bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of metabolic risk factors on the presence of carotid artery disease in patients with type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease
Authors: Bosevski Marijan , Borozanov Vladimir , Georgievska-Ismail Ljubica 
Published: May 2007

The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of carotid artery disease in type 2 diabetes patients with coronary artery disease, and to establish the influence of metabolic factors on its occurrence. In all, 145 patients (aged 59.85±8.43 years, diabetes duration 8.89±6.29 years) were randomly selected in a cross-sectional study. Carotid ultrasound was used for evaluation of the presence of carotid plaque (CP) and stenosis (CS). A logistic regression model was constructed to define the influence of risk factors - arterial hypertension, systolic blood pressure, weight, waist to hip ratio, high blood glucose and plasma lipid levels. Carotid artery disease was present in these patients with a prevalence of 81.9% for CP, 25.2% for unilateral CS and 13.5% for bilateral CS. The low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level was an independent predictor for CS (OR 1.936; 95% CI 1.241-3.026). Non-high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (OR 1.374; 95% CI 1.035-1.825) and glycaemia (OR 1.214; 95% CI 1.022-1.442) were predictors for carotid plaque.
Natural Phenolic‐Metal Framework Strengthened Mesona Chinensis Polysaccharides Microgels for Improved Viability of Probiotics to Alleviate the Liver Injury and Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis
Authors: Zhang Huijuan , Zhang Jipeng , Liu Bin , Xiao Jie , Stuart Martien A. Cohen , Hou Guohua , Zhang Hongru , Liang Shuang , Li Zekun , Wang Qimeng , Chen Shanan , Li Pinglan , Li Xing , Li Yuan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractOral probiotics meet challenges during processing, storage, and gastrointestinal harsh conditions. Polysaccharide‐based hydrogels delivery system is promising in probiotic protection, but its semi‐solid and weak strength, and often requires additional cross‐links to solidify its structure. Herein a ferric ion co‐crosslinked microgel of Mesona chinensis polysaccharides and mechanically strengthened by phenolic‐metal frameworks of naturally bound brown bioactives is designed. These microgels has an intact structure in acidic condition and ruptured only at pH neutral conditions which can responsively release highly viable probiotics with high mucoadhesion and colonization. Brown bioactives are naturally bound to polysaccharides (MCPC) by hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonding, and they exhibited outstanding anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Moreover, these brown bioactives are the precise prebiotics which can specifically improve the abundance of Akkermansia genus in gut in vivo. Then, the probiotics Akkermansia muciniphila (AKK) are loaded into brown bioactives frameworks strengthened microgels. There is a more synergistic healthy benefit between MCPC components and loaded AKK compared with free and pasteurized AKK. MCPC microgels can deliver high viable AKK specifically to gut consequently modulating the microbiota balance, and protecting the intestinal barriers. MCPC microgels also delivered the antioxidant brown bioactives specifically into liver to alleviate the hepatic oxidative stress and inflammation.
Electron‐Donating Cu Atoms Induced High Proton Supply and Anti‐Poisoning Ruthenium Clusters for Superior Direct Seawater Hydrogen Production
Authors: Yang Chengdong , Wu Zihe , Zheng Yijuan , Gao Yun , Ma Tian , Zeng Zhiyuan , Wang Yi , Cheng Chong , Li Shuang 
Published: March 2024

AbstractDirect seawater hydrogen production via electrolysis would be a transformative technology for large‐scale pathways for future sustainable energy systems. However, prohibiting the formation of insoluble hydroxides and promoting proton supply at the electrode‐seawater interface are extremely desirable but remain challenging. Herein, inspired by the dual‐metal pair sites in natural enzyme, the de novo design of an efficient, robust, and precise electron‐donating Cu‐modulated ruthenium clusters on porous carbon matrix (Cu@Runc‐C) is reported as a high proton supply and anti‐poisoning cathode material for superior direct seawater hydrogen production. Benefitting from the unique Cu@Runc pair sites, the cathode exhibits particularly high hydrogen evolution activities with ultralow overpotentials to reach a high current density of 300 mA cm−2 in both alkaline (115 mV) and seawater (459 mV) electrolytes, and notably, the cathode can maintain superior long‐lasting stability in seawater electrolysis. The mechanism exploration demonstrates that the ruthenium cathode with Cu@Runc pair sites exhibits low oxophilic and fast proton‐transferring local reaction environments to prohibit the formation of insoluble precipitates and provide efficient proton supply within the electrode‐seawater interface. It is expected that the proposed bioinspired regulation strategy offers a new pathway for constructing efficient, robust, and selective cathode materials for scalable seawater hydrogen production.
Conversion of Layered WS2 Crystals into Mixed‐Domain Electrochemical Catalysts by Plasma‐Assisted Surface Reconstruction
Authors: Park Jiheon , Cho Iaan , Jeon Hotae , Lee Youjin , Zhang Jian , Lee Dongwook , Cho Min Kyung , Preston Daniel J. , Shong Bonggeun , Kim In Soo , Lee Won‐Kyu 
Published: March 2024

