bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
g‐C3N4‐Based Heterostructured Photocatalysts
Authors: Fu Junwei , Yu Jiaguo , Jiang Chuanjia , Cheng Bei 
Published: September 2017

AbstractPhotocatalysis is considered as one of the promising routes to solve the energy and environmental crises by utilizing solar energy. Graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) has attracted worldwide attention due to its visible‐light activity, facile synthesis from low‐cost materials, chemical stability, and unique layered structure. However, the pure g‐C3N4 photocatalyst still suffers from its low separation efficiency of photogenerated charge carriers, which results in unsatisfactory photocatalytic activity. Recently, g‐C3N4‐based heterostructures have become research hotspots for their greatly enhanced charge carrier separation efficiency and photocatalytic performance. According to the different transfer mechanisms of photogenerated charge carriers between g‐C3N4 and the coupled components, the g‐C3N4‐based heterostructured photocatalysts can be divided into the following categories: g‐C3N4‐based conventional type II heterojunction, g‐C3N4‐based Z‐scheme heterojunction, g‐C3N4‐based p–n heterojunction, g‐C3N4/metal heterostructure, and g‐C3N4/carbon heterostructure. This review summarizes the recent significant progress on the design of g‐C3N4‐based heterostructured photocatalysts and their special separation/transfer mechanisms of photogenerated charge carriers. Moreover, their applications in environmental and energy fields, e.g., water splitting, carbon dioxide reduction, and degradation of pollutants, are also reviewed. Finally, some concluding remarks and perspectives on the challenges and opportunities for exploring advanced g‐C3N4‐based heterostructured photocatalysts are presented.
Does Point‐of‐care Ultrasound Affect Patient and Caregiver Satisfaction for Children Presenting to the Pediatric Emergency Department?
Authors: Lin Margaret J. , Neuman Mark I. , Monuteaux Michael , Rempell Rachel 
Published: September 2017

AbstractObjectivesPoint‐of‐care ultrasound (POCUS) may facilitate the diagnosis and management of children for various conditions. Integration of POCUS into clinical care requires hands‐on training; however, providers may be reluctant to perform educational ultrasounds to improve their skills, as it is a procedure without direct clinical benefit to the patient and due to concerns that it may lower a family's overall satisfaction. We sought to evaluate whether the use of POCUS changed overall patient/caregiver satisfaction in a pediatric emergency department (ED) visit.MethodsWe performed a prospective cohort study of children presenting to a single children's hospital ED. We evaluated overall satisfaction for three groups: 1) children undergoing POCUS for educational purposes, 2) children undergoing POCUS for a specific diagnostic indication, and 3) controls who did not receive POCUS. Overall satisfaction was measured using a 100‐point visual analog scale (VAS). We performed a noninferiority test between patients receiving POCUS and controls using a delta of 10 points to determine significance. We also examined satisfaction among patients receiving diagnostic ultrasound and sought to determine patient/caregiver satisfaction with specific elements of the POCUS experience.ResultsWe surveyed 159 patients who presented between April 2016 and August 2016 (53 in each group). The three groups did not differ with respect to patient age, sex, or Emergency Severity Index level. The median VAS scores for both the educational and the diagnostic POCUS groups (94 and 94, respectively) were not inferior to the VAS score for the control group (91) with a median (95% confidence interval [CI]) difference of 3.0 (–2.2 to 8.2) for educational and control groups and 3.0 (–1.6 to 7.6) for diagnostic and control groups. No patients/caregivers in the educational POCUS group would refuse an educational ultrasound during a future medical encounter.ConclusionEducational POCUS does not decrease patient/caregiver satisfaction among children presenting to the ED.
Efficiency of Egyptian organic agriculture: A local maximum likelihood approach
Authors: Guesmi Bouali , Serra Teresa , Radwan Amr , Gil José María 
Published: September 2017

AbstractProductive efficiency analysis is a relevant tool that can be used to evaluate differences in the performance between conventional and organic farms. Such study is important for the assessment of the economic viability of these two agricultural systems. Although the existing research has widely used the stochastic frontier methodology and the data envelopment analysis nonparametric approach to assess farming performance, the use of the local maximum likelihood (LML) approach proposed by Kumbhakar et al. is scarce. This study represents the first analysis that compares the efficiency levels of organic and conventional farms in Egypt. To do so, we apply LML methods to cross‐sectional, farm‐level data collected from a sample of 60 Egyptian farms. Results suggest that performance of organic farmers is slightly better than performance of their conventional counterparts. Further, we find a positive relationship between technical efficiency and farm size. [EconLit citations: C14, Q12, D24].
