bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structure of Thin Films of [6] and [7]Phenacene and Impact of Potassium Deposition
Authors: Zwadlo Matthias , Hagara Jakub , Duva Giuliano , Hagenlocher Jan , Gerlach Alexander , Zaluzhnyy Ivan , Hodas Martin , Hinderhofer Alexander , Siffalovic Peter , Schreiber Frank
Published: March 2021

Organic semiconductors offer a flexibility in band gap tuning through different molecular lengths and have shown to be promising candidates for high‐performance electronic devices. While electronic properties have been extensively studied in many publications, the topic of thin film structure and molecular packing is still quite neglected. In this work, the thin film crystal structure of [6]phenacene (Fulminene) and [7]phenacene deposited on silicon substrates using the OMBD method as well as further studies with potassium deposition on [6]phenacene are investigated. Ex‐situ X‐ray and optical methods are employed to obtain an insight into the crystal structure and optical properties. The orientation of the molecules and the unit cell structure is calculated from the measured reciprocal space maps. Additionally, the influence of a possible interfacial doping mechanism by deposition of potassium on top of [6]phenacene is investigated. Thin films of [6]phenacene show a high crystallinity with a standing‐up configuration and a similar molecular structure and symmetry compared to [4]phenacene. [7]phenacene features two different apparently thickness‐dependent polymorphs (H and L) with a structure similar to [5]phenacene. These results reveal that odd/even parity, that is, even or odd number of benzene rings, directly influences the phenacene thin film structure.
Ultrasound Triggered Co‐Delivery of Therapeutic MicroRNAs and a Triple Suicide Gene Therapy Vector by Using Biocompatible Polymer Nanoparticles for Improved Cancer Therapy in Mouse Models
Authors: Kumar Sukumar Uday , Wang Huaijun , Telichko Arsenii V. , Natarajan Arutselvan , Bettinger Thierry , Cherkaoui Samir , Massoud Tarik F. , Dahl Jeremy J. , Paulmurugan Ramasamy
Published: March 2021

Microbubbles (MBs) exhibit cavitation upon exposure to ultrasound (US), which creates opportunities to adopt them in new therapeutic approaches. The present study reports an efficient, translatable approach to precisely control the spaciotemporal delivery of therapeutic microRNAs (AmiR‐21 and miR‐100) and TK‐p53‐NTR triple therapeutic gene, co‐loaded in PLGA‐PEG‐PEI polymer nanoparticles (NPs) to tumor models of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using US‐mediated targeted destruction of BR38 MBs. PLGA‐PEG‐PEI conjugated triblock co‐polymer NPs are synthesized and characterized for their physicochemical properties, and optimized for co‐loading of miRNAs and TK‐p53‐NTR. Quantitative in vivo imaging and ex vivo tissue analysis of 4T1 (TNBC) subcutaneous tumors in BALB/c mice reveal 19 ± 0.5% (p < 0.01) increase in delivery of miRNAs, and 48 ± 1.79% (p < 0.001) increase in delivery of TK‐p53‐NTR upon US treatment, which results to 48 ± 6.98% (p < 0.01) reduction in tumor growth as compared to contralateral tumors without US. This significantly increases the survival rate of animals as compared to pDNA control group. Similar treatment effects are observed in both TNBC and HCC tumor models. This novel combined therapeutic approach, entailing both miRNAs and suicide gene therapy has strong potential for future applications in cancer therapy.
Polyester functionalization for mycobacterial capture
Authors: van der Westhuizen Benjamin J. C. , van Reenen Albert J.
Published: March 2021

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the deadliest diseases known to man and ranks among the top ten global causes of fatalities. Children often develop a paucibacillary form of this disease which makes diagnosis arduous even with the aid of sophisticated techniques. In these cases, the concentration of bacteria in their sputum falls below the lowest limit of detection for sputum smear microscopy, the technique predominantly used in developing countries. In this study we aim to test the hypothesis that modifying a polymer, often used in buccal swabs, could assist in creating a capturing and concentrating oral swab for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the pathogenic bacterial species responsible for TB. Such a device will assist in meeting the detection limit and allow for rapid detection of the disease. The polymer used was a micro fibrous form of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) which was surface functionalized with Concanavalin A (Con A), a lectin based adhesin with an affinity for the mannose groups on the Mtb cell wall. The functionalization was mediated with glutaraldehyde as bioconjugate molecule and found to produce a surface uniformly covered with Con A. Affinity studies between the modified fibers and the Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette‐Guérin (BCG), as Mtb mimic, were conducted to evaluate the capturing abilities of the substrate. The results indicate that the fibers avidly captured BCG and that the fibrous matrix aided in its function. Dilution studies showed successful capturing of the bacterial species at concentrations characteristic of paucibacillary cases. In this study a commercial polymeric material was successfully surface modified with a biological entity to create a substrate to which Mtb could adhere and accordingly be captured.
Unraveling the cause for the unusual processing behavior of commercial partially bio‐based poly(butylene succinates) and their stabilization
Authors: Hallstein Jannik , Gomoll André , Lieske Antje , Büsse Thomas , Balko Jens , Brüll Robert , Malz Frank , Metzsch‐Zilligen Elke , Pfaendner Rudolf , Zehm Daniel
Published: March 2021

