bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gram‐Positive and Gram‐Negative Antibiotic Activity of Asymmetric and Monomeric Robenidine Analogues
Authors: Russell Cecilia C. , Stevens Andrew , Pi Hongfei , Khazandi Manouchehr , Ogunniyi Abiodun D. , Young Kelly A. , Baker Jennifer R. , McCluskey Siobhann N. , Page Stephen W. , Trott Darren J. , McCluskey Adam 
Published: October 2018

AbstractDesymmetrisation of robenidine (1: N′,2‐bis((E)‐4‐chlorobenzylidene)hydrazine‐1‐carboximidhydrazide) and the introduction of imine alkyl substituents gave good antibiotic activity. Of note was the increased potency of two analogues against vancomycin‐resistant Enterococci (VRE), one of which returned a MIC of 0.5 μg mL−1. Five analogues were found to be equipotent or more potent than the lead 1. Introduction of an indole moiety resulted in the most active robenidine analogue against methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (MRSA), with a MIC of 1.0 μg mL−1. Imine C=NH isosteres (C=O/C=S) were inactive. Monomeric analogues were 16–64 μg mL−1 active against MRSA and VRE. An analogue that lacks the terminal hydrazide NH moiety showed modest Gram‐negative activity at 64 μg mL−1. A 4‐tert‐butyl analogue was shown to be active against both Gram‐positive and ‐negative strains at 16–64 μg mL−1. In general, additional modifications with aromatic moieties was poorly tolerated, except with concomitant introduction of an imine C‐alkyl group. The activity of these analogues against MRSA and VRE ranged from 8 μg mL−1 to inactive (MIC>128 μg mL−1) with the naphthyl and indole analogues. Gram‐negative activity was most promising with two compounds at 16 μg mL−1 against E. coli. Against P. aeruginosa, the highest activity observed was with MIC values of 32 μg mL−1 with another two analogues. Combined, these findings support the further development of the (E)‐2‐benzylidenehydrazine‐1‐carboximidamide scaffold as a promising scaffold for the development of antibiotics against Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative strains.
Bone marrow core biopsy in 508 consecutive patients with chronic myeloid leukemia: Assessment of potential value
Authors: Hidalgo‐Lόpez Juliana E. , Kanagal‐Shamanna Rashmi , Quesada Andrés E. , Gong Zimu , Wang Wei , Hu Shimin , Medeiros L. Jeffrey , Bassett Roland L. , d’Orcy Elizabeth , Yin C. Cameron , Cortes Jorge , Jabbour Elias J. , Kantarjian Hagop M. , Bueso‐Ramos Carlos E. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is based on characteristic clinical and laboratory findings and the presence of BCR/ABL1 in the blood and/or bone marrow (BM). The utility of BM core biopsy in the workup of patients with CML has been questioned.METHODSThe potential added value of BM biopsy versus aspiration in the workup of a single‐institution series of 508 patients with CML at their initial presentation was systematically assessed. BM biopsy was considered essential when it was needed to establish the disease phase, often because blast counts derived from aspirate smears were misleading because the biopsy specimen was more representative of the disease. BM biopsy was considered helpful if it was needed for other nonessential reasons.RESULTSIn 127 patients (25%), BM biopsy was either essential (109 patients) or helpful (18 patients). Patients with accelerated‐phase (AP) or blast‐phase (BP) disease often required a biopsy related to essential reasons. High‐grade myelofibrosis (MF) was more frequent in patients with AP/BP disease than patients with chronic‐phase disease (P = .0005), and the identification of BP disease required a BM biopsy assessment in 75% of the patients (P = .001). A follow‐up BM evaluation more often yielded inadequate aspirates in patients with inadequate BM aspirates at the time of their initial diagnosis.CONCLUSIONSBM core biopsy remains valuable in the workup of 25% of patients with CML because it facilitates identification of the disease phase or MF. The initial grade of MF is associated with the disease stage and outcome after therapy. BM biopsy is, therefore, indicated for patients with CML who have AP/BP disease or other findings suggestive of progressive disease.
Three‐Dimensional Nitrogen‐Doped Graphene Frameworks from Electrochemical Exfoliation of Graphite as Efficient Supercapacitor Electrodes
Authors: Xiao Xiang , Zeng Yinxiang , Feng Haobin , Xu Kaiqi , Zhong Guobin , Wu Shijia , Wang Chao , Zhao Wei , Su Wei , Wei Zengfu , Lu Xihong 
Published: October 2018

AbstractA facile, low‐cost, and efficient electrochemical exfoliation method is demonstrated to prepare three‐dimensional nitrogen‐doped graphene frameworks on a large scale. Benefiting from the enhanced specific surface area, increased conductivity and enriched active sites, the nitrogen‐doped graphene framework electrode exhibits remarkable capacitance, good cyclic stability, and superior rate capability (65.3% capacitance retention), outperforming most of the reported graphene‐based electrodes.
