bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nematicidal Effect of Some Botanical Extracts for the Management of Meloidogyne incognita and on Growth of Tomato
Authors: Oluwatayo J. I. , Jidere C. I. , Nwankiti A.
Published: August 2019

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is an important and widely grown vegetable crop all over the world. Although tomato is nutritionally and economically important, its production is constrained by biotic and abiotic constraints leading to poor marketable quantity and quality worldwide. Root-knot nematodes are one of the major pests affecting tomato production worldwide, especially, in the tropical and sub-tropical regions. Green house experiments were laid out in Complete Block Design (CBD) with a 3x7 factorial arrangement replicated three times carried out at the Department of Crop and Environmental Protection, University of Agriculture. The soil was sterilized before the experiment. Fresh leaves and seeds of Moringa oleifera, Ricinus communis  and Jatropha curcas were washed with tap water, 15 g  from each of leaves and seeds of the different botanicals was macerated separately in an electric blender at high speed for 4 minutes in 100 ml distilled water. The mixtures were passed through a Whatman filter paper number 1; the filtrates of the leaves/seeds were then collected. Three tomato varieties viz: Roma Vf, Rio Grande and UC82B were inoculated with approximately 5,000 freshly hatched second stage juvenile of Meloidogyne incognita, two weeks after transplanting.  Thirty percent aqueous extract each  of Castor, Moringa and Jatropha leaves and seeds was used, while double distilled water (0%) served as the control. Thirty ml of   each leaf and seed aqueous extract was applied, 48 hours after inoculation as soil drench. Application was done at 1 weeks intervals thereafter for a period of 16 weeks. Data collected include number of fruits per plant, root gall index, nematode reproductive factor, and final nematode population. The results showed that various Moringa oleifera, Ricinus communis  and Jatropha curcas leaves and seed extracts significantly (P<0.05) reduced root gall index, final population of M. incognita in the soil and nematode reproductive factor than the control. Application of the various treatments Moringa oleifera, Ricinus communis  and Jatropha curcas led to significant increase in mean number of fruits and mean fruit weight yield of all the three tomato varieties. Therefore, the application of leaf and seed aqueous extracts of Moringa, Jatropha and Castor will serve as good alternative for the management of root knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita.
Correlation between Ocular Axial Length and Body Mass Index in a Black Population
Authors: Aprioku I. N. , Ejimadu C. S.
Published: August 2019

Aim: To determine the correlation between Ocular axial length (AL) and body mass index (BMI) in a black population.

Methods: This was a descriptive cross sectional study carried out in Port Harcourt City LGA, Nigeria. Subjects were selected using multistage random sampling with inclusion criteria of Visual Acuity > 6/18, age greater than 18 years with no history of past ocular surgeries or trauma. Socio demographic data was obtained through an interviewer based structured proforma. Data obtained included age, sex, tribe, occupation and level of education. Weight, height and Body Mass Index (BMI) were measured using a standard height and weight automated scale (SECA 769,220). Ocular examinations done included visual acuity, applanation tonometry and ophthalmoscopy. Axial length (AL) was measured using Amplitude (A) scan ultrasonography (SONOMED PACSCAN 300AP). Data obtained from one eye of the subjects were analyzed using SPSS (Version 17), and p value was set at ≤ 0.05.

Results: Four hundred and sixty six (466) subjects participated in the study made up of two hundred and twelve (212) males (45.5%) and two hundred and fifty four (254) females (54.5%) with M: F ratio of 1:1.2. The age range was 18-92 years and mean age of the subjects studied 43.0±14.2 years. Findings revealed mean AL, Body Mass Index, Height and Weight to be (23.2±1.0 mm), (26.9±6.2 kg/m2), (162.5±9 cm) and (70.5±14.8 kg) respectively. The mean AL was greater in males than females. There was no statistically significant relationship between age and axial length. There was a statistically significant relationship between height and AL in both gender with AL increasing by 0.035 mm (p=0.001, r=0.261) with one centimeter change in height in males and 0.025 mm (p=0.001, r=0.2680) in females and between AL and level of education (p=0.001). There was also a statistically significant (0.009 mm) increase in AL per one kilogramme change in weight in females (p=0.0001, r=0.188). Males had longer AL than females in all the BMI groups with a statistically significant difference found between the different BMI classes.

Conclusion: This study noted that although there is no statistically significant relationship between AL and BMI, there are significant relationships between AL and height and weight respectively. Estimated AL in mm= 16.91 + 0.039 (height in cm).
Effects of Diabetogenic Agent Streptozotocin on Hematological Parameters of Wistar Albino Rats “An Experimental Study”
Authors: Ali Akhtar , Shaheen Shehla , Memon Zahida , Agha Faiza , Shahid Moazzam Ali , Zahid Nisha
Published: August 2019

Background: Diabetes mellitus has remained the major concern for medical sciences               researches due to its deleterious effects on general, physical and mental health of patients. To understand the pathophysiology and to explore better treatment options for such kind of metabolic disorders it is necessary to generate the experimental animal models. To create diabetic animal models, streptozotocin has shown predominance in selectivity as a diabetogenic agent. While studying effects of any intervention in the diabetic animal models, being a cytotoxic drug streptozotocin may affect the study results by inhibiting highly replicating cells especially hematopoietic cells.

Aims: The aim of study was to analyze the effects of streptozotocin on various cellular components of blood such as RBCs, WBCs (Lymphocytes, Neutrophils, Eosinophils), Hb%, HCT and Platelets, at baseline, 5th day and 15th day without any intervention.

Study Design: Animal based Experimental study.

Place and duration of Study: The study was conducted at animal house of faculty of Pharmacy Ziauddin University Karachi, while laboratory work was performed at MDRL-1 Ziauddin University.

Methodology: In Group A normal saline and in group B and C 60 mg / kg streptozotocin diluted in normal saline was administered intraperitoneally. After the confirmation of induction of Diabetes in rats, on fifth day blood samples were drawn from Group A and B and were analyzed. While blood samples from group C were drawn on fifteenth day.

Results: Analysis of various hematological parameters on 5th day revealed that there was a decrease in the levels of Hb, HCT, RBCs and WBCs with an increase in platelet count in group B in comparison to group A (control). On the other hand, in Group C (15th day), blood cell counts (Hb, HCT, RBCs, WBCs, Lymphocytes, Neutrophils and platelets) seemed to recover from streptozotocin induced decline that was observed in group B, however did not reach the baselines as in group A(control).

Conclusion: It is concluded that change in hematological parameters of rats after administration of streptozotocin is reversible. The blood parameters may recover near to base line values without any intervention within two weeks.
Impact of Free Day Secondary Education Funding on Student Enrolment Kcse Academic Achievement in Gucha South Sub-County, Kenya
Authors: O. Maobe Fredrick , Bogonko Sorobea , Ondigi Benjamin
Published: August 2019

Aims: To determine the impact of subsidized Free Day Secondary Education funding on student enrolment and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) academic achievement in Gucha South schools.

Study Design: Descriptive survey research design.

Place and Duration of Study: Public day secondary schools in Gucha South Sub-County, Kisii County, Kenya. Study was conducted during January 2016 to April 2016.

Methodology: A descriptive survey research design was used to collect data from public day secondary schools in Gucha South Sub-County. Study population comprised of 323 subjects: 35 principals, 280 teachers, one Sub-County Director of Education and 7 Zonal Quality and Standards Officers (ZQASOs) in the Sub-County. 30% of the study population subjects were randomly sampled to give 11 principals, 84 teachers, 2 ZQASOS and one Sub-County Director of Education (SCDE) hence a total of 98 respondents. Structured questionnaires and Interview schedules were used to collect data from the sampled respondents. Qualitative data collected from interviews and open-ended questions were analysed using meanings and implications coming from respondents. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics in the form of frequency counts, means and percentages. Impact of the Free Day Secondary Education (FDSE) funding on academic achievement was measured in the KCSE grading whereby a lower to higher level reflected a positive impact.

Results: Student enrollment rose from an average of 117 per school in 2008 to 212 in 2012. KCSE achievement improved over the years from a mean score of 3.25 in 2008 to 4.50 in 2012.

Conclusion: FDSE policy is a worthy initiative for it enhanced access to education, increased student enrollment as well as improved the academic achievement of learners through a positive deviation of the mean in KCSE from lower to upper grades.
Phase‐Modulated Scattering Manipulation for Exterior Cloaking in Metal–Dielectric Hybrid Metamaterials
Authors: Zhang Fuli , Li Chang , Fan Yuancheng , Yang Ruisheng , Shen Nian‐Hai , Fu Quanhong , Zhang Weihong , Zhao Qian , Zhou Ji , Koschny Thomas , Soukoulis Costas M.
Published: August 2019

Artificially structured metamaterials with metallic or dielectric inclusions are extensively studied for exotic light manipulations via controlling the local‐resonant modes in the microstructures. The coupling between these resonant modes has drawn growing interest in recent years due to the advanced functional metamaterial making the microstructures more and more complex. Here, the suppression of magnetic resonance of a dielectric cuboid, an analogue to the scattering cancellation effect or radiation control system, realized with an exterior cloaking in a hybrid metamaterial system, is demonstrated. Furthermore, the significant modulation of the absorption of the dielectric resonator in the hybrid metamaterial is also demonstrated. The physical insight of the experimental results is well illuminated with a classical double‐harmonic‐oscillator model, from which it is revealed that the complex coupling, i.e., the phase of coupling coefficient, plays a crucial role in the overall response of the metal–dielectric hybrid system. The proposed design strategy is anticipated to form a more straightforward and efficient paradigm for practical applications based on radiation control via versatile mode couplings.
Photoredox Decarboxylative Alkylation/(2+2+1) Cycloaddition of 1,7‐Enynes: A Cascade Approach Towards Polycyclic Heterocycles Using N‐(Acyloxy)phthalimides as Radical Source
Authors: Correia José Tiago Menezes , Piva da Silva Gustavo , André Elias , Paixão Márcio Weber
Published: August 2019

No Abstract

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Catalyst‐free Decarboxylation and Decarboxylative Giese Additions of Alkyl Carboxylates through Photoactivation of Electron Donor‐Acceptor Complex
Authors: Zheng Chao , Wang Guang‐Zu , Shang Rui
Published: August 2019

We report herein a catalyst‐free method to perform decarboxylative conjugated addition and hydrodecarboxylation of aliphatic N‐(acyloxy)phthalimides (redox active esters, RAEs) through photoactivation of electron‐donor‐acceptor (EDA) complex with Hantzsch ester (HE) in N,N‐dimethylacetamide (DMA) solution. The reactions present a green method to decarboxylatively construct carbon‐carbon bond and to perform hydrodecarboxylation with broad substrate scope and functional group tolerance under mild blue light irradiation condition without recourse of popularly used photoredox catalysts.

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Cardiorespiratory fitness and health‐related quality of life in adolescents: A longitudinal analysis from the LabMed Physical Activity Study
Authors: Evaristo Olga S. , Moreira Carla , Lopes Luís , Abreu Sandra , Agostinis‐Sobrinho César , Oliveira‐Santos José , Oliveira André , Mota Jorge , Santos Rute
Published: August 2019

Objective

The purpose of this study was to examine the longitudinal associations between cardiorespiratory fitness and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in a sample of adolescents, and to determine whether changes in cardiorespiratory fitness were associated with HRQoL over a 2‐year follow‐up.

Methods

This is a longitudinal analysis with 571 Portuguese adolescents (274 boys and 297 girls) aged 12‐18 years. HRQoL was measured with the Kidscreen‐10 questionnaire; the 20 m shuttle‐run was used to estimate cardiorespiratory fitness; socioeconomic status was assessed with the Family Affluence Scale; and pubertal stage was assessed with Tanner stages. Linear regression and analysis of covariance (ancovas) were used to examine the associations between cardiorespiratory fitness and HRQoL.

Results

HRQoL decreased over a 2‐year period both in boys and girls (P < .05). Moreover, girls at baseline and at follow‐up reported significantly lower HRQoL values than boys (between subjects P < .001). After adjustments for potential confounders, regression analyses showed significant cross‐sectional associations between cardiorespiratory fitness and HRQoL both at baseline (B = 0.095; P = .023) and at follow‐up (B = 0.090; P = .012). ancova showed that adolescents whose cardiorespiratory fitness decreased over time exhibited lower scores of HRQoL at follow‐up, compared to those with persistent high cardiorespiratory fitness; this held after adjustments for age, sex, socioeconomic status, and pubertal stage.

Conclusions

Changes in cardiorespiratory fitness during adolescence were associated with HRQoL over a 2‐year period. This study suggests that improving cardiorespiratory fitness could be an important strategy in improving the HRQoL of adolescents.
Boosting Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 at a Low Overpotential by Amorphous Ag‐Bi‐S‐O Decorated Bi0 Nanocrystals
Authors: Zhou Jun‐Hao , Yuan Kun , Zhou Liang , Guo Yu , Luo Ming‐Yu , Guo Xiao‐Yan , Meng Qing‐Yuan , Zhang Ya‐Wen
Published: August 2019

Bimetal‐S‐O composites have been rarely researched in electrochemical reduction of CO2. Now, an amorphous Ag‐Bi‐S‐O decorated Bi0 catalyst derived from Ag0.95BiS0.75O3.1 nanorods by electrochemical pre‐treatment was used for catalyzing eCO2RR, which exhibited a formate FE of 94.3 % with a formate partial current density of 12.52 mA cm−2 at an overpotential of only 450 mV. This superior performance was attributed to the attached amorphous Ag‐Bi‐S‐O substance. S could be retained in the amorphous region after electrochemical pre‐treatment only in samples derived from metal‐S‐O composites, and it would greatly enhance the formate selectivity by accelerating the dissociation of H2O. The existence of Ag would increase the current density, resulting in a higher local pH, which made the role of S in activating H2O more significantly and suppressed H2 evolution more effectively, thus endowing the catalyst with a higher formate FE at low overpotentials.
4.5 V High‐Voltage Rechargeable Batteries Enabled by the Reduction of Polarization on the Lithium Metal Anode
Authors: Yan Chong , Xu Rui , Qin Jin‐Lei , Yuan Hong , Xiao Ye , Xu Lei , Huang Jia‐Qi
Published: August 2019

Lithium metal is used to achieve high‐energy‐density batteries due to its large theoretical capacity and low negative electrochemical potential. The introduction of quasi‐solid electrolytes simultaneously overcomes the safety problems induced by the liquid electrolytes and the high interfacial resistance issues confronted by all solid‐state electrolytes. In‐depth investigations involving interfacial behaviors in quasi‐solid lithium metal batteries are inadequate. Herein an ultrathin Li3OCl quasi‐solid‐state electrolyte layer (500 nm thickness) is used to cover a lithium anode. The polarization of the anode is remarkably reduced by introducing the Li3OCl quasi‐solid‐state electrolyte. In contrast to the decomposition of solvents in a standard electrolyte (EC‐DEC,1.0 m LiPF6), the established quasi‐solid‐state electrolyte interfaces can significantly inhibit the decomposition of solvents when the cut‐off voltage is 4.5 V.
New insights into the predicament of DFT assisted optimized energy, stability and distortions of optimized topologies of some novel complexes of Zirconium (IV) and enhancement of antimicrobial potential
Authors: Sharma Shobhana , Kumar Ramesh , Kumar Pradeep , Jain Asha , Saxena Sanjiv
Published: August 2019

A comprehensive density functional theory (DFT/B3LYP method) investigation was done to study the generation, optimized topologies, bonding, reactivity, stability, distortions and enhancement of antimicrobial potential of a number of organic–inorganic hybrid complexes of zirconium (IV). Zirconium (IV) complexes having the general formulae ZrL(Cl)2 and Zr(L)2 were prepared by the reaction of zirconium tetrachloride with dipotassium salts of sterically constrained oximes of heterocyclic β‐diketones in different stoichiometric ratios in refluxing anhydrous THF. Plausible topologies of these complexes were suggested with the aid of physico‐chemical and spectral studies. The optimized topologies of the complexs of the types ZrL(Cl)2 and Zr(L)2 were given by comprehensive DFT investigation. The molecular orbitals, molecular electrostatic potential, chemical reactivity, energy optimization, stability and distortions of these newly generated complexes were studied by DFT. These complexes were screened against bacterial isolate E. Coli and fungal isolates viz. A. Niger and T. Reesei. The chemical reactivity of these complexes is corroborated by small energy gap. Few principal quantum chemical descriptors were correlated with the enhancement of antimicrobial potential of these sterically constrained complexes of zirconium (IV). The presence of ‐CH2CH3, ‐C6H5 and –C6H4Cl (p) groups in complexes of the types ZrL(Cl)2 and Zr(L)2 provides an opportunity to examine the effect on optimized energy, stability and distortions of optimized topologies.
Exceptionally high molecular weight linear polyethylene by using N,N,N′‐Co catalysts appended with a N′‐2,6‐bis{di(4‐fluorophenyl)methyl}‐4‐nitrophenyl group
Authors: Zhang Randi , Ma Yanping , Han Mingyang , Solan Gregory A. , Pi Yaqing , Sun Yang , Sun Wen‐Hua
Published: August 2019

The bis(arylimino)pyridines, 2‐[CMeN{2,6‐{(4‐FC6H4)2CH}2–4‐NO2}]‐6‐(CMeNAr)C5H3N (Ar = 2,6‐Me2C6H3 L1, 2,6‐Et2C6H3 L2, 2,6‐i‐Pr2C6H3 L3, 2,4,6‐Me3C6H2 L4, 2,6‐Et2–4‐MeC6H2 L5), each containing one N′‐2,6‐bis{di(4‐fluorophenyl)methyl}‐4‐nitrophenyl group, have been synthesized by two successive condensation reactions from 2,6‐diacetylpyridine. Their subsequent treatment with anhydrous cobalt (II) chloride gave the corresponding N,N,N′‐CoCl2 chelates, Co1 – Co5, in excellent yield. All five complexes have been characterized by 1H/19F NMR and IR spectroscopy as well as by elemental analysis. In addition, the molecular structures of Co1 and Co3 have been determined and help to emphasize the differences in steric properties imposed by the inequivalent N‐aryl groups; distorted square pyramidal geometries are adopted by each complex. Upon activation with either methylaluminoxane (MAO) or modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO), precatalyts Co1 – Co5 collectively exhibited very high activities for ethylene polymerization with 2,6‐dimethyl‐substituted Co1 the most active (up to 1.1 × 107 g (PE) mol−1 (Co) h−1); the MAO systems were generally more productive. Linear polyethylenes of exceptionally high molecular weight (Mw up to 1.3 × 106 g mol−1) were obtained in all cases with the range in dispersities exhibited using MAO as co‐catalyst noticeably narrower than with MMAO [Mw/Mn: 3.55–4.77 (Co1 – Co5/MAO) vs. 2.85–12.85 (Co1 – Co5/MMAO)]. Significantly, the molecular weights of the polymers generated using this class of cobalt catalyst are higher than any literature values reported to date using related N,N,N‐bis (arylimino)pyridine‐cobalt catalysts.
Nano‐engineering of high‐performance PA6.6 nanocomposites by the integration of CVD‐grown carbon fiber on graphene as a bicomponent reinforcement by melt‐compounding
Authors: Cakal Sarac Elcin , Haghighi Poudeh Leila , Seyyed Monfared Zanjani Jamal , Pehlivan Zeki Semih , Cebeci Fevzi Çakmak , Aydin Ismail , Menceloglu Yusuf , Saner Okan Burcu
Published: August 2019

In this study, long carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were grown on graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique to develop three‐dimensional (3D) bicomponent nanostructures. The structure and properties of graphene before and after CVD process were investigated in details. X‐ray photoelectron analysis depicted the formation of Fe‐C bonds by the deposition of carbon atoms on the catalyst surface of Fe2O3. This hybrid additive was firstly used as a reinforcing agent in melt compounding to fabricate PA6.6‐based nanocomposites with enhanced mechanical and thermal properties. Both GNP and CNF‐GNP have enough surface oxygen functional groups to improve the interfacial interactions with polyamide matrix and thus provide good wettability. Also, both neat GNP and its bicomponent additive with CNF also acted as a nucleating agent and allowed the crystal growth in nanocomposite structure. Homogeneous dispersion of nanoparticles was achieved by using thermokinetic mixer during compounding by applying high shear rates. Mechanical results showed that 23 and 34% improvement in flexural and tensile modulus values, respectively, was attained by the addition of 0.5 wt % CNF‐GNP hybrid additive. The heat distortion temperature and Vicat softening temperature of the resulting PA6.6 nanocomposites were improved compared to neat PA6.6 material indicating performance enhancement at higher service temperature conditions. CNF was successfully grown on Fe‐loaded GNP by CVD method and this hybrid additive was compounded with PA6.6 by melt‐mixing process. Mechanical results showed that 34% improvement in tensile modulus value was attained by the addition of 0.5 wt % CNF‐GNP hybrid additive because it acted as a nucleating agent and allowed the crystal growth in the nanocomposite structure. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 48347.
Krüppel homolog 1 and E93: The doorkeeper and the key to insect metamorphosis
Authors: Belles Xavier
Published: August 2019

Insect metamorphosis is regulated by two main hormones: ecdysone (20E), which promotes molting, and juvenile hormone (JH), which inhibits adult morphogenesis. The transduction mechanisms for the respective hormonal signals include the transcription factors Krüppel homolog 1 (Kr‐h1) and E93, which are JH‐ and 20E‐dependent, respectively. Kr‐h1 is the main effector of the antimetamorphic action of JH, while E93 is a key promoter of metamorphosis. The ancestral regulatory axis of metamorphosis, which operates in insects with hemimetabolan (gradual) metamorphosis and is known as the MEKRE93 pathway, is based on Kr‐h1 repression of E93. In the last juvenile stage, when the production of JH dramatically decreases, Kr‐h1 expression is almost completely interrupted, E93 becomes upregulated and metamorphosis proceeds. The holometabolan (complete) metamorphosis mode of development includes the peculiar pupal stage, a sort of intermediate between the final larval instar and the adult stage. In holometabolan species, Broad‐Complex (BR‐C) transcription factors determine the pupal stage and E93 stimulates the expression of BR‐C in the prepupa. The MEKRE93 pathway is conserved in holometabolan insects, which have added the E93/BR‐C interaction loop to the ancestral (hemimetabolan) pathway during the evolution from hemimetaboly to holometaboly.
Cannabis and the developing brain: What does the evidence say?
Authors: Jacobus Joanna , Courtney Kelly E. , Hodgdon Elizabeth A. , Baca Rachel
Published: August 2019

Cannabis use during adolescence has been linked to deleterious effects on brain integrity. This article summarizes findings from two prospective investigations (3 and 6 years, on average) on adolescent cannabis use from our laboratory that utilize structural neuroimaging and neurocognitive assessment approaches. Across most studies, findings suggest recency, frequency, and age of onset of cannabis use are likely key variables in predicting poorer neural health outcomes. There is some evidence that preexisting differences in brain architecture may also contribute to vulnerability and outcome differences. Ongoing large‐scale prospective studies of youth will be able to disentangle how both cannabis use as well as pre and postexposure differences play a role in divergent outcomes among youth who use cannabis.
Can voluntary environmental regulation promote corporate technological innovation?
Authors: Jiang Zhenyu , Wang Zongjun , Zeng Yanqi
Published: August 2019

The impact of environmental regulation on technological innovation has been widely discussed in the academic circle. Based on the panel data of 403 Chinese manufacturing firms from 2010 to 2015, this paper explored the role of voluntary environmental regulation in technological innovation. The results showed the following: First, both voluntary environmental information disclosure and environmental management system certification had a positive effect on corporate innovation investment. Second, compared with the impact of environmental information disclosure, the impact of environmental management system certification on corporate innovation investment was more significant. Third, there was a significant positive interaction between environmental information disclosure and environmental management system certification. Finally, the effect of voluntary environmental regulation on corporate technological innovation in heavily polluting industries was stronger than that in lightly polluting industries.
Fluorescence‐based discrimination of breast cancer cells by direct exposure to 5‐aminolevulinic acid
Authors: Morita Midori , Tanaka Hideo , Kumamoto Yasuaki , Nakamura Akihiro , Harada Yoshinori , Ogata Takehiro , Sakaguchi Koichi , Taguchi Tetsuya , Takamatsu Tetsuro
Published: August 2019

Protoporphyrin IX‐fluorescence measurement is a powerful in situ approach for cancer detection after oral/topical administration of 5‐aminolevulinic acid. However, this approach has not been clinically established for breast cancer, probably due to insufficient delivery of 5‐aminolevulinic acid to the mammary glands. In the present study, we directly exposed breast cancer cells to 5‐aminolevulinic acid to assess their discrimination via protoporphyrin IX‐fluorescence. Fluorescence intensity (FI) was measured in the human breast cancer cell lines MCF7 and MDA‐MB‐231 and breast epithelial cell line MCF10A by confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. After 5‐aminolevulinic acid exposure for 2 hours, protoporphyrin IX‐FI in MCF7 and MDA‐MB‐231 cells significantly increased with marked cell‐to‐cell variability, whereas that in MCF10A cells increased moderately. Combined exposure of the cancer cells to 5‐aminolevulinic acid and Ko143, a specific inhibitor of ATP‐binding cassette transporter G2, further increased protoporphyrin IX‐FI and alleviated the cell‐to‐cell variability in MCF7 and MDA‐MB‐231 cells, indicating improvement in the reproducibility and accuracy for fluorescence‐based cancer detection. The increased FI by combined administration of these two drugs was also demonstrated in cells obtained via fine needle aspiration from mouse xenograft models inoculated with MDA‐MB‐231 cells. Furthermore, a cutoff value for increased protoporphyrin IX‐FI ratio, before and after exposure to these drugs, clearly discriminated between cancer and noncancer cells. Taken together, direct exposure to 5‐aminolevulinic acid and Ko143 may be a promising strategy for efficient fluorescence‐based detection of breast cancer cells ex vivo using fine needle aspiration.
Discrimination of Different Parts of Saffron by Metabolomic‐Based Ultra‐Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled with High‐Definition Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Xu Shuya , Ge Xiaojin , Li Shimin , Guo Xiaoyang , Dai Dandan , Yang Tiegang
Published: August 2019

In this study, the metabolite profiling of three different parts of Crocus sativus L. was measured by using ultra‐performance liquid chromatography‐quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (UPLC‐QTof‐MS/MS). Multivariate statistical analysis was used to distinguish among the samples from different parts. A total of 54 compounds were identified in tepals, stigmas and stamens by UPLC‐QTof‐MS/MS. The results stated that chemical characteristics of saffron were obviously diverse in terms of the parts of flower. Through analysis, coniferin and crocin‐2 were special components in stigmas when compared to tepals and stamens. The content of flavonoids was high in tepals when compared with the stigmas. The tepal of saffron may processed as a source of flavonoids in the future. The research provided the basis for the theory that only the stigma can be used as medicine.
Chemical and Biological Aspects of Garcinol and Isogarcinol: Recent Developments
Authors: Schobert Rainer , Biersack Bernhard
Published: August 2019

The natural polyisoprenylated benzophenone derivatives garcinol and isogarcinol are secondary plant metabolites isolated from various Garcinia species including Garcinia indica. This review takes stock of the recent chemical and biological research into these interesting natural compounds over the last five years. New biological sources and chemical syntheses are discussed followed by new insights into the activity of garcinol and isogarcinol against cancer, pathogenic bacteria, parasite infections and various inflammatory diseases.
A Spontaneous Ring‐Opening Reaction Leads to a Repair‐Resistant Thymine Oxidation Product in Genomic DNA
Authors: Sahakyan Aleksandr B. , Mahtey Areeb , Kawasaki Fumiko , Balasubramanian Shankar
Published: August 2019

The alphabet of modified DNA bases goes beyond the conventional four letters, with biological roles being found for many such modifications. Herein, we describe the observation of a modified thymine base that arises from spontaneous N1−C2 ring opening of the oxidation product 5‐formyl uracil, after N3 deprotonation. We first observed this phenomenon in silico through ab initio calculations, followed by in vitro experiments to verify its formation at a mononucleoside level and in a synthetic DNA oligonucleotide context. We show that the new base modification (Trex, thymine ring expunged) can form under physiological conditions, and is resistant to the action of common repair machineries. Furthermore, we found cases of the natural existence of Trex while screening a number of human cell types and mESC (E14), thus suggesting potential biological relevance of this modification.
Synthesis of Functional 3‐Buten‐1‐ynes and 1,3‐Butadienes with Silsesquioxane Moiety via Hydrosilylation of 1,3‐Diynes
Authors: Stefanowska Kinga , Franczyk Adrian , Szyling Jakub , Walkowiak Jędrzej
Published: August 2019

Highly effective procedures for the addition of one or two molecules of 1‐dimethylsiloxy‐3,5,7,9,11,13,15‐heptaisobutylpentacyclo‐[9.5.1.13,9.15,15.17,13]octasiloxane ((HSiMe2O)(i‐Bu)7Si8O12, (1)) to the symmetrically 1,4‐disubstituted 1,3‐diynes have been successfully developed for the first time. As a result, novel silsesquioxanes bearing substituents such as CH3, t‐Bu, (CH3)2OSi(CH3)3, C6H5, C6H4Br‐4, C6H4(BO2C2(CH3)4)‐4, OH, COOCH3, and morpholino were obtained and characterized by 1H, 13C, 29Si NMR and mass spectrometry. Detailed optimization of reaction conditions was performed with a wide range of temperatures, in the presence of various types of catalysts and ratios of reagents, to obtain complex information about the process selectivity and develop efficient methods for synthesizing targeted compounds. It was found that precisely optimized approaches provided 3‐buten‐1‐ynes or 1,3‐butadienes with high yields, without decomposition of other reactive functionalities presented in the molecule structure. Due to the presence of reactive functional groups, the resulting compounds constituted a new silsesquioxane family characterized by unique structures and potential applications.
Three‐Dimensional Interconnected Porous Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Hybrid Foam for Notably Promoted Direct Dehydrogenation of Ethylbenzene to Styrene
Authors: Ge Guifang , Liu Hongyang , Zhao Zhongkui
Published: August 2019

Owning to the high corrosion‐resistance, stable structure, unique surface properties and sustainability, the carbon‐base catalysts have attracted increasing interest in heterogeneous catalysis. Herein, we report a facile combining strategy to fabricate a novel three‐dimensional (3D) interconnected porous nitrogen‐doped carbon hybrid foam featuring with the interconnected nitrogen‐doped carbon foam coated by porous nitrogen‐doped carbon (NCMS@NCGlu‐NH4Cl) by annealing the freeze‐dried NH4Cl‐glucose containing aqueous solution soaked melamine sponge (MS@Glu/NH4Cl). The as‐prepared NCMS@NCGlu‐NH4Cl hybrid foam shows 1.6 times high steady‐state styrene rate (4.77 mmol g−1 h−1) with 96.4 % of selectivity for direct dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene as compared to the well‐established nanodiamond. This work not only generates an excellent carbon catalyst to replace the established nanodiamond for direct dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene, but also opens up a potential avenue for designing novel carbon materials towards the adsorption and supercapacitor besides acting as a promising catalyst for diverse transformations.
Erstes Design und Einsatz 3D‐gedruckter Strukturen in Blasensäulenreaktoren
Authors: Hecht Corinna , Grünewald Marcus
Published: August 2019

Eine Methode, bei der neuartige, über additive Fertigung hergestellte Strukturen in Blasensäulen eingebracht werden, um die Wechselwirkungskette der Einflussgrößen auf makroskopischer und mikroskopischer Skala aufzulösen, wird vorgestellt. Einen vielversprechenden, neuartigen Ansatz stellen dabei Strukturen dar, die mithilfe pulverbasierter additiver Fertigung hergestellt werden. In dieser Arbeit wird der Einfluss der Strukturierung in Blasensäulen auf die fluiddynamischen Parameter Gasgehaltsverteilung, Stofftransport und Flüssigkeitsgeschwindigkeit untersucht.
Zeit für den neuen Kugelhahn
Authors:   CITplus
Published: August 2019

GF Piping Systems (GFPS) hat den weiterentwickelten Kuglhahn 546 vorgestellt. Die Absperrarmatur kombiniert bewährtes Design mit zusätzlichen Antriebs‐ sowie digitalen Vernetzungs‐ und Steuerungsmöglichkeiten.
Rohr frei!
Authors: Zilm David
Published: August 2019

Ein neuartiges Reinigungsverfahren für Rohrleitungen in Produktions‐ und Abfüllanlagen bietet jetzt Vink Chemicals in Zusammenarbeit mit R+B Technik an. Gegenüber bisherigen Methoden soll es eine deutlich bessere Reinigungsleistung erzielen. Es verursache dabei weniger Abwasser, senke den Energieverbrauch und ermögliche flexibel an die Verschmutzung angepasste Reinigungsprogramme.
Reinigung 4.0
Authors: Eckert Nora
Published: August 2019

Seit Kurzem setzt die Wisag Industrie Service Gruppe, einer der führenden Industriedienstleister Deutschlands, bei der Reinigung und Instandhaltung von Kanälen und Rohrleitungen in Leuna auf Innovation: Der Roboter „Jetty“ reinigt und inspiziert Orte, bei denen dies sonst nur mit größerem Aufwand möglich ist. Dank seiner einzigartigen Konstruktion gelangt er problemlos in schwer zugängliche Bereiche lüftungstechnischer Anlagen, von Küchen‐ und Industrieabzügen sowie Kanälen und Rohrleitungen in der Petro‐ und Pharmaindustrie.
Immunocytochemistry for ARID1A as a potential biomarker in urine cytology of bladder cancer
Authors: Dugas Sarah G. , Müller David C. , Le Magnen Clémentine , Federer‐Gsponer Joel , Seifert Hans‐Helge , Ruiz Christian , Savic Prince Spasenija , Vlajnic Tatjana , Zellweger Tobias , Mertz Kirsten D. , Bacon Jack V. W. , Wyatt Alexander W. , Rentsch Cyrill A. , Bubendorf Lukas
Published: August 2019

Background

Mutations of AT‐rich interactive domain 1 (ARID1A) have been associated with a worse outcome after intravesical treatment with bacille Calmette‐Guérin in patients with non–muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Loss of ARID1A protein expression in urine cytology may serve as an indication of an ARID1A mutation. Therefore, the authors examined the expression of ARID1A in urine cytology and histological specimens of bladder cancer for correlation with ARID1A mutational status.

Methods

The authors constructed a tissue microarray containing samples from 164 tissue samples from 150 patients with NMIBC and 100 tissue samples from 81 patients with muscle‐invasive bladder cancer. A second cohort consisted of archived cytological specimens and matched tissue sections from 62 patients with high‐grade NMIBC. The authors established immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry (ICC) protocols, respectively, for the analysis of ARID1A protein expression in histological and cytological specimens. Confirmatory next‐generation sequencing (NGS) was performed on tumor specimens using a targeted NGS panel containing all exonic regions of ARID1A.

Results

The prevalence of ARID1A loss of expression on the tissue microarray was 3.6% in NMIBC (6 of 164 tissue samples) and 10% in muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (10 of 100 tissue samples) (P = .059). Loss of ARID1A expression in cytology was concordantly immunohistochemistry negative in 6 of 8 matched tissue specimens. NGS confirmed an ARID1A mutation on all 6 histology samples with loss of ARID1A expression. When NGS demonstrated an absence of ARID1A mutation, histology was concordantly positive (16 of 16 cases).

Conclusions

The authors have suggest ARID1A ICC as a promising surrogate marker for ARID1A mutational status in patients with urothelial carcinoma. Pitfalls in ICC scoring include benign umbrella cells that often are negative for ARID1A. Further prospective studies are needed to determine the clinical relevance of ARID1A ICC in urinary cytology.
Improvement of physical and oral function in community‐dwelling older people after a 3‐month long‐term care prevention program including physical exercise, oral health instruction, and nutritional guidance
Authors: Iwao Yoshimi , Shigeishi Hideo , Takahashi Shouichi , Uchida Shino , Kawano Shirou , Sugiyama Masaru
Published: August 2019

Objective

There is limited evidence about the most appropriate way to improve physical and oral function in older people. The aim of this study was to clarify the effectiveness of a long‐term care prevention program combining physical exercise, oral health instruction, and nutritional guidance among community‐dwelling older people.

Materials and methods

We included 43 older people aged at least 65 years (seven men and 23 women; mean age 75.3 years) in Bungotakada City, Japan. The 3‐month program involved a weekly intervention. Physical and oral function was investigated on the first day of the program (i.e., baseline) and at the end of the program (i.e., after 3 months). Physical function was examined using measures such as handgrip strength, timed up‐and‐go test, and one‐leg standing time with eyes open. An oral diadochokinesis test was used to assess oral function.

Results

Mean maximum handgrip strength increased significantly in older people aged ≤74 years (younger participants) and those aged ≥75 years (older participants) after 3 months compared with the baseline. The timed up‐and‐go test duration was significantly lower in older participants after the program. Repetition of the monosyllables pa and ka and the repetitive saliva swallowing test was significantly improved in both groups. The dysphagia risk assessment for the community‐dwelling elderly score was significantly lower in younger participants after 3 months.

Conclusion

Participation in a 3‐month program combining physical exercise, oral health instruction, and nutritional guidance may contribute to improvement or maintenance of oral and physical function in older people.
Corporate social responsibility practices incomes and outcomes: Stakeholders' pressure, culture, employee commitment, corporate reputation, and brand performance. A Polish–German cross‐country study
Authors: Kowalczyk Rafał , Kucharska Wioleta
Published: August 2019

This study aims to compare employee perception of corporate social responsibility (CSR) practice incomes and outcomes in the construction industry in Poland and Germany. It proposes a model that examines the influence of stakeholder pressure, culture, and CSR practices on company brand performance, reputation, and employee identification. The findings suggest that the structure of relationships varies for project‐managed construction companies in a developed country such as Germany and a rapidly transformed Poland. The structural equation modeling method was adopted to analyze the differences between the structures of relationships using AMOS and Process software. The key finding reveals that stakeholder pressure can lead to consistent CSR‐oriented system in the business environment. This study was first conducted in 2018 and then replicated in 2019 to confirm the results with 1,674 cases. The novelty essence is the comparison of the Polish and German structure of CSR practice incomes and outcomes related to employee perception.
Dithiolene Complexes of First‐Row Transition Metals for Symmetric Nonaqueous Redox Flow Batteries
Authors: Hogue Ross W. , Armstrong Craig G. , Toghill Kathryn E.
Published: August 2019

Five metal complexes of the dithiolene ligand maleonitriledithiolate (mnt2−) with M=V, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu were studied as redox‐active materials for nonaqueous redox flow batteries (RFBs). All five complexes exhibit at least two redox processes, making them applicable to symmetric RFBs as single‐species electrolytes, that is, as both negolyte and posolyte. Charge–discharge cycling in a small‐scale RFB gave modest performances for [(tea)2Vmnt], [(tea)2Comnt], and [(tea)2Cumnt] whereas [(tea)Femnt] and [(tea)2Nimnt] (tea=tetraethylammonium) failed to hold any significant capacity, indicating poor stability. Independent negolyte‐ and posolyte‐only battery cycling of a single redox couple, as well as UV/Vis spectroscopy, showed that for [(tea)2Vmnt] the negolyte is stable whereas the posolyte is unstable over multiple charge–discharge cycles; for [(tea)2Comnt], [(tea)2Nimnt], and [(tea)2Cumnt], the negolyte suffers rapid capacity fading although the posolyte is more robust. Identifying a means to stabilize Vmnt3−/2− as a negolyte, and Comnt2−/1−, Nimnt2−/1−, and Cumnt2−/1− as posolytes could lead to their use in asymmetric RFBs.
Diverse Catalytic Systems and Mechanistic Pathways for Hydrosilylative Reduction of CO2
Authors: Chen Jiawei , McGraw Michael , Chen Eugene Y.‐X.
Published: August 2019

Catalytic hydrosilylation of carbon dioxide has emerged as a promising approach for carbon dioxide utilization. It allows the reductive transformation of carbon dioxide into value‐added products at the levels of formate, formaldehyde, methanol, and methane. Tremendous progress has been made in the area of carbon dioxide hydrosilylation since the first reports in 1981. This focus review describes recent advances in the design and catalytic performance of leading catalyst systems, including transition‐metal, main‐group, and transition‐metal/main‐group and main‐group/main‐group tandem catalysts. Emphasis is placed on discussions of key mechanistic features of these systems and efforts towards the development of more selective, efficient, and sustainable carbon dioxide hydrosilylation processes.
Drought sensitivity of an N2‐fixing tree may slow temperate deciduous forest recovery from disturbance
Authors: Minucci Jeffrey M. , Miniat Chelcy F. , Wurzburger Nina
Published: August 2019

Increased drought intensity and frequency due to climate change may reduce the abundance and activity of nitrogen (N2)‐fixing plants, which supply new N to terrestrial ecosystems. As a result, drought may indirectly reduce ecosystem productivity through its effect on the N cycle. Here, we manipulated growing season net rainfall across a series of plots in an early successional mesic deciduous forest to understand how drought affects the aboveground productivity of the N2‐fixing treeRobinia pseudoacaciaand three co‐occurring nonfixing tree species. We found that lower soil moisture was associated with reduced productivity ofR. pseudoacaciabut not of nonfixing trees. As a result, the relative biomass and density ofR. pseudoacaciadeclined in drier soils over time. Greater aboveground biomass ofR. pseudoacaciawas also associated with greater total soil N, extractable inorganic N, N mineralization rates, and productivity of nonfixing trees. These soil N effects may reflect current N2fixation byR. pseudoacaciasaplings, or the legacy effect of former trees in the same location. Our results suggest thatR. pseudoacaciapromotes the growth of nonfixing trees in early succession through its effect on the N cycle. However, the sensitivity ofR. pseudoacaciato dry soils may reduce N2fixation under scenarios of increasing drought intensity and frequency, demonstrating a mechanism by which drought may indirectly diminish potential forest productivity and recovery rate from disturbance.
A comparative study of 3 alternative avian toxicity testing methods: Effects on hepatic gene expression in the chicken embryo
Authors: Mittal Krittika , Crump Doug , Basu Niladri
Published: August 2019

There is growing interest in developing alternative methods to screen and prioritize chemical hazards, although few studies have compared responses across different methods. The objective of the present study was to compare 3 alternative liver methods derived from white Leghorn chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus): primary hepatocyte culture, liver slices, and liver from in ovo injected embryos. We examined hepatic gene expression changes after exposure to 3 chemicals (17β-trenbolone [17βT], 17β-estradiol [E2], and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin [TCDD]) using a custom quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) array with 7 genes (vitellogenin [VTG], apolipoprotein [Apo], cytochrome P450 1A4 [CYP1A4], liver basic fatty acid binding protein [LBFABP], 3β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase [HSD3β1], stearoyl coenzyme A desaturase [SCD], and estrogen sulfotransferase [SULT1E1]). Gene expression across the 3 methods was examined using hierarchical clustering. Up-regulation of CYP1A4 in response to TCDD was consistent across all methods, and the magnitude was higher in hepatocytes (>150-fold) compared with slices (>31-fold) and in ovo liver (>27-fold). In hepatocytes, SCD and VTG up-regulation in response to 17βT and E2 was >4-fold and 16-fold, respectively. The rank order of cases with significant changes in gene expression among the 3 methods was: hepatocytes (22) > in ovo liver (11) > liver slices (6). Hierarchical clustering grouped liver slices and in ovo liver as more similar, whereas hepatocytes were grouped separately from in ovo liver. More introspective comparisons are needed to understand how and why alternative methods differ and to aid in their integration into toxicity testing. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:2546–2555. © 2019 SETAC