bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Advanced Nanomaterials for Preparedness Against (Re‐)Emerging Viral Diseases
Authors: Kim Eunjung , Lim Eun‐Kyung , Park Geunseon , Park Chaewon , Lim Jong‐Woo , Lee Hyo , Na Woonsung , Yeom Minjoo , Kim Jinyoung , Song Daesub , Haam Seungjoo 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWhile the coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) accounts for the current global pandemic, the emergence of other unknown pathogens, named “Disease X,” remains a serious concern in the future. Emerging or re‐emerging pathogens continue to pose significant challenges to global public health. In response, the scientific community has been urged to create advanced platform technologies to meet the ever‐increasing needs presented by these devastating diseases with pandemic potential. This review aims to bring new insights to allow for the application of advanced nanomaterials in future diagnostics, vaccines, and antiviral therapies, thereby addressing the challenges associated with the current preparedness strategies in clinical settings against viruses. The application of nanomaterials has advanced medicine and provided cutting‐edge solutions for unmet needs. Herein, an overview of the currently available nanotechnologies is presented, highlighting the significant features that enable them to control infectious diseases, and identifying the challenges that remain to be addressed for the commercial production of nano‐based products is presented. Finally, to conclude, the development of a nanomaterial‐based system using a “One Health” approach is suggested. This strategy would require a transdisciplinary collaboration and communication between all stakeholders throughout the entire process spanning across research and development, as well as the preclinical, clinical, and manufacturing phases.
Metal–Organic Framework for Efficient Electron Injection
Authors: He Gufeng , Zhou Xiaowen , Liu Jun , Gong Yongyang , Wu Xinkai , Yuan Wangzhang 
Published: February 2021

AbstractA 3D metal–organic framework (MOF) [(H3O)Zn(HCOO)3]∞ is developed as a highly efficient and air‐stable solution‐processed electron injection layer (s‐EIL). The [(H3O)Zn(HCOO)3]∞ film can be easily obtained by annealing a spin‐coated [Zn(HCOO)2(H2O)2]∞ film at 120 °C in air, which is facilely prepared by the reaction of ZnO powder with formic acid and the aqueous solution of ammonium. The un‐encapsulated electron‐only device with [(H3O)Zn(HCOO)3]∞ as the s‐EIL exhibits significantly enhanced electrical property and air stability, compared to that with vacuum‐evaporated Cs2CO3 as EIL. Such improvements can also be observed in inverted organic light‐emitting diodes. The device with [(H3O)Zn(HCOO)3]∞ s‐EIL demonstrates an operating voltage of 6.8 V at 1000 cd m−2, much lower than that with Cs2CO3 EIL (8.4 V). And the power efficiency is increased about 18%. The enhanced electron injection property of [(H3O)Zn(HCOO)3]∞‐modified indium–tin oxide (ITO) is attributed to its reduced work function compared to bare ITO, which is confirmed by ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. This approach is anticipated to be applied in other optoelectronic devices for efficient electron injection.
Bicyclic Boronate β‐Lactamase Inhibitors: The Present Hope against Deadly Bacterial Pathogens
Authors: Lence Emilio , González‐Bello Concepción 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe use of β‐lactamase inhibitors in combination with β‐lactam antibiotics is an emerging area in drug discovery. This strategy allows the restoration of the therapeutic efficacy of these antibiotics in clinical use against multiresistant bacteria. These pathogens are drug resistant because they express β‐lactamase enzymes, which prevent the antibiotic therapeutic action by catalyzing the hydrolysis of the β‐lactam ring. These enzymes are quite diverse in both their structural architecture and hydrolytic capability, as well as in the mechanism of action. The ever‐increasing emergence of pathogens that are capable of coproducing different types of β‐lactamases has triggered the search for ultrabroad‐spectrum inhibitors capable of deactivating both serine‐ and metallo‐β‐lactamases. A recent breakthrough in this long‐pursued and unmet need is the discovery of bicyclic boronate inhibitors, specifically taniborbactam, VNRX‐7145, and QPX7728, which are currently under clinical development in combination with cefepime, ceftibuten, and QPX2014, respectively. The present article highlights the therapeutic potential of these inhibitors and their spectrum of efficacy is compared with those of other β‐lactam/β‐lactamase inhibitor combinations recently approved by the food and drug administration. The molecular basis of the ultrabroad‐spectrum of activity of boron‐based inhibitors is also discussed, on the basis of the available crystal structures and the results of computational studies.