Assessment of Altered Cholesterol Homeostasis by Xenobiotics Using Ultra‐High Performance Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Herron Josi , Hines Kelly M. , Xu Libin 
Published: October 2018

AbstractCholesterol and cholesterol‐derived oxysterols are critical for embryonic development, synapse formation and function, and myelination, among other biological functions. Indeed, alterations in levels of cholesterol, sterol precursors, and oxysterols result in a variety of developmental disorders, emphasizing the importance of cholesterol homeostasis. The ability of xenobiotics to reproduce similar phenotypes by altering cholesterol homeostasis has increasingly become of interest. Therefore, the ability to quantitatively assess alterations in cholesterol homeostasis resulting from exposure to xenobiotics is of value. This unit describes methods for the quantitative assessment of altered post‐squalene cholesterol biosynthesis and subsequent oxysterol formation in various sample types using ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐MS/MS). Understanding alterations in cholesterol homeostasis resulting from xenobiotic exposure can provide key insight into the toxicant's mechanism of action and resulting phenotype. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Organic Functionalization of Polyoxovanadate–Alkoxide Clusters: Improving the Solubility of Multimetallic Charge Carriers for Nonaqueous Redox Flow Batteries
Authors: VanGelder Lauren E. , Petel Brittney E. , Nachtigall Olaf , Martinez Gabriel , Brennessel William W. , Matson Ellen M. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe success of nonaqueous redox flow battery technology requires synthetic advances in charge carrier design to increase compatibility with organic solvents. Herein, previous discoveries related to the development of multimetallic charge carriers are built upon with the high‐yielding syntheses of ether‐ functionalized polyoxovanadate–alkoxide clusters, [V6O7(OR)9(OCH2)3CR′] (R=CH3, C2H5; R′=CH3, CH2OCH3, CH2OC2H4OCH3). Like their homoleptic congeners [V6O7(OR)12] (R=CH3, C2H5), these clusters exhibit four redox events, spanning nearly a two‐volt window, and demonstrate rapid electron‐transfer kinetics. The ethoxide derivatives can reversibly cycle two electrons at each electrode in symmetric charging schematics, demonstrating long‐term solution stability. Furthermore, ether functionalization yields a twelvefold increase in solubility, a factor which directly dictates the energy density of a redox flow battery.
Complex long‐term dynamics of pollinator abundance in undisturbed Mediterranean montane habitats over two decades
Authors: Herrera Carlos M. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractCurrent notions of “pollinator decline” and “pollination crisis” mainly arose from studies on pollinators of economic value in anthropogenic ecosystems of mid‐latitude temperate regions. Comprehensive long‐term pollinator data from biologically diverse, undisturbed communities are needed to evaluate the actual extent of the so‐called “global pollination crisis.” This paper analyzes the long‐term dynamics of pollinator abundance in undisturbed Mediterranean montane habitats using pollinator visitation data for 65 plant species collected over two decades. Objectives are (1) to elucidate patterns of long‐term changes in pollinator abundance from the perspectives of individual plant species, major pollinator groups, and the whole plant community and (2) to propose a novel methodological implementation based on combining a planned missing data design with the analytical strength of mixed effects models, which allows one to draw community‐wide inferences on long‐term pollinator trends in species‐rich natural habitats. Probabilistic measurements (“patch visitation probability” and “flower visitation probability” per time unit) were used to assess pollinator functional abundance for each plant species on two separate, randomly chosen years. A total of 13,054 pollinator censuses accounting for a total watching effort of 2,877,039 flower‐min were carried out on 299 different dates. Supra‐annual unstability in pollinator functional abundance was the rule, with visitation probability to flowering patches and/or individual flowers exhibiting significant heterogeneity between years in the majority of plant species (83%). At the plant‐community level, there was a significant linear increase in pollinator functional abundance over the study period. Probability of pollinator visitation to flowering patches and individual flowers increased due to increasing visitation by small solitary bees and, to a lesser extent, small beetles. Visitation to different plant species exhibited contrasting changes, and insect orders and genera differed widely in sign and magnitude of linear abundance trends, thus exemplifying the complex dynamics of community‐wide changes in pollinator functional abundance. Results of this investigation indicate that pollinator declines are not universal beyond anthropogenic ecosystems; stress the need for considering broader ecological scenarios and comprehensive samples of plants and pollinators; and illustrate the crucial importance of combining ambitious sampling designs with powerful analytical schemes to draw reliable inferences on pollinator trends at the plant community level.
