bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of sarcopenia and cachexia in men with chronic heart failure: results from the Studies Investigating Co‐morbidities Aggravating Heart Failure (SICA‐HF)
Authors: Emami Amir , Saitoh Masakazu , Valentova Miroslava , Sandek Anja , Evertz Ruben , Ebner Nicole , Loncar Goran , Springer Jochen , Doehner Wolfram , Lainscak Mitja , Hasenfuß Gerd , Anker Stefan D. , von Haehling Stephan 
Published: August 2018

AimsChanges in heart failure (HF) patients' body composition may be associated with reduced exercise capacity. The aim of the present study was to determine the overlap in wasting syndromes in HF (cachexia and sarcopenia) and to compare their functional impact.Methods and resultsWe prospectively enrolled 207 ambulatory male patients with clinically stable chronic HF. All patients underwent a standardized protocol examining functional capacity, body composition, and quality of life (QoL). Cachexia was present in 39 (18.8%) of 207 patients, 14 of whom also fulfilled the characteristics of sarcopenia (sarcopenia + cachexia group, 6.7%), whereas 25 did not (cachectic HF group, 12.1%). Sarcopenia without cachexia was present in 30 patients (sarcopenic HF group, 14.4%). A total of 44 patients (21.3%) presented with sarcopenia; however, 138 patients showed no signs of wasting (no wasting group, 66%). Patients with sarcopenia had lower strength and exercise capacity than both the no wasting and the cachectic HF group. Handgrip strength, quadriceps strength, peak oxygen uptake (VO2), distance in the 6‐minute walk test (6MWT), and QoL results were lowest in the sarcopenia + cachexia group vs. the no wasting group (P < 0.05 for all). Likewise, the sarcopenic HF group showed lower handgrip strength, quadriceps strength, 6MWT, peak VO2, and QoL results vs. the no wasting group (P < 0.05 for all).ConclusionLosing muscle with or without weight loss appears to have a more pronounced role than weight loss alone with regard to functional capacity and QoL among male patients with chronic HF.Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT01872299.
The macrophage migration inhibitory factor pathway in human B cells is tightly controlled and dysregulated in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Rijvers Liza , Melief Marie‐José , van der Vuurst de Vries Roos M. , Stéphant Maeva , van Langelaar Jamie , Wierenga‐Wolf Annet F. , Hogervorst Jeanet M. , Geurts‐Moespot Anneke J. , Sweep Fred C. G. J. , Hintzen Rogier Q. , van Luijn Marvin M. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIn MS, B cells survive peripheral tolerance checkpoints to mediate local inflammation, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are relatively underexplored. In mice, the MIF pathway controls B‐cell development and the induction of EAE. Here, we found that MIF and MIF receptor CD74 are downregulated, while MIF receptor CXCR4 is upregulated in B cells from early onset MS patients. B cells were identified as the main immune subset in blood expressing MIF. Blocking of MIF and CD74 signaling in B cells triggered CXCR4 expression, and vice versa, with separate effects on their proinflammatory activity, proliferation, and sensitivity to Fas‐mediated apoptosis. This study reveals a new reciprocal negative regulation loop between CD74 and CXCR4 in human B cells. The disturbance of this loop during MS onset provides further insights into how pathogenic B cells survive peripheral tolerance checkpoints to mediate disease activity in MS.
Graphene‐based Electrochemical Glucose Sensors: Fabrication and Sensing Properties
Authors: Zhang Chunmei , Zhang Ziwei , Yang Qin , Chen Wei 
Published: August 2018

AbstractWith the increasing demand for highly sensitive and selective glucose sensors in industrial, clinical and pharmaceutical sectors, sensing materials for glucose detection have attracted much attention worldwide. Due to the large surface area, fascinating physical and electrochemical properties, graphene‐based materials have been widely used as a unique class of promising electrode materials in electrochemical sensing applications, with the continuously growing academic and technological developments. In this review, we summarize the different preparation strategies for the synthesis of graphene‐based materials and the application in electrochemical detection of glucose, including enzymatic and nonenzymatic glucose sensors.
Moment analysis for reaction kinetics of intermolecular interactions
Authors: Miyabe Kanji 
Published: August 2018

AbstractMoment equations were developed on the basis of the principle of relativity for analyzing elution peak profiles measured by ACE to analytically determine the association (ka) and dissociation (kd) rate constants of intermolecular interactions. Basic equations representing the mass balance, mass transfer rate, and reaction kinetics in ACE system in a Galilean coordinate system S were transformed to those in another coordinate system S′, which imaginarily moved with respect to S. Moment equations for ACE peaks in S′ in the time domain were derived from the analytical solution of the modified basic equations in the Laplace domain. Moment equations for ACE peaks in S were derived from those in S’ by the inverse Galilean transformation. The moment equations were used for analyzing some ACE data previously published to determine ka and kd values. It was demonstrated that the moment equations were effective for extracting the information about affinity kinetics of intermolecular interactions from the elution peak profiles measured by ACE. The moment equations were also used to discuss the influence of mass transfer and reaction kinetics on ACE peak profiles. Some results of the numerical calculations are also indicated in Supporting Information.
Separation and determination of alpha‐synuclein monomeric and oligomeric species using two electrophoretic approaches
Authors: Napp Aurore , Houbart Virginie , Demelenne Alice , Merville Marie‐Paule , Crommen Jacques , Dumoulin Mireille , Garraux Gaëtan , Servais Anne‐Catherine , Fillet Marianne 
Published: August 2018

AbstractParkinson's disease (PD) is a frequent degenerative disorder that is diagnosed based on clinical symptoms. When the first symptoms appear, more than 70% of the dopaminergic cells are already lost. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to have reliable biomarkers to diagnose much earlier PD. In this context, alpha‐synuclein (aSyn) is a protein of high interest because of its tendency to form oligomers and amyloid fibrils. The oligomeric forms seem to play a critical pathological role in PD. To date, most of studies aiming at detecting and quantifying aSyn oligomers were performed by immunoassays, mainly by ELISA using specific antibodies. In this study a capillary gel electrophoresis (CGE) coupled with fluorescence detection method was developed to detect and quantify the oligomeric forms of aSyn formed in vitro. All the results obtained were supported by SDS–PAGE analysis, a widely used and well‐known technique but exhibiting a main drawback since it is not an automated technique. The repeatability and the intermediate precision of the method were evaluated, as well as the stability of the labeled and non‐labeled aSyn samples. After careful screening and optimization of various labeling reagents, 4‐fluoro‐7‐nitrobenzofurazan (NBD‐F) was selected and used to establish a calibration curve with monomeric fluorescently‐labeled aSyn. Finally, the method was used to study the effect of doxycycline on the oligomerization process. Altogether, our results show that CGE is a very promising automated technique to analyze aSyn monomers, as well as small oligomers.
Predicting efficiency of NECEEM‐based partitioning of protein binders from nonbinders in DNA‐encoded libraries
Authors: Kochmann Sven , Le An T. H. , Hili Ryan , Krylov Sergey N. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractNonequilibrium capillary electrophoresis of equilibrium mixtures (NECEEM) is an affinity method for separating binder‐target complexes from nonbinders by gel‐free CE. NECEEM is a promising high‐efficiency method for partitioning protein binders from nonbinders in DNA‐encoded libraries (DEL), such binders are used as “hits” in drug development. It is important to be able to predict the efficiency of NECEEM‐based partitioning, which is the efficiency of collecting binders while removing nonbinders for a specific protein and a specific DEL with a minimum of empirical information. Here, we derive and study the dependence of efficiency of NECEEM‐based partitioning on electrophoretic mobilities of the protein and the DNA moiety in DEL compounds. Our derivation is based upon a previously found relation between the electrophoretic mobility of protein‐binder complex and measured electrophoretic mobilities of the protein and unbound DEL and their estimated sizes. The derivation utilizes the assumption of Gaussian shapes of electrophoretic peaks and the approximation of the efficiency of partitioning by the background of nonbinders – a fraction of nonbinders, which elutes along with protein‐binder complexes. Our results will serve as a guiding tool for planning the NECEEM‐based partitioning of protein binders from non‐binders in DELs. In particular, it can be used to estimate a minimum number of rounds of partitioning required for the desired level of DEL enrichment.
Polyurethane coatings based on linseed oil phosphate ester polyols with intumescent flame retardants
Authors: Yakushin Vladimir , Abolins Arnis , Vilsone Dzintra , Sevastyanova Irina 
Published: August 2018

SummaryThe effect of intumescent flame retardants on the properties of polyurethane (PU) coatings based on 2 kinds of phosphate ester polyol was studied. Synthesizing polyols, phosphorylation of epoxidized linseed oil with phosphoric acid was performed in the presence of isopropyl alcohol (IPA polyol) or diethylene glycol butyl ether (DGBE polyol). The obtained polyols were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The properties of neat PU coatings based on 2 polyols and those filled with different content (up to 25 wt%) of melamine (Mel), ammonium polyphosphate (APP), and expandable graphite (EG) were studied using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and tensile and cone calorimeter tests. It was found that IPA polyol contained not only phosphate monoesters and diesters, as DGBE polyol, but also phosphate triester and pyrophosphate monoester. Due to this difference, IPA neat and filled coatings had higher tensile characteristics and char residue in a TGA test. Also, the flame retardancy of IPA coatings, compared with that of DGBE coatings, was higher. In a cone calorimeter test, coatings filled with Mel showed a small increase of flame retardancy, but the total smoke release (TSR) of wood samples with coatings decreased noticeably. The effect of APP on the flame retardancy of coatings was higher, but in contrast, the TSR of samples increased with increasing APP content. Even greater decrease of flammability parameters and a simultaneous significant decrease of TSR were shown by the samples with IPA coatings filled with EG.
Pesticides in essential oils and selected fragrance extracts. Some examples. A review
Authors: Nikolic Nikola , Höferl Martina , Buchbauer Gerhard 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe use of essential oils (EOs) worldwide continues to rise, and EOs are already established in folk and western medicine as remedies against inflammation, respiratory diseases, and infections, and are used for aromatherapy, insect repellents, food preservatives, and in the perfume and cosmetics industries. Pesticide residues are already present in the environment, however, and are thus also found in the aromatic plants used for EO production. The control of pesticides in EOs is therefore essential, especially with the recent trends in EO consumption. This paper is an overview on possible methods used for the determination of pesticide residues in EOs, covering the work of the scientific community in the last 20–25 years.
Effect of gamma radiation on storability and functional properties of sorghum grains (Sorghum bicolor L.)
Authors: Ahmed Manahel Mohammed , Abdalla Ismat G. , Salih A. M. , Hassan Amro B. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThis study was aimed to evaluate the effect of gamma irradiation at dose levels of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0 kGy on fungal growth, free fatty acids, in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD), protein solubility, and functional properties of sorghum grains. Results indicated that radiation process enhanced the storability properties. It eliminates the fungal incidence particularly at the higher doses 4.0 and 5.0 kGy, and significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the content of the free fatty acids to the level 3.4–3.2 mg/g. Moreover, a significant increase in IVPD and soluble protein was noticed in irradiated grains as compared to non‐irradiated sample and this increased with the increase in dose; however, maximum IVPD (17.6%) and protein solubility (11.7%) were observed in sorghum grains irradiated at 2.0 kGy. On the other hand, a significant reduction in emulsion capacity was observed after radiation of grains, however, the emulsion activity and stability were stable up to 1.0 kGy. The foaming properties of the radiated sample show no significant change particular at low doses up to 2.0 kGy when they are compared to untreated samples. It can be concluded that low doses of gamma irradiation might improve the storability and quality characteristics of sorghum grains and can be used as an effective alternative postharvest method for preserving and extending the shelf life of sorghum and its products.
Frequency specific resting state functional abnormalities in psychosis
Authors: Gohel Suril , Gallego Juan A. , Robinson Delbert G. , DeRosse Pamela , Biswal Bharat , Szeszko Philip R. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractResting state functional magnetic resonance imaging studies of psychosis have focused primarily on the amplitude of low‐frequency fluctuations in the blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal ranging from .01 to 0.1 Hz. Few studies, however, have investigated the amplitude of frequency fluctuations within discrete frequency bands and higher than 0.1 Hz in patients with psychosis at different illness stages. We investigated BOLD signal within three frequency ranges including slow‐4 (.027–.073 Hz), slow‐3 (.074–0.198 Hz) and slow‐2 (0.199–0.25 Hz) in 89 patients with either first‐episode or chronic psychosis and 119 healthy volunteers. We investigated the amplitude of frequency fluctuations within three frequency bands using 47 regions‐of‐interest placed within 14 known resting state networks derived using group independent component analysis. There were significant group x frequency interactions for the visual and motor cortex networks, with the largest significant group differences (patients < healthy volunteers) evident in slow‐4 and slow‐3, respectively. Also, healthy volunteers had an overall higher amplitude of frequency fluctuations compared to patients across the three frequency ranges in the visual cortex, dorsal attention and motor cortex networks with the opposite effect (patients > healthy volunteers) evident within the salience and frontal gyrus networks. Subsequent analyses indicated that these effects were evident in both first‐episode and chronic patients. Our study provides new data regarding the importance of BOLD signal fluctuations within different frequency bands in the neurobiology of psychosis.
A novel concurrent TMS‐fMRI method to reveal propagation patterns of prefrontal magnetic brain stimulation
Authors: Vink Jord J. T. , Mandija Stefano , Petrov Petar I. , van den Berg Cornells A. T. , Sommer Iris E. C. , Neggers Sebastiaan F. W. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractMajor depressive disorder (MDD) is a severe mental disorder associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, which remains difficult to treat, as both resistance and recurrence rates are high. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) provides a safe and effective treatment for selected patients with treatment‐resistant MDD. Little is known about the mechanisms of action of TMS provided to the left DLPFC in MDD and we can currently not predict who will respond to this type of treatment, precluding effective patient selection. In order to shed some light on the mechanism of action, we applied single pulse TMS to the left DLPFC in 10 healthy participants using a unique TMS‐fMRI set‐up, in which we could record the direct effects of TMS. Stimulation of the DLPFC triggered activity in a number of connected brain regions, including the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (sgACC) in four out of nine participants. The sgACC is of particular interest, because normalization of activity in this region has been associated with relief of depressive symptoms in MDD patients. This is the first direct evidence that TMS pulses delivered to the DLPFC can propagate to the sgACC. The propagation of TMS‐induced activity from the DLPFC to sgACC may be an accurate biomarker for rTMS efficacy. Further research is required to determine whether this method can contribute to the selection of patients with treatment resistant MDD who will respond to rTMS treatment.
Intrinsic connectivity networks underlying individual differences in control‐averse behavior
Authors: Rudorf Sarah , Baumgartner Thomas , Markett Sebastian , Schmelz Katrin , Wiest Roland , Fischbacher Urs , Knoch Daria 
Published: August 2018

AbstractWhen people sense that another person tries to control their decisions, some people will act against the control, whereas others will not. This individual tendency to control‐averse behavior can have far‐reaching consequences, such as engagement in illegal activities or noncompliance with medical treatments. Although individual differences in control‐averse behavior have been well documented in behavioral studies, their neurological basis is less well understood. Here, we use a neural trait approach to examine whether individual differences in control‐averse behavior might be linked to stable brain‐based characteristics. To do so, we analyze the association between intrinsic connectivity networks as measured by resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging and control‐averse behavior in an economic exchange game. In this game, subjects make choices that are either free or controlled by another person, with real consequences to both interaction partners. We find that the individual level of control‐averse behavior can be positively predicted by intrinsic connectivity within the salience network, but not the central executive network or the default mode network. Specifically, subjects with a more prominent connectivity hub in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex show greater levels of control‐averse behavior. This finding provides the first evidence that the heterogeneity in control‐averse behavior might originate in systematic differences of the stable functional brain organization.
Barriers to reporting of patient safety incidents in tertiary hospitals: A qualitative study of nurses and resident physicians in South Korea
Authors: Lee Won , Kim So Yoon , Lee Sang‐il , Lee Sun Gyo , Kim Hyung Chul , Kim Insook 
Published: August 2018

SummaryWe explored the barriers to reporting patient safety incidents experienced by nurses and resident physicians while working in tertiary hospitals in South Korea. Sixteen in‐depth interviews with 10 nurses and 6 resident physicians, all of whom had experienced patient safety incidents, were conducted. The interviews were analyzed using directed content analysis in accordance with a coding scheme developed in this study, which contains 4 categories (incidents and reporters, reporting procedures and systems, feedbacks, and reporting culture) and 9 subcategories. The barriers to reporting near‐misses included the following: characteristics of the incident (eg, nonhazardous and high frequency), reporters' lack of knowledge, uncertainty, fear of blame, lack of role model, and inappropriate responses. Reporting adverse/sentinel events was also prevented by feelings of pressure or guilt, the fact that reporting was nonmandatory, and a belief that reporting was not part of the job. Some other barriers included lack of education, review process after reporting, lack of confidentiality when reporting, absence of feedback for reporting, unfair reporting based on work experience, perception of potential blame, and stigmatization resulting from it. In South Korea, a national system for reporting and learning of patient safety accidents has been operating since July 2016. To fully implement this system, it is necessary to encourage reporting at the institutional level. Our results might help reduce the barriers to patient safety incident reporting among nurses and resident physicians in tertiary hospitals in Korea through informing the development of improvement plans.
The extent of workaholism in a group of polish nurses
Authors: Kunecka Danuta , Hundert Marcin 
Published: August 2018

SummaryObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the prevalence of workaholism among Polish nurses. Changes in the work process in Poland have resulted in the expectation of excessive work commitment from employees. Unfortunately, such expectations can contribute to workaholism. The study involved 975 economically active Polish nurses.MethodThe study was conducted by means of a diagnostic survey, in which we used a standardized questionnaire—the Multidimensional Workaholism Assessment Questionnaire by Malwina Szpitalak.ResultsThe data obtained show that there is a high risk of workaholism in the study group; almost 6% of all respondents are affected by workaholism, and 40% of all respondents may develop it. The risk is related to the age, seniority, and education level of the nurses.ConclusionsAs there is a high risk of the respondents developing workaholism, it seems advisable to take actions directed at the study group to make them aware of how important it is to maintain a balance between their professional and private lives.
The impact of accreditation on nurses' perceptions of quality of care in Iran and its barriers and facilitators
Authors: Reisi Nahid , Raeissi Pouran , Sokhanvar Mobin , Kakemam Edris 
Published: August 2018

SummaryBackgroundIran national hospital accreditation was initiated as a government and mandatory program in 2012. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of accreditation on nurses' perceptions of quality of care and to determine those barriers and facilitators needed for effective implementation of accreditation.MethodsA cross‐sectional survey conducted in 43 tertiary public hospitals in 5 metropolises, Iran, which successfully passed national accreditation surveys. Participants included nurses with at least 5‐year work experience. Overall response rate was 76%, with 1312 of 1706 valid responses included in the data analysis. A questionnaire was applied using a 5‐point Likert scale ranging from 1 “strongly disagree” to 5 “strongly agree”. In addition, the questionnaire included 2 open‐ended questions allowing the respondent to identify barriers and facilitators to the process of for improving accreditation implementation. The relationship between the quality of results and the independent variables was tested using multiple regression analysis.ResultsThe scales measuring benefits of accreditation had the highest mean score followed by strategic quality planning, education and training, and staff involvement. Regression analysis indicated that leadership, commitment, and support; education and training; rewards and recognition; and staff involvement were factors affecting quality results. Barriers encountered included financial and capital resources, staff, institutional, and patients. Hospital accreditation has a positive impact on quality of care.ConclusionsThe findings of this study provide valuable information to policymakers and hospital managers on which to base the process of accreditation and its requirements, and to help reap its benefits.