bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of commensal flora on periodontal immune response to lipopolysaccharide
Authors: Fukuhara Daiki , Irie Koichiro , Uchida Yoko , Kataoka Kota , Akiyama Kentaro , Ekuni Daisuke , Tomofuji Takaaki , Morita Manabu 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundCommensal flora are involved in the appropriate development of the mature immune system. However, it is unclear how commensal flora contribute to immune responses against periodontal pathogens, including the response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression of immune responses after topical application of LPS in germ‐free (GF) and specific‐pathogen‐free (SPF) mice.MethodsGF and SPF mice at 8 weeks of age were randomly divided into four groups each: a baseline group (n = 4/group) and three experimental groups (n = 6/group). Experimental groups received topical application of Porphyromonas gingivalis LPS (10 μg/μL) into the palatal gingival sulcus. Sampling was performed before LPS application (baseline) and at 3, 24, or 72 hours after LPS application. The numbers of neutrophils, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells in periodontal tissue were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Expression of genes encoding cytokines, chemokines, and a transcription factor was determined by real‐time PCR.ResultsSPF mice, but not GF mice, showed an increased number of CD4+ T cells in the periodontal tissue at 3 hours after LPS application, compared with the number at baseline (p < 0.05). Gene expressions of tumor necrosis factor‐α (Tnf‐α) and forkhead box protein p3 (Foxp3) was also significantly higher in the SPF mice than in the GF mice at 3 hours after LPS application (p < 0.05). The number of neutrophils peaked at 24 hours in both GF and SPF mice.ConclusionsLPS‐exposed SPF mice exhibited increases in the number of CD4+ T cells and in Tnf‐α and Foxp3 gene expression in periodontal tissue compared with LPS‐exposed GF mice.
Association of different immunosuppressive medications with periodontal condition in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Results from a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Ziebolz Dirk , Rupprecht Annegret , Schmickler Jan , Bothmann Laura , Krämer Juliane , Patschan Daniel , Müller Gerhard A. , Mausberg Rainer F. , Schmidt Jana , Schmalz Gerhard , Patschan Susann 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this cross‐sectional study was to investigate clinical periodontal findings as well as prevalence of selected potentially periodontal pathogenic bacteria in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with different immunosuppressive rheumatic medications.MethodsOne hundred sixty‐eight patients with RA undergoing different immunosuppressive medications were included and divided into subgroups according to their medication, which was taken in the past 6 months, in detail, 1) non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and glucocorticoids combined, and the following different disease modifying anti‐rheumatic drugs (DMARDs): 2) methotrexate (MTX), 3) leflunomide, 4) MTX and TNF‐α antagonists combined, 5) interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) antagonist, 6) MTX and rituximab combined, and 7) combination therapies of > 2 of these DMARDs. Periodontal examination consisted of papilla bleeding index (PBI), periodontal status with periodontal probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), and clinical attachment loss (AL). Periodontitis was classified as none/mild, moderate, or severe. Samples obtained from gingival crevicular fluid were analyzed for presence of 11 periodontal pathogenic bacteria.ResultsPatients with MTX + TNF‐α antagonists therapy showed higher PBI and BOP values compared with leflunomide (P < 0.01) and higher BOP than MTX + rituximab (P = 0.02). Porphyromonas gingivalis (P < 0.01), Treponema denticola (P < 0.01), Fusobacterium nodatum (P = 0.02) and Capnocytophaga species (P = 0.05) was associated with medication subgroup, whereby post hoc testing confirmed singular differences for several medication subgroups.ConclusionsRA medication is associated with periodontal inflammation, without differences in periodontal disease severity. Thereby, combination of MTX + TNF‐α shows an increased potential to periodontal inflammation. Additionally, several differences in prevalence of selected bacteria were detected.
Electrowetting actuated liquid prism with large steering angle based on additional gravitational effects
Authors: Luo Lin , Li Lei , Wang Jin‐Hui , Yuan Rong‐Ying , Wang Qiong‐Hua 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIn this paper, we propose a liquid prism based on electrowetting‐on‐dielectric and gravity effect. The device is filled with two immiscible liquids. The conductive liquid is filled in the upper part of the device, and the oil is filled in the bottom of the device. Different from the conventional liquid prism, the density of the conductive liquid is larger than that of the oil. The liquid–liquid interface can form a tilt shape when applied different voltages to the opposite sidewalls. The beam will be deflected when the light passes through the device. Our results show that the tilt angle of the liquid–liquid interface is ~45°, and the light beam can be deflected by 22.2° (−10.9° to +11.3°). The actuation time of the device is ~240 ms. The proposed liquid prism for light beam steering and tracking has potential application in laser directions, telecommunications, and scanners.
Ultrafast capillary electrophoresis method for the simultaneous determination of ammonium and diphenhydramine in pharmaceutical samples
Authors: de Castro Costa Brenda Maria , Marra Mariana Cardoso , da Costa Oliveira Thiago , Munoz Rodrigo Alejandro Abarza , Batista Alex Domingues , do Lago Claudimir Lucio , Richter Eduardo Mathias 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAmmonium and diphenhydramine are active ingredients commonly found in the same pharmaceutical preparations. We report, for the first time, a sub‐minute method for the simultaneous determination of ammonium and diphenhydramine. The method is based on capillary electrophoresis with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection. Both analytes can be quantified in a single run (∼80 injections/h) using 30 mmol/L 2‐(N‐morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid and 15 mmol/L lithium hydroxide (pH 6.0) as background electrolyte. The separation by capillary electrophoresis was achieved on a fused‐silica capillary (50 cm total length, 10 cm effective length, and 50 μm inside diameter). The limits of detection were 0.04 and 0.02 mmol/L for ammonium and diphenhydramine, respectively. The proposed method also provided adequate recovery values for spiked samples (100–106 and 97–104% for ammonium and diphenhydramine, respectively). The results obtained with the new capillary electrophoresis method were compared with those of the high‐performance liquid chromatography method for diphenhydramine and the Kjeldahl method for ammonium and no statistically significant differences were found (95% confidence level).
Experimental fluence‐modulated proton computed tomography by pencil beam scanning
Authors: Dedes George , Johnson Robert P. , Pankuch Mark , Detrich Nick , Pols Willemijn M. A. , Rit Simon , Schulte Reinhard W. , Parodi Katia , Landry Guillaume 
Published: May 2018

PurposeThis experimental study is aimed at demonstrating, using a simple cylindrical water phantom, the feasibility of fluence‐modulated proton computed tomography (FMpCT) by pencil beam scanning (PBS) proton computed tomography (pCT).MethodsThe phase II pCT prototype of the Loma Linda U. and U. C. Santa Cruz was operated using the PBS beam line of the Northwestern Medicine Chicago Proton Center. A 20 × 10 grid of 1.37 cm full width half maximum pencil beams (PB) equally spaced by 1 cm was used to acquire 45 projections in step and shoot mode. The PB pattern's fluence was modified to allow FMpCT scans with fluence modulation factors (FMF) of 50% and 20%. A central FMpCT region of interest (FMpCT‐ROI) was used to define a high image quality region. Reconstructed images were evaluated in terms of relative stopping power (RSP) accuracy and noise using annular ROIs. The FMpCT dose savings were estimated by Monte Carlo (MC) simulation of the pCT acquisitions using beam phase space distributions. PBS pCT results with homogeneous fluence were additionally compared to broad beam results in terms of RSP accuracy and noise.ResultsPBS pCT scans with acceptable pileup were possible, and images were comparable to previously acquired broad beam pCT images in terms of both noise and accuracy. In the FMpCT‐ROI, the noise and accuracy from full fluence (FF) scans were preserved. Dose savings of up to 60% were achieved at the object's edge when using FMF of 20%.ConclusionIn this study, we have demonstrated that PBS pCT scans can achieve equivalent accuracy as those obtained from broad beams. The feasibility of FMpCT scans was demonstrated; image accuracy and noise were successfully preserved in the central FMpCT‐ROI chosen for this study, and dose reduction of up to 60% at the object's edge was realized.
