bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Easily Available, Amphiphilic Diiron Cyclopentadienyl Complexes Exhibit in Vitro Anticancer Activity in 2D and 3D Human Cancer Cells through Redox Modulation Triggered by CO Release
Authors: Biancalana Lorenzo , De Franco Michele , Ciancaleoni Gianluca , Zacchini Stefano , Pampaloni Guido , Gandin Valentina , Marchetti Fabio
Published: June 2021

A straightforward two‐step procedure via single CO removal allows the conversion of commercial [Fe2Cp2(CO)4] into a range of amphiphilic and robust ionic complexes based on a hybrid aminocarbyne/iminium ligand, [Fe2Cp2(CO)3{CN(R)(R’)}]X (R, R’=alkyl or aryl; X=CF3SO3 or BF4), on up to multigram scales. Their physicochemical properties can be modulated by an appropriate choice of N‐substituents and counteranion. Tested against a panel of human cancer cell lines, the complexes were shown to possess promising antiproliferative activity and to circumvent multidrug resistance. Interestingly, most derivatives also retained a significant cytotoxic activity against human cancer 3D cell cultures. Among them, the complex with R=4‐C6H4OMe and R’=Me emerged as the best performer of the series, being on average about six times more active against cancer cells than a noncancerous cell line, and displayed IC50 values comparable to those of cisplatin in 3D cell cultures. Mechanistic studies revealed the ability of the complexes to release carbon monoxide and to act as oxidative stress inducers in cancer cells.
Switching from Metal‐ to Ligand‐Based Oxidation in Cobalt Complexes with Redox‐Active Bisguanidine Ligands
Authors: Lohmeyer Lukas , Kaifer Elisabeth , Enders Markus , Himmel Hans‐Jörg
Published: June 2021

The control of the redox reactivity, magnetic and optical properties of the different redox states of complexes with redox‐active ligands permits their rational use in catalysis and materials science. The redox‐chemistry of octahedrally coordinated high‐spin CoII complexes (three unpaired electrons) with one redox‐active bisguanidine ligand and two acetylacetonato (acac) co‐ligands is completely changed by replacing the acac by hexafluoro‐acetylacetonato (hfacac) co‐ligands. The first one‐electron oxidation is metal‐centered in the case of the complexes with acac co‐ligands, giving diamagnetic CoIII complexes. By contrast, in the case of the less Lewis‐basic hfacac co‐ligands, the first one‐electron oxidation becomes ligand‐centered, leading to high‐spin CoII complexes with a radical monocationic guanidine ligand unit (four unpaired electrons). Ferromagnetic coupling between the spins on the metal and the organic radical in solution is evidenced by temperature‐dependent paramagnetic NMR studies, allowing to estimate the isotropic exchange coupling constant in solution. Second one‐electron oxidation leads to high‐spin CoII complexes with dicationic guanidine ligand units (three unpaired electrons) in the presence of hfacac co‐ligands, but to low‐spin CoIII complexes with radical monocationic, peralkylated guanidine ligand (one unpaired electron) in the presence of acac co‐ligands. The analysis of the electronic structures is complemented by quantum‐chemical calculations on the spin density distributions and relative energies of the possible redox isomers.
Iminosugar C‐Glycosides Work as Pharmacological Chaperones of NAGLU, a Glycosidase Involved in MPS IIIB Rare Disease**
Authors: Zhu Sha , Jagadeesh Yerri , Tran Anh Tuan , Imaeda Shuki , Boraston Alisdair , Alonzi Dominic S. , Poveda Ana , Zhang Yongmin , Désiré Jérôme , Charollais‐Thoenig Julie , Demotz Stéphane , Kato Atsushi , Butters Terry D. , Jiménez‐Barbero Jesús , Sollogoub Matthieu , Blériot Yves
Published: June 2021

Mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIB is a devastating neurological disease caused by a lack of the lysosomal enzyme, α‐N‐acetylglucosaminidase (NAGLU), leading to a toxic accumulation of heparan sulfate. Herein we explored a pharmacological chaperone approach to enhance the residual activity of NAGLU in patient fibroblasts. Capitalizing on the three‐dimensional structures of two modest homoiminosugar‐based NAGLU inhibitors in complex with bacterial homolog of NAGLU, CpGH89, we have synthesized a library of 17 iminosugar C‐glycosides mimicking N‐acetyl‐D‐glucosamine and bearing various pseudo‐anomeric substituents of both α‐ and β‐configuration. Elaboration of the aglycon moiety results in low micromolar selective inhibitors of human recombinant NAGLU, but surprisingly it is the non‐functionalized and wrongly configured β‐homoiminosugar that was proved to act as the most promising pharmacological chaperone, promoting a 2.4 fold activity enhancement of mutant NAGLU at its optimal concentration.
Competitive Coordination of Chloride and Fluoride Anions Towards Trivalent Lanthanide Cations (La3+ and Nd3+) in Molten Salts
Authors: Jiang Shilin , Lan Jianhui , Wang Lin , Liu Yalan , Zhong Yuke , Liu Yichuan , Yuan Liyong L.‐Y. , Zheng Lirong , Chai Zhifang , Shi Weiqun
Published: June 2021

