bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic value of derived neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio in patients with ovarian cancer
Authors: Wu Yang‐yang , Qin Yuan‐yuan , Qin Jin‐qiu , Zhang Xuan , Lin Fa‐quan 
Published: January 2019

BackgroundInflammation plays an important role in the occurrence and development of cancer. Numerous studies have used the derived neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (dNLR) to evaluate prognosis in many types of cancer. However, the relationship between dNLR and ovarian cancer and its value in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant ovarian tumors remain unknown.MethodsA total of 262 patients with ovarian cancer, 258 with benign ovarian disease, and 232 healthy controls were included in this study. dNLR was calculated using whole blood cell parameters. Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated to obtain sensitivity, specificity, and area under the ROC curve (AUC) to evaluate the diagnostic values of dNLR.ResultsdNLR was significantly different among the ovarian cancer, benign ovarian disease, and healthy control groups (all P < 0.001). Moreover, there were significant differences in dNLR between patients with early‐stage (I and II) and advanced‐stage (III and IV) disease (P < 0.001). dNLR was positively correlated with stage and carbohydrate antigen‐125 in ovarian cancer. A cutoff value of dNLR ≤2.11 was diagnostic in distinguishing ovarian cancer from benign ovarian disease with AUC of 0.729 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.689‐0.767; P = 0.0001). A cutoff value of dNLR ≤1.9 was diagnostic in distinguishing ovarian cancer from healthy controls with an AUC of 0.821 (95% CI, 0.784‐0.854; P = 0.0001).ConclusiondNLR may be a useful indicator for distinguishing between ovarian cancer and benign ovarian disease and for identifying early and advanced ovarian cancer.
The perceived importance of intersectoral collaboration by health care alliances
Authors: Hearld Larry R. , Alexander Jeffrey A. , Wolf Laura J. , Shi Yunfeng 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThere is growing interest in the use of intersectoral collaboration (e.g., alliances, coalitions, partnerships) to address complex, health‐related issues in local communities. Relatively little empirical research, however, has examined how to foster and sustain collaboration across sectors during later stages of development, despite a recognition that the needs and goals for collaboration may change over time. The purpose of this study was to address this gap by examining the perceptions of alliance participants regarding the importance of collaborating with different industry sectors as alliances transitioned from stable, prescriptive foundation support to a more uncertain future. Our findings suggest that, in addition to the contextual characteristics highlighted in previous research, the perceived importance of intersectoral collaboration varies for different types of alliances and participants. Moreover, the salience of these characteristics varied for different types of collaboration, in our case, collaboration with nonmedical health care sectors and nonhealth care sectors. Collectively, our findings point to the importance of thinking more comprehensively, across multiple levels of influence, when considering ways to foster or sustain intersectoral collaboration.
The role of parenting stress in mediating the relationship between neighborhood social cohesion and depression and anxiety among mothers of young children in fragile families
Authors: McCloskey Rebecca J. , Pei Fei 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThis study was designed to examine the roles of neighborhood social cohesion and parenting stress in influencing maternal mental health outcomes among primarily low‐income, unmarried, urban mothers. Structural equation modeling was conducted using cross‐sectional Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study data (N = 3,876), to test the hypotheses that neighborhood social cohesion would be associated with depression and anxiety among mothers with children aged 3 years and that this relationship would be mediated by parenting stress. The mediation model demonstrated good fit,χ2(796) = 3169.07,p < .001; comparative fit index = 0.96; root mean square error of approximation = 0.028 [90% confidence interval [0.027, 0.029]. Parenting stress partially mediated the effect of social cohesion on maternal depression (indirect effect: −0.04,p < 0.001) and anxiety (indirect effect: −0.05,p < 0.001); higher reported neighborhood social cohesion was associated with lower parenting stress, which was associated with a decreased likelihood of maternal anxiety and depression. Efforts to bolster neighborhood social cohesion may improve maternal mental health outcomes by reducing parenting stress.
