bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Review on Large-Area Synthesis of Some Graphene Films, Characterizations and Applications
Authors: Charles Victor , Gaya Ndepana Andrew , Joseph Innocent
Published: March 2019

For two decades and beyond, remarkable progress has been made in the use of chemical vapour deposition methods for comprehending 2D materials growth. This review is aimed at providing an overview of several synthesis, characterizations and applications of large area graphene film on some substrates. First, the major growth methods are explained. Next, the mechanism of the graphene growth is discussed, focusing on reaction of precursors, diffusion of adatoms, energetics and kinetics of growth fronts, and effects of substrates. Then, the advantage of growing graphene film on some substrate over another is explained in some of the synthesis. Furthermore, the characterization of the various synthesized graphene films are explained, which suggests a suitable application to it.
Comparative Profiling of Solvent-mediated Phytochemical Expressions in Ocimum gratissimum and Vernonia amygdalina Leaf Tissues via FTIR Spectroscopy and Colorimetric Assays
Authors: Tella Josephine Oluwagbemisola , Oseni Saheed Oluwasina
Published: March 2019

Objective: The beneficial role of extraction solvents is often ignored, yet very important in enhancing the therapeutic potential of plant extracts. This study was carried out to comparatively characterize and profile the bioactive phytochemical compounds expressed in different solvent-fractions of Ocimum gratissimum and Vernonia amygdalina leaf extracts using both colorimetric phytochemical screening assays and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy.

Methods: Qualitative colorimetric assays were carried out on different solvent-fractions of leaf tissue extracts from both plants to determine the comparative expression profiles of bioactive phytochemical compounds with medicinal importance such as alkaloids, anthraquinones, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, phlobatannins, tannins, terpenoids, saponins, and reducing sugars. FTIR spectroscopy was used to characterize, and profile the presence of these compounds based on functional groups such as alcohols (O-H), saturated hydrocarbons (C-H), aliphatic fluoro (C-F), bromo (C-Br) and chloro (C-Cl) compounds, organic sulfates (S=O), esters, ethers, carboxylic acids (C-O), aromatic amines, methane nitriles (C-N), ketones, aldehydes, quinones (C=O), sulfur compounds (C=S), primary and secondary amines (N-H) with bioactive properties in the different solvent-fractions.

Results: Data were generated for methanol, n-hexane, ethyl-acetate, n-butanol and aqueous solvent-fractions of Ocimum gratissimum and Vernonia amygdalina leaf extracts. We have generated solvent-mediated phytochemical expression profiles for leaf tissue extracts of both plants based on the phytochemistry of their secondary metabolites. The methanolic solvent-fraction expressed the most phytochemicals in both plants.

Conclusion: This study has revitalized the importance of extraction solvents in optimizing phytochemical bioavailability in plant tissues. This may be responsible for variation in medicinal and biological activities reported in prior studies.
Assessment of Conformity to Areas under Permanent Preservation and Restricted Use within River Espinharas Hydrographic Sub-Basin
Authors: Medeiros Felipe Silva de , Lima Joedla Rodrigues de , Anjos Denise Monteiro dos , Leite Maria José de Holanda , Silva Roberta Patrícia de Sousa , Justino Sérvio Túlio Pereira , Figueroa Luan da Silva , Almeida Átila Bruno de Moraes , Araújo Alan Kardec de Sousa
Published: March 2019

The changes made in the natural dynamics cause risks that influence the equilibrium, terrestrial and atmospheric. The aim of the study was to characterize the land cover and land use of the Espinharas river sub-basin, with emphasis on the Permanent Preservation Areas (APP) and Areas of Restricted Use (ARU). The Sub-basin of rio Espinharas is part of the Northern Country Depression, it has one of the most typical landscapes of the northeastern semi-arid region. For the analyzes, multispectral images of the Landsat 8 OLI satellites were used, from the orbits and points 215/65, 216/64, bands 3, 4 and 5. The delineation of the sub-basin began with obtaining the hydrological attributes in the Software QGIS. For the identification of the areas of land use conflicts in APP and ARU, the map algebra was used to perform an overlay of the land cover and use map with the Map of the APP and ARU, using SIG Idrisi Software. The classes of land use and land cover in the SBH of the Espinharas River has the predominance of the Open Arboreal Shrub Caatinga (OASC) typologies with 2,239.37 km² (68.13%), Closed Arboreal Shrub Caatinga (CASC) with 203.17 km² (6.18%) of the total SBH area. It was also verified that 752.67 km² (22.90%) of the total area corresponds to anthropism. The satellite images allowed to have a clear, comprehensive and current view of the use and land cover of SBH of the river Espinharas. Discrimination, mapping and quantification of land use and land cover areas through the Geographical Information System (IDRISI, QGIS GRASS) classification allowed us to obtain results with greater agility regarding the integration and manipulation of the areas. The data obtained will help recovery plans and planning of the area, since a part of SBH is not complying with the current environmental legislation.
Tuning Oxygen Vacancies in Ultrathin TiO2 Nanosheets to Boost Photocatalytic Nitrogen Fixation up to 700 nm
Authors: Zhao Yunxuan , Zhao Yufei , Shi Run , Wang Bin , Waterhouse Geoffrey I. N. , Wu Li‐Zhu , Tung Chen‐Ho , Zhang Tierui
Published: March 2019

