bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Findings of OCT‐angiography compared to fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography in central serous chorioretinopathy
Authors: Min Jing‐Yu , Lv Yanan , Yu Suqin , Gong Yuan‐Yuan 
Published: June 2018

PurposeThe present study analyzed the appearances of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) based on fluorescein angiography (FA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA).MethodIn the current case series, 54 eyes of 50 patients diagnosed as CSC were evaluated retrospectively. OCTA, FA, and ICGA were performed on each patient. Two trained observers examined the OCTA images independently to confirm and compare the choriocapillary appearance with that on FA/ICGA. Also, the leakage of vessels on FA, perfusion of choroidal blood flow on ICGA, blood flow density, and vascular morphology on OCTA, as well as, the effect of serous retinal detachment (SRD) on imaging were observed. Furthermore, the image findings of contralateral eyes were included.Results47/54 eyes (corresponding to 43 patients in 50 patients) were finally diagnosed with CSC that presented a leakage on FA and dilated vessels on ICGA, and the corresponding areas could be recognized on OCTA. However, in some of the cases (15 eyes, 31.9%), a portion of the leakage lesion on FA did not overlap completely with that on OCTA. On the OCTA B‐scan, six eyes did not show a choriocapillary flow signal under subretinal fluid (SRF) with a median SRD height of 485 µm, despite the dilated vessels on ICGA. Approximately, 21 contralateral eyes without SRD and leakage presented dilated vessels on ICGA; however, only 13 eyes could be recognized on OCTA. In addition, seven eyes presented CSC on FA/ICGA but manifested explicit abnormal vascularization beneath the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) on OCTA.ConclusionFA/ICGA remains the gold standard for the diagnosis of CSC and cannot be completely replaced by OCTA. However, in some cases displaying hot‐spots CNV, OCTA can contribute toward a definite diagnosis. The SRD height may exert a shielding effect on the choriocapillary flow signals on OCTA. Lasers Surg. Med. 50:987–993, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Impact of Cationic Charge Density and PEGylated Poly(amino acid) Tercopolymer Architecture on Their Use as Gene Delivery Vehicles. Part 1: Synthesis, Self‐Assembly, and DNA Complexation
Authors: Ulkoski David , Scholz Carmen 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe interaction of PEGylated poly(amino acid)s with their biological targets depends on their chemical nature and spatial arrangement of their building blocks. The synthesis, self‐assembly, and DNA complexation of ABC terblock copolymers consisting of poly(ethylene glycol), (PEG), poly(l‐lysine), and poly(l‐leucine), are reported. Block copolymers are produced by a metal‐free, living ring‐opening polymerization of respective amino acid N‐carboxyanhydrides using amino‐terminated PEG as macroinitiator: (PEG‐b‐p(l‐Lys)x‐b‐p(l‐Leu)y, PEG‐b‐p(l‐Leu)x‐b‐p(l‐Lys)y, and PEG‐b‐p((l‐Lys)x‐co‐p(l‐Leu)y). Sizes of self‐assembled nanoparticles depend on the formation method. The nanoprecipitation method proves useful for copolymers with the poly(l‐lysine) block protected as trifluoroacetate, effective diameters range between 92 and 132 nm, while direct dissolution in distilled water is suitable for the deprotected copolymers, yielding effective diameters between 52 and 173 nm. Critical micelle concentration (CMC) analyses corroborate particle size analyses and show a distinct impact of the molecular architecture; the lowest CMC (8 µg mL−1) is observed when the poly(l‐leucine) segment forms the C‐block and the hydrophilic, disassembly driving poly(l‐lysine) segment is short. DNA complexation, evaluated by gel motility and RiboGreen analyses, depends strongly on the molecular architecture. A more efficient DNA complexation is observed when poly(l‐lysine) and poly(l‐leucine) form individual blocks as opposed to them forming a copolymer.
Changes in dominant Escherichia coli and antimicrobial resistance after 24 hr in fecal matter
Authors: Barrera Sofía , Cardenas Paul , Graham Jay P. , Trueba Gabriel 
Published: June 2018

AbstractIntestinal bacteria carry antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes in mobile genetic elements which have the potential to spread to bacteria in other animal hosts including humans. In fecal matter, Escherichia coli can continue to multiply for 48 hr after being excreted, and in certain environments, E. coli survive long periods of time. It is unclear the extent to which AMR in E. coli changes in the environment outside of its host. In this study, we analyzed changes in the population structure, plasmid content, and AMR patterns of 30 E. coli isolates isolated from 6 chickens (cloacal swabs), and 30 E. coli isolates from fecal samples (from the same 6 chickens) after 24 hr of incubation. Clonality of isolates was screened using the fumC gene sequence and confirmed in a subset of isolates (n = 14) by multi‐locus sequence typing. Major shifts in the population structure (i.e., sequence types) and antibiotic resistance patterns were observed among the numerically dominant E. coli isolates after 24 hr. Four E. coli clones isolated from the cloaca swabs and the corresponding fecal samples (after 24 hr incubation) showed different antibiotic resistance patterns. Our study reveals that fecal matter in the environment is an intermediate habitat where rapid and striking changes occur in E. coli populations and antibiotic resistance patterns.
Succession of embryonic and the intestinal bacterial communities of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) reveals stage‐specific microbial signatures
Authors: Lokesh Jep , Kiron Viswanath , Sipkema Detmer , Fernandes Jorge M.O. , Moum Truls 
Published: June 2018

AbstractHost‐associated microbiota undergoes a continuous transition, from the birth to adulthood of the host. These developmental stage‐related transitions could lead to specific microbial signatures that could impact the host biological processes. In this study, the succession of early‐life and intestinal bacterial communities of Atlantic salmon (starting from embryonic stages to 80‐week post hatch; wph) was studied using amplicon sequencing of 16S rRNA. Stage‐specific bacterial community compositions and the progressive transitions of the communities were evident in both the early life and the intestine. The embryonic communities showed lower richness and diversity (Shannon and PD whole tree) compared to the hatchlings. A marked transition of the intestinal communities also occurred during the development; Proteobacteria were dominant in the early stages (both embryonic and intestinal), though the abundant genera under this phylum were stage‐specific. Firmicutes were the most abundant group in the intestine of late freshwater; Weissella being the dominant genus at 20 wph and Anaerofilum at 62 wph. Proteobacteria regained its dominance after the fish entered seawater. Furthermore, LEfSe analysis identified genera under the above ‐ mentioned phyla that are significant features of specific stages. The environmental (water) bacterial community was significantly different from that of the fish, indicating that the host is a determinant of microbial assemblage. Overall the study demonstrated the community dynamics during the development of Atlantic salmon.
SERS sensing of perampanel with nanostructured arrays of gold particles produced by pulsed laser ablation in water
Authors: Santoro Marco , Fazio Enza , Trusso Sebastiano , Tommasini Matteo , Lucotti Andrea , Saija Rosalba , Casazza Marina , Neri Fortunato , Ossi Paolo Maria 
Published: June 2018

AbstractNoble metal nanoparticles (NPs) are among the most extensively studied colloidal systems, due to their surface plasmon resonances (SPR) of interest for biological sensing. We report here the synthesis of Au nanoparticles as water‐based colloids by nanosecond (τ = 5 ns) and picosecond (τ = 6 ps) pulsed laser ablation at the fixed fluence of 1.5 J/cm2 (λ = 532 nm) and different irradiation times (20 minutes, ns irradiations; 5 minutes, ps irradiations). Both ns and ps ablation lead to the synthesis of highly stable and chemically pure NPs. ps pulses allow synthesizing in remarkably short times (few minutes) smaller NPs with a narrower size distribution than using ns pulses. The surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activity of Au NPs produced by ps ablation was tested, obtaining the first SERS spectrum of the new generation antiepileptic drug perampanel, whose clinical interest is relevant.
Risk factors for osteoporosis in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy
Authors: Kim Seung Woo , Choi Young‐Chul , Kim Seung Min , Shin Ha Young 
Published: June 2018

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) patients possess multiple risk factors for osteoporosis, but few studies have evaluated bone mineral density (BMD) in CIDP patients. Methods: We retrospectively compared the BMD of CIDP patients with that of normal controls, and evaluated the clinical factors associated with osteoporosis. Results: Total BMD was lower in CIDP patients than in normal controls (P = 0.017). In a comparison of 16 osteoporotic CIDP patients with 25 non‐osteoporotic patients, the cumulative prednisolone dose was lower (P = 0.022) and the duration from disease onset to BMD measurement was shorter (P = 0.014) in osteoporotic patients than in non‐osteoporotic patients. Function, as measured by modified Rankin scale score within 3 years of the BMD measurement, was worse in osteoporotic than in non‐osteoporotic patients (P = 0.008). Discussion: BMD in CIDP patients was significantly lower than in normal controls. Functional status rather than cumulative steroid dose was associated with osteoporosis. Muscle Nerve 58: 407–412, 2018
Lower Fasted‐State but Greater Increase in Muscle Protein Synthesis in Response to Elevated Plasma Amino Acids in Obesity
Authors: Tran Lee , Kras Katon A. , Hoffman Nyssa , Ravichandran Jayachandran , Dickinson Jared M. , D'Lugos Andrew , Carroll Chad C. , Patel Shivam H. , Mandarino Lawrence J. , Roust Lori , Katsanos Christos S. 
Published: June 2018

ObjectiveObesity alters protein metabolism in skeletal muscle, but consistent evidence is lacking. This study compared muscle protein synthesis in adults with obesity and in lean controls in the fasted state and during an amino acid infusion.MethodsTen subjects with obesity (age: 36 ± 3 years; BMI: 34 ± 1 kg/m2) and ten controls (age: 35 ± 3 years; BMI: 23 ± 1 kg/m2) received an infusion of L‐[2,3,3,4,5,5,5,6,6,6‐2H10]leucine (0.15 μmol/kg fat‐free mass/min) to measure muscle protein synthesis after an overnight fast and during amino acid infusion.ResultsDespite greater muscle mammalian target of rapamycin phosphorylation (P ≤ 0.05), fasted‐state mixed‐muscle and mitochondrial protein synthesis were lower in subjects with obesity (P ≤ 0.05). However, the change in mixed‐muscle protein synthesis during the amino acid infusion was 2.7‐fold greater in subjects with obesity (P ≤ 0.05), accompanied by a greater change in S6 kinase‐1 phosphorylation (P ≤ 0.05). The change in mitochondrial protein synthesis did not differ between groups (P > 0.05).ConclusionsAdults with obesity have reduced muscle protein synthesis in the fasted state, but this response is compensated for by a greater change in overall muscle protein synthesis during amino acid infusion.
Quantifying the utilization of medical devices necessary to detect postmarket safety differences: A case study of implantable cardioverter defibrillators
Authors: Bates Jonathan , Parzynski Craig S. , Dhruva Sanket S. , Coppi Andreas , Kuntz Richard , Li Shu‐Xia , Marinac‐Dabic Danica , Masoudi Frederick A. , Shaw Richard E. , Warner Frederick , Krumholz Harlan M. , Ross Joseph S. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractPurposeTo estimate medical device utilization needed to detect safety differences among implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) generator models and compare these estimates to utilization in practice.MethodsWe conducted repeated sample size estimates to calculate the medical device utilization needed, systematically varying device‐specific safety event rate ratios and significance levels while maintaining 80% power, testing 3 average adverse event rates (3.9, 6.1, and 12.6 events per 100 person‐years) estimated from the American College of Cardiology's 2006 to 2010 National Cardiovascular Data Registry of ICDs. We then compared with actual medical device utilization.ResultsAt significance level 0.05 and 80% power, 34% or fewer ICD models accrued sufficient utilization in practice to detect safety differences for rate ratios <1.15 and an average event rate of 12.6 events per 100 person‐years. For average event rates of 3.9 and 12.6 events per 100 person‐years, 30% and 50% of ICD models, respectively, accrued sufficient utilization for a rate ratio of 1.25, whereas 52% and 67% for a rate ratio of 1.50. Because actual ICD utilization was not uniformly distributed across ICD models, the proportion of individuals receiving any ICD that accrued sufficient utilization in practice was 0% to 21%, 32% to 70%, and 67% to 84% for rate ratios of 1.05, 1.15, and 1.25, respectively, for the range of 3 average adverse event rates.ConclusionsSmall safety differences among ICD generator models are unlikely to be detected through routine surveillance given current ICD utilization in practice, but large safety differences can be detected for most patients at anticipated average adverse event rates.
Anticholinergic and sedative medications and the risk of vertigo or dizziness in the German primary care setting—A matched case‐control study from the CONTENT registry
Authors: Phillips Amanda , Strobl Ralf , Grill Eva , Laux Gunter 
Published: June 2018

AbstractPurposeTo date, there is little information on the utilization of anticholinergic and sedative (AS) medications to vertigo or dizziness (VoD) patients in the German primary care setting. The objective of this study was to evaluate AS medication use and its association with VoD within the German primary care setting.MethodsCases with VoD from the CONTENT (CONTinuous morbidity registration Epidemiologic NeTwork) database were 1:1 matched to controls on age, sex, and comorbidities by propensity score matching. AS medication was defined using the fourth level of Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification (ATC) Codes. A prescription of AS medication any time within the study period formed the primary exposure. Multivariable conditional logistic regression examined the association between AS use and VoD.ResultsOf a total of N = 151 446 patients, 6971 (4.6%) cases and 6971 corresponding controls were analyzed (mean age (sd): 59.9 years (20.9), 64.2% female). Dizziness and giddiness (ICD‐10 Code R42) were diagnosed most prominently (87.2%). AS medication was prescribed on 1072 of 10 552 (10.2%) consultation days with VoD diagnoses. After adjusting for covariates, AS use was significantly and independently associated with VoD, adjusted odds ratio (1.37; 95% CI: 1.18–1.58), compared with no AS use.ConclusionPrimary care practitioners should consider AS medication as a risk factor for VoD and avoid prescribing AS medications after a VoD diagnosis. Caution should also be taken when prescribing AS medications to older adults (≥65 years). Systematical calculations of AS medication burden for patients could help acknowledge this issue and raise awareness for prescription habits in primary care.
Functional characterization of squalene synthase and squalene epoxidase in Taraxacum koksaghyz
Authors: Unland Kristina , Pütter Katharina M. , Vorwerk Kirsten , van Deenen Nicole , Twyman Richard M. , Prüfer Dirk , Schulze Gronover Christian 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe Russian dandelion Taraxacum koksaghyz produces high‐value isoprenoids such as pentacyclic triterpenes and natural rubber in the latex of specialized cells known as laticifers. Squalene synthase (SQS) and squalene epoxidase (SQE) catalyze key steps in the biosynthesis of cyclic terpenoids, but neither enzyme has yet been characterized in T. koksaghyz. Genomic analysis revealed the presence of two genes (TkSQS1 and TkSQS2) encoding isoforms of SQS, and four genes (TkSQE1–4) encoding isoforms of SQE. Spatial expression analysis in different T. koksaghyz tissues confirmed that TkSQS1 and TkSQE1 are the latex‐predominant isoforms, with highly similar mRNA expression profiles. The TkSQS1 and TkSQE1 proteins colocalized in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane and their enzymatic functions were confirmed by in vitro activity assays and yeast complementation studies, respectively. The functions of TkSQS1 and TkSQE1 were further characterized in the latex of T. koksaghyz plants with depleted TkSQS1 or TkSQE1 mRNA levels, produced by RNA interference. Comprehensive expression analysis revealed the coregulation of TkSQS1 and TkSQE1, along with a downstream gene in the triterpene biosynthesis pathway encoding the oxidosqualene cyclase TkOSC1. This indicates that the coregulation of TkSQS1, TkSQE1, and TkOSC1 could be used to optimize the flux toward specific terpenoids during development.
Cover Image, Volume 74, Issue 7
Authors: Liu Quan‐quan , Zhang Tong‐shu , Li Chun‐xue , Gu Jun‐wen , Hou Jie‐bin , Dong Hui 
Published: June 2018

The cover image, by Quan‐quan Liu et al., is based on the Research Article Decision‐making in a bisexual line and a thelytokous Wolbachia‐infected line of Trichogramma dendrolimi Matsumura (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) regarding behavior toward their hosts, DOI: 10.1002/ps.4867.
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Methods and Technologies for Exosome Isolation and Characterization
Authors: Zhang Mengdi , Jin Ke , Gao Liang , Zhang Zhengkui , Li Fang , Zhou Fangfang , Zhang Long 
Published: June 2018

AbstractExosomes, a specific subclass of the extracellular vesicles secreted by most cell types, play an important role in cell–cell communication by transporting diverse content including protein, mRNA, miRNA, and DNA. This cargo is closely associated with the pathogenesis of most human malignancies. Therefore, it is becoming an urgent demand to be able to isolate exosomes in a simple, efficient, and economical way for scientific research and clinical diagnosis. Here, several conventional and novel nano‐based techniques of exosome isolation and characterization are summarized, and the advantages and disadvantages among them are compared, with the hope that researchers will be provided with an overview in this field to detect and isolate exosomes in a suitable manner, matching the subsequent experiments.
Flexible and Stretchable Perovskite Solar Cells: Device Design and Development Methods
Authors: Wu Zhongwei , Li Peng , Zhang Yaokang , Zheng Zijian 
Published: June 2018

AbstractFlexible and stretchable solar cells have attracted much attention in both the academic and industrial communities due to their huge application potential in many areas, such as buildings, decoration, transportation, fashion, and portable and wearable electronics. In recent years, perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have emerged as the most promising photovoltaic technology, simultaneously offering high efficiency, light weight, low cost, low‐temperature and solution‐processing ability, and material flexibility, which are essential for flexible and stretchable applications. Here, a detailed review is presented on the development of flexible and stretchable PSCs, in terms of the choices of active, interfacial, conductive, and substrate materials, as well as device structures. First, some fundamental principles of PSCs regarding their suitability for flexible and stretchable applications are introduced. Then, the developments and evolving methods of several important materials of flexible devices, including flexible and stretchable substrates, electrodes, and interfacial layers, are summarized. The design of the device structure, which is directly related to the performance in flexibility and stretchability, is also discussed. Finally, conclusions are presented and some promising research directions for flexible and stretchable PSCs in the future are highlighted.
In Situ Studies of Li/Cu‐Doped Layered P2 NaxMnO2 Electrodes for Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Sehrawat Divya , Zhang Jiaolong , Yu Denis Y. W. , Sharma Neeraj 
Published: June 2018

AbstractBy understanding how structural transitions affect the electrochemical performance of a battery, better electrode materials for reversible Na+ insertion/extraction can be developed. Here, the structural evolution of the recently synthesized P2 phases of Na0.7Li0.1Mn0.9O2 and Na2/3Cu1/3Mn2/3O2 using high‐resolution in situ synchrotron X‐ray diffraction experiments is reported and the evolution relative to the parent P2 Na0.7MnO2 is directly compared. All electrodes feature solid solution and two‐phase reactions during charge/discharge/charge processes. Using a simplified single‐phase evolution for comparative purposes, the P2 Na0.7Li0.1Mn0.9O2 and P2 Na2/3Cu1/3Mn2/3O2 show volume changes of 1.909(1) and 1.13(3) Å3 of the major phase, respectively, during charge/discharge while the parent P2 Na0.7MnO2 shows an overall volume change of 0.67(0) Å3 for P2 and 61.9(1) Å3 for orthorhombic phase. The maximum volume for P2 Na0.7Li0.1Mn0.9O2 of 81.094(6) Å3 is observed at 2.35 V during discharge while for P2 Na2/3Cu1/3Mn2/3O2 of 81.753(6) Å3 is observed at the discharged state (1.5 V). Compared to the P2 Na0.7MnO2 the number of phase transitions experienced by the P2 Na0.7Li0.1Mn0.9O2 and P2 Na2/3Cu1/3Mn2/3O2 are significantly smaller. Li/Cu‐doped samples generally show better cycle performance, and these results illustrate the structural response such substitutions have on the Na+ insertion/extraction of P2 Na0.7MnO2 during cycling.
Screening for pre‐eclampsia at 35–37 weeks' gestation
Authors: Panaitescu A. , Ciobanu A. , Syngelaki A. , Wright A. , Wright D. , Nicolaides K. H. 
Published: June 2018

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo examine the performance of screening for pre‐eclampsia (PE) at 35–37 weeks' gestation by maternal factors and combinations of mean arterial pressure (MAP), uterine artery pulsatility index (UtA‐PI), serum placental growth factor (PlGF) and serum soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase‐1 (sFlt‐1).MethodsThis was a prospective observational study in women with singleton pregnancy attending for an ultrasound scan at 35 + 0 to 36 + 6 weeks as part of routine pregnancy care. Bayes' theorem was used to combine the prior distribution of gestational age at delivery with PE, obtained from maternal characteristics and medical history, with various combinations of biomarker multiples of the median (MoM) values to derive the patient‐specific risks of delivery with PE. The performance of such screening was estimated.ResultsThe study population of 13 350 pregnancies included 272 (2.0%) that subsequently developed PE. In pregnancies that developed PE, the MoM values of MAP, UtA‐PI and sFlt‐1 were increased and PlGF MoM was decreased. At a risk cut‐off of 1 in 20, the proportion of the population stratified into high risk was about 10% of the total, and the proportion of cases of PE contained within this high‐risk group was 28% with screening by maternal factors alone; the detection rate increased to 53% with the addition of MAP, 67% with the addition of MAP and PlGF and 70% with the addition of MAP, PlGF and sFlt‐1. The performance of screening was not improved by the addition of UtA‐PI. The performance of screening depended on the racial origin of the women; in screening by a combination of maternal factors, MAP, PlGF and sFlt‐1 and use of the risk cut‐off of 1 in 20, the detection rate and screen‐positive rate were 66% and 9.5%, respectively, for Caucasian women and 88% and 18% for those of Afro‐Caribbean racial origin.ConclusionScreening by maternal factors and biomarkers at 35–37 weeks' gestation can identify a high proportion of pregnancies that develop late PE. The performance of screening depends on the racial origin of the women. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.