bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification by bacterial expression and functional reconstitution of the yeast genomic sequence encoding the mitochondrial dicarboxylate carrier protein
Authors: Palmieri Luigi , Palmieri Ferdinando , Runswick Michael J. , Walker John E.
Published: July 2002

The inner membranes of mitochondria contain a family of transport proteins of related sequence and structure. The DNA sequence of the genome of Saccharomyces cerevisiae encodes at least 35 members of this family. Three of them can be recognised as known isoforms of the ADP‐ATP translocase and two others as the phosphate and citrate carriers. The transport functions of the remainder cannot be identified with certainty. One of them, encoded on yeast chromosome xii, shows a fairly close sequence relationship to the known sequence of the bovine mitochondrial oxoglutarate‐malate carrier. The yeast protein has been obtained by over‐expression in Escherichia coli, reconstituted into phospholipid vesicles and shown to have transport properties characteristic of the mitochondrial carrier for dicarboxylate ions, such as malate, and also phosphate, previously biochemically characterised, but not sequenced, from both mammalian and yeast mitochondria. This is the first example of the biochemical identification of an unknown membrane protein encoded in the yeast genome since the completion of the genomic sequence.
The race‐specific elicitor AVR9 of the tomato pathogen Cladosporium fulvum: a cystine knot protein
Authors: Vervoort Jacques , van den Hooven Henno W , Berg Axel , Vossen Paul , Vogelsang Ralph , Joosten Matthieu H.A.J , de Wit Pierre J.G.M
Published: July 2002

© 1997 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.
β‐Carotene effectively scavenges toxic nitrogen oxides: nitrogen dioxide and peroxynitrous acid
Authors: Kikugawa Kiyomi , Hiramoto Kazuyuki , Tomiyama Susumu , Asano Yoshiko
Published: July 2002

© 1997 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.
Interleukin‐1 stimulates tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) release from cytotrophoblastic BeWo cells independently of induction of the TNF‐α mRNA
Authors: Knöfler Martin , Kiss Herbert , Mösl Barbara , Egarter Christian , Husslein Peter
Published: July 2002

© 1997 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.
Increased expression of α‐enolase in c‐jun transformed rat fibroblasts without increased activation of plasminogen
Authors: Bergman Ann-Charlotte , Linder Christina , Sakaguchi Kazuyasu , Sten-Linder Margareta , Alaiya Ayodele A , Franzén Bo , Shoshan Maria C , Bergman Tomas , Wiman Björn , Auer Gert , Appella Ettore , Jörnvall Hans , Linder Stig
Published: July 2002

Two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis was used to identify polypeptides differentially expressed between normal and c‐jun transformed rat fibroblasts. The level of a 49 kDa polypeptide was 3‐fold elevated in c‐jun transformed cells. Sequence analysis by ion trap mass spectrometry identified the polypeptide as rat α‐enolase. Enolase functions as a cell surface receptor for plasminogen, suggesting that upregulation may increase plasminogen activation and cell surface proteolysis important for tumor growth. However, no difference was observed between normal and transformed cells in formation of plasmin, suggesting that upregulation of α‐enolase may contribute to an increased metabolic capacity, but not to increased plasminogen activation.
Ubch9 conjugates SUMO but not ubiquitin
Authors: Desterro Joana M.P , Thomson Jill , Hay Ronald T
Published: July 2002

Ubiquitin conjugating enzymes participate in the thioester cascade that leads to protein ubiquitination. Although Ubc9 is homologous to E2 ubiquitin conjugating enzymes we have shown that it is unable to form a thioester with ubiquitin, but can form a thioester with the small ubiquitin‐like protein SUMO. Thus Ubc9 is a SUMO conjugating enzyme rather than a ubiquitin conjugating enzyme. Transacetylation of Ubc9 by SUMO is not mediated by the E1 ubiquitin activating enzyme, but by a distinct enzymatic activity. SUMO conjugation to target proteins is mediated by a different, but parallel pathway to ubiquitination.
Crosstalk: phosphorylation of α1b‐adrenoceptors induced through activation of bradykinin B2 receptors
Authors: Medina Luz del Carmen , Vázquez-Prado José , Torres-Padilla Marı́a Elena , Mendoza-Mendoza Artemio , Cruz-Muñoz Mario Ernesto , Garcı́a-Sáinz J.Adolfo
Published: July 2002

The possibility that bradykinin could modulate α1b‐adrenoceptors was studied. It was observed that bradykinin and kallidin increased α1b‐adrenoceptor phosphorylation and that such effect was also blocked by Hoe 140. Interestingly, the ability of norepinephrine to increase intracellular calcium concentration was not altered by pretreatment of the cells with bradykinin, i.e. bradykinin induced α1b‐adrenoceptor phosphorylation but this did not lead to receptor desensitization.
Expression and characterization of a dopamine D4R variant associated with delusional disorder
Authors: Zenner Marie-Thérèse , Nobile Maria , Henningsen Robert , Smeraldi Enrico , Civelli Olivier , Hartman Deborah S , Catalano Marco
Published: July 2002

Multiple genetic polymorphisms of the human dopamine D4 receptor (hD4R) have been identified including a 12 bp repeat in exon 1 associated with a psychotic condition called delusional disorder. Competition binding assays revealed minor pharmacological differences between the recombinant A1 (normal) and A2 (delusional) proteins with respect to quinpirole and the antipsychotic clozapine, however no functional differences were detected for receptor activation by dopamine, epinephrine, or norepinephrine. Our results suggest that this polymorphism may only confer susceptibility to delusional disorder in combination with other genetic or environmental factors.
Purification and characterization of two lignin peroxidase isozymes produced by Bjerkandera sp. strain BOS55
Authors: ten Have Rimko , Hartmans Sybe , Teunissen Pauline J.M , Field Jim A
Published: July 2002

