bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Group A streptococcal antigen exposed rat model to investigate neurobehavioral and cardiac complications associated with post‐streptococcal autoimmune sequelae
Authors: Rafeek Rukshan A. M. , Lobbe Catherine M. , Wilkinson Ethan C. , Hamlin Adam S. , Andronicos Nicholas M. , McMillan David J. , Sriprakash Kadaba S. , Ketheesan Natkunam 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe neuropsychiatric disorders due to post‐streptococcal autoimmune complications such as Sydenham's chorea (SC) are associated with acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease (ARF/RHD). An animal model that exhibits characteristics of both cardiac and neurobehavioral defects in ARF/RHD would be an important adjunct for future studies. Since age, gender, strain differences, and genotypes impact on the development of autoimmunity, we investigated the behavior of male and female Wistar and Lewis rat strains in two age cohorts (<6 weeks and >12 weeks) under normal husbandry conditions and following exposure to group A streptococcus (GAS).MethodsStandard behavioral assessments were performed to determine the impairments in fine motor control (food manipulation test), gait and balance (beam walking test), and obsessive‐compulsive behavior (grooming and marble burying tests). Furthermore, electrocardiography, histology, and behavioral assessments were performed on male and female Lewis rats injected with GAS antigens.ResultsFor control Lewis rats there were no significant age and gender dependent differences in marble burying, food manipulation, beam walking and grooming behaviors. In contrast significant age‐dependent differences were observed in Wistar rats in all the behavioral tests except for food manipulation. Therefore, Lewis rats were selected for further experiments to determine the effect of GAS. After exposure to GAS, Lewis rats demonstrated neurobehavioral abnormalities and cardiac pathology akin to SC and ARF/RHD, respectively.ConclusionWe have characterised a new model that provides longitudinal stability of age‐dependent behavior, to simultaneously investigate both neurobehavioral and cardiac abnormalities associated with post‐streptococcal complications.
Substituted Dihydropyridine Synthesis by Dearomatization of Pyridines
Authors: Heusler Arne , Fliege Julian , Wagener Tobias , Glorius Frank 
Published: April 2021

AbstractDearomatization is an effective method to transform readily available N‐heterocycles into partially saturated motifs. Manipulation of dihydro‐derivatives holds great potential and provides access to a variety of semi‐saturated N‐heterocyclic building blocks. However, current strategies are limited in scope and the use of sensitive reagents restricts the applicability in synthetic laboratories. Herein, we report the synthesis of a broad variety of N‐substituted 1,4‐ and 1,2‐dihydropyridines by very mild and selective reduction with amine borane for the first time.
Electrospun polylactic acid nanofiber membranes containing Capparis spinosa L. extracts for potential wound dressing applications
Authors: Zhu Peng , Zhang Xingqun , Wang Yunlong , Li Changen , Wang Xianzhu , Tie Jiancheng , Wang Ying 
Published: April 2021

AbstractCapparis spinosa L. (CSL) is a medicinal plant with high antibacterial activity against a variety of pathogens and antioxidation properties. In this paper, for the first time, nanofiber membranes of polylactic acid (PLA) containing 0, 4, 7,and 10 wt% CSL ethyl acetate extract were fabricated by electrospinning. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the fiber diameter decreased after adding CSL to the PLA nanofibers. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed that CSL was successfully incorporated in the matrix. The water contact angle test proved that the addition of CSL improved the hydrophilic properties of the material. Moreover, the addition of CSL improved the oxidation resistance of the composite fiber membrane. A burst drug release from the composite nanofibers occurred within the first 12 hr, followed by slow release over a prolonged period of time. As the concentration of CSL increased, the inhibition ability of nanofibers against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) gradually increased. In summary, due to their good mechanical, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties, CSL/PLA nanofiber membranes may possess potential applications as wound dressing materials.
Synthesis and application of an environmental epoxy plasticizer with phthalate‐like structure based on tung oil and cardanol for poly(vinyl chloride)
Authors: Song Fei , Huang Caoxing , Zhu Xinbao , Liu Chengguo , Zhou Yonghong , Jia Puyou 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAn epoxidized cardanol tungoleate (ECT) based on tung oil and cardanol was synthesized through esterification and epoxidation. The chemical structure of the compound was verified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H‐NMR). The plasticizing effects of ECT as the main plasticizer in poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) was studied and compared with the commercial plasticizer dioctyl phthalate (DOP). The thermal migration stabilities, the thermal degradation process and the mechanical properties of PVC samples and the plasticization mechanism of ECT for PVC were investigated through the use of volatility, extraction, discoloration, and tensile tests as well as thermal gravity analysis (TGA), TGA–FTIR analysis, electronic universal testing machine and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Compared with DOP, the ECT plasticized PVC can exhibits better thermal stability, more excellent tensile strength (17.28 MPa) and higher stretchability (629.41%), which is 1161% higher than DOP (1.37 MPa) plasticized PVC film. In addition, the migration resistance and volatility stability of ECT are much better than DOP. Therefore, this fully bio‐based plasticizer based on tung oil and cardanol is a promising alternative plasticizer for PVC and may be an excellent phthalate substitute from the perspective of human health and sustainable development.
Synthesis and evaluating of carbon nanoallotrope‐biomacromolecule gel composites as drug delivery systems
Authors: Basta Altaf H. , Lotfy Vivian F. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis work was done to assess the role of precursors (agro and graphite) on performance of carbon nanoallotropes‐biomacromolecules composite as drug delivery for controlling the release of niacin. In this respect graphene oxide and bagasse‐based carbon oxide were synthesized and chelated with chitosan (Cs‐GO and Cs‐Co). These gel composites were characterized by many techniques [morphology, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, swelling, encapsulation efficiency (EE) and loading (L) % of niacin. Another series of experiments was carried out for studying the role of replacing part of carbon nanoallotrope by carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) on performance of produced drug carries, these systems were coded as Cs‐GO‐CMC and Cs‐Co‐CMC. The data showed that, the Cs‐GO gel composite provided maximum release of NA, at 5 h, for pH's simulated gastric and intestinal fluids; pH. 2.1 and pH 7.4 (1120 mg/L and 757 mg/L). The incorporation of CMC is not acceptable as it provided low drug release together with burst release of NA‐drug, and consequently possible caused tissue irritation or toxicity in the human body. The Cs‐GO and Cs‐CO systems with relatively low drug loading were recommended for their better controllability system to NA release, which prolonging benefit of human with niacin. The NA release from all investigated gels followed Fickian and non‐Fickian diffusion mechanisms.
A new, simple, highly scalable, and efficient protocol for genomic DNA extraction from diverse plant taxa
Authors: Mavrodiev Evgeny V. , Dervinis Christopher , Whitten William Mark , Gitzendanner Matthew A. , Kirst Matias , Kim Sangtae , Kinser Taliesin J. , Soltis Pamela S. , Soltis Douglas E. 
Published: April 2021

PremiseCommonly used molecular techniques such as next‐generation sequencing require reliable methods to extract DNA quickly and efficiently. Secondary compounds within plant tissues make this requirement all the more challenging, often forcing researchers to test different extraction methods tailored to their particular species of interest in order to obtain large amounts of high‐quality genomic DNA. The opportunities provided by high‐throughput, next‐generation sequencing only exacerbate these problems, especially when trying to extract DNA from multiple species at the same time. Several methods have attempted to resolve the challenges of obtaining suitable DNA from plants; however, a rapid, high‐yield, high‐quality, and highly scalable DNA extraction method is still needed.Methods and ResultsWe present a rapid DNA extraction protocol that utilizes a buffer with relatively large amounts of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and sodium chloride, combined with a silica maxi‐column cleanup of the extracted DNA. The new method is easy to implement using standard equipment and inexpensive reagents. The entire procedure (from grinding to the final elution) can be completed in less than two hours for a single sample and can be easily scaled to meet desired research goals. It works on diverse green plants with highly varied secondary chemistries (e.g., ferns, gymnosperms, and phylogenetically divergent angiosperms).ConclusionsApplication of the protocol to various plant species yielded DNA of high quality in less than two hours and can be adjusted to extract DNA at large (maxi‐preps) or small (96‐well minipreps) scales. We anticipate that our method will be of wide utility for rapidly isolating large quantities of quality genomic DNA from diverse plant species and will have broad applications in phylogenetic studies utilizing PCR and short‐read DNA sequencing.
Thermische Schutzwirkung von reaktiven Brandschutzsystemen auf kleinformatigen Stahlbauteilen mit gekrümmter Oberfläche
Authors: Häßler Dustin , Hothan Sascha , Häßler Mai , Krüger Simone 
Published: April 2021

