bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Constructing Kosmotropic Salt‐Compatible PVA Hydrogels for Stable Zinc Anodes via Strong Hydrogen Bonds Preshielding Effect
Authors: He Qiong , Zhong Yue , Li Jianwen , Chai Simin , Yang Yuqing , Liang Shuquan , Chang Zhi , Fang Guozhao , Pan Anqiang 
Published: April 2024

AbstractPhysical hydrogels crosslinked by noncovalent interactions are promising in flexible zinc–metal batteries for their component controllability and environmental friendliness. However, the compatibility of PVA‐based electrolyte and kosmotropic salt remains a challenge, which shows an unclear mechanism. Here, a “good‐to‐poor” solvent substitution strategy is adopted to develop a PVA hydrogel electrolyte with good compatibility with kosmotropic salt (ZnSO4). Stretching the polymer conformation by preshielding the strong intrachain hydrogen bonds with good solvents and activating the polymer interchain interaction in situ with poor solvents will induce the formation of a homogeneous polymer network and the release of hydrated hydroxyl groups for fast ion transport. This multiscale microstructure improves the ionic conductivity and liquid retention of PVA hydrogels with kosmotropic salt. Additionally, this strong hydrogen bonds preshielded hydrogel electrolyte offers great battery performance, with 1300 h of stable cycling at 1 mA cm−2 with low voltage hysteresis; and an extended cycle life of 220 h at 68.4% zinc utilization. Importantly, the Zn//MnO2 pouch cell maintains 98.4% capacity after 100 cycles at 0.2 A g−1 and features strong environmental reliability. These concepts address the inherent barriers of kosmotropic salt‐based hydrogel electrolytes and advance their development in soft electronics.
Pomegranate‐Inspired Cathodes Mitigate the Mismatch Between Carrier Transport and High Loading for Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Bie Zhe , Jiao Zhaoyang , Cai Xinxin , Wang Ziting , Zhang Xueying , Li Yiran , Song Weixing 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe development of high‐energy‐density aqueous zinc‐ion batteries requires the preparation of cathodes with a thick layer of active material. However, the insulating nature and dissolution of vanadium‐based oxides lead to low areal capacity (0.1,1 mA h cm−2) during the charge/discharge cycle. Herein, V2O5 nanospheres are generated by anchoring onto the laser‐induced graphene (LIG) conductive network through defect‐induced adsorption, resulting in the formation of pomegranate‐like V2O5@LIG composites. The unique and abundant defect structure in the honeycomb LIG can trigger the formation of uniform V2O5 nanospheres with high specific surface area and interact electronically with V2O5 to enhance the electrical conductivity of the cathode materials up to four orders of magnitude. In contrast to conventional carbon materials that can cause steric hindrance for ion transport, the micropores within LIG shorten the ion transport path through the cathode. Concurrently, the pomegranate‐like encapsulated structure effectively prevents cathode material corrosion. Under a high‐loading mass of 17.1 mg cm−2, the full cell is stably cycled for 200 cycles, possessing a 92.5% capacity retention, and achieving a high areal capacity of 6.05 mA h cm−2.
Investigations of an individual with a Marfanoid habitus, mild intellectual disability, and severe social anxiety identifies PCDHGA5 as a candidate neurodevelopmental disorder gene
Authors: Margot Henri , Pizano Adrien , Amestoy Anouck , Lacombe Didier , Berges Camille , Beneteau Claire , Innes A. Micheil 
Published: April 2024

AbstractMarfanoid habitus and intellectual disability (MHID) co‐occur in multiple neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD). Among those, Lujan‐Fryns, an X‐linked genetic disorder associated with variants in MED12 was the first such syndrome identified. Accurate molecular diagnosis for these MHID syndromes remains a challenge due to significant clinical and genetic heterogeneity. We present a case report of a 20‐year‐old male patient with MHID and severe social anxiety. A comprehensive clinical evaluation, including morphotype assessment, cognitive, and psychometric and genetic testing, was conducted to provide a detailed understanding of the patient's complex clinical presentation. Psychometric assessments revealed severe social anxiety and various cognitive and emotional challenges. Despite some autism‐like symptoms, the patient's clinical presentation was more aligned with mild intellectual disability. Exome sequencing was inconclusive but identified a heterozygous de novo missense variant in the PCDHGA5 gene. This gene is not known in human pathology yet, but we also report a second patient with a syndromic neurodevelopmental disorder and a rare de novo variant which leads us to propose this as a candidate gene. Our findings emphasize the importance of multidisciplinary approach in the diagnosis and management of MHID. This case report underscores the need for objective clinical evaluations and standardized tools to better understand the complex clinical profiles of patients with NDDs. The identification of novel PCDHGA5 gene variants adds this gene's candidacy to the genetic landscape of MHID‐NDD, warranting further investigation to determine its potential contribution.
Photocatalytic (V2O5/TiO2) Blue LED Mediated Selective Oxidation of Alcohols, Styrene to Aldehydes, and Oxygenation of Alkyl‐Benzene to Ketones
Authors: Kumar Shashi , Bhardwaj Avantika , Kumar Dinesh , Maurya Sushil K. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe development of a low‐cost, reusable, and sustainable approach is a difficult and emerging demand in the coming arena. Here, we demonstrate the selective oxidation of primary alcohol, styrene to aldehyde, and alkyl benzene to appropriate ketone, under Blue LED irradiation. The developed approaches employ reusable catalysts (V2O5/TIO2) and green solvents (ACN, H2O) at room temperature. The substrate scope is widely investigated for various compounds of different functionalities. Organic transformations are supported by reaction mechanistic studies. The gram scale reaction and catalytic recyclability were also carried out to maximize the protocol's synthetic utility.
Effect of long‐chain branching structures on supercritical CO2 foaming behavior of iPB‐1 with different crystalline form ratios
Authors: Gong Zheng , Li Weijie , Chen Yichong , Zhao Ling , Hu Dongdong 
Published: April 2024

AbstractTo solve the poor cellular morphology of linear iPB‐1 during supercritical CO2 foaming, the modification and the special crystalline transition behavior of iPB‐1 were used to improve its foaming performance. Based on free radical polymerization, long‐chain branching iPB‐1 is achieved. Long‐chain branching structures not only reduce crystallinity of iPB‐1, but also increase the crystallization temperature. Long‐chain branching structures can accelerate the crystalline transformation rate of iPB‐1. After annealing at room temperature for 24 h, the crystalline transformation of the raw iPB‐1 material is completed by 14%, while long‐chain branching iPB‐1 reaches 33%. The crystalline transformation of the modified iPB‐1 is completed by 85% after annealing for 48 h. Compared with the raw iPB‐1 material with crystalline form I, the introduction of long‐chain branching structures is favorable for broadening the foaming temperature interval from 10 to 20°C, while the foaming temperature interval of the long‐chain branching iPB‐1 with crystalline form II increases to 25°C. The iPB‐1 with high content of crystalline form I and long‐chain branching structures are conductive to the formation of uniform cells. This will broaden the application of iPB‐1 foam in automotive interiors, packaging, and transportation fields.
A GITRL‐mTORC1‐GM‐CSF Positive Loop Promotes Pathogenic Th17 Response in Primary Sjögren Syndrome
Authors: Gan Yuzhou , Zhou Haotian , Guo Yixue , Huang Bo , Liu Hongjiang , Wang Ziye , Li Zijun , Zhao Xiaozhen , Zhu Huaqun , Han Qimao , Ye Hua , He Jing , Wang Qingwen , Li Zhanguo , Sun Xiaolin 
Published: April 2024

ObjectiveGlucocorticoid‐induced tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily–related protein (GITR), with its ligand (GITRL), plays an important role in CD4+ T cell–mediated autoimmunity. This study aimed to investigate the underlying mechanisms of GITRL in primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS).MethodsPatients with pSS and healthy controls were recruited. Serum GITRL and Th17‐related cytokines were determined. RNA sequencing was performed to decipher key signal pathways. Nonobese diabetes (NOD) mice were adopted as experimental Sjögren models and recombinant adeno‐associated virus (rAAV) transduction was conducted to verify the therapeutic potentials of targeting GITRL in vivo.ResultsSerum GITRL was significantly higher in patients with pSS and showed a positive correlation with leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, autoantibodies, lung involvement, and disease activity. Serum GITRL was correlated with Th17‐related cytokines. GITRL promoted the expansion of Th17 and Th17.1 cells. Expansion of granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor positive (GM‐CSF+) CD4+ T cells induced by GITRL could be inhibited by blockade of GITRL. Moreover, GM‐CSF could stimulate GITRL expression on monocytes. RNA sequencing revealed mammalian target of rapamycin complexes 1 (mTORC1) might be the key modulator. The increased phosphorylation of S6 and STAT3 and the expansion of Th17 and Th17.1 cells induced by GITRL were effectively inhibited by rapamycin, suggesting a GITRL–mTORC1–GM‐CSF positive loop in pathogenic Th17 response in pSS. Administration of an rAAV vector expressing short hairpin RNA targeting GITRL alleviated disease progression in NOD mice.ConclusionOur results identified the pathogenic role of GITRL in exacerbating disease activity and promoting pathogenic Th17 response in pSS through a GITRL–mTORC1–GM‐CSF loop. These findings suggest GITRL might be a promising therapeutic target in the treatment of pSS.image
Looking across the gap: Understanding the evolution of eyes and vision among insects
Authors: Kittelmann Maike , McGregor Alistair P. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe compound eyes of insects exhibit stunning variation in size, structure, and function, which has allowed these animals to use their vision to adapt to a huge range of different environments and lifestyles, and evolve complex behaviors. Much of our knowledge of eye development has been learned from Drosophila, while visual adaptations and behaviors are often more striking and better understood from studies of other insects. However, recent studies in Drosophila and other insects, including bees, beetles, and butterflies, have begun to address this gap by revealing the genetic and developmental bases of differences in eye morphology and key new aspects of compound eye structure and function. Furthermore, technical advances have facilitated the generation of high‐resolution connectomic data from different insect species that enhances our understanding of visual information processing, and the impact of changes in these processes on the evolution of vision and behavior. Here, we review these recent breakthroughs and propose that future integrated research from the development to function of visual systems within and among insect species represents a great opportunity to understand the remarkable diversification of insect eyes and vision.
Characterizing the Conformational Dynamics of Human SUMO2: Insights into its Interaction with Metal Ions and SIMs
Authors: Kaur Anupreet , Singh Harpreet , Kumar Dinesh , Gahlay Gagandeep Kaur , Mithu Venus Singh 
Published: April 2024

AbstractSUMO (Small Ubiquitin‐like Modifiers) proteins are involved in a crucial post‐translational modification commonly termed as SUMOylation. In this work, we have investigated the native‐state conformational flexibility of human SUMO2 and its interaction with Cu2+ and Zn2+ ions using 15N‐1H based 2D NMR spectroscopy. After SUMO1, SUMO2 is the most studied SUMO isoform in humans which shares 45 % and ~80 % similarity with SUMO1 in terms of sequence and structure, respectively. In this manuscript, we demonstrate that compared to SUMO1, several amino acids around the α1‐helix region of SUMO2 access energetically similar near‐native conformations. These conformations could play a crucial role in SUMO2’s non‐covalent interactions with SUMO interaction motifs (SIMs) on other proteins. The C‐terminal of SUMO2 was found to bind strongly with Cu2+ ions resulting in a trimeric structure as observed by gel electrophoresis. This interaction seems to interfere in its non‐covalent interaction with a V/I‐x‐V/I‐V/I based SIM in Daxx protein.
Process Cascade for the Production of Green Polymers from CO2 and Electric Energy
Authors: Fabarius Jonathan Thomas , Pietzka Carsten , Pangotra Dhananjai , Wriedt Benjamin , Vieira Luciana , Sagstetter Carina , Speck Melanie , Ziogas Athanassios , Baumgarten Nils , Kost Hans‐Joachim , Löb Patrick , Patzsch Katja , Bernau Catherine , Boeringer Sarah , Pico Davide , Lieske Antje , Vater Marcus , Wendler Ulrich , Roth Arne 
Published: April 2024

AbstractProduction processes based on CO2 as raw material offer high scalability and sustainability. Here, a novel process cascade is introduced, combining the advantages of electrochemical CO2 conversion with the synthetic potential of industrial biotechnology: CO2 is electrocatalytically reduced to formic acid as substrate for the metabolically engineered bacterium Methylorubrum extorquens that produces l‐lysine as precursor of the polymer building block 1,5‐diaminopentane (cadaverine). Cadaverine is purified through targeted downstream processing and finally used in a polycondensation process to produce polyamide materials.
The effect of forced even pacing and an opponent on end‐spurt behaviour in freestyle pool swimming
Authors: Neuloh Joshua E. , Venhorst Andreas , Skorski Sabrina , Meyer Tim 
Published: April 2024

AbstractTo investigate the effect of forced even pacing through virtual pacing assistance and an opponent in a competitive setting on end‐spurt behaviour in freestyle swimmers, including related physiological underpinnings. Twenty‐seven competitive swimmers and triathletes were recruited. There were four 1500 m freestyle trials: (i) familiarisation time trial, (ii) self‐paced time trial (STT), (iii) head‐to‐head competition time trial (CTT) and (iv) forced even pacing through virtual pacing assistance time trial (FET). Eventually, 12 swimmers met the criteria for the CTT and FET to be included in the analysis. Changes in end‐spurt behaviour, finishing time and physiological parameters (lactate, cortisol, noradrenaline and heart rate) were analysed using a linear mixed model with fixed effects for trials and a random effect for swimmer identity. A separate linear model was computed for competition outcome. The end‐spurt for each race was determined by means of an end‐spurt indicator (ESI; ESI > 0 greater end‐spurt). Swimmers demonstrated a significantly greater ESI in FET (+2.6; p < 0.001) and CTT (+1.4; p = 0.022) compared to STT. Blood lactate concentration in FET (+1.0 mmol L−1; p < 0.001) and CTT (+1.6 mmol L−1; p < 0.001) was significantly higher than in STT. Winners had a significantly greater ESI than losers in CTT (+1.6 and p = 0.005). Swimmers utilised a greater end‐spurt through metabolically optimal forced even pacing by virtual pacing assistance and in a head‐to‐head competition due a larger mobilisation of anaerobic reserves as indicated by greater blood lactate concentrations. Winners had a significantly greater end‐spurt than losers despite similar metabolic disturbances.
Sex, gender diversity, and brain structure in early adolescence
Authors: Torgerson Carinna , Ahmadi Hedyeh , Choupan Jeiran , Fan Chun Chieh , Blosnich John R. , Herting Megan M. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThere remains little consensus about the relationship between sex and brain structure, particularly in early adolescence. Moreover, few pediatric neuroimaging studies have analyzed both sex and gender as variables of interest—many of which included small sample sizes and relied on binary definitions of gender. The current study examined gender diversity with a continuous felt‐gender score and categorized sex based on X and Y allele frequency in a large sample of children ages 9–11 years old (N = 7195). Then, a statistical model‐building approach was employed to determine whether gender diversity and sex independently or jointly relate to brain morphology, including subcortical volume, cortical thickness, gyrification, and white matter microstructure. Additional sensitivity analyses found that male versus female differences in gyrification and white matter were largely accounted for by total brain volume, rather than sex per se. The model with sex, but not gender diversity, was the best‐fitting model in 60.1% of gray matter regions and 61.9% of white matter regions after adjusting for brain volume. The proportion of variance accounted for by sex was negligible to small in all cases. While models including felt‐gender explained a greater amount of variance in a few regions, the felt‐gender score alone was not a significant predictor on its own for any white or gray matter regions examined. Overall, these findings demonstrate that at ages 9–11 years old, sex accounts for a small proportion of variance in brain structure, while gender diversity is not directly associated with neurostructural diversity.
Analysis of local, regional, and distant recurrence of disease in mucoepidermoid tumors of larynx: A systematic review
Authors: Chiari Francesco , Di Martino Giuseppe , Caporale Claudio Donadio , Molteni Gabriele , Presutti Livio , Guarino Pierre 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe aim of this systematic review is to analyze epidemiology, clinical presentation, histopathological features, treatment and oncological outcomes in laryngeal mucoepidermoid cancer (MEC) in order to improve the knowledge on the management of such a rare malignant neoplasm. Specifically, authors highlight patients' and tumors' features about local, regional, and distant recurrence of disease. PRISMA 2020 guidelines were applied in this systematic literature review. A computerized search was performed using the Embase/Pubmed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases, for articles published from 1971 to December 2023. A descriptive and univariate analysis including selected papers with low or intermediate risk of bias was performed. Twenty‐seven papers (11 case series and 16 case reports) were included in this review. Fifty‐six patients were included in the analyses, with a mean age of 56.7 years; 84% of them were males. Most patients (86%) underwent a primary surgical approach. Clinical stage was reported as follows: early stage (26 patients) and locally advance and advanced stage (19 patients). Overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS) at 2 years was 80% and 78%, respectively. The mean time to local recurrence was 18.7 months (range 8–36 months). The survival after recurrence is about 85% and 70% at 5 years, respectively. The mean time of lymph node recurrence was 14.7 months (range 7–19 months). Finally, the mean time of distant recurrence was 15 months (range 7–36 months) with a poor prognosis: all patients died due to the disease in a range of 0–7 months after metastasis evidence. Laryngeal MEC is a rare neoplasm of minor salivary glands in the larynx. No guidelines or indications about the management of this neoplasm are reported in the literature. The lower incidence of regional recurrence of the disease and the better OS and DFS underline how the prognosis of MEC is more favorable respect to other malignant histotypes.
Activation of heme oxygenase‐1 by laminar shear stress ameliorates high glucose‐induced endothelial cell and smooth muscle cell dysfunction
Authors: Chien Hung‐Che , Wang Yu‐Lin , Tu Yun‐Chin , Tsui Pi‐Fen , Tsai Min‐Chien 
Published: April 2024

AbstractHigh glucose (HG)‐induced endothelial cell (EC) and smooth muscle cell (SMC) dysfunction is critical in diabetes‐associated atherosclerosis. However, the roles of heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1), a stress‐response protein, in hemodynamic force‐generated shear stress and HG‐induced metabolic stress remain unclear. This investigation examined the cellular effects and mechanisms of HO‐1 under physiologically high shear stress (HSS) in HG‐treated ECs and adjacent SMCs. We found that exposure of human aortic ECs to HSS significantly increased HO‐1 expression; however, this upregulation appeared to be independent of adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase, a regulator of HO‐1. Furthermore, HSS inhibited the expression of HG‐induced intercellular adhesion molecule‐1, vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in ECs. In an EC/SMC co‐culture, compared with static conditions, subjecting ECs close to SMCs to HSS and HG significantly suppressed SMC proliferation while increasing the expression of physiological contractile phenotype markers, such as α‐smooth muscle actin and serum response factor. Moreover, HSS and HG decreased the expression of vimentin, an atherogenic synthetic phenotypic marker, in SMCs. Transfecting ECs with HO‐1‐specific small interfering (si)RNA reversed HSS inhibition on HG‐induced inflammation and ROS production in ECs. Similarly, reversed HSS inhibition on HG‐induced proliferation and synthetic phenotype formation were observed in co‐cultured SMCs. Our findings provide insights into the mechanisms underlying EC‐SMC interplay during HG‐induced metabolic stress. Strategies to promote HSS in the vessel wall, such as continuous exercise, or the development of HO‐1 analogs and mimics of the HSS effect, could provide an effective approach for preventing and treating diabetes‐related atherosclerotic vascular complications.
Advancing unanchored simulated treatment comparisons: A novel implementation and simulation study
Authors: Ren Shijie , Ren Sa , Welton Nicky J. , Strong Mark 
Published: April 2024

AbstractPopulation‐adjusted indirect comparisons, developed in the 2010s, enable comparisons between two treatments in different studies by balancing patient characteristics in the case where individual patient‐level data (IPD) are available for only one study. Health technology assessment (HTA) bodies increasingly rely on these methods to inform funding decisions, typically using unanchored indirect comparisons (i.e., without a common comparator), due to the need to evaluate comparative efficacy and safety for single‐arm trials. Unanchored matching‐adjusted indirect comparison (MAIC) and unanchored simulated treatment comparison (STC) are currently the only two approaches available for population‐adjusted indirect comparisons based on single‐arm trials. However, there is a notable underutilisation of unanchored STC in HTA, largely due to a lack of understanding of its implementation. We therefore develop a novel way to implement unanchored STC by incorporating standardisation/marginalisation and the NORmal To Anything (NORTA) algorithm for sampling covariates. This methodology aims to derive a suitable marginal treatment effect without aggregation bias for HTA evaluations. We use a non‐parametric bootstrap and propose separately calculating the standard error for the IPD study and the comparator study to ensure the appropriate quantification of the uncertainty associated with the estimated treatment effect. The performance of our proposed unanchored STC approach is evaluated through a comprehensive simulation study focused on binary outcomes. Our findings demonstrate that the proposed approach is asymptotically unbiased. We argue that unanchored STC should be considered when conducting unanchored indirect comparisons with single‐arm studies, presenting a robust approach for HTA decision‐making.