bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seasonal Depiction of Malariometric Indices in Children under Five Years in a Sudanese Semi-urban Area of Burkina Faso
Authors: Ouattara San M. , Ouédraogo Alphonse , Tiono Alfred B. , Sombié Benjamin , Diarra Amidou , Ouédraogo Issa N. , Vaillant Michel , Sirima Sodiomon B.
Published: July 2019

Aims: Malariometric indices are essential for the assessment of both new therapies and control strategies. As part of the characterization of a new malaria clinical trial site, this study was carried out to assess malariometric indices during the two seasons of a Sudanese area of Burkina Faso, in children aged under five years.

Study Design: Two community-based cross-sectional surveys were conducted as follow: the first during the rainy season of 2009 and the second during the following dry season. Socio-demographic and clinical data were recorded. A finger prick blood sample was collected to perform malaria blood films and to measure the hemoglobin level.

Results: Malaria parasitemia prevalence was 55.2% (N = 677) in the rainy season with a geometric mean of parasite density (GMPD) of 3439 trophozoites/µl against 23.3% (N = 720) in the dry season with a GMPD of 1368 trophozoites/µl. Gametocytemia prevalence was 21.7% and 6.5% respectively in rainy and dry season while splenomegaly prevalence was 11.2% (N = 689) in rainy season against 4.2% (N = 752) in dry season. The prevalence of anemia (hemoglobin < 11.0 g/dl) was 90.0% in rainy season and 70.6% in dry season. All indices in rainy season were statistically higher than those in dry season (p-value < 0.0001). The odds of parasite carriage were 3 to 5 times higher in rainy season compared to dry season (95% CI for OR = [3.1, 5.0]).

Conclusion: The site is located in a seasonal hyper-endemic malaria area and seems appropriate for the conduct of malaria drugs or vaccines studies. Though the gap between seasons is considerable, the residual level of parasite carriage during low transmission period is not negligible and may command the development of strategies targeting this specific period, to break the chain of transmission of the disease.
Soil Electrical Conductivity As Influenced by Ionic Dynamics and Salinity Strength under Tripartite Ecological Condition in Parts of Niger Delta, Nigeria
Authors: Edwin-Wosu N. L. , Nkang A. E.
Published: July 2019

Background: Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC) is one of the soil physical properties related to a number of soil indices either in it natural status or anthropogenic influenced condition within individual field or across soil landscapes such as the tripartite ecological condition under consideration.

Aim: The study was aimed at understanding the varying relationship between soil EC and ionic-salinity changes under ecological tripartite condition of pre-pollution, post-pollution and phytoremediation soils.

Study Design: Research methods involved the nested split plot design, carried out the Department of Botany, University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.

Methods: Field sampling / laboratory analysis and SAS PROC. ANOVA (Soft Ware) for data analysis.

Results: Has revealed increasing trend of Nitrate (NO3-), Phosphate (PO4-), Calcium (Ca2+), Potassium (K+), salinity and EC and a decreasing trend of Sulphate (SO4-), Magnesium (Mg2+), Sodium (Na+), and moisture in post-pollution. Macrophytic treated hydrocarbon soils had decrease in NO3-, Ca2+, Mg2+, salinity and EC and increase in SO4-, PO4-, Na+, K+, and moisture  in divergence content. Peltophorum soil was greater in NO3-, SO4-, and K+, Leucaena soil in Ca2+, Mg2+, PO4-, and moisture while Crotolaria was high in Na+, and salinity content.

Conclusion: The trend observed for EC in the phytoremediation phase of the tripartite condition paralleled changes in ionic content and salinity strength. Therefore EC is a function of ionic dynamics, salinity and moisture which appears to be reliable indicator of EC potential of tripartite soil.
Proportions of Pre-Cancerous Cervical Lesions and Its Associated Factors among Women Clients in the Age Group of 30-49yrs in Gynecology Ward of Dessie Referral Hospital and FGAE, North-East Ethiopia, 2016
Authors: Temesgen Kibir , Workie Amare , Dilnessa Tenagnework , Abate Mengistu
Published: July 2019

Introduction: Globally, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women; in 2008 there were an estimated 530,000 new cases and more than 270,000 women die from it [1]. In Ethiopia, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer following breast cancer and the leading cause of death from cancer. Annually, an estimated number of 4648 women develop the cancer and 3,235 die from it. Low-resource countries experience 85% of the global burden and in regions such as Eastern Africa and South-Central Asia. Low perception of risks and lack of awareness about cervical cancer screening amongst women and challenges of access to cervical cancer screening for early detection of disease have been reported amongst factors responsible for increasing incidence and mortality due to cervical cancer in developing countries [2].

Objective: The general objective of this study was to determine the proportions of cervical precancerous lesions and to assess associated factors among women clients (30-49) in Gynecology OPD of Dessie referral hospital and FGAE, 2016.

Methods: An institution based cross-sectional study design involving quantitative method was employed. For the quantitative survey 422 women in the age group of 30-49 were participated. The sample size was computed by using single population proportion formula for finite population with 95% confidence level, prevalence of 50% and marginal error of 2%. Pretested and structured questionnaire was used in order to facilitate reliable response. Questionnaires for each item were adapted from previously done similar studies. Pretest was done on five percent of study population.

Results: Among 422 study participants who were currently screened, 390(92.4%) were negative for cervical precancerous lesions when tested by visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA), 29(6.9%) were positive for cervical precancerous lesions and 3(0.7%) were suspicious for cancer. The majority (69.9%) of the study subjects did not ever screen for cervical cancer in their life time. Concerning the reasons for not screening, 98(33.3%) of them said that it is painful while 54(18.3%) and 37(12.5%) of them said I am health and it is expensive respectively.

