bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preparation and purification of novel phosphatidyl prodrug and performance modulation of phosphatidyl nanoprodrug
Authors: Niu Rui , Zhang PeiLei , Wang Feng-Qing , Liu Min , Liu QingHai , Jia Ning , Yang ShengLi , Tao XinYi , Wei DongZhi 
Published: November 2019

Abstract

Background
A novel phosphatidyl nanoprodrug system can be selectively released parent drugs in cancer cells, triggered by the local overexpression of phospholipase D (PLD). This system significantly reduces the intrinsic disadvantages of conventional chemotherapeutic drugs. However, the separation and purification processes of phosphatidyl prodrug, the precursor of phosphatidyl nanoprodrug, have not been established, and the preparation of nanocrystals with good stability and tumor-targeting capability is still challenging.

Results
In this study, we established a successive elution procedure for the phosphatidyl prodrug—phosphatidyl mitoxantrone (PMA), using an initial ten-bed volume of chloroform/methanol/glacial acetic acid/water (26/10/0.8/0.7) (v/v/v/v) followed by a five-bed volume (26/10/0.8/3), with which purity rates of 96.93% and overall yields of 50.35% of PMA were obtained. Moreover, to reduce the intrinsic disadvantages of conventional chemotherapeutic drugs, phosphatidyl nanoprodrug—PMA nanoprodrug (NP@PMA)—was prepared. To enhance their stability, nanoparticles were modified with polyethylene glycol (PEG). We found that nanoprodrugs modified by PEG (NP@PEG–PMA) were stably present in RPMI-1640 medium containing 10% FBS, compared with unmodified nanoprodrug (NP@PMA). To enhance active tumor-targeting efficiency, we modified nanoparticles with an arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) peptide (NP@RGD–PEG–PMA). In vitro cytotoxicity assays showed that, compared with the cytotoxicity of NP@PEG–PMA against tumor cells, that of NP@RGD–PEG–PMA was enhanced. Thus, RGD modification may serve to enhance the active tumor-targeting efficiency of a nanoprodrug, thereby increasing its cytotoxicity.

Conclusions
A process for the preparation and purification of novel phosphatidyl prodrugs was successfully established, and the nanoprodrug was modified using PEG for enhanced nanoparticle stability, and using RGD peptide for enhanced active tumor-targeting efficiency. These procedures offer considerable potential in the development of functional antitumor prodrugs.
Homophily in networked agent-based models: a method to generate homophilic attribute distributions to improve upon random distribution approaches
Authors: Kapeller Marie Lisa , Jäger Georg , Füllsack Manfred 
Published: November 2019

AbstractIn the standard situation of networked populations, link neighbours represent one of the main influences leading to social diffusion of behaviour. When distinct attributes coexist, not only the network structure, but also the distribution of these traits shape the typical neighbourhood of each individual. While assortativity refers to the formation of links between similar individuals inducing the network structure, here, we separate the formation of links from the actual distribution of an attribute on the topology. This is achieved by first generating different network types (e.g., lattice, scale free, and small world), followed by the procedure of distributing attributes. With this separation, we try to isolate the effect that attribute distribution has on network diffusion from the effect of the network structure itself. We compare random distributions, where behaviour types are highly mixed, and homophilic distributions, where similar individuals are very likely to be linked, and examine the effects on social contagion in a population of mainly reciprocal behaviour types. In addition, we gradually mix homophilic distribution, by random rewiring, adding links and relocating individuals. Our main results is that attribute distribution strongly influences collective behaviour and the actual effect depends on the network type. Under homophilic distribution the equilibrium collective behaviour of a population tends to be more divers, implying that random distributions are limited for illustration of collective behaviour. We find that our results are robust when we use different gradual mixing methods on homophilic distribution.
A chemical-reaction-optimization-based neuro-fuzzy hybrid network for stock closing price prediction
Authors: Nayak Sarat Chandra , Misra Bijan Bihari 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Accurate prediction of stock market behavior is a challenging issue for financial forecasting. Artificial neural networks, such as multilayer perceptron have been established as better approximation and classification models for this domain. This study proposes a chemical reaction optimization (CRO) based neuro-fuzzy network model for prediction of stock indices. The input vectors to the model are fuzzified by applying a Gaussian membership function, and each input is associated with a degree of membership to different classes. A multilayer perceptron with one hidden layer is used as the base model and CRO is used to the optimal weights and biases of this model. CRO was chosen because it requires fewer control parameters and has a faster convergence rate. Five statistical parameters are used to evaluate the performance of the model, and the model is validated by forecasting the daily closing indices for five major stock markets. The performance of the proposed model is compared with four state-of-art models that are trained similarly and was found to be superior. We conducted the Deibold-Mariano test to check the statistical significance of the proposed model, and it was found to be significant. This model can be used as a promising tool for financial forecasting.
Diagnostic performance of machine learning applied to texture analysis-derived features for breast lesion characterisation at automated breast ultrasound: a pilot study
Authors: Marcon Magda , Ciritsis Alexander , Rossi Cristina , Becker Anton S. , Berger Nicole , Wurnig Moritz C. , Wagner Matthias W. , Frauenfelder Thomas , Boss Andreas 
Published: November 2019

Abstract

Background
Our aims were to determine if features derived from texture analysis (TA) can distinguish normal, benign, and malignant tissue on automated breast ultrasound (ABUS); to evaluate whether machine learning (ML) applied to TA can categorise ABUS findings; and to compare ML to the analysis of single texture features for lesion classification.

Methods
This ethically approved retrospective pilot study included 54 women with benign (n = 38) and malignant (n = 32) solid breast lesions who underwent ABUS. After manual region of interest placement along the lesions’ margin as well as the surrounding fat and glandular breast tissue, 47 texture features (TFs) were calculated for each category. Statistical analysis (ANOVA) and a support vector machine (SVM) algorithm were applied to the texture feature to evaluate the accuracy in distinguishing (i) lesions versus normal tissue and (ii) benign versus malignant lesions.

Results
Skewness and kurtosis were the only TF significantly different among all the four categories (p < 0.000001). In subsets (i) and (ii), a maximum area under the curve of 0.86 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.82–0.88) for energy and 0.86 (95% CI 0.82–0.89) for entropy were obtained. Using the SVM algorithm, a maximum area under the curve of 0.98 for both subsets was obtained with a maximum accuracy of 94.4% in subset (i) and 90.7% in subset (ii).

Conclusions
TA in combination with ML might represent a useful diagnostic tool in the evaluation of breast imaging findings in ABUS. Applying ML techniques to TFs might be superior compared to the analysis of single TF.
Effect of Abaloparatide vs Alendronate on Fracture Risk Reduction in Postmenopausal Women With Osteoporosis
Authors: Leder Benjamin Z , Mitlak Bruce , Hu Ming-yi , Hattersley Gary , Bockman Richard S 
Published: November 2019

Abstract

Context
The ACTIVE study demonstrated the antifracture efficacy of abaloparatide in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. ACTIVExtend demonstrated sustained fracture risk reduction with alendronate in abaloparatide-treated participants from ACTIVE. A direct comparison of the efficacy of abaloparatide and antiresorptive therapies has not been performed.

Objective
The objective of this analysis is to compare the antifracture efficacy of abaloparatide in ACTIVE with that of alendronate in ACTIVExtend.

Design
In this post hoc analysis, the rate of new vertebral fractures for women in ACTIVExtend (N = 1139) was calculated based on baseline and endpoint radiographs for placebo or abaloparatide in ACTIVE and alendronate in ACTIVExtend. Vertebral fracture rates between abaloparatide and alendronate were compared in a Poisson regression model. Fracture rates for nonvertebral and clinical fractures were compared based on a Poisson model during 18 months of abaloparatide or placebo treatment in ACTIVE and 18 months of alendronate treatment in ACTIVExtend.