The white‐rot fungus Bjerkandera sp. strain BOS55 excretes at least seven lignin peroxidase (LiP) isozymes. Two of these, LiP‐2 and LiP‐5 (molecular weight 40–42 kDa), were purified to homogeneity. Both isozymes had the same N‐terminal amino acid sequence which showed strong homology with LiP isozymes produced by other white‐rot fungi. The kinetics of both isozymes were similar. LiP‐5 oxidized veratryl alcohol optimally only in the presence of H2O2 near pH 3.0 (16.7 U/mg) and LiP‐2 did this below pH 2.5 (33.8 U/mg). Also at normal physiological pHs for fungal growth (pH 5.0–6.5) both isozymes were still active. Further characterization of LiP‐2 and LiP‐5 revealed that the K
m for H2O2 strongly decreased with increasing pH. As a result of this the catalytic efficiency (TN/K
m) calculated on the basis of the K
m for H2O2 in the oxidation of veratryl alcohol was constant over wide pH range.
Effects of IL‐1 receptor accessory protein on IL‐1 binding
Authors: Wesche H. , Resch K. , Martin M.U.
Published: July 2002

Interleukin‐1 (IL‐1) is an important pro‐inflammatory cytokine that exerts its diverse biological functions by binding to a receptor complex consisting of two transmembrane proteins, type I IL‐1 receptor (IL‐1RI) and IL‐1 receptor accessory protein (IL‐1RAcP). Both receptor chains are indispensable for IL‐1 signaling, but only IL‐1RI is able to bind the cytokine. The effects of IL‐1RAcP on IL‐1 binding are unclear. This study shows that although expression of IL‐1RAcP does not alter the equilibrium dissociation constant of IL‐1, it has an effect on the non‐equilibrium binding modus, most likely due to changes in on/off rates. This defines an additional function of IL‐1RAcP: it stabilizes the active IL‐1 receptor complex.
Effects of the amyloid protein precursor of Alzheimer's disease and other ligands of the LDL receptor‐related protein on neurite outgrowth from sympathetic neurons in culture
Authors: Postuma Ronald B , Martins Ralph N , Cappai Roberto , Beyreuther Konrad , Masters Colin L , Strickland Dudley K , Mok Su San , Small David H
Published: July 2002

The amyloid protein precursor (APP) of Alzheimer's disease can stimulate neurite outgrowth in vitro. The receptor responsible for this effect has not been identified. Kunitz protease inhibitor (KPI)‐containing forms of APP bind to the low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐related protein (LRP). As LRP may regulate neurite outgrowth, we examined whether the effects of APP are mediated by LRP. Inhibitors of LRP decreased neurite outgrowth from chick sympathetic neurons. Most LRP ligands (α2‐macroglobulin, lactoferrin, and lipoprotein lipase) stimulated outgrowth. However, in soluble form, the KPI‐containing APP751 was a weak inhibitor of outgrowth. In substrate‐bound form, both APP751 and APP695 (which does not bind to LRP) stimulated outgrowth. Thus the effect of substrate‐bound APP on neurite outgrowth is not mediated by LRP.
ATP binding site of P2X channel proteins: structural similarities with class II aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetases
Authors: Freist Wolfgang , Verhey Janko F , Stühmer Walter , Gauss Dieter H
Published: July 2002

The extracellular loop of P2X channel proteins contains a sequence stretch (positions 170–330) that exhibits similarities with the catalytic domains of class II aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetases as shown by secondary structure predictions and sequence alignments. The arrangement of several conserved cysteines (positions 110–170) shows similarities with metal binding regions of metallothioneins and zinc finger motifs. Thus, for the extracellular part of P2X channel proteins a metal binding domain and an antiparallel six‐stranded β‐pleated sheet containing the ATP binding site are very probable. The putative channel forming H5 part (positions 320–340) shows similarities with the enzyme motif 1 responsible for aggregation of subunits to the holoenzyme.
The mystery of the trichothecene 3‐O‐acetyltransferase gene
Authors: Kimura Makoto , Matsumoto Gentaro , Shingu Yoshinori , Yoneyama Katsuyoshi , Yamaguchi Isamu
Published: July 2002

The trichothecene 3‐O‐acetyltransferase gene, Tri101, plays a pivotal role for the well‐being of the type B trichothecene producer Fusarium graminearum. We have analyzed the cosmids containing Tri101 and found that this resistance gene is not in the biosynthetic gene cluster reported so far. It was located between the UTP‐ammonia ligase gene and the phosphate permease gene which are not related to trichothecene biosynthesis. These two ‘house‐keeping’ genes were also linked in Fusarium species that do not produce trichothecenes. The result suggests that the isolated occurrence of Tri101 is attributed to horizontal gene transfer and not to the reciprocal translocation of the chromosome containing the gene cluster. Interestingly, 3‐O‐acetylation was not always a primary self‐defensive strategy for all the t‐type trichothecene producers; i.e. the type A trichothecene producer Fusarium sporotrichioides did not acetylate T‐2 toxin in vivo although the fungus possessed a functional 3‐O‐acetyltransferase gene. Thus Tri101 appears to be a defense option which the producers have independently acquired in addition to their original resistance mechanisms.
Overexpression of the FGF‐2 24‐kDa isoform up‐regulates IL‐6 transcription in NIH‐3T3 cells
Authors: Delrieu Isabelle , Arnaud Emmanuelle , Ferjoux Géraldine , Bayard Francis , Faye Jean Charles
Published: July 2002