Helical Klinotactic Locomotion of Two‐Link Nanoswimmers with Dual‐Function Drug‐Loaded Soft Polysaccharide Hinges
Authors: Wu Jiaen , Jang Bumjin , Harduf Yuval , Chapnik Zvi , Avci Ömer Bartu , Chen Xiangzhong , Puigmartí‐Luis Josep , Ergeneman Olgac , Nelson Bradley J. , Or Yizhar , Pané Salvador 
Published: February 2021

AbstractInspired by the movement of bacteria and other microorganisms, researchers have developed artificial helical micro‐ and nanorobots that can perform corkscrew locomotion or helical path swimming under external energy actuation. In this paper, for the first time the locomotion of nonhelical multifunctional nanorobots that can swim in helical klinotactic trajectories, similarly to rod‐shaped bacteria, under rotating magnetic fields is investigated. These nanorobots consist of a rigid ferromagnetic nickel head connected to a rhodium tail by a flexible hydrogel‐based hollow hinge composed of chemically responsive chitosan and alginate multilayers. This design allows nanoswimmers switching between different dynamic behaviors—from in‐plane tumbling to helical klinotactic swimming—by varying the rotating magnetic field frequency and strength. It also adds a rich spectrum of swimming capabilities that can be adjusted by varying the type of applied magnetic fields and/or frequencies. A theoretical model is developed to analyze the propulsion mechanisms and predict the swimming behavior at distinct rotating magnetic frequencies. The model shows good agreement with the experimental results. Additionally, the biomedical capabilities of the nanoswimmers as drug delivery platforms are demonstrated. Unlike previous designs constitute metallic segments, the proposed nanoswimmers can encapsulate drugs into their hollow hinge and successfully release them to cells.
Rapid pressure swing adsorption for small scale ammonia separation: A proof‐of‐concept
Authors: Lin Bosong , Hsieh I‐Min , Malmali Mahdi 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIn a typical Haber‐Bosch process, a gas stream containing 15–20 mol% ammonia is obtained from the reactor effluent, and ammonia is then partially separated in a phase‐changing condensation unit. When operating at lower pressure for distributed manufacturing, the single‐pass conversion drops to less than 10 mol%, which makes the condensation more cost‐intensive. A small adsorber is proposed for concentrating ammonia through rapid pressure swing adsorption (RPSA) that fits the small‐scale processing. A mathematical model is developed to evaluate the feasibility of the RPSA process for ammonia separation with high recovery. The ideal adsorbed solution theory, based on the Freundlich single‐component isotherm model, is proposed to predict binary isotherms for various commercially available adsorbents. The performance of the RPSA‐assisted adsorber is then studied at different process conditions for concentrating ammonia. The effect of various operating variables such as exhaust flow rate, cycle time, and feed pressure, is investigated. The proposed numerical model shows that nearly pure ammonia can be continuously produced at optimized conditions, with more than 95% recovery. This low‐pressure RPSA‐assisted adsorber can be used to design modular ammonia devices for distributed manufacturing. Our proposed technology can be further extended to concentrate other dilute gas mixtures, such as carbon dioxide.
