bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Photochemical Construction of Carbonitride Structures for Red‐Light Redox Catalysis
Authors: Yang Pengju , Wang Ruirui , Zhou Min , Wang Xinchen
Published: May 2018

Metal‐free carbonitride(CN) semiconductors are appealing light‐transducers for photocatalytic redox reactions owing to the unique band gap and stability. To harness solar energy efficiently, CN catalysts that are active over a wider range of the visible spectrum are desired. Now a photochemical approach has been used to prepare a new‐type triazine‐based CN structure. The obtained CN shows extraordinary light‐harvesting characteristics, with suitable semiconductor‐redox potentials. The light absorption edge of the CN reaches up to 735 nm, which is significantly longer than that of the conventional CN semiconductor at about 460 nm. As expected, the CN can efficiently catalyze oxidation of alcohols and reduction of CO2 with visible light, even under red‐light irradiation. The results represent an important step toward the development of red‐light‐responsive triazine‐based structures for solar applications.
Development and characterization of 23 polymorphic microsatellite loci for Amentotaxus argotaenia (Taxaceae), a relict vulnerable species
Authors: Huang Qiqi , Wang Zhen , Wang Ting , Su Yingjuan
Published: May 2018

Premise of the Study

New microsatellite markers were developed for the vulnerable conifer species Amentotaxus argotaenia (Taxaceae) to investigate population genetic variation and the effects of environmental heterogeneity on genetic structure.

Methods and Results

A total of 27 microsatellite loci were developed from A. argotaenia through a Fast Isolation by AFLP of Sequences COntaining repeats (FIASCO) protocol, of which 23 were polymorphic. These markers yielded 1–13 alleles and 1.0–7.9 effective alleles per locus; levels of observed and expected heterozygosity varied from 0.000–1.000 and 0.000–0.873, respectively. In total, 18 of the markers were transferable to the related species A. yunnanensis.

Conclusions

These polymorphic markers are a valuable genetic resource for investigating population genetic variation and the potential for local adaptation in A. argotaenia.
Association Between Reappearance of Myeloperoxidase–Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody and Relapse in Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody–Associated Vasculitis
Authors: Watanabe Haruki , Sada Ken‐Ei , Matsumoto Yoshinori , Harigai Masayoshi , Amano Koichi , Dobashi Hiroaki , Fujimoto Shouichi , Usui Joichi , Yamagata Kunihiro , Atsumi Tatsuya , Banno Shogo , Sugihara Takahiko , Arimura Yoshihiro , Matsuo Seiichi , Makino Hirofumi ,   the Japan Research Committee of the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare for Intractable Vasculitis, and the Research Committee of Intractable Renal Disease of the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare of Japan
Published: May 2018

Objective

To evaluate clinical links between levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO)–antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) and relapse in patients with ANCA‐associated vasculitis (AAV) using a data set from 2 nationwide prospective cohort studies.

Methods

From the cohort studies, MPO‐ANCA–positive patients who achieved remission during the 6 months after remission induction therapy were enrolled. We measured MPO‐ANCA levels at months 0, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, and at the time of relapse. The primary outcome measure was relapse. A nested case–control analysis and multivariable analysis were performed to investigate the relationship between ANCA reappearance and relapse.

Results

Of 271 patients, 183 were classified as having microscopic polyangiitis, 34 as having granulomatosis with polyangiitis, 15 as having eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, and 39 were unclassifiable. The median age was 73 years, and 165 (61%) were female. In 195 patients (72%), MPO‐ANCA levels decreased to normal levels within 6 months after commencement of treatment, and MPO‐ANCA reappeared in 73 of 181 patients (40%) with complete follow‐up data. Reappearance of MPO‐ANCA was more frequent in patients with relapse than in 75 age‐ and sex‐matched control patients without relapse (odds ratio 26.2 [95% confidence interval 8.2–101], P < 0.0001) after adjustment for confounding factors.

Conclusion

Reappearance of MPO‐ANCA could be a clinically useful biomarker for predicting relapse in patients with MPO‐ANCA–positive AAV in remission. This suggests that routine MPO‐ANCA monitoring should be implemented in this patient population.
The Eyes Have it
Authors: Rosenbaum James T. , Dick Andrew D.
Published: May 2018

Uveitis is defined as intraocular inflammation. It is an extraarticular manifestation of many forms of joint disease, which include spondyloarthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and Behçet's disease. Rheumatologists may be asked to consult on the ophthalmologic care of patients with uveitis in order to identify an associated systemic illness. Diagnoses such as spondyloarthritis, sarcoidosis, and interstitial nephritis with uveitis are frequently overlooked by referring ophthalmologists. Alternatively, rheumatologists may be asked to help manage the patient's immunosuppression, including biologic therapy, which can be required to treat a subset of patients with uveitis. This review is intended to provide rheumatologists with the necessary information to facilitate collaboration in the comanagement of patients with uveitis.
JAK/STAT Blockade Alters Synovial Bioenergetics, Mitochondrial Function, and Proinflammatory Mediators in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: McGarry Trudy , Orr Carl , Wade Sarah , Biniecka Monika , Wade Siobhan , Gallagher Lorna , Low Candice , Veale Douglas J. , Fearon Ursula
Published: May 2018

Objective

To examine the effects of tofacitinib on metabolic activity, mitochondrial function, and proinflammatory mechanisms in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

Ex vivo RA synovial explants and primary RA synovial fibroblasts (RASFs) were cultured with 1 μM tofacitinib. RASF bioenergetics were assessed using an XF24 analyzer, and key metabolic genes were assessed by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) analysis. Mitochondrial function was assessed using specific cell fluorescent probes and by mitochondrial gene arrays. Mitochondrial mutagenesis was quantified using a mitochondrial random mutation capture assay, and lipid peroxidation was quantified by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The effect of tofacitinib on spontaneous release of proinflammatory mediators from RA whole tissue synovial explants was quantified by ELISAs/MSD multiplex assays, and metabolic markers were quantified by RT‐PCR. Finally, RASF invasion, matrix degradation, and synovial outgrowths were assessed by transwell invasion/Matrigel outgrowth assays and ELISA.

