bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Silvanigrella
Authors: Hahn Martin W. , Pitt Alexandra
Published: July 2021

Sil.va.ni.grel'la. N.L. fem. dim. n.
Silvanigrella
named after
Silva nigra
the Latin geographic name of the Schwarzwald (Black Forest) mountains located in the south‐west of Germany.

Proteobacteria / Oligoflexia / Silvanigrellales / Silvanigrellaceae / Silvanigrella

The genus
Silvanigrella
accommodates heterotrophic freshwater bacteria isolated from the water column of circumneutral or slightly acidic (pH 5–7) lakes and ponds with low ion concentrations (conductivity < 30 μS/cm). So far, only the two species
Silvanigrella aquatica
and
Silvanigrella paludirubra
have been described. Cells of the type strains have in common red pigmentation, motility, and pleomorphic morphology. In both species, the cell morphology ranges from rod‐shaped cells to filamentous forms, the cell size is variable in length and width. The type strain of
S. aquatica
in addition forms, densely coiled spirals. The type strains of both species grow at temperatures above 30°C, but only the type strain of
S. paludirubra
grows at temperatures below 10°C. Growth occurred up to supplementary NaCl concentrations of 1.0–1.1% (w/v). Both type strains utilized various organic substrates including carbohydrates, amino acids, and short‐chain fatty acids; however, the substrate spectra of the two strains differed. The most abundant fatty acid was iso‐C
15:0
for both type strains, contributing 33% to the total fatty acid content. The major respiratory quinone of
S. paludirubra
is menaquinone MK‐8, while the quinones of
S. aquatica
remained unidentified. The type strains of
S. aquatica
and
S. paludirubra
were both characterized by medium‐sized genomes (3.5 and 3.9 Mb, respectively) with low G + C content (32.6 and 29.3 mol%, respectively).

DNA G + C content (mol%)
: 29–33 (genome sequencing).

Type species
:
Silvanigrella aquatica
Hahn et al. 2017
VP
.
A method for confirming a third‐party assay of I‐125 seeds used for prostate implants
Authors: Muryn John S. , Wilkinson D. Allan
Published: July 2021

The purpose of this work is to describe a method and apparatus that can be used to confirm the source strength of a large number of I‐125 seeds while maintaining sterility, accuracy, reproducibility, and time efficiency. Source strengths ranging from 0.395 to 0.504 U/seed were available for this study. Three different seed configurations were measured: loose, linked, and loaded needles. A third‐party 10% assay (NIST traceable) was provided. A custom stand was built out of aluminum to hold an exposure meter [Inovision (Fluke) 451P pressurized ion chamber] at 25 cm above the I‐125 sources to measure the exposure rate. The measurements were made in an operating room, and a sterile sheet was placed under the nonsterile aluminum stand on a sterile loading table. Seeds and needles were placed in a sterile tray for these measurements. Two hundred and six loose seeds in six batches (0.395, 0.395, 0.409, 0.444, 0.444, and 0.444 U/seed) and 1434 seeds in 10 batches containing various strands (0.444, 0.444, 0.444, 0.444, .0444, 0.466, 0.466, 0.504, and 0.504 U/seed) were measured. For the loose and stranded seeds, the average exposure rate per unit activity was measured to be 0.589 mR/h·U with a standard deviation of 0.017. Loaded needles were measured with an average exposure rate per unit activity to be 0.269 mR/h·U with a standard deviation of 0.014. We conclude that the method described here is capable of confirming a third‐party assay when performed on a large number of loose or stranded seeds in bulk. It is less reliable for preloaded needles.
Foaming Species and Trapping Mechanisms in Barium Silicate Glass Sealants
Authors: Müller Ralf , Behrens Harald , Agea-Blanco Boris , Reinsch Stefan , Wirth Thomas
Published: July 2021

Barium silicate glass powders 4 h milled in CO2 and Ar and sintered in air are studied with microscopy, total carbon analysis, differential thermal analysis (DTA), vacuum hot extraction mass spectroscopy (VHE‐MS), Fourier‐transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and time‐of‐flight secondary‐ion mass spectrometry (TOF−SIMS). Intensive foaming of powder compacts is evident, and VHE studies prove that foaming is predominantly caused by carbonaceous species for both milling gases. DTA shows that the decomposition of BaCO3 particles mix‐milled with glass powders occurs at similar temperatures as foaming of compacts. However, no carbonate at the glass surface could be detected by FTIR spectroscopy, XPS, and TOF−SIMS after heating to the temperature of sintering. Instead, CO2 molecules unable to rotate identified by FTIR spectroscopy after milling, probably trapped by mechanical dissolution into the glass bulk. Such a mechanism or microencapsulation in cracks and particle aggregates can explain the contribution of Ar to foaming after intense milling in Ar atmosphere. The amount of CO2 molecules and Ar, however, cannot fully explain the extent of foaming. Carbonates mechanically dissolved beneath the surface or encapsulated in cracks and micropores of particle aggregates are therefore probably the major foaming source.
Potential of Urochloa grass hybrids as fodder in the Ethiopian highlands
Authors: Worku Mesfin , Lemma Habtamu , Shawle Kassa , Adie Aberra , Duncan Alan J. , Jones Chris S. , Mekonnen Kindu , Notenbaert An , Bezabih Melkamu
Published: July 2021