The commercially available partially bio‐based poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and poly(butylene succinate‐co‐adipate) (PBSA) are subjected to prolonged and multiple extrusion cycles to investigate their thermal behavior. Empirically, both PBS and PBSA form branches at 190°C, with PBS possessing a higher tendency for branching than PBSA as studied by rheology and size exclusion chromatography (SEC). In each case, the branching is favored by fumaric acid moieties, making both PBS and PBSA susceptible to accelerated thermal oxidation. Indeed, the NMR signal attributed to fumaric acid disappears upon thermal processing of PBS and PBSA. Presumably, the bio‐based succinic acid used contains minor quantities of fumaric acid, yet still sufficient to cause this surprising processing behavior. The branching of both polymers is suppressed by stabilizers such as phenolic antioxidants, as proven by rheology and SEC. This is complemented by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), revealing that the fumaric acid signal is still well‐resolved in the stabilized processed samples.
‘Off‐rolling’ and Foucault’s art of visibility/invisibility: An exploratory study of senior leaders’ views of ‘strategic’ school exclusion in southwest England
Authors: Done Elizabeth J. , Knowler Helen
Published: March 2021

This article reports an unprecedented exploratory small‐scale investigation of the views of senior school leaders in southwest England relating to ‘off‐rolling’ (illegal exclusionary practices). ‘Off‐rolling’ is conceptualised as a policy technology, however, the conceptual framework used in data analysis derives from Foucault’s treatment of power and pleasure, and the constitution in discourse of novel ‘permanent realities’. Relations of force that senior school leaders routinely navigate in neoliberal education cultures characterised by ‘performativity’ are highlighted. The latter describes pressures to evidence efficiency and continual improvement, including high‐stakes performance monitoring and, in England, a national school inspection regime. The response rate to this online and predominantly qualitative survey was poor, which was attributed to the illegality of ‘off‐rolling’ and the risk that academic research in this area could be perceived to reproduce the power–knowledge relations associated with a national school inspection regime and familiar neoliberal political or professional discourses around training of education professionals (where both are framed as addressing deficits to achieve improvements). Nevertheless, findings from a key question inviting comment on scenarios drawn from the authors’ teaching experience are presented here, as they highlight the issues arising in research of sensitive topics. Reliance on brief vignettes to explore levels of understanding was, arguably, a limitation of the study, risking participants interpreting this device as unwelcome external scrutiny. It is argued that Ofsted’s definition of ‘off‐rolling’ as gaming (manipulation of academic performance data) effectively discourages recognition of exclusionary practices that are not irrefutably related to academic performance as such.
COVID‐19 outbreak: An experience to reappraise the role of hospital at home in the anti‐cancer drug injection
Authors: Mittaine‐Marzac Bénédicte , Zogo Arsene , Crusson Jean‐Christophe , Cheneau Valerie , Pinel Marie‐Claire , Brandely‐Piat Marie‐Laure , Amrani Fatma , Havard Laurent , Balladur Elisabeth , Louissaint Taina , Nivet Laurence , Ankri Joel , Aegerter Philippe , De Stampa Matthieu
Published: March 2021

Background

The COVID‐19 outbreak has posed considerable challenges to the health care system worldwide, especially for cancer treatment. We described the activity and the care organisation of the Hospitalisation At Home (HAH) structure during the pandemic for treating patients with anti‐cancer injections.

Methods

We report the established organisation, the eligibility criteria, the patient characteristics, the treatment schemes and the stakeholders’ role during two 5‐week periods in 2020, before and during the French population's lockdown.

Results

The increase of activity during the lockdown (+32% of treated patients, +156% of new patients and +28% of delivered preparations) concerned solid tumour, mainly breast cancer, even if haematological malignancies remained the most frequent. Thirty different drugs were delivered, including three new drugs administered in HAH versus 19 during the routine period (p < 0.01). For those clinical departments accustomed to using HAH, the usual organisation was kept, but with adjustments. Five clinical departments increased the number of patients treated at home and widened the panel of drugs prescribed. Three oncology departments and one radiotherapy department for the first time solicited HAH for anti‐cancer injections, mainly for immunotherapy. We adjusted the HAH organisation with additional human resources and allowed to prescribe drugs with an infusion time of <30 min only for the new prescribers.

Conclusion

HAH allowed for the continuation of anti‐cancer injections without postponement during the pandemic, and for a decrease in unnecessary patient travel to hospital with its concomitant COVID‐19 transmission risk. Often left out of guidelines, the place of HAH in treating cancer patients should be reappraised, even more so during a pandemic.
Thirty‐day and 5‐year results of percutaneous coronary intervention for in‐stent restenotic chronic total occlusion lesions: Data from 2,659 consecutive patients
Authors: Wang Tianjie , Guan Hao , Tian Tao , Guan Changdong , Bai Yinxiao , Hu Yang , Yuan Jiansong , Qiao Shubin , Xu Bo , Yang Weixian
Published: March 2021

Objectives

To investigate the procedure success rate and clinical outcomes of in‐stent restenotic chronic total occlusion (ISR‐CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Background

Few studies have reported the short‐ and long‐term clinical outcomes of ISR‐CTO PCI.

Method

Patients who underwent ISR‐CTO (n = 212) or de‐novo CTO (n = 2,447) PCI at Fuwai Hospital from 2010 to 2013 were enrolled. Thirty‐day and 5‐year clinical outcomes were analyzed. The primary outcome was the incidence of all‐cause death, myocardial infarction (MI), and heart failure at follow‐up. The secondary outcome was the recanalization result (reasonable, suboptimal, or failed recanalization).

Results

ISR‐CTO PCI had a higher rate of suboptimal recanalization than de‐novo CTO PCI (p < .01). The syntax score before PCI (odds ratio (OR): 1.06; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02–1.10; p = .002) and occlusion length ≥ 20 mm (OR: 2.70:95% CI: 1.46–4.98; p = .001) were predictors of suboptimal recanalization in ISR‐CTO PCI. Cardiac death (p = .03) and 30‐day all‐cause mortality (p = .05) were higher among patients who underwent ISR‐CTO PCI. The ISR‐CTO group had a higher rate of MI (p = .07) at 5 years. Suboptimal recanalization (hazard ratio: 2.56; 95% CI: 1.13–5.83; p = .025) was an independent predictor of long‐term major adverse events in ISR‐CTO.

Conclusions

Suboptimal recanalization, 30‐day cardiac death, and long‐term MI rates are higher for ISR‐CTO PCI than de‐novo CTO PCI. Suboptimal recanalization is an independent predictor of long‐term major adverse events after ISR‐CTO PCI.
Dual HER2 blockade with lapatinib and trastuzumab in combination with chemotherapy in metastatic gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Cheong E. Von , Ho Gwo Fuang
Published: March 2021

The development of resistance to trastuzumab in HER2‐positive gastroesophageal cancer remains a problem. The use of dual HER2 blockade to overcome this is a therapeutic strategy that should be researched more extensively.
Influence of zirconium crosslinker chemical structure and polymer choice on the performance of crosslinked fracturing fluids
Authors: Almubarak Tariq , Ng Jun Hong Clarence , Nasr‐El‐Din Hisham A. , Almubarak Majed , AlKhaldi Mohammed
Published: March 2021

Commonly used borate crosslinkers produce weak fracturing fluids at high temperature, high pressure, high salinity, and low pH conditions. Accordingly, zirconium crosslinkers were developed to address these shortcomings. Zirconium crosslinking chemistry is complicated and depends on many factors such as pH, ionic strength, ligand type, ligand order, and ligand to metal ratio. This work evaluated the rheological performance of four commercial zirconium crosslinkers with a polysaccharide and a polyacrylamide. The tested crosslinkers are manufactured with similar zirconium content but differ in ligand type and ligand order, producing different crosslinker chemical structures. The rheological performance was assessed using an HPHT rheometer at 93–204°C for 1.5 h. Shear tolerance performance was evaluated under shear rates of 40 s−1–1000 s−1. The results showed substantial variation in crosslinking performance due to the differences in the crosslinker chemical structure and type of polymer used. Zirconium lactate and propylene glycol crosslinker exhibited the greatest enhancement in shear and thermal stability with the polysaccharide‐based fracturing fluid. Remarkably, the same crosslinker performed the least with the polyacrylamide‐based fracturing fluid. However, Zirconium triethanolamine and lactate demonstrated considerable improvements in shear and thermal stability with the polyacrylamide‐based system. The work unravelled the influence of the zirconium crosslinker ligand type and ligand order on the rheological properties of both tested polymers. The performance evaluation showed that shear resistance, crosslinking delay, and thermal stability could be improved by utilizing the appropriate crosslinkers. The enhancements ultimately reduce additional additives required, prevent screenouts, and save cost during field treatments.
The presence of tumour‐infiltrating neutrophils is an independent adverse prognostic feature in clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Tessier‐Cloutier Basile , Twa David DW , Marzban Mahsa , Kalina Jennifer , Chun Hye‐Jung E , Pavey Nils , Tanweer Zaidi , Katz Ruth L , Lum Julian J , Salina Davide
Published: March 2021

Tumour‐promoting inflammation is an emerging hallmark of cancer that is increasingly recognised as a therapeutic target. As a constituent measure of inflammation, tumour‐infiltrating neutrophils (TINs) have been associated with inferior prognosis in several cancers. We analysed clinically annotated cohorts of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) to assess the presence of neutrophils within the tumour microenvironment as a function of outcome. We centrally reviewed ccRCC surgical resection and fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) specimens, including primary and metastatic sites, from three centres. TINs were scored based on the presence of neutrophils in resection and FNA specimens by two pathologists. TIN count was correlated with tumour characteristics including stage, WHO/ISUP grade, and immunohistochemistry (IHC). In parallel, we performed CIBERSORT analysis of the tumour microenvironment in a cohort of 516 ccRCCs from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). We included 102 ccRCC cases comprising 65 resection specimens (37 primary and 28 metastatic resection specimens) and 37 FNAs from primary lesions. High TINs were significantly associated with worse overall survival (p = 0.009) independent of tumour grade and stage. In ccRCCs sampled via FNA, all cases with high TINs had distant metastasis, whereas they were seen in only 19% of cases with low TINs (p = 0.0003). IHC analysis showed loss of E‐cadherin in viable tumour cells in areas with high TINs, and neutrophil activation was associated with elastase and citrullinated histone H3 expression (cit‐H3). In the TCGA cohort, neutrophilic markers were also associated with worse survival (p < 0.0001). TINs are an independent predictor of worse prognosis in ccRCC, which have the potential to be assessed at the time of first biopsy or FNA. Neutrophils act directly on tumour tissue by releasing elastase, a factor that contributes to the breakdown of cell–cell adhesion and to facilitate tumour dissemination.
Colors in the French National Archives
Authors: Raimondo Alexia
Published: March 2021

