bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reinforcement of proton‐exchange membrane fuel cell performance through a novel flow field design with auxiliary channels and a hole array
Authors: Wang Yulin , Wang Xiaoai , Chen Gaojian , Chen Chao , Wang Xiaodong , Penga Željko , Yang Ziming , Xing Lei 
Published: September 2021

AbstractA novel flow field was designed by deploying auxiliary channels inside the partially hollow ribs and drilling a series of arrayed holes on the auxiliary channels. This novel design rationally utilizes the ribs of the current collector and improves the volumetric efficiency of the parallel channels, leading to improved cell performance and homogeneity of current distribution. A three‐dimensional, two‐phase flow model was developed to analyze the influence of a variety of parameters on the oxygen and water saturation profiles, cell performance, and current uniformity. It was found that the combination of auxiliary channels and hole array provides an extra pathway for reactant transport and water removal. A reasonable optimization of the flow field geometry, for example, the hole size, the area ratio of arrayed holes and auxiliary channels, nonuniform distribution of arrayed holes, could further improve the cell performance and current uniformity at an extremely low pressure drop.
Engineering Escherichia coli to produce and secrete colicins for rapid and selective biofilm cell killing
Authors: Jin Xing , An Sungjun , Kightlinger Weston , Zhou Jiacheng , Hong Seok Hoon 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBacterial biofilms are associated with chronic infectious diseases and are highly resistant to conventional antibiotics. Antimicrobial bacteriocins are alternatives to conventional antibiotics and are characterized by unique cell‐killing mechanisms, including pore formation on cell membranes, nuclease activity, and cell wall synthesis inhibition. Here, we used cell‐free protein synthesis to rapidly evaluate the anti‐biofilm activities of colicins E1, E2, and E3. We found that E2 (with DNase activity) most effectively killed target biofilm cells (i.e., the K361 strain) while leaving nontargeted biofilms intact. We then engineered probiotic Escherichia coli microorganisms with genetic circuits to controllably synthesize and secrete colicin E2, which successfully inhibited biofilms and killed preformed indicator biofilms. Our findings suggest that colicins rapidly and selectively kill target biofilm cells in multispecies biofilms and demonstrate the potential of using microorganisms engineered to produce antimicrobial colicin proteins as live therapeutic strategies to treat biofilm‐associated infections.
Langerhans cell histiocytosis with lung involvement in isolation and multisystem disease: Staging, natural history, and comparative survival
Authors: Hazim Antonious Z. , Ruan Gordon J. , Hu Marie , Ravindran Aishwarya , Rech Karen L. , Young Jason R. , Cox Christian W. , Abeykoon Jithma P. , Scheckel Caleb , Vassallo Robert , Ryu Jay H. , Tobin W. Oliver , Koster Matthew J. , Bennani N. Nora , Shah Mithun V. , Goyal Gaurav , Go Ronald S. ,   Mayo Clinic‐University of Alabama at Birmingham Histiocytosis Working Group
Published: September 2021

AbstractLangerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a histiocytic neoplasm that can involve the lungs as single system (LCH‐SSL) or multisystem disease (LCH‐MSL). The role of full‐body radiographic staging to determine whether patients have LCH‐SSL or LCH‐MSL is unclear. Long‐term outcomes of LCH‐SSL versus LCH‐MSL and multisystem without lung involvement (LCH‐MSNL) are unknown. A retrospective study of adult LCH patients seen at our center from January 2000 to 2020 was performed. In Part 1, we addressed utility of whole‐body staging imaging among those presenting with isolated pulmonary signs or symptoms. Staging was defined as fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography‐computed tomography (CT) or whole‐body CT obtained within 3 months of diagnosis. In Part 2, we examined the frequency of developing extra‐pulmonary disease over time and mortality in patients with LCH‐SSL. In Part 3, we compared the overall survival of LCH‐SSL, LCH‐MSL, and LCH‐MSNL. Part 1: 240 patients with LCH were identified. A total of 112 (47%) had pulmonary signs or symptoms at presentation. Thirty‐four (30%) underwent radiographic staging and only one showed evidence of extra‐pulmonary disease. Part 2: 108 (45%) were LCH‐SSL. Median follow‐up duration of 4.5 years (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.9–6.0). None developed extra‐pulmonary disease. Part 3: 5‐year survival: 94% (95% CI: 84%–98%) for LCH‐SSL, 78% (95% CI: 59%–90%) for LCH‐MSL, and 75% (95% CI: 53%–89%) for LCH‐MSNL. LCH patients presenting with isolated pulmonary signs or symptoms rarely have extra‐pulmonary involvement at the time of diagnosis and generally do not develop extra‐pulmonary progression. LCH‐SSL has the best overall survival, while LCH‐MSL and LCH‐MSNL have similar clinical outcomes.
Impact of medical reimbursement revision on ambulance transport of self‐inflicted injury patients: a nationwide study in Japan
Authors: Katayama Yusuke , Kiyohara Kosuke , Kitamura Tetsuhisa , Hirose Tomoya , Ishida Kenichiro , Umemura Yutaka , Kiguchi Takeyuki , Nakao Shunichiro , Tachino Jotaro , Noda Tomohiro , Shimazu Takeshi 
Published: September 2021

AimSelf‐inflicted injury, as one reason to visit the emergency department, is an important issue in emergency medicine around the world. However, the impact of changes in social systems, such as medical reimbursement revision, on ambulance transport for self‐inflicted injury remains unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of medical reimbursement revision on the emergency transport of self‐inflicted injury patients using nationwide ambulance records.MethodsThis was a retrospective observational study from April 2012 to March 2016. We analyzed nationwide ambulance records in Japan, and included self‐inflicted injury, drug poisoning, and drug overdose patients transported to hospitals by ambulance. The primary outcome of this study was age‐adjusted number of self‐inflicted injury patients transported by ambulance in each month per 1 million standard populations. To assess the impact of the medical reimbursement revision in 2014, we calculated the R2, regression coefficients and 95% confidence interval (CI) using interrupted time series analysis.ResultsThis study included 148,873 patients. The R2 for the interrupted time series model was 0.821. The regression coefficient for the time trend before the medical reimbursement revision was 0.167 (95% CI, 0.090 to 0.244; p < 0.001), that for the time trend after the medical reimbursement revision was −0.226 (95% CI, −0.327 to −0.125, p < 0.001), and that of the medical reimbursement revision was −2.165 (95% CI, −3.730 to −0.601, p = 0.008).ConclusionIn Japan, the medical reimbursement revision in April 2014 helped to decrease the number of self‐inflicted injury patients transported to hospitals by ambulance.
Synthesis of a Tridecasaccharide Lipooligosaccharide Antigen from the Opportunistic Pathogen Mycobacterium kansasii
Authors: Shen Ke , Bai Bing , Liu Yu‐Hsuan , Lowary Todd L. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe outer surfaces of mycobacteria, including the organism that causes tuberculosis, are decorated with an array of immunomodulatory glycans. Among these are lipooligosaccharides (LOSs), a class of molecules for which the function remains poorly understood. We describe the chemical synthesis of the glycan portion of a tridecasaccharide LOS from the opportunistic pathogen Mycobacterium kansasii. The target contains a number of unusual structural motifs that complicate its assembly and is the most complex mycobacterial LOS glycan to be synthesized to date when considering size and number of unique monosaccharides and glycosidic linkages. These studies not only provide a roadmap for the preparation of additional members of this family of glycans, but also provides a valuable probe for use in structure–activity relationship investigations.
Per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances removal with granular activated carbon and a specialty adsorbent: A case study
Authors: Najm Issam , Gallagher Brian , Vishwanath Nikhil , Blute Nicole , Gorzalski Alexander , Feffer Adam , Richardson Sarah 
Published: September 2021

AbstractRemoval of per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water sources is of significant interest as many states have established limits. Three granular activated carbons (GACs) and a clay‐based adsorbent, Fluoro‐sorb® 200 (FS200), were tested using rapid small scale column tests (RSSCTs) to compare relative performance of the media for PFAS removal. FS200 effluent was below detection for all PFAS except PFHxA at 300,000 bed volumes (BVs). The three GACs performed similarly except for PFBS and PFHxA. FS200 showed higher BVs to breakthrough, required a significantly shorter empty bed contact time, and had higher hydraulic loading rate, translating into a smaller footprint than GAC. This work provides important contributions to the water treatment literature, including RSSCT evaluation of FS200 media and media life comparison of GAC and FS200 in drinking water matrices with low PFAS and organic carbon concentrations.Article Impact StatementUtilities needing PFAS treatment will benefit from the testing methodology and results.
Protoplast transformation of Kluyveromyces marxianus
Authors: Lyu Yilin , Wu Pingping , Zhou Jungang , Yu Yao , Lu Hong 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe dairy yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus is a promising cell factory for producing bioethanol and heterologous proteins, as well as a robust synthetic biology platform host, due to its safe status and beneficial traits, including fast growth and thermotolerance. However, the lack of high‐efficiency transformation methods hampers the fundamental research and industrial application of this yeast. Protoplast transformation is one of the most commonly used fungal transformation methods, but it yet remains unexplored in K. marxianus. Here, we established the protoplast transformation method of K. marxianus for the first time. A series of parameters on the transformation efficiency were optimized: cells were collected in the late‐log phase and treated with zymolyase for protoplasting; the transformation was performed at 0 °C with carrier DNA, CaCl2, and PEG; after transformation, protoplasts were recovered in a solid regeneration medium containing 3–4% agar and 0.8 m sorbitol. By using the optimized method, plasmids of 10, 24, and 58 kb were successfully transformed into K. marxianus. The highest efficiency reached 1.8 × 104 transformants per μg DNA, which is 18‐fold higher than the lithium acetate method. This protoplast transformation method will promote the genetic engineering of K. marxianus that requires high‐efficiency transformation or the introduction of large DNA fragments.
Reactor control system in bacterial co‐culture based on fluorescent proteins using an Arduino‐based home‐made device
Authors: Kusuda Minori , Shimizu Hiroshi , Toya Yoshihiro 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundCo‐culture, fermentation with more than two microbial strains, is a potential flexible method for optimizing the metabolic conversion process in bio‐production. However, maintaining an ideal population throughout the fermentation process remains a challenge.Methods and ResultsIn this study, we developed a proportional control system for controlling the population ratio of Escherichia coli strains to a set value during continuous co‐culture. Two E. coli strains were distinguished by expressing different fluorescent proteins, and their population ratio was determined by culture fluorescence. Furthermore, different types of amino acid auxotrophs were provided to each strain, and among these, growth was controlled by the amino acid concentrations in the feed medium. An Arduino‐based device was developed using light‐emitting diodes and cadmium sulfide light sensors for the in‐line monitoring of culture fluorescence. Two E. coli strains of methionine auxotroph green fluorescent protein (GFP) expressing (met‐GFP) strain and arginine auxotroph red fluorescent protein (RFP) expressing (arg‐RFP) strain were co‐cultured using a jar‐fermenter. The amounts of methionine and arginine in the feed medium were altered to guide the population ratio to a set value. During the continuous culture, the population ratio between the met‐GFP and arg‐RFP strains was successfully maintained at approximately the setpoint values.ConclusionThis study demonstrated the development of a home‐made device for controlling the reactor of E. coli based on fluorescent proteins using inexpensive parts.
P300/CBP‐associated factor (PCAF)‐mediated acetylation of Fascin at lysine 471 inhibits its actin‐bundling activity and tumor metastasis in esophageal cancer
Authors: Cheng Yin‐Wei , Zeng Fa‐Min , Li Da‐Jia , Wang Shao‐Hong , He Jian‐Zhong , Guo Zhen‐Chang , Nie Ping‐Juan , Wu Zhi‐Yong , Shi Wen‐Qi , Wen Bing , Xu Xiu‐E , Liao Lian‐Di , Li Zhi‐Mao , Wu Jian‐Yi , Zhan Jun , Zhang Hong‐Quan , Chang Zhi‐Jie , Zhang Kai , Xu Li‐Yan , Li En‐Min 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundFascin is crucial for cancer cell filopodium formation and tumor metastasis, and is functionally regulated by post‐translational modifications. However, whether and how Fascin is regulated by acetylation remains unclear. This study explored the regulation of Fascin acetylation and its corresponding roles in filopodium formation and tumor metastasis.MethodsImmunoprecipitation and glutathione‐S‐transferase pull‐down assays were performed to examine the interaction between Fascin and acetyltransferase P300/CBP‐associated factor (PCAF), and immunofluorescence was used to investigate their colocalization. An in vitro acetylation assay was performed to identify Fascin acetylation sites by using mass spectrometry. A specific antibody against acetylated Fascin was generated and used to detect the PCAF‐mediated Fascin acetylation in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells using Western blotting by overexpressing and knocking down PCAF expression. An in vitro cell migration assay was performed, and a xenograft model was established to study in vivo tumor metastasis. Live‐cell imaging and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching were used to evaluate the function and dynamics of acetylated Fascin in filopodium formation. The clinical significance of acetylated Fascin and PCAF in ESCC was evaluated using immunohistochemistry.ResultsFascin directly interacted and colocalized with PCAF in the cytoplasm and was acetylated at lysine 471 (K471) by PCAF. Using the specific anti‐AcK471‐Fascin antibody, Fascin was found to be acetylated in ESCC cells, and the acetylation level was consequently increased after PCAF overexpression and decreased after PCAF knockdown. Functionally, Fascin‐K471 acetylation markedly suppressed in vitro ESCC cell migration and in vivo tumor metastasis, whereas Fascin‐K471 deacetylation exhibited a potent oncogenic function. Moreover, Fascin‐K471 acetylation reduced filopodial length and density, and lifespan of ESCC cells, while its deacetylation produced the opposite effect. In the filipodium shaft, K471‐acetylated Fascin displayed rapid dynamic exchange, suggesting that it remained in its monomeric form owing to its weakened actin‐bundling activity. Clinically, high levels of AcK471‐Fascin in ESCC tissues were strongly associated with prolonged overall survival and disease‐free survival of ESCC patients.ConclusionsFascin interacts directly with PCAF and is acetylated at lysine 471 in ESCC cells. Fascin‐K471 acetylation suppressed ESCC cell migration and tumor metastasis by reducing filopodium formation through the impairment of its actin‐bundling activity.
Designing a Red‐Emitting Viscosity‐Sensitive BODIPY Fluorophore for Intracellular Viscosity Imaging
Authors: Maleckaitė Karolina , Dodonova Jelena , Toliautas Stepas , Žilėnaitė Rugilė , Jurgutis Džiugas , Karabanovas Vitalijus , Tumkevičius Sigitas , Vyšniauskas Aurimas 
Published: September 2021

AbstractViscosity imaging at a microscopic scale can provide important information about biosystems, including the development of serious illnesses. Microviscosity imaging is achievable with viscosity‐sensitive fluorophores, the most popular of which are based on the BODIPY group. However, most of the BODIPY probes fluoresce green light, whereas the red luminescence is desired for the imaging of biological samples. Designing a new viscosity probe with suitable spectroscopic properties is a challenging task because it is difficult to preserve viscosity sensitivity after modifying the molecular structure. Here we describe how we developed a new red‐emitting, viscosity‐sensitive, BODIPY fluorophore BP‐PH‐2M‐NO2 that is suitable for reliable intracellular viscosity imaging of lipid droplets in MCF‐7 breast cancer cells. The design of BP‐PH‐2M‐NO2 was aided by DFT calculations that allowed a successful prediction of the viscosity sensitivity of fluorophores before synthesis. In summary, we report a new red viscosity probe possessing monoexponential fluorescence decay that makes it attractive for lifetime‐based viscosity imaging.
Assisted Self‐Assembly to Target Heterometallic Mn‐Nd and Mn‐Sm SMMs: Synthesis and Magnetic Characterisation of [Mn7Ln3(O)4(OH)4(mdea)3(piv)9(NO3)3] (Ln=Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd)**
Authors: Kaemmerer Hagen , Mereacre Valeriu , Ako Ayuk M. , Mameri Samir , Anson Christopher E. , Clérac Rodolphe , Powell Annie K. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIn an assisted self‐assembly approach starting from the [Mn6O2(piv)10(4‐Me‐py)2(pivH)2] cluster a family of Mn−Ln compounds (Ln=Pr−Yb) was synthesised. The reaction of [Mn6O2(piv)10(4‐Me‐py)2(pivH)2] (1) with N‐methyldiethanolamine (mdeaH2) and Ln(NO3)3 ⋅ 6H2O in MeCN generally yields two main structure types: for Ln=Tb−Yb a previously reported Mn5Ln4 motif is obtained, whereas for Ln=Pr−Eu a series of Mn7Ln3 clusters is obtained. Within this series the GdIII analogue represents a special case because it shows both structural types as well as a third Mn2Ln2 inverse butterfly motif. Variation in reaction conditions allows access to different structure types across the whole series. This prompts further studies into the reaction mechanism of this cluster assisted self‐assembly approach. For the Mn7Ln3 analogues reported here variable‐temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements suggest that antiferromagnetic interactions between the spin carriers are dominant. Compounds incorporating Ln=NdIII(2), SmIII(3) and GdIII (5) display SMM behaviour. The slow relaxation of the magnetisation for these compounds was confirmed by ac measurements above 1.8 K.
A Comprehensive Picture of the Structures, Energies, and Bonding in the Alanine Dimers
Authors: David Jorge , Gómez Sara , Guerra Doris , Guerra Dario , Restrepo Albeiro 
Published: September 2021

AbstractHigh level quantum mechanical computations and extensive stochastic searches of the potential energy surfaces of the Alanine dimers uncover rich and complex structural and interaction landscapes. A total of 416 strongly bound (up 13.4 kcal mol−1binding energies at the DLPNO‐CCSD(T)/6–311++G(d,p) level corrected by the basis set superposition error and by the zero point vibrational energies over B3LYP‐D3 geometries), close energy equilibrium structures were located, bonded via 32 specific types of intermolecular contacts including Y⋅⋅⋅H−X primary and Y⋅⋅⋅H−C secondary hydrogen bonds, H⋅⋅⋅H dihydrogen contacts, and non conventional anti‐electrostatic YXinteractions. The putative global minimum is triply degenerate, corresponding to the structure of the common dimer of a carboxylic acid. All quantum descriptors of chemical bonding point to a multitude of weak individual interactions within each dimer, whose cumulative effect results in large binding energies and in an attractive fluxional wall of non‐covalent interactions in the interstitial region between the monomers.
Direct Conversion of Polypropylene into Liquid Hydrocarbons on Carbon‐Supported Platinum Catalysts
Authors: Jaydev Shibashish D. , Martín Antonio J. , Pérez‐Ramírez Javier 
Published: September 2021

AbstractEfforts to selectively convert polypropylene (≈30 % of all plastic waste) have not been particularly successful. Typical distributions span from gas to solid products, highlighting a challenging cleavage control. Here, carbon‐supported platinum nanoparticles were designed for complete hydrocracking into liquid hydrocarbons (C5–C45). The metal and carrier phases operated synergistically. The cleavage activity depended on platinum and its rate rose with decreasing particle size. The carbon carrier controlled selectivity via hydrocarbon binding strength, which depended on the chain length and on the surface oxygen concentration. An optimal binding provided by carbons with high oxygen content promoted both adsorption of long chains and desorption of short products. This strategy achieved an unprecedented 80 % selectivity toward motor oil (C21–C45). Carbons exhibiting too strong binding (low oxygen content) hindered product desorption, while non‐binding materials (e. g., silica or alumina) did not promote plastic–Pt contact, leading in both cases to low performance. This work pioneers design guidelines in a key process towards a sustainable plastic economy.
Homo‐ and Copolymerization of Norbornene with Allyl Palladium and Nickel Complexes Bearing Imidazo[1,5‐a]pyridine Sulfonate Ligands
Authors: Dong Jie , Yang Dandan , Wang Baiquan 
Published: September 2021

AbstractA series of allyl palladium and nickel complexes based on imidazo[1,5‐a]pyridine sulfonate ligands were synthesized. All these complexes were fully characterized by 1H and 13C NMR, elemental analysis, and high‐resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). By treatment with Me2AlCl, palladium complexes showed high activities (up to 4.5×107 g of PNB (mol of Pd)−1 h−1) in norbornene polymerization, and the steric hindrance of the catalysts had little effect on the catalytic activities. They could also catalyze the copolymerization of norbornene with butyl vinyl ether (BVE) and ester monomers, but could not catalyze the copolymerization of norbornene with allyl butyl ether (ABE). In addition, the catalytic activities of nickel complexes for norbornene polymerization were similar to that of palladium complexes upon activation with MAO. They could catalyze copolymerization of norbornene with BVE and ABE, but not with ester monomers. In nickel system, the lower steric hindrance of the substituent led to higher activity.