bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhancement of ciliary beat amplitude by carbocisteine in ciliated human nasal epithelial cells
Authors: Inui Taka‐aki , Yasuda Makoto , Hirano Shigeru , Ikeuchi Yukiko , Kogiso Haruka , Inui Toshio , Marunaka Yoshinori , Nakahari Takashi 
Published: July 2019

ObjectiveCarbocisteine (CCis), a mucoactive agent, is used to improve the symptoms of sinonasal diseases. However, the effect of CCis on nasal ciliary beating remains uncertain. We examined the effects of CCis on ciliary beat distance (CBD, an index of amplitude), and ciliary beat frequency (CBF) in ciliated human nasal epithelial cells (cHNECs) in primary culture.MethodsThe cHNECs were prepared from the nasal tissue resected from patients required surgery for chronic sinusitis (CS) or allergic rhinitis (AR). CBD and CBF were measured using videomicroscopy equipped with a high‐speed camera.ResultsCCis increased CBD by 30%, but not CBF, and decreased intracellular Cl− concentration ([Cl−]i) in cHNECs. The CCis’ actions were mimicked by the Cl−‐free NO3− solution. In contrast, prior treatment of NPPB (20 μM) or CFTR(inh)‐172 (1 μM), which increased [Cl−]i by 20%, decreased CBF by 10% and CBD by 25% and inhibited the CCis’ actions. However, prior treatment of T16Ainh‐A01 (10 μM) did not inhibit the CCis’ actions, although it decreased [Cl‐]i by 10% and CBD by 15%. Thus, CCis stimulates Cl‐ channels including cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). Moreover, CCis enhanced the transport of microbeads driven by the beating cilia in cHNECs. The CCis actions were similar in cHNECs from both types of pateints.ConclusionCCis increased CBD by 30% in cHNECs via an [Cl−]i decrease stimulated by activation of Cl− channels, including CFTR. CCis may stimulate nasal mucociliary clearance by increasing CBD in patients contracting CS or AR.Level of EvidenceNA.Laryngoscope, 130:E289–E297, 2020
Highly Stretchable, Transparent, and Bio‐Friendly Strain Sensor Based on Self‐Recovery Ionic‐Covalent Hydrogels for Human Motion Monitoring
Authors: Sun Hongling , Zhou Kangkang , Yu Yunfei , Yue Xiaoyan , Dai Kun , Zheng Guoqiang , Liu Chuntai , Shen Changyu 
Published: July 2019

AbstractStretchable, flexible, and strain‐sensitive hydrogels have gained tremendous attention due to their potential application in health monitoring devices and artificial intelligence. Nevertheless, it is still a huge challenge to develop an integrated strain sensor with excellent mechanical properties, broad sensing range, high transparency, biocompatibility, and self‐recovery. Herein, a simple paradigm of stretchable strain sensor based on multifunctional hydrogels is prepared by constructing synergistic effects among polyacrylamide (PAM), biocompatible macromolecule sodium alginate (SA), and Ca ion in covalently and ionically crosslinked networks. Under large deformation, the dynamic SA‐Ca2+ bonds effectively dissipate energy, serving as sacrificial bonds, while the PAM chains bridge the crack and stabilize the network, endowing hydrogels with outstanding mechanical performances, for instance, high stretchability and compressibility, as well as excellent self‐recovery performance. The hydrogel is assembled to be a transparent and wearable strain sensor, which has good sensitivity and very wide sensing range (0–1700%), and can precisely detect dynamic strains, including both low and high strains (20–800% strain). It also exhibits fast response time (800 ms) and long‐time stability (200 cycles). The sensor can monitor and distinguish complicated human motions, opening up a new route for broad potential applications of eco‐friendly flexible strain‐sensing devices.
CoCrFeMnNi high‐entropy alloy powder with excellent corrosion resistance and soft magnetic property prepared by gas atomization method
Authors: Jin X. , Gu X. , Quan F. , Ran X. , Zhang K. , Mao A. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractTo successfully fabricate high‐entropy alloys by powder metallurgy, laser cladding, or thermal sprayed method, the high‐entropy alloy powders possessing good homogeneous microstructure are very important. However, the study on the properties of the high‐entropy alloy powder has still been lacking. In this work, an equiatomic CoCrFeMnNi high‐entropy alloy powder with spherical shape was synthesized by gas atomization method. The as‐atomized CoCrFeMnNi high‐entropy alloy powder is composed of a single face‐centered cubic solid solution phase with the particle size of 34.0 μm. Furthermore, the as‐atomized powder exhibits excellent corrosion resistance in 10 % hydrochloric acid solution to 304 L stainless steel powder, and also shows an excellent soft magnetic behavior. Therefore, the gas atomization method can be used to generate other kinds of high‐entropy alloy powders for many challenging industrial applications.
On the extreme rainfall events during the southwest monsoon season in northeast regions of the Indian subcontinent
Authors: Varikoden Hamza , Revadekar J.V. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractHydrological disasters are recurrent over the northeast Indian region (NEI) due to heavy downpours within a short span of time. Therefore, the characteristics of rainfall extremes during the southwest monsoon over the NEI, their evolution and dissipation features, are discussed using rainfall data from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) 3B42 V7 and the Climate Prediction Center for 16 years from 2000 to 2015. Circulation features during the lead–lag of extreme events are also examined using the National Center for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) reanalysis products. Thirty‐two extreme events such that rainfall of the day exceeds the 90th percentile were identified. During the extreme events, heavy rainfall is located mainly in the NEI without much spread in the aerial domain. The highest number of extreme rain events is found in July, followed by June and August. Trend analysis of the rainfall indicates a significant decrease in low rainfall events and this decreasing trend is compensated by the significant increasing trend in very heavy (>95 percentile) to extremely heavy (>99 percentile) rainfall events. The average life of the extreme rainfall events is found to be about 3 days during which the NEI receives more than 100 mm/day; however, on individual examination, this ranges from 2 to 5 days. A strengthening of the southerly component of lower level wind from the Bay of Bengal and an updraft due to convergence at 850 hPa over the region favours the rainfall peak. The sea level pressure anomaly gradient and vertical velocity show a sudden development of conditions favourable for a heavy downpour over the northeast region.
Exome sequence analysis in consanguineous Pakistani families inheriting Bardet‐Biedle syndrome determined founder effect of mutation c.299delC (p.Ser100Leufs*24) in BBS9 gene
Authors: Muzammal Muhammad , Zubair Muhammad , Bierbaumer Sophie , Blatterer Jasmin , Graf Ricarda , Gul Aisha , Abbas Safdar , Badar Muhammad , Abbasi Ansar Ahmad , Khan Muzammil Ahmad , Windpassinger Christian 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackgroundBardet‐Biedl syndrome (BBS) is characterized by a heterogeneous phenotypic spectrum of retinopathy, intellectual disability (ID), obesity, polydactyly, and kidney dysfunctions as the major clinical features. Genetic investigations have reported 21 BBS genes, the products of which are mostly located at the centrosome, basal body or the ciliary transition zone.MethodsIn the present genetic report, we analyzed two apparently unrelated consanguineous BBS families from Dera Ismail Khan (D.I.Khan) district, Pakistan. Genetic mapping was performed using Whole exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing.ResultsWhole exome sequencing identified a recently reported single base deletion NM_001033604.1:c.299delC in the fourth exon of BBS9 in both families. The identified frameshift mutation is predicted to cause premature truncation of the expressed protein (p.Ser100Leufs*24). This mutation has previously been mapped in a consanguineous Pakistani family; therefore this is the second report of this particular mutation in two additional BBS families originating from different locations.ConclusionWe speculate the evolutionary significance of this mutation and assume its strong founder effect in the Khaisoori tribe of D.I.Khan. Based on these findings, we suggest developing a molecular diagnostic test that may be used for premarital and prenatal screening of families at risk of BBS.
