bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dissociable functional activities of cortical theta and beta oscillations in the lateral prefrontal cortex during intertemporal choice
Authors: Gui Dan-Yang , Yu Tao , Hu Zhenhong , Yan Jiaqing , Li Xiaoli 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) plays an important role in the neural networks involved in intertemporal choice. However, little is known about how the neural oscillation of LPFC functions during intertemporal choice, owing to the technical limitations of functional magnetic resonance imaging and event-related brain potential recordings. Electrocorticography (ECoG) is a novel neuroimaging technique that has high spatial and temporal resolution. In this study, we used ECoG and projected the ECoG data onto individual brain spaces to investigate human intracranial cortex activity and how neural oscillations of the LPFC impact intertemporal choice. We found that neural activity of theta oscillation was significantly higher during impulsive decisions, while beta oscillation activity was significantly higher during non-impulsive ones. Our findings suggest a functional dissociation between cortical theta and beta oscillations during decision-making processes involved in intertemporal choice, and that decision outcomes may be determined by LPFC modulation, which involves neural oscillations at different frequencies.
Quantified evaluation of tracheal compression in pediatric complex congenital vascular ring by computed tomography
Authors: Xu Rong , Shi Ke , Yang Zhi-gang , Diao Kai-yue , zhao Qin , Xu Hua-yan , Guo Ying-kun 
Published: July 2018

AbstractClinically, early diagnosis and treatment is important for survival of pediatric with vascular ring (VR) associated with congenital heart disease (CHD), and accurate evaluation of VR is a prerequisite for repair surgical. The study aimed to assess the quantitative characteristics of tracheal compression in pediatrics with VR and CHD using dual-source computed tomography (DSCT), and further provided effective information for surgical decisions. A total of 49 VR patients with CHD and 56 controls were enrolled. The tracheal quantitative measurements (short diameter, long diameter, tracheal area and tracheal length) were obtained, and the degree of tracheal compression was assessed. Our results indicated that VR associated with CHD may cause more serious and complex symptoms, and the greater tracheal compression were found on DSCT when more severe symptoms were present (r = 0.84). The degree of tracheal compression was significantly different within the VR group between those with and without surgery (P = 0.002). Finally, there were good agreement among (1-long diameter ratio), (1-short diameter ratio) and (1-area ratio) in patients and controls, respectively. This study indicated that DSCT enables provides accurate quantitative tracheal compression information for VR pediatrics associated with CHD, and evaluation of the degree of tracheal compression by 1-area ratio may contribute to the repair surgical of VR.
Leukocyte telomere length correlates with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy severity
Authors: Chatterjee Shambhabi , de Gonzalo-Calvo David , Derda Anselm A. , Schimmel Katharina , Sonnenschein Kristina , Bavendiek Udo , Bauersachs Johann , Bär Christian , Thum Thomas 
Published: July 2018