We have isolated NIH‐3T3 cell lines overexpressing the nuclear 24‐kDa isoform of fibroblast growth factor (FGF)‐2 and characterized its regulatory effect on the expression of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) in these cells. The clone pRF5 expressing the highest level was able to grow in 1% serum medium to a high saturation density and acquired a radioresistance advantage. In pRF5 and another clone pRF1, IL‐6 RNA levels were markedly increased. Studies with IL‐6 promoter constructs revealed that IL‐6 gene up‐regulation occurred at the transcriptional level and did not involve the AP‐1 binding site. Exogenously added 18‐kDa isoform of FGF‐2 (100 ng/ml) produced down‐regulation of IL‐6 involving an AP‐1 binding site, thus suggesting a receptor‐independent pathway for the intracellular 24‐kDa isoform.
Heparin down‐regulates the phorbol ester‐induced protein kinase C gene expression in human endothelial cells: enzyme‐mediated autoregulation of protein kinase C‐α and ‐δ genes1
Authors: Pintus Gianfranco , Tadolini Bruna , Maioli Margherita , Posadino Anna M. , Gaspa Leonardo , Ventura Carlo
Published: July 2002

Overexpression of protein kinase C‐α and protein kinase C‐δ has been shown to modulate a number of biological effects, including the cell growth and differentiation. We hypothesized that heparin, a potent antimitogenic drug, could affect the cell proliferation by inhibiting the expression of specific protein kinase C genes. Heparin, markedly but not completely, inhibited the serum‐stimulated protein kinase C‐α and ‐δ mRNA expression. Protein kinase C inhibition or down‐regulation significantly decreased the serum‐induced protein kinase C isoenzyme gene expression. Heparin failed to inhibit the residual effect of serum that was resistant to the above‐mentioned treatments. Phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate elicited an increase of protein kinase C isoenzyme gene expression that was completely prevented by protein kinase C inhibition or down‐regulation. Heparin dose‐dependently counteracted and ultimately abolished the increase in the protein kinase C isoenzyme gene expression elicited by phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate. These results suggest that the inhibition of an autoregulatory role wielded by protein kinase C on the protein kinase C‐α and ‐δ gene expression might represent a possible mechanism by which glycosaminoglycans modulate the cell growth.
Fibrillin degradation by matrix metalloproteinases: identification of amino‐ and carboxy‐terminal cleavage sites
Authors: Hindson V.John , Ashworth Jane L , Rock Matthew J , Cunliffe Sharon , Shuttleworth C.Adrian , Kielty Cay M
Published: July 2002

Fibrillin molecules form the structural framework of elastic fibrillin‐rich microfibrils of the extracellular matrix. We have investigated the proteolysis of recombinant fibrillin molecules by five matrix metalloproteinases. Cleavage sites were defined at the carboxy‐terminal end of the fibrillin‐1 proline‐rich region and the corresponding fibrillin‐2 glycine‐rich region (exon 10), and within exon 49 towards the carboxy‐terminus of fibrillin‐1. Cleavage at these sites is predicted to disrupt the structure and function of the fibrillin‐rich microfibrils.
1α,25‐Dihydroxyvitamin D3‐26,23‐lactone analogs antagonize differentiation of human leukemia cells (HL‐60 cells) but not of human acute promyelocytic leukemia cells (NB4 cells)
Authors: Miura Daishiro , Manabe Kenji , Gao Qingzhi , Norman Anthony W , Ishizuka Seiichi
Published: July 2002

We examined the effects of two novel 1α,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3‐26,23‐lactone (1α,25‐(OH)2D3‐26,23‐lactone) analogs on 1α,25(OH)2D3‐induced differentiation of human leukemia HL‐60 cells thought to be mediated by the genomic action of 1α,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1α,25‐(OH)2D3) and of acute promyelocytic leukemia NB4 cells thought to be mediated by non‐genomic actions of 1α,25‐(OH)2D3. We found that the 1α,25‐(OH)2D3‐26,23‐lactone analogs, (23S)‐25‐dehydro‐1α‐hydroxyvitamin D3‐26,23‐lactone (TEI‐9647) and (23R)‐25‐dehydro‐1α‐hydroxyvitamin D3‐26,23‐lactone (TEI‐9648), inhibited differentiation of HL‐60 cells induced by 1α,25‐(OH)2D3. However, 1β‐hydroxyl diastereomers of these analogs, i.e. (23S)‐25‐dehydro‐1β‐hydroxyvitamin D3‐26,23‐lactone (1β‐TEI‐9647) and (23R)‐25‐dehydro‐1β‐hydroxyvitamin D3‐26,23‐lactone (1β‐TEI‐9648), did not inhibit differentiation of HL‐60 cells caused by 1α,25‐(OH)2D3. A separate study showed that the nuclear vitamin D receptor (VDR) binding affinities of the 1‐hydroxyl diastereomers were about 200 and 90 times weaker than that of 1α‐hydroxyl diastereomers, respectively. Moreover, none of these lactone analogs inhibited NB4 cell differentiation induced by 1α,25‐(OH)2D3. In contrast, 1β,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1β,25‐(OH)2D3) and 1β,24R‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1β,24R‐(OH)2D3) inhibited NB4 cell differentiation but not HL‐60 cell differentiation. Collectively, the results suggested that 1‐hydroxyl lactone analogs, i.e. TEI‐9647 and TEI‐9648, are antagonists of 1α,25‐(OH)2D3, specifically for the nuclear VDR‐mediated genomic actions, but not for non‐genomic actions.
Gender differences in sympathoadrenal activity in rats at rest and in response to footshock stress
Authors: Weinstock Marta , Razin Michal , Schorer‐apelbaum Donna , Men Disheng , McCarty Richard
Published: July 2002

