bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of VEGF‐ANG‐1‐PLA nano‐sustained release microspheres on proliferation and differentiation of ADSCs
Authors: He Yucang , Li Zihao , Chen Zhuojie , Yu Xiaofang , Ji Ziwan , Wang Jingping , Qian Yao , Li Liqun 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe improvement of fat graft viability might depend on the presence of multipotent resident adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) which is the important component of stromal vascular fraction (SVF). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiogenin‐1 (Ang‐1) are responsible for neovascularization. However, their half‐life is too short to produce a biological effect. We thus investigated whether VEGF‐ANG‐1‐polylactic acid (PLA) microspheres could enhance the angiogenic properties of ADSCs. PLA microspheres containing VEGF and ANG‐1 were prepared by in vitro ultrasonic emulsification and characterized according to their encapsulation efficiency (EE), drug‐loading rate (DL), particle size, and drug release. The systemic toxicity of empty loaded nanospheres (NPs) and the ability of these microspheres to promote the proliferation and differentiation of ADSCs were evaluated. The EE and DL were above 86 and 2.8%, respectively. The drug release was completed after 20 days. Systemic toxicity was verified in ADSCs that received the unloaded NPs. It was observed that ADSCs treated with VEGF‐ANG‐1‐PLA microspheres had an increase in the proliferation and the number of CD31 positive cells. ADSCs proliferation and differentiation toward endothelial cells (ECs) could be enhanced by the addition of VEGF‐ANG‐1‐PLA nano‐sustained release microspheres.
Clinical impact of optical coherence tomography findings on culprit plaque in acute coronary syndrome: The OCT‐FORMIDABLE study registry
Authors: Iannaccone Mario , Souteyrand Geraud , Niccoli Giampaolo , Mancone Massimo , Sardella Gennaro , Tamburino Corrado , Templin Christian , Gili Sebastiano , Boccuzzi Giacomo G , D'Ascenzo Fabrizio 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundAim of this study was to evaluate the clinical impact of the culprit plaque features assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).MethodsThe OCT‐FORMIDABLE register enrolled retrospectively all consecutive patients who perform OCT on culprit plaque in patients with ACS in nine European centres. The primary endpoint was the prevalence of culprit plaque rupture (CPR) in patients experiencing major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). Secondary endpoint was the prevalence necrotic core with macrophage infiltrations (NCMI) in the patients experiencing MACEs.ResultsTwo‐hundred and nine patients were included in the study. Mean age was 60.1 ± 12.9 years old, 19.1% were females. Main clinical presentation was ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (55%). At OCT analysis, CPR was observed in 71.8% patients, while 31.6% presented NCMI. During follow‐up (12.6 ± 14.5 months), 11% of the patients experienced MACEs. The presence of CPR (HR 3.7,1.4‐9.8, P < .01) and NCMI (HR 3.3,1.6‐6.6, P < .01) were independent predictors for MACEs, while dual antiplatelet therapy with prasugrel/ticagrelor at discharge (HR 0.2,0.1‐0.6, P < .01) were protective. The protective impact of new antiplatelet drugs was reported only in patients with CPR while in patients without any of the baseline clinical or procedural features impacted on MACEs.ConclusionsCPR and the presence of NCMI are independent predictors of worse outcome. Patients with CPR seem to benefit more of an intensive therapy, both from a pharmacological and interventional point of view. (NCT02486861)
Sustained risk of stent thrombosis and restenosis in first generation drug‐eluting Stents after One Decade of Follow‐up: A Report from the Swedish Coronary Angiography and Angioplasty Registry (SCAAR)
Authors: Völz Sebastian , Angerås Oskar , Odenstedt Jacob , Ioanes Dan , Haraldsson Inger , Dworeck Christian , Redfors Björn , Råmunddal Truls , Albertsson Per , Petursson Petur , Omerovic Elmir 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAimsLong‐term comparisons between Drug‐eluting stent and bare metal stent are not well‐studied. The aim of this study was to compare two stents that were previously frequently used in regard to long‐term risk of restenosis and stent thrombosis (ST).Methods and resultsWe used data from the SCAAR registry. Consecutive procedures performed between 2004 and 2014 for stable angina, UA/NSTEMI and STEMI were included. We compared two different stents: Cordis Cypher Select (C‐CS), and Boston Scientific Liberte (BS‐L), modeling data with multilevel Cox proportional‐hazards regression. The primary endpoint was time to first occurrence of either ST or restenosis. During the study period 2210 C‐CS and 6941 B‐SL were implanted in 5,314 patients. Mean follow‐up time was 2,288 days for C‐CS and 2,297 days for BS‐L. Treatment with C‐CS was associated with lower risk for restenosis or ST up to one year from index procedure (HR 0.41; 95% CI 0.32‐0.52; P < .001). However, after one year of follow‐up, risk was substantially higher in C‐CS (HR 2.81; 95% CI 2.25‐3.50; P < .001).ConclusionTreatment with C‐CS was not associated with better outcome than BS‐L. Continuation of restenosis and ST long after the index procedure with C‐CS present a major concern for patient safety.
Kinetic modelling of blueberry anthocyanins oxidation with a free radical initiator 2,2'‐azobis(2‐amidinopropane)
Authors: Chorfa Nasima , Savard Sylvain , Belkacemi Khaled 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACTThe antioxidant activity of the main anthocyanin isomers isolated from wild blueberries of Lake Saint‐Jean (Quebec, Canada), the galactoside and glucoside isomers of cyanidine, peonidine, and malvidine, were studied through identification and quantification of oxidation products by liquid chromatographic analysis coupled to mass spectrometry. A simplified lumped kinetic model was developed taking into account the essentially radical nature of anthocyanin oxidation by AAPH (2,2′‐azobis(2‐amidinopropane) dihydrochloride) radicals through a scavenging mechanism. The calculated pseudo‐first order kinetic profiles of anthocyanins and the oxidation product common to all anthocyanins, 3,5‐dihydroxy‐4‐(ethen‐1,1‐diol) phenol derivative (fragment m/z 184), together with the specific oxidized product exclusive to the anthocyanidin nature, p‐hydroxybenzoic acid derivative (fragment m/z 154), appropriately fit experimental data at AAPH concentrations of 43.7 and 25.5 μmol/mL. It is shown that galactoside‐bonded peonidin (0.057 h−1) was more reactive than glucoside‐bonded peonidin (0.013 h−1) to generate the common oxidized product. An opposite tendency was observed when the reactivities of galactoside‐bonded cyanidin (0.026 h−1) and glucoside‐bonded cyanidin (0.085 h−1) were compared for an AAPH concentration of 43.7 μmol/mL. Malvidin‐3‐glucoside reacted weakly with AAPH radicals compared to the peonidin and cyanidin‐counterparts. These results suggested that anthocyanin reactivity towards AAPH‐radicals was associated not only with the anthocyanidin structure, but also with sugar moiety and the kinetics of peroxyl radical formation. The kinetic constants of anthocyanin oxidation product formation can be related to the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and then used to evaluate antioxidant properties.
Multiple Hydrogen Bonds Promoted ESIPT and AIE‐active Chiral Salicylaldehyde Hydrazide
Authors: Wang Man , Cheng Caiqi , Song Jintong , Wang Jun , Zhou Xiangge , Xiang Haifeng , Liu Jin 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe simpler, the better! A series of simple and highly fluorescent salicylaldehyde hydrazide molecules (41 samples) have been designed and prepared. Even though these soft materials contain a very small π‐conjugated system, they can go through multiple intramolecular and intermolecular hydrogen bonds promoted excited‐state intramolecular proton‐transfer (ESIPT) to display strong blue, green, yellow, and orange aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) with large Stokes shifts (up to 184 nm) and high fluorescence quantum yields (Ф up to 0.20). Unusual mechanochromic fluorescence enhancements are also found in some solid samples. Through coordination, hydrogen and halogen bonds, these flexible molecules can be used as Mg2+ (Ф up to 0.46) probes, universal anion (Ф up to 0.14) and unprotected amino acids (Ф up to 0.16) probes, and chiral diamine (enantiomeric selectivity and Ф up to 0.36 and 0.062, respectively) receptors. Combining their advantages of AIE and biocompatibility, these low cytotoxic dyes have potential application in living cell imaging. Furthermore, the effects of different functional groups on the molecule arrangement, ESIPT, AIE, probe, and chiral recognition properties are also examined, which provide a simple and bright paradigm for the design of multiple‐stimuli‐responsive smart materials.
