bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Homeoprotein OTX1 and OTX2 involvement in rat myenteric neuron adaptation after DNBS-induced colitis
Authors: Bistoletti Michela , Micheloni Giovanni , Baranzini Nicolò , Bosi Annalisa , Conti Andrea , Filpa Viviana , Pirrone Cristina , Millefanti Giorgia , Moro Elisabetta , Grimaldi Annalisa , Valli Roberto , Baj Andreina , Crema Francesca , Giaroni Cristina , Porta Giovanni
Published: February 2020

Background

Inflammatory bowel diseases are associated with remodeling of neuronal circuitries within the enteric nervous system, occurring also at sites distant from the acute site of inflammation and underlying disturbed intestinal functions. Homeoproteins orthodenticle OTX1 and OTX2 are neuronal transcription factors participating to adaptation during inflammation and underlying tumor growth both in the central nervous system and in the periphery. In this study, we evaluated OTX1 and OTX2 expression in the rat small intestine and distal colon myenteric plexus after intrarectal dinitro-benzene sulfonic (DNBS) acid-induced colitis.

Methods

OTX1 and OTX2 distribution was immunohistochemically investigated in longitudinal muscle myenteric plexus (LMMP)-whole mount preparations. mRNAs and protein levels of both OTX1 and OTX2 were evaluated by qRT-PCR and Western blotting in LMMPs.

Results

DNBS-treatment induced major gross morphology and histological alterations in the distal colon, while the number of myenteric neurons was significantly reduced both in the small intestine and colon. mRNA levels of the inflammatory markers, TNFα, pro-IL1β, IL6, HIF1α and VEGFα and myeloperoxidase activity raised in both regions. In both small intestine and colon, an anti-OTX1 antibody labeled a small percentage of myenteric neurons, and prevalently enteric glial cells, as evidenced by co-staining with the glial marker S100β. OTX2 immunoreactivity was present only in myenteric neurons and was highly co-localized with neuronal nitric oxide synthase. Both in the small intestine and distal colon, the number of OTX1- and OTX2-immunoreactive myenteric neurons significantly increased after DNBS treatment. In these conditions, OTX1 immunostaining was highly superimposable with inducible nitric oxide synthase in both regions. OTX1 and OTX2 mRNA and protein levels significantly enhanced in LMMP preparations of both regions after DNBS treatment.

Conclusions

These data suggest that colitis up-regulates OTX1 and OTX2 in myenteric plexus both on site and distantly from the injury, potentially participating to inflammatory-related myenteric ganglia remodeling processes involving nitrergic transmission.
Lipid Emulsions
Authors: McClements David J. , Weiss Jochen , Corradini Maria G.
Published: February 2020

In many foods, lipids are often present in a particulate form, i.e. they exist as emulsions where either small fat droplets are dispersed in an aqueous phase or small water droplets are dispersed in an oil phase. Physicochemical characteristics, functionality, and sensory properties of lipid emulsions are largely dominated by the size, concentration, physical state, and interactions of the lipid droplets that they contain. This article introduces the basic concepts and techniques of emulsion science and illustrates how these principles can be used to better understand and control appearance, flavor, stability, functionality, and rheology of food emulsions.
Olive Oil
Authors: Kiritsakis Apostolos , Turkan Keceli M. , Kiritsakis Konstantinos
Published: February 2020

Olive oil is a natural juice obtained by mechanical or physical means from the fruit of the tree
Olea europaea
L. Many historians believe that the olive cultivation began during the Palaeolithic and Neolithic periods (5000–3500
bce
). Most of the world's olive trees grow in the Mediterranean Basin. Olive oil has always been an important component in the diet of Mediterranean people, but in the past years this oil has become more popular among consumers in Northern Europe, the United States, Canada, and Australia. Olive oil quality depends mainly on the cultivar, microclimate, soil conditions, fruit health, and processing conditions. Several studies have confirmed that extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) helps to reduce oxidative stress, high blood pressure, obesity, fatty liver, and insulin resistance, diseases that are closely related to diabetes and coronary heart disease. This chapter focuses on the origin and history of olive tree, statistics of world production, and consumption of olive oil. It also deals with olive fruit processing, olive oil classification and categories, quality and purity criteria, olive oil components, olive oil analysis, deterioration, and adulteration. Phenolics and other minor functional compounds of olive oil are discussed in detail.
Detergents and Detergency
Authors: Lynn Jesse L. , Nguyen Thu
Published: February 2020

Detergency refers to the removal of unwanted foreign matters from a surface in a liquid bath containing a detergent formulation. A detergent formulation is composed of active ingredients like surfactants and inactive ingredients such as builders, alkalis, antiredeposition agents, enzymes, and hydrotropes. The main active ingredient of the detergent formulation is surfactants that can alter the interfacial effects at the various phase boundaries within the detergent system. Detergent formulations can contain from one to three surfactants. Thus, a typical detergent system consists of a solid object to be cleaned, called the substrate, soil, or dirt to be removed from the substrate surface and a washing liquid bath to be applied to the soiled substrate. Each of these elements in the detergent system can vary widely in properties and composition.

This article describes the role of each element in a detergent system. In addition, cleaning mechanisms and the measurement of detergency power in different types of detergent systems are discussed. These systems include fabric detergency and hard surface cleaning. Although it is impossible to list all the practical detersive systems that might be encountered, a large proportion falls in a small number of classes. This classification disregards surfactant structure and type of substrate (fibrous or hard surface) and is restricted to a consideration of the soil present on the substrate, mechanical action employed, bath ratio, and detergent used. Some of the commonly encountered detersive systems are classified on this basis here.
Nuclear export of replication protein A in the nonreplicative infective forms of Trypanosoma cruzi
Authors: Pavani Raphael S. , de Lima Loyze P. , Lima André A. , Fernandes Carlos A. H. , Fragoso Stenio P. , Calderano Simone G. , Elias Maria Carolina
Published: February 2020

Replication protein A (RPA), a heterotrimeric complex, is the major single‐stranded DNA binding protein in eukaryotes. Recently, we characterized RPA from Trypanosoma cruzi, showing that it is involved in DNA replication and DNA damage response in this organism. Better efficiency in differentiation from epimastigote to metacyclic trypomastigote forms was observed in TcRPA‐2 subunit heterozygous knockout cells, suggesting that RPA is involved in this process. Here, we show that RPA cellular localization changes during the T. cruzi life cycle, with RPA being detected only in the cytoplasm of the metacyclic and bloodstream trypomastigotes. We also identify a nuclear export signal (NES) in the trypanosomatid RPA‐2 subunit. Mutations in the negatively charged residues of RPA‐2 NES impair the differentiation process, suggesting that RPA exportation affects parasite differentiation into infective forms.
Inferring the transcriptional regulatory mechanism of signal‐dependent gene expression via an integrative computational approach
Authors: Chiang Sufeng , Shinohara Hisaaki , Huang Jia‐Hsin , Tsai Huai‐Kuang , Okada Mariko
Published: February 2020

Eukaryotic transcription factors (TFs) coordinate different upstream signals to regulate the expression of their target genes. To unveil this regulatory network in B‐cell receptor signaling, we developed a computational pipeline to systematically analyze the extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK)‐ and IκB kinase (IKK)‐dependent transcriptome responses. We combined a bilinear regression method and kinetic modeling to identify the signal‐to‐TF and TF‐to‐gene dynamics, respectively. We input a set of time‐course experimental data for B cells and concentrated on transcriptional activators. The results show that the combination of TFs differentially controlled by ERK and IKK could contribute divergent expression dynamics in orchestrating the B‐cell response. Our findings provide insights into the regulatory mechanisms underlying signal‐dependent gene expression in eukaryotic cells.
Sequential Evolution of Colored Copper Surface Irradiated by Defocused Femtosecond Laser
Authors: Ding Kaiwen , Li Ming , Wang Cong , Lin Nai , Wang Haoran , Luo Zhi , Duan Ji'an
Published: February 2020

Herein, an effective method is proposed for the fabrication of sequential colors on copper by adjusting femtosecond laser defocusing distance. The sequential evolution tendency of induced colors by adjusting laser defocusing distance is conducted. It is revealed that such a change of surface optical response is originated from the gradual evolution of three different kinds of structures. The angle‐resolved spectrum of the colored surface is investigated. In addition, the simultaneously derived hydrophobicity of the colored surface is explored.
Advanced Plasticized Electroactive Polymers Actuators for Active Optical Applications: Live Mirror
Authors: Thetpraphi Kritsadi , Chaipo Suphita , Kanlayakan Waroot , Cottinet Pierre-Jean , Le Minh Quyen , Petit Lionel , Audigier David , Kuhn Jeff , Moretto Gil , Capsal Jean-Fabien
Published: February 2020

Herein, an advanced concept to enhance the actuation ability of electroactive polymers (EAPs) based on modified terpolymer P(VDF‐TrFE‐CFE) is proposed. Such a polymer matrix attracts a great deal of attention because of its outstanding electromechanical coupling property, particularly when doped with plasticizers, e.g., diisononyl phthalate (DINP). Herein, it is demonstrated that by optimizing the structure's multilayer design, the electromechanical coupling of the modified terpolymer is enhanced with its high dielectric permittivity, low Young's modulus, and exceptional dielectric strength. This leads to a large strain response as well as a high mechanical energy density at relatively low electric fields according to the electrostriction phenomena. The concept of stacked multilayers is demonstrated as a simple and effective technique to boost the actuation abilities. Experimental results in accordance with numerical models show actuator performance with a large electromechanical response. This technology shows feasibility for active optical surface shape control. The potential of multiple‐stack actuators is tested in a small prototype. This demonstrated mirror optical shape control and correction with a few degrees of freedoms. The proposed Live Mirror technology is useful for ground‐ and space‐based astronomy and communications telescopes.
Enhanced Prevention of Breast Tumor Metastasis by Nanoparticle‐Delivered Vitamin E in Combination with Interferon‐Gamma
Authors: Wu Yilun , Liu Jianping , Movahedi Fatemeh , Gu Wenyi , Xu Tiefeng , Xu Zhi Ping
Published: February 2020

Preventing cancer metastasis is one of the remaining challenges in cancer therapy. As an efficient natural product, alpha‐tocopheryl succinate (α‐TOS), the most effective form of vitamin E, holds great anticancer potential. To improve its efficacy and bioavailability, lipid‐coated calcium carbonate/phosphate (LCCP) nanoparticles (NPs) with folic acid and PEG modification are synthesized for efficient delivery of α‐TOS to 4T1 cancer cells. The optimized LCCP‐FA NPs (NP‐TOS15) show an α‐TOS loading efficiency of around 60%, and enhanced uptake by 4T1 metastatic cancer cells. Consequently, NP‐TOS15 significantly enhance the anticancer effect in combination with interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) in terms of apoptosis facilitation and migration inhibition. Importantly, NP‐TOS15 upregulate the anticancer immunity via downregulating program death ligand 1 (PD‐L1) expression that is initially induced by IFN‐γ, and remarkably prevent the lung metastasis, particularly in combination with IFN‐γ. Further investigation reveals that this combination therapy also modulates the cytotoxic lymphocyte infiltration into the tumor microenvironment for tumor elimination. Taken together, the NP delivery of α‐TOS in combination with IFN‐γ provides an applicable strategy for cancer therapy.
Boron Monolayer Doping: Role of Oxide Capping Layer, Molecular Fragmentation, and Doping Uniformity at the Nanoscale
Authors: Tzaguy Avra , Karadan Prajith , Killi Krushnamurty , Hazut Ori , Amit Iddo , Rosenwaks Yossi , Yerushalmi Roie
Published: February 2020

Doping methodologies using monolayers offer controlled, ex situ doping of nanowires (NWs), and 3D device architectures using molecular monolayers as dopant sources with uniform, self‐limiting characteristics. Comparing doping levels and uniformity for boron‐containing monolayers using different methodologies demonstrates the effects of oxide capping on doping performances following rapid thermal anneal (RTA). Strikingly, for noncovalent monolayers of phenylboronic acid (PBA), highest doping levels are obtained with minimal thermal budget without applying oxide capping. Monolayer damage and entrapment of molecular fragments in the oxide capping layer account for the lower performance caused by thermal damage to the PBA monolayer, which results in transformation of the monolayer source to a thin solid source layer. The impact of the oxide capping procedure is demonstrated by a series of experiments. Details of monolayer fragmentation processes and its impact on doping uniformity at the nanoscale are addressed for two types of surface chemistries by applying Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM). These results point at the importance of molecular decomposition processes for monolayer‐based doping methodologies, both during preanneal capping step and during rapid thermal processing step. These are important guidelines to be considered for future developments of appropriate surface chemistry used in monolayer doping applications.
Hydrodynamics and Heat Transfer Characteristics of a Double Gradient Microchannel Porous Model: Fixed Gradients and Variable Gradients Structures
Authors: Chen Xiangyang , Liu Jie , Fan Yanbin
Published: February 2020

Hydrogen production from fluid fuel catalytic reaction is currently a hot research topic and catalyst carriers are the core of the hydrogen production process. The relationship between variable gradient structure and fixed gradient structure is still unclear. The hydrodynamics and heat transfer characteristics of double gradient and fixed gradient microchannel porous models are investigated. A strategy of using a uniform interpolation method to investigate the laws of a continuity equation is developed. There are three major findings. First, the internal fluid velocity of the variable gradient model is greater than the internal fluid velocity of the fixed gradient model. Second, the overall temperature change of the variable gradient structure is greater than the temperature change of the control group. Third, the formula of the macroscopic average temperature change of the area‐based fluid is found to be theoretically reliable. These findings may contribute to improving the catalytic efficiency of microchannel porous catalytic supports.
Solution‐Processed Faraday Rotators Using Single Crystal Lead Halide Perovskites
Authors: Sabatini Randy P , Liao Chwenhaw , Bernardi Stefano , Mao Wenxin , Rahme Matthew S. , Widmer‐Cooper Asaph , Bach Udo , Huang Shujuan , Ho‐Baillie Anita W. Y. , Lakhwani Girish
Published: February 2020

Lead halide perovskites (LHPs) have become a promising alternative for a wide range of optoelectronic devices, thanks to their solution‐processability and impressive optical and electrical properties. More recently, LHPs have been investigated in magneto‐optic studies and have exhibited spin‐polarized emission, photoinduced magnetization, and long spin lifetimes. Here, the viability of methylammonium lead bromide (MAPbBr3) single crystals as solution‐processed Faraday rotators is demonstrated. Compared to terbium gallium garnet, the industry standard in the visible, it is found that MAPbBr3 exhibits Verdet constants (i.e., strength of Faraday effect) of similar or greater magnitude (up to 2.5x higher), with lower temperature dependence. Due to its low trap absorption, it is calculated that an optical isolator made from MAPbBr3, with appropriate antireflection coatings, should reach ≈95% transmission and achieve 40 dB isolation for incoming powers of over 2 W. It is also shown that the Verdet constant of MAPbBr3 can be calculated accurately from its dispersion in refractive index, allowing the possibility to predict similar effects in other perovskite materials.
Nondestructive Identification of Rare Trophoblastic Cells by Endoplasmic Reticulum Staining for Noninvasive Prenatal Testing of Monogenic Diseases
Authors: Huang Yifang , Situ Bo , Huang Liping , Cao Yingsi , Sui Hong , Ye Xinyi , Jiang Xiujuan , Liang Aifen , Tao Maliang , Luo Shihua , Zhang Ye , Zhong Mei , Zheng Lei
Published: February 2020

Noninvasive prenatal detection of monogenic diseases based on cell‐free DNA is hampered by challenges in obtaining a sufficient fraction and adequate quality of fetal DNA. Analyzing rare trophoblastic cells from Papanicolaou smears carrying the entire fetal genome provides an alternative method for noninvasive detection of monogenic diseases. However, intracellular labeling for identification of target cells can affect the quality of DNA in varying degrees. Here, a new approach is developed for nondestructive identification of rare fetal cells from abundant maternal cells based on endoplasmic reticulum staining and linear discriminant analysis (ER‐LDA). Compared with traditional methods, ER‐LDA has little effect on cell quality, allowing trophoblastic cells to be analyzed on the single‐cell level. Using ER‐LDA, high‐purity of trophoblastic cells can be identified and isolated at single cell resolution from 60 pregnancies between 4 and 38 weeks of gestation. Pathogenic variants, including –SEA/ deletion mutation and point mutations, in 11 fetuses at risk for α‐ or β‐thalassemia can be accurately detected by this test. The detection platform can also be extended to analyze the mutational profiles of other monogenic diseases. This simple, low‐cost, and noninvasive test can provide valuable fetal cells for fetal genotyping and holds promise for prenatal detection of monogenic diseases.
Activity of Sub‐Band Gap States in Ferroelectric Pb(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3 Thin Films
Authors: Ramakrishnegowda Niranjan , Yun Yeseul , Knoche David S. , Mühlenbein Lutz , Li Xinye , Bhatnagar Akash
Published: February 2020

Defect or intermediate states within the band gap of ferroelectric oxides are known to impact functional characteristics such as saturated polarization. However, depending upon their respective position, such levels can also induce a substantial photoelectrical response under appropriate illumination and severely impact the conduction mechanism of an otherwise highly insulating material system. Sub‐band‐gap illumination is used to highlight the activity of these levels in epitaxially grown and ferroelectric Pb(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3 thin films. Large transient effects are observed in relation to ferroelectric polarization and conductivity after illumination. In the case of polarization, light induces a “leaky” character, which eventually decays over a period of nearly 1.5 h. In conjunction, persistent photoconductivity is observed as the enhanced conductivity attained under illumination gradually decays over several minutes after removal of illumination. Thermally stimulated currents are measured to probe the presence of sub‐band gap states and analyze their effect over a wide range of temperature. The trapping nature of the states and their role in the conduction is found to be the underlying origin.
Defect and Dopant Mediated Thermoelectric Power Factor Tuning in β‐Zn4Sb3
Authors: Karthikeyan Vaithinathan , Li Tan , Medasani Bharat , Luo Caiqin , Shi Dongliang , Wong Joseph C. K. , Lam Kwok‐Ho , Ling Francis C. C. , Roy Vellaisamy A. L.
Published: February 2020

The presence of defects in thermoelectric materials plays a significant role in the modification their properties by influencing the behavior of electrons and phonons. Dopants with a unique f‐orbital can directly cause distortions in electronic density of states (eDOS) and phonon transport mechanism by intentionally inducing defects in their lattice. The theoretical and experimental outcomes of engineered vacancy defects are investigated by intentional doping of f‐block rare earth elements in β‐Zn4Sb3. Thermoelectric behavior breaks down the inverse relation and results in a parallel increase in Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity for β‐(Zn0.997Ce0.003)4Sb3 and β‐(Zn0.997Er0.003)4Sb3. This synergistic response triples the power factor of a thermoelectric β‐Zn4Sb3 system realized by the impurity induced resonant distortion in eDOS. From first principle GGA + U calculations, the above‐mentioned unconventional properties are attributed to the effect of doping induced vacancy formation and the formation of resonant impurity levels. Hence, it is postulated that defect engineering can be a broad strategy to improve the power factor of the system and can be extended to other thermoelectric materials.
Electroforming‐Free Artificial Synapses Based on Proton Conduction in α‐MoO3 Films
Authors: Wang Zhe , Yang Rui , Huang He‐Ming , He Hui‐Kai , Shaibo Jamal , Guo Xin
Published: February 2020

Artificial synapses based on oxides are essential for constructing brain‐inspired computation systems, due to their dynamically tunable defect concentrations. However, defects in the pristine state of most oxides are usually not sufficient, unavoidably resulting in an irreversible electroforming process, which usually produces undesired side effects, such as device variations and failures. Electroforming‐free memristive devices are realized with single‐phase α‐MoO3 films. By introducing protons into α‐MoO3 through annealing in H2/Ar atmosphere, the destructive electroforming process is avoided, which results in uniform switching behavior with high yield and minimal spatial/temporal variations. In addition, synaptic functions such as short‐term memory and long‐term memory are successfully emulated with the device, and the image memorizing function is embodied by memorizing the letter “Y” out of three letters “X, Y, Z” in a 5 × 5 array.
Solid‐State Prelithiation Enables High‐Performance Li‐Al‐H Anode for Solid‐State Batteries
Authors: Pang Yuepeng , Wang Xitong , Shi Xinxin , Xu Fen , Sun Lixian , Yang Junhe , Zheng Shiyou
Published: February 2020

Lithium alanates exhibit high theoretical specific capacities and appropriate lithiation/delithiation potentials, but suffer from poor reversibility, cycling stability, and rate capability due to their sluggish kinetics and extensive side reactions. Herein, a novel and facile solid‐state prelithiation approach is proposed to in situ prepare a Li3AlH6‐Al nanocomposite from a short‐circuited electrochemical reaction between LiAlH4 and Li with the help of fast electron and Li‐ion conductors (C and P63mc LiBH4). This nanocomposite consists of dispersive Al nanograins and an amorphous Li3AlH6 matrix, which enables superior electrochemical performance in solid‐state cells, as much higher specific capacity (2266 mAh g−1), Coulombic efficiency (88%), cycling stability (71% retention in the 100th cycle), and rate capability (1429 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1) are achieved. In addition, this nanocomposite works well in the solid‐state full cell with LiCoO2 cathode, demonstrating its promising application prospects. Mechanism analysis reveals that the dispersive Al nanograins and amorphous Li3AlH6 matrix can dramatically enhance the lithiation and delithiation kinetics without side reactions, which is mainly responsible for the excellent overall performance. Moreover, this solid‐state prelithiation approach is general and can also be applied to other Li‐poor electrode materials for further modification of their electrochemical behavior.
The soil microbial community alters patterns of selection on flowering time and fitness‐related traits in Ipomoea purpurea
Authors: Chaney Lindsay , Baucom Regina S.
Published: February 2020

Premise

Plant flowering time plays an important role in plant fitness and thus evolutionary processes. Soil microbial communities are diverse and have a large impact, both positive and negative, on the host plant. However, owing to few available studies, how the soil microbial community may influence the evolutionary response of plant populations is not well understood. Here we sought to uncover whether belowground microbial communities act as an agent of selection on flowering and growth traits in the common morning glory, Ipomoea purpurea.

Methods

We performed a controlled greenhouse experiment in which genetic lines of I. purpurea were planted into either sterilized soils or in soils that were sterilized and inoculated with the microbial community from original field soil. We could thus directly test the influence of alterations to the microbial community on plant growth, flowering, and fitness and assess patterns of selection in both soil microbial environments.

Results

A more complex soil microbial community resulted in larger plants that produced more flowers. Selection strongly favored earlier flowering when plants were grown in the complex microbial environment than compared to sterilized soil. We also uncovered a pattern of negative correlational selection on growth rate and flowering time, indicating that selection favored different combinations of growth and flowering traits in the simplified versus complex soil community.

Conclusions

Together, these results suggest the soil microbial community is a selective agent on flowering time and ultimately that soil microbial community influences important plant evolutionary processes.
Sexual and natural selection on pollen morphology in Taraxacum
Authors: Lynn Austin , Piotter Emelyn , Harrison Ellie , Galen Candace
Published: February 2020

Premise

Spiny pollen has evolved independently in multiple entomophilous lineages. Sexual selection may act on exine traits that facilitate male mating success by influencing the transfer of pollen from the anther to the body of the pollinator, while natural selection acts to increase pollen survival. We postulated that relative to sexual congeners, apomictic dandelions undergo relaxed selection on traits associated with male mating success.

Methods

We explored sexual selection on exine traits by measuring the propensity for Taraxacum spp. pollen to attach to hairs of flower‐visiting bumblebees (Bombus spp.) or flies (Diptera: Syrphidae and Muscoidea) and assessed natural selection by testing whether pollen traits defend against consumption.

Results

Pollen picked up by bumblebees exhibited a narrower subset of spine‐spacing phenotypes, consistent with stabilizing selection. Flies picked up larger pollen from flowers than expected at random. Surveys of corbiculae (pollen basket) contents from foraging bumblebees and feces of flies showed that pollen grains consumed by both kinds of visitors are similar in spine characteristics and size to those produced by the donor. When bees visit inflorescences of apomictic T. officinale, they pick up pollen with spine‐spacing phenotypes above the mean and shifted toward those of sexual T. ceratophorum.

Conclusions

We demonstrate that traits under sexual selection during pollen pickup vary among pollinators, while natural selection for pollen defense is nil in T. ceratophorum. In hybrid zones between apomictic and sexual dandelions, pollen traits place apomictic donors at a dispersal disadvantage, potentially reinforcing reproductive isolation.
Age‐related prevalence and clinical significance of neutropenia ‐ isolated or combined with other cytopenias: Real world data from 373 820 primary care individuals
Authors: Palmblad Jan , Siersma Volkert , Lind Bent , Bjerrum Ole Weis , Hasselbalch Hans , Andersen Christen Lykkegaard
Published: February 2020

Neutropenia (NP), that is, an absolute blood neutrophil count (ANC) <1.5 g/L, accompanies various diseases. However, the clinical significance of NP, detected in routine complete blood cell counts (CBC) in primary care, is poorly characterized. Here, from a primary care resource with ANCs from >370 000 individuals, we identified and followed neutropenic subjects for the next 4 years for novel ICD‐10 based diagnoses of viral infections and hematological malignancies (ie, previously identified major outcomes in NP individuals) in Danish nationwide health registers. Risk estimates were assessed for children/adolescents (1‐18 years) and adults (19‐90 years) in relation to NP severity, and for isolated NP, bi‐ or pancytopenias. We found that NP was observed in 4.9% of children and in 1.9% of adults. The lower the ANC, the likelier was a diagnosis of viral infections or hematological malignancies established during the ensuing 4 years. Among neutropenic children, unspecified viral infections predominated, followed by mononucleosis (with other cytopenias in only 7% and 25% of the cases, respectively). All NP children with acute leukemia presented with bi‐ or pancytopenia from start of follow‐up. In NP adults, hepatitis, followed by HIV, were the most common infections, and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) the predominating hematological malignancies. Adult NP patients, subsequently diagnosed with hepatitis, HIV or AML, MDS, were bi‐ or pancytopenic in 42%, 47%, 90% and 91% of cases, respectively. Thus, presence of NP in even one CBC may be the first sign of a latent viral or hematological disorder requiring careful follow‐up.
Urelumab alone or in combination with rituximab in patients with relapsed or refractory B‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Timmerman John , Herbaux Charles , Ribrag Vincent , Zelenetz Andrew D. , Houot Roch , Neelapu Sattva S. , Logan Theodore , Lossos Izidore S. , Urba Walter , Salles Gilles , Ramchandren Radhakrishnan , Jacobson Caron , Godwin John , Carpio Cecilia , Lathers Deanne , Liu Yali , Neely Jaclyn , Suryawanshi Satyendra , Koguchi Yoshinobu , Levy Ronald
Published: February 2020

Urelumab, a fully human, non‐ligand binding, CD137 agonist IgG4 monoclonal antibody, enhances T‐cell and natural killer‐cell antitumor activity in preclinical models, and may enhance cytotoxic activity of rituximab. Here we report results in patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL), follicular lymphoma (FL), and other B‐cell lymphomas, in phase 1 studies evaluating urelumab alone (NCT01471210) or combined with rituximab (NCT01775631). Sixty patients received urelumab (0.3 mg/kg IV Q3W, 8 mg IV Q3W, or 8 mg IV Q6W); 46 received urelumab (0.1 mg/kg, 0.3 mg/kg, or 8 mg IV Q3W) plus rituximab 375 mg/m2 IV QW. The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of urelumab was determined to be 0.1 mg/kg or 8 mg Q3W after a single event of potential drug‐induced liver injury occurred with urelumab 0.3 mg/kg. Treatment‐related AEs were reported in 52% (urelumab: grade 3/4, 15%) and 72% (urelumab + rituximab: grade 3/4, 28%); three led to discontinuation (grade 3 increased AST, grade 4 acute hepatitis [urelumab]; one death from sepsis syndrome [urelumab plus rituximab]). Objective response rates/disease control rates were 6%/19% (DLBCL, n = 31), 12%/35% (FL, n = 17), and 17%/42% (other B‐cell lymphomas, n = 12) with urelumab and 10%/24% (DLBCL, n = 29) and 35%/71% (FL, n = 17) with urelumab plus rituximab. Durable remissions in heavily pretreated patients were achieved; however, many were observed at doses exceeding the MTD. These data show that urelumab alone or in combination with rituximab demonstrated manageable safety in B‐cell lymphoma, but the combination did not enhance clinical activity relative to rituximab alone or other current standard of care.
Secular trends in age at menarche in 20th century Mexico: Differences by ethnicity, area of residency, and socioeconomic status
Authors: Marván María Luisa , Castillo‐López Rosa Lilia , del‐Callejo‐Canal Diana Donají , Canal‐Martínez Margarita Edith , Núñez‐de la Mora Alejandra
Published: February 2020

Objectives

This study aims to assess the secular trend in age at menarche (AAM) in Mexico over the 20th century, and compare the patterns according to area of residence (rural/urban), socioeconomic status (SES), and ethnicity (indigenous/nonindigenous).

Methods

Data on AAM from 24 380 women aged ≥20 years born between 1906 and 1986 were obtained from the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey 2006. Birth cohorts were compared to test for a secular trend and differences in mean AAM by area of residence, SES, and ethnicity were evaluated using the Welch test for heterogeneous variances followed by Tamhane T2 for post hoc comparisons.

Results

Mean AAM declined from 13.3 years among Mexican women born before the 1940s to 12.56 years among those born in the 1980s. Across birth cohorts, urban women had significantly earlier AAM than their rural counterparts. Nonindigenous urban women reached menarche the earliest and rural indigenous women the latest of all groups. Nonindigenous urban residents experienced a comparatively earlier decline, while that for the indigenous rural women occurred last. High SES women reached menarche the earliest and low SES women the latest. The historical decline in AAM for high and medium SES groups occurred relatively early, whereas that for the low SES occurred last.

Conclusions

Mean AAM was associated with area of residence, ethnicity, and SES. Our findings indirectly suggest that advances in living conditions experienced in Mexico during the 20th century appear to have been insufficient to overcome the social and biological inequalities accumulated over centuries in some groups.
Expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps
Authors: Zheng Kaili , Hao Jin , Xiao Lei , Wang Min , Zhao Yan , Fan Dachuan , Li Ying , Wang Xiangdong , Zhang Luo
Published: February 2020

Background

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) involved in oxidative stress and signal transduction. Recent studies have suggested that NADPH oxidase is associated with the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). The aim of this study was to detect the expression of NADPH oxidase subunits and 4‐hydroxynonenal (4‐HNE) in nasal polyp tissue and normal nasal mucosa, in order to explore the possible role played by NADPH oxidase in the pathogenesis of CRSwNP.

Methods

Thirteen patients with CRSwNP and 9 normal control subjects were selected to participate in this study, in which we evaluated the expression of different NADPH oxidase subunits (gp91phox, p67phox, p47phox, and p22phox) in nasal polyp (NP) tissue and control mucosa by Western blotting and real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining were used to detect expression of the p67phox subunit and 4‐HNE in NP tissue and normal nasal mucosa.

Results

Western blot and real‐time PCR results showed that p67phox expression was significantly increased in NP tissue when compared with its expression in control mucosa (p = 0.004). p67phox was expressed in the eosinophils and neutrophils found in NP tissue, but not in the macrophages. Additionally, the levels of 4‐HNE expression were also significantly increased in NP tissue when compared with control mucosa (p = 0.001).

