bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Astragaloside IV alleviates lipopolysaccharide‐induced preeclampsia‐like phenotypes via suppressing the inflammatory responses
Authors: Tuerxun Dilihuma , Aierken Remila , Zhang Yan‐Mei , Huang Ying , Sui Shuang , Li Xiao‐Ying , Abulikemu Zulifeiya , Dilixiati Nuerbiye 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPreeclampsia (PE) is a major cause of perinatal and maternal mortality and morbidity, which affects 2% to 8% of pregnancies in the world. The aberrant maternal inflammation and angiogenic imbalance have been demonstrated to contribute to the pathogenesis of PE. This research aimed to investigate the effect of Astragaloside IV (AsIV) in the treatment of PE and the underlying mechanisms. A rat PE‐like model was established by tail vein injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and different doses of AsIV (40 and 80 mg/kg) were treated at the same time. Systolic blood pressure, total urine protein and urine volume were observed. Serum and placenta inflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA kit. The mRNA and protein expression of relative genes were analyzed by qRT‐PCR and Western blotting. In PE‐like rats, there were obvious increases in systolic blood pressure, total urine protein and urine volume, which were obviously alleviated by treatment with AsIV. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)‐1β, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α), IL‐6 and IL‐18, as well as IL‐4, IL‐10, PIGF, VEGF and sFlt‐1, were all reversed by treatment with AsIV. Meanwhile, AsIV treatment improved abnormal pregnancy outcomes, such as low litter size and low fetal weight. In addition, AsIV treatment downregulated the mRNA expression of inflammatory gene IL‐1β and IL‐6 in PE rats model, and AsIV treatment inhibited the activation of TLR‐4, NF‐κB, and sFlt‐1 in the placenta of PE rats. Our findings indicated the first evidence that AsIV alleviated PE‐like signs, and this improvement effect is possibly through inhibition of inflammation response via the TLR4/NF‐κB signaling pathway.
Characteristics of patients with hepatitis C virus infection and antiviral treatment initiation in Taiwan: The MOSAIC study
Authors: Yu Ming‐Lung , Tsai Wei‐Lun , Chu Chi‐Jen , Kao Jia‐Horng 
Published: October 2020

AbstractHepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the leading cause of chronic liver diseases worldwide. Monitoring its epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment patterns are important for the management of patients with chronic HCV infection from both individual and public health perspectives. The MOSAIC study was an observational study conducted in 20 countries, including Taiwan; its primary objective was to describe epidemiology and treatment initiation patterns in patients seeking HCV care. Of the 111 chronic HCV patients enrolled from Taiwan, 58 (52.3%) had not previously received treatment. HCV genotype 1 was reported in 58 (52.3%) patients, of whom the majority (n = 47; 81.0%) were identified as having subtype 1b. Sixty‐two (55.9%) patients had HCV RNA level > 800 000 IU/mL. Liver cirrhosis was found in 35 (29.3%) patients and was more prevalent in patients who previously received treatment (71.0%). Interferon (IFN)‐based treatment was started within 12 weeks from study inclusion in 12 (10.8%) patients, of whom 11 (91.7%) who had not previously received treatment. Anti‐HCV treatment was not recommended by physicians in 70 (71.4%) and was refused by 23 (23.5%) patients. The MOSAIC study provides data on the epidemiology of HCV infection and IFN‐based treatment decision patterns in Taiwan. Further studies are needed to observe the impact of IFN‐free treatment on the treatment selection pattern.
A highly independent and controllable dual‐band bandpass filter based on source‐load coupling with stub‐block isolation structure
Authors: Denny Yus Rama , Firmansyah Teguh 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe main problem of dual‐band bandpass filter (BPF) structures is to control each passband performance individually, separately, and independently. This Letter is proposed a dual‐band BPF based on a source‐load coupling structure with stub‐block isolation to overcome the problem. The lower band resonator structure is placed on the top side, while the upper band resonator is placed at the bottom side, with the source‐load (SL) coupling structure in the middle. An additional stub‐block isolation structure is added to the center of the SL coupling structure. As a result, we have successfully designed an independent dual‐band bandpass filter with highly controllable working frequency/frequency center (fc), bandwidth (BW), reflection coefficient (S11), and isolation (ISO) between the passbands. The proposed dual‐band BPF was fabricated on an RT/Duroid 5880 substrate. Furthermore, this dual‐band BPF achieved an insertion loss/fractional bandwidth of 0.48 dB/7.71% and 0.35 dB/12.37% at 1.82 and 2.58 GHz, respectively. The good agreement between the simulated and measured results validates the proposed method.
Adaptive sparsity level and dictionary size estimation for image reconstruction in accelerated 2D radial cine MRI
Authors: Pali Marie‐Christine , Schaeffter Tobias , Kolbitsch Christoph , Kofler Andreas 
Published: October 2020

PurposeIn the past, dictionary learning (DL) and sparse coding (SC) have been proposed for the regularization of image reconstruction problems. The regularization is given by a sparse approximation of all image patches using a learned dictionary, that is, an overcomplete set of basis functions learned from data. Despite its competitiveness, DL and SC require the tuning of two essential hyperparameters: the sparsity level S — the number of basis functions of the dictionary, called atoms, which are used to approximate each patch, and K — the overall number of such atoms in the dictionary. These two hyperparameters usually have to be chosen a priori and are determined by repetitive and computationally expensive experiments. Furthermore, the final reported values vary depending on the specific situation. As a result, the clinical application of the method is limited, as standardized reconstruction protocols have to be used.MethodsIn this work, we use adaptive DL and propose a novel adaptive sparse coding algorithm for two‐dimensional (2D) radial cine MR image reconstruction. Using adaptive DL and adaptive SC, the optimal dictionary size K as well as the optimal sparsity level S are chosen dependent on the considered data.ResultsOur three main results are the following: First, adaptive DL and adaptive SC deliver results which are comparable or better than the most widely used nonadaptive version of DL and SC. Second, the time needed for the regularization is accelerated due to the fact that the sparsity level S is never overestimated. Finally, the a priori choice of S and K is no longer needed but is optimally chosen dependent on the data under consideration.ConclusionsAdaptive DL and adaptive SC can highly facilitate the application of DL‐ and SC‐based regularization methods. While in this work we focused on 2D radial cine MR image reconstruction, we expect the method to be applicable to different imaging modalities as well.
Visually cued fear conditioning test for memory impairment related to cortical function
Authors: Kuboyama Kazuya , Shirakawa Yuki , Kawada Koji , Fujii Naoki , Ojima Daiki , Kishimoto Yasushi , Yamamoto Tohru , Yamada Maki K. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAimFear conditioning tests are intended to elucidate a subject's ability to associate a conditioned stimulus with an aversive, unconditioned stimulus, such as footshock. Among these tests, a paradigm related to precise cortical functions would be increasingly important in drug screening for disorders such as schizophrenia and dementia. Therefore, we established a new fear conditioning paradigm using a visual cue in mice. In addition, the validity of the test was evaluated using a genetically engineered mouse, heterozygous deficient in Mdga1 (Mdga1+/‐), which is related to schizophrenia.ResultsMice were given footshocks associated with a visual cue of moving gratings at training in 25‐minute sessions. The mice showed the conditioned response of freezing behavior to the visual stimulus at testing 24 hours after the footshocks. In the test for validation, the Mdga1+/‐ deficient mice showed significantly less freezing than wild‐type mice.ConclusionThe visually cued fear conditioning paradigm with moving gratings has been established, which is experimentally useful to evaluate animal cortical functions. The validity of the test was confirmed for Mdga1‐deficient mice with possible deficiency in cortical functions.
The association between leptin and inflammatory markers with obesity indices in Zanzibari children, adolescents, and adults
Authors: Nyangasa Maria Adam , Buck Christoph , Kelm Soerge , Sheikh Mohammed Ali , Günther Kathrin , Hebestreit Antje 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundResearch from Western populations describes abdominal obesity as a low‐grade inflammatory disease; less is known from tropical areas with high pathogen burden.ObjectivesThis cross‐sectional study investigated whether obesity contributes to low‐grade inflammation in 587 individuals from randomly selected households in Zanzibar.Materials and MethodsThe Association between obesity indices (body mass index [BMI], waist circumference [WC], and percentage body fat [%BF]), leptin, and inflammatory markers (C‐reactive protein [CRP], interleukin‐6 [IL‐6] and tumor‐necrosis factor‐α [TNF‐α]) was investigated using multinomial logistic regression analysis, accounting for ordinal outcome variables with four categories; 1st–4th quartile.ResultsStudy participants were between 5 and 95 years; 49.6% were male. Mean serum levels were; leptin: 4.3 ± 5.2 ng/ml, CRP: 0.19 ± 0.42 µg/ml, IL‐6: 2.8 ± 5 pg/ml, and TNF‐α: 5.3 ± 5.2 pg/ml. Obesity indices were associated with leptin and CRP in the third and fourth quartiles in single models. In combined models, associations were observed between BMI (OR = 6.36 [95% CI, 1.09; 34.12]); WC (OR = 4.87 [95% CI, 1.59; 14.94]); and %BF (OR = 19.23 [95% CI, 4.70; 78.66]) and leptin in the fourth quartile; also between %BF and CRP in the third quartile (OR = 3.49 [95% CI 1.31; 9.31]).ConclusionTotal body fat was associated with low‐grade inflammation in this tropical population rather than body fat distribution such as abdominal obesity. This may increase the risk of insulin resistance and other obesity‐related metabolic and cardiovascular health endpoints.
In vivo evaluation of the EZH2 inhibitor (EPZ011989) alone or in combination with standard of care cytotoxic agents against pediatric malignant rhabdoid tumor preclinical models—A report from the Pediatric Preclinical Testing Consortium
Authors: Kurmasheva Raushan T. , Erickson Stephen W. , Earley Eric , Smith Malcolm A. , Houghton Peter J. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe Pediatric Preclinical Testing Program (PPTP) previously reported the activity of the EZH2 inhibitor tazemetostat (EPZ6438) against xenograft models of rhabdoid tumors. Here, we determined whether an inhibitor of EZH2 enhanced the effect of standard of care chemotherapeutic agents: irinotecan, vincristine, and cyclophosphamide. EPZ011989 significantly prolonged time to event in all the six rhabdoid models studied but did not induce tumor regression. The addition of EPZ011989 to standard of care agents significantly improved time to event in at least one model for each of the agents studied, although this effect was observed in only a minority of the combination testing experiments.
Treatment of central giant cell granuloma in children with denosumab
Authors: Choe Michelle , Smith Valeria , Okcu M. Fatih , Wulff Jade , Gruner Stephanie , Huisman Thierry A.G.M. , Venkatramani Rajkumar 
Published: October 2020

AbstractCentral giant cell granuloma (CGCG) is a benign but locally aggressive intraosseous lesion of the mandible. Historically, it is treated by curettage or resection. Medical therapy is indicated when surgery is associated with increased morbidity or in adjuvant setting to decrease recurrence. Treatment of CGCG with denosumab, a receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa‐beta (RANK) ligand inhibitor, is not well studied, especially in children. Here, we describe our experience with the use of denosumab in the treatment of six children with CGCG. All patients had a favorable response with manageable side effects, which suggests that denosumab is an effective treatment option without increased morbidity.
Perspective on scaling considerations for thin‐wall molding
Authors: Stokes Vijay K. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe perspective in this note explores rationally defined scaling parameters for injection molding to account for the length and thickness of parts, the melt temperature, the injection pressure, and the injection speed: Injection‐molding parameters, first empirically established for 4‐ to 5‐mm‐thick parts, were later experimentally optimized for 2‐ to 3‐mm thick parts. The push for even thinner parts required major adjustments in molding technology, including the use of lower‐viscosity materials. This shift from thicker to thinner parts was arbitrarily characterized by the length‐to‐thickness ratio of the part, which is shown to be incorrect.
Macromolecules of the cell: a polymer science viewpoint
Authors: Kozawa Susan K , Wnek Gary E 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPolyelectrolytes are ubiquitous in biology, from the polynucleotide chain in our DNA, the hyaluronic acid in the vitreous body of the eye (Gao et al., Int J Ophthalmol, 8, 437–440, 2015) to the myosin and actin fibrils that make up our muscles. While synthetic polyelectrolytes are well studied, their correlation to biological polyelectrolytes is just beginning. This review will examine the polyelectrolytes that make up fundamental cell biology from a macromolecular perspective and the implications polyelectrolyte theory has on biological function. © 2020 Society of Industrial Chemistry
Pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of a collagen‐targeted peptide amphiphile for cardiovascular applications
Authors: Kassam Hussein A. , Bahnson Edward M. , Cartaya Ana , Jiang Wulin , Avram Michael J. , Tsihlis Nick D. , Stupp Samuel I. , Kibbe Melina R. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAtherosclerosis remains a leading cause of death and disability around the world and a major driver of health care spending. Nanomaterials have gained widespread attention due to their promising potential for clinical translation and use. We have developed a collagen‐targeted peptide amphiphile (PA)‐based nanofiber for the prevention of neointimal hyperplasia after arterial injury. Our goal was to characterize the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of the collagen‐targeted PA to further its advancement into clinical trials. Collagen‐targeted PA was injected into the internal jugular vein of Sprague Dawley rats. PA concentrations in plasma collected at various times after injection (0 to 72 hours) were measured by liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry. Pharmacokinetics of the collagen‐targeted PA were characterized by a three‐compartment model, with an extremely rapid apparent elimination clearance resulting in a plasma concentration decrease of more than two orders of magnitude within the first hour after injection. This rapid initial decline in plasma concentration was not due to degradation by plasma components, as collagen‐targeted PA was stable in plasma ex vivo for up to 3 hours. Indeed, cellular blood components appear to be partly responsible, as only 15% of collagen‐targeted PA were recovered following incubation with whole blood. Nanofibers in whole blood also adhered to red blood cells (RBCs) and were engulfed by mononuclear cells. This work highlights the unique pharmacokinetics of our collagen‐targeted PA, which differ from pharmacokinetics of small molecules. Because of their targeted nature, these nanomaterials should not require sustained elevated plasma concentrations to achieve a therapeutic effect the way small molecules typically do.
Chemical components from the stems and leaves of Clausena lansium (Lour.) Skeels and their potential herbicidal effects
Authors: Peng Wenwen , Fu Xiaoxiang , Xiong Zhonghua , Xiang Miaolian , Yang Yule , Wu Hongliang , Shi Xugen , Huo Guanghua , Cui Ruqiang , Li Baotong 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDClausena lansium (Lour.) Skeels, belonging to the genus Clausena of the family Rutaceae, has a wide range of medical and agricultural activities. Previous studies on agricultural activities have shown that C. lansium extracts and some components have obvious herbicidal activities. In order to study systematically herbicidal activity of this plant, we studied the herbicidal effect of ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract from the stems and leaves of this plant and further isolated the active compounds.RESULTSThe EtOAc extract inhibited the growth of roots and shoots of Echinochloa crus‐galli (L.) Beauv., and the inhibitory effect of the EtOAc extract on roots were stronger than those on shoots with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 420.45 and 585.05 mg L−1, respectively. Fifteen compounds were subsequently isolated and identified from the stems and leaves of C. lansium, including nine O‐monoterpenoid furanocoumarins and six cinnamamides. Our results showed that most compounds exhibited varying degrees of herbicidal activities to E. crus‐galli. Among them, compounds 3, 8, and 13–15 showed the best inhibitory activities on the growth of E. crus‐galli roots, with inhibition rate values ranging from 70% to 83% at a concentration of 300 mg L−1. Compounds 1 and 2 are two new compounds, and their structures were established as 5‐O‐monoterpenoid furanocoumarin and 8‐O‐monoterpenoid furanocoumarin, and named as claulansicoumarin‐A and ‐B, respectively.CONCLUSIONThe EtOAc extract and pure compounds showed noticeable herbicidal activities against E. crus‐galli and indicated a great potential for these natural compounds to be developed as a herbicide. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Distributional and inferential properties of some new multivariate process capability indices for symmetric specification region
Authors: Chakraborty Ashis Kumar , Chatterjee Moutushi 
Published: October 2020

AbstractStatistical quality control is used to improve performance of processes. Since most of the processes are multivariate in nature, multivariate process capability indices (MPCIs) have been developed by many researchers depending on the context. However, it is generally difficult to understand and calculate MPCIs, compared to their univariate counterparts like , , and so on. This paper discusses a relatively new development in MPCIs, namely, , which is a multivariate analogue of —the celebrated superstructure of univariate process capability indices . Some statistical properties of are studied, particularly of , a member MPCI of the superstructure, which measures potential capability of a multivariate process. A threshold value of is computed, and this can be considered as a logical cut‐off for other member indices of as well. The expression for the upper limit of the proportion of nonconformance is derived as a function of . Density plots of asymptotic distributions of four major member indices of , namely, , , , and , are made. Finally, a numerical example is discussed to supplement the theory developed in this paper.
Alternative clinical specimens for the detection of SARS‐CoV‐2: A rapid review
Authors: Comber Laura , Walsh Kieran A. , Jordan Karen , O'Brien Kirsty K. , Clyne Barbara , Teljeur Conor , Drummond Linda , Carty Paul G. , De Gascun Cillian F. , Smith Susan M. , Harrington Patricia , Ryan Máirín , O'Neill Michelle 
Published: October 2020

SummaryThe collection of nasopharyngeal swabs to test for the presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) is an invasive technique with implications for patients and clinicians. Alternative clinical specimens from the upper respiratory tract may offer benefits in terms of collection, comfort and infection risk. The objective of this review was to synthesise the evidence for detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 ribonucleic acid (RNA) using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) tested saliva or nasal specimens compared with RT‐PCR tested nasopharyngeal specimens. Searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase, Europe PMC and NHS evidence from December 2019 to 20 July 2020. Eighteen studies were identified; 12 for saliva, four for nasal and two included both specimen types. For saliva‐based studies, the proportion of saliva samples testing positive relative to all positive samples in each study ranged from 82.9% to 100%; detection in nasopharyngeal specimens ranged from 76.7% to 100%; positive agreement between specimens for overall detection ranged from 65.4% to 100%. For nasal‐based studies, the proportion of nasal swabs testing positive relative to all positive samples in each study ranged from 81.9% to 100%; detection in nasopharyngeal specimens ranged from 70% to 100%; positive agreement between specimens for overall detection ranged from 62.3% to 100%. The results indicate an inconsistency in the detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA in the specimen types included, often with neither the index nor the reference of interest detecting all known cases. Depending on the test environment, these clinical specimens may offer a viable alternative to standard. However, at present the evidence is limited, of variable quality, and relatively inconsistent.
Selection of variables for multivariable models: Opportunities and limitations in quantifying model stability by resampling
Authors: Wallisch Christine , Dunkler Daniela , Rauch Geraldine , de Bin Riccardo , Heinze Georg 
Published: October 2020

Statistical models are often fitted to obtain a concise description of the association of an outcome variable with some covariates. Even if background knowledge is available to guide preselection of covariates, stepwise variable selection is commonly applied to remove irrelevant ones. This practice may introduce additional variability and selection is rarely certain. However, these issues are often ignored and model stability is not questioned.Several resampling‐based measures were proposed to describe model stability, including variable inclusion frequencies (VIFs), model selection frequencies, relative conditional bias (RCB), and root mean squared difference ratio (RMSDR). The latter two were recently proposed to assess bias and variance inflation induced by variable selection. Here, we study the consistency and accuracy of resampling estimates of these measures and the optimal choice of the resampling technique. In particular, we compare subsampling and bootstrapping for assessing stability of linear, logistic, and Cox models obtained by backward elimination in a simulation study. Moreover, we exemplify the estimation and interpretation of all suggested measures in a study on cardiovascular risk. The VIF and the model selection frequency are only consistently estimated in the subsampling approach. By contrast, the bootstrap is advantageous in terms of bias and precision for estimating the RCB as well as the RMSDR. Though, unbiased estimation of the latter quantity requires independence of covariates, which is rarely encountered in practice. Our study stresses the importance of addressing model stability after variable selection and shows how to cope with it.