bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A statewide program providing colorectal cancer screening to the uninsured of South Carolina
Authors: Eberth Jan M. , Thibault Annie , Caldwell Renay , Josey Michele J. , Qiang Beidi , Peña Edsel , LaFrance Delecia , Berger Franklin G. 
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUNDCancer screening rates are lowest in those without insurance or a regular provider. Since 2008, the Colorectal Cancer Prevention Network (CCPN) has provided open access colonoscopy to uninsured residents of South Carolina through established, statewide partnerships and patient navigation. Herein, we describe the structure, implementation, and clinical outcomes of this program.METHODSThe CCPN provides access to colonoscopy screening at no cost to uninsured, asymptomatic patients aged 50‐64 years (African Americans age 45‐64 years are eligible) who live at or below 150% of the poverty line and seek medical care in free medical clinics, federally qualified health centers, or hospital‐based indigent practices in South Carolina. Screening is performed by board‐certified gastroenterologists. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis are used to describe the population screened, and to assess compliance rates and colonoscopy quality metrics.RESULTSOut of >4000 patients referred to the program, 1854 were deemed eligible, 1144 attended an in‐person navigation visit, and 1030 completed a colonoscopy; 909 were included in the final sample. Nearly 90% of participants exhibited good‐to‐excellent bowel preparation. An overall cecal intubation rate of 99% was measured. The polyp detection rate and adenoma detection rate were 63% and 36%, respectively, with male sex and urban residence positively associated with adenoma detection. Over 13% of participants had an advanced polyp, and 1% had a cancer diagnosis or surgical intervention.CONCLUSIONThe CCPN program is characterized by strong collaboration with clinicians statewide, low no‐show rates, and high colonoscopy quality. Future work will assess the effectiveness of the navigation approach and will explore the mechanisms driving higher adenoma detection in urban participants. Cancer 2018;124:1912‐20. © 2018 American Cancer Society.
Searching for the gut microbial contributing factors to social behavior in rodent models of autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Needham Brittany D. , Tang Weiyi , Wu Wei‐Li 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTSocial impairment is one of the major symptoms in multiple psychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Accumulated studies indicate a crucial role for the gut microbiota in social development, but these mechanisms remain unclear. This review focuses on two strategies adopted to elucidate the complicated relationship between gut bacteria and host social behavior. In a top‐down approach, researchers have attempted to correlate behavioral abnormalities with altered gut microbial profiles in rodent models of ASD, including BTBR mice, maternal immune activation (MIA), maternal valproic acid (VPA) and maternal high‐fat diet (MHFD) offspring. In a bottom‐up approach, researchers use germ‐free (GF) animals, antibiotics, probiotics or pathogens to manipulate the intestinal environment and ascertain effects on social behavior. The combination of both approaches will hopefully pinpoint specific bacterial communities that control host social behavior. Further discussion of how brain development and circuitry is impacted by depletion of gut microbiota is also included. The converging evidence strongly suggests that gut microbes affect host social behavior through the alteration of brain neural circuits. Investigation of intestinal microbiota and host social behavior will unveil any bidirectional communication between the gut and brain and provide alternative therapeutic targets for ASD. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 78: 474–499, 2018
A semiarid fruit agroecosystem as a conservation‐friendly option for small mammals in an anthropized landscape in Mexico
Authors: Riojas‐López Mónica E. , Mellink Eric , Luévano Jaime 
Published: February 2018

