bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pathophysiological changes in experimental polycystic ovary syndrome in female albino rats: Using either hemin or L‐arginine
Authors: Ragy Merhan M. , Abdel‐Hamid Heba A. , Toni Nisreen D.M. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), one of the important endocrine disorders affecting females in the reproductive age, is caused mainly by an abnormal oxidation status that subsequently causes inflammatory conditions. Thus, this study aims to examine the possible individual prophylactic effects of gasotransmitters, hemin, or L‐arginine in letrozole‐induced PCOS. Fifty adult female albino rats were used and separated into a control group, which received the vehicle; a letrozole‐induced PCOS group (L), which received letrozole orally at a dose level of 1 mg/kg for 21 days; a letrozole+hemin (L+H) group, which received letrozole plus hemin at a dose level of 25 mg/kg injected IP twice per week for 21 days; and a letrozole+L‐arginine (L+A) group, which received letrozole plus L‐arginine at a dose level of 200 mg/kg orally for 21 days. During PCO induction, the body weight and Lee index were measured. Serum glucose, insulin, lipid profile, gonadotrophic hormones, testosterone, estrogen, and tumor necrosis factor alpha were assayed, while ovarian tissues were analyzed to measure the oxidative state and histopathological changes. Our results proved that either hemin or L‐arginine administration could improve the oxidative state, the inflammatory reaction, the hormonal imbalance, and the metabolic disturbances in PCO rats, which was confirmed by a histopathological examination of the rats’ ovaries. In conclusion, either hemin or L‐arginine had protective effects against PCOS with better pathophysiological changes with hemin.
Assessment of mold and yeast in some bakery products of Lahore, Pakistan based on LM and SEM
Authors: Saeed Iqra , Shaheen Shabnum , Hussain Khadim , Khan Muhammad Asaf , Jaffer Mehwish , Mahmood Tariq , Khalid Sana , Sarwar Samina , Tahir Arifa , Khan Farah 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe present investigation was designed to throw light on the microbial status of bakery products available in bakeries and supermarkets of Lahore. Different bakery samples such as biscuits, pizza, patties were collected from different localities such as Anar Kali, Chauburji, Faisal Town, Iqbal Town, Model Town, Muslim Town were investigated for mold and yeast using serial dilution technique inoculated over malt extract agar and potato dextrose agar under sterilized conditions. Isolated fungi were namely Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus terreus, Curvularia americana, Fusarium solani, Penicillium digitatum, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Geotrichum candidum. Results depicted maximum fungal viable count in biscuits, collected from Model Town while minimum count was in the samples of Chauburji. In the case of pizza, the maximum fungal viable count was found in the sample of Muslim Town. In the case of patties, the maximum fungal viable count was found in the sample of Muslim Town while minimum count was found in the sample of Iqbal Town. Prevalence of microorganisms may be due to the use of contaminated raw material, use of polluted waters, human handling, and the use of contaminated containers. Contaminated food intake can lead to measurable signs of liver injury, inflammation, etc. Preventive measures like washing and drying of hands before preparing food, cleaning of food preparation areas, and the use of clean equipment can avoid microbes which cause hazards to human health.Research HighlightsBakery products of Lahore, Pakistan is investigated for the first time on the basis of light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and found very significant to check the quality of bakery products or not.
Almost partitioning 2‐colored complete 3‐uniform hypergraphs into two monochromatic tight or loose cycles
Authors: Bustamante Sebastián , Hàn Hiêp , Stein Maya 
Published: November 2018

AbstractWe show that for every there exists an integer such that every ‐coloring of the ‐uniform complete hypergraph on vertices contains two disjoint monochromatic tight cycles of distinct colors that together cover all but at most vertices. The same result holds if tight cycles are replaced by loose cycles.
Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of Tetraethylene Glycol Tethered Ciprofloxacin–Isatin Hybrids as Novel Antitubercular Agents
Authors: Gao Tao , Hu Weiwei , Zeng Zhigang , Sun Shaofa , Wang Rang 
Published: November 2018

A new set of tetraethylene glycol tethered ciprofloxacin–isatin hybrids 5a–l with greater lipophilicity than the parent ciprofloxacin was designed, synthesized, and screened for their in vitro antimycobacterial activity against drug‐sensitive Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) H37Rv and multidrug‐resistant MTB strains as well as toxicity in a mammalian VERO cell line. The preliminary results revealed that all hybrids exhibited considerable activity against MTB H37Rv with minimum inhibitory concentration in a range of 0.205–14.186 μg/mL. Especially, hybrid 5a with low cytotoxicity displayed highest activity against both drug‐sensitive MTB H37Rv and two clinically isolates multidrug‐resistant MTB strains, suggesting that it may serve as a new and promising candidate for further study.
Test–retest multisite reproducibility of neurovascular 4D flow MRI
Authors: Wen Baohong , Tian Shuping , Cheng Jingliang , Li Yinhua , Zhang Huixia , Xue Kangkang , Zhang Zanxia , Fan Yang , Wu Bing 
Published: November 2018

Background4D flow MRI shows great potential in neurovascular disorders such as stenosis, atherosclerotic disease, aneurysms, and vascular malformations. Its widespread application in the neurovascular system requires evidence of good test–retest multicenter reproducibility.PurposeTo assess the multicenter reproducibility, test–retest reliability and interobserver dependence of 4D flow MRI in measurements of cerebral blood flow/velocity in main intracranial vessels.Study TypeProspective study.SubjectsTen healthy subjects underwent 4D flow scans at three different centers. All subjects were scanned twice at 2 different days at each center.Field Strength/Sequence3.0 T; 4D flow sequence.AssessmentMulticenter reproducibility, test–retest reliability and interobserver agreement for measurements of the blood flow and peak velocity from five regions of interest were assessed (bilateral internal carotid arteries, bilateral medial cerebral arteries, and sagittal sinus).Statistical TestA Shapiro–Wilks test was conducted to assess normality of measurements in each scan. Coefficient of variances (CVs) was computed to evaluate intra‐ and intersite variances of all measurements. The multicenter reproducibility was assessed by two‐way mixed intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). A Bland–Altman plot and Pearson correlation were used to evaluate test–retest reliability. ICC was calculated to assess interobserver agreements.ResultsAll P‐values for Shapiro–Wilks tests were greater than 0.05, which indicated the normality of all measurements. Both intra‐ and intersite CVs were lower than 12%. There was good test–retest reliability for both blood flow and peak velocity of all ROIs (r = 0.75–0.94). In addition, high multicenter reproducibility was detected (ICC = 0.77–0.96, all P < 0.001). The results of these measurements also showed great interobserver agreement (all ICC > 0.9 and all P < 0.001).Data ConclusionHigh multicenter reproducibility and test–retest reliability was shown for 4D flow in the measurements of blood flow and peak velocity of intracranial vessels. In addition, these measurements showed great interobserver agreement.Level of Evidence: 2Technical Efficacy: Stage 1J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:1543–1552.
Updated results on catheter ablation of ventricular arrhythmias arising from the papillary muscles of the left ventricle
Authors: Rivera Santiago , Tomas Leandro , Ricapito Maria de la Paz , Nicolas Vecchio , Reinoso Marcelo , Caro Milagros , Mondragon Ignacio , Albina Gaston , Giniger Alberto , Scazzuso Fernando 
Published: November 2018

AbstractBackgroundCatheter ablation of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) arising from the left ventricle`s (LV) papillary muscles (PM) is challenging. In this study we present results of catheter ablation using multiple energy sources and image‐based approaches.MethodsFifty‐three patients (49 ± 17 years old; 34% females; median LV ejection fraction 53 ± 11%) underwent catheter cryoablation or radiofrequency (RF) ablation with non‐contact force sensing (Non‐CFS) catheters and cardiac computed tomography integration (CTII) into the electroanatomical mapping system or contact force sensing RF (CFS RF) ablation catheters and intracardiac echo‐facilitated 3D electroanatomical mapping. Ventricular arrhythmias foci were mapped at either the anterolateral (ALPM) or posteromedial papillary muscles (PMPM). Ablation was performed using an 8‐mm cryoablation catheter (CRYO); a Non‐CFS 4‐mm open‐irrigated RF catheter; or a CFS RF 3.5‐mm open‐irrigated tip catheter, via transmitral or transaortic approach.ResultsAcute success rate was 83% for Non‐CFS RF/CTII; 100% for CRYO/CTII (n = 16) and CFS RF/ICE3D (n = 14) (P = 0.03). Catheter stability was achieved in all patients treated with Cryo/CTII. VA recurrence at 12 months follow‐up was 48% (n = 11) for Non‐CFS RF/CTII; 19% (n = 3) for CRYO/CTII; and 7% (n = 1) for CFS RF/ICE3D (P = 0.02).ConclusionsNon‐CFS/CTII was associated with an increased risk of recurrence of the clinical arrhythmia. Ablation with either CFS RF/ICE3D or CRYO/CTII showed high acute success rates and low recurrence rates during follow‐up. Cryoablation provided stable contact and was less arrhythmogenic.
