bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Puromycin aminonucleoside‐induced podocyte injury is ameliorated by the Smad3 inhibitor SIS3
Authors: Jiang Lina , Cui Hong , Ding Jie , Yang Aijun , Zhang Yingchao
Published: June 2020

Smad3 signaling and transgelin expression are often activated during puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN)‐induced podocyte injury. Here, we investigated whether the Smad3 inhibitor SIS3 can ameliorate damage to injured podocytes. A model of PAN‐induced podocyte injury was constructed using the MPC5 cell line. The effects of SIS3 on the expression of the podocyte cytoskeletal proteins transgelin, p15INK4B, phosphor‐smad3, phosphor‐JAK/stat3, the apoptotic marker cleaved caspase 3, and c‐myc were investigated using western blot. The distribution of F‐actin in PAN‐induced podocyte injury was observed under an immunofluorescence microscope. PAN‐induced podocyte injury altered the distribution of F‐actin and transgelin, and colocalization of these two proteins was observed. Transgelin expression and Smad3 phosphorylation were increased in the MPC5 cell line with prolonged PAN treatment. In addition, c‐myc expression, p15INK4B, and JAK phosphorylation were all increased after treatment with PAN. Treatment with the Smad3 inhibitor SIS3 reversed these phenomena and protected against PAN‐induced podocyte injury. Moreover, stimulating podocytes directly with TGFβ‐1 also led to enhanced expression of transgelin or phosphor‐JAK/stat3, and this could be inhibited by SIS3. In conclusion, transgelin expression was induced through the Smad3 signaling pathway during PAN‐induced podocyte injury, and the resulting abnormal distribution of F‐actin and the enhanced expression of transgelin could be reversed by blockade of this pathway.
Adaptations for Wear Resistance and Damage Resilience: Micromechanics of Spider Cuticular “Tools”
Authors: Tadayon Maryam , Younes‐Metzler Osnat , Shelef Yaniv , Zaslansky Paul , Rechels Alon , Berner Alex , Zolotoyabko Emil , Barth Friedrich G. , Fratzl Peter , Bar‐On Benny , Politi Yael
Published: June 2020

In the absence of minerals as stiffening agents, insects and spiders often use metal‐ion cross‐linking of protein matrices in their fully organic load‐bearing “tools.” In this comparative study, the hierarchical fiber architecture, elemental distribution, and the micromechanical properties of the manganese‐ and calcium‐rich cuticle of the claws of the spider Cupiennius salei, and the Zn‐rich cuticle of the cheliceral fangs of the same animal are analyzed. By correlating experimental results to finite element analysis, functional microstructural and compositional adaptations are inferred leading to remarkable damage resilience and abrasion tolerance, respectively. The results further reveal that the incorporation of both zinc and manganese/calcium correlates well with increased biomaterial's stiffness and hardness. However, the abrasion‐resistance of the claw material cross‐linked by incorporation of Mn/Ca‐ions surpasses that of many other non‐mineralized biological counterparts and is comparable to that of the fang with more than triple Zn content. These biomaterial‐adaptation paradigms for enhanced wear‐resistance may serve as novel design principles for advanced, high‐performance, functional surfaces, and graded materials.
Single‐Crystalline TiO2(B) Nanobelts with Unusual Large Exposed {100} Facets and Enhanced Li‐Storage Capacity
Authors: Wang Qiang , Shen Lei , Xue Tong , Cheng Gao , Huang Cheng Zhi , Fan Hong Jin , Feng Yuan Ping
Published: June 2020

The {100} facet of single‐crystalline TiO2(B) is an ideal platform for inserting Li ions, but it is hard to be obtained due to its high surface energy. Here, the single‐crystalline TiO2(B) nanobelts from H2Ti3O7 with nearly 70% {100} facets exposed are synthesized, which significantly enhances Li‐storage capacity. The first‐principle calculations demonstrate an ab in‐plane 2D diffusion through the exposed {100} facets. As a consequence, the nanobelts can significantly accommodate Li ions in LiTiO2 formula with specific capacity up to 335 mAh g−1, which is in good agreement with the electrochemical characterizations. Coating with conductive and protective poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene)‐poly(styrenesulfonate), the cut‐off discharge voltage is as low as 0.5 V, leading to a capacity of 160.7 mAh g−1 after 1500 cycles with a retention rate of 66% at 1C. This work provides a practical strategy to increase the Li‐ion capacity and cycle stability by tailoring the crystal orientation and nanostructures.
The Role of Nanowrinkles in Mass Transport across Graphene‐Based Membranes
Authors: Kang Yuan , Qiu Ruosang , Jian Meipeng , Wang Peiyao , Xia Yun , Motevalli Benyamin , Zhao Wang , Tian Zhiming , Liu Jefferson Zhe , Wang Huanting , Liu Huiyuan , Zhang Xiwang
Published: June 2020

Laminar membranes stacked by 2D materials are an emerging selective unit in separating processes across disciplines for their controllable mass transport properties. In general, parallel nanochannels formed between neighboring layers, owing to their adjustable size and surface chemistry, are considered the dominant transport regulator. Besides these flat interlayer channels, wrinkled morphology has also existed in 2D membranes, but the structure and potential transporting role of such curved channel remain largely unexplored. This study demonstrates that nanowrinkles are intrinsically formed in graphene‐based membranes, featuring an arc‐like shape with around 2.5 nm high center and two narrow wedge corners. By a facile “solvent‐treatment” during assembly, the membranes are tuned to possess different wrinkle density. In transport tests involving water and ions, the appearance of more wrinkles yields higher water permeation yet has limited effect on ion passage. These findings suggest that nanowrinkles by themselves serve as fast transporting ways while their connection with narrow interlayer channels can form a selective network. Results here are expected to deepen the understanding of mass transport mechanisms in current laminar membranes (e.g., graphene‐based) and provide strategies for designing future 2D membranes via wrinkle engineering.
Consolidating Lithiothermic‐Ready Transition Metals for Li2S‐Based Cathodes
Authors: Xing Zhenyu , Tan Guoqiang , Yuan Yifei , Wang Bao , Ma Lu , Xie Jing , Li Zesheng , Wu Tianpin , Ren Yang , Shahbazian‐Yassar Reza , Lu Jun , Ji Xiulei , Chen Zhongwei
Published: June 2020

Li2S holds a promising role as a high‐capacity Li‐containing cathode, circumventing use of metallic lithium in constructing next‐generation batteries to replace current Li‐ion batteries. However, progress of Li2S cathode has been plagued by its intrinsic drawbacks, including high activation potentials, poor rate performance, and rapid capacity fading during long cycling. Herein, a series of Li2S/transition metal (TM) nanocomposites are synthesized via a lithiothermic reduction reaction, and it is realized that the presence of TMs in Li2S matrix can transform electrochemical behaviors of Li2S. On the one hand, the incorporation of W, Mo, or Ti greatly increases electronic and ionic conductivity of Li2S composites and inhibits the polysulfide dissolution via the TMS bond, effectively addressing the drawbacks of Li2S cathodes. In particular, Li2S/W and Li2S/Mo exhibit the highest ionic conductivity of solid‐phase Li‐ion conductors ever‐reported: 5.44 × 10−2 and 3.62 × 10−2 S m−1, respectively. On the other hand, integrating Co, Mn, and Zn turns Li2S into a prelithiation agent, forming metal sulfides rather than S8 after the full charge. These interesting findings may shed light on the design of Li2S‐based cathode materials.
Green and Ethanol‐Resistant Polyurethane Nanofibrous Membranes Based on an Ethanol Solvent for Waterproof and Breathable Textiles
Authors: Zhou Wen , Yu Xi , Cao Leitao , Yang Ming , Li Yang , Si Yang , Yu Jianyong , Ding Bin
Published: June 2020

Waterproof and breathable (W&B) membranes can resist liquid water penetration while transmitting water vapor simultaneously, which is critical for improving the comfort and protection offered by the resulting textiles; however, it remains a substantial challenge to construct promising nontoxic W&B membranes based on green solvents. Here, a simple and scalable strategy is developed for fabricating green, W&B, polyurethane nanofibrous membranes based on an ethanol solvent via emulsion electrospinning and post thermal treatment. A novel ethanol‐soluble and spinnable polyurethane is synthesized by a stepwise polymerization reaction. Notably, green nanofibrous membranes with high hydrophobicity are obtained based on fluorinated polyurethane/ethanol emulsions, utilizing the synthesized polyurethane as the template polymer. Furthermore, the introduction of the aziridine crosslinker (tris (2‐methyl‐1‐aziridine propionate) (TTMA)) constructs the structure by post thermal treatment between TTMA and ethanol‐soluble polyurethane, resulting in the exceptional ethanol resistance of the nanofibrous membranes. The resulting membranes present integrated functionalities of a robust hydrostatic pressure of 86.2 kPa, high water vapor permeability of 13.1 kg m−2 d−1, good air permeability of 5.5 mm s−1, low mass‐loss rate of 8.6 wt% after 60 min ethanol immersion, and desirable elasticity with a strain recovery ratio of 79.2%, offering strong potential for the next generation green and nontoxic protective textiles.
Selection for Function: From Chemically Synthesized Prototypes to 3D‐Printed Microdevices
Authors: Bachmann Felix , Giltinan Joshua , Codutti Agnese , Klumpp Stefan , Sitti Metin , Faivre Damien
Published: June 2020

Magnetic microswimmers are promising devices for biomedical and environmental applications. Bacterium flagella‐inspired magnetic microhelices with perpendicular magnetizations are currently considered standard for propulsion at low Reynolds numbers because of their well‐understood dynamics and controllability. Deviations from this system have recently emerged: randomly shaped magnetic micropropellers with nonlinear swimming behaviors show promise in sensing, sorting, and directional control. The current progresses in 3D micro/nanoprinting allow the production of arbitrary 3D microstructures, increasing the accessible deterministic design space for complex micropropeller morphologies. Taking advantage of this, a shape is systematically reproduced that was formerly identified while screening randomly shaped propellers. Its nonlinear behavior, which is called frequency‐induced reversal of swimming direction (FIRSD), allows a propeller to swim in opposing directions by only changing the applied rotating field's frequency. However, the identically shaped swimmers do not only display the abovementioned swimming property but also exhibit a variety of swimming behaviors that are shown to arise from differences in their magnetic moment orientations. This underlines not only the role of shape in microswimmer behavior but also the importance of determining magnetic properties of future micropropellers that act as intelligent devices, as single‐shape templates with different magnetic moments can be utilized for different operation modes.
Selectively Oxidative Thiolysis of Nitriles into Primary Thioamides and Insecticidal Application
Authors: Huang Zhuo‐Bin , Guo Xue‐Ying , Huang Zi‐Hao , Li Ming‐Hua , Dong Shou‐Cheng , Tang Ri‐Yuan
Published: June 2020

Primary thioamides are useful building blocks for drug and insecticide development, therefore an environmentally benign synthesis of primary thioamides is desired. This paper discloses an oxidative thiolysis for the selective transformation of nitriles into primary thioamides using elemental sulfur or thiuram in the presence of K2S2O8 in DMF/H2O. This practical method enables access to a wide range of synthetically and pharmaceutically useful primary thioamides. Advantages of this reaction include transition‐metal‐free and base‐free reaction conditions, use of an environmentally benign solvent (DMF/H2O) system, the use of non‐toxic elemental sulfur or thiuram as the sulfur sources, and good functional groups tolerances with excellent selectivity. Furthermore, the insecticide Fipronil can also be converted to the corresponding thioamide and maintains excellent bioactivity against P. xylostella. The LC50 value of Fipronil thioamide is 1.25 mg/L.
Concurrence and Quantum Discord in the Eigenstates of Chaotic and Integrable Spin Chains
Authors: Ashouri Atefeh , Mahdavifar Saeed , Misguich Grégoire , Vahedi Javad
Published: June 2020

There has been some substantial research about the connections between quantum chaos and quantum correlations in many‐body systems. This paper discusses a specific aspect of correlations in chaotic spin models, through concurrence (CC) and quantum discord (QD). Numerical results obtained in the quantum chaos regime and in the integrable regime of spin‐1/2 chains are compared. The CC and QD between nearest‐neighbor pairs of spins are calculated for all energy eigenstates. The results show that, depending on whether the system is in a chaotic or integrable regime, the distribution of CC and QD are markedly different. On the other hand, in the integrable regime, states with the largest CC and QD are found in the middle of the spectrum, in the chaotic regime, the states with the strongest correlations are found at low and high energies at the edges of spectrum. Finite‐size effects are analyzed, and some of the results are discussed in the light of the eigenstate thermalization hypothesis.
Dual‐Defects Adjusted Crystal‐Field Splitting of LaCo1−xNixO3−δHollow Multishelled Structures for Efficient Oxygen Evolution
Authors: Wang Huan , Qi Jian , Yang Nailiang , Cui Wei , Wang Jiangyan , Li Qinghao , Zhang Qinghua , Yu Xiqian , Gu Lin , Li Jiong , Yu Ranbo , Huang Keke , Song Shuyan , Feng Shouhua , Wang Dan
Published: June 2020

To boost the performance for various applications, a rational bottom‐up design on materials is necessary. The defect engineering on nanoparticle at the atomic level can efficiently tune the electronic behavior, which offers great opportunities in enhancing the catalytic performance. In this paper, we optimized the surface oxygen vacancy concentration and created the lattice distortion in rare‐earth‐based perovskite oxide through gradient replacement of the B site with valence alternated element. The dual defects make the electron spin state transit from low spin state to high spin state, thus decreasing the charge transport resistance. Furthermore, assembly the modified nanoparticle subunits into the micro‐sized hollow multishelled structures can provide porous shells, abundant interior space and effective contact, which enables an enhanced mass transfer and a shorter charge transport path. As a result, the systemic design in the electronic and nano‐micro structures for catalyst has brought an excellent oxygen evolution performance.
Fluorogenic Probe Using a Mislow–Evans Rearrangement for Real‐Time Imaging of Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: Pham Dianne , Basu Upamanyu , Pohorilets Ivanna , St Croix Claudette M. , Watkins Simon C. , Koide Kazunori
Published: June 2020

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) mediates the biology of wound healing, apoptosis, inflammation, etc. H2O2 has been fluorometrically imaged with protein‐ or small‐molecule‐based probes. However, only protein‐based probes have afforded temporal insights within seconds. Small‐molecule‐based electrophilic probes for H2O2 require many minutes for a sufficient response in biological systems. Here, we report a fluorogenic probe that selectively undergoes a [2,3]‐sigmatropic rearrangement (seleno‐Mislow‐Evans rearrangement) with H2O2, followed by acetal hydrolysis, to produce a green fluorescent molecule in seconds. Unlike other electrophilic probes, the current probe acts as a nucleophile. The fast kinetics enabled real‐time imaging of H2O2 produced in endothelial cells in 8 seconds (much earlier than previously shown) and H2O2 in a zebrafish wound healing model. This work may provide a platform for endogenous H2O2 detection in real time with chemical probes.
Deacylation of Calcium‐Dependent Antibiotics from Streptomyces violaceoruber in Co‐culture with Streptomyces sp. MG7‐G1
Authors: Schindl Kathrin , Sharma Deepika , Spiteller Dieter
Published: June 2020

When Streptomyces violaceoruber grows together with Streptomyces sp. MG7‐G1, it reacts with strongly induced droplet production on its aerial mycelium. Initially the metabolite profile of droplets from S. violaceoruber in co‐culture with Streptomyces sp. MG7‐G1 was compared to samples from S. violaceoruber in single‐culture by using high‐performance liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (HPLC‐MS). Then, the exudate from agar plates of co‐cultures and single cultures (after freezing and thawing) was also analysed. Several compounds were only observed when S. violaceoruber was grown in co‐culture. Based on their high‐resolution ESI mass spectra and their comparable retention times to the calcium‐dependent antibiotics (CDAs) produced by S. violaceoruber, the new compounds were suspected to be deacylated calcium‐dependent antibiotics (daCDAs), lacking the 2,3‐epoxyhexanoyl residue of CDAs. This was verified by detailed analysis of the MS/MS spectra of the daCDAs in comparison to the CDAs. The major CDA compounds present in calcium ion‐supplemented agar medium of co‐cultures were daCDAs, thus suggesting that Streptomyces sp. MG7‐G1 expresses a deacylase that degrades CDAs.
A general rule for uniqueness in self‐modeling curve resolution methods
Authors: Karimvand Somaiyeh Khodadadi , Lakeh Mahsa Akbari , Tavakkoli Elnaz , Ghaffari Mahdiyeh , Omidikia Nematollah , Abad Saeed Khalili Ali , Rajkó Róbert , Abdollahi Hamid
Published: June 2020

Self‐modeling curve resolution (SMCR) techniques are widely applied for resolving chemical data to the pure‐component spectra and composition profiles. In most circumstances, there is a range of mathematical solutions to the curve resolution problem. The mathematical solutions generated by SMCR obey the applied constraints coming from a priori physicochemical information about the system under investigation. However, several studies demonstrate that a unique solution can be obtained by implementing some constraints such as trilinearity, equality, zero concentration region, correspondence, local‐rank, and non‐negativity under data‐based uniqueness (DBU) condition. In this research, a general rule for uniqueness (GRU) is proposed to unify all the different information that lead to a unique solution in one framework. Moreover, GRU can be a guide for developing new constraints in SMCR to get more accurate solutions.

The authors are delighted to dedicate this manuscript to Professor Paul J. Gemperline in recognition of his significant contributions to the field of chemometrics. We believe that the chemometrics society's success in addressing its mission owes a great deal to his vision, passion for learning and teaching, and extensive scientific efforts over the years. We honor his friendship and generous supports.
Activity‐Based Sensing of Ascorbate by Using Copper‐Mediated Oxidative Bond Cleavage
Authors: Yu Zuo Hang , Reinhardt Christopher J. , Wong Thomas Hin‐Fung , Tong Ka Yan , Chan Jefferson , Au‐Yeung Ho Yu
Published: June 2020

Ascorbate is an important biological reductant and enzyme cofactor. Although direct detection through ascorbate‐mediated reduction is possible, this approach suffers from poor selectivity due to the wide range of cellular reducing agents. To overcome this limitation, we leverage reduction potential of ascorbate to mediate a copper‐mediated oxidative bond cleavage of ether‐caged fluorophores. The copper(II) complexes supported by a {bis(2‐pyridylmethyl)}benzylamine or a {bis(2‐pyridylmethyl)}(2‐methoxybenzyl)amine ligand were identified as an ascorbate responsive unit and their reaction with ascorbate yields a copper‐based oxidant that enables rapid benzylic oxidation and the release of an ether‐caged dye (coumarin or fluorescein). The copper‐mediated bond cleavage is specific to ascorbate and the trigger can be readily derivatized for tuning photophysical properties of the probes. The probes were successfully applied for the fluorometric detection of ascorbate in commercial food samples, human plasma, and serum, and within live cells by using confocal microscopy and flow cytometry.
Study of YAG : Ce and Polymer Composite Properties for Application in LED Devices
Authors: Inkrataite Greta , Zabiliute‐Karaliune Akvile , Aglinskaite Justina , Vitta Pranciskus , Kristinaityte Kristina , Marsalka Arunas , Skaudzius Ramunas
Published: June 2020

The cost of the rare‐earth metal cerium means that preparation of YAG : Ce is expensive. To overcome this, the garnet could partially be replaced by cheaper alternatives, while retaining the original properties of YAG : Ce. Composites with different polymers such as polyethylene glycol diacrylate (M280) and dipentaerythrityl hexaacrylate (M600) were therefore studied. YAG : Ce and boron nitride were added into the polymer matrix in order to obtain composites with enhanced thermal conductivity, necessary for high‐optical‐density applications. The physical properties of the composites were measured by using XRD, DSC, SEM, and NMR, and the most important characteristics for LED materials such as emission, excitation, decay time and quantum efficiency were analyzed. An LED prototype was developed to test and demonstrate the composites for practical applications. That developed device exhibited optical properties very close to those comprising a commercial garnet prototype, which was also developed for comparison. The main advantage of the proposed technology is that by using 2 time less the amount of YAG : Ce, almost the same light output was obtained compared to commercial phosphors.
Columnar Liquid Crystals from Star‐Shaped Conjugated Mesogens as Nano‐Reservoirs for Small Acceptors
Authors: Lambov Martin , Hensiek Nicola , Pöppler Ann‐Christin , Lehmann Matthias
Published: June 2020

Shape‐persistent conjugated mesogens with oligothiophene arms of different lengths have been synthesized. Such mesogens possess free intrinsic space between their conjugated arms. They form columnar liquid‐crystalline phases, in which the void is filled by dense helical packing in the neat phase similar to an oligo(phenylene vinylene) derivative of equal size. The void can also be compensated by the inclusion of the small acceptor molecule 2,4,7‐trinitrofluorenone. In solution, the acceptor interacts with the core as the largest π‐surface, while in the solid material, it is incorporated between the arms and sandwiched by the star‐shaped neighbours along the columnar assemblies. The TNF acceptors are not nanosegregated from the star‐shaped donors, thus the liquid crystal structure converts to a nano‐reservoir for TNF (endo‐receptor). These host–guest arrangements are confirmed by comprehensive X‐ray scattering experiments and solid‐state NMR spectroscopy. This results in ordered columnar hexagonal phases at high temperatures, which change to helical columnar mesophases or to columnar soft crystals at room temperature.
Modeling winter survival in cereals: An interactive tool
Authors: Byrns Brook M. , Greer Ken J. , Fowler D. Brian
Published: June 2020

An interactive web‐based model (https://norstar.usask.ca/survivalmodel) that simulates winter survival in cereals has been developed for use by farmers, extension workers, plant breeders, and researchers. Consistent with our current understanding of low‐temperature (LT) gene regulation, the model is based on a series of equations describing phenological development, acclimation, dehardening, and damage due to LT stress. Low‐temperature tolerance is estimated on a daily basis relative to crown temperature, stage of phenological development, and cultivar LT tolerance potential. Acclimation proceeds until the start of the reproductive growth stage, which becomes a critical developmental switch that initiates the downregulation of LT tolerance gene expression. Environmental data can be uploaded and model input parameters revised to allow for simulation of genotypic differences and environmental conditions of special interest to users. Because the model is fully interactive, it can be used as a teaching tool that allows production risks, cause‐and‐effect processes, and genetic theories to be systematically investigated. In addition to encouraging more widespread use of the model, opening access to interested researchers will serve as a means of additional testing and validation allowing further refinements to be made. This will hopefully lead to increased prediction accuracy over a wider range of environmental conditions and a better understanding of the dynamic interactions involved in over‐winter survival of winter annual crops.
Genetic parameters of drought tolerance for agromorphological traits in eggplant, wild relatives, and interspecific hybrids
Authors: Kouassi Abou Bakari , Kouassi Koffi Brice Aymar , Sylla Zakaria , Plazas Mariola , Fonseka Ramya Malkanthi , Kouassi Auguste , Fonseka Hemal , N'guetta Assanvo Simon‐Pierre , Prohens Jaime
Published: June 2020

Crop wild relatives (CWRs) have barely been used in eggplant (Solanum melongena) breeding. However, introgression breeding may help in coping with the challenges posed by climate change. During the rainy and dry seasons, we evaluated nine accessions of eggplant, nine accessions of seven related species (of which six are CWRs and one is a cultivated relative), and 12 interspecific hybrids. Drought tolerance scores, calculated as ratios of growing rates and ratios of mean values during the rainy and dry seasons, were obtained for vegetative growth and yield‐related traits. Considering the vegetative growth and yield‐related traits evaluated, the F1 hybrid progenies of eggplant with S. insanum MEL1 × INS2 and MEL4 × INS3, S. anguivi MEL6 × ANG1, and S. dasyphyllum MEL6 × DAS1, plus the S. sysimbriifolium accession SIS1, displayed drought tolerance. Small to large gaps were observed between phenotypic and genotypic CVs of drought tolerance scores, reflecting variable influence of environmental factors on drought tolerance of the traits evaluated. In addition, the narrow‐sense heritability was generally moderate, indicating that genes with dominance and/or epistasis effects may be involved in the expression of drought tolerance. High genotypic correlations for drought tolerance scores between pairs of traits such as branching index and leaf length, leaf petiole diameter and plant height, number of stamens per flower, and fruit pedicel length suggest that drought tolerance of these traits is controlled by genes that are in linkage disequilibrium and/or have pleiotropic effects. The results are relevant for the development of drought‐tolerant cultivars of eggplant.
Species‐specific transpiration and water use patterns of two pioneer dominant tree species under manipulated rainfall in a low‐subtropical secondary evergreen forest
Authors: Ouyang Lei , Gao Jianguo , Zhao Ping , Rao Xingquan
Published: June 2020

Like many other ecosystems, subtropical forests are suffering more intense and longer droughts with the ongoing climate change. This study aimed to explore the seasonal transpiration and physiological responses of two dominant tree species, Schima superba and Michelia macclurei, to manipulated precipitation patterns in a subtropical evergreen forest of South China, in which an ambient control treatment (BC), a drier dry and wetter wet season treatment (DD) and an extended dry and wetter wet season treatment (ED) were applied. Tree water use and associated ecophysiological characters, such as the daily whole‐tree transpiration (EL), intrinsic water use efficiency (WUEi), Huber values (As:Al) and utilization proportions from different water sources were determined during the period from October 2012 to September 2013. For both tree species, no significant difference in transpiration among the three treatments was observed in the wet season, and a relatively stronger decrease of transpiration occurred under DD and ED treatments during the later dry season. Moreover, the higher transpiration of M. macclurei and its advantage of utilizing the shallow water derived from light rainfall under dry condition suggested that it has more survival and growth advantages in this subtropical forest. Therefore, under the seasonal drought caused by uneven distribution of rainfall in the future, M. macclurei that inclines to use shallow soil water would adopt a drought‐avoidance strategy, whereas S. superba that could uptake deeper soil water would be drought tolerant. The different spatial and temporal patterns of water use, together with the contrasting water use strategies, could reduce competition of the two species and facilitate their coexistence under potential precipitation distribution changes.
Consecutive Three‐Component Coupling‐Addition Synthesis of β‐Amino Enoates and 3‐Hydroxypyrazoles via Ethyl 3‐Arylpropiolates
Authors: Niedballa Jonas , Reiss Guido J. , Müller Thomas J. J.
Published: June 2020

Two consecutive three‐component syntheses furnishing β‐amino enoates or 3‐hydroxypyrazoles based upon the Sonogashira alkynylation of aryl iodides and ethyl propiolate were established in mostly excellent yields. The ethyl 3‐arylpropiolate intermediates are Michael systems which are suited for concatenation with conjugate addition or cyclocondensation giving access to libraries of 21 different β‐amino enoates and 17 different 3‐hydroxypyrazoles. The rotational barrier of β‐pyrrolidino enoates was assessed by studying the coalescence of pyrrolidinyl protons in VT‐NMR spectra of electronically different substituted derivatives showing that the electronic substituent effect on the aryl group does not affect the height of the rotational barrier. This indicates that the substituents are essentially oriented orthogonally to the plane of the β‐pyrrolidino enoates.
Scanning acoustic microscopy analysis of the mechanical properties of polymeric components in photovoltaic modules
Authors: Mesquita Laila V. , Mansour Djamel Eddine , Gebhardt Paul , Pitta Bauermann Luciana
Published: June 2020

The characterization of mechanical properties of polymeric backsheet and encapsulation foils of photovoltaic (PV) modules usually involves destructive techniques, such as dynamic mechanical analysis and tensile testing. In this article, we validate the scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM) as a nondestructive characterization method to estimate the mechanical properties of polymeric multi‐layers in PV modules. The acoustic speed inside each individual material is measured and its mechanical properties calculated. For this validation, other techniques are employed to determine the values of density, thickness, and elastic modulus of the foils. The viscoelastic properties of the polymeric foils are temperature dependent. The longitudinal modulus measured acoustically at 15 MHz and the Young's modulus from conventional tensile testing were compared at different temperatures. Both techniques show good agreement regarding the change in mechanical properties caused by temperature variation. The disagreement in the absolute values of these parameters is explained by the different frequency magnitudes at which both measurements are performed. This confirms that SAM is a reliable technique to measure changes in the viscoelastic properties of the foils in PV modules nondestructively, and thus to obtain more information about aging‐induced material changes and degradation.
Experimental Study of Three Channel Designs with Model Comparison in a PEM Fuel Cell
Authors: Mojica F. , Rahman Md. A. , Mora J. M. , Ocon J. D. , Chuang P.‐Y. A.
Published: June 2020

The flow field is an integral part of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell. In this work, three flow‐field designs, including straight parallel, multiple channel serpentine, and single channel serpentine, are studied systematically to investigate their effects on fuel cell performance. To evaluate the characteristics of each design, relative humidity and flow rate are parametrically adjusted to evaluate performance experimentally. A finite element‐based 3D steady state, single phase COMSOL computational model is employed to analyze reactant distribution and fuel cell performance. The single channel serpentine exhibits the best performance under the greatest variety of operating conditions, but also experiences the highest inlet‐outlet pressure differentials. This study shows that parallel channel design has more evenly distributed reactant concentration, but is prone to liquid water accumulation, which requires high flow rate to remain stable operation under wet conditions. In summary, the multiple channel serpentine design can provide a reasonable balance between pressure drop and flow distribution with robust fuel cell operation.
Extensive astrocyte metabolism of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) sustains glutamine synthesis in the mammalian cerebral cortex
Authors: Andersen Jens V. , Jakobsen Emil , Westi Emil W. , Lie Maria E. K. , Voss Caroline M. , Aldana Blanca I. , Schousboe Arne , Wellendorph Petrine , Bak Lasse K. , Pinborg Lars H. , Waagepetersen Helle S.
Published: June 2020

Synaptic transmission is closely linked to brain energy and neurotransmitter metabolism. However, the extent of brain metabolism of the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA), and the relative metabolic contributions of neurons and astrocytes, are yet unknown. The present study was designed to investigate the functional significance of brain GABA metabolism using isolated mouse cerebral cortical slices and slices of neurosurgically resected neocortical human tissue of the temporal lobe. By using dynamic isotope labeling, with [15N]GABA and [U‐13C]GABA as metabolic substrates, we show that both mouse and human brain slices exhibit a large capacity for GABA metabolism. Both the nitrogen and the carbon backbone of GABA strongly support glutamine synthesis, particularly in the human cerebral cortex, indicative of active astrocytic GABA metabolism. This was further substantiated by pharmacological inhibition of the primary astrocytic GABA transporter subtype 3 (GAT3), by (S)‐SNAP‐5114 or 1‐benzyl‐5‐chloro‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐indole‐2,3‐dione (compound 34), leading to significant reductions in oxidative GABA carbon metabolism. Interestingly, this was not the case when tiagabine was used to specifically inhibit GAT1, which is predominantly found on neurons. Finally, we show that acute GABA exposure does not directly stimulate glycolytic activity nor oxidative metabolism in cultured astrocytes, but can be used as an additional substrate to enhance uncoupled respiration. These results clearly show that GABA is actively metabolized in astrocytes, particularly for the synthesis of glutamine, and challenge the current view that synaptic GABA homeostasis is maintained primarily by presynaptic recycling.
Glial glutamate transporter GLT‐1 determines susceptibility to spreading depression in the mouse cerebral cortex
Authors: Aizawa Hidenori , Sun Weinan , Sugiyama Kaori , Itou Yukiko , Aida Tomomi , Cui Wanpeng , Toyoda Saori , Terai Haruhi , Yanagisawa Michiko , Tanaka Kohichi
Published: June 2020

Cortical spreading depression (CSD) is a pathological neural excitation that underlies migraine pathophysiology. Since glutamate receptor antagonists impair CSD propagation, susceptibility to CSD might be determined by any of the neuronal (excitatory amino acid carrier 1 [EAAC1]) and glial (GLutamate ASpartate Transporter [GLAST] and glial glutamate transporter 1 [GLT‐1]) glutamate transporters, which are responsible for clearing extracellular glutamate. To investigate this hypothesis, we performed electrophysiological, hemodynamic, and electrochemical analyses using EAAC1‐ (EAAC1 KO), GLAST‐ (GLAST KO), and conditional GLT1‐1‐knockout mice (GLT‐1 cKO) to assess altered susceptibility to CSD. Despite the incomplete deletion of the gene in the cerebral cortex, GLT‐1 cKO mice exhibited significant reduction of GLT‐1 protein in the brain without apparent alteration of the cytoarchitecture in the cerebral cortex. Physiological analysis revealed that GLT‐1 cKO showed enhanced susceptibility to CSD elicited by chemical stimulation with increased CSD frequency and velocity compared to GLT‐1 control. In contrast, the germ‐line EAAC1 and GLAST KOs showed no such effect. Intriguingly, both field potential and cerebral blood flow showed faster dynamics with narrower CSD than the controls. An enzyme‐based biosensor revealed more rapid accumulation of glutamate in the extracellular space in GLT‐1 cKO mice during the early phase of CSD than in GLT‐1 control, resulting in an increased susceptibility to CSD. These results provided the first evidence for a novel role of GLT‐1 in determining susceptibility to CSD.
Profiles of cognitive impairment in the continuum from normal cognition to Alzheimer's clinical syndrome: Contributions of the short‐term memory binding tests
Authors: Cecchini Mario Amore , Foss Maria Paula , Tumas Vitor , Patrocinio Flávia A.P. , Chiari‐Correia Rodolfo D. , Novaretti Nathalia , Brozinga Tamara R. , Bahia Valéria Santoro , de Souza Leonardo Cruz , Cerqueira Guimarães Henrique , Caramelli Paulo , Lima‐Silva Thais Bento , Cassimiro Luciana , Brucki Sonia Maria Dozzi , Nitrini Ricardo , Della Sala Sergio , Parra Mario A. , Yassuda Mônica Sanches
Published: June 2020

Background

Short‐term memory binding (STMB) tests assess conjunctive binding, in which participants should remember the integration of features, such as shapes (or objects) and colors, forming a unique representation in memory. In this study, we investigated two STMB paradigms: change detection (CD) and free recall (FR).

Objective

To investigate the cognitive profile in the CD and FR tasks of three diagnostic groups: cognitively unimpaired (CU), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and Alzheimer's clinical syndrome (ACS). In addition, we aimed to calculate and compare the accuracy of the CD and FR tasks to identify MCI and ACS.

Methods

Participants were 24 CU, 24 MCI, and 37 ACS. The cognitive scores of the clinical groups were compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were carried out to verify the accuracy of the STMB tasks.

Results

In the CD task, CU was different from MCI and ACS (CU > MCI = ACS), while in the FR task all groups were different (CU > MCI > ACS). The ROC analyses showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.855 comparing CU with MCI for the CD task and 0.975 for the FR. The AUC comparing CU and ACS was 0.924 for the CD and 0.973 for the FR task. The FR task showed better accuracy to identify MCI patients, and the same accuracy to detect ACS.

Conclusion

The present findings indicate that impairments in CD and FR of bound representations are features of the cognitive profiles of MCI and ACS patients.
Two‐year follow‐up of a randomized phase III clinical trial of nivolumab vs. the investigator's choice of therapy in the Asian population for recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (CheckMate 141)
Authors: Yen Chia‐Jui , Kiyota Naomi , Hanai Nobuhiro , Takahashi Shunji , Yokota Tomoya , Iwae Shigemichi , Shimizu Yasushi , Hong Ruey‐Long , Goto Masahiro , Kang Jin‐Hyoung , Li Wing Sum Kenneth , Ferris Robert L. , Gillison Maura , Endo Toshimitsu , Jayaprakash Vijayvel , Tahara Makoto
Published: June 2020

Background

The present study evaluated the 2‐year survival of the Asian population in the CheckMate 141 trial.

Methods

The CheckMate 141 trial included patients with recurrent or metastatic (R/M) squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). In the present study, 34 Asian patients (nivolumab group: 23 patients; investigator's choice of therapy [IC] group: 11 patients) were analyzed.

Results

The median overall survival (OS) was 12.1 and 6.2 months for the nivolumab and IC groups, respectively. The estimated 2‐year OS rates were 22.7% and 0% for the nivolumab and IC groups, respectively. In the nivolumab group, the patients with any treatment‐related adverse events (TRAEs), including skin‐related disorders, showed better OS than the patients without any TRAEs.

Conclusions

Nivolumab demonstrated prolonged OS benefits in the Asian population with platinum‐refractory R/M SCCHN and a favorable safety profile. TRAEs, including skin‐related disorders, may be favorable prognostic factors for nivolumab efficacy.

Clinical trial registration

NCT02105636.
Trauma exposure and post‐traumatic stress symptoms among Syrian refugee youth in Jordan: Social support and gender as moderators
Authors: Kliewer Wendy , Kheirallah Khalid A. , Cobb Caroline O. , Alsulaiman Jomana W. , Mzayek Fawaz , Jaddou Hashem
Published: June 2020

This study assessed relations between exposure to trauma and post‐traumatic stress (PTS) symptoms, and whether perceived social support from family and friends and gender moderated these associations. Syrian refugee youth (N = 418, 55.0% female) attending public schools in Jordan participated. Boys reported more age‐adjusted PTS symptoms than girls. Analyses revealed that family support and gender moderated the association of trauma on PTS symptoms. For males, the benefits of family support were most evident under conditions of high traumatic stress exposure, while for females, benefits of family support were evident when no loss or injury to family members had been reported. Support from friends was not helpful for either gender. School‐ or family‐based interventions designed to treat PTS symptoms need to consider the different needs of boys and girls, particularly within the Syrian Muslim cultural context.
Restoration of miR‐330 expression suppresses lung cancer cell viability, proliferation, and migration
Authors: Mohammadi Ali , Mansoori Behzad , Duijf Pascal H. G. , Safarzadeh Elham , Tebbi Leila , Najafi Souzan , Shokouhi Behrooz , Sorensen Grith L. , Holmskov Uffe , Baradaran Behzad
Published: June 2020

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers and its incidence is rising around the world. Various studies suggest that miR‐330 acts as a tumor‐suppressor microRNA (miRNA) in different types of cancers, but precisely how has remained unclear. In this study, we investigate miR‐330 expression in lung cancer patient samples, as well as in vitro, by studying how normalization of miR‐330 expression affects lung cancer cellular phenotypes such as viability, apoptosis, proliferation, and migration. We establish that low miR‐330 expression predicts poor lung cancer prognosis. Stable restoration of reduced miR‐330 expression in lung cancer cells reduces cell viability, increases the fraction of apoptotic cells, causes G2/M cell cycle arrest, and inhibits cell migration. These findings are substantiated by increased mRNA and protein expression of markers for apoptosis via the intrinsic pathway, such as caspase 9, and decreased mRNA and protein expression of markers for cell migration, such as vimentin, C‐X‐C chemokine receptor type 4, and matrix metalloproteinase 9. We showed that reduced miR‐330 expression predicts poor lung cancer survival and that stable restoration of miR‐330 expression in lung cancer cells has a broad range of tumor‐suppressive effects. This indicates that miR‐330 is a promising candidate for miRNA replacement therapy for lung cancer patients.
Expression and function of the P2X7 receptor in human osteoblasts: The role of NFATc1 transcription factor
Authors: Bergamin Leticia Scussel , Penolazzi Letizia , Lambertini Elisabetta , Falzoni Simonetta , Sarti Alba Clara , Molle Caroline M. , Gendron Fernand‐Pierre , De Bonis Pasquale , Di Virgilio Francesco , Piva Roberta
Published: June 2020

Bone mineralization is an orchestrated process by which mineral crystals are deposited by osteoblasts; however, the detailed mechanisms remain to be elucidated. The presence of P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) in immature and mature bone cells is well established, but contrasting evidence on its role in osteogenic differentiation and deposition of calcified bone matrix remains. To clarify these controversies in the present study, we investigated P2X7R participation in bone maturation. We demonstrated that the P2X7R is expressed and functional in human primary osteoblasts, and identified in the P2RX7 promoter several binding sites for transcription factors involved in bone mineralization. Of particular interest was the finding that P2X7R expression is enhanced by nuclear factor of activated T cells cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1) overexpression, and accordingly, NFATc1 is recruited at the P2RX7 gene promoter in SaOS2 osteoblastic‐like cells. In conclusion, our data provide further insights into the regulation of P2X7R expression and support the development of drugs targeting this receptor for the therapy of bone diseases.
Involvement of GPX4 in irisin's protection against ischemia reperfusion‐induced acute kidney injury
Authors: Zhang Jia , Bi Jianbin , Ren Yifan , Du Zhaoqing , Li Teng , Wang Tao , Zhang Lin , Wang Mengzhou , Wei Shasha , Lv Yi , Wu Rongqian
Published: June 2020

Ischemia reperfusion (I/R)‐induced acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common and serious condition. Irisin, an exercise‐induced hormone, improves mitochondrial function and reduces reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) is a key regulator of ferroptosis and its inactivation aggravates renal I/R injury by inducing ROS production. However, the effect of irisin on GPX4 and I/R‐induced AKI is still unknown. To study this, male adult mice were subjected to renal I/R by occluding bilateral renal hilum for 30 min, which was followed by 24 hr reperfusion. Our results showed serum irisin levels were decreased in renal I/R mice. Irisin (250 μg/kg) treatment alleviated renal injury, downregulated inflammatory response, improved mitochondrial function, and reduced ER stress and oxidative stress after renal I/R, which were associated with upregulation of GPX4. Treated with RSL3 (a GPX4 inhibitor) abolished irisin's protective effect. Thus, irisin attenuates I/R‐induced AKI through upregulating GPX4.
Effects of monitoring versus blunting on the public’s preferences for information in a hypothetical cancer diagnosis scenario
Authors: Plamann Katie , McCarthy Veach Patricia , LeRoy Bonnie S. , MacFarlane Ian M. , Petzel Sue V. , Zierhut Heather A.
Published: June 2020

Monitoring and blunting are coping styles that characterize how people respond when faced with personally threatening situations. High monitors tend to pay more attention to, scan for, and amplify threatening cues; high blunters tend to avoid information and seek distractions when faced with a threatening event. This study sought to investigate possible differential effects of monitoring and blunting coping styles on information preferences in a hypothetical cancer diagnosis scenario in the adult general public of Minnesota. In a survey administered at a large public venue (2016 Minnesota State Fair), participants were asked to imagine they carried a gene mutation and were diagnosed with colon cancer. They indicated their information preference [modified Cassileth Information Styles Questionnaire (MCISQ)], completed two coping style measures [Miller Behavioral Style Scale (MBSS) and Threatening Medical Situations Inventory (TMSI)], rated their perceived severity of colon cancer (low, moderate, high), and answered demographic questions. Eight hundred fifty‐five individuals provided usable data. Participants classified as monitors on the TMSI had significantly higher MCISQ scores (i.e., preferred more information) than those classified as blunters (p = .004). Those scoring high on monitoring and low on blunting on the MBSS preferred significantly more information than those scoring high on both monitoring and blunting (p = .04). Linear regression analysis revealed being a monitor (TMSI), scoring high on monitoring (MBSS), rating colon cancer as more severe, and having a higher education level were significant positive predictors of MCISQ scores. Results suggest individual differences in coping style, perceived severity, and education level affect desire for information. Genetic counselors should consider these patient characteristics (e.g., asking patients about their information preferences) and tailor their approaches accordingly.