bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modulating tumor reactive stroma by extracorporeal shock waves to control prostate cancer progression
Authors: Rinella Letizia , Pizzo Benedetta , Frairia Roberto , Delsedime Luisa , Calleris Giorgio , Gontero Paolo , Zunino Valentina , Fortunati Nicoletta , Arvat Emanuela , Catalano Maria Graziella
Published: July 2020

Background

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer worldwide. Tumor microenvironment is composed of activated fibroblasts, the so called carcinoma‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs). They express high levels of α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) and type I collagen (COL1), and support proliferation and migration of tumor epithelial cells. Extracorporeal shock waves (ESWs), acoustic waves, are effective in the treatment of hypertrophic scars, due to their ability to modulate fibrosis. Based on this rationale, the study evaluated the effects of ESWs on CAF activation and the influence of ESW‐treated CAFs on the growth and migration of epithelial prostatic carcinoma cells.

Methods

Primary cultures of CAFs (n = 10) were prepared from tumors of patients undergoing surgery for high‐risk prostate carcinoma. CAFs were treated with ESWs (energy levels: 0.32 mJ/mm2, 1000 pulses; 0.59 mJ/mm2, 250 pulses). After treatment, the messenger RNA and protein levels of the stromal activation markers α‐SMA and COL1 were determined. Subsequently, two different stabilized cell lines (PC3 and DU145) of androgen‐resistant prostate cancer were treated with the conditioned media produced by ESW‐treated CAFs. At different times, viability and migration of PC3 and DU145 cells were evaluated. Viability was also assessed by coculture system using CAFs and PC3 or DU145 cells.

Results

ESWs reduced gene expression and protein level of α‐SMA and COL1 in CAFs. The treatment of PC3 and DU145 with conditioned media of ESW‐treated CAFs determined a reduction of their growth and invasive potential. Coculture systems between ESW‐treated CAFs and PC3 or DU145 cells confirmed the epithelial cell number reduction.

Conclusions

This in vitro study demonstrates for the first time that ESWs are able to modulate the activation of prostate CAFs in favor of a less “reactive” stroma, with consequent slowing of the growth and migration of prostate cancer epithelial cells. However, only further studies to be performed in vivo will confirm the possibility of using this new therapy in patients with prostate cancer.
Quaternary Vanado‐Molybdotungstophosphoric Acid [H5PW6Mo4V2O40] Over Natural Montmorillonite as a Heterogeneous Catalyst for the Synthesis 4H‐Pyran and Polyhydroquinoline Derivatives
Authors: Aher Dipak S. , Khillare Kiran R. , Chavan Laxmikant D. , Shankarwar Sunil G.
Published: July 2020

Synthesis of an efficient and novel vanadium substituted molybdotungstophosphoric acid, H5PW6Mo4V2O40.14H2O (VMWP) supported on naturally occurring montmorillonite (nMont) clay by an incipient wetness impregnation technique. The support and resulting catalyst were characterized by Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP‐AES), Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDX), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and thermogravimetric‐Differential thermal analysis (TG‐DTA). The study demonstrated that newly synthesized VMWP well incorporated on nMont with their good performance and activity. The catalytic application is evaluated in one‐pot multicomponent synthesis of tetrahydrobenzo[b]pyrans (4H‐Pyran) and polyhydroquinolines in excellent yield. High conversion, shorter reaction time, environmentally benign solvent simple experimental and work procedure and reusability of the catalyst are the prominent features of our synthetic route.
Asymmetric Aldol Reaction of Pyruvate Promoted by Chiral Tertiary Amines
Authors: Pasternak‐Suder Monika , Pacułt Wojciech , Baś Sebastian , Mlynarski Jacek
Published: July 2020

The direct asymmetric aldol reaction of α‐ketoesters catalyzed by chiral tertiary amines is reported. The described methodology is characterized by mild reaction conditions and distinct product selectivity determined by the starting materials. In the developed transformation pyruvates undergo highly selective self‐condensation reaction, whereas cross‐aldol reaction take place predominantly for their carbon chain homologues in presence of aldehyde acceptors. Notably, addition of bulky phenol moiety into pyruvate inhibit the spontaneous lactonization of products and enhance the enantioselectivity.
Assembling Nickel Oxide Nanoparticles into Porous Polyhedra: Highly Active Electrocatalysts for Alkaline Water Oxidation
Authors: Zhou Jian , Dong Yonghong , Ma Yongzhi , Zhang Tiezhu
Published: July 2020

Nickel oxide (NiO) with high surface area was widely investigated in electrochemical applications. However, its use was largely confined to morphologies of particles and thin films. Here, we assembled NiO nanoparticles into mesoporous polyhedra with better active‐site exposure for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysis. It needs an overpotential of 280 mV to drive 10 mA cm−2 in 1.0 M KOH, outperforming many reported transition‐metal oxides. Its activity can be mantained for at least 20 hours. High surface area of mesoporous polyhedra affirmed by Brunner‐Emmet‐Teller measurement contributes to the outstanding catalytic activity. Using one of the most abundant metal elements to constuct high‐performance OER catalysts will provide great convenience for industrial applications.
Quaternary‐Ammonium‐Based Gels with Varied Alkyl Chains for the Efficient Removal of Toxic Acid Orange 7
Authors: Bhattacharya Sayantani , Shunmugam Raja
Published: July 2020

We report the design and synthesis of thiol‐norbornene based ingenious gels with pendent quaternary ammonium substituents on the norbornene backbone that are conducive to remove toxic anionic azo dye acid orange 7 (AO7) from wastewater. Three different alkyl side chains on the dangling quaternary ammonium moiety were chosen prudently and their performance towards removal of azo dye was scrutinised. The characterisation of all the precursor monomers and the ensuing gels were accomplished by1H,13C NMR and Mass spectrometry. The influence of extent of crosslinking on the solvent uptake ability was investigated and the swelling nature of the gels were correlated with the solubility parameter of different solvents. The surface morphology of the gels as visualised by FE‐SEM analysis, revealed macropores in the range 4–12 μm. The relationship between the composition of quaternary ammonium moiety on the gels and their viscoelastic properties was realised. The dye removal kinetics as observed from UV‐Vis spectra were best correlated with the pseudo‐second‐order model and the adsorption isotherm of dye removal process was best fitted with the Langmuir isotherm model with high correlation coefficient. The material was found to be fairly recyclable up to 10thcycles with loss of only 8% efficiency. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first ever report on the removal of anionic dye based on thiol‐norbornene photo crosslinked network. We believe that this design and composition‐property relationship will enthuse the researchers to develop efficient chemical adsorbents based on environmentally benign systems.
β‐Ketodithioesters as Versatile Building Blocks for the Diversity Oriented Synthesis of Thioamides, α‐Allylated‐Thioesters and Ketoamides
Authors: Chanu Irom Harimala , Devi Laishram Momota , Singh Thokchom Prasanta , Singh Sarangthem Joychandra , Singh Rajkumar Romeshkumar , Mukherjee Singh Okram
Published: July 2020

When β‐ketodithioesters (β‐KDEs) are treated with various electrophiles in multi‐component reactions, three types of highly substituted and densely functionalized reactive intermediates are generated in good yields. Dual role of piperidine as base and nucleophile in Knoevenagel condensation reactions of aromatic aldehydes and β‐ketodithioesters has been observed in our investigations. Trisubstituted (Z)‐prop‐2‐en‐1‐ones have been obtained stereoselectively as a result of these condensation reactions. β‐KDEs were further utilized in allylation reactions with allyl bromide and alkylamines leading to allylated β‐ketodithioestersand allylated β‐ketoamides in good yields.
Ammonium Nitrate‐Assisted Low‐Temperature Synthesis of Co, Co2P@CoP Embedded in Biomass‐Derived Carbons as Efficient Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen and Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Lin Changqing , Kang Mingzhen , Zheng Leizhi , Fu Xiaoqi , Wang Shuang
Published: July 2020

Electrochemical water splitting into H2 and O2 provides a promising and sustainable strategy for the future production of clean energy. Herein, we report an ammonium nitrate (AN)‐assisted synthetic strategy to prepare Co, Co2P@CoP nanoparticles embedded in biomass‐derived porous carbons as bifunctional electrodes for water splitting. The use of AN is not only activating biomass to porous carbons, but also reducing the synthetic temperature significantly. The synergistic effects of the Co2P@CoP heterostructure could lead to a low adsorption energy of hydrogen (ΔGH*) and conduction band bending, together with the N/S‐codoped porous carbons could provide large specific surface area and desirable electron‐donating feature, contribute to the remarkable performance with overpotentials of 0.129 and 0.212 V for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in 0.5 mol L−1 H2SO4 and 1 mol L−1 KOH, and 0.328 V for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in 1 mol L−1 KOH, at a current density of 10 mA cm−2. Moreover, the Co2P@CoP/PC catalysts enable overall water splitting with a small cell voltage of 1.63 V to achieve 10 mA cm−2 and exhibit long‐term durability over 1000 min.
Polymethylaminosiloxane Grafted Transition Metal Catalyst DICAT‐V for Chemoselective Aerobic Oxidation of 5‐HMF into 2,5‐Diformyl Furan
Authors: Pawar Hitesh S.
Published: July 2020

In the present study polymethylaminosiloxane (PMAS) grafted transition metal catalysts DICAT−M were explored for the chemoselective oxidation 5‐HMF (5‐hydroxymethyl furfural) into DFF (2,5‐diformyl furan). A series of DICAT−M; DICAT−Fe, DICAT−Co, DICAT−Mn, and DICAT−V were synthesized by grafting Fe, Co, Mn, and V, respectively and tested for the oxidation of 5‐HMF. All the synthesized catalysts selectively oxidize 5‐HMF in presence of air without the addition of any base, activator or co‐catalyst. Of the tested catalysts, the vanadium grafted catalyst (DICAT−V) showed an excellent performance with >88 % yield of DFF and >92 % conversion of 5‐HMF in low boiling organic solvent ACN at 110 °C and 20Kg/cm3. The use of ACN facilitated both solvent recovery and product separation process. The structural and surface morphological properties of DICAT−V were studied by using ATR‐FITR, SEM/EDX, XRF, XRD, and BET surface area analysis. Exploration of PMAS provides an excellent backbone architecture with bidentate amine anchors to hold transition metal and resulted in stable, robust, and recyclable catalysts. The plausible reaction mechanism was proposed for DICAT−V assisted chemoselecive aerobic oxidation. Moreover, DICAT−V showed the consistent performance to obtain >88 % yield and >90 % conversion for five consecutive recycle runs. Thus the employment of DICAT−V for 5‐HMF oxidation contributes to the development of the green and sustainable process by integrating recyclable catalyst, additive‐free protocol, LBP solvent, air as the oxidant, and high process throughputs.
Designing Triphenylamine‐Configured Donor Materials with Promising Photovoltaic Properties for Highly Efficient Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Bilal Ahmed Siddique Muhammad , Hussain Riaz , Ali Siddique Sabir , Yasir Mehboob Muhammad , Irshad Zobia , Iqbal Javed , Adnan Muhammad
Published: July 2020

The increasing demand for energy expedited the development of efficient photovoltaic materials. Herein, four triphenylamine based push pull donor materials (D1‐D4) have been designed. The optical, electronic, photophysical properties and excited state energy of D1‐D4 have been investigated theoretically through DFT calculations at B3LYP/6‐31G (d,p) level of theory and compared with reference molecule R. The theoretical study of the designed molecules (D1‐D4) and reference molecule R with TD−B3LYP/6‐31G (d,p) level of theory was carried out both in gaseous and solvent (Chloroform/CPCM) phase to investigate their excited state properties. All the designed molecules D1‐D4 exhibited broad and intense absorption peaks in the visible spectrum from 300 nm to 450 nm range with narrow HOMO‐LUMO energy gaps as compared to reference R. The dipole moment of designed molecules D1‐D4 are higher than reference molecule R in both gas and solvent phase which may help to enhance the photovoltaic stability of organic solar cells devices. The open‐circuit voltages
of designed molecules, D1‐D4 and the reference molecule R compared to PCBM are 0.71 V, 0.66 V, 0.54 V, 0.63 V, and 0.63 V, respectively. The % ETC for designed molecules insolvent as well as in the gas phase is lower than the reference molecule R which enables them to excite rapidly both in gas and solvent phase respectively. The hole and electron transfer mobilities values indicate that the designed molecules have a better electron and hole transport mobility values as compared to reference molecule R. Furthermore, conceptualized molecules are better and thus are recommended to experimentalists for out‐looking future developments of solar cells.
Pd‐Catalyzed Regioselective Olefination of N‐Tosylhydrazones with Benzyl Bromides
Authors: Sun Zhenze , He Jing , Li Weiwei , Li Xuezhen , Feng Yijiao , Liu Yan , Liu Ping , Han Sheng
Published: July 2020

A palladium‐catalyzed regioselective olefination of cycloalkylphenylmethylene N‐tosylhydrazones and benzyl bromide was developed. A series of E‐type tri‐substituted olefin compounds were obtained in 43–95% through the highly selective β‐H elimination. The results showed that the β‐H at the benzyl position took precedence over the β‐H at the cycloalkyl position for the alkylpalladium intermediate, avoiding the formation of tetra‐substituted olefins. High regioselectivity, wide substrate scope, and good functional group tolerance are the advantages of this reaction.
Palladium‐Catalyzed One‐Pot Coupling / Cyclization through Mo(CO)6 as the Carbon Monoxide Donor: Synthesis of Quinazolinones
Authors: Tao Shou‐Wei , Liu Rui‐Qing , Zhou Jing‐Ya , Zhu Yong‐Ming
Published: July 2020

An efficient and rapid one‐pot synthesis of quinazolinone via a three‐component carbonylative coupling of 2‐aminobenzamide or 2‐aminobenzonitrile, Mo(CO)6 and aryl bromides has been developed recently. This method provide a new way to synthesize quinazolinone which has a wide substrate scope, good functional group tolerance and mild reaction condition.
Synthesis of New and Highly Functionalized 1,4‐Dihydropyridines and Spirooxindole Dihydropyridines Using L‐Proline as Efficient Catalyst
Authors: Neamani Shekofeh , Moradi Leila
Published: July 2020

Herein, eco‐friendly, mild and efficient synthesis of a new type of 1,4‐ dihydropyridines and some of the spirooxoindole dihydropyridine derivatives was developed by using L‐proline as an effective homogeneous catalyst. The one‐pot multicomponent reaction of malononitrile, different anilines, and benzaldehydes were performed in the presence of Water/EtOH (1 : 1) as solvent at 90 °C and furnished the corresponding products in high yields. Further, we developed a three‐component one‐pot reaction of malononitrile, anilolactone, and differently substituted isatins to afford new spirooxindole dihydropyridine derivatives using the same catalyst and conditions. All of the obtained products were characterized by spectroscopic and analytical techniques.
Anywhere they go, we go: Immigration inflow's impact on co‐ethnic natives in the U.S.
Authors: Song Tao , Xu Huanan
Published: July 2020

Using data from the 1970, 1980, 1990, and 2000 Censuses and the American Community Survey five‐year sample for 2006–2010, we examine the impacts of immigration inflows on the migration patterns of co‐ethnic natives in the United States. We explore whether the outcomes are driven by changes in labor market returns in the receiving cities or sociocultural benefits of being surrounded by co‐ethnics. We find that a higher ethnicity‐specific immigrant population share within a city increases the population share of both co‐ethnic natives who remain in the receiving cities and co‐ethnic natives who migrate into these cities, relative to natives of other ancestries. All baseline results survive robustness and falsification tests, and instrumental variable estimations. Through the heterogeneous effects, we find that the sociocultural benefits, such as language and ethnic goods that immigrants bring to receiving cities, are the potential channels that attract co‐ethnic natives to migrate towards those enclaves.
The evolution of Hayek's thought on gold and monetary standards
Authors: Caton James
Published: July 2020

Early in his career, Hayek viewed attempts to stabilize exchange rates by facilitating cooperation between central banks, with respect to their demand for gold, to be at odds with the fundamental mechanisms of the gold standard. He opposed proposals by Irving Fisher, Gustav Cassel, and Ralph Hawtrey that promoted stabilization of demand for gold and price levels as a next best option. Hayek viewed the nations that refused to devalue their currency after monetary expansion during wartime as complicit in degrading the international gold standard. In 1935 Hayek's emphasis began to change, his position sounding much like the arguments of Cassel and Hawtrey. Though he eventually gave up hope that the international gold standard would be reestablished, his later work on money provides theoretical underpinnings for systems that would promote the same sort of stability and predictability that the classical gold standard had provided.
Dynamic characteristics and viscous dampers design for pile‐soil‐structure system
Authors: Yang Jinping , Jing Hang , Li Peizhen
Published: July 2020

A series of large‐scale shaking table tests are conducted on tall buildings with and without energy dissipation devices on soft soils in pile group foundations, representing pile‐soil‐structure interaction (PSSI) system and the corresponding fixed‐base situations. The superstructure is a 12‐story reinforced concrete (RC) frame. The dynamic characteristics of the test models show that the frequencies decrease and the damping ratio increase in PSSI system by comparison with the fixed‐base structures. The mode shapes of PSSI system are different from that under fixed‐base condition, and the mode shapes of structure without dampers change greater than that with energy dissipation devices under various white noises. An improved method for structural dynamic characteristics, considering the impedance function of piles, is developed to address the issue of modal parameters with PSSI effect. In addition, the structural dynamic parameters of the large‐scale shaking table tests are identified using the modification method and other regulation methods, demonstrating that the improved approach is highly accurate and effective. Subsequently, a design procedure for viscous dampers of structures with PSSI effect is presented based on the dynamic characteristics of the system. Finally, the dynamic responses of the structure with viscous dampers in the practical engineering are decreased effectively, indicating the good performance of designed viscous dampers. The numerical results also show that the damping efficiency of interstory drift is larger than the acceleration and interstory shear force. Therefore, the improved modal parameters method, validated through a series large‐scale shaking table tests, is applicable for identifying dynamic characteristics of pile‐soil‐structure with energy dissipation devices system. The design procedure of viscous dampers, proved by a reinforced concrete frame structure located on a practical Shanghai soft site, can be employed to design the viscous dampers considering seismic PSSI effect.
The in vitro effects of aflatoxin B1 on physiological functions of swine alveolar macrophages
Authors: Pang Victor Fei , Chiang Chung‐Feng , Chang Chih‐Cheng
Published: June 2020

The toxic effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on the physiological functions of swine alveolar macrophages (SAM) were investigated. Freshly isolated SAM were incubated with various AFB1 concentrations (1.6 × 10–1 – 1.6 × 105 nmol/L) and time periods, and their phagocytic ability, synthesis of DNA, RNA and protein, and cell activation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), were analysed. Results demonstrated that a significant (p < .05) reduction (60%) in Staphylococcus aureus uptaken by SAM appeared 3 hr after AFB1 (>16 nmol/L) treatment. The synthesis of DNA, RNA and protein were markedly reduced, among which DNA and protein synthesis were affected more noticeably. The activation of SAM by LPS was significantly (p < .05) suppressed when the concentration of AFB1 reached 1.6 × 103 nmol/L. In general, most of the analysed effects were more prominent as AFB1 concentration or incubation period increased. Taken together, AFB 1could elicit significant adverse effects on the physiological functions of SAM. Exposure of pigs to aflatoxin‐contaminated feed may increase their susceptibility to various secondary infections.
Missing Carbodiimide and Oxide Carbodiimide of Scandium: Sc2(CN2)3 and Sc2O2(CN2)
Authors: Kallenbach Paula , Ströbele Markus , Meyer Hans‐Jürgen
Published: July 2020

The new scandium(III) carbodiimides Sc2(CN2)3 and Sc2O2(CN2) were prepared by solid‐state metathesis reactions between Li2(CN2) and ScCl3 and, regarding Sc2O2(CN2), Sc2O3 was added. The X‐ray powder diffraction pattern refinements lead to a trigonal‐rhombohedral (R3c) crystal system for Sc2(CN2)3 and to an orthorhombic (Immm) crystal system for Sc2O2(CN2). The structure of Sc2(CN2)3 is isotypic to the well‐known rare earth carbodiimides RE2(CN2)3 with the smaller cations RE = Tm, Yb, and Lu, whereas Sc2O2(CN2) is not isotypic to the known RE2O2(CN2) (RE = Y, La, Ce–Gd, except Pm) compounds. Both crystal structures are represented by layered arrangements of scandium, respectively scandium and oxide, alternating with carbodiimide layers.
The $$ {\Lambda}_b\to {\Lambda}^{\ast }(1520)\left(\to N\overline{K}\right){\mathrm{\ell}}^{+}{\mathrm{\ell}}^{-} $$ decay at low-recoil in HQET
Authors: Das Diganta , Das Jaydeb
Published: July 2020

Abstract

In this paper we discuss the Standard Model and new physics sensitivity of the $$ {\Lambda}_b\to {\Lambda}^{\ast }(1520)\left(\to N\overline{K}\right){\mathrm{\ell}}^{+}{\mathrm{\ell}}^{-} $$

Λ
b

→

Λ
∗

1520

→
N

K
¯

ℓ
+

ℓ
−

decay at low-recoil, where ℓ± are massive leptons and $$ N\overline{K}=\left\{{pK}^{-},n{\overline{K}}^0\right\} $$
N

K
¯

=

pK
−

n

K
¯

0

. We provide a full angular distribution with a set of operators that includes the Standard Model operators and their chirality flipped counterparts, and new scalar and pseudo-scalar operators. The resulting angular distribution allows us to construct observables that we study in the Standard Model and in model-independent new physics scenarios. To reduce the hadronic effects emanating from the Λb→ Λ* (1520) transition form factors, we exploit the Heavy Quark Effective theory framework valid at low Λ∗(1520) recoil, i.e., large dilepton invariant mass squared $$ {q}^2\sim \mathcal{O}\left({m}_b^2\right) $$

q
2

∼
O

m
b
2

. Working to the leading order in 1/mb and including $$ \mathcal{O}\left({\alpha}_s\right) $$
O

α
s

corrections, we compute the ‘improved Isgur-Wise relations’ between the form factors. The relations correlate the form factors and thereby allow the description of this decay at the low-recoil region with a smaller number of independent form factors.
Factorizations for tree amplitudes in the double-cover framework: from gravity to other theories
Authors: Zhou Kang
Published: July 2020

Abstract

In this paper, we demonstrate that the factorizations for tree amplitudes in the double-cover framework, for various theories, can be generated from the gravity amplitude in the double-cover prescription. Our method employs differential operators proposed by Cheung, Shen and Wen. Using our method, the factorized formulae for amplitudes of Yang-Mills theory, special Yang-Mills-scalar theory, and bi-adjoint scalar theory, have been derived. The differential operators indicate some non-trivial relationships among factorizations for above theories, as can be understood through four angles which are factorization channels, pole-structures, gauge choices, as well as BCFW recursions.
Robotic Versus Laparoscopic Partial Mesorectal Excision for Cancer of the High Rectum: A Single‐Center Study with Propensity Score Matching Analysis
Authors: de'Angelis Nicola , Notarnicola Margerita , Martínez‐Pérez Aleix , Memeo Riccardo , Charpy Cecile , Urciuoli Irene , Maroso Fabio , Sommacale Daniele , Amiot Aurelien , Canouï‐Poitrine Florence , Levesque Eric , Brunetti Francesco
Published: July 2020

Background

The role of robotic surgery for partial mesorectal excision (PME) in patients with high rectal cancer (RC) remains unexplored. This study aimed to compare the operative and postoperative outcomes of robotic (R‐PME) versus laparoscopic (L‐PME) PME for high RC.

Methods

This was a single‐center propensity score cohort study of consecutive patients diagnosed with RC in the high rectum (>10 to 15 cm from the anal verge) who underwent surgery between September 2012 and May 2019.

Results

Of 131 selected patients (50 R‐PME and 81 L‐PME), 88 were matched using propensity score (44 per group). Operative and postoperative variables were similar between R‐PME and L‐PME patients, except for operative time (220 min and 190 min, respectively; p < 0.0001). No conversion was needed. Overall morbidity was 15.9%; 4 patients (4.5%) developed anastomotic leakage. The mean hospital stay was 7.25 days for R‐PME vs. 7.64 days for L‐PME (p = 0.597). R0 resection was achieved in 100% of R‐PME and 90.9% of L‐PME (p = 0.116). Only 3 patients (1 R‐PME, 2 L‐PME) received a permanent stoma (p = 1). No group differences were observed for overall or disease‐free survival rates at 5 years. The costs of R‐PME were significantly higher than those of L‐PME.

Conclusion

Minimally invasive surgery can be performed safely for PME in high RC. No difference can be detected between R‐PME and L‐PME for both short‐ and long‐term outcomes, leaving the choice of the surgical approach to the surgeon's experience. Specific health economic studies are needed to evaluate the cost‐effectiveness of robotic surgery for RC.
Patients with double/triple copy number gains on C-MYC, BCL2, and/or BCL6 treated with standard chemotherapy have a similarly poor prognosis than those with high-grade B cell lymphoma with C-MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 rearrangements: a single-center experience on a consecutive cohort of large B cell lymphomas
Authors: Willenbacher Ella , Willenbacher Wolfgang , Weger Roman , Dominik Wolf , Manzl Claudia , Brunner Andrea
Published: July 2020

High-grade B cell lymphomas with rearrangements on C-MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 (HGBL with MYC and BCL2 and/or Bcl6 rearrangement) are associated with worse clinical outcomes and thus were introduced as a separate new category in the recently updated WHO classification. From 2012 to 2016, we analyzed a consecutive cohort of large B cell lymphomas (LBCLs) for C-MYC, BCL2, and BCL6 rearrangements and correlated our results with clinical-pathological parameters. Ten of 78 (13%) cases had a C-MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 rearrangement, so-called double or triple hit (DH), while double/triple copy number gains (CNGs) were found in eight (10%) patients. Patients with a high-grade lymphoma with DH or CNG progressed significantly more often after first-line chemotherapy (p = 0.005). When treated with standard chemotherapy, patients with a DH or CNG had a significantly worse overall (OS) and recurrence free survival (RFS) compared with all other patients (p = 0.033 and p < 0.001, respectively). Thus, patients with a diffuse large B cell lymphoma, harboring a double/triple CNG, seem to have a similar poor prognosis than those with a DH. Though our data can only be regarded as preliminary, our results warrant further investigations to fully elucidate the role of CNGs as well as underlying molecular mechanisms resulting in aggressive behavior in LBCL.
Carbonylation of proteins—an element of plant ageing
Authors: Ciacka K. , Tymiński M. , Gniazdowska A. , Krasuska U.
Published: July 2020

Main conclusion

Carbonylation-ROS-dependent posttranslational modification of proteins-may be regarded as one of the important events in the process of ageing or senescence in plants.

Ageing is the progressive process starting from seed development (plants) and birth (animals). The life-span of living organisms depends on many factors and stresses, which influence reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. The imbalance of their production and scavenging causes pathophysiological conditions that accelerate ageing. ROS modify nucleic acids, lipids, sugars and proteins. The level of carbonylated proteins can serve as an indicator of an oxidative cellular status. Several pathways of protein carbonylation, e.g. the conjugation with reactive carbonyl species, and/or a direct metal-catalysed oxidative attack on amino acids residues are known. Dysfunctional carbonylated proteins are more prone to degradation or form aggregates when the proteolytic machinery is inhibited, as observed in ageing. Protein carbonylation may contribute to formation of organelle-specific signal and to the control of protein quality. Carbonylated proteins are formed during the whole plant life; nevertheless, accelerated ageing stimulates the accumulation of carbonyl derivatives. In the medicine-related literature, concerned ageing and ROS-mediated protein modifications, this topic is extensively analysed, in comparison to the plant science. In plant science, ageing and senescence are considered to describe slightly different processes (physiological events). However, senescence (Latin: senēscere) means “to grow old”. This review describes the correlation of protein carbonylation level to ageing or/and senescence in plants. Comparing data from the area of plant and animal research, it is assumed that some basic mechanism of time-dependent alterations in the cellular biochemical processes are common and the protein carbonylation is one of the important causes of ageing.
Antiviral activity of berberine
Authors: Warowicka Alicja , Nawrot Robert , Goździcka-Józefiak Anna
Published: June 2020

Plants are a rich source of new antiviral, pharmacologically active agents. The naturally occurring plant alkaloid berberine (BBR) is one of the phytochemicals with a broad range of biological activity, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antiviral activity. BBR targets different steps in the viral life cycle and is thus a good candidate for use in novel antiviral drugs and therapies. It has been shown that BBR reduces virus replication and targets specific interactions between the virus and its host. BBR intercalates into DNA and inhibits DNA synthesis and reverse transcriptase activity. It inhibits replication of herpes simplex virus (HSV), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), human papillomavirus (HPV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This isoquinoline alkaloid has the ability to regulate the MEK-ERK, AMPK/mTOR, and NF-κB signaling pathways, which are necessary for viral replication. Furthermore, it has been reported that BBR supports the host immune response, thus leading to viral clearance. In this short review, we focus on the most recent studies on the antiviral properties of berberine and its derivatives, which might be promising agents to be considered in future studies in the fight against the current pandemic SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
Subjective perception of craniofacial growth asymmetries in patients with deformational plagiocephaly
Authors: Kunz Felix , Hirth Matthias , Schweitzer Tilmann , Linz Christian , Goetz Bernhard , Stellzig-Eisenhauer Angelika , Borchert Kathrin , Böhm Hartmut
Published: July 2020

Objectives

The present investigation aimed to evaluate the subjective perception of deformational cranial asymmetries by different observer groups and to compare these subjective perceptions with objective parameters.

Materials and methods

The 3D datasets of ten infants with different severities of deformational plagiocephaly (DP) were presented to 203 observers, who had been subdivided into five different groups (specialists, pediatricians, medical doctors (not pediatricians), parents of infants with DP, and laypersons). The observers rated their subjective perception of the infants’ cranial asymmetries using a 4-point Likert-type scale. The ratings from the observer groups were compared with one another using a multilevel modelling linear regression analysis and were correlated with four commonly used parameters to objectively quantify the cranial asymmetries.

Results

No significant differences were found between the ratings of the specialists and those of the parents of infants with DP, but both groups provided significantly more asymmetric ratings than did pediatricians, medical doctors, or laypersons. Moreover, the subjective perception of cranial asymmetries correlated significantly with commonly used parameters for objectively quantifying cranial asymmetries.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that different observer groups perceive the severity of cranial asymmetries differently. Pediatricians’ more moderate perception of cranial asymmetries may reduce the likelihood of parents to seek therapeutic interventions for their infants. Moreover, we identified some objective symmetry-related parameters that correlated strongly with the observers’ subjective perceptions.

Clinical relevance

Knowledge about these findings is important for clinicians when educating parents of infants with DP about the deformity.
Routine panendoscopy in oral squamous cell cancer patients: mandatory or facultative?
Authors: Valentin Anthony , Goetz Martin , Hetzel Juergen , Reinert Siegmar , Hoefert Sebastian
Published: July 2020

Objectives

This study investigated benefits of routine panendoscopy in staging of oral squamous cell cancer patients.

Materials and methods

From 2013 to 2017, 194 oral squamous cell cancer patients were staged. Reports of routine flexible panendoscopy including oropharyngolaryngoscopy, bronchoscopy, and esophagogastroduodenoscopy were retrospectively analyzed for diagnoses of inflammation and second primary malignancies (carcinoma in situ or cancer) and compared to results of computed tomography. The effects of alcohol and tobacco history of 142 patients were assessed.

Results

Overall, a second primary malignancy was detected in seven patients. In four patients this discovery was only found by panendoscopy. One invasive carcinoma (esophagus) was detected as well as three carcinoma in situ. The second primary malignancies were located in the lung (3), esophagus (3), and stomach (1). In one patient index tumor therapy was modified after panendoscopy. Upper gastrointestinal inflammation was present in 73.2% of patients and 61.9% required treatment. About 91.8% of bronchoscopies and 34.5% of panendoscopies were without therapeutic consequences. Patients with higher risk from smoking were more likely to benefit from panendoscopy and to have a Helicobacter pylori infection.

Conclusion

We do not recommend routine panendoscopy for all oral squamous cell cancer patients. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy benefitted smoking patients primarily concerning the secondary diagnosis of inflammation of the upper digestive tract. Selective bronchoscopy, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, and oropharyngolaryngoscopy should be performed if clinical examination or medical history indicates risks for additional malignancies of the upper aerodigestive tract.

Clinical relevance

Routine panendoscopy is not recommended in all, especially not in low-risk oral cancer patients like non-smokers and non-drinkers.
Bubbles, crashes and information contagion in large-group asset market experiments
Authors: Hommes Cars , Kopányi-Peuker Anita , Sonnemans Joep
Published: June 2020

We study the emergence of bubbles in a laboratory experiment with large groups of individuals. The realized price is the aggregation of the forecasts of a group of individuals, with positive expectations feedback through speculative demand. When prices deviate from fundamental value, a random selection of participants receives news about overvaluation. Our findings are: (i) large asset bubbles are robust in large groups, (ii) information contagion through news affects behaviour and may break the coordination on a bubble, (iii) time varying heterogeneity provides an explanation of bubble formation and crashes, and (iv) bubbles are strongly amplified by coordination on trend-extrapolation.
Spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor) sperm cryopreservation in 5-mL cryovials
Authors: Beirão J. , Flengstad S. , Babiak I.
Published: July 2020

In spotted wolffish Anarhichas minor aquaculture, cryopreservation is used to secure sperm availability throughout the entire spawning season. Under current protocols, sperm is cryopreserved in 0.5-mL straws. This implies thawing a considerable number of straws for insemination with cryopreserved sperm. In this work, we scale up the spotted wolffish sperm cryopreservation procedure through the development of a protocol for sperm cryopreservation in 5-mL cryovials. Different freezing (distances from the liquid nitrogen surface) and thawing rates were tested. The best results were obtained with cryovials frozen at a distance of 1.5 cm from the liquid nitrogen surface and thawed either at 15 or 10 °C for 4 and 6 min, respectively. Under these conditions, similar percentage of motile cells, sperm velocity and percentage of viable cells were obtained in comparison with the sperm cryopreserved in the traditional 0.5-mL straws. This protocol will facilitate the process of insemination with cryopreserved sperm in the spotted wolffish hatcheries.
Knot theory for proteins: Gauss codes, quandles and bondles
Authors: Adams Colin , Devadoss Judah , Elhamdadi Mohamed , Mashaghi Alireza
Published: July 2020

Proteins are linear molecular chains that often fold to function. The topology of folding is widely believed to define its properties and function, and knot theory has been applied to study protein structure and its implications. More that 97% of proteins are, however, classified as unknots when intra-chain interactions are ignored. This raises the question as to whether knot theory can be extended to include intra-chain interactions and thus be able to categorize topology of the proteins that are otherwise classified as unknotted. Here, we develop knot theory for folded linear molecular chains and apply it to proteins. For this purpose, proteins will be thought of as an embedding of a linear segment into three dimensions, with additional structure coming from self-bonding. We then project to a two-dimensional diagram and consider the basic rules of equivalence between two diagrams. We further consider the representation of projections of proteins using Gauss codes, or strings of numbers and letters, and how we can equate these codes with changes allowed in the diagrams. Finally, we explore the possibility of applying the algebraic structure of quandles to distinguish the topologies of proteins. Because of the presence of bonds, we extend the theory to define bondles, a type of quandle particularly adapted to distinguishing the topological types of proteins.
Early indications of success rehabilitating an underperforming teak (Tectona grandis) plantation in Panama through enrichment planting
Authors: Marshall Abigail , McLaughlin Bailey P. , Zerr Camilla , Yanguas-Fernández Estrella , Hall Jefferson S.
Published: June 2020

Enrichment planting can be an effective strategy for increasing the ecological and economic value of timber plantations, but success depends on appropriate matching of under- and overstory species and site conditions. This case study in the Panama Canal Watershed explores the viability of enrichment planting for rehabilitating underperforming teak (Tectonia grandis) plantations, which are common in the area. Two high-value timber species native to the neotropics, Dalbergia retusa and Terminalia amazonia, were underplanted in an established teak plantation at the Agua Salud research site in the province of Colon, Panama. Seedling survival, basal diameter, height, total biomass and relative growth rate were assessed for the two years following planting. In contrast with the widespread belief that teak is a poor nurse tree, both species achieved promising early growth with low mortality in plantation understory conditions. Neither understory light availability nor combined above- and below-ground effects of crowding pressure from teak strongly predicted growth of either species. D. retusa, thought to be more shade-tolerant, performed equally across a range of intermediate light levels whereas T. amazonia, thought to be more heliotropic, performed best at the highest light levels, though light relationships explained little variation in seedling growth. These early findings support the suitability of either species for use in enrichment plantings in established, underperforming teak plantations in the Panama Canal Watershed. Longer-term research is needed to evaluate the potential of enrichment planting to increase profitability and ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration and water resource management in these plantations.
Long-term survival outcomes of pineal region gliomas
Authors: Choque-Velasquez Joham , Resendiz-Nieves Julio , Jahromi Behnam Rezai , Baluszek Szymon , Muhammad Sajjad , Colasanti Roberto , Hernesniemi Juha
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Surgical series of pineal region gliomas are rarely available. Whereas it is a general assumption that the extent of surgical resection correlates with survival outcomes of intracranial gliomas; the impact of the microsurgical resection on the long-term outcomes of pineal gliomas has been questioned. We present a surgical series of pineal region gliomas with focus on the survival outcome analysis.

Methods

17 histologically confirmed pineal region glioma patients classified as diffuse and non-diffuse gliomas were retrospectively analyzed. A detailed description of the series was followed by regression models to identify predictors of clinical outcomes. Uni- a multivariate survival analysis was performed to determine independent predictors of mortality.

Results

Although the number of treated patients was small, only WHO grade histopathology remained significant (p = 0.02) after multivariate survival analysis with extent of resection, age, tumor volume, and preoperative functional status. The extent of the surgical resection did not correlate with the disease survival rates of non-diffuse (p = 1), diffuse (p = 0.2), nor all gliomas (p = 0.6). 15 of 17 patients underwent gross total (nine patients) or subtotal resection. The preoperative functional status of the patients showed overall improvement on the immediate (p < 0.001) and long-term (p = 0.03) follow-up after 106 (3 – 324) months.

Conclusion

The extent of the surgical resection does not seem to significantly impact on the survival outcomes of pineal region gliomas. Thus, genotype and molecular features may essentially affect the outcome. Further research on the field is required.
Effect of Nanopowder Addition on the Sintering of Water-Atomized Iron Powder
Authors: Manchili Swathi K. , Wendel Johan , Zehri Abdelhafid , Liu Johan , Hryha Eduard , Nyborg Lars
Published: July 2020

A promising method of improving the densification of powder metallurgical steel components is to blend nanopowder with the otherwise typically used micrometre-sized powder. The higher surface-to-volume ratio of nanopowder is hypothesized to accelerate the sintering process and increase the inter-particle contact area between the powder particles. This is supposed to enhance the material transport and improve the densification. In the present investigation, water-atomized iron powder (− 45 μm) was mixed separately with pure iron and low-carbon steel nanopowder, each at a ratio of 95 to 5 pct. These powder mixes were compacted at different pressures (400, 600 and 800 MPa) and then sintered at 1350 °C in a pure hydrogen atmosphere. The sintering behavior of the powder blend compacts was compared to that of the compact with micrometre-sized powder only. Densification commenced at much lower temperatures in the presence of nanopowder. To understand this, sintering at intermittent temperatures such as 500 °C and 700 °C was conducted. The fracture surface revealed that the nanopowder was sintered at between 500 °C and 700 °C, which in turn contributed to the densification of the powder mix at the lower temperature range. Based on the sintering experiments, an attempt was made to calculate the activation energy and identify the associated sinter mechanism using two different approaches. It was shown that the first approach yielded values in agreement with the grain-boundary diffusion mechanism. As the nanopowder content increased, there was an increase in linear shrinkage during sintering.
Corporate governance of insurers in Germany. German National Report
Authors: Gal Jens
Published: July 2020

Corporate governance is the set of rules, be they legal or self-regulatory, practices and processes pursuant to which an insurance undertaking is administrated. Good corporate governance is not only key to establishing oneself and succeeding in a competitive environment but also to safeguarding the interests of all stakeholders in an insurance undertaking. It is insofar not surprising that mandatory requirements on the administration of insurance undertakings have become rather prolific in recent years, in an attempt by regulators to protect especially policyholders against perceived risks hailing from improperly governed insurance undertakings. In Germany this has been regarded by many undertakings as an overly paternalistic approach of the legislator, especially considering that the German insurance sector has experienced for decades if not centuries a remarkably low number of insolvencies and that German insurers were neither the trigger nor the (especially) endangered actors in the financial crisis commencing in 2007. Notwithstanding the true core of this criticism, that the insurance industry was taken to a certain degree hostage by the shortcomings within the banking sector, the reform of German Insurance Supervisory Law via implementation of the Solvency II-System has brought many advances in the sense of better governance of insurance undertakings and has also brought to light many deficiencies that the administration of some insurance undertakings may have suffered from in the past, which are now more properly addressed.
Investigating the co-creation of IT consulting service value: empirical findings of a matched pair analysis
Authors: Oesterle Severin , Buchwald Arne , Urbach Nils
Published: June 2020

Digitalization is increasingly and broadly impacting on companies throughout all industries. To cope with digital transformation, organizations need specific IT skills and often face a bottleneck between required and existing capabilities. Thus, organizations revert to support from IT consultants. However, such collaborations need to create value so as to make client organizations future-proof in the long term. We therefore need a better understanding of how value is created in IT consulting projects. We build on service-dominant (S-D) logic as the theory base and evaluate our structural model, which explains IT consulting service value based on 77 matched pairs of IT consulting projects using structural equation modeling. We provide empirical support for the assumptions of S-D logic in the IT consulting industry and reveal determinants that significantly contribute to the overall IT consulting service value. Our results contribute to the ongoing discourse in the S-D logic literature and provide meaningful insights for practice.