bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of a Multifaceted Educational Program to Improve Provider Skills for Lupus Pregnancy Planning and Management: A Mixed‐Methods Approach
Authors: Njagu Ravyn , Criscione‐Schreiber Lisa G. , Eudy Amanda , Snyderman Amanda , Clowse Megan E. B.
Published: June 2020

Objective

To bring recent advances in pregnancy management in lupus to women nationwide, this multidimensional educational intervention sought to equip community rheumatologists with the needed skills, attitudes, and confidence to manage contraceptive decisions and pregnancy planning for women with lupus.

Methods

The program included an in‐person didactic, training in use of a comprehensive handout to guide contraception and pregnancy conversations, a simulated clinical experience, and access to an innovative website (www.lupuspregnancy.org). The program was analyzed using mixed methods, which included a quantitative survey by e‐mail before and after program completion and multiple qualitative interviews about attendees’ experiences integrating created resources into practice.

Results

The analysis included 68 preintervention surveys and 55 postintervention surveys. For qualitative analysis, eight interviews were completed until thematic saturation was achieved. After completion of the program, there was an increase in providers reporting a systematic approach to preparing a woman with lupus for pregnancy (from 45.6% to 94.6%; P < 0.0001). Confidence in choosing both appropriate contraception and pregnancy‐compatible medications improved significantly. As expected, change in knowledge about contraception was limited. Qualitative themes included the utility of the printable handouts, enthusiasm for the program, increased confidence and, importantly, increased empathy for the patients.

Conclusion

We created a valuable implementation tool that improves self‐reported provider skills and confidence in managing women with lupus who desire pregnancy. Providers now have access to a unique curriculum and resources that encourage providers to have open and accurate conversations about pregnancy, thus creating lasting clinical change.
p‐Type Transparent Quadruple Perovskite Halide Conductors: Fact or Fiction?
Authors: Hu Sanlue , Xia Bing , Lin Yang‐Peng , Katase Takayoshi , Fujioka Jun , Kamiya Toshio , Hosono Hideo , Du Ke‐Zhao , Xiao Zewen
Published: June 2020

High‐performance p‐type transparent conductors (TCs) can be used for a variety of optoelectronic applications, particularly transparent electronics with complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor circuits. Recently, several quadruple perovskite halides, such as Cs4CdSb2Cl12 and Cs4CdBi2Cl12, have been theoretically predicted to be excellent p‐type TCs that surpass all the conventional p‐type TCs and hence attracted a lot of attention. In this work, experiments and hybrid density functional theory (DFT) calculations are combined to evaluate the p‐type dopability in these quadruple perovskite halides. The experimental results reveal that these materials are optically transparent but electrically insulating, which contradicts the previous prediction. The hybrid DFT calculations show that the difficulty in forming p‐type doping in these compounds is because of the easy formation of the compensating n‐type intrinsic defects in the p‐type region, which is resulted from too deep valence band maximum levels. It is further demonstrated that the bandgap underestimation associated with the semilocal DFT and the unintentional chemical boundary overestimation should be the origins of the p‐type conductivity predicted previously. The results highlight the importance of reasonable bandgap description and chemical boundary determination in predicting defect thermodynamics.
Interconnection between Trait, Structure, and Composition of Grain Boundaries in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Thin‐Film Solar Cells
Authors: Raghuwanshi Mohit , Wuerz Roland , Cojocaru‐Mirédin Oana
Published: June 2020

Grain boundaries (GBs) are crucial for solar cells incorporating polycrystalline absorbers and particularly for those characterized by small grain sizes (≈2 µm). For example, random GBs in Si solar cells are found to have a detrimental effect on the cell performance being characterized by an increased recombination activity relative to grains. Yet, their role in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) solar cells still remains controversial. The recent electron‐beam‐induced current (EBIC) study shows that 58% of the GBs in CIGS exhibit enhanced electrical properties considered to be benign (for the device performance). Yet, they coexist with 16% detrimental GBs (reduced electrical properties) and 27% neutral ones (no change in electrical property when compared with the bulk). In the present study, these different GBs are investigated by combining EBIC with electron backscattered diffraction and atom probe tomography techniques on identical GBs. For the first time, a successful correlation is shown (for any device) that interconnects the GB characteristics to its composition. Sufficient statistics demonstrate that the collective fluctuations of all elements at GBs determine its trait. In general, benign (detrimental) GBs are characterized by Cu depletion (enrichment) that favored the formation of donor (acceptor) defects.
Low Cost, Flexible, Perovskite BaTiO3 Nanofibers‐Based p–n Homojunction for Multifunctional Sensing of Physical and Chemical Stimuli
Authors: Veeralingam Sushmitha , Ravindranath Ajay Narayan Konda , Badhulika Sushmee
Published: June 2020

In this work, a flexible, low cost, and cleanroom‐free technique to fabricate barium titanate (BaTiO3) hybrid p–n homojunction‐based multifunctional sensor for photodetection, strain sensing, and chemiresistive sensing is reported. The n‐type BaTiO3 nanofibers are synthesized using electrospinning technique and deposited on the flexible indium tin oxide (ITO) using spin‐coating method while p‐type BaTiO3 nanoparticles are synthesized using modified sol–gel method and deposited using drop‐casting method. Detailed characterization studies are performed to reveal the formation of tetragonal phase p‐type nanoparticles and n‐type nanofibers of BaTiO3 assembled on the ITO substrate. The fabricated hybrid junction photodetector displays an excellent external quantum efficiency of ≈3500 and photoresponsivity of ≈11 A W−1. Further, the hybrid junction when employed as strain sensor exhibits a gauge factor of 14 and when operated in chemiresistive sensing mode can detect α1‐acid glycoprotein with an excellent sensitivity of 49.7 µm−1 in the wide dynamic range of 0.05–10 × 10–6 m and detection limit of 12 × 10–9 m. Detailed studies to understand the underlying mechanism of operation for each application are done. The strategy outlined here can be further employed for sensing various physical and chemical stimuli, paving a new path for developing flexible multifunctional nanoelectronic devices.
In‐Depth Atomic Mapping of Polarization Switching in a Ferroelectric Field‐Effect Transistor
Authors: Li Xiaoyan , Zhu Qiuxiang , Vistoli Lorenzo , Barthélémy Agnès , Bibes Manuel , Fusil Stéphane , Garcia Vincent , Gloter Alexandre
Published: June 2020

The ferroelectric control of a Mott transistor is a promising strategy for nonvolatile low‐power electronics. Understanding the fundamental limits of the ferroelectric‐field effect is challenging, as the relevant length scales are restricted to a few atomic planes within the interface. Here, the polarization switching process of a prototypical ferroelectric Mott transistor combining BiFeO3, a ferroelectric material with a large polarization, and (Ca,Ce)MnO3, a charge‐transfer insulator in which a few percent of Ce doping triggers a metal–insulator transition is investigated. While scanning probe microscopy indicates a complete switching of the ferroelectric gate, in‐depth atomic‐scale polarization mapping with scanning transmission electron microscopy reveals incomplete polarization reversal at the interface. Therefore, transport measurements show that the electronic properties of the Mott channel are virtually unchanged by the polarization direction. Nevertheless, in nanometer size areas where interfacial polarization switching occurs, dramatic changes of the electronic properties of (Ca,Ce)MnO3 are revealed. These results indicate how the performance of mesoscale Mott devices is hindered, and at the same time reveal the possibility of nanoscale energy‐efficient Mott transistors.
Iridium‐Catalyzed Oxidative Annulation of 2‐Arylindoles with Benzoquinone Leading to Indolo[1,2‐f]phenanthridin‐6‐ols
Authors: Guo Shenghai , Liu Yangfan , Zhang Xinying , Fan Xuesen
Published: June 2020

An iridium‐catalyzed oxidative [4+2] annulation reaction of 2‐arylindoles using quinone derivatives as C2 synthons has been developed. From this reaction, a series of diversely substituted indolo[1,2‐f]phenanthridine derivatives were synthesized in an efficient manner. Moreover, diverse transformations of the phenanthridine derivatives thus obtained have also been performed, which showcase the synthetic potential of the present protocol.

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Can't Everyone Just Get Along? Advice on Stepping Lightly When a Participant Won't
Authors: Creo Robert A.
Published: June 2020

Mediators are all human, and most, indeed, share a commonality among peacemakers for the natural empathy and compassion felt for people traumatized by conflict.
Two novel Co (II)‐coordination polymers as bifunctional materials for efficient photocatalytic degradation of dyes and electrocatalytic water oxidation
Authors: Wang Lulu , Wang Jinmiao , Fan Chuanbin , Bi Caifeng , Zhang Xia , Zhang Dongmei , Wang Mei , Fan Yuhua
Published: June 2020

Two novel Co (II)‐ coordination polymers (CPs) based on 2,5‐bis(4‐carboxylpheny)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole (bcpo), namely [Co/(bcpo)0.5(tib)(H2O)2]n (1) and [Co (bcpo)0.5(bidpe)(H2O)2]n (2) (tib = 1,3,5‐tirs(1‐imidazolyl)benzene, bidpe = 4,4′‐bis (imidazolyl)diphenyl ether) have been synthesized under solvothermal conditions and characterized by powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), single crystal X‐ray diffraction, photochemistry as well as electrochemistry. The investigation of the photo‐degradation methyl blue and methyl violet (MB, MV) properties of CPs 1–2 demonstrates that CP 1 shows great performance for the degradation of MB, and CP 2 could efficiently degrade MB/MV. Meanwhile, the possible photo‐degradation mechanism has been proposed and explored. Simultaneously, electrochemistry studies show that both CPs 1 and 2 can catalyze water oxidation under an alkaline condition at the potential around 1.20 V vs. NHE with relatively low overpotential of 330–510 mV vs. NHE.
Dinuclear gold (I)‐di‐N‐heterocyclic carbene complexes: syntheses, structure, density functional theory calculation and photoluminescence study
Authors: Haziz Umie F.M. , Haque Rosenani A. , Zhan Shun‐Ze , Abdallah Hassan H. , Razali Mohd R.
Published: June 2020

The synthesis and characterizations for a series of dinuclear gold (I)‐di‐NHC complexes,1–8through the trans‐metalation method of their respective silver (I)‐di‐NHC complexes,i–viiiare reported (where NHC =N‐heterocyclic carbene). The successful complexation of a series of unusual non‐symmetrical and symmetrical di‐NHC ligands, 3,3'‐(ethane‐1,2‐diyl)‐1‐alkylbenzimidazolium‐1'‐butylbenzimidazolium (with alkyl = methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, benzyl) with the gold (I) ions are suggested by elemental analysis, Fourier transform‐infrared,1H‐ and13C‐NMR data. The13C‐NMR spectra of1–8show a singlet sharp peak in the range of 190.00–192.00 ppm, indicating the presence of a carbene carbon that bonded to the gold (I) ion. From single crystal X‐ray diffraction data, the structure of complex6with the formula of [di‐NHC‐Au (I)]2·2PF6is obtained [where NHC = 3,3'‐(ethane‐1,2‐diyl)‐1‐hexylbenzimidazolium‐1'‐butylbenzimidazolium]. The photophysical study in solid state of 6 displays an intense photoluminescence with a strong emission maxima, λem= 480 nm, upon excitation at 340 nm at room temperature. Interestingly, the emission maximum at 77 K shows a structural character with a strong peak at 410 nm, a medium at 433 nm and a weak at 387 nm, accompanied by a tail band to about 500 nm.
Accelerated weathering behavior of castor oil bio‐based thermosets
Authors: Echeverri David A. , Pérez William A. , Inciarte Helen C. , Rios Luis A.
Published: June 2020

Bio‐based thermosets based on vegetable oils are promissory materials due to their good performance, renewability and biodegradability. In this work, accelerated weathering tests were performed over bio‐based thermosets obtained from castor oil to evaluate the long‐term performance under environmental conditions. The thermosets were obtained through homopolymerization or copolymerization with styrene of maleated castor oil methacrylate. The changes in chemical and physical properties were monitored by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), color measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1HNMR). Both materials showed evidences of chemical changes, such as formation of double bonds and hydroxyl groups, as well as the decomposition of carbonyl ester groups. The observed physical changes were discoloration as well as the formation of cracks and blistering. However, the degradation phenomena were less severe in the copolymer due to the high stability of styrene moieties.
A Five‐layer π‐Aromatic Structure Formed through Self‐assembly of a Porphyrin Trimer and Two Aromatic Guests
Authors: Ueda Masahiro , Kimura Masaki , Miyagawa Shinobu , Takaya Hikaru , Naito Masaya , Tokunaga Yuji
Published: June 2020

In this study we synthesized two‐ and four‐armed porphyrins – bearing two carboxyl and four 2‐aminoquinolino functionalities, respectively, at their meso positions – as a complementary hydrogen bonding pair for the self‐assembly of a D2‐symmetric porphyrin trimer host. Two units of the two‐armed porphyrin and one unit of the four‐armed porphyrin self‐assembled quantitatively into the D2‐symmetric porphyrin trimer, stabilized through ammidinium‐carboxylate salt bridge formation, in CH2Cl2 and CHCl3. The porphyrin trimer host gradually bound two units of 1,3,5‐trinitrobenzene between the pair of porphyrin units, forming a five‐layer aromatic structure. At temperatures below −40 °C, the rates of association and dissociation of the complexes were slow on the NMR spectroscopic time scale, allowing the 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 complexes of the trimer host and trinitrobenzene guest(s) to be detected independently when using less than 2 eq of trinitrobenzene. Vis titration experiments revealed the values of K1 (2.1±0.4×105 M−1) and K2 (2.2±0.06×104 M−1) in CHCl3 at room temperature.
Recognition of Girls on the Autism Spectrum by Primary School Educators: An Experimental Study
Authors: Whitlock Alana , Fulton Kate , Lai Meng‐Chuan , Pellicano Elizabeth , Mandy William
Published: June 2020

Autism has long been considered a predominantly male condition. It is increasingly understood, however, that autistic females are under‐recognized. This may reflect gender stereotyping, whereby symptoms are missed in females, because it is assumed that autism is mainly a male condition. Also, some autistic girls and women may go unrecognized because there is a “female autism phenotype” (i.e., a female‐typical autism presentation), which does not fit current, male‐centric views of autism. Potential biases shown by educators, in their role as gatekeepers for an autism assessment, may represent a barrier to the recognition of autism in females. We used vignettes describing autistic children to test: (a) whether gender stereotyping occurs, whereby educators rate males as more likely to be autistic, compared to females with identical symptoms; (b) whether recognition is affected by sex/gender influences on autistic presentation, whereby children showing the male autism phenotype are rated as more likely to be autistic than those with the female phenotype. Ratings by primary school educators showed a significant main effect of both gender and presentation (male phenotype vs. female phenotype) on estimations of the child in the vignette being autistic: respondents showed a bias against girls and the female autism phenotype. There was also an interaction: female gender had an effect on ratings of the female phenotype, but not on the male phenotype vignette. These findings suggest that primary school educators are less sensitive to autism in girls, through under‐recognition of the female autism phenotype and a higher sensitivity to autism in males.

Lay Summary

Educators have an important role in identifying children who need an autism assessment, so gaps in their knowledge about how autism presents in girls could contribute to the under‐diagnosis of autistic girls. By asking educators to identify autism when presented with fictional descriptions of children, this study found that educators were less able to recognize what autism “looks like” in girls. Also, when given identical descriptions of autistic boys and girls, educators were more likely to identify autism in boys. These results suggest that primary school educators might need extra help to improve the recognition of girls on the autism spectrum. Autism Res 2020, 13: 1358–1372. © 2020 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Increasing incidence of colorectal cancer among the younger population in Sweden
Authors: Petersson J , Bock D , Martling A , Smedby K E , Angenete E , Saraste D
Published: June 2020

Background

The incidence of colorectal cancer in patients aged less than 50 years is increasing in Western countries. This population-based study investigated the age- and sex-specific incidence of colorectal cancer over time in Sweden, and characterized trends in tumour localization and stage at diagnosis.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer between 1970 and 2016 were identified from the Swedish Cancer Registry, and categorized by sex, age and tumour location. The incidence and average annual percentage change (AAPC) were estimated and compared between age groups.

Results

There was an overall increase in the incidence of colorectal cancer between 1970 and 2006, but a decrease in 2006–2016 (AAPC −0·55 (95 per cent c.i. −1·02 to −0·07) per cent). The largest increase in colonic cancer was in 1995–2005 in women aged less than 50 years (AAPC 2·30 (0·09 to 4·56) per cent versus 0·04 (−1·35 to 1·44) and − 0·67 (−1·62 to 0·28) per cent in women aged 50–74 and 75 years or more respectively). Since 1990, rectal cancer increased in patients of both sexes aged below 50 years, with higher AAPC values in women (2006–2016: 2·01 (−1·46 to 5·61) per cent versus 0·20 (−2·25 to 2·71) per cent in men). Younger patients were more likely than those aged 50–74 and 75 years or more to present with stage III–IV colonic (66·2, 57·6 and 49·6 per cent respectively) and rectal (61·2, 54·3 and 51·3 per cent) cancer. From the mid 1990s, rates of proximal and distal colorectal cancer, and rectal cancer were increased in patients aged less than 50 years.

Conclusion

The overall incidence of colorectal cancer in Sweden decreased in the past decade. However, in patients under 50 years of age the incidence of colorectal cancer – proximal, distal and rectal – continued to increase over time.
Theory of green purchase behavior (TGPB): A new theory for sustainable consumption of green hotel and green restaurant products
Authors: Han Heesup
Published: June 2020

Fostering customer green purchase behavior is a fundamental constituent of an eco‐friendly hospitality firms' success. The present study developed a theory of green purchase behavior (TGPB) that clearly and sufficiently explains customer environmentally responsible buying behavior for green hospitality products, such as green hotels and green restaurants. Mixed methods based on a psychometric approach were used for the development of the theory. Within the theory, attitude, ascribed responsibility, and social norm directly activate the personal norm. These types of activators form based on awareness of consequences, image, ecological worldview, and environmental value. In addition, past behavior increases behavior. This theorization is fully supported and demonstrated through both qualitative and quantitative processes. Green purchase behavior was satisfactorily accounted for by the proposed theory. The TGPB included a stronger prediction power than the existing pro‐social theories, and it is applicable to diverse hospitality/tourism/consumer behavior contexts.
CAG regimen for refractory or relapsed adult T‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A retrospective, multicenter, cohort study
Authors: Qian Jie‐Jing , Hu Xiaoxia , Wang Ying , Zhang Yi , Du Juan , Yang Min , Tong Hongyan , Qian Wen‐Bin , Wei Juying , Yu Wenjun , Lou Yin‐Jun , Mao Liping , Tao Meng Hai , You Liang‐Shun , Wang Libing , Li Xia , Huang Xin , Cao Li‐Hong , Zhao Jian‐Zhi , Yan Yan Xiao , Chen Yu‐Bao , Chen Yu , Zhang Su‐Jiang , Jin Jie , Hu Jiong , Zhu Hong‐Hu
Published: June 2020

Adult patients with relapsed or refractory T‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (R/R‐T‐ALL) have extremely poor prognosis, representing an urgent unmet medical need. Finding an optimal salvage regimen to bridge transplantation is a priority. The CAG (cytarabine, aclarubicin, and G‐CSF) regimen was initially used by one group in China, showing unexpectedly promising results in 11 R/R‐T‐ALL patients. Here, we report the multicenter results of 41 patients who received the CAG regimen as salvage therapy. After one cycle of the CAG regimen, complete remission and partial remission were achieved in 33 (80.5%) and two (4.9%) patients, respectively. Failure to respond was observed in six patients (14.6%). Early T‐cell precursor (ETP) (n = 26) and non‐ETP (n = 15) patients had a similar CR rate (80.8% vs 80.0%, P = .95). Among 41 patients, allo‐HSCT was successfully performed in 27 (66%) patients (22 in CR and 5 in non‐CR). With a median follow‐up time of 12 months, the estimated 2‐year overall survival and event‐free survival were 68.8% (95% CI, 47.3%‐83.0%) and 56.5% (95% CI, 37.1%‐71.9%), respectively. The CAG regimen was well‐tolerated, and no early death occurred. Our multicenter results show that the CAG regimen is highly effective and safe, representing a novel choice for adult patients with R/R‐T‐ALL and providing a better bridge to transplantation.
Cationic Organophosphorus Chromophores: A Diamond in the Rough among Ionic Dyes
Authors: Belyaev Andrey , Chou Pi‐Tai , Koshevoy Igor O.
Published: June 2020

Tunable electron‐accepting properties of the cationic phosphorus center, its geometry and unique preparative chemistry that allows combining this unit with diversity of π‐conjugated motifs, define the appealing photophysical and electrochemical characteristics of organophosphorus ionic chromophores. This Minireview summarizes the achievements in the synthesis of the π‐extended molecules functionalized with P‐cationic fragments, modulation of their properties by means of structural modification, and emphasizes the important effect of cation‐anion interactions, which can drastically change physical behavior of these two‐component systems.
Thermal Adaptation of Enzymes: Impacts of Conformational Shifts on Catalytic Activation Energy and Optimum Temperature
Authors: Maffucci Irene , Laage Damien , Sterpone Fabio , Stirnemann Guillaume
Published: June 2020

Thermal adaptation of enzymes is essential for both living organism development in extreme conditions and efficient biocatalytic applications. However, the molecular mechanisms leading to a shift in catalytic activity optimum temperatures remain unclear, and there is increasing experimental evidence that thermal adaptation involves complex changes in both structural and reactive properties. Here, a combination of enhanced protein conformational sampling with an explicit chemical reaction description was applied to mesophilic and thermophilic homologues of the dihydrofolate reductase enzyme, and a quantitative description of the stability and catalytic activity shifts between homologues was obtained. The key role played by temperature‐induced shifts in protein conformational distributions is revealed. In contrast with pictures focusing on protein flexibility and dynamics, it is shown that while the homologues’ reaction free energies are similar, the striking discrepancy between their activation energies is caused by their different conformational changes with temperature. An analytic model is proposed that combines catalytic activity and structural stability, and which quantitatively predicts the shift in homologue optimum temperatures. It is shown that this general model provides a molecular explanation of changes in optimum temperatures for several other enzymes.
Iron‐Based Multi‐Catalysis: Eco‐Compatible Alternative for Complex Molecules Synthesis
Authors: Quintard Adrien
Published: June 2020

In the last decade, multi‐catalysis has emerged as an excellent alternative to classical methods, rapidly elaborating complex organic molecules while considerably decreasing steps and waste generation. In order to further decrease costs, the application of cheaper and more available iron‐based catalysts has recently arisen. Through these iron‐based multi‐catalytic combinations, greener transformations have been developed that generate complex organic scaffolds from simple building blocks at lower costs. In addition to the decrease in catalysts costs, it was also demonstrated that in many cases, the application of iron complexes could also lead to unique reactivity features, expanding chemist's available toolbox. All the advantages observed in terms of costs and reactivity, should make iron‐based multi‐catalysis one of the leading technology of the future.
Brønsted Acid‐Catalysed Dehydrative Substitution Reactions of Alcohols
Authors: Estopiñá‐Durán Susana , Taylor James E.
Published: June 2020

The direct, catalytic dehydrative substitution of alcohols is a challenging, yet highly desirable process in the development of more sustainable approaches to organic chemistry. This review outlines recent advances in Brønsted acid‐catalysed dehydrative substitution reactions for C−C, C−O, C−N and C−S bond formation. The wide range of processes that are now accessible using simple alcohols as the formal electrophile are highlighted, while current limitations and therefore possible future directions for research are also discussed.
Elimination of dormant, autophagic ovarian cancer cells and xenografts through enhanced sensitivity to anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibition
Authors: Blessing Alicia M. , Santiago‐O'Farrill Janice M. , Mao Weiqun , Pang Lan , Ning Jing , Pak Daewoo , Bollu Lakshmi Reddy , Rask Philip , Iles LaKesla , Yang Hailing , Tran Samantha , Elmir Ezzeddine , Bartholomeusz Geoffrey , Langley Robert , Lu Zhen , Bast Robert C.
Published: June 2020

Background

Poor outcomes for patients with ovarian cancer relate to dormant, drug‐resistant cancer cells that survive after primary surgery and chemotherapy. Ovarian cancer (OvCa) cells persist in poorly vascularized scars on the peritoneal surface and depend on autophagy to survive nutrient deprivation. The authors have sought drugs that target autophagic cancer cells selectively to eliminate residual disease.

Methods

By using unbiased small‐interfering RNA (siRNA) screens, the authors observed that knockdown of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) reduced the survival of autophagic OvCa cells. Small‐molecule ALK inhibitors were evaluated for their selective toxicity against autophagic OvCa cell lines and xenografts. Autophagy was induced by reexpression of GTP‐binding protein Di‐Ras3 (DIRAS3) or serum starvation and was evaluated with Western blot analysis, fluorescence imaging, and transmission electron microscopy. Signaling pathways required for crizotinib‐induced apoptosis of autophagic cells were explored with flow cytometric analysis, Western blot analysis, short‐hairpin RNA knockdown of autophagic proteins, and small‐molecule inhibitors of STAT3 and BCL‐2.

Results

Induction of autophagy by reexpression of DIRAS3 or serum starvation in multiple OvCa cell lines significantly reduced the 50% inhibitory concentration of crizotinib and other ALK inhibitors. In 2 human OvCa xenograft models, the DIRAS3‐expressing tumors treated with crizotinib had significantly decreased tumor burden and long‐term survival in 67% to 79% of mice. Crizotinib treatment of autophagic cancer cells further enhanced autophagy and induced autophagy‐mediated apoptosis by decreasing phosphorylated STAT3 and BCL‐2 signaling.

Conclusions

Crizotinib may eliminate dormant, autophagic, drug‐resistant OvCa cells that remain after conventional cytoreductive surgery and combination chemotherapy. A clinical trial of ALK inhibitors as maintenance therapy after second‐look operations should be seriously considered.
Designs of Singlet Fission Chromophores with a Diazadiborinine Framework**
Authors: Pradhan Ekadashi , Bentley Jordan N. , Caputo Christopher B. , Zeng Tao
Published: June 2020

In 2016, a diazadiborinine molecule was synthesized (Nature Commun. 2016, 7, 11871). The core structure of this molecule is a 6‐membered π system with a trans stitching up of two NCB fragments. This core structure is identical to a model singlet fission chromophore that one of us (T.Z.) proposed in 2014 (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2014, 136, 12638–12647.) Inspired by this resemblance, we performed quantum chemistry calculations to design a series of singlet fission chromophores based on the diazadiborinine framework. The essence is to impair the aromaticity of the diazadiborinine framework by substitutions and/or additions so that diradical resonance structures gain higher weight in the ground states of the designed chromophores.
Copper‐Catalyzed Electrophilic Amination of Alkoxyarylsilanes
Authors: Zhang Qian , Hitoshio Kenshiro , Saito Hayate , Shimokawa Jun , Yorimitsu Hideki
Published: June 2020

We report a copper‐catalyzed amination reaction between simple alkoxyarylsilanes and N‐benzoyloxyamines. Silver fluoride serves as a stoichiometric base as well as an indispensable activator that allows the catalytic process to proceed. Multiply alkoxylated arylsilanes, such as trialkoxyarylsilanes and dialkoxyarylsilanes were transformed into the corresponding tertiary anilines under mild reaction conditions.
Saturated Bicyclic Sultams
Authors: Grygorenko Oleksandr O. , Vashchenko Bohdan V. , Blahun Oleksandr P. , Zhersh Serhii
Published: June 2020

Saturated bicyclic sultams represent a promising class of sp3‐rich three‐dimensional scaffolds of outmost importance to organic and medicinal chemistry. In this review with 99 references, synthesis, properties, and applications of these compounds are surveyed. The literature data are categorized according to the structural types (i.e. fused, bridged, and spirocyclic compounds), as well as homologous series (from β‐ to ε‐sultams). It is shown that most of the approaches are based on the construction of the sultam ring; these methods include intramolecular N‐sulfonylations, sulfonamide N‐alkylations, carbanion‐mediated sulfonamide intramolecular cyclizations (CSIC), ring‐closing metathesis, Michael additions, aza‐Prins reaction, as well as both intra‐ and intermolecular [2+2] and [3+2] cycloadditions and other transformations.
Orthogonal Regression, the Cleary Criterion, and Lord's Paradox: Asking the Right Questions
Authors: Kane Michael T. , Mroch Andrew A.
Published: June 2020

Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression and orthogonal regression (OR) address different questions and make different assumptions about errors. The OLS regression ofYonXyields predictions of a dependent variable (Y) contingent on an independent variable (X) and minimizes the sum of squared errors of prediction. It assumes that the independent variable (X) is an observed score that is known without error, and all of the error is assigned to the dependent variable (Y). OLS is not designed to estimate underlying functional relationships, and if both variables contain error, OLS regression tends to yield biased estimates of such functional (or true‐score) relationships. OR models, including the errors‐in‐variables (EIV) and geometric‐mean (GM) models, assume that both variables contain error and seek to identify the line that minimizes squared deviations of the data points from the line in both theXandYdirections. OLS and OR address different questions and serve different purposes. If one wants to predict one variable from another variable, OLS regression is an optimal approach and OR is less efficient; in examining the functional relationship between two variables, OR provides a more plausible model. The OR models are hard to apply in many contexts because they depend on strong assumptions about sources of error. As examples of cases where OR can shed light, we examine its use in analyzing test bias as distinct from predictive bias and in making sense of Lord's paradox.
Market participation, household food security, and income: The case of cowpea producers in northern Nigeria
Authors: Manda Julius , Alene Arega D. , Tufa Adane Hirpa , Feleke Shiferaw , Abdoulaye Tahirou , Omoigui Lucky O. , Manyong Victor
Published: June 2020

This article evaluates the impact of cowpea market participation on household food security and income in northern Nigeria. Using household survey data from a representative sample of over 1,500 farm households and applying a combination of instrumental variable techniques and dose–response functions, we found that cowpea market participation had a statistically significant positive impact on household food security and income. Cowpea market participation increased food expenditure by 1.6% and household income by 0.7% with a 10 unit increase in the quantity of cowpea sold. These results underscore the importance of cowpea market participation for household food security and income improvement. We also found that selling cowpea to rural and urban traders significantly increased household income, food expenditure, and food security. Results show that selling cowpea to rural and urban traders increased household income by 17% and 13%, respectively. The results point to the need for an enabling policy environment and public infrastructure to enhance market participation of farmers and traders. Public infrastructure investments in the form of feeder road construction and maintenance in the distant villages are encouraged, which in the long run can translate into improved cowpea productivity and welfare of smallholder farmers.
Enhanced extraction efficiency of natural D‐borneol from Mei Pian tree leaves pretreated with deep eutectic solvents
Authors: Fu Minghui , Lu Ziqing , Ma Xiaoyu
Published: June 2020

Stems and leaves of Mei Pian tree can be used to extract natural D‐borneol. In this study, a variety of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) based on choline chloride were used to pretreat leaves of Mei Pian tree, from which natural D‐borneol was extracted by Soxhlet extraction. The extraction efficiency of most pretreated leaves was higher than that of the unpretreated leaves, and that pretreated by DES based on choline chloride and sucrose or choline chloride and glycol was maximal. Moreover, The Box–Behnken design (BBD) of response surface method was used to optimize the water content, temperature, and pretreatment time. The optimal conditions included pretreatment of Mei Pian tree for 4.07 hr at 44.5°C by DES, which was synthesized using choline chloride, sucrose, and water at the molar ratio of 5:2:5.9, and the extraction efficiency (4.936 mg/g) was maximal, more than twice as much as that of unpretreatment. The results showed that the pretreatment process using DES based on choline chloride and sucrose could effectively improve the extraction efficiency of natural D‐borneol from Mei Pian tree.
Purification and identification of buckwheat hull flavonoids and its comparative evaluation on antioxidant and cytoprotective activity in vitro
Authors: Cui Yang , Zhao Ziying , Liu Ziqi , Liu Junmei , Piao Chunhong , Liu Dailin
Published: June 2020

Buckwheat hulls, by‐products of buckwheat processing, contain various flavonoids, but the antioxidant capacity and synergy of different flavonoids are unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant activity of flavonoid monomers and high‐flavonoid component (HBHF) in buckwheat hulls using chemical‐based assays and cellular‐based assays. Four kinds of flavonoids were identified as rutin, isoorientin, vitexin, and hyperoside from buckwheat hulls. In chemical‐based assays, rutin and HBHF showed relatively high free radical scavenging activities and total antioxidant capacities. In cellular‐based assays, however, HBHF showed much higher proliferation activity against cell damage than flavonoid monomers when HepG2 cell was oxidatively damaged by H2O2 or high glucose. The cytoprotective activities of flavonoid monomers and HBHF were closely associated with reducing levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) or increasing catalase (CAT) activity. In conclusion, buckwheat hull flavonoids are the favorable application candidates for natural antioxidants.
Data mining: The association of 2‐h postprandial plasma glucose with the fasting plasma glucose in a large Chinese population
Authors: Sun Dandan , Li Dandan , Yu Songlin , Zhang Kai , Cheng Xinqi
Published: June 2020

Background

It is generally believed that the lower limit of postprandial plasma glucose is the same or higher than that of fasting plasma glucose (FPG). This study aimed to investigate the relationship between 2‐h postprandial plasma glucose (2‐hPG) and FPG. Insulin sensitivity and β‐cell function were also evaluated.

Methods

Analytical data from January 2013 to August 2018 included 10 465 participants’ 2‐h OGTT results and 19 518 participants’ FPG and 2‐hPG values after autonomous self‐feeding. Participants were divided into two groups based on the relationship between FPG and 2‐hPG (OGTT‐A1/Postprandial‐B1:FPG > 2‐hPG;OGTT‐A2/Postprandial‐B2:FPG ≤ 2‐hPG).Insulin sensitivity was evaluated by Matsuda index and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR). β‐cell function was estimated by homeostasis model assessment of β‐cell function (HOMA‐β) and early‐phase insulin secretion index (ΔI30/ΔG30).

Results

The ratio of OGTT‐A1 and OGTT‐A2 is 11.1%; the ratio of postprandial B1 and postprandial B2 is 13.7%. HOMA‐IR and HOMA‐β values were lower, while Matsuda index and ΔI30/ΔG30 values were higher in the non‐diabetic OGTT‐A1 group than those in the OGTT‐A2 group. The value of Matsuda index in women was 0.368 times higher than that in men in group OGTT‐A1. In group OGTT‐A2, the values of HOMA‐IR (0.346), HOMA‐β (9.096), and ΔI30/ΔG30 (3.575) in women were lower, higher, and higher than those in men, respectively. Both HOMA‐β and ΔI30/ΔG30 decreased with age in OGTT groups.

Conclusion

It existed that FPG was >2‐hPG, and this group had better insulin sensitive and β‐cell function. The influence of age on insulin sensitivity and β‐cell function was greater than that of gender.
Impacts of epidural electrical stimulation on Wnt signaling, FAAH, and BDNF following thoracic spinal cord injury in rat
Authors: Ghorbani Meysam , Shahabi Parviz , Karimi Pouran , Soltani‐Zangbar Hamid , Morshedi Mohammad , Bani Soheila , Jafarzadehgharehziaaddin Mohsen , Sadeghzadeh‐Oskouei Behnaz , Ahmadalipour Ali
Published: June 2020

Electrical stimulation (ES) has been shown to improve some of impairments after spinal cord injury (SCI), but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The Wnt signaling pathways and the endocannabinoid system appear to be modulated in response to SCI. This study aimed to investigate the effect of ES therapy on the activity of canonical/noncanonical Wnt signaling pathways, brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and fatty‐acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), which regulate endocannabinoids levels. Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: (a) Sham, (b) laminectomy + epidural subthreshold ES, (c) SCI, and (d) SCI + epidural subthreshold ES. A moderate contusion SCI was performed at the thoracic level (T10). Epidural subthreshold ES was delivered to upper the level of T10 segment every day (1 hr/rat) for 2 weeks. Then, animals were killed and immunoblotting was used to assess spinal cord parameters. Results revealed that ES intervention for 14 days could significantly increase wingless‐type3 (Wnt3), Wnt7, β‐catenin, Nestin, and cyclin D1 levels, as well as phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase 3β and Jun N‐terminal kinase. Additionally, SCI reduced BDNF and FAAH levels, and ES increased BDNF and FAAH levels in the injury site. We propose that ES therapy may improve some of impairments after SCI through Wnt signaling pathways. Outcomes also suggest that BDNF and FAAH are important players in the beneficial impacts of ES therapy. However, the precise mechanism of BDNF, FAAH, and Wnt signaling pathways on SCI requires further investigation.
Interleukin‐36 receptor antagonist attenuates atherosclerosis development by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome
Authors: Tian Yuan , Ling Xue‐Yan , Chen Dan‐Ling , Zhang Xiu‐Qiong , Qiu Chuan‐Mei
Published: June 2020

Atherosclerosis is characterized, as an inflammatory disorder in the circulatory system, with increasing tendency toward mortality and morbidity. Thus, developing novel therapeutic targeting inflammation is necessary. Here, we investigated the effects of interleukin‐36 receptor antagonist (IL‐36RN), a newly identified anti‐inflammatory factor, on atherosclerosis. The regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome by IL‐36RN was determined in vitro in macrophage cells after oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (ox‐LDL) stimulation. The IL‐1β and caspase‐1 p10 secretion were assessed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and western blot analysis. Finally, the IL‐36RN/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway was confirmed in apolipoprotein E‐deficient mice. IL‐36RN suppressed the expression of NLRP3, the secretion of IL‐1β, and caspase‐1 p10 in vitro, while IL‐36 pathway stimulation activated the NLRP3 inflammasome, which was inhibited by IL‐36RN. In the mouse model of atherosclerosis, IL‐36RN delivered by the lentivirus vector inhibited the development of atherosclerosis, and the atheroprotective effects of IL‐36RN were attenuated by IL‐36 pathway stimulation. Furthermore, the regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome by IL‐36RN was also confirmed in vivo. We demonstrated here that IL‐36RN exerted atheroprotective functions through IL‐36RN/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway.
Suspected Adverse Drug Reactions From Corticosteroids: Analysis of Reported Notifications to the Portuguese Pharmacovigilance System
Authors: Gonçalves Cristel , Monteiro Cristina , Santos Jorge Luiz
Published: June 2020

We performed a retrospective, observational, and descriptive study on the reports of adverse reactions resulting from the use of corticosteroids, based on data from the Portuguese Pharmacovigilance System recorded between January 2009 and December 2018. A total of 569 reports with at least 1 suspected corticosteroid were included in the study, of which 59.1% belonged to individuals aged between 19 and 64 years. There was no significant predominance of sex, with 55% female patients. The notification trend has increased over the years, with the highest number of cases in 2018, 29.5%. Among the 3 groups of health professionals (nurses, pharmacists, and physicians), physicians were the ones who notified the majority. Regarding seriousness, 89.1% were classified as serious, and the most commonly reported corticosteroid as suspected drug was prednisolone, 65.6%. The system organ class group was reported in 37.8% of adverse reactions was infections and infestations. Despite the seriousness of most reports, 42.7% evolved to cure, even though 9.3% of the reports led to the death of patients. The assessment of causality by the regulatory authority was not performed in 84.4% of the reported cases. Although there were enhanced reporting rates of adverse reactions to corticosteroids, active search of their occurrence must be done. In light of the results obtained, educational programs about the importance of pharmacovigilance are essential.
Reliability of acoustic radiation force impulse shear wave elastography in the evaluation of liver stiffness in morbidly obese patients
Authors: Chauhan Anil , Shamchi Sara Pourhassan , Dumon Kristoffel R. , Williams Noel N. , Sehgal Chandra M.
Published: June 2020

Purpose

To evaluate technical and patient‐related factors that can affect the reliability of acoustic radiation force impulse shear wave elastography (ARFI‐SWE) in morbidly obese patients.

Methods

A prospective single‐center study was performed on 41 patients (32 females, 78%) presenting for preoperative evaluation for bariatric surgery. ARFI‐SWE was performed using a 6 to 1.5 MHz curved (6C1) transducer. Hepatic steatosis was mild, moderate, severe, and absent in 24.4%, 12.2%, 43.9%, and 19.5% of patients, respectively. Interquartile range/median (IQR/M) ranged from 0.05 to 2.07 (0.78 ± 0.56 m/s). Twenty patients (48.7%) had reliable measurements (IQR/M < 0.3). Shear wave velocity (SWV) values were >1.34 m/s (clinically significant fibrosis) in 25 of 41 patients (61%) and >2.2 m/s (advanced fibrosis) in 19 patients (46%).

Results

Median SWV was correlated with body mass index (BMI; correlation coefficient [CC] = .37; 95% CI, 0.07‐0.61; P‐value = .03) and skin‐to‐liver capsule distance (SLD) (CC = .38; 95% CI, 0.09‐0.62; P‐value = .01). IQR/M was higher in patients with BMI > 40 (0.24 ± 0.11 vs 0.39 ± 0.25, P‐value = .031) and SLD > 3 cm (0.46 ± 0.27 vs 0.23 ± 0.08, P‐value = .001), and there was higher number of unreliable examinations among patient with SLD > 3 cm (16/23 vs 5/18, P‐value = .01).

Conclusion

ARFI‐SWE is technically more challenging among patients with higher BMI and SLD, resulting in a higher number of unreliable studies, which highlights the need for further advancement of ARFI technology.
Effect of quebracho condensed tannin extract on fecal gas flux in steers
Authors: Norris A. B. , Tedeschi L. O. , Muir J. P. , Foster J. L. , Casey K. D. , Pinchak W. E.
Published: June 2020

Naturally occurring gaseous by‐products of ruminant production—carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O)—can negatively affect the environment. Along with enteric fermentation, manure on pasture is among the most significant contributors to non‐CO2emissions. Condensed tannins, a group of naturally occurring phenolic compounds, can alter the route of nutrient excretion and interact with microbes, suggesting they are a plausible feed additive for reducing excreta gas emissions. We evaluated how quebracho (Schinopsis balansae) tannin extract fed at 0, 15, 30, and 45 g kg−1of dry matter (DM) within a roughage‐based diet affected fecal gas emissions at multiple locations (College Station and Stephenville, TX) during two periods corresponding to winter and spring. During both periods, CO2, CH4, and N2O fluxes were determined using the vented‐static chamber methodology over 39 d, and cumulative emissions were calculated. A random coefficients model with animal nested within dietary treatment and period as the random factor was analyzed by location due to the presence of collinearity with soil parameters within periods. Daily CO2flux was influenced by soil moisture and temperature (r = .34;P < .01), whereas CH4and N2O were associated with soil moisture. Cumulative gas production confirmed a dietary effect for CO2and gross CO2equivalent at the College Station site (P≤ .001), demonstrating a linear reduction as quebracho inclusion increased. Variance partitioning indicated that dietary treatment and seasonal period likely influenced animal digestive and metabolic parameters. Within specific environments, quebracho supplementation may assist in reducing fecal gas emissions.