Urochloa grasses have shownpromising results for smallholders to cope with feed shortages in tropical Africa. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of two Urochloa hybrids, Mulato‐I and Mulato‐II, in the Ethiopian highlands when managed under different plant spacing and harvesting stages. Treatments included three plant spacings for root splits (0.5 by 0.25 m, 0.5  by 0.5 m, and 0.75 by 0.75 m between rows and plants, respectively) and three harvesting stages: (a) 60 d of growth; (b) 90 d of growth corresponding to 50% bloom, and (c) 120 d of growth (corresponding to full bloom). Experimental plots were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications, and observations on the same established stands were made in two consecutive years. Varietal differences were observed in plant height (Mulato‐II: 42 cm; Mulato‐I: 72 cm), and herbage accumulation (Mulato‐II: 3.0 Mg dry matter [DM] ha–1; Mulato‐I: 10.6 Mg DM ha–1). Plant spacing also affected the above variables, but year of harvest influenced herbage accumulation. The rate of herbage accumulation tended to be constant, while that of crude protein (CP) declined and fiber concentration increased significantly with advancing maturity. Overall, the decline in quality at full bloom stage appears to be compensated by the greater herbage accumulation, suggesting that farmers can have enough time window to harvest the forages. While Mulato‐I was superior in herbage accumulation, Mulato‐II was found to be better in forage quality. The two grasses have potential to supply good quality forage provided proper management practices are applied.
Co(II)‐Catalyzed Oxidation of N,N‐Dimethylaminoethanol: An Efficient Synthesis of Unsymmetrical (2,4‐) and Symmetrical (2,6‐) Diarylpyridines through Annulation of Aromatic Ketones with a Nitrogen Source
Authors: Qin Zemin , Zhang Ruiqin , Ma Yongmin , Li Fanzhu
Published: July 2021

An efficient and facile synthesis of 2,4‐ and 2,6‐diarylpyridines has been developed. It involves one‐pot [2+2+1+1] pseudo four‐component annulation of aromatic ketones, a nitrogen source and a carbon donor. N,N‐Dimethylaminoethanol is oxidized in the presence of Co(II) to provide a carbon synthon. Two C−C and two C−N bonds are formed during the oxidative annulation process. The products are strictly controlled due to the steric hindrance: 2,4‐diarylpyridines are afforded effectively with small ketones while 2,6‐diaryl analogues predominate when bulky ketones are employed.
Anticoagulation therapy using unfractionated heparin at a therapeutic dose for coronavirus disease 2019 patients with severe pneumonia: a retrospective historical control study
Authors: Takayama Wataru , Endo Akira , Otomo Yasuhiro
Published: July 2021

Aim

Patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pneumonia often have complications of coagulopathy and thrombotic phenomena, which lead to high mortality. Whether administering systematic anticoagulant therapy is beneficial remains unclear. We report our experience using systemic anticoagulation with unfractionated heparin to treat severe COVID‐19.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective historical control study of severe COVID‐19 patients requiring mechanical ventilation who received prophylactic‐dose anticoagulation (April 1–May 25) or therapeutic‐dose anticoagulation (May 26–August 31) in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary emergency critical care medical center in Japan. The primary endpoints were in‐hospital mortality and anticoagulation therapy‐related adverse events. The secondary endpoints included thromboembolic events, administration of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), ventilator‐free days (VFDs), ICU‐free days, and the development of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.

Results

A total of 29 and 33 patients were in the prophylactic‐dose and therapeutic‐dose groups, respectively. Background characteristics between the groups were not significantly different, although the therapeutic‐dose group had a significantly lower in‐hospital mortality rate [5 (17.2%) patients versus 0 (0.0%) patients; P = 0.033] and longer ICU‐free days (median [interquartile range]: 15 days [13–18] versus 5 days [0–13]; P = 0.008). Hemorrhagic‐events did not occur during the study period. Compared with the prophylactic‐dose group, the therapeutic‐dose group tended to have longer VFDs, was not treated with ECMO, and did not experience thromboembolic events and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome; however, the difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Therapeutic‐dose anticoagulation may be beneficial for patients with severe COVID‐19 pneumonia requiring mechanical ventilation.
Temporal Control over Two‐ and Three‐State Living Coordinative Chain Transfer Polymerization for Modulating the Molecular Weight Distribution Profile of Polyolefins
Authors: Wallace Mark A. , Sita Lawrence R.
Published: July 2021

A highly versatile new strategy for manipulating the molecular weight profiles, including breadth, asymmetry (skewness) and modal nature (mono‐, bi‐, and multimodal), of a variety of different polyolefins is reported. It involves temporal control over two‐ and three‐state living coordinative chain transfer polymerization (LCCTP) of olefins in a programmable way. By changing the identity of the R′ groups of the chain transfer agent, ER′n, with time, different populations of chains within a bi‐ or multimodal polyolefin product can be selectively tagged with different end‐groups. By changing the nature of the main‐group metal of the CTA, programmed manipulation of the relative magnitudes of the dispersities of the different maxima that make up the final MWD profile can be achieved. This strategy can be implemented with existing LCCTP materials and conventional reactor methods to provide access to scalable and practical quantities of an unlimited array of new polyolefin materials.
Probing the Paradigm of Promiscuity for N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes and their Protein Adduct Formation
Authors: Sullivan Matthew P. , Cziferszky Monika , Tolbatov Iogann , Truong Dianna , Mercadante Davide , Re Nazzareno , Gust Ronald , Goldstone David C. , Hartinger Christian G.
Published: July 2021

