bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dupilumab prevents nasal epithelial function alteration by IL‐4 in vitro: Evidence for its efficacy
Authors: Fieux Maxime , Carsuzaa Florent , Bellanger Yvan , Bartier Sophie , Fournier Virginie , Lecron Jean Claude , Bainaud Matthieu , Louis Bruno , Tringali Stéphane , Dufour Xavier , Coste André , Favot Laure , Bequignon Emilie 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundChronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyp (CRSwNP) is a typical type 2 inflammation involving interleukin (IL)‐4 and IL‐13. Dupilumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting IL‐4 receptor α subunit, thereby blocking signaling by both cytokines. Our hypothesis was that IL‐4 and IL‐13, by inducing a severe epithelial dysregulation, are involved in CRSwNP pathogenesis. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro direct effect of IL‐4, IL‐13, and dupilumab on nasal epithelial functions.MethodsNasal polyps and control mucosa from 28 patients, as well as human nasal epithelial cells (HNEC) from 35 patients with CRSwNP were used. Three major epithelial functions were investigated: the epithelial barrier function (characterized by transepithelial electrical resistance measurements and tight junction protein expression), the ciliary motion (characterized by the ciliary beating efficiency index), and wound healing (characterized by the wound repair rate) under various stimulations (IL‐4, IL‐13, and dupilumab). The main outcome was a significant change in epithelial functions following exposure to IL‐4, IL‐13, and dupilumab for 48 h in the basal media.ResultsIL‐4 (1, 10, and 100 ng/mL) but not IL‐13 induced a significant decrease in occludin and zonula‐occludens protein expression, ciliary beating efficiency, and wound repair rate in HNEC. Dupilumab (0.04 mg/mL) had no effect on HNEC and specifically restored all epithelial functions altered when cells were exposed to a 48‐h IL‐4 stimulation.ConclusionDupilumab, in vitro, restored epithelial integrity by counteracting the effect of IL‐4 on the epithelial barrier (increased epithelial permeability, decreased ciliary beating efficiency, and decreased wound repair rate).
Photocatalytic Upcycling and Depolymerization of Vinyl Polymers
Authors: Parkatzidis Kostas , Wang Hyun Suk , Anastasaki Athina 
Published: March 2024

AbstractPhotocatalytic upcycling and depolymerization of vinyl polymers have emerged as promising strategies to combat plastic pollution and promote a circular economy. This mini review critically summarizes current developments in the upcycling and degradation of vinyl polymers including polystyrene and poly(meth)acrylates. Of these material classes, polymethacrylates possess the unique possibility to undergo a photocatalytic depolymerization back to monomer under thermodynamically favourable conditions, thus presenting significant advantages over traditional thermal strategies. Our perspective on current formidable challenges and potential future directions are also discussed.
Exploring helix structures of γ‐peptides based on 2‐(aminomethyl)cyclopentanecarboxylic acid
Authors: Park Hae Sook , Lee Joo Yun , Kang Young Kee 
Published: March 2024

AbstractConformational search and density functional theory calculations were performed to explore the preferences of helical structures for chiro‐specific oligo‐γ‐peptides of 2‐(aminomethyl)cyclopentanecarboxylic acid (γAmc5) with a cyclopentyl constraint on the Cα–Cβ bond in solution. The dimer and tetramer of γAmc5 (1) with homochiral (1S, 2S) configurations exhibited a strong preference for the 9‐membered helix foldamer in solution, except for the tetramer in water. However, the oligomers of γAmc5 (1) longer than tetramer preferentially adopted a right‐handed (P)‐2.614‐helix (H1‐14) as the peptide sequence becomes longer and as solvent polarity increases. The high stabilities for H1‐14 foldamers of γAmc5 (1) in solution were ascribed to the favored solvation free energies. The calculated mean backbone torsion angles for H1‐14 helix foldamers of γAmc5 (1) were similar to those calculated for oligomers of other γ‐residues with cyclopentane or cyclohexane rings. However, the substitution of cyclopentane constraints on the Cα−Cβ bond of the γAmc5 (1) residue resulted in different conformational preferences and/or handedness of helix foldamers. In particular, the pyrrolidine‐substituted analogs of the H1‐14 foldamers of γAmc5 (1) with adjacent amine diads substituted at a proximal distance are expected to be potential catalysts for the crossed aldol condensation in nonpolar and polar solvents.
Trifluoroacetyl‐effect on amino‐single benzene‐based fluorophores: Synthesis, optical properties, and cytotoxicity
Authors: Jin Ji Hye , Kim Dopil , Kang Jisoo , Lee Sangho , An Jong Min , Kim Min , Kim Dokyoung 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAmino‐single benzene‐based fluorophores (SBBFs) are representative small‐size fluorescent dyes that have an electron push‐pull structure within the benzene core. In this work, a new library of amino‐SBBFs, which have trifluoroacetyl moiety at the electron‐pushing amine group (named SBBF‐TFA), featuring a variety of methylamines, dimethylamines, as well as acetyl. To explore the SBBF‐TFA library, we conducted (i) library synthesis, (ii) assessment of various photophysical properties in nine different types of organic/aqueous solvents, and (iii) evaluation of cytotoxicity in the HeLa cell line. We believe that our findings provide valuable insights for advancing novel small‐molecule fluorescent probes and materials with diverse applications across pharmacochemical fields.
In Silico and In Vitro Screening of Some Pregnane Glycosides Isolated from Certain Caralluma Species as SARS‐COV‐2 Main Protease Inhibitors
Authors: Abdel‐Sattar Essam , Kutkat Omnia , El‐Shiekh Riham A. , El‐Ashrey Mohamed K. , El Kerdawy Ahmed M. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractSARS‐CoV‐2 caused pandemic represented a major risk for the worldwide human health, animal health and economy, forcing extraordinary efforts to discover drugs for its prevention and cure. Considering the extensive interest in the pregnane glycosides because of their diverse structures and excellent biological activities, we investigated them as antiviral agents against SARS‐COV‐2. We selected 21 pregnane glycosides previously isolated from the genus Caralluma from Asclepiadaceae family to be tested through virtual screening molecular docking simulations for their potential inhibition of SARS‐CoV‐2 Mpro. Almost all target compounds showed a more or equally negative docking energy score relative to the co‐crystallized inhibitor X77 (S=−12.53 kcal/mol) with docking score range of (−12.55 to −19.76 kcal/mol) and so with a potent predicted binding affinity to the target enzyme. The activity of the most promising candidates was validated by in vitro testing. Arabincoside C showed the highest activity (IC50=35.42 μg/ml) and the highest selectivity index (SI=9.9) followed by Russelioside B (IC50=50.80 μg/ml), and Arabincoside B (IC50=53.31 μg/ml).
A case of primary pulmonary angiosarcoma arising from tuberculous scar with fatal capillary bleeding
Authors: Wang Minghui , Zhang Xin , Jiang Hongni 
Published: March 2024

Key Clinical MessageThe etiology of primary pulmonary angiosarcoma is still unknown. Here we report a case of primary pulmonary angiosarcoma originated from a tuberculous scar and presented as aggressive deterioration with uncontrolled bleeding from capillaries with angiodysplasia.
Leveraging Halogen Interactions for a Supramolecular Nanotube
Authors: Fisher Sergey , Malaspina Lorraine A. , Gozálvez Martínez Cristian , Prescimone Alessandro , Balmohammadi Yaser , Grabowsky Simon , Šolomek Tomáš 
Published: March 2024

AbstractWe demonstrate the formation of supramolecular nanotubes from molecular triangles in a single crystal by balancing the hydrogen bonds and halogen interactions between individual macrocycles. Thereby, we template the supramolecular nanotube growth by intermolecular interactions encoded directly in the macrocycles instead of those provided by the crystallization solvent. Ultimately, we show that replacing bromines for iodines in the macrocycle is necessary to achieve this supramolecular organization by enhancing the strength of the halogen interactions and concomitant reduction of the detrimental hydrogen bonds. We investigated the nature and the interplay of the individual intermolecular interactions by analysis of the experimental single crystal data and quantum chemical calculations. This work enriches the available toolbox of supramolecular interactions and will aid and abet the development of rationally‐designed materials with a long‐range 1D tubular organization.
Mesogenic Ordering–Driven Self–Assembly of Liquid Crystalline Block Copolymers in Solution
Authors: Jin Bixin , Hu Lingjuan , Li Xiaoyu 
Published: March 2024

