bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polarized cell surface expression of the green fluorescent protein‐tagged vasopressin V2 receptor in Madin Darby canine kidney cells
Authors: Schülein Ralf , Lorenz Dorothea , Oksche Alexander , Wiesner Burkhard , Hermosilla Ricardo , Ebert Jutta , Rosenthal Walter
Published: July 2002

We have analyzed the polarized cell surface expression of the G protein‐coupled vasopressin V2 receptor (V2 receptor) in Madin‐Darby canine kidney (MDCK) epithelial cells by both conventional cell surface biotinylation assays and laser scanning microscopy of green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐tagged receptors. Cell surface biotinylation assays with stably transfected filter‐grown cells expressing alkaline phosphatase (PhoA)‐tagged receptors demonstrated that the V2 receptor is located predominantly basolaterally at steady state, while minor amounts are expressed apically. Laser scanning microscopy of filter‐ and glass‐grown MDCK cells stably transfected with a GFP‐tagged V2 receptor confirmed that the receptor is expressed mainly basolaterally; within the basolateral compartment, however, the receptor was confined to the lateral subdomain. The results obtained with the GFP‐tagged receptor are thus consistent with and refine those from the biotinylation assay, which does not discriminate lateral from basal membrane regions. Our data indicate that the GFP methodology may effectively supplement cell surface biotinylation assays in future studies of polarized receptor transport. We finally show that microinjection of a plasmid encoding the GFP‐tagged V2 receptor into the nucleus of MDCK cells led to the same results as experiments with stably transfected cells. However, since there was no need for selecting stably transfected cell lines, the experiments were complete within hours. The microinjection technique thus constitutes a powerful single cell technique to study the intracellular transport of G protein‐coupled receptors. The methodology may be applicable to any cell type, even to tissue‐derived, primary cultured cells; coinjection of transport‐regulating compounds should also be possible.
HIV‐1 gp160 decreases the K+ voltage‐gated current from Jurkat E6.1 T cells by up‐phosphorylation
Authors: Dellis Olivier , Bouteau François , Guenounou Moncef , Rona Jean-Pierre
Published: July 2002

HIV‐1 gp120/gp160 is known to disturb the activity of p56lck, protein kinase C (PKC) and Ca2+ homeostasis in T lymphocytes. We found that gp160 decreases the Kv1.3 current of Jurkat E6.1 cells probably by increasing the PKC‐dependent phosphorylation of Kv channel protein after 5 days. This decrease is dose‐dependent. In contrast, gp160 did not decrease the Kv1.3 current of the JCaM1.6 cell line, a p56lck‐defective Jurkat cell line. This shows that p56lck was at the beginning of the events which induced the Kv1.3 current decrease. As a consequence of this decrease, Jurkat E6.1 cells were depolarized and exhibited a volume increase.
Blockade of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake by mitochondrial inhibitors amplifies the glutamate‐induced calcium response in cultured cerebellar granule cells
Authors: Khodorov B. , Pinelis V. , Storozhevykh T. , Yuravichus A. , Khaspekhov L.
Published: July 2002

The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake (MCU) in modulation (shaping) of the glutamate (Glu)‐induced changes in neuronal cytoplasmic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i). In order to block MCU, nerve cells were treated with mitochondrial inhibitors (MI) inducing collapse of the mitochondrial potential (ΔΨ
m). Measurements of changes in [Ca2+]i were performed using either the low‐affinity (fura‐2FF) or high‐affinity (fura‐2) Ca2+ indicators. Loading of nerve cells with rhodamine 123 made it possible to monitor changes in ΔΨ
m. In the first series of experiments it was shown that blockade of MCU in fura‐2FF‐loaded cells with a cocktail of rotenone (2 μM)+oligomycin (2.5 μg/ml) greatly (2.53±0.4 times, n=61) increased the [Ca2+]i response to a 1‐min Glu (100 μM) pulse. In fura‐2‐loaded cells, this increase was small (less than 1.3 times) or absent. In the second series of experiments, cocktails of rotenone+oligomycin or FCCP (1 μM)+oligomycin were applied during a prolonged Glu application. This produced strong mitochondrial depolarisation and an additional [Ca2+]i increase. In most cells the latter could be reversed or prevented by a removal of external Ca2+. The MI‐induced additional [Ca2+]i increase was especially pronounced in cells loaded with fura‐2FF. In some neurones a removal of external Ca2+ did not produce a decrease in [Ca2+]i during combined Glu+MI application, suggesting an impairment of [Ca2+]i extrusion mechanisms of these cells. The conclusion is drawn that MCU makes a considerable contribution to regulation of [Ca2+]i responses caused by Ca2+ influx via Glu‐activated ionic channels. The reasons for a quantitative difference between [Ca2+]i responses observed in fura‐2‐ and fura‐2FF‐loaded neurones are discussed.
Two new structured intermediates in the oxidative folding of RNase A
Authors: Welker Ervin , Narayan Mahesh , Volles Michael J , Scheraga Harold A
Published: July 2002

Two new three‐disulfide intermediates have been found to be populated in the oxidative folding pathway of bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A at a low temperature (15°C). These intermediates, des‐[26–84] and des‐[58–110], possess all but one of the four native disulfide bonds and have a stable tertiary structure, similar to the two previously observed intermediates, des‐[65–72] and des‐[40–95]. While the latter two des species each lack one surface‐exposed disulfide bond, the newly discovered intermediates each lack one buried disulfide bond. The possible involvement of these species in the rate‐determining steps during the oxidative folding of RNase A is discussed and a specific role for such species during oxidative folding is suggested.
Disulfide structure of the pheromone binding protein from the silkworm moth, Bombyx mori
Authors: Leal Walter S , Nikonova Larisa , Peng Guihong
Published: July 2002

