bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Brief Report: Circulating Cytokine Profiles and Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody Specificity in Patients With Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody–Associated Vasculitis
Authors: Berti Alvise , Warner Roscoe , Johnson Kent , Cornec Divi , Schroeder Darrell , Kabat Brian , Langford Carol A. , Hoffman Gary S. , Fervenza Fernanado C. , Kallenberg Cees G. M. , Seo Philip , Spiera Robert , St.Clair E. William , Brunetta Paul , Stone John H. , Merkel Peter A. , Specks Ulrich , Monach Paul A. ,   the RAVE‐ITN Research Group
Published: April 2018

ObjectiveTo evaluate circulating cytokine profiles in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody–associated vasculitis (AAV), classified by antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) specificity (proteinase 3 ANCA [PR3‐ANCA] versus myeloperoxidase ANCA [MPO‐ANCA]) or by clinical diagnosis (granulomatosis with polyangiitis [GPA] versus microscopic polyangiitis [MPA]).MethodsA panel of 29 cytokines was tested in 186 patients with active AAV at inclusion into the Rituximab in AAV trial. Cytokine concentrations were compared between groups within each classification system. Multivariable analyses adjusted for age, sex, and renal insufficiency were performed, with each biomarker as a dependent variable and ANCA specificity and clinical diagnosis as explanatory variables of interest.ResultsLevels of 9 circulating cytokines (interleukin‐6 [IL‐6], granulocyte–macrophage colony‐stimulating factor [GM‐CSF], IL‐15, IL‐18, CXCL8/IL‐8, CCL‐17/thymus and activation–regulated chemokine [TARC], IL‐18 binding protein [IL‐18 BP], soluble IL‐2 receptor α [sIL‐2Rα], and nerve growth factor β [NGFβ]) were significantly higher in PR3‐AAV than MPO‐AAV, 4 cytokines (sIL6R, soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor type II [sTNFRII], neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin [NGAL], and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 [sICAM‐1]) were higher in MPO‐AAV than in PR3‐AAV, 6 cytokines (IL‐6, GM‐CSF, IL‐15, IL‐18, sIL‐2Rα, and NGFβ) were higher in GPA than in MPA, and 3 cytokines (osteopontin, sTNFRII, and NGAL) were higher in MPA than in GPA (all P < 0.05). For nearly all cytokines, the difference between PR3‐AAV and MPO‐AAV was larger than that between GPA and MPA. The multivariate analysis showed that 8 cytokines (IL‐15, IL‐8, IL‐18 BP, NGF‐β, sICAM‐1, TARC, osteopontin, and kidney injury molecule 1 (P < 0.05) distinguished patients with AAV better (lower P values and larger effect sizes) when grouped by ANCA specificity than by clinical diagnosis.ConclusionDistinct cytokine profiles were identified for PR3‐AAV versus MPO‐AAV and for GPA versus MPA. Differences in these circulating immune mediators are more strongly associated with ANCA specificity than with clinical diagnosis, suggesting that heterogeneity in the AAV subtypes extends beyond clinical phenotypes.
The effect of physical activity interventions on youth with autism spectrum disorder: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Healy Sean , Nacario Adam , Braithwaite Rock E. , Hopper Chris 
Published: April 2018

