bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rhizobacterial communities, enzyme activity, and soil properties affect rice seedling's nitrogen use
Authors: Dong Hangyu , Sun Haoyuan , Fan Shuxiu , Jiang Linlin , Ma Dianrong
Published: November 2020

Microorganisms are crucial in mediating N cycles in soil and produce impact on the health and nutrition of the host plant. The seedling stage is one of the most critical periods of crop growth and development. However, the information regarding the underlying interactions between soil microbial community, soil nutrient, enzyme activities, and microbial biomass, and whether they associate with nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of N at the rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedling stage are still limited. We applied 16S ribosomal RNA gene profiling to characterize root bacterial microbiota of rice varieties with different levels of NUE at the seedling stage. We find that high nitrogen use efficiency varieties (HNUEs) and low nitrogen use efficiency varieties (LNUEs) recruit distinct root microbiota. Notably, HNUEs‐enriched bacterial taxa are more diverse, and contain more operational taxonomic units (OTUs) with N metabolism functions, than LNUEs‐enriched taxa. We provide evidence that the content of available N and the microbial biomass of HNUEs' rhizospheric soil are higher than those of LNUEs. Through redundancy analysis (RDA), we found that Deltaproteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Bacteroidia, and Saccharimonadia with the potential function of the beneficial microorganism to seedling N use and growth. The links between rice seedling and soil microbiota membership combine with other essential factors established in this study could contribute to improving N use at the crop seedling stage to promote the resistance and survival rate after  transplanting.
A research impact model for work and health
Authors: Van Eerd Dwayne , Moser Cindy , Saunders Ron
Published: November 2020

Research organizations, governments and funding agencies are increasingly interested in the impact of research beyond academia. While a growing literature describes research impacts in healthcare and health services, little has focused on occupational health and safety research. This article describes a research impact model that has been in use for over a decade. The model was developed to track and describe the impact of research conducted by a mid‐sized institute that focuses on work and health. Model development was informed by existing models, with the goal of contextualizing the institute's case studies describing three types of research impact: evidence of the diffusion of research; evidence of research informing decision‐making; and evidence of societal impact. A logic model describes research actions and outcomes, as well as key audiences and knowledge transfer approaches. A unique element is its indication of the level of difficulty in determining types of impact. The model compares well with current research impact models developed or used in healthcare and health services research, and it has been useful in guiding a mid‐sized research organization's process for tracking and describing the impact of its research. It may be useful to other small and mid‐sized research organizations that focus on workplace health and safety.
A case study of improved cook stoves in primate conservation from Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Kahlenberg Sonya M. , Bettinger Tammie , Masumbuko Honoré K. , Basyanirya Gracianne K. , Guy Simisi M. , Katsongo Jonathan K. , Kocanjer Nadine , Warfield Laurie , Mbeke Jackson K.
Published: November 2020

Human communities living near nonhuman primate habitats often depend on wood from forests for their energy needs. Improving the efficiency of local cook stoves is a potential “win‐win” solution that is commonly promoted to protect forests and improve human health and development. Despite the popularity of improved stove projects in primate conservation, few outcomes have been formally published. As a result, it is currently unclear whether this approach is a wise investment of limited conservation funds. This paper describes a pilot study conducted by the Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Center to evaluate the potential for using improved stoves for the conservation of an important habitat for Grauer's gorillas and chimpanzees in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Community surveys and observations of human forest use revealed a heavy local reliance on forest‐derived wood. Wood was the main source of fuel used in households, the most highly valued forest resource, and the primary resource extracted during forest observations. It was primarily collected by women and children. The use of traditional, inefficient three‐stone hearths for cooking was also widespread. A 2‐year campaign using a community‐based social marketing approach resulted in an increase in improved stove installations from 18% to 78% of households in one village. After stove adoption, weekly household wood consumption was reduced by half. Campaign elements that showed promise include promotion using women's networks and intensive follow‐up assessment and support. We conclude that, if scaled up, improved stoves may be a useful strategy for reducing encroachment into our target protected area but that successful implementation will require a significant long‐term commitment with evaluation and oversight. It is recommended that before investing in improved stoves, primate conservation projects take long‐term and evaluation requirements into consideration.
Wassermobilität in der grenzflächeninduzierten Schmelzschicht von Eis/Tonmineral‐Nanokompositen
Authors: Li Hailong , Mars Julian , Lohstroh Wiebke , Koza Michael Marek , Butt Hans‐Jürgen , Mezger Markus
Published: November 2020

An Festkörper/Eis‐Grenzflächen bildet sich bereits bei Temperaturen unterhalb des Volumenschmelzpunkts bei 0 °C eine grenzflächeninduzierte Schmelzschicht. Die strukturellen und dynamischen Eigenschaften innerhalb der Schmelzschicht sind Gegenstand intensiver Diskussionen. Hier wurde der Diffusionskoeffizient Dt von Wasser in Eis/Tonmineral‐Nanokompositen mit quasielastischer Neutronenstreuung bestimmt. Proben aus hydrophilem Vermikulit mit negativer Oberflächenladung, ungeladenem hydrophilem Kaolin und hydrophoberem Talk dienen als Modellsysteme für Permafrost. Unterhalb des Volumenschmelzpunkts nimmt Dt rasch ab; unter −4 °C werden Plateauwerte erreicht. Bei diesen Temperaturen ist Dt in der Schmelzschicht um bis zu einen Faktor 2 im Vergleich zu unterkühltem Wasser reduziert. In Proben aus geladenem Vermikulit wurde die geringste Wassermobilität beobachtet, gefolgt von Kaolin und dem hydrophoberen Talk. Diese Befunde werden durch die intermolekularen Wechselwirkungen von Wasser mit den verschiedenen Mineraloberflächen sowie die Anreicherung der “Low‐Density Liquid Water”(LDL)‐Wasserkomponente an Grenzflächen erklärt.
“Excess” electrons in LuGe
Authors: Freccero Riccardo , Hübner Julia‐Maria , Prots Yurii , Schnelle Walter , Schmidt Markus , Wagner Frank R. , Schwarz Ulrich , Grin Yuri
Published: November 2020

The monogermanide LuGe is obtained via high‐pressure high‐temperature synthesis (5–15 GPa, 1023–1423 K). The crystal structure is solved from single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction data (structure type FeB, space groupPnma,a=7.660(2) Å,b=3.875(1) Å, andc=5.715(2) Å, RF=0.036 for 206 symmetry independent reflections). The analysis of chemical bonding applying quantum‐chemical techniques in position space was performed. It revealed—beside the expected 2c‐Ge‐Ge bonds in the germanium polyanion—rather unexpected four‐atomic bonds between lutetium atoms indicating the formation of a polycation by the excess electrons in the system Lu3+(2b)Ge2−×1 e−. Despite the reduced VEC of 3.5, lutetium monogermanide is following the extended 8‐N rule with the trend to form lutetium‐lutetium bonds utilizing the electrons left after satisfying the bonding needs in the anionic Ge‐Ge zigzag chain.
The fiber‐matrix interface in Ioncell cellulose fiber composites and its implications for the mechanical performance
Authors: Bulota Mindaugas , Sriubaite Simona , Michud Anne , Nieminen Kaarlo , Hughes Mark , Sixta Herbert , Hummel Michael
Published: November 2020

Fiber‐reinforced composites based on natural fibers are promising alternatives for materials made of metal or synthetic polymers. However, the inherent inhomogeneity of natural fibers limits the quality of the respective composites. Man‐made cellulose fibers (MMCFs) prepared from cellulose solutions via wet or dry‐jet wet spinning processes can overcome these limitations. Herein, MMCFs are used to prepare single fiber epoxy composites and UD composites with 20, 30, 40, and 60 wt% fiber loads. The mechanical properties increase gradually with fiber loading. Young's modulus is improved three times while tensile strength doubles at a loading of 60 wt%. Raman spectroscopy is employed to follow conformational changes of the cellulose chains within the fibers upon mechanical deformation of the composites. The shift of the characteristic Raman band under strain indicates the deformation mechanisms in the fiber. Provided stress transfer occurs through the interface, it is a direct measure of the fiber‐matrix interaction, which is investigated herein. The shift rate of the 1095 cm−1 band decreases in single fiber composites compared to the neat fibers and continues to decrease as the fiber loading increased.
Enhanced mechanical and anisotropic thermal conductive properties of polyimide nanocomposite films reinforced with hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets
Authors: Hwang Gyu‐Hyun , Kwon Young Seung , Lee Ji‐Su , Jeong Young Gyu
Published: November 2020

To attain thermally conductive but electrically insulating polymer films, in this study, polyimide (PI) nanocomposite films with 1–30 wt% functionalized hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs) were fabricated via solution casting and following imidization. The microstructures, mechanical and thermal conductive properties of PI/BNNS nanocomposite films were examined by taking account of the relative content, anisotropic orientation, and interfacial interaction of BNNS and PI matrix. The scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffractometry data revealed that BNNSs with hydroxy and amino functional groups have specific molecular interactions with PI matrix and they form stacked aggregates in the nanocomposite films with high BNNS loadings of 10–30 wt%. The tensile mechanical strength/modulus, thermal degradation temperatures, and thermal conductivity of the nanocomposite films were found to be significantly enhanced with increasing the BNNS loadings. For the nanocomposite films with 1–30 wt% BNNS loadings, the in‐plane thermal conductivity was measured to be 1.82–2.38 W/mK, which were much higher than the out‐of‐plane values of 0.35–1.14 W/mK. The significant anisotropic thermal conductivity of the nanocomposite films was found to be owing to the synergistic anisotropic orientation effects of both BNNS and PI matrix. It is noticeable that the in‐plane and out‐of‐plane thermal conductivity values of the nanocomposite film with 30 wt% BNNS were ~1.31 and ~3.35 times higher than those of neat PI film, respectively.
Evolving the narrative for protecting a rapidly changing ocean, post‐COVID‐19
Authors: Laffoley D. , Baxter J.M. , Amon D.J. , Claudet J. , Hall‐Spencer J.M. , Grorud‐Colvert K. , Levin L.A. , Reid P.C. , Rogers A.D. , Taylor M.L. , Woodall L.C. , Andersen N.F.
Published: November 2020

The ocean is the linchpin supporting life on Earth, but it is in declining health due to an increasing footprint of human use and climate change. Despite notable successes in helping to protect the ocean, the scale of actions is simply not now meeting the overriding scale and nature of the ocean's problems that confront us.

Moving into a post‐COVID‐19 world, new policy decisions will need to be made. Some, especially those developed prior to the pandemic, will require changes to their trajectories; others will emerge as a response to this global event. Reconnecting with nature, and specifically with the ocean, will take more than good intent and wishful thinking. Words, and how we express our connection to the ocean, clearly matter now more than ever before.

