bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Towards Selective Delivery of a Ruthenium(II) Polypyridyl Complex‐Containing Bombesin Conjugate into Cancer Cells
Authors: Silva Maria J. S. A. , Vinck Robin , Wang Youchao , Saubaméa Bruno , Tharaud Mickaël , Dominguez‐Jurado Elena , Karges Johannes , Gois Pedro M. P. , Gasser Gilles 
Published: December 2022

AbstractAn increasing number of novel Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes have been successfully applied as photosensitizers (PSs) for photodynamic therapy (PDT). Despite recent advances in optimized PSs with refined photophysical properties, the lack of tumoral selectivity is often a major hurdle for their clinical development. Here, classical maleimide and versatile NHS‐activated acrylamide strategies were employed to site‐selectively conjugate a promising Ru(II) polypyridyl complex to the N‐terminally Cys‐modified Bombesin (BBN) targeting unit. Surprisingly, the decreased cell uptake of these novel Ru‐BBN conjugates in cancer cells did not hamper the high phototoxic activity of the Ru‐containing bioconjugates and even decreased the toxicity of the constructs in the absence of light irradiation. Overall, although deceiving in terms of selectivity, our new bioconjugates could still be useful for advanced cancer treatment due to their nontoxicity in the dark.
Prime editing: A potential treatment option for β‐thalassemia
Authors: Arif Taqdees , Farooq Aroosa , Ahmad Fridoon Jawad , Akhtar Muhammad , Choudhery Mahmood S. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe potential to therapeutically alter the genome is one of the remarkable scientific developments in recent years. Genome editing technologies have provided an opportunity to precisely alter genomic sequence(s) in eukaryotic cells as a treatment option for various genetic disorders. These technologies allow the correction of harmful mutations in patients by precise nucleotide editing. Genome editing technologies such as CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat) and base editors have greatly contributed to the practical applications of gene editing. However, these technologies have certain limitations, including imperfect editing, undesirable mutations, off‐target effects, and lack of potential to simultaneously edit multiple loci. Recently, prime editing (PE) has emerged as a new gene editing technology with the potential to overcome the above‐mentioned limitations. Interestingly, PE not only has higher specificity but also does not require double‐strand breaks. In addition, a minimum possibility of potential off‐target mutant sites makes PE a preferred choice for therapeutic gene editing. Furthermore, PE has the potential to introduce insertion and deletions of all 12 single‐base mutations at target sequences. Considering its potential, PE has been applied as a treatment option for genetic diseases including hemoglobinopathies. β‐Thalassemia, for example, one of the most significant blood disorders characterized by reduced levels of functional hemoglobin, could potentially be treated using PE. Therapeutic reactivation of the γ‐globin gene in adult β‐thalassemia patients through PE technology is considered a promising therapeutic strategy. The current review aims to briefly discuss the genome editing strategies and potential applications of PE for the treatment of β‐thalassemia. In addition, the review will also focus on challenges associated with the use of PE.
Suzuki Coupling in Tröger's Bases: Overcoming Challenging Substrates through Aqueous Micellar Catalysis
Authors: Boeira Eduam O. , Plá Caroline B. , Rodembusch Fabiano S. , Moro Angélica V. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractHerein we report the arylation of Tröger's base via the Suzuki cross‐coupling reaction through aqueous micellar catalysis. The developed reaction conditions enabled us to prepare a variety of different derivatives with Tröger's base skeleton, using a low catalytic loading of the readily available Pd(OAc)2 catalyst and under environmentally friendly aqueous conditions.
Chiroptical Activity of An Achiral Emissive Eu Metal–Organic Framework
Authors: Li Yuan , Ma Xiaojie , Xu Xiaojun , Ye Yuqing , Wang Bo 
Published: December 2022

AbstractChiroptical activity of achiral crystals is theoretically allowed but very unusual. There is a particularly scarcity of empirical studies on optically active achiral metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). Herein we report an achiral emissive Eu MOF and its chiroptical properties both in the ground and excited states. The framework crystallizes in an achiral space group (Pna21) belonging to the polar point group (mm2), where the asymmetric arrangement of racemic trinuclear Eu‐oxo clusters is responsible for the optical activity. A pair of circular dichroisms (CD) and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) peaks with opposite signs were observed for single crystals. Importantly, the luminescence dissymmetry factor can reach up to 1.1×10−3, which is comparable in magnitude to the value of most of the chiral‐linker‐bridged MOFs. This work gives the first example of achiral MOFs with CPL response and should be instructive for the discovery of more CPL emitters from racemic MOF family.
Functionalized lactic acid macromonomers via polycondensation as an alternative to ring opening polymerization
Authors: Zanoni Arianna , Tollini Flavio , Casiraghi Cora , Storti Giuseppe , Sponchioni Mattia , Moscatelli Davide 
Published: December 2022

AbstractEngineered polylactic acid (PLA) nanoparticles synthesized from oligo(lactic acid) macromonomers have been studied over the last decades for controlled drug delivery. These macromonomers are typically produced via ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of the cyclic dimer lactide, initiated by 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). This reaction route, despite leading to well‐defined macromonomers, relies on the production of lactide from lactic acid, which burdens the ROP overall cost for more than 30%. In this work, we report the synthesis of PLA‐based macromonomers by direct polycondensation of lactic acid in the presence of HEMA as a valuable alternative to ROP. In particular, we compare the two processes side by side, focusing on the production of three HEMA‐LAn macromonomers, with n = 2, 4, and 6. Detailed kinetic models are developed for both reaction systems, and the corresponding parameters are estimated by fitting the experimental data. Through these models, the reaction kinetics as well as the time evolution of the entire chain length distributions of the products from polycondensation and ROP could be reliably predicted. This way, we demonstrated that polycondensation is a valuable alternative to ROP only for macromonomers with an average chain length of up to 4 and that ROP remains the main route to longer chains, when a strict control over the chain length distribution is required.
Limit Set of Branching Random Walks on Hyperbolic Groups
Authors: Sidoravicius Vladas , Wang Longmin , Xiang Kainan 
Published: December 2022

AbstractLet Γ be a nonelementary hyperbolic group with a word metric d and ∂Γ its hyperbolic boundary equipped with a visual metric
for some parameter
. Fix a superexponential symmetric probability μ on Γ whose support generates Γ as a semigroup, and denote by ρ the spectral radius of the random walk Y on Γ with step distribution μ. Let ν be a probability on
with mean
. Let
be the branching random walk on Γ with offspring distribution ν and base motion Y , and let
be the volume growth rate for the trace of
. We prove for
that the Hausdorff dimension of the limit set Λ , which is the random subset of
consisting of all accumulation points of the trace of
, is given by
. Furthermore, we prove that
is almost surely a deterministic, strictly increasing, and continuous function of
, is bounded by the square root of the volume growth rate of Γ , and has critical exponent 1/2 at

in the sense that
for some positive constant C. We conjecture that the Hausdorff dimension of Λ in the critical case
is
almost surely. This has been confirmed on free groups or the free product (by amalgamation) of finitely many finite groups equipped with the word metric d defined by the standard generating set. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Efficacy of Elemental Sulfur Fertilizers
Authors: Bremer Eric 
Published: December 2022

AbstractElemental sulfur (S) is produced in large quantities in both the U.S. and Canada as a by‐product of fossil fuel production. However, this form of S must be oxidized to sulfate (SO42–) by soil microorganisms before crops can utilize it and therefore may not meet crop S requirements in the year of application. Rapid oxidation can be obtained if elemental sulfur particles are less than 20 μm in size and effectively dispersed in soil under favorable moisture and temperature conditions. Earn 0.5 CEUs in Nutrient Management by reading the article and taking the quiz at https://web.sciencesocieties.org/Learning‐Center/Courses.
Reduction of Pertechnetate by Chemical and Photochemical Approaches and Incorporation of Tc(IV) into Titanium Dioxide
Authors: Radivojevic Jovanovic Ivana , Gallagher Colleen M. B. , Salcedo Ramsey , Elshendidi Hossam , Samson Jacopo , Drain Charles M. , McGregor Donna , Lukens Wayne W. , Burton‐Pye Benjamin P. , Francesconi Lynn C. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractTechnetium‐99 is a prevalent fission product from nuclear waste. The long half‐life (211,000 yr) and environmental mobility of pertechnetate (TcO4−) render Tc particularly challenging to isolate and stabilize. Here we present two approaches for development of potential wasteforms using titanium dioxide, TiO2. Approach 1 is a low temperature chemical synthesis of TiO2 doped with Tc(IV) from TcO4− intended to mimic the Tc waste stream from the UREX family of separations and removes 98.5 % of the Tc, mainly present as edge‐shared Tc(IV) pairs. Approach 2 utilizes TiO2 to photocatalytically reduce TcO4− to Tc(IV) stabilized on the surface of or within the TiO2 lattice. The %Tc removed from solution and adsorbed to TiO2 is pH dependent, with the maximum Tc(IV) adsorbed at pH 3–4 as either TcO2 or edge‐sharing Tc(IV) octahedra. The Tc(IV)‐TiO2 composites materials formed by both approaches are suitable for consolidation into a dense wasteform by Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIPing).
Prevalence and risk factors for pain‐specific school absenteeism in adolescents with recurrent pain: A prospective population‐based design
Authors: Owiredua Christiana , Flink Ida , Boersma Katja 
Published: December 2022

