bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protection of trade secrets in polish and european legislation
Authors: Widerski Piotr
Published: September 2018

Trade secrets are valuable business assets to all companies on the market irrespective of their size and sector. Empirical evidence prompts clear dependency between innovation and trade secret protection (Ec.europa.eu, 2013). Trade secrets represent the results of R&D investments, innovation and creativity. They are often located as the decisive element of economic advantage in business relationship. The lack of sufficient legal protection of secrets reduces confidence of business creators, researchers and innovators. A current state of protection in the EU has proven to be inadequate to create a satisfactory level of entrepreneurship. Directive 2016/943 endorses a minimum standard requirement for the EU legislation but the Member States may introduce to their own legal systems more far-reaching protection against unlawful acquisition, use or disclosure of trade secrets. Trade secrets play an important role in protecting the exchange of know-how between businesses, especially SMEs, and research institutions both within and across the borders of the internal market, in the context of research, development, and innovation. Trade secrets are one of the most commonly used forms of protection of intellectual creation and innovative know-how by businesses, yet at the same time, they are not sufficiently protected by the existing European Union legal framework.
Anatomia do xilema secundário de Indigofera suffruticosa Miller
Authors: Marchiori José Newton Cardoso
Published: September 2018

The wood anatomy of Indigofera suffruticosa Mill. is described, beeing presented quantitative data of its cellular types. The anatomical structure is compared with literature referenrces to the species and botanical genus concerned.
Descrição botânica de uma espécie nova do gênero Mimosa L., do Rio Grande do Sul
Authors: Marchiori José Newton Cardoso
Published: September 2018

The botanical description of Mimosa alegretensis Marchiori is given. lt is a new species that was found by the author, growing on stony ravines close to the lbirocay river, in the southwest of Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. The plant morphology clearly indicates its classification in the section Eumimosa Benth. and series Obstrigosae Benth. of the mentioned genus. The species described is compared with others, from the same botanical series of Mimosa L., that are known to southern Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina.
Mulheim Water Award 2018 presented
Authors: Lévai Peter
Published: September 2018

Not available
Antifouling Super Water Absorbent Supramolecular Polymer Hydrogel as an Artificial Vitreous Body
Authors: Wang Hongbo , Wu Yuanhao , Cui Chunyan , Yang Jianhai , Liu Wenguang
Published: September 2018

Recently, there has been a high expectation that high water absorbent hydrogels can be developed as an artificial vitreous body. However, the drawbacks associated with in vivo instability, biofouling, uncontrollable in situ reaction time, and injection‐induced precrosslinked fragmentation preclude their genuine use as vitreous substitutes. Here, a supramolecular binary copolymer hydrogel termed as PNAGA‐PCBAA by copolymerization of N‐acryloyl glycinamide (NAGA) and carboxybetaine acrylamide (CBAA) is prepared. This PNAGA‐PCBAA hydrogel physically crosslinked by dual amide hydrogen bonds of NAGA exhibits an ultralow solid content (1.6, 98.4 wt% water content), and shear‐thinning behavior, body temperature extrudability/self‐healability, rapid network recoverability, and very close key parameters (modulus, antifouling/antifibrosis, light transmittance, refractive index, ultrastability) to human vitreous body. It is demonstrated that the hydrogel can be readily injected by a 22G needle into the rabbits' eyes where the gelling network is rapidly recovered. After 16 weeks postoperation, the hydrogel acts as a very stable vitreous substitute without affecting the structure of soft tissues in eye, or eliciting adverse effects. This supramolecular binary copolymer hydrogel finds a broad application in ophthalmic fields as not only a self‐recoverable permanent vitreous substitute, but also transient intraocular filling for prevention of inner tissues in postsurgical eyes.
Is It Learning or Scutwork? Medical Students Adding Value in the Emergency Department
Authors: Griffith Max , Santen Sally A. , Allan Jack , Leumas Jordan , Grace Kelsey , Lewis Nathan , Peterson William J.
Published: September 2018

In busy emergency departments (EDs), it can be difficult for faculty to teach students amid pressure to provide patient care and conduct research. As a result, medical student teaching may be an afterthought rather than a priority, and there is a lack of focus on how students spend their time during clinical shifts in the ED. Students want to contribute to departmental workflow, but can be hampered by systems limitations and lack of clinical knowledge. One solution is for faculty and medical students to partner to add value to patient care in the ED. However, faculty and students must be wary of the distinction between activities that add value and “scutwork,” tasks that involve little learning and do not require medical expertise.

In this perspective, the student, resident, and faculty authors discuss learner and educator perspectives for how medical students can be productive contributors to patient care in the ED without being subjected to scutwork. They also recommend ideas for productive student activities that promote learning, contrasted with examples of scutwork to avoid. Definitions of value‐added activities and scutwork depend on the learner's experience level and interests and are subject to debate. However, if medical students can be engaged in learning while also providing meaningful contributions to patient care, students, educators, and patients stand to benefit.
Profile of the ORION (Osaka emergency information Research Intelligent Operation Network system) between 2015 and 2016 in Osaka, Japan: a population‐based registry of emergency patients with both ambulance and in‐hospital records
Authors: Okamoto Jun , Katayama Yusuke , Kitamura Tetsuhisa , Sado Junya , Nakamura Ryuta , Kimura Nobuhiro , Misaki Hirotsugu , Yamao Shinpei , Nakao Shota , Nitta Masahiko , Iwami Taku , Fujimi Satoshi , Kuwagata Yasuyuki , Shimazu Takeshi , Matsuoka Tetsuya
Published: September 2018

Aim

To describe the registry design of the Osaka Emergency Information Research Intelligent Operation Network system (ORION) and its profile of hospital information, patient and emergency medical service characteristics, and in‐hospital outcomes among all patients transported to critical care centers and emergency hospitals in Osaka Prefecture, Japan.

Methods

The Osaka Prefecture Government has developed and introduced an information system for emergency patients (the ORION system) that uses a smartphone application (app) for hospital selection by on‐scene emergency medical service personnel and has been accumulating all ambulance records. Since January 2015, medical institutions have obtained information on the diagnosis and outcome of patients transported to medical institutions, and the ORION system merged these data with ambulance records including smartphone app data.

Results

From January 2015 to December 2016, 753,301 eligible patients were registered. The mean age was 58.7 years, and 51.5% of patients were male. After hospital arrival, 39.7% were hospitalized, 58.2% were discharged from hospital, 1.1% changed hospital, and 1.0% died. The most common diagnoses were injury, poisoning, and certain other consequences of external causes. Among the hospitalized patients, 29.2% were continuously hospitalized, 59.0% discharged, 5.2% changed hospital, and 5.8% were dead at 21 days after hospitalization. The most common confirmed diagnosis was diseases of the circulatory system.

Conclusion

Using the ORION system developed and operated by Osaka Prefecture since January 2015, we described the epidemiological data of all emergency patients transported to emergency hospitals. Analysis using the ORION database in the future could lead to improvements in the emergency transport system and patient outcomes.
Closed‐form variance estimator for weighted propensity score estimators with survival outcome
Authors: Hajage David , Chauvet Guillaume , Belin Lisa , Lafourcade Alexandre , Tubach Florence , De Rycke Yann
Published: September 2018

Propensity score (PS) methods are widely used in observational studies for evaluating marginal treatment effects. PS‐weighting is a popular PS‐based method that allows for estimating both the average treatment effect on the overall population (ATE) and the average treatment effect on the treated population (ATT). Previous research has shown that the variance of the treatment effect is accurately estimated only if the variance estimator takes into account the fact that the propensity score is itself estimated from the available data in a first step of the analysis. In 2016, Austin showed that the bootstrap‐based variance estimator was the only existing estimator resulting in approximately correct estimates of standard errors when evaluating a survival outcome and a Cox model was used to estimate a marginal hazard ratio (HR). This author stressed the need to develop a closed‐form variance estimator of the marginal HR accounting for the estimation of the PS. In the present research, we developed such variance estimators both for the ATE and ATT. We evaluated their performance with an extensive simulation study and compared them to bootstrap‐based variance estimators and to naive variance estimators that do not account for the estimation step. We found that the performance of the proposed variance estimators was similar to that of the bootstrap‐based estimators. The proposed variance estimators provide an alternative to the bootstrap estimator, particularly interesting in situations in which time‐consumption and/or reproducibility are an important issue. An implementation has been developed for the R software and is freely available (package hrIPW).
Interdisciplinary recognizing and managing of drug‐induced tardive oromandibular dystonia: two case reports
Authors: Bakke Merete , Henriksen Tove , Biernat Heidi Bryde , Dalager Torben , Møller Eigild
Published: September 2018

Key Clinical Message

Tardive dystonia is a risk factor in medical antipsychotic treatment. It often begins with repetitive involuntary jaw and tongue movements resulting in impaired chewing and detrimental effect on the dentition. The orofacial dysfunction may go unrecognized in a neurological setting. The diagnosis may be difficult so we suggest interdisciplinary collaboration.
Enantioselective Electrophilic Cyanation of Boron Enolates: Scope and Mechanistic Studies
Authors: Nagata Takaya , Tamaki Atsuko , Kiyokawa Kensuke , Tsutsumi Ryosuke , Yamanaka Masahiro , Minakata Satoshi
Published: September 2018

Chiral β‐ketonitriles bearing a stereogenic carbon center at the α‐position are an important class of compounds, many of which serve as useful synthetic intermediates for the preparation of chiral 1,3‐aminoalcohols, β‐hydroxy nitriles, and related derivatives. Although the enantioselective electrophilic cyanation of enolate equivalents is one of the most promising approaches for the synthesis of chiral β‐ketonitriles, the available methods are largely limited to reactions of 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds. Herein, we report on enantioselective electrophilic cyanation of boron enolates, which are readily prepared from α,β‐unsaturated ketones and diisopinocampheylborane (Ipc2BH) to afford chiral β‐ketonitriles with a high level of enantioselectivity. The present method is scalable and provides facile access to both enantiomers of chiral β‐ketonitriles. Analysis of the in situ generated boron enolates by NMR revealed that hydroboration proceeds in a stereospecific manner, providing α,α‐disubstituted boron enolates in the form of single isomers. Furthermore, the results of DFT calculations suggest that the cyanation of the boron enolates with p‐toluenesulfonyl cyanide (TsCN) proceeds in a highly enantioselective manner through a unique six‐membered ring transition state.
Palladium‐Catalyzed C(sp3)−H Arylation of Primary Amines Using a Catalytic Alkyl Acetal to Form a Transient Directing Group
Authors: St John‐Campbell Sahra , Ou Alex K. , Bull James A.
Published: September 2018