The evolution of the ocean narrative, aimed at preserving and expanding options and opportunities for future generations and a healthier planet, is articulated around six themes: (1) all life is dependent on the ocean; (2) by harming the ocean, we harm ourselves; (3) by protecting the ocean, we protect ourselves; (4) humans, the ocean, biodiversity, and climate are inextricably linked; (5) ocean and climate action must be undertaken together; and (6) reversing ocean change needs action now.

This narrative adopts a ‘One Health’ approach to protecting the ocean, addressing the whole Earth ocean system for better and more equitable social, cultural, economic, and environmental outcomes at its core. Speaking with one voice through a narrative that captures the latest science, concerns, and linkages to humanity is a precondition to action, by elevating humankind's understanding of our relationship with ‘planet Ocean’ and why it needs to become a central theme to everyone's lives. We have only one ocean, we must protect it, now. There is no ‘Ocean B’.
Beurteilung der Festigkeitseigenschaften bestehender Talbrücken aus Spannbeton
Authors: Gebauer Daniel , Schmidt Boso , Schacht Gregor , Marx Steffen
Published: November 2020

Im Jahr 2016 wurde die Lahntalbrücke bei Limburg durch einen Neubau ersetzt. Vor dem Rückbau des westlichen Überbaus konnten mehr als 250 Bohrkerne und weitere Probekörper für Untersuchungen aus dem Bestandsbauwerk entnommen werden. Der vorliegende Beitrag beschäftigt sich mit den Untersuchungen zur Druckfestigkeit und zur Spaltzugfestigkeit. Die Ergebnisse werden statistisch ausgewertet. Dabei werden unterschiedliche Zuordnungen der Stichprobe zu statistischen Gesamtheiten untersucht, um eine geeignete Unterteilung der Stichprobe zu identifizieren. Weiterhin werden aus den Versuchsergebnissen Bemessungswerte gemäß DIN EN 13791 und Eurocode 0 abgeleitet und mit den rechnerischen Erwartungswerten verglichen. Das Ziel der Untersuchungen besteht darin, Erkenntnisse für die Beurteilung der Festigkeitseigenschaften bestehender Talbrücken zu gewinnen und perspektivisch daraus eine sichere und wirtschaftliche Untersuchungsmethodik zu entwickeln.
Engineering Education in Cold War Diplomacy: India, Germany, and the Establishment of IIT Madras**
Authors: Wittje Roland
Published: November 2020

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT) was set up with assistance of the Federal Republic of Germany between 1956 and 1974. It became the largest, and finally, a successful techno‐scientific education project undertaken by the Federal Republic outside of Germany. In this paper, I argue that the engagement of the Federal Republic at IIT Madras has to be understood primarily as a project of Cold‐War science and technology diplomacy, which on the German side was aimed at preventing an Indian recognition of the German Democratic Republic as a sovereign nation. In aiding the establishment of IIT Madras, the Federal Republic came into direct competition with the Soviet Union, which supported IIT Bombay but also with the United States of America, which supported IIT Kanpur. The assistance to establish IIT Madras and its governance followed mainly political guidelines, to which educational and scientific aspects were rendered subordinate. When the project was in a crisis after the first State Treaty to establish IIT Madras expired in 1963, the political flagship project of the Federal Republic was not allowed to fail. Instead, the cooperation was reorganized and support increased.
Perirhinal cortex area 35 controls the functional link between the perirhinal and entorhinal‐hippocampal circuitry
Authors: Kajiwara Riichi , Tominaga Takashi
Published: November 2020

In several experimental conditions, neuronal excitation at the perirhinal cortex (PC) does not propagate to the entorhinal cortex (EC) due to a “wall” of inhibition, which may help to create functional coupling and un‐coupling of the PC and EC in the medial temporal lobe. However, little is known regarding the coupling control process. Herein, we propose that the deep layer of area 35 in the PC plays a pivotal role in opening the gate for coupling, thus allowing the activity in the PC to propagate to the EC. Using voltage‐sensitive dye imaging for the brain slices of rodents, we show that a slowly inactivating potassium conductance in this area is essential to induce excitation overtaking the inhibitory control. This coupling between the distinct neural circuits persists for at least 1 h. We elucidate further implications of this network‐level plastic behavior and its mechanism.
Taming fitness: Organism‐environment interdependencies preclude long‐term fitness forecasting
Authors: Doulcier Guilhem , Takacs Peter , Bourrat Pierrick
Published: November 2020

Fitness is a central but notoriously vexing concept in evolutionary biology. The propensity interpretation of fitness is often regarded as the least problematic account for fitness. It ties an individual's fitness to a probabilistic capacity to produce offspring. Fitness has a clear causal role in evolutionary dynamics under this account. Nevertheless, the propensity interpretation faces its share of problems. We discuss three of these. We first show that a single scalar value is an incomplete summary of a propensity. Second, we argue that the widespread method of “abstracting away” environmental idiosyncrasies by averaging over reproductive output in different environments is not a valid approach when environmental changes are irreversible. Third, we point out that expanding the range of applicability for fitness measures by averaging over more environments or longer time scales (so as to ensure environmental reversibility) reduces one's ability to distinguish selectively relevant differences among individuals because of mutation and eco‐evolutionary feedbacks. This series of problems leads us to conclude that a general value of fitness that is both explanatory and predictive cannot be attained. We advocate for the use of propensity‐compatible methods, such as adaptive dynamics, which can accommodate these difficulties.
Cause and effect in epigenetics – where lies the truth, and how can experiments reveal it?
Authors: Klutstein Michael
Published: November 2020

Epigenetic changes are implicated in aging and cancer. Sometimes, it is clear whether the causing agent of the condition is a genetic factor or epigenetic. In other cases, the causative factor is unclear, and could be either genetic or epigenetic. Is there a general role for epigenetic changes in cancer and aging? Here, I present the paradigm of causative roles executed by epigenetic changes. I discuss cases with clear roles of the epigenome in cancer and aging, and other cases showing involvement of other factors. I also present the possibility that sometimes causality is difficult to assign because of the presence of self‐reinforcing loops in epigenetic regulation. Such loops hinder the identification of the causative factor. I provide an experimental framework by which the role of the epigenome can be examined in a better setting and where the presence of such loops could be investigated in more detail.
Radiomics‐based classification models for HBV‐related cirrhotic patients with covert hepatic encephalopathy
Authors: Luo Sha , Zhou Zhi‐Ming , Guo Da‐Jing , Li Chuan‐Ming , Liu Huan , Wu Xiao‐Jia , Liang Shuang , Zhao Xiao‐yan , Chen Ting , Sun Dong , Shi Xin‐Lin , Zhong Wei‐Jia , Zhang Wei
Published: November 2020

Introduction

The significant abnormalities of precuneus (PC), which are associated with brain dysfunction, have been identified in cirrhotic patients with covert hepatic encephalopathy (CHE). The present study aimed to apply radiomics analysis to identify the significant radiomic features in PC and their subregions, combine with clinical risk factors, then build and evaluate the classification models for CHE diagnosis.

Methods

106 HBV‐related cirrhotic patients (54 had current CHE and 52 had non‐CHE) underwent the three‐dimensional T1‐weighted imaging. For each participant, PC and their subregions were segmented and extracted a large number of radiomic features and then identified the features with significant discriminative power as the radiomics signature. The logistic regression analysis was employed to develop and evaluate the classification models, which are constructed using the radiomics signature and clinical risk factors.

Results

The classification model (R‐C model) achieved best diagnostic performance, which incorporated radiomics signature (4 radiomic features from right PC), venous blood ammonia, and the Child‐Pugh stage. And the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy values were 0.926, 1.000, 0.765, and 0.848, in the testing set. Application of the radiomics nomogram in the testing set still showed a good predictive accuracy.

Conclusions

This study presented the radiomic features of the right PC, as a potential image marker of CHE. The radiomics nomogram that incorporates the radiomics signature and clinical risk factors may facilitate the individualized prediction of CHE.
Periplocin inhibits the growth of pancreatic cancer by inducing apoptosis via AMPK‐mTOR signaling
Authors: Xie Gangyin , Sun Linxiao , Li Yonglin , Chen Bicheng , Wang Cheng
Published: November 2020

Background

Periplocin is a monomeric compound that exhibits anti‐tumor activities. It is extracted from Cortex Periplocae.

Objective

This study aimed at determining the effect of periplocin treatment on the apoptosis and proliferation of human pancreatic cancer cells, and to elucidate on its mechanisms of action.

Methods

PANC1 and cfpac1 cells were treated with periplocin. Cell proliferation was detected by RTCA, Ki67 immunofluorescence, and a clonogenic assay. The transwell assay was used to examine cell migration and invasion functions. The expression of apoptosis‐associated proteins was detected by flow cytometry and western blotting. Total RNA was extracted from the treated and untreated group of PANC1 cells for RNA‐seq detection and analysis. Differentially expressed genes were screened for GO biological process and KEGG pathway analysis. Finally, CFPAC1 cells were subcutaneously inoculated into BALB / c nude mice to assess tumor growth.

Results

Periplocin inhibited the proliferation of PANC1 and CFPAC1 cells and induced their apoptosis by activating the AMPK/mTOR pathway and inhibiting p70 S6K. It also attenuated the cell migration, invasion, and inhibited the growth of cfpac1 xenografts in nude mice.

Conclusions

Periplocin inhibits human pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and induces their apoptosis by activating the AMPK / mTOR pathway.
Release of Soybean Isoflavones by Using a β‐Glucosidase from Alicyclobacillus herbarius
Authors: Delgado Lidia , Heckmann Christian M. , Di Pisa Flavio , Gourlay Louise , Paradisi Francesca
Published: November 2020

β‐Glucosidases are used in the food industry to hydrolyse glycosidic bonds in complex sugars, with enzymes sourced from extremophiles better able to tolerate the process conditions. In this work, a novel β‐glycosidase from the acidophilic organism Alicyclobacillus herbarius was cloned and heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). AheGH1 was stable over a broad range of pH values (5–11) and temperatures (4–55 °C). The enzyme exhibited excellent tolerance to fructose and good tolerance to glucose, retaining 65 % activity in the presence of 10 % (w/v) glucose. It also tolerated organic solvents, some of which appeared to have a stimulating effect, in particular ethanol with a 1.7‐fold increase in activity at 10 % (v/v). The enzyme was then applied for the cleavage of isoflavone from isoflavone glucosides in an ethanolic extract of soy flour, to produce soy isoflavones, which constitute a valuable food supplement, full conversion was achieved within 15 min at 30 °C.
Advanced Understanding of the Electron Transfer Pathway of Cytochrome P450s
Authors: Chen Chun‐Chi , Min Jian , Zhang Lilan , Yang Yu , Yu Xuejing , Guo Rey‐Ting
Published: November 2020