Molten salt electrolysis is a vital technique to produce high‐purity lanthanide metals and alloys. However, the coordination environments of lanthanides in molten salts, which heavily affect the related redox potential and electrochemical properties, have not been well elucidated. Here, the competitive coordination of chloride and fluoride anions towards lanthanide cations (La3+ and Nd3+) is explored in molten LiCl‐KCl‐LiF‐LnCl3 salts using electrochemical, spectroscopic, and computational approaches. Electrochemical analyses show that significant negative shifts in the reduction potential of Ln3+ occur when F− concentration increases, indicating that the F− anions interact with Ln3+ via substituting the coordinated Cl− anions, and confirm [LnClxFy]3−x−y (ymax=3) complexes are prevailing in molten salts. Spectroscopic and computational results on solution structures further reveal the competition between Cl− and F− anions, which leads to the formation of four distinct Ln(III) species: [LnCl6]3−, [LnCl5F]3−, [LnCl4F2]3− and [LnCl4F3]4−. Among them, the seven‐coordinated [LnCl4F3]4− complex possesses a low‐symmetry structure evidenced by the pattern change of Raman spectra. After comparing the polarizing power (Z/r) among different metal cations, it was concluded that Ln−F interaction is weaker than that between transition metal and F− ions.
Weiße Leuchtdioden als moderne Leuchtmittel
Authors: Baur Florian , Jüstel Thomas
Published: June 2021

Die Verbreitung von Leuchtmitteln auf Basis von Halbleiter‐LEDs in der Allgemeinbeleuchtung ist in den letzten Jahren stetig gewachsen. Dies ist besonders im Hinblick auf ihre hohe Energieeffizienz von Bedeutung, da etwa 20 % des weltweiten Stromverbrauchs in der Beleuchtung anfallen. Da LED‐Leuchtmittel im Vergleich zu Glühlampen sehr vielfältige Emissionsspektren ermöglichen, sind zur Beschreibung ihrer Eigenschaften viele Parameter notwendig. Während bei Glühlampen die Angabe der Leistung in Watt zur grundlegenden Klassifizierung ausreicht, erfordert ein LED‐Leuchtmittel zumindest die Angabe von Lichtstrom, Farbtemperatur und Farbwiedergabe, um dem Anwender einen Eindruck ihrer Eigenschaften zu vermitteln. Kommerzielle LED‐Leuchtmittel beruhen fast ausschließlich auf dem Prinzip der Leuchtstoffkonversion. Die Wahl der Leuchtstoffmischung ist daher die Basis für die optischen Eigenschaften des LED‐Leuchtmittels. Durch die Entwicklung und den Einsatz neuer Leuchtstoffe nähern sich LED‐Leuchtmittel in Bezug auf Farbwiedergabe und ‐temperatur den (Halogen)Glühlampen immer weiter an.
Single Atom Catalysts: A Review of Characterization Methods
Authors: Kottwitz Matthew , Li Yuanyuan , Wang Haodong , Frenkel Anatoly I. , Nuzzo Ralph G.
Published: June 2021

Single atom catalysts (SACs) harbor a potential to exceed nanoparticle catalysts in terms of activity, stability and selectivity in a growing number of chemical reactions. Although their investigation is attracting significant attention, important fundamental questions focusing on key physicochemical properties of SACs (e. g., structure – property relationships, structural dynamics, reaction‐driven restructuring) remain unanswered. A main challenge for research in the field is how to reliably characterize the environments of single atoms in the presence of complicating factors such as low weight loadings, strong metal‐support interactions, and atomic and multiscale heterogeneity of bonding in the single atom sites. This review addresses this challenge – identifying catalytically relevant features of physicochemical properties of single atoms (charge state, electronic structure, atomic configuration, bonding interactions with a support) and surveying advanced tools/methods for characterizing them. The review places a strong emphasis on multimodal methods exploiting X‐ray absorption, emission and photoelectron spectroscopies, and provides several examples from the authors’ research that demonstrate their use as powerful tools for SAC characterization.
Characterization and Functional Analysis of Tumor‐Derived Microparticles
Authors: Ma Jingwei , Tang Ke , Zhang Huafeng , Wei Keke , Huang Bo
Published: June 2021

Microparticles (MPs) are heterogeneous populations of cell‐derived vesicles that play an important role in intercellular communications. The release of MPs by tumor cells is a very common event in tumor microenvironments (TMEs). Tumor cell−derived MPs (T‐MPs) contain a variety of bioactive molecules, thus modulating various biological processes, including the regulation of immune cell phenotype and function, as well as immune responses. Moreover, T‐MPs can be used as natural carriers to deliver therapeutic drugs into tumor cells and immune cells, thus remodeling TMEs and modifying anti‐tumor immune responses. These features allow T‐MPs to function as potential biomaterials to be applied in tumor immunotherapies and vaccines. This article describes protocols for the isolation of T‐MPs from supernatants of cultured tumor cells by multi‐step centrifugations. Tools and protocols are also provided in order to characterize and validate the isolated MPs and to analyze the interaction between T‐MPs and different target cells. © 2021 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Isolation of tumor cell‐derived microparticles by multi‐step centrifugations

Basic Protocol 2: Characterization and validation of tumor cell−derived microparticles

Basic Protocol 3: Functional analysis of the uptake of tumor cell−derived microparticles by different cell types
A high output resistance, wide bandwidth, and low input resistance current mirror using flipped voltage follower cell
Authors: Jindal Caffey , Pandey Rishikesh
Published: June 2021

The paper proposes a current mirror designed using the current sensor structure of class‐AB flipped voltage follower cell at the input stage and super cascode structure at the output stage. The proposed current mirror offers low input resistance due to the current sensor at the input stage and high output resistance due to super cascode configuration at the output stage. The proposed current mirror offers a good dynamic range of 0 to 300 μA with less copying error of 0.54%, wide bandwidth of 319.8 MHz, high output resistance of 19.8 GΩ, and low input resistance of 161.34 Ω. The proposed current mirror is designed using BSIM3V3 180‐nm CMOS technology and simulated using spectre in the Cadence Virtuoso analog design environment at room temperature. The Cadence Virtuoso layout XL editor has been used to design the physical layout of the proposed current mirror. The pre‐layout and post‐layout simulation results of the proposed current mirror have been shown to validate its performance. The Monte Carlo analysis has also been performed to analyze the effects of process variations and mismatches on the performance of the proposed current mirror.
Barriers convinced university officer to move on
Authors: Enos Gary A.
Published: June 2021

Having previously served as Director of the Disability Resource Center at the University of Florida, Gerry Altamirano has left university work to help organizations achieve diversity, equity, and inclusion goals. Altamirano hopes his work at Tangible Development will promote a culture of inclusion across sectors. He remains concerned about the extent of universities’ commitment to change.
Effects of human activity on the habitat utilization of Himalayan marmot (Marmota himalayana) in Zoige wetland
Authors: Zhou Shuailing , Krzton Ali , Gao Shuai , Guo Cheng , Xiang Zuofu
Published: June 2021

Human activity is increasingly and persistently disturbing nature and wild animals. Affected wildlife adopts multiple strategies to deal with different human influences. To explore the effect of human activity on habitat utilization of Himalayan marmot (Marmota himalayana), habitat utilization patterns of three neighboring marmot populations in habitats affected differently by human activities were recorded and compared. We found that (a) distance between reproductive burrows (a represent of reproductive pairs) becomes shorter under the influence of human activities, and more burrows were dug as temporary shelters, resulting in shorter distance between those shelters and shorter distance flee to those shelters and, consequently, shorter flight initiation distance when threatened. More burrows that are closer to the disturbed habitats improve the ability to escape from threats. (b) Reproductive burrow site selection of the species is determined by the availability of mounds in the habitat, and breeding pairs selectively build reproductive (also the hibernation) burrows on mounds, potentially to improve surveillance when basking and the drainage of burrows. Human activities generally drive breeding pairs away from the road to dig their reproductive burrows likely to reduce disturbance from vehicles. However, even heavy human activity exerts no pressure on the distance of reproductive burrows from the road or the mound volume of the high disturbance population, potentially because mounds are the best burrowing site to reproduce and hibernate in the habitat. Marmots deal with disturbance by digging more burrows in the habitat to flee more effectively and building reproductive burrows on mounds to gain better vigilance and drainage efficiency.
Environmental and anthropogenic influences on spatiotemporal dynamics ofAlosain Chesapeake Bay tributaries
Authors: Bi Rujia , Jiao Yan , Weaver L. Alan , Greenlee Bob , McClair Genine , Kipp Jeff , Wilke Kate , Haas Carola , Smith Eric
Published: June 2021

American Shad (Alosa sapidissima), Hickory Shad (A. mediocris), and river herrings (AlewifeA. pseudoharengusand Blueback HerringA. aestivalis) are anadromous pelagic fishes, which as adults spend most of the annual cycle at sea, but enter the coastal rivers in spring to spawn. Once as one of the most valuable fisheries along the Atlantic coast,Alosapopulations have declined in recent decades and current populations are at historic lows. Various management actions have been conducted to restore the populations, and stocks in different river systems display different demographic trends. Demonstration of synthetic diagnostics on the factors impacting these populations is important to better conserve this species group. We developed a Bayesian hierarchical spatiotemporal model to identify the population trends of these species among rivers in the Chesapeake Bay based on results of surveys conducted by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and Maryland Department of Natural Resources and to identify environmental and anthropogenic factors influencing their distribution and abundance. The hierarchical model structure helped to diagnose river‐specific population trends and impacts of surrounding factors, and decrease uncertainties in rivers with less samples available. The results demonstrate river‐specific heterogeneity of spatiotemporal dynamics of these species and indicate river‐specific impacts of multiple factors, including water temperature, river flow, chlorophyllaconcentration, and total phosphorus concentration, on their population dynamics. Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation and Gulf Stream meanders displayed significant influence on the inter‐annual trends ofAlosaspecies in rivers with more data available. The results would help to develop river‐ and species‐specific management strategies to recover these species.
Quantifying behavior and life‐history events of an Arctic ungulate from year‐long continuous accelerometer data
Authors: Chimienti Marianna , van Beest Floris M. , Beumer Larissa T. , Desforges Jean‐Pierre , Hansen Lars H. , Stelvig Mikkel , Schmidt Niels Martin
Published: June 2021

