bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Expanding Horizons of Metal Oxide‐based Chemical and Electrochemical Sensors
Authors: Shalini Devi K. S. , Anantharamakrishnan Aadhav , Maheswari Krishnan Uma 
Published: June 2021

AbstractMetal‐oxide (MOx) are widely used in electrical/electrochemical sensors owing to their quick‐response ability, High surface‐to‐volume ratio, matching lateral‐dimensions with surface‐charge zone and modifiable with dopants significantly enhances their sensing performance. Typically, MOx‐based sensors are used in gaseous‐analytes for monitoring environmental‐pollutants and gas‐leakage. Tuning the properties of nanostructured‐metal‐oxides advanced their applications beyond environmental‐monitoring. This review focuses on the emerging‐dimensions of MOx‐based sensors in hazard‐surveillance and risk‐investigation like in deployment to detect fire‐hazards, chemical‐warfare agents, oil‐spills and explosives. Recent advances of using MOx‐based sensors as electronic‐tongue and electronic‐nose for non‐invasive health monitoring and MOx‐based sensor mobile robots for remote surveillance is also discussed.
Purification of a peptide tagged protein via an affinity chromatographic process with underivatized silica
Authors: Rauwolf Stefan , Steegmüller Tobias , Schwaminger Sebastian Patrick , Berensmeier Sonja 
Published: June 2021

AbstractSilica is widely used for chromatography resins due to its high mechanical strength, column efficiency, easy manufacturing (i.e. controlled size and porosity), and low‐cost. Despite these positive attributes to silica, it is currently used as a backbone for chromatographic resins in biotechnological downstream processing. The aim of this study is to show how the octapeptide (RH)4 can be used as peptide tag for high‐purity protein purification on bare silica. The tag possesses a high affinity to deprotonated silanol groups because the tag's arginine groups interact with the surface via an ion pairing mechanism. A chromatographic workflow to purify GFP fused with (RH)4 could be implemented. Purities were determined by SDS‐PAGE and RP‐HPLC. The equilibrium binding capacity of the fusion protein GFP‐(RH)4 on silica is 450 mg/g and the dynamic binding capacity around 3 mg/mL. One‐step purification from clarified lysate achieved a purity of 93% and a recovery of 94%. Overloading the column enhances the purity to >95%. Static experiments with different buffers showed variability of the method making the system independent from buffer choice. Our designed peptide tag allows bare silica to be utilized in preparative chromatography for downstream bioprocessing; thus, providing a cost saving factor regarding expensive surface functionalization. Underivatized silica in combination with our (RH)4 peptide tag allows the purification of proteins, in all scales, without relying on complex resins.
Permitted daily exposure limits for noteworthy N‐nitrosamines
Authors: Johnson George E. , Dobo Krista , Gollapudi Bhaskar , Harvey Jim , Kenny Julia , Kenyon Michelle , Lynch Anthony , Minocherhomji Sheroy , Nicolette John , Thybaud Veronique , Wheeldon Ryan , Zeller Andreas 
Published: June 2021

AbstractA genotoxic carcinogen, N‐nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), was detected as a synthesis impurity in some valsartan drugs in 2018, and other N‐nitrosamines, such as N‐nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA), were later detected in other sartan products. N‐nitrosamines are pro‐mutagens that can react with DNA following metabolism to produce DNA adducts, such as O6‐alkyl‐guanine. The adducts can result in DNA replication miscoding errors leading to GC>AT mutations and increased risk of genomic instability and carcinogenesis. Both NDMA and NDEA are known rodent carcinogens in male and female rats. The DNA repair enzyme, methylguanine DNA‐methyltransferase can restore DNA integrity via the removal of alkyl groups from guanine in an error‐free fashion and this can result in nonlinear dose responses and a point of departure or “practical threshold” for mutation at low doses of exposure. Following International recommendations (ICHM7; ICHQ3C and ICHQ3D), we calculated permissible daily exposures (PDE) for NDMA and NDEA using published rodent cancer bioassay and in vivo mutagenicity data to determine benchmark dose values and define points of departure and adjusted with appropriate uncertainty factors (UFs). PDEs for NDMA were 6.2 and 0.6 μg/person/day for cancer and mutation, respectively, and for NDEA, 2.2 and 0.04 μg/person/day. Both PDEs are higher than the acceptable daily intake values (96 ng for NDMA and 26.5 ng for NDEA) calculated by regulatory authorities using simple linear extrapolation from carcinogenicity data. These PDE calculations using a bench‐mark approach provide a more robust assessment of exposure limits compared with simple linear extrapolations and can better inform risk to patients exposed to the contaminated sartans.
Driving bans for diesel cars in German cities: The role of ENGOs and Courts in producing an unlikely outcome
Authors: Töller Annette Elisabeth 
Published: June 2021

AbstractDriving bans for diesel cars have been adopted, are looming or have been narrowly avoided in 41 major German cities as of April 2021. This paper analyses this highly unlikely outcome of a political process that began in 2010 by addressing a number of causal factors and qualifying the weight and the way in which they contribute to the overall result. First, in the category of institutions, there are the European Ambient Air Quality Directive and the right of environmental associations to sue; second, the striking failure to adopt alternative measures to significantly reduce NO2 concentration; third, in the category of actors there is the Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) utilizing the right to take legal action in its “fight for clean air” as well as the German administrative courts which handled the legal cases filed by the DUH by placing great emphasis on health protection and compliance with European law.
The combination of different nitrogen fertilizer types could promote rice growth by alleviating the inhibition of straw decomposition
Authors: Tang Jichao , Zhang Ruoyu , Li Hechao , Tan Jiali , Song Wenjie , Wen Xin , Lu Bilin , Hu Zhengrong 
Published: June 2021

AbstractStraw return plays an important role in the improvement of farmland ecological environments, increasing soil fertility, crop quality, and yield. However, in the early growth of rice (Oryza sativa L.), straw decomposition and rice growth may be inhibited by suboptimal carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratios. We, therefore, explored methods that could alleviate the inhibition of straw decomposition using different combinations of ammonium bicarbonate and compound fertilizer. No fertilizer (CK) and compound fertilizer (S0) were used as the control. The ratios of added ammonium bicarbonate were 10% (S1), 20% (S2), 30% (S3), and 40% (S4), respectively. Compared with the S0 treatment, the S2 treatment accelerated straw decomposition, promoted the early growth of tillers and roots, and improved the leaf area index, dry matter accumulation, and N use efficiency (apparent N utilization, agronomic N utilization, and partial factor productivity increased by 4.05‒19.48% in two years). Moreover, panicle number, filled‐grain percentage, and 1000‐grain weight were significantly higher in the S2 treatment than other treatments. The grain yield of S2 treatment was significantly higher than that of S0 treatment by 4.06% (2019) and 5.66% (2020). Regression analysis revealed that the optimal ratios of ammonium bicarbonate for increasing straw decomposition and grain yield were relatively close, 16.27% and 14.60%, respectively. These results suggest that compared with conventional fertilization method (S0), the 20% treatment is a more effective fertilization method that prevents inhibition of straw decomposition, promoting rice growth and yield, and improving nitrogen (N) use efficiency.
10‐Gingerol alleviates hypoxia/reoxygenation‐induced cardiomyocyte injury through inhibition of the Wnt5a/Frizzled‐2 pathway
Authors: Zheng Bin , Qi Jiaying , Liu Panpan , Zhang Muqing , Zhang Yuanyuan , Xue Yucong , Han Xue , Xu Shan , Chu Li 
Published: June 2021

Abstract10‐Gingerol (10‐Gin), an active ingredient extracted from ginger, has been reported to have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. However, 10‐Gin has not been proved to offer protection against cardiomyocyte injury induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R). This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of 10‐Gin against H/R‐induced injury and its potential mechanisms in cardiomyocytes. A H/R injury model of H9c2 cardiomyocytes was established using 600 μmol/L CoCl2 to induce hypoxia in the cells for 24 hr and then reoxygenated for 3 hr. 10‐Gin was pretreated with H9c2 cardiomyocytes for 24 hr to assess its cardiomyocyte protection. Our results showed that 10‐Gin improved the viability of H9c2 cardiomyocytes in the H/R model and decreased the activities of creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and the generation of reactive oxygen species. By intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) fluorescence, we found that 10‐Gin could significantly reduce the [Ca2+]i concentration. 10‐Gin administration increased the activities of antioxidase and reduced malondialdehyde content and inflammatory cytokine levels. 10‐Gin also reduced the apoptosis levels. Importantly, 10‐Gin administration decreased the gene and protein expressions of Wnt5a and Frizzled‐2. In conclusion, 10‐Gin alleviates H/R‐induced cardiomyocyte injury, which is associated with the antioxidation, anti‐inflammation, antiapoptosis action, and reduction of [Ca2+]i overload by suppressing the Wnt5a/Frizzled‐2 pathway.
Emergency management to avoid the spread of the COVID‐19 pandemic in Gaza Strip
Authors: Musalam Alaa M. A. , Abunamous Raed E. S. , El‐Ashgar Nizam M. , Alhana Ahmed S. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractGaza Strip is exposed to the danger of the novel coronavirus pandemic ‘nCOVID‐19’ spread, which exacerbates the crises severity on this besieged area since 2007. This study aims to identify the preventive actions during the action effectiveness implemented by the Central Emergency Committee and the Ministry of Health to reduce the coronavirus spread in Gaza Strip. The researchers have followed the descriptive and the analytical methodology of the purposive sample responses data from the preventive medicine workers, the security team, and the members of the Central Emergency Committee.The most important results of the study showed that targeted peoples have been reexamined several times to ensure that they are recovered from the disease with an average of 81.0%. The reliability and accuracy of the detection tests of the coronavirus disease were of an average of 79.33%. In addition, the results demonstrate the existence of a strong correlation between the preventive action taken by the Central Emergency Committee and the effectiveness of the procedures to prevent the coronavirus pandemic. Also, the study shows a statistical significance effect at the level of significance (α ≤ 0.05) regarding the prevention procedures from the coronavirus pandemic and the effectiveness of the procedures.
Mindfulness effects on lifestyle behavior and blood pressure: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: An Eunjoo , Irwin Michael R. , Doering Lynn V. , Brecht Mary‐Lynn , Watson Karol E. , Corwin Elizabeth , Macey Paul M. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackground and aimsHTN affects nearly 50% of U.S. adults and is the leading modifiable cardiovascular risk factor. A healthy diet and exercise can improve BP control, but adherence to these interventions is low. We tested whether a multimodal mind–body program, Mindful Awareness Practices (MAP) could improve BP and lifestyle behaviors associated with HTN when compared to a Health Promotion Program (HPP).MethodsAdults with BP >120/80 were randomized to MAP or HPP. Outcome measurements of BP, self‐reported diet, and exercise were analyzed with intent‐to‐treat group comparisons using repeated measures linear mixed models.ResultsThere was an MAP–HPP between‐group difference in interactions of time‐by‐systolic BP (P = 0.005) and time‐by‐diastolic BP (P = .003). The mean drops in SBP from baseline to week 13 for the MAP group was 19 mm Hg (138 ± 15 mm Hg‐119 ± 6 mm Hg) compared to 7 mm Hg (134 ± 18 mm Hg‐127 ± 22 mm Hg) in the HPP group. Similarly, a greater reduction in DBP was observed in the MAP group compared to the HPP group, 12 mm Hg (89 mm Hg ± 11‐77 ± 7 mm Hg) and 1 mm Hg (81 ± 16 mm Hg‐80 ± 18 mm Hg), respectively. Mediational analysis of the MAP group showed the total effect of mindfulness practice minutes on SBP with indirect effect (ab) of −.057 was significant, resulting in a 40% lower SBP for total effect (c) compared to direct (c′) effect alone. The mediational model suggests MAP has a modest positive influence on participants initiating lifestyle behavior change, which partially explains the greater reduction in BP by the MAP group.ConclusionOur findings suggest a multimodal mind–body program involving mindfulness practice may improve BP control in adults with HTN.
Thermal characteristics of forced convection in combined pressure and shear‐driven flow of a non‐Newtonian third‐grade fluid through parallel plates
Authors: Chaudhuri Sumanta , Sinha Sourick , Chakraborty Paromita , Das Mrutyunjay , Sahoo Satyabrata , Das Bitanjaya 
Published: June 2021

AbstractHeat transfer in a non‐Newtonian third‐grade fluid, flowing under the action of pressure gradient and shear, through two parallel plates, is considered. The upper plate moves with a constant velocity. Constant wall heat fluxes are applied to the plates. Effect of viscous dissipation is included, which has a major role in heat transfer of non‐Newtonian fluids. The governing equations are nonlinear and are solved semi‐analytically by using the least‐square method (LSM). Then, using the solution for velocity in the energy equation, the solution is obtained by a direct integration process. Further, approximate analytical solutions are obtained by the perturbation method, which validates the results generated by the LSM. The effects of the third‐grade fluid parameter on the velocity and temperature and also on the physical quantity, such as Nusselt's number, are discussed. Further, viscous dissipation effects on the temperature distribution have been analyzed. Observations show that the movement of the upper plate results in a significant decrease in temperature near the upper plate. For the unit heat flux ratio, the temperature difference between the surface and fluid is more at the upper surface due to the enhanced convective heat transfer caused by the moving upper plate. Nusselt's number increases significantly with an increase in the heat flux ratio.
Inhibiting USP14 ameliorates inflammatory responses in trophoblast cells by suppressing MAPK/NF‐κB signaling
Authors: Zhao Yingzi , Zong Fang 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundPreeclampsia can cause severe consequences for pregnant women and infants, and developing effective medicine or methods to prevent or treat patients with preeclampsia is urgently needed. Ubiquitin‐specific protease 14 (USP14) has emerged as a critical regulator in the development of human cancers and neurodegenerative diseases. However, its role in preeclampsia remains elusive.MethodsThe expression of USP14 in placental tissues from healthy donors and preeclampsia patients were determined by quantitative reverse transcription PCR assay. The protein levels of targeted genes were evaluated by Western blotting assay. Small interfering RNA‐mediated gene knockdown was used to reduce USP14 expression in trophoblast cell lines.ResultsThe expression levels of USP14 and proinflammatory cytokine were substantially upregulated in placental tissues from preeclampsia patients. Knockdown or inhibition of USP14 significantly abrogated hypoxia/reoxygenation‐induced upregulation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) activation and proinflammatory cytokine production.ConclusionOur results suggested that USP14 promotes proinflammatory cytokine production through activation of NF‐κB. Developing drugs targeting USP14 may be beneficial for the prevention or treatment of patients with preeclampsia.
Snapshot polarized light scattering spectroscopy using spectrally‐modulated polarimetry for early gastric cancer detection
Authors: Tuniyazi Abudusalamu , Mu Tingkui , Jiang Xiaosa , Han Feng , Li Haoyang , Li Qiuxia , Gong Hang , Wang Wenjing , Qin Bin 
Published: June 2021

AbstractPolarized light scattering spectroscopy (PLSS) is a promising optical technique developed for the detection of cancer, which extracts the single scattering light to infer morphological information of epithelial cells. However, traditional PLSS uses either a rotatable polarizer or two orthogonal polarizers to purify the single scattering light, which makes it complicated and challenged to build a PLSS endoscope. Herein, we propose a snapshot PLSS with a single optical path to directly get the single scattering light for the first time. The single scattering light is encoded using the spectrally‐modulated polarimetry and decoded using the continuous slide iterative method. Both the polystyrene microsphere solutions and the ex vivo gastric cancer samples are used to verify the method. The experimental results of the snapshot PLSS are consistent well with that of the traditional PLSS. The proposed method has a potential for the building of snapshot PLSS endoscope systems in future.
Retracted: A new 3D pillar‐layered Cd(II) compound: Luminescence sensing property for detection of Fe3+ ions and treatment activity on focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion
Authors: Wang Zhi , Ye Ming , Huang Ya‐Yi , Hu Fang , Qi Feng , Li Dong 
Published: June 2021

AbstractRetraction: [Zhi Wang, Ming Ye, Ya‐Yi Huang, Fang Hu, Feng Qi, Dong Li, A new 3D pillar‐layered Cd(II) compound: Luminescence sensing property for detection of Fe3+ ions and treatment activity on focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, J. Chin. Chem. Soc. 2021, 68, 2013‐2020 (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jccs.202100108)].The above article, published online on 4 June 2021 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com), has been retracted by agreement between the journal Editor‐in‐Chief, Jye‐Shane Yang, the Chemical Society Located in Taipei, and Wiley‐VCH GmbH, Weinheim. The article is being retracted at the authors' request; the authors confirmed that freshly prepared samples corresponding to results in figure 6 show high toxicity. As a result, the conclusions of the article are not considered reliable.
First‐in‐human intracochlear application of human stromal cell‐derived extracellular vesicles
Authors: Warnecke Athanasia , Prenzler Nils , Harre Jennifer , Köhl Ulrike , Gärtner Lutz , Lenarz Thomas , Laner‐Plamberger Sandra , Wietzorrek Georg , Staecker Hinrich , Lassacher Teresa , Hollerweger Julia , Gimona Mario , Rohde Eva 
Published: June 2021

AbstractExtracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from the secretome of human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) contain numerous factors that are known to exert anti‐inflammatory effects. MSC‐EVs may serve as promising cell‐based therapeutics for the inner ear to attenuate inflammation‐based side effects from cochlear implantation which represents an unmet clinical need. In an individual treatment performed on a ‘named patient basis’, we intraoperatively applied allogeneic umbilical cord‐derived MSC‐EVs (UC‐MSC‐EVs) produced according to good manufacturing practice. A 55‐year‐old patient suffering from Menière's disease was treated with intracochlear delivery of EVs prior to the insertion of a cochlear implant. This first‐in‐human use of UC‐MSC‐EVs demonstrates the feasibility of this novel adjuvant therapeutic approach. The safety and efficacy of intracochlear EV‐application to attenuate side effects of cochlea implants have to be determined in controlled clinical trials.
Serotonin syndrome after an overdose of over‐the‐counter medicine containing dextromethorphan
Authors: Omoto Nina , Kanzawa Yohei , Ishimaru Naoto , Kinami Saori 
Published: June 2021

AbstractSerotonin syndrome is a potentially life‐threatening adverse reaction from therapeutic drug use, intentional self‐poisoning, or inadvertent interactions between drugs. We report a case of the serotonin syndrome after an overdose of a commonly available over‐the‐counter cough medicine, Shin CONTAC sekidome daburu jizokusei. Over‐the‐counter drugs containing dextromethorphan may, in rare cases, cause health problems requiring hospitalization or worse. An appropriate explanation from the pharmacist at the time of purchase, although not mandatory, is recommended.
Long‐term outcome of Wilson's disease complicated by liver disease
Authors: Arai Satoko , Kogiso Tomomi , Ogasawara Yuri , Sagawa Takaomi , Taniai Makiko , Tokushige Katsutoshi 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackground and AimWilson's disease (WD) is a rare inherited disease that causes systemic copper accumulation. This study examined the long‐term course of WD patients with liver disease.MethodsThe 12 patients (9 female patients) enrolled in the study had a median age of 28 years (range: 19–57 years) at their first visit to our hospital. Clinical course and fibrosis markers were assessed in all patients.ResultsThe median age at diagnosis was 24 years (range: 5–42 years). One patient had acute liver failure (ALF) and 11 patients had chronic liver disease (CLD, 5 with cirrhosis). The patients were followed‐up for >20 years. The patient with ALF underwent liver transplantation; the postoperative course during the subsequent 20 years was good. Of the six patients with CLD, liver cirrhosis developed in four patients with interrupted chelating therapy. Two of the patients with cirrhosis died; one of these two patients died at 21 years after liver transplantation. However, the remaining patients with continued treatment exhibited a favorable clinical course for 30 years and none developed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The duration of chelation therapy was significantly negatively correlated (P < 0.05) with the fibrosis‐4 index or aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI) score at the last visit; lower values were indicative of greater treatment success. Patients with an APRI score ≥1.5 had a significantly worse prognosis (P < 0.05).ConclusionLong‐term survival of patients with WD was achieved without worsened liver function or carcinogenesis with appropriate treatment. Treatment disruption should be avoided.
Synthesis, biological evaluation, and docking studies of various β‐substituted porphyrin conjugates embedded with N‐containing heterocycles
Authors: Masaret Ghada S. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractA new methodology for the synthesis of some new β‐porphyrin heterocyclic compounds containing nitrogen derivatives10,12,13,15,17,19,21,22,25,27, and29was screened for their cytotoxic activities. Both elemental and spectral analyses were used to confirm the structures of new compounds. Compounds22,27, and21exhibited very strong activity against the HepG2 cell line. Investigation of the binding between porphyrin22and the binding site of telomerase was performed by molecular docking.
Investigation of hydrogen bonding in aqueous acetone mixtures by Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Yang Bo , Liu Zhe , Wang Shenghan , Sun Chenglin , Men Zhiwei 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe Raman spectra of aqueous acetone solution with various concentrations were measured at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. We find that the peak at ~3400 cm−1 showed a significant blue shift at Va (Va represents the volume fraction of acetone) >0.2, whereas the peak at 197 cm−1 exhibited red shift under the same conditions. The results indicate that the cage structure of water is destroyed and a large number of water molecules form acetone–water complex with acetone molecules. Moreover, the acetone–water complex from the acetone–(water)2 structure gradually changed to acetone–water at Va > 0.6. In addition, the Raman spectra of methyl groups were also studied, which illustrates that the methyl group of acetone forms a hydrophobic hydrated structure. Finally, the phase transition process of acetone–water complex in methanol–water binary solution was discussed.