Disulfide bond formation is the only known posttranslational modification of insect pheromone binding proteins (PBPs). In the PBPs from moths (Lepidoptera), six cysteine residues are highly conserved at positions 19, 50, 54, 97, 108 and 117, but to date nothing is known about their respective linkage or redox status. We used a multiple approach of enzymatic digestion, chemical cleavage, partial reduction with Tris‐(2‐carboxyethyl)phosphine, followed by digestion with endoproteinase Lys‐C to determine the disulfide connectivity in the PBP from Bombyx mori (BmPBP). Identification of the reaction products by on‐line liquid chromatography‐electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC/ESI‐MS) and protein sequencing supported the assignment of disulfide bridges at Cys‐19‐Cys‐54, Cys‐50‐Cys‐108 and Cys‐97‐Cys‐117. The disulfide linkages were identical in the protein obtained by periplasmic expression in Escherichia coli and in the native BmPBP.
Nitric oxide for treatment of threatened preterm labor
Authors: Leszczynska‐Gorzelak B , Laskowska M , Marciniak B , Oleszczuk J
Published: July 2002

Objective: The aim of our study was the assessment of effectiveness of nitroglycerin as a donor of nitric oxide, administered in the form of transdermal therapeutic system, applied in the treatment of threatening preterm labor. Patients and methods: The study was carried out on 30 pregnant patients with the symptoms of threatening preterm labor between 27th and 34th week of gestation. The patients were given nitroglycerin in the form of transdermal system releasing 5 mg of nitroglycerin in 24 h. Results: In our study the decrease in contractility and relaxation of uterus was observed in all obstetric patients. No changes in the fetal pulse rate and cardiotocographic tracing in the course of treatment and after completing treatment were observed. Conclusion: Nitroglycerin in the form of transdermal therapeutic system releasing nitric oxide may be an effective and safe tocolytic drug, however, further investigation needs to be performed.
Community contact persons promote utilization of obstetric services, Anambra State, Nigeria
Authors: Nwakoby B , Akpala C , Nwagbo D , Onah B , Okeke V , Chukudebelu W , Ikeme A , Okaro J , Egbuciem P , Ikeagu A ,   (The Enugu PMM Team)
Published: July 2002

Preliminary studies: Focus group discussions revealed delay in seeking and reaching emergency care as a factor contributing to maternal mortality in Njikoka Local Government Area. Interventions: After obstetric services at local hospitals had been upgraded, 48 community contact persons were recruited. They were trained to improve community awareness of obstetric complications and to facilitate referral of women with complications. They were responsible for establishing links with pregnant women, improving access to transport, and mobilizing the community to donate blood. Results: Over 18 months, community contact persons referred 18 women with major obstetric complications for treatment at health facilities. Fifty‐two pregnant women were referred for other reasons. A total of 129 women were assisted by the community contact persons. This number declined sharply over time, from 60 in the first half of 1994 to 16 in the first half of 1995. Costs: The community contact persons intervention cost approximately US $635, with 64% coming from project funds, 25% from government and 11% from the community. Conclusions: Community contact persons can perform a valuable role in facilitating referral of women with obstetric complications and supporting health education activities. © 1997 International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics
Proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycan fine structure in the mouse tail tendon fascicle
Authors: Derwin Kathleen A. , Soslowsky Louis J. , Kimura James H. , Plaas Anna H.
Published: July 2002

The isolated mouse tail tendon fascicle, a functional and homogenous volume of tendon extracellular matrix, was utilized as an experimental system to examine the structure–function relationships in tendon. Our previous work using this model system demonstrated relationships between mean collagen fibril diameter and fascicle mechanical properties in isolated tail tendon fascicles from three different groups of mice (3‐week and 8‐week control and 8‐week Mov13 transgenic) K.A. Derwin, L.J. Soslowsky, J. Biomech. Eng. 121 (1999) 598–604. These groups of mice were chosen to obtain tendon tissues with varying collagen fibril structure and/or biochemistry, such that relationships with material properties could be investigated. To further investigate the molecular details of matrix composition and organization underlying tendon function, we report now on the preparation, characterization, and quantitation of fascicle PGs (proteoglycans) from these three groups. The chondroitin sulfate/dermatan sulfate (CS/DS)‐substituted PGs, biglycan and decorin, which are the abundant proteoglycans of whole tendons, were also shown to be the predominant PGs in isolated fascicles. Furthermore, similar to the postnatal maturation changes in matrix composition previously reported for whole tendons, isolated fascicles from 8‐week mice had lower CS/DS PG contents (both decorin and biglycan) and a higher collagen content than 3‐week mice. In addition, CS/DS chains substituted on PGs from 8‐week fascicles were shorter (based on a number average) and richer in disulfated disaccharide residues than chains from 3‐week mice. Fascicles from 8‐week Mov13 transgenic mice were found to contain similar amounts of total collagen and total CS/DS PG as age‐matched controls, and CS/DS chain lengths and sulfation also appeared normal. However, both decorin and biglycan in Mov13 tissue migrated slightly faster on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electorphoresis (SDS‐PAGE) than the corresponding species from 8‐week control, and biglycan from the 8‐week Mov13 fascicles appeared to migrate as a more polydisperse band, suggesting the presence of a unique PG population in the transgenic tissue. These observations, together with our biomechanical data [Derwin and Soslowsky, 1999] suggest that compensatory pathways of extracellular matrix assembly and maturation may exist, and that tissue mechanical properties may not be simply determined by the contents of individual matrix components or collagen fibril size. © 2001 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Histomorphometric description of allograft bone remodeling and union in a canine segmental femoral defect model: A comparison of rhBMP‐2, cancellous bone graft, and absorbable collagen sponge
Authors: Zabka A. G. , Pluhar G. E. , Edwards R. B. , Manley P. A. , Hayashi K. , Heiner J. P. , Kalscheur V. L. , Seeherman H. J. , Markel M. D.
Published: July 2002

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein type 2 (rhBMP‐2) on the histomorphometry of femoral allograft‐host bone union and allograft remodeling. A 6 cm mid‐diaphyseal femoral defect was created and filled with an allograft stabilized with an interlocking nail in 21 dogs. Dogs were randomly divided into three equal groups and the allograft‐host bone junctions and the mid‐diaphyses of the allografts were treated with either an absorbable collagen sponge (ACS) loaded with rhBMP‐2 (BMP group), an autogenous cancellous bone graft (CBG group), or ACS loaded with buffer solution (ACS group). All dogs received daily tetracycline until sacrifice at 24 weeks to label new bone formation. Histomorphometric analyses on sections of proximal and distal allograft‐host bone junctions and the mid‐diaphyseal portion of allografts were performed using fluorescent and regular light microscopy. Analyses of the host bone and junctions between allograft and host bone revealed significantly greater new bone formation and larger osteon radii in the BMP group compared to CBG and ACS groups and contralateral intact bone. Porosity in CBG and ACS groups was significantly higher than in the BMP group, which had similar values to intact bone. In transverse sections of allografts, the largest pore diameters were present in the CBG group. Based on all parameters measured, significantly higher bone turnover occurred in the outer cortical area of the allograft in all groups as compared to the inner cortical and mid‐cortical areas. New bone formation and osteon radius/osteon width in allografts were similar for all three groups. Higher porosity and larger pore diameters in the CBG and ACS groups suggested higher bone resorption versus formation in these groups compared to the BMP group. The results of this study reveal more balanced allograft bone resorption and bone formation in the BMP group, with greater resorptive activity in the CBG and ACS groups. However, neither rhBMP‐2 nor autogenous bone graft increased allograft incorporation when compared to the negative control (ACS group). © 2001 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Induction of c‐fos mRNA by lead in PC 12 cells
Authors: Kim K. , Annadata M. , Goldstein G.W. , Bressler J.P.
Published: July 2002

Addition of lead acetate to PC 12 pheochromocytoma cells elicits induction of c‐fos, an immediate early response gene. Induction of c‐fos was concentration‐ and time‐dependent: the lowest concentration of lead acetate tested that induced c‐fos was 10 μM; induction was observed after a 30 min incubation and remained high after 90 min. Treatment with lead acetate and cycloheximide superinduced c‐fos mRNA. Actinomycin D, an inhibitor of mRNA transcription, decreased the level of c‐fos mRNA induced by lead acetate by almost 80%. Cadmium chloride and zinc chloride did not induce c‐fos mRNA. Since the c‐fos gene encodes a transcription factor, Pb2+ has the potential to deregulate the expression of other genes.
Metabolic syndrome perturbs deglucosylation and reglucosylation in the glycoprotein folding cycle
Authors: Kuribara Taiki , Imagawa Ayami , Hirano Makoto , Ito Yukishige , Totani Kiichiro
Published: March 2020

Deglucosylation and reglucosylation of glycoproteins by glucosidase II and uridine diphosphate‐glucose: glycoprotein glucosyltransferase 1 (UGGT1), respectively, are important steps in glycoprotein quality control. Misfolded glycoprotein accumulation is associated with endoplasmic reticulum stress and can lead to protein misfolding diseases such as metabolic syndrome. Here, we analyzed the expression and activities of glucosidase II and UGGT1 in rat models of obesity and obese type 2 diabetes, and phenotypes associated with moderate and severe metabolic syndrome, respectively. In obesity, the mRNA and protein levels of glucosidase II and UGGT1 are decreased and their activities are reduced. In obese type 2 diabetes, the mRNA and protein levels of these enzymes are increased, and glucosidase II activity is slightly recovered, although UGGT1 activity is reduced. Our findings suggest that metabolic syndrome affects deglucosylation/reglucosylation enzymes according to disease severity.
Seeking an Urban Philosophy: Carlo Ratti and the Senseable City
Authors: Burry Mark
Published: March 2020