AbstractMany studies have addressed the potential of low‐input agroecosystems for biological conservation. However, most have been carried out on annual agroecosystems in temperate, developed countries. As agricultural surface will increase and natural protected areas alone will not warrant the conservation of biodiversity, it is crucial to include different types of agroecosystems in research and conservation efforts. In Mexico, perennial, low‐input, fruit‐oriented nopal orchards (Opuntia spp.), one of the few crops suitable for semiarid areas, are the 10th out of 61 most important fruit crops grown in the country. We assessed their value for conservation in an anthropized landscape by comparing their rodent assemblages with those in adjacent habitats and determined the influence of the latter on the rodent communities inside them. We live‐trapped rodents in 12 orchards and adjacent natural xeric shrubland, grassland, and cropland. We captured 19 different species, of which 17 used the orchards. Four are Mexican endemics. Orchards have higher α diversity, species richness, and abundance than cropland and grassland and are not different from shrubland. The dominant rodent species are the same in orchards and shrubland, and where these two meet they integrate into one habitat. Within‐habitat quality is a critical driver of the composition and diversity of rodent communities in the orchards studied, and the neighboring habitats do not modify them substantially. Increasing within‐patch heterogeneity beyond a certain level is at the expense of habitat integrity and produces small‐scale fragmentation reducing habitat quality. At a landscape scale, orchards contribute importantly to regional rodent diversity compared with other land use types, and appear to increase habitat connectivity between patches of shrubland. Orchards’ higher α diversity would give them higher ecological resilience and make them better suited than grassland and cropland to contribute to the conservation of local biota. Nopal orchards should be considered conservation allies and incorporated in regional conservation plans. Regrettably, their future is unwarranted as producers face low revenues and lack of governmental support. Our confirmation that orchards have an important, positive impact on biodiversity can be used as a strong argument to lobby for incentives to safeguard this environmental friendly, low‐input agroecosystem.
CRISPR/Cas9: A tool for immunological research
Authors: Hochheiser Katharina , Kueh Andrew J , Gebhardt Thomas , Herold Marco J 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe CRISPR/Cas9‐system was originally identified as part of the adaptive immune system in bacteria and has since been adapted for the genetic manipulation of eukaryotic cells. The technique is of particular value for biomedical sciences, as it enables the genetic manipulation of cell lines and primary cells as well as whole organisms with unprecedented ease and efficiency. Furthermore, the CRISPR/Cas9‐technology has the potential for future therapeutic applications in the clinic. Here, we discuss the use of CRISPR/Cas9 for the genetic modification of haematopoietic cells and the generation of mouse models for immunological research. Additionally, we explain how the technique can be applied as a screening‐tool to identify genes involved in different immunological processes. Moreover, we will talk about recent extensions of using the CRISPR/Cas9 technology, such as a transcriptional activator or repressor. Finally, we discuss the first clinical trials that use CRISPR/Cas9 and discuss potential future applications.
Carbon Nanomaterials‐based Electrochemical Immunoassay with β‐Galactosidase as Labels for Carcinoembryonic Antigen
Authors: Li Qunfang , Jin Jing , Lou Fangming , Xiao Yuan , Zhu Jianying , Zhang Shenghui 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIn this study, a novel signal‐amplified strategy for sensitive electrochemical sandwiched immunoassay of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was constructed based on aminofunctionalized graphene oxide (GO‐NH2) supported AgNPs used as catalytic labels of secondary anti‐CEA and β‐galactosidase (β‐Gal), Meanwhile, sulfhydrylation single‐wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs‐SH) as substrate materials embellished gold electrode through Au‐SH and connected with gold nanoparticles to form anti‐CEA/AuNPs/SWCNTs‐SH/Au sensing platform through layer‐by‐layer. In the presence of analyte CEA, a sandwich‐type immunoassay format was employed for determination of CEA by using the labeled β‐Gal toward the reduction of p‐aminophenyl galactopyranoside (PAPG) and the redox reaction of AgNPs. Under optimal conditions, the increase in the current was proportional to the concentration of CEA from 0.1 pg/mL to 200 ng/mL. The detection limit (LOD) was 0.036 pg/mL CEA at 3σ. The electrochemical immunoassay displayed an acceptable precision, selectivity, stability. Clinical serum specimens were assayed with the method, and the results were in acceptable agreement with those obtained from the referenced electrochemiluminescent method.
How can Electrode Surface Modification Benefit Electroanalysis?