The purpose of this meta‐analysis was to examine the effect of physical activity interventions on youth diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Standard meta‐analytical procedures determining inclusion criteria, literature searches in electronic databases, coding procedures, and statistical methods were used to identify and synthesize articles retained for analysis. Hedge's g (1988) was utilized to interpret effect sizes and quantify research findings. Moderator and outcome variables were assessed using coding procedures. A total of 29 studies with 30 independent samples (N = 1009) were utilized in this analysis. Results from meta‐analyses indicated an overall moderate effect (g = 0.62). Several outcomes indicated moderate‐to‐large effects (g ≥ 0.5); specifically, moderate to large positive effects were revealed for participants exposed to interventions targeting the development of manipulative skills, locomotor skills, skill‐related fitness, social functioning, and muscular strength and endurance. Moderator analyses were conducted to explain variance between groups; environment was the only subgrouping variable (intervention characteristics) to produce a significant difference (QB = 5.67, P < 0.05) between moderators. While no significant differences were found between other moderators, several trends were apparent within groups in which experimental groups outperformed control groups. Autism Res 2018, 11: 818–833. © 2018 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Lay SummaryResults of the meta‐analysis—a method for synthesizing research—showed physical activity interventions to have a moderate or large effect on a variety of outcomes, including for the development of manipulative skills, locomotor skills, skill‐related fitness, social functioning, and muscular strength and endurance. The authors conclude that physical activity's standing as an evidence‐based strategy for youth with ASD is reinforced.
Population-based study of mortality and major amputation following lower limb revascularization
Authors: Heikkila K , Loftus I M , Mitchell D C , Johal A S , Waton S , Cromwell D A 
Published: April 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to estimate separate risks of major lower limb amputation and death following revascularization for peripheral artery disease (PAD) using competing risks analysis.MethodsRoutinely collected data from Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) were used to identify patients who underwent endovascular or open lower limb revascularization for PAD in England from 2005 to 2015. The primary outcomes were major lower limb amputation and death within 5 years of revascularization. Cox proportional hazards and Fine–Gray competing risks regression were used to examine the competing risks of these outcomes.ResultsSome 164 845 patients underwent their first lower limb revascularization for PAD during the study interval. Most were men (64·6 per cent) and the median age was 71 (i.q.r. 62–78) years. Following endovascular revascularization, the 5-year cumulative incidence of amputation was 4·2 per cent in patients with intermittent claudication and 18·0 per cent in those with a record of tissue loss. The corresponding rates were 10·8 and 25·3 per cent respectively after open revascularization, and 8·1 and 25·0 per cent after combined procedures. The 5-year cumulative incidence of death varied from 24·5 to 39·8 per cent, depending on procedure type. Competing risks methods consistently produced lower estimates than standard methods.ConclusionThe 5-year risk of major amputation following lower limb revascularization for PAD appears lower than estimated previously. Patients undergoing revascularization for tissue loss and those who require an open procedure are at highest risk of limb loss.
Rehabilitation use in multiple sclerosis: Do illness representations matter?
Authors: Glattacker Manuela , Giesler Jürgen M. , Klindtworth Katharina , Nebe Angelika 
Published: April 2018

AbstractObjectivesMultidisciplinary rehabilitation improves illness outcomes and is recommended in clinical guidelines for multiple sclerosis (MS). However, many people with MS do not make use of rehabilitation. We do not know much about the barriers to the use of rehabilitation in MS, but in other patient groups, illness representations have proven to be predictors of service utilization. Therefore, the aim of our study was to explore whether, in patients with MS, illness representations are associated with self‐reports of rehabilitation use in the past and the intention to use rehabilitation in the future, beyond sociodemographic and illness‐related factors.Materials and MethodsPatients were recruited in a cross‐sectional nationwide online survey in Germany. Hierarchical binary logistic regression analysis was used to analyze whether illness representations are associated with the use of rehabilitation in the past and the intention to use rehabilitation in the future, over and above socio‐demographic and illness‐related variables.ResultsThere were 590 patients, who had MS, participating in the study. Illness representations were correlated to both outcome variables beyond sociodemographic and illness‐related factors: The probabilities of having the intention to use rehabilitation and of making using of rehabilitation were higher in patients who believed that their MS was controllable by treatment and perceived that their MS would have severe consequences.ConclusionsOur data suggest that addressing patients’ illness representations may facilitate the intention to use and the use of multimodal rehabilitation, contributing to better illness outcomes.
Enhanced switching and familial susceptibility for psychosis
Authors: Sabb Fred W. , Hellemann Gerhard , Allen Nicholas B. , Bearden Carrie E. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIntroductionWorking Memory and Task‐Switching are essential components of cognitive control, which underlies many symptoms evident across multiple neuropsychiatric disorders, including psychotic and mood disorders. Vulnerability to these disorders has a substantial genetic component, suggesting that clinically unaffected first‐degree relatives may carry some vulnerability‐related traits. Converging evidence from animal and human studies demonstrates that dopamine transmission, striatal and frontal brain regions, and attention and switching behaviors are essential components of a multilevel circuit involved in salience, and disruptions in that circuit may lead to features of psychosis. Yet, it is possible that unaffected relatives may also possess characteristics that protect against development of illness. We hypothesized that reduced switch cost in a cued task‐switching task, may be a behavioral expression of this “resilience” phenotype that will be observable in unaffected relatives.MethodsWe tested a large community sample (n = 536) via the web, to assess different subcomponents of cognitive control, including task‐switching and working memory, as well as risk‐taking, among individuals who report having an affected relative with a psychotic or mood disorder.ResultsHealthy individuals with suspected genetic risk due to a self‐reported familial history of a psychotic disorder demonstrated better task‐switching performance compared to healthy people without a psychiatrically ill relative and those with a relative with a mood disorder. This result was specific to illness status and task domain, in that individuals with a personal history of depression or anxiety did not show improved task‐switching performance, and this improvement was selective to task‐switching and not seen in other putative cognitive control domains (working memory or risk taking).ConclusionsAlthough this study has limitations and independent replication is needed, these preliminary findings suggest a potential avenue for understanding susceptibility to these disorders by highlighting possible protective as well as vulnerability‐related aspects of risk phenotypes.
Bio‐preparation of (R)‐DMPM using whole cells of Pseudochrobactrum asaccharolyticum WZZ003 and its application on kilogram‐scale synthesis of fungicide (R)‐metalaxyl
Authors: Zhang Yinjun , Fan Yicheng , Zhang Wei , Wu Guanzhong , Wang Jinghong , Cheng Feng , Zheng Jianyong , Wang Zhao 
Published: April 2018

Methyl (R)‐N‐(2,6‐dimethylphenyl)alaninate ((R)‐DMPM) is a key chiral intermediate for the production of (R)‐metalaxyl, which is one of the best‐selling fungicides. A new strain, Pseudochrobactrum asaccharolyticum WZZ003, was identified as a biocatalyst for the enantioselective hydrolysis of (R,S)‐DMPM. The key parameters including pH, temperature, rotation speed and substrate concentrations were optimized in the enantioselective hydrolysis of (R,S)‐DMPM. After the 48 h hydrolysis of 256 mM (R,S)‐DMPM under the optimized reaction conditions, the enantiomeric excess of product (e.e.p) was up to 99% and the conversion was nearly 50%. Subsequently, the unhydrolyzed (S)‐DMPM was converted to (R,S)‐DMPM through the n‐butanal‐catalyzed racemization. Furthermore, stereoselective hydrolysis of (R,S)‐DMPM catalyzed by whole cells of P. asaccharolyticum WZZ003 was scaled up to kilogram‐scale, offering (R)‐MAP‐acid with 98.6% e.e.p and 48.0% yield. Moreover, (R)‐metalaxyl was prepared at kilogram scale after subsequent esterification and coupling reactions. Therefore, a practical production process of (R)‐DMPM and (R)‐metalaxyl with the prospect of industrialization was developed in this study. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 34:921–928, 2018
An approach to STFT and CWT learning through music hands‐on labs
Authors: Ortiz‐Echeverri César J. , Rodríguez‐Reséndiz Juvenal , Garduño‐Aparicio Mariano 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThis work presents a series of lectures and activities for Digital Signal Processing (DSP) teaching, based upon music and their principal elements such as melody, pitch, timbre, beat, and metric, to explain the time‐frequency analysis and its repercussions in other areas of engineering. DSP courses are difficult to the students due to a high mathematical content and high level of abstraction, for this reason, the primary objective of this work is to create a pedagogical tool that allows the improvement on the teaching process in Signal Processing courses. There are two popular approaches: Short‐Time Fourier Transform (STFT) and Continuous Wavelet Transform (CWT) which have been used to find time‐frequency maps. The student roll was designed for active participation by creating melodies from real instruments as well as synthetic generators, and by implementing the codes of STFT and CWT in MATLAB. The results demonstrate that in general terms, after carrying out these laboratory activities the students are more motivated to learn Signal Processing theory, and some of them become interested in the new research line on Music Information Retrieval (MIR), which would benefit the continuity of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technologies ABET, obtained for the Automation Engineering program at Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro (UAQ) since 2016.
Simultaneous kissing stents to treat unprotected left main stem coronary artery bifurcation disease; stent expansion, vessel injury, hemodynamics, tissue healing, restenosis, and repeat revascularization
Authors: Morris Paul D. , Iqbal Javaid , Chiastra Claudio , Wu Wei , Migliavacca Francesco , Gunn Julian P. 
Published: April 2018

ObjectivesTo perform detailed analysis of stent expansion, vessel wall stress, hemodynamics, re‐endothelialization, restenosis, and repeat PCI in the simultaneous kissing stents (SKS) technique of bifurcation left main stem (LMS) stenting.BackgroundThe SKS technique is useful to treat patients with true bifurcation disease of the LMS but remains controversial.Methods and ResultsComputational structural analysis of SKS expansion demonstrated undistorted and evenly expanded stents. Computational fluid dynamics modelling revealed largely undisturbed blood flow. 239 PCI procedures were performed on 217 patients with unprotected bifurcation LMS disease with SKS using DES (2004‐2017). We electively studied 13 stable patients from baseline to 10 years post‐SKS with repeat angiography and optical coherence tomography, and demonstrated tissue coverage of the stent struts at the carina, with no evidence of lacunae behind the stents. We studied all patients with symptomatic recurrence. Target lesion revascularization rate was 3.2% at 1 year and 4.6% at 2 years. Of all 20 patients with restenosis, the site was the LMS‐Cx stent in 7, the LMS‐LAD stent in 2 and both in 11. Two‐year recurrence rate was 7/32 (5.3%) for first, and 4/108 (3.7%) for second generation DES. Treatment with repeat kissing techniques was undertaken in 19/20, with sustained clinical results with re‐SKS.ConclusionThe SKS technique for treating unprotected LMS bifurcation disease does not distort the stents, is associated with favorable hemodynamics, tissue coverage of the exposed struts, and a low restenosis rate when performed with contemporary stents. Re‐PCI with repeat SKS appears feasible, safe, and durable.
Gout tophi on the soles resembling viral warts
Authors: Bossart Simon , Sidler Daniel , Blum Roland , Hunger Robert E. 
Published: April 2018

Key Clinical MessageThis case highlights the need to consider tophaceous gout in patients with post‐transplant renal insufficiency, chronic immunosuppression, and hypertension, who develop atypical papules or nodules on the soles, which can cause problems in differentiation from other skin diseases.
Study of Ni, Pt, and Ru Catalysts on Wood‐based Activated Carbon Supports and their Activity in Furfural Conversion to 2‐Methylfuran
Authors: Mäkelä Eveliina , Lahti Riikka , Jaatinen Salla , Romar Henrik , Hu Tao , Puurunen Riikka L. , Lassi Ulla , Karinen Reetta 
Published: April 2018

AbstractBio‐based chemicals can be produced from furfural through hydrotreatment. In this study, 2‐methylfuran (MF), a potential biofuel component, was produced with Pt, Ru, and Ni catalysts supported on wood‐based activated carbons. The catalytic hydrotreatment experiments were conducted in a batch reactor at 210–240 °C with 2‐propanol as solvent and 40 bar H2 pressure. Two types of activated carbon supports were prepared by carbonization and activation of lignocellulosic biomass (forest‐residue‐based birch and spruce from Finland). Both types of activated carbons were suitable as catalyst supports, giving up to 100 % furfural conversions. The most important factors affecting the MF yield were the metal dispersion and particle size as well as reaction temperature. The highest observed MF yields were achieved with the noble metal catalysts with the highest dispersions at 240 °C after 120 min reaction time: 3 wt % Pt on spruce (MF yield of 50 %) and 3 wt % Ru on birch (MF yield of 49 %). Nickel catalysts were less active most likely owing to lower dispersions and incomplete metal reduction. Interesting results were obtained also with varying the metal loadings: the lower Pt loading (1.5 wt %) achieved almost the same MF yield as the 3 wt % catalysts, which can enable the production of MF with high yields and reduced catalyst costs. Based on this study, biomass‐based renewable activated carbons can be used as catalyst supports in furfural hydrotreatment with high conversions.
Introducing Molecular Functionalities within High Surface Area Nanostructured ITO Electrodes through Diazonium Electrografting
Authors: Kim Yee‐Seul , Fournier Sophie , Lau‐Truong Stéphanie , Decorse Philippe , Devillers Charles H. , Lucas Dominique , Harris Kenneth D. , Limoges Benoît , Balland Véronique 
Published: April 2018

AbstractEfficient and homogeneous functionalization of 3D nanostructured transparent ITO electrodes was reproducibly achieved by electrochemical reduction of in‐situ generated free‐base porphyrin diazonium salts. The resulting modified electrodes were characterized by cyclic voltammetry and voltabsorptometry, UV‐visible absorption, resonance Raman and XPS. The overall results strongly support the formation of covalently linked electroactive porphyrin oligomers on the ITO surface, that are highly stable towards desorption or hydrolysis in organic as well as mild hydrolytic conditions. Further metalation by zinc ions was quantitatively achieved, thus opening new opportunities for the preparation of robust high‐surface area photoelectrodes with adjustable properties.
Fabrication of Miniaturised Screen‐printed Glucose Biosensors, Using a Water‐based Ink, and the Evaluation of their Electrochemical Behaviour
Authors: Hughes G. , Pemberton R. M. , Nicholas P. , Hart J. P. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThis paper describes a simple, convenient approach to the fabrication of microband electrodes and microband biosensors based on screen printing technology. These devices were printed in a three‐electrode configuration on one strip; a silver/silver chloride electrode and carbon counter electrode served as reference and counter electrodes respectively. The working electrodes were fabricated by screen‐printing a water‐based carbon ink containing cobalt phthalocyanine for hydrogen peroxide detection. These were converted into a glucose microband biosensor by the addition of glucose oxidase into the carbon ink. In this paper, we discuss the fabrication and application of glucose microband electrodes for the determination of glucose in cell media. The dimensions (100–400 microns) of the microband electrodes result in radial diffusion, which results in steady state responses in the absence of stirring. The microband biosensors were investigated in cell media containing different concentrations of glucose using chronoamperometry. The device shows linearity for glucose determination in the range 0.5 mM to 2.5 mM in cell media. The screen‐printed microband biosensor design holds promise as a generic platform for future applications in cell toxicity studies.
Ecological risk assessment of perfluooroctane sulfonate to aquatic fauna from a bayou adjacent to former fire training areas at a US Air Force installation
Authors: Salice Christopher J. , Anderson Todd A. , Anderson Richard H. , Olson Adric D. 
Published: April 2018

Abstract

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) continue to receive significant attention, with particular concern for PFASs such as perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), which was a constituent of aqueous film-forming foam used widely as a fire suppressant for aircraft since the 1970s. We were interested in the potential for risk to ecological receptors inhabiting Cooper Bayou, which is adjacent to 2 former fire-training areas at Barksdale Air Force Base (LA, USA). Previous research showed higher PFOS concentrations in surface water and biota from Cooper Bayou compared to reference sites. To estimate risk, we compared surface water concentrations from multiple sites within Cooper Bayou with several PFOS chronic toxicity benchmarks for freshwater aquatic organisms (∼0.4–5.1 μg PFOS/L) and showed probability of exceedances from 0.04 to 0.5, suggesting a potential for adverse effects in the most contaminated habitats. A tissue-residue assessment similarly showed some exceedance of benchmarks but with a lower probability (maximum = 0.17). Both fire-training areas have been inactive for more than a decade, so exposures (and, thus, risks) are expected to decline. Several uncertainties limit confidence in our risk estimates including highly dynamic surface water concentrations and limited chronic toxicity data for relevant species. Also, we have little data concerning organisms higher in the food chain which may receive higher lifetime exposures given the potential for PFOS to bioaccumulate and the longevity of many of these organisms. Overall, the present study suggests that PFOS can occur at concentrations that may cause adverse effects to ecological receptors, although additional, focused research is needed to reduce uncertainties. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:2198–2209. © 2018 SETAC