bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Frontline Science: Two flavonoid compounds attenuate allergic asthma by regulating epithelial barrier via G protein-coupled estrogen receptor: Probing a possible target for allergic inflammation
Authors: Yuan Wei-Yuan , Li Lian-Qu , Chen Yan-Yan , Zhou Yi-Jing , Bao Kai-Fan , Zheng Jie , Hua Yong-Qing , Jiang Guo-Rong , Hong Min 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Allergic asthma is a common chronic lung inflammatory disease and seriously influences public health. We aim to investigate the effects of formononetin (FMN) and calycosin (CAL), 2 flavonoids in Radix Astragali, on allergic asthma and elucidate possible therapeutic targets. A house dust mite (HDM)-induced allergic asthma mouse model and TNF-α and Poly(I:C) co-stimulated human bronchial epithelial cell line (16HBE) were performed respectively in vivo and in vitro. The role of G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) was explored by its agonist, antagonist, or GPER small interfering RNA (siGPER). E-cadherin, occludin, and GPER were detected by western blotting, immunohistochemistry, or immunofluorescence. The epithelial barrier integrity was assessed by trans-epithelial electric resistance (TEER). Cytokines were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed that flavonoids attenuated pulmonary inflammation and hyperresponsiveness in asthmatic mice. These flavonoids significantly inhibited thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), increased occludin and restored E-cadherin in vivo and in vitro. The effects of flavonoids on occludin and TSLP were not interfered by ICI182780 (estrogen receptor antagonist), while blocked by G15 (GPER antagonist). Furthermore, compared with PPT (ERα agonist) and DPN (ERβ agonist), G1 (GPER agonist) significantly inhibited TSLP, up-regulated occludin, and restored E-cadherin. siGPER and TEER assays suggested that GPER was pivotal for the flavonoids on the epithelial barrier integrity. Finally, G1 attenuated allergic lung inflammation, which could be abolished by G15. Our data demonstrated that 2 flavonoids in Radix Astragali could alleviate allergic asthma by protecting epithelial integrity via regulating GPER, and activating GPER might be a possible therapeutic strategy against allergic inflammation.
The effect of orthoses on the kinematics of the trapeziometacarpal, scaphotrapeziotrapezoidal, and radioscaphoid joints
Authors: Vanneste Maarten , Stockmans Filip , Vereecke Evie E. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe in vivo effect of four different types of thumb and thumb‐wrist orthoses on the three‐dimensional kinematics of the trapeziometacarpal (TMC), scaphotrapeziotrapezoidal (STT) and radioscaphoid joints was quantified using computed tomography (CT). Eighteen healthy female volunteers were recruited. The dominant hand of each subject was scanned in four thumb and wrist positions, each in three conditions: without orthosis, with a thumb orthosis (Push Ortho and immediate fitting, IMF) and with a thumb‐wrist orthosis (Ligaflex Manu and IMF). CT images were analyzed and rotations relative to the more proximal bone were expressed in a joint‐specific coordinate system. Without orthosis, the largest STT rotations were observed during radioulnar deviation of the wrist and the STT range of motion (ROM) was significantly lower during wrist flexion‐extension. All tested orthoses caused a significant reduction of the ROM at each joint compared to free motion. Significant differences in movement reduction were observed between prefabricated and IMF orthoses.The IMF thumb‐wrist outperformed the Ligaflex Manu in terms of immobilization of the radioscaphoid joint. In addition, the IMF thumb orthosis immobilized the TMC joint significantly better during thumb abduction and adduction than the Push Ortho. We found that different types of thumb and thumb‐wrist orthotics are effective in reducing joint mobility. While this reduction tends to be higher using IMF compared to prefabricated orthoses, this effect is only significant for the radioscaphoid and TMC joint. The finding that thumb movements do not induce large STT rotations suggests that the thumb does not need to be immobilized in case of isolated STT osteoarthritis.
