bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microfluidic fabrication of ceramic microspheres with controlled morphologies
Authors: Liang Shuaishuai , Li Jiang , Li Xiaomin , Man Jia , Nunes Janine K. , Chen Haosheng 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIn this study, the diffusion‐induced external gelation is combined with a microfluidic technique to prepare monodisperse ZrO2 ceramic microspheres. The gelation of sol droplets is traced by fluorescence visualization of the local pH, and it illustrates the effect of the external concentration of triggering agent (tetramethylethylenediamine, TMEDA) on the formation of the gel network, which results in 3 kinds of deformation of the gel particles. The deformation mechanism mainly lies in the imbalanced Laplace pressure exerted on the gel network during the competition between the gelation and the drying processes. By regulating the concentration of TMEDA, the monodisperse ZrO2 ceramic microspheres with high sphericity can be readily fabricated.
Transparent polycrystalline Gd2Hf2O7 ceramics
Authors: Chen Ching‐Fong , Brennecka Geoff L. , Synowicki R. A. , Tegtmeier Eric L. , Brand Michael J. , Montalvo J. D. , Ivy Jacob , Cherepy Nerine J. , Seeley Zach , Payne Steven A. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractWe have successfully developed transparent polycrystalline Gd2Hf2O7 ceramics with high in‐line transparency. A sol–gel process was used to synthesize the Gd2Hf2O7 powder. Simultaneous thermal gravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis (TGA/DTA) was used to identify the decomposition sequence as a function of temperature for the as‐synthesized sol–gel powders. The calcined powder is single phase and was formed with an estimated average particle size of 120 nm. Crystallization was confirmed by x‐ray diffraction (XRD) and a single phase was achieved by calcining at 1000°C. The calcined powders were hot‐pressed at 1500°C to achieve >95% theoretical density with closed pore structure followed by a hot isostatic pressing at 1500°C at 207 MPa to achieve a fully dense structure. Microstructural characterization shows a uniform grain size distribution with an average grain size of about 11 μm. In‐line transmission measurements revealed high transparency in the red and infrared. Dielectric properties remain stable with relative permittivity values around 180 and loss tangents less than 0.005 up to 350°C. Thermal conductivity was measured to be ~1.8 W/m°K at room temperature, decreasing to ~1.5 W/m°K by 500°C.
Non‐erythropoietic erythropoietin‐derived peptide protects mice from systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Huang Bo , Jiang Juntao , Luo Bangwei , Zhu Wen , Liu Yuqi , Wang Zhishang , Zhang Zhiren 
Published: March 2018

AbstractSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease, which results in various organ pathologies. However, current treatment towards SLE is suboptimal. Erythropoietin (EPO) has been shown to promote SLE recovery, but clinical application can be limited by its haematopoiesis‐stimulating effects. EPO‐derived helix‐B peptide (ARA290) is non‐erythrogenic but has been reported to retain the anti‐inflammatory and tissue‐protective functions of EPO. Therefore, here we investigated the effects and potential mechanisms of ARA290 on SLE. The administration of ARA290 to pristane‐induced SLE and MRL/lpr mice significantly suppressed the level of serum antinuclear autoantibodies (ANAs) and anti‐dsDNA autoantibodies, reduced the deposition of IgG and C3, and ameliorated the nephritis symptoms. Moreover, the serum concentrations of inflammatory cytokine IL‐6, MCP‐1 and TNF‐α in SLE mice were reduced by ARA290. Further, ARA290 decreased the number of apoptotic cells in kidney. In vitro experiment revealed that ARA290 inhibited the inflammatory activation of macrophages and promoted the phagocytotic function of macrophages to apoptotic cells. Finally, ARA290 did not induce haematopoiesis during treatment. In conclusion, ARA290 ameliorated SLE, which at least could be partly due to its anti‐inflammatory and apoptotic cell clearance promoting effects, without stimulating haematopoiesis, suggesting that ARA290 could be a hopeful candidate for SLE treatment.
Human pancreatic α‐ to β‐cell area ratio increases after type 2 diabetes onset
Authors: Fujita Yukari , Kozawa Junji , Iwahashi Hiromi , Yoneda Sho , Uno Sae , Eguchi Hidetoshi , Nagano Hiroaki , Imagawa Akihisa , Shimomura Iichiro 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAims/IntroductionPancreatic α‐cell area and the α‐ to β‐cell area ratio (α/β) might be associated with glucose tolerance. The aim was to clarify how these histological parameters change as glucose tolerance deteriorates.Materials and MethodsWe analyzed pancreatic tissues obtained from pancreatectomies of 43 patients. We evaluated the relationships between α‐cell area or the α/β and various clinical parameters. Additionally, we analyzed α‐cell proliferation and the expression patterns of various pancreatic transcription factors.ResultsThe α/β in individuals with longstanding (previously diagnosed) type 2 diabetes (0.36 ± 0.12) was higher than that in those with normal glucose tolerance (0.18 ± 0.10; P < 0.01), impaired glucose tolerance (0.17 ± 0.12; P < 0.05) and newly diagnosed diabetes (0.17 ± 0.12; P < 0.05). In all participants, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) correlated with relative α‐cell area (P = 0.010). Diabetes duration (P = 0.004), HbA1c (P < 0.001) and plasma glucose levels (P = 0.008) were significantly correlated with the α/β in single regression analyses, and diabetes duration was the only independent and significant determinant in stepwise multiple regression analyses (P = 0.006). The α‐cell Ki67‐positive ratio in patients with HbA1c ≥6.5% was significantly higher than that in patients with HbA1c <6.5% (P = 0.022). We identified β‐cells that expressed aristaless‐related homeobox and α‐cells that did not express aristaless‐related homeobox at all glucose tolerance stages. Aristaless‐related homeobox and NK homeobox 6.1 expression patterns varied in insulin and glucagon double‐positive cells.ConclusionsThe pancreatic α/β increases after type 2 diabetes onset and correlates with diabetes duration. This change might occur through α‐cell proliferation and phenotypic changes in pancreatic endocrine cells.
Effect of everolimus on skin lesions in patients treated for subependymal giant cell astrocytoma and renal angiomyolipoma: final 4‐year results from the randomized EXIST‐1 and EXIST‐2 studies
Authors: Franz D.N. , Budde K. , Kingswood J.C. , Belousova E. , Sparagana S. , de Vries P.J. , Berkowitz N. , Ridolfi A. , Bissler J.J. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundTuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a genetic disorder associated with tumour growth in various organs, including the brain, kidneys, heart and skin. Cutaneous lesions are prevalent manifestations of TSC, occurring in up to 90% of patients. Oral mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors, such as everolimus, is believed to be effective for treatment of TSC‐associated lesions because they act on the underlying disease pathophysiology.ObjectiveWe evaluated the long‐term effect of oral everolimus on TSC‐associated skin lesions as a secondary objective in the phase III studies EXIST‐1 (NCT00789828) and EXIST‐2 (NCT00790400) after approximately 4 years of treatment.Materials and methodsEverolimus was dosed 4.5 mg/m2/day (titrated to trough 5–15 ng/mL) in patients with TSC‐associated subependymal giant cell astrocytoma in EXIST‐1, and 10 mg/day initially in adult patients with TSC‐ or sporadic lymphangioleiomyomatosis–associated renal angiomyolipoma in EXIST‐2. Following positive results from the core phase, remaining patients were offered open‐label everolimus in an extension. Skin lesion response rate was the proportion of patients achieving complete or partial clinical response.ResultsA total of 105 patients in EXIST‐1 and 107 in EXIST‐2 received everolimus and had ≥1 skin lesion at baseline. Skin lesion response rate (95% confidence interval) was 58.1% (48.1–67.7%) in EXIST‐1 and 68.2% (58.5–76.9%) in EXIST‐2; most were partial responses. At week 192 (EXIST‐1: n = 55; EXIST‐2: n = 56), 69% and 66% had a response. Most common drug‐related adverse event was stomatitis (41–45%).ConclusionOral everolimus improved TSC‐related skin lesions, with responses sustained over 4 years of treatment in EXIST‐1 and EXIST‐2.
Effect of spatial connectivity on host resistance in a highly fragmented natural pathosystem
Authors: Höckerstedt Layla Maria , Siren Jukka Pekka , Laine Anna‐Liisa 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBoth theory and experimental evolution studies predict migration to influence the outcome of antagonistic coevolution between hosts and their parasites, with higher migration rates leading to increased diversity and evolutionary potential. Migration rates are expected to vary in spatially structured natural pathosystems, yet how spatial structure generates variation in coevolutionary trajectories across populations occupying the same landscape has not been tested. Here, we studied the effect of spatial connectivity on host evolutionary potential in a natural pathosystem characterized by a stablePlantago lanceolatahost network and a highly dynamicPodosphaera plantaginisparasite metapopulation. We designed a large inoculation experiment to test resistance of five isolated and five well‐connected host populations against sympatric and allopatric pathogen strains, over 4 years. Contrary to our expectations, we did not find consistently higher resistance against sympatric pathogen strains in the well‐connected populations. Instead, host local adaptation varied considerably among populations and through time with greater fluctuations observed in the well‐connected populations. Jointly, our results suggest that in populations where pathogens have successfully established, they have the upper hand in the coevolutionary arms race, but hosts may be better able to respond to pathogen‐imposed selection in the well‐connected than in the isolated populations. Hence, the ongoing and extensive fragmentation of natural habitats may increase vulnerability to diseases.
Preliminary Clinical Evaluation of Acupuncture Therapy in Patients With Postpartum Sciatica
Authors: He Bing‐Shu , Li Yang , Gui Tong 
Published: March 2018

IntroductionThis study evaluated clinical outcomes following acupuncture treatment of postpartum sciatica.MethodsOne hundred eleven women with postpartum sciatica were enrolled in an acupuncture group (n = 86) or a control group (n = 25), according to their preference. Participants in the acupuncture group attended acupuncture therapy sessions 3 times a week for 4 weeks, while participants in the control group were assigned to bed rest. Outcome measures included the Roland Disability Questionnaire for sciatica, a visual analog scale for leg pain, and patient‐reported perceived recovery. In addition, participants were surveyed after treatment to assess the acceptability of acupuncture therapy.ResultsThe outcome scores for disability and leg pain were significantly lower in the acupuncture group compared with the control group (P < .05). All 86 women in the treatment group stated that acupuncture improved their well‐being after treatment. At one month after treatment, 98% of participants in the treatment group reported recovery compared with 24% of the control group participants (P < .001). After treatment, 95% of lactating women in the acupuncture group believed that acupuncture had no significant interference with breast milk production. No adverse effects of acupuncture were reported. All participants in the acupuncture group stated they would choose acupuncture in case of relapse. However, the recurrence rate of sciatica in the acupuncture group (32%) was comparable to that of the control group (35%) at the one‐year follow‐up interview.DiscussionCompared with bed rest, acupuncture might be an effective and acceptable strategy to relieve symptoms of postpartum sciatica.
The efficacy and complications of a new technique of Abobotulinum‐toxin A (Dysport) injection in patients with glabellar lines
Authors: Karbassi Esmat , Nakhaee Nouzar , Zamanian Maryam 
Published: March 2018

SummaryBackgroundAbobotulinum‐ toxin A is used extensively for the treatment of frown (glabellar) lines.AimsThe aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and complications of a new injection technique and to assess the amount of satisfaction in patients with the frown lines.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study was conducted in 104 patients with moderate‐to‐severe glabellar lines. In the new technique by reassessing the responsible anatomic muscles of wrinkles, we tried to modify the injection technique of Abobotulinum‐toxin A to yield more favorable results. The range and severity of frown lines were assessed by a 4‐score test and a photograph taken before and 2 weeks after the injection. Patients were followed up to 180 days after injection.ResultsThe response time of 87.5% of patients was within the first 48 hours and the remaining 12.5% showed the symptoms within the first week after injection. At 30 days after injection, the frown lines had disappeared in 88.5% of patients in static mode and 85.6% in mechanic mode. Maximum injection durability in the first 3, 4, and 6 months after injection was 82%, 52%, and 38%, respectively. The amount of complete satisfaction after 3 months was reported to be 86.5%.ConclusionsThis study indicated that the new injection technique of Abobotulinum‐toxin A could be beneficial in the treatment of frown lines with more satisfactory results, especially in those patients who were not contented with the present conventional method.
