bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In Vivo Bone Effects of a Novel Bisphosphonate‐EP4a Conjugate Drug (C3) for Reversing Osteoporotic Bone Loss in an Ovariectomized Rat Model
Authors: Sheikh Zeeshan , Chen Gang , Al‐Jaf Faik , Thévenin Marion , Banks Kate , Glogauer Michael , Young Robert N , Grynpas Marc D 
Published: September 2019

ABSTRACTPathological bone loss is a regular feature of postmenopausal osteoporosis, and the microstructural changes along with the bone loss make the individual prone to getting hip, spine, and wrist fractures. We have developed a new conjugate drug named C3, which has a synthetic, stable EP4 agonist (EP4a) covalently linked to an inactive alendronate (ALN) that binds to bone and allows physiological remodeling. After losing bone for 12 weeks, seven groups of rats were treated for 8 weeks via tail‐vein injection. The groups were: C3 conjugate at low and high doses, vehicle‐treated ovariectomy (OVX) and sham, C1 (a similar conjugate, but with active ALN at high dose), inactive ALN alone, and a mixture of unconjugated ALN and EP4a to evaluate the conjugation effects. Bone turnover was determined by dynamic and static histomorphometry; μCT was employed to determine bone microarchitecture; and bone mechanical properties were evaluated via biomechanical testing. Treatment with C3 significantly increased trabecular bone volume and vertebral BMD versus OVX controls. There was also significant improvement in the vertebral load‐bearing abilities and stimulation of bone formation in femurs after C3 treatment. This preclinical research revealed that C3 resulted in significant anabolic effects on trabecular bone, and EP4a and ALN conjugation components are vital to conjugate anabolic efficacy. A combined therapy using an EP4 selective agonist anabolic agent linked to an inactive ALN is presented here that produces significant anabolic effects, allows bone remodeling, and has the potential for treating postmenopausal osteoporosis or other diseases where bone strengthening would be beneficial. © 2019 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Predictors of mentoring relationship quality: Investigation from the perspectives of youth and parent participants in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada one‐to‐one mentoring programs
Authors: De Wit David J. , DuBois David L. , Erdem Gizem , Larose Simon , Lipman Ellen L. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractAimsThis study examined predictors of mentoring relationship quality (MRQ) as reported by youth and parents participating in Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Canada one‐to‐one mentoring programs.MethodsMentoring program capacity and other external supports, youth personal and environmental risk, youth and parent attitudes and motives, and mentoring relationship processes and attributes were examined as predictors of MRQ at 18 months following youth referral to the program using data from a longitudinal study of the Canadian BBBS mentoring programs.ResultsFor youth (n = 335), significant predictors of MRQ included: minimal difficulties pairing youth and mentors, perceptions of shared attributes with their mentor, mentor emotional engagement and support, and longer relationships. For parents (n = 356) higher MRQ was correlated with parent report of minimal difficulties pairing youth and mentors, a high‐quality relationship with the youth's mentor, and longer relationships.ConclusionImplications for program and policy development are discussed.
Patient characteristics and in‐hospital complications of subcutaneous implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator for Brugada syndrome in Japan
Authors: Kawamura Iwanari , Nakajima Mikio , Kitamura Takeshi , Kaszynski Richard H. , Hojo Rintaro , Ohbe Hiroyuki , Sasabuchi Yusuke , Matsui Hiroki , Fushimi Kiyohide , Fukamizu Seiji , Yasunaga Hideo 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundClinical features and complications of subcutaneous implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (S‐ICD) implantation for Brugada syndrome have not been well studied.MethodsWe used the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination database to retrospectively investigate patients who had undergone ICD implantation between April 2016 and March 2017. We compared the characteristics and in‐hospital complications of patients with Brugada syndrome implanted with S‐ICD or transvenous (TV)‐ICD.ResultsWe extracted 3090 patients who received ICD implantation. Among them, we identified 278 Brugada patients. The mean age was 43 ± 14.4 years and 262 (94%) were male. Of these 278 patients, 136 (49%) received S‐ICD and 142 (51%) received TV‐ICD. TV‐ICD recipients had a history of atrial fibrillation more frequently compared with S‐ICD recipients. The median (interquartile range) of length of hospital stay was not significantly different between patients with S‐ICD and TV‐ICD (13 days [10‐20.5] vs 12 days [10‐18], respectively). The prevalence of in‐hospital complications after ICD implantation was similar between the two groups. There were no patients with cardiac tamponade, hemothorax, pneumothorax, cardiovascular event, stroke, and death following the procedure during hospitalization in either group.ConclusionsShort‐term safety of S‐ICD implantation may be identical to that of TV‐ICD. Large prospective studies are warranted to compare the effects and long‐term safety of S‐ICD compared with TV‐ICD.