Metal complexes can be considered a “paradigm of promiscuity” when it comes to their interactions with proteins. They often form adducts with a variety of donor atoms in an unselective manner. We have characterized the adducts formed between a series of isostructural N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes with Ru, Os, Rh, and Ir centers and the model protein hen egg white lysozyme by X‐ray crystallography and mass spectrometry. Distinctive behavior for the metal compounds was observed with the more labile Ru and Rh complexes targeting mainly a surface l‐histidine moiety through cleavage of p‐cymene or NHC co‐ligands, respectively. In contrast, the more inert Os and Ir derivatives were detected abundantly in an electronegative binding pocket after undergoing ligand exchange of a chlorido ligand for an amino acid side chain. Computational studies supported the binding profiles and hinted at the role of the protein microenvironment for metal complexes eliciting selectivity for specific binding sites on the protein.
Configuration Sampling With Five‐Membered AtropisomericP,N‐Ligands
Authors: Dahiya Gaurav , Pappoppula Mukesh , Aponick Aaron
Published: July 2021

Here we report a strategy for the systematic variation of atropisomeric C1‐symmetric P,N ligands to incrementally change the position of the groups within the chiral pocket without modifying their steric parameters. More specifically, the effects of systematic modification of the nitrogen heterocycle in atropisomeric C1‐symmetric stack ligands have been investigated in this study. The versatility and applicability of this approach has been demonstrated in mechanistically distinct catalytic enantioselective transformations, resulting in the identification of a P,N‐ligand for a highly enantioselective synthesis of organoboranes.
Chiral Mesostructured BiOBr Films with Circularly Polarized Colour Response
Authors: Ding Kun , Ai Jing , Deng Quanzheng , Huang Bin , Zhou Chao , Duan Tianwei , Duan Yingying , Han Lu , Jiang Jingang , Che Shunai
Published: July 2021

Achieving strong and broadband circularly polarized colour responses in chiral inorganic materials is challenging. Here, we fabricated chiral mesostructured bismuth oxybromide (BiOBr) films (CMBFs) via hydrothermal growth using chiral sugar alcohols as symmetry‐breaking agents. The layered slabs of BiOBr crystals with weak van‐der‐Waals interactions are prone to mismatching due to the chiral driving force, resulting in hierarchically chiral arrangements of fine size. Three levels of chirality exist in the CMBFs: primary, helical distortion crystal lattices of a nanoflake, secondary, helical stacking of nanoflakes to form nanoplates, and tertiary, chiral vortexes arranged by nanoplates. The CMBFs displayed optical activities (OAs) over a wide wavelength range of 350–2500 nm with an anisotropic factor of up to 0.99, which led to a significant chirality‐dependent colour response to circularly polarized light. The high selectivity can be considered as the result of enhanced resonance due to structural‐handedness matching and the synergistic effect of multiple OAs.
Highly Reversible Aqueous Zinc Batteries enabled by Zincophilic–Zincophobic Interfacial Layers and Interrupted Hydrogen‐Bond Electrolytes
Authors: Cao Longsheng , Li Dan , Soto Fernando A. , Ponce Victor , Zhang Bao , Ma Lu , Deng Tao , Seminario Jorge M. , Hu Enyuan , Yang Xiao‐Qing , Balbuena Perla B. , Wang Chunsheng
Published: July 2021

Aqueous Zn batteries promise high energy density but suffer from Zn dendritic growth and poor low‐temperature performance. Here, we overcome both challenges by using an eutectic 7.6 m ZnCl2 aqueous electrolyte with 0.05 m SnCl2 additive, which in situ forms a zincophilic/zincophobic Sn/Zn5(OH)8Cl2⋅H2O bilayer interphase and enables low temperature operation. Zincophilic Sn decreases Zn plating/stripping overpotential and promotes uniform Zn plating, while zincophobic Zn5(OH)8Cl2⋅H2O top‐layer suppresses Zn dendrite growth. The eutectic electrolyte has a high ionic conductivity of ≈0.8 mS cm−1 even at −70 °C due to the distortion of hydrogen bond network by solvated Zn2+ and Cl−. The eutectic electrolyte enables Zn∥Ti half‐cell a high Coulombic efficiency (CE) of >99.7 % for 200 cycles and Zn∥Zn cell steady charge/discharge for 500 h with a low overpotential of 8 mV at 3 mA cm−2. Practically, Zn∥VOPO4 batteries maintain >95 % capacity with a CE of >99.9 % for 200 cycles at −50 °C, and retain ≈30 % capacity at −70 °C of that at 20 °C.
Chiral V‐shaped Pyrenes: Hexagonal Packing, Superhelix, and Amplified Chiroptical Performance
Authors: Hu Song , Hu Liangyu , Zhu Xuefeng , Wang Yuan , Liu Minghua
Published: July 2021

Here, we designed symmetric and dissymmetric chiral V‐shaped pyrenes by linking achiral pyrenes totrans‐1,2‐cyclohexane diamine scaffolds with varied spacers to investigate their circular dichroism (CD) and circularly polarized excimer emission (CPEE). In molecular solution, the symmetric V‐shaped molecules (P1,P2,P3) displayed spacer‐dependent CD and CPEE originating from the intramolecular excimers while the dissymmetric V‐shapedBwas silent in CD and CPEE. Upon self‐assembly, the chiral V‐shaped conformation guided a helical hexagonal packing. Notably,P1self‐assembled into delicate superhelices with optimum chiroptical activities and the largestgCDfor pyrene derivatives to date. The dissymmetricBformed two distinct hexagonal aggregates as twists and rectangular nanotubes with greatly amplified CPEE. This work demonstrates unprecedented hexagonal superhelices from chiral V‐shaped scaffolds and provides a deep insight into the relationship between molecular conformation, supramolecular architectures, and their chiroptical performance.
Identification of the differences in olfactory system between male and female oriental tobacco budworm Helicoverpa assulta
Authors: Li Haichao , Li Weizheng , Miao Changjian , Wang Gaoping , Zhao Man , Yuan Guohui , Guo Xianru
Published: July 2021