AbstractUm Stahlbauteile im Brandfall vor einer zu schnellen Erwärmung zu schützen, wird häufig auf reaktive Brandschutzsysteme (RBS) zurückgegriffen. Die Produkte eigenen sich besonders aufgrund der profilfolgenden Applikationsmöglichkeit und der vergleichsweise geringen Beschichtungsdicken. Bei einer Brandbeanspruchung schäumt das RBS auf und bildet eine thermische Schutzschicht um das Stahlprofil aus. Dadurch wird die Erwärmung des Stahls verlangsamt und der temperaturbedingte Festigkeitsverlust verzögert, wodurch sich die Feuerwiderstandsdauer des Stahlbauteils verbessert. Aus Brandversuchen ist bekannt, dass die Leistungsfähigkeit von RBS auf Stahlprofilen mit gekrümmter Oberfläche meist schlechter ausfällt als bei vergleichbaren Bauteilen mit ebener Oberfläche. Zum Einfluss der Oberflächenkrümmung auf die thermische Schutzwirkung von RBS werden in dem folgenden Beitrag sowohl theoretische Hintergründe als auch die Ergebnisse aus Brandversuchen an kleinformatigen Probekörpern vorgestellt. Die systematischen Untersuchungen zeigen, dass mit zunehmender Oberflächenkrümmung die Leistungsfähigkeit des RBS tendenziell abnimmt. Bei der Beurteilung der thermischen Schutzwirkung eines RBS sollte die Oberflächenkrümmung eines Bauteils berücksichtigt werden. Die alleinige Fokussierung auf den Profilfaktor eines Stahlprofils ist i. Allg. nicht ausreichend. Die Untersuchungen bilden die Grundlage für die Entwicklung von Screening‐Tests zur Beurteilung der Eignung von RBS für gekrümmte Oberflächen, wodurch eine Vorauswahl von Produkten für diesen Einsatzzweck ermöglicht wird.
Prospects for Improved Magnesocene‐Based Magnesium Battery Electrolytes
Authors: Jankowski Piotr , Schwarz Rainer , Randon‐Vitanova Anna , Younesi Reza , Wachtler Mario , Johansson Patrik 
Published: April 2021

AbstractMagnesium batteries are currently attracting a lot of interest as a next generation battery technology. One critical issue is to find a suitable electrolyte and herein we explore an electrolyte based on magnesocene (MgCp2) in tetrahydrofuran (THF), aiming for low‐voltage Mg batteries, with respect to: Mg plating characteristics, electrochemical stability windows, electrolyte speciation, and electrolyte decomposition reactions; both experimentally and computationally. Overall, the electrolyte does not seem to decompose on a Mg metal anode and most likely reduced solvation of Mg2+ by the Cp− anion is important and species such as MgCp2THF2 may play an important role for Mg plating with small overpotential. The oxidation limit is largely determined by the Cp− anion and density functional theory predicted oxidation reactions point to polymerized end‐products to be possible. Furthermore, in silico substitution studies enable us to establish the prospects of some Cp− anion derivatives to further improve the oxidative stability, but still the Mg2+ solvation must be monitored for ease of reduction and Mg plating.
Revisiting poly(A)‐binding proteins: Multifaceted regulators during gametogenesis and early embryogenesis
Authors: Zhao Long‐Wen , Fan Heng‐Yu 
Published: April 2021

AbstractPost‐transcriptional regulation faces a distinctive challenge in gametes. Transcription is limited when the germ cells enter the division phase due to condensed chromatin, while gene expression during gamete maturation, fertilization, and early cleavage depends on existing mRNA post‐transcriptional coordination. The dynamics of the 3ʹ‐poly(A) tail play crucial roles in defining mRNA fate. The 3ʹ‐poly(A) tail is covered with poly(A)‐binding proteins (PABPs) that help to mediate mRNA metabolism and recent work has shed light on the number and function of germ cell‐specific expressed PABPs. There are two structurally different PABP groups distinguished by their cytoplasmic and nuclear localization. Both lack catalytic activity but are coupled with various roles through their interaction with multifunctional partners during mRNA metabolism. Here, we present a synopsis of PABP function during gametogenesis and early embryogenesis and describe both conventional and current models of the functions and regulation of PABPs, with an emphasis on the physiological significance of how germ cell‐specific PABPs potentially affect human fertility.
The power of brand nostalgia: Contrasting brand personality dimensions and consumer‐brand relationships of nostalgic and non‐nostalgic brands
Authors: Youn Seounmi , Dodoo Naa Amponsah 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIntegrating the theories of nostalgia, brand personality, and consumer‐brand relationships, this research examined the power of nostalgia in explaining brand personality dimensions and five relational constructs. Online survey data across two separate studies (n = 374 for both studies) with two different sets of nostalgic and non‐nostalgic brands was collected via Amazon MTurk with U.S. based participants to unravel relationships between constructs. The data analysis revealed that nostalgic brands received stronger ratings on the brand personality dimensions of sincerity, excitement, and competence in both studies. In other words, the nostalgic status of brands served as a differentiator to account for the strength of brand personality dimensions. Nostalgic brands also showed stronger brand attachment, self‐brand connections, separation distress, relationship quality, and brand engagement behaviors on social media rather than non‐nostalgic brands. These findings provide the utility of nostalgia as a marketing communication tactic that can enhance important brand‐related outcomes. Furthermore, the sincerity and excitement brand personality dimensions appeared to be important mediators to explain the link between the nostalgic status of brands and relational outcomes in both studies. Theoretically, this research advances our knowledge of the theoretical mechanism behind how the nostalgic status of brands elucidates consumer‐brand relationships by exploring the mediating role of perceived brand personality. Practically, the findings provide strategic insights into the power of channeling nostalgia in retro‐marketing campaigns by maintaining or emphasizing brand personality (e.g., sincerity, excitement, or competence), which leads to desired relational marketing outcomes.
Design, Synthesis, Antimicrobial Evaluation and in Silico Studies of Eugenol‐Sulfonamide Hybrids
Authors: Azevedo‐Barbosa Helloana , do Vale Bianca Pereira , Guidolin Rossi Grazielle , dos Santos Siqueira Fallon , Bordignon Guterres Kevim , de Campos Marli Matiko Anraku , dos Santos Thiago , Anthony Hawkes Jamie , Ferreira Dias Danielle , Neiva Lavorato Stefânia , de Souza Thiago Belarmino , Teixeira Carvalho Diogo 
Published: April 2021

AbstractUsing molecular hybridization, specific sulfonamide derivatives of eugenol were synthesized with subtle modifications in the allylic chain of the eugenol subunit (and also in the nature of the substituent group in the sulfonamide aromatic ring) which allowed us to study the influence of structural changes on the antimicrobial potential of the hybrids. Antimicrobial test results showed that most of the synthesized hybrid compounds showed good activity with better results than the parent compounds. Molecular docking studies of the hybrids with the essential bacterial enzyme DHPS showed complexes with low binding energies, suggesting that DHPS could be a possible target for the antibacterial sulfonamide‐eugenol hybrids. Furthermore, most of the final compounds presented similar docking poses to that of the crystallographic ligand sulfamethoxazole. The results obtained allow us to conclude that these are promising compounds for use as new leads in the search for new antibacterial sulfonamides.
Post‐application irrigation timing affects dislodgeable azoxystrobin foliar residue
Authors: Maxwell Patrick J. , Gannon Travis W. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAzoxystrobin is a systemic broad‐spectrum fungicide used extensively in turfgrass. Previous research has shown post‐application irrigation can reduce dislodgeable pesticide residues from turf; however, this management practice has not been evaluated to determine its effect on dislodgeable azoxystrobin residue or if altering post‐application irrigation timing (PAIT) can influence dislodgeable azoxystrobin. Field research was completed to assess the effect of PAIT, sample collection timing within a day and over days on dislodgeable azoxystrobin residue from perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). Research was completed in Raleigh, NC, to quantify dislodgeable azoxystrobin (0.54 lb a.i. acre–1) from perennial ryegrass foliage prior to and following PAIT (0.25 inch H2O) immediate, 4, or 144 hours after treatment (HAT). Sample collections occurred 1, 2, 3, 6, 12 or 24 days after treatment (DAT) at 7:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m. EST. From 1 to 6 DAT, treatments irrigated immediately reduced dislodgeable azoxystrobin foliar residue (<0.1–6.8% of applied) more than those irrigated 4 HAT (0.4–10.3%); which were both less than withholding irrigation 144 HAT (1.3–15.5%). Across PAIT more azoxystrobin was dislodged in the morning (1.0–12.7% of applied) compared to the afternoon (0.2–9.0%) from 1 through 6 DAT. This research will enhance turfgrass management practices intended to limit human pesticide exposure and provide information pertaining to azoxystrobin dissipation kinetics in turfgrass systems.
Enantioselective CO2 Fixation Via a Heck‐Coupling/Carboxylation Cascade Catalyzed by Nickel
Authors: Cerveri Alessandro , Giovanelli Riccardo , Sella Davide , Pedrazzani Riccardo , Monari Magda , Nieto Faza Olalla , López Carlos Silva , Bandini Marco 
Published: April 2021

AbstractA novel asymmetric nickel‐based procedure has been developed in which CO2 fixation is achieved as a second step of a truncated Heck coupling. For this, a new chiral ligand has been prepared and shown to achieve enantiomeric excesses up to 99 %. The overall process efficiently furnishes chiral 2,3‐dihydrobenzofuran‐3‐ylacetic acids, an important class of bioactive products, from easy to prepare starting materials. A combined experimental and computational effort revealed the key steps of the catalytic cycle and suggested the unexpected participation of Ni(I) species in the coupling event.
Developments in the Discovery and Design of Protein Kinase D Inhibitors
Authors: Gilles Philippe , Voets Lauren , Van Lint Johan , De Borggraeve Wim M. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractProtein kinase D (PKD) is a serine/threonine kinase family belonging to the Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase group. Since its discovery two decades ago, many efforts have been put in elucidating PKD's structure, cellular role and functioning. The PKD family consists of three highly homologous isoforms: PKD1, PKD2 and PKD3. Accumulating cell‐signaling research has evidenced that dysregulated PKD plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy and several cancer types. These findings led to a broad interest in the design of small‐molecule protein kinase D inhibitors. In this review, we present an extensive overview on the past and recent advances in the discovery and development of PKD inhibitors. The focus extends from broad‐spectrum kinase inhibitors used in PKD signaling experiments to intentionally developed, bioactive PKD inhibitors. Finally, attention is paid to PKD inhibitors that have been identified as an off‐target through large kinome screening panels.
A retrospective study of the Hall technique for the treatment of carious primary teeth in Sydney, Australia
Authors: Sapountzis Fani , Mahony Tanya , Villarosa Amy R. , George Ajesh , Yaacoub Albert 
Published: April 2021

AbstractObjectivesThe aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the outcome of preformed metallic crowns (PMC) utilizing the HT in carious primary molars for children treated within public dental clinics across the Sydney region.Materials and MethodsA retrospective cohort study was designed, whereby two investigators evaluated 113 primary molars treated with HT PMCs involving 71 participants (aged between 5 and 11 years) after a minimum of 6 months post treatment. The mean time elapsed between crown placement (treatment) and the review was 1.42 years (17 months). The outcome of the HT was assessed by clinical and radiographic criteria.ResultsOne hundred thirteen HT PMCs were reviewed from 71 participants. The overall success rate of PMCs placed utilizing the HT was 99%, with only one case presenting with confirmed failure.ConclusionsHT PMCs have an overall high success rate as a treatment option in carious primary molars.