The presentation of the F/12 collection of textiles, kept at the Archives nationales, provides an opportunity to make known a unique color collection. The Archives nationales preserves the memory of the French central administration in the 18th century through the history of the action taken by the State concerning the color of textiles through the control of their production, and the encouragement of innovation. The textile samples belong to different provinces of the kingdom, and illustrate dyeing trials and dyeing experiments from over two centuries.
Clinical Design and Analysis Strategies for the Development of Gene Therapies: Considerations for Quantitative Drug Development in the Age of Genetic Medicine
Authors: McIntosh Avery , Sverdlov Oleksandr , Yu Li , Kaufmann Petra
Published: March 2021

Cell and gene therapies have shown enormous promise across a range of diseases in recent years. Numerous adoptive cell therapy modalities as well as systemic and direct‐to‐target tissue gene transfer administrations are currently in clinical development. The clinical trial design, development, reporting, and analysis of novel cell and gene therapies can differ significantly from established practices for small molecule drugs and biologics. Here, we discuss important quantitative considerations and key competencies for drug developers in preclinical requirements, trial design, and lifecycle planning for gene therapies. We argue that the unique development path of gene therapies requires practicing quantitative drug developers—statisticians, pharmacometricians, pharmacokineticists, epidemiologists, and medical and translational science leads—to exercise active collaboration and cross‐functional learning across development stages.
COVID‐19 and the Emerging Regulatory Guidance for Ongoing Clinical Trials in the European Union
Authors: de Jong Amos Jochanan , Santa‐Ana‐Tellez Yared , van Thiel Ghislaine José Madeleine Wilhelmien , Zuidgeest Mira Gerta Petra , Siiskonen Satu Johanna , Mistry Dinesh , de Boer Anthonius , Gardarsdottir Helga ,   the Trials@Home Consortium
Published: March 2021

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic and the accompanying control measures have significantly affected clinical trial (CT) conduct, and sponsors have needed to make rapid changes to their CT operations. As a result, regulatory guidance was pivotal during the initial phases of the pandemic. This study aimed to evaluate the regulatory readiness and guidance related to COVID‐19 in the European Union (EU). The European Medicines Agency (EMA) and national competent authorities’ (NCAs') websites were searched in September and October 2020 for guidances on the management of CTs during the pandemic published from January 2020 onward. “Regulatory readiness” was defined as the number of days from the first European COVID‐19 case (January 24, 2020) to the first published guidance by the respective NCA. “Regulatory guidance” was evaluated by coding the guidances for the following predefined operational trial activities important for ongoing CTs: obtaining informed consent, participant information, clinic visits, home health visits, telemedicine visits, self‐monitoring, investigational medicinal product (IMP) supply, IMP adherence monitoring, CT monitoring, documentation management, regulatory management, and safety management. Twenty‐four of the 27 EU NCAs published country‐specific guidance. The time from the first European COVID‐19 case to the first published EMA guidance was 56 days and ranged from 47 to 66 days for the first national guidances. Guidance was provided most frequently for regulatory management (24/24), safety management (23/24), documentation management (22/24), and CT monitoring (22/24). The regulatory guidance provided during the pandemic, ensuring participant safety and data integrity, may now be the starting point to innovate future CT conduct.
Synthesis of benzimidazole based hydrazones as non‐sugar based α‐glucosidase inhibitors: Structure activity relation and molecular docking
Authors: Ahmad Muhammad Umair , Rafiq Muhammad , Zahra Bakhtawar , Islam Muhamamd , Ashraf Muhammad , al‐Rashida Mariya , Khan Ajmal , Hussain Javid , Shafiq Zahid , Al‐Harrasi Ahmed
Published: March 2021

In search for α‐glucosidase inhibitors used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, a series of unique benzimidazole based hydrazones derivatives were synthesized (5a‐5p), which were then investigated for their in vitro α‐glucosidase inhibitory potential. The compounds of interest were characterized by modern spectroscopic approaches including CHN, 1HNM R, 13CN MR and FTIR. The structure of compound 5n was distinctively authenticated through single crystal X‐ray study. All compounds depicted potent enzyme inhibitory potential with IC50 values in the range of 2.25 ± 0.01 to 81.16 ± 0.12 μM except 5n that showed IC50 value of 182.75 ± 0.13 μM. A limited structure–activity correlation demonstrated that substitutions of isatin, aldehydes and ketone in hydrazones moiety had remarkable contribution in the overall activity and that was further supported by molecular docking studies carried out in elucidating the mechanism of binding interaction of these compounds in the catalytic site of α‐glucosidase.
Integrating omics to characterize eco‐physiological adaptations: How moose diet and metabolism differ across biogeographic zones
Authors: Fohringer Christian , Dudka Ilona , Spitzer Robert , Stenbacka Fredrik , Rzhepishevska Olena , Cromsigt Joris P. G. M. , Gröbner Gerhard , Ericsson Göran , Singh Navinder J.
Published: March 2021

With accelerated land conversion and global heating at northern latitudes, it becomes crucial to understand, how life histories of animals in extreme environments adapt to these changes. Animals may either adapt by adjusting foraging behavior or through physiological responses, including adjusting their energy metabolism or both. Until now, it has been difficult to study such adaptations in free‐ranging animals due to methodological constraints that prevent extensive spatiotemporal coverage of ecological and physiological data.

