SOUTHWEST RETORT
SEVENTY-THIRD YEAR
January 2021
Published for the advancement of Chemists, Chemical Engineers and Chemistry in this area published by The Dallas-Fort Worth Section, with the cooperation of five other local sections of the American Chemical Society in the Southwest Region.
Vol. 73(5) January 2021 Editorial and Business Offices: Contact the Editor for subscription and advertisement information. Editor: Connie Hendrickson: retort@acsdfw.org Copy and Layout Editor: Lance Hughes: hugla64@gmail.com Business Manager: Martha Gilchrist: Martha.Gilchrist@tccd.edu The Southwest Retort is published monthly, September through May, by the Dallas-Ft. Worth Section of the American Chemical Society, Inc., for the ACS Sections of the Southwest Region.
January 2021
The Southwest RETORT
1
TABLE OF CONTENTS Fifty Years Ago………………………….......5 ARTICLES and COLUMNS Letter from the Editor…..…..……..............21 And Another Thing…………………….…...7 NEWS SHORTS Superheroes, Foods and Apps bring a Modern Twist to the Periodic Table……..............8 Single-dose COVID-19 Vaccine Triggers Antibody Response in Mice………………......10 Compounds Block Stress-enhanced Nicotine Intake in Rats…….…….………………......10 Spilling the Beans on Coffee’s Identity…..11 Detecting CRISPR/Cas Gene Doping.…....14 ‘Sniffing Out’ Fruity Thiols………...….….15
Compound from Medicinal Herb Kills Brain -Eating Amoebae in Lab Studies……...…..20 ANNOUNCEMENTS and MEETINGS ACS Local Olympiad Exam….......…..12-13 Elemental Art Contest……………….…….9
Contact the DFW Section General: info@acsdfw.org Education: ncw@acsdfw.org Elections: candidates@acsdfw.org Facebook: DFWACS Twitter: acsdfw
January 2021
Bob Nielson Obituary……...……………...16 Jean Roberts Obituary……………...…….18 INDEX OF ADVERTISERS Huffman Laboratories……………..…........3 Vance Editing…..……………….…...….......3 TMJ Data Entry and Editing.………......…3 ANA-LAB…………………………....….…..4 PittCon………………….…………………...6
The Southwest RETORT
2
SERVICES and ANNOUNCEMENTS
EDITING AND PROOFREADING SERVICES Need someone to proof or edit your next paper, grant, or presentation? Let an experienced proofreader and PhD chemist do it for you! I have a strong grasp of English grammar and scientific writing and can condense text without losing the underlying meaning. Competitive rates! Contact Mike Vance:
TMJ Data Entry and Editing Specializes in: •
Company newsletters
•
Confidential Data Entry
•
Free Quotes
Contact Lance at hugla64@gmail.com
vance2276@gmail.com
Or 214-356-9002
408-786-7451
January 2021
The Southwest RETORT
3
DOCUMENT TITLE
January 2021
The Southwest RETORT
4
FIFTY YEARS AGO IN THE SOUTHWEST RETORT The upcoming ACS tour speakers are Mr. Andres Ferrari of Damon Biomedical Sciences speaking on “Automation and the Analytical Chemist” and Mr. Leon P. Gaucher lecturing on “Energy Sources in the United States---Past, Present, and Future.” This issue featured the entire text of the talk given by the ACS Southwest Regional award winner, Dr. Paul K. Kuroda, of the University of Arkansas. The newly formed East Texas Section of the ACS received its charter last Nov. 3 in Longview, TX. Most of the new section was formerly a part of the Ark-La-Tex section. This new section has 100 Compiled by charter members. E. Thomas Strom The new Chair is Dr. C. H. Whiteside. From the Brazosport ACS Section, Jim May attended the 9th International Gel Permeation Chromatography Symposium held in Miami Beach. Lee May went to the meeting in Houston of the National Electron Microscopy Society of America. In the Central Texas ACS Section, Dr. George W. Watt of UT-Austin was reelected Director at Large for the ACS. Dr. W. A. Cunningham was honored at the American Institute of Chemical Engineers meeting in Chicago. He was given the
January 2021
Founders Award for outstanding contributions in the field of chemical engineering. In the Dallas-Ft. Worth ACS Section, the North Texas State Chemistry Department has received a $40,750 grant from NSF for a Summer Institute for junior high school science teachers. Drs. Larry Smith and Tim Sullivan received their Ph.D.s at the end of the fall term. At East Texas State, chemistry faculty presented a total of nine papers at the New Orleans ACS meeting. Three were presented by Dr. Richard Clevenger, two by Dr. Denis Quane, and one each by Dr. Stephen Razniak, Dr. Moses Attrep, Dr. Larry Neff, and Dr. Larry Bone. At UT-Dallas Drs. Harold Werbin and Donald Rapp have received three-year Welch Foundation grants. At the Mobil Field Research Laboratory, Mr. James M. Paul received his M. A. degree in chemistry from UT-Arlingon on Dec. 23. His thesis director was Dr. Robert Francis. In the ACS Ouachita Valley Section, a number of the chemistry faculty at Northeast Louisiana University presented papers at the Southeast-Southwest Regional Meeting in New Orleans. Department Chair Dr. Earl W. Baker presented his work on aluminum chlorins and aluminum porphyrins. Other presenters were Drs. D. S. Byrd, K. J. Miller, F. N. Bruscato, and F. Vingiello. The South Texas Section of the ACS is celebrating its 25th anniversary as a separate section of ACS this year. The section has grown from 44 members at the time of organization to 210 now. The section is planning an anniversary party to be held later this spring.
The Southwest RETORT
5
January 2021
The Southwest RETORT
6
And Another Thing... Hire- Or Don’t By Denise L. Merkle, PhD Recent conversations with persons from unrelated businesses unexpectedly brought up the same topic: Hiring; not just hiring, but the difficulties thereof. Many companies have employees. Almost by definition companies have employees – sometimes a lot of them. So the question becomes, ‘Why, if having employees is so necessary to business, is hiring such a Big Deal?’ It’s a given (or ought to be) that competent, honest employees are necessary for enterprises to survive. Pleasant conditions are crucial for everyone’s health – welcoming, nondiscriminatory, safe environments are required, at least in the US. Is it so hard to figure out whom to bring into companies and how to advance their careers? Surprisingly, Yes. Yes it is. Whether it’s due to high technology confounding the basics of what’s needed in a good hire, the perception that any body (no matter how unqualified or disliked by the team) is better than having an open position, the very modern idea that it’s too expensive to provide employee development within companies, so hiring externally is best, lack of understanding of what makes someone a great candidate, or the frequently-erroneous perception that there’s need for speed in decision-making, hiring is a major challenge. How are these challenges overcome? As with almost everything else, employers
January 2021
must look at their processes as well as their candidates, and Define, Research, Analyze, and Refine - Intelligently, without assumptions. Fortunately, although hiring is surprisingly complex, complicated in the high-tech world by near-instantaneous global communication, the use of startlingly unproven computer-based tools, and the misguided focus on reducing costs above anything else, there exists some thought-provoking info for companies who want their search for employees to be as sound as their products. Review as much as you possibly can while you’re defining your processes. Following is just a smattering of what’s out there*. And, of course, enjoy finding your next employees!
https://hbr.org/2019/05/your-approach-tohiring-is-all-wrong https://www.inc.com/guides/2010/04/ improving-hiring-practices.html https://harver.com/blog/fair-hiringpractices/
https://www.betterteam.com/best-hiringpractices https://www.vistage.com/research-center/ talent-management/youre-person-hiredbarry-deutsch-webinar-summary/ *dlm, phd is unaffiliated with any of these companies and does not benefit from referencing them
The Southwest RETORT
7
From the ACS Press Room Superheroes, Foods and Apps bring a Modern Twist to the Periodic Table “Introducing Students to the Periodic Table Using a Descriptive Approach of Superheroes, Meats, and Fruits and Nuts”
of elements. However, many university students consider it a daunting and difficult subject to master, prompting professors to seek new ways to engage their students and Journal of Chemical Education make its concepts more accessible. Previous Many students, especially non-science ma- educational studies presented the table in jors, dread chemistry. The first lesson in an different formats, such as crossword puzzles introductory chemistry course typically and cartograms, to address multiple types of deals with how to interpret the periodic table learning styles. Gregory Watson and colof elements, but its complexity can be over- leagues reasoned that introducing the periodwhelming to students with little or no previ- ic table with familiar items could also help. ous exposure. Now, researchers reporting in And rather than teaching the full details right ACS’ Journal of Chemical Education intro- away, the researchers wanted to focus on duce an innovative way to make learning some of its key characteristics first, using a about the elements much more approachable contemporary, engaging and multi-level — by using “pseudo” periodic tables filled strategy. with superheroes, foods and apps. The team presented first-year chemistry students with a series of made-up, or pseudo, periodic tables with objects that they had likely encountered before, including fruits and nuts, superheroes, iPad apps and meats. The pseudo periodic versions replaced elements with single items to demonstrate one or more concepts needed to understand the trends and layout of the real chemical one. For example, a superhero table featured characters, such as Superman, Wonder A fruit and nut pseudo periodic table was used to Woman and the Green Lantern, prompting in explain trends across and down the periodic table -class discussions on how to group the icons of elements. by ability, strength, gender and other properCredit: Adapted from Journal of Chemical Educaties — just as the elements are arranged in tion 2020, DOI: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.0c01143 the real periodic table based on their similarities. Over 75% of students taught with this One of the fundamental topics taught in first strategy identified it as somewhat, very or -year undergraduate chemistry courses is the extremely useful. An increase in correct anorganization and layout of the periodic table January 2021
The Southwest RETORT
8
From the ACS Press Room
Superheroes, Foods and Apps, continued swers relating to the subject on midterm exams suggested that these periodic tables improved students’ comprehension. The researchers say that the familiar items reduce stress and help students successfully build their base of chemistry knowledge. The authors do not acknowledge a funding source for this study .
January 2021
2021 DFW Section Officers Chair: Trey Putnam Chair-elect: Mihaela C. Stefan
Treasurer: Martha Gilchrist Secretary: Heidi Conrad Councilors (2019-21): Linda Schultz, E. Thomas Strom, and Jason McAfee Alternate Councilors (2019-21): Michael Bigwood, John McIlroy, and Daniela Hutanu
The Southwest RETORT
9
From the ACS Press Room
Single-dose COVID-19 Vaccine Triggers Antibody Response in Mice “A Single Immunization with SpikeFunctionalized Ferritin Vaccines Elicits Neutralizing Antibody Responses against SARS-CoV-2 in Mice�
response than a single copy.
The researchers spliced spike protein and ferritin DNA together and then expressed the hybrid protein in cultured mammalian cells. ACS Central Science The ferritin self-assembled into nanopartiAcross the world, health care workers and cles, each bearing eight copies of the spike high-risk groups are beginning to receive protein trimer. The team purified the spike/ COVID-19 vaccines, offering hope for a re- ferritin particles and injected them into mice. turn to normalcy amidst the pandemic. How- After a single ever, the vaccines authorized for emergency immunization, prouse in the U.S. require two doses to be effec- mice tive, which can create problems with logistics duced neutraland compliance. Now, researchers reporting izing antibody that in ACS Central Science have developed a titers nanoparticle vaccine that elicits a virus- were at least times neutralizing antibody response in mice after two higher than those in convalescent plasma only a single dose. from COVID-19 patients, and significantly The primary target for COVID-19 vaccines is higher than those in mice immunized with the spike protein, which is necessary for the spike protein alone. A second immunizaSARS-CoV-2’s entry into cells. Both of the tion 21 days later produced even higher antivaccines currently authorized in the U.S. are body levels. Although these results must be mRNA vaccines that cause human cells to confirmed in human clinical trials, they sugtemporarily produce the spike protein, trig- gest that the spike/ferritin nanoparticles may gering an immune response and antibody be a viable strategy for single-dose vaccinaproduction. Peter Kim and colleagues wanted tion against COVID-19, the researchers say. to try a different approach: a vaccine consisting of multiple copies of the spike protein The authors acknowledge funding from the displayed on ferritin nanoparticles. Ferritin is Stanford Maternal & Child Health Research Institute, the Damon Runyon Cancer Rean iron storage protein found in many organsearch Foundation, the National Institutes of isms that self-assembles into a larger nanoHealth, the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, the particle. Other proteins, such as viral antiVirginia and D. K. Ludwig Fund for Cancer gens, can be fused to ferritin so that each naResearch and the Frank Quattrone and Dennoparticle displays several copies of the pro- ise Foderaro Family Research Fund. tein, which might cause a stronger immune January 2021
The Southwest RETORT
10
From the ACS Press Room
Spilling the Beans on Coffee’s True Identity “Quantitative NMR Methodology for the Authentication of Roasted Coffee and Prediction of Blends”
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry People worldwide want their coffee to be both satisfying and reasonably priced. To meet these standards, roasters typically use a blend of two types of beans, arabica and robusta. But, some use more of the cheaper robusta than they acknowledge, as the bean composition is difficult to determine after roasting. Now, researchers reporting in ACS’ Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry have developed a new way to assess exactly what’s in that cup of joe.
(NMR) spectroscopy to monitor the amount of 16-O-methylcafestol (16-OMC) in coffee, but its concentrations vary depending on geographic location and cultivar. So, Fabrice Berrué and colleagues wanted to build on their previous work with NMR to assess the chemical make-up of each coffee bean variety and confirm the blends of real samples.
The researchers extracted compounds from a test set of pure coffee and known blends with methanol and identified the compounds with NMR. The team found 12 compounds with measurable concentrations, and two had significantly different amounts between the coffee varieties. Elevated concentrations of 16OMC were unique to robusta, while high concentrations of kahewol — a compound previously found in coffee beans by other reCoffee blends searchers — were distinct in arabica. There can have good was a direct, reproducible relationship bequality and tween 16-OMC and kahewol concentrations flavor. Howfound in the blends of the two varieties. The ever, arabica team then measured 16-OMC and kahewol beans are levels, in addition to other flavor molecules, more desirable in 292 samples from producers around the than other types, resulting in a higher market value for world. They could successfully authenticate blends containing a higher proportion of this pure coffee, even with relatively low concenvariety. In some cases, producers dilute their trations of the two indicator compounds. For blends with the less expensive robusta beans, samples in which the composition of blends yet that is hard for consumers to discern. Re- was known, the team’s predictions were cently, methods involving chromatography within 15% of the actual ratio. The new or spectroscopy were developed for coffee method results in a more robust and reliable way to verify unadulterated coffee and preauthentication, but most of these are labordict blends than previously reported apand time-intensive, or use chloroform for the proaches, the researchers say. extraction, which limits the types of compounds that can be detected. In some studies, The authors do not acknowledge a funding researchers used nuclear magnetic resonance source for this study. January 2021
The Southwest RETORT
11
January 2021
The Southwest RETORT
12
January 2021
The Southwest RETORT
13
From the ACS Press Room
Detecting CRISPR/Cas Gene Doping “First Steps toward Uncovering Gene Doping with CRISPR/Cas by Identifying SpCas9 in Plasma via HPLC–HRMS/MS” Analytical Chemistry All athletes want to be at the top of their game when they compete, but some resort to nefarious approaches to achieve peak muscle growth, speed and agility. Recent developments in gene editing technology could tempt athletes to change their DNA to get an edge. Now, researchers reporting in ACS’ Analytical Chemistry demonstrate first steps toward detecting this type of doping both in human plasma and in live mice. The gene editing method called CRISPR/ Cas is a popular way for scientists to precisely change the DNA in many organisms, and it recently gained even more attention when key developers of the method were awarded the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. With this method, researchers add an RNA molecule and a protein into cells. The RNA molecule guides the protein to the appropriate DNA sequence, and then the protein cuts DNA, like a pair of scissors, to allow alterations. Despite the ethical concerns that have been raised about the method’s potential application in humans, some athletes could ignore the risks and misuse it to alter their genes. Because CRISPR/Cas changes DNA, it is considered “gene doping” and is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency, an independent international organization. A sufficient method to detect CRISPR/Cas
January 2021
gene editing needs to be developed, however. So, Mario Thevis and colleagues wanted to see whether they could identify the protein most likely to be used in this type of doping, Cas9 from the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes (SpCas9), in human plasma samples and in mouse models. The team spiked the SpCas9 protein into human plasma, then isolated the protein and cut it into pieces. When the pieces were analyzed by mass spectrometry, the researchers found that they could successfully identify unique components of the SpCas9 protein from the complex plasma matrix. In another experiment, inactivated SpCas9, which can regulate gene expression without altering DNA, was spiked into human plasma samples. With a slight modification, the method allowed the team to purify and detect the inactive form. Finally, the team injected mice with SpCas9 and showed that their concentrations peaked in circulating blood after 2 hours and could be detected up to 8 hours after administration into muscle tissue. The researchers say that although much work still needs to be done, this is an initial step toward a test to pinpoint athletes trying to gain an unfair advantage. The authors acknowledge funding from the Manfred-Donike-Institute and the German Sport University.
The Southwest RETORT
14
From the ACS Press Room
‘Sniffing Out’ Fruity Thiols in Hoppy Beers “Analysis of Hop-Derived Thiols in Beer Using On-Fiber Derivatization in Combination with HS-SPME and GC-MS/MS” Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
step methods for thiol analysis in beer, but the approaches could not measure all of the thiols brewers want to know about, and some processes used harmful mercurycontaining compounds. Thiols also contribute to wine aromas, and researchers have used coated polymers that they can put into the air above the beverage to convert aerosolized wine thiols to more easily measureable compounds. The downside is that this method is not sensitive enough to measure the trace concentrations in beer. To develop a more robust analysis, Nils Rettberg and colleagues wanted to modify previous methods and come up with a safer, faster and more sensitive approach.
Hoppy beers such as pale ales are becoming increasingly popular. One reason is their pleasant fruity aroma that partially stems from compounds called thiols. Brewers have been looking for an accurate way to track thiols in beer, but current methods typically are not sensitive enough or require use of potentially harmful substances. Now, researchers in ACS’ Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry present an automated, solvent-less process to assess thiols at very In initial experiments to develop the new low concenprocess, the team modified the sample preptrations. aration method used in wine analyses to Thiols, convert aerosolized thiols to compounds along with with higher analytical sensitivity. Then, they other comtweaked and applied a tandem mass specpounds such trometry approach to maximally detect and as terpenes measure the resulting compounds. Finally, and esters, the team tested their new method on 13 contribute commercially available beers from multiple to the enjoyable odors in “hop-forward” beer countries made with hop varieties expected styles. Although very small amounts of thi- to have high thiol content. The distribution ols are present in beer, a little bit of these of thiols within the selected beers was concompounds goes a long way toward achiev- sistent with prior studies. Surprisingly, the ing a hoppy flavor and fruity aroma. Brew- team could only detect one of the three exers would like more information about these pected thiols in a beer with real grapefruit volatile substances, but it’s challenging to added, suggesting that the fruit itself likely accurately detect such small quantities. Pre- contributed scent compounds other than thi vious studies have reported complex, multiContinued on page 17 January 2021
The Southwest RETORT
15
In Memoriam Robert Hugh Neilson JANUARY 24, 1948 – DECEMBER 17, 2020
Robert Hugh Neilson January 24, 1948 ¬ December 17, 2020 Robert Hugh Neilson (Bob) passed away on December 17, 2020 after a seven month battle with glioblastoma. Bob was born on January 24, 1948 and grew up in Pittsburgh, PA, where he was an active child who loved to play outside and was bored at school. He enjoyed challenging his mom, sister, and teachers, and he frequently recounted the story of his mother affectionately telling him to “go play in traffic”. As Bob grew older, his early boredom with school turned into a career in education and research. He attended Carnegie Mellon University where he majored in chemistry and was a part of the Army ROTC program. At Carnegie Mellon, he developed an appreciation for both main group chemistry and strong undergraduate teaching. Bob then went to Duke University where he earned his Ph.D. in chemistry working on boronnitrogen compounds. After Duke, Bob pursued post-doctoral research at the University of Texas at Austin, where he met Patty Wisian. Patty was attracted to Bob because he gave the best group meeting talks and had an amazing stereo system. Patty and Bob moved to Durham, NC where Bob returned to Duke for a temporary faculty position. They were married in the Duke chapel on January 24, 1976 in front a massive crowd of 12 of their closest family members. Bob began a strong research program at Duke, and it was here that his first graduate student initiated the groundbreaking work on silicon -nitrogen-phosphorus compounds. In 1978, Bob accepted a tenure track position in the Texas Christian University (TCU) DepartJanuary 2021
ment of Chemistry. His research program in synthetic inorganic chemistry and inorganic polymers thrived with funding from agencies such as the Army Research Office (ARO) and the Office of Naval Research (ONR). Patty worked in his lab for a few years, and together they developed a novel class of polyphosphazenes that resulted in the first patents filed at TCU. At the same
time Bob and Patty started a family; in 1980 they welcomed their first child Andy. After a sabbatical in Boston, the family returned to Fort Worth, and in 1986 they welcomed their second child, Beth. Over his 42 years at TCU, Bob combined a successful research program with a passion for teaching. He challenged both students and colleagues to truly think and, with unwavering fairness, he held everyone to his high standards. In total, 22 Ph.D. students, 4 M.S. students, 18 postdocs, and countless undergraduates participated in his research program funded by agencies that included the Robert A. Welch Foundation, ONR, ARO, and the National
The Southwest RETORT
16
Science Foundation. His research produced over 100 peer-reviewed publications, and he was honored with the TCU Chancellor’s Award for Distinguished Research and Creative Activity in 1995 and the W. T. Doherty Award from American Chemical Society DFW Section in 2003. As his career progressed, his dedication to undergraduate education led to two nominations for the Dean’s teaching award. “Dr. Bob” taught general chemistry for decades to thousands of students, and he provided them all with a stern challenge and many life lessons. Bob was a man of few words but great impact, and his kindness, intelligence, and sense of humor were recognized by family, friends, and colleagues. As a dual-career family, he worked tirelessly cooking many meals and shuttling kids to school and activities. He enjoyed building and tinkering with computers and traveling with his family. Bob was a life-long fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Duke basketball, and PGA golf. Over the years, he and Patty traveled to Alaska in a Honda Fit, drove through southern Australia, attended the US Open twice, watched Duke Basketball at Cameron Indoor Stadium, went to Super Bowl XLV to see the Steelers, and more recently enjoyed TCU football and basketball games. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Hugh and Evelyn Neilson, and his sister Beverly. He is survived by his wife Patty, children Andrew (Juanita) and Beth (John), and grandchildren McKayla, Evan, and Alice. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date when family, friends, and students can gather safely. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in his memory to The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University (https:// tischbraintumorcenter.duke.edu/donate) or the Dr. Robert Neilson Chemistry Program Fund (https://advancement.tcu.edu/new/ makeagift/ then specify this fund) at TCU.
January 2021
From the ACS Press Room
‘Sniffing Out’
Continued from Pg 15
ols. The researchers say the method meets the requirements to detect thiols in beer, while also processing samples in a safer, simpler and quicker manner. The authors acknowledge funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.
The Southwest RETORT
17
IN MEMORIUM: JEAN ROBERTS THE RETORT’S LONG TIME MANAGING EDITOR A Tribute by E. Thomas Strom
The obituary section of the Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, Dallas Morning News contained an obituary that was quite late arriving, referring to a Sept. 26, 2020 death. Yet for long time readers of The Southwest Retort, this late-reported death was quite significant, because the subject was the original Managing Editor of The Southwest Retort, Jean Roberts. It was Jean Roberts who made this small regional magazine over a period of 32 years into the ground-breaking publication it became and continues to be. Amazingly, Jean matched the longevity of our magazine with longevity of her own. While the month and day of her birth were not given in the obituary, the year was. It seems quite clear that Jean lived to be about 103 years old!!
for a radio station. She became editor of publications for the Tulsa plant of Douglas Aircraft. Here she oversaw a magazine with a circulation of 100,000. After the war she became public relations director for the Tulsa Chamber of Commerce. She moved to Dallas in 1947 to become executive director of Scene magazine. In 1951 Jean became Managing Editor of The Southwest Retort, retiring in 1983.
Fortunately, we have access to Jean’s memories of the early days of The Southwest Retort, because she described them on p. 7 in the golden anniversary Retort issue of Oct. 1998. (Readers, thanks to Jim Marshall of UNT, all issues of our magazine are available online through the UNT library.) Here we summarize pertinent material from Jean’s obituary and from her recollections published in The Retort. Jean was born in Lima, OH, in 1917. She spent her early childhood in Tulsa, OK, later moved to Los Angeles, and graduated from Hollywood High in 1935. She attended the University of Tulsa, where she was President of Chi Omega Sorority, helped launch the “Experimental Theater,” and graduated in 1939 with a degree in Business Administration. She began work as an account executive and later became a promotions manager
January 2021
Jean married Robert M. “Bob” Roberts in 1950. Bob was a World War II veteran who had earned the Bronze Star for exceptional valor in many of the biggest battles of the South Pacific. Bob had a successful career at Proctor and Gamble, and this led to Jean’s association with The Retort. (See below.) After they both retired, Jean and Bob traveled extensively, established scholarships at the University of Tulsa and Oklahoma State,
The Southwest RETORT
18
and were founding members of the Dallas engravings. Also, we had ten participating Council on World Affairs. sections. Part of my job was to determine how many pages we could pay for and to be Here are some of Jean’s memories of her sure we had the copy to do it.” introduction to our magazine. “My path to editing The Southwest Retort led Our magazine started in Oct. of 1948, but through Procter and Gamble, where my Jean didn’t start until 1951. The grunt work husband worked. Bob and I were invited on the magazine before Jean must have to dinner by T. S. McDonald, who headed been done by the local section editors. the Procter and Gamble chemistry depart- Jean’s original title was Technical Assisment. He mentioned that he had just tant, although she was truly the Managing been elected Chairman of the Dallas-Ft. Editor. Eventually the Section gave her the Worth ACS Section, and his most press- title of Managing Editor in Sept., 1959. I ing problem was finding someone to put (Tom) was appointed to the position of Ediout its publication, The Southwest Retort. tor about a year after Jean retired. I found “Would I help out?”, he asked, knowing out, much to my dismay, how much work that I had edited several magazines--- Jean had done, work which now fell to me, Douglas Airview News; Magazine Tulsa; but that’s another story. Scene Magazine---to name a few. Also, I had done some things for P & G. I was in This is Jean’s story, and that story is of her the process of setting up my own adver- establishing a marvelous regional magatising agency, and this might be a fit. zine, a magazine which keeps on going until this day. May it continue for many a day However, I knew absolutely nothing about chemistry. He assured me that to come. would not be necessary, since I would have what technical help I needed from members of the Section. He just wanted me to design a new format, keep in touch with the participating sections, work up some interesting stories, and put The Southwest Retort on a sound financial basis. I agreed to a temporary assignment. It was 32 years later when I retired from this ‘temporary job.’ This was long before computers, and I submitted all the typed copy for production on a linotype. Egan Printing Co. sent me copy galleys which I pasted up; then I went down to the shop to make it up from the cold type. The magazine ranged from 36 to 42 pages with many
January 2021
The Southwest RETORT
19
From the ACS Press Room
Compound from Medicinal Herb Kills Brain-Eating Amoebae in Lab Studies “Exploring the Anti-Infective Value of Inuloxin A Isolated from Inula viscosa against the Brain-Eating Amoeba (Naegleria fowleri) by Activation of Programmed Cell Death”
been used for traditional medicine in the Mediterranean region, could effectively treat PAM.
PAM, characterized by headache, fever, vomiting, hallucinations and seizures, is almost always fatal within a couple of weeks of developing symptoms. Although the disease, which is usually contracted by swimming in contaminated freshwater, is rare, increasing cases have been reported recently in the U.S., the Philippines, southern Brazil and some Asian countries. Amphotericin B is the most common therapy given to those with the infection. It can kill N. fowleri in the lab, but it isn’t very effective when given to patients, likely because it cannot cross the blood-brain barrier. Ikrame Zeouk, José Piñero, Jacob Lorenzo-Morales and colleagues wanted to explore whether compounds isolated from I. viscosa, a strong-smelling plant that has long
tin condensation and oxidative damage, ultimately forcing the parasites to undergo programmed cell death, or apoptosis. Although inuloxin A was much less potent than amphotericin B in the lab, the structure of the plantderived compound suggests that it might be better able to cross the blood-brain barrier. More studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis, the researchers say.
The researchers first made an ethanol extract from the herb’s ACS Chemical Neuroscience leaves, finding that it could kill N. fowleri Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis amoebae. Then, they (PAM), a deadly disease caused by the “brain isolated and tested -eating amoeba” Naegleria fowleri, is becomspecific compounds ing more common in some areas of the from the extract. The world, and it has no effective treatment. Now, from Inula viscosa, a Mediterranean perennial shrub, researchers reporting in ACS Chemical Neu- Leaves contain a compound that kills brain-eating amoebae. roscience have found that a compound isolatAdapted from ACS Chemical Neuroscience 2020, ed from the leaves of a traditional medicinal Credit: DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00685 plant, Inula viscosa or “false yellowhead,” kills the amoebae by causing them to commit most potent compound, inuloxin A, killed cell suicide in lab studies, which could lead amoebae in the lab by disrupting membranes to new treatments. and causing mitochondrial changes, chroma-
January 2021
The authors acknowledge funding from the European Regional Development Fund, the Spanish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation, the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, the University of La Laguna and the Augustin de Betancourt Foundation.
The Southwest RETORT
20
From the Editor
This is the 150th anniversary of the Periodic Table. The Elemental Art Contest deadline has been extended; if you feel like submitting a poem, photograph, or cartoon about the Periodic Table, send it to Nick Tsarevsky (nvt@smu.edu) by April 30. Best press release this month: the scent of beer...hoppy ales, that is. I was totally surprised to learn that the fruity odor of these beers comes from thiols, or fruity thiols, as they are called.
This month we say goodbye to a long-time member of the DFW Section, Bob Nielson, and to the long-time managing editor of the Southwest Retort, Jean Roberts. The February Retort will revert to the usual schedule, with material due in by the 6th or so; January is always late because no one is around! Keep your masks on and stay safe.
January 2021
The Southwest RETORT
21
