bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antibiotic Resistance Pattern of Bacteria Isolated from Biofilms in Water from Groundwater Sources in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
Authors: Olalemi A. O. , Akinruli F. T. , Oluwasusi V. O.
Published: October 2019

This study investigated the pattern of occurrence of antibiotic resistant bacteria in biofilms in water from groundwater sources in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. Water samples were collected from boreholes and wells within Ado-Ekiti metropolis over a period of 4 months (n = 100), and biofilm samples were taken at interval of seven days within the period of storage and subjected to microbiological analysis until the total bacterial counts were significant. Enumeration of bacteria in biofilms and antibiotic sensitivity of the bacterial isolates were carried out using standard microbiological methods and multiple antibiotic resistant indexes of the bacterial isolates were calculated. Results showed that a total of 202 bacterial isolates were obtained from the biofilms of the water samples and this include Streptococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi and Shigella dysenteriae. Of all the bacterial isolates, Streptococcus faecalis had the highest frequency of occurrence (90 %). The bacterial isolates from the biofilms in water from borehole had the highest bacterial count (1.11 × 104 cfu/ml) and were more resistant to antibiotics, whereas those from well had the least bacterial count (0.78 × 104 cfu/ml) and were less resistant to antibiotics. A total of 106 (52.5%) bacterial isolates displayed multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) with indexes greater than 0.2. The findings from this study suggest high prevalence of MAR indexes indicating high source of contamination in areas where antibiotics are used in Ado-Ekiti. Water from the groundwater sources should be treated at point of use and should not be stored for too long before use to prevent the development of biofilms that may be of great significance to human health.
Screening for Salmonella typhi Serum Antibodies and Stool Antigen among Undergraduate Students of Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria
Authors: Enitan Seyi Samson , Ihongbe John Cletus , Ochei John Okeleke , Ileoma Emmanuel , Adejumo Esther Ngozi , Ogunsola Oluwadamilola Rosemary
Published: October 2019

Background: Salmonella typhi infection is endemic in Nigeria with varied morbidity and mortality rates.

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence rate of Salmonella typhi infection among the undergraduate Students of Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State using rapid diagnostic method.

Study Design: This is a descriptive-epidemiological survey. 

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria, between April and June, 2018. 

Materials and Methods: Blood and stool specimens were randomly collected from 200 consenting undergraduate Students and screened using Solid Rapid Diagnostic Typhoid (United Kingdom) and Accu-Chek S. typhi antigen (India) Test Kits, respectively according to the manufacturer instruction.                                                                                           

Results: Out of the 200 participants screened, 7(3.5%) were positive for S. typhi serum immunoglobulin M antibody (IgM Ab), 68 (34.0%) were positive for S. typhi serum immunoglobulin G antibody (IgG Ab), while 18 (9.0%) were positive for S. typhi stool antigen (SAg). Percentage sero-positivity for S. typhi serum IgG antibody was significantly (P < 0.05) higher among participants who were male (29.0%), 16-20 years (17.0%) and Occupants of Hall 15 (8.0%). Risk factors associated with the occurrence of Salmonella typhi infection in this study include: lack of Typhoid fever vaccination, past history of typhoid fever, drinking of unsafe water and raw cow milk, consumption of beef, poultry and street vended food, as well as poor toilet hygiene.

Conclusion: The outcome of this study show that Salmonella typi infection exist among undergraduate Students of Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State; therefore, prompt treatment of all identified cases, in addition to a sustainable implementation of preventive measures is needed to halt the cycle of transmission.
Comparative Bioremediation Potentials of Pseudomonas aeruginosa KX828570 and Bacillus megaterium KY085976 on Polluted Terrestrial Soil Treated with Oil Spill dispersant
Authors: Olufunmilayo Williams, Janet , Augusta Inweregbu, Ogechi
Published: October 2019

Aim: To assess the bioremediation potential of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus megaterium on oil spill dispersant polluted terrestrial soil.

Study Design: The study employs experimental design, statistical analysis of data and interpretation.

Place and Duration of the Study: Polluted Terrestrial Soil (Ts) samples were collected from Kegbara-Dere community in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State with sterile shovel from three different spots at the same location and put in black polythene bags and transported to the microbiological laboratory within 24 hours for physicochemical and microbiological analyses. Oil spill dispersant (OSD/LT and OSD/Seacare) were obtained from Baker and Hughes Nigeria Limited in Rivers state, Nigeria.

Methodology: Standard microbiological procedures were used to enumerate, isolate and identify the bacterial isolates. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus megaterium in oil spill dispersants contaminated soil were monitored over a period of 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days respectively for their bioremediation potentials.

Results: The presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) or Bacillus megaterium(Bm) in oil spill dispersant polluted soils enhanced decrease in Total Hydrocarbon Content (THC) of the soil. THC for control soil reduced from 18348.68 mg/kg to 9111.84 mg/kg; TS+OSD/LT+Bm, 18348.68 to 7092.11 mg/kg; TS+OSD/LT+Pa, 18348.68 to 6263.16(mg/kg); TS+OSD/LT+Bm+Pa, 18348.68 to 2473.68 mg/kg; TS+OSD/SC+Bm, 18348.68 to 6421.05 mg/kg; TS+OSD/SC+Pa, 18348.68 to 5618.42 mg/kg; TS+OSD/SC+Bm+Pa, 18348.68 to 5835.53 mg/kg, between the first (day 1 ) and  last day ( day 28). The percentage (%) bioremediation rate of polluted soil was as follows: control (TS(CRTL) 50.3%, TS+OSD/LT+Bm 61.3%, OSD/LT+Pa 65.9%, and OSD/LT+Bm+Pa 86.5% Whereas, TS+OSD/Seacare+Bm had 65.0%, OSD/Seacare+Pa 69.4%, OSD/Seacare+Bm+Pa 68.2% respectively. The highest percentages of THC in this study were from soil samples treated with oil spill dispersant and organisms while the least was observed in treatments without oil spill dispersant and organism. This suggests that microorganisms are more abundant in oil spill dispersant polluted soils than unpolluted soils.

Conclusion: From this study, it was observed that bioremediation of dispersant polluted environments could be achieved by stimulation of native microorganisms such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa KX828570 and Bacillus megaterium KY085976 and this would be cost effective in the clean-up strategy for such pollutants.
Adaptive Mechanisms of Listeria monocytogenes to Stressors: An Overview
Authors: Haruna B. A. , Kumurya A. S. , Musa A. H.
Published: October 2019

Listeria monocytogenes is a food borne pathogen which usually infects individuals with impaired cellular immunity and the healthy. Gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of the humans has lots of defensive mechanisms placed to prevent pathogens from establishing themselves and cause infectious diseases. Survival depends on the pathogen’s ability to overcome such preventive mechanism of the host. Listeria monocytogenes exhibits array of mechanisms that ensure its survival against these stressor. These stressors include gastric acid, bile salt, low oxygen tension, antimicrobial peptides e.t.c. Acid tolerance system (ATR), glutamate decarboxylase system (GAD), BilE system, MVs, oxygen sensors are used by Listeria monocytogenes to enhance its chances of survival within host. Our interest here is to look at such adaptive mesures with respect to the stressors encountered.
Fast moving horizon state estimation for discrete‐time systems with linear constraints
Authors: Alessandri Angelo , Gaggero Mauro
Published: October 2019

Fast moving horizon state estimation for nonlinear discrete‐time systems affected by disturbances is addressed by means of imperfect optimization at each time instant based on few iterations of the gradient, conjugate gradient, and Newton algorithms. Linear constraints on the state vector are taken into account through a projection on the subspace associated with such constraints. The stability of the estimation error for the resulting scheme is proved under suitable conditions. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is showcased via simulation results in comparison with moving horizon estimation based on complete optimization and extended Kalman filtering.
Design and stability analysis of a super‐twisting controller for a PS‐FBC–based fuel cell module
Authors: Anderson Azzano Jorge L. , Moré Jerónimo J. , Puleston Paul F.
Published: October 2019

Proton‐exchange membrane fuel cells have been established as a really promising technology, specially due to their high efficiency and scalability features, additionally to their low pollution emissions. In a typical topology, fuel cell module (FCM) is usually integrated into a hybrid power system, where the FCM is designed to satisfy the main power requirements and reduce the current ripple at the fuel cell output. In this framework, the aim of this paper is to analyze and design a sliding mode control (SMC) for a FCM based on an isolated phase‐shifted full bridge converter. This particular topology provides a high conversion ratio and attains a reduction of switching losses, which allow its application in low and medium power systems. From the control viewpoint, the proposed module represents a challenge due to the highly nonlinear behavior and wide operation range of the FCM, together with system parameter uncertainties and perturbations. To solve these issues, a second‐order sliding mode super‐twisting algorithm (STA) is proposed. As its main advantage, the STA reduces significantly the control chattering while preserving several features of conventional SMCs, such as robustness and finite time convergence. In order to analyze the zero dynamics stability, a Lyapunov study is proposed, taking advantage of its particular Liérnad‐type system structure. Finally, the designed algorithm is thoroughly analyzed and validated by computer simulation on a commercial 10‐kW FCM and compared to first‐order SMC.
GLTSCR1 Negatively Regulates BRD4‐Dependent Transcription Elongation and Inhibits CRC Metastasis
Authors: Han Fengyan , Zhang Lei , Chen Chaoyi , Wang Yan , Zhang Yi , Qian Lili , Sun Wenjie , Zhou Dan , Yang Beibei , Zhang Honghe , Lai Maode
Published: October 2019

Frameshift mutations frequently occur in colorectal cancer (CRC) with microsatellite instability (MSI), but the nature and biological function of many MSI‐associated mutations remain elusive. Here, an MSI frameshift mutation is identified in glioma tumor suppressor candidate region gene 1 (GLTSCR1) that produces two C‐terminal‐truncated proteins. Additionally, GLTSCR1 is verified as a tumor suppressor that inhibits CRC metastasis. Through binding to bromodomains and the phosphorylation‐dependent interaction domain of bromodomain protein 4 (BRD4) via the C‐terminus, GLTSCR1 blocks oncogenic transcriptional elongation. However, truncated GLTSCR1 translocates into the cytoplasm and loses BRD4 binding domain, which induces the phosphorylation of RNA Pol II at Ser2 and dephosphorylation at Ser5, then increases oncogenic transcriptional elongation. Importantly, GLTSCR1 deficiency decreases sensitivity to bromodomain and extra terminal domain inhibitors. This study highlights the molecular mechanism of the GLTSCR1‐BRD4 interaction, which is a potential therapeutic target for CRC.
High‐Performance Flexible Perovskite Solar Cells via Precise Control of Electron Transport Layer
Authors: Huang Keqing , Peng Yongyi , Gao Yaxin , Shi Jiao , Li Hengyue , Mo Xindi , Huang Han , Gao Yongli , Ding Liming , Yang Junliang
Published: October 2019

Flexible perovskite solar cells (f‐PSCs) have attracted great attention due to their promising commercial prospects. However, the performance of f‐PSCs is generally worse than that of their rigid counterparts. Herein, it is found that the unsatisfactory performance of planar heterojunction (PHJ) f‐PSCs can be attributed to the undesirable morphology of electron transport layer (ETL), which results from the rough surface of the flexible substrate. Precise control over the thickness and morphology of ETL tin dioxide (SnO2) not only reduces the reflectance of the indium tin oxide (ITO) on polyethylene 2,6‐naphthalate (PEN) substrate and enhances photon collection, but also decreases the trap‐state densities of perovskite films and the charge transfer resistance, leading to a great enhancement of device performance. Consequently, the f‐PSCs, with a structure of PEN/ITO/SnO2/perovskite/Spiro‐OMeTAD/Ag, exhibit a power conversion efficiency (PCE) up to 19.51% and a steady output of 19.01%. Furthermore, the f‐PSCs show a robust bending resistance and maintain about 95% of initial PCE after 6000 bending cycles at a bending radius of 8 mm, and they present an outstanding long‐term stability and retain about 90% of the initial performance after >1000 h storage in air (10% relative humidity) without encapsulation.
Tin Halide Perovskites: Progress and Challenges
Authors: Yang Wen‐Fan , Igbari Femi , Lou Yan‐Hui , Wang Zhao‐Kui , Liao Liang‐Sheng
Published: October 2019

The chemical composition engineering of lead halide perovskites via a partial or complete replacement of toxic Pb with tin has been widely reported as a feasible process due to the suitable ionic radius of Sn and its possibility of existing in the +2 state. Interestingly, a complete replacement narrows the bandgap while a partial replacement gives an anomalous phenomenon involving a further narrowing of bandgap relative to the pure Pb and Sn halide perovskite compounds. Unfortunately, the merits of this anomalous behavior have not been properly harnessed. Although promising progress has been made to advance the properties and performance of Sn‐based perovskite systems, their photovoltaic (PV) parameters are still significantly inferior to those of the Pb‐based analogs. This review summarizes the current progress and challenges in the preparation, morphological and photophysical properties of Sn‐based halide perovskites, and how these affect their PV performance. Although it can be argued that the Pb halide perovskite systems may remain the most sought after technology in the field of thin film perovskite PV, prospective research directions are suggested to advance the properties of Sn halide perovskite materials for improved device performance.
Form of the catalytically active Pd species during the direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Priyadarshini Pranjali , Flaherty David W.
Published: October 2019

Direct synthesis of H2O2 could produce H2O2 at lower cost than the Riedl–Pfleiderer process, which would enable the broader use of H2O2 for industrial oxidations. The addition of inorganic acids and halides to the solvent increase H2O2 selectivities on Pd nanoparticles but also dissolve Pd and produce dynamic mixtures of complexes including heterogeneous (Pd0) and homogeneous (Pd2+) species, any of which may contribute to H2O2 formation. We combine kinetic measurements and in operando UV–vis spectroscopy to determine how H2O2 rates and selectivities depend on concentrations of these forms of Pd. Introducing HCl to the solvent increases the concentration of Pd2+ complexes by oxidizing Pd0 nanoparticles. The rates of primary H2O2 formation and H2O2 selectivities do not depend directly on the population of the Pd2+ species for catalysts tested in water or methanol. These results suggest that Pd nanoparticles form H2O2 and detectable homogeneous complexes do not act as catalysts.
Global optimization of stiff dynamical systems
Authors: Wilhelm Matthew E. , Le Anne V. , Stuber Matthew D.
Published: October 2019

We present a deterministic global optimization method for nonlinear programming formulations constrained by stiff systems of ordinary differential equation (ODE) initial value problems (IVPs). The examples arise from dynamic optimization problems exhibiting both fast and slow transient phenomena commonly encountered in model‐based systems engineering applications. The proposed approach utilizes unconditionally stable implicit integration methods to reformulate the ODE‐constrained problem into a nonconvex nonlinear program (NLP) with implicit functions embedded. This problem is then solved to global optimality in finite time using a spatial branch‐and‐bound framework utilizing convex/concave relaxations of implicit functions constructed by a method which fully exploits problem sparsity. The algorithms were implemented in the Julia programming language within the EAGO.jl package and demonstrated on five illustrative examples with varying complexity relevant in process systems engineering. The developed methods enable the guaranteed global solution of dynamic optimization problems with stiff ODE–IVPs embedded.
Electrochemistry Broadens the Scope of Flavin Photocatalysis: Photoelectrocatalytic Oxidation of Unactivated Alcohols
Authors: Zhang Wen , Carpenter Keith L. , Lin Song
Published: October 2019

Riboflavin‐derived photocatalysts have been extensively studied in the context of alcohol oxidation. However, to date, the scope of this catalytic methodology has been limited to benzyl alcohols. In this work, mechanistic understanding of flavin‐catalyzed oxidation reactions, in either the absence or presence of thiourea as a cocatalyst, was obtained. The mechanistic insights enabled development of an electrochemically driven photochemical oxidation of primary and secondary aliphatic alcohols using a pair of flavin and dialkylthiourea catalysts. Electrochemistry makes it possible to avoid using O2 and an oxidant and generating H2O2 as a byproduct, both of which oxidatively degrade thiourea under the reaction conditions. This modification unlocks a new mechanistic pathway in which the oxidation of unactivated alcohols is achieved by thiyl radical mediated hydrogen‐atom abstraction.
Electrostatic Complementarity Drives Amyloid/Nucleic Acid Co‐Assembly
Authors: Rha Allisandra K. , Das Dibyendu , Taran Olga , Ke Yonggang , Mehta Anil K. , Lynn David G.
Published: October 2019

Proteinaceous plaques associated with neurodegenerative diseases contain many biopolymers including the polyanions glycosaminoglycans and nucleic acids. Polyanion‐induced amyloid fibrillation has been implicated in disease etiology, but structural models for amyloid/nucleic acid co‐assemblies remain limited. Here we constrain nucleic acid/peptide interactions with model peptides that exploit electrostatic complementarity and define a novel amyloid/nucleic acid co‐assembly. The structure provides a model for nucleic acid/amyloid co‐assembly as well as insight into the energetic determinants involved in templating amyloid assembly.
Cascade One‐Pot Synthesis of Orange‐Red‐Fluorescent Polycyclic Cinnolino[2,3‐f]phenanthridin‐9‐ium Salts by Palladium(II)‐Catalyzed C−H Bond Activation of 2‐Azobiaryl Compounds and Alkenes
Authors: Jayakumar Jayachandran , Vedarethinam Guganchandar , Hsiao Huan‐Chang , Sun Shang‐You , Chuang Shih‐Ching
Published: October 2019

Quaternary ammonium salts were synthesized in moderate to good yields through double oxidative C−H bond activation on azobenzenes. The mechanism of the highly regioselective reaction of 2‐azobiaryls with alkenes to give orange‐red‐fluorescent cinnolino[2,3‐f]phenanthridin‐9‐ium salts and 15H‐cinnolino[2,3‐f]phenanthridin‐9‐ium‐10‐ide is proposed to involveorthoC−H olefination of the 2‐azobiaryl compound with the alkene, intramolecular aza‐Michael addition, concerted metalation–deprotonation (CMD), reductive elimination, and oxidation.
CyClick Chemistry for the Synthesis of Cyclic Peptides
Authors: Adebomi Victor , Cohen Ryan D. , Wills Rachel , Chavers Holland Andrew Hays , Martin Gary E. , Raj Monika
Published: October 2019

Here, we report a novel “CyClick” strategy for the macrocyclization of peptides that works in an exclusively intramolecular fashion thereby precluding the formation of dimers and oligomers via intermolecular reactions. The CyClick chemistry is highly chemoselective for the N‐terminus of the peptide with a C‐terminal aldehyde. In this protocol, the peptide conformation internally directs activation of the backbone amide bond and thereby facilitates formation of a stable 4‐imidazolidinone‐fused cyclic peptide with high diastereoselectivity (>99 %). This method is tolerant to a variety of peptide aldehydes and has been applied for the synthesis of 12‐ to 23‐membered rings with varying amino acid compositions in one pot under mild reaction conditions. The reaction generated peptide macrocycles featuring a 4‐imidazolidinone in their scaffolds, which acts as an endocyclic control element that promotes intramolecular hydrogen bonding and leads to macrocycles with conformationally rigid turn structures.
MiR‐183‐5p protects rat hearts against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury through targeting VDAC1
Authors: Lin Duomao , Cui Boqun , Ma Jun , Ren Jiayue
Published: October 2019

MicroRNAs have been reported to be implicated in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of miR‐183‐5p on I/R injury. Overexpression of miR‐183‐5p by agomiR transfection alleviated cardiac dysfunction and significantly reduced the infarct size in rats with myocardial I/R. MiR‐183‐5p also alleviated myocardial apoptosis with reduced apoptotic cells and lower levels of apoptosis associated proteins. in vitro experiments were conducted on rat H9c2 cells treated with anoxia/reoxygenation (A/R). Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) staining and flow cytometry reported that the ratio of apoptotic cells decreased by miR‐183‐5p transfection before A/R treatment. Moreover, according to binding sequence prediction and Dual luciferase reporter assay, we explored that voltage‐dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1), which aggravates myocardial injury and apoptosis reported in our former research, was a target of miR‐183‐5p. In conclusion, miR‐183‐5p can efficiently attenuate I/R injury and miR‐183‐5p may exert its effect through repressing VDAC1 expression.
Multivariate Data Analysis Methodology to Solve Data Challenges Related to Scale‐Up Model Validation and Missing Data on a Micro‐Bioreactor System
Authors: Goldrick Stephen , Sandner Viktor , Cheeks Matthew , Turner Richard , Farid Suzanne S. , McCreath Graham , Glassey Jarka
Published: October 2019

Multivariate data analysis (MVDA) is a highly valuable and significantly underutilized resource in biomanufacturing. It offers the opportunity to enhance understanding and leverage useful information from complex high‐dimensional data sets, recorded throughout all stages of therapeutic drug manufacture. To help standardize the application and promote this resource within the biopharmaceutical industry, this paper outlines a novel MVDA methodology describing the necessary steps for efficient and effective data analysis. The MVDA methodology is followed to solve two case studies: a “small data” and a “big data” challenge. In the “small data” example, a large‐scale data set is compared to data from a scale‐down model. This methodology enables a new quantitative metric for equivalence to be established by combining a two one‐sided test with principal component analysis. In the “big data” example, this methodology enables accurate predictions of critical missing data essential to a cloning study performed in the ambr15 system. These predictions are generated by exploiting the underlying relationship between the off‐line missing values and the on‐line measurements through the generation of a partial least squares model. In summary, the proposed MVDA methodology highlights the importance of data pre‐processing, restructuring, and visualization during data analytics to solve complex biopharmaceutical challenges.
Cycloadditions of Trans‐Cyclooctenes and Nitrones as Tools for Bioorthogonal Labelling
Authors: Margison Kaitlyn D. , Bilodeau Didier A. , Mahmoudi Farnaz , Pezacki John Paul
Published: October 2019

Trans‐cyclooctenes (TCOs) represent interesting and highly reactive dipolarophiles for organic transformations including bioorthogonal chemistry. Herein we show that TCOs react rapidly with nitrones and that these reactions are bioorthogonal. Kinetic analysis of acyclic and cyclic nitrones with strained‐trans‐cyclooctene (s‐TCO) shows fast reactivity and demonstrates the utility of this cycloaddition reaction for bioorthogonal labelling. Labelling of the bacterial peptidoglycan layer with unnatural d‐amino acids tagged with nitrones and s‐TCO‐Alexa488 is demonstrated. These new findings expand the bioorthogonal toolbox, and allow TCO reagents to be used in bioorthogonal applications beyond tetrazine ligations for the first time and open up new avenues for bioorthogonal ligations with diverse nitrone reactants.
A contemporary and complete treatment solution for a high‐risk patient with critical aortic stenosis, left ventricular thrombus, severe left ventricular dysfunction, and calcified left main stem disease
Authors: Yeoh Julian , Dworakowski Rafal , Hill Jonathan , Byrne Jonathan
Published: October 2019

The combination of severe coronary disease, significant valvular dysfunction and impaired ventricular function pose patients at a very high procedural risk. In addition, the presence of left ventricular thrombus can complicate ventricular instrumentation increasing embolic risk. Contemporary techniques and devices have now become available to overcome these challenges to reduce risk and allow safer, more efficient procedures. We describe the feasibility of using Impella CP™ with cerebral protection to facilitate complete revascularisation and percutaneous valve replacement in a patient with critical aortic stenosis, severe left ventricular (LV) impairment, LV thrombus and a calcified left main stem disease.
Retrieval of a MitraClip from the left atrium using a two‐snare technique: Case report and review of the literature
Authors: Stripe Benjamin R. , Singh Gagan D. , Smith Thomas , Rogers Jason H.
Published: October 2019

MitraClip is used for reduction of mitral insufficiency in patients who are not good surgical candidates, but with expanding indications, the use of MitraClip and the number of complications will increase. Here is presented a case of a single leaflet device attachment that worsened the patient's mitral insufficiency, as well as the technique for stabilizing the valve followed by retrieval of the device. A special focus is placed on removing the using a two‐snare technique to avoid the need for a surgical cutdown and repair.
Abdominal pain in the patient with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome: A case report
Authors: Pak Haleh , Tajik Armin , Soltanian Ali
Published: October 2019

Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) is known to cause hypercoagulability, affecting a wide range of vessels, systematically. A 56‐year‐old woman was referred to our center with severe epigastric pain, with the history of APS. She was treated with packed cells, fresh frozen plasma and anticoagulation therapies.
Solvent Effect in Heterogeneous Catalytic Selective Hydrogenation of Nitrile Butadiene Rubber: Relationship between Reaction Activity and Solvents with Density Functional Theory Analysis
Authors: Wang Shuhan , Ge Bingqing , Yin Yixuan , Wu Xinru , Zhu Haibo , Yue Yuanyuan , Bai Zhengshuai , Bao Xiaojun , Yuan Pei
Published: October 2019

Herein, a systematical investigation is devoted to explore nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) hydrogenation activity and selectivity in different organic solvents, and the dependence between reactivity and solvent is revealed with the assistance of the density functional theory (DFT). The results show that the electron‐pair donor solvents have better performance in NBR hydrogenation activity than the weak electron‐pair acceptor solvents, but they do not modify the selectivity to HNBR that always keeps up to 100 %. A direct correlation between reactivity and hydrogen bond acceptance ability (β) is discovered in both solvent families and the higher β, the better hydrogenation performance. The preferred solvent is cyclohexanone with hydrogenation degree of 91.4 % in 10 minutes and the highest conversion of 94.2 %. Our contribution is to provide useful information about solvent and solvent effect on the hydrogenation of NBR and gain new insight into NBR hydrogenation reaction process.
Hydrophobic Modification of Microenvironment of Highly Dispersed Co3O4 Nanoparticles for the Catalytic Selective Oxidation of Ethylbenzene
Authors: Zhao Li , Shi Song , Liu Meng , Chen Chen , Zhu Guozhi , Gao Jin , Xu Jie
Published: October 2019

Microenvironments in enzymes play crucial roles in controlling the activities of active centers. Here, hexagonal mesoporous silicas (HMS) with hydrophobic microenvironment was used to mimic the enzymes on the hydrocarbon oxidation with cobalt oxides incorporated as active sites. The variation of the structure and surface properties of the materials with phenyl group incorporation and the state of the supported cobalt oxides were carefully studied. It showed that cobalt oxides presented as Co3O4 distributed evenly among the support, and the catalytic microenvironment was modified by the neighboring phenyl groups to be hydrophobic. This novel catalyst showed enhancement in the adsorption of ethylbenzene and in turn promoted the catalytic conversion than the hydrophilic one. 55.1 % conversion of ethylbenzene and 86.1 % selectivity for acetophenone could be obtained at 393 K for 6 h under 1.0 MPa of O2 with free solvent. Hydrophobic microenvironment of pore surface was considered as an important factor for the better catalytic activity.
Early Main Group Metal Catalysts for Imine Hydrosilylation
Authors: Elsen Holger , Fischer Christian , Knüpfer Christian , Escalona Ana , Harder Sjoerd
Published: October 2019

The efficient catalytic reduction of imines with phenylsilane is achieved by using the potassium, calcium and strontium based catalysts [(DMAT)K (THF)]∞, (DMAT)2Ca⋅(THF)2 and (DMAT)2Sr⋅(THF)2 (DMAT=2‐dimethylamino‐α‐trimethylsilylbenzyl). Eight different aldimines and the ketimine Ph2C=NPh could be successfully reduced by PhSiH3 at temperatures between 25–60 °C with catalyst loadings down to 2.5 mol %. Also, simple amides like KN(SiMe3)2 or Ae[N(SiMe3)2]2 (Ae=Ca, Sr, Ba) catalyze this reaction. Activities increase with metal size. For most substrates the activity increases along the row K<Ca<Sr<Ba. Fastest conversion was found for imines with alkyl substituents at N and aryl rings at C, for example, PhC(H)=NtBu, while tBuC(H)=NtBu or PhC(H)=NPh react much slower. Reasonable functional group tolerance is observed. The proposed metal hydride mechanism is supported by stoichiometric reactions using a catalyst model system, isolation of intermediates and DFT calculations.
Amphoteric Homotropic Allosteric Association between a Hexakis‐Urea Receptor and Dihydrogen Phosphate
Authors: Kondo Seiya , Masuda Junya , Komiyama Tomoki , Yasuda Nobuhiro , Takaya Hikaru , Yamanaka Masamichi
Published: October 2019

Conformationally flexible hexakis‐urea 1 was synthesized efficiently by condensing hexakis(aminomethyl)benzene with 4‐nitrophenyl‐(3,5‐di‐tert‐butylphenyl)carbamate. The hexakis‐urea 1 is unexpectedly soluble in organic solvents of low polarity due to intramolecular hydrogen bonding. The hexakis‐urea 1 recognizes chloride, bromide, and acetate in a 1:2 host‐guest ratio and in a positive allosteric manner in CDCl3. The ability of 1 to recognize dihydrogen phosphate is a unique outcome, and the structure of the associated complex, which contains four dihydrogen phosphate ions, was clarified by single‐crystal X‐ray structural analysis. However, in solution, a complex with three dihydrogen phosphate ions was identified. The dihydrogen phosphate association in CDCl3 proceeds in an amphoteric allosteric manner; in a positive allosteric manner (K1K3) in the subsequent step.
Verification of the coupled‐momentum method with Womersley's Deformable Wall analytical solution
Authors: Filonova Vasilina , Arthurs Christopher J. , Vignon‐Clementel Irene E. , Figueroa C. Alberto
Published: October 2019

In this paper, we perform a verification study of the Coupled‐Momentum Method (CMM), a 3D fluid‐structure interaction (FSI) model which uses a thin linear elastic membrane and linear kinematics to describe the mechanical behavior of the vessel wall. The verification of this model is done using Womersley's deformable wall analytical solution for pulsatile flow in a semi‐infinite cylindrical vessel. This solution is, under certain premises, the analytical solution of the CMM and can thus be used for model verification. For the numerical solution, we employ an impedance boundary condition to define a reflection‐free outflow boundary condition and thus mimic the physics of the analytical solution, which is defined on a semi‐infinite domain. We first provide a rigorous derivation of Womersley's deformable wall theory via scale analysis. We then illustrate different characteristics of the analytical solution such as space‐time wave periodicity and attenuation. Finally, we present the verification tests comparing the CMM with Womersley's theory.
Designing a QTL Mapping Study for Implementation in the Realized Collaborative Cross Genetic Reference Population
Authors: Soller Morris , Abu‐Toamih Atamni Hanifa J. , Binenbaum Ilona , Chatziioannou Aristotelis , Iraqi Fuad A.
Published: October 2019

The Collaborative Cross (CC) mouse resource is a next‐generation mouse genetic reference population (GRP) designed for high‐resolution mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTL) of large effect affecting complex traits during health and disease. The CC resource consists of a set of 72 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) generated by reciprocal crossing of five classical and three wild‐derived mouse founder strains. Complex traits are controlled by variations within multiple genes and environmental factors, and their mutual interactions. These traits are observed at multiple levels of the animals’ systems, including metabolism, body weight, immune profile, and susceptibility or resistance to the development and progress of infectious or chronic diseases. Herein, we present general guidelines for design of QTL mapping experiments using the CC resource—along with full step‐by‐step protocols and methods that were implemented in our lab for the phenotypic and genotypic characterization of the different CC lines—for mapping the genes underlying host response to infectious and chronic diseases. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Basic Protocol 1: CC lines for whole body mass index (BMI)

Basic Protocol 2: A detailed assessment of the power to detect effect sizes based on the number of lines used, and the number of replicates per line

Basic Protocol 3: Obtaining power for QTL with given target effect by interpolating in Table 1 of Keele et al. (2019)
Four‐ and Five‐Coordinate Titanium(IV) Complexes Supported by the dpp‐bian Ligand in ROP of L‐Lactide
Authors: Morozov Alexander G. , Martemyanova Tatyana V. , Dodonov Vladimir A. , Kazarina Olga V. , Fedushkin Igor L.
Published: October 2019

Invited for the cover of this issue is Dr. Alexander Morozov from the G.A. Razuvaev Institute of Organometallic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Nizhny Novgorod, Russian Federation. The cover image shows two basketball players representing the bis(amide) and the radical anionic ligands, with different modes of binding to the Ti metal.
Diagnostic and interventional implications of telemedicine in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment: A literature review
Authors: Costanzo Maria Cristina , Arcidiacono Chiara , Rodolico Alessandro , Panebianco Mariangela , Aguglia Eugenio , Signorelli Maria Salvina
Published: October 2019

Introduction

Worldwide, life expectancy, and aging‐related disorders as mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer disease (AD) are increasing, having a rising impact on patients' quality of life and caregivers' distress. Telemedicine offers many possibilities, such as remote diagnosing and monitoring of patients.

Objective

The purpose of this study is to provide a narrative synthesis of the literature about the implementation of telemedicine for diagnosis, treatment, and follow‐up of patients with AD and MCI and their caregivers.

Methods

A systematic literature review was conducted on MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library databases up to September 2018. MCI or AD diagnoses were the conditions of interest. We excluded other dementias.

Results

Fifty‐six articles met inclusion criteria. We identified two main categories: diagnosis group (DG) and follow‐up/interventional group (FIG). Fifteen articles suggested how to make a remote or earlier diagnosis: four were case‐control accuracy studies, nine were paired comparative accuracy studies, and two were prospective single‐arm accuracy studies. Among these, four focused on MCI, six on AD, and five on both. Forty one focused on supporting patients during the stages of the disease (28 articles), patient's caregivers (nine articles), or both (four articles).

Conclusions

The rising use of telemedicine could actively improve AD and MCI patients' lives, reduce caregivers' burden, and facilitate an early diagnosis if patients live in remote places. However, as some studies report, it is relevant to take into account the emotional impact of telemedicine on patients and not only on the effectiveness.
The infraclavicular pedicled flap in head and neck reconstruction: applications and outcomes
Authors: Alain Charles , Fortier Pierre‐Hugues , Belzile Mathieu
Published: October 2019

Background

An infraclavicular pedicled flap (ICPF) was recently described in the literature. This anatomical region is attractive for the restoration of head and neck oncological defects. This paper is a review of our experience with this versatile flap.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted by reviewing the records of all the patients operated in a tertiary‐care center between August 2013 and January 2019 whose surgery involved an ICPF.

Results

Forty‐four patients received an ICPF for various indications, including large vessel coverage in neck/parotid recontouring (34.1%), postlaryngectomy reconstruction (34.1%), and fistula closure (25.0%). All flaps survived. Thirteen patients experienced a postoperative complication (29.5%), six of whom (13.9%) required a repeat procedure under general anesthesia.

Conclusion

ICPF is suitable for several indications and is a useful adjunctive tool in head and neck reconstruction. It proved to have a high survival rate, with complication rates similar to other regional flaps.
Employee well‐being attribution and job change intentions: The moderating effect of task idiosyncratic deals
Authors: Lee Byron Y. , Kim Tae‐Yeol , Gong Yaping , Zheng Xiaoming , Liu Xin
Published: October 2019

We developed and tested a research model in which employee well‐being human resource (HR) attribution differentially influences the intention to change jobs across organizations (i.e., external job change intention) versus that within the same organization (i.e., internal job change intention). Furthermore, we posited that task idiosyncratic deals (I‐deals) moderated the relationships between employee well‐being HR attribution and external and internal job change intentions. Results indicated that employee well‐being HR attribution was negatively related to external job change intention, but positively related to internal job change intention. Further, task I‐deals significantly moderated the relationships between employee well‐being HR attribution and external and internal job change intention. Specifically, employee well‐being HR attribution played a less important role in reducing external job change intention when task I‐deals were high rather than low. On the other hand, high task I‐deals significantly strengthened the positive relationship between employee well‐being HR attribution and internal job change intention. Our study extends the careers literature by differentiating the impact of employee well‐being HR attribution on job change intentions within an organization compared with that across organizations and the important role of supervisors in enhancing or mitigating these effects.
Guideline‐concordant endometrial cancer treatment and survival in the Women's Health Initiative Life and Longevity After Cancer study
Authors: Felix Ashley S. , McLaughlin Eric M. , Caan Bette J. , Cohn David E. , Anderson Garnet L. , Paskett Electra D.
Published: October 2019

In the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Life and Longevity After Cancer (LILAC) cohort, we examined predictors of guideline‐concordant treatment among endometrial cancer (EC) survivors and associations between receipt of guideline‐concordant treatment and survival. Receipt of guideline‐concordant EC treatment was defined according to year‐specific National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for predictors of guideline‐concordant treatment receipt. We estimated multivariable‐adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for relationships between guideline‐concordant treatment and overall survival using Cox proportional hazards regression. We included 629 women with EC, of whom 83.6% (n = 526) received guideline‐concordant treatment. Receipt of guideline‐concordant treatment was less common among women with nonendometrioid histology (OR = 0.24, 95% CI = 0.13–0.45) but was more common among women living in the Midwest (OR = 2.09, 95% CI = 1.06–4.12) or West (OR = 3.02, 95% CI = 1.49–6.13) compared to the Northeast. In Cox regression models adjusted for age, histology and stage, receipt of guideline‐concordant EC treatment was borderline associated with improved overall survival (HR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.60–1.01) in the overall population. Guideline‐concordant treatment was also linked with better overall survival among women with low‐grade uterine‐confined endometrioid EC or widely metastatic endometrioid EC. Guideline‐concordant treatment varies by some patient characteristics and those women in receipt of guideline‐concordant care had borderline improved survival. Studies evaluating regional differences in treatment along with randomized clinical trials to determine appropriate treatment regimens for women with aggressive tumor characteristics are warranted.
Multiple sparse priors technique with optimized patches for brain source localization
Authors: Jatoi Munsif Ali , Kamel Nidal , López José D.
Published: October 2019

Localizing brain neural activity using electroencephalography (EEG) neuroimaging technique is getting increasing response from neuroscience researchers and medical community. It is due to the fact that brain source localization has a variety of applications for diagnoses of various brain disorders. This problem is ill‐posed in nature because an infinite number of source configurations can produce the same potential at the head surface. Recently, a new technique that is based on Bayesian framework, called the multiple sparse priors (MSP), was proposed as a solution to this problem. The MSP develops the solution for source localization using the current densities associated with dipoles in terms of prior source covariance matrix and sensor covariance matrix, respectively. Then, it uses the maximization of the cost function of the free energy under the assumption of a fixed number of hyperparameters or patches in order to obtain the elements of prior source covariance matrix. This research work aims to further enhance the maximization process of MSP with regard to the free energy by considering a variable number of patches. This will lead to a better estimation of brain sources in terms of localization errors. The performance of the modified MSP with a variable number of patches is compared with the original MSP using simulated and real‐time EEG data. The results show a significant improvement in terms of localization errors.
Detection of pulmonary micronodules in computed tomography images and false positive reduction using 3D convolutional neural networks
Authors: Gupta Anindya , Saar Tonis , Martens Olev , Le Moullec Yannick , Sintorn Ida‐Maria
Published: October 2019

Manual detection of small uncalcified pulmonary nodules (diameter <4 mm) in thoracic computed tomography (CT) scans is a tedious and error‐prone task. Automatic detection of disperse micronodules is, thus, highly desirable for improved characterization of the fatal and incurable occupational pulmonary diseases. Here, we present a novel computer‐assisted detection (CAD) scheme specifically dedicated to detect micronodules. The proposed scheme consists of a candidate‐screening module and a false positive (FP) reduction module. The candidate‐screening module is initiated by a lung segmentation algorithm and is followed by a combination of 2D/3D features‐based thresholding parameters to identify plausible micronodules. The FP reduction module employs a 3D convolutional neural network (CNN) to classify each identified candidate. It automatically encodes the discriminative representations by exploiting the volumetric information of each candidate. A set of 872 micro‐nodules in 598 CT scans marked by at least two radiologists are extracted from the Lung Image Database Consortium and Image Database Resource Initiative to test our CAD scheme. The CAD scheme achieves a detection sensitivity of 86.7% (756/872) with only 8 FPs/scan and an AUC of 0.98. Our proposed CAD scheme efficiently identifies micronodules in thoracic scans with only a small number of FPs. Our experimental results provide evidence that the automatically generated features by the 3D CNN are highly discriminant, thus making it a well‐suited FP reduction module of a CAD scheme.
Bladder tissue characterization using probe‐based Raman spectroscopy: Evaluation of tissue heterogeneity and influence on the model prediction
Authors: Cordero Eliana , Rüger Jan , Marti Dominik , Mondol Abdullah S. , Hasselager Thomas , Mogensen Karin , Hermann Gregers G. , Popp Jürgen , Schie Iwan W.
Published: October 2019

Existing approaches for early‐stage bladder tumor diagnosis largely depend on invasive and time‐consuming procedures, resulting in hospitalization, bleeding, bladder perforation, infection and other health risks for the patient. The reduction of current risk factors, while maintaining or even improving the diagnostic precision, is an underlying factor in clinical instrumentation research. For example, for clinic surveillance of patients with a history of noninvasive bladder tumors real‐time tumor diagnosis can enable immediate laser‐based removal of tumors using flexible cystoscopes in the outpatient clinic. Therefore, novel diagnostic modalities are required that can provide real‐time in vivo tumor diagnosis. Raman spectroscopy provides biochemical information of tissue samples ex vivo and in vivo and without the need for complicated sample preparation and staining procedures. For the past decade there has been a rise in applications to diagnose and characterize early cancer in different organs, such as in head and neck, colon and stomach, but also different pathologies, for example, inflammation and atherosclerotic plaques. Bladder pathology has also been studied but only with little attention to aspects that can influence the diagnosis, such as tissue heterogeneity, data preprocessing and model development. The present study presents a clinical investigative study on bladder biopsies to characterize the tumor grading ex vivo, using a compact fiber probe‐based imaging Raman system, as a crucial step towards in vivo Raman endoscopy. Furthermore, this study presents an evaluation of the tissue heterogeneity of highly fluorescent bladder tissues, and the multivariate statistical analysis for discrimination between nontumor tissue, and low‐ and high‐grade tumor.