bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of Procalcitonin for Identification of Cobacterial Pneumonia in Pediatric Patients
Authors: Erixon Erica R. , Cunningham Kelli J. , Schlicher Allison N. , Dajud Maria V. , Ferguson Amy M. , Fondell Andrew W. , Hess Jennifer R. , Smith Hayden L.
Published: June 2020

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the utility of procalcitonin (PCT) in identifying cobacterial pneumonia in pediatric patients with known viral respiratory infection.

METHODS A retrospective cohort study was conducted in a stand-alone children's hospital during 2 time periods (period 1: October 1, 2014, to March 31, 2015; period 2: October 1, 2015, to March 31, 2016). Patients admitted with any upper respiratory tract infection were included. Exclusion criteria included any condition compromising lung function, age <30 days or >18 years, or lack of PCT (period 2). PCT values of <0.5 ng/mL were considered normal, whereas values of >1.5 ng/mL were used to identify cobacterial pneumonia. Receiver-operator characteristic curves were used with multiple logistic regression to evaluate patient variables.

RESULTS Of the 374 pediatric patients evaluated, 64% were classified as having viral pneumonia and 23% as having cobacterial pneumonia across both study time periods. Non-significant predictors of cobacterial pneumonia included temperature (p = 0.0795, p = 0.1466), WBC count (p = 0.8774, p = 0.6675), and C-reactive protein (p = 0.7115, p = 0.3835). Median initial PCT for patients with viral pneumonia was 0.14 ng/mL compared with 1.41 ng/mL in patients with cobacterial pneumonia; median second PCTs were 0.26 ng/mL (viral pneumonia) and 4.55 ng/mL (cobacterial pneumonia). Patients with an elevated PCT had 17.5 times (95% CI, 5.2, 59.1) greater odds of having a cobacterial pneumonia.

CONCLUSIONS PCT was found to be strongly associated with cobacterial pneumonia with an underlying viral etiology. Temperature, WBC, and C-reactive protein failed to be significant predictors in differentiating between viral and cobacterial pneumonia.
A Pediatric Case of Sirolimus-Associated Pneumonitis After Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Kelchtermans Jelte , Chang Jessica , Glaberson Wendy , DeFreitas Marissa , Alba-Sandoval Monica , Chandar Jayanthi
Published: June 2020

Sirolimus is an immunosuppressive medication often used in solid organ transplantation. It has been associated with severe side effects, including pulmonary toxicity. In adult patients, a single center study found that 14% of those treated with sirolimus developed pulmonary pneumonitis; however, the incidence in the pediatric population is not known. Most reports in adult patients indicate that elevated drug concentrations and a prolonged duration of use are associated with pulmonary toxicity. We report a case of a 17-year-old male kidney transplant recipient who developed rapid-onset respiratory failure, necessitating mechanical ventilation and acute renal replacement therapy for ultrafiltration secondary to sirolimus-induced pneumonitis. He had been treated for acute rejection with corticosteroids 17 days prior to the development of pneumonitis. His symptoms developed within 1 week of initiation of sirolimus and with a serum concentration of 1.1 ng/mL. Sirolimus was discontinued, and, following aggressive diuresis and ventilatory support, his respiratory status returned to baseline. Sirolimus-induced pneumonitis is an important diagnosis to be considered in any transplant recipient receiving sirolimus with new onset fever, cough, or dyspnea without an identifiable source, especially if there is a preceding history of treatment with high-dose corticosteroids.
Absurd Congruencies
Authors: Ribeiro Sheila
Published: June 2020

This article discusses bizarre facts and news emerge as events of digital cultures. Made with, coming from, as well as being glocal biopolitical tensions and communication, they become communication themselves and reveal new values and contemporary traces – the very same that shape them as mediabodies, i.e., each and every one of those events manifests a trans glocal matter. Reverberating on crossed dimensions, in the Mediabody Theory the concept of ”body” is a system of constant dialogues with environments in which human bodies take a part, but are not the central agents anymore. The absurd congruences above are mediabodies of an ongoing flux of changes.
La transición española: ¿qué sabe el alumnado de 1º de bachillerato?
Authors: Bueno Urritzelki Mikel , Arcocha Mendinueta Elorri
Published: June 2020

El presente artículo es el resultado del análisis de una encuesta realizada a 79 estudiantes de 1º de Bachillerato sobre la transición española. Mediante esta investigación se quiere acreditar, con metodología cuantitativa, los conocimientos e ideas que el alumnado encuestado tiene acerca de ese periodo histórico tras la realización de la Educación Secundaria. Para ello se ha realizado una encuesta con variedad de preguntas entre las cuales se han incluido algunas relacionadas entre sí para comprobar posibles contradicciones en las respuestas. La encuesta abarca diferentes cuestiones: desde personajes históricos hasta actores más globales como diferentes organizaciones o movilizaciones sociales. El estudio revela que para el alumnado encuestado la transición fue un periodo violento, aunque se comprueban también ciertas contradicciones en su conocimiento sobre este periodo.
Proposal of Guidelines for field description and classification of porous sediments from water well drilling - in situ fast procedure - ver 1.0
Authors: Beretta Giovanni Pietro , Baio Mariangelo
Published: June 2020

In water well drilling, with both cable tool and direct or reverse circulation, it is necessary to produce a correct description of the grain size distribution in the subsoil of porous sediments. Guidelines are proposed which can be applied to describe the stratigraphy of the borehole, reaching a reasonable compromise between ease of use on site and a correct scientific approach. Adoption of the Guidelines allows an increase in the qualitative standard of the stratigraphic description and thus an improvement and greater reliability in the geological interpretation of the subsoil, above all from the sedimentological and hydrogeological points of view.
L’idrogeologia ai tempi del COVID-19 in Italia e nel mondo
Authors: Ducci Daniela , Rusi Sergio
Published: June 2020

Il periodo dell’emergenza da Corona virus, che stiamo tuttora vivendo (al momento della scrittura di questo articolo si è nella cosiddetta fase 3), ha comportato un inevitabile rallentamento e rimodulazione delle attività associative. Ma in questi mesi l’idrogeologia non si è fermata, ma trasformata [...].
Analysis of deubiquitinase OTUD5 as a biomarker and therapeutic target for cervical cancer by bioinformatic analysis
Authors: Bai Mixue , Che Yingying , Lu Kun , Fu Lin
Published: June 2020

OTU deubiquitinase 5 (OTUD5), as a member of the ovarian tumor protease (OTU) family, was previously reported to play important roles in DNA repair and immunity. However, little is known about its function in tumors. Cervical cancer is a malignant tumor that seriously endangers the lives of women. Here, we found that low expression of OTUD5 in cervical cancer is associated with poor prognosis. Its expression is associated with tumor stage, metastatic nodes and tumor subtypes such as those related to the phosphatidylinositol–3–kinase (PI3K)–AKT signaling, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hormones. In addtion, we analyzed the coexpressed genes, related miRNAs, transcription factors, kinases, E3s and interacting proteins of OTUD5. We demonstrated that OTUD5 affects the expression levels of WD repeat domain 45 (WDR45), ubiquitin-specific peptidase 11 (USP11), GRIP1 associated protein 1 (GRIPAP1) and RNA binding motif protein 10 (RBM10). Moreover, hsa-mir-137, hsa-mir-1913, hsa-mir-937, hsa-mir-607, hsa-mir-3149 and hsa-mir-144 may inhibit the expression of OTUD5. Furthermore, we performed enrichment analysis of 22 coexpressed genes, 33 related miRNAs and 30 interacting proteins. In addition to ubiquitination and immunology related processes, they also participate in Hippo signaling, insulin signaling, EMT, histone methylation and phosphorylation kinase binding. Our study for the first time analyzed the expression of OTUD5 in cervical cancer and its relationship with clinicopathology and provided new insights for further study of its regulatory mechanism in tumors.
Livelihood Opportunities in Agri-Allied Sector for Rural Youth: A Case of Bargarh District in Odisha
Authors: Rout Dwity Sundar , Mishra Bishnupriya , Nandy Avisweta , Rath Suvangi
Published: June 2020

There has been a lot of debate over employment and its opportunities in the recent times. With more number of reverse migrations occurring daily and lack of employment opportunities for the rural youth, there has been increasing concern about the entrepreneurial activities for rural youth and their involvement therein. However, for any agri-allied start-up, the opportunities and options available play a major role. Thus, a study was conducted on the livelihood opportunities available in agri-allied sector in Bargarh district of Odisha and to analyze the constraints faced by the respondents therein. The findings of the study revealed that majority of respondents (mean score=1.30) were engaged in vegetable vending business where as oil extraction unit (mean score=1.03) was least preferred. Dairy unit (mean score=1.19) in animal husbandry based inventories was preferred over others, engagement in forestry based inventories revealed collection of Mahua flower/fruit (mean score=1.09) was ranked first while Lac cultivation and processing ranked fourth (mean score=1.02). Major findings revealed that there was a need to overcome the constraints by access to agricultural implements and equipments at low price followed by  availability of agricultural credit at proper time, correspondence of  right information at right time by extension officers, conduction of extension activities viz, kisan mela, demonstration, exhibition, training, visits, training requirements on improved poultry farming, fish farming and livestock managements, facilitation of crop insurance, recommended information on seed and fertilizer at proper time, herbicides and pesticide in low price and provision of irrigation facility respectively. The study suggests that for effective participation of rural youth in native entrepreneurial activities, motivation is primarily required along with proper training and orientation about self employment programmes.
Organization of gangliosides into membrane nanodomains
Authors: Sarmento Maria J. , Ricardo Joana C. , Amaro Mariana , Šachl Radek
Published: June 2020

Gangliosides are glycosphingolipids consisting of a ceramide base and a bulky sugar chain that contains one or more sialic acids. This unique structure endows gangliosides with a strong tendency to self‐aggregate in solution, as well as in cellular membranes, where they can form nanoscopic assemblies called ganglioside nanodomains. As gangliosides are important biological molecules involved in a number of physiological processes, characterization of their lateral organization in membranes is essential. This review aims at providing comprehensive information about the nanoscale organization of gangliosides in various synthetic models. To this end, the impact of the hydrophobic backbone and the headgroup on the segregation of gangliosides into nanodomains are discussed in detail, as well as the way in which the properties of nanodomains are affected by ligand binding. Small size makes the characterization of ganglioside nanodomains challenging, and we thus highlight the biophysical methods that have advanced this research, such as Monte Carlo Förster resonance energy transfer, atomic force microscopy and approaches based on molecular diffusion.
Biochemical determinants of the IGFBP‐3–hyaluronan interaction
Authors: Dorandish Sadaf , Devos Jonathan , Clegg Bradley , Price Deanna , Muterspaugh Robert , Guthrie Jeffrey , Heyl Deborah L. , Evans Hedeel Guy
Published: June 2020

IGFBP‐3, the most abundant IGFBP and the main carrier of insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I) in the circulation, can bind IGF‐1 with high affinity, which attenuates IGF/IGF‐IR interactions, thereby resulting in antiproliferative effects. The C‐terminal domain of insulin‐like growth factor‐binding protein‐3 (IGFBP‐3) is known to contain an 18‐basic amino acid motif capable of interacting with either humanin (HN) or hyaluronan (HA). We previously showed that the 18‐amino acid IGFBP‐3 peptide is capable of binding either HA or HN with comparable affinities to the full‐length IGFBP‐3 protein and that IGFBP‐3 can compete with the HA receptor, CD44, for binding HA. Blocking the interaction between HA and CD44 reduced viability of A549 human lung cancer cells. In this study, we set out to better characterize IGFBP‐3‐HA interactions. We show that both stereochemistry and amino acid identity are important determinants of the interaction between the IGFBP‐3 peptide and HA and for the peptide's ability to exert its cytotoxic effects. Binding of IGFBP‐3 to either HA or HN was unaffected by glycosylation or reduction of IGFBP‐3, suggesting that the basic 18‐amino acid residue sequence of IGFBP‐3 remains accessible for interaction with either HN or HA upon glycosylation or reduction of the full‐length protein. Removing N‐linked oligosaccharides from CD44 increased its ability to compete with IGFBP‐3 for binding HA, while reduction of CD44 rendered the protein relatively ineffective at blocking IGFBP‐3‐HA interactions. We conclude that both deglycosylation and disulfide bond formation are important for CD44 to compete with IGFBP‐3 for binding HA.
Medical leaders: CDC must revise 2016 opioid guideline
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: June 2020

Numerous pain management experts and medical groups are urging the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to revise and broaden the scope of a 2016 opioid prescribing guideline that they say has harmed many patients who have been subject to forced tapering or discontinuation of opioid medication.
NPs and PAs comprise main rise in buprenorphine prescribing
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: June 2020

Buprenorphine prescriptions that were dispensed — the medication given to patients — increased 9.1% from 2017 to 2018, a study published last month has found. Nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) accounted for most of the increase, especially in rural counties.
10 options for federal opioid changes: New paper from RAND
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: June 2020

There have been many calls for federal changes to address the opioid epidemic, but one from Beau Kilmer, senior policy researcher and director of the Drug Policy Research Center at the RAND Corporation, released last week is a particularly interesting distillation that doesn't omit pros and cons for each strategy.
Heterostructures Built in Metal Hydrides for Advanced Hydrogen Storage Reversibility
Authors: Wang Yanran , Chen Xiaowei , Zhang Hongyu , Xia Guanglin , Sun Dalin , Yu Xuebin
Published: June 2020

Hydrogen storage is a vital technology for developing on‐board hydrogen fuel cells. While Mg(BH4)2 is widely regarded as a promising hydrogen storage material owing to its extremely high gravimetric and volumetric capacity, its poor reversibility poses a major bottleneck inhibiting its practical applications. Herein, a facile strategy to effectively improve the reversible hydrogen storage performance of Mg(BH4)2 via building heterostructures uniformly inside MgH2 nanoparticles is reported. The in situ reaction between MgH2 nanoparticles and B2H6 not only forms homogeneous heterostructures with controllable particle size but also simultaneously decreases the particle size of the MgH2 nanoparticles inside, which effectively reduces the kinetic barrier that inhibits the reversible hydrogen storage in both Mg(BH4)2 and MgH2. More importantly, density functional theory coupled with ab initio molecular dynamics calculations clearly demonstrates that MgH2 in this heterostructure can act as a hydrogen pump, which drastically changes the enthalpy for the initial formation of BH bonds by breaking stable BB bonds from endothermic to exothermic and hence thermodynamically improves the reversibility of Mg(BH4)2. It is believed that building heterostructures provides a window of opportunity for discovering high‐performance hydrogen storage materials for on‐board applications.
Mechanically Robust, Elastic, and Healable Ionogels for Highly Sensitive Ultra‐Durable Ionic Skins
Authors: Li Tianqi , Wang Yuting , Li Siheng , Liu Xiaokong , Sun Junqi
Published: June 2020

The fabrication of highly durable skin‐mimicking sensors remains challenging because of the unavoidable fatigue and physical damage that sensors are subjected to in practical applications. In this study, ultra‐durable ionic skins (I‐skins) with excellent healability and high sensitivity are fabricated by impregnating ionic liquids (ILs) into a mechanically robust poly(urea‐urethane) (PU) network. The PU network is composed of crystallized poly(ε‐caprolactone) and flexible poly(ethylene glycol) that are dynamically cross‐linked with hindered urea bonds and hydrogen bonds. Such a design endows the resultant ionogels with high mechanical strength, good elasticity, Young's modulus similar to that of natural skin, and excellent healability. The ionogel‐based I‐skins exhibit a high sensitivity to a wide range of strains (0.1–300%) and pressures (0.1–20 kPa). Importantly, the I‐skins show a highly reproducible electrical response over 10 000 uninterrupted strain cycles. The sensing performance of the I‐skins stored in open air for 200 days is almost the same as that of the freshly prepared I‐skin. The fractured I‐skins can be easily healed by heating at 65 °C that restores their original ultra‐durable sensing performance. The long‐term durability of the I‐skins is attributed to the combination of non‐volatility of the ILs, excellent healability, and well‐designed mechanical properties.
Evaluation of strains of Beauveria bassiana and Isaria fumosorosea to control sugarcane aphids on grain sorghum
Authors: Harris‐Shultz Karen , Knoll Joseph , Punnuri Somashekhar , Niland Erika , Ni Xinzhi
Published: June 2020

The sugarcane aphid [Melanaphis sacchari (Zehntner)] has become a persistent problem to sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] producers in the United States since its first identification on grain sorghum near Beaumont, TX, in 2013. Since then, this aphid “super‐clone” has spread to almost all sorghum‐growing areas of the country. Growers have managed the sugarcane aphid using Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC) Group 4 insecticides and the use of resistant hybrids. In order to provide additional methods of control especially for organic sorghum production, two strains of the fungal entomopathogens Beauveria bassiana and one strain of Isaria fumosorosea as well as water and Sivanto (flupyradifurone) were applied to the sugarcane aphid susceptible sorghum hybrid DKS53‐53 in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications at Tifton and Fort Valley, GA. Aphid number, plant damage, grain yield, plant dry biomass, and plant height were measured for each treatment. As compared to the treatment with water, only the plots treated with Sivanto had significantly less aphid number and plant damage and significantly more grain yield and increased plant height. Thus, the applied entomopathogens did not reduce sugarcane aphid number, did not reduce plant damage, and did not increase grain yield in either location as compared to the treatment with water (the negative control). Thus, these three strains of entomopathogens were ineffective for controlling the sugarcane aphid under these field conditions.
Bacterial community composition in agricultural soils under long‐term organic and conventional management
Authors: Fernandez Adria L. , Sheaffer Craig C. , Wyse Donald L. , Sadowsky Michael J.
Published: June 2020

Organic row cropping systems utilize diverse management regimes, but share required practices, including biological fertility sources, diverse rotations, incorporation of organic matter, and lack of synthetic pesticides. The practices can alter the composition of functionally significant soil microbes relative to conventional practices. We used 16S rRNA sequencing to profile soil bacterial communities at five locations where long‐term organic and conventional row cropping were practiced in close proximity on the same underlying soil type. Location effects, reflecting soil characteristics, were stronger than effects of organic vs. conventional management or corn (Zea mays L.) vs. soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cropping on the relative abundance of bacterial taxa. A core subset of 1,300 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were detected in all sampled soils. Firmicutes made up a smaller portion of core OTUs than total OTUs, indicating that taxa in this group were more likely to be found only in specific environments. Conversely, Actinobacteria OTUs were more highly represented in the core than the full OTU set, indicating wide distribution of these taxa across environments. The genus Streptomyces comprised a five‐fold–greater proportion of core OTUs than of total OTUs. We identified 303 OTUs whose abundance differed with management system. Of those, members of the phyla Bacteroidetes and Planctomycetes tended to be more abundant under organic management, whereas members of the Actinobacteria and Verrucomicrobia tended to be more abundant in conventional. This multi‐site study contributes to identification of bacterial community members most affected by organic practice adoption across soil types and practices.
Solvation pressure in spherical mesopores: Macroscopic theory and molecular simulations
Authors: Emelianova Alina , Maximov Max A. , Gor Gennady Y.
Published: June 2020

Fluids adsorbing in nanoporous solids cause high solvation pressures that deform the solids and affect properties of the fluids themselves. We calculate solvation pressure of nitrogen adsorbed at 77.4 K in spherical silica mesopores using two methods: the macroscopic Derjaguin–Broekhoff–de Boer theory and molecular simulations. We show that both approaches give consistent results, and the observed pressures increase in smaller pores reaching the order of a hundred megapascals. The results are also typical for the solvation pressure in mesoporous materials, yet noticeably differ from the results for the cylindrical pore geometry. Furthermore, we show that the dependence of the solvation pressure at saturation on the reciprocal pore size is linear, and we use this relation for the calculation of the solid–liquid surface energy. The results can be employed for the prediction of the solvation pressure and the adsorption‐induced deformation in the material with the spherical pore geometry.
Intermediate thermal manipulation of polymers of intrinsic microporous (PIMs) membranes for gas separations
Authors: He Shanshan , Jiang Xu , Li Songwei , Ran Feitian , Long Jun , Shao Lu
Published: June 2020

The high fractional free volume (FFV) endowed polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) with high gas permeability but low selectivity. Herein, an intermediate temperature range was deliberately utilized to tune PIM‐1 membrane microstructure in nitrogen atmosphere to enhance gas separation performance. During intermediate thermal manipulation, the synergistic effects of thermal‐induced cross‐linking and decomposition on PIM‐1 membranes have optimized the micropores for significantly increasing membrane molecular‐sieving ability with the boosted selectivity of 350 (H2/N2), 1,472 (H2/CH4), 3,774 (H2/C3H8), and 197 (CO2/CH4) respectively, with the H2 permeability of 234 Barrer, correspondingly, surpassing the “Robeson's Upper Bound”. The facile strategy simultaneously utilizing the thermal‐induced cross‐linking and decomposition, might provide a new platform to develop the high‐performance membranes for highly‐efficient hydrogen purification and CO2 separations.
Pollination effectiveness of specialist and opportunistic nectar feeders influenced by invasive alien ants in the Seychelles
Authors: Fuster Francisco , Kaiser‐Bunbury Christopher N. , Traveset Anna
Published: June 2020

Premise

Opportunistic nectar‐feeders may act as effective pollinators; nonetheless, we still lack information on whether these opportunistic species differ in their pollination effectiveness from specialized nectarivorous vertebrates and insects. Many nectar specialists have coevolved with the plants on which they feed; therefore, we would expect higher pollination effectiveness in specialists than in opportunistic feeders. Here, we assessed quantity and quality components of pollination effectiveness in specialist and opportunistic vertebrate nectarivores and insects, focusing on three plants from the Seychelles: Thespesia populnea, Polyscias crassa, and Syzygium wrightii.

