bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developmental regulation of the brain polyamine‐stress‐response
Authors: Gilad Gad M. , Gilad Varda H. , Eliyayev Yishai , Rabey Jose M.
Published: July 2002

A transient increase in brain polyamine metabolism, termed the polyamine‐stress‐response is a common response to stressful stimuli. Previous studies have implicated an over‐reactive polyamine response as a component of the maladaptive brain response to stressful events, and as a novel molecular mechanism involved in the pathophysiology of affective disorders. Ample evidence indicates that stressful experiences during early life can alter normal developmental processes and may result in pathophysiological and behavioral changes in the adult. Additionally, an important characteristic of affective disorders is their age dependency, a phenomenon that may be correlated with a maladaptive regulation of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenocortical (HPA) neuroendocrine system. In the present study we measured the activities of the enzymes ornithine decarboxylase and S‐adenosylmethionine decarboxylase as markers of polyamine synthesis and found that unlike adults, immature rats do not show the characteristic brain polyamine‐stress‐response. Instead of the characteristic increase observed in adults, ornithine decarboxylase activity in immature animals was reduced or remained unchanged (for up to 16 days of age) after a dexamethasone injection or restraint stress application. The ontogenesis of this ornithine decarboxylase response was brain region‐specific, indicating its dependence on the stage of neuronal maturation. Animals treated with dexamethasone at 7 days of age, showed increased behavioral reactivity in the open‐field test as adults and an attenuated increase in ornithine decarboxylase activity after a re‐challenge with dexamethasone at age 60 days. The results indicate that : (1) the brain polyamine‐stress‐response is developmentally regulated and its ontogenesis is brain region‐specific, indicating dependence on the stage of neuronal maturation ; (2) the switch to a mature polyamine‐stress‐response pattern coincides with the cessation of the stress hypo‐responsive period in the HPA system : (3) activation of the polyamine‐stress‐response, as in the mature brain, appears to be a constructive reaction, while its down‐regulation, as in the developing brain, may be implicated in neuronal cell death ; (4) an attenuated dexamethasone‐induced increase in ornithine decarboxylase activity implicates an altered polyamine‐stress‐response in the maladaptive response of the brain to stressful events.
Psychopathological predictors of suicide in patients with major depression during a 5-year follow-up
Authors: Schneider B. , Philipp M. , Müller M.J.
Published: July 2002

Objective. It is widely known that the risk of suicide is higher in cases of major depressive disorders in comparison to the general population. The purpose of this study was to examine which psychopathologic symptoms during the index episode are predictors for an increased risk of suicide in the further course of major depression.Method. Mortality data were determined from a prospective study of 280 patients with major depression (DSM-III-R, single episode or recurrent) during a follow-up period of 5 years. The predictive power of different depressive symptoms including psychotic symptoms for suicide risk was investigated.Results.Patients who committed suicide(N = 16)during the follow-up period had reported significantly more often hypochondriacal preoccupations or delusions (but not delusions or preoccupations of impoverishment, guilt or sin), suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts as well as feelings of severe hopelessness during the index episode than still living patients or patients who had died from natural causes.Conclusion.These symptoms seem to be helpful early predictors for the risk of suicide during the further course of illness. This should be taken into account for suicide prevention in the course of major depression.
Investigations on the pharmacokinetic properties of Harpagophytum extracts and their effects on eicosanoid biosynthesis in vitro and ex vivo
Authors: Loew Dieter , Möllerfeld Jörg , Schrödter Andreas , Puttkammer Susanne , Kaszkin Marietta
Published: July 2002

Purpose

Harpagophytum extract and its marker substance harpagoside were shown to exert anti‐ inflammatory effects by interacting with the eicosanoid biosynthesis. In this study, different Harphagophytum extracts were tested with respect to inhibition of leukotriene and thromboxane biosynthesis in vitro and ex vivo. In addition, pharmacokinetic parameters of Harpagophytum extracts were investigated in vivo.

Methods And Subjects

Different fractions of Harpagophytum extracts were tested in vitro in human whole blood samples for effects on basal and ionophore A23187–stimulated cysteinyl‐leukotriene (Cys‐LT) and thromboxane synthesis. Furthermore, in 3 independent studies with different numbers of human male volunteers, a Harpagophytum extract was administered orally and tested in whole blood samples for Cys‐LT and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) biosynthesis and for the determination of pharmacokinetic parameters of harpagoside.

Results

The special Harpagophytum extract WS1531 had a stronger inhibitory effect on ionophore A23187–stimulated Cys‐LT levels compared with pure harpagoside or other extract fractions. Fractions without harpagoside had no pronounced inhibitory effect. When Cys‐LT levels were measured after oral intake of Harpagophytum extract, a biphasic but dose‐independent decrease of 28% and 58%, respectively, in basal Cys‐LT formation was observed. Pharmacokinetic studies with the Harpagophytum extract WS1531 showed that the maximum levels of plasma harpagoside were reached after 1.3 to 2.5 hours. A linear relationship between dose and the first maximal concentration (Cmax) or area under the curve (AUC) (0–1)/AUC(0‐∞) was observed.

Conclusions

Our observations strongly indicate a close relation between serum harpagoside levels and the inhibition of leukotriene biosynthesis.

Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2001) 69, 356–364; doi: 10.1067/mcp.2001.115445
Advanced Strategies of Biomimetic Tissue‐Engineered Grafts for Bone Regeneration
Authors: Xie Chang , Ye Jinchun , Liang Renjie , Yao Xudong , Wu Xinyu , Koh Yiwen , Wei Wei , Zhang Xianzhu , Ouyang Hongwei
Published: May 2021

The failure to repair critical‐sized bone defects often leads to incomplete regeneration or fracture non‐union. Tissue‐engineered grafts have been recognized as an alternative strategy for bone regeneration due to their potential to repair defects. To design a successful tissue‐engineered graft requires the understanding of physicochemical optimization to mimic the composition and structure of native bone, as well as the biological strategies of mimicking the key biological elements during bone regeneration process. This review provides an overview of engineered graft‐based strategies focusing on physicochemical properties of materials and graft structure optimization from macroscale to nanoscale to further boost bone regeneration, and it summarizes biological strategies which mainly focus on growth factors following bone regeneration pattern and stem cell‐based strategies for more efficient repair. Finally, it discusses the current limitations of existing strategies upon bone repair and highlights a promising strategy for rapid bone regeneration.
Magnetic Nanoparticle Composites: Synergistic Effects and Applications
Authors: Mourdikoudis Stefanos , Kostopoulou Athanasia , LaGrow Alec P.
Published: May 2021

Composite materials are made from two or more constituent materials with distinct physical or chemical properties that, when combined, produce a material with characteristics which are at least to some degree different from its individual components. Nanocomposite materials are composed of different materials of which at least one has nanoscale dimensions. Common types of nanocomposites consist of a combination of two different elements, with a nanoparticle that is linked to, or surrounded by, another organic or inorganic material, for example in a core‐shell or heterostructure configuration. A general family of nanoparticle composites concerns the coating of a nanoscale material by a polymer, SiO2 or carbon. Other materials, such as graphene or graphene oxide (GO), are used as supports forming composites when nanoscale materials are deposited onto them. In this Review we focus on magnetic nanocomposites, describing their synthetic methods, physical properties and applications. Several types of nanocomposites are presented, according to their composition, morphology or surface functionalization. Their applications are largely due to the synergistic effects that appear thanks to the co‐existence of two different materials and to their interface, resulting in properties often better than those of their single‐phase components. Applications discussed concern magnetically separable catalysts, water treatment, diagnostics‐sensing and biomedicine.
Recent Advances in Ligand Design and Engineering in Lead Halide Perovskite Nanocrystals
Authors: Hills‐Kimball Katie , Yang Hanjun , Cai Tong , Wang Junyu , Chen Ou
Published: May 2021

Lead halide perovskite (LHP) nanocrystals (NCs) have recently garnered enhanced development efforts from research disciplines owing to their superior optical and optoelectronic properties. These materials, however, are unlike conventional quantum dots, because they possess strong ionic character, labile ligand coverage, and overall stability issues. As a result, the system as a whole is highly dynamic and can be affected by slight changes of particle surface environment. Specifically, the surface ligand shell of LHP NCs has proven to play imperative roles throughout the lifetime of a LHP NC. Recent advances in engineering and understanding the roles of surface ligand shells from initial synthesis, through postsynthetic processing and device integration, finally to application performances of colloidal LHP NCs are covered here.
Metal Chalcogenides (MxEy; E = S, Se, and Te) as Counter Electrodes for Dye–Sensitized Solar Cells: An Overview and Guidelines
Authors: Tapa Arnauld Robert , Xiang Wanchun , Zhao Xiujian
Published: May 2021

The dye‐sensitized solar cell (DSSC), a third‐generation photovoltaic technology, has gained considerable attention since the achievement of around 7% efficiency in 1991. To reduce the cost of the commonly used platinum (Pt) counter electrode (CE), different materials with good electrocatalytic activities have been applied as CEs for DSSCs. Recently, transition metal chalcogenides, such as metal sulfides, metal selenides, and metal tellurides, have been investigated because of their low cost, unique electrocatalytic performance, and electronic structure similar to Pt. However, more efforts remain to be made on the mechanism and application of these metal chalcogenides as CEs for DSSCs. Herein, an overview and guidelines are given on recent advances in binary and multinary metal chalcogenides used as CEs in DSSCs. The synthesis techniques and the effect of morphology optimization and stoichiometric ratios are briefly described. The development of composites made of metal chalcogenides combined with highly electrocatalytic materials, especially carbon‐based materials, is also briefly discussed. Some suggestions and methods to improve the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of DSSCs designed with metal chalcogenides as CEs are also provided.
Recent Development of Lithium Borohydride‐Based Materials for Hydrogen Storage
Authors: Zhang Wenxuan , Zhang Xin , Huang Zhenguo , Li Hai-Wen , Gao Mingxia , Pan Hongge , Liu Yongfeng
Published: May 2021

