bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fungal Dioxygenase AsqJ Is Promiscuous and Bimodal: Substrate‐Directed Formation of Quinolones versus Quinazolinones
Authors: Einsiedler Manuel , Jamieson Cooper S. , Maskeri Mark A. , Houk Kendall N. , Gulder Tobias A. M. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractPrevious studies showed that the FeII/α‐ketoglutarate dependent dioxygenase AsqJ induces a skeletal rearrangement in viridicatin biosynthesis in Aspergillus nidulans, generating a quinolone scaffold from benzo[1,4]diazepine‐2,5‐dione substrates. We report that AsqJ catalyzes an additional, entirely different reaction, simply by a change in substituent in the benzodiazepinedione substrate. This new mechanism is established by substrate screening, application of functional probes, and computational analysis. AsqJ excises H2CO from the heterocyclic ring structure of suitable benzo[1,4]diazepine‐2,5‐dione substrates to generate quinazolinones. This novel AsqJ catalysis pathway is governed by a single substituent within the complex substrate. This unique substrate‐directed reactivity of AsqJ enables the targeted biocatalytic generation of either quinolones or quinazolinones, two alkaloid frameworks of exceptional biomedical relevance.
Hierarchy Control of MFI Zeolite Membrane towards Superior Butane Isomer Separation Performance
Authors: Liu Yi , Li Mingrun , Chen Zhigang , Cui Yi , Lu Jinming , Liu Yi 
Published: January 2021

AbstractMicrostructural optimization (such as thickness and preferred orientation) is a major concern for performance enhancement of zeolite membranes. In this study, we demonstrated that the introduction of hierarchy easily enabled concurrent thickness reduction and orientation control of zeolite membranes. Specifically, hierarchical MFI zeolite membranes comprising higher degree of (h0h) preferentially oriented ultrathin (ca. 390 nm) selective top layers and porous intermediate layers on porous α‐Al2O3substrates were fabricated. The use of hollow‐structured MFI nanoseeds and the employment of single‐mode microwave heating during membrane processing were found indispensable for the preparation of MFI zeolite membranes with superior butane isomer separation performance, thereby surpassing the currentn‐/i‐butane selectivity versusn‐butane permeance trade‐off limits of MFI zeolite membranes prepared via solution‐based synthetic protocols.
Combination of the Elevated Stearic Acid Trait with Other Fatty Acid Traits in Soybean
Authors: Gaskin Erik L. , Carrero‐Colón Militza , Hudson Karen A. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractStearic acid is one of five major fatty acids found in soybean oil. It is a fully saturated lipid and is known for neutral or positive effects on LDL cholesterol when consumed by humans. Unfortunately, stearic acid only accounts for about 4% of the total seed oil produced in commodity soybean. Previous work has shown that stearic acid can reach levels as high as 28% of the total oil fraction when the SACPD‐C gene, encoding the delta‐9‐stearoyl‐acyl carrier protein desaturase responsible for most of the stearic acid variation in soybean seed, is ablated in combination with other loci. In order to increase stearic acid content and create soybeans with improved utility based on fatty acid composition, we combined mutations in SACPD‐C with other mutations in the fatty acid biosynthetic pathway. Soybean plants carrying mutant alleles of both SACPD‐C and FAD2‐1A produce seed with stearic acid levels from 14% to 21%, and with elevated levels of oleic acid. Soybeans carrying mutations in both SACPD‐C and FAD3A or FAD3C have both statistically significantly elevated levels of stearic acid (from 15–21%) and statistically reduced linolenic acid levels. Neither mutant combination appears to affect other agronomic properties such as plant morphology or seed protein levels making this a potentially viable trait.
