bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oxidized Hemithioindigo Photoswitches—Influence of Oxidation State on (Photo)physical and Photochemical Properties
Authors: Köttner Laura , Schildhauer Monika , Wiedbrauk Sandra , Mayer Peter , Dube Henry 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe photophysical and photochemical properties of sulfoxide and sulfone derivatives of hemithioindigo photoswitches are scrutinized and compared to the unoxidized parent chromophores. Oxidation results in significantly blue‐shifted absorptions and mostly reduction of photochromism while thermal stabilities of individual isomers remain largely unaltered. Effective photoswitching takes place at shorter wavelengths compared to parent hemithioindigos and high isomeric yields can be obtained reversibly in the respective photostationary states. Reversible solid‐state photoswitching is observed for a twisted sulfone derivative accompanied by visible color changes. These results establish oxidized hemithioindigo photoswitches as promising and versatile tools for robust light‐control of molecular behavior for a wide range of applications.
Deoxygenation of Epoxides with Carbon Monoxide
Authors: Maulbetsch Theo , Jürgens Eva , Kunz Doris 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe use of carbon monoxide as a direct reducing agent for the deoxygenation of terminal and internal epoxides to the respective olefins is presented. This reaction is homogeneously catalyzed by a carbonyl pincer‐iridium(I) complex in combination with a Lewis acid co‐catalyst to achieve a pre‐activation of the epoxide substrate, as well as the elimination of CO2 from a γ‐2‐iridabutyrolactone intermediate. Especially terminal alkyl epoxides react smoothly and without significant isomerization to the internal olefins under CO atmosphere in benzene or toluene at 80–120 °C. Detailed investigations reveal a substrate‐dependent change in the mechanism for the epoxide C−O bond activation between an oxidative addition under retention of the configuration and an SN2 reaction that leads to an inversion of the configuration.
Iridium‐Catalyzed Enantioselective C(sp3)–H Borylation of Cyclobutanes
Authors: Chen Xiang , Chen Lili , Zhao Hongliang , Gao Qian , Shen Zhenlu , Xu Senmiao 
Published: June 2020

Summary of main observation and conclusionWe herein report the first example of iridium‐catalyzed enantioselective C(sp3)–H borylation of cyclobutanes using benzoxazoline as the directing group. The combination of a chiral bidentate boryl ligand and an iridium precursor has found to effectively catalyze C(sp3)–H borylation to afford a variety of cyclobutylboronates with good to excellent enantioselectivities. We also demonstrate the synthetic utility of the current method by converting the stereogenic C—B bond to other functionalities.
The effect of optic nerve section on form deprivation myopia in the guinea pig
Authors: McFadden Sally A , Wildsoet Christine 
Published: June 2020

AbstractMyopia is induced when a growing eye wears a diffuser that deprives it of detailed spatial vision (form deprivation, FD). In chickens with optic nerve section (ONS), FD myopia still occurs, suggesting that the signals underlying myopia reside within the eye. As avian eyes differ from mammals, we asked whether local mechanisms also underlie FD myopia in a mammalian model. Young guinea pigs underwent either sham surgery followed by FD (SHAM + FD, n = 7); or ONS followed by FD (ONS + FD, n = 7); or ONS without FD (ONS, n = 9). FD was initiated 3 days after surgery with a diffuser that was worn on the surgically treated eye for 14 days. Animals with ONS + FD developed −8.9 D of relative myopia and elongated by 135 μm more than in their untreated eyes after 2 weeks of FD. These changes were significantly greater than those in SHAM + FD animals (−5.5 D and 40 μm of elongation after 14 days of FD), and reflected exaggerated elongation of the posterior vitreous chamber. The myopia reversed when FD was discontinued, despite ONS, but eyes did not recover back to normal (30 days after surgery, ONS + FD eyes still retained −3 D of relative myopia when SHAM+FD animals had returned to normal). No long‐term residual myopia was present after ONS alone, ruling out a surgical artifact. Although the gross mechanism signaling myopic ocular growth and its recovery in the young mammalian eye does not require an intact optic nerve, its fine‐tuning is disrupted by ONS.
