bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cryo-EM structures of the caspase-activated protein XKR9 involved in apoptotic lipid scrambling
Authors: Straub Monique S , Alvadia Carolina , Sawicka Marta , Dutzler Raimund
Published: July 2021

The exposure of the negatively charged lipid phosphatidylserine on the cell surface, catalyzed by lipid scramblases, is an important signal for the clearance of apoptotic cells by macrophages. The protein XKR9 is a member of a conserved family that has been associated with apoptotic lipid scrambling. Here, we describe structures of full-length and caspase-treated XKR9 from Rattus norvegicus in complex with a synthetic nanobody determined by cryo-electron microscopy. The 43 kDa monomeric membrane protein can be divided into two structurally related repeats, each containing four membrane-spanning segments and a helix that is partly inserted into the lipid bilayer. In the full-length protein, the C-terminus interacts with a hydrophobic pocket located at the intracellular side acting as an inhibitor of protein function. Cleavage by caspase-3 at a specific site releases 16 residues of the C-terminus, thus making the pocket accessible to the cytoplasm. Collectively, the work has revealed the unknown architecture of the XKR family and has provided initial insight into its activation by caspases.
Efficacy of computational predictions of the functional effect of idiosyncratic pharmacogenetic variants
Authors: McConnell Hannah , Andrews T. Daniel , Field Matt A.
Published: July 2021

Background

Pharmacogenetic variation is important to drug responses through diverse and complex mechanisms. Predictions of the functional impact of missense pharmacogenetic variants primarily rely on the degree of sequence conservation between species as a primary discriminator. However, idiosyncratic or off-target drug-variant interactions sometimes involve effects that are peripheral or accessory to the central systems in which a gene functions. Given the importance of sequence conservation to functional prediction tools—these idiosyncratic pharmacogenetic variants may violate the assumptions of predictive software commonly used to infer their effect.

Methods

Here we exhaustively assess the effectiveness of eleven missense mutation functional inference tools on all known pharmacogenetic missense variants contained in the Pharmacogenomics Knowledgebase (PharmGKB) repository. We categorize PharmGKB entries into sub-classes to catalog likely off-target interactions, such that we may compare predictions across different variant annotations.

Results

As previously demonstrated, functional inference tools perform variably across the complete set of PharmGKB variants, with large numbers of variants incorrectly classified as ‘benign’. However, we find substantial differences amongst PharmGKB variant sub-classes, particularly in variants known to cause off-target, type B adverse drug reactions, that are largely unrelated to the main pharmacological action of the drug. Specifically, variants associated with off-target effects (hence referred to as off-target variants) were most often incorrectly classified as ‘benign’. These results highlight the importance of understanding the underlying mechanism of pharmacogenetic variants and how variants associated with off-target effects will ultimately require new predictive algorithms.

Conclusion

In this work we demonstrate that functional inference tools perform poorly on pharmacogenetic variants, particularly on subsets enriched for variants causing off-target, type B adverse drug reactions. We describe how to identify variants associated with off-target effects within PharmGKB in order to generate a training set of variants that is needed to develop new algorithms specifically for this class of variant. Development of such tools will lead to more accurate functional predictions and pave the way for the increased wide-spread adoption of pharmacogenetics in clinical practice.
BREVE COMPARACIÓN ENTRE EL RÉGIMEN NORMATIVO DE COLABORACIÓN DEL ESTADO PERUANO CON LA IGLESIA CATÓLICA Y EL APLICABLE AL RESTO DE CONFESIONES RELIGIOSAS
Authors:   Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Estela Vargas Diego Alonso
Published: July 2021

El presente trabajo realiza un breve análisis comparativo entre el Acuerdo suscrito entre la Santa Sede y la República del Perú de 1980, del cual se desprende el marco jurídico de la cooperación proporcionada a la Iglesia Católica; y la Ley de Libertad Religiosa y su reglamento vigente, que regulan ciertos aspectos colaborativos referidos al resto de confesiones en el país.
Scale for Measuring Phubbing in Peruvian University Students: Adaptation, Validation and Results of Its Application
Authors: Ríos Ariza José Manuel , Matas-Terrón Antonio , del Rumiche Chávarry Rocío Pilar , Chunga Chinguel Gerardo Raúl
Published: July 2021

Phubbing is defined as ignoring people with whom you have a face-to-face relationship to attend to smartphones. The phenomenon of phubbing particularly affects the teenage and young segments of the population. The main problem lies in the impact it has on individuals’ social relationship. A lack of validated instruments to diagnose this phenomenon has been observed amongst the Spanish-speaking youth. The objective pursued with this research was to analyse the structural validity and reliability of the Spanish scale in a sample of 454 Peruvian university students. A reliability study was carried out following Cronbach and McDonald, complemented with an exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. The results show good reliability and validity values. Finally, some aspects associated with users’ profiles in relation to the scale were discussed too. A need exists to have adapted instruments which permit to measure emerging social threats such as phubbing, so that risk profiles can be identified and for us to be able to act in time. Most of the students surveyed regularly engaged in phubbing, and a significant percentage of them had personal and social problems because of this, including lack of sleep hours or arguments with friends and relatives, to quote but two.
Elevation of Serum Cystatin C Levels as a Predictor of Cardiovascular Risk in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Case-control Study
Authors: Sumantara NS , Anusuya MR
Published: July 2021

Introduction: Patients with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) exhibit atherogenic lipid profile, increasing the risk for atherosclerosis, compared to people without diabetes. Cystatin C, a naturally occurring protease inhibitor has a key role in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in type 2 DM patients by inhibiting the elastolytic activity of arterial extracellular matrix by cysteine protease cathepsins. Increased concentration of cystatin C in serum reflects a counterbalance of the damaging elastolytic activity which is involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in type 2 DM patients. Aim: To determine the serum levels of cystatin C and lipid profile in type 2 DM patients with good and poor glycaemic control and to find out the correlation between serum cystatin C with HbA1c levels and cardiovascular risk markers (non-High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDLc), Total Cholesterol (TC)/HDLc, Low-Density Liporotein (LDLc)/HDLc). Materials and Methods: The present case-control study included 60 diabetic patients of 35-75 years of age including both the genders. They were divided into Group A (n=30) with HbA1c ≤6.5% and Group B (n=30) with HbA1c >6.5%. Blood samples were collected in fasting state and analysed for Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS), TC, HDLc, LDLc. FBS was analysed by Hexokinase method, HbA1c by turbidimetric inhibition immunoassay and cystatin C by Immunoturbidimetric method. Other parameters like Non-HDLc and cardiovascular risk ratios TC/HDLc and LDLc/HDLc were calculated. Statistical analysis was done by student’s t-test and statistical significance was established at p-value <0.0001. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to examine various parameters. Results: In the present study, it was found that diabetic patients with HbA1c >6.5% showed increased levels of serum cystatin C (1.20±0.73 mg/L), TC (182±46.48 mg/dL), LDLc (137±13.86 mg/dL) and low levels of HDLc (34.7±12.43 mg/dL) compared to diabetic patients with HbA1c ≤6.5%. Increase in serum cystatin C levels correlated well with the increased levels of HbA1c (r=0.92), non-HDLc (r=0.87) and cardiovascular risk ratios like TC/HDLc (r=0.95) and LDLc/HDLc (r=0.97). Conclusion: The elevated serum levels of cystatin C levels correlated well with increased HbA1c and lipid profile indicating the dyslipidemia and proatherogenic status in type 2 diabetic patients with poor glycaemic control. Thus, cystatin C can be considered as the predictive marker for cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetic patients.
The Relationship between Corporate Governance Characteristics and Earnings Quality---Takes the IT Industry of China Listed Companies as a Sample
Authors: Hsiao Chih-Yi , Zhang Qing-Yuan , Huang Hao-Nan , Xi Wei-Xun
Published: July 2021

Since the meeting of China Securities Regulatory Commission in 2020 once again emphasized the issue of earnings quality of corporate governance, this paper intends to study this issue from different perspectives. This study takes the IT industry of China's A-share listed companies from 2015 to 2019 as the sample, and makes an empirical analysis with the fuzzy set/ Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fs/QCA). The results show that the companies with large scale and good corporate governance concept, poor financial structure but with the assistance of external experts, high salary and high proportion of independent directors have relatively high earnings quality. According to the above research results. According to the findings, we put forward the following suggestions. For enterprises, good corporate governance concept and the concept of integrity are very important, but there must be efficient operation of the board of directors in order to play the role of corporate governance. Therefore, the size of the board of directors should not be too large, but it can be adjusted flexibly depends on whether the required professionals are enough. In addition, enterprises with poor financial structure should rely on the assistance of professional managers, rather than using earnings manipulation to obtain short-term benefits. For the regulators of listed companies, the procedures of independent directors’ selection should be more strictly supervised, so as not to make the setting of independent directors become mere formality. For investors, we should always pay attention to the corporate governance, and announce the disclosure of real-time information about directors, supervisors and senior executives, to prevent losses caused by investment misjudgment.
Influence of Cultivars and Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates and Application Mode on Yields and Quality Parameters of Ratoon Sugarcane in Western Kenya
Authors: Achieng George O. , Owuor P. Okinda , Omondi Chrispine O. , Abayo Gordon O.
Published: July 2021

Productivity of sugarcane in Kenya has declined despite use of recommended production practices including introduction of elite high yielding and early maturing sugarcane varieties. Farmers continue to use recommended agronomic inputs for the old low yielding and late maturing varieties on these elite varieties. Nitrogen fertilizer rates in single or split doses for old varieties are still in use yet their appropriateness on new varieties remains untested culminating to decline in sugarcane productivity in Kenya. Currently, cane payment is based on delivered milling cane weight. The industry plans to change payment to a combination of quality and yields. Influence of agronomic inputs and timing of harvesting period on proposed mode of payment is unknown. Harvesting age in western Kenya remains 18-20 months after ratooning (MAR). However, optimal age that combines quality and yields is not documented. Influence of these agronomic practices on quality, yields and optimal harvesting age of ratoon crop of new (D8484) and old (CO421) varieties were evaluated in a 2x4x3 split-split-plot design replicated three times. Four rates of nitrogen as urea, all applied at 3 MAR, split once (50-50%) and applied at 3 and 6 MAR or split three times (40-30-30%) and applied at 3, 6 and 9 MAR were evaluated. Yields and quality parameters were monitored from 10th-24th MAR. Variety D8484 out-yielded (p≤0.05) CO421 throughout demonstrating its superiority. Yields reached maximum at 20 and 19 MAR for CO421 and D8484, respectively. Maximum pol and brix were attained at 18 and 15 MAR for CO421 and D8484, respectively, while commercial cane sugar (CCS) was maximum at 18 and 17 MAR for CO421 and D8484, respectively. Results demonstrated that for high returns, D8484 should be harvested between 15-18 MAR while CO421 between 17-19 MAR. The 60 kg N/ha, that produced higher (p≤0.05) output in both varieties, from 16th MAR is recommended for both varieties. Split fertilizer application did not affect productivity.
Role of Drugs in COVID 19 Patient: A Review
Authors: Bhatia Avni
Published: July 2021

Background: No specific drug treatment is available for the COVID-19. Various drugs are being used and repurposed as COVID-19 treatment.

Summary: COVID-19 has no defined treatment course because it has no precedent. Various drugs are tried and tested to be used upon patients to treat particular symptom. Hydroxycholoroquine, lopinavir, ritonavir and so on are the famous drugs being repurposed as COVID-19 treatment drugs. Prophylactics are not widely listed but supplements and drugs which contain anti-inflammatory properties and anti-oxidants should be inculcated in the diet so that innate immune response can fight off the external pathogenic invasion all by itself.

Conclusion: Drugs listed for repurposing method must be tried and tested before administered it to a severely ill patients or to a large chunk of population. Proper study needs to be done before administered and starting full-fledged usage of any existing drug not meant for the treatment of COVID-19.
Biotechnology of Microorganisms Growing– Fundamentals for the Development of a Litter Biodestructor
Authors: Gneush Anna Nikolaevna , Luneva Albina Vladimirovna , Machneva Nadezhda Leonidovna , Lysenko Yury Andreevich , Aniskina Maria Vladimirova , Verevkina Marina Nikolaevna , Kilyashanov Magomed Hizrievich , Povetkin Sergey Nikolaevich
Published: July 2021

The purpose of the research work was to select the optimal conditions for the cultivation of microorganisms. As a result of the conducted research work, the modes of growing a nitrogen-fixing culture and a microorganism with high enzymatic activity were selected and worked out. At the same time, the optimal conditions for the cultivation of Azotobacter sp were determined – the temperature optimum for cell accumulation was 30°C, for increased polysaccharide production 20 °C, aeration within 5-10 l/l/min, agitator speed-150 rpm, pH value within 6.0±0.2 units, which allowed to achieve a cell titer of at least 1.0×109 CFU/ml. A cost-effective nutrient medium was selected for growing Pseudomonas sp. molasses-autolysate medium and optimal conditions for growing the culture: cultivation temperature 30-32 °C, aeration 1.0-1.5 l/l/ min, agitator speed 150-200 rpm, pH 6.8-7.2 units, sub-titration 5.0 % KOH, defoaming with adecanol, cultivation time-72 hours, which allowed to achieve a cell titer of at least 1.0×109 CFU/ml.
Knowledge, Awareness and Practices of Saudi Females about Osteoporosis
Authors: Alhazmi Bushra Dhuhayyan , Alshammari Mohammed Kanan
Published: July 2021

Introduction: Osteoporosis is a common skeletal disease that is characterized by reduction of bone mass and loss of bone microarchitecture leading to increased risk of bone fractures.

Objective: To assess knowledge, awareness and practices of Saudi females about osteoporosis.

Methodology: Cross-sectional study for 3 months (November, December 2019 and January 2020) on random sample of 537 Saudi females, the data was collected by using a questionnaire in Arabic language, data were analyzed by means of Descriptive statistics.

Results: Among the participants, there were 43% in the age group of (18-25 years) and 19% in the age group of (26-35 years), 41% completed university education. The main source of information about osteoporosis was friends and relatives (33%). Mean score of participant’s sufficient knowledge about risk factors of osteoporosis was 52%, mean score of participant’s sufficient knowledge about prevention and treatment of osteoporosis was 67%, mean score of participant’s sufficient knowledge about signs & symptoms of osteoporosis was 43%, mean score of participant’s sufficient knowledge about diagnosis of osteoporosis was 17% and the overall mean score of sufficient knowledge about osteoporosis was 45%. About 55% of study participants previously got vitamin D screening, 46% previously got calcium screening in blood, 8% previously got screened with DXA.

Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate that the knowledge and awareness about osteoporosis among Saudi females are poor. The participants lacked knowledge relating to risk factors, signs and symptoms, diagnosis and prevention of osteoporosis and the practice regarding the prevention and detection of osteoporosis is poor.
Fluid shear stress activates YAP to promote epithelial–mesenchymal transition in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Yu Hongchi , He Jia , Su Guanyue , Wang Yuelong , Fang Fei , Yang Wenxing , Gu Kaiyun , Fu Naiyang , Wang Yunbing , Shen Yang , Liu Xiaoheng
Published: July 2021

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) mediated by fluid shear stress (FSS) in the tumor microenvironment plays an important role in driving metastasis of the malignant tumor. As a mechanotransducer, Yes‐associated protein (YAP) is known to translocate into the nucleus to initiate transcription of genes involved in cell proliferation upon extracellular biophysical stimuli. Here, we showed that FSS facilitated cytoskeleton rearrangement in hepatocellular carcinoma cells, which led to the release of YAP from its binding partner, integrin β subunit, in the cytomembrane. Moreover, we found that upregulation of guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF)‐H1, a microtubule‐associated Rho GEF, is a critical step in the FSS‐induced translocation of YAP. Nuclear YAP activated the expression of the EMT‐regulating transcription factor SNAI1, but suppressed the expression of N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) modulators; together, this promoted the expression of EMT‐related genes. We also observed that FSS‐treated HepG2 cells showed markedly increased tumorigenesis and metastasis in vivo. Collectively, our findings unravel the underlying molecular processes by which FSS induces translocation of YAP from the cytomembrane to the nucleus, contributes to EMT and enhances metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma.
Forestry contributed to warming of forest ecosystems in northern Germany during the extreme summers of 2018 and 2019
Authors: Blumröder Jeanette S. , May Felix , Härdtle Werner , Ibisch Pierre L.
Published: July 2021

Forest management influences a variety of ecosystem structures and processes relevant to meso‐ and microclimatic regulation, but little research has been done on how forest management can mitigate the negative effects of climate change on forest ecosystems.

We studied the temperature regulation capacity during the two Central European extreme summers in 2018 and 2019 in Scots pine plantations and European beech forests with different management‐related structural characteristics.

We found that the maximum temperature was higher when more trees were cut and canopy was more open. Logging 100 trees per hectare increased maximum temperature by 0.21–0.34 K at ground level and by 0.09–0.17 K in 1.3 m above ground. Opening the forest canopy by 10% significantly increased Tmax, measured 1.3 m above ground by 0.46 K (including pine and beech stands) and 0.35 K (only pine stands). At ground level, Tmax increased by 0.53 K for the model including pine and beech stands and by 0.41 K in pure pine stands. Relative temperature cooling capacity decreased with increasing wood harvest activities, with below average values in 2018 (and 2019) when more than 656 (and 867) trees per hectare were felled. In the pine forests studied, the relative temperature buffering capacity 1.3 m above ground was lower than average values for all sample plots when canopy cover was below 82%. In both study years, mean maximum temperature measured at ground level and in 1.3 m was highest in a pine‐dominated sample plots with relatively low stand volume (177 m3 ha−1) and 9 K lower in a sample plot with relatively high stock volumes of Fagus sylvatica (>565 m3 ha−1). During the hottest day in 2019, the difference in temperature peaks was more than 13 K for pine‐dominated sample plots with relatively dense (72%) and low (46%) canopy cover.

Structural forest characteristics influenced by forest management significantly affect microclimatic conditions and therefore ecosystem vulnerability to climate change. We advocate keeping the canopy as dense as possible (at least 80%) by maintaining sufficient overgrowth and by supporting deciduous trees that provide effective shade.
Cations Coordination‐Regulated Reversibility Enhancement for Aqueous Zn‐Ion Battery
Authors: Qian Long , Yao Wentao , Yao Rui , Sui Yiming , Zhu Haojie , Wang Fangcheng , Zhao Jianwei , Zhi Chunyi , Yang Cheng
Published: July 2021

Aqueous Zn‐ion batteries are emerging as a promising candidate for large‐scale energy storage, while the short lifetime and poor reversibility of Zn anodes limit their further development. When attempting to enhance reversibility, most reported methods involve toxic and pollutive substances and decreased water content, which inevitably sacrificed safety level, rate performance, and environmentally benign characteristics. Herein, a series of low‐cost and “green” molecules are introduced into the aqueous (ZnCl2, ZnSO4) electrolytes, featured with cations coordination capability, which can significantly inhibit the hydration step of Zn2+and delay the formation of the key by‐products (Zn5(OH)8Cl2·H2O, 3Zn(OH)3·ZnSO4·5H2O) in aqueous electrolytes via regulating the coordination status of Zn2+. In the optimized electrolyte system, a highly reversible Zn metal anode presents excellent electrochemical performance, featured with a long lifespan over 1185 h at 1 mA cm−2and smooth deposition morphology. Furthermore, Zn–MnO2batteries based on the electrolyte deliver high capacity retention of 82.9% after 200 cycles. These breakthroughs suggest that this method offers a versatile toolbox toward developing future advanced multivalent metal batteries for large‐scale energy storage.
Deformable High Loading Liquid Metal Nanoparticles Composites for Thermal Energy Management
Authors: Bark Hyunwoo , Tan Matthew Wei Ming , Thangavel Gurunathan , Lee Pooi See
Published: July 2021

The emergence of soft electronics has led to the need for thermal management with deformable material. Recent efforts have focused on incorporating EGaIn microparticles (≈101 µm) into elastomer forming a thermal conductive composites. However, the shape deformation and coalescence of EGaIn particles under mechanical stress often lead to parasitic electrical conduction, imposing limitations on its utilization in thermal management. Increasing the loading of EGaIn nanoparticles (>20 vol%) often leads to brittleness of the composite. Herein, a strategy to obtain thermally conductive and soft elastomers with a high‐volume ratio of EGaIn nanoparticles (44 vol%) is introduced. Surface modification of EGaIn nanoparticles with carboxylic acid terminated polydimethylsiloxane (COOH‐PDMS‐COOH) coupled with the in situ formation of a PDMS matrix by crosslinking with the surface‐modified EGaIn nanoparticles leads to dense EGaIn nanoparticles in a PDMS matrix with effective thermal transport. Notably, despite the high‐volume ratio of EGaIn nanoparticles in the elastomer, the composite maintains a low elastic modulus (6.91 kPa) and remains electrically insulating even under mechanical stress. In addition, a distinctive anisotropic thermal conductivity of the elastomer is established upon stretching. This elastomer can be utilized as a thermal interface layer for thermoelectric devices. The resulting thermoelectric performance has promise in applications such as wearable thermo‐haptic or thermo‐sensing devices.
Segmented physical activity and sedentary behavior patterns among children in Maasai village and Nairobi city
Authors: Kidokoro Tetsuhiro , Tian Xiaojie , Fuku Noriyuki , Waiganjo Luka B. , Rintaugu Elijah G. , Kigaru Mbithe D. , Mwangi Francis M.
Published: July 2021

Objectives

Urban–rural comparisons between those who maintain traditional lifestyles such as pastoralist Maasai children, and those who live in cities such as Nairobi, provide implications on how urbanization is associated with children's physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) patterns. This study compares PA and SB volumes and patterns across different segments of the week among children in Maasai village and Nairobi city in Kenya.

Method

A total of 261 children (11.4 ± 1.3 years) from Maasai (n = 118) and Nairobi (n = 143) participated in this cross‐sectional study. Moderate‐ to vigorous‐intensity PA (MVPA) and SB on weekdays (before, during, and after school) and weekends (morning, afternoon, and evening) were calculated using accelerometers (ActiGraph). Screen time and sleep duration were assessed using questionnaires.

Results

Maasai children were more physically active than Nairobi children with MVPA (min/day) of 166.6 and 81.4 for Maasai and Nairobi boys and 116.4 and 77.4 for Maasai and Nairobi girls, respectively. Our week segments analyses suggested that Maasai children were more active both in and out of school than Nairobi children. Additionally, Nairobi children spent more time watching television and playing computer games than Maasai children. There was no significant difference in sleep duration between Maasai and Nairobi children.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that urbanization is negatively associated with activity patterns both in and out of school in Kenyan children. This is concerning given that Kenya is currently undergoing rapid urbanization, which may lead to further reductions in PA among Kenyan children.
Porphyrinischer MOF‐Film für vielfältige elektrochemische Sensorik
Authors: Zhou Zhenyu , Mukherjee Soumya , Hou Shujin , Li Weijin , Elsner Martin , Fischer Roland A.
Published: July 2021

Elektrochemische Sensoren sind in der klinischen Diagnose, der biochemischen Detektion und der Umweltüberwachung unverzichtbar, dank ihrer Fähigkeit Analyten in Echtzeit mit direkter elektronischer Auslesung nachzuweisen. Allerdings sind Empfindlichkeit – Erkennen von niedrigen Konzentrationen, und Selektivität – Nachweis von spezifischen Analyten in Mehrkomponentensystemen, Herausforderungen für solche Sensoren. Hier wird ein porphyrinisches metallorganisches Gerüst (PP‐MOF), Mn‐PCN‐222, auf einer leitfähigen Indium‐Zinn‐Oxid (ITO)‐Oberfläche abgeschieden. Dadurch entsteht mit Mn‐PCN‐222/ITO ein vielseitiger voltammetrischer Sensor, der in der Lage ist, redoxaktive Analyten wie anorganische Ionen, organische Gefahr‐ und Schadstoffe, einschließlich Nitroaromaten, phenolische und Chinon‐Hydrochinon‐Toxine, Schwermetallionen, biologische Spezies sowie Azofarbstoffe zu detektieren. Als Arbeitselektrode ermöglicht die hohe Oberfläche von Mn‐PCN‐222/ITO hohe Ströme und damit eine hochempfindliche Analyse. Das Metalloporphyrin‐Zentrum ermöglicht eine analytspezifische Redox‐Katalyse zur gleichzeitigen Detektion von mehr als einem Analyt in binären und ternären Systemen. Hierdurch wird die Detektion einer Vielzahl von Spurenschadstoffen unter realen Bedingungen ermöglicht, meist mit hoher Empfindlichkeit.
Ultralow Volume Change of P2‐Type Layered Oxide Cathode for Na‐Ion Batteries with Controlled Phase Transition by Regulating Distribution of Na+
Authors: Liu Zhengbo , Shen Jiadong , Feng Shihui , Huang Yalan , Wu Duojie , Li Fangkun , Zhu Yuanmin , Gu Meng , Liu Qi , Liu Jun , Zhu Min
Published: July 2021

Most P2‐type layered oxides exhibit a large volume change when they are charged into high voltage, and it further leads to bad structural stability. In fact, high voltage is not the reason which causes the irreversible phase transition. There are two internal factors which affect structural evolution: the amount and distribution of Na ions retained in the lattice. Hereon, a series of layered oxides Na2/3MnxNix−1/3Co4/3−2xO2 (1/3≤x≤2/3) were synthesized. It is observed that different components have different structural evolutions during the charge/discharge processes, and further researches find that the distribution of Na ions in layers is the main factor. By controlling the distribution of Na ions, the phase transition process can be well controlled. As the referential component, P2‐Na2/3Mn1/2Ni1/6Co1/3O2 cathode with uniform distribution of Na ions is cycled at the voltage window of 1.5–4.5 V, which exhibits a volume change as low as 1.9 %. Such a low strain is beneficial for cycling stability. The current work provides a new and effective route to regulate the structural evolution of the promising P2‐type layered cathode for sodium ion batteries.
How Aromatic Are Molecular Nanorings? The Case of a Six‐Porphyrin Nanoring**
Authors: Casademont‐Reig Irene , Guerrero‐Avilés Raúl , Ramos‐Cordoba Eloy , Torrent‐Sucarrat Miquel , Matito Eduard
Published: July 2021

Large conjugated rings with persistent currents are novel promising structures in molecular‐scale electronics. A six‐porphyrin nanoring structure that allegedly sustained an aromatic ring current involving 78π electrons was recently synthesized. We provide here compelling evidence that this molecule is not aromatic, contrary to what was inferred from the analysis of 1H‐NMR data and computational calculations that suffer from large delocalization errors. The main reason behind the absence of an aromatic ring current in these nanorings is the low delocalization in the transition from the porphyrins to the bridging butadiyne linkers, which disrupts the overall conjugated circuit. These results highlight the importance of choosing a suitable computational method to study large conjugated molecules and the appropriate aromaticity descriptors to identify the part of the molecule responsible for the loss of aromaticity.
Fish and flows: Abiotic drivers influence the recruitment response of a freshwater fish community throughout a regulated lotic system of the Murray‐Darling Basin, Australia
Authors: Stocks Jerom R. , Davis Sam , Anderson Marti J. , Asmus Martin W. , Cheshire Katherine J.M. , van der Meulen Dylan E. , Walsh Chris T. , Gilligan Dean M.
Published: July 2021

Fish assemblages in dryland rivers have life‐history strategies that have evolved in response to environmental conditions and triggers, particularly water temperatures and flow regimes. The regulation of rivers through the construction of dams, weirs and other water diversion structures has altered natural flow regimes and the associated ecological processes of river systems worldwide.

Over a 3‐year period, using standardized fish sampling and daily otolith ageing, the recruitment of eight freshwater fish species was monitored in response to various abiotic drivers, including hydrology and water temperatures, throughout the Macquarie River, a large regulated river system of the Australian Murray‐Darling Basin.

A data‐driven statistical classification system is provided that groups species into reproductive guilds, based on their recruitment response to hydrology and water temperature, specifically designed for use in environmental flow management.

The eight species were grouped into three distinct reproductive guilds that showed similar recruitment responses to the abiotic drivers. Murray‐Darling rainbowfish, Murray cod, and eel‐tailed catfish were considered as a single guild, characterized by seasonal recruitment during a relatively narrow thermal window under low to moderate stable discharges. The second group included common carp, bony herring, and golden perch, which recruited primarily in association with larger flow events. Un‐specked hardyhead and Australian smelt formed a more differentiated guild, recruiting over a broad range of temperatures and discharges. Limitations associated with using a reproductive guild approach to simplify water management are discussed.

This study highlighted important relationships among hydrology, water temperatures, and successful recruitment that can, in turn, be used to inform development of adaptive flow management plans and effective use of environmental water for the conservation management of native fish communities. Important considerations in the design of studies that aim to examine relationships between recruitment and abiotic drivers are also discussed.
Physiological mediators of prenatal environmental influences in autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Frye Richard E. , Cakir Janet , Rose Shannon , Palmer Raymond F. , Austin Christine , Curtin Paul
Published: July 2021

Recent research has pointed to the importance of the prenatal environment in the etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) but the biological mechanisms which mitigate these environmental factors are not clear. Mitochondrial metabolism abnormalities, inflammation and oxidative stress as common physiological disturbances associated with ASD. Network analysis of the scientific literature identified several leading prenatal environmental factors associated with ASD, particularly air pollution, pesticides, the microbiome and epigenetics. These leading prenatal environmental factors were found to be most associated with inflammation, followed by oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Other prenatal factors associated with ASD not identified by the network analysis were also found to be significantly associated with these common physiological disturbances. A better understanding of the biological mechanism which mediate the effect of prenatal environmental factors can lead to insights of how ASD develops and the development of targeted therapeutics to prevent ASD from occuring.
Temporal correlation of morphological and biochemical changes with the recruitment of different mechanisms of reactive oxygen species formation during human SW872 cell adipogenic differentiation
Authors: Fiorani Mara , De Matteis Rita , Canonico Barbara , Blandino Giulia , Mazzoli Alessandro , Montanari Mariele , Guidarelli Andrea , Cantoni Orazio
Published: July 2021

Human SW872 preadipocyte conversion to mature adipocytes is associated with time‐dependent changes in differentiation markers' expression and with morphological changes accompanied by the accumulation of lipid droplets (LDs) as well as by increased mitochondriogenesis and mitochondrial membrane potential. Under identical conditions, the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) revealed with a general probe was significant at days 3 and 10 of differentiation and bearly detectable at day 6. NADPH oxidase (NOX)‐2 activity determined with an immunocytochemical approach followed a very similar pattern. There was no evidence of mitochondrial ROS (mROS), as detected with a selective fluorescence probe, at days 3 and 6, possibly due to the triggering of the Nrf‐2 antioxidant response. mROS were instead clearly detected at day 10, concomitantly with the accumulation of very large LDs, oxidation of both cardiolipin and thioredoxin 2, and decreased mitochondrial glutathione. In conclusion, the morphological and biochemical changes of differentiating SW872 cells are accompanied by the discontinuous formation of ROS derived from NOX‐2, increasingly implicated in adipogenesis and adipose tissue dysfunction. In addition, mROS formation was significant only in the late phase of differentiation and was associated with mitochondrial dysfunction.
A comprehensive analysis of immune infiltration in the tumor microenvironment of osteosarcoma
Authors: Yang Hao , Zhao Liang , Zhang Yang , Li Fang‐Fang
Published: July 2021

Background

Even though immunotherapy has been an effective treatment for solid tumors, its efficacy in osteosarcoma remains sub‐optimal. It is therefore imperative to understand the complex tumor microenvironment (TME) of osteosarcoma to facilitate the development of immunotherapies against this cancer.

Methods

The mRNA expression profiles of osteosarcoma tissues were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Next, the ssGSEA, MCP‐counter, CIBERSORT, and Xcell algorithm analyses were performed to characterize the tumor microenvironment of osteosarcoma tissues. The tumor tissues were divided into inflammatory and non‐inflammatory. A comprehensive assessment of immune cell infiltration in osteosarcoma tissues was then performed. Sub‐group analysis of immune cell infiltration between men and women patients with osteosarcoma was also carried out.

Results

The results revealed that the infiltration of immune cells including activated B cell, activated CD8 T cell, CD56dim natural killer cell, and cytotoxic lymphocytes cells, in osteosarcoma tissues was higher in male than in female patients. Based on the infiltration profile of different immune cells, the osteosarcoma tissues were grouped into four clusters. The four clusters were further divided into hot and cold tumors. The differently expressed genes (DEGs) between cold and hot tumors were mainly associated with the activation and regulation of immune response. Additionally, a neuronal pentraxin (NPTX2) expression which was upregulated in cold tumors was found to be negatively correlated with the expression of CD8a Molecule (CD8A), Granzyme B (GZMB), and Interferon Gamma (IFNG). NPTX2 decreased CCL4 secretion. Knockdown of NPTX2 in osteosarcoma cells inhibited tumor growth and increased tumor cell apoptosis. Moreover, a prognosis prediction model of osteosarcoma was constructed and validated in patients receiving immunotherapy using external data.

Conclusions

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to characterize the infiltration of immune cells in osteosarcoma tissues from patients receiving immune infiltration therapy.
Total Flavonoids of Engelhardia roxburghiana Wall. Leaves Alleviated Foam Cells Formation through AKT/mTOR‐Mediated Autophagy in the Progression of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Wei Jie , Huang Liangliang , Li Dongmei , He Junhui , Li Yanjing , He Fei , Fang Weirong , Wei Guining
Published: July 2021

Engelhardia roxburghiana Wall. is a traditional Chinese medicine used for treating cardiovascular diseases. Our previous study has implicated potential effects of total flavonoids of Engelhardia roxburghiana Wall. (TFER) against hyperlipidemia. The aim of the study is to uncover the effects and underlying mechanisms of TFER on foam cells formation after atherosclerosis. We used high fat diet (HFD) induced Apoe‐/‐ mice and oxidized density lipoprotein (ox‐LDL) induced THP‐1 cells to mimic process of atherosclerosis in vivo and in vitro, respectively. Lipid accumulation, inflammation response, autophagosomes formation and expressions of autophagy related target genes were assessed. Our present study demonstrated TFER (500 mg/kg) alleviated macrophage infiltration and lipid accumulation in thoracic aortas of HFD‐treated mice. In ox‐LDL‐treated THP‐1 cells, MDC staining and Western blot analysis all indicated that the TFER (200 μg/ml) reduced foam cells formation and IL‐1β releasing, activated autophagy through suppressing AKT/mTOR signaling, significantly regulating expressions of AKT, p‐AKT, mTOR, p‐mTOR, Beclin 1, LC3‐II, p62. It is suggested that TFER alleviated atherosclerosis progression in vivo and in vitro through reducing foam cells formation and inflammatory responses, and the possible mechanism may be due to the activation of macrophage autophagy by inhibiting AKT and mTOR phosphorylation.
Recent Developments and Strategies for Mutually Orthogonal Bioorthogonal Reactions
Authors: Hu Yun , Schomaker Jennifer M.
Published: July 2021

Over the past decade, several different metal‐free bioorthogonal reactions have been developed to enable simultaneous double‐click labeling with minimal‐to‐no competing cross‐reactivities; such transformations are termed ‘mutually orthogonal’. More recently, several examples of successful triple ligation strategies have also been described. In this minireview, we discuss selected aspects of the development of orthogonal bioorthogonal reactions over the past decade, including general strategies to drive future innovations to achieve simultaneous, mutually orthogonal click reactions in one pot.
KCs2[Pb2Br5(HCOO)2]: A Polar 3D Lead‐Bromide Framework Exhibiting Strong Second‐Harmonic Generation Response
Authors: Zhou Zi‐Qi , Shui Qi‐Rui , Fu Rui‐Biao , Fang Yuan‐Bin , Ma Zu‐Ju , Wu Xin‐Tao
Published: July 2021

The discovery of new nonlinear optical (NLO) crystals with excellent properties is in urgently demand because of their ability to generate coherent light. Herein, we report an unique NLO lead bromide formate, KCs2[Pb2Br5 (HCOO)2], which has been synthesized by a mix‐solvothermal method. KCs2[Pb2Br5(HCOO)2] exhibits strong phase‐matching second‐harmonic generation (SHG) response (6.5×KDP), large birefringence (0.16@ 1064 nm), and a wide transparent window in most visible light and mid‐IR region. Interestingly, KCs2[Pb2Br5(HCOO)2] features a polar 3D lead‐bromide framework in which adjacent Pb−Br layers containing coplanar Pb6Br6 rings are not only parallel to each other, but also orient in the same direction. These oriented arrangements are responsible for the strong SHG response and large birefringence that are elucidated by both local dipole moment and theoretical calculations. This research provides a new strategy to explore subsequent NLO crystals.
Ytterbium (II) Hydride as a Powerful Multielectron Reductant
Authors: Richardson Georgia M. , Douair Iskander , Cameron Scott A. , Maron Laurent , Anker Mathew D.
Published: July 2021

A dimeric β‐diketiminato ytterbium(II) hydride affects both the two‐electron aromatization of 1,3,5,7‐cyclooctatetraene (COT) and the more challenging two‐electron reduction of polyaromatic hydrocarbons, including naphthalene (E0=−2.60 V). Confirmed by Density Functional Theory calculations, these reactions proceed via consecutive polarized Yb−H/C=C insertion and deprotonation steps to provide the respective ytterbium (II) inverse sandwich complexes and hydrogen gas. These observations highlight the ability of a simple ytterbium(II) hydride to act as a powerful two‐electron reductant at room temperature without the necessity of an external electron to initiate the reaction and avoiding radicaloid intermediates.
Unified adaptive deep classification for industrial real‐time situation awareness in edge environment
Authors: Xu Rongbin , Liu Zhiqiang , Lin Yuanmo , Feng Xianliang , Lin Hui , Xie Ying
Published: July 2021

The rapidly growing information technologies such as cloud computing, edge computing, artificial intelligence offer cutting‐edge technical means for virtual reality of industrial manufacturing process. An efficient and accurate method for situation awareness (SA) to monitor the process of marginal layer plays an essential role to enhance the safety of industrial equipment. In this study, a manufacturing life cycle is described and characterized as operation and remote controlling of industrial machineries. The edge servers are first employed to track physical devices. Then a novel unified adaptive deep classification framework for SA with semi‐supervised classification method is developed to find unknown patterns in a huge amount of industrial data. Furthermore, a robust model based on the selection of adaptive local neighbor is proposed to find out an optimal weight and high similarity of neighbors. The combination of the proposed framework and model can realize real‐time SA of modern manufacturing the execution system. Plentiful experiments have been conducted to demonstrate the high accuracy and reliability of the proposed framework.
Discerning the adverse effects of psychological therapy: Consensus between experts by experience and therapists
Authors: Mc Glanaghy Edel , Jackson Jane‐Louise , Morris Paul , Prentice Wendy , Dougall Nadine , Hutton Paul
Published: July 2021

Measurement of adverse effects of psychological therapy is inconsistent due to ambiguity about the concept. The perspective of people undertaking psychological therapy (that is, experts by experience) has largely been overlooked. This study will investigate whether there is consensus between the opinions of professionals and experts by experience. The Delphi method was used. In Round 1 thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative responses. Wilcoxon rank‐sum tests were used to examine group differences in Rounds 2 and 3. The study protocol was prospectively registered, reference osf.io/f9wp7. Fifty‐one professionals and 51 experts by experience generated 147 potential adverse effects in Round 1, across 9 themes; including ‘therapy amplifies problem’, ‘emotional lability’ and ‘sense of self’. Each item was rated for overall consensus in Rounds 2 (n = 62) and 3 (n = 63). Thirty‐eight items were rated as essential, very important or important to include on a list of potential adverse effects. A further 12 items were rated as important by the expert by experience group only. Professionals were more conservative in their ratings. There appeared to be consensus between professionals and experts by experience on what to include in a list of adverse effects of psychological therapy (the EDAPT), including novel adverse effects which have not been previously considered. Further research is required to understand which adverse effects are necessary, unnecessary, or indeed harmful to psychotherapy outcomes.
Service users experience of psychological interventions in primary care settings: A qualitative meta‐synthesis
Authors: Finazzi Emilia , MacBeth Angus
Published: July 2021

Primary care mental health services play a crucial role in public mental health by providing local and accessible psychological interventions that meet individuals' needs. Despite growing research investigating service users' perspectives of psychological interventions, a qualitative systematic review in this context is not available. The present meta‐synthesis collates the existing articles and gives a thematic synthesis of qualitative studies on service users' experience of psychological interventions in primary care.

Multiple databases (CINAHL, EMBASE, PsychINFO, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library) were searched for published qualitative studies of service users' experiences of psychological interventions delivered in primary care. Articles were included if they met inclusion criteria. Study quality was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool. All types of psychological interventions were considered across model and delivery format (e.g., face‐to‐face, computerised programmes, and group). NVIVO was used to code the dataset and themes were extracted following thematic synthesis. Twenty‐two studies were included. Four analytical themes and 10 subthemes emerged. The identified themes were as follows: (1) ‘Access and Acceptability: facilitators and barriers’, (2) ‘Structural aspects’; (3) ‘Therapeutic process’ and (4) ‘Outcomes’. A model of interrelationships between themes is proposed. Findings suggest several ‘essential ingredients’ across psychological interventions and modalities. The crucial role of relational factors, the importance of assessing service users' perceptions of treatment features (e.g., remote delivery) and of tailoring the intervention to their needs were emphasised. Results also suggest involving service users more in discussions and decisions about psychological interventions offered might enhance access, acceptability, and engagement. Recommendations for practice and research are provided.