bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterizing polychlorinated biphenyl exposure pathways from sediment and water in aquatic life using a food web bioaccumulation model
Authors: Li Jingyuan , McPhedran Kerry , Szalińska Ewa , McLeod Anne M , Bhavsar Satyendra P , Bohr Joseph , Grgicak-Mannion Alice , Drouillard Ken
Published: January 2019

Contaminant remediation decisions often focus on sediment–organism relationships, omitting the partitioning between sediment and water that exists across a given site. The present study highlights the importance of incorporating nonsedimentary routes of exposure into a nonequilibrium, steady-state food web bioaccumulation model for predicting polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations in benthic invertebrates. Specifically, we examined the proportion of overlying water relative to the sediment porewater respired by benthic invertebrates, which has been used in previous studies to examine contaminant bioaccumulation. We evaluated the model accuracy using paired benthos–sediment samples and an extensive fish contamination database to ensure realistic predictions at the base of the Detroit River (Ontario, Canada, and Michigan, USA) food web. The results demonstrate that, compared with empirical regression analyses, the food web bioaccumulation model provided satisfactory estimates of PCB bioaccumulation for benthos simulations and better estimates for fish simulations. Our results showed that PCB bioaccumulation measurements are significantly affected by variations in pollutant uptake and elimination routes via the overlying water, which in turn are affected by the degree of disequilibrium of PCBs between sediments and water. Interestingly, we obtained contrasting results regarding the effectiveness of remediation strategies for reducing the contaminant burden of the aquatic biota based on different proportions of overlying water relative to porewater. These differences could consequently impact decisions about the approaches for source control and strategic sediment remediation. This study suggests that bioaccumulation assessments could be improved through better identification of chemical uptake–elimination routes in benthos and by accounting for chemical bioavailability in sediment and water components in areas with disequilibrium.Integr Environ Assess Manag 2019;00:000–000. © 2019 SETAC
Periodontal pathogens are a risk factor of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma, independent of tobacco and alcohol and human papillomavirus
Authors: Ganly Ian , Yang Liying , Giese Rachel A. , Hao Yuhan , Nossa Carlos W. , Morris Luc G.T. , Rosenthal Matthew , Migliacci Jocelyn , Kelly Dervla , Tseng Wenzhi , Hu Jiyuan , Li Huilin , Brown Stuart , Pei Zhiheng
Published: January 2019

Over the past decade, there has been a change in the epidemiology of oral cavity squamous cell cancer (OC‐SCC). Many new cases of OC‐SCC lack the recognized risk factors of smoking, alcohol and human papilloma virus. The aim of this study was to determine if the oral microbiome may be associated with OC‐SCC in nonsmoking HPV negative patients. We compared the oral microbiome of HPV‐negative nonsmoker OC‐SCC(n = 18), premalignant lesions(PML) (n = 8) and normal control patients (n = 12). Their oral microbiome was sampled by oral wash and defined by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We report that the periodontal pathogens Fusobacterium, Prevotella, Alloprevotella were enriched while commensal Streptococcus depleted in OC‐SCC. Based on the four genera plus a marker genus Veillonella for PML, we classified the oral microbiome into two types. Gene/pathway analysis revealed a progressive increase of genes encoding HSP90 and ligands for TLRs 1, 2 and 4 along the controls→PML → OC‐SCC progression sequence. Our findings suggest an association between periodontal pathogens and OC‐SCC in non smoking HPV negative patients.
Safety and efficacy of adjusted‐dose enoxaparin in pregnant patients with increased risk for venous thromboembolic disease
Authors: Bailly Jenique , Jacobson Barry F. , Louw Susan
Published: January 2019

Objective

To assess the efficacy and safety of anti‐Xa guided dose‐adjusted low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) thromboprophylaxis in at‐risk pregnant women.

Methods

This single‐center retrospective study was conducted at a quaternary hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa. We analyzed clinical and laboratory data for pregnant patients referred between January 1, 1999, and May 1, 2017, with an increased risk of venous thromboembolic disease (VTED) and treated with prophylactic LMWH adjusted according to anti‐Xa levels. The efficacy endpoint was pregnancy‐related VTED and/or pregnancy loss despite anti‐Xa guided dose‐adjusted LMWH thromboprophylaxis.

Results

We reviewed data for 113 consecutive pregnant patients with 151 pregnancies referred for prophylactic LMWH. Prevalence of pregnancy‐related VTED was 1.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.1–4.7), which is lower than that reported in the literature for fixed‐dose thromboprophylaxis in similar at‐risk groups. One venous thromboembolism event occurred in the antenatal period (despite adequate prophylaxis) and the second in the postpartum period (related to prolonged labor). Prevalence of pregnancy‐related bleeding was 2% (95% CI 0.4–5.7) with all bleeding events considered to be minor and unrelated to LMWH therapy.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated the efficacy and safety of anti‐Xa dose‐adjusted LMWH thromboprophylaxis in at‐risk pregnant patients.
Assessment of IS‐innovation strategic alignment factors among universal banks in Ghana
Authors: Yaw Obeng Asare , Mkhize Peter L.
Published: January 2019

