bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical outcomes and treatments effectiveness in status epilepticus resolved by antiepileptic drugs: A five‐year observational study
Authors: Orlandi Niccolò , Giovannini Giada , Rossi Jessica , Cioclu Maria Cristina , Meletti Stefano 
Published: February 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate clinical outcomes and treatment effectiveness of status epilepticus finally resolved by nonbenzodiazepine antiepileptic drugs (AEDs).MethodsAll consecutive SE episodes observed from September 1, 2013, to September 1, 2018, and resolved by AEDs were considered. Diagnosis and classification of SE followed the 2015 ILAE proposal. Nonconvulsive status (NCSE) diagnosis was confirmed according to the Salzburg EEG criteria. The modified Rankin Scale and deaths at 30 days from onset were used to evaluate outcomes.ResultsA total of 277 status episodes (mean age 71 years; 61% female) were treated and resolved by antiepileptic drugs after 382 treatment trials. 68% of the SE resolved after AED use as first/second treatment line, while subsequent trials with AEDs gave an additional 32% resolution. A return to baseline conditions was observed in 48% of the patients, while overall mortality was 19% without significant changes across the study years. Mortality was higher in NCSE than in convulsive SE (22.5% vs 12.9%; P < .05), while mortality did not differ in SE episodes resolved by a first/second AED trial (17.2%) versus SE resolved by successive treatment trials (18.9%). The resolution rate of intravenous AEDs was 82% for valproate, 77% for lacosamide, 71% for phenytoin, and 62% for levetiracetam. No significant differences were found in head‐to‐head comparison, but for the valproate‐levetiracetam one that was related to NCSE episodes in which valproate resulted to be effective in 86% of the trials while levetiracetam in 62% (P < .002).SignificanceA high short‐term mortality, stable over time, was observed in SE despite resolution of seizures, especially in SE with nonconvulsive semiology. Comparative AED efficacy showed no significant differences except for higher resolution rate for valproate versus levetiracetam in NCSE.
Morphological and sedimentary features of sandy‐muddy transitional beaches in estuaries and bays along mesotidal to macrotidal coasts
Authors: Zhao Shaohua , Qi Hongshuai , Cai Feng , Zhu Jun , Zhou Xiang , Lei Gang 
Published: February 2020

AbstractSandy‐muddy transitional beaches (SMT‐Beaches), representing the transition from sandy beaches to tidal mudflats, should theoretically develop very different morphological and sedimentological characteristics in river estuaries and in semi‐enclosed bays due to their contrasting dynamic sedimentary environments. Evidence, however, is rare in the scientific literature. To reveal these morphological and sedimentary differences, the sand–mud transition (SMT) boundary distribution, beach profiles, and surface and downcore sediment grain‐size compositions of 27 SMT‐Beaches located along mesotidal to macrotidal coasts of the western Taiwan Strait, southeastern China, were investigated. The results show that typical estuarine SMT‐Beaches are mainly characterized by an ambiguous SMT, a long distance between the SMT and the coastline (31–302 m), lower SMT and inflection point altitudes (average –0.76 m and –0.04 m), and lower upper beach gradients (~0.068) with fine sand. Estuarine SMT‐Beach sediments display clear interbedded mud and sand layers, implying potential SMT migrations over various timescales. By contrast, typical bay SMT‐Beaches are characterized by distinct SMT, a short distance between the SMT and the coastline (11–52 m), higher SMT and inflection point altitudes (~0.24 m and ~0.35 m), and narrower upper beaches with higher gradients (~0.095) and coarse sand. Bay SMT‐Beaches present relatively stable sedimentary sequences and a narrow gravel belt surrounding the inflection point and/or SMT. These morphological and sedimentary differences between the two SMT‐Beach types are initially constrained by sediment supply and transport and are further affected by tide conditions and wave climate. Sediment supply and transport predominately control the sediment structures, while the tidal range strongly influences spatial variations in SMT distances. Wave climate normally drives SMT altitude variations. This study highlights the morphological and sedimentary differences in SMT‐Beaches in estuaries and bays, providing important knowledge for further revealing their morphodynamic processes and potential future nourishment. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Emerging entities in NUTM1‐rearranged neoplasms
Authors: McEvoy Christopher R. , Fox Stephen B. , Prall Owen W. J. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractStructural alterations of NUTM1 were originally thought to be restricted to poorly differentiated carcinomas with variable squamous differentiation originating in the midline organs of children and adolescents. Termed NUT carcinomas (NCs), they were defined by a t(15;19) chromosomal rearrangement that was found to result in a BRD4‐NUTM1 gene fusion. However, the use of DNA and RNA‐based next‐generation sequencing has recently revealed a multitude of new NUTM1 fusion partners in a diverse array of neoplasms including sarcoma‐like tumors, poromas, and acute lymphoblastic leukemias (ALLs) that we propose to call NUTM1‐rearranged neoplasms (NRNs). Intriguingly, the nosology of NRNs often correlates with the functional classification of the fusion partner, suggesting different oncogenic mechanisms within each NRN division. Indeed, whereas NCs are characterized by their aggressiveness and intransigence to standard therapeutic measures, the more positive clinical outcomes seen in some sarcoma and ALL NRNs may reflect these mechanistic differences. Here we provide a broad overview of the molecular, nosological, and clinical features in these newly discovered neoplastic entities. We describe how aberrant expression of NUTM1 due to fusion with an N‐terminal DNA/chromatin‐binding protein can generate a potentially powerful chromatin modifier that can give rise to oncogenic transformation in numerous cellular contexts. We also conclude that classification, clinical behavior, and therapeutic options may be best defined by the NUTM1 fusion partner rather than by tumor morphology or immunohistochemical profile.
