic therapy (PCT) are opposing optical properties that are difficult to combine in a single material system. Herein, a facile approach to introducing oxygen‐related defects in carbon dots (CDs) via post‐oxidation with 2‐iodoxybenzoic acid is reported, in which some nitrogen atoms are substituted by oxygen atoms. Unpaired electrons in these oxygen‐related defects rearrange the electronic structure of the oxidized CDs (ox‐CDs), resulting in an emerging near‐infrared (NIR) absorption band. These defects not only contribute to enhanced NIR bandgap emission but also act as trappers for photoexcited electrons to promote efficient charge separation on the surface, leading to abundant photo‐generated holes on the ox‐CDs surface under visible‐light irradiation. Under white LED torch irradiation, the photo‐generated holes oxidize hydroxide to hydroxyl radicals in the acidification of the aqueous solution. In contrast, no hydroxyl radicals are detected in the ox‐CDs aqueous solution under 730 nm laser irradiation, indicating noninvasive NIR FL imaging potential. Utilizing the Janus optical properties of the ox‐CDs, the in vivo NIR FL imaging of sentinel lymph nodes around tumors and efficient photothermal enhanced tumor PCT are demonstrated.
Optical Properties of Electrochemically Gated La1−xSrxCoO3−δ as a Topotactic Phase‐Change Material
Authors: Chakraborty Rohan D. , Postiglione William M. , Ghosh Supriya , Mkhoyan K. Andre , Leighton Chris , Ferry Vivian E.
Published: May 2023

Materials with tunable infrared refractive index changes have enabled active metasurfaces for novel control of optical circuits, thermal radiation, and more. Ion‐gel‐gated epitaxial films of the perovskite cobaltite La1−xSrxCoO3−δ (LSCO) with 0.00 ≤ x ≤ 0.70 offer a new route to significant, voltage‐tuned, nonvolatile refractive index modulation for infrared active metasurfaces, shown here through Kramers–Kronig‐consistent dispersion models, structural and electronic transport characterization, and electromagnetic simulations before and after electrochemical reduction. As‐grown perovskite films are high‐index insulators for x < 0.18 but lossy metals for x > 0.18, due to a percolation insulator‐metal transition. Positive‐voltage gating of LSCO transistors with x > 0.18 reveals a metal‐insulator transition from the metallic perovskite phase to a high‐index (n > 2.5), low‐loss insulating phase, accompanied by a perovskite to oxygen‐vacancy‐ordered brownmillerite transformation at high x. At x < 0.18, despite nominally insulating character, the LSCO films undergo remarkable refractive index changes to another lower‐index, lower‐loss insulating perovskite state with Δn > 0.6. In simulations of plasmonic metasurfaces, these metal‐insulator and insulator‐insulator transitions support significant, varied mid‐infrared reflectance modulation, thus framing electrochemically gated LSCO as a diverse library of room‐temperature phase‐change materials for applications including dynamic thermal imaging, camouflage, and optical memories.
Mechanochemical Defluorinative Acylation of ortho‐Hydroxyarylenaminones by CF3‐Compounds: Synthesis of 3‐Acylchromones
Authors: Mkrtchyan Satenik , Purohit Vishal B. , Khutsishvili Spartak , Nociarová Jela , Yar Muhammad , Mahmood Tariq , Ayub Khurshid , Budzák Šimon , Skoršepa Marek , Iaroshenko Viktor O.
Published: May 2023

An alternative strategy for the mechanochemical defluorinative acylation of ortho‐hydroxyarylenaminones has been developed to synthesise 3‐acylchromones utilizing CF3‐compounds via activation of the C−F bound of the trifluoromethyl group in the presence of ytterbia (Yb2O3). The current protocol tolerated a wide range of coupling substrates to access a library of diversely substituted 3‐acylchromones under the mechanochemically induced domino cyclisation mode. This is the first report for the deflourinative transformation of the inert CF3 group to the corresponding carbonyl functionality under the mechanochemical conditions.
Iridium‐Catalyzed Branch‐Selective and Enantioselective C2‐Alkylation of N‐Benzimidazolyl Indoles
Authors: Yamakawa Kentaro , Nishimura Takahiro
Published: May 2023

Iridium‐catalyzed enantioselective C2‐alkylation of indole derivatives with terminal alkenes proceeded to give branched alkylation products with high enantioselectivity (39–99% yields, 20–91% ee). The reaction of indole derivatives having an N‐substituted benzimidazolyl as a directing group gave the branch‐selective alkylated products. Styrene derivatives and allylsilanes were good substrates displaying high enantioselectivity. The directing group was readily removed in several ways.
Double‐Layered Polyvinylpyrrolidone–Poly(methyl vinyl ether‐alt‐maleic acid)‐Based Microneedles to Deliver Meloxicam: An In Vitro, In Vivo, and Short‐Term Stability Evaluation Study
Authors: D'Amico Carmine , Fontana Flavia , El‐Sayed Nesma , Elbadri Khalil , Correia Alexandra , Rahikkala Antti , Saarinen Jukka , Shahbazi Mohammad‐Ali , Santos Hélder A.
Published: May 2023

This study aims to explore the use of polymeric microneedles (MNs) for the transdermal delivery of drugs, a noninvasive and convenient method that avoids first‐pass metabolism and gastrointestinal complications. Specifically, a double‐layered MN formulation is developed using polyvinylpyrrolidone and cross‐linked poly(methyl vinyl ether‐alt‐maleic acid), comprising a dissolvable layer and a hydrogel‐forming layer. Meloxicam serves as the model drug, and no organic solvents are employed in the manufacturing process to reduce toxicity. Coherent anti‐Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS) is utilized to confirm that the manufacturing process does not alter the drug's physical properties. In vitro and ex vivo studies demonstrate that the double‐layered MN formulation exhibits faster drug release in the first few hours, followed by a slower release. This results in extended bioavailability in vivo compared to the commercial oral formulation of meloxicam. Preliminary results indicate that the MN formulation is also effective in pain relief and inflammation reduction. The short‐term stability of the MN formulation is also confirmed, including its mechanical properties, sustained skin permeability, drug physical properties and distribution within MNs using CARS microscopy. Overall, these results suggest that the double‐layered MN formulation holds significant potential for transdermal drug delivery, offering a safer and more effective alternative to traditional oral administration.
Photoelectric Performance of Several Dithienoheterocycles Dyes and Nanocomposite of Dyes/Graphene Quantum Dots for DSSCs
Authors: Sun Dehao , Yang Canpu , Liu Tao , Li Yuanzuo
Published: May 2023

Three D‐A’‐π‐A type of metal‐free organic sensitizers, which are based on naphtho [2,3‐d] [1‐3] triazole entity as auxiliary acceptor and several dithienoheterocycles (cyclopentadithiophene, dithieno[3,2‐b:2’,3’‐d]silole, dithieno[3,2‐b:2’,3’‐d]pyrrole) as π‐conjugated bridge, are investigated using density functional theory (DFT)/time‐dependent DFT methods. First, the influence of different π‐bridges on the photovoltaic properties in three dyes is analyzed by mainly studying geometry structures, spectral characteristics, electron injection, dye regeneration, and charge difference density to explain highest performance of HJL‐3. Second, molecular design of introducing graphene quantum dots (GQDs) is carried out, and the results find that HJL‐3@GQDs display better photoelectric performance because GQDs have a positive impact on some parameters (such as light‐harvesting efficiency, electron injection amounts, dipole moment, and so on) upon introducing GQDs. This work provides a reasonable explanation for the experiment and a way to regulate performance of dye‐sensitized solar cells.
The NO Answer for Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Tripathi Manish Kumar , Ojha Shashank Kumar , Kartawy Maryam , Hamoudi Wajeha , Choudhary Ashwani , Stern Shani , Aran Adi , Amal Haitham
Published: May 2023

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) include a wide range of neurodevelopmental disorders. Several reports showed that mutations in different high‐risk ASD genes lead to ASD. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms have not been deciphered. Recently, they reported a dramatic increase in nitric oxide (NO) levels in ASD mouse models. Here, they conducted a multidisciplinary study to investigate the role of NO in ASD. High levels of nitrosative stress biomarkers are found in both the Shank3 and Cntnap2 ASD mouse models. Pharmacological intervention with a neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) inhibitor in both models led to a reversal of the molecular, synaptic, and behavioral ASD‐associated phenotypes. Importantly, treating iPSC‐derived cortical neurons from patients with SHANK3 mutation with the nNOS inhibitor showed similar therapeutic effects. Clinically, they found a significant increase in nitrosative stress biomarkers in the plasma of low‐functioning ASD patients. Bioinformatics of the SNO‐proteome revealed that the complement system is enriched in ASD. This novel work reveals, for the first time, that NO plays a significant role in ASD. Their important findings will open novel directions to examine NO in diverse mutations on the spectrum as well as in other neurodevelopmental disorders. Finally, it suggests a novel strategy for effectively treating ASD.
Bioinspired Tumor‐Targeting and Biomarker‐Activatable Cell‐Material Interfacing System Enhances Osteosarcoma Treatment via Biomineralization
Authors: Yang Xiao , Gao Simin , Yang Boguang , Yang Zhinan , Lou Feng , Huang Pei , Zhao Pengchao , Guo Jiaxin , Fang Huapan , Chu Bingyang , He Miaomiao , Wang Ning , Chan Anthony Hei Long , Chan Raymond Hon Fu , Wang Zuankai , Bian Liming , Zhang Kunyu
Published: May 2023

Osteosarcoma is an aggressive malignant tumor that primarily develops in children and adolescents. The conventional treatments for osteosarcoma often exert negative effects on normal cells, and chemotherapeutic drugs, such as platinum, can lead to multidrug resistance in tumor cells. Herein, this work reports a new bioinspired tumor‐targeting and enzyme‐activatable cell‐material interface system based on DDDEEK‐pY‐phenylboronic acid (SAP‐pY‐PBA) conjugates. Using this tandem‐activation system, this work selectively regulates the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) triggered anchoring and aggregation of SAP‐pY‐PBA conjugates on the cancer cell surface and the subsequent formation of the supramolecular hydrogel. This hydrogel layer can efficiently kill osteosarcoma cells by enriching calcium ions from tumor cells and forming a dense hydroxyapatite layer. Owing to the novel antitumor mechanism, this strategy neither hurts normal cells nor causes multidrug resistance in tumor cells, thereby showing an enhanced tumor treatment effect than the classical antitumor drug, doxorubicin (DOX). The outcome of this research demonstrates a new antitumor strategy based on a bioinspired enzyme‐responsive biointerface combining supramolecular hydrogels with biomineralization.
Pairing a user‐friendly machine‐learning animal sound detector with passive acoustic surveys for occupancy modeling of an endangered primate
Authors: Wood Connor M. , Barceinas Cruz Alicia , Kahl Stefan
Published: May 2023

