bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aggregation‐induced emission properties of pyridyl‐containing tetra‐arylethenes
Authors: Zhang Shuwei , Li Dong , Wang Xinyao , Fan Jie , Wang Ting , Yu Shangkui , Liao Wenyi , Jia Xiaodong , Yuan Yu
Published: February 2021

Tetra‐arylethene is one of the most important aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) fluorophores. The electronic effect usually plays a vital role in their optical properties. However, the relationship between AIE property and electronic effect in the same fluorophore is rarely studied. Here, we designed and synthesized a series of pyridyl‐containing tetra‐arylethenes, whose electronic densities could be easily adjusted by the N‐oxide or N‐methylation of their pyridyl moieties. The optical data of these compounds at aggregation in different solvent systems or solid state exhibited obviously different AIE properties compared with the classic AIE‐active tetraphenylethene (TPE).
Umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stromal cells in microcarrier based industrial scale culture sustain the immune regulatory functions
Authors: Kurogi Hikari , Takahashi Atsuko , Isogai Maya , Sakumoto Marimu , Takijiri Takashi , Hori Akiko , Furuno Tetsuo , Koike Tetsuo , Yamada Tetsumasa , Nagamura‐Inoue Tokiko , Sakaki‐Yumoto Masayo
Published: February 2021

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been isolated from numerous sources and are potentially therapeutic against various diseases. Umbilical cord‐derived MSCs (UC‐MSCs) are considered superior to other tissue‐derived MSCs since they have a higher proliferation rate and can be procured using less invasive surgical procedures. However, it has been recently reported that 2D culture systems, using conventional cell culture flasks, limit the mass production of MSCs for cell therapy. Therefore, the development of alternative technologies, including microcarrier‐based cell culture in bioreactors, is required for the large‐scale production and industrialization of MSC therapy. In this study, we aimed to optimize the culture conditions for UC‐MSCs by using a good manufacturing practice (GMP)‐compatible serum‐free medium, developed in‐house, and a small‐scale (30 mL) bioreactor, which was later scaled up to 500 mL. UC‐MSCs cultured in microcarrier‐based bioreactors (MC‐UC‐MSCs) showed characteristics equivalent to those cultured statically in conventional cell culture flasks (ST‐UC‐MSCs), fulfilling the minimum International Society for Cellular Therapy criteria for MSCs. Additionally, we report, for the first time, the equivalent therapeutic effect of MC‐UC‐MSCs and ST‐UC‐MSCs in immunodeficient mice (graft‐versus‐host disease model). Lastly, we developed a semi‐automated cell dispensing system, without bag‐to‐bag variation in the filled volume or cell concentration. In summary, our results show that the combination of our GMP‐compatible serum‐free and microcarrier‐based culture systems is suitable for the mass production of MSCs at an industrial scale. Further improvements in this microcarrier‐based cell culture system can contribute to lowering the cost of therapy and satisfying several unmet medical needs.
Autophagy‐inducing peptide increases CHO cell monoclonal antibody production in batch and fed‐batch cultures
Authors: Braasch Katrin , Kryworuchko Marko , Piret James M.
Published: February 2021

The development of generic biopharmaceuticals is increasing the pressures for enhanced bioprocess productivity and yields. Autophagy (“self‐eating”) is a cellular process that allows cells to mitigate stresses such as nutrient deprivation. Reputed autophagy inhibitors have also been shown to increase autophagic flux under certain conditions, and enhance recombinant protein productivity in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cultures. Since peptides are commonly added to bioprocess culture media in hydrolysates, we evaluated the impact on productivity of an autophagy‐inducing peptide (AIP), derived from the cellular autophagy protein Beclin 1. This was analyzed in CHO cell batch and fed‐batch serum‐free cultures producing a human Immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1). Interestingly, the addition of 1–4 µM AIP enhanced productivity in a concentration‐dependent manner. Cell‐specific productivity increased up to 1.8‐fold in batch cultures, while in fed‐batch cultures a maximum twofold increase in IgG concentration was observed. An initial drop in cell viability also occurred before cultures recovered normal growth. Overall, these findings strongly support the value of investigating the effects of autophagy pathway modulation, and in particular, the use of this AIP medium additive to increase CHO cell biotherapeutic protein production and yields.
Enhancement in the Photovoltaic Properties of Hole Transport Materials by End‐Capped Donor Modifications for Solar Cell Applications
Authors: Mehboob Muhammad Yasir , Hussain Riaz , Irshad Zobia , Adnan Muhammad
Published: February 2021

Efficient hole transport materials for solar cell applications are gained huge intension of every scientist. Hole transport materials play a dominant role in solar cells as they provide high power conversion efficiency along with low cost, less toxic, and easy synthesis routs. Motivates from valuable literature, here efforts are being made to designed new novel hole transport materials for solar cell applications. Five new and highly efficient hole transport molecules (BT1–BT5) are designed after end‐capped donor modifications of recently synthesizedB3(R) molecule. The photovoltaic, optoelectronic, and structural‐property relationship of all designed molecules are extensively studied while using density functional theory and time‐dependent density functional theory at MPW1PW91/6‐31G(d,p) basis set. Low reorganizational energy of hole is observed in all designed molecules as compared to reference molecule which suggested that designed molecules have high hole mobility as compared toRmolecule. Red‐shifting in absorption spectrum of designed molecules (as compared to reference molecule) is also seen which offer high power conversion efficiency and high excited highest occupied molecular orbital to lowest unoccupied molecular orbital charge shifting. Low binding and excitation energies are observed in designed molecules. Molecular electrostatic potential, transition density matrix, hole–electron overlap as heat map, open circuit voltage, density of states, and complex study ofBT5:PC61BMis also performed for all studied molecule. After all analysis, we believed that our theoretical designed molecules are superior toRmolecule, thus we recommend these molecules to experimentalist for future development of highly‐efficient solar cells.
Separating scale‐free and oscillatory components of neural activity in schizophrenia
Authors: Racz Frigyes Samuel , Farkas Kinga , Stylianou Orestis , Kaposzta Zalan , Czoch Akos , Mukli Peter , Csukly Gabor , Eke Andras
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Alterations in narrow‐band spectral power of electroencephalography (EEG) recordings are commonly reported in patients with schizophrenia (SZ). It is well established however that electrophysiological signals comprise a broadband scale‐free (or fractal) component generated by mechanisms different from those producing oscillatory neural activity. Despite this known feature, it has not yet been investigated if spectral abnormalities found in SZ could be attributed to scale‐free or oscillatory brain function.

Methods

In this study, we analyzed resting‐state EEG recordings of 14 SZ patients and 14 healthy controls. Scale‐free and oscillatory components of the power spectral density (PSD) were separated, and band‐limited power (BLP) of the original (mixed) PSD, as well as its fractal and oscillatory components, was estimated in five frequency bands. The scaling property of the fractal component was characterized by its spectral exponent in two distinct frequency ranges (1–13 and 13–30 Hz).

Results

Analysis of the mixed PSD revealed a decrease of BLP in the delta band in SZ over the central regions; however, this difference could be attributed almost exclusively to a shift of power toward higher frequencies in the fractal component. Broadband neural activity expressed a true bimodal nature in all except frontal regions. Furthermore, both low‐ and high‐range spectral exponents exhibited a characteristic topology over the cortex in both groups.

Conclusion

Our results imply strong functional significance of scale‐free neural activity in SZ and suggest that abnormalities in PSD may emerge from alterations of the fractal and not only the oscillatory components of neural activity.
Late gestational exposure to dexamethasone and fetal programming of abnormal behavior in Wistar Kyoto rats
Authors: Lalonde Christine , Grandbois Julie , Khurana Sandhya , Murray Alyssa , Tharmalingam Sujeenthar , Tai T. C.
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Fetal programming was characterized a few decades ago, explaining the correlation of physiological phenotypes of offspring exposed to early‐life stress. High acute or chronic prenatal stress can overwhelm the enzymatic placental barrier, inducing transcriptional changes in the fetus that can result in different adverse behavioral and physiological phenotypes. The current study investigates the impact of exposure to the synthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, during late gestation on behavioral outcomes.

Methods

Pregnant Wistar Kyoto rats were given daily subcutaneous injections from gestational days 15–21 of either dexamethasone (0.9% NaCl, 4% EtOH, 100 µg kg−1 day−1) or were physically manipulated as naïve controls. Pups were raised normally until 17 weeks of age and underwent the Porsolt swim task and elevated plus maze for depressive and anxiety‐like behaviors, respectively. Neural tissue was preserved for genetic analysis using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction.

Results

Statistical analyses show significant disruption of behavior and genetic profiles of offspring exposed to dexamethasone in‐utero. Exposed animals spent more time immobile on the swim task and entered open arms of the elevated plus maze more often than their naïve counterparts. In the prefrontal cortex, there was a sex by treatment interaction on gene expression relevant to neural transmission in ryanodine receptor 2, as well as increased gene expression in SNAP25, COMT, and LSAMP in males prenatally exposed to dexamethasone compared with controls. Both dysregulated genes and behavior are linked to decreased anxiety and fear inhibition.

Conclusion

Our results indicate adult offspring exposed to dexamethasone in‐utero have a tendency toward passive stress‐coping strategies and an inhibition of anxiety on behavioral tasks. Methyltransferase activity, synaptic activity, and cellular processes were disrupted in the prefrontal cortices of these animals. Specifically, genes involved in emotional response pathways were overexpressed, supporting the link between the behavioral and genetic profiles. Combined, we determine that dexamethasone offspring have adaptive predispositions when faced with novel situations, with increased immobility in the swim task and increased exploration on the elevated plus maze.
Family ownership and stockholder reactions to environmental performance disclosure: A test of secondary agency relationships
Authors: Cordeiro James J. , Profumo Giorgia , Tutore Ilaria
Published: February 2021

Using the first ever Newsweek “Green Rankings” of the 500 largest U. S. firms in 2009 as a significant historical event, we test for the stockholder reaction to ratings of corporate environmental performance. Both the conventional null hypothesis significance testing and Bayesian approaches show that stockholders react significantly more positively to corporations with higher ratings of corporate environmental performance and that this effect is stronger in family owned firms. Our findings suggest that majority shareholders do not necessarily appropriate minority stockholders' rents when investing in environmental activities, as would be the case in the presence of “Type II” agency conflicts between majority family owners and minority stockholders. The family ownership effect is also found to be stronger in dirty (heavy polluting) industries as well as in more competitive and more opaque industry contexts.
Teaching structural analysis theory with Jupyter Notebooks
Authors: Suárez‐García Andrés , Arce‐Fariña Elena , Álvarez Hernández María , Fernández‐Gavilanes Milagros
Published: February 2021

The STEAM model combines the academic disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM), forming a very relevant and increasingly fundamental educational approach within technologically advanced societies. Real‐world concepts and applications are associated in ways that encourage students to apply them whenever possible to their learning processes. In this context, Jupyter Notebooks and their highly innovative tools offer transparency for scientific research and the reproducibility of new findings. These virtual notebooks can be used to display text, video, and embedded interactive graphics. In this study, two laboratory sessions are described where students use the Jupyter Notebook to learn about the direct stiffness method. This study unit within the Theory of Structures and Industrial Constructions course module involves matrix structural analysis, requiring intensive matrix calculus and computational methods, which cannot be solved with pen and paper alone. Student use of the Jupyter Notebook when applying the direct stiffness method to the resolution of reticulated structures was studied in two laboratory sessions. An example of the software was first presented and explained. The students were then required to solve a series of problems of increasing difficultly where only part of the solution was available to check their results, thereby facilitating self‐directed learning. At the end of the session, the students were administered a survey to evaluate their satisfaction. The survey responses reflected their high levels of acceptance of this teaching methodology.
The optimal cut‐off value in fit‐based colorectal cancer screening: An observational study
Authors: Njor Sisse Helle , Andersen Berit , Friis‐Hansen Lennart , de Haas Niels , Linnemann Dorte , Nørgaard Henrik , Roikjær Ole , Søndergaard Bo , Rasmussen Morten
Published: February 2021

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening programs using fecal immunochemical test (FIT) have to choose a cut‐off value to decide which citizens to recall for colonoscopy. The evidence on the optimal cut‐off value is sparse and based on studies with a low number of cancer cases.

Methods

This observational study used data from the Danish Colorectal Cancer Screening Database. Sensitivity and specificity were estimated for various cut‐off values based on a large number of cancers. Traditionally optimal cut‐off values are found by weighting sensitivity and specificity equally. As this might result in too many unnecessary colonoscopies we also provide optimal cut‐off values for different weighting of sensitivity and specificity/number of needed colonoscopies to detect one cancer.

Results

Weighting sensitivity and specificity equally gives an optimal cut‐off value of 45 ng Hb/ml. This, however, means making 24 colonoscopies to detect one cancer. Weighting sensitivity lower and for example, aiming at making about 16 colonoscopies to detect one cancer, gives an optimal cut‐off value of 125 ng Hb/ml.

Conclusions

The optimal cut‐off value in an FIT population‐based screening program is 45 ng Hb/ml, when as traditionally sensitivity and specificity are weighted equally. If, however, 24 colonoscopies needed to detect one cancer is too huge a burden on the health care system and the participants, 80, 125, 175, and 350 ng Hb/ml are optimal cut‐off values when only 19/16/14/10 colonoscopies are accepted to find one cancer.
Resolution of a Cystic Endodontic‐Periodontal Lesion Utilizing Combined Apicoectomy and Guided Tissue Regeneration: A Case Report
Authors: Wang Howard H. , Lam Chien , Myneni Srinivas R.
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Endodontic‐periodontal combined lesions pose a treatment challenge for clinicians, especially when the lesion is persistent and does not show signs of healing after initial endodontic treatment. This case report describes interdisciplinary management of a non‐healing combined endodontic‐periodontal lesion related to a peri‐apical cyst, through a combined approach of apicoectomy and guided tissue regeneration (GTR) with enamel matrix derivative (EMD). Most documented cases have been treated in a sequential manner, with minimal literature present on the effects of a combined approach utilizing EMD for the treatment of these lesions.

Case Presentation

A 72‐year‐old male patient presented with an endodontic‐periodontal lesion at tooth #31 initially treated with nonsurgical root canal therapy. The lesion was not responsive to initial endodontic treatment. The patient was informed of questionable prognosis, however wished to save the tooth. Tooth #31 was treated via a combination approach of apicoectomy with bioceramic putty retrograde filling, followed by GTR of the defect using allograft, EMD, and resorbable barrier membrane. The lesion was biopsied and diagnosed as a periapical cyst. Clinical and radiographic examination at 1 year showed resolution of lesion, reduction in probing depths, and good bone fill of the defect.

Conclusion

Traditionally, endodontic‐periodontal lesions, which were not responsive to initial therapy, would be given a questionable prognosis and be extracted. This case demonstrates that non‐healing, peri‐apical lesions may be cystic in nature and effectively managed utilizing a combined approach, with apicoectomy and GTR with EMD, to produce a stable outcome.
Purification of Gekko Small Peptide Fraction and Its Effect of Inducing Apoptosis of EC 9706 Esophageal Cancer Cells by Inhibiting PI3K/Akt/GLUT1 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Lv Xingzhi , Li Ruifang , Li Zhongjie , Wang Jiangang
Published: February 2021

This study aimed to isolate and purify a cytotoxic extraction from Gekko japonicus, identify its components and determine its cytotoxic activity in vitro. We isolated and identified the most potent cytotoxic Gekko small peptide LH‐20‐15. The identification and analysis of peptide sequences of LH‐20‐15 were performed by de novo peptide sequencing, and two new peptides were found. LH‐20‐15 significantly inhibited the proliferation of human esophageal squamous carcinoma EC 9706 cells in a dose‐dependent manner. Furthermore, LH‐20‐15 induced apoptosis in esophageal cancer cells by activating the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Further research showed that LH‐20‐15 inhibited the PI3 K/Akt/GLUT1 signaling pathway. In conclusion, LH‐20‐15 from Gekko japonicus is a peptide mixture and may inhibit EC 9706 cell proliferation and induce apoptosis by activating the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. It also regulates glucose metabolism by targeting the PI3 K/Akt/GLUT1 signaling pathway. These small peptides could be new sources of natural cytotoxic ingredients against esophageal cancer with potential drug values.
Optimization of Extraction and Purification of Polysaccharides from Veronicastrum axillare, and Evaluation of Their Biological Activities
Authors: Qi Yijia , Ren Weiming , Zhang Haixia , Chen Gang , Huang Weiyi , Li Xuexia , He Jie , Zhao Weichun
Published: February 2021

Veronicastrum axillare polysaccharides (VAP) were isolated by cellulase‐assisted digestion. The optimum conditions (2 % cellulase, 47 °C for 2.5 h, then, 95 °C for 2.5 h, pH 4.1, solid/liquid ratio 1 : 7.6) were identified by a combination of single factor optimization and response surface DOE (design of experiment) methods, and achieved a yield of 4.7 %. Treatment with 1 % TCA for 10 min, then, 2 % DEAE‐cellulose removed protein and colored impurities. Purified VAP retained most of the radical‐scavenging activities and GES‐1 cell protection capability in vitro, indicating VAP were the key active components of V. axillare. Some molecular features were identified by FT‐IR and NMR analyses. The molecular weight was estimated from DOSY NMR experiments to be around 21 kDa. There were 6.3 % uronic acid residues in the VAP. The constituent sugars after TFA hydrolysis were identified by HPLC to include glucose, arabinose, rhamnose, galactose, and xylose in a molar ratio of 405 : 259 : 82 : 42 : 1.
α‐Glucosidase Inhibition by Usnic Acid Derivatives
Authors: Nguyen Huy Truong , Devi Asshaima Paramita , Nguyen Tran‐Van‐Anh , Chavasiri Warinthorn , Pham Duc‐Dung , Sichaem Jirapast , Nguyen Ngoc‐Hong , Huynh Bui‐Linh‐Chi , Nguyen Van‐Kieu , Duong Thuc Huy
Published: February 2021

This study investigated a set of new potential antidiabetes agents. Derivatives of usnic acid were designed and synthesized. These analogs and nineteen benzylidene analogs from a previous study were evaluated for enzyme inhibition of α‐glucosidase. Analogs synthesized using the Dakin oxidative method displayed stronger activity than the pristine usnic acid (IC50>200 μM). Methyl (2E,3R)‐7‐acetyl‐4,6‐dihydroxy‐2‐(2‐methoxy‐2‐oxoethylidene)‐3,5‐dimethyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1‐benzofuran‐3‐carboxylate (6b) and 1,1′‐(2,4,6‐trihydroxy‐5‐methyl‐1,3‐phenylene)di(ethan‐1‐one) (6e) were more potent than an acarbose positive control (IC50 93.6±0.49 μM), with IC50 values of 42.6±1.30 and 90.8±0.32 μM, respectively. Most of the compounds synthesized from the benzylidene series displayed promising activity. (9bR)‐2,6‐Bis[(2E)‐3‐(2‐chlorophenyl)prop‐2‐enoyl]‐3,7,9‐trihydroxy‐8,9b‐dimethyldibenzo[b,d]furan‐1(9bH)‐one (1c), (9bR)‐3,7,9‐trihydroxy‐8,9b‐dimethyl‐2,6‐bis[(2E)‐3‐phenylprop‐2‐enoyl]dibenzo[b,d]furan‐1(9bH)‐one (1g), (9bR)‐2‐acetyl‐6‐[(2E)‐3‐(2‐chlorophenyl)prop‐2‐enoyl]‐3,7,9‐trihydroxy‐8,9b‐dimethyldibenzo[b,d]furan‐1(9bH)‐one (2d), (9bR)‐2‐acetyl‐6‐[(2E)‐3‐(3‐chlorophenyl)prop‐2‐enoyl]‐3,7,9‐trihydroxy‐8,9b‐dimethyldibenzo[b,d]furan‐1(9bH)‐one (2e), (6bR)‐8‐acetyl‐3‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐6,9‐dihydroxy‐5,6b‐dimethyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐[1]benzofuro[2,3‐f][1]benzopyran‐1,7(6bH)‐dione (3e), (6bR)‐8‐acetyl‐6,9‐dihydroxy‐5,6b‐dimethyl‐3‐phenyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐[1]benzofuro[2,3‐f][1]benzopyran‐1,7(6bH)‐dione (3h), (6bR)‐3‐(2‐chlorophenyl)‐8‐[(2E)‐3‐(2‐chlorophenyl)prop‐2‐enoyl]‐6,9‐dihydroxy‐5,6b‐dimethyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐[1]benzofuro[2,3‐f][1]benzopyran‐1,7(6bH)‐dione (4b), and (9bR)‐6‐acetyl‐3,7,9‐trihydroxy‐8,9b‐dimethyl‐2‐[(2E)‐3‐phenylprop‐2‐enoyl]dibenzo[b,d]furan‐1(9bH)‐one (5c) were the most potent α‐glucosidase enzyme inhibitors, with IC50 values of 7.0±0.24, 15.5±0.49, 7.5±0.92, 10.9±0.56, 1.5±0.62, 15.3±0.54, 19.0±1.00, and 12.3±0.53 μM, respectively.
Chemical Investigation of Marine‐Derived Fungus Aspergillus flavipes for Potential Anti‐Inflammatory Agents
Authors: Tilvi Supriya , Parvatkar Rajesh , Singh Keisham S. , Devi Prabha
Published: February 2021

The marine fungus, Aspergillus flavipes (MTCC 5220), was isolated from the pneumatophore of a mangrove plant Acanthus ilicifolius found in Goa, India. The crude extract of A. flavipes was found to show anti‐inflammatory activity. It blocked interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐activated THP‐1 cells with IC50 of 2.69±0.5 μM and 6.64±0.4 μM, respectively. The chemical investigation led to the isolation of optically inactive 4β‐[(1E)‐propen‐1‐yl]cyclopentane‐1β,2β‐diol (1) along with a new optically active diastereoisomeric compound, 4β‐[(1E)‐propen‐1‐yl]cyclopentane‐1β,2α‐diol (2). In addition, the fungus also produced known compounds (+)‐terrein (3), butyrolactone I (4) and butyrolactone II (5) in high yields. Among these, (+)‐terrein (3) exhibited IL‐6 and TNF‐α inhibition activity with IC50 of 8.5±0.68 μM and 15.76±0.18 μM, respectively, while butyrolactone I (4) exhibited IC50 of 12.03±0.85 μM (IL‐6) and 43.29±0.76 μM (TNF‐α) inhibition activity with low toxicity to host cells in LPS stimulated THP‐1 cells. This is the first report of the isolation and characterization of 4β‐[(1E)‐propen‐1‐yl]cyclopentane‐1β,2α‐diol (2). The structures of all the isolated compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive detailed NMR spectroscopic data. Anti‐inflammatory activity of the fungi A. flavipes is presented here for the first time, which was due to (+)‐terrein and butyrolactone I, as the major constituents and they can be further explored in the therapeutic area.
Host–virus interaction and viral evasion
Authors: Strumillo Scheilla T. , Kartavykh Denis , de Carvalho  Fábio F. , Cruz Nicolly C. , de Souza Teodoro Ana C. , Sobhie Diaz Ricardo , Curcio Marli F.
Published: February 2021

With each infectious pandemic or outbreak, the medical community feels the need to revisit basic concepts of immunology to understand and overcome the difficult times brought about by these infections. Regarding viruses, they have historically been responsible for many deaths, and such a peculiarity occurs because they are known to be obligate intracellular parasites that depend upon the host's cell machinery for their replication. Successful infection with the production of essential viral components requires constant viral evolution as a strategy to manipulate the cellular environment, including host internal factors, the host's nonspecific and adaptive immune responses to viruses, the metabolic and energetic state of the infected cell, and changes in the intracellular redox environment during the viral infection cycle. Based on this knowledge, it is fundamental to develop new therapeutic strategies for controlling viral dissemination, by means of antiviral therapies, vaccines, or antioxidants, or by targeting the inhibition or activation of cell signaling pathways or metabolic pathways that are altered during infection. The rapid recovery of altered cellular homeostasis during viral infection is still a major challenge. Here, we review the strategies by which viruses evade the host's immune response and potential tools used to develop more specific antiviral therapies to cure, control, or prevent viral diseases.
Talking with children about current events after a year of difficult news
Authors: Walters Anne S.
Published: February 2021

On the topic of helping children to process difficult news, unfortunately, this has become an ongoing issue after the events of 2020. News that is difficult for children to hear has permeated daily life. I often wonder how therapists working with adult clients in individual treatment avoid allowing their own opinions to creep into sessions, especially with the political divides that are so much a part of the daily news. This is less of an issue in working with families and children, and at the same time this year we have often been called to think about how to help children process some of the frightening and disturbing images and concepts they have witnessed, with the recent unrest at the Capitol the latest of these.
Performance of quantitative flow ratio in patients with aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation
Authors: Sejr‐Hansen Martin , Christiansen Evald Høj , Ahmad Yousif , Vendrik Jeroen , Westra Jelmer , Holm Niels R. , Thim Troels , Seligman Henry , Hall Kerry , Sen Sayan , Terkelsen Christian Juhl , Eftekhari Ashkan
Published: February 2021

Objectives

This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic performance of quantitative flow ratio (QFR) pre transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in patients with aortic valve stenosis (AS) and coronary artery disease (CAD). Post‐TAVI fractional flow reserve (FFR) and instantaneous wave‐free ratio (iFR) was used as reference.

Background

CAD is prevalent in patients with AS, but the hemodynamics of AS confounds evaluation using pressure wire‐based assessments. QFR might be less sensitive to the presence of AS thereby allowing for CAD evaluation before aortic valve replacement. Further, QFR does not require the use of pressure wire and therefore has the potential for reducing costs and complications related to insertion of a coronary pressure wire.

Methods

The diagnostic performance of QFR in coronary angiograms from 28 patients undergoing TAVI was evaluated. In all patients, both FFR and iFR were measured pre‐ and immediately post‐TAVI while QFR was measured pre‐TAVI.

Results

Using post‐TAVI FFR and iFR as reference the diagnostic accuracy of pre‐TAVI QFR were 83% (95%CI; 68–97) and 52% (95%CI; 30–74) p = .008, respectively.

Conclusions

Pre‐TAVI QFR showed a good diagnostic performance using post‐TAVI FFR as reference. QFR could become a wire‐free, safe, and quick way of evaluating CAD in patients with severe AS undergoing TAVI.
Optimizing mechanical circulatory support hemodynamics using coronary sinus pacing
Authors: Tahir Hassan , Tonks Robert , Cox James , Baljepally Raj
Published: February 2021

The role of atrioventricular (AV) dyssynchrony as a cause of low Impella device output in cardiogenic shock from acute anterior myocardial infarction (MI) responding to reestablishing AV synchrony has not been previously reported. We present, for the first time, a unique case of AV dyssynchrony causing recurrent hypotension and ventricular fibrillation in such a patient, followed by immediate return to hemodynamic stability after restoring AV synchrony. Our case also highlights the novel use of a Damato multi‐polar catheter for coronary sinus pacing to achieve AV synchrony.
Influences of hydrothermal and pressure treatments on compositional and hydration properties of wheat bran and dough mixing properties of whole wheat meal
Authors: Lee Yu Young , Ma Fengyun , Byars Jeffrey A. , Felker Frederick C. , Liu Sean , Mosier Nathan S. , Lee Ji Hae , Kenar James A. , Baik Byung‐Kee
Published: February 2021

Background and objectives

Wheat bran delivers many nutritional benefits to consumers but negatively affects dough mixing properties, subsequently decreasing product quality and acceptability. The effects of autoclaving, roasting, jet cooking, extrusion, puffing, and high‐temperature–high‐pressure (HTHP) cooking of wheat bran on its physical and functional properties and on dough mixing properties of whole wheat meal (WWM), prepared by blending flour and bran, were determined to identify appropriate bran pretreatment methods.

Findings

Water absorption index, water retention capacity, and soluble dietary fiber (SDF) content of bran significantly increased by 0.3–1.0 g/g, 0.2–1.6 g/g, and 0.6%–1.7%, respectively, with all treatments. Bulk density and total phenolic content (TPC) of autoclaved, extruded, and HTHP‐cooked brans increased by 0.19–0.23 g/ml and 1.2–1.5 mg/g, respectively, while those of roasted and jet‐cooked brans decreased by 0.02–0.32 g/ml and 0.5–0.6 mg/g, respectively. Only extruded bran significantly increased midline peak time (MPT) of WWM by 0.5 min.

Conclusions

Extrusion was most effective at increasing the TPC, SDF content, and bulk density of bran and the MPT of WWM.

Significance and novelty

The results catalog the changes in bran functional properties with each treatment and allow food manufacturers to identify the treatments that enhance bran characteristics necessary for making improved quality whole wheat foods.
Left‐sided appendicitis due to situs inversus totalis
Authors: Otsuka Yuki , Hayashi Ruiko , Urano Shinichi , Yashima Akihide , Nanba Yasuo , Otsuka Fumio
Published: February 2021

Situs inversus may mimic the pain localization of acute abdomen. In patients with acute abdomen, especially elderly patients who are medically healthy, physicians should cautiously diagnose the etiology of acute abdomen in combination with imaging studies.
A tolerable alternative for removal of a fish bone to the pharynx: A case report
Authors: Brown Krishna M.
Published: February 2021

Aerodigestive tract fish bones are common and often utilize significant hospital resources. Some pharyngeal fish bones can be retrieved with basic equipment thus clinicians should exhaust all simple techniques including that described in this paper.
α‐tropomyosin gene (TPM3) mutation in an infant with nemaline myopathy
Authors: Almobarak Sulaiman , Hu Jonathan , Langdon Kristopher D. , Ang Lee‐Cyn , Campbell Craig
Published: February 2021

We report a case of neonatal nemaline myopathy with a de novoTPM3mutation, which has been classified as a likely pathogenic mutation. With the expanding use of genetic testing in congenital myopathies, genotype‐phenotype descriptions of novel variants are important to inform clinical care, diagnosis, genetic counseling, and management of disease.
Biodegradation of Used Motor Oil and Biofuel Production by Microalgae Coelastrella sp. M60 and Scenedesmus sp. VJ1
Authors: Vimali Elamathi , Jayaram Moorthy , Vignesh Nagamalai Sakthi , Ashokkumar Balasubramaniem , Ganeshmoorthy Innacimuthu , Sivasubramanian Velusamy , Varalakshmi Perumal
Published: February 2021

Microalgae are valuable biological resources for application in the fields of food, feed, fuel, and therapeutics. Recently, their usage was extended for their efficacy in bioremediation of pollutants. In this context, the degradation of used motor oil (UMO) and biodiesel production was performed with the freshwater microalgae Coelastrella sp. M60 and Scenedesmus sp. VJ1. Both microalgae were inoculated into a blue‐green 11 medium with different concentrations of UMO as carbon source. The obtained results indicated that microalgae grown in 5 % UMO yielded the maximum lipid content compared to the control and other treatments. TiO2 was selected as heterogeneous catalyst to examine the fatty acid methyl ester profile of the obtained lipid. The biodegradation of UMO by two different microalgae was also evaluated using GC‐MS analysis.
Chemical Bonding in Homoleptic Carbonyl Cations [M{Fe(CO)5}2]+(M=Cu, Ag, Au)
Authors: Pan Sudip , Gorantla Sai Manoj N. V. T. , Parasar Devaborniny , Dias H. V. Rasika , Frenking Gernot
Published: February 2021

Syntheses of the copper and gold complexes [Cu{Fe(CO)5}2][SbF6] and [Au{Fe(CO)5}2][HOB{3,5‐(CF3)2C6H3}3] containing the homoleptic carbonyl cations [M{Fe(CO)5}2]+(M=Cu, Au) are reported. Structural data of the rare, trimetallic Cu2Fe, Ag2Fe and Au2Fe complexes [Cu{Fe(CO)5}2][SbF6], [Ag{Fe(CO)5}2][SbF6] and [Au{Fe(CO)5}2][HOB{3,5‐(CF3)2C6H3}3] are also given. The silver and gold cations [M{Fe(CO)5}2]+(M=Ag, Au) possess a nearly linear Fe‐M‐Fe’ moiety but the Fe‐Cu‐Fe’ in [Cu{Fe(CO)5}2][SbF6] exhibits a significant bending angle of 147° due to the strong interaction with the [SbF6]−anion. The Fe(CO)5ligands adopt a distorted square‐pyramidal geometry in the cations [M{Fe(CO)5}2]+, with the basal CO groups inclined towards M. The geometry optimization with DFT methods of the cations [M{Fe(CO)5}2]+(M=Cu, Ag, Au) gives equilibrium structures with linear Fe‐M‐Fe’ fragments andD2symmetry for the copper and silver cations andD4dsymmetry for the gold cation. There is nearly free rotation of the Fe(CO)5ligands around the Fe‐M‐Fe’ axis. The calculated bond dissociation energies for the loss of both Fe(CO)5ligands from the cations [M{Fe(CO)5}2]+show the order M=Au (De=137.2 kcal mol−1)>Cu (De=109.0 kcal mol−1)>Ag (De=92.4 kcal mol−1). The QTAIM analysis shows bond paths and bond critical points for the M−Fe linkage but not between M and the CO ligands. The EDA‐NOCV calculations suggest that the [Fe(CO)5]→M+←[Fe(CO)5] donation is significantly stronger than the [Fe(CO)5]←M+→[Fe(CO)5] backdonation. Inspection of the pairwise orbital interactions identifies four contributions for the charge donation of the Fe(CO)5ligands into the vacant (n)s and (n)p AOs of M+and five components for the backdonation from the occupied (n‐1)d AOs of M+into vacant ligand orbitals.
Circularly Polarized Luminescence of Achiral Metal–Organic Colloids and Guest Molecules in a Vortex Field
Authors: Huang Jian‐Cai , Ye Guang‐Ming , Yu Maoxing , Huang Ruishan , Zhao Zujin , Qin Anjun , Wu Shu‐Ting , Xie Zenghong
Published: February 2021

Recently, scientists have reported a range of chiral fluorescence materials or chiral composites that can emit circularly polarized luminescence. Herein, two achiral metal–organic colloidal solutions were studied, showing active circularly polarized luminescence, which is observed in vortex stirring. The absolute values forglumare 0.05 and 0.03 and the plus or minus sign ofglumdepends on the colloidal structure and stirring direction, which make the property easy to manipulate. Further, the host–guest interaction study suggests both electrostatic interactions and coordination bonding may influence the chiroptical property from the colloidal solution to the guest molecule. Rhodamine 6G and its carboxylic acid derivative exhibit good quantum yields and acceptableglumvalues in the colloidal solution.
Drum prüfe, was sich ewig mischet …
Authors: Hild Pitt , Kallinna Kirsten , Murer Livia , Emden Markus
Published: February 2021

Anliegen der in loser Folge erscheinenden Versuche ist es, Impulse für chemische Versuche zu geben, die gefahrlos zu Hause mit haushaltsüblichen Gegenständen durchgeführt werden können. Sie können damit als Quelle für das gemeinsame Ausprobieren mit Kindern zuhause dienen, in Kindergärten oder an Schulen sowie zur Verwendung bei Tagen der offenen Tür. Ein Stückweit sind sie zu verstehen als Antwort auf den oft gehörten Satz: „Ach, Du bist Chemiker/in!? Dann mach doch mal eben ein Experiment.“
Aphrodisiakum am Hinterbein
Authors: Tetsch Larissa
Published: February 2021

Männliche Prachtbienen locken ihre Weibchen mit einem artspezifischen Gemisch aus verschiedenen Duftstoffen. Eine Veränderung von olfaktorischen Rezeptoren – und damit der Präferenz für ein bestimmtes Parfum – kann zur Bildung von neuen Arten führen.
Early events in endothelial flow sensing
Authors: Tanaka Keiichiro , Joshi Divyesh , Timalsina Sushma , Schwartz Martin A.
Published: February 2021

Responses of vascular and lymphatic endothelial cells (ECs) to fluid shear stress (FSS) from blood or lymphatic fluid flow govern the development, physiology, and diseases of these structures. Extensive research has characterized the signaling, gene expression and cytoskeletal pathways that mediate effects on EC phenotype and vascular morphogenesis. But the primary mechanisms by which ECs transduce the weak forces from flow into biochemical signals are less well understood. This review covers recent advances in our understanding of the immediate mechanisms of FSS mechanotransduction, integrating results from different disciplines, addressing their roles in development, physiology and disease, and suggesting important questions for future work.
Mechanistic Investigations of Metallo‐β‐lactamase Inhibitors: Strong Zinc Binding Is Not Required for Potent Enzyme Inhibition**
Authors: Wade Nicola , Tehrani Kamaleddin H. M. E. , Brüchle Nora C. , van Haren Matthijs J. , Mashayekhi Vida , Martin Nathaniel I.
Published: February 2021

Metallo‐β‐lactamases (MBLs) are zinc‐dependent bacterial enzymes that inactivate essentially all classes of β‐lactam antibiotics including last‐resort carbapenems. At present there are no clinically approved MBL inhibitors, and in order to develop such agents it is essential to understand their inhibitory mechanisms. Herein, we describe a comprehensive mechanistic study of a panel of structurally distinct MBL inhibitors reported in both the scientific and patent literature. Specifically, we determined the half‐maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for each inhibitor against MBLs belonging to the NDM and IMP families. In addition, the binding affinities of the inhibitors for Zn2+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ were assessed by using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). We also compared the ability of the different inhibitors to resensitize a highly resistant MBL‐expressing Escherichia coli strain to meropenem. These investigations reveal clear differences between the MBL inhibitors studied in terms of their IC50 value, metal binding ability, and capacity to synergize with meropenem. Notably, our studies demonstrate that potent MBL inhibition and synergy with meropenem are not explicitly dependent on the capacity of an inhibitor to strongly chelate zinc.
Phenotypic Discovery of SB1501, an Anti‐obesity Agent, through Modulating Mitochondrial Activity
Authors: Jo Ala , Kim Mingi , Kim Jong In , Ha Jaeyoung , Hwang Yoon Soo , Nam Hyunsung , Hwang Injae , Kim Jae Bum , Park Seung Bum
Published: February 2021

Obesity has become a pandemic that threatens the quality of life and discovering novel therapeutic agents that can reverse obesity and obesity‐related metabolic disorders are necessary. Here, we aimed to identify new anti‐obesity agents using a phenotype‐based approach. We performed image‐based high‐content screening with a fluorogenic bioprobe (SF44), which visualizes cellular lipid droplets (LDs), to identify initial hit compounds. A structure‐activity relationship study led us to yield a bioactive compound SB1501, which reduces cellular LDs in 3T3‐L1 adipocytes without cytotoxicity. SB1501 induced the expression of gene products that regulate mitochondrial biogenesis and fatty acid oxidation in 3T3‐L1 adipocytes. Daily treatment with SB1501 improved the metabolic states of db/db mice by reducing body fat mass, adipose tissue mass, food intake, and increasing glucose tolerance. The anti‐obesity effect of SB1501 may result from perturbation of the PGC‐1α–UCP1 regulatory axis in inguinal white adipose tissue and brown adipose tissue. These data suggest the therapeutic potential of SB1501 as an anti‐obesity agent via modulating mitochondrial activities.
Multicenter study of risk factors of unplanned 30‐day readmissions in pediatric oncology
Authors: Hoenk Kamila , Torno Lilibeth , Feaster William , Taraman Sharief , Chang Anthony , Weiss Michael , Pugh Karen , Anderson Brittney , Ehwerhemuepha Louis
Published: February 2021

Background

Pediatric oncology patients have high rates of hospital readmission but there is a dearth of research into risk factors for unplanned 30‐day readmissions among this high‐risk population.

Aim

In this study, we built a statistical model to provide insight into risk factors of unplanned readmissions in this pediatric oncology.

Methods

We retrieved 32 667 encounters from 10 418 pediatric patients with a neoplastic condition from 16 hospitals in the Cerner Health Facts Database and built a mixed‐effects model with patients nested within hospitals for inference on 75% of the data and reserved the remaining as an independent test dataset.

Results

The mixed‐effects model indicated that patients with acute lymphoid leukemia (in relapse), neuroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, or bone/cartilage cancer have increased odds of readmission. The number of cancer medications taken by the patient and the administration of chemotherapy were associated with increased odds of readmission for all cancer types. Wilms Tumor had a significant interaction with administration of chemotherapy, indicating that the risk due to chemotherapy is exacerbated in patients with Wilms Tumor. A second two‐way interaction between recent history of chemotherapy treatment and infections was associated with increased odds of readmission. The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (and corresponding 95% confidence interval) of the mixed‐effects model was 0.714 (0.702, 0.725) on the independent test dataset.

Conclusion

Readmission risk in oncology is modified by the specific type of cancer, current and past administration of chemotherapy, and increased health care utilization. Oncology‐specific models can provide decision support where model built on other or mixed population has failed.
A fungal‐based anthraquinone emodin for polylactide and polyethylene terephthalate in supercritical carbon dioxide (SC‐CO2) dyeing
Authors: Räisänen Riikka , Montero Gerardo A. , Freeman Harold S.
Published: February 2021

Bio‐based materials and new dyeing technologies have gained growing interest, as companies actively want to enhance their products sustainability and remove environmental and hazardous pollutants. This article describes for the first time waterless dyeing studies using supercritical carbon dioxide (SC‐CO2) and a natural anthraquinone dye emodin for polylactide (PLA) and polyester (PET) fabric colouration. The colour of the dyed materials was measured as CIELab values, and the K/S (λmax,abs) value was reported. Colour fastness to rubbing and light was studied according to the relevant ISO standards. The results show that the small size and hydrophobic nature of the anthraquinone dye resulted in a uniform dyeing on PLA and PET fabrics with SC‐CO2 dyeing medium. The excellent rubbing fastness, and microscopic evaluation revealed that the dye had penetrated into the fiber structure completely. Also the light fastness properties were exceptionally high for natural dyes. Increased usage of biodegradable and recycled materials in textiles would benefit from biocolourants which are stable under end‐use conditions, produce bright colours and have acceptable tinctorial strength.
Adapted smart home services based on smart contracts and service level agreements
Authors: Staifi Noureddine , Belguidoum Meriem
Published: February 2021

In smart home systems (SHS), devices intercommunicate to create an intelligent environment that can monitor the inhabitant's health state and provide adapted services. However, existing health monitoring systems (HMS) do not provide adapted services to the patient autonomy degree. Furthermore, in these critical systems, the Quality of Service (QoS) aspect is very important; therefore, service level agreements (SLA) are the best solution to define and guarantee the expected QoS levels, nevertheless, existing SLA specification languages lack expressiveness in terms of user preference specification, dynamic service management and pricing. In this work, we propose an elderly health state‐aware SHS to offer adapted services according to the elderly health state, it is based on three main parts: (a) the functional autonomy measurement system (SMAF) for calculating the inhabitant's profile or autonomy degree, (b) domain‐specific language (DSL) for SLA that aims to increase patient‐awareness through the use of preferences, facilitate the SLA management using microservices, and manage the QoS dynamically using multilevel SLA (ML‐SLA) concept, and (c) smart contracts for the provision of adapted services and the verification of SLA terms.
AI advisor platform for disaster response based on big data
Authors: Lee Minho , Mesicek Libor , Bae Kitae , Ko Hoon
Published: February 2021

In the past, the emergency responses to disasters such as fire outbreak accidents, accidents that require first aid were slow and not optimal. With human intellect, it was impractical to analyze vast amounts of data regarding the continuity of the numerous environmental changes and the correlation there may be with emergency responses based on past experiences with similar situations. Today, artificial intelligence is presented as a powerful tool to various organizations. Many have already made various attempts to apply this technology as an advisor for emergency response. This research expands on the practicality and effectiveness of utilizing AI as an advisory platform for disaster response based on the big‐data, and also it designs an AI advisor platform for disaster response with big data‐based algorithms. Finally AI advisor function are defined as part of the AI advisor platform, the voice recognition function, natural language processing function, big data coordination function.
Transition from Homochiral Clusters to Racemate Monolayers during 2D Crystallization of Trioxa[11]helicene on Ag(100)
Authors: Irziqat Bahaaeddin , Berger Jan , Mendieta‐Moreno Jesύs I. , Sundar Mothuku Shyam , Bedekar Ashutosh V. , Ernst Karl‐Heinz
Published: February 2021

The front cover artwork is provided by Prof. Ernst from Empa. The image shows determination of the sense of helicity of trioxa[11]helicene enantiomers with an atomic force microscope, which allows discrimination between homo‐ and heterochiral 2D self‐assembly. Read the full text of the Article at 10.1002/cphc.202000853.