bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
New developmental syndromes: Understanding the family experience
Authors: Inglese Cara N. , Elliott Alison M. ,   CAUSES Study, Lehman Anna 
Published: April 2019

AbstractIncreased application of next generation sequencing has led to the discovery of a multitude of new neurodevelopmental syndromes, contributing to an increased diagnostic rate for exome sequencing from 25% originally to 40% currently. Owing to the recent recognition of these syndromes, as well as the types of large‐scale studies (with limited phenotype information) often making these discoveries, these disorders may be poorly characterized clinically. As a result there is very limited information and disorder‐specific support available to patients and families. We used a qualitative approach to explore how families experience a diagnosis of a new syndrome. We conducted semi‐structured telephone interviews with parents and adult siblings of children who received a diagnosis of a new syndrome after whole exome sequencing (WES) performed through a translational research study. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and transcripts were analyzed using grounded theory methods. Analysis of the 12 interviews revealed that a lack of information about the child's condition continues to play a large role in these families' experiences even after diagnosis. Almost all (92%) participants expressed ongoing uncertainty about their child's health and future. Most (83%) participants were interested in identifying other families with the same syndrome, which was related to both social support and seeking of information. Interestingly, 33% of participants worried about the child's risk for cancer due to their syndrome. Our results highlight some of the needs of families of children with new syndromes, and emphasize important issues care providers should address in pre‐ and post‐test genetic counseling for WES and whole genome sequencing.
Solidification of floating organic droplet microextraction for determination of seven insecticides in fruit juice, vegetables and agricultural runoff using gas chromatography with flame ionization and mass spectrometry detection
Authors: Hoisang Watcharaporn , Nacapricha Duangjai , Wilairat Prapin , Tiyapongpattana Warawut 
Published: April 2019

AbstractLiquid microextraction employing solidification of the floating organic droplet, with vortexing and heating to optimize extraction efficiency, was developed for the determination of seven insecticides in fruit juice, vegetables, and agricultural runoff water. The extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography with both flame ionization and mass spectrometry detection for the determination of chlorpyrifos, prothiofos, profenofos, ethion, λ‐cyhalothrin, permethrin, and cypermethrin, respectively. Using 20 μL of 1‐undecanol in 10 mL of aqueous solution containing 1% w/v sodium chloride provided preconcentration factor of 500. The enrichment factor of the analytes was in the range of 355 to 509 with extraction recovery >71%. The linearity ranges were 4–200 μg/kg for gas chromatography with flame ionization detection and 1–100 μg/kg for gas chromatography with mass spectrometry, with limits of detection ranging from 0.04 to 1.2 μg/kg, which are lower than the international maximum residue limits for vegetables and fruit juice. Intra‐day and inter‐day precisions are less than 5.4 and 7.0% relative standard deviation, respectively. The method was successfully applied to the determination of the seven insecticides in samples of vegetables, fruit juice and agricultural runoff, with recoveries ranging from 61.7 to 120.8%. The extraction method is simple, efficient and environmentally friendly.
Squall‐line initiation over the northern coast of Brazil in March: Observational features
Authors: Oliveira Fernando P. , Oyama Marcos D. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe daily cycle of atmospheric conditions related to squall‐line (SL) initiation over the northern coast of Brazil (NCB) was obtained for a specific month (March) over the course of a decade (2004–2013). March falls during the NCB's rainy season. A comparison of atmospheric conditions between two categories, the most intense SL events (SLC+) and the weakest coastal convection events (CC–), was carried out. For both categories, the daily cycle of convective cluster properties (i.e. number and area) over the NCB showed that the transition from shallow to deep convection occurred from 1200 to 1500 UTC, and the development of multicell storms occurred from 1500 to 1800 UTC. From 1800 to 2100 UTC for the SLC+ events, the number of clusters decreased sharply, and the area slightly expanded, which indicated upscalingviamerging; for the CC– events, merging was a secondary mechanism, and the clusters did not experience upscaling. Atmospheric conditions were computed from the ERA‐Interim reanalysis data. By focusing on the significant differences between the categories, it was found that SL initiation was related to a higher moisture content at approximately 700 hPa for all analysis times (0600, 1200, 1800 and 0000 UTC) and to a stronger low‐level moisture convergence from 0600 to 1800 UTC, mid‐level upward motion from 1200 to 0000 UTC, low‐level convergence at 1200 UTC, and upper‐level divergence from 1800 to 0000 UTC.
Side‐Directed Transfer and Presystemic Metabolism of Selenoneine in a Human Intestinal Barrier Model
Authors: Rohn Isabelle , Kroepfl Nina , Bornhorst Julia , Kuehnelt Doris , Schwerdtle Tanja 
Published: April 2019

AbstractScope: Selenoneine, a recently discovered selenium (Se) species mainly present in marine fish, is the Se analogue of ergothioneine, a sulfur‐containing purported antioxidant. Although similar properties have been proposed for selenoneine, data on its relevance to human health are yet scarce. Here, the transfer and presystemic metabolism of selenoneine in an in vitro model of the human intestinal barrier are investigated.Methods and results: Selenoneine and the reference species Se‐methylselenocysteine (MeSeCys) and selenite are applied to the Caco‐2 intestinal barrier model. Selenoneine is transferred in higher amounts, but with similar kinetics as selenite, while MeSeCys shows the highest permeability. In contrast to the reference species, transfer of selenoneine is directed toward the blood side. Cellular Se contents demonstrate that selenoneine is efficiently taken up by Caco‐2 cells. Moreover, HPLC/MS‐based Se speciation studies reveal a partial metabolism to Se‐methylselenoneine, a metabolite previously detected in human blood and urine.Conclusions: Selenoneine is likely to pass the intestinal barrier via transcellular, carrier‐mediated transport, is highly bioavailable to Caco‐2 cells and undergoes metabolic transformations. Therefore, further studies are needed to elucidate its possible health effects and to characterize the metabolism of selenoneine in humans.
Everything from the egg
Authors: Bariani María Victoria , Rhon‐Calderón Eric A. , Beltrame Jimena S. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractIn 1651, William Harvey opened a real debate when he postulated that the egg is the origin of all life. The central pillar of Harvey's theory sustains that all adults are already present in a smaller size in the egg. The frontispiece of his famous treatise attributed to Richard Gaywood shows Zeus holding an egg that releases small creatures as humans, others animals, and plants. The treatise concludes that no generation occurs without a primordial egg, representing the establishment of ex Ovo Omnia doctrine. Nowadays, evidence supports that both male and female gametes are essential for embryo development following sexual reproduction. Despite obvious differences in morphology and in scale, the oocytes carry out the same role in the development and still demonstrate the mystery of reproduction.
A dual mortar contact method for porous media and its application to clay‐core rockfill dams
Authors: Wang Wei , Zhou Mozhen , Zhang Bingyin , Peng Chong 
Published: April 2019

SummaryThe clay‐core rockfill dam is a multibody contact system in which the hydromechanical response of the clay core plays a crucial role. This complex problem is highly challenging to model numerically. We present a numerical approach that considers the multibody contact, consolidation, and strong geometric and material nonlinearities for the modeling of clay‐core rockfill dams. Within the framework of the dual mortar finite element method, the presented approach considers the contact bodies as independent porous media continuums. The nonlinear contact conditions are derived based on the effective contact traction on contact interfaces and pore pressure continuity. The weak forms are obtained by introducing Lagrange multipliers as additional unknowns, which are then condensed through an extended general transformation. The presented method is first validated with a patch test considering the contact between two porous media. Then, a three‐dimensional analysis of the Rumei clay‐core rockfill dam is performed. The main numerical analysis concerns are the two observation galleries planned for construction inside the clay core. The galleries consist of dozens of tunnel‐like concrete blocks, giving rise to complex concrete‐concrete and concrete‐clay contacts. The discontinuous separation and sliding between concrete blocks are investigated. For the concrete‐concrete contact, both hard and soft joint approaches are evaluated and compared. The pore pressure results of the concrete structures are also analyzed.
Elimination of Fermentable Carbohydrates to Reduce Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Pediatric Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Narrative Review
Authors: Fisher Kelly , Hutcheon Deborah , Ziegler Jane 
Published: April 2019

AbstractIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is classified as a functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel function. Although the pathophysiology of IBS is incompletely understood, fermentable carbohydrates are implicated as a potential cause of symptoms. An elimination diet, such as a low‐FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols) diet, represents a potential intervention for reducing GI symptoms in patients with IBS. The role of fermentable carbohydrates in symptom onset is well studied in adult patients with IBS; however, less research exists in the pediatric population. This review sought to explore evidence for the role of dietary fermentable carbohydrate elimination to reduce GI symptoms (abdominal pain, stool changes, abdominal bloating) in children and adolescents (4–19 years of age) diagnosed with IBS based on Rome III or IV criteria. Five studies of neutral to positive quality rating were identified and analyzed using the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Evidence Analysis Process. These studies demonstrate that dietary elimination of fermentable carbohydrates, such as through a low‐FODMAP diet, reduces the severity of 1 or more GI symptoms in about one‐quarter to one‐half of pediatric patients with IBS. Patients without improvement are considered “nonresponders” and may require an alternative intervention. More research is needed to establish the best way to identify patients who would respond to elimination diets vs other IBS treatment strategies.
On bilevel minimum and bottleneck spanning tree problems
Authors: Shi Xueyu , Zeng Bo , Prokopyev Oleg A. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractWe study a class of bilevel spanning tree (BST) problems that involve two independent decision‐makers (DMs), the leader and the follower with different objectives, who jointly construct a spanning tree in a graph. The leader, who acts first, selects an initial subset of edges that do not contain a cycle, from the set under her control. The follower then selects the remaining edges to complete the construction of a spanning tree, but optimizes his own objective function. If there exist multiple optimal solutions for the follower that result in different objective function values for the leader, then the follower may choose either the one that is the most (optimistic version) or least (pessimistic version) favorable to the leader. We study BST problems with the sum‐ and bottleneck‐type objective functions for the DMs under both the optimistic and pessimistic settings. The polynomial‐time algorithms are then proposed in both optimistic and pessimistic settings for BST problems in which at least one of the DMs has the bottleneck‐type objective function. For BST problem with the sum‐type objective functions for both the leader and the follower, we provide an equivalent single‐level linear mixed‐integer programming formulation. A computational study is then presented to explore the efficacy of our reformulation.
Preparation and Physical Characterization of Pyrene and Pyrrolo[3,4‐c]pyrrole‐1,4‐dione‐Based Copolymers
Authors: Alqurashy Bakhet A. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractTwo narrow band‐gap copolymers consisting of 2,7‐bis(5‐(trimethylstannyl)thiophen‐2‐yl)‐4,5,9,10‐tetrakis(2‐ethylhexyloxy)‐pyrene (M1) as an electron‐rich unit and diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) as an electron‐deficient unit have been synthesized and characterized for polymer solar cells. The two polymers were prepared by Stille coupling reactions. Two solubilizing alkyl chains (ethylhexyl and octlydodecyl) were attached to the DPP unit in order to evaluate their impact upon the optical and electrochemical characteristics of the two polymers. Poly[4,5,9,10‐tetrakis[(2‐ethylhexyl)oxy]pyrene‐alt‐3,6‐bis(thiophen‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐ bis(2‐octyldodecyl)pyrrole[3,4‐c]pyrrole‐ 1,4(2H,5H)‐dione] (PPEHDT‐DPPODo) and poly[4,5,9,10‐tetrakis((2‐ethylhexyl)oxy)pyren‐alt‐3,6‐bis(thiophen‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐bis(2‐ethylhexyl)pyrrole[3,4‐c]pyrrole‐1,4(2H,5H)‐dione] (PPEHDT‐DPPEH) exhibited high thermal stability with decomposition temperatures over 300 °C. Optical properties showed that PPEHDT‐DPPODo and PPEHDT‐DPPEH have optical band gaps of around 1.40 eV. It is believed that both polymers adopt high planar structures in the thin film, leading to more electronic conjugation along the backbone of the conjugated polymers. Powder X‐ray diffraction revealed that PPEHDT‐DPPODo and PPEHDT‐DPPEH seem to have an amorphous nature. The HOMO energy levels of the two polymers are clearly affected by changing alkyl chains. The HOMO levels of PPEHDT‐DPPODo and PPEHDT‐DPPEH were found to be at −5.27 and −5.38 eV, respectively. PPEHDT‐DPPODo showed a HOMO energy level approximately 0.11 eV shallower than that of PPEHDT‐DPPEH, which is probably a consequence of attaching a larger alkyl chain to the DPP moiety reducing its electron accepting ability.
Preventing treatment abandonment for children with solid tumors: A single‐center experience in Brazil
Authors: Ferman Sima , Lima Fernanda Ferreira da Silva , Lage Carollyne Rodrigues Souza , da Hora Senir Santos , Vianna Danielle Tavares , Thuler Luiz Claudio 
Published: April 2019

AbstractBackgroundHigh rates of treatment abandonment have been considered one of the major limitations to achieving high cure rates of childhood cancer in developing countries. The aims of this study were to report the prevalence and factors associated with treatment abandonment for children diagnosed with solid tumors in one reference center in Brazil and to describe effective strategies to prevent it.ProceduresA retrospective review was conducted using data from 1139 children (0–18 years) treated for solid tumors at the Brazilian National Cancer Institute, during the period between January 2012 and December 2017. Treatment abandonment was defined as recommended by the International Society of Pediatric Oncology. The impact of implementing a patient‐tracking system was evaluated. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze patient characteristics. Chi‐square test was used for statistical analysis, with the significance level <0.05.ResultsOf 1139 patients, 1.66% refused or abandoned treatment. Although from 2012 to 2013 there was an increase in the abandonment rate, it then decreased by 63.8% from 2013 to 2017 (2.5% to 0.9%). In the multivariate model, only retinoblastoma diagnosis was associated with abandonment (odds ratio = 5.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.2–20.4; P = 0.025). In our cohort, abandonment rates were not associated with increased death.ConclusionMonitoring missed appointments, and early interventions to address issues associated with providing resources to help families during treatment were effective in achieving very low abandonment rates.
Antithrombin and fibrinogen levels as predictors for plasma L‐asparaginase activity in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Merlen Clémence , Bonnefoy Arnaud , Afeich Cynthia , Théorêt Yves , Laverdière Caroline , Leclerc Jean‐Marie , Rivard Georges‐Etienne 
Published: April 2019

AbstractBackgroundL‐asparaginase is a cornerstone treatment for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, immune reaction to the drug may increase the clearance or impair the function of L‐asparaginase and reduces its therapeutic efficacy. The objective of this study was to identify potential plasma proteins that could be used as proxies for L‐asparaginase activity.MethodsFibrinogen, von Willebrand factor antigen (VWF:Ag), total protein, and albumin levels as well as antithrombin (AT) and L‐asparaginase activities were measured in 97 children with ALL treated for prolonged period of time with L‐asparaginase. Binary logistic regression and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were performed to evaluate the predictive value of plasma proteins for L‐asparaginase activity.ResultsMedian E. coli L‐asparaginase activity was 220 IU/L (range, 0–1308) throughout the treatment period. L‐asparaginase activity was below 100 IU/L in 23% of measured samples. L‐asparaginase activity was inversely associated with AT activity, fibrinogen, total protein, and albumin levels (r = −0.63, −0.62, −0.57, and −0.45, respectively; P < 0.0001), but not with VWF:Ag. ROC curve analyses showed an intermediate accuracy of AT activity (area under the ROC curve [AUC] = 0.77) to detect specimens with subtherapeutic level of L‐asparaginase. An optimal accuracy was found when AT and fibrinogen were combined (AUC = 0.82; sensitivity = 75%; specificity = 82%; positive predictive value = 55%; negative predictive value = 92%) with cutoff values of 0.73 IU/mL and 1.85 g/L, respectively.ConclusionsAT combined with fibrinogen levels could be used as a proxy to identify patients with therapeutic level of L‐asparaginase activity in the absence of real‐time asparaginase measurement during prolonged exposure to L‐asparaginase.
High‐molecular‐weight polyisobutylenes (PIBs) and PIB networks from liquid PIBs by thiol‐ene clicking
Authors: Kurnaz Elif , Helvacioglu Ekmel , Kekec Nur Cicek , Nugay Nihan , Nugay Turgut , Kennedy Joseph P. 
Published: April 2019

ABSTRACTWe report the synthesis of high‐molecular‐weight linear polyisobutylenes (PIBs) and PIB networks from low‐molecular‐weight PIB by thiol‐ene click chemistry. Thus, liquid allyl‐telechelic PIB was reacted with small di‐ and tri‐thiols, and the thiolated intermediates chain‐extended by UV‐ or thermally induced free radical initiation to linear and crosslinked products. PIB networks were also prepared by crosslinking SH‐telechelic PIB with a small triallyl compound. Linear products were characterized by 1H NMR spectroscopy and GPC, and networks by FTIR spectroscopy, extractables, swelling, and permanent set. The effect of reaction conditions (nature of thiol chain extender, concentration of photo‐ and thermal initiators, UV radiation time, and reagent concentrations) on chain extension and crosslinking was investigated. Under well‐defined conditions high‐molecular‐weight PIBs and tight PIB networks were prepared. Thiol‐ene click chemistry provides novel thiolated PIB derivatives and is a useful strategy for the convenient preparation of high‐molecular‐weight rubbery PIBs and tight PIB networks from low‐molecular‐weight PIB precursors. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019
Ficus extract—A promising agent for antimammary tumorigenesis: A review on current status and future possibilities
Authors: Remadevi Viji , Mohan Lathika Lakshmi , Sasikumar Sujatha Anjana , Sreeharshan Sreeja 
Published: April 2019

Pharmacological studies have shown that various species of Ficus have antiviral, antidiarrheal, antipyretic, hypolipidemic, antidiabetic, antioxidant, anticancer, antiparasitic, antiangiogenic, anti‐inflammatory, antibacterial, antiplatelet, reproductive, dermatological, immunological, endocrine, and hepato and nephron protective effects. But there is no sufficient research on biomolecules present in the leaf extract of Ficus religiosa and its mechanism of action. We have previously reported that bioavailable constituents of F. religiosa leaf extract exert photosensitizing and apoptosis‐inducing capability through the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species on breast cancer cells. In this review, we have evaluated the expression of checkpoint proteins of G1/S and sub G0 phase with wet lab data and also have done a data mining of other research for other potential mechanistic action of the F. religiosa leaf extract.
Enhancement of Nonlinear Optical Properties of Indole Based Dyes through Electron Acceptor and π‐Linker for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cell Applications
Authors: Sutradhar Tanushree , Misra Anirban 
Published: April 2019

AbstractSix indole based thiazole substituted donor‐π‐acceptor molecules are designed and their nonlinear optical properties (NLO) are evaluated theoretically. Different electron withdrawing groups and π‐linkers are used to understand their role in tuning the NLO properties. The NLO properties of the molecules are analyzed in gas phase and in different solvent medium through the dipole moment, static polarizability, first and second hyperpolarizabilities. Efficiency of the molecules are studied through HOMO‐LUMO gap, frontier molecular orbitals, light harvesting efficiency, ionization potential, electron affinity and reorganization energy for hole and electron. All the dyes show maximum absorption wavelength in the visible region. The computed absorption spectra are well correlated with the HOMO‐LUMO gaps of the molecules. The HOMO‐LUMO gaps of all the dyes are found to be small, which lead to large NLO response. Results indicate that hyperpolarizability increases with increasing strength of the electron withdrawing group. In addition to the study of nonlinear optical property, we also calculate relevant parameters related to photovoltaic cells for two designed dyes which emerge suitable for this purpose. Photovoltaic parameters such as electron injection efficiency, exciton binding energy, and open circuit photovoltage are evaluated for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC) applications. This study shows that alkyne π‐linkers are better than the alkene π‐linkers for desired applications. Overall, this study highlights the optical and photovoltaic nature of the dyes and reveals the influence of different π‐linkers and electron acceptors in designing new materials for NLO and DSSC applications.