bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fabrication and properties of a dense SiC NWs‐toughened α‐Si3N4 composite coating on porous Si3N4 ceramics
Authors: Shangguan Duandan , Wang Binglei , Wang Chao , Zhang Fan , Bai Yu , Wang Zhanjie , Lu Xuefeng 
Published: November 2019

AbstractA dense SiC nanowires‐toughened α‐Si3N4 coating was prepared using a two‐step technique for protecting porous Si3N4 ceramic against mechanical damage, and effect of SiC nanowires content on microstructures and properties of the coating were investigated. XRD, SEM and TEM analysis results revealed that as‐prepared coatings consisted of α‐Si3N4, O'‐Sialon, SiC nanowires and Y–Al–Si–O–N glass phase. Furthermore, Vickers hardness of the coated porous Si3N4 ceramics increased gradually with the increasing SiC nanowires content from 0 to 10 wt%, which is attributed to the gradual improvement in intrinsic elastic modulus (E), hardness (H) and H3/E2 of the coatings. But, when the SiC nanowires content was 15 wt%, the thickness of the coating became relatively thinner, so that its protective ability was weakened and Vickers hardness started to decrease accordingly. Meanwhile, the assistance of SiC nanowires enhanced fracture toughness of the coatings obviously because SiC nanowires in the coatings can produce various toughening mechanisms during mechanical damage. When the SiC nanowires content was 10 wt%, its fracture toughness reached the maximum value, which was 6.27 ± 0.05 MPa·m1/2.
Innate immune molecule surfactant protein D attenuates sepsis‐induced acute kidney injury through modulating apoptosis and NFκB‐mediated inflammation
Authors: Lu Shi‐Jun , Xu Jian‐Hua , He Zhao‐Feng , Wu Peng , Ning Chao , Li Hai‐Yan 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe objective of this study is to investigate the mechanism whereby innate immune molecule surfactant protein D (SP‐D) attenuates sepsis‐induced acute kidney injury (AKI) through modulating apoptosis and nuclear factor kappa‐B (NFκB)‐mediated inflammation. In the present study, a mouse sepsis model was established by cecal ligation and puncture in SP‐D knockout (KO) mice and wild‐type (WT) mice. A sham‐operated group was included as the control. The experimental materials were extracted 6 and 24 hours postoperatively. The plasma levels of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) and MCP‐1 were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Apoptosis was measured by double staining with Annexin V/propidium iodide and flow cytometry. The levels of NFκB in renal tissues were measured by ELISA and Western blotting assay. Apoptosis was detected by TUNEL assays. There were no significant differences in plasma TNF‐α levels between the WT sham group and the KO sham group at 6 and 24 hours postoperatively (P < .05), but the levels of TNF‐α in the WT sepsis and KO sepsis groups were significantly higher than those in controls (P < .05). The levels of TNF‐α in the KO sepsis group were significantly higher than those of the WT sepsis group (P < .05). TNF‐α levels in the WT sepsis group and the KO sepsis group at 24 hours postoperatively were significantly higher than those at 6 hours postoperatively (P < .05). The levels of MCP‐1 in the WT sepsis group and the KO sepsis group at 6 and 24 hours postoperatively were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < .05), and MCP‐1 levels in the KO sepsis group were significantly higher than those in the WT sepsis group (P < .05). MCP‐1 levels in the WT sepsis group and the KO sepsis group at 24 hours postoperatively were significantly higher than those at 6 hours postoperatively (P < .05). The expression of SP‐D in WT kidneys was significantly lower at 6 and 24 hours postoperatively (P < .05). The number of TUNEL‐positive cells in the kidneys from septic SP‐D KO mice was significantly higher (P < .05). The levels of NFκB in septic mice were significantly increased at 6 and 24 hours after induction of sepsis compared with the sham‐operated group compared with those of septic SP‐D KO mice and WT mice (P < .05). Innate immune molecule SP‐D significantly decreased plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines in mice and attenuated sepsis‐induced AKI by inhibiting NFκB activity and apoptosis.
