German Barcode of Life reveals unexpected diversity of Ceraphronoidea (Hymenoptera).

Insect populations still experience marked declines globally, contributing to the ongoing biodiversity crisis. Counteracting these declines requires sound taxonomic and ecological knowledge on all levels of biodiversity, from genes to species to ecosystems. The superfamily Ceraphronoidea (Hymenoptera) has remained relatively obscure due to complex challenges in exploring its diversity and ecological roles.

Purcell-Enhanced Emissions from Diamond Color Centers in Slow Light Photonic Crystal Waveguides.

Diamond color centers are promising candidates for optically addressable quantum memories, which motivates the development of efficient photonic interfaces, often using nanophotonic cavities with narrow spectral line widths and small mode volumes. However, they require perfect spectral and spatial overlap between the cavity mode and quantum emitter, which is challenging. This is especially true for solid-state quantum emitters that are often randomly positioned and suffer from inhomogeneous broadening.

N-Heterocyclic Carbene Stabilized Bisacylgermylenes.

In this contribution, a metal-free synthetic approach toward isolable bisacylgermylenes, a novel class of germylenes, is described. Starting from tetra(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)germane 1 and bromo-tris(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)germane 3, we demonstrate that simple treatment with NHCs leads to two distinct types of reactivity: acyl abstraction and germylene stabilization. Reaction of 1 with NHCs produces imidazolium-substituted germenolates 2a,b via a hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) mechanism.

PCSK9 drives sterol-dependent metastatic organ choice in pancreatic cancer.

To grow at distant sites, metastatic cells must overcome major challenges posed by the unique cellular and metabolic composition of secondary organs. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive disease that metastasizes to the liver and lungs. Despite evidence of metabolic reprogramming away from the primary site, the key drivers that dictate the ability of PDAC cells to colonize the liver or lungs and survive there remain undefined.

Patient-Reported Outcomes During Pelvic Radiation Therapy: A Secondary Analysis on Sexual Function From NRG-RTOG 1203.

Purpose: NRG-RTOG 1203 reported that intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) reduced patient-reported GI toxicities in patients with cervical/endometrial cancer receiving postoperative RT, compared with 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DRT). We conducted a secondary analysis of patient-reported sexual function (PR-SF) among treatment groups to identify factors associated with sexual dysfunction.

Methods And Materials: Patients on NRG-RTOG 1203 were randomly assigned to 3DRT versus IMRT and completed Patient-Reported Outcomes (PRO)-Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) and FACT-Cx surveys at baseline, week 5 of RT, and at 4-6 weeks, 1 year, and 3 years after RT.

The Prognostic, Predictive and Clinicopathological Implications of KRT81/HNF1A- and GATA6-Based Transcriptional Subtyping in Pancreatic Cancer.

Background: Transcriptional subtypes of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) based on the expression of hallmark genes may have prognostic implications and potential predictive functions. The two most employed subtyping markers assess the combined expression of KRT81 and HNF1A or of GATA6 alone, which can be detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). This study aimed to determine the prognostic or predictive impact of both subtyping marker panels in two large cohorts of advanced and resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients.

Stroma-derived Dickkopf-1 contributes to the suppression of NK cell cytotoxicity in breast cancer.

Mechanisms related to tumor evasion from NK cell-mediated immune surveillance remain enigmatic. Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) is a Wnt/β-catenin inhibitor, whose levels correlate with breast cancer progression. We find DKK1 to be expressed by tumor cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in patient samples and orthotopic breast tumors, and in bone.

D-allulose enhances lipid oxidation in HepG2 cells via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα).

Lipid accumulation in hepatocytes in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is attributed partly to loss of insulin-responsiveness and/or an increased pro-inflammatory state. Since the rare sugar D-allulose has insulin mimetic and anti-inflammatory properties, its effects on lipid accumulation in liver-derived cells was tested. In HepG2 cells exposed to 200 μM oleic acid for 72 h, D-allulose treatment decreased intracellular lipid accumulation with an IC = 0.

Role of Thyroid Hormone in Neurodegenerative Disorders of Older People.

Thyroid dysfunction is associated with a number of neuropsychiatric manifestations. Cognitive decline is a common feature of hypothyroidism and clinical or subclinical hyperthyroidism. In addition, there is a significant association between thyroid hormone (TH) levels and the degree of cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease (PD).

Vitamin D, immune function, and atherosclerosis. Where are we now?

The role of vitamin D in regulating calcium metabolism and skeletal growth and disease is widely recognized. Indeed, current recommendations for serum vitamin D concentrations are based on these parameters. A serum vitamin D <20 ng/mL is considered deficient, concentrations between 20 and 30 ng/mL are insufficient, and >30 ng/mL is adequate.

Tumor-Intrinsic Kinome Landscape of Pancreatic Cancer Reveals New Therapeutic Approaches.

We provide a comprehensive tumor-intrinsic kinome landscape that provides a roadmap for the use of kinase inhibitors in PDAC treatment approaches.

Review of the Palaearctic species of Bouček, 1956 (Chalcidoidea, Pteromalidae), with descriptions of the eight new species.

Palaearctic species of the genus Bouček, 1956 are reviewed. Twelve Palaearctic species are recognized based on females, of which eight new species are described: Tselikh, Lee & Ku, (Republic of Korea), Tselikh, Lee & Ku, (Republic of Korea), Tselikh, Haas & Ku, (Republic of Korea, Sweden), Tselikh, Lee & Ku, (Republic of Korea), Tselikh, Lee & Ku, (Republic of Korea), Tselikh, Lee & Ku, (Republic of Korea), Tselikh, Haas & Ku, (Germany, Japan, Sweden), and Tselikh, Haas & Ku, (Russia, Republic of Korea, Sweden). The female of Bouček, 1956 is described for the first time.

Synthesis and Photochemistry of Tris(trimethoxysilyl)acyl-silanes and 1,4-Tetrakis(silyl)-1,4-bisacylsilanes.

In this contribution, we present the synthesis of two groups of novel acylsilanes -. Compounds and represent tris(trimethoxysilyl)acylsilanes, and compounds - are 1,4-tetrakis(silyl)-1,4-bisacylsilanes. All isolated compounds were characterized by infrared (IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography.

High-Q cavity interface for color centers in thin film diamond.

Quantum information technology offers the potential to realize unprecedented computational resources via secure channels distributing entanglement between quantum computers. Diamond, as a host to optically-accessible spin qubits, is a leading platform to realize quantum memory nodes needed to extend such quantum links. Photonic crystal (PhC) cavities enhance light-matter interaction and are essential for an efficient interface between spins and photons that are used to store and communicate quantum information respectively.

High -Factor Diamond Optomechanical Resonators with Silicon Vacancy Centers at Millikelvin Temperatures.

Phonons are envisioned as coherent intermediaries between different types of quantum systems. Engineered nanoscale devices, such as optomechanical crystals (OMCs), provide a platform to utilize phonons as quantum information carriers. Here we demonstrate OMCs in diamond designed for strong for interactions between phonons and a silicon vacancy (SiV) spin.

Role of NuMA1 in breast cancer stem cells with implications for combination therapy of PIM1 and autophagy inhibition in triple negative breast cancer.

Background: Nuclear mitotic apparatus protein 1 (NuMA1) is a cell cycle protein and upregulated in breast cancer. However, the role of NuMA1 in TNBC and its regulation in heterogenous populations remains elusive.

Methods: We performed CRISPR mediated deletion of NuMA1 in mouse TNBC cells, BF3M.

Unresectable biliary tract cancer: Current and future systemic therapy.

For decades, treatment of advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC) was confined to the use of chemotherapy. In recent years however, the number of therapeutic options available for patients with unresectable BTC have drastically increased, with immunotherapy and targeted treatment gradually joining the ranks of guideline-recommended treatment regimens. The aim of the present review is to summarise the current knowledge on unresectable BTC focusing on epidemiology, anatomical distribution and current strategies for systemic treatment.

Wavelength-dependent rearrangements of an α-dione chromophore: a chemical pearl in a bis(hypersilyl) oyster.

The symmetric bissilyl-dione 3 reveals two well-separated n → π* absorption bands at = 637 nm ( = 140 mol dm cm) and 317 nm ( = 2460 mol dm cm). Whereas excitation of 3 at = 360/365 nm affords an isolable siloxyketene 4 in excellent yields, irradiation at = 590/630 nm leads to the stereo-selective and quantitative formation of the siloxyrane 5. These remarkable wavelength-dependent rearrangements are based on the electronic and steric properties provided by the hypersilyl groups.

Gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel combined with afatinib in metastatic pancreatic cancer - Results of a phase 1b clinical trial.

Purpose: The combination of gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel is an established standard treatment in the first-line treatment of metastatic ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas (mPDAC). Afatinib, an oral second-generation pan ErbB family tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has shown promising pre-clinical signs in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. The aim of this phase 1b trial was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of afatinib in combination with gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel in patients with mPDAC.

A Phase 1/2 multicenter trial of DKN-01 as monotherapy or in combination with docetaxel for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).

Background: Dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK1) is a Wingless-related integrate site (Wnt) signaling modulator that is upregulated in prostate cancers (PCa) with low androgen receptor expression. DKN-01, an IgG4 that neutralizes DKK1, delays PCa growth in pre-clinical DKK1-expressing models. These data provided the rationale for a clinical trial testing DKN-01 in patients with metastatic castration-resistant PCa (mCRPC).

Cardioprotective antihyperglycemic drugs ameliorate endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Cellular stress, notably oxidative, inflammatory, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, is implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. Modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, saturated fat consumption, hypertension, and cigarette smoking cause ER stress whereas currently known cardioprotective drugs with diverse pharmacodynamics share a common pleiotropic effect of reducing ER stress. Selective targeting of oxidative stress with known antioxidative vitamins has been ineffective in reducing cardiovascular risk.

Symmetrical and Mixed Tris(acyl)phosphines: Synthesis, Oxidation and Photochemistry.

Invited for the cover of this issue are the groups of M. Haas, G. Gescheidt and H.

Three-month life expectancy as inclusion criterion for clinical trials in advanced pancreatic cancer: is it really a valid tool for patient selection?

Purpose: To analyze the 3-month life expectancy rate in pancreatic cancer (PC) patients treated within prospective trials from the German AIO study group.

Patients And Methods: A pooled analysis was conducted for patients with advanced PC that were treated within five phase II/III studies conducted between 1997 and 2017 (Gem/Cis, Ro96, RC57, ACCEPT, RASH). The primary goal for the current report was to identify the actual 3-month survival rate, a standard inclusion criterion in oncology trials.