bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The clinical significance of interleukin‐6 in heart failure: results from the BIOSTAT‐CHF study
Authors: Markousis‐Mavrogenis George , Tromp Jasper , Ouwerkerk Wouter , Devalaraja Matt , Anker Stefan D. , Cleland John G. , Dickstein Kenneth , Filippatos Gerasimos S. , van der Harst Pim , Lang Chim C. , Metra Marco , Ng Leong L. , Ponikowski Piotr , Samani Nilesh J , Zannad Faiez , Zwinderman Aeilko H. , Hillege Hans L. , van Veldhuisen Dirk J. , Kakkar Rahul , Voors Adriaan A. , van der Meer Peter 
Published: May 2019

AimsInflammation is a central process in the pathophysiology of heart failure (HF), but trials targeting tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α were largely unsuccessful. Interleukin (IL)‐6 is an important inflammatory mediator and might constitute a potential pharmacologic target in HF. However, little is known regarding the association between IL‐6 and clinical characteristics, outcomes and other inflammatory biomarkers in HF. We thus aimed to identify and characterize these associations.Methods and resultsInterleukin‐6 was measured in 2329 patients [89.4% with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 40%] of the BIOSTAT‐CHF cohort. The primary outcome was all‐cause mortality and HF hospitalization during 2 years, with all‐cause, cardiovascular (CV), and non‐CV death as secondary outcomes. Approximately half (56%) of all included patients had plasma IL‐6 values greater than the previously determined 95th percentile of normal values at baseline. Elevated N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide, procalcitonin and hepcidin, younger age, TNF‐α/IL‐1‐related biomarkers, or having iron deficiency, atrial fibrillation and LVEF > 40% independently predicted elevated IL‐6 levels. IL‐6 independently predicted the primary outcome [HR (95% confidence interval) per doubling: 1.16 (1.11–1.21), P < 0.001], all‐cause mortality [1.22 (1.16–1.29), P < 0.001] and CV as well as non‐CV mortality [1.16 (1.09–1.24), P < 0.001; 1.31 (1.18–1.45), P < 0.001], but did not improve discrimination in previously published risk models.ConclusionsIn a large, heterogeneous cohort of HF patients, elevated IL‐6 levels were found in more than 50% of patients and were associated with iron deficiency, reduced LVEF, atrial fibrillation and poorer clinical outcomes. These findings warrant further investigation of IL‐6 as a potential therapeutic target in specific HF subpopulations.
High Quality Oil Extracted from Sardine By‐Products as an Alternative to Whole Sardines: Production and Refining
Authors: Soldo Barbara , Šimat Vida , Vlahović Jelena , Skroza Danijela , Ljubenkov Ivica , Generalić Mekinić Ivana 
Published: May 2019

Sardine (S) and sardine by‐product (SBP) oils are produced and refined in the interest of grading the potential by‐products as raw materials for the production of fish oil high in both quality and nutritional value. The oils are compared throughout different stages of refining in terms of free fatty acid (FFA), peroxide (PV), p‐anisidine (pAV), total oxidation (TOTOX), thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS), tocopherol content, fatty acid profile, and volatile components. The results of quality parameters FFA, PV, pAV, TOTOX, and TBARS of crude S are determined as 3.13% oleic acid, 5.91 meq O2/kg, 18.46, 30.29 and 1.27 µm g−1 while for SBP they were 2.94% oleic acid, 4.81 meq O2/kg, 17.66, 27.28, and 2.86 µm g−1, respectively. The refining enhances the quality parameters without a loss of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which are 39.5 and 40.46% in refined S and SBP oil, respectively. The nutritional n‐6/n‐3 is 0.09 in both oils. Volatile compounds of the oils are quantified (in mg kg−1) and the major components are 2,4‐heptadienal, pentadecane, 2,4‐decadienal, 2,4‐nonadienal, and docecane. The results clearly show that the sardine by‐products can be used as an alternative source of PUFAs, contributing to waste management and sustainable fisheries.Practical Application: The utilization of by‐products as a source of valuable compounds such as fish oil and omega‐3 will help improve waste management, allowing for fish the industry to benefit economically with isolated compounds having numerous applications in the food and feed production, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.Quality parameters, fatty acid composition and volatiles of oils produced from whole sardine and sardine canning industry by‐products are compared throughout production and chemical refining. A high potential of by‐products as raw materials for the production of fish oil high in both quality and nutritional value is demonstrated. Both oils have good quality characteristics which would ensure their competitiveness with commercial fish oils and could be used as a very good source of polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Comparison of the adsorption of H2S by ZnO–TiO2 and Ni–ZnO–TiO2 nanoparticles: An adsorption isotherm and thermodynamic study
