bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antiangiogenic Biomarker Soluble Fms-like Tyrosine Kinase-1 in Pregnancy Complicated with Preeclampsia: A Cohort Study
Authors: Kaur Mandeep , Pahwa Sangeeta , Arora Rohit , Chhabra Namrata , Kaur Jasneet , Kukreja Sahiba
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Preeclampsia (PE) is one of the leading obstetric diseases with significant morbidity and mortality in both mother and foetus. The etiology of preeclampsia is unknown. It may result from several reasons with imbalance between angiogenic regulatory factors in maternal circulation as one of the factor. High circulatory levels of Soluble Fms-like Tyrosine Kinase-1 (sFlt-1) are detectable several weeks before clinical presentation of preeclampsia. Aim: To determine association of serum levels of sFlt-1 with preeclampsia in second and third trimester of pregnancy. Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted in the Department of Biochemistry in collaboration with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in a tertiary care hospital (Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Amritsar, Punjab, India), from November 2018 to March 2021. The study participants were divided into two groups i.e, normotensive (group 1) and preeclamptic (group 2). The enrollment of participants was done during second trimester. Serum sFlt-1 concentration was measured in second trimester (24-28 weeks) and in third trimester (beyond 28 weeks) using Enzyme Linked Immunoassay (ELISA) kits. Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was done for evaluation of Area Under Curve (AUC), sensitivity and specificity using software defined cut-off values. Results: Total 60 participants were there in each group with maternal mean age of 25.8±3.2 years in group 1 and 30.6±5.5 years in group 2 (p-value <0.001). sFlt-1 levels were significantly higher in preeclampsia group both in second and third trimesters when compared with normotensive group with median 313.07 versus 65.150 (p-value <0.001) and 337.875 versus 76.925 (p-value <0.001), respectively. The ROC curve analysis using 190.5 ng/mL as cut-off point in second trimester showed sensitivity 90%, specificity 85%, AUC was 0.832, 95% CI (0.745-0.918) and in third trimester at cut-off point 271.5 ng/mL showed sensitivity 90%, specificity 90%, AUC was 0.884, 95% CI (0.817-0.951). Conclusion: The soluble Fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase-1-1 (sFlt-1), may serve as biomarker for early diagnosis and can improve prediction of preeclampsia.
Support / support group as care strategy for drug users / Grupo de apoio/suporte como estratégia de cuidado aos usuários de drogas
Authors: Frota Geórgia Araújo Salviano , Martins Keila Maria Carvalho , Gurgel Júnior Francisco Freitas , Aguiar Francisca Alanny Rocha , Dourado João Víctor Lira
Published: February 2022

Objetivo: descrever encontros desenvolvidos com os usuários bem como a contribuição do grupo de apoio/suporte. Método: trata-se de um estudo descritivo com abordagem qualitativa com enfoque na pesquisa-ação, realizado em CAPSad localizado em município de médio porte da região norte do Estado do Ceará, Brasil. Resultados: participaram do estudo sete usuários cadastrados no serviço de saúde. Desenvolveu-se durante o período de janeiro e março de 2015, encontros de forma coletiva com os usuários, nas dependências do serviço de saúde como também de maneira externa em instituição pública, com duração em média de duas horas. Para tanto, considerando o tipo de estudo utilizado, fez-se imperativo seguir quatro fases. Da análise das informações, elaborou-se duas categorias: Descrevendo os encontros grupais com os usuários e Significados dos encontros grupais para os usuários. Conclusão: a abordagem grupal configura-se como importante estratégia de assistência aos usuários de drogas. Esta apresenta-se como ferramenta a ser utilizada na produção do cuidado prestado, com vistas à realização de educação, promoção, prevenção, promoção e recuperação da saúde de indivíduos e grupos sociais.
Palliative care applied to the elderly at home / Cuidados paliativos aplicados em idosos no domicílio
Authors: Santos Adrielle Alves , Lopes Arianna Oliveira Santana , Gomes Nildete Pereira , Oliveira Lélia Mendes Sobrinho de
Published: February 2022

Objetivo: analisar evidências científicas sobre a utilização de cuidados paliativos aplicados em idosos no domicílio. Métodos: trata-se de uma revisão sistemática de literatura, realizada em janeiro de 2020, utilizando os descritores: “cuidados paliativos/Paliative care” AND “saúde do idoso/heal thof the elderly” AND “assistência domiciliar/home care”. Resultados: foram selecionados sete artigos, que emergiram as categorias: Assistência domiciliar adaptada as necessidades dos pacientes de acordo com seus recursos disponíveis; Ampliação dos resultados através do empoderamento e autonomia na participação do cuidado familiar no domicílio; Os cuidados paliativos contribuem para a melhoria dos fatores psicológicos e emocionais, enfrentamento positivo e aceitação do tratamento. Conclusão: a utilização dos cuidados paliativos para o atendimento domiciliar ao idoso, que a literatura traz uma aplicabilidade geral sem estudos que tratem de forma específica a situação do idoso. Demonstra também um aumento deliberado da necessidade de assistência permanente a estas pessoas com doenças incuráveis, necessitando de apoio holístico.
Circulating tumor DNA predicts efficacy of a dual AKT/p70S6K inhibitor (LY2780301) plus paclitaxel in metastatic breast cancer: plasma analysis of the TAKTIC phase IB/II study
Authors: Sabatier Renaud , Vicier Cécile , Garnier Séverine , Guille Arnaud , Carbuccia Nadine , Isambert Nicolas , Dalenc Florence , Robert Marie , Levy Christelle , Pakradouni Jihane , Adelaïde José , Chaffanet Max , Sfumato Patrick , Mamessier Emilie , Bertucci François , Goncalves Anthony
Published: February 2022