The emergence of environmental taxes in Ghana—A public choice analysis
Authors: Kombat Alex Moyem , Wätzold Frank 
Published: October 2018

AbstractEnvironmental pollution has become a huge problem in many parts of Africa. Until a few years ago, the prevalent response of African governments was the introduction of command and control instruments. This trend has changed and some African countries are now turning their attention to the use of economic instruments including taxes. One of the countries that has introduced environmental taxes is Ghana. This paper analyzes the policy processes related to the emergence and implementation of three environmental taxes in Ghana, namely, taxes on plastics, overaged vehicles, and petroleum applying a public choice approach as the framework of analysis. Overall, we find that all actors behaved as proposed by public choice resulting in environmental tax designs that do not follow what economists consider optimal. Nevertheless, the taxes contributed to mitigate environmental problems, partly because a share of the tax revenue was used for this purpose. Thus, environmental taxes have the potential to mitigate environmental problems in Africa provided functioning administrations are in place. This is, however, currently not the case in many African countries.
Exposure and cognitive‐behavioural therapy for chronic back pain: An RCT on treatment processes
Authors: Schemer Lea , Schroeder Andreas , Ørnbøl Eva , Glombiewski Julia Anna 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBackgroundTo improve treatment outcomes, it is essential to understand the processes involved in therapeutic change. The aim of this study was to investigate the processes involved in treatment of individuals with chronic lower back pain (CLBP) and high fear‐avoidance. Graded in vivo exposure (Exposure), a specific treatment, and cognitive‐behavioural therapy (CBT), a general treatment, were compared.MethodsOur study used data from a three‐arm randomized controlled trial. The sample comprised 61 CLBP patients (pain duration >3 months; sufficient level of fear‐avoidance). Assessments of session‐by‐session processes were done weekly for a maximum 14 weeks. The primary outcome, functional disability, was assessed at pre‐treatment, post‐treatment and 6‐months follow‐up. First, two‐level models were used to test for treatment‐related similarities and differences in the changes in session‐by‐session measures (i.e., common and unique treatment processes respectively). Second, we analysed treatment processes as predictors of treatment outcome.ResultsContrary to our expectations, we found no evidence of unique treatment processes. Our results indicate that Exposure and CBT share some treatment processes. Specifically, patients reported a reduction in fear of movement and improvements in their ability to relax, to distract themselves, to manage their pain, to confront feared movements, to be active and to enjoy things despite their pain. Changes in fear of movement, relaxation, distraction, confrontation, activity and pain‐related self‐efficacy were also related to disability reduction.ConclusionsDespite conceptual differences, Exposure and CBT may share common treatment processes. Future research needs to address, however, whether these processes need to be targeted directly or can be supported indirectly.SignificanceWe identified several treatment processes (e.g., reduction of fear of movement, enhancement of self‐efficacy), which were associated with disability reduction during the management of chronic pain and fear‐avoidance. These processes appeared to be equally important for Exposure and CBT. Practitioners should optimize these processes to improve their patients’ functioning.
Why mu‐opioid agonists have less analgesic efficacy in neuropathic pain?
Authors: Martínez‐Navarro Miriam , Maldonado Rafael , Baños Josep‐E. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractInjury to peripheral nerves often leads to abnormal pain states (hyperalgesia, allodynia and spontaneous pain), which can remain long after the injury heals. Although opioid agonists remain the gold standard for the treatment of moderate to severe pain, they show reduced efficacy against neuropathic pain. In addition to analgesia, opioid use is also associated with hyperalgesia and analgesia tolerance, whose underlying mechanisms share some commonalities with nerve injury‐induced hypersensitivity. Here, we reviewed up‐to‐day research exploring the contribution of mu‐opioid receptor (MOR) on the pathophysiology of neuropathic pain and on analgesic opioid actions under these conditions. We focused on the specific contributions of MOR populations at peripheral, spinal and supraspinal level. Moreover, evidences of neuroplastic changes that may underlie the low efficacy of MOR agonists under neuropathic pain conditions are reviewed and discussed. Sensitization processes leading to pain hypersensitivity, molecular changes in signalling pathways triggered by MOR and glial activation are some of these mechanisms elicited by both nerve injury and opioid exposure. Nerve injury‐induced pain hypersensitivity might be masking the initial analgesic effects of opioid agonists, and alternatively, sustained opioid treatment to individuals already suffering from neuropathic pain could aggravate their pathophysiological state. Finally, some combined therapies that can increase opioid analgesic effectiveness in neuropathic pain treatment are highlighted.SignificanceThis review provides evidence of the low benefit of opioid monotherapy in neuropathic pain and analyses the reasons of this reduced effectiveness. Opioid agonists along with drugs targeted to block the sensitization processes induced by MOR stimulation might result in a better management of neuropathic pain.