Susceptibility of Rat Steatotic Liver to Ischemia–Reperfusion Is Treatable With Liver‐Selective Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibition
Authors: Wang Xiangdong , Walkey Christopher J. , Maretti‐Mira Ana C. , Wang Lei , Johnson Deborah L. , DeLeve Laurie D. 
Published: February 2020

Background and Aims
This study examined whether enhanced susceptibility of steatotic liver to ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury is due to impaired recruitment of bone marrow (BM) progenitors of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs, also called sinusoidal endothelial cell progenitor cells [sprocs]) with diminished repair of injured LSECs and whether restoring signaling to recruit BM sprocs reduces I/R injury.

Approach and Results
Hepatic vessels were clamped for 1 hour in rats fed a high‐fat, high‐fructose (HFHF) diet for 5, 10, or 15 weeks. Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP‐9) antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) or an MMP inhibitor were used to induce liver‐selective MMP‐9 inhibition. HFHF rats had mild, moderate, and severe steatosis, respectively, at 5, 10, and 15 weeks. I/R injury was enhanced in HFHF rats; this was accompanied by complete absence of hepatic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)–stromal cell–derived factor 1 (sdf1) signaling, leading to lack of BM sproc recruitment. Liver‐selective MMP‐9 inhibition to protect against proteolytic cleavage of hepatic VEGF using either MMP‐9 ASO or intraportal MMP inhibitor in 5‐week and 10‐week HFHF rats enhanced hepatic VEGF–sdf1 signaling, increased BM sproc recruitment, and reduced alanine aminotransferase (ALT) by 92% and 77% at 5 weeks and by 80% and 64% at 10 weeks of the HFHF diet, respectively. After I/R injury in 15‐week HFHF rats, the MMP inhibitor reduced active MMP‐9 expression by 97%, ameliorated histologic evidence of injury, and reduced ALT by 58%, which is comparable to control rats sustaining I/R injury. Rescue therapy with intraportal MMP inhibitor, given after ischemia, in the 5‐week HFHF rat reduced ALT by 71% and reduced necrosis.

Conclusions
Lack of signaling to recruit BM sprocs that repair injured LSECs renders steatotic liver more susceptible to I/R injury. Liver‐selective MMP‐9 inhibition enhances VEGF–sdf1 signaling and recruitment of BM sprocs, which markedly protects against I/R injury, even in severely steatotic rats.
Interaction between an operator and the control desk at the control room of the railway traffic: A Serbian experience
Authors: Grozdanovic Miroljub 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe subject of this paper is the interaction between an operator and the control desk at the Railway Traffic Control Room (RTCR) in Nis, Serbia. The following methods were used for this research: operators' anthropometric measurement; determining of maximum force of the movements of operators' arms; an analysis of workload of the movements of operators' arms, heads and torsos, and an analysis of errors in operators' movements in response to visual cues. The paper presents the following results: static parameter of 20 anthropometric measures of 41 operators' bodies were measured; nine corresponding dimensions of particular body parts for 5th, 50th, and 95th percentile were calculated; 10 characteristic work angles were measured; five corresponding functional body parts were calculated; times and distances covered by operators' arms were measured; maximum forces used for these movements were calculated; positions and number of movements of arms, heads, and torsos of operators were determined, and movement errors and probability of movement errors in choice of direction, arms and cumulative conditional probability were calculated. The research was conducted with the aim of discovering determining factors of mutual synchronization of the operator and desk.
Effect of wrist position on grip force sense in healthy adults
Authors: Li Lin , Li Yan‐xia , Gong Rui , Fu Hao 
Published: February 2020

AbstractTo achieve a better understanding of the causes of higher rates of musculoskeletal disorders and to develop preventive strategies to decrease the risk of injury and optimally design hand tools, it is necessary to understand the effects of both wrist position and force level on grip force sense. In this study, the effects of both wrist position and force level on grip force sense in healthy males during an ipsilateral force reproduction task were investigated. Twenty healthy subjects were instructed to produce varying levels of target forces (i.e., 10%, 30%, and 50% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction [MVIC]) for five wrist positions (i.e., neutral position, full radial deviation, full ulnar deviation, full‐extension, and full flexion), and to reproduce these forces using the same hand. The results of our study revealed that the absolute error, constant error, and MVIC decreased as the wrist joint angle deviated from the neutral position. Subjects had a more accurate estimation of medium target force (30% MVIC), while low target force (10% MVIC) was overestimated and high target force (50% MVIC) was underestimated, in contrast to most previous studies.
Effect of scaffold properties on adhesion and maintenance of boundary cap neural crest stem cells in vitro
Authors: Han Yilin , Baltriukienė Daiva , Kozlova Elena N. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractOptimal combination of stem cells and biocompatible support material is a promising strategy for successful tissue engineering. The required differentiation of stem cells is crucial for functionality of engineered tissues and can be regulated by chemical and physical cues. Here we examined how boundary cap neural crest stem cells (bNCSCs) are affected when cultured in the same medium, but on collagen‐ or laminin‐polyacrylamide (PAA) scaffolds of different stiffness (0.5, 1, or ~7 kPa). bNCSCs displayed marked differences in their ability to attach, maintain a large cell population and differentiate, depending on scaffold stiffness. These findings show that the design of physical cues is an important parameter to achieve optimal stem cell properties for tissue repair and engineering.
Biodegradable shape memory polymer foams with appropriate thermal properties for hemostatic applications
Authors: Jang Lindy K. , Fletcher Grace K. , Monroe Mary Beth B. , Maitland Duncan J. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractShape memory polymer (SMP) foams are a promising material for hemostatic dressings due to their biocompatibility, high surface area, excellent shape recovery, and ability to quickly initiate blood clotting. Biodegradable SMP foams could eliminate the need for a secondary removal procedure of hemostatic material from the patients’ wound, further facilitating wound healing. In this study, we developed hydrolytically and oxidatively biodegradable SMP foams by reacting polyols (triethanolamine or glycerol) with 6‐aminocaproic acid or glycine to generate foaming monomers with degradable ester bonds. These monomers were used in foam synthesis to provide highly crosslinked SMP foam structures. The ester‐containing foams showed clinically relevant thermal properties that were comparable to controls and excellent shape recovery within eight min. Triethanolamine‐based ester‐containing foams showed interconnected porous structure along with increased mechanical strength. Faster hydrolytic and oxidative biodegradation rates were achieved in ester‐containing foams in comparison to controls. These biodegradable SMP foams with clinically applicable thermal properties possess great potential as an effective hemostatic device for use in hospitals or on battlefields.
Characterization of novel calcium hydroxide‐mediated highly porous chitosan‐calcium scaffolds for potential application in dentin tissue engineering
Authors: Soares Diana Gabriela , Bordini Ester Alves Ferreira , Cassiano Fernanda Balestrero , Bronze‐Uhle Erika Soares , Pacheco Leandro Edgar , Zabeo Giovana , Hebling Josimeri , Lisboa‐Filho Paulo Noronha , Bottino Marco Cicero , de Souza Costa Carlos Alberto 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe aim of this study was to develop a highly porous calcium‐containing chitosan scaffold suitable for dentin regeneration. A calcium hydroxide (Ca[OH]2) suspension was used to modulate the degree of porosity and chemical composition of chitosan scaffolds. The chitosan solution concentration and freezing protocol were adjusted to optimize the porous architecture using the phase‐separation technique. Scanning electron microscopy/energy‐dispersive spectroscopy demonstrated the fabrication of a highly porous calcium‐linked chitosan scaffold (CH‐Ca), with a well‐organized and interconnected porous network. Scaffolds were cross‐linked on glutaraldehyde (GA) vapor. Following a 28‐day incubation in water, cross‐linked CH scaffold had no changes on humid mass, and CH‐Ca featured a controlled degradability profile since the significant humid mass loss was observed only after 21 (26.0%) and 28 days (42.2%). Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy indicated the establishment of Schiff base on cross‐linked scaffolds, along with calcium complexation for CH‐Ca. Cross‐linked CH‐Ca scaffold featured a sustained Ca2+ release up to 21 days in a humid environment. This porous and stable architecture allowed for human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) to spread throughout the scaffold, with cells exhibiting a widely stretched cytoplasm; whereas, the cells seeded onto CH scaffold were organized in clusters. HDPCs seeded onto CH‐Ca featured significantly higher ALP activity, and gene expressions for ALP, Col1, DMP‐1, and DSPP in comparison to CH, leading to a significant 3.5 times increase in calcium‐rich matrix deposition. In sum, our findings suggest that CH‐Ca scaffolds are attractive candidates for creating a highly porous and bioactive substrate for dentin tissue engineering.
Quantitative decomposition of resonance‐assisted hydrogen bond energy in β‐diketones into resonance and hydrogen bonding (π‐ and σ‐) components using molecular tailoring and function‐based approaches
Authors: Afonin Andrei V. , Vashchenko Alexander V. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractUsing the molecular tailoring and function‐based approaches allows one to divide the energy of the O─H⋯O═C resonance‐assisted hydrogen bond in a series of the β‐diketones into resonance and hydrogen bonding components. The magnitude of the resonance component is assessed as about 6 kcal mol−1. This value increases by ca. 1 kcal mol−1 on going from the weak to strong resonance‐assisted hydrogen bonding. The magnitude of the hydrogen bonding component varies in the wide range from 2 to 20 kcal mol−1 depending on the structure of the β‐diketone in question.
Classification of skew‐Hadamard matrices of order 32 and association schemes of order 31
Authors: Hanaki Akihide , Kharaghani Hadi , Mohammadian Ali , Tayfeh‐Rezaie Behruz 
Published: February 2020

AbstractUsing a backtracking algorithm along with an essential change to the rows of representatives of known 13 710 027 equivalence classes of Hadamard matrices of order 32, we make an exhaustive computer search feasible and show that there are exactly 6662 inequivalent skew‐Hadamard matrices of order 32. Two skew‐Hadamard matrices are considered SH‐equivalent if they are similar by a signed permutation matrix. We determine that there are precisely 7227 skew‐Hadamard matrices of order 32 up to
SH‐equivalence. This partly settles a problem posed by Kim and Solé. As a consequence, we provide the classification of association schemes of order 31.
Association between BTLA polymorphisms and susceptibility to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in the Chinese population
Authors: Cao Rui , Tang Weifeng , Chen Shuchen 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundGrowing evidence suggested that B‐ and T‐lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) polymorphisms raised the susceptibility to a wide range of cancers. This study aimed to evaluate whether BTLA variants were related to the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).MethodsA total of 721 ESCC patients and 1208 matched non‐cancer controls were included in this research, and four tagging BTLA polymorphisms (rs2171513 G > A, rs3112270 A > G, rs1982809 G > A, and rs16859629 T > C) were selected and genotyped using SNPscan™ Assays.ResultsIn the present study, no significant relationship between BTLA polymorphisms and ESCC was observed. However, stratified analyses suggested that the variant of BTLA rs3112270 A > G reduced the risk of ESCC in the male subgroup (AG vs AA: adjusted OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.61‐0.99, P = .042), BMI < 24 kg/m2 subgroup (AG vs AA: adjusted OR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.55‐0.93, P = .012; AG/GG vs AA: adjusted OR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.60‐0.98, P = .032), and ever drinking subgroup (AG vs AA: adjusted OR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.38‐0.97, P = .037). But when stratified by BMI ≥ 24 kg/m2, the rs3112270 A > G polymorphism increased the susceptibility to ESCC (GG vs AA: adjusted OR = 1.91, 95% CI = 1.02‐3.59, P = .045). Besides, we demonstrated that BTLA rs2171513 G > A polymorphism was protective of ESCC in the ever drinking subgroup (GA/AA vs GG: adjusted OR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.39‐0.97, P = .037).ConclusionTaken together, our initial investigation postulated that the rs3112270 A > G and rs2171513 G > A variants in the BTLA gene are candidates for the risk of ESCC, which might be helpful for the early diagnosis and treatment of ESCC.
Handgrip strength and muscle quality in Australian women: cross‐sectional data from the Geelong Osteoporosis Study
Authors: Sui Sophia X. , Holloway‐Kew Kara L. , Hyde Natalie K. , Williams Lana J. , Tembo Monica C. , Mohebbi Mohammadreza , Gojanovic Marlene , Leach Sarah , Pasco Julie A. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundLow handgrip strength (HGS) is a measure of poor skeletal muscle performance and a marker of ill health and frailty. Muscle quality (MQ) is a measure of muscle strength relative to muscle mass. We aimed to develop normative data for HGS and MQ, report age‐related prevalence of low HGS and MQ, and determine the relationship with age, anthropometry, and body composition for women in Australia.MethodsThis cross‐sectional analysis included data from 792 women (ages 28–95 years) assessed by the Geelong Osteoporosis Study. Duplicate measures of HGS were performed for each hand with a dynamometer (Jamar) and the mean of maximum values used for analyses. Dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry‐derived lean mass for the arms was used to calculate MQ as HGS/lean mass (kg/kg). Body mass index (BMI) was categorized as normal (BMI < 25.0 kg/m2), overweight (25.0–29.9 kg/m2), and obese (>30.0 kg/m2). Fat mass index (FMI) was calculated as whole body fat/height2 (kg/m2) and appendicular lean mass index (ALMI) as lean mass of arms and legs/height2 (kg/m2).ResultsMean (±SD) of HGS values for normal BMI, overweight, and obese groups were 25 (±7), 24 (±7), and 24 (±7) kg, P = 0.09, and for MQ, 12 (±3), 11 (±3), and 10 (±3) kg/kg, P < 0.001. Our data indicated a quadratic relationship between age and HGS or MQ. Mean HGS and MQ remained stable until the fifth age decade then declined steadily with increasing age; therefore, we used data for women (n = 283) aged 28–49 years as the young adult reference group, with mean (SD) values for HGS 28 (±6) kg and MQ 12 (±3) kg/kg. The prevalence of low (T‐score < −2) HGS and MQ for women 80 years and older was 52.2% and 39.6%, respectively. In multivariable models, age‐adjusted HGS was associated with FMI (B = −0.13, P = 0.004) and ALMI (1.03, <0.001) while age‐adjusted MQ was associated with BMI (−0.15, <0.001) but not with FMI. In a sensitivity analysis, the same pattern remained after the removal of 129 women who reported hand and/or arm pain.ConclusionsMean HGS and MQ declined with advancing age in older women. Our data suggest that while mean HGS increased with appendicular lean mass and decreased with body fat mass, there was no association with BMI. By contrast, MQ decreased with increasing BMI, but not with increasing adiposity.
Reproductive phenotype predicts adult bite‐force performance in sex‐reversed dragons (Pogona vitticeps)
Authors: Jones Marc E. H. , Pistevos Jennifer C. A. , Cooper Natalie , Lappin A. Kristopher , Georges Arthur , Hutchinson Mark N. , Holleley Clare E. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractSex‐related differences in morphology and behavior are well documented, but the relative contributions of genes and environment to these traits are less well understood. Species that undergo sex reversal, such as the central bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps), offer an opportunity to better understand sexually dimorphic traits because sexual phenotypes can exist on different chromosomal backgrounds. Reproductively female dragons with a discordant sex chromosome complement (sex reversed), at least as juveniles, exhibit traits in common with males (e.g., longer tails and greater boldness). However, the impact of sex reversal on sexually dimorphic traits in adult dragons is unknown. Here, we investigate the effect of sex reversal on bite‐force performance, which may be important in resource acquisition (e.g., mates and/or food). We measured body size, head size, and bite force of the three sexual phenotypes in a colony of captive animals. Among adults, we found that males (ZZm) bite more forcefully than either chromosomally concordant females (ZWf) or sex‐reversed females (ZZf), and this difference is associated with having relatively larger head dimensions. Therefore, adult sex‐reversed females, despite apparently exhibiting male traits as juveniles, do not develop the larger head and enhanced bite force of adult male bearded dragons. This pattern is further illustrated in the full sample by a lack of positive allometry of bite force in sex‐reversed females that is observed in males. The results reveal a close association between reproductive phenotype and bite force performance, regardless of sex chromosome complement.