AbstractWith the development of nanotechnology, the preparation of polymeric nanoparticles with nicely defined structures has been well–developed, and the functionalization and subsequent applications of the resultant nanostructures are becoming increasingly important. Particularly, by introducing mesogenic ordering as the driving force for the solution–state self–assembly of liquid crystalline (LC) block copolymers (BCPs), micellar nanostructures with different morphologies, especially anisotropic morphologies, can be easily prepared. This review summarizes the recent progress in the solution–state self–assembly of LC BCPs and is mostly focused on four main related aspects, including an in–depth understanding of the mesogenic ordering–driven self–assembly, precise assembly methods, utilization of these methods to fabricate hierarchical structures, and the potential applications of these well–defined nanostructures. We hope not only to make a systematic summary of previous studies but also to provide some useful thinking for the future development of this field.
Differentiating electrocardiographic indications of massive and submassive pulmonary embolism: A cross‐sectional study in Southern Iran from 2015 to 2020
Authors: Bahreini Zahra , Kamali Maliheh , Kheshty Fatemeh , Bazrafshan Drissi Hamed , Boogar Shahrokh Sadeghi , Bazrafshan Mehdi 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundAlthough using electrocardiogram (ECG) for pulmonary embolism (PE) risk stratification has shown mixed results, it is currently used as supplementary evidence in risk stratification. This cross‐sectional study aimed to assess and compare ECG findings of massive and submassive PE versus segmental PE.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study included 250 hospitalized patients with a confirmed diagnosis of acute PE from 2015 to 2020 in Southern Iran. Demographic variables, clinical data, troponin levels, on‐admission ECG findings, echocardiography findings, and ECG findings 24 h after receiving anticoagulants or thrombolytics were extracted.ResultsPatients diagnosed with submassive or massive PE exhibited significantly higher rates of right axis deviation (p = .010), abnormal ST segment (p < .0001), S1Q3T3 pattern (p < .0001), inverted T wave in leads V1–V3 (p < .0001), inverted T wave in leads V4–V6 (p < .0001), and inverted T wave in leads V1‐V6 (p < .0001). In a multivariable model, inverted T wave in leads V1–V3, inverted T wave in leads V4–V6, pulse rate, and positive troponin test were the statistically independent variables for predicting submassive or massive PE. Furthermore, inverted T wave in leads V1–V3 (sensitivity: 85%, specificity: 95%, accuracy: 93%, AUC: 0.902) and troponin levels (sensitivity: 72%, specificity: 86%, accuracy: 83%, AUC: 0.792) demonstrated the best diagnostic test performance for discriminating submassive or massive PE from segmental PE.ConclusionIn addition to clinical rules, ECG can serve as an ancillary tool for assessing more invasive testing and earlier aggressive treatments among patients with PE, as it can provide valuable information for the diagnosis and risk stratification of submassive or massive PE.
Advancing high‐performance one‐dimensional Si/carbon anodes: Current status and challenges
Authors: Chen Xinyu , Mu Yongbiao , Liao Zifan , Chu Youqi , Kang Shaowei , Wu Bu‐ke , Liao Ruixi , Han Meisheng , Li Yiju , Zeng Lin 
Published: March 2024

AbstractSilicon (Si) anodes, known for their high capacity, confront obstacles such as volume expansion, the solid–electrolyte interface (SEI) formation, and limited cyclability, driving ongoing research for innovative solutions to enhance their performance in next‐generation lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). This comprehensive review explores the forefront of one‐dimensional (1D) Si/carbon anodes for high‐performance LIBs. This review delves into cutting‐edge strategies for fabricating 1D Si/carbon structures, such as nanowires, nanotubes, and nanofibers, highlighting their advantages in mitigating volume expansion, enhancing electron/ion transport, and bolstering cycling stability. The review showcases remarkable achievements in 1D Si/carbon anode performance, including exceptional capacity retention, high‐rate capability, and prolonged cycle life. Challenges regarding scalability, cost‐effectiveness, and long‐term stability are addressed, providing insights into the path to commercialization. Additionally, future directions and potential breakthroughs are outlined, guiding researchers and industries toward harnessing the potential of 1D Si/carbon anodes in revolutionizing energy storage.
Highly Efficient and Reproducible Sonochemical Synthesis of ZnO Nanocrystals
Authors: Fioravanti Ambra , Mazzocchi Mauro , Marani Pietro , Pedrielli Francesca , Carotta Maria Cristina , Sacerdoti Michele , Valsania Maria Carmen , Morandi Sara 
Published: March 2024

AbstractSonochemical synthesis can be a facile, fast, efficient, versatile and economical way to prepare a large variety of conventional or novel nanostructured materials (metallic, magnetic, semiconducting, polymeric, etc.). In this work, zinc oxide nanocrystals were synthesized by irradiating and heating at 90 °C in a commercial ultrasonic bath a water solution of zinc nitrate hexahydrate and ammonia solution or hexamethylenetetramine as base catalysts. The evolution of the powder morphology and its crystalline structure were investigated at different times of ultrasonic irradiation (0–9 hours) and compared with those of samples obtained by only heating the solutions in a muffle furnace in order to enlighten the growth mechanism. It resulted that: i) the crystal morphology depends on the selected base, ii) for samples obtained by using ultrasounds, the homogeneity of the powders depends on the irradiation time, iii) by comparing all samples obtained at 7 hours of heating, the aspect ratio of the crystals is higher for those that also underwent to ultrasounds.
Mouse Model of Chronic Social Stress‐Induced Excessive Pavlovian Aversion Learning‐Memory
Authors: Sigrist Hannes , Hogg David E. , Senn Alena , Pryce Christopher R. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIncreased experience of aversive stimuli/events is a psychological‐neurobiological state of major importance in psychiatry. It occurs commonly in generalized anxiety disorder, post‐traumatic stress disorder, and major depression. A sustained period of exposure to threat (chronic stressor) is a common risk factor, and a major symptom is generalized excessive perception of, and reactivity to, aversive stimuli. In rodents, Pavlovian aversion learning and memory (PAL, PAM), quantified in terms of the conditioned defensive behavior freezing, is an extensively studied behavioral paradigm, and well understood in terms of underlying neural circuitry. In mice, chronic social stress (CSS) is a 15‐day resident‐intruder paradigm in which C57BL/6 adult males are exposed continuously and distally to dominant‐aggressive CD‐1 male mice (sustained threat) interspersed with a brief daily period of proximal attack (acute threat). To ensure that physical wounding is minimized, proximal attacks are limited to 30 to 60 s/day and lower incisor teeth of CD‐1 mice are blunted. Control (comparison) mice are maintained in littermate pairs. The CSS and CD‐1 mice are maintained in distal contact during subsequent behavioral testing. For PAL, CSS and control (CON) mice are placed in a conditioning chamber (context) and exposed to a tone [conditioned stimulus (CS)] and mild, brief foot shock [unconditioned stimulus (US)]. For PAM, mice are placed in the same context and presented with CS repetitions. The CSS mice acquire (learn) and express (memory) a higher level of freezing than CON mice, indicating that CSS leads to generalized hypersensitivity to aversion, i.e., chronic social aversion leads to increased aversion salience of foot shock. Distinctive features of the model include the following: high reproducibility; rare, mild wounding only; male specificity; absence of “susceptible” vs “resilient” subgroups; behavioral effects dependent on continued presence of CD‐1 mice; and preclinical validation of novel compounds for normalizing aversion hypersensitivity with accurate feedforward prediction of efficacy in human patients. © 2024 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.Basic Protocol 1: Chronic social stress (CSS)Basic Protocol 2: Pavlovian aversion learning and memory (PALM)
Secondary school teachers' perceptions of the shared creative processes and the potential role of technology in the expressive arts
Authors: Chapman Sammy , Beauchamp Gary , Griffiths Merris 
Published: March 2024

AbstractWith the introduction of Curriculum for Wales and the restructuring of subjects into Areas of Learning and Experience (AoLE), each AoLE is encouraged to have ‘an identifiable disciplinary and instrumental core’. When considered in combination with the COVID‐19 pandemic and increased technology use within teaching, both the shared creative processes and the potential role of technology are important to conceptualise. This paper provides insight into expressive arts teachers' perceptions of the macro‐level creative processes shared across each subject area through a technology lens. A new tripartite classification provides clarity regarding the macro‐level creative processes (Creative opportunities, Critical responses and Performance/production) and the role of technology to enable equal opportunities and wider accessibility for learners to access, and potentially succeed within, the creative process.
Geographical distribution and species variation of gut microbiota in small rodents from the agro‐pastoral transition ecotone in northern China
Authors: Wu Yongzhen , Zhou Taoxiu , Gu Chen , Yin Baofa , Yang Shengmei , Zhang Yunzeng , Wu Ruiyong , Wei Wanhong 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe gut microbiota of rodents is essential for survival and adaptation and is susceptible to various factors, ranging from environmental conditions to genetic predispositions. Nevertheless, few comparative studies have considered the contribution of species identity and geographic spatial distance to variations in the gut microbiota. In this study, a random sampling survey encompassing four rodent species (Apodemus agrarius, Cricetulus barabensis, Tscherskia triton and Rattus norvegicus) was conducted at five sites in northern China's farming–pastoral ecotone. Through a cross‐factorial comparison, we aimed to discern whether belonging to the same species or sharing the same capture site predominantly influences the composition of gut microbiota. Notably, the observed variations in microbiome composition among these four rodent species match the host phylogeny at the family level but not at the species level. The gut microbiota of these four rodent species exhibited typical mammalian characteristics, predominantly characterized by the Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes phyla. As the geographic distance between populations increased, the number of shared microbial taxa among conspecific populations decreased. We observed that within a relatively small geographical range, even different species exhibited convergent α‐diversity due to their inhabitation within the same environmental microbial pool. In contrast, the composition and structure of the intestinal microbiota in the allopatric populations of A. agrarius demonstrated marked differences, similar to those of C. barabensis. Additionally, geographical environmental elements exhibited significant correlations with diversity indices. Conversely, host‐related factors had minimal influence on microbial abundance. Our findings indicated that the similarity of the microbial compositions was not determined primarily by the host species, and the location of the sampling explained a greater amount of variation in the microbial composition, indicating that the local environment played a crucial role in shaping the microbial composition.
Anthropogenic bottom‐up and top‐down impacts on boreal breeding waterbirds
Authors: Holopainen Sari , Jaatinen Kim , Laaksonen Toni , Lindén Andreas , Nummi Petri , Piha Markus , Pöysä Hannu , Toivanen Tero , Väänänen Veli‐Matti , Alhainen Mikko , Lehikoinen Aleksi 
Published: March 2024

AbstractWetland habitats are changing under multiple anthropogenic pressures. Nutrient leakage and pollution modify physico‐chemical state of wetlands and affect the ecosystem through bottom‐up processes, while alien predators affect the ecosystems in a top‐down manner. Boreal wetlands are important breeding areas for several waterbird species, the abundances of which potentially reflect both bottom‐up and top‐down ecosystem processes. Here, we use long‐term national monitoring data gathered from c. 130 waterbird breeding sites in Finland from the 1980s to the 2020s. We hypothesised that the physico‐chemical state of the waters and increasing alien predator abundance both play a role in steering the waterbird population trends. We set out to test this hypothesis by relating population changes of 17 waterbird species to changes in water chemistry and to regional alien predator indices while allowing species‐specific effects to vary with foraging niche (dabblers, invertivore divers, piscivorous divers, herbivores), nesting site, female mass and habitat (oligotrophic, eutrophic). We found niche and nesting site‐specific, habitat‐dependent changes in waterbird numbers. While the associations with higher phosphorus levels and browning water were in overall positive at the oligotrophic lakes, the numbers of invertivore and piscivore diving ducks were most strongly negatively associated with higher phosphorus levels and browning water at the eutrophic lakes. Furthermore, increased pH levels benefitted piscivores. Invertivore diving duck species nesting on the wetlands had declined most on sites with high alien predator indices. Large herbivorous species and species preferring oligotrophic lakes seem to be successful. We conclude that the large‐scale breeding waterbird decline in Finland is closely connected to both bottom‐up and top‐down processes, where negative associations are emphasised especially at eutrophic lakes. Niche‐, nest site‐ and habitat‐specific management actions are required to conserve declining waterbird populations. Managing wetlands on catchments level together with alien predator control may provide important approaches to future wetland management.