Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Copper-catalyzed reaction of aryl iodides with active methylene compounds

Reaction of aryl halides with carbon nucleophiles such as anions of active methylene compounds promoted by copper species, forming a carbon-carbon bond, is a useful tool for preparation of substituted aromatic compounds.l The reaction usually requires a stoichiometric amount of copper(1) salt, unless the halides are activated by an o-carboxylate gr0up.l On the other hand, we have recently reported that reaction of aryl and vinyl iodides with terminal alkynes efficiently proceeds by using a catalyst system of CUI-PPh3 in the presence of potassium carbonate as base to give unsymmetrical acetylenes.2 This observation prompted us to make investigation into the reaction of aryl halides with other carbon nucleophiles. As a result, we found that the above-mentioned reaction with active methylene compounds could catalytically proceed to give the corresponding coupled products in good yield when the reaction was carried out in DMSO (eq lb3
Innovative packaging for minimally processed fruits

Novel nanocomposite films for use in the packaging of foods ready for consumption and based on isotactic polypropylene (iPP) filled with innovative calcium carbonate nanoparticles, as well as having spherical and elongated shape and covered with appropriate coating agent able to better interact with the iPP matrix, were prepared and characterized. Morphological, thermal, mechanical and transport characterizations on nanocomposite films were performed. The results evidenced a good dispersion of the nanofiller into the polymeric matrix as well as an increase in mechanical parameters such as modulus. Moreover, a drastic reduction of iPP permeability to both oxygen and carbon dioxide was also recorded. Migration tests evidenced that these nanocomposites are suitable for food packaging applications. Finally, the analysis of some shelf‐life parameters carried out on packaged minimally processed apples showed that these materials are able to preserve for up to 10 days apple slices, limiting oxidation processes and microbiological growth. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New Data on Cylindrospermopsin Toxicity

Cylindrospermopsin (CYN) is a widely spread cyanotoxin that can occur in fresh water and food. This research aims to investigate CYN toxicity by studying the effects of drinking 0.25 nM of CYN-contaminated water from a natural source, and of the direct application of moderate concentrations of CYN on different animal targets. The chosen structures and activities are rat mitochondria inner membrane permeability, mitochondrial ATP synthase (ATPase) and rat liver diamine oxidase (DAO) activities (EC 1.4.3.22.), the force of the contraction of an excised frog heart preparation with functional innervation, and the viability of a human intestinal epithelial cell line (HIEC-6). The oral exposure to CYN decreased the reverse (hydrolase) activity of rat liver ATPase whereas its short-term, in vitro application was without significant effect on this organelle, DAO activity, heart contractions, and their neuronal regulation. The application of CYN reduced HIEC-6 cells’ viability dose dependently. It was concluded that CYN is moderately toxic for the human intestinal epithelial cells, where the regeneration of the epithelial layer can be suppressed by CYN. This result suggests that CYN may provoke pathological changes in the human gastrointestinal tract.
Comparative Analysis of Neurotoxicity of Six Phthalates in Zebrafish Embryos

The effects and underlying mechanisms of phthalates on neurotoxicity remain unclear as compared with the potentials of these substances as endocrine disruptors. The locomotor activities of zebrafish embryos were investigated upon exposure to six phthalates: dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBzP), di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP), and diisononyl phthalate (DiNP). Moreover, changes in fluorescence intensity in the green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic (Tg) lines Tg(HuC:eGFP), Tg(sox10:eGFP), and Tg(mbp:GFP) were measured after exposure to six phthalates, and changes in the expression profiles of genes involved in the cholinergic (ache) and dopaminergic systems (dat, th, and drd1b) were assessed. Exposure to BBzP, DEHP, and DiNP affected larval behaviors, whereas exposure to DMP, DEP, and DnOP revealed no alterations. A reduced expression of Tg(HuC:eGFP) was observed upon exposure to BBzP, DEHP, and DiNP. The expression of Tg(sox10:eGFP) and Tg(mbp:GFP) was reduced only in response to BBzP and DiNP, respectively. Further, exposure to DiNP upregulated ache and drd1b. The upregulation of ache and downregulation of drd1b was observed in DEHP-exposed groups. Exposure to BBzP suppressed th expression. These observations indicate that exposure to phthalates impaired embryogenesis of the neurological system and neurochemicals in zebrafish embryos, although the detailed mechanisms varied among the individual phthalates. Further mechanistic studies are needed to better understand the causality between phthalate exposure and neurotoxicity.
The Epidemiological and Clinical Findings from the Latvian Registry of Primary Congenital Glaucoma and Evaluation of Prognostic Factors