The Full Pressure–Temperature Phase Envelope of a Mixture in 1000 Microfluidic Chambers
Authors: Xu Yi , Riordon Jason , Cheng Xiang , Bao Bo , Sinton David 
Published: September 2017

AbstractKnowing the thermodynamic state of complex mixtures—liquid, gas, supercritical or two‐phase—is essential to industrial chemical processes. Traditionally, phase diagrams are compiled piecemeal from individual measurements in a pressure–volume–temperature cell performed in series, where each point is subject to a long fluid equilibrium time. Herein, 1000 microfluidic chambers, each isolated by a liquid piston and set to a different pressure and temperature combination, provide the complete pressure–temperature phase diagram of a hydrocarbon mixture at once, including the thermodynamic phase envelope. Measurements closely match modeled values, with a standard deviation of 0.13 MPa between measurement and model for the dew and bubble point lines, and a difference of 0.04 MPa and 0.25 °C between measurement and model for the critical point.
Inhibition of translation initiation factor eIF4A is required for apoptosis mediated by Microplitis bicoloratus bracovirus
Authors: Dong Shu‐Mei , Cui Ji‐Hui , Zhang Wei , Zhang Xue‐Wen , Kou Tian‐Chao , Cai Qiu‐Chen , Xu Sha , You Shan , Yu Dong‐Shuai , Ding Lei , Lai Jian‐Hua , Li Ming , Luo Kai‐Jun 
Published: September 2017

AbstractApoptotic hemocytes induced by Microplitis bicoloratus parasitism have been reported, and M. bicoloratus bracovirus (MbBV) is known to be the apoptosis inducer. However, the mechanism how MbBV regulates apoptosis remains unclear. eIF4A, one of translation initiation factors, was found from a Spodoptera litura transcriptome, the expression of which in the parasitized hemocytes of S. litura was inhibited in RT‐qPCR analysis. The western blot also illustrated eIF4A at 6‐day post‐parasitization was inhibited in hemocytes. For testing interaction of MbBV–eIF4A–apoptosis, a cDNA clone encoding 1,266 bp of eIF4A was obtained from S. litura hemocytes and sequenced. Then, a 48 kDa V5‐fusion protein of the eIF4A was detected by using the anti‐V5 antibody at 72‐h post‐transfection in the High Five cells, which is located in the cell cytoplasm. In vitro, overexpression of eIF4A rescued the apoptotic High Five cells induced by MbBV. Conversely, in vivo, loss of eIF4A proteins by dsRNA feeding increased apoptosis of hemocytes. Furthermore, RNAi and parasitism significantly increased apoptosis of hemocytes in S. litura. These findings suggested that MbBV inhibited the expression of eIF4A, which was required for apoptosis mediated by MbBV. This study will contribute to biological pest control and enhance our understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying polydnavirus–parasitoid–host interaction.
Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacodynamics of ABT‐122, a Tumor Necrosis Factor– and Interleukin‐17–Targeted Dual Variable Domain Immunoglobulin, in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Fleischmann Roy M. , Wagner Frank , Kivitz Alan J. , Mansikka Heikki T. , Khan Nasser , Othman Ahmed A. , Khatri Amit , Hong Feng , Jiang Ping , Ruzek Melanie , Padley Robert J. 
Published: September 2017

ObjectiveTumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin‐17 (IL‐17) independently contribute to the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). ABT‐122 is a novel dual variable domain immunoglobulin that selectively and simultaneously targets human TNF and IL‐17A. The aim of treatment with ABT‐122 is to evoke a greater clinical response than that achieved by targeting either cytokine alone. This study was undertaken to present the pooled safety, tolerability, and exploratory pharmacodynamics of ABT‐122 based on 2 phase I, placebo‐controlled, multiple ascending‐dose studies in patients with primarily inactive RA.MethodsPatients (n = 44) receiving stable dosages of methotrexate (2.5–25 mg/week) were randomized to receive subcutaneous placebo, ABT‐122 1 mg/kg every other week (4 doses), or ABT‐122 0.5, 1.5, or 3 mg/kg weekly (8 doses) and were evaluated through 45 days after the last dose (day 92). Serum samples for the assessment of inflammation markers and chemokines were collected at baseline and on postdose days 3, 5, 8, 15, 29, 57, 64, 78, and 92.ResultsNo clinically significant findings regarding the safety of ABT‐122 were observed. The rates of treatment‐emergent adverse events (AEs) were similar in patients receiving ABT‐122 and those receiving placebo. Only 1 serious AE (and no systemic hypersensitivity reactions or dose‐limiting toxicities) was observed in patients treated with ABT‐122. The incidence of infections was similar between patients treated with ABT‐122 and those receiving placebo, with no serious infection reported. The levels of CXCL9, CXCL10, CCL23, and soluble E‐selectin were significantly decreased following ABT‐122 treatment relative to placebo treatment. Although patients had essentially inactive RA, exploratory clinical parameters suggested potential antiinflammatory effects following treatment with ABT‐122.ConclusionThe results of these phase I studies suggest that dual neutralization of TNF and IL‐17 with ABT‐122 has characteristics acceptable for further exploration of therapeutic potential in TNF‐ and IL‐17A–driven immune‐mediated inflammatory diseases.
Prognostic and predictive role of [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG‐PET) in patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) treated with up‐front pemetrexed‐based chemotherapy
Authors: Zucali Paolo Andrea , Lopci Egesta , Ceresoli Giovanni Luca , Giordano Laura , Perrino Matteo , Ciocia Gianluigi , Gianoncelli Letizia , Lorenzi Elena , Simonelli Matteo , De Vincenzo Fabio , Setti Lucia Rebecca , Bonifacio Cristiana , Bonomi Maria , Bombardieri Emilio , Chiti Arturo , Santoro Armando 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the role of metabolic parameters analyzed at baseline and at interim FDG‐PET in predicting disease outcome in unresectable MPM patients receiving pemetrexed‐based chemotherapy. A consecutive series of MPM patients treated between February 2004 and July 2013 with first‐line pemetrexed‐based chemotherapy, and evaluated by FDG‐PET and CT scan at baseline and after two cycles of chemotherapy, was reviewed. Best CT scan response was assessed according to modified RECIST criteria. Progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were correlated with FDG‐PET parameters, such as maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), total lesion glycolysis (TLG), and percentage changes in SUVmax (∆SUV) and TLG (∆TLG). Overall, 142 patients were enrolled; 77 (54%) received talc pleurodesis before chemotherapy. Baseline SUVmax and TLG showed a statistically significant correlation with PFS and OS (P < 0.05) in both group of patients (treated and untreated with pleurodesis). In 65 patients not receiving pleurodesis, SUVmax reduction ≥25% (∆SUV ≥ 25%) and TLG reduction ≥30% (∆TLG ≥ 30%) were significantly associated with longer PFS (P < 0.05). Patients showing both ∆SUV ≥ 25% and ∆TLG ≥ 30% responses had a significant reduction in the risk of disease progression (HR:0.31, P < 0.001) and death (HR:0.52, P = 0.044). Neither ∆SUV nor ∆TLG showed similar association with survival outcomes in patients treated with pleurodesis. Our study confirmed the prognostic role of baseline FDG‐PET in a large series of MPM patients treated with first‐line pemetrexed‐based chemotherapy. Moreover, use of ∆SUV ≥ 25% and ∆TLG ≥ 30% as cut‐off values to define early metabolic response supported the role of FDG‐PET in predicting disease outcome and treatment response in patients not receiving pleurodesis.
miR‐206 inhibits the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via targeting CDK9
Authors: Pang Chi , Huang Gang , Luo Kaili , Dong Yuying , He Fengtian , Du Guankui , Xiao Man , Cai Wangwei 
Published: September 2017

AbstractmiR‐206 plays an important role in regulating the growth of multiple cancer cells. Cyclin‐dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) stimulates the production of abundant prosurvival proteins, leading to impaired apoptosis of cancer cells. However, it is unknown whether CDK9 is involved in the miR‐206‐mediated growth suppression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. In this study, we found that the expression level of miR‐206 was significantly lower in HCC cell lines than that in normal hepatic cell line (L02). Meanwhile, CDK9 was upregulated in HCC cell lines. Moreover, miR‐206 downregulated CDK9 in HCC cells via directly binding to its mRNA 3′ UTR, which resulted in a decrease of RNA PolII Ser2 phosphorylation and Mcl‐1 level. Additionally, miR‐206 suppressed the cell proliferation, and induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Similarly, silence or inhibition of CDK9 also repressed the cell proliferation, and induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Taken together, the results demonstrated that miR‐206 inhibited the growth of HCC cells through targeting CDK9, suggesting that the miR‐206‐CDK9 pathway may be a novel target for the treatment of HCC.
Real‐time optical coherence tomography coregistration with angiography in percutaneous coronary intervention–impact on physician decision‐making: The OPTICO‐integration study
Authors: Leistner David M. , Riedel Matthias , Steinbeck Lisa , Stähli Barbara E. , Fröhlich Georg M. , Lauten Alexander , Skurk Carsten , Mochmann Hans‐Christian , Lübking Laura , Rauch‐Kröhnert Ursula , Schnabel Renate B. , Westermann Dirk , Blankenberg Stefan , Landmesser Ulf 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAimsIntracoronary optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging allows for high‐resolution characterization of coronary lesions. Difficulties in matching cross‐sectional OCT‐images with angiographic lesion localization may limit optimal clinical utilization. We sought to prospectively assess the impact of a novel system of real‐time OCT coregistration with angiography (ACR) on physician decision‐making during percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI).Methods and ResultsStrategy for PCI (stent ‐ length, ‐ diameter, ‐ strategy, landing zone) and PCI‐optimization (stent‐malappostion, ‐underexpansion, edge‐dissections, geographical mismatch) was prospectively assessed in 50 patients with 58 coronary lesions after (I) angiography, (II) OCT imaging, and (III) ACR.Preprocedural OCT imaging altered stent‐length (58.9%), diameter (33.9%), and PCI‐strategy (12.5%) in 40 (71.4%) lesions. The use of ACR resulted in additional changes in PCI strategy in 40.7% of mostly complex lesions in comparison to OCT imaging alone and involved mainly device landing zone (24.1%) and stent length (22.2%). Postprocedural OCT imaging revealed the need for PCI optimization in 52.2% of the lesions, whereas post‐procedural ACR had no further impact.ConclusionsReal‐time OCT ACR had significant impact on PCI strategy, favoring mainly complete lesion coverage especially in complex lesions.
The effectiveness and safety of the Impella ventricular assist device for high‐risk percutaneous coronary interventions: A systematic review
Authors: Ait Ichou Jamal , Larivée Natasha , Eisenberg Mark J. , Suissa Karine , Filion Kristian B. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBackgroundSmall randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies have examined the effectiveness and safety of the Impella device, a percutaneous left ventricular assist device, in the setting of high‐risk percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, data are sparse and results are conflicting. Our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the Impella device in high‐risk patients undergoing PCI via a systematic review of the literature.MethodsWe searched Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library for RCTs and observational studies that evaluated the Impella device in high‐risk patients undergoing PCI. Inclusion was restricted to studies in which ≥10 patients received the Impella device; both uncontrolled and controlled (versus intra‐aortic‐balloon pump [IABP]) studies were included.ResultsA total of 20 studies (4 RCTs, 2 controlled observational studies, and 14 uncontrolled observational studies; 1,287 patients) were included, with follow‐up ranging from 1 to 42 months. The use of Impella resulted in improved procedural and hemodynamic characteristics in controlled and uncontrolled studies. In controlled studies, the 30‐day rates of all‐cause mortality and MACE were similar across groups. In most uncontrolled studies, the 30‐day rates of all‐cause mortality were generally low (range: 3.7%–10%), though rates of MACE were slightly higher (range: 5%–20%).ConclusionThe Impella device was found to improve procedural and hemodynamic parameters, but only limited randomized data are available regarding clinical outcomes associated with its use. Large, multicenter RCTs are needed to definitively establish the effectiveness of the Impella device among high‐risk PCI patients.
Natural Calcium‐Based Residues for Carbon Dioxide Capture in a Bubbling Fluidized‐Bed Reactor
Authors: Chalermwat Nattha , Rattanaprapanporn Rujee , Chalermsinsuwan Benjapon , Poompradub Sirilux 
Published: September 2017

AbstractUsed clamshells (Paphia undulata), as a precursor of calcium oxide (CaO) sorbents, were employed for carbon dioxide (CO2) adsorption in a bubbling fluidized‐bed reactor. To find the optimal calcination conditions, a 2k experimental design was used to vary the ground clamshell particle size, heating rate, and calcination time at 950 °C under a nitrogen atmosphere. The heating rate was the most significant factor affecting the CO2 adsorption capacity of the obtained CaO sorbent. The maximum CO2 adsorption capacity of the CaO obtained under these study conditions was higher than that of commercial CaO.
Successive Conditioning in Complex Artificial Wastewater Increases the Performance of Electrochemically Active Biofilms Treating Real Wastewater
Authors: Riedl Sebastian , Brown Robert Keith , Klöckner Sarah , Huber Katharina J. , Bunk Boyke , Overmann Jörg , Schröder Uwe 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThis study focuses on improving the treatment capacity and current output of electrochemically active microorganisms (EAM) during real wastewater treatment. A multi‐carbon‐source artificial wastewater consisting of several carbon sources, which represent typical fermentation and hydrolysis products derived from the otherwise myriad wastewater constituents, was developed as a more realistic simulation thereof. An electrochemically preselected inoculum was obtained by means of re‐suspension of a well‐established EAM biofilm, which was subsequently used to inoculate sterile electrodes. Repeating this procedure yielded increasingly enriched and conditioned biofilms with improved performance. After cultivation in the complex artificial medium, highly efficient fourth generation EAM biofilms were fed real wastewater (i. e. effluent after primary settling) and outperformed those cultivated using a single substrate (i. e. acetate) in terms of current output and chemical oxygen demand (COD) degradation rates.
Asymmetric Reduction of Prochiral Ketones by Using Self‐Sufficient Heterogeneous Biocatalysts Based on NADPH‐Dependent Ketoreductases
Authors: Benítez‐Mateos Ana I. , San Sebastian Eneko , Ríos‐Lombardía Nicolás , Morís Francisco , González‐Sabín Javier , López‐Gallego Fernando 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe development of cell‐free and self‐sufficient biocatalytic systems represents an emerging approach to address more complex synthetic schemes under nonphysiological conditions. Herein, we report the development of a self‐sufficient heterogeneous biocatalyst for the synthesis of chiral alcohols without the need to add an exogenous cofactor. In this work, an NADPH‐dependent ketoreductase was primarily stabilized and further co‐immobilized with NADPH to catalyze asymmetric reductions without the addition of an exogenous cofactor. As a result, the immobilized cofactor is accessible, and thus, it is recycled inside the porous structure without diffusing out into the bulk, as demonstrated by single‐particle in operando studies. This self‐sufficient heterogeneous biocatalyst was used and recycled for the asymmetric reduction of eleven carbonyl compounds in a batch reactor without the addition of exogenous NADPH to achieve the corresponding alcohols in 100 % yield and >99 % ee; this high performance was maintained over five consecutive reaction cycles. Likewise, the self‐sufficient heterogeneous biocatalyst was integrated into a plug flow reactor for the continuous synthesis of one model secondary alcohol, which gave rise to a space‐time yield of 97–112 g L−1 day−1; additionally, the immobilized cofactor accumulated a total turnover number of 1076 for 120 h. This is one of the few examples of the successful implementation of continuous reactions in aqueous media catalyzed by cell‐free and immobilized systems that integrate both enzymes and cofactors into the solid phase.
Halogen Contacts‐Induced Unusual Coloring in BiIII Bromide Complex: Anion‐to‐Cation Charge Transfer via Br⋅⋅⋅Br Interactions
Authors: Adonin Sergey A. , Gorokh Igor D. , Novikov Alexander S. , Abramov Pavel A. , Sokolov Maxim N. , Fedin Vladimir P. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractA yellow bromobismuthate {(2‐BrPy)2H}[BiBr4] (1, 2‐BrPy=2‐bromopyridinium) transforms into the unusually deeply colored cherry‐red (2‐BrPyH)2[BiBr5] (2). A combination of structural studies and theoretical calculations confirms that the appearance of short non‐covalent Br⋅⋅⋅Br interactions (≈3.3 Å) in 2 is responsible for the anion‐to‐cation charge transfer (LP(Brligand)→σ*(Br‐C)), yielding dramatic changes in optical behavior. This effect opens the way towards novel halogen bonding‐templated halometalate‐based hybrid materials with enhanced optical properties.