bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of SWCNTs-reinforced EPDM/SBR matrices for shock absorbing applications
Authors: Bahadar Ali , Zwawi Mohammed 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
The present research investigates the effects of various concentrations of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) on the viscoelastic and thermomechanical characteristics of styrene-butadiene/ethylene propylene diene polymer (SBR/EPDM) blended polymeric matrices (60:40). Standard elastomeric methods are used to synthesise SWCNTs-reinforced EPDM/SBR nanocomposite blends. The results reveal that high SWCNTs concentrations offer remarkable thermal stability enhancement. SWCNTs reinforced with 0.6 mass% EPDM/SBR become 20% harder, with Tangent Delta values boosted by 70% with maximum cross-linking, elongation enhanced by 38% and tensile strength improved by 35%. With the 38% elongation enhancement, storage modulus is increased by 80%, whereas compressive strain is reduced by 20%. The planned hybrid nanocomposites exhibit viscoelastic characteristics against applied shock, in which the viscous component is associated with spongy structure, whereas the elastic component is associated with spring-like response.
Nerve Blocks Prior to Microfocused Ultrasound Treatment are Safe and Reduce Patient Discomfort
Authors: Polacco Marc A , Butz Daniel R , Bass Rachel , Luu Teresa , Kurum Esra , DiCarlo Agatha , Maas Corey S 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Background
Microfocused ultrasound with visualization has become one of the more popular nonsurgical facial rejuvenation therapies available. Although the treatment has gained wide acceptance, providing adequate pain relief during the procedure can be challenging.

Objectives
The aim of this study was to test our hypothesis that nerve blocks prior to treatment would be well tolerated and significantly reduce patient discomfort.

Methods
Subjects undergoing microfocused ultrasound were offered the choice of participating in a split face nerve block, bilateral block, or a control group. Nerves targeted included infraorbital, supratrochlear, supraorbital, zygomaticofrontal, mental, great auricular, and cervical plexus. Pain assessment was based on a 10-point Wong-Backer FACES Pain score.

Results
A total of 65 patients were included in the study: 28 in the split face group, 19 in the bilateral block group, and 18 without a block. The mean [standard deviation] pain score of the bilateral block cohort was 3.9 [1.2], and that of the control group was 5.1 [1.7] (P = 0.001). Patients in the split face cohort reported a higher pain score on the unblocked side of the face (7.5 [1.3]) than on the blocked side (2.9 [1.0]) (P &lt; 0.001). The mean pain score for local anesthetic injection was 2.7 and 1.4 for the split face and the bilateral groups, respectively. There were no adverse events.

Conclusions
Nerve blocks are well tolerated and significantly improve patient comfort during microfocused ultrasound treatment without compromising outcomes or increasing adverse events.

Level of Evidence: 2
Randomization-based confidence intervals for cluster randomized trials
Authors: Rabideau Dustin J , Wang Rui 
Published: January 2020

SummaryIn a cluster randomized trial (CRT), groups of people are randomly assigned to different interventions. Existing parametric and semiparametric methods for CRTs rely on distributional assumptions or a large number of clusters to maintain nominal confidence interval (CI) coverage. Randomization-based inference is an alternative approach that is distribution-free and does not require a large number of clusters to be valid. Although it is well-known that a CI can be obtained by inverting a randomization test, this requires testing a non-zero null hypothesis, which is challenging with non-continuous and survival outcomes. In this article, we propose a general method for randomization-based CIs using individual-level data from a CRT. This approach accommodates various outcome types, can account for design features such as matching or stratification, and employs a computationally efficient algorithm. We evaluate this method’s performance through simulations and apply it to the Botswana Combination Prevention Project, a large HIV prevention trial with an interval-censored time-to-event outcome.
Embryology of Styracaceae and implications for the evolution of the integument number in Ericales
Authors: Shinke Ikumi , Tokuoka Toru 
Published: January 2020

AbstractPhylogenetic relationships in Styracaceae are well understood, but embryological characters and the ontogeny of integument(s) are still uncertain in many species. The goals of this study are to evaluate the systematic implications of embryological characters in Styracaceae, clarify the character evolution of the number of integuments and suggest a mechanism for the transition between unitegmic and bitegmic ovules. We examined the embryological characters of four genera and five species of Styracaceae, most of which were shared across taxa. However, Styrax has specific embryological features including bitegmic ovules, a multiplicative and sclerotic outer mesotesta and vascular bundles in the testa, all possible autapomorphies. The other three genera of Styracaceae share a unitegmic ovule, a parenchymatous mesotesta and a seed coat without vascular bundles, possible plesiomorphies with Diapensiaceae and Symplocaceae. The transition from a unitegmic to a bitegmic condition can be interpreted to be caused by a downwards shift of the boundary between the inner and outer integument, due to reduced activity in the subdermal initials and increased activity in the dermal initials of the outer integument at its base.
Adipose-derived stem cells improve grafted burn wound healing by promoting wound bed blood flow
Authors: Fujiwara Osamu , Prasai Anesh , Perez-Bello Dannelys , El Ayadi Amina , Petrov Irene Y , Esenaliev Rinat O , Petrov Yuriy , Herndon David N , Finnerty Celeste C , Prough Donald S , Enkhbaatar Perenlei 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Background
Researchers have explored the use of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) as a cell-based therapy to cover wounds in burn patients; however, underlying mechanistic aspects are not completely understood. We hypothesized that ASCs would improve post-burn wound healing after eschar excision and grafting by increasing wound blood flow via induction of angiogenesis-related pathways.

Methods
To test the hypothesis, we used an ovine burn model. A 5 cm2 full thickness burn wound was induced on each side of the dorsum. After 24 hours, the burned skin was excised and a 2 cm2 patch of autologous donor skin was grafted. The wound sites were randomly allocated to either topical application of 7 million allogeneic ASCs or placebo treatment (phosphate-buffered saline [PBS]). Effects of ASCs culture media was also compared to those of PBS. Wound healing was assessed at one and two weeks following the application of ASCs. Allogeneic ASCs were isolated, cultured and characterized from non-injured healthy sheep. The identity of the ASCs was confirmed by flow cytometry analysis, differentiation into multiple lineages and gene expression via real-time polymerase chain reaction. Wound blood flow, epithelialization, graft size and take and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were determined via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot.

Results
Treatment with ASCs accelerated the patch graft growth compared to the control (p &lt; 0.05). Topical application of ASCs significantly increased wound blood flow (p &lt; 0.05). Expression of VEGF was significantly higher in the wounds treated with ASCs compared to control (p &lt; 0.05).

Conclusions
ASCs accelerated grafted skin growth possibly by increasing the blood flow via angiogenesis induced by a VEGF-dependent pathway.
APOE-ε4 Shapes the Cerebral Organization in Cognitively Intact Individuals as Reflected by Structural Gray Matter Networks
Authors: Cacciaglia Raffaele , Molinuevo José Luis , Falcón Carles , Arenaza-Urquijo Eider M , Sánchez-Benavides Gonzalo , Brugulat-Serrat Anna , Blennow Kaj , Zetterberg Henrik , Gispert Juan Domingo ,   for the ALFA study, Cañas Alba , Deulofeu Carme , Dominguez Ruth , Fauria Karine , Félez-Sánchez Marta , González de Echevarri José M , Grau-Rivera Oriol , Hernandez Laura , Huesa Gema , Huguet Jordi , Marne Paula , Menchón Tania , Milà-Alomà Marta , Minguillon Carolina , Operto Grégory , Pascual Maria , Polo Albina , Pradas Sandra , Sala-Vila Aleix , Soteras Anna , Suárez-Calvet Marc , Tenas Laia , Vilanova Marc , Vilor-Tejedor Natalia 
Published: January 2020

AbstractGray matter networks (GMn) provide essential information on the intrinsic organization of the brain and appear to be disrupted in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Apolipoprotein E (APOE)-ε4 represents the major genetic risk factor for AD, yet the association between APOE-ε4 and GMn has remained unexplored. Here, we determine the impact of APOE-ε4 on GMn in a large sample of cognitively unimpaired individuals, which was enriched for the genetic risk of AD. We used independent component analysis to retrieve sources of structural covariance and analyzed APOE group differences within and between networks. Analyses were repeated in a subsample of amyloid-negative subjects. Compared with noncarriers and heterozygotes, APOE-ε4 homozygotes showed increased covariance in one network including primarily right-lateralized, parietal, inferior frontal, as well as inferior and middle temporal regions, which mirrored the formerly described AD-signature. This result was confirmed in a subsample of amyloid-negative individuals. APOE-ε4 carriers showed reduced covariance between two networks encompassing frontal and temporal regions, which constitute preferential target of amyloid deposition. Our data indicate that, in asymptomatic individuals, APOE-ε4 shapes the cerebral organization in a way that recapitulates focal morphometric alterations observed in AD patients, even in absence of amyloid pathology. This suggests that structural vulnerability in neuronal networks associated with APOE-ε4 may be an early event in AD pathogenesis, possibly upstream of amyloid deposition.
Predictive Relevance of Circulating miR-622 in Patients with Newly Diagnosed and Recurrent High-Grade Serous Ovarian Carcinoma
Authors: Vigneron Nicolas , Vernon Mégane , Meryet-Figuière Matthieu , Lambert Bernard , Briand Mélanie , Louis Marie-Hélène , Krieger Sophie , Joly Florence , Lheureux Stéphanie , Blanc-Fournier Cécile , Gauduchon Pascal , Poulain Laurent , Denoyelle Christophe 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Background
Identifying patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) who will respond to treatment remains a clinical challenge. We focused on miR-622, a miRNA involved in the homologous recombination repair (HRR) pathway, and we assessed its predictive value in serum prior to first-line chemotherapy and at relapse.

Methods
Serum miR-622 expression was assessed in serum prior to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy in a prospective multicenter study (miRNA Serum Analysis, miRSA, NCT01391351) and a retrospective cohort (Biological Resource Center, BRC), and was also studied at relapse. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were used as primary and secondary endpoints prior to first-line chemotherapy and OS as a primary endpoint at relapse.

Results
The group with high serum miR-622 expression was associated with a significantly lower PFS (15.4 versus 24.4 months; adjusted HR 2.11, 95% CI 1.2 3.8, P = 0.015) and OS (29.7 versus 40.6 months; adjusted HR 7.68, 95% CI 2.2–26.2, P = 0.0011) in the miRSA cohort. In the BRC cohort, a high expression of miR-622 was also associated with a significantly lower OS (22.8 versus 35.9 months; adjusted HR 1.98, 95% CI 1.1–3.6, P = 0.026). At relapse, high serum miR-622 was associated with a significantly lower OS (7.9 versus 20.6 months; adjusted HR 3.15, 95% CI 1.4–7.2, P = 0.0062). Serum miR-622 expression is a predictive independent biomarker of response to platinum-based chemotherapy for newly diagnosed and recurrent HGSOC.

Conclusions
These results may open new perspectives for HGSOC patient stratification and monitoring of resistance to platinum-based and poly(ADP-ribose)-polymerase-inhibitor-maintenance therapies, facilitating better and personalized treatment decisions.
A Closed-Tube Nested Quantitative PCR Assay for Rapid Detection of Intron 22 Inversions in the Factor VIII Gene
Authors: Jin Shengnan , Shang Qingjuan , Jin Weijiang , Yang Liuqing , Ye Qian , Wang Xi , Zhang Tianran , Hou Mingliang , Liu Yangyang , Han Jiamin , Ding Rongxiu , Luan Ju , Wang Xuefeng , Jiang Minghua , Ding Chunming 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Background
An inversion of intron 22 in the Factor VIII gene (Inv22) is the causative mutation for 45% of severe hemophilia A cases. Available methods for molecular diagnosis of Inv22 are generally tedious and not ideal for routine clinical use.

Methods
We report here a new method using a single closed-tube nested quantitative PCR (CN–qPCR) for rapid detection of Inv22. This method combines a 12-cycle long-distance PCR (LD–PCR) amplifying the int22h regions, followed by a duplex qPCR targeting two specific regions close to the int22h regions. All reagents were added to a single PCR mixture for the closed-tube assay. Sequential LD–PCR and qPCR was achieved by designing primers at substantially different melting temperatures and optimizing PCR conditions.

Results
Seventy-nine male hemophilia A patients of different disease severity were tested by both the CN–qPCR assay and the standard LD–PCR assay. CN–qPCR successfully made calls for all samples, whereas LD–PCR failed in eight samples. For the 71 samples where both methods made calls, the concordance was 100%. Inv22 was detected in 17 out of the 79 samples. Additionally, CN–qPCR achieved clear separation for 10 female carriers and 10 non-Inv22 females, suggesting the assay may also be useful for molecular diagnosis of female carriers.

Conclusions
This new CN–qPCR method may provide a convenient and accurate F8 Inv22 test suitable for clinical use.
Hair cortisol analyses in different mammal species: choosing the wrong assay may lead to erroneous results
Authors: Jewgenow Katarina , Azevedo Alexandre , Albrecht Mareen , Kirschbaum Clemens , Dehnhard Martin 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Wild animals are faced with a broad range of environmental stressors and research is needed to better understand their effect on populations. Hormone analysis based on enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) can provide valuable information on adrenocortical activity (stress), and assessment of cortisol in hair may allow the quantification of cortisol production. To validate hair hormone analysis, we compared two EIAs based on antibodies against cortisol-3-CMO-BSA and cortisol-21-HS-BSA for hair glucocorticoid (hGC) measurements in Egyptian mongoose, Iberian lynx, Alpine marmot, Asiatic black bear, spotted hyena and cheetah, with results obtained by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) measurements. Both EIAs were also characterized by HPLC immunograms. Our results revealed that the cortisol-21-HS EIA measured 2.3- to 12-fold higher hGC concentrations than the cortisol-3-CMO assay. In dependence of the species, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) immunograms showed that up to 70% of immunoreactivities determined by the cortisol-21-HS constituted of unknown unpolar compounds leading to an overestimation of hGC. The cortisol-3-CMO EIA expressed a better specificity, with 32.1–67.4% of immunoreactivity represented by cortisol and cortisone. The LC-MS/MS analyses (gold standard) revealed that the cortisol-3-CMO EIA also resulted in an (up to 3-fold) overestimation of hGC, but EIA results were correlated with LC-MS/MS in the mongoose, the lynx, the spotted hyena and the marmot. No correlation was obtained for Asiatic black bears. As a result of our study, we strongly recommend to test any cortisol EIA for its specificity towards extracted hair components. In all analyzed species, except the Asiatic black bear, cortisone and cortisol were simultaneously present in hair extracts; consequently, an appropriate EIA should cross-react to these two glucocorticoid hormones and express negligible affinity towards substances with less polarity than corticosterone. Choosing the wrong EIA for hGC analyses may lead to overestimations of hGC or—in the worst case—to results that do not mirror real adrenocortical activity.
How do Twitter users react to TV broadcasts dedicated to vaccines in Italy?
Authors: Gesualdo Francesco , D’Ambrosio Angelo , Agricola Eleonora , Russo Luisa , Campagna Ilaria , Ferretti Beatrice , Pandolfi Elisabetta , Cristoforetti Marco , Tozzi Alberto E , Rizzo Caterina 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Background
Social media monitoring during TV broadcasts dedicated to vaccines can provide information on vaccine confidence. We analyzed the sentiment of tweets published in reaction to two TV broadcasts in Italy dedicated to vaccines, one based on scientific evidence [Presadiretta (PD)] and one including anti-vaccine personalities [Virus (VS)].

Methods
Tweets about vaccines published in an 8-day period centred on each of the two TV broadcasts were classified by sentiment. Differences in tweets’ and users’ characteristics between the two broadcasts were tested through Poisson, quasi-Poisson or logistic univariate regression. We investigated the association between users’ characteristics and sentiment through univariate quasi-binomial logistic regression.

Results
We downloaded 12 180 tweets pertinent to vaccines, published by 5447 users; 276 users tweeted during both broadcasts. Sentiment was positive in 50.4% of tweets, negative in 37.7% and neutral in 10.1% (remaining tweets were unclear or questions). The positive/negative ratio was higher for VS compared to PD (6.96 vs. 4.24, P&lt;0.001). Positive sentiment was associated to the user’s number of followers (OR 1.68, P&lt;0.001), friends (OR 1.83, P&lt;0.001) and published tweets (OR 1.46, P&lt;0.001) and to being a recurrent user (OR 3.26, P&lt;0.001).

