bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chiral Sulfur Compounds. XVIII. Structure and Conformation of Methyl (E,S*)-3-Phenyl-2-(phenylsulfinyl)propenoate
Authors: Hellmund KA , Pyne SG , Skelton BW , White AH
Published: November 2018

The X-ray structural analysis of the title compound shows that the s-cis conformation is favoured in the solid state. This conformation is consistent with circular dichroism studies in methanol solution.
Preparation and X-Ray Structure of [YbIII(η5-C5H5)2(OPPh3)(OPPh2C5H4)]—a Complex With Oxygen Rather Than Cyclopentadienide Coordination of a Novel Ambidentate Ligand
Authors: Deacon GB , Gatehouse BM , White PA
Published: November 2018

No Abstract Available.
The Use of Dichlorodicyanobenzoquinone for Generating Radical Cations for E.S.R. Spectroscopy
Authors: Davies AG , Ng KM
Published: November 2018

The e.s.r. spectra of some radical cations which cannot be observed in fluid solution by any of the other methods presently available have now been observed by photoinduced electron transfer to dichlorodicyanoquinone under acid conditions. This technique has provided the first e.s.r, spectra of the radical cations of benzocrown ethers.
Decomposition of N,N'-Diacyl-N,N'-dialkoxyhydrazines Revisited
Authors: Buccigross JM , Glover SA , Rowbottom CA
Published: November 2018

N,N′-Diacyl-N,N′-dialkoxyhydrazines have been shown to decompose thermally to esters and nitrogen. An intramolecular crossover experiment has shown that the formation of esters is consistent with a three- centred rearrangement process which is characteristic of N-alkoxy N-amino amides. The four-centred mechanism previously proposed by earlier workers is less favourable energetically. AM1 molecular orbital calculations support these experimental findings.
The Invention of Radical Reactions. XXXIII. Homologation Reactions of Carboxylic Acids by Radical Chain Chemistry
Authors: Barton DHR , Chern CY , Jaszberenyi JC
Published: November 2018

Various carbon radicals can be generated from carboxylic acids via the corresponding Barton esters. These radicals can be used for the synthesis of longer chain homologues of the original acids.
Parguerenes Revisited: New Brominated Diterpenes From the Southern Australian Marine Red Alga Laurencia Filiformis
Authors: Rochfort SJ , Capon RJ
Published: November 2018

Five new pargueranes, 15-bromoparguer-9(11)-ene-2,7,16,19-tetrol 2,7,16-triacetate (20), 15-bromoparguer-9(11)-ene-2,7,16-triol 2,7-diacetate (21), 15-bromoparguer-9(11)-ene-2,16-diol 2-acetate (22), 15-bromoparguer-9(11)-en-16-ol (23) and 15-bromoisoparguer-9(11)-en-16-ol (24), together with a plausible biosynthetic precursor, preparguerene (25), two known parguerenes , 15-bromoparguer-9(11)-ene-2,7,16,19-tetrol tetraacetate (4) and 15-bromoparguer-9(11)-ene-2,7,16-triol 2,16 diacetate (7), and the known algal metabolites (-)- aromadendrene (17), austradiol acetate (18) and austradiol diacetate (19), have been isolated from a collection of the southern Australian marine red alga Laurencia filiformis. The known synthetic parguerane 15-bromoparguer-9(11)-ene-2,7-16-triol triacetate (5) was also found for thefirst time as a natural product. In addition to securing the structures of new compounds by chemical correlation and detailed spectroscopic analysis, a lausible biosynthetic pathway has been proposed linking preparguerene, parguerene, isoparguerene and secoparguerene carbon skeletons.
Synthesis and Structural Systematics of Nitrogen Base Adducts of Group 2 Salts. II. Some Adducts of Group 2 Salts With Pyridine
Authors: Waters AF , White AH
Published: November 2018

Recrystallization of Group 2 halides from pyridine ( py ) solution has yielded, in a number of cases, crystalline adducts MX2.npy which have been the subject of room-temperature single-crystal X-ray structural characterization. MgBr2.6py (1) is orthorhombic, Ccca, a 11.575(2), b 14.999(4), c 17.292(2) Ǻ, Z = 4; conventional R on [F] for No = 752 'observed' (I > 3σ(I)) reflections was 0.043. The compound is formulated as [( py )4MgBr2].2py, the metal atom on a site of 222 symmetry having a trans-X2MN4 coordination environment. With CaCl2, a 1:2 adduct (2) is formed, orthorhombic, Fdd2, a 33.83(1), b 18.143(2), c 3.981(7) Ǻ, Z = 8 f.u ., R 0.040 for No 451; the complex is an infinite polymer along c, [( py )2CaCl2](∞ ׀ ∞), the…CaCl2CaCl2Ca…spine having six-coordinate, octahedral calcium environments in which the pyridine nitrogen atoms are bound trans to either side, with the calcium site symmetry being 2. With SrBr2, a 1:5 adduct (3) is found, mononuclear, [( py )5SrBr2], with the metal atom in a pentagonal bipyramidal coordination environment (orthorhombic, Pcab , a 18.611(5), b 17.768(7), c 17.411(7) Ǻ, Z = 8; R 0.060 for No 949). With BaI2, a 1:6 adduct (4) is obtained, [( py )6BaI2], the eight-coordinate barium atom lying on a crystallographic 2 axis in a monoclinic C2/c cell, Z = 4, a 18.311(2), b 9.960(3), c l8.856(8) Ǻ, β 99.28(3)° (R 0.031 for No 2279), with the iodide atoms occupying a pair of B sites in one of the trapezoidal planes of a quasi-dodecahedral array. [(2-mpy)2MgBr2] (5), 2-mpy=2-methylpyridine, is of interest, offering a four-coordinate N2MgBr2 array (triclinic, Pī, a 8.046(3), b 8.873(3), c 11.475(1) Ǻ, α 86.25(2), β 78.82(5), γ 67.88(5)°, Z = 2; R 0.069 for No 2091), while [( py )6/(4-mpy)6Ba(O2ClO2)2] (6) and (7), perhaps surprisingly, are isomorphous with (4), with O,O'-bidentate perchlorates replacing iodide in the coordination sphere (R 0.031 and 0.052 for No 2401 and 2204 respectively). With 3,5-dmpy (3,5-dimethylpyridine), strontium iodide yields a trans-six- rather than seven-coordinate adduct, [(3,5-dmpy)4SrI2] (8), the molecule conforming to crystallographic 4/m symmetry in the tetragonal space group I4/m, a 9.808(4), c 17.196(8) Ǻ, Z = 2; R 0.066 for No 608.
Structural and Electronic Properties of Iron(II) and Nickel(II) Complexes of 2-Triazolyl-1,10-phenanthroline Derivatives
Authors: Sugiyarto KH , Craig DC , Rae AD , Goodwin HA
Published: November 2018

Salts of the [FeN6]2+ derivatives of the tridentate systems 2-(triazol-3-yl)-1,10-phenanthroline, 2-(1-methyltriazol-3-yl)-1,10-phenanthroline, 2-(5-methyltriazol-3-yl)-1,10-phenanthroline and 2-(1,5-dimethyltriazol-3-yl)-1,10-phenanthroline undergo temperature-induced singlet (1A1) ↔ quintet (5T2) transitions in both the solid state and in solution. Both the nature of the associated anion and the extent of solvation of the salts influence the extent of the transition in solid samples. The solution behaviour has been interpreted in terms of a simple thermal equilibrium involving the two spin states. Electronic spectra of corresponding nickel(II) complexes establish that the field strengths for all ligands fall within a narrow range, but suggest that the order is influenced by electronic effects of the methyl substituents . Structural data indicate that a 5-methyl substituent exerts a small steric barrier to coordination of the triazolyl moiety. Data were obtained at 298 K for [FeL2] [ClO4]2.H2O.C2H5OH (L = 2-(1-methyltriazol-3-yl)-1,10-phenanthroline) and [FeL2] [ClO4]2.3H2O (L = 2-(5-methyltriazol-3-yl)-1,10-phenanthroline). The average Fe-N distance in the former complex is 1.96 Ǻ and in the latter 1.97 Ǻ, indicating that in both instances the metal is essentially in the singlet state in these crystals. The ligands coordinate in meridional planes of an octahedron and give a distorted environment about the metal atom, the Fe- Ncentral distances being significantly shorter than the Fe-Ndistal distances in both instances. This distortion results in unusually large quadrupole splitting in the Mossbauer spectra for the complexes in the singlet state. Bis [2-(1-methyltriazol-3-yl)-1,10-phenanthroline]iron(II) perchlorate monohydrate monoethanolate : triclinic, space group Pī , a 9.423(4), b 10.536(4), c 19.402(8) Ǻ, α 75.59(3), β 85.80(3), γ 68.76(3)°, Z 2. Bis [2-(5-methyltriazol-3-yl)-1,10-phenanthroline ]iron(II) perchlorate trihydrate : tetragonal, space group P41212, a 14.676(3), c 16.169(3) Ǻ, Z 4.
The Crystal Structure of (2,2′-Bipyridine)(pyrazine)(2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine)ruthenium(II) Hexafluorophosphate
Authors: Gulyas PT , Hambley TW , Lay PA
Published: November 2018

The crystal structure of [ Ru ( terpy )( bpy )( pz )] (PF6)2 has been determined by X-ray diffraction methods and refined to a residual of 0.046 for 1855 independent observed reflections. The crystals are monoclinic, space group P 21/a, a 16.836(7), b 10.778(5), c l9.342(5) Ǻ, β 115.11(3)°. The coordination geometry around the ruthenium(II) ion is distorted octahedral, with the various Ru -N bond lengths indicative of considerable interligand steric strain. The Ru -N pyrazine bond is the longest within the structure, consistent with other evidence that n back-bonding to pyrazine is weak in the complex.
(4aα,9α,9aα,10α)-9,10-Dihydro-4a,9a:9,10-Diepoxyanthracene and Related Compounds. Model Systems for the Proposed Structure of the Metabolite SCH 58450
Authors: Wege D
Published: November 2018

The 13C n.m.r. spectroscopic properties of the title model compounds do not support the 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1] heptyl and locked arene oxide structural moieties proposed for the metabolite SCH 58450.
Crystal Structures of Polymeric Complexes of Silver(I) Nitrate and Silver(I) Perchlorate With 1,4-Diazoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane-1,4-diacetate
Authors: Wu DD , Mak TCW
Published: November 2018

Two novel polymeric silver(I) complexes of a double betaine with a rigid tris (ethylene) bridge between the pair of nitrogen atoms, viz. [{Ag4(L)3(NO3)2}n] (NO,3)2n.nH,2O (1) and [{Ag4(L)3(ClO4)2}n] (ClO4)2n.-nEtOH (2) [L = -O2CCH2N+ (CH2CH2)3N+CH2CO2-], have been prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography. Complexes (1) and (2) are both based on a two-dimensional framework constructed by the interlinkage of adjacent infinite belt-like zigzag chains, in which the uncoordinated NO3- groups and lattice water molecules in (1), and uncoordinated ClO4- groups and ethanol molecules in (2), are packed into the resulting pockets. Most atoms of the chains in (1) are centred about the (200) family of planes, whereas those in (2) are non-coplanar, and adjacent chains are cross-linked by strong Ag-O coordinate bonds in (2) but only weak Ag...Ag interactions in (1).
Structural Study of an Acyclic Diterpene From Eremophila Species
Authors: Syah YM , Ghisalberti EL , Skelton BW , White AH
Published: November 2018

The solid-state structure of the semicarbazone derivative (3) of the aldehyde diacid (1), an acyclic diterpene isolated from Eremophila species, has been determined by a single-crystal room-temperature X-ray study. Crystals of (3) are triclinic, Pī , a 14.642(7), b 14.371(6), c 12.823(6) Ǻ, α 76.59(4), β 66.09(4), γ 72.97(4)°, Z = 4; R was 0.052 for 2265 independent 'observed' (I > 3σ(I)) diffractometer reflections.
Stereochemistry of the Dihydro Compound From Lithium/Ammonia Reduction of 3-Methoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-6-one
Authors: Collins DJ , Fallon GD , Staffa A , Tope H
Published: November 2018

X-Ray crystallography has established that the lithium/ammonia reduction of 3-methoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-6H-dibenzo[ b,d ]pyran-6-one gives the cis-dihydro compound (6aRS,10aSR)-3-methoxy-6a,7,8,9,10,10a-hexahydro-6H-dibenzo[ b,d ]pyran-6-one (7).
Chelated 2-Formylglycinate: Aldehyde or Enol?
Authors: Hartshorn RM
Published: November 2018

13 C n.m.r. data are presented which are consistent with the proposal that 2-formylglycinate chelated to bis(ethane-1,2-diamine)cobalt(III) exists as an equilibrium mixture of its hydrate, 3,3-dihydroxyalaninate (c.90%), and its E-enol , (E)-2-amino-3-hydroxyacrylate (c.10%). The new structural assignment for the minor component of the mixture leads to the proposal of a new mechanism for the formation of coordinated penicilloates by reaction of this mixture with (S)-penicillamine . The new mechanism makes it possible to rationalize the remarkable stereoselectivity of this condensation reaction.
Three decades of cotton disease surveys in NSW, Australia
Authors: Kirkby K. A. , Lonergan P. A. , Allen S. J.
Published: November 2018

Three decades of disease survey data have shown Verticillium wilt was one of the first major diseases of cotton recorded in the 1984–85 season. Survey reports the mean incidence was 4.1% in the 1984–85 season and rose to 16.6% in the 1989–90 season. Prior to 1984 all commercial varieties of cotton available in Australia were susceptible to bacterial blight and the disease was common. The adoption of the resistant varieties contributed to a dramatic decline in the incidence of bacterial blight and the removal of bacterial blight as a significant pathogen to Australian cotton crops by 1992.
Survey results showed the incidence of black root rot increased on farms with a long history of growing cotton during the 1990s. Fusarium wilt of cotton was first reported in New South Wales (NSW) in 1994. The disease is now widespread, being confirmed on 86 NSW farms in six of the eight cotton production areas in NSW. These four significant plant disease ‘problems’ have challenged the cotton industry in NSW.
Data provided by the surveys have indicated the relative importance of each of the diseases present and the impact of cultural practices and the adoption of new varieties on disease distribution, incidence and severity. The results have therefore been used to support and justify requests for research funding and have contributed to the development of Integrated Disease Management strategies.
The NSW Department of Primary Industries continues to monitor the distribution of disease and the incidence and severity present in commercial cotton crops in all production areas of NSW. The aim of this paper is to highlight four significant cotton diseases in Australia and show relationships between cultural practices and declining and increasing incidence of disease.
Responses of old and modern cereals to CO2-fertilisation
Authors: Franzaring Jürgen , Holz Ingo , Fangmeier Andreas
Published: November 2018

Increases in atmospheric CO2 had impacts on plant evolution throughout geological times and enabled mass selection of productive crop ancestors. Recent studies suggest that the ongoing CO2 fertilisation justifies the establishment of breeding programs to develop crops whose yield will profit from the greater availability of carbon without compromising seed quality. It has been shown that old cultivars may respond more strongly to CO2 enrichment than their modern counterparts. In order to address this issue, old and modern cereal cultivars (wheat, spelt, barley and rye) and ancestors of wheat (Aegilops, einkorn, emmer) were grown at ambient (380 ppm) and expected future (550 ppm) concentrations of CO2 in growth chambers simulating a seasonal climate typical for south-west Germany. Phenology, senescence, growth, yield formation and seed quality (ash and nitrogen (N) concentrations) were assessed and the CO2 response ratio (RR, i.e. performance under elevated v. ambient CO2) of the parameters was evaluated with respect to the year of cultivar release. Across the 32 accessions tested, seed mass increased by 34% under elevated CO2, whereas seed ash and N concentrations decreased by 8 and 10%, respectively, with large inter- and intra-specific variation. Yields of modern wheat and barley cultivars proved higher than of old cultivars, but only in barley was RR higher in the older cultivars. Some accessions showed deviations from the negative relationship between seed mass and N concentration, rendering them suitable candidates for developing cultivars adapted to high CO2.
Yield improvement and adaptation of wheat to water-limited environments in Australia—a case study
Authors: Richards R. A. , Hunt J. R. , Kirkegaard J. A. , Passioura J. B.
Published: November 2018