Results
The vertebral fracture rate was lower during abaloparatide treatment in ACTIVE (0.47 fractures/100 patient-years) than alendronate treatment in ACTIVExtend (1.66 fractures/100 patient-years) (relative risk reduction 71%; P = .027). Although the comparisons did not meet statistical significance, after switching from placebo (ACTIVE) to alendronate (ACTIVExtend), the rate of new vertebral fractures decreased from 2.49 to 1.66 fractures per 100 patient-years, and after switching from abaloparatide to alendronate from 0.47 to 0.19 fractures per 100 patient-years. The rates of nonvertebral fractures and clinical fractures were not significantly different.

Conclusion
Initial treatment with abaloparatide may result in greater vertebral fracture reduction compared with alendronate in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.
Glucagon-Receptor Signaling Reverses Hepatic Steatosis Independent of Leptin Receptor Expression
Authors: Nason Shelly R , Kim Teayoun , Antipenko Jessica P , Finan Brian , DiMarchi Richard , Hunter Chad S , Habegger Kirk M 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Glucagon (GCG) is an essential regulator of glucose and lipid metabolism that also promotes weight loss. We have shown that glucagon-receptor (GCGR) signaling increases fatty acid oxidation (FAOx) in primary hepatocytes and reduces liver triglycerides in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice; however, the mechanisms underlying this aspect of GCG biology remains unclear. Investigation of hepatic GCGR targets elucidated a potent and previously unknown induction of leptin receptor (Lepr) expression. Liver leptin signaling is known to increase FAOx and decrease liver triglycerides, similar to glucagon action. Therefore, we hypothesized that glucagon increases hepatic LEPR, which is necessary for glucagon-mediated reversal of hepatic steatosis. Eight-week-old control and liver-specific LEPR-deficient mice (LeprΔliver) were placed on a high-fat diet for 12 weeks and then treated with a selective GCGR agonist (IUB288) for 14 days. Liver triglycerides and gene expression were assessed in liver tissue homogenates. Administration of IUB288 in both lean and DIO mice increased hepatic Lepr isoforms a-e in acute (4 hours) and chronic (72 hours,16 days) (P &lt; 0.05) settings. LeprΔliver mice displayed increased hepatic triglycerides on a chow diet alone (P &lt; 0.05), which persisted in a DIO state (P &lt; 0.001), with no differences in body weight or composition. Surprisingly, chronic administration of IUB288 in DIO control and LeprΔliver mice reduced liver triglycerides regardless of genotype (P &lt; 0.05). Together, these data suggest that GCGR activation induces hepatic Lepr expression and, although hepatic glucagon and leptin signaling have similar liver lipid targets, these appear to be 2 distinct pathways.
Stem Leydig Cells in the Adult Testis: Characterization, Regulation and Potential Applications
Authors: Chen Panpan , Zirkin Barry R , Chen Haolin 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Androgen deficiency (hypogonadism) affects males of all ages. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is effective in restoring serum testosterone and relieving symptoms. TRT, however, is reported to have possible adverse effects in part because administered testosterone is not produced in response to the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis. Progress in stem cell biology offers potential alternatives for treating hypogonadism. Adult Leydig cells (ALCs) are generated by stem Leydig cells (SLCs) during puberty. SLCs persist in the adult testis. Considerable progress has been made in the identification, isolation, expansion and differentiation of SLCs in vitro. In addition to forming ALCs, SLCs are multipotent, with the ability to give rise to all 3 major cell lineages of typical mesenchymal stem cells, including osteoblasts, adipocytes, and chondrocytes. Several regulatory factors, including Desert hedgehog and platelet-derived growth factor, have been reported to play key roles in the proliferation and differentiation of SLCs into the Leydig lineage. In addition, stem cells from several nonsteroidogenic sources, including embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, mature fibroblasts, and mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow, adipose tissue, and umbilical cord have been transdifferentiated into Leydig-like cells under a variety of induction protocols. ALCs generated from SLCs in vitro, as well as Leydig-like cells, have been successfully transplanted into ALC-depleted animals, restoring serum testosterone levels under HPG control. However, important questions remain, including: How long will the transplanted cells continue to function? Which induction protocol is safest and most effective? For translational purposes, more work is needed with primate cells, especially human.
Do north-eastern German pharmacies recommend a necessary medical consultation for acute diarrhoea? Magnitude and determinants using a simulated patient approach
Authors: Langer Bernhard , Kunow Christian 
Published: November 2019

Background: To determine if pharmacy staff in Germany referred patients to a medical consultation for a scenario in which consulting a doctor was mandatory (‘appropriate outcome’) and what the quality of questioning and – if a medication was dispensed – the quality of information provided were in this context. Moreover, to determine which factors predicted a necessary referral to a doctor. Methods: A cross-sectional covert simulated patient study was conducted in a random sample of community pharmacies stratified by location in the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Each pharmacy was visited once by one of four trained investigators. They simulated a symptom-based request involving a grandmother with acute diarrhoea. A multivariate binary logistic regression analysis using potential variables from bivariate analysis was carried out to determine the predictors for a referral to a doctor. Results: All 199 planned visits were conducted. A necessary referral to a doctor was recommended in 59.8% (n=119) of all test purchases. Multivariate analysis revealed that a non-pharmacist as opposed to a pharmacist and two or more questions as opposed to no questions were significantly associated with a referral to a doctor. Conclusions: Regarding the necessary referral to a doctor, an enormous potential for improvement was revealed for community pharmacies in the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The results should make both the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern pharmacy association and legislators aware of the need to significantly escalate their quality management efforts.
The role of primary care in preventing male suicide
Authors: Hardy Sheila 
Published: November 2019

Men in the UK are three times more likely to take their own lives than women. Sheila Hardy describes how practice nurses can help to prevent these unnecessary deathsMen are more likely to die by suicide than women in the UK. Studies have found that most people whose death was due to suicide had been in contact with primary care in the year prior to death. Primary care clinicians, including practice nurses, are often the first health professionals seen by people who are experiencing distress or suicidal thoughts, and mental illness is mainly managed in primary care. However, mental illness is unrecognised in two-thirds of primary care patients. This article describes the responsibilities of health professionals in primary care consulting with men who may be at risk of suicide.
Creating a global covenant for healthcare reform in nursing
Authors: Best Catherine 
Published: November 2019

Social determinants of health continue to exist and perpetuate health inequalities. Catherine Best explores the contribution of nurses on an international scale, particularly in regards to solving inequality in access to healthcare Encouraging nursing to be a global profession has gained considerable momentum in recent years. For significantly longer, social determinants of health have featured in multiple national and international reports, and their devastating impacts on societies, both nationally and globally, are still being experienced. The time for rhetoric has long gone. Instead, unprecedented action is needed to bring this to the fore of all governments across the globe. The World Health Organization, International Council of Nurses and the United Nations have done much to raise awareness of the need for change and make it clear that the nursing profession can contribute to take positive action. The provision of good healthcare should not be reliant on where you live and work, but should be available to everyone. This article will explore the difference that nurses can make to the everyday lives of those we care for, and in improving equal access to healthcare for everyone.
Nisin reduces the Staphylococcus aureus count without changing the characteristics of artisanal Minas cheese from Araxá
Authors: Sobral Denise , Pinto Maximiliano Soares , Teodoro Vanessa Aglaê Martins , Costa Renata Golin Bueno , De Paula Junio Cesar Jacinto , De Carvalho Antônio Fernandes , Moreira Gisela De Magalhães Machado 
Published: November 2019

O queijo tradicional de Araxá é produzido com leite cru, o que representa um risco para a saúde dos consumidores. A ação da nisina (100 UI/g e 400 UI/g) contra Staphylococcus aureus durante a maturação de Queijos Minas Artesanais de Araxá foi avaliada e a nisina reduziu a contagem de S. aureus para menos de 1 log UFC/g do começo ao fim da maturação. A nisina aumentou ligeiramente o pH e o teor de umidade e diminuiu o teor de gordura do Queijo Minas Artesanal de Araxá; no entanto, com a menor concentração de bacteriocina, essas mudanças não alteraram os índices de maturação, cor ou textura do queijo, que variaram apenas em função da maturação. A nisina tem o potencial de limitar o crescimento de S. aureus em Queijo Minas Artesanal de Araxá, sem alterar as características essenciais deste produto artesanal.
OFICINA COMO PRATICAS EDUCATIVAS: STENCIL FEMINISTA
Authors: Gomes Janine Corrêa 
Published: November 2019

