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Lameness is one of the most common health issues in cattle, which is a significant cause of health disorders and economic losses in livestock. Due to the numerous and varied causes, its treatment and prevention are complex and challenging. Lameness is associated with intense pain, leading to discomfort, reduced milk yield, weight loss, and reproductive issues, which can ultimately result in chronic lameness and substantial financial losses. A number of simple, visual scoring scales have been developed for their detection and evaluation, which enable them to be detected quickly on the one hand, and appropriate interventions to be taken and their effectiveness evaluated on the other. The consistent application of these scoring systems is becoming a critical component of herd management strategies, aimed not only at reducing the prevalence of lameness but also at minimizing the associated economic impacts. This dual focus-improving animal welfare and reducing financial losses-highlights their importance in maintaining both herd health and cost-effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A single-step phenylation at the non-acidic C(sp3)–H bond attached to the heteroatom of ethers and N -Boc-amines has been achieved using photoexcited 4-benzoylpyridine as a hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) catalyst. The design of electron-deficient (trifluoromethylsulfonyl)benzene derivatives, as a phenyl precursor, was critical to realizing the present transformation. Moreover, the DFT calculations indicated that the present transformation proceeds via a concerted homolytic aromatic substitution rather than via a stepwise one involving the formation of a cyclohexadienyl radical intermediate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intestinal mucosal surface is directly exposed to daily fluctuations in food and microbes driven by 24-hour light and feeding cycles. Intestinal epithelial tuft cells are key sentinels that surveil the gut luminal environment, but how these cells are diurnally programmed remains unknown. Here, we show that histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) controls tuft cell specification and the diurnal rhythm of its biogenesis, which is regulated by the gut microbiota and feeding schedule. Disruption of epithelial HDAC3 decreases tuft cell numbers, impairing antihelminth immunity and norovirus infection. Mechanistically, HDAC3 functions noncanonically to activate transforming growth factor–β (TGF-β) signaling, which promotes rhythmic expression of Pou2f3, a lineage-defining transcription factor of tuft cells. Our findings reveal an environmental-epigenetic link that controls the diurnal differentiation of tuft cells and promotes rhythmic mucosal surveillance and immune responses in anticipation of exogenous challenges. Editor's summary: Mucosal immunity in the intestinal lumen is regulated by multiple factors, including the circadian clock. Intestinal tuft cells survey the gut lumen and initiate type 2 immune responses, but whether tuft cell biogenesis is influenced by circadian rhythms is unclear. Zhang et al. identified that tuft cell biogenesis was diurnally regulated in response to the gut microbiota and feeding schedule in mice. Epithelial histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) activated TGF-β signaling and transcriptional activation of Pou2f3 expression, which promoted tuft cell biogenesis and type 2 immune responses after helminth infection. These findings demonstrate that immune surveillance in the intestine is epigenetically regulated in response to daily fluctuations in food and microbes. —Hannah Isles [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Examination of effect of five inorganic chlorine salts (NaCL, KCL, CaCL2, CuCL2.2H2O and FeCL3.6H2O) on wheat seeds from three different wheat cultivars (“Enola C1”, “Tcarevetz” and “Aleksa”), was conducted in the in vitro conditions. Chloride (Cl) is one of the 17 essential nutrients required for plant growth and development. Chloride plays a major role in plant function, including photosynthesis, enzyme activation, nutrient transport, water movement in cells, stomata activity, accelerated plant development, reduced lodging, and improved disease suppression and tolerance. However some studies reveal the toxic action of chloride salts towards different terrestrial and aquatic plants. The purpose of present study was to investigate if NaCL, KCL, CaCL2, CuCL2.2H2O and FeCL3.6H2O have toxic action on germination of wheat seeds. The wheat seeds were placed in the double layer of Whatman filter paper. The papers with seeds were placed in closed plastic bags and 40 ml of the tested solution was poured on the bottom of the bags. The bags were placed in the thermostat at 22 °C for two weeks. Each bag was equal to the one test repetition; each test variant consists of five test repetitions. At the end of the test, percent germination, the length of shoots and roots were measured. Also, the visual observations for phytotoxicity (necrosis, chlorosis and deformations) onto shoots and roots were performed. ANOVA analysis was performed in order to be reveled statistically proved differences between tested variants via R language for statistical computing. The study confirm the toxic action of tested inorganic salts towards wheat and slightly stimulation effect of sodium and potassium chloride at low concentrations on wheat’s growth. Trials conform the strong phytotoxic action of ferric and especially copper chlorides on wheat seeds and plants. The conducted tests show all tested inorganic chlorine salts can strongly inhibit the germination rates of wheat seeds and growth of shoots and roots. However, some of them as sodium and potassium chloride at very low concentrations-0.01-0.05 % (m/v) can express slight stimulation effect on seeds. Ferric and copper chlorides have strongest inhibition effect on wheat seeds in the conducted research. The fact that ferric chloride can act as ISR promoter in the plants and the results in the given study that the salt in very low concentration does not effects the growth and development of the plants is promising for future researchers in this direction. No differences between tested wheat cultivars were observed towards their response to the salts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermodynamic characteristics of adsorption (TCAs) of methane and ethane on the basal face of a semi-infinite graphite crystal were calculated by the Monte Carlo method in the Gibbs ensemble. The results obtained using the described calculation algorithm are in good agreement with the literature data. The calculations were performed in the approximation of additivity of atom-atom potentials (AAPs), taken in the Lennard-Jones form (6, 12). When varying the AAP parameters, a quasi-rigid methane molecule was used as a reference. The same AAP parameters make it possible to calculate the adsorption of ethane on graphite under the assumption that the height of the internal rotation barrier does not change during adsorption, but the potential energy of the adsorbed molecule depends on the internal rotation angle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, an enantioselective desymmetrization of cyclic keto sulfonium salts through enantioselective deprotonation/ring opening process by anion-binding catalysis is presented. We report a squaramide/HCO3- complex as catalytic active species which is able to stereo-differentiate two enantiomeric protons, triggering the ring opening event taking advantage of the great tendency of sulfonium salts to act as leaving groups. Thus, this desymmetrization methodology give rise to β-methylsulfenylated sulfa-Michael addition type products with excellent yields and very good enantioselectivities. The bifunctional organocatalyst has been demonstrated to be capable of activating simultaneously the base and the keto sulfonium salt by DFT calculations and experimental proofs. Although anion-binding processes are well-known for their crucial role in molecular recognition, this type of phenomenon has only recently been utilized for catalysis. Here, the authors present an enantioselective desymmetrization of cyclic keto sulfonium salts through enantioselective deprotonation/ring opening process by anion-binding catalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A crude morpholine enamine of acetone treated with Lawesson's reagent unexpectedly yielded a six-membered thiaphosphinane-4-one. This compound is the first example of a new class of heterocycles. It has been proven that it is formed from 4-methyl-2-morpholino-1,3-pentadiene which is usually present in crude morpholine enamine batches. A mechanism of this regioselective reaction was postulated and a characteristic chair-like conformation of the product was examined in detail. Additionally, some unusual primary fragmentations of the product with the loss of H2S and isobutylene were observed for positive and negative ESI ionization mode, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reaction of lithium hexa­methyl­disilyl­amide, [Li{N(Si(CH3)3)2}] (LiHMDS), with 4,4-dimethyl-2-phenyl-2-oxazoline (Phox, C11H13NO) in hexane produced colourless crystals of bis­(4,4-dimethyl-2-phenyl-2-oxazoline-κN)(hexa­methyl­disilyl­amido-κN)lithium, [Li(C6H18NSi2)(C11H13NO)2] or [Li{N(Si(CH3)3)2}(Phox)2] in high yield (89%). Despite the 1:1 proportion of the starting materials in the reaction mixture, the product formed with a 1:2 amide:oxazoline ratio. In the unit cell of the C2/c space group, the neutral mol­ecules lie on twofold rotation axes coinciding with the Li—N(amide) bonds. The lithium(I) centre adopts a trigonal–planar coordination geometry with three nitro­gen donor atoms, one from the HMDS anion and two from the oxazolines. All ligands are monodentate. In the phenyl­oxazoline units, the dihedral angle defined by the five-membered heterocyclic rings is 35.81 (5)°, while the phenyl substituents are approximately face-to-face, separated by 3.908 (5) Å. In the amide, the methyl groups assume a nearly eclipsed arrangement to minimize steric repulsion with the analogous substituents on the oxazoline rings. The non-covalent inter­actions in the solid-state structure of [Li{N(Si(CH3)3)2}(Phox)2] were assessed by Hirshfeld surface analysis and fingerprint plots. This new compound is attractive for catalysis due to its unique structural features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advances in the characterization of metasomatic iron and alkali-calcic (MIAC) systems with associated iron-oxide apatite (IOA) prospects and iron-oxide–copper–gold (IOCG) and metasomatic cobalt deposits of the Great Bear magmatic zone were used to determine if the geochemistry of glacial sediments can unveil pathfinder elements indicative of mineralization and associated alteration. Analysis of variance within bedrock lithogeochemical (n = 707 samples) and till geochemical datasets (n = 92 samples) are compared. Results show that Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, As, Mo, Bi, La, Th, U, and W were identified as potential vectoring elements in different fractions of till due to their anomalous concentrations down-ice of various mineralized outcrops within the study area. For instance, Fe, Co, Cu, and Mo were established as the most useful vectoring elements in the locally derived till (<2 km down-ice) near the Sue Dianne IOCG deposit, and Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Mo, W, Bi, and U near the Fab IOCG prospect. At the Sue Dianne deposit, the ratios of near-total (4-acid digestion) versus partial (modified aqua regia digestion) concentrations in the silt + clay-sized till fraction (<0.063 mm) for both La and Th reflect the mineralization alteration signature and define a more consistent dispersal train from mineralization compared to element concentrations mapped alone. Additional testing in an area of continuous till cover near an isolated point source is recommended to further develop the elemental ratio method for exploration of MIAC systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Man has always sought to eradicate pathologies that affect the CNS (pain, anxiety, insomnia, euphoriants, psychedelic drugs, etc.). This obsession with finding new molecules that act on the CNS, has been considerably amplified by the increasingly frequent appearance of neurodegenerative diseases which affect human health. It is predicted that the world-wide prevalence of Alzheimer's Disease dementia, will triple from its current 50 to 150 million by 2050. The first part of this manuscript is a brief history of the discovery of the first molecules acting on the CNS. The second part describes drugs that are actually prescribed for the treatment of AD, unfortunately, these drugs have only low effectiveness on the disease, or even no observable effects. The third part describes current advances in the field of therapy of CNS-related diseases. Three research directions are currently in development: research for new innovative "small molecules" or resulting from a repositioning of molecules having received marketing authorization; development of monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of neurodegenerative pathologies; development of specific treatments such as neurostimulation for the treatment of Parkinson's disease; the last part of the manuscript is devoted to the Human Brain Connectome Project (HBCP), which aims to better understand the biological mechanisms of these neurodegenerative pathologies, and to help in the development of new treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Emergency Medical Services are dispatched more frequently than before. However, many non-urgent patients do not need ambulance transportation to a healthcare facility after evaluation and treatment on scene. This study explored the experiences of non-conveyed patients. Our research questions were: (1) How have non-conveyed patients experienced the service received from EMS? (2) Does a patient's age, gender, or time of the emergency call impact the patient's experience? Methods: This descriptive survey study examined non-conveyed Emergency Medical Services patients in the Wellbeing Services County of Southwest Finland. The study period was from March 1, 2023, to March 31, 2023. The study population was 1017. They received a questionnaire that was sent by mail. The questionnaire was formed based on questions previously used in four different questionnaires. We received 247 answers (24.3% response rate). Percentages, medians with interquartile ranges, and non-parametric tests were used in the descriptive analyses. Results: Non-conveyed patients were very satisfied with the paramedics' expertise and behavior, their ability to meet their individual needs, the sense of safety provided by the paramedics, and the instructions given to the patients. Time to receive help (19% rated 3 or less on a scale from 1 to 5), how paramedics introduced themselves (16.5%), and satisfaction with non-conveyance decisions (14.6%) were more frequently rated lower than other areas. Further, pain management stood out in the less favorable evaluations. Still, patients' experiences of the service were positive. The age group, gender, or time of the emergency call were not associated with patient experience. Conclusions: Patients were very satisfied with the paramedics' interpersonal skills. A more focused approach to pain management and developing EMS to ensure faster patient outreach and clearer explanations of non-conveyance decisions could further enhance the patient experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The persistent murine norovirus strain MNVCR6 is a model for human norovirus and enteric viral persistence. MNVCR6 causes chronic infection by directly infecting intestinal tuft cells, rare chemosensory epithelial cells. Although MNVCR6 induces functional MNV-specific CD8+ T cells, these lymphocytes fail to clear infection. To examine how tuft cells promote immune escape, we interrogated tuft cell interactions with CD8+ T cells by adoptively transferring JEDI (just EGFP death inducing) CD8+ T cells into Gfi1b-GFP tuft cell reporter mice. Unexpectedly, some intestinal tuft cells partially resisted JEDI CD8+ T cell–mediated killing—unlike Lgr5+ intestinal stem cells and extraintestinal tuft cells—despite seemingly normal antigen presentation. When targeting intestinal tuft cells, JEDI CD8+ T cells predominantly adopted a T resident memory phenotype with decreased effector and cytotoxic capacity, enabling tuft cell survival. JEDI CD8+ T cells neither cleared nor prevented MNVCR6 infection in the colon, the site of viral persistence, despite targeting a virus-independent antigen. Ultimately, we show that intestinal tuft cells are relatively resistant to CD8+ T cells independent of norovirus infection, representing an immune-privileged niche that can be leveraged by enteric microbes. Editor's summary: Norovirus is a major cause of acute foodborne illness that can also lead to persistent infections. Specialized chemosensory epithelial cells called tuft cells are the target cell for murine norovirus, but how chronic infections are established remains unclear. Using mice with CD8+ T cells bearing a fluorescent protein-specific T cell receptor, Strine et al. found that intestinal tuft cells are intrinsically resistant to CD8+ T cell–mediated killing compared with other gut epithelial cells. Tuft cell–mediated immune evasion from CD8+ T cells enabled norovirus persistence in the colon. These findings indicate that intestinal tuft cells represent an immune-privileged niche that is intrinsically resistant to T cell responses. —Claire Olingy [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between the shape of a molecule and its chemical reactivity is a central tenet in chemistry. However, the influence of the molecular geometry on reactivity can be subtle and result from several opposing effects. Here, using a crossed-molecular-beam experiment in which individual rotational quantum states of specific conformers of a molecule are separated, we study the chemi-ionization reaction of hydroquinone with metastable neon atoms. We show that collision-induced alignment of the reaction partners caused by geometry-dependent long-range forces influences reaction pathways, which is, however, countered by molecular rotation. The present work provides insights into the conformation-specific stereodynamics of complex polyatomic systems and illustrates the capability of advanced molecule-control techniques to unravel these effects., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)

The existence of an object, non-superimposable on its mirror image, constitutes the phenomenon of chirality. This phenomenon is often treated as a curiosity without broader practical consequences. This paper aims to show the significant implications of chirality for chemistry and biology. Chirality is inherent to all living organisms and is essential for their function. For instance, biomolecules are composed of chiral building blocks (amino acids, monosaccharides), which are chiral and occur predominantly with one sense of handedness (homochirality of life). The explanation of the evolution of the homochirality of life therefore helps answer one of the important questions connected with the origin of life.. The paper concludes with a section devoted to current Czech stereochemical terminology. An experimental procedure describing the isolation of carvone enantiomers from natural sources is also included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results from investigations of obtaining the L(+) optical isomer of lactic acid from different types of whey are presented: of the initial, fermented, and concentrated in an electrolysis-type apparatus with a separating diaphragm. The rate of obtaining the L(+) isomer of lactic acid in the anode chamber of the electrolyzer was determined depending on the concentration of whey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silicon-stereogenic optically active silylboranes could potentially allow the formation of chiral silyl nucleophiles as well as the synthesis of various chiral silicon compounds. However, the synthesis of such silicon-stereogenic silylboranes has not been achieved so far. Here, we report the synthesis of silicon-stereogenic optically active silylboranes via a stereospecific Pt(PPh3)4-catalyzed Si–H borylation of chiral hydrosilanes, which are synthesized by stoichiometric and catalytic asymmetric synthesis, in high yield and very high or perfect enantiospecificity (99% es in one case, and >99% es in the others) with retention of the configuration. Furthermore, we report a practical approach to generate silicon-stereogenic silyl nucleophiles with high enantiopurity and configurational stability using MeLi activation. This protocol is suitable for the stereospecific and general synthesis of silicon-stereogenic trialkyl-, dialkylbenzyl-, dialkylaryl-, diarylalkyl-, and alkylary benzyloxy-substituted silylboranes and their corresponding silyl nucleophiles with excellent enantiospecificity (>99% es except one case of 99% es). Transition-metal-catalyzed C–Si bond-forming cross-coupling reactions and conjugate-addition reactions are also demonstrated. The mechanisms underlying the stability and reactivity of such chiral silyl anion were investigated by combining NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations. Silicon-stereogenic optically active silylboranes could potentially allow the formation of chiral silyl nucleophiles as well as the synthesis of various chiral silicon compounds but the synthesis of such silicon-stereogenic silylboranes remains underdeveloped. Here, the authors report the synthesis of silicon-stereogenic optically active silylboranes via a stereospecific Si–H borylation of chiral hydrosilanes in high yield enantiospecificity [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Probiotics, beneficial bacteria with significant therapeutic potential, have gained attention for addressing a range of health issues, including gastrointestinal disorders, immune deficiencies, and mental health concerns. This article delves into the expression and purification of recombinant microbial enzymes to harness the therapeutic potential of probiotics. Probiotics offer promise in promoting overall well-being and preventing diseases through their ability to modulate immune responses and enhance gut health. They have proven effective in alleviating symptoms related to conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and antibiotic-associated diarrhea. These live microorganisms, when administered in sufficient quantities, restore gut flora balance and modulate immune responses. By engineering probiotics to produce therapeutic enzymes that aid digestion or regulate gut microbiota, they can significantly contribute to digestive health and mitigate IBS and IBD symptoms. The expression and purification of recombinant microbial enzymes play a crucial role in enhancing probiotics' therapeutic capabilities, enabling tailored treatments for various health challenges. In summary, probiotics represent a promising frontier in therapeutic microbiology and biotechnology. Their multifaceted benefits, when combined with recombinant microbial enzyme expression and purification, hold immense potential for advancing the field of therapeutic probiotics and improving human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This account describes the evolution of a research programme that started by linking fluoromethylene (−CHF−) groups along aliphatic chains and then progressing to alicyclic rings with contiguous fluorine atoms. Different stereoisomers of aliphatic chains tend to adopt low polarity conformations. In order to force polar conformations, the programme began to address ring systems and in particular cyclohexanes, to restrain conformational freedom and co‐aligned C−F bonds. The flagship molecule, all‐cis‐1,2,3,4,5,6‐hexafluorocyclohexane 7, emerged to be the most polar aliphatic compound recorded. The polarity arises because there are three co‐aligned triaxial C−F bonds and the six fluorines occupy one face of the ring. Conversely the electropositive hydrogens occupy the other face. These have been termed Janus face cyclohexanes after the Roman god with two faces. The review outlines progress by our group and others in preparing derivatives of the parent cyclohexane 7, in order to explore properties and potential applications of these Janus cyclohexanes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genesis of chirality and its link to the origin of life continue to intrigue scientists. Chirality also plays an important role in medicine with the advent of chiral drugs and the consequent importance of asymmetric synthesis. The configuration of a chiral molecule gets inverted in its mirror image, as is manifested by (i) sign of specific rotation and (ii) normally, through the absolute configurational notation (R/S). While the first parameter is always true, the second one, that is the mirror image relationship of R and S configurations, called the reflection variance, may not always hold good. In this manuscript, we have highlighted examples of molecules with combinations of central and axial or planar chirality where the mirror image relationship between R and S configurations does not hold. This reflection invariance originates from the CIP rule of R precedes S. Similar reflection invariance can be observed in P or M forms of conformations of some particular molecules with chiral ligands. Proposal to avoid such reflection invariances, has been put forward. An ignorance about the possibility of reflection invariance in enantiomeric molecules can lead to common mistakes about stereoisomeric relationship or reactivity profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuromorphic computing has the potential to further the success of software-based artificial neural networks (ANNs) by designing hardware from a different perspective. Current research in neuromorphic hardware targets dramatic improvements to ANN performance by increasing energy efficiency and speed of operation and even seeks to extend the utility of ANNs by natively adding functionality such as spiking operation. One promising neuromorphic hardware platform is based on superconductive electronics, which has the potential to incorporate all of these advantages at the device level in addition to offering the potential of near lossless communications both within the neuromorphic circuits and between disparate superconductive chips. Here, we explore one of the fundamental brain-inspired architecture components, the fan-in and fan-out as realized in superconductive circuits based on Josephson junctions. From our calculations and WRSPICE simulations, we find that the fan-out should be limited only by junction count and circuit size limitations, and we demonstrate results in simulation at a level of 1-to-10 000, similar to that of the human brain. We find that fan-in has more limitations, but a fan-in level on the order of a few 100-to-1 should be achievable based on current technology. We discuss our findings and the critical parameters that set the limits on fan-in and fan-out in the context of superconductive neuromorphic circuits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Planar chiral [2.2]paracyclophane derivatives are a type of structurally intriguing and practically useful chiral molecules, which have found a range of important applications in the field of asymmetric catalysis and material science. However, access to enantioenriched [2.2]paracyclophanes represents a longstanding challenge in organic synthesis due to their unique structures, which are still highly dependent on the chiral chromatography separation technique and classical chemical resolution strategy to date. In this work, we report on an efficient and versatile kinetic resolution protocol for various substituted amido[2.2]paracyclophanes, including those with pseudo-geminal, pseudo-ortho, pseudo-meta and pseudo-para disubstitutions, using chiral phosphoric acid (CPA)-catalyzed asymmetric amination reaction, which was also applicable to the enantioselective desymmetrization of an achiral diamido[2.2]paracyclophane. Detailed experimental studies shed light on a new reaction mechanism for the electrophilic aromatic C-H amination, which proceeded through sequential triazane formation and N[1,5]-rearrangement. The facile large-scale kinetic resolution reaction and diverse derivatizations of both the recovered chiral starting materials and the C-H amination products showcased the potential of this method. Planar chiral [2.2]paracyclophanes have found significant applications in various research fields. Here, Yang and coworkers report an efficient kinetic resolution method for various substituted amido[2.2]paracyclophanes via asymmetric C-H amination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green leaf volatiles (GLVs), including short chain volatile aldehydes, are widely used in the flavor and food industries because of their fresh aroma. To meet the growing demand for natural GLVs with high added value, the use of biocatalytic processes appears as a relevant application. In such processes, vegetable oils are bioconverted into GLVs. First, the triacylglycerols of the oils are hydrolyzed by a lipase. Then, the free polyunsaturated fatty acids are converted by a lipoxygenase. Finally, volatile C6 or C9 aldehydes and 9- or 12-oxoacids are produced with a hydroperoxide lyase. Optimization of each biocatalytic step must be achieved to consider a scale-up. In this study, three oils (sunflower, hempseed, and linseed oils) and three lipases (Candida rugosa, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Rhizomucor miehei lipases) have been tested to optimize the first step of the process. The experimental design and response surface methodology (RSM) were used to determine the optimal hydrolysis conditions for each oil. Five factors were considered, i.e., pH, temperature, reaction duration, enzyme load, and oil/aqueous ratio of the reaction mixture. Candida rugosa lipase was selected as the most efficient enzyme to achieve conversion of 96 ± 1.7%, 97.2 ± 3.8%, and 91.8 ± 3.2%, respectively, for sunflower, hempseed, and linseed oils under the defined optimized reaction conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The B3LYP/6-311g++(d,p), G3, and CBS-QB3 methods (DFT) have been used to calculate the free energy and equilibrium constants of the "chair"–"boat" conformational transition of cyclohexanone in the temperature range 298.15–428.15 K. The equilibrium composition of the chair and boat conformers of cyclohexanone has been calculated. It has been shown that with an increase in the proportion of the boat conformation, the selectivity of the process of cyclohexane oxidation to cyclohexanone decreases. The transition states of addition reactions of cyclohexyl hydroperoxide at the carbonyl group of cyclohexanone for chair and boat conformations have been found by the QST2 method. The energy profiles of these reactions have been calculated. It has been established that the addition of hydroperoxide to the carbonyl group of the boat conformation of the ketone is accompanied by a transition to the chair conformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tinospora cordifolia (TC) is one of the most versatile medicinal plants in Ayurvedic medicine used for the treatment of various ailments. The present study was carried out to investigate the in vitro cytotoxicity of the aqueous extract of TC stems on Dalton's lymphoma ascites (DLA) cell lines in comparison with a reference drug, cisplatin through 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-phenyl tetrazolium bromide assay (MTT) and Trypan blue dye exclusion methods. Phytochemical analysis of aqueous extract of TC revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, glycosides, phenols, anthraquinones, quinones, saponin, carbohydrates and proteins. The MTT assay revealed that the mean per cent inhibition of cells at the test concentrations of 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160, 320, 640 µg/mL ranged from 6.848 ±0.01 to 59.686 ±0.13 for TC extract and from 29.129 ±0.13 to 80.902 ±0.05 for cisplatin, respectively. The IC50values of TC and cisplatin in DLA cells were estimated to be 72.05 µg/mL and 65.44µg/mL respectively. Trypan blue dye exclusion revealed the mean per cent cell viability to be 59.40 ±0.04 and 55.17 ±0.01 for TC stem extract and cisplatin respectively. The mean percent cell viability and inhibition differed between TC extract and cisplatin at IC50 as well as at any given concentration significantly (p<0.01). The tests revealed that the cytotoxic effect of TC extract on DLA cells was moderate and to a comparable extent with cisplatin. The results pointed out that TC induced cytotoxicity in DLA cells indicative of its probable apoptotic potential and therapeutic merit in the treatment of lymphomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemosensory epithelial tuft cells contribute to innate immunity at barrier surfaces, but their differentiation from epithelial progenitors is not well understood. Here, we exploited differences between inbred mouse strains to identify an epithelium-intrinsic mechanism that regulates tuft cell differentiation and tunes innate type 2 immunity in the small intestine. Balb/cJ (Balb) mice had fewer intestinal tuft cells than C57BL/6J (B6) mice and failed to respond to the tuft cell ligand succinate. Most of this differential succinate response was determined by the 50- to 67-Mb interval of chromosome 9 (Chr9), such that congenic Balb mice carrying the B6 Chr9 interval had elevated baseline numbers of tuft cells and responded to succinate. The Chr9 locus includes Pou2af2, which encodes the protein OCA-T1, a transcriptional cofactor essential for tuft cell development. Epithelial crypts expressed a previously unannotated short isoform of Pou2af2 predicted to use a distinct transcriptional start site and encode a nonfunctional protein. Low tuft cell numbers and the resulting lack of succinate response in Balb mice were explained by a preferential expression of the short isoform and could be rescued by expression of full-length Pou2af2. Physiologically, Pou2af2 isoform usage tuned innate type 2 immunity in the small intestine. Balb mice maintained responsiveness to helminth pathogens while ignoring commensal Tritrichomonas protists and reducing norovirus burdens. Genetic variation in tuft cell levels: Tuft cells are specialized chemosensory epithelial cells that contribute to innate immune defenses in mucosal barrier tissues. Nadjsombati et al. found that, despite their type 2 immune bias, Balb/cJ (Balb) mice have fewer tuft cells than C57BL/6J mice in multiple tissues, including the small intestine. Using genetic mapping, the tuft cell defect was primarily attributed to a single recessive locus on chromosome 9 that included Pou2af2, which encodes the transcriptional co-factor OCA-T1 that is critical for tuft cell development. Balb mice expressed a short isoform of Pou2af2 predicted to encode a non-functional protein, and tuft cell levels could be recovered by expression of full-length Pou2af2 in organoids. Responses to intestinal commensal and pathogenic microbes were altered in Balb mice, highlighting that genetically regulated baseline tuft cell frequencies can tune innate immunity in the intestinal tract (see related Focus commentary by Wu et al.). —CO [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present electrical characterization data of sputtered Nb/a-Si/Nb Josephson junctions (JJs) for high-speed and high-density superconducting circuits. Junctions were studied with critical current densities ( J c ) ranging from 0.01 to 3 mA/μm2 at 4 K. For junctions deposited at room temperature and processed to a maximum temperature of 150 °C, the dependence of J c on barrier thickness d is exponential, J c ∝ exp (− d / d 0) , with d 0 constant over the entire range of J c values studied. Junctions were annealed at temperatures up to 300 °C to study changes in their electrical properties and possible compatibility with high temperature fabrication processes. Current–voltage characteristics, critical current uniformity, critical current modulation with in-plane magnetic field, and sub-gap resistance behavior of these junctions were measured at 4 K and demonstrate that the junction properties do not degrade with annealing. These data indicate that Nb/a-Si/Nb JJs are a potential candidate for higher speed and higher density superconducting circuits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]