AbstractElectrocatalytic water splitting is crucial to generate clean hydrogen fuel, but implementation at an industrial scale remains limited due to dependence on expensive platinum (Pt)‐based electrocatalysts. Here, an all‐dry process to transform electrochemically inert bulk WS2 into a multidomain electrochemical catalyst that enables scalable and cost‐effective implementation of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in water electrolysis is reported. Direct dry transfer of WS2 flakes to a gold thin film deposited on a silicon substrate provides a general platform to produce the working electrodes for HER with tunable charge transfer resistance. By treating the mechanically exfoliated WS2 with sequential Ar‐O2 plasma, mixed domains of WS2, WO3, and tungsten oxysulfide form on the surfaces of the flakes, which gives rise to a superior HER with much greater long‐term stability and steady‐state activity compared to Pt. Using density functional theory, ultraefficient atomic sites formed on the constituent nanodomains are identified, and the quantification of atomic‐scale reactivities and resulting HER activities fully support the experimental observations.
Gradient High‐Q Dielectric Metasurfaces for Broadband Sensing and Control of Vibrational Light‐Matter Coupling
Authors: Richter Felix Ulrich , Sinev Ivan , Zhou Senlu , Leitis Aleksandrs , Oh Sang‐Hyun , Tseng Ming Lun , Kivshar Yuri , Altug Hatice 
Published: March 2024

AbstractSurface‐enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (SEIRA) has emerged as a powerful technique for ultrasensitive chemical‐specific analysis. SEIRA can be realized by employing metasurfaces that can enhance light‐matter interactions in the spectral bands of molecular vibrations. Increasing sample complexity emphasizes the need for metasurfaces that can operate simultaneously at different spectral bands, both accessing rich spectral information over a broad band, and resolving subtle differences in the absorption fingerprints through narrow‐band resonances. Here, a novel concept of resonance‐gradient metasurfaces is introduced, where the required spectral selectivity is achieved via local high‐quality‐factor (high‐Q) resonances, while the continuous coverage of a broad band is enabled by the gradual adjustment of the unit‐cell dimensions along the planar structure. The highly tailorable design of the gradient metasurfaces provides flexibility for shaping the spectral sampling density to match the relevant bands of target analytes while keeping a compact device footprint. The versatility of the gradient metasurfaces is demonstrated through several sensing scenarios, including polymer mixture deconvolution, detecting a multistep bioassay, and identification of the onset of vibrational strong coupling regime. The proposed gradient‐resonance platform significantly contributes to the rapidly evolving landscape of nonlocal metasurfaces, enabling applications in molecular detection and analysis of fundamental light‐matter interaction phenomena.
Air‐Stable Bis‐Cyclometallated Iridium Catalysts for Ortho‐Directed C(sp2)−H Borylation
Authors: Zakis Janis M. , Messinis Antonis M. , Ackermann Lutz , Smejkal Tomas , Wencel‐Delord Joanna 
Published: March 2024

AbstractWe report a class of isolable bis‐cyclometallated iridium precatalysts (ImIr) and their use in regioselective ortho−C−H borylation of aromatic, heteroaromatic, acrylic, and aliphatic systems. The catalysts consist of two imine ligands and an acetate coordinated to an iridium (III) center. The isolable character of ImIr warrants its compatibility with high‐throughput experimentation, a prerequisite for applications in late‐stage functionalization (LSF) of complex substrates. Initial mechanistic studies point towards an inner‐sphere mechanism involving bis‐cyclometallated species shedding light on the general mechanistic understanding of ortho‐selective C−H borylations.
An Iron‐Catalyzed Three‐Component Radical Cascade Cyclization to Access Cyanoalkylsulfonyl Quinolino‐Quinazolinones
Authors: Mohamathu Ghouse Abuthayir , Tarun Uppalam , Maheswari Bathula , Murthy Akondi Srirama 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAn iron(II)‐catalyzed cascade reaction, involving cyanoalkylsulfonylation and cyclization, has been devised to enable the synthesis of functionalized sulfonylated quinolino‐quinazolinone alkyl nitriles. This three‐component radical transformation exhibits excellent chemo‐ and regioselectivity while functioning without the need for external oxidizing or reducing agents. The cost‐effectiveness of this catalytic system, together with its broad substrate application, which includes drug molecule derivatives, make this approach efficient and adaptable.
Approaches to Control and Monitor Protease Levels in Chronic Wounds
Authors: Kolahreez Davood , Ghasemi‐Mobarakeh Laleh , Liebner Falk , Alihosseini Farzaneh , Quartinello Felice , Guebitz Georg M. , Ribitsch Doris 
Published: March 2024