Optimal Insurance Policy Indemnity Schedules With Policyholders’ Limited Liability and Background Risk
Authors: Hofmann Annette , Häfen Ole V. , Nell Martin 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis article makes two contributions to the insurance literature by studying optimal insurance policy indemnity schedules with policyholders’ limited liability and background risk. First, generalizing a prominent approach by Huberman, Mayers, and Smith (1983), it is shown that a welfare subsidy in the case of a ruinous loss may make the insurance premium “overly fair” for nonbankrupting losses and full insurance for this event becomes optimal. Second, introducing correlated background risk into this limited liability framework relativizes or even turns results by Doherty and Schlesinger (1983) as to the impact of background risk on optimal coverage into its opposite.
Places, spaces and local customs: honouring the private worlds of out‐of‐school text creation
Authors: Chamberlain Liz 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis paper examines the nature of the out‐of‐school writing practices of three primary‐aged children aged 9–10. In particular, it explores the writing these children chose to undertake at home including ‘for school’ writing, completed at home. The study's findings reveal the ways in which these three, developing young writers engage and interact with writing and how this differs to writingfor school, completed at home. To better understand the implications of national surveys that reveal a causal relationship between writing for enjoyment and positive writing attainment this research sought to expose the range and versatility of the children's home and volitional writing practices. The children in this case study were not selected because they were writers but merely that they engaged with writing away from school. The study employs an ecological paradigm (Bronfenbrenner,) to explore the participation and interaction of the children with their writing practices within the complex environment of home. The paper makes the case for teachers to be more curious about the private worlds of out‐of‐school text creation to better appreciate the provenance of home writing events and artefacts.
Methodological challenges to collecting clinical and economic outcome data: Lessons from the pilot dialysis outcomes India study
Authors: Bassi Abhinav , John Oommen , Gallagher Martin , Kotwal Sradha , Joshi Rohina , Essue Beverley , Jan Stephen , Ramachandran Raja , Kher Vijay , Knight John , Jha Vivekanand 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACTAimContemporary data on clinical and economic outcomes and quality of care amongst dialysis patients in India are not available. This pilot prospective study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of data collection and follow up within routine dialysis practice to inform setting up a dialysis registry.MethodsAn electronic instrument was developed to collect information on clinical and socio‐demographic characteristics, outcome and out‐of‐pocket expenditure on incident patients commencing haemodialysis (HD) at two centres. Dialysis unit staff were trained in collecting and entering information on an electronic case record form. Patients were followed up at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months to ascertain outcomes and treatment related costs.ResultsA total of 119 patients (37 females, age 47.5 ± 17.2 years) were enrolled. After 1 year, 38 (32%) patients were continuing on HD; 35 (29%) had died, 30 (25%) underwent a kidney transplant, and 16 (13%) had stopped dialysis. We noted a high prevalence of catastrophic health expenditure. Data collection was facilitated by appointing a designated staff member who received an incentive. Collection of financial information, clinical course for patients transferring out of the primary unit and the cause of death, when it occurred out of hospital was challenging.ConclusionProspective data collection of incident dialysis patients was feasible but is resource‐intensive. High out‐of‐pocket costs force some patients to stop dialysis and can generate a sense of despair. Poor patient experiences and suspicion over the use of such data adversely affects collection of important clinical and health economic data.
Genomics studies on musical aptitude, music perception, and practice
Authors: Järvelä Irma 
Published: March 2018

AbstractWhen searching for genetic markers inherited together with musical aptitude, genes affecting inner ear development and brain function were identified. The alpha‐synuclein gene (SNCA), located in the most significant linkage region of musical aptitude, was overexpressed when listening and performing music. The GATA‐binding protein 2 gene (GATA2) was located in the best associated region of musical aptitude and regulates SNCA in dopaminergic neurons, thus linking DNA‐ and RNA‐based studies of music‐related traits together. In addition to SNCA, several other genes were linked to dopamine metabolism. Mutations in SNCA predispose to Lewy‐body dementia and cause Parkinson disease in humans and affect song production in songbirds. Several other birdsong genes were found in transcriptome analysis, suggesting a common evolutionary background of sound perception and production in humans and songbirds. Regions of positive selection with musical aptitude contained genes affecting auditory perception, cognitive performance, memory, human language development, and song perception and production of songbirds. The data support the role of dopaminergic pathway and their link to the reward mechanism as a molecular determinant in positive selection of music. Integration of gene‐level data from the literature across multiple species prioritized activity‐dependent immediate early genes as candidate genes in musical aptitude and listening to and performing music.
Cardiac resynchronization therapy: A comparative analysis of mortality in African Americans and Caucasians
Authors: Fontaine John M. , Franklin Sona M. , Essilfie Gilbert , Ahiable Lilian E. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundCardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is recommended in patients with heart failure, reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, and a prolonged QRS duration. African Americans are underrepresented in clinical trials and CRT is underutilized; consequently, the benefits and outcomes of CRT are not well‐defined.MethodsWe evaluated 294 patients, determined survival using Kaplan‐Meier analysis, and used Cox proportional hazards regression model to determine predictors of mortality. Propensity score‐match analysis was applied to balance covariates in African Americans and Caucasians.ResultsThe mean age for African Americans (n = 131) and Caucasians (n = 163) was 65 ± 12 and 70 ± 13 years (P = 0.0003). Mortality in African Americans was 28% compared to 37% in Caucasians (P = 0.14) over a median follow‐up of 8.1 ± 0.6 years. Survival was significantly reduced in African Americans and Caucasians with a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) < 60 (6.7 ± 0.4, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.9–7.5 vs 8.6 ± 0.5 CI: 7.7–9.5 years, P = 0.005), and those not treated with an aldosterone antagonist (7.1 ± 0.4, 95% CI: 6.5–7.9 vs 8.7 ± 0.6, 7.6–9.9 years, P = 0.04), respectively. Independent predictors of mortality were a GFR <60 and low left ventricular ejection fraction. In African Americans, ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) and lack of therapy with an angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) or angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) were associated with increased mortality.ConclusionsLong‐term survival benefit from CRT was similar in African Americans and Caucasians. A GFR < 60 and lack of therapy with an aldosterone antagonist were associated with decreased survival. Survival also was inversely related to the number of comorbidities. In African Americans, underutilization of an ACEI or ARB, and ICM were additional factors associated with increased mortality.
A Bayesian Analysis of Abundance, Trend, and Population Viability for Harbor Seals in Iliamna Lake, Alaska
Authors: Boveng Peter L. , Hoef Jay M. Ver , Withrow David E. , London Josh M. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractHarbor seals in Iliamna Lake, Alaska, are a small, isolated population, and one of only two freshwater populations of harbor seals in the world, yet little is known about their abundance or risk for extinction. Bayesian hierarchical models were used to estimate abundance and trend of this population. Observational models were developed from aerial survey and harvest data, and they included effects for time of year and time of day on survey counts. Underlying models of abundance and trend were based on a Leslie matrix model that used prior information on vital rates from the literature. We developed three scenarios for variability in the priors and used them as part of a sensitivity analysis. The models were fitted using Markov chain Monte Carlo methods. The population production rate implied by the vital rate estimates was about 5% per year, very similar to the average annual harvest rate. After a period of growth in the 1980s, the population appears to be relatively stable at around 400 individuals. A population viability analysis assessing the risk of quasi‐extinction, defined as any reduction to 50 animals or below in the next 100 years, ranged from 1% to 3%, depending on the prior scenario. Although this is moderately low risk, it does not include genetic or catastrophic environmental events, which may have occurred to the population in the past, so our results should be applied cautiously.