bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reinforced Hyaluronic Acid‐Based Matrices Promote 3D Neuronal Network Formation
Authors: Janzen Dieter , Bakirci Ezgi , Faber Jessica , Andrade Mier Mateo , Hauptstein Julia , Pal Arindam , Forster Leonard , Hazur Jonas , Boccaccini Aldo R. , Detsch Rainer , Teßmar Jörg , Budday Silvia , Blunk Torsten , Dalton Paul D. , Villmann Carmen 
Published: August 2022

Abstract3D neuronal cultures attempt to better replicate the in vivo environment to study neurological/neurodegenerative diseases compared to 2D models. A challenge to establish 3D neuron culture models is the low elastic modulus (30–500 Pa) of the native brain. Here, an ultra‐soft matrix based on thiolated hyaluronic acid (HA‐SH) reinforced with a microfiber frame is formulated and used. Hyaluronic acid represents an essential component of the brain extracellular matrix (ECM). Box‐shaped frames with a microfiber spacing of 200 µm composed of 10‐layers of poly(ɛ‐caprolactone) (PCL) microfibers (9.7 ± 0.2 µm) made via melt electrowriting (MEW) are used to reinforce the HA‐SH matrix which has an elastic modulus of 95 Pa. The neuronal viability is low in pure HA‐SH matrix, however, when astrocytes are pre‐seeded below this reinforced construct, they significantly support neuronal survival, network formation quantified by neurite length, and neuronal firing shown by Ca2+ imaging. The astrocyte‐seeded HA‐SH matrix is able to match the neuronal viability to the level of Matrigel, a gold standard matrix for neuronal culture for over two decades. Thus, this 3D MEW frame reinforced HA‐SH composite with neurons and astrocytes constitutes a reliable and reproducible system to further study brain diseases.
Helical Polariton Lasing from Topological Valleys in an Organic Crystalline Microcavity
Authors: Long Teng , Ma Xuekai , Ren Jiahuan , Li Feng , Liao Qing , Schumacher Stefan , Malpuech Guillaume , Solnyshkov Dmitry , Fu Hongbing 
Published: August 2022

AbstractTopological photonics provides an important platform for the development of photonic devices with robust disorder‐immune light transport and controllable helicity. Mixing photons with excitons (or polaritons) gives rise to nontrivial polaritonic bands with chiral modes, allowing the manipulation of helical lasers in strongly coupled light‐matter systems. In this work, helical polariton lasing from topological valleys of an organic anisotropic microcrystalline cavity based on tailored local nontrivial band geometry is demonstrated. This polariton laser emits light of different helicity along different angular directions. The significantly enhanced chiral characteristics are achieved by the nonlinear relaxation process. Helical topological polariton lasers may provide a perfect platform for the exploration of novel topological phenomena that involve light‐matter interaction and the development of polariton‐based spintronic devices.
CRISPR/Cas9 screen in human iPSC‐derived cortical neurons identifies NEK6 as a novel disease modifier of C9orf72 poly(PR) toxicity
Authors: Guo Wenting , Wang Haibo , Kumar Tharkeshwar Arun , Couthouis Julien , Braems Elke , Masrori Pegah , Van Schoor Evelien , Fan Yannan , Ahuja Karan , Moisse Matthieu , Jacquemyn Maarten , Furtado Madeiro da Costa Rodrigo , Gajjar Madhavsai , Balusu Sriram , Tricot Tine , Fumagalli Laura , Hersmus Nicole , Janky Rekin's , Impens Francis , Vanden Berghe Pieter , Ho Ritchie , Thal Dietmar Rudolf , Vandenberghe Rik , Hegde Muralidhar L. , Chandran Siddharthan , De Strooper Bart , Daelemans Dirk , Van Damme Philip , Van Den Bosch Ludo , Verfaillie Catherine 
Published: August 2022

AbstractIntroductionThe most common genetic cause of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are hexanucleotide repeats in chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72). These repeats produce dipeptide repeat proteins with poly(PR) being the most toxic one.MethodsWe performed a kinome‐wide CRISPR/Cas9 knock‐out screen in human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) ‐derived cortical neurons to identify modifiers of poly(PR) toxicity, and validated the role of candidate modifiers using in vitro, in vivo, and ex‐vivo studies.ResultsKnock‐down of NIMA‐related kinase 6 (NEK6) prevented neuronal toxicity caused by poly(PR). Knock‐down of nek6 also ameliorated the poly(PR)‐induced axonopathy in zebrafish and NEK6 was aberrantly expressed in C9orf72 patients. Suppression of NEK6 expression and NEK6 activity inhibition rescued axonal transport defects in cortical neurons from C9orf72 patient iPSCs, at least partially by reversing p53‐related DNA damage.DiscussionWe identified NEK6, which regulates poly(PR)‐mediated p53‐related DNA damage, as a novel therapeutic target for C9orf72 FTD/ALS.
Enzyme‐Activatable Chemokine Conjugates for In Vivo Targeting of Tumor‐Associated Macrophages
Authors: Barth Nicole D. , Van Dalen Floris J. , Karmakar Utsa , Bertolini Marco , Mendive‐Tapia Lorena , Kitamura Takanori , Verdoes Martijn , Vendrell Marc 
Published: August 2022