Population declines and range contractions due to habitat loss are pervasive among nonhuman primates, with 60% of species threatened with extinction. However, the extensive vocal activity displayed by many primates makes them excellent candidates for passive acoustic surveys. Passive acoustic survey data is increasingly being used to support occupancy models, which have proven to be an efficient means of estimating both population trends and distributions. Passive acoustic surveys can be conducted relatively quickly and at broad scales, but efficient audio data processing has long proven elusive. The machine learning algorithm BirdNET was originally developed for birds but was recently expanded to include nonavian taxa. We demonstrate that BirdNET can accurately and efficiently identify an endangered primate, the Yucatán black howler monkey (Alouatta pigra), by sound in passive acoustic survey data (collected in southeastern Chiapas, Mexico), enabling us to use a single‐season occupancy model to inform further survey efforts. Importantly, we also generated data on up to 286 co‐occurring bird species, demonstrating the value of integrated animal sound classification tools for biodiversity surveys. BirdNET is freely available, requires no computer science expertise to use, and can readily be expanded to include more species (e.g., its species list recently tripled to >3000), suggesting that passive acoustic surveys, and thus occupancy modeling, for primate conservation could rapidly become much more accessible. Importantly, the long history of bioacoustics in primate research has yielded a wealth of information about their vocal behavior, which can facilitate appropriate survey design and data interpretation.
Tetrazole Diversification of Amino Acids and Peptides via Silver‐Catalyzed Intermolecular Cycloaddition with Aryldiazonium Salts
Authors: Liu Xuan‐Yu , Yang Yi‐Lin , Dang Yanfeng , Marek Ilan , Zhang Fa‐Guang , Ma Jun‐An
Published: May 2023

Selective structural modification of amino acids and peptides is a central strategy in organic chemistry, chemical biology but also in pharmacology and material science. In this context, the formation of tetrazole rings, known to possess significant therapeutic properties, would expand the chemical space of unnatural amino acids but has received less attention. In this study, we demonstrated that the classic unimolecular Wolff rearrangement of α‐amino acid‐derived diazoketones could be replaced by a faster intermolecular cycloaddition reaction with aryldiazonium salts under identical practical conditions. This strategy provides an efficient synthetic platform that could transform proteinogenic α‐amino acids into a plethora of unprecedented tetrazole‐decorated amino acid derivatives with preservation of the stereocenters. Density functional theory studies shed some light on the reaction mechanism and provided information regarding the origins of the chemo‐ and regioselectivity. Furthermore, this diazo‐cycloaddition protocol was applied to construct tetrazole‐modified peptidomimetics and drug‐like amino acid derivatives.
Peroxide‐based crosslinking of solid silicone rubber, part II: The counter‐intuitive influence of dicumylperoxide concentration on crosslink effectiveness and related network structure
Authors: Azevedo M. , Monks A.‐M. , Kerschbaumer R. C. , Schlögl S. , Saalwächter K. , Walluch M. , Consolati G. , Holzer C.
Published: May 2023

Application of elastomers in general demands the conversion of their soluble networks into crosslinked structures. This abrupt change causes several modifications, both in the atomic/molecular level and at the macro‐scale. In this study, solid silicone rubber (high molecular weight poly(dimethylsiloxane)), was crosslinked with dicumylperoxide (DCP), a widely used crosslinking agent by the rubber industry. The changes caused by different DCP concentrations were investigated, aiming to bring attention to the molecular transformations, usually neglected when processing‐oriented studies are conducted. DCP concentration showed a limited contribution to the network's molecular dynamics, which was found to be mainly dominated by entanglements. The dominance of entanglements over other molecular constraints, like crosslink points, justifies the threshold and counter‐intuitive behavior of tensile and hardness properties. However, differences were found in the crystallization ability after crosslinking, when the more crosslink points were introduced, the lower the crystallinity was and the less stable the PDMS crystallites were. In addition to providing a deeper understanding of an industrially applied rubber system n terms of the effective concentration of DCP, and the reasoning behind such concentration, the findings of this study add to the state‐of‐the‐art comprehension of elastomeric networks, and how they behave on a molecular level.
Boosting the Stability of Highly Flexible Cathodes in Zinc‐Ion Batteries via the Pillaring Effect of Molybdenum in α‐MnO2
Authors: Ren Yujin , Zhang Siwen , Yin Bosi , Loh Jiong Rui , Ding Yaxi , Huang Xinjun , Li Jiazhuo , Li Hui , Ma Tianyi
Published: May 2023