microRNA‐665 silencing improves cardiac function in rats with heart failure through activation of the cAMP signaling pathway
Authors: Lin Bin , Feng De‐Guang , Xu Jing 
Published: January 2019

AbstractHeart failure (HF) is a disease with high mortality and morbidity rate. Previous studies have shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) may be implicated in the pathogenesis of HF, potentially being able to improve the cardiac function in an HF rat model. The present study was designed to define the role of miR‐665 in the cardiac function of the HF rats. Following the establishm;ent of the rat models of HF, the functional role miR‐665 in HF was determined using an ectopic expression and knockdown experiments. The cardiac function was evaluated with the determination of ventricular mass index and hemodynamic parameters. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling staining was performed, with the apoptosis of cardiac cells detected in the process. The expression of miR‐665, glucagon‐like peptide 1 receptor (GLP1R), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling pathway‐related, and apoptosis‐related genes was examined. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was conducted to determine the levels of inflammation‐related genes. Initially, the upregulation of miR‐665, downregulation of GLP1R, and inactivation of cAMP signaling pathway were observed in HF rats. GLP1R was a target of miR‐665. Forced expression of miR‐665 promoted cell apoptosis and inhibited GLP1R and the cAMP signaling pathway. In addition, miR‐665 overexpression has been known to impair cardiac function, promote inflammatory response while elevating malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase levels, and decreasing mitochondrial respiratory chain enzyme activities. Furthermore, we also observed that the effects of miR‐665 inhibition had been reversed when the cAMP signaling pathway was also inhibited. This study demonstrates that miR‐665 inhibition can stabilize the cardiac function of HF rats via the cAMP signaling pathway via upregulation of the GLP1R.
Decreased number and impaired function of type 1 regulatory T cells in autoimmune diseases
Authors: Jia Xi , Zhai Tianyu , Wang Bing , Yao Qiuming , Li Qian , Mu Kaida , Zhang Jin‐an 
Published: January 2019

AbstractType 1 regulatory T (Tr1) cell is a special type of T regulatory cells with surface molecular markers such as lymphocyte‐activation gene 3 and CD49b. A key property of Tr1 cells is the capability to produce high‐level interleukin 10 (IL‐10) upon activation, in a FOXP3‐independent manner. The immunosuppressive function of IL‐10 producing Tr1 cells has been extensively studied for many years. Autoimmune diseases (AIDs) are conditions in which the immune system breaks down and starts to attack the body. AIDs include inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis (MS), type 1 diabetes mellitus, Greaves' disease, and so forth. In recent years, more and more studies have documented that the number of Tr1 cells is decreased and the function is inhibited in a variety of AIDs, among which MS is the most widely studied. The protocol for engineering Tr1 cell therapy has been established and is gradually being used in clinical practice in recent years. Tr1 cell therapy has been proven to be safe and effective, but it is mainly involved in myeloid leukemia, graft versus host disease currently. Its therapeutic role in AIDs still needs to be further explored. In this study, we will summarize the research advances of Tr1 cells in AIDs, which will provide useful information for treating AIDs through Tr1 cell therapy in the future.
