bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Higher human T‐cell leukaemia virus type 1 (HTLV‐1) proviral load is associated with end‐stage kidney disease in Indigenous Australians: Results of a case‐control study in central Australia
Authors: Talukder Mohammad Radwanur R. , Walley Rebecca , Pham Hai , Schinke Shane , Woodman Richard , Wilson Kim , Sajiv Cherian , Einsiedel Lloyd 
Published: June 2019

AbstractCase series suggest that human T‐cell leukaemia virus type 1 (HTLV‐1) is associated with kidney disease; however, little is known about the impact of proviral load (PVL). The present study was commenced to determine whether higher HTLV‐1 PVL is associated with end stage kidney disease (ESKD) in Indigenous Australians. A case‐control study was conducted in Alice Springs Hospital (ASH), 1 July 2007 to 30 November 2015. Cases included all 80 Indigenous adults (>17 years) with HTLV‐1c and ESKD, matched 1:1 by sex to controls with HTLV‐1 who had no renal disease or other recognised disease associations of HTLV‐1, and were recruited during the same period. The association between PVL and ESKD was assessed using logistic regression. Median (IQR) HTLV‐1c PVL for subjects with ESKD (6.86, IQR (3.35, 8.23) log copies per 105 peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) (ie, 0.95; IQR, 0.03; 3.70% PBL) was significantly higher than that of the asymptomatic group (3.47; IQR (−0.04, 6.61) log copies per 10
5 PBL (ie, 0.01; IQR, 0.00; 0.52% PBL) (asymptomatic vs ESKD, P (ranksum) < .001). Major factors associated with ESKD were diabetes (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 21.80; 95% CI, 4.84, 98.22; P < .001), hypertension (aOR, 4.16; 1.11, 15.64; P = .03), remote residence (aOR, 5.34; 95% CI, 1.17, 27.29; P = .03) and HTLV‐1c PVL greater than or equal to 100 copies per 10
5 PBL (aOR, 3.67; 95% CI, 1.36, 9.92; P = .01). Higher HTLV‐1c PVL are strongly associated with inflammatory diseases. The high HTLV‐1c PVL reported here may have clinical implications for people with HTLV‐1 who require haemodialysis. Longitudinal studies are required to determine whether this association is causal.
Inflammation‐regulatory microRNAs: Valuable targets for intracranial atherosclerosis
Authors: Li Jia , Li Keshen , Chen Xiangyan 
Published: June 2019

AbstractIntracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS) is the most common etiology of ischemic stroke with the highest rate of stroke recurrence. Little is currently known of the association of circulating inflammation‐regulatory microRNAs (miRNAs) with ICAS. In this review, we briefly discuss that ICAS is characterized as a dynamic and unstable inflammatory process within intracranial arteries. Then, as a topic of discussion, we mainly concentrate on the following crucial miRNAs (miR‐155, miR‐27a/b, miR‐342‐5p, miR‐21, miR‐124, and miR‐223) by virtue of their multiple roles in regulating the progression of atherosclerosis involved with systemic and local inflammatory activities in cerebral arteries. Clinical perspectives of other miRNAs (miR‐146a, miR‐181b, miR‐126, miR‐143, and let‐7b) in ICAS are also mentioned. In relevance to the inflammatory mechanisms of ICAS, the in‐depth knowledge of miRNAs engaged in the progression of intracranial atherosclerotic plaques may provide an approach to a more precise exploration of diagnostic and therapeutic targets for ICAS.
Twelve‐month outcomes of a bioabsorbable implant for in‐office treatment of dynamic nasal valve collapse
Authors: Sidle Douglas M. , Stolovitzky Pablo , Ow Randall A. , Silvers Stacey , Matheny Keith , Bikhazi Nadim , Wani Manish , Scurry W. Cooper , Most Sam P. 
Published: June 2019

ObjectivesTo examine 12‐month outcomes for in‐office treatment of dynamic nasal valve collapse (NVC) with a bioabsorbable implant.Study DesignProspective, multicenter, nonrandomized study.MethodsOne hundred sixty‐six patients with severe‐to‐extreme class of Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scores were enrolled at 16 U.S. clinics (November 2016–July 2017). Patients were treated with a bioabsorbable implant (Latera, Spirox Inc., Redwood City, CA) to support the lateral wall, with or without concurrent inferior turbinate reduction (ITR), in an office setting. NOSE scores and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) were measured at baseline and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. The Lateral Wall Insufficiency (LWI) score was determined by independent physicians observing the lateral wall motion video.ResultsOne hundred five patients were treated with implant alone, whereas 61 had implant + ITR. Thirty‐one patients reported 41 adverse events, all of which resolved with no clinical sequelae. Patients showed significant reduction in NOSE scores throughout 12 months postoperatively (77.4 ± 13.4 baseline vs. 36.2 ± 22.7 at 1 month postoperatively, 33.0 ± 23.4 at 3 months, 32.1 ± 24.6 at 6 months, and 30.3 ± 24.3 at 12 months; P < 0.001). They also showed significant reduction in VAS scores postoperatively (69.7 ± 18.1 baseline vs. 31.3 ± 27.1 at 12 months postoperatively, P < 0.001). These results were similar in patients treated with implant alone and those treated with the implant + ITR. Consistent with patient‐reported outcomes, postoperative LWI scores were demonstrably lower (1.42 ± 0.09 and 0.93 ± 0.08 pre‐ and postoperatively, P < 0.001).ConclusionIn‐office treatment of dynamic NVC with a bioabsorbable implant improves clinical evidence of LWI at 6 months and improves nasal obstructive symptoms in a majority of patients up to 12 months.Level of Evidence2bLaryngoscope, 130:1132–1137, 2020
Fibroblast growth factor receptor promotes progression of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Khandelwal Alok R. , Kent Burton , Hillary Savage , Alam Md Maksudul , Ma Xiaohua , Gu Xin , DiGiovanni John , Nathan Cherie‐Ann O. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractCutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is a keratinocyte‐derived invasive and metastatic tumor of the skin. It is the second‐most commonly diagnosed form of skin cancer striking 200 000 Americans annually. Further, in organ transplant patients, there is a 65‐ to 100‐fold increased incidence of cSCC compared to the general population. Excision of cSCC of the head and neck results in significant facial disfigurement. Therefore, increased understanding of the mechanisms involved in the pathogeneses of cSCC could identify means to prevent, inhibit, and reverse this process. In our previous studies, inhibition of fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) significantly decreased ultraviolet B‐induced epidermal hyperplasia and hyperproliferation in SKH‐1 mice, suggesting an important role for FGFR signaling in skin cancer development. However, the role of FGFR signaling in the progression of cSCC is not yet elucidated. Analysis of the expression of FGFR in cSCC cells and normal epidermal keratinocytes revealed protein overexpression and increased FGFR2 activation in cSCC cells compared to normal keratinocytes. Further, tumor cell‐specific overexpression of FGFR2 was detected in human cSCCs, whereas the expression of FGFR2 was low in premalignant lesions and normal skin. Pretreatment with the pan‐FGFR inhibitor; AZD4547 significantly decreased cSCC cell‐cycle traverse, proliferation, migration, and motility. Interestingly, AZD4547 also significantly downregulated mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 and AKT activation in cSCC cells, suggesting an important role of these signaling pathways in FGFR‐mediated effects. To further bolster the in vitro studies, NOD.Cg‐Prkdcscid Il2rgtm1Wjl/SzJ mice with SCC12A tumor xenografts treated with AZD4547 (15 mg/kg/bw, twice weekly oral gavage) exhibited significantly decreased tumor volume compared to the vehicle‐only treatment group. The current studies provide mechanistic evidence for the role of FGFR and selectively FGFR2 in the early progression of cSCC and identifies FGFR as a putative therapeutic target in the treatment of skin cancer.
Postural Abnormalities in Parkinson's Disease: An Epidemiological and Clinical Multicenter Study
Authors: Tinazzi Michele , Gandolfi Marialuisa , Ceravolo Roberto , Capecci Marianna , Andrenelli Elisa , Ceravolo Maria Gabriella , Bonanni Laura , Onofrj Marco , Vitale Michela , Catalan Mauro , Polverino Paola , Bertolotti Claudio , Mazzucchi Sonia , Giannoni Sara , Smania Nicola , Tamburin Stefano , Vacca Laura , Stocchi Fabrizio , Radicati Fabiana G. , Artusi Carlo Alberto , Zibetti Maurizio , Lopiano Leonardo , Fasano Alfonso , Geroin Christian 
Published: June 2019

ABSTRACTIntroductionThe overall frequency of postural abnormalities (PA) in Parkinson's disease (PD) is unknown. We evaluated the overall prevalence of PA and assessed the association with demographic and clinical variables.MethodsFor this multicenter, cross‐sectional study, consecutive PD outpatients attending 7 tertiary Italian centers were enrolled. Patients were evaluated and compared for the presence of isolated PA such as camptocormia, Pisa syndrome, and anterocollis and for combined forms (ie, camptocormia + Pisa syndrome) together with demographic and clinical variables.ResultsOf the total 811 PD patients enrolled, 174 (21.5%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 18.6%–24.3%) presented PA, 144 of which had isolated PA and 30 had combined PA. The prevalence of camptocormia was 11.2% (95% CI, 9%–13.3%), Pisa syndrome 8% (95% CI, 6.2%–9.9%), and anterocollis 6.5% (95% CI, 4.9%–8.3%). Patients with PA were more often male and older with longer disease duration, more advanced disease stage, more severe PD symptoms, a bradykinetic/rigid phenotype, and poorer quality of life. They were initially treated with levodopa, and more likely to be treated with a combination of levodopa and dopamine agonist, took a higher daily levodopa equivalent daily dose, and had more comorbidities. Falls and back pain were more frequent in PD patients with PA than in those without PA. Multiple logistic regression models confirmed an association between PA and male gender, older age, Hoehn and Yahr stage, and total Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale score.ConclusionsPA are frequent and disabling complications in PD, especially in the advanced disease stages.
An overview of new antitubercular drugs, drug candidates, and their targets
Authors: Bahuguna Aparna , Rawat Diwan S. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe causative agent of tuberculosis (TB), Mycobacterium tuberculosis and more recently totally drug‐resistant strains of M. tuberculosis, display unique mechanisms to survive in the host. A four‐drug treatment regimen was introduced 40 years ago but the emergence of multidrug‐resistance and more recently TDR necessitates the identification of new targets and drugs for the cure of M. tuberculosis infection. The current efforts in the drug development process are insufficient to completely eradicate the TB epidemic. For almost five decades the TB drug development process remained stagnant. The last 10 years have made sudden progress giving some new and highly promising drugs including bedaquiline, delamanid, and pretomanid. Many of the candidates are repurposed compounds, which were developed to treat other infections but later, exhibited anti‐TB properties also. Each class of drug has a specific target and a definite mode of action. These targets are either involved in cell wall biosynthesis, protein synthesis, DNA/RNA synthesis, or metabolism. This review discusses recent progress in the discovery of newly developed and Food and Drug Administration approved drugs as well as repurposed drugs, their targets, mode of action, drug‐target interactions, and their structure‐activity relationship.
Wilkinson filtering power divider using coupled lines and T‐shaped stub
Authors: Xu Kai‐Da , Xu Jiashuai , Li Daotong 
Published: June 2019

AbstractA new Wilkinson filtering power divider (PD) with high performance has been presented. By employing four pairs of parallel‐coupled lines and a T‐shaped stub to construct the filtering PD, sharp roll‐off skirts and high stopband rejections can be achieved with three transmission poles and six transmission zeros. Theoretical deduction is presented to verify the proposed structure. For demonstration, a filtering PD example with center frequency of 2 GHz and 3‐dB fractional bandwidth of 48% is fabricated and measured. It is shown that the measured minimum insertion loss within the passband is less than 0.4 dB. The lower stopband rejection of over 17 dB and upper stopband rejection of more than 23 dB from 2.7 to 4.9 GHz can be achieved. The measured isolations between two output ports are greater than 20 dB within the passband.
Analysis of electromagnetic behaviors induced by contact failure in electrical connectors
Authors: Li Qingya , Gao Jinchun , Flowers George T. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractElectrical connectors are widely used in electrical devices as an interconnect element and their reliability is a critical factor in device performance. However, there are multiple factors that may lead to poor reliability. These include contact failure induced by temperature and humidity, vibration, and atmospheric contamination, which may induce deterioration of the transmitted signal and leakage of electromagnetic energy. In the current work, the contact failure characteristics of a specific connector are investigated through measurement and analysis of high frequency parameters and spectrums. Based on transmission line theory and electrical contact theory, an equivalent model was developed to explore the effect of contact failure on high frequency parameters. Experiments were conducted using a network analyzer, signal generator, signal analyzer, and H‐field probe. The high frequency parameters were measured and compared with the calculated values, with consistent results. The leakage spectrums were measured with an H‐field probe for a variety of input signal amplitudes and frequencies and loose contact conditions. The results indicate that leakage increases with higher frequency and greater input signal amplitude.
The discrete duality finite volume method for a class of quasi‐Newtonian Stokes flows
Authors: He Zhengkang , Li Rui , Chen Jie , Chen Zhangxin 
Published: June 2019

AbstractIn this paper, we propose a discrete duality finite volume (DDFV) scheme for the incompressible quasi‐Newtonian Stokes equation. The DDFV method is based on the use of discrete differential operators which satisfy some duality properties analogous to their continuous counterparts in a discrete sense. The DDFV method has a great ability to handle general geometries and meshes. In addition, every component of the velocity gradient can be reconstructed directly, which makes it suitable to deal with the nonlinear terms in the quasi‐Newtonian Stokes equation. We prove that the proposed DDFV scheme is uniquely solvable and of first‐order convergence in the discrete L2‐norms for the velocity, the strain rate tensor, and the pressure, respectively. Ample numerical tests are provided to highlight the performance of the proposed DDFV scheme and to validate the theoretical error analysis, in particular on locally refined nonconforming and polygonal meshes.
Risk of congenital heart diseases associated with NAT2 genetic polymorphisms and maternal polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure
Authors: Tao Jing , Li Nana , Liu Zhen , Qiu JinPing , Deng Ying , Li Xiaohong , Chen Ming , Yu Jing , Zhu Jun , Yu Ping , Wang Yanping 
Published: June 2019

AbstractObjectiveN‐Acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) is a phase II xenobiotic‐metabolizing enzyme participating in the detoxification of toxic arylamines and aromatic amines. The present study was designed to investigate whether maternal NAT2 genetic polymorphisms are associated with fetal susceptibility to congenital heart diseases (CHDs) and to assess whether the risk is modified by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposure.MethodsWe conducted a hospital‐based case‐control study to investigate the association of NAT2 gene polymorphisms (rs1799930 G/A, rs1208 A/G, and rs1799931 G/A) and the combinations of PAHs exposure and genetic variants with the risk of CHDs. Three hundred fifty‐seven mothers of CHDs fetuses and 270 control mothers were recruited. Logistic regression models for the risk of CHDs were applied to determine the effect of NAT2 polymorphisms, as well as gene‐exposure interactions.ResultsOur study did not demonstrate an association of maternal NAT2 genetic polymorphisms alone with CHDs occurrence. However, we found that certain genetic polymorphisms of NAT2 in the present of high PAHs exposure have a higher risk of CHDs.ConclusionOur study suggests that the risk of CHDs associated with maternal NAT2 gene polymorphisms is potentiated by PAHs exposure.
Classroom goal structures: Observations from urban and rural high school classes in China
Authors: Wang Jing , Rao Nirmala 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThis study reports on the goal structures of one rural and one urban Grade 11 class in China, based on classroom observations and teacher and student interviews. Classroom observations, conducted over a 6‐month period, focused on physical settings and classroom activities. In each class, seven students and the homeroom teacher were interviewed to discern their views about classroom goal structures. Results indicated that although high scores and rankings on tests were admired, students were also encouraged to master knowledge, exert effort, develop good habits, and learn from their errors, reflecting the coexistence of both mastery and performance goals. Comparisons revealed that the rural class had a predominantly examination‐oriented focus whereas the urban class did not place as great importance on examination outcomes. Implications of the findings for research and practices are discussed.
In vitro drug delivery performance of five valved holding chambers with and without facemasks
Authors: Csonka Péter , Lehtimäki Lauri 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBackgroundValved holding chambers (VHCs) are essential for efficient pulmonary delivery of inhaled medication in preschool children. The numerous devices in the market vary in material, aerodynamic characteristics, volume, valve properties, and mask design. Drug delivery is affected by the VHC characteristics as well as by the age and breathing pattern of the child.MethodsWe measured the drug delivery efficacy of five VHCs widely available in the market, evaluated the effect of facemasks and tested the differences between manufacturing lots. A breathing simulator was used to mimic normal (respiratory rate [RR] 25/minute and tidal volume (VT) 200 mL) and obstructive (RR 50/minute and VT 50 mL) breathing of infants and toddlers.ResultsSalbutamol output was significantly higher with a normal breathing pattern compared to the obstructive breathing pattern in most VHCs. Without masks, the differences in the median in vitro filter doses of salbutamol were mainly from 2 to 10‐fold among different types of VHCs. With masks, there was a greater than 20‐fold difference in drug delivery capacity between the most and least effective devices. Most VHCs had a notable variation of performance between individual devices from different lots within the same brand.ConclusionsThere was an extreme variation in the salbutamol delivery performance among different types of VHCs for both normal and obstructive pediatric breathing patterns with and without masks. This magnitude of performance variability can have significant and unpredictable clinical implications.
Unsaturation in binuclear iron carbonyl complexes of the split (3 + 2) five‐electron donor hydrocarbon ligand bicyclo[3.2.1]octa‐2,6‐dien‐4‐yl: Role of agostic hydrogen atoms
Authors: Wan Di , Li Huidong , Shi Liming , Wu Xueke , Fan Qunchao , Feng Hao , King Robert Bruce , Schaefer Henry F. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe experimentally known split (3 + 2) five‐electron donor bicyclo[3.2.1]octa‐2,6‐dien‐4‐yl (bcod) ligand provides a flexible alternative to the rigid planar cyclopentadienyl (Cp) ligand. In this connection, the structures and energetics of the binuclear iron carbonyl complexes (bcod)2Fe2(CO)n (n = 4, 3, 2, 1) have been investigated by density functional theory for comparison with the corresponding Cp2Fe2(CO)n derivatives. The cis and trans doubly CO‐bridged (bcod)2Fe2(μ‐CO)2(CO)2 structures are the lowest energy tetracarbonyl structures, similar to the Cp2Fe2(CO)4 system. However, an unbridged (bcod)2Fe2(CO)4 isomer lies only ~1 kcal/mol in energy above the doubly bridged isomers. The flexibility of the bcod ligand leads to low‐energy singlet and triplet spin state structures with agostic hydrogen atoms for the unsaturated (bcod)2Fe2(CO)n (n = 3, 2, 1) systems. Analogous structures are not found in the corresponding Cp2Fe2(CO)n systems with the rigid Cp ligand. Such structures, effectively involving donation of an electron pair from an olefinic C‐H bond to an iron atom through three‐center two‐electron C‐H‐Fe bonding, are energetically competitive with isomeric structures with metal‐metal multiple bonds.
Evaluation of a naturally derived tannin extracts biopolymer additive in drilling muds for high-temperature well applications
Authors: Ismail Abdul R. , Mohd Norddin M. N. A. , Latefi Nur A. S. , Oseh Jeffrey O. , Ismail Issham , Gbadamosi Afeez O. , Agi Augustine J. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe formulations of drilling fluids using conventional clays are often faced with difficulties in the control of rheology, filtration and gelation, owing to the flocculation of the clay at the temperature above 250 °F. In this study, tannins were extracted from the bark wastes of Rhizophora Mucronata spp. (RMTE) and used as a deflocculant to formulate water-based muds (WBMs). The efficacy of reducing the gelation and viscosity of WBMs with the extracted RMTE was compared with commercial Modified Desco Tannin (MDT). The RMTE was characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Rheological and filtration control properties tests were conducted on the RMTE and MDT mud samples before and after hot rolling tests at different temperatures of 225 °F, 250 °F, 275 °F and 300 °F. FTIR test data indicate the presence of different active functional groups in the RMTE structure, especially the hydroxyl (–OH) groups, which are responsible for the good thinning ability of the RMTE. Experimental data of the WBM after hot rolling tests with 8 g concentration at 300 °F show a 43.5% reduction of plastic viscosity with MDT and 50% reduction with RMTE. With a concentration of 2 g, the yield point of the WBM with commercial MDT and locally derived RMTE at 225 °F before hot rolling tests reduced by 50% and 57.1%, respectively. Furthermore, the addition of RMTE and MDT to the WBM reduced the filtrate volume and the gel strength. The experimental data indicate that the RMTE shows better deflocculating performance compared to that of the MDT, illustrating the need for its application in WBMs for high-temperature wells.