bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Consumers' preferences and willingness to pay for coffee sustainability labels
Authors: Fuller Katherine , Grebitus Carola
Published: April 2023

Consumers are displaying an increasing awareness for the social and environmental impact of coffee production, and this is also reflected in their willingness to pay for sustainably produced coffee. For example, the Direct Trade label, which highlights a direct relationship between roasters and farmers, has gained popularity to strengthen the industry's efforts to make coffee production more sustainable. This leads to the question of whether consumers prefer coffee carrying this label. Hence, this research analyzes consumer preferences and willingness to pay for coffee labels representing sustainability efforts, such as the Direct Trade label. We informed participants about the efforts reflected by each sustainability label and utilized a hypothetical online choice experiment to determine US consumers' preferences and willingness to pay for coffee sustainability labels. The highest willingness to pay was found for coffee carrying both the Fair Trade and Organic labels, and the Direct Trade and Organic labels. The key findings of this study demonstrate that consumers are willing to pay more for sustainability labels that communicate efforts on solving social issues, followed by labels that highlight environmental issues. [EconLit Citation: C9].
Exporting decision of agricultural firms: The role of foreign direct investment
Authors: Kastratović Radovan
Published: April 2023

In this study, we examine how foreign direct investment affects agricultural firms' exporting decisions. We investigate this by using a Tobit model of export intensity, estimated on the sample of 104 Serbian agricultural firms observed in the period 2014–2017. In particular, we considered both direct and indirect export effects of foreign direct investment. The results indicate that foreign ownership positively affects firms' export intensity. Furthermore, we find that the effect is conditional on the origin of foreign capital, the strongest effects being associated with capital coming from bordering countries. Finally, the results show that the indirect effects of foreign direct investment on export are mainly negative. The results imply that agricultural firms which are a part of the system of multinational enterprises have lower costs of exporting, due to their reliance on international distribution networks and the information on foreign markets provided by the parent companies. In contrast, the costs of production for the local firms could be increased due to the intensive competition by the foreign affiliates. This means that foreign direct investment has the potential to improve the export performances of host‐country agricultural firms. However, to realize their full potential, a sufficient absorptive capacity of the local firms is required. [EconLit Citations: F21, F23, Q17].
Encrypted model predictive control design for security to cyberattacks
Authors: Suryavanshi Atharva , Alnajdi Aisha , Alhajeri Mohammed , Abdullah Fahim , Christofides Panagiotis D.
Published: April 2023

In recent years, cyber‐security of networked control systems has become crucial, as these systems are vulnerable to targeted cyberattacks that compromise the stability, integrity, and safety of these systems. In this work, secure and private communication links are established between sensor–controller and controller–actuator elements using semi‐homomorphic encryption to ensure cyber‐security in model predictive control (MPC) of nonlinear systems. Specifically, Paillier cryptosystem is implemented for encryption‐decryption operations in the communication links. Cryptosystems, in general, work on a subset of integers. As a direct consequence of this nature of encryption algorithms, quantization errors arise in the closed‐loop MPC of nonlinear systems. Thus, the closed‐loop encrypted MPC is designed with a certain degree of robustness to the quantization errors. Furthermore, the trade‐off between the accuracy of the encrypted MPC and the computational cost is discussed. Finally, two chemical process examples are employed to demonstrate the implementation of the proposed encrypted MPC design.
Longitudinal patterns and predictors of suicidal ideation in African American adolescents
Authors: Whipple Christopher R. , Robinson W. LaVome , Flack Caleb E. , Jason Leonard A. , Keenan Kate
Published: April 2023

Suicide rates among African American adolescents have increased dramatically. Suicidal ideation is associated with both suicide attempts and completions, thus understanding ideation patterns and predictors in African American adolescents is critical to informing prevention efforts. This study recruited 160 African American ninth grade students. Participants were those students randomized to the control condition of a randomized controlled preventive intervention. Of the 160 participants, 99 completed all assessment points and were included in latent transition analyses. We assessed participants four times: baseline then again at 6‐, 12‐, and 18‐month postbaseline. Constructs of interest for this study included suicidal ideation, depression, hopelessness, and community violence exposure. A 2‐class model (i.e., low ideation [LI] and high ideation [HI]) characterized ideation at each time point. A total of 86%–90% of participants were in the LI class in any given time point and 27.3% of participants were in the HI class at least once. Participants in the LI class tended to stay in that class, whereas those in the HI class often transitioned to the LI group. Depression and hopelessness, but not exposure to community violence, predicted HI class membership. Findings suggest that (a) most African American adolescents may experience suicide ideation at some point in time, (b) a concerning proportion of African American adolescents may experience high ideation, (c) high ideation is often time‐limited, and (d) depression and hopelessness predict high ideation.
Someone you can count on: Examining the mediating effect of social support on economic abuse and depression
Authors: Johnson Laura , Winter Samantha C.
Published: April 2023

The aim of this study was to examine whether social support mediated the relationship between economic abuse, a form of intimate partner violence, and mental health, specifically depression, among pregnant women. This cross‐sectional study used a sample of 193 pregnant women living in the United States who participated in an online Qualtrics panel survey in January 2021. Hayes Process Macro was used to assess a mediation model. Economic abuse was associated with increased odds of depressive sympto ms and fewer perceived social supports. Social support mediated the relationship between economic abuse and depression. Implications for research, policy, and practice are discussed. Notably, research focused on economic abuse and efforts to respond to it need to pay particularly close attention to the role that social supports may play in survivor's overall well‐being, as well as the impact that economic abuse may have on survivors' perceptions of social support. This may be particularly true for pregnant women experiencing economic abuse for whom social support‐related interventions have yielded positive health outcomes.
Molten Salts‐Driven Discovery of a Polar Mixed‐Anion 3D Framework at the Nanoscale: Zn4Si2O7Cl2, Charge Transport and Photoelectrocatalytic Water Splitting
Authors: Kumar Ram , Song Yang , Ghoridi Anissa , Boullay Philippe , Rousse Gwenaelle , Gervais Christel , Coelho Diogo Cristina , Kabbour Houria , Sassoye Capucine , Beaunier Patricia , Castaing Victor , Viana Bruno , Luisa Ruiz Gonzalez Maria , Calbet José Gonzalez , Laberty‐Robert Christel , Portehault David
Published: April 2023

Mixed‐anion compounds widen the chemical space of attainable materials compared to single anionic compounds, but the exploration of their structural diversity is limited by common synthetic paths. Especially, oxychlorides rely mainly on layered structures, which suffer from low stability during photo(electro)catalytic processes. Herein we report a strategy to design a new polar 3D tetrahedral framework with composition Zn4Si2O7Cl2. We use a molten salt medium to enable low temperature crystallization of nanowires of this new compound, by relying on tetrahedral building units present in the melt to build the connectivity of the oxychloride. These units are combined with silicon‐based connectors from a non‐oxidic Zintl phase to enable precise tuning of the oxygen content. This structure brings high chemical and thermal stability, as well as strongly anisotropic hole mobility along the polar axis. These features, associated with the ability to adjust the transport properties by doping, enable to tune water splitting properties for photoelectrocatalytic H2 evolution and water oxidation. This work then paves the way to a new family of mixed‐anion solids
Ultrarapid Nanomanufacturing of High‐Quality Bimetallic Anode Library toward Stable Potassium‐Ion Storage
Authors: Dou Shuming , Xu Jie , Zhang Danfeng , Liu Wen , Zeng Cuihua , Zhang Jiangchao , Liu Zhedong , Wang Haoqiang , Liu Yani , Wang Yu , He Yanbing , Liu Wei‐Di , Gan Wei , Chen Yanan , Yuan Qunhui
Published: April 2023

Bimetallic alloy nanomaterials are promising anode materials for potassium‐ion batteries (KIBs) due to their high electrochemical performance. The most well‐adopted fabrication method for bimetallic alloy nanomaterials is tube furnace annealing (TFA) synthesis, which can hardly satisfy the trade‐off among granularity, dispersity and grain coarsening due to mutual constraints. Herein, we report a facile, scalable and ultrafast high‐temperature radiation (HTR) method for the fabrication of a library of ultrafine bimetallic alloys with narrow size distribution (≈10–20 nm), uniform dispersion and high loading. The metal‐anchor containing heteroatoms (i.e., O and N), ultrarapid heating/cooling rate (≈103 K s−1) and super‐short heating duration (several seconds) synergistically contribute to the successful synthesis of small‐sized alloy anodes. As a proof‐of‐concept demonstration, the as‐prepared BiSb‐HTR anode shows ultrahigh stability indicated by negligible degradation after 800 cycles. The in situ X‐ray diffraction reveals the K+ storage mechanism of BiSb‐HTR. This study can shed light on the new, rapid and scalable nanomanufacturing of high‐quality bimetallic alloys toward extended applications of energy storage, energy conversion and electrocatalysis.
Investigations for the use and recyclability of the ionic liquid [MTBDH][AcO] as a solvent in air‐gap‐wet spinning process
Authors: Sturm Michael , Helminen Jussi K. J. , Honkasalo Aarni , Roselli Annariikka , von Weymarn Niklas , Kilpeläinen Ilkka
Published: April 2023

The direct dissolution of cellulose offers a pathway to production of regenerated textile fibers. However, fiber production in the Lyocell process requires a high recyclability of the solvent. Some compounds from the class of ionic liquids (IL) may have higher dissolving capacities together with a higher thermal stability than the conventional N‐methylmorpholin‐N‐oxide (NMMO), which makes them more valuable in an industrial process. A promising representative of such an advanced solvent for Lyocell process, 7‐Methyl‐1,5,7‐triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec‐5‐ene acetate ([MTBDH][AcO]) was investigated in this study. A series of 21 consecutive cellulose dissolving and spinning trials via dry‐jet wet spinning was conducted with the same batch of solvent. In the spinning trials, the cellulose was regenerated into water consisting spinning bath. The solvent was recycled by removing the water from the spin bath via distillation in reduced pressure. Due these drastic changes in the water content of the IL during the whole process, the hydrolytic stability is an important aspect to assess the recyclability of the IL and viability of the whole process. The chemical composition of the IL was monitored by means of NMR spectroscopy. Although there was an increase of hydrolysis level of the solvent, cellulose could be dissolved constantly and spun to obtain staple fibers. The spinning behavior deteriorated slowly along the additional cycles, along with a measured increase in zero‐shear viscosity of the spinning dope. Nevertheless, the physical properties of the obtained fibers were barely influenced by the changes of the ionic liquid.
Natural polymers in wound healing: From academic studies to commercial products
Authors: Tavakoli Mohamadreza , Labbaf Sheyda , Mirhaj Marjan , Salehi Saeideh , Seifalian Alexander Marcus , Firuzeh Mahboubeh
Published: April 2023