Plasticized P(VDF‐TrFE): A new flexible piezoelectric material with an easier polarization process, promising for biomedical applications
Authors: Thevenot Camille , Rouxel Didier , Sukumaran Sunija , Rouabah Sawsen , Vincent Brice , Chatbouri Samir , Ben Zineb Tarak 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIn this work, flexible ferroelectric films of P(VDF‐TrFE) softened by a plasticizer are elaborated. Morphology, piezoelectric, mechanical, thermal, and crystalline properties of the films are studied. We show that the elastic constant is reduced up to 30% while increasing the remanent polarization and the piezoelectric coefficient thanks to the lubricant property of the plasticizer, helping the orientation of the crystallites. Plus, the decrease of the coercive field from 46 to 32 V/μm after an annealing at 138°C for a plasticizer content ranging between 20 and 50 wt% is observed and an explanation by based on a polymer/plasticizer demixing is provided. It leads to an easier polarization process with a significant saving in time and applied electric field reducing the breakdown voltage. Both effects could be interesting for an industrial production. Finally, a first sensor is elaborated and characterized electrically with homemade test bench. We show that the softening of the P(VDF‐TrFE) offers to the device a larger amplitude range of deformations. The combination of the flexibility with high ferroelectric properties of the plasticized P(VDF‐TrFE) make it a very promising material for biomedical sensor applications.
Rheological behavior of bitumen modified by reclaimed polyethylene and polypropylene from different recycling sources
Authors: Xia Tian , Zhang Anxin , Xu Jianhui , Chen Xiang , Xia Xiaochao , Zhu Haie , Li Youbing 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThis work studied the rheological, thermal, and mechanical properties of bitumen modified by reclaimed polyethylene (PE), and polypropylene (PP) from different recycling sources. The rutting resistance under high temperature of polymer modified bitumen (PMB) was investigated by rheologically temperature ramp test and multiple stress creep recovery (MSCR) test. It is found that for some modified bitumen, a plateau of complex modulus G* could be formed with temperature increment, revealing rheological stability. Furthermore, these samples with rheological stability revealed a higher creep recovery and lower creep compliance measured by the MSCR test. Glass transition temperature (Tg) measured by dynamic mechanical analysis was used to evaluate the crack resistance under a low temperature of PMB. The influence of recycled PE on the Tg of modified bitumen was different from that of recycled PP modified bitumen, as compared with corresponding virgin polymer modified bitumen. A possible reason for the various effect of recycling sources on the service property of modified bitumen was explored by crystallization and melting behaviors of polymer in bitumen since that polymer with higher crystallinity degree could endow the modified bitumen stiffness, which was closely, related to their service property especially the rutting resistance.
Low‐weight fractions of graphene and hydroxyapatite enhance mechanics in photocured methacrylate adhesives
Authors: Alabdali Zinah N. , Irizarry Emanuel , Reiter Mary P. , Ashraf Ali , Lynch‐Branzoi Jennifer K. , Mann Adrian B. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIn many applications, it is desirable for photocured adhesives to have high‐mechanical strength in the cured state, but relatively low viscosity when liquid. This was achieved by adding less than 0.5 wt% hydroxyapatite and graphene to methyl methacrylate with diurethane dimethacrylate (UDMA‐MMA). Nanoindentation shows hardness increasing by 30–40% and indentation modulus by >30% compared to UDMA‐MMA on its own. Rheometry shows only a small increase in uncured viscosity for the liquid state. The additives affect the optical properties, mobility of free radicals, photocuring, and degree of conversion, the effects of which are seen in Fourier transform infrared and micro‐Raman spectra. Thermographic images taken during curing show that the additives impact the photocuring process. In addition, changes in intermolecular bonding are seen in the vibrational spectra when the additives are present. The enhanced mechanical properties are attributed to the observed changes in photocuring and bonding.
