bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Piperazine designer drugs elicit toxicity in the alternative in vivo model Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Souto Caroline , Göethel Gabriela , Peruzzi Caroline Portela , Cestonaro Larissa Vivan , Garcia Ingrid , Ávila Daiana Silva , Eifler‐Lima Vera , Carmo Helena , Bastos Maria de Lurdes , Garcia Solange C. , Arbo Marcelo Dutra 
Published: November 2019

AbstractPiperazine designer drugs are a group of synthetic drugs of abuse that have appeared on the illicit market since the second half of the 1990s. The most common derivatives are 1‐benzylpiperazine (BZP), 1‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)piperazine (MeOPP) and 1‐(3,4‐methylenedioxybenzyl)piperazine (MDBP). They can be consumed as capsules, tablets, but also in powder or liquid forms. Generally, although less potent than amphetamines, piperazines have dopaminergic and serotonergic activities. The aim of this work was to evaluate the toxic effects of BZP, MeOPP and MDBP using Caenorhabditis elegans as in vivo model for acute toxicity, development, reproduction and behavior testing. The LC50 for BZP, MeOPP and MDBP were 52.21, 5.72 and 1.22 mm, respectively. All concentrations induced a significant decrease in the body surface of the worms, indicating developmental alterations, and decrease in the brood size. Worms exposed to piperazine designer drugs also presented a decrease in locomotor activity and mechanical sensitivity, suggesting the possible dysfunction of the nervous system. Neuronal damage was confirmed through the decrease in fluorescence of BY200 strains, indicating loss of dopaminergic transporters. In conclusion, we suggest that piperazine designer drugs lead to neuronal damage, which might be the underlying cause of the altered behavior observed in humans.
A meglumine catalyst–based synthesis, molecular docking, and antioxidant studies of dihydropyrano[3, 2‐b]chromenedione derivatives
Authors: Sravya G. , Suresh G. , Zyryanov Grigory V. , Balakrishna A. , Madhu Kumar Reddy K. , Suresh Reddy C. , Venkataramaiah C. , Rajendra W. , Bakthavatchala Reddy N. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractA simple method was employed for the synthesis of dihydropyrano[3, 2‐b]chromenedione derivatives (4a‐o)in high yields by condensation of 5, 5‐dimethylcyclohexane‐1, 3‐dione(1), different aromatic aldehydes (2a‐o), and 5‐hydroxy‐2‐(hydroxymethyl)‐4H‐pyran‐4‐one(3), using meglumine as a stable and reusable catalyst. Meglumine, an amino sugar, was employed as an environmentally benign catalyst, due to its splendid properties such as being inexpensive, recyclable, and biodegradable. The accomplished protocol employs low catalyst loading and easy work‐up for the synthesis of 5‐hydroxy‐2‐(hydroxymethyl)‐4H‐pyran‐4‐one derivatives. A great asset is that without any significant loss, the catalyst could be recovered and reused for extended synthetic steps. This offer huge advantage to overcome recyclability issues. Our synthesized compounds were analyzed by IR,1H,13C NMR, mass spectra and evaluated for their antioxidant properties by 1, 1‐diphenyl‐2‐picryl hydrazyl radical (DPPH), hydrogen peroxide(H2O2), and nitric oxide (NO) scavenging methods. The correlation in exhibition of antioxidant activity was effective at all doses. The binding interactions and molecular docking studies for entitled compounds were studied against 3MNG protein;4kexhibited marked binding affinity with excellent docking score of −7.6 Kcal/mol and emerged as a lead compound.
Rapid Knee MRI Acquisition and Analysis Techniques for Imaging Osteoarthritis
Authors: Chaudhari Akshay S. , Kogan Feliks , Pedoia Valentina , Majumdar Sharmila , Gold Garry E. , Hargreaves Brian A. 
Published: November 2019

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is a major source of disability that has no known treatment or cure. Morphological and compositional MRI is commonly used for assessing the bone and soft tissues in the knee to enhance the understanding of OA pathophysiology. However, it is challenging to extend these imaging methods and their subsequent analysis techniques to study large population cohorts due to slow and inefficient imaging acquisition and postprocessing tools. This can create a bottleneck in assessing early OA changes and evaluating the responses of novel therapeutics. The purpose of this review article is to highlight recent developments in tools for enhancing the efficiency of knee MRI methods useful to study OA. Advances in efficient MRI data acquisition and reconstruction tools for morphological and compositional imaging, efficient automated image analysis tools, and hardware improvements to further drive efficient imaging are discussed in this review. For each topic, we discuss the current challenges as well as potential future opportunities to alleviate these challenges.Level of Evidence5Technical Efficacy Stage3
Diffusion Metrics for Staging Pancreatic Fibrosis and Correlating With Epithelial‐Mesenchymal Transition Markers in a Chronic Pancreatitis Rat Model at 11.7T MRI
Authors: Zhang Tingting , Lu Yimei , Yang Baofeng , Zhang Caiyuan , Li Jinning , Liu Huanhuan , Wang He , Wang Dengbin 
Published: November 2019

