bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The potential benefit of leptin therapy against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Authors: Ferrer‐Donato Agueda , Contreras Ana , Fernandez Paloma , Fernandez‐Martos Carmen M.
Published: December 2021

Background

Targeting leptin could represent a rational strategy to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), as previously clinical studies have shown its levels to be associated with a lower risk of ALS disease. However, very little is known about the potential influence of leptin in altering disease progression in ALS, as it has thus far been correlated with the protection exerted by increased fat mass stores.

Methods

We studied the impact of leptin treatment beginning at 42‐days of age (asymptomatic stage of disease) in the TDP‐43 (TDP43A315T) transgenic (Tg) ALS mouse model.

Results

Our study shows that leptin treatment was associated with altered expression of adipokines and metabolic proteins in TDP43A315T mice. We also observed that weight loss decline was less prominent after leptin treatment in TDP43A315T mice relative to vehicle‐treated animals. In TDP43A315T mice treated with leptin the disease duration lasted longer along with an improvement in motor performance relative to vehicle‐treated animals.

Conclusions

Collectively, our results support leptin as a potential novel treatment approach for ALS.
Early implementation of a perioperative nutrition support pathway for patients undergoing esophagectomy for esophageal cancer
Authors: Carr Rebecca A. , Harrington Caitlin , Stella Christina , Glauner Diana , Kenny Erin , Russo Lianne M. , Garrity Meghan J. , Bains Manjit S. , Sihag Smita , Jones David R. , Molena Daniela
Published: December 2021

Background

Unintentional weight loss and malnutrition are associated with poorer prognosis in patients with cancer. Risk of cancer‐associated malnutrition is highest among patients with esophageal cancer (EC) and has been repeatedly shown to be an independent risk factor for worse survival in these patients. Implementation of nutrition protocols may reduce postoperative weight loss and enhance recovery in these patients.

Methods

We retrospectively identified all patients who underwent Ivor Lewis esophagectomy for EC from January 2015 to August 2019 from a prospectively collected institutional database. Patients who underwent surgery after the implementation of this protocol (September 2017–August 2019) were compared with patients who underwent resection before protocol implementation (January 2015–July 2017). Patients undergoing surgery during the month of protocol initiation were excluded.

Results

Of the 404 patients included in our study, 217 were in the preprotocol group, and 187 were in the postprotocol group. Compared with the preprotocol group, there were significant reductions in length of hospital stay (p < 0.001), time to diet initiation (p < 0.001), time to feeding tube removal (p = 0.012), and postoperative weight loss (p = 0.002) in the postprotocol group. There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications, 30‐day readmission, or mortality rates between groups.

Conclusions

Results of the present study suggest a standardized perioperative nutrition protocol may prevent unintentional weight loss and improve postoperative outcomes in patients with EC undergoing resection.
Psychotherapists’ psychological well‐being: The role of epistemic orientation and emotion regulation
Authors: Palma Emanuel Missias Silva , Gondim Sônia Maria Guedes
Published: December 2021

Psychotherapists’ mental health has been traditionally associated with the harmful consequences of clinical practice. In contrast to this dominant model, a growing body of research in positive psychology has sparked an interest in therapists’ positive well‐being. The main objective of this study was to examine the relations between therapists’ epistemic orientation modes, emotion regulation strategies and psychological well‐being (PWB). This was a cross‐sectional study in which participants were 674 therapists (78.5% women), with a mean age of 42.02 years (SD = 13.06). Therapists completed an online questionnaire containing self‐report measures of all study variables. Structural equation modelling using latent variables was performed to test the study hypotheses. Results revealed no significant direct effects of epistemic orientation on PWB. Up‐ and downregulation strategies had the most substantial direct effects on total PWB. Furthermore, emotion regulation mediated the association between therapists’ epistemic orientation modes and PWB, accounting for 57% of the variance in the outcome variable. Implications for training, practice and therapist self‐care are discussed.
Dual‐Inhibition of Human N‐Myristoyltransferase Subtypes Halts Common Cold Pathogenesis: Atomistic Perspectives from the Case of IMP‐1088**
Authors: Agoni Clement , Salifu Elliasu Y. , Enslin Gill , Kwofie Samuel K. , Soliman Mahmoud E.
Published: December 2021

The pharmacological inhibition of human N‐myristoyltransferase (HsNMT) has emerged as an efficient strategy to completely prevent the replication process of rhinoviruses, a potential treatment for the common cold. This was corroborated by the recent discovery of compound IMP‐1088, a novel inhibitor that demonstrated a dual‐inhibitory activity against the two HsNMT subtypes 1 and 2 without inducing cytotoxicity. However, the molecular and structural basis for the dual‐inhibitory potential of IMP‐1088 has not been investigated. As such, we employ molecular modelling techniques to resolve the structural mechanisms that account for the dual‐inhibitory prowess of IMP‐1088. Sequence and nanosecond‐based analyses identified Tyr296, Phe190, Tyr420, Leu453, Gln496, Val181, Leu474, Glu182, and Asn246 as residues common within the binding pockets of both HsNMT1 and HsNMT2 subtypes whose consistent interactions with IMP‐1088 underpin the basis for its dual inhibitory potency. Nano‐second‐based assessment of interaction dynamics revealed that Tyr296 consistently elicited high‐affinity π‐π stacked interaction with IMP‐1088, thus further highlighting its cruciality corroborating previous report. An exploration of resulting structural changes upon IMP‐1088 binding further revealed a characteristic impeding of residue fluctuations, structural compactness, and a consequential burial of crucial hydrophobic residues, features required for HsNMT1/2 functionality. Findings present essential structural perspectives that augment previous experimental efforts and could also advance drug development for treating respiratory tract infections, especially those mediated by rhinoviruses.
Anti‐Inflammatory and Antimicrobial Activities of Fermented Ocimum sanctum Linn. Extracts against Skin and Scalp Microorganisms
Authors: Chaiyana Wantida , Punyoyai Chanun , Sriyab Suwannee , Prommaban Adchara , Sirilun Sasithorn , Maitip Jakkrawut , Chantawannakul Panuwan , Neimkhum Waranya , Anuchapreeda Songyot
Published: December 2021

