bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chiral Pool Guided Syntheses of Polycyclic Natural Products
Authors: Fu Shaomin , Liu Bo
Published: October 2021

Comprehensive Summary

Chiral pools have been commonly utilized as inexpensive and versatile building blocks in organic synthesis. In this account, we provide an overview of our recent synthetic efforts toward polycyclic natural products using chiral natural small molecules (chiral pool) as starting materials. Key achievements during our syntheses include intermolecular Diels‐Alder/intramolecular hetero‐Diels‐Alder cascade to enable modification of previously proposed biosynthetic pathway of bolivianine, Diels‐Alder‐type dimerization through a conjugated furanyl diene intermediate to achieve three types of lindenane [4+2] dimers, Iron‐catalyzed reductive aldol reaction to construct core of rumphellclovane E and [3,3]‐rearrangement along with vinylogous Pummerer rearrangement to make epoxyquinol substructure of JBIR‐23/‐24. In the final, the outlook is also presented.

What is the most favorite and original chemistry developed in your research group?

Biomimetic and/or convergent synthetic strategies leading to concise natural product synthesis

How do you get into this specific field? Could you please share some experiences with our readers?

I have become interested in natural product synthesis (NPS) since I was a senior undergraduate student, encouraging me to enter this field in my PhD study. NPS is both fascinating and challenging to make complex molecules from simple starting materials, and construct different chemical bonds with proper stereochemistry. In my opinion, solid knowledge in reaction mechanism and structural conformation and persistent passion to pursue dreams are the two key elements aiming at successful and beautiful natural product synthesis.

How do you supervise your students?

Persuade them that it is important to be cautious with experiments, to be curious with new development and to be open with minds.

What is the most important personality for scientific research?

Passion, creativity, persistence and honesty.

What are your hobbies?

Music, reading and sight‐seeing.

How do you keep balance between research and family?

To tell the truth, I actually owe a lot to my family.
From the color composition to the color psychology: Soft drink packaging in warm colors, and spirits packaging in dark colors
Authors: He Xiang Feng , Lv Xin Guang
Published: October 2021

This research analyzed the relevant practices in the color composition of packaging and its color psychology for soft drink and spirits products in the world‐renowned packaging design competitions. The packaging color characteristics of the two types of products were analyzed using a quantitative analysis‐based approach (using HSV color model), supplemented by qualitative analysis. The colors of 534 drink packages were analyzed quantitatively, and the three main components of soft drinks and spirits packaging were evaluated in terms of hue, saturation, and value. The color ranges and characteristics of soft drinks and spirits were summarized and compared. The results showed that the vast majority of both products used multi‐color packaging. Soft drink packaging is mostly colored with high value of red, orange, and yellow hue areas, while spirits packaging mostly uses low‐saturation colors. In addition, the average saturation (42.44%) and average value (78.18%) of the main color of soft drink packaging were higher than the average saturation (25.94%) and average value (57.55%) of spirits. Soft drink products are mostly packaged in white or warm colors to gain consumers' attention, while spirits are packaged in black to highlight the high quality and taste. This study shows that the color composition of soft drink and spirits packaging is clearly different. It also reflects that specific colors have a specific psychological meaning, thus causing people's psychological resonance and recognition, which has positive significance for further research on the influence of color psychology on product packaging.
The relationship between patient's participation in shade selection and their satisfaction with their dental prostheses
Authors: Alzeghaibi Faisal , Jammah Abdulaziz , Alghanim Faisal , Albawardi Khalid , Alkadi Lubna
Published: October 2021

Objectives

Multiple studies have measured the degree of patients' satisfaction with their dental prostheses. Some found that the preliminary cause for dissatisfaction was attributed to the shade used in the fabrication their prostheses. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between patients' participation in the shade selection procedure and their satisfaction with their prostheses.

Material and Methods

In this cross‐sectional study, an online based questionnaire was distributed. Out of 475 participants, 374 who met inclusion criteria were enrolled in this study. A questionnaire consisting of 19 questions and two parts was utilized. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS 25 with a level of significance (p value) ≤ 0.05.

Results

The majority of participants were involved in the shade selection procedure (81%) and satisfied with the shade of their dental prostheses (83.7%). Satisfaction rate was higher in patients who participated in shade selection (87.8%). One in every three patients wanted a lighter shade than that they currently have. All results were statistically significant.

Conclusion

Patients' participation in their prostheses' shade selection increased their satisfaction with them. It is crucial that patients receive professional advice during shade selection for them to make an informed decision regarding the shade of their prostheses.
Design of a wideband Y‐shaped antenna for the application in IoT and 5G communication
Authors: Mukherjee Kaushal , Mukhopadhyay Subhadeep , Roy Sahadev
Published: October 2021

A small wideband Y‐shaped antenna is presented in this paper. A monopole of Y‐shaped with two rectangular‐shape frequency shifting strip is used to produce a compact dimension of 10 mm × 12 mm on a 1‐mm‐thick FR4 substrate. The antenna has an impedance bandwidth (measured below −10 dB from 39.57 to 44.63 GHz), a gain more than 4.9 dB, radiation efficiency of 81%, and voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) < 2, within the bandwidth of interest, making it a viable option for 5G applications. The use of a (01.7850 × 2.6775 × 00.02) mm3 metallic strip located above the feed line is also shown to efficiently increase the antenna bandwidth to values greater than 5 GHz without affecting the other antenna parameters. Additionally, the measured results in comparison with the simulated results reveal negligible changes, confirming that the proposed antenna is also suitable for the applications of 5G with Internet of Things.
Soil resource availability is much more important than soil resource heterogeneity in determining the species diversity and abundance of karst plant communities
Authors: Liu Yuan , Qi Wenchao , He Danni , Xiang Yunrong , Liu Jinchun , Huang Huimin , Chen Miao , Tao Jianping
Published: October 2021

Resource availability and heterogeneity are recognized as two essential environmental aspects to determine species diversity and community abundance. However, how soil resource availability and heterogeneity determine species diversity and community abundance in highly heterogeneous and most fragile karst landscapes is largely unknown. We examined the effects of soil resource availability and heterogeneity on plant community composition and quantified their relative contribution by variation partitioning. Then, a structural equation model (SEM) was used to further disentangle the multiple direct and indirect effects of soil resource availability on plant community composition. Species diversity was significantly influenced by the soil resource availability in shrubland and woodland but not by the heterogeneity in woodland. Abundance was significantly affected by both soil resource availability and heterogeneity, whereas variation partitioning results showed that soil resource availability explained the majority of the variance in abundance, and the contribution of soil resource heterogeneity was marginal. These results indicated that soil resource availability plays a more important role in determining karst plant community composition than soil resource heterogeneity. Our SEMs further found that the multiple direct and indirect processes of soil resource availability in determining karst species diversity and abundance were different in different vegetation types. Soil resource availability and heterogeneity both played a certain role in determining karst plant community composition, while the importance of soil resource availability far exceeded soil resource heterogeneity. We propose that steering community restoration and reconstruction should be highly dependent on soil resource availability, and multiple direct and indirect pathways of soil resource availability for structuring karst plant communities need to be taken into account.
Phylogenetic relatedness, functional traits, and spatial scale determine herbivore co‐occurrence in a subtropical forest
Authors: Wang Ming‐Qiang , Yan Chuan , Luo Arong , Li Yi , Chesters Douglas , Qiao Hui‐Jie , Chen Jing‐Ting , Zhou Qing‐Song , Ma Keping , Bruelheide Helge , Schuldt Andreas , Zhang Zhibin , Zhu Chao‐Dong
Published: October 2021

The mechanisms driving species co‐occurrence are varied and include biotic interactions, abiotic factors, and scale‐dependent processes. Based on a comprehensive dataset of lepidopteran herbivores recorded from a large‐scale forest biodiversity experiment, we tested the contribution to herbivore species co‐occurrence of herbivore phylogenetic relatedness, plant diversity and functional traits, and spatial scale. We found that Lepidoptera co‐occurrence was negatively associated with their phylogenetic relatedness, tree diversity, and defensive traits, but positively associated with nutritional functional traits. Furthermore, species co‐occurrence was higher at larger spatial scales (tree species or plot) than at smaller scale (individual trees). Our results provide evidence supporting both environmental filtering and competition exclusion hypotheses, and highlight the significance of functionality in shaping species coexistence of herbivores in plant‐arthropod systems.
Natal experience and pre‐breeding environmental conditions affect lay date plasticity in Savannah Sparrows
Authors: Burant Joseph B. , Heisey Eric W. , Wheelwright Nathaniel T. , Newman Amy E. M. , Whelan Shannon , Mennill Daniel J. , Doucet Stéphanie M. , Mitchell Greg W. , Woodworth Bradley K. , Norris D. Ryan
Published: October 2021

Phenotypic plasticity allows organisms to adjust the timing of life‐history events in response to environmental and demographic conditions. Shifts by individuals in the timing of breeding with respect to variation in age and temperature are well documented in nature, and these changes are known to scale to affect population dynamics. However, relatively little is known about how organisms alter phenology in response to other demographic and environmental factors. We investigated how pre‐breeding temperature, breeding population density, age, and rainfall in the first month of life influenced the timing and plasticity of lay date in a population of Savannah Sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis) monitored over 33 yr (1987–2019). Females that experienced warmer pre‐breeding temperatures tended to lay eggs earlier, as did older females, but breeding population density had no effect on lay date. Natal precipitation interacted with age to influence lay date plasticity, with females that experienced high precipitation levels as nestlings advancing lay dates more strongly over the course of their lives. We also found evidence for varied pace of life; females that experienced high natal precipitation had shorter lifespans and reduced fecundity, but more nesting attempts over their lifetimes. Rainfall during the nestling period increased through time, while population density and fecundity declined, suggesting that increased precipitation on the breeding grounds may be detrimental to breeding females and ultimately the viability of the population as a whole. Our results suggest that females adjust their laying date in response to pre‐breeding temperature, and as they age, while presenting new evidence that environmental conditions during the natal period can affect phenological plasticity and generate downstream, population‐level effects.
History of extracardiac/cardiac events in cardiac amyloidosis: prevalence and time from initial onset to diagnosis
Authors: Kharoubi Mounira , Bézard Mélanie , Galat Arnault , Le Bras Fabien , Poullot Elsa , Molinier‐Frenkel Valérie , Fanen Pascale , Funalot Benoit , Moktefi Anissa , Lefaucheur Jean‐Pascal , Abulizi Mukedaisi , Deux Jean‐François , Lemonnier François , Guendouz Soulef , Chalard Coraline , Zaroui Amira , Audard Vincent , Bequignon Emilie , Bodez Diane , Itti Emmanuel , Hittinger Luc , Audureau Etienne , Teiger Emmanuel , Oghina Silvia , Damy Thibaud
Published: October 2021

Aims

Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) has a poor prognosis which is aggravated by diagnostic delay. Amyloidosis extracardiac and cardiac events (AECE and ACE) may help improve CA diagnosis and typing. The aim of this study was to compare AECE and ACE between different CA types and assess their relationship with survival.

Methods and results

This retrospective cohort study conducted in France from June 2008 to May 2019, at the Henry Mondor Hospital. This cohort included 983 patients with CA. Mean age at inclusion was 73.1 ± 11.4 years, 726 (75.1%) were male and the mean body mass index was 24.5 ± 4.1 kg/m2. Among them, 321 had immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis, 434 had wild‐type transthyretin (ATTRwt), and 212 had hereditary transthyretin (ATTRv). The first AECE and/or ACE occurred at a mean age of 63 ± 11 years for AL and ATTRv, and 70 ± 12 years for ATTRwt (P < 0.01). The median (Q1–Q3) delay between declaration of the first events and diagnosis varied from 11.1 (5.9; 34.8) months for AL to 92.2 (39.0; 174.7) months for ATTRwt (P < 0.01). The nature of the onset of AECE or ACE varied based on amyloidosis type, heart failure symptoms for AL (26%) and integumentary symptoms for ATTRv with cardiologic or mixed phenotype (39%) and ATTRwt (42%). In AL and ATTRwt, a short delay between the onset of the first AECE or ACE and diagnosis was associated with reduced survival rate (log‐rank test P‐value <0.01).

Conclusions

This study highlights the impact of amyloidosis type and evolution on diagnostic delay and on prognosis. Physicians must be aware and vigilant in front of extracardiac and cardiac events to considerably improve early diagnosis of amyloidosis.
Impact of cibenzoline treatment on left ventricular remodelling and prognosis in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy
Authors: Hamada Mareomi , Shigematsu Yuji , Ikeda Shuntaro , Ohshima Kiyotaka , Ogimoto Akiyoshi
Published: October 2021

Aims

This study aimed to elucidate the long‐term effect of cibenzoline therapy on cardiovascular complications and prognosis in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM).

Methods and results

Eighty‐eight patients with HOCM were treated with cibenzoline (Group A), and 41 patients did not receive cibenzoline (Group B). The changes in left ventricular (LV) remodelling, incidences of cardiovascular complications and deaths, were examined. The mean follow‐up period was 15.8 ± 5.6 years in Group A and 17.8 ± 7.2 years in Group B. In Group A, the LV pressure gradient (LVPG) decreased immediately after treatment, and the reduction was maintained throughout the study. In Group B, the LVPG decreased gradually according to the deterioration of LV function. LV reverse remodelling was confirmed in Group A, and LV remodelling advanced in Group B. In Group A, the incidence of each cardiovascular complication was <10%. Only one patient experienced LV heart failure (LVHF). LVHF incidence and atrial fibrillation were higher in Group B than those in Group A (P < 0.0001). The incidence of death was 20.5% in Group A and 90.2% in Group B (P < 0.0001). The most frequent cause of death was sudden cardiac death (SCD) (38.9%) in Group A and LVHF (67.6%) in Group B. The incidence of SCD showed no significant difference between the two groups. The cumulative cardiac survival rate was higher in Group A than that in Group B (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Cibenzoline treatment significantly reduced all cardiovascular complications and death due to LVHF and may be a promising treatment in patients with HOCM.
Synthesis and Physicochemical Properties of Low Viscosity 2‐Ethylhexyl Alkyl Ethers Made from Palm‐Based Esters as Potential Biolubricant
Authors: Tang Sook Wah , Chan Chung‐Hung , Mohd Noor Khairin , Lim Wen Huei , Hoong Seng Soi , Tuan Ismail Tuan Noor Maznee , Yeong Shoot Kian
Published: October 2021

A series of 2‐ethylhexyl alkyl ethers (EHAE) are synthesized from palm‐based esters via a one‐step reaction under mild reaction conditions for potential usage as biolubricant. In this work, 2‐ethylhexyl esters with varying fatty acid chain lengths are reacted with 1,1,3,3‐tetramethyldisiloxane (TMDS), catalyzed by indium bromide (InBr3) at 40 °C to afford EHAE with lauryl, palmityl, stearyl, and oleyl alkyl chain with 55–68% isolated yield. These compounds are characterized using Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) and NMR spectroscopic methods and are evaluated for their viscosity, thermal, cold‐flow, oxidative, and anti‐wear properties. The synthesized EHAEs demonstrate low viscosity (1.65–2.55 cSt at 100 °C) with excellent viscosity indices (130–182). These EHAEs show comparable wear scar diameter (0.6–1.0 mm) in comparison with commercial mineral oil base stock (group I SN150) in the four‐ball wear test. Thermal‐oxidative investigation of the EHAE reveals that the thermal degradation temperatures are in the range of 200–250 °C and oxidation onset temperatures are between 165 and 184 °C. Among the EHAEs, 2‐ethylhexyl lauryl ether with the shortest alkyl chain has the lowest pour point of −27 °C. The physicochemical properties of synthesized EHAEs indicate that they are potential as biolubricant base stocks.

Practical Applications: The EHAEs produced from this work exhibit promising physicochemical and lubricity properties, which offer great potential to be used as lubricant base stock especially for internal engine oil application.
Microwave‐Assisted 1,3‐Dioxa‐[3,3]‐Sigmatropic Rearrangement of Substituted Allylic Carbamates: Application to the Synthesis of Novel 1,3‐Oxazine‐2,4‐dione Derivatives
Authors: Bou Zeid Samar , Eid Samar , Najjar Fadia , Macé Aurélie , Rivilla Ivan , Cossío Fernando P. , Dorcet Vincent , Roisnel Thierry , Carreaux François
Published: October 2021

In a first instance, the effect of the microwave irradiation on the 1,3‐Dioxa‐[3,3]‐sigmatropic rearrangement of aryl allylic carbamates was investigated. Under these new conditions, the reaction acceleration was clearly highlighted compared to conventional heating conditions. Depending on the electronic nature of substituents on the aromatic group, this type of rearrangement can be faster with similar or improved yields. Due to this experimental improvement, the diversity of aryl allylic carbamates able to undergo this rearrangement in a reasonable reaction time (30 min.) and with acceptable to high yields was greatly extended. Finally, an original synthetic way involving this microwave‐assisted process to access new six‐membered heterocyclic structures such as (E)‐5‐arylidene‐1,3‐oxazinane‐2,4‐diones was developed from Morita‐Baylis‐Hillman (MBH) adducts showing the interest of this molecular rearrangement approach. DFT and Fragment Distortion studies showed in general polar transition structures and connected high deformation and interaction energies with lower activation barriers.
The EI‐MS Fragmentation Mechanisms of the Bacterial Diterpenes Polytrichastrene A and Wanju‐2,5‐diene
Authors: Hou Anwei , Dickschat Jeroen S.
Published: October 2021

The fragmentation mechanisms leading to the formation of several pronounced fragment ions formed during EI mass spectrometry of the diterpene hydrocarbons polytrichastrene A and wanju‐2,5‐diene were investigated by isotopic labelling experiments. All twenty singly 13C‐labelled isotopomers of these diterpenes were enzymatically synthesised from the twenty isotopomers of (13C)geranylgeranyl diphosphate using the polytrichastrene synthase from Chryseobacterium polytrichastri. Their mass spectrometric investigation allowed for conclusions on the fragmentation mechanisms leading to the observed fragment ions.
Treatment strategies for a rapidly evolving landscape in chronic lymphocytic leukemia management
Authors: Eyre Toby A. , Hori Satoshi , Munir Talha
Published: October 2021

With the advent of targeted therapies for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), treatment choice has expanded and patients are living longer. Careful consideration is needed regarding treatment duration and sequence, how best to meet patients' needs, balancing toxicities while improving long‐term survival and maximizing depth of response. This review addresses these considerations and discusses current targeted treatment dilemmas. Targeted therapies have dramatically transformed the CLL treatment landscape. Two treatment paradigms have emerged using B‐cell lymphoma 2 inhibitors (BCL2i) and Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK): (i) fixed duration and (ii) continuous treatment. The BCL2i venetoclax can attain deep remissions with a fixed‐duration approach, resulting in high rates of undetectable minimal residual disease (uMRD) in treatment‐naïve and relapsed/refractory (R/R) patients with CLL. BTKis such as ibrutinib and acalabrutinib achieve high objective response rates and long‐term disease control, although they rarely attain complete response or uMRD status as monotherapy. Numerous studies are evaluating the clinical utility of BTKi and BCL2i as combination therapies, where deep remissions have been found to occur. MRD status may also be a useful marker for deciding when to stop continuous therapy, and randomized trials on MRD‐guided treatment strategies are currently ongoing. The current treatment choice between continuous or fixed‐duration therapy should be based on comorbidities, risks, preferences, and treatment goals, whilst areas of emerging clinical interest include the potential utility of BTKi‐BCL2i combination therapies, as well as an MRD‐guided treatment strategies in the future.
Solving a class of local and nonlocal elliptic boundary value problems arising in heat transfer
Authors: Singh Harendra
Published: October 2021

This paper deals with a class of Bratu's type, Troesch's, and nonlocal elliptic boundary value problems arising in the heat transfer process. Due to the strong nonlinearity and presence of parameter , it is very difficult to solve these problems analytically as well as numerically. By using the Jacobi spectral collocation method, these problems are solved fruitfully. We have shown the numerical as well as theoretical convergence of the suggested scheme. Numerical results are presented through figures and tables, demonstrating the accuracy of the scheme. Results are compared with some known methods to highlight its neglectable error.
Runoff mitigation via micro-dams and conservation tillage—Numerical modeling of runoff and erosion from maize field trials
Authors: Sittig Stephan , Sur Robin , Baets Dirk
Published: October 2021

Runoff and erosion are the most important transport pathways of water, sediment, and associated pesticides from sloped agricultural fields. This results in the loss of fertile topsoil material, nutrients, irrigation water, and plant protection products (PPP) into adjacent surface water bodies. In the European and US risk assessment for the registration of PPP, runoff and erosion are numerically calculated with the simulation Pesticide Root Zone Model (PRZM) using the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) runoff curve number (CN) concept for the water movement and the MUSS equation to quantify the sediment transfer. This work presents an evaluation of maize field trials conducted in three seasons that considered micro-dams (i.e., small earthen dams between the rows; also known as “furrow diking,” “furrow damming,” etc.) and/or conservation tillage (via subsoiling) as mitigation measures to investigate the effects on the reduction in runoff and erosion. Measured quantitative reductions and event-wise calculated CN are presented. Furthermore, the trials were simulated using the PRZM over the complete vegetation period and runoff CN as well as parameter values of the MUSS erosion equation (a relative adaptation of the C-factor) were inversely estimated. Compared with the control plots (i.e., conventional tillage), micro-dams or conservation tillage reduced runoff by 24%–71% or 69%–89%, and erosion by 54%–81% or 91%–98%. Based on these data, a robust case can be made to lower CN or parameters in the MUSS equation for surface water exposure scenarios to consider the effects on predicted environmental concentrations (PECs) and estimated environmental concentrations (EECs). Mean resulting CN reductions by micro-dams or conservation tillage were ascertained to be 6% (±2.5%) or 12% (±3.0%), the C-factor was reduced by a factor of 0.1 (±0.15) or 0.48 (±0.19). Example calculations show reductions in the ranges of 11%–100% for PECs and 30%–98% for EECs. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:1348–1363. © 2021 Bayer AG Crop Science. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).

KEY POINTS

The application of micro-dams and conservation tillage can be adequately considered in risk assessment in the US and Europe. Calculating predicted environmental concentrations in the European (FOCUS) framework requires careful reassessment to adequately consider scenario specifics. Field trials can be simulated over complete seasons with the model PRZM with the aim to reproduce the total runoff water and soil erosion. The relative reduction of the parameter C of the MUSS erosion equation by micro-dams and conservation tillage can be inferred from field trials over complete seasons.
How to Identify the Crystal Growth Unit
Authors: Verma Lakshmanji , Warzecha Monika , Chakrabarti Rajshree , Hadjiev Viktor G. , Palmer Jeremy C. , Vekilov Peter G.
Published: October 2021

The structure and composition of the crystal growth unit are of huge fundamental and practical consequence. We propose a method to identify the solute species that incorporates into the growth site on crystal surfaces, the kinks, which rests on the kinetics of the elementary reaction at the kinks. We use as model crystals olanzapine, an antipsychotic medication, and etioporphyrin I, a field‐effect transistor. We combine time‐resolved in situ atomic force microscopy with Raman and absorption spectroscopies, complemented by density functional theory and all‐atom molecular dynamics modeling of the solutions. We show that the structure of the growth unit cannot be deduced neither from the solute oligomers nor from the crystal structure. Chemical kinetics analyses reveal that if the dominant solute species is the one that incorporates into the crystal growth sites, then the kinetics of layer growth complies with a monomolecular rate law. By contrast, if the crystal growth unit assembles from two units of the dominant solute form, a bimolecular rate law ensues. Solutions of both olanzapine and etioporphyrin I are dominated by solute monomers, which exist in equilibrium with a minority of dimers. Whereas numerous olanzapine crystal structures incorporate dimer motifs, etioporphyrin I crystals organize as stacks of monomers. Olanzapine crystal grow by incorporation of dimers. One of the studied face of etioporphyrin I grows by incorporation of the majority monomers, whereas the other one selects the minority dimers as a growth unit. The results highlight the power of the crystallization kinetics analyses to identify the growth unit and illuminate one of the most challenging issues of crystal growth.
Expulsion and continuation rates of the levonorgestrel 52 mg intrauterine system was similar among nulligravid and parous users
Authors: Brull Eliza , Machado Helymar Costa , Bahamondes Luis , Juliato Cássia R. T.
Published: October 2021

Objective

To compare the expulsion and continuation rates of the levonorgestrel (LNG) 52 mg intrauterine system (IUS) in a cohort of nulligravid and parous users.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study that included 996 participants in whom we placed an LNG‐IUS, and the participants were monitored for up to 5 years after device placement. We identify 498 nulligravid participants in the medical record database between 2012 and 2020. Each nulligravida was paired with a parous users who had an LNG‐IUS inserted on the same day, just before or after the nulligravida. The Kaplan‐Meier method and the log‐rank test were used to compare the survival curves of the two groups.

Results

By the fifth year of use, the expulsion rates were 7.6/100 and 8.2/100 women‐years (W‐Ys) and the continuation rates were 641/100 W‐Ys and 65.4/100 W‐Ys without difference among nulligravid and parous users, respectively (P = 0.782 and P = 0.564, respectively). We observed 29 and 31 expulsions among nulligravid and parous users, respectively.

Conclusion

Nulligravid and parous participants who used the 52 mg LNG‐IUS showed similar expulsion and continuation rates during five years of use.
COLI‐Net: Deep learning‐assisted fully automated COVID‐19 lung and infection pneumonia lesion detection and segmentation from chest computed tomography images
Authors: Shiri Isaac , Arabi Hossein , Salimi Yazdan , Sanaat Amirhossein , Akhavanallaf Azadeh , Hajianfar Ghasem , Askari Dariush , Moradi Shakiba , Mansouri Zahra , Pakbin Masoumeh , Sandoughdaran Saleh , Abdollahi Hamid , Radmard Amir Reza , Rezaei‐Kalantari Kiara , Ghelich Oghli Mostafa , Zaidi Habib
Published: October 2021

We present a deep learning (DL)‐based automated whole lung and COVID‐19 pneumonia infectious lesions (COLI‐Net) detection and segmentation from chest computed tomography (CT) images. This multicenter/multiscanner study involved 2368 (347′259 2D slices) and 190 (17 341 2D slices) volumetric CT exams along with their corresponding manual segmentation of lungs and lesions, respectively. All images were cropped, resized, and the intensity values clipped and normalized. A residual network with non‐square Dice loss function built upon TensorFlow was employed. The accuracy of lung and COVID‐19 lesions segmentation was evaluated on an external reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction positive COVID‐19 dataset (7′333 2D slices) collected at five different centers. To evaluate the segmentation performance, we calculated different quantitative metrics, including radiomic features. The mean Dice coefficients were 0.98 ± 0.011 (95% CI, 0.98–0.99) and 0.91 ± 0.038 (95% CI, 0.90–0.91) for lung and lesions segmentation, respectively. The mean relative Hounsfield unit differences were 0.03 ± 0.84% (95% CI, −0.12 to 0.18) and −0.18 ± 3.4% (95% CI, −0.8 to 0.44) for the lung and lesions, respectively. The relative volume difference for lung and lesions were 0.38 ± 1.2% (95% CI, 0.16–0.59) and 0.81 ± 6.6% (95% CI, −0.39 to 2), respectively. Most radiomic features had a mean relative error less than 5% with the highest mean relative error achieved for the lung for the range first‐order feature (−6.95%) and least axis length shape feature (8.68%) for lesions. We developed an automated DL‐guided three‐dimensional whole lung and infected regions segmentation in COVID‐19 patients to provide fast, consistent, robust, and human error immune framework for lung and pneumonia lesion detection and quantification.
Capital, liquidity, and profitability in European banks
Authors: Adelopo Ismail , Vichou Nikolina , Cheung Kwok Yip
Published: October 2021

The research aims to investigate the impact of increased capital requirements and high liquidity levels on the profitability of European banks in the post crisis period. The study examines the largest banks in the European Union spanning 28 countries using data from 2010 to 2018. It used three measures to define bank profitability: return on average assets, return on average equity, and operating profit to risk weighted assets. Capital, liquidity, size, and asset quality represent bank specific determinants, while economic growth and inflation are considered as the main external determinants having influence on profitability. We used multiple regression models to analyze the association amongst the variables. The results revealed a positive and significant association between liquidity level and bank performance. Asset quality showed a negative and statistically significant influence on bank performance, while economic growth and inflation have no significant influence on bank performance. The study concludes that there is limited influence of the Basel III on bank profitability although the policy is important in achieving banking stability. This study contributes to the literature by empirically analyzing the impact of capital regulation on bank performance for the biggest banks in Europe. Although the Basel III framework is important for prudential banking, its effects on the performance of European bank is debatable.
Detailed macro and micromorphology of grasses caryopsis using scanning electron and light microscopy
Authors: Khan Basheer , Khan Raees , Rashid Abdur , Ullah Asad , Abidin Sheikh Zain Ul
Published: October 2021

Micromorphology of 15 grass caryopsis was investigated through scanning electron microscopy for its implications in the identification of grasses. Both macro and micromorphological characters especially caryopsis shape and surface morphology were found significant in the taxonomic diagnosis. Shape morphology of caryopsis varied among the species and lanceolate, fusiform, narrow ellipsoidal, ovate, elliptical, plano‐convex, fusiform, linear ovate, broadly elliptical, broadly pllipsoidal, plano‐convex, oblique ovate, and subglobose shapes were recorded. Digitaria nodosa (3.31 × 0.7 mm) and Echinochloa crus‐galli (3.26 × 1.44 mm) had the largest caryopsis size, while Acrachne racemosa (0.76 × 0.54 mm) and Eragrostis minor (0.62 × 0.38 mm) had the smallest caryopsis size. Macro and micromorphological characters were useful for the diagnosis of genus and species. Utilizing both qualitative and quantitative character taxonomic key at generic and species level were made.
The development of shape. Modular control of growth in the lepidopteran forewing
Authors: McKenna Kenneth Z. , Nijhout H. Frederik
Published: October 2021

The mechanisms by which tissues and organs achieve their final size and shape during development are largely unknown. Although we have learned much about the mechanisms that control growth, little is known about how those play out to achieve a structure's specific final size and shape. The wings of insects are attractive systems for the study of the control of morphogenesis, because they are perfectly flat and two‐dimensional, composed of two closely appressed cellular monolayers in which morphogenetic processes can be easily visualized. The wings of Lepidoptera arise from imaginal disks whose structure is always perfectly congruent with that of the adult wing, so that it is possible to fate‐map corresponding positions on the larval disk to those of the adult wing. Here we show that the forewing imaginal disks of Junonia coenia are subdivided into four domains, with characteristic patterns of expression of known patterning genes Spalt (Sal), Engrailed (En), and Cubitus interruptus (Ci). We show that DNA and protein synthesis, as well as mitoses, are spatially patterned in a domain‐specific way. Knockdown of Sal and En using produced domain‐specific reductions in the shape of the forewing. Knockdown of signaling pathways involved in the regulation of growth likewise altered the shape of the forewing in a domain‐specific way. Our results reveal a multi‐level regulation of forewing shape involving hormones and growth‐regulating genes.
Marked increase in tumor transfection with a truncated branched polymer
Authors: Xu Songhui , He Jiaxi , Imtiyaz Zuha , Agrawal Atul K. , Woodle Martin C. , Mixson A. James
Published: October 2021

Background

We previously determined that polyplexes formed by linear H2K peptides were more effective in transfecting tumors in vivo than polyplexes formed by branched H2K4b‐20 peptides. Based on trypsin digest and salt displacement studies, the linear H2K polyplexes were less stable than the branched H2K4b‐20 polyplexes. Because binding and release of the polymer and DNA from the H2K4b‐20 polyplex may account for the ineffectiveness, we investigated whether four‐branched histidine‐lysine (HK) peptides with varying numbers of amino acids in their branches would be more effective in their ability to increase gene expression in tumors in vivo.

Methods

Linear and branched peptides with multiple ‐KHHK‐ motifs were synthesized by solid‐phase synthesis. The branched H2K4b‐20, ‐18, ‐14 and 12 peptides had 20, 18, 14 and 12 amino acids in their branches, respectively. These peptides were examined for their ability to carry luciferase‐expressing plasmids to human breast cancer xenografts in a mouse model. With gel retardation and in vivo transfection, the incorporation of a targeting ligand and an endosomal lysis peptide into these polyplexes was also examined. A blocking antibody was pre‐injected prior to the polyplexes to determine the role of neuropilin 1 in the uptake of these polyplexes by the tumor. The size of the polyplexes was measured by dynamic light scattering.

Results

Of the four negative surface‐charge polyplexes formed by the branched carriers, the H2K4b‐14 polyplex was determined to be the most effective plasmid delivery platform to tumors. The incorporation of a targeting ligand and an endosomal lysis peptide into H2K4b‐14 polyplexes further enhanced their ability to transfect tumors in vivo. Furthermore, after pre‐injecting tumor‐bearing mice with a blocking antibody to the neuropilin‐1 receptor (NRP‐1), there was a marked reduction of tumor gene expression with the modified H2K4b‐14 polyplexes, suggesting that NRP‐1 mediated their transport into the tumor.

Conclusions

The present study established that branched peptides intermediate in length were very efficient in delivering plasmids to tumors in vivo.
Synthesis, characterization, and photophysical properties of some new thieno[2,3‐b]pyridines bearing phenylethenyl moiety
Authors: EL‐Mahdy Ahmed F. M. , Bakhite Etify A. , Abdel‐Hafez Shams H. , Ibrahim Omaima F. , Abdu‐Allah Hajjaj H. M. , Marae Islam S.
Published: October 2021

5‐Acetyl‐3‐cyano‐6‐methyl‐4‐(2‐phenylethenyl)pyridine‐2(1H)‐thione (2) was synthesized by interaction of cinnamylidene‐2‐cyanothioacetamide 1 and acetylacetone or via one‐pot reaction of E‐cinnamaldehyde, 2‐cyanothioacetamide, and acetylacetone. Reaction of 2 with ethyl iodide (3a) or N‐chloroacetyl derivative of aromatic amines 3b–e in boiling ethanol containing sodium ethoxide gave the corresponding thioether 4a and 5‐acetyl‐3‐amino‐2‐(N‐arylcarbamoyl)‐6‐methyl‐4‐(2‐phenylethenyl)thieno[2,3‐b]pyridines 5b–e, respectively. Compound 5e was reacted with 2,5‐dimethoxytetrahydrofuran or triethyl orthoformate to furnish pyrrolylthienopyyridine 6 or pyrdiothienopyrimidinone 7, respectively. The photophysical properties of 5b, 5c, 5e, and 7 were fully studied and the obtained results included herein. The fluorescence data confirmed that compounds 5b, 5c, 5e, and 7 exhibit aggregation‐induced emission behavior with high absolute quantum yields.
The nature of reported safety events related to care coordination in the operating room setting in a tertiary academic center
Authors: Krishnan Sindhu , Wheeler Kimberly K. , Pimentel Marc Philip , Vacanti Joshua C. , Urman Richard D.
Published: October 2021

Adverse event reporting systems are important tools for identifying areas of risk and opportunities for education and improvement. Our goal was to examine the nature of perioperative incident reports related to care coordination that were filed by staff at an academic tertiary care center.

In this retrospective data review, perioperative safety reports between 2015 and 2020 were analyzed. Information examined included the type of staff who initiated the report, location of the incident, type of incident and the severity level of event, including patient harm.

Out of the 7827 reports evaluated, 61.2% of reports were filed by nurses, and 5.6% by physicians. We investigated one particular category called “coordination of care” and found the specific event most commonly reported was insufficient handoff (15.0%–26.9%), with severity level reported primarily being no to minor harm reaching the patient. However, communication failures were judged to be one of leading causes of inadvertent harm.

It is imperative for hospital incident reporting systems to collect data on issues related to communication failures and to design interventions with the help of frontline staff to provide high quality, safe care to patients and to remain compliant with regulatory requirements and hospital policies.
Gender gap in schooling: Is there a role for health insurance?
Authors: Ojha Manini
Published: October 2021

Sudden health shocks may be devastating if their consequences are transferred to human capital formation of children, especially in families that are unable to access affordable healthcare. As such, access to health insurance may play a role in determining schooling decisions. I examine the impact of India's national health insurance scheme (RSBY) on gender differences in school enrolments in this paper. Employing difference‐in‐differences and triple differences approaches, I find that RSBY reduces the gender gap in school enrolments. Therefore, while RSBY was implemented with the aim of reducing financial burden for the poor, I find evidence that it has unintended positive consequences for girls in particular.
“Dragon boating” alone? Community ties and systemic income shocks
Authors: Matakos Konstantinos , Minos Dimitrios , Perdana Ari , Radin Elizabeth
Published: October 2021

Can social capital effectively cushion households against adverse income shocks, especially in the absence of formal insurance mechanisms in developing countries? And what if such shocks are due international finance and thus universal and systemic in nature? We analyse whether participation in formal and informal community activities (our measure of social capital) helped households in Indonesia mitigating the impact of the 1998 financial crisis. We use the 1997 and 2000 rounds of the Indonesian Family Life Survey (IFLS) to capture the impact of the crisis on household welfare and assess the potency of social capital as a safety net. In contrast to previous studies, our empirical results do not lend support to this hypothesis. Using a fuzzy regression discontinuity design (RDD)—coupled by an IV strategy for extrapolation, we find community participation not to be statistically significant in explaining changes in household expenditure. The large magnitude and universal nature of the shock might explain why social capital did not help households. However, we find some suggestive evidence that households who participated in such activities are more likely to have received financial assistance from the local community without necessarily being the neediest ones.
Seroprevalence of Pteropine orthoreovirus in humans remain similar after nearly two decades (2001–2002 vs. 2017) in Tioman Island, Malaysia
Authors: Leong Wai J. , Quek Xin F. , Tan Hui Y. , Wong Kim M. , Muhammad Hariz S. , Mohamed Nurul A. , Wong Siew T. , Abdullah Mohd L. , Leong Pooi P. , Wang Linfa , Voon Kenny
Published: October 2021

Pteropine orthoreovirus (PRV) is an emerging zoonotic respiratory virus that can be transmitted from bats to humans. In Malaysia, aside from PRV2P (Pulau virus) being isolated from Pteropus hypomelanus sampled in Tioman Island, PRV3M (Melaka virus), PRV4K (Kampar virus), and PRV7S (Sikamat virus) were all isolated from samples of patients who reported having a disease spectrum from acute respiratory distress to influenza‐like illness and sometimes even with enteric symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal pain. Screening of sera collected from human volunteers on Tioman Island in 2001–2002 demonstrated that 12.8% (14/109) were positive for PRV2P and PRV3M. Taking all these together, we aim to investigate the serological prevalence of PRV (including PRV4K and PRV7S) among Tioman Island inhabitants again with the assumption that the seroprevalence rate will remain nearly similar to the above reported if human exposure to bats is still happening in the island. Using sera collected from human volunteers on the same island in 2017, we demonstrated seroprevalence of 17.8% (28/157) against PRV2P and PRV3M, respectively. Seropositivity of 11.4% among Tioman Island inhabitants against PRV4K and PRV7S, respectively, was described in this study. In addition, the seroprevalence of 89.5% (17/19), 73.6% (14/19), 63.0% (12/19), and 73.6% (14/19) against PRV2P, PRV3M, PRV4K, and PRV7S, respectively, were observed among pteropid bats in the island. We revealed that the seroprevalence of PRV among island inhabitants remains nearly similar after nearly two decades, suggesting that potential spill‐over events in bat–human interface areas in the Tioman Island. We are unclear whether such spillover was directly from bats to humans, as suspected for the PRV3M human cases, or from an intermediate host(s) yet to be identified. There is a high possibility of the viruses circulating among the bats as demonstrated by high seroprevalence against PRV in the bats.
Management of pregnant women with COVID‐19: A tertiary pandemic center experience on 1416 cases
Authors: Sahin Dilek , Tanacan Atakan , Erol Seyit Ahmet , Yucel Yetiskin Fatma Didem , Besimoglu Berhan , Ozden Tokalioglu Eda , Anuk Ali Taner , Turgut Ezgi , Goncu Ayhan Sule , Turgay Batuhan , Unlu Serpil , Kanmaz Gozde , Dinc Bedia , Ozgu‐Erdinc A. Seval , Keskin Huseyin Levent , Surel Aziz Ahmet , Moraloglu Tekin Ozlem
Published: October 2021

The aim of this study is to share the comprehensive experience of a tertiary pandemic center on pregnant women with COVID‐19 and to compare clinical outcomes between pregnancy trimesters. The present prospective cohort study consisted of pregnant women with COVID‐19 who were followed up at Ankara City Hospital between March 11, 2020 and February 20, 2021. Clinical characteristics and perinatal outcomes were compared between the pregnancy trimesters. A total of 1416 pregnant women (1400 singletons and 16 twins) with COVID‐19 were evaluated. Twenty‐six (1.8%) patients were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and maternal mortality was observed in six (0.4%) cases. Pregnancy complications were present in 227 (16.1%) cases and preterm labor was the most common one (n = 42, 2.9%). There were 311, 433, and 672 patients in the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy, respectively. Rates of mild and severe/critic COVID‐19 were highest in the first and second trimesters, respectively. The hospitalization rate was highest in the third trimester. Pregnancy complications, maternal mortality, and NICU admission rates were similar between the groups. The course of the disease and obstetric outcomes may be different among pregnancy trimesters. A worse course of the disease may be observed even in pregnant women without any coexisting health problems.