bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lignin demethylation for modifying halloysite nanotubes towards robust phenolic foams with excellent thermal insulation and flame retardancy
Authors: Li Ming , Shan Junqiang , Hu Youqin , Gao Cheng , Long Haoyu , Shen Tao , Tan Zhuotao , Zhuang Wei , Liu Dong , Zhu Chenjie , Ying Hanjie 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe demethylation of lignin was conducted under HBr catalysis and microwave irradiation resulting in a demethylation rate of 21.4% as calculated from1H NMR. The demethylated lignin (DL) was applied to modify halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) forming a nano‐hybrid containing 16.5 wt% of DL according to TGA results, and showing rough surfaces dotted with DL particles as observed through TEM. HNTs‐DL was introduced into resol resin synthesis where DL molecules participate in phenol‐formaldehyde polycondensation, functioning as a binder to connect the inorganic HNTs framework and the organic resol resin molecules, giving an increase in flow activation energy as calculated from rheological results. The prepared phenolic foam containing 0.4 wt% of HNTs‐DL shows a significant increase by 37.7% in compressive strength and a decrease by 27.3% in pulverization ratio compared to the neat phenolic foam, and exhibits uniform cells with the highest cell density as observed in SEM, explaining its improved performance in thermal insulation and flame retardancy.
DNA‐assisted site‐selective protein modification
Authors: Keijzer Jordi F. , Albada Bauke 
Published: December 2021

AbstractProtein modification is important for various types of biomedical research, including proteomics and therapeutics. Many methodologies for protein modification exist, but not all possess the required level of efficiency and site selectivity. This review focuses on the use of DNA to achieve the desired conversions and levels of accuracy in protein modification by using DNA (i) as a template to help concentrate dilute reactants, (ii) as a guidance system to achieve selectivity by binding specific proteins, and (iii) even as catalytic entity or construct to enhance protein modification reactions.
The combination of living Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Streptococcus improves social ranking and relieves anxiety‐like behaviors in competitive mice in a social dominance tube test
Authors: Xie Jianping , Yuan Yun , Tan Heng , Bai Yufan , Zheng Qingyue , Mao Lin , Wu Yushan , Wang Ling , Da Wenhui , Ye Qingyan , Zhang Suting , Wang Jing , Yin Wenyao , Bian Yujing , Ma Wenjie , Zhang Lanchun , Zhang Rongping , Yu Haofei , Guo Ying 
Published: December 2021

AbstractIntroductionSocial rank has a profound influence on the behavior and health of humans and animals.MethodsTo explore the effect of a combination of living Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Streptococcus (CLB) on anxiety‐ and depression‐like behaviors and social rank, mice were subjected to a social dominance tube test (SDTT). The behaviors, rank, gut microbiota, and expression of inflammatory cytokines and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus were measured.ResultsThe results indicated that CLB improved the SDTT ranking score of the losers and alleviated anxiety‐like behaviors of the winners. CLB decreased the level of Desulfovibrio and augmented the level of Mollicutes in the feces, increased BDNF content, and reduced the level of tumor necrosis factor‐α in the hippocampus.ConclusionThese findings indicated that CLB may be used for the treatment of anxiety and improvement of the rank score via regulation of gut microbiota and anti‐inflammatory effects.
Rational Design of a Cu Chelator That Mitigates Cu‐Induced ROS Production by Amyloid Beta
Authors: Mitra Suchitra , Talukdar Kallol , Prasad Pallavi , Misra Sandeep K. , Khan Shabana , Sharp Joshua S. , Jurss Jonah W. , Chakraborty Saumen 
Published: December 2021

AbstractAlzheimer's disease severely perturbs transition metal homeostasis in the brain leading to the accumulation of excess metals in extracellular and intraneuronal locations. The amyloid beta protein binds these transition metals, ultimately causing severe oxidative stress in the brain. Metal chelation therapy is an approach to sequester metals from amyloid beta and relieve the oxidative stress. Here we have designed a mixed N/O donor Cu chelator inspired by the proposed ligand set of Cu in amyloid beta. We demonstrate that the chelator effectively removes Cu from amyloid beta and suppresses reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by redox silencing and radical scavenging both in vitro and in cellulo. The impact of ROS on the extent of oxidation of the different aggregated forms of the peptide is studied by mass spectrometry, which, along with other ROS assays, shows that the oligomers are pro‐oxidants in nature. The aliphatic Leu34, which was previously unobserved, has been identified as a new oxidation site.
What is the Role of Individual Species within Bidirectional Electroactive Microbial Biofilms: A Case Study on Desulfarculus baarsii and Desulfurivibrio alkaliphilus
Authors: Izadi Paniz , Schröder Uwe 
Published: December 2021

AbstractDesulfarculus baarsii and Desulfurivibrio alkaliphilus are strictly anaerobic bacteria existing in marine sediments. D. baarsii gains energy through reducing sulphate and D. alkaliphilus is able to reduce elemental sulphur, thiosulphate and polysulphide in seawater. Both organisms were previously identified as key organisms in sediment derived, bidirectional electroactive biofilms. Here, we investigated the electrochemical performance of these two bacteria in bio‐electrochemical systems and their possible involvement in anodic and cathodic reactions. The results show that D. baarsii was unable to donate or accept electrons to/from an electrode, while D. alkaliphilus was able to catalyse both anodic and cathodic reactions and interact with the electrode through direct or potentially indirect electron transfer. Raman spectra of D. alkaliphilus electrode biofilms showed a high similarity to Geobacter sulfurreducens biofilms, including the specific bands of cytochromes b and c, explaining the electroactivity of D. alkaliphilus in bioelectrochemical reactions.
Interfacially Super‐Assembled Benzimidazole Derivative‐Based Mesoporous Silica Nanoprobe for Sensitive Copper (II) Detection and Biosensing in Living Cells
Authors: Xing Chenchen , Deng Jianlin , Fu Wenlong , Li Jichao , Xu Lijie , Sun Ruihao , Wang Dan , Li Chengwen , Liang Kang , Gao Meng , Kong Biao 
Published: December 2021

AbstractMesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) functionalized with benzimidazole‐derived fluorescent molecules (DHBM) are fabricated via a feasible interfacial superassembly strategy for the highly sensitive and selective detection of Cu2+. DHBM‐MSN exhibits an obvious quenching effect on Cu2+ in aqueous solutions, and the detection limit can be as low as 7.69×10−8 M. The DHBM‐MSN solid‐state sensor has good recyclability, and the silica framework can simultaneously improve the photostability of DHBM. Two mesoporous silica nanoparticles with different morphologies were specially designed to verify that nanocarriers with different morphologies do not affect the specific detectionability. The detection mechanism of the fluorescent probe was systematically elucidated by combining experimental results and density function theory calculations. Moreover, the detection system was successfully applied to detect Cu2+ in bovine serum, juice, and live cells. These results indicate that the DHBM‐MSN fluorescent sensor holds great potential in practical and biomedical applications.
Rhodium–Iodide Complex on a Catalytically Active SiO2 Surface for One‐Pot Hydrosilylation–CO2 Cycloaddition
Authors: Usui Kei , Manaka Yuichi , Chun Wang‐Jae , Motokura Ken 
Published: December 2021

AbstractIn this study, a novel Rh–iodide complex was synthesized through a surface reaction between an immobilized Rh cyclooctadiene complex and alkylammonium iodide (N+I−) on SiO2. In the presence of ammonium cations, the SiO2‐supported Rh–iodide complex could be effectively used for the one‐pot synthesis of various silylcarbonate derivatives starting from epoxy olefins, hydrosilanes, and CO2. The maximum turnover numbers (TONs) for the hydrosilylation reaction and the CO2 cycloaddition were 7600 (Rh) and 130 (N+I−), respectively. The catalyst exhibited much higher performance for hydrosilylation than solely the Rh complex on SiO2. The mechanism of the Rh‐catalyzed hydrosilylation reaction and the local structure of Rh, which is affected by the co‐immobilized N+I−, were investigated by using Rh and I K‐edge XAFS and XPS. Analysis of the XAFS profiles indicated the presence of a Rh−I bond. The Rh unit was in its electron‐rich state. Curve‐fitting analysis of the Rh K‐edge EXAFS profiles suggests dissociation of the cycloocta‐1,5‐diene (COD) ligand from the Rh center. Results from spectroscopic and kinetic analyses revealed that the high activity of the catalyst (during hydrosilylation) could be attributed to a decrease in steric hindrance and the electron‐rich state of the Rh. The decrease in the steric hindrance could be attributed to the absence of COD, and the electron‐rich state promoted the oxidative addition of Si−H. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of a one‐pot silylcarbonate synthesis as well as a determination of a novel surface Rh–iodide complex and its catalysis.
Inline Raman Spectroscopy of an Emulsion Copolymerization in an Industrial Pilot Plant Using Indirect Hard Modeling
Authors: Faust Johannes M. M. , Gerlinger Wolfgang , Naeem Omar , Mhamdi Adel , Mitsos Alexander 
Published: December 2021

AbstractRaman spectroscopy is used to determine the concentrations of monomers and polymers in the second stage of a two‐stage emulsion polymerization process. The indirect hard modeling (IHM) approach is applied to monitor inline the reaction in semi‐batch operation in lab scale and pilot scale. This method requires the spectra of all pure components. While the pure spectra of water and monomers are easily measured as pure components, the spectra of two different copolymers are constructed from reaction spectral data containing mixtures. Good predictive capabilities of the developed model are demonstrated.
Pembrolizumab versus paclitaxel for previously treated advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer (KEYNOTE‐063): A randomized, open‐label, phase 3 trial in Asian patients
Authors: Chung Hyun Cheol , Kang Yoon‐Koo , Chen Zhendong , Bai Yuxian , Wan Ishak Wan Zamaniah , Shim Byoung Yong , Park Young Lee , Koo Dong‐Hoe , Lu Jianwei , Xu Jianming , Chon Hong Jae , Bai Li‐Yuan , Zeng Shan , Yuan Ying , Chen Yen‐Yang , Gu Kangsheng , Zhong Wen Yan , Kuang Shu , Shih Chie‐Schin , Qin Shu‐Kui 
Published: December 2021

BackgroundKEYNOTE‐063 (NCT03019588) investigated pembrolizumab versus paclitaxel as second‐line therapy in Asian patients with advanced programmed death ligand 1 (PD‐L1)–positive (combined positive score ≥1) gastric/gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer.MethodsThis randomized, open‐label, phase 3 study was conducted at 36 medical centers in China (mainland), Malaysia, South Korea, and Taiwan. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to 200 mg of pembrolizumab intravenously every 3 weeks for ≤2 years or 80 mg/m2 of paclitaxel intravenously every week. Primary end points were overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS). Secondary end points were objective response rate (ORR) per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 and safety.ResultsBetween February 16, 2017, and March 12, 2018, 94 patients were randomly assigned (47 pembrolizumab/47 paclitaxel) after screening; enrollment was stopped on March 12, 2018, based on the results of the global KEYNOTE‐061 study, and patients were followed until the last patient's last visit. Median OS was 8 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 4‐10 months) with pembrolizumab versus 8 months (95% CI, 5‐11 months) with paclitaxel (hazard ratio [HR], 0.99; 95% CI, 0.63‐1.54). Median PFS was 2 months (95% CI, 1‐3 months) with pembrolizumab versus 4 months (95% CI, 3‐6 months) with paclitaxel (HR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.04‐2.52). ORR was 13% for pembrolizumab versus 19% for paclitaxel. Any‐grade treatment‐related adverse events occurred in 28 pembrolizumab‐treated patients (60%) and 42 paclitaxel‐treated patients (96%); grades 3 to 5 events occurred in 5 patients (11%) and 28 patients (64%), respectively.ConclusionsDefinitive conclusions about the efficacy of second‐line pembrolizumab in Asian patients with advanced PD‐L1–positive gastric/GEJ cancer are limited because of insufficient power, but pembrolizumab was well tolerated in this patient population. Efficacy followed a trend similar to that observed in the phase 3 KEYNOTE‐061 trial.
Similar zooplankton responses to lowpHand calcium may impair long‐term recovery from acidification
Authors: Ross Alexander J. , Arnott Shelley E. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThroughout much of the 20th century, unprecedented industrial emissions have led to widespread acidification of regions in North America and Europe and, as lake water pH dropped, aquatic ecosystems have experienced dramatic declines in biodiversity. International emission‐control agreements have led to sweeping increases in lake pH, however acid‐structured zooplankton communities still persist in many lakes. Concomitantly, calcium concentrations have been declining as a legacy of acidification and are approaching or have reached concentrations that could represent a barrier to the re‐establishment of zooplankton communities similar to those in non‐acidified or circumneutral reference lakes. To understand how declining calcium may influence the re‐establishment of zooplankton in acid‐damaged lakes we manipulated calcium and pH using a factorial in‐lake mesocosm experiment and assessed their individual and combined effects on a regionally diverse zooplankton assemblage. We found that the impacts of low calcium on zooplankton species were similar to those of acidification and, consequently, may prevent the recovery of acid‐structured communities. Abundance of the larger bodied and acid‐sensitiveDaphnia pulex/pulicariaincreased in high pH treatments, albeit nonsignificantly yet, by the end of our experiment, only two individuals were sampled among our 10 low calcium enclosures. In contrast, small acid‐tolerant cladocerans, such asDaphnia catawba,Daphnia ambigua, and eubosminids maintained significantly higher abundances in low calcium treatments relative to all other treatment combinations. Although we did not detect an effect of calcium on mean body size, the disproportionately high abundance of small cladocerans in low calcium treatments resulted in low calcium communities with higher overall abundance and lower cladoceran evenness. Our results, along with a landscape comparison demonstrating parallel changes in zooplankton relative abundance from 34 historically acidified lakes, suggests that declining calcium will be an important, on‐going factor that may limit the recovery of zooplankton, despite regional improvements in lake pH.
High vulnerability of juvenileNathusius' pipistrelle bats (Pipistrellus nathusii) at wind turbines
Authors: Kruszynski Cecilia , Bailey Liam D. , Bach Lothar , Bach Petra , Fritze Marcus , Lindecke Oliver , Teige Tobias , Voigt Christian C. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractLarge numbers of bats are killed by wind turbines globally, yet the specific demographic consequences of wind turbine mortality are still unclear. In this study, we compared characteristics of Nathusius' pipistrelles (Pipistrellus nathusii) killed at wind turbines (N = 119) to those observed within the live population (N = 524) during the summer migration period in Germany. We used generalized linear mixed‐effects modeling to identify demographic groups most vulnerable to wind turbine mortality, including sex (female or male), age (adult or juvenile), and geographic origin (regional or long‐distance migrant; depicted by fur stable hydrogen isotope ratios). Juveniles contributed with a higher proportion of carcasses at wind turbines than expected given their frequency in the live population suggesting that juvenile bats may be particularly vulnerable to wind turbine mortality. This effect varied with wind turbine density. Specifically, at low wind turbine densities, representing mostly inland areas with water bodies and forests where Nathusius' pipistrelles breed, juveniles were found more often dead beneath turbines than expected based on their abundance in the live population. At high wind turbine densities, representing mostly coastal areas where Nathusius' pipistrelles migrate, adults and juveniles were equally vulnerable. We found no evidence of increased vulnerability to wind turbines in either sex, yet we observed a higher proportion of females than males among both carcasses and the live population, which may reflect a female bias in the live population most likely caused by females migrating from their northeastern breeding areas migrating into Germany. A high mortality of females is conservation concern for this migratory bat species because it affects the annual reproduction rate of populations. A distant origin did not influence the likelihood of getting killed at wind turbines. A disproportionately high vulnerability of juveniles to wind turbine mortality may reduce juvenile recruitment, which may limit the resilience of Nathusius' pipistrelles to environmental stressors such as climate change or habitat loss. Schemes to mitigate wind turbine mortality, such as elevated cut‐in speeds, should be implemented throughout Europe to prevent population declines of Nathusius' pipistrelles and other migratory bats.
Balanced polymorphisms and their divergence in a Heliconius butterfly
Authors: Ogilvie James G. , Van Belleghem Steven , Range Ryan , Papa Riccardo , McMillan Owen W. , Chouteau Mathieu , Counterman Brian A. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe evolution of mimicry in similarly defended prey is well described by the Müllerian mimicry theory, which predicts the convergence of warning patterns in order to gain the most protection from predators. However, despite this prediction, we can find great diversity of color patterns among Müllerian mimics such as Heliconius butterflies in the neotropics. Furthermore, some species have evolved the ability to maintain multiple distinct warning patterns in single populations, a phenomenon known as polymorphic mimicry. The adaptive benefit of these polymorphisms is questionable since variation from the most common warning patterns is expected to be disadvantageous as novel signals are punished by predators naive to them. In this study, we use artificial butterfly models throughout Central and South America to characterize the selective pressures maintaining polymorphic mimicry in Heliconius doris. Our results highlight the complexity of positive frequency‐dependent selection, the principal selective pressure driving convergence among Müllerian mimics, and its impacts on interspecific variation of mimetic warning coloration. We further show how this selection regime can both limit and facilitate the diversification of mimetic traits.
Resting and exercise haemodynamic characteristics of patients with advanced heart failure and preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Deis T. , Wolsk E. , Mujkanovic J. , Komtebedde J. , Burkhoff D. , Kaye D. , Hasenfuß G. , Hayward C. , Van der Heyden J. , Petrie M.C. , Shah S.J. , Borlaug B.A. , Kahwash R. , Litwin S. , Hoendermis E. , Hummel S. , Gustafsson F. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractAimsThis study aimed to describe haemodynamic features of patients with advanced heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) as defined by the Heart Failure Association (HFA) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).Methods and resultsWe used pooled data from two dedicated HFpEF studies with invasive exercise haemodynamic protocols, the REDUCE LAP‐HF (Reduce Elevated Left Atrial Pressure in Patients with Heart Failure) trial and the REDUCE LAP‐HF I trial, and categorized patients according to advanced heart failure (AdHF) criteria. The well‐characterized HFpEF patients were considered advanced if they had persistent New York Heart Association classification of III–IV and heart failure (HF) hospitalization < 12 months and a 6 min walk test distance < 300 m. Twenty‐four (22%) out of 108 patients met the AdHF criteria. On evaluation, clinical characteristics and resting haemodynamics were not different in the two groups. Patients with AdHF had lower work capacity compared with non‐advanced patients (35 ± 16 vs. 45 ± 18 W, P = 0.021). Workload‐corrected pulmonary capillary wedge pressure normalized to body weight (PCWL) was higher in AdHF patients compared with non‐advanced (112 ± 55 vs. 86 ± 49 mmHg/W/kg, P = 0.04). Further, AdHF patients had a smaller increase in cardiac index during exercise (1.1 ± 0.7 vs. 1.6 ± 0.9 L/min/m2, P = 0.028).ConclusionsA significantly higher PCWL and lower cardiac index reserve during exercise were observed in AdHF patients compared with non‐advanced. These differences were not apparent at rest. Therapies targeting the haemodynamic compromise associated with advanced HFpEF are needed.
Assessment of the impact of different N terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide thresholds on echocardiography services
Authors: Yii Eric , Fersia Omar , McFadyen Angus , Isles Christopher 
Published: December 2021

AbstractAimsN terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) is considered a rule‐out test for patients with suspected heart failure. The NT‐proBNP thresholds recommended for echocardiography by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) are based on small studies of patients with heart failure and left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction (LVSD). The purpose of our study was to examine the relation between NT‐proBNP and LVSD in a larger number of patients with symptoms suggestive of heart failure in a non‐acute setting.Methods and resultsOne thousand patients with suspected chronic heart failure underwent echocardiography within 6 months of NT‐proBNP measurement. NT‐proBNP was the strongest predictor of any form of LVSD in univariate (OR 2.52, 95% CI 2.19–2.91, P value < 0.001) and multivariate (OR 2.73, 95% CI 2.32–3.21, P value < 0.001) analyses. Negative predictive value (NPV) of NT‐proBNP for impaired LV systolic function (ejection fraction 35–49%) was 98% at 125 pg/mL (the ESC threshold), 93% at 400 pg/mL (the NICE threshold), 91% at 1000 pg/mL and 90% at 2000 pg/mL. Corresponding values for severe LVSD (ejection fraction <35%) were 100%, 99%, 98% and 96%. The number of patients per 1000 with suspected chronic heart failure requiring echocardiography at each threshold was 851, 543, 324, and 182, respectively.ConclusionsN terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide thresholds recommended by ESC and NICE result in large numbers of patients with suspected chronic heart failure being referred for echocardiography. Raising the NT‐proBNP threshold would improve access to echocardiography with minimal negative impact on the clinical performance of this cardiac biomarker.