bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ablation of low‐molecular‐weight FGF2 isoform accelerates murine osteoarthritis while loss of high‐molecular‐weight FGF2 isoforms offers protection
Authors: Burt Patience M. , Xiao Liping , Doetschman Thomas , Hurley Marja M. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractFGF2 is an essential growth factor implicated in osteoarthritis (OA), and deletion of full‐length FGF2 (Fgf2ALLKO) leads to murine OA. However, the FGF2 gene encodes both high‐molecular‐weight (HMW) and low‐molecular‐weight (LMW) isoforms, and the effects of selectively ablating individual isoforms, as opposed to total FGF2, has not been investigated in the context of OA. We undertook this study to examine whether mice lacking HMW FGF2 (Fgf2HMWKO) or LMW FGF2 (Fgf2LMWKO) develop OA and to further characterize the observed OA phenotype in Fgf2ALLKO mice. Fgf2HMWKO mice never developed OA, but 6‐ and 9‐month‐old Fgf2LMWKO and Fgf2ALLKO mice displayed signs of OA, including eroded articular cartilage, altered subchondral bone and trabecular architecture, and increased OA marker enzyme levels. Even with mechanical induction of OA, Fgf2HMWKO mice were protected against OA, whereas Fgf2LMWKO and Fgf2ALLKO displayed OA‐like changes of the subchondral bone. Before exhibiting OA symptoms, Fgf2LMWKO or Fgf2ALLKO joints displayed differential expression of genes encoding key regulatory proteins, including interleukin‐1β, insulin‐like growth factor 1, bone morphogenetic protein 4, hypoxia‐inducible factor 1, B‐cell lymphoma 2, Bcl2‐associated X protein, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 5, ETS domain‐containing protein, and sex‐determining region Y box 9. Moreover, Fgf2LMWKO OA cartilage exhibited increased FGF2, FGF23, and FGFR1 expression, whereas Fgf2HMWKO cartilage had increased levels of FGFR3, which promotes anabolism in cartilage. These results demonstrate that loss of LMW FGF2 results in catabolic activity in joint cartilage, whereas absence of HMW FGF2 with only the presence of LMW FGF2 offers protection from OA.
Development and validation of a muscle wrapping model applied to intact and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty shoulders
Authors: Elwell Josie A. , Athwal George S. , Willing Ryan 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACTAssessment and optimization of procedural outcomes, namely joint replacement, that rely heavily on muscle action necessitates a model capable of accurately and reliably predicting muscle paths in an automated setting. In this study, such a model was developed and validated for the anatomic shoulder and one implanted with reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA), as these scenarios present particularly complex ranges of motion and wrapping geometries. A finite element (FE) element model included a “string‐of‐pearls” representation of the four rotator cuff muscles and the three deltoid muscle bundles. Muscle bundles consisted of 15 rigid spheres connected by linearly elastic springs and attached to the bones at their origins. The free ends of the muscle bundles were pulled to their insertions, after which motions were applied to the shoulder. Muscle moment arms were calculated and compared to data available in the literature qualitatively and using Pearson rho values and root‐mean‐square errors. The process was repeated following implantation of an rTSA. The FE model captured muscle paths throughout 180° of motion in under seven minutes. Moment arms at 30° and 60° of scaption generally fell within the ranges predicted by previous experimental and computational studies. The FE model showed good qualitative agreement with previously published results for abduction, flexion, and axial rotation before and after rTSA. In conclusion, a model capable of predicting muscle paths in the presence of variable wrapping geometry was developed and validated without sacrificing enough computational efficiency to render its use impossible in numerical techniques such as design optimization. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:3308–3317, 2018.
Early Postoperative Oral Feeding After Total Gastrectomy in Gastric Carcinoma Patients: A Retrospective Before–After Study Using Propensity Score Matching
Authors: Jang Aelee , Jeong Oh 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBackgroundDespite its clinical benefits, early oral nutrition after total gastrectomy is not widely implemented because of concerns about tolerability and safety. We investigated the feasibility and safety of early oral nutrition after total gastrectomy in gastric carcinoma patients.MethodsThis is a retrospective before–after study. From 2008–2016, 301 patients received conventional oral feeding (COF) before May 2012, and 454 patients, early oral feeding (EOF) after May 2012. The EOF group received oral diet on postoperative day 1, and the COF group was maintained nil‐by‐mouth until patients demonstrated gas passage. After balancing potential confounders using propensity score matching, 203 patients were selected in each group.ResultsBoth matched groups demonstrated well‐balanced baseline characteristics. The EOF group demonstrated significantly earlier first flatus time (2.9 vs 3.1 days, P = .013) and hospital discharge (8.9 vs 12.6 days, P < .001) than the COF group. No significant differences were observed for overall morbidity and mortality, but the EOF group demonstrated lower incidence of abdominal infection (3.0% vs 7.4%, P = .044) and anastomosis leakage (1.5% vs 4.9%, P = .048). Subgroup analyses by age, sex, operative approach, lymph node dissection, and tumor stage demonstrated no increased risk of morbidity, anastomosis leakage, and short hospital stay in the EOF group.ConclusionEarly oral nutrition may be feasible and safe after total gastrectomy, with no increase in postoperative complications. Large, randomized, controlled trials are warranted to further investigate the clinical benefits of early oral nutrition after total gastrectomy.
Burden of Underweight in Israel
Authors: Ginsberg Gary M. , Saday Yehudit 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBackgroundThis study measures the burden of chronic diseases associated with being underweight.MethodsUnderweight prevalence in the community was obtained from national survey data, together with hospital use rates for malnourished and non‐malnourished persons for diagnoses associated with underweight. Meta‐analyses of published literature calculated the following disease‐specific relative risks: incidence of underweight‐associated disease (UAD), mortality from UAD, and all‐cause and disease‐specific mortality after hospitalization in underweight persons. This enabled the calculation of hospital days, deaths, and disability‐adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to underweight deconstructed into UAD and disease‐associated underweight (DAU). Cost estimates were based on general hospitalization costs adjusted by estimates of pharmaceutical and other direct care costs.ResultsWe found 60,401 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 58,257–63,095) general hospital days, 558 (95% CI: 219–879) deaths, 5258 (95% CI: 2174–8382) potential years of life lost, and 3390 lost DALYs (95% CI: 1511–5333) were attributable to underweight annually in Israeli adults aged ≥18 years. Annually, direct health costs amounted to $145.6 million (95% CI: $141.9–$150.5 million), with general hospital days accounting for $53.4 million, pharmaceuticals $18.2 million, and other direct healthcare costs $73.9 million. Musculoskeletal disorders accounted for nearly half of these costs with coronary heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and stroke accounting for 15.4%, 10.3%, and 9.3%, respectively.ConclusionsUnderweight imposes a considerable health burden in terms of deaths, health service use, and resource costs in Israel. Identification of cost‐effective interventions to reduce this burden, not only among hospitalized patients, but also among persons living in the community, is essential.
BlackRock Robo‐Advisor 4.0: When artificial intelligence replaces human discretion
Authors: Tokic Damir 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBlackRock, the largest US investment management firm, has started to replace human stock‐pickers with the full automated investment program, based on self‐learning artificial intelligence algorithms. This is the first high‐profile case in the financial industry where artificial intelligence replaces human discretion. The advanced version of BlackRock Robo‐Advisor can also be customized to perform within the strategic planning framework. Human discretionary decision‐making jobs are at risk of being replaced by machines.
