bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ultra‐structural analysis of human spermatozoa by aperture scanning near‐field optical microscopy
Authors: Troian Barbara , Boscolo Rita , Ricci Giuseppe , Lazzarino Marco , Zito Gabriella , Prato Stefano , Andolfi Laura 
Published: January 2020

AbstractScanning near‐field optical microscopy (SNOM) represents a potential candidate for investigation of ultrastructure in human spermatozoa. It is a noninvasive optical technique that offers two main advantages: minimal sample preparation and simultaneous topographical and optical images acquisition with a spatial resolution beyond the diffraction limit. This enables the combination of surface characterization and information from the inner cellular organization in a single acquisition providing an immediate and comprehensive analysis of the cellular portions. In this work spermatozoa are immobilized on poly‐L‐lysine coated coverslips, fixed according to a standard protocol and imaged by aperture‐SNOM in air. In the SNOM images, all peculiar sperm portions show well‐resolved optical features, which exhibit good similarities with the structures revealed in transmission electron microscopy images, as compared with literature data. The optical features of anomalous spermatozoa are clearly different as respect with those observed for healthy ones. This analysis reveals the potentialities of SNOM and opens to its application to high‐resolution analysis of sperm morphological alterations, which might be relevant in reproductive medicine.
Synthesis and bio‐evaluation of novel 2‐arylquinoxaline
Authors: Gundlewad Gangadhar B. , Patil Bhagwan. R. 
Published: January 2020

Abstract2‐Arylquinoxalines were synthesized by the condensation of α‐chloroacetophenone and o‐phenylenediamine (1:1) using pyridine as catalyst in THF at room temperature. All the compounds were characterized by spectral data. Furthermore, these are screened for in vivo anti‐inflammatory activity by carrageenan induced rat hind paw edema methods all the compounds were displayed significant anti‐inflammatory activity. The title compounds were also shown good antibacterial and antifungal activity.
Synthesis and characterization of novel 2‐(1‐benzyl‐3‐[4‐fluorophenyl]‐1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl)‐7‐fluoro‐4H‐chromen‐4‐one derivatives
Authors: Hon Kiran S. , Akolkar Hemantkumar N. , Karale Bhausaheb K. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractNovel 1‐benzyl‐3‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐1H‐pyrazole‐4‐carbaldehydes 3a to 3e were synthesized via Vilsmeier‐Haack reaction of the appropriate 1‐benzyl‐2‐(1‐(4‐fluorophenyl)ethylidene)hydrazines, derived from 4‐fluoroacetophenone 1 with substituted 2‐benzylhydrazines 2a to 2e. The base catalyzed condensation of 1‐benzyl‐3‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐1H‐pyrazole‐4‐carbaldehydes 3a to 3e with 1‐(4‐fluoro‐2‐hydroxyphenyl)ethanone 4 gave (E)‐3‐(1‐benzyl‐3‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl)‐1‐(4‐fluoro‐2‐hydroxyphenyl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐ones 5a to 5e. On cyclization with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)/I2, compounds 5a to 5e gave 2‐(1‐benzyl‐3‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl)‐7‐fluoro‐4H‐chromen‐4‐ones 6a to 6e. Structures of all novel compounds were confirmed by infrared (IR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), carbon nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR), and mass spectral data. All the synthesized compounds were screened for their antibacterial activities.
Misdiagnosis of CTX due to propofol: The interference of total intravenous propofol anaesthesia with bile acid profiling
Authors: Claesen Joep L. A. , Koomen Erik , Schene Imre F. , Jans Judith J. M. , Mast Natalia , Pikuleva Irina A. , van der Ham Maria , de Sain‐van der Velden Monique G. M. , Fuchs Sabine A. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundCerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) is a rare genetic disorder, characterised by chronic diarrhoea, xanthomas, cataracts, and neurological deterioration. CTX is caused by CYP27A1 deficiency, which leads to abnormal cholesterol and bile acid metabolism. Urinary bile acid profiling (increased m/z 627: glucuronide‐5β‐cholestane‐pentol) serves as diagnostic screening for CTX. However, this led to a false positive CTX diagnosis in two patients, who had received total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) with propofol.MethodsTo determine the influence of propofol on bile acid profiling, 10 urinary samples and 2 blood samples were collected after TIVA with propofol Fresenius 7 to 10 mg/kg/h from 12 subjects undergoing scoliosis correction. Urinary bile acids were analysed using flow injection negative electrospray mass spectrometry. Propofol binding to recombinant CYP27A1, the effects of propofol on recombinant CYP27A1 activity, and CYP27A1 expression in liver organoids were investigated using spectral binding, enzyme activity assays, and qPCR, respectively. Accurate masses were determined with high‐resolution mass spectrometry.ResultsAbnormal urinary profiles were identified in all subjects after TIVA, with a trend correlating propofol dose per kilogramme and m/z 627 peak intensity. Propofol only induced a weak CYP27A1 response in the spectral binding assay, minimally affected CYP27A1 activity and did not affect CYP27A1 expression. The accurate mass of m/z 627 induced by propofol differed >10 PPM from m/z 627 observed in CTX.ConclusionsTIVA with propofol invariably led to a urinary profile misleadingly suggestive of CTX, but not through CYP27A1 inhibition. To avoid further misdiagnoses, propofol administration should be considered when interpreting urinary bile acid profiles.
Genetics of age‐related hearing loss
Authors: Wells Helena Rose Rees , Newman Tracey A. , Williams Frances M. K. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractAge‐related hearing loss (ARHL) has recently been confirmed as a common complex trait, that is, it is heritable with many genetic variants each contributing a small amount of risk, as well as environmental determinants. Historically, attempts to identify the genetic variants underlying the ARHL have been of limited success, relying on the selection of candidate genes based on the limited knowledge of the pathophysiology of the condition, and linkage studies in samples comprising related individuals. More recently genome‐wide association studies have been performed, but these require very large samples having consistent and reliable phenotyping for hearing loss (HL), and early attempts suffered from lack of reliable replication of their findings. Replicated variants shown associated with ARHL include those lying in genes GRM7, ISG20, TRIOBP, ILDR1, and EYA4. The availability of large biobanks and the development of collaborative consortia have led to a breakthrough over the last couple of years, and many new genetic variants associated with ARHL are becoming available, through the analysis publicly available bioresources and electronic health records. These findings along with immunohistochemistry and mouse models of HL look set to help disentangle the genetic architecture of ARHL, and highlight the need for standardization of phenotyping methods to facilitate data sharing and collaboration across research networks.
Growth and Clinical Outcome in Very Low‐Birth‐Weight Infants After the Introduction of a Multicomponent Intravenous Lipid Emulsion
Authors: Hill Nicole S. , Cormack Barbara E. , Little Bridget S. , Bloomfield Frank H. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundVery low‐birth‐weight (VLBW; birth weight < 1500 g) infants are often dependent on intravenous nutrition after birth. Conventional soy‐based intravenous lipid emulsions (Soy LE) are associated with inflammatory and metabolic complications that may be harmful to preterm infants. Evidence to support any clinical benefit associated with newer multicomponent emulsions (Mixed LE), remains inconsistent and unsubstantiated in appropriate studies. This retrospective study aimed to determine whether growth and clinical outcomes differed between VLBW infants given Mixed LE vs Soy LE at Auckland City Hospital.MethodsData were collected on nutrition, growth, and neonatal morbidities for the first 4 weeks after birth. Outcomes were compared between 2 lipid cohorts, Soy LE (February 2013 – August 2014) and Mixed LE (August 2014 – December 2015), using univariate and multivariate analysis.Results207 infants (Soy LE, 105 vs Mixed LE, 102) were included in the study. Significantly fewer infants in the Mixed LE cohort developed any stage retinopathy of prematurity (Soy LE 59% vs Mixed LE 39%, P = .005) or intraventricular hemorrhage (Soy LE 27% vs Mixed LE 15%, P = .03) during their admission. Mixed LE was also associated with significantly lower mean (P = .01), minimum (P = .03), and maximum (P = .04) total bilirubin concentrations across the first 4 weeks after birth. There was no difference in growth velocity or weight, length, and head circumference z‐score change.ConclusionSMOFlipid may represent a favorable alternative to conventional lipid emulsions in neonatal parenteral nutrition regimens; however, long‐term effects should be further evaluated.
Passivated‐electrode insulator‐based dielectrophoretic separation of heterogeneous cell mixtures
Authors: Kikkeri Kruthika , Kerr Bethany A. , Bertke Andrea S. , Strobl Jeannine S. , Agah Masoud 
Published: January 2020

AbstractRapid and accurate purification of various heterogeneous mixtures is a critical step for a multitude of molecular, chemical, and biological applications. Dielectrophoresis has shown to be a promising technique for particle separation due to its exploitation of the intrinsic electrical properties, simple fabrication, and low cost. Here, we present a geometrically novel dielectrophoretic channel design which utilizes an array of localized electric fields to separate a variety of unique particle mixtures into distinct populations. This label‐free device incorporates multiple winding rows with several nonuniform structures on to sidewalls to produce high electric field gradients, enabling high locally generated dielectrophoretic forces. A balance between dielectrophoretic forces and Stokes’ drag is used to effectively isolate each particle population. Mixtures of polystyrene beads (500 nm and 2 μm), breast cancer cells spiked in whole blood, and for the first time, neuron and satellite glial cells were used to study the separation capabilities of the design. We found that our device was able to rapidly separate unique particle populations with over 90% separation yields for each investigated mixture. The unique architecture of the device uses passivated‐electrode insulator‐based dielectrophoresis in an innovative microfluidic device to separate a variety of heterogeneous mixture without particle saturation in the channel.
Magnetic solid‐phase extraction method for extraction of some pesticides in vegetable and fruit juices
Authors: Farajzadeh Mir Ali , Safi Razieh , Yadeghari Adeleh 
Published: January 2020

AbstractA new version of magnetic solid‐phase extraction performed in a narrow‐bore tube has been proposed for the extraction and preconcentration of different pesticides from various vegetable and fruit juices followed by gas chromatography. A few milligrams of C8@SiO2@Fe3O4 nanoparticles are added into an aqueous sample solution placed in a narrow‐bore tube. The sorbent particles move down through the tube under gravity and are collected at the end of the tube by applying an external magnetic field. The end of the tube is narrower and it is connected to a stopcock. After a predetermined time, the stopcock is opened and the solution is passed through the bed of the sorbent maintained by the magnet. Then the adsorbed analytes are desorbed using an elution solvent. To achieve high enrichment factors, a dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction method is carried out. The nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and FTIR spectroscopy. Under the optimum extraction conditions, limits of detection and quantification were in the ranges of 0.1–0.3 and 0.3–0.9 μg/L, respectively. High enrichment factors (1166–1605) and good extraction recoveries (58–80%) were obtained.
A novel interstitial deletion of chromosome 2q21.1‐q23.3: Case report and literature review
Authors: Almuzzaini Bader , Alatwi Nasser S. , Alsaif Saif , Al Balwi Mohammed A. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundInterstitial deletions of 2q are rare. Those that have been reported show varying clinical manifestations according to the size of the deletion and the genomic region involved.Method and ResultsWe describe a preterm male harboring a novel interstitial deletion encompassing the 2q21.2‐q23.3 region of 2q, a deletion that has not been described previously. The patient had multiple congenital anomalies including agenesis of the corpus callosum, congenital cardiac defects, bilateral hydronephrosis, spontaneous intestinal perforation, hypospadias and cryptorchidism, sacral dimple and rocker‐bottom feet. Array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) analysis revealed a de novo >18 Mb deletion at 2q21.1–q23.3, a region that included (605802, 611472 and 604593) OMIM genes.ConclusionTo the best of our knowledge this is the first report of a de novo interstitial deletion at 2q21.1–q23.3 in which haploinsufficiency of dose‐sensitive genes is shown to contribute to the patient's phenotype.
Impact of transverse magnetic fields on dose response of a radiophotoluminescent glass dosimeter in megavoltage photon beams
Authors: Ito Shotaro , Araki Fujio , Ohno Takeshi 
Published: January 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of transverse magnetic fields on the dose response of a radiophotoluminescent glass dosimeter (RGD) in megavoltage photon beams.MethodsThe RGD relative response (i.e., RGD dose per absorbed dose to water at the midpoint of the detector in the absence of the detector) was calculated using Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. Note that the Monte Carlo calculations do not account for changes of the signal production per unit dose to the RGD caused by the magnetic field strength. The relative energy response RQ, the relative magnetic response RB, and the relative overall response RQ,B with the transverse magnetic fields of 0–3 T were analyzed as a function of depth, for a 10 cm × 10 cm field in a solid water phantom, for 4–18 MV photons. Although magnetic resonance (MR) linacs with flattening filter free beams are commercially available, flattening filter beams were used to investigate the RGD response in this study. RQ is the response in beam quality Q relative to that in the reference beam with quality 6 MV, RB is the response in beam quality Q with the magnetic field relative to that in beam quality Q without the magnetic field, and the RQ,B is the response in beam quality Q with the magnetic field relative to that in the reference beam with quality 6 MV without the magnetic field. Two RGD orientations were considered: RGD long axis is parallel (direction A) and perpendicular (direction B) to the magnetic field. The reference irradiation conditions were at the depth of 10 cm for a 10 cm × 10 cm field for 6 MV, without the magnetic field. In addition, the influence of a small air‐gap between the holder inner wall and the RGD on the dose response in the magnetic field, Rgap, was analyzed in detail. Rgap is the response in beam quality Q without/with the air‐gap.ResultsRQ decreased by up to 2.7% as the energy increased in the range of 4–18 MV, except in the buildup region. In direction A, the variation of RB owing to the magnetic field strength was below 1.0%, regardless of the photon energy. In contrast, in direction B, RB decreased with increasing magnetic field strength and decreased up to 4.0% at 3 T for 10 MV. The Rgap for 0.03 and 0.05 cm air‐gap models in direction A decreased up to 2.3% and up to 4.0%, respectively.ConclusionsThe variation of RQ,B changed with the direction of the RGD relative to the magnetic field. For dose measurements, RGDs should be positioned with the long axis parallel to the magnetic field, without air‐gaps.
30% Ethanol Locks Are Effective in Preventing Central Line–Associated Bloodstream Infections in Pediatric Intestinal Failure: A Pilot Study
Authors: Vanegas Calderon Oriana , Rahhal Riad 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundComplications related to central venous lines (CVLs) are common in intestinal failure (IF), including central line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). Replacing heparin with 70% ethanol locks can reduce infection rates; however, concerns exist about potential negative effects on catheter integrity. We hypothesized that a lower ethanol concentration combined with citrate would prevent catheter‐related complications, including CLABSIs.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study in pediatric IF patients assessing rates of CLABSIs, catheter repair, catheter replacement, and thrombolytic (alteplase) use for suspected catheter‐related thromboses comparing heparin, 70% ethanol, and 30% ethanol–2.8% citrate locks.ResultsSix patients were included with a total of 8777 catheter days. All patients utilized silicone single‐lumen CVLs for venous access. The rate of CLABSIs was highest with heparin at 13.9 events per 1000 catheter days, which significantly dropped to 1.6 per 1000 catheter days on 70% ethanol (P = .02) and remained significantly low at 0.4 per 1000 catheter days when transitioning to 30% ethanol–2.8% citrate locks as compared with heparin (P = .01). No statistically significant differences were noted among the groups in rates of catheter repair and replacement and alteplase use.ConclusionThis pilot study provides supportive evidence that a lower ethanol lock concentration may be effective in maintaining a low rate of CLABSIs in pediatric IF patients using silicone CVLs. Although this study did not show significant positive impact on catheter integrity and durability, there are other potential benefits to using lower ethanol concentrations including reduced systemic ethanol exposure in children.
Primal column generation framework for vehicle and crew scheduling problems
Authors: Himmich Ilyas , El Hallaoui Issmail , Soumis François 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe primal adjacency‐based algorithm and the multidirectional dynamic programming algorithm are two exact methods that have recently been developed to efficiently solve the shortest path problem with resource constraints (SPPRCs). These methods are primal in the sense that they are able to produce sequences of feasible solutions using iterative exploration of the search space. Since the SPPRCs often appear as a subproblem (SP) in the solution of vehicle and crew scheduling problems (VCSP) using column generation (CG), we propose a new primal column generation framework that embeds these primal methods in a CG scheme. The primal column generation solves at each iteration a sequence of appropriate restricted SP and stops solving the SP when there is no need to continue. This approach introduces a large degree of flexibility, and allows performing good cost improvements in a very limited time. Computational experiments on VCSP instances show that the proposed approach is able to find optimal solutions while reducing the time spent solving the SP by factors of up to seven compared to the standard CG algorithm. This leads to significant improvements in the overall solution times, with an average reduction factor of 3.5.
Nanoparticle‐Reinforced Silica Gels with Enhanced Mechanical Properties and Excellent pH‐Sensing Performance
Authors: Xie Xinyuan , Deng Yingshi , Peng Jiehui , Zheng Shiqi , Cao Chezheng , Xie Weiguo , Li Xiaochun 
Published: January 2020

AbstractSilica gels offer excellent wear resistance, high chemical stability, good insulation, and light transmittance, are therefore promising to engineer 2D sensing films. However, their practical applications are greatly hampered by their poor structural stability, low sensitivity, reliability, and repeatability. Incorporation of nanoelements into glasses and ceramics is a promising new pathway to tackle these challenges. Unfortunately, it is difficult to disperse nanoparticles uniformly in any glass and ceramics. Herein, a facile sol–gel approach is applied to synthesize novel silica gel nanocomposites with dispersed nanoparticles (NPs) as additives and thymol blue as an indicator. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) NPs with a diameter of 5 nm can be dispersed uniformly in the silica gel, with enhanced modulus and hardness (up to 230% and 138%, respectively) and good alkaline resistance. The addition of nanoparticles improves the film's stability, sensitivity, and repeatability of spectral responses (in pH 1–12), and reduces the indicator leakage. The interaction of indicator with silica gel substrate, nanoparticles, and H+ is analyzed to elucidate the principle of reversible color change. This novel simplified method to produce glass‐like functional materials under much lower temperatures is groundbreaking in materials science and engineering.
Void Collapse in Shocked ‐HMX Single Crystals: Simulations and Experiments
Authors: Duarte Camilo A. , Hamed Ahmed , Drake Jonathan D. , Sorensen Christian J. , Son Steven F. , Chen Weynong W. , Koslowski Marisol 
Published: January 2020

AbstractHeat generation in the vicinity of a void during shock compression plays a key role in the initiation of energetic materials. The shock response of a single
‐HMX crystal with a single void is studied with simulations that include plasticity and heat transport. The numerical results are validated with an experiment in which a 500
m void is machined in an HMX single crystal and impacted. Experiments and simulations of the dynamical evolution of the morphology of the void during the collapse and the rate of the area are in very good agreement for weak shocks.
A novel quantification of information for longitudinal data analyzed by mixed‐effects modeling
Authors: Yuan Min , Li Yi , Yang Yaning , Xu Jinfeng , Tao Fangbiao , Zhao Liang , Zhou Honghui , Pinheiro Jose , Xu Xu Steven 
Published: January 2020

SummaryNonlinear mixed‐effects (NLME) modeling is one of the most powerful tools for analyzing longitudinal data especially under the sparse sampling design. The determinant of the Fisher information matrix is a commonly used global metric of the information that can be provided by the data under a given model. However, in clinical studies, it is also important to measure how much information the data provide for a certain parameter of interest under the assumed model, for example, the clearance in population pharmacokinetic models. This paper proposes a new, easy‐to‐interpret information metric, the “relative information” (RI), which is designed for specific parameters of a model and takes a value between 0% and 100%. We establish the relationship between interindividual variability for a specific parameter and the variance of the associated parameter estimator, demonstrating that, under a “perfect” experiment (eg, infinite samples or/and minimum experimental error), the RI and the variance of the model parameter estimator converge, respectively, to 100% and the ratio of the interindividual variability for that parameter and the number of subjects. Extensive simulation experiments and analyses of three real datasets show that our proposed RI metric can accurately characterize the information for parameters of interest for NLME models. The new information metric can be readily used to facilitate study designs and model diagnosis.