High bioreactor production and emulsifying activity of an unusual exopolymer by Chromohalobacter canadensis 28
Authors: Radchenkova Nadja , Boyadzhieva Ivanka , Hasköylü Merve Erginer , Atanasova Nikolina , Yıldız Songül Yaşar , Kuncheva Margarita J. , Panchev Ivan , Kisov Hristo , Vassilev Spasen , Oner Ebru Toksoy , Kambourova Margarita S. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractUnusual composition of an exopolymer (EP) from an obligate halophilic bacterium Chromohalobacter canadensis 28 has triggered an interest in development of an effective bioreactor process for its production. Its synthesis was investigated in 2‐L bioreactor at agitation speeds at interval 600‐1000 rpm, at a constant air flow rate of 0.5 vvm; aeration rates of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 vvm were tested at constant agitation rate of 900 rpm. EP production was affected by both, agitation and aeration. As a result twofold increase of EP yield was observed and additionally increased up to 3.08 mg/mL in a presence of surfactants. For effective scale‐up of bioreactors mass transfer parameters were estimated and lowest values of KLa obtained for the highest productivity fermentation was established. Emulsification activity of EP exceeded that of trade hydrocolloids xanthan, guar gum, and cellulose. A good synergism between EP and commercial cellulose proved its potential exploration as an enhancer of emulsifying properties of trade emulsions. A pronounced lipophilic effect of EP was established toward olive oil and liquid paraffin. Cultivation of human keratinocyte cells (HaCaT) with crude EP and purified γ‐polyglutamic acid (PGA) showed higher viability than control group.
Theoretical foundations of the Programmatic Action Framework (PAF)
Authors: Bandelow Nils C. , Hornung Johanna , Smyrl Marc 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThis article introduces the Programmatic Action Framework (PAF) as a supplementary perspective in policy process research. It focuses on professional biographies of programmatic actors, policy programs, and programmatic identities as driving factors for policies. Programmatic actors are individuals in direct interaction with the state apparatus. Civil servants, politicians, and similar individuals under certain predictable circumstances form stable alliances called programmatic groups. These programmatic groups are bound by commitment to the creation and promotion of a specific policy program, a definable set of instruments intended to attain an explicit policy objective. This policy program, rather than more diffuse beliefs or preferences, provides the defining element of the social group and corresponding social identity for such programmatic groups. Programmatic groups compete with each other for legitimate authority within and across policy sectors by seeking to impose their preferred instruments. Homogenous career trajectories, continuous linkages, and a coherent and strong joint program are essential determinants for the formation and success of programmatic groups.
Exactly well‐balanced positivity preserving nonstaggered central scheme for open‐channel flows
Authors: Dong Jian , Fang Li Ding 
Published: June 2020

SummaryIn this paper, we construct and study an exactly well‐balanced positivity‐preserving nonstaggered central scheme for shallow water flows in open channels with irregular geometry and nonflat bottom topography. We introduce a novel discretization of the source term based on hydrostatic reconstruction to obtain the exactly well‐balanced property for the still water steady‐state solution even in the presence of wetting and drying transitions. The positivity‐preserving property of the cross‐sectional wet area is obtained by using a modified “draining" time‐step technique. The current scheme is also Riemann‐solver‐free. Several classical problems of open‐channel flows are used to test these properties. Numerical results confirm that the current scheme is robust, exactly well‐balanced and positivity‐preserving.
Outcomes after radiation therapy forT2N0/stageIIglottic squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Al Feghali Karine A. , Youssef Bassem Y. , Mohamed Abdallah S. R. , Hilal Lara , Smith Blaine D. , Abu‐Gheida Ibrahim , Farha Georges , Gunn G. Brandon , Phan Jack , Lewin Jan , Thekdi Apurva , Morrison William H. , Garden Adam S. , Fuller Clifton David , Rosenthal David I. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundWe report outcomes for patients with T2N0M0 glottic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) treated with radiation therapy (RT).MethodsPatients who received definitive RT for T2 glottic SCC from 2000 through 2013 were retrospectively reviewed.ResultsOne hundred and thirteen patients were analyzed (median follow‐up time 91 months; 85 patients received three‐dimensional conformal radiotherapy [3D‐CRT] and 28 received intensity‐modulated radiation therapy [IMRT]). Fractionation was conventional (58%) or altered (42%); 20 patients (18%) received concurrent chemotherapy. Five‐year local control was 83% for the 3D‐CRT vs 81% for the IMRT group (P= .76). The ultimate locoregional control at 5 years was 100% for IMRT vs 91% for 3D‐CRT (P= .1). The 5‐year overall survival (OS) was 78% for 3D‐CRT vs 81% for IMRT (P= .83). On multivariate analysis, younger age was the only independent predictor of improved OS (P= .0002).ConclusionsOncologic and survival outcomes were excellent for patients with T2N0 glottic cancer. Patients treated with IMRT and 3D‐CRT had no statistically significant differences in all investigated endpoints.