Results

Tofacitinib significantly decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, mitochondrial mass, and reactive oxygen species production by RASFs and differentially regulated key mitochondrial genes. Tofacitinib significantly increased oxidative phosphorylation, ATP production, and the maximal respiratory capacity and the respiratory reserve in RASFs, an effect paralleled by a decrease in glycolysis and the genes for the key glycolytic enzymes hexokinase 2 (HK2), glycogen synthase kinase 3α (GSK‐3α), lactate dehydrogenase A, and hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α. Tofacitinib inhibited the effect of oncostatin M (OSM) on interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 and reversed the effects of OSM on RASF cellular metabolism. Using RA whole tissue synovial explants, we found that tofacitinib inhibited the key metabolic genes for glucose transporter 1, 6‐phosphofructo‐2‐kinase/fructose‐2,6‐biphosphatase 3, 3′‐phosphoinositide–dependent protein kinase 1, HK2, and GSK‐3α, the proinflammatory mediators IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐1β, intercellular adhesion molecule 1, vascular endothelial growth factor, and TIE‐2, and RASF outgrowth from synovial explants, RASF invasion, and matrix metalloproteinase 1 activity.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that JAK/STAT signaling mediates the complex interplay between inflammation and cellular metabolism in RA pathogenesis.
Synergistic‐Catalysis‐Enabled Reaction of 2‐Indolymethanols with Oxonium Ylides for the Construction of 3‐Indolyl‐3‐Alkoxy Oxindole Frameworks
Authors: Ma Chun , Zhou Jia‐Yu , Zhang Yi‐Zhu , Jiao Yinchun , Mei Guang‐Jian , Shi Feng
Published: May 2018

A synergistic‐catalysis‐enabled reaction of 2‐indolymethanols with oxonium ylides has been established that makes use of a three‐component reaction between 3‐diazooxindoles, alcohols, and 2‐indolymethanols under the cooperative catalysis of a metal complex and a Brønsted acid. This reaction has not only provided a new approach for the construction of 3‐indolyl‐3‐alkoxy oxindole scaffolds by utilizing the C3‐electrophilicity of an indole, but it is also the first example of a nucleophilic addition of a metal‐associated ylide to 2‐indolylmethanols. In addition, this reaction also includes a rarely reported trapping of onium ylides with aryl electrophiles.
Statistical testing of availability for mining technological systems with air quality constraints
Authors: Stehlík Milan , Economou Polychronis , Papić Ljubiša , Aronov Joseph , Nicolis Orietta , Antoch Jaromír , Cézová Eliška , Kiseľák Jozef
Published: May 2018

We develop a mining technology statistical model showing that even environmentally sustainable mining can be still very profitable. We put constraints on mining activities for elevated levels of particulate matters (eg, PM2.5 and PM10) in the air. We show that upper quantiles (eg, 95%) of productivity slightly decrease with respect to maximal number of failures, and this high‐productivity feature is robust with respect to variation of underlying statistical parameters. We illustrate the model on two currently active mining sites, the Chuquicamata copper mine in Chile and the opencast coal mine Libouš in the Czech Republic. Two generic working scenarios have been obtained. We show that, under very realistic conditions for both countries, the Czech Republic and Chilean mining companies can regulate mining activities for high thresholds of air pollutants without a substantial loss of productivity. Sensitivity analysis with respect to parameters is provided.
Predicting events in clinical trials using two time‐to‐event outcomes
Authors: Mu Rongji , Xu Jin
Published: May 2018

In clinical trials with time‐to‐event outcomes, it is of interest to predict when a prespecified number of events can be reached. Interim analysis is conducted to estimate the underlying survival function. When another correlated time‐to‐event endpoint is available, both outcome variables can be used to improve estimation efficiency. In this paper, we propose to use the convolution of two time‐to‐event variables to estimate the survival function of interest. Propositions and examples are provided based on exponential models that accommodate possible change points. We further propose a new estimation equation about the expected time that exploits the relationship of two endpoints. Simulations and the analysis of real data show that the proposed methods with bivariate information yield significant improvement in prediction over that of the univariate method.
Omission of surgery in older women with early breast cancer has an adverse impact on breast cancer-specific survival
Authors: Ward S E , Richards P D , Morgan J L , Holmes G R , Broggio J W , Collins K , Reed M W R , Wyld L
Published: May 2018

Background

Primary endocrine therapy is used as an alternative to surgery in up to 40 per cent of women with early breast cancer aged over 70 years in the UK. This study investigated the impact of surgery versus primary endocrine therapy on breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) in older women.

Methods

Cancer registration data for 2002–2010 were obtained from two English regions. A retrospective analysis was performed for women with oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive disease, using statistical modelling to show the effect of treatment (surgery or primary endocrine therapy) and age and health status on BCSS. Missing data were handled using multiple imputation.

