bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization and rational modification of aspartate 4‐decarboxylase from Acinetobacter radioresistens for the production of l‐alanine
Authors: Liu Zhongmei , Wang Xiangyu , Yu Jiayin , Han Laichuang , Zhou Zhemin 
Published: March 2021

AbstractEnzymatic synthesis of l‐alanine has the advantages of less byproducts, strong stereoselectivity, and high catalytic efficiency. Aspartate 4‐decarboxylase (ASD) is used industrially in DL‐aspartic acid resolution and l‐alanine production because it catalyzes the decarboxylation of l‐aspartic acid. In this study, the ASD gene from Acinetobacter radioresistens (ArASD) was cloned, and its enzymatic properties were analyzed. ArASD is a dodecamer and has the highest enzyme activity ever reported to date. The optimal conditions for ArASD catalysis are 50°C and pH 4.5. Site‐directed mutagenesis was used to improve ArASD stability under acidic conditions to compensate for its weak acid resistance, and the variant N35D with higher catalytic ability was obtained. The conversion by N35 recombinant cells of l‐aspartic acid to l‐alanine was 92.5% at pH 4.5% and 99.9% at pH 6.0, whereas that of the wild‐type recombinant cells was 29.7% and 31.4%, respectively. Aspartase from Escherichia coli (AspA) was employed with ArASD to construct a dual‐enzyme system that catalyzes fumaric acid to l‐alanine, and the conversion reached 97.1% using recombinant cells harboring the dual‐enzyme system. This study explored the enzymatic properties of ArASD and an effective strategy for the acidic resistance modification of ASD. Moreover, the strain expressing the ArASD variant and AspA engineered in this study has great potential application for the l‐alanine production industry, especially in the case of high optical purity requirements.
Patients' physical activity in stroke units in Latvia and Sweden
Authors: Kārkliņa Agnese , Chen Erik , Bērziņa Guna , Stibrant Sunnerhagen Katharina 
Published: March 2021

AbstractObjectiveA prospective, observational study to describe levels of physical activity in patients with stroke in a comprehensive stroke unit in Sweden and Latvia, comparing data between countries.MethodsThe study was performed at stroke units in one hospital in Sweden (data were acquired over a 2‐month period in 2017) and two hospitals in Latvia (data were acquired over a 3‐month period between 2016 and 2017). Patients with stroke were observed for 1 min every 10 min. The level of physical activity, location, and the people present were noted at each time‐point.ResultsA total of 27 patients were observed in Latvia and 25 patients in Sweden. Patients from both countries were in bed half of the time and spent the majority of the day in their bedroom and alone. Patients in Sweden had higher physical activity levels, spent more time outside their bedroom and spent more time with rehabilitation specialists and visitors.ConclusionPatients are inactive and alone for a majority of the time during hospitalization at a comprehensive stroke unit in both countries. There are differences in environment in the stroke unit between countries.
A heuristic study of the similarities and differences in offender characteristics across potential and successful serial sexual homicide offenders
Authors: Yaksic Enzo , Harrison Marissa , Konikoff Daniel , Mooney Robyn , Allely Clare , De Silva Raneesha , Matykiewicz Brenna , Inglis Melissa , Giannangelo Stephen J. , Daniels Steven , Sarteschi Christine M. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis heuristic study examined potential serial sexual homicide offenders (SSHOs), an unacknowledged offender group comprised of aspiring and probable SSHOs, and compared them with successful SSHOs. Data were collected on six aspiring SSHOs who each failed a single homicide attempt, 16 probable SSHOs who committed 17 homicides in separate events, and 13 successful SSHOs who killed 90 victims in separate events. The study results indicate that while potential SSHOs share more in common with successful SSHOs than they do with single‐victim nonsexual homicide offenders, and that there is an overlap between potential SSHOs and successful SSHOs, there is currently insufficient evidence to suggest that there are discreet transitions among categories. While few potential SSHOs strive to become successful SSHOs, this may be due to weak or nonexistent emotional triggers. Being a potential SSHO does not appear to be a predictable first step on a pathway towards becoming a successful SSHO, as potential SSHOs cannot reliably be thought of as prospective SSHOs if all things were equal. The present study could not foresee all potential SSHOs becoming successful ones. An as yet unidentified number of factors still appear to separate potential SSHOs from successful SSHOs.
A systematic review and meta‐analysis of the prognostic role of age in oral tongue cancer
Authors: Tagliabue Marta , Belloni Pietro , De Berardinis Rita , Gandini Sara , Chu Francesco , Zorzi Stefano , Fumagalli Caterina , Santoro Luigi , Chiocca Susanna , Ansarin Mohssen 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWhile evidence suggests an increasing incidence of tongue cancer in young adults, published findings regarding the prognostic role of age at diagnosis are inconsistent. We performed a meta‐analysis of the literature to highlight key points that might help in understanding the association between age of oral tongue cancer patients at diagnosis and their prognosis. According to age at diagnosis, a systematic literature review of all published cohort studies assessing the recurrence risks and mortality associated with tongue cancer was conducted. We compared the risk estimates between patients aged >45 years and those aged <45 years at diagnosis. Random‐effects models were used to calculate summary relative risk estimates (SRRs) according to different clinical outcomes and sources of between‐study heterogeneity (I2) and bias. We included 31 independent cohort studies published between 1989 and 2019; these studies included a total of 28,288 patients. When risk estimations were not adjusted for confounders, no significant association was found between age at diagnosis and overall survival (OS). Conversely, after adjustment for confounders, older age at diagnosis was associated with a significantly increased risk of mortality. The difference between SRRs for adjusted and unadjusted estimates was significant (p < 0.01). Younger patients had a significantly higher risk of local recurrence. Younger patients with oral tongue cancer have better OS but a greater risk of recurrence than older patients. These findings should be validated in a large prospective cohort study which considers all confounders and prognostic factors.
4‐Aminoquinolines Bearing a 1,3‐Benzodioxole Moiety: Synthesis and Biological Evaluation as Potential Antifungal Agents
Authors: Yang Rui , Li Zhuolin , Xie Jialing , Liu Jianchuan , Qin Tianhong , Liu Junda , Du Haiying , Ye Haoyun 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn search of new environmentally friendly and effective antifungal agents, a series of 4‐aminoquinolines bearing a 1,3‐benzodioxole moiety were prepared and their structures were fully elucidated by spectroscopic analyses. The antifungal activities of all the target compounds against five phytopathogenic fungi were evaluated in vitro. The results revealed that most of the newly synthesized compounds exhibited obvious inhibitory activities at the concentration of 50 μg/mL. Among them, 6‐(furan‐2‐yl)‐N‐(4‐methylphenyl)‐2H‐[1,3]dioxolo[4,5‐g]quinolin‐8‐amine hydrochloride (7m) displayed more promising antifungal potency with EC50 values of 10.3 and 14.0 μg/mL against C. lunata and A. alternate, respectively. Particularly, the EC50 value of 7m against C. lunata was 7.3‐fold as potent as the standard azoxystrobin. There were some significant morphological alterations in the mycelia of C. lunata when treated with 7m at 50 μg/mL. Additionally, the preliminary structure–activity relationships (SARs) were also discussed. Thus, this study suggests that 4‐aminoquinolines bearing a 1,3‐benzodioxole moiety are interesting scaffolds for the development of novel antifungal agents.
Treatment of toxoplasmic encephalitis with the combination of clindamycin plus azithromycin in an HIV‐infected patient: A case report
Authors: Mohammadi Keyhan , Khalili Hossein , Jafari Sirous , Yaribash Shakila 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe existence of alternative oral therapies could help clinicians to treat toxoplasmic encephalitis (TE) in the HIV patients. The combination of azithromycin and clindamycin may serve as an effective treatment for TE in HIV‐infected patients.
Imaging meets chemistry: The application of a thermal imaging camera in chemistry classes of secondary schools first stage
Authors: Wagner Tom , Kempke Tom 
Published: March 2021