AbstractIncreased levels of tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs) are indicators of poor prognosis in most cancers. Although antibodies and small molecules blocking the recruitment of macrophages to tumors are under evaluation as anticancer therapies, these strategies are not specific for macrophage subpopulations. Herein we report the first enzyme‐activatable chemokine conjugates for effective targeting of defined macrophage subsets in live tumors. Our constructs exploit the high expression of chemokine receptors (e.g., CCR2) and the activity of cysteine cathepsins in TAMs to target these cells selectively over other macrophages and immune cells (e.g., neutrophils, T cells, B cells). Furthermore, we demonstrate that cathepsin‐activatable chemokines are compatible with both fluorescent and therapeutic cargos, opening new avenues in the design of targeted theranostic probes for immune cells in the tumor microenvironment.
Synthetic Reagents for Enzyme‐Catalyzed Methylation
Authors: Wen Xiaojin , Leisinger Florian , Leopold Viviane , Seebeck Florian P. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractLate‐stage methylation is a key technology in the development of pharmaceutical compounds. Methyltransferase biocatalysis may provide powerful options to insert methyl groups into complex molecules with high regio‐ and chemoselectivity. The challenge of a large‐scale application of methyltransferases is their dependence on S‐adenosylmethionine (SAM) as a stoichiometric, and thus exceedingly expensive co‐substrate. As a solution to this problem, we and others have explored the use of methyl halides as reagents for the in situ regeneration of SAM. However, the need to handle volatile electrophiles, such as methyl iodide (MeI), may also hamper applications at scale. As a more practical solution, we have now developed an enzyme‐catalyzed process for the regeneration of SAM with methyl toluene sulfonate. Herein, we describe enzymes from the thiopurine methyltransferase family that accept sulfate‐ and sulfonate‐based methyl donors to convert S‐adenosylhomocysteine into SAM with efficiencies that rival MeI‐based reactions.
Photocatalytic Direct Decarboxylation of Carboxylic Acids to Derivatize or Degrade Polymers
Authors: Adili Alafate , Korpusik Angie B. , Seidel Daniel , Sumerlin Brent S. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractVisible light‐mediated direct decarboxylation of carboxylic acids with an acridine photocatalyst is a convenient and powerful method to generate carbon‐centered radicals in polymer chains. Advantageously, this process proceeds under mild conditions, without preactivation of the acid groups. We utilize decarboxylation in the presence of a hydrogen atom donor to form statistical acrylate‐ethylene and acrylate‐propylene copolymers, which are challenging to obtain by direct polymerization. We additionally show that decarboxylation of methacrylic acid units within polymethacrylates can trigger degradation of the polymer backbones. Moreover, a dual catalytic approach, which combines the function of an acridine photocatalyst with that of a cobaloxime catalyst, is leveraged to furnish unique copolymers with pendent alkenes. Our work indicates that direct decarboxylation is a versatile technique for the synthesis of functional materials with tailored compositions and properties.
Reconstruction of Highly Dense Cu−N4Active Sites in Electrocatalytic Oxygen Reduction Characterized by Operando Synchrotron Radiation
Authors: Xing Gengyu , Tong Miaomiao , Yu Peng , Wang Lei , Zhang Guangying , Tian Chungui , Fu Honggang 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe emerging star of single atomic site (SAS) catalyst has been regarded as the most promising Pt‐substituted electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in anion‐exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs). However, the metal loading in SAS directly affects the whole device performance. Herein, we report a dual nitrogen source coordinated strategy to realize high dense Cu−N4SAS with a metal loading of 5.61 wt% supported on 3D N‐doped carbon nanotubes/graphene structure wherein simultaneously performs superior ORR activity and stability in alkaline media. When applied in H2/O2AEMFC, it could reach an open‐circuit voltage of 0.90 V and a peak power density of 324 mW cm−2. Operando synchrotron radiation analyses identify the reconstruction from initial Cu−N4to Cu−N4/Cu‐nanoclusters (NC) and the subsequent Cu−N3/Cu−NC under working conditions, which gradually regulate the d‐band center of central metal and balance the Gibbs free energy of *OOH and *O intermediates, benefiting to ORR activity.
Regulating Crystal Packing by Terminal tert‐Butylation for Enhanced Solid‐State Emission and Efficacious Charge Transport in an Anthracene‐Based Molecular Crystal
Authors: Li Jie , Qin Zhengsheng , Sun Yajing , Zhen Yonggang , Liu Jie , Zou Ye , Li Chunlei , Lu Xueying , Jiang Lang , Zhang Xiaotao , Ji Deyang , Li Liqiang , Dong Huanli , Hu Wenping 
Published: August 2022

