bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
MicroRNAs and Related Cytokine Factors Quickly Respond in the Immune Response of Channel Catfish to Lipopolysaccharides and β-Glucan Stimulation
Authors: Tang Xuelian , Fu Jinghua , Shi Yifu , Guan Wanting , Xu Minjun 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are well-known as powerful regulators of gene expression, with their potential to serve for immunology widely researched in mammals and birds but rarely in fishes. To better understand fish immunology behavior, we herein investigated nine immune-related miRNAs that were reported in other animals, as well as five related cytokine factors and lysozyme (LZM) in the liver, anterior kidney, and spleen of Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus after being stimulated by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and β-glucan. We also predicated the potential targets of these miRNAs via bioinformatics and further investigated nine of them via quantitative real-time PCR. Results showed that expressions of the nine miRNAs were quickly changed in varying extent after stimulation by LPS, especially for miR-122, miR-142a, miR-155, and miR-223, which were significantly changed in spleen, and the same occurred for the LZM and three cytokine factors TNF-α, IFN-γ and TLR2. Compared with LPS, although most of the miRNAs and the cytokine genes were also affected by β-glucan, the extent of the effect was weak. Bioinformatics analysis revealed many immune-related targets of the miRNAs, with some of them reported by previous studies. For the nine investigated target genes, seven targets (77.8%) were significantly upregulated after the stimulation of LPS. It therefore can be inferred that the immune-related miRNAs, LZM, and cytokine factors elicited quick immune responses of Channel Catfish to LPS stimulation as in other animals, but the regulation mechanism of miRNAs might be complex and diverse. This research will contribute to a better understanding will support further immunology research in fishes.
Functional avoidance‐based intensity modulated proton therapy with 4DCT derived ventilation imaging for lung cancer
Authors: Dougherty Jingjing M. , Castillo Edward , Castillo Richard , Faught Austin M. , Pepin Mark , Park Sean S. , Beltran Chris J. , Guerrero Thomas , Grills Inga , Vinogradskiy Yevgeniy 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe primary objective is to evaluate the potential dosimetric gains of performing functional avoidance‐based proton treatment planning using 4DCT derived ventilation imaging. 4DCT data of 31 patients from a prospective functional avoidance clinical trial were evaluated with intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) plans and compared with clinical volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans. Dosimetric parameters were compared between standard and functional plans with IMPT and VMAT with one‐way analysis of variance and post hoc paired student t‐test. Normal Tissue Complication Probability (NTCP) models were employed to estimate the risk of two toxicity endpoints for healthy lung tissues. Dose degradation due to proton motion interplay effect was evaluated. Functional IMPT plans led to significant dose reduction to functional lung structures when compared with functional VMAT without significant dose increase to Organ at Risk (OAR) structures. When interplay effect is considered, no significant dose degradation was observed for the OARs or the clinical target volume (CTV) volumes for functional IMPT. Using fV20 as the dose metric and Grade 2+ pneumonitis as toxicity endpoint, there is a mean 5.7% reduction in Grade 2+ RP with the functional IMPT and as high as 26% in reduction for individual patient when compared to the standard IMPT planning. Functional IMPT was able to spare healthy lung tissue to avoid excess dose to normal structures while maintaining satisfying target coverage. NTCP calculation also shows that the risk of pulmonary complications can be further reduced with functional based IMPT.
Evidence of alcohol induced weapon focus in eyewitness memory
Authors: Harvey Alistair J. , Sekulla Alistair 
Published: June 2021

SummaryWe examined the effects of acute alcohol on eyewitness memory for a simulated armed robbery under laboratory conditions. Alcohol and placebo participants viewed a slide series showing a target male taking a laptop from a helpdesk assistant, either on loan or at gunpoint. Following a brief retention period, participants responded to “central” multiple‐choice questions, about the target's actions face and clothing, and “peripheral” questions about other scene features. Alcohol participants shown the no‐weapon scene displayed poorer peripheral memory than placebo controls, though alcohol did not impair peripheral memory among weapon scene viewers. Alcohol participants also showed a weapon focus effect, providing less accurate responses to central questions related to details about the target male than no‐weapon controls. These findings are consistent with alcohol myopia theory and suggest intoxicated eyewitnesses may be more susceptible to weapon focus than sober counterparts.
