bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transamidation‐based vitrimers from renewable sources
Authors: Pettazzoni Luca , Leonelli Francesca , Martinelli Andrea , Migneco Luisa Maria , Alfano Sara , Di Luca Daniele , Celio Lorenzo , Di Lisio Valerio 
Published: March 2022

AbstractVitrimers are polymeric materials that behave as thermosets at room temperature but, when heated, they exhibit a plastic flow similar to thermoplastics, enabling their reprocessability. A series of new bio‐based polyamide‐polyamine vitrimers are synthetized starting from tris(2‐aminoethyl)amine and epoxidized methyl oleate, a material that can be easily prepared from renewable resources obtainable both from natural products and waste. The incorporation of free amine groups in the network enables the transamidation exchange reaction with the crosslinking amide functions; this reaction, if appropriately catalyzed, donates a full reprocessability to the material. Boric acid, which is known to be a green, cheap and non‐toxic catalyst for transamidation reactions, is employed in this work. Once that the optimal condition for the transamidation reaction is found, different catalyst loadings are tested and the obtained materials are subjected to thermal and mechanical characterization. The obtained materials possess good thermal stability up to 300°C and a Tg value ranging between 7 and 21°C depending on the B(OH)3 content. Furthermore it is possible to observe how the introduction of boric acid in the materials reduces the Ea (inferred from stress‐relaxation experiments) of the transamidation reaction from 130 ± 8 KJ mol−1 to a mean value of 63 ± 4 KJ mol−1.
Copper chelation therapy inhibits renal fibrosis by modulating copper transport proteins
Authors: Saifi Mohd Aslam , Godugu Chandraiah 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe copper (Cu) transporter proteins play an important role in the maintenance of the Cu homeostasis in the body. Lysyl oxidase (LOX) proteins are involved in crosslinking of collagens and elastin molecules resulting in the establishment of extracellular matrix (ECM) and require Cu for their functional activity. Although there are few reports showing the protective effects of Cu chelators, the mechanism behind protection remains unknown. The present study investigated the role of Cu transporter proteins in renal fibrosis. We used tubular epithelial cells and three different animal models of renal injury to investigate the induction of Cu transporter proteins in renal injury with different etiology. We used disulfiram, clioquinol as two Cu chelators and ammonium tetrathiomolybdate as a standard Cu chelator. In addition, β‐aminopropionitrile (BAPN) was used as a standard LOX inhibitor. We demonstrated that renal fibrosis is associated with the induction of Cu transporter proteins such as ATP7A and Copper Transporter 1 (CTR1) but the Cu overload did not induce renal fibrosis. In addition, the Cu chelators inhibited renal fibrosis by inhibiting the Cu transporter proteins.
Molecular mechanisms involved in the effects of morin in experimental hepatic encephalopathy
Authors: Shafey Ghada M. , Rashed Engy R. , Zaki Hala F. , Attia Amina S. , El‐Ghazaly Mona A. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate the possible usefulness of morin flavonoid in comparison to silymarin as a hepatic/neuronal‐supportive agent with similar effects and higher bioavailability in a rat model of hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Morin effects on rat liver and brain were evaluated post‐induction of HE by thioacetamide (TAA; 200 mg/kg/day for 3 successive days). Then, the serum activities of aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) together with ammonia concentration were estimated to assess the liver function. Also, the degree of brain effects was evaluated via the assessment of brain contents of reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), and interleukin (IL‐1β) together with glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity. In addition, the apoptotic and inflammatory changes in brain and liver tissues were also assessed via immunohistochemical examination. Our findings revealed a promising effect of morin against HE complications; as it corrected the liver functions, attenuated the brain/liver tissue injuries, and reduced the apoptotic and inflammatory insults of HE on both organs. These effects are comparable to those of silymarin. Morin could be introduced as a promising hepato‐ and neuro‐therapeutic adjuvant in HE‐associated neuronal complications especially in cases like silymarin intolerance.
Anatomy of the vesicovaginal fascia and its relation to branches of the inferior hypogastric plexus
Authors: Stupart Douglas , Pickles Kylie , Briggs Chris 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe inferior hypogastric plexus (IHP) lies in the extraperitoneal pelvis, and supplies branches to pelvic and perineal viscera. In men, the rectoprostatic fascia (Denonvillier's fascia) forms a distinct double fascial layer between the seminal glands and the rectum. The hypogastric nerve projections to the prostate and seminal glands run anterior to this. An analagous fascial layer in women between the vagina and cervix posteriorly and the urinary bladder anteriorly has recently been described. The purpose of this study was to examine the anatomy of the vesicovaginal fascia (VVF) and to determine its relationship to the anterior branches of the IHP. This dissection study examined the fascial layers between the posterior urinary bladder and anterior vagina/cervix (VVF) in 15 female embalmed cadavers and three fresh specimens. Anterior branches of the IHP were identified and followed distally. The relationship between these nerve projections and the VVF was examined. In 16 dissection, the VVF was identified as a complete fascial plane extending beneath the vesicouterine pouch to the neck of the bladder inferiorly and to the endopelvic fascia laterally. Anterior projections from the hypogastric nerves and IHP maintained an extraperitoneal course passing anteriorly to the VVF towards the urinary bladder The VVF is a distinct fascial structure and projections of the hypogastric nerves pass anterior to this. This may have implications for nerve sparing hysterectomy.
Sexual function of transgender women after gender affirming surgery: A mini review
Authors: Barcelos Thays Marina Roncato , Ferreira Cristine Homsi Jorge , Lerri Maria Rita , Brito Luiz Gustavo Oliveira , de Sá Marcos Felipe Silva , de Sá Ana Carolina Silva , da Silva Lara Lucia Alves 
Published: March 2022

AbstractA transgender person has a gender identity opposite to the sex assigned at birth. Transgender individuals may have altered sexual function (SF) due to psychosocial factors related to body image distortion, shame, and dissatisfaction with genital appearance, and these conditions can increase the risk of sexual dysfunction. This study aimed to characterize the SF of trans‐women after gender affirming surgery (GAS). We reviewed the Pubmed database for studies published between January 2008 and December 2021. 17 studies were included, four were cross‐sectional studies, one prospective study, four prospective cohort studies, five retrospective studies. The instruments used to evaluate the SF were female sexual function index, semistructured questionnaires, patients' opinion, Sexual Desire Inventory, Maudsley Marital Questionnaire‐S, WHOQOL‐100. The results of our review indicate there is weak evidence that GAS improves the SF of trans‐women. We thus recommend that future studies use questionnaires that are validated for the assessment of the SF of trans‐women to better determine the impact of genital surgery in this population.
Biomass and Active Compounds Accumulation of the Medicinal Orchid Pleione bulbocodioides in Response to Light Intensity and Irrigation Frequency
Authors: Shi Yu‐Cen , Zhang Wei , Zhang Shi‐Bao 
Published: March 2022

AbstractPseudobulbs of Pleione species are widely used as traditional medicine in Asian countries, but the mechanism of active compound accumulation remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the accumulation of biomass and three active compounds (dactylorhin A, militarine and batatasin III) of Pleione bulbocodioides in response to different light intensities and irrigation frequencies. We found that single high light (65 % of full sunlight) or drought stress (14‐day irrigation interval) increased active compounds accumulation but the combined effect of these two treatments decreased the total content of these three active compounds. This decrease was due to the plants under combined stress having a significantly lower photosynthetic rate, leaf area and longevity, leading to a dramatic decrease in pseudobulb biomass. Among all treatments, the highest total content of active compounds was observed in plants subjected to the high light level with a high water level (3‐day irrigation interval), and plants under medium light intensity (30 % of full sunlight) also had considerable content of active compounds accumulation. To balance the quality and quantity of Pleione pseudobulbs during artificial cultivation, 30∼65 % of full sunlight with the avoidance of drought stress is recommended. Our results suggest the accumulation of the three active compounds is significantly influenced by light intensity and irrigation frequency, which may contribute to the artificial cultivation and quality control of medicinal Pleione.
Artificial Fusions between P450 BM3 and an Alcohol Dehydrogenase for Efficient (+)‐Nootkatone Production
Authors: Kokorin Arsenij , Urlacher Vlada B. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractMulti‐enzyme cascades enable the production of valuable chemical compounds, and fusion of the enzymes that catalyze these reactions can improve the reaction outcome. In this work, P450 BM3 from Bacillus megaterium and an alcohol dehydrogenase from Sphingomonas yanoikuyae were fused to bifunctional constructs to enable cofactor regeneration and improve the in vitro two‐step oxidation of (+)‐valencene to (+)‐nootkatone. An up to 1.5‐fold increased activity of P450 BM3 was achieved with the fusion constructs compared to the individual enzyme. Conversion of (+)‐valencene coupled to cofactor regeneration and performed in the presence of the solubilizing agent cyclodextrin resulted in up to 1080 mg L−1 (+)‐nootkatone produced by the fusion constructs as opposed to 620 mg L−1 produced by a mixture of the separate enzymes. Thus, a two‐step (+)‐valencene oxidation was considerably improved through the simple method of enzyme fusion.
Primary large B‐cell lymphoma of the cervix: A case report and review of literature
Authors: Aminimoghaddam Soheila , Salarifar Elnaz , Noei Teymoordash Somayyeh 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe primary diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) of the uterine cervix is extremely rare. In the present study, we described two cases of DLBCL of the uterine cervix in reproductive‐aged women complaining of postcoital bleeding, recurrent vaginal discharge, and abnormal uterine bleeding.
Constructing Atomic Fe and N Co‐doped Hollow Carbon Nanospheres with a Polymer Encapsulation Strategy for High‐Performance Lithium‐Sulfur Batteries with Accelerated Polysulfide Conversion
Authors: Zhang Ting‐Ting , Yang Cheng‐Ye , Qu Jin , Chang Wei , Liu Yu‐Hao , Zhai Xian‐Zhi , Liu Hong‐Jun , Jiang Zhi‐Guo , Yu Zhong‐Zhen 
Published: March 2022

AbstractAs competitive next‐generation rechargeable batteries, lithium‐sulfur batteries (LSBs) suffer from the shuttle effect and the sluggish kinetics of intermediate polysulfides during charge and discharge processes, adversely affecting their electrochemical performances and actual applications. Herein, we demonstrate a polymer encapsulation strategy to synthesize atomic Fe and N co‐doped hollow carbon nanospheres (Fe−NHC) with Fe−Nx sites for modifying commercial PP separator of LSBs to suppress the shuttle effect and promote the kinetics of intermediate polysulfides. Benefiting from the excellent structural design, the doped‐N with positive charges could effectively adsorb negatively charged soluble polysulfides, help attract the soluble polysulfides to the Fe atoms and boost the catalytic transformation of the soluble polysulfides. Additionally, such a thin carbon shell could provide a short mass diffusion pathway and hence promote the adsorption and the catalytic conversion. Therefore, the battery with the Fe−NHC/PP separator delivers outstanding cycling and rate performances. At the large current density of 1 C, the specific capacity is 1079 mA h g−1 and maintains a low loss of 0.076 % per cycle within 500 cycles. Even at a harsh current density of 4 C, a high capacity of 824 mA h g−1 is still achieved, indicating the advantage of the Fe−NHC/PP separator in LSBs.
Generalizing the Aromatic δ‐Amino Acid Foldamer Helix
Authors: Bindl Daniel , Mandal Pradeep K. , Huc Ivan 
Published: March 2022

AbstractA series of aromatic oligoamide foldamer sequences containing different proportions of three δ‐amino acids derived from quinoline, pyridine, and benzene and possessing varying flexibility, for example due to methylene bridges, were synthesized. Crystallographic structures of two key sequences and 1H NMR data in water concur to show that a canonical aromatic helix fold prevails in almost all cases and that helix stability critically depends on the ratio between rigid and flexible units. Notwithstanding subtle variations of curvature, i. e. the numbers of units per turn, the aromatic δ‐peptide helix is therefore shown to be general and tolerant of a great number of sp3 centers. We also demonstrate canonical helical folding upon alternating two monomers that do not promote folding when taken separately: folding occurs with two methylenes between every other unit, not with one methylene between every unit. These findings highlight that a fine‐tuning of helix handedness inversion kinetics, curvature, and side chain positioning in aromatic δ‐peptidic foldamers can be realized by systematically combining different yet compatible δ‐amino acids.
Influence of rivaroxaban compared to vitamin K antagonist treatment upon development of cardiovascular calcification in patients with atrial fibrillation and/or pulmonary embolism
Authors: Stöhr Robert , Dirrichs Timm , Kneizeh Kinan , Reinartz Sebastian , Frank Dario , Brachmann Johannes , Schroeder Joerg , Schurgers Leon , Göttsch Claudia , Keszei Andras , Floege Jürgen , Marx Nikolaus , Brandenburg Vincent , Schuh Alexander 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundVitamin K antagonists (VKA) such as warfarin or phenprocoumon have been the mainstay of therapy for long‐term oral anticoagulant therapy (OAT) in patients with atrial fibrillation or with pulmonary embolism. Due to interferences with matrix Gla‐protein, an important vitamin K‐dependent local calcification inhibitor in cardiovascular structures, VKA antagonists stimulate cardiovascular calcification (CVC). In contrast, rivaroxaban, a nonvitamin K‐dependent oral anticoagulant (NOAC), should be neutral in terms of CVC. We seek to investigate these potential differences in CVC development between VKA versus NOACs in a randomized controlled trial (RCT).MethodsThe influence of rivaroxaban compared to vitamin K antagonist treatment upon development of cardiovascular calcification in patients with atrial fibrillation and/or pulmonary embolism trial (NCT02066662) is a multicenter, prospective RCT with a two‐arm, open‐label study design. The primary endpoint is the progression of coronary and aortic valve calcification (quantified as calcification volume score) as assessed by cardiac computed tomography (CT) at 24 months in patients either treated by rivaroxaban or VKA. A total of 192 patients were randomized in a 1:1 fashion. The main inclusion criteria were the presence of atrial fibrillation and/or pulmonary embolism with the indication for OAT and pre‐existent coronary calcification. The development of CVC will be assessed by follow‐up CT at 12 and 24 months.ResultsIn total 192 patients (median age 70, 72% male) were enrolled over a period of 5 years and followed up for 2 years.
Total IgE in tears accurately reflects the severity and predicts the prognosis of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis
Authors: Bao Jiayu , Tian Lei , Meng Yifan , Wu Binge , Wang Jingyi , He Jing , Shao Qiyan , Wang Chengshuo , Jie Ying , Zhang Luo 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundAlthough immunoglobulin E (IgE) increases significantly in tears and serum during seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC), it is unclear whether tear total IgE can reflect the severity and prognosis of SAC more accurately than serum total IgE. We aimed to investigate the usefulness of measuring the total IgE in tears to evaluate the severity and determine the treatment of SAC.MethodsThis prospective, nonrandomized study involved 55 patients with SAC and 10 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls. Serum and tears were collected before and after treatment to analyze the total IgE. SAC patients received the same topical anti‐allergy treatment and were followed‐up every 2 weeks for 1 month. The relationship of tear and serum total IgE concentrations with pollen concentrations and symptom severity before and after treatment was assessed.ResultsThe total IgE concentration in tears was higher in SAC patients than in healthy participants with significant correlations between tear and serum total IgE concentrations. The total IgE concentration in tears, but not in serum, correlated with the pollen concentration and severity of ocular symptoms and reactions in SAC. Treatment‐associated improvements in symptoms and reactions in SAC correlated with decreased concentrations of the tear total IgE. Patients with disease recurrence following treatment demonstrated significantly higher tear total IgE concentrations than patients with no recurrence.ConclusionThe total tear IgE level can indicate the severity and predict the prognosis of SAC more accurately than the serum total IgE.
A 1,2‐Dioxetane‐Based Chemiluminescent Probe for Highly Selective and Sensitive Detection of Superoxide Anions in Vitro and in Vivo
Authors: Gong Yuanyuan , Yang Mingyan , Lv Jiajia , Li Hongyu , Gao Jie , Yuan Zeli 
Published: March 2022

AbstractSuperoxide anion (O2.−), a short‐lived, highly active reactive oxygen species, participates in many physiological processes. This work reports the design of a chemiluminescent probe (CLO) based on 1,2‐dioxetane‐phenol with a selective and sensitive response to O2.−. The CLO consisted of a 1,2‐dioxetane‐phenol as a chemiluminophore core bearing a trifluoromethanesulfonate (Tf) moiety and methyl acrylate group. Upon reacting with O2.−, the Tf was specifically cleaved from the CLO, resulting in chemiluminescence generation. The CLO emits chemiluminescence at 450–650 nm (λmax=540 nm), representing visible and red chemiluminescent molecules, responsive to O2.−. The CLO processes high sensitivity (Limit of detection=66 nM) and selectivity for O2.− with and has been applied to track O2.− fluctuations in living cells and animals. In addition, CLO successfully detected and visualized O2.−‐related biochemical processes, making it promising as an important imaging tool for studying redox in biology and medicine.
Exploring the Interface of Porous Cathode/Bipolar Membrane for Mitigation of Inorganic Precipitates in Direct Seawater Electrolysis
Authors: Han Ji‐Hyung 
Published: March 2022

AbstractDirect seawater electrolysis utilizes natural seawater as the electrolyte. Hydroxide ions generated from the hydrogen evolution reaction at the cathode induce the precipitation of inorganic compounds, which block the active sites of the catalysts, leading to high cell voltage. To mitigate inorganic scaling, herein, an optimized interface between a porous electrode and a bipolar membrane (BPM, as a separator) was suggested in zero‐gap seawater electrolyzers. Despite the formation of inorganic deposits at the front side (facing bulk seawater) of the porous cathode due to the water reduction reaction, the back side facing the cation exchange layer of the BPM remained free from thick inorganic deposits. This was ascribed to the locally acidic environment generated by proton flux from water dissociation at the BPM, enabling stable hydrogen production via the proton reduction at low overpotential. This asymmetric hydrogen evolution reaction at the porous cathode led to a considerably lower cell voltage and higher stability than that achieved with the mesh electrode. Moreover, precipitation at the front side of the porous cathode was further mitigated through acidification of the seawater by introducing an open area of the BPM that was not in contact with the porous cathode, allowing free protons that were not involved in the electron transfer reaction to diffuse out into the bulk seawater. These findings may provide critical guidance for the investigation of interfacial phenomena for the complete mitigation of inorganic scaling in the direct electrolytic splitting of seawater.
Timely stimulation of early embryo promotes the acquisition of pluripotency
Authors: Zhang Fengying , Pang Changmiao , Zhu Haoyun , Chen Yanglin 
Published: March 2022

AbstractMouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and epiblast stem cells (EpiSCs) are both pluripotent stem cells from early embryos. Another type of pluripotent stem cells, which are similar with EpiSCs and derive from pre‐implantation embryos in feeder‐free and chemically defined medium containing Activin A and basic fibroblast growth factors (bFGF), is termed as AFSCs. The pluripotency and self‐renewal maintenance of ESCs rely on Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF)/STAT/BMP4/SMAD signaling, while the pluripotency and self‐renewal maintenance of EpiSCs and AFSCs rely on bFGF and Activin/Nodal signaling. However, the establishment efficiency of AFSCs lines is low. In this study, we stimulated early embryos by 2i/LIF (CHIR99021 + PD0325901 + LIF) and Activin A + bFGF respectively, to change the cell fate in inner cell mass (ICM). The “fate changed embryos” by 2i/LIF can efficiently produce AFSCs in feeder‐free and chemically defined medium, but the efficiency of embryos treated with Activin A + bFGF were poor. The AFSCs from fate‐changed embryos share similar molecular characteristics with conventional AFSCs and EpiSCs. Our results suggest that the advanced stimulation of 2i/LIF and the premature stimulation of Activin A + bFGF contribute to capturing the pluripotent stem cells in early embryos, and the FGF/MAPK signaling dominate early embryo development. Our study provides a new approach to capturing pluripotency from pre‐implantation embryos.