bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Soil‐test biological activity with the flush of CO2: VI. Economics of optimized nitrogen inputs for corn
Authors: Franzluebbers Alan J. , Shoemaker Robert
Published: March 2020

Standard N fertilizer rates for corn (Zea mays L.) production are often based on yield goal and a simplified N factor. Unfortunately, simplified systems generally ignore management history that affects soil health condition. We analyzed economic return to N fertilizer investment using a soil‐test biological activity (STBA)‐based approach compared with current approaches in the United States, and specifically in North Carolina (NC) and Virginia (VA). The STBA‐based approach addressed management history on 99 fields through cumulative effects on biological activity as an indicator of soil health. Economically optimum N fertilizer rate was determined for each field from replicated, small‐plot trials with four N rates applied to corn at sidedress and using four levels of cost‐to‐value threshold (CVT; i.e., 5, 10, 15, and 20 kg grain kg−1 N). Economic return was often greater using the STBA‐based method compared with current recommendation systems (US$4.10 ± 4.96 ha−1, $23.63 ± 5.30 ha−1, $49.36 ± 5.63 ha−1, and $83.22 ± 6.81 ha−1 with low, medium, high, and very high CVTs, respectively; mean  ±  standard error). Greater STBA led to greater economic return (i.e., $0.03 ha−1 [p = .58], $0.23 ha−1 [p < .001], $0.28 ha−1 [p < .001], and $0.33 ha−1 [p < .001] for every unit increase in STBA [mg kg−1] at low, medium, high, and very high CVTs, respectively). Farmers can increase profit by adopting soil‐health building practices and adjusting N fertilizer inputs in their nutrient management plan in response to conserved nutrient cycling in the biologically active organic fraction.
The hydromechanics in arteriogenesis
Authors: Ma Tianqi , Bai Yong‐Ping
Published: March 2020

Coronary heart diseases are tightly associated with aging. Although current revascularization therapies, such as percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), improve the clinical outcomes of patients with coronary diseases, their application and therapeutic effects are limited in elderly patients. Thus, developing novel therapeutic strategies, like prompting collateral development or the process of arteriogenesis, is necessary for the treatment of the elderly with coronary diseases. Arteriogenesis (ie, the vascular remodeling from pre‐existent arterioles to collateral conductance networks) functions as an essential compensation for tissue hypoperfusion caused by artery occlusion or stenosis, and its mechanisms remain to be elucidated. In this review, we will summarize the roles of the major hydromechanical components in laminar conditions in arteriogenesis, and discuss the potential effects of disturbed flow components in non‐laminar conditions.
Empowering Features and Outcomes of Homeless Interventions: A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis
Authors: O’Shaughnessy Branagh R. , Michelle Greenwood Ronni
Published: March 2020

The purpose of this systematic review and narrative synthesis was to identify homeless interventions with empowering features and evaluate their effectiveness for developing the psychological empowerment of services users. To identify and evaluate intervention studies, we combined the theoretical frameworks of empowering settings and psychological empowerment (PE). Our conceptualization of PE included outcomes aligned with the intrapersonal, interactional, and behavioral components. Relational outcomes were also included and conceptualized as antecedents for PE development. After systematic searching and screening, 37 studies were included for review. Interventions with empowering features included supported housing, case management, skills and knowledge acquisition, and mutual support. Interventions that were competency‐building effectively improved outcomes aligned with the intrapersonal PE component. Interventions that were collaborative and competency‐building effectively improved outcomes aligned with the behavioral PE component. Weak evidence suggested that interventions with empowering features may effectively improve outcomes aligned with the interactional PE component. Interventions that promoted and developed support effectively improved relational antecedents. Findings align the empirical evidence for homeless interventions with theoretical conceptions of empowering features and processes. Findings may be applied to the design and implementation of homeless interventions to incorporate empowering features and to facilitate the development of homeless services users’ PE.

Highlights

Empowerment theory was applied to review homeless interventions literature.

Empowering homeless interventions included supported housing and mutual support, for example.

Empowering interventions contributed to indicators of emotional and behavioral empowerment.

Fewer empowering interventions contributed to indicators of cognitive empowerment.

Service user involvement may facilitate improvements in indicators of psychological empowerment.
Process re‐intensification strategy for butyl acrylate manufacturing: Enhancement, scaling‐up and economical evaluation
Authors: Constantino Dânia S. M. , Faria Rui P. V. , Ribeiro Ana M. , Rodrigues Alírio E.
Published: March 2020

Significant improvements in the butyl acrylate production have emerged with process intensification strategies that combine reaction and separation processes in the same equipment. Meanwhile, a new approach based on process re‐intensification concept has been addressed. This was accomplished by combining two different separation processes with reaction, in this case, membrane pervaporation and simulated moving bed technology, with reaction, giving rise to the simulated moving bed membrane reactor (PermSMBR) technology. In this work, the PermSMBR was significantly enhanced by removing the extract stream and, consequently, reducing the number of operating sections, from four to three (PermSMBR‐3s), leading to a considerable reduction of the eluent consumption by 98% and improving the productivity by 34%. Additionally, the scaling up of the PermSMBR‐3s at industrial scale is also addressed considering a competitive production capacity, 50 000 tBAc·year−1. With that, a reduction of 56% in the eluent consumption was obtained relatively to the simulated moving bed reactor at the same scale, with a significant productivity enhancement of 49%. Moreover, a brief economic analysis showed that this process presents an economic potential of 491 €·tBAc−1. Since this value is inside of the range obtained for other process intensification strategies (454‐593 €·tBAc−1) presented in the literature, so far, PermSMBR‐3s seems to be a very promising and competitive strategy for butyl acrylate manufacturing.
Manipulation of Airy Beams in Dynamic Parabolic Potentials
Authors: Liu Feng , Zhang Jingwen , Zhong Wei‐Ping , Belić Milivoj R. , Zhang Yu , Zhang Yanpeng , Li Fuli , Zhang Yiqi
Published: March 2020

The propagation of finite energy Airy beams in dynamic parabolic potentials, including uniformly moving, accelerating, and oscillating potentials, is investigated. The propagation trajectories of Airy beams are strongly affected by the dynamic potentials, but the periodic inversion of the beam remains invariant. The results may broaden the potential applications of Airy beams, and also enlighten ideas on Airy beam manipulation in nonlinear regimes.
Stereospezifische asymmetrische Synthese tertiärer Allylalkohol‐ Derivate über katalytische [2,3]‐Meisenheimer‐Umlagerungen
Authors: Yu Xin , Wannenmacher Nick , Peters René
Published: March 2020

Chirale azyklische tertiäre Allylalkohole sind bedeutende Synthesebausteine, deren enantioselektive Synthese eine anspruchsvolle Aufgabe ist. Eine wesentliche Einschränkung bei katalytisch asymmetrischen 1,2‐Additionen an Ketone ist die Enantioseitendifferenzierung durch sterische Unterscheidung beider Ketonreste. Um dieses Problem zu überwinden, entwickelten wir eine katalytisch asymmetrische Meisenheimer‐Umlagerung, die auf stereospezifische Weise abläuft. Dabei können selbst Produkte, bei denen die Reste am generierten quartären Stereozentrum einen ähnlichen sterischen Anspruch aufweisen, mit hoher Enantioselektivität hergestellt werden. Niedrige Katalysatorbeladungen genügen, und die Bedingungen sind mild genug, um reaktive funktionelle Gruppen wie enolisierbare Aldehyde, primäre Tosylate oder Epoxide zu tolerieren. Unsere Untersuchungen lassen auf eine intramolekulare Umlagerung schließen.
A novel nanomagnetic solid acid catalyst for the synthesis of new functionalized bis‐coumarin derivatives under microwave irradiations in green conditions
Authors: Zare‐Akbari Zhila , Dastmalchi Siavoush , Edjlali Ladan , Dinparast Leila , Es'haghi Moosa
Published: March 2020

In this study, a novel, green, environmentally friendly and magnetically heterogeneous catalyst based on the immobilization of sulfosalicylic acid onto Fe3O4nanoparticles (Fe3O4@sulfosalicylic acid MNPs) is reported. The bis‐coumarin analogs were synthesized in high yield using the reaction of 1 equivalent of aryl aldehydes with 2 equivalents of 4‐hydroxycoumarin in water under microwave irradiation conditions. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic light scattering, vibrating sample magnetometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV–visible absorption, and Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller (BET) techniques confirmed the successful synthesis of the catalyst. The main attractive characteristics of the presented green protocol are very short reaction times (10–15 min), excellent yields, and the avoidance of hazardous or toxic reagent and solvents. Thermal durability, easy separation, and high reusability are important advantages of the new catalyst in comparison to other catalysts.
C/W emulsion‐templated macroporous anionic monolith: Application for dye removal
Authors: Zhang Yunxia , Cao Liqin , Yue Fan , Wang Jide
Published: March 2020

A clean, sulfonated, highly adsorptive macroporous monolith was constructed using a carbon dioxide‐in‐water (C/W) high internal phase emulsion template. The random copolymerization of N‐hydroxyethyl acrylamide and sodium styrene sulfonate in the water phase was initiated with persulfate. The chemical composition of the novel sulfonated monolith was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and the interconnected pore structure was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results showed that the void sizes were 47–92 μm and that the interconnected pore throats were approximately 10–30 μm. Such a hydrophilic, anionic macroporous material exhibited excellent adsorption properties for cationic dyes. The maximum adsorption capacity of the monolith for methylene blue (MB) and malachite green (MG) reached 1,316 and 2,624 mg/g, respectively, in 500–800 mg/L dye solution at 25°C. Furthermore, the kinetics and thermodynamic parameters of the adsorption process were examined. Experimental data exhibited that adsorption kinetically followed the pseudo‐second‐order model. The removal rates of MG and MB both exceeded 90% after six regenerations. The adsorption mechanism of the adsorbent was demonstrated preliminarily. The dynamic adsorption operation of MB was conducted in a fixed column, and the breakthrough curve data were fitted using the Thomas and bed depth service time models. All these findings indicated the potential industrial applications of adsorptive sulfonated macroporous monolith.
Development of biodegradable natural rubber latex composites by employing corn derivative bio‐fillers
Authors: Jayathilaka Lokuvithana P. I. , Ariyadasa Thilini U. , Egodage Shantha M.
Published: March 2020

This study aims to investigate the viability of employing corn‐based fillers (powdered corn grain [CG], corn flour [CF] and cornstarch [CS]) to improve the biodegradability of natural rubber latex (NRL) composites by varying filler loading from 0 to 50 phr. Notable variation in both physical and mechanical properties were observed for the different filler types, with CG‐filled NRL demonstrating the better adhesion with NRL. Thus, CG‐filled composites were selected for investigation of biodegradability. Increased CG loading in NRL compounds enhanced biodegradation; with over 70% degradation observed for 50 phr CG loading upon 15 weeks of soil burial. However, the trade‐off between mechanical properties and biodegradability limits the CG loading in the NRL matrix to 20 phr for manufacturing NRL‐based products. It was observed that NRL with CG filler loading of 20 phr conforms to the ASTM D3578 standard for manufacturing rubber gloves; with 50% biodegradation upon 15 weeks of soil burial.
Chitosan‐based fiber‐sponge materials as a promising tool for microalgae harvesting from Lake Baikal
Authors: Grigoriev Timofei E. , Lukanina Ksenia I. , Gotovtsev Pavel M. , Gorin Kirill V. , Melnikova Anna A. , Antipova Christina G. , Kamyshinsky Roman , Chvalun Sergei N.
Published: March 2020

Mass eutrophication of microalgae and cyanobacteria is observed in Lake Baikal in the past decade. In this paper, the concept of replaceable adsorption filter material based on chitosan flocculant filler and chlorinated polyvinyl chloride polymer nonwoven material are proposed. Functional and mechanical properties and morphology of the material are investigated depending on a packing density and a degree of chitosan filling. The introduction of 45% chitosan increases the Young's modulus up to 10 times, and it makes the material more rigid in 2.8 times. The high efficiency of sorption and growth inhibition of cumulative biomass culture was shown. The biomass source is taken from the coast of Barguzinsky Bay of Lake Baikal. Dominant species is microalgae of Scenedesmus genus.
Electro‐mechanical deformation of amorphous and semi‐crystalline polymeric films
Authors: Zhang Ci , Li Zhenpeng , Nian Haofei , Zhu Lei , Olah Andrew , Baer Eric
Published: March 2020

In our previous study, electrically induced mechanical stress was produced on monolithic polycarbonate (PC) films under a DC voltage using a needle‐plane electrode setup. This study investigated other materials with various structures and dielectric constants, in order to further understand the deformation mechanism. It was found that the elastic behavior occurred at electric fields intensities below that initiating measurable surface deformation. The amorphous materials, PS, and the semi‐crystalline materials, HDPE and PP, having dielectric constants all around 2.5, exhibited a similar observable deformation onset electric field at 200 MV/m. While PVDF, having a dielectric constant of 10.0–12.0, showed an onset at only 30 MV/m. The data was also compared to our previous study on PC. The depth and diameter of the deformation for all materials increased relative to the applied electric field up to film breakdown. Thermal annealing of the deformed films revealed a recoverable “delayed elastic” component and an irreversible “plastic” component. A three‐stage electrically induced mechanical deformation mechanism was proposed for amorphous materials, while a two‐stage mechanism was proposed for the semi‐crystalline materials. The difference on the energy loss versus deformed volume for amorphous and semi‐crystalline polymers was also determined and discussed.
Improving the moisture barrier and mechanical properties of semi‐refined carrageenan films
Authors: Sedayu Bakti B. , Cran Marlene J. , Bigger Stephen W.
Published: March 2020

Semi‐refined carrageenan (SRC) films are sensitive to moisture and generally have poor mechanical properties. These factors limit their use in applications where moisture levels are high and good mechanical strength is required. This work investigated the incorporation of nanoclay (NC) into SRC film in combination with surface lamination using a thin layer of poly(caprolactone) (PCL) to enhance the barrier properties and hydrophobicity of the SRC film and concurrently improved the mechanical properties. The water vapor permeability, moisture uptake, and water solubility decreased by 92, 24, and 11%, respectively, and the water contact angle increased from 72° to 95°. The tensile strength and elongation at break increased by 17.9 and 2.8%, respectively, and the thermal stability also increased slightly. The PCL lamination was the main contributor to the enhanced barrier and mechanical properties of the films, whereas the NC inclusion contributed more to the enhanced thermal properties.
Xiaoyaosan regulates depression‐related behaviors with physical symptoms by modulating Orexin A/OxR1 in the hypothalamus
Authors: Hou Yajing , Liu Yueyun , Liu Chenyue , Yan Zhiyi , Ma Qingyu , Chen Jianbei , Zhang Man , Yan Qiuying , Li Xiaojuan , Chen Jiaxu
Published: March 2020

The functional regulation of the orexin system in the central nervous system is closely related to the occurrence and development of psychotic disorders. Abnormal changes in the lateral region of the hypothalamus are associated with the comorbidity of depression and physical symptoms, and how the traditional Chinese formula Xiaoyaosan regulates these changes may reveal aspects of the pathogenesis of depression. This study aimed to establish a rat model of depression in order to examine changes in Orexin A/OxR1 expression in the lateral region of the hypothalamus and the effects of Xiaoyaosan. Sixty specific pathogen‐free (SPF) male healthy Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats were used in the experiment and randomly divided into the control group, the model group, the Xiaoyaosan group and the fluoxetine group. The depression model was established by 21‐day chronic immobilization stress (CIS). Food intake and body weight were recorded, and the sucrose preference test (SPT) and open field test (OFT) were used to evaluate the model. Then, the expression of Orexin A/OxR1 in the hypothalamus was measured by ELISA, Western blot and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) analysis. The expression of Orexin A and OxR1 in the lateral hypothalamic area was significantly down regulated in the model group, compared with the control group. Xiaoyaosan significantly reversed these changes with obvious curative effects. Abnormal changes in Orexin A/OxR1 in the lateral hypothalamic area of rats with depression caused by chronic stress are closely related to the pathogenesis of depression accompanied by physical symptoms. Xiaoyaosan can improve depression accompanied by physical symptoms by regulating Orexin A/OxR1.
National Survey on Canadian Undergraduate Medical Programs: The Decline of the Anatomical Sciences in Canadian Medical Education
Authors: Rockarts Jasmine , Brewer‐Deluce Danielle , Shali Ari , Mohialdin Vian , Wainman Bruce
Published: March 2020

The anatomical sciences have always been regarded as an essential component of medical education. In Canada, the methodology and time dedicated to anatomy teaching are currently unknown. Two surveys were administered to course directors and discipline leaders to gain a comprehensive view of anatomical education in Canadian medical schools. Participants were queried about contact hours (classroom and laboratory), content delivery and assessment methods for gross anatomy, histology, and embryology. Twelve schools responded to both surveys, for an overall response rate of 64%. Overall, Canadian medical students spend 92.8 (± 45.4) hours (mean ± SD) studying gross anatomy, 25.2 (± 21.0) hours for histology, and 7.4 (± 4.3) hours for embryology. Gross anatomy contact hours statistically significantly exceeded those for histology and embryology. Results show that most content is delivered in the first year of medical school, as anatomy is a foundational building block for upper‐year courses. Laboratory contact time for gross anatomy was 56.8 (± 30.7) hours, histology was 11.4 (± 16.2) hours, and embryology was 0.25 (± 0.6) hours. Additionally, 42% of programs predominantly used instructor/technician‐made prosections, another 33% used a mix of dissection and prosections and 25% have their students complete cadaveric dissections. Teaching is either completely or partially integrated into all Canadian medical curricula. This integration trend in Canada parallels those of other medical schools around the world where programs have begun to decrease contact time in anatomy and increase integration of the anatomical sciences into other courses. Compared to published American data, Canadian schools offer less contact time. The reason for this gap is unknown. Further investigation is required to determine if the amount of anatomical science education within medical school affects students' performance in clerkship, residency and beyond.
The Science of Empire: Darwinism, Human Diversity, and Russian Physical Anthropology
Authors: Mogilner Marina
Published: March 2020

Summary: The article explores deployment of the Darwinian narrative of the “natural history of humanity” in Russian physical anthropology in the late nineteenth to the early twentieth century. It traces two narratives developed by the leading Russian school of physical anthropology: one narrative advanced a universalist vision of collective scholarly enterprise working toward clarifying the missing links in the a priori accepted developmental evolutionary model. The other constructed a new language that undermined the idea of species/subspecies/races/nations/ as stable, externally bounded, and internally homogeneous units and attempted to rationalize imperial hybridity. The article's main focus is on the latter classificatory narrative, its relational methodology, and the protostructuralist units of comparison that it produced.
Zwischen Mimesis und Typus. Die rassenanthropologische Lektüre altägyptischer Menschendarstellungen im 19. und frühen 20. Jahrhundert
Authors: Wiedemann Felix
Published: March 2020

Im Zuge der archäologischen Erschließung Ägyptens und des Vorderen Orients im 19. Jahrhundert kamen zahlreiche Menschendarstellungen aus den Kulturen des Altertums zum Vorschein, die auch jenseits der Altertums‐ und Kunstwissenschaften große Faszination auszuüben vermochten. Dabei wurden insbesondere altägyptische Statuen und Reliefs weniger als ästhetische Repräsentationen, sondern als mimetisch‐typologische Darstellungen wahrgenommen, die nicht nur bestimmte Individuen, sondern ganze Völker mit ihren charakteristischen physischen Merkmalen abbilden. Vor diesem Hintergrund avancierten Abbildungen dieser Bildwerke zu wichtigen visuellen Referenzen anthropologischer Publikationen und sollten die Konstanz vermeintlicher Rassenmerkmale und damit die Gültigkeit wissenschaftlicher Klassifikationen belegen. Anhand vornehmlich deutschsprachiger Publikationen aus dem 19. und frühen 20. Jahrhundert rekonstruiert der Beitrag die epistemologischen Voraussetzungen und bildästhetischen Prämissen der anthropologischen Lektüre altägyptischer Menschendarstellungen und geht der Frage nach, warum sich dieses Verfahren weitgehend auf Objekte aus den Kulturen des Alten Orients konzentrierte. Im Fokus steht hier die klassizistische Kunst‐ und Körperauffassung, die auf der einen Seite einer anthropologischen Lektüre von Objekten aus der klassischen Antike im Wege stand, auf der anderen aber dazu beitrug, den ägyptischen jenen mimetischen und typologischen Charakter zuzuweisen, der sie als visuelle Referenzen auch für die physische Anthropologie attraktiv machte.
Stoffe auf Reisen: Die transnationalen Akteure Jan Czochralski und Ludwik Hirszfeld und die lokale Bedingtheit der Entstehung von Wissen
Authors: Steffen Katrin
Published: March 2020

At the beginning of the 20th century, research on material substances such as blood and metals was in high demand, as is apparent from the successful careers of the serologist Ludwik Hirszfeld (1884–1954) and the metallurgist Jan Czochralski (1885–1953). Both were leading experts of their time, their transnational biographies – spanning the German‐speaking countries and Poland – were remarkably similar, and they both played important roles in the development of their respective disciplines. This paper explores how their contributions were closely tied to the circulation of their respective research materials – blood and metals – and of knowledge about them throughout Europe and beyond. These examples forcefully demonstrate that, in order to fully understand how specific, widely accepted bodies of knowledge emerge, both local situations and the material conditions have to be considered. Drawing on Latour's actor‐network theory, the transnational stories of serology and metallurgy demonstrate the range of human and non‐human actors, practices, and techniques that contributed to the circulation of knowledge, to its successful application, and also to occasional failure in specific geographical and cultural contexts.
A highly sensitive fluorescence sensor based on lucigenin/chitosan/SiO2 composite nanoparticles for microRNA detection using magnetic separation
Authors: Chang Zheng , Feng Jing , Zheng Xingwang
Published: March 2020

In this paper, a convenient reverse‐phase microemulsion method for the synthesis of SiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) by simply introducing the chitosan and fluorescent dye of lucigenin during the formation reaction of SiO2 NPs was proposed. Addition of chitosan can make the SiO2 NPs porous, and increases lucigenin molecule incorporation into chitosan/SiO2 NPs nanopores based on electrostatic interaction and supermolecular forces. Therefore, fluorescence quantum yield of the lucigenin/chitosan/SiO2 composite nanoparticles was increased by introduction of chitosan and compared with lucigenin/SiO2 NPs without chitosan. Because the number of negative charges carried when using single‐stranded DNA (ssDNA) was different from that of double‐stranded DNA (dsDNA), the numbers of lucigenin/chitosan/SiO2 composite nanoparticles with positive charge adsorbed using ssDNA or dsDNA were different. Consequently, fluorescence intensity caused using ssDNA or dsDNA/miRNA was clearly discriminative. With increase in target DNA/miRNA concentration, the difference in fluorescence intensity also increased, resulting in a good linear relationship between fluorescence intensity sensitizing value and target miRNA concentrations. Therefore, a new fluorescence analysis method for direct detection of let‐7a in human gastric cancer cell samples without enzyme, label free and no immobilization was established using lucigenin/chitosan/SiO2 composite nanoparticles as a DNA hybrid indicator. The proposed method had high sensitivity and selectivity, low cost and the detection limit was 10 fM (S/N = 3).
Biotherapeutic Approaches in Atopic Dermatitis
Authors: Tham Elizabeth Huiwen , Koh Elvin , Common John E. A. , Hwang In Young
Published: March 2020

The skin microbiome plays a central role in inflammatory skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis (AD). In AD patients, an imbalance between pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and resident skin symbionts creates a state of dysbiosis which induces immune dysregulation and impairs skin barrier function. There are now exciting new prospects for microbiome‐based interventions for AD prevention. In the hopes of achieving sustained control and management of disease in AD patients, current emerging biotherapeutic strategies aim to harness the skin microbiome associated with health by restoring a more diverse symbiotic skin microbiome, while selectively removing pathogenic S. aureus. Examples of such strategies are demonstrated in skin microbiome transplants, phage‐derived anti‐S. aureus endolysins, monoclonal antibodies, and quorum sensing (QS) inhibitors. However, further understanding of the skin microbiome and its role in AD pathogenesis is still needed to understand how these biotherapeutics alter the dynamics of the microbiome community; to optimize patient selection, drug delivery, and treatment duration; overcome rapid recolonization upon treatment cessation; and improve efficacy to allow these therapeutic options to eventually reach routine clinical practice.
Novel nucleic acid detection strategies based on CRISPR‐Cas systems: From construction to application
Authors: Zhu Chu‐shu , Liu Chuan‐yang , Qiu Xin‐yuan , Xie Si‐si , Li Wen‐ying , Zhu Lingyun , Zhu Lv‐yun
Published: March 2020

Beyond their widespread application as genome‐editing and regulatory tools, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)‐CRISPR‐associated (Cas) systems also play a critical role in nucleic acid detection due to their high sensitivity and specificity. Recently developed Cas family effectors have opened the door to the development of new strategies for detecting different types of nucleic acids for a variety of purposes. Precise and efficient nucleic acid detection using CRISPR‐Cas systems has the potential to advance both basic and applied biological research. In this review, we summarize the CRISPR‐Cas systems used for the recognition and detection of specific nucleic acids for different purposes, including the detection of genomic DNA, nongenomic DNA, RNA, and pathogenic microbe genomes. Current challenges and further applications of CRISPR‐based detection methods will be discussed according to the most recent developments.
Adjunct ketamine treatment of depression in treatment‐resistant schizophrenia patients is unsatisfactory in pilot and secondary follow‐up studies
Authors: Zhuo Chuanjun , Lin Xiaodong , Tian Hongjun , Liu Sha , Bian Haiman , Chen Ce
Published: March 2020

Objective

To investigate the effects of adjunct ketamine treatment on chronic treatment‐resistant schizophrenia patients with treatment‐resistant depressive symptoms (CTRS‐TRD patients), including alterations in brain function.

Methods

Intravenous ketamine (0.5 mg/kg body weight) was administered to CTRS‐TRD patients over a 1‐hr period on days 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, and 25 of our initial pilot study. This treatment method was subsequently repeated 58 days after the start of the pilot study for a secondary follow‐up study. Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and regional homogeneity (ReHo) results were used to assess treatment effects and alterations in brain function throughout the entire duration of our studies.

Results

Between day 7 and day 14 of the first treatment, CDSS scores were reduced by 63.8% and PANSS scores were reduced by 30.04%. In addition, ReHo values increased in the frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes. However, by day 21, depressive symptoms relapsed. During the second treatment period, CDSS and PANSS scores exhibited no significant differences compared to baseline between day 58 and day 86. On day 65, ReHo values were higher in the temporal, frontal, and parietal lobes. However, on day 79, the increase in ReHo values completely disappeared.

Conclusions

Depressive symptoms in CTRS‐TRD patients were alleviated with adjunct ketamine treatment for only 1 week during the first treatment period. Moreover, after 1 month, the antidepressant effects of ketamine on CTRS‐TRD patients completely disappeared. Correspondingly, ReHo alterations induced by ketamine in the CTRS‐TRD patients were not maintained for more than 3 weeks. These pilot findings indicate that adjunct ketamine treatment is not satisfactory for CTRS‐TRD patients.
Haploidentical‐ versus identical‐sibling transplant for high‐risk pediatric AML: A multi‐center study
Authors: Zheng Feng-Mei , Zhang Xi , Li Chun-Fu , Cheng Yi-Fei , Gao Li , He Yue-Lin , Wang Yu , Huang Xiao-Jun
Published: March 2020

Background

Human leukocyte antigen‐identical sibling donor (ISD)‐hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT) is a potentially curative treatment for high‐risk pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML). A haploidentical donor (HID) is readily available to almost all children. Previous studies have demonstrated that patients with HID‐SCT had similar outcomes compared to ISD‐SCT for pediatric and adult AML. However, the role of HID‐SCT in high‐risk pediatric AML is unclear.

Methods

To compare the overall survival of high‐risk AML children who underwent either HID‐SCT or ISD‐SCT, we analyzed 179 cases of high‐risk AML patients under 18 years of age treated with either ISD‐SCT (n = 23) or HID‐SCT (n = 156). Granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor plus anti‐thymocyte globulin‐based regimens were used for HID‐SCT. We also analyzed the subgroup data of AML patients at first complete remission (CR1) before SCT with known cytogenetic risk.

Results

The numbers of adverse cytogenetic risk recipients were 8 (34.8%) and 13 (18.8%) in the ISD‐SCT group and the HID‐SCT group, and the number of patients with disease status beyond CR1 were 6 (26.1%) and 14 (20.3%) in the two groups. The cumulative rates of grades II‐IV acute graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) were 13.0% in the ISD‐SCT group and 34.8% in the HID‐SCT group (P = 0.062), with a three‐year cumulative rates of chronic GVHD at 14.1% and 34.9%, respectively (P = 0.091). The relapse rate in the ISD‐SCT group was significantly higher than that in the HID‐SCT group (39.1% vs. 16.4%, P = 0.027); with non‐relapse mortality at 0.0% and 10.6% (P = 0.113), respectively. The three‐year overall survival rates were 73.0% for the ISD‐SCT group and 74.6% for the HID‐SCT group (P = 0.689). In subgroup analysis, the three‐year relapse rate in the ISD‐SCT group was higher than that in the HID‐SCT group (50.0% vs. 9.2%, P = 0.001) and the three‐year DFS in the ISD‐SCT group (50.0%) was lower than that in the HID‐SCT group (81.2%) (P = 0.021).

Conclusions

Unmanipulated HID‐SCT achieved DFS and OS outcomes comparable to those of ISD‐SCT for high‐risk pediatric AML patients with potentially higher rate but manageable GVHD.
Iron protects childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells from methotrexate cytotoxicity
Authors: Abedi Marjan , Rahgozar Soheila , Esmaeili Abolghasem
Published: March 2020

Drug resistance is a fundamental clinical concern in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (pALL), and methotrexate (MTX) is an essential chemotherapy drug administered for the treatment. In the current study, the effect of iron in response to methotrexate and its underlying mechanisms were investigated in pALL cells. CCRF‐CEM and Nalm6 cell lines were selected as T and B‐ALL subtypes. Cells were pretreated with ferric ammonium citrate, exposed to the IC50 concentration of MTX and cell viability was assessed using MTT, colony formation, and flow cytometry assays. Iron‐loaded cells were strongly resistant to MTX cytotoxicity. The inhibitory effect of N‐acetyl cysteine to reverse the acquired MTX resistance was greater than that of the iron chelator, deferasirox, highlighting the importance of iron‐mediated ROS in MTX resistance. Subsequently, the upregulation of BCL2, SOD2, NRF2, and MRP1 was confirmed using quantitative RT‐PCR. Moreover, a positive correlation was demonstrated between the MRP1 expression levels and bone marrow iron storage in pALL patients. Further supporting our findings were the hematoxylin and eosin‐stained histological sections showing that iron‐treated nude mice xenografts demonstrated significantly more liver damage than those unexposed to iron. Overall, iron is introduced as a player with a novel role contributing to methotrexate resistance in pALL. Our findings suggest that the patients' bone marrow iron stores are necessary to be assessed during the chemotherapy, and transfusions should be carefully administrated.
Studies on the Catalytic Promiscuity of Limonene Epoxide Hydrolases in the Non‐hydrolytic Ring Opening of 1,2‐Epoxides
Authors: Bassanini Ivan , Ferrandi Erica Elisa , Monti Daniela , Riva Sergio
Published: March 2020

The non‐hydrolytic ring opening of 1,2‐epoxides in the presence of limonene epoxide hydrolases (LEHs) and different nucleophiles has been investigated. Lyophilized, wild‐type LEHs were tested in selected water‐saturated organic solvents in the presence of cyclohexene oxide as substrate and different alcohols, thiols and primary amines as nucleophiles. Although the LEHs retained an appreciable catalytic activity under different reaction conditions, formation of the desired 1,2‐substituted cyclohexanols was not observed. Alternatively, LEH variants incapable of performing the hydrolytic reaction were generated by site‐directed mutagenesis and tested in aqueous media in the presence of different water‐soluble nucleophiles and cyclohexene oxide. Under defined reaction conditions, an acceleration of up to about threefold of the spontaneous reaction rate was observed in the presence of sodium azide and potassium thiocyanate as nucleophiles.
A comparison of long‐term medium secure patients within NHS and private and charitable sector units in England
Authors: Kasmi Yasir , Duggan Conor , Völlm Birgit
Published: March 2020

Background

In England, forensic psychiatric hospital services are provided at three security levels: high, medium and low. All are publicly funded and similarly regulated, but medium and low secure services are provided in the private and charitable (PCS) sector as well as the National Health Service (NHS). Originally, medium secure hospital services were conceived as for up to 2 years' inpatient stay, but numbers of longer stay patients have been rising. Little is known about their characteristics or whether they differ between NHS and PCS settings.

Aims

To describe and compare characteristics of long‐stay patients in NHS and in PCS medium security hospital units.

Methods

Data were extracted from clinical records in 14 NHS and 9 PCS hospital units for all patients fulfilling criteria for long stay: having been in high security for more than 10 years or medium security for more than 5 years or in a mix of both for more than 15 years in total.

Results

178 NHS and 107 PCS patients were eligible for inclusion, respectively, 16 and 22% of the total patient populations in these settings. The mean length of stay in a medium or high secure setting was similar: 163 and 164 months. Characteristics of the patients, however, differed between unit type. NHS services admitted more patients from prison and PCS services more from other hospitals. NHS services included a lower proportion of patients with personality disorder or intellectual disability. 'Challenging behaviour' was more prevalent in PCS; a history of absconding was found more often among NHS patients.

Conclusions

The two systems of service appear to be used differently. More research is needed to explain why patients apparently without behavioural disturbances remain in specialist secure facilities for such a long time and whether their needs are truly being met in the least restrictive environment possible.
Randomised controlled trial of a treatment adherence programme for prisoners with mental health problems in Spain
Authors: Muela Alexander , Aliri Jone , Presa Barbara , Gorostiaga Arantxa
Published: March 2020

The prevalence of psychiatric disorders is high among prisoners, who often need psychotropic medication, but compliance with treatment is often poor. This combination leads to poorer prisoner‐patient health and increased health costs.The aim of this study was to test the impact of a treatment adherence programme (TAP) on medication adherence and subjective well‐being among prisoners with mental health problems. We conducted a randomised controlled trial of a treatment adherence programme compared with treatment as usual (TAU) among 183 prisoners with mental health problems. Those in the TAP group showed greater treatment adherence and reported better subjective well‐being with medication than those in the TAU group. We conclude that the treatment adherence of prisoners who require medication for mental health problems may be improved through specific intervention programmes. This could make a positive contribution to individual health and well‐being.
Addressing the Reproducibility of Photocatalytic Carbon Dioxide Reduction
Authors: Marx Maximilian , Mele Andrea , Spannenberg Anke , Steinlechner Christoph , Junge Henrik , Schollhammer Philippe , Beller Matthias
Published: March 2020

The front cover artwork for Issue 06/2020 is provided by Matthias Beller and co‐workers from the Leibniz Institute for Catalysis at the University of Rostock (Germany) and the University of Brest (France). The image shows the reproducibility problems with vastly varying turnover numbers that can arise when developing novel systems for photocatalytic transformations, such as carbon dioxide reduction. See the Full Paper itself at https://doi.org/10.1002/cctc.201901686.
Experimental and Quantum Mechanical Characterization of an Oxygen‐Bridged Plutonium(IV) Dimer
Authors: Ray Debmalya , Xie Jing , White Jacob , Sigmon Ginger E. , Gagliardi Laura , Hixon Amy E.
Published: March 2020

We report the synthesis and characterization of K4{[PuCl2(NO3)3]2(μ2‐O)}⋅H2O, which contains the first known μ2‐oxo bridge between two PuIV metal centers. Adding to its uniqueness is the Pu−(μ2‐O) bond length of 2.04 Å, which is the shortest of other analogous compounds. The Pu−(μ2‐O)−Pu bridge is characterized by the mixing of s‐, d‐, and p‐orbitals from Pu with the p‐orbitals of O; the 5f‐orbitals do not participate in bonding. Natural bond orbital analysis indicates that Pu and O interact through one 3c‐2e σPu‐O‐Pu and two 3c‐2e πPu‐O‐Pu bonding orbitals and that the electron density is highly polarized on the μ2‐O. Bond topology properties analysis indicates that the Pu−(μ2‐O) bond shares both ionic and covalent character. Quantum mechanical calculations also show that the dimer has multiconfigurational ground states, where the nonet, septet, quintet, triplet, and singlet are close in energy. This work demonstrates the interplay between experimental and computational efforts that is required to understand the chemical bonding of Pu compounds.
Contributions to Lignomics: Stochastic Generation of Oligomeric Lignin Structures for Interpretation of MALDI–FT‐ICR‐MS Results
Authors: Terrell Evan , Carré Vincent , Dufour Anthony , Aubriet Frédéric , Le Brech Yann , Garcia‐Pérez Manuel
Published: March 2020

The lack of standards to identify oligomeric molecules is a challenge for the analysis of complex organic mixtures. High‐resolution mass spectrometry—specifically, Fourier‐transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT‐ICR MS)—offers new opportunities for analysis of oligomers with the assignment of formulae (CxHyOz) to detected peaks. However, matching a specific structure to a given formula remains a challenge due to the inability of FT‐ICR MS to distinguish between isomers. Additional separation techniques and other analyses (e.g., NMR spectroscopy) coupled with comparison of results to those from pure compounds is one route for assignment of MS peaks. Unfortunately, this strategy may be impractical for complete analysis of complex, heterogeneous samples. In this study we use computational stochastic generation of lignin oligomers to generate a molecular library for supporting the assignment of potential candidate structures to compounds detected during FT‐ICR MS analysis. This approach may also be feasible for other macromolecules beyond lignin.
Guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of foot infection in persons with diabetes (IWGDF 2019 update)
Authors: Lipsky Benjamin A. , Senneville Éric , Abbas Zulfiqarali G. , Aragón‐Sánchez Javier , Diggle Mathew , Embil John M. , Kono Shigeo , Lavery Lawrence A. , Malone Matthew , van Asten Suzanne A. , Urbančič‐Rovan Vilma , Peters Edgar J.G. ,   on behalf of the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF)
Published: March 2020

The International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) has published evidence‐based guidelines on the prevention and management of diabetic foot disease since 1999. This guideline is on the diagnosis and treatment of foot infection in persons with diabetes and updates the 2015 IWGDF infection guideline. On the basis of patient, intervention, comparison, outcomes (PICOs) developed by the infection committee, in conjunction with internal and external reviewers and consultants, and on systematic reviews the committee conducted on the diagnosis of infection (new) and treatment of infection (updated from 2015), we offer 27 recommendations. These cover various aspects of diagnosing soft tissue and bone infection, including the classification scheme for diagnosing infection and its severity. Of note, we have updated this scheme for the first time since we developed it 15 years ago. We also review the microbiology of diabetic foot infections, including how to collect samples and to process them to identify causative pathogens. Finally, we discuss the approach to treating diabetic foot infections, including selecting appropriate empiric and definitive antimicrobial therapy for soft tissue and for bone infections, when and how to approach surgical treatment, and which adjunctive treatments we think are or are not useful for the infectious aspects of diabetic foot problems. For this version of the guideline, we also updated four tables and one figure from the 2016 guideline. We think that following the principles of diagnosing and treating diabetic foot infections outlined in this guideline can help clinicians to provide better care for these patients.
Effectiveness of interventions to enhance healing of chronic foot ulcers in diabetes: a systematic review
Authors: Vas Prashanth , Rayman Gerry , Dhatariya Ketan , Driver Vickie , Hartemann Agnes , Londahl Magnus , Piaggesi Alberto , Apelqvist Jan , Attinger Chris , Game Fran
Published: March 2020

The management of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) remains a challenge, and there is continuing uncertainty concerning optimal approaches to wound healing. The International Working Group of the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) working group on wound healing has previously published systematic reviews of the evidence in 2008, 2012 and 2016 to inform protocols for routine care and to highlight areas which should be considered for further study. The working group has now updated this review by considering papers on the interventions to improve the healing of DFU's published between June 2014 and August 2018. Methodological quality of selected studies was independently assessed by a minimum of two reviewers using the recently published 21‐point questionnaire as recommended by IWGDF/European Wound Management Association, as well as the previously incorporated Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network criteria. Of the 2275 papers identified, 97 were finally selected for grading following full text review. Overall, there has been an improvement in study design and a significant rise in the number of published studies. While previous systematic reviews did not find any evidence to justify the use of newer therapies, except for negative pressure wound therapy in post‐surgical wounds, in this review we found additional evidence to support some interventions including a sucrose‐octasulfate dressing, the combined leucocyte, fibrin and platelet patch as well as topical application of some placental membrane products, all when used in addition to usual best care. Nonetheless, the assessment and comparison of published trials remains difficult with marked clinical heterogeneity between studies: in patient selection, study duration, standard of usual care provision and the timing and description of the clinical endpoints.