bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Medication therapy management services in emergency and ambulatory care of Gondar University Hospital, northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Abegaz Tadesse M. , Bhagavathula Akshaya S. , Tefera Yonas G. , Belachew Sewunet A. , Tegegn Henok G. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractBackgroundClinical pharmacists (CP) providing medication therapy management (MTM) services have shown significant positive therapeutic outcomes by identifying and resolving patients’ drug therapy problems (DTPs).ObjectiveThus, the aim of the study is to evaluate and characterise the type of interventions provided by CPs through MTM services in emergency and ambulatory settings in Gondar University Hospital (GUH), northwest Ethiopia.MethodsThis is a prospective cross‐sectional study carried out in emergency and ambulatory settings during February–July 2015 at GUH, Ethiopia. The CP interventions documented through MTM services were collected and analysed using SPSS version 22. A p‐value ≤0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.ResultsA total of 182 patients with 335 interventions were recorded, of which the majority were from the ambulatory ward (63.1%) particularly, cardiovascular patients (25.8%). CPs identified at least one DTP per patient, such as ‘need for additional drug therapy’ (30.5%) and ‘unnecessary drug therapy’ (29.5%). The interventions provided by CPs were providing information (32.5%), start/stop medications (25.7%), alteration of duration, frequency and dosage (11.6%). Of 335 interventions, 257 (76.7%) were accepted by physicians. CP interventions were about four times more likely to be accepted by physicians in patients with comorbidities (adjusted odds ratio = 3.70, 95% CI = 1.959–6.99) than those with no comorbidity.ConclusionCP interventions through MTM documentations revealed identification of patient drug‐related problems and have shown acceptance by the majority of physicians. We recommend the use of MTM services in other wards of the GUH.
Generation of antibacterial peptides from crude cheese whey using pepsin and rennet enzymes at various pH conditions
Authors: Elbarbary Hend A , Ejima Akika , Sato Kenji 
Published: June 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe current study aimed to prepare antimicrobial agents for food preservation from crude cheese whey. Crude cheese whey was digested with porcine pepsin, and calf and fungal rennets at various pHs. The digests were assessed for antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis.RESULTSThe calf rennet digest at pH 3.0 showed the highest antibacterial activity. Three antibacterial peptides that acted against B. subtilis lactoferrin f(20–30), and β‐lactoglobulin f(14–22) and f(92–103) were identified in the calf rennet digest. Only lactoferrin f(20–30) also exerted bactericidal activity against E. coli. LC–MS/MS analysis revealed that the three peptides were generated by the porcine pepsin at pH 2.5, whereas the calf rennet generated them at a wider pH (pH 2.5–3.5). Fungal rennet generated only β‐lactoglobulin f14‐22 at pH 3.5. The pepsin and calf rennet digests at pH 2.5 and 3.0, respectively, reduced the E. coli and B. subtilis populations by approximately 2 log at 6000 µg mL−1 in milk at 4 °C.CONCLUSIONThe calf rennet and porcine pepsin digests of cheese whey, at a specific acidic pH, which can be prepared from food‐grade materials, have the potential to be used as natural food preservatives due to the presence of the three antibacterial peptides. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
On the hydrolysis mechanisms of amides and peptides
Authors: East Allan L. L. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractHere the possibility is raised that peptide hydrolysis, in the absence of catalysis by proteases or buffers, may still have a self‐catalyzing mechanism that differs from ordinary amide hydrolysis. Second, an attempt is made to clarify the ongoing confusion in the computational chemistry literature regarding the rate‐limiting step in ordinary amide hydrolysis. Third, Gibbs activation energies (free‐energy barriers) for formamide hydrolysis are derived from rate constants and presented under different concentration conventions, for ease of comparison to values from computational chemistry predictions past and future.
Immediate versus delayed reconstruction of head and neck cutaneous melanoma
Authors: Quimby Alexandra E. , Khalil Diana , Johnson‐Obaseki Stephanie 
Published: June 2018

ObjectiveControversy exists regarding the surgical management of cutaneous melanoma and the optimal timing of reconstruction. One approach to ensuring an oncologically sound outcome is a two‐stage procedure, with reconstruction delayed for negative permanent section margins. Alternatively, a single‐stage excision with immediate reconstruction is advantageous because it limits both resource use and patient morbidity from multiple procedures. We sought to examine available published data on the oncologic outcomes associated with immediate versus delayed reconstruction of cutaneous melanoma in the head and neck region.MethodsWe performed a systematic review using EMBASE, Ovid MEDLINE, and PubMed. We examined all English‐language studies reporting oncologic outcomes (positive margins and/or local recurrence rates) of single‐stage or delayed reconstruction of cutaneous melanoma in the head and neck region. Our primary outcomes of interest were rates of positive margins requiring re‐excision and rates of local recurrence. A total of 1,557 studies were screened by three independent reviewers.ResultsNine studies met inclusion criteria for final analysis. Two of the nine studies directly compared immediate versus delayed reconstruction and demonstrated lower rates of positive margins in the immediate reconstruction group (odds ratio 3.7, [95% CI 0. 79–17. 34]).ConclusionThere are a paucity of studies directly comparing oncologic outcomes associated with immediate versus delayed reconstruction following excision of head and neck cutaneous melanoma. Based on a limited amount of heterogeneous data, single‐stage excision with immediate reconstruction may be an oncologically sound alternative to delayed reconstruction for head and neck cutaneous melanoma.Level of Evidence3a. Laryngoscope, 2566–2572, 2018
High Performance Low Dielectric Constant Polymer with Good Film‐Forming Ability Developed from Renewable Plant Oil (Anethole)
Authors: Tao Yangqing , Zhou Junfeng , Wang Jiajia , Wang Yuanqiang , Sun Jing , Fang Qiang 
Published: June 2018

AbstractA new polymer showing low dielectric constant and good film‐forming ability derived from a renewable plant oil (anethole) and thermo cross‐linkable benzocyclobutene is developed. This polymer with anethole content of more than 50% is prepared through a thermal cross‐linking reaction of an anethole‐based monomer with active benzocyclobutene unit, and it displays a low dielectric constant of less than 2.70 varying from 0.1 to 30 MHz, low water uptake of below 0.1%, and good thermostability (5% weight loss of up to 430 °C). The polymer film also exhibits high transparency and low surface roughness. These results are comparable to that of the commercial benzocyclobutene‐based high performance polymers widely used in electronic/microelectronic industry, suggesting that the renewable anethole could be considered as a new sustainable feedstock supply to produce the benzocyclobutene‐like high performance materials.
Imaging‐Guided pHe and Glutathione Dual Responsive Polypeptide Nanogel for Smart Drug Delivery
Authors: Jing Titao , Li Tuanwei , Ruan Zheng , Cheng Quan , Yan Lifeng 
Published: June 2018

AbstractA negatively charged polypeptide nanogel, near‐infrared (NIR) cyanine dye (Cy5.5) conjugated and 2,3‐dimethylmaleic anhydride (DMA) modified poly‐l‐lysine‐co‐l‐cystine (CDPLC), is synthesized and is used as an imaging‐guided sequential drug delivery system. The CDPLC nanogel can respond to two general stimulations in sequence: extracellular tumor acidic microenvironment pHe (6.8–6.5) and intracellular high concentration glutathione (GSH). Under pHe, the DMA shell of the nanogel is removed and a charge reversal takes place, resulting in positively charged nanogel which can be internalized by cancer cells easily. Once internalized into tumor cells, the increased intracellular GSH concentration further promotes DOX release from the nanogel and DOX is enriched to the nucleus. Cy5.5 is conjugated to the nanogel as an NIR fluorescent probe, making it possible for imaging‐guided drug delivery, which is confirmed by the MTT and confocal laser scanning microscopy via in vitro experiments. The as‐prepared nanogel is a potential theranostic for cancer therapy.
Morphology and Crystallization of Biobased Polyamide 56 Blended with Polyethylene Terephthalate
Authors: Yan Yurong , Gooneie Ali , Ye Haixian , Deng Lingli , Qiu Zhiming , Reifler Felix A. , Hufenus Rudolf 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThis study attempts to promote biobased polyamide 56 (PA56) as a sustainable candidate to replace commercial PA6 and PA66 when blended with polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Scanning and transmission electron microscopy of the blends with different PA56 contents reveals an immiscible morphology with an increase in the size of the dispersed domains by increasing PA56 content. The steady‐state mixing torque of the kneader is decreased to half by adding 10 wt% of PA56 to PET. Further addition of PA56 gradually increases this torque but does not surpass the neat PET sample up to 30 wt% of PA56. As revealed by microscopic dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulations, this gradual increase is ascribed to the difficulty to disperse larger domains of PA56 in the thermodynamically undesired PET. The results confirm that PA56 has a lubricating effect in PET. Using polarized optical microscopy (POM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) techniques, it is shown that PA56 acts as a nucleating agent in PET. This leads to the formation of numerous small crystals in the blends as opposed to several large crystals in the neat samples. The results encourage the use of PA56 biomaterial in combination with PET in products such as bicomponent segmented pie fibers.
Description of three new Peptoniphilus species cultured in the vaginal fluid of a woman diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis: Peptoniphilus pacaensis sp. nov., Peptoniphilus raoultii sp. nov., and Peptoniphilus vaginalis sp. nov.
Authors: Diop Khoudia , Diop Awa , Michelle Caroline , Richez Magali , Rathored Jaishriram , Bretelle Florence , Fournier Pierre‐Edouard , Fenollar Florence 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThree previously unidentified Gram‐positive anaerobic coccoid bacteria, strains KhD‐2T, KHD4T, and Kh‐D5T, isolated from a vaginal swab, were characterized using the taxonogenomics concept. The phylogenic analysis, phenotypic characteristics, and genotypic data presented in this report attest that these three bacteria are distinct from previously known bacterial species with standing in nomenclature and represent three new Peptoniphilus species. Strain KhD‐2T is most closely related to Peptoniphilus sp. DNF00840 and Peptoniphilus harei (99.7% and 98.2% identity, respectively); strain KHD4T to Peptoniphilus lacrimalis (96%) and strain Kh‐D5T to Peptoniphilus coxii (97.2%). Strains KhD‐2T, KHD4T, and Kh‐D5T DNA G+C contents are, respectively, 34.23%, 31.87%, and 49.38%; their major fatty acid was C16:0 (41.6%, 32.0%, and 36.4%, respectively). We propose that strains KhD‐2T (=CSUR P0125 = DSM 101742), KHD4T (=CSUR P0110 = CECT 9308), and Kh‐D5T (=CSUR P2271 = DSM 101839) be the type strains of the new species for which the names Peptoniphilus vaginalis sp. nov., Peptoniphilus raoultii sp. nov., and Peptoniphilu pacaensis sp. nov., are proposed, respectively.
Staphylococcus argenteus from rabbits in Thailand
Authors: Indrawattana Nitaya , Pumipuntu Natapol , Suriyakhun Nawarat , Jangsangthong Arunee , Kulpeanprasit Suphang , Chantratita Narisara , Sookrung Nitat , Chaicumpa Wanpen , Buranasinsup Shutipen 
Published: June 2018

AbstractStaphylococcus argenteus, a novel species of the genus Staphylococcus or a member of the S. aureus complex, is closely related to S. aureus and is usually misidentified. In this study, the presence of S. argenteus in isolated S. aureus was investigated in 67 rabbits with abscess lesions during 2014–2016. Among 19 S. aureus complex isolates, three were confirmed to be S. argenteus by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry, nonribosomal peptide synthetase gene amplification, and multilocus sequence type. All S. aureus complex isolates, including the S. aureus isolates, were examined for their antimicrobial resistance phenotype by disk diffusion and for their resistance genotype by PCR assays. Among the S. argenteus isolates, one was susceptible to all antimicrobial drugs and the other two were resistant to penicillin and doxycycline. In contrast, most S. aureus isolates were resistant to penicillin (37.5%), and gentamicin (12.5%). Moreover, S. aureus isolates harbored the blaZ, mecA, aacA‐aphD, and mrs(A) as well as mutations of gyrA and grlA, but S. argenteus isolates carried solely the blaZ. S. argenteus isolates were investigated for enterotoxin (sea‐sed) and virulence genes by PCR. One isolate carried sea, sec, and sed, whereas the other two isolates carried only sea or sed. No isolate carried seb and see. All three S. argenteus isolates carried hla, hlb, and clfA, followed by pvl, whereas coa, spa (IgG‐binding region), and spa (x region) were not detected in the three isolates. This paper presents the first identification of S. argenteus from rabbits in Thailand. S. argenteus might be pathogenic because the isolates carried virulence genes. Moreover, antimicrobial resistance was observed. Investigations of this new bacterial species should be conducted in other animal species as well as in humans.
Bacteroides fragilis requires the ferrous‐iron transporter FeoAB and the CobN‐like proteins BtuS1 and BtuS2 for assimilation of iron released from heme
Authors: Rocha Edson R. , Bergonia Hector A. , Gerdes Svetlana , Jeffrey Smith Charles 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe intestinal commensal and opportunistic anaerobic pathogen Bacteroides fragilis has an essential requirement for both heme and free iron to support growth in extraintestinal infections. In the absence of free iron, B. fragilis can utilize heme as the sole source of iron. However, the mechanisms to remove iron from heme are not completely understood. In this study, we show that the inner membrane ferrous iron transporter ∆feoAB mutant strain is no longer able to grow with heme as the sole source of iron. Genetic complementation with the feoAB gene operon completely restored growth. Our data indicate that iron is removed from heme in the periplasmic space, and the released iron is transported by the FeoAB system. Interestingly, when B. fragilis utilizes iron from heme, it releases heme‐derived porphyrins by a dechelatase activity which is upregulated under low iron conditions. This is supported by the findings showing that formation of heme‐derived porphyrins in the ∆feoAB mutant and the parent strain increased 30‐fold and fivefold (respectively) under low iron conditions compared to iron replete conditions. Moreover, the btuS1 btuS2 double‐mutant strain (lacking the predicted periplasmic, membrane anchored CobN‐like proteins) also showed growth defect with heme as the sole source of iron, suggesting that BtuS1 and BtuS2 are involved in heme‐iron assimilation. Though the dechelatase mechanism remains uncharacterized, assays performed in bacterial crude extracts show that BtuS1 and BtuS2 affect the regulation of the dechelatase‐specific activities in an iron‐dependent manner. These findings suggest that the mechanism to extract iron from heme in Bacteroides requires a group of proteins, which spans the periplasmic space to make iron available for cellular functions.
CO2 induced pHi changes in the brain of polar fish: a TauCEST application
Authors: Wermter Felizitas C. , Maus Bastian , Pörtner Hans‐O. , Dreher Wolfgang , Bock Christian 
Published: June 2018

Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) from taurine to water (TauCEST) can be used for in vivo mapping of taurine concentrations as well as for measurements of relative changes in intracellular pH (pHi) at temperatures below 37°C. Therefore, TauCEST offers the opportunity to investigate acid–base regulation and neurological disturbances of ectothermic animals living at low temperatures, and in particular to study the impact of ocean acidification (OA) on neurophysiological changes of fish. Here, we report the first in vivo application of TauCEST imaging. Thus, the study aimed to investigate the TauCEST effect in a broad range of temperatures (1–37°C) and pH (5.5–8.0), motivated by the high taurine concentration measured in the brains of polar fish. The in vitro data show that the TauCEST effect is especially detectable in the low temperature range and strictly monotonic for the relevant pH range (6.8–7.5). To investigate the specificity of TauCEST imaging for the brain of polar cod (Boreogadus saida) at 1.5°C simulations were carried out, indicating a taurine contribution of about 65% to the in vivo expected CEST effect, if experimental parameters are optimized. B. saida was acutely exposed to three different CO2 concentrations in the sea water (control normocapnia; comparatively moderate hypercapnia OAm = 3300 μatm; high hypercapnia OAh = 4900 μatm). TauCEST imaging of the brain showed a significant increase in the TauCEST effect under the different CO2 concentrations of about 1.5–3% in comparison with control measurements, indicative of changes in pHi or metabolite concentration. Consecutive recordings of 1H MR spectra gave no support for a concentration induced change of the in vivo observed TauCEST effect. Thus, the in vivo application of TauCEST offers the possibility of mapping relative changes in pHi in the brain of polar cod during exposure to CO2.
Anisotropic Gurson‐Tvergaard‐Needleman plasticity and damage model for finite element analysis of elastic‐plastic problems
Authors: Shahzamanian M. M. 
Published: June 2018

SummaryImplementation and analysis of the anisotropic version of the Gurson‐Tvergaard‐Needleman (GTN) isotropic damage criterion are performed on the basis of Hill's quadratic anisotropic yield theory with the definition of an effective anisotropic coefficient to represent the elastic‐plastic behavior of ductile metals. This study aims to analyze the extension of the GTN model suitable for anisotropic porous metals and to investigate the GTN model extension. An anisotropic damage model is implemented using the user material subroutine in ABAQUS/standard finite element code. The implementation is verified and applied to simulate a uniaxial tensile test on a commercially produced aluminum sheet material for three‐dimensional and plane stress test cases. Spherical and ellipsoidal micro voids are considered in the matrix material, and their effects on the uniaxial stress‐strain response of the material are analyzed. Hill's quadratic anisotropic yield theory predicts substantially large damage evolution and a low stress‐strain curve compared with those predicted by the isotropic model. An approximate model for anisotropic materials is proposed to avoid increased damage evolution. In this approximate model, Hill's anisotropic constants are replaced with an effective anisotropy coefficient. All model‐generated stress‐strain predictions are compared with the experimental stress‐strain curve of AA6016‐T4 alloy.
MicroRNA 200b is upregulated in the lungs of fetal rabbits with surgically induced diaphragmatic hernia
Authors: Eastwood Mary Patrice , Deprest Jan , Russo Francesca Maria , Wang Hongmei , Mulhall Drew , Iwasiow Barbara , Mahood Thomas H. , Keijzer Richard 
Published: June 2018

AbstractObjectiveProfiling of miR‐200b expression and its targets (transforming growth factor [TGF]–β2 and ZEB2) in the surgical rabbit congenital diaphragmatic hernia (DH) model before and after tracheal occlusion (TO).MethodsThirty‐eight timed‐pregnant rabbits had left DH creation on gestational day (GD) 23. On GD28, 17 randomly selected fetuses had TO. We harvested fetuses at GD23, GD28, or GD30. We calculated lung–to–body weight ratios, processed lungs for miR‐200b in situ hybridization and real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and evaluated effects on downstream targets TGF‐β2 or ZEB2.ResultsWe obtained 16 DH fetuses (n = 7 GD28 and n = 9 GD30), 13 TO fetuses (GD30), and 38 control fetuses (n = 15 GD23, n = 11 GD28, and n = 12 GD30). Diaphragmatic hernia lungs were hypoplastic, and TO resulted in control lung–to–body weight ratio levels. Term miR‐200b‐3p levels were significantly upregulated in the hypoplastic compared with control ipsilateral lung (1.906 ± 0.90 vs 0.7429 ± 0.44) (P < .01). Fetal TO ipsilateral lungs displayed a variable miR‐200b response on in situ hybridization and polymerase chain reaction, with levels similar to control and congenital DH lungs. The TGF‐β2 was unchanged in hypoplastic and TO lungs, and ZEB2 tended to be reduced in TO compared with DH lungs (1.79 [0.4‐2.9] vs 0.73 [0.5‐1.4]).ConclusionsHypoplastic fetal rabbit lungs display upregulation of miR‐200b expression although downstream targets are not different from controls. Following TO, fetal rabbit lungs display a variable miR‐200b response.
Novel poly(aryl ether nitrile ketone) foams and the influence of copolymer structure on the foaming result
Authors: Zhao Jiyong , Wang Zhipeng , Wang Honghua , Zhou Guangyuan 
Published: June 2018

AbstractNovel poly(aryl ether nitrile ketone) foams were prepared through the batch foaming method with supercritical CO2 as the blowing agent. Both temperature‐induced and pressure‐induced foaming methods were conducted to examine the influence of nitrile groups on the foaming result. The results indicated that nitrile groups influenced the foaming result by affecting both the viscoelasticity and CO2 absorption of the polymers. In addition, the CO2 solubility of the polymers increased with increasing CN content presumably because of the Lewis acid–base nature of the interaction between the CO2 molecules and the nitrile groups. The cell growth process was assessed by analyzing the influence of foaming temperature and foaming time on the cell morphology. Nanocellular foams with a minimum size of 30–50 nm were achieved by the temperature‐induced foaming method. Moreover, highly expanded foams with a maximum expansion ratio of 23.6 were obtained by the pressure‐induced foaming method. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry