bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Book review of: Camilleri, M. A. (2017). Corporate sustainability, social responsibility and environmental management
Authors: Simumba Manard 
Published: September 2023

Book review of: Camilleri, M. A. (2017). Corporate sustainability, social responsibility and environmental management. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. ISBN 978-3-319-46849-5
Multimodal Analgesia Bundle and Postoperative Opioid Use Among Patients Undergoing Colorectal Surgery
Authors: Gedda Claes , Nygren Jonas , Garpenbeck Anna , Hoffström Linda , Thorell Anders , Soop Mattias
Published: September 2023

Importance

A key objective in contemporary surgery is to reduce or eliminate the usage of opioids to minimize gastrointestinal adverse effects, fatigue, and long-term opioid dependency.

Objectives

To evaluate the association of the implementation of a care bundle of 3 opioid-sparing interventions with the amount of opioids consumed postoperatively among patients undergoing major abdominal surgery and to examine the respective associations of the 3 components.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective cohort study was performed at Ersta Hospital, an elective teaching hospital in Stockholm, Sweden. All patients undergoing major colorectal surgery between January 1, 2016, through December 31, 2019, were included. Data analysis was conducted from February 1, 2020, to May 30, 2022.

Exposures

A care bundle consisting of an individualized opioid regimen, regular gabapentinoids, and clonidine as a rescue analgesic was gradually introduced early in the study period.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Amount of in-hospital administered intravenous and oral opioids on the day of surgery and the first 5 postoperative days (morphine milligram equivalents [MME]). The association between exposure and outcome was examined using multivariable linear regression.

Results

Overall, 842 patients had major colorectal surgery in the study period (mean [SD] age, 64.6 [15.5] years; 421 [50%] men). Median (range) opioid usage decreased from 75 (0-796) MME in 2016 to 22 (0-362) MME in 2019 (P < .001), and the proportion of patients receiving 45 MME or less increased from 35% to 66% (P < .001). On multivariable analysis (F5, 836 = 57.5; P < .001), an individualized opioid strategy (β = −11.6; SE = 3.8; P = .003), the use of gabapentin (β = −39.1; SE = 4.5; P < .001), and increasing age (β = −1.0; SE = 0.11; P < .001) were associated with less opioid consumption, while the use of clonidine was associated with more opioid intake (β = 11.6; SE = 3.6; P = .001).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study of 842 patients undergoing colorectal surgery, a care bundle consisting of an individualized opioid regimen, regular gabapentin, and clonidine as a rescue analgesic was found to be associated with a significant decrease in opioids consumed postoperatively. Regular gabapentin and an individualized opioid regimen were particularly strongly associated with this decrease and should be further evaluated as components of multimodal, opioid-free postoperative analgesia.
Needling Point Location Used in Sham Acupuncture for Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain
Authors: Lee Boram , Kwon Chan-Young , Lee Hye Won , Nielsen Arya , Wieland L. Susan , Kim Tae-Hun , Birch Stephen , Alraek Terje , Lee Myeong Soo
Published: September 2023

Importance

When sham acupuncture is set as a control in evaluating acupuncture, the sham needling technique is usually different from acupuncture. However, the sham procedure is conducted either at the same points that are used for the acupuncture group or at nonindicated points.

Objective

To assess whether the outcome of sham acupuncture varies according to the needling points in sham-controlled trials of acupuncture for chronic nonspecific low back pain (CLBP) as an example.

Data sources

Searches of MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and the Allied and Complementary Medicine Database were conducted on February 12, 2023.

Study selection

Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) assessing the outcomes of acupuncture in sham acupuncture–controlled or waiting list–controlled trials on CLBP were included.

Data extraction and synthesis

Two researchers independently extracted data on study characteristics and outcomes and assessed quality. Sham acupuncture was classified according to whether it was conducted at the same acupuncture points used in the acupuncture group, referred to as sham acupuncture therapy (verum) (SATV) or at different points, referred to as sham acupuncture therapy (sham) (SATS). Clinical similarity, transitivity, and consistency tests were conducted, followed by a random-effects frequentist network meta-analysis (NMA).

Main outcomes and measures

The primary outcome was pain, and the secondary outcome was back-specific function. The first assessment after the end of treatment was chosen for analysis. Effect sizes are reported as standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% CIs. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool, and the certainty of evidence for findings was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach.

Results

Ten RCTs involving 4379 participants were included. In comparison with SATS, acupuncture was significantly associated with improvements in both pain (SMD, −0.33; 95% CI, −0.52 to −0.15) and function outcomes (SMD, −0.13; 95% CI, −0.25 to −0.02); however, there were no differences between acupuncture and SATV. In comparison with SATS, SATV was significantly associated with better pain (SMD, −0.45; 95% CI, −0.88 to −0.03) and function outcomes (SMD, −0.30; 95% CI, −0.56 to −0.05). The risk of bias that could affect the interpretation of the results was usually low, and the certainty of evidence was moderate to low.

Conclusions and relevance

In this NMA, sham acupuncture needling at the same points as those in acupuncture was not a true placebo control for assessing the efficacy of acupuncture for CLBP and might underestimate the outcome of acupuncture in clinical settings.
Gabapentin Use Among Individuals Initiating Buprenorphine Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
Authors: Ellis Matthew S. , Xu Kevin Y. , Tardelli Vitor S. , Fidalgo Thiago M. , Buttram Mance E. , Grucza Richard A.
Published: September 2023

Importance

Gabapentin prescriptions have drastically increased in the US due to off-label prescribing in settings such as opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment to manage a range of comorbid conditions and withdrawal symptoms, despite a lack of evidence.

Objective

To assess the purpose and associated risks of off-label gabapentin use in OUD treatment.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective recurrent-event case-control study with a crossover design used administrative claims data from MarketScan Commercial and Multi-State Medicaid databases from January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2016. Individuals aged 12 to 64 years with an OUD diagnosis and filling buprenorphine prescriptions were included in the primary analysis conducted from July 1, 2022, through June 1, 2023. Unit of observation was the person-day.

Exposures

Days covered by filled gabapentin prescriptions.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Primary outcomes were receipt of gabapentin in the 90 days after initiation of buprenorphine treatment and drug-related poisoning. Drug-related poisonings were defined using codes from International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, and International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision.

Results

A total of 109 407 patients were included in the analysis (mean [SD] age, 34.0 [11.2] years; 60 112 [54.9%] male). Among the 29 967 patients with Medicaid coverage, 299 (1.0%) were Hispanic, 1330 (4.4%) were non-Hispanic Black, 23 112 (77.1%) were non-Hispanic White, and 3399 (11.3%) were other. Gabapentin was significantly less likely to be prescribed to Black or Hispanic patients, and more likely to be prescribed to female patients, those with co-occurring substance use or mood disorders, and those with comorbid physical conditions such as neuropathic pain. Nearly one-third of persons who received gabapentin (4336 [31.1%]) had at least 1 drug-related poisoning after initiating buprenorphine treatment, compared with 13 856 (14.5%) among persons who did not receive gabapentin. Adjusted analyses showed that days of gabapentin use were not associated with hospitalization for drug-related poisoning (odds ratio, 0.98 [95% CI, 0.85-1.13]). Drug-related poisoning risks did not vary based on dosage.

Conclusions and Relevance

Gabapentin is prescribed in the context of a myriad of comorbid conditions. Even though persons receiving gabapentin are more likely to have admissions for drug-related poisoning, these data suggest that gabapentin is not associated with an increased risk of drug-related poisoning alongside buprenorphine in adjusted analyses. More data on the safety profile of gabapentin in OUD settings are needed.
Polarization‐Sensitive Optoelectronic Synapse Based on 3D Graphene/MoS2 Heterostructure
Authors: Li Yuning , Zhang Yang , Wang Yuqiang , Sun Jingye , You Qing , Zhu Mingqiang , Li Linan , Deng Tao
Published: September 2023

Optoelectronic synapses with information sensing, processing, and memory function are promoting the development of artificial visual perception systems. However, optoelectronic synapses' relatively inferior optoelectronic performance impedes their application in complex neuromorphic computing. Herein, optoelectronic synapses based on 3D graphene/molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) heterostructure field‐effect transistors are developed by using the double stress layer self‐rolled‐up method. The graphene, with excellent electrical properties, enhances the carrier transport capacity of the device. The unique continuous photoconductivity of MoS2 is suitable for simulating various synaptic nerve morphological functions. Meanwhile, the 3D resonant microcavity is added to enhance the optical field and make the device polarization sensitive, which reveals more intangible features of objects. The device demonstrates room‐temperature photodetection at ultraviolet, visible, near‐infrared, and mid‐infrared regions, with photoresponsivity up to 105 A W−1 at 590 nm. Furthermore, multiple synaptic neuromorphic functions, such as inhibitory postsynaptic current, paired‐pulse facilitation, short‐term depression, and long‐term depression, are successfully emulated. Here a new concept is provided for designing high‐performance optoelectronic synapses with polarization sensitivity and excellent potential in artificial intelligence is shown.
Uniform and Multifunctional PEI‐POSS/Carbon Encapsulation for High‐Rate Performance and Surface Stabilization of Nickel‐Rich Layered Cathodes in Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Hwang Jeonguk , Lee Sanghyun , Kim Sucheol , Do Kwanghyun , Kim Sungwook , Jo Hyeonmin , Lim Hee‐Dae , Ahn Heejoon
Published: September 2023

Graphene encapsulation is an attractive surface‐coating technology that can simultaneously improve the rate capability and cycle stability of nickel‐rich LiNixCoyMn1−x−yO2 (NCM). Here, carbon encapsulation with the addition of polyethylenimine (PEI) and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS), which can effectively suppress access to and generation of harmful factors in the electrolyte to maximize the rate performance and cycle stability of nickel‐rich NCM, is described. The PEI‐POSS/carbon layer not only facilitates electron and lithium‐ion transport on the NCM surface but also inhibits side reactions with the electrolyte during repeated electrochemical reactions. In addition, it provides mechanical support that suppresses the formation of microcracks related to anisotropic volume change of nickel‐rich NCM secondary particles and inhibits irreversible phase transitions on surface structures by mitigating electrolyte wettability. As a result, PEI‐POSS/carbon‐encapsulated NCM exhibits a higher rate capability (84 mAh g−1 at 5 C) and cycle stability (93.5% for 100 cycles at 1 C) compared with bare NCM (0 mAh g−1 at 5 C and 78.4% for 100 cycles at 1 C). In a cycle test at 45 °C, it achieves a capacity retention of 72.6% for 100 cycles at 1 C, which is a 323% improvement in performance over that of bare NCM (22.5%).
Ultradurable Omni‐Liquid‐Repellent Smart Window as a High‐Performance Wettability/Transparency Manipulator Enabled via Laser‐Writing Magnetism‐Actuated Microshutters
Authors: Chen Chao , Yao Hao , Chen Yan , Zhang Long , Guo Sijia , Wu Sizhu , Li Shuyi , Lao Zhaoxin , Zhang Chenchu
Published: September 2023

Slippery liquid‐infused porous surfaces (SLIPS) derived smart windows (SWs) that dynamically fine‐tune the solar spectrum are promising candidates for alleviating the global energy crisis, especially for dim rainy climates. Unfortunately, the inferior durability, high energy‐consumption, and slow tune‐responsivity over SLIPS‐based SWs greatly hinder their practical usage. Reported is an ultrarobust omni‐liquid‐repellent magnetism‐actuated reconfigurable microshutters (OLR‐MARS) via integrating a femtosecond laser ablation and soft‐lithography technique. By alternately loading/discharging a remote magnet, OLR‐MARS can be reversibly switched between a transparent mode and an opaque mode within 0.03 s, which is far sensitive than the previously‐reported SWs. Simultaneously, OLR‐MARS can harness the surface liquids between a slippery state (the sliding angle of ≈15o) and a sticky one (pinning at a tilt angle of 90o). Significantly, owing to its all‐solid‐state merit, OLR‐MARS demonstrates good longevity even when subjected to the raindrops impact above 1000 cycles. Results indicate dual switching over the interfacial hydrodynamics and optics. Last but not least, leveraging the optimized OLR‐MARS, encryption‐decryption, thermal management, and an angle‐dependent privacy‐screen is deployed. Current novel OLR‐MARS with robust durability, fast responsivity, and energy‐free advantages holds promising potential in self‐cleaning smart windows, energy‐saving buildings, antivoyeurism, etc.
Intrafibrillar Crosslinking Enables Decoupling of Mechanical Properties and Structure of a Composite Fibrous Hydrogel
Authors: Chen Zhengkun , Ezzo Maya , Zondag Benjamen , Rakhshani Faeze , Ma Yingshan , Hinz Boris , Kumacheva Eugenia
Published: September 2023

The fibrous network of an extracellular matrix (ECM) possesses mechanical properties that convey critical biological functions in cell mechanotransduction. Engineered fibrous hydrogels show promise in emulating key aspects of ECM structure and functions. However, varying hydrogel mechanics without changing its architecture remains a challenge. A composite fibrous hydrogel is developed to vary gel stiffness without affecting its structure by controlling intrafibrillar crosslinking. The hydrogel is formed from aldehyde‐modified cellulose nanocrystals and gelatin methacryloyl that provide the capability of intrafibrillar photocrosslinking. By varying the degree of gelatin functionalization with methacryloyl groups and/or photoirradiation time, the hydrogel's elastic modulus is changed by more than an order of magnitude, while preserving the same fiber diameter and pore size. The hydrogel is used to seed primary mouse lung fibroblasts and test the role of ECM stiffness on fibroblast contraction and activation. Increasing hydrogel stiffness by stronger intrafibrillar crosslinking results in enhanced fibroblast activation and increased fibroblast contraction force, yet at a reduced contraction speed. The developed approach enables the fabrication of biomimetic hydrogels with decoupled structural and mechanical properties, facilitating studies of ECM mechanics on tissue development and disease progression.
Liquid Nanoparticles for Nanocatalytic Cancer Therapy
Authors: Hu Ruizhi , Chen Xiaoying , Li Zhifang , Zhao Guojun , Ding Li , Chen Liang , Dai Chen , Chen Yu , Zhang Bo
Published: September 2023

Nanotechnology is revolutionizing cancer therapy, and catalyzes the emerging of ion‐involved cancer‐therapeutic modality, which unfortunately suffers from undesirable nanocarriers for efficient intracellular ion delivery. To radically extricate from this critical issue, the glutathione (GSH)‐responsive organosilica network is employed to lock the liquid drops at the nanoscale via a general bottom‐up strategy to achieve the systemic delivery of “ion drugs”. In this work, a sulfate radical generation donor (Na2S2O8), as a paradigm “ion drug”, is entrapped into this liquid nanoparticle for efficiently delivering to the tumor region. After further surface engineering with pH‐responsive tannic acid‐Fe2+ framework, these liquid nanoparticles achieve tumor‐microenvironmental pH/GSH‐dual responsive ion release (Fe2+/Na+/S2O82−) after reaching the tumor sites, where the Fe2+ further triggers S2O82− to generate toxic •SO4− and •OH, effectively executing cancer cell ferroptosis (Fe2+, reactive oxygen species—ROS) and pyroptosis (Na+, ROS). Such a tumor‐responsive/specific liquid nanoplatform is highly instructive for further ion‐mediated nanomedicine and disease treatment.
Potential of Estradiol‐Functionalized Polyisocyanide Hydrogels for Stimulating Tissue Regeneration of the Pelvic Floor
Authors: van Velthoven Melissa J. J. , Gudde Aksel N. , Enting Hilde , Hammink Roel , Roovers Jan‐Paul , Guler Zeliha , Oosterwijk Egbert , Kouwer Paul H. J.
Published: September 2023

The high reoperation rate in pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery is probably due to impaired wound healing, and therefore, novel strategies that promote tissue regeneration are urgently needed. Estrogen therapy shows beneficial effects for vaginal wound healing: it reduces the inflammatory response and improves vaginal tissue strength and quality. Earlier, scaffolds that release the most potent estrogen, β‐estradiol (E2) have been described. This work describes the results of conjugating E2 covalently to the synthetic, but highly mimetic, polyisocyanide hydrogel (PIC‐E2). As adipose‐derived stem cells (ASCs) possess regenerative capabilities, the combination of PIC‐E2 and ASCs may have a synergistic effect on pelvic floor tissue regeneration. The results show that the PIC‐E2 bioactivity is not hampered upon covalent E2 conjugation and upregulates various extracellular matrix (ECM) genes in ASCs. Moreover, PIC‐E2 exerts similar effects regarding ECM metabolism compared to other E2‐releasing biomaterials, but at much lower doses, which is economically and therapeutically favorable. Based on these in vitro findings, the combination of the PIC‐E2 hydrogel and ASCs may have the potential to stimulate tissue regeneration in vivo, and therefore, feasibly improve the surgical outcomes for POP in the future.
In Situ Atomic‐Scale Investigation of Structural Evolution During Sodiation/Desodiation Processes in Na3V2(PO4)3‐Based All‐Solid‐State Sodium Batteries
Authors: Shen Fang‐Chun , Ma Qianli , Tietz Frank , Kao Jui‐Cheng , Huang Chi‐Ting , Hernandha Rahmandhika Firdauzha Hary , Huang Chun‐Wei , Lo Yu‐Chieh , Chang Jeng‐Kuei , Wu Wen‐Wei
Published: September 2023

Recently, all‐solid‐state sodium batteries (Na‐ASSBs) have received increased interest owing to their high safety and potential of high energy density. The potential of Na‐ASSBs based on sodium superionic conductor (NASICON)‐structured Na3V2(PO4)3(Na3VP) cathodes have been proven by their high capacity and a long cycling stability closely related to the microstructural evolution. However, the detailed kinetics of the electrochemical processes in the cathodes is still unclear. In this work, the sodiation/desodiation process of Na3VP is first investigated using in situ high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The intermediate Na2V2(PO4)3 (Na2VP) phase with the P21/c space group, which would be inhibited by constant electron beam irradiation, is observed at the atomic scale. With the calculated volume change and the electrode–electrolyte interface after cycling, it can be concluded that the  Na2VP phase reduces the lattice mismatch between Na3VP and NaV2(PO4)3 (NaVP), preventing structural collapse. Based on the density functional theory calculation (DFT), the Na+ ion migrates more rapidly in the Na2VP structure, which facilitates the desodiation and sodiation processes. The formation of  Na2VP phase lowers the formation energy of NaVP. This study demonstrates the dynamic evolution of the Na3VP structure, paving the way for an in‐depth understanding of electrode materials for energy‐storage applications.
Can heterosis and inbreeding depression explain the maintenance of outcrossing in a cleistogamous perennial?
Authors: Soto Tatyana Y. , Rojas‐Gutierrez Juan Diego , Oakley Christopher G.
Published: September 2023

Premise

What maintains mixed mating is an evolutionary enigma. Cleistogamy—the production of both potentially outcrossing chasmogamous and obligately selfing cleistogamous flowers on the same individual plant—is an excellent system to study the costs of selfing. Inbreeding depression can prevent the evolution of greater selfing within populations, and heterosis in crosses between populations may further tip the balance in favor of outcrossing. Few empirical estimates of inbreeding depression and heterosis in the same system exist for cleistogamous species.

Methods

We investigate the potential costs of selfing by quantifying inbreeding depression and heterosis in three populations of the cleistogamous perennial Ruellia humilis Nutt (Acanthaceae). We performed three types of hand‐pollinations—self, outcross‐within, and outcross‐between populations—and measured seed number, germination, total flower production, and estimated cumulative fitness for the resulting progeny in a greenhouse experiment.

Results

We found moderate inbreeding depression for cumulative fitness (<30%) in two populations, but outbreeding depression for crosses within a third population (–26%). For between‐population crosses, there was weak to modest heterosis (11–47%) in two of the population combinations, but modest to strong outbreeding depression (–21 to –71%) in the other four combinations.

Conclusions

Neither inbreeding depression nor heterosis was of sufficient magnitude to explain the continued production of chasmogamous flowers given the relative energetic advantage of cleistogamous flowers previously estimated for these populations. Outbreeding depression either within or between populations makes the maintenance of chasmogamous flowers even harder to explain. More information is needed on the genetic basis of cleistogamy to resolve this conundrum.
Plasma Alzheimer's biomarkers and brain amyloid in Hispanic and non‐Hispanic older adults
Authors: Asken Breton M. , Wang Wei‐En , McFarland Karen , Arias Franchesca , Fiala Jacob , Velez‐Uribe Idaly , Mayrand Robin P. , Sawada Luana Okino , Freytes Christian , Adeyosoye Michael , Marsiske Michael , Rosselli Monica , Barker Warren W. , Curiel Cid Rosie , Loewenstein David A. , DeKosky Steven T. , Armstrong Melissa J. , Smith Glenn E. , Adjouadi Malek , Vaillancourt David E. , Duara Ranjan
Published: September 2023

INTRODUCTION

Alzheimer's disease studies often lack ethnic diversity.

METHODS

We evaluated associations between plasma biomarkers commonly studied in Alzheimer's (p‐tau181, GFAP, and NfL), clinical diagnosis (clinically normal, amnestic MCI, amnestic dementia, or non‐amnestic MCI/dementia), and Aβ‐PET in Hispanic and non‐Hispanic older adults. Hispanics were predominantly of Cuban or South American ancestry.

RESULTS

Three‐hundred seventy nine participants underwent blood draw (71.9 ± 7.8 years old, 60.2% female, 57% Hispanic of which 88% were Cuban or South American) and 240 completed Aβ‐PET. P‐tau181 was higher in amnestic MCI (p = 0.004, d = 0.53) and dementia (p < 0.001, d = 0.97) than in clinically normal participants and discriminated Aβ‐PET[+] and Aβ‐PET[‐] (AUC = 0.86). P‐tau181 outperformed GFAP and NfL. There were no significant interactions with ethnicity. Among amnestic MCI, Hispanics had lower odds of elevated p‐tau181 than non‐Hispanic (OR = 0.41, p = 0.006).

DISCUSSION

Plasma p‐tau181 informs etiological diagnosis of cognitively impaired Hispanic and non‐Hispanic older adults. Hispanic ethnicity may relate to greater likelihood of non‐Alzheimer's contributions to memory loss.

Highlights

Alzheimer's biomarkers were measured in Hispanic and non‐Hispanic older adults.

Plasma p‐tau181 related to amnestic cognitive decline and brain amyloid burden.

AD biomarker associations did not differ between Hispanic and non‐Hispanic ethnicity.

Hispanic individuals may be more likely to have non‐Alzheimer causes of memory loss.
Multichamber PLGA Microparticles with Enhanced Monodispersity and Encapsulation Efficiency Fabricated by a Batch‐Microfluidic Hybrid Approach
Authors: Choi Sunghak , Kang Bong Su , Choi Geonjun , Kang Minsu , Park Haena , Kim Nahyun , Chang Pahn–Shick , Kwak Moon Kyu , Jeong Hoon Eui , Jung Ho-Sup
Published: September 2023

Microparticles with multiple internal chambers hold great promise as drug delivery systems due to their ability to sustain the release of drugs with short half‐lives. However, conventional batch methods used for their fabrication have limitations in terms of encapsulation efficiency and particle size distributions, while microfluidic methods suffer from low production efficiency. Herein, a batch‐microfluidic hybrid method is presented for fabricating poly(DL‐lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) polymeric microparticles with uniformly distributed, multiple inner microchambers. A scalable batch method is utilized for primary water‐in‐oil (W/O) emulsions, combined with a precise microfluidic approach for generating controlled secondary emulsions. This approach results in highly uniform PLGA microparticles with tunable size and improved encapsulation efficiency. Additionally, the effect of polydopamine‐based surface hydrophilic modification of microfluidic channels on drug encapsulation efficiency is investigated, achieving an efficiency of approximately 85%. The prepared multichamber PLGA microparticles exhibit an extended‐release profile without initial burst release, demonstrating their potential for sustained drug delivery in various biomedical applications.
Point‐of‐Care Testing for the Detection of MicroRNAs: Towards Liquid Biopsy on a Chip
Authors: Moro Giulia , Fratte Chiara Dalle , Normanno Nicola , Polo Federico , Cinti Stefano
Published: September 2023

Point‐of‐care (PoC) testing is revolutionizing the healthcare sector improving patient care in daily hospital practice and allowing reaching even remote geographical areas. In the frame of cancer management, the design and validation of PoC enabling the non‐invasive, rapid detection of cancer markers is urgently required to implement liquid biopsy in clinical practice. Therefore, focusing on stable blood‐based markers with high‐specificity, such as microRNAs, is of crucial importance. In this work, we highlight the potential impact of circulating microRNAs detection on cancer management and the crucial role of PoC testing devices, especially for low‐income countries. A detailed discussion about the challenges that should be faced to promote the technological transfer and clinical use of these tools has been added, to provide the readers with a complete overview of potentialities and current limitations.
Retrosynthetic Analysis Applied to Clip‐off Chemistry: Synthesis of Four Rh(II)‐Based Complexes as Proof‐of‐Concept
Authors: Broto‐Ribas Anna , Ruiz‐Relaño Sara , Albalad Jorge , Yang Yunhui , Gándara Felipe , Juanhuix Judith , Imaz Inhar , Maspoch Daniel
Published: September 2023

Clip‐off Chemistry is a synthetic strategy that our group previously developed to obtain new molecules and materials through selective cleavage of bonds. Herein, we report recent work to expand Clip‐off Chemistry by introducing into it a retrosynthetic analysis step that, based on virtual extension of the products through cleavable bonds, enables one to define the required precursor materials. As proof‐of‐concept, we have validated our new approach by synthesising and characterising four aldehyde‐functionalised Rh(II)‐based complexes: a homoleptic cluster; a cis‐disubstituted paddlewheel cluster; a macrocycle; and a crown.
Palladium/Norbornene‐Catalyzed Direct Vicinal Di‐Carbo‐Functionalization of Indoles: Reaction Development and Mechanistic Study
Authors: Liu Xin , Zhou Yun , Qi Xiaotian , Li Renhe , Liu Peng , Dong Guangbin
Published: September 2023

Methods that can simultaneously install multiple different functional groups to heteroarenes via C−H functionalizations are valuable for complex molecule synthesis, which, however, remain challenging to realize. Here we report the development of vicinal di‐carbo‐functionalization of indoles in a site‐ and regioselective manner, enabled by the palladium/norbornene (Pd/NBE) cooperative catalysis. The reaction is initiated by the Pd(II)‐mediated C3‐metalation and specifically promoted by the C1‐substituted NBEs. The mild, scalable, and robust reaction conditions allow for a good substrate scope and excellent functional group tolerance. The resulting C2‐arylated C3‐alkenylated indoles can be converted to diverse synthetically useful scaffolds. The combined experimental and computational mechanistic study reveals the unique role of the C1‐substituted NBE in accelerating the turnover‐limiting oxidative addition step.
Trimethylsilyl Chloride Aids in Solubilization of Oxidative Addition Intermediates from Zinc Metal
Authors: Hanada Erin M. , McShea Patrick J. , Blum Suzanne A.
Published: September 2023

Trimethylsilyl chloride (TMSCl) is commonly used to “activate” metal(0) powders toward oxidative addition of organohalides, but knowledge of its mechanism remains limited by the inability to characterize chemical intermediates under reaction conditions. Here, fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) overcomes these prior limitations and shows that TMSCl aids in solubilization of the organozinc intermediate from zinc(0) metal after oxidative addition, a previously unknown mechanistic role. This mechanistic role is in contrast to previously known roles for TMSCl before the oxidative addition step. To achieve this understanding, FLIM, a tool traditionally used in biology, is developed to characterize intermediates during a chemical reaction—thus revealing mechanistic steps that are unobservable without fluorescence lifetime data. These findings impact organometallic reagent synthesis and catalysis by providing a previously uncharacterized mechanistic role for a widely used activating agent, an understanding of which is suitable for revising activation models and for developing strategies to activate currently unreactive metals.
Detection of Unfolded Cellular Proteins Using Nanochannel Arrays with Probe‐Functionalized Outer Surfaces
Authors: Qiao Yujuan , Hu Jing‐Jing , Hu Yuxin , Duan Chong , Jiang Wenlian , Ma Qun , Hong Yuning , Huang Wei Hua , Xia Fan , Lou Xiaoding
Published: September 2023

Nanochannel technology has emerged as a powerful tool for label‐free and highly sensitive detection of protein folding/unfolding status. However, utilizing the inner walls of a nanochannel array may cause multiple events even for proteins with the same conformation, posing challenges for accurate identification. Herein, we present a platform to detect unfolded proteins through electrical and optical signals using nanochannel arrays with outer‐surface probes. The detection principle relies on the specific binding between the maleimide groups in outer‐surface probes and the protein cysteine thiols that induce changes in the ionic current and fluorescence intensity responses of the nanochannel array. By taking advantage of this mechanism, the platform has the ability to differentiate folded and unfolded state of proteins based on the exposure of a single cysteine thiol group. The integration of these two signals enhances the reliability and sensitivity of the identification of unfolded protein states and enables the distinction between normal cells and Huntington's disease mutant cells. This study provides an effective approach for the precise analysis of proteins with distinct conformations and holds promise for facilitating the diagnoses of protein conformation‐related diseases.
Recycling of poly(lactic acid)/poly(butylene succinate) (PLA/PBS) blends with high amounts of secondary raw material
Authors: Koca Nazan , Aversa Clizia , Barletta Massimiliano
Published: September 2023

In this study, the mechanical recycling of poly(lactic acid)/poly(butylene succinate) (PLA/PBS)‐based formulations with additives was investigated. A simulation of mechanical recycling was performed using secondary raw materials in the analyzed formulations (at very high levels >30%). The recycling process was simulated by repeating extrusion cycles on the compound to produce aging under accelerated conditions, similar to those that normally occur during the extrusion compounding of the bioplastic material. The formulations were characterized by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), heat deflection temperature (HDT), melt flow rate (MFR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and UV–vis spectroscopy. The aim of the work was to study the efficiency of a multi‐epoxy chain extender in mechanical recycling of PLA/PBS blends. The results showed that the use of secondary raw materials did not cause drastic changes in the thermal properties and chemical composition of the blends, which indicates that they are suitable for manufacturing bioplastic blends. Specifically, MFR results showed a major efficiency of the chain extender in samples having PLA as primary polymeric phase, whereas no change was observed in formulations where PBS is the main phase with the addition of a higher amount of chain extender.
The need for unique international legal protection of pond habitats
Authors: Stanković Vera , Marković Aleksandra , Pantović Jovana , Mesaroš Gabor , Batrićević Ana
Published: September 2023

Ponds, the most numerous freshwater habitats globally, are becoming increasingly recognized as being important for rare, endemic and endangered species, owing to the high levels of biodiversity they support and their role in ecosystem services. However, they remain largely overlooked and widely excluded from policies that might protect them. Even though their size and permanence are highly important for their legal protection, these two characteristics are not precisely and universally defined in theory and in international legal documents.

International legislative frameworks do not seem to provide global, comprehensive, or detailed protection of ponds as significant and widespread habitats. On the contrary, they safeguard only fragmentary small water bodies – either by protecting certain types or only those that are parts of larger protected areas. Also, pondscapes are not specifically recognized as forms in need of legal protection.

In this paper, the complexity of the legal protection of ponds is presented, followed by recommendations. These should be transformed into legal norms, and given their number and complexity be presented within a single, unique convention that would specifically address the protection of ponds globally. This type of protection would be the most effective legal tool.
Do you see what I see? Measuring the semantic differences in image‐recognition services' outputs
Authors: Berg Anton , Nelimarkka Matti
Published: September 2023

As scholars increasingly undertake large‐scale analysis of visual materials, advanced computational tools show promise for informing that process. One technique in the toolbox is image recognition, made readily accessible via Google Vision AI, Microsoft Azure Computer Vision, and Amazon's Rekognition service. However, concerns about such issues as bias factors and low reliability have led to warnings against research employing it. A systematic study of cross‐service label agreement concretized such issues: using eight datasets, spanning professionally produced and user‐generated images, the work showed that image‐recognition services disagree on the most suitable labels for images. Beyond supporting caveats expressed in prior literature, the report articulates two mitigation strategies, both involving the use of multiple image‐recognition services: Highly explorative research could include all the labels, accepting noisier but less restrictive analysis output. Alternatively, scholars may employ word‐embedding‐based approaches to identify concepts that are similar enough for their purposes, then focus on those labels filtered in.
Disturbance of skin sensation and autism spectrum disorder: A bidirectional Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Zhong Xiao , Wang Letong , Xu Lin , Lian Jie , Chen Jie , Gong Xinxin , Shao Yongcong
Published: September 2023

Background and aim

Patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) commonly experience aberrant skin sensation sensitivity; however, the causal relationship is not yet clear. This study uses a bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) method to explore the relationship between disturbance of skin sensation (DSS) and ASD.

Methods

Single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) extracted from the summary data of genome‐wide association studies were used as genetic instruments. MR was performed using the inverse‐variance‐weighted method, with alternate methods (e.g., weighted median, MR‐Egger, simple mode, weighted mode, and MR‐pleiotropy residual sum and outlier) and multiple sensitivity analyses to assess horizontal pleiotropy and remove outliers.

Results

The results of the analysis using six SNPs as genetic instruments showed that the DSS is associated with an increased risk of ASD (odds ratio = 1.126, 95% confidence interval = 1.029–1.132; p = .010). The results of the sensitivity analyses were robust with no evidence of pleiotropy. The reverse MR analyses showed no causal effects of ASD on DSS.

Conclusion

This study's findings suggest that DSS has potential causal effects on ASD, whereas ASD has no effect on DSS. Thus, skin sensitivity may represent a behavioral marker of ASD, by which some populations could be subtyped in the future.
Novel metal peroxide nanoboxes restrain Clostridioides difficile infection beyond the bactericidal and sporicidal activity
Authors: Yang Li‐Xing , Lai Yi‐Hsin , Cheung Chun In , Ye Zhi , Huang Tzu‐Chi , Wang Yu‐Chin , Chin Yu‐Cheng , Chia Zi‐Chun , Chen Ya‐Jyun , Li Meng‐Jia , Tseng Hsiu‐Ying , Tsai Yi‐Tseng , Zhang Zhi‐Bin , Chen Kuan‐Hsu , Tsai Bo‐Yang , Shieh Dar‐Bin , Lee Nan‐Yao , Tsai Pei‐Jane , Huang Chih‐Chia
Published: September 2023

Clostridioides difficile spores are considered as the major source responsible for the development of C. difficile infection (CDI), which is associated with an increased risk of death in patients and has become an important issue in infection control of nosocomial infections. Current treatment against CDI still relies on antibiotics, which also damage normal flora and increase the risk of CDI recurrence. Therefore, alternative therapies that are more effective against C. difficile bacteria and spores are urgently needed. Here, we designed an oxidation process using H2O2 containing PBS solution to generate Cl− and peroxide molecules that further process Ag and Au ions to form nanoboxes with Ag–Au peroxide coat covering Au shell and AgCl core (AgAu‐based nanoboxes). The AgAu‐based nanoboxes efficiently disrupted the membrane structure of bacteria/spores of C. difficile after 30–45 min exposure to the highly reactive Ag/Au peroxide surface of the nano structures. The Au‐enclosed AgCl provided sustained suppression of the growth of 2 × 107 pathogenic Escherichia coli for up to 19 days. In a fecal bench ex vivo test and in vivo CDI murine model, biocompatibility and therapeutic efficacy of the AuAg nanoboxes to attenuate CDI was demonstrated by restoring the gut microbiota and colon mucosal structure. The treatment successfully rescued the CDI mice from death and prevented their recurrence mediated by vancomycin treatment. The significant outcomes indicated that the new peroxide‐derived AgAu‐based nanoboxes possess great potential for future translation into clinical application as a new alternative therapeutic strategy against CDI.
Biochar‐Derived Hierarchical Porous Carbon as Tellurium Host for High‐Performance Potassium‐Tellurium Batteries
Authors: Wu Pankun , Mu Zongyong , Qian Kun , Guo Cong , Li Min , Li Jingfa
Published: September 2023

Potassium‐ion battery is promising for its high abundance and low redox potential. As a conversion cathode, Te possesses high conductivity and theoretical volumetric capacity to couple with potassium. The stubborn issues of K‐Te battery focus on the large volume change and rapid structure degradation of Te. Herein, we produce biomass carbon from mangosteen shell in a facile method, and obtain a hierarchical porous host with abundance of micropores and mesopores, which is obviously beneficial for hosting Te during K+ storage in K‐Te battery. The specific capacity reach to 560 mAh g−1 in the initial cycle at 0.1 A g−1, and remained 83.8 % after 200 cycles. Impressively, at a high current density of 2.0 A g−1, the specific capacity still remained 62.6 % after 5000 cycle. These results endow such strategy an efficient way for the development of K‐Te batteries.
Photophysical Properties of Homo‐ and Hetero‐Aggregate Assemblies Made of N‐Annulated Perylene Derivatives
Authors: Cancelliere Ambra M. , Galletta Maurilio , Arrigo Antonino , Fazio Enza , Campagna Sebastiano , Puntoriero Fausto
Published: September 2023