There is a widespread acceptance of information system (IS) strategic alignment. How and whether IS strategic alignment creates value especially in developing countries remains a major challenge for most banks. Additionally, alignment scope is often general making it difficult to identify specific important strategic alignment factors. We explored factors perceived to influence IS‐innovation strategic alignment, their interrelationships, and consequential effects among six universal banks in Ghana. Primary data were obtained through interviews. The two‐dimensional solution accounted for 85.4% of the total variance with P value of 0.000 indicating strong dependency in the data. The findings indicate IS and innovation of the banks are well aligned, and innovative performance is an output of successful IS‐innovation alignment. Collaboration and IS strategic projects factors contributed strongly to the successful alignment. The findings provide bank managers with more reliable and actionable insights to determine the dimensions of alignment that contribute more or less to firm performance.
The tumour suppressing role of the circadian clock
Authors: Davis Kate , Roden Laura C. , Leaner Virna D. , van der Watt Pauline J.
Published: January 2019

The circadian clock and the ~24 h rhythms it generates are essential in maintaining regular tissue functioning. At the molecular level, the circadian clock comprises a core set of rhythmically expressed genes and gene products that are able to drive rhythmic expression of other genes to generate overt circadian rhythms. It has recently come to light that perturbations of circadian rhythms contribute to the development of pathological states such as cancer, and altered expression and/or regulation of circadian clock genes has been identified in multiple tumour types. This review summarises the important role the circadian system plays in regulating cellular processes, including the cell cycle, apoptosis, DNA repair, the epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition, metabolism and immunity and how its dysregulation has widespread implications and could be a critical player in the development of cancer. Understanding its role in cancer development is important for the field chronotherapy, where the timing of chemotherapy administration is optimised based on differences in circadian clock functioning in normal and cancer cells. This has been found to influence the patient response, minimising the side effects commonly associated with chemotherapy. © 2019 IUBMB Life, 2019
Characterization of clinical pharmacy services in a pediatric HIV clinic
Authors: Morris Jennifer L. , Briars Leslie A. , Kraus Donna M.
Published: January 2019

Objectives

The objectives of this study were to characterize and analyze clinical pharmacists' interventions in a pediatric human immunodeficiency virus clinic.

Methods

This retrospective review assesses interventions documented by pediatric pharmacists. The percent of patients with an undetectable viral load at baseline, prior to implementation of pharmacy services, was compared with the viral load at a 7‐year follow‐up visit. Mean log10 viral loads at years 1 and 7 were compared to baseline and the mean change in viral load was compared.

Results

Pharmacists were involved with the care of 53 patients at 2257 visits documenting 8893 interventions. Recommendations to physicians accounted for 1316 (14.8%) of the interventions. Pharmacists documented 3176 (35.7%) interventions to patients/caregivers. One‐thousand and twenty‐eight (11.6%) interventions were educational concepts taught to patients/caregivers. Pharmacists provided 1107 (12.4%) adherence aids and conducted 669 (7.5%) adherence assessments. The percentage of patients with undetectable viral loads increased from 12.1% (4/33) to 65.8% (25/38) (P = 0.0094). The mean log10 viral load at years 1 and 7 were lower than those obtained prior to the first clinical pharmacy visit (year 1:3.95 ± 1.22 copies/mL vs 4.37 ± 1.09 copies/mL; P = 0.0042; year 7:2.88 ± 1.21 copies/mL vs 4.42 ± 1.11 copies/mL; P < 0.0001).The decrease in mean log10 viral load (viral load change) was significantly greater in year 7 compared with year 1 (P = 0.04). A clinically significant mean viral load decrease occurred each year from years 2 to 7.

Conclusions

In 7 years of pediatric clinical pharmacy services, thousands of interventions were documented. An increase in the number of patients with an undetectable viral load and improvements in mean log10 viral load occurred. These findings suggest that interventions by pediatric clinical pharmacists contributed to overall improvements in viral loads observed in this study. This analysis provides insight into the essential role of a clinical pharmacist in a pediatric HIV clinic.
Evaluation of a novel discharge reminder tool on pneumococcal vaccination in hospitalized elderly veterans
Authors: Burka Abigail T. , Fann Jakob P. , Lamb Kristen D. , Salvig Brent E. , Smith Torrey L. , Wallace Jessica L.
Published: January 2019

Study Objective

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations for pneumococcal vaccinations include updates on appropriate spacing between the 13‐valent conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and the 23‐valent polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23). The schedule may confuse providers leading to either vaccine omission or inappropriate vaccination. Numerous facilities have implemented inpatient reminder tools with limited success rates; however, the complexity of vaccine selection is not eliminated with this reminder approach nor does it provide education to the provider on ACIP recommendations. The Veterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Healthcare System implemented a tool to provide patient specific guidance and education on ACIP‐appropriate vaccine selection embedded within a required discharge note called the discharge instruction inpatient note (DIPN). This study evaluates its impact on pneumococcal vaccination rates in hospitalized veterans 65 years of age and older.

Design

This was a single center, retrospective, observational analysis of pneumococcal vaccine utilization during the three‐month periods surrounding DIPN implementation.

Patients

A total of 540 patients aged 65 and older hospitalized in the Nashville campus of the Veterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Healthcare System.

Measurements/Main Results

Pneumococcal vaccine utilization increased following DIPN implementation, with a total of 9 doses administered in the pre‐DIPN group compared with 41 in the post‐DIPN group (3.3% vs 15.2%, P < 0.0001). Among pneumococcal vaccine naïve patients, vaccination at discharge increased from 1.4% to 25% following implementation (P = 0.0003). However, all 20 of the PPSV23 vaccines administered post‐DIPN implementation were found to be inappropriate when compared with ACIP recommendations.