Lithium borohydride (LiBH4) has been attracting extensive attention as an exemplary high‐capacity complex hydride for solid‐state hydrogen storage applications because of its high hydrogen capacities (18.5 wt% and 121 kg H2 m−3). However, the strong and highly directional covalent and ionic bonds within LiBH4 structure induce high desorption temperatures, slow kinetics, and poor reversibility, which make large‐scale application impractical. To improve its hydrogen cycling performance, several strategies including cation/anion substitution, catalyst doping, reactive compositing, and nanoengineering, have been developed to tailor the thermodynamics and kinetics of hydrogen storage process. For example, largely reduced operation temperatures and remarkably improved hydrogen storage reversibility under moderate conditions have been achieved by the synergistic effect of nanostructuring and nanocatalysis. Herein, the state‐of‐the‐art development of LiBH4‐based hydrogen storage materials is summarized, including the basic physical and chemical properties, the principles of thermodynamic and kinetic manipulation and the strategies to improve hydrogen storage properties. The remaining challenges and the main directions of future research are also discussed.
Natural history study of adults with Wolf–Hirschhorn syndrome 2: Patient‐reported outcomes study
Authors: Carey John C. , Lortz Amanda , Mendel Alyssa , Battaglia Agatino
Published: May 2021

Wolf–Hirschhorn syndrome (WHS) is a contiguous gene disorder consisting of prenatal and postnatal growth deficiency, distinctive craniofacial features, intellectual disability, and seizures. The condition is caused by a partial loss of material from the distal portion of the short arm of chromosome 4 (4p16.3). While there are many reports of individuals with WHS, useful data on long‐term survival and life status of adults with the syndrome are very limited. There are only 11 reports of individuals over the age of 18 years in the literature. Establishing the medical manifestations of adults with WHS would be helpful in establishing appropriate health supervision guidelines. This study was one component of a two‐part investigation on adults with WHS. This patient‐reported outcomes study (PROS) was accomplished by using the registry of rare diseases at Sanford Research, Coordination of Rare Diseases (CoRDS)at Sanford. Thirty family members or caretakers of 30 adults with WHS/4p‐ entered into the CoRDS registry and completed some or all of the survey data. Twelve caretakers completed the recently‐added survey on activities of daily living. Two of the individuals with WHS were partly independent while 10 required total care. The results provide novel information on daily life and independence in adults with WHS. Importantly, the majority of caretakers reported that the adults were in good health. The data from both parts of the study will contribute to our knowledge of the natural history of the syndrome and guide in establishing appropriate health supervision guidelines for adults with WHS.
A novel de novo intronic variant in ITPR1 causes Gillespie syndrome
Authors: Keehan Laura , Jiang Ming‐Ming , Li Xiaohui , Marom Ronit , Dai Hongzheng , Murdock David , Liu Pengfei , Hunter Jill V. , Heaney Jason D. , Robak Laurie , Emrick Lisa , Lotze Timothy , Blieden Lauren S. ,   Undiagnosed Diseases Network, Lewis Richard Alan , Levin Alex V. , Capasso Jenina , Craigen William J. , Rosenfeld Jill A. , Lee Brendan , Burrage Lindsay C.
Published: May 2021

Gillespie syndrome (GLSP) is characterized by bilateral symmetric partial aplasia of the iris presenting as a fixed and large pupil, cerebellar hypoplasia with ataxia, congenital hypotonia, and varying levels of intellectual disability. GLSP is caused by either biallelic or heterozygous, dominant‐negative, pathogenic variants in ITPR1. Here, we present a 5‐year‐old male with GLSP who was found to have a heterozygous, de novo intronic variant in ITPR1 (NM_001168272.1:c.5935‐17G > A) through genome sequencing (GS). Sanger sequencing of cDNA from this individual's fibroblasts showed the retention of 15 nucleotides from intron 45, which is predicted to cause an in‐frame insertion of five amino acids near the C‐terminal transmembrane domain of ITPR1. In addition, qPCR and cDNA sequencing demonstrated reduced expression of both ITPR1 alleles in fibroblasts when compared to parental samples. Given the close proximity of the predicted in‐frame amino acid insertion to the site of previously described heterozygous, de novo, dominant‐negative, pathogenic variants in GLSP, we predict that this variant also has a dominant‐negative effect on ITPR1 channel function. Overall, this is the first report of a de novo intronic variant causing GLSP, which emphasizes the utility of GS and cDNA studies for diagnosing patients with a clinical presentation of GLSP and negative clinical exome sequencing.
Facilitating the Ferration of Aromatic Substrates through Intramolecular Sodium Mediation
Authors: Maddock Lewis C. H. , Mu Manting , Kennedy Alan R. , García‐Melchor Max , Hevia Eva
Published: May 2021

Exploiting cooperative effects between Na and FeII centres present in tris(amide) ferrate complexes has led to the chemoselective ferration of pentafluorobenzene, benzene, toluene, anisole, and pyridine being realised at room temperature. The importance of this bimetallic partnership is demonstrated by neither the relevant sodium amide (NaHMDS or NaTMP) nor the FeII amide Fe(HMDS)2 efficiently metallating these substrates under the conditions of this study. By combining NMR studies with the isolation of key intermediates and DFT calculations, we offer a possible mechanism for how these reactions take place, uncovering a surprising reaction pathway in which the metals cooperate in a synchronised manner. Although the isolated products are formally the result of Fe‐H exchange, theoretical calculations indicate that the aromatic substrates undergo Na‐H exchange followed by fast intramolecular transmetallation to Fe, thus stabilizing the newly generated aryl fragment.
Chirality Transfer from an Innately Chiral Nanocrystal Core to a Nematic Liquid Crystal: Surface‐Modified Cellulose Nanocrystals
Authors: Gonçalves Diana P. N. , Hegmann Torsten
Published: May 2021

