bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An improved multiobjective evolutionary algorithm based on decomposition approach and its application in antenna array beam pattern synthesis
Authors: Liang Shuang , Fang Zhiyi , Li Guanxiao , Zhao Yaqing , Liu Xuejie , Sun Geng
Published: July 2021

Antenna arrays can enhance the performance and reduce the overhead of the wireless communication systems. However, the beam pattern synthesis of antenna arrays are difficult problems since the optimization properties are usually trade‐offs that affect each other. In this paper, we formulate a multiobjective beam pattern optimization problem (MBPOP) to simultaneously reduce the maximum sidelobe level (SLL) and achieve the nulls of the antenna array beam pattern. The multiobjective evolutionary algorithm based on decomposition (MOEA/D) is a general and effective algorithm to solve the MOPs. However, it may be easy to lose population diversity and converge to local optimum. To overcome the issues above, we propose an improved MOEA/D (IMOEA/D) to deal with the formulated MBPOP. IMOEA/D introduces the normal distribution crossover operator (NDX), Lévy flight strategy and Euclidean distance‐based solution selection mechanism to enhance the performance of conventional MOEA/D to make it more suitable to solve the formulated MBPOP. Experiments are conducted and the results indicate that the proposed IMOEA/D has a better performance in terms of the convergence rate and population diversity compared to other algorithms for solving the formulated MBPOP.
Effects of exogenous ascorbic acid on the mycelia growth and primordia formation of Pleurotus ostreatus
Authors: Qi Yuancheng , Zhang Ruixia , Zhang Mengke , Wen Qing , Shen Jinwen
Published: July 2021

Primordia formation is the first and most critical step in the development of fruiting bodies of edible fungi. In this study, the effects of exogenous ascorbic acid (ASA) on the Pleurotus ostreatus mycelia growth and primordia formation were researched and the results showed that the growth rate of P. ostreatus mycelia was accelerated and the time of primordia formation was advanced. The protein content and ascorbate oxidase (AAO) activity analysis showed that with the increase of ASA concentration, the protein content of mycelia first decreased and then increased, and in a certain concentration range, exogenous ASA could significantly promote the activity of AAO. Further expression analysis of the development regulating genes (Pofst3 and Pofst4) as well as blue light receptor coding genes (PoWC‐1 and PoWC‐2) showed the expression levels of those four genes all changed after the exogenous ASA addition, which indicated that the expression changes of PoWC‐1 and PoWC‐2, two key genes in the light morphogenesis, might affect the expression levels of development regulating genes Pofst3 and Pofst4, so as to lead to the formation of primordia in advance.
Hypaphorine exerts anti‐inflammatory effects in sepsis induced acute lung injury via modulating DUSP1/p38/JNK pathway
Authors: Ding Yu‐Hua , Miao Run‐Xin , Zhang Qiang
Published: July 2021

Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response syndrome attributed to infection, while sepsis‐induced acute lung injury (ALI) has high morbidity and mortality. Here, we aimed to explore the specific mechanism of hypaphorine's anti‐inflammatory effects in ALI. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was adopted to construct ALI model both in vivo and in vitro. BEAS‐2B cell viability and apoptosis was testified by the MTT assay and flow cytometry. Reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were performed to examine the expression of proinflammatory cytokines (IL‐1β, IL‐6, TNF‐α, and IL‐18), and Western blot was adopted to examine the expression of the apoptosis‐related proteins (Bax, Bcl2, and Caspase3) and the DUSP1/p38/JNK signaling pathway. At the same time, lung injury score, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were monitored. The dry/wet weight method was used to examine lung edema, and the total protein content in BALF was determined to test pulmonary vascular permeability. As the data suggested, hypaphorine inhibited the LPS‐mediated apoptosis of alveolar epithelial cells. What is more, hypaphorine attenuated the expression of inflammatory factors (IL‐1β, IL‐6, TNF‐α, and IL‐18) and inactivated the p38/JNK signaling pathway through upregulating DUSP1 in a dose‐dependent manner. Meanwhile, DUSP1 knockdown weakened the anti‐inflammatory effect of hypaphorine on LPS‐mediated lung injury. Furthermore, hypaphorine also relieved LPS induced ALI in rats with anti‐inflammatory effects. Taken together, hypaphorine prevented LPS‐mediated ALI and proinflammatory response via inactivating the p38/JNK signaling pathway by upregulating DUSP1.
Sealing of porous titanium oxides produced by plasma electrolytic oxidation
Authors: Casanova Luca , Belotti Nicola , Pedeferri MariaPia , Ormellese Marco
Published: July 2021

Plasma electrolytic oxidation is a powerful technique allowing the formation of ceramic coatings with a high degree of functionalization. Plasma–chemical interactions, resulting from the application of a high voltage in a conductive electrolyte, like 0.5 M NaOH, favor the development of a porous surface, which deserves to be sealed to obtain proper corrosion resistance. In the present work, the effect of temperature employed during sealing in calcium acetate is investigated, finding 85°C as an optimum temperature to allow pores closure. Furthermore, a comparison with sealing performed in hot water is presented, which demonstrated similar sealing efficiency. Scanning electron microscope and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy are the tools selected to investigate sealing effects. Impedance spectra are fitted according to feasible electrochemical equivalent circuits finding two‐time constants when applied to sealed samples indicative of the presence of barrier and porous layer, respectively.
Characteristics and Outcomes of Parkinson's Disease Individuals Hospitalized with COVID‐19 in a New York City Hospital System
Authors: Nwabuobi Lynda , Zhang Cenai , Henchcliffe Claire , Shah Hiral , Sarva Harini , Lee Andrea , Kamel Hooman
Published: July 2021

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has caused worse health outcomes among elderly populations with specific pre‐existing medical conditions and chronic illnesses. There are limited data on health outcomes of hospitalized Parkinson's disease (PD) individuals infected with COVID‐19.

Objectives

To determine clinical characteristics and outcomes in hospitalized PD individuals infected with COVID‐19.

Methods

Individuals admitted to NewYork‐Presbyterian with a diagnosis of PD were retrospectively identified using an electronic medical record system. Clinical characteristics and mortality were abstracted.

Results

Twenty‐five individuals with PD, mostly male (76%) with a median age of 82 years (IQR 73–88 years), were hospitalized for COVID‐19 infection. A total of 80% of individuals had mid‐stage to advanced PD (Hoehn and Yahr 3–5) and 80% were on symptomatic pharmacologic therapy, most commonly levodopa (72%). The most common comorbidities were hypertension (72%) and mild cognitive impairment or dementia (48%). A total of 44% and 12% of individuals presented with altered mental status and falls, respectively. Mortality rate was 32% compared to 26% for age‐matched controls (P = 0.743). Individuals who died were more likely to have encephalopathy during their admission (88% vs. 35%; P < 0.03).

Conclusion

PD individuals who require hospitalization for COVID‐19 infection are likely to be elderly, have mid‐stage to advanced disease, and be on pharmacologic therapy. Hypertension and cognitive impairment are common comorbidities in these individuals and encephalopathy during hospitalization is associated with risk of death. Altered mental status and falls are clinical presentations of COVID‐19 infection in PD that clinicians should be aware of. A diagnosis of PD is not a risk factor for COVID‐19 mortality.
Investigating the diurnal cycle of precipitation over Central Africa
Authors: Choumbou P. C. , Komkoua Mbienda A. J. , Guenang G. M. , Monkam D. , Mkankam Kamga F.
Published: July 2021

The present study investigated the reliability of downscaling tool RegCM4.4 to simulate 2002–2006 June–September diurnal cycle precipitation characteristics. Besides their diurnal cycles, the spatial and temporal patterns in precipitation intensity, amount and frequency over Central Africa (CA) are investigated. Diurnal variance, phase and amplitude based on 3‐hourly model simulations are obtained by diurnal harmonics from each 24‐h period. Two statistical measures are used to evaluate model performance: the root mean square error and the index of agreement. The result shows that the RegCM outputs are well simulated compared with reference data in revealing the temporal and spatial patterns of precipitation amount and frequency over the continental area with some systematic wet biases over Cameroon highlands area. Diurnal variability of precipitation frequency and amount are properly well reproduced by the model with an afternoon peak around 1800 LST over entire domain except Atlantic Ocean sub‐region. The model does not properly describe the observed diurnal variation of precipitation intensity over the study area. One of the prominent results is that the pattern of precipitation frequency is quite similar to that of precipitation amount. This strong relationship between these two precipitation characteristics over the entire region of interest suggests that the diurnal precipitation variability is generally determined by how often it rains.
Radiation Versus Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Associated Pneumonitis: Distinct Radiologic Morphologies
Authors: Chen Xuguang , Sheikh Khadija , Nakajima Erica , Lin Cheng Ting , Lee Junghoon , Hu Chen , Hales Russell K. , Forde Patrick M. , Naidoo Jarushka , Voong Khinh Ranh
Published: July 2021

Background

Patients with non-small cell lung cancer may develop pneumonitis after thoracic radiotherapy (RT) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). We hypothesized that distinct morphologic features are associated with different pneumonitis etiologies.

Materials and Methods

We systematically compared computed tomography (CT) features of RT- versus ICI-pneumonitis. Clinical and imaging features were tested for association with pneumonitis severity. Lastly, we constructed an exploratory radiomics-based machine learning (ML) model to discern pneumonitis etiology.

Results

Between 2009 and 2019, 82 patients developed pneumonitis: 29 after thoracic RT, 23 after ICI, and 30 after RT + ICI. Fifty patients had grade 2 pneumonitis, 22 grade 3, and 7 grade 4. ICI-pneumonitis was more likely bilateral (65% vs. 28%; p = .01) and involved more lobes (66% vs. 45% involving at least three lobes) and was less likely to have sharp border (17% vs. 59%; p = .004) compared with RT-pneumonitis. Pneumonitis morphology after RT + ICI was heterogeneous, with 47% bilateral, 37% involving at least three lobes, and 40% sharp borders. Among all patients, risk factors for severe pneumonitis included poor performance status, smoking history, worse lung function, and bilateral and multifocal involvement on CT. An ML model based on seven radiomic features alone could distinguish ICI- from RT-pneumonitis with an area under the receiver-operating curve of 0.76 and identified the predominant etiology after RT + ICI concordant with multidisciplinary consensus.

Conclusion

RT- and ICI-pneumonitis exhibit distinct spatial features on CT. Bilateral and multifocal lung involvement is associated with severe pneumonitis. Integrating these morphologic features in the clinical management of patients who develop pneumonitis after RT and ICIs may improve treatment decision-making.

Implications for Practice

Patients with non-small cell lung cancer often receive thoracic radiation and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), both of which can cause pneumonitis. This study identified similarities and differences in pneumonitis morphology on computed tomography (CT) scans among pneumonitis due to radiotherapy (RT) alone, ICI alone, and the combination of both. Patients who have bilateral CT changes involving at least three lobes are more likely to have ICI-pneumonitis, whereas those with unilateral CT changes with sharp borders are more likely to have radiation pneumonitis. After RT and/or ICI, severe pneumonitis is associated with bilateral and multifocal CT changes. These results can help guide clinicians in triaging patients who develop pneumonitis after radiation and during ICI treatment.
Substituent effects of fused Hammick germylenes: Estimating the stability and reactivity using density functional theory
Authors: Elveny Marischa , Alrazzak Nour Abd , Aljeboree Aseel M. , Alkaim Ayad F. , Ebadi Abdol Ghaffar
Published: July 2021

In this theoretical survey, we compared and contrasted the substituent influences on stability, aromaticity, band gap, atomic charge distribution, and reactivity of 54 singlet and triplet fused Hammick germylenes derived from germabenzopyridine‐4‐ylidene as well as the synthesized five‐ and six‐membered ones by Herrmann and Driess, respectively. Investigations show (1) the lowest and the highest singlet–triplet energy difference (ΔΕs–t) is demonstrated by fusion of two phosphole rings and two furan rings in ortho‐positions (35.6 and 253.6 kJ/mol, respectively) compared with those of the synthesized germylenes (208.8 and 179.9 kJ/mol, respectively). (2) Whereas fusion of benzene, pyridine, phosphinine, and phosphole rings thermodynamically destabilizes the corresponding germylenes, fusion of pyrrole, furan, and thiophene rings stabilizes the corresponding germylenes. (3) The tendency of substituent influences in number and size of rings is arranged by two five‐membered rings > one five‐membered rings > one six‐membered rings > two six‐membered rings. (4) While pyrrole, furan, and thiophene rings kinetically stabilize the corresponding germylenes, other rings destabilize their germylenes with respect to germapyridine‐4‐ylidene and the isolated germylene's Driess. (5) All singlet Hammick germylenes reveal lower nucleophilicity and softness, also higher electrophilicity, chemical potential, and global hardness than their scrutinized triplet states. (6) We are waiting for experimental testing and verifications to fuse heterocyclic rings to the germapyridine‐4‐ylidene's plane in a favorable spatial position to act not only as π‐electron giver but also σ‐electron receiver.
Ocular safety of repeated intravitreal injections of Carboplatin and Digoxin: A preclinical study on the healthy rabbits
Authors: Khodabande Alireza , Ghassemi Fariba , Asadi Amoli Fahimeh , Riazi‐Esfahani Hamid , Mahmoudzadeh Raziyeh , Mehrpour Mohammad , Valipour Niloufar
Published: July 2021

To evaluate the ocular safety of intravitreal carboplatin and digoxin injections as a new intravitreal chemotherapy option for retinoblastoma tumor vitreous seeds. Eighteen rabbits were divided randomly into three groups to receive intravitreal injection of Digoxin (6 rabbits), Carboplatin (7 rabbits), or Saline (5 rabbits). In every group, one eye randomly treated with 10 µg Digoxin in 0.1 cc or 1 µg Carboplatin or Saline, and the contralateral eye was considered as the control. All groups underwent three consecutive injections of the drugs with 1‐week intervals. Baseline electroretinography (ERG) was recorded from both eyes of all the animals prior to injection and was repeated 1st day, 1st week, and 1st month after the last injection. All rabbits were sacrificed 1 month after the last injection, and histological studies were done. Mean a and b wave amplitudes decreased significantly at 1st day, 1st week, and 1st month after the last intravitreal injection of 10 µg Digoxin in comparison with other groups (p‐value: .02). Contradictory, 1 µg Carboplatin injected eyes had minimal ERG changes. There were some nonspecific ERG changes with unclear clinical significance in non‐injected contralateral control eyes of Digoxin and Carboplatin groups in comparison with the control eyes of the Saline group. Histological studies revealed considerable neural retinal atrophy in injected eyes of the Digoxin group. Intravitreal 10 µg Digoxin might have more local ocular toxicity in comparison with intravitreal Carboplatin in albino rabbit eyes. Future studies should assess the induced toxicity of intravitreal injection of these drugs on the non‐injected contralateral eye.
Alternative prey and farming system mediate predation of Colorado potato beetles by generalists
Authors: Lynch Christine A. , Smith Olivia M. , Chapman Eric G. , Crossley Michael S. , Crowder David W. , Fu Zhen , Harwood James D. , Jensen Andrew S. , Krey Karol L. , Snyder Gretchen B. , Snyder William E.
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND

Biological control by generalist predators can be mediated by the abundance and biodiversity of alternative prey. When alternative prey draw predator attacks away from the control target, they can weaken pest suppression. In other cases, a diverse prey base can promote predator abundance and biodiversity, reduce predator–predator interference, and benefit biocontrol. Here, we used molecular gut‐content analysis to assess how community composition altered predation of Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say)) by Nabis sp. and Geocoris sp. Predators were collected from organic or conventional potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) fields, encouraging differences in arthropod community composition.

RESULTS

In organic fields, Nabis predation of potato beetles decreased with increasing arthropod richness and predator abundance. This is consistent with Nabis predators switching to other prey species when available and with growing predator–predator interference. In conventional fields these patterns were reversed, however, with potato beetle predation by Nabis increasing with greater arthropod richness and predator abundance. For Geocoris, Colorado potato beetle predation was more frequent in organic than in conventional fields. However, Geocoris predation of beetles was less frequent in fields with higher abundance of the detritus‐feeding fly Scaptomyza pallida Zetterstedt, or of all arthropods, consistent with predators choosing other prey when available.

CONCLUSION

Alternative prey generally dampened predation of potato beetles, suggesting these pests were less‐preferred prey. Nabis and Geocoris differed in which alternative prey were most disruptive to feeding on potato beetles, and in the effects of farm management on predation, consistent with the two predator species occupying complementary feeding niches. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Silibinin alleviates silica‐induced pulmonary fibrosis: Potential role in modulating inflammation and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition
Authors: Ali Syed Afroz , Saifi Mohd Aslam , Godugu Chandraiah , Talla Venu
Published: July 2021

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a devastating interstitial lung disease resulting from indefinite causes with very few limited, those too ineffective therapeutic options. Earlier evidence reported inflammation and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) are the major threats in PF. The present study was aimed to examine the anti‐fibrotic activity of silibinin (SB) in PF. PF was induced by administering oropharyngeal 1.5 mg/mice silica on day 1, followed by treatment with and without oral SB for 14 days. Lung injury was assessed by x‐ray analysis on day 14 and all the animals were sacrificed on day 15. The results showed that silica remarkably altered the histoarchitecture and induced the expression of inflammatory components in BALF and pulmonary tissue. Immunoblotting investigation quantified the expression of TGF‐β, p‐smad2/3, collagen‐I, fibronectin, and α‐SMA in the pulmonary tissue. To this end, treatment with SB alleviated inflammatory components, including IL‐1β, IL‐6, and TNF‐α in the fibrotic tissue. Moreover, SB harnessed the tissue architecture, improved diffusive scattering of x‐ray signals, and modulated epithelial‐mesenchymal phenotypic alterations, including TGF‐β, p‐smad2/3, and collagen‐I. Altogether, the significant reduction of inflammatory signaling, collagen deposition, and epithelial‐mesenchymal transdifferentiation by SB suggested that it could be used as a potential therapeutic candidate to treat pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis.
Parthenolide, bioactive compound of Chrysanthemum parthenium L., ameliorates fibrogenesis and inflammation in hepatic fibrosis via regulating the crosstalk of TLR4 and STAT3 signaling pathway
Authors: Cui Zhen‐Yu , Wang Ge , Zhang Jing , Song Jian , Jiang Yu‐Chen , Dou Jia‐Yi , Lian Li‐Hua , Nan Ji‐Xing , Wu Yan‐Ling
Published: July 2021

The current study focused on the regulatory effects of parthenolide (PNL), a bioactive component derived from Chrysanthemum parthenium L., against hepatic fibrosis via regulating the crosstalk of toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). HSCs or Raw 264.7 macrophages were activated by TGF‐β or LPS for 1 hr, respectively, and then treated with PNL, CLI‐095 (TLR4 inhibitor), or Niclosamide (STAT3 inhibitor) for the indicated time to detect the crosstalk of TLR4 and STAT3. PNL significantly decreased the expressions of α‐SMA, collagen I, and the ratio of TIMP1 and MMP13 in TGF‐β‐activated HSCs. PNL significantly reduced the releases of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, including IL‐6, IL‐1β, IL‐1α, IL‐18, and regulated signaling P2X7r/NLRP3 axis activation. PNL obviously induced the apoptosis of activated HSCs by regulating bcl‐2 and caspases family. PNL significantly inhibited the expressions of TLR4 and STAT3, including their downstream signaling. PNL could regulate the crosstalk of TLR4 and STAT3, which were verified by their inhibitors in activated HSCs or Raw 264.7 cell macrophages. Thus, PNL could decrease the expressions of fibrosis markers, reduce the releases of inflammatory cytokines, and also induce the apoptosis of activated HSCs. In conclusion, PNL could bi‐directionally inhibit TLR4 and STAT3 signaling pathway, suggesting that blocking the crosstalk of TLR4 and STAT3 might be the potential mechanism of PNL against hepatic fibrosis.
New 1,2,4‐Triazole Scaffolds as Anticancer Agents: Synthesis, Biological Evaluation and Docking Studies
Authors: Maddali Narendra Kumar , Ivaturi V. Kasi Viswanath , Murthy Yellajyosula L. N. , Malkhed Vasavi , Brahman Pradeep Kumar , Pindiprolu Sai Kiran S. S. , Kondaparthi Vani , Nethinti Sundara Rao
Published: July 2021

A series of novel 4,5‐diphenyloxazol‐1,2,4‐triazole derivatives (6 a–6 l) were synthesized and screened for anticancer activity against the prostate lung cancer cell lines viz., PC‐93 and HBT‐55. The outcome of the investigation reveals that compounds 6 a, 6 b and 6 j showed potential anticancer activity against PC‐93 cell line with the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 13.12, 15.34, and 16.34 μM, respectively. Compounds 6 a, 6 d and 6 j exhibited potential anticancer activity against HBT‐55 cell line with IC50 value 17.28, 16.48, and 15.12 μM respectively, when compared to standard drug doxorubicin. Further, docking studies are performed to understand the possible interactions responsible for their potential activity by considering the Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) and the Ser‐/Thr‐specific kinase Akt protein (Akt) as target proteins. The amino acid residues from ALA639 to PRO741 of FGFR1 and from GLU17 to ASP292 of Akt proteins are involved in non‐covalent interactions with the ligands 6 a–6 l. The insilico pharmacokinetic properties are predicted for the molecules 6 a–6 l to assess the druggability. The study provides that compounds 6 a, 6 b, 6 d, and 6 j scaffolds serve as promising lead molecules for treating cancer and further structure optimizations.
Anti‐Sandwich Structured Photo‐Electronic Wound Dressing for Highly Efficient Bacterial Infection Therapy
Authors: Zhou Kun , Chigan Dongdong , Xu Letian , Liu Chenjing , Ding Rui , Li Guoping , Zhang Zixi , Pei Dandan , Li Ang , Guo Baolin , Yan Xuzhou , He Gang
Published: July 2021

Photo‐electronic devices based on reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation suffer a crucial limitation in wound treatment due to their sandwich structure, which prevents the contact of ROS with wound tissue. In this work, the first anti‐sandwich structured visible‐light/electricity dual‐responsive wound dressing is constructed for treatment of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), based on selenoviologen‐appendant polythiophene (SeV2+‐PT)‐containing polyacrylamide hydrogels. The new wound dressing is named an anti‐sandwich structured photo‐electronic wound dressing (PEWD). The unique structure of PEWD enables its use in synergistic electrodynamic and photodynamic therapy (EDT and PDT), providing rapid, on‐demand, and sustained generation of ROS in situ via short‐time light irradiation and/or wireless‐controlled electrification. The PEWD possesses good flexibility, excellent biocompatibility, and fast response, as well as sustained ROS generation in a physiological environment. Animal experiments demonstrate effective ROS generation in 6 s under irradiation and electrification, inhibiting infection at an early stage, and substantially shortening the healing time of bacterial infection (to within 7 days). This proof‐of‐concept research holds great promise in developing new flexible PEWD, and novel strategies to improve wound treatment.
Ensemble mapper
Authors: Kang Sung Jin , Lim Yaeji
Published: July 2021

Mapper is a popular topological data analysis method to analyse structure of complex high‐dimensional data sets. As the Mapper algorithm can be applied to clustering and feature selection with visualization, it is used in various fields such as biology and chemistry. However, some resolution parameters have to be chosen by the user before applying the Mapper algorithm, and the results are sensitive to the selection. In this paper, we focus on the selection of two resolution parameters, the number of intervals and the overlapping percentage. We propose a new resolution parameter selection method in Mapper based on the ensemble technique. We generate multiple Mapper results under various parameter values and apply the fuzzy clustering ensemble method to combine the results. To evaluate Mapper algorithms including the proposed one, three real data sets are considered. The results demonstrate the superiority of the proposed ensemble Mapper method.
Therapeutic antibodies under development for SARS‐CoV‐2
Authors: Ma Zetong , Zhu MengMei , Zhang Shuyi , Qian Kewen , Wang Chuqi , Fu Wenyan , Lei Changhai , Hu Shi
Published: July 2021

The world is experiencing one of the most difficult moments in history with COVID‐19, which has rapidly developed into a worldwide pandemic with a significant health and economic burden. Efforts to fight the virus, including prevention and treatment, have never stopped. However, no specific drugs or treatments have yet been found. Antibody drugs have never been absent in epidemics such as SARS, MERS, HIV, Ebola, and so on in the past two decades. At present, while research on the SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine is in full swing, antibody drugs are also receiving widespread attention. Several antibody drugs have successfully entered clinical trials and achieved impressive therapeutic effects. Here, we summarize the therapeutic antibodies against SARS‐CoV‐2, as well as the research using ACE2 recombinant protein or ACE2‐Ig fusion protein.
Treatment of municipal wastewater by employing membrane bioreactors combined with efficient nitration microbial communities isolated by Isolation Chip with Plate Streaking technology
Authors: Zhang Yinan , Ye Xueping , Fang Yuxin , Zhang Hangjun
Published: July 2021

In this research, we developed a method so‐called Isolation Chip with Plate Streaking (ICPS) to selectively enrich nitrifying microbial consortium for treating municipal wastewater. In batch experiment, these bacterial communities were able to remove NH3‐N in 72 h with an efficiency of 96%. Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria species are dominant bacteria in these communities. When the bacterial communities were used in the membrane bioreactor under typical condition, the removal efficiency was 81.0%. In contrast, under the actual wastewater condition, the efficiency could reach 91.2%. All above results showed clearly that the consortium selected by our ICPS method could achieve high‐efficient NH3‐N removal, thus offering a reliable technique for screening functional microorganisms in the field of water treatment.

Practitioner points

ICPS technology was designed and used for screening specialized NH3‐N‐removing isolates.

The screening process benefited the growth of the dominant nitrifying bacteria Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes.

When the functional bacteria applied into the MBR, the NH3‐N removal efficiency was 91.2% under actual wastewater conditions.
Effects of coagulant morphology and chemical properties on soluble reactive phosphate removal in corn ethanol wastewater
Authors: Mancuso Chandler , Jamison Megan , Zaporski Jared , Yang Ziming
Published: July 2021

As ethanol production continues to rise around the world, and wastewater discharge requirements for phosphorus become more stringent, it is important that phosphorus removal technologies are evaluated on ethanol wastewater streams. In this study, five coagulating agents with distinct characteristics were evaluated for their soluble reactive phosphate (SRP) removal performance on both a synthetic wastewater sample and a wastewater sample collected from a corn ethanol manufacturer. All coagulants demonstrated a positive correlation between coagulant dose and percent removal of SRP on both samples. Alum and ferric chloride produced the highest SRP removal efficiencies on both the ethanol and synthetic wastewater, indicating that prepolymerized, high‐basicity coagulants (e.g., aluminum chlorohydrate, poly‐aluminum ferric chloride) are less effective for SRP removal than nonpolymerized coagulants. The background matrix analysis combined with the pH studies revealed that the high alkalinity in the ethanol wastewater has a substantial inhibitory effect on SRP removal capacity that supersedes pH effects. These experimental results suggest that the Al‐Al and Al‐OH bonds in the heavily hydroxylated and polymerized structure of high‐basicity coagulants are very rigid, which could prevent inner‐sphere complexation and drive a less effective outer‐sphere interaction, thus hindering SRP removal efficiency.