Long‐Term Safety and Efficacy of Eculizumab in Aquaporin‐4 IgG‐Positive NMOSD
Authors: Wingerchuk Dean M. , Fujihara Kazuo , Palace Jacqueline , Berthele Achim , Levy Michael , Kim Ho Jin , Nakashima Ichiro , Oreja‐Guevara Celia , Wang Kai‐Chen , Miller Larisa , Shang Shulian , Sabatella Guido , Yountz Marcus , Pittock Sean J. ,   PREVENT Study Group
Published: February 2021

ObjectiveDuring PREVENT (NCT01892345), eculizumab significantly reduced relapse risk versus placebo in patients with aquaporin‐4 immunoglobulin G‐positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (AQP4‐IgG+ NMOSD). We report an interim analysis of PREVENT's ongoing open‐label extension (OLE; NCT02003144) evaluating eculizumab's long‐term safety and efficacy.MethodsPatients who completed PREVENT could enroll in the OLE to receive eculizumab (maintenance dose = 1,200 mg/2 weeks, after a blinded induction phase). Safety and efficacy data from PREVENT and its OLE (interim data cut, July 31, 2019) were combined for this analysis.ResultsAcross PREVENT and the OLE, 137 patients received eculizumab and were monitored for a median (range) of 133.3 weeks (5.1–276.9 weeks), for a combined total of 362.3 patient‐years (PY). Treatment‐related adverse event (AE) and serious adverse event (SAE) rates were 183.5 in 100 PY and 8.6 in 100 PY, respectively. Serious infection rates were 10.2 in 100 PY in eculizumab‐treated patients versus 15.1 in 100 PY in the PREVENT placebo group. No patient developed a meningococcal infection. At 192 weeks (3.7 years), 94.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 88.6–97.3) of patients remained adjudicated relapse‐free. The adjudicated annualized relapse rate was 0.025 (95% CI = 0.013–0.048) in all eculizumab‐treated patients versus 0.350 (95% CI = 0.199–0.616) in the PREVENT placebo group. During the OLE, 37% of patients (44 of 119 patients) stopped or decreased background immunosuppressive therapy use.InterpretationThis analysis demonstrates that eculizumab's long‐term safety profile in NMOSD is consistent with its established profile across other indications. This analysis also demonstrated the sustained ability of long‐term eculizumab treatment to reduce relapse risk in patients with AQP4‐IgG+ NMOSD. ANN NEUROL 2021;89:1088–1098
Fabrication of in‐situ polymerized UiO‐66/PVDF supramolecular membranes with high anti‐fouling performance
Authors: Wang Wei , Zhang Peng , Shi Yaping , Zhang Zhichao , Xu Xin , Ding Ping 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe composite membrane with the advantages of high separation efficiency and wide application, has been widely concerned in the field of water purification and molecular separation. However, the common composite membrane cannot achieve continuity, or the grafting process is complex, which significantly hinders its further development. In this work, the in‐situ polymerization of UiO‐66/PVDF supramolecular flat membranes as the continuous and high‐performance composite membrane can be easily synthesized using the supramolecular force, (such as, hydrogen bond, etc.). These supramolecular membranes exhibit good hydrophilic (61°) and anti‐fouling performance for bovine serum albumin (BSA) solution with rejection rate 97.79% than the original membrane. Moreover, this membrane can achieve more MOF doping based on maintaining the membrane performance, which undoubtedly greatly improves its hydrophilicity and mechanical properties. In addition, we also characterized the porous microstructure of the UiO‐66/PVDF supramolecular membrane to analyze the influence of different doping amounts on the membrane structure. This supramolecular membrane has the advantages of simple synthesis, good hydrophilicity and water separation performance, which provides a more convenient and effective way for the preparation of MOFs/polymer flat membrane, and also provides a new method and new idea for expanding the application of MOFs/polymer ultrafiltration membrane in water treatment.
Evaluation of 92 cardiovascular proteins in dried blood spots collected under field‐conditions
Authors: Broberg Karin , Svensson Johanna , Grahn Karin , Assarsson Eva , Åberg Mikael , Selander Jenny , Enroth Stefan 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWorkplace‐collected blood spots deposited on filter paper were analysed with multiplexed affinity‐based protein assays and found to be suitable for proteomics analysis. The protein extension assay (PEA) was used to characterize 92 proteins using 1.2 mm punches in repeated samples collected from 20 workers. Overall, 97.8% of the samples and 91.3% of the analysed proteins passed quality control. Both within and between spot correlations using six replicates from the same individual were above 0.99, suggesting that comparable levels are obtained from multiple punches from the same spot and from consecutive spots. Protein levels from dried blood and wet serum from the same individuals were compared and the majority of the analysed proteins were found to be significantly correlated. These results open up for simplified sample collection of blood in field conditions for proteomic analysis, but also highlight that not all proteins can be robustly measured from dried whole blood.
Additional radiotherapy to breast‐conserving surgery is an optional treatment for de novo stage IV breast cancer: A population‐based analysis
Authors: Wang Jun , Yang Shi‐Ping , Zhou Ping , Lian Chen‐Lu , Lei Jian , Hua Li , He Zhen‐Yu , Wu San‐Gang 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundWe aim to assess the value of locoregional treatment (LRT) including breast‐conserving surgery (BCS), mastectomy (MAST), and radiotherapy (RT) in patients with de novo stage IV breast cancer.MethodsPatients with de novo stage IV breast cancer were retrospectively identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database between 2004 and 2014. Kaplan‐Meier analysis, log‐rank tests, propensity score matching (PSM), and the multivariate Cox proportional model were used for statistical analysis.ResultsA total of 5798 patients were identified including 849 (14.6%), 763 (13.2%), 2338 (40.3%), and 1848 (31.9%) who received BCS alone, BCS+RT, MAST alone, and MAST+RT, respectively. The proportions of receiving BCS decreased from 35.9% in 2004 to 26.2% in 2014 (p = 0.002), and the probability of patients receiving MAST increased from 64.1% in 2004 to 74.8% in 2014 (p = 0.002). Before PSM, there was a significant difference in breast cancer‐specific survival (BCSS) among the treatment arms. Patients who received RT had better BCSS, the 5‐year BCSS was 40.5%, 52.3%, 41.5%, and 47.7% in patients treated with BCS alone, BCS+RT, MAST alone, and MAST+RT, respectively (p < 0.001). In the PSM cohort, patients treated with BCS alone had lower 5‐year BCSS compared to those treated with BCS+RT (43.9% and 52.1%, p = 0.002). However, there were comparable 5‐year BCSS between BCS+RT and MAST alone groups (51.3% and 50.1%, p = 0.872), and BCS+RT and MAST+RT cohorts (51.5% and 55.7%, p = 0.333). Similar results were confirmed in multivariate analysis.ConclusionsPostoperative RT improves BCSS in patients with de novo stage IV breast cancer, and BCS+RT shows a non‐inferior outcome compared to MAST+RT. BCS+RT may be the optimal local management of de novo stage IV breast cancer.
Strategies for the implementation of sustainability goals (SDGs) in chemistry lessons – demonstrated on the topic of water treatment with Moringa oleifera
Authors: Engl Alexander , Neff Sascha , Risch Björn 
Published: February 2021

AbstractUmwelt‐ und Klimaschutz gehören für junge Menschen in Deutschland zu den wichtigsten gesellschaftlichen Problemen. Im Chemieunterricht stehen diese Inhalte jedoch immer noch zu wenig im Fokus. Dabei bietet das Fach Chemie hervorragende thematische Anknüpfungspunkte im Sinne von socio‐scientific‐issues als Kontexte im Bereich Nachhaltigkeit. Als Katalysatoren für die Erarbeitung von umweltbezogenen Themen im Chemieunterricht könnten die von den Vereinten Nationen (2015) formulierten Nachhaltigkeitsziele (SDGs) sowie der von der UNESCO (2017) veröffentlichte Leitfaden zu Lernzielen einer Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung fungieren. Basierend auf den dort formulierten Strategien wird im vorliegenden Beitrag die Konzeption und Erprobung einer Unterrichtseinheit zum SDG 6 („Sauberes Wasser und Sanitäreinrichtungen“) vorgestellt. Inhaltlich liegt dabei der Fokus auf der Wasseraufbereitung mit Moringa Samen für den Chemieunterricht der 10. bis 13. Klasse.
Cytogenetics and fertility of an induced tetraploid Sorghum bicolor x S. propinquum hybrid
Authors: Porter Nick T. , Burson Byron L. , Washburn Jacob D. , Klein Robert R. , Jessup Russell W. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractDevelopment of perennial alternatives to annual crops can alleviate some of agriculture's challenges. Perennial sorghum has the potential of being a low maintenance, drought tolerant, high yielding forage or bioenergy crop. Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench (ATx623, CMS line) was crossed with S. propinquum (Kunth) Hitchc., and several diploid F1 hybrids were recovered. One hybrid was treated with colchicine to produce novel tetraploids. A single tetraploid plant was recovered and is the first reported induced tetraploid S. bicolor x S. propinquum hybrid. The fertility and chromosome pairing of this tetraploid hybrid, diploid F2 hybrids, and both parents were investigated. Pollen stainability for S. bicolor (BTx623, restorer line), S. propinquum, and the F2 hybrids ranged from 85 to 90%, but stainability was lower (57%) for the induced tetraploid hybrid. Mean seed set of both parents was 65–67% but was 43% for the induced tetraploid hybrid. Meiotic chromosome pairing at metaphase I in both diploid (2n = 2x = 20) parents and the diploid hybrids was primarily 10 bivalents, but the hybrids had a higher frequency of univalents than either parent indicating small chromosomal differences exist between the two species. Mean meiotic chromosome pairing in the induced tetraploid hybrid (2n = 4x = 40) was 0.45 univalents 17.77 bivalents, 0.02 trivalents, and 0.98 quadrivalents per cell. These findings corroborate previous reports that S. bicolor and S. propinquum have a homologous genome.
