bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Phase I, Single‐Ascending‐Dose Study in Healthy Subjects to Assess the Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of DS‐2969b, a Novel GyrB Inhibitor
Authors: Dennie Justin , Vandell Alexander G. , Inoue Satoshi , Gajee Roohi , Pav Joseph , Zhang George , Zamora Cynthia , Masuda Nobuhisa , Uchiyama Minoru , Yamada Makiko , Senaldi Giorgio 
Published: May 2018

AbstractDS‐2969b is a novel GyrB inhibitor in development for the treatment of Clostridium difficile infection. The aim of this study was to assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and effects on normal gastrointestinal microbiota groups of single daily oral ascending doses of DS‐2969b in healthy subjects. The study enrolled 6 sequential ascending dose cohorts (6 mg, 20 mg, 60 mg, 200 mg, 400 mg, and 600 mg). In each cohort, 6 subjects were administered DS‐2969b and 2 subjects were administered matching placebo. DS‐2969b was safe and well tolerated at all dose levels examined. All adverse events related to DS‐2969b were mild to moderate in severity and predominantly related to the gastrointestinal tract. DS‐2969a (free form of DS‐2969b) plasma concentrations increased with increasing doses; however, both the maximum serum concentration and area under the plasma concentration–time curve generally increased less than dose proportionally. DS‐2969a was predominantly eliminated in the urine, with feces as a minor route of elimination. While the overall proportion of DS‐2969a eliminated in the feces was low, target fecal levels sufficient for C. difficile eradication were achieved within 24 hours of administration with doses of 60 mg or higher. In exploratory analyses, DS‐2969b appeared to reduce bacterial counts in 8 of the 25 groups of normal intestinal microbiota examined, suggesting that DS‐2969b has only a mild effect on intestinal microbiota. Data from this study support and encourage further development of DS‐2969b as a novel treatment for C. difficile infection.
Comparison of extractive distillation separation sequences for acetonitrile/methanol/benzene multi‐azeotropic mixtures
Authors: Wang Chao , Wang Chen , Guang Chao , Zhang Zhishan 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe extractive distillation‐based separation of a multi‐azeotropic mixture has several optional solvents and schemes. The screen of a suitable solvent was performed and diverse extractive distillation sequences were compared for separating the specified mixture of acetonitrile/methanol/benzene.ResultAs a solvent breaking all binary azeotropes, chlorobenzene was selected over aniline on the basis vapor–liquid equilibrium diagrams and infinite dilution factors. Four separation sequences were optimized by the sequential iterative procedure on the basis of minimal total annual cost (TAC), and CO2 emissions were calculated. Among four sequences, sequence III, composed of two extractive distillation columns and one solvent recovery column, is the best scheme from environmental and economic viewpoints. Simple partial heat integration was further implemented and can save 20.08% and 8.86% in terms of energy cost and TAC.ConclusionThe results demonstrate that the separation of acetonitrile/methanol/benzene is fully achievable using common extractive distillation with chlorobenzene as solvent. Moreover, there is a trade‐off between heat transfer in the reboiler‐condenser and corresponding energy consumption variations due to pressure changes when considering heat integration. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Polymer particle sizing from Raman spectra by regression of hard model parameters
Authors: Meyer‐Kirschner J. , Mitsos A. , Viell J. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe particle size of polymer colloids is a key characteristic. It directly affects Raman measurements due to light scattering by particles. This publication exploits the extent to which these spectral changes can be correlated to the particle sizes by using a spectral hard model and data‐driven model.To this end, spectra of aqueous polystyrene nanoparticles are decomposed into pure component spectral models by means of indirect hard modeling (IHM). Each pure component model is characterized by multiple peak‐shaped Voigt profiles. By fitting the model to spectra of polymer colloids, spectral changes due to light scattering by particles are incorporated in the model parameters. The resulting parameter values are used as input for data‐driven partial least squares (PLS) regression to extract particle sizes. The method is applied to Raman spectra of polystyrene nanoparticles of 23–60 nm diameter measured repeatedly at concentrations 0.17–1 wt%. The hybrid model predicts the particle size with R2 = 0.99. In contrast, purely data‐driven PLS regression of the spectral intensities with 3 latent PLS variables results in R2 from 0.78 to 0.83. Resulting PLS scores portray a clear differentiability of Raman scattering and light scattering by particles within IHM model parameters. PLS regression coefficients further allow identification of individual peak parameters that correlate with particle size, which substantiates previous findings on correlation between Raman signal and scattering by polymer colloids. Combining IHM and data‐driven PLS regression demonstrates more accurate prediction of particle size for extended usage of Raman spectroscopy as comprehensive process analytical technology to determine sample concentrations and particle data.
Viscoelasticity and Dynamics of Intercalated Polymer/Bentonite Nanocomposites
Authors: Romo‐Uribe Angel 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThis research investigates confinement‐induced dynamics retardation behavior in intercalated acrylic/clay nanocomposites. Nanostructured waterborne latex contains up to 3 wt% nanoclay, and transmission electron microscopy shows well‐dispersed intercalated morphology. Dynamics in the melt is analyzed using the time‐temperature superposition principle. Confinement induces dynamics retardation, and the entanglement relaxation time τeincreases over an order of magnitude. The cooperative motion retardation also reduces viscous dissipation, as measured by the damping tanδ. Moreover, the rubbery modulus increases >10‐fold. The increase of rubbery modulus suggests that confinement hinders chain mobility. The system is then naturally segregated, with intercalated chains having slow dynamics. Hence, thermal analysis of freshly cast films shows one broad glass transition with temperatureTg,ifor all the nanocomposites, and upon annealing the nanocomposites exhibits twoTg's. TheTg,highsuggests regions of reduced chain mobility (i.e., intercalated chains); theTg,lowis associated to the bulk material with regions of higher mobility. The breadthTg,high–Tg,lowincreases with clay content indicating that the regions of fast and slow dynamics become more decoupled as confinement increases.
Precision Polyelectrolytes with Phenylsulfonic Acid Branches at Every Five Carbons
Authors: Kendrick Aaron , Neary William J. , Delgado Jose D. , Bohlmann Michele , Kennemur Justin G. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractA precision polyethylene containing phenyl branches at every fifth carbon (p5Ph) is nearly quantitatively functionalized (≈95%) with sulfonic acid groups on the para‐position of each phenyl branch (p5PhS‐H). Unlike polystyrene sulfonate (PSS), p5PhS‐H has a glass transition temperature (Tg = 109 °C) well below its thermal decomposition temperature (Td ≈ 200 °C), making this new material capable of thermal processing into molds and films at temperatures between these thermal limits. Neutralization of the sulfonic acid groups with varying counter cations (Li+, Na+, Cs+) produces a new class of precision polyelectrolytes. Neutralization and increasing size of the counter cation improves the thermal decomposition temperature (Td) to over 400 °C for the Cs+ form. Neutralization causes Tg to increase above Td for the Li+ and Na+ form. The Cs+ form is found to have an accessible Tg = 294 °C. Further investigations of water absorption and the polyelectrolyte effect of these systems are discussed.
Characterization of a novel Gram‐stain‐positive anaerobic coccus isolated from the female genital tract: Genome sequence and description of Murdochiella vaginalis sp. nov.
Authors: Diop Khoudia , Diop Awa , Khelaifia Saber , Robert Catherine , Pinto Fabrizio Di , Delerce Jérémy , Raoult Didier , Fournier Pierre‐Edouard , Bretelle Florence , Fenollar Florence 
Published: May 2018

AbstractStrain Marseille‐P2341T, a nonmotile, nonspore‐forming, Gram‐stain‐positive anaerobic coccus, was isolated in the vaginal specimen of a patient with bacterial vaginosis using culturomics. Its growth occurred at temperatures ranging from 25 to 42°C, with pH between 6.5 and 8.5, and at NaCl concentrations lower than 5%. The major fatty acids were C18:1n9 (27.7%) and C16:0 (24.4%). Its genome is 1,671,491 bp long with 49.48 mol% of G+C content. It is composed of 1,501 genes: 1,446 were protein‐coding genes and 55 were RNAs. Strain Marseille‐P2341T shared 97.3% of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Murdochiella asaccharolytica, the phylogenetically closest species. These results enabled the classification of strain Marseille‐P2341T as a new species of the genus Murdochiella for which we proposed the name Murdochiella vaginalis sp. nov. The type strain is strain Marseille‐P2341T (=DSM 102237, =CSUR P2341).
An extended reference region model for DCE‐MRI that accounts for plasma volume
Authors: Ahmed Zaki , Levesque Ives R. 
Published: May 2018

The reference region model (RRM) for dynamic contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE‐MRI) provides pharmacokinetic parameters without requiring the arterial input function. A limitation of the RRM is that it assumes that the blood plasma volume in the tissue of interest is zero, but this is often not true in highly vascularized tissues, such as some tumours. This study proposes an extended reference region model (ERRM) to account for tissue plasma volume. Furthermore, ERRM was combined with a two‐fit approach to reduce the number of fitting parameters, and this was named the constrained ERRM (CERRM). The accuracy and precision of RRM, ERRM and CERRM were evaluated in simulations covering a range of parameters, noise and temporal resolutions. These models were also compared with the extended Tofts model (ETM) on in vivo glioblastoma multiforme data. In simulations, RRM overestimated Ktrans by over 10% at vp = 0.01 under noiseless conditions. In comparison, ERRM and CERRM were both accurate, with CERRM showing better precision when noise was included. On in vivo data, CERRM provided maps that had the highest agreement with ETM, whilst also being robust at temporal resolutions as poor as 30 s. ERRM can provide pharmacokinetic parameters without an arterial input function in tissues with non‐negligible vp where RRM provides inaccurate estimates. The two‐fit approach, named CERRM, further improves on the accuracy and precision of ERRM.
What is known about consumer nutrition environments in Australia? A scoping review of the literature
Authors: Pulker C. E. , Thornton L. E. , Trapp G. S. A. 
Published: May 2018

SummaryObjectiveFood environments can influence food selection and hold the potential to reduce obesity, non‐communicable diseases and their inequalities. ‘Consumer nutrition environments’ describe what consumers encounter within a food retail outlet, including products, price, promotion and placement. This study aimed to summarize the attributes that have been examined in existing peer‐reviewed studies of Australian consumer nutrition environments, identify knowledge gaps and provide recommendations for future research.MethodsA systematic search of peer‐reviewed literature was conducted. Sixty‐six studies that assessed an aspect of within‐store consumer nutrition environments were included.ResultsMost studies were published from 2011 onwards and were conducted in capital cities and in supermarkets. Studies assessed the domains of product (40/66), price (26/66), promotion (16/66) and placement (6/66). The most common research themes identified were assessment of the impact of area socioeconomic status (13/66), remoteness (9/66) and food outlet type (7/66) on healthy food prices; change in price of healthy foods (6/66); variety of healthy foods (5/66); and prevalence of unhealthy child‐orientated products (5/66).ConclusionsThis scoping review identified a large number of knowledge gaps. Recommended priorities for researchers are as follows: (1) develop consistent observational methodology, (2) consider consumer nutrition environments in rural and remote communities, (3) develop an understanding of food service outlets, (4) build on existing evidence in all four domains of product, price, placement and promotion and (5) determine effective policy and store‐based interventions to increase healthy food selection.
Reverse hydrophobic PDMS surface to hydrophilic by 1‐step hydrolysis reaction
Authors: Zhang Wei , Kalulu Mulenga , Wang Xiao‐Hong , Xia Xue‐Ke , Han Xue‐Lian , Jiang Yong 
Published: May 2018

Hydrophilic modification on the surface of polymer polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) material is a key step for its application in biomaterial, bioengineering, and so on. In this article, a novel and effective method was proposed to reverse hydrophobic surface to hydrophilic by 1‐step hydrolysis of Si―O bond to produce hydrophilic hydroxyl group. The hydrophilizing reagent 2‐(trimethylsiloxy) ethyl methacrylate (TMSEMA) was used during the copolymerization of polydimethylsiloxane prepolymer (DMS U21). The prepared PDMS film was subjected to 1‐step surface hydrophilic reversal treatment using KOH solution to produce hydroxyl groups on the surface. The contact angle, attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectra, and equilibrium water content (EWC) measurements were conducted on PDMS films. The results showed that TMSEMA content had no obvious impact on the contact angle and EWC value of untreated PDMS. After reversal treatment, the contact angle decreased from 94° to 15°, and the EWC value increases to 10% when the TMSEMA content was 15 wt%. The spectrum proved that the reverse reaction produced hydroxyl and carboxylate on the surface. The hydrophilic stability, surface morphology, and protein adsorption properties of PDMS film were also investigated. This study can provide new ideas and further reference for improving the hydrophilicity of PDMS surface.
Ultrasonic treatment as recent and environmentally friendly route for the synthesis and characterization of polymer nanocomposite having PVA and biosafe BSA‐modified ZnO nanoparticles
Authors: Mallakpour Shadpour , Darvishzadeh Marzieh 
Published: May 2018

The present study deals with the immobilization of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) as nanofiller inside poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) by solution casting method which is a low‐cost, environmental‐friendly, and rapid method of sonochemistry. Firstly, the surface of ZnO NPs was treated by bovine serum albumin (BSA) in the phosphate‐buffered solution under ultrasonic cavitation. Three diverse polymeric nanocomposites (NCs) are formed by changing the percentage of ZnO@BSA NPs (3, 6, and 9 wt%) with same amount of PVA. The structure properties, morphology, and thermal stability of prepared NCs were determined through Fourier transform‐infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) and optical UV‐Visible spectrum, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The presence and the dispersal of the ZnO@BSA NPs in the PVA matrix were recognized by TEM. In the X‐ray diffraction analysis, the values of mean particle size using Debye‐Scherrer equation were estimated in the range 4 to 6 nm that is almost in agreement with TEM analysis. Increase of 14% in thermal stability and also increase of more than 2‐fold of the tensile strength of PVA/ZnO@BSA NC 9 wt% in respect to the pure PVA showed that the modified NPs well dispersed within PVA and attached to it.
Multifunctional curing component for epoxidized novolac resin by grafting poly (amidoamine) on carbon nanotubes using a divergent method
Authors: Pourhosseini‐Pakdel Zohreh , Roghani‐Mamaqani Hossein , Azimi Reza , Gholipour‐Mahmoudalilou Meysam 
Published: May 2018

Poly(amidoamine)‐grafted carbon nanotube (CNTD) was synthesized and used as a multi‐component curing agent for epoxidized novolac resin (ENR). This composite and curing agent can improve thermal stability of the resin due to its tubular graphitic core and also dendritic amino‐functionalities. The ENR was cured in the presence of different amounts of CNTD. Then, the thermal degradation temperature and also char content of the products were compared with the ethylenediamine‐cured ENR. Successful functionalization of oxidized carbon nanotubes with poly(amidoamine) was evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis. According to the thermogravimetric analysis results, char content of ethylenediamine‐cured ENR is 44.7% which increased to 54.6%, 55.5%, and 56.9% by the addition of 3, 5, and 8 wt% of CNTD into the resin matrix. Also, addition of CNTD content increased thermal stability of the composites. The tubular structure of CNTD was observed by scanning and transmission electron microscopies.
Middle‐Down MS is Ready to Answer Complex Questions in Chromatin Biology
Authors: Sidoli Simone 
Published: May 2018

AbstractHistones are the most abundant protein family in the cells of complex organisms such as mammals and, together with DNA, they define the backbone of chromatin. Histone PTMs are key players of chromatin biology, as they function as anchors for proteins that bind and modulate chromatin readout, including gene expression. Middle‐down mass spectrometry (MS) has been optimized for about 10 years to study histone N‐terminal tails, but it has been rarely applied to identify the role of coexisting histone marks in biology. In this work, Jiang et al. used middle‐down MS to study the dynamics of coexisting PTMs on histone H4 in two breast cancer cell lines. They found that overall serine 1 phosphorylation (S1ph) is mildly regulated during the cell cycle, but S1ph coexistence frequency with acetylations and methylations on the lysine residues of the N‐terminal tail is remarkably tuned during S phase and G2/M phase. Together, the team placed another benchmark proving that MS analysis of combinatorial histone PTMs provides a more comprehensive view on chromatin state than studying individual marks. We should then constantly question ourselves regarding the limitations of analyzing single PTMs when we attempt to define their effect on protein functions.
Mind‐body interventions for fear of cancer recurrence: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Hall Daniel L. , Luberto Christina M. , Philpotts Lisa L. , Song Rhayun , Park Elyse R. , Yeh Gloria Y. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractObjectiveFear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is a common existential concern and source of distress among adults with a cancer history. Multiple randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have examined mind‐body approaches to mitigating FCR. We summarized characteristics of these trials and calculated their pooled effects on decreasing FCR.MethodsSix electronic databases were systematically searched from inception to May 2017, using a strategy that included multiple terms for RCTs, cancer, mind‐body medicine, and FCR. Data extraction and reporting followed Cochrane and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Pooled effect sizes on self‐report measures of FCR were computed by using random‐effects models.ResultsNineteen RCTs (pooled N = 2806) were included. Most studies (53%) were published since 2015 and targeted a single cancer type (84%; mostly breast). Intervention sessions (median = 6, mode = 4) tended to last 120 minutes and occur across 1.5 months. Delivery was predominantly in‐person (63%) to either groups (42%) or individuals (42%). Most interventions incorporated multiple mind‐body components (53%), commonly cognitive‐behavioral skills (58%), or meditative practices (53%). Small‐to‐medium pooled effect sizes were observed postintervention (Hedges' g = −0.36, 95% CI = −0.49, −0.23, P < .001) and at follow‐up assessments (median = 8 months, P < .001). Potential modifiers (control group design, group/individual delivery, use of cognitive‐behavioral or mindfulness skills, number of mind‐body components, cancer treatment status, and number of sessions) did not reach statistical significance.ConclusionsMind‐body interventions are efficacious for reducing FCR, with small‐to‐medium effect sizes that persist after intervention delivery ends. Recommendations include testing effects among survivors of various cancers and exploring the optimal integration of mind‐body practices for managing fundamental uncertainties and fears during cancer survivorship.
Statin‐associated myopathy. Assessment of frequency based on data of all statutory health insurance funds in Germany
Authors: Ihle Peter , Dippel Franz‐Werner , Schubert Ingrid 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAim of the study was to assess the incidence of statin‐associated myopathy (SAM) under real‐life conditions in Germany. Database: Administrative data (master data, diagnoses, prescriptions) for all individuals in Germany insured with the Statutory Health Insurance. Basic population: individuals 18 years and older who have been insured continually from 2009 to 2011 (52.9 million; 29.9 million men, 23.9 million women). Data access is provided by the German Institute of Medical Documentation and Information, DIMDI) according to the Data Transparency Regulation of 2012. Statins: identification with the ATC–Codes: C10AA, C10BA and C10BX. Study population: incident statin users in 2010 with a diagnosis of lipid disorders (ICD‐10‐GM E78, excluding patients with: E78.1, E78.3, E78.6 in eight quarters before index prescription. Definition of SAM: documentation of myopathy (ICD‐10‐GM G72.0, G72.8; G72.9, M60.8, M60.9, M79.1) in the first statin prescription quarter or in one of the three following quarters. The first event is considered for the incidence estimate. The daily doses included in a package were classified as “days under therapy” (by assuming one DDD) and taken as exposition time. SAM was found in 1.9% of 531 672 incident statin users. The percentage differs according to the patterns of statin use: the lowest incidence is observed in those with only one prescription (1.3%), the highest incidence with 5.0% is observed in those who not only stopped the treatment within 365 days, but who also had their statin changed. Administrative data including diagnoses from ambulatory care provide a realistic estimate of SAM frequency in every day practice.
A note on GLR charts for monitoring count processes
Authors: Lee Jaeheon , Woodall William H. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractVarious generalized likelihood ratio (GLR) charts have been proposed to monitor count processes such as binomial, Bernoulli, Poisson, and multinomial processes. The advantages of GLR charts are that designing the chart is relatively easy, estimates of the process change‐point and shift size are available for post‐signal diagnosis, and they are effective in detecting a wide range of shifts in the process parameter. However, for some special cases of the observations, such as observing all defective items or all non‐defective items, the GLR chart statistic for monitoring a count process has been said to be undefined. We show that the GLR chart statistic is always well defined.