bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Green Synthesis, Antibacterial, and Antifungal Activities of 1,3,4‐Oxadiazines
Authors: Eissa Fayez M.
Published: May 2018

1,3,4‐Oxadiazine derivatives were prepared via green and more sustainable procedure employing Grinding Chemistry. The green context of the procedure was evaluated by comparing its components with that of the conventional one. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of all the synthesized compounds were evaluated against some bacterial and fungal strains and showed promising results. The structures of the resulted compounds were identified and confirmed by elemental analysis and mass, 1H‐NMR, and 13C‐NMR spectroscopies.
Natural killer cell immunotherapy against multiple myeloma: Progress and possibilities
Authors: Liu Pan , Jin Yanxia , Sattar Haseeb , Liu Hailing , Xie Weiling , Zhou Fuling
Published: May 2018

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a complex aggressive mature B-cell malignancy. Although with the wide application of chemotherapy drugs, it remains incurable and the vast majority of patients relapse. Natural killer (NK) cells, also known as CD56+CD3− large granular lymphocytes, are cytotoxic innate immune cells against MM without prior sensitization steps. NK cell-based immunotherapy is extensively promising in a wide range of clinical settings. It is worthy of note that some novel drugs such as monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), proteasome inhibitors (PIs), and immunomodulators (IMiDs) directly or indirectly activate NK cells to enhance their antitumor activity, and the combined regimens significantly improve the prognosis of MM patients. In this review, we summarize recent findings that support a role for NK cells in the pathogenesis of MM and outline innovative approaches in the implementation of NK cell-based immunotherapy against MM.
Frontline Science: Pathological conditioning of human neutrophils recruited to the airway milieu in cystic fibrosis
Authors: Forrest Osric A , Ingersoll Sarah A , Preininger Marcela K , Laval Julie , Limoli Dominique H , Brown Milton R , Lee Frances E , Bedi Brahmchetna , Sadikot Ruxana T , Goldberg Joanna B , Tangpricha Vin , Gaggar Amit , Tirouvanziam Rabindra
Published: May 2018

Recruitment of neutrophils to the airways, and their pathological conditioning therein, drive tissue damage and coincide with the loss of lung function in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). So far, these key processes have not been adequately recapitulated in models, hampering drug development. Here, we hypothesized that the migration of naïve blood neutrophils into CF airway fluid in vitro would induce similar functional adaptation to that observed in vivo, and provide a model to identify new therapies. We used multiple platforms (flow cytometry, bacteria-killing, and metabolic assays) to characterize functional properties of blood neutrophils recruited in a transepithelial migration model using airway milieu from CF subjects as an apical chemoattractant. Similarly to neutrophils recruited to CF airways in vivo, neutrophils migrated into CF airway milieu in vitro display depressed phagocytic receptor expression and bacterial killing, but enhanced granule release, immunoregulatory function (arginase-1 activation), and metabolic activities, including high Glut1 expression, glycolysis, and oxidant production. We also identify enhanced pinocytic activity as a novel feature of these cells. In vitro treatment with the leukotriene pathway inhibitor acebilustat reduces the number of transmigrating neutrophils, while the metabolic modulator metformin decreases metabolism and oxidant production, but fails to restore bacterial killing. Interestingly, we describe similar pathological conditioning of neutrophils in other inflammatory airway diseases. We successfully tested the hypothesis that recruitment of neutrophils into airway milieu from patients with CF in vitro induces similar pathological conditioning to that observed in vivo, opening new avenues for targeted therapeutic intervention.

Active degranulation and metabolic licensing of neutrophils recruited to cystic fibrosis airways can be recapitulated and modulated by drugs in vitro.
A review of approaches to 18F radiolabelling affinity peptides and proteins
Authors: Morris O. , Fairclough M. , Grigg J. , Prenant C. , McMahon A.
Published: May 2018

Affinity peptide and protein‐ (APP) based radiotracers are an increasingly popular class of radiotracer in positron emission tomography (PET), which was once dominated by the use of small molecule radiotracers. Radiolabelled monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are important examples of APPs, yet a preference for smaller APPs, which exhibit fast pharmacokinetics and permit rapid PET aided diagnosis, has become apparent. 18F exhibits favourable physical characteristics for APP radiolabelling and has been described as an ideal PET radionuclide. Notwithstanding, 18F radiolabelling of APP is challenging, and this is echoed in the literature where a number of diverse approaches have been adopted. This review seeks to assess and compare the approaches taken to 18F APP radiolabelling with the intention of highlighting trends within this expanding field. Generic themes have emerged in the literature, namely the use of mild radiolabelling conditions, a preference of site‐specific methodologies with an impetus for short, automated procedures which produce high‐yielding [18F]APPs.
Phase contrast MRI measurements of net cerebrospinal fluid flow through the cerebral aqueduct are confounded by respiration
Authors: Spijkerman Jolanda M. , Geurts Lennart J. , Siero Jeroen C.W. , Hendrikse Jeroen , Luijten Peter R. , Zwanenburg Jaco J.M.
Published: May 2018

Background

Net cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow through the cerebral aqueduct may serve as a marker of CSF production in the lateral ventricles, and changes that occur with aging and in disease.

Purpose

To investigate the confounding influence of the respiratory cycle on net CSF flow and stroke volume measurements.

Study Type

Cross‐sectional study.