Flexible zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs) have been developed by leaps and bounds in recent years. As an important cathode material, the stability of manganese dioxide is crucial to the service life and mechanical endurance of the batteries. Herein, we report the feasibility of using a molybdenum‐doped α‐MnO2 (MMO) grown on carbon cloth (CC) as a flexible cathode. For CC@MMO electrodes, first, the pillaring effect of the Mo atoms can stabilize the tunnel structure and reduce the energy barrier of Zn2+ migration. The battery has 80 % capacity retention after 1392 cycles at 0.5 A g−1, which is leading the current study. Then, the electrodes exhibit a unique array structure on the microscopic level, in which independently grown nanowires help buffer external stresses and improve the flexibility and stability of the electrodes. The discharge capacity of the assembled flexible battery is maintained at an average of more than 98.3 % of the initial capacity at 2.5 mA cm−2 under different bending angles. And the microstructure of the electrodes is well maintained after 50 times of repeated bending. This work thus presents a flexible cathode with remarkable stability and survivability, which seeks to supplement the present development of advanced energy storage devices.
A method for rewarding collaborative efforts in preclinical assessments
Authors: Nolan Michael F. , McNamara John P.
Published: May 2023

Student success in basic medical science courses is typically determined by their individual performance on examinations of various types. Previous research both within and outside medical education has shown that the use of educational assessment activities can increase learning as demonstrated by performance on subsequent examinations, a phenomenon known as the testing effect. Activities primarily designed and used for assessment and evaluation purposes can also be used as teaching opportunities. We developed a method for measuring and evaluating student accomplishment in a preclinical basic science course that incorporates both individual and collaborative efforts, encourages and rewards active participation, does not compromise the reliability of the assessment outcome and is perceived by the students as helpful and valuable. The approach involved a two‐part assessment activity composed of an individual examination and a small group examination with each component differentially weighted in determining an overall examination score. We found that the method was successful in encouraging collaborative efforts during the group component and provided valid measures of student grasp of the subject matter. We describe the development and implementation of the method, provide data derived from its use in a preclinical basic science course and discuss factors to be addressed when utilizing this approach to ensure fairness and reliability of the outcome. We include brief summary comments from students regarding their impressions of the value of this method.
Differences in glucose metabolic activity in liver metastasis separates two groups of metastatic uveal melanoma patients with different prognosis
Authors: del Carpio Luis P. , Algarra María Asunción , Sabaté‐Llobera Aida , Rodriguez‐Vida Alejo , Rossi‐Seoane Susana , Ruiz Sandra , Leiva David , Ramos Emilio , Lladò Laura , Lorenzo Daniel , Gutierrez Cristina , Cortes‐Romera Montserrat , Caminal Josep M. , Piulats Josep M.
Published: May 2023

Background

Uveal melanoma metastasizes to the liver. We aimed to explore the metabolic activity of liver metastases (LM) as a biomarker for survival.

Methods

We analyzed newly diagnosed patients with metastatic UM (MUM) with LM detected by liver‐directed imaging and had undergone a PET/CT at diagnosis.

Findings

51 patients were identified between 2004 and 2019. Median age was 62 years, 41% male and 22% ECOG ≥1. LDH, ALP, and GGT were elevated in 49%, 37%, and 57% of patients. Median LM SUVmax was 8.5 (3–42.2). Same size lesions presented a wide range of metabolic activity. Median OS was 17.3 m (95% CI:10.6–23.9). Patients with SUVmax ≥8.5 had an OS of 9.4 m (95% CI:6.4–12.3), whereas patients with SUVmax <8.5 had an OS of 38.4 m (95% CI:21.4–55.5; p < 0.0001, HR = 2.9). We observed similar results when studying M1a disease separately. Multivariate analysis showed SUVmax as an independent prognostic factor for the whole population and those with M1a disease.