AbstractTelomere length is a marker of biological aging. Short leukocyte telomere length has been associated with various conditions including cardiovascular disorders. Here, we evaluated if patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy have altered leukocyte telomere length and whether this is associated with disease severity. A quantitative polymerase chain reaction-based method was used to measure peripheral blood leukocyte telomere length in 59 healthy control subjects and a well-characterized cohort of 88 patients diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: 32 patients with non-obstructive cardiomyopathy (HNCM) and 56 patients with obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). We observed shorter leukocyte telomeres in both HNCM and HOCM patients compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, leukocyte telomere length was inversely associated with HCM even after adjusting for age and sex. Telomere length of HOCM patients was also inversely correlated with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. Therefore, HOCM patients were categorized by tertiles of telomere length. Patients in the first tertile (shortest telomeres) had a significantly increased left ventricular posterior wall thickness at end-diastole and higher left ventricular outflow tract gradients, whereas the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter was lower compared with patients in the second and third tertile. In summary, telomere length is associated with the severity of the disease in the HOCM subtype.
Comparative mangrove metagenome reveals global prevalence of heavy metals and antibiotic resistome across different ecosystems
Authors: Imchen Madangchanok , Kumavath Ranjith , Barh Debmalya , Vaz Aline , Góes-Neto Aristóteles , Tiwari Sandeep , Ghosh Preetam , Wattam Alice R. , Azevedo Vasco 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe mangrove ecosystem harbors a complex microbial community that plays crucial role in biogeochemical cycles. In this study, we analyzed mangrove sediments from India using de novo whole metagenome next generation sequencing (NGS) and compared their taxonomic and functional community structures to mangrove metagenomics samples from Brazil and Saudi Arabia. The most abundant phyla in the mangroves of all three countries was Proteobacteria, followed by Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. A total of 1,942 genes were found to be common across all the mangrove sediments from each of the three countries. The mangrove resistome consistently showed high resistance to fluoroquinolone and acriflavine. A comparative study of the mangrove resistome with other ecosystems shows a higher frequency of heavy metal resistance in mangrove and terrestrial samples. Ocean samples had a higher abundance of drug resistance genes with fluoroquinolone and methicillin resistance genes being as high as 28.178% ± 3.619 and 10.776% ± 1.823. Genes involved in cobalt-zinc-cadmium resistance were higher in the mangrove (23.495% ± 4.701) and terrestrial (27.479% ± 4.605) ecosystems. Our comparative analysis of samples collected from a variety of habitats shows that genes involved in resistance to both heavy metals and antibiotics are ubiquitous, irrespective of the ecosystem examined.
Decreased Chromosomal Damage in Lymphocytes of Obese Patients After Bariatric Surgery
Authors: Bankoglu Ezgi Eyluel , Arnold Charlotte , Hering Ilona , Hankir Mohammed , Seyfried Florian , Stopper Helga 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe number of bariatric surgeries being performed worldwide has markedly risen. While the improvement in obesity-associated comorbidities after bariatric surgery is well-established, very little is known about its impact on cancer risk. The peripheral lymphocyte micronucleus test is a widely used method for the monitoring of chromosomal damage levels in vivo, and micronucleus frequency positively correlates with cancer risk. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the micronucleus frequency before and after bariatric surgery in obese subjects. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were collected from 45 obese subjects before and at two time-points after bariatric surgery (6 and 12 months) to assess spontaneous micronucleus frequency. Consistent with the increased cancer risk previously shown, bariatric surgery-induced weight loss led to a significant reduction in lymphocyte micronucleus frequency after 12 months. Interestingly, comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome further seemed to have an impact on the lymphocyte micronucleus frequency. Our findings may indicate a successful reduction of cancer risk in patients following weight loss caused by bariatric surgery.
Hardware‐efficient slope‐error algorithm based PAM4 baud rate CDR scheme for 40 Gb/s receiver
Authors: Shi Linqi , Gai Weixin , Tang Liangxiao , Xiang Xiao , He Ai 
Published: July 2018

A hardware‐efficient slope‐error (SE) algorithm based four‐level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM4) baud rate clock and data recovery (CDR) scheme is proposed. The algorithm uses three adjacent data information to obtain slope information, thus reduces the required error samplers by 75% compared to the widely used baud rate CDR, namely, Mueller Müller (MM) CDR when working at same phase detector (PD) gain. The power efficiency of the CDR loop is improved by 36% compared to MM CDR. The proposed PAM4 baud rate CDR does not bring in extra block except for PD, which makes it easy to be extended from adaptive decision feedback equalisation. A 40 Gb/s PAM4 receiver with the proposed CDR is designed in 55 nm CMOS process. The simulated jitter tolerance of the CDR at high frequency exceeds the SONET OC‐768 JTOL mask by at least 0.35 UI at the bit error rate of 10−12. The CDR loop consumes 106 mW from a 1.2 V supply and occupies an active area of 0.1 mm2.
Agglomeration of the poly(butadiene‐styrene) latex triggered by CO2 bubbling and the preparation of poly(methyl methacrylate‐butadiene‐styrene) core/shell particles with a wide size distribution
Authors: Sun Jianwu , Jiang Yiming , Zhou Xiaoteng , Ning Bo , Qin He , Kan Chengyou 
Published: July 2018

In order to meet the requirement of impact modifier, the agglomerated butadiene‐styrene rubber (a‐SBR) latexes were first prepared by bubbling CO2 into original butadiene‐styrene rubber latex with the diameter about 100 nm, and then the poly(methyl methacrylate‐butadiene‐styrene) latexes (a‐MBS) with a wide particle size distribution were fabricated via seeded emulsion copolymerisation of styrene and methyl methacrylate onto the a‐SBR seeds. It was found that the pH value of the system decreased slowly with the time of CO2 bubbling, while a‐SBR particles were not enlarged until the pH value reduced to about 8. In particular, when the pH value decreased to around 7, the size of a‐SBR particles enlarged dramatically and the agglomerated system should be adjusted immediately to alkaline condition with NaOH aqueous solution. Transmission electron microscopy observation indicated that the a‐MBS particles with a wide size distribution were successfully prepared. Moreover, both the shell thickness and grafting efficiency of the MBS particles decreased gradually with the increasing SBR particle size, while the rubber volume fraction of MBS particles increased. The whole process of agglomeration and grafting copolymerisation is mild, efficient and has great potential in the industrial application.
Step-Down Task Identifies Differences in Ankle Biomechanics Across Functional Activities
Authors: Donovan Luke , Miklovic Tyler , Feger Mark 
Published: July 2018

AbstractCurrently, there is no clinical exam to evaluate ankle frontal plane kinematics. The purpose of this study was to determine whether individuals identified as “lateral” landing during a video-recorded step-down task have differences in ankle inversion as measured with 3-dimensional motion capture during walking, step-down, and jump-landing tasks compared to individuals identified as “non-lateral”. Fifty-seven recreationally active adults completed the descriptive laboratory study. During walking, step-down, and jump-landing tasks, participants had their ankle frontal plane kinematics measured using a 3-dimensional motion capture system. In addition, during the step-down task, participants had a posterior view video of their foot recorded using a commercial camera. Following testing, a blinded-investigator scored the step-down video of all participants by classifying them as ”lateral” landing or ”non-lateral” landing. Ankle frontal plane kinematics during the walking, step-down, and jump-landing tasks were compared between the two groups (lateral (N=24) and non-lateral (N=33) using a binary logistic regression and time-series confidence interval analysis. During walking, stepping-down, and jump-landing, the lateral group had significantly more inversion at initial contact and during various other phases specific to each task. This study found that a clinical screening tool could identify individuals who have significantly more inversion during three tasks.
Platelet Behaviour in Normal Pregnancy, Pregnancy Complicated by Essential Hypertension and Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension
Authors: Morrison R , Crawford J , MacPherson M , Heptinstall S 
Published: July 2018

SummaryPlatelet behaviour was studied throughout pregnancy in a group of women who remained normotensive and a group with essential hypertension (EHT). Women who developed pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) were also studied together with a group of non-pregnant female controls. We determined the sensitivity of platelets to arachidonic acid (AA) and determined the effects of dazoxiben, a thromboxane synthetase inhibitor, on AA-induced platelet behaviour.A marked increase in platelet reactivity was evident in all three groups throughout pregnancy; platelets became more sensitive to AA and less sensitive to the inhibitory effects of dazoxiben. The change was apparent as early as 16 weeks gestation. In normotensive pregnancy and in EHT platelet behaviour had returned to normal six weeks after delivery. Platelets from women who developed PIH were more sensitive to AA than those from the other pregnant women and platelet reactivity had not returned to normal six weeks after delivery.The results indicate that alterations in platelet behaviour may contribute to the vascular complications that are known to be associated with pregnancy and with PIH in particular.
One Year Follow-Up Study of T-Cell Subsets and Incidence of Seropositivity for HTLV-I and HTLV-III Antibodies in Patients Treated “On Demand” or Sporadically with Clotting Concentrates
Authors: Rodeghiero F , Castaman G C , Chisesi T , De Rossi A , Dalla Gassa O , Del Mistro A , Dini E , Castronovo S , Pornaro E , Chieco-Bianchi L 
Published: July 2018

SummaryA 1-year follow-up study of the T-cell subset abnormalities was carried out in 16 severe haemophilia A patients, treated “on demand” with an average amount of 500 U/kg/yr of factor VIII concentrate (group A) and in 15 mild haemophiliacs or von Willebrand patients treated only sporadically with less than 3000 U of factor VIII and no longer exposed to any other blood component in the 2 years preceding the beginning of the study (group B).In group A, 50% and 70% of patients showed a reduced or inverted T 4/T 8 ratio, respectively, at the beginning and at the end of follow-up. These values were of 30% and 20% in patients of group B, suggesting a long-lasting effect of concentrate therapy on T-cell subsets. The low T 4/T 8 ratio was mainly due to an increase of suppressor cells. None of the patients was found positive for anti HTLV-I, whereas 3 patients, all belonging to the group A, showed antibodies against HTLV-III. Thus, in these patients, HTLV-III seems not to be the only cause of low T 4/T 8 ratio.
Assay of Human Tissue-Type Plasminogen Activator (t-PA) with an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) Based on Three Murine Monoclonal Antibodies to t-PA
Authors: Holvoet Paul , Cleemput Hugo , Collen Désiré 
Published: July 2018

SummaryAn enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the measurement of human tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) was developed. Microtiter plates were coated with a mixture of two monoclonal antibodies and bound t-PA was quantitated with a third monoclonal antibody linked to peroxidase. The lower limit of sensitivity of the assay was 0.2 ng of t-PA per ml. The concentration of antigen in citrated plasma of human subjects was found to be 3.4 ± 0.8 ng/ml. The assay had a good reproducibility with values of 3.8, 6.5 and 4.9 percent respectively for the intra-, inter-assay and inter-dilution variation coefficients. The results of the ELISA assay on plasma samples from patients during thrombolytic therapy with t-PA correlated very well, over a wide concentration range, with those obtained with a previously described two-site immuno-radiometric assay (r = 0.96). This ELISA with monoclonal antibodies constitutes a stable and reproducible set of reagents for the measurement of t-PA antigen in biological fluids, avoiding the disadvantages of the use of radioisotopes and of polyclonal antibodies.
Epidemiological Study on Factor VII, Factor VIII and Fibrinogen in an Industrial Population - II. Baseline Data on the Relation to Blood Pressure, Blood Glucose, Uric Acid, and Lipid Fractions
Authors: Balleisen L , Assmann G , Bailey J , Epping P-H , Schulte H , van de Loo J 
Published: July 2018

SummaryIn a preceding paper the baseline data in the Munster Arteriosclerosis Study (PROCAM study) of the levels of fibrinogen, factor VIIc and factor VIIIc were described, and their correlation of age, body weight, smoking, alcohol, pill-using and menopause discussed. In this part the relationship of these coagulation factors to blood pressure, blood glucose, uric acid and lipid parameters, which were examined in 4186 apparently healthy individuals, is presented. The correlations are described using two different statistical models, first the Pearson correlation coefficients after allowing each clotting factor for the effects of age, cigarette and alcohol consumption, body weight, menopausal state, pill using and the other clotting factors, and secondly by a multiple regression analysis. The data suggest that there are multiple interrelationships between hemostatic factors and the variables under consideration. The most striking positive correlations were found for factor VII c to blood glucose and triglycerides in men and women and to HDDcholesterol in women.
The Influence of Molsidomine and Its Active Metabolite SIN-1 on Fibrinolysis and Platelet Aggregation
Authors: Basista M , Grodzińska L , święs J 
Published: July 2018

SummaryMolsidomine and its active metabolite SIN-1 were examined in humans and animals for platelet suppressant and fibrinolytic activities.Following oral administration of molsidomine at doses of 6 or 15 mg/kg to rabbits, their blood platelets in PRP ex vivo required higher threshold concentrations of ADP, AA and thrombin to be aggregated. Unlike molsidomine, SIN-1 when infused (10 and 20 μg/kg i.v.) into anaesthetized cats caused a release of a substance disaggregating platelet clumps which had adhered to blood superfused collagen strip. The appearance of this unstable disaggregating substance was prevented by the pretreatment of cats with aspirin (50 mg/kg i.v.). It is suggested that SIN-1 may promote formation of a PGI2-like substance.In humans shortening of euglobulin clot lysis time was observed 60 min after a single ingestion of 2 mg of molsidomine. This fibrinolytic effect of molsidomine was not abolished by the pretreatment of patients with aspirin. Neither molsidomine nor SIN-1 activated fibrinolysis in preformed euglobulin clots in vitro.
Evidence for Glycoprotein Abnormality in Platelets from Patients with May-Hegglin Anomaly
Authors: Ricci Giorgio , Manservigi Roberto , Albonici Loredana , Zavagli Giorgio , Cassai Enzo 
Published: July 2018

SummaryIn the present research protein analysis on SDS-polyacry-lamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) has been used to study the glycoprotein pattern of the blood platelets of four members from a family affected by May-Hegglin anomaly. In order to characterize the glycoprotein fractions, lactoperoxidase-iodination and immunoprecipitation procedures were used.N,N’diallyltartardiamide (DATD) cross-linked gel electrophoresis was shown to improve the glycoprotein pattern resolution, although with the lactoperoxidase-iodination the glycoprotein characterization of May-Hegglin platelets overlapped the normal. On the other hand with the immunoprecipitation the specific antiserum precipitated all the five major fractions of normal membrane glycoproteins, but it was shown to react quite poorly with the component V of the May-Hegglin glycoprotein pattern.
Experimental Studies on Venous Thrombosis: Effect of Coagulants, Procoagulants and Vessel Contusion
Authors: Aronson David L , Thomas Duncan P 
Published: July 2018

SummaryWe have examined the relative contribution of stasis, activated coagulants, procoagulants and vessel wall damage in the pathogenesis of experimental venous thrombosis. Using a Wessler stasis model in rabbits, we found an inverse correlation between duration of stasis and the amount of Contact Factor and Factor Xa required to produce a stasis thrombus. However, the slope of the dose-response curve for producing thrombi was different with these two coagulants. The infusion of Factor IX complex was also thrombogenic in this model despite prolonged circulation prior to stasis, implying that high levels of multiple procoagulants may be thrombogenic. In contrast, Factor VIII concentrates or a purified Factor IX preparation did not give thrombi under these conditions.When the vessel wall was crushed mechanically, followed by restored blood flow and subsequent stasis, there was essentially no formation of thrombi over the time course of the experiments. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that although the endothelium was swollen and damaged, there was usually no exposure of sub-endothelium and no adherence platelets. Where there was definite disruption of the endothelium, activated platelets could be seen adhering to the vessel wall. However, the blood in the segments remained fluid over a period of 30 min, despite the presence of adherent platelets.Our experiments demonstrated that the combination of vessel wall damage and stasis was relatively ineffective in producing venous thrombosis. In contrast, high levels of zymogens or small amounts of activated clotting factors, combined with local stasis, is a very effective thrombogenic stimulus in the venous system.
Antithrombin III Determination by Rate (Kinetic) Nephelometry
Authors: Balla G , Misz M , Karmazsin L , Rák K 
Published: July 2018

SummaryRate nephelometry immunological antithrombin III determination was elaborated with Beckman Immunochemistry System. The measuring can be carried out within 60 sec from 20 μl plasma. The results show a close correlation with those of gained by the radial immunodiffusion method (r = 0.91) and by Coatest (Kabi-Ortho) (r = 0.77). Both laser-nephelometric and usual non-nephelometric anti-antithrombin III serum (Behring) may be applied.
A Double-Blind Trial of Intramuscular Stanozolol in the Prevention of Postoperative Deep Vein Thrombosis Following Elective Abdominal Surgery
Authors: Blarney S L , McArdle B M , Burns P , Carter D C , Lowe G D O , Forbes C D 
Published: July 2018

SummaryFibrinolytic shutdown may be important in the development of postoperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT). We have previously shown that stanozolol 50 mg, given intramuscularly 24 hr before surgery, prevents the decrease in plasminogen activator activity (PA) seen on the first postoperative day in patients at high risk of DVT. To investigate the role of fibrinolytic shutdown in causation of DVT, sixty patients were randomised in a double-blind controlled trial to receive stanozolol or placebo intramuscularly, and DVT was detected by leg scanning and confirmed by venography. Scan positive DVT occurred in IT of 31 placebo patients (35%) and 12 of 29 who received stanozolol (41%). A significant decrease in PA was confirmed in the placebo group, while stanozolol caused a significant increase in PA on the first postoperative day. Patients in either group who did not develop DVT showed minimal changes in PA. We conclude that prevention of fibrinolytic shutdown by this regimen of stanozolol does not prevent postoperative DVT, and that further studies are required to clarify the relationships of postoperative fibrinolysis and DVT.