bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the room smoke filling time for fire plumes: Influence of the room geometry
Authors: Haouari‐Harrak S. , Mehaddi R. , Boulet P. , Koutaiba E.M. 
Published: June 2020

SummaryThe article examines numerically and theoretically the effects of room aspect ratio on the fire smoke filling process. It aims to evaluate the two‐zone models used in fire safety engineering to predict the smoke filling times. Using Fire Dynamics Simulator, numerical simulations are performed and compared to a simplified zone model. The results show that the two‐zone model overestimates the smoke filling time in the case of a compartment with a large surface area. To improve the predictions of two‐zone models, simple correlations are established for the duration of the phenomena occurring before the formation of a two‐layer stratification in a fire compartment. These new correlations allow the zone model to be significantly improved.
European approach to assess the fire performance of façades
Authors: Anderson Johan , Boström Lars , Chiva Roman , Guillaume Eric , Colwell Sarah , Hofmann Anja , Tóth Péter 
Published: June 2020

SUMMARYSeveral attempts have been made in the past to develop a European harmonized testing and assessment method for façades before the European commission decided to publish a call for tender on the topic. A project consortium from five countries (Sweden, UK, France, Germany and Hungary) applied to the call for tender and was contracted to develop a European approach to assess the fire performance of façades. 24 sub‐contractors and 14 stakeholder entities were part of the project. The objective of the European project was to address a request from the Standing Committee of Construction (SCC) to provide EC Member States regulators with a means to regulate the fire performance of façade systems based on a European approach agreed by SCC. The initial stages of this project were focused on establishing a register of the regulatory requirements in all Member States in relation to the fire performance of façade systems, and to identify those Member States who have regulatory requirements for the fire performance façade systems which go beyond the current EN 13501 (reaction to fire and fire resistance) classification systems and to collate the details of these additional requirements. After having confirmed the regulatory needs a testing and classification methodology based on BS 8414 and DIN 4102‐20 was developed to address the identified key performance and classification characteristics. This paper is a short overview of results the two‐year development work, which Final Report published by the European Commission in 2018.
The associations of the BDNF and APOE polymorphisms, hippocampal subfield volumes, and episodic memory performance across the lifespan
Authors: Malykhin Nikolai V. , Travis Scott , Fujiwara Esther , Huang Yushan , Camicioli Richard , Olsen Fraser 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIn this study, we explored the associations between the brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the apolipoprotein E (APOE) polymorphisms and hippocampal subfields in 127 healthy participants (18–85 years). MRI datasets were collected on a 4.7 T system. Participants were administered the Wechsler Memory Scale to evaluate episodic memory function. Significant associations of both polymorphisms were present only in older adults (≥50 years). BDNF polymorphism was associated with larger dentate gyrus volumes within the anterior hippocampus (head) in Met‐carriers compared to Val/Val homozygotes. We found that in Met‐carriers total hippocampal volume predicted performance on visuospatial memory tasks. APOE polymorphism was associated with larger total hippocampal volume, especially in cornu ammonis 1–3 and subiculum in APOE ɛ2 carriers compared to both ɛ4 and ɛ3 carriers, while APOE ɛ3 and ɛ4 carriers did not differ from each other. APOE polymorphism was associated with better performance on visuospatial memory tasks in APOE ε2 carriers in comparison to ε4 carriers.
Psilocybin occasioned mystical‐type experiences
Authors: James Edward , Robertshaw Thomas L , Hoskins Mathew , Sessa Ben 
Published: June 2020

AbstractObjectiveResearch into psychedelic therapy models has shown promise for the treatment of specific psychiatric conditions. Mystical‐type experiences occasioned by psilocybin have been correlated with therapeutic benefits and long‐term improvements in positive mental outlook and attitudes. This article aims to provide an overview of the topic, highlight strengths and weaknesses in current research, generate novel perspectives and discussion, and consider future avenues for research.DesignThis narrative review was designed to summarise and assess the state of research on psilocybin occasioned mystical‐type experiences and applications for the treatment of specific psychiatric conditions.ResultsContemporary methods on the quantification of mystical‐type experiences and their acute subjective effects are discussed. Recent studies provide some understanding of the pharmacological actions of psychedelics although the neurological similarities and differences between spontaneous and psychedelic mystical‐type experiences are not well described. Applicability to modern clinical settings is assessed. Potential novel therapeutic applications include use in positive psychology interventions in healthy individuals.ConclusionsSince 2006 significant advancements in understanding the therapeutic potential of psilocybin‐assisted psychotherapy have been made; however, more work is required to understand the neuromechanistic processes and applicability in modern clinical settings. Despite promising results in recent studies, funding issues for clinical trials, legal concerns and socio‐cultural resistance provide a counterpoint to experimental evidence.
Automatic segmentation of nuclei from pap smear cell images: A step toward cervical cancer screening
Authors: Somasundaram Devaraj , Gnanasaravanan Subramaniam , Madian Nirmala 
Published: June 2020

AbstractCervical cancer is identified as the fourth most recurrent cancer among women across the globe. The cancer is treatable, if identified at the early stage. Pap smear test is the most common and the best tool for initial screening of cancer. Pap smear cell level image analysis is an open issue. The limitation of the analysis is due to the complexity of the cell structure. The smear cell image is composed of cytoplasm and nucleus. The shape and structure of the nucleus determines the cancer prevalence. Segmentation of nucleus is an important step in cancer detection. There are various methods developed for nucleus segmentation. The article proposes multithresholding algorithm to segment cytoplasm and nucleus region from the background. Morphological operations are used for correcting the segmented output. Support vector machine classifier is used for classifying the smear cell as normal or abnormal based on the extracted features of the segmented output. The obtained accuracy of the classifier, sensitivity and specificity for single smear cell are 99.66%, 99.85% and 99.17%.
Changes in Bone Mineral Density During and After Lactation in Ugandan Women With HIV on Tenofovir-Based Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: Nabwire Florence , Prentice Ann , Hamill Matthew M , Fowler Mary Glenn , Byamugisha Josaphat , Kekitiinwa Adeodata , Goldberg Gail R 
Published: June 2020

ABSTRACT
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is associated with bone loss, but data are limited in lactation, when physiological bone mineral mobilization is occurring. This research charted changes in areal bone mineral density (aBMD) during and after lactation in Ugandan women with HIV (WWH) initiated onto ART in pregnancy, compared to women without HIV (REF). One-hundred WWH on tenofovir-based ART and 100 REF were enrolled in pregnancy. Lumbar spine (LS), total hip (TH), and whole-body-less-head (WBLH) aBMD were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at 2, 14, and 26 weeks of lactation, and at 3 months postlactation. The primary outcome was the difference between groups in mean percent change in LS aBMD between 2 and 14 weeks. Statistical analysis was performed in hierarchical repeated measures ANOVA models that corrected for multiple testing. Median age was 23.4 (IQR, 21.0 to 26.8) years. WWH had lower body weight. aBMD decreased in both groups during lactation, but WWH had greater decreases at TH (2-to-26 weeks: WWH [n = 63] −5.9% [95% CI, −6.4 to −5.4] versus REF [n = 64] −4.3% [95% CI, −4.8 to −3.8]; group*time point interaction p = .008). Decreases in LS aBMD were similar in WWH and REF (2-to-26 weeks: −2.0% [95% CI, −2.5 to −1.5]), although there was a tendency toward a smaller decrease in WWH between 2 and 14 weeks (WWH [n = 77] −1.8% [95% CI, −2.2 to −1.4] versus REF [n = 69] −2.9% [95% CI, −3.3 to −2.5]; group*time point interaction p = .08). Postlactation, LS aBMD was higher relative to week 2 in both groups. TH and WBLH aBMD did not return to week 2 values in WWH but did in REF (TH postlactation versus week 2: WWH [n = 61] −3.1% [95% CI, −3.6 to −2.6]; REF [n = 29] +0.1% [95% CI, −0.9 to +1.1]). These data show accentuated bone loss during lactation and only partial skeletal recovery by 3 months postlactation in Ugandan WWH on tenofovir-based ART. Studies are ongoing to understand longer-term consequences for bone health. © 2020 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
IL‐34 is a potential biomarker for the treatment of papillary thyroid cancer