Photothermally Activated Coacervate Model Protocells as Signal Transducers Endow Mammalian Cells with Light Sensitivity
Authors: Yao Yu , Zhang Yanwen , Li Li , Huang Yan , Yang Xiaohai , Peng Zhihong , Wang Kemin , Liu Jianbo 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe development of a novel photothermally activated coacervate model protocell is reported as a signal transducer to endow mammalian cells with light sensitivity. In this system, near‐infrared light irradiation triggers H2S release in coacervate model protocells, leading to modulation of the behavior of living cells. The functional coacervate model protocells are prepared by loading metal‐alloyed plasmonic nanoparticles and an H2S donor into the liquid coacervate microdroplets. Upon light irradiation, the H2S signal messenger is released through the photothermal effect of plasmonic nanoparticles and photothermal mediated pyrolysis of the H2S donor. The H2S signal is delivered to the mammalian cell community to trigger depletion of reactive oxygen species, reduce the activity of lactate dehydrogenase and improve cell viability. This study provides a new approach to the implementation of chemical signaling in artificial cell colonies and protocell/living cell consortia. The photothermal protocell system offers a powerful platform for light modulation of the behavior of mammalian cells and shows great promise for biomedical applications.
Employing the Dynamics of the Electrochemical Interface in Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Battery Cathodes
Authors: Becknell Nigel , Lopes Pietro P. , Hatsukade Toru , Zhou Xiuquan , Liu Yuzi , Fisher Brandon , Chung Duck Young , Kanatzidis Mercouri G. , Markovic Nenad M. , Tepavcevic Sanja , Stamenkovic Vojislav R. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIntrinsically stable materials are desirable for constructing energy storage devices, which aim to demonstrate durability under the harsh electrochemical conditions that are detrimental to their lifespan. However, it is demonstrated here that the intrinsic instability of an electrochemical interface can be converted from an obstacle into an advantage. In aqueous zinc‐ion batteries, manganese oxide (MnO2) exhibits considerable dissolution even in electrolyte containing Mn2+ salt. Balancing with redeposition alleviates the harmful impact of dissolution on performance and alters the trajectory of the active phase. Inclusion of Mn2+ salt in the electrolyte induces MnO2 deposition on all conductive surfaces, requiring that distracting side reactions be eliminated to isolate the dynamics of the active phase. Under conditions favoring dissolution, capacity decreases dramatically and a highly crystalline tetragonal ZnMn2O4 phase forms, while redeposition helps maintain capacity and promotes a disordered cubic Zn‐rich phase. Ultimately, this work aims to illuminate a path forward to unlock the potential of batteries made with materials that are fundamentally unstable in their operating environment.
Oxygen‐Generating Cryogels Restore T Cell Mediated Cytotoxicity in Hypoxic Tumors
Authors: Colombani Thibault , Eggermont Loek J. , Hatfield Stephen M. , Rogers Zachary J. , Rezaeeyazdi Mahboobeh , Memic Adnan , Sitkovsky Michail V. , Bencherif Sidi A. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractSolid tumors are protected from antitumor immune responses due to their hypoxic microenvironments. Weakening hypoxia‐driven immunosuppression by hyperoxic breathing of 60% oxygen has shown to be effective in unleashing antitumor immune cells against solid tumors. However, efficacy of systemic oxygenation is limited against solid tumors outside of lungs and has been associated with unwanted side effects. As a result, it is essential to develop targeted oxygenation alternatives to weaken tumor hypoxia as novel approaches to restore immune responses against cancer. Herein, injectable oxygen‐generating cryogels (O2‐cryogels) to reverse tumor‐induced hypoxia are reported. These macroporous biomaterials are designed to locally deliver oxygen, inhibit the expression of hypoxia‐inducible genes in hypoxic melanoma cells, and reduce the accumulation of immunosuppressive extracellular adenosine. The data show that O2‐cryogels enhance T cell‐mediated secretion of cytotoxic proteins, restoring the killing ability of tumor‐specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes, both in vitro and in vivo. In summary, O2‐cryogels provide a unique and safe platform to supply oxygen as a coadjuvant in hypoxic tumors and have the potential to improve cancer immunotherapies.
Branched Oligo(ether) Side Chains: A Path to Enhanced Processability and Elevated Conductivity for Polymeric Semiconductors
Authors: Jones Austin L. , De Keersmaecker Michel , Savagian Lisa R. , DiTullio Brandon T. , Pelse Ian , Reynolds John R. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractCommercialization of stable conjugated polymers (CPs) with tunable electronic properties will remain a challenge without adequate solution processability due to the importance of techniques such as roll‐to‐roll manufacturing. Consequently, modifying CP backbones with polar side chains has recently resurged as an attractive structural design approach to improve polymer solubility and to provide CPs with the capability of transporting both electrons and ions, which is crucial for applications such as organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs). Here, a new dioxythiophene copolymer comprised of 2,​2'‐bis‐(3,4‐ethylenedioxy)thiophene (biEDOT) and 3,4‐propylenedioxythiophene (ProDOT) substituted with branched oligo(ether) side chains (PE2‐biOE2OE3) is synthesized using two direct hereto(arylation) polymerization (DHAP) techniques. The typical DHAP technique results in a lower molecular weight polymer (PE2‐biOE2OE3(L)), which is soluble in acetone and demonstrated a solid‐state conductivity after oxidative doping of 55 ± 3 S cm−1. Alternatively, a unique temperature ramp DHAP methodology results in a higher molecular weight polymer (PE2‐biOE2OE3(H)) with an especially high solid‐state conductivity of 430 ± 60 S cm−1. Notably, the first OECT fabricated from an acetone‐processed polymer is reported, which is stable up to 500 cycles and can provide a pathway for future material design aimed at eliminating the use of toxic chlorinated solvents in OECT active layer processing.
Recellularization and Integration of Dense Extracellular Matrix by Percolation of Tissue Microparticles
Authors: Barthold Jeanne E. , St. Martin Brittany M. , Sridhar Shankar Lalitha , Vernerey Franck , Schneider Stephanie Ellyse , Wacquez Alexis , Ferguson Virginia L. , Calve Sarah , Neu Corey P. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractCells embedded in the extracellular matrix of tissues play a critical role in maintaining homeostasis while promoting integration and regeneration following damage or disease. Emerging engineered biomaterials utilize decellularized extracellular matrix as a tissue‐specific support structure; however, many dense, structured biomaterials unfortunately demonstrate limited formability, fail to promote cell migration, and result in limited tissue repair. Here, a reinforced composite material of densely packed acellular extracellular matrix microparticles in a hydrogel, termed tissue clay, that can be molded and crosslinked to mimic native tissue architecture is developed. Hyaluronic acid‐based hydrogels are utilized, amorphously packed with acellular cartilage tissue particulated to ≈125–250 microns in diameter and defined a percolation threshold of 0.57 (v/v) beyond which the compressive modulus exceeded 300 kPa. Remarkably, primary chondrocytes recellularize particles within 48 h, a process driven by chemotaxis, exhibit distributed cellularity in large engineered composites, and express genes consistent with native cartilage repair. In addition, broad utility of tissue clays through recellularization and persistence of muscle, skin, and cartilage composites in an in vivo mouse model is demonstrated. The findings suggest optimal material architectures to balance concurrent demands for large‐scale mechanical properties while also supporting recellularization and integration of dense musculoskeletal and connective tissues.
High‐Efficiency Organic Solar Cells Based on Asymmetric Acceptors Bearing One 3D Shape‐Persistent Terminal Group
Authors: Lu Hao , Jin Hui , Huang Hao , Liu Wenxu , Tang Zheng , Zhang Jianqi , Bo Zhishan 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThree asymmetric non‐fullerene acceptors (LL2, LL3, and LL4) are designed and synthesized with one norbornyl‐modified 1,1‐dicyanomethylene‐3‐indanone (CBIC) terminal group and one chlorinated 1,1‐dicyanomethylene‐3‐indanone (IC‐2Cl) terminal group. The three‐dimensional shape‐persistent CBIC terminal group can effectively enhance the solubility and tune the packing mode of acceptors. Compared with their symmetric counterparts (LL2‐2Cl, LL3‐2Cl, and LL4‐2Cl) bearing two IC‐2Cl terminals, the asymmetric acceptors show improved solubilities, giving rise to enhanced crystallinity and favored nanomorphology for charge transport in the blend films with PBDB‐T. Asymmetric acceptors based organic solar cells (OSCs) also show much lower voltage loss due to their higher ECT and EQEEL values. Therefore, they exhibit 17−27% higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) than OSCs based on the corresponding symmetric acceptors. Among these six acceptors, LL3 with a central benzotriazole core shows the best PCE of 16.82% with an outstanding Jsc of 26.97 mA cm−2 and a low nonradiative voltage loss (ΔVnr) of 0.18 V, the best values for PBDB‐T based OSCs. The Jsc and ΔVnr also represent the best reported for asymmetric non‐fullerene acceptors‐based OSCs to date. The results demonstrate that the combination of the unique CBIC terminal group with the asymmetric strategy is a promising way to enhance the performance of OSCs.