Results

Cancer registration data on 23 961 women were retrieved. After data preprocessing, 18 730 of 23 849 women (78·5 per cent) were identified as having ER-positive disease; of these, 10 087 (53·9 per cent) had surgery and 8643 (46·1 per cent) had primary endocrine therapy. BCSS was worse in the primary endocrine therapy group than in the surgical group (5-year BCSS rate 69·4 and 89·9 per cent respectively). This was true for all strata considered, although the difference was less in the cohort with the greatest degree of co-morbidity. For older, frailer patients the hazard of breast cancer death had less relative impact on overall survival.

Conclusion

BCSS in older women with ER-positive disease is worse if surgery is omitted. This treatment choice may contribute to inferior cancer outcomes. Selection for surgery on the basis of predicted life expectancy may permit choice of women for whom surgery confers little benefit.
Prognostic significance of combined pretreatment lymphocyte counts and body mass index in patients with head and neck cancer treated with radiation therapy
Authors: Wu Yao‐Yu , Chang Kai‐Ping , Lin Chien‐Yu , Pai Ping‐Ching , Wang Hung‐Ming , Hsu Cheng‐Lung , Liao Chun‐Ta , Yen Tzu‐Chen , Fang Tuan‐Jen , Huang Shiang‐Fu , Kang Chung‐Jan , Fang Ku‐Hao , Lin Wan‐Ni , Wang Yu‐Chien , Hsin Li‐Jen , Tsang Ngan‐Ming
Published: May 2018

We aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of combined pretreatment lymphocyte counts (LCs) and body mass index (BMI) in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) treated with radiation therapy (RT). Nine hundred and twelve patients with HNC who were treated with RT were retrospectively reviewed. Survival was analyzed by stratifying the patients according to pretreatment LCs and BMI. Patients with low pretreatment LCs and BMI were characterized by a more advanced T stage, fewer nasopharyngeal subsites, less smoking and drinking, and fewer comorbidities. Patients with low pretreatment LCs and BMI had a significantly poorer overall and distant metastasis‐free survival than those with high pretreatment LCs and BMI. No significant differences were observed in terms of local or regional recurrence‐free survival. Combined pretreatment LCs and BMI may be more effective at predicting overall and distant metastasis‐free survival in patients with HNC treated with RT.
Differences in cancer survival among white and black cancer patients by presence of diabetes mellitus: Estimations based on SEER‐Medicare‐linked data resource
Authors: Lam Clara , Cronin Kathleen , Ballard Rachel , Mariotto Angela
Published: May 2018

Diabetes prevalence and racial health disparities in the diabetic population are increasing in the US. Population‐based cancer‐specific survival estimates for cancer patients with diabetes have not been assessed. The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)‐Medicare linkage provided data on cancer‐specific deaths and diabetes prevalence among 14 separate cohorts representing 1 068 098 cancer patients ages 66 +  years diagnosed between 2000 and 2011 in 17 SEER areas. Cancer‐specific survival estimates were calculated by diabetes status adjusted by age, stage, comorbidities, and cancer treatment, and stratified by cancer site and sex with whites without diabetes as the reference group. Black patients had the highest diabetes prevalence particularly among women. Risks of cancer deaths were increased across most cancer sites for patients with diabetes regardless of race. Among men the largest effect of having diabetes on cancer‐specific deaths were observed for black men diagnosed with Non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) (HR = 1.53, 95%CI = 1.33‐1.76) and prostate cancer (HR = 1.37, 95%CI = 1.32‐1.42). Diabetes prevalence was higher for black females compared to white females across all 14 cancer sites and higher for most sites when compared to white and black males. Among women the largest effect of having diabetes on cancer‐specific deaths were observed for black women diagnosed with corpus/uterus cancer (HR = 1.66, 95%CI = 1.54‐1.79), Hodgkin lymphoma (HR = 1.62, 95%CI = 1.02‐2.56) and breast ER+ (HR = 1.39, 95%CI = 1.32‐1.47). The co‐occurrence of diabetes and cancer significantly increases the risk of cancer death. Our study suggests that these risks may vary by cancer site, and indicates the need for future research to address racial and sex disparities and enhance understanding how prevalent diabetes may affect cancer deaths.
The effects of aberrant expression of LncRNA DGCR5/miR‐873‐5p/TUSC3 in lung cancer cell progression
Authors: Luo Judong , Zhu Hong , Jiang Hua , Cui Yayun , Wang Mengjie , Ni Xinye , Ma Changsheng
Published: May 2018

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer‐related mortality worldwide, and nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 80% of all pulmonary carcinomas. Recently, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been paid attention for exploring treatment of various diseases. Upregulation of DiGeorge syndrome critical region gene 5 (DGCR5) predicts better lung squamous cell carcinoma prognosis; therefore, we explore the role of DGCR5 in lung cancer in our present study. Consecutive patients with LC were treated in our hospital between January 2015 and January 2016. qRT‐PCR demonstrated that DGCR5 was significantly lower in neoplastic tissues than in non‐neoplastic tissues. For in vitro experiments, cell growth, migration, and invasion were significantly lower in A549 cells transfected with pcDNA3.1‐DGCR5 than pcDNA3.1, which were verified by 5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, scratch test, and transwell assay, respectively, with no significant induction on cell apoptosis that was demonstrated by flow cytometry (FCM) assay. Bioinformatics analysis predicted that 3’ untranslated region (UTR) of tumor suppressor candidate 3 (TUSC3, 49‐55 bp) and DGCR5 (801‐807 bp) shared a common hsa‐miR‐873‐5p binding site, and the direct interaction between DGCR5 and hsa‐miR‐873‐5p or hsa‐miR‐873‐5p and TUSC3 was verified by dual‐luciferase reporter assay. qRT‐PCR demonstrated that hsa‐miR‐873‐5p was dramatically higher and TUSC3 was significantly lower in neoplastic tissues than in non‐neoplastic tissues. DGCR5 decreased the protein level of TUSC3 by miR‐873‐5p which was demonstrated by Western blot and immunofluorescence. The role of DGCR5 in tumorigenesis in vivo was consistent with in vitro assays, Ki‐67‐positive cell number (exhibited by immunohistochemical staining), tumor size, and tumor weight of A549‐DGCR5 group were significantly lower in comparison with A549‐control group.
Gemcitabine and cisplatin regimen facilitates prognosis of advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Li Qiongxuan , Yin Zhi , Wang Tingting , Chen Lizhang , Li Zhanzhan
Published: May 2018

This study was conducted to assess the efficacy and adverse effects of GP (gemcitabine + cisplatin) regimen and FP (fluouracil + cisplatin) regimen in treatment of advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Systematic online searches were performed in PubMed, Web of Sciences, China Knowledge Infrastructure and Weipu from the inception to November 15, 2017. Potential studies were assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias scale. Statistical analyses were performed on Stata 14.0 and RevMan 5.3. Finally, twelve studies entered final qualitative synthesis and quantitative analysis. The GP regimen compared with the FP regimen had significantly higher 1‐year survival rate (relative risk (RR) = 1.07, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01‐1.13), significantly better performance in the fixed‐effect model (RR = 1.16, 95%CI: 1.04‐1.30) and significantly higher remission rate (RR = 1.17, 95%CI: 1.05‐1.29). Significant differences between regimens were found in gastrointestinal effects (RR = 0.58, 95%CI: 0.45‐0.74). No significant differences between regimens were found in reduced hemoglobin rate (RR = 0.55, 95%CI: 0.36‐1.21), neutropenia (RR = 1.84, 95%CI: 0.93‐5.02), or reduced platelet (RR = 1.25, 95%CI: 0.85‐1.75) and mucosal inflammation (RR = 0.81, 95%CI: 0.57‐1.16). Sensitivity analysis indicated the results remained stable. The funnel plot indicated some publication bias. In conclusion, the GP regimen outperforms the FP regimen in treatment of advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma with no difference in adverse effects. We may consider the GP regimen a better choice, but this conclusion should be confirmed by high‐quality trials.
Loss of cyclin‐dependent kinase‐like 2 predicts poor prognosis in gastric cancer, and its overexpression suppresses cells growth and invasion
Authors: Fang Chia‐Lang , Uen Yih‐Huei , Chen Han‐Kun , Hseu You‐Cheng , Lin Chih‐Chan , Hung Shih‐Ting , Sun Ding‐Ping , Lin Kai‐Yuan
Published: May 2018

Cyclin‐dependent kinase‐like 2 (CDKL2), a new member of the cyclin‐dependent kinase family, may be involved in gastric cancer (GC) progression. Thus, we conducted this study to explore the clinical effect of CDKL2 in GC. Immunohistochemistry was used to measure CDKL2 levels in gastric tissues. The association of a high CDKL2 level with clinical and pathological characteristics, and the correlation between the CDKL2 level and disease‐free and overall survival were analyzed. Transfection was employed to overexpress CDKL2 in GC cells and to investigate the effect of CDKL2 overexpression on cell proliferation and invasion. Loss of CDKL2 was positively correlated with several clinical and pathological characteristics, and patients with a low CDKL2 level had significantly poorer disease‐free and overall survival than those with a high level (P = .005 and .001, respectively). Univariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model indicated that a low CDKL2 level was a prognosticator for inferior disease‐free survival (P = .007). Based on immmunoblotting data, AGS and HGC‐27 GC cells were chosen for CDKL2 overexpression. Cellular studies revealed that CDKL2 overexpression impaired cell proliferation and invasion. Loss of CDKL2 may serve as a biomarker for predicting GC patient outcomes and a potential therapeutic target for GC treatment.
4‐Oxo‐β‐apo‐13‐carotenone from the Cyanobacterium Anabaena cylindrica PCC 7122
Authors: Martins Teresa P. , Reis Mariana A. , Leão Pedro N.
Published: May 2018

Apocarotenoids are widely distributed among living organisms (bacteria, fungi, algae, plants and even animals) and have been associated with several signaling functions. These compounds are generated by the activity of carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases (CCDs), whose diversity greatly contributes to the large number of apocarotenoids that have been described so far. It is nevertheless expected that a considerable diversity of these molecules is yet to be discovered. In this work, we describe the isolation and structural elucidation of the apocarotenoid 4‐oxo‐β‐apo‐13‐carotenone from the cultured freshwater cyanobacterium Anabaena cylindrica PCC 7122, corresponding to the first report of this compound from natural sources.
Thermodynamics of Imidazolium‐Based Ionic Liquids Containing the Trifluoromethanesulfonate Anion
Authors: Zaitsau Dzmitry H. , Yermalayeu Andrei V. , Emel'yanenko Vladimir N. , Verevkin Sergey P.
Published: May 2018

A thermochemical investigation of the series of 1‐alkyl‐3‐methylimidazolium ionic liquids (ILs) with the trifluromethanesulfonate CF3SO3− anion is presented. Absolute vapor pressures and vaporization enthalpies were measured by using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). The enthalpies of solutions were determined by solution calorimetry. Gas‐phase enthalpies of the formation of ILs were calculated by applying the high‐level quantum‐chemical method G3MP2. From a combination of experimental and theoretical results, the enthalpy of formation of aqueous CF3SO3− anion was derived for the first time.
Simple Procedure to Estimate Mass Transfer Coefficients from Uptake Curves on Activated Carbons
Authors: Magalhães Siqueira Rafael , Vilarrasa-García Enrique , Belo Torres Antônio Eurico , Silva de Azevedo Diana Cristina , Bastos-Neto Moisés
Published: May 2018

A method based on the linear driving force (LDF) approximation is described to estimate the mass transfer coefficient of molecules adsorbing onto microporous carbons, by using independently measured uptake data. This parameter was determined from uptake curves derived from pressure increments during the measurement of isotherm data. To validate the method, simulations for batch uptake were performed and compared to the experimental data in order to obtain the values for the LDF constants. Such values were applied to predict breakthrough curves and compared to experimental data. The proposed method to estimate the LDF coefficient can be adequate to obtain a more physically meaningful value of the mass transfer coefficient.
Multi‐similarity measurement driven ensemble just‐in‐time learning for soft sensing of industrial processes
Authors: Yuan Xiaofeng , Zhou Jiao , Wang Yalin , Yang Chunhua
Published: May 2018

Just‐in‐time learning (JITL) technique has been widely used for adaptive soft sensing of nonlinear processes. It builds online local model with the most relevant samples from historical dataset whenever a query sample comes. Hence, the prediction performance greatly depends on the similarity measurement for relevant sample selection. Different similarity measurements have been developed for sample selection in the past decades. However, each method only focuses on one aspect of sample similarity and has its own limitations. Moreover, it is difficult to obtain the similarity mechanism of real process data. A single similarity measurement does not always provide satisfactory prediction performance. To deal with this problem, a novel ensemble just‐in‐time learning (E‐JITL) framework is proposed in this paper. In E‐JITL, different similarity measurements are adopted for sample selection. Then, local prediction models are constructed and trained to estimate the output of the query data with different groups of relevant samples corresponding to the similarity measurements. At last, a final prediction can be obtained by an ensemble strategy on each local model. The effectiveness of the E‐JITL is validated on two industrial applications.
Monitoring the Hydrothermal Growth of Cobalt Spinel Water Oxidation Catalysts: From Preparative History to Catalytic Activity
Authors: Reith Lukas , Lienau Karla , Cook Daniel S. , Moré René , Walton Richard I. , Patzke Greta R.
Published: May 2018

The hydrothermal growth of cobalt oxide spinel (Co3O4) nanocrystals from cobalt acetate precursors was monitored with in situ powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) in combination with ex situ electron microscopy and vibrational spectroscopy. Kinetic data from in situ PXRD monitoring were analyzed using Sharp–Hancock and Gualtieri approaches, which both clearly indicate a change of the growth mechanism for reaction temperatures above 185 °C. This mechanistic transition goes hand in hand with morphology changes that notably influence the photocatalytic oxygen evolution activity. Complementary quenching investigations of conventional hydrothermal Co3O4 growth demonstrate that these insights derived from in situ PXRD data provide valuable synthetic guidelines for water oxidation catalyst production. Furthermore, the ex situ analyses of hydrothermal quenching experiments were essential to assess the influence of amorphous cobalt‐containing phases arising from the acetate precursor on the catalytic activity. Thereby, the efficient combination of a single in situ technique with ex situ analyses paves the way to optimize parameter‐sensitive hydrothermal production processes of key energy materials.
2‐Benzoylpyridine Ligand Complexation with Gold Critical for Propargyl Ester‐Based Protein Labeling
Authors: Lin Yixuan , Vong Kenward , Matsuoka Koji , Tanaka Katsunori
Published: May 2018

In previously reported work, AuIII complexes coordinated with 2‐benzoylpyridine ligand, BPy‐Au, were prebound to a protein and used to discover a novel protein‐directed labeling approach with propargyl ester functional groups. In this work, further examination discovered that gold catalysts devoid of the 2‐benzoylpyridine ligand (e.g., NaAuCl4) had significantly reduced levels of protein labeling. Mechanistic investigations then revealed that BPy‐Au and propargyl esters undergo a rare example of C(sp2)−C(sp) aryl–alkynyl cross‐coupling, likely through spontaneous reductive elimination. Overall, these observations appear to suggest that BPy‐Au‐mediated, propargyl ester‐based protein labeling acts via an activated ester intermediate, which contributes to our understanding of this process and will aid the expansion/optimization of gold‐catalyst usage in future bioconjugation applications, especially in vivo.
New Vistas in Transmetalation with Discrete “AgCF3” Species: Implications in Pd‐Mediated Trifluoromethylation Reactions
Authors: Martínez de Salinas Sara , Mudarra Ángel L. , Benet‐Buchholz Jordi , Parella Teodor , Maseras Feliu , Pérez‐Temprano Mónica H.
Published: May 2018

This work describes the employment of discrete “AgCF3” complexes as efficient transmetalating agents to PdII to surmount overlooked challenges related to the transmetalation step in Pd‐catalyzed trifluoromethylation processes. We report the participation of a unique silver ate (Cs)[Ag(CF3)2] complex, under stoichiometric and catalytic conditions, in the unprecedented one‐pot formation of PhCF3 using PhI as starting material. Moreover, we show that the transmetalation step, which is often ignored in these transformations, can also determine the success or failure of the coupling process.
Synthesis, Biological Activity, and Mechanism of Action of 2‐Pyrazyl and Pyridylhydrazone Derivatives, New Classes of Antileishmanial Agents
Authors: Coimbra Elaine S. , Antinarelli Luciana M. R. , de A. Crispi Mariana , Nogueira Thais C. M. , Pinheiro Alessandra C. , de Souza Marcus V. N.
Published: May 2018

In this work, we report the antileishmanial activity of 23 compounds based on 2‐pyrazyl and 2‐pyridylhydrazone derivatives. The compounds were tested against the promastigotes of Leishmania amazonensis and L. braziliensis, murine macrophages, and intracellular L. amazonensis amastigotes. The most potent antileishmanial compound was selected for investigation into its mechanism of action. Among the evaluated compounds, five derivatives [(E)‐3‐((2‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)hydrazono)methyl)benzene‐1,2‐diol (2 b), (E)‐4‐((2‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)hydrazono)methyl)benzene‐1,3‐diol (2 c), (E)‐4‐nitro‐2‐((2‐(pyrazin‐2‐yl)hydrazono)methyl)phenol (2 s), (E)‐2‐(2‐(pyridin‐2‐ylmethylene)hydrazinyl)pyrazine (2 u), and (E)‐2‐(2‐((5‐nitrofuran‐2‐yl)methylene)hydrazinyl)pyrazine (2 v)] exhibited significant activity against L. amazonensis amastigote forms, with IC50 values below 20 μm. The majority of the compounds did not show any toxic effect on murine macrophages. Preliminary studies on the mode of action of members of this hydrazine‐derived series indicate that the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and disruption of parasite mitochondrial function are important for the pharmacological effect on L. amazonensis promastigotes.
Electrically Controlled Biochemical Release from Micro/Nanostructures for in vitro and in vivo Applications: A Review
Authors: Guo Jianhe , Fan Donglei
Published: May 2018

To release biosubstances, including drug molecules, DNAs, and proteins, at prescribed cellular and tissue locations with controllable rates is the Holy Grail of drug delivery that could enable an array of unprecedented in vitro and in vivo applications. Extensive research efforts have been focused on exploring innovative mechanisms and approaches for controlling biochemical release with prescribed dose, timing, and dynamics. Particularly, the utilization of electric fields to stimulate the release of biomolecules from synthesized micro/nanostructures has received considerable interest. In this review, we focus on the recent progresses in controlling the release of biomolecules with electric fields by a variety of mechanisms, including electrochemical desorption and actuation, electrically triggered erosion, and electrically driven nanopumps and mechanical motions. The research on external electric stimuli trigged biorelease has progressed rapidly and could make remarkable impact in single‐cell biology, cell‐cell communication, and drug discovery.
Person‐specific validation and testing of functional relations in cognitive‐behavioural case formulation: Guidelines and options
Authors: Mumma Gregory H. , Marshall Andrew J. , Mauer Cortney
Published: May 2018

Although a number of manuals describe how to develop a cognitive‐behavioural case formulation (CBCF) to assist the clinician in developing and implementing tailored CB treatment for complex or comorbid cases, methods to evaluate and test functional hypotheses in the formulation for a particular case are not widely known or used. Thus, formulation‐based, tailored treatments for such cases are likely to be guided by case formulations of uncertain validity. The present article presents guidelines and choices available to the clinical trainee, researcher, or practitioner planning to use a person‐specific (PS) approach to testing CBCF hypotheses about functional relations between triggers, cognitions, and distress or dysfunction. This approach involves repeated assessments completed by the client using an individualized questionnaire that includes both nomothetic and idiographic items of greatest relevance to the client. Guidelines and options for developing this questionnaire and for data collection within the context of a collaborative therapist–client relationship are described. PS data analyses are then used to test case formulation hypotheses that vary in complexity from simple bivariate relations to complex dynamic mediation. A case example using this PS approach is described. Simpler options for the PS evaluation of a CBCF usable by practitioners and trainees as well as more complex options for clinical researchers are included.
Visible‐Light‐Driven Reduction of CO2 to CO and Its Subsequent Valorization in Carbonylation Chemistry and 13C Isotope Labeling
Authors: Gotico Philipp , Del Vecchio Antonio , Audisio Davide , Quaranta Annamaria , Halime Zakaria , Leibl Winfried , Aukauloo Ally
Published: May 2018

A convenient and safe approach in valorizing carbon monoxide (CO) produced from the photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) has been investigated. Visible light was used to drive an optimized photocatalytic reduction using a ruthenium trisbipyridine complex as a sensitizer and a rhenium bipyridyl carbonyl complex as a catalyst to perform an efficient reduction of CO2 to CO, which was then simultaneously utilized in a palladium‐catalyzed aminocarbonylation reaction at room temperature. This approach provides safe handling of the produced CO which also opens the way for a more efficient application of 13C‐isotope and 14C‐radioisotope‐labeled CO2 in pharmaceutically relevant drug labeling.
The Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program—learning from failure of a healthcare policy
Authors: Gupta Ankur , Fonarow Gregg C.
Published: May 2018

Heart failure is the leading cause of readmissions in patients aged ≥65 years with high associated societal and economic costs. The utilization metric of 30‐day risk standardized readmission rates (RSRRs) has therefore become a target to reduce healthcare costs. In this review, we discuss in detail the implementation, effectiveness, and unintended consequences of the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP)—the major healthcare policy approach in the U.S. to reduce readmissions by financially penalizing hospitals with higher than average 30‐day RSRRs. The HRRP was enacted by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (popularly known as ‘Obamacare’). The public reporting of RSRRs began in June 2009 and the HRRP readmission penalties went into effect starting fiscal year 2013. The policy had limited success in achieving its primary objective of reducing readmissions as the achieved reduction in heart failure readmissions was much smaller (∼9%) than anticipated (∼25%) with some of the reduction in RSRRs attributable to the artifact of administrative upcoding post‐HRRP rather than an actual decline in readmissions. From the time of passage of this law, there have been significant concerns regarding gaming of the system such as increase in observation stays, delaying readmissions beyond discharge day 30, and inappropriate triage strategies in emergency departments in order to achieve lower readmission rates to avoid penalties. A series of independent reports have now suggested that implementation of the HRRP was associated with an increase in 30‐day, 90‐day, and 1‐year risk‐adjusted heart failure mortality in the U.S. with reversal in decade long trend of declining heart failure mortality. We review the evidence behind effect of the HRRP on readmissions and mortality outcomes as well as discuss various lessons to be learned from the design, implementation, and consequences of
this policy.
A Computational Mechanistic Study of the Chemo‐ and Enantioselectivity in the 1,4‐Addition Reaction Catalyzed by a Rh Complex of Sulfinyl‐Phosphine
Authors: Li Liangchun , Sun Rongqin , Zheng Renlin , Huang Yi , Chen Hongyin
Published: May 2018

Computational modelling provides a powerful tool for predicting the possibility of a reaction and permits an important quantitative evaluation of the chemo‐ and enantioselectivities in reactions. Here we present the results of DFT calculations of the chemo‐ and enantioselectivities of the 1,4‐addition of phenylboronic acid to β,γ‐unsaturated α‐ketoamides or α‐ketoesters catalyzed by Rh ligated to a sulfinyl‐phosphine ligand. For the three substrates studied, the predicted chemoselectivity and absolute configuration agree with experimental observations. The ee values calculated at the SMD/M06/DGDZVP level of theory were more accurate than those determined by the IEFPCM/PBE0/DGDZVP method. The high steric pressure exercised by the tBu and diphenylphosphine groups are the origin of the chemo‐ and enantioselectivities of the 1,4‐addition reactions.
“They've conspired against us”: Understanding the role of social identification and conspiracy beliefs in justification of ingroup collective behavior
Authors: Chayinska Maria , Minescu Anca
Published: May 2018

The present research investigates conditions under which beliefs in conspiracy theories predict the desire to justify ingroup behavior in the context of intergroup conflict. We propose that within the context of Ukraine's intergroup conflict over the annexation of Crimea, supporters (but not opponents) of the “Euromaidan” social movement are likely to validate protesters’ collective actions as just to the extent that they believe that the authorities are engaged in annexation‐related conspiracies. We also examine the moderating role of perceived political corruption in these processes. Using a public opinion survey of 315 Ukrainians, we found support for our hypothesized moderated mediation model—identification with “Euromaidan” increased beliefs in the annexation‐related conspiracy theories, which in turn, increased justification of protesters’ actions in the setting of intergroup conflict. However, this mediation was only observed among those supporters of the Euromaidan who perceived political corruption to be at a low or average level.
Damage spectra of global crustal seismic sequences considering scaling issues of aftershock ground motions
Authors: Wen Weiping , Zhai Changhai , Ji Duofa
Published: May 2018

Recent studies and earthquakes have shown that the mainshock‐aftershock (MSAS) sequences would induce significant cumulative damage, and it is urgent to incorporate the MSAS sequences into performance‐based seismic design and resilience assessment. For this purpose, one of the key problems is how to accurately and quickly estimate the cumulative damage induced by MSAS sequences. This manuscript investigates the damage spectra of global crustal MSAS sequences and proposes a prediction equation of damage spectra as a tool to quantify the cumulative damage caused by MSAS sequences. The recorded MSAS ground motions from global crustal seismic sequences are collected. The structures are modeled by 4 different kinds of single degree of freedom systems with/without degradation and pinching behavior. The scaling indicator and scaling factor SF of aftershock ground motions are studied from the point of view of efficiency and accuracy. The results indicate that scaling aftershock ground motions with spectra acceleration Sa present the best efficiency. Applying the condition of SF smaller than or equal to 5.0 (ie, SF ≤ 5.0) can clearly reduce the bias induced by over‐scaling and meanwhile has no change on the dispersion of results. Strong aftershocks (eg, relative Sa greater than 0.8) can increase the damage spectra by the minimum level of 20% for non‐degrading systems, and quantitative effects of aftershocks strongly depend on the period of vibration, strength reduction factor, hysteretic behavior, and intensity of the aftershock ground motions. The proposed prediction equation shows high accuracy on the estimation of the cumulative damage induced by MSAS sequences.
Study of fire behaviour of facade mock‐ups equipped with aluminium composite material‐based claddings, using intermediate‐scale test method
Authors: Guillaume Eric , Fateh Talal , Schillinger Renaud , Chiva Roman , Ukleja Sebastian
Published: May 2018

The fire behaviour of a building façade is dependent on the overall system's performance, rather than the performance of the individual components. A façade system includes the cladding and the insulant's characteristics, but also the cavities, cavity barriers, mounting and fixings, substrate, and any singularities, such as window frames. This publication presents façade fire propagation test according to the ISO 13785‐1 standard, with additional heat release rate and gases analysis using FTIR. Tests have been performed on 9 different compositions of aluminium composite panels (ACM) with several insulants. For tested compositions, the cladding is the most important parameter driving global fire behaviour of façade mock‐ups. ACM‐PE‐based cladding systems gave very different results from the other solutions tested. This was especially visible in heat release rates, where fire intensity was very high, whatever the insulant used in the system. The contribution of the insulant was only remarkable in these tests during the decay phase. The cavity barrier was largely ineffectual in the 3 tests with ACM‐PE cladding, as the integrity of the cavity was not ensured.
Physicochemical properties, antioxidant capacities, and metal contents of virgin coconut oil produced by wet and dry processes
Authors: Ghani Nurul Aqilah A. , Channip Amy‐Arniza , Chok Hwee Hwa Phoebe , Ja'afar Fairuzeta , Yasin Hartini M. , Usman Anwar
Published: May 2018

Different from cooking oils which contain long‐chain fatty acids, virgin coconut oil (VCO) has high medium‐chain fatty acids, making it a potential functional food which can provide some health benefits. In this study, our objective is to investigate the physicochemical properties, antioxidant capacity, and metal contents of the VCO extracted through four different processing methods: chilling and centrifugation; fermentation; direct micro expelling‐oven dried; and direct micro expelling‐sun‐dried processes. We found that the physicochemical properties, including moisture content, refractive index, viscosity, iodine value, saponification value, peroxide value, free fatty acid, and fatty acid content, of all the VCO conform to the Asian and Pacific Coconut Community (APCC) standard. All of the VCO predominantly contains lauric acid which is in the range of 48.40%–52.84% of the fatty acid content. The total phenolic content and DPPH radical‐scavenging activity (IC50) of the VCO was obtained to be in the range of 1.16–12.54 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g and 7.49–104.52 mg/ml, respectively, and the metal contents in the VCO were within the acceptable range of the recommended APCC limit. These findings ensure good quality and safety assurance of the VCO produced from the coconut grown in Brunei Darussalam through the different processing methods.
Maternal education and childhood immunization in Turkey
Authors: Özer Mustafa , Fidrmuc Jan , Eryurt Mehmet Ali
Published: May 2018

We study the causal effect of maternal education on childhood immunization rates. We use the Compulsory Education Law of 1997, and the differentiation in its implementation across regions, as instruments for schooling of young mothers in Turkey. The Compulsory Education Law increased the compulsory years of schooling of those born after 1986 from 5 to 8 years. We find that education of mothers increases the probability of completing the full course of diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus and Hepatitis B vaccinations for their children. The results are robust to variations in regression specification and including various individual and community variables.
Acetyl‐CoA Carboxylase Inhibition Reverses NAFLD and Hepatic Insulin Resistance but Promotes Hypertriglyceridemia in Rodents
Authors: Goedeke Leigh , Bates Jamie , Vatner Daniel F. , Perry Rachel J. , Wang Ting , Ramirez Ricardo , Li Li , Ellis Matthew W. , Zhang Dongyan , Wong Kari E. , Beysen Carine , Cline Gary W. , Ray Adrian S. , Shulman Gerald I.
Published: May 2018

Pharmacologic inhibition of acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACC) enzymes, ACC1 and ACC2, offers an attractive therapeutic strategy for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) through simultaneous inhibition of fatty acid synthesis and stimulation of fatty acid oxidation. However, the effects of ACC inhibition on hepatic mitochondrial oxidation, anaplerosis, and ketogenesis in vivo are unknown. Here, we evaluated the effect of a liver‐directed allosteric inhibitor of ACC1 and ACC2 (Compound 1) on these parameters, as well as glucose and lipid metabolism, in control and diet‐induced rodent models of NAFLD. Oral administration of Compound 1 preferentially inhibited ACC enzymatic activity in the liver, reduced hepatic malonyl‐CoA levels, and enhanced hepatic ketogenesis by 50%. Furthermore, administration for 6 days to high‐fructose‐fed rats resulted in a 20% reduction in hepatic de novo lipogenesis. Importantly, long‐term treatment (21 days) significantly reduced high‐fat sucrose diet–induced hepatic steatosis, protein kinase C epsilon activation, and hepatic insulin resistance. ACCi treatment was associated with a significant increase in plasma triglycerides (approximately 30% to 130%, depending on the length of fasting). ACCi‐mediated hypertriglyceridemia could be attributed to approximately a 15% increase in hepatic very low‐density lipoprotein production and approximately a 20% reduction in triglyceride clearance by lipoprotein lipase (P ≤ 0.05). At the molecular level, these changes were associated with increases in liver X receptor/sterol response element‐binding protein‐1 and decreases in peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor‐α target activation and could be reversed with fenofibrate co‐treatment in a high‐fat diet mouse model. Conclusion: Collectively, these studies warrant further investigation into the therapeutic utility of liver‐directed ACC inhibition for the treatment of NAFLD and hepatic insulin resistance.