bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Application of benzonase in preparation of decellularized lamellar porcine corneal stroma for lamellar keratoplasty
Authors: Liu Jing , Li Zhihan , Li Jie , Liu Zuguo 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThis study was to develop anovel and efficient method using endonuclease (benzonase) to preparedecellularized lamellar porcine corneal stroma (DLPCS). The DLPCS was preparedfrom native lamellar porcine corneal stroma (NLPCS) and was treated with 1000 U/ml benzonase for 5hours. We conducted the following measurements and animal transplantation tocompare DLPCS and NLPCS. The residual DNA was decreased significantly from 367.13 ± 19.96 ng/mg to 15.41 ± 0.65 ng/mg after treatment of benzonase by the detection of fluorescentnucleic acid stain. The residual benzonase was also less than detection limit.There was no significant difference in light transmittance of DLPCS comparedwith NLPCS. The extracts of DLPCS did not inhibit cell proliferation of human cornealepithelial cells, mouse fibroblast (L‐929) and African green monkey kidney cell(Vero cell). The DLPCS was transplanted into the corneas of rabbit by lamellarkeratoplasty. There was no corneal melting and graft rejection been observedwithin 12 months. The images demonstrated that the repairment of corneal nervesand keratocytes of DLPCS were in indentical shape and reflection compared withnormal cornea, and no obvious inflammatory cells were observed postoperation, byin vivo confocal microscopy. We provided novel evidence that the application ofbenzonase may improve the quality of DLPCS.
An investigation of efficacy, safety, and prognostic factors of drug‐eluting beads‐transarterial chemoembolization operation with CalliSpheres® Microspheres in treating Chinese hepatocellular carcinoma patients
Authors: Zhang Xin , Lin Xiao , Qiu Huafeng , Peng Zhiyi 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackgroundWe aimed to investigate treatment response, survival profiles, safety profiles, and predictive factors of drug‐eluting beads‐transarterial chemoembolization (DEB‐TACE) with CalliSpheres® Microspheres (CSM) in treating Chinese hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.MethodsA total of 66 HCC patients about to receive DEB‐TACE with CSM therapy were consecutively enrolled in this prospective cohort study. Treatment response was recorded. Besides, progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were also recorded. All adverse events including pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and liver function damage were recorded during hospitalization.Results37.9% of patients achieved complete response (CR) and 81.8% of patients achieved an objective response rate (ORR). For survival, mean PFS and OS were 13.7 (11.7‐15.8) months and 18.8 (95% CI: 16.3‐21.2) months, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that a number of nodules ≥2 was an independent factor for worse CR; moreover, multivariate Cox's regression analysis disclosed that largest sample size ≥5 cm was an independent factor for shorter PFS, and Child‐Pugh B and BCLC stage B/C were independent predictive factors for unfavorable OS. As to AEs, numbers of patients suffered liver function damage, pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever were 29 (43.9%), 27 (40.9%), 22 (33.3%), 13 (19.7%), and 37 (56.1%), respectively.ConclusionDrug‐eluting beads‐transarterial chemoembolization with CSM is an effective and tolerated treatment for Chinese HCC patients, and number of nodules ≥2, largest nodule size ≥5 cm, Child‐Pugh stage B, and BCLC stage B/C correlates with unfavorable prognosis.
Clinical significances of hsa_circ_0067582 and hsa_circ_0005758 in gastric cancer tissues
Authors: Lu Rongdan , Shao Yongfu , Tao Xueping , Ye Guoliang , Xiao Bingxiu , Guo Junming 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackgroundCircular RNAs (circRNAs) are a special class of endogenous noncoding RNAs that have numerous biological functions in normal situation and diseases including cancers. However, the clinical significance of circRNAs in gastric cancer (GC) remains largely unknown. Here, we chose two representative circRNAs, hsa_circ_0067582 and hsa_circ_0005758, to investigate their clinical significance in GC patients.MethodsUsing real‐time quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR), we explored the expression levels of hsa_circ_0067582 and hsa_circ_0005758 in tissues with different stages of gastric tumorigenesis. Then, the relationships between their expression levels and GC patients' clinicopathological factors were further investigated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were established for evaluating diagnostic values of hsa_circ_0067582 and hsa_circ_0005758.ResultsCompared with healthy control tissues, both hsa_circ_0067582 and hsa_circ_0005758 were significantly decreased in GC tissues. Besides, hsa_circ_0067582 expression was associated with GC patients' tissue CEA level (P <.001) and stages (P = .037); and hsa_circ_0005758 expression was relevant to tissue CEA level (P < .001) and perineural invasion (P = .048). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of hsa_circ_0067582 was up to 0.671. The cutoff value was set at 10.61, with which the sensitivity and specificity were 55.2% and 75.0%, respectively. Similar to hsa_circ_0005758, the AUC of hsa_circ_0005758 was 0.721. The cutoff value was set at 10.20, with which the sensitivity and specificity were 75.0% and 67.7%, respectively.ConclusionThese results showed that both hsa_circ_0067582 and hsa_circ_0005758 may play an important role in gastric carcinogenesis; and they may be potential indicators for GC diagnosis.
Effects of trace metal elements on ultrastructural features of hepatopancreas ofArmadillidium granulatumBrandt, 1833 (Crustacea, Isopoda)
Authors: Khemaissia Hajer , Jelassi Raja , Ghemari Chedliya , Raimond Maryline , Souty‐Grosset Catherine , Nasri‐Ammar Karima 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThis study was conducted to compare metals bioaccumulation in the terrestrial isopodArmadillidium granulatumcollected from Ghar El Melh lagoon. We focused on recognizing the effects of trace elements on hepatopancreas functional role. To this end, isopod specimens were exposed for 3 weeks to sediments contaminated with cadmium, copper, zinc, mercury, and nickel. Three concentrations were used in duplicate for each experimental condition. At the end of the experiment, metal body burdens were determined using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Results of the bioaccumulation factor (BAF) showed that the speciesA. granulatumwas classified as a Cu macroconcentrator (BAF > 2) and a Zn deconcentrator (BAF < 2). Dose dependent morphological and histological changes were observed in the hepatopancreas cells using transmission electron microscopy. The predominant features were: microvillus border disruption, condensation of the cytoplasm with increasing endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, lysosomes and granules that accumulated metals in B and S cells. The number of lipid droplets decreased especially after Cd, Zn, Hg, and Ni treatments. This study demonstrated that the terrestrial isopodA. gramulatumcould be a good indicator of soil metal contamination.
Evaluation of the United Kingdom‐primary biliary cholangitis and global primary biliary cholangitis group prognostic models for primary biliary cholangitis patients treated with ursodeoxycholic acid in the U.S. population
Authors: Alomari Mohammad , Covut Fahrettin , Al Momani Laith , Chadalavada Pravallika , Hitawala Asif , Young Mark F , Romero‐Marrero Carlos 
Published: July 2019

Background and AimThe United Kingdom‐primary biliary cholangitis (UK‐PBC) and global primary biliary cholangitis group (GLOBE) prognostic models have been recently developed to predict long‐term outcomes in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). However, these predictive scores have not yet been well evaluated in the U.S. population.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed newly diagnosed PBC patients at the Cleveland Clinic between November 1998 and February 2017. Adverse events were defined as liver transplantation, liver‐related mortality, and all‐cause mortality. Transplant‐free survival (TFS) was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Predictive performances of all prognostic models were evaluated using the C‐statistic.ResultsWe identified 352 patients who used ursodeoxycholic acid therapy. Of them, 311 (88.4%) only had PBC, while 41 (11.6%) were diagnosed with PBC‐autoimmune hepatitis overlap. A total of 22 (6%), 47 (13%), and 55 (16%) patients had adverse events within 5, 10, and 15 years after diagnosis, respectively. In patients with PBC only, the C‐statistic in predicting 15‐year adverse events was 0.75 per GLOBE compared to 0.74 per UK‐PBC (P = 0.94), 0.73 per Rotterdam (P = 0.44), 0.66 per Barcelona (P = 0.004), 0.65 per Paris 1 (P = 0.005), 0.62 per Paris 2 (P < 0.0001), 0.60 per Toronto (P < 0.0001), and 0.60 per Mayo (P < 0.0001) scores. Median follow‐up was 9.2 years. Ten‐year TFS for patients who had optimal versus suboptimal treatment response was 92 versus 74% per Paris 1 (P < 0.0001), 95 versus 79% per Paris 2 (P = 0.0002), 93 versus 65% per Barcelona (P < 0.0001), and 96 versus 68% per Rotterdam (P < 0.0001) risk scores, respectively.ConclusionIn our cohort of PBC patients, the UK‐PBC and GLOBE scores were both accurate and reasonably valid prognostic models in the U.S. population.
A characterization of (4,2)‐choosable graphs
Authors: Cranston Daniel W. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractA graph is ‐choosable if given any list assignment with for each there exists a function such that and for all , and whenever vertices and are adjacent . Meng, Puleo, and Zhu conjectured a characterization of (4,2)‐choosable graphs. We prove their conjecture.
Facilitating engagement with PrEP and other HIV prevention technologies through practice‐based combination prevention
Authors: Skovdal Morten 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIntroductionRecent years have witnessed a rapid expansion of efficacious biomedical HIV prevention technologies. Promising as they may be, they are largely delivered through standard, clinic‐based models, often in isolation from structural and behavioural interventions. This contributes to varied, and often poor, uptake and adherence. There is a critical need to develop analytical tools that can advance our understandings and responses to the combination of interventions that affect engagement with HIV prevention technologies. This commentary makes a call for practice‐based combination HIV prevention analysis and action, and presents a tool to facilitate this challenging but crucial endeavour.DiscussionModels and frameworks for combination HIV prevention already exist, but the process of identifying precisely what multi‐level factors that need to be considered as part of a combination of HIV interventions for particular populations and settings is unclear. Drawing on contemporary social practice theory, this paper develops a “table of questioning” to help interrogate the chain and combination of multi‐level factors that shape engagement with HIV prevention technologies. The tool also supports an examination of other shared social practices, which at different levels, and in different ways, affect engagement with HIV prevention technologies. It facilitates an analysis of the range of factors and social practices that need to be synchronized in order to establish engagement with HIV prevention technologies as a possible and desirable thing to do. Such analysis can help uncover local hitherto un‐identified issues and provide a platform for novel synergistic approaches for action that are not otherwise obvious. The tool is discussed in relation to PrEP among adolescent girls and young women in sub‐Saharan Africa.ConclusionsBy treating engagement with HIV prevention technologies as a social practice and site of analysis and public health action, HIV prevention service planners and evaluators can identify and respond to the combination of factors and social practices that interact to form the context that supports or prohibits engagement with HIV prevention technologies for particular populations.
Strengthening the scale‐up and uptake of effective interventions for sex workers for population impact in Zimbabwe
Authors: Cowan Frances M , Chabata Sungai T , Musemburi Sithembile , Fearon Elizabeth , Davey Calum , Ndori‐Mharadze Tendayi , Bansi‐Matharu Loveleen , Cambiano Valentina , Steen Richard , Busza Joanna , Yekeye Raymond , Mugurungi Owen , Hargreaves James R , Phillips Andrew N 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIntroductionUNAIDS’ goal of ending AIDS by 2030 is unreachable without better targeting of testing, prevention and care. Female sex workers (FSW) in Zimbabwe are at high risk of HIV acquisition and transmission. Here, we report on collated programme and research data from Zimbabwe's national sex work programme. We also assess the potential for wider population impact of FSW programmes by modelling the impact on HIV incidence of eliminating transmission through FSW (i.e. calculate the population attributable fraction of incidence attributable to sex work).MethodsDescriptive analyses of individual‐level programme data collected from FSW between 2009 and June 2018 are triangulated with data collected through 37 respondent driven sampling surveys from 19 sites in Zimbabwe 2011 to 2017. We describe programme coverage, uptake, retention and patterns of sex work behaviour and gaps in service provision. An individual‐level stochastic simulation model is used to reconstruct the epidemic and then the incidence compared with the counter‐factual trend in incidence from 2010 had transmission through sex work been eliminated from that date.ResultsSisters has reached >67,000 FSW since 2009, increasing attendance as number of sites, programme staff and peer educators were increased. Over 57% of all FSW estimated to be working in Zimbabwe in 2017 (n = 40,000) attended the programme at least once. The proportion of young FSW reached has increased with introduction of the “Young Sisters programme.” There are no clear differences in pattern of sex work across settings. Almost all women report condom use with clients at last sex (95%); however, consistent condom use with clients in the last month varies from 52% to 95% by site. Knowledge of HIV‐positive status has increased from 48 to 78% between 2011 and 2016, as has prevalence of ART use among diagnosed women (29 to 67%). Although subject to uncertainty, modelling suggests that 70% (90% range: 32%, 93%) of all new infections in Zimbabwe from 2010 are directly or indirectly attributable to transmission via sex work.ConclusionsIt is feasible to increase coverage and impact of sex work programming through community‐led scale‐up of evidence‐based interventions. Eliminating transmission through commercial sex would likely have a substantial impact on new infections occurring more widely across Zimbabwe.
TLR9 agonist adsorbed to alum adjuvant prevents asthma-like responses induced by Blomia tropicalis mite extract
Authors: Nunes Fernanda P B , Alberca-Custódio Ricardo Wesley , Gomes Eliane , Fonseca Denise M , Yokoyama Nicole H , Labrada Alexis , Russo Momtchilo 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Blomia tropicalis mite is highly prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions and it is associated with allergic diseases such as rhinitis and asthma. By using an OVA-model of allergic lung disease, we have previously shown that sensitization in the presence of toll like receptors (TLRs) agonists attenuates subsequent OVA-induced allergic responses. Here, we evaluated the effect of CpG-ODN, a specific synthetic TLR-9 agonist, on the development of experimental asthma induced by Blomia tropicalis extract, a relevant source of aeroallergens. Among different protocols of Blomia tropicalis extract sensitization, the subcutaneous sensitization in the presence of alum adjuvant induced the highest Th2 responses, including high IgE levels. Adsorption of CpG to Blomia tropicalis extract/Alum attenuated the airway hyperreactivity, the infiltration of inflammatory cells including eosinophils, and the IL-5 content in BAL. In addition, lung peribronchial inflammatory infiltrate, mucus production and IL-5-producing CD3+CD4+ T cells were significantly reduced in the Blomia tropicalis extract/Alum+CpG group. Importantly, CpG inhibited total IgE production as well as active systemic or cutaneous anaphylaxis reactions. Inhibition of pulmonary Th2 responses was associated with increased IL-10 production but not with IFN-γ production. Notably, in IL-10-deficient mice, sensitization with OVA/Alum+CpG resulted in intense lung neutrophilia and IFN-γ production, indicating that IL-10 is necessary to inhibit subsequent Th1 immunity. Our work highlights the mechanisms of allergy attenuation by CpG and it indicates the potential use of Alum-based formulation with CpG to treat allergic processes.
Pediatric Sarcopenia: A Paradigm in the Overall Definition of Malnutrition in Children?
Authors: Ooi Poh Hwa , Thompson‐Hodgetts Sandra , Pritchard‐Wiart Lesley , Gilmour Susan M. , Mager Diana R. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackgroundMalnutrition is a common complication in children with chronic diseases. Sarcopenia is one component of malnutrition, characterized by reduced skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and muscle function. The presence of sarcopenia is associated with adverse outcomes in children. Although there is growing research interest in sarcopenia, no review has been done on this novel concept in pediatrics. The purpose of this review was to explore current evidence in sarcopenia with and without obesity and to evaluate the knowledge gaps in the assessment of childhood sarcopenia.MethodsA total of 12 articles retrieved from PubMed or Web of Science databases were included.ResultsLimited studies have elucidated sarcopenia in pediatrics. Challenges in sarcopenia assessment include heterogeneity in definition and absence of standardized body composition methods used to measure SMM and muscle function tests. There is a lack of age‐specific and gender‐specific normative data for SMM, particularly in young children and infants. None of the studies incorporated muscle function assessment, causing potential bias and misclassification of sarcopenia. The research in childhood sarcopenia is also hampered by low study quality, limited number of outcomes‐based research, and lack of longitudinal data.ConclusionConsensus needs to be reached in methodological approaches in sarcopenia diagnosis, body composition measurements, and age‐appropriate muscle function tests in pediatrics. Careful considerations on growth, neurocognitive status, and factors influencing development in various clinical populations are warranted. Early identification of sarcopenia is crucial to enable targeted treatment and prevention to be carried out across the pediatric clinical populations.
Comparative studies of vibrational properties and phase transitions in perovskite‐like frameworks of [(C3H7)4N][M(N(CN)2)3] with MMn, Co, Ni
Authors: Ciupa‐Litwa Aneta , Ptak Maciej , Hanuza Jerzy , Kucharska Edyta , Beć Krzysztof 
Published: July 2019

AbstractWe report for the first time phonon properties of [(C3H7)4N][M(N(CN)2)3] with MMn, Co, Ni (TPrAM), and theoretical Density Functional Theory (DFT) data for isolated TPrA+ cation obtained using harmonic and anharmonic approximation. Manganese compound undergoes one structural temperature‐induced phase transition, whereas others exhibit multiple structural phase transitions in a broad temperature ranges. Temperature‐dependent Raman studies let us obtain insight into mechanism of these transitions. The phase transition at about 330 K in TPrAMn involves mainly the ordering of the dca bridges coordinating Mn2+ ions and is accompanied by partial ordering of the TPrA+ cations and their shift in the cavities. However, the behavior of TPrANi is different. In particular, very large broadening of bands, attributed to vibrations of the dca and TPrA+ cations, revealed highly dynamic nature of these groups in all phases. This result indicates that observed phase transitions are associated with changing the dynamic disorder of both organic ions. Raman studies also show that all phase transformations are accompanied by slight modification in tilting of the NiN6 octahedra caused by shift of the TPrA+ ions in the cavities.
Pulsed electric field and mild heating for milk processing: a review on recent advances
Authors: Alirezalu Kazem , Munekata Paulo E S , Parniakov Oleksii , Barba Francisco J , Witt Julian , Toepfl Stefan , Wiktor Artur , Lorenzo Jose M 
Published: July 2019

AbstractPulsed electric field (PEF) treatment consists of exposing food to electrical fields between electrodes within a treatment chamber, which can improve the preservation of fresh‐like products such as milk. Although several studies support the use of PEF technology to process milk at low temperature, these studies reported microbial reductions of around 3 log10 cycles and also indicated a limited impact of PEF on some endogenous and microbial enzymes. This scenario indicates that increasing the impact of PEF on both enzymes and microorganisms remains a major challenge for this technology in milk processing. More recently, combining PEF with mild heating (below pasteurization condition) has been explored as an alternative processing technology to enhance the safety and to preserve the quality of fresh milk and milk products. Mild heating with PEF enhanced the safety of milk and derived products (3 log10–6 log10 cycles reduction on microbial load and drastic impact on the activity enzymes related to quality decay). Moreover, with this approach, there was minimal impact on enzymes of technological and safety relevance, proteins, milk fat globules, and nutrients (particularly for vitamins) and improvements in the shelf‐life of milk and selected derived products were obtained. Finally, further experiments should consider the use of milk processed by PEF with mild heating on cheese‐making. The combined approach of PEF with mild heating to process milk and derived products is very promising. The characteristics of current PEF systems (which is being used at an industrial level in several countries) and their use in the liquid food industry, particularly for milk and some milk products, could advance towards this strategy. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Starch–gelatin film as an alternative to the use of plastics in agriculture: a review
Authors: Rosseto Marieli , Krein Daniela DC , Balbé Naiana P , Dettmer Aline 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe technological advances in agriculture, driven by the increased demand for food attributed to population growth, have led to the search for technologies that allow greater control over the variables that interfere in crop yield. Several techniques stand out for optimizing yield capacity, including cultivation in a protected environment, mulching and low tunneling. To expand the use of these techniques, synthetic petroleum‐based polymers are employed due to their low cost, easy processing, and lightness. However, they take a long time to degrade, and, since they are discarded at the end of each cycle of cultivation, end up accumulating in the environment causing irreversible damage.RESULTSThe use of biodegradable films, made of starch and/or a protein source such as gelatin, has been studied as a promising alternative. Both stand out because of their film‐forming ability, and because they come from abundant sources and are biodegradable.CONCLUSIONThis study aimed to review the current findings on starch and gelatin films that can be used as alternatives to conventional plastics in agricultural crops. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry