bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Potential Mechanism of Guchang Zhixie Wan for Treating Ulcerative Colitis by Comprehensive Network Pharmacological Approaches and Molecular Docking Validation as Well as Cell Experiments
Authors: Zhang Wei , Chao Xu , Wu Jie‐Qiong , Ma Xiao‐Bing , Yang Yin‐Li , Wu Yang , Lin Jun‐Chao
Published: November 2020

Guchang Zhixie Wan (GZW) is a commonly used Chinese medicine for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). This research explored the potential pharmacological mechanism of GZW in UC.

The active ingredients, potential targets, and UC‐related genes of GZW were retrieved from public databases. The pharmacological mechanisms including key components, potential targets and signal pathways were determined through bioinformatics analysis. The results of this study were verified through virtual molecular docking and cell experiments.

Network analysis revealed that 26 active GZW compounds and 148 potential GZW target proteins were associated with UC. Quercetin, kaempferol and β‐sitosterol were identified as the core active ingredients of GZW. IFNG, IL‐1A, IL‐1B, JUN, RELA, and STAT1 were indicated as key targets of GZW. These key targets have a strong affinity for quercetin, kaempferol, and β‐sitosterol. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that GZW target proteins are highly enriched in inflammatory, immune, and oxidative stress‐related pathways.

This study confirmed the therapeutic effect and revealed potential molecular mechanism of GZW on UC. And the protective effects of GZW on inflammatory bowel disease pathway were also revealed through STAT3/NF‐κB/IL‐6 pathway. The findings of this study enhanced our understanding of GZW in the treatment of UC and provided a feasible method for discovering potential drugs from traditional Chinese medicine formulations.
Gene body methylation facilitates the transcription of CTSG via antisense lncRNA AL136018.1 in dermatomyositic myoideum
Authors: Liang Ying , Peng Yue
Published: November 2020

Dermatomyositis (DM) is characterized as a chronic autoimmune disorder with multiple organ involvement. Our previous study has revealed that Cathepsin G (CTSG) highly expressed in dermatomyositic in vivo is regulated by DNMT3a through DNA methylation of 5′‐C‐phosphate‐G‐3′ loci at exons and introns. However, the mechanism of gene body methylation on regulating CTSG transcription remains unknown. In this study, we studied quadriceps femoris tissues of six DM patients, and observed that antisense long noncoding RNA AL136018.1 contiguous to CTSG was highly expressed in skeletal muscle tissues of DM and positively correlated with the transcription level and DNA methylation level in gene body of CTSG in vivo. Moreover, we observed that the longer transcript of AL136018.1 (AL136018.1‐201) could bind to third and fourth exons and third intron of CTSG via the 3′‐end. Finally, AL136018.1‐201 could recruit DNMT3a towards gene body via 5′‐terminal for adding DNA methylation and facilitating transcription of CTSG. Taken together, our data uncovered a novel epigenetic mechanism behind the gene body methylation for transcriptional regulation of CTSG in DM.
68Ga‐Labelled Tropane Analogues for the Visualization of the Dopaminergic System
Authors: Häseli Sascha , Holy Marion , Joksch Markus , Bergner Carina , Wree Andreas , Kurth Jens , Cankaya Aylin , Piel Markus , Krause Bernd J. , Sitte Harald H. , Rösch Frank
Published: November 2020

The development of radiometal‐labelled pharmaceuticals for neuroimaging could offer great potential due to easier handling during labelling and availability through radionuclide generator systems. Nonetheless, to date, no such tracers are available for positron emission tomography, primarily owing to the challenge of crossing the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and loss of affinity through chelator attachment. We have prepared a variety of 68Ga‐labelled phenyltropanes showing that, through a simple hydrocarbon‐linker, it is possible to introduce a chelator onto the lead structure while maintaining its high affinity for hDAT (human dopamine transporter) and simultaneously achieving adequate lipophilicity. One of the candidates, [68Ga]Ga‐HBED‐hexadiyne‐tropane, showed an IC50 value of 66 nM, together with a log D7.4 of 0.96. A μPET study in a hemi‐parkinsonian rat model showed a fast wash‐out of the tracer, and no specific uptake in the brain, thus implying an inability to penetrate the BBB.
Directed Gas Phase Formation of the Elusive Silylgermylidyne Radical (H3SiGe, X2A′′)
Authors: Yang Zhenghai , Doddipatla Srinivas , Kaiser Ralf I. , Krasnoukhov Vladislav S. , Azyazov Valeriy N. , Mebel Alexander M.
Published: November 2020

The previously unknown silylgermylidyne radical (H3SiGe; X2A′′) was prepared via the bimolecular gas phase reaction of ground state silylidyne radicals (SiH; X2Π) with germane (GeH4; X1A1) under single collision conditions in crossed molecular beams experiments. This reaction begins with the formation of a van der Waals complex followed by insertion of silylidyne into a germanium‐hydrogen bond forming the germylsilyl radical (H3GeSiH2). A hydrogen migration isomerizes this intermediate to the silylgermyl radical (H2GeSiH3), which undergoes a hydrogen shift to an exotic, hydrogen‐bridged germylidynesilane intermediate (H3Si(μ‐H)GeH); this species emits molecular hydrogen forming the silylgermylidyne radical (H3SiGe). Our study offers a remarkable glance at the complex reaction dynamics and inherent isomerization processes of the silicon‐germanium system, which are quite distinct from those of the isovalent hydrocarbon system (ethyl radical; C2H5) eventually affording detailed insights into an exotic chemistry and intriguing chemical bonding of silicon‐germanium species at the microscopic level exploiting crossed molecular beams.
Lignocellulose Fractionation Using Recyclable Phosphoric Acid: Lignin, Cellulose, and Furfural Production
Authors: Weidener Dennis , Leitner Walter , Domínguez de María Pablo , Klose Holger , Grande Philipp M.
Published: November 2020

The conversion of lignocellulose into its building blocks and their further transformation into valuable platform chemicals (e. g., furfural) are key technologies to move towards the use of renewable resources. This paper explored the disentanglement of lignocellulose into hemicellulose‐derived sugars, cellulose, and lignin in a biphasic solvent system (water/2‐methyltetrahydrofuran) using phosphoric acid as recyclable catalyst. Integrated with the biomass fractionation, in a second step hemicellulose‐derived sugars (mainly xylose) were converted to furfural, which was in situ extracted into 2‐methyltetrahydrofuran with high selectivity (70 %) and yield (56 wt %). To further increase the economic feasibility of the process, a downstream and recycling strategy enabled recovery of phosphoric acid without loss of process efficiency over four consecutive cycles. This outlines a more efficient and sustainable use of phosphoric acid as catalyst, as its inherent costs can be significantly lowered.
TGF‐β signaling in liver metastasis
Authors: Marvin Dieuwke L , Heijboer Rosan , ten Dijke Peter , Ritsma Laila
Published: November 2020

The presence of liver metastases drastically worsens the prognosis of cancer patients. The liver is the second most prevalent metastatic site in cancer patients, but systemic therapeutic opportunities that target liver metastases are still limited. To aid the discovery of novel treatment options for metastatic liver disease, we provide insight into the cellular and molecular steps required for liver colonization. For successful colonization in the liver, adaptation of tumor cells and surrounding stroma is essential. This includes the formation of a pre‐metastatic niche, the creation of a fibrotic and immune suppressive environment, angiogenesis, and adaptation of tumor cells. We illustrate that transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β) is a central cytokine in all these processes. At last, we devise that future research should focus on TGF‐β inhibitory strategies, especially in combination with immunotherapy. This promising systemic treatment strategy has potential to eliminate distant metastases as the efficacy of immunotherapy will be enhanced.
Metabarcoding assays for the detection of freshwater mussels (Unionida) with environmental DNA
Authors: Klymus Katy E. , Richter Catherine A. , Thompson Nathan , Hinck Jo Ellen , Jones Jess W.
Published: November 2020

Freshwater mussels of the order Unionida are a widely distributed taxon that are important in maintaining freshwater ecosystems and are also highly imperiled throughout the world. Monitoring of mussel populations with environmental DNA (eDNA) is an attractive alternative to traditional methods because it is noninvasive and requires less labor and taxonomic knowledge from field personnel. We developed eDNA metabarcoding assays specific to freshwater mussels and tested them at six sites in the Clinch River, located in the southeastern United States. Our objective was to determine the utility of eDNA metabarcoding for future monitoring of mussel populations and restoration efforts in this watershed. Two metabarcoding assays that target the mitochondrial DNA regions of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit (ND1) genes were developed and tested. Our assays appear to be order specific, amplifying members from the two families found in North America, Unionidae and Margaritiferidae, while not amplifying nontarget fish or other bivalve species. From the field collected samples, our assays together detected 19 species, eight of which are listed as federally endangered. The assays also detected 42%, 58%, and 54% of the species identified by recent quantitative visual mussel surveys at three sampling sites. Increased sampling effort by processing a greater water volume or number of samples will likely increase species detections. These eDNA metabarcoding assays may enable enhanced monitoring of freshwater mussel assemblages and subsequently inform conservation efforts.
Beyond the barriers: An overview of mechanisms driving barriers to adaptation in Bangladesh
Authors: Ishtiaque Asif , Stock Ryan , Vij Sumit , Eakin Hallie , Chhetri Netra
Published: November 2020

Climate change adaptation governance involves multiple actors, operating from local to national level, and during their interactions, several challenges may surface and act as barriers to adaptation. While existing studies attempted to create an exhaustive list of barriers by focusing on “what” is occurring, we continue to have a meager understanding of “how” or “why” barriers emerge in the governance process. Selecting Bangladesh as a case study area, we identify the mechanisms that cause the emergence of barriers in the climate change adaptation governance process. We particularly focus on the barriers that emerge through interactions among actors. We base our research on data from key‐informant interviews and a systematic literature review. Our analysis reveals that there are at least five mechanisms that are involved in the emergence of barriers: enclosure and exclusion, boundary control, organizational inertia, belief formation, and frame polarization. Our identification of common mechanisms provides insights on actors' roles and activities in adaptation governance and elucidates the processes through which actors' interactions lead to barriers. This mechanism‐based analysis of barriers will help to address and navigate through the barriers more effectively to ensure successful adaptation. As climate change is becoming mainstreamed in development plans and policies in our study area, identifying the mechanisms of adaptation barriers can elucidate how development and climate adaptation strategies are affected by identified barriers.
Effect-Based Trigger Values for Mixtures of Chemicals in Surface Water Detected with In Vitro Bioassays
Authors: Escher Beate I. , Neale Peta A.
Published: November 2020

Effect-based trigger (EBT) values for in vitro bioassays are important for surface water quality monitoring because they define the threshold between acceptable and poor water quality. They have been derived for highly specific bioassays, such as hormone-receptor activation in reporter gene bioassays, by reading across from existing chemical guideline values. This read-across method is not easily applicable to bioassays indicative of adaptive stress responses, which are triggered by many different chemicals, and activation of nuclear receptors for xenobiotic metabolism, to which many chemicals bind with rather low specificity. We propose an alternative approach to define the EBT from the distribution of specificity ratios of all active chemicals. The specificity ratio is the ratio between the predicted baseline toxicity of a chemical in a given bioassay and its measured specific endpoint. Unlike many previous read-across methods to derive EBTs, the proposed method accounts for mixture effects and includes all chemicals, not only high-potency chemicals. The EBTs were derived from a cytotoxicity EBT that was defined as equivalent to 1% of cytotoxicity in a native surface water sample. The cytotoxicity EBT was scaled by the median of the log-normal distribution of specificity ratios to derive the EBT for effects specific for each bioassay. We illustrate the new approach using the example of the AREc32 assay, indicative of the oxidative stress response, and 2 nuclear receptor assays targeting the peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor gamma and the arylhydrocarbon receptor. The EBTs were less conservative than previously proposed but were able to differentiate untreated and insufficiently treated wastewater from wastewater treatment plant effluent with secondary or tertiary treatment and surface water. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:487–499. © 2020 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

Abstract

New effect-based triggers were derived for bioassays that are responsive to many different chemicals with relatively low potency accounting for their mixture effects. AhR = arylhydrocarbon receptor; BEQ = bioanalytical equivalent concentration; EBT = effect-based trigger; PPARγ = peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor gamma; SR = specificity ratio; WWTP = wastewater-treatment plant.
Thermosolutal convective non‐Newtonian radiative Casson fluid transport over a vertical plate propagated by Arrhenius kinetics with heat source/sink
Authors: Rajput Govind R. , Shamshuddin MD. , Salawu Sulyman O.
Published: November 2020

In the current study, a mathematical formulation is developed by combining the non‐Newtonian (Casson) fluid model to simulate the thermosolutal free convection radiative flow over a vertical surface. The current flow model is formulated with a heat sink/source and radiation driven by Arrhenius kinetics. The basic flow equations are transmuted into a nondimensional form via similarity transformations for which numerical simulations are performed utilizing the Runge‐Kutta‐Fehlberg method with shooting technique. The results obtained for velocity, energy, and species mass concerning various flow parameters are presented graphically. Computed results for skin friction, Nusselt number, and Sherwood number are tabulated. The results have been verified for limited cases by comparing with various investigations, revealing excellent accuracy. The detailed geometry reveals that an increase in the activation energy enhances the flow velocity and heat transport in the Casson fluid system due to exothermic heat reaction. With the increase of the Frank‐Kamenetskii term, there is a substantial rise in temperature distribution and a decrease in concentration profiles due to high Arrhenius exothermic process, which revealed that the presence of Arrhenius kinetics is more effective to improve heat transportation phenomenon. Enhancement of the heat source/sink term completely boosts heat distribution. Rise in Radiation parameter, temperature field increases by reducing heat dissipation to the ambient.
Heat and mass transfer characteristics of radiative hybrid nanofluid flow over a stretching sheet with chemical reaction
Authors: Santhi Muttukuru , Suryanarayana Rao Kavaturi Venkata , Sudarsana Reddy Patakota , Sreedevi Paluru
Published: November 2020

Unsteady magnetohydrodynamic heat and mass transfer analysis of hybrid nanoliquid flow over a stretching surface with chemical reaction, suction, slip effects, and thermal radiation is analyzed in this study. A combination of alumina (Al2O3) and titanium oxide (TiO2) nanoparticles are taken as hybrid nanoparticles and water is considered as the basefluid. Using the similarity transformation method, the governing equations are changed into a system of ordinary differential equations. These equations together with boundary conditions are numerically evaluated by using the Finite element method. The influence of various pertinent parameters on the profiles of fluids concentration, temperature, and velocity is calculated and the outcomes are plotted through graphs. The values of nondimensional rates of heat transfer, mass transfer, and velocity are also analyzed and the results are depicted in tables. Temperature sketches of hybrid nanoliquid intensified in both the steady and unsteady cases as the volume fraction of both nanoparticles rises.
Serum levels of neuropeptide Y in patients with chronic schizophrenia during treatment augmentation with sarcosine (results of the double‐blind randomized controlled PULSAR study)
Authors: Strzelecki Dominik , Kotlicka‐Antczak Magdalena , Kaczmarek Bartosz , Jerczyńska Hanna , Wysokiński Adam
Published: November 2020

Objective

Modulation of glutamatergic neurotransmission in schizophrenia by sarcosine leads to a reduction in primary negative symptoms, while its metabolic profile is safe. In order to extend research in the area, we assessed serum levels of neuropeptide Y (NPY), a hypothalamic hormone related to anxiety and depression, also involved in mechanisms inducing weight gain. Additionally, we analyzed associations between NPY concentrations and its changes with severity of symptoms and metabolic parameters.

Methods

A prospective 6‐month, randomized, double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial was completed by 57 subjects with chronic schizophrenia with predominant negative symptoms and stable antipsychotic treatment. The participants received 2 g of sarcosine (n = 28) or placebo (n = 29) daily. We assessed serum NPY concentrations and severity of symptoms (with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale [PANSS] and Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia) at the beginning of the study, after 6 weeks and 6 months.

Results

Sarcosine did not affect NPY levels in all time points. The highest decrease in NPY concentrations was observed in the subjects who were initially depressed, who became euthymic at the last visit. We noticed an improvement in the total PANSS score, and negative symptom and general psychopathology subscales in the sarcosine group, however, without any correlation with NPY levels.

Conclusion

The use of sarcosine does not change NPY levels. Peripheral NPY concentrations may be related to depressive symptoms in schizophrenia.
Research progress on toxicity, function, and mechanism of metal oxide nanoparticles on vascular endothelial cells
Authors: Wang Zhihui , Tang Meng
Published: November 2020

Metal oxide nanoparticles present stable and unique performance that makes them suitable for various biomedical applications. There are four common exposure ways that nanoparticles enter our body: injection, inhalation, skin penetration, and ingestion. Among them, injection, ingestion, and skin routes may become significant ways for nano‐scale treatment and cosmetics, and inhalation is the essential way for occupational exposure. All those nanoparticles could pass through the exposure routes and enter the circulation, which could cause damage on the cardiovascular system. So it is necessary to evaluate the toxicity of metal oxide nanoparticles and to explore the mechanism. This review chose four commonly used nanometal oxides to discuss about the toxicity they produced, the function they affected, and the mechanisms on cardiovascular endothelial cells. First, we discussed the toxicity they caused. These nanoparticles are less toxic when applied in low doses, but owing to the small particle size and large specific surface area, acute exposure or the metal ions released by nanoparticles will lead to phenotypic changes of endothelial cells, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. An endothelial cell is an essential part of blood vessels and could act as a barrier, maintain vascular tension, and keep the balance between coagulation and anticoagulation. Once vascular endothelium is injured or exposed to vascular risk factors, it would cause endothelial activation, endothelial dysfunction, and nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS) dysfunction, which are closely related to the cardiovascular disease. Finally, we talked about the mechanisms by four levels, and we especially mentioned inflammation, the production of reactive oxygen species, and NO.
Single‐cell RNA sequencing and lipidomics reveal cell and lipid dynamics of fat infiltration in skeletal muscle
Authors: Xu Ziye , You Wenjing , Chen Wentao , Zhou Yanbing , Nong Qiuyun , Valencak Teresa G. , Wang Yizhen , Shan Tizhong
Published: November 2020

Background

Ageing is accompanied by sarcopenia and intramuscular fat (IMAT) infiltration. In skeletal muscle, fat infiltration is a common feature in several myopathies and is associated with muscular dysfunction and insulin resistance. However, the cellular origin and lipidomic and transcriptomic changes during fat infiltration in skeletal muscle remain unclear.

Methods

In the current study, we generated a high IMAT‐infiltrated skeletal muscle model by glycerol (GLY) injection. Single‐cell RNA sequencing and lineage tracing were performed on GLY‐injured skeletal muscle at 5 days post‐injection (DPI) to identify the cell origins and dynamics. Lipidomics and RNA sequencing were performed on IMAT‐infiltrated skeletal muscle at 14 DPI (or 17 DPI for the cold treatment) to analyse alterations of lipid compositions and gene expression levels.

Results

We identified nine distinct major clusters including myeloid‐derived cells (52.13%), fibroblast/fibro/adipogenic progenitors (FAPs) (23.24%), and skeletal muscle stem cells (2.02%) in GLY‐injured skeletal muscle. Clustering and pseudotemporal trajectories revealed six subpopulations in fibroblast/FAPs and 10 subclusters in myeloid‐derived cells. A subpopulation of myeloid‐derived cells expressing adipocyte‐enriched genes and Pdgfra−/Cd68+ cells displayed lipid droplets upon adipogenic induction, indicating their adipogenic potential. Lipidomic analysis revealed the changes of overall lipid classes composition (e.g. triglycerides (TAGs) increased by 19.3 times, P = 0.0098; sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol decreased by 83%, P = 0.0056) and in the distribution of lipids [e.g. TAGs (18:2/18:2/22:6) increased by 181.6 times, P = 0.021] between GLY‐group and saline control. RNA‐seq revealed 1847 up‐regulated genes and 321 down‐regulated genes and significant changes in lipid metabolism‐related pathways (e.g. glycerolipid pathway and glycerophospholipid pathway) in our model of GLY‐injured skeletal muscle. Notably, short‐term cold exposure altered fatty acid composition (e.g. saturated fatty acid decreased by 6.4%, P = 0.058) in fat‐infiltrated muscles through directly affecting lipid metabolism pathways including PI3K–AKT and MAPK signalling pathway.

Conclusions

Our results showed that a subpopulation of myeloid‐derived cells may contribute to IMAT infiltration. GLY‐induced IMAT infiltration changed the lipid composition and gene expression profiles. Short‐term cold exposure might regulate lipid metabolism and its related signalling pathways in fat‐infiltrated muscle. Our study provides a comprehensive resource describing the molecular signature of fat infiltration in skeletal muscle.
Lanthanum‐based catalysts for (bio)ethanol conversion: effect of preparation method on catalytic performance – hard templating versus hydrolysis
Authors: Valsamakis Ioannis , Garbarino Gabriella
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND

Lanthanum‐based materials, namely La2O3 and La(OH)3, are of interest for several heterogeneous catalytic reactions because of their properties; that is, in spite of their poor resistance to CO2 and moisture, readily converting at room temperature to carbonates and oxycarbonates and requiring strong thermal treatments to revert back to their original form.

RESULTS

In this study, hard template and hydrolysis synthetic procedures have been compared for the production of nanostructured La‐based catalysts. The materials have been characterized by means of various techniques and tested in ethanol conversion as a probe reaction. Both preparation procedures give rise to higher surface areas than those reported for conventional synthesis and the surface properties are different, showing the formation of oxysulfate or of a complex mixture of carbonate and hydroxycarbonate.

CONCLUSIONS

Lanthanum‐based oxide can be efficiently prepared using different synthetic procedures that allow to obtain nanosized La‐based mixed oxides. However, great attention should be paid to the preparation step, because the role of impurities markedly affects the stability and the catalytic properties of the prepared oxide. The use of the hard templating procedure allows a reduction of the amount of carbonate upon air exposure, thus stabilizing the starting oxide, by protecting the surface with the presence of lanthanum oxysulfate (La2O2SO4). © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
High spatial resolution Raman mapping of complex mineral assemblages: Application on phosphate mineral sequences in pegmatites
Authors: Prado Araujo Fernando , Hulsbosch Niels , Muchez Philippe
Published: November 2020

Phosphates are a group of complex minerals widespread on Earth that can crystallize in several environments. Changes in environmental conditions during crystallization are reflected in the formation of a sequence of phosphate minerals, termed paragenesis. Accordingly, analyses of textural and chemical properties of complex mineral assemblages are essential to reconstruct the history of rocks and solid materials. Raman mapping can detect those mineralogical changes in complex assemblages with high spatial resolution, successfully determining the paragenetic sequence. Specifically, Raman spectroscopy is more advantageous than conventional methods because it requires little sample preparation, it is nondestructive, and it is capable of identifying hydrated minerals and phases composed of light elements (e.g., H and Li). In this study, the parageneses of two phosphatic assemblages from the Buranga pegmatite, a P–Li–Nb–Ta‐rich magmatic rock, are reported in detail. The first case shows the replacement of primary F‐rich montebrasite [LiAl(PO4)(OH,F)] by secondary F‐poor montebrasite [LiAl(PO4)OH]. Mapping of the OH‐stretching peak position and width identifies the mineral phases, illustrates their spatial relations, and allows to estimate the F content distribution. The second case investigates a sequence of phosphate minerals in a complex assemblage (trolleite + rosemaryite ➔ lazulite–scorzalite ➔ samuelsonite ➔ wardite). The application of multivariate analysis methods to characterize complex assemblages is assessed, and the classical least squares method is identified as the best suited for this setting. An analysis of Raman images shows that Buranga samples experienced a progressive hydration process during cooling, followed by fluid‐assisted mineral reactions with remobilization of elements, such as Ca and Na.
A review on recent developments in the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles and its biomedical applications
Authors: Arif Rizwan , Uddin Rahis
Published: November 2020

Green chemistry is the significant field of research as it offers simple, cost‐effective, easy, biocompatible and eco‐friendly methods for the synthesis of nanomaterials. With the development of nanotechnology, the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has become important areas of research due to their various applications in industrial, pharmacological and medicinal fields as they exhibited good antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, anticoagulant, thrombolytic, cytotoxic and photocatalytic properties due to their chemical stability and good biocompatibility. The size, shape, concentration, agglomeration and some other factors of AgNPs depend on the methods used for the synthesis of nanomaterials. Various methods have been used by the researchers in the last few years for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using various microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, algae, different parts of plants, agricultural wastes, arthropods and metabolites of arthropods. The use of microorganisms and plants for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles is very eco‐friendly, time‐saving and inexpensive methods. In this review, we have discussed the various synthetic methods for the silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by using microorganisms and plants. Also, the review explores the recent developments in antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant and cytotoxic properties of silver nanoparticles reported by the researchers during the last decade.
A complementary split‐ring array for compact decoupling 2 × 2 circularly polarized antenna
Authors: Gao Di , Cao Zhenxin , Quan Xin , Xu Changzhi , Chen Peng
Published: November 2020

In this letter, a complementary split‐ring array (CSRA) for decoupling compact (edge‐to‐edge spacing of 0.078 λ0) 2 × 2 circularly polarized (CP) microstrip antenna is proposed. The CSRA is the ground plane with the etched split‐ring array (SRA) which is composed of 12 split‐rings. Each element is surrounded by four etched split‐rings, and the two adjacent elements share the same etched split‐ring between them. The decoupling mechanism of the CSRA is to alter the amplitude and phase of the original coupling field and make the polarization of the adjusted coupling field mismatch with the receiving field. To verify the idea, the 2 × 2 CP antennas with and without CSRA are simulated and measured. The experimental results show that the maximum mutual coupling reduction is 29.6 dB for S12, 23.6 dB for S14, and 5.6 dB for S13. Meanwhile, the impedance bandwidth and radiation characteristics remain almost unchanged. The measured results agree well with the simulated results, which showed new light on application of the proposed CSRA for multiple‐input‐multiple‐output systems.
Phase I Dose-Escalation Study of SCB01A, a Microtubule Inhibitor with Vascular Disrupting Activity, in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors
Authors: Shiah Her-Shyong , Chiang Nai-Jung , Lin Chia-Chi , Yen Chia-Jui , Tsai Hui-Jen , Wu Shang-Yin , Su Wu-Chou , Chang Kwang-Yu , Wang Ching-Chiung , Chang Jang-Yang , Chen Li-Tzong
Published: November 2020

Lessons Learned

SCB01A is a novel microtubule inhibitor with vascular disrupting activity. This first-in-human study demonstrated SCB01A safety, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary antitumor activity. SCB01A is safe and well tolerated in patients with advanced solid malignancies with manageable neurotoxicity.

Background

SCB01A, a novel microtubule inhibitor, has vascular disrupting activity.

Methods

In this phase I dose-escalation and extension study, patients with advanced solid tumors were administered intravenous SCB01A infusions for 3 hours once every 21 days. Rapid titration and a 3 + 3 design escalated the dose from 2 mg/m2 to the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) based on dose-limiting toxicity (DLT). SCB01A-induced cellular neurotoxicity was evaluated in dorsal root ganglion cells. The primary endpoint was MTD. Safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), and tumor response were secondary endpoints.

Results

Treatment-related adverse events included anemia, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, fever, and peripheral sensorimotor neuropathy. DLTs included grade 4 elevated creatine phosphokinase (CPK) in the 4 mg/m2 cohort; grade 3 gastric hemorrhage in the 6.5 mg/m2 cohort; grade 2 thromboembolic event in the 24 mg/m2 cohort; and grade 3 peripheral sensorimotor neuropathy, grade 3 elevated aspartate aminotransferase, and grade 3 hypertension in the 32 mg/m2 cohort. The MTD was 24 mg/m2, and average half-life was ~2.5 hours. The area under the curve-dose response relationship was linear. Nineteen subjects were stable after two cycles. The longest treatment lasted 24 cycles. SCB01A-induced neurotoxicity was reversible in vitro.

Conclusion

The MTD of SCB01A was 24 mg/m2 every 21 days; it is safe and tolerable in patients with solid tumors.
Not all acid sites are created equal: Alkene isomerization and dimerization occur on separate sites on Amberlyst®15 catalyst
Authors: Gee Jeffrey C.
Published: November 2020

Linear 1‐alkenes undergo concurrent dimerization and double bond isomerization on the solid acid catalyst Amberlyst®15. Kinetic data show that double bond isomerization occurs on a site where the alkene adsorption coefficient is small, whereas alkene dimerization occurs on a site where the alkene adsorption coefficient is large. The fraction of isomerization sites occupied by alkene is small, whereas the dimerization sites are practically saturated with alkene. Logically, two different types of acid sites must exist on the surface of Amberlyst®15 catalyst. On the dimerization sites, substantial skeletal rearrangement occurs, likely via rapidly isomerizing carbenium ions, π‐complexes, and/or protonated cyclopropyl intermediates.
Flower‐Like Morphology of Naphthalene Diimides Containing tetra‐L‐ and D‐Alanine
Authors: Shaikh Dada B. , More Kerba S. , Kobaisi Mohammad Al , La Duong Duc , Bhosale Sidhanath V. , Bhosale Sheshanath V.
Published: November 2020

Two structural isomers of naphthalene diimide (NDI) chromophores NDI‐3 and NDI‐4, which are NDI imide position functionalised with four L‐/D‐alanine subunits. Density functional theory calculations revel that HOMO molecular orbital is localized on N‐phenyl substituent and LUMO on NDI core. Further, the UV‐vis, fluorescence measurements show that both the derivatives i. e. NDI‐3 and NDI‐4 exhibit changes in optical and photophysical properties with the addition of non‐polar i. e. methylcyclohexane in chloroform as well as water in tetrahydrofuran. From these results, it is clear that the structural isomers NDI‐3 and NDI‐4 shows a significant solvatochromic effect, which ascribed to the aggregation effect via π‐π stacking of NDI core along with hydrogen‐bonding between alanine side chains. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and polarized optical microscopy images clearly demonstrate formation of flower like morphology in THF:H2O and fiber nanostructure in CHCl3:MCH for both NDI‐3 and NDI‐4. Interestingly, only NDI‐4 in CHCl3:MCH (4 : 6, v/v) solvent mixture produces rose‐like flower microstructures.
Elucidation of Thermal Degradation Model for Low and High Density Polyethylene by Statistical Parameters
Authors: Iyer Kartik S , Balsora Hemant K , Dixit Shubham D , Sharma Abhishek , Sonar Prashant , Doherty William O. S. , Chakinala Anand G. , Joshi Jyeshtharaj B.
Published: November 2020

Solid state decomposition studies of Low and High Density Polyethylene (LDPE and HDPE) have been carried out in the present work. Thermo‐gravimetric analysis (TGA) is utilized to determine the degradation kinetics for pure plastic samples at different heating rates. The distribution of activation energy values and rates estimated using various Iso‐conversional methods have been selected on basis of correlation coefficients. For LDPE, isoconversional method of Friedman and for HDPE Flynn Wall Ozawa methods are used to estimate the distribution of activation energies having their mean values as 256.5 and 257.2 kJ/mol respectively. The inputs from Isoconversional methods are used to determine decomposition behavior with Criado method. Model based studies performed with Criado method identifies the solid‐state degradation follows contracting volume‐sphere (R3) model based on lower statistical parameter values. The identified decomposition model is validated by Coats Redfern method which also results in lower statistical parameter values. This is further validated through a best fit of extent of reaction profile against temperature, substantiating the solid‐state decomposition model followed by given plastic fractions.
The Hydrogenation Problem in Cobalt‐based Catalytic Hydroaminomethylation
Authors: de Bruijn Hans M. , Fonseca Guerra Célia , Bouwman Elisabeth , Bickelhaupt F. Matthias
Published: November 2020

The hydroaminomethylation (HAM) reaction converts alkenes into N‐alkylated amines and has been well studied for rhodium‐ and ruthenium‐based catalytic systems. Cobalt‐based catalytic systems are able to perform the essential hydroformylation reaction, but are also known to form very active hydrogenation catalysts, therefore we examined such a system for its potential use in the HAM reaction. Thus, we have quantum‐chemically explored the hydrogenation activity of [HCo(CO)3] in model reactions with ethene, methyleneamine, formaldehyde, and vinylamine using dispersion‐corrected relativistic density functional theory at ZORA‐BLYP‐D3(BJ)/TZ2P. Our computations reveal essentially identical overall barriers for the catalytic hydrogenation of ethene, formaldehyde, and vinylamine. This strongly suggests that a cobalt‐based catalytic system will lack hydrogenation selectivity in experimental HAM reactions. Our HAM experiments with a cobalt‐based catalytic system (consisting of Co2(CO)8 as cobalt source and P(n‐Bu)3 as ligand) resulted in the formation of the desired N‐alkylated amine. However, significant amounts of hydrogenated starting material as well as alcohol (hydrogenated aldehyde) were always formed. The use of cobalt‐based catalysts in the HAM reaction to selectively form N‐alkylated amines seems therefore not feasible. This confirms our computational prediction and highlights the usefulness of state‐of‐the‐art DFT computations for guiding future experiments.
Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition (Potential Anti‐Alzheimer Effects) by Aminobenzoic Acid Derivatives: Synthesis, in Vitro and in Silico Evaluation
Authors: Altamirano‐Espino José A. , Sánchez‐Labastida Luis A. , Martínez‐Archundia Marlet , Andrade‐Jorge Erik , Trujillo‐Ferrara José G.
Published: November 2020

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative condition that decreases cognitive function. Thus, intense research efforts have focused on developing acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors with less side effects. The aim of this study was to synthesize aminobenzoic acid derivatives and test their AChE inhibitory capacity in silico and in vitro. Ten electron‐poor aminobenzoic acid derivatives were synthesized in good‐high yields. Their interaction with EeAChE, according to docking simulations, is mainly mediated by the aromatic ring of the ligands and the catalytic triad of the receptor (π‐π interactions). The in vitro evaluation revealed mixed inhibition (mostly competitive) in all cases. The structural analysis showed better Ki values for heterocyclic than linear compounds and with the presence of two carboxylic groups attached. 5‐Aminoisophthalic acid (AIPA_3, KI=73 μM) showed the lowest KI of all compounds. The electron‐poor aromatic ring of the test compounds is recognized by the electron‐rich peripheric and catalytic binding sites of AChE. AIPA_3, with the best properties, is a promising lead compound for developing new AChE inhibitors.
Evaluation of Ethylated Phenylcarbamoylazinane‐1,2,4‐Triazole Amides Derivatives as 15‐Lipoxygenase Inhibitors Together with Cytotoxic, ADME and Molecular Modeling Studies
Authors: Muzaffar Saima , Shahid Wardah , Saleem Muhammad , Ashraf Muhammad , Aziz‐ur‐Rehman  , Bashir Bushra , Ali Mudassar , Al‐Rashida Mariya , Baral Bikash , Bhattarai Keshab , Riaz Naheed
Published: November 2020

Searching the organic compound as anti‐inflammatory agent is a fruitful effort to treat inflammatory disorders such as asthma, arthritis, psoriasis, and especially cancer. These disorders can be cured by lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibitors, which have the ability to stop the development and progression of inflammation. The present research described the synthesis of fifteen new N‐alkyl/aralkyl/aryl derivatives (7 a–o) of 2‐(4‐ethyl‐5‐(1‐phenylcarbamoyl)piperidine‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐ylthio)acetamide by the continuous conversions of ethyl piperidine‐4‐carboxylate (a) into phenylcarbamoyl derivative (1) hydrazide (2), semicarbazide (3) and finally the N‐ethylated 5‐(1‐phenylcarbamoyl)piperidine‐1,2,4‐triazole (4). The target molecules (7 a–o) were formed by the reaction of 4 with various electrophiles (6 a–o), in methanolic potassium hydroxide. These synthetic analogues were characterized by FTIR, 1H, 13C NMR spectroscopy, EIMS, and HREIMS spectrometry. The compounds 7 a–o were screened for their inhibitory potential against 15‐lipoxygenase. Compounds 7 b, 7 e, 7 c and 7 g displayed the potent inhibitory potential (IC50 17.52±0.67, 35.61±0.81, 36.24±0.83 & 36.52±0.58 μM, respectively), whereas, moderate inhibition was shown by 7 h, 7 a, 7 d with IC50 values between 42.95±0.73 to 45.67±0.75 μM, respectively. Some compounds exhibited drug‐like characteristics due to their lower cytotoxic and good ADME profiles and supported by molecular modeling studies where one of the NH groups was found engaged through hydrogen bonding with Ala672. The carbonyl group amide and Asn554 were connected by a hydrogen bond, whereas the second NH group was also linked through hydrogen bonds with Gln363.
Understanding the relation between repeat developer interactions and bug resolution times in large open source ecosystems: A multisystem study
Authors: Datta Subhajit , Roychoudhuri Reshma , Majumder Subhashis
Published: November 2020

Large‐scale software systems are being increasingly built by distributed teams of developers who interact across geographies and time zones. Ensuring smooth knowledge transfer and the percolation of skills within and across such teams remain key challenges for organizations. Towards addressing this challenge, organizations often grapple with questions around whether and how repeat collaborations between members of a team relate to outcomes of important activities. In the context of this paper, the word ‘repeat interaction’ does not imply a greater number of interactions; it refers to repeat interaction between a pair of developers who have collaborated before. In this paper, we empirically examine such a question using real‐world data from three diverse development ecosystems, collectively involving 400,000+ units of work and 600,000+ comments exchanged between numerous developers. Our statistical models consistently establish a counter‐intuitive relation between repeat developer interaction and bug resolution times. Our experimental results show that more instances of repeat developer interactions over bug fixing are associated with more time taken for the bugs to be fixed. Given the expanse and variety of the underlying data, our results offer an unexpected set of insights on a key dynamic of collaboration in software development ecosystems. We discuss how these insights can influence the practice of large‐scale software development at individual, team and organizational levels.
Enhancement of Interfacial Charge Transportation Through Construction of 2D–2D p–n Heterojunctions in Hierarchical 3D CNFs/MoS2/ZnIn2S4 Composites to Enable High‐Efficiency Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Sun Yiran , Xue Chao , Chen Lvcun , Li Yukun , Guo Shuaiwei , Shen Yonglong , Dong Fan , Shao Guosheng , Zhang Peng
Published: November 2020

Hierarchical three‐dimensional (3D) carbon nanofibers (CNFs)/molybdenum disulfide (MoS2)/ZnIn2S4 composites with p–n heterojunctions between the basal planes of two‐dimensional (2D) phases are fabricated, using in situ spinning‐based chemical vapor deposition together with hydrothermal processing. It is found that large and intimately interfaced 2D–2D planes between the n‐type ZnIn2S4 and the CNFs‐supported p‐type MoS2 enable evident junction rectification effect, which facilitates interfacial charge separation to assist effective suppression of the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes. In addition, the p‐type MoS2 nanosheets with high in‐plane conductivity and narrower bandgap are highly effective in providing larger quantities of photoinduced electrons, which can be readily injected into the outer n‐type ZnIn2S4 coating for the reduction of H2O into H2, whereas the holes are driven into the CNF cores by the junction field to be finally scavenged. The large specific surficial area of the sulfides provides abundant sulfur‐rich sites active for H2 evolution. Consequently, the optimal CNFs/MoS2/ZnIn2S4 composite with 5 mmoL MoS2 loading exhibits robust H2 evolution under simulate sunlight irradiation, achieving a remarkably enhanced photocatalytic H2 production rate over 151.42 mmoL⋅h−1⋅g−1 and a high apparent quantum yield of 20.88% at 365 nm, which is 4.65 times higher than that of pristine ZnIn2S4.
Strongly oversized fission yeast cells lack any size control and tend to grow linearly rather than bilinearly
Authors: Nagy Zsófia , Medgyes‐Horváth Anna , Vörös Eszter , Sveiczer Ákos
Published: November 2020

During the mitotic cycle, the rod‐shaped fission yeast cells grow only at their tips. The newly born cells grow first unipolarly at their old end, but later in the cycle, the ‘new end take‐off’ event occurs, resulting in bipolar growth. Photographs were taken of several steady‐state and induction synchronous cultures of different cell cycle mutants of fission yeast, generally larger than wild type. Length measurements of many individual cells were performed from birth to division. For all the measured growth patterns, three different functions (linear, bilinear and exponential) were fitted, and the most adequate one was chosen by using specific statistical criteria, considering the altering parameter numbers. Although the growth patterns were heterogeneous in all the cultures studied, we could find some tendencies. In cultures with sufficiently wide size distribution, cells large enough at birth tend to grow linearly, whereas the other cells generally tend to grow bilinearly. We have found that among bilinearly growing cells, the larger they are at birth, the rate change point during their bilinear pattern occurs earlier in the cycle. This shifting near to the beginning of the cycle might finally cause a linear pattern, if the cells are even larger. In all of the steady‐state cultures studied, a size control mechanism operates to maintain homeostasis. By contrast, strongly oversized cells of induction synchronous cultures lack any sizer, and their cycle rather behaves like an adder. We could determine the critical cell size for both the G1 and G2 size controls, where these mechanisms become cryptic.

TAKE AWAY

Most individual fission yeast cells in steady‐state cultures grow bilinearly.

In strongly oversized fission yeast cells, linear growth dominates over bilinear.

Above birth length thresholds, both the G1 and G2 size controls become cryptic.
Antiracist Feminism and the Politics of Solidarity in Neoliberal Times
Authors: Keskinen Suvi
Published: November 2020

This chapter analyses the establishment and expansion of antiracist feminism in the last decade throughout the Nordic region, with new groups, media sites, and public events organised, especially in the large cities. I examine antiracist feminist and queer of colour activism in which the main or sole actors belong to groups racialised as non-white or “others” in Nordic societies. A fundamental argument developed in the chapter is the central role and potential of these emerging social movements to reconfigure political agendas and tackling of pressing societal issues, due to their capacity to overlap and connect the borders of antiracist, feminist, and (to some extent) class-based politics. The chapter further argues for the usefulness of theorising the neoliberal turn of racial capitalism as the societal condition in which feminist activism takes place.