Practitioner points

Five different coagulants are evaluated for reactive phosphate removal from wastewater.

Alum and ferric chloride show higher removal efficiency than prepolymerized and high‐basicity coagulants.

Optimal removal pH increases with increasing coagulant basicity.
Abiotic reductive removal of organic contaminants catalyzed by carbon materials: A short review
Authors: Qin Hejie , Sun Yuankui , Rao Dandan , Qiao Junlian
Published: July 2021

Since the observation that carbon materials can facilitate electron transfer between reactants, there is growing literature on the abiotic reductive removal of organic contaminants catalyzed by them. Most of the interest in these processes arises from the participation of carbon materials in the natural transformation of contaminants and the possibility of developing new strategies for environmental treatment and remediation. The combinations of various carbon materials and reductants have been investigated for the reduction of nitro‐organic compounds, halogenated organics, and azo dyes. The reduction rates of a certain compound in carbon‐reductant systems vary with the surface properties of carbon materials, although there are controversial conclusions on the properties governing the catalytic performance. This review scrutinizes the contributions of quinone moieties, electron conductivity, and other carbon properties to the activity of carbon materials. It also discusses the contaminant‐dependent reduction pathways, that is, electron transfer through conductive carbon and intermediates formed during the reaction, along with possibly additional activation of contaminant molecules by carbon. Moreover, modification strategies to improve the catalytic activity for reduction are summarized. Future research needs are proposed to advance the understanding of reaction mechanisms and improve the practical utility of carbon material for water treatment.

Practitioner points

Reduction rates of contaminants in carbon‐reductant systems and modification strategies for carbon materials are summarized.

Mechanisms for the catalytic activity of carbon materials are discussed.

Research needs for new insights into carbon‐catalyzed reduction are proposed.
The Dioxygen Complexes of VO2
Authors: Hübner Olaf , Himmel Hans‐Jörg
Published: July 2021

By matrix isolation in solid Ne and Kr, VO, VO2, and the complexes VO2(O2) with one superoxo ligand and VO2(O2)2 with one superoxo and one neutral dioxygen ligand, as well as V2O2 and V2O4 have been generated. For VO2(O2), transitions of five vibrational modes have been observed, and for VO2(O2)2, transitions belonging to seven vibrational modes, confirming and extending former Ar matrix results. Attempts to stabilise the cyclic V(O2) peroxide by use of the heavier Kr matrix were not successful. By accompanying MRCI calculations on VO2 and V(O2), vibrational frequencies have been determined. Furthermore, the investigation is assisted by density functional calculations with the TPSS functional. Possibly, also one vibrational transition of the VO3 molecule has been observed.
Gravitational SL(2, ℝ) algebra on the light cone
Authors: Wieland Wolfgang
Published: July 2021

Abstract

In a region with a boundary, the gravitational phase space consists of radiative modes in the interior and edge modes at the boundary. Such edge modes are necessary to explain how the region couples to its environment. In this paper, we characterise the edge modes and radiative modes on a null surface for the tetradic Palatini-Holst action. Our starting point is the definition of the action and its boundary terms. We choose the least restrictive boundary conditions possible. The fixed boundary data consists of the radiative modes alone (two degrees of freedom per point). All other boundary fields are dynamical. We introduce the covariant phase space and explain how the Holst term alters the boundary symmetries. To infer the Poisson brackets among Dirac observables, we define an auxiliary phase space, where the SL(2, ℝ) symmetries of the boundary fields are manifest. We identify the gauge generators and second-class constraints that remove the auxiliary variables. All gauge generators are at most quadratic in the fundamental SL(2, ℝ) variables on phase space. We compute the Dirac bracket and identify the Dirac observables on the light cone. Finally, we discuss various truncations to quantise the system in an effective way.
Use of incretin-based drugs and risk of cholangiocarcinoma: Scandinavian cohort study
Authors: Ueda Peter , Wintzell Viktor , Melbye Mads , Eliasson Björn , Svensson Ann-Marie , Franzén Stefan , Gudbjörnsdottir Soffia , Hveem Kristian , Jonasson Christian , Svanström Henrik , Pasternak Björn
Published: July 2021

Aims/hypothesis

Concerns have been raised regarding a potential association of use of the incretin-based drugs dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)-receptor agonists with risk of cholangiocarcinoma. We examined this association in nationwide data from three countries.

Methods

We used data from nationwide registers in Sweden, Denmark and Norway, 2007–2018, to conduct two cohort studies, one for DPP4 inhibitors and one for GLP-1-receptor agonists, to investigate the risk of incident cholangiocarcinoma compared with an active-comparator drug class (sulfonylureas). The cohorts included patients initiating treatment episodes with DPP4 inhibitors vs sulfonylureas, and GLP-1-receptor agonists vs sulfonylureas. We used Cox regression models, adjusted for potential confounders, to estimate hazard ratios from day 366 after treatment initiation to account for cancer latency.

Results

The main analyses of DPP4 inhibitors included 1,414,144 person-years of follow-up from 222,577 patients receiving DPP4 inhibitors (median [IQR] follow-up time, 4.5 [2.6–7.0] years) and 123,908 patients receiving sulfonylureas (median [IQR] follow-up time, 5.1 [2.9–7.8] years) during which 350 cholangiocarcinoma events occurred. Use of DPP4 inhibitors, compared with sulfonylureas, was not associated with a statistically significant increase in risk of cholangiocarcinoma (incidence rate 26 vs 23 per 100,000 person-years; adjusted HR, 1.15 [95% CI 0.90, 1.46]; absolute rate difference 3 [95% CI -3, 10] events per 100,000 person-years). The main analyses of GLP-1-receptor agonists included 1,036,587 person-years of follow-up from 96,813 patients receiving GLP-1-receptor agonists (median [IQR] follow-up time, 4.4 [2.4–6.9] years) and 142,578 patients receiving sulfonylureas (median [IQR] follow-up time, 5.5 [3.2–8.1] years) during which 249 cholangiocarcinoma events occurred. Use of GLP-1-receptor agonists was not associated with a statistically significant increase in risk of cholangiocarcinoma (incidence rate 26 vs 23 per 100,000 person-years; adjusted HR, 1.25 [95% CI 0.89, 1.76]; absolute rate difference 3 [95% CI -5, 13] events per 100,000 patient-years).

Conclusions/interpretation

In this analysis using nationwide data from three countries, use of DPP4 inhibitors and GLP-1-receptor agonists, compared with sulfonylureas, was not associated with a significantly increased risk of cholangiocarcinoma.

Graphical abstract
Good mid- to long-term results of the cemented oxford phase 3 unicompartmental knee arthroplasty in a non-designer centre
Authors: Moore D. M. , Sheridan G. A. , Welch-Phillips A. , O’Byrne J. M. , Kenny P.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) provides patients with an alternative treatment to TKA in isolated medial compartment osteoarthritis providing better functional outcomes and faster recovery in the short term. Our aim was to quantify revision rates, predictors of revision, mortality rate and functionality of the Oxford Phase 3 UKA in a non-designer institution.

Methods

This was a retrospective review of prospectively collected regional registry data. All Oxford Phase 3 UKAs performed for medial tibio-femoral osteoarthritis of the knee joint were included from a single academic institution between the period of January 1st 2006 and December 30th 2009. Kaplan-Meier survivorship curves adjusting for loss to follow-up and deceased patients were generated. Primary outcome variables included all-cause and aseptic revision. Secondary outcome variables included functional outcome scores. Patients were reviewed at 6 months, 2 years, 5 years, 10 years and 15 years.

Results

A total of 64 cemented Oxford phase 3 UKAs were performed between January 2006 and November 2009. Fifteen-year follow-up data were available for 51 patients, of these 12 required revision. Survival rates, adjusting for patients that were either lost to follow-up or deceased, were 87.5% at 5 years, 81.4% at 10 years and 76.4% at 15 years. The overall aseptic revision rate at the time of review was 18.75% (n = 12). The only significant predictor of postoperative WOMAC score at 15 years was the preoperative WOMAC score (p = 0.03).

Conclusion

The Oxford Phase 3 UKA for medial tibio-femoral arthritis has promising outcomes at 15-year follow-up with a survival rate of 76.4% in a non-designer centre.

Level of Evidence

III.
On the handling of German citizens who died abroad
Authors: Witte P. , Sperhake J.-P. , Püschel K. , Holz F. , Ondruschka B. , Schröder A. S.
Published: July 2021

Background

Decedents who are repatriated to Germany from abroad are not systematically registered nationwide. In Hamburg, in addition to an epidemic hygienic examination, registration and examination of the content of the documents accompanying the corpses of German citizens has been carried out since 2007. In this way, unclear and non-natural deaths in particular are to be followed up as necessary.

Material and methods

Protocols of external and internal autopsies of German nationals who died abroad and were repatriated to Hamburg via the port or airport between 2007 and 2018 were retrospectively evaluated with respect to numbers, completeness of the autopsy abroad and correctness of manner and cause of death.

Results

Between 2007 and 2018 a total of 703 corpses were repatriated via the port or airport of Hamburg and examined by the Port Medical Service for epidemic hygiene and for anything conspicuous in the documents accompanying the corpse. Of them, 307 corpses were examined at the Institute of Legal Medicine at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf. In total, 82.4% of the examined cases had an incorrect, unspecific or incomplete foreign death certificate. Of the deceased, 238 were subjected to a second external autopsy by a forensic pathologist and 69 deceased were autopsied again or for the first time in Hamburg. It was found that 84% of the autopsies performed abroad were not performed according to German and European standards. The most common discrepancy was incomplete preparation of the organs. In almost one quarter of the autopsies performed in Hamburg a different cause of death than abroad was determined at autopsy.

Conclusion

Since the quality of autopsies performed abroad sometimes does not meet the standards in Germany and Europe and many papers accompanying corpses are incomplete or incorrectly filled out, a systematic review procedure in the home country is recommended. Through the system established in Hamburg in 2007, at least a re-evaluation of the cases takes place.
The Multiple Paths to Multiple Life
Authors: Kempes Christopher P. , Krakauer David C.
Published: July 2021

We argue for multiple forms of life realized through multiple different historical pathways. From this perspective, there have been multiple origins of life on Earth—life is not a universal homology. By broadening the class of originations, we significantly expand the data set for searching for life. Through a computational analogy, the origin of life describes both the origin of hardware (physical substrate) and software (evolved function). Like all information-processing systems, adaptive systems possess a nested hierarchy of levels, a level of function optimization (e.g., fitness maximization), a level of constraints (e.g., energy requirements), and a level of materials (e.g., DNA or RNA genome and cells). The functions essential to life are realized by different substrates with different efficiencies. The functional level allows us to identify multiple origins of life by searching for key principles of optimization in different material form, including the prebiotic origin of proto-cells, the emergence of culture, economic, and legal institutions, and the reproduction of software agents.
The Evolutionary Fate of Mitochondrial Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetases in Amitochondrial Organisms
Authors: Igloi Gabor L.
Published: July 2021

During the endosymbiotic evolution of mitochondria, the genes for aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases were transferred to the ancestral nucleus. A further reduction of mitochondrial function resulted in mitochondrion-related organisms (MRO) with a loss of the organelle genome. The fate of the now redundant ancestral mitochondrial aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase genes is uncertain. The derived protein sequence for arginyl-tRNA synthetase from thirty mitosomal organisms have been classified as originating from the ancestral nuclear or mitochondrial gene and compared to the identity element at position 20 of the cognate tRNA that distinguishes the two enzyme forms. The evolutionary choice between loss and retention of the ancestral mitochondrial gene for arginyl-tRNA synthetase reflects the coevolution of arginyl-tRNA synthetase and tRNA identity elements.
Quantitative flow ratio (QFR) identifies functional relevance of non-culprit lesions in coronary angiographies of patients with acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Milzi Andrea , Dettori Rosalia , Marx Nikolaus , Reith Sebastian , Burgmaier Mathias
Published: July 2021

Introduction

In patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and multivessel coronary disease, revascularization of non-culprit lesions guided by proof of ischemia usually requires staged ischemia testing. Quantitative flow ratio (QFR) has been shown to be effective in assessing the hemodynamic relevance of lesions in stable coronary disease. However, its suitability in AMI patients is unknown. In this study, we tested the diagnostic value of QFR based on acute angiograms (aQFR) during AMI to assess the hemodynamic relevance of non-culprit lesions.

Methods

We retrospectively assessed the diagnostic efficiency of aQFR in 280 vessels from 220 patients, comparing it with staged ischemia testing using elective coronary angiography with FFR (n = 47), stress cardiac MRI (n = 200) or SPECT (n = 33).

Results

aQFR showed a very good diagnostic efficiency (AUC = 0.887, 95% CI 0.832–0.943, p < 0.001) in predicting ischemia of non-culprit lesions, significantly superior to coronary lesion’s geometry as assessed by quantitative coronary angiography. The optimal cut-off for aQFR to predict ischemia was 0.80 (sensitivity = 83.7%, specificity = 86.1%). Maintaining a predefined level of 95% sensitivity and specificity, we created a decision model based on aQFR: lesions with aQFR ≤ 0.75 should be treated, lesions with aQFR ≥ 0.92 do not yield any hemodynamic relevance, and lesions in the “grey zone” (aQFR 0.75–0.92) benefit from further ischemia testings. This model would allow to reduce staged ischemia tests by 46.8% without a relevant loss in diagnostic efficiency.

Conclusion

Our data demonstrate that aQFR allows an effective assessment of hemodynamic relevance of non-culprit lesions in AMI and may guide interventions of non-culprit coronary lesions.

Graphic abstract
Rückgewinnung von Wertstoffen aus Elektrokleingeräten
Authors: Beigl P. , Salhofer S.
Published: July 2021

Das von der Europäischen Union 2017 beschlossene Kreislaufwirtschaftspaket sieht mehrere Strategien zur besseren Nutzung von Ressourcen vor. Neben der nachhaltigen Produktgestaltung und Maßnahmen zur Verringerung des Abfallaufkommens ist eine Intensivierung der Verwertung und die Schließung von Stoffkreisläufen ein wesentlicher Ansatz. Die Erhöhung der Recyclingziele wird insbesondere in ressourcenintensiven Branchen angestrebt, neben Kunststoffen, Textilien und dem Bauwesen spielt hier die Elektronikbranche eine wichtige Rolle. Bei der Verwertung von Elektroaltgeräten stellt die Sammelkategorie der Elektrokleingeräte eine besondere Herausforderung dar, diese Sammelkategorie ist heterogen, die einzelnen Gerätearten unterscheiden sich deutlich in ihrem Aufbau und ihrem Gehalt an Wertstoffen. Zusätzlich wird diese Gerätekategorie an Bedeutung gewinnen, da es einer der am schnellsten wachsenden Abfallströme in der EU ist. Die Verwertung besteht typischerweise aus Vorbehandlung (Demontage und Schadstoffentfrachtung, Zerkleinerung und Trennen von Materialströmen), Rückgewinnung von Sekundärressourcen in Form von Materialien (Eisen und Stahl, Nichteisenmetalle wie Aluminium und Kupfer) und Energie sowie der Entsorgung nicht verwertbarer Materialien. Die Optimierung von Verfahren zur Aufbereitung erfordert umfassendere Datengrundlagen zur Charakterisierung dieses heterogenen Abfallstroms. Der Beitrag stellt eine Methode vor, wie die Materialzusammensetzung von Elektrokleingeräten nach Gerätegruppen genauer abgebildet werden kann und wie diese Daten zur Optimierung der Vorbehandlung genutzt werden können.