bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Drug‐Free, Hair Follicle Cycling Regulatable, Separable, Antibacterial Microneedle Patch for Hair Regeneration Therapy
Authors: Shi Yan , Zhao Jiaxuan , Li Hu , Yu Miao , Zhang Wenxue , Qin Di , Qiu Kaijin , Chen Xiguang , Kong Ming
Published: July 2022

The development of painless hair loss therapy without side‐effect is challenging. The dermal papilla is the signal center of hair follicles and plays a key role in the regulation of their cycling. Activation of dermal papilla cells (DPCs) would promote hair regeneration. In this study, a separable microneedle patch comprised of chitosan lactate (CL) and exosomes (EXO) from adipose‐derived stem cells is fabricated. After insertion of the microneedle into the skin, the hyaluronic acid substrate dissolves fast and the swellable polyvinyl alcohol needles are retained. The EXO sustainedly released from needles can be endocytosed by DPCs and promote cell proliferation via the activation of the Wnt signaling pathway, while the L‐lactate released by CL can promote cell growth by activating lactate dehydrogenase. CL and EXO synergetically facilitate hair regeneration through regulating hair follicle cycling. In animal tests, compared with topical administration of minoxidil, the drug‐free microneedle patches can more significantly promote hair regeneration within 7 days with lower dosing frequency. Furthermore, the inherent antibacterial properties of CL make it possible to avoid potential infection. Such transdermally administrated drug‐free microneedle patches provide a simple, safe, and efficient strategy for hair loss treatment and exhibit great potential in clinical application.
Tactile Near‐Sensor Analogue Computing for Ultrafast Responsive Artificial Skin
Authors: Wang Ming , Tu Jiaqi , Huang Zhangcheng , Wang Ting , Liu Zhihua , Zhang Feilong , Li Wenlong , He Ke , Pan Liang , Zhang Xumeng , Feng Xue , Liu Qi , Liu Ming , Chen Xiaodong
Published: July 2022

Ultrafast artificial skin enables unprecedented tactile internet applications in prosthetics, robotics, and human–machine interactions. However, current artificial skin systems that rely on front‐end interface electronics typically perform redundant data transfer and analogue‐to‐digital conversions for decision‐making, causing long latency (milliseconds). Here, a near‐sensor analogue computing system based on a flexible memristor array for artificial skin applications is reported. This system, which seamlessly integrates a tactile sensor array with a flexible hafnium oxide memristor array, can simultaneously sense and compute raw multiple analogue pressure signals without interface electronics. As a proof‐of‐concept, the system is used for real‐time noise reduction and edge detection of tactile stimuli. One sensing–computing operation of this system takes about 400 ns and consumes on average 1000 times less power than a conventional interface electronic system. The results demonstrate that near‐sensor analogue computing offers an ultrafast and energy‐efficient route to large‐scale artificial skin systems.
Enhanced Thermoelectric Properties of Bi2Te3‐Based Micro–Nano Fibers via Thermal Drawing and Interfacial Engineering
Authors: Sun Min , Tang Guowu , Wang Hanfu , Zhang Ting , Zhang Pengyu , Han Bin , Yang Ming , Zhang Hang , Chen Yicong , Chen Jun , Zhu Qingfeng , Li Jiangyu , Chen Dongdan , Gan Jiulin , Qian Qi , Yang Zhongmin
Published: July 2022

High‐performance thermoelectric (TE) materials with great flexibility and stability are urgently needed to efficiently convert heat energy into electrical power. Recently, intrinsically crystalline, mechanically stable, and flexible inorganic TE fibers that show TE properties comparable to their bulk counterparts have been of interest to researchers. Despite remarkable progress in moving TE fibers toward room‐temperature TE conversion, the figure‐of‐merit value (ZT) and bending stability still need enhancement. Herein, interfacial‐engineering‐enhanced TE properties of micro–nano polycrystalline TE fibers fabricated by thermally drawing Bi2Te3‐based bulks in a glass‐fiber template are reported. The interfacial engineering effect comes from generating stress‐induced oriented nanocrystals to increase electrical conductivity and producing strain‐distorted interfaces to decrease thermal conductivity. The 4 µm‐diameter fibers achieve a 40% higher ZT (≈1.4 at 300 K) than their bulk counterparts and show a reversible bending radius of 50 µm, approaching the theoretical elastic limit. This fabrication strategy works for a wide range of inorganic TE materials and benefits the development of fiber‐based micro‐TE devices.
Electroconductive, Adhesive, Non‐Swelling, and Viscoelastic Hydrogels for Bioelectronics
Authors: Han Im Kyung , Song Kang‐Il , Jung Sang‐Mun , Jo Yeonggwon , Kwon Jaesub , Chung Taehun , Yoo Surim , Jang Jinah , Kim Yong‐Tae , Hwang Dong Soo , Kim Youn Soo
Published: July 2022

As a new class of materials, implantable flexible electrical conductors have recently been developed and applied to bioelectronics. An ideal electrical conductor requires high conductivity, tissue‐like mechanical properties, low toxicity, reliable adhesion to biological tissues, and the ability to maintain its shape in wet physiological environments. Despite significant advances, electrical conductors that satisfy all these requirements are insufficient. Herein, a facile method for manufacturing a new conductive hydrogels through the simultaneous exfoliation of graphite and polymerization of zwitterionic monomers triggered by microwave irradiation is introduced. The mechanical properties of the obtained conductive hydrogel are similar to those of living tissue, which is ideal as a bionic adhesive for minimizing contact damage due to mechanical mismatches between hard electronics and soft tissues. Furthermore, it exhibits excellent adhesion performance, electrical conductivity, non‐swelling, and high conformability in water. Excellent biocompatibility of the hydrogel is confirmed through a cytotoxicity test using C2C12 cells, a biocompatibility test on rat tissues, and their histological analysis. The hydrogel is then implanted into the sciatic nerve of a rat and neuromodulation is demonstrated through low‐current electrical stimulation. This hydrogel demonstrates a tissue‐like extraneuronal electrode, which possesses high conformability to improve the tissue–electronics interfaces, promising next‐generation bioelectronics applications.
Highly Sensitive Photoelectric Detection and Imaging Enhanced by the Pyro‐Phototronic Effect Based on a Photoinduced Dynamic Schottky Effect in 4H‐SiC
Authors: Zhang Yueming , Wang Yi‐Chi , Wang Longfei , Zhu Laipan , Wang Zhong Lin
Published: July 2022

Silicon carbide (SiC), one of the third‐generation semiconductor materials with excellent electrical and optoelectronic properties, is ideal for high light‐sensing performance. Here, a self‐powered SiC ultraviolet (UV) photodetector (PD) is constructed with wider applicability and higher commercialization potential. The great performance of the PD is realized by a remarkable photoinduced dynamic Schottky effect derived from the symbiotic modulation of Schottky and Ohmic contact. Using the pyro‐phototronic effect that exists in the N‐doped 4H‐SiC single crystal PDs, a fast pyroelectric response time of 0.27 s is achieved, which is almost ten times shorter than that obtained from the steady‐state signal under UV illumination. The maximal transient photoresponsivity reaches 9.12 nA mW−1, which is ≈20% higher than the conventional photoelectric signal. Moreover, different regions of the 4H‐SiC centimeter‐scale chip output distinct signals under UV illumination, demonstrating efficient optical imaging and information transmission capabilities of this device. This work not only reveals the fundamental optoelectronic physics lying in this vital third‐generation semiconductor, but also sheds light on its potential photosensing applications for large‐scale commercialization.
Nickel‐Catalysis Enabling α‐Alkylation of Ketones by Secondary Alcohols
Authors: Bains Amreen K , Biswas Ayanangshu , Kundu Abhishek , Adhikari Debashis
Published: July 2022

The α‐alkylation of ketones utilizing a secondary alcohol has been accomplished by an isolable, bench‐stable, inexpensive nickel catalyst affording high yields of β,β‐disubstituted products. This report contributes a nickel catalyst in the pool of a few scarce examples of base metal discovered for this purpose. The substrate scope can span a wide range including aliphatic, alicyclic, and cyclic secondary alcohols. Functionalization of a cholesterol molecule is also possible following this methodology. The catalyst can interconvert between azo and hydrazo form in a reversible fashion to enable this chemical transformation.

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A Neuroimaging Signature of Cognitive Aging from Whole‐Brain Functional Connectivity
Authors: Jiang Rongtao , Scheinost Dustin , Zuo Nianming , Wu Jing , Qi Shile , Liang Qinghao , Zhi Dongmei , Luo Na , Chung Young‐Chul , Liu Sha , Xu Yong , Sui Jing , Calhoun Vince
Published: July 2022

Cognitive decline is amongst one of the most commonly reported complaints during normal aging. Despite evidence that age and cognition are linked with similar neural correlates, no previous studies have directly ascertained how these two constructs overlap in the brain in terms of neuroimaging‐based prediction. Based on a long lifespan healthy cohort (CamCAN, aged 19–89 years, n = 567), it is shown that both cognitive function (domains spanning executive function, emotion processing, motor function, and memory) and human age can be reliably predicted from unique patterns of functional connectivity, with models generalizable in two external datasets (n = 533 and n = 453). Results show that cognitive decline and normal aging both manifest decrease within‐network connections (especially default mode and ventral attention networks) and increase between‐network connections (somatomotor network). Whereas dorsal attention network is an exception, which is highly predictive on cognitive ability but is weakly correlated with aging. Further, the positively weighted connections in predicting fluid intelligence significantly mediate its association with age. Together, these findings offer insights into why normal aging is often associated with cognitive decline in terms of brain network organization, indicating a process of neural dedifferentiation and compensational theory.
Synthesis of Bifunctional Phosphonium Salts Bearing Perfluorinated Side Chains and Their Application in the Synthesis of Cyclic Carbonates from Epoxides and CO2
Authors: Ren Changyue , Spannenberg Anke , Werner Thomas
Published: July 2022

The synthesis of three bifunctional phosphonium salts bearing perfluorinated side chains is reported. These compounds were employed as catalysts for the synthesis of cyclic carbonates from epoxides and CO2. The most efficient catalyst comprised a phenolic substructure and allowed the synthesis of various carbonates at room temperature and a CO2 pressure as low as 0.1 MPa. The reaction could be performed in perfluorodecalin which in some cases led to improved yields and facilitated the separation of the catalyst. Furthermore, the isolation from the reaction mixture and recyclability of two catalysts was evaluated. However, the activity of the recycled catalysts gradually decreases due to partial decomposition. In total 16 cyclic carbonates were prepared in yields up to 97%.
Manipulation and Improvement of Autofocusing Properties for Circular Butterfly Beams
Authors: Cai Yiming , Hu Juntao , Sun Zhuo , Lan Yanping , Teng Houan , Qian Yixian
Published: July 2022