Interpretation

Increased metabolic activity of LM seems to be an independent predictor of survival. MUM is a heterogeneous disease and metabolic activity probably reflects a different intrinsic behavior.
Incidence, consequences, and predictors of serious chemotherapy‐induced thrombocytopenia in nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Lu‐Lu , Chen Xi , Huang Ying‐Ying , Liang Chi‐Xiong , Qiang Meng‐Yun , Cai Zhuo‐Chen , Zhan Ze‐Jiang , Deng Ying , Zhou Jia‐Yu , Huang Hao‐Yang , Guo Xiang , Lv Xing
Published: May 2023

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the incidence, consequences, and predictors of serious chemotherapy‐induced thrombocytopenia (CIT) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of patients with NPC between 2013 and 2015. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model and propensity score matching were used to estimate the effect of serious CIT on overall survival. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied to identify the predictors of serious CIT.

Results and Conclusion

The incidence of serious CIT was 5.21% in patients with NPC. Patients who experienced serious thrombocytopenia had a worse long‐term prognosis, while the difference in short‐term survival rate was slight. Chemotherapy regimens of gemcitabine and platinum, 5‐fluorouracil and platinum, taxane and platinum, serum potassium ion concentration, serum lactate dehydrogenase levels, platelet count, red blood cell count, and estimated glomerular filtration rate were predictors of serious CIT.
Impact of the pretreatment prognostic nutritional index on the survival after first‐line immunotherapy in non‐small‐cell lung cancer patients
Authors: Oku Yuka , Toyokawa Gouji , Wakasu Sho , Kinoshita Fumihiko , Takamori Shinkichi , Watanabe Kenji , Haratake Naoki , Nagano Taichi , Kosai Keisuke , Takada Kazuki , Fujimoto Airi , Higashijima Kodo , Shiraishi Yoshimasa , Tanaka Kentaro , Takeoka Hiroaki , Okamoto Masaki , Yamashita Takanori , Shimokawa Mototsugu , Shoji Fumihiro , Yamazaki Koji , Okamoto Tatsuro , Seto Takashi , Ueda Hitoshi , Takeo Sadanori , Nakashima Naoki , Okamoto Isamu , Takenaka Tomoyoshi , Yoshizumi Tomoharu
Published: May 2023

Background

Immunotherapy has become a standard‐of‐care for patients with non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although several biomarkers, such as programmed cell death‐1, have been shown to be useful in selecting patients likely to benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), more useful and reliable ones should be investigated. The prognostic nutritional index (PNI) is a marker of the immune and nutritional status of the host, and is derived from serum albumin level and peripheral lymphocyte count. Although several groups reported its prognostic role in patients with NSCLC receiving a single ICI, there exist no reports which have demonstrated its role in the first‐line ICI combined with or without chemotherapy.

Materials and Methods

Two‐hundred and eighteen patients with NSCLC were included in the current study and received pembrolizumab alone or chemoimmunotherapy as the first‐line therapy. Cutoff value of the pretreatment PNI was set as 42.17.

Results

Among 218 patients, 123 (56.4%) had a high PNI (≥42.17), while 95 (43.6%) had a low PNI (<42.17). A significant association was observed between the PNI and both the progression‐free survival (PFS; hazard ratio [HR] =  0.67, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.51–0.88, p =  0.0021) and overall survival (OS; HR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.32–0.67, p < 0.0001) in the entire population, respectively. The multivariate analysis identified the pretreatment PNI as an independent prognosticator for the PFS (p =  0.0011) and OS (p  < 0.0001), and in patients receiving either pembrolizumab alone or chemoimmunotherapy, the pretreatment PNI remained an independent prognostic factor for the OS (p = 0.0270 and 0.0006, respectively).

Conclusion

The PNI might help clinicians appropriately identifying patients with better treatment outcomes when receiving first‐line ICI therapy.
Nomograms for intraoperative prediction of lymph node metastasis in clinical stage IA lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Li Feng , Zhai Suokai , Fu Li , Yang Lin , Mao Yousheng
Published: May 2023

Background

Accurate prediction of lymph node metastasis (LNM) is critical for selecting optimal surgical procedures in early‐stage lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). This study aimed to develop nomograms for intraoperative prediction of LNM in clinical stage IA LUAD.

Methods

A total of 1227 patients with clinical stage IA LUADs on computed tomography (CT) were enrolled to construct and validate nomograms for predicting LNM (LNM nomogram) and mediastinal LNM (LNM‐N2 nomogram). Recurrence‐free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared between limited mediastinal lymphadenectomy (LML) and systematic mediastinal lymphadenectomy (SML) in the high‐ and low‐risk groups for LNM‐N2, respectively.

Results

Three variables were incorporated into the LNM nomogram and the LNM‐N2 nomogram, including preoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level, CT appearance, and tumor size. The LNM nomogram showed good discriminatory performance, with C‐indexes of 0.879 (95% CI, 0.847–0.911) and 0.880 (95% CI, 0.834–0.926) in the development and validation cohorts, respectively. The C‐indexes of the LNM‐N2 nomogram were 0.812 (95% CI, 0.766–0.858) and 0.822 (95% CI, 0.762–0.882) in the development and validation cohorts, respectively. LML and SML had similar survival outcomes among patients with low risk of LNM‐N2 (5‐year RFS, 88.1% vs. 89.5%, Pp = 0.790; 5‐year OS, 96.0% vs. 93.0%, p = 0.370). However, for patients with high risk of LNM‐N2, LML was associated with worse survival (5‐year RFS, 64.0% vs. 77.4%, p = 0.036; 5‐year OS, 66.0% vs. 85.9%, p = 0.038).

Conclusions

We developed and validated nomograms to predict LNM and LNM‐N2 intraoperatively in patients with clinical stage IA LUAD on CT. These nomograms may help surgeons to select optimal surgical procedures.
Bidirectional temporal feature for 3D human pose and shape estimation from a video
Authors: Sun Libo , Tang Ting , Qu Yuke , Qin Wenhu
Published: May 2023

3D human pose and shape estimation is the foundation of analyzing human motion. However, estimating accurate and temporally consistent 3D human motion from a video remains a challenge. By now, most of the video‐based methods for estimating 3D human pose and shape rely on unidirectional temporal features and lack more comprehensive information. To solve this problem, we propose a novel model “bidirectional temporal feature for human motion recovery” (BTMR), which consists of a human motion generator and a discriminator. The transformer‐based generator effectively captures the forward and reverse temporal features to enhance the temporal correlation between frames and reduces the loss of spatial information. The motion discriminator based on Bi‐LSTM can distinguish whether the generated pose sequences are consistent with the realistic sequences of the AMASS dataset. In the process of continuous generation and discrimination, the model can learn more realistic and accurate poses. We evaluate our BTMR on 3DPW and MPI‐INF‐3DHP datasets. Without the training set of 3DPW, BTMR outperforms VIBE by 2.4 mm and 14.9 mm/s2 in PA‐MPJPE and Accel metrics and outperforms TCMR by 1.7 mm in PA‐MPJPE metric on 3DPW. The results demonstrate that our BTMR produces better accurate and temporal consistent 3D human motion.
Modulating Secondary Structure Motifs Through Photo‐Labile Peptide Staples
Authors: Lāce Ilze , Bazzi Sophia , Uranga Jon , Schirmacher Anastasiya , Diederichsen Ulf , Mata Ricardo A. , Simeth Nadja A.
Published: May 2023

