Synthesis and emission properties of 1,1,4,4-tetracyanobutadienes derived from ynamides bearing fluorophores

A series of 1,1,4,4-tetracyanobutadienes (TCBD) bearing a large diversity of fluorophores was prepared following a multi-step synthesis. In a crucial last step, all compounds were obtained from the corresponding ynamides which were particularly suitable for the formation of the TCBDs in the presence of tetracyanoethylene via a [2+2] cycloaddition/retroelectrocyclization step (CA-RE). Fluorenyl derivatives including several variations on position 7 and 9, in addition to phenanthrenyl and terphenyl derivatives provided ynamide-based TCBD affording remarkable emission properties covering a large range of wavelengths. Those compounds emit both in solid state and in solution from the visible region to the NIR range, depending on the molecular structures. Quantum yields in cyclohexane reached unforeseen values for such derivatives, up to 7.8%. A huge sensitivity to the environment of the TCBDs has also been unraveled for most of the compounds since we observed a dramatic fall of the quantum yields when changing the solvent from cyclohexane to toluene, while they are almost non-emissive in dichloromethane.

Mechanical complications and fractures after reverse shoulder arthroplasty related to different design types and their rates: part I

The initial reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA), designed by Paul Grammont, was intended to treat rotator cuff tear arthropathy in elderly patients. In the early experience, high complication rates (up to 24%) and revision rates (up to 50%) were reported. The most common complications reported were scapular notching, whereas clinically more relevant complications such as instability and acromial fractures were less commonly described. Zumstein et al defined a ‘complication’ following RSA as any intraoperative or postoperative event that was likely to have a negative influence on the patient’s final outcome. High rates of complications related to the Grammont RSA design led to development of non-Grammont designs, with 135 or 145 degrees of humeral inclination, multiple options for glenosphere size and eccentricity, improved baseplate fixation which facilitated glenoid-sided lateralization, and the option of humeral-sided lateralization. Improved implant characteristics combined with surgeon experience led to a dramatic fall in the majority of complications. However, we still lack a suitable solution for several complications, such as acromial stress fracture. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2021;6:1097-1108. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.6.210039

Clinical Characteristics of Newborns Born to Mothers with COVID-19

(1) Background: According to the literature, most outcomes of neonates born to mothers infected with SARS-CoV-2 are favorable. This study aimed to assess the clinical characteristics of newborns born to infected women in a tertiary center in Poznan, Poland. (2) Methods: The study comprised 101 newborns delivered by women infected with SARS-CoV-2. The control group consisted of 101 newborns born before the pandemic. Data were collected retrospectively from the medical records. (3) Results: Most newborns of SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers were delivered by cesarean section—83.17% vs. 40.59% in the control group (p < 0.05). The groups did not differ in Apgar scores and the need for resuscitation. Newborns of SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers were more likely to present with respiratory distress and require respiratory support. The most common diagnosis was transient tachypnea of the newborn, not correlated with the mode of delivery. Newborns of the study group were never exclusively breastfed, 0% vs. 64.36% (p < 0.05). None of the patients in the study group was tested positive for the virus. (4) Conclusions: Infants born to SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers seem to be more at risk of moderate respiratory failure than other newborns. Separation of mother–baby dyads results in a dramatic fall in breastfeeding in the short-term post-partum period.

SKAP2-BRAF fusion and response to an MEK inhibitor in a patient with metastatic melanoma resistant to immunotherapy

A woman in her 40s presented to the emergency department with headache and unintentional weight loss in September 2018. Investigations revealed a widely metastatic pan-negative melanoma of unknown primary. She had multiple lines of treatment including combination immunotherapy and chemotherapy. Next-generation sequencing identified an SKAP2-BRAF fusion protein, and she was commenced on an MEK inhibitor in September 2019 with a partial response seen on restaging scans after 6 weeks and a dramatic fall in her lactate dehydrogenase from 2248 IU/L to 576 IU/L. Unfortunately, the response was not maintained and she died from progression of her cancer in January 2020. SKAP2-BRAF fusions have a dimerisation domain that paradoxically activates the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, resulting in hyperproliferation if first-generation or second-generation BRAF inhibitors are used. Our knowledge is limited regarding the complex effects of targeted therapy in rare BRAF fusion proteins.

Ceftriaxone Prescription at Muhimbili National Hospital

S Background: Since their discovery, antibiotics have contributed to a dramatic fall in morbidity and mortality from bacterial infections. However, the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance continues to threaten the effectiveness of these agents. Ceftriaxone is one of the most important medications needed in a basic health system. Yet high levels of inappropriate use have been reported increasing the likelihood of emergence and spread of resistance. Methods: We conducted a descriptive study to characterize ceftriaxone prescription and resistance at a tertiary hospital. Results: Three hundred and sixty prescriptions were observed and 194 (54 %) deviated from the National Treatment guidelines with regards to indication. For patients with conditions for which ceftriaxone is recommended, 93 % (154 out of 166) prescriptions deviated from the guideline with regard to dosing frequency and 67 % deviated with regards to the duration of administration. Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus (CoNS), Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were the most common isolates and with the highest ceftriaxone resistance rate (up to 80%). Conclusions: At MNH, ceftriaxone is commonly inappropriately prescribed and the risk of emergence and spread of ceftriaxone resistant isolates may be high. The majority of CoNS and Klebsiella species are resistant, thus cautious ceftriaxone prescription is needed.

Determinants of Inclusive Growth in ASEAN

Over the past decades ASEAN countries have experienced rapid economic growth accompanied by a dramatic fall in poverty rates, but income inequality has not retreated. This research aims at identifying factors which could contribute to more equally distributed growth in ASEAN. To measure inclusive growth, we use a variable integrating per capita income growth and an equity index. A cross-country panel analysis of the impact of macro-structural factors on inclusive growth and its two components suggests that fiscal redistribution, female labor force participation, productivity growth, FDI inflows, digitalization, and savings significantly drive inclusive growth. A scenario analysis based on our econometric results suggests that the implementation of fiscal redistribution and labor market-oriented structural reforms could help significantly accelerate inclusive growth in ASEAN.

Prospects for the global economy to end-2020

Significance COVID-19 dominates the scenarios for the next six months, which range from a swift sharp recovery to another dramatic fall in activity. Policy responses, financial markets, business and consumer confidence will play a role in the effort to shake off the economic disruption of the pandemic.

Lessons from Theranos: Changing Narratives of Individual Ethics in Science and Engineering

The meteoric ascent and equally dramatic fall of Theranos has been covered prolifically in the media. Presented as an ambitious inventor gone rogue, the discursive construction of the Theranos scandal in popular media and in the biomedical community reifies tired narratives of the role of ethics in science and engineering fields more generally: narratives that emphasizes individual integrity and common sense rather than the structures and norms that leave scientists and engineers vulnerable to ethical quandaries. In this short critical engagement, I argue that the ways Theranos has been captured obscures important conversations about ethics in bioscience and biotechnology, both in the private sector and in university spaces. I call for STS scholars to engage with scientists and engineers to imagine ways to structurally embed ethics and justice in future technoscientific endeavors.