A new class of (2+1)‐dimensional circular butterfly beams (CBBs) is first demonstrated based on high‐dimensional butterfly catastrophes. The intensity of CBBs increases abruptly by two orders of magnitude right before they propagate to the focal plane, implying that they possess an abruptly autofocusing (AAF) ability induced by accelerating properties. The autofocusing performance can be further improved by introducing vortices. Owing to the flexibility of high‐dimensional catastrophes, butterfly beams exhibit diverse optical light structures; thus, the focal length, focal intensity, and light field structures of CBBs are tunable. Experimental results are consistent with numerical findings. Therefore, CBBs enrich the family of AAF beams and will be advantageous for optical micromachining, medical treatments, optical tweezers, and nonlinear processes.
Reductive Cross‐Coupling of α‐Oxy Halides Enabled by Thermal Catalysis, Photocatalysis, Electrocatalysis, or Mechanochemistry
Authors: Zhu Chen , Lee Shao‐Chi , Chen Haifeng , Yue Huifeng , Rueping Magnus
Published: July 2022

Herein, we report a reductive cross‐coupling reaction of α‐oxy halides, simply generated from aldehydes, with a series of C(sp2)‐ and C(sp)‐electrophiles. A wide range of aryl and heteroatom aryl halides, vinyl bromides, alkynyl bromides, and acyl chlorides react with unhindered and hindered aldehyde‐derived α‐oxy halides by providing protected alcohols as well as α‐hydroxy ketones. Noteworthy, the reductive couplings are achieved not only through thermal catalysis with the use of metal reductants but also by photocatalysis, electrochemistry, and mechanochemistry. The unrestricted interchange of the four strategies indicates their underlying mechanistic similarities. The generation of NiI intermediate is proposed to be the key point for ketyl radical formation via a single‐electron transfer (SET) event, which was rationalized by an array of control experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations.
Green synthesized plasmonic Pd–ZnO nanomaterials for visible light‐induced photobiogas production from industrial wastewater
Authors: Mbrouk Omar A. , Fawzy Mohamed , Elshafey Heba M. , Saif Mona , Hafez Hoda , Abdel Mottaleb Mohamed Sabry A.
Published: July 2022

Plasmonic Pd–ZnO nano photocatalysts synthesized via a green chemistry approach represent an innovation of visible‐light‐induced photocatalysis that can be applied for photobiogas production from organic dye pollutants. Different plasmonic Pd–ZnO nanophotocatalysts have been synthesized via green microwave‐assisted methods using orange peel extract as a capping agent by adding different proportions (3, 5, and 7 wt%) from Pd‐metal plasmons. This fast and green innovative method anchored well distribution of Pd‐metal plasmons (2‐5 nm) on the surface of ZnO (17–27 nm). XRD has investigated the nanostructures' crystallographic, morphological, and optical characteristics, XPS, TEM, UV–Vis DRS, and as.BET surface area analysis. A higher surface area data have been achieved by incorporating Pd plasmons from 9.2 m2 g−1 in pure ZnO to 16.9 m2 g−1 in 7% Pd–ZnO. The analysis of XPS spectra shows an increase of the lattice oxygen (OL) from 62.36% to 65.08%, suggesting an increase in the number of oxygen vacancies on the surface of the Pd–ZnO plasmonic photocatalysts that leads to enhancing its photocatalytic performance. UV–Vis optical spectra of the different Pd–ZnO photocatalysts reveal the visible light absorption capability due to the localized surface plasmonic resonance effect (LSPR). The photocatalytic activity of the obtained Pd–ZnO nanomaterials has been tested on the photobiogas production during the photocatalytic destruction of Reactive Yellow 15 (R.Y.) in two prototype photobiogas reactors, cylindrical UV reactor and a pilot‐scale CPC solar reactor, under nitrogen atmosphere. A higher yield of biogas (CH4) and hydrogen (H2) gases have been achieved by the effect of Pd plasmons on the ZnO photocatalyst.
Polythioesters Prepared by Ring‐Opening Polymerization of Cyclic Thioesters and Related Monomers
Authors: Li Hui , Guillaume Sophie M. , Carpentier Jean‐François
Published: July 2022

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biodegradable and biocompatible polyesters with a wide range of applications; in particular, they currently stand as promising alternatives to conventional polyolefin‐based “plastics”. The introduction of sulfur atoms within the PHAs backbone can endow the resulting polythioesters (PTEs) with differentiated, sometimes enhanced thermal, optical and mechanical properties, thereby widening their versatility and use. Hence, PTEs have been gaining increasing attention over the past half‐decade. This review highlights recent advances towards the synthesis of well‐defined PTEs by ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclic thioesters – namely thiolactones – as well as of S‐carboxyanhydrides and thionolactones; it also covers the ring‐opening copolymerization (ROCOP) of cyclic thioanhydrides or thiolactones with epoxides or episulfides. Most of the ROP reactions described are of anionic type, mediated by inorganic, organic or organometallic initiators/catalysts, along with a few enzymatic reactions as well. Emphasis is placed on the reactivity of the thio monomers, in relation to their ring‐size ranging from 4‐ to 5‐, 6‐ and 7‐membered cycles, the nature of the catalyst/initiating systems implemented and their efficiency in terms of activity and control over the PTE molar mass, dispersity, topology, and microstructure.
An optimal robust design method for fractional‐order reset controller
Authors: Wang Shaohua , Sun Yixiu , Li Xiaoqing , Han Bin , Luo Ying
Published: July 2022

In this paper, a novel design method for the reset controller structure (i.e., fractional‐order proportional and integral plus Clegg integrator (PI
 + CI
)), is proposed for a second‐order plus time delay plant. To this end, the designer can get an optimal fractional reset controller that gives the control system more phase margin over the base linear PI controller and robust to loop gain variation. The describing function method is used to investigate the capability of phase lead and the frequency domain properties of PI
 + CI
. The gain crossover frequency and phase margin specifications ensure the stability of the control system, and the flat phase constraint makes the control system robust to loop gain variations. Meanwhile, the integral of time and absolute error (ITAE) value is applied to achieve the optimal dynamic performance as the cost function. PI
 + CI
is compared with its integer‐order counterpart (i.e., proportional and integral plus Clegg integrator (PI + CI) controller) and their base controllers (i.e., integer‐order PI and fractional‐order PI controllers) in terms of the step response and robustness to loop gain variations. The simulation results illustrate that the PI
 + CI
control system obtains lower overshoot and oscillation and better robustness to loop gain variations than others. The experiments are performed on the speed control of an air bearing stage. Experimental results show that the designed PI
 + CI
control system behaves better than others. The proposed PI
 + CI
design method can be applied to other general control plants easily.
Coning motion stability and decoupling methods analysis of spinning missiles with angle‐of‐attack feedback autopilot
Authors: Wang Yuchen , Wang Wei , Ji Yi , Zhang Jian , Wang Xiaokang
Published: July 2022

The angle‐of‐attack (AOA) three‐loop feedback autopilot is an improved three‐loop autopilot that has been widely employed in missile control systems. For spinning missiles, however, unstable coning motion can be induced by the cross‐couple effect. For spinning missiles with an AOA feedback autopilot, this paper analyzes the coning motion stability with the consideration of the augmentation loop and the position of the accelerometer and compares the performance of three decoupling methods. First, a novel double‐channel actuator AOA three‐loop autopilot is established, and the sufficient and necessary condition of coning motion stability is proposed analytically on account of the complex system equations. The stability condition shows that the stable region of the design parameters for the autopilot shrinks as a result of the spinning condition. Moreover, methods associated with actuator dynamics, control coupling, static stability, and the decoupling method of setting the lead angle to the control system are presented to improve the stability of spinning missiles. Numerical simulations are implemented to demonstrate the accuracy of the proposed methods, whose results illustrate that the stability conditions can guide AOA autopilot design for the flight stabilization of spinning missiles.
Potassium ferricyanide oxidizes silicon quantum dots under alkaline conditions to produce chemiluminescence for uric acid detection in human urine
Authors: Song Mengling , Huang Mingyan , Yang Zixin , Chen Funan
Published: July 2022

Potassium ferricyanide (K3(Fe(CN)6)) could directly oxidize silicon quantum dots (Si QDs) to generate chemiluminescence (CL) under alkaline conditions. It was noteworthy that in the Si QDs–K3(Fe(CN)6)–NaOH CL system, the Si QDs worked as a new luminescent material. In addition, the signal intensity of this CL system could be weakened with the addition of uric acid (UA). Based on these, we exploited a new easy and convenient determination method of UA. This method only needed filtration and dilution of UA, without other pretreatment. The constructed system exhibited a linear relationship that ranged from 0.50 to 4.50 mmol·L−1, with 0.24 mmol·L−1 of detection limit, and this system had successfully demonstrated the detection of UA in human urine. In addition, this work also broaden the application of the Si QDs in CL research.
KRAS‐G12D mutation drives immune suppression and the primary resistance of anti‐PD‐1/PD‐L1 immunotherapy in non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Liu Chengming , Zheng Sufei , Wang Zhanyu , Wang Sihui , Wang Xinfeng , Yang Lu , Xu Haiyan , Cao Zheng , Feng Xiaoli , Xue Qi , Wang Yan , Sun Nan , He Jie
Published: July 2022

Background

Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) against programmed cell death protein 1 (PD‐1) and its ligand PD‐L1 have demonstrated potency towards treating patients with non‐small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), the potential association between Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) oncogene substitutions and the efficacy of ICIs remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to find point mutations in the KRAS gene resistant to ICIs and elucidate resistance mechanism.

Methods

The association between KRAS variant status and the efficacy of ICIs was explored with a clinical cohort (n = 74), and confirmed with a mouse model. In addition, the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) of KRAS‐mutant NSCLC, such as CD8+ tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and PD‐L1 level, was investigated. Cell lines expressing classic KRAS substitutions were used to explore signaling pathway activation involved in the formation of TIME. Furthermore, interventions that improved TIME were developed to increase responsiveness to ICIs.

Results

We observed the inferior efficacy of ICIs in KRAS‐G12D‐mutant NSCLC. Based upon transcriptome data and immunostaining results from KRAS‐mutant NSCLC, KRAS‐G12D point mutation negatively correlated with PD‐L1 level and secretion of chemokines CXCL10/CXCL11 that led to a decrease in CD8+ TILs, which in turn yielded an immunosuppressive TIME. The analysis of cell lines overexpressing classic KRAS substitutions further revealed that KRAS‐G12D mutation suppressed PD‐L1 level via the P70S6K/PI3K/AKT axis and reduced CXCL10/CXCL11 levels by down‐regulating high mobility group protein A2 (HMGA2) level. Notably, paclitaxel, a chemotherapeutic agent, upregulated HMGA2 level, and in turn, stimulated the secretion of CXCL10/CXCL11. Moreover, PD‐L1 blockade combined with paclitaxel significantly suppressed tumor growth compared with PD‐L1 inhibitor monotherapy in a mouse model with KRAS‐G12D‐mutant lung adenocarcinoma. Further analyses revealed that the combined treatment significantly enhanced the recruitment of CD8+ TILs via the up‐regulation of CXCL10/CXCL11 levels. Results of clinical study also revealed the superior efficacy of chemo‐immunotherapy in patients with KRAS‐G12D‐mutant NSCLC compared with ICI monotherapy.

