bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In vitro evaluation of a ceramic bracket with a laser-structured base
Authors: Elekdag-Türk Selma 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
The purpose of this study was the assessment of shear bond strength (SBS), adhesive remnant characteristics, integrity of the enamel, integrity of Discovery Pearl as well as the integrity of Fascination 2 ceramic brackets following SBS testing.

Methods
Sixty maxillary first premolars were randomly assigned into two groups. These groups were bonded with their respective brackets. The samples underwent thermocycling (1000 cycles), SBS testing and assessment of the residual adhesive. The statistical analyses used were the independent samples t-test, the Weibull analysis and the chi-square test.

Results
The independent samples t-test for the comparison of the mean SBS resulted in significant differences between Fascination 2 (10.50 ± 2.61 MPa) and Pearl (13.01 ± 2.50 MPa) brackets (p = 0.0003). The results of the chi-square test for ARI demonstrated a significant difference (p = 0.000) between the groups. A higher frequency of ARI scores of 2 and 3 for Pearl brackets existed. Enamel damage and bracket fracturing was not observed.

Conclusions
The mean bond strength value, the adhesive remnant characteristics, the integrity of the enamel and the ceramic brackets as well as the Weibull analyses outcomes were highly encouraging during this in vitro screening. The way is paved for an in vivo investigation with the Pearl ceramic bracket.
Pattern and correlates of out-of-pocket payment (OOP) on female sterilization in India, 1990–2014
Authors: Mohanty Sanjay K. , Mishra Suyash , Chatterjee Sayantani , Saggurti Niranjan 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundLarge scale public investment in family welfare programme has made female sterilization a free service in public health centers in India. Besides, it also provides financial compensation to acceptors. Despite these interventions, the use of contraception from private health centers has increased over time, across states and socio-economic groups in India. Though many studies have examined trends, patterns, and determinants of female sterilization services, studies on out-of-pocket payment (OOP) and compensations on sterilisation are limited in India. This paper examines the trends and variations in out-of-pocket payment (OOP) and compensations associated with female sterilization in India.MethodsData from the National Family Health Survey - 4, 2015–16 was used for the analyses. A composite variable based on compensation received and amount paid by users was computed and categorized into four distinct groups. Multivariate analyses were used to understand the significant predictors of OOP of female sterilization.ResultsPublic health centers continued to be the major providers of female sterilization services; nearly 77.8% had availed themselves of free sterilization and 61.6% had received compensation for female sterilization. About two-fifths of the women in the economically well-off state like Kerala and one-third of the women in a poor state like Bihar had paid but did not receive any compensation for female sterilization. The OOP on female sterilization varies from 70 to 79% across India. The OOP on female sterilization was significantly higher among the educated and women belonging to the higher wealth quintile linking OOP to ability to pay for better quality of care.ConclusionPublic sector investment in family planning is required to provide free or subsidized provision of family welfare services, especially to women from a poor household. Improving the quality of female sterilization services in public health centers and rationalizing the compensation may extend the reach of family planning services in India.
Prognostic impact of para-aortic lymph node metastases in non-pancreatic periampullary cancer
Authors: Hempel Sebastian , Oehme Florian , Müssle Benjamin , Aust Daniela E. , Distler Marius , Saeger Hans-Detlev , Weitz Jürgen , Welsch Thilo 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
Resection of the para-aortic lymph node (PALN) group Ln16b1 during pancreatoduodenectomy remains controversial because PALN metastases are associated with a worse prognosis in pancreatic cancer patients. The present study aimed to analyze the impact of PALN metastases on outcome after non-pancreatic periampullary cancer resection.

Methods
One hundred sixty-four patients with non-pancreatic periampullary cancer who underwent curative pancreatoduodenectomy or total pancreatectomy between 2005 and 2016 were retrospectively investigated. The data were supplemented with a systematic literature review on this topic.