Dinitrogen reduction to ammonia using transition metal catalysts is central to both the chemical industry and the Earth's nitrogen cycle. In the Haber–Bosch process, a metallic iron catalyst and high temperatures (400 °C) and pressures (200 atm) are necessary to activate and cleave NN bonds, motivating the search for alternative catalysts that can transform N2 to NH3 under far milder reaction conditions. Here, the successful hydrothermal synthesis of ultrathin TiO2 nanosheets with an abundance of oxygen vacancies and intrinsic compressive strain, achieved through a facile copper‐doping strategy, is reported. These defect‐rich ultrathin anatase nanosheets exhibit remarkable and stable performance for photocatalytic reduction of N2 to NH3 in water, exhibiting photoactivity up to 700 nm. The oxygen vacancies and strain effect allow strong chemisorption and activation of molecular N2 and water, resulting in unusually high rates of NH3 evolution under visible‐light irradiation. Therefore, this study offers a promising and sustainable route for the fixation of atmospheric N2 using solar energy.
A Novel Hybrid‐Layered Organic Phototransistor Enables Efficient Intermolecular Charge Transfer and Carrier Transport for Ultrasensitive Photodetection
Authors: Gao Yuanhong , Yi Ya , Wang Xinwei , Meng Hong , Lei Dangyuan , Yu Xue‐Feng , Chu Paul K. , Li Jia
Published: March 2019

The interfacial charge effect is crucial for high‐sensitivity organic phototransistors (OPTs), but conventional layered and hybrid OPTs have a trade‐off in balancing the separation, transport, and recombination of photogenerated charges, consequently impacting the device performance. Herein, a novel hybrid‐layered phototransistor (HL‐OPT) is reported with significantly improved photodetection performance, which takes advantages of both the charge‐trapping effect (CTE) and efficient carrier transport. The HL‐OPT consisting of 2,7‐dioctyl[1]benzothieno[3,2‐b][1]benzothiophene (C8‐BTBT) as conduction channel, C8‐BTBT:[6,6]‐phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester (PC61BM) bulk heterojunction as photoactive layer, and sandwiched MoO3 interlayer as a charge‐transport interlayer exhibits outstanding photodetection characteristics such as a photosensitivity (Ilight/Idark) of 2.9 × 106, photoresponsivity (R) of 8.6 × 103 A W−1, detectivity (D*) of 3.4 × 1014 Jones, and external quantum efficiency of 3 × 106% under weak light illumination of 32 µW cm−2. The mechanism and strategy described here provide new insights into the design and optimization of high‐performance OPTs spanning the ultraviolet and near infrared (NIR) range as well as fundamental issues pertaining to the electronic and photonic properties of the devices.
Large‐Area Low‐Cost Dielectric Perfect Absorber by One‐Step Sputtering
Authors: Wang Shaowei , Chen Feiliang , Ji Ruonan , Hou Mingming , Yi Fei , Zheng Weibo , Zhang Tao , Lu Wei
Published: March 2019

Perfect absorbers with extremely high absorption are of crucial importance for many applications such as harvesting solar energy and eliminating stray light. A key point for their applications is ultralow photon escaping rate (PER) with easy fabrication process, which enables to maximize energy utilization or minimize the influence of stray light. An ultrathin perfect absorber (total thickness of 226 nm) is reported in this work with dielectric plasmonic nanocomposite (titanium nitride (TiN) embedded in aluminum nitride (AlN)) and antireflective coating (ARC). It can be fabricated by low‐cost one‐step sputtering approach in a very large area (200 × 200 mm2 for demonstration) on almost any substrates, including flexible polyethylene‐terephthalate. The average PER is only 0.4% in the whole visible range of 400–750 nm. As an example, the absorber is used in a laser scanning confocal microscope to eliminate the strong laser stray light and enhance the signal‐to‐noise ratio, which improves the clarity and contrast of imaging remarkably. It can not only match the requirement of harvesting solar energy, but also is suitable for stray light elimination of weak signal detection instruments, etc.
Mechanistic Insights and Rational Design of a Versatile Surface with Cells/Bacteria Recognition Capability via Orientated Fusion Peptides
Authors: Wang Lin , Chen Junjian , Zeng Xiangze , Cheung Peter Pak‐Hang , Zheng Xiaoyan , Xie Liangxu , Shi Xuetao , Ren Li , Huang Xuhui , Wang Yingjun
Published: March 2019

Hospital‐acquired infection causes many deaths worldwide and calls for the urgent need for antibacterial biomaterials used in clinic that can selectively kill harmful bacteria. The present study rationally designs fusion peptides capable of undergoing 2D self‐assembly on the poly(methyl methacrylate) surface to form a smart surface, which can maintain a desirable orientation via electrostatic interactions. The in vitro assay shows that the smart surface can recognize bacteria to exert antibacterial activity and is nontoxic toward mouse bone mesenchymal stem cells. Excitingly, the smart surface can distinguish different bacterial strains. This selective feature, from being broad‐spectrum to being highly selective against S. aureus, can be altered by varying the number of amino acids in the recognition sequences. By all‐atom molecular dynamics simulations, it is also found that the recognition sequence in the peptide is critical for the selectivity toward specific bacterial strains, in which a less accessible surface area for the bacteria in the antimicrobial peptide sequence is responsible for such selectivity. Finally, the smart surface can inhibit S. aureus infection in vivo with much more rapid tissue‐healing compared to the control.
Biomass‐Derived 3D Carbon Aerogel with Carbon Shell‐Confined Binary Metallic Nanoparticles in CNTs as an Efficient Electrocatalyst for Microfluidic Direct Ethylene Glycol Fuel Cells
Authors: Raj kumar T. , Gnana kumar G. , Manthiram Arumugam
Published: March 2019

Flexible and 3D carbon aerogels (CAs) composed of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with carbon shell‐confined binary palladium–nickel (Pdx–Niy) nanocatalysts on carbon fibers (Pdx–Niy/NSCNT/CA) have been developed through a facile chemical vapor deposition method. The 3D porous carbon network and the synergistic effect of carbon shell‐confined bimetal nanoparticles of rationally constructed aerogels facilitate enhanced electrocatalytic and antipoisoning activities toward ethylene glycol (EG) oxidation reaction compared to the commercial Pt/C catalyst. With the 3D morphological features and direct growth of Pd–Ni bimetallic nanoparticles encapsulated CNTs on carbon fibers, the Pd52–Ni48/NSCNT/CA delivers a maximum microfluidic direct ethylene glycol fuel cell (µDEGFC) power density and durability of, respectively, 62.8 mW cm−2 and 60 h. The superior performance observed, with Pd52–Ni48/NSCNT/CA amongst the catalysts reported in the literature, opens an exciting research avenue towards powering next‐generation, portable electronics.
2D Layered Double Hydroxides for Oxygen Evolution Reaction: From Fundamental Design to Application
Authors: Lv Lin , Yang Zhaoxi , Chen Kun , Wang Chundong , Xiong Yujie
Published: March 2019

The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) has aroused extensive interest from materials scientists in the past decade by virtue of its great significance in the energy storage/conversion systems such as water splitting, rechargeable metal–air batteries, carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction, and fuel cells. Among all the materials capable of catalyzing OER, layered double hydroxides (LDHs) stand out as one of the most effective electrocatalysts owing to their compositional and structural flexibility as well as the tenability and the simplicity of their preparation process. For this reason, numerous efforts have been dedicated to adjusting the structure, forming the well‐defined morphology, and developing the preparation methods of LDHs to promote their electrocatalytic performance. In this article, recent advances in the rational design of LDH‐based electrocatalysts toward OER are summarized. Specifically, various tactics for the synthetic methods, as well as structural and composition regulations of LDHs, are further highlighted, followed by a discussion on the influential factors for OER performance. Finally, the remaining challenges to investigate and improve the catalyzing ability of LDH electrocatalysts are stated to indicate possible future development of LDHs.
Integration of transcriptional and mutational data simplifies the stratification of peripheral T‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Maura Francesco , Agnelli Luca , Leongamornlert Daniel , Bolli Niccolò , Chan Wing C. , Dodero Anna , Carniti Cristiana , Heavican Tayla B. , Pellegrinelli Alessio , Pruneri Giancarlo , Butler Adam , Bhosle Shriram G. , Chiappella Annalisa , Di Rocco Alice , Zinzani Pier Luigi , Zaja Francesco , Piva Roberto , Inghirami Giorgio , Wang Wenyi , Palomero Teresa , Iqbal Javeed , Neri Antonino , Campbell Peter J. , Corradini Paolo
Published: March 2019

The histological diagnosis of peripheral T‐cell lymphoma (PTCL) can represent a challenge, particularly in the case of closely related entities such as angioimmunoblastic T‐lymphoma (AITL), PTCL‐not otherwise specified (PTCL‐NOS), and ALK‐negative anaplastic large‐cell lymphoma (ALCL). Although gene expression profiling and next generations sequencing have been proven to define specific features recurrently associated with distinct entities, genomic‐based stratifications have not yet led to definitive diagnostic criteria and/or entered into the routine clinical practice. Herein, to improve the current molecular classification between AITL and PTCL‐NOS, we analyzed the transcriptional profiles from 503 PTCLs stratified according to their molecular configuration and integrated them with genomic data of recurrently mutated genes (RHOA
G17V, TET2, IDH2
R172, and DNMT3A) in 53 cases (39 AITLs and 14 PTCL‐NOSs) included in the series. Our analysis unraveled that the mutational status of RHOA
G17V, TET2, and DNMT3A poorly correlated, individually, with peculiar transcriptional fingerprints. Conversely, in IDH2
R172 samples a strong transcriptional signature was identified that could act as a surrogate for mutational status. The integrated analysis of clinical, mutational, and molecular data led to a simplified 19‐gene signature that retains high accuracy in differentiating the main nodal PTCL entities. The expression levels of those genes were confirmed in an independent cohort profiled by RNA‐sequencing.
Cysteine‐Selective Phosphonamidate Electrophiles for Modular Protein Bioconjugations
Authors: Kasper Marc‐André , Glanz Maria , Stengl Andreas , Penkert Martin , Klenk Simon , Sauer Tom , Schumacher Dominik , Helma Jonas , Krause Eberhard , Cardoso M. Cristina , Leonhardt Heinrich , Hackenberger Christian P. R.
Published: March 2019

We describe a new technique in protein synthesis that extends the existing repertoire of methods for protein modification: A chemoselective reaction that induces reactivity for a subsequent bioconjugation. An azide‐modified building block reacts first with an ethynylphosphonite through a Staudinger‐phosphonite reaction (SPhR) to give an ethynylphosphonamidate. The resulting electron‐deficient triple bond subsequently undergoes a cysteine‐selective reaction with proteins or antibodies. We demonstrate that ethynylphosphonamidates display excellent cysteine‐selective reactivity combined with superior stability of the thiol adducts, when compared to classical maleimide linkages. This turns our technique into a versatile and powerful tool for the facile construction of stable functional protein conjugates.
Betonermüdung – Sicherheiten und Entwicklungspotenziale aktueller Nachweiskonzepte
Authors: Schmidt Boso , Schneider Sebastian , Marx Steffen
Published: March 2019

Das tatsächliche Sicherheitsniveau bei der Ermüdungsbemessung von druckschwellbeanspruchtem Beton ist derzeit unbekannt. Für die Ermüdungsnachweise werden Sicherheitsbeiwerte verwendet, die aus der statischen Bemessung übernommen wurden, und weitere, teilweise nicht wissenschaftlich begründete Sicherheitselemente implementiert. In diesem Beitrag werden Sicherheiten in aktuellen Nachweiskonzepten nach DIN EN 1992‐1‐1(/NA), DIN EN 1992‐2(/NA) und fib Model Code 2010 diskutiert und Entwicklungspotenziale aufgezeigt. Außerdem werden Ergebnisse bestehender Ermüdungsuntersuchungen stochastisch ausgewertet und mit Wöhlerlinien nach fib Model Code 2010 verglichen. Die vergleichenden Untersuchungen deuten auf ein höheres Sicherheitsniveau des Ermüdungswiderstands im Vergleich zur statischen Bemessung hin.
Expanding the DOPA Universe with Genetically Encoded, Mussel‐Inspired Bioadhesives for Material Sciences and Medicine
Authors: Budisa Nediljko , Schneider Tobias
Published: March 2019

Catechols are a biologically relevant group of aromatic diols that have attracted much attention as mediators of adhesion of “bio‐glue” proteins in mussels of the genusMytilus. These organisms use catechols in the form of the noncanonical amino acidl‐3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) as a building block for adhesion proteins. The DOPA is generated post‐translationally from tyrosine. Herein, we review the properties, natural occurrence, and reactivity of catechols in the design of bioinspired materials. We also provide a basic description of the mussel's attachment apparatus, the interplay between its different molecules that play a crucial role in adhesion, and the role of post‐translational modifications (PTMs) of these proteins. Our focus is on the microbial production of mussel foot proteins with the aid of orthogonal translation systems (OTSs) and the use of genetic code engineering to solve some fundamental problems in the bioproduction of these bioadhesives and to expand their chemical space. The major limitation of bacterial expression systems is their intrinsic inability to introduce PTMs. OTSs have the potential to overcome these challenges by replacing canonical amino acids with noncanonical ones. In this way, PTM steps are circumvented while the genetically programmed precision of protein sequences is preserved. In addition, OTSs should enable spatiotemporal control over the complex adhesion process, because the catechol function can be masked by suitable chemical protection. Such caged residues can then be noninvasively unmasked by, for example, UV irradiation or thermal treatment. All of these features make OTSs based on genetic code engineering in reprogrammed microbial strains new and promising tools in bioinspired materials science.
A collaborative CPU‐GPU approach for deep learning on mobile devices
Authors: Valery Olivier , Liu Pangfeng , Wu Jan‐Jan
Published: March 2019

As mobile devices become more prevalent, users tend to reassess their expectations regarding the personalization of mobile services. The data collected by a mobile device's sensors provide an opportunity to gain insight into the user's profile. Recently, deep learning has gained momentum and has become the method of choice for solving machine learning problems. Interestingly, training a deep neural network on a mobile device is often mistakenly regarded as cumbersome. For instance, several deep learning frameworks only provide a CPU‐based implementation for prediction tasks on a mobile device. In contrast to servers, a mobile computing environment imposes many domain‐specific constraints that invite us to review the general computing approach used in a deep learning framework implementation. In this paper, we propose a deep learning framework that has been specifically designed for mobile device platforms. Our approach relies on the collaboration of the multicore CPU and the integrated GPU to accelerate deep learning computation on mobile devices. Our work exploits the shared memory architecture of mobile devices to promote CPU‐GPU collaboration without any data copying. We analyze our approach with regard to three factors: performance/portability trade‐off, power efficiency, and memory management.
The effectiveness of educational methods for cricothyroid membrane identification by dental students: A prospective study using neck photographs and tracheotomy trainers
Authors: Goto Takashi , Kishimoto Toshiyuki , Sakurai Satoru
Published: March 2019

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accurate identification of the cricothyroid membrane (CTM) by fifth grade dental students, before undergoing the relevant anesthesiology practicum. Moreover, we aimed to determine the educational effectiveness of the cricothyrotomy practicum in anesthesiology. Before the lecture and without prior notification, 119 students were provided with a photograph of a man's neck and instructed to attach a blue sticker to the cricothyrotomy puncture site and to a palpable tracheotomy trainer, after applying sufficient palpation. After this, students attended a 60‐min lecture on the emergency airway management method. Two and 16 days after the lecture and practicum, students were presented with a new neck photograph and the tracheotomy trainer and asked again to place stickers (red stickers: at 2 days; green stickers: at 16 days) on the cricothyrotomy penetration site. The data were analyzed with an image processing software, by superimposing the 119 stickers on the neck photographs and tracheotomy trainers, to visually examine the accuracy of CTM identification. The rate of correct sticker placement in the neck photographs was 41.2% before the lecture, 80.7% 2 days after the lecture, and 77.3% 16 days after the lecture (before vs. 2 and 16 days after, p value < 0.01). For the tracheotomy trainer, the rate was 36.1% before the lecture, 97.5% 2 days after the lecture, and 94.1% 16 days after the lecture (before vs. 2 and 16 days after, p value < 0.01). Furthermore, the proportion of students with mistakes above and below the CTM was higher than that of students with mistakes to the right or left. In conclusion, the rate of accurate CTM identification among dental students was low before they underwent the relevant practicum, but most students were able to identify the CTM accurately after the lecture and practicum in a small class.
A comparison of calcium hydroxide/iodoform paste and zinc oxide eugenol as root filling materials for pulpectomy in primary teeth: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Najjar Rahaf S. , Alamoudi Najlaa M. , El‐Housseiny Azza A. , Al Tuwirqi Amani A. , Sabbagh Heba J.
Published: March 2019

Zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE) has traditionally been used as a root filling material in primary teeth pulpectomy. Calcium hydroxide and iodoform (Ca(OH)2/iodoform) may have advantages as a root canal filling material to evaluate treatment success of Ca(OH)2/iodoform pulpectomy in primary teeth compared with ZOE based on clinical and radiographical criteria. All human clinical studies reporting clinical and radiographical outcomes of Ca(OH)2/iodoform compared with ZOE in primary teeth pulpectomy were identified in digital bibliographic databases. Two authors independently selected studies and extracted relevant study characteristics. Success of treatment was based on an accomplishment of specific clinical and radiographical criteria. Meta‐analyses were performed to appraise study heterogeneity and aggregated statistics. Out of 5,000 articles identified in initial search, 15 articles met all inclusion criteria, while 10 were included in the meta‐analyses. At 6‐ and 12‐month follow‐up, there were no statistically significant differences in the clinical and radiographical success rates of Ca(OH)2/iodoform and ZOE. However, ZOE was shown to have statistically significant higher success rates at ≥18‐month follow‐up. On the basis of the findings of this systematic review, we recommend that Ca(OH)2/iodoform be utilized for pulpectomy in primary teeth nearing exfoliation; conversely, ZOE should be utilized when exfoliation is not expected to occur soon. Future randomized control clinical trials with a long‐term follow‐up are needed before a reliable conclusion can be drawn as to the best pulpectomy material. The success of pulpectomy in primary teeth depends on selecting the ideal root canal filling material. It is challenging to select the appropriate filling materials for primary teeth. ZOE or ZOE/iodoform combined with Ca(OH)2 appears to be the materials of choice if primary teeth are not nearing exfoliation. More high‐quality randomized control clinical trials with a long‐term follow‐up period are needed before a reliable conclusion can be drawn as to the best pulpectomy material in primary teeth (systematic review registration number: CRD42016037563).
Spatiotemporal variability in the structure of seagrass meadows and associated macrofaunal assemblages in southwest England (UK): Using citizen science to benchmark ecological pattern
Authors: Smale Dan A. , Epstein Graham , Parry Mark , Attrill Martin J.
Published: March 2019

Seagrass meadows underpin a variety of ecosystem services and are recognized as globally important habitats and a conservation priority. However, seagrass populations are currently impacted by a range of biotic and abiotic stressors, and many are in decline globally. As such, improved understanding of seagrass populations and their associated faunal assemblages is needed to better detect and predict changes in the structure and functioning of these key habitats. Here, we analyzed a large dataset—collected by recreational scuba divers volunteering on a citizen science project—to examine spatiotemporal patterns in ecological structure and to provide a robust and reliable baseline against which to detect future change. Seagrass (Zostera marina) shoot density and the abundance of associated faunal groups were quantified across 2 years at 19 sites nested within three locations in southwest UK, by collecting in situ quadrat samples (2,518 in total) during 328 dives. Seagrass shoot density and meadow fragmentation was comparable across locations but was highly variable among sites. Faunal abundance and assemblage structure varied between areas with or without seagrass shoots; this pattern was largely consistent between locations and years. Overall, increased seagrass density was related to increased faunal abundance and explained shifts in faunal assemblage structure, although individual faunal groups were affected differently. More broadly, our study shows that well‐funded and orchestrated citizen science projects can, to some extent, gather fundamental information needed to benchmark ecological structure in poorly studied nearshore marine habitats.
Recent advances in natural products exploitation in Streptomyces via synthetic biology
Authors: Zhao Qiyuan , Wang Liping , Luo Yunzi
Published: March 2019

Natural products of microbial origin have proven to be the wellspring of clinically useful compounds for human therapeutics. Streptomyces species are predominant sources of bioactive compounds, most of which serve as potential drug candidates. While the exploitation of natural products has been severely reduced over the past two decades, the growing crisis of evolution and dissemination of drug resistant pathogens have again attracted great interest in this field. The emerging synthetic biology has been heralded as a new bioengineering platform to discover novel bioactive compounds and expand bioactive natural products diversity and production. Herein, we review recent advances in the natural products exploitation of Streptomyces with the applications of synthetic biology from three major aspects, including recently developed synthetic biology tools, natural products biosynthetic pathway engineering strategies as well as chassis host modifications.
A statistical approach to improve compound screening in cell culture media
Authors: Puente‐Massaguer Eduard , Badiella Llorenç , Gutiérrez‐Granados Sonia , Cervera Laura , Gòdia Francesc
Published: March 2019

The Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line is widely used for the production of recombinant proteins due to its high growing capacity and productivity, as well as other cell lines derived later than CHO. Adapting cell culture media for each specific cell line is a key to exploit these features for cost effective and fast product generation. Media supplementation is generally addressed by means of one‐factor‐at‐a‐time or classical design of experiments approaches but these techniques may not be efficient enough in preliminary screening phases. In this study, a novel strategy consisting in folding over the Plackett–Burman design was used to increase cell growth and trastuzumab production of different CHO cell lines through supplementation with nonanimal recombinant compounds. Synergies between compounds could be detected with a reduced number of experiments by using this methodology in comparison to more conventional fractional factorial designs. In the particular case reported here, the sequential use of this modified Plackett–Burman in combination with a Box‐Behnken design led to a 1.5‐fold increase in cell growth (10 × 106 cells/mL) and a two‐fold in trastuzumab titer (122 mg/L) in suspension batch culture.
Geochemistry and zircon U–Pb geochronology of mafic rocks in the Kaiyuan tectonic mélange of northern Liaoning Province, NE China: Constraints on the tectonic evolution of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean
Authors: Guan Qing‐bin , Liu Zheng‐hong , Liu Yong‐jiang , Liu Jin , Wang Shi‐jie , Tian Yi
Published: March 2019

The Kaiyuan tectonic mélange makes up the western part of the Kaiyuan–Yanji Accretionary Complex Belt, NE China, and there has been a long‐standing controversy about its age and tectonic setting. In this paper, we present new zircon U–Pb ages and geochemical data for the mafic rocks of the Lujiapuzi Formation in the Kaiyuan tectonic mélange, and these data provide insights into the tectonic setting during the late Paleozoic and the evolutionary history of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean in the eastern segment of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). SHRIMP U–Pb dating of zircons from samples of albite–actinolite schist and amphibolite yielded a crystallization age of 258 ± 5.5 Ma for the protoliths, suggesting that the protoliths formed during the late Permian. The albite–actinolite schists and amphibolites have similar geochemical characteristics, and they represent metamorphosed basaltic volcanic rocks. Major, rare earth and trace element data show that the mafic rocks have a close affinity with mid‐ocean ridge basalt. REE petrogenetic modelling indicates that the primary magma was generated through the partial melting of a mixed garnet‐ and spinel‐bearing mantle source, and assimilated crustal material and underwent crystal fractionation during ascent. The geochemical features and inherited/xenocrystic zircons in the mafic samples indicate that they formed in a tectonic setting similar to the back‐arc basin. These new findings, together with other previously published data, indicate that the Paleo‐Asian Ocean still existed in the eastern segment of the CAOB during the late Permian to Early Triassic. The Kaiyuan tectonic mélange formed during the Middle Triassic, and its formation may represent the timing of final closure of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean.
Petrogenesis of the Middle Devonian syenites in the Miyun–Huairou Region of Beijing and its tectonic implications
Authors: He Fubing , Xu Xiwei , Dong Jing , Li Ruijie , Li Li , You Shina
Published: March 2019

Three Devonian magmatic rocks have been identified from the mid‐western part of the Yanshan Thrust‐and‐Fold Belt (YTFB). Here, we present new geochronological, Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic, and whole‐rock chemical data. Our new LA‐ICP‐MS U–Pb dating recognized syenite plutons of ca. 385 Ma, which include Laogongying, Shicheng, and Qiaomaiyu, respectively, around the Yunmeng Mountain in the Miyun–Huairou area of Beijing. Rocks from three plutons are characterized by low SiO2 and high alkali contents, especially high K2O, and they show syenite and foid syenite compositions. They display slight–middle light REE enrichment, no negative or positive Eu anomalies, strong depletion in Rb, Th, U, Nb, Ta, P, Zr, Hf, and Ti, enrichment in Ba, K, and Sr, low contents of Y and Yb, and high Sr/Y ratios. They have a relatively narrow range of isotopic compositions with initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios from 0.708203 to 0.710477, εNd(t) values from −12.26 to −13.28, and εHf(t) values from −19.92 to −17.96. This study shows the Middle Devonian intrusions were produced by fractional crystallization of a parental magma, which was derived by interaction between mantle‐derived alkaline magmas of a type I‐enriched mantle and pre‐existing continental crust. Tectonic background was likely emplaced in a back‐arc extension environment related to southward subduction of the Palaeo‐Asian oceanic plate or during the cessation of the subduction. Feldspar geothermometer and aluminium‐in‐hornblende barometry studies of the Middle Devonian plutons yielded emplacement temperature of ~700°C and pressure of ~6.5 kbar, indicating the emplacement depths of about 24 km. Combined with previous geobarometry results on the Middle Devonian plutons within the Inner Mongolia Palaeo‐uplift (IMPU) on the northern margin of the NCC, the strong uplift and exhumation the IMPU were identified during Middle Devonian to Late Triassic times. The exhumation was more than 4–5 km than those of the IMPU, resulting in widely absent of Palaeozoic strata within the YTFB.
Darolutamide is a potent androgen receptor antagonist with strong efficacy in prostate cancer models
Authors: Sugawara Tatsuo , Baumgart Simon J. , Nevedomskaya Ekaterina , Reichert Kristin , Steuber Holger , Lejeune Pascale , Mumberg Dominik , Haendler Bernard
Published: March 2019

Darolutamide is a novel androgen receptor (AR) antagonist with a distinct chemical structure compared to other AR antagonists and currently in clinical Phase 3 trials for prostate cancer. Using cell‐based transactivation assays, we demonstrate that darolutamide, its diastereomers and its main metabolite keto‐darolutamide are strong, competitive antagonists for AR wild type, and also for several mutants identified in prostate cancer patients for which other AR antagonists show reduced antagonism or even agonism. Darolutamide, its two diastereomers and main metabolite are also strong antagonists in assays measuring AR N/C interaction and homodimerization. Molecular modeling suggests that the flexibility of darolutamide allows accommodation in the W742C/L mutated AR ligand‐binding pocket while for enzalutamide the loss of the important hydrophobic interaction with W742 leads to reduced AR interaction. This correlates with an antagonistic pattern profile of coregulator recruitment for darolutamide. In vitro efficacy studies performed with androgen‐dependent prostate cancer cell lines show that darolutamide strongly reduces cell viability and potently inhibits spheroid formation. Also, a marked down‐regulation of androgen target genes paralleled by decreased AR binding to gene regulatory regions is seen. In vivo studies reveal that oral dosing of darolutamide markedly reduces growth of the LAPC‐4 cell line‐derived xenograft and of the KuCaP‐1 patient‐derived xenograft. Altogether, these results substantiate a unique antagonistic profile of darolutamide and support further development as a prostate cancer drug.
DFT analysis of the linkage isomerism in penta(ammine)ruthenium(II/III) complexes of benzotriazole: Natural bond orbital method approach and a comprehensive energy decomposition analysis
Authors: da Costa Gouveia Tiago Leyser , Campos Renan Borsoi , Ribeiro Ronny Rocha , Nunes Fábio Souza
Published: March 2019

Penta(ammine)ruthenium benzotriazole complexes [RuII/III(NH3)5bta]+/2+ and [RuII/III(NH3)5btaH]2+/3+ (bta and btaH are the deprotonated and neutral form of the triazole ligand, respectively) can exhibit two linkage isomers κN1 and κN2. This system was investigated by density functional theory natural bond orbitals analysis and Su‐Li energy decomposition analysis. Steric, electrostatic, exchange, repulsion, polarization, and dispersion energy components of the total metal–ligand interaction were quantitatively evaluated, and revealed that the overall metal‐triazole ligand is comprised of donor–acceptor interactions like σ‐donation and π‐back‐donation, which favors a specific isomer depending on the oxidation state of the ruthenium and the charge of the ligand. Further, activation energies (ΔG‡) for linkage isomerization reactions were calculated. Results were correlated with experimental chemical–electrochemical data and two plausible mechanisms are discussed. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis of deuterium‐labelled amlexanox and its metabolic stability against mouse, rat, and human microsomes
Authors: Gan Xinmin , Wilson Michael W. , Beyett Tyler S. , Wen Bo , Sun Duxin , Larsen Scott D. , Tesmer John J.G. , Saltiel Alan R. , Showalter Hollis D.
Published: March 2019

As part of a program toward making analogues of amlexanox (1), currently under clinical investigation for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity, we have synthesized derivative 5 in which deuterium has been introduced into two sites of metabolism on the C‐7 isopropyl function of amlexanox. The synthesis of 5 was completed in an efficient three‐step process utilizing reduction of key olefin 7b to 8 by Wilkinson's catalyst to provide specific incorporation of di‐deuterium across the double bond. Compound 5 displayed nearly equivalent potency to amlexanox (IC50, 1.1μM vs 0.6μM, respectively) against recombinant human TBK1. When incubated with human, rat, and mouse liver microsomes, amlexanox (1) and d2‐amlexanox (5) were stable (t1/2 > 60 minutes) with 1 showing marginally greater stability relative to 5 except for rat liver microsomes. These data show that incorporating deuterium into two sites of metabolism does not majorly suppress Cyp‐mediated metabolism relative to amlexanox.
Are formalin‐fixed and paraffin‐embedded tissues fit for proteomic analysis?
Authors: Bayer Malte , Angenendt Linus , Schliemann Christoph , Hartmann Wolfgang , König Simone
Published: March 2019

Formalin‐fixed and paraffin‐embedded (FFPE)–tissue archives are potential treasure troves in the search for clinically interesting specimens. However, while the FFPE‐treatment provides excellent conservation of the three‐dimensional structure of the tissue and prevents degradation over decades, it also introduces numerous nonspecific and irreversible protein modifications. In this study, we have evaluated several published workflows for FFPE‐tissue by fit‐for‐purpose proteomics technologies. We demonstrate that many protein modifications and cross‐links remain after treatment and conclude that the proteomics of FFPE‐tissue is of value, but clear‐cut limitations must be kept in mind. The analysis of abundant proteins in FFPE is straightforward, but confident identification of low‐level proteins and/or biologically relevant modifications is seriously hampered by the FFPE‐treatment. Peptide assignment should only be performed on high‐quality spectra, even if this is at the cost of lower numbers of protein IDs. As Yergey and Coorssen stated in 2015: “Data quality is considered the primary criterion, and we thus emphasize that the standards of Analytical Chemistry must apply throughout any proteomic analysis.”
The impact of predatory bacteria on experimental periodontitis
Authors: Silva Pedro H. F. , Oliveira Luiz F. F. , Cardoso Renata S. , Ricoldi Milla S. T. , Figueiredo Luciene C. , Salvador Sérgio L. , Palioto Daniela B. , Furlaneto Flávia A. C. , Messora Michel R.
Published: March 2019

Background

This study evaluated the effects of topical administration of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus HD100 on experimental periodontitis (EP) in rats.

