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Metagenomics and single‐cell genomics have enabled the discovery of relevant uncultured microbes. Recently, single‐virus genomics (SVG), although still in an incipient stage, has opened new avenues in viral ecology by allowing the sequencing of one single virus at a time. The investigation of methodological alternatives and optimization of existing procedures for SVG is paramount to deliver high‐quality genomic data. We report a sequencing dataset of viral single‐amplified genomes (vSAGs) from cultured and uncultured viruses obtained by applying different conditions in each SVG step, from viral preservation and novel whole‐genome amplification (WGA) to sequencing platforms and genome assembly. Sequencing data showed that cryopreservation and mild fixation were compatible with WGA, although fresh samples delivered better genome quality data. The novel TruPrime WGA, based on primase‐polymerase features, and WGA‐X employing a thermostable phi29 polymerase, were proven to be with sufficient sensitivity in SVG. The Oxford Nanopore (ON) sequencing platform did not provide a significant improvement of vSAG assembly compared to Illumina alone. Finally, the SPAdes assembler performed the best. Overall, our results represent a valuable genomic dataset that will help to standardized and advance new tools in viral ecology. This work has been supported by Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation (grant 5334) and Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (refs CGL2013‐40564‐R, RTI2018‐094248‐B‐I00 and SAF2013‐49267‐EXP). Work at CRG, BIST and UPF was in part funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, ‘Centro de Excelencia Severo Ochoa 2013‐2017’ and the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, ‘Centro de Excelencia Maria de Maeztu 2016‐2019’.

Aims The aim of this study was to determine whether the allergy status and other characteristics of common cold patients modify the effects of zinc acetate lozenges. Methods We had available individual patient data for three randomized placebo-controlled trials in which zinc acetate lozenges were administered to common cold patients. We used both one stage and two stage meta-analysis to estimate the effects of zinc lozenges. Results The total number of common cold patients was 199, the majority being females. Eighty percent of them fell into the age range 20-50 years. One third of the patients had allergies. The one stage meta-analysis gave an overall estimate of 2.73 days (95% CI 1.8, 3.3 days) shorter colds by zinc acetate lozenge usage. The two stage meta-analysis gave an estimate of 2.94 days (95% CI 2.1, 3.8 days) reduction in common cold duration. These estimates are to be compared with the 7 day average duration of colds in the three trials. The effect of zinc lozenges was not modified by allergy status, smoking, baseline severity of the common cold, age, gender or ethnic group. Conclusion Since the effects of zinc acetate lozenges were consistent between the compared subgroups, the overall estimates for effect seemed applicable over a wide range of common cold patients. While the optimal composition of zinc lozenges and the best frequency of their administration should be further investigated, given the current evidence of efficacy, common cold patients may be encouraged to try zinc lozenges for treating their colds.

To demonstrate elimination of bacterial biofilm on membranes to represent wastewater treatment as well as biofilm formed by antibiotic-resistant bacterial (ARB) to signify medical application,anantibiotic-resistantbacteriumanditslyticbacteriophage were isolated from a full-scale wastewater treatment plant. Based on gram staining and complete 16S rDNA sequencing, the isolated bacterium showed a more than 99% homology with Delftia tsuruhatensis,agram-negativebacteriumbelongingtob-proteobacteria. The Delftia lytic phage's draft genome revealed the phage to be an N4- likephagewith59.7%G þCcontent.NotransferRNAsweredetectedfor the phage suggesting that the phage is highly adapted to its host Delftia tsuruhatensis ARB-1 with regard to codon usage, and does not require additional tRNAs of its own. The gene annotation of the Delftia lytic phage foundthree differentcomponents of RNApolymerase (RNAP) in thegenome,whichisatypicalcharacteristicofN4-likephages.Thelytic phage specifi ct oD. tsuruhatensis ARB-1 could successfully remove the biofilm formed by it on a glass slide. The water flux through the membrane of a prototype lab-scale membrane bioreactor decreased from47L/hm 2 to � 15L/hm 2 over4days duetoabiofilmformedbyD. tsuruhatensisARB-1. However, the flux increasedto 70% of the original after the lytic phage application. Overall, this research demonstrated phage therapy's great potential to solve the problem of membrane biofouling, as well as the problems posed by pathogenic biofilms in external wounds and on medical instruments. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2015;9999: 1-11.

The sulfuric acid catalyzed condensation of levulinic acid with glyoxylic acid at 80 °C, for 24 h under neat conditions gives 1-methyl-2,8-dioxabicyclo[3.3.0]oct-4-ene-3,7-dione in 92% yield. Catalytic reduction of this unsaturated bis-lactone provides a facile route to produce polyester monomer 1-methyl-2,8-dioxabicyclo[3.3.0]octane-3,7-dione from renewable feedstocks.

BACKGROUND Altered zinc levels in prostate benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and carcinoma is well documented. It is not known whether loss of zinc, necessary to restrain aggressive growth, results from loss of a single specific or multiple zinc transporters. METHODS Human prostate tissues from patients who underwent radical prostatectomy were screened by RT-PCR analysis for five zinc transporters. Relative cDNA expression was determined in normal, BPH, and tumor specimens and four prostate epithelial cell lines. RESULTS Surgical specimens were obtained from patients with assigned Gleason scores ranging from 5 to 9. Relative expression of hZIP-1 and hZnT-1 were prominent in most samples with relatively lesser degree of expression of hZIP-2 and no detectable expression of hZnT-3. Expression of hZnT-4 was decreased in BPH and tumor samples compared to normal tissue. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that zinc homeostasis in normal prostate tissues results from an interplay of multiple transporters and decreased hZnT-4 expression is associated with prostate tissue abnormalities independent of total cellular zinc content. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The essentiality of zinc for humans was recognized in 1963. It is now evident that nutritional deficiency of zinc in human populations throughout the developing world is common. The major factor responsible for this deficiency is the consumption of mainly cereal proteins rich in phytate. The clinical manifestations of zinc deficiency include growth retardation and male hypogonadism in the adolescents, rough skin, poor appetite, mental lethargy, delayed wound healing, cell-mediated immune dysfunctions, and abnormal neurosensory disorders. A conditioned deficiency of zinc has been observed in many diseased states. In this work I have summarized our current knowledge concerning the molecular mechanisms of zinc action on T helper cells. Our studies showed that in zinc-deficient HUT-78 cells, phosphorylated IκB and Iκk, ubiquitinated IκB, and binding of nuclear factor (NF)-κB to DNA were significantly decreased. Zinc increased the translocation of NF-κB from cytosol to nucleus. These data show that zinc plays an important role in the activation of NF-κB in HUT-78 cells. We showed a significant effect of zinc on gene expression of interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-2 receptors α and β. We also showed that a decrease in gene expression of IL-2 and its receptors in zinc-deficient HUT-78 cells may be the result of decreased activation of NF-κB in zinc-deficient cells. J. Trace Elem. Exp. Med. 16:139–163, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

This article examines the role of building trust in Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA). The role of trust following a mine-clearance operation is largely an unexplored region. Drawing on case studies from Angola, Mozambique and Afghanistan, the article explores how trust can be understood in the context of humanitarian initiatives such as landmine clearance, and outlines the challenges associated with building trust among populations with experience of armed conflict. Because trust is difficult to re-establish following a war, the argument presented here suggests that one way in which this can be done is through building relationships at the organisational and interpersonal levels. The analysis reviews specific measures that mine-action agencies have used to build trust, looking at the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches. The analysis concludes by suggesting general guidelines for how mine-action practitioners can facilitate trust, and by outlining some promising avenues for future research.

The ionic liquid promoted Skraup synthesis of quinolines involving the in situ formation of acrolein by dehydration of glycerol under microwave conditions.

A syndrome occurring in males, characterized by severe iron deficiency anemia, hypogonadism, dwarfism, hepatosplenomegaly and geophagia, has been observed in villagers in Iran suffering from malnutrition. Eleven such patients, studied in detail, are described. Despite hepatosplenomegaly, results of the liver function tests were uniformly normal except for the serum alkaline phosphatase, which was consistently elevated. The anemia was not associated with blood loss, hookworm infestation or intestinal malabsorption, and responded promptly to oral iron therapy. Although the diet contained adequate amounts of iron it is believed that the predominantly wheat diet, with its high phosphate content, interfered with absorption because of the formation of insoluble iron complexes. Correction of the anemia resulted in marked decrease in the size of the liver and spleen. Prolonged follow-up of patients receiving a well balanced diet indicates that the endocrine abnormalities of growth and sexual development are reversible. The relationship of geophagia (which occurred in nearly all patients) to this syndrome is not clear, and is discussed. The possibility of zinc deficiency is considered as an explanation of hypogonadism, dwarfism and changes in alkaline phosphatase.

Lethal milk (lm) mutation in C57BL/6J inbred mice results in the reduction of zinc content in the milk and causes fatal neonatal zinc deficiency. Zinc injection to lm pups after birth helps them to overcome severe neonatal zinc deficiency and to maintain the normal body growth of lm pups. Thus, lm mutation displays a specific effect on the zinc content of the milk during lactation. The decrease in zinc content of the milk is not due to the low body zinc status in lactating lm dams. Also, oral zinc supplementation in lactating lm dams does not correct the low concentration of zinc in the milk. These findings suggest that lm mutation results in the defective cellular transport of zinc. The defective zinc transport might alter the expression of mammary genes because cellular zinc plays a critical role in diverse cellular functions. To investigate the effect of lm mutation on the expression of mammary genes, the differentially expressed cDNAs in lm mammary gland (MG) were explored using the mRNA differential display (DD) gel. One of the isolated cDNAs (M3) was expressed in the lm MG two times greater than that in the normal MG. The cloned partial M3 cDNA was shown to have the similarities to the unknown functional cDNAs in the yeast and human tissues. The M3 cDNA might have a common function in both lower and higher eukaryotes. The M3 mRNA is rich in the brain and the MG, but not in the liver and kidney. Hence, the M3 cDNA may have a certain function associated with the brain and the MG. More information regarding the cloned M3 cDNA might be provided by screening of the full length of M3 cDNA from cDNA library. J. Trace Elem. Exp. Med. 14:371–382, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

An atmosphere of rain offers a dispersive medium for the propagation of radio signals above 10 GHz. The effect of dispersion, in terms of differential attenuation and phase dispersion, is insignificant for narrowband signals. Signals modulated with very short pulses can have a wide bandwidth over which dispersion will be appreciable, causing significant signal distortion. The propagation of pulsed signals under varying propagation conditions has been studied with the Fourier transform technique. The transfer function of the rain atmosphere is obtained using propagation models that include clear-air effects and scattering effects due to raindrops. The carrier signal at 30 GHz is considered to be modulated by a raised-cosine pulse with a base bandwidth of 1–3 GHz. A technique for the mitigation of pulse distortion using an FIR filter is presented to restore the distorted pulse to its original shape and position to a significant extent. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 30: 105–109, 2001.

Nutritional deficiency of zinc is widespread throughout the developing world. Zinc deficient subjects experience increased susceptibility to a variety of infections. Zinc deficiency in an experimental human model caused an imbalance between Th1 and Th2 functions. Production of IFN-γ and IL-2 (products of TH1) were decreased, whereas production of IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 (products of Th2) were not affected due to zinc deficiency. Zinc deficiency decreased NK cell lytic activity and percentage of precursors of cytolytic T cells. In HUT-78, a Th0 cell line, zinc deficiency decreased gene expression of deoxythymidine kinase (TK), delayed cell cycle and decreased cell growth. Gene expression of IL-2 and IL-2 receptors (both α and β) and binding of NF-kB to DNA were decreased by zinc deficiency in HUT-78. In HL-60, a monocytic-macrophage cell line, zinc deficiency increased production and gene expression of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-8. These cytotoxic cytokines are known to produce increased free radicals. Thus zinc may function as an important anti-oxidant. In conclusion, decreased production of IL-2 in zinc deficiency may be due to decreased activation of NF-kB and subsequent decreased gene expression of IL-2 and IL-2 receptor α. Our studies show that zinc deficiency affects cell-mediated immunity and leads to activation of monocytes-macrophages and may play an important role as an antioxidant. J. Trace Elem. Exp. Med. 13:1–20, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Zinc deficiency is a common nutritional problem in adult sickle-cell disease (SCD) patients. Hyperzincuria and increased requirement of zinc due to continued hemolysis in SCD are probable bases for zinc deficiency in these patients. Zinc deficiency affects adversely T-helper1 (TH1) functions and cell mediated immunity and interleukin (IL)-2 production is decreased in zinc deficient subjects. We hypothesized that zinc supplementation will improve T-helper1 function and decrease incidence of infections in patients with SCD. We tested this hypothesis in 32 SCD subjects who were divided in three groups (Grs A, B, and C). Grs A (n = 11) and B (n = 10) were zinc deficient based on cellular zinc criteria and Gr C (n = 11) were zinc sufficient. Gr A subjects were observed for 1 year (baseline), following which they received zinc acetate (50 to 75 mg of elemental zinc orally daily) for 3 years. Gr B subjects were observed for 1 year (baseline), following which they received placebo for 1 year and then switched to zinc supplementation (50 to 75 mg of elemental zinc orally daily) for 2 years. Gr C subjects did not receive any intervention inasmuch as they were zinc sufficient. Prolonged zinc supplementation resulted in an increase in lymphocyte and granulocyte zinc (P = 0.0001), and an increase in interleukin-2 production (P = 0.0001), decreased incidence of documented bacteriologically positive infections (P = 0.0026), decreased number of hospitalizations and decreased number of vaso-occlusive pain crisis (P = 0.0001). The predominant pathogens isolated were staphylococci and streptococci involving the respiratory tract and aerobic gram-negative bacteria, particularly Escherichia coli, involving the urinary tract. Further confirmation of our observations will require prospective studies of zinc supplementation in a larger number of SCD patients.

In this review topics such as zinc and growth, zinc and serum testosterone levels, association of zinc and iron deficiencies, zinc and Alzheimer's disease, zinc as a therapeutic agent, and role of zinc in immunity, have been covered. A meta-analysis of zinc supplementation trials from nine countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, eight from North America or Europe, five from Asia and the Middle East, and three from Africa revealed a highly significant effect of zinc supplementation on height and weight in children less than 13 years of age. It appears that the growth stimulating effect of zinc is mediated through changes in circulating IGF-I. A recent study from China showed that zinc supplementation improved neuropsychological functions in children 6 to 9 years old. A study from Birmingham, Alabama showed that zinc-supplemented women gave birth to infants who weighed more and had greater head circumference in comparison to infants of women who did not receive zinc. Serum testosterone correlated with cellular zinc concentration in healthy adults ages 20 to 80 years of age. Therapeutic uses of zinc include treatment of infantile diarrhea and chronic diarrhea in developing countries, treatment of common cold, and treatment of Wilson's disease. Recent studies indicated that in humans zinc deficiency results in an imbalance between TH1 and TH2 cell functions, which accounts for decreased cell-mediated immunity. Zinc is a T cell-specific growth factor, and a decreased gene expression of DNA-synthesizing enzyme thymidine kinase in zinc-deficient HUT-78—a malignant lymphoblastoid human T cell line—adversely affected the DNA synthesis in S phase and delayed cell cycle. J. Trace Elem. Exp. Med. 11: 63-87, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

N-Sulfinylarylamines react with 1,4-naphthoquinone to give 2-(N-arylsulfinamoyl)-1,4-naphthoquinones. The reaction is believed to occur via an initial 2 + 2 cycloaddition of the NS bond of the N-sulfinylamine with 1,4-naphthoquinone, followed by fragmentation of the 1,2-thiazetidine 1-oxide intermediate with a 1,3-H shift. N-Sulfinylarylamines add regiospecifically to 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone to give 3-(N-arylsulfinamoyl)-5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinones. 1,4-Benzoquinone reacts with three molecules of N-sulfinylarylamine to give adducts. Two molecules of N-sulfinylarylamine react with 1,4-benzoquinone as in the case of 1,4-naphthoquinone and the third molecule reacts at one of the CO groups of the benzoquinone with the elimination of a molecule of SO2. Hydrolysis of 2-(N-arylsulfinamoyl)-1,4-naphthoquinones with aqueous HCl gives 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone.

N-Ethoxycarbonyl Dewar pyrrole 9, the first member of the parent ring, is formed via photofragmentation of 6 at –60 °C and trapped as its adduct with 1,3-diphenyl-isobenzofuran 11; above this temperature, 9 is unstable and isomerises to N-ethoxycarbonylpyrrole 10.

A new approach to the synthesis of cavity molecules is described in which the 1,3-dipolar ACE coupling method is used to join curved-frame spacer molecules with obtuse-angled alkenes. The curved-frame spacers are comprised of fused norbornenes in which each alternative bridge has the 7-methylene replaced by oxygen. Molecular modeling (AM1) has been used to evaluate the geometry of a selection of bis-crown ether systems, the largest of which has nine norbornane units in the frame, a separation of 20.7 A and the walls of the cavity having an interplanar angle of 36°.

Sensitised photo-oxidations of 8-hydroxy quinoline (l)or5-hydroxy quinoline (2) gives quinoline-5,8-quinone (3) in 64-70% yield.

Nitrosation of bis arylidene acetone oximes with nitrous acid in glacial acetic acid gives 3-vinyl pyrazolone-N,N′-dioxides in 32–37% yield. Similar reactions of 2-arylidene-6-(hydroxylamino-aryl-methyl)-cyclohexanone oximes give tricyclic compounds with dioxa-2,6-diaza-spiro[4,4]nona-2,8-diene ring systems in 77–84% yield.