Ultra‐high density mapping of intra‐atrial reentrant tachycardia in a patient after a lateral tunnel total cavopulmonary connection
Authors: Mori Hitoshi , Sumitomo Naokata , Muraji Shota , Iwashita Noriyuki , Kobayashi Toshiki , Kato Ritsushi 
Published: September 2019

AbstractWe report a case of an 18‐year‐old male with a postsurgical lateral tunnel (LT) total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) and supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Patients after an LT TCPC have complicated suture lines and a considerable area of damaged myocardium in the LT, which could become a complex arrhythmogenic substrate of tachycardias. Detailed three‐dimensional (3D) mapping of the LT and atrium is important for a successful ablation. In this patient, successful catheter ablation of two types of complex tachycardias was accomplished using an ultra‐high density 3D mapping system inside the LT.
Impact of the value‐based purchasing program on hospital operations outcomes: An econometric analysis
Authors: Lee Seung Jun , Venkataraman Sriram , Heim Gregory R. , Roth Aleda V. , Chilingerian Jon 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe Hospital Value‐Based Purchasing (VBP) Program, one of several federal regulations mandated by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, uses Medicare provider payment penalties and bonuses to encourage hospital administrators to improve performance in four domains: clinical processes, patient outcomes, patient experiences, and efficiency. Before VBP's launch, some practitioners claimed VBP would have little impact, while others feared well‐off hospitals would be unfairly rewarded at the expense of previously poor‐performing hospitals. We examine whether and how the VBP penalties affect aggregate operating outcomes of healthcare providers in hospitals. Using secondary data, we find empirical evidence that hospitals with prior‐year VBP penalties exhibit positive associations between the penalty magnitude and certain current‐year care process improvements. Over the prior year, penalized hospitals also tend to exhibit increased patient case mix metrics, which should enhance revenue as a spillover effect. In a post hoc analysis, we observe that bonus‐receiving hospitals are less apt to exhibit subsequent performance improvements for these same metrics. Our contributions result from theoretically framing differences in hospital operating activities when facing the VBP Program's penalties as well as empirically demonstrating consequences of the penalty's magnitude.
Excited‐state proton transfer via higher excited state in 2‐mercaptobenzothiazole: Absorption, fluorescence, Raman spectroscopic study, and theoretical calculation
Authors: Wei Xin , Duan Aimin , Deng Yaoliang , Xue Jiadan , Zheng Xuming , Zhao Yanying 
Published: September 2019

AbstractExcited‐state proton transfer (ESPT) photochemical reactions are attracting increasing attention because of their many applications in materials science and biology. 2‐Mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) is investigated in solid, protic, and aprotic solvents using vibrational and electronic spectroscopies combined with density functional theory (DFT). The presence of the stable dimer conformer in the solid and solvents was confirmed by vibrational spectroscopy. Steady‐state absorption and fluorescence emission spectra of MBT in different pH solvent environments indicate that the intermolecular hydrogen bonding may reveal important insights into the ESPT mechanisms involving single and double proton transfers. With the aid of DFT and time‐dependent density functional theory calculations, we assigned the observed Raman spectra to the dimer in water and methanol solvents and carried out preliminary investigations into the effect of hydrogen bonding with the solvent on the excited‐state proton transfer process.
Effect of different inoculation strategies of selected yeast and LAB cultures on Conservolea and Kalamàta table olives considering phenol content, texture, and sensory attributes
Authors: Chytiri Agathi , Tasioula‐Margari Maria , Bleve Gianluca , Kontogianni Vasiliki G , Kallimanis Aristeidis , Kontominas Michael G 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe effects were studied of different inoculation strategies for selected starters –yeasts and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) – used for the fermentation process of two Greek olive cultivars, Conservolea and Kalamàta. The LAB strains applied were Leuconostoc mesenteroides K T5‐1 and L. plantarum A 135–5; the selected yeast strains were S. cerevisiae KI 30–16 and Debaryomyces hansenii A 15–44 for Kalamàta and Conservolea olives, respectively.RESULTSTable olive fermentation processes were monitored by performing microbiological analyses, and by monitoring changes in pH, titratable acidity and salinity, sugar consumption, and the evolution of volatile compounds. Structural modifications occurring in phenolic compounds of brine were investigated during the fermentation using liquid chromatography / diode array detection / electrospray ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (LC/DAD/ESI‐MSn) and quantified by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using a diode array detector. Phenolic compounds in processed Kalamàta olive brines consisted of phenolic acids, verbascoside, caffeoyl‐6‐secologanoside, comselogoside, and the dialdehydic form of decarboxymethylelenolic acid linked to hydroxytyrosol, whereas oleoside and oleoside 11‐methyl ester were identified only in Conservolea olive brines.CONCLUSIONVolatile profile and sensory evaluation revealed that the ‘MIX’ (co‐inoculum of yeast and LAB strain) inoculation strategy led to the most aromatic and acceptable Kalamàta olives. For the Conservolea table olives, the ‘YL’ treatment gave the most aromatic and the overall most acceptable product. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Extraction of acetanilide herbicides in naked oat (Avena nuda L.) by using ionic‐liquid‐based matrix solid‐phase dispersion‐foam flotation solid‐phase extraction
Authors: Zhang Liyuan , Ma Zhenchuan , Wang Changyuan , Yu Runzhong , Zhang Dongjie 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe herbicides in naked oat (Avena nuda L.) samples were extracted, separated, and determined by using ionic‐liquid‐based matrix solid‐phase dispersion‐solvent flotation coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography. The experimental parameters were optimized and evaluated by a univariate method and orthogonal experiment. A good linear relationship was obtained in the range of 5–5000 µg/kg, and the linear correlation coefficient are between 0.9989∼0.9993. The quantification limits for alachlor, metazachlor, propanil, acetochlor, pretilachlor, metolachlor, and butachlor are 5.03, 2.62, 2.73, 4.58, 7.28, 5.05, 5.78 µg/kg, respectively. The average recoveries of the acetanilide herbicides at spiked concentrations of 10, 100, and 500 µg/kg ranged from 92.1 to 104.7%, and relative standard deviations were equal to or lower than 2.9%.
Role of eelgrass on bed‐load transport and sediment resuspension under oscillatory flow
Authors: Marin‐Diaz Beatriz , Bouma Tjeerd J. , Infantes Eduardo 
Published: September 2019

AbstractCoastal vegetation is widely attributed to stabilize sediment. While most studies focused on how canopy causes flow reduction and thereby affects sediment dynamics, the role of roots and rhizomes on stabilizing the surface sediment has been less well studied. This study aims to quantify interactions between above‐ and belowground biomass of eelgrass (i.e., living Zostera marina plants and mimics) with surface sediment erosion (i.e., bed load and suspended load), under different hydrodynamic forcing that was created using a wave flume. Belowground biomass played an important role preventing bed‐load erosion, by roughly halving the amount of sediment transported after being exposed to maximal orbital velocities of 27 cm s−1, with and without canopy. Surprisingly, for suspended sediment transport, we found opposite effects. In the presence of eelgrass, the critical erosion threshold started at lower velocities than on bare sediment, including sand and mud treatments. Moreover, in muddy systems, such resuspension reduced the light level below the minimum requirement of Z. marina. This surprising result for sediment resuspension was ascribed to a too small eelgrass patch for reducing waves but rather showing enhanced turbulence and scouring at meadow edges. Overall, we conclude that the conservation of the existent eelgrass meadows with developed roots and rhizomes is important for the sediment stabilization and the meadow scale should be taken into account to decrease sediment resuspension.
