bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prospective evaluation of MRI compared with CT for the etiology of abdominal pain in emergency department patients with concern for appendicitis
Authors: Harringa John B. , Bracken Rebecca L. , Davis John C. , Mao Lu , Kitchin Douglas R. , Robbins Jessica B. , Ziemlewicz Timothy J. , Pickhardt Perry J. , Reeder Scott B. , Repplinger Michael D. 
Published: March 2019

BackgroundComputed tomography (CT) is commonly used in the Emergency Department (ED) to evaluate patients with abdominal pain, but exposes them to ionizing radiation, a possible carcinogen. MRI does not utilize ionizing radiation and may be an alternative.PurposeTo compare the sensitivity of MRI and CT for acute abdominopelvic ED diagnoses.Study TypeProspective, observational cohort.PopulationED patients ≥12 years old and undergoing CT for possible appendicitis.Field Strength/Sequence1.5 T MRI, including T1‐weighted, T2‐weighted, and diffusion‐weighted imaging sequences.AssessmentThree radiologists independently interpreted each MRI and CT image set separately and blindly, using a standard case report form. Assessments included likelihood of appendicitis, presence of an alternative diagnosis, and likelihood that the alternative diagnosis was causing the patient's symptoms. An expert panel utilized chart review and follow‐up phone interviews to determine all final diagnoses. Times to complete image acquisition and image interpretation were also calculated.Statistical TestsSensitivity was calculated for each radiologist and by consensus (≥2 radiologists in agreement) and are reported as point estimates with 95% confidence intervals. Two‐sided hypothesis tests comparing the sensitivities of the three image types were conducted using Pearson's chi‐squared test with the traditional significance level of P = 0.05.ResultsThere were 15 different acute diagnoses identified on the CT/MR images of 113 patients. Using individual radiologist interpretations, the sensitivities of noncontrast‐enhanced MRI (NCE‐MR), contrast‐enhanced MR (CE‐MR), and CT for any acute diagnosis were 77.0% (72.6–81.4%), 84.2% (80.4–88.0%), and 88.7% (85.5–92.1%). Sensitivity of consensus reads was 82.0% (74.9–88.9%), 87.1% (81.0–93.2%), 92.2% (87.3–97.1%), respectively. There was no difference in sensitivities between CE‐MR and CT by individual (P = 0.096) or consensus interpretations (P = 0.281), although NCE‐MR was inferior to CT in both modes of analysis (P < 0.001, P = 0.031, respectively).Data ConclusionThe sensitivity of CE‐MR was similar to CT when diagnosing acute, nontraumatic abdominopelvic pathology in our cohort.Level of Evidence: 2Technical Efficacy: Stage 2J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;50:1651–1658.
Acute intranasal osteopontin treatment in male rats following TBI increases the number of activated microglia but does not alter lesion characteristics
Authors: Jullienne Amandine , Hamer Mary , Haddad Elizabeth , Morita Alexander , Gifford Peter , Hartman Richard , Pearce William J. , Tang Jiping , Zhang John H. , Obenaus Andre 
Published: March 2019

AbstractIntranasal recombinant osteopontin (OPN) has been shown to be neuroprotective in different models of acquired brain injury but has never been tested after traumatic brain injury (TBI). We used a model of moderate‐to‐severe controlled cortical impact in male adult Sprague Dawley rats and tested our hypothesis that OPN treatment would improve neurological outcomes, lesion and brain tissue characteristics, neuroinflammation, and vascular characteristics at 1 day post‐injury. Intranasal OPN administered 1 hr after the TBI did not improve neurological score, lesion volumes, blood–brain barrier, or vascular characteristics. When assessing neuroinflammation, we did not observe any effect of OPN on the astrocyte reactivity but discovered an increased number of activated microglia within the ipsilateral hemisphere. Moreover, we found a correlation between edema and heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) expression which was decreased in OPN‐treated animals, suggesting an effect of OPN on the HO‐1 response to injury. Thus, OPN may increase or accelerate the microglial response after TBI, and early response of HO‐1 in modulating edema formation may limit the secondary consequences of TBI at later time points. Additional experiments and at longer time points are needed to determine if intranasal OPN could potentially be used as a treatment after TBI where it might be beneficial by activating protective signaling pathways.
Chitosan–Quercetin Bioconjugate as Multi‐Functional Component of Antioxidants and Dual‐Responsive Hydrogel Networks
Authors: Cirillo Giuseppe , Curcio Manuela , Spizzirri Umile Gianfranco , Vittorio Orazio , Valli Emanuele , Farfalla Annafranca , Leggio Antonella , Nicoletta Fiore Pasquale , Iemma Francesca 
Published: March 2019

AbstractMultifunctional hydrogels based on chitosan–quercetin (CHITQ) conjugate are prepared by a thermo‐induced radical procedure in the presence of N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm), acrylamide (AAm), and N,N′‐methylenebis(acrylamide) (MEBA). At first, quercetin (Q) is grafted onto chitosan backbone with a functionalization degree of 275 mg of Q per gram of conjugate, as calculated by 1H‐NMR analyses to impart antioxidant properties to the polysaccharide. Then, a pH and temperature sensitive hydrogel was obtained by involving CHITQ and NIPAAm in the polymerization reaction. The accessibility of phenolic moieties is modified in response to the hydrogel swelling/deswelling, as confirmed by antioxidant tests performed at different temperatures. Dual stimuli‐responsive hydrogels are proposed for the delivery of caffeine as model drug. The release profiles of caffeine depict a system particularly performing as on/off device at acidic pH with excellent applicability prospects.
Improving Interfacial and Compressive Properties of Aramid by Synchronously Grafting and Crosslinking
Authors: Dai Yu , Feng Jiabao , Meng Chenbo , Luo Longbo , Qin Jiaqiang , Liu Xiangyang 
Published: March 2019

AbstractImproving compressive strength of aramid and its adhesion to resin is of great significance for its application in reinforcing materials. In this study, a novel method for improving interfacial and compressive properties of aramid fiber is presented. α,α′‐Dichloro‐p‐xylene (DCX) is utilized as an external crosslinker to modify aramid fiber containing benzimidazole units during the post swelling process. Chloromethyl groups from DCX can react with benzimidazole moieties of the aramid fiber. The reaction can be regarded as crosslinking inside the fiber and grafting on the surface. By controlling the swelling effect of the solvent during modification, bulk crosslinking degree and surface grafting density can be adjusted. Therefore, intermolecular interaction and surface polarity of the aramid fiber can be improved simultaneously. After modification, the compressive strength of the fiber can be enhanced by nearly 100% and interfacial shear strength increases by 37%, while excellent mechanical properties are maintained. Therefore, comprehensive performance of aramid fiber can be improved significantly by synchronously crosslinking and grafting.
Reprocessable and Multiple Shape Memory Thermosets with Reconfigurability
Authors: Wang Yongwei , Pan Yi , Zheng Zhaohui , Ding Xiaobin 
Published: March 2019

AbstractMultiple shape memory thermosets for various engineering applications have been quickly developed in recent years, mainly due to their stable thermomechanical performance, environmental stability, excellent chemical, solvent resistance, etc. However, these thermosets are inherently non‐recyclable due to their chemically crosslinked properties, and it is difficult to make the permanent shapes of these thermosets sophisticated and geometrically complex, which significantly restricts a great variety of engineering applications in the industry and technology fields, mainly due to the economic inefficiency and environmental impact. Here, a thermoset with recyclability, multiple shape memory effect (multi‐SME), and permanent shape reconfiguration is reported. After recycling, it also exhibits excellent mechanical properties without sacrificing the excellent multi‐SME, combined elasticity (shape memory), and solid state plasticity, which can be easily scaled up and generalized to a variety of dynamic covalent networks.
Self‐Assembly of Giant Polymer Vesicles by Light‐Assisted Solid Hydration
Authors: Caire da Silva Lucas , Rideau Emeline , Landfester Katharina 
Published: March 2019

AbstractAn amphiphilic copolymer containing a terminal spiropyran (P‐SP) forms giant polymer vesicles when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. The process involves photoisomerization of the spiropyran to the corresponding hydrophilic merocyanine isomer, which significantly improves the efficiency of film hydration and facilitates the self‐assembly of the polymer in water. Giant vesicles formed by light‐assisted hydration have diameters ranging from 5 to 25 micrometers, and can be observed and quantified by confocal fluorescence microscopy. Rapid and efficient formation of giant vesicles only occur during exposure of P‐SP to UV light and within the area delimited by the light beam. Light‐assisted hydration offers high spatial and temporal control over vesicle formation, conditions not easily fulfilled by other techniques.
Aminal Protection of Epoxide Monomer Permits the Introduction of Multiple Secondary Amine Moieties at Poly(ethylene glycol)
Authors: Blankenburg Jan , Frey Holger 
Published: March 2019

AbstractIn contrast to acetal groups, aminal moieties are almost unknown in polymer chemistry. The aminal‐protected isopropyl‐hexahydro‐pyrimidine glycidyl amine (PyGA) for the anionic ring‐opening polymerization (AROP) is introduced. The monomer is prepared in a two‐step synthesis and can be polymerized in a well‐controlled manner under AROP conditions. Several poly(ethylene glycol) block and triblock copolymers are synthesized in a molecular weight range from 2 700 to 11 400 g mol−1 with up to 11 mol% PyGA. The molecular weight distributions are monomodal with low dispersity (Đ = Mw/Mn) below 1.2. After the polymerization, the acid‐labile hexahydro‐pyrimidine rings can be conveniently cleaved in acidic media, liberating two secondary amines per PyGA monomer unit. The released 1,3‐diamine functionalities can be addressed via post‐polymerization modification and show complexation of copper(II) ions in aqueous solution. The compounds are promising for water‐soluble catalyst systems, the removal of transition metals from water, and as a building block for complexing polyethers for biomedical application.
In vivo binding of a tau imaging probe, [11C]PBB3, in patients with progressive supranuclear palsy
Authors: Endo Hironobu , Shimada Hitoshi , Sahara Naruhiko , Ono Maiko , Koga Shunsuke , Kitamura Soichiro , Niwa Fumitoshi , Hirano Shigeki , Kimura Yasuyuki , Ichise Masanori , Shinotoh Hitoshi , Zhang Ming Rong , Kuwabara Satoshi , Dickson Dennis W. , Toda Tatsushi , Suhara Tetsuya , Higuchi Makoto 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBackground[11C]pyridinyl‐butadienyl‐benzothiazole 3 is a PET imaging agent designed for capturing pathological tau aggregates in diverse neurodegenerative disorders, and would be of clinical utility for neuropathological investigations of PSP.ObjectivesTo explore the usefulness of [11C]pyridinyl‐butadienyl‐benzothiazole 3/PET in assessing characteristic distributions of tau pathologies and their association with clinical symptoms in the brains of living PSP patients.MethodsWe assessed 13 PSP patients and 13 age‐matched healthy control subjects. Individuals negative for amyloid β PET with [11C]Pittsburgh compound B underwent clinical scoring, MR scans, and [11C]pyridinyl‐butadienyl‐benzothiazole 3/PET.ResultsThere were significant differences in binding potential for [11C]pyridinyl‐butadienyl‐benzothiazole 3 between PSP patients and healthy control subjects (P = 0.02). PSP patients exhibited greater radioligand retention than healthy control subjects in multiple brain regions, including frontoparietal white matter, parietal gray matter, globus pallidus, STN, red nucleus, and cerebellar dentate nucleus. [11C]pyridinyl‐butadienyl‐benzothiazole 3 deposition in frontoparietal white matter, but not gray matter, was correlated with general severity of parkinsonian and PSP symptoms, whereas both gray matter and white matter [11C]pyridinyl‐butadienyl‐benzothiazole 3 accumulations in the frontoparietal cortices were associated with nonverbal cognitive impairments. Autoradiographic and fluorescence labeling with pyridinyl‐butadienyl‐benzothiazole 3 was observed in gray matter and white matter of PSP motor cortex tissues.ConclusionsOur findings support the in vivo detectability of tau fibrils characteristic of PSP by [11C]pyridinyl‐butadienyl‐benzothiazole 3/PET, and imply distinct and synergistic contributions of gray matter and white matte tau pathologies to clinical symptoms. [11C]pyridinyl‐butadienyl‐benzothiazole 3/PET potentially provides a neuroimaging‐based index for the evolution of PSP tau pathologies promoting the deterioration of motor and cognitive functions. © 2019 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Expansion of the phenotypic spectrum and description of molecular findings in a cohort of patients with oculocutaneous mosaic RASopathies
Authors: Chacon‐Camacho Oscar F. , Lopez‐Moreno Daniel , Morales‐Sanchez Martha A. , Hofmann Enriqueta , Pacheco‐Quito Michelle , Wieland Ilse , Cortes‐Gonzalez Vianney , Villanueva‐Mendoza Cristina , Zenker Martin , Zenteno Juan Carlos 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBackgroundPostzygotic KRAS, HRAS, NRAS, and FGFR1 mutations result in a group of mosaic RASopathies characterized by related developmental anomalies in eye, skin, heart, and brain. These oculocutaneous disorders include oculoectodermal syndrome (OES) encephalo‐cranio‐cutaneous lipomatosis (ECCL), and Schimmelpenning‐Feuerstein‐Mims syndrome (SFMS). Here, we report the results of the clinical and molecular characterization of a novel cohort of patients with oculocutaneous mosaic RASopathies.MethodsTwo OES, two ECCL, and two SFMS patients were ascertained in the study. In addition, two subjects with unilateral isolated epibulbar dermoids were also enrolled. Molecular analysis included PCR amplification and Sanger sequencing of KRAS, HRAS, NRAS, and FGFR1 genes in DNA obtained from biopsies (skin/epibulbar dermoids), buccal mucosa, and blood leukocytes. Massive parallel sequencing was employed in two cases with low‐level mosaicism.ResultsIn DNA from biopsies, mosaicism for pathogenic variants, including KRAS p.Ala146Thr in two OES subjects, FGFR1 p.Asn546Lys and KRAS p.Ala146Val in ECCL patients, and KRAS p.Gly12Asp in both SFMS patients, was demonstrated. No mutations were shown in DNA from conjunctival lesions in two subjects with isolated epibubar dermoids.ConclusionOur study allowed the expansion of the clinical spectrum of mosaic RASopathies and supports that mosaicism for recurrent mutations in KRAS and FGFR1 is a commonly involved mechanism in these rare oculocutaneous anomalies.
Comprehensive Profiling of the Circulatory miRNAome Response to a High Protein Diet in Elderly Men: A Potential Role in Inflammatory Response Modulation
Authors: Ramzan Farha , Mitchell Cameron J. , Milan Amber M. , Schierding William , Zeng Nina , Sharma Pankaja , Mitchell Sarah M. , D'Souza Randall F. , Knowles Scott O. , Roy Nicole C. , Sjödin Anders , Wagner Karl‐Heinz , Cameron‐Smith David 
Published: March 2019

ScopeMicroRNA are critical to the coordinated post‐transcriptional regulation of gene expression, yet few studies have addressed the influence of habitual diet on microRNA expression. High protein diets impact cardiometabolic health and body composition in the elderly suggesting the possibility of a complex systems response. Therefore, high‐throughput small RNA sequencing technology is applied in response to doubling the protein recommended dietary allowance (RDA) over 10 weeks in older men to examine alterations in circulating miRNAome.Methods and ResultsOlder men (n = 31; 74.1 ± 0.6 y) are randomized to consume either RDA (0.8 g kg−1 day−1) or 2RDA (1.6 g kg−1 day−1) of protein for 10 weeks. Downregulation of five microRNAs (miR‐125b‐5p, ‐100‐5p, ‐99a‐5p, ‐23b‐3p, and ‐203a) is observed following 2RDA with no changes in the RDA. In silico functional analysis highlights target gene enrichment in inflammation‐related pathways. qPCR quantification of predicted inflammatory genes (TNFα, IL‐8, IL‐6, pTEN, PPP1CB, and HOXA1) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells shows increased expression following 2RDA diet (p ≤ 0.05).ConclusionThe study findings suggest a possible selective alteration in the post‐transcriptional regulation of the immune system following a high protein diet. However, very few microRNAs are altered despite a large change in the dietary protein.
Dementia‐friendly faith village worship services to support African American families: Research protocol
Authors: Epps Fayron , Brewster Glenna , Alexander Karah , Choe Jenny , Heidbreder Virginia , Hepburn Kenneth 
Published: March 2019

AbstractAfrican American caregivers for persons living with dementia frequently experience emotional strain, burden, social isolation, and depression. One source of support for them when in distress is their church community. However, many African American churches do not have programs to support families and congregants living with dementia. Dementia often restricts persons living with dementia and their caregivers from attending church. Both become increasingly uncomfortable in church settings due to fear of embarrassment, uncertainty about the behavior of the person living with dementia, and shame. Church attendance and religion has been shown to be beneficial for caregivers and elders living with dementia. However, there is little work exploring how involvement in religious practices together (caregivers and persons living with dementia) might enhance the quality of life for these families.This protocol is written to detail the designing and testing of the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a dementia‐friendly faith village worship service. In the study, we will examine how dementia‐friendly faith village worship services support the well‐being of caregivers and care recipients in three African American churches through observation, interviews, and surveys. A sample of 30 dyads of African American caregivers and persons living with dementia will be asked to attend six modified worship services together over 6 months. In this study, we hope to demonstrate the significant role of churches in the lives of African American family caregivers and persons living with dementia and show that a faith‐based, family‐oriented approach can promote a greater quality of life for African American families living with dementia.
The Thomas Souls Ministry – Onto‐praxis, Dividualism, and Charismatic Catholicism at Lake Chambri, Papua New Guinea
Authors: Falck Christiane 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe Thomas Souls Ministry is a prayer group founded by Catholics from the middle Sepik. It is led by a spirit of the dead called Thomas who takes possession of a Nyaura (West Iatmul) woman to preach, prophesy, counsel, and heal. While a prominent debate within the Anthropology of Christianity argues for radical change and rupture with the pre‐Christian self and society, I suggest that continuity within change is found in the way my interlocutors have made Christianity their own. I argue that the local concept of the person defined by aspects of dividualism and reflecting ontological premises of people's lifeworld has strongly influenced the way Christianity was appropriated. In current religious practices people put these premises into action and reinforce them in intersubjective encounters with the divine other. Analysing people's ‘onto‐praxis’, I argue that the Thomas Souls Ministry can be understood as part of a re‐empowerment process that re‐appropriates local meanings, spirits, and practices despite, and in fact against, the influence of the Catholic mission proselytizing in the region.
Chlorophyll catabolism precedes changes in chloroplast structure and proteome during leaf senescence
Authors: Tamary Eyal , Nevo Reinat , Naveh Leah , Levin‐Zaidman Smadar , Kiss Vladimir , Savidor Alon , Levin Yishai , Eyal Yoram , Reich Ziv , Adam Zach 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe earliest visual changes of leaf senescence occur in the chloroplast as chlorophyll is degraded and photosynthesis declines. Yet, a comprehensive understanding of the sequence of catabolic events occurring in chloroplasts during natural leaf senescence is still missing. Here, we combined confocal and electron microscopy together with proteomics and biochemistry to follow structural and molecular changes during Arabidopsis leaf senescence. We observed that initiation of chlorophyll catabolism precedes other breakdown processes. Chloroplast size, stacking of thylakoids, and efficiency of PSII remain stable until late stages of senescence, whereas the number and size of plastoglobules increase. Unlike catabolic enzymes, whose level increase, the level of most proteins decreases during senescence, and chloroplast proteins are overrepresented among these. However, the rate of their disappearance is variable, mostly uncoordinated and independent of their inherent stability during earlier developmental stages. Unexpectedly, degradation of chlorophyll‐binding proteins lags behind chlorophyll catabolism. Autophagy and vacuole proteins are retained at relatively high levels, highlighting the role of extra‐plastidic degradation processes especially in late stages of senescence. The observation that chlorophyll catabolism precedes all other catabolic events may suggest that this process enables or signals further catabolic processes in chloroplasts.
Oncogenic and Non‐Malignant Pancreatic Exosome Cargo Reveal Distinct Expression of Oncogenic and Prognostic Factors Involved in Tumor Invasion and Metastasis
Authors: Emmanouilidi Aikaterini , Paladin Dino , Greening David W. , Falasca Marco 
Published: March 2019

AbstractExosomes are small extracellular membrane vesicles important in intercellular communication, with their oncogenic cargo attributed to tumor progression and pre‐metastatic niche formation. To gain an insight into key differences in oncogenic composition of exosomes, human non‐malignant epithelial and pancreatic cancer cell models and purified and characterized resultant exosome populations are utilized. Proteomic analysis reveals the selective enrichment of known exosome markers and signaling proteins in comparison to parental cells. Importantly, valuable insights into oncogenic exosomes (362 unique proteins in comparison to non‐malignant exosomes) of key metastatic regulatory factors and signaling molecules fundamental to pancreatic cancer progression (KRAS, CD44, EGFR) are provided. It is reported that oncogenic exosomes contain factors known to regulate the pre‐metastatic niche (S100A4, F3, ITGβ5, ANXA1), clinically‐relevant proteins which correlate with poor prognosis (CLDN1, MUC1) as well as protein networks involved in various cancer hallmarks including proliferation (CLU, CAV1), invasion (PODXL, ITGA3), metastasis (LAMP1, ST14) and immune surveillance escape (B2M). The presence of these factors in oncogenic exosomes offers an understanding of select differences in exosome composition during tumorigenesis, potential components as prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers in pancreatic cancer, and highlights the role of exosomes in mediating crosstalk between tumor and stromal cells.