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo compartilhar uma das práticas realizadas pelo Coletivo Feminista Dandaras – FUGR/SLS, a oficina “Arte do Stencil”. Através das oficinas de Stencil, técnica está utilizada como aplicação de ilustrações e desenhos de cunho feminista e reivindicatório, consegue-se realizar um diálogo com as mulheres de diferentes idades, raças e etnias, sobre relações de gênero, racismos, leis e principalmente as lutas feministas. Através das oficinas vão se cruzando saberes e vivencias entre a arte, o movimento feminista e as lutas das mulheres. A oficina fortalece o senso crítico, promove a interação e o diálogo entre as participantes. A oficina é realizada em, universidades, escolas e eventos científicos e não científicos, sendo um desses evento o Seminário das Mulheres do Campo, das Águas, Florestas e Cidades. Acreditamos que através das oficinas, contribuímos para com o fortalecimento e auto estima das participantes, valorizando suas vivencias, saberes.
MULHERES DE POVOS TRADICIONAIS, MULHERES NEGRAS E EDUCAÇÃO: DIÁLOGOS E AUTORIAS MUJERES DE PERSONAS TRADICIONALES, MUJERES
Authors: Lima Georgina Helena 
Published: November 2019

RESUMOEste artigo tem como objetivo apresentar e refletir as discussões decorrentes de trabalhos acadêmicos apresentados no IV Seminário das Mulheres do Campo, das Águas, Florestas e Cidades, especificamente no Simpósio Temático denominado Mulheres de Povos Tradicionais, Mulheres negras e Educação do qual a autora foi uma das coordenadoras. As propostas apresentadas interseccionaram questões de gênero, raça-etnia e classe social e deixaram perspectivas de sistematização de lutas emancipatórias femininas que se constituem, na verdade, em paradigmas políticos e epistemológicos situados na pluralidade de experiências conjugadas no âmbito da universidade, movimentos sociais e territórios.PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Mulheres. Território. Educação. Epistemologias.
Early cognitive dysfunction as a marker for the poor course of multiple sclerosis: a prospective 12-year follow-up
Authors: Kasatkin D. S. , Molchanova S. S. , Spirin N. N. 
Published: November 2019

Owing to the advent of current methods for the prevention of exacerbations of multiple sclerosis (MS), it has become possible to increase the period to the development of obvious persistent cerebellar and motor disorders that mainly lead to disability. This makes it possible to focus on less evident and latent symptoms, in particular on cognitive impairment (CI) that are recorded since the diagnosis of MS and slowly progress over time.Objective: to assess the prognostic capabilities of the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) to identify a group of patients with early disability (10-year risk of reaching 6.5 Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores.Patients and methods. The paper presents the data of a 12-year (2005–2018) follow-up of 36 patients having MS with and without mild CI. The patients' mean age at the time of study inclusion was 31.7 years (confidence interval (CI) 29.2–34.1; α<0.05); the disease duration was 4.69 months (CI 3.31–6.08; α<0.05); the EDSS scores averaged 2.51 (CI 2.23–2.82; α<0.05). Severe disability (6.5 EDSS scores) was observed in 75% of cases in the presence of mild CI and in 25% of cases in the absence of mild CI; it occurred an average of 118.3 (CI 93.1–143.4; α<0.05) and 141.2 (CI 126.0–156.5; α<0.05) months later, respectively.Results and discussion. The findings suggest that the patients with MS in the presence of impaired information processing speed and decreased attentional function (failure to complete more than 25% of the PASAT tasks) had a significantly greater risk for persistent disability than the patients without CI or with its minimal manifestations. Limitation in walking function (4.5 EDSS scores) occurred an average of 3.5 years earlier, and its significant limitation (6.5 EDSS scores) did 2 years earlier in the severe CI group, which may be important in planning therapy.Conclusion. The presence of CI in early MS is likely to have a prognostic value in relation to the course of the disease.