Bio‐logging technology is now the golden standard for assessing how individual animals change their movement and behavior over time and space. Three‐dimensional accelerometer data, in particular, can provide extremely detailed information on individuals' activity and energetics associated with critical life‐history events, such as reproduction and mortality. Applications, where accelerometer data have been recorded over sufficiently long periods of time to quantify how individuals modulate their activities when facing seasonality, environmental constraints, and how this might affect life‐history events, remain rare, however. We collected high‐resolution accelerometer data, over an entire year, from seven muskox females (Ovibos moschatus) with different reproductive statuses moving in the high‐Artic. Individual‐specific hidden Markov models (HMMs) were built based on overall dynamic body acceleration (ODBA) and pitch. Snow depth was included as a dependent structure to incorporate the dominant environmental constraint on muskox activity. We used GPS and vaginal implant transmitter data to further clarify the behavioral partition and to validate calving and mortality events. We detected lower ODBA recordings during periods with increased snow depth, suggesting that snow influences animal velocity and movement‐related (energetic) costs. Time budgets and behavioral switching showed clear seasonal patterns, with distinct signatures depending on individuals' survival and reproductive status. Individuals that ultimately died drastically reduced time spent foraging/searching for food during winter, between February and May when snow depth is highest, while increasing time spent transiting/being highly active. This pattern could indicate failure to acquire sufficient food resources. Overall, individuals that survived the Arctic year spent greater amounts of time foraging yet with high individual variability in time spent foraging and transiting. Individuals that gave birth showed marked behavioral shifts at parturition times with a clear reduction in foraging behavior and increased activity. We show how long‐term high‐resolution accelerometer data analyzed within HMM frameworks can successfully be used to detect environmental‐dependent behavioral changes with implications for life‐history events. Such information opens up opportunities to study life‐history events in more detail and will facilitate integration of data at both individual and population levels, which is critical for management and conservation of species.
Landscape complexity persists as a critical source of bias in terrestrial animal home range estimation
Authors: Heit David R. , Ortiz‐Calo Waldemar , Montgomery Robert A.
Published: June 2021

Home ranges provide a conceptual and quantitative representation of animal‐habitat associations over time. Methods to estimate home ranges have swiftly progressed by dynamically accounting for various sources of bias. Across that period of growth, one potentially influential source of bias has yet to be robustly scrutinized. Animals inhabiting the terrestrial spatial domain make movement decisions in environments with variable landscape complexity. Despite that reality, home range estimation methods tend to be informed by two‐dimensional (2D) data (i.e., x and y coordinates), which analytically presume that these landscapes are flat. This analytical tendency potentially misrepresents the configuration and size of animal home range estimates. To examine the prevalence of this bias, we reviewed literature of terrestrial animal home range estimation published between 2000 and 2019. We recorded the proportion of studies that (1) recognized and (2) incorporated landscape complexity. Over 22.0% (n = 271) of the 1,203 studies recognized the importance of landscape complexity for animal movement. Interestingly, just 0.7% (n = 8) incorporated landscape complexity into the home range estimation. We infer then that landscape complexity represents an important source of bias resulting in the underestimation of terrestrial animal home range size. Given the influence of landscape complexity on terrestrial animal decision making, energetics, and fitness, our analysis highlights an important gap in current home range methodologies. We discuss the implications of our analysis for biased understandings of terrestrial animal spatial ecology with subsequent impacts on management and conservation practices built upon these estimates.
Long‐term persistence of experimental populations beyond a species' natural range
Authors: Cross Regan L. , Eckert Christopher G.
Published: June 2021

Ecological experiments usually infer long‐term processes from short‐term data, and the analysis of geographic range limits is a good example. Species' geographic ranges may be limited by low fitness due to niche constraints, a hypothesis most directly tested by comparing the fitness of populations transplanted within and beyond the range. Such studies often fail to find beyond‐range fitness declines strong enough to conclude that geographic range limits are solely imposed by niche limits. However, almost all studies only follow transplants for a single generation, which will underestimate the importance of niche limitation because critical but infrequent range‐limiting events may be missed and methodological issues may artificially boost the fitness of beyond‐range transplants. Here, we present the first multi‐generation beyond‐range transplant experiment that involves adequate replication and proper experimental controls. In 2005, experimental populations of the coastal dune plantCamissoniopsis cheiranthifoliawere planted at four sites within and one site beyond the northern limit. Fitness of initial transplants was high beyond the limit, suggesting that the range was limited by dispersal and not niche constraints. To better address the niche‐limitation hypothesis, we quantified density and fitness of descendantC. cheiranthifoliapopulations 12–14 yr (˜10 generations) after transplant. Average annual fruit production and density of reproductive individuals were as high beyond the range as at four comparable experimental populations and eight natural populations within the range, and the beyond‐range population had more than tripled in size since it was planted. This provides unprecedented support for the conclusion that northern range limit ofC. cheiranthifoliaresults from something other than niche limitation, likely involving constraints on local dispersal.
Fundamental Understanding and Effect of Anionic Chemistry in Zinc Batteries
Authors: Gao Yuxin , Liu Zhexuan , Guo Shan , Cao Xinxin , Fang Guozhao , Zhou Jiang , Liang Shuquan
Published: June 2021