The improvement in grain yield of wheat throughout Australia through both breeding and management has been impressive. Averaged across all farms, there has been an approximate doubling of yield per unit area since ~1940. This has occurred across a broad range of environments with different rainfall patterns. Interestingly, the gain in the driest years (9 kg ha–1 year–1 or 0.81% year–1) has been proportionally greater than in the most favourable years (13.2 kg ha–1 year–1 or 0.61% per year) when expressed as yield relative to 2012. These data from all farms suggest that further yield progress is likely, and evidence is presented that improved management practices alone could double this rate of progress. The yield increases achieved have been without any known compromise in grain quality or disease resistance.
As expected, improvements have come from both changed management and from better genetics, as well as from the synergy between them. Yield improvements due to changed management have been dramatic and are easiest to quantify, whereas those from breeding have been important but more subtle. The management practices responsible have largely been driven by advances in mechanisation that enable direct seeding, more timely and flexible sowing and nutrient management, and improved weed and pest control, many of which have been facilitated by improved crop sequences with grain legumes and oilseeds that improve water- and nutrient-use efficiency. Most of the yield improvements from breeding in Australia have come from conventional breeding approaches where selection is almost solely for grain yield (together with grain quality and disease resistance). Improvements have primarily been through increased harvest index (HI), although aboveground biomass has also been important.
We discuss future opportunities to further increase Australian rainfed wheat yields. An important one is earlier planting, which increases resource capture. This will require knowledge of the genes regulating phenological development so that flowering still occurs at the optimum time; appropriate modifications to sowing arrangements and nutrient management will also be required. To improve yield potential, we propose a focus on physiological traits that increase biomass and HI and suggest that there may be more scope to improve biomass than HI. In addition, there are likely to be important opportunities to combine novel management practices with new breeding traits to capture the synergy possible from variety × management interactions. Finally, we comment on research aimed at adapting agriculture to climate change.
Farmer participatory variety selection conducted in high- and low-toposequence multi-location trials for improving rainfed lowland rice in Lao PDR
Authors: Mitchell J. H. , Sipaseuth  , Fukai S.
Published: November 2018

Lowland rice in Lao PDR is predominantly grown under drought-prone, rainfed conditions in the wet season. We utilised a farmer participatory variety selection (PVS) approach in combination with multi-location yield trials (MLTs) conducted in high- and low-toposequence positions to test advanced breeding lines with the aim of improving the efficiency of the rice-breeding program and encouraging rapid adoption of improved lines.
Upper position fields were utilised to screen for traits for unfavourable environments, including drought resistance, while lower fields were used to target yield potential. Yield was, on average, 13% lower in upper than lower (2.85 t/ha) field positions, and varieties adapted to high-toposequence position were identified. Farmer preference was not associated well with grain yield performance, with a significant positive relationship (r = 0.34*, n = 23) identified only in the Vientiane (VTN) low-toposequence trial; rather, the famers tended to choose lines they believed were best adapted to their own farm. Although a significant relationship existed for both farmer preference (r = 0.42*, n = 23) and grain yield (r = 0.50*, n = 23) in high and low toposequences across all provinces in 2010, this relationship was not significant in VTN, where the high position was low-yielding (1.2 t/ha). By utilising farmer preference information in combination with traditional MLT data, only lines agronomically acceptable to farmers were progressed into a seed-multiplication system for country-wide, farmer yield testing. Thus, the PVS-MLT approach has provided efficient delivery of highly acceptable lines to farmers, which directly contributes to improved efficiency of the rice-breeding program.
An insecticide baseline study of Australian broadacre aphids
Authors: Clouston Annabel , Edwards Owain , Umina Paul
Published: November 2018

Brevicoryne brassicae (Linnaeus), Lipaphis pseudobrassicae (Davis), Acyrthosiphon kondoi (Shinji), Aphis craccivora (Koch) and Rhopalosiphum padi (Linnaeus) are among the most important aphid pests in Australian broadacre systems. In this study a leaf-dip method was used to assay pirimicarb, dimethoate, α-cypermethrin and imidacloprid against field populations collected from Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland. This research established toxicity baseline data that will be important for future monitoring of insecticide responses in broadacre crops. It also provided an opportunity to identify any chemical tolerance that may be evolving in these pests. Acyrthosiphon craccivora populations showed differences in their responses to dimethoate, pirimicarb and imidacloprid (but not to α-cypermethrin), indicating possible shifts in field sensitivity to these three chemicals. Rhopalosiphum padi had the lowest sensitivity to all insecticides tested, with two populations (collected from South Australia and Queensland) showing less than 100% mortality when tested at the field rate of α-cypermethrin. There were few differences in insecticide responses between populations of the other three species. Continued screening of A. craccivora and R. padi populations is needed to fully assess the current status of tolerance among field populations and to strengthen resistance management tactics.
A PCR-based marker closely linked to a 2BS QTL conferring wheat yellow spot resistance for marker-assisted breeding
Authors: Ren Fei , Ji Jun , Liu Hui , Barbetti Martin J. , Siddique Kadambot H. M. , Liu Chunji , Yan Guijun
Published: November 2018

Yellow spot (caused by Pyrenophora tritici-repentis) is a major foliar disease in wheat (Triticum aestivum) that has become more serious in recent years, possibly because of climate change. A major quantitative trait locus (QTL) located on the short arm of wheat chromosome 2B explaining 30–40% of the phenotypic variance has been identified as responsible for resistance to Australian yellow spot isolates, which reportedly produce mostly the ToxA effector. The closest marker linked to this QTL was a DArT marker not easy to use in large-scale selections, whereas the closest PCR-based marker available (2.7 cM) was too far away for reliably tagging the locus in wheat breeding. We therefore undertook studies to develop more closely linked and user-friendly markers for this major QTL. Forty-one new markers either synthesised from DArT markers or identified from the GrainGene database were assessed. From these, we developed a new PCR-based marker (Rfsts1), located 0.3 cM away from the major QTL. This is the first suitable marker for marker-assisted selection for yellow spot resistance in Australian wheat-breeding programs.
Gender differences in general practice utilisation in New Zealand
Authors: Jatrana Santosh , Crampton Peter
Published: November 2018

INTRODUCTION: This paper aims to examine gender differences in general practice utilisation in New Zealand. METHODS: The data for this research came from 10 506 visit records gathered from 246 general practitioners (GPs) who took part in the National Primary Medical Care Survey (NatMedCa), a nationally representative, multistage, probability sample survey of GPs and patient visits conducted in 2001/2002. The number of visits to a general practice in the last 12 months among those patients who visited the GP at least once during the past 12 months was used as the outcome variable. Poisson regression was used for analysis. RESULTS: Women were more likely than men to visit a GP over the last 12 months (IRR=1.13; 95% CI: 1.03–1.24). We also found significant female excess in utilisation of GP services even after excluding gynaecological and obstetric conditions and across all age groups. Asian were 39% less likely than European women to visit a GP (IRR=0.61; 95% CI: 0.43–0.85); a result that was not reflected in men’s utilisation of GP services. In addition, we found that women visiting GPs were 39% more likely to have reported ‘life-threatening’ problems as compared to ‘self-limiting’ problems (IRR=1.39; 95% CI: 1.00–1.94). CONCLUSION: Our results do not support the body of literature that suggests that women’s excess in service use can largely be attributed to gynaecological and obstetrical conditions or that the female excess in visits is focussed in the childbearing years. Ethnicity and the severity of a problem contributed significantly to explaining women’s, but not men’s, utilisation of GPs. KEYWORDS: Gender differences; health services utilisation; New Zealand
Variation in Partnership Health general practice enrolment data related to need and hospital and national records on ethnicity
Authors: Malcolm Laurence , Barnett Ross
Published: November 2018

AIM: To compare enrolment data for ethnicity and deprivation and other classifications in Partnership Health Primary Health Organisation (PHO) general practices with the National Health Index (NHI) data set and hospital discharge data and to analyse use of special access funding. METHODS: NHI-linked practice data were obtained through Partnership Health and sent directly to New Zealand Health Information Service (NZHIS). The database was linked with the hospital discharge data for the two years ending June 2007, with the NHIs encrypted. Data were analysed for a range of variables and relationships especially related to ethnicity. RESULTS: Data was obtained from a total of 345 247 patients in 103 practices. Practices varied widely in their data completion including ethnicity, the latter being unavailable in 7.2% of patients. Ethnicity recording in Partnership Health practice was substantially more complete than national NHI records. Maori in the hospital records was 6.1% compared with 7.0% in the Partnership Health records relating to discharged patients (p<.001). Practice use of special access funding varied widely and was unrelated to need DISCUSSION: Despite substantial practice database development, findings point to the need for further collaborative and innovative strategies to improve data recording. Issues needing to be addressed nationally include regular updating and correction of the national NHI set from PHO records. PHO data could, with improvements, become the basis for District Health Board databases. The findings support the current national review of the use of special access funding which appears to be seriously inequitable and inefficient. KEYWORDS: Patient enrolment; ethnicity; special access funding; data quality
Germline genetic polymorphisms influence tumor gene expression and immune cell infiltration
Authors: Lim Yoong Wearn , Chen-Harris Haiyin , Mayba Oleg , Lianoglou Steve , Wuster Arthur , Bhangale Tushar , Khan Zia , Mariathasan Sanjeev , Daemen Anneleen , Reeder Jens , Haverty Peter M. , Forrest William F. , Brauer Matthew , Mellman Ira , Albert Matthew L.
Published: November 2018

Cancer immunotherapy has emerged as an effective therapy in a variety of cancers. However, a key challenge in the field is that only a subset of patients who receive immunotherapy exhibit durable response. It has been hypothesized that host genetics influences the inherent immune profiles of patients and may underlie their differential response to immunotherapy. Herein, we systematically determined the association of common germline genetic variants with gene expression and immune cell infiltration of the tumor. We identified 64,094 expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) that associated with 18,210 genes (eGenes) across 24 human cancers. Overall, eGenes were enriched for their being involved in immune processes, suggesting that expression of immune genes can be shaped by hereditary genetic variants. We identified the endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 2 (
ERAP2
) gene as a pan-cancer type eGene whose expression levels stratified overall survival in a subset of patients with bladder cancer receiving anti–PD-L1 (atezolizumab) therapy. Finally, we identified 103 gene signature QTLs (gsQTLs) that were associated with predicted immune cell abundance within the tumor microenvironment. Our findings highlight the impact of germline SNPs on cancer-immune phenotypes and response to therapy; and these analyses provide a resource for integration of germline genetics as a component of personalized cancer immunotherapy.
Evolution of host support for two ancient bacterial symbionts with differentially degraded genomes in a leafhopper host
Authors: Mao Meng , Yang Xiushuai , Bennett Gordon M.
Published: November 2018

Plant sap-feeding insects (Hemiptera) rely on bacterial symbionts for nutrition absent in their diets. These bacteria experience extreme genome reduction and require genetic resources from their hosts, particularly for basic cellular processes other than nutrition synthesis. The host-derived mechanisms that complete these processes have remained poorly understood. It is also unclear how hosts meet the distinct needs of multiple bacterial partners with differentially degraded genomes. To address these questions, we investigated the cell-specific gene-expression patterns in the symbiotic organs of the aster leafhopper (ALF),
Macrosteles quadrilineatus
(Cicadellidae). ALF harbors two intracellular symbionts that have two of the smallest known bacterial genomes:
Nasuia
(112 kb) and
Sulcia
(190 kb). Symbionts are segregated into distinct host cell types (bacteriocytes) and vary widely in their basic cellular capabilities. ALF differentially expresses thousands of genes between the bacteriocyte types to meet the functional needs of each symbiont, including the provisioning of metabolites and support of cellular processes. For example, the host highly expresses genes in the bacteriocytes that likely complement gene losses in nucleic acid synthesis, DNA repair mechanisms, transcription, and translation. Such genes are required to function in the bacterial cytosol. Many host genes comprising these support mechanisms are derived from the evolution of novel functional traits via horizontally transferred genes, reassigned mitochondrial support genes, and gene duplications with bacteriocyte-specific expression. Comparison across other hemipteran lineages reveals that hosts generally support the incomplete symbiont cellular processes, but the origins of these support mechanisms are generally specific to the host–symbiont system.
Visualizing atomic sizes and molecular shapes with the classical turning surface of the Kohn–Sham potential
Authors: Ospadov Egor , Tao Jianmin , Staroverov Viktor N. , Perdew John P.
Published: November 2018

Significance

Can quantum mechanics predict a well-defined and chemically intuitive size and shape for an atom or a molecule? We show that the bounding surface of a chemical species can be naturally defined as the classical turning surface of the Kohn–Sham potential—an effective potential that, acting on noninteracting electrons, yields the ground-state density of the real system. The atomic and ionic radii defined in this manner display all expected periodic trends, while the ratio of a bond length to the sum of atomic or ionic radii identifies the type of the bond (covalent, ionic, hydrogen, or van der Waals). The proposed approach permits a visual representation of chemical species that is intuitive and quantum-mechanically rigorous at the same time.
Novel roles of mechanistic target of rapamycin signaling in regulating fetal growth†
Authors: Gupta Madhulika B , Jansson Thomas
Published: November 2018

Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling functions as a central regulator of cellular metabolism, growth, and survival in response to hormones, growth factors, nutrients, energy, and stress signals. Mechanistic TOR is therefore critical for the growth of most fetal organs, and global mTOR deletion is embryonic lethal. This review discusses emerging evidence suggesting that mTOR signaling also has a role as a critical hub in the overall homeostatic control of fetal growth, adjusting the fetal growth trajectory according to the ability of the maternal supply line to support fetal growth. In the fetus, liver mTOR governs the secretion and phosphorylation of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1) thereby controlling the bioavailability of insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I and IGF-II), which function as important growth hormones during fetal life. In the placenta, mTOR responds to a large number of growth-related signals, including amino acids, glucose, oxygen, folate, and growth factors, to regulate trophoblast mitochondrial respiration, nutrient transport, and protein synthesis, thereby influencing fetal growth. In the maternal compartment, mTOR is an integral part of a decidual nutrient sensor which links oxygen and nutrient availability to the phosphorylation of IGFBP-1 with preferential effects on the bioavailability of IGF-I in the maternal–fetal interface and in the maternal circulation. These new roles of mTOR signaling in the regulation fetal growth will help us better understand the molecular underpinnings of abnormal fetal growth, such as intrauterine growth restriction and fetal overgrowth, and may represent novel avenues for diagnostics and intervention in important pregnancy complications.
erbb4 Deficits in Chandelier Cells of the Medial Prefrontal Cortex Confer Cognitive Dysfunctions: Implications for Schizophrenia
Authors: Yang Jian-Ming , Shen Chen-Jie , Chen Xiao-Juan , Kong Ying , Liu Yi-Si , Li Xiao-Wen , Chen Zhong , Gao Tian-Ming , Li Xiao-Ming
Published: November 2018

erbb4 is a known susceptibility gene for schizophrenia. Chandelier cells (ChCs, also known as axo-axonic cells) are a distinct GABAergic interneuron subtype that exclusively target the axonal initial segment, which is the site of pyramidal neuron action potential initiation. ChCs are a source of ErbB4 expression and alterations in ChC-pyramidal neuron connectivity occur in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of schizophrenic patients and animal models of schizophrenia. However, the contribution of ErbB4 in mPFC ChCs to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia remains unknown. By conditional deletion or knockdown of ErbB4 from mPFC ChCs, we demonstrated that ErbB4 deficits led to impaired ChC-pyramidal neuron connections and cognitive dysfunctions. Furthermore, the cognitive dysfunctions were normalized by L-838417, an agonist of GABAAα2 receptors enriched in the axonal initial segment. Given that cognitive dysfunctions are a core symptom of schizophrenia, our results may provide a new perspective for understanding the etiology of schizophrenia and suggest that GABAAα2 receptors may be potential pharmacological targets for its treatment.
Family History, Reproductive, and Lifestyle Risk Factors for Fibroadenoma and Breast Cancer
Authors: Li Jingmei , Humphreys Keith , Ho Peh Joo , Eriksson Mikael , Darai-Ramqvist Eva , Lindström Linda Sofie , Hall Per , Czene Kamila
Published: November 2018

Background

To understand which breast cancer (BC) risk factors also increase the risk of fibroadenoma and investigate whether these factors have the same effect in BC patients with previous fibroadenoma.

Methods

Using multistate survival analysis on a large dataset (n = 58 322), we examined the effects of BC risk factors on transitions between three states: event-free, biopsy-confirmed fibroadenoma, and BC. Hazard ratios and corresponding 95% confidence intervals associated with covariate effects were estimated. Median follow-up time was 25.3 years.

Results

The mean ages at diagnosis of fibroadenoma and BC were 42.6 and 48.3 years, respectively. Participant characteristics known to increase the risk of BC were found to increase the risk of fibroadenoma (family history of BC and higher education). Participant characteristics known to confer protective effects for BC (older age at menarche, more children, and larger childhood body size) were found to reduce fibroadenoma risk. The effect sizes associated with the direct transitions from event-free to fibroadenoma and BC were generally not different for the covariates tested. Age at fibroadenoma diagnosis was associated with the transition from fibroadenoma to BC (hazard ratioper year increase = 1.07 [95% confidence interval = 1.03 to 1.12]).

Conclusion

We showed that biopsy-confirmed fibroadenomas shared many risk factors with BC. More work is needed to understand the relationships between fibroadenoma and BC to identify women who are at high risk of developing BC after a fibroadenoma diagnosis.
Early Mortality in Patients With Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer Undergoing Cystectomy in the United States
Authors: Marqueen Kathryn E , Waingankar Nikhil , Sfakianos John P , Mehrazin Reza , Niglio Scot A , Audenet François , Jia Rachel , Mazumdar Madhu , Ferket Bart S , Galsky Matthew D
Published: November 2018

Background

Although radical cystectomy (RC) is a standard treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), for many patients the risks versus benefits of RC may favor other approaches. We sought to define the landscape of early postcystectomy mortality in the United States and identify patients at high risk using pretreatment variables.

Methods

We identified patients with MIBC (cT2-T4aN0M0) who underwent RC without perioperative chemotherapy within the National Cancer Database (2003–2012). Using multistate multivariable modeling, we calculated time spent in three health states: hospitalized, discharged, and death more than 90 days postcystectomy. Cross-validation was performed by geographic region. Time spent in each state was weighted by utility to determine 90-day quality-adjusted life days (QALDs).

Results

Among 7922 patients, 90-day mortality was 7.6% (8.0% for lower and 6.7% for higher volume hospitals). Increasing age, clinical T stage, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and lower volume were associated with higher 90-day mortality and were included in the model. Cross-validation revealed appropriate performance (C-statistics of 0.53–0.74; calibration slopes of 0.50–1.67). The model predicted 25% of patients had a 90-day mortality risk higher than 10%, and observed 90-day mortality in this group was 14.0% (95% CI = 12.5% to 15.6%). Mean quality-adjusted life days (QALDs) was 63 (range = 44–68).

Conclusions

RC is associated with relatively high early mortality risk. Pretreatment variables may identify patients at particularly high risk, which may inform clinical trial design, facilitate shared decision making, and enhance quality improvement initiatives.
Mating analyses of Trichophyton benhamiae offspring reveals linkage of genetic markers used in taxonomy
Authors: Burmester A , Hipler U-C , Elsner P , Wiegand C
Published: November 2018

Mating experiments were conducted with four clinical Trichophyton benhamiae isolates, genetically similar to the Trichophyton benhamiae CBS 112371, featuring the plus mating type and with two minus type strains. One minus type strain belonged to the white subgroup, and the other minus type strain, DSM 6916, showed genetic kinship to the yellow subgroup. Only two plus type strains were able to form mature, pigmented gymnothecia with DSM 6916. These two plus type strains demonstrated dark pigmentation and powdery mycelium on Takashio agar, whereas the other three strains exhibited a low degree of pigmentation on the same medium. All five plus strains were able to mate with the minus type strain of their own white subgroup. Cultures from single ascospore isolates showed highly variable morphology and pigmentation. Three genetic markers (ITS, mating type, EF1 alpha) were analyzed in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) experiments with optimized primers and PCR conditions to discriminate between subgroups. Furthermore, RAPD-PCR was used to generate a DSM 6916-specific DNA-fragment which served as an additional genetic marker. Assessing the isolates with recombinant genotypes, it was found that three genetic markers behave like linked genes. The recombination of plus mating type went together with ITS, EF1 alpha and RAPD marker of the DSM 6916 parental strain and was most frequently isolated, whereas plus types recombinants in this case were completely missing. This shows a high imbalance in mating type distribution of recombinants.
The fifth force in the local cosmic web
Authors: Desmond Harry , Ferreira Pedro G , Lavaux Guilhem , Jasche Jens
Published: November 2018

Extensions of the standard models of particle physics and cosmology often lead to long-range fifth forces with properties dependent on gravitational environment. Fifth forces on astrophysical scales are best studied in the cosmic web where perturbation theory breaks down. We present constraints on chameleon- and symmetron-screened fifth forces with Yukawa coupling and megaparsec range – as well as unscreened fifth forces with differential coupling to galactic mass components – by searching for the displacements they predict between galaxies’ stars and gas. Taking data from the AlfalfaH i survey, identifying galaxies’ gravitational environments with the maps of Desmond et al. and forward modelling with a Bayesian likelihood framework, we set upper bounds on fifth-force strength relative to Newtonian gravity from ∼few × 10−4 (1σ) for range λC = 50 Mpc, to ∼0.1 for λC = 500 kpc. In f(R) gravity this requires fR0 ≲ few × 10−8. The analogous bounds without screening are ∼few × 10−4 and few × 10−3. These are the tightest and among the only fifth-force constraints on galaxy scales. We show how our results may be strengthened with future survey data and identify the key features of an observational programme for furthering fifth-force tests beyond the Solar system.
A3-A3 Anastomosis in the Management of Complex Anterior Cerebral Artery Aneurysms: Experience With in Situ Bypass and Lessons Learned From Pseudoaneurysm Cases
Authors: Ravina Kristine , Strickland Ben A , Rennert Robert C , Chien Mark , Mack William J , Amar Arun P , Russin Jonathan J
Published: November 2018

BACKGROUND

A3-A3 side-to-side bypass is an intracranial-to-intracranial (IC-IC) revascularization option when aneurysm treatment involves occlusion of one anterior cerebral artery (ACA).

OBJECTIVE

To describe applications of A3-A3 side-to-side bypass in the management of ACA true and pseudoaneurysms along with a review of pertinent literature.

METHODS

Six consecutive patients undergoing an A3-A3 bypass as part of their aneurysm management, representing a single-surgeon experience in a 2-yr period, were included in this retrospective review of a prospectively collected database.

RESULTS

Three male and three female patients with a median (range) age of 41.5 (11-69) years representing four ruptured and two unruptured aneurysms were included. Two of the aneurysms were communicating while four were postcommunicating from which three were pseudoaneurysms. Complete aneurysm obliteration was achieved in 5/6 cases. Bypass patency was evaluated in all cases intra- and postoperatively. Good outcomes (modified Rankin Scale score ≤ 2) at follow-up were observed in 4/6 patients. An improvement in mRS scores at the most recent follow-up as compared to preoperative status was achieved in three while scores remained the same in two patients. Ischemic complications related to aneurysm treatment were observed in two patients, both of which achieved good functional recovery upon follow-up. One patient deceased postoperatively due to progression of vasospasm-related infarcts.

CONCLUSION

A3-A3 bypass in the management of true as well as pseudoaneurysms of the ACA can achieve good postoperative outcomes in selected patients. Prompt diagnosis and aggressive surgical treatment needs to be pursued if a vessel injury with pseudoaneurysm formation is suspected.
Impact of troop leader training on the implementation of physical activity opportunities in Girl Scout troop meetings
Authors: Schlechter Chelsey R , Rosenkranz Richard R , Guagliano Justin M , Dzewaltowski David A
Published: November 2018

Girl Scouts (GS) is a setting with large reach to target increased moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in girls. The Scouting Nutrition and Activity Program (SNAP) increased MVPA during intervention troop meetings; therefore, further examination of implementation of SNAP components is warranted to determine the processes contributing to intervention success. The purpose of this study is to examine variability in implementation of an active recreation (AR) policy into GS troop meetings. Troop leaders (n = 7) were randomized to receive SNAP, an intervention training on implementing a policy promoting AR, or a standard control. Meetings (seven meetings/troop) were observed, and girls in attendance (n = 76, 9–13 years, mean ± SD = 10.51 ± 1.19 years) wore ActiGraph GT1M accelerometers. Two observers attended each meeting and recorded start/stop points of AR time segments, as well as other tasks (i.e., opening/closing, snack, and Girl Scout curriculum [GSC]). Time-segmented accelerometer data were analyzed using Evenson cut points and paired with observation data. Researchers observed 181 segments (mean/day ± SD = 3.77 ± 1.24). Intervention troops implemented more AR segments/day (mean/day = 0.86; 95% CI = 0.62–1.09) than control troops (mean/day = 0.18; 95% CI = 0.00–0.39). A greater percentage of time (%time) was spent in MVPA during AR segments (mean = 10.99; 95% CI = 7.16–14.82) compared with GSC segments (mean = 0.73; 95% CI = 0.00–4.10), opening/closing (mean = 3.96; 95% CI = 0.54–7.38), and snack (mean = 0.74; 95% CI = 0.00–4.10) segments, and during opening/closing segments compared with GSC and snack segments. Intervention troops implemented more AR segments than control troops. Troop meeting patterns of PA were influenced by task. Adding time segments conducive to PA could increase the %time spent in MVPA during GS troop meetings.
Drug Use-Related Normative Misperceptions and Behaviors Among Persons Seeking Heroin Withdrawal Management
Authors: Kenney Shannon R. , Anderson Bradley J. , Bailey Genie L. , Stein Michael D.
Published: November 2018

Objective:

Normative perceptions about substance use are well-established predictors of substance use risk behaviors, yet no research to date has examined how people who use heroin perceive the drug use behaviors and their association with personal behaviors. In a sample of persons seeking heroin withdrawal, we compared normative beliefs (descriptive norms) about others’ drug use behaviors, and examined the association between normative beliefs and behaviors.

Method:

Participants (n = 241) were patients undergoing short-term inpatient heroin withdrawal management in Massachusetts. t-Tests were used to compare participants’ perceptions about various substance use behaviors among both US adults and persons seeking heroin withdrawal at the same site. We also examined associations between participants’ normative beliefs and personal substance use behaviors.

Results:

Participants significantly overestimated drug-related risk behaviors of adults nationally; overall, participants estimated that 44.7% had tried heroin, 37.6% had injected drugs in the past year, and 63.2% had smoked marijuana in the past month when actual national rates are 2.0%, 0.3%, and 5.5%, respectively. Participants also held significant misperceptions about contemporaneous patients in the heroin withdrawal program; behaviors about sharing works, diverting buprenorphine or methadone, and exchanging sex for drugs or money were most substantially overestimated. Normative perceptions were associated with a range of personal drug-using behaviors (eg, injection drug use, exchanging sex for drugs or money).

Conclusions:

Consistent with existing substance use norms research, participants in the current sample tended to overestimate others’ engagement in risky substance use, and these normative perceptions were associated with increased personal risk. Leveraging norms in heroin harm reduction interventions may hold substantial promise.