AbstractBackgroundAdolescents with recurrent pain miss out from school more often than pain‐free peers. Research has so far used cross‐sectional designs, focusing on non‐specific absenteeism in clinical samples. Hence, it is unknown whether estimates of absenteeism are specifically linked to the pain itself or reflects the characteristics of clinical samples.ObjectivesThis study aimed to prospectively explore pain‐related school absenteeism in a non‐clinical sample, its variance and potential risk factors.MethodsThis prospective study followed a cohort of 1300 Sweden‐based adolescents (mean age = 16.9; 17.2% immigrants; 62.7% girls) with recurrent pain (headache, abdominal and/or musculoskeletal pain) through self‐reports at two assessment points 12 months apart.ResultsOverall, 64.2% reported any absenteeism at follow‐up and about half of these (26.2%) reported frequent absenteeism. Adolescents who indicated missing school were more often girls, slightly older and had a higher overall pain burden and stressor levels. Yet, after adjusting for previous absenteeism, independent predictors were age, pain intensity, medication use and stress associated with school attendance. Further to this, immigrant status predicted frequent absenteeism.ConclusionsMany adolescents with pain frequently miss out from school due to pain. Identified risk factors points at pain characteristics and coping, stressors associated with participation and advancing age. Taken together, the burden of pain and its correlates emerge earlier and escalate with increasing age hence, early interventions targeting broader domains are needed.SignificanceThis study adds substantially to the field by estimating the prevalence of pain‐specific school absenteeism in a large sample of adolescents with recurrent pain in the general population using a prospective design. Furthermore, it identifies risk factors of pain‐specific absenteeism from a broader context of the adolescent's life with independent predictors being the previous history of absenteeism, age, immigrant status, pain intensity, medication use and stress related to school attendance.
Use of benzodiazepine and Z‐drugs and mortality in older adults after myocardial infarction
Authors: Liu Shengxin , Soedamah‐Muthu Sabita S. , van Meerten Seia C. , Kromhout Daan , Geleijnse Johanna M. , Giltay Erik J. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe adverse cardiovascular effects of benzodiazepines and Z‐drugs (jointly referred as BZDRs) have been of concern. Yet, little is known about the use of BZDRs in relation to mortality risk among older adults with myocardial infarction history (post‐MI).MethodsThis study is a secondary analysis of the Alpha Omega Cohort study, comprising post‐MI patients aged 40–60 years. Self‐reported information on the use of BZDRs, including types and dose, was collected at baseline. Four categories of mortality were examined, namely all‐cause mortality, cardiovascular (CVD) mortality, cancer mortality, and non‐CVD/non‐cancer mortality. Associations between BZDRs use, by types and doses, and mortality were estimated with Cox regression models, adjusted for demographic and classic cardiovascular risk factors.ResultsA total of 433 (8.9%) out of 4837 (21.8% females) patients reported BZDRs use at baseline. During a median follow‐up of 12.4 years, 2287 deaths were documented, of which 825 (36.1%) were due to CVD. BZDRs use was related to a statistically significantly higher risk of all‐cause and CVD mortality; adjusted hazard ratios [95% CI] were (1.31 [1.41, 1.52]) and (1.43 [1.14, 1.81]), respectively. These relationships were dose‐dependent—patients using BZDRs on an as‐needed basis had similar risks compared to the non‐uses, whereas patients with a daily use schedule and increasing doses had higher risks (p‐value for trend: <0.001).ConclusionBZDRs use was independently associated with a higher risk of all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality in older post‐MI patients, and there was evidence for a dose‐dependent relationship.Clinical trial registrationNCT00127452 (www.ClinicalTrials.gov).
Coordinated anatomical and functional variability in the human brain during adolescence
Authors: Bero John , Li Yang , Kumar Aviral , Humphries Colin , Nag Snehesh , Lee Heungyeol , Ahn Woo Young , Hahn Sowon , Constable Robert Todd , Kim Hackjin , Lee Daeyeol 
Published: December 2022

