bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
New Metal−Free Porphyrins as Hole−Transporting Materials in Mesoporous Perovskite Solar Cells.
Authors: Sygkridou Dimitra , Apostolopoulou Andigoni , Charisiadis Asterios , Nikolaou Vasilis , Charalambidis Georgios , Coutsolelos Athanassios G. , Stathatos Elias 
Published: March 2018

AbstractTwo A2B2 type free base porphyrins have been synthesized and examined as hole−transporting materials (HTMs) in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). These molecules contain a porphyrin ring as a π−spacer, two N,N’‐dimethylphenyl groups and either two phenylcarboxylic acid or two phenyl‐methyl‐ester units respectively. These molecules have been chosen as alternative HTMs to the well−known Spiro‐MeOTAD (N2,N2,N2′,N2′,N7,N7,N7′,N7′‐octakis(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐9,9′‐spirobi[9H‐fluorene]‐2,2′,7,7′‐tetramine) since porphyrins exhibit high versatility in molecular engineering towards the best performance in solar cells. Thus, they were characterized in terms of their electrochemical properties as the HOMO and LUMO levels are very important regarding their behaviour as HTMs. Mesoporous PSCs were constructed using both molecules and compared with standard ones based on Spiro‐MeOTAD. To the best of our knowledge this is the first study in which metal−free porphyrins are employed as HTMs in PSCs. The cells that incorporated the phenylcarboxylic acid based porphyrin showed similar current density (23 mA cm−2) with those based on Spiro‐MeOTAD but lower open circuit voltage which overall constitutes a promising result consolidating metal−free porphyrins as a new class of HTMs.
Removal of a red dye using noncommercial peroxidase extracted from rice bran
Authors: Marques Camila T. , Golunski Simone M. , Venturin Bruno , Camargo Aline F. , Scapini Thamarys , Baldissarelli Daiane , Modkovski Tatiani A. , Preczeski Karina Paula , Rosa Camila Dalla , Vargas Gean D. L. P. , Buffon Jaqueline Garda , Rosin Catiusa K. , Arenzon Alexandre , Mossi Altemir J. , Treichel Helen 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe present study investigates the application of a noncommercial peroxidase enzyme, which was extracted from rice bran, to decolorize wastewater that was simulating effluent from a textile manufacturer using a red dye in its coloration process.
Evaluation of spatial and temporal variation in Karun River water quality during five decades (1968–2014)
Authors: Ahmadmoazzam Mehdi , Saki Malehi Amal , Jorfi Sahand , Ramavandi Bahman , Ahmadi Mehdi 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIn the present study, the multivariate statistical technique cluster analysis (CA) is used to evaluate the spatial and temporal variations in the water quality data for the Karun River, which was gathered during 46 years of monitoring (from 1968 to 2014). The data recorded electrical conductivity (EC) in the river at six water monitoring stations along its course. The mean of EC was 972.05 ± 365.466 micromhos per centimeter (μmhos/cm) at the most upstream station and showed an increase to 1458.41 ± 675.048 μmhos/cm at the most downstream of the stations. By using hierarchical CA, the six sampling stations were grouped into three clusters of similar characteristics, which may be a result of different land uses in proximity to the stations. Furthermore, two‐way analysis of variance showed that EC had a significant correlation (p < 0.001) with the season, and the mean of the pollution depended on the level of the cluster and the season (spring, summer, autumn, and winter).
Private banking and crony capitalism in Egypt
Authors: Diwan Ishac , Schiffbauer Marc 
Published: March 2018

AbstractWhy do private banks lend preferentially to politically connected firms? Focusing on the case of Egypt during the later years of Mubarak's rule, we identified politically connected firms, and we documented, using the Orbis corporate data on large firms in Egypt, that they received a disproportionate amount of the loans going to the private sector during 2003–11. We then investigated the determinants of their borrowings, and we found evidence that connected firms were more attractive to banks both because they made larger profits, and because they were seen to be implicitly guaranteed by the state against failure. We also found evidence that non-connected firms had a lower demand for loans.
4-Week consumption of anthocyanin-rich blood orange juice does not affect LDL-cholesterol or other biomarkers of CVD risk and glycaemia compared with standard orange juice: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Hollands Wendy J. , Armah Charlotte N. , Doleman Joanne F. , Perez-Moral Natalia , Winterbone Mark S. , Kroon Paul A. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractElevated circulating cholesterol levels are a risk factor for CVD which is also associated with sub-optimal vascular function. There is emerging evidence that anthocyanins can cause beneficial cardio-protective effects by favourably modulating lipoprotein profiles. We compared the effects of blood orange juice which is rich in anthocyanins and blonde orange juice without anthocyanins on LDL-cholesterol and other biomarkers of CVD risk, vascular function and glycaemia. In all, forty-one participants (aged 25–84 years) with a waist circumference >94 cm (men) and >80 cm (women) completed a randomised, open label, two-arm cross-over trial. For 28 d participants ingested (i) 500 ml blood orange juice providing 50 mg anthocyanins/d and (ii) 500 ml blonde orange juice without anthocyanins. There was a minimum 3-week washout period between treatments. LDL-cholesterol and other biomarkers associated with CVD risk and glycaemia were assessed at the start and end of each treatment period. No significant differences were observed in total, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol, TAG, glucose, fructosamine, nitric oxide, C-reactive protein, aortic systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure or carotid-femoral and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity after 28 d ingestion of blood orange juice compared with standard orange juice. The lack of effect on LDL-cholesterol may be due to the modest concentration of anthocyanins in the blood orange juice.
Type of dietary fat intakes in relation to all-cause and cause-specific mortality in US adults: an iso-energetic substitution analysis from the American National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey linked to the US mortality registry
Authors: Ricci Cristian , Baumgartner Jeannine , Zec Manja , Kruger Herculina Salome , Smuts Cornelius M. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAccumulating evidence indicates that saturated fat intake is related to mortality risk increase, whereas unsaturated fat intake is associated with reduced mortality risk. The aim of the present study was to estimate the mortality risk reduction related to a dietary change from saturated fat to mono- or polyunsaturated fat intake. The American National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys conducted between 1999 and 2010 were linked to the 2011 national US death registry resulting in an observational prospective mortality study. Proportional hazards Cox models were used to evaluate the association between saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat with all-cause and cause-specific mortality. Substitution analysis was conducted to estimate an iso-energetic substitution of 10 % of the energy from dietary fat intake applied to the substitution of saturated fat with an equal amount of energy from monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fat. The highest tertile intakes of saturated fat resulted in an increased risk (12 %) of all-cause and specific-cause mortality, whereas the highest tertile intakes of polyunsaturated fat resulted in a reduced risk (7 %) of all-cause and specific-cause mortality when compared with the corresponding lowest tertile. Iso-energetic substitution revealed that a substitution of 10 % of energy (from total fat) from saturated fat to an equal amount of energy from monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fat resulted in a significant reduction of the mortality risk ranging from 4 to 8 %. Iso-energetic substitution of saturated fat with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat reduced all-cause and specific-cause mortality in US adults.
Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, calcium and parathyroid hormone levels in Native and European populations in Greenland
Authors: Andersen Stig , Noahsen Paneeraq , Rex Karsten F. , Fleischer Inuuteq , Albertsen Nadja , Jørgensen Marit E. , Schæbel Louise K. , Laursen Mogens B. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractCa homoeostasis is important to human health and tightly controlled by powerful hormonal mechanisms that display ethnic variation. Ethnic variations could occur also in Arctic populations where the traditional Inuit diet is low in Ca and sun exposure is limited. We aimed to assess factors important to parathyroid hormone (PTH) and Ca in serum in Arctic populations. We included Inuit and Caucasians aged 50–69 years living in the capital city in West or in rural East Greenland. Lifestyle factors were assessed by questionnaires. The intake of Inuit diet was assessed from a FFQ. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD2and 25OHD3) levels were measured in serum as was albumin, Ca and PTH. The participation rate was 95 %, with 101 Caucasians and 434 Inuit. Median serum 25OHD (99·7 % was 25OHD3) in Caucasians/Inuit was 42/64 nmol/l (25, 75 percentiles 25, 54/51, 81) (P<0·001). Total Ca in serum was 2·33/2·29 mmol/l (25, 75 percentiles 2·26, 2·38/2·21, 2·36) (P=0·01) and PTH was 2·7/2·2 pmol/l (25, 75 percentiles 2·2, 4·1/1·7, 2·7) (P<0·001). The 69/97 Caucasians/Inuit with serum 25OHD <50 nmol/l differed in PTH (P=0·001) that rose with lower 25OHD levels in Caucasians, whereas this was not the case in Inuit. Ethnic origin influenced PTH (β=0·27,P<0·001) and Ca (β=0·22,P<0·001) in multivariate linear regression models after adjustment for age, sex, BMI, smoking, alcohol and diet. In conclusion, ethnic origin influenced PTH, PTH response to low vitamin D levels and Ca levels in populations in Greenland. Recommendations are to evaluate mechanisms underlying the ethnic influence on Ca homoeostasis and to assess the impact of transition in dietary habits on Ca homoeostasis and skeletal health in Arctic populations.
The effect of concomitant use of systemic antibiotics in patients with Clostridium difficile infection receiving metronidazole therapy
Authors: Jin S.J. , Seo K.H. , Wi Y.M. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractManagement of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) involves discontinuation of the offending antibiotic agent as soon as possible. However, the ongoing infection does not allow discontinuation of the offending antibiotic. We aimed to retrospectively investigate the predictors of treatment failure and impact of the concomitant use of systemic antibiotics in patients receiving metronidazole therapy. This study was conducted among patients hospitalised at a second care academic hospital from January 2013 to December 2014. Eligible patients were identified by reviewing stool toxin enzyme immunoassay results for C. difficile. Diarrhoea was defined as the passage of at least three loose or watery stools within 24 h. Among 314 patients with CDI receiving metronidazole therapy, 62 (19.7%) showed treatment failure and 105 (33.4%) received concomitant antibiotics. Underlying dialysis, fever >38.3 °C, low median serum albumin levels and concomitant use of antibiotics were independent predictors of treatment failure in patients with CDI receiving metronidazole therapy. The concomitant use of antibiotics increased the rates of treatment failure and 30-day mortality in patients receiving metronidazole therapy. These results suggest that metronidazole should be used in mild cases of CDI only after discontinuation of the offending antibiotics.
Establishment of prophylactic enoxaparin dosing recommendations to achieve targeted anti-factor Xa concentrations in children with CHD
Authors: Israel Emily N. , Thomas Christopher A. , Mastropietro Christopher W. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundEnoxaparin may be used to prevent central venous catheter-related thrombosis in patients with CHD. We aimed to determine whether current enoxaparin dosing regimens effectively achieve anti-factor Xa concentrations within prophylactic goal ranges in this patient population.MethodsWe implemented a formal protocol aimed at reducing central venous catheter-related thrombosis in children with CHD in January, 2016. Standard empiric prophylactic enoxaparin dosing regimens were used – for example, 0.75 mg/kg/dose every 12 hours for patients <2 months of age and 0.5 mg/kg/dose every 12 hours for patients ⩾2 months of age – with anti-factor Xa goal range of 0.25–0.49 IU/ml. Patients <2 years of age who received enoxaparin and had at least one valid steady-state anti-factor Xa measurement between 25 January, 2016 and 31 August, 2016 were retrospectively reviewed.ResultsDuring the study period, 47 patients had 186 anti-factor Xa concentrations measured, of which 20 (11%) were above and 112 (60%) were below the prophylactic goal range. Anti-factor Xa concentrations within the goal range were ultimately achieved in 31 patients. Median dose required to achieve anti-factor Xa concentrations within the prophylactic range was 0.89 mg/kg/dose (25, 75%: 0.75, 1.11) for patients <2 months (n=23 patients) and 0.79 mg/kg/dose (25, 75%: 0.62, 1.11) for patients ⩾2 months (n=8 patients).ConclusionsEnoxaparin doses required to achieve prophylactic anti-factor Xa concentrations in young children with CHD were consistently higher than the currently recommended prophylactic dosing regimens. Further study is needed to determine whether dose titration to achieve prophylactic anti-factor Xa concentrations is effective in preventing central venous catheter-related thrombosis.
Selbstwirksamkeitserwartung von Studierenden
Authors: Peiffer Henrike , Preckel Franzis , Ellwart Thomas 
Published: March 2018

Zusammenfassung. Im Fokus dieses Beitrags steht die Selbstwirksamkeitserwartung (SWE) von Psychologiestudierenden, beschrieben als subjektive Gewissheit Aufgaben der psychologischen Praxis erfolgreich bewältigen zu können. Im Hochschulkontext ist SWE der stärkste Prädiktor für Studien- und späteren Berufserfolg. Da bislang kein adäquates Strukturmodell der SWE von Psychologiestudierenden vorliegt, erfolgte die Entwicklung einer Selbstwirksamkeitserwartungs-Matrix (SWE-Matrix) mit 2 Facetten, welche zwischen Operationen (Auswahl / Bewertung, Konstruktion, Durchführung) und Inhalten (Diagnostik, Intervention, Forschung / Evaluation) unterscheidet. Darauf aufbauend wurde ein 18-Item-Fragebogen konstruiert, der die SWE polyvalent in Bachelor und Master sowie in den Anwendungsbereichen der Arbeits-‍, Organisations- und Wirtschaftspsychologie, Klinischen und Pädagogischen Psychologie mittels Vignettentechnik erfasst. Die Matrix-Struktur wurde an N = 1 242 Psychologiestudierenden konfirmatorisch geprüft und gegen alternative Modelle getestet. Es zeigen sich gute Modellfits, skalare Messinvarianz des Fragebogens über Studiengänge und Anwendungsbereiche sowie theoriekonforme Korrelationen der sechs Faktoren mit beruflicher SWE, akademischem Selbstkonzept und Neurotizismus. Erste Ergebnisse zeigen einen faktorspezifischen Anstieg der SWE im Studienverlauf und Übereinstimmungsvaliditäten mit Leistungsindikatoren und Berufserfahrungen.
Messinvarianz zwischen Eltern- und Jugendversion des Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)?
Authors: Rogge Jana , Speck Karsten , Hölling Heike , Minnaert Alexander , Koglin Ute , Schlack Robert 
Published: March 2018

Zusammenfassung. Die interne Struktur des Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) ist kontrovers diskutiert worden. Das erste Ziel der vorliegenden Studie bestand daher in der Überprüfung der internen Struktur der SDQ Jugend- und Elternversion. Auf Basis der Daten der ersten Wiederholungsbefragung der Studie zur Gesundheit von Kindern und Jugendlichen in Deutschland (KiGGS-Studie) wurde mittels konfirmatorischer Faktorenanalysen gezeigt, dass das Fünf-Faktoren-Modell eine gute Anpassungsgüte besitzt, wenn korrelierte Fehlervarianzen zwischen Items mit ähnlichem Inhalt zugelassen werden. Da Skalenmittelwerte aus der SDQ Jugend- und Elternversion häufig miteinander verglichen werden, wurde im zweiten Teil der Analyse geprüft, ob skalare Messinvarianz zwischen beiden SDQ-Versionen besteht. Die Ergebnisse der konfirmatorischen Multi-Gruppen-Faktorenanalysen zeigen, dass der SDQ bei Eltern und Jugendlichen die gleichen Konstrukte erfasst (konfigurale Messinvarianz). Skalare Messinvarianz liegt hingegen nur für 19 der 25 Items vor. Unterschiede in den latenten Skalenmittelwerten zwischen Jugendlichen und Eltern können daher entweder das Ergebnis von tatsächlichen Bewertungsunterschieden darstellen oder sie sind das Resultat der fehlenden skalaren Messinvarianz zwischen beiden SDQ-Versionen. Folglich sollten Unterschiede in den latenten Mittelwerten aus Eltern- und Selbstbeurteilungsversion für Jugendliche mit Vorsicht interpretiert werden.
Einfluss eines schwierigen frühkindlichen Temperaments auf die Qualität der Mutter-Kind-Interaktion unter psychosozialen Risikolagen
Authors: Freund Jan-David , Linberg Anja , Weinert Sabine 
Published: March 2018

Zusammenfassung. Die Qualität frühkindlicher häuslicher Lernumwelt, insbesondere mütterlichen Interaktionsverhaltens, ist ein bedeutsamer Prädiktor kindlicher Entwicklung. Die Frage, ob diese Interaktionsqualität durch ein schwieriges Temperament des Kindes reduziert ist, wenn kumulierte Belastungsfaktoren ihre Bewältigungskapazitäten einschränken, wurde an 2190 Fällen der Startkohorte 1 des Nationalen Bildungspanels (NEPS) untersucht. Im häuslichen Kontext wurde die Interaktionsqualität über Videoaufnahmen halb-strukturierter Spielsituationen, die übrigen Variablen über computerunterstützte Elterninterviews erhoben, als die Kinder 6 – 8 Monate alt waren. Während in der Nichtrisikogruppe kein Einfluss auf die Interaktionsqualität festzustellen war, zeigte sich in der Risikogruppe (Kumulation von mindestens drei Belastungsfaktoren) ein deutlicher negativer Zusammenhang mit der Neigung des Kindes zu negativen Affektäußerungen, nicht jedoch mit dessen Regulierbarkeit. Negative Affektivität stellt daher besonders in ohnehin gefährdeten Gruppen ein Entwicklungsrisiko dar.
WW domain-binding protein 2 acts as an oncogene by modulating the activity of the glycolytic enzyme ENO1 in glioma
Authors: Chen Shuai , Zhang Ya , Wang Han , Zeng Yu-Ying , Li Zhi , Li Ming-Li , Li Fang-Fang , You Jun , Zhang Zhi-Ming , Tzeng Chi-Meng 
Published: March 2018

AbstractWW domain-binding protein 2 (WBP2) has been demonstrated as oncogenic in breast cancer. Many studies have revealed the WBP2 gene as a high-risk gene for leukoariaosis and cerebral white matter lesions is important in the pathologic stage of glioma development. This study aimed to illustrate the underlying mechanism by which WBP2 regulates the process of glioma development. The expression pattern of WBP2 in several tumor cells was determined, clarifying the carcinogenic action of WBP2 in glioma cells. Overexpression of WBP2 in glioma cells promoted cell proliferation and migration, and the number of S-phase cells, whereas the depletion of WBP2 by RNAi-mediated knockdown restrained cell growth and cell cycle progression. Upregulation of WBP2 significantly enhanced the tumorigenic ability of U251 cells in vivo. MS/GST pulldown assay identified α-enolase (ENO1) and Homer protein homolog 3 (Homer3) as novel potent interaction partners of WBP2. Knockdown of ENO1 or Homer3 allowed cell growth and migration to return to normal levels. Furthermore, in vitro and in vivo experiments indicated that the oncogenic role of WBP2 in glioma was through modulating ENO1 and glycolysis activity via the ENO1-PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Collectively, these results reveal that WBP2 plays a vital role in the occurrence and development of glioma, indicating a target gene for glioblastoma treatment.
gDNA qPCR is statistically more reliable than mRNA analysis in detecting leukemic cells to monitor CML
Authors: Rainero Alessia , Angaroni Fabrizio , D’Avila Francesca , Conti Andrea , Pirrone Cristina , Micheloni Giovanni , Tararà Lucia , Millefanti Giorgia , Maserati Emanuela , Valli Roberto , Spinelli Orietta , Buklijas Ksenija , Michelato Anna , Casalone Rosario , Barlassina Cristina , Barcella Matteo , Sirchia Silvia , Piscitelli Eleonora , Caccia Massimo , Porta Giovanni 
Published: March 2018

AbstractChronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) is a stem cell cancer that arises when t(9;22) translocation occurs in a hematopoietic stem cells. This event results in the expression of the BCR-ABL1 fusion gene, which codes for a constitutively active tyrosine kinase that is responsible for the transformation of a HSC into a CML stem cell, which then gives rise to a clonal myeloproliferative disease. The introduction of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs) has revolutionized the management of the disease. However, these drugs do not seem to be able to eradicate the malignancy. Indeed, discontinuation trials (STIM; TWISER; DADI) for those patients who achieved a profound molecular response showed 50% relapsing within 12 months. We performed a comparative analysis on 15 CML patients and one B-ALL patient, between the standard quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR (qRT–PCR) and our genomic DNA patient-specific quantitative PCR assay (gDNA qPCR). Here we demonstrate that gDNA qPCR is better than standard qRT–PCR in disease monitoring after an average follow-up period of 200 days. Specifically, we statistically demonstrated that DNA negativity is more reliable than RNA negativity in indicating when TKIs therapy can be safely stopped.
Phenytoin inhibits necroptosis
Authors: von Mässenhausen Anne , Tonnus Wulf , Himmerkus Nina , Parmentier Simon , Saleh Danish , Rodriguez Diego , Ousingsawat Jiraporn , Ang Rosalind L. , Weinberg Joel M. , Sanz Ana B. , Ortiz Alberto , Zierleyn Adrian , Becker Jan Ulrich , Baratte Blandine , Desban Nathalie , Bach Stéphane , Schiessl Ina Maria , Nogusa Shoko , Balachandran Siddharth , Anders Hans Joachim , Ting Adrian T. , Bleich Markus , Degterev Alexei , Kunzelmann Karl , Bornstein Stefan R. , Green Douglas R. , Hugo Christian , Linkermann Andreas 
Published: March 2018

AbstractReceptor-interacting protein kinases 1 and 3 (RIPK1/3) have best been described for their role in mediating a regulated form of necrosis, referred to as necroptosis. During this process, RIPK3 phosphorylates mixed lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL) to cause plasma membrane rupture. RIPK3-deficient mice have recently been demonstrated to be protected in a series of disease models, but direct evidence for activation of necroptosis in vivo is still limited. Here, we sought to further examine the activation of necroptosis in kidney ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) and from TNFα-induced severe inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), two models of RIPK3-dependent injury. In both models, MLKL-ko mice were significantly protected from injury to a degree that was slightly, but statistically significantly exceeding that of RIPK3-deficient mice. We also demonstrated, for the first time, accumulation of pMLKL in the necrotic tubules of human patients with acute kidney injury. However, our data also uncovered unexpected elevation of blood flow in MLKL-ko animals, which may be relevant to IRI and should be considered in the future. To further understand the mode of regulation of cell death by MLKL, we screened a panel of clinical plasma membrane channel blockers and we found phenytoin to inhibit necroptosis. However, we further found that phenytoin attenuated RIPK1 kinase activity in vitro, likely due to the hydantoin scaffold also present in necrostatin-1, and blocked upstream necrosome formation steps in the cells undergoing necroptosis. We further report that this clinically used anti-convulsant drug displayed protection from kidney IRI and TNFα-induces SIRS in vivo. Overall, our data reveal the relevance of RIPK3-pMLKL regulation for acute kidney injury and identifies an FDA-approved drug that may be useful for immediate clinical evaluation of inhibition of pro-death RIPK1/RIPK3 activities in human diseases.