bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lung Metabolism and Inflammation during Mechanical Ventilation; An Imaging Approach
Authors: Pourfathi Mehrdad , Cereda Maurizio , Chatterjee Shampa , Xin Yi , Kadlecek Stephen , Duncan Ian , Hamedani Hooman , Siddiqui Sarmad , Profka Harrilla , Ehrich Jason , Ruppert Kai , Rizi Rahim R. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAcute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a major cause of mortality in critically ill patients. Patients are currently managed by protective ventilation and alveolar recruitment using positive-end expiratory pressure (PEEP). However, the PEEP’s effect on both pulmonary metabolism and regional inflammation is poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate the effect of PEEP on pulmonary anaerobic metabolism in mechanically ventilated injured rats, using hyperpolarized carbon-13 imaging. Pulmonary lactate-to-pyruvate ratio was measured in 21 rats; 14 rats received intratracheal instillation of hydrochloric-acid, while 7 rats received sham saline. 1 hour after acid/saline instillation, PEEP was lowered to 0 cmH2O in 7 injured rats (ZEEP group) and in all sham rats; PEEP was continued in the remaining 7 injured rats (PEEP group). Pulmonary compliance, oxygen saturation, histological injury scores, ICAM-1 expression and myeloperoxidase expression were measured. Lactate-to-pyruvate ratio progressively increased in the dependent lung during mechanical ventilation at ZEEP (p < 0.001), but remained unchanged in PEEP and sham rats. Lactate-to-pyruvate ratio was correlated with hyaline membrane deposition (r = 0.612), edema severity (r = 0.663), ICAM-1 (r = 0.782) and myeloperoxidase expressions (r = 0.817). Anaerobic pulmonary metabolism increases during lung injury progression and is contained by PEEP. Pulmonary lactate-to-pyruvate ratio may indicate in-vivo neutrophil activity due to atelectasis.
Scalable Culturing of Primary Human Glioblastoma Tumor-Initiating Cells with a Cell-Friendly Culture System
Authors: Li Qiang , Lin Haishuang , Rauch Jack , Deleyrolle Loic P. , Reynolds Brent A. , Viljoen Hendrik J. , Zhang Chi , Zhang Chi , Gu Linxia , Van Wyk Erika , Lei Yuguo 
Published: February 2018

AbstractGlioblastoma is the most aggressive and deadly brain cancer. There is growing interest to develop drugs that specifically target to glioblastoma tumor-initiating cells (TICs). However, the cost-effective production of large numbers of high quality glioblastoma TICs for drug discovery with current cell culturing technologies remains very challenging. Here, we report a new method that cultures glioblastoma TICs in microscale alginate hydrogel tubes (or AlgTubes). The AlgTubes allowed long-term culturing (~50 days, 10 passages) of glioblastoma TICs with high growth rate (~700-fold expansion/14 days), high cell viability and high volumetric yield (~3.0 × 108 cells/mL) without losing the stem cell properties, all offered large advancements over current culturing methods. This method can be applied for the scalable production of glioblastoma TICs at affordable cost for drug discovery.
Diversification of insects since the Devonian: a new approach based on morphological disparity of mouthparts
Authors: Nel Patricia , Bertrand Sylvain , Nel André 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe majority of the analyses of the evolutionary history of the megadiverse class Insecta are based on the documented taxonomic palaeobiodiversity. A different approach, poorly investigated, is to focus on morphological disparity, linked to changes in the organisms’ functioning. Here we establish a hierarchy of the great geological epochs based on a new method using Wagner parsimony and a ‘presence/absence of a morphological type of mouthpart of Hexapoda’ dataset. We showed the absence of major rupture in the evolution of the mouthparts, but six epochs during which numerous innovations and few extinctions happened, i.e., Late Carboniferous, Middle and Late Triassic, ‘Callovian-Oxfordian’, ‘Early’ Cretaceous, and ‘Albian-Cenomanian’. The three crises Permian-Triassic, Triassic-Jurassic, and Cretaceous-Cenozoic had no strong, visible impact on mouthparts types. We particularly emphasize the origination of mouthparts linked to nectarivory during the Cretaceous Terrestrial Revolution. We also underline the origination of mouthparts linked to phytophagy during the Middle and the Late Triassic, correlated to the diversification of the gymnosperms, especially in relation to the complex ‘flowers’ producing nectar of the Bennettitales and Gnetales.
BI-2536 and BI-6727, dual Polo-like kinase/bromodomain inhibitors, effectively reactivate latent HIV-1
Authors: Gohda Jin , Suzuki Kazuo , Liu Kai , Xie Xialin , Takeuchi Hiroaki , Inoue Jun-ichiro , Kawaguchi Yasushi , Ishida Takaomi 
Published: February 2018

