bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Carbodiimide‐Driven Dimerization and Self‐Assembly of Artificial, Ribose‐Based Amphiphiles
Authors: Sun Jing , Vogel Julian , Chen Lisa , Schleper A. Lennart , Bergner Tim , Kuehne Alexander J. C. , von Delius Max 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe aqueous self‐assembly of amphiphiles into aggregates such as micelles and vesicles has been widely investigated over the past decades with applications ranging from materials science to drug delivery. The combination of characteristic properties of nucleic acids and amphiphiles is of substantial interest to mimic biological self‐organization and compartmentalization. Herein, we present ribose‐ and ribonucleotide‐based amphiphiles and investigate their self‐assembly as well as their fundamental reactivity. We found that various types of aggregates are formed, ranging in size from nanometers to micrometers and all amphiphiles exhibit aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) in solution as well as in the solid state. We also observed that the addition of 1‐ethyl‐3‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDC) leads to rapid and selective dimerization of the amphiphiles into pyrophosphates, which decreases the critical aggregation concentration (CAC) by a factor of 25 when compared to the monomers. Since the propensity for amphiphile dimerization is correlated with their tendency to self‐assemble, our results may be relevant for the formation of rudimentary compartments under prebiotic conditions.
Kinase Sensing Based on Protein Interactions at the Catalytic Site
Authors: Solomon Ohad , Sapir Hannah , Mervinetsky Evgeniy , Chen Yu‐Ju , Friedler Assaf , Yitzchaik Shlomo 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe role kinases play in regulating cellular processes makes them potential biomarkers for detecting the onset and prognosis of various diseases, including many types of cancer. Current kinase biosensors, including electrochemical and radiometric methods, rely on sensing the ATP‐dependant enzymatic phosphorylation reaction. Here we introduce a new type of interaction‐based electrochemical kinase biosensor that does not require any chemical labelling or modification. The basis for sensing is the interactions between the catalytic site of the kinase and the phosphorylation site of its substrate rather than the phosphorylation reaction. We demonstrated this concept with the ERK2 kinase and its substrate protein HDGF, which is involved in lung cancer. A peptide monolayer derived from the HDGF phosphorylation site was adsorbed onto a gold electrode and was used to sense ERK2 without ATP. The sensitivity of the assay was down to 10 nM of ERK2, corresponding with the range of its cellular concentrations. Surface chemistry analysis confirmed that ERK2 was bound to the HDGF peptide monolayer. This increased the permeability of redox‐active species through the monolayer and resulted in ERK2 electrochemical sensing. Since our detection approach is based on protein‐protein interactions and not on the enzymatic reaction, it can be further utilized for more selective detection of different types of enzymes.
PD‐L1 and PD‐L2 expression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and their correlation with immune infiltrates and DNA damage response molecules
Authors: Zhang Yue , Chen Xianlong , Mo Shengwei , Ma Heng , Lu Zhaohui , Yu Shuangni , Chen Jie 
Published: January 2022

AbstractImmunotherapy targeting programmed cell death‐1 (PD‐1) has considerably improved the prognosis of patients with advanced cancers; however, its efficacy in the treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is unfavourable. To address the issue of PDAC immunotherapy, we investigated the expression of two PD‐1 ligands, PD‐L1 and PD‐L2, in PDAC, analysed their role in survival, and explored their correlation with clinicopathological features, immune infiltration, and DNA damage response molecules. Immunohistochemistry was performed on 291 surgically resected PDAC samples. In tumour cells (TCs) and immune cells (ICs), the positivity of PD‐L1 expression was 30 and 20% and that of PD‐L2 expression was 40 and 20%, respectively. Moreover, PD‐L1 expression on TCs correlated with its expression on ICs (p < 0.0001); a similar result was observed for PD‐L2 (p < 0.0001). Nonetheless, no correlation was observed between PD‐L1 and PD‐L2 expression. Positive PD‐L1 expression on TCs was related to N1 stage (p = 0.011) and AJCC II stage (p = 0.002), whereas positive PD‐L2 expression on TCs was associated with high FOXP3+ cell infiltration (p = 0.001) and high BRCA2 expression (p < 0.0001). Survival analysis revealed that positive PD‐L1 (p = 0.046) and PD‐L2 (p = 0.028) expression on TCs was an independent risk factor for unfavourable disease‐specific survival (DSS). Furthermore, positive PD‐L2 expression on TCs was an independent risk factor for lower DSS in the pN0 (p = 0.023), moderate and well tumour differentiation (p = 0.004), low BRCA1 (p = 0.017), wild‐type p53 (p = 0.034), and proficient mismatch repair (p = 0.004) subgroups. Moreover, post‐operative adjuvant chemotherapy could significantly affect DSS, regardless of PD‐L1/PD‐L2 expression status (positive or negative) on TCs, while it only prolonged DSS in PDL1‐ICs(−) (p < 0.0001) and PDL2‐ICs(−) (p < 0.0001) subgroups. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the roles of PD‐L1 and PD‐L2 in PDAC, supporting anti‐PD‐1 axis immunotherapy for PDAC.
Marginal microleakage and modified microtensile bond strength of Activa Bioactive, in comparison with conventional restorative materials
Authors: Tohidkhah Saba , Kermanshah Hamid , Ahmadi Elham , Jalalian Behnous , Ranjbar Omrani Ladan 
Published: January 2022

