bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Model for implementation of a modern journal club in medical physics residency programs
Authors: Cetnar Ashley J. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractJournal clubs are a common educational experience for medical physics residents as a forum to discuss current research within the field. While journal clubs are valued by educational programs and accrediting bodies, there are a wide variety of ways in which these sessions are conducted. Unfortunately, there are currently few studies that have assessed the effectiveness of this educational method. This review defines journal club in the context of a medical physics residency and provides historical background for the meetings. Reasons why journal clubs are valued are presented, and several methods are described for conducting journal clubs. The format of journal clubs and scaffolding methods for guiding residents in gaining independence in critical reading skills are discussed. While the traditional journal club is a meeting, an alternative online virtual journal club is also described. Finally, a model of how a journal club can be applied in a medical physics residency is presented.
Light‐Activated Decellularized Extracellular Matrix‐Based Bioinks for Volumetric Tissue Analogs at the Centimeter Scale
Authors: Kim Hyeonji , Kang Byeongmin , Cui Xiaolin , Lee Se‐Hwan , Lee Kwangseok , Cho Dong‐Woo , Hwang Woonbong , Woodfield Tim B. F. , Lim Khoon S. , Jang Jinah 
Published: May 2021

AbstractTissue engineering requires not only tissue‐specific functionality but also a realistic scale. Decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) is presently applied to the extrusion‐based 3D printing technology. It has demonstrated excellent efficiency as bioscaffolds that allow engineering of living constructs with elaborate microarchitectures as well as the tissue‐specific biochemical milieu of target tissues and organs. However, dECM bioinks have poor printability and physical properties, resulting in limited shape fidelity and scalability. In this study, new light‐activated dECM bioinks with ruthenium/sodium persulfate (dERS) are introduced. The materials can be polymerized via a dityrosine‐based cross‐linking system with rapid reaction kinetics and improved mechanical properties. Complicated constructs with high aspect ratios can be fabricated similar to the geometry of the desired constructs with increased shape fidelity and excellent printing versatility using dERS. Furthermore, living tissue constructs can be safely fabricated with excellent tissue regenerative capacity identical to that of pure dECM. dERS may serve as a platform for a wider biofabrication window through building complex and centimeter‐scale living constructs as well as supporting tissue‐specific performances to encapsulated cells. This capability of dERS opens new avenues for upscaling the production of hydrogel‐based constructs without additional materials and processes, applicable in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
Injectable Microfluidic Hydrogel Microspheres for Cell and Drug Delivery
Authors: Zhao Zhenyu , Wang Zhen , Li Gen , Cai Zhengwei , Wu Jiezhou , Wang Lei , Deng Lianfu , Cai Ming , Cui Wenguo 
Published: May 2021

