Green and economic flame retardant prepared by the one-step method for polylactic acid

Resolving the flammability of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLA) while ensuring its environmental friendliness and preserving key flame retardancy and mechanical properties represents a critical challenge. We have successfully developed a highly efficient and environmentally friendly flame retardant called Hexamethylenediamine tetramethylene phosphonic acid amine (HDME). The flame retardancy of PLA/HDME composites was significantly improved, as indicated by the LOI value of 29.1 % and UL-94 V-0 rating for PLA/3.5 HDME with only 3.5 % HDME addition. The results show a 23.4 % reduction in the total heat release (THR), a 40.0 % increase in the time to ignition (TTI), and a 21.2 % increase in the flame propagation index (FPI) compared to original PLA. Flame retardant mechanism of HDME involves the gas phase, condensed phase, and interrupted heat exchange effects. The HDME also preserved the original mechanical properties of PLA, with the elongation at break and tensile strength retention of PLA/3.5 HDME reaching 93.05 % and 89.65 %. This work provides a simple and efficient method for flame retardant modification of PLA, which can expand its application scope.

Therapeutic Effect of Human Adipocyte-derived Stem Cell-derived Exosomes on a Transgenic Mouse Model of Parkinson's Disease

BACKGROUND/AIM

Stem cell therapy and regenerative medicine are promising for treating Parkinson's disease (PD) not only for the potential for cell replacement but also for the paracrine effect of stem cell secretion, especially proteins and nucleotide-enriched exosomes. This study investigated the neuroprotective effect of exosomes secreted from human adipocyte-derived stem cells (hADSCs) on PD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

hADSCs were isolated from the visceral fat tissue of individuals without PD who underwent bariatric surgery and were validated using surface markers and differentiation ability. Exosomes were isolated from the culture medium of hADSCs through serial ultracentrifugation and validated. Condensed exosomes were administered intravenously to 12-week-old MitoPark mice, transgenic parkinsonism mouse model with conditional knockout of mitochondrial transcription factor A in dopaminergic neurons, monthly for 3 months. Motor function, gait, and memory were assessed monthly, and immunohistochemical analysis of neuronal and inflammatory markers was performed at the end of the experiments.

RESULTS

The hADSC-derived exosome-treated mice exhibited better motor function in beam walking and gait analyses than did the untreated mice. In the novel object recognition tests, the exosome-treated mice retained better memory function. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that although exosome treatment did not prevent the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of mice, it down-regulated microglial activation and neuroinflammation in the midbrain.

CONCLUSION

hADSC-derived exosomes were neuroprotective in this in vivo mouse model of PD, likely because of their anti-inflammatory effect. Use of hADSC-derived exosomes may offer several beneficial effects in stem cell therapy. Since they can also be produced at an industrial level, they are a promising treatment option for PD and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Feasibility and Toxicity of Interval-Compressed Chemotherapy in Asian Children and Young Adults with Sarcoma

Twelve Asian patients with sarcoma received interval-compressed (ic-) chemotherapy scheduled every 14 days with a regimen of vincristine (2 mg/m²), doxorubicin (75 mg/m²), and cyclophosphamide (1200-2200 mg/m²) (VDC) alternating with a regimen of ifosfamide (9000 mg/m²) and etoposide (500 mg/m²) (IE), with filgrastim (5-10 mcg/kg/day) between cycles. Carboplatin (800 mg/m²) was added for CIC-rearranged sarcoma. The patients were treated with 129 cycles of ic-VDC/IE with a median interval of 19 days (interquartile range [IQR], 15-24 days. Median nadirs (IQR) were neutrophil count, 134 (30-396) × 10⁶/L at day 11 (10-12), recovery by day 15 (14-17) and platelet count, 35 (23-83) × 10⁹/L at day 11 (10-13), recovery by day 17 (14-21). Fever and bacteremia were observed in 36% and 8% of cycles, respectively. The diagnoses were Ewing sarcoma (6), rhabdomyosarcoma (3), myoepithelial carcinoma (1), malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (1), and CIC-DUX4 Sarcoma (1). Seven of the nine patients with measurable tumors responded (one CR and six PR). Interval-compressed chemotherapy is feasible in the treatment of Asian children and young adults with sarcomas.

What are the ideal systolic and diastolic blood pressure which do not injure the intima of iliac and coronary arteries?

 

For patients with coronary artery disease, hypertension (HTN) is a major risk factor. How could uncontrolled HTN start atherosclerosis? In our prior research, laminar flow in coronary arteries prevented the formation of plaques while turbulent flow injured the intima and triggered atherosclerosis. In this present study our question was: Which blood pressure (BP) level is optimal in not producing turbulence and so not injuring the intima?

Methods

At first, a systolic BP<120mmHg and diastolic BP<75mmHg) were arbitrarily set as controlled (group A) while a BP of >160/105mmHg as uncontrolled (group B). All patients underwent a dynamic coronary angiogram recorded at 15 images/second or 0.06 seconds per image. The first image was of the index artery completely filled with contrast. In subsequent images the blood in white color moved in over a background of black contrast (Figure 1A). In 1B, 0.06 seconds later, the blood arrived at the mid segment (white arrow). In 1C, the flood moved forward, however there was darker contrast hanging at the mid segment, marking the location of collision from the retrograde against the antegrade flow (white arrow). The reason was that in uncontrolled BP the contraction of the left ventricle was stronger so in systole, the coronary blood could reverse its course, run on a retrograde direction, collide against the antegrade flow and create turbulence (1C).

At the end, before deploying a vascular closure device, an iliac angiogram was performed. In Figure 2, on a black background of contrast, the blood in white color moved forward with a pointed tip of laminar flow. 0.06 seconds later, the laminar tip was stopped abruptly with all the layers recoiling on each other like a falling stack of dominoes. In the next image. a large swirl of disorganized mixing of blood and contrast suggested the presence of turbulence caused by the collision.

The data to be collected were (1) the duration of the antegrade and retrograde flow, (2) duration of the collision (turbulence at the collision site)

Results

In the group A (BP <120/75 mmHg), 90% of 20 patients had no retrograde flow nor collision in the iliac and short collision in coronary arteries (<0.12 secs). In 30 patients of group B (BP >160/105 mmHg), the duration of retrograde flow and collision in the iliac artery were prolonged at >0.24 msecs. In the coronary arteries, the duration was prolonged at 0.18 msecs (all p<0.05 compared with group A). These locations of turbulence correlated with the location of plaques in our prior studies.

Conclusion

In patients with uncontrolled HTN, the retrograde flow was prolonged, and the turbulence was intense. In contrary, for patients with controlled BP, there was no retrograde flow and weaker collision in coronary arteries. The results suggest that a BP of <120/75 mmHg may not trigger the atherosclerotic process. New clinical trials with larger number of patients should be performed in search for the lowest ideal blood pressure.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

CRISPR/Cas9 system in breast cancer therapy: advancement, limitations and future scope

Cancer is one of the major causes of mortality worldwide, therefore it is considered a major health concern. Breast cancer is the most frequent type of cancer which affects women on a global scale. Various current treatment strategies have been implicated for breast cancer therapy that includes surgical removal, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted biological therapy. However, constant effort is being made to introduce novel therapies with minimal toxicity. Gene therapy is one of the promising tools, to rectify defective genes and cure various cancers. In recent years, a novel genome engineering technology, namely the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-associated protein-9 (Cas9) has emerged as a gene-editing tool and transformed genome-editing techniques in a wide range of biological domains including human cancer research and gene therapy. This could be attributed to its versatile characteristics such as high specificity, precision, time-saving and cost-effective methodologies with minimal risk. In the present review, we highlight the role of CRISPR/Cas9 as a targeted therapy to tackle drug resistance, improve immunotherapy for breast cancer.

Brain injury and inflammation genes common to a number of neurological diseases and the genes involved in the genesis of GABAnergic neurons are altered in monoamine oxidase B knockout mice

Monoamine oxidase B (MAO B) oxidizes trace amine phenylethylamine (PEA), and neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine in the brain. We reported previously that PEA levels increased significantly in all brain regions, but serotonin and dopamine levels were unchanged in MAO B knockout (KO) mice. PEA and dopamine are both synthesized from phenylalanine by aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase in dopaminergic neurons in the striatum. A high concentration of PEA in the striatum may cause dopaminergic neuronal death in the absence of MAO B. We isolated the RNA from brain tissue of MAO B KO mice (2-month old) and age-matched wild type (WT) male mice and analyzed the altered genes by Affymetrix microarray. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in MAO B KO compared to WT mice were analyzed by Partek Genomics Suite, followed by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) to assess their functional relationships. DEGs in MAO B KO mice are involved in brain inflammation and the genesis of GABAnergic neurons. The significant DEGs include four brain injury or inflammation genes (upregulated: Ido1, TSPO, AVP, Tdo2), five gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors (down-regulated: GABRA2, GABRA3, GABRB1, GABRB3, GABRG3), five transcription factors related to adult neurogenesis (upregulated: Wnt7b, Hes5; down-regulated: Pax6, Tcf4, Dtna). Altered brain injury and inflammation genes in MAO B knockout mice are involved in various neurological disorders: attention deficit hyperactive disorder, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, autism, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson's diseases, Alzheimer's disease, bipolar affective disorder. Many were commonly involved in these disorders, indicating that there are overlapping molecular pathways.

A Novel Signature of CCNF-Associated E3 Ligases Collaborate and Counter Each Other in Breast Cancer

Simple Summary

The dysregulation of UPS exacerbates the tumor microenvironment and drives malignant transformation. As the largest family of E3 ligases, the SCF^F-boxes promotes BRCA progression. FBXL8 was recently identified to be a novel SCF E3 ligase that potently promotes BRCA. Here, we profiled the transcriptome of BRCA patient tissues by global NGS RNA-Seq and TCGA database analyses. A signature of four SCF^F-box E3 ligases (FBXL8, FBXO43, FBXO15, CCNF) was found to be pivotal for BRCA advancement. Knockdown of FBXL8 and FBXO43 reduced cancer cell viability and proliferation, suggesting their pro-tumorigenic roles. However, the overexpression of CCNF inhibited cancer cell progression, indicating its anti-tumorigenic role. FBXL8 and FZR1 pulled down CCNF, and double knockdown of FBXL8 and FZR1 caused CCNF accumulation. Additionally, CCNF partnered with a pro-tumorigenic factor, RRM2, and overexpression of CCNF reduced RRM2. Our findings suggest a potential for drugging CCNF in co-modulatory partnership with FBXL8 and FZR1, for anti-BRCA therapy.

Abstract

Breast cancer (BRCA) malignancy causes major fatalities amongst women worldwide. SCF (Skp1-cullin-F-box proteins) E3 ubiquitin ligases are the most well-known members of the ubiquitination–proteasome system (UPS), which promotes cancer initiation and progression. Recently, we demonstrated that FBXL8, a novel F-box protein (SCF^F-boxes) of SCF E3 ligase, accelerates BRCA advancement and metastasis. Since SCF^F-boxes is a key component of E3 ligases, we hypothesized that other SCF^F-boxes besides FBXL8 probably collaborate in regulating breast carcinogenesis. In this study, we retrospectively profiled the transcriptome of BRCA tissues and found a notable upregulation of four SCF^F-box E3 ligases (FBXL8, FBXO43, FBXO15, and CCNF) in the carcinoma tissues. Similar to FBXL8, the knockdown of FBXO43 reduced cancer cell viability and proliferation, suggesting its pro-tumorigenic role. The overexpression of CCNF inhibited cancer cell progression, indicating its anti-tumorigenic role. Unexpectedly, CCNF protein was markedly downregulated in BRCA tissues, although its mRNA level was high. We showed that both E3 ligases, FBXL8 and FZR1, pulled down CCNF. Double knockdown of FBXL8 and FZR1 caused CCNF accumulation. On the other hand, CCNF itself pulled down a tumorigenic factor, RRM2, and CCNF overexpression reduced RRM2. Altogether, we propose a signature network of E3 ligases that collaboratively modulates CCNF anti-cancer activity. There is potential to target BRCA through modulation of the partnership axes of (i) CCNF-FBXL8, (ii) CCNF-FZR1, and (iii) CCNF-RRM2, particularly, via CCNF overexpression and activation and FBXL8/FZR1 suppression.

Human FBXL8 Is a Novel E3 Ligase Which Promotes BRCA Metastasis by Stimulating Pro-Tumorigenic Cytokines and Inhibiting Tumor Suppressors

The initiation and progression of breast cancer (BRCA) is associated with inflammation and immune-overactivation, which is critically modulated by the E3 ubiquitin ligase. However, the underlying mechanisms and key factors involved in BRCA formation and disease advancement remains under-explored. By retrospective studies of BRCA patient tissues; and gene knockdown and gain/loss-of-function studies, we uncovered a novel E3 ligase, FBXL8, in BRCA. A signature expression profile of F-box factors that specifically target and degrade proteins involved in cell death/survival, was identified. FBXL8 emerged as a prominent member of the F-box factors. Ex vivo analysis of 1349 matched BRCA tissues indicated that FBXL8 promotes cell survival and tumorigenesis, and its level escalates with BRCA progression. Knockdown of FBXL8 caused: (i) intrinsic apoptosis, (ii) inhibition of cell migration and invasion, (iii) accumulation of two tumor-suppressors, CCND2 and IRF5, and (iv) downregulation of cancer-promoting cytokines/chemokines; all of which curtailed the tumor microenvironment and displayed potential to suppress cancer progression. Co-IP study suggests that two tumor-suppressors, CCND2 and IRF5 are part of the immune-complex of FBXL8. The protein levels of CCND2 and IRF5 inversely correlated with FBXL8 expression, implying that FBXL8 E3 ligase was associated with the degradation of CCND2 and IRF5. Altogether, we propose the exploitation of the ubiquitin signaling axis of FBXL8-CCND2-IRF5 for anti-cancer strategies and potential therapeutics.

The Role of Active Engagement of Peer Observation in the Acquisition of Surgical Skills in Virtual Reality Tasks for Novices

OBJECTIVE

Peer-assisted learning has been regarded as an adjunct to teaching modalities. It remains inconclusive regarding the benefits of peer observation in skills learning. Hence, we investigated whether the active engagement (AE) of peer observation in addition to expert demonstration would facilitate the performance in the virtual reality (VR) tasks.

SETTING/DESIGN

The programs involved 4 VR tasks including basic (camera targeting), intermediate (energy dissection and energy switching), and advanced (suture sponge) tasks in the da Vinci Skills Simulators, which were set up in the operating room at Taipei Medical University Hospital. Fifty medical students participated in the study. The AE of the participants was defined as the total number of peer observations in addition to expert observation before their performance. We assessed the correlations between AE and surgical task performance using Pearson correlation and the concept of learning analytics.

PARTICIPANTS

Medical students (sixth-year students in Taiwan, equivalent to fourth-year students in the US system) from Taipei Medical University were recruited.

RESULTS

AE was correlated with the energy dissection task (r = 0.329, p = 0.02) and marginally associated with the energy switching task (r = 0.271, p = 0.057). However, AE was not correlated with either task scores for camera targeting (r = 0.096, p = 0.509) or task scores for suture sponge (r = -0.091, p = 0.529).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that AE of peer observation may facilitate learning energy dissection task, which is an intermediate-level task, but not in other basic or advanced tasks in a VR context. The study highlights the potential effect of AE of peer observation on surgical learning based on a distinct level of tasks. Tasks that fit the learners' level are recommended. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of peer observation on surgical training still has to be explored to ensure favorable results and optimal learning outcomes.

Luminescence properties and optimized structural conformations of the S0, S1 and T1 states of a tetranuclear formamidinate complex based on AuI and AgI metal ions

N,N′-Bis(pyridin-4-yl)formamidine (4-pyfH) was reacted with AuI and AgI metal salts to form a novel tetranuclear complex, tetrakis[μ-N,N′-bis(pyridin-4-yl)formamidinato]digold(I)disilver(I), [Ag2Au2(C11H9N4)2] or [Au x Ag4–x (4-pyf)4] (x = 0–4), 1, which is supported by its metallophilicity. Due to the potential permutation of the coordinated metal ions, six different canonical structures of 1 can be obtained. Complex 1 shows an emission at 501 nm upon excitation at 375 nm in the solid state and an emission at 438 nm upon excitation at 304 nm when dispersed in methanol. Time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations confirmed that these emissions can be ascribed to metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) processes. Moreover, the calculations of the optimized structural conformations of the S0 ground state, and the S1 and T1 excited states are discussed and suggest a distorted planar conformation for the tetranuclear Au2Ag2 complex.

Surgical outcomes of robotic transanal minimally invasive surgery for selected rectal neoplasms: A single-hospital experience

BACKGROUND

Rectal neoplasm is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Screening programs for rectal neoplasm result in early diagnosis and a decrease in disease-related mortality and morbidity. In selected patients, early rectal cancer may be treated with local excision. Owing to poor exposure during conventional transanal excision, transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) was developed, and TAMIS is feasible for the local excision of selected rectal neoplasms. However, the limited range of motion is a major disadvantage of this operation. Therefore, robotic TAMIS was developed to resolve this issue. This paper describes the surgical outcomes of robotic TAMIS for selected rectal tumors.

METHODS

The eligibility criteria for robotic TAMIS were as follows: benign neoplasms, early malignancy, complete remission after concurrent chemoradiotherapy, lesions located in the middle or lower rectum, and a lesion size of less than 5 cm. To gain access to the anal canal, a transanal access platform was used, and the da Vinci robotic system was mounted for surgery. Patient characteristics and surgical outcomes were recoded.

RESULTS

A total of 23 patients were included, and the median tumor size was 2.5 cm (range: 1.1-4.5 cm) on average. The median tumor location was 5 cm (range: 2-8 cm) from the anal verge. The median length of hospital stay was 3 days (range: 1-10 days). No intraoperative complications were reported, and no patient readmission occurred. The median follow-up period was 9.6 months. No recurrent lesion was found in the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

Based on the short-term results, robotic TAMIS is a feasible and safe technique for the local excision of selected rectal neoplasms.

Oxidative Stress and Cardiovascular Risk in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: Insights From the DCCT/EDIC Study

Background

Hyperglycemia leading to increased oxidative stress is implicated in the increased risk for the development of macrovascular and microvascular complications in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Methods and Results

A random subcohort of 349 participants was selected from the DCCT / EDIC (Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications) cohort. This included 320 controls and 29 cardiovascular disease cases that were augmented with 98 additional known cases to yield a case cohort of 447 participants (320 controls, 127 cases). Biosamples from DCCT baseline, year 1, and closeout of DCCT , and 1 to 2 years post‐ DCCT ( EDIC years 1 and 2) were measured for markers of oxidative stress, including plasma myeloperoxidase, paraoxonase activity, urinary F 2α isoprostanes, and its metabolite, 2,3 dinor‐8 iso prostaglandin F 2α . Following adjustment for glycated hemoblobin and weighting the observations inversely proportional to the sampling selection probabilities, higher paraoxonase activity, reflective of antioxidant activity, and 2,3 dinor‐8 iso prostaglandin F 2α , an oxidative marker, were significantly associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease (−4.5% risk for 10% higher paraoxonase, P <0.003; −5.3% risk for 10% higher 2,3 dinor‐8 iso prostaglandin F 2α , P =0.0092). In contrast, the oxidative markers myeloperoxidase and F 2α isoprostanes were not significantly associated with cardiovascular disease after adjustment for glycated hemoblobin. There were no significant differences between DCCT intensive and conventional treatment groups in the change in all biomarkers across time segments.

Conclusions

Heightened antioxidant activity (rather than diminished oxidative stress markers) is associated with lower cardiovascular disease risk in type 1 diabetes mellitus, but these biomarkers did not change over time with intensification of glycemic control.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL : https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifiers: NCT 00360815 and NCT 00360893.

The Effectiveness of a Simulation-Based Flipped Classroom in the Acquisition of Laparoscopic Suturing Skills in Medical Students-A Pilot Study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of a simulation-based flipped classroom in gaining the laparoscopic skills in medical students.

DESIGN

An intervention trial.

SETTING

Taipei Medical University Hospital, an academic teaching hospital.

PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS

Fifty-nine medical students participating in a 1-hour laparoscopic skill training session were randomly assigned to a conventional classroom (n = 29) or a flipped classroom approach (n = 30) based on their registered order. At the end of the session, instructors assessed participants' performance in laparoscopic suturing and intracorporeal knot-tying using the assessment checklist based on a modified Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills tool.

RESULTS

Students in the flipped group completed more numbers of stitches (mean [M] = 0.47; standard deviation [SD] = 0.507) than those in the conventional group (M = 0.10; SD = 0.310) (mean difference: 0.37; 95% CI: 0.114-582; p = 0.002). Moreover, students in the flipped group also had higher stitch quality scores (M = 7.17; SD = 2.730) than those in the conventional group (M = 5.14; SD = 1.767) (mean difference = 2.03; 95% CI: 0.83-3.228; p = 0.001). Meanwhile, students in the flipped group had higher pass rates for the second throw (p < 0.001), third throw (p = 0.002), appropriate tissue reapproximation without loosening or strangulation (p < 0.001), needle cut from suture under direct visualization (p = 0.004), and needle safely removed under direct visualization (p = 0.018) than those in the conventional group.

CONCLUSIONS

Comparing with traditional approach, a simulation-based flipped classroom approach may improve laparoscopic intracorporeal knot-tying skill acquisition in medical students.

Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans of the Breast

Background

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is an uncommon, locally aggressive but rarely metastasizing tumor of the deep dermis and subcutaneous tissue. It may occur at almost any site but is most common in the trunk and extremities. Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans of the breast has been rarely reported.

Case Presentation

A 49-year-old woman without a significant medical history presented with a right breast mass that had been present for more than 10 years. Recently, progressive enlargement of the mass was noted. Physical examination showed a firm, well-defined, non-tender, mobile, erythematous 2 × 2 cm mass in the upper outer part of the right breast. Breast sonography showed a 2.3 × 1 cm slightly heteroechoic nodule with uneven anterior contours located in the dermal layer, highly suggestive of a dermal lesion. Wide excision of the mass was performed. Microscopically, the hypercellular tumor was composed of relatively monomorphic spindle cells forming a storiform pattern around the sweat glands of the deep dermis and the subcutaneous fat vacuoles. The tumor cells showed strong immunoreactivity for CD34. The final histological diagnosis was dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.

Conclusions

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans of the breast, though uncommon, does exist. With the awareness of this entity can a prompt diagnosis be made and the disease be properly managed.

Mammographic Microcalcification in an Autogenously Reconstructed Breast Simulating Recurrent Carcinoma

Breast cancer is a common cancer among women. The transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap is a popular option because not only does it provide a breast with satisfactory bulk composed of autogenous tissue but it also provides an abdominal dermolipectomy to the patient. Fat necrosis remains a common problem following TRAM flap reconstruction, occurring in 10% to 36% of patients undergoing the procedure. A 44-year-old woman underwent a modified radical mastectomy followed by pedicled TRAM flap reconstruction after 5 months. Follow-up mammography 27 months after TRAM flap reconstruction showed a cluster of microcalcifications in the deep retroareolar area and recurrent breast carcinoma was highly suspected. Physical examination did not detect any abnormality of the reconstructed breast. Stereotactic hook localization was performed and an excisional biopsy was successfully done. The histological features of the resected specimens corresponded to fat necrosis change. Only with the awareness of the existence of such entity and careful follow-up can the occurrence of fat necrosis in TRAM flap reconstructed breasts be accurately detected and appropriately treated.

Sensor, Signal, and Imaging Informatics

Objective: To summarize significant contributions to sensor, signal, and imaging informatics published in 2016. Methods: We conducted an extensive search using PubMed® and Web of Science® to identify the scientific contributions published in 2016 that addressed sensors, signals, and imaging in medical informatics. The three section editors selected 15 candidate best papers by consensus. Each candidate article was reviewed by the section editors and at least two other external reviewers. The final selection of the six best papers was conducted by the editorial board of the Yearbook. Results: The selected papers of 2016 demonstrate the important scientific advances in management and analysis of sensor, signal, and imaging information. Conclusion: The growing volume of signal and imaging data provides exciting new challenges and opportunities for research in medical informatics. Evolving technologies provide faster and more effective approaches for pattern recognition and diagnostic evaluation. The papers selected here offer a small glimpse of the high-quality scientific work published in 2016 in the domain of sensor, signal, and imaging informatics.

Hg(II) Coordination Polymers Based on N,N'-bis(pyridine-4-yl)formamidine

Reactions of N,N’-bis(pyridine-4-yl)formamidine (4-Hpyf) with HgX₂ (X = Cl, Br, and I) afforded the formamidinate complex {[Hg(4-pyf)₂]·(THF)}_n, 1, and the formamidine complexes {[HgX₂(4-Hpyf)]·(MeCN)}_n (X = Br, 2; I, 3), which have been structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. Complex 1 is a 2D layer with the {4⁴·6²}-sql topology and complexes 2 and 3 are helical chains. While the helical chains of 2 are linked through N–H···Br hydrogen bonds, those of 3 are linked through self-complementary double N–H···N hydrogen bonds, resulting in 2D supramolecular structures. The 4-pyf- ligands of 1 coordinate to the Hg(II) ions through one pyridyl and one adjacent amine nitrogen atoms and the 4-Hpyf ligands of 2 and 3 coordinate to the Hg(II) ions through two pyridyl nitrogen atoms, resulting in new bidentate binding modes. Complexes 1–3 provide a unique opportunity to envisage the effect of the halide anions of the starting Hg(II) salts on folding and unfolding the Hg(II) coordination polymers. Density function theory (DFT) calculation indicates that the emission of 1 is due to intraligand π→π * charge transfer between two different 4-pyf- ligands, whereas those of 2 and 3 can be ascribed to the charge transfer from non-bonding p-type orbitals of the halide anions to π * orbitals of the 4-pyf- ligands (n→π *). The gas sorption properties of the desolvated product of 1 are compared with the Cu analogues to show that the nature of the counteranion and the solvent-accessible volume are important in determining their adsorption capability.

Dinitrogen-supported coordination polymers

Two novel three-dimensional dinitrogen-supported coordination polymers adopting the (5³·7³)₂(5⁴·8²) and (5³)₄(5⁸·6⁴·7⁸·8⁴·9⁴)₂-3,8T16 topologies are reported.

Structural directing roles of isomeric phenylenediacetate ligands in the formation of coordination networks based on flexible N,N′-di(3-pyridyl)suberoamide

A 5-fold cds net and 1D network with a new mode of entanglement were formed from N,N′-di(3-pyridyl)suberoamide with Cu(ii) salts.

Crystal-to-crystal transformations and photoluminescence changes in the Cu(i) coordination networks based on a formamidinate ligand

While the syn-complexes show broad emission bands, those of the anti-complexes are not detectable, indicating that cuprophilicity is unlikely to play a significant role in determining the emission.

Stepwise formation of heteronuclear coordination networks based on quadruple-bonded dimolybdenum units containing formamidinate ligands

The first 2D and 3D heteronuclear coordination networks based on quadruple-bonded dimolybdenum units containing formamidinate ligands are reported.

The pore-forming protein Cry5B elicits the pathogenicity of Bacillus sp. against Caenorhabditis elegans

The soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis is a pathogen of insects and nematodes and is very closely related to, if not the same species as, Bacillus cereus and Bacillus anthracis. The defining characteristic of B. thuringiensis that sets it apart from B. cereus and B. anthracis is the production of crystal (Cry) proteins, which are pore-forming toxins or pore-forming proteins (PFPs). Although it is known that PFPs are important virulence factors since their elimination results in reduced virulence of many pathogenic bacteria, the functions by which PFPs promote virulence are incompletely understood. Here we study the effect of Cry proteins in B. thuringiensis pathogenesis of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. We find that whereas B. thuringiensis on its own is not able to infect C. elegans, the addition of the PFP Cry protein, Cry5B, results in a robust lethal infection that consumes the nematode host in 1–2 days, leading to a “Bob” or bag-of-bacteria phenotype. Unlike other infections of C. elegans characterized to date, the infection by B. thuringiensis shows dose-dependency based on bacterial inoculum size and based on PFP concentration. Although the infection process takes 1–2 days, the PFP-instigated infection process is irreversibly established within 15 minutes of initial exposure. Remarkably, treatment of C. elegans with Cry5B PFP is able to instigate many other Bacillus species, including B. anthracis and even “non-pathogenic” Bacillus subtilis, to become lethal and infectious agents to C. elegans. Co-culturing of Cry5B-expressing B. thuringiensis with B. anthracis can result in lethal infection of C. elegans by B. anthracis. Our data demonstrate that one potential property of PFPs is to sensitize the host to bacterial infection and further that C. elegans and probably other roundworms can be common hosts for B. cereus-group bacteria, findings with important ecological and research implications.