bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between dry eye disease and asthma: a nationwide population-based study
Authors: Huang Yung-Chieh , Chan Wei-Cheng , Wang Jiaan-Der , Fu Lin-Shien , Tsan Yu-Tse 
Published: December 2018

Background
Dry eye disease (DED), a chronic ocular disease, is associated with numerous medical issues, including asthma. However, studies on these associations are limited. In this study, we investigated the incidence of DED among patients with asthma and its correlation with other allergic comorbidities.

Methods
We retrospectively analyzed data from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan. We compared the data of 41,229 patients with asthma with those of 164,916 sex- and age-matched non-asthma controls. We followed up the patient and control groups from 1998 to 2010, and compared the rate of DED in these two groups. We further analyzed the allergic comorbidities and asthma-related medication use among the patients with asthma to verify whether these factors were associated with DED.

Results
The patients in the asthma group were more likely to have DED than were the controls (6.35% vs. 4.92%, p < 0.0001). In the asthma group, female had a higher risk of DED (odds ratio (OR) = 1.70, 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.57–1.85]) than males did. After adjustment for sex, age, income, urbanization, and the other two allergic comorbidities, patients with allergic rhinitis (adjusted OR = 1.58, 95% CI [1.46–1.72]) and urticaria (adjusted OR = 1.25, 95% CI [1.12–1.38]) were more likely to have DED, but not patients with atopic dermatitis (adjusted OR = 1.17, 95% CI [0.98–1.40]). Patients with asthma who had prescriptions of leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs) (adjusted OR = 1.29, 95% CI [1.01–1.64]), oral antihistamines (adjusted OR = 2.02, 95% CI [1.84–2.21]), and inhaled corticosteroids (adjusted OR = 1.19, 95% CI [1.04–1.36]) exhibited association with DED.

Discussion
Our findings reveal that patients with asthma—particularly females—were more likely to have DED, with comorbidities such as allergic rhinitis and urticaria, and prescriptions including LTRAs, antihistamines, and inhaled corticosteroids. The results suggest that in clinical practice, physicians should pay attention to DED, particularly in patients with a high risk of DED.
Development and internal validation of a nine-lncRNA prognostic signature for prediction of overall survival in colorectal cancer patients
Authors: Zhang Zhiqiao , Liu Qingbo , Wang Peng , Li Jing , He Tingshan , Ouyang Yanling , Huang Yiyan , Wang Weidong 
Published: December 2018

Background
Colorectal cancer remains a serious public health problem due to the poor prognosis. In the present study, we attempted to develop and validate a prognostic signature to predict the individual mortality risk in colorectal cancer patients.

Materials and Methods
The original study datasets were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. The present study finally included 424 colorectal cancer patients with wholly gene expression information and overall survival information.

Results
A nine-lncRNA prognostic signature was built through univariate and multivariate Cox proportional regression model. Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curves in model cohort demonstrated that the Harrell’s concordance indexes of nine-lncRNA prognostic signature were 0.768 (95% CI [0.717–0.819]), 0.778 (95% CI [0.727–0.829]) and 0.870 (95% CI [0.819–0.921]) for 1-year, 3-year and 5-year overall survival respectively. In validation cohort, the Harrell’s concordance indexes of nine-lncRNA prognostic signature were 0.761 (95% CI [0.710–0.812]), 0.801 (95% CI [0.750–0.852]) and 0.883 (95% CI [0.832–0.934]) for 1-year, 3-year and 5-year overall survival respectively. According to the median of nine-lncRNA prognostic signature score in model cohort, 424 CRC patients could be stratified into high risk group (n = 212) and low risk group (n = 212). Kaplan–Meier survival curves showed that the overall survival rate of high risk group was significantly lower than that of low risk group (P < 0.001).

Discussion
The present study developed and validated a nine-lncRNA prognostic signature for individual mortality risk assessment in colorectal cancer patients. This nine-lncRNA prognostic signature is helpful to evaluate the individual mortality risk and to improve the decision making of individualized treatments in colorectal cancer patients.
Association of urinary activity of MMP-9 with renal impairment in Mexican patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: García-Tejeda Alan Uriel , Sampieri Clara Luz , Suárez-Torres Irene , Morales-Romero Jaime , Demeneghi-Marini Verónica Patricia , Hernández-Hernández Magda Elena , Rodríguez-Hernández Arturo 
Published: December 2018

Background
Diabetic kidney disease is the most common cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD). An early event in diabetic kidney disease is alteration of the glomerular basement membrane and the mesangial expansion. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are a family of endopeptidases responsible for controlling the pathophysiological remodeling of tissues, including renal tissues. MMP-9 in human urine has been proposed as a marker of diabetic nephropathy and urinary tract infections (UTI).

Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients who receive first level medical attention in Mexico. We used ELISA to measure MMP-9 levels in the urine of subjects with T2DM ≥ 18 years of age, who fulfilled the clinical requirements for calculation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR), according to the K/DOQI guide, in an attempt to identify whether MMP-9 levels in T2DM differ in patients with and without renal impairment. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed in order to identify the association between MMP-9 and renal impairment.

Results
Included in the study were 34 (45%) subjects with renal impairment and 42 (55%) without. In the group with renal impairment, 10 subjects corresponded to stages 1–2 and 24 subjects corresponded to stage 3, according to their values of GFR and urinary albumin, following that proposed by the K/DOQI. No differences were found relating to sex, age, having or not having a partner, education, being able to read and write a message and duration of T2DM. Moreover, no differences were found between the groups in terms of weight, height, body mass index, waist size in general and frequency of UTI. In contrast, serum creatinine and urinary albumin were higher in the group with renal impairment, while GFR was greater in the group without renal impairment. Levels of MMP-9 were greater in women compared to men. Through univariate analysis in the general population, the presence of MMP-9 and that of its percentile 90 (P90) P90 were associated with the renal impairment group; however, in patients without UTI, only the presence of MMP-9 was associated with the renal impairment group, and no association was found with its P90. Multivariate analysis revealed an association between MMP-9 and its P90 with renal impairment.

Discussion
It is necessary to validate sensitive and non-invasive biological markers of CKD. We demonstrate that the presence and P90 of urinary MMP-9 are associated with renal impairment in Mexican patients with T2DM. While high levels of MMP-9 were associated to females and UTI, the presence of UTI was not associated with the incidence of renal impairment.
Real‐time identification of nonlinear multiple‐input–multiple‐output systems with unknown input time delay using Wiener model with Neuro‐Laguerre structure
Authors: Sadeghi Mohsen , Farrokhi Mohammad 
Published: December 2018

SummaryIn this article, a real‐time block‐oriented identification method for nonlinear multiple‐input–multiple‐output systems with input time delay is proposed. The proposed method uses the Wiener structure, which consists of a linear dynamic block (LDB) followed by a nonlinear static block (NSB). The LDB is described by the Laguerre filter lattice, whereas the NSB is characterized using the neural networks. Due to the online adaptation of the parameters, the proposed method can cope with the changes in the system parameters. Moreover, the convergence and bounded modeling error are shown using the Lyapunov direct method. Four practical case studies show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm in the open‐loop and closed‐loop identification scenarios. The proposed method is compared with the recently published methods in the literature in terms of the modeling accuracy, parameter initialization, and required information from the system.
Understanding the Role of Ferroelastic Domains on the Pyroelectric and Electrocaloric Effects in Ferroelectric Thin Films
Authors: Pandya Shishir , Velarde Gabriel A. , Gao Ran , Everhardt Arnoud S. , Wilbur Joshua D. , Xu Ruijuan , Maher Josh T. , Agar Joshua C. , Dames Chris , Martin Lane W. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractTemperature‐ and electric‐field‐induced structural transitions in a polydomain ferroelectric can have profound effects on its electrothermal susceptibilities. Here, the role of such ferroelastic domains on the pyroelectric and electrocaloric response is experimentally investigated in thin films of the tetragonal ferroelectric PbZr0.2Ti0.8O3. By utilizing epitaxial strain, a rich set of ferroelastic polydomain states spanning a broad thermodynamic phase space are stabilized. Using temperature‐dependent scanning‐probe microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and high‐frequency phase‐sensitive pyroelectric measurements, the propensity of domains to reconfigure under a temperature perturbation is quantitatively studied. In turn, the “extrinsic” contributions to pyroelectricity exclusively due to changes between the ferroelastic domain population is elucidated as a function of epitaxial strain. Further, using highly sensitive thin‐film resistive thermometry, direct electrocaloric temperature changes are measured on these polydomain thin films for the first time. The results demonstrate that temperature‐ and electric‐field‐driven domain interconversion under compressive strain diminish both the pyroelectric and the electrocaloric effects, while both these susceptibilities are enhanced due to the exact‐opposite effect from the extrinsic contributions under tensile strain.
Amorphous Quantum Nanomaterials
Authors: Kohle Ferdinand F. E. , Hinckley Joshua A. , Li Songying , Dhawan Nikhil , Katt William P. , Erstling Jacob A. , Werner‐Zwanziger Ulrike , Zwanziger Josef , Cerione Richard A. , Wiesner Ulrich B. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractIn quantum materials, macroscopic behavior is governed in nontrivial ways by quantum phenomena. This is usually achieved by exquisite control over atomic positions in crystalline solids. Here, it is demonstrated that the use of disordered glassy materials provides unique opportunities to tailor quantum material properties. By borrowing ideas from single‐molecule spectroscopy, single delocalized π‐electron dye systems are isolated in relatively rigid ultrasmall (<10 nm diameter) amorphous silica nanoparticles. It is demonstrated that chemically tuning the local amorphous silica environment around the dye over a range of compositions enables exquisite control over dye quantum behavior, leading to efficient probes for photodynamic therapy (PDT) and stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM). The results suggest that efficient fine‐tuning of light‐induced quantum behavior mediated via effects like spin‐orbit coupling can be effectively achieved by systematically varying averaged local environments in glassy amorphous materials as opposed to tailoring well‐defined neighboring atomic lattice positions in crystalline solids. The resulting nanoprobes exhibit features proven to enable clinical translation.
Enhancement of the Second Harmonic Generation from WS2 Monolayers by Cooperating with Dielectric Microspheres
Authors: Li Xiaohong , Liu Weiwei , Song Yiling , Zhang Cong , Long Hua , Wang Kai , Wang Bing , Lu Peixiang 
Published: December 2018

AbstractHerein, a 20‐fold enhancement of the optical second harmonic generation (SHG) from WS2 monolayers by cooperating with SiO2 dielectric microspheres (MSs) is reported. Detailed experiment and simulation studies indicate that the SHG enhancement is dominantly originated by the enhanced excitation intensity and enlarged collection efficiency produced by the SiO2 MSs. The size effect of the SiO2 MS on the SHG enhancement is also systematically investigated. Moreover, the SHG enhancement is found to be very sensitive to the surrounding refractive index of the SiO2 MS, which advocates great promise for the photonic sensing applications. This work provides a low‐cost and efficient approach to enhancing the SHG emission, and demonstrates great potential for functional nanodevices based on hybrid dielectric structures.
Molecular Engineering of Copper Phthalocyanines: A Strategy in Developing Dopant‐Free Hole‐Transporting Materials for Efficient and Ambient‐Stable Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Jiang Xiaoqing , Wang Dongping , Yu Ze , Ma Wanying , Li Hai‐Bei , Yang Xichuan , Liu Feng , Hagfeldt Anders , Sun Licheng 
Published: December 2018

AbstractCopper (II) phthalocyanines (CuPcs) have attracted growing interest as promising hole‐transporting materials (HTMs) in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) due to their low‐cost and excellent stability. However, the most efficient PSCs using CuPc‐based HTMs reported thus far still rely on hygroscopic p‐type dopants, which notoriously deteriorate device stability. Herein, two new CuPc derivatives are designed, namely CuPc‐Bu and CuPc‐OBu, by molecular engineering of the non‐peripheral substituents of the Pc rings, and applied as dopant‐free HTMs in PSCs. Remarkably, a small structural change from butyl groups to butoxy groups in the substituents of the Pc rings significantly influences the molecular ordering and effectively improves the hole mobility and solar cell performance. As a consequence, PSCs based on dopant‐free CuPc‐OBu as HTMs deliver an impressive power conversion efficiency (PCE) of up to 17.6% under one sun illumination, which is considerably higher than that of devices with CuPc‐Bu (14.3%). Moreover, PSCs containing dopant‐free CuPc‐OBu HTMs show a markedly improved ambient stability when stored without encapsulation under ambient conditions with a relative humidity of 85% compared to devices containing doped Spiro‐OMeTAD. This work thus provides a fundamental strategy for the future design of cost‐effective and stable HTMs for PSCs and other optoelectronic devices.
The germline JAK2 GGCC (46/1) haplotype and survival among 414 molecularly‐annotated patients with primary myelofibrosis
Authors: Tefferi Ayalew , Lasho Terra L. , Mudireddy Mythri , Finke Christy M. , Hanson Curtis A. , Ketterling Rhett P. , Gangat Naseema , Pardanani Animesh 
Published: December 2018

Abstract
JAK2 mutations in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are associated with the germline GGCC (46/1) haplotype. In 2010, we reported an association between shortened survival in primary myelofibrosis (PMF) and nullizygosity for the JAK2 46/1 haplotype. In the current study, we have increased the number of informative cases from 130 to 414 (median age 63 years; 63% males), in order to revisit with the phenotypic and prognostic relevance of the JAK2 46/1 haplotype in PMF. JAK2 46/1 haplotype was documented in 69% of the study patients, including 25% in homozygous and 44% in heterozygous state. Driver mutation frequency in patients homozygous/heterozygous/nullizygous for the 46/1 haplotype was 78%/60%/56% JAK2, 10%/20%/18% type 1‐like CALR, 3%/2%/5% type 2‐like CALR, 4%/8%/7% MPL, and 6%/10%/14% triple‐negative (P = .02). In univariate analysis, nullizygosity for the JAK2 46/1 haplotype was associated with inferior overall survival (HR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1‐1.9), most pronounced in JAK2 (P <.001), as opposed to CALR/MPL mutated (P = .48) or triple‐negative cases (P = .27). Multivariable analysis that included karyotype, driver mutational status and high‐molecular risk mutations confirmed the independent prognostic contribution of nullizygosity for the 46/1 haplotype (P = .02; HR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1‐1.8). Nullizygosity for 46/1 also remained significant in the context of the genetically‐inspired GIPSS risk model (P = .04), but not in the context of the integrated genetics‐clinical MIPSS70+ version 2.0 model (P = .4). Leukemia‐free survival was not affected by the 46/1 haplotype (P = .6). The current study confirms the association of nullizygosity for the JAK2 GGCC (46/1) haplotype with inferior survival in JAK2‐mutated PMF.
Poly(Alkyl Glycidate Carbonate)s as Degradable Pressure‐Sensitive Adhesives
Authors: Beharaj Anjeza , Ekladious Iriny , Grinstaff Mark W. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractInsertion of CO2 into the polyacrylate backbone, forming poly(carbonate) analogues, provides an environmentally friendly and biocompatible alternative. The synthesis of five poly(carbonate) analogues of poly(methyl acrylate), poly(ethyl acrylate), and poly(butyl acrylate) is described. The polymers are prepared using the salen cobalt(III) complex catalyzed copolymerization of CO2 and a derivatized oxirane. All the carbonate analogues possess higher glass‐transition temperatures (Tg=32 to −5 °C) than alkyl acrylates (Tg=10 to −50 °C), however, the carbonate analogues (Td≈230 °C) undergo thermal decomposition at lower temperatures than their acrylate counterparts (Td≈380 °C). The poly(alkyl carbonates) exhibit compositional‐dependent adhesivity. The poly(carbonate) analogues degrade into glycerol, alcohol, and CO2 in a time‐ and pH‐dependent manner with the rate of degradation accelerated at higher pH conditions, in contrast to poly(acrylate)s.
A CO Adsorption Site Change Induced by Copper Substitution in a Ruthenium Catalyst for Enhanced CO Oxidation Activity
Authors: Huang Bo , Kobayashi Hirokazu , Yamamoto Tomokazu , Toriyama Takaaki , Matsumura Syo , Nishida Yoshihide , Sato Katsutoshi , Nagaoka Katsutoshi , Haneda Masaaki , Xie Wei , Nanba Yusuke , Koyama Michihisa , Wang Fenglong , Kawaguchi Shogo , Kubota Yoshiki , Kitagawa Hiroshi 
Published: December 2018

AbstractRu is an important catalyst in many types of reactions. Specifically, Ru is well known as the best monometallic catalyst for oxidation of carbon monoxide (CO) and has been practically used in residential fuel cell systems. However, Ru is a minor metal, and the supply risk often causes violent fluctuations in the price of Ru. Performance‐improved and cost‐reduced solid‐solution alloy nanoparticles of the Cu‐Ru system for CO oxidation are now presented. Over the whole composition range, all of the CuxRu1−x nanoparticles exhibit significantly enhanced CO oxidation activities, even at 70 at % of inexpensive Cu, compared to Ru nanoparticles. Only 5 at % replacement of Ru with Cu provided much better CO oxidation activity, and the maximum activity was achieved by 20 at % replacement of Ru by Cu. The origin of the high catalytic performance was found as CO site change by Cu substitution, which was investigated using in situ Fourier transform infrared spectra and theoretical calculations.
Tuning Thiol‐Based Self‐Assembled Monolayer Chemistry on a Gold Surface towards the Synthesis of Biochemical Fuel
Authors: Li Guangle , Fei Jinbo , Xu Youqian , Sun Bingbing , Li Junbai 
Published: December 2018

AbstractA proton gradient across a lipid membrane is required for the production of biochemical fuel. Much effort has been devoted to reactions involving proton production in biomimetic assembled architectures under mild conditions. Herein, we explored thiol‐based self‐assembled monolayer chemistry on a naked gold surface for the production of biochemical fuel. Protons are generated when alkanethiols self‐assemble on a gold surface, and the proton yield can be tuned by the choice of thiol and by variation of the procedure used for the deposition of gold. Consequently, the proton gradient across a lipid membrane above the gold surface can be modulated to vary the production rate of biochemical fuel performed by lipid‐embedded motor proteins. Our work presents evidence that a simple and efficient abiotic chemical reaction in a well‐defined biohybrid system can convert unnatural chemicals, namely alkanethiols, into bioenergy molecules, a finding that has a great potential in biofuel‐driven catalysis and devices.
Enantioselective Aluminum‐Free Alkene Hydroarylations through C−H Activation by a Chiral Nickel/JoSPOphos Manifold
Authors: Loup Joachim , Müller Valentin , Ghorai Debasish , Ackermann Lutz 
Published: December 2018

AbstractHighly enantioselective nickel‐catalyzed alkene endo‐hydroarylations were accomplished with full selectivity by organometallic C−H activation. The asymmetric assembly of chiral six‐membered scaffolds proved viable in the absence of pyrophoric organoaluminum reagents within an unprecedented nickel/JoSPOphos manifold.
Efficient Hyperpolarization of U‐13C‐Glucose Using Narrow‐Line UV‐Generated Labile Free Radicals
Authors: Capozzi Andrea , Patel Saket , Gunnarsson Christine Pepke , Marco‐Rius Irene , Comment Arnaud , Karlsson Magnus , Lerche Mathilde H. , Ouari Olivier , Ardenkjær‐Larsen Jan Henrik 
Published: December 2018

AbstractFree radicals generated by UV‐light irradiation of a frozen solution containing a fraction of pyruvic acid (PA) have demonstrated their dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization (dDNP) potential, providing up to 30 % [1‐13C]PA liquid‐state polarization. Moreover, their labile nature has proven to pave a way to nuclear polarization storage and transport. Herein, differently from the case of PA, the issue of providing dDNP UV‐radical precursors (trimethylpyruvic acid and its methyl‐deuterated form) not involved in any metabolic pathway was investigated. The 13C dDNP performance was evaluated for hyperpolarization of [U‐13C6,1,2,3,4,5,6,6‐d7]‐d‐glucose. The generated UV‐radicals proved to be versatile and highly efficient polarizing agents, providing, after dissolution and transfer (10 s), a 13C liquid‐state polarization of up to 32 %.
Reductive Nitric Oxide Coupling at a Dinickel Core: Isolation of a Key cis‐Hyponitrite Intermediate en route to N2O Formation
Authors: Ferretti Eleonora , Dechert Sebastian , Demeshko Serhiy , Holthausen Max C. , Meyer Franc 
Published: December 2018

AbstractReductive coupling of nitric oxide (NO) to give N2O is an important reaction in the global nitrogen cycle. Here, a dinickel(II) dihydride complex 1 that releases H2 upon substrate binding and serves as a masked dinickel(I) scaffold is shown to reductively couple two molecules of NO within the bimetallic cleft. The resulting hyponitrite complex 2 features an unprecedented cis‐[N2O2]2− binding mode that has been computationally proposed as a key intermediate in flavodiiron nitric oxide reductases (FNORs). NMR and DFT evidence indicate facile rotational fluxionality of the [N2O2]2− unit, which allows to access an isomer that is prone to N2O release. Protonation of 2 is now found to trigger rapid N2O evolution and formation of a hydroxido bridged complex, reminiscent of FNOR reactivity. This work provides fundamental insight into the biologically relevant reductive coupling of two NO molecules and the subsequent trajectory towards N2O formation at bimetallic sites.