bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nanotribological response of a-C:H coated metallic biomaterials: the cases of stainless steel, titanium, and niobium
Authors: Kapnisis Konstantinos , Constantinou Marios , Kyrkou Maria , Nikolaou Petros , Anayiotos Andreas , Constantinides Georgios 
Published: October 2018

Background Wear and corrosion have been identified as two of the major forms of medical implant failures. This study aims to improve the surface, protective and tribological characteristics of bare metals used for medical implants, so as to improve scratch resistance and increase lifetime. Methods Hydrogenated amorphous carbon (a-C:H) films were deposited, using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), on stainless steel (SS), titanium (Ti) and niobium (Nb) metal plates. Nanomechanical and nanotribological responses were investigated before and after a-C:H deposition. Film thickness and density were quantified through X-ray reflectivity, and surface morphology before and after deposition were measured using atomic force microscopy, whereas the tribomechanical characteristics were probed using instrumented indentation. Results and conclusions Films of approximately 40 nm in thickness and density of 1.7 g/cm3 were deposited. The a-C:H films reduce the roughness and coefficient of friction while improving the tribomechanical response compared with bare metals for Ti, SS and Nb plates. The very good tribomechanical properties of a-C:H make it a promising candidate material for protective coating on metallic implants.
Influence of pre-heating and ceramic thickness on physical properties of luting agents
Authors: Lima Michele O , Catelan Anderson , Marchi Giselle M , Lima Débora ANL , Martins Luís RM , Aguiar Flávio HB 
Published: October 2018

Purpose: The objective of this in vitro study was to evaluate the influence of ceramic thickness and pre-heating of luting agents on their physical properties. Materials and methods: The materials RelyX Arc, RelyX Ultimate, RelyX Veneer, and Filtek Z350 Flow were handled at different temperatures (23°C or 54°C), inserted into matrix, and photoactivated through ceramic disks (0.75 mm or 1.5 mm). The following tests were performed ( n=8): degree of conversion, Knoop Hardness, cross-link density, water sorption, solubility, and ultimate tensile strength. Data were analyzed using three-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s test (α=0.05). Results: Regarding ceramic thickness, the thinnest ceramic resulted in higher values of Knoop Hardness ( p=0.027). The lowest temperature (23°C) resulted in a higher solubility ( p=0.0257), and water sorption ( p=0.0229) values. There was also statistical difference among the materials: RelyX Arc showed a higher degree of conversion and ultimate tensile strength, followed by RelyX Veneer, RelyX Ultimate, and Filtek Z350 Flow. For Knoop Hardness and cross-link density tests, RelyX Ultimate showed the highest values, followed by RelyX Arc, RelyX Veneer, and Filtek Z350 Flow. For water sorption and solubility, RelyX Veneer showed the highest values, followed by RelyX Arc, RelyX Ultimate, and Filtek Z350 Flow. Conclusion: Pre-heating interfered with water sorption and solubility, whereas ceramic thickness only affected Knoop Hardness; the physical properties of the materials are dependent on their composition.
Influence of injectable microparticle size on cardiac progenitor cell response
Authors: Rosellini Elisabetta , Barbani Niccoletta , Frati Caterina , Madeddu Denise , Massai Diana , Morbiducci Umberto , Lazzeri Luigi , Falco Angela , Lagrasta Costanza , Audenino Alberto , Cascone Maria Grazia , Quaini Federico 
Published: October 2018

