bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Are we aware of neural activity in primary visual cortex? A neuropsychological case study
Authors: Hauw Fabien , Sangaré Aude , Munoz‐Musat Esteban , Meyniel Claire , Di Donato Nina , Chokron Sylvie , Bozon Frédérique , Naccache Lionel
Published: March 2024

Objective

According to a seminal hypothesis stated by Crick and Koch in 1995, one is not aware of neural activity in primary visual cortex (V1) because this region lacks reciprocal connections with prefrontal cortex (PFC).

Methods

We provide here a neuropsychological illustration of this hypothesis in a patient with a very rare form of cortical blindness: ventral and dorsal cortical pathways were lesioned bilaterally while V1 areas were partially preserved.

Results

Visual stimuli escaped conscious perception but still activated V1 regions that were functionally disconnected from PFC.

Interpretation

These results are consistent with the hypothesis of a causal role of PFC in visual awareness.
Design Rules for the Nano‐Bio Interface of Nanodiamonds: Implications for siRNA Vectorization
Authors: Kindermann Marek , Neburkova Jitka , Neuhoferova Eva , Majer Jan , Stejfova Miroslava , Benson Veronika , Cigler Petr
Published: March 2024

The enormous therapeutic potential of selective ribonucleic acid (RNA) interference has recently been manifested by the approval of several small interfering RNA (siRNA)‐based drugs. However, the efficacy of siRNA delivery is still limited, and an extensive search for alternative and highly effective delivery approaches is ongoing. With this aim, three generations of non‐viral vectors based on modified nanodiamonds (NDs) have been gradually developed in the past decade. They show great promise due to the negligible toxicity of the ND core. Here, a robust methodological approach is presented to enable the evaluation of new vector nanomaterials. Using a new type of third‐generation ND vector coated with a copolymer with tunable charge density, variables such as colloidal stability, surface electrostatic properties, the molecular composition of the copolymer, and the mode of complexation with siRNA are optimized. Using an innovative data processing strategy, the results are related to biological potency, toxicity, and cell proliferation. Finally, the optimized composition of a coating copolymer consisting of a cationic component, 2‐dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, and an electroneutral biocompatible component, N‐(2‐hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide, is evaluated. The optimized NDs vectors are colloidally and biologically stable siRNA delivery tools with broad potential for RNA interference‐based therapeutics.
Self‐Healing Materials for 3D Printing
Authors: Andreu Alberto , Lee Haeseung , Kang Jiheong , Yoon Yong‐Jin
Published: March 2024

Additive manufacturing/3D printing is praised as revolutionary by many because it enables the decentralized and on‐demand manufacturing of complex shapes. With the ongoing rapid development and increased availability of these technologies, it has become crucial to develop novel materials with unique functionalities for 3D‐printed components. Advances in self‐healing materials have resulted in structures capable of recovering from physical damage through material remendability. By applying self‐healing solutions to 3D printing, researchers are attempting to overcome current barriers such as low mechanical properties, material waste, and printability issues, among others. This review summarizes the current state of research on self‐healing materials used for 3D printing and presents recent progress in the 3D printing of self‐healing components. The particular focus is on the use of intrinsic polymer self‐healing, which is prominent in the published literature. The self‐healing mechanisms of the proposed material systems as well as their composition are highlighted, and their intended application with respect to 3D printing is focused on. The scientific and technological challenges involved in the implementation of self‐healing materials and approaches and the potential functional 3D printing applications of these new materials are also discussed.
Excellent Energy Storage Performance of ZnO doped (Pb,La)(Zr,Sn,Ti)O3 Based Antiferroelectric Ceramics at an Ultra‐Low Sintering Temperature of 940 °C
Authors: Zhao Han , Xu Ran , Wang Meng Jiao , Wang Gang , Sun Hong Chen , Wang Xiao Zhi , Zhu Qing Shan , Wei Xiao Yong , Feng Yu Jun , Xu Zhuo
Published: March 2024

(Pb,La)(Zr,Sn,Ti)O3‐based antiferroelectric ceramics have excellent energy storage performance(more than 90% efficiency), which make them have great application advantages in the field of ceramic capacitors. However, the sintering temperature of (Pb,La)(Zr,Sn,Ti)O3‐based antiferroelectric ceramics is generally above 1250 °C, which limits application as a material for ceramic capacitors. Cu inner electrode has a low co‐firing temperature and high conductivity and a low cost price, making it more competitive in the field of ceramic capacitor inner electrode. Therefore, the first step is to reduce the sintering temperature of (Pb,La)(Zr,Sn,Ti)O3‐based ceramics to below 1000 °C(co‐firing temperature with Cu inner electrode), which is the key and difficult point. In this paper, Pb0.94La0.02Sr0.04(Zr0.45Sn0.47Ti0.08)0.995O3(PLSZST) antiferroelectric ceramics are doped with ZnO, which effectively reduce the sintering temperature. Among them, PLSZST‐1 wt% ZnO is sintered at an ultra‐low sintering temperature (TSintering = 940 °C), which is 330 °C lower than that of PLSZST(TSintering = 1270 °C) without doping ZnO. At the same time, PLSZST‐1 wt%ZnO obtain a recoverable energy density of 4.26J cm−3 and an energy efficiency of 95.5% at 230 kV cm−1. The pulse discharge energy density (Wdis = 3.92 J cm−3) and discharge time (t0.9 = 351 ns) are obtained at 220 kV cm−1, and the current density (CD = 1338A cm−2) and power density (PD = 134MW cm−3) are obtained at 200 kV cm−1. The results provide a possible material basis for Cu internal electrode ceramic capacitors.
Zinc‐Coordinated Imidazole‐Based Ionic Liquid as Liquid Salt for All‐Temperature Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Zhong Mingyang , Wang Yang , Xie Yihua , Yuan Shouyi , Ding Kai , Begin Elijah J. , Zhang Yingjie , Bao Junwei Lucas , Wang Yonggang
Published: March 2024