Conclusions
Twitter users were highly reactive to TV broadcasts dedicated to vaccines. Sentiment was mainly positive, especially among very active users. Displaying anti-vaccine positions on TV elicited a positive sentiment on Twitter. Listening to social media during TV shows dedicated to vaccines can provide a diverse set of data that can be exploited by public health institutions to inform tailored vaccine communication initiatives.
Dynamics and ecological distributions of the Archaea microbiome from inland saline lakes (Monegros Desert, Spain)
Authors: Menéndez-Serra Mateu , Ontiveros Vicente J , Triadó-Margarit Xavier , Alonso David , Casamayor Emilio O 
Published: January 2020

ABSTRACT
We characterized the rich Archaea microbiome of shallow inland lakes (Monegros Desert, NE Spain) by 16S rRNA gene tag sequencing covering a wide salinity range (0.1%–40% w/v) along 3 years. Up to 990 operational taxonomic units (OTUs; &gt;97% identity) were detected allocated in 14 major archaeal phyla and heterogeneously distributed along the salt gradient. Dynamics and idiosyncratic ecological distributions were uncovered for the different phyla. A high genetic richness was observed for Woesearchaeota and Pacearchaeota (&gt;370 OTUs each), followed by Halobacteria (105), Nanohaloarchaeota (62) and Thermoplasmata (19). Overall, the distribution of genetic richness was strongly correlated with environmental niche amplitude, but not with occurrence. We unveiled high occurrence for a very rich Woesearchaeota assemblage, and an unexpected positive correlation of Pacearchaeota abundance with salinity at &gt;15% dissolved salt content. The estimated dynamic behaviour (temporal ‘turnover’ rates of presence/absence data) unveiled Thaumarchaeota and Halobacteria as the most dynamic groups, and Aenigmarchaeota and Thermoplasmata as the most stable. The DPANN Pacearchaeota, Woesearchaeota, and Nanohaloarchaeota showed intermediate rates, suggesting higher resilience to environmental perturbations. A rich and dynamic Archaea microbiome was unveiled, including unseen ecological traits for relevant members of the still largely unknown DPANN group, supporting a strong ecological differentiation between Pacearchaeota and Woesearchaeota.
Association Between Characteristics of Injurious Falls and Fall Preventive Interventions in Acute Medical and Surgical Units
Authors: Francis-Coad Jacqueline , Hill Anne-Marie , Jacques Angela , Chandler A Michelle , Richey Phyllis A , Mion Lorraine C , Shorr Ronald I 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundHospital falls remain common and approximately 30% of falls in hospital result in injury. The aims of the study were the following: (i) to identify the association between fall interventions present at the time of the injurious fall and injurious faller characteristics and (ii) to identify the association between fall preventive interventions present at the time of the injurious fall and the injurious fall circumstances.MethodsSecondary data analysis of deidentified case series of injurious falls across 24 acute medical/surgical units in the United States. Variables of interest were falls prevention interventions (physical therapy, bed alarm, physical restraint, room change, or a sitter) in place at the time of fall. Data were analyzed using logistic regression and hazard ratios.ResultsThere were 1,033 patients with an injurious fall, occurrence peaked between Day 1 and Day 4, with 46.8% of injurious falls having occurred by Day 3 of admission. Injurious fallers with a recorded mental state change 24 hours prior to the fall were more likely to have a bed alarm provided (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.61, 4.08) and receive a physical restraint as fall prevention interventions (adjusted OR 6.36, 95% CI 4.35, 9.30). Injurious fallers restrained fell later (stay Day 6) than those without a restraint (stay Day 4) (p = .007) and had significantly longer lengths of stay (13 days vs 9 days).ConclusionsOn medical/surgical units, injurious falls occur early following admission suggesting interventions should be commenced immediately. Injurious fallers who had a physical restraint as an intervention had longer lengths of stay.
Geoblocking in EU Copyright Law: Challenges and Perspectives
Authors: Synodinou Tatiana Eleni 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
EU copyright law has attempted to resolve the antithesis between the ideal of the single market and the concept of copyright territoriality through a modest approach, which is based on the axiom of safeguarding copyright territoriality and of the accompanying geoblocking practices. The aim of this article is to critically analyse the EU’s steps towards the circumvention of the principle of territoriality and of geoblocking and to demonstrate that, as the efforts to create a digital single market are intensified, a strict EU geoblocking policy in relation to services offering access to copyright-protected works cannot be retained. The article is divided into three parts. Part one is dedicated to the consequences of the principle of territoriality on European copyright law (II). Part two is dedicated to the steps, both jurisprudential and legislative, which have been taken to move away from the principle of copyright territoriality at the European level (III). Part three is dedicated to the recently adopted Geoblocking Regulation 2018/302, while possible ways to move forward are also analysed (IV).