Conclusion: The proportion of cervical precancerous lesion was 6.9%. In multivariate regression analysis increased age(>46), high parity(>4), first intercourse at <20 years, having > two sexual partners, positive HIV status, History of Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection, History of sexually transmitted infection (STI), Smoking, History of abortion, nonuse of condom and family history of cervical cancer were significantly associated with the development of cervical precancerous lesions.
Wheat Grain Losses in Highway Transportation
Authors: Pereira Pedro Silvério Xavier , Bianchini Aloisio , Caneppele Carlos , Silva Antônio Renan Berchol da , Pallaoro Dryelle Sifuentes , Pereira Thalles Alexandre Xavier , Moraes Fabrício César de
Published: July 2019

Road transport is highlighted by its efficiency providing door-to-door services. It can be considered that 62.70% of the entire Brazilian cargo is handled by land transportation. In this context the transportation of wheat grains is very important. Wheat is an important cereal crop in Brazil and one of the main sources of carbohydrates for baking. The country produced approximately 5.42 million tons of wheat grains in the 2018 harvest. The objective of this study is to establish a percentage loss index, as well as to assess these quantitative losses during the transportation of grains of wheat in bulk. The work was developed through a partnership between the National Supply Company and the Nucleus of Storage Technology at the Federal University of Mato Grosso. It was established the evaluation of losses related to the transportation of grain wheat in bulk in the main waterways, and the research was carried out in BR-277/376 in the State of Paraná. After the choice of the highways evaluated, we performed research on the data of documents of the transport of wheat in bulk. The obtained data, through the documents, provided weight of origin, weight of destination, place of origin and place of destination, in this way, by difference was obtained the quantity of grains lost in the transport and the mileage traveled in each route. By means of these data it was possible to obtain three indices of losses, one in Kg/Km (kilogram per kilometer wheeled), another one in Kg / t (kilograms per tons transported), and also determined an index of loss in percentage of grains transported. With the indication of the indices it was possible to evaluate the losses. The Bitrem truck (7 axles) was used as the basis for calculating the losses, since during the interviews this was the type that had the most occurrences in BRs evaluated, with 39%. Based on the questionnaire, the load weight of 38,000 kg was adopted. For the study of losses of wheat grains in road transport, 10,279 data were analyzed for routs, 1,053,851 km, with an average of 102.52 km round trip. The amount of wheat grain transported was 222,494,228 kg. The total losses were 505,736 kg, averaging 49.20 kg of loss per trip. The loss per km was on average 0.479 kg. The percentage loss index for wheat (0.1708%) was determined. This percentage is lower than the adopted one that is of 0.25%, nevertheless, represent considerable losses for the economy. Based on the data obtained in the present study, it can be stated that it is possible to adopt, by the carriers, percentage loss indexes lower than 0.25% in the contracts. It is recommended to adopt the percentages of grain loss in road transport of 0.17% for wheat.
Fire Preparedness in Secondary Schools in Eldoret West Sub-County, Uasin-Gishu County, Kenya
Authors: Japhet Ruttoh
Published: July 2019

Background: Fire incidents in schools are worldwide phenomena that primarily range from being highly localized to global in scope. Safety of students and staff members pertaining to hazards, created by unsafe behavior, disasters or emergencies in schools cannot be guaranteed. 

Objectives: The current study examined the capacity of secondary schools in coordination and communication of fire preparedness well as level of awareness and adaptive capacity.

Methodology: The study employed a descriptive survey design. Proportionate sampling technique was adopted to select 16 out of the 80 secondary schools. Participants in the study constituted head teachers and other teaching staff in charge of safety, laboratory assistants and the chef. In addition, 280 students were selected from the 16 schools through random probabilistic sampling well as the DEO, 5 ZQAOs and 2 members of fire brigade team in the municipality within the district. Questionnaires and interview guides were used to collect data.

Results: Sixty five per cent of the schools did not have disaster preparedness policies and plans. However, all head teachers acknowledged that it existed. 81% of schools did not have any alternative learning area neither emergency exits in the event of a disaster. Emergency instructions for safety in the event of disaster occurrence were lacking in many schools as acknowledged by 63% of respondents. Slightly more than half of the schools indicated evacuation drills and regular disaster preparedness meetings are never carried out. 63% of the teachers opined that their schools lacked laid-down procedures during emergency periods.

Conclusion: Negligible percentage of schools had designated teachers, being in charge of safety. Students had no sufficient knowledge on what to do in case of fire outbreak. There were no adequate training on disaster preparedness and prevention among staff members and students. Findings show a larger percentage of teachers and students do not know how to use fire-fighting equipment.   

Recommendation: Therefore, the study recommends capacity building programs among academic stakeholders on fire disaster preparedness and provision of fire safety support resources for combating fire disasters in all schools. The MoE should inspect and set ministerial regulations and guidelines on safety issues in all schools to ensure actualization of school safety manuals in blue print and needed commitment.
Water Balance Estimation Using Integrated GIS-Based WetSpass Model in the Birki Watershed, Eastern Tigray, Northern Ethiopia
Authors: Meresa Esayas , Girmay Abbadi , Gebremedhin Amare
Published: July 2019

This study aims to estimate long-term average annual and seasonal water balance components for Birki watershed using WetSpass model with the integrated geospatial modeling approach with ten years’ hydro-meteorological and biophysical data of the watershed. Both primary and secondary data were collected using both field survey and disk-based data collection methods. The WetSpass model was used for data analysis purposes. The finding showed that in the summer season the annual groundwater recharge is 24.1 mm year-1 (96.5%), winter season mean groundwater recharge is 0.8 mm year-1 (3.5%) and yearly mean groundwater recharge is 24.9 mm year-1, Surface runoff yearly mean value is 40.6 mm year-1, Soil evaporation yearly mean value is 10.8 mm year-1, Evapotranspiration yearly mean value is 60.8 mm year-1, Intersection loss yearly mean value is 17 mm year-1, and Transpiration loss yearly value is 6.8 mm year-1 in the entire watershed. The mean annual precipitation, which is 573 mm, is contributed to 7.4%, 7.1% and 85.5% recharge to the groundwater, to surface runoff, and evapotranspiration, respectively. Annually 1.1205 million m3 water recharges into the groundwater table as recharge from the precipitation on the entire watershed. The contribution of this study could be used as baseline information for regional water resource experts, policy makers and researchers for further investigation. It can also be concluded that integrated WetSpass and GIS-based models are good indicators for estimating and understanding of water balance components in a given watershed to implement an integrated watershed management plan for sustainable utilization and sustainable development.
Modulation of Electronic Behaviors of InSe Nanosheet and Nanoribbons: The First‐Principles Study
Authors: Chen Tong , Xu Liang , Li Quan , Long Mengqiu
Published: July 2019

Recently, InSe monolayer, a new member added to the 2D materials, has been extensively studied in theories and experiments. Here, the electronic structures of the tunable band‐gap semiconductor of 2D InSe nanosheets and the band structure and electronic transport properties of quasi‐1D InSe nanoribbons (ISNs) are presented by using the first‐principles method. The calculated band structures show that an enlarged indirect band gap appears in 2D InSe nanosheet by external strain, and the gap reduces monotonically as the strain changing from the compression to stretch independent of the zigzag or armchair direction. Moreover, the band structures of quasi‐1D ISNs show that armchair ISNs are all nonmagnetic semiconductors, and the zigzag ISNs (zISNs) exhibit metallic regardless of the ribbon width or magnetic states. The non‐equilibrium Green's function calculation reveals the electronic transport properties of zISNs with different widths. An obvious negative differential resistive (NDR) effect is found in the current–voltage curves independent of the ribbon width due to the bias‐dependent transmission within the voltage window. The tunable band‐gap semiconductor behavior of 2D InSe nanosheet and the novel NDR effect in quasi‐1D zISNs indicate a very promising application of InSe‐based nanomaterials in electronic nanodevices.
Lock‐and‐Key and Shape‐Memory Effects in an Unconventional Synthetic Path to Magnesium Metal–Organic Frameworks
Authors: Yang Huajun , Trieu Thuong Xinh , Zhao Xiang , Wang Yanxiang , Wang Yong , Feng Pingyun , Bu Xianhui
Published: July 2019

We report a new magnesium metal–organic framework (MOF) (CPM‐107) with a special interaction with CO2. CPM‐107 contains Mg2‐acetate chains crosslinked into a 3D net by terephthalate. It has an anionic framework encapsulating ordered extra‐framework cations and solvent molecules. The desolvated form is closed and unresponsive to common gasses, such as N2, H2, and CH4. Yet, with CO2 at 195 K, it abruptly opens and turns into a rigid porous form that is irreversible via desorption. Once opened by CO2, CPM‐107 remains in the stable porous state accessible to additional gas types over multiple cycles or CO2 itself at different temperatures. The porous phase can be re‐locked to return to the initial closed phase via re‐solvation and desolvation. Such peculiar properties of CPM‐107 are apparently linked to a convergence of factors related to both framework and extra‐framework features. The unusual CO2 effect is currently the only available path to porous CPM‐107 which shows efficient C2H2/CO2 separation.
Reordering d Orbital Energies of Single‐Site Catalysts for CO2 Electroreduction
Authors: Han Jianyu , An Pengfei , Liu Shuhu , Zhang Xiaofei , Wang Dawei , Yuan Yi , Guo Jun , Qiu Xueying , Hou Ke , Shi Lin , Zhang Yin , Zhao Shenlong , Long Chang , Tang Zhiyong
Published: July 2019

The single‐site catalyst (SSC) characteristic of atomically dispersed active centers will not only maximize the catalytic activity, but also provide a promising platform for establishing the structure–activity relationship. However, arbitrary arrangements of active sites in the existed SSCs make it difficult for mechanism understanding and performance optimization. Now, a well‐defined ultrathin SSC is fabricated by assembly of metal‐porphyrin molecules, which enables the precise identification of the active sites for d‐orbital energy engineering. The activity of as‐assembled products for electrocatalytic CO2 reduction is significantly promoted via lifting up the energy level of metal d
orbitals, exhibiting a remarkable Faradaic efficiency of 96 % at the overpotential of 500 mV. Furthermore, a turnover frequency of 4.21 s−1 is achieved with negligible decay over 48 h.
Object Transportation System Mimicking the Cilia of Paramecium aurelia Making Use of the Light‐Controllable Crystal Bending Behavior of a Photochromic Diarylethene
Authors: Nishimura Ryo , Fujimoto Ayako , Yasuda Nobuhiro , Morimoto Masakazu , Nagasaka Tatsuhiro , Sotome Hikaru , Ito Syoji , Miyasaka Hiroshi , Yokojima Satoshi , Nakamura Shinichiro , Feringa Ben L. , Uchida Kingo
Published: July 2019

