bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of Spectral Severity of Alcoholism on Visual-Evoked Potentials: A Neuropsychiatric Perspective
Authors: Kothari Ruchi , Khairkar Praveen , Babhulkar Sneh , Bokariya Pradeep 
Published: July 2018

ABSTRACT
Background: The deleterious effects of alcohol on the brain are replete in literature. Only a few neurophysiologic measures can pick up the neuronal dysfunctions, one of them being visual-evoked potential (VEP). A very limited amount of data exists on the progression of neural abnormalities related to the spectral severity of alcoholism. Aim of the Study: To evaluate the impact of spectral severity of alcoholism through VEP and to understand the emergence of any specific pattern or morphometric abnormalities related to alcohol-induced neuropsychiatric presentations. Methodology: A total of 90 cases were recruited in addition to 180 age- and sex-matched controls using purposive and random sampling. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders, Clinician Version and Campbell Neuropsychiatric Inventory were used to evaluate alcohol disorders and its neuropsychiatric complications apart from the mandatory consultant-specific clinical evaluations of all the cases. Of 90 cases of alcohol dependence, 15 patients were currently abstinent for >6 months, 15 had alcohol intoxication, 15 had signs of alcohol withdrawal, 15 had physical complications, 15 had psychiatric comorbidity, and 15 had neurological complications such as epilepsy. VEP recordings were taken using an Evoked Potential Recorder (RMS EMG. EP MARK II) where the stimulus configuration consisted of transient pattern-reversal method in which a black and white checkerboard was generated full field. Results: Mean age of cases was 37.71 ± 11.49 years compared to 39.43 ± 10.67 years in controls (range 18–65 years). VEP abnormalities comprising of prolonged latencies (62.5%) with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001) from the healthy controls was observed in cases of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Predominant amplitude reduction with normal latency was obtained in 37.5% cases of withdrawal. Severe VEP abnormalities, i.e., both latency delay and amplitude reduction, were found in 75% patients with psychiatric comorbidity, 66.67% patients with neurological complications, i.e., epilepsy, and 33.34% patients with physical complications. An explicit finding of prominent interocular differences was a prominent feature present in 25% of patients with complications.
Seventeen years of prenatal magnetic resonance imaging at the Institute of Mother and Child in Warsaw
Authors: Bekiesińska-Figatowska Monika , Romaniuk-Doroszewska Anna , Brągoszewska Hanna , Iwanowska Beata , Szkudlińska-Pawlak Sylwia , Mądzik Jarosław , Duczkowski Marek , Krupa Katarzyna , Cabaj Astra , Kwaśniewicz Piotr , Duczkowska Agnieszka 
Published: July 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to summarise and to present the experience of the main Polish centre for prenatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to discuss the place and role of MRI in antenatal diagnosis, management, and counselling.Material and methodsRetrospective analysis of the examinations performed in the years 2001-2017.ResultsIn total, 1221 medical records and/or image files were collected. The full documentation of ultrasonography and MRI referrals, reports, and images was not available in every case. During the first three years 98 pregnant women were examined (approximately 33 per year, one study per fortnight). After purchase of own MR scanner, the number of examinations grew constantly, reaching 208 in 2017, which means almost one per day, and the highest number was eight in one day. We examined 45 pairs of twins, including three pairs of conjoined twins.ConclusionsMRI at our Institute is a practically used second-line foetal imaging tool, necessary to confirm, complete, or correct sonographic diagnoses, with important impact on clinical decisions concerning management of pregnancy and of the neonate, termination of pregnancy, choice of the time, place, and mode of delivery, and neonatal care, as well as on counselling. In experienced hands, MRI is to date the last and the best non-invasive method of diagnosis in utero. It is frequently requested by the interdisciplinary team for foetal diagnosis and therapy and routinely performed in everyday practice.
Reduction effect of building structure response by dynamic soil‐structure interaction evaluated from observed strong motion
Authors: Okano Hajime , Azuhata Tatsuya , Inoue Namihiko , Iiba Masanori , Kashima Toshihide , Sako Yuji 
Published: July 2018

AbstractA method for an evaluation of the building structure response reduction by soil‐structure interaction (SSI) based on the seismographs of the soil‐structure system is presented. In the proposed method, a simplified SSI model is employed, and the parameters of model are determined by system identification. For system identification, both the inertial interaction (II) and kinematic interaction (KI) are considered. The method that indicates a reduction in the structure response by II and KI separately is also presented. The proposed procedures are applied to the observed records of the 2011 off the Pacific coast of Tohoku Earthquake. The findings demonstrate that the reduction effect of II is reduced when the response of building structure enters the inelastic range, and vice versa. In the superstructures with pile foundations, the reduction effects of KI are relatively smaller than those of II.
Unexpected good outcome in severe cerebral fat embolism syndrome
Authors: Hermann Bertrand , Brisson Hélène , Langeron Olivier , Pyatigorskaya Nadya , Paquereau Julie , Robert Hélène , Stender Johan , Habert Marie‐Odile , Naccache Lionel , Monsel Antoine 
Published: July 2018

AbstractIn this case study, we report the longitudinal and multimodal follow‐up of a catastrophic initial presentation of cerebral fat embolism syndrome. We show that despite the initial severity, the cognitive outcome was ultimately very good but with a highly nonlinear time‐course and prolonged loss of consciousness (more than 2 months). Repeated clinical assessments and brain‐imaging techniques (electroencephalography, event‐related potential, 18‐Fluoro‐Deoxy‐Glucose‐PET and magnetic resonance imaging) allowed us to monitor and anticipate this dynamic, providing relevant information to guide decision making in front of withdrawal of life‐sustaining therapy discussions. This case illustrates the value of multimodal functional imaging in devastating brain injuries.
Microparticles Locally Deliver Active Interleukin‐1 Receptor Antagonist In Vivo
Authors: Clements Anna E. B. , Groves Emily R. , Chamberlain Connie S. , Vanderby Ray , Murphy William L. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractDespite significant research in therapeutic protein delivery, localized and sustained delivery of active therapeutic proteins remains a challenge. Delivery is a particular challenge for therapeutic proteins with a short half‐life. Herein, localized delivery of interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1Ra) by mineral coated microparticles (MPs) is assessed in a healing rat medial collateral ligament (MCL). The local tissue concentration and systemic serum concentration of IL‐1Ra, the anti‐inflammatory activity of IL‐1Ra delivered with MPs, and whether IL‐1Ra loaded MPs (IL‐1Ra MPs) are immunogenic in a healing ligament are also examined. IL‐1Ra MPs significantly increase the local concentration of IL‐1Ra compared to soluble IL‐1Ra at 7 and 14 days after treatment but do not elevate the systemic concentration of IL‐1Ra at these time points, indicating localized delivery of IL‐1Ra. IL‐1Ra MPs significantly reduce inflammation caused by the MPs themselves, indicating the IL‐1Ra is active. Finally, IL‐1Ra MPs do not induce a foreign body response and decrease the immunogenicity of human IL‐1Ra in a healing rat MCL. Overall, mineral coated microparticles have the ability to locally deliver active therapeutic proteins for an extended period of time.
Progress in Applications of Prussian Blue Nanoparticles in Biomedicine
Authors: Qin Zhiguo , Li Yan , Gu Ning 
Published: July 2018

AbstractPrussian blue nanoparticles (PBNPs) with favorable biocompatibility and unique properties have captured the attention of extensive biomedical researchers. A great progress is made in the application of PBNPs as therapy and diagnostics agents in biomedicine. This review begins with the recent synthetic strategies of PBNPs and the regulatory approaches for their size, shape, and uniformity. Then, according to the different properties of PBNPs, their application in biomedicine is summarized in detail. With modifiable features, PBNPs can be used as drug carriers to improve the therapeutic efficacy. Moreover, the exchangeable protons and adsorbability enable PBNPs to decontaminate the radioactive ions from the body. For biomedical imaging, photoacoustic and magnetic resonance imaging based on PBNPs are summarized, as well as the strategies to improve the diagnostic effectiveness. The applications related to the photothermal effects and nanoenzyme activities of PBNPs are described. The challenges and critical factors for the clinical translation of PBNPs as multifunctional theranostic agents are also discussed. Finally, the future prospects for the application of PBNPs are considered. The aim of this review is to provide a better understanding and key consideration for rational design of this increasingly important new paradigm of PBNPs as theranostics.
Controlling Nerve Growth with an Electric Field Induced Indirectly in Transparent Conductive Substrate Materials
Authors: Rajnicek Ann M. , Zhao Zhiqiang , Moral‐Vico Javier , Cruz Ana M. , McCaig Colin D. , Casañ‐Pastor Nieves 
Published: July 2018

AbstractInnovative neurostimulation therapies require improved electrode materials, such as poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) polymers or IrOx mixed ionic–electronic conductors and better understanding of how their electrochemistry influences nerve growth. Amphibian neurons growing on transparent films of electronic (metal) conductors and electronic–ionic conductors (polymers and semiconducting oxides) are monitored. Materials are not connected directly to the power supply, but a dipole is created wirelessly within them by electrodes connected to the culture medium in which they are immersed. Without electrical stimulation neurons grow on gold, platinum, PEDOT‐polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT‐PSS), IrOx, and mixed oxide (Ir‐Ti)Ox, but growth is not related to surface texture or hydrophilicity. Stimulation induces a dipole in all conductive materials, but neurons grow differently on electronic conductors and mixed‐valence mixed‐ionic conductors. Stimulation slows, but steers neurite extension on gold but not on platinum. The rate and direction of neurite growth on PEDOT‐PSS resemble that on glass, but on IrOx and (Ir‐Ti)Ox neurites grow faster and in random directions. This suggests electrochemical changes induced in these materials control growth speed and direction selectively. Evidence that the electric dipole induced in conductive material controls nerve growth will impact electrotherapies exploiting wireless stimulation of implanted material arrays, even where transparency is required.
Effect of Ar, O2, and N2 Plasma on the Growth and Composition of Vanadium Oxide Nanostructured Thin Films
Authors: Singh Megha , Kumar Prabhat , Reddy Gade Brahmaiah 
Published: July 2018

AbstractVanadium oxide nanostructured thin films (NTFs) are synthesized using plasma assisted sublimation process (PASP) in different gases' Ar, O2, and N2 plasma (AP, OP, and NP) and O2 gas (OG) ambient. Morphological studies conducted via electron microscopy reveal nanostrips, nanoflakes, nanorods, and nanoparticles organized as clusters for OP, OG, AP, and NP respectively. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies show that samples OP and OG are composed of α‐V2O5, whereas AP and NP are composed of V6O13 along with V2O5. The relative percentages calculated using XPS data show that in AP, V6O13, and V2O5 are 38 and 62%, respectively. These percentages change to 48% for V6O13 and 52% for V2O5 in NP. The V6O13/V2O5 ratio is lower in AP than NP. This increment of V6O13 in NP is due to presence of more reductive species in N2 plasma than Ar plasma. Since N2 plasma contains species like N*, , etc. it leads to the formation of NO2, N2O, etc. Raman spectra indicate the surface of the sample NP consisting of both V6O13 and V2O5, agreeing with the X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and XPS results. Studies demonstrate that plasma ambient during synthesis process affects both morphology and composition of deposited vanadium oxide NTFs.
Merging Electric Bacteria with Paper
Authors: Gao Yang , Choi Seokheun 
Published: July 2018

AbstractPaper‐based electronics (papertronics) are recently considered as one of the most exciting device platforms because of their flexibility, sustainability, eco‐friendliness, and low cost as well as their excellent mechanical, dielectrical, and fluidic properties. Now, innovative structure engineering techniques can manipulate diameters of the cellulose fibers of paper, smoothing the roughness and controlling the transparency for numerous device applications. Novel functionalization techniques of paper with organic, inorganic, and biological entities enable many engineering possibilities, revolutionizing papertronics for the next generation of electronics. Among those techniques for new functionalities, integrating electric bacteria into paper has attracted considerable interest as a new energy technique for papertronics. Paper has unique synergistic characteristics including a porous and hydrophilic environment for bacterial viability, a high surface area for bacterial accumulation, and sustainability even in resource‐limited settings. In this work, comprehensive analytical and experimental approaches to provide a novel but realistic and accessible power source from bacteria loaded into paper are pursued. This report provides new approaches to revolutionarily activate the biobattery and significantly improve its shelf life. Furthermore, for the first time the practical efficacy of the explored technique is ensured, generating on‐demand energy even in resource‐limited environments.
Doped Nanocarbons Derived from Conducting Polymers toward ORR Electrocatalysts
Authors: Li Yanan , Liu Yingwei , Fan Lei , Yuan Ganyin , Han Jie , Guo Rong 
Published: July 2018

AbstractDeveloping nonprecious electrocatalysts for efficient oxygen reduction reactions (ORR) has aroused increasing interest recently. Doped nanocarbons derived from conducting polymers have emerged as a competitive class of nonprecious‐metal catalysts for the ORR because of their promising catalytic activities, long‐standing stability, and particularly low‐cost and facile preparation at a large scale via simple approaches. This review summarizes the recent progress of the preparation and application as ORR electrocatalysts of heteroatom doped nanocarbons derived from conducting polymers, and transition metal and heteroatom‐codoped nanocarbons from conducting polymers and metal salts. Finally, the challenges and further development of this field are also discussed.
Optimized Salt Selection for Solar Thermal Latent Heat Energy Storage
Authors: Raud Ralf , Bell Stuart , Ong Teng‐Cheong , Will Geoffrey , Steinberg Theodore A. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractFor solar thermal power to be cost effective as a baseload generation paradigm, the cost and efficiency of every subsystem must be improved. To reduce the cost of thermal storage and increase the working temperature of the subsystems for greater efficiency, appropriate storage materials must be identified for study. Unfortunately, there is an enormous search space of salt mixtures that are suitable candidates for thermal storage and must be analyzed for cost effectiveness to determine which candidates are the best. To lessen the experimental burden, this article combines previously validated theories for estimating the properties of salt mixtures with an analytic design optimization method to better estimate the true cost of each candidate. Five hundred and sixty three binary, ternary, and quaternary mixtures are analyzed. Five mixtures are identified as the prime candidates for a cascaded latent heat thermal energy storage system for a supercritical CO2 Brayton cycle generator. This system is cheaper than the Sunshot Initiative cost targets, bringing the solar thermal paradigm into cost competition with fossil fuels.
Subthreshold Operation of Organic Electrochemical Transistors for Biosignal Amplification
Authors: Venkatraman Vishak , Friedlein Jacob T. , Giovannitti Alexander , Maria Iuliana P. , McCulloch Iain , McLeod Robert R. , Rivnay Jonathan 
Published: July 2018

AbstractWith a host of new materials being investigated as active layers in organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs), several advantageous characteristics can be utilized to improve transduction and circuit level performance for biosensing applications. Here, the subthreshold region of operation of one recently reported high performing OECT material, poly(2‐(3,3′‐bis(2‐(2‐(2‐methoxyethoxy)ethoxy)ethoxy)‐[2,2′‐bithiophen]‐5‐yl)thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene), p(g2T‐TT) is investigated. The material's high subthreshold slope (SS) is exploited for high voltage gain and low power consumption. An ≈5× improvement in voltage gain (AV) for devices engineered for equal output current and 370× lower power consumption in the subthreshold region, in comparison to operation in the higher transconductance (g m), superthreshold region usually reported in the literature, are reported. Electrophysiological sensing is demonstrated using the subthreshold regime of p(g2T‐TT) devices and it is suggested that operation in this regime enables low power, enhanced sensing for a broad range of bioelectronic applications. Finally, the accessibility of the subthreshold regime of p(g2T‐TT) is evaluated in comparison with the prototypical poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), and the role of material design in achieving favorable properties for subthreshold operation is discussed.
Cancer evolution and heterogeneity
Authors: Mimori Koshi , Saito Tomoko , Niida Atsushi , Miyano Satoru 
Published: July 2018

AbstractUndoubtedly, intratumor heterogeneity (ITH) is one of the causes of the intractability of cancers. Recently, technological innovation in genomics has promoted studies on ITH in solid tumors and on the pattern and level of diversity, which varies among malignancies. We profiled the genome in multiple regions of nine colorectal cancer (CRC) cases. The most impressive finding was that in the late phase, a parental clone branched into numerous subclones. We found that minor mutations were dominant in advanced CRC named neutral evolution; that is, driver gene aberrations were observed with high proportion in the early‐acquired phase, but low in the late‐acquired phase. Then, we validated that neutral evolution could cause ITH in advanced CRC by super‐computational analysis. According to the clinical findings, we explored a branching evolutionary process model in cancer evolution, which assumes that each tumor cell has cellular automaton. According to the model, we verified factors to foster ITH with neutral evolution in advanced CRC. In this review, we introduce recent advances in the field of ITH including the general component of ITH, clonal selective factors that consolidate the evolutionary process, and a representative clinical application of ITH.
Aspects of Frequentism
Authors: Caldwell Allen 
Published: July 2018

AbstractSome aspects of the Frequentist approach to statistical data analysis are presented and discussed. The construction of confidence intervals for parameters is explained and made concrete with a detailed example. The intervals correspond to parameter ranges where the observed data is in a ‘favored’ part of the expected results distribution. Goodness‐of‐fit tests are defined similarly; here, a Bayesian argument is given for the usefulness of these tests. The possible over‐interpretation of Frequentist results is also discussed.
Control over Electrochemical Water Oxidation Catalysis by Preorganization of Molecular Ruthenium Catalysts in Self‐Assembled Nanospheres
Authors: Yu Fengshou , Poole David , Mathew Simon , Yan Ning , Hessels Joeri , Orth Nicole , Ivanović‐Burmazović Ivana , Reek Joost N. H. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractOxygen formation through water oxidation catalysis is a key reaction in the context of fuel generation from renewable energies. The number of homogeneous catalysts that catalyze water oxidation at high rate with low overpotential is limited. Ruthenium complexes can be particularly active, especially if they facilitate a dinuclear pathway for oxygen bond formation step. A supramolecular encapsulation strategy is reported that involves preorganization of dilute solutions (10−5 m) of ruthenium complexes to yield high local catalyst concentrations (up to 0.54 m). The preorganization strategy enhances the water oxidation rate by two‐orders of magnitude to 125 s−1, as it facilitates the diffusion‐controlled rate‐limiting dinuclear coupling step. Moreover, it modulates reaction rates, enabling comprehensive elucidation of electrocatalytic reaction mechanisms.
Microbiota‐Dependent Involvement of Th17 Cells in Murine Models of Inflammatory Arthritis
Authors: Evans‐Marin Heather , Rogier Rebecca , Koralov Sergei B. , Manasson Julia , Roeleveld Debbie , van der Kraan Peter M. , Scher Jose U. , Koenders Marije I. , Abdollahi‐Roodsaz Shahla 
Published: July 2018

ObjectiveIntestinal microbiota are associated with the development of inflammatory arthritis. The aim of this study was to dissect intestinal mucosal immune responses in the preclinical phase of arthritis and determine whether the presence of Th17 cells, beyond involvement of the cytokine interleukin‐17 (IL‐17), is required for arthritis development, and whether the involvement of Th17 cells in arthritis depends on the composition of the host microbiota.MethodsMucosal T cell production of IL‐17, interferon‐γ, tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), IL‐22, and granulocyte–macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) was analyzed by flow cytometry and Luminex assay before arthritis onset in mice immunized to develop collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA). Pathogenic features of arthritis in mice with CIA and mice with antigen‐induced arthritis were compared between Th17 cell–deficient (CD4‐Cre+Rorcflox/flox) and Th17 cell–sufficient (CD4‐Cre−Rorcflox/flox) mice. In addition, the impact of intestinal microbiota on the Th17 cell dependence of CIA was assessed.ResultsLamina propria CD4 T cells were activated before the onset of arthritis in mice with CIA, with marked up‐regulation of several cytokines, including IL‐17A, TNFα, and GM‐CSF. CD4‐Cre+Rorcflox/flox mice showed a specific reduction in intestinal mucosal levels of Th17 cells and partially reduced levels of IL‐17–producing CD8 T cells. However, total levels of IL‐17A, mostly produced by γδ T cells and neutrophils, were unaffected. The severity of arthritis was significantly reduced in Th17 cell–deficient mice, suggesting that Th17 cells have additional, IL‐17A–independent roles in inflammatory arthritis. Accordingly, antigen‐stimulated T cells from Th17 cell–deficient mice produced less IL‐17A, IL‐17F, and GM‐CSF. Importantly, the dependence of CIA on the involvement of Th17 cells was mitigated in the presence of an alternative microbiome.ConclusionThese data from murine models suggest that activation of mucosal immunity precedes the development of arthritis, and also that Th17 cells have a microbiota‐dependent role in arthritis. Therefore, a microbiome‐guided stratification of patients might improve the efficacy of Th17‐targeted therapies.