Results
In 67 cases, the PALNs were clearly assigned and could be histopathologically analyzed. In 10.4% of cases (7/67), tumor-infiltrated PALNs (PALN+) were found. Metastatic PALN+ stage was associated with increased tumor size (P = 0.03) and a positive nodal stage (P < 0.001). The median overall survival (OS) of patients with metastatic PALN and non-metastatic PALN (PALN–) was 24.8 and 29.5 months, respectively. There was no significant difference in the OS of PALN+ and pN1 PALN patients (P = 0.834). Patients who underwent palliative surgical treatment (n = 20) had a lower median OS of 13.6 (95% confidence interval 2.7–24.5) months. Including the systematic literature review, only 23 cases with PALN+ status and associated OS could be identified; the average survival was 19.8 months.

Conclusion
PALN metastasis reflects advanced tumor growth and lymph node spread; however, it did not limit overall survival in single-center series. The available evidence of the prognostic impact of PALN metastasis is scarce and a recommendation against resection in these cases cannot be given.
Clinical application of exosomes and circulating microRNAs in the diagnosis of pregnancy complications and foetal abnormalities
Authors: Yang Haiou , Ma Qianqian , Wang Yu , Tang Zhenhua 
Published: January 2020

AbstractDuring pregnancy in humans, the physiology of the mother and foetus are finely regulated by many factors. Inappropriate regulation can result in pregnancy disorders, such as complications and foetal abnormalities. The early prediction or accurate diagnosis of related diseases is a concern of researchers. Liquid biopsy can be analysed for circulating cells, cell-free nucleic acids, and exosomes. Because exosomes can be detected in the peripheral blood of women in early pregnancy, these vesicles and their contents have become the focus of early prediction or diagnostic biomarker research on pregnancy complications and foetal developmental disorders. In this review, we focus on recent studies addressing the roles of peripheral blood exosomes and circulating miRNAs in pregnancy complications and in pregnancies with abnormal foetal developmental disorders, with particular attention paid to the potential application value of exosomes and circulating miRNAs as disease-specific biomarkers.
Molecular mechanisms underlying the actions of arachidonic acid-derived prostaglandins on peripheral nociception
Authors: Jang Yongwoo , Kim Minseok , Hwang Sun Wook 
Published: January 2020

AbstractArachidonic acid-derived prostaglandins not only contribute to the development of inflammation as intercellular pro-inflammatory mediators, but also promote the excitability of the peripheral somatosensory system, contributing to pain exacerbation. Peripheral tissues undergo many forms of diseases that are frequently accompanied by inflammation. The somatosensory nerves innervating the inflamed areas experience heightened excitability and generate and transmit pain signals. Extensive studies have been carried out to elucidate how prostaglandins play their roles for such signaling at the cellular and molecular levels. Here, we briefly summarize the roles of arachidonic acid-derived prostaglandins, focusing on four prostaglandins and one thromboxane, particularly in terms of their actions on afferent nociceptors. We discuss the biosynthesis of the prostaglandins, their specific action sites, the pathological alteration of the expression levels of related proteins, the neuronal outcomes of receptor stimulation, their correlation with behavioral nociception, and the pharmacological efficacy of their regulators. This overview will help to a better understanding of the pathological roles that prostaglandins play in the somatosensory system and to a finding of critical molecular contributors to normalizing pain.
Prediction of wear performance in femoral and tibial conformity in patient-specific cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Koh Yong-Gon , Park Kyoung-Mi , Lee Hwa-Yong , Park Joon-Hee , Kang Kyoung-Tak 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
Articular surface curvature design is important in tibiofemoral kinematics and the contact mechanics of total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Thus far, the effects of articular surface curvature have not been adequately discussed with respect to conforming, nonconforming, and medial pivot designs in patient-specific TKA. Therefore, this study evaluates the underlying relationship between the articular surface curvature geometry and the wear performance in patient-specific TKA.

Methods
We compare the wear performances between conventional and patient-specific TKA under gait loading conditions using a computational simulation. Patient-specific TKAs investigated in the study are categorized into patient-specific TKA with conforming articular surfaces, medial pivot patient-specific TKA, and bio-mimetic patient-specific TKA with a patient’s own tibial and femoral anatomy. The geometries of the femoral components in patient-specific TKAs are identical.