A comparison was made of the dynamics of sympathoadrenal activity in 11 age‐matched male and female rats, under basal conditions and after exposure to footshock. Rats were prepared with indwelling catheters in the tail artery 24 h before the experiment. Measurements were made of plasma corticosterone (COR), norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (EPI), dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), dihydroxyphenylglycol (DHPG) and dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) under resting conditions, after transfer to the shock box (novelty) and at various times after footshock. Under basal conditions, males have significantly higher blood pressure and plasma DHPG/NE ratios but lower plasma levels of COR, NE and DOPAC than females. Three min after exposure to the shock chamber (novelty stress) there were significant increases in COR, EPI, NE and DHPG in both sexes, while DOPA increased only in females and DOPAC remained unchanged in both sexes. Footshock produced a further increase in EPI, NE and DOPAC within 2 min, which lasted about 15 min. There were significant sex differences in the extent and duration of the response of COR, EPI and DHPG. The data show that the female sympathoadrenal system is more reactive than that of the male to the stresses of a novel environment and footshock. The smaller DHPG/NE ratios in females at rest and after stress suggest that neuronal uptake of NE is lower in females than in males. The finding that stress produces larger increments of plasma DOPA and DOPAC in female rats indicates that tyrosine hydroxylase in the sympathetic nerve terminals and adrenal medulla may also be higher than in males.
Stress inhibits the proliferation of granule cell precursors in the developing dentate gyrus
Authors: Tanapat Patima , Galea Liisa A.m , Gould Elizabeth
Published: July 2002

The granule cell population of the dentate gyrus is produced predominantly during the postnatal period in rats. Previous studies have shown that experimental increases in the levels of adrenal steroids suppress the proliferation of granule cell precursors during the first postnatal week, the time of maximal neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus. These findings raise the possibility that stressful experiences that elevate adrenal steroid levels may inhibit the production of granule neurons, and thus alter the development of the dentate gyrus. To test this possibility, we exposed naive rat pups to the odors of a known predator, adult male rats, and examined both plasma corticosterone levels and the number of 3H‐thymidine labeled cells in the dentate gyrus. A single exposure of rat pups to adult male rat odor elevated corticosterone levels immediately and diminished the number of 3H‐thymidine labeled cells in the granule cell layer by 24 h later. These results suggest that stressful experiences suppress the production of granule neurons in the developing dentate gyrus.
Effect of metoprolol CR/XL on exercise tolerance in chronic heart failure — a substudy to the MERIT‐HF trial
Authors: Lars Gullestad , Cord Manhenke , Torbjørn Aarsland , Rita Skårdal , Hans Fagertun , John Wikstrand , John Kjekshus
Published: July 2002

Background:

β‐Blockade usually causes a slight reduction in exercise capacity among healthy subjects, while more variable results have been observed in chronic heart failure (CHF), probably related to patients studied, methods and agent used. The effect of metoprolol controlled release/extended release (CR/XL) on peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2) in this patient population has not previously been investigated.

Aims:

We examined the effect of long‐term treatment with the selective β1‐receptor blocker metoprolol CR/XL once daily on exercise capacity in patients with CHF.

Methods:

Ninety‐four patients (70 males and 24 females; mean age 63.6±10.6 years) with chronic symptomatic heart failure in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class II–IV, and with ejection fraction ≤40%, stabilized on optimum standard therapy were randomized to metoprolol CR/XL or placebo in a double‐blind trial. Exercise capacity was evaluated by peak VO2 at baseline, after 3 months and at the end of study (mean follow‐up 11.4±0.4 months).

Results:

Compared with placebo metoprolol CR/XL produced a significant decrease in heart rate by 11 beats/min at rest and 18 beats/min at peak exercise. There was a tendency for a temporal decline in peak VO2 after 3 months of therapy in both groups, but altogether peak VO2 remained unchanged from baseline with no difference between the groups at 1 year.

Conclusions:

In patients with moderate to severe CHF, 11.4 months of β1‐blockade with metoprolol CR/XL had no effect on exercise capacity when compared with placebo or baseline.
FMEA occurrence values for four failure modes occurring using look‐up tables for dose calculations
Authors: Nelson Geoff , Paxton Adam , Kunz Jeremy , Huang Jessica , Szegedi Martin , Sarkar Vikren , Salter Bill
Published: November 2020

Purpose

For a number of different treatment types [such as Total Body Irradiation (TBI), etc.] most institutions utilize tables from commissioned databooks to perform the dose calculations. Each time one manually looks up data from a large table and then copies the numbers for a manual calculation, there is potential for errors. While a second check effectively mitigates the potential error from such calculations, information regarding the frequency and nature of such mistakes is important to develop protocols and workflows that avoid related errors.

Methods

Five years’ worth of TBI calculations were reviewed. Each calculation was re‐performed and evaluated against the original calculation and original second check. Any discrepancies were noted and those discrepancies were checked to see if the number was the result of misreading from the look‐up table, a typo, copying/skipping partially redundant steps, or rounding/avoiding interpolation. The number of calculations that contained these various types of discrepancies was tallied and percentages representing the frequency of said discrepancies were derived.

Results

All of the discrepancies only resulted in a monitor unit (MU) calculation difference of <1.7%. Typos, looking up wrong values from tables, rounding/avoiding interpolation, and skipping steps occurred in 10.4% (3.1%), 6.3% (2.5%), 53.1% (5.1%), and 4.2% (2.0%) of MU calculations, respectively.

Conclusions

While all of the discrepancies only resulted in a monitor unit (MU) calculation difference of <1.7%, this review shows how frequently various discrepancies can occur. Typos and rounding/avoiding interpolation are the steps most likely to potentially cause a miscalculation of MU. To avoid direct human interaction on such a large repetitive scale, creating forms that calculate MU automatically from initial measurement data would reduce the incidences that numbers are written/transcribed and eliminate the need to look up data in a table, thus reducing the chance for error.
Silicene Nanoribbons on an Insulating Thin Film
Authors: Quertite Khalid , Enriquez Hanna , Trcera Nicolas , Tong Yongfeng , Bendounan Azzedine , Mayne Andrew J. , Dujardin Gérald , Lagarde Pierre , El kenz Abdallah , Benyoussef Abdelilah , Dappe Yannick J. , Kara Abdelkader , Oughaddou Hamid
Published: November 2020

Silicene, a new 2D material has attracted intense research because of the ubiquitous use of silicon in modern technology. However, producing free‐standing silicene has proved to be a huge challenge. Until now, silicene could be synthesized only on metal surfaces where it naturally forms strong interactions with the metal substrate that modify its electronic properties. Here, the authors report the first experimental evidence of silicene nanoribbons on an insulating NaCl thin film. This work represents a major breakthrough, for the study of the intrinsic properties of silicene, and by extension to other 2D materials that have so far only been grown on metal surfaces.
Harnessing Selectivity and Sensitivity in Ion Sensing via Supramolecular Recognition: A 3D Hybrid Gold Nanoparticle Network Chemiresistor
Authors: Montes‐García Verónica , de Oliveira Rafael Furlan , Wang Ye , Berezin Andrey , Fanjul‐Bolado Pablo , González García María Begoña , Hermans Thomas M. , Bonifazi Davide , Casalini Stefano , Samorì Paolo
Published: November 2020

The monitoring of K+ in saliva, blood, urine, or sweat represents a future powerful alternative diagnostic tool to prevent various diseases. However, several K+ sensors are unable to meet the requirements for the development of point‐of‐care (POC) sensors. To tackle this grand‐challenge, the fabrication of chemiresistors (CRs) based on 3D networks of Au nanoparticles covalently bridged by ad‐hoc supramolecular receptors for K+, namely dithiomethylene dibenzo‐18‐crown‐6 ether is reported here. A multi‐technique characterization allows optimizing a new protocol for fabricating high‐performing CRs for real‐time monitoring of K+ in complex aqueous environments. The sensor shows exceptional figures of merit: i) linear sensitivity in the 10–3 to 10–6 m concentration range; ii) high selectivity to K+ in presence of interfering cations (Na+, Ca2+, and Mg2+); iii) high shelf‐life stability (>45 days); iv) reversibility of K+ binding and release; v) successful device integration into microfluidic systems for real‐time monitoring; vi) fast response and recovery times (<18 s), and v) K+ detection in artificial saliva. All these characteristics make the supramolecular CRs a potential tool for future applications as POC devices, especially for health monitoring where the determination of K+ in saliva is pivotal for the early diagnosis of diseases.
Inverse Opal Films for Medical Sensing: Application in Diagnosis of Neonatal Jaundice
Authors: Nicolas Natalie J. , Duffy Meredith A. , Hansen Anne , Aizenberg Joanna
Published: November 2020

A non‐invasive, at‐home test for neonatal jaundice can facilitate early jaundice detection in infants, improving clinical outcomes for neonates with severe jaundice and helping to prevent the development of kernicterus, a type of brain damage whose symptoms include hearing loss, impairment of cognitive capacity, and death. Here a photonic sensor that utilizes color changes induced by analyte infiltration into a chemically functionalized inverse opal structure is developed. The sensor is calibrated to detect differences in urinary surface tension due to increased bile salt concentration in urine, which is symptomatic of abnormal liver function and linked to jaundice. The correlation between neonatal urinary surface tension and excess serum bilirubin, the physiologic cause of neonatal jaundice, is explored. It is shown that these non‐invasive sensors can improve the preliminary diagnosis of neonatal jaundice, reducing the number of invasive blood tests and hospital visits necessary for healthy infants while ensuring that jaundiced infants are treated in a timely manner. The use of inverse opal sensors to measure bulk property changes in bodily fluids can be extended to the detection of several other conditions, making this technology a versatile platform for convenient point‐of‐care diagnosis.
DNA‐Based Nanocarriers to Enhance the Optoacoustic Contrast of Tumors In Vivo
Authors: Joseph James , Baumann Kevin N. , Postigo Alejandro , Bollepalli Laura , Bohndiek Sarah E. , Hernández‐Ainsa Silvia
Published: November 2020

Optoacoustic tomography (OT) enables non‐invasive deep tissue imaging of optical contrast at high spatio‐temporal resolution. The applications of OT in cancer imaging often rely on the use of molecular imaging contrast agents based on near‐infrared (NIR) dyes to enhance contrast at the tumor site. While these agents afford excellent biocompatibility and minimal toxicity, they present limited optoacoustic signal generation capability and rapid renal clearance, which can impede their tumor imaging efficacy. In this work, a synthetic strategy to overcome these limitations utilizing biodegradable DNA‐based nanocarrier (DNA‐NC) platforms is introduced. DNA‐NCs enable the incorporation of NIR dyes (in this case, IRDye 800CW) at precise positions to enable fluorescence quenching and maximize optoacoustic signal generation. Furthermore, these DNA‐NCs show a prolonged blood circulation compared to the native fluorophores, facilitating tumor accumulation by the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. In vivo imaging of tumor xenografts in mice following intravenous administration of DNA‐NCs reveals enhanced OT signals at 24 h when compared to free fluorophores, indicating promise for this method to enhance the optoacoustic signal generation capability and tumor uptake of clinically relevant NIR dyes.
Recent Advances in Growth of Large‐Sized 2D Single Crystals on Cu Substrates
Authors: Fan Yixuan , Li Lin , Yu Gui , Geng Dechao , Zhang Xiaotao , Hu Wenping
Published: November 2020

Large‐scale and high‐quality 2D materials have been an emerging and promising choice for use in modern chemistry and physics owing to their fascinating property profile. The past few years have witnessed inspiringly progressing development in controlled fabrication of large‐sized and single‐crystal 2D materials. Among those production methods, chemical vapor deposition (CVD) has drawn the most attention because of its fine control over size and quality of 2D materials by modulating the growth conditions. Meanwhile, Cu has been widely accepted as the most popular catalyst due to its significant merit in growing monolayer 2D materials in the CVD process. Herein, very recent advances in preparing large‐sized 2D single crystals on Cu substrates by CVD are presented. First, the unique features of Cu will be given in terms of ultralow precursor solubility and feasible surface engineering. Then, scaled growth of graphene and hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN) crystals on Cu substrates is demonstrated, wherein different kinds of Cu surfaces have been employed. Furthermore, the growth mechanism for the growth of 2D single crystals is exhibited, offering a guideline to elucidate the in‐depth growth dynamics and kinetics. Finally, relevant issues for industrial‐scale mass production of 2D single crystals are discussed and a promising future is expected.
Thiophene‐Bridged Donor–Acceptor sp2‐Carbon‐Linked 2D Conjugated Polymers as Photocathodes for Water Reduction
Authors: Xu Shunqi , Sun Hanjun , Addicoat Matthew , Biswal Bishnu P. , He Fan , Park SangWook , Paasch Silvia , Zhang Tao , Sheng Wenbo , Brunner Eike , Hou Yang , Richter Marcus , Feng Xinliang
Published: November 2020

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water reduction, converting solar energy into environmentally friendly hydrogen fuel, requires delicate design and synthesis of semiconductors with appropriate bandgaps, suitable energy levels of the frontier orbitals, and high intrinsic charge mobility. In this work, the synthesis of a novel bithiophene‐bridged donor–acceptor‐based 2D sp2‐carbon‐linked conjugated polymer (2D CCP) is demonstrated. The Knoevenagel polymerization between the electron‐accepting building block 2,3,8,9,14,15‐hexa(4‐formylphenyl) diquinoxalino[2,3‐a:2′,3′‐c]phenazine (HATN‐6CHO) and the first electron‐donating linker 2,2′‐([2,2′‐bithiophene]‐5,5′‐diyl)diacetonitrile (ThDAN) provides the 2D CCP‐HATNThDAN (2D CCP‐Th). Compared with the corresponding biphenyl‐bridged 2D CCP‐HATN‐BDAN (2D CCP‐BD), the bithiophene‐based 2D CCP‐Th exhibits a wide light‐harvesting range (up to 674 nm), a optical energy gap (2.04 eV), and highest energy occupied molecular orbital–lowest unoccupied molecular orbital distributions for facilitated charge transfer, which make 2D CCP‐Th a promising candidate for PEC water reduction. As a result, 2D CCP‐Th presents a superb H2‐evolution photocurrent density up to ≈7.9 µA cm−2 at 0 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode, which is superior to the reported 2D covalent organic frameworks and most carbon nitride materials (0.09–6.0 µA cm−2). Density functional theory calculations identify the thiophene units and cyano substituents at the vinylene linkage as active sites for the evolution of H2.
Copper Oxide Buffer Layers by Pulsed‐Chemical Vapor Deposition for Semitransparent Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Eom Taeyong , Kim Songhee , Agbenyeke Raphael E. , Jung Hyunmin , Shin Seon Min , Lee Young Kuk , Kim Chang Gyoun , Chung Taek‐Mo , Jeon Nam Joong , Park Helen Hejin , Seo Jangwon
Published: November 2020

In semitransparent perovskite solar cells with n–i–p configuration, thermal evaporation is the common method to deposit the sputter buffer material, such as molybdenum oxide and tungsten oxide. Buffer layers are especially necessary when using organic hole transporting layers, as they are more susceptible to get damaged when sputtering the top transparent conducting oxide. However, there is a limited selection of possible materials and limited control of the materials properties by thermal evaporation, which leads to inefficient protection against sputtering and poor air stability. While there have been well‐established buffer layers by atomic layer deposition, including tin oxide, for p–i–n structured semitransparent perovskite solar cells, this is not the case for n–i–p structured devices. Here, copper oxide is demonstrated by pulsed‐chemical vapor deposition incorporated into perovskite solar cells for the sputter buffer layer, which result in stable encapsulated semitransparent devices maintaining over 95% of the maximum efficiency under AM 1.5 G at maximum power point tracking for 150 h without any temperature control.
Perfect RGB‐IR Color Routers for Sub‐Wavelength Size CMOS Image Sensor Pixels
Authors: Zhao Nathan , Catrysse Peter B. , Fan Shanhui
Published: November 2020

High‐resolution image sensing technologies have exploded over the past decade. A critical capability of all image sensors is to separate light into its individual color components. In most technologies today, this is done via color filters. Filters, however, intrinsically waste a large fraction of the light by absorption or scattering. This affects image sensor performance, because the amount of light incident on each image sensor pixel reduces quadratically with linear scaling of pixel size. This is particularly detrimental to the performance of (sub‐)wavelength size pixels. Herein, a conceptually novel approach is provided for color functionality in image sensors, by designing a color router that achieves perfect RGB‐IR color routing for sub‐wavelength size pixels. In a color router, all incident light for each color channel is routed directly and without loss to the photodetector of the corresponding color channel pixel. It is shown that color routers can be designed to near‐perfectly match a prescribed spectral shape, which is important for color image processing. It is further shown that these routers are designed to achieve specific spectral bandwidth and to meet angular as well as fabrication constraints.
A Low‐Temperature Additive‐Involved Leaching Method for Highly Efficient Inorganic Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Sun Xiuhong , Shao Zhipeng , Rao Yi , Meng Hongguang , Gao Caiyun , Chen Chen , Liu Dachang , Lv Peiliang , Li Zhipeng , Wang Xiao , Cui Guanglei , Pang Shuping
Published: November 2020

Inorganic CsPbI3 perovskite with an optical bandgap ranging from 1.67 to 1.75 eV is a promising light‐harvesting material as a top cell in tandem solar cells, but its high fabrication temperature can damage the middle layers or the bottom subcells. Here, an additive‐involved leaching method to fabricate CsPbI3 perovskite films is demonstrated, which can decrease the preparation temperature to 100 °C. The CsPbI3 perovskite films with high crystallinity are achieved by a solution assisted reaction between DMAPbI3 and Cs4PbI6 with the leaching of DMA+, Cs+, and I−. The as‐prepared CsPbI3 perovskite films exhibit much superior stability compared to their high‐temperature counterparts. As a result, a power conversion efficiency of over 16% is obtained, and the unencapsulated device maintains over 93% of the initial efficiency after aging for 30 days in air with a relative humidity of 10%.
Highly Uniform All‐Vacuum‐Deposited Inorganic Perovskite Artificial Synapses for Reservoir Computing
Authors: Chen Li-Wei , Wang Wei-Chun , Ko Shao-Han , Chen Chien-Yu , Hsu Chih-Ting , Chiao Fu-Ching , Chen Tse-Wei , Wu Kai-Chiang , Lin Hao-Wu
Published: November 2020

The development of artificial synapses is inspired by the energy‐efficient recognition ability of the central nervous system of living organisms and is proposed for use as the basic building units of next‐generation neuromorphic computing networks. Herein, the perovskite/MoO3/Ag synaptic device exhibits very uniform electrical characteristics, a low operation voltage, and linear and repeatable analog switching. Important synaptic functions such as paired‐pulse facilitation (PPF) and short‐ and long‐term potentiation (STP/LTP) are all successfully and stably implemented in the device. The diffusion of Ag+ and I− ions is believed to contribute to the synaptic behavior of the device. Furthermore, the uniform and stable volatile characteristics are utilized in a proof‐of‐concept reservoir‐computing‐based simulation program using all the experimental parameters; the results strongly suggest that the neuromorphic computing that utilizes such components can simultaneously reduce the circuitry complexity and increase its recognition accuracy with noisy inputs. The findings of this work promise to significantly facilitate the utilization of highly homogeneous vacuum‐deposited perovskite/metal oxide structures in high‐performance neuromorphic computing systems.
Biocultural evidence of precise manual activities in an Early Holocene individual of the high‐altitude Peruvian Andes
Authors: Karakostis Fotios Alexandros , Reyes‐Centeno Hugo , Franken Michael , Hotz Gerhard , Rademaker Kurt , Harvati Katerina
Published: November 2020

Objectives

Cuncaicha, a rockshelter site in the southern Peruvian Andes, has yielded archaeological evidence for human occupation at high elevation (4,480 masl) during the Terminal Pleistocene (12,500–11,200 cal BP), Early Holocene (9,500–9,000 cal BP), and later periods. One of the excavated human burials (Feature 15‐06), corresponding to a middle‐aged female dated to ~8,500 cal BP, exhibits skeletal osteoarthritic lesions previously proposed to reflect habitual loading and specialized crafting labor. Three small tools found in association with this burial are hypothesized to be associated with precise manual dexterity.

Materials and methods

Here, we tested this functional hypothesis through the application of a novel multivariate methodology for the three‐dimensional analysis of muscle attachment surfaces (entheses). This original approach has been recently validated on both lifelong‐documented anthropological samples as well as experimental studies in nonhuman laboratory samples. Additionally, we analyzed the three‐dimensional entheseal shape and resulting moment arms for muscleopponens pollicis.

Results

Results show that Cuncaicha individual 15‐06 shows a distinctive entheseal pattern associated with habitual precision grasping via thumb‐index finger coordination, which is shared exclusively with documented long‐term precision workers from recent historical collections. The separate geometric morphometric analysis revealed that the individual'sopponens pollicisenthesis presents a highly projecting morphology, which was found to strongly correlate with long joint moment arms (a fundamental component of force‐producing capacity), closely resembling the form of Paleolithic hunter‐gatherers from diverse geo‐chronological contexts of Eurasia and North Africa.

Discussion

Overall, our findings provide the first biocultural evidence to confirm that the lifestyle of some of the earliest Andean inhabitants relied on habitual and forceful precision grasping tasks.
Chirale molekulare Propeller basierend auf Triarylboran‐Ammoniak‐Addukten
Authors: Kemper Michael , Engelage Elric , Merten Christian
Published: November 2020

Chirale molekulare Propellerkonformationen wurden bereits in verschiedenen Triarylstrukturen, einschließlich Tritylderivaten und Triarylboranen, induziert. Für Boran‐Amin‐Addukte wurde über eine solche induzierte Propellerchiralität bisher noch nicht berichtet, da die Racemisierungsbarrieren in typischen Triarylboranen wie B(C6H5)3 oder B(C6F5)3 zu niedrig sind. Hier wird gezeigt, dass Punktchiralität in den Seitenketten chiraler Triarylboran‐Ammoniak‐Addukte, die zusätzlich zur dativen N→B‐Bindung intramolekulare Wasserstoffbrücken aufweisen, effizient in eine Triarylboran‐Propellerchiralität übertragen werden kann. Unter Verwendung von Röntgenkristallographie und ECD/VCD‐Spektroskopie werden drei Beispiele mit unterschiedlichem sterischem Anspruch der chiralen Alkoxy‐Seitengruppen untersucht. Neben der Aufklärung der Konformationspräferenzen der molekularen Propeller wird gezeigt, dass rechnerisch vorhergesagte Konformationspräferenzen, die für die isolierten, nur implizit solvatisierten Moleküle erhalten wurden, den experimentell beobachteten entgegengesetzt sind.
Eccentric Resistance Training Ameliorates Muscle Weakness in a Mouse Model of Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies
Authors: Himori Koichi , Ashida Yuki , Tatebayashi Daisuke , Abe Masami , Saito Yuki , Chikenji Takako , Westerblad Håkan , Andersson Daniel C. , Yamada Takashi
Published: November 2020

Objective

High‐force eccentric contractions (ECCs) have traditionally been excluded from rehabilitation programs that include patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) due to unverified fear of causing muscle damage and inflammation. In an IIM animal model that used mice with experimental autoimmune myositis (EAM), we undertook this study to investigate whether ECC training can safely and effectively be used to counteract muscle weakness in IIM.

Methods

EAM was induced in BALB/c mice by immunization with 3 injections of myosin emulsified in Freund’s complete adjuvant. Controls (n = 12) and mice with EAM (n = 12) were exposed to either an acute bout of 100 ECCs or 4 weeks of ECC training (20 ECCs every other day). To induce ECCs, plantar flexor muscles were electrically stimulated while the ankle was forcibly dorsiflexed.

Results

Less cell damage, as assessed by Evans blue dye uptake, was observed in the muscles of mice with EAM, compared to controls, after an acute bout of 100 ECCs (P < 0.05). Maximum Ca2+‐activated force was decreased in skinned gastrocnemius muscle fibers from mice with EAM, and this was accompanied by increased expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress proteins, including Gsp78 and Gsp94 (P < 0.05). ECC training prevented the decrease in force and the increase in ER stress proteins and also enhanced the expression and myofibrillar binding of small heat‐shock proteins (HSPs) (P < 0.05), which can stabilize myofibrillar structure and function.

Conclusion

ECC training protected against the reduction in myofibrillar force–generating capacity in an IIM mouse model, and this occurred via inhibition of ER stress responses and small HSP–mediated myofibrillar stabilization.
Normalising the “ugly” to reduce food waste: Exploring the socialisations that form appearance preferences for fresh fruits and vegetables
Authors: Makhal Annesha , Robertson Kirsten , Thyne Maree , Mirosa Miranda
Published: November 2020

Fruits and vegetables that fail to conform to an aesthetic standard are labelled suboptimal and are often devalued and ultimately discarded. Although consumers perceive suboptimal produce negatively, little is known about how these perceptions are formed and indeed the socialisation process behind them. Using 11 focus group discussions with New Zealand children aged 5–11 years (N = 97), this study explores these socialisations. The results show that family practises around growing and repurposing suboptimal produce, learning about suboptimal produce waste, and acting on that knowledge when making produce choices, facilitates the acceptance of suboptimal produce. Alternatively, observations of parents' produce choice behaviours, and parents' instructions or norms for choosing, preparing, and eating produce socialise the rejection of suboptimal produce. The implications of the study show how environmental sustainability with respect to the food waste problem could be effectively addressed if public policy moves towards strategies that “normalise” suboptimal produce. The interventions recommended show how public campaigns would be more effective by targeting children, who are not only concerned about environmental sustainability, but also through their growing agency and positive pester‐power may influence households to reconsider how food is valued.
Base‐Free Pd‐Catalyzed C−Cl Borylation of Fluorinated Aryl Chlorides
Authors: Budiman Yudha P. , Lorenzen Sabine , Liu Zhiqiang , Radius Udo , Marder Todd B.
Published: November 2020

Catalytic C−X borylation of aryl halides containing two ortho‐fluorines has been found to be challenging, as most previous methods require stoichiometric amounts of base and the polyfluorinated aryl boronates suffer from protodeboronation, which is accelerated by ortho‐fluorine substituents. Herein, we report that a combination of Pd(dba)2 (dba=dibenzylideneacetone) with SPhos (2‐dicyclohexylphosphino‐2’,6’‐dimethoxybiphenyl) as a ligand is efficient to catalyze the C‐Cl borylation of aryl chlorides containing two ortho‐fluorine substituents. This method, conducted under base‐free conditions, is compatible with the resulting di‐ortho‐fluorinated aryl boronate products which are sensitive to base.
Unsupported Mg–Alkene Bonding
Authors: Thum Katharina , Friedrich Alexander , Pahl Jürgen , Elsen Holger , Langer Jens , Harder Sjoerd
Published: November 2020

The first intermolecular early main group metal–alkene complexes were isolated. This was enabled by using highly Lewis acidic Mg centers in the Lewis base‐free cations (MeBDI)Mg+ and (tBuBDI)Mg+ with B(C6F5)4− counterions (MeBDI=CH[C(CH3)N(DIPP)]2, tBuBDI=CH[C(tBu)N(DIPP)]2, DIPP=2,6‐diisopropylphenyl). Coordination complexes with various mono‐ and bis‐alkene ligands, typically used in transition metal chemistry, were structurally characterized for 1,3‐divinyltetramethyldisiloxane, 1,5‐cyclooctadiene, cyclooctene, 1,3,5‐cycloheptatriene, 2,3‐dimethylbuta‐1,3‐diene, and 2‐ethyl‐1‐butene. In all cases, asymmetric Mg–alkene bonding with a short and a long Mg−C bond is observed. This asymmetry is most extreme for Mg–(H2C=CEt2) bonding. In bromobenzene solution, the Mg–alkene complexes are either dissociated or in a dissociation equilibrium. A DFT study and AIM analysis showed that the C=C bonds hardly change on coordination and there is very little alkene→Mg electron transfer. The Mg–alkene bonds are mainly electrostatic and should be described as Mg2+ ion‐induced dipole interactions.