AbstractSome wounds do not follow the typical healing trajectory and show very little, if any, progress. They dreadfully threaten the patients' quality of life and may even lead to limb amputation and death. Several interrelated systemic and local factors may cause a delay in wound healing. The microenvironment of these wounds can be different from wounds that heal spontaneously or with standard treatment. As discussed in the present work, proteases’ levels or activity can be elevated in some cases of chronic ulcers; infection can aggravate the situation. A detailed overview of the proteases’ effect on wound healing is presented in this work. Assuming untimely or irregularly excessive proteolytic activity plays a pathological role, some researchers targeted attenuation of protease level as a strategy to promote healing. This can be done via different approaches, including physical removal, inhibiting their activity, and controlling their expression directly through gene silencing or indirectly, for instance, by resolving infection. Apart from targeting protease modulation as a therapeutic strategy, many studies have examined the protease state to gain insights into the underlying mechanisms by which a remedy, dressing, or specific therapy has affected the healing process. This study aims to provide an overview of the studies in these two categories. Of course, various proteases are involved in the healing process, but in each study, usually, only one or some of them are investigated; matrix metalloproteinase‐2 (MMP‐2), MMP‐9, and human neutrophil elastase (HNE) are among them. Furthermore, in some cases, cumulative proteolytic activity is evaluated in terms of gelatinolytic, collagenolytic, or caseinolytic activity, which is also absolutely beneficial. Some research groups have considered the potential of proteases as a diagnostic or prognostic biomarker and have tried to develop some sensors or indicators; this topic is also covered in the present work.
Boosting Zinc Hybrid Supercapacitor Performance via Thiol Functionalization of Graphene‐Based Cathodes
Authors: Valentini Cataldo , Montes‐García Verónica , Ciesielski Artur , Samorì Paolo 
Published: March 2024

AbstractZinc hybrid supercapacitors (Zn‐HSCs) hold immense potential toward the next‐generation energy storage systems, effectively spanning the divide between conventional lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) and supercapacitors. Unfortunately, the energy density of most of Zn‐HSCs has not yet rivalled the levels observed in LIBs. The electrochemical performance of aqueous Zn‐HSCs can be enhanced through the chemical functionalization of graphene‐based cathode materials with thiol moieties as they will be highly suitable for favoring Zn2+ adsorption/desorption. Here, a single‐step reaction is employed to synthesize thiol‐functionalized reduced graphene oxide (rGOSH), incorporating both oxygen functional groups (OFGs) and thiol functionalities, as demonstrated by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies. Electrochemical analysis reveals that rGOSH cathodes exhibit a specific capacitance (540 F g−1) and specific capacity (139 mAh g−1) at 0.1 A g−1 as well as long‐term stability, with over 92% capacitance retention after 10 000 cycles, outperforming chemically reduced graphene oxide (CrGO). Notably, rGOSH electrodes displayed an exceptional maximum energy density of 187.6 Wh kg−1 and power density of 48.6 kW kg−1. Overall, this study offers an unprecedented powerful strategy for the design and optimization of cathode materials, paving the way for efficient and sustainable energy storage solutions to meet the increasing demands of modern energy applications.
MXene confined microcapsules for uremic toxins elimination
Authors: Ye Xiaomin , Yang Chaoyu , Wang Li , Fan Qihui , Shang Luoran , Ye Fangfu 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAdsorbents with high adsorption efficiency and excellent biosafety for biomedical applications are highly required. MXene is a promising candidate owning these advantages, yet pristine MXene faces dilemmas including insufficient utility of surface site as well as limited processibility. Here, we develop MXene‐encapsulated porous microcapsules via microfluidics. The microcapsules have a biomass hydrogel shell that provides robust support for MXene in the core, by which the microcapsules are endowed with high MXene dosage and remarkable biosafety. Additionally, the MXene nanoflakes assemble into a three‐dimensional network via metal ion‐induced gelation, thereby avoiding restacking and significantly improving surface utilization. Moreover, a freeze‐pretreatment of the microcapsules during preparation results in the formation of a macroporous structure in the shell, which can facilitate the diffusion of the target molecules. These features, combined with additional magneto‐responsiveness rendered by the incorporation of magnetic nanoparticles, contribute to prominent performances of the microcapsules in cleaning uremia toxins including creatinine, urea, and uric acid. Thus, it is anticipated that the MXene‐encapsulated microcapsules will be promising adsorbents in dialysis‐related applications, and the combination of microfluidic encapsulation with metal ion gelation will provide a novel approach for construction of hybrid MXene materials with desired functions.
Smart multi‐functional aggregates reoxygenate tumor microenvironment through a two‐pronged strategy to revitalize cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Zhang Yan , Liang Luoqi , Li Hexiang , Cao Yuqing , Meng Du , Li Xinru , Wang Meichen , Wang Jingyuan , Yao Yao , Zhang Shaoqiang , Chen Chao , Hou Peng , Yang Qi 
Published: March 2024