The design of an object transportation system exploiting the bending behavior of surface‐assembled diarylethene crystals is reported. A photoactuated smart surface based on this system can transport polystyrene beads to a desired area depending on the direction of the incident light. Two main challenges were addressed to accomplish directional motion along a surface: first, the preparation of crystals whose bending behavior depends on the direction of incident light; second, the preparation of a film on which these photochromic crystal plates are aligned. Nuclei generation and nuclear growth engineering were achieved by using a roughness‐controlled dotted microstructured substrate. This system demonstrates how to achieve a mechanical function as shown by remote‐controlled motion along a surface.
A novel fluorescent sensor for Sn4+ detection: Dark resonance energy transfer from silole to rhodamine
Authors: Wang Xiuji , Zhang Lijian , Zhuang Shaoqin , Huang Meifei , Gao Yihua
Published: July 2019

A novel dark resonance energy transfer (DRET) off–on cassette SR1 was constructed by coupling a silole donor with a rhodamine acceptor. Due to the intramolecular rotations of the phenyl rings, the silole fluorophore served as a dark donor in solution state and fluorescence leakage from the donor emission could be avoided. Binding with Sn4+ ion induced the ring‐opening of the rhodamine acceptor, thus increase the overlapping between the emission spectra of the donor and absorption spectra of the acceptor. DRET was turned on and energy was transferred from the silole donor to the rhodamine acceptor. Emission from the rhodamine acceptor was achieved with a large Stokes shift up to 198 nm. The sensor showed good sensitivity and selectivity towards Sn4+ to other metal ions in methanol aqueous solution through the formation of a 1:1 complex between SR1 and Sn4+. This research provides a new approach for the development of rhodamine‐based sensors towards metal ions with large Stokes shifts.
Biocomposite foams from poly(lactic acid) and rubber wood sawdust: Mechanical properties, cytotoxicity, and in vitro degradation
Authors: Sungsee Pasuta , Tanrattanakul Varaporn
Published: July 2019

The objectives of this work were to seek a simple method for preparation of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) foams and evaluate properties of these foams for scaffold application. Using a typical blowing agent and compression molding, biocomposite foams were successfully prepared from a PLA/rubber wood sawdust (PLA/RWS) blend. Selection of RWS for the biocomposites was based on particle size. RWS particles in two size ranges were used: 212–600 μm and ≤75 μm. Alkaline and silane treatments were applied to the RWS before blending with PLA. The tensile properties, Izod impact strength, foam morphology, and thermal degradation of the biocomposite foams were evaluated. Cytotoxicity and in vitro degradation were tested to determine the potential of the biocomposite foam for use as a scaffold in tissue engineering. Silane treatment improved mechanical properties by increasing the interfacial adhesion between PLA and RWS. The density and void fraction of the foam samples had a greater effect on mechanical properties than pore size. Proliferation of MG‐63 cells increased with culture time, indicating that the foam samples were not cytotoxic. Promising samples were tested for degradation in a lysozyme/phosphate‐buffered saline and showed a slow rate of in vitro degradation. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 48259.
Mobile‐Phase Modulators as Salt Tolerance Enhancers in Phenylboronate Chromatography: Thermodynamic Evaluation of the Mechanisms Underlying the Adsorption of Monoclonal Antibodies
Authors: Rosa Sara A. S. L. , Wagner Alexandra , da Silva Cláudia L. , Aires‐Barros Maria R. , Azevedo Ana M. , Dias‐Cabral Ana C.
Published: July 2019

Phenylboronate chromatography has been employed for bioseparation applications though details concerning the mechanisms of interaction between the ligand and macromolecules remain widely unknown. Here, the phenomena underlying the adsorption of an anti‐human interleukin‐8 (anti‐IL8) monoclonal antibody (mAb) onto an m‐aminophenylboronic acid (m‐APBA) ligand in the presence of different mobile‐phase modulators (NaF/MgCl
2/(NH
4)
2SO
4) and under different pH values (7.5/8.5/9.0) is investigated. Flow microcalorimetry (FMC) is applied to measure instantaneous heat energy transfer, providing insights about the role of specific and nonspecific interactions involved in the adsorptive process. Results show that the adsorption of anti‐IL8 mAb to m‐APBA is enthalpically driven, corroborating the presence of the reversible esterification reaction between boronic acid or boronates and cis‐diol‐containing molecules. Nevertheless, for all mobile‐phase modulators studied, changes in thermogram profiles are observed as well as reductions in the net heat of adsorption when increasing the pH. Overall, FMC and parallel chromatographic experiments data suggest that ligand salt tolerance could be enhanced using mobile‐phase modulators, with all salts studied promoting the specific cis‐diol interactions and reducing nonspecific interactions. The last feature is more noticeable at pH values above ligand's pK
a, mainly due to the ability of NaF and (NH
4)
2SO
4 to diminish electrostatic interactions when compared to the commonly used NaCl.
Engineering Escherichia coli for enhanced sensitivity to the autoinducer‐2 quorum sensing signal
Authors: Stephens Kristina , Zargar Amin , Emamian Milad , Abutaleb Nadia , Choi Erica , Quan David N. , Payne Gregory , Bentley William E.
Published: July 2019

