bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Damage sequence and safety margin assessment of expansion joints by shake table testing
Authors: Otsuki Yu , Kurata Masahiro , Skalomenos Konstantinos A. , Ikeda Yoshiki 
Published: September 2018

SummaryThe performance of nonstructural components has attracted attention, and previous large earthquakes have resulted in widespread damage to expansion joints. In contrast to the main structural components, for which ductility beyond the design tolerance is ensured, the safety margin of nonstructural components classified as the product of mechanical engineering, such as expansion joints, is uncertain. This paper investigates the damage sequence and safety margin of expansion joints through shake table testing. The expansion joints were installed to connect 2 rigid steel frames with short and long natural periods. Four commonly used types, high‐performance and standard‐performance floor and wall expansion joints, were tested. Seven damage patterns of the 4 expansion joints were observed, and most of the damage patterns were considered displacement dependent. The damage mechanisms and relative displacements at the moment of damage were identified by using strain gauges attached near collision and damage locations. The high‐performance expansion joints showed only minor damage beyond the design motion range, whereas the standard‐performance expansion joints exhibited minor damage below the design motion range and failure at the design motion range or slightly beyond. For each damage state, repair information was obtained through a questionnaire to an expansion joint manufacturer, and the sum of the initial cost and repair cost for high‐performance and standard‐performance expansion joints was compared. The results will be useful for the selection of expansion joints in the design process.
The effects of iprodione fungicide on survival, behavior, and brood development of honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) after one foliar application during flowering on mustard
Authors: Berg Christian , Hill Marcus , Bonetti Chelsea , Mitchell Gary C. , Sharma Bibek 
Published: September 2018

Abstract

A semifield study to assess the effects of iprodione on honeybees at label use rates was conducted on a bloom mustard crop. The present study followed the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development guideline 75 tunnel test and consisted of 3 groups: the iprodione-treated group, the untreated control group, and the toxic reference item group. In addition to the tunnels used for biological assessments, a tunnel was set up in the treatment and control groups to determine the level of residues in flowers, nectar, and pollen. The major endpoints to assess the effects of the application of iprodione were mortality, flight intensity, behavior, condition of the colonies, and development of the brood. Residue analysis showed that honeybees were exposed to significant residues of iprodione. However, no adverse effects were observed on overall mortality, flight intensity, behavior, or brood development of honeybees compared to control. It is concluded that iprodione does not adversely affect the health of honeybees when applied in agriculture at commercially relevant rates in a worst-case exposure scenario. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:3086–3094. © 2018 SETAC
Compassion focused therapy for people with dementia: A feasibility study
Authors: Craig Catriona , Hiskey Syd , Royan Lindsay , Poz Rebecca , Spector Aimee 
Published: September 2018

ObjectivesThere is a lack of evidence‐based psychological therapies for dementia and psychological distress. The study aimed to develop a compassion focused therapy intervention for people with dementia with depression and/or anxiety, and to assess its feasibility, acceptability, and utility.MethodsA mixed methods multiple case series (n = 7) was used to assess the intervention's feasibility and changes in self‐compassion, mood, anxiety, and quality of life. Outcome measures were administered at pre‐intervention, midpoint, and post‐intervention. Data were analysed using reliable change and clinically significant change. Thematic analysis on post‐therapy interviews and session rating forms was used to assess acceptability and perceived change from the intervention.ResultsOver the course of the intervention, improvements in mood, anxiety, and self‐compassion were seen, and three of six participants moved out of the clinical depression range. Six participants were able to engage in soothing rhythm breathing, and five in discussion of self‐criticism and developing self‐compassion. Several participants and their carers described increased self‐compassion in response to cognitive decline.ConclusionsCompassion focused therapy can be adapted to be delivered to people with dementia and low mood, anxiety, or other distress. The intervention may improve self‐compassion, mood, and anxiety. A larger pilot trial with a comparator group and follow‐up is needed to evaluate the intervention's effectiveness for people with dementia.
Sliding behavior of zirconia porous implant surfaces against bone
Authors: Dantas T. A. , Roedel S. , Mesquita‐Guimarães J. , Pinto P. , Souza J.C.M. , Fredel M.C. , Silva F.S. , Henriques B. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractDifferent zirconia porous layers were produced on zirconia dense zirconia substrates by slip casting using powder with different mean sizes: 40 μm (Z40), 70 μm (Z70), and 100 μm (Z100). The dynamic and static coefficients of friction against bovine femoral bone, mimicking the implantation process, were conducted using a ball‐on‐flat reciprocating sliding tribometer under 3 N of normal load. Additionally, the porous layers were assessed with regard to their low temperature degradation (aging).Results revealed that the porous layers were able to keep their integrity during the sliding testes against bone, with no zirconia particles being transferred to the bone. Results did not show significant differences (p > 0.05) in kinetic and static COF values for Z40, Z70, Z100, and GRAD specimens, ranging from 0.53 to 0.77 and 0.65 to 0.90, respectively. The aging tests revealed that all surfaces were prone to low temperature degradation (~49% of monoclinic content after 18 h). In conclusion, the cohesive integrity of the layers and relatively high COF observed reveled that zirconia porous layers may be considered for replacing the current implant surfaces, and are expected to improve their primary stability. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 1113–1121, 2019.
Long noncoding RNA DGCR5 represses hepatocellular carcinoma progression by inactivating Wnt signaling pathway
Authors: Wang Xiao‐Lan , Shi Min , Xiang Tian , Bu Yan‐Zhi 
Published: September 2018