Cytochrome P450s are heme‐thiolate enzymes that participate in carbon source assimilation, natural compound biosynthesis and xenobiotic metabolism in all kingdoms of life. P450s can catalyze various reactions by using a wide range of organic compounds, thus exhibiting great potential in biotechnological applications. The catalytic reactions of P450s are driven by electron equivalents that are sourced from pyridine nucleotides and delivered by cognate or matching redox partners (RPs). The electron transfer (ET) route from RPs to P450s involves one or more redox center‐containing domains. As the rate of ET is one of the main determinants of P450 efficacy, an in‐depth understanding of the P450 ET pathway should increase our knowledge of these important enzymes and benefit their further applications. Here, the various P450 RP systems along with current understanding of their ET routes will be reviewed. Notably, state‐of‐the‐art structural studies of the two main types of self‐sufficient P450 will also be summarized.
How To Quantify a Genetic Firewall? A Polarity‐Based Metric for Genetic Code Engineering
Authors: Schmidt Markus , Kubyshkin Vladimir
Published: November 2020

Genetic code engineering aims to produce organisms that translate genetic information in a different way from that prescribed by the standard genetic code. This endeavor could eventually lead to genetic isolation, where an organism that operates under a different genetic code will not be able to transfer functional genes with other living species, thereby standing behind a genetic firewall. It is not clear however, how distinct the code should be, or how to measure the distance. We have developed a metric (Δcode) where we assigned polarity indices (clog D7) to amino acids to calculate the distances between pairs of genetic codes. We then calculated the distance between a set of 204 genetic codes, including the 24 known distinct natural codes, 11 extreme‐distance codes created computationally, nine theoretical special purpose codes from literature and 160 codes in which canonical amino acids were replaced by noncanonical chemical analogues. The metric can be used for building strategies towards creating semantically alienated organisms, and testing the strength of genetic firewalls. This metric provides the basis for a map of the genetic codes that could guide future efforts towards novel biochemical worlds, biosafety and deep barcoding applications.
Excimer laser coronary atherectomy for uncrossable coronary lesions. A multicenter registry
Authors: Ojeda Soledad , Azzalini Lorenzo , Suárez de Lezo Javier , Johal Gurpreet S. , González Rafael , Barman Nitin , Hidalgo Francisco , Bellera Neus , Dangas George , Jurado‐Román Alfonso , Kini Annapoorna , Romero Miguel , Moreno Raúl , Garcia del Blanco Bruno , Mehran Roxana , Sharma Samin K. , Pan Manuel
Published: November 2020

Objectives

To assess the efficacy and safety of excimer laser coronary atherectomy (ELCA), as well as, the long‐term outcomes and the factors associated with ELCA failure in uncrossable lesions.

Background

Uncrossable lesions constitute a challenge for percutaneous coronary intervention.

Methods

This multicenter registry included 126 patients with 126 uncrossable lesions. Study endpoints were ELCA success, technical success and a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI), and target‐lesion revascularization (TLR) on follow‐up. Predictors of ELCA failure were analyzed.

Results

Moderate or severe calcification was present in 79 (62.7%) of the lesions and 58 (46%) were a chronic total occlusion. ELCA success was obtained in 103 (81.8%) patients. Rotational atherectomy was attempted as bailout in 21 out of 23 ELCA failure (91.3%), being successful in 14 (66.7%) of them. Finally, technical and procedural success were achieved in 114 (90.5%) and 110 (87.3%) of the patients. Severe calcification was independently associated with ELCA failure (OR: 3.73, 95% CI: 1.35–10.32; p = .011). Two (1.6%) patients died (one after a stroke and another patient because of heart failure), 4 (3.2%) developed a non‐Q MI without clinical consequences and 1 (0.8%) patient had a Q‐MI. Other complications were ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation (n = 2; 1.6%) and flow‐limiting dissection (n = 1, 0.8%). At follow‐up (median 424 days), 3 (2.4%) patients died (1 (0.8%) from cardiovascular cause) and 15 (11.9%) required TLR.

Conclusions

In our multicenter experience, ELCA use demonstrated to be safe and reasonably effective with a rate of events on follow‐up relatively low. Severe calcification was associated with ELCA failure.
Congenital absence of left circumflex artery with right coronary dominance
Authors: Pun Bishika , Shrestha Amit , Karki Bipin , Tuladhar Abhushan S.
Published: November 2020

Absent left circumflex coronary (LCX) artery though rare and benign should be considered in patients with chest pain and differentiated from atherosclerotic coronary artery disease for better management & prognosis.
A series of unfortunate events: Mind the windpipe
Authors: Elarabi Anam Miloud , Albakri Mutaz Majdi , Babiker Mona , Hussein Mousa , Ahmed Mushtaq , Mazhar Rashid , Raza Tasleem
Published: November 2020

Since we started seeing post‐COVID pneumonia patients in our clinics, tracheo‐laryngeal stenosis should be kept in mind as an important sequela of prolonged intubation (>7 days) particularly in those who are persistently symptomatic.
Secondary brain metastases of Ewing's sarcoma presenting with collapse after 6 years of complete remission
Authors: Poh Jian Zi
Published: November 2020