Background and objectives: primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) is a rare, potentially blinding disease that affects children worldwide. The aim of the study was to describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics, outcomes for newly diagnosed patients with PCG, as well as evaluate the prognostic factors that are related to the outcomes. Materials and Methods: a retrospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary referral centre among patients diagnosed with PCG. Evaluation of the clinical data was performed preoperatively at three, six, and 12 months after the surgery and at the last follow-up. Results: during the 15 years of follow-ups, 24 eyes of 18 patients were diagnosed with PCG. Unilateral and bilateral PCG constituted 50% of cases each. A slight male predominance was observed (55.6% vs. 44.4%), with a relative risk of 1.3. The incidence of PCG was 1:19,033 live births. The mean age of the patients at the time of diagnosis was 10.1 ± 10.0 months, with a diagnostic delay of 2.0 ± 1.9 months. Furthermore, 75% of patients indicated an enlargement of an eyeball, followed by excessive tearing (58.3%) and corneal opacity (41.7%). After 85.9 ± 51.2 months, the mean intraocular pressure (IOP) value was 14.6 ± 4.9 mmHg. Surgical treatment provided sufficient IOP control in 75% of PCG cases at the last follow-up visit. The only prognostic factor that was related to the outcome of IOP control that was statistically significant was axial length at the time of diagnosis. Conclusions: the incidence of PCG in Latvia was 5.3 patients per 100,000 live births. PCG was more common among males than females with a relative risk of 1.3. The enlargement of an eyeball was the leading clinical sign.
Microfabrication and Surface Functionalization of Soda Lime Glass through Direct Laser Interference Patterning

All-purpose glasses are common in many established and emerging industries, such as microelectronics, photovoltaics, optical components, and biomedical devices due to their outstanding combination of mechanical, optical, thermal, and chemical properties. Surface functionalization through nano/micropatterning can further enhance glasses’ surface properties, expanding their applicability into new fields. Although laser structuring methods have been successfully employed on many absorbing materials, the processability of transparent materials with visible laser radiation has not been intensively studied, especially for producing structures smaller than 10 µm. Here, interference-based optical setups are used to directly pattern soda lime substrates through non-lineal absorption with ps-pulsed laser radiation in the visible spectrum. Line- and dot-like patterns are fabricated with spatial periods between 2.3 and 9.0 µm and aspect ratios up to 0.29. Furthermore, laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) with a feature size of approximately 300 nm are visible within these microstructures. The textured surfaces show significantly modified properties. Namely, the treated surfaces have an increased hydrophilic behavior, even reaching a super-hydrophilic state for some cases. In addition, the micropatterns act as relief diffraction gratings, which split incident light into diffraction modes. The process parameters were optimized to produce high-quality textures with super-hydrophilic properties and diffraction efficiencies above 30%.
Molecular Recognition and Self-Organization in Life Phenomena Studied by a Statistical Mechanics of Molecular Liquids, the RISM/3D-RISM Theory

There are two molecular processes that are essential for living bodies to maintain their life: the molecular recognition, and the self-organization or self-assembly. Binding of a substrate by an enzyme is an example of the molecular recognition, while the protein folding is a good example of the self-organization process. The two processes are further governed by the other two physicochemical processes: solvation and the structural fluctuation. In the present article, the studies concerning the two molecular processes carried out by Hirata and his coworkers, based on the statistical mechanics of molecular liquids or the RISM/3D-RISM theory, are reviewed.
The crystal structure of (S)-(–)-6-Bromo-5,7-dihydroxy-8-methyl-2-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one [(–)-6-bromocryptostrobin] and a 13C N.M.R. study of (±)-cryptostrobin and related substances. Revision of the structures of the natural products (±)-lawinal, unonal, 7-O-methylunonal and isoun

The crystal structure of (S)-(-)-6-bromo-5,7-dihydroxy-8-methyl-2-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one [(–)-6-bromocryptostrobin] (11) has been determined by X-ray diffraction from diffractometer data at 295 K and refined by block diagonal least squares to a residual of 0.050 (810 'observed' reflections). Crystals of (11) are tetragonal, P43212, a 7.849(4), c 46.83(2) A, Z 8. The crystallographic data are consistent with the S configuration previously proposed for (–)-cryptostrobin (10). The 13C n.m. r, spectra of (±)-cryptostrobin and(±)-strobopinin also lead to the structures (1) and (6), respectively. This work has enabled the structures proposed for the natural products (±)-lawinal, unonal, 7-O-methylunonal and isounonal to be revised to (8), (14), (15) and (12), respectively.
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome and Maternal Opioid-Related Diagnoses in the US, 2010-2017.

Importance Substantial increases in both neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) and maternal opioid use disorder have been observed through 2014. Objective To examine national and state variation in NAS and maternal opioid-related diagnoses (MOD) rates in 2017 and to describe national and state changes since 2010 in the US, which included expanded MOD codes (opioid use disorder plus long-term and unspecified use) implemented in International Classification of Disease, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification. Design, Setting, and Participants Repeated cross-sectional analysis of the 2010 to 2017 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's National Inpatient Sample and State Inpatient Databases, an all-payer compendium of hospital discharge records from community nonrehabilitation hospitals in 47 states and the District of Columbia. Exposures State and year. Main Outcomes and Measures NAS rate per 1000 birth hospitalizations and MOD rate per 1000 delivery hospitalizations. Results In 2017, there were 751 037 birth hospitalizations and 748 239 delivery hospitalizations in the national sample; 5375 newborns had NAS and 6065 women had MOD documented in the discharge record. Mean gestational age was 38.4 weeks and mean maternal age was 28.8 years. From 2010 to 2017, the estimated NAS rate significantly increased by 3.3 per 1000 birth hospitalizations (95% CI, 2.5-4.1), from 4.0 (95% CI, 3.3-4.7) to 7.3 (95% CI, 6.8-7.7). The estimated MOD rate significantly increased by 4.6 per 1000 delivery hospitalizations (95% CI, 3.9-5.4), from 3.5 (95% CI, 3.0-4.1) to 8.2 (95% CI, 7.7-8.7). Larger increases for MOD vs NAS rates occurred with new International Classification of Disease, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification codes in 2016. From a census of 47 state databases in 2017, NAS rates ranged from 1.3 per 1000 birth hospitalizations in Nebraska to 53.5 per 1000 birth hospitalizations in West Virginia, with Maine (31.4), Vermont (29.4), Delaware (24.2), and Kentucky (23.9) also exceeding 20 per 1000 birth hospitalizations, while MOD rates ranged from 1.7 per 1000 delivery hospitalizations in Nebraska to 47.3 per 1000 delivery hospitalizations in Vermont, with West Virginia (40.1), Maine (37.8), Delaware (24.3), and Kentucky (23.4) also exceeding 20 per 1000 delivery hospitalizations. From 2010 to 2017, NAS and MOD rates increased significantly for all states except Nebraska and Vermont, which only had MOD increases. Conclusions and Relevance In the US from 2010 to 2017, estimated rates of NAS and MOD significantly increased nationally and for the majority of states, with notable state-level variation.
Productive Asymmetric Styrene Epoxidation Based on a Next Generation Electroenzymatic Methodology