Owing to the intrinsically high safety, low cost, natural abundance, and high energy density of Zn metal, aqueous Zn ion batteries (AZIBs) have become a promising candidate for large‐scale energy conversion and storage. However, the practical application of AZIBs is hampered by the severe Zn dendrites growth and the poor low‐temperature performance due to the elevated freezing point of aqueous electrolyte. Herein, the study proposes a new kind of room‐temperature liquid Zn salt, which is called Zn coordinated ionic liquid (i.e., (EMIM)5Zn(OTF)7), for all‐temperature AZIBs. The aqueous electrolyte containing 0.261 mol kg−1 (EMIM)5Zn(OTF)7 in Ethylene Glycol (EG) / H2O (6:4) exhibits ultralow freezing point below −100 °C. The liquid Zn salt and EG molecules not only modulate the solvation structure of Zn2+ ion, reducing the coordinated H2O in the first solvation sheath, but also suppresses the parasitic side reaction. As a proof of concept, Zn || Zn symmetric cells and Zn || PANI full cells with the designed electrolyte achieve improved cycling stability and can operate under wide temperature (from −40 to 60 °C). Even with high Zn utilization ratio of 40%, long cycle life over 70 times with capacity retention of 80% is achieved.
4D Printed Self‐Sustained Soft Crawling Machines Fueled by Constant Thermal Field
Authors: Ren Luquan , He Yulin , Wang Baofeng , Xu Jingyi , Wu Qian , Wang Zhenguo , Li Wangxuan , Ren Lei , Zhou Xueli , Liu Qingping , Li Bingqian , Song Zhengyi
Published: March 2024

Environmentally fueled sustainable autonomous locomotion is an advanced intelligent behavior analogous to unconscious actions in biological organisms, such as heartbeat and peristalsis. In this study, a self‐sustaining oscillating soft robot is introduced with eccentric hinge structures inspired by the crawling locomotion of mollusks. A parameter‐encoded 4D printing method is utilized to pre‐program local strain of the eccentric hinge structure, and thus endows the soft robot with sustainable crawling motions under constant thermal field. Through the coupling design of substrate friction, eccentric hinge constitution, and the substrate temperature, the soft robot can achieve tunable crawling, rolling, and oscillating. Two applications, namely an optical chopper and a power generator are presented as proof of concepts. This work offers a viable solution for soft robots for applications in constrained environments such as the aerospace and medical fields.
A Biodegradable Piezoelectric Sensor for Real‐Time Evaluation of the Motor Function Recovery After Nerve Injury
Authors: Shan Yizhu , Wang Engui , Cui Xi , Xi Yuan , Ji Jianying , Yuan Junlin , Xu Lingling , Liu Zhuo , Li Zhou
Published: March 2024

Nerve injury can lead to defects in related motor functions. It is critical to achieve long‐term and convenient real‐time evaluation of motor function recovery status during nerve injury repair. In this study, an implantable PLLA/BTO piezoelectric sensor (PBPS) with good biodegradability and biocompatibility for real time evaluation of the motor function recovery after nerve injury is developed. PLLA fibers doped with BTO are employed as piezoelectric material in PBPS, which can convert the biomechanical signals generated by motion into electrical signals. PBPS can be implant simultaneously with commonly used tissue scaffolds for treatment in the rats with sciatic nerve injury. The linearity of the pressure and the output voltage of PBPS is ≈0.9445. For the evaluation effectiveness, as the treatment process progresses, the signals generated by PBPS exhibited good consistency with EMG signals, indicating effectively evaluation of the motor function. Moreover, the integration of PBPS and wireless module can break the limitations of time and space for sensing and realize wireless evaluation of motor function in rat. The implantable sensor based on PBPS may bring new ideas for the development of implantable bioelectronics.
Efficient Near‐Infrared Emitting Halide Scintillators with Mitigating External Light Crosstalk for Portable X‐Ray Imaging
Authors: Wang Chao , Xiao Jiawen , Ma Sai , Li Yanbin , Yan Zhengguang
Published: March 2024

