bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of 82 cases of spinal cord injury treated by ozone [abstract]
Authors: Abdukeram Xirzat , Rixit Muhtar , Mahmut Dilare
Published: February 2020

PURPOSE: To investigate the feasibility and clinical efficacy of ozone in the treatment of spinal cord injury so as to restore the function and sensation of the limbs.

METHODS: From May 2007 to July 2016, 82 patients with spinal cord injury were treated, including 24 females and 58 males, with an average age of 32.1 years.
Among all the research, 26 cases of cervical spinal cord injury, 12 cases of paraplegia in the thoracic spinal cord, 44 cases of paraplegia in the lumbar spine, all of whom had muscle strength 0 and had incontinence.
Frankel classification, grade A is 69 cases, B class is 13 cases.
12 cases of spinous process wire fixation was performed; in 61 cases, internal pedicle screw fixation, and no internal fixation was required in 9 cases. In these patients, we did epidural injection of 2-8 mL of ozone at 35 mcrg/mL with the C arm.
In 4 cases we did spinal canal decompression and internal fixation and we used an epidural catheter into the epidural and subarachnoid cavity to directly inject 2-8 mL of ozone at 35 mcrg/mL; after catheter withdrawal, we did ozone injection in the scar segment with the C arm to increase acurracy of the technique.

RESULTS: In 10 patients, the treatment produced no neurological improvement; the remaining 72 patients, from the 3rd postoperative day, feeling started to recover. We observed 22 patients during 26 months that could stand up and walk with crutches and 18 patients of them could control defecation and 16 patients could feel the defecation; 14 cases could do slight activities with their lower extremities; 12 patients reached mild forearm movement.

CONCLUSION: The key to the repair of the injured spinal cord is provided through the axon growth; ozone can play a worthy role in the release of scar and allow nerve axons to grow and access some function recovery.
The Problem with Peer Review
Authors: Smedsrød Bård , Lieungh Erik
Published: February 2020

In this episode professor at UIT - The Arctic University of Norway, Bård Smedsrød, gives us an insight into peer review. How does the system work today, and what's problematic with it?

Smedsrød also offers some solutions and encourages Universities to be much more involved in the peer review process. The host of this episode is Erik Lieungh.

You can also read Bård's latest paper on peer reviewing: Peer reviewing: a private affair between the individual researcher and the publishing houses, or responsibility of the university?

This episode was first published 2 November 2018.
The Future of Open Science
Authors: Tennant Jon , Lieungh Erik
Published: February 2020

The topic of this episode is the future of Open Science, and what it is like to be an outspoken critic of the current publishing system. Our guest is Jon Tennant, paleontologist, independent researcher and the founder of Open Science MOOC. The host of this episode is Erik Lieungh.

This episode was first published 21 December 2018.
High-throughput sequencing analysis identified microRNAs associated with egg production in ducks ovaries
Authors: Qiu Mohan , Zhang Zengrong , Xiong Xia , Du Huarui , Li Qingyun , Yu Chunlin , Gan Wu , Liu Hehe , Peng Han , Xia Bo , Chen Jialei , Hu Chenming , Song Xiaoyan , Yang Li , Jiang Xiaosong , Yang Chaowu
Published: February 2020

Background

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) exist widely and are involved in multiple biological processes in ducks, whereas the regulatory mechanism of miRNAs in egg laying of ducks has remained unclear. This study aims to reveal key miRNAs involved in the regulation of egg production in duck ovaries.

Methods

High-throughput sequencing was performed on four egg-type duck ovaries and four egg-meat-type duck ovaries at the start of the egg-laying stage. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) validation was performed on differentially expressed miRNAs (DE miRNAs). Gene network of DEmiRNA-mRNA-pathway was constructed by Cytoscape.

Results

A total of 251 know miRNAs and 1,972 novel miRNAs were obtained from whole clean reads. Among the known miRNAs, we identified 21 DEmiRNAs, including eight down-regulated and 13 up-regulated miRNAs in egg-type ducks compared with egg-meat-type ducks. Among the novel miRNAs, we identified 70 DEmiRNAs, including 58 down-regulated and 12 up-regulated in egg-type ducks compared with egg-meat-type ducks. The expression patterns of four miRNAs were verified by qRT-PCR. The DEmiRNAs were involved in the function of response to folic acid and the pathway of valine, leucine and isoleucine degradation. Specific target genes of DEmiRNAs enrichment was found in some egg-laying regulation pathways, such as dopaminergic synapse, ovarian steroidogenesis and oocyte meiosis. The DEmiRNA-mRNA-pathway network including three DEmiRNAs, nine mRNAs and 11 pathways. apl-miR-194-5p and apl-miR-215-5p may be potential key miRNAs in regulating egg laying.

Conclusions

This study provided miRNAs profiles in ducks about egg laying and establish a theoretical basis for subsequent selection or modification of duck phenotypes at the molecular level.
Influence of host phylogeny, geographical location and seed harvesting diet on the bacterial community of globally distributed Pheidole ants
Authors: Martins Cíntia , Moreau Corrie S.
Published: February 2020

The presence of symbiotic relationships between organisms is a common phenomenon found across the tree of life. In particular, the association of bacterial symbionts with ants is an active area of study. This close relationship between ants and microbes can significantly impact host biology and is also considered one of the driving forces in ant evolution and diversification. Diet flexibility of ants may explain the evolutionary success of the group, which may be achieved by the presence of endosymbionts that aid in nutrition acquisition from a variety of food sources. With more than 1,140 species, ants from the genus Pheidole have a worldwide distribution and an important role in harvesting seeds; this behavior is believed to be a possible key innovation leading to the diversification of this group. This is the first study to investigate the bacterial community associated with Pheidole using next generation sequencing (NGS) to explore the influences of host phylogeny, geographic location and food preference in shaping the microbial community. In addition, we explore if there are any microbiota signatures related to granivory. We identified Proteobacteria and Firmicutes as the major phyla associated with these ants. The core microbiome in Pheidole (those found in >50% of all samples) was composed of 14 ASVs and the most prevalent are family Burkholderiaceae and the genera Acinetobacter, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Cloacibacterium and Ralstonia. We found that geographical location and food resource may influence the bacterial community of Pheidole ants. These results demonstrate that Pheidole has a relatively stable microbiota across species, which suggests the bacterial community may serve a generalized function in this group.
Modified Sidewall Design of QFN Package
Authors: Ray I. Gomez Frederick , S. Rodriguez Rennier
Published: February 2020

The paper offers an improvement for leadframe devices to mitigate the occurrence of package chipping rejection during package mechanical singulation. The discussion provides a specialized design of mold chase for mold encapsulation process, and an augmented mechanical cutting technique of package singulation. Furthermore, insights are shared to apprehend the manufacturability of the improved design and process during assembly manufacturing specifically on the critical process steps of mold encapsulation and package singulation.
Leader‐following consensus of fractional‐order multi‐agent systems via adaptive control
Authors: Ji Yude , Guo Yanping , Liu Yuejuan , Tian Yun
Published: February 2020

This article focuses on the consensus problem of leader‐following fractional‐order multi‐agent systems (MASs) with general linear and Lipschitz nonlinear dynamics. First, the distributed adaptive protocols for linear and nonlinear fractional‐order MASs are constructed, respectively. We allow the control coupling gains to be time varying for each agent. Moreover, the adaptive modification schemes for the control gain are designed, which renders smaller control gains and thus requires smaller amplitude on the control input without sacrificing consensus convergence. Second, based on fractional‐order Lyapunov stability theorem and Barbalat's lemma, two novel sufficient conditions in terms of linear matrix inequalities are provided to ensure that the leader‐following consensus can be obtained in the case for any undirected connected communication graph. Furthermore, we show that the proposed algorithm also works for consensus of agents with intrinsic Lipschitz nonlinear dynamics. As a result, the proposed framework requires no global information and thus can be implemented in a fully distributed manner. Finally, the numerical simulations are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of obtained the theoretical results.
Mechanically Interlocked Hydrogel–Elastomer Hybrids for On‐Skin Electronics
Authors: Pan Shaowu , Zhang Feilong , Cai Pingqiang , Wang Ming , He Ke , Luo Yifei , Li Zheng , Chen Geng , Ji Shaobo , Liu Zhihua , Loh Xian Jun , Chen Xiaodong
Published: February 2020

Soft electronics that seamlessly interface with skin are of great interest in health monitoring and human–machine interfaces. However, achieving mechanical softness, skin adhesiveness, and high conductivity concurrently has always been a major challenge due to the difficulty in bonding dissimilar materials while retaining their respective properties. Herein, the mechanically interlocked hydrogel–elastomer hybrid is reported as a viable solution to this problem. Hydrogels with low moduli and high adhesiveness are employed as the substrate, while porous elastomer webs are used as matrices to load conductive films and lock the hydrogels through a mechanically interlocked structure. The bonding strength between the hydrogel and elastomer in the interlocking hybrid structure is 14.3 times of that obtained via the physical stacking method. As a proof of concept, interlocking hybrids are used as on‐skin electrodes for electrophysiological signal recording including electromyography and electrocardiography. The robust hybrid electrodes are able to detect signals after multiple cycles. The proposed strategy not only is an effective approach to achieve interlocking structures, but also provides a new perspective for soft and stretchable electronics.
Material‐Dependent Antagonistic Effects between Soot and ZDDP
Authors: Kumara Chanaka , Meyer Harry M. , Qu Jun
Published: February 2020

While soot in engine oil is known to accelerate the wear of diesel and gasoline direct‐injection compression‐ignition engines, there is a lack of consensus on the wear mechanism though various hypotheses have been proposed in the literature. Particularly, some recently observed antagonistic effects between soot and a common lubricant antiwear additive, zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP), while others did not. The discrepancy is, in part, explained by the strong alloy dependence of such antagonism discovered in this study. Four alloys, 52100 steel and M2, M50, and A2 tool steels, are tested in lubricants containing carbon black (CB, a soot surrogate) with and without ZDDP present. Adding the CB alone to the oil increases the wear rate for all steel alloys as expected. However, distinct wear performance is observed for the four steel alloys when ZDDP is introduced to the CB‐containing oil: while the 52100 steel has notable wear reduction, the three tool steels suffer significant wear increase. Comprehensive tribofilm characterization suggests that the Mo content in the steel alloy and the sulfur from ZDDP strongly influence wear behavior. The combination of CB/Mo‐catalyzed sulfidation and CB‐accelerated abrasion is hypothesized to be responsible for the high wear of the Mo‐alloyed tool steels.
Chiral Phosphoric Acid Catalyzed Atroposelective C−H Amination of Arenes
Authors: Xia Wang , An Qian‐Jin , Xiang Shao‐Hua , Li Shaoyu , Wang Yong‐Bin , Tan Bin
Published: February 2020