Conclusion

Implementation of a vaccine reminder tool embedded within the DIPN significantly increased the inpatient use of pneumococcal vaccines in a large VA facility with high baseline vaccination rates. Given the number of inappropriate vaccines administered, focused efforts on provider education in conjunction with implementation of reminder tools are warranted to encourage appropriate vaccine usage.
Effect of arsenic exposure on early eye development in zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Authors: Babich Remy , Van Beneden Rebecca J.
Published: January 2019

Arsenic is a metalloid that contaminates drinking water supplies worldwide. Owing to concerns for human health, the World Health Organization and the US Environmental Protection Agency have established a safe level in drinking water of ≤10 ppb. Recently, arsenic exposure has also been linked to lower IQ values in children. The effect of arsenic on neurogenesis, specifically eye development, has not been widely explored. This study aimed to examine the effect of environmentally relevant concentrations of arsenic on early eye development by morphological and molecular analysis. The zebrafish, Danio rerio, was chosen to model the impact of arsenic on retinogenesis because of similarities to human eye development. Arsenic exposure to zebrafish embryos resulted in a significant increase in eye diameter at 14 days postfertilization. This was coupled with a trend in thinning of the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) layer in embryos exposed to 500 ppb arsenic. Reverse transcription‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis of genes associated with eye development revealed differential expression of Pax6a, Pax2a, Ngn1, Sox2 and Shha relative to control. Pax6a, Pax2a and Sox2 are important in the formation of the RPE. Proper formation of the RPE is necessary for growth of the sclera, which, in turn, is responsible for maintaining the shape of the eye. This could potentially be explained by the disruption of gene expression under arsenic exposure during critical time points in early eye development. These results provide insight into the effects arsenic may be having on early eye development in children exposed to contaminated drinking water supplies.
Modulation of macrophage phenotype via phagocytosis of drug‐loaded microparticles
Authors: Wofford Kathryn L. , Cullen D. Kacy , Spiller Kara L.
Published: January 2019

Monocyte‐derived macrophages play a critical role in directing wound pathology following injury. Depending on their phenotype, macrophages also promote tissue regeneration. However, the therapeutic administration of macrophages with a controlled phenotype is challenging because macrophages are highly plastic and quickly revert to a detrimental, inflammatory phenotype in response to the environment of a damaged tissue. To address this issue, we developed a novel strategy to modulate macrophage phenotype intracellularly through phagocytosis of drug‐loaded microparticles. Poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) microparticles loaded with the anti‐inflammatory drug dexamethasone (Dex) were phagocytosed by monocytes and stored intracellularly for at least 5 days. After differentiation into macrophages, cell phenotype was characterized over time with high‐throughput gene expression analysis via NanoString. We found that the microparticles modulated macrophage phenotype for up to 7 days after microparticle uptake, with decreases in inflammation‐related genes at early timepoints and upregulation of homing‐ and phagocytosis‐related genes at multiple timepoints in a manner similar to cells treated with continuous free Dex. These data suggest that intracellularly loading macrophages with Dex microparticles via phagocytosis could be a unique methodology to selectively modulate macrophage phenotype over time. This strategy would allow therapeutic administration of macrophages for the treatment of a number of inflammatory disease and disorders. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 107A: 1213–1224, 2019.
Preparation and evaluation of BCP‐CSD‐agarose composite microsphere for bone tissue engineering
Authors: Hasan Md Lemon , Padalhin Andrew R. , Kim Boram , Lee Byong‐Taek
Published: January 2019

Composite microspheres have been widely investigated over the years in order to achieve a sound scaffold with suitable combinations of biodegradable polymers and bioactive ceramics/glasses for bone tissue engineering. In our present study, composite microspheres were prepared for the first time by agarose (1 wt %) enforcement with combination of biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP; 20 wt %) and calcium sulfate dehydrate (CSD; 20 wt %), and analyzed for use in bone regeneration. The one‐step fabrication process revealed spheres of sizes ranging from 50 to 1000 μm of BCP‐CSD contents effectively formed by natural solidification of agarose matrix, which is very simple, time and cost‐effective, and could allow for large scale production. Furthermore, the BCP‐CSD‐agarose composite microspheres were tested in in vitro and in vivo for bone‐forming properties in order to assess their biocompatibility. The rapid diffusion of Ca2+ions from CSD of the composite microspheres through agarose matrix potentially increased interactivity with microenvironment and gave support for cell adhesion and proliferation. Moreover, in vivo result demonstrated that fabricated microspheres promoted neovascularization, stimulated fibroblast cell proliferation, and host cell migration occurred throughout the defects and within microspheres, ultimately guided to new bone formation. The developed composite microspheres with novel approach could have potential for bone regeneration application. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 2263–2272, 2019.
Melorheostotic Bone Lesions Caused by Somatic Mutations in MAP2K1 Have Deteriorated Microarchitecture and Periosteal Reaction
Authors: Fratzl-Zelman Nadja , Roschger Paul , Kang Heeseog , Jha Smita , Roschger Andreas , Blouin Stéphane , Deng Zuoming , Cabral Wayne A , Ivovic Aleksandra , Katz James , Siegel Richard M , Klaushofer Klaus , Fratzl Peter , Bhattacharyya Timothy , Marini Joan C
Published: January 2019

Melorheostosis is a rare non-hereditary condition characterized by dense hyperostotic lesions with radiographic “dripping candle wax” appearance. Somatic activating mutations in MAP2K1 have recently been identified as a cause of melorheostosis. However, little is known about the development, composition, structure, and mechanical properties of the bone lesions. We performed a multi-method phenotype characterization of material properties in affected and unaffected bone biopsy samples from six melorheostosis patients with MAP2K1 mutations. On standard histology, lesions show a zone with intensively remodeled osteonal-like structure and prominent osteoid accumulation, covered by a shell formed through bone apposition, consisting of compact multi-layered lamellae oriented parallel to the periosteal surface and devoid of osteoid. Compared with unaffected bone, melorheostotic bone has lower average mineralization density measured by quantitative backscattered electron imaging (CaMean: –4.5%, p = 0.04). The lamellar portion of the lesion is even less mineralized, possibly because the newly deposited material has younger tissue age. Affected bone has higher porosity by micro-CT, due to increased tissue vascularity and elevated 2D-microporosity (osteocyte lacunar porosity: +39%, p = 0.01) determined on quantitative backscattered electron images. Furthermore, nano-indentation modulus characterizing material hardness and stiffness was strictly dependent on tissue mineralization (correlation with typical calcium concentration, CaPeak: r = 0.8984, p = 0.0150, and r = 0.9788, p = 0.0007, respectively) in both affected and unaffected bone, indicating that the surgical hardness of melorheostotic lesions results from their lamellar structure. The results suggest a model for pathophysiology of melorheostosis caused by somatic activating mutations in MAP2K1, in which the genetically induced gradual deterioration of bone microarchitecture triggers a periosteal reaction, similar to the process found to occur after bone infection or local trauma, and leads to an overall cortical outgrowth. The micromechanical properties of the lesions reflect their structural heterogeneity and correlate with local variations in mineral content, tissue age, and remodeling rates, in the same way as normal bone. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research

Abstract

Development of the melorheostotic lesion.
Predicting the halogen‐n(n= 3–6) synthons to form the “windmill” pattern bonding based on the halogen‐bonded interactions
Authors: Liu Mengyu , Zeng Yanli , Sun Zheng , Meng Lingpeng
Published: January 2019

The “windmill” pattern cyclic halogen polymers (XBr)3 (X = Cl, Br, I) and (BrY)n(n= 3–6, Y = Cl, Br, I) have been investigated using the density functional theory. Due to the anisotropic distribution of its electron density, the halogen atom can form halogen‐bonded interactions by functioning as both electron donor sites and electron acceptor sites. For (XBr)3 (X = Cl, Br, I) trimers, the Cl···Cl interaction is the weakest, and the I···I interaction is the strongest. For (BrY)n(n= 3–6, Y = Cl, Br, I), the Br···Br halogen bonds are the strongest in (BrY)4tetramers. We predict that the iodine‐4 synthon may allow creation of a self‐assembled island during crystal growth. The angle formed by the electron‐depleted sigma‐hole, the halogen atom and the electron‐rich equatorial belt perpendicular to the bond direction, together with the halogen‐bond angle, can be used to explain the geometries and strength of the halogen‐bond interactions. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Modeling the growth of microalgaeSpirulinasp. with application of illuminance and magnetic field
Authors: Piazzi Ana Carolina Ferreira , Veiga Mayara Copello , Santos Lucielen Oliveira , Costa Jorge Alberto Vieira , Kuhn Raquel Cristine , Salau Nina Paula Gonçalves
Published: January 2019

BACKGROUND

There is a lack of studies that investigate the application of magnetic field in microalgae cultures in the literature. Aiming to understand the effects of the application of magnetic field, along with illuminance, on the growth of microalgae, an accurate first‐principles mathematical model must be designed and evaluated. Furthermore, the parameters associated with illuminance and magnetic field in the new model must be obtained through a reliable and robust parameter estimation procedure, since for magnetic field effects there are no models and parameters reported in the literature.

RESULTS

A new model for microalga growth with application of illuminance and magnetic field was designed to predict biomass productivity. Fourteen different Verhulst‐based mathematical equations were proposed and compared. The results showed the significant influence of the illuminance and magnetic field on the microalga growth and indicated that the designed model accurately fitted the experimental data.

CONCLUSIONS

A new model to predict microalga growth with application of illuminance and magnetic field was designed considering two new parameters,KIandKM, affinity of a microorganism to illuminance and magnetic field, respectively, in a Verhulst‐based equation. The parameters were accurately estimated though a hybrid combination of particle swarm optimization and nonlinear least‐squares algorithms, allowing the model to accurately predict microalga growth. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Prenatally detected umbilical cord tumor as a sign of diffuse neonatal hemangiomatosis
Authors: Schwickert Alexander , Seeger Karl‐Heinz , Rancourt Rebecca C. , Henrich Wolfgang
Published: January 2019