Authors: Zhang Ping , Zhang Hao , Dong Wenwu , Wang Zhihong , Qin Yuan , Wu Changhao , Dong Qi 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundInterleukin (IL)‐34 is a recently discovered pro‐inflammatory cytokine and is a vital regulator in different tumor types. However, the function of IL‐34 in thyroid carcinoma has yet to be investigated. In this study, we analyzed the expression of IL‐34 in human papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) samples and determined its effects on the proliferation and apoptosis of PTC cells.MethodsWe examined the expression of IL‐34 in serum and tissue samples of patients with PTC by Western blotting and ELISA assay and analyzed its association with clinicopathological features including tumor size, tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage, and lymph node metastasis (LNM). We selected TPC1 and K1 for knockdown or overexpressing of IL‐34 via small interference RNA transfection. The proliferation of PTC cells was evaluated by CCK8 assay. We further investigated the role of IL‐34 in apoptosis by flow cytometry and studied the protein levels of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) biomarkers, phosphorylated extracellular‐regulated kinase (ERK), and total‐ERK (t‐ERK) by Western blotting.ResultsOur results show that IL‐34 is significantly upregulated in serum and tissue samples from patients with PTC. IL‐34 promotes the proliferation and suppresses apoptosis in PTC cells. In addition, IL‐34 can promote the EMT and activate ERK signaling pathway in PTC cells.ConclusionThis study provides novel evidence that IL‐34 serves as an oncogene in PTC. IL‐34 promotes proliferation, EMT phenotype, and ERK signaling pathway and inhibits apoptosis in PTC cells. Therefore, IL‐34 may be a potent therapeutic target for the treatment of PTC.
Expression of NF‐κB, IL‐6, and IL‐10 genes, body composition, and hepatic fibrosis in obese patients with NAFLD—Combined effects of oleoylethanolamide supplementation and calorie restriction: A triple‐blind randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Tutunchi Helda , Ostadrahimi Alireza , Saghafi‐Asl Maryam , Roshanravan Neda , Shakeri‐Bavil Abolhassan , Asghari‐Jafarabadi Mohammad , Farrin Nazila , Mobasseri Majid 
Published: June 2020

AbstractNonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common noncommunicable diseases worldwide. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of oleoylethanolamide (OEA) supplementation combined with calorie restriction on inflammation, body composition, and hepatic fibrosis among obese patients with NAFLD. In this 12‐week randomized clinical trial, 76 obese patients newly diagnosed with NAFLD were randomly allocated into either OEA or placebo group. The weight‐loss diet was also designed for both groups. Pre‐ and postintervention messenger RNA expression levels of the transcription factor nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and IL‐10, body composition, and NAFLD fibrosis score were assessed. At the end of the study, the OEA group showed lower NF‐κB and IL‐6 expression levels compared to the placebo (p < .01). However, IL‐10 expression level was approximately twofold higher in the OEA group compared to the placebo group (p = .008). A significant reduction was observed in the fat mass of the OEA group compared to the placebo (p = .044) postintervention. In addition, OEA supplementation led to a significant increase in fat‐free mass in the OEA group compared to the placebo (p = .032). A remarkable increase was observed in resting metabolic rate (RMR) in the OEA group (p = .009); however, it was not found in the placebo group. There were no significant between‐group differences in RMR postintervention. In addition, no significant within‐and between‐group differences were observed in the NAFLD fibrosis score at the end of the trial. Treatment with OEA along with weight‐loss intervention could significantly improve inflammation and body composition in patients with NAFLD.
The emerging role of angiotensinogen in cardiovascular diseases
Authors: Xu Yinchuan , Rong Jiabing , Zhang Zhaocai 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAngiotensinogen (AGT) is the unique precursor of all angiotensin peptides. Many of the basic understandings of AGT in cardiovascular diseases have come from research efforts to define its effects on blood pressure regulation. The development of novel techniques targeting AGT manipulation such as genetic animal models, adeno‐associated viral approaches, and antisense oligonucleotides made it possible to deeply investigate the relationship between AGT and cardiovascular diseases. In this brief review, we provide contemporary insights into the emerging role of AGT in cardiovascular diseases. In light of the recent progress, we emphasize some newly recognized features and mechanisms of AGT in heart failure, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular risk factors.
Short rainbow cycles in graphs and matroids
Authors: DeVos Matt , Drescher Matthew , Funk Daryl , González Hermosillo de la Maza Sebastián , Guo Krystal , Huynh Tony , Mohar Bojan , Montejano Amanda 
Published: June 2020

AbstractLet be a simple ‐vertex graph and be a coloring of with colors, where each color class has size at least 2. We prove that contains a rainbow cycle of length at most , which is best possible. Our result settles a special case of a strengthening of the Caccetta‐Häggkvist conjecture, due to Aharoni. We also show that the matroid generalization of our main result also holds for cographic matroids, but fails for binary matroids.
Insufficient plasma concentrations of empiric anti‐pseudomonal beta‐lactam antibiotics in critically ill patients with suspected sepsis
Authors: Pai Mangalore Rekha , Padiglione Alexander A. , Martin Emma‐Leah , Schneider Hans G. F. , Ngo‐Thai Lam Lan , McGloughlin Steven A. , Peleg Anton Y. , Udy Andrew A. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAimTo determine if empirical anti‐pseudomonal beta‐lactam antibiotic (BLA) dosing achieves adequate drug exposure in septic patients.MethodA single‐centre, prospective pharmacokinetic study was conducted in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients with sepsis, receiving empirical therapy with piperacillin/tazobactam or meropenem. The pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) targets were free BLA concentrations above the MIC at the mid‐point (Concentration A, 50%f T > MIC) and end of the dosing interval (Concentration B, 100% fT > MIC). Sub‐therapeutic concentrations were defined as concentration A < MIC, and sub‐optimal as concentration B < MIC. The MIC breakpoint for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as defined by The European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) (available from <http://www.eucast.org/clinical_breakpoints>) was used.ResultsOf the 37 eligible patients, 20 were receiving piperacillin/tazobactam (TZP), and 17 meropenem (MEM). PK data were available for 36 patients (concentration A) and 34 patients (concentration B). The median measured plasma concentrations (mg/L) were: piperacillin for doses 4 g 8‐hourly and 4 g 6‐hourly – concentration A 53.9 [14.38–123.71] and 36.44 [13.38–107.45], concentration B 8.01 [2.57–71.08] and 27.31 [3.32–59.76], MEM for doses 1 g 8‐hourly and 2 g 8‐hourly – concentration A 12.49 [7.35–23.63] and 30.5, concentration B 7.47 [2.97–11.33] and 9.31. 27.8% (10 of 36) of patients had sub‐therapeutic concentrations (concentration A) and 50% (17 of 34) had sub‐optimal concentrations (concentration B).ConclusionOur study confirms that sub‐therapeutic unbound plasma anti‐pseudomonal BLA concentrations are common in critically ill septic patients and underscores the urgent need for future trials exploring the efficacy of BLA therapeutic drug monitoring in these patients.
Determination of sulfadimethoxine in milk with aptamer‐functionalized Fe3O4/graphene oxide as magnetic solid‐phase extraction adsorbent prior to HPLC
Authors: Guo Yinan , Wei Wei , Zhang Ying , Dai Yuanyuan , Wang Weiping , Wang Aijun 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAn aptamer (Apt) functionalized magnetic material was prepared by covalently link Apt to Fe3O4/graphene oxide (Fe3O4/GO) composite by 1‐ethyl‐3‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride and N‐hydroxysuccinimide, and then characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and vibration sample magnetometry. The obtained composite of Fe3O4/GO/Apt was employed as magnetic solid‐phase extraction adsorbent for the selective preconcentration of sulfadimethoxine prior to analysis by high‐performance liquid chromatography. Under the optimal conditions (sample pH of 4.0, sorbent dosage of 20 mg, extraction time of 3 h, and methanol‐5% acetic acid solution as eluent), a good linear relationship was obtained between the peak area and concentration of sulfadimethoxine in the range of 5.0 to 1500.0 µg/L with correlation coefficient of 0.9997. The limit of detection (S/N = 3) was 3.3 µg/L. The developed method was successfully applied to the analysis of sulfadimethoxine in milk with recoveries in the range of 75.9‐92.3% and relative standard deviations less than 8.1%. The adsorption mechanism of Fe3O4/GO/Apt toward sulfadimethoxine was studied through the adsorption kinetics and adsorption isotherms, and the results show that the adsorption process fits well with the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model and the adsorbate on Fe3O4/GO/Apt is multilayer and heterogeneous.
Identification of bilobetin metabolites, in vivo and in vitro, based on an efficient ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry strategy
Authors: Feng Xue , Zhang Xiaowei , Chen Yuting , Li Luya , Sun Qian , Zhang Lantong 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBilobetin, a natural compound extracted from Ginkgo biloba, has various pharmacological activities such as antioxidation, anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, and promoting osteoblast differentiation. However, few studies have been conducted and there are no reports on its metabolites owing to its low content in nature. In addition, it has been reported to have potential liver and kidney toxicity. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the metabolites of bilobetin in vitro and in vivo. Bilobetin was incubated with liver microsomes to determine metabolites in vitro, and faeces and urine were collected after oral administration to rats to determine metabolites in vivo. After the samples were processed, they were measured using ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. As a result, a total of 21 and 9 metabolites were detected in vivo and in vitro, respectively. Demethylation, demethylation and loss of water, demethylation and hydrogenation, demethylation and glycine conjugation, oxidation, methylation, oxidation and methylation, and hydrogenation were the main metabolic pathways. This study is the first to identify the metabolites of bilobetin and provides a theoretical foundation for the safe use of bilobetin in clinical application and the development of new drugs.
Genetic determinants of circulating galectin‐3 levels in patients with coronary artery disease
Authors: Liao Yu‐Huang , Teng Ming‐Sheng , Juang Jyh‐Ming J. , Chiang Fu‐Tien , Er Leay‐Kiaw , Wu Semon , Ko Yu‐Lin 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundGalectin‐3 plays a crucial role in the regulation of inflammation. The aim of this study was to elucidate the association between LGALS3 genotypes, galectin‐3 levels, and inflammatory marker levels in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).ResultsA total of 474 patients with CAD were enrolled. Significant correlations were discerned between galectin‐3 levels and leukocyte counts, C‐reactive protein, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule‐1, and matrix metalloproteinase 9 levels (all p < .05). The LGALS3 rs2274273, rs4644, rs4652 genotypes, and haplotypes CAC, CCC, and ACT exhibited a significant association with galectin‐3 levels (for genotypes, p = 1.05 × 10−25, 3.54 × 10−25, and 2.74 × 10−7, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed LGALS3 rs2274273 and rs4644 genotypes contributing to 20.8% variation of galectin‐3 levels. However, there was no association between LGALS3 genotypes and other inflammatory marker levels.ConclusionsOur data showed strong genetic determinants of galectin‐3 levels in patients with CAD. The galectin‐3 levels, but not LGALS3 genotypes, were associated with multiple inflammatory marker levels. Further study may be necessary to elucidate the molecular mechanism of galectin‐3 in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory disorders.
Deleterious mis‐splicing of STK11 caused by a novel single‐nucleotide substitution in the 3′ polypyrimidine tract of intron five
Authors: Terkelsen Thorkild , Larsen Ole H. , Vang Søren , Jensen Uffe B. , Wikman Friedrik 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundPathogenic variants in STK11, also designated as LKB1, cause Peutz–Jeghers syndrome, which is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by mucocutaneous pigmentation changes, polyposis, and a high risk of cancer.MethodsA male meeting the clinical diagnostic criteria for Peutz–Jeghers syndrome underwent next‐generation sequencing. To validate the predicted splicing impact of a detected STK11 variant, we performed RNA‐Seq on mRNA extracted from patient‐derived Epstein‐Barr virus‐transformed lymphocytes treated with cycloheximide to inhibit nonsense‐mediated decay ex vivo.ResultsBlood testing identified a novel single‐nucleotide substitution, NM_000455.4:c.735‐10C>A, at the end of the 3′ polypyrimidine tract of intron five in STK11. RNA‐Seq confirmed a predicted eight base pair insertion in the mRNA transcript. Following inhibition of nonsense‐mediated decay, the out‐of‐frame insertion was detected in 50% of all RNA‐Seq reads. This confirmed a strong, deleterious splicing impact of the variant.ConclusionWe characterized a novel likely pathogenic germline variant in intron five of STK11 associated with Peutz–Jeghers syndrome. The study highlights RNA‐Seq as a useful supplement in hereditary cancer predisposition testing.