bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A U.S. population‐based study of insurance disparities in cancer survival among adolescents and young adults
Authors: Colton Meryl D. , Goulding DeLayna , Beltrami Alina , Cost Carrye , Franklin Anna , Cockburn Myles G. , Green Adam L.
Published: June 2019

Background

Adolescents and young adults (AYA), patients age 15‐39, may experience worse outcomes than pediatric and adult patients. The aim of this paper was to document survival disparities associated with insurance status across the AYA age continuum in the United States.

Methods

We utilized the Surveillance, Epidemiologic, and End Results database to identify 66 556 AYA patients between 2007 and 2014 with 10 International Classification of Childhood Cancer diagnoses and calculated the Cox proportional hazard ratios of death for those with public or no insurance status compared to private insurance. The odds ratios of having a late stage of diagnosis by insurance status were also calculated.

Results

Insurance status was a statistically significant predictor of death for lymphoid leukemia (age 15‐19, 30‐34, and 35‐39), acute myeloid leukemia (age 15‐19 and 25‐29), Hodgkin lymphoma (all ages), non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (age 20‐24, 25‐29, 30‐34, and 35‐39), astrocytomas (age 30‐34), other gliomas (age 25‐29, 30‐34, and 35‐39), hepatic carcinomas (age 25‐29), fibrosarcomas, peripheral nerve and other fibrous tumors (age 30‐34), malignant gonadal germ cell tumors (age 20‐24, 25‐29, 30‐34, and 35‐39), and other and unspecified carcinomas (age 20‐24, 25‐29, 30‐34, and 35‐39), independent of stage at diagnosis. This hazard increased with age for most cancer types. Insurance status strongly predicted the odds of a metastatic cancer diagnosis for lymphoma, fibrosarcomas (age 15‐19), germ cell tumors, and other carcinomas.

Conclusions

AYA in the US experience disparities in cancer survival based on insurance status, independent of late stage of presentation. Patients age 26‐39 may be especially vulnerable to health outcomes associated with poor socioeconomic status, treatment disparities, and poor access to care.
A case of inflammatory pseudotumor of the lung presenting as polymyalgia rheumatica
Authors: Tompkins Erin L. , Middlebrook Candice E.‐P. , Tracy Christopher L.
Published: June 2019

A common inflammatory condition, the investigation and diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica should be within the scope of a general physician's repertoire. While there is limited evidence to confirm the existence of polymyalgia rheumatica as a distinct paraneoplastic syndrome (Reumatismo. 2018;70(1):23), a broadened differential should be utilized prior to diagnosis of this disease.
Determining Metal Ion Complexation Kinetics with Fluorescent Ligands by Using Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy
Authors: Sharma Arjun , Sarkar Aranyak , Goswami Dibakar , Bhattacharyya Arunasis , Enderlein Jörg , Kumbhakar Manoj
Published: June 2019

Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) has been extensively used to measure equilibrium binding constants (K) or association and dissociation rates in many reversible chemical reactions across chemistry and biology. For the majority of investigated reactions, the binding constant was on the order of ∼100 M−1, with dissociation constants faster or equal to 103 s−1, which ensured that enough association/dissociation events occur during the typical diffusion‐determined transition time of molecules through the FCS detection volume. However, complexation reactions involving metal ions and chelating ligands exhibit equilibrium constants exceeding 104 M−1. In the present paper, we explore the applicability of FCS for measuring reaction rates of such complexation reactions, and apply it to binding of iron, europium and uranyl ions to a fluorescent chelating ligand, calcein. For this purpose, we exploit the fact that the ligand fluorescence becomes strongly quenched after binding a metal ion, which results in strong intensity fluctuations that lead to a partial correlation decay in FCS. We also present measurements for the strongly radioactive ions of 241Am3+, where the extreme sensitivity of FCS allows us to work with sample concentrations and volumes that exhibit close to negligible radioactivity levels. A general discussion of the applicability of FCS to the investigation of metal‐ligand binding reactions concludes our paper.
Limited dispersion and quick degradation of environmental DNA in fish ponds inferred by metabarcoding
Authors: Li Jianlong , Lawson Handley Lori J. , Harper Lynsey R. , Brys Rein , Watson Hayley V. , Di Muri Cristina , Zhang Xiang , Hänfling Bernd
Published: June 2019

Background

Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is a promising tool for rapid, non‐invasive biodiversity monitoring.

Aims

In this study, eDNA metabarcoding is applied to explore the spatial and temporal distribution of fish communities in two aquaculture ponds and to evaluate the detection sensitivity of this tool for low‐density species alongside highly abundant species.

Materials & Methods

This study was carried out at two artificially stocked ponds with a high fish density following the introduction and removal of two rare fish species.

Results & Discussion

When two rare species were introduced and kept at a fixed location in the ponds, eDNA concentration (i.e., proportional read counts abundance) of the introduced species typically peaked after two days. The increase in eDNA concentration of the introduced fish after 43 hrs may have been caused by increased eDNA shedding rates as a result of fish being stressed by handling, as observed in other studies. Thereafter, it gradually declined and stabilised after six days. These findings are supported by the highest community dissimilarity of different sampling positions being observed on the second day after introduction, which then gradually decreased over time. On the sixth day, there was no longer a significant difference in community dissimilarity between sampling days. The introduced species were no longer detected at any sampling positions on 48 hrs after removal from the ponds. eDNA is found to decay faster in the field than in controlled conditions, which can be attributed to the complex effects of environmental conditions on eDNA persistence or resulting in the vertical transport of intracellular DNA and the extracellular DNA absorbed by particles in the sediment. The eDNA signal and detection probability of the introduced species were strongest near the keepnets, resulting in the highest community variance of different sampling events at this position. Thereafter, the eDNA signal significantly decreased with increasing distance, although the signal increased slightly again at 85 m position away from the keepnets.