The vast majority of nanomaterials studied in light of their ability to transmit chirality to or amplify their chirality in a surrounding medium, constitute an achiral core with chirality solely installed at the surface by conjugation or encapsulation with optically active ligands. Here we present the inverse approach focusing on surface‐modified cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) with core chirality at both the molecular and the morphological level to quantify transmission and amplification of core chirality through space using a host nematic liquid crystal (N‐LC) as reporter. We find that CNCs functionalized at the surface with achiral molecules, structurally related to the N‐LC, exhibit better N‐LC solubility, thereby serving as highly efficient chiral inducers. Moreover, functionalization with chiral molecules only marginally enhances the efficacy of helical distortion in the host N‐LC matrix, indicating the high propensity of CNCs to transfer chirality from an inherently chiral core.
Long‐term failure of transversely loaded glass/iPP
Authors: Erartsın Ozan , Arntz Stijn A. J. J. , Troisi Enrico M. , Pastukhov Leonid V. , van Drongelen Martin , Warnet Laurent , Govaert Leon E.
Published: May 2021

Herein, temperature‐dependent long‐term behavior of polypropylene and its transversely loaded unidirectional glass fiber reinforced composite is investigated and a lifetime prediction method is proposed, which is based on the observed long‐term failure mechanisms. Furthermore, the effect of cooling rate during processing on the time‐dependent behavior is addressed. The composite is revealed to exhibit multiple molecular deformation mechanisms, similar to neat polypropylene, which is modeled using the Ree–Eyring approach. Failure kinetics under constant‐strain‐rate and creep tests are found to be identical and switching from creep to cyclic loading decelerates the failure, which are signs of plasticity‐controlled failure. Hence, lifetime is predicted well by using a lifetime prediction methodology for the plasticity‐controlled failure which combines the Ree–Eyring approach and the concept of critical strain. A change in the cooling rate alters the deformation and failure kinetics: lower cooling rates promote embrittlement.
A shot in the dark for conservation: Evidence of illegal commerce in endemic and threatened species of elasmobranch at a public fish market in southern Brazil
Authors: Cruz Vanessa Paes da , Adachi Aisni Mayumi Corrêa de Lima , Ribeiro Giovana da Silva , Oliveira Pablo Henrique de , Oliveira Cláudio de , Oriano Junior Rinaldo , Freitas Renato Hajenius Aché de , Foresti Fausto
Published: May 2021

The illegal sale of endangered elasmobranchs has been recorded in a number of different Brazilian states, where sharks and rays are being marketed primarily as ‘cação’ or ‘viola’. Brazil is ranked among the top 10 nations worldwide that harvest most sharks, causing an immeasurable impact on the local elasmobranch populations.

The present study applied the DNA barcoding technique, based on the cytochrome C oxidase subunit I gene, for the molecular identification of the elasmobranch species sold as processed products under the generic names of ‘cação’, ‘mangona’, ‘azul’, ‘cambeva’, ‘fiuso’ and ‘lombo preto’, in the fish market of the city of Florianópolis, capital of the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil.

Nine elasmobranch species were identified in the 56 samples analysed, including six sharks and three rays, representing six families, the Carcharhinidae, Sphyrnidae, Squatinidae, Arhynchobatidae, Myliobatidae and Gymnuridae. Prionace glauca, identified in more than half (56%) of the samples analysed, is listed as Near Threatened by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

Six species identified in the present study, Sphyrna zygaena, Sphyrna lewini, Squatina guggenheim, Carcharhinus signatus, Gymnura altavela and Rioraja agassizii, are under some level of risk of extinction, while two others (Rhizoprionodon lalandii and Myliobatis goodei) are listed as Data Deficient.

Our results indicate that the commercial exploitation of endemic sharks and rays at risk of extinction is commonplace in southern Brazil. This reinforces the need for more systematic monitoring of the trade in fishery products and more effective application of the environmental legislation and conservation programmes.
Pyridine‐derived VEGFR‐2 inhibitors: Rational design, synthesis, anticancer evaluations, in silico ADMET profile, and molecular docking
Authors: Saleh Nashwa M. , Abdel‐Rahman Adel A.‐H. , Omar Asmaa M. , Khalifa Mohamed M. , El‐Adl Khaled
Published: May 2021

Novel pyridine‐derived compounds (5–19) were designed and synthesized, and their anticancer activities were evaluated against HepG2 and MCF‐7 cells, targeting the VEGFR‐2 enzyme. Compounds 10, 9, 8, and 15 were found to be the most potent derivatives against the two cancer cell lines, HepG2 and MCF‐7, respectively, with IC50 = 4.25 and 6.08 µM, 4.68 and 11.06 µM, 4.34 and 10.29 µM, and 6.37 and 12.83 µM. Compound 10 displayed higher activity against HepG2 cells than sorafenib (IC50 = 9.18 and 5.47 µM, respectively) and doxorubicin (IC50 = 7.94 and 8.07 µM, respectively). It also showed higher activity than doxorubicin against MCF‐7 cells, but lower activity than sorafenib. Compounds 9, 8, and 15 displayed higher activities than sorafenib and doxorubicin against HepG2 cells but exhibited lower activities against MCF‐7 cells. Compound 10 potently inhibited VEGFR‐2 at an IC50 value of 0.12 µM, which is nearly equipotent to sorafenib (IC50 = 0.10 µM). Compounds 8 and 9 exhibited very good activity with the same IC50 value of 0.13 µM. The six most potent derivatives, 6, 9, 8, 10, 15, and 18, were tested for their cytotoxicity against normal Vero cells. Compounds 6, 8, 9, 10, 15, and 18 are, respectively, 1.13, 3.74, 4.18, 3.64, 2.81, and 2.00 times more toxic to HepG2 and 2.06, 1.58, 1.76, 2.54, 1.40, and 2.69 times more toxic to MCF‐7 breast cancer cells than in normal Vero cells.
Atomistic De‐novo Inhibitor Generation‐Guided Drug Repurposing for SARS‐CoV‐2 Spike Protein with Free‐Energy Validation by Well‐Tempered Metadynamics
Authors: Chowdhury Rituparno , Sai Sreyas Adury Venkata , Vijay Amal , Singh Reman K. , Mukherjee Arnab
Published: May 2021

Computational drug design is increasingly becoming important with new and unforeseen diseases like COVID‐19. In this study, we present a new computational de novo drug design and repurposing method and applied it to find plausible drug candidates for the receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS‐CoV‐2 (COVID‐19). Our study comprises three steps: atom‐by‐atom generation of new molecules around a receptor, structural similarity mapping to existing approved and investigational drugs, and validation of their binding strengths to the viral spike proteins based on rigorous all‐atom, explicit‐water well‐tempered metadynamics free energy calculations. By choosing the receptor binding domain of the viral spike protein, we showed that some of our new molecules and some of the repurposable drugs have stronger binding to RBD than hACE2. To validate our approach, we also calculated the free energy of hACE2 and RBD, and found it to be in an excellent agreement with experiments. These pool of drugs will allow strategic repurposing against COVID‐19 for a particular prevailing conditions.
Immer wieder neu denken – Der Ingenieur und Hochschullehrer Stefan Polónyi † (1930–2021)
Authors: Bollinger Klaus , Hauke Bernhard , Kloft Harald
Published: May 2021

Der Ingenieur und Hochschullehrer Univ.‐Prof. em. Dr.‐Ing. E.h. mult. Stefan Polónyi ist am 9. April 2021 in Köln verstorben. Der nachfolgende Beitrag ist ein gekürztes Essay aus dem Jahrbuch Ingenieurbaukunst 2021. Dieser Beitrag erscheint auch in den Ernst & Sohn‐Zeitschriften Bautechnik Heft 5 und Stahlbau Heft 5.
Positive allometry of sexually selected traits: Do metabolic maintenance costs play an important role?
Authors: Somjee Ummat
Published: May 2021

Sexual selection drives the evolution of some of the most exaggerated traits in nature. Studies on sexual selection often focus on the size of these traits relative to body size, but few focus on energetic maintenance costs of the tissues that compose them, and the ways in which these costs vary with body size. The relationships between energy use and body size have consequences that may allow large individuals to invest disproportionally more in sexually selected structures, or lead to the reduced per‐gram maintenance cost of enlarged structures. Although sexually selected traits can incur energetic maintenance costs, these costs are not universally high; they are dependent on the relative mass and metabolic activity of tissues associated with them. Energetic costs of maintenance may play a pervasive yet little‐explored role in shaping the relative scaling of sexually selected traits across diverse taxa. Also see the video abstract here: https://youtu.be/JyuoQIeA33Q
Close relationships in Parkinson´s disease patients with device‐aided therapy
Authors: Scharfenort Monica , Timpka Jonathan , Sahlström Thomas , Henriksen Tove , Nyholm Dag , Odin Per
Published: May 2021

Objectives

Deep brain stimulation, continuous subcutaneous apomorphine infusion, and levodopa–carbidopa intestinal gel infusion, together called device‐aided therapies (DAT), are introduced when oral and transdermal pharmacotherapy are not enough for a satisfactory control of Parkinson's disease (PD) symptoms. Solid relationships are central to an individual's well‐being, but the impact of close relationships in advanced PD remains underexplored. The aim of this study was to investigate the development of close relationships between PD patients and their partners following the initiation of DAT and to examine the relationship structures in these relationships.

Materials and Methods

This was a retrospective quantitative multicenter pilot study wherein 41 couples, patients with advanced PD and their partners, retrospectively rated their relationship satisfaction before the start of DAT, after one year of DAT and at the time of the interview. The couples also answered the Experiences in Close Relationships—Questionnaire of Relational Structures (ECR‐RS).

Results

Partners more often report changes in relationship satisfaction than patients between baseline and both 1 year after start of DAT (p = .049) and last evaluation (p = .041). The ECR‐RS data reported significantly higher avoidance score for partners (p = .005) and significantly higher anxiety score for patients (p = .024).

Conclusions

The close relationship wherein one part has PD and receives DAT has a high risk of being unequal. Prospective studies are needed for further clarification of the interplay between advanced PD, DAT, and close relationships, this in order to improve pre‐ and postinterventional support for PD patients receiving DAT, as well as their partners.
Site‐Specific Selenocysteine Incorporation into Proteins by Genetic Engineering
Authors: Wang Yuchuan , Liu Pengcheng , Chang Jiao , Xu Yunping , Wang Jiangyun
Published: May 2021

Selenocysteine (Sec), a rare naturally proteinogenic amino acid, is the major form of essential trace element selenium in living organisms. Selenoproteins, with one or several Sec residues, are found in all three domains of life. Many selenoproteins play a role in critical cellular functions such as maintaining cell redox homeostasis. Sec is usually encoded by an in‐frame stop codon UGA in the selenoprotein mRNA, and its incorporation in vivo is highly species‐dependent and requires the reprogramming of translation. This mechanistic complexity of selenoprotein synthesis poses a big challenge to produce synthetic selenoproteins. To understand the functions of natural as well as engineered selenoproteins, many strategies have recently been developed to overcome the inherent barrier for recombinant selenoprotein production. In this review, we will describe the progress in selenoprotein production methodology.
Examining the amino acid composition, secondary structure, and physicochemical and functional properties of proteins isolated from local lentil landraces of Anatolia
Authors: Gunes Zeynep Saliha , Can Karaca Asli
Published: May 2021

Background and objectives

Providing information on protein structure and functionality is essential for evaluating the potential of specific agricultural commodities to be utilized as plant‐based protein sources. Amino acid composition, secondary structure, surface charge, thermal, and functional properties of proteins isolated from five local lentil landraces were investigated. Secondary objective of the study was to investigate if a relationship exists between the amino acid composition and the physicochemical or functional properties of the isolates.

Findings

Aspartic acid and glutamic acid were found to be the dominant amino acids in the isolates while they were poor in methionine. Denaturation temperatures of isolates ranged between 96–108°C and their secondary structure mainly consisted of β‐sheet. Emulsion capacity, emulsifying activity (EAI), and emulsion stability indices (ESI) of isolates were found to be between 403.8–468.2 g oil/g protein, 18.8–24.2 m2/g, and 43.4–125.5 min, respectively. Foaming capacity of the isolates changed between 71% and 91% whereas their least gelation concentration varied between 110 and 150 g/L.

Conclusions

Yusufhan isolate which had relatively higher acidic amino acid content showed the highest net charge and solubility at acidic pH. Tigris isolate which had higher hydrophobic amino acid content compared to the other isolates showed relatively high thermal stability, EAI and ESI.

Significance and novelty

Findings of the study make a contribution toward the potential use of local lentil landraces as sources for extracting protein‐based ingredients.
Monitoring Immunotherapy With Optical Molecular Imaging
Authors: Xu Li , Wang Youjuan , Ma Yuan , Huan Shuangyan , Song Guosheng
Published: May 2021

Immunotherapy is an effective way to mobilize the body‘s own immune system to confront tumor cells. However, the efficacy of immunotherapy is affected by tumor heterogeneity, and the low therapeutic response to immunotherapy may lead to negative outcomes, which reinforces the urgency for early benefit predictors. Evaluating the infiltration of immune cells in solid tumors and metabolism changes of tumors provide potential response targets for monitoring immune response. Non‐invasive imaging identifying prognostic biomarkers can select the beneficiaries of targeted immunotherapy from non‐responses. Quantitative biomarkers may eventually improve the cancer management, help customize individual treatment plans and predict the treatment outcomes. In this review, we summarize the non‐invasive optical molecular imaging methods for monitoring immunotherapy. With the combination of imaging and immunotherapy, the prediction of immunotherapy response may promote the development of precision medicine.
Conditional disease‐free survival rates and their associated determinants in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer: A 15‐year retrospective cohort study
Authors: Ebrahimi Vahid , Khalafi‐Nezhad Abolfazl , Ahmadpour Fatemeh , Jowkar Zahra
Published: May 2021

Background

The most common type of ovarian cancer (OC) is epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) which is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy in adult women.

Aim

This study aimed to determine the conditional disease‐free survival (CDFS) rates and their associated determinants in patients with EOC.

Methods and results

The clinical and demographic data of 335 patients with confirmed EOC at Motahari Clinic (Shiraz, Iran) were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. Traditional DFS (TDFS) and CDFS were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method and cumulative DFS estimates, respectively. To evaluate the effects of the prognostic determinants on the DFS of the patients, a multiple covariate Cox analysis using the landmarking method was applied.

The 1‐ and 3‐year TDFSs were 81.1% and 47.0%, respectively, and decreased over time. At baseline, a higher stage tumor and endometrioid histology were associated with a higher risk of recurrence when compared to stage I and other histological subtypes, respectively. The hazard of recurrence for older women (age ≥55 years) was approximately twice and three times more than that of women aged <45 years at 1‐ and 3‐year landmark time points, respectively.

Conclusion

The age at diagnosis, defined by a cut‐off of 55 years, was a prognostic factor for the CDFS of EOC women. Moreover, patients with advanced‐stage EOC (ASEOC) (stages III and IV) and endometrioid histology had poorer CDFSs compared to those with early‐stage EOC (ESEOC) (stages I and II) and other histological types. In ESEOC patients with age at diagnosis of >55 years, CDFS gradually decreased in 3 years after remission which should be considered for follow‐up care decision‐making.
Artificial neural networks as clinical decision support systems
Authors: Shafi Imran , Ansari Sana , Din Sadia , Jeon Gwanggil , Paul Anand
Published: May 2021

In the last decade, artificial intelligent systems based on neural networks have gradually become primary source for clinical decision support systems (CDSS) and are being used in diverse areas of medical diagnosis, classification, and prediction. An artificial neural network (ANN) consists of a large number of processing units which performs the computation in a parallel and distributed environment. They learn the pattern from the examples provided to it and then generalize based on the concepts they have learned while training. This paper presents a review of the current status of ANN and its variants as CDSS in various medical disciplines. The work focuses and describes the methods making use of simple ANN and use of real‐time approaches based on big data using ANN in cloud computing environment for various medical applications. Critical analysis of various methods based on smart approaches indicates that feed‐forward back propagation ANN performs sufficiently better in the domain of medicines with a high degree of accuracy.
New cognitive sharing algorithms for cloud service management
Authors: Ogiela Lidia , Ogiela Marek R.
Published: May 2021

This article will present new classes of confidential data management algorithms for the protection and safeguarding of classified data. These algorithms will constitute a solution dedicated to supporting the process of safeguarding and protecting information with various meanings and in different forms. A special type of data is services, understood as information subject to the processes of management and protection. These processes will be discussed on the example of selected solutions dedicated to the concealment of information with secret character. A novelty presented in this article is the possibility to apply algorithms based on the meaning interpretation of the analyzed data in order to secure the data properly; there is also a possibility of executing the proposed solutions regardless of the structure, in which these solutions are to be implemented. An effective execution of data protection tasks will be discussed on the example of two‐stage secret protection algorithms, that is, the protection of the basic data set and the information set with meanings generated on the basis of the semantic secret analysis. Standard secret division approaches are not dependent on semantic content of shared information. In this article, we will be presented such novel approach, which allow to divide data depending on its semantic meaning or content. The problem of semantic meaning evaluation will be solved using cognitive information systems, allowing to extract meaning hidden in the splitted data.
Synthesis and Evaluation of Arylamides with Hydrophobic Side Chains for Insulin Aggregation Inhibition
Authors: Gangarde Yogesh M. , Das Anirban , Ajit Jainu , Saraogi Ishu
Published: May 2021

Insulin, a peptide hormone, forms fibrils under aberrant physiological conditions leading to a reduction in its biological activity. To ameliorate insulin aggregation, we have synthesized a small library of oligopyridylamide foldamers decorated with different combination of hydrophobic side chains. Screening of these compounds for insulin aggregation inhibition using a Thioflavin‐T assay resulted in the identification of a few hit molecules. The best hit molecule, BPAD2 inhibited insulin aggregation with an IC50 value of 0.9 μM. Mechanistic analyses suggested that BPAD2 inhibited secondary nucleation and elongation processes during aggregation. The hit molecules worked in a mechanistically distinct manner, thereby underlining the importance of structure‐activity relationship studies in obtaining a molecular understanding of protein aggregation.
Enhancing flowering plant functional richness improves wild bee diversity in vineyard inter‐rows in different floral kingdoms
Authors: Kratschmer Sophie , Pachinger Bärbel , Gaigher René , Pryke James S. , van Schalkwyk Julia , Samways Michael J. , Melin Annalie , Kehinde Temitope , Zaller Johann G. , Winter Silvia
Published: May 2021

Wild bees are threatened by multiple interacting stressors, such as habitat loss, land use change, parasites, and pathogens. However, vineyards with vegetated inter‐rows can offer high floral resources within viticultural landscapes and provide foraging and nesting habitats for wild bees. Here, we assess how vineyard management regimes (organic vs. conventional; inter‐row vegetation management) and landscape composition determine the inter‐row plant and wild bee assemblages, as well as how these variables relate to functional traits in 24 Austrian and 10 South African vineyards. Vineyards had either permanent vegetation cover in untilled inter‐rows or temporary vegetation cover in infrequently tilled inter‐rows. Proportion of seminatural habitats (e.g., fallows, grassland, field margins) and woody structures (e.g., woodlots, single trees, tree rows) were used as proxies for landscape composition and mapped within 500‐m radius around the study vineyards. Organic vineyard management increased functional richness (FRic) of wild bees and flowering plants, with woody structures marginally increasing species richness and FRic of wild bees. Wild bee and floral traits were differently associated across the countries. In Austria, several bee traits (e.g., lecty, pollen collection type, proboscis length) were associated with flower color and symmetry, while in South African vineyards, only bees’ proboscis length was positively correlated with floral traits characteristic of Asteraceae flowers (e.g., ray–disk morphology, yellow colors). Solitary bee species in Austria benefitted from infrequent tillage, while ground nesting species preferred inter‐rows with undisturbed soils. Higher proportions of woody structures in surrounding landscapes resulted in less solitary and corbiculate bees in Austria, but more aboveground nesting species in South Africa. In both countries, associations between FRic of wild bees and flowering plants were positive both in organic and in conventional vineyards. We recommend the use of diverse cover crop seed mixtures to enhance plant flowering diversity in inter‐rows, to increase wild bee richness in viticultural landscapes.
Hospitalizations for heart failure: still major differences between East and West Germany 30 years after reunification
Authors: Dörr Marcus , Riemer Uwe , Christ Michael , Bauersachs Johann , Bosch Ralph , Laufs Ulrich , Neumann Anja , Scherer Martin , Störk Stefan , Wachter Rolf
Published: May 2021

Aims

Heart failure (HF) is the most common primary inpatient diagnosis in Germany. We examined temporal trends of HF hospitalization within Germany focusing on regional differences.

Methods and results

We analysed aggregated data of more than 320 million hospitalizations in Germany from 2000 to 2017. Temporal trends of HF‐related parameters were analysed, focusing on regional differences between the federal states. The absolute number of HF‐related hospitalizations throughout Germany increased continuously and almost doubled (from 239 694 to 464 724 cases, +94%) with the relative increase being higher in East Germany compared with West Germany (119% vs. 88%). These regional differences persisted after age standardization with 609 and 490 cases per 100 000 population, respectively. The length of stay decreased continuously across Germany (from 14.3 to 10.2 days; −29%), while the total number of HF‐related hospital days increased by 51% in East Germany and 35% in West Germany. In 2017, HF remained the leading cause of in‐hospital death (8.9% of all cases), with a markedly higher rate in East vs. West Germany (65 vs. 43 deaths per 100 000 population).

Conclusions

Heart failure remains the most common cause of hospitalization and in‐hospital death throughout Germany. The increase in HF‐related morbidity and mortality was much higher in East Germany compared with West Germany during the observation period. A more detailed understanding of these striking disparities 30 years after the German reunification requires further investigations. There is an urgent need for action with regard to stronger control of risk factors and improvement of both chronic HF management and healthcare structures.
Optimizing Carbon Cycle Parameters Drastically Improves Terrestrial Biosphere Model Underestimates of Dryland Mean Net CO2 Flux and its Inter-Annual Variability
Authors: Mahmud Kashif , Biederman Joel , Scott Russ , Litvak Marcy , Kolb Thomas , Meyers Tilden , Krishnan Praveena , Bastrikov Vladislav , MacBean Natasha
Published: May 2021

Dryland ecosystems occupy ~40% of the land surface and
are thought to dominate global carbon (C) cycle inter-annual variability
(IAV). Therefore, it is imperative that global terrestrial biosphere
models (TBMs), which form the land component of IPCC earth system
models, are able to accurately simulate dryland vegetation and
biogeochemical processes. However, compared to more mesic ecosystems,
TBMs have not been widely tested or optimized against in situ dryland
ecosystem CO2 fluxes. Here, we address this gap using a Bayesian data
assimilation system and 89 site-years of daily net CO2 flux (net
ecosystem exchange - NEE) data from 12 southwest US Ameriflux sites
spanning forest, shrub and grass dryland ecosystems, to optimize the C
cycle related parameters of the ORCHIDEE TBM. We find that the default
(prior) model drastically underestimates both the mean annual NEE at the
high elevation forested mean C sink sites and the NEE IAV across all
sites. By testing different assimilation scenarios, we showed that
optimizing phenology parameters are particularly useful in improving the
model’s ability to capture both the magnitude and sign of the NEE IAV.
At the high elevation forested sites, optimizing parameters related to C
allocation, respiration and biomass and soil C turnover reduces the
model underestimate in simulated mean annual NEE. Our study demonstrates
that all TBMs need to be calibrated specifically for dryland ecosystems
before they are used to determine dryland contributions to global C
cycle variability and long-term carbon-climate feedbacks.
Propofol improves brain injury induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion in rats
Authors: Wang Xiaodong , Yang Xudong , Han Fang , Gao Ling , Zhou Yi
Published: May 2021

To study effect of propofol on cognitive dysfunction and brain injury in a rat model of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. The bilateral carotid artery ligation (bilateral common carotid artery occlusion and BCCAO) to establish rat model of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion and randomly assigned to 4 groups (n = 10): sham‐operation group treated with saline model group, propofol treatment model group, normal saline treatment, propofol treatment in the sham‐operation group; continuous intraperitoneal injection of propofol and saline for 12 weeks. Morris water maze was used to evaluate the learning and memory ability of rats. Determination of central cholinergic and oxidative stress in brain tissue by spectrophotometry. Detection of inflammatory response in brain tissue by immunohistochemistry and ELISA method. Detection of neuronal loss in brain tissue by Nissl and TUNEL staining. Compared with the saline‐treated model group, propofol in model group significantly increased the rat brain tissue SOD activity (p < .01) and GPX activity (p < .01), decreased the MDA levels (p < .01) and protein carbonyl compound levels (p < .01). The propofol treatment of model group rats hippocampal GFAP‐immunoreactive satellite glial cells (p < .01) and immune Iba1‐positive microglia cells (p < .01) area percent compared to saline‐treated model group decreased significantly. The number of normal propofol treatment of model group rats hippocampus neuron than in physiological saline treatment model group rats was significantly increased (p < .01). Propofol can improve chronic cerebral hypoperfusion in rats induced by cognitive dysfunction and brain damage.