The role of transforming growth factor‐beta in immune suppression and chronic inflammation of squamous cell carcinomas
Authors: Strait Alexander A. , Wang Xiao‐Jing 
Published: April 2020

AbstractDespite a decline in the incidence of squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) over the past 20 years, their survival rate has remained nearly the same, indicating that treatment options have not improved relative to other cancer types. Immunotherapies have a high potential for a sustained effect in SCC patients, but their response rate is low. Here, we review the suppressive role of transforming growth factor‐beta (TGFβ) on the antitumor immune response in SCC and present its potential as a therapeutic target in combination with the current range of immunotherapies available for SCC patients. We conclude that SCCs are an optimal cancer type to study the effectiveness of TGFβ inhibition due to the prevalence of dysregulated TGFβ signaling in them.
Free‐breathing fat and R2* quantification in the liver using a stack‐of‐stars multi‐echo acquisition with respiratory‐resolved model‐based reconstruction
Authors: Schneider Manuel , Benkert Thomas , Solomon Eddy , Nickel Dominik , Fenchel Matthias , Kiefer Berthold , Maier Andreas , Chandarana Hersh , Block Kai Tobias 
Published: April 2020

PurposeTo develop a free‐breathing hepatic fat and
quantification method by extending a previously described stack‐of‐stars model‐based fat‐water separation technique with additional modeling of the transverse relaxation rate
.MethodsThe proposed technique combines motion‐robust radial sampling using a stack‐of‐stars bipolar multi‐echo 3D GRE acquisition with iterative model‐based fat‐water separation. Parallel‐Imaging and Compressed‐Sensing principles are incorporated through modeling of the coil‐sensitivity profiles and enforcement of total‐variation (TV) sparsity on estimated water, fat, and
parameter maps. Water and fat signals are used to estimate the confounder‐corrected proton‐density fat fraction (PDFF). Two strategies for handling respiratory motion are described: motion‐averaged and motion‐resolved reconstruction. Both techniques were evaluated in patients (n = 14) undergoing a hepatobiliary research protocol at 3T. PDFF and
parameter maps were compared to a breath‐holding Cartesian reference approach.ResultsLinear regression analyses demonstrated strong (r > 0.96) and significant (P ≪ .01) correlations between radial and Cartesian PDFF measurements for both the motion‐averaged reconstruction (slope: 0.90; intercept: 0.07%) and the motion‐resolved reconstruction (slope: 0.90; intercept: 0.11%). The motion‐averaged technique overestimated hepatic
values (slope: 0.35; intercept: 30.2 1/s) compared to the Cartesian reference. However, performing a respiratory‐resolved reconstruction led to better
value consistency (slope: 0.77; intercept: 7.5 1/s).ConclusionsThe proposed techniques are promising alternatives to conventional Cartesian imaging for fat and
quantification in patients with limited breath‐holding capabilities. For accurate
estimation, respiratory‐resolved reconstruction should be used.
Three‐dimensional motion‐corrected T1 relaxometry with MPnRAGE
Authors: Kecskemeti Steven , Alexander Andrew L. 
Published: April 2020

PurposeTo test the performance of the MPnRAGE motion‐correction algorithm on quantitative relaxometry estimates.MethodsTwelve children (9.4 ± 2.6 years, min = 6.5 years, max = 13.8 years) were imaged 3 times in a session without sedation. Stabilization padding was not used for the second and third scans. Quantitative T1 values were estimated in each voxel on images reconstructed with and without motion correction. Mean T1 values were assessed in various regions determined from automated segmentation algorithms. Statistical tests were performed on mean values and the coefficient of variation across the measurements. Accuracy of T1 estimates were determined by scanning the High Precision Devices (Boulder, CO) MRI system phantom with the same protocol.ResultsThe T1 values obtained with MPnRAGE agreed within 4% of the reference values of the High Precision Devices phantom. The best fit line was T1(MPnRAGE) = 1.02 T1(reference)—0.9 ms, R2 = 0.9999. For in vivo studies, motion correction reduced the coefficients of variation of mean T1 values in whole‐brain tissue regions determined by FSL FAST by 74% ± 7%, and subcortical regions determined by FIRST and FreeSurfer by 32% ± 21% and 33% ± 26%, respectively. Across all participants, the mean coefficients of variation ranged from 0.8% to 2.0% for subcortical regions and 0.6% ± 0.5% for cortical regions when motion correction was applied.ConclusionThe MPnRAGE technique demonstrated highly accurate values in phantom measurements. When combined with retrospective motion correction, MPnRAGE demonstrated highly reproducible T1 values, even in participants who moved during the acquisition.
The relationship among flow index, uroflowmetry curve shape, and EMG lag time in children
Authors: Ha Jee S. , Lee Yong S. , Han Sang W. , Kim Sang W. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractPurposeTo determine the relationship among flow index (FI), uroflowmetry curve shape, and electromyography (EMG) lag time in children.Materials and MethodsA total of 294 children with lower urinary tract symptoms were included. The overall relationship between lag time and FI was investigated with curve estimation regression. Normal and primary bladder neck dysfunction was defined according to the previous classification, while patients with a lag time less than 2 seconds were grouped based on 2‐second intervals. We also categorized cases into four groups (tower shaped, bell shaped, plateau shaped, and fractionated void) by FI and compared lag time.ResultsThe overall distribution chart demonstrated that FI was the highest at lag time 0 second and decreased with the change in lag time both ways. The best fitting model for maximum FI and lag time was a cubic model (R2 = .282; P < .001). Children with lag times from 0 to less than 2 seconds showed the highest mean FI, while those with prolonged (>6 seconds) or delayed lag time (<−4 seconds) demonstrated lower mean FI values. EMG lag time of the tower‐shaped curve was significantly close to 0 second, and plateau shaped and fractionated void had either prolonged or delayed.ConclusionsA lag time close to 0 second was associated with higher FI, representing hyperefficient voiding with a tower‐shaped flow pattern. However, children with prolonged or delayed lag time showed a lower FI, implicating hypoefficient voiding and a plateau‐shaped flow pattern. The relationship between FI and EMG lag time could be a cornerstone for a comprehensive understanding of voiding status.
Influence of uniaxial orientation of fluorinated polymer/phosphonate‐modified needle‐like nanofiller composite by drawing
Authors: Hirayama Shuhei , Hayasaki Takuto , Almarasy Ahmed A. , Yabu Hiroshi , Tokita Masatoshi , Fujimori Atsuhiro 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe orientation effect of sepiolite natural clay, a needle‐shaped nanoparticle, in a polymer matrix was investigated. Uniaxial drawing was performed on polymer‐based nanocomposites containing organo‐modified sepiolite, achieving uniform dispersion in the crystalline polymer by modifying the surface with organic molecular chains. Fluorinated polymer was used as the matrix, and sepiolite was modified using fluorinated chains. High‐temperature drawing was conducted to increase the density of amorphous chains in the fluoropolymer. Observations confirmed the orientation of the nanofiller in the drawing direction. When the filler content was intentionally increased, it was as if it were a nanosized mille‐feuille. As a result of 5× drawing, a 20% improvement in crystallinity was calculated. Small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) analysis showed a 32 Å increase in long‐period values. When high‐drawing was conducted, some amorphous parts transformed into crystals, and the difference in electron densities between the two regions widened, increasing the long‐period value while decreasing the SAXS intensity. The crystallization temperature increased by 1.8°C, and the Young's modulus calculated from the strain‐stress curve showed a nearly 4× increase. The mechanical strength doubled when the neat fluoropolymer was drawn five times. This provides a clear understanding of the enhancement behavior of the structural and physical properties of a uniform dispersible polymer/needle nanoparticle nanocomposite using uniaxially oriented nanofillers.
Synthesis of hybrid magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers for the selective adsorption of volatile fatty acids from anaerobic effluents
Authors: Tonucci Marina C , Adarme Oscar F H , Aquino Sérgio F de , Baeta Bruno Eduardo L , Tarley César Ricardo T 
Published: April 2020

AbstractA novel magnetic, structured (with ordered pores) and hybrid imprinted polymer (HMMIP) was synthesized to selectively adsorb volatile fatty acids (VFAs) from aqueous matrices. Usual characterization techniques showed that a mesoporous adsorbent was obtained with relatively low specific areas but that could selectively (imprinting factor of 1.64) remove isovaleric acid (used as template) from aqueous solutions and effluents containing VFAs with a good capacity (Qe ~ 50 mg g−1). From kinetic studies a pseudo‐nth‐order model showed the best fit to the experimental data and resulted in k
n = 3 equal to 8 × 10−4 g mg−1 min−1 whereas thermodynamic studies indicated that the adsorption of isovaleric acid onto HMMIP was endothermic and entropically driven. Reuse studies indicated that HMMIP loaded with VFA could be efficiently regenerated with acetone–water solution which led to an adsorption loss of ca 10% after three regeneration/reuse cycles and that the magnetic and specific adsorbent could be removed from complex matrices with an efficiency of ca 77%. Biochemical methane production assays showed that the addition of HMMIP to anaerobic batch reactors increased by four times the methane production due to the selective adsorption of VFAs. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Paraeducator supervision in pre‐service teacher preparation programs: Results of a national survey
Authors: Sobeck Emily E. , Douglas Sarah N. , Chopra Ritu , Morano Stephanie 
Published: April 2020

AbstractParaeducators need appropriate supervision and supports from teachers to be effective in their roles contributing to the inclusion and instruction of students with disabilities. However, previous research has demonstrated that teachers are unprepared for their supervisory role and report a lack of meaningful coursework and other learning experiences related to paraeducator supervision in teacher preparation programs they attended. Therefore, to gain insight into current practices in institutions of higher education (IHEs) as they relate to preparing pre‐service special education teachers to work effectively with paraeducators, the authors conducted a national online mixed‐methods survey of teacher educators. The majority of respondents found pre‐service teacher training on paraeducators to be important, but over a third reported that no coursework is allocated for this topic, and the majority shared that pre‐service teachers do not complete any project or assignment related to supervising paraeducators during their preparation program. Several barriers to effectively training pre‐service teachers to support and supervise paraeducators were identified (e.g., time, priority, clarity in the standards, and resources), as well as suggestions for improving preparation programs (e.g., improved coursework, more opportunities within practicum experiences working with paraeducators, and specifying specific content to cover through the standards) are shared. The importance of exposing pre‐service teachers to content specific to managing paraeducators and the need for further clarification of competencies pre‐service teachers need relative to paraeducators is discussed, as well as directions for future research are also offered.
On the Factors behind the Photocatalytic Activity of Graphene Quantum Dots for Organic Dye Degradation
Authors: Ibarbia Antton , Grande Hans J. , Ruiz Virginia 
Published: April 2020

AbstractGraphene quantum dots (GQD) are promising visible‐light photocatalysts for organic dye degradation. Besides having improved visible‐light activity compared with commercial TiO2, GQD are versatile photocatalysts as their chemical composition and, consequently, optical properties can be tuned synthetically, with a direct impact on photoactivity. However, there is a lack of systematic comparative studies to benchmark GQD photocatalytic performance and relate it to their intrinsic properties. This is undertaken in this work for three types of GQD, which are prepared using well‐established synthetic methods representative of top‐down and bottom‐up approaches using different precursors. Resulting GQD are similar in size but differ in chemical composition, crystallinity, bandgap (ranging from 2.63 to 3.63 eV) and visible‐light absorptivity. Photoactivity measurements under comparable experimental conditions (visible‐light illumination) reveal enormous activity differences for rhodamine B (RhB) degradation, with up to tenfold higher degradation yields at the same time for certain GQD types. The enormous influence of intrinsic and tunable GQD factors, like visible‐light absorptivity and surface charge, on their photoactivity for the degradation of organic dyes is demonstrated, highlighting the importance of tailoring such parameters for enhanced photocatalytic performance. A plausible mechanism for GQD‐catalyzed photodegradation of RhB is also proposed.
Shock Initiation of Covered Flake JH‐2 High Explosive by Simultaneous Impact of Multiple Fragments
Authors: Li Yi‐Ming , Li Wen‐Bin , Zhang Qing , Wang Xiao‐Ming , Liu Jun‐Hao , Song Ping 
Published: April 2020

AbstractAdvances are continually being made on shock initiation of heterogeneous explosives by single fragment impact. However, most research on shock initiation of heterogeneous explosives by multiple fragment impact is still in simulation stage owing to the limitations of testing conditions and methods, and experiments on it are rare. In this study, an experiment was conducted on shock initiation of the covered flake JH‐2 high explosive (HE) by simultaneous multiple fragment impact. The response level of the explosive under impact is determined by the damage degree of the cover plate and classified into detonation, explosion, deflagration and burn or no reaction. The u2d Held criterion was used to calculate the critical threshold Icr of each JH‐2 failure mode under the plate‐sandwich charging structure. Results indicated the JH‐2 HE deflagration occurs as Icr reaches 3570.91 m3/s2 by a single fragment impact, explosion occurs as Icr reaches 6267.69 m3/s2, and detonation Icr reaches 7232.41 m3/s2. Increasing the number of fragments reduces the Icr of JH‐2 HE each response level. The response level of multiple fragments impact is a multiple of single‐fragment.
Active and sedentary bouts in people after stroke and healthy controls: An observational study
Authors: Hassett Leanne , Ada Louise , Hellweg Stephanie , Paul Serene , Alzahrani Matar , Dean Catherine 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackground and PurposeUnderstanding how both active and sedentary time is accumulated in people after stroke may help to better target interventions to reduce stroke recurrence. This study aimed to determine the difference between stroke and healthy controls in (a) time spent in sedentary and active behaviour, (b) frequency of short and long active and sedentary bouts and (c) time spent in short and long active and sedentary bouts.MethodsAnalysis of secondary outcomes from a cross‐sectional study. Participants were 42 community‐dwelling people after stroke and 21 age‐matched healthy controls. An activity monitor was used to collect free‐living active and sedentary behaviour. Total active (standing and walking) and sedentary (lying, reclining and sitting) time was calculated in minutes per day. Bouts were categorized as short (<5 min, 5–15 min, 15–30 min) or long (>30 min). The frequency of and time spent in each bout were calculated.ResultsRelative to wear time, the stroke group spent 10% (95% confidence interval [CI] 3 to 17) more time in sedentary behaviour and had fewer long active bouts than the healthy controls. The stroke group spent 7% (95% CI 1–13) less time in long active bouts and 11% (95% CI 2–20) more time in long sedentary bouts than the healthy controls.ConclusionsCommunity‐dwelling people after stroke spent less time in active behaviour and accumulated more sedentary time in bouts longer than 30 min compared with healthy controls. Increasing active time and breaking up long sedentary time warrants investigation in people after stroke.
Categorization of adverse drug reactions in electronic health records
Authors: Foreman Caroline , Smith William B. , Caughey Gillian E. , Shakib Sepehr 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of adverse drug reaction (ADR) documentation in a state‐wide electronic health record (EHR), and to assess the impact of the interface design on documentation accuracy and ability to provide decision support. Data were extracted from 43 011 unique records in a state‐wide electronic health record in South Australia, Australia. Information obtained included ADR coding as allergy or intolerance, allergen name, reaction, and occupation of those entering data. Categorization into drug allergy or intolerance was assessed for accuracy. Reactions were entered predominantly by nurses (60.1%), also by doctors (31.0%) and pharmacists (6.1%). Of 27 314 reactions, 86.5% were coded as allergy and 13.5% as intolerance. The majority (78.2%) described reactions to drugs (as opposed to food, environmental or contact allergens), predominantly chosen from the drug database (96.4%). Many entries used free text for the reaction description (27.4%). Terms found in the predefined list under the allergy heading were more likely to be categorized as allergy, even when the mechanism was pharmacological intolerance. Only 45.1% (n = 1671/3705) of reactions consistent with intolerance (eg, “nausea,” “diarrhea”) were correctly categorized as such, although categorization by pharmacists was more accurate (P < .0001). These data suggest that ADR categorization as allergy or intolerance is influenced by the EHR design. The obligatory classification of ADRs into allergy or intolerance was not well understood and does not appear to have practical benefit.