bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Screen‐printed Electrodes for the Determination of Iridium in Drugs
Authors: Zaguirre Marc , Ariño Cristina , Serrano Núria , Díaz‐Cruz José Manuel , Esteban Miquel 
Published: October 2018

AbstractAmong the impurities that must be controlled in drugs and pharmaceuticals, metal ions are considered. These metal impurities appear in those products because of their use as catalysts. Although Pharmacopeias recommend ICP based methods for their determination, the use of electroanalytical techniques can be considered as a sensible, selective and non‐expensive alternative for the determination of heavy metal ions in general and metal impurities in particular. In the present work, we propose a differential pulse voltammetric method based on the use of carbon based‐screen‐printed electrodes (graphite, nanotubes or nanofibers) that allows the determination of iridium in drugs at the concentration limits recommended by official organisms. Carbon screen‐printed electrode modified with nanotubes (CNT‐SPCE) is the sensor that provided the best LOD and LOQ (0.03 and 0.10 mg L−1 respectively). Then, the proposed method was applied to the voltammetric determination of iridium in spiked drug samples purchased in local chemists using CNT‐SPCE.
Liver and plasma lipid changes induced by cyclic fatty acid monomers from heated vegetable oil in the rat
Authors: Mboma Jean , Leblanc Nadine , Wan Sereana , Jacobs René L. , Tchernof André , Dubé Pascal , Angers Paul , Jacques Hélène 
Published: October 2018

AbstractCyclic fatty acid monomers (CFAM) generated through domestic or industrial heating of vegetable oils may alter liver enzymes and induce hepatomegaly and steatosis, but the underlying mechanisms are not clearly understood. This study aimed to assess the effects of CFAM on liver and plasma lipids and to determine whether these effects are modulated by dietary lipids. Thirty‐six (36) male Wistar rats were fed either of the four isoenergetic diets consisting of canola oil or soybean oil with/without 500 mg/100 g CFAM of total fat for 28 days. Rats fed CFAM had higher liver total lipids (p = 0.03) and triacylglycerols (TAG) (p = 0.02), but less hepatic phosphatidylcholine (p = 0.02) compared to those fed the non‐CFAM diets. CFAM did not alter liver phosphatidylethanolamine N‐methyltransferase (PEMT) activity and CTP: phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase (CT‐α) protein levels. Rats fed CFAM diets had higher levels of plasma total cholesterol (TC), VLDL + LDL cholesterol, higher ratio of TC to HDL cholesterol, and lower levels of HDL cholesterol compared with rats fed non‐CFAM diets (p < 0.05). Plasma alanine transaminase (ALT) was decreased with CFAM, but plasma insulin, glucose, and TAG did not vary among the four diet groups (p < 0.05). Rats fed canola oil and CFAM had higher plasma levels of aspartate transaminase (AST) and AST/ALT ratio compared with the other three diet groups. These results indicate that CFAM may provoke an accumulation of TAG in the liver related to a decrease in phosphatidylcholine (PC) levels, but the effect of CFAM on PC concentrations may not occur through impairment of the two main PC biosynthesis pathways.
Hydrologic impact of aspen harvesting within the subhumid Boreal Plains of Alberta
Authors: Thompson Craig , Devito Kevin J. , Mendoza Carl A. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThis study examined the hydrological impact of harvesting aspen (Populus tremuloides) within the subhumid Boreal Plains of Alberta, Canada, following clear‐cutting of two stands in successive winters within a small catchment situated in glacial moraine. Impacts were evaluated using a combination of observational data collected from within the harvested catchment and an adjacent reference catchment and numerical simulations conducted with HydroGeoSphere. Sensitivity simulations evaluated the influence of post‐harvest evapotranspiration rates and variability in atmospheric conditions on the range of hydrologic response. Study results indicate that aspen harvesting had limited impact on groundwater levels and streamflows within these hydrologic systems because of the subhumid climate with low frequency of large storms, large soil‐moisture storage capacity of heterogeneous glacial materials, and high evapotranspiration rates of regenerating aspen. Despite an estimated increase in hillslope groundwater levels of up to 3 m, pond and peatland water levels increased by less than 0.3 m and were accompanied by increased streamflows of less than 10 mm. However, predicted increases in groundwater levels and streamflows were sensitive to regenerating aspen evapotranspiration rates, which can be enhanced by appropriate harvesting techniques but may be reduced by climate change. These results are consistent with previous results from within the Boreal Plains but differ from aspen harvesting studies conducted in other settings where appreciable increases in streamflows have been reported. This disparity highlights the need to consider the integrated response of the hydrologic system when evaluating impacts from disturbance and making comparisons between settings.
miR‐199b‐5p‐Stonin 2 axis regulates metastases and epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition of papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Ren Lei , Xu Yapei , Qin Guijun , Liu Cong , Yan Yushan , Zhang Huijuan 
Published: October 2018

AbstractPapillary thyroid carcinoma is one of the most fatal malignant endocrine tumors, and the prognosis remains poor because of the lack of effective therapeutic targets. In this study, we demonstrated that the level of miR‐199b‐5p was markedly downregulated in papillary thyroid carcinoma. The ectopic expression level of miR‐199b‐5p in papillary thyroid carcinoma cell B‐CPAP could inhibit growth, migration, and invasion as well as epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) and decreased cell metastasis in vivo, but silencing miR‐199b‐5p caused a contradictory outcome. Additionally, Stonin 2 (STON2) was identified as a direct target gene of miR‐199b‐5p. Consistent with the downregulation of miR‐199b‐5p, the overexpression of STON2 induced the growth, migration and invasion of B‐CPAP cells. It was also demonstrated that miR‐199b‐5p suppressed papillary thyroid carcinoma cell aggressiveness by targeting STON2. Furthermore, the overexpression of miR‐199b‐5p inhibited cell proliferation, promoted apoptosis, and increased the chemo‐sensitivity of thyroid carcinoma B‐CPAP cells toward the chemotherapy drug paclitaxel. Finally, in vivo experiments further demonstrated that miR‐199b‐5p suppressed tumor growth in nude mice. Thus, this study revealed that miR‐199b‐5p functions as antioncogene miRNA in papillary thyroid carcinoma cells and that the miR‐199b‐5p/STON2 axis might be a potential treatment option for papillary thyroid carcinoma. © 2018 IUBMB Life, 71(1):28–40, 2019
Electroactive graphene composite scaffolds for cardiac tissue engineering
Authors: Hitscherich Pamela , Aphale Ashish , Gordan Richard , Whitaker Ricardo , Singh Prabhakar , Xie Lai‐hua , Patra Prabir , Lee Eun Jung 
Published: October 2018

AbstractContractile behavior of cardiomyocytes relies on directed signal propagation through the electroconductive networks that exist within the native myocardium. Due to their unique electrical properties, electroactive materials, such as graphene, have recently emerged as promising candidate materials for cardiac tissue engineering applications. In this work, the potential of three‐dimensional (3D) nanofibrous graphene and poly(caprolactone) (PCL + G) composite scaffold for cardiac tissue engineering has been explored for the first time. The addition of graphene into PCL led to an increased volume conductivity of scaffolds with an even distribution of graphene particles throughout the matrix. Graphene particles provided local conductive sites within the PCL matrix, which enabled application of external electrical stimulation throughout the scaffold using a custom point stimulation device. When mouse embryonic stem cell derived cardiomyocytes (mES‐CM) were seeded on PCL + G scaffolds, cells adhered well, contracted spontaneously, and exhibited classical cardiomyocyte phenotype confirming the biocompatibility of electroactive PCL + G scaffolds. Further functional characterization demonstrated that graphene especially affected Ca2+ handling properties of mES‐CM compared to that of cardiomyocytes cultured in 2D culture, highlighting the potential of PCL + G for in vitro cardiac tissue engineering. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Biomed. Mater. Res. Part A: 106A: 2923–2933, 2018.
Effects of salinity, pH and growth phase on the protein productivity by Dunaliella salina
Authors: Sui Yixing , Vlaeminck Siegfried E 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDMicroalgae have long been adopted for use as human food, animal feed and high‐value products. For carotenogenesis, Dunaliella salina is one of the most studied microalgae, yet its protein synthesis has been limitedly reported. In this study, D. salina was cultivated at different NaCl and pH levels to optimize its protein productivity.RESULTSThe biomass protein content followed an increase–decrease pattern throughout the growth phases, with a maximum in the exponential phase (60–80% over ash‐free dry weight). Adversely, the biomass pigment contents were at relatively stable levels (around 0.5% carotenoids, 1.3% chlorophyll a and 0.5% chlorophyll b over ash‐free dry weight). Among the tested conditions (1–3 mol L−1 salinity, pH 7.5–9.5), the highest protein productivity (43.5 mg L−1 day−1) was achieved at 2 mol L−1 salinity and pH 7.5 during the exponential phase, which surpassed others by 16–97%. Additionally, table salts were tested to be equivalent and cost‐efficient salt sources for the growth medium.CONCLUSIONThis study highlighted the suitability of D. salina as a protein source, providing guidelines for 70% cheaper medium formulation in the lab and for maximum protein productivity at larger scale. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Fecal microbiota transplantation in recurrent Clostridium difficile infection: A retrospective single‐center chart review
Authors: Kim Pamela , Gadani Akash , Abdul‐Baki Heitham , Mitre Ricardo , Mitre Marcia 
Published: October 2018

Background and AimFecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been proposed as a treatment option for patients with recurrent Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infection but remains a novel option. We examined if FMT is an effective means of treating recurrent C. difficile infection.MethodsA retrospective review of 35 patients who underwent FMT was completed. Demographics and other variables, including the use of proton pump inhibitor therapy and history of inflammatory bowel disease, were collected.ResultsTwenty‐five patients (71.4%) belonged to a high‐risk population (working in a hospital setting, rehabilitation center, or nursing facility) and a total of 74.3% of patients (n = 26 patients) had no history of proton pump inhibitor use. Twenty‐five patients (71.4%) had used metronidazole prior to transplantation, 35 patients (100%) had used vancomycin, and 7 patients (20%) had used fidaxomicin for prior infection. Four patients (11.4%) had used all three antibiotics during prior treatment. Of the eight patients who had a history of inflammatory bowel disease, six (75%) experienced resolution of symptoms after transplantation. A total of 30 patients (85.7%) had resolution of their symptoms 6–8 weeks’ posttransplant, while 5 patients (14.3%) continued to have symptoms.ConclusionsOur retrospective chart review supports that patients benefit from FMT in the setting of recurrent C. difficile infection.
Specific adverse events predict survival rates in a Chinese population diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma and treated with sorafenib
Authors: Lee Shou‐Wu , Lee Teng‐Yu , Yang Sheng‐Shun , Peng Yen‐Chun , Yeh Hong‐Zen , Chang Chi‐Sen 
Published: October 2018

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is associated with a poor prognosis and a low chemotherapeutic efficiency except for when sorafenib is administered. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and adverse events (AEs) of sorafenib therapy in a Chinese population diagnosed with HCC.MethodData for the subjects with HCC receiving sorafenib at Taichung Veterans General Hospital from June 2012 to October 2016 were evaluated. All enrolled cases belonged to the HCC Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) classification stage C. The AEs were defined as appearances of hand–foot syndrome reaction (HFSR), hypertension (HTN), or diarrhea. The exclusion criteria included a poor performance status, lack of compliance to drugs, and loss of follow‐up within the following day.ResultsOf a total of 116 subjects enrolled, there were 43 (37.1%), 13 (11.2%), and 15 (12.9%) cases experiencing HFSR, HTN, and diarrhea, respectively. The cases with AE had both a longer time to progression (TTP) (HFSR 5.16 vs. 3.33 months, P = 0.003; HTN 6.62 vs. 3.68 months, P = 0.001; diarrhea 6.67 vs. 3.61 months, P = 0.001) and overall survival (OS) (HFSR 8.12 vs. 4.75 months, P = 0.001; HTN 9.08 vs. 5.61 months, P = 0.008; diarrhea 8.20 vs. 5.67 months, P = 0.042) than those without. More AEs were correlated with a longer TTP and OS.ConclusionThe appearance of sorafenib AEs, including HFSR, HTN, and diarrhea, can predict a positive therapy efficacy to HCC.
Differential cerebral hemometabolic responses to blood transfusions in adults and children with sickle cell anemia
Authors: Juttukonda Meher R. , Lee Chelsea A. , Patel Niral J. , Davis Larry T. , Waddle Spencer L. , Gindville Melissa C. , Pruthi Sumit , Kassim Adetola A. , DeBaun Michael R. , Donahue Manus J. , Jordan Lori C. 
Published: October 2018

BackgroundBlood transfusions are administered to children and adults with sickle cell anemia (SCA) for secondary stroke prevention, or as treatment for recurrent pain crises or acute anemia, but transfusion effects on cerebral hemodynamics and metabolism are not well‐characterized.PurposeTo compare blood transfusion‐induced changes in hemometabolic parameters, including oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) and cerebral blood flow (CBF), within and between adults and children with SCA.Study TypeProspective, longitudinal study.SubjectsAdults with SCA (n = 16) receiving simple (n = 7) or exchange (n = 9) transfusions and children with SCA (n = 11) receiving exchange transfusions were scanned once when hematocrit was near nadir and again within 7 days of transfusion. Adult controls without SCA or sickle trait (n = 7) were scanned twice on separate days.Field Strength/Sequence3.0T T1‐weighted, T2‐weighted, and T2‐relaxation‐under‐spin‐tagging (TRUST) imaging, and phase contrast angiography.AssessmentGlobal OEF was computed as the relative difference between venous oxygenation (from TRUST) and arterial oxygenation (from pulse oximetry). Global CBF was computed as total blood flow to the brain normalized by intracranial tissue volume.Statistical TestsHemometabolic variables were compared using two‐sided Wilcoxon signed‐rank tests; associations were analyzed using two‐sided Spearman's correlation testing.ResultsIn adults with SCA, posttransfusion OEF = 0.38 ± 0.05 was lower (P = 0.001) than pretransfusion OEF = 0.45 ± 0.09. A change in OEF was correlated with increases in hematocrit (P = 0.02; rho = –0.62) and with pretransfusion hematocrit (P = 0.02; rho = 0.65). OEF changes after transfusion were greater (P = 0.002) in adults receiving simple versus exchange transfusions. Posttransfusion CBF = 77.7 ± 26.4 ml/100g/min was not different (P = 0.27) from pretransfusion CBF = 82.3 ± 30.2 ml/100g/min. In children with SCA, both posttransfusion OEF = 0.28 ± 0.04 and CBF = 76.4 ± 26.4 were lower than pretransfusion OEF = 0.36 ± 0.06 (P = 0.004) and CBF = 96.4 ± 16.5 (P = 0.004).Data ConclusionCerebral OEF reduces following transfusions in adults and children with SCA. CBF reduces following transfusions more often in children compared to adults, indicating that vascular reserve capacity may remain near exhaustion posttransfusion in many adults.Level of Evidence: 2Technical Efficacy Stage 5J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:466–477.
Quantitative characterization of carotid plaque components using MR apparent diffusion coefficients and longitudinal relaxation rates at 3T: A comparison with histology
Authors: Ota Hideki , Tamura Hajime , Itabashi Ryo , Yazawa Yukako , Nakamura Yasuhiro , Hisamatsu Kenji , Takamatsu Manabu , Endo Hidenori , Niizuma Kuniyasu , Enomoto Yukiko , Nagasaka Tatsuo , Kajita Kimihiro , Watanabe Mika , Yoshimura Shinichi , Yuan Chun 
Published: October 2018

BackgroundThere is limited evidence of parametric MR mapping to characterize carotid plaques associated with cerebral ischemic events.PurposeTo explore the apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) and longitudinal relaxation rates (R1) of carotid plaques, including areas of hemorrhage, lipid‐rich/necrotic core (LR/NC) without hemorrhage, and fibrous tissue (Fbr)Study TypeProspective.SubjectsTwelve patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy.Field Strength/Sequence
R1 was measured using double angle Look–Locker acquisition on 3T systems. Single‐shot spin‐echo echo‐planar imaging with fat suppression and outer‐volume suppression (OVS‐DWEPI) with b values of 10 and 500 s/mm2 was used for diffusion‐weighted imaging.AssessmentA phantom study using diluted gadolinium solutions and polyvinyl alcohol solutions was used to validate the two protocols. Regions of interest (ROIs) were manually outlined on MR images for areas of LR/NC, hemorrhage, and Fbr based on histological cross‐sections. Pixel‐based R1 and ADC values in the ROIs were plotted for each component. The probability density function of the plots determined the optimum contours to separate the three components in the ADC‐R1 plane. The LR/NC, hemorrhage, and Fbr regions were mapped on MR images based on the above results and compared to histological results.Statistical TestsThe R1 values of the phantom measurements were tested using Bland–Altman analysis. The accuracies of the MRI classification were calculated.Results
R1 values <8 s−1 calculated using our method agreed with those calculated using an inversion‐recovery fast‐spin‐echo sequence (error, ≤0.1 s−1). ADC values obtained using OVS‐DWEPI were 4.1% higher than those obtained using standard echo‐planar imaging. LR/NC (R1, 0.4–1.2 s−1; ADC, 0–1.5 μm2/ms), hemorrhage (R1 ≥ 1.5 s−1; ADC, 0.5–1.5 μm2/ms), and Fbr (R1, 0.2–0.8 s−1; ADC, 1.5–2.9 μm2/ms) were separated on the plots. The accuracies of MRI classification were LR/NC, 0.86; hemorrhage, 0.79; and Fbr, 0.77.ConclusionThe combination of ADC and R1 values measured using our method enabled differentiation among LR/NC, hemorrhage, and Fbr.Level of Evidence: 1Technical Efficacy: Stage 2J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;48:1657–1667
The influence of rotator cuff tears on muscle and joint‐contact loading after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty
Authors: Ackland David C. , Robinson Dale L. , Wilkosz Adam , Wu Wen , Richardson Martin , Lee Peter , Tse Kwong Ming 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACTRotator cuff tears are known to affect clinical outcome of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). This study aimed to use computational modelling to quantify the effect of rotator cuff tear severity on muscle and joint forces after RSA, as well as stresses at the glenosphere, base‐plate, fixation screws, scapula, and humeral components. A multi‐body musculoskeletal model of the glenohumeral joint was developed comprising the scapula, humerus and nine major upper limb muscles. Simulations of abduction and flexion after RSA were performed in the case of the intact rotator cuff and tears to (i) supraspinatus; (ii) supraspinatus and infraspinatus, and (iii) supraspinatus, infraspinatus and subscapularis. The intact and supraspinatus deficient rotator cuff resulted in the largest calculated muscle forces, glenohumeral joint contact forces and implant stresses. Peak glenohumeral joint forces during flexion were lower than those during abduction in all cases; however, substantially more posterior joint shear force was generated during flexion than abduction. A tear involving the supraspinatus and infraspinatus reduced glenohumeral joint forces by a factor of 8.7 during abduction (603.1 N) and 7.1 during flexion (520.7 N) compared to those in the supraspinatus deficient shoulder. RSA with an intact or supraspinatus deficient rotator cuff produces large glenohumeral joint forces that may increase base‐plate failure risk, particularly during flexion when posterior shear forces are largest. Infraspinatus tears after RSA greatly reduce glenohumeral joint compression and may ultimately reduce joint stability. Future research ought to focus on experimental validation of subject‐specific muscle recruitment strategies and joint loading after RSA. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res
Duration of symptoms is associated with conditioned pain modulation and somatosensory measures in knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Foucher Kharma C. , Chmell Samuel J. , Courtney Carol A. 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACTImpaired descending pain inhibition has been linked to chronic pain and poorer patient outcomes. Vibration perception threshold (VPT) has also been observed and linked to radiographic stage of OA. However, it is not known how duration of symptoms may influence these neurophysiological measures. Our purpose was to evaluate the relationship between duration of symptoms and conditioned pain modulation (CPM), a measure of descending pain inhibition, and VPT, and to determine whether these relationships differed in men and women seeking orthopedic care. We evaluated 18 men and 27 women with moderate to severe knee OA. We assessed CPM using a submaximal‐effort tourniquet test: Pressure pain threshold (PPT) at the symptomatic knee was evaluated before and after a noxious stimulus. CPM impairment was indicated by a ratio of pre‐to‐post stimulus PPT ≥1. VPT was assessed using a biothesiometer at the medial femoral condyle. We used chi‐square, t‐tests and Pearson correlations to address study questions. 72% of men, but only 44% of women had CPM impairment. Duration of symptoms was associated with CPM impairment in women (R = 0.566, p = 0.003) but not men (R = 0.366, p = 0.135). Duration of symptoms was also associated with VPT in both men (R = 0.580, p = 0.012) and women (R = 0.406, p = 0.039). These results suggest that longer duration of knee OA may predict more severe pain sensitization and that important sex differences exist in descending pain inhibition in people with chronic knee OA that may affect disease and course of treatment in male and female patients. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res
The effect of processing on Pisum sativum L. biofortified with sodium selenate
Authors: Poblaciones Maria J. , Rengel Zed 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBiofortification of edible grains with selenium (Se) is widely practiced, but there is little information regarding the effects of grain processing on Se concentration in grain. To evaluate the potential of cooked field peas (Pisum sativum L.) to be used in the Se biofortification programs, foliar Na2SeO4 applications of 0, 0.015, 0.03, 0.045, 0.06, and 0.075% (w/v) were tested. Shoot growth was not influenced by the Se treatments, whereas root growth, nodulation, and 100‐grain weight were increased. There was a strong linear relationship between the Se treatment dose and total Se concentration in both raw and cooked peas. For each percentage‐point increase in the applied Na2SeO4 concentration, the grain Se concentration increased by 177 and 159 μg Se kg−1 DW in raw and cooked peas, respectively. Processing (freezing and cooking) caused a decrease of about 12% in grain Se concentration. Foliar application of 0.06% (w/v) Na2SeO4 could be a good option for biofortifying field peas. The consumption of 100 g of cooked, biofortified field peas would provide ≈ 50% of the 200 μg total Se recommended for human daily intake.