bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The prognostic value of interaction between mean corpuscular volume and red cell distribution width in mortality in chronic kidney disease
Authors: Kor Chew-Teng , Hsieh Yao-Peng , Chang Chia-Chu , Chiu Ping-Fang 
Published: August 2018

AbstractRecently, both red cell distribution width (RDW) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) have been associated with unfavorable outcomes in several medical conditions. Therefore, we conducted this retrospective study of 1075 patients with stage 3–5 chronic kidney disease to investigate whether interactions between RDW and MCV influence the risk of mortality. These patients were divided into four groups: group A (n = 415), RDW ≤ 14.9% and MCV ≤ 91.6 fL; group B (n = 232), RDW > 14.9% and MCV ≤ 91.6 fL; group C (n = 307), RDW ≤ 14.9% and MCV > 91.6 fL; and group D (n = 121), RDW > 14.9% and MCV > 91.6 fL. The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of all-cause mortality for group B versus group A was 1.44 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14–2.12, p = 0.02), group C versus group A 2.14 (95% CI, 1.31–3.48, p = 0.002), and group D versus group A 5.06 (95% CI, 3.06–8.37, p < 0.001). There was a multiplicative interaction between MCV and RDW in predicting patient mortality. The use of RDW in conjunction with MCV may improve healthcare by identifying those at an increased risk for mortality compared with the use of either RDW or MCV alone.
Antenatal IL-1-dependent inflammation persists postnatally and causes retinal and sub-retinal vasculopathy in progeny
Authors: Beaudry-Richard Alexandra , Nadeau-Vallée Mathieu , Prairie Élizabeth , Maurice Noémie , Heckel Émilie , Nezhady Mohammad , Pundir Sheetal , Madaan Ankush , Boudreault Amarilys , Hou Xin , Quiniou Christiane , Sierra Estefania Marin , Beaulac Alexandre , Lodygensky Gregory , Robertson Sarah A. , Keelan Jeffrey , Adams Waldorf Kristina M. , Olson David M. , Rivera Jose-Carlos , Lubell William D. , Joyal Jean-Sebastien , Bouchard Jean-François , Chemtob Sylvain 
Published: August 2018

AbstractAntenatal inflammation as seen with chorioamnionitis is harmful to foetal/neonatal organ development including to eyes. Although the major pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β participates in retinopathy induced by hyperoxia (a predisposing factor to retinopathy of prematurity), the specific role of antenatal IL-1β associated with preterm birth (PTB) in retinal vasculopathy (independent of hyperoxia) is unknown. Using a murine model of PTB induced with IL-1β injectionin utero, we studied consequent retinal and choroidal vascular development; in this process we evaluated the efficacy of IL-1R antagonists. Eyes of foetuses exposed only to IL-1β displayed high levels of pro-inflammatory genes, and a persistent postnatal infiltration of inflammatory cells. This prolonged inflammatory response was associated with: (1) a marked delay in retinal vessel growth; (2) long-lasting thinning of the choroid; and (3) long-term morphological and functional alterations of the retina. Antenatal administration of IL-1R antagonists – 101.10 (a modulator of IL-1R) more so than Kineret (competitive IL-1R antagonist) – prevented all deleterious effects of inflammation. This study unveils a key role for IL-1β, a major mediator of chorioamnionitis, in causing sustained ocular inflammation and perinatal vascular eye injury, and highlights the efficacy of antenatal 101.10 to suppress deleterious inflammation.
The Overlap of Lung Tissue Transcriptome of Smoke Exposed Mice with Human Smoking and COPD
Authors: Obeidat Ma’en , Dvorkin-Gheva Anna , Li Xuan , Bossé Yohan , Brandsma Corry-Anke , Nickle David C. , Hansbro Philip M. , Faner Rosa , Agusti Alvar , Paré Peter D. , Stampfli Martin R. , Sin Don D. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractGenome-wide mRNA profiling in lung tissue from human and animal models can provide novel insights into the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). While 6 months of smoke exposure are widely used, shorter durations were also reported. The overlap of short term and long-term smoke exposure in mice is currently not well understood, and their representation of the human condition is uncertain. Lung tissue gene expression profiles of six murine smoking experiments (n = 48) were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and analyzed to identify the murine smoking signature. The “human smoking” gene signature containing 386 genes was previously published in the lung eQTL study (n = 1,111). A signature of mild COPD containing 7 genes was also identified in the same study. The lung tissue gene signature of “severe COPD” (n = 70) contained 4,071 genes and was previously published. We detected 3,723 differentially expressed genes in the 6 month-exposure mice datasets (FDR <0.1). Of those, 184 genes (representing 48% of human smoking) and 1,003 (representing 27% of human COPD) were shared with the human smoking-related genes and the COPD severity-related genes, respectively. There was 4-fold over-representation of human and murine smoking-related genes (P = 6.7 × 10−26) and a 1.4 fold in the severe COPD -related genes (P = 2.3 × 10−12). There was no significant enrichment of the mice and human smoking-related genes in mild COPD signature. These data suggest that murine smoke models are strongly representative of molecular processes of human smoking but less of COPD.
Amplification and next generation sequencing of near full-length human enteroviruses for identification and characterisation from clinical samples
Authors: Isaacs Sonia R. , Kim Ki Wook , Cheng Junipearl X. , Bull Rowena A. , Stelzer-Braid Sacha , Luciani Fabio , Rawlinson William D. , Craig Maria E. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractMore than 100 different enterovirus (EV) genotypes infect humans and contribute to substantial morbidity. However, current methods for characterisation of full-length genomes are based on Sanger sequencing of short genomic regions, which are labour-intensive and do not enable comprehensive characterisation of viral populations. Here, we describe a simple and sensitive protocol for the amplification and sequencing of near full-length genomes of human EV species using next generation sequencing. EV genomes were amplified from 89% of samples tested, with Ct values ranging between 15.7 and 39.3. These samples included 7 EV-A genotypes (CVA2, 5–7, 10, 16 and EV71), 19 EV-B genotypes (CVA9, CVB1-6, ECHO3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 16, 18, 25, 29, 30, and EV69), 3 EV-C genotypes (CVA19 and PV2, 3) and 1 EV-D genotype (EV70). We characterised 70 EVs from 58 clinical stool samples and eight reference strains, with a minimum of 100X depth. We found evidence of co-infection in four clinical specimens, each containing two distinct EV genotypes (CVB3/ECHO7, CVB3/ECHO18 and ECHO9/30). Characterisation of the complete genome provided conclusive genotyping of EVs, which can be applied to investigate the intra-host virus evolution of EVs, and allows further identification and investigation of EV outbreaks.
Textural features of cervical cancers on FDG-PET/CT associate with survival and local relapse in patients treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Chen Shang-Wen , Shen Wei-Chih , Hsieh Te-Chun , Liang Ji-An , Hung Yao-Ching , Yeh Lian-Shung , Chang Wei-Chun , Lin Wu-Chou , Yen Kuo-Yang , Kao Chia-Hung 
Published: August 2018

AbstractWe retrospectively reviewed the records of 142 patients with stage IB–IIIB cervical cancer who underwent 18F-FDG-PET/CT before external beam radiotherapy plus intracavitary brachytherapy and concurrent chemotherapy. The patients were divided into training and validation cohorts to confirm the reliability of predictors for recurrence. Kaplan–Meier analysis was performed and a Cox regression model was used to examine the effects of variables on overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), and pelvic relapse-free survival (PRFS). High gray-level run emphasis (HGRE) derived from gray-level run-length matrix most accurately and consistently predicted the presence of pelvic residual or recurrent tumors for both cohorts. In multivariate analysis, stages IIIA–IIIB (P = 0.001, hazard ratio [HR] = 4.07) and a low HGRE (P < 0.0001, HR = 4.34) were prognostic factors for low OS, whereas a low HGRE (P = 0.001, HR = 2.86) and nonsquamous cell histology (P = 0.003, HR = 2.76) were prognostic factors for inferior PFS. The nonsquamous cell histology (P < 0.0001, HR = 9.19) and a low HGRE (P = 0.001, HR = 4.69) were predictors for low PRFS. In cervical cancer patients receiving definitive chemoradiotherapy, pretreatment textural features on 18F-FDG-PET/CT can supplement the prognostic information.
Acupuncture modulates stress response by the mTOR signaling pathway in a rat post-traumatic stress disorder model
Authors: Oh Ju-Young , Kim Yu-Kang , Kim Seung-Nam , Lee Bombi , Jang Jae-Hwan , Kwon Sunoh , Park Hi-Joon 
Published: August 2018