We report the absorption spectra and photophysical properties of homo and hetero‐aggregate assemblies of a strongly emissive N‐annulated perylene dye (P) and of a dyad made of P and a methyl viologen derivative (P‐MV), in ethanol‐water solutions. In homo‐aggregate assemblies of P, the π‐π* fluorescence of the isolated chromophore is replaced by excimer emission at lower energy, with a lifetime of 900 ps, due to excimer formation from the initially prepared excitons. In homo‐aggregate assemblies of P‐MV, photoinduced charge separation, with formation of P+‐MV− species, occurs in 3 ps with a charge recombination of 20 ps. In hetero‐aggregate P/P‐MV systems, the light energy absorbed by the P components delocalizes over various P subunits, and when a P‐MV unit is reached, charge separation occurs; however, excimer emission is present for P/P‐MV ratio larger than 3 : 1, indicating that delocalized excitons within the hetero‐aggregate systems extend over a limited number of P chromophores.
Fate of Oxidation States at Actinide Centers in Redox‐Active Ligand Systems Governed by Energy Levels of 5 f Orbitals
Authors: Takeyama Tomoyuki , Tsushima Satoru , Gericke Robert , Kaden Peter , März Juliane , Takao Koichiro
Published: September 2023

We report the formation of a NpIV complex from the complexation of NpVIO22+ with the redox‐active ligand tBu‐pdiop2−=2,6‐bis[N‐(3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2‐hydroxyphenyl)iminomethyl]pyridine. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of the direct complexation‐induced chemical reduction of NpVIO22+ to NpIV. In contrast, the complexation of UVIO22+ with tBu‐pdiop2− did not induce the reduction of UVIO22+, not even after the two‐electron electrochemical reduction of [UVIO2(tBu‐pdiop)]. This contrast between the Np and U systems may be ascribed to the decrease of the energy of the 5 f orbitals in Np compared to those in U. The present findings indicate that the redox chemistry between UVIO22+ and NpVIO22+ should be clearly differentiated in redox‐active ligand systems.
Quantifying basic colors' salience from cross‐linguistic corpora
Authors: Brosa‐Rodríguez Antoni , Jiménez‐López M. Dolores
Published: September 2023

A corpus‐based quantitative assessment of Berlin and Kay's proposal is presented. We refine the Basic Color Terms hierarchy proposed by Berlin and Kay, through the concept of salience. A cross‐linguistic study with 57 different languages and 136 different linguistic corpora has been conducted. This study uses KonText tool and the corpora included in it. The color labels in different languages have been obtained using a unified methodology from PanLex. We have obtained an individual hierarchy for each of the languages analyzed, as well as a general hierarchy that captures the universal trend. Results show that there is a close relationship between the evolutionary stages in the Berlin and Kay proposal and their frequency in our corpora study, which we could also relate to Zipf's Law. The only color that we certify behaves differently compared to such a proposal is yellow. The main advantage of our approach compared to previous corpora studies is taking into account the anglocentric bias by using a representative typological set of different languages from the world.
Soil Health: What We Know—and Don’t Know
Authors: Hopkins Bryan G. , Rogers Christopher W. , Yost Matt
Published: September 2023

Soil health has long been recognized as important. There are many proven practices known to build and maintain soil health, but there are other practices that are suspect. Measuring soil health is happening, but it is an immature science. Will we find that the existing soil health tests are meaningful? Will new methods be developed? What will the collective efforts of those implementing the aforementioned practices be upon yields? Crop quality? Carbon sequestration equilibrium? Soil and environment sustainability? And, of vital importance, what is the financial sustainability for growers and society? Earn 1 CEU in Soil & Water Management by reading the article and taking the quiz at https://web.sciencesocieties.org/Learning‐Center/Courses.
A highly accurate and robust source reconstruction method of printed circuit boards based on complex‐valued neural network
Authors: Zhang Wei , Nie Bao‐Lin , Wang Jinping , Liu Enbo , Wang Jiabao , Du Pingan
Published: September 2023

Printed circuit boards play an increasingly important role in modern electronic systems. Equivalent dipole moments are widely used to reconstruct the radiated fields of printed circuit boards in view of the extremely high complexity. In this paper, an improved source reconstruction method based on complex‐valued neural network is proposed to investigate the radiation properties of printed circuit boards working in microwave frequency band. Firstly, the magnetic field data obtained from the near‐field scanning are utilized to construct a matrix equation based on the source reconstruction theory. Secondly, the kernel of the complex‐valued neural network is constructed through the algorithm of complex numbers, which eventually end up with the novel neural network with the help of the principle of regression optimization. Thirdly, the data obtained from the near‐field scanning are fed into the neural network for effective training to get the equivalent dipole model. Finally, several numerical examples and available measurement results are given to validate the method. Compared with the commonly used Tikhonov regularization method, the proposed method possesses higher accuracy and better robustness in noise suppression.