We have established a novel and scalable methodology for the productive coupling of redox enzymes to reductive electrochemical cofactor regeneration relying on efficient mass transfer of the cofactor to the electron-delivering cathode. Proof of concept is provided by styrene monooxygenase (StyA) catalyzing the asymmetric (S)-epoxidation of styrene with high enantiomeric excess, space-time yields, and current efficiencies. Highly porous reticulated vitreous carbon electrodes, maximized in volumetric surface area, were employed in a flow-through mode to rapidly regenerate the consumed FADH 2 cofactor required for StyA activity. A systematic investigation of the parameters determining cofactor mass transfer revealed that low FAD concentrations and high flow rates enabled the continuous synthesis of the product (S)-styrene oxide at high rates, while at the same time the accumulation of the side-products acetophenone and phenylacetaldehyde was minimized. At 10 μM FAD and a flow rate of 150 mLmin -1 , an average space-time yield of 0.35 gL -1 h -1 could be achieved during 2 h with a final (S)-styrene oxide yield of 75.2%. At two-fold lower aeration rates, the electroenzymatic reaction could be sustained for 12 h, albeit at the expense of lower (59%) overall space-time yields. Under these conditions, as much as 20.5% of the utilized current could be channeled into (S)-styrene oxide formation. In comparison with state-of-the-art electroenzymatic methodologies for the same conversion, (S)-styrene oxide synthesis could be improved up to 150-fold with respect to both reaction time and space-time yield. These productivities constitute the most efficient reaction reported for asymmetric in vitro epoxidatic ns of styrene.
Chitosan Nanoparticles-Insight into Properties, Functionalization and Applications in Drug Delivery and Theranostics

Nanotechnology-based development of drug delivery systems is an attractive area of research in formulation driven R&D laboratories that makes administration of new and complex drugs feasible. It plays a significant role in the design of novel dosage forms by attributing target specific drug delivery, controlled drug release, improved, patient friendly drug regimen and lower side effects. Polysaccharides, especially chitosan, occupy an important place and are widely used in nano drug delivery systems owing to their biocompatibility and biodegradability. This review focuses on chitosan nanoparticles and envisages to provide an insight into the chemistry, properties, drug release mechanisms, preparation techniques and the vast evolving landscape of diverse applications across disease categories leading to development of better therapeutics and superior clinical outcomes. It summarizes recent advancement in the development and utility of functionalized chitosan in anticancer therapeutics, cancer immunotherapy, theranostics and multistage delivery systems.
Host-specific functional compartmentalization within the oligopeptide transporter during the Borrelia burgdorferi enzootic cycle

Borrelia burgdorferi must acquire all of its amino acids (AAs) from its arthropod vector and vertebrate host. Previously, we determined that peptide uptake via the oligopeptide (Opp) ABC transporter is essential for spirochete viability in vitro and during infection. Our prior study also suggested that B. burgdorferi employs temporal regulation in concert with structural variation of oligopeptide-binding proteins (OppAs) to meet its AA requirements in each biological niche. Herein, we evaluated the contributions to the B. burgdorferi enzootic cycle of three of the spirochete’s five OppAs (OppA1, OppA2, and OppA5). An oppA1 transposon (tn) mutant lysed in the hyperosmolar environment of the feeding tick, suggesting that OppA1 imports amino acids required for osmoprotection. The oppA2tn mutant displayed a profound defect in hematogenous dissemination in mice, yet persisted within skin while inducing only a minimal antibody response. These results, along with slightly decreased growth of the oppA2tn mutant within DMCs, suggest that OppA2 serves a minor nutritive role, while its dissemination defect points to an as yet uncharacterized signaling function. Previously, we identified a role for OppA5 in spirochete persistence within the mammalian host. We now show that the oppA5tn mutant displayed no defect during the tick phase of the cycle and could be tick-transmitted to naïve mice. Instead of working in tandem, however, OppA2 and OppA5 appear to function in a hierarchical manner; the ability of OppA5 to promote persistence relies upon the ability of OppA2 to facilitate dissemination. Structural homology models demonstrated variations within the binding pockets of OppA1, 2, and 5 indicative of different peptide repertoires. Rather than being redundant, B. burgdorferi’s multiplicity of Opp binding proteins enables host-specific functional compartmentalization during the spirochete lifecycle.
NIR Analysis of Intact Grape Berries: Chemical and Physical Properties Prediction Using Multivariate Analysis