The olfactory system of insects facilitates their search for host and mates, hence it plays an essential role for insect survival and reproduction. Insects recognize odor substances through olfactory neurons and olfactory genes. Previous studies showed that there are significant sex‐specific differences in how insects identify odorant substances, especially sex pheromones. However, whether the sex‐specific recognition of odorant substances is caused by differences in the expression of olfaction‐related genes between males and females remains unclear. To clarify this problem, the whole transcriptome sequence of the adult Helicoverpa assulta, an important agricultural pest of tobacco and other Solanaceae plants, was obtained using Pacbio sequencing. RNA‐seq analysis showed that there were 27 odorant binding proteins (OBPs), 24 chemosensory proteins, 4 pheromone‐binding proteins (PBPs), 68 odorant receptors and 2 sensory neuron membrane proteins (SNMPs) genes, that were expressed in the antennae of male and female H. assulta. Females had significantly higher expression of General odorant‐binding protein 1‐like, OBP, OBP3, PBP3 and SNMP1 than males, while males had significantly higher expression of GOBP1, OBP7, OBP13, PBP2 and SNMP2. These results improve our understanding of mate search and host differentiation in H. assulta.
Protective effect of a reverse membrane bioreactor against toluene and naphthalene in anaerobic digestion
Authors: Chandolias Konstantinos , Sugianto Laurenz Alan Ricardo , Izazi Nurina , Millati Ria , Wikandari Rachma , Ylitervo Päivi , Niklasson Claes , Taherzadeh Mohammad J.
Published: July 2021

Raw syngas contains tar contaminants including toluene and naphthalene, which inhibit its conversion to methane. Cell encasement in a hydrophilic reverse membrane bioreactor (RMBR) could protect the cells from hydrophobic contaminants. This study aimed to investigate the inhibition of toluene and naphthalene and the effect of using RMBR. In this work, toluene and naphthalene were added at concentrations of 0.5–1.0 and 0.1–0.2 g/L in batch operation. In continuous operation, concentration of 0–6.44 g/L for toluene and 0–1.28 g/L for naphthalene were studied. The results showed that no inhibition was observed in batch operation for toluene and naphthalene at concentrations up to 1 and 0.2 g/L, respectively. In continuous operation of free cell bioreactors (FCBRs), inhibition of toluene and naphthalene started at 2.05 and 0.63 g/L, respectively. When they were present simultaneously, inhibition of toluene and naphthalene occurred at concentrations of 3.14 and 0.63 g/L, respectively. In continuous RMBRs, no inhibition for toluene and less inhibition for naphthalene were observed, resulting in higher methane production from RMBR than that of FCBR. These results indicated that RMBR system gave a better protection effect against inhibitors compared with FCBR.
Enhancing Electrocatalytic Production of H2O2 by Modulating Coordination Environment of Cobalt Center
Authors: Wu Guoling , Yang Zhongjie , Zhang Tianlin , Sun Yali , Long Chang , Song Yaru , Lei Shengbin , Tang Zhiyong
Published: July 2021

As an environmentally friendly oxidant, H2O2 is widely utilized in various fields; however, its production methods remain limited to the chemical anthraquinone process. Alternatively, electrocatalytic oxygen reduction possesses numerous notable advantages (e.g., cost‐effectiveness, small‐scale, and distributed nature). As electrocatalytic oxygen reduction has been widely investigated in the fields of fuel cells and metal‐air batteries, the mechanism of the 2e−‐ORR pathway for producing H2O2 is not sufficiently clear. Herein, we explore the effect of the cobalt (Co) coordination environment on the electrochemical production of H2O2. The detailed investigation on N‐, P‐, and S‐coordinated Co catalysts (Co1N1N3, Co1P1N3, and Co1S1N3) demonstrates that changing the coordination environment evidently affects the H2O2 selectivity, and the S‐coordinated Co exhibits the best catalytic performance. This finding would lead to the design and selection of catalysts at atomic level for producing H2O2 via electrocatalytic oxygen reduction.
Comparison between four published definitions of hyposmia in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Kanavou Sofia , Pitz Vanessa , Lawton Michael A. , Malek Naveed , Grosset Katherine A. , Morris Huw R. , Ben‐Shlomo Yoav , Grosset Donald G.
Published: July 2021

Objectives

Hyposmia is a common feature of Parkinson's disease (PD), yet there is no standard method to define it. A comparison of four published methods was performed to explore and highlight differences.

Materials and methods

Olfactory testing was performed in 2097 cases of early PD in two prospective studies. Olfaction was assessed using various cut‐offs, usually corrected by age and/or gender. Control data were simulated based on the age and gender structure of the PD cases and published normal ranges. Association with age, gender, and disease duration was explored by method and study cohort. Prevalence of hyposmia was compared with the age and gender‐matched simulated controls. Between method agreement was measured using Cohen's kappa and Gwet's AC1.

Results

Hyposmia was present in between 69.1% and 97.9% of cases in Tracking Parkinson's cases, and between 62.2% and 90.8% of cases in the Parkinson's Progression Marker Initiative, depending on the method. Between‐method agreement varied (kappa 0.09–0.80, AC1 0.55–0.86). The absolute difference between PD cases and simulated controls was similar for men and women across methods. Age and male gender were positively associated with hyposmia (p < .001, all methods). Odds of having hyposmia increased with advancing age (OR:1.06, 95% CI:1.03, 1.10, p < .001). Longer disease duration had a negative impact on overall olfactory performance.