The phosphatidylinositol‐3‐kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is frequently activated in HER2‐negative breast cancer and may play a role in taxane resistance. The phase IB/II TAKTIC trial (NCT01980277) has shown that combining a dual AKT and p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K) inhibitor (LY2780301) taken orally with weekly paclitaxel in HER2‐negative advanced breast cancer is feasible, with preliminary evidence of efficacy. We wanted to explore whether circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) may be a surrogate marker of treatment efficacy in this setting. Serial plasma samples were collected and cell‐free DNA was sequenced using low‐coverage whole‐genome sequencing, and analysis was completed with droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for some patients with driver mutations. Baseline tumor fraction (TF) and TF after 7 weeks on treatment were compared to progression‐free survival (PFS) and the overall response rate. We also explored circulating copy number alterations associated with treatment failure. Of the 51 patients enrolled in the TAKTIC trial, at least one plasma sample was available for 44 cases (96 timepoints). All patients with tumor TP53, PI3KCA, or AKT1 mutations harbored at least one of these alterations in plasma. TF at inclusion was correlated with PFS (6m‐PFS was 92% for ctDNAneg patients vs 68% for ctDNApos cases; hazard ratio [HR] = 3.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.34–8.90], P = 0.007). ctDNA status at week 7 was not correlated with prognosis. Even though most circulating copy number alterations were conserved at disease progression, some genomic regions of interest were altered in post‐progression samples. In conclusion, ctDNA detection at baseline was associated with shorter PFS in patients included in the TAKTIC trial. Plasma‐based copy number analysis may help to identify alterations involved in resistance to treatment.
Outlook of women in science: an interview with our authors
Authors: Blaszczak Wiktoria , Ahmed Asma , Leithner Katharina , Schubert Antonia , Leech Michelle , Bonder Claudine , Tsagakis Ioannis
Published: February 2022

Diversity in research teams ties alternative perspectives into research projects, and this can fast‐forward scientific progress. Concerted efforts have been aimed at encouraging and supporting women to pursue a career in science, yet a gender disparity can still be observed at senior positions, with fewer women in leadership roles. To get insight into how the current landscape for women in science is perceived by different career stages, we interviewed female authors of Molecular Oncology from diverse career stages and disciplines about their inspiration, challenges they have faced as scientists as well as their thoughts on how gender diversity can be further enhanced.
Opposing effects of NMDA receptor antagonists on early life stress‐induced aggression in mice
Authors: Nordman Jacob C. , Bartsch Caitlyn J. , Li Zheng
Published: February 2022

Rates of childhood trauma are high amongst violent offenders who frequently recidivate. Few clinical options are available to treat excessive and recurring violent aggression associated with childhood trauma. Those that do exist are largely ineffective and often replete with side effects. One promising pharmacological target is the glutamate binding N‐methyl‐
d‐aspartate receptor (NMDAR). Clinically available NMDAR antagonists have proven successful in mitigating violent and aggressive behavior associated with a host of psychiatric diseases and have both immediate and long‐term effects on nervous system function and behavior. This study examined the impact of three NMDAR antagonists on long‐lasting aggression brought on by early‐life stress: MK‐801, memantine, and ketamine. We find that social isolation early in adolescence followed by acute traumatic stress in the form of noncontingent foot shock (FS) late in adolescence works in tandem to promote long‐lasting excessive aggression in mice when measured 1 week later. Systemic injections of MK‐801 and memantine 30 min before FS suppressed the long‐lasting attack behavior induced by our early life stress induction protocol. Systemic injections of ketamine, on the other hand, significantly enhanced the long‐lasting attack behavior when injected before FS. These findings indicate that MK‐801, memantine, and ketamine have distinct and opposing effects on early life stress‐induced aggression, suggesting these drugs may be mechanistically distinct. This study identifies memantine as a promising pharmacological treatment for aggressive behavior associated with early life stress and demonstrates the need for greater care when using glutamate receptor antagonists to treat aggression.
HHS releases standard definition for opioid withdrawal in infants
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: February 2022

Also called neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) or neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS), opioid withdrawal in infants has been for decades surrounded by inconsistent clinical definitions and, more importantly, treatments. In many cases, the condition, which is usually transient and results from maternal opioid use, including therapeutic opioid use, resolves on its own, especially with breastfeeding and rooming in (see ‘Best – and least costly – treatment for NAS is mother‐infant bond,’ ADAW June 12, 2017; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adaw.30979). In other cases, the condition leads to removing the child from the mother and even prosecution of the mother (‘Prosecutions of drug‐using women now targeting miscarriage cases,’ ADAW Oct. 25, 2021; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adaw.33235). The prosecutions happened in various states, including Tennessee (see ‘Tenn. bill would criminalize pregnant women who use drugs,’ April 21, 2014; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adaw.20422), so it's significant that one of the authors of the new definition, Stephen Patrick, M.D., is a pediatrician at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee.
NASADAD president tells Congress of need for SAPT BG
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: February 2022