Results
The anterior-posterior and internal-external kinematics change with respect to different TKA designs. Moreover, the contact pressure and area did not directly affect the wear performance. In particular, conforming patient-specific TKAs exhibit the highest volumetric wear and wear rate. The volumetric wear in a conforming patient-specific TKA is 29% greater than that in a medial pivot patient-specific TKA.

Conclusion
The findings in this study highlight that conformity changes in the femoral and tibial inserts influence the wear performance in patient-specific TKA. Kinematics and contact parameters should be considered to improve wear performance in patient-specific TKA. The conformity modification in the tibiofemoral joint changes the kinematics and contact parameters, and this affects wear performance.
SmartGraph: a network pharmacology investigation platform
Authors: Zahoránszky-Kőhalmi Gergely , Sheils Timothy , Oprea Tudor I. 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Motivation
Drug discovery investigations need to incorporate network pharmacology concepts while navigating the complex landscape of drug-target and target-target interactions. This task requires solutions that integrate high-quality biomedical data, combined with analytic and predictive workflows as well as efficient visualization. SmartGraph is an innovative platform that utilizes state-of-the-art technologies such as a Neo4j graph-database, Angular web framework, RxJS asynchronous event library and D3 visualization to accomplish these goals.

Results
The SmartGraph framework integrates high quality bioactivity data and biological pathway information resulting in a knowledgebase comprised of 420,526 unique compound-target interactions defined between 271,098 unique compounds and 2018 targets. SmartGraph then performs bioactivity predictions based on the 63,783 Bemis-Murcko scaffolds extracted from these compounds. Through several use-cases, we illustrate the use of SmartGraph to generate hypotheses for elucidating mechanism-of-action, drug-repurposing and off-target prediction.

Availability
https://smartgraph.ncats.io/.
A generalized multilevel-hybrid chaotic oscillator for low-cost and power-efficient short-range chaotic communication systems
Authors: Dukhan Ammar , Jayalath Dhammika , Heijster Peter van , Senadji Bouchra , Banks Jasmine 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIn this paper, we present and evaluate a novel multilevel hybrid-chaotic oscillator. The proposed generalized multilevel-hybrid chaotic oscillator (GM-HCO) was created by combining a multilevel discrete function generated from user data with a continuous function having a damping factor greater than ln(2) to achieve variable rates and adaptive carrier frequencies. Improved spectral efficiency and lower complexity of the transceiver compared with differentially coherent systems were achieved by multilevel signals at the transmitter and a matched filter at the receiver. An exact analytical solution for the generalized fixed basis function and the impulse response of the matched filter were also derived. The bit error rate (BER) expression of the GM-HCO was derived for two levels. It was found that the noise performance of the proposed system was better than a hybrid chaotic system based on forward time and differential chaos shift keying (DCSK). A comprehensive set of simulations were carried out to evaluate the performance of the proposed system with chaotic communication systems in the presence of additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN). The performance of the proposed system was comparable with that of conventional communication systems. The results demonstrate that the proposed system can offer better noise performance than existing chaotic communication systems, and it also offers variable transmitter frequencies and improved spectral efficiency. Noise-like behavior of the chaotic signals provides an additional layer of security at the physical layer compared with conventional (sinusoidal) communication systems.
Retraction Note: New applications of the existence of solutions for equilibrium equations with Neumann type boundary condition
Authors: Ji Zhaoqi , Liu Tao , Tian Hong , Ülker Tanriver 
Published: January 2020

The Editors-in-Chief have retracted this article [1] because it shows evidence of both authorship and peer review manipulation. In addition, the identity of the corresponding author could not be verified: Universidad Austral confirmed that Tanriver Ülker was never affiliated to this institution.The authors have not responded to any correspondence regarding this retraction.
In vitro and in situ study on characterization and mechanism of the intestinal absorption of 2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxy-stilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside
Authors: Wang Cheng , Zhou Yimeng , Gong Xiaohong , Zheng Li , Li Yunxia 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxystilbence-2-O-β-D-glucoside (TSG) is a polyhydroxyphenolic compound, which exhibited a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-depression, anti-oxidation and anti-atherosclerosis. However, the compound had poor bioavailability and the underlying absorption mechanisms had not been studied. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the intestinal absorption mechanism of TSG.

Methods
This study used Caco-2 cell monolayer model and single-pass intestinal perfusion model to explore the gastrointestinal absorption mechanisms of TSG. The effects of basic parameters such as drug concentration, time and pH on the intestinal absorption of TSG were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. The absorption susceptibility of TSG to three inhibitors, P-gp inhibitors verapamil hydrochloride and quinidine, and MRP2 inhibitor probenecid were also assessed.

Results
TSG was poorly absorbed in the intestines and the absorption of TSG in stomach is much higher than that in intestine. Both in vitro and in situ experiments showed that the absorption of TSG was saturated with increasing concentration and it was better absorbed in a weakly acidic environment pH 6.4. Moreover, TSG interacts with P-gp and MRP2, and TSG was not only the substrate of the P-gp and MRP2, but also affected the expression of P-gp and MRP2.

Conclusions
It was concluded that the gastrointestinal absorption the most unique active ingredient and considered as the mechanisms of TSG involved processes passive transport and the participation of efflux transporters.
A robust TDP-43 knock-in mouse model of ALS
Authors: Huang Shih-Ling , Wu Lien-Szu , Lee Min , Chang Chin-Wen , Cheng Wei-Cheng , Fang Yu-Sheng , Chen Yun-Ru , Cheng Pei-Lin , Shen Che-Kun James 
Published: January 2020

AbstractAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal, adult-onset degenerative disorder of motor neurons. The diseased spinal cord motor neurons of more than 95% of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients are characterized by the mis-metabolism of the RNA/DNA-binding protein TDP-43 (ALS-TDP), in particular, the presence of cytosolic aggregates of the protein. Most available mouse models for the basic or translational studies of ALS-TDP are based on transgenic overexpression of the TDP-43 protein. Here, we report the generation and characterization of mouse lines bearing homologous knock-in of fALS-associated mutation A315T and sALS-associated mutation N390D, respectively. Remarkably, the heterozygous TDP-43 (N390D/+) mice but not those heterozygous for the TDP-43 (A315T/+) mice develop a full spectrum of ALS-TDP-like pathologies at the molecular, cellular and behavioral levels. Comparative analysis of the mutant mice and spinal cord motor neurons (MN) derived from their embryonic stem (ES) cells demonstrates that different ALS-associated TDP-43 mutations possess critical ALS-causing capabilities and pathogenic pathways, likely modified by their genetic background and the environmental factors. Mechanistically, we identify aberrant RNA splicing of spinal cordBcl-2pre-mRNA and consequent increase of a negative regulator of autophagy, Bcl-2, which correlate with and are caused by a progressive increase of TDP-43, one of the early events associated with ALS-TDP pathogenesis, in the spinal cord of TDP-43 (N390D/+) mice and spinal cord MN derived from their ES cells. The TDP-43 (N390D/+) knock-in mice appear to be an ideal rodent model for basic as well as translational studies of ALS- TDP.
Commemorating the deadly other side of externalized borders through “migrant-martyrs”, sacrifices and politizations of (irregular) migration on the international migrants' day in Mali
Authors: Sylla Almamy , Schultz Susanne U. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThis article explores the different memorial strategies of the civil society associations and the public authorities in Mali through various practices and discourses of the International Migrant Day around the stinging reality of migrants’ shipwrecks in the Mediterranean. Against the backdrop of the progressive externalization of European borders, the Libyan coast has become a hecatomb for young Malian migrant ‘adventurers’. In 2015, around 360 young people from the region of Kayes, in the Southwest of Mali, lost their lives. Under the pressure of civil society associations, the government of Mali decreed days of National Mourning in memory of the shipwrecked. Simultaneously the transnational network Afrique-Europe-Interact in collaboration with representatives of the city of Kita, organized a politically ritualized ceremony to carry out sacrifices honoring the deaths. Based on an ethnography of this mourning ceremony, the article shows how civil society actors denounce the appropriation of the tragic events by a state that “expels” its citizens incapable to develop and the European Union that “kills” by externalizing borders. A short media analysis of the government’s celebration serves as a contrast to the civil society engagement. Through these competing memorial strategies, the article presents the antagonistic but overlapping positionings between the public authorities with their northern partners condemning irregular migration, and the bereaved populations and the civil society considering migration as a normal strategy for a better life and cultural heritage. Our analysis reveals that the celebration of the International Migrants Day and the National Day of Mourning have led to the construction of alternative discourses on ‘irregular’ migration that call to account externalization and neoliberal policies and the risk-taking attitude of migrants in migratory tragedies embedded in very localized mourning practices.
Behavioural profiling of autism connectivity abnormalities
Authors: Snyder William , Troiani Vanessa 
Published: January 2020

Background
Brain regions are functionally diverse, and a given region may engage in a variety of tasks. This functional diversity of brain regions may be one factor that has prevented the finding of consistent biomarkers for brain disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Thus, methods to characterise brain regions would help to determine how functional abnormalities contribute to affected behaviours.

Aims
As the first illustration of the meta-analytic behavioural profiling procedure, we evaluated how the regions with disrupted connectivity in ASD contributed to various behaviours.

Method
Connectivity abnormalities were determined from a published degree centrality group comparison based on functional magnetic resonance imaging data from the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange. Using BrainMap's database of task-based neuroimaging studies, behavioural profiles were created for abnormally connected regions by relating these regions to tasks activating them.

Results
Hyperconnectivity in ASD brains was significantly related to memory, attention, reasoning, social, execution and speech behaviours. Hypoconnectivity was related to vision, execution and speech behaviours.

Conclusions
The procedure outlines the first clinical neuroimaging application of a behavioural profiling method that estimates the functional diversity of brain regions, allowing for the relation of abnormal functional connectivity to diagnostic criteria. Behavioural profiling and the computational insights it provides can facilitate better understanding of the functional manifestations of various disorders, including ASD.
Impact of Transition in Metabolic Health and Obesity on the Incident Chronic Kidney Disease: A Nationwide Cohort Study
Authors: Cho Yun Kyung , Lee Jiwoo , Kim Hwi Seung , Park Joong-Yeol , Lee Woo Je , Kim Ye-Jee , Jung Chang Hee 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Context
Metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) is a dynamic condition.

Objective
To evaluate the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among people with MHO according to its longitudinal change.

Design
Observational study.

Setting
A nationwide population-based cohort.

Participants
A total of 514 866 people from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort.

Intervention
The initial presence and changes of obesity (using body mass index [BMI] and waist circumference [WC]) and metabolic health status.

Main outcome Measure
Incident CKD from 2011 to 2015.

Results
Of the people classified as MHO at baseline (BMI criteria), 47.6% remained as MHO in 2011 and 2012, whereas 12.1%, 5.5%, and 34.8% were classified as metabolically healthy, non-obese (MHNO), metabolically unhealthy, non-obese, and metabolically unhealthy, obese, respectively. The risk of incident CKD in the baseline MHO group was higher than that in the MHNO group (hazard ratio, 1.23; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-1.36). However, when transition was taken into account, people who converted to MHNO were not at increased risk (hazard ratio, 0.98; 95% confidence interval, 0.72-1.32), whereas the stable MHO group and the groups that evolved to metabolically unhealthy status had a higher risk of incident CKD than the stable MHNO group. When the risk was analyzed using WC criteria, it showed a similar pattern to BMI criteria except for the stable MHO group.

Conclusions
MHO was a dynamic condition, and people with MHO constituted a heterogeneous group. Although the MHO phenotype was generally associated with incident CKD, maintenance of metabolic health and weight reduction might alleviate the risk of CKD.