AbstractIncreasing studies have indicated that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) exert important roles in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, it is of great significance to identify the dysregulated lncRNAs in HCC. According to the previous reports, it has been suggested that DiGeorge syndrome critical region gene 5 (DGCR5) might participate in HCC and can serve as potential biomarker for HCC. In our current study, we concentrated on the biological function and roles of lncRNA‐DGCR5 in HCC. It was indicated that DGCR5 was decreased in HCC tissues and HCC cells including HepG2, Hep3B, MHCC‐97L, SNU‐449, and SNU‐182 cells compared with the normal human liver cell line LO2. Overexpression of DGCR5 was able to restrain HCC growth, migration, and invasion capacity in HepG2 and SNU‐449 cells. In addition, whether lncRNA‐DGCR5 can regulate Wnt/β‐catenin pathway during HCC progression is unclear. In our study, it was found that upregulation of DGCR5 inactivated Wnt signaling pathway through inhibiting β‐catenin, cyclin D1 and increasing GSK‐3β levels. Subsequently, in vivo tumor xenografts were established using HepG2 cells to investigate the function of DGCR5 in HCC development. Inconsistent with the in vitro findings, increase of DGCR5 dramatically suppressed HCC tumor progression in vivo. Taken these together, it was uncovered in our research that DGCR5 could play tumor suppressive role by targeting Wnt signaling in HCC progression.
Efficient penetration of Scp01‐b and its DNA transfer abilities into cells
Authors: Zhang Ming , Zhao Xueli , Geng Jingping , Liu Huiting , Zeng Fanhui , Qin Yanyan , Li Jason , Liu Changbai , Wang Hu 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe in vivo application potential of viral‐based gene delivery approaches is hindered by a risk of insertional oncogenesis. Of the many delivery methods, cell‐penetrating peptides (CPP)‐based delivery has good biocompatibility and biodegradability. However, low efficiency is still the disadvantage of CPPs‐based nucleic acid transfection, and delivery efficiency may vary from different CPPs. Here, we describe Scp01‐b, as a new CPP, which can enter cultured cell lines and primary cultured cells examined by fluorescence microscopy and quantitative assay, the internalization process is a concentration, temperature, and incubation time‐dependent manner. Scp01‐b does not insert into the membrane directly and its uptake is mediated through endocytosis pathway. Moreover, Scp01‐b could mediate the uptake of plasmid DNA into the Caski and HSC‐T6 cells, and we noted that Scp01‐b‐mediated transfection efficiency was nearly the same with traditional liposome (TurboFectin)‐mediated transfection. These findings suggest that Scp01‐b can act as a useful tool for non‐viral‐based delivery in further application such as reprogramming and gene editing.
Slug mediates myofibroblastic differentiation to promote fibrogenesis in buccal mucosa
Authors: Fang Chih‐Yuan , Hsia Shih‐Min , Hsieh Pei‐Ling , Liao Yi‐Wen , Peng Chih‐Yu , Wu Ching‐Zong , Lin Kuan‐Chou , Tsai Lo‐Lin , Yu Cheng‐Chia 
Published: September 2018

AbstractEpithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been implicated in fibrogenesis and carcinogenesis; however, the exact role of EMT‐inducer Slug in the progression of precancerous oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) has not been investigated. In the current study, we showed that the expression of Slug was upregulated in OSF tissues and associated with various myofibroblast markers. After silence of Slug in fibrotic buccal mucosal fibroblasts (fBMFs), the elevated myofibroblast activities and fibrosis markers were all downregulated. Our data revealed that arecoline, an areca nut alkaloid, increased the expression of Slug in normal BMFs, and inhibition of Slug successfully prevented the arecoline‐induced myofibroblast activation. Additionally, overexpression of Slug in BMFs stimulated the activities of myofibroblasts, indicating that upregulation of Slug by arecoline contributes to the myofibroblast transdifferentiation. Most importantly, Slug was able to bind to the E‐box of type I collagen, leading to increased expression of type I collagen. Altogether, this study demonstrated the abnormal elevation of Slug in OSF and its significance in arecoline‐induced fibrogenesis. Moreover, downregulation of Slug could be a potential target for OSF remedy via suppression of myofibroblast activities and type I collagen.
Population Pharmacokinetics and Exposure‐Response Relationship of Intravenous and Subcutaneous Abatacept in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Li Xiaohui , Roy Amit , Murthy Bindu 
Published: September 2018

AbstractAbatacept population pharmacokinetics (PK) and exposure‐response (E‐R) models for selective efficacy end points were developed using phase 2 and 3 study data in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with abatacept (intravenous [IV] or subcutaneous [SC]), followed by simulations. Two efficacy end points were assessed in the E‐R analyses: Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28) and American College of Rheumatology response criteria for 20/50/70% improvement (ACR20/50/70). The analyses were performed with data from 11 clinical studies for the population PK analysis and from 3 clinical studies for the E‐R analyses (DAS28 and ACR20/50/70). The PK of abatacept were time invariant and can be described by a linear 2‐compartment model with first‐order elimination and with zero‐order IV infusion or first‐order absorption for SC abatacept. Baseline body weight was the only clinically meaningful covariate; that is, abatacept clearance and volume of central compartment increased with increasing baseline body weight. Steady‐state trough concentration (Cminss) of abatacept was identified as the best exposure predictor of DAS28 response compared with other exposure measures. In addition, the E‐R relationship was the same for IV and SC abatacept. Similar results were confirmed in the ACR20/50/70 E‐R analyses. Efficacy responses increased with increasing Cminssand a near‐maximal response was associated with Cminss≥10 μg/mL. The model‐based analyses confirmed that the weight‐tiered ∼10 mg/kg IV and fixed 125 mg SC abatacept dosing regimens are comparable and achieved plateau responses, by delivering Cminss≥10 μg/mL in RA patients across all body weights.
Immunomodulatory placental‐expanded, mesenchymal stromal cells improve muscle function following hip arthroplasty
Authors: Winkler Tobias , Perka Carsten , von Roth Philipp , Agres Alison N. , Plage Henning , Preininger Bernd , Pumberger Matthias , Geissler Sven , Hagai Esther Lukasiewicz , Ofir Racheli , Pinzur Lena , Eyal Eli , Stoltenburg‐Didinger Gisela , Meisel Christian , Consentius Christine , Streitz Mathias , Reinke Petra , Duda Georg N. , Volk Hans‐Dieter 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundNo regenerative approach has thus far been shown to be effective in skeletal muscle injuries, despite their high frequency and associated functional deficits. We sought to address surgical trauma‐related muscle injuries using local intraoperative application of allogeneic placenta‐derived, mesenchymal‐like adherent cells (PLX‐PAD), using hip arthroplasty as a standardized injury model, because of the high regenerative and immunomodulatory potency of this cell type.MethodsOur pilot phase I/IIa study was prospective, randomized, double blind, and placebo‐controlled. Twenty patients undergoing hip arthroplasty via a direct lateral approach received an injection of 3.0 × 108 (300 M, n = 6) or 1.5 × 108 (150 M, n = 7) PLX‐PAD or a placebo (n = 7) into the injured gluteus medius muscles.ResultsWe did not observe any relevant PLX‐PAD‐related adverse events at the 2‐year follow‐up. Improved gluteus medius strength was noted as early as Week 6 in the treatment‐groups. Surprisingly, until Week 26, the low‐dose group outperformed the high‐dose group and reached significantly improved strength compared with placebo [150 M vs. placebo: P = 0.007 (baseline adjusted; 95% confidence interval 7.6, 43.9); preoperative baseline values mean ± SE: placebo: 24.4 ± 6.7 Nm, 150 M: 27.3 ± 5.6 Nm], mirrored by an increase in muscle volume [150 M vs. placebo: P = 0.004 (baseline adjusted; 95% confidence interval 6.0, 30.0); preoperative baseline values GM volume: placebo: 211.9 ± 15.3 cm3, 150 M: 237.4 ± 27.2 cm3]. Histology indicated accelerated healing after cell therapy. Biomarker studies revealed that low‐dose treatment reduced the surgery‐related immunological stress reaction more than high‐dose treatment (exemplarily: CD16+ NK cells: Day 1 P = 0.06 vs. placebo, P = 0.07 vs. 150 M; CD4+ T‐cells: Day 1 P = 0.04 vs. placebo, P = 0.08 vs. 150 M). Signs of late‐onset immune reactivity after high‐dose treatment corresponded to reduced functional improvement.ConclusionsAllogeneic PLX‐PAD therapy improved strength and volume of injured skeletal muscle with a reasonable safety profile. Outcomes could be positively correlated with the modulation of early postoperative stress‐related immunological reactions.
Long‐term safety and efficacy of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate substitution for hepatitis B immunoglobulin following liver transplantation
Authors: Vasudevan Abhinav , Ardalan Zaid S , Ahmed Navera , Apostolov Ross , Gow Paul J , Testro Adam G , Gane Ed J , Angus Peter W 
Published: September 2018