AbstractPD‐1/PD‐L1 inhibitors have emerged as standard treatments for advanced solid tumors; however, challenges such as a low overall response rate and systemic side effects impede their implementation. Hypoxia drives the remodeling of the tumor microenvironment, which is a leading reason for the failure of immunotherapies. Despite some reported strategies to alleviate hypoxia, their individual limitations constrain further improvements. Herein, a novel two‐pronged strategy is presented to efficiently address hypoxia by simultaneously adopting atovaquone (ATO, inhibiting oxygen consumption) and oxyhemoglobin (HbO2, directly supplementing oxygen) within a multifunctional aggregate termed NPs‐aPD‐1/HbO2/ATO. In addition to eliminating hypoxia with these two components, this smart aggregate also includes albumin and an ROS‐responsive cross‐linker as a controlled release scaffold, along with PD‐1 antibody (aPD‐1) for immunotherapy. Intriguingly, NPs‐aPD‐1/HbO2/ATO demonstrates exceptional tumor targeting in vivo, exhibiting ≈4.2 fold higher accumulation in tumors than in the liver. Consequently, this aggregate not only effectively mitigates hypoxia and significantly assists aPD‐1 immunotherapy but also simultaneously resolves the targeting and systemic toxicity issues associated with individual administration of each component. This study proposes substantial implications for drug‐targeted delivery, addressing tumor hypoxia and advancing immunotherapy, providing valuable insights for advancing cancer treatment strategies.
Synergistic Palladium/Copper‐Catalyzed 1,4‐Difunctionalization of 1,3‐Dienes for Stereodivergent Construction of 1,5‐Nonadjacent Stereocenters
Authors: Wang Hongfa , Zhang Ruiyuan , Zi Weiwei 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe construction of two distal stereocenters through a single catalytic process is of great interest in organic synthesis. While there are some successful reports regarding stereodivergent preparation of 1,3‐ or 1,4‐stereocenters, the more challenged 1,5‐nonadjacent stereocenters have never been achieved in a stereodivergent fashion. Herein we describe a synergistic palladium/copper catalysis for 1,4‐difunctionalization reactions of 1,3‐dienes, providing access to 1,5‐nonadjacent quaternary stereocenters. Because each of the two catalysts separately controlled one of the newly formed stereocenters, stereodivergent synthesis of all four diastereomers of the products could readily be achieved simply by choosing an appropriate combination of chiral catalysts. Experimental and computational studies supported a mechanism involving a Heck/Tsuji–Trost cascade reaction, and the origins of the stereoselectivity were elucidated.
Recycling of waste wind turbine blades for high‐performance polypropylene composites
Authors: Pu Zhilong , Yang Shuangqiao , Wang Qi 
Published: March 2024

AbstractGlass fiber‐reinforced epoxy resin composite materials are widely used in various fields because of their excellent properties, especially in the stringent performance requirements of wind turbine blades manufacture for wind power generation. However, the irreversible cross‐linking network of the epoxy resin makes it difficult to recycle. In recent years, the management of large amounts of decommissioned wind turbine blade waste has become spotlight. This study used self‐developed solid‐state shear milling technology to effectively remove the epoxy resin from the glass fiber surface while preserving its high aspect ratio, ensuring its mechanical reinforcement potential. Furthermore, this process also significantly reduced epoxy resin particle size. Subsequently, composites with filler contents up to 50 wt.% were formulated with polypropylene. In the optimized composition, the material exhibited a remarkable 37.1% increase in tensile strength, 147.3% increase in modulus, and 63.8% increase in flexural strength, 165.5% in modulus, respectively. In this research, we conducted a comprehensive exploration into the effects of modifier structure and powder content on different properties of composites, contributing to a deeper understanding of these key factors.
Synthesis of a waterborne epoxy curing agent based on polyether triols and its application in 2K waterborne epoxy coatings
Authors: Lu Zhenhua , Pan Chuncheng , Hou Yong , Zhang Zhaobin , Fu Jiakuan , Li Peng 
Published: March 2024

AbstractPolyether polyols can improve the performance of waterborne epoxy curing agent. In this paper, intermediates were synthesized from polyether triols with epoxy resin E‐51 and introduced into the epoxy curing agent by reacting with TETA. This paper focuses on the process of synthesizing the intermediates. The 2K waterborne epoxy coating film prepared with polyether triols‐modified waterborne epoxy curing agent exhibits desirable corrosion protection capacity and neutral salt spray resistance up to 600 h. In addition, the 2K waterborne epoxy coating film prepared using the modified waterborne epoxy curing agent with polyether triols displayed improved surface appearance, mechanical properties, and water resistance.
An applicability study on various methods for determining the monomer conversion rate of polyamide 6
Authors: Gao Zhihao , Zhao Renhai , Cai Shunzhong , Ning Xin 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAnionic ring opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactam (CL) results in the formation of high molecular weight polyamide 6 (PA6) within a few minutes. The monomer conversion rate is an important characterization parameter for polymerization process as well as the end products. This paper used PA6 films with different polymerization degrees as research object for the first time, and systematically compared the performance of four methods for measuring CL conversion rate. The analytical methods were solvent extraction (methanol, ethanol, or water), vacuum removal, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and absorbance ratio respectively. For all PA6 products, solvent extraction based on methanol/water and vacuum removal were effective methods for determine their conversion rates. And TGA was only applicable for samples with high degree of polymerization. The CL conversion rate obtained by solvent extraction based on ethanol and absorbance ratio was slightly higher than the real value, especially the latter. Moreover, a new method was discovered and validated during the research process, namely atmospheric devolatilization. The methodology and results in this study can be employed for guiding the production and application of polymers, especially the reactive processing of PA6.
Design of a cofactor self‐sufficient whole‐cell biocatalyst for enzymatic asymmetric reduction via engineered metabolic pathways and multi‐enzyme cascade
Authors: Zou Shuping , Zhang Bing , Han Yuyue , Liu Jinlong , Zhao Kuo , Xue Yaping , Zheng Yuguo 
Published: March 2024

AbstractNAD(P)H‐dependent oxidoreductases are crucial biocatalysts for synthesizing chiral compounds. Yet, the industrial implementation of enzymatic redox reactions is often hampered by an insufficient supply of expensive nicotinamide cofactors. Here, a cofactor self‐sufficient whole‐cell biocatalyst was developed for the enzymatic asymmetric reduction of 2‐oxo‐4‐[(hydroxy)(‐methyl)phosphinyl] butyric acid (PPO) to L‐phosphinothricin (L‐PPT). The endogenous NADP+ pool was significantly enhanced by regulating Preiss‐Handler pathway toward NAD(H) synthesis and, in the meantime, introducing NAD kinase to phosphorylate NAD(H) toward NADP+. The intracellular NADP(H) concentration displayed a 2.97‐fold increase with the strategy compared with the wild‐type strain. Furthermore, a recombinant multi‐enzyme cascade biocatalytic system was constructed based on the Escherichia coli chassis. In order to balance multi‐enzyme co‐expression levels, the strategy of modulating rate‐limiting enzyme PmGluDH by RBS strengths regulation successfully increased the catalytic efficiency of PPO conversion. Finally, the cofactor self‐sufficient whole‐cell biocatalyst effectively converted 300 mM PPO to L‐PPT in 2 h without the need to add exogenous cofactors, resulting in a 2.3‐fold increase in PPO conversion (%) from 43% to 100%, with a high space‐time yield of 706.2 g L−1 d−1 and 99.9% ee. Overall, this work demonstrates a technological example for constructing a cofactor self‐sufficient system for NADPH‐dependent redox biocatalysis.