Methods

Thirty‐two rats were divided into groups C (control), EP, C‐HD100, and EP‐HD100. At day 0, animals of groups EP and EP‐HD100 received cotton ligatures around mandibular first molars (MFM). In groups C‐HD100 and EP‐HD100, 1 mL of suspensions containing B. bacteriovorus HD100 was topically administered in the subgingival region of MFMs at days 0, 3, and 7. Animals were euthanized at day 14. Gingival tissue, hemimandibles, and oral biofilm were collected. Data were statistically analyzed.

Results

Group EP‐HD100 presented greater bone volume and lower connective tissue attachment loss (CTAL) than group EP (P < 0.05). Group EP‐HD100 presented greater proportions of Actinomyces and Streptococcus‐like species and lower proportions of Prevotella intermedia, Peptostreptococcus micros, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Fusobacterium polymorphum, Eikenella corrodens, Eubacterium nodatum, Campylobacter gracilis, Capnocytophaga sputigena, and Veillonella parvula‐like species than group EP. Group EP‐HD100 presented greater levels of osteoprotegerin and gene expression of interleukin (IL)‐17, IL‐10, and forkhead box P3 than group EP (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Topical use of B. bacteriovorus
HD100 promotes a protective effect against alveolar bone loss and CTAL in rats with EP.
Evaluation system construction and factor impact analysis of silica‐gel adsorption to extract phytosterol glycosides from soybean lecithin powder
Authors: Kang Jingjing , Che Yubo , Yan Nan , Cao Dong
Published: March 2019

BACKGROUND

Soybean lecithin powders are good sources of phytosterol glucosides (PGs) containing acyl‐sterylglycosides (ASGs) and sterylglucosides (SGs), but PG extraction from soybean lecithin powder is difficult due to the solubilizing property of phospolipids. To comprehensively utilize soybean lecithin resources, an evaluation system construction and factor impact analysis of PG extraction by silica‐gel adsorption was investigated in this article.

RESULTS

With high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) as the main experimental analysis method, software such as SIMICA and SPSS were applied to construct an evaluation system of PG extraction. Different from scores plot in SIMICA for distinguishing samples in chloroform from others, the loading plot and binary variant correlation analysis of all indicators in PG extraction were brought to confirm four evaluation indicators containing PG purity, ASG recovery, SG recovery and phospholipid recovery. In the factor impact analysis, four times elution from silica‐gel sediment was enough to achieve a PG product with least reagent waste, while SPW in petroleum ether at 50 mg mL−1 with 1:3 silica‐gel dosage (lecithin/silica‐gel, w/w) was then determined as the optimum of single factors.

CONCLUSION

All studies in this article were of great significance, as they laid foundations for research of PG extraction procedure, as well as PG industrial production, facilitating the comprehensive utilization of lecithin resources. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of dietary inclusion of fermented sea mustard by‐product on growth performance, blood profiles, and meat quality in broilers
Authors: Shi Huan , Kim Seung Hee , Kim In Ho
Published: March 2019

Background

Sea mustards are traditionally consumed as human food in many Asian countries. However, owing to the large consumption of seaweed, there are a substantial number of by‐products produced during processing. These by‐products after fermentation can provide a good alternative nutrient source for broilers and serve as a recycled resource reducing the environmental pollution of the seaweed industry. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of fermented sea mustard by‐product (FSM) supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, excreta microflora, blood profiles, relative organ weight, and meat quality in broilers. The treatments were: control (CON), basal diet; FSM, CON +2 g kg−1 FSM.

Results

During days 1 to 35, with the supplementation of 2 g kg−1 FSM, body weight gain (BWG) increased (P < 0.05), whereas the feed conversion ratio (FCR) decreased (P < 0.05). On day 35, with the supplementation of 2 g kg−1 FSM, excreta Lactobacillus counts increased (P < 0.05), and the excreta Escherichia coli counts decreased (P < 0.05). There were no significant effects (P > 0.05) on nutrient digestibility, blood profile, relative organ weight, and breast meat quality of broilers fed with FSM diets.

Conclusion

Dietary supplementation of 2 g kg−1 FSM can improve growth performance, and shifted excreta microflora by increasing the proliferation of Lactobacillus counts and by decreasing E. coli counts. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Analysis of fentanyl derivatives by ultra high performance liquid chromatography with diode array ultraviolet and single quadrupole mass spectrometric detection
Authors: Angi Carolyn , Lurie Ira S. , Marginean Ioan
Published: March 2019

Fentanyl has become pervasive as a drug of abuse and as adulterant in seized drugs. Positional isomers analyzed by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry can follow the same fragmentation pathway and therefore may not be differentiated. Additionally, electron ionization leads to lack of discernible molecular ion for most fentanyl related compounds. Liquid chromatography may be used as an orthogonal identification technique with diode array ultraviolet and mass spectrometric detection. Here we provide a chromatographic method for the separation of 20 different fentanyl analogues, homologues and positional isomers using ultra high performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array ultraviolet and mass spectrometry detection. Five different columns were investigated utilizing reverse phase chromatography and hydrophilic interaction chromatography. Chromatographic systems were evaluated to determine which could separate the most compounds overall, as well as the most positional isomers. We found that isocratic elution, with a methanol modifier (35%) and formic acid (0.1%) as an additive, on a C18 column at a temperature of 25°C could resolve 10/20 compounds overall and 16/20 positional isomers. Using electrospray ionization, compounds with different masses could easily be distinguished based on their pseudo molecular ions. Ultraviolet detection facilitated differentiation of positional isomers that could not be distinguished by either electron ionization or electrospray ionization mass spectrometry alone.