C−H Functionalization of amines is a prominent challenge due to the strong complexation of amines to transition metal catalysts, and therefore typically requires derivatization at nitrogen with a directing group. Transient directing groups (TDGs) permit C−H functionalization in a single operation, without needing these additional steps for directing group installation and removal. Here we report a palladium catalyzed γ‐C−H arylation of amines using catalytic amounts of alkyl acetals as transient activators (e.g. commercially available (2,2‐dimethoxyethoxy)benzene). This simple additive enables arylation of amines with a wide range of aryl iodides. Key structural features of the novel TDG are examined, demonstrating an important role for the masked carbonyl and ether functionalities. Detailed kinetic (RPKA) and mechanistic investigations determine the order in all reagents, and identify cyclopalladation as the turnover limiting step. Finally, the discovery of an unprecedented off‐cycle free‐amine directed ϵ‐cyclopalladation of the arylation product is reported.
Synthesis, Antiviral Activity, and Structure–Activity Relationship of 1,3‐Benzodioxolyl Pyrrole‐Based Entry Inhibitors Targeting the Phe43 Cavity in HIV‐1 gp120
Authors: Curreli Francesca , Belov Dmitry S. , Ahmed Shahad , Ramesh Ranjith R. , Kurkin Alexander V. , Altieri Andrea , Debnath Asim K.
Published: September 2018

The pathway by which HIV‐1 enters host cells is a prime target for novel drug discovery because of its critical role in the life cycle of HIV‐1. The HIV‐1 envelope glycoprotein gp120 plays an important role in initiating virus entry by targeting the primary cell receptor CD4. We explored the substitution of bulky molecular groups in region I in the NBD class of entry inhibitors. Previous attempts at bulky substituents in that region abolished antiviral activity, even though the binding site is hydrophobic. We synthesized a series of entry inhibitors containing the 1,3‐benzodioxolyl moiety or its bioisostere, 2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole. The introduction of the bulkier groups was well tolerated, and despite only minor improvements in antiviral activity, the selectivity index of these compounds improved significantly.
Reaching 80% human papillomavirus vaccination prevalence by 2026: How many adolescents need to be vaccinated and what are their characteristics?
Authors: Fedewa Stacey A. , Preiss Alexander J. , Fisher‐Borne Marcie , Goding Sauer Ann , Jemal Ahmedin , Saslow Debbie
Published: September 2018

Background

Human papillomavirus vaccination (HPVV) prevents several types of cancer. The American Cancer Society recently established a goal that by 2026, 80% of adolescents will be up to date (UTD) before their 13th birthday. However, the number in need of vaccination to reach this goal is unknown. This study estimated the number of additional adolescents (11‐12 years old) who need HPVV for 80% prevalence to be reached by 2026.

Methods

The study used de‐identified and publicly available data and exempt from institutional review board approval and informed consent. The 2016 National Immunization Survey for Teens was used to estimate the baseline HPVV prevalence. Linear growth to 80% HPVV prevalence by 2026 was applied to set intermediate targets. US Census Bureau data were used for population projections. This study estimated the cumulative number of additional adolescents 11 to 12 years old who would need to become UTD (ie, receive 2 doses) by first subtracting the number who would need to be vaccinated to achieve an intermediate target prevalence from the estimated number currently compliant and then summing these numbers between 2018 and 2026.

Results

Nationwide, an additional 7.62 million males (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.78 million to 8.40 million) and an additional 6.77 million females (95% CI, 5.95 million to 7.55 million), aged 11 to 12 years, would need to receive 2 doses of the vaccine between 2018 and 2026 for 80% prevalence to be achieved. Most adolescents not UTD (80%) also needed to initiate vaccination, and more than 90% recently visited a health care provider.

Conclusions

It is estimated that at least 14.39 million additional adolescents aged 11 to 12 years in the United States will need to receive 2 doses of HPVV for a UTD HPVV prevalence of 80% to be achieved by 2026. To reach this goal, improvements in facilitators of HPVV initiation, including physician recommendations and parental acceptability, are needed.
Ultrastructural and optogenetic dissection of V1 corticotectal terminal synaptic properties
Authors: Masterson S. P. , Zhou N. , Akers B. K. , Dang W. , Bickford M. E.
Published: September 2018

The superior colliculus (SC) is a major site of sensorimotor integration in which sensory inputs are processed to initiate appropriate motor responses. Projections from the primary visual cortex (V1) to the SC have been shown to exert a substantial influence on visually induced behavior, including “freezing.” However, it is unclear how V1 corticotectal terminals affect SC circuits to mediate these effects. To investigate this, we used anatomical and optogenetic techniques to examine the synaptic properties of V1 corticotectal terminals. Electron microscopy revealed that V1 corticotectal terminals labeled by anterograde transport primarily synapse (93%) on dendrites that do not contain gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA). This preference was confirmed using optogenetic techniques to photoactivate V1 corticotectal terminals in slices of the SC maintained in vitro. In a mouse line in which GABAergic SC interneurons express green fluorescent protein (GFP), few GFP‐labeled cells (11%) responded to activation of corticotectal terminals. In contrast, 67% of non‐GABAergic cells responded to activation of V1 corticotectal terminals. Biocytin‐labeling of recorded neurons revealed that wide‐field vertical (WFV) and non‐WFV cells were activated by V1 corticotectal inputs. However, WFV cells were activated in the most uniform manner; 85% of these cells responded with excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) that maintained stable amplitudes when activated with light trains at 1–20 Hz. In contrast, in the majority of non‐WFV cells, the amplitude of evoked EPSPs varied across trials. Our results suggest that V1 corticotectal projections may initiate freezing behavior via uniform activation of the WFV cells, which project to the pulvinar nucleus.
Deep hypothermia reverses behavioral and histological alterations in a rat model of perinatal asphyxia
Authors: Vázquez‐Borsetti Pablo , Peña Elena , Rojo Yanina , Acuña Andrés , Loidl Fabián C.
Published: September 2018

The consequences of perinatal asphyxia (PA) include alterations which may manifest as schizophrenia. Characteristic features of this disease include a decrease in specific subpopulations of GABAergic cells and deterioration of social interaction. The purpose of this study is to assess if a deep and short‐hypothermic treatment can ameliorate this damage in a model of PA. Rats offsprings were exposed to 19 min of asphyxia by immersing the uterus horns in water at 37 °C followed by 30 min in air at 10 °C that resulted in 15 °C body temperature. At postnatal day 36–38, the rats were tested in the open field and social interaction paradigms and processed for immunostaining of calbindin and reelin. A brief exposure to deep hypothermia reversed the deterioration produced by PA in play soliciting. PA decreased the density of calbindin neurons in layer II of the Anterior Insular Cortex, while deep hypothermia reversed this effect. Paradoxically, in AIC, there was a significant increase in the number of reelin‐secreting neurons in layers II and III generated by PA and this increase was reversed by hypothermia. This suggests a compensatory mechanism, where reelin neurons trend to compensate for the loss of calbindin neurons, at least within Anterior Insular Cortex. Finally, the deep hypothermic shock might represent a valuable therapeutic alternative to treat PA.
The bovine anterior hypothalamus: Characterization of the vasopressin–oxytocin containing nucleus and changes in relation to sexual differentiation
Authors: Graïc Jean‐Marie , Corain Livio , Peruffo Antonella , Cozzi Bruno , Swaab Dick F.
Published: September 2018

In an effort to systematically describe the neurochemical anatomy of the bovine anterior hypothalamus, we used a series of immunocytochemical markers such as acetylcholine esterase (AChE), arginine–vasopressin (AVP), calbindin (Calb), galanin (Gal), neuropeptide‐Y (NPY), oxytocin (OXT), somatostatin (SST), and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). We also investigated the potential sex difference present in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and the vasopressin–oxytocin containing nucleus (VON) of six male and six female Bos taurus. Our study revealed that the cytochemical structure of the cattle anterior hypothalamus follows the blueprint of other mammals. The VON, which was never described before in cattle, showed a sex difference with a 33.7% smaller volume and 23.2% fewer magnocellular neurons (approximately 20–30 μm) in the male. The SCN also did show a sex difference in VIP neurons and volume with a 36.1% larger female nucleus with 28.1% more cells. Additionally, we included five heifers with freemartin syndrome as a new animal model relevant to sexual differentiation in the brain. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first freemartin study in relation to the brain. Surprisingly, the SCN of freemartin heifers was 32.5% larger than its control male and female counterparts with 29% more VIP cells. Conversely, the freemartin VON had an intermediary size between male and female. To analyze our data, a classical statistical analysis and a novel multivariate and multi‐aspect approach were applied. These findings shed new light on sexual dimorphism in the bovine brain and present this species with freemartins as a valuable animal model in neuroscience.
Treating anxiety disorders by emotion‐focused psychodynamic psychotherapy (EFPP)—An integrative, transdiagnostic approach
Authors: Beutel Manfred E. , Greenberg Leslie , Lane Richard D. , Subic‐Wrana Claudia
Published: September 2018

Anxiety disorders are characterized by high levels of anxiety and avoidance of anxiety‐inducing situations and of negative emotions such as anger. Emotion‐focused therapy (EFT) and psychodynamic psychotherapy (PP) have underscored the therapeutic significance of processing and transforming repressed or disowned conflicted or painful emotions. Although PP provides sophisticated means of processing intrapsychic and interpersonal conflict, EFT has empirically tested a set of techniques to access, deepen, symbolize, and transform emotions consistent with current conceptualizations of emotions and memory. Based on our clinical experience, we propose that an integrative emotion‐focused and psychodynamic approach opens new avenues for treating anxiety disorders effectively, and we present a transdiagnostic manual for emotion‐focused psychodynamic psychotherapy. The therapeutic approach takes into account both the activation, processing, and modification of emotion and the underlying intrapsychic and interpersonal conflicts. The short‐term treatment is based on the three phases of initiating treatment, therapeutic work with anxiety, and termination. Emotional poignancy (or liveliness) is an important marker for emotional processing throughout treatment. Instead of exposure to avoided situations, we endorse enacting the internal process of generating anxiety in the session providing a sense of agency and access to warded‐off emotions. Interpretation serves to tie together emotional experience and insight into the patterns and the nature of underlying intrapersonal and interpersonal conflict. Treatment modules are illustrated by brief vignettes from pilot treatments.
Upregulation of HLA‐E by dengue and not Zika viruses
Authors: Drews Elena , Adam Awadalkareem , Htoo Phone , Townsley Elizabeth , Mathew Anuja
Published: September 2018

Introduction

The most severe form of dengue virus (DENV) illness, dengue haemorrhagic fever, is characterised by plasma leakage and increased vascular permeability.

Objectives

Given the critical role that endothelial cells play in the pathogenesis of DENV, we wanted to determine whether infection with DENV altered the expression of MHC class I related genes including HLA‐E.

Results

In this study, we provide evidence that HLA‐E but not MICA/B or HLA‐G is upregulated by all four serotypes of DENV in an endothelial cell line human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC)‐1. In contrast, Zika virus (ZIKV), a related flavivirus, where plasma leakage is not a major manifestation of disease, did not upregulate HLA‐E. We found modest levels of soluble HLA‐E in supernatants from DENV but not ZIKV‐infected cells. Coculture experiments found minimal activation of natural killer (NK) cells in the presence of both uninfected and infected HMEC‐1 cells. HLA‐E induced by DENV infection could not dampen the degranulation of activated NK cells by interacting with its ligand NKG2a.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that while DENV infection induces HLA‐E, the high MHC class I expression on uninfected and infected HMEC‐1 cells may dominate the diverse signals generated between inhibitory and activating receptors on NK cells and ligands on target cells.
Spastin Interacts with CRMP5 to Promote Neurite Outgrowth by Controlling the Microtubule Dynamics
Authors: Ji Zhisheng , Zhang Guowei , Chen Li , Li Jiong , Yang Yuhao , Cha Caihui , Zhang Jifeng , Lin Hongsheng , Guo Guoqing
Published: September 2018

Changing the microtubule dynamics is sufficient to alter the axon and dendrite specification and development. Spastin participates in the growth and regeneration of neurites by severing microtubules into small segments, and collapsin response mediator protein 5 (CRMP5) provides structural support and serves as a track for cargo transport by promoting microtubule polymerization. Nevertheless, how spastin and CRMP5 cooperate to regulate neurite outgrowth by controlling the microtubule dynamics needs to be elucidated. In our present study, spastin interacted with CRMP5 in vitro and in vivo. The binding domains for the spastin and CRMP5 interaction were the N‐terminal fragment of spastin (residues 270–328) and the C‐terminal fragment of CRMP5 (residues 472–564). Spastin and its truncation mutants, including the microtubule‐binding domain (MTBD) and ATPases associated with diverse cellular activities (AAA) domain, were necessary for the severing of microtubules. Furthermore, we demonstrated that microtubule polymerization of CRMP5 interfered with the microtubule‐severing function of spastin. Knocking down either spastin or CRMP5 inhibited neurite outgrowth in hippocampal neurons. However, co‐transfected spastin and CRMP5 promoted the outgrowth of neurites including dendrites and axons. Taken together, our data support a model in which the spastin interaction with CRMP5 promotes neurite outgrowth by controlling the microtubule dynamics.
Metabolic engineering of Escherichia coli for agmatine production
Authors: Xu Daqing , Zhang Lirong
Published: September 2018

Agmatine is a kind of important biogenic amine. The chemical synthesis route is not a desirable choice for industrial production of agmatine. To date, there are no reports on the fermentative production of agmatine by microorganism. In this study, the base Escherichia coli strain AUX4 (JM109 ∆speC ∆speF ∆speB ∆argR) capable of excreting agmatine into the culture medium was first constructed by sequential deletions of the speC and speF genes encoding the ornithine decarboxylase isoenzymes, the speB gene encoding agmatine ureohydrolase and the regulation gene argR responsible for the negative control of the arg regulon. The speA gene encoding arginine decarboxylase harboured by the pKK223‐3 plasmid was overexpressed in AUX4, resulting in the engineered strain AUX5. The batch and fed‐batch fermentations of the AUX5 strain were conducted in a 3‐L bioreactor, and the results showed that the AUX5 strain was able to produce 1.13 g agmatine L−1 with the yield of 0.11 g agmatine g−1 glucose in the batch fermentation and the fed‐batch fermentation of AUX5 allowed the production of 15.32 g agmatine L−1 with the productivity of 0.48 g agmatine L−1 h−1, demonstrating the potential of E. coli as an industrial producer of agmatine.
Solar drying of landfill‐leachate sludge: Differential results through the use of peripheral technologies
Authors: Poblete Rodrigo , Painemal Osvaldo
Published: September 2018

Sludge disposal, an indispensable element of waste management, is commonly achieved via landfilling, which requires sludge management. To this end, the drying process is critical in reducing sludge mass and volume, thereby lowering transport and storage costs. Solar energy is an alternative for minimizing costs of the drying process. This study evaluated drying landfill leachate‐derived sludge using a solar still with and without peripheral systems to enhance thermal heat input. Sludge drying was most successful when using all peripheral systems (i.e., solar air preheater, extractor, and solar collector), where an accumulated solar energy of 241.6 kJ/kg produced 20 g of sludge mass. When only using the solar air preheater and extractor, 226.1 kJ/kg were needed to achieve 35 g of sludge mass. Results were poorer and took comparatively longer to reach suitable dryness levels when no peripheral systems were used (310 kJ/kg, 28 g) or when drying took place outside of the solar still (751 kJ/kg, 28 g). Notably, the base of the solar drier was hotter (49.6°C peak) when the solar collector was used, and the thermal efficiency of the solar air preheater was 20.7%. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38: 345–353, 2019
Steam explosion as pretreatment to increase gelatin extraction yield from chromium tanned leather wastes
Authors: Scopel Bianca S. , Restelatto Danielle , Baldasso Camila , Dettmer Aline , Santana Ruth M. C.
Published: September 2018

Alkaline hydrolysis of chromium tanned leather wastes (CTLW) is a promising process that allows turning this waste into valuable materials, especially into protein, recovered as gelatin. Steam explosion, which is a fast, chemical‐free, and efficient process, was tested in this work as a pretreatment to open up the fibrous structure of CTLW and ease gelatin extraction through subsequent alkaline hydrolysis, increasing the process yield. Two steam explosion temperatures (130 °C and 150 °C) and residence times (5 and 15 min) were tested. The gelatin extracted in aqueous medium was characterized according to its dry mass content, ash content, viscosity, protein content, chromium content, and helix‐to‐coil transition temperature. CTLW steam exploded in more aggressive conditions (150 °C, 15 min) allowed the extraction of three times more protein when compared to CTLW without any pretreatment. However, samples treated at 150 °C produced lower‐quality (partially degraded) gelatin. Steam explosion performed at 130 °C for 15 min almost doubled protein extraction and resulted in a better quality gelatin. This is a promising process for the proper use of CTLW as raw material for the production of high added‐value products. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38: 367–373, 2019
Influences of magnetic powder addition on the anaerobic digestion of municipal dewatered sludge
Authors: Chen Yijun , Xue Qiang , Liu Lei , Kong Yun , He Xingxing , Ma Jun , Ge Sai , Yuan Zhiming
Published: September 2018

Magnetic materials were recently developed for sludge disposal because of their advantages. However, the role of magnetic materials in the process of anaerobic digestion of municipal dewatered sludge remains unclear. The aim of this present study is to investigate the magnetic effect factors such as static magnetic field, magnetic nanoparticles, and ordinary magnetic particles on the anaerobic digestion of municipal dewatered sludge. In addition, the biogas production variations and relevant physicochemical properties of municipal dewatered sludge under anaerobic digestion are also evaluated by adding anaerobic bacteria. Results indicated that the magnetic nanoparticles are superior to both ordinary magnetic particles and static magnetic field at total biogas production; moreover, the aerobic bacteria could shorten the duration of anaerobic digestion. For the sludge dewatering, the organic matter degradation rate, chemical oxygen demand degradation rate, and dewatering rate under the treatment condition with magnetic nanoparticles are 32.1%, 87.1%, and 70.9%, respectively. It is suggested that the magnetic nanoparticles are much suitable for sludge dewatering than ordinary magnetic particles. As combined with bacteria, magnetic nanoparticles can effectively increase gas output, methane content, and shorten the anaerobic digestion period. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38: 374–379, 2019
Pyridinium‐Facilitated CO2 Electroreduction on Pt Nanowire: Enhanced Electrochemical Performance in CO2 Conversion
Authors: Rabiee Arash , Nematollahi Davood
Published: September 2018

Electrochemical reduction of CO2 to the value‐added fuels is a promising way to mitigate global warming. However, conversion of CO2 to methanol or formic acid is very challenging due to the poor performance of the catalysts employed for the reduction of CO2. In this work, higher performance toward CO2 reduction was obtained when Pt nanowire (Pt NW) assembly is utilized as a co‐catalyst in the electrochemical reduction of CO2 activated by pyridinium (PyrH+). It is found that the overall Faraday efficiency for CO2‐derived products is 55%. The methanol and formic acid were the only detected compounds in aqueous solution using high performance liquid chromatography. Results of this research showed that the higher hydride accumulation on Pt NW and its morphological advancements are two major factors for superior electrochemical performance in CO2 electroreduction. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38: 112–117, 2019
Nitric oxide and dimethylthiourea up‐regulates pyrroline‐5‐carboxylate synthetase expression to improve arsenic tolerance in Glycine max L.
Authors: Chandrakar Vibhuti , Keshavkant S.
Published: September 2018

Arsenic (As) is a toxic metalloid, severely affecting the normal functioning of plants, animals, and human beings. Nitric oxide (NO) and dimethylthiourea (DMTU) are two potential compounds play key roles in enhancing tolerance against a variety of abiotic stresses in plants. In the present study, ameliorating abilities of both NO and DMTU against As‐induced disturbances in Glycine max L. have been investigated. Overall results revealed that As accrual significantly suppressed seed germination, radicle length, and biomass accumulation. The oxidative stress markers such as membrane integrity, contents of reactive oxygen species, and malondialdehyde, and lipoxygenase activity were enhanced by As treatment. Pronounced decreases in protein and DNA contents with a concomitant increase in DNA oxidation were observed in the growing radicles after exposure to As. In addition, treatment of As also revealed elevation in the activity and gene expression of pyrroline‐5‐carboxylate synthetase, in parallel to both proline and sugar accumulation. However, the toxic effects of As were partially/ to a large extent reversed by the exogenous application of NO and DMTU, separately, in Glycine max L. Moreover, between these two treatments, NO was more efficient than the DMTU against As‐induced oxidative stress responses in Glycine max L. Our findings provide a foundation to minimize the toxic effects of As in crop plants worldwide. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38: 402–409, 2019
Messages from the Universe
Authors: Beck Alexander , Klein Ulrich , Lesch Harald
Published: September 2018

Astrophysics: Our home galaxy, the Milky Way, and all other galaxies possess huge magnetic fields. To understand their formation and development, researchers are using a combination of radio telescope observations and numerical computer simulations. This approach is pushing the frontiers of knowledge.
Endless Possibilities
Authors: Niendorf Thomas , Brenne Florian , Günther Johannes
Published: September 2018

From plastics to ceramics, additive manufacturing – better known as 3D printing – is possible with almost any material. For various metals, materials scientists are now demonstrating that the possibilities are even greater than previously thought. Using optimised local process design, they are seeking to achieve tailored material properties.
Unravelling the Secrets of a Virus
Authors: Willbold Dieter , Hoffmann Silke
Published: September 2018

By studying HIV infection, structural biologists are seeking to understand the interactions between the disease‐causing virus and its host. Will this result in new treatments? At the very least, it is shedding new light on fundamental cell mechanisms.
Identification of a highly lethal V3+TP53+ subset in ALK+ lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Christopoulos P. , Kirchner M. , Bozorgmehr F. , Endris V. , Elsayed M. , Budczies J. , Ristau J. , Penzel R. , Herth F.J. , Heussel C.P. , Eichhorn M. , Muley T. , Meister M. , Fischer J.R. , Rieken S. , Lasitschka F. , Bischoff H. , Sotillo R. , Schirmacher P. , Thomas M. , Stenzinger A.
Published: September 2018

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) have improved prognosis in metastatic anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)‐driven lung adenocarcinoma, but patient outcomes vary widely. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical course of all cases with assessable baseline TP53 status and/or ALK fusion variant treated at our institutions (n = 102). TP53 mutations were present in 17/87 (20%) and the echinoderm microtubule‐associated protein‐like 4 (EML4)‐ALK variant 3 (V3) in 41/92 (45%) patients. The number of metastatic sites at diagnosis was affected more by the presence of V3 than by TP53 mutations, and highest with both factors (mean 5.3, p < 0.001). Under treatment with ALK TKI, progression‐free survival (PFS) was shorter with either TP53 mutations or V3, while double positive cases appeared to have an even higher risk (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.9, p = 0.015). The negative effect of V3 on PFS of TKI‐treated patients was strong already in the first line (HR = 2.5, p = 0.037) and decreased subsequently, whereas a trend for PFS impairment under first‐line TKI by TP53 mutations became stronger and statistically significant only when considering all treatment lines together. Overall survival was impaired more by TP53 mutations (HR = 4.9, p = 0.003) than by V3 (HR = 2.4, p = 0.018), while patients with TP53 mutated V3‐driven tumors carried the highest risk of death (HR = 9.1, p = 0.02). Thus, TP53 mutations and V3 are independently associated with enhanced metastatic spread, shorter TKI responses and inferior overall survival in ALK+ lung adenocarcinoma. Both markers could assist selection of cases for more aggressive management and guide development of novel therapeutic strategies. In combination, they define a patient subset with very poor outcome.
Improvement of insulin resistance via increase of GLUT4 and PPARγ in metabolic syndrome‐induced rats treated with omega‐3 fatty acid orl‐carnitine
Authors: Zayed Eman Adel , AinShoka Afaf A. , El Shazly Kamal A. , Abd El Latif Hekma A.
Published: September 2018

Background

Frequent consumption of fructose and saturated fatty acids increase risk of metabolic syndrome (MS). Features of MS include insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, visceral obesity, and hypertension. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of omega‐3 andl‐carnitine in ameliorating features of MS.

Methods

MS was induced in rats by high‐fructose high‐fat fed diet for 8 weeks. They were randomly divided into five groups: normal control, MS control group treated with saline, MS groups given omega‐3 (260 mg/kg),l‐carnitine (200 mg/kg), or metformin (100 mg/kg) daily for 4 weeks. Body weight, relative organ weight, glucose, insulin, adiponectin, and lipid profiles were estimated. Also glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) content and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐gamma (PPARγ) protein expressions were determined.

Results

Omega‐3 andl‐carnitine caused decrease in both MS‐induced increase in body weight and glucose similar to metformin. They reduced insulin level and resistance with increased adiponectin, and correction of MS‐induced hyperlipidemia. Drugs also increased GLUT4 and PPARγ protein expression compared with MS control group.

Conclusion

Omega‐3 andl‐carnitine improve features of MS via increased GLUT4 and PPARγ expression.
Improving apparent diffusion coefficient accuracy on a compact 3T MRI scanner using gradient nonlinearity correction
Authors: Tao Ashley T. , Shu Yunhong , Tan Ek T. , Trzasko Joshua D. , Tao Shengzhen , Reid Robert D. , Weavers Paul T. , Huston John , Bernstein Matt A.
Published: September 2018

Background

Gradient nonlinearity (GNL) leads to biased apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) in diffusion‐weighted imaging. A gradient nonlinearity correction (GNLC) method has been developed for whole body systems, but is yet to be tested for the new compact 3T (C3T) scanner, which exhibits more complex GNL due to its asymmetrical design.

Purpose

To assess the improvement of ADC quantification with GNLC for the C3T scanner.

Study Type

Phantom measurements and retrospective analysis of patient data.

Phantom/Subjects

A diffusion quality control phantom with vials containing 0–30% polyvinylpyrrolidone in water was used. For in vivo data, 12 patient exams were analyzed (median age, 33).

Field Strength/Sequence

Imaging was performed on the C3T and two commercial 3T scanners. A clinical DWI (repetition time [TR] = 10,000 msec, echo time [TE] = minimum, b = 1000 s/mm2) sequence was used for phantom imaging and 10 patient cases and a clinical DTI (TR = 6000–10,000 msec, TE = minimum, b = 1000 s/mm2) sequence was used for two patient cases.

Assessment

The 0% vial was measured along three orthogonal axes, and at two different temperatures. The ADC for each concentration was compared between the C3T and two whole‐body scanners. Cerebrospinal fluid and white matter ADCs were quantified for each patient and compared to values in literature.

Statistical Tests

Paired t‐test and two‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Results

For all PVP concentrations, the corrected ADC was within 2.5% of the reference ADC. On average, the ADC of cerebrospinal fluid and white matter post‐GNLC were within 1% and 6%, respectively, of values reported in the literature and were significantly different from the uncorrected data (P < 0.05).

Data Conclusion

This study demonstrated that GNL effects were more severe for the C3T due to the asymmetric gradient design, but our implementation of a GNLC compensated for these effects, resulting in ADC values that are in good agreement with values from the literature.

Level of Evidence: 4

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;48:1498–1507
Pre‐Operative chemotherapy response assessed by contrast‐enhanced MRI can predict the prognosis of Enneking surgical margins in patients with osteosarcoma
Authors: He Fangzhou , Qin Le , Bao Qiyuan , Zang Shizhao , He Qin , Qiu Shijing , Shen Yuhui , Zhang Weibin
Published: September 2018

The method used to evaluate the response of osteosarcoma to preoperative chemotherapy before specimen resection is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that contribute to overall survival (OS) and to discuss their roles in making a decision regarding Enneking surgical margins. Patients (109) with pathologically confirmed Enneking stage IIB osteosarcoma were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were performed. Patient characteristics and chemotherapy‐induced contrast‐enhanced MRI changes were considered as potential factors. Changes in the tumor volume and the relative necrosis ratio measured by MRI were independent risk factors predicting the OS of patients who underwent limb‐salvage surgery. For those in whom the tumor volume had decreased (VolRatio <1) or the relative necrosis ratio had increased by at least 10% (NecRatioInc ≥0.1), there was no significant difference in OS between Enneking wide and marginal margins. Variables measured by contrast‐enhanced MRI could be used to evaluate chemotherapy response and increase the limb‐salvage rate. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res
Carotenoid cleavage in chromoplasts of white and yellow‐fleshed peach varieties
Authors: Giberti Samuele , Giovannini Daniela , Forlani Giuseppe
Published: September 2018

Background

In peach fruit, carotenoid accumulation in the mesocarp causes the difference between yellow and white genotypes. The latter are generally characterized by a peculiar and more intense aroma, because of higher release of volatiles deriving from dioxygenase‐catalysed breakdown of the tetraterpene skeleton. The rate of carotenoid oxidation was investigated in peach (Prunus persica L.) fruits harvested at various stages of development. Two couples of white and yellow‐fleshed isogenic varieties and an ancestral white‐fleshed genotype were analysed, which had previously shown to differ in Carotenoid Cleavage Dioxygenase 4 allelic composition resulting in various combinations of putatively active/inactive proteins.

Results

Carotenoid bleaching activity was localized in the insoluble fraction of fruit flesh chromoplasts. Higher rates of trans‐β‐apo‐8′‐carotenal than β‐carotene bleaching suggest that the first cleavage reaction is the rate‐limiting step. Consistently, HPLC analysis did not show the appearance of coloured intermediates in reaction mixtures. High levels of substrate breakdown were found during the initial phases of fruit development in all genotypes examined, whereas significant differences were evident during the second exponential growth phase and ripening onset. Also, the ratio of carotene versus carotenale utilization varied significantly.

Conclusion

Pattern comparison among activity levels measured in vitro on chromoplast enriched fractions suggests that cleavage enzyme(s) other than Carotenoid Cleavage Dioxygenase 4 play a significant role in carotenoid breakdown during fruit development and ripening. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of Spanish‐style processing on the quality attributes of HydroSOStainable green olives
Authors: Sánchez‐Rodríguez Lucía , Corell Mireia , Hernández Francisca , Sendra Esther , Moriana Alfonso , Carbonell‐Barrachina Ángel A
Published: September 2018

Background

Three treatments of regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) were assayed on olive trees for table olive production. RDI provides hydroSOStainable crops. The effect of RDI treatments on the quality of raw and table olives was determined based on their: weight, pit weight, fruit/pit ratio, size, texture, colour, mineral content, antioxidant activity, total phenol content and organic acid and sugar profile.

Results

HydroSOStainable olives showed the most attractive shape and colour: highest fruit weight, roundest fruit, hardest texture and a lightest and greenest colour than control olives. Minerals, antioxidants, phenols and organic acids and sugars of hydroSOStainable olives were similar to control olives. After processing to table olives, calcium, potassium, antioxidants and phenols contents decreased, whereas sugars and organic acids profiles changed in both types of olives.

Conclusions

HydroSOStainable table olives offer environmental and quality advantages over control olives given the reduced use of fresh water and favourable morphological traits, which are more attractive for consumers. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry