bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Variation in Leaf Constituents and Biochemical Indices of Rats given Psidium guajava from Two Different Areas
Authors: Ekpo Grace , Eze Adindu , Benjamin Amadi , Michael Odey , Sunday Ogar Ishade , Princewill Dasimeokuna 
Published: December 2019

Variation in leaf (heavy metal) constituents and biochemical indices of rats given leaf samples of Psidium guajava from two different areas were evaluated. Results obtained for heavy metal constituents the leaf samples showed the presence of mercury (0.14±0.01 mg/100 g), lead (2.90±0.10 mg/100 g), cadmium (0.05±0.01 mg/100 g), copper (5.01±0.17 mg/100 g), chromium (0.40±0.01 mg/100 g), and cobalt (5.64±0.64 mg/100 g) in P. guajava leaf sample from crude oil polluted area. Only copper (0.80±0.20 mg/100 g) was observed in P. guajava leaf sample from non-crude oil polluted area. The biochemical studies on the leaf samples were carried out using standard methods. Thirty-six rats were distributed in six subgroups with six rats each, under three main groups (I-III). Three of the subgroups were placed on P. guajava leaves from crude oil polluted area (designated Ia, IIa and IIIa) while the other three subgroups were placed on P. guajava leaves from non-crude oil polluted area (designated Ib, IIb and IIIb). The haematological parameters of rats placed on P. guajava from crude oil polluted area such as RBC, Hb, PCV, MCV, and MCH were significantly affected (p<0.05) when compared to those of rats placed on P. guajava from non-crude oil polluted area. AST and ALT liver enzymes significantly increased in rats placed on P. guajava leaves from crude oil polluted area against rats placed on P. guajava leaves from non-crude oil pollute area. Since data obtained with animals become more severe when translated to humans, it therefore becomes pertinent for those that use medicinal plants from crude oil polluted areas to become aware of the possible effects of using such plants. This study has evaluated the variation in leaf constituents and biochemical indices of rats given leaf samples of Psidium guajava from two different areas were evaluated.
Evaluation of the accuracy of deformable image registration on MRI with a physical phantom
Authors: Wu Richard Y. , Liu Amy Y. , Yang Jinzhong , Williamson Tyler D. , Wisdom Paul G. , Bronk Lawrence , Gao Song , Grosshan David R. , Fuller David C. , Gunn Gary B. , Ronald Zhu X. , Frank Steven J. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackground and purposeMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has gained popularity in radiation therapy simulation because it provides superior soft tissue contrast, which facilitates more accurate target delineation compared with computed tomography (CT) and does not expose the patient to ionizing radiation. However, image registration errors in commercial software have not been widely reported. Here we evaluated the accuracy of deformable image registration (DIR) by using a physical phantom for MRI.Methods and materialsWe used the “Wuphantom” for end‐to‐end testing of DIR accuracy for MRI. This acrylic phantom is filled with water and includes several fillable inserts to simulate various tissue shapes and properties. Deformations and changes in anatomic locations are simulated by changing the rotations of the phantom and inserts. We used Varian Velocity DIR software (v4.0) and CT (head and neck protocol) and MR (T1‐ and T2‐weighted head protocol) images to test DIR accuracy between image modalities (MRI vs CT) and within the same image modality (MRI vs MRI) in 11 rotation deformation scenarios. Large inserts filled with Mobil DTE oil were used to simulate fatty tissue, and small inserts filled with agarose gel were used to simulate tissues slightly denser than water (e.g., prostate). Contours of all inserts were generated before DIR to provide a baseline for contour size and shape. DIR was done with the MR Correctable Deformable DIR method, and all deformed contours were compared with the original contours. The Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and mean distance to agreement (MDA) were used to quantitatively validate DIR accuracy. We also used large and small regions of interest (ROIs) during between‐modality DIR tests to simulate validation of DIR accuracy for organs at risk (OARs) and propagation of individual clinical target volume (CTV) contours.ResultsNo significant differences in DIR accuracy were found for T1:T1 and T2:T2 comparisons (P > 0.05). DIR was less accurate for between‐modality comparisons than for same‐modality comparisons, and was less accurate for T1 vs CT than for T2 vs CT (P < 0.001). For between‐modality comparisons, use of a small ROI improved DIR accuracy for both T1 and T2 images.ConclusionThe simple design of the Wuphantom allows seamless testing of DIR; here we validated the accuracy of MRI DIR in end‐to‐end testing. T2 images had superior DIR accuracy compared with T1 images. Use of small ROIs improves DIR accuracy for target contour propagation.
3D Scaffold‐Based Macrophage Fibroblast Coculture Model Reveals IL‐10 Dependence of Wound Resolution Phase
Authors: Ullm Franziska , Riedl Philipp , Machado de Amorim Alexandrina , Patzschke Aline , Weiß Ronald , Hauschildt Sunna , Franke Katja , Anderegg Ulf , Pompe Tilo 
Published: December 2019

AbstractPersistent inflammation and impaired repair in dermal wound healing are frequently associated with cell–cell and cell–matrix miscommunication. A direct coculture model of primary human myofibroblasts (MyoFB) and M‐CSF‐differentiated macrophages (M‐Mɸ) in fibrillar three‐dimensional Collagen I (Coll I) matrices is developed to study intercellular interactions. The coculture experiments reveal the number of M‐Mɸ regulated MyoFB dedifferentiation in a dose‐dependent manner. The amount of MyoFB decreases in dependence of the number of cocultured M‐Mɸ, even in the presence of MyoFB‐inducing transforming growth factor β1 (TGF‐β1). Gene expression analysis of matrix proteins (collagen I, collagen III, ED‐A‐fibronectin) confirms the results of an altered MyoFB phenotype. Additionally, M‐Mɸ is shown to be the main source of secreted cytokine interleukin‐10 (IL‐10), which is suggested to affect MyoFB dedifferentiation. These findings indicate a paracrine impact of IL‐10 secretion by M‐Mɸ on the MyoFB differentiation status counteracting the TGF‐β1‐driven MyoFB activation. Hence, the in vitro coculture model simulates physiological situations during wound resolution and underlines the importance of paracrine IL‐10 signals by M‐Mɸ. In sum, the 3D Coll I‐based matrices with a MyoFB–M‐Mɸ coculture form a highly relevant biomimetic model of late stages of wound healing.
Low‐Iridium‐Content IrNiTa Metallic Glass Films as Intrinsically Active Catalysts for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Wang Zi‐Jian , Li Ming‐Xing , Yu Ji‐Hao , Ge Xing‐Bo , Liu Yan‐Hui , Wang Wei‐Hua 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAlthough various catalytic materials have emerged for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), it remains crucial to develop intrinsically effective catalysts with minimum uses of expensive and scarce precious metals. Metallic glasses (MGs) or amorphous alloys show up as attractive HER catalysts, but have so far limited to material forms and compositions that result in high precious‐metal loadings. Here, an Ir25Ni33Ta42 MG nanofilm exhibiting high intrinsic activity and superior stability at an ultralow Ir loading of 8.14 µg cm−2 for HER in 0.5 m H2SO4 is reported. With an overpotential of 99 mV for a current density of 10 mA cm−2, a small Tafel slope of 35 mV dec−1, and high turnover frequencies of 1.76 and 19.3 H2 s−1 at 50 and 100 mV overpotentials, the glassy film is among the most intrinsically active HER catalysts, outcompetes any reported MG, representative sulfides, and phosphides, and compares favorably with other precious‐metal‐containing catalysts. The outstanding HER performance of the Ir25Ni33Ta42 MG film is attributed to the synergistic effect of the novel alloy system and amorphous structure, which may inspire the development of multicomponent alloys for heterogeneous catalysis.
Biocatalytic Aza‐Michael Addition of Aromatic Amines to Enone Using α‐Amylase in Water
Authors: Dutt Sunil , Goel Vanshita , Garg Neha , Choudhury Diptiman , Mallick Dibyendu , Tyagi Vikas 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe Michael addition of amines with enones for synthesizing β‐amino carbonyls constitutes a valuable transformation in organic chemistry. While various catalyst have been made available for catalyzing the Michael addition of aromatic amines to enones but there is no report of using α‐amylase enzyme to catalyze this transformation. The α‐amylase from Aspergillus oryzae was found to catalyze the Michael addition of various aryl (hetero) amines to methyl vinyl ketone with high catalytic efficiency (63–83% yield). A hybrid of α‐amylase with copper nanoparticle (α‐amylase@CuNPs) has been prepared and used to catalyze this transformation as a reusable catalyst. Further, an application of α‐amylase catalyzed aza‐Michael addition in the cascade reactions has been exhibited by synthesizing biologically important 3‐acetyl quinoline. In addition, molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation studies are carried out to get insight into the key interactions of the substrates with the amino acid residues near the active site and the probable reaction mechanism, which reveals Glu230 and Asn295 play a crucial role in the substrate activation process.magnified image
Interrupted Carbonyl‐Alkyne Metathesis
Authors: McFarlin Austin T. , Watson Rebecca B. , Zehnder Troy E. , Schindler Corinna S. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractCarbonyl‐olefin metathesis and carbonyl‐alkyne metathesis represent established reactivity modes between carbonyls, alkenes, and alkynes under Lewis and Brønsted acid catalysis. Recently, an interrupted carbonyl‐olefin metathesis reaction has been reported that results in tetrahydrofluorenes via a distinct fragmentation of the reactive intermediate. We herein report the development of an analogous transformation interrupting the carbonyl‐alkyne metathesis reaction path resulting in dihydrofluorene products relying on Lewis acidic superelectrophiles as active catalytic species.magnified image
Faculty‐lead Opinions on Workplace‐based Methods for Graduated Managerial Teaching (FLOW MGMT): A National Cross‐sectional Survey of Canadian Emergency Medicine Lead Educators
Authors: Chorley Alexander , Welsher Arthur , Pardhan Alim , Chan Teresa M. 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACTObjectivesPatient volumes are increasing in emergency departments (ED), causing issues with long wait times and overcrowding. One strategy to cope with this phenomenon is to focus on improving patient flow through the ED. Building on earlier work that identified how staff physicians manage flow and what techniques they employ to teach managerial skills to residents, we aimed to determine when it was most appropriate to implement these teaching strategies in a resident’s training.MethodsWe employed a Canada‐wide cross‐sectional survey of experienced emergency medicine (EM) teaching faculty to determine when they felt our previously identified teaching strategies would be appropriate to implement. The survey was piloted with local educational experts.ResultsA total of 21 EM (38% female, 62% male) educators from 11 programs responded to the survey. The respondents provided an average of 42.5 endorsements per participant for specific teaching techniques across the stages of training. The core of discipline (35.9%) and transition to practice (39.7%) were the stages of training that received the most endorsement. The top two teaching techniques included the observational teaching technique “attitudinal role modeling (i.e. a strong work ethic)” and the conversational teaching technique “teacher provides clinical pearls, tips, pointers.” The participants showed fairly high agreement, with the advanced in situ techniques showing fairly high reliability as measured by intraclass correlation coefficients ranging from 0.88 to 0.90.ConclusionsOur results show a trend toward faculty utilizing more didactic and observational teaching techniques early in residency and then progressing toward more experiential techniques in the senior stages of training. This is consistent with a graduated increase in responsibility as residents demonstrate competency and progress through their training. The results of this study will help inform faculty development around teaching managerial skills in the area of competency‐based medical education.
Reproductive suppression and longevity in human birth cohorts
Authors: Saxton Katherine B. , Gemmill Alison , Casey Joan A. , Elser Holly , Karasek Deborah , Catalano Ralph 
Published: December 2019

AbstractObjectivesReproductive suppression refers to, among other phenomena, the termination of pregnancies in populations exposed to signals of death among young conspecifics. Extending the logic of reproduction suppression to humans has implications for health including that populations exposed to it should exhibit relatively great longevity. No research, however, has tested this prediction.MethodsWe apply time‐series methods to vital statistics from Sweden for the years 1751 through 1800 to test if birth cohorts exposed in utero to reproductive suppression exhibited lifespan different from expected. We use the odds of death among Swedes age 1 to 9 years to gauge exposure. As the dependent variable, we use cohort life expectancy. Our methods ensure autocorrelation cannot spuriously induce associations nor reduce the efficiency of our estimates.ResultsOur findings imply that reproductive suppression increased the lifespan of 24 annual birth cohorts by at least 1.3 years over the 50‐year test period, and that 12 of those cohorts exhibited increases of at least 1.7 years above expected.ConclusionsThe best available data in which to search for evidence of reproductive suppression in humans support the argument that populations subjected to environments dangerous for children yield birth cohorts that exhibit unexpectedly great longevity.
Status, kinship, and place of burial at Early Bronze Age Bab adh‐Dhra': A biogeochemical comparison of charnel house human remains
Authors: Gregoricka Lesley A. , Ullinger Jaime , Sheridan Susan G. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractObjectivesThe Early Bronze Age (EBA; ca. 3,600–2000 BCE) of the southern Levant underwent considerable transformation as agro‐pastoral communities began to utilize their land more intensively, constructing larger, fortified towns prior to site abandonment at the end of the third millennium. At the site of Bab adh‐Dhra' in Jordan, the dead of the Early Bronze (EB) II–III (ca. 3,100–2,500 BCE) period were communally interred within charnel houses, but important disparities between these structures and their contents may be reflective of ownership and use by particular extended kin groups whose activity patterns, subsistence strategies, and even social status may have differed from one another. Subsequently, we hypothesized that differences in mobility and dietary intake may differentiate tomb groups from one another.Materials and MethodsDental enamel from 31 individuals interred in three different Early Bronze Age charnel houses (A56, A22, A55) at Bab adh‐Dhra', Jordan were analyzed for strontium, oxygen, and carbon isotope values.ResultsStrontium isotope ratios (range: 0.70793–0.70842) possessed medians that did not differ statistically from one another, but had ranges that exhibited significant differences in variance. Carbon isotope values (= −13.2 ± 0.5‰, 1σ) were not significantly different.DiscussionGeneral similarities in human isotopic signatures between EB II–III charnel houses A22 and A55 suggest that their activities were likely similar to one another and agree with findings from excavated domestic spaces with little archaeological evidence for economic, social, or political differentiation. More variable strontium isotope ratios and lower carbon isotope values from A22 could reflect a greater involvement with pastoralist practices or regional trade, including the consumption of more13C‐depleted foods, while those in A55 may have led a more sedentary lifestyle with greater involvement in cultivating orchard crops. All charnel houses contained nonlocal individuals likely originating from other Dead Sea Plain sites with no EB II–III cemeteries of their own, supporting the idea that extended kin groups throughout the region returned to Bab adh‐Dhra' to bury their dead.
Clinical outcomes of urinary tract infection caused by extended spectrum beta‐lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae: a retrospective observational study comparing patients with and without systemic inflammatory response syndrome
Authors: Kitano Yuka , Wakatake Haruaki , Saito Hiroki , Tsutsumi Ken , Yoshida Hideki , Yoshida Minoru , Takita Mumon , Yoshida Toru , Masui Yoshihiro , Taira Yasuhiko , Fujitani Shigeki 
Published: December 2019

AimIn severe urinary tract infection (UTI), susceptible antibiotics should be given. With the recent increase of multidrug‐resistant bacteria, especially extended spectrum beta‐lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL‐E), broad‐spectrum antibiotics, such as carbapenems, are used more frequently, which could lead to a further increase of multidrug‐resistant bacteria. We aimed to analyze the relationship between initial empirical antibiotic appropriateness and clinical outcomes in UTI, especially in patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and ESBL‐E.MethodsA retrospective observational study from 2012 to 2017.ResultsAmong urine culture‐positive cases with ≥105 colony‐forming units/mL (n = 1,880), true UTI cases were extracted (n = 844) and divided into the SIRS group (n = 336 [ESBL‐E12.8% (43/336)]) and non‐SIRS group (n = 508 [ESBL‐E12.6% (64/508)]). In the SIRS ESBL‐E group, the initial antibiotics were susceptible in 55.8% (24/43), among which 91.7% (22/24) improved and 8.3% (2/24) deteriorated or died. The initial antibiotics were resistant in 44.2% (19/43), among which 47.4% (9/19) improved with the initial antibiotics, 47.4% (9/19) improved after escalating antibiotics, and 5.3% (1/19) deteriorated or died. In the SIRS group, 14 cases had true bacteremia with ESBL‐E. Seven cases were initiated with inappropriate antibiotics; four cases showed improvement before or without antibiotic change and three cases improved after antibiotic escalation.ConclusionInitiation of narrow‐spectrum antibiotics in septic UTI with ESBL‐E might not deteriorate the clinical outcome if promptly escalated on clinical deterioration or with ESBL‐E culture results. Further investigation is warranted to guide judicious use of initial antibiotics.
Changes of concurrent drought and heat extremes in the arid and semi‐arid regions of China during 1961–2014
Authors: Xu Feng , Luo Ming 
Published: December 2019

AbstractArid and semi‐arid regions of China (ASRC) are increasingly threatened by drought. Especially when drought and heat extremes coincide, the resultant impact would be even more harmful to human society and the natural environment. This study investigates the spatio‐temporal changes in concurrent drought and heat extremes in ASRC during 1961–2014. Summer heat extremes quantified by hot day (HD), warm night (WN), daytime (DHW), and nighttime heatwave (NHW) are examined. On average, the concurrent nighttime events (concurrent drought‐WN and drought‐NHW) increases by 2.7 times faster than daytime ones (concurrent drought‐HD and drought‐DHW), and they appear more frequently in eastern than western ASRC. We also find that all four types of concurrent events have been significantly increased over the past decades. Compared to daytime (i.e., HD and DHW), the concurrent events at nighttime (i.e., WN and NHW) increased even more rapidly. During the study period, concurrent drought‐DHW (drought‐NHW) climbed up at the rate of 0.03 (0.08) events decade−1 and concurrent drought‐HD (drought‐WN) increased by 0.17 (0.45) days decade−1. Geographically, eastern ASRC exhibited a more pronounced increasing trend than the west. Given the increasing threats of concurrent events, we suggest that more attention should be paid to these compound events in future climate change studies.
Validation of an analytical method using HPLC–MS/MS to quantify osimertinib in human plasma and supplementary stability results
Authors: van Veelen Ard , van Geel Robin , de Beer Yvo , Dingemans Anne‐Marie , Stolk Leo , ter Heine Rob , de Vries Frank , Croes Sander 
Published: December 2019

AbstractA new method for quantification of osimertinib (OSIM) in human plasma using a high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated. Methanol was used for protein precipitation and pazopanib as internal standard. Separation was performed on a HyPURITY®C18 analytical column (50 × 2.1 mm; 3 μm) using a gradient elution of ammonium acetate in water and ammonium acetate in methanol, both acidified with formic acid 0.1%. Detection and quantification of OSIM and pazopanib was performed using a triple quadruple mass spectrometer after electrospray ionization. This method led to robust results, as the selectivity, carryover, precision and accuracy all met pre‐specified requirements. OSIM was stable in human serum when stored at −80°C. Reduced stability was found when stored at 2–4°C or room temperature. Degradation of OSIM slowed down in EDTA–plasma and acidified human serum. The limited stability of OSIM at room temperature should be considered for transport and sample preparation. Plasma samples should be frozen as soon as possible and sample preparation should be performed on dry‐ice. In the future, EDTA–plasma and sample acidification may be used to improve OSIM stability at room temperature. However, more research and validation of such an approach are required.
Clinical outcomes after TAVR with heparin or bivalirudin as periprocedural anticoagulation in patients with and without peripheral arterial disease: Results from the BRAVO‐3 randomized trial
Authors: Zilberszac Robert , Chandiramani Rishi , Hengstenberg Christian , Sartori Samantha , Cao Davide , Chandrasekhar Jaya , Schafer Ulrich , Tchetche Didier , Violini Roberto , Jeger Raban , Van Belle Eric , Boekstegers Peter , Hambrecht Rainer , Tron Christophe , Dumenteil Nicolas , Linke Axel , ten Berg Jurriën M. , Deliargyris Efthymios N. , Anthopoulos Prodromos , Mehran Roxana , Dangas George 
Published: December 2019

AbstractObjectivesThis study sought to investigate the clinical outcomes of patients with and without peripheral artery disease (PAD) in the BRAVO‐3 trial with respect to the effect of bivalirudin versus unfractionated heparin (UFH).BackgroundPAD is found frequently in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and is reported to confer an increased risk of adverse events. It is unknown whether patients with and without PAD may demonstrate a differential response to bivalirudin versus UFH.MethodsBRAVO‐3 was a randomized multicenter trial comparing transfemoral TAVR with bivalirudin versus UFH (31 centers, n = 802). Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were a composite of 30‐day death, myocardial infarction, or cerebrovascular accidents (CVA). Net adverse cardiovascular events (NACE) were a composite of major bleeding or MACE.ResultsThe total cohort included 119 patients with PAD. Vascular complications occurred significantly more frequently in patients with PAD both in‐hospital (25.2 vs. 16.7%; OR 1.68) and at 30 days (29.4 vs. 17.3%; OR 1.99). No significant differences were observed regarding mortality, NACE, MACE, major bleeding or CVA with bivalirudin versus UFH among patients with or without PAD. In patients with PAD, bivalirudin was associated with an increased risk of minor vascular complications at 30 days.ConclusionsPatients with PAD undergoing transfemoral TAVR did not exhibit an increased risk of any major adverse events, according to the procedural anticoagulant randomization. However, patients treated with Bivalirudin had significantly higher rates of minor vascular complications.