AbstractOrganic semiconductors with combinative high carrier mobility and efficient solid‐state emission are full of challenges but urgently pursued for developing new emerging optoelectronics. Herein, by delicately regulating the crystal packing of an anthracene‐based molecular crystal via terminal tert‐butylation, we developed a superior high mobility emissive molecule, 2,6‐di(6‐tert‐butylnaphthyl)anthracene (TBU‐DNA). The unique “slipped herringbone” packing motif of TBU‐DNA enables its appropriate exciton‐exciton coupling and electron‐phonon coupling, thus resulting in remarkably high solid‐state emission (photoluminescence quantum yield, ΦF≈74.9 %) and efficacious charge transport (carrier mobility, μ=5.0 cm2 V−1 s−1). Furthermore, OLETs based on TBU‐DNA show an external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 1.8 %, which is among the highest EQE values for single component OLETs reported till now. This work presents a crystal engineering strategy via exquisite molecular design to realize high mobility emissive organic semiconductors.
Probing for peptidic drugs (2–10 kDa) in doping control blood samples
Authors: Thomas Andreas , Thilmany Sam , Hofmann Amelie , Thevis Mario 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBioactive peptides with a molecular mass between 2 and 10 kDa represent an important class of substances banned in elite sports, which has been recognized with an increasing number and variety of substances by anti‐doping organizations. Also, the annually renewed list of prohibited substances of the World Anti‐Doping Agency (WADA) explicitly mentions more and more of these peptides, and efficient testing procedures are required. Even under simplified sample preparation conditions, liquid chromatography coupled to high‐resolution mass spectrometry (with resolution properties > 100,000 full width at half maximum) offers suitable conditions for this task and can therefore be used as an initial testing procedure. In contrast to urine, blood analysis essentially relies on the detection of intact peptide hormones, and the expected concentrations are commonly higher in blood samples than in urine. This facilitates the analysis, and a generic sample preparation by means of mixed‐mode solid‐phase extraction could be realized in this study. Co‐extraction and analysis of several different peptides such as insulins (human, lispro, aspart, glulisine, tresiba, detemir, glargine, bovine insulin and porcine insulin), growth hormone releasing hormones (sermorelin, CJC‐1295 and tesamorelin), insulin‐like growth factors (long‐R3‐IGF‐I, R3‐IGF‐I and Des1‐3‐IGF‐I) and mechano growth factors (human MGF and MGF‐Goldspink) with criteria that fulfil the requirements of the WADA documents (TD2022 MRPL) for doping controls. The proof of principle was shown by the analysis of post administration samples after treatment with synthetic insulin analogues.
Multi‐scale study of the structuration of candle blends with a high content of vegetable fats to replace paraffins: Effect of 12‐hydroxystearic acid content
Authors: Agogué Marie Caroline , Loisel Catherine , Gonçalves Olivier , Legrand Jack , Saint‐Jalmes Sylvaine , Arhaliass Abdellah 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe aim is to replace mineral waxes with vegetable fats as an organogel for candle manufacturing while keeping the same texture. The physico‐chemical characteristics of renewable vegetable raw materials differ from those of mineral waxes and consequently the structure of the blends in which they are used is modified. Their properties are measured at different scales using FT‐IR analysis, polarized light microscopy, calorimetry and rheology. The addition of 12‐hydroxystearic acid (12‐HSA) promotes the creation of hydrogen bonds within the rapeseed oil that makes possible its incorporation to form an organogel. The addition of 12‐HSA also results in a modification of the crystal microstructure of blends made of 90% vegetable raw materials. Hence, the crystal lattice is denser and the crystal size is reduced compared to blends including mineral waxes. At a macroscopic scale, the physical properties of blends with 12‐HSA are modified compared to the reference one, mainly made of mineral waxes. A modification of crystallization and melting temperatures as measured by differential scanning calorimetry as well as the rheological behavior and the hardness assessed by penetrometer are observed. This results in a higher stability against exudation for blends with a high content of 12‐HSA. Mineral waxes can thus be substituted in the formulation of candles by renewable materials for the use of organogel, via the incorporation of an organogelator, 12‐HSA.
Ligamentum arteriosum: Muscular and contractile
Authors: Mensah Benedicta 
Published: August 2022