Sara Goldsby, director of the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services of South Carolina and president of the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD), told the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) at a Feb. 1 hearing that there has been an increase in alcohol use disorders (AUDs) in her state, with 42% of patients in treatment reporting alcohol as their primary drug of abuse. This is one of several reasons for federal policy to ensure that the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is strong, and should be “the default agency for all federal substance use planning,” said Goldsby, in particular supporting the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment block grant (SAPT BG), which goes directly to each state's director to distribute according to the needs of that state.
Antibody–Pattern Recognition Receptor Agonist Conjugates: A Promising Therapeutic Strategy for Cancer
Authors: Xu Jian , Li Xiang , Du Yue
Published: February 2022

Antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) are composed of monoclonal antibodies linked to cytotoxic payload drugs, each of which can be diversely designed in accordance with pharmacological and clinical requirements. The use of ADCs is effective for the treatment of different diseases, including cancers, and is gaining widespread attention. To date, 12 ADCs have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treating cancer and improving the quality of life of patients. To expand the application of ADCs and improve their treatment efficiency, various formats have recently been manufactured, including pattern recognition receptor (PRR) agonist‐based ADCs. The antibody has a unique structure that enables the specific delivery of PRR agonists to the tumor area, and this improves the therapeutic efficacy while minimizing systemic toxicity. This review briefly discusses the current landscape and future perspectives of antibody–PRR agonist conjugates for cancer therapy.
Single‐Ion Magnetostriction in Gd2O3–CeO2 Solid Solutions
Authors: Zhang Xiao‐Dong , Varenik Maxim , Zvezdin Konstantin , Ehre David , Wachtel Ellen , Zhu Zengwei , Leitus Gregory , Popov Alexander , Zvezdin Anatoly , Peng Tao , Lubomirsky Igor , Guo Xin
Published: February 2022

Ceria (CeO2) and its solid solutions with Gd2O3 are technologically important and environmentally friendly materials with numerous interesting properties and important applications. Nevertheless, the magnetic properties of ceria are even today not fully understood, and magnetoelastic coupling in pure or doped ceria remains essentially unexplored. This has been so, in part, due to the difficulty of measuring very small magnetostrictive strains in weakly paramagnetic materials. During the last decade, however, technical advances have enabled sensitive and accurate measurements of sample deformation in high magnetic fields. Here, forced magnetostriction (MS) in Gd2O3‐CeO2 solid solution ceramics (Ce1−xGdxO2−x/2, 0 ≤ x ≤ 1) at room temperature is characterized. In a pulsed magnetic field μ0H ≤ 60 Tesla, longitudinal MS strain is observed to depend on the square of the field amplitude and to increase linearly with Gd3+ concentration but is not sensitive to the lattice symmetry of the ceramics. The theory attributes the origin of the observed strain to the single‐ion MS response of Gd3+ to the crystal field via mixing of ground and excited electronic states and covalent hybridization with oxygen ligands. Contributions of charge‐compensating oxygen vacancies and/or Van Vleck paramagnetism to the observed magnetoelastic coupling are determined to be negligible.
Non‐Radiative Recombination Energy Losses in Non‐Fullerene Organic Solar Cells
Authors: He Dan , Zhao Fuwen , Wang Chunru , Lin Yuze
Published: February 2022

Impressive short‐circuit current density and fill factor have been achieved simultaneously in single‐junction organic solar cells (OSCs) with the emergence of high‐performance non‐fullerene acceptors. However, the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of OSCs still lag behind those of inorganic and perovskite solar cells, mainly due to the modest open‐circuit voltage (VOC) imposed by relatively large energy loss (Eloss). Generally, Eloss in solar cells can be divided into three parts. Among them, ΔE1 is inevitable for all photovoltaic cells and depends on the optical bandgap of solar cells, while radiative recombination energy loss, ΔE2, in OSCs can approach the negligible value via finely matching donor with acceptor material in the blend. The relatively large non‐radiative recombination energy loss, ΔE3, becomes the main barrier to further reduce Eloss and thus enhance PCE in non‐fullerene acceptor‐based OSCs. In this review, the recent studies and achievements about ΔE3 in non‐fullerene acceptor‐based OSCs have been summarized from the aspects of material design, morphology manipulation, ternary strategy, mechanism, and theoretical study. It is hoped that this review helps to get a deep understanding and boost the advance of ΔE3 study in OSCs.
Insoluble Naphthoquinone‐Derived Molecular Cathode for High‐Performance Lithium Organic Battery
Authors: Zhao Bowen , Si Yubing , Guo Wei , Fu Yongzhu
Published: February 2022

Organic electrode materials have attracted significant attention for rechargeable lithium organic batteries owing to the anticipated electrochemical property and environmentally friendly features. Benzoquinone and naphthoquinone as the simplest quinone substances have been considered as promising cathode materials because of their high theoretical specific capacities and discharge voltages. However, they are soluble in most organic liquid electrolytes, which results in poor electrochemical performance. Herein, a novel molecular cathode material based on naphthoquinone, i.e., 2,2'‐(1,4‐phenylenedithio) bis(1,4‐naphthoquinone) (1,4‐PNQ), is designed and synthesized. It shows greatly decreased solubility as a result of strong intermolecular interactions. In a lithium half cell, it exhibits high carbonyl utilization of close to 100% with a high initial capacity of 231 mAh g‐1. Meanwhile, 1,4‐PNQ presents improved cyclability, retaining a high capacity of 185 mAh g‐1 after 120 cycles. Remarkably, it retains 93.5% of the initial capacity after 500 cycles at 5 C rate. This work provides a novel molecular design strategy to develop naphthoquinone‐derived cathode materials for high performance lithium organic batteries.
On the Origin of Seebeck Coefficient Inversion in Highly Doped Conducting Polymers
Authors: Xu Kai , Ruoko Tero‐Petri , Shokrani Morteza , Scheunemann Dorothea , Abdalla Hassan , Sun Hengda , Yang Chi‐Yuan , Puttisong Yuttapoom , Kolhe Nagesh B. , Figueroa José Silvestre Mendoza , Pedersen Jonas O. , Ederth Thomas , Chen Weimin M. , Berggren Magnus , Jenekhe Samson A. , Fazzi Daniele , Kemerink Martijn , Fabiano Simone
Published: February 2022

A common way of determining the majority charge carriers of pristine and doped semiconducting polymers is to measure the sign of the Seebeck coefficient. However, a polarity change of the Seebeck coefficient has recently been observed to occur in highly doped polymers. Here, it is shown that the Seebeck coefficient inversion is the result of the density of states filling and opening of a hard Coulomb gap around the Fermi energy at high doping levels. Electrochemical n‐doping is used to induce high carrier density (>1 charge/monomer) in the model system poly(benzimidazobenzophenanthroline) (BBL). By combining conductivity and Seebeck coefficient measurements with in situ electron paramagnetic resonance, UV–vis–NIR, Raman spectroelectrochemistry, density functional theory calculations, and kinetic Monte Carlo simulations, the formation of multiply charged species and the opening of a hard Coulomb gap in the density of states, which is responsible for the Seebeck coefficient inversion and drop in electrical conductivity, are uncovered. The findings provide a simple picture that clarifies the roles of energetic disorder and Coulomb interactions in highly doped polymers and have implications for the molecular design of next‐generation conjugated polymers.
Immunomodulatory Microgels Support Proregenerative Macrophage Activation and Attenuate Fibroblast Collagen Synthesis
Authors: Mohammadi Sepideh , Ravanbakhsh Hossein , Taheri Sareh , Bao Guangyu , Mongeau Luc
Published: February 2022

Scars composed of fibrous connective tissues are natural consequences of injury upon incisional wound healing in soft tissues.  Hydrogels that feature a sustained presentation of immunomodulatory cytokines are known to modulate wound healing. However, existing immunomodulatory hydrogels lack interconnected micropores to promote cell ingrowth. Other limitations include invasive delivery procedures and harsh synthesis conditions that are incompatible with drug molecules. Here, hybrid nanocomposite microgels containing interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) are reported to modulate tissue macrophage phenotype during wound healing. The intercalation of laponite nanoparticles in the polymer network yields microgels with tissue‐mimetic elasticity (Young's modulus in the range of 2–6 kPa) and allows the sustained release of IL‐10 to promote the differentiation of macrophages toward proregenerative phenotypes. The porous interstitial spaces between microgels promote fibroblast proliferation and fast trafficking (an average speed of ≈14.4 µm h−1). The incorporation of hyaluronic acid further enhances macrophage infiltration. The coculture of macrophages and fibroblasts treated with transforming growth factor‐beta 1 resulted in a twofold reduction in collagen‐I production for microgels releasing IL‐10 compared to the IL‐10 free group. The new microgels show potential toward regenerative healing by harnessing the antifibrotic behavior of host macrophages.
A Self‐Powered Dual‐Type Signal Vector Sensor for Smart Robotics and Automatic Vehicles
Authors: Li Shaoxin , Zhao Zhihao , Liu Di , An Jie , Gao Yikui , Zhou Linglin , Li Yanhong , Cui Shengnan , Wang Jie , Wang Zhong Lin
Published: February 2022

Automatic control systems are the most efficient technology for reducing labor cost while improving work efficiency. Vector motion monitoring is indispensable for the normal operation of automatic control systems. Here, a self‐powered dual‐type signal triboelectric nanogenerator (DS‐TENG) is designed through integrating an alternating‐current TENG and a direct‐current TENG, which can monitor vector movement in real time based on pulse signal counts. As a result, the DS‐TENG avoids the shortcoming of traditional self‐powered sensors based on signal amplitude that is sensitive to the working environment, achieves a high sensing precision, and maintains stability after reciprocating motion of 500 000 cycles. Moreover, it realizes effective movement direction recognition by self‐powered switching of signal type in reverse movement. This dual‐type signal TENG exhibits high precision and automatic direction recognition in vector motion monitor and trajectory tracker, paving the way for the application of the self‐powered TENG sensor in automatic control systems in the future.
High‐Polarizability Organic Ferroelectric Materials Doping for Enhancing the Built‐In Electric Field of Perovskite Solar Cells Realizing Efficiency over 24%
Authors: Chen Weijie , Liu Shuo , Li Qingqing , Cheng Qinrong , He Baosheng , Hu Zhijun , Shen Yunxiu , Chen Haiyang , Xu Guiying , Ou XueMei , Yang Heyi , Xi Jiachen , Li Yaowen , Li Yongfang
Published: February 2022

The built‐in electric field (BEF) intensity of silicon heterojunction solar cells can be easily enhanced by selective doping to obtain high power conversion efficiencies (PCEs), while it is challenging for perovskite solar cells (pero‐SCs) because of the difficulty in doping perovskites in a controllable way. Herein, an effective method is reported to enhance the BEF of FA0.92MA0.08PbI3 perovskite by doping an organic ferroelectric material, poly(vinylidene fluoride):dabcoHReO4 (PVDF:DH) with high polarizability, that can be driven even by the BEF of the device itself. The polarization of PVDF:DH produces an additional electric field, which is maintained permanently, in a direction consistent with that of the BEF of the pero‐SC. The BEF superposition can more sufficiently drive the charge‐carrier transport and extraction, thus suppressing the nonradiative recombination occurring in the pero‐SCs. Moreover, the PVDF:DH dopant benefits the formation of a mesoporous PbI2 film, via a typical two‐step processing method, thereby promoting perovskite growth with high crystallinity and a few defects. The resulting pero‐SC shows a promising PCE of 24.23% for a 0.062 cm2 device (certified PCE of 23.45%), and a remarkable PCE of 22.69% for a 1 cm2 device, along with significantly improved moisture resistances and operational stabilities.
Non‐Fullerene Acceptor Organic Photodetector for Skin‐Conformable Photoplethysmography Applications
Authors: Simões João , Dong Tao , Yang Zhaochu
Published: February 2022

Commercial photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors and other biomedical devices that require near‐infrared (NIR) light detection are limited by rigid photodetector architectures that cannot interface comfortably with skin. Flexible organic photodetectors could potentially solve this problem; however, organic photodetectors suffer from low NIR sensitivity, largely due to the early absorption cutoffs originating from the use of fullerene acceptors. This work details a new flexible organic photodiode (OPD) based on narrow bandgap non‐fullerene‐acceptor (NFA) bulk heterojunction (BHJ) incorporating a PTB7‐Th and COTIC‐4F blend. The photodetector developed for this study reaches an external an external quantum efficiency (EQE) to 60% in the 600–1000 nm range and responsivity (R) as high as ≈0.42 A W–1. Through the integration of a PEDOT:PSS and PDINO interfacial layers, undesired carrier injection is suppressed, and a detectivity (D*) in the order of ≈1013 Jones is achieved. In addition, oxygen saturation and heart rate are successfully measured by integrating the developed photodiode in a PPG sensor.
ZnO Nanowire‐Based Early Detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 Antibody Responses in Asymptomatic Patients with COVID‐19
Authors: Kim Jung , Lee Sung Kyun , Lee Jong‐Hwan , Kim Hye‐Yeon , Kim Nam Hoon , Lee Chang Hoon , Lee Chang‐Seop , Kim Hong Gi
Published: February 2022

A serological immunoassay based on enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is a crucial tool for screening and identification of human SARS‐CoV‐2 seroconversion. Various immunoassays are developed to detect the spike 1 (S1) and nucleocapsid (NP) proteins of SARS‐CoV‐2; however, these serological tests have low sensitivity. Here, a novel microplate (MP) is developed on which a ZnO nanowire (NW) is fabricated by a modified hydrothermal synthesis method. This plate is coated with SARS‐CoV‐2 NP and used as a fluorescent immunoassay (FIA) to detect antibodies specific for SARS‐CoV‐2 NP. Compared with the bare MP, the ZnO‐NW MP binds high levels (up to 5 µg mL−1) of SARS‐CoV‐2 NP tagged to histidine without any surface treatment. A novel serological assay based on the ZnO‐NW MP is more sensitive than a commercial immunoassay, enabling early detection (within <5 days of a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction‐confirmed COVID‐19 infection) of anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 NP IgG antibodies in asymptomatic patients with COVID‐19. This is the first assay to detect early antibody responses to SARS‐CoV‐2 in asymptomatic patients. Therefore, this serological assay will facilitate accurate diagnosis of COVID‐19, as well as estimation of COVID‐19 prevalence and incidence.
Effects of PDMS Base/Agent Ratios and Texture Sizes on the Electrical Performance of Triboelectric Nanogenerators
Authors: Sun Zhen , Yang Weixu , Chen Ping , Zhang Yuyan , Wang Xiaoli , Hu Yanqiang
Published: February 2022

Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is a micro/nano electromechanical power system that converts mechanical energy into electricity based on contact electrification and electrostatic induction. At present, research on improving TENG performance mainly focus on material optimization and texture fabrication. This paper proposes a simple material optimization method based on regulating the ratio of elastomer base to curing agent (base/agent ratio) of Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to improve the performance of TENG with rectangular groove textures, and the influence of texture sizes on TENG output is explored. By analyzing the contact behavior, dielectric, and mechanical property, the influence mechanism of PDMS base/agent ratios and texture sizes on TENG performance is revealed. Results show that PDMS base/agent ratios affect TENG output mainly through material dielectric properties, while texture sizes mainly by contact behaviors. As the base/agent ratio decreases, although the real contact area and displacement of PDMS exhibit slight reductions, the relative permittivity of PDMS increases, and thus the surface charge density and performance of TENG increases. As the boss width increases or the groove width decreases, the displacement of PDMS declines, which would lead to the slight drop of the surface charge density, but the real contact area increases, which still results in improved TENG output.
Phosphine(III)‐Triggered One‐Pot Domino Sequences towards 5,6‐Dihydropyridine‐2‐(1H)‐One and Pyridine‐2(1H)‐One Scaffolds
Authors: Makra Zsófia , Madácsi Ramóna , Martinek Tamás A. , Bényei Attila , Puskás László G. , Gyuris Márió , Kanizsai Iván
Published: February 2022

An elegant P(nBu)3‐triggered synthetic approach has been developed towards multisubstituted 5,6‐dihydropyridin‐2(1H)‐one and pyridin‐2(1H)‐one derivatives exploiting a domino process involving retro‐Claisen/intra‐MBH/Wittig/vinylogous aldol transformations as well as retro‐Claisen/intra‐MBH/ylide hydrolysis/oxidation sequences. This transformation demonstrates chemo‐ and regioselectivity as well as accessible high diversity enchancement in 17–90% isolated yield.

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Multi‐Functional Small Molecules with Temporal Charge‐Switchability Tackle Infection and Inflammation
Authors: Barman Swagatam , Dhanda Geetika , Naik Poonam , Mukherjee Riya , Jolly Logia , Joseph Joveeta , Haldar Jayanta
Published: February 2022

The alarming situation in public healthcare caused by ever‐increasing catastrophe of antimicrobial resistance, recurrent infections, and associated inflammation has accelerated the hunt for novel therapeutics which can address these diverse problems concomitantly. This article introduces a new class of multi‐functional amino acid conjugated small antibacterial molecules (ASAMs) which tackle complicated infections and associated inflammation. These molecules exhibit broad‐spectrum bactericidal activity against multi‐drug‐resistant bacteria. The phenylalanine‐bearing lead molecule (ASAM‐10) tackles bacterial dormant subpopulations, impenetrable biofilms, and intracellular pathogens simultaneously. Importantly, this molecule addresses the problem of toxicity associated with cationic lipopeptides like colistin through the temporal charge switching (cationic to zwitterionic) owing to the degradation of labile ester linkages. However, this does not affect its desired antibacterial action window. The substantial reduction in the overexpression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines (IL‐6, IL‐8, TNF‐α, and IL‐1β) upon treatment of infected macrophages with ASAM‐10 validates its anti‐inflammatory efficacy. Furthermore, bacteria exhibit diminished susceptibility toward resistance development against ASAM‐10 owing to its membrane‐active nature. ASAM‐10 displays significant reduction in bacterial burden (2 Log CFU/g) when administered intraperitoneally in mice for MRSA thigh infection. Overall, this new class of multi‐functional molecules is safe for anticipated advanced therapeutic applications to combat complex bacterial infections and inflammation.
Multi‐Terminal Artificial Synaptic Devices with More Controllable Brain‐Like Spike‐Based Behaviors
Authors: Li Guoqing , Dai Mingzhi , Zhang Yuejun
Published: February 2022

Artificial synaptic devices have attracted attention because such devices with brain‐like spike‐based characteristics are the basis for developing neuromorphic computing and artificial intelligence. Electric devices for artificial synaptic devices typically include two‐terminal and three‐terminal devices. However, there is a gap between the massive multi‐terminal (i.e., close to 3D) 3D connectivity in the brain with stochastic inherence and devices under 2D control, owing to the limited number of terminals, that is, two or three number of terminalsterminals. There is a need for updated designs that can bridge the gap between electronic devices that cannot mimic artificial synaptic behaviors effectively and large‐scale circuits that can mimic those multi‐terminal behaviors effectively but consume considerable amounts of power. Herein, multi‐terminal brain‐like artificial synaptic devices with small footprint and spike‐based behaviors, the structure of which is developed frombased on a standard transistor, which and could have a good potential of mass application due towith the structure's nice area efficiency and scalability, are proposed. These devices have an increased ability to mimic stochastic inherence behaviors but require lower energy than existing complex computing platforms. This design effectively mimics the artificial synaptic behaviors employed in 3D muti‐terminal connectivity control. Furthermore, it enables easier device control and fabrication in mass production. Thus, the proposed multi‐terminal devices with artificial synaptic behaviors are nice candidates for next‐generation neuromorphic computing and artificial intelligence electronic systems.
The long‐run prevalence of food insufficiency among older Americans
Authors: Levy Helen
Published: February 2022

The prevalence of food insufficiency among seniors in any given year is well‐documented, but the prevalence of this hardship over a longer time period in later life is unknown. Using panel data from the Health and Retirement Study, I find that about 8% of seniors report food insufficiency over a 2‐year recall window, while 22% experience it at some point over the two decades of their 60s and 70s. Food insufficiency is not concentrated among a small group of persistently disadvantaged elderly, but is instead a surprisingly common feature of the later life course.
U.S. agricultural university students' mental well‐being and resilience during the first wave of COVID‐19: Discordant expectations and experiences across genders
Authors: Ehmke Mariah D. , Katare Bhagyashree , Kiesel Kristin , Bergtold Jason S. , Penn Jerrod M. , Boys Kathryn A.
Published: February 2022

