Cobalt speciation and phytoavailability in fluvo-aquic soil under treatments of spent mushroom substrate from Pleurotus ostreatus

Abstract

Cobalt (Co) is a nutrient for soil microorganisms and crops, as well as a worldwide industrial pollutant. When the level of Co exceeds the acceptable limit, this heavy metal can lead to devastating consequences for soil environments. There is considerable attention and concern about elevated levels of Co contaminating soil and crops. Spent mushroom substrate (SMS) is a potential amendment for the adsorption of pollutants, which has potential for resolving Co-polluted soil that spans the world. To investigate the environmental behavior and risks associated with Co in fluvo-aquic soil under specific treatments of SMS from Pleurotus ostreatus, a lab-scale pot experiment was conducted. SMS and exogenous Co were added to soil, which was retained for approximately 30 days. Pakchois (Brassica chinensis L.) were planted in the treated soil for 28 days until harvest. The Co speciation in soil (modified BCR sequential extraction) and Co accumulation in pakchoi tissue were studied. When the SMS concentration was within a range of 0 to 9 g kg⁻¹ (total amount = 0 to 2.7 g), Co in the acid-soluble fraction was transformed to the oxidizable fraction in soil, resulting from the mesh structure on the surface of SMS, as well as the amide and carboxyl in the SMS molecular structure. In this situation, the Co accumulation levels in the pakchois decreased significantly (P < 0.05), indicating the efficacy of SMS for reducing Co phytoavailability. However, when the SMS concentration reached 12 g kg⁻¹, the phytoavailability increased again (P < 0.05). When the SMS concentration ranged from 8.86 to 9.51 g kg⁻¹, the Co phytoavailability in soil reached a minimum, while the biomass of pakchoi reached a maximum. Conclusively, SMS from Pleurotus ostreatus are effective for reducing the Co phytoavailability, as well as for reducing the chance of Co transferring into a human's body through crops (i.e., food consumption). In order to achieve the optimum efficacy, the SMS concentration in soil should be maintained at a range of 8.86 to 9.51 g kg⁻¹.

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Experimental evolution: its principles and applications in developing stress-tolerant yeasts

Abstract

Stress tolerance and resistance in industrial yeast strains are important attributes for cost-effective bioprocessing. The source of stress-tolerant yeasts ranges from extremophilic environments to laboratory engineered strains. However, industrial stress-tolerant yeasts are very rare in nature as the natural environment forces them to evolve traits that optimize survival and reproduction and not the ability to withstand harsh habitat-irrelevant industrial conditions. Experimental evolution is a frequent method used to uncover the mechanisms of evolution and microbial adaption towards environmental stresses. It optimizes biological systems by means of adaptation to environmental stresses and thus has immense power of development of robust stress-tolerant yeasts. This mini-review briefly outlines the basics and implications of evolution experiments and their applications to industrial biotechnology. This work is meant to serve as an introduction to those new to the field of experimental evolution, and as a guide to biologists working in the field of yeast stress response. Future perspectives of experimental evolution for potential biotechnological applications have also been elucidated.

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Gall bladder activity on technetium99m-ethylenedicysteine renogram masquerading as ectopic kidney

Sailaja Aka, J Sai Moulika, VS Krishna Mohan, R Ramya Priya, Ranadheer Manthri, TC Kalawat

Indian Journal of Nuclear Medicine 2019 34(1):57-59

99mTc-EC (Technetium-99m-ethylenedicysteine) is a renal tubular imaging agent introduced as an alternative to 99mTc-MAG3 (Technetium-99m-mercaptoacetyltriglycine) (1). This radiopharmaceutical can be easily labeled at room temperature and has high radiochemical purity and long stability for at least 8 h. Within 1 h 70% of 99mTc-EC is excreted in the urine (2). 99mTc-EC provides the same Scintigraphic information as 99mTc-MAG3. The Hepato biliary excretion of 99mTc-EC is very low and usually does not affect image interpretation on routine imaging, the possibility of visualization of the gall bladder should be kept in mind while reporting the 99mTc-EC renogram (1). We present a case of 99mTc-EC renogram, a suspected case of hypoplastic/ectopic right kidney, to look for ectopic kidney. In this case, there was unexpected visualization of gallbladder in delayed images. We herewith present this case, so that physician should be careful while reporting 99mTc-EC renogram, as there may be chances for gall bladder to be masquerading as Ectopic kidney.

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Thyroid plasmacytoma: A rare cause of hoarseness of voice

Kamal Kant Sahu, Priya Singh, Pankaj Malhotra, Radhika Srinivasan

Indian Journal of Nuclear Medicine 2019 34(1):78-80



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Correlation of maximum standardized uptake values in 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography scan with immunohistochemistry and other prognostic factors in breast cancer

Zakir Ali Abubakar, Naveen Kumar Reddy Akepati, Prathyusha Bikkina

Indian Journal of Nuclear Medicine 2019 34(1):10-13

Objectives: The objective of this study was to correlate maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) with different immunohistochemical subtypes of breast cancer and other prognostic factors in breast cancer. Subjects and Methods: This was a retrospective study including 219 consecutive patients undergoing whole-body fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography scan for the staging of breast cancer. Out of 219 patients, two were male and 217 were female; age ranged from 26 to 85 years with mean age of 54 years. On histopathological examination (HPE), 197 patients were of invasive ductal carcinoma type and two of lobular type. Histopathological grades, immunohistochemistry (IHC) types, and ki-67 values were compared with SUVmax values. Results: The mean SUVmax of the population was 11.39 (±6.05). The mean SUVmax in different HPE grades was Grade 1 = 6.81 ± 5.6, Grade 2 = 11.4 ± 6.12, and Grade 3 = 13.14 ± 5. The mean SUVmax values in different IHC types were Luminal A = 7.75 ± 4.2, Luminal B = 10.01 ± 5.3, triple negative = 15.26 ± 5.6, and HER2 enriched = 11.27 ± 5.2. The mean SUVmax in high ki-67 patients was 11.97 ± 5.85 compared with 7.25 ± 3.43 patients with low ki-67. Univariate analysis showed significant difference in SUVmax in patients with different grades (P = 0.013), hormone receptor positivity (P ≤ 0.001), ki-67 (P < 0.001), and axillary lymph node positivity (P ≤ 0.001). In multivariate regression analysis, there was significantly higher SUVmax value in triple-negative patients after correcting for tumor size, ki-67 value, axillary lymph node status, and grade of tumor. Conclusion: High SUVmax values were noted in high-grade, high ki-67, triple-negative, and axillary lymph node positive tumors.

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Recurrent 99mTc sestamibi emboli in the lungs revealed on consecutive rest and stress single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography myocardial perfusion images

Salih Ozguven, Ceren Ozge Engur, Kevser Oksuzoglu, Tunc Ones, Tanju Yusuf Erdil

Indian Journal of Nuclear Medicine 2019 34(1):69-70

Many causes of incidental focal uptake on raw data images using myocardial perfusion imaging, including malignant diseases, metastatic processes, benign pathologies, and physiological conditions, have been reported in the literature. However, iatrogenic 99mTc sestamibi emboli have not yet been reported. Herein, we demonstrated iatrogenic 99mTc sestamibi embolization on consecutive rest and stressed myocardial perfusion images at different locations.

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Molecular imaging to the surgeons rescue: Gallium-68 DOTA-exendin-4 positron emission tomography-computed tomography in pre-operative localization of insulinomas

UN Pallavi, Vindhya Malasani, Ishita Sen, Parul Thakral, Sugandha Dureja, Vineet Pant, Vinay Samuel Gaikwad, Arvind Sabharwal

Indian Journal of Nuclear Medicine 2019 34(1):14-18

Background: Insulinoma is an islet-cell neoplasm that secretes insulin. It is usually localized to the pancreas and is often the most common cause of endogenous hyperinsulinemic hypoglycaemia in non-diabetic adult patients. Surgical excision with a curative intent is the standard modality of treatment, and it requires precise localization of tumor tissue. Ga-68 DOTA-exendin-4 PET/CT scan is a clinically reasonable and sensitive scan for the identification of insulinoma. The aim of this prospective cohort study was to determine the overall accuracy of Ga-68 DOTA-exendin-4 PET/CT scan in the detection of insulinoma. Materials and Methods: Eight patients with fasting hyperinsulinemic hypoglycaemia with neuroglycopenic symptoms were enrolled in this study which was conducted during October 2016 to October 2017. Whole body PET/CT scan was performed on a Philips time of flight PET/CT scanner, 60 minutes after injection of Ga-68 DOTA-exendin-4 (and also Ga-68 DOTANOC). The imaging findings were compared to the histopathological diagnosis in six out of eight patients and to subsequent follow up in the remaining two patients who did not undergo surgery. Results: The sensitivity of Ga-68 DOTA-Exendin-4 PET/CT scan in insulinoma detection was found to be 75%. Conclusion: Ga-68 DOTA-Exendin-4 PET/CT scan is highly sensitive for identification and exact localization of insulinoma which can guide better surgical exploration. However, randomised controlled trials are needed to assess the accuracy of Ga-68 DOTA-Exendin PET/CT scan in localization of insulinoma.

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F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in the evaluation of intradiploic epidermoid cyst

Suma Tammineni Medara, Ranadheer G Manthri, Krishna Mohan VS, Mehabunnisa Shaik, Tek Chand Kalawat

Indian Journal of Nuclear Medicine 2019 34(1):51-53

Epidermoid cysts are benign rare congenital cysts which typically present between 3rd and 5th decade of life. They mostly arise from cerebellopontine angle or parasellar region, but sporadic cases arise from cranial dipole. Here, we present a case of 42-year-old female with painful soft swelling in the left frontal region, which on F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography–computed tomography is well-circumscribed non-FDG avid lesion. The patient underwent total resection of the cyst, and the defect produced by space-occupying lesion was repaired by cranioplasty.

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Impact of body mass index on gates method of glomerular filtration rate estimation: A comparative study with single plasma sample method

Amit Nautiyal, Anirban Mukherjee, Deepanjan Mitra, Piyali Chatterjee, Anindya Roy

Indian Journal of Nuclear Medicine 2019 34(1):19-23

Purpose of the Study: This study aims to compare glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimated by Gates method using gamma camera (GC) with single plasma sample method (SPSM) in people with normal and abnormal body mass index (BMI) using SPSM as gold standard. Materials and Methods: It was single-center prospective study including 60 voluntary kidney donors. Technetium-99m labeled Diethylene Triamine Pentaacetic Acid (99mTc-DTPA) was administered intravenous under GC. GFR was calculated using Gates Method. After the scan, the subjects were called again after 180 min of injection of 99m Tc-DTPA. Then, a 3 ml venous blood sample was obtained from the contralateral arm. Russell's formula was used to determine the GFR by SPSM. Results: Mean GFR calculated by SPSM and Gates' method, was 94.0 ± 15.2 ml/min/1.73 m2 and 87.3 ± 16 ml/min/1.73 m2 respectively. Moderate correlation noted between two methods (r = 0.71, P < 0.0001). Significant correlation noted between GFR calculated by SPSM and Gates method in people with normal BMI (r = 0.92) with no significant statistical difference (P = 0.8). However, only moderate correlation noted between GFR calculated by SPSM and Gates method in people with BMI outside normal range (r = 0.71) with a significant statistical difference (P = 0.0002). Conclusion: Gates method of GFR estimation using GC shows significant correlation with plasma sample technique in people with normal BMI. In people with BMI outside normal range, it significantly underestimates GFR.

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Cherubism: A rare fibro-osseous disorder characterized and diagnosed by one stop imaging with Technetium-99m methylene diphosphonate bone scintigraphy integrated with single-photon emission computed tomography-computed tomography

Jaykanth Amalachandran, Thangalakshmi Sivathapandi, Shelley Simon, Indirani Elangoven, Patel Asra, Nikita S Rao, Meetashree Nayak

Indian Journal of Nuclear Medicine 2019 34(1):62-65

Cherubism, a rare hereditary fibro-osseous lesion characterized by painless expansion of jaws, starts early in life manifesting itself fully in the second decade of life and is almost regressed in the third decade. Here, we report a sporadic case of Cherubism with clinico-radiological and scintigraphic presentation of its classical features for its disease rarity and single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography findings with review the literature.

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Evaluation of acceptance angle in iodine-131 single photon emission computed tomography imaging with monte carlo simulation

Hicham Asmi, Farida Bentayeb, Youssef Bouzekraoui, Faustino Bonutti

Indian Journal of Nuclear Medicine 2019 34(1):24-26

Introduction: In iodine-131 (I-131) imaging, the image quality is degraded by scatter and penetration in a collimator. In this work, we assessed the penetrated and the scattered photon fractions in the photopeak energy window using Monte Carlo Simulation code. Materials and Methods: The Siemens Medical System equipped with high-energy collimator was simulated. We evaluated the acceptance angle values on geometric, penetration, and scatter components in a separate file. Binary images in a data file are obtained and each one of them was imported in software ImageJ. Full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) and sensitivity were calculated and compared. Results: The simulation data show that for the acceptance angle value equal to 4.845°, the geometric, scatter, and penetration components were 93.20%, 4.13%, and 2.67%, respectively. Moreover, the resolution is improved (FWHM = 7.21 mm, full width at tenth maximum = 12.36 mm) for a point source at 12 cm from the detector. Conclusion: The small acceptance angle has a major impact on the image quality in I-131 single photon emission computed tomography.

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Technetium-99m labeled tropane derivative: Uptake in a pituitary macroadenoma

Meivel Angamuthu, Madhavi Tripathi, Harish Goyal, Girish Parida, Vinay Goyal, Nishikant Damle, Chandrasekhar Bal

Indian Journal of Nuclear Medicine 2019 34(1):74-75

We present a case of suspected idiopathic Parkinson's disease in whom extrastriatal accumulation of Technetium-99m labeled tropane derivatives in a pituitary macroadenoma interfered with image quality and interpretation. Subsequent F-18 fluoro-dihydroxyphenylalanine positron emission tomography/computed tomography was useful to demonstrate the absence of presynaptic dopaminergic dysfunction.

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Effect of microbiological characteristics of causative micro-organisms on patterns of labeled white blood cells uptake in osteomyelitis

Shorouk Faleh Dannoon, Wadha Al-Fouzan, Saud Ashwee Alenezi, Asma'a Alosaimi, Mohammad Alhusain, Abdelhamid Helmy Elgazzar

Indian Journal of Nuclear Medicine 2019 34(1):27-31

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of microbiological characteristics of causative organisms on the scintigraphic patterns of labeled-white blood cells (WBC) scan in cases of proven osteomyelitis. Materials and Methods: Retrospective analysis of 25 patients referred with suspected osteomyelitis and had both bone and labeled-WBC scans performed and complete records of the microbiological culture of the causative organism. The bone and labeled-WBC scans were retrieved and reviewed by two nuclear medicine physicians. Any definite focal accumulation of labeled WBCs within the bone was considered positive for osteomyelitis. Diagnosis of osteomyelitis in the discharge summary was considered the reference standard and was based on a combination of the clinical scenario, imaging, and laboratory findings including microbiology. Correlation of the pattern of labeled WBC and the type of microorganisms was done. Results: A total of 16 patients were included in this study, seven females and nine males. Of these, seven patients had Gram-positive whereas nine patients had Gram-negative organisms. The majority (85.7%) of Gram-positive organisms showed increased accumulation of labeled WBCs, whereas only one-third (33.3%) of patients with Gram-negative organisms had such finding. Conclusion: The pattern observed in this study shows that the false-negative results of labeled-WBC scans were mainly noted in patients with Gram-negative as opposed to Gram-positive infections. This confirms the experimental animal study findings that the secretion of anti-chemotactic factors by Gram-negative organisms, seems to be inhibiting the migration of labeled WBCs to the site of infection. The inhabitation is decreasing the accumulation of labeled WBCs and consequently resulting in a false-negative finding. The study adds to evidence that microbiological characteristics of the causative organisms are another explanation for the false-negative WBC in proven osteomyelitis.

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Comparative study between 18F FDG-PET/CT and whole body MRI DWIBS in assessment of recurrent breast cancer (Prospective, Comparative, Cross-sectional Study Design)

Mahmoud Rezk, Ibrahim Nasr, Ismail Ali, Heba Abdelhamed

Indian Journal of Nuclear Medicine 2019 34(1):1-9

Aim: This study aims to assess the diagnostic performance of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computerized tomography (18FDG-PET/CT) compared to whole body (WB) magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with background body signal suppression (MR/DWIBS) in lesions detection in patients with recurrent breast cancer. Materials and Methods: Twenty-three female patients with suspected breast cancer recurrence by clinical, laboratory, or conventional imaging underwent both 18FDG-PET/CT and WB MR/DWIBS. WB 18FDG-PET/CT was performed using the standard technique. WB MR/DWIBS acquired sequences were WB DWI with short tau inversion recovery (STIR), coronal T1, and coronal STIR. Both 18FDG-PET/CT and WB-magnetic resonance imaging/DWIBS were independently interpreted using visual qualitative and quantitative analysis. Pathological findings and combined clinical/radiological follow-up data were used as a reference standard. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and overall accuracy were calculated for both techniques. Results: PET/CT demonstrated higher specificity and sensitivity indices than MR/DWIBS in the detection of the nodal and distant lesions, while the latter displayed higher sensitivity in the detection of local breast lesions. The overall sensitivity, specificity, NPV, PPV, and accuracy of PET/CT were 84.8%, 86.3%, 90.4%, 78.7%, and 85.4% versus 82.1%, 78.0%, 85.2%, 74.0%, and 80.5% for MR/DWIBS. A high degree of agreement existed between PET/CT and MR-DWIBS. Conclusion: 18FDG-PET/CT is more sensitive and has superiority in the assessment of nodal and distant lesions than DWIBS that has a potential superior role in the assessment of local breast lesions. DWIBS has a promising and helpful complementary tool for 18FDG-PET/CT in the evaluation of patients with proven malignancies.

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Unusual metastases in papillary microcarcinoma of thyroid

Ajit Nimmagadda, VS Krishna Mohan, Ranadheer Manthri, Tek Chand Kalawat

Indian Journal of Nuclear Medicine 2019 34(1):32-34

Papillary carcinoma thyroid is the most common type of thyroid cancer. Papillary thyroid cancer metastasizes commonly to regional lymph nodes, distant organ involvement is to lungs and bone are rare and is associated with poor prognosis. Metastases to intra-abdominal organs are extremely rare. Here, we report a case of 50-year-old female diagnosed with papillary microcarcinoma thyroid who initially treated total thyroidectomy, later presented with metastasis to liver, bone, left adrenal gland, and bilateral lungs. The functioning metastasis was diagnosed by Iodine-131 whole-body scan and later treated with radioiodine.

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A rare case of liver metastasis from prostate cancer mimicking hepatocellular carcinoma on immunohistochemistry: Role of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in diagnosis

Raja Senthil, Arun Visakh Ramachandran Nair, Thara Pratap, Vadavattathu Padmanabhan Gangadharan, Pushpa Mahadevan

Indian Journal of Nuclear Medicine 2019 34(1):54-56

We present a case with space-occupying lesion in cirrhotic liver, diagnosed as hepatocellular carcinoma on immunohistochemistry, who underwent F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) and showed FDG-avid lesions in liver as well as in the prostate. These findings guided in establishing the diagnosis of prostate cancer, metastasizing to liver by performing additional immunohistochemical markers. PET/CT was also useful in identifying coexisting non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

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Sternal foramina in patient with hepatocellular carcinoma: A diagnostic dilemma on bone scan

Anuja Anand, Pankaj Dougall

Indian Journal of Nuclear Medicine 2019 34(1):35-37

Presenting known treated case of hepatocellular carcinoma, complaining of non specific backache. 99mTc methylene diphosphonate bone scan showed photopenic area in sternal body, which could be easily thought of osteolytic metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma; however CT scan revealed it to be sternal foramina- a normal variant of sternum. The possibility of a sternal foramen should be mentioned to the clinician because infiltration, biopsy or acupuncture of this area may lead to fatal cardiac complications. Knowledge of the existence of such anatomic variants is important to avoid misdiagnosis as an osteolytic process.

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A rare case of primary uterine non-hodgkins's lymphoma with involvement of right ovary: Staging with 18F FDG PET/CT and iodinated contrast CT

Feliciana Lamacchia, Andrea Cimini, Donatella Ferrari, Agostino Chiaravalloti, Orazio Schillaci, Roberto Floris

Indian Journal of Nuclear Medicine 2019 34(1):60-61

Primary uterine non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are extremely rare, and consequently, imaging findings of this disease have rarely been reported in the literature. We present fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (18[F] FDG) positron emission tomography/computerized tomography (CT) and iodinated contrast CT findings in a young patient with primary uterine non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma with right ovary involvement.

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Graves' disease with pancytopenia and hepatic dysfunction: A rare case presentation

Kishore Kumar Behera, Kanhaiyalal Agrawal, Amit Kumar Adhya

Indian Journal of Nuclear Medicine 2019 34(1):38-41

Pancytopenia due to thyrotoxicosis is a rare but serious complication. In this report, we describe a rare case of Graves' disease confirmed on thyroid scintigraphy presented with coexisting pancytopenia and liver dysfunction. There was complete recovery of blood counts and hepatic enzyme level to normal after antithyroid treatment and radioiodine ablation.

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Positron emission tomography-computed tomography in a case of POEMS syndrome

Jose Rafael Infante, Lucía García, Juan Ignacio Rayo, Justo Serrano, Manuel Moreno, Amparo Cobo, Pedro Jimenez, Andrés Martínez

Indian Journal of Nuclear Medicine 2019 34(1):66-68

The POEMS syndrome is a rare and multisystemic disease characterized by the presence of polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, presence of M protein, and alterations in the skin. The existence of bone lesions is frequent, being generally blastic or mixed and rarely lytic. We present the case of a 54-year-old male patient diagnosed with POEMS syndrome, with atypical presence of lytic lesions, who was referred for an 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) study for initial staging of the process. There were several hypermetabolic foci coinciding with bone lesions, reaching a maximum standardized uptake value of 15 at the level of the right iliac bone with associated soft-tissue mass. PET-CT is an adequate tool for evaluation, diagnosis, and monitoring of the pathology. The scan allows the detection and selection for its biopsy of bone lesions and lymphadenopathies.

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Isolated fluorodeoxyglucose avid right pleural deposits/effusion on an F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in patients with ovarian cancer – Are they almost certainly metastatic? An extrapolation of atypical meigs' syndrome

Raja Senthil, Arun Visakh Ramachandran Nair, Thara Pratap, Chitrathara Kesavan

Indian Journal of Nuclear Medicine 2019 34(1):42-44

Majority of ovarian cancer (OC) patients are usually diagnosed at advanced stage and present with peritoneal spread/ascites. Some patients develop pleural deposits/effusion secondary to transdiaphragmatic spread of peritoneal disease/ascites. However, pleural deposits/effusion from OC in the absence of peritoneal disease/ascites are very rare. We present a case of serous carcinoma of the left ovary with fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) avid right pleural deposits and effusion in the absence of peritoneal disease/ascites on FDG positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT), showing excellent response to chemotherapy in subsequent PET/CT. We also discuss the pathophysiology of pleural abnormalities in patients with ovarian diseases, a characteristic disease spread pattern and recognition of which would help in the imaging interpretation.

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Adenoid cystic carcinoma of buccal mucosa: Role of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in the detection and biopsy of pulmonary metastases and assessment of treatment response

Ashwin Singh Parihar, Shelvin Kumar Vadi, Bhagwant Rai Mittal, Rajender Kumar, Apurva Sood, Harmandeep Singh, Amit Bahl

Indian Journal of Nuclear Medicine 2019 34(1):71-73

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the buccal mucosa has an increased propensity for recurrence and distant metastases. Due to the poor prognosis at late detection of distant metastases, it is advisable to keep a close follow-up. In the present case, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography proved invaluable in the comprehensive workup of the patient, including detection of local recurrence, distant metastases, and in assessing treatment response.

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How a fever helps the immune system to battle infection

How a fever helps the immune system to battle infection

How a fever helps the immune system to battle infection, Published online: 18 January 2019; doi:10.1038/d41586-019-00175-0

One type of immune cell jumps into the fray after body temperature rises, according to experiments in mice.

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How a fever helps the immune system to battle infection

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Contrasting root foraging strategies of two subtropical coniferous forests under an increased diversity of understory species

Abstract

Background and aims

Studies on the aboveground growth and traits of plants suggest that plants exhibit faster growth with greater plasticity in leaf traits to adapt to changing environments. However, our knowledge of belowground growth and trait responses and associated root foraging strategies, under competition remains limited.

Methods

Using an understory species-addition experiment, we investigated the responses of function-based root (absorptive fine roots [AFRs] vs. transport fine roots [TFRs]) growth, mycorrhizal association, and order-based root traits (morphological, architectural, and chemical traits) of Pinus massoniana (native species) and Pinus elliottii (exotic species), which are the dominant coniferous tree species in subtropical China.

Results

Higher understory-species diversity increased the biomass of AFRs, but not TFRs and total fine roots (AFRs plus TFRs) of both species. Higher diversity increased the biomass ratio of the AFRs and TFRs of P. elliottii, indicating a tradeoff in plant carbon investment between the two functional root modules for P. elliottii. Higher diversity increased the total root length of P. massoniana, but did not affect that of P. elliottii. Increased species diversity decreased the ectomycorrhizal colonization rate of P. massoniana, but increased that of P. elliottii. Increased species diversity altered the branching-related traits (increased branching ratio and intensity), but did not affect the morphological (diameter, specific root length, and root tissue density) or chemical traits across the root orders of either species.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that P. elliottii employed dual root foraging strategies (growth and mycorrhizal strategies) and had a cost-benefit tradeoff between AFR and TFR construction. In comparison, P. massoniana only accelerated root growth under competition. These results facilitate a better understanding of the root foraging strategies of plants and the rapid adaptation of exotic species in novel environments.

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A ubiquitous asthma monitoring framework based on ambient air pollutants and individuals’ contexts

Abstract

Air pollutants and allergens are the main stimuli that have considerable effects on asthmatic patients' health. Seamless monitoring of patients' conditions and the surrounding environment, limiting their exposure to allergens and irritants, and reducing the exacerbation of symptoms can aid patients to deal with asthma better. In this context, ubiquitous healthcare monitoring systems can provide any service to any user everywhere and every time through any device and network. In this regard, this research established a GIS-based outdoor asthma monitoring framework in light of ubiquitous systems. The proposed multifaceted model was designed in three layers: (1) pre-processing, for cleaning and interpolating data, (2) reasoning, for deducing knowledge and extract contextual information from data, and (3) prediction, for estimating the asthmatic conditions of patients ubiquitously. The effectiveness of the proposed model is assessed by applying it on a real dataset that comprised of internal context information including patients' personal information (age, gender, height, medical history), patients' locations, and their peak expiratory flow (PEF) values, as well as external context information including air pollutant data (O₃, SO₂, NO₂, CO, PM₁₀), meteorological data (temperature, pressure, humidity), and geographic information related to the city of Tehran, Iran. With more than 92% and 93% accuracies in reasoning and estimation mechanism, respectively, the proposed method showed remarkably effective in asthma monitoring and management.

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Effect of humic preparation on winter wheat productivity and rhizosphere microbial community under herbicide-induced stress

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of the present work was to study the effect of humic preparation on the yielding capacity of winter wheat, the dynamics of mineral nutrients in the rhizosphere, and the activity of rhizosphere microbial community, as well as the protective properties of humate treatment under the stress caused by the application of a sulfonylurea herbicide.

Materials and methods

The humic preparation BIO-Don is prepared from vermicompost by alkaline extraction. The effect of humic preparation was estimated in a field experiment. The contents of the mobile ammonium and nitrate, exchangeable potassium, phosphorus, and humus were determined. Sampling and nutrient determination were performed in the tillering, booting, and grain maturing stages. Production experiments on the study of the combined effect of the humic preparation and the sunfonylurea pesticide Granstar Pro were performed in 2015 and 2017. The dynamics of mobile phosphorus in soil was studied. The abundance of culturable bacteria in the rhizosphere and bacterial species with different ecological strategies was determined. The dominant bacterial species were identified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.

Results and discussion

The results of a small-plot experiment showed that at the tillering stage, the use of humic preparation has led to significantly higher supply of soil with mobile phosphorus. The winter wheat yield was 32.0 dt/ha in the control and 39.2 dt/ha with humic preparation or 22.5% gain in yield. The results of production experiment show that the application of sulfonylurea herbicide induced a chemical stress on winter wheat plants, but the use of humic preparation reduced this effect and increased the availability of phosphorus compounds. The treatment of plants with pesticides caused the general decrease in abundance of bacteria in the rhizosphere. The effect on quickly growing bacteria is more pronounced, while slowly growing bacteria and fungi are more resistant to this impact.

Conclusions

The application of humic preparation to winter wheat plantations allows to decrease the toxic effect of sulfonylurea herbicide, improve the supply of soil with mineral nutrients, and increase the crop yield. The favorable effects of humic preparation can be related to the active regulation of phosphorus mobilization by plants through the mechanism of root exudates due to the activation of root microbiota.

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[ASAP] CRIF1–CDK2 Interface Inhibitors: An Unprecedented Strategy for Modulation of Cell Radiosensitivity

Journal of the American Chemical Society

DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b10207

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[ASAP] DNA Intercalation Facilitates Efficient DNA-Targeted Covalent Binding of Phenanthriplatin

Journal of the American Chemical Society

DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b10252

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[ASAP] Mechanism of Photoredox-Initiated C–C and C–N Bond Formation by Arylation of IPrAu(I)–CF3 and IPrAu(I)–Succinimide

Journal of the American Chemical Society

DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b11273

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Relationship of Sociodemographic Factors and Outcomes in Functional Rhinoplasty

Facial plast Surg
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1677708

The objective of this article was to compare the effect of such sociodemographic factors as gender, age, marital status, employment status, race, and income on short- and long-term rhinoplasty outcomes using a validated disease-specific instrument—Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale, as well as complication and revision rates. Patients who underwent a functional (+/− cosmetic) rhinoplasty with the senior author between January, 1 2012, and September 9, 2017, and had both a preoperative and at least one postoperative NOSE score, were included in the study. Sociodemographic variables of binary gender, age, marital status, employment status, race, and income based on zip code were collected. The primary outcomes were the differences between the preoperative and postoperative NOSE scores with short-term (less than 3 months) and longer-term (greater than 3 months) follow-up. Secondary outcomes were general complications and specifically revision surgery. Standard descriptive statistics, as well as univariable linear and logistic regressions, were conducted with each outcome measure. A total of 341 patients were included in this study. No individual patient-level variables were found to significantly affect the short- or longer-term average change in NOSE scores, although older age trended toward significance in longer-term average change in NOSE scores (p = 0.07). No factors significantly affected the rate of complications or revision surgery in this cohort. The authors found improvement in NOSE scores after rhinoplasty was not related to factors of age, gender, race, employment status, income, and marital status. This cohort also did not demonstrate differential rates in complications or revision surgery based on sociodemographic variables.
[...]

Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Article in Thieme eJournals:
Table of contents  |  Abstract  |  Full text

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The Effect of Minocycline on Fat Graft Survival and Apoptotic Pathway

Facial plast Surg
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1677709

Variable absorption rate is one of the biggest problems of fat grafting and one of the most important causes of fat graft volume loss is apoptosis. Minocycline is a tetracycline derivative and besides its antibacterial capacity, it has been widely using for anti-apoptotic effects. This study was designed to investigate the effect of minocycline on fat graft survival and adipocyte apoptosis. A total of two main and eight subgroups were designed and a total of 48 experimental animals, 6 in each group, were used. Fat grafts are obtained from Wistar albino rats and implanted to dorsal area of rats. Local and systemic minocycline was applied in the study groups. On the 9th day, apoptotic cells were detected by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling method and on the 90th day morphologic characteristics and viability of adipocytes were evaluated using histologic and immunohistochemical methods and statistically compared. This study revealed that the fat grafts were bigger, and they kept their structures better and they were more vascular in the minocycline groups and apoptosis was significantly lower in the minocycline groups. The authors demonstrated that minocycline increases fat graft survival and statistical improvement in apoptosis inhibition via using minocycline therapy has been shown.
[...]

Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Article in Thieme eJournals:
Table of contents  |  Abstract  |  Full text

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Probiotic effects of marine Debaryomyces hansenii CBS 8339 on innate immune and antioxidant parameters in newborn goats

Abstract

Several marine Debaryomyces hansenii strains have shown probiotic effects on aquatic animals, and D. hansenii-derived β-glucans have recently provided immunostimulant effects on goat leukocytes. This study assessed the probiotic effects of live yeast D. hansenii CBS 8339 on newborn goats administered orally, and subsequently challenged in vitro with Escherichia coli. D. hansenii CBS 8339 demonstrated the capacity to survive gastrointestinal tract conditions (bile salts and acid pH tolerance) and adhere to goat intestine. Twelve Saanen × Nubian crossbred newborn goats (2.9 ± 0.47 kg) were fed with a controlled diet or D. hansenii (0.7 g/kg body weight per day)–supplemented milk for 30 days. Blood samples of newborn goats were taken at days 15 and 30, and peripheral blood leukocytes were isolated for bacterial challenge, and immunological and antioxidant analyses. Despite cell viability was higher in leukocytes of goat kids fed with the yeast supplement, protection against E. coli challenge was not significantly affected. On the other hand, at day 15, oral administration of D. hansenii enhanced respiratory burst and catalase activity and increased superoxide dismutase activity after challenge. In contrast, at day 30, administration of the yeast supplement increased peroxidase activity and enhanced nitric oxide production and catalase activity after challenge. Finally, the yeast-supplemented diet upregulated the expression of the receptor genes TLR (2, 4, 6), modulator genes Raf.1, Syk, and Myd88, transcription factor gene AP-1, and cytokine genes IL-1β and TNF-α only at day 15 in leukocytes from unchallenged goat kids. These results demonstrated that a short time (15 days) of orally administering the probiotic D. hansenii CBS 8339 to newborn goats stimulated innate immune and antioxidant parameters and the expression of immune-related gene signaling pathways.

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Enhanced itaconic acid production in Yarrowia lipolytica via heterologous expression of a mitochondrial transporter MTT

Abstract

Itaconic acid, a promising platform chemical, has been applied in many fields of industrial production. As a potential candidate for itaconic acid production, Yarrowia lipolytica possesses several innate abilities such as the tolerance of low-pH and high-shear stress, fast growth rate, cultivation flexibility, and easy for genetic manipulation. Here, Y. lipolytica Po1f which was tested to show high tolerance to itaconic acid could accumulate itaconic acid (0.363 g/L) by expressing the Aspergillus terreus cis-aconitic acid decarboxylase (CAD). Then, we tried to improve the supply and transport of the immediate precursor cis-aconitic acid by overexpressing a series of genes; these results indicate that overexpression of mitochondrial cis-aconitate transporter MTT is beneficial to the itaconic acid biosynthesis in Y. lipolytica. Further culture optimization enabled 22.03 g/L of itaconic acid to be produced in bioreactors, about 60-fold improvement over the initial titer, which is the highest itaconic acid production achieved at low pH by yeast reported worldwide, to data. This study demonstrates the great potential of Y. lipolytica as an industrial platform for itaconic acid production.

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Efficient removal of oxytetracycline from aqueous solution by a novel magnetic clay–biochar composite using natural attapulgite and cauliflower leaves

Abstract

A novel magnetic attapulgite–biochar composite (MABC) derived from natural attapulgite, cauliflower leaves, and FeCl₃ was successfully prepared as a low-cost adsorbent for oxytetracycline (OTC) removal from aqueous solution. Characterization experiments by different techniques suggested that attapulgite clay particles and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were successfully covered on the MABC surface. Compared with the pristine biochar (CLB) and attapulgite–biochar composite (ABC), MABC had the largest surface area, well-developed pore structure, and more surface oxygen-containing functional groups which could interact with organic pollutant via hydrogen bonding, π–π electron coupling, complexation, and ion exchange. The maximum adsorption capacity of MABC by the Langmuir model was 33.31 mg/g, which was dramatically higher than that of CLB and ABC. The effects of solution initial pH had little difference on the adsorption of OTC because of the buffering effect. Adsorbent-regeneration studies of MABC exhibited good reusability and separation property. All the results indicated that MABC could be used as a potential adsorbent because of its easy preparation and separation, high efficiency, wide pH range application, and abundant and cheap raw materials in the global ecosystem.

Graphical abstract

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Necrotic ulcer on the chin

Necrotic ulcer on the chin of a previously healthy 38-year-old woman.

Simonsen S, Winther C, Zachariae C, Skov L.

Int J Dermatol. 2019 Jan 10. doi: 10.1111/ijd.14378. [Epub ahead of print] No abstract available.

PMID:

 

30632142

Persisting ulcer on the chin

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd  

Meij V1, Kuijpers KC.

Author information

1

St. Antonius Ziekenhuis, Afd. Heelkunde, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands. v.meij@antoniusziekenhuis.nl

Abstract

A 62-year-old woman presented with an ulcerative lesion on the chin. She had not visited tropical regions, but she had been in Cyprus. A skin biopsy revealed coccoid micro-organisms resembling Leishmania. Subsequently a PCR was performed which showed Leishmania donovani and Leishmania infantum complex and the diagnose 'cutaneous leishmaniasis' was confirmed.

PMID: 22129807

Daily briefing: Meet the neurologist who became “Dr Rapp”

Daily briefing: Meet the neurologist who became "Dr Rapp"

Daily briefing: Meet the neurologist who became "Dr Rapp", Published online: 17 January 2019; doi:10.1038/d41586-019-00200-2

A stroke that gave a doctor flow, mysterious stretches of non-coding DNA could help cells survive starvation and women who win prizes get less money and prestige.

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How UK scientists are preparing for a chaotic no-deal Brexit

How UK scientists are preparing for a chaotic no-deal Brexit

How UK scientists are preparing for a chaotic no-deal Brexit, Published online: 17 January 2019; doi:10.1038/d41586-019-00191-0

Lab gloves, fly food and charter planes — UK research institutes are planning for a possible snap departure from the European Union in just 10 weeks.

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Static decontamination of oil-based drill cuttings with pressurized hot water using response surface methodology

Abstract

Separating organic pollutants from oil-based drill cuttings (OBDC) is the current trend for its safe disposal. In this study, pressurized hot water extraction (PHWE) was adapted to decontaminate OBDC for the first time. Two typical OBDC samples, i.e., diesel-based drill cuttings (OBDC-A) and white oil-based drill cuttings (OBDC-B), were statically extracted in a homemade batch autoclave. Response surface methodology (RSM) with a central composite design (CCD) was applied to investigate the effects and interactive effects of three independent operating parameters (temperature, extraction time, and water volume) and to ultimately optimize the PHWE process. The results suggested that temperature is the dominant parameter, followed by water volume and extraction time. Interactive effects among the three parameters are present in the PHWE of OBDC-A but absent in the PHWE of OBDC-B. The suitable conditions for the effective PHWE of OBDC-A were found to be a temperature of 284–300 °C, water volume of 15–35 ml, and extraction time of 20–60 min. The corresponding conditions were 237–300 °C, 15–35 ml, and 20–60 min for the PHWE of OBDC-B. These different phenomena are caused by the different characteristics of the two OBDC samples. All of the polynomial models obtained from the RSM experiments are very valid and can adequately describe the relationship among the three independent operating parameters and responses. The experimental results also confirmed that PHWE is a more efficient separation technique for decontaminating OBDC than single organic solvent extraction or low-temperature thermal desorption because PHWE integrates the advantages of both these processes.

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Economic value of traffic noise reduction depending on residents’ annoyance level

Abstract

Noise is the most frequently encountered type of environmental pollution in everyday life and has a direct negative effect on humans. Individuals who are constantly exposed to noise tend to have a high incidence of cardiovascular disease and hypertension. Noise sources range from construction sites to political rallies and assemblies, but traffic is one of the most long-lasting and chronic sources of noise. Previously, researchers have conducted valuations of road traffic noise reduction, but they did not consider residents' annoyance levels in response to traffic noise. However, individuals' annoyance levels affect the economic value of noise reduction policies and thus must be considered to obtain an accurate estimate. Therefore, this study investigated residents' willingness to pay for traffic noise reduction depending on their annoyance level. We used the contingent valuation method and a survey to analyze how much 1022 respondents in Korea were willing to pay for noise reduction. We found that people who were annoyed and extremely annoyed by noise had a willingness to pay KRW 8422 (US $7.55) and KRW 9848 (US $8.83) annually per household, respectively, to reduce their annoyance level to zero. In addition, we determined the economic benefits of noise reduction policies using the respondents' willingness to pay to reduce noise by 1 dB(A), which totaled KRW 3.28 billion (US $2.91 million) per year. The results of this study provide estimates of the annual benefits of traffic noise reduction considering residents' annoyance level.

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Short-chain and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins in Canadian house dust and NIST SRM 2585

Abstract

A method for the analysis of short-chain and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs and MCCPs) in house dust was developed. The method is based on sonication extraction, sample cleanup by solid phase extraction (SPE), and separation and detection by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) operated in electron capture negative ion (ECNI) chemical ionization mode. The method is sensitive, with method detection limits (MDLs) down to 0.22 μg/g for SCCPs and 0.55 μg/g for MCCPs. The overall recoveries of the method were 104 (± 11)% and 108 (± 16)% for SCCPs and MCCPs, respectively. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of SCCPs and MCCPs in NIST standard reference material (SRM 2585, organic contaminants in house dust) and a subset of house dust samples collected under the Canadian House Dust Study (CHDS). Average concentrations of SCCPs and MCCPs in SRM 2585 (n = 12 replicates) were 7.58 (± 0.43) μg/g for SCCPs and 16.4 (± 2.1) μg/g for MCCPs, respectively. A comparison was made between CP concentrations in paired dust samples collected using two different methods from the same homes: fresh or "active" dust (FD) collected by technicians and a sample taken from the household vacuum cleaner (HD). Spearman rank analysis showed a significant positive correlation (p < 0.01) between FD and HD samples for both MCCPs and SCCPs. CPs were detected in every house dust sample (n = 48 HD samples), with median (range) concentrations of 6.2 (4.0 - 57) μg/g and 19 (5.9-901) μg/g for SCCPs and MCCPs, respectively. Widely scattered CP levels and 100% detection frequency in this preliminary set of 48 HD samples suggest a wide variability in Canadian household exposures to CPs.

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Complete bilateral Tessier’s facial cleft number 5: surgical strategy for a rare case report

Abstract

The oro-ocular cleft number 5 according to the Tessier classification is one of the rarest facial clefts and few cases have been reported in the literature. Although the detailed structure of rare craniofacial clefts is well established, the cause of these pathological conditions is not. There are no existing guidelines for the management of this particular kind of cleft. We describe the case of a 19-month-old girl with a complete bilateral facial cleft. We describe the surgical steps taken to achieve the primary correction of the soft tissue deformation. Embryologic development and radiological approach are discussed, as are also the psychological and social aspects of severe facial deformities.

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[ASAP] Catalytic a-Selective Deuteration of Styrene Derivatives

Journal of the American Chemical Society

DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b12874

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[ASAP] Switchable Schottky Contacts: Simultaneously Enhanced Output Current and Reduced Leakage Current

Journal of the American Chemical Society

DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b11459

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[ASAP] Hydrogen-Bond-Assisted Symmetry Breaking in a Network of Chiral Metal–Organic Assemblies

Journal of the American Chemical Society

DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b12323

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[ASAP] Mechanistic Characterization of (Xantphos)Ni(I)-Mediated Alkyl Bromide Activation: Oxidative Addition, Electron Transfer, or Halogen-Atom Abstraction

Journal of the American Chemical Society

DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b13499

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The brain's traffic problems

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New Products

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Understanding preeclampsia

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News at a glance

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Journey to jorumycin

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Shake-up threatens novel U.S. ecology facility

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Observation of magnetically tunable Feshbach resonances in ultracold 23Na40K + 40K collisions

Resonances in ultracold collisions involving heavy molecules are difficult to simulate theoretically and have proven challenging to detect. Here we report the observation of magnetically tunable Feshbach resonances in ultracold collisions between potassium-40 (⁴⁰K) atoms and sodium-23–potassium-40 (²³Na⁴⁰K) molecules in the rovibrational ground state. We prepare the atoms and molecules in various hyperfine levels of their ground states and observe the loss of molecules as a function of the magnetic field. The atom-molecule Feshbach resonances are identified by observing an enhancement of the loss. We have observed 11 resonances in the magnetic field range of 43 to 120 gauss. The observed atom-molecule Feshbach resonances at ultralow temperatures probe the three-body potential energy surface with exceptional resolution and will help to improve understanding of ultracold collisions.

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Did neurons arise from an early secretory cell?

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Why we need fetal tissue research

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In Congo, fighting a virus and a groundswell of fake news

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An anti-ammonia probiotic

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Dueling spacecraft look deep into Saturn and Jupiter

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Addressing a hairy problem

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Pain spreads from shutdown

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Agriculturally dominated landscapes reduce bee phylogenetic diversity and pollination services

Land-use change threatens global biodiversity and may reshape the tree of life by favoring some lineages over others. Whether phylogenetic diversity loss compromises ecosystem service delivery remains unknown. We address this knowledge gap using extensive genomic, community, and crop datasets to examine relationships among land use, pollinator phylogenetic structure, and crop production. Pollinator communities in highly agricultural landscapes contain 230 million fewer years of evolutionary history; this loss was strongly associated with reduced crop yield and quality. Our study links landscape–mediated changes in the phylogenetic structure of natural communities to the disruption of ecosystem services. Measuring conservation success by species counts alone may fail to protect ecosystem functions and the full diversity of life from which they are derived.

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Flotilla launches large survey of Antarctic krill

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CRISPR-mediated activation of a promoter or enhancer rescues obesity caused by haploinsufficiency

A wide range of human diseases result from haploinsufficiency, where the function of one of the two gene copies is lost. Here, we targeted the remaining functional copy of a haploinsufficient gene using CRISPR-mediated activation (CRISPRa) in Sim1 and Mc4r heterozygous mouse models to rescue their obesity phenotype. Transgenic-based CRISPRa targeting of the Sim1 promoter or its distant hypothalamic enhancer up-regulated its expression from the endogenous functional allele in a tissue-specific manner, rescuing the obesity phenotype in Sim1 heterozygous mice. To evaluate the therapeutic potential of CRISPRa, we injected CRISPRa-recombinant adeno-associated virus into the hypothalamus, which led to reversal of the obesity phenotype in Sim1 and Mc4r haploinsufficient mice. Our results suggest that endogenous gene up-regulation could be a potential strategy to treat altered gene dosage diseases.

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The bones of Bears Ears

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The cerebellum and reward-driven behavior

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Reversing chromatin dynamics for development

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How UK scientists are planning for a chaotic no-deal Brexit

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Daily briefing: Meet the neurologist who became “Dr Rapp”

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Publisher Correction: Cryptic connections illuminate pathogen transmission within community networks

Publisher Correction: Cryptic connections illuminate pathogen transmission within community networks

Publisher Correction: Cryptic connections illuminate pathogen transmission within community networks, Published online: 17 January 2019; doi:10.1038/s41586-019-0893-0

Publisher Correction: Cryptic connections illuminate pathogen transmission within community networks

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How to use ‘20% time’ to manage pet projects

How to use '20% time' to manage pet projects

How to use '20% time' to manage pet projects, Published online: 17 January 2019; doi:10.1038/d41586-019-00179-w

Inspired by a Google initiative, Carsten Lund Pedersen describes how he balances personal projects and the demands of a research programme.

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[ASAP] Highly Efficient Enantioselective Synthesis of Chiral Sulfones by Rh-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation

Journal of the American Chemical Society

DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b12657

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[ASAP] Directional Intermolecular Interactions for Precise Molecular Design of a High-c Multiaxial Molecular Ferroelectric

Journal of the American Chemical Society

DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b13223

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