bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biopolymer Nano‐Network for Antimicrobial Peptide Protection and Local Delivery
Authors: Klubthawee Natthaporn , Bovone Giovanni , Marco‐Dufort Bruno , Guzzi Elia A. , Aunpad Ratchaneewan , Tibbitt Mark W. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) develops when bacteria no longer respond to conventional antimicrobial treatment. The limited treatment options for resistant infections result in a significantly increased medical burden. Antimicrobial peptides offer advantages for treatment of resistant infections, including broad‐spectrum activity and lower risk of resistance development. However, sensitivity to proteolytic cleavage often limits their clinical application. Here, a moldable and biodegradable colloidal nano‐network is presented that protects bioactive peptides from enzymatic degradation and delivers them locally. An antimicrobial peptide, PA‐13, is encapsulated electrostatically into positively and negatively charged nanoparticles made of chitosan and dextran sulfate without requiring chemical modification. Mixing and concentration of oppositely charged particles form a nano‐network with the rheological properties of a cream or injectable hydrogel. After exposure to proteolytic enzymes, the formed nano‐network loaded with PA‐13 eliminates Pseudomonas aeruginosa during in vitro culture and in an ex vivo porcine skin model while the unencapsulated PA‐13 shows no antibacterial effect. This demonstrates the ability of the nano‐network to protect the antimicrobial peptide in an enzyme‐challenged environment, such as a wound bed. Overall, the nano‐network presents a useful platform for antimicrobial peptide protection and delivery without impacting peptide bioactivity.
Carbon Dots with Intrinsic Bioactivities for Photothermal Optical Coherence Tomography, Tumor‐Specific Therapy and Postoperative Wound Management
Authors: Liu Hao , Mo Luoqi , Chen Haolin , Chen Chao , Wu Jiayi , Tang Zhilie , Guo Zhouyi , Hu Chaofan , Liu Zhiming 
Published: December 2021

AbstractCarbon dots (CDs) are considered as promising candidates with superior biocompatibilities for multimodel cancer theranostics. However, incorporation of exogenous components, such as targeting molecules and chemo/photo therapeutic drugs, is often required to improve the therapeutic efficacy. Herein, an “all‐in‐one” CDs that exhibit intrinsic bioactivities for bioimaging, potent tumor therapy, and postoperative management is proposed. The multifunctional CDs derived from gallic acid and tyrosine (GT‐CDs) consist of a graphitized carbon core and N, O‐rich functional groups, which endow them with a high near‐infrared (NIR) photothermal conversion efficiency of 33.9% and tumor‐specific cytotoxicity, respectively. A new imaging modality, photothermal optical coherence tomography, is introduced using GT‐CDs as the contrast agent, offering the micrometer‐scale resolution 3D tissue morphology of tumor. For cancer therapy, GT‐CDs initiate the intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species in tumor cells but not normal cells, further induce the mitochondrial collapse and subsequent tumor cellular apoptosis. Combined with NIR photothermal treatment, synergistic antitumor therapy is achieved in vitro and in vivo. GT‐CDs also promote the healing process of bacteria‐contaminated skin wound, demonstrating their potential to prevent postoperative infection. The integrated theranostic strategy based on versatile GT‐CDs supplies an alternative easy‐to‐handle pattern for disease management.
Miniaturized Multispectral Detector Derived from Gradient Response Units on Single MAPbX3 Microwire
Authors: Xu Xiaobao , Han Zeyao , Zou Yousheng , Li Junyu , Gu Yu , Hu Dawei , He Yin , Liu Jiaxin , Yu Dejian , Cao Fei , Zeng Haibo 
Published: December 2021