We report a case of a prenatally detected hemangioma of the umbilical cord as an early sign of diffuse neonatal hemangiomatosis (DNH). The newborn was diagnosed with multiple hemangiomas in the liver, intestines, skin, and brain. Prenatal ultrasound findings, neonatal appearance of the hemangiomas, and the associated complications are illustrated. Interdisciplinary investigations as well as operative and systemic treatment approaches proved to be challenging. This case illustrates how prenatal ultrasound with color Doppler facilitates the early diagnosis of DNH and can help through the early referral to specialized centers for appropriate treatment.
Microscopic investigation of palyno‐morphological features of melliferous flora of Lakki Marwat district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Authors: Ahmad Shabir , Zafar Muhammad , Ahmad Mushtaq , Lubna  , Yaseen Ghulam , Sultana Shazia
Published: January 2019

The present study was carried out to investigate the polliniferous bee flora of Lakki Marwat district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A total of 18 species, belonging to 13 different families were identified for the foraging activities of honeybees, namely, Cenchrus biflorus, Cestrum nocturnum, Citrus limon, Combretum indicum, Datura innoxia, Duranta erecta, Hamelia patens, Helianthus annuus, Ipomoea cairica, Luffa aegyptiaca, Nerium oleander, Ocimum basilicum, Parthenium hysterophorus, Pennisetum typhoides, Prosopis cineraria, Prosopis juliflora, Saccharum spontaneum, and Ziziphus jujuba. The identified melliferous flora was collected for the morpho‐palynological investigation. Pollen were acetolyzed, measured, and described qualitatively using light microscopy. The pollen types varied from psilate to echinate and colpi from tricolpate to hexacolpate. Quantitative characteristics including polar diameter, equatorial diameter, polar to equatorial ratio, colpi length, colpi width, spine length, spine width, and exine thickness of the pollen were determined and analyzed statistically using software IBM SPSS Statistics 20. The results of the present study highlighted the significance of pollen morphology of the bee flora of the area which may lead to the identification of the potential and useful botanical sources for beekeepers and to check the honey quality marketed from the study area.
Synthesis of Some New Pyrazolone‐Based Heterocycles Containing Sulphone Moiety Acting as α‐Glucosidase and α‐Amylase Inhibitors
Authors: Eldebss Taha M. A. , Farag Ahmad M. , Abdalla Mohamed M. , Khedr Ahmad A.
Published: January 2019

A new series derived from 4‐(2‐chloroacetyl)‐1,2‐dihydro‐2,3‐dimethyl‐1‐phenylpyrazol‐5‐one was synthesized and characterized, and its pharmacological activity toward α‐glucosidase and α‐amylase enzyme inhibition was screened. Moreover, molecular docking studies were conducted to support the findings.
Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of Novel Heterocycles Utilizing 3‐(1,4‐Dioxo‐3,4‐dihydrophthalazin‐2(1H)‐yl)‐3‐oxopropanenitrile as Precursors
Authors: Khidre Rizk E. , Radini Ibrahim Ali M.
Published: January 2019

The reaction of 3‐(1,4‐dioxo‐3,4‐dihydrophthalazin‐2(1H)‐yl)‐3‐oxopropanenitrile 1 and salicyladehyde furnished coumarin derivatives 4 and 5. Coupling reaction of 1 with aryl diazonium chlorides and benzene‐1,4‐bis (diazonium) chloride gave the corresponding hydrazones 6a,b and bishydrazone 9, respectively. Hydrazones 6 underwent intramolecular cyclization upon treating with hydrazine hydrate to give 3‐aminopyrazoles 7. Pyranyl phthalazine 13 was prepared from the reaction of 1 with ethyl 2‐cyano‐3‐ethoxyacrylate 10. Enaminonitrile 14 was reacted with hydrazine hydrate/phenylhydrazine and hydroxylamine to afford the corresponding pyrazoles 16 and oxime 17. The antimicrobial evaluation revealed pyrazole derivatives 7a,b and 16a,b displayed a broad spectrum activity against most strains. 3‐Aminopyrazole derivative 7b showed potent antibacterial activity against all tested microorganisms.
Disorders affecting vitamin B6 metabolism
Authors: Wilson Matthew P. , Plecko Barbara , Mills Philippa B. , Clayton Peter T.
Published: January 2019

Vitamin B6 is present in our diet in many forms, however, only pyridoxal 5′‐phosphate (PLP) can function as a cofactor for enzymes. The intestine absorbs nonphosphorylated B6 vitamers, which are converted by specific enzymes to the active PLP form. The role of PLP is enabled by its reactive aldehyde group. Pathways reliant on PLP include amino acid and neurotransmitter metabolism, folate and 1‐carbon metabolism, protein and polyamine synthesis, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, mitochondrial function and erythropoiesis. Besides the role of PLP as a cofactor B6 vitamers also play other cellular roles, for example, as antioxidants, modifying expression and action of steroid hormone receptors, affecting immune function, as chaperones and as an antagonist of Adenosine‐5'‐triphosphate (ATP) at P2 purinoceptors. Because of the vital role of PLP in neurotransmitter metabolism, particularly synthesis of the inhibitory transmitter γ‐aminobutyric acid, it is not surprising that various inborn errors leading to PLP deficiency manifest as B6‐responsive epilepsy, usually of early onset. This includes pyridox(am)ine phosphate oxidase deficiency (a disorder affecting PLP synthesis and recycling), disorders affecting PLP import into the brain (hypophosphatasia and glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor synthesis defects), a disorder of an intracellular PLP‐binding protein (PLPBP, previously named PROSC) and disorders where metabolites accumulate that inactivate PLP, for example, ALDH7A1 deficiency and hyperprolinaemia type II. Patients with these disorders can show rapid control of seizures in response to either pyridoxine and/or PLP with a lifelong dependency on supraphysiological vitamin B6 supply. The clinical and biochemical features of disorders leading to B6‐responsive seizures and the treatment of these disorders are described in this review.
Combining MALDI‐2 and transmission geometry laser optics to achieve high sensitivity for ultra‐high spatial resolution surface analysis
Authors: Spivey Eric C. , McMillen Josiah C. , Ryan Daniel J. , Spraggins Jeffrey M. , Caprioli Richard M.
Published: January 2019

A transmission geometry optical configuration allows for smaller laser spot size to facilitate high‐resolution matrix‐assisted laser/desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry. This increase in spatial resolution (ie, smaller laser spot size) is often associated with a decrease in analyte signal. MALDI‐2 is a post‐ionization technique, which irradiates ions and neutrals generated in the initial MALDI plume with a second orthogonal laser pulse, and has been shown to improve sensitivity. Herein, we have modified a commercial Orbitrap mass spectrometer to incorporate a transmission geometry MALDI source with MALDI‐2 capabilities to improve sensitivity at higher spatial resolutions.
Dynamical downscaling of CSIRO‐Mk3.6 seasonal forecasts over Iran with the regional climate model version 4
Authors: Alizadeh‐Choobari Omid
Published: January 2019

Providing reliable seasonal forecasts of the climate system is essential to make decisions for resource management and planning, such that advances in seasonal forecasting by dynamical downscaling can bring significant socio‐economic benefits. A finer resolution Regional Climate Model version 4 (RegCM4) is nested within the large‐scale fields of the coarser CSIRO‐Mk3.6 general circulation model (GCM) to dynamically downscale outputs of CSIRO‐Mk3.6 over Iran in Southwest Asia. To this end, 120 6‐month‐long simulations were conducted. Starting from January 2007, each simulation run forwards 1 month compared to the previous run, altogether covering the period 2007–2016. Comparing model results with ERA‐Interim and CRU datasets indicated that RegCM4 is able to add some value to the driving CSIRO‐Mk3.6, particularly in low lands of central to eastern Iran where CSIRO‐Mk3.6 depicts significant cold biases. Nevertheless, relatively large biases in simulations of RegCM4 are found over some regions in Iran caused by propagation of errors from the driving GCM. It is also found that errors in prediction of different phases of the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events in the driving CSIRO‐Mk3.6 significantly degrade the nested model simulations, such that associated with La Niña and El Niño, large warm and cold biases are found, respectively, over Iran. Improvements should be made in physics of the CSIRO‐Mk3.6 GCM to better simulate different phases of ENSO. Results also indicated that performance of RegCM4 in simulating 2‐m temperature is strongly related to the forecast lead time, such that model errors generally become larger when the forecast time increases.
2018 international consensus meeting on musculoskeletal infection: Summary from the biofilm workgroup and consensus on biofilm related musculoskeletal infections
Authors: Saeed Kordo , McLaren Alex C. , Schwarz Edward M. , Antoci Valentin , Arnold William V. , Chen Antonia F. , Clauss Martin , Esteban Jaime , Gant Vanya , Hendershot Edward , Hickok Noreen , Higuera Carlos A. , Coraça‐Huber Débora C. , Choe Hyonmin , Jennings Jessica A. , Joshi Manjari , Li William T. , Noble Philip C. , Phillips K. Scott , Pottinger Paul S. , Restrepo Camilo , Rohde Holger , Schaer Thomas P. , Shen Hao , Smeltzer Mark , Stoodley Paul , Webb Jason C. J. , Witsø Eivind
Published: January 2019

Biofilm‐associated implant‐related bone and joint infections are clinically important due to the extensive morbidity, cost of care and socioeconomic burden that they cause. Research in the field of biofilms has expanded in the past two decades, however, there is still an immense knowledge gap related to many clinical challenges of these biofilm‐associated infections. This subject was assigned to the Biofilm Workgroup during the second International Consensus Meeting on Musculoskeletal Infection held in Philadelphia USA (ICM 2018) (https://icmphilly.com). The main objective of the Biofilm Workgroup was to prepare a consensus document based on a review of the literature, prepared responses, discussion, and vote on thirteen biofilm related questions. The Workgroup commenced discussing and refining responses prepared before the meeting on day one using Delphi methodology, followed by a tally of responses using an anonymized voting system on the second day of ICM 2018. The Working group derived consensus on information about biofilms deemed relevant to clinical practice, pertaining to: (1) surface modifications to prevent/inhibit biofilm formation; (2) therapies to prevent and treat biofilm infections; (3) polymicrobial biofilms; (4) diagnostics to detect active and dormant biofilm in patients; (5) methods to establish minimal biofilm eradication concentration for biofilm bacteria; and (6) novel anti‐infectives that are effective against biofilm bacteria. It was also noted that biomedical research funding agencies and the pharmaceutical industry should recognize these areas as priorities. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res
Soil organic carbon stock as an indicator for monitoring land and soil degradation in relation to United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals
Authors: Lorenz Klaus , Lal Rattan , Ehlers Knut
Published: January 2019

Seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted in September 2015 aim to end hunger and poverty, to protect the Planet, and to ensure peace and prosperity for all. The soil organic carbon (SOC) stock is a major planetary resource supporting many critically important ecosystem services (ESs) and underpins realization of some of the SDGs at the national level. Thus, decrease in the SOC stock is among the significant universal indicators for land and soil degradation and compromises efforts to achieve the SDGs especially those with reference to food, health, water, climate, and land management. However, there is currently no well‐established relationship (i.e., quantitative evidence) between the SOC stock and the level of ESs attributable to it. Further, basic soil data and monitoring systems including those of SOC stock and its changes are not available for many regions and nations. This uncertainty affects the suitability of using the SOC stock as absolute indicator to monitor changes in land and soil degradation and, particularly, in relation to the SDG monitoring framework. Thus, although the SOC stock is arguably an important indicator for land and soil degradation among others, more research and data on a national level are needed to establish the relationship between the SOC stock and the targets to monitor progress towards achieving the SDGs with reference to food, health, water, climate, and land management. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review on the suitability of the SOC stock as an indicator for monitoring land and soil degradation with regard to the SDG framework.
Institutional challenges in pastoral landscape management: Towards sustainable land management in Ngamiland, Botswana
Authors: Basupi Lenyeletse Vincent , Dougill Andrew John , Quinn Claire Helen
Published: January 2019

Policies, institutions, and governance structures have implications for the sustainable use of land resources. In dryland Africa, pastoral landscapes are faced with challenges of land degradation, livestock diseases, droughts, and land use conflicts. In order to enhance resilience and integrity of pastoral societies and landscapes, sustainable land management (SLM) requires that policies and institutions create an enabling environment that encourages sustainable use. This study analyses current policy, institutional, and governance challenges in relation to SLM in Ngamiland, Botswana. We use a series of expert interviews, local stakeholder workshops, document, and policy content analysis to analyse policy and institutional challenges. Key findings of this study include fragmented institutional and policy frameworks, conflicting policies and priorities, weak governance structures, lack of integrated planning and coordination between sectors, gaps in communication, knowledge gaps, and fragmented pastoralists lobbying institutions, all of which hinders prospects for SLM in communal areas of Botswana. Harmonisation of sectoral policies requires institutional and policy design to consider institutional coordination and enhanced learning on other actors' perspectives and constraints. Findings in Ngamiland show that collaborative comanagement approaches can play a role in facilitating intersectoral data sharing to enable successful development of pastoral landscapes and a supportive decision‐making system for SLM.
Why do researchers decide to publish in questionable journals? A review of the literature
Authors: Frandsen Tove Faber
Published: January 2019

Peer review is a cornerstone of scientific publication, and consequently, predatory journals are feared to be a threat to the credibility of science as they perform no or low‐quality peer review. The question of why researchers decide to publish in a questionable journal remains relatively unexplored. This paper provides an overview of the existing literature on why researchers decide to publish papers in questionable journals, specifically whether or not they search for a low‐barrier way to getting published while being aware that the chosen journal probably does not adhere to acceptable academic standards. The choice of a publication outlet can be seen as a submission tree that consists of various incentives, and explaining why authors publish in deceptive journals may thus consist of a combination of awareness and motivational factors. Awareness and motivation of diligent authors is very different from that of unethical authors. Unethical authors may use a lack of awareness to excuse their actions, but they may actively search for a low‐barrier way to getting published. As there are different types of authors who publish in deceptive journals, we need different approaches to solve the problem.
How prevalent are plagiarized submissions? Global survey of editors
Authors: Smart Pippa , Gaston Thomas
Published: January 2019

Most analyses of plagiarism focus on published content and do not report on the prevalence of plagiarism in submitted articles. Fears over large‐scale plagiarism, particularly in articles submitted by authors for whom English is a second language, have only been investigated in small publishing communities or using duplication‐checking analysis, which does not separate legitimate from unacceptable duplication. This research surveyed journal editors from around the world to ascertain recent (past year) experiences of plagiarized and/or duplicated submissions. We then compared their experiences to their assumptions about global levels of plagiarism. The survey received 372 responses, including 119 from Asian editors, 112 from European editors, and 57 from editors in North America. The respondents estimated that c.15% of all submissions contained plagiarized or duplicated content, although their own experiences were in the range of 2–5% of submissions. Of the respondents, 42% reported no incidence of plagiarized or duplicated submissions in the past year. Asian editors experienced the highest levels of plagiarized/duplicated content, although most of the problem articles were resolved, indicating that most of the identified duplication constituted relatively minor problems, rather than fraudulent plagiarism.
Is the drive for reproducible science having a detrimental effect on what is published?
Authors: Drummond Chris
Published: January 2019

This paper is a critique of the part played by the reproducible research movement within the scientific community. In particular, it raises concerns about the strong influence the movement is having on which papers are published. The primary effect is through changes to the peer review process. These not only require that the data and software used to generate the reported results be part of the review but also that the novelty criterion should be deprecated. This paper questions a central tenet of the movement, the idea of a single, well‐defined, and iterative scientific method. Philosophers, historians of science, and scientists alike have argued extensively against the idea of a single method. Some going as far as to suggest that there are as many methods as scientists. I am convinced that there are broad, high‐level ideas that bind scientists together. Yet, anything more sharply delineated that could reasonably be entitled a scientific method is not logically or historically justified. If this criticism is accepted, then changes to the peer review process are not warranted. Furthermore, I would contend that the influence the reproducible research movement is having on the publishing of papers, and elsewhere, should be considerably curtailed.
Do Journal Administrators solve the reviewer assignment problem as well as editors? Consideration of reviewer rigour and timeliness
Authors: McGlinchey Noel , Hunter Tom , Bromley Jack , Fisher Ruth , Debiec‐Waszak Anna , Gaston Thomas
Published: January 2019

The study aimed to find whether journal editorial office administrators were as effective as editors at assigning rigorous reviewers. We analysed four journals using blended systems of editor‐selected reviewers (ESR) and Journal Administrator‐selected reviewers (JASR) from four disciplines: medicine, sociology, education, and business/applied psychology. In blended journals, both editors and Journal Administrators select authors to review using web‐based expert‐finding tools. All reviewers selected were both authors and reviewers. We primarily wanted to assess the quality of reviews from both ESR and JASR reviewer selection methodologies. Reviewer rigour was defined as differences between editor decisions and reviewer recommendations. Timeliness data were also recorded and analysed separately as an indicator of efficiency. Reviewer rigour, the quality of reviewers’ evaluations, was estimated from the level of agreement between editors and reviewers. Timeliness was not considered a direct measure of rigour. For two journals, no statistically significant differences were observed; for two, in a small proportion of cases, ESR reviews were more negative. One journal showed some statistically significant major differences but only in 2% of reviews. Timeliness data indicated some statistically significant trends that JASR return reviews more promptly. Therefore, where editors rely on at least two reviewers’ recommendations, JASR is equally rigorous as ESR.
Effect of concentration of Ce(NO3)3 · 6H2O and temperature on the corrosion resistance of Al2O3/cerium oxide composite films on 1060 Al alloy
Authors: Li Zeyuan , Ying Lixia , Jin Qiu , Wang Guixiang , Chen Shixing , Gao Gang
Published: January 2019

In this paper, Al2O3/cerium oxide composite films were prepared on the surface of aluminum by anodic oxidation and chemical solution deposition. The aluminum was firstly anodized in sulfuric acid, then treated with different concentrations of Ce(NO3)3 · 6H2O solution at different temperatures. X‐ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), scanning electron microscope (SEM), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and electrochemical polarization tests were used to characterize the properties of the composite films. The results indicate that the Al2O3/cerium oxide composite films successfully form on 1060 Al alloy, and the best condition of film‐forming is 2 g/L Ce(NO3)3 · 6H2O and 50 °C. Al2O3/cerium oxide composite film under this condition has a uniform, smooth, and pyknotic surface topography and optimal corrosion resistance. The corrosion density at that time is 1.106 × 10−6 A/cm2 and the corrosion potential is −0.458 V.
A New Strategy to Prepare Poly(2‐methyl‐2‐oxazoline)‐Based Antifouling Coatings: Using UV‐Crosslinked Copolymer Anchors
Authors: Zhu Haikun , Chen Lijuan , Zhang Chong , Atif Muhammad , Gong Kai , Chen Chaoshi , Wang Yanmei
Published: January 2019

A series of the copolymer, poly(styrene‐random‐glycidyl methacrylate) (P(St‐r‐GMA)), is synthesized by free radical polymerization, and characterized by 1H NMR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography. The various substrates are then modified by P(St‐r‐GMA) under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Subsequently, the poly(2‐methyl‐2‐oxazoline) (PMOXA) based coatings are prepared by anchoring amino‐terminated PMOXA onto the P(St‐r‐GMA) modified surfaces through the reaction between the amino group of PMOXA and epoxy group of P(St‐r‐GMA). The results of ellipsometry, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and water contact angle reveal that PMOXA‐based coatings can be prepared successfully on the substrates through UV‐crosslinked P(St‐r‐GMA) as anchoring coatings. Besides, the PMOXA‐based coatings display not only a superior antifouling property but long‐term stability as well. Furthermore, the location of the coating formed on the substrate can be well controlled through selecting the site of UV irradiation, which can be utilized for the selectivity of protein adsorption (or resistance) on special devices.
Self‐Healing Polymeric Hydrogel Formed by Metal–Ligand Coordination Assembly: Design, Fabrication, and Biomedical Applications
Authors: Shi Liyang , Ding Pinghui , Wang Yuzhi , Zhang Yu , Ossipov Dmitri , Hilborn Jöns
Published: January 2019

Self‐healing hydrogels based on metal–ligand coordination chemistry provide new and exciting properties that improve injectability, rheological behaviors, and even biological functionalities. The inherent reversibility of coordination bonds improves on the covalent cross‐linking employed previously, allowing for the preparation of completely self‐healing hydrogels. In this article, recent advances in the development of this class of hydrogels are summarized and their applications in biology and medicine are discussed. Various chelating ligands such as bisphosphonate, catechol, histidine, thiolate, carboxylate, pyridines (including bipyridine and terpyridine), and iminodiacetate conjugated onto polymeric backbones, as well as the chelated metal ions and metal ions containing inorganic particles, which are used to form dynamic networks, are highlighted. This article provides general ideas and methods for the design of self‐healing hydrogel biomaterials based on coordination chemistry.