This study aimed to revealed anti‐inflammatory and antimicrobial activities of fermented Ocimum sanctum Linn. (FE). The fermentation process with Lactobacillus plantarum was compared with the solvent extraction methods. Antimicrobial activity against the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Propionibacterium acnes, Candida albicans, and Malassezia furfur was investigated via broth dilution method. High performance thin layer chromatography was used to determine eugenol content. The anti‐inflammation was investigated by means of nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) expression inhibition by Western blot analysis. FE yielded the highest amount (11.93 % w/w), the highest eugenol content (39.3±12.6 % w/w), and the highest antimicrobial activities comparing to the extracts obtained from the solvent extractions. The fungal inhibition against M. furfur 656 was equivalent to that of ketoconazole. Furthermore, the bacterial inhibition on S. aureus and S. epidermidis was compared to that of Penicillin G at minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.125 mg/mL and 0.25 mg/mL, respectively. Interestingly, FE had lower MIC and minimum bactericidal concentration against P. acnes than Penicillin G and also possessed comparable anti‐inflammatory activity to indomethacin with the NF‐κB suppression of 42.7±4.6 %. Therefore, FE are potentially natural anti‐inflammation and antimicrobial agents for topical applications in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
The Two‐Steps Reaction Fluorescent Probe for the Selective Detection of Cysteine and Its Applications**
Authors: Liu Xueliang , Wei Haiyuan , Yan Mengdi , Hai Guangfan , Li Qin , Yan Ruifang , Zhao Shan , Zhao Xiaoxia , Sun Xiaoqing , Zhang Tao
Published: December 2021

We reported the specific fluorescent probe (MC‐BOD‐XDS) with two‐steps reaction based on monosulfanyl‐coumarin‐BODIPY for selective detection of cysteine, high activity sulfanyl‐coumarin as the multiple reaction group instead of a group internal standard fluorophore. The reaction mechanism of MC‐BOD‐XDS for detecting cysteine was different from the reported probes about the nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction (SNAr) of chlorinated BODIPY. The fluorescent color of MC‐BOD‐XDS changed from yellow to red, and then to orange. The linear calibration diagram showed that it can potentially be used for quantitatively detection of Cys. Its potential applications were demonstrated by employing it for detection of Cys in artificial urine and in fluorescent imaging in HeLa cells.
Malignant transformation of mature cystic teratoma into undifferentiated carcinoma: A case report
Authors: Aryal Vinayak , Maharjan Rubina , Singh Moushami , Marhatta Adwait , Bajracharya Anu , Dhakal Hari Prasad
Published: December 2021

Malignant transformation of mature cystic teratoma (MCTO) is a rare entity. Even rarer is the transformation of MCTO into undifferentiated carcinoma. We report a case of an 80‐year‐old woman with undifferentiated carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma component originating from mature cystic teratoma of the ovary.
Transition‐Metal‐Mediated Glycosylation with Thioglycosides
Authors: Escopy Samira , Demchenko Alexei V.
Published: December 2021

Thioglycosides are among the most common glycosyl donors that find broad application in the synthesis of glycans and glycoconjugates. However, the requirement for toxic and/or large access of activators needed for common glycosylations with thioglycosides remains a notable drawback. Due to the increased awareness of the chemical waste impact on the environment, synthetic studies have been driven by the goal of finding non‐toxic reagents. The main focus of this review is to highlight recent methods for thioglycoside activation that rely on transition metal catalysis.
Comparative Study of Nitro‐ and Azide‐Functionalized ZnII‐Based Coordination Polymers (CPs) as Fluorescent Turn‐On Probes for Rapid and Selective Detection of H2S in Living Cells
Authors: Saha Subhajit , Roy Pritam Kumar , Maity Kartik , Mandal Mahitosh , Biradha Kumar
Published: December 2021

Selective detection of H2S in the cellular systems using fluorescent CPs/MOFs is of great scientific interest due to their outstanding aqueous stability, biocompatibility and real‐time detection ability. Fabrication of such materials using complete biologically essential elements and applying them as an efficient biosensor is still quite challenging. In this context, two newly synthesized CPs containing biologically essential metal ion (Zn) and nitro/azido functional groups into the framework to sense extracellular and intracellular H2S by reducing into respective amines are presented. The CP‐1 containing the azide group acted as an efficient fluorescent turn‐on probe with the lowest detection limit (7.2 μM) and shortest response time (30 s) among the Zn‐based probes reported till date. Moreover, CP‐1 exhibited green luminescence in live cells after imaging a very low concentration of H2S, whereas the nitro analogue CP‐2 could not detect the target analyte due to its framework disruption.
Tunable Surface Electric Field of Electrocatalysts via Constructing Schottky Heterojunctions for Selective Conversion of Trash Ions to Treasures
Authors: Zhang Shi‐Nan , Gao Peng , Sun Lu‐Han , Chen Jie‐Sheng , Li Xin‐Hao
Published: December 2021