BackgroundChronic pancreatitis (CP) is characterized by pancreatic fibrosis, in which a epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT)‐like process is observed. However, few noninvasive approaches have been reported to evaluate pancreatic fibrosis and EMT in an animal model based on diffusion imaging.PurposeTo evaluate pancreatic fibrosis in CP by conventional diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI), intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM), and diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) and then explore the correlation between diffusion parameters and the EMT markers in an animal model.Study TypeProspective controlled imaging histological correlation.PopulationForty‐five rats with CP induced by injecting dibutyltin dichloride solution and 10 normal rats comprised the control group.Field Strength/Sequence11.7T MR, diffusion imaging with 10 b‐values.AssessmentApparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), IVIM‐associated perfusion fraction (f), pseudodiffusion coefficient (D*), diffusion coefficient (D), DKI‐associated mean kurtosis (MK), and mean corrected diffusion coefficient (MD) were quantitatively measured and correlated with pancreatic fibrosis stages as well as the EMT markers E‐cadherin and α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) expression. The discriminative performance of diffusion parameters for staging fibrosis was compared.Statistical TestsSpearman's correlation, Student's t‐test, and a receiver operating characteristic curve was conducted for statistical analysis.ResultsADC, D, and MD (r = –0.637, –0.688, and –0.535; P < 0.001) were negatively correlated with pancreatic fibrosis staging, but MK (r = 0.740, P < 0.001) had a positive correlation. ADC, D, MD, and MK were significantly correlated with α‐SMA (r = –0.684, –0.728, –0.627, and 0.721, all P < 0.001), while MK was significantly correlated with E‐cadherin (r = –0.606, P < 0.001). The area under the curve (AUC) was not significantly different (P > 0.05) among ADC (0.797, 0.816, 0.873), D (0.862, 0.810, 0.895), MD (0.767, 0.772, 0.801), and MK (0.836, 0.893, 0.951) for F1 or greater, F2 or greater, and F3 pancreatic fibrosis separately.Data ConclusionADC, D, MD, and MK were helpful for assessing pancreatic fibrosis staging, and these diffusion parameters were also significantly correlated with the expression of EMT markers in pancreatic fibrosis.Level of Evidence: 2Technical Efficacy Stage: 2J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;52:197–206.
Investigating the interactions of the first 17 amino acid residues of Huntingtin with lipid vesicles using mass spectrometry and molecular dynamics
Authors: Karanji Ahmad Kiani , Beasley Maryssa , Sharif Daud , Ranjbaran Ali , Legleiter Justin , Valentine Stephen J. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe first 17 amino acid residues of Huntingtin protein (Nt17 of htt) are thought to play an important role in the protein's function; Nt17 is one of two membrane binding domains in htt. In this study the binding ability of Nt17 peptide with vesicles comprised of two subclasses of phospholipids is studied using electrospray ionization ‐ mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Overall, the peptide is shown to have a greater propensity to interact with vesicles of phosphatidylcholine (PC) rather than phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) lipids. Mass spectra show an increase in lipid‐bound peptide adducts where the ordering of the number of such specie is 1,2‐dioleoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine (DOPC) > 1‐palmitoyl‐2‐oleoyl‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine (POPC) > 1‐palmitoyl‐2‐oleoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3 phosphoethanolamine (POPE). MD simulations suggest that the compactness of the bilayer plays a role in governing peptide interactions. The peptide shows greater disruption of the DOPC bilayer order at the surface and interacts with the hydrophobic tails of lipid molecules via hydrophobic residues. Conversely, the POPE vesicle remains ordered and lipids display transient interactions with the peptide through the formation of hydrogen bonds with hydrophilic residues. The POPC system displays intermediate behavior with regard to the degree of peptide‐membrane interaction. Finally, the simulations suggest a helix stabilizing effect resulting from the interactions between hydrophobic residues and the lipid tails of the DOPC bilayer.
Molecular epidemiology of human bocavirus infection in hospitalized children with acute gastroenteritis in South Africa, 2009‐2015
Authors: Netshikweta Rembuluwani , Chidamba Lizyben , Nadan Sandrama , Taylor Maureen B. , Page Nicola A. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractHuman bocavirus (HBoV) is known to be associated with a variety of clinical manifestation including acute gastroenteritis (AGE). Despite their global prevalence, no data is available on the epidemiology of HBoV associated with AGE in South Africa (SA). Between April 2009 and April 2015, 3765 stool specimens were collected from children less than 5 years of age hospitalized with diarrhea. Specimens were screened for selected enteric viruses by enzyme immunoassay and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, bacteria by culture and parasites by staining and microscopy. HBoV was detected in 5.63% (212 of 3765) of cases, the majority of which were children ≤2 years (92%, 195 of 212), and were common in the summer and autumn months (60%; 128 of 212). Further investigations of coinfections showed that bacteria (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.41‐3.45; P = .001) and sapovirus (aOR = 2.05; 95% CI, 1.08‐3.86; P = .027) were significantly associated with HBoV in multivariate analysis. HBoV genotyping was successful in 191 of the 212 samples with HBoV‐1 being the most prevalent genotype observed (79.6%; 152 of 191) followed by HBoV‐3 (13.6%; 26 of 191), HBoV‐2 (5.2%; 10 of 191), and HBoV‐4 (1.6%; 3 of 191). The high prevalence of HBoV‐1, a virus known to be associated with respiratory infections, and the association between HBoV‐positive specimens and already established AGE agents, suggests that HBoV may play a limited role in the observed AGE cases in SA.
Aminobisphosphonate‐treated ewes as a model of osteonecrosis of the jaw and of dental implant failure
Authors: Davison Mario R. , Lyardet Leonardo , Preliasco Mariana , Yaful Graciela , Torres Perla , Bonanno Marina S. , Pellegrini Gretel G. , Zeni Susana N. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackgroundBisphosphonate (BP)‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) and dental implant failure are two negative side effects of chronic aminoBP treatment.MethodsEleven ovariectomized (OVX) ewes and four ewes subjected to sham surgery (SHAM) were treated as follows: OVX (n = 5): OVX plus saline solution; zoledronic acid‐treated group (ZOL) (n = 6): OVX plus ZOL; SHAM (n = 4): SHAM plus saline solution. Extraction of the first upper molar was performed at 1 year, dental implant placement at 2 years, and sacrifice at 28 months.ResultsImplants remained in place in SHAM and OVX ewes but were lost in all ZOL ewes. ZOL sheep (2/6) showed inflammation and necrotic bone at mandibular region. No differences in serum calcium (Ca), inorganic phosphate (Pi) or 25‐hydroxyvitamin D were observed, whereas bone alkaline phosphatase levels decreased in the three studied groups (P < 0.05). The significantly lowest levels of carboxy‐terminal telopeptide of type I collagen were observed in ZOL (P < 0.05), and showed no differences between SHAM and OVX. OVX showed the lowest and ZOL the highest Ca and Pi contents in femur and maxilla (P < 0.05). Bone volume (BV/TV%) and iliac crest were similar at baseline and at month 4. At the end of the study, BV/TV%, proximal femur and hemi‐mandible bone mineral content and bone mineral density, and trabeculae number were similar in SHAM and ZOL, and lower in OVX (P < 0.05).ConclusionAll ZOL‐treated ewes on a schedule similar to that used in cancer patients showed extensive suppression of bone remodeling and implant failure. Some of the ZOL ewes developed BRONJ.
Reducing Surgical Site Infections During Otolaryngology Surgical Missions
Authors: Isaacson Glenn , Doyle Winifred , Summer Deborah 
Published: November 2019

ObjectivesTo determine what measures an otolaryngology–head and neck surgery team might adopt to decrease the incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) on a short‐term surgical mission. Despite concerns about safety and efficacy, short‐term surgical missions remain the predominant structure for humanitarian surgical care in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMIC). Hospitals in high‐income countries strive to improve surgical outcomes through implementation of World Health Organization (WHO) safe surgery guidelines. Reduction of SSI risk is a key part of this effort.MethodsLiterature review and practical experience.ResultsWHO recommendations for reducing SSI are based largely on research done in the North America and Europe. LMIC populations are younger; comorbidities are fewer; infectious disease and trauma are prevalent; and delays in access to care are common. SSI are much more frequent in resource‐limited settings. Recommendations regarding preoperative assessment, operating room environment, instrument sterilization, surgical antibiotic prophylaxis, surgical site preparation, gloving, draping, and postsurgical care are reviewed in the context of a surgical mission at a typical LMIC government hospital.ConclusionMany of the WHO guidelines on reduction of SSI are logical and applicable to the short‐term surgical missions; others may need to be modified. Careful prospective data collection and clinical trials are needed to learn which interventions are valid and which should be changed.Level of Evidence5 Laryngoscope, 130:1388–1395, 2020
Are primary forests irreplaceable for sustaining Neotropical landscapes' biodiversity and functioning? Contributions for restoration using ecological indicators
Authors: Cajaiba Reinaldo Lucas , Périco Eduardo , da Silva Wully Barreto , Caron Edilson , Buss Bruna Caroline , Dalzochio Marina , Santos Mário 
Published: November 2019

AbstractChanges in biodiversity and ecosystem services are usually evaluated using taxonomic indicators or, to a lesser extent, functional indicators. The present work adds new insights on the links between taxonomic indicators and functional indicators within a disturbance gradient in the Brazilian Amazon. Ground dwelling beetles' functional groups were used to complement taxonomic diversity in indicating disturbance and/or ecosystem restoration. Significant correlations were found between taxonomic and functional indicators. Our results show that increasingly disturbed ecosystems are related with reductions in functional redundancy with probable detrimental effects on the future landscape resilience. Moreover, results highlight that even species‐rich Neotropical forest landscapes may be highly vulnerable to the removal of keystone diversity. Remarkably, secondary forests support equivalent functional diversity and, partially, taxonomic diversity to primary forests. Overall, disturbance indicators supported on complementary measures such as composition, species diversity and functionality were sensitive to the ecosystems' gradient and could be used for assessing the extent of landscape change but also to guide restoration and management practices in Neotropical forest landscapes.
Molecular cloning and functional analyses of the salt‐ responsive gene KVHSP70 from Kosteletzkya virginica
Authors: Tang Xiaoli , Shao Hongbo , Jiang Fudong , Sheteiwy Mohamed Salah Amr , Yang Ruiping , Wang Hongyan 
Published: November 2019

AbstractLand degradation resulting from soil salinization is becoming a growing menace in almost all over the world. The degraded soil shows poor performance in water conductance and soil aeration, which threatens plant growth and development. Therefore, to discover the resistance genes and breed plant with stress tolerance are necessary. The modern molecular biotechnology makes the plant with enhanced adaption possible. To do this, KvHSP70 with 1950 bp open reading frame (ORF) from Kosteletzkya virginica was isolated, studied, and transformed into tobacco for functional study. Our research showed that it encodes a typical HSP70 protein with 649 amino acids and it could be induced by salt, high temperature, drought, and abscisic acid (ABA). The transgenic tobacco with it overexpression had higher chlorophyll content, less electrolyte leakage, lower water potential and increased proline content under salt stress. Meanwhile, the transgenic acquired superior antioxidant enzyme activities and decreased MDA content. All results highlight the significance of the new found gene in breeding salt resistant plants with molecular manipulation. Hence, K. virginica provides us with helpful information and gene resources to culture new variety adapted to salt‐affected soil and available for land rehabilitation perhaps in the future.
Outcomes of unilateral idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss: Two decades of experience
Authors: Xie Yanjun , Orabi Norman A. , Zwolan Terry A. , Basura Gregory J. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractObjectives(a) Determine the demographic and medical risk factors for patients who presented with unilateral idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL); (b) identify treatments that patients underwent; (c) evaluate the adequacy of follow‐up and compliance with long‐term hearing rehabilitation.MethodsRetrospective review of patients who presented with unilateral ISSNHL between January 1998 and December 2017 at a tertiary care academic medical center.ResultsTwo hundred‐four patients met inclusion criteria. Of these, 129 (63.2%) did not undergo treatment at an outside hospital prior to our evaluation. In this subgroup, the average pretreatment pure tone average (PTA) was 61.9 ± 2.5 dB (dB). The most common treatment was oral steroids and was recommended in 76 patients (59.9%). Patients also underwent intratympanic (IT) steroid injections (7.2%) or oral steroids followed by salvage IT injections (19.4%). Mean follow‐up duration was 17.9 (±29.2) months, and posttreatment PTA (45.6 ± 2.6 dB) was significantly better than baseline (P < .001). In this cohort, hearing amplification was infrequently recommended. Less than 20% of patients reported active hearing amplification use at their most recent visit. At follow‐up, 90 patients (69.8%) reported subjective improvement in hearing after treatment. Only 55 patients (42.6%) showed improvement in PTA compared to their pretreatment audiograms.ConclusionMany patients with ISSNHL experienced audiometric improvement after treatments, but most had persistent hearing loss. The duration of follow‐up was short. Most patients did not use long‐term hearing amplification. Future studies are needed to identify factors that contribute to reduced follow‐up and low compliance with hearing amplification use in ISSNHL.Level of Evidence2c.
Effect of carbon fiber on microstructure evolution and surface properties of FeCoCrNiCu high‐entropy alloy coatings
Authors: Zhao Mingjuan , Wu Tao , Liu Dejia , Huang Yang , Zhao Longzhi , Tang Yanchuang , Shen Mingxue , Hu Yong , Zhang Jian , Li Jin , Yu Meng , Song Lijun 
Published: November 2019

AbstractFeCoCrNiCu and Cf/FeCoCrNiCu high‐entropy alloy coatings are prepared by laser cladding to study the effects of carbon fiber on the microstructure and surface properties of the FeCoCrNiCu alloy. It is found that the addition of carbon fiber has little effect on the phase structure of the FeCoCrNiCu alloy coating. However, an interesting finding is that the addition of carbon fiber could decrease the segregation of Cu‐element along the grain boundaries in the FeCoCrNiCu coating. In addition, the addition of carbon fiber can significantly improve the corrosion resistance of the FeCoCrNiCu alloy coating. It can also reduce the intergranular corrosion in the coating. Moreover, the addition of carbon fiber has positive effects on the improvement in the hardness and wear resistance of the high‐entropy alloys (HEAs) coatings. The decreased segregation of Cu‐element along the grain boundaries is mainly attributed to the significant improvement in surface properties of the HEA coatings.
Multi‐pathway multi‐echo acquisition and neural contrast translation to generate a variety of quantitative and qualitative image contrasts
Authors: Cheng Cheng‐Chieh , Preiswerk Frank , Madore Bruno 
Published: November 2019

PurposeClinical exams typically involve acquiring many different image contrasts to help discriminate healthy from diseased states. Ideally, 3D quantitative maps of all of the main MR parameters would be obtained for improved tissue characterization. Using data from a 7‐min whole‐brain multi‐pathway multi‐echo (MPME) scan, we aimed to synthesize several 3D quantitative maps (T1 and T2) and qualitative contrasts (MPRAGE, FLAIR, T1‐weighted, T2‐weighted, and proton density [PD]‐weighted). The ability of MPME acquisitions to capture large amounts of information in a relatively short amount of time suggests it may help reduce the duration of neuro MR exams.MethodsEight healthy volunteers were imaged at 3.0T using a 3D isotropic (1.2 mm) MPME sequence. Spin‐echo, MPRAGE, and FLAIR scans were performed for training and validation. MPME signals were interpreted through neural networks for predictions of different quantitative and qualitative contrasts. Predictions were compared to reference values at voxel and region‐of‐interest levels.ResultsMean absolute errors (MAEs) for T1 and T2 maps were 216 ms and 11 ms, respectively. In ROIs containing white matter (WM) and thalamus tissues, the mean T1/T2 predicted values were 899/62 ms and 1139/58 ms, consistent with reference values of 850/66 ms and 1126/58 ms, respectively. For qualitative contrasts, signals were normalized to those of WM, and MAEs for MPRAGE, FLAIR, T1‐weighted, T2‐weighted, and PD‐weighted contrasts were 0.14, 0.15, 0.13, 0.16, and 0.05, respectively.ConclusionsUsing an MPME sequence and neural‐network contrast translation, whole‐brain results were obtained with a variety of quantitative and qualitative contrast in ~6.8 min.
Critical thinking skills of nursing students: Observations of classroom instructional activities
Authors: Boso Christian Makafui , van der Merwe Anita S. , Gross Janet 
Published: November 2019

AbstractAimCritical thinking (CT) is vital for nursing practice. Nursing schools should provide learning experiences that enable nursing students to acquire CT skills. Yet, these authors are not aware of any study that has directly observed instructional activities related to CT skills acquisition in the classroom environment. The aim of this study was to explore instructional activities in the classroom environment in relation to acquisition of CT skills of students.DesignQualitative non‐participant observation.MethodsUsing a purposive sampling, 10 classroom teaching sessions were observed and mediating factors of CT skills acquisition of students noted. Data were analysed thematically. Data were collected from October–December 2017. ResultsThree key themes of instructional activities relating to acquisition of CT skills of students emerged, namely educators’ behaviour, students’ characteristics and university‐wide factors/administrative support. Class sizes ranged from 34–162 students with an average of 95.