Interleaving of oxygenized intrusions into the Baltic Sea redoxcline
Authors: Holtermann Peter , Prien Ralf , Naumann Michael , Umlauf Lars 
Published: September 2019

AbstractSemi‐enclosed marginal seas like the Baltic Sea are often characterized by permanently anoxic deep layers, and may therefore serve as important model systems to study the causes and consequences of the predicted global expansion of oxygen minimum zones. Here, we focus on the role of lateral intrusions in maintaining the “hypoxic transition zone” (HTZ) of the Baltic Sea, which characterizes the quasi‐permanent hypoxic region located between the oxygenized surface layer and the sulfidic deep‐water region. Based on long‐term deployments of an autonomous profiling system in the central Baltic Sea, we show that oxic mid‐water intrusions are ubiquitous features, providing the most important oxygen source for the HTZ, and largely control the vertical and lateral extent of the hypoxic areas. An oxygen budget for the HTZ suggests that oxygen turnover in the HTZ is, to first order, determined by a long‐term balance between sedimentary oxygen demand and oxygen import by intrusions. The downward mixing of oxygen into the HTZ is generally non‐negligible but unlikely to provide a first‐order contribution to the HTZ oxygen budget. On the long‐term average, mid‐water intrusions were shown to inject 30–60 Gmol of oxygen per year into the deep‐water region below the permanent halocline. This is approximately one order of magnitude larger than the average amount of oxygen imported during the massive deep‐water inflow events (Major Baltic Inflows) that occur on an approximately decadal time scale, highlighting the HTZ as a hotspot for biogeochemical turnover.
Brightening and Guiding Single‐Photon Emission by Plasmonic Waveguide–Slit Structures on a Metallic Substrate
Authors: Zhang Guorui , Jia Shangtong , Gu Ying , Chen Jianjun 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBy designing a plasmonic waveguide–slit structure (a nanoslit etched in a silver nanowire) on a silver substrate, an ultrahigh Purcell factor and ultralarge figure of merit (FOM) are numerically predicted. Because of the large field enhancement (>150 times the incident field) and the ultrasmall optical volume (V ≈ 2 × 10−5λ3) of the resonant mode in the metallic nanoslit, the simulations show that the Purcell factor in the system can reach up toFP = 1.68 × 105, which is more than ten times the maximum Purcell factor in previous work (by placing metallic nanoparticles on a metal surface with a nanogap). Because of the utilization of a silver substrate rather than the common dielectric substrate, the mode cutoff of the surface plasmon polariton (SPP) waveguide mode is completely eliminated, which provides a large selection range of the nanowire radii to support the resonant mode in the nanoslit. Moreover, the SPP propagation length is significantly increased by more than 30 times. As a result, an ultralarge FOM of 1.40 × 107is obtained, which is more than 80 times the maximum FOM in previous work where the metallic nanowire is placed on or surrounded by dielectric materials.
Enhanced Dynamic Casimir Effect in Temporally and Spatially Modulated Josephson Transmission Line
Authors: Ma Shaojie , Miao Haixing , Xiang Yuanjiang , Zhang Shuang 
Published: September 2019

AbstractReal photon pairs can be created in a dynamic cavity with an oscillating boundary or temporally modulated refractive index of the constituent medium. This effect is called dynamic Casimir effect (DCE), which represents one of the most amazing predictions of quantum field theory. The DCE has been experimentally observed in Josephson metamaterials embedded in a microwave cavity. However, the efficiency of the observed DCE is extremely weak, entailing a complex external signal enhancement process to detect the signal. Here, it is shown that the DCE can be drastically enhanced in a dynamic 1D cavity consisting of a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID)‐based Josephson transmission line with both temporal and spatial modulation on the effective inductance profile through flux‐biasing. Such a system can resonantly generate photons at driving frequencies equal to even or odd integer times of that of the fundamental cavity mode governed by the symmetry of the spatial modulation. Interesting spectral and scaling behaviors for photons excited at the band edge are further observed. The discovery introduces a new degree of freedom—spatial modulation—to enhance the efficiency of DCE.
Supramolecular Competitive Host–Guest Interaction Induced Reversible Macromolecular Metamorphosis
Authors: Bera Debaditya , Hou Zhanyao , Glassner Mathias , Lyskawa Joel , Malfait Aurélie , Woisel Patrice , Hoogenboom Richard 
Published: September 2019

AbstractIn this work, a rational strategy of competitive host–guest complexation between dioxynaphthalene (Naph) and tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) subunits as guests and cyclophane cyclobis(paraquat‐p‐phenylene) (CBPQT4+) module as host is exploited to modify the macromolecular architecture, so‐called supramolecular metamorphosis, in aqueous media. The architectures of the polymers can be reversibly transformed from a linear diblock copolymer AB to a linear AC block copolymer or from a linear block copolymer to a comb copolymer by redox switching. Interestingly, as TTF‐ and Naph‐based complexes feature different characteristic colors, it offers a great opportunity to directly observe nanoscaled macromolecular metamorphosis of materials with the naked eye.
Keratin 9 L164P mutation in a Chinese pedigree with epidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma, cytokeratin analysis, and literature review
Authors: Liu Xiaoliang , Qiu Chuang , He Rong , Zhang Yuanyuan , Zhao Yanyan 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundEpidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma (EPPK) is characterized by hyperkeratotic lesions on palms and soles. The disorder is caused by mutations of keratin 9 (KRT9) or KRT1 gene.MethodsEpidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma was diagnosed by physical examination and histopathological analysis in a five‐generation Chinese family. Mutation was screened by Sanger sequencing. The palmar expression of multiple cytokeratins were analyzed by tape‐stripping and Real‐time PCR. Literatures of EPPK with additional symptoms were reviewed.ResultsAffected family members showed diffuse palmoplantar keratosis, with knuckle pads, friction‐related lesions and a novel additional symptom of palmar constriction. A heterozygous mutation of c.T491C (p.L164P) of KRT9 was found within the helix initiation motif. The hydrophobic effect was decreased and the initiation of coiled‐coil conformation was delayed. The KRT16/KRT6 expression were significantly increased in the patients, especially on the right, indicating activation of stress‐response and wound‐healing cytokeratins. There were also increased KRT9/KRT2, unchanged KRT10/KRT1, and undetectable KRT14/KRT5 expression. The genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity of EPPK with additional symptoms were summarized by literature review.ConclusionThe p.L164P mutation of KRT9 caused EPPK with a novel symptom of palmar constriction. The expression of multiple cytokeratins was altered in EPPK patients.
Design and testing of microbubble‐based MRI contrast agents for gastric pressure measurement
Authors: Abdurakman Edwin , Bencsik Martin , Cave Gareth W. V. , Hoad Caroline L. , McGowan Scott , Fairhurst David J. , Major Giles , Gowland Penny A. , Bowtell Richard 
Published: September 2019

PurposeThis work demonstrates specifically tailored microbubble‐based preparations and their suitability as MRI contrast agents for ingestion and measuring temporal and spatial pressure variation in the human stomach.MethodsEnhanced alginate spheres were prepared by incorporating gas‐filled microbubbles into sodium alginate solution followed by the polymerization of the mixture in an aqueous calcium lactate solution. The microbubbles were prepared with a phospholipid shell and perfluorocarbon gas filling, using a mechanical cavitational agitation regime. The NMR signal changes to externally applied pressure and coming from the enhanced alginate spheres were acquired and compared with that of alginate spheres without microbubbles. In vivo investigations were also carried out on healthy volunteers to measure the pressure variation in the stomach.ResultsThe MR signal changes in the contrast agent exhibits a linear sensitivity of approximately 40% per bar, as opposed to no measurable signal change seen in the control gas‐free spheres. This novel contrast agent also demonstrates an excellent stability in simulated gastric conditions, including at body temperature. In vivo studies showed that the signal change exhibited in the meal within the antrum region is between 5% and 10%, but appears to come from both pressure changes and partial volume artifacts.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that alginate spheres with microbubbles can be used as an MRI contrast agent to measure pressure changes. The peristaltic movement within the stomach is seen to substantially alter the overall signal intensity of the contrast agent meal. Future work must focus on improving the contrast agent's sensitivity to pressure changes.