AbstractDuctus arteriosus is a muscular artery in fetal circulation, spanning from the bifurcation of the pulmonary trunk to the aortic arch, shunting blood directly from pulmonary circulation into systemic circulation thus by‐passing the fluid‐filled lungs. Postnatally, it changes name to the ligamentum arteriosum (LA), when a cascade of anatomical and physiological processes leads to its closure. Though the LA has generally been considered as a fibrosed remnant of the ductus arteriosus, anecdotal and contradictory reports still describe the LA as a small muscular artery. We hypothesized the likelihood of contractile muscular elements retainment in this so‐called ligament. To investigate this, mediastinum of wild‐type mouse, pig, and human LA were subjected to routine and special histological staining, single‐immunolabeling, electron microscopy (mouse and pig only), and tension recording of explanted pig LA in organ bath experiments. Contrary to a canonical ligament, the LA was mainly made up of α‐smooth muscle actin‐positive cells in all three species, confirmed by routine and special histological staining as well as transmission electron microscopy. Myocytes within the LA contracted in response to exogenous noradrenalin (NA). NA‐induced precontracted LA relaxed upon administration of the α1‐adrenergic blockers (prazosin and tamsulosin). Though the LA does not function in its original capacity as fetal shunt, it is clearly not a passive structure, and may be described as muscular and contractile. The contractile abilities of LA myocytes may act on the two great vessels to which it is attached causing a change in their distensibility.
Perspective on Nanofluidic Memristors: From Mechanism to Application
Authors: Xie Boyang , Xiong Tianyi , Li Weiqi , Gao Tienan , Zong Jianwei , Liu Ying , Yu Ping 
Published: August 2022

AbstractNanofluidic memristors are memory resistors based on nanoconfined fluidic systems exhibiting history‐dependent ion conductivity. Toward establishing powerful computing systems beyond the Harvard architecture, these ion‐based neuromorphic devices attracted enormous research attention owing to the unique characteristics of ion‐based conductors. However, the design of nanofluidic memristor is still at a primary state and a systematic guidance on the rational design of nanofluidic system is desperately required for the development of nanofluidic‐based neuromorphic devices. Herein, we proposed a systematic review on the history, main mechanism and potential application of nanofluidic memristors in order to give a prospective view on the design principle of memristors based on nanofluidic systems. Furthermore, based on the present status of these devices, some fundamental challenges for this promising area were further discussed to show the possible application of these ion‐based devices.
Resilient control of cyber‐physical systems using adaptive super‐twisting observer
Authors: Nateghi Shamila , Shtessel Yuri , Edwards Christopher , Barbot Jean‐Pierre 
Published: August 2022

AbstractIn this work, the problem of online secure state estimation and attack reconstruction in the face of offensives that corrupt the sensor measurements and modify the actuator commands of cyber–physical systems is investigated for designing a resilient controller for the system. The states of cyber–physical system and its actuator attacks are estimated/reconstructed online using a novel adaptive line‐by‐line super‐twisting observer, whereas sparse stealth attacks on unprotected sensors are reconstructed using a sparse recovery algorithm. The estimated attacks are used for attack compensation by a resilient controller. The efficacy of the proposed technique is illustrated via simulation on a real electric power system under deception actuator attack and stealth sensor attack.
Side‐chain engineering of regioregular copolymers for high‐performance polymer solar cells processed with nonhalogenated solvents
Authors: Jung Hyeonwoo , Kim Honggi , Kim Jongyoun , Jang Soyeong , Lee Youngu 
Published: August 2022