Conclusion

The levels of p67phox messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein as well as 4‐HNE were both upregulated in NP tissue, suggesting that p67phox and oxidative stress play roles in the pathogenesis of CRSwNP.
Control of Stereoselectivity in Diverse Hapalindole Metabolites is Mediated by Cofactor‐Induced Combinatorial Pairing of Stig Cyclases
Authors: Li Shasha , Newmister Sean A. , Lowell Andrew N. , Zi Jiachen , Chappell Callie R. , Yu Fengan , Hohlman Robert M. , Orjala Jimmy , Williams Robert M. , Sherman David H.
Published: February 2020

Stereospecific polycyclic core formation of hapalindoles and fischerindoles is controlled by Stig cyclases through a three‐step cascade involving Cope rearrangement, 6‐exo‐trig cyclization, and a final electrophilic aromatic substitution. Reported here is a comprehensive study of all currently annotated Stig cyclases, revealing that these proteins can assemble into heteromeric complexes, induced by Ca2+, to cooperatively control the stereochemistry of hapalindole natural products.
Molekulare Photochemie: Moderne Entwicklungen in der theoretischen Chemie
Authors: Mai Sebastian , González Leticia
Published: February 2020

Photochemie ist ein faszinierendes Teilgebiet der Chemie, das sich mit der Wechselwirkung von Molekülen und Licht befasst. Die Simulation von lichtinduzierten Prozessen spielt auch in anderen Forschungsgebieten wie Biologie, Materialwissenschaften oder Medizin eine bedeutende Rolle. Dieser Kurzaufsatz beleuchtet die jüngsten Entwicklungen in der theoretischen Chemie, die das Ziel haben, experimentelle Genauigkeit bei der Berechnung von elektronisch angeregten Zuständen von Molekülen und bei der Simulation von deren lichtinduzierten Dynamiken zu erreichen. Wir konzentrieren uns dabei auf neue, aufstrebende Methoden und zeigen ausgewählte Beispiele, welche die Fortschritte der letzten Jahre für folgende Themen aufzeigen: die Voraussage komplexer Elektronenstrukturen mit starker Korrelation, die Berechnung von großen Molekülen, die Beschreibung von multi‐chromophorischen Systemen und die Simulation nicht‐adiabatischer Moleküldynamik auf langen Zeitskalen; dies umfasst Moleküle sowohl in der Gasphase als auch in komplexer biologischer Umgebung.
Total Synthesis of Farnesin through an Excited‐State Nazarov Reaction
Authors: Que Yonglei , Shao Hao , He Haibing , Gao Shuanhu
Published: February 2020

The asymmetric total synthesis of farnesin, a rearranged ent‐kaurenoid, was achieved through a convergent approach involving photo‐Nazarov and intramolecular aldol cyclizations to build the syn‐syn‐syn hydrofluorenol ABC ring system and bicyclo[3.2.1]octane CD ring system in the first application of a UV‐light‐induced excited‐state Nazarov cyclization of a non‐aromatic dicyclic divinyl ketone in a total synthesis. Unlike the conventional acid‐promoted ground‐state Nazarov reaction, the excited‐state Nazarov reaction enables stereospecific formation of the highly strained syn‐syn‐syn‐fused hydrofluorenone scaffold through a disrotatory cyclization.
Highly efficient fire retardant behavior, thermal stability, and physicomechanical properties of rigid polyurethane foam based on recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate)
Authors: Pham Chi T. , Nguyen Binh T. , Phan Huong T. Q. , Pham Lam H. , Hoang Cuong N. , Nguyen Nguyen N. , Lee Pyoung‐Chan , Kang Soo‐Jung , Kim Jinhwan , Hoang DongQuy
Published: February 2020

This study focused on the burning phenomena, thermal stability, and physicomechanical properties of polyurethane foam based on recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (RPUF) with and without halogen‐free flame retardants (FRs). Flammability behavior and associated mechanisms were studied by cone calorimetry, LOI, UL 94, FTIR, TGA, FE‐SEM, and XPS. The results of cone calorimeter testing indicate improved FR performance with notable reductions in peak heat release rate (~39.1%), peak CO production (~61.7%), and peak CO2production (~43.0%). LOI values significantly increase, up to 29.5–47.1%, in the presence of FRs, and V‐0 ratings are attained even at a rather low loading of FR (6.07 wt%). Meanwhile, the RPUF completely burns to the holder clamp with a low LOI value (17%), and it do not pass the UL94 HB standard. The addition of FRs notably improves the residual char of RPUF, indicating that FRs contributed to the formation of a barrier layer to protect RPUF during degradation. The comparison between experimentally determined TGA results and calculated values provides support for the effect of FRs on the thermal degradation behavior of RPUF. Sorption isotherm experiments of RPUF/FR systems show low moisture absorptivity and a weak hysteresis effect due to strong intermolecular bonds between RPUF and added FRs. The compression test, density, and morphology of foam samples are also discussed.
Antibacterial porous xanthan‐based films containing flavoring agents evaluated by near infrared chemical imaging technique
Authors: Raschip Irina E. , Paduraru‐Mocanu Oana M. , Nita Loredana E. , Dinu Maria V.
Published: February 2020

Xanthan gum (XG) is a widely applied natural polysaccharide in food industry as thickening agent. Nowadays, one of the major problems is that some food products are found to be contaminated by pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus reducing so, their shelf life. This research aims to demonstrate the antibacterial activity of some biodegradable formulation XG‐lignin hydrogel films and their potential application as carriers for controlled release of flavoring compounds. The XG‐lignin films containing an aspen wood lignin type showed a high antibacterial activity against Salmonella Typhymurium ATCC 14028, E. coli ATCC 25922 and Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 25922 bacteria compared with those containing softwood lignin, or lignin from annual plants. Surface morphology indicated a homogeneous distribution of both components within the hydrogel network and the generation of a porous structure after swelling and lyophilization. Additionally, near infrared chemical imaging technique was used as nondestructive method to observe the spatial distribution of the polymeric components and vanillin into the hydrogel films as well as its release profile. The vanillin release rate dependence on the lignin type was also evidenced, a retarded release of vanillin being observed. These results give an important insight into the use of XG, lignin, and vanillin for the development of new edible films for active packaging materials.
Photocatalytic degradation and heat reflectance recovery of waterborne acrylic polymer/ZnO nanocomposite coating
Authors: Nguyen Thien Vuong , Dao Phi Hung , Nguyen Tuan Anh , Dang Viet Hung , Ha Minh Nguyet , Nguyen Thi Thuy Trang , Vu Quoc Trung , Nguyen Ngọc Linh , Dang Tran Chien , Nguyen‐Tri Phuong , Tran Dai Lam , Lu Le Trong
Published: February 2020

This work aims to clarify the photocatalytic degradation mechanism and heat reflectance recovery performance of waterborne acrylic polymer/ZnO nanocomposite coating. To fabricate the nanocomposite coating, ZnO nanoparticles (nano‐ZnO) were dispersed into acrylic polymer matrix at the various concentrations from 1 to 6% (by total weight of resin solids). The photocatalytic degradation of nanocomposite coating under ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation has been investigated by monitoring its weight loss and chemical/microstructural/morphological changes. As the topcoat layer, its heat reflectance recovery has been evaluated under UV/condensation exposure by using an artificial dirty mixture of 85 wt% nanoclay, 10 wt% silica particles (1–5 μm), 1 wt% carbon black, and 2 wt% engine oil. After 108‐cycle UV/condensation exposure, infrared spectra and weight loss analysis indicated that the maximal degradation for nanocomposite coating is observed at 1 wt% nano‐ZnO. On the other hand, after 96 hr of UV light exposure, the nanocomposite coating with1 wt% nano‐ZnO could restore effectively the reflective index of solar‐heat reflectance coating (from 58.45 to 80.78%). Finally, the photodegradation mechanism of this waterborne acrylic polymer coating has been proposed as the UV‐induced formation of CCCO conjugated double bonds. As a result, its self‐cleaning phenomenon can be achieved as the recovery of heat reflectance.
Synthesis of Pd‐Pt Ultrathin Assembled Nanosheets as Highly Efficient Electrocatalysts for Ethanol Oxidation
Authors: Han Yeji , Kim Jeonghyeon , Lee Su‐Un , Choi Sang‐Il , Hong Jong Wook
Published: February 2020

Control over composition and morphology of nanocrystals (NCs) is significant to develop advanced catalysts applicable to polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells and further overcome the performance limitations. Here, we present a facile synthesis of Pd−Pt alloy ultrathin assembled nanosheets (UANs) by regulating the growth behavior of Pd−Pt nanostructures. Iodide ions supplied from KI play as capping agents for the {111} plane to promote 2‐dimensional (2D) growth of Pd and Pt, and the optimal concentrations of cetyltrimethylammonium chloride and ascorbic acid result in the generation of Pd−Pt alloy UANs in high yield. The prepared Pd−Pt alloy UANs exhibited the remarkable enhancement of the catalytic activity and stability toward ethanol oxidation reaction compared to irregular‐shaped Pd−Pt alloy NCs, commercial Pd/C, and commercial Pt/C. Our results confirm that the Pd−Pt alloy composition and ultrathin 2D morphology offer high accessible active sites and favorable electronic structure for enhancing electrocatalytic activity.
Rivals without a cause? Relative performance feedback creates destructive competition despite aligned incentives
Authors: Woike Jan K. , Hafenbrädl Sebastian
Published: February 2020

Whether people compete or cooperate with each other has consequences for their own performance and that of organizations. To explain why people compete or cooperate, previous research has focused on two main factors: situational outcome structures and personality types. Here, we propose that—above and beyond these two factors—situational cues, such as the format in which people receive feedback, strongly affect whether they act competitively, cooperatively, or individualistically. Results of a laboratory experiment support our theorizing: After receiving ranking feedback, both students and experienced managers treated group situations with cooperative outcome structures as competitive and were in consequence willing to forgo guaranteed financial gains to pursue a—financially irrelevant—better rank. Conversely, in dilemma situations, feedback based on the joint group outcome led to more cooperation than ranking feedback. Our study contributes to research on competition, cooperation, interdependence theory, forced ranking, and the design of information environments.
What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger: Transposons as Dual Players in Chromatin Regulation and Genomic Variation
Authors: Percharde Michelle , Sultana Tania , Ramalho‐Santos Miguel
Published: February 2020

Transposable elements (TEs) are sequences currently or historically mobile, and are present across all eukaryotic genomes. A growing interest in understanding the regulation and function of TEs has revealed seemingly dichotomous roles for these elements in evolution, development, and disease. On the one hand, many gene regulatory networks owe their organization to the spread of cis‐elements and DNA binding sites through TE mobilization during evolution. On the other hand, the uncontrolled activity of transposons can generate mutations and contribute to disease, including cancer, while their increased expression may also trigger immune pathways that result in inflammation or senescence. Interestingly, TEs have recently been found to have novel essential functions during mammalian development. Here, the function and regulation of TEs are discussed, with a focus on LINE1 in mammals. It is proposed that LINE1 is a beneficial endogenous dual regulator of gene expression and genomic diversity during mammalian development, and that both of these functions may be detrimental if deregulated in disease contexts.