Introduction: Injectable scaffolds are emerging as a promising strategy in the field of myocardial tissue engineering. Among injectable scaffolds, microparticles have been poorly investigated. The goal of this study was the development of novel gelatin/gellan microparticles that could be used as an injectable scaffold to repair the infarcted myocardium. In particular, the effect of particle size on cardiac progenitor cell response was investigated. Methods: Particles were produced by a water-in-oil emulsion method. Phosphatidylcholine was used as a surfactant. Particles with different diameter ranges (125–300 µm and 350–450 µm) were fabricated using two different surfactant concentrations. Morphological, physicochemical, and functional characterizations were carried out. Cardiac progenitor cell adhesion and growth on microparticles were tested both in static and dynamic suspension culture conditions. Results: Morphological analysis of the produced particles showed a spherical shape and porous surface. The hydrophilicity of particle matrix and the presence of intermolecular interactions between gellan and gelatin were pointed out by the physicochemical characterization. A weight loss of 75 ± 5 % after 90 days of hydrolytic degradation was observed. Injectability through a narrow needle (26 G) and persistence of the microparticles at the injection site were preliminarily verified by ex vivo test. In vitro cell culture tests showed a preservation of rat cardiac progenitor biologic properties and indicated a preferential cell adherence to microparticles with a smaller size. Conclusion: Overall, the obtained results indicate that the produced gelatin/gellan microparticles could be potentially employed as injectable scaffolds for myocardial regeneration.
Five-year effectiveness of short messaging service (SMS) for pre-diabetes
Authors: Wong Carlos K. H. , Siu Shing-Chung , Wong Ka-Wai , Yu Esther Y. T. , Lam Cindy L. K. 
Published: October 2018

Abstract
Objective
An observational post-randomized controlled trial (RCT) design was adopted to evaluate the long-term sustainability and maintenance of improved glycemic control, lipid profile, reduced progression to diabetes at 3-year following a 2-year short messaging service (SMS). We performed a naturalistic follow-up to the 104 participants of SMS intervention, a 2-year randomized controlled trial comparing the SMS to non-SMS for pre-diabetes. All participants were arranged screening for diabetes at 5-year assessment. Primary outcome of this post-RCT study was cumulative incidence of diabetes whereas secondary outcomes were the change in biometric data over a 5-year period.

Results
After a mean 57-month follow-up, 19 (18.3%) were lost to follow-up after the RCT period. Progression to diabetes occurred in 20 and 16 patients among the intervention and control group respectively, with no significant between-group difference (8.06 and 7.31 cases per 100 person years, respectively; Hazard Ratio in the intervention group, 1.184; 95% confidence interval, 0.612 to 2.288; p-value = 0.616). No significant effect of SMS on reduction in diabetes was observed in overall and pre-defined subgroups. The SMS intervention preserved the clinical benefits within the trial period but failed to transform from treatment efficacy to long-term effectiveness beyond 2 years after intervention.
Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT01556880, retrospectively registered on March 16, 2012
Investigating the Association Between Advanced Practice Providers and Chemotherapy-Related Adverse Events in Women With Breast Cancer: A Nested Case-Control Study
Authors: Yen Tina W.F. , Nattinger Ann B. , McGinley Emily L. , Fergestrom Nicole , Pezzin Liliana E. , Laud Purushottam W. 
Published: October 2018

Purpose: The effect of advanced practice provider (APP) involvement in oncology care on cancer-specific outcomes is unknown. We examined the association between team-based APP–physician care during chemotherapy and chemotherapy-related adverse events (AEs) among women with breast cancer. Methods: We performed separate nested case-control analyses in two national cohorts of women who received chemotherapy for incident breast cancer. Cohorts were identified from Medicare (≥ 65 years of age) and MarketScan (18 to 64 years of age) data. Cases experienced a chemotherapy-related AE (emergency room visit and/or hospitalization). Controls were matched 1:1 on the basis of each patient’s age, comorbidities, census region, state’s APP scope of practice regulations, and observation period from chemotherapy initiation to first AE. APP exposure (any outpatient claim billed by an APP during the observation period) was assessed for each matched pair member. Results: Among the 1,948 cases in the Medicare cohort, 225 (12%) had APP exposure before the first chemotherapy-related AE, compared with 213 controls (11%; P = .54). Among the 725 cases in the MarketScan cohort, 52 (7%) had APP exposure compared with 65 controls (9%; P = .21). In the matched case-control analysis, there was no association between outpatient APP exposure during chemotherapy and AEs in either cohort (Medicare: OR, 1.06 [95% CI, 0.87 to 1.30]; MarketScan: OR, 0.76 [95% CI, 0.50 to 1.14]). Conclusion: Our results suggest that team-based APP-physician care that includes an APP who is billing independently, at least for certain patients receiving chemotherapy, may be a viable strategy to safely leverage the scarce oncology workforce to increase access and delivery of cancer care.
Role for Nucleotide Excision Repair Gene Variants in Oxaliplatin-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy
Authors: West Hannah , Coffey Michelle , Wagner Michael J. , McLeod Howard L. , Colley James P. , Adams Richard A. , Fleck Oliver , Maughan Timothy S. , Fisher David , Kaplan Richard S. , Harris Rebecca , Cheadle Jeremy P. 
Published: October 2018

Purpose Oxaliplatin forms part of routine treatment of advanced colorectal cancer; however, it often causes severe peripheral neuropathy, resulting in treatment discontinuation. We sought to determine the molecular and cellular mechanism underlying this toxicity. Patients and Methods We exome resequenced blood DNA samples from nine patients with advanced colorectal cancer who had severe peripheral neuropathy associated with oxaliplatin (PNAO) within 12 weeks of treatment. We Sanger sequenced the ERCC4 and ERCC6 open reading frames in 63 patients with PNAO and carried out targeted genotyping in 1,763 patients without PNAO. We tested the functionality of ERCC4 variants using viability and DNA repair assays in Schizosaccharomyces pombe and human cell lines after exposure to oxaliplatin and ultraviolet light. Results Exome resequencing identified one patient carrying a novel germline truncating mutation in the nucleotide excision repair (NER) gene ERCC4. This mutation was functionally associated with sensitivity to oxaliplatin ( P = 3.5 × 10−2). We subsequently found that multiple rare ERCC4 nonsynonymous variants were over-represented in affected individuals ( P = 7.7 × 10−3) and three of these were defective in the repair of ultraviolet light–induced DNA damage ( P < 1 × 10−3). We validated a role for NER genes in PNAO by finding that multiple rare ERCC6 nonsynonymous variants were similarly over-represented in affected individuals ( P = 2.4 × 10−8). Excluding private variants, 22.2% of patients (14 of 63 patients) with PNAO carried Pro379Ser or Glu875Gly in ERCC4 or Asp425Ala, Gly446Asp, or Ser797Cys in ERCC6, compared with 8.7% of unaffected patients (152 of 1,750 patients; odds ratio, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.6 to 5.6; P = 2.5 × 10−4). Conclusion Our study provides evidence for a role of NER genes in PNAO, together with mechanistic insights.
Intensive Care Unit Readmission After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation: Causes, Associated Factors, and Association With Patient Mortality
Authors: Hui John , Mauermann William J. , Stulak John M. , Hanson Andrew C. , Maltais Simon , Barbara David W. 
Published: October 2018

BACKGROUND:
Previous studies on readmissions after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation have focused on hospital readmissions after dismissal from the index hospitalization. Because few data exist, the purpose of this study was to examine intensive care unit (ICU) readmissions in patients during their initial hospitalization for LVAD implantation to determine reasons for, factors associated with, and incidence of mortality after ICU readmission.

METHODS:
A retrospective analysis was performed from February 2007 to March 2015 of patients at our institution receiving first-time LVAD implantation. After LVAD implantation, patients dismissed from the ICU who then required ICU readmission before hospital dismissal were compared to those not requiring ICU readmission before hospital dismissal with respect to preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative factors.

RESULTS:
Among 287 LVAD patients, 266 survived their initial ICU admission, of which 49 (18.4%) required ICU readmission. The most common reasons for readmission were bleeding and respiratory failure. Factors found to be univariably associated with ICU readmission were preoperative hemoglobin, preoperative aspartate aminotransferase, preoperative atrial fibrillation, preoperative dialysis, longer cardiopulmonary bypass times, and higher intraoperative allogeneic blood transfusion requirements. Multivariable analysis revealed ICU readmission to be independently associated with preoperative dialysis (odds ratio, 12.86; 95% confidence interval, 3.16–52.28; P < .001). Overall mortality at 1 year was 22.6%. Survival after hospital dismissal was worse for patients who required ICU readmission during the index hospitalization (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.35; 95% confidence interval, 1.15–4.81; P = .019).

CONCLUSIONS:
ICU readmission after LVAD implantation occurred relatively frequently and was significantly associated with 1-year mortality after hospital dismissal. These data can perhaps be used to identify subsets of LVAD patients at risk for ICU readmission and may lead to implementation of practice changes to mitigate ICU readmissions. Future larger and prospective studies are warranted.
Lens-regulated retinoic acid signalling controls expansion of the developing eye
Authors: Smith Jonathan N. , Walker Heather M. , Thompson Hannah , Collinson J. Martin , Vargesson Neil , Erskine Lynda 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACTAbsence of the developing lens results in severe eye defects, including substantial reductions in eye size. How the lens controls eye expansion and the underlying signalling pathways are very poorly defined. We identified RDH10, a gene crucial for retinoic acid synthesis during embryogenesis, as a key factor downregulated in the peripheral retina (presumptive ciliary body region) of lens-removed embryonic chicken eyes prior to overt reductions in eye size. This is associated with a significant decrease in retinoic acid synthesis by lens-removed eyes. Restoring retinoic acid signalling in lens-removed eyes by implanting beads soaked in retinoic acid or retinal, but not vitamin A, rescued eye size. Conversely, blocking retinoic acid synthesis decreased eye size in lens-containing eyes. Production of collagen II and collagen IX, which are major vitreal proteins, is also regulated by the lens and retinoic acid signalling. These data mechanistically link the known roles of both the lens and retinoic acid in normal eye development, and support a model whereby retinoic acid production by the peripheral retina acts downstream of the lens to support vitreous production and eye expansion.
Rab34 small GTPase is required for Hedgehog signaling and an early step of ciliary vesicle formation in mouse
Authors: Xu Shouying , Liu Yang , Meng Qing , Wang Baolin 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACT
The primary cilium is a microtubule-based organelle that protrudes from the cell surface and plays essential roles in embryonic development. Ciliogenesis begins with the successive fusion of preciliary vesicles to form ciliary vesicles, which then dock onto the distal end of the mother centriole. Rab proteins have been linked to cilia formation in cultured cells, but not yet in vivo. In the present study, we demonstrate that endocytic recycling protein Rab34 localizes to cilia, and that its mutation results in significant decrease of ciliogenesis in both cultured cells and mice. Rab34 is required for the successive fusion of preciliary vesicles to generate ciliary vesicles and for the migration of the mother centriole from perinuclear region to plasma membrane. We also show that Rab34 mutant mice exhibit polydactyly, and cleft-lip and -palate. These phenotypes are consistent with observations that nonciliated Rab34 mutant cells fail to respond to Hedgehog signaling and that processing of full-length Gli3 to its C-terminally truncated form is reduced in Rab34 mutant embryos. Therefore, Rab34 is required for an early step of ciliary vesicle formation and Hh signaling in vivo.
This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
The AAA ATPase Afg1 preserves mitochondrial fidelity and cellular health by maintaining mitochondrial matrix proteostasis
Authors: Germany Edward M. , Zahayko Nataliya , Huebsch Mason L. , Fox Jennifer L. , Prahlad Veena , Khalimonchuk Oleh 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACT
Mitochondrial functions are critical for cellular physiology; therefore, several conserved mechanisms are in place to maintain the functional integrity of mitochondria. However, many of the molecular details and components involved in ensuring mitochondrial fidelity remain obscure. Here, we identify a novel role for the conserved mitochondrial AAA ATPase Afg1 in mediating mitochondrial protein homeostasis during aging and in response to various cellular challenges. Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells lacking functional Afg1 are hypersensitive to oxidative insults, unable to tolerate protein misfolding in the matrix compartment and exhibit progressive mitochondrial failure as they age. Loss of the Afg1 ortholog LACE-1 in Caenorhabditis elegans is associated with reduced lifespan, impeded oxidative stress tolerance, impaired mitochondrial proteostasis in the motor neuron circuitry and altered behavioral plasticity. Our results indicate that Afg1 is a novel protein quality control factor, which plays an important evolutionarily conserved role in mitochondrial surveillance, and cellular and organismal health.