AbstractConjugated polymers for bulk heterojunction polymer solar cells (BHJ PSCs) should be processed with nonhalogenated solvents because of environmental concerns. Here, we report novel regioregular copolymers for high‐performance PSCs processed with nonhalogenated solvents. The regioregular copolymers (i.e., rr‐PfBT2f4T‐2OD and rr‐PfBT2f4T‐2DT) consist of 3″,4′‐difluoro‐2,2′:5′,2″:5″,2‴‐quaterthiophene (2f4T) with different side chains (2‐octadodecyl (OD) and 2‐decyltetradecyl (DT)) and 5‐fluorobenzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole (fBT). The regioregular copolymers with controlled fBT orientation show high solubility in nonhalogenated solvents. Both regioregular copolymers possess suitable energy levels, leading to sufficient energy offsets with a nonfullerene acceptor, BTP‐eC11. An rr‐PfBT2f4T‐2DT:BTP‐eC11‐blended film exhibited predominant face‐on orientation compared to the rr‐PfBT2f4T‐2OD:BTP‐eC11‐blended film. In addition, the rr‐PfBT2f4T‐2DT:BTP‐eC11‐blended film showed much more balanced hole/electron mobility (μh/μe ~ 4.73) than rr‐PfBT2f4T‐2OD:BTP‐eC11‐blended film (μh/μe ~ 45.86). Therefore, rr‐PfBT2f4T‐2DT:BTP‐eC11‐based PSCs, processed with 1,2,4‐trimethylbenzene, showed a power conversion efficiency of 13.21% which is 60% higher than rr‐PfBT2f4T‐2OD:BTP‐eC11‐based PSCs.
An exploratory study on functional connectivity after mild traumatic brain injury: Preserved global but altered local organization
Authors: Kim Eunkyung , Seo Han Gil , Seong Min Yong , Kang Min‐Gu , Kim Heejae , Lee Min Yong , Yoo Roh‐Eul , Hwang Inpyeong , Choi Seung Hong , Oh Byung‐Mo 
Published: August 2022

AbstractIntroductionThis study aimed to investigate alterations in whole‐brain functional connectivity after a concussion using graph‐theory analysis from global and local perspectives and explore the association between changes in the functional network properties and cognitive performance.MethodsIndividuals with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI, n = 29) within a month after injury, and age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls (n = 29) were included. Graph‐theory measures on functional connectivity assessed using resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were acquired from each participant. These included betweenness centrality, strength, clustering coefficient, local efficiency, and global efficiency. Multi‐domain cognitive functions were correlated with the graph‐theory measures.ResultsIn comparison to the controls, the mTBI group showed preserved network characteristics at a global level. However, in the local network, we observed decreased betweenness centrality, clustering coefficient, and local efficiency in several brain areas, including the fronto‐parietal attention network. Network strength at the local level showed mixed‐results in different areas. The betweenness centrality of the right parahippocampus showed a significant positive correlation with the cognitive scores of the verbal learning test only in the mTBI group.ConclusionThe intrinsic functional connectivity after mTBI is preserved globally, but is suboptimally organized locally in several areas. This possibly reflects the neurophysiological sequelae of a concussion. The present results may imply that the network property could be used as a potential indicator for clinical outcomes after mTBI.
Improvement of sleep and melatonin in children with autism spectrum disorder after β‐1,3/1,6‐glucan consumption: An open‐label prospective pilot clinical study
Authors: Raghavan Kadalraja , Dedeepiya Vidyasagar Devaprasad , Kandaswamy Ramesh Shankar , Balamurugan Mangaleswaran , Ikewaki Nobunao , Sonoda Tohru , Kurosawa Gene , Iwasaki Masaru , Preethy Senthilkumar , Abraham Samuel JK 
Published: August 2022

AbstractIntroductionPoor sleep quality is a major problem in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and is attributed to low melatonin levels. Melatonin supplementation is recommended; however, its effectiveness varies. β‐Glucans have previously been shown to improve melatonin levels in animal studies. Herein, we examined the effectiveness of Aureobasidium pullulans (Nichi Glucan), a species of black yeast that contains beta‐1,3/1,6‐glucan, in a pilot study of children with ASD.MethodsThirteen children (age, 2.5–13 years) with ASD were recruited for the study. The control group consisted of four patients (Gr. 1), while nine patients were classified into the treatment group (Gr. 2). Gr. 2 received 1 g of Nichi Glucan along with conventional therapy, whereas the Gr. 1 (control) patients received conventional therapy alone for 90 days. Serum melatonin levels and sleep patterns, assessed using a subjective questionnaire, were evaluated before and after treatment.ResultsIn Gr. 2, the average serum melatonin level increased from 238.85 ng/L preintervention to 394.72 ng/L postintervention. Eight of nine participants (88%) in Gr. 2 showed improvements in sleep pattern and quality, while no improvement was observed in the participants in Gr. 1.ConclusionThe consumption of Nichi Glucan for 90 days resulted in visible improvement in sleep quality, sleep pattern, and serum melatonin levels, which was reported for the first time by our study. A larger multicenter study is required to validate our findings.