bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alveolar macrophage deficiency in osteopetrotic mice deficient in macrophage colony-stimulating factor is spontaneously corrected with age and associated with matrix metalloproteinase expression and emphysema
Authors: Shibata Yoko , Zsengeller Zsuzsanna , Otake Kazuhisa , Palaniyar Nades , Trapnell Bruce C.
Published: July 2002

Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) is one of several hematologic growth factors capable of regulating the survival, proliferation, and differentiation of macrophages, but its role in modulation of the accumulation and function of alveolar macrophages (AMs) in vivo is not well defined. Osteopetrotic (Op/Op) mice have no detectable M-CSF and show variable tissue-specific reductions in macrophage numbers. It was hypothesized that AMs would be decreased in number and have altered function in Op/Op mice because of the absence of M-CSF. Lung macrophages identified by Mac-3 staining in lung sections were decreased in number in 20-day-old Op/Op mice (P < .001) but not Op/Op mice older than 4 months (P = .68) compared with findings in age-matched littermate controls. The numbers of AMs recovered by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were also reduced in young but not adult Op/Op mice compared with controls. Expression of interleukin-3 (IL-3) was increased in the lungs of Op/Op mice compared with controls as determined by quantification of IL-3 cytokine levels (P = .04), bioactivity (P = .02), and messenger RNA transcript levels. AMs of Op/Op mice spontaneously released higher levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) than AMs of controls as determined by immunohistochemical staining of AMs and zymographic assessment of BAL fluid and AM lysates. Consistent with an increased release of MMP, Op/Op mice had abnormal elastin deposition and spontaneously developed emphysema in the absence of molecular or cellular evidence of lung inflammation. These data show that the AM deficiency observed in young Op/Op mice is spontaneously corrected with age and is associated with increased lung levels of IL-3, spontaneous MMP expression by AMs, and destruction of lung tissue.
Activation of CD8 T cells induces expression of CD4, which functions as a chemotactic receptor
Authors: Kitchen Scott G. , LaForge Stuart , Patel Viresh P. , Kitchen Christina M. , Miceli M. Carrie , Zack Jerome A.
Published: July 2002

It was previously shown that costimulation of CD8+ lymphocytes results in de novo expression of CD4. This study expanded on this observation to investigate the function of CD4 on CD8 cells. The ability of costimulated CD8 cells to respond to interleukin 16 (IL-16), a ligand that binds CD4 and induces cellular chemotaxis, was examined. IL-16–mediated ligation of CD4 expressed on CD8 T cells was found to induce an intracellular signal that directs migration of these cells in vitro. Thus, expression of CD4 on a CD8 lymphocyte has functional importance and may serve to control distribution of newly activated CD8 T cells in vivo.
Primitive, quiescent, Philadelphia-positive stem cells from patients with chronic myeloid leukemia are insensitive to STI571 in vitro
Authors: Graham Susan M. , Jørgensen Heather G. , Allan Elaine , Pearson Charlie , Alcorn Michael J. , Richmond Linda , Holyoake Tessa L.
Published: July 2002

In clinical trials, the tyrosine kinase inhibitor STI571 has proven highly effective in reducing leukemic cell burden in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The overall sensitivity of CML CD34+ progenitor cells to STI571 and the degree to which cell death was dependent on cell cycle status were determined. Stem cells (Lin−CD34+) from the peripheral blood of patients with CML in chronic phase and from granulocyte–colony-stimulating factor–mobilized healthy donors were labeled with carboxy-fluorescein diacetate succinimidyl diester dye to enable high-resolution tracking of cell division. Then they were cultured for 3 days with and without growth factors ± STI571. After culture, the cells were separated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting into populations of viable quiescent versus cycling cells for genotyping. For healthy controls, in the presence of growth factors, STI571 affected neither cell cycle kinetics nor recovery of viable cells. In the absence of growth factors, normal cells were unable to divide. For CML samples, in the presence or absence of growth factors, the response to STI571 was variable. In the most sensitive cases, STI571 killed almost all dividing cells; however, a significant population of viable CD34+ cells was recovered in the undivided peak and confirmed to be part of the leukemic clone. STI571 also appeared to exhibit antiproliferative activity on the quiescent population. These studies confirm that CML stem cells remain viable in a quiescent state even in the presence of growth factors and STI571. Despite dramatic short-term responses in vivo, such in vitro insensitivity to STI571, in combination with its demonstrated antiproliferative activity, could translate into disease relapse after prolonged therapy.
CD38 expression and immunoglobulin variable region mutations are independent prognostic variables in chronic lymphocytic leukemia, but CD38 expression may vary during the course of the disease
Authors: Hamblin Terry J. , Orchard Jenny A. , Ibbotson Rachel E. , Davis Zadie , Thomas Peter W. , Stevenson Freda K. , Oscier David G.
Published: July 2002

Although the presence or absence of somatic mutations in the immunoglobulin variable region (IgVH) genes in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) identifies subtypes with very different prognoses, the assay is technically complex and unavailable to most laboratories. CD38 expression has been suggested as a surrogate marker for the 2 subtypes. IgVHmutations and CD38 expression in 145 patients with B-CLL with a long follow-up were compared. The 2 assays gave discordant results in 41 patients (28.3%). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that Binet stage,IgVH mutations and CD38 were independent prognostic indicators. Median survival time in patients whose cells had unmutated IgVH genes and expressed CD38 was 8 years; in those with mutated IgVHgenes not expressing CD38, it was 26 years. For those with discordant results, median survival time was 15 years. Thus, although CD38 expression does not identify the same 2 subsets as IgVHmutations in CLL, it is an independent risk factor that can be used with IgVH mutations and clinical stage to select patients with B-CLL with the worst prognoses. Using cryopreserved cells taken at intervals during the course of the disease, however, changes of CD38 expression over time were demonstrated in 10 of 41 patients. Causes of the variation of CD38 expression require further study. Additional prospective studies are required for comparing CD38 expression with other prognostic factors and for taking sequential measurements during the course of the disease.
Clinical utility of the reticulocyte hemoglobin content in the diagnosis of iron deficiency
Authors: Mast Alan E. , Blinder Morey A. , Lu Qing , Flax Sherri , Dietzen Dennis J.
Published: July 2002

Determination of the reticulocyte hemoglobin content (CHr) provides an early measure of functional iron deficiency because reticulocytes are the earliest erythrocytes released into blood and circulate for only 1 to 2 days. The CHr in 78 patients undergoing bone marrow examination was measured to assess its clinical utility for the diagnosis of iron deficiency. Twenty-eight patients were iron deficient, based on the lack of stainable iron in the aspirate. The diagnostic power of CHr is limited in patients with high mean cellular volume (MCV) or red cell disorders such as thalassemia. However, when patients with MCV more than 100 fL are excluded, receiver operator curve analysis of CHr, ferritin, transferrin saturation, and MCV demonstrates that CHr has the highest overall sensitivity and specificity of these peripheral blood tests for predicting the absence of bone marrow iron stores.
Cell surface antigen CD109 is a novel member of the α2 macroglobulin/C3, C4, C5 family of thioester-containing proteins
Authors: Lin Martin , Sutherland D. Robert , Horsfall Wendy , Totty Nicholas , Yeo Erik , Nayar Rakash , Wu Xiang-Fu , Schuh Andre C.
Published: July 2002

Cell surface antigen CD109 is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)–linked glycoprotein of approximately 170 kd found on a subset of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells and on activated platelets and T cells. Although it has been suggested that T-cell CD109 may play a role in antibody-inducing T-helper function and it is known that platelet CD109 carries the Gov alloantigen system, the role of CD109 in hematopoietic cells remains largely unknown. As a first step toward elucidating the function of CD109, we have isolated and characterized a human CD109 cDNA from KG1a and endothelial cells. The isolated cDNA comprises a 4335 bp open-reading frame encoding a 1445 amino acid (aa) protein of approximately 162 kd that contains a 21 aa N-terminal leader peptide, 17 potential N-linked glycosylation sites, and a C-terminal GPI anchor cleavage–addition site. We report that CD109 is a novel member of the α2 macroglobulin (α2M)/C3, C4, C5 family of thioester-containing proteins, and we demonstrate that native CD109 does indeed contain an intact thioester. Analysis of the CD109 aa sequence suggests that CD109 is likely activated by proteolytic cleavage and thereby becomes capable of thioester-mediated covalent binding to adjacent molecules or cells. In addition, the predicted chemical reactivity of the activated CD109 thioester is complementlike rather than resembling that of α2M proteins. Thus, not only is CD109 potentially capable of covalent binding to carbohydrate and protein targets, but the t½of its activated thioester is likely extremely short, indicating that CD109 action is highly restricted spatially to the site of its activation.
Neural networks as an intelligence amplification tool: A review of applications
Authors: Poulton Mary M.
Published: July 2002

The sophisticated algorithms we use to process, analyze, and interpret geophysical data automate tasks we used to do by hand, transform data into domains where patterns are more obvious, and allow us to calculate quantities where we used to rely on intuition or back‐of‐envelope estimates. But, the crux of the exploration problem is still interpretation—associating abstract patterns with geologic formations of economic value. Artificial neural networks are able to couple the speed and efficiency of the computer with the pattern recognition and association capabilities of the brain to aid the exploration process. The key concept to understand in the application of neural network technology is that they should not be used as an artificial intelligence tool to replace a human interpreter; rather, neural networks are an intelligence amplification toolkit that allows the interpreter to focus on the important information.

More than 102 neural network papers have been published by SEG since 1988, and more than 550 neural network papers pertaining to any aspect of geophysics were published in that same time period. Neural network applications in exploration geophysics can generally be divided into two eras. The focus through 1994 was largely on learning what neural networks could do with different data sets, and how to prepare data for them and analyze the results. Networks were usually trained with synthetic data and then tested with field data. The second era, from 1995 to the present, has focused on some specific application areas such as reservoir characterization. The current emphasis is to integrate neural networks within a comprehensive interpretation scheme instead of as a stand‐alone application. Neural network technology has helped us turn data into information by allowing us to find nontrivial correlations between geophysical data and petrophysical properties; relate detailed changes in wavelet morphology to small‐scale changes in lithology; and find features in the wavelets that allow us to locate first breaks, track horizons, identify gas chimneys, or trace faults; and attenuate multiples. As the science and engineering of data acquisition progresses, neural networks will play an increasingly vital role in helping us find relevant information in the vast streams of data under the constraints of lower costs, less time, and fewer people.
Phase I Trial of Intravenous Administration of PV701, an Oncolytic Virus, in Patients With Advanced Solid Cancers
Authors: Pecora Andrew L. , Rizvi Naiyer , Cohen Gary I. , Meropol Neal J. , Sterman Daniel , Marshall John L. , Goldberg Stuart , Gross Peter , O’Neil James D. , Groene William S. , Roberts M. Scot , Rabin Harvey , Bamat Michael K. , Lorence Robert M.
Published: July 2002

PURPOSE: PV701, a replication-competent strain of Newcastle disease virus, causes regression of tumor xenografts after intravenous administration. This phase I study was designed to define the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) and safety of single and multiple intravenous doses of PV701 as a single agent in patients with cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-nine patients with advanced solid cancers that were unresponsive to standard therapy were enrolled. Four PV701 intravenous dosing regimens were evaluated: (1) single dose: one dose every 28 days; (2) repeat dose: three doses in 1 week every 28 days; (3) desensitizing: one lower dose followed by two higher doses in 1 week every 28 days; and (4) two week: one lower dose followed by five higher doses over 2 weeks every 21 days.

RESULTS: A 100-fold dose intensification was achieved over 195 cycles. A first-dose MTD of 12 × 109plaque-forming units (PFU)/m2was established for outpatient dosing. After an initial dose of 12 × 109PFU/m2, patients tolerated an MTD for subsequent doses of 120 × 109PFU/m2. The most common adverse events were flu-like symptoms that occurred principally after the first dose and were decreased in number and severity with each subsequent dose. Tumor site–specific adverse events and acute dosing reactions were also observed but not cumulative toxicity. Objective responses occurred at higher dose levels, and progression-free survival ranged from 4 to 31 months. Tumor tissue from one patient was obtained after 11 months of therapy and showed evidence of PV701 particles budding from the tumor cell membrane by electron microscopy and a pronounced lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate by histologic examination.

CONCLUSION: PV701 warrants further study as a novel therapeutic agent for cancer patients.
Medical Schools Are Updating Their Curricula as Climate Change Becomes Impossible to Ignore
Authors: Brouillette Monique
Published: August 2024

This Medical News article discusses the introduction of coursework on climate change in medical schools, residency programs, and beyond.
Expanding Treatment Options for Alcohol Use Disorder
Authors: Uscher-Pines Lori , Lin Kevin , Busch Alisa B.
Published: August 2024

This Viewpoint discusses the emergence of telemedicine as a potential treatment option for alcohol use disorder and highlights the advantages, disadvantages, and barriers of this care model.
Abiraterone or Enzalutamide for Patients With Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Authors: La Jennifer , Wang Lin , Corrigan June K. , Lang Deborah , Lee Michelle H. , Do Nhan V. , Brophy Mary T. , Paller Channing J. , Fillmore Nathanael R.
Published: August 2024

Importance

Abiraterone acetate and enzalutamide are recommended as preferred treatments for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), but differences in their relative efficacy are unclear due to a lack of head-to-head clinical trials. Clear guidance is needed for making informed mCRPC therapeutic choices.

Objective

To compare clinical outcomes in patients with mCRPC treated with abiraterone acetate or enzalutamide.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective, multicenter cohort study included patients with mCRPC in the US Department of Veterans Affairs health care system who initiated treatment with abiraterone acetate or enzalutamide between January 1, 2014, and October 30, 2022.

Exposures

Abiraterone acetate or enzalutamide.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The study used inverse probability of treatment weighting to balance baseline characteristics between patients initiating abiraterone acetate or enzalutamide and evaluated restricted mean survival time (RMST) differences in overall survival (OS), prostate cancer–specific survival (PCS), time to next treatment switching or death (TTS), and time to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response (TTR) at different time points after treatment initiation.

Results

The study included 5779 patients (median age, 74.42 years [IQR, 68.94-82.14 years]). Median follow-up was between 38 and 60 months. Patients initiating enzalutamide on average had longer OS than those initiating abiraterone acetate, with RMSTs of 24.29 months (95% CI, 23.58-24.99 months) and 23.38 months (95% CI, 22.85-23.92 months), respectively, and a difference in RMST of 0.90 months (95% CI, 0.02-1.79 months) at 4 years. Similarly, TTS and TTR were improved in patients initiating enzalutamide, with an RMST at 4 years of 1.95 months (95% CI, 0.92-2.99 months) longer for TTS and 3.57 months (95% CI, 1.76-5.38 months) shorter for TTR. For PCS, the RMST at 2 years was 0.48 months (95% CI, 0.01-0.95 months) longer. An examination of subgroups identified that enzalutamide initiation was associated with longer RMST in OS among patients without prior docetaxel treatment (1.14 months; 95% CI, 0.19-2.10 months) and in those with PSA doubling time of 3 months or longer (2.23 months; 95% CI, 0.81-3.66 months) but not among patients with prior docetaxel (−0.25 months; 95% CI, −2.59 to 2.09 months) or with PSA doubling time of less than 3 months (0.05 months; 95% CI, −1.05 to 1.15 months).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study of patients with mCRPC, initiation of enzalutamide was associated with small but statistically significant improvements in OS, PCS, TTS, and TTR compared with initiation of abiraterone acetate. The improvements were more prominent in short-term outcomes, including TTS and TTR, and in patient subgroups without prior docetaxel or with PSA doubling time longer than 3 months.
Back to the drawing board for Lykos after failures on several grounds
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: August 2024

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) did not accept the application of Lykos Therapeutics for MDMA as a treatment for post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In a letter dated Aug. 9 and released by Lykos Therapeutics, the for‐profit arm of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), the company stated that it is disappointed in the FDA response, but that it intends to pursue the goal of approval. This announcement was followed by the retraction of three peer‐reviewed studies on Aug. 9 as well. The FDA did not completely reject the idea of ever approving MDMA, but asked Lykos for more information.
Access to buprenorphine is at risk!
Authors: Kent Rob
Published: August 2024

Since March 2020, when COVID‐19 took hold, folks have been able to access buprenorphine with their prescriber using telephonic means to start this lifesaving treatment. The intervening four years have shown us that lives were saved and diversion of the medicine did not occur.
Sober home cannabis users more likely to use alcohol, drugs
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: August 2024

Researchers have found that abstinence‐based policies in sober living homes should include a ban on cannabis use as well as alcohol and other drug use. The study was meant to look more closely at the evidence suggesting that cannabis may be “safer” than other drugs. However, cannabis legalization has put sober homes in a difficult position regarding cannabis use among residents.
Understanding the Surface Chemistry of Tin Halide Perovskites
Authors: Treglia Antonella , Prato Mirko , Wu Chun‐Sheng Jack , Wong E Laine , Poli Isabella , Petrozza Annamaria
Published: August 2024

The role of tin fluoride in defining the complex surface chemistry of tin halide perovskites (THP) is investigated. It is shown that oxygen is found on the surface of tin perovskite thin films even if prepared under a virtually inert environment; however, the presence of SnF2 strongly affects the chemical nature of the found species. Oxygen primarily binds to tin in the form of SnO2 only when SnF2 is added to the precursor solution, while it preferentially binds to carbon and hydrogen in pristine materials. Thanks to the spatial mapping of both the local chemical environment and photoluminescence, it is shown that pristine films have a higher accumulation of iodine at the grain boundaries while the addition of SnF2 allows for preserving the perovskite phase and reducing chemical and optical heterogeneities. Finally, SnF2 does not help in avoiding nor slowing down the degradation of the perovskite film when exposed to ambient air and oxidation occurs on the whole THP‐grain surface. These results provide insightful guidance toward understanding oxidation in THPs and elucidate its detrimental effect on the material's properties.
Positively‐Coated Nanofiltration Membranes for Lithium Recovery from Battery Leachates and Salt‐Lakes: Ion Transport Fundamentals and Module Performance
Authors: Foo Zi Hao , Liu Suwei , Kanias Lucy , Lee Trent R. , Heath Samuel M. , Tomi Yasuhiro , Miyabe Tomotsugu , Keten Sinan , Lueptow Richard M. , Lienhard John H.
Published: August 2024

Membranes facilitate scalable and continuous lithium concentration from hypersaline salt lakes and battery leachates. Conventional nanofiltration (NF) membranes, however, exhibit poor monovalent selectivity in high‐salinity environments due to weakened exclusion mechanisms. This study examines polyamide NF membranes coated with polyelectrolytes enriched with ammonium groups to maintain high monovalent cation selectivity in hypersaline conditions. Over 8000 ion rejection measurements are recorded using salt lake brines and battery leachates. The experiments exemplify the coated membrane's ability to reduce magnesium concentrations to 0.14% from salt lakes and elevate lithium purity to 98% from battery leachates, in a single filtration stage. The membrane's selectivity is retained after 12 weeks in acidic conditions. Molecular dynamics analyses reveal that the ammonium groups create an electrostatic barrier at low pH, selectively hindering multivalent cation transport. This is corroborated by the Coulombic attraction between cations and carboxylate groups, along with a repulsive barrier from ammonium groups. Despite a 14.7% increase in specific energy, a two‐stage NF system using the coated membranes for lithium recovery significantly reduces permeate magnesium composition to 0.031% from Chilean salt lake brines. For NMC leachates, the coated membranes achieve permeate lithium purity exceeding 99.5%, yielding enhanced permeate quality with minor increases in energy demands.
Improving Efficiency of Organic Photovoltaics by Manipulating Critical Concentration of Polymer in Bulk‐Heterojunction Solution
Authors: Luo Xuanang , Yang Wenyu , Lin Youran , Wu Jiaming , Zhang Xiaowei , Peng Feng , Zhong Wenkai , Qiao Xianfeng , Li Ning , Ma Dongge , Ying Lei
Published: August 2024

In the advancement of organic photovoltaics (OPV) toward scale‐up production, how to mitigate the batch instability of electron‐donating polymers originated from varied molecular weights remains a great challenge. By taking into consideration the relationship between the molecular weight of electron‐donating polymers and the relevant critical concentration (c*) of the solution, herein it is demonstrated that the aggregation behavior of the electron‐donating polymers can be tailored through manipulating c* of the polymer solution. It is interesting to note that the excessive aggregation in low‐molecular‐weight fractions can be circumvented while the favorable mixing ratio can be identified. By preparing the binary bulk heterojunction film under c*‐defined conditions for mixed‐molecular‐weight polymers, a notable power conversion efficiency of 19.1% for binary devices is achieved. Of particular importance is that a linear interrelation can be established between the c* for the maximum PCE and c* for the low‐molecular‐weight fraction aggregation, validating those straightforward spectra measurements can accurately and rationally guide the molecular weight mixing of photovoltaic donor polymers, thereby fully harnessing the potent driving force and affinity inherent to the low‐molecular‐weight fractions. These findings offer a straightforward and logical framework for addressing batch variability in the large‐scale production of high‐performance OPV devices.
Multi‐Functional Biomaterial for the Treatment and Prevention of Central Line‐Associated Bloodstream Infections
Authors: Kim Jinjoo , Keum Hyeongseop , Albadawi Hassan , Zhang Zefu , Graf Erin H. , Cevik Enes , Oklu Rahmi
Published: August 2024

Central venous catheters are among the most used medical devices in hospitals today. Despite advances in modern medicine, catheter infections remain prevalent, causing significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Here, SteriGel is reported, which is a multifunctional hydrogel engineered to prevent and treat central line‐associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI). The mechanical properties of SteriGel are optimized to ensure appropriate gelation kinetics, bio‐adhesiveness, stretchability, and recoverability to promote durability upon application and to provide persistent protection against infection. In vitro assays demonstrated that SteriGel exhibits long‐term antimicrobial efficacy and has bactericidal effects against highly resistant patient‐derived pathogens known to be frequently associated with CLABSI. SteriGel outperformed Biopatch, which is a clinically used device for CLABSI, in ex vivo cadaver studies that simulate clinical scenarios. Furthermore, SteriGel has biocompatible, pro‐healing, and anti‐inflammatory properties in vitro and in a rat subcutaneous injection model, suggesting a potential synergistic effect in the prevention and treatment of CLABSI. SteriGel is a multifunctional adherent biomaterial with potent antimicrobial effects for sustained sterility while promoting healing of the catheter incision site to protect against infection.
Graphitization on Natural Biopolymer Shellac: Toward Substrate Independent Coatings and a Recyclable Flexible Heater
Authors: Pavar Sai Kumar , Madapusi Srinivasan , Mitra Sushanta K. , Goel Sanket
Published: August 2024

Extraction of graphene and graphene derivatives from non‐toxic, biocompatible, eco‐friendly, and biodegradable resources with a one‐step production process is a challenge. This work is the first attempt at the one‐step graphenization of Shellac, a biopolymer derived from natural resources, achieved using direct laser patterning. Interestingly, the process highlights substrate independence by producing reduced graphene oxide (rGO) from multiple substrates, such as glass slides, Copper (Cu) adhesive tape, and overhead projector (OHP) plastic films. The produced rGO is fully characterized, and it is found that the sheet resistance is as low as 5.4., 24.65, and 8.4 Ω Sq−1. on the glass slide, OHP plastic sheet, and Cu adhesive, respectively. Moreover, developing various logos on resin‐coated ceramic tiles demonstrated the possibility of patterning desired conductive rGO patterns. Furthermore, a recyclable flexible rGO/Shellac heater is fabricated to validate its electrothermal performance (117.3 °C at 9.5 V) with foldable stability. The proposed one‐step substrate independent two‐material fabrication will revolutionize the process, potentially replacing conventional toxic routes of graphene production.
Speaking Deads: Sea Turtle Mortality Areas and Fisheries Overlaps Identified Through Backtracking of Stranded Carcasses in the Adriatic Sea
Authors: Agabiti Chiara , Zanetti Elisa , Quattrocchi Giovanni , Cucco Andrea , Baldi Giulia , Angelini Valeria , Pari Alice , Monticelli Martina , Olivieri Vincenzo , Angrilli Anna , Salvemini Pasquale , Furii Giovanni , Lauriola Stefano , Freggi Daniela , Casale Paolo
Published: August 2024

Interaction with fishing gears represents the main anthropogenic threat at sea for sea turtles worldwide, and identifying the hotspots of turtle bycatch is a priority knowledge gap.

Turtle stranding data represent a source of information about mortality areas at sea that are not fully exploited. This study aims to infer turtle mortality areas of turtles stranded along the Italian Adriatic Coast in the period 2019–2021 (1432 records), through backtrack modelling of carcasses. Specifically, the decomposition process of eight loggerhead carcasses was monitored, and the relationship between floating period (FP), turtle size and sea temperature was modelled through a generalized additive model. Oceanographic information was then used to track the routes of floating carcasses back, knowing their size and decomposition stage, and finally estimate the likely area of mortality. A complementary numerical experiment of connectivity between coastal and offshore areas gave indication that areas of potential mortality are relatively close to the coast, particularly in the northern Adriatic.

Stranded turtles probably represent just a small fraction (17%–25%) of total at‐sea mortalities in the study area (Italian Adriatic waters), with decomposition rates, season and distance from shore influencing their stranding likelihood. Hence, strandings can inform only about spatio‐temporal variability of coastal mortality hotspots.

