bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impulse oscillometry at preschool age is a strong predictor of lung function by flow‐volume spirometry in adolescence
Authors: Lauhkonen Eero , Riikonen Riikka , Törmänen Sari , Koponen Petri , Nuolivirta Kirsi , Helminen Merja , Toikka Jyri , Korppi Matti 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe transition from early childhood wheezing to persistent asthma is linked to lung function impairment over time. Little is known how the methods used to study lung function at different ages correlate longitudinally.MethodsSixty‐four children with a history of hospitalization for bronchiolitis before 6 months of age were prospectively studied with impulse oscillometry (IOS) at the mean age of 6.3 years and these preschool IOS results were compared with flow‐volume spirometry (FVS) measurements at mean age of 11.4 years.ResultsThe baseline respiratory system resistance at 5 Hz (Rrs5) showed a modest statistically significant correlation with all baseline FVS parameters except FVC. The post‐bronchodilator (post‐BD) Rrs5 showed a modest statistically significant correlation with post‐BD FEV1 and FEV1/FVC. The bronchodilator‐induced decrease in Rrs5 showed a modest statistically significant correlation with the percent increase in FEV1. Baseline and post‐BD respiratory reactance at 5 Hz (Xrs5) showed a modest statistically significant correlation with baseline and post‐BD FVS parameters except post‐BD FEV1/FVC, respectively, and post‐BD Xrs5 showed a strong correlation with post‐BD FVC (ρ = 0.61) and post‐BD FEV1 (ρ = 0.59). In adjusted linear regression, preschool Xrs5 remained as a statistically significant independent predictor of FVS parameters in adolescence; the one‐unit decrease in the Z‐score of preschool post‐BD Xrs5 predicted 9.6% lower post‐BD FEV1, 9.3% lower post‐BD FVC, and 9.7% lower post‐BD MEF50 when expressed as %‐predicted parameters.ConclusionPersistent post‐BD small airway impairment in children with a history of bronchiolitis detected with IOS at preschool age predicted FVS results measured in early adolescence.
Reducing sample size by tightening test conditions
Authors: Klauenberg Katy , Kramer Rainer , Kroner Corinna , Rose Jürgen , Elster Clemens 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe inspection of measurement devices according to statistical sampling plans allows conclusions to be drawn about the reliability of a whole population of devices. However, confirming high reliability levels requires large sample sizes and is thus expensive or even infeasible. For example, a reliability of 99.5% can only be guaranteed with 90% confidence by inspecting each item in a population of 280 (see ISO 2859‐2).When reliability is judged by not exceeding a certain threshold, this research provides a convenient solution allowing considerably more efficient sampling plans. Under certain distributional assumptions, in particular, we have proved that if 100q% of a population meets a tighter threshold Δ/γ, then at least 100p% of the population meets threshold Δ(with p>q, γ>1). The importance and effect of different distributional assumptions are demonstrated and relevant scenarios for the parameters (p,q,γ) presented. Verifying that a smaller portion of devices comply requires smaller sample sizes. Costs may thus decrease when more stringent specifications are verified.For example, up to 98% of utility meters in Germany are required to measure correctly at inspections, to ensure a reliability of 95% in the future. Instead of applying costly sampling plans to meters in use to demonstrate these high reliability levels, this research enables the sample size to be reduced, eg, by half.
Tuning the Optoelectronic Properties of Naphtho‐Dithiophene‐Based A‐D‐A Type Small Donor Molecules for Bulk Hetero‐Junction Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Irfan Muhammad , Eliason Bertil , Mahr Muhammad Shabir , Iqbal Javed 
Published: February 2018

AbstractFour acceptor‐donor‐acceptor (A−D‐A) type small molecules using naphtho‐dithiophene as central building block, trithiophene as π‐bridges, malononitrile and 2‐Thioxo‐thiazolidin‐4‐one as end acceptor groups were designed by using density functional theory (DFT) and investigated as donor materials for organic solar cells (OSCs). The effects of end acceptor groups on absorption, charge transport, morphology, energy level and photovoltaic properties of the molecules were investigated and compared with reference molecule (R1= NDTP‐CNCOO). These designed molecules showed relatively low HOMO levels of −5.46 to −5.56 eV, strong absorption between 440–650 nm by using chloroform as solvent. The designed donor molecules have an excellent electron mobility from 0.0161 to 0.0201 V, hole mobility from 0.0275 to 0.0307 V and open circuit voltage (Voc) from 1.76 to 1.86 V. This study revealed that the designed donor materials are suitable and recommended for high performance organic solar cell devices.