Texture characteristics are valuable parameters in the perceived quality and overall acceptability of fresh fruit. The characterization of grape texture attributes, such as firmness and crunchiness, is usually performed by sensory analysis or instrumental texture analysis. Both methodologies are destructive. Hence, it is not possible to test multiple times or perform any other analysis on the same sample. In this article, near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy was applied to intact berries of table grape cv. Regal Seedless. NIR spectra were employed to predict both the physical parameter “hardness”, which is correlated with the crunchiness of berry flesh and the sweetness, which is correlated with the total soluble solids content (TSS, as °Brix). The chemometric analysis was carried out exclusively based on an open-source software environment, producing results readily usable for any operator, besides the specific level of experience with NIR spectroscopy.
Social stressors and risk of rheumatoid arthritis and their relationship to known modifiable risk factors: results from the Swedish EIRA study

Objectives To investigate whether low social support or low decision latitude at work correlate with risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and whether and how those factors are associated with known modifiable risk factors for RA. Method The Swedish population-based EIRA study included, from 1996 to 2015, 3724 incident RA cases and 5935 controls, matched for age, gender, and residential area. Participants filled in detailed questionnaires at diagnosis. Using logistic regression, we investigated whether low social support and low decision latitude at work were associated with RA risk, and whether and how these exposures are associated with known modifiable risk factors for RA. Results Low decision latitude at work was associated with RA risk in unadjusted analyses [odd ratio (OR) = 1.52, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.20–1.94], but this association was weakened after adjustment for known RA risk factors (adjusted OR = 1.24, 95% CI = 0.93–1.63). Low social support was not associated with RA risk (unadjusted OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 0.95–1.15). Cases reporting low decision latitude were more often smokers (OR = 2.05, 95% CI = 1.33–3.16), without university degrees (OR = 8.23, 95% CI = 5.13–13.22), and more often female (OR = 2.52, 95% CI = 1.66–3.81), with a similar pattern among controls. Cases reporting low social support were more often men (OR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.40–1.83), smokers (OR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.26–1.70), obese (OR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.09–1.54), physically inactive (OR = 2.78, 95% CI = 1.98–3.90), and without university degrees (OR = 2.04, 95% CI = 1.77–2.36), with a similar pattern among controls. Conclusion Low decision latitude coexisted with several known environmental/social risk factors for RA, together defining groups of individuals at increased risk of RA. These risk factors should be viewed in context when testing actions to diminish RA risk in prospective studies.
Chromium speciation analysis in raw and cooked milk and meat samples by species-specific isotope dilution and HPLC-ICP-MS

ABSTRACT This study aimed at the assessment of the impact of various culinary processes on the fate of chromium (Cr) species (Cr(III) and Cr(VI)) in infant formula milk, semi-skimmed milk and bovine meat samples. The cooking procedures were boiling at 70°C/100°C (milk samples) and frying without and with oil (95°C and 120°C) (bovine meat). The levels of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in raw and cooked samples were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) using double spike species-specific-isotope dilution (SS-ID). The species were extracted by sequential complexation of Cr(III) with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and of Cr(VI) with 1,5-diphenylcarbazide in the same analytical run by heating at 70°C for 50 min. Anion exchange chromatography using a Dionex IonPac™ AG7 column and a mobile phase consisting of 10 mM HNO3, 2.5% MeOH and 30 mM EDTA at pH 2 was employed for species separation. The quantification limits were 0.013 and 0.049 µg kg−1 for Cr(III) and Cr(VI), respectively. ANOVA test used to compare the mean Cr species concentrations showed no significant differences between raw and cooked samples. The results obtained in the present study show that oxidation of Cr(III) to Cr(VI) does not occur during thermal cooking of milk and bovine meat samples. A selection of 10 samples of each type were analysed in terms of total Cr (Crtotal) as well as speciation (Cr(III) and Cr(VI)). Cr(VI) was not quantified in any of these samples, whereas Cr(III) levels ranged from 0.22 (infant formula milk) up to 80 µg kg−1 (chorizo sausage). Additionally, Cr(III) and Crtotal levels were comparable hence demonstrating that in the samples analysed in this study, Cr is found exclusively as Cr(III) species. Graphical Abstract