A comprehensive review of anaerobic digestion of organic solid wastes in relation to microbial community and enhancement process
Authors: Wang Neng‐Xiong , Lu Xiao‐Ying , Tsang Yiu‐Fai , Mao Yanping , Tsang Chi‐Wing , Yueng Vivien Au 
Published: August 2018

AbstractOrganic solid wastes (OSWs) should be regarded as valuable resources rather than dead‐end landfill waste that causes public health and odor concerns. Anaerobic digestion (AD) is an ideal approach for managing organic solid waste issues and involves using a group of anaerobic microorganisms to transform OSWs into useful products. In this review, over 100 publications related to AD of OSWs have been compiled, discussed, and analyzed. A comprehensive analysis of the environmental and safety impacts of AD, its key environmental factors, co‐digestion, and pretreatment, as well as the AD of OSWs by various anaerobic microbes uncovered by high throughput sequencing‐based approaches, is presented. The purpose of this review is to provide an outline of the current knowledge of AD processes from a multi‐angle perspective. A comprehensive understanding of AD of OSWs and genome‐enabled biology development could be helpful for providing up‐to‐date knowledge of AD, developing it, overcoming its drawbacks and, ultimately, improving global waste control for more efficient environmental management. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Assessment Scales for Patients with Advanced Huntington's Disease: Comparison of the UHDRS and UHDRS‐FAP
Authors: Winder Jessica Y. , Achterberg Wilco P. , Marinus Johan , Gardiner Sarah L. , Roos Raymund A.C. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe standard clinical assessment tool in Huntington's disease is the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS). In patients with advanced Huntington's disease ceiling and floor effects of the UHDRS hamper the detection of changes. Therefore, the UHDRS‐For Advanced Patients (UHDRS‐FAP) has been designed for patients with late‐stage Huntington's disease.ObjectivesThis cross‐sectional study aims to examine if the UHDRS‐FAP can differentiate better between patients with advanced Huntington's disease than the UHDRS.MethodsForty patients, who were institutionalized or received day‐care, were assessed with the UHDRS, UHDRS‐FAP, and Care Dependency Scale (CDS). The severity of Huntington's disease was defined by the Total Functional Capacity (TFC). Comparisons between consecutive TFC stages were performed for all domains of the UHDRS, UHDRS‐FAP, and CDS using Mann‐Whitney U tests.ResultsThe motor scores of the UHDRS‐FAP and UHDRS were the only subscales with significantly worse scores in TFC stage 5 compared to stage 4. In TFC stages 4‐5, the range of the UHDRS‐FAP motor score was broader, the standard error of measurement was lower, and the effect size r was higher than for the UHDRS motor score. The CDS declined significantly across all TFC stages.ConclusionsOur results suggest that the UHDRS‐FAP motor score might differentiate better between patients with severe Huntington's disease than the UHDRS motor score. Therefore, the UHDRS‐FAP motor score is potentially a better instrument than the UHDRS motor score to improve disease monitoring and, subsequently, care in patients with advanced Huntington's disease in long‐term care facilities.
The radiation oncology ontology (ROO): Publishing linked data in radiation oncology using semantic web and ontology techniques
Authors: Traverso Alberto , van Soest Johan , Wee Leonard , Dekker Andre 
Published: August 2018

PurposePersonalized medicine is expected to yield improved health outcomes. Data mining over massive volumes of patients’ clinical data is an appealing, low‐cost and noninvasive approach toward personalization. Machine learning algorithms could be trained over clinical “big data” to build prediction models for personalized therapy. To reach this goal, a scalable “big data” architecture for the medical domain becomes essential, based on data standardization to transform clinical data into FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) data. Using Ontologies and Semantic Web technologies, we attempt to reach mentioned goal.MethodsWe developed an ontology to be used in the field of radiation oncology to map clinical data from relational databases. We combined ontology with semantic Web techniques to publish mapped data and easily query them using SPARQL.ResultsThe Radiation Oncology Ontology (ROO) contains 1,183 classes and 211 properties between classes to represent clinical data (and their relationships) in the radiation oncology domain following FAIR principles. We combined the ontology with Semantic Web technologies showing how to efficiently and easily integrate and query data from different (relational database) sources without a priori knowledge of their structures.DiscussionWhen clinical FAIR data sources are combined (linked data) using mentioned technologies, new relationships between entities are created and discovered, representing a dynamic body of knowledge that is continuously accessible and increasing.
High‐molecular‐weight poly(1,2‐propylene succinate): A soft biobased polyester applicable as an effective modifier of poly(l‐Lactide)
Authors: Nishiwaki Yasumasa , Kimura Yoshiharu , Masutani Kazunari , Lee Chan‐Woo 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACTPoly(1,2‐propylene succinate) (PPS) having high molecular weight can be synthesized by multi‐step melt‐polycondensation of succinic acid (SA) and 1,2‐propylene glycol (PG) with various catalysts. The first step is noncatalytic esterification/oligomerization of the two monomers, followed by the second step of catalytic melt‐polycondensation. In this step, co‐catalyst systems of Zn(AcO)2/Ge(OBu)4 and Zn(AcO)2/Ti(BuO)4 are effective for obtaining PPS having middle molecular weights (>10.0 kDa). This middle‐molecular‐weight PPS is chain‐elongated in the third‐step polycondensation with Zn(AcO)2 as the catalyst to obtain a molecular weight reaching 120 kDa. As verified by 1H‐ and 13C‐NMR spectra combined with two‐dimensional experiments, PPS has a ω‐bis‐hydroxy structure where the PG units leave the secondary hydroxyl terminals in larger ratio than the primary hydroxyl terminals. The PPS polymers are amorphous in nature, showing Tg around −4 °C. PPS can be solution‐ and melt‐blended with poly(l‐lactide) (PLLA). By melt‐blending a high‐molecular‐weight PPS in an amount of 7.5–15 wt %, the modulus of the PLLA films decreases below 2000 MPa and the tear strength increases twice, supporting the effectiveness of PPS polymer in imparting flexible nature to PLLA. PPS polymers can therefore be applicable as elastomeric or flexible plastic modifiers having a 100 % biobased content. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 1795–1805
Study of Diels–Alder reactions between furan and maleimide model compounds and the preparation of a healable thermo‐reversible polyurethane
Authors: Truong Thuy Thu , Nguyen Ha Tran , Phan Man Ngoc , Nguyen Le‐Thu T. 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACTA study of the reactions between various furan and maleimide model compounds and the effects of reaction conditions was performed, allowing for a proper design and preparation of a thermo‐reversible polyurethane (PU) material crosslinked via Diels–Alder (DA) bonds. Thus, a linear polyurethane containing furan groups along the main chain was synthesized and crosslinked with a bismaleimide by means of DA reaction. The obtained thermoset exhibited thermo‐reversibility as evidenced by DSC and FTIR microscopy, providing the material recyclability and scratch healability. Optical microscopy, SEM and tensile analysis of a scratched PU film revealed that efficient scratch healing was enabled by heating at 110 °C for 30 min and subsequently keeping at room temperature for 24 h, resulting in an approximately 80% recovery of the pristine mechanical strength. This material is a promising candidate for the development of self‐healing coatings. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 1806–1814
A new design of cleavable acetal‐containing amphiphilic block copolymers triggered by light
Authors: Huang Yu , Thanneeru Srinivas , Zhang Qian , He Jie 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACTWe report a new design of photolabile acetal‐containing amphiphilic block copolymers. Acetals as protecting groups for carbonyls or diols can be hydrolyzed under acidic condition but very stable with respect to hydrolysis at pH > 7. When combining light‐capturing chromophores with acetals, the hydrolysis of acetals can be activated by light to design dual responsive acetal‐containing polymers. Using acetalization reaction of 2,3‐dihydroxypropyl methacrylate with benzaldehyde derivatives, two new acetal‐containing photolyzable monomers have been designed. Comparable to commonly used photolabile monomers containing nitrobenzyl esters, the two acetal‐containing monomers are easy to polymerize using atom transfer radical polymerization with excellent molecular weight and dispersity control. We studied the cleavage kinetics and mechanism of acetal groups in both monomers and polyethylene oxide (PEO)‐containing amphiphilic block copolymers using 1H NMR and UV–vis spectroscopy. o‐Nitrobenzaldehyde acetal showed a Norrish Type II rearrangement to form benzoic ester; while, 2,5‐dimethoxy benzaldehyde acetal was photolabile to completely release 2,3‐dihydroxypropyl methacrylate. The photocleavage of acetals is a zero‐order reaction in regardless of molecular states of acetals; while, the acid‐cleavage of acetals proves to be a first‐order kinetics and the cleavage becomes much slower for polymers. The self‐assembly of acetal‐containing amphiphilic block copolymers and the acid‐/light‐controlled dissociation of their vesicles have been investigated. We demonstrate that those acetal‐containing polymers are potentially useful as smart drug delivery systems where the release kinetics of payloads is tunable using light and pH as triggers. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 1815–1824
Crosslinker free thermally induced crosslinking of hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber
Authors: Verdier Nina , Lepage David , Prébé Arnaud , Aymé‐Perrot David , Dollé Mickaël , Rochefort Dominic 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACTHydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubbers (HNBRs) are hydrogenated copolymers of acrylonitrile and butadiene, which are often used in composites or polymer blends. These copolymers are usually cured with peroxides or vulcanized with sulfur to reinforce their mechanical resistance and improve their chemical stability. However, using such crosslinking reagents can be problematic for high value systems where residual H2O2 or S can be detrimental for the application. To address this limitation, we studied the thermally induced crosslinking of HNBR at high temperature (240 °C) with oxygen. To understand the impact of conditions (temperature, time, and atmosphere) on the chemical structure and the mechanical properties of HNBR, different thermal treatments were investigated. We show that HNBR forms a ladder structure during treatment in the presence of O2 which result in a reinforcement of the elastomer. Tensile tests and DSC show both alkene and nitrile moieties are involved in the reaction, leading to a mechanical resistance comparable with a HNBR crosslinked with peroxides or sulfur. These findings will help achieving a better control on the crosslinking to provide HNBRs with desired properties. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 1825–1833
Synthesis of block copolymers comprised of poly(3‐hexylthiophene) segment with trisiloxane side chains and their application to organic thin film transistor
Authors: Miyane Satoshi , Wen Han‐Fang , Chen Wen‐Chang , Higashihara Tomoya 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACTThe demand of stretchability for a semiconducting polymer has increased to realize wearable devices and sensors. However, studies involving intrinsically stretchable π‐conjugated polymers are still limited. Here, we develop a soft‐polythiophene derivative, P3SiHT, with a trisiloxane unit in the side chains via a hexylene spacer unit. In addition, diblock (P3HT‐b‐P3SiHT) and triblock (P3HT‐b‐P3SiHT‐b‐P3HT) copolymers could be synthesized based on Kumada catalyst‐transfer polycondensation. The results of atomic force microscopy and grazing incidence small‐angle X‐ray scattering indicate that the block copolymer thin films form a phase‐separated structure between the P3HT and P3SiHT domains. The organic thin film transistor devices were prepared to assess the electrical properties of the block polymers. As a result, the block copolymers showed comparable or even higher hole mobility than that of P3HT homopolymer, thus due to the enhanced phase‐separation and thereby charge transportation. The mechanical test of the bulk films indicates that P3HT‐b‐P3SiHT‐b‐P3HT shows lower tensile modulus and longer elongation at break than P3HT homopolymer and other diblock copolymers. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 1787–1794
Preparation of linear and hyperbranched fluorinated poly(aryl ether‐thioether) through para‐fluoro‐thiol click reaction
Authors: Baysak Elif , Tunca Umit , Hizal Gurkan , Durmaz Hakan 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACTThe para‐fluoro‐thiol “click” reaction (PFTCR) was utilized to prepare linear and hyperbranched fluorinated poly (aryl ether‐thioether). For this purpose, 1,2‐bis(perfluorophenoxy)ethane was prepared and reacted with 1,6‐hexandithiol and trimethylolpropane tris(3‐mercaptopropionate), respectively. While hyperbranched polymers were prepared using 0.5 M concentrations of starting materials at room temperature, the linear polymer syntheses were performed at different reaction temperatures and concentrations. The resulting polymers were mainly characterized by NMR measurements and a very distinct fluorine signals regarding meta‐ and ortho‐ positions in the 19F NMR were found for both polymer topologies. In addition to NMR analyses, both linear and hyperbranched polymers were further characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 1853–1859