Authors: Mohammadi Amir , Saadati Zohreh , Joohari Shiva 
Published: May 2019

AbstractNanoparticles were synthesized by the sol–gel method and evaluated for adsorption of hydrogen sulfide using a continuous fixed‐bed column. The effects of the parameters were examined, and the optimum values for nanoparticles were found to be mass of adsorbent 0.2 g, gas volume 5.7 L, flow rate 0.22 L min−1, and gas pressure 7 Psi at 12 °C. These conditions resulted in a maximum adsorption of H2S of 83.24% and 90.43% for ZnO–TiO2 and Ni–ZnO–TiO2 nanoparticles, respectively. The equilibrium data were best represented by the Freundlich isotherm. The thermodynamic parameters indicated that the adsorption was spontaneous and exothermic in nature.
Weight-of-Evidence Approach for Assessing Removal of Metals from the Water Column for Chronic Environmental Hazard Classification
Authors: Burton G. Allen , Hudson Michelle L. , Huntsman Philippa , Carbonaro Richard F. , Rader Kevin J. , Waeterschoot Hugo , Baken Stijn , Garman Emily 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
The United Nations and the European Union have developed guidelines for the assessment of long-term (chronic) chemical environmental hazards. This approach recognizes that these hazards are often related to spillage of chemicals into freshwater environments. The goal of the present study was to examine the concept of metal ion removal from the water column in the context of hazard assessment and classification. We propose a weight-of-evidence approach that assesses several aspects of metals including the intrinsic properties of metals, the rate at which metals bind to particles in the water column and settle, the transformation of metals to nonavailable and nontoxic forms, and the potential for remobilization of metals from sediment. We developed a test method to quantify metal removal in aqueous systems: the extended transformation/dissolution protocol (T/DP-E). The method is based on that of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The key element of the protocol extension is the addition of substrate particles (as found in nature), allowing the removal processes to occur. The present study focused on extending this test to support the assessment of metal removal from aqueous systems, equivalent to the concept of “degradability” for organic chemicals. Although the technical aspects of our proposed method are different from the OECD method for organics, its use for hazard classification is equivalent. Models were developed providing mechanistic insight into processes occurring during the T/DP-E method. Some metals, such as copper, rapidly decreased (within 96 h) under the 70% threshold criterion, whereas others, such as strontium, did not. A variety of method variables were evaluated and optimized to allow for a reproducible, realistic hazard classification method that mimics reasonable worst-case scenarios. We propose that this method be standardized for OECD hazard classification via round robin (ring) testing to ascertain its intra- and interlaboratory variability. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:1839–1849. © 2019 SETAC.
Performance of Three-Dimensional Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Hepatocyte Spheroids for Evaluating Biotransformation of Pyrene
Authors: Hultman Maria Therese , Løken Katharina Bjarnar , Grung Merete , Reid Malcolm J. , Lillicrap Adam 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
The aquatic bioconcentration of a chemical is typically determined using conventional fish tests. To foster the approach of alternatives to animal testing, a combination of computational models and in vitro substrate depletion bioassays (e.g., primary hepatocytes) can be used. One recently developed in vitro assay is the three-dimensional (3D) hepatic spheroid model from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the metabolic competence of the 3D spheroids from rainbow trout when exposed to pyrene, using 2 different sampling procedures (SP1 and SP2). The results were compared with previously published intrinsic clearance (CL) results from S9 fractions and primary hepatocyte assays. Extraction of pyrene using SP1 suggested that the spheroids had depleted 33% of the pyrene within 4 h of exposure, reducing to 91% after 30 h. However, when applying SP2 a substantial amount (36%) of the pyrene was bound to the exposure vial within 2 h, decreasing after 6 h of exposure. Formation of hydroxypyrene-glucuronide (OH-PYR-Glu) was obtained throughout the study, displaying the metabolic competence of the 3D spheroids. The 2 sampling procedures yielded different CLin vitro, where pyrene depletion using SP2 was very similar to published studies using primary hepatocytes. The 3D spheroids demonstrated reproducibile, log-linear biotransformation of pyrene and displayed formation of OH-PYR-Glu, indicating their metabolic competence for 30 h or more. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:1738–1747. © 2019 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC.