N‐arylcarbazole structures are important because of their prevalence in natural products and functional OLED materials. C−H amination of arenes has been widely recognized as the most efficient approach to access these structures. Conventional strategies involving transition‐metal catalysts suffer from confined substrate generality and the requirement of exogenous oxidants. Organocatalytic enantioselective C–N chiral axis construction remains elusive. Presented here is the first organocatalytic strategy for the synthesis of novel axially chiral N‐arylcarbazole frameworks by the assembly of azonaphthalenes and carbazoles. This reaction accommodates broad substrate scope and gives atropisomeric N‐arylcarbazoles in good yields with excellent enantiocontrol. This approach not only offers an alternative to metal‐catalyzed C–N cross‐coupling, but also brings about opportunities for the exploitation of structurally diverse N‐aryl atropisomers and OLED materials.
Switchable Polymerization Triggered by Fast and Quantitative Insertion of Carbon Monoxide into Cobalt–Oxygen Bonds
Authors: Wang Yong , Zhao Yajun , Zhu Shuaishuai , Zhou Xingping , Xu Jing , Xie Xiaolin , Poli Rinaldo
Published: February 2020

A strategy that uses carbon monoxide (CO) as a molecular trigger to switch the polymerization mechanism of a cobalt Salen complex [salen=(R,R)‐N,N′‐bis(3,5‐di‐tert‐butylsalicylidene)‐1,2‐cyclohexanediamine] from ring‐opening copolymerization (ROCOP) of epoxides/anhydrides to organometallic mediated controlled radical polymerization (OMRP) of acrylates is described. The key phenomenon is a rapid and quantitative insertion of CO into the Co−O bond, allowing for in situ transformation of the ROCOP active species (Salen)CoIII‐OR into the OMRP photoinitiator (Salen)CoIII‐CO2R. The proposed mechanism, which involves CO coordination to (Salen)CoIII‐OR and subsequent intramolecular rearrangement via migratory insertion has been rationalized by DFT calculations. Regulated by both CO and visible light, on‐demand sequence control can be achieved for the one‐pot synthesis of polyester‐b‐polyacrylate diblock copolymers (Đ<1.15).
Photocurable pentaerythritol triacrylate/lithium phenyl‐2,4,6‐trimethylbenzoylphosphinate‐based ink for extrusion‐based 3D printing of magneto‐responsive materials
Authors: Erkoc Pelin , Odeh Yazan Nitham , Alrifai Nada , Zirhli Onur , Gunduz Akdogan Nilay , Yildiz Burcin , Misirlioglu Ibrahim Burc , Akdogan Ozan
Published: February 2020

Recent advances in additive manufacturing made it feasible to fabricate products with desired shapes and features. Herein, a new, photocurable 3D printer ink mainly based on pentaerythritol triacrylate (PETA) is reported. To achieve rapid curing needed for 3D printing process, high performance water‐soluble photoinitiator, lithium phenyl‐2,4,6‐trimethylbenzoylphosphinate (LAP), was emulsified in PETA monomers and this suspension was evaluated for its polymerization kinetics by exposing to 395 nm UV‐light. The distinct influences of LAP and triethanolamine (TEA) concentrations on photo‐polymerization and printability were examined and an optimum concentration for extrusion‐based 3D printing was found to be 10 mMand 1.62 M for LAP and TEA, respectively. Synthesized PETA‐based 3D printer ink was functionalized by dispersing magnetic particles/flakes into the mixture, and consequently, a magneto responsive ink was obtained to be used in specialized applications. A ring‐shaped structure embedded with micron sized iron flakes was printed as a prototype. This study presents a versatile photo‐curable polymer formulation with possible translation to high performance 3D printing of customizable shapes that can be utilized in a wide range of areas such as micro‐robotics and medical science.
Optimal storage moduli for the thermal healing of polystyrene ionomers
Authors: Kim Eun‐Hee , Jo Myung Guen , Kim Joon‐Seop
Published: February 2020

In this work, we studied the effects of storage moduli on thermal healing of poly(styrene‐co‐methacrylate) and poly(styrene‐co‐itaconate) ionomers. It was found that as the ion content and neutralization degree of the ionomers increased, the healing efficiencies decreased. This was due to the fact that the ionic aggregates, acting as physical cross‐links, and the clustered regions of the ionomers, reducing polymer chain mobility, interrupted the relaxation of the polymer chains near the damaged site, slowing the recovery. The most important finding in this work was that, to heal the ionomer without severe sample deformation, the optimal healing temperature should be the temperature where the storage modulus of the ionomer was similar to 106.6 Pa. Obviously, the healing rate and healing efficiency were mainly influenced by the healing temperature, related directly to the storage modulus of the polymer, and the maximum healing efficiency was strongly affected by healing time.
Facile synthesis of a castor oil‐based hyperbranched acrylate oligomer and its application in UV‐curable coatings
Authors: Wei Daidong , Huang Xiaomei , Zeng Juanjuan , Deng Shuling , Xu Jinghui
Published: February 2020

Fabrication and performance of the castor oil (CO)‐based hyperbranched acrylate (C20AA) UV‐curable coatings are highlighted in this work. Herein, C20AA was obtained through a facile reaction of a castor oil‐based hyperbranched polyol (C20) with acrylic acid. FT‐IR and 1H NMR spectra confirmed the synthesis of the target C20AA. Subsequently, the as‐prepared C20AA was employed for crosslinking a commercialized linear polyurethane acrylate (PUA) UV‐curable oligomer. Specifically, by varying the content of C20AA over the range of 0, 20, 40, and 60 wt%, a series of UV‐curable coatings were prepared and coded as C20AA‐0, C20AA‐20, C20AA‐40, and C20AA‐60, respectively, which were further cured under UV irradiation. The effect of C20AA loadings on the UV‐curing efficiency and final polymer performance were investigated. Consequently, the tensile strength, Shore D hardness, pencil hardness, gel content, water resistance, and glass‐transition temperature of the UV‐cured coatings were greatly improved upon the addition of C20AA. Impressively, with the incorporation of 40 wt% C20AA, the resultant UV‐cured coating exhibited highest double bond conversion, superior chemical resistance, and good flexibility. Additionally, all of the coatings showed outstanding transparency and good surface microstructures.
Tandem Three‐Component Synthesis of syn‐1,2‐ and syn‐1,3‐Diol Derivatives
Authors: Murata Keisuke , Takeshita Hiroya , Sakamoto Keita , Fuwa Haruhiko
Published: February 2020

The development of efficient methods for stereocontrolled synthesis of polyol derivatives has been of continuing interest for the synthetic community. We describe herein tandem olefin cross‐metathesis/hemiacetalization/intramolecular oxa‐Michael addition of allylic/homoallylic alcohols, α,β‐unsaturated ketones, and aldehydes, which enabled the synthesis of syn‐1,2‐ and syn‐1,3‐diol derivatives in a step‐economical manner. A series of differentially protected polyol derivatives could be obtained in subsequent transformations via chemoselective/regioselective cleavage of the acetal moiety of the tandem reaction products.
Selective Detection and Visualization of Exogenous/endogenous Hypochlorous Acid in Living Cells using a BODIPY‐based Red‐emitting Fluorescent Probe
Authors: Wang Xianhui , Tao Yuanfang , Zhang Jian , Chen Miao , Wang Nannan , Ji Xin , Zhao Weili
Published: February 2020

Herein, a red‐emitting fluorescent probe DM‐BDP‐OCl containing a para‐DMTC benzyl pyridinium moiety at the meso position of BODIPY as self‐immolative portion for the detection of HOCl was designed and synthesized. DM‐BDP‐OCl exhibited excellent specificity and a fast response for HOCl beyond other ROS/RNS. It was used for the accurately measurable detection of HOCl with a linear range from 0 μM to 50 μM, and the detection limit for HOCl reached 60 nM. Moreover, the probe could directly monitor fluctuations of exogenous and endogenous HOCl in living HeLa and RAW 264.7 cells. This work provided a powerful and convenient imaging tool for probing pathological and physiological actions of HOCl.
Ag‐Catalyzed Trifluoromethylative Ring Expansion of Isatins and Isatin Ketimines with Trifluorodiazoethane
Authors: Jamali Muhammad Fahad , Gupta Ekta , Kumar Anuj , Kant Ruchir , Mohanan Kishor
Published: February 2020

A general method for the construction of trifluoromethylated 2‐quinolinones has been established herein by using a trifluoromethylative ring expansion of isatin with trifluorodiazoethane. The strategy provides a platform for the rapid synthesis of a wide range of substituted 3‐hydroxy‐4‐trifluoromethyl‐2‐quinolinones. This operationally simple and robust Ag‐catalyzed protocol successfully transforms isatin ketimines to 3‐amino‐4‐trifluoromethylquinolinones in excellent yields. The utility of this novel method is further illustrated by the conversion of the products into various synthetically and medicinally relevant molecules.
Nanoarchitectonics from Atom to Life
Authors: Ariga Katsuhiko , Yamauchi Yusuke
Published: February 2020

Functional materials with rational organization cannot be directly created only by nanotechnology‐related top‐down approaches. For this purpose, a novel research paradigm next to nanotechnology has to be established to create functional materials on the basis of deep nanotechnology knowledge. This task can be assigned to an emerging concept, nanoarchitectonics. In the nanoarchitectonics approaches, functional materials are architected through combination of atom/molecular manipulation, organic chemical synthesis, self‐assembly and related spontaneous processes, field‐applied assembly, micro/nano fabrications, and bio‐related processes. In this short review article, nanoarchitectonics‐related approaches on materials fabrications and functions are exemplified from atom‐scale to living creature level. Based on their features, unsolved problems for future developments of the nanoarchitectonics concept are finally discussed.
Stopped‐flow chemiluminescence determination of the anticancer drug capecitabine: Application in pharmaceutical analysis and drug‐delivery systems
Authors: Niazi Saei Jalal , Mokhtari Ali , Karimian Hossein
Published: February 2020

Capecitabine is a chemotherapeutic agent used for the treatment of patients with metastatic cancers. This study aimed at determining the drug capecitabine in a simple chemiluminescence (CL) system of acidic potassium permanganate using the stopped‐flow injection technique. Statistical methods were used to detect optimum conditions. The method showed two linear calibration ranges from 6.7 × 10−6 to 6.7 × 10−5 mol L−1 and from 6.7 × 10−5 to 2.7 × 10−3 mol L−1 with a detection limit of 1.5 × 10−6 mol L−1. Chitosan‐modified magnetic nanoparticles were studied in the drug‐delivery experiments. According to the pH sensitivity of chitosan and low pH values in tumour cells, the chitosan‐coated magnetic nanoparticles could provide a good targeting drug‐delivery system to tumour sites. To evaluate the applicability of the method, the capecitabine‐loaded magnetic chitosan nanoparticles were synthesized with two different cross‐linkers; loading and releasing rates of the drug were investigated using the proposed CL method and an ultraviolet–visible light spectrophotometric method (absorption at 305 nm). The results showed a good correlation between the two methods, and it was found that the synthesized chitosan‐modified magnetic nanoparticles could be used for pH‐dependent release of capecitabine in cancer cells. Moreover, determination of capecitabine in tablets and synthetic samples was performed.
Zerfurchte Flügel und zähe Luft
Authors: Eder Heinrich
Published: February 2020

Fliegende Kleinstorganismen mussten Flugorgane entwickeln, die an die physikalischen Gesetze der Luft im jeweiligen Größenregime optimal angepasst sind. Wirbel – ob stationäre oder dynamische – spielen dabei eine entscheidende Rolle. Die Wirbelbildung wird bei Mikrolebewesen durch morphologische Feinstrukturen (Adern, Furchen, Poren) unterstützt.
Genetischer Globetrotter: Ein marines Plasmid hilft beim Verständnis des horizontalen Gentransfers
Authors: Kaster Anne‐Kristin , Vollmers John
Published: February 2020

Bei Plasmiden handelt es sich um ringförmige, doppelsträngige DNA‐Moleküle, die unabhängig vom Bakterienchromosom in der Bakterienzelle vorkommen. Bakterien nutzen Plasmide unter anderem für den horizontalen Gentransfer. Forscherinnen und Forscher um Professorin Anne‐Kristin Kaster, Direktorin des Institute for Biological Interfaces (IBG 5) des Karlsruher Instituts für Technologie (KIT), vom Leibniz‐Institut DSMZ und der University of East Anglia (UEA) haben nun erstmals ein hundertprozentig identisches Plasmid in verschiedenen Mikroorganismen an geographisch weit entfernten Standorten nachgewiesen. Ihre Ergebnisse publizierten die Forscher in dem renommierten Fachmagazin Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
Nachrichten des Verbandes Biologie, Biowissenschaften & Biomedizin in Deutschland
Authors: Flachowsky Henryk
Published: February 2020

VBIO

BDV 2019

Landesverbände

Berlin‐Brandenburg

NRW

Sachsen
Die Nullrisiko‐Verzerrung
Authors: Hauk Andrea
Published: February 2020

Fehlentscheidungen sind menschlich. Wir aber lassen in unserer neuen Serie „Management‐Fallstricke“ einmal die Tiere zu Wort kommen. In Form von Fabeln vermittelt unsere Autorin Andrea Hauk in anschaulicher Weise typische Denkfehler, die auf allen Managementebenen zu Hause sind. Vielleicht sind Sie ja selbst auch schon einmal in die eine oder andere Falle getappt?
Emsland Moormuseum: Evolutive und rezente Eindrücke eines einmaligen Ökosystems
Authors: Högermann Christiane
Published: February 2020

Lebendige Moorgeschichte gestern und heute, die „Biologie“ und Evolution des Moores als Ökosystem zusammen mit historischen Dokumenten zur Torfgewinnung, ‐verarbeitung und ‐nutzung im Kontext zur Siedlergeschichte, die das karge Leben der Moorbauern wieder aufleben lässt – all das bietet das Emsland Moormuseum.
Identification of the plasma total cfDNA level before and after chemotherapy as an indicator of the neoadjuvant chemotherapy response in locally advanced breast cancer
Authors: Ma Ge , Wang Jingyi , Huang Huaxing , Han Xu , Xu Jin , Veeramootoo Jordee Selvamanee , Xia Tiansong , Wang Shui
Published: February 2020

This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the circulating free DNA (cfDNA) level in patients with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) having different neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) responses and to investigate whether dynamic changes in cfDNA level could predict the effectiveness of NCT in patients with LABC. Data on 61 patients with LABC were included. NCT responses were evaluated using the response evaluation criteria. Blood samples were collected for cfDNA detection before treatment and after the first and eighth courses of chemotherapy. The Alu 111‐bp and 260‐bp fragment levels were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction, and the predictive value of the cfDNA level in the NCT response was determined. In vitro, the MCF‐7 and MCF‐7/ADR cell lines were applied to simulate the phenomenon of drug resistance and explain the underlying mechanism. The Alu 111‐bp level increased after the first NCT course (P = .014) and then remained high after NCT in the high‐R group (P = .047), but it remained steady in the low‐R group during NCT. A similar tendency in the Alu 260‐bp level was revealed in different groups. The ∆∆Ct value of Alu 260‐bp had good diagnostic efficiency in assessing predictive ability. The area under the curve for the ∆∆Ct1 and ∆∆Ct2 of Alu 260‐bp was 0.697 and 0.647, respectively. The cfDNA level was closely related to epirubicin‐induced apoptosis and changes in the Ki‐67 index in vitro. The elevation of cfDNA after one chemotherapy cycle was mediated by the apoptosis of tumor cells and related to the improved chemotherapy response.
2′/3′ Regioselectivity of Enzyme‐Free Copying of RNA Detected by NMR
Authors: Motsch Sebastian , Pfeffer Daniel , Richert Clemens
Published: February 2020

The RNA‐templated extension of oligoribonucleotides by nucleotides produces either a 3′,5′ or a 2′,5′‐phosphodiester. Nature controls the regioselectivity during RNA chain growth with polymerases, but enzyme‐free versions of genetic copying have modest specificity. Thus far, enzymatic degradation of products, combined with chromatography or electrophoresis, has been the preferred mode of detecting 2′,5′‐diesters produced in enzyme‐free reactions. This approach hinges on the substrate specificity of nucleases, and is not suitable for in situ monitoring. Here we report how 1H NMR spectroscopy can be used to detect the extension of self‐templating RNA hairpins and that this reveals the regioisomeric nature of the newly formed phosphodiesters. We studied several modes of activating nucleotides, including imidazolides, a pyridinium phosphate, an active ester, and in situ activation with carbodiimide and organocatalyst. Conversion into the desired extension product ranged from 20 to 90 %, depending on the leaving group. Integration of the resonances of H1′ protons of riboses and H5 protons of pyrimidines gave regioselectivities ranging from 40:60 to 85:15 (3′,5′ to 2′,5′ diester), but no simple correlation between 3′,5′ selectivity and yield. Our results show how monitoring with a high‐resolution technique sheds a new light on a process that may have played an important role during the emergence of life.
Palatal myoclonus secondary to neurosarcoidosis
Authors: Dharaiya Devanshi , Memon Anza B.
Published: February 2020

Palatal myoclonus can be primary or secondary. In primary palatal myoclonus, no obvious structural brain lesions can be found within the triangle of Guillain and Mollaret. Common causes of secondary myoclonus include stroke, demyelination, infections, trauma, and neurodegeneration.
Response Surface Optimization of Hydrogen‐Rich Syngas Production by Greenhouse Gases Reforming
Authors: Mageed Alyaa K. , Ayodele Bamidele Victor , Mustapa Siti Indati
Published: February 2020

The effect of process interaction and response surface optimization of hydrogen‐rich syngas production by catalytic carbon dioxide (CO2) reforming of methane (CH4) was evaluated. The Box‐Behnken design was applied to investigate the influence of CH4 partial pressure, CO2 partial pressure, and temperature on the hydrogen yield. The analysis of variance indicated that temperature and CH4 partial pressure had the most significant impact on the hydrogen yield. Under optimum conditions a maximum hydrogen yield of 71.38 % was achieved. Model validation with the ideal conditions confirmed close agreement of the predicted hydrogen yields with experimental values.
High‐Performance Bimetallic Catalysts for Low‐Temperature Carbon Dioxide Reforming of Methane
Authors: Aziz Muhammad Arif Ab , Setiabudi Herma Dina , Teh Lee Peng , Asmadi Mohd , Matmin Juan , Wongsakulphasatch Suwimol
Published: February 2020

Catalytic dry reforming of methane (DRM) is a promising way for renewable syngas production due to the utilization of both CO2 and CH4 greenhouse gases. Current approaches were made to improve the catalytic activity and coke resistance by introducing a second metal into the Ni‐based catalytic system. This bimetallic catalytic system showed a significant improvement in coke resistance due to the synergistic effect of both metals towards the reaction. This review summarizes recent developments in bimetallic catalysts in DRM which focused on the evaluation of catalysts, deactivation studies, and reaction mechanisms of developed bimetallic catalysts.
Enhancing the Catalytic Kinetics of Electrodes by using a Multidimensional Carbon Network for Applications in Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries
Authors: Zhang Lei , Ma Qiang , Hu Jun‐Ping , Liu Jun , Deng Qi , Ning Pan , Zhou Congshan , Wu Xiongwei , Wu Yuping
Published: February 2020

Composite graphite felt (GF) electrodes modified by using a carbon network are fabricated for vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs). The electrodes are derived through the in situ polymerization of p‐phenylenediamine and phytic acid on GF fibers, followed by high‐temperature calcinations performed in an inert atmosphere. The composite electrodes exhibited higher electrocatalytic activities for the VO2+/VO2+ and V2+/V3+ redox species compared with the original GF electrode. The peak potential was reduced by 357 mV, which could be attributed to the increased number of active sites and diffusion pathways; the energy efficiency of the composite electrode increased by 6 % (current density: 200 mA cm−2). Based on the above‐mentioned structural design, a battery containing the composite electrodes exhibited excellent cycling stability without any obvious efficiency decay after 1000 cycles, indicating its applicability for large‐scale VRFBs.
TiO2 Nanorods Co‐decorated with Metal‐Free Carbon Materials for Boosted Photoelectrochemical Water Oxidation
Authors: Kong Weiqian , Zhang Xiaofan , Chang Binbin , Guo Yanzhen , Li Yipeng , Zhang Shouren , Yang Baocheng
Published: February 2020

The key challenge for solar water oxidation is to develop photoanodes with high charge transfer and separation efficiency as well as rapid surface reaction kinetics. Herein, the double metal‐free carbon materials, including carbon dots (CDs) and ultra‐thin carbon nitride (UCN), were coupled with TiO2 nanorods (CDs/UCN/TiO2) to enhance photoelectrochemical (PEC) activity. Attributed to the integrated effect of UCN and CDs, the designed ternary CDs/UCN/TiO2 photoanode exhibits a photocurrent density of 1.43 mA cm−2, which is 3.0‐fold higher than that of the bare TiO2 nanorods. In detail, the UCN can efficiently accelerate the charge separation and restrict the electron/hole recombination, owing to the close contact heterojunction. Meanwhile, the CDs can significantly facilitate H2O2 decomposition, as demonstrated by scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM), as they induce rapid reaction kinetics. Importantly, such constructed photoanodes modified with double metal‐free carbon materials provide great potential for future progress in PEC water splitting through a simple decoration strategy with metal‐free carbon materials.
An Isolable Bis(Silanone–Borane) Adduct
Authors: Luecke Marcel‐Philip , Pens Elron , Yao Shenglai , Driess Matthias
Published: February 2020

The reaction of bis(silylenyl)‐substituted ferrocene 1 with two molar equivalents of BPh3 yields the corresponding bis(silylene–borane) Lewis adduct 2. The latter is capable to activate CO2 to furnish the borane‐stabilized bis(silanone) 3 through mono‐oxygenation of the dative SiII→B silicon centers under release of CO. Removal of BPh3 from 3 with PMe3 affords the corresponding 1,3,2,4‐cyclodisiloxane and the Me3P−BPh3 adduct. All isolated new compounds were characterized and their molecular structures were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses.
Pediatric Extrapolation in Type 2 Diabetes: Future Implications of a Workshop
Authors: Barrett Jeffrey S. , Bucci‐Rechtweg Christina , Amy Cheung S. Y. , Gamalo‐Siebers Margaret , Haertter Sebastian , Karres Janina , Marquard Jan , Mulugeta Yeruk , Ollivier Cecile , Strougo Ashley , Yanoff Lisa , Yao Lynne , Zeitler Philip
Published: February 2020

Extrapolation from adults to youth with type 2 diabetes (T2D) is challenged by differences in disease progression and manifestation. This manuscript presents the results of a mock‐team workshop focused on examining the typical team‐based decision process used to propose a pediatric development plan for T2D addressing the viability of extrapolation. The workshop was held at the American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (ASCPT) in Orlando, Florida on March 21, 2018.
Model‐Based Assessment of Variability in Isoniazid Pharmacokinetics and Metabolism in Patients Co‐Infected With Tuberculosis and HIV: Implications for a Novel Dosing Strategy
Authors: Sundell Jesper , Bienvenu Emile , Janzén David , Birgersson Sofia , Äbelö Angela , Ashton Michael
Published: February 2020

Tuberculosis is the most common cause of death in HIV‐infected patients. Isoniazid is used as a first‐line drug to treat tuberculosis infection. However, variability in isoniazid pharmacokinetics can result in hepatotoxicity or treatment failure. Determination of clinical factors affecting isoniazid pharmacokinetics and metabolic pathways in HIV co‐infected patients is therefore critical. Plasma levels of isoniazid, acetyl‐isoniazid, and isonicotinic acid from 63 patients co‐infected with tuberculosis and HIV were analyzed by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry followed by nonlinear mixed‐effects modeling. Patients were genotyped to determine acetylator status. Patients were either on concomitant efavirenz‐based antiretroviral therapy or HIV treatment naïve. Clearances of isoniazid were 1.3‐fold and 2.3‐fold higher in intermediate and rapid acetylators, respectively, compared with slow acetylators. Patients on concomitant efavirenz‐based antiretroviral therapy had 64% and 80% higher population predicted clearances of acetyl‐isoniazid and isonicotinic acid, respectively, compared with patients who were HIV treatment naïve. Both sex and CD4 cell count affected the bioavailability of isoniazid. Variability in isoniazid exposure could be reduced by dose adaptions based on acetylator type and sex in addition to the currently used weight bands. A novel dosing strategy that has the potential to reduce isoniazid‐related toxicity and treatment failure is presented.
Genome‐wide analysis of ethylene‐insensitive3 (EIN3/EIL) in Triticum aestivum
Authors: Yi‐Qin He , Wen‐di Huang , Lei Yang , Yi‐Ting Li , Chen Lu , Yong‐Xing Zhu , Dong‐Fang Ma , Jun‐Liang Yin
Published: February 2020

Ethylene‐insensitive proteins (EIN3/EIL) are a class of nuclear localization proteins with DNA‐binding activity. EIL is an important gene family in plants, and plays key roles in the ethylene signaling pathway which regulates a broad spectrum of plant growth and development, as well as defenses to various biological and abiotic stresses. Although genome‐wide analyses of EIL gene family has been carried out for several plant species, no comprehensive analysis of this family in Triticum aestivum L. has been reported so far. Furthermore, there are few scattered studies on the functions of EIL genes in wheat. It is necessary to comprehensively identify and analyze the EIL gene family in wheat. In this study, BLASTp were used to identify EIL genes in the lately released reference genome of T. aestivum. The 21 TaEIL genes were sought, which can be divided into three groups (a, b, and c) according to phylogenetic relationship. The nonsynonymous/synonymous substitution rates (Ka/Ks) value showed that three homologous pairs (TaEILb.4/TaEILb.6, TaEILa.8/TaEILa.7, and TaEILa.8/TaEILa.9) experienced strongly purifying selection. The remaining 16 homologous pairs underwent positive selection with an evolutionary acceleration. Analysis of gene structure and motif, protein features, and three‐dimensional structure showed that TaEILs were similar with EILs in other species such as Arabidopsis, rice, and maize. Homology analyses of EIL in T. aestivum and its progenitors showed that EIL gene discarded some redundant genes during the domestication evolution of T. aestivum and retained some useful genes. Gene expression patterns analyses and transient agro‐infiltration assays showed that group b and group c members of TaEIL were involved in the resistance to pathogen. Our study provides a new perspective for studying feature functions of TaEILs, and will help in revealing the regulatory network of wheat development and stress response, thus contributing to the improvement of molecular breeding of wheat quality traits.
Improved Photoreduction of CO2 with Water by Tuning the Valence Band of Covalent Organic Frameworks
Authors: Wang Lu‐jie , Wang Rui‐lei , Zhang Xiao , Mu Jing‐lin , Zhou Zi‐yan , Su Zhong‐min
Published: February 2020

Porous covalent organic frameworks (COFs), as an emerging material, have the characteristics of high stability, large series of components, easy synthesis, modification, and adjustable amplitude. They have the potential to become good catalysts. Bromine, as a halogen, has attracted intensive interest for the modification of photocatalysts for photocatalytic reactions. It is feasible to enhance the activity and selectivity of the material by facile functionalization of the reticular parent structure′s electron‐withdrawing groups. In addition, the conjugation effect of bromine, further delocalizing the electrons of the COF, is beneficial to the progress of many photocatalytic reactions. Reports on the modification of COFs by bromine functional groups to improve the catalytic performance have not been found so far. Here, TAPP [5,10,15,20‐tetrakis(4‐aminophenyl)porphyrin] and 2,5‐dibromo‐1,4‐benzenedialdehyde instead of terephthalaldehyde were chosen to synthesize a porphyrin‐based COF (TAPBB‐COF) by the solvothermal method. As expected, the valence band (VB) of TAPBB‐COF is thus adjusted to a more suitable position. Additionally, the CO production when using TAPBB‐COF under full‐wavelength light for 12 h was 295.2 μmol g−1, which was three times that of COF‐366, and the new material has good recycling stability and selectivity (95.6 %). Theoretical calculations indicate that the nitrogen of the porphyrin ring and the Schiff base, and the bromine in TAPBB‐COF contribute greatly to the activation of H2O and the conversion of CO2 in the photoreaction.
Assessment of enhanced influenza vaccination finds that FluAd conveys an advantage in mice and older adults
Authors: Kavian Niloufar , Hachim Asmaa , Li Athena PY , Cohen Carolyn A , Chin Alex WH , Poon Leo LM , Fang Vicky J , Leung Nancy HL , Cowling Benjamin J , Valkenburg Sophie A
Published: February 2020

Objectives

Enhanced inactivated influenza vaccines (eIIV) aim to increase immunogenicity and protection compared with the widely used standard IIV (S‐IIV).

Methods

We tested four vaccines in parallel, FluZone high dose, FluBlok and FluAd versus S‐IIV in a randomised controlled trial of older adults and in a mouse infection model to assess immunogenicity, protection from lethal challenge and mechanisms of action.

Results

In older adults, FluAd vaccination stimulated a superior antibody profile, including H3‐HA antibodies that were elevated for up to 1 year after vaccination, higher avidity H3HA IgG and larger HA stem IgG responses. In a mouse model, FluAd also elicited an earlier and larger induction of HA stem antibodies with increased germinal centre responses and upregulation and long‐term expression of B‐cell switch transcription factors. Long‐term cross‐reactive memory responses were sustained by FluAd following lethal heterosubtypic influenza challenge, with reduced lung damage and viral loads, coinciding with increased T‐ and B‐cell recall. Advantages were also noted for the high‐dose FluZone vaccine in both humans and mice.

Conclusion

The early, broadly reactive and long‐lived antibody response of FluAd indicates a potential advantage of this vaccine, particularly in years when there is a mismatch between the vaccine strain and the circulating strain of influenza viruses.
Transesterification of Methyl 2‐Nitroacetate to Superior Esters
Authors: Corsi Massimo , Magnolfi Stefano , Machetti Fabrizio
Published: February 2020

Methyl 2‐nitroacetate and methyl acetoacetate have in common the presence of an electron‐withdrawing substituent geminal to the methyl ester function but the well‐known ease of thermal transesterification of methyl acetoacetate has not been found in methyl 2‐nitroacetate. The latter gives uncatalysed thermal transesterification only in low yield and at a temperature higher than that of methyl acetoacetate. Comparative experiments provided further insight into the reactions; protic and Lewis acid catalysts promoted the smooth exchange of the alkanoyl groups, observing first the transesterification of methyl 2‐nitroacetate with ethanol, already proved difficult to proceed. Dibutyltin(IV)oxide (DBTO) catalyst offered the spur to set up a convenient synthetic methodology from methyl 2‐nitroacetate, encompassing higher molecular weight and functionalised alcohols: aliphatic, unsaturated and oxidation sensitive species were suited to react, delivering the corresponding 2‐nitroacetate esters in good yields in most cases.
Application of Single‐use Electrode Based on Nano‐clay and MWCNT for Simultaneous Determination of Acetaminophen, Ascorbic Acid and Acetylsalicylic Acid in Pharmaceutical Dosage
Authors: Eskiköy Bayraktepe Dilek , Yazan Zehra
Published: February 2020

In this study, a highly sensitive, selective and cost‐effective electrochemical nano‐sensor has been developed for the first time so as to facilitate the simultaneous and low‐level detection of acetaminophen (paracetamol, PAR), ascorbic acid (A) and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) ternary mixture. The sensor is based on nano‐sepiolite clay (SEP) with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) onto electrochemically pretreated pencil graphite electrode (pPGE). The surface properties of the sensor were examined by using cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The pH effect, composition of modifiers, immobilization time, deposition potential and deposition time values were optimized to reach the best response of PAR, A and ASA. Moreover, in optimum analytical conditions, adsorptive stripping differential pulse voltammmetric (AdsDPV) method was developed for the simultaneous analysis of the ternary mixtures concerned by using SEP/MWCNTs/pPGE sensor. This sensor exhibited the low detection limits of 0.018, 0.042 and 0.047 μM for PAR, A and ASA ternary mixture, respectively. The developed AdsDPV method was applied for quantitative determination of PAR, A and ASA in the pharmaceutical formulation. The recovery experiments were carried out to control the accuracy and precision of the method. The obtained voltammetric recoveries were comparable with the HPLC data given in the literature.
Characterization of the dynamic behavior of a concrete arch dam by means of forced vibration tests and numerical models
Authors: Gomes Jorge P. , Lemos José V.
Published: February 2020

The characterization of the dynamic behavior of an arch dam, and its evolution throughout the structure's lifetime, provides important data for the safety control process. Forced vibration tests remain a reliable technique for this purpose. The Baixo Sabor dam is a 123 m high arch dam recently built in Portugal. Forced vibration tests were performed before and after the reservoir filling. Two techniques for forced vibration test are compared, discrete frequency scanning, the standard methodology, and continuous frequency scanning (sine sweep), a new proposed methodology, which allowed faster results without loss of precision. For the interpretation of test results two numerical models of the dam‐reservoir‐foundation system were built, and calibrated with the experimental data. A good match of numerical and experimental results was obtained for the six lowest frequencies and corresponding mode shapes.