Interferon beta 1a (Rebif®) in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis
Authors: Sánchez Reinier Cardentey , de la Fe Amado Díaz , Suarez Alejandro Peláez , Grass Dayme , Vega Teresa Morgado , Canal Armando Sánchez , Siniscalco Dario , de los Angeles Robinson Agramonte María 
Published: February 2021

AbstractMultiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune neurodegenerative disease that affects the central nervous system. It is the second cause of neurological disability in young adults. The exact cause of the disease remains unknown and there is no curative treatment. It is imperative to evaluate the efficacy of newest, biotechnological products modifying the disease. This study was designed to evaluate the use of interferon beta 1a (Rebif®) in patients with relapsing remitting MS treated at International Center for Neurological Restoration. Thirty‐one patients with relapsing remitting MS, between 10 and 65 years of age, four males and 27 females, were treated with Rebif® three times per week during 1 year. The safety of the treatment was evaluated based on the adverse events and the efficacy based on the disability scale score, the number of attacks and the number of lesions at magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The public clinical trial is registered in Cuba (Number B‐10‐030‐L03). Adverse effects occurred in 75% of the cases, but they were mild. A significant reduction in the number of attacks, the disability scale score and the number of lesions at MRI were observed in patients with relapsing remitting MS treated with Rebif®. The use of interferon beta 1a showed safety and efficacy in the treatment of patients with relapsing remitting MS.
Estimating the survival of unobservable life stages for a declining frog with a complex life history
Authors: Rose Jonathan P. , Kupferberg Sarah J. , Wheeler Clara A. , Kleeman Patrick M. , Halstead Brian J. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractDemographic models enhance understanding of drivers of population growth and inform conservation efforts to prevent population declines and extinction. For species with complex life histories, however, parameterizing demographic models is challenging because some life stages can be difficult to study directly. Integrated population models (IPMs) empower researchers to estimate vital rates for organisms that have cryptic or widely dispersing early life stages by integrating multiple demographic data sources. For a stream‐inhabiting frog (Rana boylii) that is declining through much of its range in Oregon and California, USA, we collected egg‐mass counts and capture–mark–recapture data on adults from two populations in California to fit IPMs that estimate adult abundance and the survival rate of both marked and unobserved life stages. Estimates of adult abundance based on long‐term monitoring of egg‐mass counts showed that study populations fluctuated greatly inter‐annually but were stable at longer timescales (i.e., decades). Adult female survival during 5–6 yr of capture–mark–recapture study periods was nearly equal in each population. Survival rate of R. boylii eggs to the subadult stage is low on average (0.002) but highly variable among years depending on post‐oviposition stream flow. Population viability analysis showed that survival of adult and subadult life stages has the greatest proportional effect on population growth; the survival of egg and tadpole life stages, however, is more malleable by management interventions. For example, simulations showed head‐starting of tadpoles, salvaging stranded egg masses, and limiting aseasonal pulsed flows could dramatically reduce the threat of extirpation. This study demonstrates the value of integrating multiple demographic data sources to construct models of population dynamics in species with complex life histories.
Crossing the barriers: Revisiting the gut feeling in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Brandl Carolin , Bucci Laura , Schett Georg , Zaiss Mario M. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractTo avoid autoimmunity, it is essential to keep the balance between the defence against pathogens and the maintenance of tolerance to self‐antigens. Mucosal inflammation may lead to breakdown of tolerance and activation of autoreactive cells. Growing evidence suggests a major contribution of gut microbiota to the onset of chronic, autoimmune inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA patients show significant differences in the composition of gut microbiota compared to healthy controls, and in murine arthritis models certain bacteria can induce inflammatory Th17 responses or autoantibody production. The gut microbiota plays an important role in regulating the balance between immunogenic and tolerogenic immune responses. The intestinal barrier is the site of the body where most host–microbiota interaction takes place. Certain microbiota or their metabolites can cause a break in homeostasis by affecting the intestinal barrier integrity and permeability. However, an intact intestinal barrier is essential to separate the intestinal epithelium from toxins, microorganisms, and antigens in the gut lumen. This review will focus on the correlation between a leaky gut and the onset of arthritis. Furthermore, it will be discussed how targeting the intestinal barrier function by dietary changes might provide an opportunity to modulate the development of RA.