AbstractMicrofluidic hydrogel microspheres have been broadly studied across a wide range of industries and applications, and their use in the medical field, including control cells and drug delivery, is increasing. The usual design of these materials is intended to enable the efficient and smart encapsulation of cells and/or drugs in microspheres in which the functionalities and features are effectively controlled, lending itself some unique properties. These characteristics promote exchanges and cooperation in multiple disciplines and boost the development of precision medicine, new manufacturing technologies, and applied materials. This review begins with a discussion of microfluidic hydrogel microspheres and then introduces the preparation equipment, main principles, and related characteristics of the microspheres. Furthermore, the medical applications of microfluidic hydrogel microspheres for delivering cells and drugs are emphasized. Finally, this review discusses perspectives and future directions for accelerating the development and application of microfluidic hydrogel microspheres for controlled delivery.
Metformin Carbon Dots for Promoting Periodontal Bone Regeneration via Activation of ERK/AMPK Pathway
Authors: Ren Chunxia , Hao Xinqing , Wang Lu , Hu Yue , Meng Lin , Zheng Shize , Ren Feilong , Bu Wenhuan , Wang Huan , Li Daowei , Zhang Kai , Sun Hongchen 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe osteogenic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is severely impaired under persistent inflammation of periodontitis. A highly efficient way to promote or rescue osteogenic potential of MSCs under inflammation remains an unmet goal. Herein, metformin carbon dots (MCDs) with excellent biocompatibility are prepared from metformin hydrochloride and citric acid via a hydrothermal method. The MCDs can more effectively enhance the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, calcium deposition nodules formation, expression of osteogenic genes and proteins in rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs) than metformin under both inflammatory and normal conditions. Moreover, a novel pathway of extracellular signal‐regulated kinases (ERK)/AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling is involved in the MCDs‐induced osteogenesis. In periodontitis rats, MCDs can effectively regenerate the lost alveolar bone, but not the metformin. Taken together, MCDs can be the promising candidate nanomaterial for periodontitis treatment. This work may provide a new pharmacological target of ERK/AMPK pathway for treating bone loss and also give additional insights into developing nanodrugs from the numerous medications.
Effects of Hydrophobicity on Antimicrobial Activity, Selectivity, and Functional Mechanism of Guanidinium‐Functionalized Polymers
Authors: Tan Jason , Zhao Yanli , Hedrick James L. , Yang Yi Yan 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIn this study, a series of guanidinium‐functionalized polycarbonate random co‐polymers is prepared from organocatalytic ring‐opening polymerization to investigate the effect of the hydrophobic side chain (ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, benzyl, and hexyl) on their antimicrobial activity and selectivity. Although the polymers exhibit similar minimum inhibitory concentrations, the more hydrophobic polymers exhibit a faster rate of bacteria elimination. At higher percentage content (20 mol%), polymers with more hydrophobic side chains suffer from poor selectivity due to their high hemolytic activity. The highly hydrophobic co‐polymer, containing the hydrophobic hexyl‐functionalized cyclic carbonate, kills bacteria via a membrane‐disruptive mechanism. Micelle formation leads to a lower extent of membrane disruption. This study unravels the effects of hydrophobic side chains on the activities of the polymers and their killing mechanism, providing insights into the design of new antimicrobial polymers.
Liquid‐Crystal‐Elastomer‐Actuated Reconfigurable Microscale Kirigami Metastructures
Authors: Zhang Mingchao , Shahsavan Hamed , Guo Yubing , Pena‐Francesch Abdon , Zhang Yingying , Sitti Metin 
Published: May 2021

AbstractProgrammable actuation of metastructures with predesigned geometrical configurations has recently drawn significant attention in many applications, such as smart structures, medical devices, soft robotics, prosthetics, and wearable devices. Despite remarkable progress in this field, achieving wireless miniaturized reconfigurable metastructures remains a challenge due to the difficult nature of the fabrication and actuation processes at the micrometer scale. Herein, microscale thermo‐responsive reconfigurable metasurfaces using stimuli‐responsive liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) is fabricated as an artificial muscle for reconfiguring the 2D microscale kirigami structures. Such structures are fabricated via two‐photon polymerization with sub‐micrometer precision. Through rationally designed experiments guided by simulations, the optimal formulation of the LCE artificial muscle is explored and the relationship between shape transformation behaviors and geometrical parameters of the kirigami structures is build. As a proof of concept demonstration, the constructs for temperature‐dependent switching and information encryption is applied. Such reconfigurable kirigami metastructures have significant potential for boosting the fundamental small‐scale metastructure research and the design and fabrication of wireless functional devices, wearables, and soft robots at the microscale as well.
Nanoparticle‐Mediated siRNA Delivery and Multifunctional Modification Strategies for Effective Cancer Therapy
Authors: Chen Mengyao , Dong Chunyan , Shi Shuo 
Published: May 2021

AbstractRNA interference (RNAi), which can inhibit the expression or transcription of specific genes, is considered to be a revolutionary tool for mediating gene therapy. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) is an important therapeutic agent for RNAi. However, the clinical application of siRNA‐based gene silencing is still limited due to the easy degradation of siRNA during the circulation in the body and the difficulty in delivering siRNA to desired tissues and cells. The rapid development of nanotechnology provides new ideas for siRNA delivery and a large variety of nanocarriers have been designed to solve the problems of siRNA delivery including easy degradation, lack of targeting ability, poor internalization ability, easy to cause induction of immune response and so on. Here, this review introduces the mechanism of RNAi in gene therapy, then summarizes the developments on nanocarriers for siRNA delivery, and specially focuses on the functional modification strategies of nanocarriers to construct multifunctional siRNA delivery vectors. Lastly, the future development and challenges of siRNA delivery vector are discussed, along with the current application of siRNA in tumor treatment clinical trials. It is hoped that this review can provide useful information to help transform siRNA‐mediated gene therapy into clinical application.
A Lab‐On‐chip Tool for Rapid, Quantitative, and Stage‐selective Diagnosis of Malaria
Authors: Giacometti Marco , Milesi Francesca , Coppadoro Pietro Lorenzo , Rizzo Alberto , Fagiani Federico , Rinaldi Christian , Cantoni Matteo , Petti Daniela , Albisetti Edoardo , Sampietro Marco , Ciardo Mariagrazia , Siciliano Giulia , Alano Pietro , Lemen Brigitte , Bombe Joel , Nwaha Toukam Marie Thérèse , Tina Paul Fernand , Gismondo Maria Rita , Corbellino Mario , Grande Romualdo , Fiore Gianfranco Beniamino , Ferrari Giorgio , Antinori Spinello , Bertacco Riccardo 
Published: May 2021

AbstractMalaria remains the most important mosquito‐borne infectious disease worldwide, with 229 million new cases and 409.000 deaths in 2019. The infection is caused by a protozoan parasite which attacks red blood cells by feeding on hemoglobin and transforming it into hemozoin. Despite the WHO recommendation of prompt malaria diagnosis, the quality of microscopy‐based diagnosis is frequently inadequate while rapid diagnostic tests based on antigens are not quantitative and still affected by non‐negligible false negative/positive results. PCR‐based methods are highly performant but still not widely used in endemic areas. Here, a diagnostic tool (TMek), based on the paramagnetic properties of hemozoin nanocrystals in infected red blood cells (i‐RBCs), is reported on. Exploiting the competition between gravity and magnetic forces, i‐RBCs in a whole blood specimen are sorted and electrically detected in a microchip. The amplitude and time evolution of the electrical signal allow for the quantification of i‐RBCs (in the range 10–105 i‐RBC µL−1) and the distinction of the infection stage. A preliminary validation study on 75 patients with clinical suspect of malaria shows on‐field operability, without false negative and a few false positive results. These findings indicate the potential of TMek as a quantitative, stage‐selective, rapid test for malaria.
Phase‐Change‐Memory Process at the Limit: A Proposal for Utilizing Monolayer Sb2Te3
Authors: Wang Xue‐Peng , Li Xian‐Bin , Chen Nian‐Ke , Chen Bin , Rao Feng , Zhang Shengbai 
Published: May 2021

AbstractOne central task of developing nonvolatile phase change memory (PCM) is to improve its scalability for high‐density data integration. In this work, by first‐principles molecular dynamics, to date the thinnest PCM material possible (0.8 nm), namely, a monolayer Sb2Te3, is proposed. Importantly, its SET (crystallization) process is a fast one‐step transition from amorphous to hexagonal phase without the usual intermediate cubic phase. An increased spatial localization of electrons due to geometrical confinement is found to be beneficial for keeping the data nonvolatile in the amorphous phase at the 2D limit. The substrate and superstrate can be utilized to control the phase change behavior: e.g., with passivated SiO2 (001) surfaces or hexagonal Boron Nitride, the monolayer Sb2Te3 can reach SET recrystallization in 0.54 ns or even as fast as 0.12 ns, but with unpassivated SiO2 (001), this would not be possible. Besides, working with small volume PCM materials is also a natural way to lower power consumption. Therefore, the proposed PCM working process at the 2D limit will be an important potential strategy of scaling the current PCM materials for ultrahigh‐density data storage.
Downregulation of a Dorsal Root Ganglion‐Specifically Enriched Long Noncoding RNA is Required for Neuropathic Pain by Negatively Regulating RALY‐Triggered Ehmt2 Expression
Authors: Pan Zhiqiang , Du Shibin , Wang Kun , Guo Xinying , Mao Qingxiang , Feng Xiaozhou , Huang Lina , Wu Shaogen , Hou Bailing , Chang Yun‐Juan , Liu Tong , Chen Tong , Li Hong , Bachmann Thomas , Bekker Alex , Hu Huijuan , Tao Yuan‐Xiang 
Published: May 2021

AbstractNerve injury‐induced maladaptive changes of gene expression in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons contribute to neuropathic pain. Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as key regulators of gene expression. Here, a conserved lncRNA is reported, named DRG‐specifically enriched lncRNA (DS‐lncRNA) for its high expression in DRG neurons. Peripheral nerve injury downregulates DS‐lncRNA in injured DRG due, in part, to silencing of POU domain, class 4, transcription factor 3, a transcription factor that interacts with the DS‐lncRNA gene promoter. Rescuing DS‐lncRNA downregulation blocks nerve injury‐induced increases in the transcriptional cofactor RALY‐triggered DRG Ehmt2 mRNA and its encoding G9a protein, reverses the G9a‐controlled downregulation of opioid receptors and Kcna2 in injured DRG, and attenuates nerve injury‐induced pain hypersensitivities in male mice. Conversely, DS‐lncRNA downregulation increases RALY‐triggered Ehmt2/G9a expression and correspondingly decreases opioid receptor and Kcna2 expression in DRG, leading to neuropathic pain symptoms in male mice in the absence of nerve injury. Mechanistically, downregulated DS‐lncRNA promotes more binding of increased RALY to RNA polymerase II and the Ehmt2 gene promoter and enhances Ehmt2 transcription in injured DRG. Thus, downregulation of DS‐lncRNA likely contributes to neuropathic pain by negatively regulating the expression of RALY‐triggered Ehmt2/G9a, a key neuropathic pain player, in DRG neurons.
Marriage of Virus‐Mimic Surface Topology and Microbubble‐Assisted Ultrasound for Enhanced Intratumor Accumulation and Improved Cancer Theranostics
Authors: Meng Zheying , Zhang Yang , Shen E , Li Wei , Wang Yanjie , Sathiyamoorthy Krishnan , Gao Wei , C. Kolios Michael , Bai Wenkun , Hu Bing , Wang Wenxing , Zheng Yuanyi 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe low delivery efficiency of nanoparticles to solid tumors greatly reduces the therapeutic efficacy and safety which is closely related to low permeability and poor distribution at tumor sites. In this work, an “intrinsic plus extrinsic superiority” administration strategy is proposed to dramatically enhance the mean delivery efficiency of nanoparticles in prostate cancer to 6.84% of injected dose, compared to 1.42% as the maximum in prostate cancer in the previously reported study. Specifically, the intrinsic superiority refers to the virus‐mimic surface topology of the nanoparticles for enhanced nano–bio interactions. Meanwhile, the extrinsic stimuli of microbubble‐assisted low‐frequency ultrasound is to enhance permeability of biological barriers and improve intratumor distribution. The enhanced intratumor enrichment can be verified by photoacoustic resonance imaging, fluorescence imaging, and magnetic resonance imaging in this multifunctional nanoplatform, which also facilitates excellent anticancer effect of photothermal treatment, photodynamic treatment, and sonodynamic treatment via combined laser and ultrasound irradiation. This study confirms the significant advance in nanoparticle accumulation in multiple tumor models, which provides an innovative delivery paradigm to improve intratumor accumulation of nanotherapeutics.
Bio‐Inspired Motion Mechanisms: Computational Design and Material Programming of Self‐Adjusting 4D‐Printed Wearable Systems
Authors: Cheng Tiffany , Thielen Marc , Poppinga Simon , Tahouni Yasaman , Wood Dylan , Steinberg Thorsten , Menges Achim , Speck Thomas 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThis paper presents a material programming approach for designing 4D‐printed self‐shaping material systems based on biological role models. Plants have inspired numerous adaptive systems that move without using any operating energy; however, these systems are typically designed and fabricated in the form of simplified bilayers. This work introduces computational design methods for 4D‐printing bio‐inspired behaviors with compounded mechanisms. To emulate the anisotropic arrangement of motile plant structures, material systems are tailored at the mesoscale using extrusion‐based 3D‐printing. The methodology is demonstrated by transferring the principle of force generation by a twining plant (Dioscorea bulbifera) to the application of a self‐tightening splint. Through the tensioning of its stem helix, D. bulbifera exhibits a squeezing force on its support to provide stability against gravity. The functional strategies of D. bulbifera are abstracted and translated to customized 4D‐printed material systems. The squeezing forces of these bio‐inspired motion mechanisms are then evaluated. Finally, the function of self‐tightening is prototyped in a wrist‐forearm splint—a common orthotic device for alignment. The presented approach enables the transfer of novel and expanded biomimetic design strategies to 4D‐printed motion mechanisms, further opening the design space to new types of adaptive creations for wearable assistive technologies and beyond.
Mechanistic Insights into the Pre‐Lithiation of Silicon/Graphite Negative Electrodes in “Dry State” and After Electrolyte Addition Using Passivated Lithium Metal Powder
Authors: Bärmann Peer , Mohrhardt Marvin , Frerichs Joop Enno , Helling Malina , Kolesnikov Aleksei , Klabunde Sina , Nowak Sascha , Hansen Michael Ryan , Winter Martin , Placke Tobias 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBecause of its high specific capacity, silicon is regarded as the most promising candidate to be incrementally added to graphite‐based negative electrodes in lithium‐ion batteries. However, silicon suffers from significant volume changes upon (de‐)lithiation leading to continuous re‐formation of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) and ongoing active lithium losses. One prominent approach to compensate for active lithium losses is pre‐lithiation. Here, the “contact pre‐lithiation” of silicon/graphite (Si/Gr) negative electrodes in direct contact with passivated Li metal powder (PLMP) is studied, focusing on the pre‐lithiation mechanism in “dry state” and after electrolyte addition. PLMP is pressed onto the electrode surface to precisely adjust the degree of pre‐lithiation (25%, 50%, and 75%). By in situ XRD and ex situ 7Li NMR studies, it is proven that significant lithiation of Si/Gr electrodes occurs by direct contact to Li metal, that is, without electrolyte. After electrolyte addition, de‐lithiation of silicon and graphite is confirmed, resulting in SEI formation. The amount of Li metal highly impacts the presence and durability of the LixC and LixSi phases. Finally, the challenges for homogeneous pre‐lithiation and SEI formation are identified, and the impact of electrolyte addition is assessed by analysis of the lateral and in‐depth lithium distribution within the Si/Gr electrode.
Nonpolar Liquid Lubricant Submerged Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Current Amplification via Direct Electron Flow
Authors: Chung Seh‐Hoon , Chung Jihoon , Song Myunghwan , Kim Seonwoo , Shin Dongjun , Lin Zong‐Hong , Koo Bonwook , Kim Dongseob , Hong Jinkee , Lee Sangmin 
Published: May 2021

AbstractTriboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) can convert a mechanical energy input to an electric energy output through Maxwell's displacement current. By increasing the electrical output and overcoming the mechanical limitations of TENGs, such devices can be used as an auxiliary power source for portable electronics. Nevertheless, the generation mechanism and structure must be optimized to compensate for the electrical and mechanical limitations of TENGs. This paper reports on a nonpolar liquid lubricant submerged TENG (LLS‐TENG), which can overcome the existing electrical and mechanical limitations of the TENG. When a nonpolar liquid lubricant is filled in the LLS‐TENG, the air breakdown can be effectively blocked owing to the large Debye length of such lubricants. In addition, the rolling friction and lubrication present in the LLS‐TENG can significantly reduce the friction wear of the device. Consequently, the LLS‐TENG can charge a commercial capacitor and battery by generating a high voltage and current output of up to 200 V and 170 mA, respectively.
Striking developmental convergence in angiosperm endoparasites
Authors: Teixeira‐Costa Luiza , Davis Charles C. , Ceccantini Gregorio 
Published: May 2021

PremiseA subset of parasitic plants bear extremely reduced features and grow nearly entirely within their hosts. Until recently, most of these endoparasites were thought to represent a single clade united by their reduced morphology. Current phylogenetic understanding contradicts this assumption and indicates these plants represent distantly related clades, thus offering an opportunity to examine convergence among plants with this life history.MethodsWe sampled species from Apodanthaceae, Cytinaceae, Mitrastemonaceae, and Rafflesiaceae spanning a range of developmental stages. To provide a broader comparative framework, Santalaceae mistletoes with a similar lifestyle were also analyzed. Microtomography and microscopy were used to analyze growth patterns and the ontogeny of host–parasite vascular connections.ResultsApodanthaceae, Cytinaceae, Mitrastemonaceae, and Rafflesiaceae species demonstrated a common development characterized by late cell differentiation. These species were also observed to form direct connections to host vessels and to cause severe alterations of host xylem development. Apodanthaceae and Rafflesiaceae species were additionally observed to form sieve elements, which connect with the host phloem. Endophytic Santalaceae species demonstrated a dramatically different developmental pattern, featuring early cell differentiation and tissue organization, and little effect on host anatomy and cambial activity.ConclusionsOur results illuminate two distinct developmental trajectories in endoparasites. One involves the retention of embryonic characteristics and late connection with host vessels, as demonstrated in species of Apodanthaceae, Cytinaceae, Mitrastemonaceae, and Rafflesiaceae. The second involves tissue specialization and early connection with host xylem, as exemplified by Santalaceae species. These differences are hypothesized to be related to the absence/presence of photosynthesis in these plants.