Comparison of dynamic water distribution and microstructure formation of shiitake mushrooms during hot air and far infrared radiation drying by low‐field nuclear magnetic resonance and scanning electron microscopy
Authors: Zhao Yuanyuan , Bi Jinfeng , Yi Jianyong , Njoroge Daniel M , Peng Jian , Hou Chunhui 
Published: November 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDAn abundance of shiitake mushrooms is consumed in dried form around the world. In the present study, changes in water state, water distribution and microstructure of shiitake mushrooms during hot‐air drying (HAD) and far‐infrared radiation drying (FIRD) processes were investigated using low‐field nuclear magnetic resonance and scanning electron microscopy. Quality attributes of the dried products were compared in terms of drying property, appearance, rehydration behavior, texture and storage stability.RESULTSCompared with HAD, the rate of water diffusion and evaporation of the shiitake mushrooms dried by FIRD was higher, thus resulting in a shorter drying time (630 min), a lower water content (0.07 g g–1 wet basis) and a higher glass transition temperature (7.88 °C) for dried products. Moreover, a homogenous and porous microstructure with less shrinkage and case hardening was demonstrated by the FIRD samples, indicating a superior texture, including a larger pileus diameter (3.4 cm), a higher rehydration ratio (7.31), a lower hardness (37.93 N) and a higher crispness (1.41 mm) for FIRD shiitake mushrooms.CONCLUSIONHigh‐quality shiitake mushrooms with a desirable texture could be produced by FIRD by enhancing the diffusion of internal water and alleviating the case hardening during a relatively short drying process. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Phase II trial of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with intraperitoneal paclitaxel, S‐1, and intravenous cisplatin and paclitaxel for stage IIIA or IIIB gastric cancer
Authors: Shinkai Masayuki , Imano Motohiro , Chiba Yasutaka , Iwama Mitsuru , Shiraisi Osamu , Yasuda Atsushi , Tsubaki Masanobu , Nishida Shozo , Kimura Yutaka , Yasuda Takushi 
Published: November 2018

BackgroundWe carried out a phase II trial to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy comprising a single intraperitoneal administration of paclitaxel, followed by intravenous administrations of paclitaxel and cisplatin with S‐1 for clinical stage III gastric cancer.MethodsPatients with potentially resectable gastric cancer were eligible. A laparoscopic survey was performed to confirm CY0 and P0. Intraperitoneal paclitaxel (60 mg/m
2) was administered, followed by systemic chemotherapy. Surgery was performed after two cycles of chemotherapy. The primary endpoint was the response rate of chemotherapy. Secondary endpoints were adverse events, pathological response rate, and overall survival rate.ResultsTwenty patients were enrolled. Planned cycles were completed in all patients. Grade 3/4 leukopenia and grade 3/4 neutropenia were observed in four (20%) and seven (35%) patients, respectively. The overall response rate was 70% (partial response: 14, stable disease: 5, progressive disease: 1). All patients underwent R0 gastrectomy with D2 lymph‐node dissection, with no surgery‐related deaths. The pathological response rate was 65% (13 of 20). The 3‐ and 5‐year overall survival rates were 90.0% and 77.1%, respectively.ConclusionsNeoadjuvant chemotherapy including intraperitoneal paclitaxel followed by sequential intravenous paclitaxel and cisplatin with S‐1 for resectable advanced gastric cancer is feasible and effective.
Urban redevelopment and tourism growth: Relationship between tourism infrastructure and international visitor flows
Authors: Lim Christine , Zhu Liang , Koo Tay T.R. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe paper examines the effect of tourism infrastructure on inbound tourism demand along with other known factors influencing tourism. The study is undertaken in the context of Singapore where revitalization of infrastructure has been an important policy aimed at urban redevelopment and tourism growth. Using a panel of 30 origin markets between 2000 and 2015, the paper applied a dynamic generalized method of moments estimation showing that tourism infrastructure increases tourism demand above trend. The relatively price insensitive and income sensitive nature of tourism demand appear to be favourable conditions to use tourism as a strategy to enhance the city state's competitiveness.
Effect of the Folate Ligand Density on the Targeting Property of Folated‐Conjugated Polymeric Nanoparticles
Authors: Gong Yan Chun , Xiong Xiang Yuan , Ge Xiang Jun , Li Zi Ling , Li Yu Ping 
Published: November 2018

AbstractTargeted drug delivery systems have attracted increasing attention due to their ability for delivering anticancer drugs selectively to tumor cells. Folic acid (FA)‐conjugated targeted block copolymers, FA‐Pluronic‐polycaprolactone (FA‐Pluronic‐PCL) are synthesized in this study. The anticancer drug paclitaxel (PTX) is loaded in FA‐Pluronic‐PCL nanoparticles by nanoprecipitation method. The in vitro release of PTX from FA‐Pluronic‐PCL nanoparticles shows slow and sustained release behaviors. The effect of FA ligand density of FA‐Pluronic‐PCL nanoparticles on their targeting properties is examined by both cytotoxicity and fluorescence methods. It is shown that FA‐Pluronic‐PCL nanoparticles indicated better targeting ability than non‐targeted PCL‐Pluronic‐PCL nanoparticles. Furthermore, FA‐F127‐PCL nanoparticle with 10% FA molar content has more effective antitumor activity and higher cellular uptake than those with 50% and 91% FA molar content. These results prove that FA‐F127‐PCL nanoparticle with 10% FA molar content can be a better candidate as the drug carrier in targeted drug delivery systems.
Technical Note: Design of a handheld dipole antenna for a compact thermoacoustic imaging system
Authors: Huang Lin , Ge Shaoli , Zheng Zhu , Jiang Huabei 
Published: November 2018

PurposeConventional antenna used in thermoacoustic imaging (TAI) is often bulky, making it difficult to translate TAI from the bench to the clinic. In this paper, we proposed a handheld dipole antenna which will be a good candidate for the construction of a compact TAI system.MethodsHere, we propose a TAI system based on a handheld dipole antenna with an aperture of 6 cm and a weight of 230 g. Compensation of the electric field attenuation for such a system was also investigated.ResultsCompared to the conventional open‐ended waveguide and pyramidal horn antenna used in TAI, our results reveal that the electric field attenuation induced distortion is effectively reduced by using the attenuation factor 1/r2 for compensation and that the handheld dipole antenna provides the highest efficiency of microwave delivery.ConclusionsThis study suggests that the handheld dipole antenna has the potential to be utilized for the construction of a compact TAI system, making TAI more suitable for preclinical and clinical applications.
Whole knee joint T1 values measured in vivo at 3T by combined 3D ultrashort echo time cones actual flip angle and variable flip angle methods
Authors: Ma Ya‐Jun , Zhao Wei , Wan Lidi , Guo Tan , Searleman Adam , Jang Hyungseok , Chang Eric Y. , Du Jiang 
Published: November 2018

PurposeTo measure T1 relaxations for the major tissues in whole knee joints on a clinical 3T scanner.MethodsThe 3D UTE‐Cones actual flip angle imaging (AFI) method was used to map the transmission radiofrequency field (B1) in both short and long T2 tissues, which was then used to correct the 3D UTE‐Cones variable flip angle (VFA) fitting to generate accurate T1 maps. Numerical simulation was carried out to investigate the accuracy of T1 measurement for a range of T2 values, excitation pulse durations, and B1 errors. Then, the 3D UTE‐Cones AFI‐VFA method was applied to healthy volunteers (N = 16) to quantify the T1 of knee tissues including cartilage, meniscus, quadriceps tendon, patellar tendon, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), marrow, and muscles at 3T.ResultsNumerical simulation showed that the 3D UTE‐Cones AFI‐VFA technique can provide accurate T1 measurements (error <1%) when the tissue T2 is longer than 1 ms and a 150 μs excitation RF pulse is used and therefore is suitable for most knee joint tissues. The proposed 3D UTE‐Cones AFI‐VFA method showed an average T1 of 1098 ± 67 ms for cartilage, 833 ± 47 ms for meniscus, 800 ± 66 ms for quadriceps tendon, 656 ± 43 ms for patellar tendon, 873 ± 38 ms for ACL, 832 ± 49 ms for PCL, 379 ± 18 ms for marrow, and 1393 ± 46 ms for muscles.ConclusionThe 3D UTE‐Cones AFI‐VFA method allows volumetric T1 measurement of the major tissues in whole knee joints on a clinical 3T scanner.
Direct oral anticoagulant use and subsequent start of proton pump inhibitors as proxy for gastric complaints
Authors: Zielinski G. Denise , Teichert Martina , Klok Frederikus A. , Rosendaal Frits R. , Huisman Menno V. , Cannegieter Suzanne C. , Lijfering Willem M. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractPurposeDabigatran use has been linked to gastrointestinal complaints, but it is unknown if this leads to more use of proton pump inhibitors (PPI). Furthermore, it is unknown whether gastrointestinal complaints occur more frequently in dabigatran users compared with other direct oral anticoagulant (DOACs) users. We investigated the association between DOAC use (dabigatran, rivaroxaban, or apixaban) and subsequent PPI initiation as a proxy for gastrointestinal complaints.MethodsIn this population‐based observational study with an active‐comparator new user study design, anonymised dispensing data from Community Pharmacies in the Netherlands from 2012 to 2016 were used. Patients initiating DOAC for the treatment of atrial fibrillation without any PPI use before or at time of DOAC initiation were included. The outcome measure, subsequent PPI initiation, was determined in 28553 DOAC users.ResultsThe patients initiating dabigatran (10 942), apixaban (4897), or rivaroxaban (12714) were comparable for age (mean 69 years), sex (62% men), socioeconomic class, and concomitant medication use. The risk of PPI initiation in apixaban versus rivaroxaban users was similar (adjusted hazard ratio 1.06; 95% confidence interval 0.96‐1.31) The adjusted hazard ratio of initiating PPI for dabigatran users was 1.21 (95% confidence interval 1.14‐1.29) compared with rivaroxaban/apixaban users. The cumulative incidence of PPI initiation at 6 months of follow‐up for patients using dabigatran was 13.0%, and 10.0% for those using rivaroxaban/apixaban, yielding a number needing treatment of 33.ConclusionsProton pump inhibitor initiation occurred frequently in incident DOAC users but more often in patients treated with dabigatran than in those treated with rivaroxaban or apixaban.
Manufacturing of Volumetric Glass–Based Composites with Single‐ and Double‐QD Doping
Authors: Nowaczynski Rafal , Gajc Marcin , Surma Hancza B. , Osewski Pawel , Strzep Adam , Ryba‐Romanowski Witold , Pawlak Dorota A. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractQuantum dot (QD)‐based light‐emitting materials are gaining increased attention because of their easily tunable optical properties desired for various applications in biology, optoelectronics, and photonics. However, few methods can be used to manufacture volumetric materials doped with more than one type of QD other than QD‐polymer hybrids, and they often require complicated preparation processes and are prone to luminescence quenching by QD aggregation and separation from the matrix. Here, simultaneous doping of a volumetric glass‐based nanocomposite with two types of QDs is demonstrated for the first time in a single‐step process using the nanoparticle direct doping method. Glass rods doped with CdTe, CdSe/ZnS, or co‐doped with both QDs, are obtained. Photoluminescence and lifetime experiments confirm temperature‐dependent double emission with maxima at 596 and 720 nm with mean lifetimes up to 16 ns, as well as radiative energy transfer from the short wavelength–emitting QDs to the long wavelength–emitting QDs. This approach may enable the simple and cost‐efficient manufacturing of bulk materials that produce multicolor luminescence with cascade excitation pumping. Applications that could benefit from this include broadband optical fiber amplifiers, backlight systems in LCD screens, high‐power LEDs, or down‐converting solar concentrators used to increase the efficiency of solar panels.