The pro‐inflammatory effect of NR4A3 in osteoarthritis
Authors: Ma Chiyuan , Wu Lingyun , Song Lu , He Yuzhe , Adel Abdo Moqbel Safwat , Yan Shigui , Sheng Kunkun , Wu Haobo , Ran Jisheng , Wu Lidong 
Published: November 2019

AbstractNR4A3 is a member of nuclear receptor subfamily 4, which is an important regulator of cellular function and inflammation. In this study, high expression of NR4A3 in human osteoarthritis (OA) cartilage was firstly observed. To explore the relationship between NR4A3 and OA, we used a lentivirus overexpression system to simulate its high expression and study its role in OA. Additionally, siRNA‐mediated knockdown of NR4A3 was used to confirm the findings of overexpression experiments. The results showed the stimulatory effect of IL‐1β on cartilage matrix‐degrading enzyme expression such as MMP‐3, 9, INOS and COX‐2 was enhanced in NR4A3‐overexpressed chondrocytes and decreased in NR4A3‐knockdown chondrocytes at both mRNA and protein levels, while IL‐1β‐induced chondrocyte‐specific gene (collagen 2 and SOX‐9) degradation was only regulated by NR4A3 at protein level. Furthermore, overexpression of NR4A3 would also enhance EBSS‐induced chondrocytes apoptosis, while knockdown of NR4A3 decreased apoptotic level after EBSS treatment. A pathway study indicated that IL‐1β‐induced NF‐κB activation was enhanced by NR4A3 overexpression and reduced by NR4A3 knockdown. We suggest that NR4A3 plays a pro‐inflammatory role in the development of OA, and we also speculate that NR4A3 mainly regulates cartilage matrix‐degrading gene expression under inflammatory conditions via the NF‐κB pathway.
Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of host‐derived salivary biomarkers in periodontal disease amongst adults: Systematic review
Authors: KC Sukriti , Wang Xiaozhe Z. , Gallagher Jennifer E. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo systematically assess the diagnostic value of host‐derived salivary biomarkers based on their reported sensitivity and specificity in relation to clinical parameters of periodontal disease diagnosis in adults.Materials and MethodsComprehensive search of PubMed, Nature, Cochrane and OVID (Embase, MEDLINE [R] and PsycINFO) was conducted up to 1 August 2018, using key terms relevant to the research questions and Cochrane methodology, supplemented by a grey literature search. The revised Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS‐ 2) tool was used to assess the methodological quality of all included studies.ResultsSeven studies were included in the review. Macrophage inflammatory protein‐1αlpha (MIP‐1α), interleukin‐1beta (IL‐1β), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and matrix metalloproteinase‐8 (MMP‐8) were identified as diagnostically acceptable biomarkers for periodontal disease. Overall, the combination of IL‐6 and MMP‐8 showed best diagnostic performance. Also, a combination of the four key biomarkers (IL‐1β, IL‐6, MMP‐8 and MIP‐1α) showed promising results for distinction between gingivitis and periodontitis, as well as for periodontitis compared with gingival health. Results are interpreted with caution due to limitations in the number of studies included and their quality.ConclusionCertain salivary biomarkers can potentially be useful in combination and singularly for the diagnosis of periodontal disease. However, further methodically robust research is required to validate these biomarkers.
Mentalization‐based treatment in groups for adolescents with borderline personality disorder: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Beck Emma , Bo Sune , Jørgensen Mie Sedoc , Gondan Matthias , Poulsen Stig , Storebø Ole Jakob , Fjellerad Andersen Christian , Folmo Espen , Sharp Carla , Pedersen Jesper , Simonsen Erik 
Published: November 2019

BackgroundBorderline personality disorder (BPD) typically onsets in adolescence and predicts later functional disability in adulthood. Highly structured evidence‐based psychotherapeutic programs, including mentalization‐based treatment (MBT), are first choice treatment. The efficacy of MBT for BPD has mainly been tested with adults, and no RCT has examined the effectiveness of MBT in groups (MBT‐G) for adolescent BPD.MethodA total of 112 adolescents (111 females) with BPD (106) or BPD symptoms ≥4 DSM‐5 criteria (5) referred to child and adolescent psychiatric outpatient clinics were randomized to a 1‐year MBT‐G, consisting of three introductory, psychoeducative sessions, 37 weekly group sessions, five individual case formulation sessions, and six group sessions for caregivers, or treatment as usual (TAU) with at least 12 monthly individual sessions. The primary outcome was the score on the borderline personality features scale for children (BPFS‐C); secondary outcomes included self‐harm, depression, externalizing and internalizing symptoms (all self‐report), caregiver reports, social functioning, and borderline symptoms rated by blinded clinicians. Outcome assessments were made at baseline, after 10, 20, and 30 weeks, and at end of treatment (EOT). The ClinicalTrials.gov identifier is NCT02068326.ResultsAt EOT, the primary outcome was 71.3 (SD = 15.0) in the MBT‐G group and 71.3 (SD = 15.2) in the TAU group (adjusted mean difference 0.4 BPFS‐C units in favor of MBT‐G, 95% confidence interval −6.3 to 7.1, p = .91). No significant group differences were found in the secondary outcomes. 29% in both groups remitted. 29% of the MBT group completed less than half of the sessions compared with 7% of the control group.ConclusionsThere is no indication for superiority of either therapy method. The low remission rate points to the importance of continued research into early intervention. Specifically, retention problems need to be addressed.
Thirty‐day readmission, length of stay and self‐management behaviour among patients with acute coronary syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus: A scoping review
Authors: Tang Liya , Li Kun , Wu Chiung‐Jung (Jo) 
Published: November 2019

AbstractAims and ObjectivesTo summarise the current evidence on comorbid type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) related to 30‐day readmission and hospital length of stay (LOS) among patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and evidence on the effectiveness of self‐management programmes for patients with both conditions.BackgroundAcute coronary syndrome and T2DM remain two major diseases leading to serious consequences. Thirty‐day readmission and LOS were considered indicators of the quality of care, with the understanding that the potential significant effects of these outcomes could be varied.DesignThis scoping review followed the methodology described by Arksey and O'Malley.MethodsFive databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and CINAHL were searched, and a total of 20 articles involving 913,807 patients were included. Results were reported in accordance with PRISMA‐ScR guidelines.ResultsThe results indicated that patients with both ACS and T2DM have prolonged LOS and increased 30‐day readmission rates. The findings supported that improvements in patient self‐management behaviour for optimal health outcomes were partially successful by effective self‐management programmes; however, few articles on intervention programmes specifically designed for patients with two conditions were found.ConclusionProlonged LOS and increased 30‐day readmission rates are found among patients with ACS and T2DM. Based on few pilot studies building on each other, the effectiveness of self‐management programmes in promoting self‐care behaviour, self‐efficacy and knowledge for patients with ACS and T2DM cannot be concluded.Relevance to clinical practiceFindings from this review provide valuable information on and a better understanding of readmissions and LOS among patients with ACS and T2DM for healthcare providers. Future developments and implementations of effective self‐management programmes should target patients with dual diagnoses to improve health behaviour and reduce readmission and LOS.
The association between oral bacteria, the cough reflex and pneumonia in patients with acute stroke and suspected dysphagia
Authors: Perry Sarah E. , Huckabee Maggie‐Lee , Tompkins Geoffrey , Milne Trudy 
Published: November 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo establish how oral bacteria are related to cough sensitivity and pneumonia in a clinical stroke population.BackgroundStroke patients are at risk of colonisation by respiratory pathogens due, in part, to sudden discontinuation of effective oral hygiene. When combined with reduced cough reflex sensitivity, aspiration of contaminated oropharyngeal contents and can lead to pneumonia. Relationships between oral bacteria, cough sensitivity and pneumonia have not been established.Materials and methodsA total of 102 patients with acute stroke underwent saliva sampling and cough reflex testing at admission to hospital, discharge and one month. A qPCR assay compared levels of bacteria in saliva. Pneumonia events were recorded.ResultsRelative levels of bacteria were lowest at admission to hospital (6.04 × 10−6). There was a slight (non‐significant) increase in bacterial levels at discharge (1.69 × 10−2, P = .73). By one month, bacterial levels had significantly increased (9.17 × 10−2) relative to admission [P < .001] and discharge [P < .001]. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli are not typically found in healthy mouths, yet were detected in 22% of patients during hospitalisation. Combined bacterial levels measured at one month was associated with pneumonia (P = .004) but there was no relationship to cough sensitivity.ConclusionAcute stroke patients were at increased risk of colonisation from respiratory pathogens throughout their recovery. The presence of these pathogens in saliva at one month was associated with adverse respiratory events. Data support the development of protocols to explore risk factors and sequelae of microbiological changes in stroke.
Optimal equilibria for time‐inconsistent stopping problems in continuous time
Authors: Huang Yu‐Jui , Zhou Zhou 
Published: November 2019

AbstractFor an infinite‐horizon continuous‐time optimal stopping problem under nonexponential discounting, we look for an optimal equilibrium, which generates larger values than any other equilibrium does on the entire state space. When the discount function is log subadditive and the state process is one‐dimensional, an optimal equilibrium is constructed in a specific form, under appropriate regularity and integrability conditions. Although there may exist other optimal equilibria, we show that they can differ from the constructed one in very limited ways. This leads to a sufficient condition for the uniqueness of optimal equilibria, up to some closedness condition. To illustrate our theoretic results, a comprehensive analysis is carried out for three specific stopping problems, concerning asset liquidation and real options valuation. For each one of them, an optimal equilibrium is characterized through an explicit formula.
One‐stage Debridement via Oblique Lateral Interbody Fusion Corridor Combined with Posterior Pedicle Screw Fixation in Treating Spontaneous Lumbar Infectious Spondylodiscitis: A Case Series
Authors: Tong Yong‐jun , Liu Jun‐hui , Fan Shun‐wu , Zhao Feng‐dong 
Published: November 2019

ObjectiveSurgery is indicated when antibiotic treatment fails in pyogenic spondylodiscitis, which is caused by pathogens such as the Staphylococcus species. The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of the oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) corridor approach combined with posterior pedicle screw fixation for treating pyogenic spondylodiscitis.MethodsThis was a retrospective case series study. A total of 11 patients with an average age of 60.7 years (range, 40–70 years; 10 males and 1 females) with lumbar pyogenic spondylodiscitis who underwent single‐stage debridement and reconstruction using the OLIF corridor combined with posterior pedicle screw fixation were recruited in our study from June 2016 to July 2017. All patients had single‐level pyogenic spondylodiscitis between T12 and L5. The baseline data, perioperative outcomes (operative time, intra‐operative blood loss, and intra‐operative complication), postoperative laboratory tests (erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR], C‐reactive protein [CRP], white blood count [WBC], and tissue culture results), long‐term complications (recurrence, fixation failure, and bony non‐fusion rates), and duration of antibiotic administration were reviewed. Outcomes evaluated using a variety of scales including visual analog scale (VAS) score and Oswestry disability index (ODI), were compared pre‐operatively and post‐operatively.ResultsThe mean follow‐up period of time was 18.3 months. The average operative time and intra‐operative blood loss were 217.0 ± 91.91 min and 220.9 ± 166.10 mL, respectively. There were no intra‐operative complications, except in 1 patient who encountered somatosensory evoked potentials changes and 1 patient who had motor evoked potentials changes, both without post‐surgery neurological deficits. Causative organisms were identified in 4 patients: Staphylococcus aureus in 1 patient and Streptococcus in 3 patients. At approximately 8.8 weeks after surgery, WBC, CRP, and ESR had returned to normal levels. All patients were pain free with no recurring infection. There was no fixation failure during follow up. Solid bony fusions were observed in all cases within 6 months. At the final follow up, the mean VAS (0.6 ± 0.69) and ODI (14.4 ± 4.27) were significantly lower than those before surgery (P < 0.05).ConclusionOne‐stage debridement with autogenous iliac bone graft through the OLIF corridor combined with posterior pedicle screw fixation is effective and safe for single‐level spontaneous lumbar pyogenic spondylodiscitis after antibiotic treatment fails.
Implantation of subcutaneous defibrillator is feasible and safe with monitored anesthesia care
Authors: Afzal Muhammad R. , Okabe Toshimasa , Koppert Tanner , Tyler Jaret , Houmsse Mahmoud , Augostini Ralph S. , Hummel John D. , Kalbfleisch Steven J. , Iyer Manoj H. , Flores Antolin S. , Bhandary Sujatha , Dimitrova Galina , Elsayed‐Awad Hamdy , Fiorini Kasey , Gorelik Leonid , Perez William , Saklayen Samiya , Stein Erica , Turner Katja , Franklin Nicholas P. , Ryu Jasmine N. , Bhatt Amar , Weiss Raul , Daoud Emile G. , Essandoh Michael 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe perioperative anesthesia care during subcutaneous implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (S‐ICD) implantation is still evolving.ObjectiveTo assess the feasibility and safety of S‐ICD implantation with monitored anesthesia care (MAC) versus general anesthesia (GA) in a tertiary care center.MethodsThis is a single‐center retrospective study of patients undergoing S‐ICD implantation between October 2012 and May 2019. Patients were categorized into MAC and GA group based on the mode of anesthesia. Procedural success without escalation to GA was the primary endpoint of the study, whereas intraprocedural hemodynamics, need of pharmacological support for hypotension and bradycardia, length of the procedure, stay in the post‐anesthesia care unit, and postoperative pain were assessed as secondary endpoints.ResultsThe study comprises 287 patients with MAC in 111 and GA in 176 patients. Compared to MAC, patients in GA group were younger and had a higher body mass index. All patients had successful S‐ICD implantation. Only one patient (0.9%) in the MAC group was converted to GA. Despite a similar baseline heart rate (HR) and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) in both groups, patients with GA had significantly lower HR and MAP during the procedure and more frequently required pharmacological hemodynamic support. Length of the procedure, stay in the postanesthesia care unit, and postoperative pain was similar in both groups.ConclusionThis retrospective experience suggests that implantation of S‐ICD is feasible and safe with MAC. Use of GA is associated with more frequent administration of hemodynamic drugs during S‐ICD implantation.
Extending Processing Toolbox for assessing the logical consistency of OpenStreetMap data
Authors: Sehra Sukhjit Singh , Singh Jaiteg , Rai Hardeep Singh , Anand Sarabjot Singh 
Published: November 2019

AbstractOpenStreetMap (OSM) produces a huge amount of labeled spatial data, but its quality has always been a deep concern. Numerous quality issues have been discussed in the vast literature, while the fitness of OSM for road navigability is only partly explored. Navigability depends on logical consistency, which focuses on the existence of logical contradictions within a data set. Researchers have discussed the insufficiency of established methods and the lack of a computational paradigm to assess the quality of the OSM data. To address the research gaps, the current work extended the capabilities of the Quantum GIS Processing Toolbox for assessment of spatial data. The models and scripts developed are able to assess logical consistency based on geographical topological consistency, semantic information, and morphological consistency. The established and proxy indicators are selected for measuring the logical consistency of OSM data for navigability. For empirical validation, OSM Punjab data are compared with authoritative data from HERE (proprietary) and the Remote Sensing Centre (RSC), Punjab, India. The results conclude that even the proprietary road data sets are not free from logical inconsistencies and data contributed by the masses are credible and navigable. OSM has produced better results than the RSC, but needs more crowd contributions to improve its quality.
Personalized Fiber-Reinforcement Networks for Meniscus Reconstruction
Authors: Patel Jay M. , Brzezinski Andrzej , Ghodbane Salim A. , Tarapore Rae , Lu Tyler M. , Gatt Charles J. , Dunn Michael G. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe menisci are fibrocartilaginous tissues that are crucial to the load-sharing and stability of the knee, and when injured, these properties are compromised. Meniscus replacement scaffolds have utilized the circumferential alignment of fibers to recapitulate the microstructure of the native meniscus; however, specific consideration of size, shape, and morphology has been largely overlooked. The purpose of this study was to personalize the fiber-reinforcement network of a meniscus reconstruction scaffold. Human cadaveric menisci were measured for a host of tissue (length, width) and subtissue (regional widths, root locations) properties, which all showed considerable variability between donors. Next, the asymmetrical fiber network was optimized to minimize the error between the dimensions of measured menisci and predicted fiber networks, providing a 51.0% decrease (p = 0.0091) in root-mean-square (RMS) error. Finally, a separate set of human cadaveric knees was obtained, and donor-specific fiber-reinforced scaffolds were fabricated. Under cyclic loading for load-distribution analysis, in situ implantation of personalized scaffolds following total meniscectomy restored contact area (253.0 mm2 to 488.9 mm2, p = 0.0060) and decreased contact stress (1.96 MPa to 1.03 MPa, p = 0.0025) to near-native values (597.4 mm2 and 0.83 MPa). Clinical use of personalized meniscus devices that restore physiologic contact stress distributions may prevent the development of post-traumatic osteoarthritis following meniscal injury.
Multistability and Stochastic Phenomena in the Distributed Brusselator Model
Authors: Kolinichenko Alexander , Ryashko Lev 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
An influence of random disturbances on the pattern formation in reaction–diffusion systems is studied. As a basic model, we consider the distributed Brusselator with one spatial variable. A coexistence of the stationary nonhomogeneous spatial structures in the zone of Turing instability is demonstrated. A numerical parametric analysis of shapes, sizes of deterministic pattern–attractors, and their bifurcations is presented. Investigating the corporate influence of the multistability and stochasticity, we study phenomena of noise-induced transformation and generation of patterns.