The Prognostic Role of Phase Angle in Advanced Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review
Authors: Pereira Mayane Marinho Esteves , Queiroz Mariana dos Santos Campello , de Albuquerque Nathália Masiero Cavalcanti , Rodrigues Juliana , Wiegert Emanuelly Varea Maria , Calixto‐Lima Larissa , de Oliveira Livia Costa 
Published: May 2018

AbstractPhase angle (PA) is a ratio between the reactance and resistance obtained by bioelectric impedance analysis and has been interpreted as a cell membrane integrity indicator and a predictor of total body cell mass. A low PA may suggest deterioration of the cell membrane, which in advanced cancer patients may result in a reduced overall survival (OS). This systematic review sought to investigate the current evidence regarding whether there is an association between PA and OS in patients with advanced cancer (ie, metastatic disease). The search was conducted on electronic databases in August 2017. A total of 34 articles were identified in the initial literature search. Nine studies reporting on 1496 patients were deemed eligible according to our inclusion criteria. PA data were analyzed as continuous variables or according to different cutoffs, under a frequency of 50 Khz. Low PA was associated with worse nutrition status evaluated by body mass index, serum albumin level, transferrin, and fat‐free mass. The median OS of the included papers varied from 25.5–330 days, and all studies analyzed showed a significant association between PA and OS, in that patients with low PA had worse OS. Future studies are necessary to justify the use of PA in therapeutic decisions for this population and to evaluate whether nutrition status can influence the association between PA and survival.
Energy resolved mass spectrometry of chlorogenic acids and its application to isomer quantification by direct infusion tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Hernandez Javier , Müller Anja , Jaiswal Rakesh , Davalos Juan Z. , Kuhnert Nikolai 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIntroductionWith the advent of high‐perfomance liquid chromatography (HPLC)‐tandem mass spectrometry (MS) using ion trap mass analysers it is possible to acquire unambigious structural information in particular with respect to aspects of regiochemistry and stereochemistry of organic compounds present in complex mixtures such as coffee extracts. However, HPLC–MS methods are resource extensive, laborious and lacking user friendliness.ObjectiveTo introduce a simple parameter – the energy threshhold for fragmentation – determined using energy resolved MS and demonstrate its value for the complete structural characterisation and even relative quantification of individual isomeric chlrogenic acids in direct infusion experiments.MethodologyMonocaffeoyl and dicaffeoyl quinic acids were investigated by direct infusion energy resolved mass spectrometry (ER‐MS) in negative in mode, using a quadrupole ion trap and quadrupole time‐of‐flight (Q‐TOF) mass spectrometer. Methanolic coffee extracts were quantitatively investigated by HPLC–MS and direct infusion ER‐MS.ResultsFragmentation occurs with retention of regiochemistry and regiochemistry of fragment ions can be determined using ER‐MS. Analysis of breakdown graphs allows extraction of a single numerical parameter that allows assignment of regiochemistry. Analysis of monocaffeoyl and dicaffeoyl quinic acids revealed that regiosiomers could be distinguished and assigned based on their dissociation energies in collisional induced activation. Furthermore relative quantification of regioisomers by direct infusion ER‐MS is possible within an error range of ±10% if compared with a conventional quantitative LC–MS method.ConclusionER‐MS can be exploited in determining relative isomers quantities of chlorogenic acids (CGAs) in crude plant extracts by direct infusion tandem MS omitting time and resource intensive chromatographic separation.
Distinct Hypericum perforatum L. total extracts exert different antitumour activity on erythroleukemic K562 cells
Authors: Valletta Elena , Rinaldi Annamaria , Marini Mario , Franzese Ornella , Roscetti Gianna 
Published: May 2018

Total flower extracts of Hypericum perforatum L. obtained with 3 different solvent systems were tested on tumour cell line cultures by comparing two groups of plants harvested in different times and places. The extracts, characterized according to the spectroscopic profile and the hypericin content, were tested on the growth and apoptotic death of K562 cells, a human erythroleukemic cell line. Growth and apoptosis were analysed by viable cell count, flow cytometry, and fluorescence microscopy at 6, 24, and 48 hr of culture following 1 hr exposure to the extracts under investigation. Here, we show that Hypericum extracts are able to reduce the growth of K562 cells and induce different degrees and kinetics of apoptosis according to the group of plants of origin. Also, we highlighted interesting differences in terms of efficacy among the extracts, with some samples losing their effectiveness along the culture time and others able to maintain or even increase their efficacy. Furthermore, the data herein obtained confirm the role of non hypericin compounds that are present in different proportions in the two plant groups and in the extracts analysed.
A nonparametric CUSUM chart for process dispersion
Authors: Shirke D.T. , Barale M.S. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIn the present article, we propose a nonparametric cumulative sum control chart for process dispersion based on the sign statistic using in‐control deciles. The chart can be viewed as modified control chart due to Amin et al, which is based on in‐control quartiles. An average run length performance of the proposed chart is studied using Markov chain approach. An effect of non‐normality on cumulative sum S2 chart is studied. The study reveals that the proposed cumulative sum control chart is a better alternative to parametric cumulative sum S2 chart, when the process distribution is non‐normal. We provide an illustration of the proposed cumulative sum control chart.
The design of geometric generalized likelihood ratio control chart
Authors: KazemiNia AliAkbar , Gildeh Bahram Sadeghpour , Abbasi Ganji Zainab 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThis paper develops a control chart, named generalized likelihood ratio (GLR) control chart, based on a GLR statistic to monitor the parameter of geometrically distributed process. The GLR statistic is obtained based on window of the past samples. The performance of the GLR control chart is compared with the cumulative sum (CUSUM) and two combinations of CUSUM charts, in terms of the steady state average time to signal. Simulation results show that the GLR control chart outperforms the CUSUM and two combinations of CUSUM charts in detecting a wide range of parameter shifts in the geometrically distributed process. A real data set is used to demonstrate the performance and effectiveness of the proposed control chart.
A novel Bayesian approach to reliability modeling: The benefits of uncertainty evaluation in the model selection procedure
Authors: Santana D. D. , Figueirôa Filho C. L. S. , Sartori I. , Martins Márcio A. F. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThis paper proposes a different likelihood formulation within the Bayesian paradigm for parameter estimation of reliability models. Moreover, the assessment of the uncertainties associated with parameters, the goodness of fit, and the model prediction of reliability are included in a systematic framework for better aiding the model selection procedure. Two case studies are appraised to highlight the contributions of the proposed method and demonstrate the differences between the proposed Bayesian formulation and an existing Bayesian formulation.
New glutathione conjugate of pyrrolizidine alkaloids produced by human cytosolic enzyme‐dependent reactions in vitro
Authors: Muluneh Fashe , Häkkinen Merja R. , El‐Dairi Rami , Pasanen Markku , Juvonen Risto O. 
Published: May 2018

RationaleThe toxic metabolites of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are initially formed by cytochrome P450‐mediated oxidation reactions and primarily eliminated as glutathione (GSH) conjugates. Although the reaction between the reactive metabolites and GSH can occur spontaneously, the role of the cytosolic enzymes in the process has not been studied.MethodsThe toxic metabolites of selected PAs (retrorsine, monocrotaline, senecionine, lasiocarpine, heliotrine or senkirkine) were generated by incubating them in 100 mM phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) containing liver microsomes of human, pig, rat or sheep, NADPH and reduced GSH in the absence or presence of human, pig, rat or sheep liver cytosolic fraction. The supernatants were analyzed using liquid chromatography connected to Finnigan LTQ ion‐trap, Agilent QTOF or Thermo Scientific Q Exactive Focus quadrupole‐orbitrap mass spectrometers.ResultsRetrorsine, senecionine and lasiocarpine yielded three GSH conjugates producing [M − H]− ions at m/z 439 (7‐GSH‐DHP (CHO)), m/z 441 (7‐GSH‐DHP (OH)) and m/z 730 (7,9‐diGSH‐DHP) in the presence of human liver cytosolic fraction. 7‐GSH‐DHP (CHO) was a novel metabolite. Monocrotaline, heliotrine and senkirkine did not produce this novel 7‐GSH‐DHP (CHO) conjugate. 7‐GSH‐DHP (CHO) disappeared when incubated with hydroxylamine, and a new oxime derivative was formed. This metabolite was formed only by the human liver cytosolic enzymes but not in the presence of rat or sheep liver cytosolic fractions under otherwise identical reaction conditions.Conclusions7‐GSH‐DHP (CHO) has not been reported before, and thus it was considered as a novel metabolite of PAs. This may clarify the mechanisms involved in PA detoxification and widely observed but less understood species differences in response to PA exposure.
Comparative study of 1‐year clinical and radiological outcomes using robot‐assisted pedicle screw fixation and freehand technique in posterior lumbar interbody fusion: A prospective, randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kim Ho‐Joong , Kang Kyoung‐Tak , Chun Heoung‐Jae , Hwang Ji Sup , Chang Bong‐Soon , Lee Choon‐Ki , Yeom Jin S. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcome of surgery using robot‐assisted posterior interbody fusion with that using freehand posterior interbody fusion in patients with degenerative spinal disease.Methods78 participants with degenerative spinal disease were randomly allocated (1:1) to the minimally invasive (MIS), posterior lumbar interbody fusion (Robot‐PLIF) or conventional, freehand, open‐approach, posterior lumbar interbody fusion (Freehand‐PLIF).ResultsThe baseline‐adjusted scores on the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) in both groups at 1 year after surgery were not different (P = 0.688). However, the decrease in disc height at the proximal adjacent segment was significantly less in the Robot‐PLIF group than in the Freehand‐PLIF group (P = 0.039).ConclusionOne‐year surgical outcomes including Visual Analog Scale, ODI and Short Form‐36 did not differ between the two groups. The disc height in the proximal adjacent segment was significantly less decreased in the Robot‐PLIF group than in the Freehand‐PLIF group.
Time compression (dis)economies: An empirical analysis
Authors: Hawk Ashton , Pacheco‐de‐Almeida Gonçalo 
Published: May 2018

Research Summary: To investigate time compression diseconomies (TCD), this study estimated time–cost elasticities using 459 oil and gas global investment projects (1997–2010). Results show that the average cost of accelerating investments is negative: a firm could cut $6.3 million in costs of a single project by accumulating asset stocks 1 month faster. About 88% of the projects exhibit negative time–cost elasticities with over 39% of unrealized economies of time compression. Only 12% of the projects are subject to TCD. These time inefficiencies or frictions do not negate the existence of TCD, but suggest they are less prevalent than assumed in the literature. Management experience, R&D investment, firm size, economic development, and political stability are shown to be associated with greater time compression efficiency.
Managerial Summary: How fast should firms invest? The conventional view is that acceleration increases market revenues but also inflates costs. However, there is no recent empirical evidence of this tradeoff. Our article systematically investigates the costs of compressing time in investment projects. Results show that most firms in the oil and gas industry are significantly time inefficient in their operations. Specifically, by accelerating investments, firms would also substantially decrease costs. We estimate the magnitude of these time inefficiencies for specific oil and gas industries and firms and study which strategies might mitigate this problem. This fine‐grained analysis should help firms assess their financial incentives to accelerate projects and prove informative to stock market analysts’ valuations of firm investment timing.
Water and cults in Nuragic Sardinia
Authors: Depalmas Anna 
Published: May 2018

Nuragic Sardinia is the only Italian region where later prehistoric standing monuments identified specifically as cult buildings have survived. In fact, the many monumental cult complexes, built during the Final Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age, which were often related to rituals that implied the use of water, are the most visible expressions of Nuragic religious behaviors. The most common category is undoubtedly that directly linked to water cult activity, sacred wells, and springs, architectural features that give access to surface water or underground aquifers. The variety of monuments attested is particularly rich and varied, including not only sacred wells and springs but also rectangular‐plan buildings (so‐called megaron temples), straight and curvilinear plan buildings, and purely circular ones, with or without vats. Water sanctuaries are the places where Nuragic religiosity was performed and the power and wealth of Nuragic communities, were shown through the monumentality of structures, the elaborate stone decorations, and the presence of exclusive built‐in stone furniture and votive offerings. In fact, these sanctuaries are complexes articulated in structures of different types and sizes where large amounts of wealth, mainly tools, ornaments, weapons, and bronze figurines were accumulated as offerings.This article is categorized under:

Human Water > Water as Imagined and Represented