An Easy Scalable Approach to HMF Employing DMC as Reaction Media: Reaction Optimization and Comparative Environmental Assessment
Authors: Musolino Manuele , Andraos John , Aricò Fabio 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIn this work, bio‐based platform molecule 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) was synthesised under mild conditions (90 °C) from D‐fructose using as media a mixture of dimethyl carbonate:tetraethyl ammonium bromide (DMC:TEAB). This solvent system resulted in a efficient production of HMF in the presence of both Amberlyst‐15 (heterogeneous catalyst) and BF3O(Et)2 (homogeneous catalyst). HMF was recovered from the reaction mixture with or without minimal work‐up. It is noteworthy that this synthetic approach provided high yielding product also when performed in a large‐scale. Quick reduction of HMF to the related 2,5‐bis(hydroxymethyl)furan was also conducted to further confirm the proposed procedure. Besides, the materials efficiency metrics of the optimized DMC‐based synthetic approach have been compared to alternative syntheses for HMF reported in the literature. This latter study takes into consideration synthetic routes that employ D‐fructose as substrate, easy accessible catalysts and report detailed procedures and evidence of the isolation of HMF.
Controlled Attachment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with Binary Colloidal Crystal‐Based Topographies
Authors: Pingle Hitesh , Wang Peng‐Yuan , Thissen Helmut , Kingshott Peter 
Published: February 2018

AbstractMicro‐ and nanotopographies can interfere with bacteria attachment, however, the interplay existing between surface chemistry and topography remains unclear. Here, self‐assembled spherical micrometer‐ silica and nanometer poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)‐sized particles are used to make binary colloidal crystal (BCC) topographical patterns to study bacterial attachment. A uniform surface chemistry of allylamine plasma polymer (AAMpp) is coated on the top of the BCCs to study only the topography effects. The uncoated and coated BCCs are exposed to Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and the surfaces and bacteria are characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and fluorescence microscopy. It is found that bacteria attachment to the uncoated BCCs is delayed and individual cells are attracted to the small particle regions of the patterns. Surprisingly, this phenomenon is also observed for the AAMpp‐coated BCCs, with bacteria attaching to the small particle regions of the pattern, in stark contrast to uniform flat films of AAMpp that are highly adhesive toward P. aeruginosa. Also, the overall levels of bacterial attachment are significantly reduced by the BCC patterns compared to controls. Thus, there is a trade‐off that exists between chemistry and topography that can be exploited to delay the onset of P. aeruginosa biofilm formation on surfaces.
Fourth ventricle index: sonographic marker for severe fetal vermian dysgenesis/agenesis
Authors: Haratz K. K. , Shulevitz S. L. , Leibovitz Z. , Lev D. , Shalev J. , Tomarkin M. , Malinger G. , Lerman‐Sagie T. , Gindes L. 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTObjectivePrenatal diagnosis of midbrain‐hindbrain (MB‐HB) malformations relies primarily on abnormal size and shape of the cerebellum and retrocerebellar space, particularly ‘open fourth ventricle’ (4V), the most common indicator of MB‐HB malformations. The aim of this study was to present the fourth ventricle index (4VI), and to evaluate its role as a marker for severe vermian dysgenesis/agenesis in cases without open 4V.MethodsThis was a prospective cross‐sectional study of patients with singleton low‐risk pregnancy at 14 + 1 to 36 + 6 gestational weeks presenting between May 2016 and November 2017 for routine ultrasound examination. Axial images of the fetal 4V were obtained and the 4VI was calculated as the ratio between the laterolateral and the anteroposterior diameters. Reference ranges were constructed and retrospectively collected values from 44 fetuses with confirmed anomalies involving severe vermian dysgenesis/agenesis (Joubert syndrome and related disorders, rhombencephalosynapsis, cobblestone malformations and cerebellar hypoplasia) but without open 4V were compared with the normal values.ResultsIn total, 384 healthy fetuses were enrolled into the study, from which reference ranges were produced, and 44 cases were collected retrospectively. The 4VI in the normal fetuses was always > 1. In affected fetuses, it was always below mean −2 SD and < 1.ConclusionsThe 4VI is a sonographic marker for severe fetal vermian dysgenesis/agenesis in the absence of an open 4V. It may be incorporated easily into the routine brain scan; 4VI < 1 indicates a need for dedicated fetal neuroimaging for diagnosis and prenatal counseling. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Systems analysis of dilated cardiomyopathy in the next generation sequencing era
Authors: Harakalova Magdalena , Asselbergs Folkert W. 
Published: February 2018

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a form of severe failure of cardiac muscle caused by a long list of etiologies ranging from myocardial infarction, DNA mutations in cardiac genes, to toxics. Systems analysis integrating next‐generation sequencing (NGS)‐based omics approaches, such as the sequencing of DNA, RNA, and chromatin, provide valuable insights into DCM mechanisms. The outcome and interpretation of NGS methods can be affected by the localization of cardiac biopsy, level of tissue degradation, and variable ratios of different cell populations, especially in the presence of fibrosis. Heart tissue composition may even differ between sexes, or siblings carrying the same disease causing mutation. Therefore, before planning any experiments, it is important to fully appreciate the complexities of DCM, and the selection of samples suitable for given research question should be an interdisciplinary effort involving clinicians and biologists. The list of NGS omics datasets in DCM to date is short. More studies have to be performed to contribute to public data repositories and facilitate systems analysis. In addition, proper data integration is a difficult task requiring complex computational approaches. Despite these complications, there are multiple promising implications of systems analysis in DCM. By combining various types of datasets, for example, RNA‐seq, ChIP‐seq, or 4C, deep insights into cardiac biology, and possible biomarkers and treatment targets, can be gained. Systems analysis can also facilitate the annotation of noncoding mutations in cardiac‐specific DNA regulatory regions that play a substantial role in maintaining the tissue‐ and cell‐specific transcriptional programs in the heart.This article is categorized under:

Physiology > Mammalian Physiology in Health and Disease
Laboratory Methods and Technologies > Genetic/Genomic Methods
Laboratory Methods and Technologies > RNA Methods
Prophylactic Central Neck Dissection for Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma with Clinically Uninvolved Central Neck Lymph Nodes: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis
Authors: Chen Lawrence , Wu Yi‐Hsiu , Lee Chia‐Hwa , Chen Hsin‐An , Loh El‐Wui , Tam Ka‐Wai 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBackgroundCentral neck dissection and total thyroidectomy are standard treatments for patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with clinically involved central nodes. However, prophylactic central neck dissection (pCND) in patients with clinically uninvolved cN0 has been beneficial in some studies but ineffective in others. We conducted a meta‐analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pCND in patients with central neck lymph nodes cN0 PTC.MethodsThe PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases and the ClinicalTrials.gov registry were electronically searched for studies published until September 2017. The meta‐analysis was conducted to calculate the pooled effect size by using random‐effects model. Treatment efficacies were measured by determining locoregional recurrence (LRR). Secondary outcomes included transient recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury, permanent RLN injury, transient hypocalcemia, and permanent hypocalcemia.ResultsTwenty‐three retrospective and prospective cohort studies involving 18,376 patients were reviewed. Patients who underwent pCND had significantly lower LRR (odds ratio [OR] 0.65; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.48–0.88) but significantly higher incidence rates of transient RLN injury (OR 2.03; 95% CI 1.32–3.13), transient hypocalcemia (OR 2.23; 95% CI 1.84–2.70), and permanent hypocalcemia (OR 2.22; 95% CI 1.58–3.13) than that of no pCND group.ConclusionCompared with no pCND, pCND significantly reduces LRR but is accompanied by numerous adverse effects. The clinical decision should be made after the shared decision‐making process of clinicians and patients.
Outpatient Antibiotic Prescription Trends in the United States: A National Cohort Study
Authors: Durkin Michael J. , Jafarzadeh S. Reza , Hsueh Kevin , Sallah Ya Haddy , Munshi Kiraat D. , Henderson Rochelle R. , Fraser Victoria J. 
Published: February 2018

OBJECTIVETo characterize trends in outpatient antibiotic prescriptions in the United StatesDESIGNRetrospective ecological and temporal trend study evaluating outpatient antibiotic prescriptions from 2013 to 2015SETTINGNational administrative claims data from a pharmacy benefits manager PARTICIPANTS. Prescription pharmacy beneficiaries from Express Scripts Holding CompanyMEASUREMENTSAnnual and seasonal percent change in antibiotic prescriptionsRESULTSApproximately 98 million outpatient antibiotic prescriptions were filled by 39 million insurance beneficiaries during the 3-year study period. The most commonly prescribed antibiotics were azithromycin, amoxicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanate, ciprofloxacin, and cephalexin. No significant changes in individual or overall annual antibiotic prescribing rates were found during the study period. Significant seasonal variation was observed, with antibiotics being 42% more likely to be prescribed during February than September (peak-to-trough ratio [PTTR], 1.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.39–1.61). Similar seasonal trends were found for azithromycin (PTTR, 2.46; 95% CI, 2.44–3.47), amoxicillin (PTTR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.42–1.89), and amoxicillin/clavulanate (PTTR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.68–2.29).CONCLUSIONSThis study demonstrates that annual national outpatient antibiotic prescribing practices remained unchanged during our study period. Furthermore, seasonal peaks in antibiotics generally used to treat viral upper respiratory tract infections remained unchanged during cold and influenza season. These results suggest that inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics remains widespread, despite the concurrent release of several guideline-based best practices intended to reduce inappropriate antibiotic consumption; however, further research linking national outpatient antibiotic prescriptions to associated medical conditions is needed to confirm these findings.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2018;39:584–589
Impacts and Best Management Practices for Erect Veldtgrass (Ehrharta erecta)
Authors: Ray Courtenay A. , Sherman Joel J. , Godinho Anna L. , Hanson Nikki , Parker Ingrid M. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractErect veldtgrass (Ehrharta erecta Lam.) is an invasive grass actively spreading in California that is capable of invading multiple habitats. Our objective is to contribute to a better understanding of the ecology, impacts, and potential for control of E. erecta in order to guide management practices. In a mixed-evergreen forest in Santa Cruz County, we measured impacts of E. erecta on native plant species richness and abundance in an observational comparison across 11 sites. Strikingly, we measured nearly four times greater total vegetation cover in plots invaded by E. erecta. However, native plants were not significantly less abundant in invaded plots than in reference plots, and native cover was not significantly predicted by E. erecta cover within invaded plots. We did, however, find evidence of change in community composition in response to E. erecta abundance. Our findings demonstrate that native species can persist in the presence of E. erecta, although the long-term impacts on populations of the perennial plants that dominate this forest understory are still unknown.We also compared the effectiveness of mechanical (hand pulling with volunteers) and chemical (glyphosate) management methods. Twenty-two months following management treatments, we found substantial reductions in E. erecta using both mechanical and herbicide treatments, but herbicide application also produced greater reductions in native species cover and species richness. Transplanting native yerba buena [Clinopodium douglasii (Benth.) Kuntze] into management plots following treatment did not slow regrowth of E. erecta. It did, however, increase total native plant percent cover in herbicide and pull treatments, although largely by increasing C. douglasii cover. Effective management is possible using either manual or chemical removal methods; the optimal method may depend on the availability of manual labor and the sensitivity of the habitat to non-target effects on native plants.
Phloroglucinol derivatives fromHypericumspecies trigger mitochondrial dysfunction inLeishmania amazonensis
Authors: Dagnino Ana Paula Aquistapase , Mesquita Camila Saporiti , Dorneles Gilson Pires , Teixeira Vivian de Oliveira Nunes , de Barros Francisco Maikon Corrêa , Vidal Ccana-Ccapatinta Gari , Fonseca Simone Gonçalves , Monteiro Marta Chagas , Júnior Luiz Carlos Rodrigues , Peres Alessandra , von Poser Gilsane Lino , Romão Pedro Roosevelt Torres 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBioactive molecules isolated from plants are promising sources for the development of new therapies against leishmaniasis. We investigated the leishmanicidal activity of cariphenone A (1), isouliginosin B (2) and uliginosin B (3) isolated fromHypericumspecies. Promastigotes and amastigotes ofLeishmania amazonensiswere incubated with compounds 1–3 at concentrations 1–100µmfor 48 h. The anti-promastigote effect of compounds was also tested in combinations. The cytotoxicity against macrophages and human erythrocytes were determined using the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method and hemolysis assay, respectively. The compounds 1–3 showed high leishmanicidal activity against promastigotes, IC50values of 10.5, 17.5 and 11.3µm, respectively. Synergistic interactions were found to the associations of compounds 1 and 2 [Σ fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) = 0.41], and 2 and 3 (ΣFIC = 0.28) on promastigotes. AllHypericumcompounds induced mitochondrial hyperpolarization and reactive oxygen species production in promastigotes. The compounds showed low cytotoxicity toward mammalian cells, high selectivity index and killed intracellular amastigotes probably mediated by oxidative stress. These results indicate that these compounds are promising candidates for the development of drugs against leishmaniasis.
The Influence of Beam Broadening on the Spatial Resolution of Annular Dark Field Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy
Authors: de Jonge Niels , Verch Andreas , Demers Hendrix 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe spatial resolution of aberration-corrected annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy was studied as function of the vertical position z within a sample. The samples consisted of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) positioned in different horizontal layers within aluminum matrices of 0.6 and 1.0 µm thickness. The highest resolution was achieved in the top layer, whereas the resolution was reduced by beam broadening for AuNPs deeper in the sample. To examine the influence of the beam broadening, the intensity profiles of line scans over nanoparticles at a certain vertical location were analyzed. The experimental data were compared with Monte Carlo simulations that accurately matched the data. The spatial resolution was also calculated using three different theoretical models of the beam blurring as function of the vertical position within the sample. One model considered beam blurring to occur as a single scattering event but was found to be inaccurate for larger depths of the AuNPs in the sample. Two models were adapted and evaluated that include estimates for multiple scattering, and these described the data with sufficient accuracy to be able to predict the resolution. The beam broadening depended on z1.5 in all three models.
Lysine methyltransferase SMYD2 promotes triple negative breast cancer progression
Authors: Li Linda Xiaoyan , Zhou Julie Xia , Calvet James P. , Godwin Andrew K. , Jensen Roy A. , Li Xiaogang 
Published: February 2018

AbstractWe identified SMYD2, a SMYD (SET and MYND domain) family protein with lysine methyltransferase activity, as a novel breast cancer oncogene. SMYD2 was expressed at significantly higher levels in breast cancer cell lines and in breast tumor tissues. Silencing of SMYD2 by RNAi in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines or inhibition of SMYD2 with its specific inhibitor, AZ505, significantly reduced tumor growth in vivo. SMYD2 executes this activity via methylation and activation of its novel non-histone substrates, including STAT3 and the p65 subunit of NF-κB, leading to increased TNBC cell proliferation and survival. There are cross-talk and synergistic effects among SMYD2, STAT3, and NF-κB in TNBC cells, in that STAT3 can contribute to the modification of NF-κB p65 subunit post-translationally by recruitment of SMYD2, whereas the p65 subunit of NF-κB can also contribute to the modification of STAT3 post-translationally by recruitment of SMYD2, leading to methylation and activation of STAT3 and p65 in these cells. The expression of SMYD2 can be upregulated by IL-6-STAT3 and TNFα-NF-κB signaling, which integrates epigenetic regulation to inflammation in TNBC development. In addition, we have identified a novel SMYD2 transcriptional target gene, PTPN13, which links SMYD2 to other known breast cancer associated signaling pathways, including ERK, mTOR, and Akt signaling via PTPN13 mediated phosphorylation.
Reagent-controlled regiodivergent ring expansions of steroids
Authors: Charaschanya Manwika , Aubé Jeffrey 
Published: February 2018

AbstractRing expansion provides a powerful way of introducing a heteroatom substituent into a carbocyclic framework. However, such reactions are often limited by the tendency of a given substrate to afford only one of the two rearrangement products or fail to achieve high selectivity at all. These limitations are particularly acute when seeking to carry out late-stage functionalization of natural products as starting points in drug discovery. In this work, we present a stereoelectronically controlled ring expansion sequence towards selective and flexible access to complementary ring systems derived from common steroidal substrates. Chemical diversification of the reaction intermediate affords over 100 isomerically pure analogs with spatial and functional diversity. This regiodivergent rearrangement, and the concept of using chiral reagents to affect regiocontrol in chiral natural products, should be broadly applicable to late-stage natural product diversification programs.