Background and AimsLimitations to the use of long‐term Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin (HBIg) following liver transplantation for hepatitis B (HBV) have led to the substitution of HBIg with oral nucleo(s)tide analogue prophylaxis. We prospectively assessed the long‐term safety and efficacy of switching to tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) from HBIg.MethodsAn open‐label, multicenter switch study was conducted to evaluate the substitution of TDF for HBIg whilst continuing lamivudine (LAM) therapy in preventing the recurrence of HBV in patients who had been maintained as hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)‐negative posttransplantation for at least 12 months.ResultsEighteen patients were enrolled (median age 66 years, range 42–78 years); 84% were male, and 78% on calcineurin inhibitors. Median time after transplantation was 14 years (range 5–19), and median duration of HBIg/LAM prior to the switch was 10 years (range 1–14). Median follow‐up was 5 years (range 5–8). Of 18 patients, 16 (89%) remained HBsAg and HBV DNA negative at the end of follow‐up. Two patients had re‐emergence of HBsAg without a detectable HBV DNA and no clinical sequelae. Creatinine clearance significantly reduced (median 59 mL/min to 51 mL/min, P = 0.03), necessitating dose reduction of TDF in six (33%) participants, with two eventually ceasing TDF. One patient switched back to HBIg by choice. All patients who changed therapy maintained an undetectable HBsAg.ConclusionSubstitution of HBIg with TDF in patients on LAM is well tolerated and effective for the long‐term prevention of HBV recurrence posttransplantation. Renal dysfunction occurs frequently in the posttransplant setting and can require dose adjustment of TDF or change of therapy.
Resolution of ascites and hepatic encephalopathy and absence of variceal bleeding in decompensated hepatitis C virus cirrhosis patients
Authors: Romano John , Sims Omar T. , Richman Joshua , Guo Yuqi , Matin Tasnia , Shoreibah Mohamed , Kommineni Vishnu , Venkata Krishna , Massoud Omar I. 
Published: September 2018