Synthesis, in vitro cytotoxic and apoptotic effects, and molecular docking study of novel adamantane derivatives
Authors: Turk‐Erbul Basak , Karaman Ecem F. , Duran Gizem N. , Ozbil Mehmet , Ozden Sibel , Goktas Fusun 
Published: January 2021

Abstract[4‐(Adamantane‐1‐carboxamido)‐3‐oxo‐1‐thia‐4‐azaspiro[4.4]nonan‐2‐yl]acetic acid (4a) and [4‐(adamantane‐1‐carboxamido)‐8‐nonsubstituted/substituted‐3‐oxo‐1‐thia‐4‐azas‐piro[4.5]decane‐2‐yl]acetic acid (4b–g) derivatives were synthesized; their structures were verified by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy,1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR),13C NMR, and mass spectroscopy data; and their in vitro cytotoxicity activities were investigated against human hepatocellular carcinoma, human prostate adenocarcinoma, and human lung carcinoma cell lines (HepG2, PC‐3, and A549, respectively), and a mouse fibroblast cell line (NIH/3T3). All compounds, except compound4e, were found as cytotoxic, especially on A549 cells as compared with the other cells (selectivity index = 2.01–11.6). As a further step, the effects of compounds4a–con apoptosis induction were tested and the expression of selected apoptosis genes was analyzed. Among the selected compounds, compound4ainduced apoptosis remarkably. Moreover, computational calculations of the binding of compounds4a–cto the BIR3 domain of the human inhibitor of apoptosis protein revealed ligand–protein interactions at the atomistic level and emphasized the importance of a hydrophobic moiety on the ligands for better binding.
The Revised Children's Communication Checklist‐2 (CCC‐R): Factor Structure and Psychometric Evaluation
Authors: Wellnitz Sophia A. C. , Kästel Isabella , Vllasaliu Leonora , Cholemkery Hannah , Freitag Christine M. , Bast Nico 
Published: January 2021

The Children's Communication Checklist‐2 (CCC‐2) is often applied to assess pragmatic language impairment which is highly prevalent in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and several mental health conditions. We replicated previous findings on the limited applicability of the CCC‐2 in clinical samples and the inconsistent findings concerning the factor structure. The aim of the present study was, thus, to develop a concise, simplified, and revised version of the CCC‐2 in a large German‐speaking sample. Four groups of children and adolescents aged 4 to 17 years were included: ASD (n = 195), intellectual disability (ID, n = 83), diverse mental health conditions (MHC, n = 144) and a typically developing control group (TD, n = 417). We reduced the original number of items from 70 to 39, based on item analysis, exploratory factor analysis and the exclusion of communication‐unrelated items. The revised version, CCC‐R (α = 0.96), consists of two empirically derived factors: a pragmatic‐language (α = 0.96) and a grammatical‐semantic‐language factor (α = 0.93). All clinical groups (ASD, ID, and MHC) had significantly increased CCC‐R total scores, with the highest scores being in the neurodevelopmental disorder groups (ASD and ID). In addition, we found group‐specific patterns of elevated pragmatic‐language scores in the ASD group and grammatical‐semantic scores in the ID group. The CCC‐R was comparable to the CCC‐2 in distinguishing ASD from the other groups. The CCC‐R is proposed as a simplified and easily applied, clinical questionnaire for caregivers, assessing pragmatic language impairments across neurodevelopmental disorders and mental health conditions.Lay SummaryThe CCC‐2 is a questionnaire designed to identify children who have problems in the social use of language, however, it is limited in its clinical application and exhibits inconsistent factors. We have created a shorter and simpler version of the CCC‐2 that we have called the CCC‐R which overcomes the previous limitations of the CCC‐2. It consists of two subscales: pragmatic language and grammatical‐semantic language. The CCC‐R can be used as a short and clinically relevant caregiver questionnaire which assesses pragmatic language impairments in children and adolescents. Autism Res 2021, 14: 759–772. © 2021 The Authors. Autism Research published by International Society for Autism Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
A review of biofuel production from floating aquatic plants: an emerging source of bio‐renewable energy
Authors: Arefin Md Arman , Rashid Fazlur , Islam Amirul 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAquatic plants have been considered as a cause for concern because they impede aquatic flora and fauna. However, biofuel production from aquatic plants is an emerging energy source. As a consequence, this paper presents a detailed review of bio‐fuel production from floating aquatic plants with their physicochemical properties. The main focus of this study is to evaluate the biofuel production potential of some major aquatic plants. This paper also presents some methods for biofuel production from aquatic plants that are feasible for future energy generation. Five major types of floating aquatic plants are analyzed in this study,viz. Azolla,water hyacinth, water fern, water lettuce, and duckweed, with their related biofuel production methodologies such as transesterification, pyrolysis, hydrolysis, and torrefaction. This paper also evaluates optimum bio‐fuel production conditions for aquatic plants and their upgradation methodologies. Conventional fuel and aquatic bio‐fuel properties are also compared in this study. Findings suggest that, depending on calorific value and viscosity,Azollaand water fern (Salvania molesta) are better aquatic plants to generate high‐quality (similar to diesel) biofuels compared with other aquatic plants. Bio‐fuel production from water fern, water lettuce, and duckweed are also comparatively less focused sources of energy. The cost associated with cleaning invasive aquatic plants from water can be turned into an investment by producing biofuel from aquatic plants using sustainable techniques. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Systematic review of the association between socioeconomic status and bladder cancer survival with hospital type, comorbidities, and treatment delay as mediators
Authors: Russell Beth , Häggström Christel , Holmberg Lars , Liedberg Fredrik , Gårdmark Truls , Bryan Richard T , Kumar Pardeep , Van Hemelrijck Mieke 
Published: January 2021

AbstractObjectivesTo review the current evidence on the relationship between three proposed mediators (comorbidities, hospital type, and treatment delays) for the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and bladder cancer survival.Materials and methodsSix different searches using OVID (Medline and Embase) were carried out to collate information available between the proposed mediators with both SES and survival in bladder cancer. This systematic review was conducted according to a pre‐defined protocol and in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.ResultsA total of 49 studies were included in the review across the six searches (one appeared in two searches). There was a wealth of studies investigating the relationship between each of the proposed mediators with survival in bladder cancer patients. In general, a higher SES, lower comorbidities, and a larger hospital volume were all found to be associated with a decreased risk of death in bladder cancer patients. There was, however, a paucity of studies investigating the associations between these mediators and SES in bladder cancer patients.ConclusionsTo gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between SES and survival identified in several observational studies, further investigations into the relationship between the proposed mediators and SES are warranted. Moreover, modifiable mediators, eg, treatment delay, highlight the importance of the standardization of clinical care across SES groups for all bladder cancer patients.
Biochemical characterization of a novel thermo‐halo‐tolerant GH5 endoglucanase from a thermal spring metagenome
Authors: Joshi Namrata , Kaushal Girija , Singh Sudhir P. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractA novel endoglucanase gene, celM, was cloned from a thermal spring metagenome. The gene was expressed in Escherichia coli, and the protein was extracted and purified. The protein catalyzed the hydrolysis of amorphous cellulose in a wide range of temperatures, 30–95°C, with optimal activity at 80°C. It was able to tolerate high temperature (80°C) with a half‐life of 8 h. Its activity was eminent in a wide pH range of 3.0–11.0, with the highest activity at pH 6.0. The enzyme was tested for halostability. Any significant loss was not recorded in the activity of CelM after the exposure to salinity (3 M NaCl) for 30 days. Furthermore, CelM displayed a substantial resistance toward metal ions, denaturant, reducing agent, organic solvent, and non‐ionic surfactants. The amorphous cellulose, treated with CelM, was randomly cleaved, generating cello‐oligosaccharides of 2–5 degree of polymerization. Furthermore, CelM was demonstrated to catalyze the hydrolysis of cellulose fraction in the delignified biomass samples, for example, sweet sorghum bagasse, rice straw, and corncob, into cello‐oligosaccharides. Given that CelM is a thermo‐halo‐tolerant GH5 endoglucanase, with resistance to detergents and organic solvent, the biocatalyst could be of potential usefulness for a variety of industrial applications.
Pilot‐scale demonstration of an end‐to‐end integrated and continuous biomanufacturing process
Authors: Coolbaugh Michael J. , Varner Chad T. , Vetter Tarl A. , Davenport Emily K. , Bouchard Brad , Fiadeiro Marcus , Tugcu Nihal , Walther Jason , Patil Rohan , Brower Kevin 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThere has been increasing momentum recently in the biopharmaceutical industry to transition from traditional batch processes to next‐generation integrated and continuous biomanufacturing. This transition from batch to continuous is expected to offer several advantages which, taken together, could significantly improve access to biologics drugs for patients. Despite this recent momentum, there has not been a commercial implementation of a continuous bioprocess reported in the literature. In this study, we describe a successful pilot‐scale proof‐of‐concept demonstration of an end‐to‐end integrated and continuous bioprocess for the production of a monoclonal antibody (mAb). This process incorporated all of the key unit operations found in a typical mAb production process, including the final steps of virus removal filtration, ultrafiltration, diafiltration, and formulation. The end‐to‐end integrated process was operated for a total of 25 days and produced a total of 4.9 kg (200 g/day or 2 g/L BRX/day) of the drug substance from a 100‐L perfusion bioreactor (BRX) with acceptable product quality and minimal operator intervention. This successful proof‐of‐concept demonstrates that end‐to‐end integrated continuous bioprocessing is achievable with current technologies and represents an important step toward the realization of a commercial integrated and continuous bioprocessing process.
Uncoupling growth and succinic acid production in an industrial Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain
Authors: Liu Yaya , Esen Osman , Pronk Jack T. , van Gulik Walter M. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThis study explores the relation between biomass‐specific succinic acid (SA) production rate and specific growth rate of an engineered industrial strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, with the aim to investigate the extent to which growth and product formation can be uncoupled. Ammonium‐limited aerobic chemostat and retentostat cultures were grown at different specific growth rates under industrially relevant conditions, that is, at a culture pH of 3 and with sparging of a 1:1 CO2–air mixture. Biomass‐specific SA production rates decreased asymptotically with decreasing growth rate. At near‐zero growth rates, the engineered strain maintained a stable biomass‐specific SA production rate for over 500 h, with a SA yield on glucose of 0.61 mol mol−1. These results demonstrate that uncoupling of growth and SA production could indeed be achieved. A linear relation between the biomass‐specific SA production rate and glucose consumption rate indicated the coupling of SA production rate and the flux through primary metabolism. The low culture pH resulted in an increased death rate, which was lowest at near‐zero growth rates. Nevertheless, a significant amount of non‐viable biomass accumulated in the retentostat cultures, thus underlining the importance of improving low‐pH tolerance in further strain development for industrial SA production with S. cerevisiae.
A CRISPR‐Cas12a‐derived biosensor enabling portable personal glucose meter readout for quantitative detection of SARS‐CoV‐2
Authors: Huang Di , Shi Zhuwei , Qian Jiajie , Bi Ke , Fang Mengjun , Xu Zhinan 
Published: January 2021

AbstractSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) has spread rapidly throughout the whole world and caused significant difficulties in the prevention and control of the epidemic. In this case, several detection methods have been established based on nucleic acid diagnostic techniques and immunoassays to achieve sensitive and specific detection of SARS‐CoV‐2. However, most methods are still largely dependent on professional instruments, highly trained operators, and centralized laboratories. These limitations gravely diminish their practicality and portability. Herein, a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) Cas12a based assay was developed for portable, rapid and sensitive of SARS‐CoV‐2. In this assay, samples were quickly pretreated and amplified by reverse transcription recombinase‐aided amplification under mild conditions. Then, by combining the CRISPR Cas12a system and a glucose‐producing reaction, the signal of the virus was converted to that of glucose, which can be quantitatively read by a personal glucose meter in a few seconds. Nucleocapsid protein gene was tested as a model target, and the sensitivity for quantitative detection was as low as 10 copies/μl, which basically meet the needs of clinical diagnosis. In addition, with the advantages of lower material cost, shorter detection time, and no requirement for professional instrument in comparison with quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction, this assay is expected to provide a powerful technical support for the early diagnosis and intervention during epidemic prevention and control.