AbstractPost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disease that can form following exposure to a traumatic event. Acupuncture has been proposed as a beneficial treatment for PTSD, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The present study investigated whether acupuncture improves depression- and anxiety-like behaviors induced using a single prolonged stress (SPS) as a PTSD rat model. In addition, we investigated whether the effects were mediated by increased mTOR activity and its downstream signaling components, which contribute to protein synthesis required for synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus. We found that acupuncture at HT8 significantly alleviated both depression- and anxiety-like behaviors induced by SPS in rats, as assessed by the forced swimming, elevated plus maze, and open field tests; this alleviation was blocked by rapamycin. The effects of acupuncture were equivalent to those exerted by fluoxetine. Acupuncture regulated protein translation in the mTOR signaling pathway and enhanced the activation of synaptic proteins, PSD95, Syn1, and GluR1 in the hippocampus. These results suggest that acupuncture exerts antidepressant and anxiolytic effects on PTSD-related symptoms by increasing protein synthesis required for synaptic plasticity via the mTOR pathway in the hippocampus. Acupuncture may be a promising treatment for patients with PTSD and play a role as an alternative PTSD treatment.
Resolvin E1 attenuates murine psoriatic dermatitis
Authors: Sawada Yu , Honda Tetsuya , Nakamizo Satoshi , Otsuka Atsushi , Ogawa Narihito , Kobayashi Yuichi , Nakamura Motonobu , Kabashima Kenji 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe potential of omega-3 poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as a therapeutic target for psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease of IL-23/IL-17 axis, is a long-disputed question, since various epidemiological studies have suggested the association between high-intake of omega-3 PUFAs and the reduced frequency and severity of psoriasis. However, their actual significance and the molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. To address these issues, we focused on resolvin E1 (RvE1), an omega-3 PUFAs-derived metabolite, and examined its effects on psoriatic dermatitis, using an imiquimod-induced mouse psoriasis model. RvE1 potently suppressed the inflammatory cell infiltration and epidermal hyperplasia in the psoriatic skin. RvE1 decreased the mRNA expression of IL-23 in the skin. Consistently, RvE1 inhibited IL-23 production by dendritic cells (DCs) in vitro. Furthermore, RvE1 exerted inhibitory effects on migration of cutaneous DCs and γδ T cells, a major IL-17-producing cell population in mouse, both in vivo and in vitro. These suppressive effects of RvE1 were mediated by its antagonistic function on BLT1, a receptor of leukotriene B4, and were also observed in human DCs, Th17 and Tc17 cells. Our results indicate a novel mechanism of omega-3 PUFA-mediated amelioration of psoriasis, and suggest a potential of RvE1 as a therapeutic target for psoriasis.
An atom-to-circuit modeling approach to all-2D metal–insulator–semiconductor field-effect transistors
Authors: Das Biswapriyo , Mahapatra Santanu 
Published: August 2018

AbstractVertical stacking of heterogeneous two-dimensional (2D) materials has received considerable attention for nanoelectronic applications. In the semiconductor industry, however, the process of integration for any new material is expensive and complex. Thus, first principles-based models that enable systematic performance evaluation of emerging 2D materials at device and circuit level are in great demand. Here, we propose an ‘atom-to-circuit’ modeling framework for all-2D MISFET (metal–insulator–semiconductor field-effect transistor), which has recently been conceived by vertically stacking semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenide (e.g., MoS2), insulating hexagonal boron nitride and semi-metallic graphene. In a multi-scale modeling approach, we start with the development of a first principles-based atomistic model to study fundamental electronic properties and charge transfer at the atomic level. The energy band-structure obtained is then used to develop a physics-based compact device model to assess transistor characteristics. Finally, the models are implemented in a circuit simulator to facilitate design and simulation of integrated circuits. Since the proposed modeling framework translates atomic level phenomena (e.g., band-gap opening in graphene or introduction of semiconductor doping) to a circuit performance metric (e.g., frequency of a ring oscillator), it may provide solutions for the application and optimization of new materials.
Polarization-based control of phonon laser action in a Parity Time-symmetric optomechanical system
Authors: Wang Bao , Liu Zeng-Xing , Jia Xiao , Xiong Hao , Wu Ying 
Published: August 2018

AbstractRealizing a convenient way to control the phonon laser action is of great importance and may find applications in phonon laser devices engineering. Here we propose a vector parity time (PT)-symmetric optomechanical system to study the phonon laser action. We find that there is a specific region for the optimum mechanical gain appearing in parameter areas of the cavity gain and loss. The intensity of phonon laser action can be well controlled by adjusting the polarization of the pump field. The threshold value of phonon laser action manifests as a function relationship of the polarization directionθ.Furthermore, an ultralow threshold (even if threshold less) can be obtained around the exceptional point with the gain–loss balance. Our results indicate that the intensity and threshold of the phonon laser action can be continuously adjusted by only tuning the photon polarization, which provides a new degree of freedom to realize phonon laser regulation.
Femtosecond pulse generation beyond photon lifetime limit in gain-switched semiconductor lasers
Authors: Ito Takashi , Nakamae Hidekazu , Hazama Yuji , Nakamura Takahiro , Chen Shaoqiang , Yoshita Masahiro , Kim Changsu , Kobayashi Yohei , Akiyama Hidefumi 
Published: August 2018

AbstractFemtosecond semiconductor lasers are ideal devices to provide the ultrashort pulses for industrial and biomedical use because of their robustness, stability, compactness and potential low cost. In particular, gain-switched semiconductor lasers have significant advantages of flexible pulse shaping and repetition rate with the robustness. Here we first demonstrate our laser, which is initiated by very strong pumping of 100 times the lasing threshold density, can surpass the photon lifetime limit that has restricted the pulse width to picoseconds for the past four decades and produce an unprecedented ultrashort pulse of 670 fs with a peak power of 7.5 W on autocorrelation measurement. The measured phenomena are reproduced effectively by our numerical calculation based on rate equations including the non-equilibrium intraband carrier distribution, which reveal that the pulse width is limited by the carrier–carrier scattering time, instead of the photon lifetime.
Positive Social Interaction and Hearing Loss in Older Adults Living in Rural and Urban Communities
Authors: Hay-McCutcheon Marcia J. , Reed Paul E. , Cheimariou Spyridoula 
Published: August 2018

PurposeThis study explored the extent to which hearing loss affected positive social interactions in older adults living in rural and urban communities.MethodPure-tone behavioral hearing assessments were administered to 80 adults 60 years of age or older. In addition, all participants completed 2 questionnaires, the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (Sherbourne & Stewart, 1991) and the Patient Health Questionnaire–Ninth Edition (Kroenke, Spitzer, & Williams, 2001).ResultsThe preliminary findings suggested that adults with hearing loss living in rural towns had poorer positive social interactions compared with their urban counterparts with hearing loss. Also, adults with hearing loss living in rural towns had more symptoms of depression than adults with normal hearing who lived in these same geographical regions.ConclusionsThese preliminary findings could indicate that older adults with hearing loss living in rural communities will face more isolation than adults with hearing loss living in urban settings. Increasing our understanding of the extent of social isolation in adults with hearing loss living in rural and urban populations will be necessary.
Predicting Language Difficulties in Middle Childhood From Early Developmental Milestones: A Comparison of Traditional Regression and Machine Learning Techniques
Authors: Armstrong Rebecca , Symons Martyn , Scott James G. , Arnott Wendy L. , Copland David A. , McMahon Katie L. , Whitehouse Andrew J. O. 
Published: August 2018

PurposeThe current study aimed to compare traditional logistic regression models with machine learning algorithms to investigate the predictive ability of (a) communication performance at 3 years old on language outcomes at 10 years old and (b) broader developmental skills (motor, social, and adaptive) at 3 years old on language outcomes at 10 years old.MethodParticipants (N= 1,322) were drawn from the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study (Straker et al., 2017). A general developmental screener, the Infant Monitoring Questionnaire (Squires, Bricker, & Potter, 1990), was completed by caregivers at the 3-year follow-up. Language ability at 10 years old was assessed using the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals–Third Edition (Semel, Wiig, & Secord, 1995). Logistic regression models and interpretable machine learning algorithms were used to assess predictive abilities of early developmental milestones for later language outcomes.ResultsOverall, the findings showed that prediction accuracies were comparable between logistic regression and machine learning models using communication-only performance as well as performance on communication and broader developmental domains to predict language performance at 10 years old. Decision trees are incorporated to visually present these findings but must be interpreted with caution because of the poor accuracy of the models overall.ConclusionsThe current study provides preliminary evidence that machine learning algorithms provide equivalent predictive accuracy to traditional methods. Furthermore, the inclusion of broader developmental skills did not improve predictive capability. Assessment of language at more than 1 time point is necessary to ensure children whose language delays emerge later are identified and supported.Supplemental Materialhttps://doi.org/10.23641/asha.6879719
Low phase noise oscillator stabilised by high quality factor AFSIW resonators
Authors: Liu Zhiqiang , Xu Jinping , Wang Wenbo 
Published: August 2018

A novel X‐band low phase noise oscillator is proposed by taking advantage of the enhanced quality factor of air‐filled substrate integrated waveguide (AFSIW) resonators. A pair of AFSIW resonators is embedded in a feedback loop, which forms a high‐selectivity bandpass filter, to greatly reduce the phase noise of a heterojunction FET oscillator. A prototype is designed, fabricated and measured. At an output signal of 9.85 GHz, the phase noise is −146.8 dBc/Hz and the figure of merit is −210.6 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset frequency. An improvement of about 10 dB in phase noise performance is obtained compared with published substrate integrated waveguide resonator‐based oscillators.
Optimal design of brushless AC exciter for large synchronous generators considering grid codes requirements
Authors: Gorginpour Hamed 
Published: August 2018

The performance of the excitation system plays a very important role in the voltage stability of the power grid. The brushless excitation system with a brushless alternating current exciter offers a lower failure rate and thus higher reliability in comparison with the static system with high‐rated power electronics converters, brushes, and slip rings. However, its dynamic response is impaired due to the exciter lag in producing the required field current. In this study, the optimal design of an exciter for the large‐scale power‐plant synchronous generator based on the magnetic equivalent circuit method is pursued. The design goals are reducing the overall volume, minimising the magnitudes of the cogging torque and the field current ripples while satisfying the grid code requirements such as the ceiling values of available field voltage and current, rise time and settling time of the rectified output voltage under dynamic conditions. In addition, the other electrical, magnetic, thermal and mechanical constraints are included in the design algorithm. The proposed design method is used for obtaining the optimal specifications of an exciter for a 25 MW, 11 kV power‐plant generator in order to attain superior characteristics than the existing one. The analytical results are validated using two‐dimensional finite‐element studies and experimental measurements.
Integrierter Versorgungsvertrag (IVONi) zur Früherkennung und Behandlung von Patienten mit Osteoporose in Niedersachsen nach § 140 a–d SGB V
Authors: Hinz C. , Schmidt S. , Diedrichsen R. , Demary W. 
Published: August 2018

ZusammenfassungDer integrierte Versorgungsvertrag zur Erkennung und Behandlung von Patienten mit Osteoporose in Niedersachsen besteht seit 2010 als niedersachsenweite Erweiterung eines regionalen Vertrages (seit 2005) zwischen der Barmer GEK und den Kliniken Der Fürstenhof Bad Pyrmont, Anna-Stift Hannover und Friederikenstift Hannover. Das Versorgungskonzept sieht die hausärztliche Risikoerfassung und die zeitnahe Vorstellung zur spezifischen osteologischen Abklärung vor. Die Risikoerfassung, osteologische Abklärung und Therapieentscheidung erfolgen gemäß der DVO-Leitlinie. An eine dreijährige intensive Behandlungsphase schließt sich die Fortführung der Behandlung als Regelversorgung an. Ein Recallprogramm soll die Therapie - adhärenz günstig beeinflussen. Bislang wurden mehr als 17 000 Versicherte auf eine Osteoporose untersucht und 53 % als therapiebedürftig eingeschätzt. Erste Ergebnisse belegen, dass in der Vertragsregion mehr Patienten spezifisch behandelt werden als in einer Vergleichsregion. Das Risiko für neue Frakturen scheint im Vergleich mit einer aktuellen Studie zur Regelversorgung der Osteoporose (BEST) geringer zu sein. Damit bietet das Versorgungskonzept eine Option, die Osteoporoseversorgung zu verbessern.