Conclusions

Different definitions of hyposmia give different results using the same dataset. A standardized definition of hyposmia in PD is required, adjusting for age and gender, to account for the background decline in olfactory performance with ageing, especially in men.
Estimating the risk of developing secondary hematologic malignancies in patients with T1/T2 prostate cancer undergoing diverse treatment modalities: A large population‐based study
Authors: Mo Xiaofei , Zhou Mingge , Yan Hui , Chen Xueqin , Wang Yuetao
Published: July 2021

Background

Patients with prostate cancer (PC) are at a high risk of developing secondary hematologic malignancies (SHMs) after radiation therapy (RT), while no study has assessed the relationship of different treatment modalities with the occurrence of SHMs after PC at early stage. This study aimed to investigate the risks of developing SHMs in patients with T1/T2 PC undergoing different treatment modalities.

Methods

Patients with T1/T2 PC were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Competing risk regression (CRR) model was performed to evaluate the hazard ratios (HRs) of developing SHMs. As SHMs scarcely occur, the relative risk (RR) analysis was employed to compare the risks of different treatment modalities associating with the development of SHMs.

Results

The CRR analysis showed that undergoing RT was associated with a higher risk of developing SHMs (external beam radiation therapy [EBRT]: HR = 1.21, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.10–1.34; radioactive implant [RI]: HR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.06–1.36). As for different types of SHMs, EBRT, and RI were correlated with decreased risks of developing CLL (RR = 0.67, 0.72; 95% CI: 0.53–0.85, 0.54–0.96, respectively), but with the increased risks of developing NHL (RR = 1.18, 1.23; 95% CI: 1.02–1.35, 1.05–1.44, respectively); EBRT also showed increased risks of developing acute/ chronic myeloid leukemia (AML/CML, RR = 1.54, 1.56; 95% CI: 1.16–2.03,1.05–2.33, respectively); No increased risk of developing SHMs was detected in patients who only underwent prostatectomy.

Conclusions

Although RT was found to be associated with the increased risks of developing SHMs in patients with T1/T2 PC, this finding cannot be extended to diverse types of SHMs. RT was correlated with the increased risks of the development of NHL, AML, and CML, but with the decreased risk of developing CLL. Prostatectomy did not increase the risk of developing SHMs.
Core Steps to the Azaphilone Family of Fungal Natural Products
Authors: Williams Katherine , Greco Claudio , Bailey Andrew M. , Willis Christine L.
Published: July 2021

Azaphilones are a family of polyketide‐based fungal natural products that exhibit interesting and useful bioactivities. This minireview explores the literature on various characterised azaphilone biosynthetic pathways, which allows for a proposed consensus scheme for the production of the core azaphilone structure, as well as identifying early diversification steps during azaphilone biosynthesis. A consensus understanding of the core enzymatic steps towards a particular family of fungal natural products can aid in genome‐mining experiments. Genome mining for novel fungal natural products is a powerful technique for both exploring chemical space and providing new insights into fungal natural product pathways.
Triazolyl‐Functionalized N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Half‐Sandwich Compounds: Coordination Mode, Reactivity and in vitro Anticancer Activity
Authors: Tong Kelvin K. H. , Hanif Muhammad , Movassaghi Sanam , Sullivan Matthew P. , Lovett James H. , Hummitzsch Katja , Söhnel Tilo , Jamieson Stephen M. F. , Bhargava Suresh K. , Harris Hugh H. , Hartinger Christian G.
Published: July 2021

We report investigations on the anticancer activity of organometallic [MII/III(η6‐p‐cymene/η5‐pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)] (M=Ru, Os, Rh, and Ir) complexes of N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) substituted with a triazolyl moiety. Depending on the precursors, the NHC ligands displayed either mono‐ or bidentate coordination via the NHC carbon atom or as N,C‐donors. The metal complexes were investigated for their stability in aqueous solution, with the interpretation supported by density functional theory calculations, and reactivity to biomolecules. In vitro cytotoxicity studies suggested that the nature of both the metal center and the lipophilicity of the ligand determine the biological properties of this class of compounds. The IrIII complex 5 d bearing a benzimidazole‐derived ligand was the most cytotoxic with an IC50 value of 10 μM against NCI‐H460 non‐small cell lung carcinoma cells. Cell uptake and distribution studies using X‐ray fluorescence microscopy revealed localization of 5 d in the cytoplasm of cancer cells.
Density, parasitism, and sexual reproduction are strongly correlated in lake Daphnia populations
Authors: Gowler Camden D. , Rogalski Mary A. , Shaw Clara L. , Hunsberger Katherine K. , Duffy Meghan A.
Published: July 2021

Many organisms can reproduce both asexually and sexually. For cyclical parthenogens, periods of asexual reproduction are punctuated by bouts of sexual reproduction, and the shift from asexual to sexual reproduction has large impacts on fitness and population dynamics. We studied populations of Daphnia dentifera to determine the amount of investment in sexual reproduction as well as the factors associated with variation in investment in sex. To do so, we tracked host density, infections by nine different parasites, and sexual reproduction in 15 lake populations of D. dentifera for 3 years. Sexual reproduction was seasonal, with male and ephippial female production beginning as early as late September and generally increasing through November. However, there was substantial variation in the prevalence of sexual individuals across populations, with some populations remaining entirely asexual throughout the study period and others shifting almost entirely to sexual females and males. We found strong relationships between density, prevalence of infection, parasite species richness, and sexual reproduction in these populations. However, strong collinearity between density, parasitism, and sexual reproduction means that further work will be required to disentangle the causal mechanisms underlying these relationships.
Experimental and simulation study of power performance improvement of GaN PIN betavoltaic cell
Authors: Kim Dong‐Seok , Yoon Young Jun , Lee Jae Sang , Kang In Man , Lee Jung‐Hee
Published: July 2021

We have demonstrated the gallium nitride (GaN)‐based betavoltaic (BV) cells with PN and PIN junction to investigate the relationship between the intrinsic GaN (i‐GaN) layer and power performance of BV cells. A short‐circuit current (ISC) and an open‐circuit voltage (VOC) of the fabricated BV cells were evaluated by using an electron‐beam (e‐beam) irradiation. The cell with PIN junction exhibited an improved ISC and VOC compared to the cell with PN junction. This is because the additional 200 nm‐thick i‐GaN layer extends the depletion region of BV cell, resulting in improved charge collection. When a 17 kV e‐beam irradiated into the fabricated GaN PIN BV cell, the device exhibited an ISC of 1.86 μA, a VOC of 2.23 V, a maximum output power (Pmax.out) of 2.74 μW, and a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 4.5%, respectively. This PCE is the best value among GaN BV cell researches using 17 keV e‐beam irradiation. To study a role of i‐GaN layer in PIN BV cell, the technology computer‐aided design (TCAD) simulator was implemented. The effect of layer thickness and native defects in GaN material on the power performance of BV cell was evaluated. The power performance of PIN BV cell was degraded by introducing native defects in layers due to an increase of recombination rate. The BV cell with 500 nm‐thick i‐GaN layer exhibited better power performance when the electrons with average energy of Ni‐63 irradiated into device because the maximum absorption rate of electrons was well positioned in the depletion region. The experimental and simulated results showed that the introduction of i‐GaN layer and the optimization of parameters such as thickness and crystalline quality were important to improve the power performance of BV cells.
Estimating flow resistance in steep slope rills
Authors: Di Stefano Costanza , Nicosia Alessio , Palmeri Vincenzo , Pampalone Vincenzo , Ferro Vito
Published: July 2021

Recent research recognized that the slope of 18% can be used to distinguish between the ‘gentle slope’ case and that of ‘steep slope’ for the detected differences in hydraulic variables (flow depth, velocity, Reynolds number, Froude number) and those representatives of sediment transport (flow transport capacity, actual sediment load). In this paper, using previous measurements carried out in mobile bed rills and flume experiments characterized by steep slopes (i.e., slope greater than or equal to 18%), a theoretical rill flow resistance equation to estimate the Darcy‐Weisbach friction factor is tested. The main aim is to deduce a relationship between the velocity profile parameter Γ, the channel slope, the Reynolds number, the Froude number and the textural classes using a data base characterized by a wide range of hydraulic conditions, plot or flume slope (18%–84%) and textural classes (clay ranging from 3% to 71%). The obtained relationship is also tested using 47 experimental runs carried out in the present investigation with mobile bed rills incised in a 18%—sloping plot with a clay loam soil and literature data. The analysis demonstrated that: (1) the soil texture affects the estimate of the Γ parameter and the theoretical flow resistance law (Equation 25), (2) the proposed Equation (25) fits well the independent measurements of the testing data base, (3) the estimate of the Darcy‐Weisbach friction factor is affected by the soil particle detachability and transportability and (4) the Darcy‐Weisbach friction factor is linearly related to the rill slope.
Superporous agarose scaffolds for encapsulation of adult human islets and human stem‐cell‐derived β cells for intravascular bioartificial pancreas applications
Authors: Shaheen Rebecca , Gurlin Rachel E. , Gologorsky Rebecca , Blaha Charles , Munnangi Pujita , Santandreu Ana , Torres Alonso , Carnese Phichitpol , Nair Gopika G. , Szot Gregory , Fissell William H. , Hebrok Matthias , Roy Shuvo
Published: July 2021

Type 1 diabetic patients with severe hypoglycemia unawareness have benefitted from cellular therapies, such as pancreas or islet transplantation; however, donor shortage and the need for immunosuppression limits widespread clinical application. We previously developed an intravascular bioartificial pancreas (iBAP) using silicon nanopore membranes (SNM) for immunoprotection. To ensure ample nutrient delivery, the iBAP will need a cell scaffold with high hydraulic permeability to provide mechanical support and maintain islet viability and function. Here, we examine the feasibility of superporous agarose (SPA) as a potential cell scaffold in the iBAP. SPA exhibits 66‐fold greater hydraulic permeability than the SNM along with a short (<10 μm) diffusion distance to the nearest islet. SPA also supports short‐term functionality of both encapsulated human islets and stem‐cell‐derived enriched β‐clusters in a convection‐based system, demonstrated by high viability (>95%) and biphasic insulin responses to dynamic glucose stimulus. These findings suggest that the SPA scaffold will not limit nutrient delivery in a convection‐based bioartificial pancreas and merits continued investigation.
Flunarizine inhibits osteoclastogenesis by regulating calcium signaling and promotes osteogenesis
Authors: Kim Hyun Jin , Lee Jiae , Lee Gong‐Rak , Kim Narae , Lee Hye In , Kwon Minjeong , Kim Nam Young , Park Jin Ha , Kang Ye Hee , Song Hyeong Ju , Kim TaeSoo , Shin Dong Min , Jeong Woojin
Published: July 2021

