Month: November 2022

HS-SPME-GC/MS Analysis for Revealing Carob’s Ripening was written by Fella, Panagiota;Kaikiti, Kyriaki;Stylianou, Marinos;Agapiou, Agapios. And the article was included in Metabolites in 2022.Recommanded Product: Isopentyl hexanoate The following contents are mentioned in the article:

Carob’s recognized nutritional and medicinal value next to its unique agriculture importance is associated with an array of social, economic, and cultural activities. The carob fruit is popular for its intense aroma due to the emitted volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The composition of VOCs released from carob fruits changes during ripening, rendering it a non-invasive tool for the determination of the ripening period and freshness of the fruit. Therefore, headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatog./mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC/MS) was applied to reveal the resp. gaseous signal mols. related to fruit maturity. The sampling was implemented during weeks 26-36 from five different locations in Cyprus. Addnl., the gaseous emissions of total VOCs (TVOCs) and carbon dioxide (CO2) were recorded next to the moisture content of the fruit. The major chem. classes in the ripening are acids, followed by esters, and ketones. More specifically, the most abundant VOCs during ripening are propanoic acid, 2-methyl-(isobutyric acid), 2-heptanone, propanoic acid, 2-methyl-, 2-methylbutyl ester, acetic acid, Me isobutyrate, propanoic acid, 2-methyl-, 3-methylbutyl ester, 2-pentanone, butanoic acid and propanoic acid, 2-methyl-Et ester. Finally, CO2 emissions and moisture content showed a rapid decline until the 31st week and then stabilized for all examined areas. The methodol. revealed variations in VOCs’ profile during the ripening process. This study involved multiple reactions and reactants, such as Isopentyl hexanoate (cas: 2198-61-0Recommanded Product: Isopentyl hexanoate).

Isopentyl hexanoate (cas: 2198-61-0) belongs to esters. Volatile esters with characteristic odours are used in synthetic flavours, perfumes, and cosmetics. Certain volatile esters are used as solvents for lacquers, paints, and varnishes. Esterification is the general name for a chemical reaction in which two reactants (typically an alcohol and an acid) form an ester as the reaction product. Esters are common in organic chemistry and biological materials.Recommanded Product: Isopentyl hexanoate

Referemce:
Ester – Wikipedia,
Ester – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics

Effects of microbial community succession on flavor compounds and physicochemical properties during CS sufu fermentation was written by Yao, Di;Xu, Lei;Wu, Mengna;Wang, Xiaoyu;Zhu, Lei;Wang, Changyuan. And the article was included in LWT–Food Science and Technology in 2021.COA of Formula: C11H22O2 The following contents are mentioned in the article:

CS sufu is a fermented food composed of mixed chickpeas and soybeans. To explore the effects of the microbial community on the physicochem. and flavor properties of this product, microbial succession and metabolite changes during the fermentation stage of CS sufu production were detected using high-throughput sequencing and HS-SPME-GC-MS. The results showed that bacterial diversity was higher than that of fungi in CS sufu, and core communities included Enterococcus, Enterobacter and Rhizopus. Moreover, enriched species in different fermentation stages were significantly different. Seventeen free amino acids (FAAs) were detected at the post-fermentation stage. Sweet amino acids (TSAAs) and umami amino acids (TUAAs) mainly contributed to the taste of CS sufu. A total of 106 flavor compounds were identified at the different post-fermentation stages of CS sufu production, and esters, including Et caproate, Et octanoate, and isoamyl phenylacetate, accounted for the highest proportion. Furthermore, metabolic profile and microorganism analyses showed a significant correlation between the microbial profile and dominant flavor compounds Lactococcus and Enterococcus were pos. correlated with flavor compounds This study provided information for the anal. of CS sufu at different fermentation periods in terms of microbial diversity and metabolites, and this information is important for understanding the properties of sufu made with mixed soybeans. This study involved multiple reactions and reactants, such as Isopentyl hexanoate (cas: 2198-61-0COA of Formula: C11H22O2).

Isopentyl hexanoate (cas: 2198-61-0) belongs to esters. Esters are also usually derived from carboxylic acids. It may also be obtained by reaction of acid anhydride or acid halides with alcohols or by the reaction of salts of carboxylic acids with alkyl halides. Many esters have the potential for conformational isomerism, but they tend to adopt an s-cis (or Z) conformation rather than the s-trans (or E) alternative, due to a combination of hyperconjugation and dipole minimization effects. The preference for the Z conformation is influenced by the nature of the substituents and solvent, if present. Lactones with small rings are restricted to the s-trans (i.e. E) conformation due to their cyclic structure.COA of Formula: C11H22O2

Referemce:
Ester – Wikipedia,
Ester – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics

Mechanistic Studies of an Automated Lipid Nanoparticle Reveal Critical Pharmaceutical Properties Associated with Enhanced mRNA Functional Delivery In Vitro and In Vivo was written by Cui, Lili;Hunter, Morag R.;Sonzini, Silvia;Pereira, Sara;Romanelli, Steven M.;Liu, Kai;Li, Weimin;Liang, Lihuan;Yang, Bin;Mahmoudi, Najet;Desai, Arpan S.. And the article was included in Small in 2022.Recommanded Product: 1224606-06-7 The following contents are mentioned in the article:

Recently, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have attracted attention due to their emergent use for COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. The success of LNPs can be attributed to ionizable lipids, which enable functional intracellular delivery. Previously, the authors established an automated high-throughput platform to screen ionizable lipids and identified that the LNPs generated using this automated technique show comparable or increased mRNA functional delivery in vitro as compared to LNPs prepared using traditional microfluidics techniques. In this study, the authors choose one benchmark lipid, DLin-MC3-DMA (MC3), and investigate whether the automated formulation technique can enhance mRNA functional delivery in vivo. Interestingly, a 4.5-fold improvement in mRNA functional delivery in vivo by automated LNPs as compared to LNPs formulated by conventional microfluidics techniques, is observed Mechanistic studies reveal that particles with large size accommodate more mRNA per LNP, possess more hydrophobic surface, are more hemolytic, bind a larger protein corona, and tend to accumulate more in macropinocytosomes, which may quant. benefit mRNA cytosolic delivery. These data suggest that mRNA loading per particle is a critical factor that accounts for the enhanced mRNA functional delivery of automated LNPs. These mechanistic findings provide valuable insight underlying the enhanced mRNA functional delivery to accelerate future mRNA LNP product development. This study involved multiple reactions and reactants, such as (6Z,9Z,28Z,31Z)-Heptatriaconta-6,9,28,31-tetraen-19-yl 4-(dimethylamino)butanoate (cas: 1224606-06-7Recommanded Product: 1224606-06-7).

(6Z,9Z,28Z,31Z)-Heptatriaconta-6,9,28,31-tetraen-19-yl 4-(dimethylamino)butanoate (cas: 1224606-06-7) belongs to esters. Carboxylic acid esters of low molecular weight are colourless, volatile liquids with pleasant odours, slightly soluble in water. Esters are more polar than ethers but less polar than alcohols. They participate in hydrogen bonds as hydrogen-bond acceptors, but cannot act as hydrogen-bond donors, unlike their parent alcohols. This ability to participate in hydrogen bonding confers some water-solubility.Recommanded Product: 1224606-06-7

Referemce:
Ester – Wikipedia,
Ester – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics

Composition and profiles of volatile organic compounds during waste decomposition by the anaerobic bacteria purified from landfill was written by Shao, Yan;Xia, Mengjing;Liu, Jun;Liu, Xinyi;Li, Zhenshan. And the article was included in Waste Management (Oxford, United Kingdom) in 2021.Computed Properties of C11H22O2 The following contents are mentioned in the article:

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) become concerned pollutants in landfill gases, and their composition and concentration varied significantly during waste decomposition Many environmental factors are known to affect VOC emissions, while the effect of indigenous bacteria in wastes on VOC production remains elusive. In this study, a simplified anaerobic degradation experiment, with the single substrate and the purified bacteria from a landfill, was set up to measure the degradation process and the dynamic changes of VOCs. The experiment excluded the abiotic factors for VOC variation. The two isolated bacteria, identified as Sporanaerobacter acetigenes and Clostridium sporogenes, could anaerobically ferment amino acids by Stickland reaction. They produced 51 and 57 species of VOCs in the experiment, resp. The concentration changes of VOCs over bacterial growth and fermentation were clustered into four types by principal component anal.: three profiles were regular, similar to the variation of nitrate, hydrogen sulfide, and the major fermentation products (carbon dioxide, ammonium, and volatile organic acids), resp.; while one profile was unique to any degradation indicator. The various concentration profiles indicated different origins for VOCs, possibly from the extracellular environment, fermentation, and secondary reactions. The findings provide insights into the understanding of VOC diversity and variability during waste decomposition This study involved multiple reactions and reactants, such as Isopentyl hexanoate (cas: 2198-61-0Computed Properties of C11H22O2).

Isopentyl hexanoate (cas: 2198-61-0) belongs to esters. Volatile esters with characteristic odours are used in synthetic flavours, perfumes, and cosmetics. Certain volatile esters are used as solvents for lacquers, paints, and varnishes. Because of their lack of hydrogen-bond-donating ability, esters do not self-associate. Consequently, esters are more volatile than carboxylic acids of similar molecular weight.Computed Properties of C11H22O2

Referemce:
Ester – Wikipedia,
Ester – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics

The effects of PEGylation on LNP based mRNA delivery to the eye was written by Ryals, Renee C.;Patel, Siddharth;Acosta, Chris;McKinney, Madison;Pennesi, Mark E.;Sahay, Gaurav. And the article was included in PLoS One in 2020.Application In Synthesis of (6Z,9Z,28Z,31Z)-Heptatriaconta-6,9,28,31-tetraen-19-yl 4-(dimethylamino)butanoate The following contents are mentioned in the article:

Delivery agents that are cell-specific, allow for multiple dosing regimens, and have low immunogenicity are needed to expand the utility of gene therapy for the retina. We generated eight novel lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) ranging in size from 50 nm to 150 nm by changing the PEG content from 5% to 0.5%, resp. Similar injections of LNP delivered cre mRNA into Ai9 mice revealed cell-specific protein expression in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), confirmed by fundus photog. and immunohistochem. of whole globe cross-sections. To investigate mechanisms of LNP delivery to the eye, we injected mCherry mRNA using the subretinal approach in apoE-/- and Mertk-/- mice. RPE transfection was observed in both mouse models suggesting that LNP intracellular delivery is not solely dependent on apolipoprotein adsorption or phagocytosis. To investigate LNP penetration, particles were delivered to the vitreous chamber via an intravitreal injection. The 0.5% PEG particles mediated the highest luciferase activity and expression was observed in the Muller glia, the optic nerve head and the trabecular meshwork, but failed to reach the RPE. Overall, particles containing less PEG (∼150 nm in size) mediated the highest expression in the eye. Thus far, these particles successfully transfect RPE, Muller cells, the optic nerve head and the trabecular meshwork based on route of administration which can expand the utility of LNP-mediated gene therapies for the eye. This study involved multiple reactions and reactants, such as (6Z,9Z,28Z,31Z)-Heptatriaconta-6,9,28,31-tetraen-19-yl 4-(dimethylamino)butanoate (cas: 1224606-06-7Application In Synthesis of (6Z,9Z,28Z,31Z)-Heptatriaconta-6,9,28,31-tetraen-19-yl 4-(dimethylamino)butanoate).

(6Z,9Z,28Z,31Z)-Heptatriaconta-6,9,28,31-tetraen-19-yl 4-(dimethylamino)butanoate (cas: 1224606-06-7) belongs to esters. Esters perform as high-grade solvents for a broad array of plastics, plasticizers, resins, and lacquers, and are one of the largest classes of synthetic lubricants on the commercial market. Polyesters are important plastics, with monomers linked by ester moieties. Esters contain a carbonyl center, which gives rise to 120° C–C–O and O–C–O angles. Unlike amides, esters are structurally flexible functional groups because rotation about the C–O–C bonds has a low barrier. Their flexibility and low polarity is manifested in their physical properties; they tend to be less rigid (lower melting point) and more volatile (lower boiling point) than the corresponding amides. Application In Synthesis of (6Z,9Z,28Z,31Z)-Heptatriaconta-6,9,28,31-tetraen-19-yl 4-(dimethylamino)butanoate

Referemce:
Ester – Wikipedia,
Ester – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics

Simultaneous separation and determination of 20 potential adulterant antigout and antiosteoporosis pharmaceutical compounds in herbal food products using LC with electrospray ionization MS/MS and LC with quadrupole-time-of-flight MS was written by Kim, Nam Sook;Moon, Sun Hee;Choi, Hwan Seong;Lee, Ji Hyun;Park, Seongsoo;Kang, Hoil. And the article was included in Journal of Separation Science in 2020.Synthetic Route of C17H15NO5 The following contents are mentioned in the article:

An anal. method for the simultaneous and reliable determination of 20 antigout and antiosteoporosis pharmaceutical compounds in adulterated health food products was developed using liquid chromatog. with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry and liquid chromatog. with quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The method was validated through the determination of specificity, linearity, limit of detection, and limit of quantification, method detection limit, method quantitation limit, precision, accuracy, recovery, and stability. The matrix effect was also determined The validation results of the developed method are as follows: for solid and liquid blank samples, limits of detection ranged from 0.05 to 5.00 ng/mL and limits of quantification ranged from 0.15 to 15.00 ng/mL. Linearity was acceptable, and the correlation coefficients (R2) were ≥0.99 for all target compounds Both intra and interday precision were less than 9.16% RSD, and accuracies ranged from 95.31 to 116.68%. Mean recoveries for different types of dietary supplements classified as powders, liquids, tablets, and capsules were found to be 80.81 to 117.62% with less than 15.00% relative standard deviation. The stability of the standard mixture solution was less than 11.72% relative standard deviation after 48 h. By the proposed method, the presence of dexamethasone was determined in seized herbal food products at concentrations that ranged from 126 to 215μg/g. This study involved multiple reactions and reactants, such as 4-Acetamidophenyl 2-acetoxybenzoate (cas: 5003-48-5Synthetic Route of C17H15NO5).

4-Acetamidophenyl 2-acetoxybenzoate (cas: 5003-48-5) belongs to esters. Esters are widespread in nature and are widely used in industry. In nature, fats are in general triesters derived from glycerol and fatty acids. Esters are responsible for the aroma of many fruits. Esters contain a carbonyl center, which gives rise to 120° C–C–O and O–C–O angles. Unlike amides, esters are structurally flexible functional groups because rotation about the C–O–C bonds has a low barrier. Their flexibility and low polarity is manifested in their physical properties; they tend to be less rigid (lower melting point) and more volatile (lower boiling point) than the corresponding amides. Synthetic Route of C17H15NO5

Referemce:
Ester – Wikipedia,
Ester – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics

Electrochemical study of functional additives for Li-ion batteries was written by Khodr, Zaynab;Mallet, Charlotte;Daigle, Jean-Christophe;Feng, Zimin;Amouzegar, Kamyab;Claverie, Jerome;Zaghib, Karim. And the article was included in Journal of the Electrochemical Society in 2020.Category: esters-buliding-blocks The following contents are mentioned in the article:

In the battery industry, the performance of lithium-ion batteries operating at a high voltage is enhanced by utilizing functional additives in electrolytes to achieve higher energy densities and longer lifetimes. These additives chem. stabilize the electrolyte and aid in the formation of a stable cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI). In this paper, the investigation of oxidative potentials of more than 100 additives, using d. functional theory calculations to determine the best candidates for CEI formation, is reported. The method was validated by comparing the calculated oxidation potentials and the exptl. data obtained using linear sweep voltammetry based on the evaluation of 18 candidates. Further electrochem. studies (AC impedance and cycling stability) on six selected additives were conducted. Among the tested additives, the addition of quinacridone at 0.03% weight concentration resulted in the formation of a less resistive surface film on the cathode in Li/Ni_0.5Mn_0.3Co_0.2O₂ coin cells. Moreover, the capacity retention in Gr/Ni_0.5Mn_0.3Co_0.2O coin cells increased from 62% to 77% after 200 cycles at 1C and approx. 4.4 V. The derived results suggest that the combination of the oxidation potential prediction with impedance study could be used as a powerful tool to properly and efficiently select CEI-forming additive candidates for improved battery performance. This study involved multiple reactions and reactants, such as Diphenyl carbonate (cas: 102-09-0Category: esters-buliding-blocks).

Diphenyl carbonate (cas: 102-09-0) belongs to esters. Carboxylic acid esters of low molecular weight are colourless, volatile liquids with pleasant odours, slightly soluble in water. Esterification is the general name for a chemical reaction in which two reactants (typically an alcohol and an acid) form an ester as the reaction product. Esters are common in organic chemistry and biological materials.Category: esters-buliding-blocks

Referemce:
Ester – Wikipedia,
Ester – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics

Characterization of odor-active compounds in the head, heart, and tail fractions of freshly distilled spirit from Spine grape (Vitis davidii Foex) wine by gas chromatography-olfactometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was written by Xiang, Xiao-Feng;Lan, Yi-Bin;Gao, Xiao-Tong;Xie, Han;An, Zhao-Yan;Lv, Zhi-Hao;Yin-Shi;Duan, Chang-Qing;Wu, Guang-Feng. And the article was included in Food Research International in 2020.Product Details of 112-14-1 The following contents are mentioned in the article:

Differences in key odor-active volatile compounds among the head, heart, and tail fractions of freshly distilled spirits from Spine grape (Vitis davidii Foex) wine were identified for the first time by gas chromatog.-olfactometry and gas chromatog.-mass spectrometry. Results from aroma extract dilution anal. (AEDA) showed that there were 34, 45, and 37 odor-active compounds in the head, heart and tail fractions, resp. Besides, 20, 22, and 17 quantified compounds, resp., showed odor activity values (OAVs) > 1. The head fraction was characterized by fruity, fusel/solvent notes owing to higher concentrations of higher alcs. and esters, while the tail fraction had more intense smoky/animal, sweaty/fatty attributes due to higher concentrations of volatile phenols and fatty acids. Finally, the heart fraction was characterized by Et octanoate, Et hexanoate, Et 3-phenylpropanoate, Et cinnamate, isoamyl alc., guaiacol, 4-ethylguaiacol, 4-vinylguaiacol, 2,3-butanedione, and (E)-β-damascenone. Furthermore, observation of the distillation progress indicated that different volatiles with various b.ps. and solubilities followed diverse distillation patterns: concentrations of most esters, higher alcs., terpenes and C13-norisoprenoids decreased, while concentrations of volatile phenols, fatty acids and some aromatic compounds increased during distillation As a result, their final concentrations in the three distillate fractions varied significantly. This study involved multiple reactions and reactants, such as Octyl acetate (cas: 112-14-1Product Details of 112-14-1).

Octyl acetate (cas: 112-14-1) belongs to esters. Volatile esters with characteristic odours are used in synthetic flavours, perfumes, and cosmetics. Certain volatile esters are used as solvents for lacquers, paints, and varnishes. Esters contain a carbonyl center, which gives rise to 120° C–C–O and O–C–O angles. Unlike amides, esters are structurally flexible functional groups because rotation about the C–O–C bonds has a low barrier. Their flexibility and low polarity is manifested in their physical properties; they tend to be less rigid (lower melting point) and more volatile (lower boiling point) than the corresponding amides. Product Details of 112-14-1

Referemce:
Ester – Wikipedia,
Ester – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics

Characterization of odor-active compounds in the head, heart, and tail fractions of freshly distilled spirit from Spine grape (Vitis davidii Foex) wine by gas chromatography-olfactometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was written by Xiang, Xiao-Feng;Lan, Yi-Bin;Gao, Xiao-Tong;Xie, Han;An, Zhao-Yan;Lv, Zhi-Hao;Yin-Shi;Duan, Chang-Qing;Wu, Guang-Feng. And the article was included in Food Research International in 2020.Computed Properties of C15H22O2 The following contents are mentioned in the article:

Differences in key odor-active volatile compounds among the head, heart, and tail fractions of freshly distilled spirits from Spine grape (Vitis davidii Foex) wine were identified for the first time by gas chromatog.-olfactometry and gas chromatog.-mass spectrometry. Results from aroma extract dilution anal. (AEDA) showed that there were 34, 45, and 37 odor-active compounds in the head, heart and tail fractions, resp. Besides, 20, 22, and 17 quantified compounds, resp., showed odor activity values (OAVs) > 1. The head fraction was characterized by fruity, fusel/solvent notes owing to higher concentrations of higher alcs. and esters, while the tail fraction had more intense smoky/animal, sweaty/fatty attributes due to higher concentrations of volatile phenols and fatty acids. Finally, the heart fraction was characterized by Et octanoate, Et hexanoate, Et 3-phenylpropanoate, Et cinnamate, isoamyl alc., guaiacol, 4-ethylguaiacol, 4-vinylguaiacol, 2,3-butanedione, and (E)-β-damascenone. Furthermore, observation of the distillation progress indicated that different volatiles with various b.ps. and solubilities followed diverse distillation patterns: concentrations of most esters, higher alcs., terpenes and C13-norisoprenoids decreased, while concentrations of volatile phenols, fatty acids and some aromatic compounds increased during distillation As a result, their final concentrations in the three distillate fractions varied significantly. This study involved multiple reactions and reactants, such as 2-Ethylhexyl benzoate (cas: 5444-75-7Computed Properties of C15H22O2).

2-Ethylhexyl benzoate (cas: 5444-75-7) belongs to esters. Volatile esters with characteristic odours are used in synthetic flavours, perfumes, and cosmetics. Certain volatile esters are used as solvents for lacquers, paints, and varnishes. Because of their lack of hydrogen-bond-donating ability, esters do not self-associate. Consequently, esters are more volatile than carboxylic acids of similar molecular weight.Computed Properties of C15H22O2

Referemce:
Ester – Wikipedia,
Ester – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics

Raloxifene-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles with enhanced biopharmaceutical potential: Quality by design-steered development, in vitro evaluation, in vivo pharmacokinetics, and IVIVC was written by Jain, Atul;Sharma, Teenu;Kumar, Rajendra;Katare, O. P.;Singh, Bhupinder. And the article was included in Drug Delivery and Translational Research in 2022.Reference of 31566-31-1 The following contents are mentioned in the article:

Preparation of SLNs was carried out using glyceryl monostearate and Compritol 888 ATO (i.e., lipid), Phospholipid S-100 (i.e., co-surfactant), and TPGS-1000 (i.e., surfactant) employing solvent diffusion method. The optimized SLN formulations exhibited a mean particle size of 109.7 nm, PDI 0.289 with a zeta potential of -13.7 mV. In vitro drug dissolution studies showed Fickian release, with release exponent of 0.137. Cell cytotoxicity assay, apoptosis assay, and cellular uptake indicated 6.40-, 5.40-, and 3.18-fold improvement in the efficacy of RLX-SLNs vis-a-́vis pure RLX. Besides, the pharmacokinetic studies indicated quite significantly improved biopharmaceutical performance of RLX-SLNs vis-a-́vis pure drug, with 4.06-fold improvement in C_max, 4.40-fold in AUC_(0-72h), 4.56-fold in AUC_(0-∞), 1.53-fold in K_a, 2.12-fold in t_1/2, and 1.22-fold in T_max. For RLX-SLNs and pure drug, high degree of level A linear correlation was established between fractions of drug dissolved (in vitro) and of drug absorbed (in vivo) at the corresponding time-points. Stability studies indicated the robustness of RLX-SLNs when stored at for 3 mo. Results obtained from the different studies construe promising the anticancer potential of the developed RLX-SLNs, thereby ratifying the lipidic nanocarriers as an efficient drug delivery strategy for improving the biopharmaceutical attributes of RLX. This study involved multiple reactions and reactants, such as Glyceryl monostearate (cas: 31566-31-1Reference of 31566-31-1).

Glyceryl monostearate (cas: 31566-31-1) belongs to esters. Carboxylic acid esters of low molecular weight are colourless, volatile liquids with pleasant odours, slightly soluble in water. Cyclic esters are called lactones, regardless of whether they are derived from an organic or inorganic acid. One example of an organic lactone is γ-valerolactone.Reference of 31566-31-1

Referemce:
Ester – Wikipedia,
Ester – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics