bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis, Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activities of Some Tridentate Substituted Salicylaldimines
Authors: Oloyede-Akinsulere Abidemi Iyewumi , Olalekan Babajide Jelili , Olonkwoh Salihu Simon
Published: July 2019

Five substituted tridentate salicylaldimines, (E)-2-((2-hydroxybenzylidene)amino)phenol, (E)-2-(((2-hydroxyphenyl)imino)methyl)-4-nitrophenol, (E)-4-chloro-2-(((2-hydroxyphenyl)imino)methyl) phenol, (E)-2-(((2-hydroxyphenyl)imino)methyl)-4-methoxyphenol, (E)-4-bromo-2-(((2-hydroxy-phenyl)imino)methyl)-6-methoxyphenol were synthesised and characterised by elemental analysis, IR, UV and NMR (1H and 13C). They were screened against some multi-drug resistance Gram-positive (Streptococcus agalactiae and Staphylococcus aureus), and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhimurium) organisms by the agar-well diffusion method. The total antioxidant capacities of the salicylaldimines were determined by the phosphomolybdenum assay. Their antibacterial and antioxidant activities were screened to understand the substituents effects. The result showed that the methoxy-substituted compound exhibited the highest antibacterial and antioxidant activities while the nitro-substituted compound exhibited the least activities. This implies that the electron-donating group of the compound increases its antibacterial and antioxidant activities. The one-way analysis of variance was performed with MINITAB 17 at 95% confidence level.
Biosorption of Pb2+ and Cd2+ from Simulated Wastewater Using Melina (Gmelina arborea) Tree Leaves Powder
Authors: Ilelaboye N. O. , Oderinde A. A.
Published: July 2019

Increased anthropogenic activities have led to serious environmental problems due to pollution caused by toxic materials such as heavy metals whose levels are rising in the environment. The inefficiency and high cost of conventional methods of waste treatment have prompted the investigation of environmentally friendly and cheaper methods of treatment using natural products. In this study, G. arborea leaves powder was investigated with a view of using it as cheap material for the biosorption of Pb2+ and Cd2+   from wastewater. The effects of operational parameters like pH, biosorbent dose [g/L], initial metal ions concentration [mg/L], contact time [minutes] and stirring speed [rpm] on the biosorption efficiency [%] were determined. The optimum solution pH for Pb2+ and Cd2+adsorption was 5.0 and peak adsorption of 91.33% and 82.53% for Pb2+ and Cd2+, respectively. 5 g/L Melina leaves were enough to achieve peak removal of both metal ions. The removal of the metal ions was comparatively quick, and stability was achieved after 30 minutes. The optimum stirring speed was 250 rpm for both metal ions. The uptake efficiency of the biosorbent was determined by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The value of Langmuir isotherm separation parameter [RL] of Pb2+ ion [0.0446 - 0.78125] and Cd2+ [0.1005- 0.9482] were within range of 0 -1 indicating favorable biosorption for both metal ions. The degree of non-linearity [n] values between Pb2+ [12.79] and Cd2+ [11.79] solution concentration and biosorption in Freundlich equation were greater than 1, indicating physical biosorption of Pb2+ and Cd2+ on to G. arborea leaves. G. arborea can serve as efficient biosorbent not only for Pb2+ and Cd2+ ions but also for other heavy metal ions in a wastewater stream
Degradative Effect of I.R Radiations on the Constituents of Bitumen
Authors: Niran Oladokun Benjamen , Mathew Olabemiwo , Oluwamayowa Ajala Christianah
Published: July 2019

Sample of natural bitumen were taken from bitumen well in Agbabu town in Odigbo Local Government of Ondo State. These samples were separately irradiated with infrared radiations for a period of seven hours. Part of the sample was withdrawn at interval of One, Three and Seven hours. The withdrawn sample was later separated into maltene and asphaltene fractions. The maltene fraction was further separated into saturated, aromatic and polar fraction. The saturated and aromatic fractions were subjected to gas chromatography analysis. The Saturated and aromatic profiles of the bitumen were found to vary with the period of irradiation. The Chemical composition of both the saturated and aromatic compounds in the bitumen decreased with the period of irradiation. Thus, decrease in the chemical composition of bitumen as a result of irradiation cause aging of bitumen. Therefore, I.R radiations were found to have a degradative effect on the composition of bitumen.
Isolation and Characterisation of Hydrolysable Tannin from Ethyl Acetate Portion of the Aerial Part of Phyllanthus amarus Schum. & Thonn
Authors: Umar Halima A. , Usman Hamidu , Abubakar Mustapha B. , Mohammed Baba F. , Babakura Mohammed , Sule Mohammed A.
Published: July 2019

The present work involves extraction of phytochemicals from aerial part of Phyllanthus amarus Schum. & Thonn with n-hexane and 85% methanol. The isolation and characterization of Phytoconstituents was done from the methanol extract through portioning with chloroform and ethyl acetate. Fractionation and isolation (using column and thin layer chromatography respectively) of ethyl acetate column pooled portion afforded a compound coded as E-3.3C. The structure of the isolated compound was established on spectroscopic evidences (IR, 1HNMR, MS), which revealed the compound as 1-de (oxygalloyl)-2ˈ,3ˈ,-di-methoxy-amariin a hydrolysable tannins.
A Green and Scalable Synthesis of 1-Amino Anthraquinone
Authors: Lu Bin , Yan Yi-Yu , Qiu Yong-Fu , Zhang Tian-Li , Qi Shi , Tian Jian-Hua , Luo Wan-Yue , Hu Xiao , Wang Jin
Published: July 2019

1-amino anthraquinone (2) is the most important intermediate in the synthesis of acid dyes. This paper presents a new method for the preparation of title compound (2) in a highly chemo- and regioselective reduction of 1-nitro anthraquinone (1) by NaHS in water under mild conditions. This protocol is clean, operationally simple, easy work-up and could be applied in the industrial production.

Graphical_Abstract
Potential of Sorghum bicolor L. (Moench) and the Effectiveness of Some Organic Amendments in Remediation of Petroleum Oil-Vitiated Soils of an Automobile Repair Workshop in Urbanite Kampala
Authors: Omara Timothy , Adupa Eddie , Laker Fortunate , Kalukusu Raymond , Owori Tom
Published: July 2019

Aims: To determine the potential of sweet sorghum (Epuripur 1995) and the effect of organic biostimulators: NPK fertilizer, cow dung and sewage sludge in remediation of petroleum oil-adulterated soils from a garage in Kampala Metropolis, Uganda.

Place and Duration of Study: The contaminated soils were obtained from New Katanga Boys automobile repair workshop in Wandegeya, Kampala, Uganda. Experiments were conducted between September 2018 to November 2018 at Department of Food Processing Technology, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.

Methodology: 50 kg of petroleum oil-contaminated soils were collected from the garage and divided into 5 kg portions; four portions were potted with four sorghum grains with three subjected to 5% w/w amendment using NPK fertilizer, cow dung and sewage sludge under normal growth conditions for 72 days. Representative soil samples were collected from spots at 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm from the potted soils and subjected to Soxhlet extraction. Growth parameters (leaf surface area, root mass and mass of sorghum heads) of the potted plants were measured.

Results: The sorghum plants grew normally and survived in the petroleum-contaminated soils. Sorghum potted in contaminated soil without any amendment did not flower. Amendment of the vitiated soils with NPK fertilizer, cow dung and sewage sludge biostimulated the phytoremediation capacity of sorghum by 9.1%, 12.5% and 6.3% respectively.

Conclusion: Addition of cow dung to spent-oil contaminated soils could make such soils fully re-established for agricultural activities. Further research should assess the chemical properties of the investigated vitiated soils and the effectiveness of other biostimulants such as vermicompost in biostimulating phytoremediation by Sorghum bicolor. The potential of other cereals such as corn, barley, rye and millet in phytoremediation of petroleum-adulterated soils should be investigated.
Preliminary Phytochemical Screening and Thin Layer Chromatography Analysis of Stem Bark Extracts of African Mistletoe Parasitic on Vitellaria paradoxa, Piliostigma thonningii and Combretum fragrans
Authors: Cyprian T. Agber , Sewuese Shaakaa , Akacha Linus U.
Published: July 2019

Aim: Mistletoes are highly utilized in traditional medicine to treat different kinds of diseases such as heart diseases, diabetes and malaria, among others. The chemistry of African mistletoe is not sufficiently documented. This paper is therefore, aimed at determining the phytochemicals present in the crude extracts of mistletoe parasitic on plants that are commonly seen as hosts.

Study Design: This study was designed to compare the phytochemical profiles of mistletoe stem barks obtained from different plant hosts.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State Nigeria, between August and September, 2018.  

Methodology: Powdered stem bark of mistletoe was extracted successively with hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol. Preliminary phytochemical screening was carried out on the extracts. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) was carried out on silica gel precoated plates in 9:1 (hexane/ethyl acetate), 1:1 (hexane/ethyl acetate), and 7:3 (ethyl acetate/methanol) mobile phases for hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts respectively.

Results: The study revealed the presence of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins/phenols, cardiac glycosides, steroids and triterpenoids. It was evident from TLC analysis that mistletoes from various plant hosts contain similar chemical profile.

Conclusion: We therefore debunk the claim by some herbalists that medicinal values of mistletoes vary due to host plant. This is the first time a study of this kind is reported on mistletoe parasitic on Vitellaria paradoxa Pilostigma thonningii, Combretum fragrans.
Adsorption of Cr6+ Onto Unmodified and Hydrochloric Acid Modified African Nutmeg Pod (Monodora myristica) from Aqueous Solution
Authors: Okwunodulu F. U. , Chukwuemeka-Okorie H. O. , Mgbemena N. M. , Kalu J. B. I.
Published: July 2019

The removal of Cr6+ from aqueous solution using unmodified and hydrochloric modified African nutmeg pod was studied. The effects of particle size, pH and initial metal ions concentration adsorbed were investigated. The amount of metal ion adsorbed increased as the initial metal ion concentration increased and also decreased at low pH of 2 for both modified and unmodified African nutmeg pod.  400 µm and 250 µm were the optimum particle sizes for both modified and unmodified African nutmeg pod respectively, values given as 75.8 mg/g for the modified and 93.39 mg/g for the unmodified. Generally, it was observed that the unmodified African nutmeg pod showed greater adsorption capacity than the modified African nutmeg pod. The equilibrium experimental data were examined via Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models.  Freundlich isotherm model gave the best fit for the data in both unmodified and modified African nutmeg pod based on the correlation coefficients (R2 values) gotten. The results of the study showed that the African nutmeg pod is efficient for the removal of Cr6+ from aqueous solutions especially when unmodified.
Molecular Detection ctx-M, TEM and VIM in ESBL-Producing E. coli Strains Isolated from Pregnant Women in Osogbo
Authors: Adekunle O. C. , Falade-Fatila A. J. , Odewale G.
Published: July 2019

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a major bacterial infection causing serious health problem in pregnant women. The physiological and anatomical changes in pregnancy facilitate urinary tract infection (UTI) during pregnancy. Asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy is associated with pyelonephritis, preterm labour and low birth weight infants. The study was designed to characterise phenotypically and genetically the major organism associated with UTI among pregnant women in Osun State. A cross-sectional study design was used to collect mid-stream urine samples between March 2018 to September 2018 from 150 pregnant and 50 non-pregnant women which serve as control. Samples were inoculated into Cysteine Lactose Electrolyte Deficient (CLED) medium, subcultured onto MacConkey and Blood agar plates. A standard agar disc diffusion method was used to determine antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of the isolates and the molecular detection of the antibiotic resistant genes were done. Data were subjected to descriptive statistics. The ages of women enrolled in this study ranges from 22 to 43 years (mean ± standard deviation = 25 ± 4.7 years). The predominant bacteria identified were E. coli (34.5%), S. aureus (10.3%), coagulase negative Staphylococci [CoNS] (17.2%), Klebsiella species (6.9%) and Enterobacter species (31.0%). Majority of Gram-negative bacteria isolates were resistant to ampicillin (70%), cefotaxime (62%), while 75–100% of the Gram positive isolates were resistant to ampicillin. Multiple drug resistance was observed, all the E. coli isolates were resistant to Cefotaxime, meropenem and ampicillin. Of E. coli isolates, 4, 3 and 6 were positive for the VIM, ctx-M and TEM genes respectively.Similarly, the risk of UTI was higher in those had previous UTI history (OR = 2.29, 95% CI = 1.15–4.56, P = 0.019) as compared to those who had no previous history of UTI.
Compositional and functional features of the female premenopausal and postmenopausal gut microbiota
Authors: Zhao Hui , Chen Juanjuan , Li Xiaoping , Sun Qiang , Qin Panpan , Wang Qi
Published: July 2019

Endogenous estrogen deficiency accelerates many diseases in postmenopausal women, and gut microbes contribute to estrogen level modulation. However, the compositional alterations and influences of the gut microbiota in postmenopausal women remain uncertain. A metagenome‐wide association study was performed to compare the gut microbiota of 24 premenopausal and 24 postmenopausal women. Firmicutes and Roseburia spp. are depleted, while Bacteroidetes and the toluene‐producing genus Tolumonas are overrepresented in fecal samples from postmenopausal women. The pentose phosphate pathway is enriched in premenopausal women. Homocysteine synthesis‐related processes are enriched in postmenopausal women. The gut microbiomes of premenopausal and postmenopausal women differ and produce different metabolites. The gut microbiome may be a therapeutic target to reduce risks and improve the quality of life in postmenopausal women.
Early ictal recruitment of midline thalamus in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Romeo Andrew , Issa Roach Alexandra T. , Toth Emilia , Chaitanya Ganne , Ilyas Adeel , Riley Kristen O. , Pati Sandipan
Published: July 2019

The causal role of midline thalamus in the initiation and early organization of mesial temporal lobe seizures is studied. Three patients undergoing stereoelectroencephalography were enrolled for the placement of an additional depth electrode targeting the midline thalamus. The midline thalamus was recruited in all three patients at varying points of seizure initiation (0–13 sec) and propagation (9–60 sec). Stimulation of either thalamus or hippocampus induced similar habitual seizures. Seizure‐induced in the hippocampus rapidly recruited the thalamus. Evoked potentials demonstrated stronger connectivity from the hippocampus to the thalamus than in the opposite direction. The midline thalamus can be within the seizure initiation and symptomatogenic circuits.
Polycrystalline Advanced Microporous Framework Membranes for Efficient Separation of Small Molecules and Ions
Authors: Hou Jue , Zhang Huacheng , Simon George P. , Wang Huanting
Published: July 2019

Advanced porous framework membranes with excellent selectivity and high permeability of small molecules and ions are highly desirable for many important industrial separation applications. There has been significant progress in the fabrication of polycrystalline microporous framework membranes (PMFMs) in recent years, such as metal–organic framework and covalent organic framework membranes. These membranes possess small pore sizes, which are comparable to the kinetic diameter of small molecules and ions on the angstrom scale, very low thickness, down to tens to hundreds of nanometers, highly oriented crystalline structures, hybrid membrane structures, and specific functional groups for enhancing membrane selectivity and permeability. Recent advances in the fabrication methods of advanced PMFMs are summarized. Following this, four emerging separation applications of these advanced microporous framework membranes, including gas separation, water desalination, ion separation, and chiral separation, are highlighted and discussed in detail. Finally, a summary and some perspectives of future developments and challenges in this exciting research field are presented.
Improvement of Low‐Temperature zT in a Mg3Sb2–Mg3Bi2 Solid Solution via Mg‐Vapor Annealing
Authors: Wood Maxwell , Kuo Jimmy Jiahong , Imasato Kazuki , Snyder Gerald Jeffrey
Published: July 2019

Materials with high zT over a wide temperature range are essential for thermoelectric applications. n‐Type Mg3Sb2‐based compounds have been shown to achieve high zT at 700 K, but their performance at low temperatures (<500 K) is compromised due to their highly resistive grain boundaries. Syntheses and optimization processes to mitigate this grain‐boundary effect has been limited due to loss of Mg, which hinders a sample's n‐type dopability. A Mg‐vapor anneal processing step that grows a sample's grain size and preserves its n‐type carrier concentration during annealing is demonstrated. The electrical conductivity and mobility of the samples with large grain size follows a phonon‐scattering‐dominated T−3/2 trend over a large temperature range, further supporting the conclusion that the temperature‐activated mobility in Mg3Sb2‐based materials is caused by resistive grain boundaries. The measured Hall mobility of electrons reaches 170 cm2 V−1 s−1 in annealed 800 °C sintered Mg3 + δSb1.49Bi0.5Te0.01, the highest ever reported for Mg3Sb2‐based thermoelectric materials. In particular, a sample with grain size >30 mm has a zT 0.8 at 300 K, which is comparable to commercial thermoelectric materials used at room temperature (n‐type Bi2Te3) while reaching zT 1.4 at 700 K, allowing applications over a wider temperature scale.
Conjuncted Pyro‐Piezoelectric Effect for Self‐Powered Simultaneous Temperature and Pressure Sensing
Authors: Song Kai , Zhao Rudai , Wang Zhong Lin , Yang Ya
Published: July 2019

Ferroelectric materials use both the pyroelectric effect and piezoelectric effect for energy conversion. A ferroelectric BaTiO3‐based pyro‐piezoelectric sensor system is demonstrated to detect temperature and pressure simultaneously. The voltage signal of the device is found to enhance with increasing temperature difference with a sensitivity of about 0.048 V °C−1 and with applied pressure with a sensitivity of about 0.044 V kPa−1. Moreover, no interference appears in the output voltage signals when piezoelectricity and pyroelectricity are conjuncted in the device. A novel 4 × 4 array sensor system is developed to sense real‐time temperature and pressure variations induced by a finger. This system has potential applications in machine intelligence and man–machine interaction.
Extraordinary n‐Type Mg3SbBi Thermoelectrics Enabled by Yttrium Doping
Authors: Shi Xuemin , Zhao Tingting , Zhang Xinyue , Sun Cheng , Chen Zhiwei , Lin Siqi , Li Wen , Gu Hui , Pei Yanzhong
Published: July 2019

Advancing thermoelectric n‐type Mg3Sb2 alloys requires both high carrier concentration offered by effective doping and high carrier mobility enabled by large grains. Existing research usually involves chalcogen doping on the anion sites, and the resultant carrier concentration reaches ≈3 × 1019 cm−3 or below. This is much lower than the optimum theoretically predicted, which suggets that further improvements will be possible once a highly efficient dopant is found. Yttrium, a trivalent dopant, is shown to enable carrier concentrations up to and above ≈1 × 1020 cm−3 when it is doped on the cation site. Such carrier concentration allows for in‐depth understand of the electronic transport properties over a broad range of carrier concentrations, based on a single parabolic band approximation. As well as reasonably high carrier mobility in coarse‐grain materials sintered by hot deforming and fusing of large pieces of ingots synthesized by melting, higher thermoelectric performance than earlier experimentally reported for n‐type Mg3Sb2 is found. In particular, the thermoelectric figure of merit, zT, is even higher than that of any known n‐type thermoelectric, including Bi2Te3 alloys, within 300–500 K. This might pave the way for Mg3Sb2 alloys to become a realistic material for n‐type thermoelectrics for sustainable applications.
Strain‐Isolation Bridge Structure to Improve Stretchability of Highly Sensitive Strain Sensors
Authors: Liu Yangchengyi , Fan Hanghai , Li Kan , Zhao Nie , Chen Shangda , Ma Yinji , Ouyang Xiaoping , Wang Xiufeng
Published: July 2019

Increasing interests of stretchable strain sensors due to their important applications in skin electronics, soft robotics, and wearable systems require the capability of detecting subtle strain and large stretched deformation, but this remains a challenge. A new strategy based on a simple bridge‐like structure design, replacing previous sophisticated mechanics designs or advanced low‐dimension materials (carbon‐nanotubes, graphene, metal nanowires etc.), is demonstrated to disperse the applied strain effectively and prevent the conductive layer from unexpected destruction; thus the obtained graphite sensor increases its stretchability up to 123% while maintaining its high gauge factors more than 1000. This strain isolation effect as the underlying mechanism is verified by both experiments and numerical simulations. Furthermore, a biaxial bridge strain sensor with reconstructed crack‐network, fabricated by a simple multistep prestretching method, shows an isotropic strain sensing behavior that has potential applications on detecting complex human motions. The proposed strategy can be easily extended to other conductive materials and stretchable substrates, which can thus serve as a new facile yet efficient way for high‐performance wearable electronics.
A Triboelectric Nanogenerator as a Self‐Powered Sensor for a Soft–Rigid Hybrid Actuator
Authors: Chen Jian , Chen Baodong , Han Kai , Tang Wei , Wang Zhong Lin
Published: July 2019

Triboelectric nanogenerators are a promising technology for use in self‐powered sensors, which take advantage of multiple choices of materials and high response to low‐frequency triggering. Here, a conductive sponge/porous silicone‐based triboelectric nanogenerator (SS‐TENG) is demonstrated as a tactile sensor for a hybrid actuator. To fabricate the SS‐TENGs, liquid silicone and ethanol are mixed well and then infiltrated inside a conductive sponge. When heated, the ethanol evaporates from the silicone, leaving plenty of empty pores. Every pore supplies the contact and separation space for the conductive sponge and silicone to form a micro TENG, and the whole bulk makes up the SS‐TENG. When deformed, the SS‐TENG outputs electric signals. The open‐circuit voltage linearly increases from 3.9 to 17 V as the force increases from 2.9 to 9.9 N. In addition, when touched, the electric signals generated by SS‐TENGs can differentiate the corresponding objects. Finally, the SS‐TENGs are integrated with a soft–rigid hybrid actuator to form a bionic skeleton–muscle–skin hybrid gripper. The gripper can catch different objects and feedback electric signals, which show great potential for use in bionic robots.
Direct Wide Bandgap 2D GeSe2 Monolayer toward Anisotropic UV Photodetection
Authors: Yan Yong , Xiong Wenqi , Li Shasha , Zhao Kai , Wang Xiaoting , Su Jian , Song Xiaohui , Li Xueping , Zhang Shuai , Yang Huai , Liu Xinfeng , Jiang Lang , Zhai Tianyou , Xia Congxin , Li Jingbo , Wei Zhongming
Published: July 2019

As an important 2D layered metal dichalcogenide, germanium diselenide (GeSe2) with a direct wide bandgap is attracting increasing attention for its potential applications in ultraviolet (UV) detection. However, only few‐layer GeSe2 has been reported to date. Here, a joint theoretical–experimental study on the optical and electronic properties of monolayer GeSe2 is presented, and monolayer GeSe2 is shown to have a direct wide bandgap of 2.96 eV. Consequently, monolayer GeSe2 does not respond to a major fraction of the visible spectrum. Notably, the photofield effect transistors based on the GeSe2 monolayer show p‐type behavior, high responsivity, superior detectivity, and a fast response time, competitive with state‐of‐the‐art UV detectors. In addition to the excellent photoresponse properties, 2D GeSe2 crystals also exhibit perpendicular optical reversal of the linear dichroism and polarized photodetection under wavelength modulation. Theoretical calculations of the band structure are used to shed light on these experimental results. The findings suggest that 2D GeSe2 is a promising candidate for highly selective polarization‐sensitive UV detection.
Biosystems design by directed evolution
Authors: Wang Yajie , Yu Xiaowei , Zhao Huimin
Published: July 2019

Through iterative rounds of genetic diversification and screening or selection, directed evolution has been widely used to engineer relatively simple biosystems such as nucleic acids and proteins with desired functions. In addition, directed evolution has played an important role in engineering more complex biosystems such as pathways and genomes. Since 2013, directed evolution has been further explored for biosystems design with numerous newly developed techniques that have enabled design and engineering of proteins, pathways, and genomes in a much more effective manner. In this review, we will highlight the abiotic biotransformations arisen from directed evolution and novel strategies for continuous evolution in vivo and ultrahigh‐throughput screening. We will also discuss the future challenges and opportunities of applying directed evolution for biosystems design.
Impact of consolidation therapy post autologous stem cell transplant in patients with light chain amyloidosis
Authors: Al Saleh Abdullah S. , Sidiqi M. Hasib , Sidana Surbhi , Muchtar Eli , Dispenzieri Angela , Dingli David , Lacy Martha Q. , Warsame Rahma M. , Gonsalves Wilson I. , Kourelis Taxiarchis V. , Hogan William J. , Hayman Suzanne R. , Wolf Robert C. , Kapoor Prashant , Buadi Francis K. , Kumar Shaji K. , Gertz Morie A.
Published: July 2019

The role of consolidation post autologous stem cell transplant in light chain amyloidosis is not well defined. We retrospectively identified patients who had light chain amyloidosis and underwent autologous stem cell transplant at the Mayo Clinic. Consolidation was defined as any treatment given after the day 100 evaluation post‐transplant to maintain or deepen the response. We identified 471 patients, of whom 72 (15%) received consolidation. Patients receiving consolidation had more advanced disease (Mayo 2012 stage ≥II in 67% vs 52%, P = .02), and had lower day 100 response rates (very good partial response or better: 35% vs 84%, P < .001). After consolidation, rates of very good partial response improved from 24% to 28%, and rates of complete response improved from 11% to 40%. Patients with less than very good partial response who received consolidation, had better progression‐free survival (median of 22.4 vs 8.8 months, P < .001), and the benefit was greater in those who deepened their response (median of 41 vs 8.8 months, P < .001). In patients with less than very good partial response, there was a trend for better overall survival in patients who responded to consolidation (median of 125.8 vs 74.4 months, P = .07). In patients who achieved very good partial response, or better, at day 100 post autologous stem cell transplant, consolidation did not improve progression‐free or overall survival. Consolidation after autologous stem cell transplant for light chain amyloidosis improves progression‐free survival for patients who achieve less than very good partial response.
Membrane Fusion through the Generation of Triazole Ceramide via Click Chemistry at the Membrane Surface
Authors: Lee Seokwoo , Lee Yun Mi , Lee Hyun‐Ji , Jeon Hongjun , Lee Hyukjin , Shin Dongyun , Kim Sanghee
Published: July 2019

An artificial fusion system was developed in which triazole ceramide was generated at the surface of a liposome membrane through the action of Cu+. The stressed vesicle underwent membrane fusion. The results suggest that curvature inversion alone might be a sufficient driving force for membrane fusion. In addition, our fusion system is cytocompatible and has potential applications in biomedical research.
Purification Process, Physicochemical Properties, and Fatty Acid Composition of Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens Linnaeus) Larvae Oil
Authors: Mai Huynh Cang , Dao Ngoc Duy , Lam Tri Duc , Nguyen Bao Viet , Nguyen Duy Chinh , Bach Long Giang
Published: July 2019

This study presented a refining process and reported on fatty acid composition and the physicochemical properties of the oil from black soldier fly larvae (BSFL). Crude larvae oil was purified through four steps consisting of degumming, neutralization, bleaching, and deodorization. Optimum degumming conditions that give the highest phospholipid weight and oil consisted of water concentration of 7% (v/v), followed by addition of H2SO4 at a concentration of 0.5% (v/v). Optimum conditions for saponification that maximize saponification value and free fatty acid (FFA) value were 0.4 mg NaOH/100 g oil, 1 hour, and 80 °C of NaOH quantity, reaction time, and temperature, respectively. The oil was then dehydrated using 10 mg Na2SO4/g oil. The bleaching process that gives maximum oil yield consisted of activated carbon at concentration of 5% (w/w), followed by centrifugation at a speed of 5000 rpm (radius = 86 mm) for 30 min. The contents of lauric acid, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid in purified oil were 28.8%, 11.1%, and 0.4%, respectively. Physicochemical properties of the refined oil included viscosity of 96 ± 0.14 cP (measured at 20 °C), FFA value of 0.45 ± 0.017%, acid value of 0.9 ± 0.043 mg KOH g−1, saponification value of 215.78 mg KOH g−1, iodine value of 53.7 gI2/100 g, and peroxide index of 133 mEq kg−1.
Nanocomposite hollow fiber nanofiltration membranes: Fabrication, characterization, and pilot‐scale evaluation for surface water treatment
Authors: Urper‐Bayram Gulsum Melike , Sayinli Burcu , Sengur‐Tasdemir Reyhan , Turken Turker , Pekgenc Enise , Gunes Oguz , Ates‐Genceli Esra , Tarabara Volodymyr V. , Koyuncu Ismail
Published: July 2019

Thin‐film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes were fabricated by interfacial polymerization of a polyamide (PA) layer on the shell side of hollow fiber membrane supports. TiO2 nanoparticle loadings in the thin‐film layer were 0.01, 0.05, and 0.20 wt %. Nanoparticle‐free PA thin‐film composite (TFC) membranes served as the comparative basis. The TFN membranes were characterized in terms of the chemical composition, structure, and surface properties of the separation layer. Incorporating nanoTiO2 improved membrane permeability up to 12.6‐fold. During preliminary laboratory‐scale evaluation, TFN membranes showed lower salt rejection but higher TOC rejection in comparisons with the corresponding values for TFC controls. Based on the performance in lab‐scale tests, TFN membranes with 0.01 wt % nanoTiO2 loading were selected for an evaluation at the pilot scale with synthetic surface water as the feed. While the permeate flux during long‐term pilot‐scale operation gradually decreased for TFC membranes, TFN membranes had a higher initial permeate flux that gradually increased with time. The TOC rejection by TFN and TFC membranes was comparable. We conclude that TFN membranes show promise for full‐scale surface water treatment applications. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 48205.
Seabird bycatch vulnerability to pelagic longline fisheries: Ecological traits matter
Authors: Zhou Can , Jiao Yan , Browder Joan
Published: July 2019

Fisheries bycatch of seabirds presents a serious management problem, and relatively little is known about this problem. In the Western North Atlantic, the issue is complicated by the relatively low effort and coverage of the observer programme and the high uncertainty in species identification.

The Western North Atlantic is home to many endemic and endangered seabird populations, and the impact of fishery‐caused seabird bycatch has been of high interest, especially for those species with a low population size; however, species‐specific bycatch estimates have been difficult. From 1992 to 2016, 158 seabirds were observed caught by the US Atlantic pelagic longline fleet; among them, only 80 were identified to species, 25 were identified to family, and the rest – mainly in the older records – were unidentified.

In this study, ecological traits of seabirds were used to improve bycatch estimation and provide species‐specific risk analysis to all the potentially affected seabird species in this region. Bayesian state–space modelling was used to accommodate the high level of uncertainty in the species identification process.

Seabird bycatch risk was found to be highly dependent on population size. The group of large seabird species was estimated to be two times as vulnerable as the group of mid‐to‐small seabird species, scavenging and plunge‐diving feeding modes were identified as imposing high bycatch risks, and spatial and temporal distribution patterns were also good indicators of bycatch risk. Based on these ecological traits, shearwaters, gulls, gannets, and petrels were identified to potentially suffer from high bycatch in this region. These species, especially those that have not been identified historically, deserve extra attention in the observer programme, and for the implementation of conservation measures of seabirds in this region.
Tuning Interfacial Cu‐O Atomic Structures for Enhanced Catalytic Applications
Authors: Sun Shaodong , Zhang Xin , Cui Jie , Yang Qing , Liang Shuhua
Published: July 2019

Cu2O/CuOx (x=0, 1) nanocomposites with well‐defined morphologies have been widely applied in catalytic reactions. However, people still understand less about tuning interfacial Cu‐O atomic structures for enhanced catalytic applications, and a special review on this topic has not been reported so far. Herein, we summarize our understanding on tuning interfacial Cu‐O atomic structures based on the literature, including the formation as well as evolution mechanism of Cu‐O interfaces in Cu2O/CuO and Cu2O/Cu systems, and the improved performances in the fields of CO oxidation, NOx oxidation, photoelectrocatalysis, water gas shift reaction, photodegradation of organic dyes, hydrogen evolution, and photoreduction of CO2. Finally, we briefly propose several potential research directions.
Querkraftversuche an profilierten Spannbetonträgern aus UHPFRC
Authors: Schramm Nicholas , Fischer Oliver
Published: July 2019

Ultrahochfester faserbewehrter Beton (UHPFRC) ist ein Faserverbundwerkstoff, der durch sehr hohe Dichtigkeit und Festigkeiten charakterisiert ist. Dadurch ergeben sich im Fertigteilbau, insbesondere für Spannbetonträger, völlig neue Möglichkeiten für gewichtsreduzierte, schlanke und dauerhafte Konstruktionen. Der Querkrafttragfähigkeit der zumeist profilierten, vorgespannten Binder mit dünnen Stegen ist dabei besondere Aufmerksamkeit zu schenken. In diesem Zusammenhang wurden am Lehrstuhl für Massivbau der Technischen Universität München (TUM) 14 Querkraftversuche an Spannbettträgern mit profiliertem Querschnitt unter Variation der Querschnittshöhe, des Vorspanngrads sowie des Fasergehalts und der Querkraftbewehrung durchgeführt. Für die Versuche wurde ein neuartiger Versuchsstand verwendet, der es ermöglicht, lediglich Trägerausschnitte (in diesem Fall halbe Träger unter Ausnutzung der Symmetrie) experimentell zu untersuchen. Der vorliegende Beitrag geht auf die Ergebnisse der Versuche, insbesondere in Bezug auf die wesentlichen Einflüsse der variierten Parameter, ein.
Development of green sodium sulfate‐induced solidification of floating organic droplets–dispersive liquid phase microextraction method: Application to extraction of four antidepressants
Authors: Mohebbi Ali , Farajzadeh Mir Ali , Nemati Mahboob , Sarhangi Negin , Afshar Mogaddam Mohammad Reza
Published: July 2019

Sodium sulfate‐induced deep eutectic solvent–based solidification of floating organic droplets–dispersive liquid phase microextraction was developed prior to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. In this method, a mixture of Na2SO4 solution (as phase separation agent and disperser) containing menthol–decanoic acid was rapidly injected into an alkaline aqueous solution containing Na2SO4. The solution was placed in an ice bath and the menthol–decanoic acid solvent was solidified on the surface of the solution. Under the optimal conditions, the enrichment factors and extraction recoveries were 122–147 and 74–89%, respectively. Finally, an aliquot of the collected organic phase was removed and mixed with acetonitrile and injected into the separation system. The limits of detection and lower limits of quantification were obtained at the ranges of 13–25 and 24–41 ng L−1, respectively. The relative standard deviations of the proposed method were ≤11% for intra‐ and inter‐day precisions at four concentrations.
Enhancing Protein A performance in mAb processing: A method to reduce and rapidly evaluate host cell DNA levels during primary clarification
Authors: Koehler Kenneth C. , Jokondo Zona , Narayan Janani , Voloshin Alexei M. , Castro‐Forero Angelines A.
Published: July 2019

The use and impact of 3M™ Emphaze™ AEX Hybrid Purifier, a single‐use, fully synthetic chromatographic product, was explored to reduce host cell DNA (HC‐DNA) concentration during the primary clarification of a monoclonal antibody (mAb). An approximately 5‐log reduction in HC‐DNA was achieved at an Emphaze AEX Hybrid Purifier throughput of 200 L/m2. The appreciable reduction in HC‐DNA achieved during primary clarification enhanced Protein A chromatography performance, resulting in a sharper and narrower elution profile. In addition, a 24× improvement in host cell protein (HCP) removal and fewer impurities nonspecifically bound to the Protein A column were observed compared to those resulting from the use of depth filtration for clarification. The use of a rapid, qualitative acidification assay to facilitate HC‐DNA monitoring was also investigated. This assay involves the acidification‐induced precipitation of HC‐DNA, enabling the easy and rapid detection of DNA breakthrough across purification media such as Emphaze AEX Hybrid Purifier by means of turbidimetric and particle size measurements.
Quercetin shows anti‐tumor effect in hepatocellular carcinoma LM3 cells by abrogating JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway
Authors: Wu Liwei , Li Jingjing , Liu Tong , Li Sainan , Feng Jiao , Yu Qiang , Zhang Jie , Chen Jiaojiao , Zhou Yuting , Ji Jie , Chen Kan , Mao Yuqing , Wang Fan , Dai Weiqi , Fan Xiaoming , Wu Jianye , Guo Chuanyong
Published: July 2019

Objective

Hepatocellular carcinima is one of the most common tumors in clinic and also one of the leading causes of death from cancer worldwide. Quercetin shows significant effects on blocking the development of various cancers.

Methods

We used the human hepatocellular carcinoma LM3 and nude mice tumor model to assess the effects of quercetin in hepatocellular carcinoma and clarify its mechanism of action. We collected LM3 cell line treated with different doses of quercetin at different time periods and determined the vital indexes. The liver tissues of mice were collected and used for western boltting (WB), Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) and TUNEL staining.

Results

Results indicated that quercetin suppressed the Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) growth both in vivo and in vitro. Quercetin could disturb LM3 cells proliferation and cell cycle distribution, thus inducing apoptosis. At the same time, quercetin inhibited LM3 cells migration and invasion and promoted HCC autophagy. These effects at least partly depended on the down‐regulation of the activation of JAK2 and STAT3 by quercetin.

Conclusion

Quercetin inhibited hepatocellular carcinoma progression by modulating cell apoptosis, migration, invasion, and autophagy; and its effects were at least partly related with the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.
Inverse association of Helicobacter pylori cagPAI genotypes with risk of cardia and non‐cardia gastric adenocarcinoma
Authors: Bakhti Seyedeh Zahra , Latifi‐Navid Saeid , Zahri Saber , Yazdanbod Abbas
Published: July 2019

Iran is a high‐risk country for cardia gastric adenocarcinoma (CGA) in Central Asia, with an incidence rate five times the average global rate, and shows a high infection rate for Helicobacter pylori (69%). The aim was to examine the associations of multiple H. pylori cagPAI genotypes (ie cagH, cagL, cagG, and orf17) with the risk of CGA, non‐CGA, and different histological types of GA in Iran. A large number of H. pylori strains (N = 336) were successfully cultured and genotyped. Histopathological evaluations were performed. The analysis showed an inverse association between the cagH+ genotype and the risk of CGA and intestinal‐type gastric adenocarcinoma (IGA) (adjusted ORs; 0.312 and 0.283, respectively), where the controls were nontumors. The orf17+ genotype decreased the risk of non‐CGA and diffuse‐type gastric adenocarcinoma (DGA)(adjusted ORs; 0.310 and 0.356, respectively). When the controls were those with nonatrophic gastritis, the cagG+ genotype was negatively associated with the risk of CGA, non‐CGA, IGA, and DGA (adjusted ORs; 0.324, 0.366, 0.306, and 0.303, respectively). We did not find such a significant association for the cagL+ genotype in multiple logistic regression analysis. Combination of the vacA c2 and cagPAI genotypes further decreased the risk estimates for GAs. This study showed the reverse association of H. pylori cagPAI genotypes—cagH+ and cagG+—with the risk of CGA in male patients aged ≥ 55 in Iran. Presence of the vacA c2 genotype in combination with cagPAI genotypes showed strong inverse associations with the risk of CGA and non‐CGA. These findings may reveal a coordinated relationship between the vacA c2 and cagPAI genotypes.
Selenoprotein M stimulates the proliferative and metastatic capacities of renal cell carcinoma through activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway
Authors: Jiang Hao , Shi Qian‐Qian , Ge Li‐Yuan , Zhuang Qian‐Feng , Xue Dong , Xu Hai‐Yan , He Xiao‐Zhou
Published: July 2019

High‐throughput sequencing methods have facilitated the identification of novel selenoproteins, which exert a vital role in the development and progression of tumor diseases. Recently, Selenoprotein M (SELM) is upregulated in several types of cancer. However, the biological roles of SELM in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remain unclear. In this paper, quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT‐PCR) and Western blot were used to measure relative levels of SELM in a cohort of RCC tissues with matched normal tissues as well as human RCC cell lines. SELM expression was found to be upregulated in RCC. High level of SELM was related to poor prognosis of RCC. Furthermore, silence of SELM could inhibit the in vitro proliferative, migratory, and invasive capacities of RCC. In addition, downregulated SELM could impede in vivo tumorigenesis of RCC. SELM could activate the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and mediate expressions of matrix metallopeptidase 2 and 9 (MMP2, MMP9). In conclusion, our study reveals the oncogenic function of SELM in RCC, and SELM may be a therapeutic and prognostic target for RCC.
Use of the Gore Viabahn VBX balloon‐expandable endoprosthesis in the congenital heart disease population
Authors: Cole Jason M. , Salavitabar Arash , Armstrong Aimee K. , Berman Darren P.
Published: July 2019

The Gore Viabahn VBX balloon‐expandable endoprosthesis (W. L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, AZ) is a flexible covered stent that is FDA‐approved for the treatment of iliac artery stenosis, including lesions at the aortic bifurcation. In this case series, we report the first use of the VBX covered stent in congenital heart disease, highlighting several of its unique advantages.
Transition Metal Catalyzed Reductive Cyclization Reactions of Nitroarenes and Nitroalkenes
Authors: Ferretti Francesco , Ramadan Doaa R. , Ragaini Fabio
Published: July 2019

Nitroarenes are the entry point for the production of most nitrogen‐containing aromatic compounds. Thus, any transformation that leads directly from them to the final product allows saving one or more synthetic steps. This review deals with homogeneously catalyzed reactions leading to the formation of N‐heterocyclic compounds from nitroarenes or nitroalkenes in one pot. Reactions that lead to the intermediate formation of amines are not considered. Carbon monoxide is the most often employed reductant because it allows selective reactions, is cheap, and only produces CO2 as stoichiometric byproduct. However, the difficulty in handling pressurized CO has stimulated in recent years the development of CO‐surrogates, that is molecules able to liberate CO during the reaction. The use of phosphines and diols has also been developed in conjunction with molybdenum catalysts. The review focusses in more detail on the literature in the period 2006–2018, but reference to earlier work is made when necessary to put recent results in a more general context.
Free‐Standing N‐doped Reduced Graphene Oxide Papers Decorated with Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: Stable Supercapacitor Electrodes
Authors: Beyazay Tugce , Oztuna F. Eylul Sarac , Unal Ozlem , Acar Havva Yagci , Unal Ugur
Published: July 2019

In this study, graphene oxide paper is obtained via vacuum‐assisted filtration of graphene oxide solution to prepare self‐standing electrodes for supercapacitors. Simultaneous reduction and N‐doping of graphene oxide paper are performed by chemical reduction followed by thermal annealing. Influence of different reduction techniques on the electrochemical properties of the self‐standing papers is investigated. N‐doped reduced graphene oxide papers are decorated with iron oxide nanoparticles to increase the energy density of the material. Increasing the amount of iron oxide nanoparticles in the composite paper results in enhanced capacitance. In the galvanostatic charge‐discharge measurements, iron oxide/N‐doped reduced graphene oxide electrode exhibits specific capacitance of 203 F g−1at 0.5 mA cm−2. This value is remarkable since the electrode has a high mass loading of 2 mg cm−2, which shows that the electrode can be used for practical purposes. Moreover, these electrodes operate in a wide potential window (1.6 V) and exhibit 79 % capacitance retention at 10000 cycles.