Carlo Ratti of international design practice Carlo Ratti Associates, who is also head of the Senseable City Lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), has a considerable history of polemic propositions and positing thoughtful urban analysis techniques. Here Guest‐Editor Mark Burry charts and explains Ratti's trajectory and thinking and its place in the evolving protocol of digitalised urban design.
Impact of the type of anthracycline and of stem cell transplantation in younger patients with acute myeloid leukaemia: Long‐term follow up of a phase III study
Authors: Baron Frédéric , Efficace Fabio , Cannella Laura , Muus Petra , Trisolini Silvia , Halkes Constantijn J. M. , Fazi Paola , Vignetti Marco , Marie Jean‐Pierre , Chiusolo Patrizia , van der Velden Walter , La Sala Edoardo , Vitolo Umberto , Thomas Xavier , Lefrère Francois , Di Raimondo Francesco , Bourhis Jean‐Henri , Specchia Giorgina , Guimarães José E. , Allione Bernardino , Vrhovac Radovan , Ferrara Felicetto , Stevens‐Kroef Marian , Meert Liv , de Witte Theo , Willemze Roelof , Amadori Sergio , Suciu Stefan
Published: March 2020

We provide a long‐term evaluation of patients enrolled in the EORTC/GIMEMA AML‐10 trial which included a total of 2157 patients, 15‐60 years old, randomized to receive either daunorubicin (DNR, 50 mg/m2), mitoxantrone (MXR, 12 mg/m2), or idarubicin (IDA, 10 mg/m2) in addition to standard‐dose cytarabine and etoposide for induction chemotherapy and intermediate dose cytarabine for consolidation. Younger patients who reached complete remission with complete (CR) or incomplete (CRi) recovery were then scheduled to receive an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). That was if they had a HLA‐identical sibling donor; in all other cases, an autologous HSCT had to be administered. At an 11‐year median follow‐up, the 5‐year, 10‐year and 15‐year overall survival (OS) rates were 33.2%, 30.1% and 28.0%, respectively. No significant difference between the three randomized groups regarding OS was observed (P = .38). In young patients, 15‐45 years old, no treatment difference (P = .89) regarding OS was observed, while in patients 46‐60 years old, MXR and IDA groups had a trend for a longer OS as compared to the DNR group (P = .029). Among younger patients without a favorable MRC cytogenetic risk subgroup who achieved a CR/CRi after induction chemotherapy, those with a HLA‐identical sibling donor had higher 10‐year and 15‐year OS rates than those without. In older patients who reached CR/CRi, the long‐term outcomes of those with or without a donor was similar. In conclusion, long‐term outcomes of the study confirmed similar OS in the three randomized groups in the whole cohort of patients.
Post‐Traumatic Stress Disorder is Associated with further Increased Parkinson's Disease Risk in Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: White Donna L. , Kunik Mark E. , Yu Hong , Lin Helen L. , Richardson Peter A. , Moore Suzanne , Sarwar Aliya I. , Marsh Laura , Jorge Ricardo E.
Published: March 2020

Objective

Determining if traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are risk factors for Parkinson's disease (PD). This constitutes a research priority for the Veterans Administration (VA) with implications for screening policy and prevention.

Methods

Population‐based, matched case‐control study among veterans using VA health care facilities from October 1, 1999, to September 30, 2013. We identified 176,871 PD cases and 707,484 randomly selected PD‐free matched controls. PD, TBI, and PTSD were ascertained by validated International Classification of Disease 9th revision (ICD)‐9 code‐based algorithms. We examined the association between both risk factors and PD using race‐adjusted conditional logistic regression.

Results

The overall study cohort prevalence for TBImild, TBInon‐mild, and PTSD was 0.65%, 0.69%, and 5.5%, respectively. Both TBI and PTSD were significantly associated with PD in single‐risk factor race‐adjusted analyses (conditional odds ratio [cOR] = 2.99; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.69–3.32), 3.82 (95% CI: 3.67–3.97), and 2.71 (95% CI: 2.66–2.77) for TBImild, TBInon‐mild, and PTSD, respectively). There was suggestive positive interaction observed with comorbid PTSD/TBI in dual‐risk factor analyses, with significant 2.69‐fold and 3.70‐fold excess relative PD risk in veterans with TBImild and TBInon‐mild versus those without TBI when PTSD was present versus 2.17‐fold and 2.80‐fold excess risk when PTSD was absent.

Interpretation

Our study was the first to demonstrate that both TBI and PTSD are independently associated with increased relative PD risk in a diverse nationwide cohort of military service veterans, and the first to suggest a potential modest synergistic excess risk in those with comorbid TBI/PTSD. Longitudinal research is needed to confirm these suggestive findings. ANN NEUROL 2020 ANN NEUROL 2020;88:33–41
Protective effect of rutin against bleomycin induced lung fibrosis: Involvement of TGF‐β1/α‐SMA/Col I and III pathway
Authors: Bai Linlin , Li Aimin , Gong Cuike , Ning Xuecong , Wang Zhihua
Published: March 2020

Lung fibrosis is a progressive fatal lung disorder with significantly high mortality rates. Bleomycin (BLM) is one of the most commonly used chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of several carcinomas. The most severe adverse effect of BLM is lung toxicity; therefore, BLM has been repeatedly reported to be considered amongst the most widely used agents for the induction of experimental lung fibrosis. In the current study, rutin has been investigated for its ability to ameliorate BLM‐induced pulmonary fibrosis. BLM was instilled intratracheally and rutin was administered orally (50 and 100 mg/kg) for 3 weeks. Rutin significantly decreased lung/body weight index, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid lactate dehydrogenase activity, total cell count, macrophages, and lymphocyte counts. Rutin significantly decreased lung malondialdehyde content, increased lung glutathione content, superoxide dismutase activity, serum total antioxidant capacity, and decreased lung nitric oxide content. Moreover, rutin reduced expressions of transforming growth factor beta 1 and other fibrosis‐related biomarkers (Col I, Col III, and α‐SMA). In addition, rutin significantly ameliorated histological changes and prevented collagen deposition with the paralleled decrease in lung hydroxyproline content. In conclusion, rutin can be proposed to be a potential therapeutic agent for the management of lung fibrosis.
Building an efficient artificial intelligence model for personalized training in colleges and universities
Authors: Xiao Meng , Yi Haibo
Published: March 2020

Higher education provides a common educational pattern to all students in colleges and universities. However, under the general law of higher education, the teaching and education of a certain category or subject has its special regularity. Besides, students in colleges and universities have different demands of education. To address the challenges in higher education, it is very important to carry out higher education reform in colleges and universities. Personalized education has been considered to be a new educational model that is a result of the individual desire of students and the development of society. Traditional methodologies of teaching in colleges and universities cannot fulfill the implementation of personalized training. Hence, it is very urgent to develop new methodologies for personalized training. Among the methodologies of realization of personalized training, artificial intelligence is one of the most important methodologies. We exploit artificial intelligence for personalize education reform. First, we analyze the information of students before entering the colleges and universities. Then, we propose a method to extract modeling features of the student information. Second, we propose a method to build a personalized training model based on artificial intelligence. Third, we propose a method to predict the development track of students based on the personalized training model. On the basis of above designs, we design personalized training for students in colleges and universities. Furthermore, we implement our design by using artificial intelligence. Besides, our design can be applied to the career planning or related areas.
Efficient Organoruthenium Catalysts for α‐Alkylation of Ketones and Amide with Alcohols: Synthesis of Quinolines via Hydrogen Borrowing Strategy and their Mechanistic Studies
Authors: Maji Ankur , Singh Anshu , Singh Neetu , Ghosh Kaushik
Published: March 2020

A new family of phosphine free organometallic ruthenium(II) catalysts (Ru1–Ru4) supported by bidentate NN Schiff base ligands (L1–L4 where L1=N,N‐dimethyl‐4‐((2‐phenyl‐2‐(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)hydrazineylidene)methyl) aniline, L2=N,N‐diethyl‐4‐((2‐phenyl‐2‐(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)hydrazineylidene)methyl)aniline, L3=N,N‐dimethyl‐4‐((2‐phenyl‐2‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)hydrazineylidene)methyl)‐ aniline and L4=N,N‐diethyl‐4‐((2‐phenyl‐2‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)hydrazineylidene)methyl) aniline) was prepared and characterized. These half‐sandwich complexes acted as catalysts for C−C bond formation and exhibited excellent performance in the dehydrogenative coupling of ketones and amides. In the synthesis of C–C bonds, alcohols were utilized as the alkylating agent. A broad range of substrates, including sterically hindered ketones and alcohols, were well tolerated under the optimized conditions (TON up to 47000 and TOF up to 11750 h−1). This ruthenium (II) catalysts were also active towards the dehydrogenative cyclization of o‐amino benzyl alcohol for the formation of quinolines derivatives. Various polysubstituted quinolines were synthesized in moderate to excellent yields (TON up to 71000 and TOF up to 11830 h−1). Control experiments were carried out and the ruthenium hydride intermediate was characterized to support the reaction mechanism and a probable reaction pathway of dehydrogenative coupling for the C−C bond formation has been proposed.
Electroless Plating of Transition Metal Boride with High Boron Content as Superior HER Electrocatalyst
Authors: Zhang Ruiqi , Liu Huixiang , Wang Chenfeng , Wang Lincai , Yang Yanjing , Guo Yanhui
Published: March 2020

Facile deposition of transition metal boride (TMB) with high‐boron content as highly efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalyst has been realized by a facile one‐step electroless‐plating (EP) method. Boron content of the TMB catalyst shows an appreciable impact on its intrinsic HER activity. NiB/NF electrode with thin amorphous nickel boride (NiB) deposition on nickel foam (NF) required overpotential of only 41.2 mV to deliver a current density of 10 mA cm−2 for HER in 1.0 M KOH alkaline electrolyte. Meanwhile, this kind of electrode also shows satisfied stability which can work at large current density of 1000 mA cm−2 for over 72 h without performance degradation. The advance on the TMB electrode may pave a way to the development of practical electrodes for water splitting.
Peptidomimetic Polo‐Box‐Targeted Inhibitors that Engage PLK1 in Tumor Cells and Are Selective against the PLK3 Tumor Suppressor
Authors: Baxter Merissa , Chapagai Danda , Craig Sandra , Hurtado Cecilia , Varghese Jessy , Nurmemmedov Elmar , Wyatt Michael D. , McInnes Campbell
Published: March 2020

The polo‐box domain (PBD) of PLK1 determines mitotic substrate recognition and subcellular localization. Compounds that target PLK1 selectively are required due to the tumor‐suppressor roles of PLK3. A structure‐activity analysis of the PBD phosphopeptide binding motif has identified potent peptides that delineate the determinants required for mimicry by nonpeptidic inhibitors and provide insights into the structural basis for the selectivity of inhibitors for the PLK1 PBD. Fragment‐ligated inhibitory peptides (FLIPs) obtained through REPLACE have been optimized to enhance in vitro binding and a systematic analysis of selectivity for PLK1 vs PLK3 has been carried out for peptides and peptidomimetics. Furthermore, these more drug‐like non‐ATP‐competitive inhibitors had on‐target engagement in a cellular context, as evidenced by stabilization of PLK1 in a thermal‐shift assay and by inhibition of the phosphorylation of TCTP, a target of PLK1. Investigation in cells expressing a mutant PLK1 showed that these cells are sensitive to PBD inhibitors but dramatically resistant to clinically investigated ATP‐competitive compounds. These results further validate targeting the PBD binding site in the move towards PLK1 inhibitors that are active against tumors resistant to ATP inhibitors.
Genomic prediction enables early but low‐intensity selection in soybean segregating progenies
Authors: Mendonça Leandro de Freitas , Galli Giovanni , Malone Gaspar , Fritsche‐Neto Roberto
Published: March 2020

In soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], new commercial lines are commonly obtained from biparental crosses, and the selection is performed as homozygosity increases. However, it is difficult to select for quantitative traits in the early steps of breeding, due to the high heterozygosity level and a vast number of new progenies, which sometimes lead breeders to randomly select for these traits in this phase. Therefore, we aimed to assess the impact of genomic selection in early generations of a soybean breeding program. Working on germplasm derived from two different maturity regions in Brazil, genotyped in F2 and phenotyped in F2:4 for grain yield, plant height, maturity rating, and days to maturity, we compared the composition of different training populations, models with and without the genotype × environment (G × E) interaction effect, and two types of relationship measurements (genetic similarity and Euclidian distance). Results showed superior performance of the Euclidian distance kernel over the standard VanRaden kernel in major scenarios tested. In general, G × E models did not obtain superior performance compared with mean principal models, and the training population composed only of the nearest progenies had the highest prediction ability. The best models achieved prediction abilities between 0.40 and 0.56, thereby enabling application of a low‐intensity selection in F2. As a result, half of the progenies could be discarded without missing a great part of the good ones. Our results show that through genomic prediction, it is possible to select for quantitative traits in the early steps of breeding, which might increase the efficiency of the program in the advanced phases.
Diabetes is a risk factor for the progression and prognosis of COVID‐19
Authors: Guo Weina , Li Mingyue , Dong Yalan , Zhou Haifeng , Zhang Zili , Tian Chunxia , Qin Renjie , Wang Haijun , Shen Yin , Du Keye , Zhao Lei , Fan Heng , Luo Shanshan , Hu Desheng
Published: March 2020

Backgound

To figure out whether diabetes is a risk factor influencing the progression and prognosis of 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID‐19).

Methods

A total of 174 consecutive patients confirmed with COVID‐19 were studied. Demographic data, medical history, symptoms and signs, laboratory findings, chest computed tomography (CT) as well the treatment measures were collected and analysed.

Results

We found that COVID‐19 patients without other comorbidities but with diabetes (n = 24) were at higher risk of severe pneumonia, release of tissue injury‐related enzymes, excessive uncontrolled inflammation responses and hypercoagulable state associated with dysregulation of glucose metabolism. Furthermore, serum levels of inflammation‐related biomarkers such as IL‐6, C‐reactive protein, serum ferritin and coagulation index, D‐dimer, were significantly higher (P < .01) in diabetic patients compared with those without, suggesting that patients with diabetes are more susceptible to an inflammatory storm eventually leading to rapid deterioration of COVID‐19.

Conclusions

Our data support the notion that diabetes should be considered as a risk factor for a rapid progression and bad prognosis of COVID‐19. More intensive attention should be paid to patients with diabetes, in case of rapid deterioration.
Plant–animal interactions between carnivorous plants, sheet‐web spiders, and ground‐running spiders as guild predators in a wet meadow community
Authors: Krupa James J. , Hopper Kevin R. , Gruber Samuel B. , Schmidt Jason M. , Harwood James D.
Published: March 2020

Plant–animal interactions are diverse and widespread shaping ecology, evolution, and biodiversity of most ecological communities. Carnivorous plants are unusual in that they can be simultaneously engaged with animals in multiple mutualistic and antagonistic interactions including reversed plant–animal interactions where they are the predator. Competition with animals is a potential antagonistic plant–animal interaction unique to carnivorous plants when they and animal predators consume the same prey.

The goal of this field study was to test the hypothesis that under natural conditions, sundews and spiders are predators consuming the same prey thus creating an environment where interkingdom competition can occur.

Over 12 months, we collected data on 15 dates in the only protected Highland Rim Wet Meadow Ecosystem in Kentucky where sundews, sheet‐web spiders, and ground‐running spiders co‐exist. One each sampling day, we attempted to locate fifteen sites with: (a) both sheet‐web spiders and sundews; (b) sundews only; and (c) where neither occurred. Sticky traps were set at each of these sites to determine prey (springtails) activity–density. Ground‐running spiders were collected on sampling days. DNA extraction was performed on all spiders to determine which individuals had eaten springtails and comparing this to the density of sundews where the spiders were captured.

Sundews and spiders consumed springtails. Springtail activity–densities were lower, the higher the density of sundews. Both sheet‐web and ground‐running spiders were found less often where sundew densities were high. Sheet‐web size was smaller where sundew densities were high.