AbstractAdolescence represents a time of unparalleled brain development. In particular, developmental changes in morphometric and cytoarchitectural features are accompanied by maturation in the functional connectivity (FC). Here, we examined how three facets of the brain, including myelination, cortical thickness (CT), and resting‐state FC, interact in children between the ages of 10 and 15. We investigated the pattern of coordination in these measures by computing correlation matrices for each measure as well as meta‐correlations among them both at the regional and network levels. The results revealed consistently higher meta‐correlations among myelin, CT, and FC in the sensory‐motor cortical areas than in the association cortical areas. We also found that these meta‐correlations were stable and little affected by age‐related changes in each measure. In addition, regional variations in the meta‐correlations were consistent with the previously identified gradient in the FC and therefore reflected the hierarchy of cortical information processing, and this relationship persists in the adult brain. These results demonstrate that heterogeneity in FC among multiple cortical areas are closely coordinated with the development of cortical myelination and thickness during adolescence.
Validity and reliability of short‐term heart‐rate variability from disposable electrocardiography leads
Authors: Okwose Nduka C. , Russell Sophie L. , Rahman Mushidur , Steward Charles J. , Harwood Amy E. , McGregor Gordon , Ninkovic Srdjan , Maddock Helen , Banerjee Prithwish , Jakovljevic Djordje G. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractBackground and AimsSingle‐use electrocardiography (ECG) leads have been developed to reduce healthcare‐associated infection. This study compared the validity and reliability of short‐term heart rate variability (HRV) obtained from single‐use disposable ECG leads.MethodsThirty healthy subjects (33 ± 10 years; 9 females) underwent 5‐min resting HRV assessments using disposable (single use) ECG cable and wire system (Kendall DL™ Cardinal Health) and a standard, reusable ECG leads (CardioExpress, Spacelabs Healthcare).ResultsIntraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) with 95% confidence interval (CI) between disposable and reusable ECG leads was for the time domain [R‐R interval (ms); 0.99 (0.91, 1.00)], the root mean square of successive normal R‐R interval differences (RMSSD) (ms); 0.91 (0.76, 0.96), the SD of normal‐to‐normal R‐R intervals (SDNN) (ms); 0.91 (0.68, 0.97) and frequency domain [low‐frequency (LF) normalized units (nu); 0.90 (0.79, 0.95), high frequency (HF) nu; 0.91 (0.80, 0.96), LF power (ms2); 0.89 (0.62, 0.96), HF power (ms2); 0.90 (0.72, 0.96)] variables. The mean difference and upper and lower limits of agreement between disposable and reusable leads for time‐ and frequency‐domain variables were acceptable. Analysis of repeated measures using disposable leads demonstrated excellent reproducibility (ICC 95% CI) for R‐R interval (ms); 0.93 (0.85, 0.97), RMSSD (ms); 0.93 (0.85, 0.97), SDNN (ms); 0.88 (0.75, 0.95), LF power (ms2); 0.87 (0.72, 0.94), and HF power (ms2); 0.88 (0.73, 0.94) with coefficient of variation ranging from 2.2% to 5% (p > 0.37 for all variables).ConclusionSingle‐use Kendall DL™ ECG leads demonstrate a valid and reproducible tool for the assessment of HRV.
Sterilization effects on poly(glycerol dodecanedioate): A biodegradable shape memory elastomer for biomedical applications
Authors: Ramaraju Harsha , McAtee Annabel M. , Akman Ryan E. , Verga Adam S. , Bocks Martin L. , Hollister Scott J. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractBiodegradable shape memory polymers provide unique regenerative medicine approaches in minimally invasive surgeries. Once heated, thermally responsive shape memory polymer devices can be compressed, programmed to fit within a small profile, delivered in the cold programmed state, and expanded when heated to body temperature. We have previously developed a biodegradable shape memory elastomer (SME), poly(glycerol dodecanedioate) (PGD), with transition temperatures near 37°C exhibiting nonlinear elastic properties like numerous soft tissues. Using SMEs in the clinic requires disinfection and sterilization methods that conserve physiochemical, thermomechanical, and shape recovery properties. We evaluated disinfection protocols using 70% ethanol and UV254 nm for research applications and ethylene oxide (EtO) gas sterilization for clinical applications. Samples disinfected with ethanol for 0.5 and 1 min showed no changes in physiochemical material properties, but after 15 min showed slower recovery rates than controls (p < .05). EtO sterilization at 54.4°C decreased transition temperatures and shape recovery rate compared to EtO sterilization at 37.8°C (p < .01) and controls (p < .05). Aging samples for 9 months in a vacuum desiccator significantly reduced shape recovery, and the recovery rate in EtO sterilized samples compared to controls (p < .001). Cytotoxicity testing (ISO‐10993.5C:2012) revealed media extractions from EtO sterilized samples, sterilized at 37.8°C, and high‐density polyethylene negative control samples exhibit lower cytotoxicity (IC50) than Ethanol 1 min, UV 2 h, and EtO 54.4°C. Cell viability of NIH3T3 fibroblasts on sterilized surfaces was equivalent on EtO 37.7°C, EtO 54.4°C and Ethanol sterilized substrates. Finally, chromogenic bacterial endotoxin testing showed endotoxin levels were below the FDA prescribed levels for devices contacting blood and lymphatic tissues for ethanol 1 min, UV 120 min, EtO 37.7°C, EtO 54.4°C. These findings outline various disinfection and sterilization processes for research and pre‐clinical application and provide a pathway for developing custom sterilization cycles for the translation of biomedical devices utilizing PGD shape memory polymers.
Structure and stability of polydiacetylene membrane systems: Molecular dynamics simulation studies
Authors: Nam Youhyun , Lee Songyi , Chang Rakwoo 
Published: December 2022

AbstractWe have performed full atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate structure and stability of bilayer membrane systems consisting of monomeric or polymeric 10,12‐pentacosadiynoic acid (PCDA) units connected with lysine groups by amide bonds. The PCDA monomer molecules show a twisted three‐rod‐domain structure with two kinks but upon polymerization, they possess more elongated conformation. The resulting polydiacetylene (PDA) membrane systems have stable membrane structures at room temperature, which is similar to biological lipid bilayer membranes and maintain their gel‐like membrane integrity even up to as high as 370 K. Structural properties such as area per monomer, membrane thickness, density profile, 2D pair distribution function, and orientational correlation function are also calculated to understand the membrane structure and check its stability upon thermal fluctuation with atomistic resolution. This study is expected to provide the understanding about PDA membrane systems in atomistic details as well as significant insights into designing new novel PDA sensors.
Psychiatric genetic counseling: A survey of Australian genetic counselors' practice and attitudes
Authors: Isbister Joanne , Sexton Adrienne , Forrest Laura E. , James Paul , Dowty James , Taylor Jessica , Austin Jehannine , Winship Ingrid 
Published: December 2022

AbstractGenetic counseling plays a critical role in supporting individuals and their families' adaption to psychiatric conditions, addressing the multifactorial nature of these conditions in a personally meaningful and empowering way. Yet data related to the practice and attitudes of Australian genetic counselors about psychiatric genetic counseling (PGC) is limited. This survey investigated the practice of Australian genetic counselors, and their attitudes toward PGC. Genetic counselors (N = 393) were invited to participate in an anonymous online survey between March and May 2022. Forty‐four genetic counselors (response rate = 11%) from Australia and New Zealand responded. No respondents practice in psychiatric genetics as their speciality area; most respondents do not see any patients where the primary indication is a personal and/or family history of psychiatric disorders (91%). Greater than half of respondents (56%) believed there was sufficient evidence to support PGC, and 64% enquire about personal and/or family history of psychiatric disorders, but only 25% provide genetic counseling on this topic. Most respondents do not feel confident providing risk assessments for psychiatric disorders (72%), while the majority expressed interest in attending specialist training (95%), and in incorporating PGC into future practice (77%). Australian genetic counselors would benefit from psychiatric genetic education and training, and establishment of specialized PGC services would address this gap in patient care, while providing opportunities for genetic counselors to gain skills and experience in PGC.