Sound production mechanism in triggerfish (Balistidae): a synapomorphy
Authors: Raick Xavier , Lecchini David , Kéver Loïc , Colleye Orphal , Bertucci Frédéric , Parmentier Éric 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACTThe ability to produce sounds for acoustic communication is known in different Balistidae species but the eventual synapomorphic aspect of the mechanism remains to be shown. In Rhinecanthus aculeatus, sounds result from alternate sweeping movements of the right and left pectoral fins, which push a system of three scutes against the swim bladder wall. In this study, we made a comparison between the sounds produced by this species and two additional ones (Balistapus undulatus and Rhinecanthus rectangulus) using hand-held specimens to provide a description of the sound mechanism. The results highlighted that the sound production mechanism is similar in the three species. According to recent phylogenetic data and shared morphological features, this mechanism could be common to the majority of Balistidae family members and all species could be capable of sound production using pectoral fins.
Angling-induced injuries have a negative impact on suction feeding performance and hydrodynamics in marine shiner perch, Cymatogaster aggregata
Authors: Thompson Melissa , Van Wassenbergh Sam , Rogers Sean M. , Seamone Scott G. , Higham Timothy E. 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACT
Fishing is a popular and lucrative sport around the world and, in some cases, may contribute to declining fish stocks. To mediate this problem and maintain fish biomass in aquatic ecosystems, catch-and-release fishing, whereby a fish is caught and immediately released, has been implemented in many countries. It is unclear whether the injuries to the mouth that are caused by the hook have an impact on feeding performance of fishes. Using high-speed video and computational fluid dynamics (CFD), we asked whether injuries around the mouth caused by fishing hooks have a negative impact on suction feeding performance (measured as maximum prey velocity) of the commonly angled marine shiner perch (Cymatogaster aggregata). We hypothesized that fish with mouth injuries would exhibit decreased feeding performance compared with controls. Ten shiner perch were caught using scientific angling and 10 were caught using a seine net. Feeding events were then recorded at 500 frames per second using a high-speed camera. Compared with the control group, maximum prey velocity was significantly lower in the injured group (P&lt;0.01). Maximum gape, time to peak gape, maximum jaw protrusion and predator–prey distance were comparable between the control and injured groups, leading us to conclude that the injury-induced hole in the buccal cavity wall reduced the pressure gradient during mouth expansion, thereby reducing the velocity of water entering the fish's mouth. This was confirmed with our CFD modelling. Fishing injuries in nature are likely to depress feeding performance of fish after they have been released, although it is currently unclear whether this has a significant impact on survival.
Photoluminescent Properties and Local Structure of Tb Doped Fibrous Alumina
Authors: Bando Kyoko K , Kodaira Tetsuya , Takashima Hiroshi , Kobayashi Eiichi , Nagai Naofumi , Mizukami Fujio 
Published: October 2018

Abstract
A boehmite sol which contains uniform fibrous nanoparticles has a unique property to form a film by its self-assembling properties. When Tb ions were added to the sol, the film became photoluminescent (PL) and emitted bright green light due to the f–f transition of Tb by UV irradiation. The PL intensity varied with calcination temperature during pretreatment. The best performance was obtained when the sample was treated around 800 °C. The PL performance normalized by the Tb content was higher for samples with a lower Tb content. Structural analysis by TEM, XRD, and XAFS revealed that when the Tb content was lower than Tb/Al = 2.5/97.5 in the atomic ratio, Tb ions were dispersed on the alumina surface isolated from each other, and those Tb species showed a high PL performance. On the other hand, for densely Tb doped samples, excessive Tb ions aggregated and formed Tb oxide nanoparticles, which were supposed to have lower PL efficiencies.