Surface electric field of catalyst is widely recognized as one of the key points to boost catalytic activity. However, there is still a lack of convenient ways to tune the surface electric field to selectively boost the catalytic conversions of different types of reactants in specific catalytic reactions. Here, we introduce a conceptually new method to tune the surface electric field of electrode materials by adjusting the number and density of heterojunctions inside. Both theoretical and experimental results prove that the well‐designed surface electric field of an electrocatalyst plays a key role in facilitating pre‐adsorption and/or activation of reactants for selective conversion of trash ions to useful products in hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions as well as NOx− reduction reactions.
Interstitial Hydrides in Nanoclusters can Reduce M(I) (M=Cu, Ag, Au) to M(0) and Form Stable Superatoms
Authors: van Zyl Werner E. , Liu C. W.
Published: December 2021

High‐nuclearity clusters resemble the closest model between the determination of atomically precise chemical species and the bulk metallic version thereof, and both impacts on a variety of applications, including catalysis, optics, sensors, and new energy sources. Our interest lies with the nanoclusters of the Group 11 (Cu, Ag, Au) metals stabilized by dichalcogenido and hydrido ligands. Herein, we describe superatoms formed by the clusters and their relationship with precursor hydrido clusters. Specifically, our concept seeks to demonstrate a possible correlation that exist between hydrido clusters (and nanoalloys) and the formation of superatoms, with the loss of hydrides and typically with release of H2 gas. These reactions appear to be internal self‐redox reactions and require no additional reducing agent, but does seem to require a similar core structure. Knowledge of such processes could provide insight into how clusters grow and an understanding in bridging the atomically precise cluster – metal nanoparticle mechanism.
Molecular enantiodiscrimination by NMR spectroscopy in chiral oriented systems: Concept, tools, and applications
Authors: Aroulanda Christie , Lesot Philippe
Published: December 2021

The study of enantiodiscriminations in relation to various facets of enantiomorphism (chirality/prochirality) and/or molecular symmetry is an exciting area of modern organic chemistry and an ongoing challenge for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopists who have developed many useful analytical approaches to solve stereochemical problems. Among them, the anisotropic NMR using chiral aligning solvents has provided a set of new and original tools by making accessible all intramolecular, order‐dependent NMR interactions (anisotropic interactions), such as residual chemical shift anisotropy (RCSA), residual dipolar coupling (RDC), and residual quadrupolar coupling (RQC) for spin I > 1/2, while preserving high spectral resolution. The force of NMR in enantiopure, oriented solvents lies on its ability to orient differently in average on the NMR timescale enantiomers of chiral molecules and enantiotopic elements of prochiral ones, leading distinct NMR spectra or signals to be detected. In this compendium mainly written for all chemists playing with (pro)chirality, we overview various key aspects of NMR in weakly aligning chiral solvents as the lyotropic liquid crystals (LLCs), in particular those developed in France to study (pro)chiral compounds in relation with chemists needs: study of enantiopurity of mixture, stereochemistry, natural isotopic fractionation, as well as molecular conformation and configuration. Key representative examples covering the diversity of enantiomorphism concept, and the main and most recent applications illustrating the analytical potential of this NMR in polypeptide‐based chiral liquid crystals (CLCs) are examined. The latest analytical strategy developed to determine in‐solution conformational distribution of flexibles solutes using NMR in polypeptide‐based aligned solvents is also proposed.
BUSCO: Assessing Genomic Data Quality and Beyond
Authors: Manni Mosè , Berkeley Matthew R. , Seppey Mathieu , Zdobnov Evgeny M.
Published: December 2021

Evaluation of the quality of genomic “data products” such as genome assemblies or gene sets is of critical importance in order to recognize possible issues and correct them during the generation of new data. It is equally essential to guide subsequent or comparative analyses with existing data, as the correct interpretation of the results necessarily requires knowledge about the quality level and reliability of the inputs. Using datasets of near universal single‐copy orthologs derived from OrthoDB, BUSCO can estimate the completeness and redundancy of genomic data by providing biologically meaningful metrics based on expected gene content. These can complement technical metrics such as contiguity measures (e.g., number of contigs/scaffolds, and N50 values). Here, we describe the use of the BUSCO tool suite to assess different data types that can range from genome assemblies of single isolates and assembled transcriptomes and annotated gene sets to metagenome‐assembled genomes where the taxonomic origin of the species is unknown. BUSCO is the only tool capable of assessing all these types of sequences from both eukaryotic and prokaryotic species. The protocols detail the various BUSCO running modes and the novel workflows introduced in versions 4 and 5, including the batch analysis on multiple inputs, the auto‐lineage workflow to run assessments without specifying a dataset, and a workflow for the evaluation of (large) eukaryotic genomes. The protocols further cover the BUSCO setup, guidelines to interpret the results, and BUSCO “plugin” workflows for performing common operations in genomics using BUSCO results, such as building phylogenomic trees and visualizing syntenies. © 2021 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.

[Correction added on May 16, 2022, after first online publication: CSAL funding statement has been added.]

Basic Protocol 1: Assessing an input sequence with a BUSCO dataset specified manually

Basic Protocol 2: Assessing an input sequence with a dataset automatically selected by BUSCO

Basic Protocol 3: Assessing multiple inputs

Alternate Protocol: Decreasing analysis runtime when assessing a large number of small genomes with BUSCO auto‐lineage workflow and Snakemake

Support Protocol 1: BUSCO setup

Support Protocol 2: Visualizing BUSCO results

Support Protocol 3: Building phylogenomic trees
Keeping it Green
Authors: Smith David J.
Published: December 2021

Famous for 15 volumes: ChemSusChem Editor in Chief David Smith introduces Volume 15 of the journal, reflects on the last 12 months, and looks ahead to what will happen in 2022, as well as reporting some changes at Chemistry Europe and introducing a new Chair of the ChemSusChem Editorial Board.
A reduction in the vascular smooth muscle cell focal adhesion component syndecan‐4 is associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm formation
Authors: Hu Jiaxin , Li Yuyu , Wei Zhonghai , Chen Haiting , Sun Xuan , Zhou Qing , Zhang Qi , Yin Yong , Guo Meng , Chen Jianzhou , Zhai Guangyao , Xu Biao , Xie Jun
Published: December 2021

Background

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a serious vascular disease for which there is no effective drug treatment. The incidence of AAA increases significantly as a subject ages, and the molecular mechanism of AAA formation remains elusive. In the present study, we investigated the role of syndecan‐4 (SDC4), an important component of focal adhesions, in AAA formation and its association with phenotypic changes in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).

Methods and results

The protein expression levels of SDC4 were significantly decreased in human AAA tissue and those of an AAA mouse model. Moreover, SDC4 knockout (KO) in mice accelerated the formation and rupture of AAAs induced by angiotensin II (Ang II) and calcium chloride (CaCl2)

Mechanistically, the decrease in SDC4 led to the transformation of cultured VSMCs from a contractile to a secretory phenotype. The RhoA‐F/G‐actin‐myocardin‐related transcription factor‐A (MRTF‐A) signalling pathway was shown to be involved in SDC4‐dependent VSMC alteration. Sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P), a G‐protein‐coupled receptor, attenuated the AAA formation in SDC4‐KO and wild‐type (WT) mice in response to Ang II and CaCl2 stimulation.

Conclusion

We herein demonstrated that silencing SDC4 was associated with increased AAA formation and phenotypic changes in VSMCs via the RhoA‐F/G‐actin‐MRTF‐A pathway. These findings indicated that a reduction in SDC4 expression was an important pathological alteration and potential therapeutic target for AAA formation.
METTL1‐m7G‐EGFR/EFEMP1 axis promotes the bladder cancer development
Authors: Ying Xiaoling , Liu Bixia , Yuan Zusen , Huang Yapeng , Chen Cong , Jiang Xu , Zhang Haiqing , Qi Defeng , Yang Shulan , Lin Shuibin , Luo Junhang , Ji Weidong
Published: December 2021

Background

The posttranscriptional modifications of transfer RNA (tRNA) are critical for all aspects of the tRNA function and have been implicated in the tumourigenesis and progression of many human cancers. By contrast, the biological functions of methyltransferase‐like 1 (METTL1)‐regulated m7G tRNA modification in bladder cancer (BC) remain obscure.

Results

In this research, we show that METTL1 was highly expressed in BC, and its level was correlated with poor patient prognosis. Silencing METTL1 suppresses the proliferation, migration and invasion of BC cells in vitro and in vivo. Multi‐omics analysis reveals that METTL1‐mediated m7G tRNA modification altered expression of certain target genes, including EGFR/EFEMP1. Mechanistically, METTL1 regulates the translation of EGFR/EFEMP1 via modifying certain tRNAs. Furthermore, forced expression of EGFR/EFEMP1 partially rescues the effect of METTL1 deletion on BC cells.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate the oncogenic role of METTL1 and the pathological significance of the METTL1‐m7G‐EGFR/EFEMP1 axis in the BC development, thus providing potential therapeutic targets for the BC treatment.
Biobank Participants’ Attitudes toward Requiring Understanding for Biobank Consent
Authors: Kasperbauer T.J. , Halverson Colin , Garcia Abigail , Schmidt Karen K. , Schwartz Peter H.
Published: December 2021

Biobank participants often do not understand the information they are provided during the informed consent process. Ethicists and other stakeholders have disagreed, however, on the appropriate response to these failures in understanding. This paper describes an attempt to address this issue by conducting knowledge tests with 22 recent biobank enrollees, followed by in‐depth, semistructured interviews about the goal of understanding in biobank consent. The interviews revealed that while biobank enrollees thought the information on the knowledge test was important, they did not think that performance on the test should affect whether individuals are permitted to enroll in a biobank. Three main themes emerged from the interviews: helping others by contributing to research is more important than understanding consent forms, less understanding is required because biobank‐based research is low risk, and only a small amount of information in the consent form is really essential. These perspectives should be considered in discussing the ethics and governance of biobank consent processes.
Standard metabolic rate does not associate with age‐at‐maturity genotype in juvenile Atlantic salmon
Authors: Åsheim Eirik R. , Prokkola Jenni M. , Morozov Sergey , Aykanat Tutku , Primmer Craig R.
Published: December 2021