Genetically driven CD39 expression shapes human tumor‐infiltrating CD8+ T‐cell functions
Authors: Gallerano Daniela , Ciminati Selina , Grimaldi Alessio , Piconese Silvia , Cammarata Ilenia , Focaccetti Chiara , Pacella Ilenia , Accapezzato Daniele , Lancellotti Francesco , Sacco Luca , Caronna Roberto , Melaiu Ombretta , Fruci Doriana , D'Oria Valentina , Manzi Emy , Sagnotta Andrea , Parrino Chiara , Coletta Diego , Peruzzi Giovanna , Terenzi Valentina , Battisti Andrea , Cassoni Andrea , Fadda Maria Teresa , Brozzetti Stefania , Fazzi Katia , Grazi Gian Luca , Valentini Valentino , Chirletti Piero , Polimeni Antonella , Barnaba Vincenzo , Timperi Eleonora 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIn our study, we investigated the role of CD39 on tumor‐infiltrating CD8+ T lymphocytes (CD8+ TILs) in colorectal, head and neck and pancreatic cancers. Partially confirming recent observations correlating the CD39 expression with T‐cell exhaustion, we demonstrated a divergent functional activity in CD39+CD8+ TILs. On the one hand, CD39+CD8+ TILs (as compared to their CD39− counterparts) produced significantly lower IFN‐γ and IL‐2 amounts, expressed higher PD‐1, and inversely correlated with perforin and granzyme B expression. On the other, they displayed a significantly higher proliferative capacity ex vivo that was inversely correlated with the PD‐1 expression. Therefore, CD39+CD8+ TILs, including those co‐expressing the CD103 (a marker of T resident memory [TRM] cells), were defined as partially dysfunctional T cells that correlate with tumor patients with initial progression stages. Interestingly, our results identified for the first time a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP rs10748643 A>G), as a genetic factor associated with CD39 expression in CD8+ TILs. Finally, we demonstrated that compounds inhibiting CD39‐related ATPases improved CD39+CD8+ T‐cell effector function ex vivo, and that CD39+CD8+ TILs displayed effective suppression function in vitro. Overall these data suggest that the SNP analysis may represent a suitable predictor of CD39+CD8+ T‐cell expression in cancer patients, and propose the modulation of CD39 as a new strategy to restore partially exhausted CD8+ TILs.
Clinical pharmacy education and practice evolvement in Malta
Authors: Azzopardi Lilian M. , Serracino‐Inglott Anthony 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIntroductionMalta, a member state in the European Union, provides an education in line with the requirements for professional registration in Europe including a unique pharmacy education program with patient‐focused practice and synergism between practice, research, and education. A postgraduate Doctorate in Pharmacy program, which runs in collaboration with the College of Pharmacy at the University of Illinois at Chicago provides an opportunity for advanced clinical pharmacy practice and innovative practice research.ObjectiveThis paper discusses how outcomes of pharmacy education developments have impacted pharmacy practice in Malta.MethodsPharmacy education at the University of Malta is examined through an analysis of the facilitators of change, the positiveness of this transformation in pharmacy education, and a critical description of the evolving pharmacy course changes. Objectives and strengths of the changes and how practice research influenced the development of collaborative clinical pharmacy services are described. The uniqueness of clinical pharmacy aspects in community pharmacy, as prompted through educational models, is highlighted. Inspirational aspects through international collaborations, including the establishment of a postgraduate doctorate in pharmacy, are described.ResultsThe leveraging of education, practice, and research provided synergism for advancing pharmacy practice which puts the patient in the center. Transformative education models focusing on empowering graduates were developed and practice research was used to advance practice within health systems. Facilitators included particular settings such as the closeness of the family doctors in community pharmacies, the participation of academics in regulatory sciences leadership, and in international collaborations. The postgraduate professional doctorate in pharmacy program that was developed contributes to the advancement of clinical pharmacy both locally and internationally.ConclusionThe characteristics of pharmacy education in Malta involve the absorption of change in a transformative process that produced positive pharmacy education outcomes and an impact on clinical pharmacy evolvements in both hospital and community practice.
Operating performance and long‐run stock returns following share repurchase: Evidence from an emerging market
Authors: Wang Huabing Barbara , Nguyen Cuong , Dinh Ngoc 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThis study examines the long‐term abnormal returns and operating performance following share repurchase announcements by Vietnamese listed firms. Applying matched control samples based on industry, exchange listing, size plus book‐to‐market, and pre‐event operating performance, we document significantly higher post‐repurchase buy‐and‐hold abnormal returns over the one‐year window. The outperformance becomes insignificant for most control samples with a longer horizon of 2 years after controlling for common pricing factors. Regarding operating performance, our results show improvement for repurchasing firms in the fiscal year concurrent with the repurchase announcements when we adopt the control sample based on pre‐event performance, but we do not find significant differences for the subsequent fiscal year. Examining the relation between the dual phenomena, we find some evidence of positive association in that firms with better post‐repurchase performance tend to have higher post‐event abnormal returns. This relation is stronger for firms with higher completion rates, consistent with the notion that actual repurchase is a stronger and more credible signal to the market.
Prognostic impact of myosteatosis in patients with colorectal cancer: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Lee Chan Mi , Kang Jeonghyun 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundMyosteatosis has been reported to be a novel biomarker that could predict survival outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer. However, results have been conflicting. This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to evaluate the long‐term impact of myosteatosis on the survival of these patients.MethodsA systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane up to 27 November 2019 generated 7022 records. Studies that reported hazard ratio (HR) for overall survival, cancer‐specific survival, or disease‐free survival based on myosteatosis or radiodensity were included. A total of 110 full‐text articles were considered for inclusion, and 14 were selected for qualitative analysis. Inverse variance method was used with random effects model for data analysis.ResultsThe total number of enrolled patients included in the meta‐analysis was 6518 for univariate and 8572 for multivariate HR analysis, from 12 and 10 studies, respectively. Patients with myosteatosis had a significant increase in overall mortality compared with non‐myosteatosis patients by both univariate analysis [HR 1.38, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.21 to 1.58, P < 0.00001] and multivariate analysis (HR 1.55, 95% CI 1.23 to 1.96, P < 0.00001). In subgroup analysis based on studies that reported HRs of both sarcopenia and myosteatosis, the negative effect of myosteatosis on overall survival was independent of sarcopenia using univariate values (sarcopenia HR 1.48, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.91, P = 0.003 vs. myosteatosis HR 1.51, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.96, P = 0.002) and multivariate values (sarcopenia HR 1.28, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.49, P = 0.002 vs. myosteatosis HR 1.38, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.80, P = 0.001).ConclusionsThis meta‐analysis demonstrates that myosteatosis is associated with worse overall survival in patients with colorectal cancer. More investigation is needed to standardize the measurement protocol for myosteatosis and to further optimize its prognostic power for colorectal cancer patients.
Removal of phosphate from wastewater by steel slag with high calcium oxide column filter system; efficiencies and mechanisms study
Authors: Ahmad Siti Zu Nurain , Hamdan Rafidah , Al‐Gheethi Adel , Alkhadher Sadeq , Othman Norzila 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe discharge of wastewater with heavy loads of phosphorus (P) leads to eutrophication in natural water systems. The current work investigated the removal of P from synthetic wastewater via a slag filtration system with a high content calcium oxide (CaO) filter media (HCa) followed by treatment in an electric arc furnace (EAF). The pH, point of zero charge (PZC) and X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) of the HCa filter medium was studied. The removal of phosphorus was investigated in a designed vertical column filters in aerated HCa (AEF) and unaerated HCa (UEF) systems. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X‐ray (SEM–EDX) analyses was implemented for studying the microstructure of HCa.RESULTSThe results of XRF revealed that CaO ranged from 20.2 to 49.5%. The PZC for the HCa filter was recorded at pH 17.75. The highest efficiencies recorded were 94.65 ± 3.46% and 96.13 ± 2.75% at pH 3, and 93.70 ± 2.59% and 97.15 ± 1.59% at pH 5 for AEF and UEF, respectively. These findings indicated that AEF performed greater removal than UEF systems, possibly resulting from the presence of high Ca concentration in AEF, which plays an important role in the process of phosphorus removal. The main elements on the surface of HCa included oxygen, carbon, magnesium, Ca, aluminium and silicon. XRD analysis indicated that the precipitation of orthophosphate as Ca and Ca‐phosphates was the removal mechanism, which was confirmed by FTIR analysis.CONCLUSIONThese findings demonstrated the efficiency of HCa in removing P from wastewater. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Early‐onset coenzyme Q10 deficiency associated with ataxia and respiratory chain dysfunction due to novel pathogenic COQ8A variants, including a large intragenic deletion
Authors: Cotta Ana , Alston Charlotte L. , Baptista‐Junior Sidney , Paim Julia F. , Carvalho Elmano , Navarro Monica M. , Appleton Marie , Ng Yi Shiau , Valicek Jaquelin , da‐Cunha‐Junior Antonio L. , Lima Maria I. , de la Rocque Ferreira Alessandra , Takata Reinaldo I. , Hargreaves Iain P. , Gorman Gráinne S. , McFarland Robert , Pierre Germaine , Taylor Robert W. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractCoenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) deficiency is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous subtype of mitochondrial disease. We report two girls with ataxia and mitochondrial respiratory chain deficiency who were shown to have primary CoQ10 deficiency. Muscle histochemistry displayed signs of mitochondrial dysfunction—ragged red fibers, mitochondrial paracrystalline inclusions, and lipid deposits while biochemical analyses revealed complex II+III respiratory chain deficiencies. MRI brain demonstrated cerebral and cerebellar atrophy. Targeted molecular analysis identified a homozygous c.1015G>A, p.(Ala339Thr) COQ8A variant in subject 1, while subject 2 was found to harbor a single heterozygous c.1029_1030delinsCA variant predicting a p.Gln343_Val344delinsHisMet amino acid substitution. Subsequent investigations identified a large‐scale COQ8A deletion in trans to the c.1029_1030delinsCA allele. A skin biopsy facilitated cDNA studies that confirmed exon skipping in the fibroblast derived COQ8A mRNA transcript. This report expands the molecular genetic spectrum associated with COQ8A‐related mitochondrial disease and highlights the importance of thorough investigation of candidate pathogenic variants to establish phase. Rapid diagnosis is of the utmost importance as patients may benefit from therapeutic CoQ10 supplementation.
Tocilizumab challenge: A series of cytokine storm therapy experiences in hospitalized COVID‐19 pneumonia patients
Authors: Borku Uysal Betul , Ikitimur Hande , Yavuzer Serap , Ikitimur Baris , Uysal Harun , Islamoglu Mehmet Sami , Ozcan Erkan , Aktepe Emre , Yavuzer Hakan , Cengiz Mahir 
Published: June 2020

AbstractTo recognize the period of exaggerated cytokine response in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pneumonia, and to describe the clinical outcomes of using tocilizumab as a treatment option. The data of 12 adult COVID‐19 pneumonia patients who were followed in the inpatient clinics of Biruni University Medical Faculty Hospital (Istanbul, Turkey) were retrospectively analyzed. Diagnostic tests, laboratory examinations, clinical findings, and computed tomography of the thorax imaging results were evaluated. A dramatic laboratory and clinical improvement was observed in 83% (10 out of 12) of patients after tocilizumab. In 17% (2 out of 12) of our patients, short‐term ventilator support was required in the intensive care unit. The longest hospital stay was 18 days. However, in the end, all of our patients were discharged home with good health. Although arterial oxygen saturations (87.58 ± 3.12%) dropped in room air in the pre‐tocilizumab period, post‐tocilizumab they normalized in all patients (94.42 ± 1%). None of them had fever after tocilizumab treatment and the levels of C‐reactive protein (13.08 ± 12.89) were almost within normal limits. Eosinophil values were quite low at the time of diagnosis (10 ± 17.06), but increased significantly post‐tocilizumab (155.33 ± 192.69). There is currently no proven treatment for COVID‐19 induced by novel coronavirus SARS‐CoV‐2. Based on our experience with twelve adult COVID‐19 pneumonia patients, we can say that tocilizumab, an IL‐6 inhibitor, is more beneficial in preventing the damage caused by excessive cytokine response in the body if administered at the right time and provides clinical and radiological recovery.