Through a novel approach of combining DNA‐metabarcoding and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)‐based metabolomics, we aim to elucidate the links between diets and metabolism in Scandinavian moose Alces alces over three biogeographic zones using a unique dataset of 265 marked individuals.

Based on 17 diet items, we identified four different classes of diet types that match browse species availability in respective ecoregions in northern Sweden. Individuals in the boreal zone consumed predominantly pine and had the least diverse diets, while individuals with highest diet diversity occurred in the coastal areas. Males exhibited lower average diet diversity than females.

We identified several molecular markers indicating metabolic constraints linked to diet constraints in terms of food availability during winter. While animals consuming pine had higher lipid, phospocholine, and glycerophosphocholine concentrations in their serum than other diet types, birch‐ and willow/aspen‐rich diets exhibit elevated concentrations of several amino acids. The individuals with highest diet diversity had increased levels of ketone bodies, indicating extensive periods of starvation for these individuals.

Our results show how the adaptive capacity of moose at the eco‐physiological level varies over a large eco‐geographic scale and how it responds to land use pressures. In light of extensive ongoing climate and land use changes, these findings pave the way for future scenario building for animal adaptive capacity.
Mechanistic studies of droplet electrophoresis: A review
Authors: Rashidi Mansoureh , Zargartalebi Mohammad , Benneker Anne M.
Published: March 2021

Electrophoresis (EP) of droplets is an intriguing phenomenon that has applications in biological systems, separation strategies, and reactor engineering. Droplet EP is significantly different from the classic particle EP because of droplet characteristics such as a mobile surface charge and the nonrigidity of the interface. Also, the liquid–liquid system, where there is an interplay between the hydrodynamic and electrokinetic forces in both phases, adds to the complexity of electrophoretic motion. Due to the vast amount of potential applications of droplet EP, a mechanistic understanding of the droplet motion in the presence of an external electric field is crucial. This review provides a background on the mechanism of droplet EP and summarizes the intrinsic interplay between the different relevant forces in these systems. The review also describes the key differences between droplet EP and particle EP, and the impact of these differences on droplet mobility. Additionally, we schematically summarize the effects of key parameters on droplet EP mobility, such as electric double layer polarization, the development of internal flow inside a droplet and boundary effects.
Early Triassic microconchids from the Perth Basin, Western Australia: Palaeoecology and flourishing in the aftermath of theend‐Permianmass extinction
Authors: Yang Hao , Chen Zhong‐Qiang , Mei Xi , Sun Yadong
Published: March 2021

Microconchids are small spiral worm tubes convergent with spirorbin polychaetes, and they are not a well‐known fossil group in terms of taxonomy and spatiotemporal distributions. Here, we report for the first time microconchid speciesMicroconchuscf.utahensisfrom the Lower Triassic borehole sections in the Perth Basin, Western Australia, which were situated in the interior sea of inland Gondwana during the Permian–Triassic (P–Tr) transition. The newly found microconchids encrust bivalveClaraiashells, which occur in the forms of shell beds in core samples of boreholes in the Perth Basin. These microconchids, together withClaraiaspp., form a high‐abundance, low‐diversity assemblage, which lived in a shallow, restricted interior sea, with euxinic to anoxic redox conditions. These tiny encrusting organisms flourished in the oxygen‐poor habitats, where other benthos was very rare. They represent disaster forms in the aftermath of the P–Tr mass extinction. Global dataset of the Triassic microconchids shows that this clade inhabited a wide range of environments from continental basins, nearshore, restricted shallow sea, restricted inner platform, open platform, to shelf and basin, all of which were oxygen‐limited settings in that time. Geographically, microconchids were widespread in the low‐latitude regions (i.e., South China of eastern Palaeo‐Tethys, western Palaeo‐Tethys, Neo‐Tethys, western coasts, and atolls of the Panthalassic Ocean) and to northern and southern moderate‐high latitude regions (i.e., Greenland of Boreal seas and Perth Basin of inland Gondwana, respectively) during the Early Triassic. The spatiotemporal distributions of microconchids suggest the flourishing of disaster organisms following the P–Tr extinction. Both small body size and high tolerance to environmental stresses promoted microconchids to succeed in the Triassic.
Changing the Scripts: How Non‐Binary and Transgender Writers Rely on Dominant Discourses in the Production of Coming‐Out Stories
Authors: Iafrate Amy
Published: March 2021

In this article, I analyze gay, lesbian and transgender authors’ use of the prevailing model of the “coming‐out story” and its problematic implications. I begin by arguing that coming‐out stories in gay and lesbian autobiographies have been restrained by their relationship to hegemonic heterosexual discourse, which has led to the oversimplification and structural limitation of coming‐out narratives so as to adjust them to straight society's expectations. I show how the coming‐out‐story paradigm (which always includes a protagonist's inner knowledge of their true sexual identity from a young age and their adherence to this truth throughout processual recounting of life experiences) hinders gay and lesbian writers’ attempts to identify their sexualities publicly while also providing almost no space for trans narratives. The result is a plethora of ubiquitous, “homonormative” (Cohler 2007) gay and lesbian narratives, contrived Trans stories forced into the gay and lesbian model which makes Trans sexualities invisible (instead of developing out of their own community and identities; Lal Zimman 2009; Vasvari 2006), and the rejection of all narratives which do not follow that problematic autobiographical formula. Thus, I propose that the naturalized structure of the coming‐out story is both unforgiving to the author and the only formula that is culturally accepted at this moment in time. The terms of autobiographical writing, the influence of hegemonic discourse, and lack of new cultural scripts have produced a story‐telling framework that limits both non‐binary and transgender authors in producing an honest discourse around their identity.
Iron accumulation in skeletal muscles of old mice is associated with impaired regeneration after ischaemia–reperfusion damage
Authors: Alves Francesca M. , Kysenius Kai , Caldow Marissa K. , Hardee Justin P. , Crouch Peter J. , Ayton Scott , Bush Ashley I. , Lynch Gordon S. , Koopman René
Published: March 2021

Background

Oxidative stress is implicated in the insidious loss of muscle mass and strength that occurs with age. However, few studies have investigated the role of iron, which is elevated during ageing, in age‐related muscle wasting and blunted repair after injury. We hypothesized that iron accumulation leads to membrane lipid peroxidation, muscle wasting, increased susceptibility to injury, and impaired muscle regeneration.

Methods

To examine the role of iron in age‐related muscle atrophy, we compared the skeletal muscles of 3‐month‐old with 22‐ to 24‐month‐old 129SvEv FVBM mice. We assessed iron distribution and total elemental iron using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and Perls' stain on skeletal muscle cross‐sections. In addition, old mice underwent ischaemia–reperfusion (IR) injury (90 min ischaemia), and muscle regeneration was assessed 14 days after injury. Immunoblotting was used to determine lipid peroxidation (4HNE) and iron‐related proteins. To determine whether muscle iron content can be altered, old mice were treated with deferiprone (DFP) in the drinking water, and we assessed its effects on muscle regeneration after injury.

Results

We observed a significant increase in total elemental iron (+43%, P < 0.05) and lipid peroxidation (4HNE: +76%, P < 0.05) in tibialis anterior muscles of old mice. Iron was further increased after injury (adult: +81%, old: +135%, P < 0.05) and associated with increased lipid peroxidation (+41%, P < 0.05). Administration of DFP did not impact iron or measures of lipid peroxidation in skeletal muscle or modulate muscle mass. Increased muscle iron concentration and lipid peroxidation were associated with less efficient regeneration, evident from the smaller fibres in cross‐sections of tibialis anterior muscles (−24%, P < 0.05) and an increased percentage of fibres with centralized nuclei (+4124%, P < 0.05) in muscles of old compared with adult mice. Administration of DFP lowered iron after IR injury (PRE: −32%, P < 0.05 and POST: −41%, P < 0.05), but did not translate to structural improvements.

Conclusions

Muscles from old mice have increased iron levels, which are associated with increased lipid peroxidation, increased susceptibility to IR injury, and impaired muscle regeneration. Our results suggest that iron is involved in effective muscle regeneration, highlighting the importance of iron homeostasis in muscle atrophy and muscle repair.
Evaluation of an interprofessional education program in pediatric dentistry, medicine, and nursing
Authors: Ramos‐Gomez Francisco , Kinsler Janni J. , Askaryar Hamida , Verzemnieks Inese , Garell Cambria
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to assess whether the Strategic Partnership for Interprofessional Collaborative Education in the Pediatric Dentistry (SPICE‐PD) program at the UCLA School of Dentistry positively affected interprofessional experiences and practice patterns of pediatric and general dentistry residents, pediatric medical residents, and pediatric nurse practitioner students (PNPs).

Methods

Data collection included a year‐end online survey given to participants in the interprofessional program upon graduation from their UCLA dental/medical/nursing programs. Of the 318 participants who were recruited into SPICE‐PD, 208 (65%; 208/318) completed the survey. Chi‐square tests were used to assess differences in key outcome variables by dental/medical specialty.

Results

Most dental, medical, and nursing participants thought SPICE‐PD helped them learn to work more effectively with interprofessional colleagues and reported knowing more about the abilities and contributions of other health professionals as a result of the program. While most pediatric medical residents and PNPs thought SPICE‐PD improved their skills to screen for early childhood caries (N = 91% and N = 100%), PNPs were more likely than pediatric medical residents to report SPICE‐PD improved their skills to apply fluoride varnish (98% versus 72%; p < 0.001). Almost all pediatric medical residents and PNPs thought primary care providers should incorporate oral health into routine patient care and provide referrals to dental professionals when necessary.

Conclusion

Increased interprofessional education and coordination of care through programs such as SPICE‐PD can help bridge the gap between dental and medical care and lead to improved oral health outcomes and more comprehensive and preventive patient care.
Rapid diagnostic testing for SARS‐CoV‐2: Validation and comparison of three point‐of‐care antibody tests
Authors: Strand Rasmus , Thelaus Louise , Fernström Nils , Sunnerhagen Torgny , Lindroth Ylva , Linder Adam , Rasmussen Magnus
Published: March 2021

With the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), a need for diagnostic tests has surfaced. Point‐of‐care (POC) antibody tests can detect immunoglobulin (Ig) G and M against SARS‐CoV‐2 in serum, plasma, or whole blood and give results within 15 min. Validation of the performance of such tests is needed if they are to be used in clinical practice. In this study, we evaluated three POC antibody tests. Convalescent serum samples from 47 reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) verified patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) collected at least 28 days post RT‐PCR diagnosis as well as 50 negative pre‐COVID‐19 controls were tested. The three tests (denoted the J‐, N‐, and Z‐tests) displayed the sensitivities of 87%, 96%, and 85%, respectively, for the detection of IgG. All tests had the same specificity for IgG (98%). The tests did not differ significantly for the detection of IgG. The sensitivities for IgM were lower (15%, 67%, and 70%) and the specificities were 90%, 98%, and 90%, respectively. The positive and negative predictive values were similar among the tests. Our results indicate that these POC antibody tests might be accurate enough to use in routine clinical practice.
Creative Thinking Counseling Teaching Program can Improve the Creativity, Creative Tendency, and Self‐Concept of Grade 7 Students: A Quasi‐Experimental Study
Authors: Huang Shih‐Yuan , Ko Pei‐Jung , Lin Hsiao‐Hui , Dai Ru‐Huei , Chen Hsueh‐Chih
Published: March 2021

We developed a Creative Thinking Counseling Teaching Program (CTCTP) for Grade 7 students using the self‐concept of the counseling curriculum as the primary development axis and investigated how this program influences creativity, creative tendency, and self‐concept. We adopted a non‐equivalent control group pre‐test–post‐test quasi‐experimental design. Of 133 participants, the experimental group (67 students) received an eight‐week CTCTP, involving a 45‐minute class per week; the control group (66 students) participated in general counseling. Research instruments included the NTCT‐Figural Exercises (NTCT‐Figural), The Williams Assessment of Creative Tendency (WACT), and Elementary School Student Self‐Concept Scale (SCS). Personal reflection learning sheets, learning achievement assessment, and course feedback forms were used to qualitatively analyze the learning effectiveness and feasibility of the teaching program. Results showed that the experimental group had significantly higher scores than the control group for creativity, creative tendency, and self‐concept. Further mediation analysis showed that the effects of the teaching experiment were not the result of mutual mediation effects. Students’ feedback on the CTCTP learning process suggested that it had a positive effect on the development of students’ creativity, creative tendency, and self‐concept, while also meeting their learning needs. We propose recommendations for application in teaching practice and future research.
Hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide‐modified 4‐mercaptopyridinde mixture for enhancement of corrosion resistance: Experimental and molecular dynamics simulation study
Authors: Han Peng , Wang Xiuzhi , Xu Chenyang , Liu Ruiping , Fan Lei , Song Liying , Zhang Junqing , Zhang Lei
Published: March 2021

The synergistic effect between 4‐mercaptopyridine (4MP) and hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (C16TAB) was studied using electrochemical method combined with weight loss measurements. The spontaneous adsorption of the inhibitor follows Langmuir isotherm. They work as mix‐type inhibitor with predominant control of the cathodic process. The inhibition efficiency of the inhibitor mixture (C16TAB–MP) is higher than those of the individual component and increases with increasing of the inhibitor concentration. 4MP molecule adsorb on metal chemically through N and S atom, whereas C16TAB molecule through physisorption of N atom, after they coadsorbed on the iron surface, both of them adsorb through chemisorption. The distance between N‐Fe and S‐Fe in C16TAB–MP is shorter than that in the 4MP or C16TAB containing system. C16TAB and 4MP show good synergistic effect.
Oxidation with a “Stopover” – Stable Zwitterions as Intermediates in the Oxidation of α‐Tocopherol (Vitamin E) Model Compounds to their Corresponding ortho‐Quinone Methides
Authors: Böhmdorfer Stefan , Rosenau Thomas
Published: March 2021

As a prominent member of the vitamin E group, α‐tocopherol is an important lipophilic antioxidant. It has a special oxidation chemistry that involves phenoxyl radicals, quinones and quinone methides. During the oxidation to the ortho‐quinone methide, an intermediary zwitterion is formed. This aromatic intermediate turns into the quinone methide by simply rotating the initially oxidized, exocyclic methyl group into the molecule's plane. This initial zwitterionic intermediate and the quinone methide are not resonance structures but individual species, whose distinct electronic structures are separated by a mere 90° bond rotation. In this work, we hindered this crucial rotation, by substituting the affected methyl group with alkyl or phenyl groups. The alkyl groups slowed down the conversion to the quinone methide by 18‐times, while the phenyl substituents, which additionally stabilize the zwitterion electronically, completely halted the conversion to the quinone methide at −78 °C, allowing for the first time the direct observation of a tocopherol‐derived zwitterion. Employing a 13C‐labeled model, the individual steps of the oxidation sequence could be observed directly by NMR, and the activation energy for the rotation could be estimated to be approximately 2.8 kcal/mol. Reaction rates were solvent dependent, with polar solvents exerting a stabilizing effect on the zwitterion.

The observed effects confirmed the central relevance of the rotation step in the change from the aromatic to the quinoid state and allowed a more detailed examination of the oxidation behavior of tocopherol. The concept that a simple bond rotation can be used to switch between an aromatic and an anti‐aromatic structure could find its use in molecular switches or molecular engines, driven by the specific absorption of external energy.
Synthesis and characterization of poly(urethane)/silver composites via in situ polymerization
Authors: Yağmur Hatice Karaer , Kaya İsmet
Published: March 2021

In this study, poly(urethane)/silver (PU/Ag) composites were synthesized in dimethylformamide (DMF) with no essential extra reducing agents. The reaction medium DMF is acting as both a diluent and reducing agent for silver particles. Composites (PU/Ag) were synthesized by in situ polymerization in the existence of different amounts of silver nitrate. The formation of PU/Ag composites was approved by ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectrometer, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analyses, scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X‐ray (SEM–EDX) analyses, thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis (TGA‐DTA), and differential scanning calorimetry. The conductivity measurements of PU and composites were done with the four‐point probe technique using a Keithley 2400 electrometer. The conductivity values of the undoped PU, PU5, PU10, and PU20 were about 1.18 × 10−7, 2.2 × 10−6, 2.3 × 10−7, and 1.25 × 10−7 S cm−1, respectively. The presence of silver particles was approved by UV–vis spectroscopy, EDX, and XRD. The formation of silver particles was determined by UV–Vis absorption spectra of the polymer matrix. According to TGA, it was observed that composites have higher thermal stability than polyurethane.
Recruiting and retaining school psychologists: The experiences of district level administrative supervisors
Authors: Young Ellie L. , Butler Rachel , Smith Timothy B. , Hilton Sterling C. , Smith Alivia
Published: March 2021

A shortage of school psychologists has been evident since the profession was initially recognized as a distinct field, and there is insufficient research on what current administrative supervisors are doing to address this problem. This qualitative study examined the perceptions of district level administrative supervisors regarding recruitment and retention of school psychologists. Participants reported the following: (a) school psychology graduate programs do not producing enough school psychologists, (b) administrators are challenged to find enough school psychologists to hire, (c) neighboring school districts compete to hire candidates, and (d) administrators recruit and retain in a worker's market that favors the school psychologist. These administrative supervisors also communicated a sense that they had little influence over the shortage. Actions within the administrators' control included developing close relationships with graduate programs for successful recruiting, creating appealing workloads that matched salaries, being responsive to the needs of their current school psychologists, and offering job flexibility.
An evaluation of the impact of aggressive diabetes and hypertension management on chronic kidney diseases at the population level: a simulation analysis
Authors: Ansah John Pastor , Wei Shawn Tan Yi , Min Tessa Lui Shi
Published: March 2021

Associated with undesirable clinical outcomes including cardiovascular events, kidney failure, and poor quality of life, Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is an emerging noncommunicable disease globally. Treatment costs and CKD complications result in an enormous burden on the healthcare system. Randomized control trials suggest that CKD outcomes can improve if individuals with diabetes and hypertension are adequately managed, raising what‐if questions at the population level. This research aims to explore the impact of aggressive diabetes and hypertension management on CKD outcomes. Based on data from randomized control trials, the Singapore Renal Registry, and the literature, a system dynamics simulation model was developed. Results suggest that the key to reducing the burden of CKD at the population level is identifying and aggressively managing individuals with prehypertension and hypertension to reduce risk of developing CKD events. Combined interventions focusing on aggressive diabetes and hypertension management have the biggest impact on CKD outcomes. © 2021 System Dynamics Society
Design, Synthesis and Antidiabetic Activity of Biphenylcarbonitrile‐Thiazolidinedione Conjugates as Potential α‐Amylase Inhibitors
Authors: Rathod Chirag H. , Nariya Pankajkumar B. , Maliwal Deepika , Pissurlenkar Raghuvir R. S. , Kapuriya Naval P. , Patel Anilkumar S.
Published: March 2021

The α‐amylase inhibition has been considered as an effective therapeutic approach against chronic Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (DM). In the present study, a series of biphenylcarbonitrile‐thiazolidinedione conjugates have been synthesized and evaluated for their antidiabetic activity via α‐amylase inhibition. It was found that most of the conjugates (14 a–j) exhibited significant α‐amylase inhibition activity compared to the standard drug Acarbose. Off these, compound 14 b, 14 c and 14 d were most potent with IC50 value 0.13 μM, 0.15 μM and 0.13 μM respectively. To ascertain ligand‐receptor interactions, the in silico molecular docking studies of these conjugates (14 a–j) have been carried out into the Acarbose active site of barley (malt) α‐amylase enzyme. The results have shown fair corroboration between significant α‐amylase inhibition activity of 14 b, 14 c and 14 d and their docking scores compared to the standard drug Acarbose. This study demonstrated that biphenylcarbonitrile‐thiazolidinedione conjugate could be a plausible pharmacophore for targeting α‐amylase for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes mellitus.