The association of adverse childhood experiences and of resilience with chronic noncancer pain in the German adult population – A cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Häuser Winfried , Brähler Elmar , Schmutzer Gabriele , Glaesmer Heide 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBackgroundAdverse childhood experiences (ACE) might predispose to and resilience might protect against chronic noncancer pain (CNCP). We studied whether ACE are positively associated with CNCP, whether resilience was negatively associated with CNCP and whether resilience buffered a potential association of ACE with CNCP.MethodsA cross‐sectional survey (N = 2,425) representative for the adult German general population was conducted in 2013. The following questionnaires were used: Chronic Pain Grade Questionnaire for CNCP stages; Childhood Trauma Screener for ACE; Brief Resilient Coping Scale for resilience; Patient Health Questionnaire 4 for psychological symptom burden; Giessen Subjective Complaints List for somatic symptom burden. To test the association of ACE and resilience with CNCP stages, logistic regression analyses including sociodemographic variables and psychological and somatic symptom burden as possible confounders were calculated.ResultsNo statistically significant associations between any CNCP and disabling CNCP respectively with physical, emotional, and sexual abuse; emotional and physical neglect if compared to no chronic pain were found in uni‐ and multivariate analyses. There was a small effect of combined ACE and a small attenuating effect of resilience on any and disabling CNCP in univariate, but not in multivariate analysis. Large associations were found between age > 65 years with any CNCP (OR 6.51 [95% confidence interval 3.38 to 12.51)] and disabling CNCP (OR 9.33 [95% confidence interval 2.39 to 36.41]), respectively, if compared to no pain.ConclusionsThere was no pain‐proneness by single and combined ACE for and no protection by resilience for any and for disabling CNCP in the general adult German population.SignificanceThere is no pain‐proneness due to adverse childhood experiences for any and disabling chronic noncancer pain. Resilience does not protect against any and disabling chronic noncancer pain. Older age is the strongest predictor of any and disabling chronic noncancer pain.
ABCA7 risk variant in healthy older African Americans is associated with a functionally isolated entorhinal cortex mediating deficient generalization of prior discrimination training
Authors: Sinha Neha , Reagh Zachariah M. , Tustison Nicholas J. , Berg Chelsie N. , Shaw Ashlee , Myers Catherine E. , Hill Diane , Yassa Michael A. , Gluck Mark A. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractUsing high‐resolution resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the present study tested the hypothesis that ABCA7 genetic risk differentially affects intra‐medial temporal lobe (MTL) functional connectivity between MTL subfields, versus internetwork connectivity of the MTL with the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), in nondemented older African Americans. Although the association of ABCA7 risk variants with Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been confirmed worldwide, its effect size on the relative odds of being diagnosed with AD is significantly higher in African Americans. However, little is known about the neural correlates of cognitive function in older African Americans and how they relate to AD risk conferred by ABCA7. In a case–control fMRI study of 36 healthy African Americans, we observed ABCA7 related impairments in behavioral generalization that was mediated by dissociation in entorhinal cortex (EC) resting state functional connectivity. Specifically, ABCA7 risk variant was associated with EC‐hippocampus hyper‐synchronization and EC‐mPFC hypo‐synchronization. Carriers of the risk genotype also had a significantly smaller anterolateral EC, despite our finding no group differences on standardized neuropsychological tests. Our findings suggest a model where impaired cortical connectivity leads to a more functionally isolated EC at rest, which translates into aberrant EC‐hippocampus hyper‐synchronization resulting in generalization deficits. While we cannot identify the exact mechanism underlying the observed alterations in EC structure and network function, considering the relevance of Aβ in ABCA7 related AD pathogenesis, the results of our study may reflect the synergistic reinforcement between amyloid and tau pathology in the EC, which significantly increases tau‐induced neuronal loss and accelerates synaptic alterations. Finally, our results add to a growing literature suggesting that generalization of learning may be a useful tool for assessing the mild cognitive deficits seen in the earliest phases of prodromal AD, even before the more commonly reported deficits in episodic memory arise.
Effect of oxidation on intrinsic residual stress in amorphous silicon carbide films
Authors: Deku Felix , Mohammed Shakil , Joshi‐Imre Alexandra , Maeng Jimin , Danda Vindhya , Gardner Timothy J. , Cogan Stuart F. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe change in residual stress in plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition amorphous silicon carbide (a‐SiC:H) films exposed to air and wet ambient environments is investigated. A close relationship between stress change and deposition condition is identified from mechanical and chemical characterization of a‐SiC:H films. Evidence of amorphous silicon carbide films reacting with oxygen and water vapor in the ambient environment are presented. The effect of deposition parameters on oxidation and stress variation in a‐SiC:H film is studied. It is found that the films deposited at low temperature or power are susceptible to oxidation and undergo a notable increase in compressive stress over time. Furthermore, the films deposited at sufficiently high temperature (≥325 C) and power density (≥0.2 W cm−2) do not exhibit pronounced oxidation or temporal stress variation. These results serve as the basis for developing amorphous silicon carbide based dielectric encapsulation for implantable medical devices. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 1654–1661, 2019.