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) spheroids efficiently depleted pyrene (PYR) between 0–30 h. The intrinsic clearance (CL) rate was comparable with previous published data for cryopreserved hepatocytes. k = rate constant.
Supporting multiattribute decisions in scenario planning using a simple method based on ranks
Authors: Goodwin Paul 
Published: May 2019

AbstractA neglected area of scenario planning is the provision of support for strategic decisions that involve multiple attributes. When the number of scenarios and attributes is large, conventional multiattribute decision analysis methods require the elicitation of a large number of values and weights, which can be demanding and time consuming for decision makers. This paper examines the effectiveness of using a simple approximation to the simple multiattribute rating method (SMART) that is based purely on the ranking of options and attributes. The method was tested on 250,000 simulated decision problems and was found to perform well when assessed on the basis of its hit rate (the percentage of times it identified the same best option as SMART) and the utility loss resulting from the approximation. In large problems, where simplifications are likely to be most useful, it outperformed an alternative approximation method, SMARTER, which is more complex to apply, and it was almost as effective as SMARTER on smaller problems.
Novel oleogel formulation based on amaranth oil: Physicochemical characterization
Authors: Kamali Elahe , Sahari Mohammad Ali , Barzegar Mohsen , Ahmadi Gavlighi Hassan 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThis study aims to investigate the characteristics of oleogel (OG) produced from amaranth oil at four concentrations of 7%, 9%, 10%, and 12% of the monoglyceride (MG). The physicochemical and structural aspects were performed by using pulsed nuclear magnetic resonance, differential scanning calorimetry, X‐ray diffraction, and gas chromatography. The results show that oleogels (OGs) had higher oxidative stability during storage at ambient temperature in comparison with amaranth oil. Moreover, polarized optical microscopy revealed that an increase in percentage of the oleogelator leads to the formation of needle‐shaped crystals followed by oil entrapment. Also, MG improves the solid content of amaranth oil from 0.5% to 11% and creates a solid structure in spite of the low solid fat as compared to cocoa butter (CB) (82%), as control sample. Crystals similar to CB were also observed when evaluating the crystalline structure of the OG. The fatty acid ratio and the essential linoleic fatty acid were preserved in the OG by only 2%–6% reduction.
Integrative analysis of Dupuytren's disease identifies novel risk locus and reveals a shared genetic etiology with BMI
Authors: Major Megan , Freund Malika K. , Burch Kathryn S. , Mancuso Nicholas , Ng Michael , Furniss Dominic , Pasaniuc Bogdan , Ophoff Roel A. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractDupuytren's disease is a common inherited tissue‐specific fibrotic disorder, characterized by progressive and irreversible fibroblastic proliferation affecting the palmar fascia of the hand. Although genome‐wide association study (GWAS) have identified 24 genomic regions associated with Dupuytrens risk, the biological mechanisms driving signal at these regions remain elusive. We identify potential biological mechanisms for Dupuytren's disease by integrating the most recent, largest GWAS (3,871 cases and 4,686 controls) with eQTLs (47 tissue panels from five consortia, total n = 3,975) to perform a transcriptome‐wide association study. We identify 43 tissue‐specific gene associations with Dupuytren's risk, including one in a novel risk region. We also estimate the genome‐wide genetic correlation between Dupuytren's disease and 45 complex traits and find significant genetic correlations between Dupuytren's disease and body mass index (BMI), type II diabetes, triglycerides, and high‐density lipoprotein (HDL), suggesting a shared genetic etiology between these traits. We further examine local genetic correlation to identify 8 and 3 novel regions significantly correlated with BMI and HDL respectively. Our results are consistent with previous epidemiological findings showing that lower BMI increases risk for Dupuytren's disease. These 12 novel risk regions provide new insight into the biological mechanisms of Dupuytren's disease and serve as a starting point for functional validation.
Hospital readmission in persons with dementia: A systematic review
Authors: Ma Chenjuan , Bao Silin , Dull Peter , Wu Bei , Yu Fang 
Published: May 2019

ObjectiveHospital readmission in persons with dementia is becoming a critical safety and cost issue. The purpose of this review is to systematically assess published evidence on hospital readmissions in persons with dementia, including rate, clinical reasons, risk factors, and prevention programs.MethodsA systematic review of relevant literature was conducted. Literature were searched in PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Embase as well as hand searching. Quality of reviewed studies were assessed independently by reviewers using quality assessment checklists.ResultsNineteen studies met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. In persons with dementia, all‐cause 30‐day readmission rate was most frequently reported and ranged from 7% to 35%. Compared with those without dementia, persons with dementia had significantly higher rate of readmission. Reported risk factors of readmission varied across studies from patient sociodemographic and clinical status, history of health care utilization, to family caregivers. Reasons for readmission were rarely documented. Programs of home‐based individualized care and interdisciplinary team care were used for preventing readmissions. Findings from some of the studies were limited by small sample sizes, single data source, and other methodologic flaws.ConclusionsPersons with dementia are at high risk for hospital readmission, but many of the readmissions are potentially preventable. Multiple strategies such like identifying high‐risk individuals and the clinical reasons for index admission and readmission and implementing home‐based individualized care by interdisciplinary team can reduce preventable hospital readmissions. Future studies should use multiple national data sources and advanced methodology to identify risk factors and clinical reasons of hospital readmissions.
Barriers to the implementation of clinical guidelines for maternal alcohol consumption in antenatal services: A survey using the theoretical domains framework
Authors: Doherty Emma , Kingsland Melanie , Wiggers John , Anderson Amy E. , Elliott Elizabeth J. , Symonds Ian , Tully Belinda , Dray Julia , Wolfenden Luke 
Published: May 2019

AbstractIssue addressedThe aim of this study was to assess potential barriers to the implementation of clinical guideline recommendations regarding maternal alcohol consumption by antenatal clinicians and managers.MethodsCross‐sectional surveys of antenatal clinicians and managers employed in a New South Wales Local Health District were undertaken. Survey items were developed based on 11 domains of the Theoretical Domains Framework. Consistent with previous studies, a cut point of less than 4 was applied to mean values of survey items (range: 1‐5) to identify domains representing barriers to the implementation.ResultsThirty‐three antenatal clinicians and eight managers completed the surveys. For clinicians, the domains with the lowest mean values included “environmental context and resources” (ie, complexity of appointments and availability of supporting systems) (mean: 3.13, SD: 0.93); “social influences” (ie, expectations of others that alcohol will be addressed) (mean: 3.33, SD: 0.68); “beliefs about capabilities” (ie, confidence in providing guideline recommendations) (mean: 3.51, SD: 0.67); and “behavioural regulation” (ie, planning and responding to feedback) (mean: 3.53, SD: 0.64). For managers, “emotion regulation” (ie, stress in managing change) (mean: 2.13, SD: 0.64) and “environmental context and resources” (ie, complexities of managing change) (mean: 3.13, SD: 0.83) were the lowest scoring domains.ConclusionsThe antenatal service environment and availability of resources appear to be primary barriers to both clinicians and managers implementing guidelines for maternal alcohol consumption.So what?In the development of interventions to support the delivery of clinical guideline recommendations addressing alcohol consumption during pregnancy, a broad range of potential barriers at both the clinician and manager levels need to be considered and targeted by effective implementation strategies.
“What support would you find helpful?” The relationship between treatment expectations, therapeutic engagement, and clinical outcomes in parent–infant psychotherapy
Authors: Ransley Rachel , Sleed Michelle , Baradon Tessa , Fonagy Peter 
Published: May 2019

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to investigate the impact of pretreatment expectations on clinical outcomes and engagement in Parent–Infant Psychotherapy (PIP). Sixty‐one mothers who were experiencing mental health difficulties and who were receiving PIP with their young infants participated in the study. A mixed‐methodology was used to examine participants’ expectations through transformation content analysis of pretreatment interviews; recurring themes were classified and quantified. Further statistical analyses explored relationships between the quantified themes of parental expectations and clinical outcomes and engagement in treatment. No significant correlation was found between expectations and engagement. One of the six clinical outcomes significantly correlated with parental expectations. Improved reflective functioning (RF) was predicted by participants describing expectations of wanting to improve their parent–infant relationship through the treatment, and expressing concerns about discussing their past experiences. These two expectations predicted improvements in RF independently and when combined. These results indicate that PIP may be more effective for some mothers than others and that assessing future clients’ expectations before beginning PIP may be beneficial.
The (Mis)match Between Sub‐Baccalaureate Credentials and Middle‐Skill Jobs: A Community College Spatial Research Agenda
Authors: Rios‐Aguilar Cecilia , Wells Ryan , Bills David , Lopez Diana D. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThis chapter urges researchers to use a “spatial lens” to identify mismatches between educational offerings and the local labor market for middle‐skill careers. Students who are unlikely to relocate for a job will benefit from occupational credentials aligned with geographically local and available careers. The proposed spatial research agenda offers examples of how institutional researchers may explore the link between education, employment, and place to improve outcomes for community college students.
Contrast of nuclei in stratified squamous epithelium in optical coherence tomography images at 800 nm
Authors: Chen Si , Liu Xinyu , Wang Nanshuo , Ding Qianshan , Wang Xianghong , Ge Xin , Bo En , Yu Xiaojun , Yu Honggang , Xu Chenjie , Liu Linbo 
Published: May 2019

AbstractImaging nuclei of keratinocytes in the stratified squamous epithelium has been a subject of intense research since nucleus associated cellular atypia is the key criteria for the screening and diagnosis of epithelial cancers and their precursors. However, keratinocyte nuclei have been reported to be either low scattering or high scattering, so that these inconsistent reports might have led to misinterpretations of optical images, and more importantly, hindered the establishment of optical diagnostic criteria. We disclose that they are generally low scattering in the core using Micro‐optical coherence tomography (μOCT) of 1.28‐μm axial resolution in vivo; those previously reported “high scattering” or “bright” signals from nuclei are likely from the nucleocytoplasmic boundary, and the low‐scattering nuclear cores were missed possibly due to insufficient axial resolutions (~4μm). It is further demonstrated that the high scattering signals may be associated with flattening of nuclei and cytoplasmic glycogen accumulation, which are valuable cytologic hallmarks of cell maturation.
Mechanical properties of the pectin hydrogels and inflammation response to their subcutaneous implantation
Authors: Markov Pavel A. , Khramova Darya S. , Shumikhin Konstantin V. , Nikitina Ida R. , Beloserov Vladislav S. , Martinson Ekaterina A. , Litvinets Sergey G. , Popov Sergey V. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractWe studied the influence of the mechanical properties of pectin hydrogels on acute inflammation and tissue repair after subcutaneous implantation. We used hard and soft pectin hydrogels. The results of histology and the analysis of serum‐level cytokines demonstrated that the intensity of acute inflammation increased with increasing hardness of the pectin hydrogels. We also showed that the pectin hydrogels did not inhibit tissue repair. The results of the morphometric and texture analysis of the pectin hydrogels showed that the in vivo biodegradation kinetics of hard hydrogels were greater than those of soft pectin hydrogels. We also observed that on the surface of the hard and soft pectin hydrogels, a network of collagen fibers was formed. The surface of the pectin hydrogel was shown to prevent the adhesion of infiltrating inflammatory cells. The results of the in vitro experiments demonstrated that pectin hydrogels inhibited the functional activity of macrophages and minimally activated the complement system. Therefore, we showed that soft pectin hydrogels have low proinflammatory potential and can be used in surgery as a barrier material as prevention of adhesions in the abdominal cavity. The hard pectin hydrogel can be used in tissue engineering. The hard pectin hydrogels can be used in the reconstruction of skin because are overpopulated with collagen fibers and contribute to the formation of new connective tissue, their elasticity is comparable to the skin and can be adjusted. They are biodegradable, and no additional manipulation is required to remove them.