AbstractObjectivesThis study aimed to assess the enamel and dentin marginal microleakage and dentin microtensile bond strength (μTBS) of ACTIVA BioACTIVE Restorative with and without a bonding agent compared with conventional restorative materials.Material and methodsFor enamel and dentin microleakage, Class II boxes were prepared in the mesial (1 mm under the cementoenamel junction) and distal (1 mm above the cementoenamel junction) surfaces of 90 extracted human third molars. The teeth were randomly divided into five groups (n = 18): Group Z (G‐Premio Bond + Filtek Z250 XT), Group X (G‐Premio Bond + X‐tra fil bulk‐fill), Group AA (G‐Premio Bond + Activa Bioactive restorative), Group A (Activa Bioactive restorative), and Group G (dentin conditioner + Fuji II LC Improve). The teeth were thermocycled, and their microleakage was quantified using the dye penetration test under a stereomicroscope. For dentin μTBS measurement, 12 specimens were fabricated in metal molds (1 × 1 × 12 mm³) for each group mentioned above, and a universal testing machine measured their μTBS. Data were analyzed using one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA), the Kruskal–Wallis test, and multiple comparisons tests.ResultsSignificant differences were noted among the groups in marginal microleakage and μTBS (p < .001). The highest mean microleakage scores at the enamel and dentin margins were noted in Group A, which had significant differences with other groups (p < .001). The highest μTBS was found in Group X, with significant differences with Group G and Group A (p < .05). The lowest µTBS was noted in Group A, with significant differences with Groups X, Group AA, and Group Z (p < .001).ConclusionsActiva Bioactive without a bonding agent showed significantly lower µTBS to dentin, and higher microleakage at the enamel and dentin margins. Application of adhesive resin with Activa Bioactive provided a dentine bond strength and marginal seal comparable to other restorative materials.
Establishing a biosafety plan for a flow cytometry shared resource laboratory
Authors: Back Jessica B. , Martinez Lola , Nettenstrom Lauren , Sheerar Dagna , Thornton Sherry 
Published: January 2022

AbstractA biosafety plan is essential to establish appropriate practices for biosafety in a shared resource laboratory (SRL). A biosafety plan will contain the essential information for the use of biological samples on specific instrumentation, their apparent risks, and the steps that should be taken to mitigate these risks. Establishment of a biosafety plan can be a daunting task as the variety of pathogens that come through the SRL is highly diverse and may change over time; however, having a plan that can adapt to this variety will provide a framework for addressing concerns and educating personnel and users on biosafety practices. Using resources available at your institution and developing a robust relationship with health and safety personnel at your institution is key to generating an effective biosafety plan. Here we provide a basic underlying structure for a biosafety plan to aid SRL personnel in generating or maintaining their biosafety procedures, and provide guidance for establishing a dynamic, living biosafety plan.
Soil moisture response to seasonal drought conditions and post‐thinning forest structure
Authors: Belmonte Adam , Ts. Sankey Temuulen , Biederman Joel , Bradford John B. , Kolb Thomas 
Published: January 2022

AbstractProlonged drought conditions in semi‐arid forests can lead to widespread vegetation stress and mortality. However, the distribution of these effects is not spatially uniform. We measured soil water potential at high spatial and temporal resolution using 112 sensors distributed across a ponderosa pine forest in northern Arizona, USA, during two abnormally dry years with below‐average total precipitation. We used the data to assess the effects of fore‐summer drought period on the timing, magnitude, and extent of drying throughout the top 100 cm of the soil profile. Additionally, we use high spatial resolution terrestrial lidar measurements of forest structure to develop relationships between soil drying and fine‐scale forest structure. We find that increasing drought from 2019 to 2020 caused significantly earlier onset of soil dying at all depths (25, 50 and 100 cm) and more days below a critical drying threshold for ponderosa pine. Additionally, our results show that significantly drier soils are found in areas with higher stand‐level basal area, canopy cover and tree density, and shorter trees. Our results from the unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution data suggest that tailored restoration thinning with specific tree density and size parameters can be used to increase and prolong the availability of deep soil water to trees during drought.
Conversion of waste to sustainable aviation fuel via Fischer–Tropsch synthesis: Front‐end design decisions
Authors: Montoya Sánchez Natalia , Link Felix , Chauhan Garima , Halmenschlager Cibele , El‐Sayed Hanan E. M. , Sehdev Ranjit , Lehoux Rick , de Klerk Arno 
Published: January 2022

AbstractFront‐end design decisions for a process to produce sustainable aviation turbine fuel from waste materials were presented. The design employs distributed conversion of wastes to oils, which are then transported to a central facility for gasification, syngas cleaning, Fischer–Tropsch synthesis and refining, that is, a spoke‐and‐hub approach. Different aspects of the front‐end design, that is, the steps up to syngas cleaning, were evaluated. The evaluation employed a combination of case studies, calculations, experimental investigations, and literature review. The supply of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as a 50:50 mixture of waste‐derived and petroleum‐derived kerosene to meet the demand of an international airport (Pearson, Toronto) was employed as case study. The amount of raw material required made it impractical to make use of only one type of waste. Using the same set of assumptions, it was shown that in terms of cumulative transport distance required, a spoke‐and‐hub approach was twice as efficient as centralized processing only. Technologies for decentralized production of oils were assessed, and oils produced by pyrolysis and hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) in pilot‐scale and larger facilities were procured and characterized. These oils were within the broader compositional space of pyrolysis oils and HTL oils reported in laboratory studies. The oil compositions were employed to study the impact of oil composition on entrained flow gasification. Thermodynamic equilibrium calculations of pyrolysis and HTL oil entrained flow gasification resulted in H2/CO ratios of syngas and O2 consumption rates in a narrow range, despite the diversity of feeds. At the same time, to produce an equal molar amount of syngas (H2 + CO), less HTL oil than pyrolysis oil was required as feed. Gas cleaning technologies were reviewed to ascertain types of contaminants anticipated after gasification, their removal effectiveness, and Fischer–Tropsch catalyst poisoning potential. Raw syngas cleaning requirements were comparable to that from coal gasification.
Toward Improved Understanding of Streamflow Effects on Freshwater Fishes
Authors: Freeman Mary C , Bestgen Kevin R , Carlisle Daren , Frimpong Emmanuel A , Franssen Nathan R , Gido Keith B , Irwin Elise , Kanno Yoichiro , Luce Charles , Kyle McKay S , Mims Meryl C , Olden Julian D , LeRoy Poff N , Propst David L , Rack Laura , Roy Allison H , Stowe Edward S , Walters Annika , Wenger Seth J 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Understanding the effects of hydrology on fish populations is essential to managing for native fish conservation. However, despite decades of research illustrating streamflow influences on fish habitat, reproduction, and survival, biologists remain challenged when tasked with predicting how fish populations will respond to changes in flow regimes. This uncertainty stems from insufficient understanding of the context-dependent mechanisms underlying fish responses to, for example, periods of reduced flow or altered frequency of high-flow events. We aim to address this gap by drawing on previous research to hypothesize mechanisms by which low and high flows influence fish populations and communities, identifying challenges that stem from data limitations and ecological complexity, and outlining research directions that can advance an empirical basis for prediction. Focusing flow ecology research on testing and refining mechanistic hypotheses can help narrow management uncertainties and better support species conservation in changing flow regimes.
Population Pharmacokinetics of Melphalan for Pediatric Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation
Authors: Li Shuhui , Dvorak Christopher C. , Lu Ying , Chan Danna , Gobburu Jogarao V.S. , Long‐Boyle Janel , Apsel Winger Beth 
Published: January 2022

AbstractMelphalan is an alkylating agent used as part of conditioning prior to pediatric hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). We performed a single‐center, prospective pharmacokinetic study of 37 pediatric patients undergoing HCT from March 2015 to 2019. The primary objective was to develop and validate a population pharmacokinetic model for melphalan in a diverse group of pediatric HCT recipients. Nonlinear mixed‐effects modeling was implemented to describe plasma concentration–time data of melphalan. A 2‐compartment, proportional error model with weight on clearance best fit the data. Final parameter estimates were clearance, 19.1 L/h/25 kg; volume of the central compartment, 8.5 L/25 kg; volume of the peripheral compartment, 5.8 L/25 kg; and intercompartmental clearance 12.4 L/h/25 kg. Residual unexplained variability was low, at 12.5%. Results suggest the empiric weight‐based dosing (mg/kg) used in children <12 kg or 2 years of age may result in subtherapeutic exposure. Model‐based dosing of melphalan in pediatric HCT may help inform individualized dosing strategies to improve clinical outcomes and limit drug‐related adverse events in pediatric HCT recipients.
Identification of Hox genes and their expression profiles during embryonic development of the emerging model organism, Macrobrachium olfersii
Authors: Jaramillo Michael L. , Ammar Dib , Quispe Ruth L. , Bonatto Paese Christian L. , Gruendling Ana P. , Müller Yara M. , Nazari Evelise M. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractHox genes encode transcription factors that specify the body segment identity during development, including crustaceans, such as amphipods and decapods, that possess a remarkable diversity of segments and specialized appendages. In amphipods, alterations of specialized appendages have been obtained using knockout experiment of Hox genes, which suggests that these genes are involved in the evolution of morphology within crustaceans. However, studies of Hox genes in crustaceans have been limited to a few species. Here, we identified the homeodomain of nine Hox genes: labial (lab), proboscipedia (pb), Deformed (Dfd), Sex combs reduced (Scr), fushi tarazu (ftz), Antennapedia (Antp), Ultrabithorax (Ubx), abdominal‐A (abdA), and Abdominal‐B (AbdB), and evaluated their expression by RT‐qPCR and RT‐PCR in the ovary, during embryonic development, and at the first larval stage (Zoea I) of the decapod Macrobrachium olfersii. The transcript levels of lab, Dfd, and ftz decreased and transcripts of pb, Scr, Antp, Ubx, abdA, and AbdB increased during embryonic development. Hox genes were expressed in mature ovaries and Zoea I larval stages, except Scr and ftz, respectively. In addition, isoforms of Dfd, Scr, Ubx, and abdA, which have been scarcely reported in crustaceans, were described. New partial sequences of 87 Hox genes from other crustaceans were identified from the GenBank database. Our results are interesting for future studies to determine the specific function of Hox genes and their isoforms in the freshwater prawn M. olfersii and to contribute to the understanding of the diversity and evolution of body plans and appendages in Crustaceans.
Duality theorems for stars and combs IV: Undominating stars
Authors: Bürger Carl , Kurkofka Jan 
Published: January 2022

AbstractIn a series of four papers we determine structures whose existence is dual, in the sense of complementary, to the existence of stars or combs from the well‐known star—comb lemma for infinite graphs. Call a set of vertices in a graph tough in if only finitely many components of meet for every finite vertex set . In this fourth and final paper of the series, we structurally characterise the connected graphs in which a given vertex set is tough. Our characterisations are phrased in terms of tree‐decompositions, tangle‐distinguishing separators and tough subgraphs (a graph is tough if its vertex set is tough in ). From the perspective of stars and combs, we thereby find structures whose existence is complementary to the existence of so‐called undominating stars.
Airway management in the operating room setting: An analysis of reported safety events
Authors: Osgood Kevin B. , Krishnan Sindhu , Wheeler Kimberly K. , Pimentel Marc P. , Vacanti Joshua C. , Urman Richard D. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractAdverse event reporting systems are important tools for identifying areas of risk and opportunities quality improvement. Perioperative airway management (PAM) carries patient risk. We examine the nature of PAM incident reports at an academic tertiary care center. In this retrospective data review, perioperative safety reports filed under “Airway Management” between 2015 and 2020 were analyzed. Data analyzed included severity level (patient harm) and specific event type. There was a total of 7827 safety reports filed from January 2015 to July 2020, with 67 reports related to “Airway Management” (0.85%). The most common specific event type in this safety reporting database was “Intubation Injury (Mouth, Tooth, Airway)” (35.8%). The most common severity level of all reported events was level 2 (temporary or minor harm, 57%). Our safety reporting data demonstrates that adverse events related to PAM are likely to reach the patient and can cause significant harm. Data from our findings can help providers and risk managers to focus efforts on reducing patient harm. Strategies include continued education in technical skills and crisis management, preparation for the difficult airway, increased availability of video laryngoscopes, ongoing safety reporting and collaborative review of adverse events with implementation of quality improvement measures.
Geometric morphometric analysis of the humerus in New and Old World vultures
Authors: Holmes Jacob , Sustaita Diego , Hertel Fritz 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe vulture guild is composed of two distinct groups, Old and New World, which provide a unique insight into how morphology varies among convergent species. All vultures are considered to be large birds of prey that utilize a style of flight called thermal soaring to search and feed primarily on carrion. Even though this flight style is exhibited among all 23 species, slight variations in their skeletal morphology may relate to their differences in ecology. We hypothesized that vulture humeral morphology varies in relation to these organisms' habitat, average body mass, courtship displays, and migratory behavior. To address this hypothesis, we used three‐dimensional geometric morphometrics to measure the overall shape differences of vulture humeri. Humeral morphology was found to vary most by habitat association and migratory tendency. The humeri of vultures that inhabit forested areas exhibit features that suggest increased flapping flight compared to those in open and mountainous regions. Migratory species were found to possess more robust features near the glenohumeral joint. We found these (and other features) have some utility for predicting ecology and behavior, but we suggest that further investigation into skeletal and muscular wing elements may reveal greater understanding of the habits of extinct vulture species.
Quaternary environmental changes in central Chukotka (NE Russia) inferred from the Lake El'gygytgyn pollen records
Authors: Zhao Wenwei , Andreev Andrei A. , Wennrich Volker , Li Quan , Melles Martin 
Published: January 2022

ABSTRACTThe 3.6‐Myr sedimentary record of Lake El'gygytgyn is crucial for understanding the response of the sensitive ecosystems in the Arctic to Quaternary climate variations at orbital timescales. In this study, we synthesize previously published pollen records and biome reconstructions and perform pollen diversity analysis of the deep‐drilling core ICDP 5011‐1 from Lake El'gygytgyn for periods during the Early Pleistocene (MIS 82 – MIS 79), Early–Middle Pleistocene (MIS 31 – MIS 18) and late Middle Pleistocene (MIS 7e – MIS 6f). The results indicate that the predominance of herb tundra in the regional vegetation was most characteristic during glacials/stadials. Interglacials, in contrast, can be distinguished by the expansion of shrub communities mainly composed of birch, alder and willow. The expansion of forest biomes in the region was influenced by peaks in obliquity values, which led to increases in daylight length, which was essential for plant growth in high latitudes. An apparent long‐term decreasing trend in the tree and shrub population, accompanied by a reduction in floristic richness, was induced by stepwise cooling and drying since the Mid‐Pleistocene Transition (MPT), which is linked to the modulation of extended global ice volume during the MPT via strong snow‐ and ice‐albedo feedback effects.
Controlling Properties and Functions of Polymer Gels Using Photochemical Reactions
Authors: Cao Jingning , Zhang Dachuan , Zhou Yang , Zhang Qijin , Wu Si 
Published: January 2022

AbstractPhotoresponsive polymer gels have attracted increasing interest owing to their potential applications in healable materials, drug release systems, and extracellular matrices. Because polymer gels provide suitable environments for photochemical reactions, their properties and functions can be controlled with light with a high spatiotemporal resolution. Herein, the design of photoresponsive polymer gels based on different types of photochemical reactions is introduced. The mechanism and applications of irreversible photoreactions, such as photoinduced free‐radical polymerization, photoinduced click reactions, and photolysis, as well as reversible photoreactions such as photoinduced reversible cycloadditions, reversible photosubstitution of metal complexes, and photoinduced metathesis are reviewed. The remaining challenges of photoresponsive polymer gels are also discussed.