The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea in patients with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Abumuamar Asmaa M. , Dorian Paul , Newman David , Shapiro Colin M. 
Published: May 2018

BackgroundObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a systemic disorder associated with significant cardiovascular complications. OSA may play a role in the initiation and worsening of atrial fibrillation (AF). This study aimed to determine the prevalence and clinical predictors of OSA in patients with AF.HypothesisOSA is underdiagnosed in a large number of patients with AF and may not be predicted by conventional clinical indices.MethodsConsecutive nonselected patients with AF were recruited from different arrhythmia clinics in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Patients with previous diagnosis and/or treatment of OSA were excluded. Patients underwent 2 consecutive nights of ambulatory sleep testing with full electroencephalogram recording. OSA was defined as an Apnea‐Hypopnea Index (AHI) score ≥ 5 per hour of sleep.Results123 patients with AF were recruited, with 100 patients included in the final analysis. OSA was detected in 85% of these patients. 27% of patients with normal overall AHI had an increased AHI during rapid eye movement sleep. Only age and male sex were independent predictors of the presence of OSA in these patients.ConclusionsOSA is common and often undetected in patients with AF, especially in nonobese and/or female patients. Patients may have a normal overall AHI but an abnormal AHI during rapid eye movement sleep. The clinical relevance and therapeutic implications in this subgroup should be further investigated. The clinical features of OSA are not reliable predictors of OSA in patients with AF. A low threshold for detection of OSA, with sleep studies, in these patients may be merited.
Septins: Active GTPases or just GTP‐binding proteins?
Authors: Abbey Megha , Gaestel Matthias , Menon Manoj B. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractSeptins are conserved cytoskeletal proteins with unique filament forming capabilities and roles in cytokinesis and cell morphogenesis. Septins undergo hetero‐oligomerization and assemble into higher order structures including filaments, rings, and cages. Hetero‐ and homotypic interactions of septin isoforms involve alternating GTPase (G)‐domain interfaces and those mediated by N‐ and C‐terminal extensions. While most septins bind GTP, display weak GTP‐hydrolysis activity and incorporate guanine nucleotides in their interaction interfaces, studies using GTPase‐inactivating mutations have failed to conclusively establish a crucial role for GTPase activity in mediating septin functions. In this mini‐review, we will critically assess the role of GTP‐binding and ‐hydrolysis on septin assembly and function. The relevance of G‐domain activity will also be discussed in the context of human septin mutations as well as the development of specific small‐molecules targeting septin polymerization. As structural determinants of septin oligomer interfaces, G‐domains are attractive targets for ligand‐based inhibition of septin assembly. Whether such an intervention can predictably alter septin function is a major question for future research.
An Open‐Label, Phase 1 Study to Assess the Effects of Hepatic Impairment on Pomalidomide Pharmacokinetics
Authors: Li Yan , Wang Xiaomin , Liu Liangang , Zhang Chengyue , Gomez Diana , Reyes Josephine , Palmisano Maria , Zhou Simon 
Published: May 2018

AbstractPomalidomide is an immunomodulatory drug and the dosage of 4 mg per day taken orally on days 1‐21 of repeated 28‐day cycles has been approved in the European Union and United States to treat patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Because pomalidomide is extensively metabolized prior to excretion, a total of 32 subjects (8 healthy subjects in group 1; 8 subjects with severe hepatic impairment in group 2; 8 subjects with moderate hepatic impairment in group 3; and 8 subjects with mild hepatic impairment in group 4) were enrolled in a multicenter, open‐label, single‐dose study to assess the impact of hepatic impairment on pomalidomide exposure. Following administration of a single oral dose of 4‐mg pomalidomide, the geometric mean ratios of pomalidomide total plasma exposures (AUC) were 171.5%, 157.5%, and 151.2% and the geometric mean ratios of pomalidomide plasma peak exposures (Cmax) were 75.8%, 94.8%, and 94.2% for subjects with severe, moderate, or mild hepatic impairment, respectively, versus healthy subjects. Pomalidomide administered as a single oral 4‐mg dose was safe and well tolerated by healthy subjects and subjects with severe, moderate, or mild hepatic impairment. Based on the pharmacokinetic results from this study, the pomalidomide prescribing information approved by the US Food and Drug Administration recommends for patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment (Child‐Pugh classes A or B), a 3‐mg starting daily dose (25% dose reduction) and for patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child‐Pugh class C), a 2‐mg starting daily dose (50% dose reduction).
Photocurrent Enhancement by Spontaneous Formation of a p–n Junction in Calcium‐Doped Bismuth Vanadate Photoelectrodes
Authors: Abdi Fatwa F. , Starr David E. , Ahmet Ibbi Y. , van de Krol Roel 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe application of bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) photoelectrodes for solar water splitting is hindered by the poor carrier transport. To overcome this, multiple donor‐doping strategies (e.g. dual doping, gradient doping) have been explored. Here, we show for the first time the successful introduction of calcium (Ca) as an acceptor‐type dopant into BiVO4 photoelectrodes. Interestingly, instead of generating cathodic photocurrents, the Ca‐doped BiVO4 photoelectrodes show anodic photocurrents with an enhanced carrier separation efficiency. Hard X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES) shows that this enhancement is caused by out‐diffusion of Ca during the deposition process, which spontaneously creates a p–n junction within the BiVO4 layer. Overall, a significant two‐fold improvement of the AM1.5 photocurrent is obtained upon Ca‐doping. This study highlights the importance of controlled doping beyond simply modifying carrier concentration and may enable new device architectures in photoelectrode materials.
Sensitive quantification of the somatostatin analog AP102 in plasma by ultra‐high pressure liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and application to a pharmacokinetic study in rats
Authors: Eugster Philippe J. , Boyle Christina N. , Prod'hom Sylvain , Tarasco Erika , Buclin Thierry , Lutz Thomas A. , Harris Alan G. , Grouzmann Eric 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAP102 is a di‐iodinated octapeptide somatostatin agonist (SSA) designed to treat acromegaly and neuroendocrine tumors. A sensitive and selective method was validated for the quantification of AP102 in plasma following the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines. Sample preparation was performed using solid‐phase extraction microplates. Chromatographic separation was achieved on an ultra‐high pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC) C18 column in 6.0 minutes. The compounds were quantified using multiple reaction monitoring on a tandem quadrupole mass spectrometer with 13C,15N‐labeled AP102 as internal standard. Calibration ranged from 50 to 10000 pg/mL. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was measured at 20 pg/mL, and robust analytical performances were obtained with trueness at 99.2%–100.0%, intra‐assay imprecision at 2.5%–4.4%, and inter‐assay imprecision at 8.9%–9.7%. The accuracy profiles (total error) built on the 3 concentrations levels showed accuracy within the 70%–130% range. AP102 is remarkably stable since no proteolytic fragments were detected on plasma samples analyzed by Orbitrap‐MS. Pharmacokinetic studies were conducted in rats, after single dose (1, 3, and 10 μg/kg, sc) and continuous subcutaneous administration (osmotic minipumps for 28 days, 3.0 or 10.0 μg/kg/h). AP102 showed a rapid absorption by the subcutaneous route (Tmax: 15–30 minutes) and a fast elimination (t1/2: 33–86 minutes). The PK profile of AP102 exhibited a mean clearance of 1.67 L/h and a mean distribution volume at steady state of 7.16 L/kg, about 10‐fold higher than those observed with other SSA or non‐ and mono‐iodinated AP102. LogD7.4 determination confirmed the lipophilic properties of AP102 that might influence its distribution in tissues.
The effect of athletes` hyperhydration on the urinary ‘steroid profile’ markers in doping control analysis
Authors: Athanasiadou I. , Kraiem S. , Al‐Sowaidi S. , Al‐Mohammed H. , Dbes N. , Al‐Yazedi S. , Samsam W. , Mohamed‐Ali V. , Dokoumetzidis A. , Alsayrafi M. , Valsami G. , Georgakopoulos C. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe urinary ‘steroid profile’ in doping control analysis is a powerful tool aimed at detecting intra‐individual deviations related to the abuse of endogenous steroids. Factors altering the steroid profile include, among others, the excessive fluid intake leading to low endogenous steroids concentrations compared to an individual's normal values. Cases report the use of hyperhydration by athletes as a masking method during anti‐doping urine sample collection. Seven healthy physically active non‐smoking Caucasian males were examined for a 72‐hour period using water and a commercial sports drink as hyperhydration agents (20 mL/kg body weight). Urine samples were collected and analyzed according to World Anti‐Doping Agency (WADA) technical documents. Although, significant differences were observed on the endogenous steroid concentrations under the studied hyperhydration conditions, specific gravity adjustment based on a reference value of 1.020 can eliminate the dilution induced effect. Adjustment methods based on creatinine and urinary flow rate were also examined; however, specific gravity was the optimum method in terms of effectiveness to adjust concentrations close to the baseline steroid profile and practicability. No significant effect on the urinary steroid ratios was observed with variability values within 30% of the mean for the majority of data. Furthermore, no masking on the detection ability of endogenous steroids was observed due to hyperhydration. It can be concluded that any deviation on the endogenous steroid concentrations due to excessive fluid intake can be compensated by the specific gravity adjustment and therefore, hyperhydration is not effective as a masking method on the detection of the abuse of endogenous steroids.
Role of institutional interplay as the medium for dispute between different interpretations of “participation”: A case study from semiarid India
Authors: Parab Vrishali 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe participatory approach characterizes several contemporary programs of watershed development in semiarid farming systems in India. Underlying the extensive adoption of such programs is the notion of participation, which can have varied interpretations. This article presents a case study in which disputes around different interpretations of the concept affected the establishment and implementation of a watershed development program. The study site was Kadwanchi, a drought‐prone village in western India, which undertook watershed development under the aegis of the Indo‐German Watershed Development Programme (IGWDP). This case study investigates how the convention of voluntary labor and the debate over its significance in community participation affected the early constitution and local delivery of IGWDP. The article demonstrates that institutional interplay became a medium through which the involved actors disagreed over their respective interpretations of how participation accommodates voluntary labor. It analyzes the interactions between IGWDP and other discourses of participatory watershed management (otherwise known as patterns) through causal mechanisms. To identify those mechanisms, the study proposes the concept of transmission instruments, defined as the tangible structures that convey the stimulus of institutional change between interacting institutions.
Cancelation of LNA distortions in in‐band full‐duplex systems
Authors: Nasser A. , Mansour A. , Yao K. C. , Abdallah H. , Charara H. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIn‐band full‐duplex (FD) transceiver has been recently proposed to double the channel efficiency. The main challenge of such FD transceiver consists in achieving an efficient self‐interference cancelation. This fact is prevented by receiver imperfections such as the oscillator phase noise, the analog‐to‐digital converter noise, and the nonlinear distortion (NLD) of the low‐noise amplifier (LNA). This paper deals with the mitigation of the NLD of the receiver's LNA by proposing a new FD transceiver architecture. Based on the fact that the NLD coefficients are changing slowly over time, then the period between two successive estimations of the NLD coefficients may be relatively long. Motivated by this fact, a new wire connection is introduced between the transmitting circuit and the receiving one in order to neglect the wireless channel effects when estimating the NLD coefficients. If the estimation of the NLD coefficients is required, then the transmitter stops the wireless transmission and sends a sequence to the receiver via the wire channel. This procedure does not affect the throughput rate since it is repeated every several frames due to the slow time‐variation of the NLD coefficients. The estimated coefficients are used to attenuate the effects of NLD at the receiver's side, where an auxiliary chain is introduced to act as reference to the receiver's ordinary chain. As a proof of the concept, intensive simulations have been done using realistic data parameters. Our numerical results corroborate the efficiency of the proposed architecture, where the NLD of LNA is highly attenuated leading to an efficient self‐interference cancelation.