bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Supramolecular Assembly of C3‐Peptides into Helical Fibers Stabilized through Dynamic Covalent Chemistry
Authors: Wang Jun , Chen Luqing , Wu Jindiao , Li Wen , Liu Kun , Masuda Toshio , Zhang Afang
Published: October 2018

The supramolecular assembly of C3‐peptides carrying glycine–cysteine (Gly–Cys) dipeptide pendants into helical fibers is described. A Gly–Cys dipeptide sequence was selected to ensure the chirality, and at the same time, to provide a chance to crosslink the structure through oxidation of the thiol into dynamic covalent disulfide, and transfer supramolecular helical fibers into covalent ones. Supramolecular assembly in aprotic solvents affords long helical fibers with left‐handedness, which can be stabilized through formation of disulfide. Transformation of supramolecular helical fibers into covalent ones was examined by NMR and FTIR spectroscopies as well as atom force microscopy.
Synthesis and Microtubule‐Destabilizing Activity of N‐Cyclopropyl‐4‐((3,4‐dihydroquinolin‐1(2H)‐yl)sulfonyl)benzamide and its Analogs
Authors: Field Jessica J. , Singh A. Jonathan , Sinha Saptarshi , Rowe Matthew R. , Denny William A. , Brooke Darby G. , Miller John H.
Published: October 2018

While clinically useful, microtubule‐targeting agents are limited by factors that include their susceptibility to multidrug resistance. A series of aryl sulfonamides, terminally substituted with an amide or carboxylic acid, was synthesized and assayed for biological activity in two human cancer cell lines. The resulting antiproliferative activity data demonstrated that an amide was superior to a carboxylic acid in the para position. The most potent compound (3) had an IC50 for growth inhibition in the low micromolar range, caused cells to accumulate in G2M of the cell cycle, and led to depolymerization of microtubules. It was also not susceptible to the P‐glycoprotein drug efflux pump that underpins the resistance of cells to long‐term drug treatment schedules.
Ultrafast Removal of Cadmium(II) by Green Cyclodextrin Metal–Organic‐Framework‐Based Nanoporous Carbon: Adsorption Mechanism and Application
Authors: Liu Chang , Wang Peng , Liu Xueke , Yi Xiaotong , Liu Donghui , Zhou Zhiqiang
Published: October 2018

Water contaminated with heavy metals has been identified as a significant threat to human health. Therefore, the development of safe and rapid water‐treatment techniques is necessary. We have synthesized an eco‐friendly γ‐cyclodextrin metal–organic framework (MOF)‐based nanoporous carbon (γ‐CD MOF‐NPC) material, conducted a comprehensive characterization of it, and found its rapid and effective CdII‐removal capacity. The γ‐CD MOF‐NPC could effectively sequester a majority of cadmium ions within one minute, and it still demonstrated excellent adsorption ability under various conditions, including different pH, adsorbent dosage, and coexistent ions. The maximum adsorption capacity was calculated to be 140.85 mg g−1 by means of the Langmuir model. The adsorption was primarily due to the effect of ion exchange of oxygen‐containing functional groups, as determined by studying the ζ potential and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Flow‐through experiments further proved the rapid CdII‐removal capacity and potential of the practical application of γ‐CD MOF‐NPC in water treatment according to the cytotoxic data.
Cysteine synthase A overexpression in Corynebacterium glutamicum enhances l‐isoleucine production
Authors: Ma Wenjian , Wang Jianli , Li Ye , Wang Xiaoyuan
Published: October 2018

Cysteine synthase A (CysK) catalyzes the last reaction of l‐cysteine synthesis in bacteria, but its moonlighting functions have been revealed recently. In this study, CysK was overexpressed in Corynebacterium glutamicum IWJ001, an l‐isoleucine producer. Compared with the control IWJ001/pDXW‐8, IWJ001/pDXW‐8‐cysK cells grew fast during log phase, and produced 26.5% more l‐isoleucine in flask fermentation and 23.5% more l‐isoleucine in fed‐batch fermentation. The key genes aspC, lysC, hom, thrB, ilvA, and ilvBN involved in l‐isoleucine biosynthesis were all upregulated in IWJ001/pDXW‐8‐cysK, compared with IWJ001/pDXW‐8. In addition, IWJ001/pDXW‐8‐cysK cells were longer and thicker than IWJ001/pDXW‐8 cells. Compared with IWJ001/pDXW‐8, the membrane permeability increased 15.8% and biofilm formation ability decreased 71.3% for IWJ001/pDXW‐8‐cysK cells. The results demonstrate that CysK overexpression in C. glutamicum is a good approach to enhance l‐isoleucine production.
Introduction of Diverse Functional Groups to Isoquinolines by Microwave‐assisted Transition Metal‐catalyzed Coupling Reactions
Authors: Park A. Reum , Yum Eul Kgun
Published: October 2018

Diverse functional groups were introduced in isoquinolines under microwave‐assisted palladium‐ or copper‐catalyzed coupling reactions, which include functional groups to isoquinoline were achieved with 1‐substituted 4‐ and 7‐bromoisoquinolines, arylboronic acids, terminal alkenes, terminal alkynes, and azaheterocycles. 1,4‐ or 1,7‐Disubstituted isoquinolines were obtained in moderate to excellent yields within 1 h under microwave irradiation. The facile functional group modification of isoquinoline core could establish isoquinoline compound library for drug discovery.
Sestrin 2 confers primary resistance to sorafenib by simultaneously activating AKT and AMPK in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Dai Jimin , Huang Qichao , Niu Kunwei , Wang Bo , Li Yijie , Dai Chen , Chen Zhinan , Tao Kaishan , Dai Jingyao
Published: October 2018

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the malignancy derived from normal hepatocytes with increasing incidence and extremely poor prognosis worldwide. The only approved first‐line systematic treatment agent for HCC, sorafenib, is capable to effectively improve advanced HCC patients’ survival. However, it is gradually recognized that the therapeutic response to sorafenib could be drastically diminished after short‐term treatment, defined as primary resistance. The present study is aimed to explore the role of stress‐inducible protein Sestrin2 (SESN2), one of the most important sestrins family members, in sorafenib primary resistance. Herein, we initially found that SESN2 expression was significantly up‐regulated in both HCC cell lines and tissues compared to normal human hepatocytes and corresponding adjacent liver tissues, respectively. In addition, SESN2 expression was highly correlated with sorafenib IC50 of HCC cell lines. Thereafter, we showed that sorafenib treatment resulted in an increase of SESN2 expression and the knockdown of SESN2 exacerbated sorafenib‐induced proliferation inhibition and cell apoptosis. Further mechanistic study uncovered that SESN2 deficiency impaired both AKT and AMPK phosphorylation and activation after sorafenib treatment. Moreover, the correlations between SESN2 expression and both phosphor‐AKT and phosphor‐AMPK expression were illustrated in HCC tissues. Taken together, our study demonstrates that SESN2 activates AKT and AMPK signaling as a novel mechanism to induce sorafenib primary resistance in HCC.
Clinical implication of subcategorizing T2 category into T2a and T2b in TNM staging of breast cancer
Authors: Jung Jiwoong , Suh Young Jin , Ko Byung Kyun , Lee Eun Sook , Kim Eun‐Kyu , Paik Nam Sun , Byun Kyung Do , Hwang Ki‐Tae
Published: October 2018

Regarding TNM staging in breast cancer, T2 category is currently not divided into subcategories even though it covers a wider range of tumor sizes than T1 category. Using Korean Breast Cancer Registry database, data of 41 071 women diagnosed as non‐metastatic T2 breast cancer between 2001 and 2014 were analyzed. Cutoff value for optimal tumor size was approximated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to subcategorize T2 tumors. Overall survival (OS) was compared between two subcategories. Median follow‐up period was 65 months. Of 41 071 patients, 4504 (11.0%) died. Based on ROC curve analysis, 3.0 cm was selected as the cutoff value. Five‐year OS rate was 91% in patients with breast tumors ≤3.0 cm (T2a) and 86% in patients with breast tumors >3.0 cm (T2b) (log‐rank P < 0.001). T2b subcategory showed worse OS than T2a subcategory regardless of node status (log‐rank P < 0.001 for all node categories). Within every subgroup defined by primary OS analysis covariates, T2b subcategory consistently showed worse outcome compared to T2a subcategory. By multivariate analysis, T2b subcategory was a significant independent prognostic factor of OS (hazard ratio: 1.26, 95% CI = 1.18‐1.34). T2 category of breast cancer could be subcategorized into T2a and T2b with a cutoff value of 3 cm. These subcategories definitely showed different OSs even after adjusted for known prognostic factors. Subcategorization of T2 category might be useful for predicting prognosis more accurately and tailoring adjuvant therapy.
A New Photocaged Puromycin for an Efficient Labeling of Newly Translated Proteins in Living Neurons
Authors: Elamri Isam , Heumüller Maximilian , Herzig Lisa‐M. , Stirnal Elke , Wachtveitl Josef , Schuman Erin M. , Schwalbe Harald
Published: October 2018

Monitoring newly synthesized proteins is becoming increasingly important to characterize proteome composition in regulatory networks. Puromycin is a peptidyl transfer inhibitor, widely used in cell biology for tagging newly synthesized proteins. Here, we report synthesis and application of an optimized puromycin carrying a photolabile protecting group as a powerful tool for tagging nascent proteins with high spatiotemporal resolution. The photocaged 7‐N,N‐(diethylaminocumarin‐4‐yl)‐methoxycarbonyl‐puromycin (DEACM‐puromycin) was synthesized and compared with the previously developed 6‐nitroveratryloxycarbonyl puromycin (NVOC‐puromycin). The photochemical behavior as well as the effectiveness in controlling puromycylation in living hippocampal neurons using two‐photon excitation is superior to the previously used NVOCpuromycin. We further report on the application of light‐controlled puromycylation to visualize new translated proteins in neurons.
Synthesis of Macrocycles Derived from Substituted Triazines
Authors: Yepremyan Akop , Mehmood Arshad , Asgari Parham , Janesko Benjamin G. , Simanek Eric E.
Published: October 2018

A triazine ring derivatized with morpholine, an N‐alkyl‐N′‐BOC‐hydrazine (alkyl=isopropyl or benzyl) and the diethylacetal of glycinylpropionaldehyde undergoes spontaneous dimerization in good yields upon acid‐catalyzed deprotection. The resulting 24‐member macrocycles can be characterized by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and single crystal X‐ray diffraction. In the solid state, both homodimers adopt a taco‐like conformation. Although each shows π–π stacking between the triazine rings, different patterns of hydrogen bonds emerge. The crystal structure of the isopropyl dimer shows that it includes two molecules of trifluoracetic acid per macrocycle. The trifluoroacetate anion charge balances the protonated triazines, which engage in bifurcated hydrogen bonds with the carbonyl acceptor of the distant glycine. This carbonyl also forms a hydrogen bond with the NH of the proximate glycine. The crystal structure of the benzyl derivative does not include trifluoracetic acid. Instead, two hydrogen bonds form, each between a glycine NH and the lone pair of the C=N nitrogen of the hydrazine group. In the solid state, both molecules present the alkyl side chains and morpholine groups in close proximity. A heterodimer is accessible in approximately statistical yields—along with both homodimers—by mixing the two protected monomers prior to subjecting them to deprotection.
Incidence, predictors, management and outcomes of coronary perforations
Authors: Shaukat Arslan , Tajti Peter , Sandoval Yader , Stanberry Larissa , Garberich Ross , Nicholas Burke M. , Gössl Mario , Henry Timothy , Mooney Michael , Sorajja Paul , Traverse Jay , Bradley Steven M. , Brilakis Emmanouil S.
Published: October 2018

Objectives

We examined the contemporary incidence, types, predictors, angiographic characteristics, management and outcomes of coronary perforation.

Background

Coronary perforation is a rare, but important, complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). There is lack of data on perforations stratified as large and distal vessel perforations.

Methods

Retrospective, observational cohort study of all patients who underwent PCI at a high volume, tertiary hospital between the years 2009 and 2016. Angiograms of all coronary perforation cases were reviewed to determine the mechanism, type, and management of perforation. Risk‐adjusted periprocedural complication rates were compared between patients with and without coronary perforation. One‐year mortality outcomes of patients with large vessel vs. distal vessel perforation were also examined.

Results

Coronary perforation occurred in 68 of 13,339 PCIs (0.51%) performed during the study period: 51 (75%) were large vessel perforations and 17 (25%) distal vessel perforations. Most (67%) large vessel perforations were due to balloon/stent inflation, whereas most (94%) distal vessel perforations were due to guidewire exit. Patients with coronary perforations had significantly higher risk for periprocedural complications (adjusted odds ratio 7.57; 95% CI: 4.22–13.50; P < 0.001). Only one patient with large vessel perforation required emergency cardiac surgery, yet in‐hospital mortality was high with both large vessel (7.8%) and distal vessel (11.8%) perforations.

Conclusions

Coronary perforation is an infrequent, but potentially severe PCI complication. Most coronary perforations are large vessel perforations. Although coronary perforations rarely lead to emergency cardiac surgery, both distal vessel and large vessel perforations are associated with high in‐hospital mortality, highlighting the importance of prevention.
“Expanding the frame” for valve‐in‐valve therapy in small bioprostheses: Encouraging signs for the road ahead
Authors: Chatterjee Arka , Hillegass William B.
Published: October 2018

Key Points

Valve in valve TAVI with valve fracture in 19 mm bioprosthetic valves is clinically effective.

Careful multidisciplinary personalized evaluation for each patient is needed to prevent coronary occlusion.

Longer term data for a larger number of patients are needed, from the transcatheter valve therapy (TVT) registry.
Antegrade fenestration and re‐entry: The legacy continues
Authors: Jaber Wissam A. , Brilakis Emmanouil S.
Published: October 2018

Key Points

Subintimal guidewire entry during antegrade wiring attempts can be approached with various techniques, such as: (a) withdraw and redirect the guidewire; (b) parallel wire technique; (c) re‐entry using the Stingray system or guidewires; or (d) using the retrograde approach

Antegrade fenestration and re‐entry is a creative novel technique for antegrade re‐entry that uses balloon angioplasty at the distal cap to create fenestrations between the false lumen and the distal true lumen, followed by advancement of a soft‐polymer jacketed guidewire through the fenestrations to achieve distal true lumen re‐entry

Antegrade fenestration and re‐entry is an intuitive, simple, and low‐cost technique, but balloon inflation may cause subintimal hematoma that could hinder re‐entry. Additional study is needed to refine how antegrade fenestration and re‐entry should optimally be performed and to better understand its strengths and shortcomings
How to manage chronic total occlusions in the setting of acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock?
Authors: Claessen Bimmer E. , Mehran Roxana
Published: October 2018

Key Points

An observational study of 313 patients with multivessel disease and ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock showed that the presence of a chronic total occlusion (CTO) in a noninfarct‐related artery is an independent predictor of short‐ and long‐term mortality.

This study confirms previous reports on the detrimental prognostic impact of a CTO in the setting of acute myocardial infarction with or without cardiogenic shock.

Data from recent randomized trials (CULPRIT‐SHOCK and EXPLORE) suggest no benefit of early CTO revascularization; further studies are needed to investigate early treatment with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in this extremely high‐risk subgroup.
Periprocedural myocardial infarction in chronic total occlusion: The challenge of precise diagnosis and prognostication
Authors: Kornowski Ran , Levi Amos
Published: October 2018

Key Points

Myonecrosis following PCI is a frequent impediment that may impact cardiac prognosis.

The frequency of periprocedural myocardial infarction (PMI) in CTO‐PCI is dependent on MI definition (biomarker and threshold), lesions characteristics, and PCI course.

This study identified predictors of PMI during CTO‐PCI and it showed that PMI and peak CK‐MB level were associated with worse clinical outcomes.
Actinic comedonal plaque in skin of color: A case report
Authors: Nyika Dennias Tonderai , Ngwanya Reginald Mzudumile
Published: October 2018

Key Clinical Message

Actinic comedonal plaque is a variant of Favre‐Racouchot syndrome which is a complication of solar degeneration of the skin. It is common in skin types 1‐4 and unknown to rare in skin of color. This case report should create an awareness of this disease so not to be missed.
Extending the critical regions for mutations in the non‐coding gene RNU4ATAC in another patient with Roifman Syndrome
Authors: Hallermayr Ariane , Graf Janine , Koehler Udo , Laner Andreas , Schönfeld Brigitte , Benet‐Pagès Anna , Holinski‐Feder Elke
Published: October 2018

Key Clinical Message

Compound heterozygosity of a previously described pathogenic variant and a second novel nucleotide substitution (NR_023343.1:n.116A>C) affecting a highly conserved nucleotide in the noncoding RNU4ATAC gene could be identified in a patient with overlapping features of Roifman Syndrome. These data extend the spectrum of pathogenic variants in RNU4ATAC.
Sacral insufficiency fracture after stereotactic body radiation therapy for sacral metastasis
Authors: Kawamoto Terufumi , Ito Kei , Furuya Tomohisa , Sasai Keisuke , Karasawa Katsuyuki
Published: October 2018

Key Clinical Message

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) allows the targeting of high doses of radiation with steep dose gradients. Vertebral fracture is increasingly recognized as an adverse event after SBRT; however, no sacral fractures have been observed after SBRT. We report an extremely rare case of sacral insufficiency fracture after SBRT.
Stability of Metallic Current Collectors in Acidic Ionic Liquid for Rechargeable Aluminum‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Oh Youngho , Lee Gibaek , Tak Yongsug
Published: October 2018

Invited for this month's cover picture is the group of Prof. Gibaek Lee (Yeungnam University, Republic of Korea) and Prof. Yongsug Tak (Inha University, Republic of Korea). The cover picture shows the concept of finding the last piece to complete rechargeable aluminum‐ion batteries as one of the advanced energy storage systems. Read the full text of the Communication at 10.1002/celc.201800892.
Molecular Functionalization of Two‐Dimensional MoS2 Nanosheets
Authors: Stergiou Anastasios , Tagmatarchis Nikos
Published: October 2018

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheets have attracted great scientific interest for their remarkable electronic and optical properties. During the last few years significant progress on exfoliation methods of such nanosheets allowed the development of surface functionalization in covalent or noncovalent fashion. Markedly, the chemical modification allows tailoring and tuning the optical and electronic characteristics of MoS2, opening new avenues for the potentiality of MoS2‐based hybrids in diverse technological fields. Physisorption of organic molecules onto MoS2 through the development of numerous van der Waals interactions is the most widely approach employed for the surface noncovalent immobilization of organic species onto MoS2 nanosheets. Conversely, developed strategies for the edge and in‐plane covalent functionalization of MoS2 mainly concern chemistry at S vacancies, direct C−S bond formation, and coordination of S edges at metal centers. Herein, we focus into the most representative molecular doping strategies and material designing of MoS2‐based hybrid nanostructures carrying photo‐ and/or electro‐active components. Key points related with the exfoliation routes, the surface functionalization approaches and their impact on the electronic properties of the functionalized nanosheets are comprehensively discussed, offering a toolbox for scientists of different disciplines interested in putting a step forward in the field of transition‐metal dichalcogenide‐based materials.
Observation of the First Spin Crossover in an Iron(II) Complex with an S6 Coordination Environment: Tris[bis(N,N‐diethylamino)carbeniumdithiocarboxylato]iron(II) Hexafluorophosphate
Authors: Sugaya Tomoaki , Fujihara Takashi , Naka Takashi , Furubayashi Takao , Matsushita Akiyuki , Isago Hiroaki , Nagasawa Akira
Published: October 2018

For the first time, the spin‐crossover (SCO) phenomenon has been observed in an FeII–S6 system in a tris(chelate)‐type iron(II) complex with a zwitterionic sulfur donor bidentate, bis(N,N‐diethylamino)carbeniumdithiocarboxylate (EtL), [FeII(EtL)3](PF6)2 (1), as synthesized by the reaction of a precursor complex [FeII(CH3CN)6](PF6)2 with EtL. In the solid state, the high‐spin (HS) d6 state at ambient temperature and the low‐spin (LS) d6 state at temperatures lower than approximately 240 K were evidenced by magnetic measurements with SQUID and Mössbauer spectra in the temperature range 4–290 K. X‐ray analyses of the crystals at various temperatures disclosed that the distorted trigonal prismatic coordination environments essentially do not change; however, contraction of Fe−S distances by approximately 10 % (0.22 Å), ordering of alkyl groups in EtL and PF6− counteranions, and formation of significant intermolecular S⋅⋅⋅S interactions between adjacent molecules (average distances of 3.59 Å) take place during the transition from the HS to the LS state. A large decrease in the volume of the formula unit (78.1 Å3) might be responsible for the large activation barrier, thereby resulting in a slow phase transition upon cooling.
Differences in molecular features of triple‐negative breast cancers based on the age at diagnosis
Authors: Gulbahce H. Evin , Bernard Philip S. , Weltzien Erin K. , Factor Rachel E. , Kushi Lawrence H. , Caan Bette J. , Sweeney Carol
Published: October 2018

Background

Although the proportion of triple‐negative breast cancers (TNBCs) diagnosed among older women is low, the number of TNBC cases is substantial because of the high incidence of breast cancer after the age of 65 years. The molecular features of TNBC in this age group have not been well described.

Methods

This study examined a population‐based cohort of women with stage I to III TNBC diagnosed between the ages of 25 and 91 years with the PAM50 gene expression subtyping assay. The concordance between the TNBC classification by immunohistochemistry and the gene expression classification by PAM50, the expression of individual genes, and 5‐year recurrence and breast cancer mortality in older women (≥65 years old) and younger women (<50 years old) was assessed.

Results

The molecular subtype distribution in TNBC was significantly different according to the age at diagnosis. TNBC was more likely to be classified as basal‐like in women younger than 50 years (sensitivity, 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.77‐0.97) than women 65 years old or older (sensitivity, 0.72; 95% confidence interval, 0.48‐0.87); 35% of clinical TNBC cases in the latter group were the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)–enriched subtype by molecular classification. Older women with TNBC also had significantly higher expression of ERBB2 and lower expression of all 10 proliferation‐associated genes tested (P < .01). The risk of breast cancer death within 5 years was significantly higher in women with TNBC in comparison with women with hormone receptor–positive cancers in all age groups.

Conclusions

This study revealed differences in molecular subtypes among clinical TNBC cases based on patient age. A potentially targetable HER2‐enriched group raises the possible need for intrinsic subtyping in older women with TNBC.
Organotypic Brain Slice Cultures
Authors: Humpel Christian
Published: October 2018

Ex vivo cell culture models are of particular interest for neurobiologists, as these allow the study of brain cells in an isolated environment. Organotypic brain slice cultures allow growth of three‐dimensional brain tissue that conserves the cellular architecture. This unit describes the preparation and culturing of organotypic brain slices from mice. In three basic protocols, the general procedure, the specific preparation of chopper slices, and slicing of whole‐brain vibratome sections are described. Support protocols explain the use of postnatal or adult mice, the preparation of coronal or sagittal slices, the preparation of co‐cultures, post‐processing of slices, the use of extra filter membranes, and the re‐use of membrane inserts. This unit provides an easy‐to‐understand methodological introduction to brain slice cultures. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Liquid–Liquid Slug‐Flow‐Accelerated [2+2] Photocycloaddition of Cinnamates
Authors: Telmesani Reem , White Jada A. H. , Beeler Aaron B.
Published: October 2018

The front cover artwork is provided by the Beeler Research Group in the Department of Chemistry at Boston University. The image depicts a metal halide lamp surrounded by a length of tubing. Inside the tubing is a rendition of a biphasic flow and a simplified depiction of simulated circulation patterns within the slugs. At the top right is a DFT‐optimized model of delta truxinate, highlighting the beauty of the molecules that this flow system can be used to synthesize. Read the full text of the Article at 10.1002/cptc.201800081.
Reaching toward underexplored targets in antibacterial drug design
Authors: Jukič Marko , Gobec Stanislav , Sova Matej
Published: October 2018

The increase of antimicrobial resistance necessitates the renewal and strong research involvement in antibacterial drug design. In the following work, we comment on the key approaches used in development of new antibacterials, focusing on intracellular therapeutic targets that have been so far mostly underexplored: the enzymes of the Mur pathway MurA to MurF. We identify common obstacles observed during research on MurA, MurB, and Mur ligases inhibitors and their development into potential antibacterial compounds, and discern several approaches and solutions to tackle the whole‐cell activity of designed compounds. Furthermore, we consolidate recent literature reports and encourage the further research on Mur enzymes.
Adolescent morphine exposure increases nociceptive behaviors in rat model of formalin test
Authors: Ghasemi Elmira , Pachenari Narges , Semnanian Saeed , Azizi Hossein
Published: October 2018

The number of adolescents who use illicit drugs has increased dramatically. Adolescence is a critical period for brain development and maturation. The importance of the study of pain perception and the possible mechanisms involved is crystal clear. Up until now, there has been no evidence regarding the long‐term effect of adolescence morphine administration on pain perception. The objective of the present study was to investigate long‐lasting effect of adolescent morphine exposure on pain perception as well as analgesic response to a single dose of morphine injection. Adolescent and adult rats received morphine or saline, and then after 30 days of washout period, formalin test was performed. To evaluate morphine analgesia, in a separate group of animals, formalin test was performed after injection of a single dose of morphine during adulthood. The results demonstrated that the adolescent rats treated by morphine exhibited higher pain‐related behaviors compared to the control group, while the same results were not observed in adult rats that had been treated by morphine. Moreover, there was no significant difference in analgesic response to a single dose of morphine between two experimental groups. This study demonstrates enduring effect of morphine exposure during adolescence on pain perception.
A novel approach to assessing the ecosystem‐wide impacts of reintroductions
Authors: Baker Christopher M. , Bode Michael , Dexter Nick , Lindenmayer David B. , Foster Claire , MacGregor Christopher , Plein Michaela , McDonald‐Madden Eve
Published: October 2018

Reintroducing a species to an ecosystem can have significant impacts on the recipient ecological community. Although reintroductions can have striking and positive outcomes, they also carry risks; many well‐intentioned conservation actions have had surprising and unsatisfactory outcomes. A range of network‐based mathematical methods has been developed to make quantitative predictions of how communities will respond to management interventions. These methods are based on the limited knowledge of which species interact with each other and in what way. However, expert knowledge isn't perfect and can only take models so far. Fortunately, other types of data, such as abundance time series, is often available, but, to date, no quantitative method exists to integrate these various data types into these models, allowing more precise ecosystem‐wide predictions. In this paper, we develop mathematical methods that combine time‐series data of multiple species with knowledge of species interactions and we apply it to proposed reintroductions at Booderee National Park in Australia. There have been large fluctuations in species abundances at Booderee National Park in recent history, following intense feral fox (Vulpes vulpes) control, including the local extinction of the greater glider (Petauroides volans). These fluctuations can provide information about the system isn't readily obtained from a stable system, and we use them to inform models that we then use to predict potential outcomes of eastern quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus) and long‐nosed potoroo (Potorous tridactylus) reintroductions. One of the key species of conservation concern in the park is the Eastern Bristlebird (Dasyornis brachypterus), and we find that long‐nosed potoroo introduction would have very little impact on the Eastern Bristlebird population, while the eastern quoll introduction increased the likelihood of Eastern Bristlebird decline, although that depends on the strength and form of any possible interaction.
Modeling habituation of introduced predators to unrewarding bird odors for conservation of ground‐nesting shorebirds
Authors: Latham M. Cecilia , Anderson Dean P. , Norbury Grant , Price Catherine J. , Banks Peter B. , Latham A. David M.
Published: October 2018

Foraging mammalian predators face a myriad of odors from potential prey. To be efficient, they must focus on rewarding odors while ignoring consistently unrewarding ones. This may be exploited as a nonlethal conservation tool if predators can be deceived into ignoring odors of vulnerable secondary prey. To explore critical design components and assess the potential gains to prey survival of this technique, we created an individual‐based model that simulated the hunting behavior of three introduced mammalian predators on one of their secondary prey (a migratory shorebird) in the South Island of New Zealand. Within this model, we heuristically assessed the outcome of habituating the predators to human‐deployed unrewarding bird odors before the bird's arrival at their breeding grounds, i.e., the predators were “primed.” Using known home range sizes and probabilities of predators interacting with food lures, our model suggests that wide‐ranging predators should encounter a relatively large number of odor points (between 10 and 115) during 27 d of priming when odor is deployed within high‐resolution grids (100–150 m). Using this information, we then modeled the effect of different habituation curves (exponential and sigmoidal) on the probability of predators depredating shorebird nests. Our results show that important gains in nest survival can be achieved regardless of the shape of the habituation curve, but particularly if predators are fast olfactory learners (exponential curve), and even if some level of dishabituation occurs after prey become available. Predictions from our model can inform the amount and pattern in which olfactory stimuli need to be deployed in the field to optimize encounters by predators, and the relative gains that can be expected from reduced predation pressure on secondary prey under different scenarios of predator learning. Habituating predators to odors of threatened secondary prey may have particular efficacy as a conservation tool in areas where lethal predator control is not possible or ethical, or where even low predator densities can be detrimental to prey survival. Our approach is also relevant for determining interaction probabilities for devices other than odor points, such as bait stations and camera traps.
Development of the Pica, ARFID, and Rumination Disorder Interview, a multi‐informant, semi‐structured interview of feeding disorders across the lifespan: A pilot study for ages 10–22
Authors: Bryant‐Waugh Rachel , Micali Nadia , Cooke Lucy , Lawson Elizabeth A. , Eddy Kamryn T. , Thomas Jennifer J.
Published: October 2018

Objective

Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), pica, and rumination disorder (RD) were added to the revisedDSM‐5Feeding and Eating Disorders chapter in 2013. We developed a structured interview—the Pica, ARFID, and Rumination Disorder Interview (PARDI)—to assess the presence and severity of these diagnoses for evaluation and treatment planning in clinical and research settings. Here, we describe the development of the PARDI and provide a preliminary report on feasibility, acceptability, reliability, and validity in relation to ARFID.

Method

We created an initial item pool from existing measures of similar constructs and clinical experience. The PARDI includes items assessing the level of endorsement and overall severity of common ARFID features organized into profiles (i.e., sensory sensitivity, lack of interest in eating, and fear of aversive consequences) and algorithms for diagnosing ARFID, pica, and RD. We collected initial psychometric data from participants (10–22 years) with ARFID (n = 39), clinically significant avoidant/restrictive eating (n = 8), and healthy controls (n = 10).

Results

On average, the PARDI took 39 min to complete and was acceptable to participants. All subscales achieved internal consistency greater ≥0.77, and inter‐rater reliability for the ARFID diagnosis was moderate (κ = 0.75). Individuals with ARFID scored significantly higher than healthy controls on ARFID severity and ARFID profiles.

Discussion

The PARDI appears acceptable to respondents and preliminary evidence of reliability and validity has been demonstrated in an initial sample. Larger‐scale validation studies are currently underway. The PARDI is freely available to clinicians and researchers.
Functional Redundancy in bird community decreases with riparian forest width reduction
Authors: Maure Lucas A. , Rodrigues Rodolpho C. , Alcântara Ângelo V. , Adorno Bruno F. C. B. , Santos Douglas L. , Abreu Eduardo L. , Tanaka Rafael M. , Gonçalves Rute M. , Hasui Erica
Published: October 2018

Riparian ecosystems are suffering anthropogenic threats that reduce biodiversity and undermine ecosystem services. However, there is a great deal of uncertainty about the way species composition of assemblages is related to ecosystem function, especially in a landscape fragmentation context.