Peptide‐protein interactions (PPIs) are facilitated by the well‐defined three‐dimensional structure of bioactive peptides, interesting compounds for the development of new therapeutic agents. Their secondary structure and thus their propensity to engage in PPIs can be influenced by the introduction of peptide staples on the side chains. In particular, light‐controlled staples based on azobenzene photoswitches and their structural influence on helical peptides have been studied extensively. In contrast, photolabile staples bearing photocages as a structural key motif, have mainly been used to block supramolecular interactions. Their influence on the secondary structure of the target peptide is under‐investigated. Thus, in this study we use a combination of spectroscopic techniques and in silico simulations to systematically study a series of helical peptides with varying length of the photo‐labile staple to obtain a detailed insight into the structure‐property relationship in such photoresponsive biomolecules.
Supporting crop plant resilience during climate change
Authors: Yuan Yuxuan , Ton Bao Linh , Thomas William J. W. , Batley Jacqueline , Edwards David
Published: May 2023

The changing climate poses significant threats to agriculture and the ability to ensure sufficient global food production. With the expanding population, there is an urgent demand to increase crop productivity to meet the rising food demand. Producing climate‐smart crop varieties together with developing new agronomic management strategies are strategies that may help address this issue. Recent advances in genomics‐assistant breeding, the use of high‐throughput DNA sequencing, high‐resolution phenotyping, and advanced genome engineering can support the development of advanced, climate resilient crops. Here, we assess the potential to enhance the resilience of crops under the changing climate. Through the use of big data, advanced breeding strategies, and advanced agriculture practices, crop varieties could be produced with enhanced resilience and increased productivity and nutrition, supporting future global food security.
Impact of dapagliflozin on cardiac remodelling in patients with chronic heart failure: The DAPA‐MODA study
Authors: Pascual‐Figal Domingo A. , Zamorano J. Luis , Domingo Mar , Morillas Herminio , Nuñez Julio , Cobo Marcos Marta , Riquelme‐Pérez Alejandro , Teis Albert , Santas Enrique , Caro‐Martinez Cesar , Pinilla Jose Manuel , Rodriguez‐Palomares Jose F. , Dobarro David , Restrepo‐Córdoba M. Alejandra , González‐Juanatey J. Ramón , Bayés Genís Antoni ,   DAPA‐MODA Study Investigators
Published: May 2023

Aims

Dapagliflozin improves the prognosis of patients with heart failure (HF), regardless of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). However, its effect on cardiac remodelling parameters, specifically left atrial (LA) remodelling, is not well established.

Methods and results

The DAPA‐MODA trial (NCT04707352) is a multicentre, single‐arm, open‐label, prospective and interventional study that aimed to evaluate the effect of dapagliflozin on cardiac remodelling parameters over 6 months. Patients with stable chronic HF receiving optimized guideline‐directed therapy, except for any sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, were included. Echocardiography was performed at baseline, 30 and 180 days, and analysed by a central core‐lab in a blinded manner to both patient and time. The primary endpoint was the change in maximal LA volume index (LAVI). A total of 162 patients (64.2% men, 70.5 ± 10.6 years, 52% LVEF >40%) were included in the study. At baseline, LA dilatation was observed (LAVI 48.1 ± 22.6 ml/m2) and LA parameters were similar between LVEF‐based phenotypes (≤40% vs. >40%). LAVI showed a significant reduction at 180 days (−6.6% [95% confidence interval −11.1, −1.8], p = 0.008), primarily due to a decrease in reservoir volume (−13.8% [95% confidence interval −22.5, −4], p = 0.007). Left ventricular geometry improved with significant reductions in left ventricular mass index (−13.9% [95% confidence interval −18.7, −8.7], p < 0.001), end‐diastolic volume (−8.0% [95% confidence interval −11.6, −4.2], p < 0.001) and end‐systolic volume (−11.9% [95% confidence interval −16.7, −6.8], p < 0.001) at 180 days. N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) showed a significant reduction at 180 days (−18.2% [95% confidence interval −27.1, −8.2], p < 0.001), without changes in filling Doppler measures.

Conclusion

Dapagliflozin administration in stable out‐setting patients with chronic HF and optimized therapy results in global reverse remodelling of cardiac structure, including reductions in LA volumes and improvement in left ventricular geometry and NT‐proBNP concentrations.