With the merit of high capacity, high safety, and low cost, zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs) possess huge application potential in the domain of large‐scale energy storage. However, due to the relatively narrow voltage window and large lattice distortion of cationic redox reaction, ZIBs tend to present low energy density, poor kinetics, and unstable cyclic performance. Anion chemistry seems to provide a novel strategy to solve these issues from different aspects, such as enhanced operating voltage, extra capacity contribution, and boosted reaction kinetics. Considering the significance of this theory and the lack of relevant literatures, herein, in‐depth comprehension of anionic chemistry and its positive effects on zinc storage performance have been emphasized and summarized. This review aims to present a full scope of anionic chemistry and furnish systematic cognition for rational design of advanced ZIBs with high energy density. Furthermore, insightful analysis and perspectives based on the current research status also have been proposed, which may point out some scientific suggestions and directions for the future research.
Sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor‐induced euglycaemic diabetic ketoacidosis in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Cavka Luka , Bencak Ferko Urska , Pitz Natasa , Trpkovski Zoranco , Lainscak Mitja
Published: June 2021

The number of patients receiving sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is), especially those with heart failure, is increasing worldwide. SGLT2is control glycaemia by triggering glycosuria with simultaneous facilitation of a more ketogenic metabolic profile. Patients therefore are more prone to develop euglycaemic diabetic ketoacidosis (euDKA), an entity largely unknown beyond diabetes care professionals. We present a heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) patient with known Type 2 diabetes. He was treated with dapagliflozin and presented acutely with dyspnoea, hyperglycaemia, and ketoacidosis. After standard treatment for diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperglycaemia was corrected, while metabolic ketoacidosis persisted, and thus, euDKA was suspected. With adequate therapy, the patient recovered completely and was discharged without any sequelae. To the best of our knowledge, our case is the first to describe SGLT2i‐induced euDKA in HFpEF patients. Regarding no previous reports of euDKA in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, our report is highly relevant for ongoing SGLT2i trials in HFpEF and clinical practice in general.
Assessing the Impact of Ambient Fabrication Temperature on the Performance of Planar CH3NH3PbI3 Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Molenda Zuzanna , Chambon Sylvain , Bassani Dario M. , Hirsch Lionel
Published: June 2021

The ambient fabrication temperature inside the glove box is found to play an important role in determining the overall power conversion efficiency in solar cells based on CH3NH3PbI3 (MAPI) hybrid organic‐inorganic perovskites. We find that a variation of the ambient temperature of only 10 °C during the fabrication process has a crucial impact on both the reproducibility and the efficiency of the devices. Atomic Force Microscopy, XRD, UV‐Vis absorption spectroscopy, and electroluminescence studies have been carried out to investigate the origin of this behavior. We conclude that the partial vapor pressure variation of the solvent impacts the crystallization process, inducing an increased density of traps within the bandgap of the perovskite.
The role of G‐protein‐coupled receptor kinase 2 in diabetic mechanical hyperalgesia in rats
Authors: Xu Xiu‐Hua , Du Rui‐Qin , Li Lin , Yang Lin‐Lin , Zhang Yi , Li Quan‐Min
Published: June 2021

Background

Previous studies have indicated a negative correlation between GRK2 expression and pain development and transmission. Here, we investigated whether G‐protein‐coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) was involved in regulating diabetic mechanical hyperalgesia (DMH).

Methods

The adeno‐associated viral vectors containing the GRK2 gene (AAV‐GRK2) were used to up‐regulate GRK2 protein expression. The expression of GRK2 and exchange protein directly activated by cyclic adenosine monophosphate 1 (Epac1) in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of lumbar 4–6 was detected via immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry, and the transfection of the GRK2 gene was detected by immunofluorescence.

Results

Low levels of GRK2 were able to sustain STZ‐induced pain in DMH rats. Intrathecal injection of AAV‐GRK2 vector up‐regulated GRK2 expression, providing pain rain to rats with DMH. With an increase in DMH duration, there was a decrease in paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) value, aggravating the pain, resulting in a decreasing pattern in GRK2 protein expression over time, whereas Epac1 protein expression showed an opposite trend.

Conclusion

GRK2 expression regulated DMH progression and is expected to play a role in the development of targeted therapy for DMH. GRK2 and Epac1 expressions play a vital role in maintaining pain in DMH rats.
Polyaniline Nanowire Arrays Deposited on Porous Carbon Derived from Raffia for Electrochemical Detection of Imidacloprid
Authors: Liu Lei , Guo Jiawei , Ding Longhua
Published: June 2021

An electrochemical sensor based on raffia derived porous carbon (RPC) and polyaniline (PANI) composite functional glass carbon electrode (GCE) was constructed for imidacloprid (IMI) determination. PANI nanowire arrays were deposited on RPC surface uniformly without aggregations. The electrochemical response of IMI at RPC@PANI/GCE is about four times than that at bare GCE, indicating high electrocatalytic activity of RPC@PANI towards IMI reduction. The prepared sensor also offers a wide linear range of 0.1–70 μg mL−1 for IMI determination with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.03 μg mL−1. In addition, it offers high recoveries with testing real samples.
An Electrochemical Aptamer Biosensor for Bisphenol A on a Carbon Nanofibre‐silver Nanoparticle Immobilisation Platform
Authors: Tsekeli Tebogo R. , Tshwenya Luthando , Sebokolodi Tsholofelo I. , Ndlovu Thabile , Arotiba Omotayo A.
Published: June 2021

A nanocomposite platform of silver nanoparticles and carbon nanofibres (AgCNFs) was used to immobilise a bisphenol A specific 63‐mer ssDNA aptamer to form a biosensor. The fabrication process of the biosensor was studied with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry in the presence of [Fe(CN)6]3−/4− as redox probe. The biosensor detected bisphenol A in a linear range of 0.1–10 nM, with a limit of detection of 0.39 nM using square wave voltammetry (SWV). The biosensor exhibited good selectivity in the presence of interfering species at 100‐fold concentrations and was used to detect BPA in real water sample.
Enhanced performance of a Li‐ion rechargeable battery at low temperatures: Use of 3,3,3‐trifluoropropyl acetate as an electrolyte additive
Authors: Nagano Hiroki , Kim Hackho , Ikeda Suguru , Miyoshi Seiji , Watanabe Motonori , Ishihara Tatsumi
Published: June 2021

The addition of 3,3,3‐trifluoropropyl acetate (TFPA) to electrolyte in a Li‐ion rechargeable battery (LIB) provides a means for increasing the discharge performance at low temperatures as a result of the formation of a superior solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) on the graphite anode. For instance, the addition of 2 wt% TFPA to the electrolyte significantly increased the cycle stability and the discharge capacities at low temperatures (‐10°C) even at current rates of 3 C. The SEI films formed on the graphite anodes were characterized by electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques and by computational analysis. Although the formation of LiF on the anode has been recognized, present research revealed that the decomposition of TFPA on the anode surface resulted in the formation of an SEI layer consisting predominantly of organic fluorides. This layer suppressed the decomposition of the electrolyte resulting in a decreased anode impedance and an increase in cycle stability and discharge capacity at low temperatures.
Performance analysis for IRS‐aided communication systems with composite fading/shadowing direct link and discrete phase shifts
Authors: Waqar Omer
Published: June 2021

Intelligent reflecting surface (IRS) is an emerging technology and serves as a key component of any smart radio environment. In this article, we consider an IRS that assists communication of a direct link between a single‐antenna transmitter and a receiver. It is assumed that a direct link experiences composite fading/shadowing and is modeled by Generalized‐Kdistribution. Moreover, IRS has line‐of‐sight (LoS) paths, therefore, Rician distribution is used to characterize the fading for these paths. We also consider phase errors that exist due to discrete number of phase shifts. We derive an approximation for the end‐to‐end signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) which shows that an amplitude of the direct link is increased by a positive offset because of the presence of IRS. Based on this SNR approximation, a new statistical framework that includes cumulative distribution function (CDF), probability density function (PDF), and moment generating function (MGF) is developed. Leveraging this statistical framework, we derive new and accurate closed‐form approximations for the outage probability, average error probability, ergodic capacity and generalized moments. It is shown that the considered IRS‐aided system (IAS) achieves much better performance even with a few numbers of phase shifts as compared to other baseline systems. Simulations are also provided which verify the tightness of our derived approximations.
Professional development in the Swedish police organization: Police officers' learning pathways
Authors: Kohlström Kirsi
Published: June 2021

Professional development is important for the improvement of professional work. Particularly relevant to the concept of professional development is an occupation's character and the organizational arrangements for activities endorsing employees' professional development. In this article, police officers' professional development in the Swedish police organization is explored by analyzing officers' learning pathways and their experiences of crucial conditions that contribute to their professional development. Content analysis of interviews with six female and seven male police officers is conducted. The results show that diverging police responsibilities give rise to either self‐directed or information‐oriented learning pathways. Three aspects (i.e., the formal educational arrangement, the facilitation of learning by managers, and scheduled time for workplace learning) are seen as crucial conditions that endorse police officers' professional development in diverging ways due to the assigned responsibilities. These findings show that police officers' professional development is endorsed with differing strategic management patterns that affect the kinds of professional development activities that support different police positions.
Human health risk assessment in PM10-bound trace elements, seasonal patterns, and source apportionment study in a critically polluted coking coalfield area of India
Authors: Singh Amarjeet , Singh Gurdeep
Published: June 2021

Jharia Coalfield (JCF) has been affected by coalmine fire and subsidence problems for several years. The emission of particulate pollutants is due to the history of unscientific and unregulated coal mining in the JCF area. In the present study (conducted in the year 2019), seasonal variations, possible causes, and human health hazards of particulate matter (PM10)-bound trace metals like Cd, Cu, Fe, Cr, Ni, Mn, Co, Pb, Zn, and As were estimated. The mean concentration of PM10 (418 ± 67 µg/m3) exceeded the limit of NAAQS (National Ambient Air Quality Standards India, 2009) by a factor of 4.18. PM10-bound trace metal concentrations were found in the order of Fe > Mn > Cu > Zn > Cr > Pb > Co > Ni > Cd > As. The maximum trace metal concentrations of all the metals studied were observed at the mining areas of JCF affected by coalmine fire. Human health carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic risks in children and adults were estimated through exposure pathways, ingestion, dermal contact, and inhalation. The cancer risk was evaluated as excess cancer risk (ECR). Noncancer risk estimates were evaluated as the hazard index (HI) and the hazard quotient (HQ). The HI and HQ values for Cr, Cu, Cd, As, and Pb at coalmine-fire-affected areas were observed to be higher than the value of safe dose (≤1), showing a possible noncarcinogenic risk to the inhabitants as a result of multielemental toxicity. The ECR values (>10−6) in JCF areas suggested a carcinogenic risk to the populace of the area, owing to inhalation of PM10-linked Cd. Active mine fire (related to mining activities), higher transportation load, and resuspended particulate matter from road transportation were identified as the possible causes of the estimated risks based on principal component analysis and Pearson correlation analyses. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:469–478. © 2021 SETAC

KEY POINTS

Spatiotemporal variations of trace metal concentrations are present in coal mining areas of Jharia Coalfield. Adults were more prone to the carcinogenic risks posed by the element Cd. Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and As had noncancer risk due to multielemental exposure. Mine fire, mining activities, and vehicular load were the main sources of pollutants in the coalfield area.
Neutrophil extracellular traps induce thrombogenicity in severe carotid stenosis
Authors: Zhang Shihua , Guo Mengfan , Liu Qianzi , Liu Jingfeng , Cui Yankun
Published: June 2021

Background

Severe carotid stenosis is a common cause of stroke. In addition, previous clinical studies revealed that patients symptomatic of carotid stenosis suffer from increased episodes of stroke compared with their asymptomatic counterparts. However, the mechanism underlying these differences in the recurrence of stroke remains unclear.

Objective

The present study aimed to evaluate the levels of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in the plasma of patients with severe carotid stenosis and investigate whether NETs induced procoagulant activity (PCA) in severe carotid stenosis. The study also sought to investigate the interactions between platelets or endothelial cells (ECs) and NETs.

Methods

The levels of NETs in plasma were quantified using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, NETting neutrophils and neutrophil‐platelet aggregates were detected through flow cytometry. On the other hand, the morphology of NETs formation and endothelial cells were analyzed through confocal microscopy. Finally, the procoagulant activity (PCA) of NETs and endothelial cells were assessed through ELISA and fibrin formation.

Results

Patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis patients had significantly higher levels of NETs markers compared with their asymptomatic counterparts and healthy subjects. In addition, increased levels of neutrophil‐platelet aggregates induced the generation of NETs in patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis. Moreover, NETs contributed to PCA through tissue factor (TF), in patients with carotid stenosis. Furthermore, NETs disrupted the endothelial barrier and converted endothelial cells (ECs) into PCA to enhance the PCA in patients with carotid stenosis.

Conclusions

The current study revealed differences in the levels of NETs in the plasma of symptomatic and asymptomatic patients suffering from carotid stenosis. The study also uncovered the interaction between NETs and thrombogenicity in carotid stenosis. Therefore, inhibiting NETs may be a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for recurring stroke in severe carotid stenosis.
Preservation of testicular tissue after enucleation of pediatric mature teratoma: A case series of 7 testes in 6 children
Authors: Kanematsu Akihiro , Yamamoto Shingo
Published: June 2021

Introduction

A standard protocol for testis‐sparing surgery for pediatric benign testicular tumors has not been established to date.

Case report

We treated 7 teratomas in 6 patients aged 12 years of younger. For 2 noncystic lesions, the spermatic cord was exposed via the transinguinal approach and clamped until the establishment of an intraoperative pathological diagnosis. The other 5 tumors in 4 infant patients were all preoperatively diagnosed with cystic teratoma, and we essentially exposed the testis directly via the scrotal approach and enucleated the tumor without clamping the cord. In every case, adequate amount of normal testicular tissue was preserved, without any local recurrence with 3‐year minimum follow‐up.

Conclusions

An unclamped enucleation of testicular tumor via the transscrotal approach, which is contraindicated in most testicular tumors, can be a treatment choice exclusively for preoperatively diagnosed mature cystic teratoma in infants.
Exposure to ethylparaben and propylparaben interfere with embryo implantation by compromising endometrial decidualization in early pregnant mice
Authors: Wang Dan , Li Weike , Yang Chengshun , Chen Xuemei , Liu Xueqing , He Junlin , Tong Chao , Peng Chuan , Ding Yubin , Geng Yanqing , Cao Xianqing , Li Fangfang , Gao Rufei , Wang Yingxiong
Published: June 2021

Ethylparaben (EtP) and propylparaben (PrP) are common preservatives and well‐known endocrine‐disrupting chemicals. Studies have demonstrated that they can reduce female fertility, but the underlying mechanism, especially that on embryo implantation, is still poorly understood. Endometrial decidualization is a critical event for embryo implantation. In this study, we aimed to explore the effects of EtP/PrP on endometrial decidualization. Pregnant mice were dosed daily by oral gavage with EtP at 0, 400, 800 and 1600 mg/kg or with PrP at 0, 625, 1250 and 2500 mg/kg from Day 1 of pregnancy until sacrifice. The results showed that the rate of pregnant mice with impaired embryo implantation, whose number of implantation sites was less than 7, was significantly increased after exposure to 1600 mg/kg EtP or 2500 mg/kg PrP. Further study found that the expression of endometrial decidualization markers HOXA10, MMP9 and PR was significantly downregulated in 1600 mg/kg EtP group and 2500 mg/kg PrP group. Notably, serum oestrogen and progesterone levels were significantly increased, whereas the expression of uterine oestrogen receptor and progesterone receptor was decreased following 1600 mg/kg EtP or 2500 mg/kg PrP exposure. In the breeding test, fewer offspring were found after females were exposed to 1600 mg/kg EtP or 2500 mg/kg PrP in early pregnancy. This demonstrated that exposure to EtP/PrP interfered with embryo implantation by compromising endometrial decidualization in early‐stage pregnant mice. Disorders of reproductive hormones and hormone receptor signals could be responsible for impaired decidualization. This study broadened the understanding on the biological safety of EtP and PrP.
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate and butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane: Toxicological effects on marine biota and human concerns
Authors: da Silva Anne C. P. , Santos Bianca A. M. C. , Castro Helena C. , Rodrigues Carlos R.
Published: June 2021

Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (EHMC) (CAS number: 5466‐77‐3) and butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (BMDM) (CAS number: 70356‐09‐1) are important sunscreens. However, frequent application of large amounts of these compounds may reflect serious environmental impact, once it enters the environment through indirect release via wastewater treatment or immediate release during water activities. In this article, we reviewed the toxicological effects of EHMC and BMDM on aquatic ecosystems and the human consequences. According to the literature, EHMC and BMDM have been detected in water samples and sediments worldwide. Consequently, these compounds are also present in several marine organisms like fish, invertebrates, coral reefs, marine mammals, and other species, due to its bioaccumulation potential. Studies show that these chemicals are capable of damaging the aquatic beings in different ways. Further, bioaccumulation studies have shown that EHMC biomagnifies through trophic levels, which makes human seafood consumption a concern because the higher position in the trophic chain, the more elevate levels of ultraviolet (UV) filters are detected, and it is established that EHMC present adverse effects on the human organism. In contrast, there are no studies on the BMDM bioaccumulation and biomagnification potential. Different strategies can be adopted to avoid the damage caused by sunscreens in the environment and human organism. Two of them include the use of natural photoprotectors, such as polyphenols, in association with UV filters in sunscreens and the development of new and safer UV filters. Overall, this review shows the importance of studying the impacts of sunscreens in nature and developing safer sunscreens and formulations to safeguard marine fauna, ecosystems, and humans.
Protective effects of sciadopitysin against methylglyoxal‐induced degeneration in neuronal SK‐N‐MC cells
Authors: Suh Kwang Sik , Chon Suk , Jung Woon Won , Choi Eun Mi
Published: June 2021

The accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) causes metabolic dysfunction and neuronal cell damage. Methylglyoxal (MG) is a major glycating agent that reacts with basic residues present in proteins and promotes the formation of AGEs. Sciadopitysin, a type of biflavonoid, exerts protective effects against neuronal cell damage; however, the underlying mechanisms have not been studied. This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying the protective effects of sciadopitysin against MG‐mediated cytotoxicity in SK‐N‐MC neuroblastoma cells. Our results demonstrated that pretreatment of SK‐N‐MC cells with sciadopitysin improved the cell viability that was inhibited by MG and inhibited the apoptosis induced by MG. Sciadopitysin attenuated intracellular Ca2+, NOX4 levels, oxidative stress, and MG‐protein adduct levels, and increased nuclear Nrf2 and glyoxalase 1 levels in the presence of MG. These results suggest that sciadopitysin exerts neuroprotective effects against MG‐induced death of human SK‐N‐MC cells via its antioxidative action. This study highlights sciadopitysin as a promising candidate for antioxidant therapy and designing natural drugs against AGE‐induced neurodegenerative disorders.
Raman confocal microscopy and biophysics multiparametric characterization of the skin barrier evolution with age
Authors: Rigal Aline , Michael‐Jubeli Rime , Nkengne Alex , Baillet‐Guffroy Arlette , Bigouret Armelle , Tfayli Ali
Published: June 2021

Skin aging is a multifactorial phenomenon that involves alterations at the molecular, cellular and tissue levels. Our aim was to carry out a multiparametric biophysical and Raman characterization of skin barrier between individuals of different age groups (<24 and >70 years old). Our results showed a significant decrease of lipids to proteins ratio overall the thickness of the stratum corneum and higher lateral packing in the outer part of the SC for elderly. This can explain the decrease in trans epidermal water loss measured values rather than only SC thickening. Both age groups showed similar water content at SC surface while elderly presented higher water content in deep SC and viable epidermis. Mechanical measurements showed a decrease in the elasticity and an increase in the fatigability with age and were correlated with partially bound water. Highest correlation and anti‐correlation values were observed for the deepest part of the SC and the viable epidermis.
New developments in the GDIS simulation package: Integration of VASP and USPEX
Authors: Okadome Valencia Hubert , Wang Busheng , Frapper Gilles , Rohl Andrew Lloyd
Published: June 2021

A popular first principles simulation code, the Vienna Ab initio Simulation Package (VASP), and a crystal structure prediction (CSP) package, the Universal Structure Predictor: Evolutionary Xtallography (USPEX) have been integrated into the GDIS visualization software. The aim of this integration is to provide users with a unique and simple interface through which most of the steps of a typical crystal optimization or prediction work. This involved, for the latter, not only setting up a CSP calculation with complete support for the latest version of USPEX, but also displaying the many structure results by linking each structure geometry and its energy via interactive graphics. For the optimization part, any structure displayed by GDIS can now be the starting point for VASP calculations, with support for its most commonly used parameters. Atomic and electronic structures can be displayed as well as dynamic properties such as total energy, force, volume, and pressure for each ionic step. It is not only possible to start calculations from the GDIS visualization software, using an in‐place task manager, but a running calculation can also be followed, allowing a greater control of the simulation process. The GDIS software is available under the GNU public license in its second version.