Identification of the association between rs41274221 polymorphism in the seed sequence of microRNA‐25 and the risk of neonate sepsis
Authors: Zheng Ge , Xiang Wenna , Pan Minli , Huang Yihua , Li Zhishu 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBackgroundMany studies have investigated the role of microRNA‐25 (miR‐25) in the initiation and progression of sepsis in newborns. In this study, we aim to explore how rs41274221 polymorphism in miR‐25 compromises the interaction between miR‐25 and CD69, so as to understand the mechanisms involved in the control of sepsis in newborns.MethodsComputational analysis, luciferase assay, real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and western blot analysis were performed in this study.ResultsThe luciferase assays results showed that CD69 was a target gene of miR‐25, because the luciferase activity in cells transfected with wild type CD69 was much lower than that in the cells transfected with mutant CD69 or the scramble control. Real‐time PCR and western blot analysis results showed that the expression of miR‐25 in sepsis patients was significantly upregulated as compared with that in the normal control group, and the CD69 position ratio as well as the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein level of CD69 in sepsis patients was much higher than those in the normal control group. As compared with the scramble control, miR‐25 mimics, and CD69 small interfering RNA (siRNA) downregulated the mRNA and protein expression of CD69, whereas the expression of CD69 mRNA and protein in cells transfected with miR‐25 inhibitors was significantly higher as compared with that in the scramble control. In addition, interferonγ production was significantly downregulated in cells transfected with miR‐25 inhibitors but notably upregulated in cells transfected with miR‐25 mimics or CD69 siRNA.ConclusionThe single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP; rs41274221) in miR‐25 is associated with the risk of sepsis in newborns.
Fabrication of superhydrophobic bionic surface integrating with VOF simulation studies of liquid drop impacting
Authors: Liu Chunbao , Zhu Ling , Li Jing , Liang Yunhong 
Published: January 2019

AbstractSuperhydrophobic surface has wide application in self‐cleaning, anti‐pollution, anti‐adhesion, drag reduction, but the stable and efficient manufacture of bionic superhydrophobic surfaces is a challenge. We have reproduced the microscopic structure of natural plants and achieved superhydrophobic surface preparation without chemical modification by mechanical process. This program need many experiments to generate processing parameters based on the bionic surface structure. To solve this problem, based on the natural Green Bristlegrass superhydrophobic surface, an optimized bio‐inspired striped configuration was presented and the computational fluid dynamics approach was integrated into the fabrication, which was estimated the superhydrophobicity of bio‐inspired surface. The volume of fluid (VOF) model and the Level Set function were used to determine the position of the interface during the liquid impact process by solving the change of the volume fraction of each phase in the mixed fluid, thus tracking the gas–liquid phase interface. According to the simulation of striped surface structure, we have processed the bionic samples successfully and they showed an excellent superhydrophobic property, the contact angle was 154° ± 2° and the sliding angle was <5°. The contact time of bionic sample was 12.8 ms. This article used the VOF simulation method to evaluate the design and parameters of the structure, so that the selection of processing parameters were more optimized. Furthermore, the study was essential to access the bio‐inspired design and fabrication procedure of superhydrophobic surface.
Production of biomolecules of interest to the anxiolytic herbal medicine industry in yellow passionfruit leaves (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa) promoted by mycorrhizal inoculation
Authors: de Oliveira Paula Tarcila Félix , dos Santos Emanuela Lima , da Silva Wliana Alves Viturino , Ferreira Magda Rhayanny Assunção , Soares Luiz Alberto Lira , da Silva Francineyde Alves , da Silva Fábio Sérgio Barbosa 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDOur contemporary way of life has led us to consume high amounts of chemically‐synthesized allopathic medicinal products and anxiolytics to which a viable alternative is the use of Passiflora‐based herbal medicines with composition containing vitexin, a flavonoid with anxiolytic and antidepressant properties. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are known for enhancing the production of biomolecules, however, increase production of phytochemistry in Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa has not been reported in the literature. Our aim was to select AMF to benefit the production of vitexin in leaves of P. edulis by inoculating seedlings in the region of roots with Acaulospora longula, Claroideoglomus etunicatum and Gigaspora albida.RESULTSThe inoculation increased the concentration of vitexin in 63.64% and the inoculation with A. longula also increased the content of flavonoids and total saponins in the leaves in relation to the control.CONCLUSIONThe increase in the production of vitexin in the leaf in response to the inoculation with AMF, with emphasis to A. longula, interests the pharmaceutical industry and can generate profit to the production of yellow passionfruit‐based anxiolytic herbal medicine. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Method validation and simultaneous quantification of eight organochlorines/organophosphates in apple by gas chromatography
Authors: Wani Ashraf A , Dar Alamgir A , Jan Ishrat , Sofi Khurshid A , Sofi Javid A , Dar Irshad H 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe increasing and extensive use of pesticides worldwide has resulted in a significant loss of non‐target populations particularly humans by direct or indirect exposures. Also, various methods have been used for the estimation of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables from recent past which are either tedious, time consuming or expensive. Therefore, the present study was performed to determine the pesticide residues from apple by simple and novel validated gas chromatography.RESULTSA novel, accurate, ecofriendly and cost‐effective gas chromatography method was developed for simultaneous quantification of eight pesticides, namely chlorpyrifos‐methyl (1), chlorpyrifos (2), quinolphos (3), profenofos (4), myclobutnil (5), ethion (6), fenpropathrin (7) and cypermethrin (8). The developed method was validated as per the SANTE guidelines. All calibration curves showed a good linear relationship (r > 0.99) within the test range. Precision was evaluated by intra‐ and inter‐day tests with relative standard deviations (RSDs) < 2.0%, recovery in between 70% and 120% with RSDs < 2.00%.CONCLUSIONThe results demonstrate that the concentration of pesticides 1 to 8 were found below the detectable limit. Method validation parameters like linearity, precision, accuracy, specificity, robustness, detection and quantification limits were found within the acceptable range. The proposed method makes it possible to determine simultaneously pesticides 1–8 in one run which can be extended for residue‐based standardization of pesticides from apple and other fruits and vegetables. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Bandwidth optimization of linear to circular polarization convertors based on slot FSS
Authors: Clendinning Sarah , Cahill Robert , Zelenchuk Dmitry , Fusco Vincent 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThis study reports an evaluation of the maximum axial ratio (AR) bandwidth which is obtainable from a transmission type linear (LP) to circular polarization (CP) convertor working at normal incidence. The anisotropic bandpass FSS structure is composed of a thin metal surface perforated with an array of unequal length orthogonal slots. Full wave simulations are used to study the effect of changing the physical dimensions of the individual slot structural parameters by computing the amplitude and phase of the TE and TM transmitted waves at normal incidence over the frequency range 8‐12 GHz. The results are used to establish design guidelines which are employed to obtain the optimum topology for a single layer LP to CP convertor working at a center frequency of 10 GHz. The numerical results which are shown to be in close agreement with measurements, demonstrate that this class of periodic structure can be designed to give a 3 dB AR fractional bandwidth of 5.0%.
Pediatric oncology and stem cell transplant patients with healthcare‐associated Clostridium difficile infection were already colonized on admission
Authors: Al‐Rawahi Ghada N. , Al‐Najjar Abeer , McDonald Rachel , Deyell Rebecca J. , Golding George R. , Brant Rollin , Tilley Peter , Thomas Eva , Rassekh Shahrad R. , O'Gorman Aisling , Wong Peggy , Turnham Lucy , Dobson Simon 
Published: January 2019

AbstractClostridium difficile is the leading cause of healthcare‐associated infections worldwide. The diagnosis of C. difficile infection (CDI) in pediatric oncology patients is complex as diarrhea is common, and there is a high rate of colonization in infants and young children. This study was conducted to assess the accuracy of the surveillance definitions of healthcare‐associated CDI (HA‐CDI) and to determine the prevalence of toxigenic C. difficile colonization among pediatric oncology and stem cell transplant patients.MethodsA prospective cohort study was conducted over a three‐year period in an inpatient pediatric oncology and stem cell transplant setting. Baseline stool samples were collected within three days of admission and were genotypically compared with clinically indicated samples submitted after three days of admission.ResultsA total of 175 patients were recruited with a total of 536 admissions. The adjusted prevalence of baseline toxigenic C. difficile colonization among admissions was 32.8%. Seventy‐eight percent of positive admissions did not have history of CDI. Colonization with a toxigenic strain on admission was predictive of CDI (OR = 28.6; 95% CI, 6.58–124.39; P < 0.001). Nearly all clinical isolates (8/9) shared identical pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis patterns with baseline isolates or were closely related (1/9). Only one of the 11 cases that were considered HA‐CDI was potentially nosocomially acquired.ConclusionThe prevalence of colonization with toxigenic C. difficile in our cohort is high. Unfortunately, the current CDI surveillance definitions overestimate the incidence of HA‐CDI in pediatric oncology and stem cell transplantation settings.
Effectiveness of hydroxycarbamide in children with sickle cell disease – Analysis of dose‐response metrics in a large birth cohort in a tertiary sickle cell centre
Authors: Park Hyun , Bhatti Sabah , Chakravorty Subarna 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBackgroundDespite the well‐established efficacy of hydroxycarbamide in the management of sickle cell disease (SCD), the paucity of real‐world clinical data limits the establishment of a practical dosing strategy. The aim of this study was to analyse the dose‐response metrics of hydroxycarbamide associated with the minimum effective dose protocol – specifically, between dose groups and differing degrees of myelosuppression.Design/methodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted on 93 patients who were initiated on hydroxycarbamide between 2005 and 2017 at a tertiary haemoglobinopathy centre in London, UK. The burden of acute SCD‐related complications was defined by the annualised rates of emergency department attendances and hospital admissions. Secondary outcomes included haematological, biochemical, liver, renal and transcranial Doppler velocity status. Comparisons were performed upon stratification via dose (<20 mg/kg/day, 20–24 mg/kg/day and ≥25 mg/kg/day) and sustained absolute neutrophil count (ANC) values (ANC <4 × 109/L and ANC ≥4 × 109/L).ResultsClinical outcomes were not predicted by dose or ANC values. Whilst laboratory indices between dose groups were also non‐statistically significant, patients maintained on ANC <4 × 109/L were shown to achieve superior responses in haemoglobin, haemoglobin F, absolute reticulocyte count and liver function. Toxicities occurred idiosyncratically, with minimal reports of transient neutropaenia and thrombocytopaenia.ConclusionsObjective clinical responses may be achievable without intensive dose escalation. Our finding that greater myelosuppression is associated with greater improvements in laboratory markers of clinical benefit is consistent with prior clinical trials, but ongoing effectiveness studies are needed to determine whether these benefits can be reliably demonstrated in routine clinical practice using different dosing protocols.
Content review of pediatric ethics consultations at a cancer center
Authors: Winter Meredith C. , Friedman Danielle Novetsky , McCabe Mary S. , Voigt Louis P. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBackground/objectivesEthical challenges in pediatric oncology arise at every stage of illness. However, there are sparse data on the content of and reason for ethics consultations in the field. We sought to evaluate the content and characteristics of ethics consultations in pediatric patients at a cancer center.Design/methodsWe retrospectively identified ethics consultations performed for patients diagnosed with cancer at ≤21 years of age who were treated in the Department of Pediatrics from 2007 to 2017. Using an established coding schema, two independent reviewers analyzed the content of ethics consultation notes and identified core ethical issues and relevant contextual issues. Demographic, clinical, and consultation‐specific data were also collected.ResultsThirty‐five consultations were performed for 32 unique patients. The most commonly identified ethical issues were obligation to provide nonbeneficial treatment (29%) and resuscitation preferences (26%). Communication conflicts were the most commonly identified contextual issue (40%). There were two themes that emerged repeatedly but were not a part of the original coding schema—four consultations (11%) that involved physicians questioning their obligation to provide potentially toxic treatment in the setting of poor patient/parent compliance, and two consultations (6%) related to complex risk‐benefit analysis in the setting of an invasive procedure with uncertain benefit.ConclusionsPediatric ethics consultations are infrequent at this specialty cancer hospital. Ethical issues focused on treatment and end‐of‐life care and included a diversity of communication conflicts.