bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phenotypical Variability of Functional Groups of Plants in an Urban Rainforest
Authors: Leite Maria J. H. , Silva Valdemir F. , Silva Maria A. M. , Pinto Andréa V. F. , Lins-e-Silva Ana C. B. , Aguiar Maria M. B. , Silva Girlânio H. , Nascimento Ladivania M. , Lima André L. A. , Rodal Maria J. N.
Published: April 2019

The functional characteristics of plants can be used to understand the changes of vegetation under different environmental pressures, since during the process of succession, the species deal with variations of luminosity, an important resource for the regeneration and growth of plants in humid tropical forests. From the perspective that along the succession there is variation of light availability and that leaf characteristics such as specific leaf area, chlorophyll content and leaf dry matter content are more plastic in groups linked to the rapid acquisition of the resource at the beginning of the succession, it was tested the hypothesis that at the beginning of the succession, where there is greater availability of light, leaf characteristics would be more plastic for the acquisitive group. It was initially found that the geographic distances did not influence the values ​​of the variability indices of the groups, which allows to infer that the distance between the areas does not interfere in the variability of the leaf characteristics. To answer the hypothesis that at the beginning of the succession, in which there is greater light availability, the leaf characteristics would be more plastic for the purchasing group than for the conservative ones, a simple linear regression analysis (ARLS) was performed in the indices of variability for the groups (acquisitive and conservative) and abiotic factor (light) in each area of ​​occurrence. However, the hypothesis that at the beginning of the succession, where there is greater light availability, the characteristics of the leaf would be more plastic for the species was rejected for the species acquisitive, since all indices were reduced for the purchasing group. It is important to take into account that the variation of leaf characteristics as a function of the light availability in an urban tropical fragment is different from what occurs in the classic succession commonly reported, pointing out that possible disturbances caused by the surroundings are the main agents of the functional structure of the community.
Amphipol‐assisted purification method for the highly active and stable photosystem II supercomplex of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Watanabe Akimasa , Kim Eunchul , Burton‐Smith Raymond N. , Tokutsu Ryutaro , Minagawa Jun
Published: April 2019

Photosystem II (PSII) splits water and drives electron transfer to plastoquinone via photochemical reactions using light energy. It is surrounded by light‐harvesting complex II (LHCII) to form the PSII–LHCII supercomplex. Complete characterization of its structure and function has, however, been hampered due to instability of the complex in the presence of detergent. To overcome this problem, we developed a new procedure for purifying the PSII–LHCII supercomplexes of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii employing amphipol A8‐35. The obtained supercomplexes showed little LHCII dissociation even 4 days after purification. Oxygen‐evolving activity was retained within amphipol if the extrinsic polypeptides were kept associated by betaine. Electron microscopy revealed that this method also improved structural uniformity and that the major organization was C2S2M2L2.
Sulfur‐Catalyzed Stereo and Regioselective Synthesis of Heteropropellanes via Oxidative Condensation of Cyclohexanones with 2‐Aminophenols
Authors: Nguyen Thanh Binh , Retailleau Pascal
Published: April 2019

Sulfur was found to be an excellent catalyst for the oxidative coupling of cyclohexanones with o‐aminophenols using DMSO as oxidant. A wide range of heteropropellanes were obtained with complete regio and stereoselectivities and functional group tolerance.

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The Ab Initio Calculations on the Areal Specific Resistance of Li‐Metal/Li7La3Zr2O12 Interphase
Authors: Gao Jian , Guo Xuyun , Li Yutao , Ma Zhaohui , Guo Xiangxin , Li Hong , Zhu Ye , Zhou Weidong
Published: April 2019

The solid–solid interfacial impedance between the garnet electrolyte and Li metal anode is one of the major challenges for garnet's application in all‐solid‐state batteries. The areal specific resistance (ASR) is investigated by ab initio calculations in this article, to predict the intrinsic ASR as lower limitation. The Li ion migration across the interphase is divided into two steps: 1) Li "intercalation" from Li‐metal to the LLZO, forming a Li‐rich interphase beneath the surface of LLZO, and 2) Li migration in the Li‐rich interphase within LLZO. The first step is investigated by climbing image nudged elastic band (CI‐NEB), resulting in barrier energy lower than 0.37 eV compared to experimental 0.34 eV of the garnet bulk phase. The second step is investigated by ab initio molecular dynamic simulations (AIMD), indicating that the Li‐rich interphase's conductivity is lower by about 1–2 orders of magnitude compared to the bulk phase. As a result, the sum theoretical intrinsic ASR is as low as 0.01 Ω cm2, suggesting high ASR in practicable battery arises from surficial impurity Li2CO3 rather than intrinsic ionic resistance. However, difficulties of removing Li2CO3 lie in that Li7La3Zr2O12 can thermodynamically decompose into reactive Li2O to form high resistant Li2CO3.
Direct Structure–Performance Comparison of All‐Carbon Potassium and Sodium Ion Capacitors
Authors: Xu Ziqiang , Wu Mengqiang , Chen Zhi , Chen Cheng , Yang Jian , Feng Tingting , Paek Eunsu , Mitlin David
Published: April 2019

A hybrid ion capacitor (HIC) based on potassium ions (K+) is a new high‐power intermediate energy device that may occupy a unique position on the Ragone chart space. Here, a direct performance comparison of a potassium ion capacitor (KIC) versus the better‐known sodium ion capacitor is provided. Tests are performed with an asymmetric architecture based on bulk ion insertion, partially ordered, dense carbon anode (hard carbon, HC) opposing N‐ and O‐rich ion adsorption, high surface area, cathode (activated carbon, AC). A classical symmetric “supercapacitor‐like” configuration AC–AC is analyzed in parallel. For asymmetric K‐based HC–AC devices, there are significant high‐rate limitations associated with ion insertion into the anode, making it much inferior to Na‐based HC–AC devices. A much larger charge–discharge hysteresis (overpotential), more than an order of magnitude higher impedanceRSEI, and much worse cyclability are observed. However, K‐based AC–AC devices obtained on‐par energy, power, and cyclability with their Na counterpart. Therefore, while KICs are extremely scientifically interesting, more work is needed to tailor the structure of  “Na‐inherited” dense carbon anodes and electrolytes for satisfactory K ion insertion. Conversely, it should be possible to utilize many existing high surface area adsorption carbons for fast rate K application.
Highly Tough, Li‐Metal Compatible Organic–Inorganic Double‐Network Solvate Ionogel
Authors: Yu Le , Guo Songtao , Lu Yue , Li Yaqian , Lan Xiwei , Wu Dabei , Li Ruguang , Wu Siqi , Hu Xianluo
Published: April 2019

Ionogels are considered promising electrolytes for safe lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) because of their low flammability, good thermal stability, and wide electrochemical stability window. Conventional ionic liquid‐based ionogels, however, face two main challenges; poor mechanical property and low Li‐ion transfer number. In this work, a novel solvate ionogel electrolyte (SIGE) based on an organic–inorganic double network (DN) is designed and fabricated through nonhydrolytic sol–gel reaction and in situ polymerization processes. The unprecedented SIGE possesses high toughness (bearing the deformation under the pressure of 80 MPa without damage), high Li‐ion transfer number of 0.43, and excellent Li‐metal compatibility. As expected, the LiFePO4/Li cell using the newly developed SIGE delivers a high capacity retention of 95.2% over 500 cycles, and the average Coulombic efficiency is as high as 99.8%. Moreover, the Ni‐rich LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2(NCM811)/Li cell based on the modified SIGE achieves a high Coulombic efficiency of 99.4%, which outperforms previous solid/quasi‐solid‐state NCM811‐based LIBs. Interestingly, the SIGE‐based pouch cells are workable under extreme conditions (e.g., severely deforming or clipping into segments). In terms of those unusual features, the as‐obtained SIGE holds great promise for next‐generation flexible and safe energy‐storage devices.
Health effects from unintentional occupational exposure to opioids among law enforcement officers: Two case investigations
Authors: Chiu Sophia K. , Hornsby‐Myers Jennifer L. , de Perio Marie A. , Snawder John E. , Wiegand Douglas M. , Trout Douglas , Howard John
Published: April 2019

Recent increases in the rate of drug overdose‐related deaths, the emergence of potent opioids such as carfentanil, and media reports of incidents have raised concerns about the potential for work‐related exposure to a variety of illicit drugs among law enforcement officers (LEOs), other emergency responders, and other workers in the United States. To characterize the risk associated with unintentional occupational exposure to drugs, we retrospectively investigated two incidents that occurred in 2017 and 2018 where LEOs were exposed to opioid and stimulant drugs and experienced health effects. We interviewed five affected LEOs and others. We reviewed records, including emergency department documentation, incident reports, forensic laboratory results, and when available, body camera footage. Multiple drug types, including opioids and nonopioids, were present at each incident. Potential routes of exposure varied among LEOs and were difficult to characterize with certainty. Health effects were not consistent with severe, life‐threatening opioid toxicity, but temporarily precluded affected LEOs from performing their essential job duties. While health risks from occupational exposure to drugs during law enforcement activities cannot currently be fully characterized with certainty, steps to prevent such exposures should be implemented now. The creation and implementation of appropriate controls plus education and training are both important to protecting first responders from these hazardous agents. To more fully characterize potential exposures, timely prospective toxicological evaluation of affected responders is recommended.
[Fe(H2O)5(NO)]2+, das Chromophor des “braunen Rings”
Authors: Monsch Georg , Klüfers Peter
Published: April 2019

Obwohl die Erforschung des Chromophors des “braunen Rings”, das Ion [Fe(H2O)5(NO)]2+ (1), länger als ein Jahrhundert zurückreicht, gelang die Isolierung dieser nur wenig stabilen Spezies bisher nicht. Nun aber eröffnet die Kristallisation eines Salzes von 1 die Möglichkeit, die besondere Bindungssituation auf experimenteller Grundlage zu analysieren. Das Ergebnis, eine Fe‐NO‐Bindung durch zwei gestreckte, spinpolarisierte π‐Wechselwirkungen, ist eine Herausforderung des Konzeptes der Oxidationsstufe.
Mass Spectrometric Study of Acoustically Levitated Droplets Illuminates Molecular‐Level Mechanism of Photodynamic Therapy for Cancer involving Lipid Oxidation
Authors: Mu Chaonan , Wang Jie , Barraza Kevin M. , Zhang Xinxing , Beauchamp J. L.
Published: April 2019

Even though the general mechanism of photodynamic cancer therapy is known, the details and consequences of the reactions between the photosensitizer‐generated singlet oxygen and substrate molecules remain elusive at the molecular level. Using temoporfin as the photosensitizer, here we combine field‐induced droplet ionization mass spectrometry and acoustic levitation techniques to study the “wall‐less” oxidation reactions of 18:1 cardiolipin and 1‐palmitoyl‐2‐oleoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phospho‐(1′‐rac‐glycerol) (POPG) mediated by singlet oxygen at the air–water interface of levitated water droplets. For both cardiolipin and POPG, every unsaturated oleyl chain is oxidized to an allyl hydroperoxide, which surprisingly is immune to further oxidation. This is attributed to the increased hydrophilicity of the oxidized chain, which attracts it toward the water phase, thereby increasing membrane permeability and eventually triggering cell death.
Enantioselective Addition Reaction of Azlactones with Styrene Derivatives Catalyzed by Strong Chiral Brønsted Acids
Authors: Kikuchi Jun , Terada Masahiro
Published: April 2019

An enantioselective intermolecular addition reaction of azlactones, as carbon nucleophiles, with styrene derivatives, as simple olefins, was demonstrated using a newly developed chiral Brønsted acid catalyst, namely, F10BINOL‐derived N‐triflyl phosphoramide. Addition products having vicinal tetrasubstituted carbon centers, one of which is an all‐carbon quaternary stereogenic center, were formed in good yields with moderate to high stereoselectivities. Extremely high acidity of the new chiral Brønsted acid was confirmed by its calculated pKa value based on DFT studies and is the key to accomplishing not only high catalytic activity but also efficient stereocontrol in the intermolecular addition.
Synthesis of π‐Functional Molecules through Oxidation of Aromatic Amines
Authors: Hiroto Satoru
Published: April 2019

In this review, we focus on the synthesis of π‐conjugated functional molecules by the oxidation of aromatic amines, which is one of the most effective methods for the construction of C−C, C−N, and N−N bonds between two π‐conjugated molecular units, and consider their characteristics and applications. Polyanilines are the most common products of the oxidation of aromatic amines; however, azobenzenes, phenazines, and 1,1′‐binaphthyl‐2,2′‐diamines may be produced in this manner also, depending on the reaction conditions. Recent advances in the methodology of aniline oxidation have led to the development of high‐regioselectivity industrial‐scale syntheses of optically or electroactive π‐functional dyes containing nitrogen atoms. In particular, the regioselective fusion of π‐extended aromatic amines can be used to prepare distorted π‐conjugated molecules under mild reaction conditions, allowing the construction of unprecedented curved nitrogen‐containing π‐conjugated molecules.
Biological properties of metal complexes of curcumin
Authors: Shakeri Abolfazl , Panahi Yunes , Johnston Thomas P. , Sahebkar Amirhossein
Published: April 2019

Curcumin, a naturally occurring phenolic compound isolated from Curcuma longa, has different pharmacological effects, including antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. However, curcumin has been found to have a limited bioavailability because of its hydrophobic nature, low‐intestinal absorption, and rapid metabolism. Therefore, there is a need for enhancing the bioavailability and its solubility in water in order to increase the pharmacological effects of this bioactive compound. One strategy is curcumin complexation with transition metals to circumvent the abovementioned problems. Curcumin can undergo chelation with various metal ions to form metallo‐complexes of curcumin, which may show greater effects as compared with curcumin alone. Promising results with metal curcumin complexes have been observed with regard to antioxidant, anticancer, and antimicrobial activity, as well as in treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The present review provides a concise summary of the characterization and biological properties of curcumin‐metal complexes. © 2019 BioFactors, 45(3):304–317, 2019
Development and validation of a simple and sensitive high‐resolution LC/MS method for determination of PF‐04620110 in dog plasma: Application to a pharmacokinetic study
Authors: He Fan , Zheng Wei , Chen Yongzhuang , Mo Chengke , Chen Yilu
Published: April 2019

In this study, a more sensitive and reliable quantitative method based on ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography coupled with Q‐Exactive‐Orbitrap‐MS in full‐mass scan was developed and validated for the determination of PF‐04620110 in dog plasma. After protein precipitation with acetonitrile, the sample separations were carried out on an Acquity BEH C18 column with 1 mm ammonium acetate in water and acetonitrile containing 0.1% acetic acid as mobile phase, at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. The assay showed excellent linearity over the concentration range of 1–2000 ng/mL with correlation coefficient >0.9980 (r > 0.9980). The LLOQ was 1 ng/mL. The inter‐ and intra‐day precision (RSD, %) was within 9.69% while the accuracy (RE, %) was in the range of −8.59–11.24%. The extraction recovery was >85.37% and the assay was free of matrix effects. PF‐04620110 was demonstrated to be stable under various processing and handing conditions. The validated method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of PF‐04620110 in dogs and the results revealed that PF‐04620110 was slowly eliminated from plasma with a clearance of 60.81 ± 7.11 mL/h/kg for intravenous administration and 81.44 ± 25.79 mL/h/kg for oral administration. The oral bioavailability was determined to be 77.89% in dogs.
lncRNA FOXD3‐AS1 is associated with clinical progression and regulates cell migration and invasion in breast cancer
Authors: Guan Yaoyao , Bhandari Adheesh , Xia Erjie , Yang Fan , Xiang Jingjing , Wang Ouchen
Published: April 2019

For women, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of women deaths due to cancer. In recent years, increasing long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) has been discovered to be related to tumorigenesis, progression, and prognosis. FOXD3‐AS1 is a lncRNA and has been identified as a cancer‐promoting gene in glioma. By analysing the FOXD3‐AS1 expression in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, we found that FOXD3‐AS1 has significantly high expression in breast cancer tumour comparing with the normal tissue. And patients with low FOXD3‐AS1 expression had greater survival probability, smaller tumour size, and less distant metastasis. This leads us to peep inquisitively biological function of FOXD3‐AS1 in breast cancer. Biological assays demonstrated that silenced FOXD3‐AS1 impaired cell proliferation and inhibited cell migration and invasion in breast cancer cell lines (BT549, MDA‐MB‐231). These results suggest that FOXD3‐AS1 could play a potential diagnostics or prognostic biomarker for patients with breast cancer.

Significance of the study

We demonstrated that lncRNA FOXD3‐AS1 has significantly high expression in breast cancer cell lines comparing with the normal tissue. Besides, our findings suggested that lncRNA FOXD3‐AS1 could play a potential diagnostics or prognostic biomarker for patients with breast cancer.
Automatic Full Glycan Structural Determination through Logically Derived Sequence Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Tsai Shang‐Ting , Liew Chia Yen , Hsu Chen , Huang Shih‐Pei , Weng Wei‐Chien , Kuo Yu‐Hsiang , Ni Chi‐Kung
Published: April 2019

Glycans have diverse functions and play vital roles in many biological systems, such as influenza, vaccines, and cancer biomarkers. However, full structural identification of glycans remains challenging. The glycan structure was conventionally determined by chemical methods or NMR spectroscopy, which require a large amount of sample and are not readily applicable for glycans extracted from biological samples. Although it has high sensitivity and is widely used for structural determination of molecules, current mass spectrometry can only reveal parts of the glycan structure. Herein, the full structures of glycans, including diastereomers, the anomericity of each monosaccharide, and the linkage position of each glycosidic bond, which can be determined by using tandem mass spectrometry guided by a logically derived sequence (LODES), are shown. This new method provides de novo oligosaccharide structural identification with high sensitivity and has been applied to automatic in situ structural determination of oligosaccharides eluted by means of HPLC. It is shown that the structure of a given trisaccharide from a trisaccharide mixture and bovine milk were determined from nearly 3000 isomers by using 6–7 logically selected collision‐induced dissociation spectra. The entire procedure for mass spectrometry measurement guided by LODES can be programmed in a computer for automatic full glycan structure identification.
Oxygen‐Vacancy‐Mediated Photocatalysis over Bi2Sn2O7: Exceptional Catalytic Activity and Selectivity
Authors: Huang Shushu , Kou Xin , He Dan , Du Chunfang , Wang Xiaojing , Su Yiguo
Published: April 2019

A series of Bi2Sn2O7 photocatalysts was developed with the aim to regulate defect chemistry as well as electronic structure by modulating the charge states of tin species for boosting photocatalytic selective oxidation of alcohols performance. Defective centers, such as oxygen vacancies (OVs), were beneficial to enhancing the adsorption and activation of molecular oxygen. Meanwhile, the valence band edge potential of Bi2Sn2O7 with higher OVs content exhibited a distinct downshift, improving the thermodynamical driving force of photooxidation. Additionally, OVs contributed to promoting the separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers, which can be confirmed by the surface photovoltage measurement. By optimizing the electronic structure as well as defect chemistry, the optimal benzyl alcohol conversion efficiency was 76.0 % with selectivity toward benzaldehyde being about 100 %. It's found that photogenerated holes and .O2− active species played critical role in photocatalytic aerobic oxidation. This work may provide a novel insight to clarify the role of defect chemistry during the selective benzyl alcohol oxidation over Bi2Sn2O7 photocatalyst.
Simulation of Mixing in Structured Fluids with Dissipative Particle Dynamics and Validation with Experimental Data
Authors: Boccardo Gianluca , Buffo Antonio , Marchisio Daniele
Published: April 2019

Structured fluids are simulated with dissipative particle dynamics and the predictions are validated with experimental data. The structured fluid considered is a mixture of the triblock copolymer Pluronic P103 and water. This attempt follows a first investigation with the same model parameters of a mixture with another Pluronic, L64, and water. Dissipative particle dynamics simulations are applied to identify, via a clustering algorithm, the different microstructures observed at different temperatures and compositions. This algorithm is also employed to determine the cluster mass distributions and to calculate the resulting chemical potentials associated with the different microstructures. The chemical potentials are in turn used to extract the critical micellar concentration and important shape factors. Comparison of model predictions with experimental data from the literature indicates decent agreement.
Solid‐State Photochromism by Molecular Assembly of Bis‐o‐carboranyl Siloles
Authors: Cho Yang‐Jin , Kim So‐Yoen , Lee Jie‐Won , Han Won‐Sik , Kim Chul Hoon , Son Ho‐Jin , Kang Sang Ook
Published: April 2019

A new type of solid‐state photochromism was observed in an AB2‐type molecular assembly comprising a central silole and two peripheralo‐carborane units, and in this assembly, depending on the assembling positions of those units at the adjoining benzene ring, two different regioisomers were formed:Si‐m‐CbandSi‐p‐Cb. Each isomer showed different solid‐state photochromism depending on its solid‐state molecular conformation and was either in the crystalline or amorphous state. The crystals of eachmeta‐ orpara‐isomer, CSi‐m‐Cbor CSi‐p‐Cb, showed yellow or blue emission, and mechanically grinding those crystals into amorphous powders of ASi‐m‐Cband ASi‐p‐Cb, switched their emissions to blue and yellow, respectively. Photophysical studies revealed that the electronic interaction between silole ando‐carborane units determined the emission color. The crystal and DFT‐optimized structures each account for the crystalline and amorphous structures, respectively, and are correlated well with the electronic interactions in the molecular assembly in the solid state, thus enabling the prediction of the solid‐state molecular conformational change.
Exploring Flow Characteristics in Vanadium Redox‐Flow Batteries: Optical Measurements and CFD Simulations
Authors: Prumbohm Eva , Wehinger Gregor D.
Published: April 2019

A thorough understanding of the flow characteristics of vanadium redox‐flow batteries is essential for their improvement. With a combined approach of CFD simulations linked with optical measurements, the distribution in a carbon felt electrode of the vanadium electrolyte as well as of an alternative fluid substitute is compared and in all three dimensions analyzed leading to qualitatively consistent results. Yet, the experimentally observed partially inhomogeneous flow distribution is not predicted by the pseudo‐homogeneous porous media CFD model.
Fein und gleichmäßig
Authors: Hechtl Cornelia
Published: April 2019

Hosokawa Alpine, einer der führenden Anbieter im Bereich Verfahrenstechnik und Folienextrusion, präsentiert auf der Powtech mit der Contraplex Weitkammermühle CW II sowie den Turboplex Feinstsichter ATP und TSP Lösungen für den 3D‐Druck.
Schnörkelloses Design
Authors: Salje Jennifer
Published: April 2019

Eine neue Granulatdosierer‐Reihe stellt Brabender Technologie zur Powtech vor. Die DS‐Reihe besteht aus vier Größen und zeichnet sich durch eine einfache Konstruktion aus, die sich auf das Wesentliche konzentriert.
Trocknen von APIs
Authors: Specht Martin
Published: April 2019

AVA liefert innovative Trocknungs‐Technologie für pharmazeutische Wirkstoffe aus hochwertigen Stählen bis hin zu Hastelloy. Sie erfüllt und übertrifft die internationalen Standards GMP und FDA. Die robuste, vertikale Bauweise sowie vollautomatische Containment‐Lösungen oder manuelle Handschuhkästen gewährleisten maximale Flexibilität und industrielle Sicherheit, auch für „HPAPIs” (highly potent active pharmaceutical ingredients
Integration 4.0
Authors: Kurtz Heiko
Published: April 2019

Elektrische und pneumatische Funktionen in einer Ventilinsel zu integrieren hat sich in verfahrenstechnischen Anlagen bewährt, bspw. weil sich die kompakten elektropneumatischen Automatisierungssysteme über nur eine Busleitung ansteuern und schneller programmieren lassen. Die aktuell 4. Generation der Ventilinsel Airline SP Typ 8647 von Bürkert ist jetzt nahtlos in das neue dezentrale Peripheriesystem Simatic ET 200SP HA (High Availability) von Siemens integriert, also in einem kompakten, leistungsfähigen Automatisierungssystem zusammengefasst.
Autonom in China
Authors: Rauscher Stefan
Published: April 2019

Um die Luftqualität in den städtischen Zentren Chinas zu verbessern, werden Lagerbestände an Eisen, Stahl und andere industrielle Produkte von traditionellen Außenstandorten in Hallenanlagen verlegt. In diesem Zuge hat die Jiangsu Binxin Special Steel Material Co. Ltd. (Binxin Steel) beschlossen, ein autonomes Schüttgutlagerverwaltungssystem von Siemens einzusetzen.
Peptide‐Modified Mo Polyoxometalate Nanoparticles Suppress Zn2+‐Induced Aβ Aggregation
Authors: Liu Yanan , Sun Jing , Gong Youcong , Zhou Hui , Chen Xu , Zhu Xufeng , Zhao Yingyu , Wen Yayu , Qin Xiuying , Liu Jie
Published: April 2019

The abnormal metabolism of amyloid‐β (Aβ) peptide, as one of the main components of senile plaques, plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Our previous work showed that polyoxometalates (POMs) that inhibited the formation of Aβ aggregates were promising for AD therapy. Here, peptide‐modified Mo polyoxometalate (Mo‐POMs) nanoparticles were synthesized by the self‐assembly of Aβ target peptide and Mo‐POMs based on our previous work. Importantly, after modifying with the Aβ target peptide, the Mo polyoxometalate (Mo‐POMs) nanoparticles exhibited enhanced blood‐brain barrier (BBB) penetration and high binding affinity with Aβ species. The interactions between the Peptide@Mo‐POMs nanoparticle and Aβ in the presence of Zn2+ were comprehensively studied using physicochemical methods (spectroscopy, ThT fluorescence, turbidity tests). Peptide@Mo‐POMs could suppress Aβ aggregation, disaggregate Aβ fibrils, and suppress Zn2+‐induced Aβ aggregation. In addition, in vitro cell experiments revealed that Peptide@Mo‐POMs could target and be well absorbed by PC12 cells, leading to the inhibition of intracellular Aβ aggregation and reduced Aβ aggregates‐induced cytotoxicity. The blood‐brain barrier (BBB) permeability of Peptide@Mo‐POMs was also revealed by the Transwell experiment. This study gives a mechanistic understanding into how Peptide@Mo‐POMs can work through a synergistic interaction with metal ions and Aβ, and provides new insights into the design and synthesis of POMs as Aβ inhibitors in the treatment of AD.
Effusion cytology of epithelioid rhabdomyosarcoma
Authors: Renshaw Andrew A. , Gould Edwin W.
Published: April 2019

We report a case of epithelioid rhabdomyosarcoma in a pleural effusion. In contrast to most rhabdomyosarcomas in effusions, the cells presented as cohesive clusters of atypical cells with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm which mimicked an adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemistry was positive for epithelial membrane antigen and muscle markers and negative for keratins.
High‐throughput single‐cell sequencing of paired TCRα and TCRβ genes for the direct expression‐cloning and functional analysis of murine T‐cell receptors
Authors: Ludwig Julia , Huber Ann‐Kathrin , Bartsch Ilka , Busse Christian E. , Wardemann Hedda
Published: April 2019

Precise clonal and functional assessments of the T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire diversity require paired TCRα and TCRβ gene sequence information at monoclonal level. However, available single‐cell strategies are typically limited in throughput and often do not provide full‐length DNA templates for direct gene cloning. Here, we describe a high‐throughput strategy for the unbiased amplification and automated sequence analysis of paired TCRα and TCRβ genes from primary mouse T cells. The platform links cell phenotype and TCR gene sequence information at single‐cell level. Furthermore, it enables direct functional analyses through the efficient cloning of both genes and the generation of stable TCR expressing cell lines. This highly efficient workflow is a powerful tool to determine the diversity and quality of the murine T‐cell repertoire in various settings, for example in vaccine development, infectious diseases, autoimmunity, or cancer.
Reverse Erythroblastosis Virus α Antagonism Promotes Homocysteine Catabolism and Ammonia Clearance
Authors: Zhang Tianpeng , Chen Min , Guo Lianxia , Yu Fangjun , Zhou Cui , Xu Haiman , Wu Baojian
Published: April 2019

Metabolic homeostasis of amino acids is essential for human health. Here, we aimed to investigate a potential role for the clock component reverse erythroblastosis virus α (Rev‐erbα) in circadian regulation of amino acid metabolism. RNA‐seq with Rev‐erbα‐/‐
mice showed expression changes in genes involved in amino acid metabolism, particularly, the urea cycle and methionine metabolism. Rev‐erbα ablation increased hepatic mRNA, protein, and enzymatic activity of betaine homocysteine methyltransferase (Bhmt), cystathionine β‐synthase (Cbs), and cystathionine γ‐lyase (Cth) and decreased the levels of plasma and liver homocysteine in mice. Cell‐based assays confirmed negative regulation of these three genes by Rev‐erbα. Combined luciferase reporter, mobility‐shift, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays identified Rev‐erbα as a transcriptional repressor of Bhmt, Cbs, and Cth. Rev‐erbα ablation or antagonism alleviated chemical‐induced hyperhomocysteinemia in mice. This was accompanied by elevated expressions of Bhmt, Cbs, and Cth. Moreover, Rev‐erbα ablation or antagonism promoted urea production and ammonia clearance. Of urea cycle–related genes, arginase 1 (Arg1), ornithine transcarbamylase (Otc), and carbamoyl‐phosphate synthase 1 (Cps1) expressions were up‐regulated in Rev‐erbα‐/‐
mice. Negative regulation of these urea cycle genes by Rev‐erbα was validated using cell‐based experiments. Mechanistic studies revealed that Rev‐erbα inhibited CCAAT‐enhancer‐binding protein α transactivation to repress the transcription of Arg1, Cps1, and Otc. Conclusion: Rev‐erbα antagonism alleviates hyperhomocysteinemia and promotes ammonia clearance. Targeting Rev‐erbα represents an approach for the management of homocysteine‐ and ammonia‐related diseases.
1H‐decoupling and Isotopic Labeling for the Measurement of the Longitudinal Relaxation Time of Hyperpolarized 13C‐Methylenes in Choline Analogs
Authors: Uppala Sivaranjan , Gamliel Ayelet , Harris Talia , Sosna Jacob , Gomori J. Moshe , Jerschow Alexej , Katz‐Brull Rachel
Published: April 2019

The T1 of a hyperpolarized site in solution is a key parameter that determines the time‐window in which its NMR signals are observable. For 13C sites adjacent to protons, 1H‐decoupling has been shown to increase the hyperpolarized signal resolution and SNR. Additionally, polarization transfer to protons has shown utility in increasing the sensitivity of detection. However, 1H‐decoupling could lead to a change in the decay rate of a hyperpolarized 13C site. Here we tested this possible effect in a case where the protons are directly bound to an sp3 hyperpolarized 13C site (using [1,2‐13C2]choline) and 1H‐decoupling was applied continuously throughout the hyperpolarized decay measurement. We found that 1H‐decoupling did not lead to any significant changes in the 13C polarization decay time but did result in the expected collapse of J‐coupling and produced sharper signals. This result suggested that 1H‐decoupling did not affect the decay rate of hyperpolarized sp3 13C sites. The deuterium‐substitution approach (using [1,1,2,2‐D4,1‐13C]choline) showed a dramatic prolongation of T1. Upper bounds on the T1 of all investigated sites were calculated.
Exposure to a specific prompt topography predicts its relative efficiency when teaching intraverbal behavior to children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Roncati Ana Luiza , Souza Ariene Coelho , Miguel Caio F.
Published: April 2019

Comparisons of the relative efficiency of different prompt topographies (visual or auditory), when teaching intraverbal behavior to children with disabilities, have yielded idiosyncratic results. Recent research has shown that previous exposure to a specific prompt type may affect its efficiency when teaching intraverbal behavior to preschool children. The current study was an attempt to replicate these results with 3 children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. For all participants, increased exposure to one prompt topography was sufficient to make it relatively more efficient as measured by number of trials to criterion. These results suggest that previous history with a prompt type may predict its efficiency.
Accumulated reinforcers increase academic responding and suppress problem behavior for students with Attention‐Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Authors: Robinson Nicole , St. Peter Claire C.
Published: April 2019

We compared rates of academic responses and problem behavior during mathematics with distributed and accumulated reinforcer arrangements for 3 students with Attention‐Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder who engaged in chronic, severe problem behavior. All 3 students engaged in more academic responding and less problem behavior when reinforcers accumulated throughout the session, relative to conditions in which reinforcers were distributed throughout the session or withheld completely. We then conducted concurrent‐chain analyses to evaluate student preference for the reinforcer arrangements. Two students preferred distributed reinforcers, even though this arrangement continued to produce problem behavior. One student preferred accumulated reinforcers. Our data replicate previous findings regarding the efficacy of accumulated‐reinforcer arrangements, but suggest that students do not always prefer the most efficacious reinforcer arrangement.
Molecular interactions between p‐coumaric acid and snake venom toxins
Authors: Cesar Pedro H. S. , Cardoso Trento Marcus Vinícius , Sales Thais A. , Marques Tamara R. , Braga Mariana A. , Ramalho Teodorico C. , Marcussi Silvana
Published: April 2019

A large number of natural compounds, such as phenolic compounds, have been scientifically evaluated in the search for enzyme inhibitors. The interactions between the phenolic compound p‐coumaric acid and the enzymes present in snake venoms (used as research tools) were evaluated in vitro and in silico. The p‐coumaric acid was able to inhibit 31% of the phospholipase activity induced by Bothrops alternatus venom, 27% of the hemolytic activity induced by B. moojeni, 62.5% of the thrombolytic activity induced by B. jararacussu, and approximately 27% of the activity thrombosis induced by Crotalus durissus terrificus. Previous incubation of p‐coumaric acid with the venoms of B. atrox and B. jararacussu increased the coagulation time by 2.18 and 2.16‐fold, respectively. The activity of serine proteases in B. atrox and B. jararacussu venoms was reduced by 60% and 66.34%, respectively. Computational chemistry analyses suggests the specific binding of p‐coumaric acid to the active site of proteases through hydrogen and hydrophobic interactions. The phenolic compound evaluated in this work has great potential in therapeutic use to both prevent and treat hemostatic alterations, because the venom proteins inhibited by the p‐coumaric acid have high homology with human proteins that have a fundamental role in several pathologies.
Eriodictyol alleviates lipopolysaccharide‐triggered oxidative stress and synaptic dysfunctions in BV‐2 microglial cells and mouse brain
Authors: He Pandi , Yan Shikai , Wen Xin , Zhang Shuhan , Liu Zhigang , Liu Xuebo , Xiao Chunxia
Published: April 2019

Oxidative stress takes part in the development of the neurodegenerative disease. Eriodictyol, a flavonoid, commonly presents in citrus fruits, which was well‐known for its various bioactivities. The purpose of this study was to investigate the neuroprotective effects of eriodictyol on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, synaptic dysfunctions, and the potential mechanisms involved. We found that eriodictyol explicitly restored LPS‐triggered the decrease of cell viability and the mitochondrial potential as well as inflammation responses via mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB) pathways regulated by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Besides, eriodictyol alleviated LPS‐induced oxidative stress via NF‐E2‐Related factor2/Kelch‐like ECH‐associated protein 1 (Nrf2/Keap1) pathway in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, eriodictyol reduced LPS‐elicited synaptic dysfunctions via increasing the expression of silent information regulator 1 (Sirt1). Overall, eriodictyol protects LPS‐triggered oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and synaptic dysfunctions partially through MAPKs, NF‐κB mediated by ROS, Sirt1, and Nrf2/Keap1 signal pathways, which further supports that eriodictyol is a potentially nutritional preventive strategy for oxidative stress‐related neurodegenerative diseases.
Construction of Traf3 knockout liver cancer cell line using CRISPR/Cas9 system
Authors: Hu Wenbo , Guo Guiying , Chi Yuhua , Li Fei
Published: April 2019

Purpose

The gene editing technology in CRISPR/Cas9 system was used to construct the Traf3 knockout HepG2 cell line to explore the role of Traf3 in the development of liver cancer.

Methods

Five sgRNA sites were designed for the exons of Traf3. The recombinant plasmid of Lentiviral vector2‐Traf3‐sgRNA was constructed and transformed into Stbl3 competent cells. The recombinants were screened and sequenced, and the effectiveness of the designed gRNA was verified by sequencing. The constructed vector was transfected into HepG2 cells by lentiviral, and the monoclonal antibody was selected to detect the knockout effect of Traf3 gene in HepG2 cells by Western blot. PCR amplification and gene sequencing were performed to obtain the cell line, which the Traf3 gene was knocked out. MTT and Transwell assays were used to detect the effect of Traf3‐knockout on HepG2 cell proliferation and cell invasion, respectively.

Results

The Lentiviral vector2‐sgRNA expression vector was successfully constructed. PCR amplification electrophoresis and gene sequencing showed that the Trep3‐knockdown HepG2 cells were successfully constructed. Compared with the wild HepG2 cells group, the proliferation and invasion ability of HepG2 cells were enhanced in the Traf3 knockout group.

Conclusion

Knockout Traf3 gene by CRISPR/Cas9 system enhanced the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HepG2 cells, and provided an effective tool for studying the function and mechanism of Traf3.
Retracted: Protective impacts of long noncoding RNA taurine‐upregulated 1 against lipopolysaccharide‐evoked injury in MRC‐5 cells through inhibition of microRNA‐127
Authors: Meng Jie , Chen Yan , Zhang Cunxue
Published: April 2019

Background

Pneumonia is a respiratory disease, which is triggered by pathogenic microorganisms or physical/chemical factors. Increasing evidence confirmed the vital impacts of long noncoding RNAs on various inflammatory diseases. Nonetheless, the influence of taurine‐upregulated 1 (TUG1) in pneumonia remains vague. The research tried to disclose the protective impacts of TUG1 against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐evoked injury in MRC‐5 cells.

Methods

MRC‐5 cells were disposed with LPS to construct pulmonary injury model. Then, pc‐TUG1 vector was transfected into MRC‐5 cells and the influence of overexpressed TUG1 in cell viability, apoptosis, and pro‐inflammatory cytokines in LPS‐disposed cells were evaluated. The correlation between TUG1 and microRNA (miR)−127 was estimated via utilizing real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR), meanwhile whether miR‐127 affected the impacts of TUG1 on LPS‐injured MRC‐5 cells was explored. Besides, NF‐κB and p38MAPK pathways were evaluated to understand the dormant mechanisms.

Results

LPS administration apparently evoked inflammatory injury in MRC‐5 cells by restraining cell viability, accelerating apoptosis, and enhancing TNF‐α and IL‐6 productions. But, TUG1 lightened LPS‐evoked pro‐inflammatory response in MRC‐5 cells. In addition, miR‐127 was repressed by overexpressed TUG1, meanwhile the protective impacts of TUG1 against LPS‐evoked inflammatory injury in MRC‐5 cells were overturned by overexpressed miR‐127. Finally, we disclosed that TUG1 hindered the activation of NF‐κB and p38MAPK pathways via restraining miR‐127.

Conclusions

These explorations testified that taurine‐upregulated 1 (TUG1) protected MRC‐5 cells against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐evoked inflammatory injury via hindering miR‐127/NF‐κB/p38MAPK axis.
Significant changes in hepatic transcriptome and circulating miRNAs are associated with diet‐induced metabolic syndrome in apoE3L.CETP mice
Authors: Nasias Dimitris , Evangelakos Ioannis , Nidris Vasilis , Vassou Despoina , Tarasco Erika , Lutz Thomas A. , Kardassis Dimitris
Published: April 2019

Long‐term exposure to excess dietary fat leads to obesity and the metabolic syndrome (MetS). The purpose of the present study was to identify global changes in liver gene expression and circulating miRNAs in a humanized mouse model of diet‐induced MetS. Male apoE3L.CETP mice received a high‐fat diet (HFD) or a low‐fat diet (LFD) for different time periods and the progression of MetS pathology was monitored. A separate group of mice was divided into responders (R) or nonresponders (NR) and received HFD for 16 weeks. We found that mice receiving the HFD developed manifestations of MetS and displayed an increasing number of differentially expressed transcripts at 4, 8, and 12 weeks compared with mice receiving the LFD. Significantly changed genes were functionally annotated to metabolic diseases and pathway analysis revealed the downregulation of genes in cholesterol and fatty acid biosynthesis and upregulation of genes related to lipid droplet formation, which was in line with the development of hepatic steatosis. In the serum of the apoE3L.CETP mice we identified three miRNAs that were upregulated specifically in the HFD group. We found that responder mice have a distinct gene signature that differentiates them from nonresponders. Comparison of the two diet intervention studies revealed a limited number of common differentially expressed genes but the expression of these common genes was affected in a similar way in both studies. In conclusion, the characteristic hepatic gene signatures and serum miRNAs identified in the present study provide novel insights to MetS pathology and could be exploited for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
IL‐6 counteracts the inhibitory effect of IL‐4 on osteogenic differentiation of human adipose stem cells
Authors: Bastidas‐Coral Angela P. , Hogervorst Jolanda M. A. , Forouzanfar Tymour , Kleverlaan Cornelis J. , Koolwijk Pieter , Klein‐Nulend Jenneke , Bakker Astrid D.
Published: April 2019

Fracture repair is characterized by cytokine production and hypoxia. To better predict cytokine modulation of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)‐aided bone healing, we investigated whether interleukin 4 (IL‐4), IL‐6, and their combination, affect osteogenic differentiation, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production, and/or mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) activation by MSCs under normoxia or hypoxia. Human adipose stem cells (hASCs) were cultured with IL‐4, IL‐6, or their combination for 3 days under normoxia (20% O
2) or hypoxia (1% O
2), followed by 11 days without cytokines under normoxia or hypoxia. Hypoxia did not alter IL‐4 or IL‐6‐modulated gene or protein expression by hASCs. IL‐4 alone decreased runt‐related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) and collagen type 1 (COL1) gene expression, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and VEGF protein production by hASCs under normoxia and hypoxia, and decreased mineralization of hASCs under hypoxia. In contrast, IL‐6 increased mineralization of hASCs under normoxia, and enhanced RUNX2 gene expression under normoxia and hypoxia. Neither IL‐4 nor IL‐6 affected phosphorylation of the mTORC1 effector protein P70S6K. IL‐4 combined with IL‐6 diminished the inhibitory effect of IL‐4 on ALP activity, bone nodule formation, and VEGF production, and decreased RUNX2 and COL1 expression, similar to IL‐4 alone, under normoxia and hypoxia. In conclusion, IL‐4 alone, but not in combination with IL‐6, inhibits osteogenic differentiation and angiogenic stimulation potential of hASCs under normoxia and hypoxia, likely through pathways other than mTORC1. These results indicate that cytokines may differentially affect bone healing and regeneration when applied in isolation or in combination.
Outcomes of pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients with chronic hepatic dysfunction including liver cirrhosis: results of a retrospective multicenter study by the Japanese Society of Hepato‐Biliary‐Pancreatic Surgery
Authors: Futagawa Yasuro , Yanaga Katsuhiko , Kosuge Tomoo , Suka Machi , Isaji Shuji , Hirano Satoshi , Murakami Yoshiaki , Yamamoto Masakazu , Yamaue Hiroki
Published: April 2019

Background

Since there is no reliable evidence on the safety of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) in chronic hepatic dysfunction (CHD) including liver cirrhosis (LC), the effects of CHD on patients undergoing PD were investigated.

Methods

This multi‐institutional retrospective study analyzed 529 patients with CHD, including 105 patients diagnosed with LC, who underwent PD at 82 high‐volume institutions between 2004 and 2013.

Results

The in‐hospital mortality rate was 5.9%. The incidence of postoperative hepatic decompensation upon discharge and refractory ascites was 10.2% and 8.9%, respectively. For hepatic decompensation, the serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) of more than 50 IU/l and portal hypertension (PHT) were independent significant risk factors. For refractory ascites, prothrombin activity of <70%, serum AST of more than 50 IU/l and advanced PHT with collaterals were significant risk factors. Five‐year overall survival was 57.8% in Child A and 24.8% in Child B patients (P < 0.0001). The Child B/C patients were divided into two groups according to an AST‐platelet ratio index (APRI) of 1.0; the APRI of <1.0 yielded a significantly higher survival rate than their counterpart (43.2% vs. 14.7%, P = 0.04).

Conclusions

In addition to PHT, pre‐operative evaluation of AST and APRI may be helpful for patient selection for PD in patients with CHD.