Magnetically Actuated Active Deep Tumor Penetration of Deformable Large Nanocarriers for Enhanced Cancer Therapy
Authors: Zhu Yueqiang , Song Yonghong , Cao Ziyang , Dong Liang , Lu Yang , Yang Xianzhu , Wang Jun 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe intrinsic pathological microenvironment of tumor tissue enforces barriers to the passive diffusion of nanomedicine, which results in inefficient tumor penetration of drugs and unsatisfactory therapeutic efficacy. Various strategies have been developed to improve the tumor penetration of nanomedicine, but they mostly overcome the barriers separately at different steps in a passive diffusion process. Here, the development of a large polymeric nanocarrier, DAT‐PPED&F (≈180 nm), is reported, which comprises a flowable polyphosphoester core, ferrimagnetic nanocubes, and a tumor extracellular pH‐sensitive transactivator of transcription (TAT). Compared with a polylactic acid‐based nanocarrier with a rigid core, this deformable DAT‐PPED&F with a similar diameter exhibits efficient penetration into the deep tumor tissue under magnetic actuation and an enhanced reactivation rate of the pHe‐sensitive TAT. Therefore, DAT‐PPED&F is able to efficiently deliver doxorubicin into most tumor cells in vivo, and the superior anticancer effect indicates the potential of DAT‐PPED&F as a universal, responsive, and active nanocarrier to deliver various hydrophobic drugs into the deep tumor tissue.
Direct View on the Origin of High Li+ Transfer Impedance in All‐Solid‐State Battery
Authors: Yang Liting , Li Xiao , Pei Ke , You Wenbin , Liu Xianhu , Xia Hui , Wang Yonggang , Che Renchao 
Published: June 2021

AbstractLarge interfacial resistance plays a dominant role in the performance of all‐solid‐state lithium‐ion batteries. However, the mechanism of interfacial resistance has been under debate. Here, the Li+ transport at the interfacial region is investigated to reveal the origin of the high Li+ transfer impedance in a LiCoO2(LCO)/LiPON/Pt all‐solid‐state battery. Both an unexpected nanocrystalline layer and a structurally disordered transition layer are discovered to be inherent to the LCO/LiPON interface. Under electrochemical conditions, the nanocrystalline layer with insufficient electrochemical stability leads to the introduction of voids during electrochemical cycles, which is the origin of the high Li+ transfer impedance at solid electrolyte‐electrode interfaces. In addition, at relatively low temperatures, the oxygen vacancies migration in the transition layer results in the formation of Co3O4 nanocrystalline layer with nanovoids, which contributes to the high Li+ transfer impedance. This work sheds light on the mechanism for the high interfacial resistance and promotes overcoming the interfacial issues in all‐solid‐state batteries.
Soft and Self‐Adhesive Thermal Interface Materials Based on Vertically Aligned, Covalently Bonded Graphene Nanowalls for Efficient Microelectronic Cooling
Authors: Yan Qingwei , Alam Fakhr E. , Gao Jingyao , Dai Wen , Tan Xue , Lv Le , Wang Junjie , Zhang Huan , Chen Ding , Nishimura Kazuhito , Wang Liping , Yu Jinhong , Lu Jibao , Sun Rong , Xiang Rong , Maruyama Shigeo , Zhang Hang , Wu Sudong , Jiang Nan , Lin Cheng‐Te 
Published: June 2021

AbstractUrged by the increasing power and packing densities of integrated circuits and electronic devices, efficient dissipation of excess heat from hot spot to heat sink through thermal interface materials (TIMs) is a growing demand to maintain system reliability and performance. In recent years, graphene‐based TIMs received considerable interest due to the ultrahigh intrinsic thermal conductivity of graphene. However, the cooling efficiency of such TIMs is still limited by some technical difficulties, such as production‐induced defects of graphene, poor alignment of graphene in the matrix, and strong phonon scattering at graphene/graphene or graphene/matrix interfaces. In this study, a 120 µm‐thick freestanding film composed of vertically aligned, covalently bonded graphene nanowalls (GNWs) is grown by mesoplasma chemical vapor deposition. After filling GNWs with silicone, the fabricated adhesive TIMs exhibit a high through‐plane thermal conductivity of 20.4 W m−1 K−1 at a low graphene loading of 5.6 wt%. In the TIM performance test, the cooling efficiency of GNW‐based TIMs is ≈1.5 times higher than that of state‐of‐the‐art commercial TIMs. The TIMs achieve the desired balance between high through‐plane thermal conductivity and small bond line thickness, providing superior cooling performance for suppressing the degradation of luminous properties of high‐power light‐emitting diode chips.
Multifunctional Self‐Charging Electrochromic Supercapacitors Driven by Direct‐Current Triboelectric Nanogenerators
Authors: Guo Wenbin , Cong Zifeng , Guo Zi Hao , Zhang Panpan , Chen Yanghui , Hu Weiguo , Wang Zhong Lin , Pu Xiong 
Published: June 2021

AbstractElectrochromic supercapacitor devices (ESCDs) are highly promising for energy‐saving applications or smart windows, whereas they still require electrical energy inputs. In this study, a self‐charging ESCD (SC‐ESCD) based on the ESCD and a sliding‐mode direct‐current triboelectric nanogenerators is successfully proposed. The SC‐ESCD cannot merely convert mechanical sliding kinetic energy into electrical energy and store the electricity in electrochromic supercapacitors but can also show optical responses to the mechanical sliding motions. The prominent electrochemical performances of the SC‐ESCD are confirmed by the high areal capacitance (15.2 mF cm−2 at 0.1 mA cm−2) and stable cycling performance (99% for 5000 cycles). Besides, it can be prepared into arbitrary characters or patterns to adapt to various applications. The study demonstrates a potential approach to develop multifunctional self‐charging power sources which combine energy harvesting, energy storage, and electrochromic functions.
Tailoring Therapeutic Responses via Engineering Microenvironments with a Novel Synthetic Fluid Gel
Authors: Foster Nicola C. , Allen Piers , El Haj Alicia J. , Grover Liam M. , Moakes Richard J. A. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThis study reports the first fully synthetic fluid gel (SyMGels) using a simple poly(ethylene glycol) polymer. Fluid gels are an interesting class of materials: structured during gelation via shear‐confinement to form microparticulate suspensions, through a bottom‐up approach. Structuring in this way, when compared to first forming a gel and subsequently breaking it down, results in the formation of a particulate dispersion with particles “grown” in the shear flow. Resultantly, systems form a complex microstructure, where gelled particles concentrate remaining non‐gelled polymer within the continuous phase, creating an amorphous‐like interstitial phase. As such, these materials demonstrate mechanical characteristics typical of colloidal glasses, presenting solid‐like behaviors at rest with defined yielding; likely through intrinsic particle‐particle and particle‐polymer interactions. To date, fluid gels have been fabricated using polysaccharides with relatively complex chemistries, making further modifications challenging. SyMGels are easily functionalised, using simple click‐chemistry. This chemical flexibility, allows the creation of microenvironments with discrete biological decoration. Cellular control is demonstrated using MSC (mesenchymal stem cells)/chondrocytes and enables the regulation of key biomarkers such as aggrecan and SOX9. These potential therapeutic platforms demonstrate an important advancement in the biomaterial field, underpinning the mechanisms which drive their mechanical properties, and providing a versatile delivery system for advanced therapeutics.
Biomimetic Liposome with Surface‐Bound Elastase for Enhanced Tumor Penetration and Chemo‐Immumotherapy
Authors: Li Yong‐Jiang , Wu Jun‐Yong , Hu Xiong‐Bin , Ding Tianjinhao , Tang Tiantian , Xiang Da‐Xiong 
Published: June 2021

AbstractDense extracellular matrix (ECM) in the tumor stroma has been a challenge for drug penetration and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) infiltration. Neutrophil elastase (NE), in surface‐bound form, can destruct ECM rapidly, may be used for remodeling tumor ECM, and overcoming tumor stromal barrier. Focusing on elastosis in triple‐negative breast tumor, biomimetic liposomes with chimeric cell membrane proteins (LMP) are developed and for the first time, it is demonstrated that LMP with surface‐bound elastase (NE‐LMP) can target and degrade ECM effectively in tumor stroma, with minimal toxicity to normal tissues. The pretreatment of NE‐LMP increases the accumulation of chemotherapeutics at the tumor site and enhances antitumor effects. Also, NE‐LMP facilitates CTL infiltration in tumors and exhibits enhanced chemo‐immunotherapy in combination of PD‐1 immune checkpoint blockade treatment in orthotopic 4T1 tumor‐bearing mice, with significantly prolonged survival. Moreover, the remodeling of the tumor ECM by NE‐LMP shows inhibiting effects on metastasis in the lung. Findings from this study suggest that NE‐LMP holds promise for enhancing deep penetration of drug and infiltration of CTL in desmoplastic tumor by effective degrading ECM in the tumor stroma.