Authors: Tanner Eden E. L. , Compton Richard G. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThis Perspective critically evaluates the ways in which electrode surface modification affects the effectiveness of electroanalytical techniques. The use of various voltammetric techniques, the role of modification in increasing selectivity, the manipulation of electron transfer kinetics, as well as the impact of increased surface area are discussed. It is critical that the motivations and physical implications of altering the electrode surface are properly understood before intricate, impractical modifications are employed that do not significantly improve the performance of the sensor.
Stability constants of adducts of succinate copper(II) complexes with β‐cyclodextrin determined by capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Sursyakova Viktoria V. , Rubaylo Anatoly I. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractCyclodextrins (CD) form inclusion complexes with different “guests” owing to the fact that the shape of the CD molecule is a truncated cone with a hydrophobic cavity. The adducts of CD with metal complexes remain scantily explored. In this study, the stability constants of the adducts between succinate copper(II) complexes and β‐CD was determined using capillary electrophoresis. The β‐CD concentration in background electrolytes (BGE) was found to influence on the effective electrophoretic mobility of the copper(II) complexes in succinate BGEs. It was shown that succinic acid and its anions and copper(II) ions did not form a significant amount of the inclusion complexes with β‐CD and the mobility change was caused by the adduct formation between succinate copper(II) complexes and β‐CD. The stability constants of these adducts were determined at 25°С and ionic strength of 0.100 M: log β(CuL22−/β‐CD) = 1.76 ± 0.06, log β(CuL0/β‐CD) = 0.98 ± 0.09. The [CuHL]+ and [CuHL2]− species were found to do not form adducts with β‐CD.
Specific glycine to alanine mutation eliminates dynamic interaction of polymeric GlyT1a N‐terminus with Coomassie Brilliant Blue G‐250
Authors: Baliova Martina , Jursky Frantisek 
Published: February 2018

AbstractWe previously found that multimeric GlyT1aN16 protein exhibits increased diffusion in a polyacrylamide gel and shows an unusual time‐dependent absorbance rearrangement, as revealed by the Bradford assay. Here, we find that glycine to alanine mutation eliminates the absorbance shift, but not the altered diffusion properties of GlyT1aN16, indicating that these two phenomena are not interconnected. The absorbance shift is apparent with both native and urea‐denatured GlyT1aN16, suggesting that the effect is either not dependent on protein structure, or the required structure is restored very quickly following denaturant removal. In the far‐UV spectra, circular dichroism (CD) curves for both wild‐type and mutated GlyT1aN16 are under the zero line, indicating largely unstructured character. However, a significant shift of the mutant CD curve suggests possible microstructural heterogeneity. Deconvolution of the CD data indicates a potential 3‐fold increase in isolated helical content, which would inhibit an absorbance shift, as we demonstrated previously. These results suggest that, in addition to protein quantification, Coomassie Brilliant Blue G‐250 can be used to reveal certain properties of the secondary structure of proteins.
Studies of A‐site Deficient (Gd0.6Sr0.4)1–sFe0.8Co0.2O3–δ Cathodes in SOFCs
Authors: Hansen K. K. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractA series of A‐site deficient Gd‐containing Fe‐Co‐based cathodes were synthesized using the glycine‐nitrate process. All the compounds consisted of two phases, i.e., a cubic and orthorhombic phase, as determined by powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The thermal expansion coefficient decreased with increasing A‐site deficiency, which could be because cobalt was expelled from the main phases. Likewise, the electrochemical activities of the Gd‐containing Fe‐Co‐based solid oxide fuel cell cathodes toward the reduction of oxygen ware improved by a factor of approximately 3 by making them A‐site deficient. The composition (Gd0.6Sr0.4)0.85Fe0.8Co0.2O3–δ showed the highest activity toward the reduction of oxygen among the five compounds. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy estimated the area specific resistance as 5.77 Ω cm2 at 600 °C. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements revealed three arcs for most of the compounds at the three temperatures where the measurements were performed.
Intercomparison of snow water equivalent observations in the Northern Great Plains
Authors: Tuttle Samuel E. , Jacobs Jennifer M. , Vuyovich Carrie M. , Olheiser Carrie , Cho Eunsang 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIn the Northern Great Plains, melting snow is a primary driver of spring flooding, but limited knowledge of the magnitude and spatial distribution of snow water equivalent (SWE) hampers flood forecasting. Passive microwave remote sensing has the potential to enhance operational river flow forecasting but is not routinely incorporated in operational flood forecasting. We compare satellite passive microwave estimates from the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for the Earth Observing System (AMSR‐E) to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Water Prediction (OWP) airborne gamma radiation snow survey and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) ground snow survey SWE estimates in the Northern Great Plains from 2002 to 2011. AMSR‐E SWE estimates compare favourably with USACE SWE measurements in the low relief, low vegetation study area (mean difference = −3.8 mm, root mean squared difference [RMSD] = 34.7 mm), but less so with OWP airborne gamma SWE estimates (mean difference = −9.5 mm, RMSD = 42.7 mm). An error simulation suggests that up to half of the error in the former comparison is potentially due to subpixel scale SWE variability, limiting the maximum achievable RMSD between ground and satellite SWE to approximately 26–33 mm in the Northern Great Plains. The OWP gamma versus AMSR‐E SWE comparison yields larger error than the point‐scale USACE versus AMSR‐E comparison, despite a larger measurement footprint (5–7 km2 vs. a few square centimetres, respectively), suggesting that there are unshared errors between the USACE and OWP gamma SWE data.
Insights into agricultural influences and weathering processes from major ion patterns
Authors: van Geldern Robert , Schulte Peter , Mader Michael , Baier Alfons , Barth Johannes A.C. , Juhlke Tobias R. , Lee Kern 
Published: February 2018

AbstractKarst areas and their catchments pose a great challenge for protection because fast conduit flow results in low natural attenuation of anthropogenic contaminants. Studies of the hydrochemistry of karst sources and river solutes are an important tool for securing and managing water resources. A study of the geochemical downriver evolution of the Wiesent River and its tributaries, located in a typical karst terrain, revealed unexpected downstream decreases of nitrate with maximum mean values of 30 mg/L at the source to minimum values of 18 mg/L near the river mouth. This trend persisted over the length of the river even though increased agricultural activities are evident in the downstream section of the catchment. This pattern is caused by fertilizer inputs via diffusive and fast conduits flow from karst lithology in the upstream area that may have reached the river's source even from beyond the hydrological catchment boundaries. Further downstream, these influences became diluted by tributary inputs that drain subcatchments dominated by claystone and sandstone lithologies that increased potassium and sulphate concentrations. Our findings indicate that bedrock geology remains the dominant control on the major ion chemistry of the Wiesent River and that agricultural influences are strongest near the headwaters despite increased land use further downstream, due to long‐term storage and accumulation in karst aquifers. This feature may not be unique to the Wiesent River system, as carbonates cover significant portions of the Earth's surface and subsequent work in other river systems could establish whether such patterns are ubiquitous worldwide.
