bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Profiling cocaine residues and pyrolytic products in wastewater by mixed‐mode liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: González‐Mariño Iria , Estévez‐Danta Andrea , Rodil Rosario , Da Silva Katyeny Manuela , Sodré Fernando Fabriz , Cela Rafael , Quintana José Benito 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThis work provides a new analytical method for the determination of cocaine, its metabolites benzoylecgonine and cocaethylene, the pyrolytic products anhydroecgonine and anhydroecgonine methyl ester, and the pharmaceutical levamisole in wastewater. Samples were solid‐phase extracted and extracts analyzed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry using, for the first time in the illicit drug field, a stationary phase that combines reversed‐phase and weak cation‐exchange functionalities. The overall method performance was satisfactory, with limits of detection below 1 ng/L, relative standard deviations below 21%, and percentages of recovery between 93% and 121%. Analysis of 24‐hour composite raw wastewater samples collected in Santiago de Compostela (Spain) and Brasilia (Brazil) highlighted benzoylecgonine as the compound showing the highest population‐normalized mass loads (300–1000 mg/day/1000 inhabitants). In Brasilia, cocaine and levamisole loads underwent an upsurge on Sunday, indicating a high consumption, and likely a direct disposal, of cocaine powder on this day. Conversely, the pyrolytic product resulting from the smoke of crack, anhydroecgonine methyl ester, and its metabolite anhydroecgonine were relatively stable over the four days, agreeing with a non‐recreational‐associated use of crack.
Underuse of hydralazine and isosorbide dinitrate for heart failure in patients of African ancestry: a cross‐European survey
Authors: Brewster Lizzy M. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractAimsPopulation data indicate that one in 25 persons of African ancestry has heart failure, a condition with relatively high mortality of around 50% in 5 years. Combined hydralazine and isosorbide dinitrate added to conventional therapy in African ancestry patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction improves quality of life and reduces the rate of first hospitalization for heart failure by 33% and annual mortality by 43%. The objectives of this study were to quantify the use of this guideline‐recommended therapy in Europe and the potential effect of implementation gaps on mortality.Methods and resultsPrescription drug registration and utilization databases and population statistics were analysed in a cross‐European survey without language restriction. Main outcomes were the number of unique patients prescribed the fixed combination hydralazine–isosorbide dinitrate (primary) or both drugs (secondary) in Europe in 2015, and the excess mortality related to prescribing practices was estimated. The survey indicates that around 12 million persons of African ancestry live in Europe. It is estimated that 480 000 persons of this population group have heart failure, with 120 000 eligible for hydralazine and isosorbide dinitrate therapy. However, single‐pill hydralazine–isosorbide dinitrate is not authorized and therefore not dispensed in Europe in 2015. Out of the 25 European nations surveyed, the UK and the Netherlands are the only countries with major African ancestry populations where both hydralazine and isosorbide dinitrate are available for oral use, aside Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Hydralazine and isosorbide dinitrate are prescribed to <500 European patients in 2015. Thus, despite the recommendations of the European Society of Cardiology, the large majority of African‐European patients with heart failure do not receive this drug combination, potentially resulting in 4800 to 5800 excess deaths yearly.ConclusionsThe life‐saving, guideline‐recommended, adjunctive therapy for heart failure in African ancestry patients with hydralazine and isosorbide dinitrate is rarely used in Europe. This major evidence‐practice gap should urgently be overcome to reduce excess mortality in African‐European patients with heart failure.
The Ubiquitin‐proteasome pathway regulates Nectin2/CD112 expression and impairs NK cell recognition and killing
Authors: Molfetta Rosa , Milito Nadia D. , Zitti Beatrice , Lecce Mario , Fionda Cinzia , Cippitelli Marco , Santoni Angela , Paolini Rossella 
Published: March 2019

AbstractNectin2 is a member of immunoglobulin‐like cell adhesion molecules and plays a prominent role in the establishment of adherens and tight junctions. It is also upregulated on the surface of tumor and virus‐infected cells where it functions as a ligand for the activating receptor CD226, thus contributing to cytotoxic lymphocyte‐mediated recognition and killing of damaged cells. Little is currently known about the regulation of Nectin2 expression and, in particular, whether posttranscriptional and posttranslational mechanisms are involved. Here, we analyzed Nectin2 expression on a panel of human tumor cell lines and primary cultures and we found that Nectin2 is mainly expressed in cytoplasmic pools. Moreover, we demonstrated that ubiquitination of Nectin2 promotes its degradation and is responsible for protein intracellular retention. Indeed, inhibition of the ubiquitin pathway results in increased Nectin2 surface expression and enhances tumor cell susceptibility to NK cell cytotoxicity. Our results demonstrate a previously unknown mechanism of Nectin2 regulation revealing that the ubiquitin pathway represents a potential target of intervention in order to increase susceptibility to NK cell‐mediated lysis.
Accelerated thymopoiesis and improved T‐cell responses in HLA‐A2/‐DR2 transgenic BRGS‐based human immune system mice
Authors: Masse‐Ranson Guillemette , Dusséaux Mathilde , Fiquet Oriane , Darche Sylvie , Boussand Maud , Li Yan , Lopez‐Lastra Silvia , Legrand Nicolas , Corcuff Erwan , Toubert Antoine , Centlivre Mireille , Bruel Timothée , Spits Hergen , Schwartz Olivier , Lévy Yves , Strick‐Marchand Hélène , Di Santo James P. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractHuman immune system (HIS) mouse models provide a robust in vivo platform to study human immunity. Nevertheless, the signals that guide human lymphocyte differentiation in HIS mice remain poorly understood. Here, we have developed a novel Balb/c Rag2−/− Il2rg−/− SirpaNOD (BRGS) HIS mouse model expressing human HLA‐A2 and ‐DR2 transgenes (BRGSA2DR2). When comparing BRGS and BRGSA2DR2 HIS mice engrafted with human CD34+ stem cells, a more rapid emergence of T cells in the circulation of hosts bearing human HLA was shown, which may reflect a more efficient human T‐cell development in the mouse thymus. Development of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was accelerated in BRGSA2DR2 HIS mice and generated more balanced B and T‐cell compartments in peripheral lymphoid organs. Both B‐ and T‐cell function appeared enhanced in the presence of human HLA transgenes with higher levels of class switched Ig, increased percentages of polyfunctional T cells and clear evidence for antigen‐specific T‐cell responses following immunization. Taken together, the presence of human HLA class I and II molecules can improve multiple aspects of human B‐ and T‐cell homeostasis and function in the BRGS‐based HIS mouse model.
Nuclear magnetic resonance to study the interactions acting in the enantiomeric separation of homocysteine by capillary electrophoresis with a dual system of γ‐cyclodextrin and the chiral ionic liquid EtCholNTf2
Authors: Greño Maider , Salgado Antonio , Castro‐Puyana María , Marina María Luisa 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe enantiomeric separation of 9‐fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl chloride (FMOC)‐homocysteine (Hcy) by CE was investigated using γ‐CD and the chiral ionic liquid (R)‐(1‐hydroxybutan‐2‐yl)(trimethyl)azanium‐bis(trifluoromethanesulfon)imidate (also called (R)‐N,N,N‐trimethyl‐2‐aminobutanol‐bis(trifluoromethane‐sulfon)imidate) (EtCholNTf2) as chiral selectors. Using 2 mM γ‐CD and 5 mM EtCholNTf2 in 50 mM borate buffer (pH 9), FMOC‐Hcy enantiomers were separated with a resolution value of 3.8. A reversal in the enantiomer migration order in comparison with the single use of γ‐CD in the separation buffer was obtained. Then, NMR experiments were carried out to elucidate the interactions taking place in the enantiomeric separation of FMOC‐Hcy. NMR analyses highlighted the formation of an inclusion complex since the hydrophobic group of FMOC‐Hcy was inserted into the γ‐CD cavity. Moreover, interactions between EtCholNTf2 and γ‐CD were also observed, suggesting that the chiral ionic liquid would also enter the cavity of the γ‐CD.
On the integration of the energy storage in smart grids: Technologies and applications
Authors: Kolokotsa Dionysia , Kampelis Nikos , Mavrigiannaki Angeliki , Gentilozzi Marco , Paredes Filippo , Montagnino Fabio , Venezia Luca 
Published: March 2019

AbstractSmart grids are one of the major challenges of the energy sector for both the energy demand and energy supply in smart communities and cities. Grid connected energy storage systems are regarded as promising solutions for providing ancillary services to electricity networks and to play an important role in the development of smart grids. The aim of the present article is to analyze the role of storage systems in the development of smart grids. The article includes an analysis and a list of energy storage systems that are applied in smart grids. Various energy storage systems are examined raging from electrical, electrochemical, thermal, and mechanical systems. Two case studies are presented that show the role of energy storage in effective management of energy demand and supply.
An ensemble of LSTM neural networks for high‐frequency stock market classification
Authors: Borovkova Svetlana , Tsiamas Ioannis 
Published: March 2019

AbstractWe propose an ensemble of long–short‐term memory (LSTM) neural networks for intraday stock predictions, using a large variety of technical analysis indicators as network inputs. The proposed ensemble operates in an online way, weighting the individual models proportionally to their recent performance, which allows us to deal with possible nonstationarities in an innovative way. The performance of the models is measured by area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic. We evaluate the predictive power of our model on several US large‐cap stocks and benchmark it against lasso and ridge logistic classifiers. The proposed model is found to perform better than the benchmark models or equally weighted ensembles.
WNT signaling represses astrogliogenesis via Ngn2‐dependent direct suppression of astrocyte gene expression
Authors: Sun Shuhui , Zhu Xiao‐Jing , Huang Hao , Guo Wei , Tang Tao , Xie Binghua , Xu Xiaofeng , Zhang Zunyi , Shen Ying , Dai Zhong‐Min , Qiu Mengsheng 
Published: March 2019

AbstractNeural progenitor cells (NPCs) are sequentially specified into neurons and glia during the development of central nervous system. WNT/β‐catenin signaling is known to regulate the balance between the proliferation and differentiation of NPCs during neurogenesis. However, the function of WNT/β‐catenin signaling during gliogenesis remains poorly defined. Here, we report that activation of WNT/β‐catenin signaling disrupts astrogliogenesis in the developing spinal cord. Conversely, inhibition of WNT/β‐catenin signaling leads to precocious astrogliogenesis. Further analysis reveals that activation of WNT/β‐catenin pathway results in a dramatic increase of neurogenin 2 (Ngn2) expression in transgenic mice, and knockdown of Ngn2 expression in neural precursor cells can reverse the inhibitory effect of WNT/β‐catenin on astrocytic differentiation. Moreover, Ngn2 can directly bind to the promoters of several astrocyte specific genes and suppress their expression independent of STATs activity. Together, our studies provide the first in vivo evidence that WNT/β‐catenin signaling inhibits early astrogliogenesis via an Ngn2‐dependent transcriptional repression mechanism.
Observing home‐visit quality with the home visit rating scales: Introduction to the special section
Authors: Peterson Carla A. , Roggman Lori A. 
Published: March 2019

ABSTRACTEvidence‐based home‐visiting programs aim to address one of the most important challenges facing our species—setting the next generation on a healthy path of development that prepares them for a future that is simultaneously uncertain and promising. Diverse research literatures have pointed to practices to effectively meet this challenge and better achieve the unfulfilled promise of home visiting by more effectively engaging parents in supporting their children's early development and well‐being. Measures of home‐visit quality practices drawn from social work, pediatric nursing, early childhood, and early intervention research literatures have identified building relationships with families and focusing on their strengths as effective, practices that are particularly important for vulnerable families. The articles in this special section used the Home Visit Rating Scales to examine stability in home‐visit quality over time, study specific home‐visiting processes linked with quality, validate a supervisor checklist of home‐visiting implementation, and consider the home visit in relation to an array of indicators reflecting overall home‐visiting program strength and stability. These articles exemplify progress in home‐visiting research over recent decades, including advances in direct observational methods and measurement as well as examinations of home visiting as an observable process across various home‐visiting program models and populations.
Prophylactic onlay reinforcement with absorbable mesh (polyglactin) is associated with less early wound complications after kidney transplantation: A preliminary study
Authors: Michalski Christoph W. , Mohammadi Sara , Khajeh Elias , Ghamarnejad Omid , Sabagh Mohammadsadegh , Pianka Frank , Golriz Mohammad , Kulu Yakup , Kallinowski Friedrich , Zeier Martin , Morath Christian , Diener Markus K. , Büchler Markus W. , Mehrabi Arianeb 
Published: March 2019

AbstractIncidence of wound complications after kidney transplantation (KTx) is still considerable. Here, we report the impact of prophylactic absorbable polyglactin (Vicryl®) mesh reinforcement on the incidence of short‐term post‐KTx wound complications. Sixty‐nine patients were analyzed; 23 with and 46 without preventive onlay mesh reinforcement. Surgical site infections (SSI) were seen in six (26%) patients in the mesh group and in 17 (37%) patients in no‐mesh group. A lower, but not statistically significant, rate of early postoperative wound complications occurred in the mesh group. Wound complications were observed in seven (30%) patients in the mesh group and in 23 (50%) patients in the no‐mesh group. There was no association between mesh placement and SSI incidence (odds ratios [OR] 0.60, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.20–1.82, p = 0.369) and wound complications (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.15–1.26, p = 0.126). Therefore, we conclude that mesh reinforcement does not increase the risk of SSI and overall wound complications. Long‐term outcomes have to be evaluated in a randomized trial setting. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 108B:67–72, 2020.
Immunomodulatory effect of oleoylethanolamide in dendritic cells via TRPV1/AMPK activation
Authors: Yao Enhui , Zhang Guixiang , Huang Jinhua , Yang Xiazhen , Peng Lu , Huang Xuefeng , Luo Xiaoxin , Ren Jie , Huang Rui , Yang Lichao , Zhou Yu , Zhuo Rengong , Zhao Yun , Jin Xin 
Published: March 2019

AbstractOleoylethanolamide (OEA) is an endogenous lipid mediator involved in the control of feeding, body weight, and energy metabolism. However, whether OEA modulates maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) has never been addressed. Hence, we evaluated the effect of OEA on DCs maturation in bone marrow‐derived DCs (BMDCs) in four aspects: (a) Cell surface markers were determined using flow cytometric analysis; (b) cell mobile ability was testified with the transwell assay; (c) stimulation of T cells proliferation was performed in a coculture system; and (d) cytokine production was measured using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The result showed that, in mature BMDCs induced by lipopolysaccharides (LPS), the OEA treatment decreased expressions of cell surface markers, reduced cell migration, diminished the proliferation of cocultured T cells, and regulated cytokine production of BMDCs, indicating the modulatory effect of OEA on DCs maturation. Furthermore, to explore the underlying mechanism of the immunomodulatory effect of OEA, we used antagonists of transient receptor potential vanilloid‐1 (TRPV1) and AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK), determined the protein expressions of TRPV1/AMPK and Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB) using western blot, and measured the intracellular calcium concentration using calcium imaging. The result illustrated that OEA downregulated TLR4/NF‐κB, the classical pathway leading to DCs maturation induced by LPS, through the activation of TRPV1 and AMPK. Collectively, the present study suggests that OEA suppresses DCs maturation through the activation of TRPV1/AMPK. These findings increase our understanding of this endogenous lipid OEA.
Design and Synthesis of Novel Organic Luminescent Materials Based on Pyrazole Derivative
Authors: Duan Yingxiang , Zhao Qian , Yang Yanhua , Zhang Jinyang , Tao Xuan , Shen Yingzhong 
Published: March 2019

Five new materials based on pyrazole derivatives have been synthesized and characterized as organic light‐emitting devices. This report presents a novel approach to combine pyrazole with aromatic hydrocarbons via methylene. The formed molecules exhibited twisted structures, which resulted in high glass transition temperatures (Tg), which ranged from 83.0 to 101.1°C. They also had high optical band gaps (Eg); most of their optical band gaps are determined by the absorption edge technique as 3.43 to 3.66 eV, evaluated photophysical properties of these synthesized novel chromophores, the optical properties such as maximum absorption and emission wavelengths (λ; nm), molar extinction coefficients (ε; cm−1·M−1), Stokes' shifts (ΔλST; nm), and quantum yields (φF). These compounds exhibited intense absorption bonds between 230 and 350 nm, and the effect of solvent polarity on emission of these pyrazole derivatives was also studied. In addition, they showed blue fluorescence in different solvents and bathochromic shift with the increase in the solvent polarity.
ART adherence clubs in the Western Cape of South Africa: what does the sustainability framework tell us? A scoping literature review
Authors: Flämig Kornelia , Decroo Tom , van den Borne Bart , van de Pas Remco 
Published: March 2019

AbstractIntroductionIn 2007, the antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence club (AC) model was introduced to South Africa to combat some of the health system barriers to ART delivery, such as staff constraints and increasing patient load causing clinic congestion. It aimed to absorb the growing number of stable patients on treatment, ensure quality of care and reduce the workload on healthcare workers. A pilot project of ACs showed improved outcomes for club members with increased retention in care, reduced loss to follow‐up and a reduction in viral rebound. In 2011, clubs were rolled out across the Cape Metro District with promising clinical outcomes. This review investigates factors that enable or jeopardize sustainability of the adherence club model in the Western Cape of South Africa.MethodsA scoping literature review was carried out. Electronic databases, organizations involved in ACs and reference lists of relevant articles were searched. Findings were analysed using a sustainability framework of five key components: (1) Design and implementation processes, (2) Organizational capacity, (3) Community embeddedness, (4) Enabling environment and (5) Context.Results and DiscussionThe literature search identified 466 articles, of which six were included in the core review. Enablers of sustainability included the collaborative implementation process with collective learning sessions, the programme's flexibility, the high acceptability, patient participation and political support (to some extent). Jeopardizing factors revolved around financial constraints as non‐governmental organizations are the main supporters of ACs by providing staff and technical support.ConclusionsThe results showed convincing factors that enable sustainability of ACs in the long term and identified areas for future research. Community embeddedness of clubs with empowerment and participation of patients, is a strong enabler to the sustainability of the model. Further policies are recommended to regulate the role of lay healthcare workers, ensure the reliability of the drug supply and the funding of club activities.
Repeatability and reproducibility of 3D MR fingerprinting relaxometry measurements in normal breast tissue
Authors: Panda Ananya , Chen Yong , Ropella‐Panagis Kathleen , Ghodasara Satyam , Stopchinski Marcie , Seyfried Nicole , Wright Katherine , Seiberlich Nicole , Griswold Mark , Gulani Vikas 
Published: March 2019

BackgroundThe 3D breast magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) technique enables T1 and T2 mapping in breast tissues. Combined repeatability and reproducibility studies on breast T1 and T2 relaxometry are lacking.PurposeTo assess test–retest and two‐visit repeatability and interscanner reproducibility of the 3D breast MRF technique in a single‐institution setting.Study TypeProspective.SubjectsEighteen women (median age 29 years, range, 22–33 years) underwent Visit 1 scans on scanner 1. Ten of these women underwent test–retest scan repositioning after a 10‐minute interval. Thirteen women had Visit 2 scans within 7–15 days in same menstrual cycle. The remaining five women had Visit 2 scans in the same menstrual phase in next menstrual cycle. Five women were also scanned on scanner 2 at both visits for interscanner reproducibility.Field Strength/SequenceTwo 3T MR scanners with the 3D breast MRF technique.AssessmentT1 and T2 MRF maps of both breasts.Statistical TestsMean T1 and T2 values for normal fibroglandular tissues were quantified at all scans. For variability, between and within‐subjects coefficients of variation (bCV and wCV, respectively) were assessed. Repeatability was assessed with Bland–Altman analysis and coefficient of repeatability (CR). Reproducibility was assessed with interscanner coefficient of variation (CoV) and Wilcoxon signed‐rank test.ResultsThe bCV at test–retest scans was 9–12% for T1, 7–17% for T2, wCV was <4% for T1, and <7% for T2. For two visits in same menstrual cycle, bCV was 10–15% for T1, 13–17% for T2, wCV was <7% for T1 and <5% for T2. For two visits in the same menstrual phase, bCV was 6–14% for T1, 15–18% for T2, wCV was <7% for T1, and <9% for T2. For test–retest scans, CR for T1 and T2 were 130 msec and 11 msec. For two visit scans, CR was <290 msec for T1 and 10–14 msec for T2. Interscanner CoV was 3.3–3.6% for T1 and 5.1–6.6% for T2, with no differences between interscanner measurements (P = 1.00 for T1, P = 0.344 for T2).Data Conclusion3D breast MRF measurements are repeatable across scan timings and scanners and may be useful in clinical applications in breast imaging.Level of Evidence: 2Technical Efficacy: Stage 2J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;50:1133–1143.