Portable X‐ray imaging technology plays a crucial role in enabling prompt diagnosis and treatment outdoors. Nevertheless, the persistent challenge of external optical signal crosstalk poses a significant bottleneck to its advancement. Herein, a solution utilizing near‐infrared (NIR) light to effectively mitigate optical crosstalk is proposed, thereby demonstrating the feasibility of portable X‐ray imaging even under ambient light. A series of rare earth ions doped Cs2AgxNa1‐xInyBi1‐yCl6 halide scintillators is reported, which possess bright broadband visible and NIR emissions. Taking Cs2Ag0.6Na0.4In0.95Bi0.05Cl6: 5%Tm as an example, it shows decent thermal quenching resistance, high PLQY up to 76.3%, and compelling light yield up to 33500 photons MeV−1. The highly efficient NIR emission is attributed to the energy transfer from the optimized host to lanthanide ions. A flexible scintillation film is prepared by mixing poly(dimethyl‐siloxane) with Cs2Ag0.6Na0.4In0.95Bi0.05Cl6: 5%Tm powder, realizing a low X‐ray detection limit of 55.2 nGyair/s and a high spatial resolution of 11.2 lp mm−1. Due to the efficient NIR emission, the scintillation film enables clear X‐ray imaging under bright LED illumination with the simple addition of filters, avoiding the necessity of a complex imaging apparatus. This work sheds light on NIR emissive scintillator for rapid outdoor response and portable X‐ray imaging.
High‐Scale 3D‐Bioprinting Platform for the Automated Production of Vascularized Organs‐on‐a‐Chip
Authors: Fritschen Anna , Lindner Nils , Scholpp Sebastian , Richthof Philipp , Dietz Jonas , Linke Philipp , Guttenberg Zeno , Blaeser Andreas
Published: March 2024

3D bioprinting possesses the potential to revolutionize contemporary methodologies for fabricating tissue models employed in pharmaceutical research and experimental investigations. This is enhanced by combining bioprinting with advanced organs‐on‐a‐chip (OOCs), which includes a complex arrangement of multiple cell types representing organ‐specific cells, connective tissue, and vasculature. However, both OOCs and bioprinting so far demand a high degree of manual intervention, thereby impeding efficiency and inhibiting scalability to meet technological requirements. Through the combination of drop‐on‐demand bioprinting with robotic handling of microfluidic chips, a print procedure is achieved that is proficient in managing three distinct tissue models on a chip within only a minute, as well as capable of consecutively processing numerous OOCs without manual intervention. This process rests upon the development of a post‐printing sealable microfluidic chip, that is compatible with different types of 3D‐bioprinters and easily connected to a perfusion system. The capabilities of the automized bioprint process are showcased through the creation of a multicellular and vascularized liver carcinoma model on the chip. The process achieves full vascularization and stable microvascular network formation over 14 days of culture time, with pronounced spheroidal cell growth and albumin secretion of HepG2 serving as a representative cell model.
Revitalizing Oxygen Reduction Reactivity of Composite Oxide Electrodes via Electrochemically Deposited PrOx Nanocatalysts
Authors: Nam Seongwoo , Kim Jinwook , Kim Hyunseung , Ahn Sejong , Jeon SungHyun , Choi Yoonseok , Park Beom‐Kyeong , Jung WooChul
Published: March 2024

Solid oxide fuel cells that operate at intermediate temperatures require efficient catalysts to enhance the inherently poor electrochemical activity of the composite electrodes. Here, a simple and practical electrochemical deposition method is presented for fabricating a PrOx overlayer on lanthanum strontium manganite–yttria‐stabilized zirconia (LSM–YSZ) composite electrodes. The method requires less than four minutes for completion and can be carried out under at ambient temperature and pressure. Crucially, the treatment significantly improves the electrode's performance without requiring heat treatment or other supplementary processes. The PrOx‐coated LSM–YSZ electrode exhibits an 89% decrease in polarization resistance at 650 °C (compared to an untreated electrode), maintaining a tenfold reduction after ≈400 h. Transmission line model analysis using impedance spectra confirms how PrOx coating improved the oxygen reduction reaction activity. Further, tests with anode‐supported single cells reveal an outstanding peak power density compared to those of other LSM–YSZ‐based cathodes (e.g., 418 mW cm−2 at 650 °C). Furthermore, it is demonstrated that multicomponent coating, such as (Pr,Ce)Ox, can also be obtained with this method. Overall, the observations offer a promising route for the development of high‐performance solid oxide fuel cells.
A Biomimetic “Salting Out—Alignment—Locking” Tactic to Design Strong and Tough Hydrogel
Authors: Sun Xia , Mao Yimin , Yu Zhengyang , Yang Pu , Jiang Feng
Published: March 2024

Recently, hydrogel‐based soft materials have demonstrated huge potential in soft robotics, flexible electronics as well as artificial skins. Although various methods are developed to prepare tough and strong hydrogels, it is still challenging to simultaneously enhance the strength and toughness of hydrogels, especially for protein‐based hydrogels. Herein, a biomimetic “salting out—alignment—locking” tactic (SALT) is introduced for enhancing mechanical properties through the synergy of alignment and the salting out effect. As a typical example, tensile strength and modulus of initially brittle gelatin hydrogels increase 940 folds to 10.12 ± 0.50 MPa and 2830 folds to 34.26 ± 3.94 MPa, respectively, and the toughness increases up to 1785 folds to 14.28 ± 3.13 MJ m−3. The obtained strength and toughness hold records for the previously reported gelatin‐based hydrogel and are close to the tendons. It is further elucidated that the salting out effect engenders hydrophobic domains, while prestretching facilitates chain alignment, both synergistically contributing to the outstanding mechanical properties. It is noteworthy that the SALT demonstrates remarkable versatility across different salt types and polymer systems, thus opening up new avenues for engineering strong, tough, and stiff hydrogels.
Ultrasensitive and Multiple Biomarker Discrimination for Alzheimer's Disease via Plasmonic & Microfluidic Sensing Technologies
Authors: Zu Lijiao , Wang Xicheng , Liu Peng , Xie Jiwei , Zhang Xuejun , Liu Weiru , Li Zhencheng , Zhang Shiqing , Li Kaiwei , Giannetti Ambra , Bi Wei , Chiavaioli Francesco , Shi Lei , Guo Tuan
Published: March 2024

As the population ages, the worldwide prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) as the most common dementia in the elderly is increasing dramatically. However, a long‐term challenge is to achieve rapid and accurate early diagnosis of AD by detecting hallmarks such as amyloid beta (Aβ42). Here, a multi‐channel microfluidic‐based plasmonic fiber‐optic biosensing platform is established for simultaneous detection and differentiation of multiple AD biomarkers. The platform is based on a gold‐coated, highly‐tilted fiber Bragg grating (TFBG) and a custom‐developed microfluidics. TFBG excites a high‐density, narrow‐cladding‐mode spectral comb that overlaps with the broad absorption of surface plasmons for high‐precision interrogation, enabling ultrasensitive monitoring of analytes. In situ detection and in‐parallel discrimination of different forms of Aβ42 in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are successfully demonstrated with a detection of limit in the range of ≈30–170 pg mL−1, which is one order of magnitude below the clinical cut‐off level in AD onset, providing high detection sensitivity for early diagnosis of AD. The integration of the TFBG sensor with multi‐channel microfluidics enables simultaneous detection of multiple biomarkers using sub‐µL sample volumes, as well as combining initial binding rate and real‐time response time to differentiate between multiple biomarkers in terms of binding kinetics. With the advantages of multi‐parameter, low consumption, and highly sensitive detection, the sensor represents an urgently needed potentials for large‐scale diagnosis of diseases at early stage.
Consensus‐based ethical best practices for performing educational point‐of‐care ultrasonography in the emergency department
Authors: Chao Samantha K. , Liu Yiju T. , Kropf Charles W. , Huang Robert D. , Theyyunni Nik , Taylor Lindsay A. , Firn Janice I. , Kessler Ross , Micheller Daniel R. , Battles Alethia J. , Rosculet Natalja P. , Ager Emily E. , Valentyne Alyssa A. , Schellack Christine J. , Hennessy John P. , White Cameron , Tucker Ryan V.
Published: March 2024

Objectives

There is no standardized protocol for performing educational point‐of‐care ultrasonography (POCUS) that addresses patient‐centered ethical issues such as obtaining informed consent. This study sought to define principles for ethical application of educational POCUS and develop consensus‐based best practice guidance.

Methods

A questionnaire was developed by a trained ethicist after literature review with the help of a medical librarian. A diverse panel including experts in medical education, law, and bioethics; medical trainees; and individuals with no medical background was convened. The panel voted on their level of agreement with ethical principles and degree of appropriateness of behaviors in three rounds of a modified Delphi process. A high level of agreement was defined as 80% or greater consensus.

Results

Panelists voted on 38 total items: 15 related to the patient consent and selection process, eight related to practices while performing educational POCUS, and 15 scenarios involving POCUS application. A high level of agreement was achieved for 13 items related to patient consent and selection, eight items related to performance practices, and 10 scenarios of POCUS application.

Conclusions

Based on expert consensus, ethical best practices include obtaining informed consent before performing educational POCUS, allowing patients to decline educational POCUS, informing patients the examination is not intended to be a part of their medical evaluation and is not billed, using appropriate draping techniques, maintaining a professional environment, and disclosing incidental findings in coordination with the primary team caring for the patient. These practices could be implemented at institutions to encourage ethical use of educational POCUS when training physicians, fellows, residents, and medical students.
Robotization of Synthesis and Analysis Process of Graphene Oxide‐Based Membrane
Authors: Meshkov Aleksei V. , Nikitina Anna A. , Aliev Timur A. , Gromov Vladislav S. , Chen Siyu , Yang Kou , Wang Qian , Novoselov Kostya S. , Andreeva Daria V. , Skorb Ekaterina V.
Published: March 2024

The use of collaborative robots (Cobots) for materials development in chemical laboratories is currently of high priority. Herein, the Cobot is used for autonomous continued analysis and synthesis of graphene oxide–polyethyleneimine‐based membrane to unify a method and prospects for big data collection are shown. Membranes have already demonstrated a selective affinity to potassium cations and promised to adjust permeability for other cations by changing pH. The Cobot allows a variation of membrane properties by its composition modification. The present strategy combines a novel perspective of material production by Cobots and the application of machine learning. Moreover, the current approach can be adapted for different modern chemical laboratories for various scientific research, and the proper workflow is provided.
Resolution of severe neurobehavioral difficulties in an individual with Primrose syndrome with sertraline
Authors: Moon Young Min , Park Sa Eun , Smith‐Hicks Constance , Hauptman Aaron
Published: March 2024

Primrose syndrome (PS) is a rare genetic disease characterized by developmental delay, intellectual disability, sensorineural hearing loss, and dysmorphic features. PS is caused by de novo pathogenic variants in the ZBTB20 gene, which encodes a transcription factor modulating neurogenesis. We describe resolution with sertraline of neurobehavioral difficulties in a 17‐year‐old Hispanic male with PS with de novo heterozygous c.1916G > A (p.C639Y) variant of ZBTB20. Neurobehavioral difficulties included aggression towards self and others, irritability, tearfulness, and mood liability that did not respond to behavioral interventions or aripiprazole. Treatment with sertraline, a medication indicated for psychiatric disorders including anxiety and depression, led to the resolution of neurobehavioral difficulties after 2 weeks of initiation of medication. The treatment course suggests that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as sertraline, may be a useful tool for neurobehavioral difficulties in PS over antipsychotics that are accompanied by complex side effect profiles, and suggest that anxiety is the primary cause of the neurobehavioral difficulties in this patient.
One‐Dimensional Covalent Organic Framework‐Based Multilevel Memristors for Neuromorphic Computing
Authors: Zhou Pan‐Ke , Li Yiping , Zeng Tao , Chee Mun Yin , Huang Yuxing , Yu Ziyue , Yu Hongling , Yu Hong , Huang Weiguo , Chen Xiong
Published: March 2024

Memristors are essential components of neuromorphic systems that mimic the synaptic plasticity observed in biological neurons. In this study, a novel approach employing one‐dimensional covalent organic framework (1D COF) films was explored to enhance the performance of memristors. The unique structural and electronic properties of two 1D COF films (COF‐4,4′‐methylenedianiline (MDA) and COF‐4,4′‐oxydianiline (ODA)) offer advantages for multilevel resistive switching, which is a key feature in neuromorphic computing applications. By further introducing a TiO2 layer on the COF‐ODA film, a built‐in electric field between the COF‐TiO2 interfaces could be generated, demonstrating the feasibility of utilizing COFs as a platform for constructing memristors with tunable resistive states. The 1D nanochannels of these COF structures contributed to the efficient modulation of electrical conductance, enabling precise control over synaptic weights in neuromorphic circuits. This study also investigated the potential of these COF‐based memristors to achieve energy‐efficient and high‐density memory devices.
Lactate dehydrogenase A is implicated in the pathogenesis of B‐cell lymphoma through regulation of the FER signaling pathway
Authors: Feng Xiumei , Ren Jing , Zhang Xunqi , Kong Dexiao , Yin Linlin , Zhou Qian , Wang Shunye , Li Ai , Guo Yanan , Wang Yongjing , Feng Xiaoli , Wang Xiaoyun , Niu Jianhua , Jiang Yang , Zheng Chengyun
Published: March 2024

Lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) is highly expressed in various tumors. However, the role of LDHA in the pathogenesis of B‐cell lymphoma remains unclear. Analysis of data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Genotype‐Tissue Expression (GTEx) databases revealed an elevated LDHA expression in diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBC) tissues compared with normal tissues. Similarly, our results demonstrated a significant increase in LDHA expression in tumor tissues from the patients with B‐cell lymphoma compared with those with lymphadenitis. To further elucidate potential roles of LDHA in B‐cell lymphoma pathogenesis, we silenced LDHA in the Raji cells (a B‐cell lymphoma cell line) using shRNA techniques. Silencing LDHA led to reduced mitochondrial membrane integrity, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, glycolytic activity, cell viability and invasion. Notably, LDHA knockdown substantially suppressed in vivo growth of Raji cells and extended survival in mice bearing lymphoma (Raji cells). Moreover, proteomic analysis identified feline sarcoma‐related protein (FER) as a differential protein positively associated with LDHA expression. Treatment with E260, a FER inhibitor, significantly reduced the metabolism, proliferation and invasion of Raji cells. In summary, our findings highlight that LDHA plays multiple roles in B‐cell lymphoma pathogenesis via FER pathways, establishing LDHA/FER may as a potential therapeutic target.
MAIT cells are associated with responsiveness to neoadjuvant immunotherapy in COPD‐associated NSCLC
Authors: Yin Yanze , Zeng Ao , Abuduwayiti Abudumijiti , Xu Zhilong , Chen Keyi , Wang Chao , Fang Xinyun , Wang Jiarui , Jiang Gening , Dai Jie
Published: March 2024

Background

Patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experience worse clinical outcomes but respond better to immunotherapy than patients with NSCLC without COPD. Mucosal‐associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, a versatile population of innate immune T lymphocytes, have a crucial function in the response to infection and tumors. This study investigated the distribution of MAIT cells in COPD‐associated NSCLC and their involvement in the immune response.

Methods

Flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence were performed on tissue samples of patients with NSCLC, with or without COPD, treated with or without anti‐programmed death 1 (PD1) immunotherapy. MAIT cells were stimulated with 5‐OP‐RU using a mouse subcutaneous tumor model.

Results

Tumors contained significantly more MAIT cells than paraneoplastic tissues, and CD8+ MAIT cells accounted for more than 90% of these cells. Patients with NSCLC and COPD had higher CD8+ MAIT cell counts than those with NSCLC without COPD. Additionally, patients with NSCLC and COPD displayed reduced expression of the activation marker, CD69, and functional markers, granzyme B (GZMB) and interferon γ (IFNγ), and higher expression of the immune exhaustion marker, PD1. Among patients who received immunotherapy, the proportion with a complete or partial response was higher in those with COPD than in those without COPD. In patients with NSCLC and COPD, the major pathologic response (MPR) group had higher MAIT levels than those in the no major pathologic response (NPR) group. In the mouse subcutaneous tumor model stimulation of MAIT cells using 5‐OP‐RU enhanced the antitumor effects of anti‐PD1.

Conclusions

In patients with NSCLC and COPD, response to immunotherapy is associated with accumulation of CD8+ MAIT cells showing immune exhaustion. These findings may contribute to innovative approaches for immunotherapy targeting CD8+ MAIT cells.
Primary glioblastoma multiform (GBM) of the optic nerve and chiasma: A case report and systematic review of the literature
Authors: Mulhem Ali
Published: March 2024

Key Clinical Message

Primary GBM of the optic nerve and chiasma should be included in the differential diagnosis of progressive lesions despite initial treatment; clinicians should avoid delay in confirming the histology to initiate proper treatment and improve prognosis.

Primary GBM of the optic nerve or chiasma is very rare. The characteristics of this condition have not been well‐described, which poses difficulties in establishing the correct diagnosis, affecting the treatment and the prognosis. We present a case of GBM of the optic chiasma diagnosed through an open biopsy at our centre. Following the PRISMA statement, we also conducted a systematic review after protocol registration in PROSPERO (CRD42021285855). We searched Medline and Embase through Ovid from inception until December 31, 2021. Two reviewers independently screened the studies. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they reported cases of primary GBM confined to the optic nerve or chiasma as the initial radiological diagnosis. A 77‐year‐old female was referred for progressive visual loss lasting 8 weeks. MRI revealed a suspected lesion in the left chiasma. The patient's vision deteriorated further despite initially diagnosing an inflammatory process and empirical treatment with corticosteroids. Subsequently, the patient underwent an open biopsy and surgical debulking. Histology, including epigenetic analysis, confirmed GBM grade IV. Radiochemotherapy was administered. The patient died 19 months after surgery. We identified 45 similar cases (22 female) reported in 35 studies between 1949 and 2020. The mean age of the cases was 61 (SD = 14.6). Most cases were misdiagnosed and mistreated accordingly, so there was a median delay of 8 weeks (IQR: 5–14 weeks) in obtaining histological confirmation of the diagnosis, delaying the initiation of appropriate treatment. Five cases became no treatment since the patients died shortly after the delayed histologic diagnosis. The Kaplan–Meier estimate indicated that most patients died within 20 months of presentation, with a 1‐year survival rate of 50%, and untreated cases had very low survival rates compared to treated cases. Primary GBM of the optic nerve and chiasma is a rare condition primarily affecting adults. The rarity of this condition contributes to initial misdiagnosis, mistreatment, and delays in confirming the histology and initiating appropriate treatment. The prognosis remains poor, but treatment, including surgery and radiochemotherapy, improves survival.
Challenges searching for alternatives – Substituting formaldehyde and pyrogallol in the “Two‐Color‐Chemiluminescence “
Authors: Volodin Niklas , Holfeld Martin , Eberhardt Pauline
Published: March 2024

Chemische Experimente erfordern einen sichereren und überlegten Umgang mit Gefahrstoffen. Schüler:innen müssen sensibilisiert werden richtig und vernünftig mit diesen Stoffen umzugehen, weshalb eine Vermeidung von Gefahrstoffen ein wichtiges Ziel im Chemieunterricht darstellt. Die Mint‐AG unserer Schule führt zu besonderen Anlässen Showexperimente vor, die andere Schüler:innen begeistern und ein gefördertes Interesse für die Naturwissenschaften wecken. Ein solcher Versuch ist auch die modifizierte Trautz‐Schorigin Reaktion, umgangssprachlich besser bekannt als „Zwei‐Farben‐Chemolumineszenz“. Dieses beliebte Showexperiment darf jedoch, aufgrund der jüngsten Verbote der Gefahrstoffverordnung zum Gebrauch von KMR‐Stoffen, wegen der Verwendung von Formalin und Pyrogallol, nicht mehr in das schulische Umfeld implementiert werden. Zwei Schüler der Mint‐AG haben deshalb als „Forschungsprojekt“ eine Ersatzstoffsuche zu dieser Reaktion erarbeitet.

Im folgenden Artikel wird beschrieben, wie komplex eine solch simpel erscheinende Suche sein kann, und zu welchen Schwierigkeiten es dabei häufig kommt. Abschließend konnten unter Verwendung der gesundheitlich unbedenklichen und weiterhin kommerziell erhältlichen Chemikalien Dimethylsulfoxid (DMSO) und Gallussäure überzeugende Ergebnisse erzielt werden, womit diese eine geeignete Alternative zu den herkömmlichen Reagenzien darstellen.
The Importance of Reaction Energy in Predicting Chemical Reaction Barriers with Machine Learning Models
Authors: Lalith Nithin , Singh Aayush R. , Gauthier Joseph A.
Published: March 2024

Improving our fundamental understanding of complex heterocatalytic processes increasingly relies on electronic structure simulations and microkinetic models based on calculated energy differences. In particular, calculation of activation barriers, usually achieved through compute‐intensive saddle point search routines, remains a serious bottleneck in understanding trends in catalytic activity for highly branched reaction networks. Although the well‐known Brønsted‐Evans‐Polyani (BEP) scaling – a one‐feature linear regression model – has been widely applied in such microkinetic models, they still rely on calculated reaction energies and may not generalize beyond a single facet on a single class of materials, e. g., a terrace sites on transition metals. For highly branched and energetically shallow reaction networks, such as electrochemical CO2 reduction or wastewater remediation, calculating even reaction energies on many surfaces can become computationally intractable due to the combinatorial explosion of states that must be considered. Here, we investigate the feasibility of activation barrier prediction without knowledge of the reaction energy using linear and nonlinear machine learning (ML) models trained on a new database of over 500 dehydrogenation activation barriers. We also find that inclusion of the reaction energy significantly improves both classes of ML models, but complex nonlinear models can achieve performance similar to the simplest BEP scaling when predicting activation barriers on new systems. Additionally, inclusion of the reaction energy significantly improves generalizability to new systems beyond the training set. Our results suggest that the reaction energy is a critical feature to consider when building models to predict activation barriers, indicating that efforts to reliably predict reaction energies through, e. g., the Open Catalyst Project and others, will be an important route to effective model development for more complex systems.
Microbial Community Profiling Protocol with Full‐length 16S rRNA Sequences and Emu
Authors: Curry Kristen D. , Soriano Sirena , Nute Michael G. , Villapol Sonia , Dilthey Alexander , Treangen Todd J.
Published: March 2024

16S rRNA targeted amplicon sequencing is an established standard for elucidating microbial community composition. While high‐throughput short‐read sequencing can elicit only a portion of the 16S rRNA gene due to their limited read length, third generation sequencing can read the 16S rRNA gene in its entirety and thus provide more precise taxonomic classification. Here, we present a protocol for generating full‐length 16S rRNA sequences with Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) and a microbial community profile with Emu. We select Emu for analyzing ONT sequences as it leverages information from the entire community to overcome errors due to incomplete reference databases and hardware limitations to ultimately obtain species‐level resolution. This pipeline provides a low‐cost solution for characterizing microbiome composition by exploiting real‐time, long‐read ONT sequencing and tailored software for accurate characterization of microbial communities. © 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol: Microbial community profiling with Emu

Support Protocol 1: Full‐length 16S rRNA microbial sequences with Oxford Nanopore Technologies sequencing platform

Support Protocol 2: Building a custom reference database for Emu
Improving cervical cancer classification in PAP smear images with enhanced segmentation and deep progressive learning‐based techniques
Authors: Mahajan Priyanka , Kaur Prabhpreet
Published: March 2024

Objective

Cervical cancer, a prevalent and deadly disease among women, comes second only to breast cancer, with over 700 daily deaths. The Pap smear test is a widely utilized screening method for detecting cervical cancer in its early stages. However, this manual screening process is prone to a high rate of false‐positive outcomes because of human errors. Researchers are using machine learning and deep learning in computer‐aided diagnostic tools to address this issue. These tools automatically analyze and sort cervical cytology and colposcopy images, improving the precision of identifying various stages of cervical cancer.

Methodology

This article uses state‐of‐the‐art deep learning methods, such as ResNet‐50 for categorizing cervical cancer cells to assist medical professionals. The method includes three key steps: preprocessing, segmentation using k‐means clustering, and classifying cancer cells. The model is assessed based on performance metrics viz; precision, accuracy, kappa score, precision, sensitivity, and specificity. In the end, the high success rate shows that the ResNet50 model is a valuable tool for timely detection of cervical cancer.

Outputs

In conclusion, the infected cervical region is pinpointed using spatial K‐means clustering and preprocessing operations. This sequence of actions is followed by a progressive learning technique. The Progressive Learning technique then proceeded through several stages: Stage 1 with 64 × 64 images, Stage 2 with 224 × 224 images, Stage 3 with 512 × 512 images, and the final Stage 4 with 1024 × 1024 images. The outcomes show that the suggested model is effective for analyzing Pap smear tests, achieving 97.4% accuracy and approx. 98% kappa score.
Controllable self‐transport of bouncing droplets on ultraslippery surfaces with wedge‐shaped grooves
Authors: Yue Chuchen , Dai Qingwen , Yang Xiaolong , Gachot Carsten , Huang Wei , Wang Xiaolei
Published: March 2024

Preventing the accretion of droplets on surfaces is vital and slippery liquid‐infused porous surfaces (SLIPS) have promising application prospects, such as surface self‐cleaning and droplet transportation. In this work, controllable self‐transport of bouncing droplets on ultraslippery surfaces with wedge‐shaped grooves is reported. The impact behaviors of droplets on SLIPS under various impact velocities and diameters are explored, which can be classified as hover, total bounce, partial bounce, Worthington jet, and crush. SLIPS with wedge‐shaped grooves were designed to transport accreted droplets. An energy and transport model is established to explain the impact and self‐transport mechanism, where the Laplace pressure and moving resistance between droplets play a key role. Finally, SLIPS with branched wedge‐shaped grooves were designed for droplet self‐transport and demonstrated advantages. This work provides a general reference for spontaneous motion control of sessile droplets, droplets with initial impacting velocity, or even liquid films.
Confluence of ZnO and PTFE Binder for Enhancing Performance of Thin‐Film Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Behera Subhashree , Ippili Swathi , Jella Venkatraju , Kim Na‐Yeong , Jang Seong Cheol , Jung Ji‐Won , Yoon Soon‐Gil , Kim Hyun‐Suk
Published: March 2024

Developing anode materials with high specific capacity and cycling stability is vital for improving thin‐film lithium‐ion batteries. Thin‐film zinc oxide (ZnO) holds promise due to its high specific capacity, but it suffers from volume changes and structural stress during cycling, leading to poor battery performance. In this research, we ingeniously combined polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) with ZnO using a radio frequency (RF) magnetron co‐sputtering method, ensuring a strong bond in the thin‐film composite electrode. PTFE effectively reduced stress on the active material and mitigated volume change effects during Li+ ion intercalation and deintercalation. The composite thin films are thoroughly characterized using advanced techniques such as X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy for investigating correlations between material properties and electrochemical behaviors. Notably, the ZnO/PTFE thin‐film electrode demonstrated an impressive specific capacity of 1305 mAh g−1 (=7116 mAh cm−3) at a 0.5C rate and a remarkable capacity retention of 82% from the 1st to the 100th cycle, surpassing the bare ZnO thin film (50%). This study provides valuable insights into using binders to stabilize active materials in thin‐film batteries, enhancing battery performance.
Recent progress of food‐derived bioactive peptides: Extraction, purification, function, and encapsulation
Authors: Jiang Yunsong , Sun Jinyuan , Chandrapala Jayani , Majzoobi Mahsa , Brennan Charles , Zeng Xin‐An , Sun Baoguo
Published: March 2024

Functional peptides constitute a class of small molecular peptide chains with specific functions in biology and are typically composed of various amino acids. The chemical‐synthesis methods for preparation of functional peptides can bring high toxicity to the human body. Therefore, there is a growing need to explore alternative, safter sources to obtain bioactive peptides. Food‐derived bioactive peptides (FBPs) stand out as an ideal substitution offering safety and accessibility that can be used in health products and pharmaceuticals to elicit their effects. Presently, the extraction, purification, functional properties, and bioavailability of FBPs have been poorly summarized. This review aims to address this gap by summarizing key aspects of FBPs, covering their source, methods of preparation, extraction, isolation, purification, and identification. Additionally, the review explores the functional characteristics and mechanism underlying FBPs. Emphasis is placed on strategies to enhance the stability and bioaccessibility of FBPs, crucial for their successful application in the food and medical industries. Existing research findings suggest that adopting appropriate methods can extract FBPs with high yield and purity. FBPs exhibit both in vitro and in vivo biological activities regulating relevant pathways, showcasing their potential in the medical field. In the quest for improved stability, the application of nanomaterials emerges as a promising strategy. These advancements collectively hint at a bright future for FBPs in both food and medical matrices. As the field progresses, further exploration and refinement of extraction techniques, functional properties, and bioavailability will contribute to unlocking the full potential of FBPs in various applications.
Prediction model of soil water infiltration under moistube irrigation
Authors: Li Binnan , Shen Lixia
Published: March 2024

As a new type of underground water‐saving irrigation method, moistube irrigation has great potential for promotion and development. However, the multi‐factor interaction influence and water infiltration prediction model of soil water infiltration under moistube irrigation need to be improved. This paper aims to obtain soil water infiltration data for different bulk densities (1.2, 1.3 and 1.4 g/cm3) and textures (loam, sandy loam and clay loam) under different pressure heads (1, 1.5 and 2 m) through an indoor moistube irrigation soil water infiltration test. By analysing multiple factors affecting soil water infiltration under moistube irrigation, the calculation method was determined with the initial soil moisture content, pressure head, bulk density and texture as the input variables and the Kostiakov model parameters as the output variables. Finally, the method of optimizing the back propagation (BP) neural network by a genetic algorithm (GA) was used to establish the Kostiakov prediction model of soil moisture in moistube irrigation, and the model was verified with analytics. The results showed that the Kostiakov prediction model based on GA‐BP had high accuracy and good consistency. The research results provide more practical proofs and perfect theoretical supplements for the study of soil water infiltration under moistube irrigation.
Multimode chromatography‐based techniques for high purity isolation of extracellular vesicles from human blood plasma
Authors: Zimmerman Alan J. , de Oliveira Getulio Pereira , Su Xianyi , Wood Jacqueline , Fu Zhengxin , Pinckney Brandy , Tigges John , Ghiran Ionita , Ivanov Alexander R.
Published: March 2024

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a pivotal role in various biological pathways, such as immune responses and the progression of diseases, including cancer. However, it is challenging to isolate EVs at high purity from blood plasma and other biofluids due to their low abundance compared to more predominant biomolecular species such as lipoprotein particles and free protein complexes. Ultracentrifugation‐based EV isolation, the current gold standard technique, cannot overcome this challenge due to the similar biophysical characteristics of such species. We developed several novel approaches to enrich EVs from plasma while depleting contaminating molecular species using multimode chromatography‐based strategies. On average, we identified 716 ± 68 and 1054 ± 35 protein groups in EV isolates from 100 µL of plasma using multimode chromatography‐ and ultracentrifugation‐based techniques, respectively. The developed methods resulted in similar EV isolates purity, providing significant advantages in simplicity, throughput, scalability, and applicability for various downstream analytical and potential clinical applications.
Some pyrroles as inhibitors of the pentose phosphate pathways enzymes: An in vitro and molecular docking study
Authors: Özaslan Muhammet Serhat
Published: March 2024

Glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and 6‐phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD) are pentose phosphate pathway enzymes. Compounds with a heterocyclic pyrrole ring system containing this atom can be derivatized with various functional groups into highly effective bioactive agents. In this study, pyrrole derivatives on these enzyme's activity were investigated. The IC50 values of different concentrations of pyrrole derivatives for G6PD were found in the range of 0.022–0.221 mM Ki values 0.021 ± 0.003–0.177 ± 0.021 and for 6PGD IC50 values 0.020–0.147, mM Ki values 0.013 ± 0.002–0.113 ± 0.030 mM. The 2‐acetyl‐1‐methylpyrrole (1g) showed the best inhibition value for G6PD and 6PGD enzymes. In addition, in silico molecular docking experiments were performed to elucidate how these pyrrole derivatives (1a–g) interact with the binding sites of the target enzymes. The study's findings on pyrrole derivatives could be used to create innovative therapeutics that could be a treatment for many diseases, especially cancer manifestations.