Conclusions

Collectively, these findings reveal that eDNA distribution in lentic ecosystems is highly localised in space and time, which adds to the growing weight of evidence that eDNA signal provides a good approximation of the presence and distribution of species in ponds. Moreover, eDNA metabarcoding is a powerful tool for detection of rare species alongside more abundant species due to the use of generic PCR primers, and can enable monitoring of spatial and temporal community variance.
Investigation of Electrostatic Interactions towards Controlling Silylation‐Based Kinetic Resolutions
Authors: Zhang Tian , Redden Brandon K. , Wiskur Sheryl L.
Published: June 2019

Electrostatic interactions between a silylated isothiourea intermediate and an ester π system were explored by determining how variations in sterics and electronics affect the selectivity of a silylation‐based kinetic resolution. Sterics on the π systems affect the selectivity factors of alkyl 2‐hydroxycyclohexanecarboxylates, resulting in a strong correlation of selectivity factors to Charton values. Induction effects of electron‐withdrawing substituents on phenyl esters significantly enhance selectivity supporting an edge to face π–π interaction. The linear free energy relationships that were uncovered will aid in future incorporation of intermolecular electrostatic interactions towards controlling asymmetric reactions.
Epidemiological risk factors for adrenocortical carcinoma: A hospital‐based case–control study
Authors: Habra Mouhammed A. , Sukkari Mohamad A. , Hasan Ansam , Albousen Youssef , Elsheshtawi Mohamed A. , Jimenez Camilo , Campbell Matthew , Karam Jose A. , Graham Paul H. , Hatia Rikita I. , Phan Alexandria T. , Varghese Jeena , Hassan Manal M.
Published: June 2019

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignancy whose risk factors are unclear. We explored the association of ACC risk with exposure to selected environmental factors, with a focus on cigarette smoking. We conducted a hospital‐based case–control study at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Cases (n = 432) patients with ACC treated at MD Anderson, and controls (n = 1,204) were healthy and genetically unrelated spouses of patients at MD Anderson who had cancers not associated with smoking. Information on the subjects’ demographic features and selected risk factors was collected using a structured, validated questionnaire and medical records review. Unconditional logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) via the maximum‐likelihood method. Cases had a younger mean (± standard deviation) age than did controls (47.0 ± 0.7 and 60.0 ± 0.3 years, respectively), and the majority of cases were female (60.6%) and non‐Hispanic white (82.4%). We found a markedly increased risk of ACC among male cigarette smokers, with an AOR = 1.8 (95% confidence interval [CI] =1.2–2.9), but not among female smokers (AOR = 1.1, 95% CI = 0.7–1.6). Family history of cancer was associated with increased risk of ACC (AOR = 2.8, 95% CI 1.9–4.3) and in both men and women, whereas alcohol consumption was associated with reduced risk in men (AOR = 0.2, 95% CI = 0.1–0.3) but not women (AOR = 0.7, 95% CI = 0.5–1.1). Understanding these risk factors and their underlying mechanisms may help prevent ACC in susceptible individuals and eventually identify new therapeutic options for ACC.
Design and evaluation of a subcutaneous contraceptive implant training simulator
Authors: Dery Samuel K.K. , Kaufmann Elsie E. , Marzano David , Deininger Michael , Asem Charity K. , Sienko Kathleen H.
Published: June 2019

Objective

To design and fabricate a subcutaneous contraceptive implant insertion simulator, and to characterize the performance of nursing students trained with and without the simulator.

Method

A cross‐sectional study was conducted on nursing students in Ghana who had no previous training in the insertion of contraceptive implants. They were given standardized training in insertion of implants from 25 April to 26 April, 2016, and then were randomly assigned to an intervention or control group. The control group watched insertions of live implants while the intervention group practiced using the simulator. Local materials were used to fabricate the simulator. The performance of both groups was assessed after the training.

Results

The participants consisted of 50 nursing students. Those in the intervention group were more likely to: insert the implant accurately (95.2% vs 78.4%, P<0.001); take less time to complete an insertion (mean of 33.6 seconds vs 42.2 seconds, P<0.001); and commit fewer errors (1.9 vs 2.5, P=0.005) compared to the control group. In addition, participants rated the simulator high on 11/11 of the product requirements with the teaching (93.2%), learning (91.4%), and skill acquisition (88.6%) requirements being the highest rated.

Conclusion

A low‐cost, locally fabricated simulator is an effective tool for augmenting the current training protocol by improving insertion skills of contraceptive implants.
MicroRNAs associated with lung squamous cell carcinoma: New prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets
Authors: Qi Lingyu , Gao Chundi , Feng Fubin , Zhang Tingting , Yao Yan , Wang Xue , Liu Cun , Li Jia , Li Jie , Sun Changgang
Published: June 2019

Background

With the development in research, the importance of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the occurrence and metastasis, and prognosis of lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) have received extensive attention. This study aims to identify new biomarkers and pivotal genes associated with LUSC prognosis through bioinformatics.

Materials and methods

We downloaded miRNA and messenger RNA samples related to LUSC from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Following initial data screening and preprocessing, we utilized the R platform and a range of analysis tools (miRDB, TargetScanHuman7.2, DAVID, and Cytoscape_v3.5.1) to analyze the TCGA data and identify highly specific and sensitive biomarkers.

Results

We finally identified 12 miRNAs and six central genes closely related to the overall survival of patients with LUSC. We found that high expression of 7 miRNAs (miR‐301b, miR‐383, miR‐512, miR‐515, miR‐525, miR‐577, and miR‐5682) and low expression of five miRNAs (miR‐448, miR‐486, miR‐4732,miR‐4732, miR‐516, and miR‐1911) can significantly improve the overall survival rate of patients with LUSC. The six central genes DLGAP5, CENPA, CHEK1, LRRK2, CALB1, and TOP2A are directly or indirectly involved in the formation and metastasis of LUSC and could, therefore, be considered as target genes for drug therapy.

Conclusion

With the development in research, the importance of miRNAs in the occurrence and metastasis and prognosis of LUSC have received extensive attention. This study aims to identify new biomarkers and pivotal genes associated with LUSC prognosis through bioinformatics.
PTPN2 induced by inflammatory response and oxidative stress contributed to glioma progression
Authors: Wu Liquan , Wang Fang , Xu Jiang , Chen Zhibiao
Published: June 2019

Malignant glioma remains the most frequent form of primary brain tumors all over the world. The gliomagenesis is characterized by various molecular processes such as neoplastic transformation, dysregulation of the cell cycle, and angiogenesis. Among these biomolecular events, the existence of inflammation and oxidative stress pathways in the development of glioma has been reported. PTPN2 is associated with several inflammatory disorders. However, the biological role of PTPN2 in inflammation responses and oxidative stress pathways involved in glioma remains poorly known. Here, we focused on its function in glioma development. Here, we observed that PTPN2 was significantly increased in glioma especially in a grade‐dependent manner. Meanwhile, interferon‐γ and tumor necrosis factor‐α, which have been identified as crucial inflammation cytokines, were able to trigger PTPN2 expression in a dose‐dependent course in T98G cells. Then, we found that PTPN2 was oxidated and inactivated by H2O2. Meanwhile, H2O2 induced glioma cell colony formation capacity and increased ki‐67 expression confirmed by flow cytometry assay. Finally, T98G cells were transfected with PTPN2 shRNA and it was shown that knockdown of PTPN2 obviously inhibited T98G cell colony formation and induced cell apoptosis. In summary, our findings indicated that PTPN2 could be induced by inflammatory response and oxidative stress and its deficiency depressed glioma cell growth.
Method of levels therapy for first‐episode psychosis: The feasibility randomized controlled Next Level trial
Authors: Griffiths Robert , Mansell Warren , Carey Timothy A. , Edge Dawn , Emsley Richard , Tai Sara J.
Published: June 2019

Objective

We aimed to determine the feasibility and acceptability of Method of Levels (MOL) for people experiencing first‐episode psychosis (FEP) to inform decision making about the therapy's suitability for further testing in a larger clinical trial.

Method

A parallel group randomized controlled trial design was used. Participants (N = 36) were allocated to receive either treatment as usual (TAU) or TAU plus MOL. Recruitment and retention in the trial and the acceptability of the MOL intervention were the primary outcomes.

Results

The recruitment target was met within the planned time frame. Retention in the trial at final follow‐up was 97%, substantially higher than the 80% threshold prespecified as a successful feasibility outcome. Participant feedback provided initial evidence of the acceptability of the study design and intervention for this population.

Conclusion

Results support progressing to a larger trial of MOL for FEP. Recommendations for the design of future trials are provided.
Circular RNAs: A novel biomarker for cervical cancer
Authors: Chaichian Shala , Shafabakhsh Rana , Mirhashemi Seyyed Mehdi , Moazzami Bahram , Asemi Zatollah
Published: June 2019

Besides messenger RNAs, recent RNA‐Seq and biochemical analysis showed another type of RNAs as a product of splicing which is named circular RNA (circRNA). Evidence demonstrated that circRNAs are abundant in the cells and are able to show cell/tissue‐specific expression or tissue developmental stage which suggest that circRNAs may have regulatory potentials. In recent years, researchers have focused attention on circRNAs because of their key functions in various cellular mechanisms. CircRNAs also have the potential to be as promising biomarkers for diagnosis of various diseases such as cancer. Growing up evidence has shown the various roles of circRNAs in multiple cancers. In recent years, cervical cancer as one of the main causes of cancer death in women has been interesting for molecular research. CircRNAs are one of the novel objects which have recently been evaluated in this cancer. The improvement in our knowledge of the roles of circRNAs in cervical cancer may lead to new transcription therapeutic approaches to cervical cancer inhibition. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to review many studies which examined the role of circRNAs in cervical cancer carcinogenesis and progression up till date and to summarize possible mechanisms of action of circRNAs in cervical neoplasm.
Waste products from the poultry industry: a source of high‐value dietary supplements
Authors: Stiborova Hana , Kronusova Olga , Kastanek Petr , Brazdova Lada , Lovecka Petra , Jiru Monika , Belkova Beverly , Poustka Jan , Stranska Milena , Hajslova Jana , Demnerova Katerina
Published: June 2019

BACKGROUND

The production and consumption of chicken has doubled in the last 17 years. Since slaughter yields range from 70 to 80%, during production various chicken waste residues are generated. One of these residues is waste created after the mechanical separation of chicken meat (W‐MSM). The goal of the circular economy is to manage this waste and transform it into a valuable product.

RESULTS

W‐MSM was subjected to hydrolysis by the proteolytic enzymes pepsin and papain to obtain bioactive compounds. Papain digestion resulted in several times higher yields of chondroitin sulfate (CS), hyaluronic acid (HA), peptides and amino acids in comparison with pepsin. The hydrolysis conditions were further optimized using the software Design Expert to evaluate the impact of added enzyme, buffer and duration of the hydrolysis. In addition, the scale‐up of this process was verified with 5 kg of W‐MSM and the obtained product contained approximately 77% (w/w) of peptides, 9% (w/w) of CS, 7% (w/w) of HA and 4% (w/w) of amino acids.

CONCLUSIONS

We tested and optimized the method for evaluating the direct waste from poultry processing and transformed it into a product containing bioactive compounds which can be utilized as an ingredient for improving the properties of feed. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Analysis of the Qatari R336C cystathionine β‐synthase protein in mice
Authors: Gupta Sapna , Gallego‐Villar Lorena , Wang Liqun , Lee Hyung‐Ok , Nasrallah Gheyath , Al‐Dewik Nader , Häberle Johannes , Thöny Beat , Blom Henk J. , Ben‐Omran Tawfeg , Kruger Warren D.
Published: June 2019

Classical homocystinuria is a recessive inborn error of metabolism caused by mutations in the cystathionine beta‐synthase (CBS) gene. The highest incidence of CBS deficiency in the world is found in the country of Qatar due to the combination of high rates of consanguinity and the presence of a founder mutation, c.1006C>T (p.R336C). This mutation does not respond to pyridoxine and is considered severe. Here we describe the creation of a mouse that is null for the mouse Cbs gene and expresses human p.R336C CBS from a zinc‐inducible transgene (Tg‐R336C Cbs
−/−). Zinc‐treated Tg‐R336C Cbs
−/− mice have extreme elevation in both serum total homocysteine (tHcy) and liver tHcy compared with control transgenic mice. Both the steady‐state protein levels and CBS enzyme activity levels in liver lysates from Tg‐R336C Cbs
−/− mice are significantly reduced compared to that found in Tg‐hCBS Cbs
−/− mice expressing wild‐type human CBS. Treatment of Tg‐R336C Cbs
−/− mice with the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib results in stabilization of liver CBS protein and an increase in activity to levels found in corresponding Tg‐hCBS Cbs
−/− wild type mice. Surprisingly, serum tHcy did not fully correct even though liver enzyme activity was as high as control animals. This discrepancy is explained by in vitro enzymatic studies of mouse liver extracts showing that p.R336C causes reduced binding affinity for the substrate serine by almost 7‐fold and significantly increased dependence on pyridoxal phosphate in the reaction buffer. These studies demonstrate that the p.R336C alteration effects both protein stability and substrate/cofactor binding.
Transferrin‐bearing liposomes entrapping plumbagin for targeted cancer therapy
Authors: Sakpakdeejaroen Intouch , Somani Sukrut , Laskar Partha , Mullin Margaret , Dufès Christine
Published: June 2019

The therapeutic potential of plumbagin, a naphthoquinone extracted from the officinal leadwort with anticancer properties, is hampered by its failure to specifically reach tumours at a therapeutic concentration after intravenous administration, without secondary effects on normal tissues. Its use in clinic is further limited by its poor aqueous solubility, its spontaneous sublimation, and its rapid elimination in vivo. We hypothesize that the entrapment of plumbagin within liposomes grafted with transferrin, whose receptors are overexpressed on many cancer cells, could result in a selective delivery to tumours after intravenous administration. The objectives of this study were therefore to prepare and characterize transferrin‐targeted liposomes entrapping plumbagin and to evaluate their therapeutic efficacy in vitro and in vivo. The entrapment of plumbagin in transferrin‐bearing liposomes led to an increase in plumbagin uptake by cancer cells and improved antiproliferative efficacy and apoptosis activity in B16‐F10, A431, and T98G cell lines compared with that observed with the drug solution. In vivo, the intravenous injection of transferrin‐bearing liposomes entrapping plumbagin led to tumour suppression for 10% of B16‐F10 tumours and tumour regression for a further 10% of the tumours. By contrast, all the tumours treated with plumbagin solution or left untreated were progressive. The animals did not show any signs of toxicity. Transferrin‐bearing liposomes entrapping plumbagin are therefore highly promising therapeutic systems that should be further optimized as a therapeutic tool for cancer treatment.
Gross intestinal morphometry and allometry in ruminants
Authors: McGrosky Amanda , Codron Daryl , Müller Dennis W. H. , Navarrete Ana , Isler Karin , Hofmann Reinhold R. , Clauss Marcus
Published: June 2019

While some descriptions of ruminants' dietary adaptations suggest that the length of the intestinal tract reflects the proportion of grass or browse in the diet, this assumption has been questioned. We collated data on body mass (BM), as well as small intestine, caecum, colon/rectum, large and total intestine length in 68 ruminant species, and, while accounting for the phylogenetic structure of the dataset, evaluated both allometric scaling and the potential influence of diet, digestive physiology or climate proxies on measures of intestine length. Intestinal length generally scaled to BM at an exponent higher than the 0.33 expected due to geometry. Diet or digestive physiology proxies did not have an influence on any intestinal length measures, though some proxies indicating more arid natural habitats were positively correlated with measures of the large intestine. The relative size of a forestomach compartment, the omasum, was negatively correlated with intestine length. The results indicate that intestine length measures provide little indication of feeding type or digestive physiology, but rather indicate adaptations to aridity. Higher‐than‐geometry scaling of intestinal length may be related to the necessity of maintaining geometric (or metabolic) scaling of intestinal surface area while keeping gut diameter, and hence the diffusion distances, small. The way in which space trade‐offs determine the macroanatomy of different organs in the abdominal cavity, such as the omasum and the intestine, deserves further investigation.
The Effect of Fractional CO2 Laser Treatment on the Symptoms of Pelvic Floor Dysfunctions: Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory‐20 Questionnaire
Authors: Sipos Attila Gergely , Kozma Bence , Poka Robert , Larson Kindra , Takacs Peter
Published: June 2019

Background and Objectives

To assess the improvement on pelvic floor distress (PFD)‐related urogenital symptoms using validated questionnaires after intravaginal CO2 laser treatment.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

Forty postmenopausal women with genitourinary symptoms of menopause (GSM) were enrolled into this prospective cohort study and underwent vaginal laser treatment using MonaLisa Touch® fractional CO
2 laser system. Patients received three vaginal laser treatments with 360° probe 4 weeks apart. A three‐component Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI‐20) validated questionnaire was filled out by each patient before each session and 4 weeks after the final treatment. Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to compare the before and after treatment scores.

Results

Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory (POPDI‐6) scores were not significantly different after the first treatment compared with baseline (mean ± standard deviation [SD], 21 ± 18 vs. 17 ± 15, P = 0.44). However, each subsequent treatment resulted in further, statistically significant improvement in symptom scores (14 ± 15, P = 0.03 and 13 ± 13, P = 0.01, after the second and third treatments, respectively). Similarly, Urinary Distress Inventory (UDI‐6) scores were not significantly different after the first laser treatment (mean ± SD, 36 ± 25 vs. 29 ± 23, P = 0.36). After the second and third treatments there were significant improvement in the standardized scores (24 ± 20, P = 0.03 and 22 ± 21, P = 0.01). Colorectal‐Anal Distress Inventory (CRADI‐8) scores did not change significantly after three laser treatments.

Conclusions

Three sessions of microablative fractional CO2 vaginal laser treatment significantly improves patient reported urinary and pelvic organ prolapse symptoms. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2019 The Authors. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Predicting physical activity among urban adolescent girls: A test of the health promotion model
Authors: Voskuil Vicki R. , Robbins Lorraine B. , Pierce Steven J.
Published: June 2019

The purpose of this study was to test hypothesized relationships of the health promotion model (HPM) as a means of predicting moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among urban, adolescent girls. A secondary analysis of baseline data from a group randomized controlled trial was conducted. The study involved eight urban schools in the Midwestern United States. The sample included girls (N = 517) in the 5th–8th grades. Data were collected on age, body mass index, pubertal status, enjoyment, self‐efficacy, social support, options for physical activity (PA), and commitment to PA. MVPA was measured via accelerometers worn by the girls for 7 days. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze study aims. Mean age of the sample was 11.8 years (standard deviation [SD] = 1.0). Girls attained an average of 3.0 (SD = 1.2) minutes per hour of MVPA. Self‐efficacy had a positive direct (β = .337; p < .001) and total effect (β = .310; p < .001) on MVPA. Social support and options for PA were not significant predictors of commitment to PA or MVPA. Commitment to PA had a negative but nonsignificant effect (β = −.056; p = .357) on MVPA. The model predicted 10.1% of the variance in MVPA with 9.6% of the variance predicted by self‐efficacy. Limitations include lack of longitudinal analysis and inability to generalize the results to other populations such as boys. PA self‐efficacy continues to emerge as a significant predictor of MVPA in the HPM. Continued theory testing is needed to better understand the correlates and determinants of PA among adolescent girls before designing theory‐based interventions to promote PA.
A reevaluation of bird taxonomic identifications at Contact‐ and historic‐era North American sites
Authors: Watson Jessica E. , Ledogar Sarah Heins
Published: June 2019

Domestic chickens (Gallus domesticus) and turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) are identified more frequently than other bird species in bone assemblages from historic sites in North America. Recent studies on the effectiveness of metric data for identification of galliform bones found high degrees of similarity in size and morphology between wild game birds (e.g., grouse and ptarmigan) and multiple domestic or introduced species (e.g., chicken and pheasant). This finding suggests that wild taxa and less common domesticates may have been misidentified as chicken and as a result are underrepresented in these historic datasets. In this paper, we evaluate the precision of bird taxonomic identifications from five Contact‐ and historic‐era sites in New York State, comparing the initial taxon designations recorded in site reports with our new identifications derived from a combination of comparative morphological and osteometric analyses. After our analysis of the assemblages, game bird diversity at most of the sites expanded, as did the prevalence of other orders (e.g., Anseriformes and Strigiformes). The updated identifications highlight the diversity of birds used in historic contexts and the importance of combining multiple analytical methods to increase accuracy.
A Benchmark of Density Functional Approximations For Thermochemistry and Kinetics of Hydride Reductions of Cyclohexanones
Authors: Deraet Xavier , Woller Tatiana , Van Lommel Ruben , De Proft Frank , Verniest Guido , Alonso Mercedes
Published: June 2019

The performance of density functionals and wavefunction methods for describing the thermodynamics and kinetics of hydride reductions of 2‐substituted cyclohexanones has been evaluated for the first time. A variety of exchange correlation functionals ranging from generalized gradient approximations to double hybrids have been tested and their performance to describe the facial selectivity of hydride reductions of cyclohexanones has been carefully assessed relative to the CCSD(T) method. Among the tested methods, an approach in which single‐point energy calculations using the double hybrid B2PLYP−D3 functional on ωB97X−D optimized geometries provides the most accurate transition state energies for these kinetically‐controlled reactions. Moreover, the role of torsional strain, temperature, solvation, noncovalent interactions on the stereoselectivity of these reductions was elucidated. Our results indicate a prominent role of the substituent on thecis/transratios driven by the delicate interplay between torsional strain and dispersion interactions.
Acylation Reactions of Dibenzo‐7‐phosphanorbornadiene: DFT Mechanistic Insights
Authors: Qu Zheng‐Wang , Zhu Hui , Grimme Stefan
Published: June 2019

Extensive DFT calculations provide deep mechanistic insights into the acylation reactions of tert‐butyl dibenzo‐7‐phosphanobornadiene with PhCOX (X=Cl, Br, I, OTf) in CH2Cl2 solution. Such reactions are initialized by the nucleophilic P⋅⋅⋅C attack to the carbonyl group to form the acylphosphonium intermediate A+ together with X− anion, followed either by nucleophilic X−⋅⋅⋅P attack (X=Cl, Br, and I) toward A+ to eliminate anthracene or by slow rearrangement or decomposition of A+ (X=OTf). In contrast to the first case (X=Cl) that is rate‐limited by the initial P⋅⋅⋅C attack, other reactions are rate‐limited by the second X−⋅⋅⋅P attack for X=Br and I and even thermodynamically prevented for X=OTf, leading to isolable phosphonium salts. The rearrangement of phosphonium A+ is initiated by a P‐C bond cleavage, followed either by sequential proton‐shifts to form anthracenyl acylphosphonium or by deprotonation with additional base Et3N to form neutral anthracenyl acylphosphine. Our DFT results strongly support the separated acylphosphonium A+ as the key reaction intermediate that may be useful for the transfer of acylphosphenium in general.
Ultra‐fast retroactive processing of liquid chromatography high‐resolution full‐scan Orbitrap mass spectrometry data in anti‐doping screening of human urine
Authors: Lommen Arjen , Elaradi Abdurzag , Vonaparti Ariadni , Blokland Marco , Nielen Michel W. , Saad Khadija Ali , Abushreeda Wadha Masoud , Horvatovich Peter , Al‐Muraikhi Amal Essa , Al‐Maadheed Mohammed , Georgakopoulos Costas
Published: June 2019

Rationale

Retroactive analysis of previously tested urine samples has become an important sports anti‐doping tool. Retroactive reprocessing of old data files acquired from a generic screening procedure can reveal detection of initially unknown substances, like illegal drugs and newly identified metabolites.

Methods

To be able to efficiently search through hundreds to thousands of liquid chromatography high‐resolution full‐scan Orbitrap mass spectrometry data files of anti‐doping samples, a combination of MetAlign and HR_MS_Search software has been developed. MetAlign reduced the data size ca 100‐fold making possible local storage of a massive volume of data.

Results

The newly developed HR_MS_Search module can search through the reduced data files for new compounds (mass or isotope pattern) defined by mass windows and retention time windows. A search for 33 analytes in 940 reduced data files lasted 10 s. The output of the automatic search was compared to the standard manual routine evaluation. The results of searching were evaluated in terms of false negatives and false positives. The newly banned b2‐agonist higenamine and its metabolite coclaurine were successfully searched in reduced data files originating from a testing period for which these substances were not banned, as an example of retroactive analysis.

Conclusions

The freeware MetAlign software and its automatic searching module HR_MS_Search facilitated the retroactive reprocessing of reduced full‐scan high‐resolution liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry screening data files and created a new tool in anti‐doping laboratories' network.
Hydrotreatment of Anisole and Furfural as Model Compounds of Bio‐oil over Chromium Modified Nickel‐Based Catalysts
Authors: Smirnov Andrey A. , Shilov Ivan N. , Bulavchenko Olga A. , Saraev Andrey A. , Yakovlev Vadim A.
Published: June 2019

Hydrotreatment of anisole and furfural as model compounds of carbohydrates and lignin fraction of pyrolysis liquids was studied using Cr‐containing (from 0 to 18 wt%) Ni‐based sol‐gel catalysts. The catalytic activity of Ni−Cr catalysts was carried out in the autoclave at pressure 6.0 MPa of hydrogen and temperature 320 °C and 100 °C for anisole and furfural hydrotreatment, respectively. Addition of Cr to Ni‐SiO2 catalyst results in increasing activity in anisole conversion with the maximum for NiCr10‐SiO2 catalyst. This is attributed to the formation of dispersed metallic Ni detected by X‐ray diffraction method. Moreover, the Cr addition increases the corrosion resistance of samples in the medium of acetic acid at boiling temperature. In furfural conversion, the Cr‐doped catalysts showed the lowest activity, however, for NiCr10‐SiO2 catalyst the high selectivity to tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol formation was observed.
Ternary Composite of g‐C3N4/ZnFe2O4/Fe2O3: Hydrothermal Synthesis and Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance
Authors: Yang Nannan , Hu Pengfei , Chen Changchun , Wang Yifeng , Pan Lin
Published: June 2019

A ternary composite of g‐C3N4/ZnFe2O4/Fe2O3 was synthesized by a hydrothermal method. Structural and optical properties of the as‐synthesized composites were characterized and the photocatalytic performances were evaluated via the degradation of Rhodamine B under visible light irradiation. Results showed that this ternary composite exhibited a higher photocatalytic activity compared to the binary ZnFe2O4/Fe2O3 systems in this research. The enhanced activity could be attributed to the stepped arrangement of the band structures of its components which enabled electron transfer from g‐C3N4 to ZnFe2O4 then to Fe2O3 through the potential gradient, thus facilitating the charge separation and retarding their recombination. Moreover, the g‐C3N4/ZnFe2O4/Fe2O3 exhibited stable photochemical performance without obvious deterioration after five successive runs, while the ternary composites could be conveniently separated by using an external magnetic field, showing a promising application for the photo‐oxidative degradation of organic contaminants.
Biomass‐Derived Porous Carbon Prepared from Egg White for High‐performance Supercapacitor Electrode Materials
Authors: Zhu Ying , Fang Tingting , Hua Junqiang , Qiu Shujun , Chu Hailiang , Zou Yongjin , Xiang Cuili , Huang Pengru , Zhang Kexiang , Lin Xiangcheng , Yan Erhu , Zhang Huanzhi , Xu Fen , Sun Lixian , Zeng Ju‐Lan
Published: June 2019

Using egg white as raw material, the activated carbon materials with nitrogen doping were synthesized by a two‐step method involving carbonization and activation. Structure characterization showed this porous carbon had a three‐dimensional honeycomb structure composed of interconnected micropores and mesopores, which resulted in a high specific surface area of 2918 m2 g−1. Due to KOH activation, the appropriate ratio of micropore to mesopore could optimize the diffusion channel of electrolyte ion and increase the contact area between electrolyte and electrode. Thus the egg white‐derived porous carbon (EWC) showed outstanding electrochemical properties as supercapacitor electrode. In three‐electrode system, a high specific capacitance of 335 F g−1 could be achieved at a current density of 0.5 A g−1, and only 8.3% of capacitance was lost after 10000 cycles. For the symmetrical supercapacitor fabricated with as‐prepared carbon material, it exhibited a specific capacitance of 68 F g−1 and a maximum energy density of 13.6 W h kg−1.
Metal‐Free Synthesis of Coumarin‐fused Pyrimidines from 4‐Aminocoumarins via Pseudo Four‐component Reaction
Authors: Chen Jing , Ouyang Chu‐Hao , Xiao Ting , Jiang Hu , Li Jiang‐Sheng
Published: June 2019

An efficient pseudo four‐component procedure for the construction of chromeno[4,3‐d]pyrimidin‐5‐ones, a type of coumarin‐fused pyrimidines, from 4‐aminocoumarins, two molecules of aromatic aldehydes and ammonium iodide under metal‐free conditions is developed. The coumarin‐pyrimidine hybrids readily undergo sequential hydrolysis and alkylation to give all‐carbon substituted pyrimidines in excellent yields. One‐pot synthesis of pyrimidines from readily available 4‐aminocoumarins and other commodity chemicals is exemplified.
Covalent Organic Framework Derived Boron/Oxygen Codoped Porous Carbon on CNTs as an Efficient Sulfur Host for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Chen Xiudong , Xu Yanjun , Du Fei‐Hu , Wang Yong
Published: June 2019

Boron/oxygen co‐doped carbons (BOC) have great potentials as sulfur host materials for lithium–sulfur batteries, because they can increase electronic conductivity and anchor polysulfides. However, the doping interface as a key chemically active site still lacks in‐depth understanding owing to the difficulty in design at the molecular scale. Herein, the BOC network derived from covalent organic framework (COF) is prepared on the surface of CNTs via rational design of the organic condensation reaction. This strategy enables boron and oxygen heteroatoms to be uniformly doped throughout porous carbon because of the uniformly‐distributed two elements in the COF precursor. Thereby, the BOC matrix is demonstrated to play a pivotal role in promoting the chemical absorption of polysulfides and enhancing cycling stability. The BOC@CNT with 68.5% sulfur shows superior lithium polysulfides absorptivity and displays superior electrochemical performances as a cathode for Li–S batteries, including a large reversible capacity (1077 mA h g−1 after 200 cycles at 0.2 C), and outstanding cycling stability (794 mA h g−1 after 500 cycles at 1 C). The demonstrated strategy for fabricating BOC network by COF precursor for Li–S batteries provides a new approach to rationally design uniform heteroatom interfaces for good electrochemical performances.
Maternal exposure to triclosan causes fetal development restriction, deregulation of the oestrous cycle, and alters uterine tissue in rat offspring
Authors: Bitencourt Guilherme , Fortunato Eduardo D. , Panis Carolina , Amorim Elaine M. P. , de Arruda Amorim João P.
Published: June 2019

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of maternal exposure to triclosan (TCS) during pregnancy and lactation on the uterine morphology of rat offspring. For this, 32 Wistar rat dams were distributed into four dose groups (eight mothers per group), and gavage daily, throughout pregnancy and lactation, as follows: Group I–control (GI): corn oil; Group II (GII): TCS diluted in corn oil at a dose of 75 mg/kg/d; Group III (GIII): TCS diluted in corn oil at a dose of 150 mg/kg/d; Group IV (GIV): TCS diluted in corn oil at a dose of 300 mg/kg/d. A female pup of each mother was selected, and at 90 days the pups were euthanized for weighing and collection of the uterus for histomorphometric analysis. The results showed that the mean litter weight was minor in all the groups treated with TCS, when compared with control. The levels thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) in TCS mother rats were reduced; however the levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were increases. The offspring of all groups exposed to TCS presented deregulation of the estrous cycle, compared with control. Analysis of the uterine histological structure demonstrated that all layers of the uterus were affected by the administration of TCS, and the morphometric analysis showed increased uterine layers thickness in the treated groups. We concluded that maternal exposure to TCS during pregnancy and lactation causes intrauterine development restriction, deregulation of the oestrous cycle, and alters uterine tissue in rat offspring.
The consolidation of nanomedicine
Authors: Zingg Raphael , Fischer Marius
Published: June 2019

Over the past two decades, nanomedicine has grown steadily, however, without inducing a palpable shift in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases so far. While this may simply be a consequence of the slow, incremental nature that characterizes many modern technologies, this article posits that there is another set of significant factors harboring explanatory power. Uncertainties concerning safety, regulatory, and ethical requirements may have prompted innovators to stay close to the known and approved, eventually at the cost of innovating in unexplored alleys. Network analysis of all nanomedicine patents in the United States reveals that nanomedicine has indeed rather consolidated than expanded. We detail a set of recommendations that would reduce the uncertainty prevailing in nanomedicine and could contribute to pushing new boundaries.

This article is categorized under:

Toxicology and Regulatory Issues in Nanomedicine > Regulatory and Policy Issues in Nanomedicine
Performance and job creation among self-employed immigrants and natives in Sweden
Authors: Neuman Emma
Published: June 2019

This paper uses individual-level panel data for all self-employed in the retail and service sectors to study how immigrant- and native-owned firms perform and contribute to job creation in Sweden. We use an individual fixed-effects model to explore how self-employment outcomes among immigrants and natives evolve with self-employment experience. The advantage of our approach is that it enables estimations of the returns to self-employment experience while controlling for unobservable time-constant individual factors. The results show that profits increase with self-employment experience and at a faster rate among immigrant men and women than for their native counterparts. Turnover and the likelihood of having employees both increase with experience and in a similar magnitude for immigrants and natives.
Brief report: Assessing the risk of reporting bias in a RCT for adolescent mothers
Authors: Stevens Jack , Rotz Dana , Goesling Brian
Published: June 2019

Introduction

Most adolescent sexual and reproductive health studies rely solely upon self‐report surveys to assess key variables such as pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The current study investigated the risk of reporting bias that may result from using such surveys to measure outcomes in randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Methods

As part of an RCT of a multicomponent intervention to delay repeat pregnancy among adolescent mothers, we compared survey data on repeat pregnancy with birth records from a state's vital statistics system. The survey assessed contraceptive use, pregnancy status, and future pregnancy intentions. The sample consisted of American adolescents ages 18 and 19 years who were at least 28 weeks pregnant or less than nine weeks postpartum.

Results

For 14 of 331 study participants (4 percent), we found a birth record in the vital statistics system for a mother who reported not having gotten pregnant on the survey. We found no evidence of underreporting for the other survey respondents. The rate of underreporting was similar for the intervention and control groups.

Conclusions

A low rate of underreporting for repeat pregnancy in adolescent mothers was found in the present sample.
Occupational exposure to heavy metals, alcohol intake, and risk of type 2 diabetes and prediabetes among Chinese male workers
Authors: Yang Ai‐Min , Hu Xiao‐Bin , Liu Simin , Cheng Ning , Zhang De‐Sheng , Li Juan‐Sheng , Li Hai‐Yan , Ren Xiao‐Wei , Li Na , Sheng Xi‐Pin , Ding Jiao , Zheng Shan , Wang Min‐Zheng , Zheng Tong‐Zhang , Bai Ya‐Na
Published: June 2019

Objective

Both exposure to heavy metals and alcohol intake have been related to the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). In this study, we aimed to assess the potential interactions between metal exposure and alcohol intake on the risk of T2D and prediabetes in a cohort of Chinese male workers.

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional analysis of 26,008 Chinese male workers in an occupational cohort study from 2011 to 2013. We assessed metal exposure and alcohol consumption at baseline in these workers who were aged ≥20 years. Based on occupations which were categorized according to measured urine metal levels, multiple logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the independent and joint effects of metal and alcohol exposure on the risk of T2D and prediabetes.

Results

Risks of T2D (Ptrend = 0.001) and prediabetes (Ptrend = 0.001) were significantly elevated with increasing number of standard drinks per week, years of drinking, and lifetime alcohol consumption. An adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 6.1 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.8–7.8) was observed for the smelting/refining workers (highest metal exposure levels) who had the highest lifetime alcohol consumption (>873 kg) (Pinteraction = 0.018), whereas no statistically significant joint effect was found for prediabetes (Pinteraction = 0.515).

Conclusions

Both exposures to metal and heavy alcohol intake were associated with the risk of diabetes in this large cohort of male workers. There was a strong interaction between these two exposures in affecting diabetes risk that needs to be confirmed in future studies.