Methods

We determined the quantity component (QNC) of pollination effectiveness with pollinator observations, and the quality component (QLC) by measuring fruit and seed set resulting from single visits by each pollinator. To detect potential negative effects of invasive ants on native plant‐pollinator interactions, we classified pollinator visits (quantity component) as disturbed (>6 ants/30 min) vs. undisturbed.

Results

All focal plants were visited by insects, and vertebrate specialist and opportunist nectarivores, yet their pollination effectiveness differed. Flying insects were the most effective pollinators of T. populnea. The other two plants were most effectively pollinated by vertebrates; i.e., sunbirds (nectar specialists) in S. wrightii and Phelsuma geckos (nectar opportunists) in P. crassa, despite marked variation in QNC and QLC. Ant presence was associated with lower pollinator visitation rate in P. crassa and S. wrightii.

Conclusions

Our study highlights the importance of all pollinator guilds, including opportunist nectarivorous vertebrates as pollinators of island plants, and the vulnerability of such interactions to disruption by nonnative species.
Youth Participatory Action Research for Health Equity: Increasing Youth Empowerment and Decreasing Physical Activity Access Inequities in Under‐resourced Programs and Schools
Authors: Abraczinskas Michelle , Zarrett Nicole
Published: June 2020

To address gaps in the youth participation and adolescent physical activity (PA) promotion literature, we examined the feasibility of youth participatory action research (YPAR) in (a) general aftercare (YPAR only) and (b) with a physical activity intervention, (YPAR + PA) to reach marginalized youth and impact individual empowerment and second‐order change for equitable PA access. We intervened during middle school, a developmental stage conducive to changing health habits. We used a concurrent, mixed‐method triangulation design. Participants were students (94% non‐Hispanic Black/African American, 75% free/reduced lunch) in the southeastern United States. YPAR was adapted from online modules. Youth conducted photovoice, capturing and analyzing social/environmental factors contributing to inequities in their schools/programs. PA inequities emerged for girls. Findings indicated feasibility of YPAR with systems supports. Changes occurred at the individual and systems level in the YPAR + PA program. Sociopolitical skills, participatory behavior, and perceived control empowerment subdomains increased pre–post, and youth qualitative responses aligned. A follow‐up interview with the director revealed all youth‐proposed changes occurred. A feedback loop was developed for continued youth input. Youth‐led changes to increase PA access have potential to decrease health disparities by generating unique solutions likely missed when adults intervene alone.
A randomized controlled trial of amyloid positron emission tomography results disclosure in mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Lingler Jennifer H. , Sereika Susan M. , Butters Meryl A. , Cohen Ann D. , Klunk William E. , Knox Melissa L. , McDade Eric , Nadkarni Neelesh K. , Roberts J. Scott , Tamres Lisa K. , Lopez Oscar L.
Published: June 2020

Introduction

Recent studies suggest that Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarker disclosure has no discernable psychological impact on cognitively healthy persons. Far less is known about how such results affect symptomatic individuals and their caregivers.

Methods

Randomized controlled trial of 82 mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patient and caregiver dyads (total n = 164) to determine the effect of receiving amyloid positron emission tomography results on understanding of, and perceived efficacy to cope with, MCI over 52 weeks of follow‐up.

Results

Gains in the primary outcomes were not consistently observed. Amyloid negative patients reported greater perceived ambiguity regarding MCI at follow‐up, while moderate and sustained emotional distress was observed in patients, and to a lesser extent, caregivers, of those who were amyloid positive. There was no corresponding increase in depressive symptoms.

Discussion

These findings point to the possibility that both MCI patients and caregivers may need emotional support after the disclosure of amyloid scan results.
Alleviating Cellular Oxidative Stress through Treatment with Superoxide‐Triggered Persulfide Prodrugs
Authors: Wang Yin , Dillon Kearsley M. , Li Zhao , Winckler Ethan W. , Matson John B.
Published: June 2020

Overproduction of superoxide anion (O2.−), the primary cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), is implicated in various human diseases. To reduce cellular oxidative stress caused by overproduction of superoxide, we developed a compound that reacts with O2.− to release a persulfide (RSSH), a type of reactive sulfur species related to the gasotransmitter hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Termed SOPD‐NAC, this persulfide donor reacts specifically with O2.−, decomposing to generate N‐acetyl cysteine (NAC) persulfide. To enhance persulfide delivery to cells, we conjugated the SOPD motif to a short, self‐assembling peptide (Bz‐CFFE‐NH2) to make a superoxide‐responsive, persulfide‐donating peptide (SOPD‐Pep). Both SOPD‐NAC and SOPD‐Pep delivered persulfides/H2S to H9C2 cardiomyocytes and lowered ROS levels as confirmed by quantitative in vitro fluorescence imaging studies. Additional in vitro studies on RAW 264.7 macrophages showed that SOPD‐Pep mitigated toxicity induced by phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA) more effectively than SOPD‐NAC and several control compounds, including common H2S donors.
NIR‐II Chemiluminescence Molecular Sensor for In Vivo High‐Contrast Inflammation Imaging
Authors: Yang Yanling , Wang Shangfeng , Lu Lingfei , Zhang Qisong , Yu Peng , Fan Yong , Zhang Fan
Published: June 2020

Chemiluminescence (CL) sensing without external excitation by light and autofluorescence interference has been applied to high‐contrast in vitro immunoassays and in vivo inflammation and tumor microenvironment detection. However, conventional CL sensing usually operates in the range of 400–850 nm, which limits the performance of in vivo imaging due to serious light scattering effects and signal attenuation in tissue. To address this challenge, a new type of CL sensor is presented that functions in the second near‐infrared window (NIR‐II CLS) with a deep penetration depth (≈8 mm). Successive CL resonance energy transfer (CRET) and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) from the activated CL substrate to two rationally designed donor‐acceptor‐donor fluorophores BTD540 and BBTD700 occurs. NIR‐II CLS can be selectively activated by hydrogen peroxide over other reactive oxygen species (ROSs). Moreover, NIR‐II CLS is capable of detecting local inflammation in mice with a 4.5‐fold higher signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) than that under the NIR‐II fluorescence modality.
A Glycosylated Covalent Organic Framework Equipped with BODIPY and CaCO3 for Synergistic Tumor Therapy
Authors: Guan Qun , Zhou Le‐Le , Lv Fan‐Hong , Li Wen‐Yan , Li Yan‐An , Dong Yu‐Bin
Published: June 2020

Ca2+, a ubiquitous but nuanced modulator of cellular physiology, is meticulously controlled intracellularly. However, intracellular Ca2+ regulation, such as mitochondrial Ca2+ buffering capacity, can be disrupted by 1O2. Thus, the intracellular Ca2+ overload, which is recognized as one of the important cell pro‐death factors, can be logically achieved by the synergism of 1O2 with exogenous Ca2+ delivery. Reported herein is a nanoscale covalent organic framework (NCOF)‐based nanoagent, namely CaCO3@COF‐BODIPY‐2I@GAG (4), which is embedded with CaCO3 nanoparticle (NP) and surface‐decorated with BODIPY‐2I as photosensitizer (PS) and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) targeting agent for CD44 receptors on digestive tract tumor cells. Under illumination, the light‐triggered 1O2 not only kills the tumor cells directly, but also leads to their mitochondrial dysfunction and Ca2+ overload. An enhanced antitumor efficiency is achieved via photodynamic therapy (PDT) and Ca2+ overload synergistic therapy.
Near‐Enantiopure Trimerization of 9‐Ethynylphenanthrene on a Chiral Metal Surface
Authors: Stolz Samuel , Yakutovich Aliaksandr V. , Prinz Jan , Dienel Thomas , Pignedoli Carlo A. , Brune Harald , Gröning Oliver , Widmer Roland
Published: June 2020

Enantioselectivity in heterogeneous catalysis strongly depends on the chirality transfer between catalyst surface and all reactants, intermediates, and the product along the reaction pathway. Herein we report the first enantioselective on‐surface synthesis of molecular structures from an initial racemic mixture and without the need of enantiopure modifier molecules. The reaction consists of a trimerization via an unidentified bonding motif of prochiral 9‐ethynylphenanthrene (9‐EP) upon annealing to 500 K on the chiral Pd3‐terminated PdGa{111} surfaces into essentially enantiopure, homochiral 9‐EP propellers. The observed behavior strongly contrasts the reaction of 9‐EP on the chiral Pd1‐terminated PdGa{111} surfaces, where 9‐EP monomers that are in nearly enantiopure configuration, dimerize without enantiomeric excess. Our findings demonstrate strong chiral recognition and a significant ensemble effect in the PdGa system, hence highlighting the huge potential of chiral intermetallic compounds for enantioselective synthesis and underlining the importance to control the catalytically active sites at the atomic level.
Synthesis, crystal structure, antiproliferative activity, DNA binding and density functional theory calculations of 3‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐8‐tert‐butylcoumarin and its copper(II) complex
Authors: Lu Wen , Shi Jiuzhou , Nie YingFang , Yang Lu , Chen Jichao , Zhao Fengyi , Yang Shilong , Xu Li , Chi Xingwei
Published: June 2020

A Cu(II)–coumarin complex, [CuL2(NO3)2] (2), where L = 3‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐8‐tert‐butylcoumarin (1), was synthesized with Cu(NO3)2⋅3H2O and characterized using elemental, infrared and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses. The crystal structure of 1 shows that all the pyrone, benzene and pyridine rings are completely coplanar. The crystal structure of 2 is stabilized by intermolecular C–H···O and C–H···N hydrogen bonds and C···C short contacts, which lead to the formation of a two‐dimensional network structure. Density functional theory results give support to the experimentally determined monomeric structure. The in vitro cytotoxic activities of 1 and 2 were investigated against HeLa (cervical carcinoma), A549 (lung), HepG2 (liver) and HUVEC (umbilical vein) cells by MTT assay. The IC50 values show that both 1 and 2 have lower toxicity than doxorubicin and cisplatin in every case. Ligand 1 exhibits higher anti‐HeLa activity than doxorubicin. Complex 2 displays higher anti‐HeLa activity than coumarin but lower than that of cisplatin. Various spectroscopic approaches indicate that 1 and 2 could effectively bind with DNA through intercalation mode.
Quantum dots as a promising agent to combat COVID‐19
Authors: Manivannan Selvambigai , Ponnuchamy Kumar
Published: June 2020