Natural biopolymers (carbohydrates and proteins) are the family of natural polymers that are widely used in wound healing. This is due to their biocompatibility and their chemical structural similarity to the extracellular matrix (ECM). Wound healing is a complex process and requires a multidisciplinary approach and appropriate treatment product to enable a full recovery. Chronic nonhealing wounds significantly caused the reduction. Currently, diabetic and nonhealing wounds are considered the unmet clinical need and a new effective treatment will benefit patients and the economy. This research was aimed to critically review both literature as well as industrial products that used carbohydrates and proteins in wound dressing for the treatment of the wound. The outcome was chitosan (CS), as a carbohydrate, has the most clinical application as it is readily available and affordable, and has shown excellent antibacterial activity. Among proteins, keratin (Kr) can be an option with similar characteristics, however, Kr has not yet found clinical use when compared with CS.
Variation and development of the turtle chondrocranium, with a description of the common musk turtle (Sternotherus odoratus, Kinosternidae, Cryptodira, Testudines)
Authors: Leicht Luca , Zhang Zitong , Werneburg Ingmar
Published: April 2023

Based on histological cross‐sections, the chondrocranium of the common musk turtle (Sternotherus odoratus) was reconstructed, described, and compared with other turtles. It differs from that of other turtle chondrocrania by possessing elongated, slightly dorsally orientated nasal capsules with three dorsolateral foramina, which might be homologous to the foramen epiphaniale, and by having an enlarged crista parotica. Additionally, the posterior part of the palatoquadrate is more elongated and more slender than in other turtles, while its ascending process is connected to the otic capsule by appositional bone. The proportions of the chondrocranium were also compared with those of “mature” chondrocrania of other turtle species in a Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Other than expected, the S. odoratus chondrocranium is not similar in proportions to those of chelydrids, the closest related species in the sample. The results indicate to differences in the proportions among larger turtle clades (e.g., Durocryptodira, Pleurodira, and Trionychia). S. odoratus is an exception to this pattern since it shows elongated nasal capsules similar to the trionychid Pelodiscus sinensis. A second PCA comparing the chondrocranial proportions of multiple developmental “stages” mostly shows differences between trionychids and all other turtles. S. odoratus is again similar to trionychids along PC1, but its proportions are the most similar along PC2 and PC3 to older “stages” of americhelydians, including the chelydrid Chelydra serpentina, which is related to chondrocranium height and quadrate width. We discuss potential ecological correlations of our findings mirrored in late embryonic stages.
Unraveling the potential of bacterial phytases for sustainable management of phosphorous
Authors: Vashishth Amit , Tehri Nimisha , Tehri Piyush , Sharma Avinash , Sharma Anil Kumar , Kumar Vineet
Published: April 2023

Phosphorous actively participates in numerous metabolic and regulatory activities of almost all living organisms including animals and humans. Therefore, it is considered as an essential macronutrient required supporting their proper growth. On contrary, phytic acid (PA), an antinutritional substance, is widely known for its strong affinity to chelate essential mineral ions including PO43−, Ca2+, Fe2+, Mg2+, and Zn2+. Being one the major reservoir of PO43− ions, PA has great potential to bind PO43− ions in diverse range of foods. Once combined with P, PA transforms into an undigested and insoluble complex namely phytate. Produced phytate leads to a notable reduction in the bioavailability of P due to negligible activity of phytases in monogastric animals and humans. This highlights the importance and consequent need of enhancement of phytase level in these life forms. Interestingly, phytases, catalyzing the breakdown of phytate complex and recycling the phosphate into ecosystem to its available form, have naturally been reported in a variety of plants and microorganisms over past few decades. In pursuit of a reliable solution, the focus of this review is to explore the keynote potential of bacterial phytases for sustainable management of phosphorous via efficient utilization of soil phytate. The core of the review covers detailed discussion on bacterial phytases along with their widely reported applications viz. biofertilizers, phosphorus acquisition, and plant growth promotion. Moreover, meticulous description on fermentation‐based strategies and future trends on bacterial phytases have also been included.
Effect of risperidone on morphine‐induced conditioned place preference and dopamine receptor D2 gene expression in male rat hippocampus
Authors: Arani Zahra Mansouri , Heidariyeh Nasrin , Ghavipanjeh Gholamreza , Lotfinia Majid , Banafshe Hamid Reza
Published: April 2023

Background

Previous studies suggest the possible effect of risperidone on brain reward system and D1 and D2 dopamine receptors’ involvement in morphine‐induced conditioned place preference (CPP).

Aims

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of risperidone as an atypical antipsychotic drug on morphine‐induced CPP and D2‐like dopamine receptor gene expression in rat.

Materials and Methods

An unbiased CPP paradigm was used to study the effect of risperidone. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of risperidone (1, 2, and 4 mg/kg) was performed 30 min before the morphine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) injection and just after the rat was placed in the CPP box. The open field test was used to assay the locomotor activity of animal. The gene expression of D2 dopamine receptor in hippocampus was measured by real‐time PCR technique. The hippocampi of rats were also used for histology evaluation.

Results

Morphine‐produced (10 mg/kg) CPP and morphine‐induced CPP were reversed only by the administration of a low dose of risperidone (1 mg/kg). Low dose of risperidone (1 mg/kg) showed no effect on locomotor activity but a higher dose of risperidone (2 and 4 mg/kg) decreased locomotor activity. Real‐time PCR data analysis revealed that the gene expression of D2 dopamine receptor had significant difference between morphine and a 1 mg/kg dose of risperidone. Moreover, in histological evaluation, apoptosis was observed in the morphine group, whereas there was no evidence of apoptosis in the risperidone‐treated groups.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that risperidone (1 mg/kg) reverses the morphine‐induced CPP and may reduce the rewarding properties of morphine. It is also demonstrated that risperidone decreases the expression of D2 receptor in rat hippocampus. Therefore, risperidone can be considered potential adjunct therapy in morphine dependence.
Structure‐Activity Relationship of Methyl 4‐Aminobenzoate Derivatives as Being Drug Candidate Targeting Glutathione Related Enzymes: in Vitro and in Silico Approaches
Authors: Korkmaz Işıl Nihan , Güller Uğur , Kalın Ramazan , Özdemir Hasan , Küfrevioğlu Ömer İrfan
Published: April 2023

A thiol compound, glutathione, is essential for healthy cell defence against xenobiotics and oxidative stress. Glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione S‐transferase (GST) are two glutathione‐related enzymes that function in the antioxidant and the detoxification systems. In this study, potential inhibitory effects of methyl 4‐aminobenzoate derivatives on GR and GST were examined in vitro. GR and GST were isolated from human erythrocytes with 7.63 EU/mg protein and 5.66 EU/mg protein specific activity, respectively. It was found that compound 1 (methyl 4‐amino‐3‐bromo‐5‐fluorobenzoate with Ki value of 0.325±0.012 μM) and compound 5 (methyl 4‐amino‐2‐nitrobenzoate with Ki value of 92.41±22.26 μM) inhibited GR and GST stronger than other derivatives. Furthermore, a computer‐aided method was used to predict the binding affinities of derivatives, ADME characteristics, and toxicities. Derivatives 4 (methyl 4‐amino‐2‐bromobenzoate) and 6 (methyl 4‐amino‐2‐chlorobenzoate) were estimated to have the lowest binding energies into GR and GST receptors, respectively according to results of in silico studies.
Ring‐Closure on the Rocks in a Prebiotic Environment
Authors: Ter‐Ovanessian Louis M. P. , Maurel Marie‐Christine , Lambert Jean‐François
Published: April 2023

Ring‐closure is a key step in current pyrimidine anabolism and one may wonder whether cyclisation reactions could be promoted in the geochemical context at the origins of life, i. e. with the help of minerals. Various prebiotic minerals were tested in this work, including silica, carbonates, microporous minerals. In particular, the role of zinc ions supported on minerals was investigated in view of its presence in the catalytic site of cyclic amidohydrolase enzymes. Based on in situ (TGA: ThermoGravimetric Analysis, ATR‐IR: Attenuated Total Reflectance‐InfraRed) and ex situ (1H NMR‐ Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) characterisations, we identified the products of thermal activation of NCA (N‐carbamoyl‐aspartic acid) in wetting‐and‐drying scenarios on the surface of minerals. NCA can cyclize extensively only on some surfaces, with the predominant product being 5‐carboxymethylhydantoin (Hy) rather than dihydroorotate (DHO), while there is a competition with hydrolysis on others. Replacing the enzymes with heterogeneous catalysts also works with other reactions catalysed by enzymes of the cyclic amidohydrolases family. The role of the hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of minerals as well as the regioselectivity of the cyclisation (5‐carboxymethylhydantoin versus dihydroorotate) are examined.
Toward “E‐Ring‐Free” Lamellarin Analogues: Synthesis and Preliminary Biological Evaluation
Authors: Rusanov Daniil A. , Mutasim Alfadul Samah , Portnyagina Ekaterina Yu. , Silyanova Eugenia A. , Kuznetsov Nikita A. , Podpovetny Kirill E. , Samet Alexander V. , Semenov Victor V. , Babak Maria V.
Published: April 2023

Since the discovery of anticancer properties of a naturally occurring hexacyclic marine alkaloid Lamellarin D, the attempts have been made to prepare its synthetic analogues and elucidate the effects of each structural component on their activity profile. While F‐ring‐free, A‐ring‐free and B‐ring‐open lamellarins are known, E‐ring‐free analogues have never been investigated. In this work, we developed a facile and straightforward synthetic method toward E‐ring‐free lamellarin analogues based on the [3+2]‐cycloaddition. For the first time, we prepared several pentacyclic lamellarin analogues without E‐ring in their structure and assessed their cytotoxicity in a panel of cancer cell lines in comparison with several hexacyclic lamellarins. E‐ring‐free lamellarins were devoid of cytotoxicity due to their poor solubility in cellular environment.
Pushing the Boundaries of Structural Heterogeneity with the Lipid A of Marine Bacteria Cellulophaga
Authors: Cirella Roberta , Pagliuca Chiara , Pither Molly Dorothy , Scaglione Elena , Nedashkovskaya Olga I. , Chernikov Oleg V. , Hua Kuo‐Feng , Colicchio Roberta , Vitiello Mariateresa , Kokoulin Maxim S. , Silipo Alba , Salvatore Paola , Molinaro Antonio , Di Lorenzo Flaviana
Published: April 2023

Marine bacteria, which are often described as chemical gold, are considered an exceptional source of new therapeutics. Considerable research interest has been given to lipopolysaccharides (LPSs), the main components of the Gram‐negative outer membrane. LPS and its lipid A portion from marine bacteria are known to exhibit a tricky chemistry that has been often associated with intriguing properties such as behaving as immune adjuvants or anti‐sepsis molecules. In this scenario, we report the structural determination of the lipid A from three marine bacteria within the Cellulophaga genus, which showed to produce an extremely heterogenous blend of tetra‐ to hexa‐acylated lipid A species, mostly carrying one phosphate and one D‐mannose on the glucosamine disaccharide backbone. The ability of the three LPSs in activating TLR4 signaling revealed a weaker immunopotential by C. baltica NNO 15840T and C. tyrosinoxydans EM41T, while C. algicola ACAM 630T behaved as a more potent TLR4 activator.
The antioxidant and anticancer properties of chickpea water and chickpea polyphenol extracts in vitro
Authors: Bochenek Heidi , Francis Nidhish , Santhakumar Abishek B. , Blanchard Christopher L. , Chinkwo Kenneth A.
Published: April 2023

Background and Objective

Chickpea is an essential legume, a staple food in many cultures, and contains nutrients with potential health benefits. The chickpea water/aquafaba (CPW) leached out after cooking is usually discarded, which may potentially have significant anticancer and other health‐beneficial properties. This study compared the in vitro bioactivity of CPW with chickpea polyphenol extract (CPPE) to evaluate its impact on pathways of colorectal cancer progression and development.

Findings

Morphological observation by APOPercentage, cell viability detection using a cytotoxic assay, and cell migration‐scratch assay points to measure rate of metastasis were employed. Overall antioxidant activity of CPW and CPPE were measured using ABTS and DPPH free‐radical assays. At 50 µg/mL concentration and above, both CPW and CPPE extracts significantly reduce cell viability in HT‐29 colon cancer cell lines (p < .05). Moreover, a quantitative analysis of the extent of apoptosis demonstrated that at 250 and 500 μg/mL concentrations, both extracts induced significant apoptosis compared to the untreated control. Meanwhile, the cell migration scratch area decreases by 34.42% and 15.27% when treated with CPW and CPPE, respectively.

Conclusion

CPW demonstrated comparable in vitro anticancer properties and antioxidant activity in colorectal cancer cells to CPPE. Further, in vivo studies are warranted to evaluate the physiological bioactivity of CPW and CPPE in targeting pathways of cancer development and progression.

Significance and Novelty

Our results showed the water used for cooking chickpeas should not be discarded as it contains beneficial bioactive compounds.
Conservative management of dentigerous cyst in children: Report of two clinical cases
Authors: Khalifa Chaima , Garma Maroua , Mabrouk Rihab , Slim Afef , Bouguezzi Adel , Selmi Jamil
Published: April 2023

The dentigerous cyst is the second most common odontogenic. The prevalence rates ranging from 0.8% to 3.6% in the general population. It affects people especially at the second and third decade of life with a male predilection. It presents a preference for the mandibular region particularly for the second lower premolar. Surgical marsupialization or decompression are the most conservative treatment modalities as it prevents the risks of cyst removal as nerve injuries and preserves the unerupted tooth. Two clinical cases of two young patients presenting a dentigerous cyst involving impacted teeth, which were successfully treated by decompression will be reported in order to highlight the benefits and limits of cyst decompression as well as detailing its operating protocol and its instructions.
Placental chorioangioma separation in third trimester after fetoscopic laser therapy: Report of a rare case
Authors: Wang Ying , Wei Yuan
Published: April 2023

A primigravida received fetoscopic laser photocoagulation treatment at 25+1 weeks gestation as a chorioangioma enlarged to 61 × 46 × 52 mm. However, a cesarean section was performed due to the chorioangioma separated from the placenta at 32+2 weeks gestation. As the chorioangioma's blood supply were blocked, it was possible to provide expectant treatment.
New Developments of Chiral Palladium‐Aqua Complexes as Cooperative Brønsted Acid‐Base Catalysts in Organic Synthesis
Authors: Gärtner Cornelius V. , Schneider Christoph
Published: April 2023

Based upon their exceptional reactivity as cooperative Brønsted acid‐base catalysts chiral diphosphane Pd‐aqua complexes have successfully been utilized in a broad range of asymmetric transformations. Originally discovered by Sodeoka 25 years ago, they readily form reactive chiral Pd enolates upon deprotonation of β‐dicarbonyl compounds and simultaneously, a Brønsted acid liberated from the catalyst activates the electrophile. After the initial report and some ensuing papers had been published in the early 2000s, the field lay dormant for more than a decade. In recent years, however, new developments towards the enantioselective synthesis of various heterocycles and other useful compounds have evolved which take advantage of the unique properties of chiral Pd‐aqua complexes.
Surgical phenotype of patients with peritoneal mesothelioma and a germline mutation
Authors: Berger Yaniv , Gadiraju Meghana , Dhiman Ankit , Gilliam Katie , Opalecky Buerkley , Chen Heather , Helgeson Maria , Eng Oliver S. , Husain Aliya N. , Drazer Michael W. , Kindler Hedy L. , Churpek Jane E. , Turaga Kiran K.
Published: April 2023

Background

This study aimed to investigate if peritoneal mesothelioma (PM) patients with germline mutations (GM) have distinct surgical characteristics when compared to those without GM.

Methods

PM patients were selected from an ongoing prospective study that conducts germline testing of 82 susceptibility genes. Germline status was correlated with surgical data obtained from a prospectively collected database using univariate, multivariate, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses.

Results

Out of 88 PM patients enrolled between 2009 and 2019, 18 GMs (20.5%) were identified in BRCA1‐associated protein 1 (BAP1) (n = 11, 12.5% of all patients), SDHA (n = 2) and WT1, CDKN2A, CHEK2, ATM, and BRCA2 (n = 1 patient each). Surgical procedures were performed in 71 patients, the most common of which were cytoreductive surgeries with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (n = 61). Patients with GM presented with a higher prevalence of other prior cancers (61.1% vs. 31.4%, p = .02) and lower platelet count (251 [160–413] vs. 367 [196–780] K/µL, p = .005) compared to those without GM (n = 70). Survival outcomes did not differ significantly between the groups. Patients with BAP1 GMs were more likely to develop bicavitary disease and to present with lower platelet count and mitotic count score, and higher peritoneal cancer index (PCI, all p ≤ .04) compared with those without GM. On ROC analysis, the combination of PCI, platelet count and mitotic score yielded an area under the curve of 0.96 (95% CI, 0.91–1.0) for BAP1 GM detection among operated PM patients.

Conclusion

Higher intraoperative tumor burden and lower platelet count and mitotic score are suggestive of BAP1 GMs in surgical PM patients and should prompt germline testing.
Phase 1/1b study of azacitidine and hedgehog pathway inhibitor sonidegib in patients with myeloid neoplasms
Authors: Tibes Raoul , Kosiorek Heidi E. , Dueck Amylou C. , Palmer Jeanne , Sproat Lisa , Bogenberger James , Hashmi Shahrukh , Mesa Ruben , Hogan William , Litzow Mark R. , Al‐Kali Aref
Published: April 2023

Background

Myeloid neoplasms (myelodysplastic syndrome [MDS], myelofibrosis, and chronic myelomonocytic [CMML]) are aggressive hematological malignancies for which, despite recent approvals, novel therapies are needed to improve clinical outcomes. The hedgehog (HH) pathway is one of the main pathways for cancer stem cells survival and several HH inhibitors (HHi) are approved in clinical practice.

Methods

Sonidegib (SON), an oral HHi, was tested in this phase 1/1b trial in combination with azacitidine (AZA, 75 mg/m2 days ×7) in patients with newly diagnosed and relapsed/refractory (r/r) chronic MN or acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Results

Sixty‐two patients (28 [45%] newly diagnosed) were treated in this study, including 10 patients in the dose‐finding component and 52 patients in phase 1b. SON 200 mg oral daily on days 1–28 each cycle was deemed the recommended dose for phase 1b. Out of 21 rrAML patients, two achieved response (one complete response/one morphologic leukemia‐free state) with no responses seen in seven r/r MDS/CMML patients. In newly diagnosed AML/MDS, response was seen in six (three had complete remission, two had morphological leukemia‐free status) of 27 patients. Median overall survival was 26.4 and 4.7 months for newly diagnosed MDS and AML, respectively. Safety was satisfactory with common (>20%) side effects including fatigue, constipation, nausea, cough, insomnia, and diarrhea. Only 7% of patients died in the study, and none of the deaths were deemed related to treatment.

Conclusions

Our study shows that AZA + SON are a safe combination in a patient with MN. Similar to other hedgehog inhibitors, this combination yielded limited response rate in patients with myeloid neoplasms.
Effects of Genetic Polymorphisms of Drug Metabolizing Enzymes and co‐Medications on Tamoxifen Metabolism in Black South African Women with Breast Cancer
Authors: Chiwambutsa Shingirai M. , Ayeni Oluwatosin , Kapungu Nyasha , Kanji Comfort , Thelingwani Roslyn , Chen Wenlong Carl , Mokone Dikeledi H. , O'Neil Daniel S. , Neugut Alfred I. , Jacobson Judith S. , Ruff Paul , Cubasch Herbert , Joffe Maureen , Masimirembwa Collen
Published: April 2023

Clinical outcomes of tamoxifen (TAM) treatment show wide interindividual variability. Comedications and genetic polymorphisms of enzymes involved in TAM metabolism contributes to this variability. Drug–drug and drug–gene interactions have seldom been studied in African Black populations. We evaluated the effects of commonly co‐administered medicines on TAM pharmacokinetics in a cohort of 229 South African Black female patients with hormone‐receptor positive breast cancer. We also investigated the pharmacokinetic effects of genetic polymorphism in enzymes involved in TAM metabolism, including the variants CYP2D6*17 and *29, which have been mainly reported in people of African descent. TAM and its major metabolites, N‐desmethyltamoxifen (NDM), 4‐OH‐tamoxifen, and endoxifen (ENDO), were quantified in plasma using the liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry. The GenoPharm open array was used to genotype CYP2D6, CYP3A5, CYP3A4, CYP2B6, CYP2C9, and CYP2C19. Results showed that CYP2D6 diplotype and CYP2D6 phenotype significantly affected endoxifen concentration (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001). CYP2D6*17 and CYP2D6*29 significantly reduced the metabolism of NDM to ENDO. Antiretroviral therapy had a significant effect on NDM levels and the TAM/NDM and NDM/ENDO metabolic ratios but did not result in significant effects on ENDO levels. In conclusion, CYP2D6 polymorphisms affected endoxifen concentration and the variants CYP2D6*17 and CYP2D6*29 significantly contributed to low exposure levels of ENDO. This study also suggests a low risk of drug–drug interaction in patients with breast cancer on TAM.
A Multitool for Circular Economy: Fast Ring‐Opening Polymerization and Chemical Recycling of (Bio)polyesters Using a Single Aliphatic Guanidine Carboxy Zinc Catalyst
Authors: Fuchs Martin , Schäfer Pascal M. , Wagner Wolf , Krumm Ian , Walbeck Marcel , Dietrich Regina , Hoffmann Alexander , Herres‐Pawlis Sonja
Published: April 2023

A new aliphatic hybrid guanidine N,O‐donor ligand (TMGeech) and its zinc chloride complex ([ZnCl2(TMGeech)]) are presented. This complex displays high catalytic activity for the ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of lactide in toluene, exceeding the toxic industry standard tin octanoate by a factor of 10. The high catalytic activity of [ZnCl2(TMGeech)] is further demonstrated under industrially preferred melt conditions, reaching high lactide conversions within seconds. To bridge the gap towards a sustainable circular (bio)economy, the catalytic activity of [ZnCl2(TMGeech)] for the chemical recycling of polylactide (PLA) by alcoholysis in THF is investigated. Fast production of different value‐added lactates at mild temperatures is demonstrated. Selective PLA degradation from mixtures with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and a polymer blend, catalyst recycling, and a detailed kinetic analysis are presented. For the first time, chemical recycling of post‐consumer PET producing different value‐added materials is demonstrated using a guanidine‐based zinc catalyst. Therefore, [ZnCl2(TMGeech)] is a promising, highly active multitool, not only to implement a circular (bio)plastics economy, but also to tackle today's ongoing plastics pollution.
Bidirectional half‐bridge LLC resonant converter with automatic current sharing characteristic
Authors: Zhu Xiaoquan , Liu Kang , Jin Ke , Zhang Bo
Published: April 2023

A bidirectional half‐bridge (BHB) LLC resonant converter with automatic current sharing characteristics is proposed in this paper for high‐power bidirectional energy storage applications. With the help of magnetizing inductance of transformer, all MOSFETs on the primary and secondary sides can realize zero‐voltage switching. By grouping the secondary windings of the transformer, excellent current sharing can be achieved in both forward and backward operation modes even if there is a 10% error of the resonant parameters. Due to the half bridge structure in both primary and secondary sides, the number of switches is reduced. And the resonant capacitance is small, which is conducive to integrate into the isolation transformer. Thus, the power density and overall efficiency of the proposed converter can be improved. Whether the converter is in forward or backward operation mode, the PWM control strategy is consistent, and it is not required to control the power flow by regulating the phase shift angle of primary and secondary sides, which makes the control strategy of the proposed converter easier. Finally, an 850 W experimental prototype is established to verify the superiority of the proposed circuit. Under the full load condition, the measured peak efficiency is 98.11% and 97.11% in the forward and backward operating modes, respectively.
How to quantify factors degrading DNA in the environment and predict degradation for effective sampling design
Authors: Naef Thomas , Besnard Anne‐Laure , Lehnen Lisa , Petit Eric J. , van Schaik Jaap , Puechmaille Sebastien J.
Published: April 2023

Extra‐organismal DNA (eoDNA) from material left behind by organisms (noninvasive DNA, e.g., feces, hair) or from environmental samples (eDNA, e.g., water, soil) is a valuable source of genetic information. However, the relatively low quality and quantity of eoDNA, which can be further degraded by environmental factors, results in reduced amplification and sequencing success. This is often compensated for through cost‐ and time‐intensive replications of genotyping/sequencing procedures. Therefore, system‐ and site‐specific quantifications of environmental degradation are needed to maximize sampling efficiency (e.g., fewer replicates, shorter sampling durations), and to improve species detection and abundance estimates. Using 10 environmentally diverse bat roosts as a case study, we developed a robust modeling pipeline to quantify the environmental factors degrading eoDNA, predict eoDNA quality, and estimate sampling‐site‐specific ideal exposure duration. Maximum humidity was the strongest eoDNA‐degrading factor, followed by exposure duration and then maximum temperature. We also found a positive effect when hottest days occurred later. The strength of this effect fell between the strength of the effects of exposure duration and maximum temperature. With those predictors and information on sampling period (before or after offspring were born), we reliably predicted mean eoDNA quality per sampling visit at new sites with a mean squared error of 0.0349. Site‐specific simulations revealed that reducing exposure duration to 2–8 days could substantially improve eoDNA quality for future sampling. Our pipeline identified high humidity and temperature as strong drivers of eoDNA degradation even in the absence of rain and direct sunlight. Furthermore, we outline the pipeline's utility for other systems and study goals, such as estimating sample age, improving eDNA‐based species detection, and increasing the accuracy of abundance estimates.
Retrospective analysis of SGLT2 inhibitors in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Clemmer John S. , Ward Taylor J. , Lirette Seth T.
Published: April 2023

Aims

Heart failure (HF) is one of the leading causes of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), or diastolic failure, accounts for half of all HF cases and differs from HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Patients with HFpEF are typically older, female, and commonly seen with chronic kidney disease (CKD), one of the leading independent risk factors for mortality in these patients. Unfortunately, drugs that had shown significant improvements in mortality in HFrEF have not shown similar benefits in HFpEF. Recently, sodium glucose transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) have been shown to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in HFrEF patients and slow down CKD progression. This study aimed to elucidate the impact of this drug class on mortality and risk of end stage renal disease in patients with HFpEF, which is currently unclear.

Methods and results

We retrospectively analysed the Research Data Warehouse containing electronic health records from de‐identified patients (n = 1 266 290) from the University of Mississippi Medical Center from 2013 to 2022. HFpEF patients had an average follow‐up of 4 ± 2 years. Factors associated with increased all‐cause mortality during HFpEF included age, male sex, and CKD. Interestingly, the only treatments associated with significant improvements in survival were angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers and SGLT2i, regardless of CKD or diabetes status. Additionally, SGLT2i use was also associated with significant decrease in the risk of end stage renal disease.

Conclusions

Our results support the use of SGLT2i in an HFpEF population with relatively high rates of hypertension, CKD, and black race and suggests that improvements in mortality may be through preserving kidney function.
Geographic differences in patients with acute myocardial infarction in the PARADISE‐MI trial
Authors: Butt Jawad H. , Claggett Brian L. , Miao Zi M. , Jering Karola S. , Sim David , van der Meer Peter , Ntsekhe Mpiko , Amir Offer , Cho Myeong‐Chan , Carrillo‐Calvillo Jorge , Núñez Julio E. , Cadena Alberto , Kerkar Prafulla , Maggioni Aldo P. , Steg Philippe G. , Granger Christopher B. , Mann Douglas L. , Merkely Béla , Lewis Eldrin F. , Solomon Scott D. , Zhou Yinong , Køber Lars , Braunwald Eugene , McMurray John J.V. , Pfeffer Marc A.
Published: April 2023

Aim

The globalization of clinical trials has highlighted geographic differences in patient characteristics, treatments, and outcomes. We examined these differences in PARADISE‐MI.

Methods and results

Overall, 23.0% were randomized in Eastern Europe/Russia, 17.5% in Western Europe, 12.2% in Southern Europe, 10.1% in Northern Europe, 12.0% in Latin America (LA), 9.3% in North America (NA), 10.0% in East/South‐East Asia and 5.8% in South Asia (SA). Those from Asia, particularly SA, were different from patients enrolled in the other regions, being younger and thinner. They also differed in terms of comorbidities (high prevalence of diabetes and low prevalence of atrial fibrillation), type of myocardial infarction (more often ST‐elevation myocardial infarction), and treatment (low rate of primary percutaneous coronary intervention). By contrast, patients from LA did not differ meaningfully from those randomized in Europe or NA. Use of angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers (34.8%) and beta‐blockers (65.5%) was low in SA, whereas mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist use was lowest in NA (22%) and highest in Eastern Europe/Russia (53%). Rates of the primary composite outcome of cardiovascular death or incident heart failure varied two‐fold among regions, with the lowest rate in SA (4.6/100 person‐years) and the highest in LA (9.2/100 person‐years). Rates of incident heart failure varied almost six‐fold among regions, with the lowest rate in SA (1.0/100 person‐years) and the highest in Northern Europe (5.9/100 person‐years). The effect of sacubitril/valsartan was not modified by region.

Conclusion

In PARADISE‐MI, there were substantial regional differences in patient characteristics, treatments and outcomes. Although the generalizability of these findings to a ‘real‐world’ unselected population may be limited, these findings underscore the importance of considering both regional and within‐region differences when designing global clinical trials.
HIF‐1α targeted deletion in myeloid cells decreases MDSC accumulation and alters microbiome in neonatal mice
Authors: Schwarz Julian , Rühle Jessica , Stephan Kevin , Dietz Stefanie , Geißert Janina , Schoppmeier Ulrich , Frick Julia S. , Hudalla Hannes , Lajqi Trim , Poets Christian F. , Gille Christian , Köstlin‐Gille Natascha
Published: April 2023

The newborn's immune system is faced with the challenge of having to learn quickly to fight off infectious agents, but tolerating the colonization of the body surfaces with commensals without reacting with an excessive inflammatory response. Myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSC) are innate immune cells with suppressive activity on other immune cells that regulate fetal‐maternal tolerance during pregnancy and control intestinal inflammation in neonates. Until now, nothing is known about the role of MDSC in microbiome establishment. One of the transcription factors regulating MDSC homeostasis is the hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α (HIF‐1α). We investigated the impact of HIF‐1α on MDSC accumulation and microbiome establishment during the neonatal period in a mouse model with targeted deletion of HIF‐1α in myeloid cells (Hif1a loxP/loxPLysMCre+). We show that in contrast to wildtype mice, where an extensive expansion of MDSC was observed, MDSC expansion in neonatal Hif1a loxP/loxPLysMCre+ mice was dramatically reduced both systemically and locally in the intestine. This was accompanied by an altered microbiome composition and intestinal T‐cell homeostasis. Our results point toward a role of MDSC in inflammation regulation in the context of microbiome establishment and thus reveal a new aspect of the biological role of MDSC during the neonatal period.
Exergy analysis of naphtha‐based combined cycle captive cogeneration plant for a petrochemical complex
Authors: Arpit Sankalp , Das Prasanta Kumar , Dash Sukanta Kumar
Published: April 2023

The primary objective of the present paper is to assess the performance of a naphtha‐based combined cycle power plant using the first and second laws of thermodynamics. Heat loss and energy efficiency of each component are calculated by using energy equations. Cogeneration efficiency and efficiency standard have been applied for calculating energy efficiencies. The cogeneration efficiency and efficiency standards are found as 57.87% and 41%, with heat recovery steam generators and auxiliary boilers as the most inefficient units. Further exergy efficiency is found as 30%, with combustion chambers and auxiliary boilers as the most inefficient units. At the end of the analysis, an elaborate appraisal has been made to critically judge the plant as a combined cycle unit. Finally, a few suggestions have been made for further improvement of the plant.