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic's first wave led to declining mental health and life satisfaction outcomes for college students, especially women. While women in undergraduate agricultural programs outperformed men academically prior to and during the pandemic, the achievement may have come at personal cost, especially for those women with fewer personal and environmental resiliency resources. Our research objective was to expand on personal, social, and environmental factors linked with lower mental health and life satisfaction scores for students in agriculture during the pandemic. We measured the influence of such factors across gender‐based mental health and life satisfaction outcomes. Our data were collected from 2030 students using an on‐line survey across six land‐grant university college of agriculture in agriculturally as many distinct regions of the United States. We estimated OLS and Ordered Probit models of their mental health and life satisfaction self‐assessments. Our findings reveal students' mental health and life satisfaction were reduced due to a paucity of personal (e.g., less future orientation or graduate school aspirations, food and housing insecurity, and personal health risks) and environmental (e.g., lower quality on‐line learning experiences, isolation, family health risk, discrimination experiences) resiliency resources. Our results suggest women were more likely than men to be adversely affected by reduced resiliency resources. These findings suggest university emergency response policies need to address students' needs for housing and food security, on‐line course development and delivery, tele health and mental health resources, broad social inclusion and diversity to decrease risk of female attrition and support all students in agricultural degree programs.
Increasing soil organic carbon sequestration and yield stability by no‐tillage and straw‐returning in wheat–maize rotation
Authors: Shi Jianglan , Wang Shujuan , Li Shuo , Tian Xiaohong
Published: February 2022

Knowledge about the changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks and grain yields under different field management practices is necessary for achieving agricultural sustainability. An 8‐yr experiment for testing different tillage and straw management practices was conducted in a wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–maize (Zea mays L.) rotation system in the southern Loess Plateau of China. Three tillage methods (control with no‐tillage and straw removal [CK], no‐tillage with straw stubbles 30–40 cm in height [NT], and rotary tillage with straw incorporation [RT]) were applied before maize planting, and two straw treatments (straw return [SR] and no straw return [SR0]) were applied after maize harvest. Over the 8 yr, SOC stocks exhibited similar dynamic changing trends in all treatments but were higher under NT, RT, and SR than under CK‐SR0. Compared with the initial soil, SOC stock increased the most (34.1%) in NT‐SR. Compared with the CK‐SR0, the NT‐SR, RT‐SR, CK‐SR, NT‐SR0, and RT‐SR0 increased wheat grain yields by 47.2, 36.8, 24.9, 25.1, and 20.0%, respectively. Similar trends were found for maize grain yields. The NT, RT, and SR increased crop yield stability with the highest sustainable yield index in NT‐SR for both wheat (.67) and maize (.70). Overall, the combination of no‐tillage with wheat straw stubbles 30–40 cm in height and maize straw return was the best strategy for improving SOC stocks, grain yields, and agricultural sustainability for grain production in dry, sub‐humid areas of northwestern China.
Ovarian recovery via autologous platelet‐rich plasma: New benchmarks for condensed cytokine applications to reverse reproductive aging
Authors: Sills E. Scott
Published: February 2022

Health and life expectancy gains have pushed the overall number of menopausal patients to record levels. Because maternal age at first pregnancy also continues to rise, it is unsurprising that reduced birth rates are consistently reported across many populations. Both trends severely strain national demographics and present a socioeconomic challenge for which no satisfactory solution currently exists. Symptomatic menopause and infertility/miscarriage are met with standard therapies like hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and in vitro fertilization, respectively. Although these accepted interventions do supply some cover, both are expensive, low yield, and not without controversy. Meanwhile, ovarian steroid output and competent oocyte availability approach unrecoverable loss beyond age ~35 years, irrespective of treatment. Received wisdom holds that postnatal oogenesis in humans is impossible, a tenet which until recently encountered little serious confrontation. Reassessing this paradigm is overdue given proof‐of‐concept work on native sex steroid rejuvenation, de novo euploid oogenesis, ovulation, blastocyst development, fetal growth, and healthy term livebirths—all apparently possible with intraovarian insertion of platelet‐rich plasma (PRP). Discrete functional analysis of the full platelet‐derived cytokine array carried with PRP unfortunately for now, is incomplete. Here, selected platelet releasate constituents and measured effects are framed to address advances in wellness and women’s health. Emphasis is on cytokines best positioned to enable recovery of senescent ovarian function sufficient to suspend synthetic HRT dependency and/or permit egg retrieval and pregnancy. Whereas the chronicle of progress in other clinical fields does invite generalization of fresh platelet applications to reproductive endocrinology, basic mechanistic questions remain open.
Food store accessibility affects nutritional intake through shopping frequency and food intake in middle‐aged to older adults in rural Nagasaki, Japan
Authors: Kosaka Satoko , Nakao Rieko , Goto Chiho , Umezaki Masahiro , Ohnishi Mayumi
Published: February 2022

Objectives

The food environment is an important determinant of dietary and nutritional intake, but studies thus far have reported mixed results. We examined associations between food store accessibility and nutritional intake among middle‐aged to older adults in rural Japan using data from a questionnaire survey of national health insurance enrollees.

Methods

The survey was conducted in Nagasaki, Japan, for individuals aged 40–74 years. Direct distances from home and food store density were estimated using a geographic information system (GIS). We focused on protein, vitamin D, and calcium intake for their preventive effects on frailty and sarcopenia. To examine the effects of food store accessibility on nutritional intake, we hypothesized a model with a chain of associations of food store accessibility, shopping frequency, food intake frequency, and nutritional intake. We performed a path analyses to explore the food items to be included in the models, associations between the variables, and fitness of the models.

Results

We obtained final models with satisfactory fit indices. The resultant models included significant associations between: 1) accessibility indicators and shopping frequency, 2) shopping frequency and intake frequency for two or four categories of food, and 3) intake frequency and nutritional intake.

Conclusions

The results demonstrated that accessibility to food stores, assessed in terms of direct distance from home and food store density, can affect the intake of protein, vitamin D, and calcium through the effect on shopping frequency and intake frequency of some categories of food items, among middle‐aged to older adults in Nagasaki, Japan.
Computerized restoration of a fossil cranium based on selective elimination of estimated taphonomic deformation
Authors: Amano Hideki , Rae Todd C. , Tsoukala Evangelia , Nakatsukasa Masato , Ogihara Naomichi
Published: February 2022

Objectives

Due to taphonomic processes, fossils have often undergone plastic deformation. To correctly assess the morphological affinities of such specimens, the original antemortem shape of the deformed specimens must be reconstructed. Here we describe a method to mathematically isolate and selectively eliminate the taphonomic deformation of a fossil cranium for restoration of its original antemortem appearance, and apply this method to reconstruction of a cranium of Mesopithecus from the late Miocene of Greece.

Materials and methods

Three‐dimensional (3D) models of the fossil cranium and the crania of phylogenetically close extant species were generated, and 3D shape variations of the crania were analyzed based on anatomical and sliding semi‐landmarks. Using principal component analysis, we attempt to extract the taphonomic deformation component of the shape variation that is presumably orthogonal to the hyperplane describing interspecific variations of the intact crania of the extant species. Landmarks were repositioned so that the extracted taphonomic component is selectively eliminated. A thin‐plate spline was used to describe the 3D transformation from original and repositioned landmarks, and the entire surface of the fossil was restored.

Results

The proposed method successfully extracted and eliminated the component of the taphonomic deformation and enabled restoration of the original antemortem appearance of the deformed fossil cranium.

Discussion

Unlike conventional methodologies, the proposed method does not rely on the assumption of symmetry for correction of taphonomic deformation. Although some methodological limitations apply, the proposed method may contribute to improved accuracy, objectivity, and transparency in virtual reconstruction of deformed cranial fossils.
Synthesis, characterization, and anticancer activity of ferrocenyl complexes bearing different organopalladium fragments
Authors: Scattolin Thomas , Moro Giulia , Serena Anita , Guadagnin Pattaro Alessia , Rizzolio Flavio , Canzonieri Vincenzo , Demitri Nicola , Bortolamiol Enrica , Moretto Ligia Maria , Visentin Fabiano
Published: February 2022

A straightforward synthetic route to a selection of new ferrocenyl complexes bearing different organopalladium fragments is reported. The target complexes were fully characterized by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, High Resolution Mass Spectrometry, Infrared Spectroscopy, X‐ray Diffraction, and electrochemical techniques. All compounds, with the exception of Pd(0)‐olefin derivatives, showed excellent antitumor activity on ovarian cancer cells and, in the case of Pd (II)‐allyl and Pd (II)‐butadienyl complexes, a lower cytotoxicity towards normal cells.
Synthesis of phosphazene‐triazine bi‐base sulfonate and its applications in flame‐retardant modified polycarbonate
Authors: Sun Chuangchuang , Zhang Wei , Cui Yihua , Liu Dongyue
Published: February 2022

A phosphazene‐triazine bi‐base sulfonate compound (CPNS) was synthesized using hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene, cyanuric chloride, and sodium p‐hydroxybenzene sulfonate as raw materials. The chemical structure was determined by FTIR, 1H NMR 31P NMR (NMR stands for nuclear magnetic resonance), and elemental analysis of P, Na. To study the flame retardant properties of CPNS, a series of modified polycarbonate (MPC) with different ratios of CPNS were prepared. The flame retardant performance and thermal stability of CPNS/MPC were characterized by limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL‐94 vertical burning test, cone calorimetry test, and TG. Results show that when CPNS is added to 0.3%, the CPNS/MPC can pass the UL94 V‐0 level with an LOI value of 35.3% and reduce the peak heat release rate by 16.89% during the combustion. TG results show that adding 0.1% CPNS can decrease the initial decomposition temperature of the MPC by 68°C in nitrogen and 27°C in air. The reduction of the initial decomposition temperature means that the flame retardant promotes the isomerization reaction of polycarbonate accelerates the formation of an intermediate char on the surface. Investigation of intermediate char residue's morphology and chemical structure demonstrates that CPNS promotes the formation of more complete and compact char residue, which acts not only there is increased opportunity for radical recombination reactions in the condensed phase but also as physical barriers to inhibit the transfer of heat and oxygen, resulting in good flame retardant properties.
3D biocompatible bone engineering foams with tunable mechanical properties and porous structures
Authors: Zeng Xiyang , Wang Li , Chen Xiaohu , Luo Kun , Li Junfeng
Published: February 2022

Large bone defects due to accidental injuries and fractures as well as the mismatch between the implant material and the defect site are major problems in biomedicine. Bone tissue engineering offers a solution to this problem. In this paper, a series of three‐dimensional porous composite scaffolds with shape memory were prepared using polycaprolactone and polytetrahydrofuran as soft segment materials, hexamethylene diisocyanate as hard segment materials and amorphous calcium phosphate/calcium citrate (CAP) as inorganic fillers. The scaffolds have tunable mechanical properties, melt temperature, surface wettability, a pore size range of 100–800 μm and a high degree of connectivity. In vitro mineralization showed good mineral deposition and energy dispersion spectrometer displayed uniform distribution of Ca and P elements on the surface. The composite scaffold exhibited good shape memory properties at 37°C. The shape fixation rate (Rf) and shape recovery rate (Rr) were maintained at 94.1% and 94.4% after five compression cycles. The resulting scaffold promoted MG63 cell proliferation to some extent. The scaffold is expected to be used clinically for the treatment of large bone defects.