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) is a species with diverse life‐history strategies, to which the timing of maturation contributes considerably. Recently, the genome region including the gene vgll3 has gained attention as a locus with a large effect on Atlantic salmon maturation timing, and recent studies on the vgll3 locus in salmon have indicated that its effect might be mediated through body condition and accumulation of adipose tissue. However, the cellular and physiological pathways leading from vgll3 genotype to phenotype are still unknown. Standard metabolic rate is a potentially important trait for resource acquisition and assimilation and we hypothesized that this trait, being a proxy for the maintenance energy expenditure of an individual, could be an important link in the pathway from vgll3 genotype to maturation timing phenotype. As a first step to studying links between vgll3 and the metabolic phenotype of Atlantic salmon, we measured the standard metabolic rate of 150 first‐year Atlantic salmon juveniles of both sexes, originating from 14 different families with either late‐maturing or early‐maturing vgll3 genotypes. No significant difference in mass‐adjusted standard metabolic rate was detected between individuals with different vgll3 genotypes, indicating that juvenile salmon of different vgll3 genotypes have similar maintenance energy requirements in the experimental conditions used and that the effects of vgll3 on body condition and maturation are not strongly related to maintenance energy expenditure in either sex at this life stage.
A review of spatial capture–recapture: Ecological insights, limitations, and prospects
Authors: Tourani Mahdieh
Published: December 2021

First described by Efford (2004), spatial capture–recapture (SCR) has become a popular tool in ecology. Like traditional capture–recapture, SCR methods account for imperfect detection when estimating ecological parameters. In addition, SCR methods use the information inherent in the spatial configuration of individual detections, thereby allowing spatially explicit estimation of population parameters, such as abundance, survival, and recruitment. Paired with advances in noninvasive survey methods, SCR has been applied to a wide range of species across different habitats, allowing for population‐ and landscape‐level inferences with direct consequences for conservation and management. I conduct a literature review of SCR studies published since the first description of the method and provide an overview of their scope in terms of the ecological questions answered with this tool, taxonomic groups targeted, geography, spatio‐temporal extent of analyses, and data collection methods. In addition, I review approaches for analytical implementation and provide an overview of parameters targeted by SCR studies and conclude with current limitations and future directions in SCR methods.
Integrating multi‐method surveys and recovery trajectories into occupancy models
Authors: Barry Brent R. , Moriarty Katie , Green David , Hutchinson Rebecca A. , Levi Taal
Published: December 2021

Conservation and management of animal populations requires knowledge of their occurrence and drivers that influence their distribution. Noninvasive survey methods and occupancy models to account for imperfect detection have become the standard tools for this purpose. Simultaneously addressing both occurrence and occurrence–environment relationships, however, presents multiple challenges, particularly for species with reduced ranges or those recovering from historical declines. Here, we present a comprehensive framework to satisfy the assumption of organism–environment equilibrium, map the range of a species, incorporate camera traps and detection dogs as complementary data sources, and make inference about wildlife space use at multiple scales. To meet these goals, we developed a Bayesian spatial occupancy model for Pacific fishers (Pekania pennanti) in Oregon using data from a large‐scale (64,280 km2) empirical effort combining 1240 camera traps (74,219 trap nights) and 196 detector dog surveys (3 × 3 km units, survey average = 17.3 km/unit). We deployed this model with and without a geoadditive term to improve predicted range map generation and covariate inference, respectively. We used reaction–diffusion models to project recovery trajectories to determine both plausible spatial extents for inclusion in our occupancy model and whether the current distribution can be explained by time‐limited population expansion from historical refugia. To assess nonstationary effects where species–habitat relationships vary spatially, we fit separate models within distinct ecological regions. We confirmed the presence of the native and introduced fisher populations, but populations occupy less area than previously believed. The spatial extent of the introduced population was less than expected except under our lowest growth model, suggesting limiting factors were preventing population expansion. The native population extent matched expectations under several growth scenarios, suggesting that the contemporary distribution is plausibly due to time‐limited expansion. The relationship of fisher occupancy to environmental covariates varied with scale, spatial extent, and ecological region, but fishers consistently selected for old forests at fine spatial scales in the detection model across spatial extents and detection modalities. Collectively, we provide an integration of camera traps and detection dogs into spatial occupancy models and demonstrate how to generate plausible spatial extents to improve inferences for species recovering from range contractions.
Synthesis, Structure and Properties of a New Strong‐Rung Spin Ladder Compound Cu(2‐Ethylpyrazine)Br2
Authors: Li Ling‐Li , Ding Fei , Zheng Hui , Pan Bing‐Ying
Published: December 2021

We report the structure and magnetism of a newly synthesized coordination polymer Cu(2‐ethylpyrazine)Br2. Its crystal structure was determined by both single crystal and powder X‐ray diffractions. We find the compound crystallizes in the space group C2 with a ladder structure in which the copper ions are bridged by bromide ions and 2‐ethylpyrazine molecules along the rung and rail direction, respectively. The magnetic susceptibility is consistent with the strong‐rung spin ladder model which yields Jrung/kB=−33.819(1) K, Jrail/kB=−25.206(3) K. The obtained spin gap is Δ=18.01 K. Both magnetic susceptibility and heat capacity measurements show the absence of low range magnetic order down to 2 K, indicating weak inter‐ladder coupling in the compound.
Development of a Diamond Nanoparticles‐based Nanosensor for Detection and Determination of Antiviral Drug Favipiravir
Authors: Kanbeş Dindar Çiğdem , Bozal‐Palabiyik Burcin , Uslu Bengi
Published: December 2021

This study developed a nanosensor for the detection and determination of favipiravir, a presumed drug that has potential therapeutic efficacy in treating COVID‐19 patients, from tablets and serum samples. This nanosensor was obtained by adding the optimum amount of diamond nanoparticles into carbon paste. For the determination of favipiravir adsorptive stripping differential pulse (AdSDPV) and adsorptive stripping square wave voltammetry (AdSSWV) were used. Limit of detection values were found as 4.83×10−9 M and 2.44×10−7 M for bulk and 5.18×10−8 M and 4.38×10−8 M for serum samples using AdSDPV and AdSSWV, respectively. Recovery studies made of the tablet and serum produced satisfactory results.
The combined influence of polythiophene side chains and electrolyte anions on organic electrochemical transistors
Authors: Wagner Justine , Song Yunjia , Lee Taein , Katz Howard E.
Published: December 2021

Polythiophenes with differently functionalized side chains (alkyl, oligoethylene oxide, ester, hydroxy, and carboxylic acid) and varied counter ions of potassium salt electrolytes were investigated in organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs). In addition, mixed blends were investigated to evaluate any synergistic effects between functionalities. Depending on the functional moiety attached, a large shift to lower potentials of Vth, an increase in drain current, and an increase in transconductance can be observed compared to the base combination of alkyl side chain and Cl−. The newly designed and synthesized hydroxy polymer displayed stability to large shifts in VTH, a slight increase in drain current, and little or no increase in transconductance when an ionic radius of the dopant is increased until a much larger anion, large polarizability, and low hydration number such as TSFI− was used. The acid‐functionalized polymer, on the other hand, had the same magnitude in shift with respect to any anion that is larger than Cl−. The polymers were characterized by spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, thermal analysis, and cyclic voltammetry. This work demonstrates that side‐chain engineering can result in substantial differences in the level of interaction in the electrolyte that would require tailoring the ion for specific polymer interactions.
Assessment of the economic efficiency of energy‐saving projects, methodology based on simple and compound methods
Authors: Szafranko Elżbieta
Published: December 2021

Among different engineering projects, there are ones intended to improve the energy‐saving properties of buildings. Both new and much older buildings undergoing refurbishment can be involved. Broadly understood energy‐saving projects increasingly often entail renewable energy installations. Every implementation of such an investment project needs to be preceded by an assessment of its economic efficiency. Although the literature provides examples of methods which can serve this purpose, a coherent methodological approach seems lacking. In this article, the author proposes methodology based on several simple and compound methods combined into a schematic assessment procedure. The methodology is presented as applied in a case of typical photovoltaic roof installation to generate electricity for a single‐family house. The assessment procedure consists of a few steps leading from a preliminary to a more detailed appraisal. The first stage is an analysis of the projected cash flows, which in this case demonstrated that the payback would appear after 9 years. Next, a more precise evaluation showed that the payback period in this investment could be expected after 7.8 years. The following stages of calculations take into account the time value of money, having included a discount rate (discount rate 5%, the planned investment would be profitable). The next step, where the aim was to compute the internal rate of return, showed at what threshold value of the discount rate the investment would continue to yield profit (The IRR = 11.43%). It is extremely valuable information as it reveals the safety margin for the investment. The methodology discussed in this paper, which consists of a complex approach to an assessment of investments, especially in renewable energy sources, can yield much better outcomes than evaluations based on single methods, applied separately.
An ordered crossover based approach to designing labeling diversity mappers
Authors: Solwa Shaheen
Published: December 2021

Genetic algorithms (GAs) are population‐based search optimization techniques that mimic the process of evolution and natural selection. GAs are an effective way of finding feasible solutions to complex problems. Recently, GAs were applied to the labeling diversity (LD) problem that produced local optimal mappers for M‐QAM, M‐PSK, and M‐APSK constellations. However, the GA did not implement biological processes during the mating process; hence it could not be classified as a GA, but rather a genetic‐inspired algorithm (GIA). In this article, we investigate the application of six distinct crossover techniques to further improve the GIAs ability to produce more closer‐to‐optimal mapper designs. By using biological crossover techniques, offspring produced acquires genetic diversity from parent chromosomes. Single parent crossover techniques do not produce diversified offspring, thus diversity being acquired only by mutation. The Davis ordered crossover (OX1) was chosen as a suitable technique to be applied to the proposed GA. The proposed GA was tested on 16QAM, 16PSK, 16APSK, and three 16APSK constellations that do not exhibit diagonal symmetry. In the case of the 16QAM and 16PSK constellations, the proposed GA matched but did not improve upon existing mapper designs. In the case of the 16APSK and 11+5APSK constellations, the proposed GA produced mapper designs exhibited diversity gains of dB over the existing GIA mapper designs at the BER of. The asymmetric 16APSK and single symmetry 16APSK constellations exhibited diversity gains ofand dB over existing GIA mapper designs at the BER ofand. More significantly, the proposed GA achieved a significant improvement in time complexity. However, the proposed GA was shown to have higher computational complexity ofover the GIA with a complexity of. Mutation rate studies have shown that for single‐parent crossover techniques, higher mutation rates are needed, thus making the process is purely random. In the case of the two‐parent crossover technique, randomness is reduced and genetic diversity is increased, hence lower mutation rates were required due to a more guided search.
Autoregressive moving average based anycast with support vector machine clustering in mobile ad‐hoc networks
Authors: Ghosh Subhankar , Banerjee Anuradha , Sufian Abu , Gupta Sachin Kumar
Published: December 2021

Nodes in mobile ad‐hoc networks (MANETs) are battery‐powered, therefore, need energy‐efficient techniques to cut down the cost of energy consumption. Energy consumption is directly related to route discovery, which could be reduced through anycasting. Anycast is an operation in MANETs, where the source sends messages to one particular destination node of anycast region. In general, the message transmitted is divided into certain packets, and those are transmitted continuously one after the other through selected routes. If the link from anycast source to destination breaks in between or an anycast destination goes out of the anycast region, in that case, a new anycast destination will have to be selected on a new route to the destination. This will incur huge message costs and energy. In this work, we select desirable anycast destinations based on their eligibility by using autoregressive moving average and support vector machine. Eligibility is modeled as a function of residual energy, location, the relative velocity concerning neighbors, and the number of packets successfully forwarded earlier by those neighbors' locations. Reducing the number of anycast receivers reduces the message cost of protocols significantly. We have compared our protocol's performance with the same of anycast‐AODV, anycast‐DSR, anycast‐FAIR, and MQAR (mobility and QoS‐aware anycast routing protocol) results show significant improvement. Collective improvement amounts to 89% more energy preservation and 39% delay on average.
Elemental and isotopic evidence for the presence of a microbial thriving environment during the deposition of Early Cambrian Xiaoerbulake Formation in the Tarim Basin, NW China
Authors: Feng Yunxian , Li Zhong
Published: December 2021

Microbial communities regained prominence in the Cambrian after a prolonged downturn in the Neoproterozoic, but the reasons for their revival are unclear. The earliest microbialites formed during this period within the Tarim Basin are well displayed in the Xiaoerbulake Formation in the Keping area. Major, trace, rare earth element (REE) analyses were carried out using samples collected from two sections of the Xiaoerbulake Formation which present two different palaeogeographical settings, namely, the intraplatform and platform margin. The samples were divided into seven groups based on their REE + Y (yttrium) distributions. Among these, the YG3, YG4, and PG3 groups correspond to microbial boom phases. The high contents of Al and other nutrient elements (e.g., P, Ni, U, Cu, Fe, Mn) in these three groups indicate that the microbial booms are controlled by nutrient concentration of different sources. In relatively deep‐water settings, aeolian dust and suspension particles modified the seawater geochemical characteristics to form shale‐like (REE + Y)N patterns. The nutrient‐rich fine‐grained deposits were blown up by storms and released nutrients. This eutrophication ultimately promoted microbial development and is demonstrated by light rare earth element enrichment patterns. In shallow‐water environments, microbes seemed to prefer quiet conditions, with sufficient nutrients provided by fluvial influx. In contrast, excess clastic materials inputs, be they carbonate or terrigenous debris, are unfavourable to the development of microbialites. Hence, it is expected that seawater REE preserved in ancient carbonates are capable of providing information on the impacts of seawater geochemical conditions on the evolution of microbialites.
Redundant Functions of ERK1 and ERK2 Maintain Mouse Liver Homeostasis Through Down‐Regulation of Bile Acid Synthesis
Authors: Cingolani Francesca , Liu Yunshan , Shen Yang , Wen Jing , Farris Alton B. , Czaja Mark J.
Published: December 2021

Activation of extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 promotes hepatocyte proliferation in response to growth stimuli, but whether constitutive hepatocyte ERK1/2 signaling functions in liver physiology is unknown. To examine the role of ERK1/2 in hepatic homeostasis, the effects of a knockout of Erk1 and/or Erk2 in mouse liver were examined. The livers of mice with a global Erk1 knockout or a tamoxifen‐inducible, hepatocyte‐specific Erk2 knockout were normal. In contrast, Erk1/2 double‐knockout mice developed hepatomegaly and hepatitis by serum transaminases, histology, terminal deoxynucleotide transferase‐mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end‐labeling, and assays of hepatic inflammation. Liver injury was associated with biochemical evidence of cholestasis with increased serum and hepatic bile acids and led to hepatic fibrosis and mortality. RNA sequencing and polymerase chain reaction analysis of double‐knockout mouse livers revealed that the rate‐limiting bile acid synthesis gene Cyp7a1 (cholesterol 7α‐hydroxylase) was up‐regulated in concert with decreased expression of the transcriptional repressor short heterodimer partner. Elevated bile acids were the mechanism of liver injury, as bile acid reduction by SC‐435, an inhibitor of the ileal apical sodium–dependent bile acid transporter, prevented liver injury. Conclusion: Constitutive ERK1 and ERK2 signaling has a redundant but critical physiological function in the down‐regulation of hepatic bile acid synthesis to maintain normal liver homeostasis.
Planarizable Push‐Pull Probes with Sulfoximine‐Bridged Dithienothiophene Acceptors
Authors: García‐Calvo José , López‐Andarias Javier , Sakai Naomi , Matile Stefan
Published: December 2021

Contrary to sulfides, sulfoxides or sulfones, sulfoximines have been mostly neglected in the design of fluorescent probes until recently. In this study, we elaborate systematically on sulfoximine acceptors in fluorescent flipper probes. Fluorescent flippers have been introduced as mechanosensitive probes to image membrane order and tension. They consist of twisted dithienothiophene dimers with sulfide and sulfone bridges to produce the essential primary dipole of the coupled push‐pull system. The objective of this study was to replace the sulfone acceptor by a series of sulfoximines. This is intriguing as a synthetic challenge and worthwhile because the extra nitrogen substituent offers a variability that is attractive to understand and control the performance of the probes. The new sulfoximine flippers provide corroborative evidence for the importance of the primary dipole of the planarizable push‐pull probe. Partitioning into differently ordered membranes and positioning within these different membranes is shown to correlate directly and dramatically with fluorescence lifetimes and mechanosensitivity. Sufficient partitioning into ordered membranes is confirmed as particularly important to image membrane tension by probe compression in the ground state. Compared to the conventional sulfone homolog, the best sulfoximine flipper has more red‐shifted absorption and emission maxima, longer fluorescence lifetime in cell membranes, and larger difference in lifetime upon application of membrane tension.
Treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with autologous platelets encapsulating sorafenib or lenvatinib: A novel therapy exploiting tumor‐platelet interactions
Authors: Tanaka Hiroki , Horioka Kie , Hasebe Takumu , Sawada Koji , Nakajima Shunsuke , Konishi Hiroaki , Isozaki Shotaro , Goto Masanori , Fujii Yumiko , Kamikokura Yuki , Ogawa Katsuhiro , Nishikawa Yuji
Published: December 2021

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) activates platelets through the action of adjacent sinusoidal cells. Activated platelets bind to tumor‐associated endothelial cells and release growth factors that promote tumor progression. We hypothesized that platelets encapsulated with tumor inhibitors would function as drug carriers for tumor therapy. We propose a therapeutic strategy for HCC using autologous platelets encapsulating multiple tyrosine kinase inhibitors in a rat chemically induced HCC model. Sorafenib or lenvatinib was encapsulated in platelets isolated from tumor‐bearing rats in vitro. The rats were divided into groups that received repeated intravenous injections (twice a week for 10 weeks) of the following materials: placebo, sorafenib (SOR), lenvatinib (LEN), autologous platelets, autologous platelets encapsulating sorafenib (SOR‐PLT) and autologous platelets encapsulating lenvatinib (LEN‐PLT). The therapeutic effect was then analyzed by ultrasonography (US) and histopathological analysis. Histopathological and US analysis demonstrated extensive tumor necrosis in the tumor tissue of SOR‐PLT or LEN‐PLT, but not in other experimental groups. By liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry, more abundant sorafenib was detected in tumor tissues after SOR‐PLT administration than in surrounding normal tissues, but no such difference in sorafenib level was observed with SOR administration. Therefore, the use of autologous platelets encapsulating drugs might be a novel therapeutic strategy for HCC.
Real‐world evidence of adjuvant gemcitabine plus capecitabine vs gemcitabine monotherapy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: de Jong Evelien J. M. , Janssen Quisette P. , Simons Tessa F. A. , Besselink Marc G. , Bonsing Bert A. , Bouwense Stefan A. W. , Geurts Sandra M. E. , Homs Marjolein Y. V. , de Meijer Vincent E. , Tjan‐Heijnen Vivianne C. G. , van Laarhoven Hanneke W. M. , Valkenburg‐van Iersel Liselot B. J. , Wilmink Johanna W. , van der Geest Lydia G. , Koerkamp Bas Groot , de Vos‐Geelen Judith ,   The Dutch Pancreatic Cancer Group
Published: December 2021

The added value of capecitabine to adjuvant gemcitabine monotherapy (GEM) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) was shown by the ESPAC‐4 trial. Real‐world data on the effectiveness of gemcitabine plus capecitabine (GEMCAP), in patients ineligible for mFOLFIRINOX, are lacking. Our study assessed whether adjuvant GEMCAP is superior to GEM in a nationwide cohort. Patients treated with adjuvant GEMCAP or GEM after resection of PDAC without preoperative treatment were identified from The Netherlands Cancer Registry (2015‐2019). The primary outcome was overall survival (OS), measured from start of chemotherapy. The treatment effect of GEMCAP vs GEM was adjusted for sex, age, performance status, tumor size, lymph node involvement, resection margin and tumor differentiation in a multivariable Cox regression analysis. Secondary outcome was the percentage of patients who completed the planned six adjuvant treatment cycles. Overall, 778 patients were included, of whom 21.1% received GEMCAP and 78.9% received GEM. The median OS was 31.4 months (95% CI 26.8‐40.7) for GEMCAP and 22.1 months (95% CI 20.6‐25.0) for GEM (HR: 0.71, 95% CI 0.56‐0.90; logrank P = .004). After adjustment for prognostic factors, survival remained superior for patients treated with GEMCAP (HR: 0.73, 95% CI 0.57‐0.92, logrank P = .009). Survival with GEMCAP was superior to GEM in most subgroups of prognostic factors. Adjuvant chemotherapy was completed in 69.5% of the patients treated with GEMCAP and 62.7% with GEM (P = .11). In this nationwide cohort of patients with PDAC, adjuvant GEMCAP was associated with superior survival as compared to GEM monotherapy and number of cycles was similar.