Many bone diseases such as osteoporosis and periodontitis are caused by hyperactivation of osteoclasts. Calcium (Ca2+) signals are crucial for osteoclast differentiation and function. Thus, the blockade of Ca2+ signaling may be a strategy for regulating osteoclast activity and has clinical implications. Flunarizine (FN) is a Ca2+ channel antagonist that has been used for reducing migraines. However, the role of FN in osteoclast differentiation and function remains unknown. Here, we investigated whether FN regulates osteoclastogenesis and elucidated the molecular mechanism. FN inhibited osteoclast differentiation along with decreased expression of nuclear factor of activated T cells, cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1), and attenuated osteoclast maturation and bone resorption. FN inhibition of osteoclast differentiation was restored by ectopic expression of constitutively active NFATc1. FN reduced calcium oscillations and its inhibition of osteoclast differentiation and resorption function was reversed by ionomycin, an ionophore that binds Ca2+. FN also inhibited Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase IV (CaMKIV) and calcineurin leading to a decrease in the cAMP‐responsive element‐binding protein‐dependent cFos and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ coactivator 1β expression, and NFATc1 nuclear translocation. These results indicate that FN inhibits osteoclastogenesis via regulating CaMKIV and calcineurin as a Ca2+ channel blocker. In addition, FN‐induced apoptosis in osteoclasts and promoted osteogenesis. Furthermore, FN protected lipopolysaccharide‐ and ovariectomy‐induced bone destruction in mouse models, suggesting that it has therapeutic potential for treating inflammatory bone diseases and postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Maternal separation impairs mother's cognition 1 month beyond the separation
Authors: Joushi Sara , Sheibani Vahid , Esmaeilpour Khadijeh , Francis‐Oliveira José , Taherizadeh Zahra , Mohtashami Borzadaran Fatemeh
Published: July 2021

Objective

Separation of pups from their dam during the infancy not only has detrimental effects on the pups' brain but also affects dams' behavior. Postpartum stress may affect mothers' cognitive functions. In the present study, by using a 180‐min day−1 maternal separation (MS) paradigm, we assessed anxiety‐like behavior and locomotor activity of rat dams which experienced separation from postnatal day (PND) 1 until weaning. We tried for the first time to clarify whether such separation impairs dam's performance in the Morris water maze.

Method

We assessed dams' behavior at three time points: 24 h, 1 week, and 1 month after weaning. Therefore, the six groups consisted of control (CTRL) 24 h, 1 week, and 1 month and MS 24 h, 1 week, and 1 month, which was allocated in this study.

Results

Our results revealed that although MS‐24 h and MS‐1 week groups had intact locomotor activity, MS‐1 month group showed less locomotor activity in the open field. Moreover, MS‐induced anxiety‐like behavior was more pronounced in MS‐1 week and MS‐1 month dams. Spatial learning and memory was also impaired only in MS‐1 month dams.

Conclusion

We can conclude that MS induces cognitive impairments in dam that may appear not immediately after the separation but a few weeks after such stressful event.
Morphological and elemental evaluation of biochar through analytical techniques and its combined effect along with plant growth promoting rhizobacteria on Vicia faba L. under induced drought stress
Authors: Nafees Muhammad , Ullah Sami , Ahmed Iftikhar
Published: July 2021

Drought is a persistent and complex natural vulnerability whose rate and extent of recurrence are expected to increase with climate change. Regardless of the progress made in responding and adapting to water scarcity, drought stress causes severe afflictions. Therefore, the present study has been accomplished in Department of Botany, University of Peshawar to investigate the effect of biochar and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) Cellulomonas pakistanensis (NCCP11) and Sphingobacterium pakistanensis (NCCP246) on Vicia faba under drought stress. Two varieties of seeds Desi (V1) and Pulista (V2) were obtained from Cereal Crop Research Institute (CCRI) Nowshera, sown in earthen pots in triplicate filled with 3 kg soil and sand (2:1) and biochar (0 and 5% w/w). Scanning electron microscopy of biochar showed porous nature and energy dispersive x‐ray spectroscopy spectroscopy showed C, Ca, Mg, and Na elemental composition. Germination parameters including germination energy (GE), Timson germination index (TGI), germination index (GI), and water use efficiency (WUE) were amplified to 28.04, 19.17, 25.72, and 43.62% in V1, respectively, and 14.38, 16.66, 19.79, and 41.50% in V2 respectively, by the co‐application of biochar and PGPR. Agronomical attributes including, fresh and dry weight of leaves, root, and shoot were significantly reduced, which were positively ameliorated by 28.57, 36.36, 16, 10.47, 14.28, and 10%, respectively, by the application of biochar and PGPR especially by NCCP246 in combination as well as individually. It has been concluded that, adversities of drought significantly condensed with the application of biochar and PGPR, which may be important in agricultural practices carried out in water‐deficient regions.
The isomorphism theorem for linear fragments of continuous logic
Authors: Bagheri Seyed‐Mohammad
Published: July 2021

The ultraproduct construction is generalized to p‐ultramean constructions () by replacing ultrafilters with finitely additive measures. These constructions correspond to the linear fragments of continuous logic and are very close to the constructions in real analysis. A powermean variant of the Keisler‐Shelah isomorphism theorem is proved for . It is then proved that ‐sentences (and their approximations) are exactly those sentences of continuous logic which are preserved by such constructions. Some other applications are also given.
A note on an alternative Gentzenization of RW+∘
Authors: Ilić Mirjana
Published: July 2021

In our paper [3], a sequent system for the contraction‐less positive relevant logic with co‐tenability, , is considered. Its sequent system with the rule of cut, which does not involve the truth constant t, is presented, and the proof that it admits the elimination of cut is given. However, in the proof of the cut‐elimination theorem some forms of proofs, which may cause difficulties for the cut‐elimination argument, are not considered. The purpose of this paper is to present them and to re‐prove that admits the elimination of cut.
„Es geht nicht darum, Meinungen abzufragen“
Authors: Remenyi Christian
Published: July 2021

Die Chemikerin und Youtuberin Mai Thi Nguyen‐Kim erklärte sich mit ihren Videos in kurzer Zeit an die Spitze der deutschsprachigen Wissenschaftskommunikation. Die Nachrichten aus der Chemie sprachen mit ihr über ihren Anspruch, über Evidenz und darüber, ob sie das Labor noch manchmal vermisst.
Laborautomatisierung: Eine Substanz unter vielen
Authors: Ehrensberger Christian
Published: July 2021

Ob es um neue Arzneimittel oder aussagekräftige Biomarker geht – im ersten Schritt gilt es häufig, ein Vielstoffgemisch zu untersuchen. Hier bietet sich die Kombination von NMR und LC‐MS an sowie eine automatische Datenverarbeitung.
Tumore abbilden, Biomarker nachweisen, Messungen standardisieren
Authors: Resch‐Genger Ute
Published: July 2021

Zu den am häufigsten eingesetzten Analysemethoden in den Lebens‐ und Materialwissenschaften gehören Lumineszenzmethoden. Sie nutzen die Emission von Licht nach Absorption von Energie, um Signale zu erzeugen, und umfassen spektroskopische und mikroskopische Messungen.
Ziel: weniger Studienabbrecher
Authors: Zbikowski Frauke
Published: July 2021

Hochschulen erhalten Geld, um den Studieneinstieg zu verbessern.
Differences in levels of psychological distress, perceived safety, trust, and efficacy amongst hospital personnel during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Nissan Daniel , Weiss Gali , Siman‐Tov Maya , Spitz Ahuva , Bodas Moran , Shenhar Gilead , Adini Bruria
Published: July 2021

The COVID‐19 pandemic poses significant challenges to healthcare systems worldwide. A key consideration is the adverse psychological impact on healthcare workers (HCWs). This study aimed to investigate the variable levels of psychological distress, perceived safety, trust, and self‐ and collective‐efficacy during the COVID‐19 crisis amongst varied HCWs. A survey was disseminated to nurses, physicians, interns, and administrative and logistical staff at an acute‐care hospital in Israel during the first wave of COVID‐19. The survey consisted of items on a 5‐point Likert scale, measuring HCW's perceptions concerning the aforementioned variables as well as demographic information. A total of 716 hospital personnel completed the survey. Nurses reported higher levels of psychological distress and lower levels of trust in the hospital's COVID‐19 guidelines compared to physicians (2.3 vs. 2.0 and 3.7 vs. 4.0, respectively). Nurses and interns felt the least safe when working in the hospital. Nurses reported the highest levels of concern regarding fear of uncontrollable spread, infection, and family transmission of the virus. Interns reported the lowest levels of self‐ and collective‐efficacy. In a regression model, the variables that predicted 32% of distress among nurses were age, gender, level of religiosity, indices of perceived safety, and self‐efficacy. This study demonstrated differences in distress and perceived safety, trust, and efficacy between varied HCWs during COVID‐19. This variability should be considered when designing policies to protect HCWs’ wellbeing during future pandemics.
Sunitinib and Evofosfamide (TH-302) in Systemic Treatment-Naïve Patients with Grade 1/2 Metastatic Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors: The GETNE-1408 Trial
Authors: Grande Enrique , Rodriguez-Antona Cristina , López Carlos , Alonso-Gordoa Teresa , Benavent Marta , Capdevila Jaume , Teulé Alex , Custodio Ana , Sevilla Isabel , Hernando Jorge , Gajate Pablo , Molina-Cerrillo Javier , Díez Juan José , Santos María , Lanillos Javier , García-Carbonero Rocío
Published: July 2021

Background

Sunitinib (SUN)-induced hypoxia within the tumor could promote the activation of the prodrug evofosfamide (EVO), locally releasing the cytotoxic DNA alkylator bromo-isophosphoramide mustard. SUNEVO, a phase II, open-label, single-arm trial, investigated the potential synergy of SUN plus EVO in advanced progressive pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (panNETs).

Methods

Systemic treatment-naïve patients with advanced or metastatic, unresectable, grade 1/2 panNETs with a Ki67 ≤20%, received EVO 340 mg/m2 on days 8, 15, and 22 every 4 weeks and sunitinib 37.5 mg/day continuously. The primary endpoint was objective response rate, measured every 8 weeks by RECIST version 1.1.

Results

From 2015 to 2018, 17 patients were enrolled. The median age was 62.4 years, 47% had a Ki67 >10%, and 70.6% had liver metastasis. Patients received a median of five and four cycles of SUN and EVO, respectively. After a median follow-up of 15.7 months, 17.6% of patients achieved a complete (n = 1) or partial response (n = 2), and 11 patients had stable disease (64.7%). The median progression-free survival was 10.4 months (95% confidence interval, 2.6–18.0). Treatment-related adverse events (grade ≥3) were observed in 64.7% of the patients, the most frequent being neutropenia (35.3%), fatigue (17.6%), and thrombopenia (11.8%). Treatment discontinuation due to toxicity was reported in 88.2% of the patients. No correlation was found between treatment response and DAXX, ATRX, MEN1, SETD2, and PTEN gene mutations.

Conclusion

SUN plus EVO had a negative toxicity profile that should be taken into account for further clinical research in advanced panNETs. The combination showed moderate activity in terms of treatment response that did not correlate with somatic mutations. (Clinical trial identification number: NCT02402062)

Implications for Practice

Addition of hypoxia-activated prodrugs has been proposed as a potential mechanism to overcome tumor resistance to antiangiogenic agents. Sunitinib and evofosfamide, which were widely proposed as a potential synergistic option, showed modest efficacy in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (panNETs), reaching a median objective response rate of 17.6% and median progression-free survival of 10.4 months. Treatment response does not correlate with the biomarkers analyzed. The high systemic toxicity, with 88.2% of patients discontinuing the treatment, makes this therapeutic approach unfeasible and encourages future research to overcome panNETs' resistance to antiangiogenic agents with other therapies with a safer profile.