AbstractDie Temperatur lässt sich nicht nur numerisch angeben, sondern durch die Thermografie auch bildhaft darstellen. Vorgestellt werden einfache Experimente für den Chemieunterricht der Sekundarstufe I mit einer vergleichsweise kostengünstigen Wärmebildkamera für Smartphones. Hierbei liegt der Fokus auf Experimenten zur digitalen Darstellung von Wärmeeffekten bei exothermen und endothermen Prozessen.
Percutaneous edge‐to‐edge repair of severe mitral regurgitation using the MitraClip XTR versus NTR system
Authors: Doldi Philipp M. , Brinkmann Isabel , Orban Mathias , Stolz Lukas , Orban Martin , Stocker Thomas , Loew Kornelia , Buech Joscha , Nabauer Michael , Illigens Ben , Cerqueira Tiago Lemos , Siepmann Timo , Massberg Steffen , Hausleiter Joerg , Braun Daniel 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundTranscatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) has shown to improve symptoms and functional capacity in patients with severe mitral valve regurgitation (MR). Novel device developments provide the technology to treat patients with complex anatomies and large coaptation gaps. Nevertheless, the question of superiority of one device remains unanswered. We aimed to compare the MitraClip XTR and MitraClip NTR system in a real world setting.HypothesisTMVR with the MitraClip XTR system is equally effective, but associated with a higher risk of leaflet injury.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed peri‐procedural and mid‐term clinical and echocardiographic outcomes of 113 patients treated for severe MR between March 2018 and August 2019 at the University Hospital of Munich.ResultsPostprocedural MR reduction to ≤2+ was comparable in both groups (XTR: 96.1% vs. NTR: 97.6%, p = .38). There was a significant difference in a composite safety endpoint of periprocedural Major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) including leaflet injury between groups (XTR 14.6% vs. NTR 1.7%, 95% CI [2.7, 24.6], p = .012). After a median follow‐up of 8.5 (4.4, 14.0) months, durable reduction of MR was confirmed (XTR: in 91.9% vs. NTR: 96.8%, p = .31) and clinical and symptomatic improvement was comparable in both groups accordingly.ConclusionWhile efficacy was comparable in both treatment groups, patients treated with the MitraClip XTR systems showed more events of acute leaflet tear and single leaflet device attachment (SLDA). A detailed echocardiographic assessment should be done to identify risk candidates for acute leaflet injury.
Sarcopenia and modified Glasgow Prognostic Score predict postsurgical outcomes in localized renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Higgins Michelle I. , Martini Dylan J. , Patil Dattatraya H. , Nabavizadeh Reza , Steele Sean , Williams Milton , Joshi Shreyas S. , Narayan Vikram M. , Sekhar Aarti , Psutka Sarah P. , Ogan Kenneth , Bilen Mehmet Asim , Master Viraj A. 
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUNDBody composition and inflammation are gaining importance for prognostication in cancer. This study investigated the individual and combined utility of the preoperative skeletal muscle index (SMI) and the modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) for estimating postoperative outcomes in patients with localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC) undergoing nephrectomy.METHODSThe authors performed a retrospective review of 352 patients with localized RCC. SMI was measured via computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Patients met the criteria for sarcopenia by body mass index– and sex‐stratified thresholds. Multivariable and Kaplan‐Meier analyses of associations of sarcopenia and mGPS with overall survival (OS), recurrence‐free survival (RFS), and cancer‐specific survival (CSS) were performed. Variables were analyzed independently and combined into risk groups: low risk (nonsarcopenic, low mGPS), medium risk (sarcopenia only), medium risk (inflammation only), and high risk (sarcopenic, high mGPS). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to analyze risk groups in comparison with the Stage, Size, Grade, and Necrosis (SSIGN) score and the modified International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium (IMDC) score.RESULTSThe majority of the patients were at stage pT3 (63%), 39.5% of the patients were sarcopenic, and 19.3% had an elevated mGPS at the baseline. The median follow‐up time was 30.4 months. Sarcopenia and mGPS were independently associated with worse OS (hazard ratio for sarcopenia, 1.64; P = .006; hazard ratio for mGPS, 1.72; P = .012), CSS, and RFS. Risk groups had an increasing association with worse RFS (P = .015) and CSS (P = .004) but not OS (P = .087). ROC analyses demonstrated a higher area under the curve for risk groups in comparison with the SSIGN and IMDC scores at 5 years.CONCLUSIONSSarcopenia and an elevated mGPS were associated with worse clinical outcomes in this study of patients with localized RCC. This has implications for preoperative prognostication and treatment decision‐making.LAY SUMMARY

Kidney cancer is a disease with a wide variety of outcomes. Among patients undergoing surgical removal of the kidney for cancer that has not spread beyond the kidney, many are cured, but some experience recurrence.

Physicians are seeking ways to better predict who is at risk for recurrence or death from kidney cancer.

This study has evaluated body composition and markers of inflammation before surgery to predict the risk of recurrence or death after surgery. Specifically, low muscle mass and an elevated inflammation score (the modified Glasgow Prognostic Score) have been associated with an increased likelihood of recurrence of kidney cancer and death.
Effect of Memantine on QT/QTc Interval in a Healthy Korean Population
Authors: Park Jin‐Woo , Kim Kyoung‐Ah , Park Ji‐Young 
Published: March 2021

AbstractStudies on the effects of memantine on QT prolongation have yielded conflicting results. For a long time, memantine was reported to be a safe drug without QT prolongation; however, several case studies have reported memantine‐induced QT prolongation in Alzheimer's patients. This study evaluated the relationship between memantine blood levels, and QT interval changes. Over a 2‐week period, we orally administered 20 mg of memantine daily to achieve a steady state in 57 healthy Korean subjects. We measured and analyzed the QT interval and blood memantine concentrations simultaneously before and after treatment, as well as 2 weeks after the last dosing. Correlation analysis was done between blood memantine level and QT interval. No serious adverse events occurred during the study period. Repeated dosing of memantine did not show clinically significant QT interval changes after treatment. Regression analysis was performed based on the results; there was no statistical association between memantine blood level and QT prolongation. In conclusion, the results of the present study demonstrated no clinically significant changes in the QT interval with therapeutic blood levels of memantine.
Phase Control of Noble Monometallic and Alloy Nanomaterials by Chemical Reduction Methods
Authors: Zhang Quan , Kusada Kohei , Kitagawa Hiroshi 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn recent years, the phase control of monometallic and alloy nanomaterials has attracted great attention because of the potential to tune the physical and chemical properties of these species. In this Review, an overview of the latest research progress in phase‐controlled monometallic and alloy nanomaterials is first given. Then, the phase‐controlled synthesis using a chemical reduction method are discussed, and the formation mechanisms of these nanomaterials are specifically highlighted. Lastly, the challenges and future perspectives in this new research field are discussed.
Glycoproteomic Sample Processing, LC‐MS, and Data Analysis Using GlycReSoft
Authors: Wang Meizhe , Shajahan Asif , Pepi Lauren E. , Azadi Parastoo , Zaia Joseph 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIdentification of N‐ and O‐glycosylation on specific sites of proteins, along with glycan structural information, is necessary to determine the roles glycoproteins play in normal and pathologic cellular functions. Because such glycosylation is macro‐ and micro‐heterogeneous and alters the dissociation behavior of glycopeptides, specific sample preparation, mass spectrometry, and data analysis techniques are required. Advanced tandem mass spectrometry–based glycoproteomics coupled with powerful data mining algorithms are key elements for characterization of protein glycosylation. This article includes the detailed, streamlined sample preparation method for liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry data acquisition and subsequent bioinformatics‐based data annotation using the publicly available GlycReSoft program for highly efficient identification and quantification of glycoprotein glycosylation. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.This article was corrected on 25 July 2022. See the end of the full text for details.Basic Protocol 1: Characterization of glycans and site occupancy on purified glycoproteinSupport Protocol 1: In‐gel digestion of glycoproteinsSupport Protocol 2: Detection of glycoproteins from cells/tissue through glycopeptide enrichmentBasic Protocol 2: Acquisition of glycopeptides through high‐resolution nano‐LC‐MS/MSBasic Protocol 3: Identification and quantification of glycopeptides using GlycReSoft
Chemoenzymatic Synthesis and Facile Purification of Gangliosides
Authors: Bai Yuanyuan , Yu Hai , Chen Xi 
Published: March 2021

AbstractGangliosides are biologically important sialic acid‐containing glycolipids found commonly in human and other vertebrates. Isolation of pure gangliosides from cells or tissues is difficult, and chemical synthesis of gangliosides usually involves numerous steps with low synthetic yields. We report here a chemoenzymatic synthesis and purification protocol for two ganglioside cancer antigens, GM3 and GD3. One‐pot multienzyme glycosylation reactions are used to sequentially prepare GM3 and GD3 sphingosines from chemically synthesized lactosyl sphingosine. A facile C18‐cartridge purification procedure after each glycosylation reaction provides the desired pure glycosyl sphingosine product, which is readily acylated to form the target ganglioside. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.Basic Protocol: Chemoenzymatic synthesis and purification of GM3 and GD3 gangliosidesSupport Protocol: Monitoring reactions by thin‐layer chromatography
Managing corporate social responsibility in the bank sector: A fuzzy and disaggregated approach
Authors: Laguir Issam , Stekelorum Rebecca , Laguir Lamia , Staglianò Raffaele 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis study investigates how different activities of corporate social responsibility influence financial performance in the bank sector. In a sample of publicly listed French banks, we use a fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis to show that financial performance is dependent on the type of activity. The results show that various combinations of corporate social responsibility activities and bank characteristics determine the level of financial performance. Overall, our findings support and extend the recent contingent perspective, which emphasizes the interest of examining the conditions under which banks are more profitable.
Analytical strategy for the detection of ecdysterone and its metabolites in vivo in uPA(+/+)‐SCID mice with humanized liver, human urine samples, and estimation of prevalence of its use in anti‐doping samples
Authors: Kraiem Souhail , Al‐Jaber Maneera Y. , Al‐Mohammed Hana , Al‐Menhali Afnan S. , Al‐Thani Noora , Helaleh Murad , Samsam Waseem , Touil Soufiane , Beotra Alka , Georgakopoulas Costas , Bouabdallah Sondes , Mohamed‐Ali Vidya , Al Maadheed Mohammed 
Published: March 2021

AbstractEcdysteroids are of interest as potential sport performance enhancers, due to their anabolic effects. The current study aimed to analyze levels of the most abundant ecdysteroid, ecdysterone (20‐hydroxyecdysone, 20‐OHE) in easily available dietary supplements, and, outline an analytical strategy for its detection, and that, of its metabolites, (1) following administration of pure 20‐OHE to uPA(+/+)‐SCID mice with humanized liver, (2) in a human volunteer after ingestion of two supplements, one with a relatively low, and the other a high, concentration of 20‐OHE, and, (3) to estimate the prevalence of use of 20‐OHE in elite athletes (n = 1000). Of the 16 supplements tested, only five showed detectable levels of 20‐OHE, with concentrations ranging from undetectable up to 2.3 mg per capsule. Urine of uPA(+/+)‐SCID urine showed the presence of 20‐OHE and its metabolite, 14 deoxy ecdysterone, within 24 hours (hr) of ingestion. In humans, both the parent and the metabolite were detectable within 2 to 5 hr of ingestion, with the metabolite being detectable for longer than the parent. After ingestion of a low dose supplement, the parent and metabolite were detectable for 70 and 48 hr, while following the higher dose it was 96 and 48 hr, respectively. Analysis of urines from athletes (n = 1000) confirmed four positives for 20‐OHE, suggesting a prevalence of use of 0.4%. Prevalence of its use by elite athletes was relatively low, however, this needs to be confirmed in other populations, and with other related ecdysteroids.
Plankton biogeography in the North Atlantic Ocean and its adjacent seas: Species assemblages and environmental signatures
Authors: Kléparski Loïck , Beaugrand Grégory , Edwards Martin 
Published: March 2021

AbstractPlankton biodiversity is a key component of marine pelagic ecosystems. They are at the base of the food web, control the productivity of marine ecosystems, and provide many provisioning and regulating ecological services. It is therefore important to understand how plankton are organized in both space and time. Here, we use data of varying taxonomic resolution, collected by the Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) survey, to map phytoplankton and zooplankton biodiversity in the North Atlantic and its adjacent seas. We then decompose biodiversity into 24 species assemblages and investigate their spatial distribution using ecological units and ecoregions recently proposed. Finally, we propose a descriptive method, which we call the environmental chromatogram, to characterize the environmental signature of each plankton assemblage. The method is based on a graphic that identifies where species of an assemblage aggregate along an environmental gradient composed of multiple ecological dimensions. The decomposition of the biodiversity into species assemblages allows us to show (a) that most marine regions of the North Atlantic are composed of coenoclines (i.e., gradients of biocoenoses or communities) and (b) that the overlapping spatial distribution of assemblages is the result of their environmental signatures. It follows that neither the ecoregions nor the ecological units identified in the North Atlantic are characterized by a unique assemblage but instead by a mosaic of assemblages that overlap in many places.