Semiquantitative Evaluation of Muscle Repair by Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Mice
Authors: Hata Junichi , Mizuno Sakiko , Haga Yawara , Shimoda Masayuki , Kanai Yae , Chiba Kazuhiro , Okano Hideyuki , Nakamura Masaya , Horiuchi Keisuke 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTMuscle injury is one of the most common traumas in orthopedic and sports medicine. However, there are only a few treatment options with marginal clinical benefits for this condition. Muscle repair after injury involves multiple and complex processes, such as the inflammation phase, regeneration phase, and remodeling phase. To develop a treatment modality and to examine the efficacy of novel interventions and agents for patients with muscle injuries, it is essential to establish a reliable and sensitive method to monitor the changes in muscle structure and status during muscle repair. Diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging has been widely used to assess the diffusivity of water molecules in tissue. When it is used in combination with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), the microstructure of muscle tissue can be indirectly depicted. In the present study, we evaluated the time‐course changes in the diffusivity and anisotropy in muscles by DTI and histology after injury in mice. We found that the diffusivity and anisotropy exhibit distinct kinetics during muscle repair and that these kinetics were significantly altered in mutant mice with a defect in muscle regeneration. Our data show that muscle repair processes can be readily evaluated and monitored by DTI technique and suggest that DTI can be clinically applied for assessing muscle injury and repair in humans. © 2018 The Authors. JBMR Plus is published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Oliceridine (TRV130), a Novel G Protein–Biased Ligand at the μ‐Opioid Receptor, Demonstrates a Predictable Relationship Between Plasma Concentrations and Pain Relief. I: Development of a Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Model
Authors: Fossler Michael J. , Sadler Brian M. , Farrell Colm , Burt David A. , Pitsiu Maria , Skobieranda Franck , Soergel David G. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractConventional opioids bind to μ‐opioid receptors and activate 2 downstream signaling pathways: G‐protein coupling, linked to analgesia, and β‐arrestin recruitment, linked to opioid‐related adverse effects and limiting efficacy. Oliceridine (TRV130) is a novel G protein–biased ligand at the μ‐opioid receptor that differentially activates G‐protein coupling while mitigating β‐arrestin recruitment. Using data derived from both phase 1 studies in healthy volunteers as well as data from a phase 2 study examining the efficacy of oliceridine for the treatment of postbunionectomy pain, we have developed a population pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model linking the pharmacokinetics of oliceridine to its effect on pain, as measured by the Numeric Pain Rating Scale score. Phase 1 data consisted of 145 subjects (88% male, 12% female), who received single doses of oliceridine ranging between 0.15 and 7 mg, as well as multiple doses ranging from 0.4 to 4.5 mg every 4–6 hours. Sixteen of these subjects were CYP2D6 poor metabolizers, who have lower oliceridine clearance than extensive metabolizers. Approximately 265 subjects (10% male, 90% female) came from the phase 2 study, in which they received active doses ranging from 0.5 to 4 mg every 3–4 hours. The final model was a 3‐compartment model that included covariates of body weight, sex, and CYP2D6 status. The PD model was an indirect response model linked to plasma oliceridine concentrations and included the placebo pain response over the 48‐hour treatment period. The EC50 for oliceridine on pain relief was estimated as 10.1 ng/mL (95%CI, 8.4–12.1 ng/mL). Model qualification showed that the model robustly reproduced the original data.
In vivo comparison of medialized dome and anatomic patellofemoral geometries using subject‐specific computational modeling
Authors: Ali Azhar A. , Mannen Erin M. , Rullkoetter Paul J. , Shelburne Kevin B. 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTSuccessful outcome following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with patella resurfacing is partly determined by the restoration of patellofemoral (PF) function and recovery of the quadriceps mechanism. The current study compared two patellar TKA geometries (medialized dome and anatomic) to determine their impact on PF mechanics and quadriceps function. In‐vivo, subject‐specific patellar mechanics were evaluated using a sequential experimental and modeling approach. First, stereo radiography, marker‐based motion capture, and force plate data were collected for TKA patients (10 dome, 10 anatomic) performing a knee extension and lunge. Second, subject‐specific, whole‐body, musculoskeletal models, including 6 degrees‐of‐freedom (DOF) knee joint kinematics, were created for each subject and activity to predict quadriceps forces. Last, finite element models of each subject and activity were created to predict PF kinematics, patellar loading, moment arm, and patellar tendon angle. Differences in mechanics between dome and anatomic patients were highlighted during load‐bearing (lunge) activity. Anatomic subjects demonstrated greater PF flexion angles (avg. 11 ± 3°) compared to dome subjects during lunge. Similar to the natural knee, contact locations on the patella migrated inferior to superior as the knee flexed in anatomic subjects, but remained relatively superior in dome subjects. Differences in kinematics and contact location likely contributed to altered mechanics with anatomic subjects presenting greater load transfer from the quadriceps to the patellar tendon in deep flexion (>75°), and dome subjects demonstrating larger contact forces during lunge. Although there was substantial patient variability, evaluations of PF mechanics suggested improved quadriceps function and more natural kinematics in the anatomic design. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:1910–1918, 2018.