AbstractMiniaturized multispectral detectors are urgently desired given the unprecedented prosperity of smart optoelectronic chips for integrated functions including communication, imaging, scientific analysis, etc. However, multispectral detectors require complicated prism optics or interference/interferometric filters for spectral recognition, which hampers the miniaturization and their subsequent integration in photonic integrated circuits. In this work, inspired by the advance of computational imaging, optical‐component‐free miniaturized multispectral detector on 4 mm gradient bandgap MAPbX3 microwire with a diameter of 30 µm, is reported. With accurate composition engineering, halide ions in MAPbX3 microwire vary from Cl to I giving in the gradual variation of optical bandgap from 2.96 to 1.68 eV along axis. The sensing units on MAPbX3 microwire offer the response edge ranging from 450 to 790 nm with the responsivity over 20 mA W−1, −3dB width over 450 Hz, LDR of ≈60 dB, and a noise current less than ≈1.4 × 10−12 A Hz−0.5. As a result, the derived miniaturized detector achieves the function of multispectral sensing and discrimination with spectral resolution of ≈25 nm and mismatch of ≈10 nm. Finally, the proof‐of‐concept colorful imaging is successfully conducted with the miniaturized multispectral detector to further confirm its application in spectral recognition.
Combined High‐Speed Atomic Force and Optical Microscopy Shows That Viscoelastic Properties of Melanoma Cancer Cells Change during the Cell Cycle
Authors: Schächtele Marc , Kemmler Jan , Rheinlaender Johannes , Schäffer Tilman E. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractCurrent high‐speed atomic force microscopy (HS‐AFM) setups reach imaging speeds of several images per second but often have limited options for imaging live cells because of a small scan range, a lack of environmental control, or a missing combination with optical phase‐contrast or fluorescence microscopy. A HS‐AFM setup is therefore developed with a large scan range optimized for imaging live cells. The setup is equipped with temperature and CO2 control and is mounted on an inverted optical microscope providing high‐quality phase‐contrast and fluorescence microscopy. To demonstrate the capabilities of the setup, fast force mapping on live human platelets is performed. Further, HS‐AFM images and optical phase‐contrast and actin fluorescence images of live cancer cells are simultaneously recorded, and two state‐of‐the‐art AFM modes for imaging viscoelastic sample properties, force clamp force mapping and resonance compensating chirp mode, are compared. The setup is then applied to the investigation of viscoelastic material properties of cells in different cell cycle states. Using a melanoma cell line with a fluorescent cell cycle sensor, it is found that during the cell cycle not only cell volume and morphology, but also viscoelastic material properties significantly change, with increasing stiffness and decreasing fluidity from the G1 through the G1/S to the S/G2/M phases.
Tunable Hyperbolic Phonon Polaritons in a Suspended van der Waals α‐MoO3 with Gradient Gaps
Authors: Zheng Zebo , Sun Fengsheng , Xu Ningsheng , Huang Wuchao , Chen Xuexian , Ke Yanlin , Zhan Runze , Chen Huanjun , Deng Shaozhi 
Published: December 2021

AbstractHighly confined and low‐loss hyperbolic phonon polaritons (HPhPs) sustained in van der Waals crystals exhibit outstanding potential to concentrate the long‐wave electromagnetic fields deep into the subwavelength region. However, precise tuning on the HPhP propagation characteristics is a critical challenge to facilitate its practical applications in nanophotonic devices and circuits. This study, by taking advantage of the varying air gaps in a suspended van der Waals α‐MoO3 crystal, shows the feasibility to tune wavelength and damping rate of the HPhPs propagating inside the α‐MoO3. The results indicate that the dependence of polariton wavelength on the gap distance for HPhPs in lower and upper Reststrahlen bands contradict each other. Most interestingly, the tuning range of the polariton wavelengths for HPhPs in the lower band, which exhibits in‐plane hyperbolicity, is wider than that for HPhPs in the upper band which exhibits out‐of‐plane hyperbolicity. A polariton wavelength elongation of up to 160% and a reduction in the damping rate up to 35% is recorded. These findings can not only provide fundamental insight into the nanoscale manipulation of light by polaritonic crystals, but also open up new opportunities for tunable nanophotonic applications.
Enhanced Rashba Indirect Exciton Emission in 2D Dion–Jacobson Perovskite Microplates via Efficient Photon Recycling
Authors: Wang Haizhen , Liang Lihan , Li Junze , Yao Wendian , Li Dehui 
Published: December 2021

Abstract2D Dion–Jacobson perovskite (4AMP)PbI4 (4AMP = 4‐(aminomethyl)piperidinium) (DJP) has recently attracted considerable attention due to its remarkable Rashba effect. Upon Rashba splitting in the momentum space of DJP, it is significant to identify the momentum‐indirect excitons (IXs) through photoluminescence spectroscopy and explore the photophysics influenced by the Rashba effect. In this work, a space‐confined aqueous method to synthesize single‐crystalline DJP microplates with uniform rectangular morphology is developed. Functioning as whispering‐gallery‐mode cavities, the as‐grown microplates exhibit greatly enhanced Rashba IX emission at all temperatures investigated through efficient photon recycling in the Rashba indirect gap. The efficient photon recycling can substantially extend the exciton transport length, which is conducive to light‐harvesting devices. This study not only provides a convenient method to observe Rashba states but also sheds light on the future applications of DJP in optoelectronics and optospintronics.
Flexible, Programmable, Chiroptical Polymer Films of Twisted Stacking Layers for Circular Polarization‐Based Multiplex Color Display
Authors: Xie Yifan , Yang Peng , Deng Linxiao , Feng Zeyu , Li Jiahe , Zhang Chutian , Tang Xi , Li Chenyan , Li Jialei , Xu Lixin , Zhang Douguo , Chen Xin , Zou Gang 
Published: December 2021

AbstractFlexible films with strong and tunable chiroptical responses are highly desirable and potentially applicable in 3D display, wearable, and implantable devices, etc. Traditional organic or polymer‐based materials typically exhibit weak chiroptical response. Recently, strong chiroptical properties are reported for some chiral inorganic nanostructures and metasurfaces; however, the difficulties to fabricate and control chiroptical properties in a feasible and economical fashion on deformable substrate limit their practical applications. Herein, a simple and cost‐effective method is reported to fabricate flexible chiroptical polymeric films with giant optical activity (gabs > 0.5) via aligning two anisotropic polydiacetylene (PDA) layers in a twisted fashion. The chromatic transition of PDA is exploited to prepare films with either photonic homostructures or heterostructures to extend spectral range, each featuring distinct frequency dependence and adjustable optical activity. This allows to demonstrate a full color, high brightness, fast responsive, multiplex laser display based on circular polarization. The large chiroptical response of such films, combined with the tunability, flexibility, and compatibility with various substrate choices are also exploited in other applications such as circular polarized luminescence and optical encryption.
Diastereoselective Bidirectional C(sp3)−H Bond Functionalization of Piperazine Compounds
Authors: Zhou Xiao‐Le , Yeung Chi‐Tung , Kwok Chan Wesley Ting , Law Ga‐Lai 
Published: December 2021

AbstractA highly diastereoselective bidirectional C(sp3)−H bond functionalization of piperazine compounds, triggered by a Lewis acid catalyzed sequential hydride shift/cyclization process, is reported. Catalysts and ligands are key factors that control the diastereoselectivity of the reaction. The reaction affords the product with good yield and high diastereoselectivity. Detailed investigation of the reaction mechanism reveals that the energy barrier between the cis products and trans products results in the diastereoselectivity of the reaction. The trans products, which have higher energy and which are generated from the cis products, act as intermediate products.magnified image
A Hybrid Self‐Powered Arbitrary Wave Motion Sensing System for Real‐Time Wireless Marine Environment Monitoring Application
Authors: Bhatta Trilochan , Maharjan Pukar , Shrestha Kumar , Lee Sanghyun , Salauddin Md. , Rahman M. Toyabur , Rana S. M. Sohel , Sharma Sudeep , Park Chani , Yoon Sang Hyuk , Park Jae Yeong 
Published: December 2021

AbstractSelf‐powered arbitrary wave monitoring is a hot research topic which aims to remove of the trouble associated with managing conventional power for continuous and real‐time acquisition of wave information from the marine environment. Herein, an effective approach is presented that simultaneously generates power from arbitrary motion waves and can sense and wirelessly transmit the wave information without requiring an external supply. The hybridized ellipsoidal device inspired from an elliptical trajectory of objects over shallow water waves, consists of six planar spiral coils arranged to cover the arbitrary direction of waves for power generation. Four magnetic force‐actuated triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) pairs along four sides as the arbitrary direction self‐powered wave motion sensors are integrated. Furthermore, all the required circuitry for signal processing and wireless transmission are integrally powered by the generated electricity to realize a self‐sustained wireless marine environment monitoring system. The generator can deliver peak power of 106 and 44.8 mW (at 3Hz) along with major and minor axis motion directions. The self‐powered sensors have excellent motion sensitivity thus the signals obtained from these sensors are utilized to acquire useful information related to the water waves which are very crucial parameters for real‐time monitoring of the marine environment.
Optimizing the Proton Conductivity with the Isokinetic Temperature in Perovskite‐Type Proton Conductors According to Meyer–Neldel Rule
Authors: Du Peng , Li Nana , Ling Xiao , Fan Zhijun , Braun Artur , Yang Wenge , Chen Qianli , Yelon Arthur 
Published: December 2021

AbstractPerovskite‐type metal oxides such as Y‐doped BaMO3 (M = Zr/Ce) have drawn considerable attention as proton‐conducting electrolytes for intermediate temperature ceramic electrochemical cells. Improving the proton conductivity at lower temperatures requires a comprehensive understanding of the proton conduction mechanism. By applying high pressure or varying the Ce content of Y‐doped BaMO3, it is demonstrated that the proton conductivity follows the Meyer–Neldel rule (MNR) well. In the Arrhenius plot, the conductivities intersect at an isokinetic temperature, where the proton conductivity is independent of activation energy. Considering the relationship between isokinetic temperature and lattice vibration frequency, a high isokinetic temperature is observed in materials with stiff lattices, consisting of light atoms and small MO bond length. Based on consideration of the MNR, it is suggested that the enhancement of proton conductivity at low temperature can be well achieved by tuning lattice vibration frequency toward a desired isokinetic temperature.
Interaction between Water Wave and Geometrical Structures of Floating Triboelectric Nanogenerators
Authors: Xu Shuxing , Liu Guanlin , Wang Jinbiao , Wen Honggui , Cao Sheng , Yao Huilu , Wan Lingyu , Wang Zhong Lin 
Published: December 2021

AbstractAlthough triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are highly efficient and adaptable in harvesting ocean wave energy, the dynamics of floating TENGs in underwater wave stimulations have so far rarely been studied. Herein, the interactions between centimeter‐scaled floating structures and water waves are experimentally revealed. By integrating inertial measurement units into the shells of various floating TENG structures, the primary acceleration data associated with different parameters are obtained. Based on the data of 63 literature reported floating TENGs, a series of experimental parameters are elaborately probed, including shell shape, shell size, weight, barycenter, wave strength/frequency, and wave‐producing methods. Through dynamic calculations, each can offer the kernel data of acceleration and frequency distribution curves, revealing several regularities in water–structure interactions associated with TENGs. These calculations could serve as guidance for the design of the future floating TENGs in blue energy harvesting.
A Charge‐Switchable Zwitterionic Peptide for Rapid Detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 Main Protease
Authors: Jin Zhicheng , Mantri Yash , Retout Maurice , Cheng Yong , Zhou Jiajing , Jorns Alec , Fajtova Pavla , Yim Wonjun , Moore Colman , Xu Ming , Creyer Matthew N. , Borum Raina M. , Zhou Jingcheng , Wu Zhuohong , He Tengyu , Penny William F. , O'Donoghue Anthony J. , Jokerst Jesse V. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe transmission of SARS‐CoV‐2 coronavirus has led to the COVID‐19 pandemic. Nucleic acid testing while specific has limitations for mass surveillance. One alternative is the main protease (Mpro) due to its functional importance in mediating the viral life cycle. Here, we describe a combination of modular substrate and gold colloids to detect Mpro via visual readout. The strategy involves zwitterionic peptide that carries opposite charges at the C‐/N‐terminus to exploit the specific recognition by Mpro. Autolytic cleavage releases a positively charged moiety that assembles the nanoparticles with rapid color changes (t<10 min). We determine a limit of detection for Mpro in breath condensate matrices <10 nM. We further assayed ten COVID‐negative subjects and found no false‐positive result. In the light of simplicity, our test for viral protease is not limited to an equipped laboratory, but also is amenable to integrating as portable point‐of‐care devices including those on face‐coverings.
Developing an Effective Glycan‐Based Vaccine for Streptococcus Pyogenes
Authors: Mahmoud Asmaa , Toth Istvan , Stephenson Rachel 
Published: December 2021

AbstractStreptococcus pyogenes is a primary infective agent that causes approximately 700 million human infections each year, resulting in more than 500 000 deaths. Carbohydrate‐based vaccines are proven to be one of the most promising subunit vaccine candidates, as the bacterial glycan pattern(s) are different from mammalian cells and show increased pathogen serotype conservancy than the protein components. In this Review we highlight reverse vaccinology for use in the development of subunit vaccines against S. pyogenes, and report reproducible methods of carbohydrate antigen production, in addition to the structure–immunogenicity correlation between group A carbohydrate epitopes and alternative vaccine antigen carrier systems. We also report recent advances used to overcome hurdles in carbohydrate‐based vaccine development.
Chemisch‐biologischer Werkzeugkasten für die intrazelluläre Bindungsstelle von CCR9: Fluoreszierende Liganden, neue Leitstrukturen und PROTACs
Authors: Huber Max E. , Toy Lara , Schmidt Maximilian F. , Vogt Hannah , Budzinski Julian , Wiefhoff Martin F. J. , Merten Nicole , Kostenis Evi , Weikert Dorothee , Schiedel Matthias 
Published: December 2021

AbstractEine konservierte intrazelluläre allosterische Bindungsstelle (IABS) wurde kürzlich an mehreren G‐Protein‐gekoppelten Rezeptoren (GPCRs) identifiziert. Ausgehend von Vercirnon, einem intrazellulären Antagonisten am C−C‐Chemokin‐Rezeptor‐Typ‐9 (CCR9), entwickelten wir molekulare Werkzeuge, die an der IABS von CCR9 angreifen. Zunächst synthetisierten wir fluoreszierende CCR9‐Liganden, die Bindungsstudien via NanoBRET sowie Fluoreszenzmikroskopie ermöglichten. Deren Anwendung in zellfreien sowie zellulären Testsystemen erlaubte die Identifizierung eines 4‐Aminopyrimidin‐Analogons als neuen intrazellulären CCR9‐Antagonisten mit verbesserter Affinität. Um den proteasomalen Abbau von CCR9 einzuleiten, entwickelten wir das erste PROTAC, das die IABS von GPCRs als Angriffsort nutzt. In einer Machbarkeitsstudie zeigen wir, dass unser CCR9‐PROTAC in der Lage ist, die CCR9‐Spiegel zu reduzieren, was einen konzeptionell neuartigen Ansatz zur Modulation der GPCR‐Aktivität darstellt.
Probing for the presence of semenogelin in human urine by immunological and chromatographic‐mass spectrometric methods in the context of sports drug testing
Authors: Breuer Johanna , Thomas Andreas , Geyer Hans , Thevis Mario 
Published: December 2021

AbstractRationaleAn increasing number of adverse analytical findings (AAFs) in routine doping controls has been suspected and debated to presumably result from intimate contact with bodily fluids (including ejaculate), potentially facilitating the transfer of prohibited substances. More precisely, the possibility of prohibited drugs being present in ejaculate and introduced by sexual intercourse into the vagina of an athlete and, subsequently, into doping control urine samples, was discussed.MethodsTwo testing strategies to determine trace amounts of semenogelin I, a major and specific constituent of semen, were assessed as to their applicability to urine samples. First, the testing protocol of a lateral flow immunochromatographic test directed against semenogelin was adapted. Second, a liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS)‐based method was established, employing solid‐phase extraction of urine, trypsinization of the retained protein content, and subsequent detection of semenogelin I‐specific peptides. Sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility, but also recovery, linearity, precision, and identification capability of the approaches were assessed. Both assays were used to determine the analyte stability in urine (at 3 µL/mL) at room temperature, +4°C, and ‐20°C, and authentic urine samples collected either after (self‐reported) celibacy or sexual intercourse were subjected to the established assays for proof‐of‐concept.ResultsNo signals for semenogelin were observed in either assay when analyzing blank urine specimens, demonstrating the methods’ specificity. Limits of detection were estimated with 1 µL and 10 nL of ejaculate per mL of urine for the immunochromatographic and the mass spectrometric approach, respectively, and figures of merit for the latter assay further included intra‐ and interday imprecision (4.5‐10.7% and 3.8‐21.6%), recovery (44%), and linearity within the working range of 0‐100 nL/mL. Spiked urine tested positive for semenogelin under all storage conditions up to 12 weeks, and specimens collected after sexual intercourse were found to contain trace amounts of semenogelin up to 55‐72 h.