Approximately every 100 years, as witnessed in the last two centuries, we are facing an influenza pandemic, necessitating the need to combat a novel virus strain. As a result of the new coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 [SARS‐CoV‐2] outbreak in January 2020, many clinical studies are being carried out with the aim of combating or eradicating the disease altogether. However, so far, developing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) detection kits or vaccines has remained elusive. In this regard, the development of antiviral nanomaterials by surface engineering with enhanced specificity might prove valuable to combat this novel virus. Quantum dots (QDs) are multifaceted agents with the ability to fight against/inhibit the activity of COVID‐19 virus. This article exclusively discusses the potential role of QDs as biosensors and antiviral agents for attenuation of viral infection.
Mechanism of crosslinking in benzoyl peroxide‐initiated functionalization of vinyltriethoxysilane onto polypropylene in the water medium
Authors: Yuan Hao , Shao Qing , Liang Fengchun , Shi Hongwei , Song Wenbo
Published: June 2020

Silane grafting and moisture crosslinking is one of the most common methods in the production of crosslinked polyolefin. A remarkable increase in the percentage of gel in the product was observed in benzoyl peroxide‐mediated aqueous suspension grafting of vinyltriethoxysilane onto polypropylene. Aimed to explore the crosslinking reaction mechanism in this functionalization process, comprehensive experiments had been conducted and the grafted products were characterized by mass spectrometry, 1H NMR, and 29Si NMR spectroscopy. Finally, a novel crosslinking mechanism was proposed based on the characterization results.
Dual‐phase polyphenylene oxide membranes with copolyimide branched modifiers
Authors: Tian Nadezhda S. , Meleshko Tamara K. , Polotskaya Galina A. , Kashina Anna V. , Gofman Iosif V. , Zoolshoev Zoolsho F. , Lavrentyev Victor K. , Pientka Zbynek , Yakimansky Alexander V.
Published: June 2020

Poly(2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene oxide) (PPO) membranes are attractive due to high permeability for gases; however, the selectivity of these membranes is insufficient. In this work, the gas selectivity was improved without significant loss of the permeability. For this purpose, PPO was modified via incorporation of the branched copolyimide filler–grafted copolyimide (PI‐g‐PMMA) with polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) side chains. Two series of mixed self‐supporting PPO/PI‐g‐PMMA films (with variation of the filler content) were prepared and studied as gas separation membranes. The length of the polymide (PI) chain and the density of PMMA grafting were the same in both series, however, in one series the grafted chains contained 50 MMA units, and in the other 150 units. The intermolecular interactions between the PPO matrix and the PI‐g‐PMMA fillers were investigated using viscometry, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The compatibility of the polymer components is limited; however, for both series, the contents of the respective filler are found, which ensures phase segregation only in a microscale. Therefore, the mechanical properties of the films allow their use as gas separation membranes. It is shown that the degree of the segregation as well as the mechanical and gas transport properties of the membranes depend on the length of the PMMA chains, and the membranes with filler‐containing shorter branches (50 MMA units) show better selectivity.
Molecular docking, synthesis, and characterization of chitosan‐graft‐2‐mercaptobenzoic acid derivative as potential drug carrier
Authors: Marwaha Tejinder Kaur , Madgulkar Ashwini , Bhalekar Mangesh , Asgaonkar Kalyani
Published: June 2020

Chitosan is a hydrophilic polymer with prominent mucoadhesive properties. However, it forms weak hydrogen bonds with mucin thus limiting its mucoadhesion and exhibit reduced bioavailability due to its short retention time in the body. The aim of the present study was to synthesize and characterize novel thiolated chitosan with improved functional property. A unique approach of using molecular docking to select ligand to chemically modify chitosan has been employed in the present research. A set of ligands were screened virtually using docking analysis and 2‐mercapto benzoic acid showed the lowest glide score of −4.31 Kcal/Mol thus displayed better binding interaction with chitosan. Based on the docking results, the best‐fit ligand was selected for wet lab synthesis. 2‐Mercapto benzoic acid was covalently attached to chitosan via formation of an amide bond and the reaction was mediated by carbodiimide and N‐hydroxysuccinimide. The synthesized polymer was in turn evaluated for zeta potential, Fourier transformed infrared, differential scanning calorimetry, molecular weight that confirmed conjugation of chitosan with the thiol ligand. The prepared thiomer was further subjected to mucoadhesion studies and displayed better mucoadhesion properties as compared to unmodified chitosan. Thus, the potential of the novel thiomer can be further explored as an excipient for drug delivery system with an emphasis on mucoadhesion.
C−As Bond Formation Reactions for the Preparation of Organoarsenic(III) Compounds
Authors: Tay Wee Shan , Pullarkat Sumod A.
Published: June 2020

Potential widespread applications of organoarsenic chemistry have been limited by the inherent lack of safe and effective As−C bond formation reactions. Several alternative reagents and methods have been developed in the last few decades to address the hazards and drawbacks associated with traditional arsenic synthetic strategies. Herein, this minireview summarizes the advances made in nucleophilic, electrophilic, radical and metal‐mediated As(III)−C bond formations while specifically highlighting the behavior of arsenic synthons with various well‐established reagents (eg. Grignard reagents, organolithium compounds, organometallic reagents, radical initiators and Lewis/Brønsted bases). Avenues for asymmetric synthesis are also discussed, as are recent advances in organoarsenic chemistry suggesting that arsines exhibit novel reactivities independent from that of other relatively more well explored Group V cogeners.
Antiproliferative Activity of Functionalized Histidine‐derived Au(I) bis‐NHC Complexes for Bioconjugation
Authors: Jakob Christian H. G. , Dominelli Bruno , Hahn Eva M. , Berghausen Tobias O. , Pinheiro Teresa , Marques Fernanda , Reich Robert M. , Correia João D. G. , Kühn Fritz E.
Published: June 2020

A series of histidine derived Au(I) bis‐NHC complexes bearing different ester, amide and carboxylic acid functionalities as well as wingtip substituents is synthesized and characterized. The stability in aqueous media, in vitro cytotoxicity in a set of cancer cell lines (MCF7, PC3 and A2780/A2780cisR) along with the cellular uptake are evaluated. Stability tests suggest hydrolysis of the ester within 8 h, which might lead to deactivation. Furthermore, the bis‐NHC system shows a sufficient stability against cysteine and the thiol containing peptide GSH. The benzyl ester and amide show the highest activity comparable to the benchmark compound cisplatin, with the ester only displaying a slightly lower cytotoxicity than the amide. A cellular uptake study revealed that the benzyl ester and the amide could have different intracellular distribution profiles but both complexes induce perturbations of the cellular physiological processes. The simple modifiability and high stability of the complexes provides a promising system for upcoming post modifications to enable targeted cancer therapy.
A sensitive fluorescent probe based on dithizone‐capped ZnS quantum dots for quercetin determination in biological samples
Authors: Sadeghi Susan , Hosseinpour‐Zaryabi Mohadeseh
Published: June 2020

A simple turn on/off fluorescence approach based on dithizone‐capped ZnS quantum dots (ZnS@DZ QDs) with the help of lead ions as a fluorescent probe for the quantitative determination of quercetin is reported. The interaction of lead ions with dithizone led to the formation of a rigid structure on the surface of ZnS@DZ QDs and turned on the fluorescence intensity of the QDs. After addition of quercetin to this probe and interaction with lead ions, the fluorescence emission turned off. Concerning the quenching fluorescence intensity of ZnS@DZ QDs/Pb2+ QDs probe induced by the target, under the optimum conditions, the probe enabled detection of quercetin in the concentration range from 0.54 μM to 21.7 μM with a correlation coefficient of 0.993 and detection limit of 0.25 μM. The present probe was applied successfully to the determine quercetin as a nutritional biomarker in human serum and 24‐h urine samples.
POTEE stimulates the proliferation of pancreatic cancer by activating the PI3K/Akt/GSK‐3β/β‐catenin signaling
Authors: Hao Qingya , Gao Lihua , Niu Wenyang , Chen Liang , Zhang Peng , Chen Zhong
Published: June 2020

To explore the role of POTEE in the malignant development of pancreatic cancer and the possible mechanism. POTEE levels in pancreatic cancer samples were detected. The relationship between POTEE level and clinical data of pancreatic cancer patients was analyzed. After knockdown of POTEE or treatment of the GSK‐3β inhibitor, proliferative change in pancreatic cancer cells was assessed. Protein levels of vital genes in the PI3K/Akt/GSK‐3β/β‐catenin signaling influenced by POTEE were examined. POTEE was upregulated in pancreatic cancer samples. High level of POTEE indicated advanced tumor staging, large tumor size, and poor prognosis in pancreatic cancer patients. Knockdown of POTEE or treatment of Tideglusib remarkably attenuated proliferative ability in pancreatic cancer cells. Vital genes in the PI3K/Akt/GSK‐3β/β‐catenin signaling were downregulated by knockdown of POTEE. POTEE stimulates the proliferative ability in pancreatic cancer by activating the PI3K/Akt/GSK‐3β/β‐catenin signaling. High level of POTEE indicates advanced tumor staging, large tumor size and poor prognosis in pancreatic cancer patients.
Cyanidin‐3‐O‐glucoside attenuates endothelial cell dysfunction by modulatingmiR‐204‐5p/SIRT1‐mediated inflammation and apoptosis
Authors: Wang Zhihong , Zhang Min , Wang Zhong , Guo Zongjun , Wang Zongqiu , Chen Qun
Published: June 2020

Endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction is a major symptom associated with the initiation of atherosclerosis (AS). Cyanidin‐3‐O‐glucoside (C3G) has the potentials to attenuate AS symptoms. In the current study, the mechanism driving the effects of C3G on AS rabbits and injured ECs were explored by focusing on the changes in miR‐204‐5p/SIRT1 axis. AS symptoms were induced in rabbits using high‐fatty diet (HFD) plus balloon catheter injured method and handled with C3G of two doses. Then the changes in artery wall structure, hemodynamics parameters, blood lipid level, systemic inflammation, and miR‐204‐5p/SIRT1 axis were detected. EC dysfunction was imitated by subjecting human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to TNF‐α, which was then handled with C3G. The changes in apoptosis, inflammation, and miR‐204‐5p/SIRT1 axis were detected. The results showed that the administrations of C3G improved artery wall structure and hemodynamics parameters, decreased blood lipid levels, and suppressed pro‐inflammatory cytokine production in HFD rabbits, which was associated with the down‐regulation of miR‐204‐5p and the up‐regulation of SIRT1. In in vitro assays, the treatments of C3G suppressed apoptosis, inhibited inflammation, down‐regulated miR‐204‐5p level, and induced SIRT1 level in HUVECs. The overexpression of miR‐204‐5p impaired the protective effects of C3G on the injured HUVECs by increasing cell apoptosis and inflammation. The findings outlined in the current study confirmed the protective effects of C3G on EC function, which was associated with the down‐regulation of miR‐204‐5p and the up‐regulation of SIRT1.