Conclusions

Our study elucidated the molecular mechanism by which KRAS‐G12D mutation drives immunosuppression and enhances resistance of ICIs in NSCLC. Importantly, our findings demonstrate that ICIs in combination with chemotherapy may be more effective in patients with KRAS‐G12D‐mutant NSCLC.
Peroxidase Activity of Myoglobin Variants Reconstituted with Artificial Cofactors
Authors: Guo Chao , Chadwick Robert J. , Foulis Adam , Bedendi Giada , Lubskyy Andriy , Rodriguez Kyle J. , Pellizzoni Michela M. , Milton Ross D. , Beveridge Rebecca , Bruns Nico
Published: July 2022

Myoglobin (Mb) can react with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to form a highly active intermediate compound and catalyse oxidation reactions. To enhance this activity, known as pseudo‐peroxidase activity, previous studies have focused on the modification of key amino acid residues of Mb or the heme cofactor. In this work, the Mb scaffold (apo‐Mb) was systematically reconstituted with a set of cofactors based on six metal ions and two ligands. These Mb variants were fully characterised by UV‐Vis spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) and native mass spectrometry (nMS). The steady‐state kinetics of guaiacol oxidation and 2,4,6‐trichlorophenol (TCP) dehalogenation catalysed by Mb variants were determined. Mb variants with iron chlorin e6 (Fe−Ce6) and manganese chlorin e6 (Mn−Ce6) cofactors were found to have improved catalytic efficiency for both guaiacol and TCP substrates in comparison with wild‐type Mb, i. e. Fe‐protoporphyrin IX‐Mb. Furthermore, the selected cofactors were incorporated into the scaffold of a Mb mutant, swMb H64D. Enhanced peroxidase activity for both substrates were found via the reconstitution of Fe−Ce6 into the mutant scaffold.
Effects of long‐term exposure to MST‐312 on lung cancer cells tumorigenesis: Role of SHH/GLI‐1 axis
Authors: Villarinho Nicolas Jones , Vasconcelos Flavia da Cunha , Mazzoccoli Luciano , da Silva Robaina Marcela Cristina , Pessoa Luciana Santos , Siqueira Pablo Enrique Torres , Maia Raquel Ciuvalschi , de Oliveira Diego Madureira , Leite de Sampaio e Spohr Tania Cristina , Lopes Giselle Faria
Published: July 2022

Replicative immortality is a key feature of cancer cells and it is maintained by the expression of telomerase, a promising target of novel therapies. Long‐term telomerase inhibition can induce resistance, but the mechanisms underlying this process remain unclear. The Sonic hedgehog pathway (SHH) is an embryogenic pathway involved in tumorigenesis and modulates the transcription of telomerase. We evaluated the effects of long‐term treatment of the telomerase inhibitor MST‐312 in morphology, proliferation, resistance, and in the SHH pathway molecules expression levels in lung cancer cells. Cells treated for 12 weeks with MST‐312 showed changes in morphology, such as spindle‐shaped cells, and a shift in the distribution of F‐ACTIN from cortical to diffuse. Treatment also significantly reduced cells' efficiency to form spheroids and their clonogenic potential, independently of the cell cycle and telomeric DNA content. Moreover, GLI‐1 expression levels were significantly reduced after 12 weeks of MST‐312 treatment, indicating a possible inhibition of this signaling axis in the SHH pathway, without hindering NANOG and OCT4 expression. Here, we described a novel implication of long‐term treatment with MST‐312 functionally and molecularly, shedding new light on the molecular mechanisms of this drug in vitro.
A comprehensive review of chemokine CXC17 (VCC1) in cancer, infection, and inflammation
Authors: Gowhari Shabgah Arezoo , Jadidi‐Niaragh Farhad , Ebrahimzadeh Farnoosh , Mohammadi Hamed , Askari Elham , Pahlavani Naseh , Malekahmadi Mahsa , Ebrahimi Nik Maryam , Gholizadeh Navashenaq Jamshid
Published: July 2022

A crucial component of the immune system are chemokiness. Chemokine's dysregulation has been linked to a number of pathological diseases. Recently, CXCL17, a chemokine belonging to the CXC subfamily, was identified. With regard to a number of physiological conditions and disorders, CXCL17 either has homeostatic or pathogenic effects. Some research suggests that CXCL17 is an orphan ligand, despite the fact that G protein‐coupled receptor (GPR) 35 has been suggested as a possible receptor for CXCL17. Since CXCL17 is primarily secreted by mucosal epithelia, such as those in the digestive and respiratory tracts, under physiological circumstances, this chemokine is referred to as a mucosal chemokine. Macrophages and monocytes are the cells that express GPR35 and hence react to CXCL17. In homeostatic conditions, this chemokine has anti‐inflammatory, antibacterial, and chemotactic properties. CXCL17 promotes angiogenesis, metastasis, and cell proliferation in pathologic circumstances like malignancies. However, other studies suggest that CXCL17 may have anti‐tumor properties. Additionally, studies have shown that CXCL17 may have a role in conditions such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, multiple sclerosis, asthma, and systemic sclerosis. Additionally, deregulation of CXCL17 in some diseases may serve as a biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis. Clarifying the underlying mechanism of CXCL17's activity in homeostatic and pathological situations may thus increase our understanding of its role and hold promise for the development of novel treatment strategies.
Case of multiple furuncular myiasis in Northeast Ethiopia
Authors: Dires Abebe , Kebede Assen , Gedamu Sisay , Dires Tadila
Published: July 2022

Human myiasis is a neglected disease caused by parasitic infestation of the skin, cavities, and other body parts by larvae (maggots) of a wide variety of dipteran flies. Here, we present a case of multiple furuncular myiasis caused by Cordylobia anthropophaga in a 61‐year‐old woman from Northeast Ethiopia.
Co‐infection of Klebsiella pneumonia, Cytomegalovirus, Aspergillus and Zygomycete in a patient with SARS‐CoV‐2
Authors: Pourabdollah Toutkaboni Mihan , Hakamifard Atousa , Abtahian Zahra , Mirahmadian Arefeh , Rahdar Mohammad , Mokhber Dezfuli Mojtaba , Tabarsi Payam
Published: July 2022

Co‐infection between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) and other pathogens has become a serious threat. There are the reports of fungal, bacterial, and viral co‐infections with SARS‐CoV‐2. We report the unusual case of concomitant aspergillosis, mucormycosis, cytomegalovirus pneumonia, and also klebsiella pneumoniae empyema as the complication of SARS‐CoV‐2.
Hydrocarbon Soluble Alkali‐Metal‐Aluminium Hydride Surrog[ATES]
Authors: Banerjee Sumanta , Macdonald Peter A. , Orr Samantha A. , Kennedy Alan R. , van Teijlingen Alexander , Robertson Stuart D. , Tuttle Tell , Mulvey Robert E.
Published: July 2022

A series of group 1 hydrocarbon‐soluble donor free aluminates [AM(tBuDHP)(TMP)Al(iBu)2] (AM=Li, Na, K, Rb) have been synthesised by combining an alkali metal dihydropyridyl unit [(2‐tBuC5H5N)AM)] containing a surrogate hydride (sp3C−H) with [(iBu)2Al(TMP)]. These aluminates have been characterised by X‐ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy. While the lithium aluminate forms a monomer, the heavier alkali metal aluminates exist as polymeric chains propagated by non‐covalent interactions between the alkali metal cations and the alkyldihydropyridyl units. Solvates [(THF)Li(tBuDHP)(TMP)Al(iBu)2] and [(TMEDA)Na(tBuDHP)(TMP)Al(iBu)2] have also been crystallographically characterised. Theoretical calculations show how the dispersion forces tend to increase on moving from Li to Rb, as opposed to the electrostatic forces of stabilization, which are orders of magnitude more significant. Having unique structural features, these bimetallic compounds can be considered as starting points for exploring unique reactivity trends as alkali‐metal‐aluminium hydride surrog[ATES].
Meso‐Carbon Atom Nucleophilic Attack Susceptibility in the Sterically Strained Antiaromatic Bis‐BODIPY Macrocycle and Extended Electron‐Deficient BODIPY Precursor**
Authors: Zatsikha Yuriy V. , Schrage Briana R. , Blesener Tanner S. , Harrison Laurel A. , Ziegler Christopher J. , Nemykin Victor N.
Published: July 2022

A sterically strained 32π‐electron antiaromatic bis‐BODIPY macrocycle in which two BODIPY fragments are linked by p‐divinylbenzene groups was prepared and characterized. Unlike regular BODIPYs, the fluorescence in this macrocycle is quenched. The broad signals in the NMR spectra of the macrocycle were explained by the vibronic freedom of the p‐divinylbenzene fragments. The possible diradicaloid nature of the macrocycle was excluded on the basis of variable‐temperature EPR spectra in solution and in solid state, which is indicative of its closed‐shell quinoidal structure. The meso‐C−H bond in the macrocycle and its precursor BODIPY dialdehyde 3 forms a weak hydrogen bond with THF and is susceptible for the nucleophilic attack by organic amines and cyanide anion. The reaction products of such a nucleophilic attack have meso‐sp3 carbon atoms and were characterized by NMR, mass spectrometry and, in one case, X‐ray crystallography. Unlike the initial bis‐BODIPY macrocycle, the adducts have strong fluorescence in the 400 nm region. The electronic structure and spectroscopic properties of new chromophores were probed by density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent DFT (TDDFT) calculations and correlate well with the experimental data.
Development of an Enantioselective Allylic Alkylation of Acyclic α‐Fluoro‐β‐ketoesters for Asymmetric Synthesis of 3‐Fluoropiperidines
Authors: Han Jiaxin , Hoteite Larry , Harrity Joseph P. A.
Published: July 2022

The first useful enantioselective Pd‐catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation of α‐fluoro‐β‐ketoesters has been achieved using the Trost family of chiral ligands yielding products in up to 92 % ee. This work provides new insights regarding the typically modest selectivities associated with acyclic α‐fluoroenolates and shows experimental evidence that the typically poor levels of enantiocontrol associated with these systems are not necessarily due to the presence of E/Z enolate mixtures. Finally, this methodology allows the easy preparation of useful 3‐fluoropiperidine intermediates, and it is demonstrated that these systems are applicable to a range of functionalization reactions leading to new building blocks for the discovery of bioactive products.
Cost‐Effective 2D Ultrathin Metal‐Organic Layers with Bis‐Metallic Catalytic Sites for Visible Light‐Driven Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction
Authors: Wang Wei‐Jia , Zhang Yong‐Kang , Wu An‐Guo , He Liang‐Nian
Published: July 2022

As novel generated 2D materials, metal‐organic layers (MOLs) have recently emerged as a potential platform for photocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (PCO2RR). Such 2D structures negate the blemish of low‐density catalytic sites and low electron transmission efficiency on the surface of metal organic frameworks (MOFs), while retaining the advantage of low expenditure when using earth‐abundant metal nodes and meritorious applicability in the PCO2RR. Herein, it is reported that the 2D ultrathin layer material with bis‐metallic catalytic sites (Ni−O metal node and the Ni−N metal site) from bidentate ligand 2,2’‐bipyridine‐5,5’‐dicarboxylate (H2bpydc) and nickel(II) remarkably boosts the visible light‐driven PCO2RR performance with a CO yield of 2400 mmol g−1 for 18 h and a selectivity up to 99 %. Consequently, the effects of morphology, catalytic sites and intrinsic properties on PCO2RR efficiency have been investigated in detail. In this context, the ultrathin layer structure has been elucidated as the key point to facilitate electron transfer efficiency. Notably, the bis‐metallic catalytic sites with reasonable distance between two adjacent metals presumably induce synergistic effect and offer a guiding ideology for further designing high performance photocatalysts.
Boosting the Enantioselectivity of Conjugate Borylation of α,β‐Disubstituted Cyclobutenones with Monooxides of ChiralC2‐Symmetric Bis(phosphine) Ligands
Authors: Cui Ming , Zhao Zhi‐Yuan , Oestreich Martin
Published: July 2022

Chiral bis(phosphine) monooxides (BPMOs) derived fromC2‐symmetric bis(phosphines) have been found to induce superior levels of enantioselection in copper‐catalyzed conjugate borylation of α,β‐disubstituted cyclobutenones. More precisely, enantiomeric excesses as well as chemical yields are exceedingly high with (R,R)‐Bozphos as the chiral ligand while these values are low with parent (R,R)‐Me‐Duphos. A similar yet less pronounced effect was seen in the corresponding 1,6‐addition topara‐quinone methides.
Experimental methods in chemical engineering: Reactive extrusion
Authors: Zhuang Yanfa , Saadatkhah Nooshin , Morgani Mahdi Salehi , Xu Tianhuai , Martin Charlie , Patience Gregory S. , Ajji Abdellah
Published: July 2022

Reactive extrusion (REX) is a manufacturing technique that combines traditional melt extrusion with chemical reactions, including polymerization, polymer functionalization, and depolymerization (chemical recycling). Single screw, counter‐rotating, and co‐rotating twin‐screw extruders (TSE) are possible configurations, but the TSE is most effective for viscous media with better mixing capability, temperature and residence time distribution control, and self‐wiping (cleaning) performance. Compared to traditional polymer processing where monomers react in tanks, followed by compounding and pelletizing, REX can operate solvent‐free in a single step. This simplifies the downstream separation and saves equipment and operational costs. However, the short residence times (on the order of seconds to minutes) of extruders limit their applications to fast reactions. For longer reactions, a sequential design and string extruders with a batch reactor extend residence times. Furthermore, the surface‐to‐volume ratio decreases with increasing scale, which introduces design complexity to remove the heat of reaction. Here, we review REX working principles, apparatuses and their elements, applications and reactions, simulation/modelling and scale‐up considerations, as well as limitations and recommendations. Web of Science indexed 579 articles that mention REX between 2017 and 2021. A bibliometric analysis of these articles identified five research clusters: composite, nano‐composite, and thermal properties; degradation, crosslinking, rheology, and acid; crystallization, polypropylene, maleic anhydride, and rheological properties; morphology, compatibilization, and copolymer; and oxidative stress and mechanisms.
Seroconversion and outcomes after initial and booster COVID‐19 vaccination in adults with hematologic malignancies
Authors: Ollila Thomas A. , Masel Rebecca H. , Reagan John L. , Lu Shaolei , Rogers Ralph D. , Paiva Kimberly J. , Taher Rashida , Burguera‐Couce Ella , Zayac Adam S. , Yakirevich Inna , Niroula Rabin , Barth Peter , Olszewski Adam J.
Published: July 2022

Background

Patients with hematologic malignancies have impaired humoral immunity secondary to their malignancy and its treatment, placing them at risk of severe coronavirus disease‐19 (COVID‐19) infection and reduced response to vaccination.

Methods

The authors retrospectively analyzed serologic responses to initial and booster COVID‐19 vaccination in 378 patients with hematologic malignancy and subsequently tracked COVID‐19–related outcomes.

Results

Seroconversion occurred in 181 patients (48%) after initial vaccination; patients who had active malignancy or those who were recently treated with a B‐cell–depleting monoclonal antibody had the lowest rates of seroconversion. For initial nonresponders to vaccination, seroconversion after a booster dose occurred in 48 of 85 patients (56%). The seroconversion rate after the booster was similar for patients on (53%) and off (58%) active therapy (p = .82). Thirty‐three patients (8.8%) developed a COVID‐19 infection, and there were three COVID‐19–related deaths (0.8%). Although no significant association was observed between postvaccination seroconversion and the incidence of COVID‐19 infection, no patient with seroconversion died from COVID‐19, and no patient who received tixagevimab/cilgavimab (N = 25) was diagnosed with a COVID‐19 infection.

Conclusions

Booster vaccinations can promote seroconversion in a significant proportion of patients who are seronegative after the initial vaccination course regardless of the specific vaccine or on/off treatment status at the time of revaccination. Although postvaccination seroconversion may not be associated with a decrease in any (including asymptomatic) COVID‐19 infection, the authors' experience suggested that effective vaccination (including a booster), supplemented by passive immunization using tixagevimab/cilgavimab in case of lack of seroconversion, effectively eliminated the risk of COVID‐19 death in the otherwise high‐risk population.

Lay summary

Patients with hematologic malignancy, especially lymphoma, have an impaired response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) vaccination.

In this single‐institution review, less than one half of the patients studied made detectable antibodies.

For those who did not make detectable antibodies after initial vaccination, over one half (65%) were able to produce antibodies after booster vaccination.

By the end of February 2022, 33 of the original 378 patients had a documented COVID‐19 infection.

The only deaths from COVID‐19 were in those who had undetectable antibodies, and no patient who received prophylactic antibody therapy developed a COVID‐19 infection.
On the JAP Method for the Indirect Determination of Delocalized Currents from Experimental Chemical Shifts**
Authors: Landi Alessandro , Summa Francesco F. , Zanasi Riccardo , Monaco Guglielmo
Published: July 2022

The JAP model (after Jirásek, Anderson, and Peeks) to retrieve global current strengths from experimental 1H chemical shifts has been tested with DFT computations. Both global and local tropicities are correctly predicted in most cases and the quantitative agreement is overall fair. An extension of the model is found to give improvement in an exemplary critical case, where the global delocalized current is negligible and the current density map is dominated by local currents.
Isolating Nuclei From Frozen Human Heart Tissue for Single‐Nucleus RNA Sequencing
Authors: Safabakhsh Sina , Sar Funda , Martelotto Luciano , Haegert Anne , Singhera Gurpreet , Hanson Paul , Parker Jeremy , Collins Colin , Rohani Leili , Laksman Zachary
Published: July 2022

Heart disease is the leading cause of global morbidity and mortality. This is in part because, despite an abundance of animal and in vitro models, it has been a challenge to date to study human heart tissue with sufficient depth and resolution to develop disease‐modifying therapies for common cardiac conditions. Single‐nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA‐seq) has emerged as a powerful tool capable of analyzing cellular function and signaling in health and disease, and has already contributed to significant advances in areas such as oncology and hematology. Employing snRNA‐seq technology on flash‐frozen human tissue has the potential to unlock novel disease mechanisms and pathways in any organ. Studying the human heart using snRNA‐seq is a key priority for the field of cardiovascular sciences; however, progress to date has been slowed by numerous barriers. One key challenge is the fact that the human heart is very resistant to shearing and stress, making tissue dissociation and nuclear isolation difficult. Here, we describe a tissue dissociation method allowing the efficient and cost‐effective isolation of high‐quality nuclei from flash‐frozen human heart tissue collected in surgical operating rooms. Our protocol addresses the challenge of nuclear isolation from human hearts, enables snRNA‐seq of the human heart, and paves the way for an improved understanding of the human heart in health and disease. Ultimately, this will be key to uncovering signaling pathways and networks amenable to therapeutic intervention and the development of novel biomarkers and disease‐modifying therapies. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol: Human heart tissue dissociation and nuclear isolation for snRNA‐seq
Participative pricing and donation programs in a socially concerned supply chain
Authors: Sabbaghnia Ali , Heydari Jafar , Razmi Jafar
Published: July 2022

This study analyzes a participative pricing scheme, name‐your‐own‐price, as a practical marketing mechanism for a socially sustainable supply chain. There is an ongoing argument on the profitability of participative pricing. This study introduces a different approach in capturing optimal decisions of a corporate social responsibility practice. In the proposed approach, the manufacturer is willing to donate as long as, (I) business image is improving; thus, the potential market size is expanding and, (II) consumers are also donating through the proposed donation scheme. Results indicate that not only the total earnings are increasing, the market participation is also boosted. Further, operational decisions are coordinated successfully with a revenue‐sharing contract. Findings imply that there is a minimum threshold for manufacturer's participation ratio to ensure the profitability of the proposed scheme, not to mention consumer's donation size. Sensitivity analysis is conducted to prove the applicability of the proposed mechanism in real‐world applications.
Empirical and philosophical problems with the subspecies rank
Authors: Burbrink Frank T. , Crother Brian I. , Murray Christopher M. , Smith Brian Tilston , Ruane Sara , Myers Edward A. , Pyron Robert Alexander
Published: July 2022

Species‐level taxonomy derives from empirical sources (data and techniques) that assess the existence of spatiotemporal evolutionary lineages via various species “concepts.” These concepts determine if observed lineages are independent given a particular methodology and ontology, which relates the metaphysical species concept to what “kind” of thing a species is in reality. Often, species concepts fail to link epistemology back to ontology. This lack of coherence is in part responsible for the persistence of the subspecies rank, which in modern usage often functions as a placeholder between the evolutionary events of divergence or collapse of incipient species. Thus, prospective events like lineages merging or diverging require information from unknowable future information. This is also conditioned on evidence that the lineage already has a detectably distinct evolutionary history. Ranking these lineages as subspecies can seem attractive given that many lineages do not exhibit intrinsic reproductive isolation. We argue that using subspecies is indefensible on philosophical and empirical grounds. Ontologically, the rank of subspecies is either identical to that of species or undefined in the context of evolutionary lineages representing spatiotemporally defined individuals. Some species concepts more inclined to consider subspecies, like the Biological Species Concept, are disconnected from evolutionary ontology and do not consider genealogy. Even if ontology is ignored, methods addressing reproductive isolation are often indirect and fail to capture the range of scenarios linking gene flow to species identity over space and time. The use of subspecies and reliance on reproductive isolation as a basis for an operational species concept can also conflict with ethical issues governing the protection of species. We provide a way forward for recognizing and naming species that links theoretical and operational species concepts regardless of the magnitude of reproductive isolation.