The results of this study suggest that asymmetrical exploitative competition occurs between sundews and spiders. Sundews appear to have a greater negative impact on spiders, where spiders probably have little impact on sundews. In this example of interkingdom competition where the asymmetry should be most extreme, amensalism where one competitor experiences no cost of interaction may be occurring.
A critical assessment of the design issues in e‐commerce systems development
Authors: Ehikioya Sylvanus A. , Guillemot Eric
Published: March 2020

Designers of electronic commerce (e‐commerce) transaction system applications face many challenges; some are old while others are emerging because of the emerging nature of the e‐commerce domain itself. This article examines the critical design challenges at different stages of the design process of e‐commerce applications. The high‐level designs have a large number of new issues specific to Web applications. Among them, the security and networking problems are the most determinant for the success of the applications. At the detailed design level, the languages and the user interface are major concerns. The user interface, specific to the Web, forces designers to redefine the traditional concept of the end user for the more appropriate customer‐centric concept. This is necessary to address the needs of consumers and for the survival of e‐commerce businesses. In addition, we also examine issues bothering the development team and the e‐commerce environment. Designers experienced in non‐Web applications can be more successful at developing e‐commerce applications if they address the issues we identified in this article in a creative
way.
Revealing and comparing different excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer processes for 3‐(4‐dimethylamino‐phenyl)‐1‐(4‐fluoro‐2‐hydroxy‐phenyl)‐propenone and 3‐(4‐dimethylamino‐phenyl)‐1‐(4‐fluoro‐2‐hydroxy‐phenyl)‐3‐hydroxy‐propenon
Authors: Gao Haiyan , Song Xiaoyan , Yang Xiaohui , Yang Dapeng
Published: March 2020

Two novel 2′‐hydroxychalcone derivatives (i.e., M1 and M2) are explored in this work. We mainly focus on investigating the effects of photoexcitation on hydrogen bonds and on the excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process. On the basis of calculations of electrostatic potential surface and intramolecular interactions, we verify the formation of hydrogen bond O1H2···O3 in both S0 and S1 states. Exploring the ultraviolet–visible spectra in the liquid phase, our simulated results reappear in the experimental phenomenon. Analyzing molecular geometry and infrared stretching vibrational spectra, we confirm O1H2···O3 is strengthened for both M1 and M2 in the S1 state. We further confirm that charge redistribution facilitates ESIPT tendency. Constructing potential energy curves, we find the ultrafast ESIPT behavior for M1, which is because of the deficiency of side hydroxyl moiety comparing with M2. This work makes a reasonable affiliation of the ESIPT mechanism for M1 and M2. We wish this paper could facilitate understanding these two novel systems and promote their applications.
Experimental and theoretical study on triazole derivatives as chelating agents to remove Fe++ Ions from wastewater in oil field
Authors: Azzam Eid M. S. , Gad Elshafie A. M. , Al‐Fahemi Jabir H.
Published: March 2020

In this study, we synthesized triazole derivatives as chelating agents (3‐(p‐methylphenyl)‐5‐(phenylsulfonyl)‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazoline (MT), 3‐phenyl‐5‐(phenylsulfonyl)‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazoline (PT), and 3‐(p‐fluorophenyl)‐5‐(phenylsulfonyl)‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazoline (FT) to remove Fe++ ions from wastewater in oil field. The effect of synthesized compounds on the removal of iron (II) from iron‐contaminated samples (Lab. design) and an industrial wastewater sample studied using DR5000 UV‐vis spectrophotometer technique. Removal of iron was studied at different concentrations of FeSO4 solution and field sample concentration. In addition, removal of iron (II) was investigated at different times. The performance of the derivative groups (methyl and fluoro) on chelating of Fe++ ions was studied. The prepared compounds show high efficiency in removing the iron ions from the water samples used. The removal efficiency of the title molecules (MT), (PT), and (FT) was investigated using DMol3 (Materials Studio v7.0) based on quantum descriptors such as EHOMO and ELUMO. Mulliken atomic charges distribution and Fukui indices were estimated to verify the local reactive sites of the molecules. The quantum chemical parameters were found to suitable to interpret the performance of the investigated molecules as a chelating agent for Fe++.
Responsiveness of sphingosine phosphate lyase insufficiency syndrome to vitamin B6 cofactor supplementation
Authors: Zhao Piming , Liu Isaac D. , Hodgin Jeffrey B. , Benke Peter I. , Selva Jeremy , Torta Federico , Wenk Markus R. , Endrizzi James A. , West Olivia , Ou Weixing , Tang Emily , Goh Denise Li‐Meng , Tay Stacey Kiat‐Hong , Yap Hui‐Kim , Loh Alwin , Weaver Nicole , Sullivan Bonnie , Larson Austin , Cooper Megan A. , Alhasan Khalid , Alangari Abdullah A. , Salim Suha , Gumus Evren , Chen Karin , Zenker Martin , Hildebrandt Friedhelm , Saba Julie D.
Published: March 2020

Sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P) lyase is a vitamin B6‐dependent enzyme that degrades sphingosine‐1‐phosphate in the final step of sphingolipid metabolism. In 2017, a new inherited disorder was described caused by mutations in SGPL1, which encodes sphingosine phosphate lyase (SPL). This condition is referred to as SPL insufficiency syndrome (SPLIS) or alternatively as nephrotic syndrome type 14 (NPHS14). Patients with SPLIS exhibit lymphopenia, nephrosis, adrenal insufficiency, and/or neurological defects. No targeted therapy for SPLIS has been reported. Vitamin B6 supplementation has therapeutic activity in some genetic diseases involving B6‐dependent enzymes, a finding ascribed largely to the vitamin's chaperone function. We investigated whether B6 supplementation might have activity in SPLIS patients. We retrospectively monitored responses of disease biomarkers in patients supplemented with B6 and measured SPL activity and sphingolipids in B6‐treated patient‐derived fibroblasts. In two patients, disease biomarkers responded to B6 supplementation. S1P abundance and activity levels increased and sphingolipids decreased in response to B6. One responsive patient is homozygous for an SPL R222Q variant present in almost 30% of SPLIS patients. Molecular modeling suggests the variant distorts the dimer interface which could be overcome by cofactor supplementation. We demonstrate the first potential targeted therapy for SPLIS and suggest that 30% of SPLIS patients might respond to cofactor supplementation.
CD‐sACE2 inclusion compounds: An effective treatment for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19)
Authors: Sun Pengfei , Lu Xiaosheng , Xu Chao , Wang Yanjin , Sun Wenjuan , Xi Jianing
Published: March 2020

Coronaviruses are common human viruses and include the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS‐CoV), the middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus and the SARS‐CoV‐2. Coronaviruses mainly bind to transmembrane receptor proteins on the human cell membrane through spike proteins (S‐proteins), thus releasing the RNA of the virus into the interior of the host cell to cause an infection. In this article, we discuss the mechanism and production of cyclodextrin‐soluble angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (CD‐sACE2) inclusion compounds in the treatment of SARS‐CoV‐2 infections by blocking S‐proteins. On the basis of the current research evidence, we believe that CD‐sACE2 inclusion compounds have the potential to treat COVID‐19. We hope that our article can provide a theoretical basis for later experiments.
Population and Harvest Dynamics of Midcontinent Sandhill Cranes
Authors: Pearse Aaron T. , Sargeant Glen A. , Krapu Gary L. , Brandt David A.
Published: March 2020

Sandhill cranes (Antigone canadensis) inhabiting the midcontinent of North America have been hunted since the 1960s under management goals of maintaining abundance, retaining geographic distribution, and maximizing sustainable harvest. Some biologists have raised concerns regarding harvest sustainability because sandhill cranes have lower reproductive rates than other game birds. We summarized demographic information in an age‐structured matrix model to better understand population dynamics and harvest. Population indices and recovered harvest since the early 1980s suggest midcontinent sandhill cranes have experienced an average long‐term annual growth of 0.9%; meanwhile, harvest has increased 1.8% annually. Adult survival and recruitment rates estimated from field data required modest adjustments (1–3%) so that model‐derived growth rates matched growth estimated from a long‐term survey (0.887 adult survival and 0.199 females/breeding female). Considering 0.9% long‐term annual growth, sandhill cranes could be harvested at a rate of 6.6% if harvest was additive to natural mortality (assumed to be 0.05) or 11.3% if harvest mortality compensated for natural mortality. Life‐history characteristics for long‐lived organisms and demographic evidence suggested that hunter harvest was primarily additive. Differential harvest rates of segments of sandhill cranes in the midcontinent population derived from differential exposure to hunting suggested potentially unsustainable harvest for greater sandhill cranes (A. c. tabida) from 2 breeding segments. Overall, demographic evidence suggests that the harvest of sandhill cranes in the midcontinent population has been managed sustainably. Monitoring activities that reduce nuisance variation and estimate vital and harvest rates by subspecies would support continued management of sandhill cranes that are of interest to hunters and bird watchers. Published 2020. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Undulating Tongue: A Window for Diagnosing Wilson's Disease
Authors: Agarwal Ayush , Garg Divyani , Qavi Abdul
Published: March 2020

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Ultra‐compact orthogonal pattern diversity antenna module for 5G smartphones
Authors: Karthikeya Gulur Sadananda , Koul Shiban K. , Poddar Ajay K. , Rohde Ulrich
Published: March 2020

In this article, an electrically compact end‐fire antenna with high pattern integrity operating in the 28 GHz band with an impedance bandwidth of 9% is proposed for mmWave 5G smartphones. The forward gain of the antenna is 8 to 10 dBi across the band. The effective radiating volume of the proposed antenna is 0.05 λ3 indicating a high gain yield for the available physical footprint. The common data usage modes of the smartphone are portrait mode and landscape modes. In order to cater to this purpose, a compact orthogonal pattern diversity module is proposed with mutual coupling less than 15 dB across the operating band. The compactness of the module is illustrated with actual 3D‐printed mobile case which adheres to the dimensions of commercially available smartphones.
Regularized variational data assimilation for bias treatment using the Wasserstein metric
Authors: Tamang Sagar K. , Ebtehaj Ardeshir , Zou Dongmian , Lerman Gilad
Published: March 2020

This article presents a new variational data assimilation (VDA) approach for the formal treatment of bias in both model outputs and observations. This approach relies on the Wasserstein metric, stemming from the theory of optimal mass transport, to penalize the distance between the probability histograms of the analysis state and an a priori reference dataset, which is likely to be more uncertain but less biased than both model and observations. Unlike previous bias‐aware VDA approaches, the new Wasserstein metric VDA (WM‐VDA) treats systematic biases of unknown magnitude and sign dynamically in both model and observations, through assimilation of the reference data in the probability domain, and can recover the probability histogram of the analysis state fully. The performance of WM‐VDA is compared with the classic three‐dimensional VDA (3D‐Var) scheme for first‐order linear dynamics and the chaotic Lorenz attractor. Under positive systematic biases in both model and observations, we consistently demonstrate a significant reduction in the forecast bias and unbiased root‐mean‐squared error.