Inferred areas of turtle mortality were most likely located in the North and Central Adriatic all over the year and overlap with heatmaps of fishing effort, obtained from vessel monitoring system (VMS) and automatic identification system (AIS) data, in the Gulf of Manfredonia and in the North‐West Adriatic in the cold (September–December) and warm (May–August) periods, respectively.
Methylene Blue Adsorption by Fe3O4 Nanoparticles: An Optimization Study Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Gritli Imene , Chemingui Hajer , Djebali Kais , Mabrouk Walid , Hafiane Amor , Marzouki Riadh , Ammar Salah , Chtourou Radhouane , Keshk Sherif M. A. S.
Published: August 2024

Water coloring has the properties of resistance to mutagenic, toxic, aggressive, carcinogenic, destructive, strong light and unstable oxidation and air pollution and has serious effects on environmental systems and human health. Because of its severe toxicity, methylene blue (MB) can cause cancer, mutagenesis, and teratogenic consequences in people as well as enter the food chain. The main objective of this investigation is to study the modeling and the optimization parameters of MB adsorption using a low‐cost adsorbent Fe3O4. The parameters evaluated for adsorption are the adsorbent dosage, pH, contact time, and temperature using the response surface methodology. The principal variables affecting MB removal were pH (3–11), catalyst dosage (0.01–0.3 g), contact duration (10–180 min), and temperature (25–55 °C). To select an experimental domain, a preliminary study was performed first. The results showed that at pH 10, 1.4 g L−1 Fe3O4‐nanoparticles (NPs) had the highest removal efficiency of cationic dye MB (20 ppm) from aqueous solutions by batch adsorption technique. The pseudo‐second‐order (PSO) kinetic models and the Langmuir isotherm provided the best fit for the adoption of MB. The adsorption process was exothermic and spontaneous, according to thermodynamics studies. To determine the effect of the investigated variables and their interaction on the adsorption process, a Box–Behnken design was used. A second‐order polynomial equation was used to model the experimental results. The experimental findings were consistent with the suggested model as demonstrated by the high value of the determination coefficient. The performance of the model equation verified the experimental observation with just a slight divergence, and the values acquired from the experiment and model predictions were found to be in suitable agreement. According to the numerical optimization, 98.61 % is the optimal elimination efficiency for MB adsorption. These results suggest that an adsorption process utilizing Fe3O4 NPs is efficient in environmental remediation.
Orthogonal Geometry Enhancing the Intersystem Crossing and Photosensitive Efficiency of Spiro Organoboron Compounds
Authors: Zhang Lin , Zhang Qing , Cao Zexing
Published: August 2024

Based on the reported spiro organoboron compounds (PS1 and PS2 as potent 1O2 sensitizers), several new organoboron molecules (PS4–PS9) were constructed through structural modification, and their low‐lying excited states and photophysical properties have been explored by density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent DFT (TD‐DFT) calculations. The predicted effective intersystem crossing (ISC) processes arise from the S1→T2 transition for PS4–PS6 and the S1→T4 transition for PS1, and corresponding KISC rate constants reach the order of magnitude of 109 (s−1). The organoboron compounds with a (N, N) chelate acceptor are predicted to exhibit relatively higher ISC efficiency than those bearing a (N, O) acceptor, and the planar C3NBN ring and the orthogonal configuration between the donor and acceptor moieties are responsible for the ISC rate enhancement. Importantly, the geometric features of the lowest singlet excited state (S1) for these compounds play a decisive role in their photosensitive efficiency. The present results provide a basis for better understanding of the photosensitivity of these spiro organoboron compounds and the structural modification effect.
Insights into CO2 Diffusion on Zeolite 13X via Frequency Response Technique
Authors: Grün Rebecca , Hashim Atheer Saad , Grau Turuelo Constantino , Breitkopf Cornelia
Published: August 2024

Zeolite 13X is an excellent candidate for the capture of CO2. However, this system needs to be investigated in more detail with regard to adsorption and diffusion. For this purpose, frequency response (FR) measurements were carried out with binderless zeolite 13X (NaMSX) and CO2. The size of the particles and the sample amount were modified in order to investigate their effects on diffusion processes. Macropore diffusion was detected and the corresponding diffusion coefficients were determined. The mentioned system was additionally used to evaluate the performance of the in‐house FR apparatus.
NIAAA: Reducing craving for alcohol: A measure of recovery?
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: August 2024

There is research using craving reduction as a measure of recovery from drug addiction, as recently reported at the College on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD) from National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) researchers. We wanted to find out whether craving reduction can also be used as a measure of recovery from alcohol use disorder (AUD). So, we asked George F. Koob, Ph.D., director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), who, with Laura E. Kwako, Ph.D., chief of NIAAA's treatment, health services, and recovery branch, responded to our questions.
Beta2‐adrenergic agonist salbutamol exhibits enantioselective disposition in skeletal muscle of lean young men following oral administration
Authors: Hostrup Morten , Jacobson Glenn A. , Eibye Kasper , Narkowicz Christian K. , Nichols David S. , Jessen Søren
Published: August 2024

Salbutamol is a common short‐acting beta2‐adrenergic agonist used in treatment of asthma and exercise‐induced bronchoconstriction but also possesses anabolic and metabolic actions in skeletal muscle. As a chiral compound, salbutamol is a racemic 1:1 mixture of two enantiomers, (R)‐salbutamol and (S)‐salbutamol, which exhibit divergent pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic actions. Despite salbutamol being available for decades, information on the enantioselective disposition of salbutamol enantiomers in human skeletal muscle is absent. In this study, we determined concentrations of (R)‐salbutamol and (S)‐salbutamol by UHPLC–MS/MS in arterial plasma and vastus lateralis muscle samples from 12 lean young men 2½ and 7 h following ingestion of 24 mg oral salbutamol. Mean (range) arterial plasma concentrations were 10‐fold higher (p < 0.001) for (S)‐salbutamol than (R)‐salbutamol, being 33(9–62) and 49(30–84) ng·mL−1 for (S)‐salbutamol and 4 (1‐6) and 4 (2‐5) ng·mL−1 for (R)‐salbutamol 2½ and 7 h following administration, respectively, reflecting faster elimination of the (R)‐enantiomer. Mean (range) muscle concentrations were higher (p < 0.001) for (S)‐salbutamol than (R)‐salbutamol 2½ h (0.17 [0.1–0.26] vs. 0.04 [0.02–0.06]) and 7 h (0.31 [0.21–0.46] vs. 0.06 [0.04–0.12] ng·mgd.w.−1) after administration. However, muscle:plasma partition coefficient was two‐fold higher (p < 0.001) for (R)‐salbutamol than (S)‐salbutamol 7 h following administration. These observations demonstrate that oral salbutamol exhibits enantioselective disposition in systemic circulation and muscle favoring the (S)‐enantiomer but with higher relative partitioning of the (R)‐enantiomer in skeletal muscle. Furthermore, the concentration‐time profiles of salbutamol enantiomers are different in skeletal muscle and systemic circulation following oral ingestion. These findings have implications for the application of chiral switch (R)‐salbutamol in doping control.
Stem‐node‐leaf continuum in Apocynaceae
Authors: Jain S. , Bansal S. , Pillai A.
Published: August 2024

A study of stem‐node‐leaf continuum in Apocynaceae has been made in order to correlate the vascular pattern in the internode, the node, the petiole and the leaf blade. In all the species an unilacunar one trace node was observed and the vascular patterns in the stem and leaf were also closely similar.
Nachweis tertiärer Theaceen Mitteleuropas nach blatt‐epidermalen Untersuchungen: I. Teil—Epidermale Merkmalskomplexe rezenter Theaceae
Authors: Kvaček Zlatko , Walther Harald
Published: August 2024

Nach blattepidermalen Untersuchungen rezenter Theaceen konnten bei der Unterfamilie Camellioideae Merkmalskomplexe gefunden werden, die einzelne Gattungen charakterisieren. Ein Bestimmungsschlüssel dafür wird beigegeben. Die Unterfamilie Ternstroemioideae läßt sich nach dieser Methode nicht eindeutig generisch differenzieren. Die Ergebnisse sind maßgebend für die systematische Bestimmung fossiler Theaceen‐Blätter.
Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Sippenstruktur des Genus Strychnos L. in der Flora Vietnams1
Authors: Khánh Trâń Cȏng
Published: August 2024

Im Rahmen des Forschungsprogramms zur Untersuchung der Sippenstruktur und der Nutzung von Arzneipflanzen, besonders in der Gattung Strychnos, in der Flora Vietnams wurde die vorliegende Arbeit durchgeführt.

Es wurden 1145 Exsikkate von 19 in Vietnam vorkommenden Arten aus Süd‐ und Südost‐Asien bis Australien untersucht. Auf Grund der morphologisch‐anatomisch‐palynologisch und chemischen Untersuchungen wurde die Sektion Strychnos s. l. in zwei Sektionen und zwi Subsektionen geteilt, nämlich sect. Strychnos s. str. – subsect. Nitidae T. C. Khánh, subsect. nov., subsect. Wallichianac T. C. Khánh subsect., nov. – und sect. Angustiflorac T. C. Khánh, sect. nov.

Die Arten S. daclacensis T. C. Khánh, s p. nov. und S. sonlaensis T. C. Khánh, sp. nov. wurden neu beschrieben. S. spireana Dor wurde wieder aus S. nux‐vomica als sclbständige Art herausgenommen. Die Gliederung der Sippen der Gattung Strychnos in Vietnam wurde nach der Kenntnis des Merkmalskomplexes umgebaut.

Für fast jede Merkmalsgruppe wurde eine Evolutionstendenz skizziert und darüber diskutiert. Die vermutlichen Verwandtschaftsbeziehungen der Sippen wurden begründet und zwei Bestimmungsschlüssel der Arten (nach vegetativen und generativen Merkmalen) vorgelegt.
Some hybrids from the genus Chenopodium L.
Authors: Dvořák František
Published: August 2024

Chenopodium ficifolium Smith (2n = 18) crosses with: Chenopodium album L.; Chenopodium album × strictum; Chenopodium album × suecicum; Chenopodium opulifolium Schrader ex DC. in Lam. et DC.

Chenopodium striatiforme J. Murr (2n = 36) .crosses with hexaploid species of Chenopodium L. In addition to the earlier described hybrids there were also investigated: Chenopodiutn diversifolium × striatiforme; Chenopodium album × diversifolium × striatiforme.

Chenopodium strictum Roth (2n = 36) crosses with: Chenopodium suecicum J. Murr (2n = 18); Chenopodium album × .suecicum (2n = 18, 36).

Chenopodium album × ficifolium: 2n = 18, 36, 54. Chenopodium album × striatiforme: 2n = 36; Chenopodium album × strictum × suecicum: 2n = 54.
The taxonomic importance of nectary variation in the genus Biscutella L.
Authors: Olowokudejo J. Dele
Published: August 2024

Floral nectaries have been investigated in twenty five taxa of Biscutella in the course of a systematic revision of the genus. Either four or six nectary glands were found located on the receptacle at the base of the staminal filaments. In some taxa all nectaries were found to be exclusively extrastaminal while in others the lateral nectaries were intrastaminal and the median ones were extrastaminal. In one taxon the lateral nectaries form continuous rings encircling the lateral stamens. Inter‐specific variation patterns have been observed in the number, shape, lobing and orientation of the nectary glands. These characters are discussed in relation to the taxonomy of the genus.
Seedling anatomy of some Apocynaceae
Authors: Jain S. , Pillai A. , Goyal S. C.
Published: August 2024

Germination is epigeal. The primary root is tetrarch in Carissa, Nerium and Wrightia and hexarch in Thevetia. The absence of rotation in the xylem during transition and the gradual disappearance of root protoxylem support Bonnier’s (1900 a, b) view of the gradual inward shifting of the pole of xylem differentiation. The root‐hypocotyl‐cotyledonary vasculature and epicotyl vasculature are ontogenetically separate units. The cotyledonary node is unilacunar unitrace in Carissa, Nerium and Thevetia and unilacunar two‐trace in Wrightia. The cotyledonary vasculature seems to support Bailey’s (1956) suggestion of the unilacunar two‐trace as a primitive condition.
Beiträge zum xerothermen Vegetationskomplex Böhmens IV. Die Ausstrahlung der Xerothermflora in Böhmen1
Authors: Toman Miloslav
Published: August 2024

Mit dieser Arbeit werden die Kenntnisse über die Xerothermvegetation in den Bezirken Vltava‐Beroun und Milleschauer Mittelgebirge ergänzt. Sic charakterisiert ferner die Gesellschaften der Klasse Festuco‐Brometea im Ostteil des Böhmischen Xerothermgebiets und in den böhmischen Randgebieten. Ganz besonders beschäftigt sie sich mit dem Problem des Ausklingens der Xerothermvegetation auf Kalk und Serpentinit in den Randgebieten Böhmens. Verfasser vertritt die Auffassung, daß das böhmische Xerothermgebiet und die Randgebiete Böhmens zwei selbständige Systeme innerhalb der Xerothermvegetation darstellen. Dabei ist die erstgenannte das ǎltere, das zweite ist das jüngere System.
Leaf epidermal studies in the Genus Vernonia Schreber tribe Vernonieae (Compositae) in West Africa
Authors: Isawumi M. Ayo
Published: August 2024

A comparative study of the leaf epidermis of 62 species in the genus Vernonia in West Africa was undertaken. Variations observed in the cell shape, anticlinal cell wall pattern, cell size, cell wall thickness, stomatal frequency, stomatal size and trichomes are discussed and their taxonomic implications if any are noted. Essentially, the trichomes are more useful taxonomically in the discrimination of the species into sections than any of the other epidermal characters. Several figures are presented to explain the variations in those characters mentioned above.
Cultures et plantes commensales‐culturales au Mali central
Authors: Aberlin J. P.
Published: August 2024

Rèsumè

Après quelques considerations à propos des cultures pratiquées dans une zone du Mali central, trois unites phytosociologiques sont décrites (une Alliance el deux Associations) et une hypothése concernant la niche écologique probable des plantes commensales‐culturales est proposée.
Structure and development of hairs in cucurbitaceous fruits
Authors: Thanki Y. J.
Published: August 2024

The structure and development of epidermal hairs of five cucurbitaceous fruits are described. The epidermal hairs are glandular and eglandular. Glandular hair consists of 1–2‐celled foot and a body differentiated into a multicellular stalk and a clavate head. Eglandular hair is cylindrical or filiform and has 1–2‐celled foot and uniseriate multicellular body. The branched glandular hair of Luffa cylindrica is first time reported in the cucurbitaceous fruits.
Taxonomy of Begonia L. (Begoniaceae) as Judged Through Cytology
Authors: Särkar A. K.
Published: August 2024

The present investigation deals with several species of Begonia collected mostly from the plains and hills of the Himalayas. The chromosome numbers of these species vary one from the other. The different chromosome numbers that have been worked out are 2n = 22, 24, 26, 32, 34, 38, 42 and 48 of which 26, 38 and 48 are new numbers added to the family. Further n = 10 chromosomes have been found in Begonia lucerna, the number which is the lowest so far recorded in this genus.

From a study of the chromosome numbers, it appears that multiples of 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 are quite common but it is difficult to find out the basic chromosome number in this genus due to such wide variations of chromosome complements.

However, the different chromosome numbers noted in the species of Begonia are related to each other as is borne out by intraspecific variations which have been found to be quite common. Of the species investigated, seven members at last have variant nuclei with different chromosome numbers apart from their normal complement. The origin of such variations is sought either in endomitotic reduplication of certain chromosomes or non‐disjunction. Any way, such irregular behaviour is always under genotypic control possibly having a significance in the evolution of new genotype.

The present investigation does not provide any cytological basis in the justification of creation of sections in Begonía as proposed by taxonomists.

Lastly, inspite of wide variability of chromosome numbers in the genus Begonia, it represents a natural assemblage which has been brought out from a study of the karyotypes.