Background and AimsThe aims of this study were to examine changes in the proportion of decompensated hepatitis C virus (HCV) cirrhosis patients with ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, and variceal bleeding at pretreatment compared to 3 and 12 months post‐sustained virological response (SVR) and to compare pretreatment and post‐SVR model of end‐stage liver disease and Child‐Pugh scores and alpha‐fetoprotein levels.MethodsElectronic medical records of 64 decompensated HCV cirrhosis patients who received direct‐acting antivirals were reviewed. The McNemar–Bowker test and the Wilcoxon‐Signed Rank test were used to compare patient outcomes.ResultsAscites was resolved in 29% of patients 3 months post‐SVR (65% vs 36%, P < 0.01) and in 35% of patients 12 months post‐SVR (65% vs 30%, P = 0.07). Hepatic encephalopathy was resolved in 54% of patients 3 months post‐SVR (70% vs 16%, P < 0.01) and in 48% of patients 12 months post‐SVR (70% vs 22% P = 0.03). Variceal bleeding was absent in 32% of patients 3 months post‐SVR (35% vs 3%, P < 0.01) and in 27% of patients 12 months post‐SVR (35% vs 8%, P < 0.01). Alpha‐fetoprotein levels were significantly reduced post‐SVR, but model of end‐stage liver disease and Child‐Pugh scores were not.ConclusionsDecompensated HCV cirrhosis patients who achieved SVR with direct‐acting antiviral treatment had significant reductions in manifestations of hepatic decompensation sustainable up to 1 year post‐SVR.
Biotic controls on Holocene fire frequency in a temperate mountain forest, Czech Republic
Authors: Bobek Přemysl , Šamonil Pavel , Jamrichová Eva 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTMountain spruce–beech–fir mixed forests are an important type of vegetation at higher elevations in temperate Europe. We aimed to determine how fire disturbances have affected long‐term vegetation dynamics and to assess their contribution to soil formation. We detected fire episodes using a soil charcoal record extensively dated based on14C and combined with pollen and macrocharcoal records from a local peat bog. Altitudinal shifts of the timberline during the Younger Dryas–Holocene transition seem to be responsible for an abrupt occurrence of fire at 11 200 cal a BP. The minimum fire frequency estimation based on dated soil charcoal particles showed variation during the early to mid‐Holocene in response to climatic changes. A marked decrease of fire frequency since 6200 cal a BP is attributed to the transformation of vegetation fromPicea abies‐dominated forests into mixedFagus sylvatica–Abies albastands. OnceFagus sylvaticaestablished a dense canopy a profound alteration of the disturbance regime occurred, leading to the exclusion of fire, and has indirectly accelerated the process of podzolization. Thus, the synergistic effects of biotic change are capable of amplifying a climatic impulse, illustrating the important influence of bottom‐up controls on fire regimes and soil development.
A stable mesoporous metal‐organic framework as highly efficient sorbent of dispersive micro solid‐phase extraction for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by HPLC
Authors: Xia Lian , Liu Lijie , Dou Yanan , Guo Lan , Li Guoliang , Sun Zhiwei , You Jinmao 
Published: September 2018

AbstractOwing to the large molecular sizes of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, their adsorption using microporous sorbents leads to a low adsorption capacity. Here, to increase the extraction capacity and detection sensitivity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, a highly efficient dispersive micro solid‐phase extraction method was developed based on a stable mesoporous metal‐organic framework named Jilin University China 48. Jilin University China 48 is a super hybrid with large one‐dimensional hexagonal nanotube‐like channels of 24.5 × 27.9 Å, which exhibits high potential to be an efficient sorbent of dispersive micro solid‐phase extraction to adsorb polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. By combining with high‐performance liquid chromatography, a sensitive method was developed for the determination of seven polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The synthesized Jilin University China 48 exhibited excellent characteristics of stability, good morphology, large surface area, and open adsorption sites. Under the optimized extraction conditions, better extraction results were obtained than that of other methods reported previously. The proposed method exhibited high sensitivity with the limit of detections in the range of 0.021–0.13 ng/mL, good linearity in the range of 0.068–50 ng/mL with related coefficients of >0.9988, satisfactory precision with relative standard deviation of <4.3%, and adequate recoveries between 85.8 to 109.55% for all the target compounds.