Screening for Tay‐Sachs disease carriers by full‐exon sequencing with novel variant interpretation outperforms enzyme testing in a pan‐ethnic cohort
Authors: Cecchi Alana C. , Vengoechea Elizabeth S. , Kaseniit Kristjan E. , Hardy Melanie W. , Kiger Laura A. , Mehta Nikita , Haque Imran S. , Moyer Krista , Page Patricia Z. , Muzzey Dale , Grinzaid Karen A. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackgroundPathogenic variants in HEXA that impair β‐hexosaminidase A (Hex A) enzyme activity cause Tay‐Sachs Disease (TSD), a severe autosomal‐recessive neurodegenerative disorder. Hex A enzyme analysis demonstrates near‐zero activity in patients affected with TSD and can also identify carriers, whose single functional copy of HEXA results in reduced enzyme activity relative to noncarriers. Although enzyme testing has been optimized and widely used for carrier screening in Ashkenazi Jewish (AJ) individuals, it has unproven sensitivity and specificity in a pan‐ethnic population. The ability to detect HEXA variants via DNA analysis has evolved from limited targeting of a few ethnicity‐specific variants to next‐generation sequencing (NGS) of the entire coding region coupled with interpretation of any discovered novel variants.MethodsWe combined results of enzyme testing, retrospective computational analysis, and variant reclassification to estimate the respective clinical performance of TSD screening via enzyme analysis and NGS. We maximized NGS accuracy by reclassifying variants of uncertain significance and compared to the maximum performance of enzyme analysis estimated by calculating ethnicity‐specific frequencies of variants known to yield false‐positive or false‐negative enzyme results (e.g., pseudodeficiency and B1 alleles).ResultsIn both AJ and non‐AJ populations, the estimated clinical sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value were higher by NGS than by enzyme testing. The differences were significant for all comparisons except for AJ clinical sensitivity, where NGS exceeded enzyme testing, but not significantly.ConclusionsOur results suggest that performance of an NGS‐based TSD carrier screen that interrogates the entire coding region and employs novel variant interpretation exceeds that of Hex A enzyme testing, warranting a reconsideration of existing guidelines.
Molecular Dynamics Simulations Study on the Resistant Mechanism of Insects to Imidacloprid due to Y151‐S and R81T Mutations in nAChRs
Authors: Tian Jiaqi , Zhang Qianqian , An Xiaoli , Liu Hongli , Liu Yingqian , Liu Huanxiang 
Published: July 2019

AbstractImidacloprid (IMI) is the first widely used neonicotinoid insecticide due to its high insecticidal activity and low toxicity. However, as its extensive use in crop protection, many insects are resistant to IMI. One of the main resistance mechanisms of insects to IMI is Y151‐S and R81T mutations in nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). However, how these two mutations affect the interaction of IMI with nAChR is unknown. Here, to uncover the resistant mechanism of nAChR to IMI due to Y151‐S and R81T mutations, molecular dynamics simulations and molecular mechanics/generalized Born surface area (MM‐GBSA) calculation, residue interaction network (RIN) analysis were performed. Due that the structure of nAChR is still unkonwn, the crystal structure of lymnaea stagnalis acetylcholine binding protein (Ls‐AChBP) was used here to simulate nAChR. Y151 and R81 in nAChR correspond to H145 and Q55 in Ls‐AChBP, respectively. The calculated binding free energy indicated that two mutations reduced the binding ability of IMI with Ls‐AChBP. Q55T mutation reduced the contribution of several key residues, such as W53, T55, Y113, T144 and C187. As for H145‐S mutation, the contribution of W53, Q55 and Y113 residues also decreased. RIN analysis showed that two mutants changed the binding pocket by changing the conformation of residues that interact directly with the mutated residues. The obtained resistance mechanism of IMI will be helpful for the design of potent insecticides.
Predicting the functional independence during the recovery phase for poststroke patients
Authors: AL‐Fayyadh Sadeq 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackgroundSuccessful recovery of stroke survivors can be challenging. However, when targeted functional capacities are predicted early in the recovery phase, necessary nursing intervention can be initiated aiming at supporting the client moving forward in the rehabilitation journey.Aim(s)This study aimed to evaluate stroke self‐efficacy of poststroke patients and identify the differences in stroke self‐efficacy level among some relevant variables.DesignA descriptive cross‐sectional design was employed to achieve the aforementioned objectives.MethodsA purposive sample of 207 poststroke patients who were recovering from stroke in three major teaching hospitals at Baghdad city were recruited to participate in the study. Data collection process started 3 November 2016 –15 May 2017. Inclusion criteria embraced stroke patients who were adult, have Glasgow Coma Scale score 14–15, capable of giving written or verbal consent. The modified version of the stroke self‐efficacy questionnaire was used for data collection.ResultsA significant statistical difference at the p‐value ≤ 0.05 level, in stroke self‐efficacy, was verified among subjects’ age, residency, stroke incidence and patient's knowledge about his/her stroke medical diagnosis.
What Does Free Community College Buy? Early Impacts from the Oregon Promise
Authors: Gurantz Oded 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThis paper examines the Oregon Promise, a state‐level program that exclusively subsidizes in‐state community college attendance. I estimate impacts using a difference‐in‐difference design that links students in states with essentially universal 10th‐grade PSAT coverage to national‐level postsecondary enrollment data. I find that the implementation of the Oregon Promise increased enrollment at two‐year colleges by roughly four to five percentage points for the first two eligible cohorts. In the first year of the program, the increase in community college enrollment comes primarily from students shifting out of four‐year colleges, whereas in the second year the program predominately increases overall postsecondary enrollment.
Kinetic and mechanistic investigations of [Zn (II)‐Trp]+ and ninhydrin in aqueous and cationic CTAB surfactant
Authors: Kumar Dileep , Rub Malik Abdul 
Published: July 2019

AbstractKinetic and mechanistic investigations of [Zn (II)‐Trp]+ and ninhydrin in aqueous and cationic cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) surfactant have been executed in CH3COOH‐CH3COONa buffers of pH 5.0. Spectrophotometric as well as conductometric techniques were employed to carry out the study at experimental temperature. The values of rate constant (kobs in aqueous and kψ in CTAB surfactant) and binding parameters (KB for [Zn (II)‐Trp]+ and KN for ninhydrin) have been determined by the means of a computer program referred to as linear least squares technique. Fractional‐ and first‐order kinetics were found in ninhydrin and [Zn (II)‐Trp]+, respectively, in aqueous and cationic CTAB. Study was catalyzed and accelerated by CTAB surfactant. An increase in CTAB surfactant concentration from 0 to 45 mmol kg−1 resulted to an increase in kψ from 2.5 × 10−5 s−1 to 22.7 × 10−5 s−1. Surfactant concentration beyond 45 mmol kg−1 had a slow decreasing effect in kψ. In order to elucidate CTAB effect on kψ, a pseudo‐phase model of micelles was applied.
A New Equation of State for Detonation Products of RDX‐Based Aluminized Explosives
Authors: Liu Yan , Wang Hong‐fu , Bai Fan , Huang Feng‐lei , Hussain Tariq 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIn order to explain the detonation performance of RDX‐based aluminized explosives with different aluminum particle sizes, a new equation of state (EOS) for aluminized explosives is proposed. The proposed EOS regards the gasification of aluminum particles as a real reaction. The proposed EOS takes account of constituent aluminum particle sizes. The proposed EOS was implemented in LS‐DYNA as a user defined EOS and validated by simulating the experiments of metal plates acceleration caused by detonation of RDX‐based aluminized explosives. The numerical results reproduce the experimental finding that the reaction rate of aluminum particles increases with the decrease of aluminum particle size. The proposed EOS has several advantages over the previously reported equations of state for aluminized explosives. The reaction rate of aluminum constituents is calculated theoretically from their gasification reaction rate equation eliminating the need for experimental calibration of the corresponding empirical parameters.
Rapid and High‐Yielding Formation of CL‐20/DNDAP Cocrystals via Self‐Assembly in Slightly Soluble‐Medium with Improved Sensitivity and Thermal Stability
Authors: Liu Ning , Duan Binghui , Lu Xianming , Mo Hongchang , Bi Fuqiang , Wang Bozhou , Zhang Jiaoqiang , Yan Qi‐Long 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIn this study, the energetic 2,4,6,8,10,12‐hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane/2,4‐dinitro‐2,4‐diazapentane (CL‐20/DNDAP) cocrystals were successfully fabricated via an efficient self‐assembly strategy. The formation processes of CL‐20/DNDAP cocrystal in solvents of H2O, H2O/methyl acetate, and 2‐propanol have been investigated by using the powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) qualitative/quantitative analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Both theoretical and experimental studies confirmed that the most satisfying results can be achieved by using 2‐propanol at 30 °C with crystallization time of 2 h, with a high yield up to 98.2 %. The addition of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) is effective in controlling its morphology with a narrow size distribution. Furthermore, the cocrystal exhibits better thermal stability and improved mechanical sensitivity compared with the one prepared by spray drying method. This work provides a simple and convenient approach for the preparation of energetic cocrystals, and the CL‐20/DNDAP cocrystal with high energy and low sensitivity is desirable for various applications.
Patterns of care and outcomes in small cell carcinoma of the prostate: A national cancer database analysis
Authors: Metzger April L. , Abel Stephen , Wegner Rodney E. , Fuhrer Russell , Mao Shifeng , Miller Ralph , Beriwal Sushil , Horne Zachary D. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackgroundSmall cell carcinoma (SCC) of the prostate is a rare, aggressive disease. Evidence is limited; however, the current standard of care is chemotherapy. The benefit of local treatment modalities is unknown.MethodsWe queried the National Cancer Database identifying all SCC/neuroendocrine cases of the prostate, excluding those with unknown nodal or metastatic status, unknown treatment, or those not receiving chemotherapy. Overall survival (OS) was calculated using Kaplan‐Meier curves. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify factors associated with survival. A further subgroup analysis was performed on the utility of local therapy on survival in the nonmetastatic setting.ResultsOur final cohort included 657 patients with a median age of 68. Most patients had positive lymph nodes (60.1%) and metastatic disease (70.0%). Median survival was 12 months (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 11.1‐13.3 months) with a median follow‐up of 11.8 months. Metastatic disease, age greater than or equal to 70, omission of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), and lower income (P < .05 for all) were all associated with reduced OS. Patients with prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) greater than or equal to 33 ng/mL and those receiving ADT had better survival (P < .05). Those with nonmetastatic disease were more likely to undergo prostatectomy and/or prostatic/pelvic radiation (P < .0001). Prostatic/pelvic radiation in the nonmetastatic setting was associated with longer survival (P = .02). Though well powered, our study is limited by the selection bias inherent to all observational studies, despite the statistical methods utilized to reduce this effect.ConclusionsAlthough chemotherapy is the mainstay of treatment, radiation to the prostate/pelvis may be beneficial in the nonmetastatic setting. In addition to chemotherapy, ADT may benefit patients with an elevated PSA.
Protein structure prediction using sparse NOE and RDC restraints with Rosetta in CASP13
Authors: Kuenze Georg , Meiler Jens 
Published: July 2019

AbstractComputational methods that produce accurate protein structure models from limited experimental data, for example, from nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, hold great potential for biomedical research. The NMR‐assisted modeling challenge in CASP13 provided a blind test to explore the capabilities and limitations of current modeling techniques in leveraging NMR data which had high sparsity, ambiguity, and error rate for protein structure prediction. We describe our approach to predict the structure of these proteins leveraging the Rosetta software suite. Protein structure models were predicted de novo using a two‐stage protocol. First, low‐resolution models were generated with the Rosetta de novo method guided by nonambiguous nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) contacts and residual dipolar coupling (RDC) restraints. Second, iterative model hybridization and fragment insertion with the Rosetta comparative modeling method was used to refine and regularize models guided by all ambiguous and nonambiguous NOE contacts and RDCs. Nine out of 16 of the Rosetta de novo models had the correct fold (global distance test total score > 45) and in three cases high‐resolution models were achieved (root‐mean‐square deviation < 3.5 å). We also show that a meta‐approach applying iterative Rosetta + NMR refinement on server‐predicted models which employed non‐NMR‐contacts and structural templates leads to substantial improvement in model quality. Integrating these data‐assisted refinement strategies with innovative non‐data‐assisted approaches which became possible in CASP13 such as high precision contact prediction will in the near future enable structure determination for large proteins that are outside of the realm of conventional NMR.