The autoinducer‐2 (AI‐2) quorum sensing system is involved in a range of population‐based bacterial behaviors and has been engineered for cell–cell communication in synthetic biology systems. Investigation into the cellular mechanisms of AI‐2 processing has determined that overexpression of uptake genes increases AI‐2 uptake rate, and genomic deletions of degradation genes lowers the AI‐2 level required for activation of reporter genes. Here, we combine these two strategies to engineer an Escherichia coli strain with enhanced ability to detect and respond to AI‐2. In an E. coli strain that does not produce AI‐2, we monitored AI‐2 uptake and reporter protein expression in a strain that overproduced the AI‐2 uptake or phosphorylation units LsrACDB or LsrK, a strain with the deletion of AI‐2 degradation units LsrF and LsrG, and an “enhanced” strain with both overproduction of AI‐2 uptake and deletion of AI‐2 degradation elements. By adding up to 40 μM AI‐2 to growing cell cultures, we determine that this “enhanced” AI‐2 sensitive strain both uptakes AI‐2 more rapidly and responds with increased reporter protein expression than the others. This work expands the toolbox for manipulating AI‐2 quorum sensing processes both in native environments and for synthetic biology applications.
Muscular Architecture of the Abdominal Part of the Esophagus and the Stomach
Authors: Hur Mi‐Sun
Published: July 2019

The aim of this study was to clarify the muscular architecture of the abdominal part of the esophagus and the stomach. This study investigated 60 embalmed Korean adult cadavers. The circular and oblique fibers of the stomach that originated from the abdominal part of the esophagus crossed each other in the cardia. The arrangement of the circular fibers of the stomach differed between its anterior and posterior surfaces in all specimens (100%). On the posterior surface of the stomach, the circular and longitudinal fibers on the greater curvature merged and ran parallel toward the fundus. The three layers of the musculature of the stomach have different arrangements in different regions of the stomach and are connected to each other. Understanding the muscular architecture of the stomach and the abdominal part of the esophagus can be helpful when evaluating stomach motility and performing various types of gastrectomy. Clin. Anat. 33:530–537, 2020. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Resistance of t(17;19)‐acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell lines to multiagents in induction therapy
Authors: Watanabe Atsushi , Inukai Takeshi , Kagami Keiko , Abe Masako , Takagi Masatoshi , Fukushima Takashi , Fukushima Hiroko , Nanmoku Toru , Terui Kiminori , Ito Tatsuya , Toki Tsutomu , Ito Etsuro , Fujimura Junya , Goto Hiroaki , Endo Mikiya , Look Thomas , Kamps Mark , Minegishi Masayoshi , Takita Junko , Inaba Toshiya , Takahashi Hiroyuki , Ohara Akira , Harama Daisuke , Shinohara Tamao , Somazu Shinpei , Oshiro Hiroko , Akahane Koshi , Goi Kumiko , Sugita Kanji
Published: July 2019

t(17;19)(q21‐q22;p13), responsible for TCF3‐HLF fusion, is a rare translocation in childhood B‐cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia(BCP‐ALL). t(1;19)(q23;p13), producing TCF3‐PBX1 fusion, is a common translocation in childhood BCP‐ALL. Prognosis of t(17;19)‐ALL is extremely poor, while that of t(1;19)‐ALL has recently improved dramatically in intensified chemotherapy. In this study, TCF3‐HLF mRNA was detectable at a high level during induction therapy in a newly diagnosed t(17;19)‐ALL case, while TCF3‐PBX1 mRNA was undetectable at the end of induction therapy in most newly diagnosed t(1;19)‐ALL cases. Using 4 t(17;19)‐ALL and 16 t(1;19)‐ALL cell lines, drug response profiling was analyzed. t(17;19)‐ALL cell lines were found to be significantly more resistant to vincristine (VCR), daunorubicin (DNR), and prednisolone (Pred) than t(1;19)‐ALL cell lines. Sensitivities to three (Pred, VCR, and l‐asparaginase [l‐Asp]), four (Pred, VCR, l‐Asp, and DNR) and five (Pred, VCR, l‐Asp, DNR, and cyclophosphamide) agents, widely used in induction therapy, were significantly poorer for t(17;19)‐ALL cell lines than for t(1;19)‐ALL cell lines. Consistent with poor responses to VCR and DNR, gene and protein expression levels of P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) were higher in t(17;19)‐ALL cell lines than in t(1;19)‐ALL cell lines. Inhibitors for P‐gp sensitized P‐gp‐positive t(17;19)‐ALL cell lines to VCR and DNR. Knockout of P‐gp by CRISPRCas9 overcame resistance to VCR and DNR in the P‐gp‐positive t(17;19)‐ALL cell line. A combination of cyclosporine A with DNR prolonged survival of NSG mice inoculated with P‐gp‐positive t(17;19)‐ALL cell line. These findings indicate involvement of P‐gp in resistance to VCR and DNR in Pgp positive t(17;19)‐ALL cell lines. In all four t(17;19)‐ALL cell lines, RAS pathway mutation was detected. Furthermore, among 16 t(1;19)‐ALL cell lines, multiagent resistance was usually observed in the cell lines with RAS pathway mutation in comparison to those without it, suggesting at least a partial involvement of RAS pathway mutation in multiagent resistance of t(17;19)‐ALL.
Clinical benefit of methotrexate plus vinorelbine chemotherapy for desmoid fibromatosis (DF) and correlation of treatment response with MRI
Authors: Ingley Katrina M. , Burtenshaw Sally M. , Theobalds Nicole C. , White Lawrence M. , Blackstein Martin E. , Gladdy Rebecca A. , Thipphavong Seng , Gupta Abha A.
Published: July 2019

Background

Desmoid fibromatosis (DF) is a rare fibroblastic proliferation that was historically treated with surgery. We report (a) outcomes using low‐dose chemotherapy, methotrexate (MTX), and vinorelbine (VNL) for patients with progressing disease (PD) and (b) whether tumor volume (Vtumor) and T2 signal on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are more reflective of treatment response compared with maximum tumor dimension (Dmax) defined by RECIST1.1.

Methods

Patients with biopsy‐proven DF, treated with MTX/VNL from 1997 to 2015 were reviewed. MRI for a subset of patients was independently re‐evaluated for response by RECIST, Vtumor, and quantitative T2 hyperintensity.

Results

Among 48 patients treated for a median 19 months MTX/VNL, only nine (19%) had previous surgery. RECIST‐based overall response rate was complete response (CR) 20 (42%) + partial response (PR) 19 (39%), stable disease (SD) 8 (17%), for a clinical benefit rate of 98%. The median progression‐free survival (PFS) was 120 months, (95%CI 84‐155 months). Thirty‐six (75%) patients had not progressed at a median 38 months from treatment completion. Most common grade 1/2 toxicities included nausea (n = 12, 25%) and fatigue (n = 9,19%) with no grade 3/4 toxicities. In 22 patients with serial MRIs, there was a decrease in Dmax mean by 30%, Vtumor by 76%, and in 19/22 (86%) a decrease in T2 signal intensity.

Conclusion

Low‐dose MTX/VNL for a defined duration has high efficacy with sustained benefit and minimal toxicity for treating DF. Vtumor and T2 signal might better predict treatment response than RECIST.
Understand implications, application of changes to transfer process
Authors: O'Brien Timothy
Published: July 2019

The transfer process has been under scrutiny from student‐athletes, family members, coaches, and administrators for some time. The inherent unfairness associated with student‐athletes being required to stay at the same schools while the head coaches who recruited them moved elsewhere has obviously been a particular concern. Similarly, there had been widely publicized cases of student‐athletes wanting to transfer for compelling personal and other reasons while coaches and schools withheld the approval needed to release the student‐athletes and to allow them to move on. Finally, the idea of a student‐athlete being required to sit out a year after transferring seemed inherently unfair because regular students can freely move from school to school without any restrictions.
Anaerobic Digestion Process of Food Waste for Biogas Production: A Simulation Approach
Authors: Harun Noorlisa , Hassan Zuraini , Zainol Norazwina , Ibrahim Wan Hanisah Wan , Hashim Haslenda
Published: July 2019

Anaerobic digestion (AD) involves a series of biological processes in which organic material is broken down and transformed into biogas. A simulation model of the AD process in treating food waste to produce biogas was developed using Aspen Plus software. The components list, thermodynamic property package, reaction list, reactor model, and process condition were specified in Aspen Plus. Sensitivity analysis was performed to study the effect of hydraulic retention time and changes in food waste composition on the biogas production. The methane composition in biogas decreased when the hydraulic retention time was increased which is due to the reduction of substrate consumption during the AD process. The process model is able to represent the AD process and provides a good approximation on the production of biogas under various process operating conditions.
Aqueous‐Phase Reforming in a Microreactor: The Role of Surface Bubbles
Authors: Ripken Renée M. , Wood Jeffery A. , Gardeniers Johannes G. E. , Le Gac Séverine
Published: July 2019

In heterogeneous catalysis, the creation of gaseous products as bubbles in a liquid phase on the catalytic surface is associated with slip phenomena. In a microreactor, the slip length at the gas‐liquid interface is in the same order of magnitude as the reactor dimensions, which can affect fluid dynamics and transport phenomena. Here, the interplay of momentum, heat and mass transfer in a microreactor, when bubbles form on the catalytic surface, was investigated using two‐dimensional simulations. The effect of bubbles on the endothermic process of aqueous‐phase reforming of a glycerol solution was evaluated in terms of conversion and conversion and temperature in the reactor. Altogether, this study highlights the impact of bubbles, not only on the transport phenomena but also on the reactor performance.
Practical Continuous‐Flow Controlled/Living Anionic Polymerization
Authors: Nakahara Yuichi , Furusawa Mai , Endo Yuta , Shimazaki Toshiya , Ohtsuka Keita , Takahashi Yusuke , Jiang Yiyuan , Nagaki Aiichiro
Published: July 2019

A continuous‐flow reaction system was developed, allowing flow conditions of the entire system to be maintained at a predetermined constant level, which is one of the most significant factors for successful industrial application. Controlled/living anionic polymerization was selected as a model reaction since the characteristics of its polymer products, molecular weights, and molecular weight distributions are highly susceptible to changes in the relative flow rates of a monomer and initiator solutions. In flow microreactors, controlled/living anionic polymerization of styrene in tetrahydrofuran (THF)/hexane initiated by THF‐diluted n‐butyllithium (n‐BuLi) was examined. Poly(styrenes) of larger molecule sizes such as Mn > 15 000 were successfully synthesized. After continuous operation for four hours, ca. 0.5 kg of the polymer was readily produced with narrow molecular weight distribution, demonstrating the applicability of this continuous‐flow system for controlled/living anionic polymerization on considerably large scale with a view to its industrial usage in the future.
Multiaxial and variable amplitude fatigue of concrete
Authors: Heek Peter , Mark Peter
Published: July 2019

Concrete structures are often exposed to cyclic loads induced by traffic or machine vibrations. To assess fatigue lifes, SN curves serve, which are usually validated by experiments. During testing, reference specimens are exposed to uniaxial and constant amplitude fatigue. However, under real operating conditions loads occur multiaxially and with alternating amplitude and frequency. Thus, the progressively increasing material damage has to be mathematically captured. In this regard, Palmgren‐Miner's linear accumulation rule is well established, although it neglects distinct sequence effects. In the article, the SN concept is first extended to multiaxial stress states by introducing an equivalent stress under the notion of isotropic damage. Then, a modified damage accumulation procedure is developed taking into account effects of loading and unloading on residual numbers of cycles to failure in multistage loading processes. The new approach is verified to experimental data taken from the literature and elaborated to a design chart. An example demonstrates the practical application.
Concise and Additive‐Free Click Reactions between Amines and CF3SO3CF3
Authors: Song Hai‐Xia , Han Zhou‐Zhou , Zhang Cheng‐Pan
Published: July 2019

Trifluoromethyl trifluoromethanesulfonate has proved to be an excellent reservoir of difluorophosgene and a promising click ligation for amines in the preparation of urea derivatives, heterocycles, and carbamoyl fluorides under metal‐ and additive‐free conditions. The reactions are rapid, efficient, selective, and versatile, and can be performed in benign solvents, giving products in excellent yields with minimal efforts for purification. The characteristics of the reactions meet the requirements of a click reaction. The use of trifluoromethyl trifluoromethanesulfonate as a click reagent is advantageous over other “CO” sources (e.g., TsOCF3, PhCO2CF3, CsOCF3, AgOCF3, and triphosgene) because this reagent is readily accessible; easy to scale up; and highly reactive, even under metal‐ and additive‐free conditions. It is anticipated that CF3SO3CF3 will be increasingly as important as SO2F2 as a click agent in future drug design and development.
Isolation, Purification, Characterization and Direct Conjugation of the Lipid A‐Free Lipopolysaccharide of Vibrio cholerae O139
Authors: Xu Peng , Korcová Jana , Baráth Peter , Čížová Alžbeta , Valáriková Jana , Qadri Firdausi , Kelly Meagan , O'Connor Robert D. , Ryan Edward T. , Bystrický Slavomír , Kováč Pavol
Published: July 2019

The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Vibrio cholerae O139, strain CIRS245, was isolated conventionally, and the lipid A was removed by mild acid hydrolysis (0.1 m NaOAc buffer containing 1 % SDS, pH 4.2, 95 °C, 8 h). The crude product was a complex mixture consisting mainly of constituent fragments of the O‐specific polysaccharide‐core (OSPc). The OSPc was only a minor component in the mixture. Two‐stage purification of the crude OSPc by HPLC gave pure OSPc fragment of the LPS, as shown by NMR spectroscopy, analytical HPLC and ESI‐MS. This material is the purest OSPc fragment of the LPS from Vibrio cholerae O139 reported to date. The purified OSPc was readily converted to the corresponding methyl squarate derivative and the latter was conjugated to BSA. The conjugate, when examined by ELISA, showed immunoreactivity with sera from patients in Bangladesh recovering from cholera caused by V. cholerae O139, but not O1.
Through‐Space Spin Coupling in a Silver(II) Porphyrin Dimer upon Stepwise Oxidations: AgII⋅⋅⋅AgII, AgII⋅⋅⋅AgIII, and AgIII⋅⋅⋅AgIII Metallophilic Interactions
Authors: Singh Akhil Kumar , Usman Mohammad , Sciortino Giuseppe , Garribba Eugenio , Rath Sankar Prasad
Published: July 2019

Invited for the cover of this issue are Sankar Prasad Rath and co‐workers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT Kanpur) and the University of Sassari. The image depicts through space interactions in a cofacial AgII porphyrin dimer upon stepwise oxidations, which allow the estimation of the structure and energy characteristics of metallophilic interactions between AgII/AgII (d9/d9), AgIII/AgIII (d8/d8) and also mixed‐valent AgII/AgIII (d9/d8) complexes. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.201901731.
Predicting Sequence Features, Function, and Structure of Proteins Using MESSA
Authors: Bhat Archana S. , Grishin Nick V.
Published: July 2019

MEta‐Server for protein Sequence Analysis (MESSA) is a tool that facilitates widespread protein sequence analysis by gathering structural (local sequence properties and three‐dimensional structure) and functional (annotations from SWISS‐PROT, Gene Ontology terms, and enzyme classification) predictions for a query protein of interest. MESSA uses multiple well‐established tools to offer consensus‐based predictions on important aspects of protein sequence analysis. Being freely available for noncommercial users and with a user‐friendly interface, MESSA serves as an umbrella platform that overcomes the absence of a comprehensive tool for predictive protein analysis. This article reveals how to access MESSA via the Web and shows how to input a protein sequence to analyze using the MESSA web server. It also includes a detailed explanation of the output from MESSA to aid in better interpretation of results. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A Comparison of EMA and FDA Decisions for New Drug Marketing Applications 2014–2016: Concordance, Discordance, and Why
Authors: Kashoki Mwango , Hanaizi Zahra , Yordanova Stella , Veselý Richard , Bouygues Christelle , Llinares Jordi , Kweder Sandra L.
Published: July 2019

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) have robust scientific and technical collaborations. As a window to the impact of these activities we compared the agencies’ decisions on drug marketing applications. Decisions were compared for 107 new drug applications with a regulatory outcome at both agencies in the period 2014–2016. Further analysis addressed individual applications for which the agencies had differing outcomes in terms of marketing approval, type of approval, and approved indication, including reasons underlying differences. The EMA and the FDA had high concordance (91–98%) in decisions on marketing approvals. Divergence in approval decisions, type of approval, and approved indication were primarily due to differences in agencies’ conclusions about efficacy based on review of the same data or differing clinical data submitted to support the application. This high rate of concordance suggests that engagement and collaboration on regulatory science has a positive impact.
Pharmacogenomics Clinical Annotation Tool (PharmCAT)
Authors: Sangkuhl Katrin , Whirl‐Carrillo Michelle , Whaley Ryan M. , Woon Mark , Lavertu Adam , Altman Russ B. , Carter Lester , Verma Anurag , Ritchie Marylyn D. , Klein Teri E.
Published: July 2019

Pharmacogenomics (PGx) decision support and return of results is an active area of precision medicine. One challenge of implementing PGx is extracting genomic variants and assigning haplotypes in order to apply prescribing recommendations and information from the Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC), the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Pharmacogenomics Knowledgebase (PharmGKB), etc. Pharmacogenomics Clinical Annotation Tool (PharmCAT) (i) extracts variants specified in guidelines from a genetic data set derived from sequencing or genotyping technologies, (ii) infers haplotypes and diplotypes, and (iii) generates a report containing genotype/diplotype‐based annotations and guideline recommendations. We describe PharmCAT and a pilot validation project comparing results for 1000 Genomes Project sequences of Coriell samples with corresponding Genetic Testing Reference Materials Coordination Program (GeT‐RM) sample characterization. PharmCAT was highly concordant with the GeT‐RM data. PharmCAT is available in GitHub to evaluate, test, and report results back to the community. As precision medicine becomes more prevalent, our ability to consistently, accurately, and clearly define and report PGx annotations and prescribing recommendations is critical.
Are we ready to develop a tiered scheme for the effusion cytology? A comprehensive review and analysis of the literature
Authors: Farahani Sahar J. , Baloch Zubair
Published: July 2019

Background

Cytology is widely utilized in the initial evaluation of fluid accumulation in the body cavities. The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of cytology in distinguishing between benign and malignant (MAL) effusions.

Methods

A comprehensive and systematic review of the literature was conducted to evaluate the accuracy of serous effusion cytology (SEC) against tissue biopsy/resection histology, imaging, or clinical follow‐up as the reference test. Risk of publication bias and level of heterogeneity in the included studies was assessed. Meta‐regression was performed to assess the effect of various variables on the accuracy of SEC.

Results

Eighty studies met the inclusion criteria for meta‐analysis comprising of 34 941 samples; of which 52 (0.2%), 22 202 (72.7%), 194 (0.6%), 711 (2.3%), and 6507 (21.3%) could be reclassified as nondiagnostic (ND), negative for malignancy (NFM), atypical (atypia of uncertain significance—AUS), suspicious for malignancy (SFM), and malignant (MAL), respectively. On follow‐up, the mean risk of malignancy for ND, NFM, AUS, SFM, MAL was 17.4%, 20.7%, 65.9%, 81.8%, and 98.9%, respectively. A total of 73 studies were included in estimating the diagnostic accuracy of SEC. The bivariate mixed‐effect model estimated the SEC sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio as 73.1%, 99.9%, 7850.6%, 2112.2%, and 0.27%, respectively.

Conclusion

Serous effusion cytology shows high specificity and moderate sensitivity in the evaluation of serous effusions. A tiered classification scheme can improve the consistency of terminology for reporting SEC results, thus improving communication between the pathologists and clinical team, and quality of patient care.
Dimethylaminoparthenolide reduces the incidence of dysplasia and ameliorates a wasting syndrome in HPV16‐transgenic mice
Authors: Santos Joana M. O. , Moreira‐Pais Alexandra , Neto Tiago , Peixoto da Silva Sara , Oliveira Paula A. , Ferreira Rita , Mendes Joaquim , Bastos Margarida M. S. M. , Lopes Carlos , Casaca Fátima , Silva Sandra , Sweeney Christopher , Medeiros Rui , Gil da Costa Rui M.
Published: July 2019

The nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF‐κB) has been implicated in the progression of cancers induced by high‐risk human papillomaviruses (HPV). In cancer patients, NF‐κB is also thought to drive a chronic systemic inflammatory status, leading to cachexia. This study addressed the ability of dimethylaminoparthenolide (DMAPT), a water‐soluble NF‐κB inhibitor, to block the development of HPV‐induced lesions and wasting syndrome in HPV16‐transgenic mice. Mice received DMAPT orally (100 mg/kg/day), once a day, for 6 consecutive weeks. Body weight was monitored weekly along with food and water intake. After 6 weeks the animals were submitted to a grip strength test and sacrificed for specimen collection. Skin samples were analyzed histologically and for expression of NF‐κB‐regulated genes Bcl2 and Bcl2l1. Gastrocnemius muscles were weighted and analyzed for expression of NF‐κB subunits p50, p52, p65, and Rel‐B. DMAPT reduced the incidence of epidermal dysplasia (18.2% versus 33.3% in HPV16+/− untreated mice). This was associated with reduced expression of Bcl2 and Bcl2l1 (p = .0003 and p = .0014, respectively) and reduced neutrophilic infiltration (p = .0339). Treated mice also showed partially preserved bodyweight and strength, which were independent of the expression levels of NF‐κB subunits in skeletal muscle.These results suggest that NF‐κB inhibition may be a valid strategy against HPV‐induced lesions in vivo and warrant further preclinical tests particularly in the set of combination therapies. In addition, the data may support the use of DMAPT to prevent wasting syndrome.