Routine brain imaging with MRI and long‐term follow‐up of Ewing's sarcoma could be the way to move forward by increasing our understanding in this area, as well as improving treatment and long‐term outcome for patients.
Emerging Implications of the Concept of Hydricity in Energy‐Relevant Catalytic Processes
Authors: Kumar Abhishek , Semwal Shrivats , Choudhury Joyanta
Published: November 2020

The “hydricity” of a species refers to its hydride‐donor ability. Similar to how the pKa is useful for determining the extent of dissociation of an acid, the hydricity plays a vital role in understanding hydride‐transfer reactions. A large number of transition‐metal‐catalyzed processes involve the hydride‐transfer reaction as a key step. Among these, two key reactions—proton reduction to evolve H2 and hydride transfer to CO2 to generate formate/formic acid—represent a promising solution to build a sustainable and fossil‐fuel‐free energy economy. Therefore, it is imperative to develop an in‐depth relationship between the hydricity of transition‐metal hydrides and its influencing factors, so that efficient and suitable hydride‐transfer catalysts can be designed. Moreover, such profound knowledge can also help in improving existing catalysts, in terms of their efficiency and working mechanism. With this broad aim in mind, some important research has been explored in this area in recent times. This Minireview emphasizes the conceptual approaches developed thus far, to tune and apply the hydricity parameter of transition‐metal hydrides for efficient H2 evolution and CO2 reduction/hydrogenation catalysis focusing on the guiding principles for future research in this direction.
Dipyrrinato‐Iridium(III) Complexes for Application in Photodynamic Therapy and Antimicrobial Photodynamic Inactivation
Authors: Hohlfeld Benjamin F. , Gitter Burkhard , Kingsbury Christopher J. , Flanagan Keith J. , Steen Dorika , Wieland Gerhard D. , Kulak Nora , Senge Mathias O. , Wiehe Arno
Published: November 2020

The generation of bio‐targetable photosensitizers is of utmost importance to the emerging field of photodynamic therapy and antimicrobial (photo‐)therapy. A synthetic strategy is presented in which chelating dipyrrin moieties are used to enhance the known photoactivity of iridium(III) metal complexes. Formed complexes can thus be functionalized in a facile manner with a range of targeting groups at their chemically active reaction sites. Dipyrrins with N‐ and O‐substituents afforded (dipy)iridium(III) complexes via complexation with the respective Cp*‐iridium(III) and ppy‐iridium(III) precursors (dipy=dipyrrinato, Cp*=pentamethyl‐η5‐cyclopentadienyl, ppy=2‐phenylpyridyl). Similarly, electron‐deficient [IrIII(dipy)(ppy)2] complexes could be used for post‐functionalization, forming alkenyl, alkynyl and glyco‐appended iridium(III) complexes. The phototoxic activity of these complexes has been assessed in cellular and bacterial assays with and without light; the [IrIII(Cl)(Cp*)(dipy)] complexes and the glyco‐substituted iridium(III) complexes showing particular promise as photomedicine candidates. Representative crystal structures of the complexes are also presented.
Solid Particle Effects in Centi‐scale Slurry Bubble Columns
Authors: Mühlbauer Adam , Böck Olivia , Raab Raphael , Hlawitschka Mark W. , Bart Hans‐Jörg
Published: November 2020

Both solid particles and column diameter affect the gas holdup and flow regimes in slurry bubble columns, but investigations of the combined effects are not to be found. This study shows the simultaneous impacts on the overall gas holdup and flow regime transitions and determines the dominant effects in slurry bubble columns on the centi‐scale containing solid particle concentrations up to 20 vol %. Additional tomography measurements are presented to visualize the gas phase flow and the spatial gas phase distribution in the column.
Solutions selection based on the P‐graph integrated data envelopment analysis for material scheduling in the ethylene production
Authors: Cao Jian , He Yanlin , Zhu Qunxiong
Published: November 2020

Material scheduling is significant in the ethylene production process. However, factors such as the production scale and the technology also affect the choice of material scheduling solutions. Therefore, this paper proposes a novel P‐graph methodology integrated data envelopment analysis (DEA) for the solutions selection of material scheduling. First, based on the basic procedure, a scheduling superstructure model expanding from the time dimension is built. With the cost as the objective function, the optimal and partially feasible scheduling solutions are generated based on the P‐graph, and the results are analyzed in detail with reference to ISA‐95. Then the DEA is used to analyze the indicators of material consumption and product yields to give a selection strategy from the input‐output perspective. The optimal solution and suboptimal solution sets are evaluated and analyzed, and decision making units (DMUs) with the highest score are calculated. Based on the scheduling solution with the highest score and relatively low cost, the potential adjustment of other solution is also given. Finally, a complete base of material scheduling solution has been implemented, which provides more references for decision makers. This paper considers the lowest cost as the goal and gives a more suitable alternative from the perspective of input‐output efficiency in combination with the actual production conditions, which is a good extension of the P‐graph.
The Temperature‐Dependent Play of Colours: A Series of Experiments on the Phenomenon of Luminescence Thermochromism
Authors: Lanfermann Philipp , Weidmann Christoph , Mey Ingo , von Hoff Elena , Waitz Thomas
Published: November 2020

