bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Field performance of the INSTI HIV‐1/‐2 antibody test in two South African antenatal clinics
Authors: Mayaphi Simnikiwe H. , Martin Desmond J. , Quinn Thomas C. , Stoltz Anton C. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThis was a prospective study that assessed field performance of the INSTI HIV‐1/‐2 antibody test (INSTI test) in two antenatal clinics in South Africa (SA). INSTI test was evaluated against rapid tests used at these clinics, and pooled nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) performed for individuals with negative rapid tests. Three hundred and eighty‐six pregnant women were enrolled; 334 (86.5%) with negative results on the screening rapid test, and 52 (13.5%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 10.2–17.3%) with positive results on screening and confirmatory rapid tests. INSTI test yielded the same results as other rapid tests in all participants, thus showing a 100% sensitivity (95% CI: 93.2–100.0%) and specificity (95% CI: 98.9–100.0%). Pooled NAAT was performed for 290 participants who had negative rapid tests, and yielded negative results in all pools. These data show excellent field performance of the INSTI test, and highlight that this test can be implementedat SA clinics.
Parvovirus B19 in South African blood donors
Authors: Francois Kerri Lee , Parboosing Raveen , Moodley Pravi 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBackgroundParvovirus B19 (PVB19) is transmitted via transfusion of blood and blood products. PVB19 is resistant to viral inactivation methods, which poses a threat to blood safety. We investigated the prevalence of PVB19 antibodies and DNA in healthy blood donors from the South African National Blood Bank Service to evaluate the necessity of PVB19 DNA testing.Study Design and MethodA retrospective analysis of 1500 residual plasma specimens from healthy blood donors from the SANBS repository were screened in mini‐pools of 20 for PVB19 DNA using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Positive pools were resolved by individual viral load testing and screened for PVB19 immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to correlate viral loads with serological status. PVB19 IgG prevalence was determined by testing 90 randomly selected specimens from the 1500 plasma specimens.ResultsThe prevalence of PVB19 IgG, IgM and IgG, and DNA was 62.2%, 0.06%, and 0.9%, respectively. Fourteen of the 1500 blood donor specimens received, had detectable PVB19 viral loads. Nine of the fourteen donors with detectable viral loads were PVB19 IgG seropositive. The PVB19 viral loads ranged from 1.81 to 5.32 log IU/mL. Four of the fourteen viraemic donors had a viraemia >10
4 IU/mL.ConclusionWe have demonstrated a low prevalence of PVB19 DNA in SANBS blood donors. The predominance of low‐level viraemia and the presence of PVB19 antibodies, suggests that the risk of transfusion transmission of PVB19 among SANBS donors may be relatively low.
VEGF‐loaded mineral‐coated microparticles improve bone repair and are associated with increased expression of epo and RUNX‐2 in murine non‐unions
Authors: Orth Marcel , Shenar Amira K. , Scheuer Claudia , Braun Benedikt J. , Herath Steven C. , Holstein Jörg H. , Histing Tina , Yu Xiaohua , Murphy William L. , Pohlemann Tim , Laschke Matthias W. , Menger Michael D. 
Published: March 2019

ABSTRACTA poor vascular supply of the fracture gap is a key factor for the development of atrophic non‐unions. Mineral‐coated microparticles (MCM) represent a sophisticated carrier system for the delivery of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Hence, we investigated whether VEGF‐loaded MCM improve bone repair in non‐unions. For this purpose, we analyzed binding and release kinetics of MCM for VEGF in vitro. Moreover, we applied VEGF‐loaded or ‐unloaded MCM in a murine non‐union model in vivo and studied the process of bone healing by means of biomechanical, radiological, histomorphometric, and Western blot techniques. MCM‐free non‐unions served as controls. The binding efficiency of MCM for VEGF was 46 ± 3% and the release profile revealed an initial minor burst release followed by a sustained release over a 50‐day study period, thus, mimicking the physiological expression profile of VEGF during bone healing. In vivo, bone defects treated with VEGF‐loaded MCM exhibited a higher bending stiffness, a higher fraction of bone volume/tissue volume and a larger callus area on days 14 and 70 when compared to the other groups. Western blot analyses on day 14 revealed a higher expression of VEGF, erythropoietin (EPO), and runt‐related transcription factor 2, but not of EPO‐receptor in bone defects treated with VEGF‐loaded MCM. These findings demonstrate that the use of MCM for VEGF delivery shows great potential due to the ability to maintain protein stability and functionality in vivo. Moreover, the application of VEGF‐loaded MCM represent a promising strategy for the treatment of non‐unions. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res
Spatial variation in the frequency and magnitude of mass movement in a semiarid, complex‐terrain agricultural watershed on the Loess Plateau of China
Authors: Zhu Tongxin , Xu Xiangzhou , Zhu Axing 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe previous inventory datasets of mass movement typically include large‐sized mass movements (e.g., landslides), whereas small ones are often missing due to either being too small to be interpreted from remote sensing images or too time‐consuming to measure them in the field. Thus, the relative significance of different‐sized mass movement in sediment production remains unknown. In this study, first, a total of 547 recent mass movements, with a volume ranging from 0.3 to 19,000 m3, are surveyed in a small complex‐terrain watershed on the Loess Plateau of China; then, sediment contributions by mass movement of different magnitude and frequency are evaluated; furthermore, the effects of causative factors on both mass movement frequency and magnitude are examined and compared; finally, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and statistical methods are employed to assess mass movement susceptibility and erosion risk. The results showed that majority of the mass movements are very small (<10 m3). Even though a large mass movement can produce a disproportionally high amount of debris on a per event basis, small‐ and medium‐sized mass movements (<1,000 m3) are overall more important in sediment production in the watershed. The GIS‐based modeling results also demonstrate that there is significant difference in spatial variation between the susceptibility and erosion risk of mass movements. Therefore, although the mass movement susceptibility map is very useful in prioritizing hazard prevention and mitigation, it should be combined with the mass movement erosion risk map in erosion control planning and design, which has not been done in the past.
Developing a resilience assessment framework for the Urban Land–Water System
Authors: Li Yangfan , Lin Jingyu , Li Yi , Nyerges Timothy 
Published: March 2019

AbstractCoastal areas of China have experienced rapid land development accompanied by an increase of impervious surface area often, leading to considerable environmental degradation, particularly for water quantity and quality. This land–water interaction within an urban milieu, called an Urban Land–Water System, involves critical ecosystem function loss and undesirable resilience change. With the purpose of identifying changes in spatial–temporal resilience of an Urban Land–Water System, we formulated an innovative quantitative method for resilience assessment based on the concept of critical functionality and Hooke's Law. The resilience assessment method contextualizes critical functionality of complex systems by integrating subsystems of impervious surface area with subsystems of water quantity and water quality. The method was applied in a study area named Lianyungang, whereby we compared different contributions of three subsystems within two scenarios, Scenario a (one‐fourth of impervious surface area, one‐half of water quantity, and one‐fourth of water quality) and Scenario b (one‐third for each subsystem). Overall, resilience degrades for the Urban Land–Water System from 2005 to 2010 to a relatively lower state with significantly increasing areas (from 62.88 to 281.50 km2) of low‐value resilience. Impervious surface area and water quantity were the main contributors to resilience change. In particular, the loss of resilience within Lianyungang was mostly due to the loss of evapotranspiration and increased built‐up land in both urban and rural areas. The resilience assessment method developed herein identifies areas of significant influences on nested and overlapping resilience change, thereby offering a practical approach for identifying hotspots for managing balances between different spatial–temporal subsystems.
State of the Art of Small‐Diameter Vessel‐Polyurethane Substitutes
Authors: Li Jinge , Chen Zhaobin , Yang Xiaoniu 
Published: March 2019

AbstractCardiovascular diseases are a severe threat to human health. Implantation of small‐diameter vascular substitutes is a promising therapy in clinical operations. Polyurethane (PU) is considered one of the most suitable materials for this substitution due to its good mechanical properties, controlled biostability, and proper biocompatibility. According to biodegradability and biostability, in this review, PU small‐diameter vascular substitutes are divided into two groups: biodegradable scaffolds and biostable prostheses, which are applied to the body for short‐ and long‐term, respectively. Following this category, the degradation principles and mechanisms of different kinds of PUs are first discussed; then the chemical and physical methods for adjusting the properties and the research advances are summarized. On the basis of these discussions, the problems remaining at present are addressed, and the contour of future research and development of PU‐based small‐diameter vascular substitutes toward clinical applications is outlined.
Fabrication and Characterization of Reconstituted Silk Microgels for the Storage and Release of Small Molecules
Authors: Liu Xizhou , Toprakcioglu Zenon , Dear Alexander J. , Levin Aviad , Ruggeri Francesco Simone , Taylor Christopher G. , Hu Mengsha , Kumita Janet R. , Andreasen Maria , Dobson Christopher M. , Shimanovich Ulyana , Knowles Tuomas P. J. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractSilk fibroin is a natural protein obtained from the Bombyx mori silkworm. In addition to being the key structural component in silkworm cocoons, it also has the propensity to self‐assemble in vitro into hierarchical structures with desirable properties such as high levels of mechanical strength and robustness. Furthermore, it is an appealing biopolymer due to its biocompatability, low immunogenicity, and lack of toxicity, making it a prime candidate for biomedical material applications. Here, it is demonstrated that nanofibrils formed by reconstituted silk fibroin can be engineered into supramolecular microgels using a soft lithography‐based microfluidic approach. Building on these results, a potential application for these protein microgels to encapsulate and release small molecules in a controlled manner is illustrated. Taken together, these results suggest that the tailored self‐assembly of biocompatible and biodegradable silk nanofibrils can be used to generate functional micromaterials for a range of potential applications in the biomedical and pharmaceutical fields.
Comparative study of cerebrospinal fluid α‐synuclein seeding aggregation assays for diagnosis of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Kang Un Jung , Boehme Amelia K. , Fairfoul Graham , Shahnawaz Mohammad , Ma Thong Chi , Hutten Samantha J. , Green Alison , Soto Claudio 
Published: March 2019

ABSTRACTBackgroundPD diagnosis is based primarily on clinical criteria and can be inaccurate. Biological markers, such as α‐synuclein aggregation, that reflect ongoing pathogenic processes may increase diagnosis accuracy and allow disease progression monitoring. Though α‐synuclein aggregation assays have been published, reproducibility, standardization, and validation are key challenges for their development as clinical biomarkers.ObjectiveTo cross‐validate two α‐synuclein seeding aggregation assays developed to detect pathogenic oligomeric α‐synuclein species in CSF using samples from the same PD patients and healthy controls from the BioFIND cohort.MethodsCSF samples were tested by two independent laboratories in a blinded fashion. BioFIND features standardized biospecimen collection of clinically typical moderate PD patients and nondisease controls. α‐synuclein aggregation was measured by protein misfolding cyclic amplification (Soto lab) and real‐time quaking‐induced conversion (Green lab). Results were analyzed by an independent statistician.ResultsMeasuring 105 PD and 79 healthy control CSF samples, these assays showed 92% concordance. The areas under the curve from receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for the diagnosis of PD versus healthy controls were 0.93 for protein misfolding cyclic amplification, 0.89 for real‐time quaking‐induced conversion, and 0.95 when considering only concordant assay results. Clinical characteristics of false‐positive and ‐negative subjects were not different from true‐negative and ‐positive subjects, respectively.ConclusionsThese α‐synuclein seeding aggregation assays are reliable and reproducible for PD diagnosis. Assay parameters did not correlate with clinical parameters, including disease severity or duration. This assay is highly accurate for PD diagnosis and may impact clinical practice and clinical trials. © 2019 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Association between ADIPOQ G276T and C11377G polymorphisms and the risk of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease: An updated meta‐analysis
Authors: Liu Mengwei , Liu Shan , Shang Mengke , Liu Xiuping , Wang Yue , Li Qian , Mambiya Michael , Yang Luping , Zhang Qian , Zhang Kaili , Nie Fangfang , Zeng Fanxin , Liu Wanyang 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBackgroundNonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a significant contributor to global hepatic disorders. ADIPOQ gene single‐nucleotide polymorphisms have been associated with NAFLD susceptibility, but with inconsistent results across the studies. This study aimed to investigate the association between ADIPOQ polymorphisms (+276G>T, rs1501299 and −11377C>G, rs266729) and the risk of NAFLD.MethodsPubMed, Embase, Wanfang, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases were used to identify the relevant published literature. Statistical analyses were calculated with STATA 11.0 software and RevMan 5.2. Summary odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were generated to assess the strength of the associations.ResultsEleven relevant articles with a total of 3,644 participants (1,847 cases/1,797 controls) were included. Our meta‐analysis results revealed that ADIPOQ gene +276G>T polymorphism was not associated with NAFLD under various genetic models (allele model: OR = 0.99, 95% CI [0.69, 1.41]; dominant model: OR = 1.06, 95% CI [0.71, 1.58]; recessive model: OR = 0.83, 95% CI [0.42, 1.65]; homozygous model: OR = 0.86, 95% CI [0.38, 1.95]; heterozygous model: OR = 1.10, 95% CI [0.80, 1.53]; respectively). Moreover, no statistical significant association was found between +276G>T and NAFLD risk in the subgroups. ADIPOQ gene −11377C>G polymorphism significantly increased the risk of NAFLD (allele model: OR = 1.49, 95% CI [1.28, 1.75]; dominant model: OR = 1.64, 95% CI [1.35, 1.99]; recessive model: OR = 1.77, 95% CI [1.16, 2.70]; homozygous model: OR = 2.13, 95% CI [1.38, 3.28]; heterozygous model: OR = 1.58, 95% CI [1.29, 1.93]; respectively).ConclusionADIPOQ gene −11377C>G may be a risk factor for NAFLD, while there was no association between ADIPOQ gene +276G>T polymorphism and the risk of NAFLD. Further studies are needed to detect the relationship between these ADIPOQ polymorphisms and NAFLD.
Quantitative prediction of discrete element models on complex loading paths
Authors: Sibille Luc , Villard Pascal , Darve Félix , Aboul Hosn Rodaina 
Published: March 2019

SummaryThe ability of discrete element models to describe quantitatively (and not only qualitatively) the constitutive behaviour of a dense sand is assessed in this paper. Two kinds of 3D discrete models are considered. Both consider spheres as elementary particles. Nevertheless, the first model implements a contact law with rolling resistance whereas the second takes into account clumps made of two spheres. The discrete models are calibrated and validated from mechanical tests performed on a dense Hostun sand with a true triaxial apparatus. The calibration is carried out from axisymmetric drained compression tests, while the validation is discussed from monotonic and cyclic stress proportional loading paths and from a circular stress path in the deviatoric stress plane. The quality of the predictions of the discrete models are evaluated by comparison with the predictions given with advanced phenomenological constitutive relations, mainly an incrementally non‐linear relation. Predictions given by the discrete models are remarkable, particularly when it is put in perspective with respect to the very few number of mechanical tests required for their calibration. However, these results and conclusions were reached in enabling conditions, and some limitations of such discrete models should be kept in mind.
Birth outcomes of second children after community‐based home visiting: A research protocol
Authors: Holland Margaret L. , Condon Eileen M. , Younts C. Wesley , Sadler Lois S. 
Published: March 2019

ABSTRACTBirth‐related outcomes, such as birth weight, have lifelong impacts on health. Home visiting (HV) is an established approach to improve the health of children and families, parenting practices, and connections to social and health services. Many HV programs target first‐time mothers, in part because HV activities related to a first‐birth may improve birth outcomes for subsequent children, but few researchers have examined these effects. We will link data from a statewide HV program (Nurturing Families Network [NFN]) to birth certificate data to create comparison groups and measure outcomes in this observational study. Specifically, we will compare birth outcomes for NFN second‐children (n = 3000) to those for: (a) first‐child older siblings whose birth/gestation led to NFN enrollment (n = 3000); (b) second children of families who were screened as eligible for NFN, but not offered the program due to home visitor availability and other logistical reasons (n = 650); and (c) non‐NFN second children in a propensity‐score‐matched group created using the likelihood of enrollment in NFN based on maternal health, demographics, and neighborhood characteristics (n = 6000). The outcomes we will examine are birth spacing, prenatal care received, cesarean section rate, gestational age, and birth weight in second‐children. We will also examine the associations between program attendance (i.e., missed visits, dropout) and birth outcomes, that will generate evidence that may be used in programmatic decisions regarding continued funding and/or modification of NFN, prioritization of specific retention efforts, and targeting of first‐time mothers. Use of this evidence should improve outcomes for future NFN families and may inform similar programs.
Self‐healing imidazolium‐based ionene‐polyamide membranes: an experimental study on physical and gas transport properties
Authors: Kammakakam Irshad , O'Harra Kathryn E , Dennis Grayson P , Jackson Enrique M , Bara Jason E 
Published: March 2019

ABSTRACTA new series of six imidazolium‐based ionenes containing aromatic amide linkages has been developed. These ionene‐polyamides are all constitutional isomers varying in the regiochemistry of the amide linkages (para, meta) and xylyl linkages (ortho, meta, para) along the polymer backbone. The physical properties as well as the gas separation behaviors of the corresponding membranes have been extensively studied. These ionene‐polyamide membranes show excellent thermal and mechanical stabilities, together with self‐healing and shape memory characteristics. Most importantly, [TC‐API(p)‐Xy][Tf2N] and [IC‐API(m)‐Xy][Tf2N] membranes (TC, terephthaloyl chloride; API, 1‐(3‐aminopropyl)imidazole; Xy, xylyl; Tf2N, bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide; IC, isophthaloyl chloride), where the amide and xylyl linkages are attached at para and meta positions, exhibit superior selectivity for CO2/CH4 and CO2/N2 gas pairs. We also demonstrate the transport properties and diverse applicability of our newly developed ionene‐polyamides, particularly [TC‐API(p)‐Xy][Tf2N], for various industrial applications. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Change in lung clearance index with microbiological status in children with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Walicka‐Serzysko Katarzyna , Postek Magdalena , Milczewska Justyna , Sands Dorota 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe impact of infections caused by bacteria, especially Gram‐negative, on the progression of lung disease in cystic fibrosis is well established. Decline in pulmonary function commence already at early age. In this group of patients, the lung clearance index seems to be a better marker than FEV1 allowing non‐invasive monitoring of changes in small airways. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the microbiological status and LCI derived from multiple breath washout (MBW) technique as well as FEV1 and FVC in children suffering from cystic fibrosis. Over the 1‐year recruitment period, 136 CF patients aged 5‐18 with: Staphylococcus aureus (n‐27), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (first time (n‐27), intermittent (n‐9), and chronic (34) infection), Aspergillus fumigatus (n‐6) and without pathogenic flora (n‐33) were included in the study. Patients had performed a spirometry and MBW test during the visit at outpatient clinic. The study showed that the lung clearance index in patients infected with Aspergillus fumigatus was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than in those with normal throat flora. There was also statistically significant differences in the lung clearance index obtained in subjects with chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection and those with first Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection (P < 0.05). Furthermore, significant statistical differences (P < 0.05) were observed between the groups of patients with chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection FEV1 > 70% and FEV1 < 70%. In conclusion, LCI was associated with microbiological status of CF patients. Chronic lung infections, especially Aspergillus fumigatus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, were associated with increased LCI. Early eradication of pathological flora positively affects the maintenance of lower LCI.