Here, we assess the impact of habitat loss and disturbance on Functional Diversity (FD) components Functional Redundancy (FRed), Functional Evenness (FEve), and Functional Richness (FRic) of riparian forest bird assemblages to evaluate (a) howFDcomponents respond to riparian forest width reduction and vegetation disturbance; (b) the existence of thresholds within these relationships; (c) which of the main birds diet guild (frugivores, insectivores, and omnivores) respond to such thresholds. We predict thatFDcomponents will be affected negatively and nonlinearly by riparian changes. However, guilds could have different responses due to differences of species sensitivity to fragmentation and disturbance. We expect to find thresholds inFDresponses, because fragmentation and disturbance drive loss of specificFDcomponents.

Our results show thatFRed andFEve were linearly affected by width and disturbance of riparian habitats, respectively.FRed was significantly lower in riparian forests assemblages below 400 m wide, andFEve was significantly higher above 60% disturbance. These responses ofFDwere also followed to the decline in insectivores and frugivores richness in riparian forests most affected by these changes.

Consequently, our study suggests communities do not tolerate reduction in riparian forest width or disturbance intensification without negative impact onFD, and this becomes more critical for riparian area <400‐m wide or with more than 60% disturbance. This minimum riparian width required to maintainFRed is greater than the minimum width required for riparian forests by Brazilian law. Thus, it is important to consider mechanisms to expand riparian habitats and reduce the disturbance intensity in riparian forests so that riparian bird communityFDmay be effectively conserved.
Table for five, please: Dietary partitioning in boreal bats
Authors: Vesterinen Eero J. , Puisto Anna I. E. , Blomberg Anna S. , Lilley Thomas M.
Published: October 2018

Differences in diet can explain resource partitioning in apparently similar, sympatric species. Here, we analyzed 1,252 fecal droppings from five species (Eptesicus nilssonii, Myotis brandtii, M. daubentonii, M. mystacinus, and Plecotus auritus) to reveal their dietary niches using fecal DNA metabarcoding. We identified nearly 550 prey species in 13 arthropod orders. Two main orders (Diptera and Lepidoptera) formed the majority of the diet for all species, constituting roughly 80%–90% of the diet. All five species had different dietary assemblages. We also found significant differences in the size of prey species between the bat species. Our results on diet composition remain mostly unchanged when using either read counts as a proxy for quantitative diet or presence–absence data, indicating a strong biological pattern. We conclude that although bats share major components in their ecology (nocturnal life style, insectivory, and echolocation), species differ in feeding behavior, suggesting bats may have distinctive evolutionary strategies. Diet analysis helps illuminate life history traits of various species, adding to sparse ecological knowledge, which can be utilized in conservation planning.
Pronounced genetic differentiation in Fokienia hodginsii revealed by simple sequence repeat markers
Authors: Yin Qianyi , Chen Sufang , Guo Wei , Huang Yanshuang , Huang Yelin , Zhou Renchao , Fan Qiang , Liao Wenbo
Published: October 2018

Fokienia hodginsii is a Tertiary relict conifer of the monotypic genus Fokienia (Cupressaceae s.l.). Currently, the species is distributed in southern China, northern Vietnam, and northern Laos and listed as a “near threatened” species by the IUCN. In this study, a total of 427 individuals of F. hodginsii were sampled from China and Vietnam to characterize its genetic diversity and population differentiation. Based on the profiles of 12 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, we observed a high level of genetic diversity in F. hodginsii at the species level (He =0.635), albeit slightly lower than that of its sister species Chamaecyparis obtusa. Signals of bottleneck events were detected in the populations GXDMS, GXHJ, V‐PXB, and V‐HB, probably due to Pleistocene glaciations or overexploitation in recent years. Pronounced genetic differentiation (Fst = 0.157) was found in this species. The inbreeding index (Fis = 0.176 ± 0.024) indicated that F. hodginsii has a mixed mating system. Significant correlation was found between the pairwise genetic differentiation and geographic distance (r = 0.882, p = 0.01), suggesting that genetic differentiation among the populations follows the model of isolation by distance (IBD). STRUCTURE analysis and principal coordinate analysis revealed that these populations were divided into four groups: the western China group located mainly in the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau, the central China group located mostly in the Luoxiao Mountains and Nanling Mountains, the eastern China group located in the Wuyi Mountains and the Vietnam group containing two populations in Vietnam. The different terrains and elevations of populations may be the most likely factors leading to the differentiation between the western China group and the central China group, while the geographic isolation caused by the lack of appropriate habitats may greatly contribute to the differentiation between the central China group and the eastern China group. Based on the results, some conservation suggestions for this species are provided, such as establishing seed orchards and multiple nature reserves.
Spatial distribution of life‐history traits and their response to environmental gradients across multiple marine taxa
Authors: Pecuchet Laurene , Reygondeau Gabriel , Cheung William W. L. , Licandro Priscilla , van Denderen P. Daniel , Payne Mark R. , Lindegren Martin
Published: October 2018

Trait‐based approaches enable comparison of community composition across multiple organism groups. Yet, little is known about the degree to which empirical trait responses found for one taxonomic group can be generalized across organisms. In this study, we investigated the spatial variability of marine community‐weighted mean traits and compared their environmental responses across multiple taxa and habitats, including pelagic zooplankton (copepods), demersal fish, and benthic infaunal invertebrates. We used extensive, spatially explicit datasets collected from scientific surveys in the North Sea and examined community composition of these groups using a trait‐based approach. In order to cover the key biological characteristics of an organism, we considered three life‐history traits (adult size, offspring size, and fecundity) and taxon‐specific feeding traits. While many of the traits co‐varied in space and notably demonstrated a south–north gradient, none of the traits showed a consistent spatial distribution across all groups. However, traits are often correlated as a result of trade‐offs. When studying spatial patterns of multiple traits variability in fish and copepods, we showed a high spatial correlation. This also applied to a lesser extent to fish and benthic infauna, whereas no correlation was found between benthic infauna and copepods. The result suggested a decoupling in the community traits between strictly benthic and strictly pelagic species. The strongest drivers of spatial variability for many community traits are the gradients in temperature seasonality, primary productivity, fishing effort, and depth. Spatial variability in benthic traits also co‐varied with descriptors of the seabed habitat. Overall, results showed that trait responses to environmental gradients cannot be generalized across organism groups, pointing toward potential complex responses of multi‐taxa communities to environmental changes and highlighting the need for cross‐habitat multi‐trait analyses to foresee how environmental change will affect community structure and biodiversity at large.
Pulmonary function assessment post‐left ventricular assist device implantation
Authors: Sajgalik Pavol , Kim Chul‐Ho , Stulak John M. , Kushwaha Sudhir S. , Maltais Simon , Joyce David L. , Joyce Lyle D. , Johnson Bruce D. , Schirger John A.
Published: October 2018

Aim

The lungs—and particularly the alveolar‐capillary membrane—may be sensitive to continuous flow (CF) and pulmonary pressure alterations in heart failure (HF). We aimed to investigate long‐term effects of CF pumps on respiratory function.

Methods and results

We conducted a retrospective study of patients with end‐stage HF at our institution. We analysed pulmonary function tests [e.g. forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)] and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) from before and after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation and compared them with invasive haemodynamic studies. Of the 274 patients screened, final study analysis involved 44 patients with end‐stage HF who had CF LVAD implantation between 1 February 2007 and 31 December 2015 at our institution. These patients [mean (standard deviation, SD) age, 50 (9) years; male sex, n = 33, 75%] received either the HeartMate II (Thoratec Corp.) pump (77%) or the HeartWare (HeartWare International Inc.) pump. The mean (SD) left ventricular ejection fraction was 21% (13%). At a median of 237 days post‐LVAD implantation, we observed significant DLCO decrease (−23%) since pre‐implantation (P < 0.001). ΔDLCO had an inverse relationship with changes in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) and right atrial pressure (RAP) from pre‐LVAD to post‐LVAD implantation: ΔDLCO to ΔPCWP (r = 0.50, P < 0.01) and ΔDLCO to ΔRAP (r = 0.39, P < 0.05). We observed other reductions in FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC between pre‐LVAD and post‐LVAD implantation. In mean (SD) values, FEV1 changed from 2.3 (0.7) to 2.1 (0.7) (P = 0.005); FVC decreased from 3.2 (0.8) to 2.9 (0.9) (P = 0.01); and FEV1/FVC went from 0.72 (0.1) to 0.72 (0.1) (P = 0.50). Landmark survival analysis revealed that ΔDLCO from 6 months after LVAD implantation was predictive of death for HF patients [hazard ratio (95% confidence interval), 0.60 (0.28–0.98); P = 0.03].

Conclusions

Pulmonary function did not improve after LVAD implantation. The degree of DLCO deterioration is related to haemodynamic status post‐LVAD implantation. The ΔDLCO within 6 months post‐operative was associated with survival.
Impacts of Forced Convection Generated via High Precision Stirring on Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy Experiments in Feedback Mode
Authors: Raith Timo , Iffelsberger Christian , Vatsyayan Preety , Matysik Frank‐Michael
Published: October 2018

In this study, the effects of forced convection on scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) experiments in feedback mode using ferrocenemethanol as redox mediator are presented. Forced convection, which enhances the mass transfer inside the system, was generated via an electrical high precision stirrer integrated into the SECM setup. A thin‐film interdigitated array electrode serving as model substrate was investigated with probe scan curves in z‐direction and SECM imaging in constant height mode utilizing ultramicroelectrodes (UME) with diameters (dprobe) of 25 μm and 12.5 μm. It was found that forced convection increased the overall current during SECM imaging without distorting distinctive features of the imaged structure when working with a 25 μm UME at substrate‐to‐tip distances of 14 μm and 11 μm. Furthermore, the electrochemical contrast was improved under hydrodynamic conditions for a substrate‐to‐tip distance of 11 μm and scan rates of 5 μm s−1, 10 μm s−1, 20 μm s−1 and 40 μm s−1. When further decreasing the gap between the UME and the substrate to 9 μm almost no effects of the forced convection were observed. Consequently, for a 25 μm UME, forced convection led to higher currents and improved performance during SECM experiments in feedback mode at substrate‐to‐tip distances of 14 μm and 11 μm, whereas no effects were observed for a 12.5 μm UME at a distance of 8 μm.