Dieser Beitrag stellt eine Versuchsreihe zu den Phänomenen der Lumineszenz und der Lumineszenzthermochromie vor, die sich für den Einsatz im Schülerlabor und in der Schule eignet. In dieser Reihe wird ein Pyridinkupfer(I)iodid‐Komplex hergestellt, dessen Liganden anschließend sukzessive abgespalten werden. Dieser Verlust der Liganden führt wie die Veränderung der Temperatur ebenfalls zu unterschiedlichen Lumineszenzeigenschaften, die Gegenstand dieser Versuche sind. Die Phänomene werden sowohl auf fachlicher als auch auf didaktisch reduzierter Ebene mittels vereinfachter Energiediagramme gedeutet sowie das didaktische Potential für den Unterricht diskutiert.
Experimental Methods for Evaluating the Bacterial Uptake of Trojan Horse Antibacterials
Authors: Southwell James W. , Black Conor M. , Duhme‐Klair Anne‐Kathrin
Published: November 2020

The field of antibacterial siderophore conjugates, referred to as Trojan Horse antibacterials, has received increasing attention in recent years, driven by the rise of antimicrobial resistance. Trojan Horse antibacterials offer an opportunity to exploit the specific pathways present in bacteria for active iron uptake, potentially allowing the drugs to bypass membrane‐associated resistance mechanisms. Hence, the Trojan Horse approach might enable the redesigning of old antibiotics and the development of antibacterials that target specific pathogens. Critical parts of evaluating such Trojan Horse antibacterials and improving their design are the quantification of their bacterial uptake and the identification of the pathways by which this occurs. In this minireview, we highlight a selection of the biological and chemical methods used to study the uptake of Trojan Horse antibacterials, exemplified with case studies, some of which have led to drug candidates in clinical development or approved antibiotics.
Random urine drug testing among patients receiving opioid therapy for cancer pain
Authors: Arthur Joseph A. , Tang Michael , Lu Zhanni , Hui David , Nguyen Kristy , Rodriguez Eden Mae , Edwards Tonya , Yennurajalingam Sriram , Dalal Shalini , Dev Rony , Reddy Akhila , Tanco Kimberson , Haider Ali , Liu Diane D. , Bruera Eduardo
Published: November 2020

Background

There is limited information regarding the true frequency of nonmedical opioid use (NMOU) among patients receiving opioid therapy for cancer pain. Data to guide patient selection for urine drug testing (UDT) as well as the timing and frequency of ordering UDT are insufficient. This study examined the frequency of abnormal UDT among patients with cancer who underwent random UDT and their characteristics.

Methods

Demographic and clinical information for patients with cancer who underwent random UDT were retrospectively reviewed and compared with a historical cohort that underwent targeted UDT. Random UDT was ordered regardless of a patient's risk potential for NMOU. Targeted UDT was ordered on the basis of a physician's estimation of a patient's risk for NMOU.

Results

In all, 552 of 573 eligible patients (96%) underwent random UDT. Among these patients, 130 (24%) had 1 or more abnormal results; 38 of the 88 patients (43%) who underwent targeted UDT had 1 or more abnormal results. When marijuana was excluded, 15% of the random group and 37% of the targeted group had abnormal UDT findings (P< .001). It took a shorter time from the initial consultation to detect 1 or more abnormalities with the random test than the targeted test (median, 130 vs 274 days;P= .02). Abnormal random UDT was independently associated with younger age (P< .0001), male sex (P= .03), Cut Down, Annoyed, Guilty, and Eye Opener–Adapted to Include Drugs positivity (P= .001), and higher Edmonton Symptom Assessment System anxiety (P= .01).

Conclusions

Approximately 1 in 4 patients receiving opioids for cancer pain at a supportive care clinic who underwent random UDT had 1 or more abnormalities. Random UDT detected abnormalities earlier than the targeted test. These findings suggest that random UDT is justified among patients with cancer pain.
Laboratory‐wide association study of survival with prostate cancer
Authors: Sohlberg Ericka M. , Thomas I‐Chun , Yang Jaden , Kapphahn Kristopher , Velaer Kyla N. , Goldstein Mary K. , Wagner Todd H. , Chertow Glenn M. , Brooks James D. , Patel Chirag J. , Desai Manisha , Leppert John T.
Published: November 2020

Background

Estimates of overall patient health are essential to inform treatment decisions for patients diagnosed with cancer. The authors applied XWAS methods, herein referred to as “laboratory‐wide association study (LWAS)”, to evaluate associations between routinely collected laboratory tests and survival in veterans with prostate cancer.

Methods

The authors identified 133,878 patients who were diagnosed with prostate cancer between 2000 and 2013 in the Veterans Health Administration using any laboratory tests collected within 6 months of diagnosis (3,345,083 results). Using the LWAS framework, the false‐discovery rate was used to test the association between multiple laboratory tests and survival, and these results were validated using training, testing, and validation cohorts.

Results

A total of 31 laboratory tests associated with survival met stringent LWAS criteria. LWAS confirmed markers of prostate cancer biology (prostate‐specific antigen: hazard ratio [HR], 1.07 [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.06‐1.08]; and alkaline phosphatase: HR, 1.22 [95% CI, 1.20‐1.24]) as well laboratory tests of general health (eg, serum albumin: HR, 0.78 [95% CI, 0.76‐0.80]; and creatinine: HR, 1.05 [95% CI, 1.03‐1.07]) and inflammation (leukocyte count: HR, 1.23 [95% CI, 1.98‐1.26]; and erythrocyte sedimentation rate: HR, 1.33 [95% CI, 1.09‐1.61]). In addition, the authors derived and validated separate models for patients with localized and advanced disease, identifying 28 laboratory markers and 15 laboratory markers, respectively, in each cohort.

Conclusions

The authors identified routinely collected laboratory data associated with survival for patients with prostate cancer using LWAS methodologies, including markers of prostate cancer biology, overall health, and inflammation. Broadening consideration of determinants of survival beyond those related to cancer itself could help to inform the design of clinical trials and aid in shared decision making.

Lay Summary

This article examined routine laboratory tests associated with survival among veterans with prostate cancer.

Using laboratory‐wide association studies, the authors identified 31 laboratory tests associated with survival that can be used to inform the design of clinical trials and aid patients in shared decision making.
Validation of a Novel, Flash‐Freezing Method: Aluminum Platform
Authors: Imrali Ahmet , Hughes Christine S. , Coetzee Abigail S. , Delvecchio Francesca R. , Saad Amina , Roberts Rhiannon , Chelala Claude , ChinAleong Jo‐Anne , Kocher Hemant M.
Published: November 2020

Stored biological materials should have minimal pre‐analytical variations in order to provide researchers with high‐quality samples that will give reliable and reproducible results, yet methods of storage should be easy to implement, with minimal cost and health hazard. Frozen tissue samples are a valuable biological resource. Here we compare different methods, such as liquid nitrogen (LN) or dry ice (DI), to a cheap and safe alternative using an aluminum platform (AP). Murine fresh liver and pancreas tissues were used with varying lengths of warm ischemia time. Quality assessment was based on histological evaluation, DNA and RNA extraction and quantification, and RNA degradation analysis, as well preservation of antigens for immunofluorescence, in a blinded manner. Both in superficial and deep tissue sections, based on histological assessment, AP is superior to DI, or as good as LN techniques in terms of presence of ice crystals, cutting artifacts, and overall quality/structural preservation. DNA and RNA were successfully extracted in reasonable quantities from all freezing techniques, but RNA degradation was seen for pancreas samples across all techniques. Immunofluorescence with cytokeratin8 (CK‐8), alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA), CD3, and B220 shows equally good outcomes for AP and LN, which are better than DI. The aluminum platform is a cheap, yet reliable method to freeze samples, rapidly preserving histological, antigenic, and DNA/RNA quality. Wider testing is required across different sample types. © 2020 The Authors.

Basic Protocol: Flash‐freezing fresh tissue with aluminum platform

Alternate Protocol 1: Freezing fresh tissue with liquid nitrogen

Alternate Protocol 2: Freezing fresh tissue with dry ice
Reconstructing 1D Fe Single‐atom Catalytic Structure on 2D Graphene Film for High‐Efficiency Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Zhu Guangqi , Qi Yanling , Liu Fan , Ma Shenqian , Xiang Guolei , Jin Fengmin , Liu Zigeng , Wang Wei
Published: November 2020

The ordinary intrinsic activity and disordered distribution of metal sites in zero/one‐dimensional (0D/1D) single‐atom catalysts (SACs) lead to inferior catalytic efficiency and short‐term endurance in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), which restricts the large‐scale application of hydrogen−oxygen fuel cells and metal−air batteries. To improve the activity of SACs, a mild synthesis method was chosen to conjugate 1D Fe SACs with 2D graphene film (Fe SAC@G) that realized a composite structure with well‐ordered atomic‐Fe coordination configuration. The product exhibits outstanding ORR electrocatalytic efficiency and stability in 0.1 M KOH aqueous solution. DFT‐D computational results manifest the intrinsic ORR activity of Fe SAC@G originated from the newly‐formed FeN4−O−FeN4 bridge structure with moderate adsorption ability towards ORR intermediates. These findings provide new ways for designing SACs with high activity and long‐term stability.
Paeoniflorin inhibited nod‐like receptor protein‐3 inflammasome and NF‐κB‐mediated inflammatory reactions in diabetic foot ulcer by inhibiting the chemokine receptor CXCR2
Authors: Sun Xiaolong , Wang Xu , Zhao Zhenyu , Chen Jing , Li Cheng , Zhao Gang
Published: November 2020

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is an invariably common complication of diabetes, characterized by delayed wound healing process and increased inflammation. Evidence has indicated that paeoniflorin exerts an anti‐inflammatory effect in diabetic retinopathy. The current work was aimed to investigate the effect of paeoniflorin on inflammation and wound healing in DFU. DFU rat models by streptozotocin and skin biopsy punch, as well as high glucose‐treated human immortalized keratinocytes (HaCaT) were established. Levels of blood glucose, wound contraction and proinflammatory cytokine were detected after paeoniflorin administration. Several essential targets associated with the NF‐κB and Nod‐like receptor protein‐3 (NLRP3) signaling pathways were examined. Results showed markedly down‐regulation of interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐18 and tumor necrosis factor‐alpha in paeoniflorin‐treated DFU rats. Paeoniflorin decreased the expression levels of chemokine receptor CXCR2, nuclear NF‐κB and p‐IκB (Ser36), as well as increased IκB level. Histological analysis and immunostaining showed lower inflammatory cells with decreased NLRP3 and cleaved caspase‐1 levels following paeoniflorin treatment. Further in vitro evidence confirmed that paeoniflorin efficiently inhibited NLRP3 and NF‐κB‐mediated inflammation in DFU by inhibiting CXCR2. These findings are suggestive of greatly attenuated wound inflammation and better wound healing in paeoniflorin‐treated DFU rats. Our study demonstrates that paeoniflorin is a potential therapeutic agent for DFU.