AbstractHIV-1 latent reservoirs harbouring silenced but replication-competent proviruses are a major obstacle against viral eradication in infected patients. The “shock and kill” strategy aims to reactivate latent provirus with latency reversing agents (LRAs) in the presence of antiretroviral drugs, necessitating the development of effective and efficient LRAs. We screened a chemical library for potential LRAs and identified two dual Polo-like kinase (PLK)/bromodomain inhibitors, BI-2536 and BI-6727 (volasertib), which are currently undergoing clinical trials against various cancers. BI-2536 and BI-6727 significantly reactivated silenced HIV-1 provirus at both the mRNA and protein level in two latently infected model cell lines (ACH2 and U1). BI-2536 dramatically reactivated transcription of latent HIV-1 provirus in peripheral blood mononuclear cells derived from infected patients. Long terminal repeat activation by the inhibitors was associated with bromodomain rather than PLK inhibition. We also found that BI-2536 synergistically activates the latent provirus in combination with SAHA, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, or the non-tumour-promoting phorbol ester prostratin. Our findings strongly suggest that BI-2536 and BI-6727 are potent LRAs for the “shock and kill” HIV-1 eradication strategy.
An all-trans-retinal-binding opsin peropsin as a potential dark-active and light-inactivated G protein-coupled receptor
Authors: Nagata Takashi , Koyanagi Mitsumasa , Lucas Robert , Terakita Akihisa 
Published: February 2018

AbstractPeropsin or retinal pigment epithelium-derived rhodopsin homolog, found in many animals, belongs to the opsin family. Most opsins bind to 11-cis-retinal as a chromophore and act as light-activated G protein-coupled receptors. Some peropsins, however, bind all-trans-retinal and isomerise it into 11-cis form by light, and peropsin has been suggested to supply other visual opsins with 11-cis-retinal. Additionally, peropsin has some amino acid sequence motifs that are highly conserved among G protein-coupled opsins. Here, using chimeric mutant peropsins, we found that peropsin potentially generates an “active form” that drives G-protein signalling in the dark by binding to all-trans-retinal and that the active form photo-converts to an inactive form containing 11-cis-retinal. Comparative spectroscopic analysis demonstrated that spider peropsin exhibited catalytic efficiency for retinal photoisomerisation that was much lower than a retinal photoisomerase, squid retinochrome. The chimeric peropsins, constructed by replacing the third intracellular loop region with that of Gs- or Gi-coupled opsin, were active and drove Gs- or Gi-mediated signalling in the dark, respectively, and were inactivated upon illumination in mammalian cultured cells. These results suggest that peropsin acts as a dark-active, light-inactivated G protein-coupled receptor and is useful as a novel optogenetic tool.
Strong mechanical squeezing in an electromechanical system
Authors: Feng Ling-Juan , Lin Gong-Wei , Deng Li , Niu Yue-Ping , Gong Shang-Qing 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe mechanical squeezing can be used to explore quantum behavior in macroscopic system and realize precision measurement. Here we present a potentially practical method for generating strong squeezing of the mechanical oscillator in an electromechanical system. Through the Coulomb interaction between a charged mechanical oscillator and two fixed charged bodies, we engineer a quadratic electromechanical Hamiltonian for the vibration mode of mechanical oscillator. We show that the strong position squeezing would be obtained on the currently available experimental technologies.
Skin gland concentrations adapted to different evolutionary pressures in the head and posterior regions of the caecilian Siphonops annulatus
Authors: Jared Carlos , Mailho-Fontana Pedro Luiz , Marques-Porto Rafael , Sciani Juliana Mozer , Pimenta Daniel Carvalho , Brodie Edmund D. , Antoniazzi Marta Maria 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAmphibian skin is rich in mucous glands and poison glands, secreting substances important for gas exchange and playing a fundamental role in chemical defense against predators and microorganisms. In the caecilianSiphonops annulatus(Mikan, 1920) we observed a concentration of enlarged mucous glands in the head region. In the posterior region of the body a similar concentration is made up of enlarged poison glands. These accumulations of glands structurally resemble the macroglands previously reported in anurans and salamanders. The skin glands in these regions are each surrounded by collagen walls forming a honeycomb-like structure. The collagen network in the head region firmly attaches to tiny pits in the bones of the skull. The two extremities of the body produce different secretions, containing exclusive molecules. Considering the fossorial lifestyle of caecilians, it seems evident that the secretions of the head and caudal region serve different functions. The anterior macrogland of mucous glands, rich in mucous/lipid secretion, in conjunction with the funnel-shaped head, may act to lubricate the body and penetrate the soil, thus facilitating locomotion underground. The blunt posterior end bearing an internalized macrogland of poison glands in the dermis may act in chemical defense and/or by blocking invasion of tunnels.
Radiatively driven relativistic jets in Schwarzschild space-time
Authors: Vyas Mukesh K. , Chattopadhyay Indranil 
Published: February 2018

Context. Aims. We carry out a general relativistic study of radiatively driven conical fluid jets around non-rotating black holes and investigate the effects and significance of radiative acceleration, as well as radiation drag.
Methods. We apply relativistic equations of motion in curved space-time around a Schwarzschild black hole for axis-symmetric one-dimensional jet in steady state, plying through the radiation field of the accretion disc. Radiative moments are computed using information of curved space-time. Slopes of physical variables at the sonic points are found using L’Hôpital’s rule and employing Runge-Kutta’s fourth order method to solve equations of motion. The analysis is carried out using the relativistic equation of state of the jet fluid.
Results. The terminal speed of the jet depends on how much thermal energy is converted into jet momentum and how much radiation momentum is deposited onto the jet. Many classes of jet solutions with single sonic points, multiple sonic points, as well as those having radiation driven internal shocks are obtained. Variation of all flow variables along the jet-axis has been studied. Highly energetic electron-proton jets can be accelerated by intense radiation to terminal Lorentz factors γT ~ 3. Moderate terminal speed vT ~ 0.5 is obtained for moderately luminous discs. Lepton dominated jets may achieve γT ~ 10.
Conclusions. Thermal driving of the jet itself and radiation driving by accretion disc photons produce a wide-ranging jet solutions starting from moderately strong jets to the relativistic ones. Interplay of intensity, the nature of the radiation field, and the energetics of the jet result in a variety of jet solutions. We show that radiation field is able to induce steady shocks in jets, one of the criteria to explain high-energy power-law emission observed in spectra of some of the astrophysical objects.
Asteroseismology of ZZ Ceti stars with full evolutionary white dwarf models
Authors: De Gerónimo F. C. , Althaus L. G. , Córsico A. H. , Romero A. D. , Kepler S. O. 
Published: February 2018

Context. The thermally pulsing phase on the asymptotic giant branch (TP-AGB) is the last nuclear burning phase experienced by most low- and intermediate-mass stars. During this phase, the outer chemical stratification above the C/O core of the emerging white dwarf (WD) is built up. The chemical structure resulting from progenitor evolution strongly impacts the whole pulsation spectrum exhibited by ZZ Ceti stars, which are pulsating C/O core white dwarfs located on a narrow instability strip at Teff ~ 12 000 K. Several physical processes occurring during progenitor evolution strongly affect the chemical structure of these stars; those found during the TP-AGB phase are the most relevant for the pulsational properties of ZZ Ceti stars.
Aims. We present a study of the impact of the chemical structure built up during the TP-AGB evolution on the stellar parameters inferred from asteroseismological fits of ZZ Ceti stars.
Methods. Our analysis is based on a set of carbon–oxygen core white dwarf models with masses from 0.534 to 0.6463 M⊙ derived from full evolutionary computations from the ZAMS to the ZZ Ceti domain. We computed evolutionary sequences that experience different number of thermal pulses (TP).
Results. We find that the occurrence or not of thermal pulses during AGB evolution implies an average deviation in the asteroseimological effective temperature of ZZ Ceti stars of at most 8% and on the order of ≲5% in the stellar mass. For the mass of the hydrogen envelope, however, we find deviations up to 2 orders of magnitude in the case of cool ZZ Ceti stars. Hot and intermediate temperature ZZ Ceti stars show no differences in the hydrogen envelope mass in most cases.
Conclusions. Our results show that, in general, the impact of the occurrence or not of thermal pulses in the progenitor stars is not negligible and must be taken into account in asteroseismological studies of ZZ Ceti stars.
Arenophile-Mediated Dearomative Functionalization Strategies
Authors: Sarlah David , Okumura Mikiko 
Published: February 2018

The dearomatization of arenes is a fundamental synthetic strategy, providing a direct connection between simple hydrocarbons and valuable, more complex intermediates. While several strategies exist, the functionalization with concurrent introduction of functionality (i.e., dearomative functionalization) is still a largely underdeveloped field. This Synpacts article provides an overview and insights from our recent work in this area using small molecules—arenophiles.1	Introduction2	Arenophiles3	Olefin-Like Dearomative Functionalizations4	Arenophiles and Transition-Metal Catalysis5	Applications in Natural Product Synthesis6	Conclusion
Endoscopic Endonasal Transtuberculum Sellae Approach for the Resection of Suprasellar Intrainfundibular Epidermoid Cyst
Authors: Montaser Alaa , Revuelta Barbero Juan , Shahein Mostafa , Todeschini Alexandre , Otto Bradley , Carrau Ricardo , Prevedello Daniel 
Published: February 2018

AbstractA 49-year-old female presented with intense headaches of 3 months duration. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed and showed a sellar–suprasellar lesion extending into the third ventricle. A presumptive diagnosis of a craniopharyngioma was made. Since the patient did not have any visual deficits, she opted for conservative management. Four months later, she started to have progressive deterioration of vision; thus, surgery was indicated.The patient underwent endoscopic endonasal resection of the lesion through a transtuberculum sellae approach. The patient was positioned supine with the head slightly extended and the face turned to the right side. Following the essence of a binostril four-hand technique, a total gross resection of the lesion was achieved and multilayer skull base reconstruction was performed utilizing collagen matrix and nasoseptal flap; with no intraoperative complications.The patient's postoperative course was uneventful with the improvement in her vision, and she was discharged on postoperative day 4 with no new neurological deficits. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of an epidermoid cyst. Postoperative pituitary gland function was within normal limits except for mild diabetes insipidus for which she is on DDAVP 0.1 mg twice daily. At 4 years follow-up, the patient was doing well, her vision was normalized, and brain MRI revealed no evidence of residual or recurrent lesion.The link to the video can be found at: https://youtu.be/OqDFpa_Xq78.
Institution of a Comprehensive Postpartum Hemorrhage Bundle at a Large Academic Center does not Immediately Reduce Maternal Morbidity
Authors: Wang Eileen , O'Rourke Kathleen , Romanos April , Srinivas Sindhu , Hamm Rebecca 
Published: February 2018

Objective Obstetric hemorrhage is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. We sought to assess whether institution of a postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) bundle could improve maternal morbidity in our population.
Study Design Preintervention data (PRE) was collected on all deliveries at Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania between October 15, 2013 and December 15, 2013. A two-pronged, multidisciplinary educational and procedural intervention related to PPH was instituted from March 2015 to June 2015. Postintervention data (POST) was collected on all deliveries from October 20, 2015 to December 20, 2015.
Results Note that 592 of 626 (95%) PRE and 583 of 613 (95%) POST deliveries were included. The rates of PPH by estimated blood loss (EBL) ≥ 1,000 mL and by 3 g hemoglobin drop were not significantly different from PRE to POST (9.0% versus 12.2%, p = 0.07 and 10.5% versus 13.5%, p = 0.10, respectively). There was no significant change in transfusion rate (3.4% versus 5.1%, p = 0.13). Use of uterotonics was reduced from 9.8 to 6.3% from PRE to POST (p = 0.03).
Conclusion While institution of a PPH bundle is designed to improve the morbidity of PPH, our data demonstrate that it cannot be expected to do so within 6 months of implementation. Further studies will need to assess the long-term effects of such a resource-intensive protocol, including perceptions of improved safety by all providers, nurses, and staff.
Factors Associated with Placental Vascularization Measured by 3D Power Doppler Ultrasonographic Sphere Biopsy between 11 and 14 Weeks of Gestation
Authors: Boutin Amelie , Dembickaja Regina , Campanero Mercedes , Nicolaides Kypros , Demers Suzanne 
Published: February 2018

Objective Preeclampsia is associated with placental vascularization disorders. Ultrasonographic sphere biopsy (USSB) of the placenta can estimate the vascularization of the placenta and potentially the risk of preeclampsia. We aimed to explore the factors related to placental vascularization measured with USSB in the first trimester.
Study Design A prospective cohort was conducted in women recruited at 11 to 14 weeks. Three-dimensional acquisition of the placenta with power Doppler was undertaken along with crown-rump length (CRL). Using USSB of the full placental thickness at its center, vascularization index, flow index, and vascular flow index were measured. Pearson's correlation coefficients and multivariate linear regression were used to correlate the vascularization indices with CRL and maternal characteristics.
Results A total of 5,612 women were recruited at a mean gestational age of 12.8 ± 0.6 weeks. We observed that vascularization indices increase with CRL. After adjustment, we observed that maternal age, ethnicity other than Caucasian, and body mass index were associated with lower vascularization indices, while diabetes, smoking, and assisted reproduction technology were not. We observed that parous women without history of preeclampsia had greater vascularization indices compared with nulliparous women.
Conclusion Placental vascularization indices assessed by USSB fluctuate with gestational age, ethnicity, maternal age, body mass index, and previous pregnancy history.
Efficacy of Epidural Analgesia after Laparotomy in Children
Authors: Keyzer-Dekker Claudia , van Dijk Monique , Staals Lonneke , Leeuw Tom , Wijnen Rene , Bravenboer-Monster Klarieke 
Published: February 2018

Background Epidural analgesia (EDA) is used as postoperative pain treatment in children, but little is known about its efficacy after laparotomy in children. This retrospective study investigated the efficacy of postoperative EDA after laparotomy in children and the frequencies of adverse effects and complications.
Materials and Methods Data of all children aged 0 to 18 years undergoing laparotomy and treated with EDA in our hospital from January 2014 to December 2015 were collected. EDA was classified as successful either if the catheter was removed when there was no further need, and the patient was comfortable with oral/rectal analgesics or when EDA was continued after intervention.
Results Ninety children with a median age of 3.7 years were included in the study. In 65% (59/90), EDA was classified as successful. In 34% (20/59) of all successful cases, an additional intervention was needed. In 35% (31/90), the catheter was removed earlier than planned, in half of these cases after an intervention. The primary reason for earlier removal was inadequate analgesia and technical failure. Adverse effects occurred in 18% and complications in 1% of cases. The successful group was significantly younger than the unsuccessful (p = 0.003).
Conclusion EDA after laparotomy positively contributed to postoperative pain treatment in two-thirds of children. Numbers of adverse effects and complications were low. It is important to optimize pain management after laparotomy in children; thus, further prospective studies should focus on optimizing EDA and comparing EDA with other techniques of analgesia.
A New Two-Dimensional Shear Wave Elastography for Noninvasive Assessment of Liver Fibrosis in Healthy Subjects and in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease
Authors: Serra Carla , Grasso Valentina , Conti Fabio , Felicani Cristina , Mazzotta Elena , Lenzi Marco , Verucchi Gabriella , D'errico Antonietta , Andreone Pietro 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
Purpose To assess the performance of two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) on the GE LOGIQ E9 ultrasound system in a cohort of healthy subjects and to investigate its accuracy in the staging of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) using liver biopsy as a reference standard.
Materials and Methods From October 2014 to June 2016, 54 healthy subjects and 174 patients with CLD were consecutively enrolled. Liver fibrosis stage was assessed by the METAVIR scoring system. 18 (10.3 %) and 17 (9.8 %) patients had advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis, respectively. The correlation of liver stiffness measurement (LSM) and continuous variable was assessed using the Spearman rank correlation. The accuracy of 2D-SWE was evaluated with areas under the receiver operating characteristics curves (AUROC).
Results Reliable LSMs were obtained in all subjects. The interobserver agreement ICC was excellent: 0.847. In healthy subjects, gender, but not anthropometric and biochemical data, were correlated with LSM. In patients with CLD, LSM had a strong positive correlation with fibrosis stage (rho = 0.628; p > 0.001). The AUROC was 0.724 for mild fibrosis (F≥ 1), 0.857 for moderate fibrosis (F≥ 2), 0.946 for severe fibrosis (F≥ 3), and 0.935 for cirrhosis (F4). Likewise, good accuracy was observed in the HCV subgroup. The optimal cut-off value in differentiating healthy subjects from CLD patients with any fibrosis was 5.47 kPa with an AUROC of 0.875.
Conclusion 2D-SWE is a reliable and reproducible method to assess LSM with good diagnostic accuracy to assess liver fibrosis in patients with CLD.