Subjects

Twelve young, healthy subjects (seven male, age range 19–39 years, average age 28.3 years).

Field Strength/Sequence

Phase contrast MRI (PC‐MRI) measurements were performed at 7T, with and without respiratory gating on expiration and on inspiration. All measurements were repeated.

Assessment

Net CSF flow and stroke volume in the aqueduct, over the cardiac cycle, was determined.

Statistical Tests

Repeatability was determined using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and linear regression analysis between the repeated measurements. Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to compare the measurements during inspiration/expiration/no gating. Linear regression analysis was performed between the net CSF flow difference (inspiration minus expiration) and stroke volume.

Results

Net CSF flow (average ± standard deviation) was 0.64 ± 0.32 mL/min (caudal) during expiration, 0.12 ± 0.49 mL/min (cranial) during inspiration, and 0.31 ± 0.18 mL/min (caudal) without respiratory gating. Respiratory gating did not affect stroke volume measurements (41 ± 18, 42 ± 19, 42 ± 19 μL/cycle for expiration, no respiratory gating and inspiration, respectively). Repeatability was best during inspiration (ICC = 0.88/0.56/–0.31 for gating on inspiration/expiration/no gating). A positive association was found between average stroke volume and net flow difference between inspiration and expiration (R = 0.678/0.605, P = 0.015/0.037 for the first/second repeated measurement).

Data Conclusion

Measured net CSF flow is confounded by respiration effects. Therefore, net CSF flow measurements with PC‐MRI cannot in isolation be directly linked to CSF production.

Level of Evidence: 1

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:433–444.
Study of promoter hypomethylation profiles of RAS oncogenes in hepatocellular carcinoma derived from hepatitis C virus genotype 3a in Pakistani population
Authors: Maryam Maria , Idrees Muhammad
Published: May 2018

Epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation contribute to progression of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection to life‐threatening hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by promoting the silencing of tumor suppressor genes through DNA hypermethylation and by causing genomic instability through global hypomethylation. However few studies have addressed the promoter region hypomethylation status of the oncogenes involved in HCV derived HCC. In this study, we analyzed the promoter region methylation pattern of RAS oncogenes (HRAS, KRAS, and NRAS) using methylation‐specific PCR for 50 chronic HCV patients infected with genotype 3a (27 HCC patients and 23 control non‐HCC patients). Methylation‐specific polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that the NRAS oncogene promoter (P = .0025) was significantly hypomethylated in HCC patients compared to the non‐HCC patients suggesting its contribution to the progression of HCV towards HCC. To identify the agent for alteration in the RAS oncogene expression, 7 HCV genes were expressed in the Huh‐7 cell line followed by measurement of the NRAS expression level in Huh‐7 by a quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. An increase in the messenger RNA level of the NRAS gene was detected when Huh‐7 were transfected with Core, NS5a, and NS2 genes. Our findings suggest the involvement of NRAS oncogene in the pathogenesis of HCV3a derived HCC in Pakistani population and also identifies the HCV genes responsible for its enhanced expression. Our study raises the hypothesis that a single HCV gene may increase the chances of malignancy. Therefore, our study may have identified a useful epigenetic biomarker of HCC progression in HCV patients and may help to develop novel diagnostic tools.
Gonadal hormones modulate the HPA‐axis and the SNS in response to psychosocial stress
Authors: Barel Efrat , Abu‐Shkara Randa , Colodner Raul , Masalha Refaat , Mahagna Lila , Zemel Or Chen , Cohen Ami
Published: May 2018

Exposure to stress activates both the hypothalamus‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). A growing body of research points to the contribution of sex hormones (testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone), the end products of the hypothalamus‐pituitary‐gonadal (HPG) axis, in modulating stress reactivity. The present study aimed at investigating the potential modulating role of sex hormones on HPA and SNS reactivity to psychosocial stress. The reactivity, induced by the Trier Social Stress Test, was analyzed by measuring the levels of cortisol and alpha‐amylase (markers for SNS activity) in four saliva samples each of 21 men and 37 women (17 not using oral contraceptives and in their luteal phase, and 20 women using oral contraceptives). In addition, basal sex hormones were sampled prior to the psychosocial stress exposure. Results revealed that controlling for testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone diminished the impact of stress on cortisol reactivity and on alpha‐amylase reactivity. Moreover, controlling for sex hormones also diminished the differential pattern of cortisol reactivity in each experimental group among responders. Furthermore, correlation analyses revealed differences between groups in the association between sex hormones and alpha‐amylase. The present findings indicate a modulatory role for sex hormones in HPA and SNS reactivity and emphasize the need for control of sex hormone fluctuations when examining cortisol and alpha‐amylase reactivity to stress.
The long arm of email incivility: Transmitted stress to the partner and partner work withdrawal
Authors: Park YoungAh , Haun Verena C.
Published: May 2018

As email communication becomes increasingly pervasive in the workplace, incivility can be manifested through work email. Integrating conservation of resources theory with spillover–crossover frameworks, the authors propose and test a couple‐dyadic model regarding email incivility's effects on work withdrawal for employees and their domestic partners. Online survey data were collected from 167 dual‐earner couples at multiple time points. Results from actor–partner interdependence mediation and moderation modeling showed that when employees experience more frequent incivility via work email during a week, they withdraw from work the following week. Furthermore, employees transmit their stress to their domestic partner on the weekend, and, as a result, the partner also withdraws from work the next week. More important, employees' negative work reflection during the weekend exacerbates the effects of email incivility on stress transmission to their partner, whereas the partner's negative work reflection during the weekend aggravated the effects of transmitted stress on their work withdrawal. The study sheds light on the stress effects of email incivility that span work and family domains and affect both employees and their partners.
Correlating phosphorus extracted by simple soil extraction methods with foliar phosphorus concentrations of Picea abies (L.) H. Karst. and Fagus sylvatica (L.)
Authors: Manghabati Hadi , Kohlpaintner Michael , Ettl Rasmus , Mellert Karl , Blum Uwe , Göttlein Axel
Published: May 2018

Phosphorus (P) concentrations in needles and leaves of forest trees are declining in the last years in Europe. For a sustainable forest management the knowledge of site specific P nutrition/availability in forest soils is vital, but we are lacking verified simple methods for the estimation of plant available P. Within this study, four soil P extraction methods [water (
), double‐lactate (Plac), citric acid (Pcit), and sodium bicarbonate (
)], as well as total P content of the soil (Ptot) were tested to investigate which method is best correlated with foliar P concentrations of spruce [Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.] and beech [Fagus sylvatica (L.)]. Mineral soil samples from 5 depth levels of 48 forest sites of the Bavarian sample set of the second National Forest Soil Inventory (BZE II) were stratified according to tree species (spruce and beech) and soil pH (pH < 6.2 and > 6.2), covering the whole range of P nutrition. The extractable amount of P per mass unit of soil increased in the order
<< Plac <
< Pcit, decreased with soil depth, and was higher in soils with pH < 6.2. Citric acid extracted up to 10% of Ptot in acidic soils. Whereas Pcit delivers adequate regression models for P nutrition in the case of spruce (R2 up to 0.53) and beech (R2 up to 0.58) for acidic soils,
shows good results for spruce growing on acidic soils (R2 up to 0.66) and for beech on soils with pH > 6.2 (R2 up to 0.57). Plac produces adequate models only for beech on high pH soils (R2 up to 0.64), while
did not produce acceptable regression models. Ptot seems suitable to explain the P nutrition status of beech on acidic (R2 up to 0.62) and alkaline soils (R2 up to 0.61). Highest R2s are obtained mostly in soil depths down to 40 cm. As
and Pcit showed good results for both investigated tree species, they should be considered preferentially in future studies.
Cave clastic sediments as a tool for refining the study of human occupation of prehistoric sites: insights from the cave site of La Cala (Cilento, southern Italy)
Authors: Martini Ivan , Ronchitelli Annamaria , Arrighi Simona , Capecchi Giulia , Ricci Stefano , Scaramucci Sem , Spagnolo Vincenzo , Gambassini Paolo , Moroni Adriana
Published: May 2018

La Cala (southern Italy) is an important prehistoric cave site containing a clastic sedimentary infill recording evidence of an almost constant human occupation from the Mousterian to the Copper Age. However, a cultural gap (estimated to be approx. 10.5–6.2 ka) has been identified between the Evolved Gravettian and the Evolved Epigravettian. This study presents a sedimentological and allostratigraphic study of the cave clastic infill. The succession at La Cala can be subdivided into four allostratigraphic units (CC1–4 in stratigraphic order), each one bounded by major erosional surfaces. The most prominent erosional surface (UN1), which separates unit CC1 from CC2, has a channel‐like geometry and is directly overlaid by cross‐stratified sediments, suggesting deposition in an underground stream setting. This documents an important hydrological change in the cave drainage with the development of an important phase of sediment erosion. The erosional surface UN1 stratigraphically marks the cultural time‐gap revealed by the archaeological excavations, suggesting that this hiatus may be due to the erosion of sediments rather than to a lack in human occupation. This study confirms the importance of cave clastic sediments in archaeological cave sites as a helpful tool for refining the timeframe of human presence.
A knowledge management perspective of supplier development: Evidence from supply chain scholars and consultants
Authors: Chen Liang , Ellis Scott , Holsapple Clyde
Published: May 2018

As a critical supply chain management strategy and topic, supplier development has been intensively used in industries and actively studied in academia. A recent comprehensive review indicates an increasing interest in incorporating knowledge management in supply chain management, but supplier development has been rarely researched from the perspective of knowledge management. This study incorporates the knowledge chain theory to supplier development and investigates the importance of each knowledge management activity in supplier development. Using the survey data from a sample of active scholars and consultants who are committed to supplier development, this study supports the significant role of knowledge management in supplier development. Specifically, these scholars and consultants suggest that both buying and supplying firms should at least moderately conduct each knowledge management activity in supplier development in order to achieve desired outcomes. We also find that the roles of buying and supplying firms vary across 9 knowledge management activities. In addition, our respondents indicate that the definition of supplier development raised based on the the knowledge chain theory is at least moderately successful in all the evaluation criteria. Based on the quantitative and qualitative evidence from our respondents, this study revises the definition slightly to make it more comprehensive and clear. This study contributes to extant research by confirming the necessity of implementing knowledge management activities in supplier development, validating the heterogeneous roles of knowledge management activities in supplier development, and raising a revised definition of supplier development from the knowledge management perspective.
A Kirchhoff‐type equation involving critical exponent and sign‐changing weight functions in dimension four
Authors: Lou Qing‐Jun
Published: May 2018

In the paper, we study the existence and multiplicity of positive solutions for the following Kirchhoff equation involving concave‐convex nonlinearities:

urn:x-wiley:mma:media:mma5061:mma5061-math-0001
We obtain the existence and multiplicity of solutions of by variational methods and concentration compactness principle.
Rituximab in refractory myasthenia gravis: Extended prospective study results
Authors: Beecher Grayson , Anderson Dustin , Siddiqi Zaeem A.
Published: May 2018

Introduction: Rituximab appears to be beneficial in treatment‐refractory myasthenia gravis (MG); however, prospective, long‐term durability data are lacking. Methods: In this prospective, open‐label study of rituximab in refractory MG, 22 patients (10 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, 9 muscle‐specific tyrosine kinase, 3 seronegative) received rituximab at baseline, with repeat cycles driven by clinical worsening. Manual muscle testing (MMT) scores and CD19/CD20+ B‐cell counts were serially monitored. Results: At mean follow‐up of 28.8 ± 19.0 months (range, 6–66), mean MMT scores declined from 10.6 ± 5.4 to 3.3 ± 3.1 (P < 0.0001). Mean prednisone dosage declined from 25.2 ± 15.1 to 7.3 ± 7.1 mg/d (P = 0.002). Ten relapses occurred, with average time to first relapse of 17.1 ± 5.5 months (range, 9–23). CD19/CD20+ count recovery did not predict relapse. Three patients experienced prolonged B‐cell depletion (range, 24–45 months) after 1 cycle. Discussion: Sustained clinical improvement was associated with rituximab after 1 cycle, with prolonged time to relapse and reduction in steroid dosage. Muscle Nerve 58: 453–456, 2018
Longitudinal timed function tests in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: ImagingDMD cohort natural history
Authors: Arora Harneet , Willcocks Rebecca J. , Lott Donovan J. , Harrington Ann T. , Senesac Claudia R. , Zilke Kirsten L. , Daniels Michael J. , Xu Dandan , Tennekoon Gihan I. , Finanger Erika L. , Russman Barry S. , Finkel Richard S. , Triplett William T. , Byrne Barry J. , Walter Glenn A. , Sweeney H. Lee , Vandenborne Krista
Published: May 2018

Introduction: Tests of ambulatory function are common clinical trial endpoints in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Using these tests, the ImagingDMD study has generated a large data set that can describe the contemporary natural history of DMD in 5–12.9‐year‐olds. Methods: Ninety‐two corticosteroid‐treated boys with DMD and 45 controls participated in this longitudinal study. Participants performed the 6‐minute walk test (6MWT) and timed function tests (TFT: 10‐m walk/run, climbing 4 stairs, supine to stand). Results: Boys with DMD had impaired functional performance even at 5–6.9 years old. Boys older than 7 had significant declines in function over 1 year for 10‐m walk/run and 6MWT. Eighty percent of participants could perform all functional tests at 9 years old. TFTs appear to be slightly more responsive and predictive of disease progression than the 6MWT in 7–12.9 year olds. Discussion: This study provides insight into the contemporary natural history of key functional endpoints in DMD. Muscle Nerve 58: 631–638, 2018
Central and Eastern European business interest associations and EU policy making
Authors: Crombois Jean F.
Published: May 2018

The interactions between Central and Eastern European (CEE) business interest associations (BIAs) and their EU trade associations have not yet attracted much attention in academic research. This paper has two main objectives. The first is to assess quantitatively the participation level of CEE BIAs in EU trade associations. The second is to assess qualitatively the nature of the relationships between them by surveying Bulgarian BIAs as a case study. This article stresses the fact that EU enlargement has decreased the representativeness of EU trade associations due to the weak level of membership of CEE BIAs. It also highlights the importance of membership in EU trade associations in terms of both Europeanization and socialization, even though CEE national BIAs, such as Bulgarian ones, are still very much anchored in their domestic interactions and lobbying.
Testing physical function in children undergoing intense cancer treatment—a RESPECT feasibility study
Authors: Nielsen Martin K. F. , Christensen Jesper F. , Frandsen Thomas L. , Thorsteinsson Troels , Andersen Lars B. , Christensen Karl B. , Nersting Jacob , Faber Marianne , Schmiegelow Kjeld , Larsen Hanne B.
Published: May 2018

Background

The physical function of children with cancer is reduced during treatment, which can compromise the quality of life and increase the risk of chronic medical conditions. The study, “REhabilitation, including Social and Physical activity and Education in Children and Teenagers with cancer” (Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01772862) examines the efficacy of multimodal rehabilitation strategies introduced at cancer diagnosis. This article addresses the feasibility of and obstacles to testing physical function in children with cancer.

Methods

The intervention group comprised 46 males and 29 females aged 6–18 years (mean ± SD: 11.3 ± 3.1 years) diagnosed with cancer from January 2013 to April 2016. Testing at diagnosis and after 3 months included timed‐up‐and‐go, sit‐to‐stand, flamingo balance, handgrip strength, and the bicycle ergometer cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET).

Results

Of the 75 children, 92% completed a minimum of one test; two children declined testing and four were later included. Completion was low for CPET (38/150, 25%) but was high for handgrip strength (122/150, 81%). Tumor location, treatment‐related side effects, and proximity to chemotherapy administration were primary obstacles for testing physical function. Children with extracranial solid tumors and central nervous system tumors completed significantly fewer tests than those with leukemia and lymphoma. Children with leukemia demonstrated reduced lower extremity function, that is, 24% reduction at 3 months testing in timed‐up‐and‐go (P = 0.005) and sit‐to‐stand (P = 0.002), in contrast with no reductions observed in the other diagnostic groups.

Conclusion

Children with cancer are generally motivated to participate in physical function tests. Future studies should address diagnosis specific obstacles and design testing modalities that facilitate physical function tests in this target group.
Impact of stitching on permeability and mechanical properties of preforms manufactured by dry fiber placement
Authors: Rimmel Oliver , May David , Mitschang Peter
Published: May 2018

Dry fiber placement (DFP) is a technology that enables outstandingly high mechanical performance of composite parts, as preform structures with load‐related fiber orientations can be created with minimum of fiber crimp and undulation. Yet, the poor impregnation behavior of DFP preforms during liquid composite molding processing methods remains a main challenge. Encouraging an out‐of‐plane impregnation, for example, by using a vacuum assisted or compression resin transfer molding process, reduces the flow length within the preform and is a first step towards reducing cycle times. However, further improvements are required in order to apply DFP preforming methods in serial production. In a previous work, the influence of various process parameters as well as post‐treatment steps on out‐of‐plane permeability have been investigated with the conclusion, that tufting/stitching led to the highest increase in out‐of‐plane permeability (more than two decades). For further understanding, this study deals with the influence of a stitching step on the out‐of‐plane permeability of DFP preforms as well as the mechanical properties of the finished laminate depending on a variety of stitching parameters such as thread tension during stitching, denier of the used thread, stitch distance, seam distance, seam displacement, and treated DFP layup. It is shown that the biggest impact on out‐of‐plane permeability results from the achieved stitching density (as a product of stitch distance and seam distance) and denier while thread tension and seam displacement show negligible effects. For the mechanical properties, it can be stated that the presence of stitching channels in thickness directions leads to a minor decrease of tensile properties while bending properties are more significantly reduced by about 30%. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:1631–1642, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Real world management of pregestational diabetes not achieving glycemic control for many patients in the UK
Authors: Cea‐Soriano Lucia , García‐Rodríguez Luis A. , Brodovicz Kimberly G. , Masso‐Gonzalez Elvira , Bartels Dorothee B. , Hernández‐Díaz Sonia
Published: May 2018

Purpose

Our goal was to describe the management of pregestational diabetes in pregnant women in the United Kingdom.

Methods

We used electronic medical records from The Health Improvement Network database between January 1995 and June 2012 to identify the first pregnancy in women 15 to 45 years of age with pregestational diabetes type 1 or type 2. Information on lifestyle factors, demographic characteristics, prescription of specific antidiabetic medications, and glycemic control measures (HbA1c) was obtained from primary care provider records. We evaluated treatment patterns and HbA1c levels within 90 days before the last menstrual period (prepregnancy period) and within each trimester of pregnancy.

Results

In a cohort of 1511 pregnant women with pregestational diabetes, 60% had type 1 and 40% type 2 diabetes. Among women with type 1 diabetes, 90% received antidiabetic medication (primarily insulin) prepregnancy and 92% during the first trimester. Among women with type 2 diabetes, 54% received antidiabetic medication (primarily metformin) during the prepregnancy period and 60% during the first trimester. Among women with nontreated diabetes type 2 before pregnancy, 22% initiated treatment by the first trimester (primarily insulin); those on noninsulin antidiabetic medications often switched to insulin. The proportion of women with at least 1 HbA1c value recorded within the prepregnancy period was 33% for type 1 (n = 299) and 31% for type 2 diabetes (n = 189); the corresponding proportions within the first trimester were 48% and 40%, respectively. Among women with recorded HbA1c, the prevalence of HbA1c > 7% prepregnancy was 70% for type 1 and 52% for type 2 diabetes; the proportions within the first trimester were 73% and 46%, respectively.

Conclusions

Management of pregnant women with diabetes seems to follow recommendations for pharmacological treatment. However, there is substantial room for improvement in HbA1c control, that is, in the planning of pregnancy in women with diabetes, in the initiation of antidiabetic medication among women with diabetes type 2 who may need it, and likely in the compliance with treatments in women with type 2 and type 1 diabetes.
Antidepressant and antipsychotic medication errors reported to United States poison control centers
Authors: Kamboj Alisha , Spiller Henry A. , Casavant Marcel J. , Chounthirath Thitphalak , Hodges Nichole L. , Smith Gary A.
Published: May 2018

Purpose

To investigate unintentional therapeutic medication errors associated with antidepressant and antipsychotic medications in the United States and expand current knowledge on the types of errors commonly associated with these medications.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of non‐health care facility unintentional therapeutic errors associated with antidepressant and antipsychotic medications was conducted using data from the National Poison Data System.

Results

From 2000 to 2012, poison control centers received 207 670 calls reporting unintentional therapeutic errors associated with antidepressant or antipsychotic medications that occurred outside of a health care facility, averaging 15 975 errors annually. The rate of antidepressant‐related errors increased by 50.6% from 2000 to 2004, decreased by 6.5% from 2004 to 2006, and then increased 13.0% from 2006 to 2012. The rate of errors related to antipsychotic medications increased by 99.7% from 2000 to 2004 and then increased by 8.8% from 2004 to 2012. Overall, 70.1% of reported errors occurred among adults, and 59.3% were among females. The medications most frequently associated with errors were selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (30.3%), atypical antipsychotics (24.1%), and other types of antidepressants (21.5%). Most medication errors took place when an individual inadvertently took or was given a medication twice (41.0%), inadvertently took someone else's medication (15.6%), or took the wrong medication (15.6%).

Conclusions

This study provides a comprehensive overview of non‐health care facility unintentional therapeutic errors associated with antidepressant and antipsychotic medications. The frequency and rate of these errors increased significantly from 2000 to 2012. Given that use of these medications is increasing in the US, this study provides important information about the epidemiology of the associated medication errors.
The In Situ Synthesis of Fe(OH)3 Film on Fe Foam as Efficient Anode of Alkaline Supercapacitor Based on a Promising Fe3+/Fe0 Energy Storage Mechanism
Authors: Fan Yuqian , Wang Lumeng , Ma Zhipeng , Dai Wei , Shao Haibo , Wang Huijuan , Shao Guangjie
Published: May 2018

Herein, a simple in situ charge/discharge activation strategy is proposed to synthesize Fe(OH)3 film on Fe foam as an efficient anode of supercapacitors. The physical characteristics of electrodes are characterized and the electrochemical energy storage performances are investigated. Importantly, it is demonstrated the as‐synthesized Fe(OH)3@Fe foam electrode adopted a novel Fe3+/Fe0 redox reaction mechanism for energy storage in alkaline electrolytes. Compared with previously reported Fe3+/Fe2+ mechanisms, the Fe3+/Fe0 redox couple shows a more promising application value (e.g., higher theoretical‐specific capacitance, excellent conductivity of its reduction state). As for supercapacitor anodes, the electrode achieves high areal capacitance of 5.55–3.94 F cm−2 at a current range of 20–200 mA cm−2 and shows good stability for high‐rate and long‐term cycling. The assembled single supercapacitor device gives a high energy density of 11.64–7.43 Wh m−2 at a power density of 157–1461 W m−2. More importantly, the as‐adopted in situ activation strategy may also have potential value for synthesizing other transition metal oxide‐based products.
Accelerating Kohn‐Sham response theory using density fitting and the auxiliary‐density‐matrix method
Authors: Kumar Chandan , Fliegl Heike , Jensen Frank , Teale Andrew M. , Reine Simen , Kjærgaard Thomas
Published: May 2018

An extension of the formulation of the atomic‐orbital‐based response theory of Larsen et al., JCP 113, 8909 (2000) is presented. This new framework has been implemented in LSDalton and allows for the use of Kohn‐Sham density‐functional theory with approximate treatment of the Coulomb and Exchange contributions to the response equations via the popular resolution‐of‐the‐identity approximation as well as the auxiliary‐density matrix method (ADMM). We present benchmark calculations of ground‐state energies as well as the linear and quadratic response properties: vertical excitation energies, polarizabilities, and hyperpolarizabilities. The quality of these approximations in a range of basis sets is assessed against reference calculations in a large aug‐pcseg‐4 basis. Our results confirm that density fitting of the Coulomb contribution can be used without hesitation for all the studied properties. The ADMM treatment of exchange is shown to yield high accuracy for ground‐state and excitation energies, whereas for polarizabilities and hyperpolarizabilities the performance gain comes at a cost of accuracy. Excitation energies of a tetrameric model consisting of units of the P700 special pigment of photosystem I have been studied to demonstrate the applicability of the code for a large system.
Artefactual formation of pyruvate from in‐source conversion of lactate
Authors: Trefely Sophie , Mesaros Clementina , Xu Peining , Doan Mary T. , Jiang Helen , Altinok Oya , Orynbayeva Zulfiya , Snyder Nathaniel W.
Published: May 2018

Rationale

Lactate and pyruvate are high‐abundance products of glucose metabolism. Analysis of both molecules as part of metabolomics studies in cellular metabolism and physiology have been aided by advances in liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS).

Methods

We used ion‐pairing chromatography and negative ion mode electrospray ionization (ESI) on a QExactive HF to perform stable isotope assisted metabolomics profiling of lactate and pyruvate metabolism.

Results

Using an LC/MS method for polar metabolite analysis we discovered an artefactual formation of pyruvate from in‐source fragmentation of lactate. Surprisingly, this in‐source fragmentation has not been previously described, thus we report this identification to warn other investigators. This artefact was detected by baseline chromatographic resolution of lactate and pyruvate by LC with confirmation of this artefact by stable isotope labeling of lactate and pyruvate.

Conclusions

These findings have immediate implications for metabolomics studies by LC/MS and direct infusion MS, especially in negative ion mode, whereby users should resolve lactate from pyruvate or robustly quantify the potential formation of pyruvate from higher abundance lactate in their assays.
Evaluation of coal‐related model compounds using tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Li Guo‐Sheng , Dong Xueming , Fan Xing , You Chun‐Yan , Wu Ge , Zhao Yun‐Peng , Lu Yao , Wei Xian‐Yong , Ma Feng‐Yun
Published: May 2018

Rationale

Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) is a routine and basic instrumental method for the analysis of complex coal conversion products in the chemical industry. To further enhance the practical potential of GC/MS in chemical industry, a tandem MS method for the selection of ion pairs applied in monitoring coal conversions was established using GC/quadrupole time‐of‐flight MS (GC/Q‐TOF MS). The corresponding fragmentation pathways were explored and suitable ion pairs were screened.

Methods

Fourteen coal‐related model compounds (CRMCs) were analyzed using GC/Q‐TOF MS with different collision‐induced dissociation (CID) energies (5–20 eV). The fragmentation pathways can offer a better understanding of chemical bond breaking, hydrogen transfer, rearrangement reactions and elimination of neutral fragments for CRMCs during the CID process.

Results

The precursor ions of aromatic hydrocarbons without alkyl chains were difficult to fragment with a CID energy of 20 eV. But aromatic hydrocarbons with branched chains were prone to fragment via the loss of alkyl chains and further fragmented through ring‐opening reactions. Compared with the CalkCar bond, the CarCar bond was difficult to fragment due to its high bond dissociation energy. The existence of heteroatoms facilitated fragmentation that was conducive to the screening of ion pairs.

Conclusions

The CID technique of GC/Q‐TOF MS will contribute to studies on the organic composition of coals and to building monitoring methods for coal conversions via fragmentation and ion pair selection.
Analysis of endometrial microbiota by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing among infertile patients: a single‐center pilot study
Authors: Kyono Koichi , Hashimoto Tomoko , Nagai Yoko , Sakuraba Yoshiyuki
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The present study aimed to analyze the endometrial and vaginal microbiome among a Japanese infertile population by sequencing and the impact of the endometrial and vaginal environment on implantation.

Methods

In total, 102 infertile (79 in vitro fertilization [IVF] and 23 non‐IVF) patients and seven healthy volunteers were recruited from August to December, 2017. Endometrial fluid and vaginal discharge samples for sequencing were collected by using an intrauterine insemination catheter. The bacterial status of the endometrium and vagina were analyzed.

Results

The Lactobacillus‐dominated microbiota (>90% Lactobacillus spp.) in the endometrium vs vagina was 38% (30/79) vs 44.3% (44/79) in the IVF patients, 73.9% (17/23) vs 73.9% (17/23) in the non‐IVF patients, and 85.7% (6/7) vs 85.7% (6/7) in the healthy volunteers. The percentage of endometrial Lactobacillus in the healthy volunteers was highly stable within the same menstrual cycle and even in the following cycle. The major taxonomies were Gardnerella, Streptococcus, Atopobium, Bifidobacterium, Sneathia, Prevotella, and Staphylococcus. Fifteen patients achieved pregnancy by a single vitrified‐warmed blastocyst transfer during this study; the median percentage of Lactobacillus in the pregnant women was 96.45 ± 33.61%.

Conclusion

A considerable percentage of non‐Lactobacillus‐dominated (NLD) microbiota was found in the endometrium of Japanese infertile women. Increasing the endometrial level of the Lactobacilli to >90% might favor the implantation outcome of NLD infertile patients.
Reading between the lines: The effect of contextual factors on student motivation throughout an open inquiry process
Authors: Adler Idit , Schwartz Liron , Madjar Nir , Zion Michal
Published: May 2018

Inquiry provides opportunities to engage students in authentic science. Although inquiry's underlying principles can motivate students to learn, the challenges that students encounter may hamper their motivation. Thus, the teacher's role in providing motivational support is crucial. This research examines how the interplay among the inquiry's characteristics, the challenges encountered by students, and the motivational support provided by the teacher affects students' expression of motivation throughout an online inquiry process. The messages of both the teacher and the students were examined using self‐determination theory (SDT). The results indicate that the students did not automatically embrace the autonomous characteristic of open inquiry. Their expressions of motivation were dynamic, affected by the challenges that they encountered. In contrast, the teacher maintained high levels of autonomy and competence and intertwined these components in a strategy that we term guided autonomy. The teacher and students expressed high‐order expressions of affect. In addition, we found a positive correlation between the teacher's motivational support and the students' expressions of motivation. The results indicate that SDT can provide a powerful framework for understanding students’ unfolding motivation throughout a challenging educational process and for guiding teachers’ efforts in supporting the motivation of their students in an online environment.
Autonomous Magnetic Microrobots by Navigating Gates for Multiple Biomolecules Delivery
Authors: Hu Xinghao , Lim Byeonghwa , Torati Sri Ramulu , Ding Junjia , Novosad Valentine , Im Mi‐Young , Reddy Venu , Kim Kunwoo , Jung Eunjoo , Shawl Asif Iqbal , Kim Eunjoo , Kim CheolGi
Published: May 2018

The precise delivery of biofunctionalized matters is of great interest from the fundamental and applied viewpoints. In spite of significant progress achieved during the last decade, a parallel and automated isolation and manipulation of rare analyte, and their simultaneous on‐chip separation and trapping, still remain challenging. Here, a universal micromagnet junction for self‐navigating gates of microrobotic particles to deliver the biomolecules to specific sites using a remote magnetic field is described. In the proposed concept, the nonmagnetic gap between the lithographically defined donor and acceptor micromagnets creates a crucial energy barrier to restrict particle gating. It is shown that by carefully designing the geometry of the junctions, it becomes possible to deliver multiple protein‐functionalized carriers in high resolution, as well as MCF‐7 and THP‐1 cells from the mixture, with high fidelity and trap them in individual apartments. Integration of such junctions with magnetophoretic circuitry elements could lead to novel platforms without retrieving for the synchronous digital manipulation of particles/biomolecules in microfluidic multiplex arrays for next‐generation biochips.
Impact of Fill Ratio on Temperature Profile and Metal Bath Configuration in Electroslag Remelting Process With Vibrating Electrode
Authors: Wang Fang , Xiong Yunlong , Li Baokuan
Published: May 2018

A transient three‐dimensional (3D) coupled model has been developed to investigate the impact of fill ratio on temperature distribution and metal bath configuration in electroslag remelting process with vibrating electrode. Based on the finite volume method, the continuity equation, Navier‐Stockes equations, and energy conservation equation are iteratively solved with full coupling of the Joule heating and Lorentz force. At the same time, the Joule heating and Lorentz force are calculated by the Maxwell's equations. The generation and dripping of metal droplets are simulated by the volume of fluid (VOF) approach. Moreover, an enthalpy‐porosity method is used to describe the metal solidification. The results show that varying fill ratio dramatically changes the temperature distribution of slag layer and metal bath configuration. While the fill ratio rises, both the highest temperature and time‐averaged temperature increase. Meanwhile, the high‐temperature region in the slag becomes larger and the temperature in the centre of slag layer becomes lower. The maximal metal bath depth reduces from 0.099 to 0.087 m while the fill ratio changes from 0.45 to 0.64.
Nanocomposite Films from Mango Kernel or Corn Starch with Starch Nanocrystals
Authors: Oliveira Ana Vitória , da Silva Ana Priscila Monteiro , Barros Matheus O. , de sá M. Souza Filho Men , Rosa Morsyleide F. , Azeredo Henriette M. C.
Published: May 2018

Mango kernels are used for the first time as a source of both starch and starch nanocrystals (SNC) for bionanocomposite films. The starch yield was 38.5%, whereas the SNC yield (from starch) is more than 30%. Bionanocomposite films are produced from mango kernel starch (MKS) and 0–10 wt% SNC, and the corresponding films are also obtained from commercial corn starch. The addition of 5% SNC to MKS films increases their tensile strength and modulus in about 90% and 120% respectively, and reduces their water vapor permeability in about 15%. On the other hand, the film elongation has been reduced to half the one for the unfilled film, and the opacity has been increased. When compared to the corresponding corn starch films, mango kernel starch films exhibited higher overall tensile strength and elastic modulus, as well as increased opacity.
The neuropeptide‐12 improves recognition memory and neuronal plasticity of the limbic system in old rats
Authors: Hernández‐Hernández Elizabeth Monserrat , Caporal Hernandez Karen , Vázquez‐Roque Rubén Antonio , Díaz Alfonso , de la Cruz Fidel , Florán Benjamin , Flores Gonzalo
Published: May 2018

Aging is a stage of life where cognitive and motor functions are impaired. This is because oxidative and inflammatory processes exacerbate neurodegeneration, which affects dendritic morphology and neuronal communication of limbic regions with memory loss. Recently, the use of trophic substances has been proposed to prevent neuronal deterioration. The neuropeptide‐12 (N‐PEP‐12) has been evaluated in elderly patients with dementia, showing improvements in cognitive tasks due to acts as a neurotrophic factor. In the present work, we evaluated the effect of N‐PEP‐12 on motor activity and recognition memory, as well as its effects on dendritic morphology and the immunoreactivity of GFAP, Synaptophysin (SYP), and BDNF in neurons of the prefrontal cortex (PFC), dorsal hippocampus (DH) and nucleus accumbens (NAcc) of aged rats. The results show that N‐PEP‐12 improved the recognition memory, but the motor activity was not modified compared to the control animals. N‐PEP‐12 increases the density of dendritic spines and the total dendritic length in neurons of the PFC (layers 3 and 5) and in DH (CA1 and CA3). Interestingly NAcc neurons showed a reduction in the number of dendritic spines. In the N‐PEP‐12 animals, when evaluating the immunoreactivity for SYP and BDNF, there was an increase in the three brain regions, while the mark for GFAP decreased significantly. Our results suggest that N‐PEP‐12 promotes neuronal plasticity in the limbic system of aged animals, which contributes to improving recognition memory. In this sense, N‐PEP‐12 can be considered as a pharmacological alternative to prevent or delay brain aging and control senile dementias.
Outrigger system analysis and design under time‐dependent actions for super‐tall steel buildings
Authors: Fang Baoyi , Zhao Xin , Yuan Juyun , Wu Xiaoping
Published: May 2018

The outrigger system has been widely adopted as an efficient structural lateral‐load resisting system for super‐tall buildings in recent years. Although the outrigger system has many structural advantages, it has a significant defect due to differential shortening, which cannot be neglected. Due to the shrinkage and creep of concrete, as well as the differential settlement of foundation, the shortening of the structural member is an important time‐dependent issue, which leads to additional forces in the outriggers after the lock‐in of the outriggers. As a result, it will increase the size of the structural member cross section in the design. In a real project, engineers can delay the lock‐in time of the outrigger system to release the additional forces caused by the differential shortening during the construction phase. The time‐dependent actions, such as the column shortening and the differential settlement of the foundation, were estimated. A mega frame steel structure was employed to illustrate the analysis and design of the outrigger under the time‐dependent actions. Furthermore, a simple optimal method, considering the structural stability and overall stiffness, was proposed to optimize the construction sequence of the outrigger system.