bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Study of tetraphenylporphyrins as modifiers of insulin amyloid aggregation
Authors: Chernii Svitlana , Losytskyy Mykhaylo , Kelm Anna , Gorski Alexandr , Tretyakova Iryna , Yarmoluk Sergiy , Chernii Victor , Kovalska Vladyslava 
Published: September 2019

AbstractAmyloid fibrils are rigid β‐pleated protein aggregates that are connected with series of harmful diseases and at the same time are promising as base for novel nanomaterials. Thus, design of compounds able to inhibit or redirect those aggregates formation is important both for the biomedical aims and for nanotechnology applications. Here, we studied the effect of tetraphenylporphyrins (metal free, their Cu and Pd complexes, and those functionalized by carboxy and amino groups on periphery) on insulin amyloid self‐assembling. The strongest impact on insulin aggregation was demonstrated by a metal‐free porphyrin bearing four carboxy groups. This compound strongly suppresses insulin aggregation (about 88% reduction in amyloid‐sensitive probe emission) inducing formation of fibrils with the length close to this of free insulin (1.7 ± 0.6 μm as compared with 1.4 ± 0.4 μm, respectively) with an essentially reduced tendency to lateral aggregation. Contrarily, the presence of tetraphenylporphyrin containing four amino groups only slightly affects fibrils' morphology and makes weaker impact on insulin aggregation yield (about 44% reduction). This is explained by the ability of aromatic carboxy groups of 5,10,15,20‐(tetra‐4‐carboxyphenyl)porphyrin to interact with complementary protein‐binding groups and thus stabilize the supramolecular complex. For 5,10,15,20‐(tetra‐4‐aminophenyl)porphyrin, full protonation takes place in acidic medium of protein aggregation reaction; this results in the high positive charge of TPPN4 (equal or close to +6) and hence higher contribution of coulombic repulsion to interaction of TPPN4 with insulin. One more possible mechanism of the lower inhibition effect of TPPN4 as compared with TPPC4 could be the more restricted possibility of the former as compared with the latter to form H bonds with insulin groups. It was also shown that metal‐free, Pd‐containing, and Cu‐containing tetraphenylporphyrins without peripheral substituents make almost the same impact on the protein self‐assembling. We suppose this to be due to coordination saturation of these metal atoms.
Clinical Utility of Advanced Imaging of the Knee
Authors: Lansdown Drew A. , Ma C. Benjamin 
Published: September 2019

ABSTRACTAdvanced imaging modalities, including computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and dynamic fluoroscopic imaging, allow for a comprehensive evaluation of the knee joint. Compositional sequences for MRI can allow for an evaluation of the biochemical properties of cartilage, meniscus, and ligament that offer further insight into pathology that may not be apparent on conventional clinical imaging. Advances in image processing, shape modeling, and dynamic studies also offer a novel way to evaluate common conditions and to monitor patients after treatment. The purpose of this article is to review advanced imaging modalities of the knee and their current and anticipated future applications to clinical practice. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 38:473–482, 2020
Survival and Prognosis of Chondrosarcoma Subtypes: SEER Database Analysis
Authors: Amer Kamil M. , Munn Murty , Congiusta Dominick , Abraham John A. , Basu Mallick Atrayee 
Published: September 2019

ABSTRACTChondrosarcomas are rare tumors and, historically, investigation of these tumors has been limited to small series and single‐institution studies. There have been no studies that evaluated the identification or comparison of differences in prognostic factors between the five known non‐conventional chondrosarcoma subtypes (myxoid, juxtacortical, clear‐cell, mesenchymal, and dedifferentiated). The purpose of this paper was to determine the demographic, clinical, incidence, and tumor characteristics of all five known non‐conventional chondrosarcoma subtypes, determine the 1‐, 5‐year, and median survival differences between these subtypes, and to determine the demographic and clinical variables that are significant prognostic indicators for each chondrosarcoma subtypes. We retrospectively reviewed the SEER database for all patients with non‐conventional chondrosarcoma. χ2 testing was used for correlations between clinical variables. Kaplan–Meier and Cox proportional hazard analysis were used to compare survival of the subtypes, and to assess the prognostic value of age group, race, sex, grade, anatomic location, and metastatic involvement. Several demographic characteristics including gender, race, age, and grade varied between chondrosarcoma subtypes. The tumor characteristics showed marked differences in presence of metastasis on presentation between the subtypes with increasing order of rate of metastasis with juxtacortical (2.1%), clear cell (5.7%), myxoid (7.6%), mesenchymal (10.6%), and the highest in dedifferentiated (19.8%). One‐, 5‐year, and median survival differed significantly between chondrosarcomas subtypes. The highest median survival was found in the juxtacortical subtype (97 months), followed by clear cell (79 months), myxoid (60 months), mesenchymal (33.5 months), and lowest in dedifferentiated (11 months). The only prognostic variable that was shown to significantly impact the survival of each non‐conventional chondrosarcoma subtype was a metastatic disease at diagnosis (p = 0.03 to p < 0.001). Subtyping classification of chondrosarcoma should be made whenever possible, given differences in survival and prognostic factors between chondrosarcoma subtypes. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 38:311‐319, 2020
New insights on Raman spectrum of K‐bearing tourmaline
Authors: Musiyachenko K.A. , Korsakov A.V. , Shimizu R. , Zelenovskiy P.S. , Shur V. Ya 
Published: September 2019

AbstractRaman spectroscopy allows for semiquantitative analyses of major elements of tourmaline supergroup minerals. However, the new K‐bearing tourmaline (maruyamaite) species has not been calibrated yet and the effects of K in the X site of tourmaline on the Raman spectrum are still unclear. We investigated maruyamaite and K‐bearing dravite to test their Raman spectrum parameters, as a proxy for chemical composition of the X site. This study uses Raman imaging to obtain spectral data from the studied area of the zoned natural tourmaline crystals from Kumdy‐Kol (Kokchetav massif, Northern Kazakhstan). These data are correlated with chemical composition determined by electron probe microanalysis. Raman peak intensity best correlates with the K apfu at the X site. Peaks in the interval 100–250 cm−1 are aligned to the X‐site cation vibrations, and thus, their intensity positively correlates with K content. However, also, the more intensive peaks in the 650 to 850 cm−1 interval, which are controlled by the Si6O18 ring and AlO6 vibrations, show a positive correlation with the amount of K. The latter peak region is thus chosen here for the calibration due to its much higher intensity respect to the 100 to 250 cm−1 region. Furthermore, we discuss the influence of large K cations on the structure of Si6O18 rings in tourmaline. Our study demonstrates that Raman spectroscopy can be used as a reconnaissance tool for a semiquantitative discrimination of dravitic tourmalines with different X‐site occupation.
Assessment of Tonsil Volume With Transcervical Ultrasonography in Both Children and Adults
Authors: Mengi Erdem , Sağtaş Ergin , Kara Cüneyt Orhan 
Published: September 2019

ObjectivesTo investigate the success of ultrasonography (USG) in the objective measurement of palatin tonsil volume in both children and adults and to compare those results with clinical findings.MethodsEighty‐five patients, who were scheduled to undergo tonsillectomy with the indications of recurrent tonsillitis and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, were included in the study. The tonsil grades of the patients were recorded according to the Friedman tonsil grading. The tonsil size and volume were measured with transcervical USG. After tonsillectomy, the volumes of the tonsils were calculated by the displacement method. The correlation between the obtained data was evaluated. In all analyses, P < .05 was accepted as a statistical level of significance.ResultsFifty children and 35 adults were included in the study. In children, the mean actual volume ± SD of 100 tonsils was measured as 3.5 ± 1.45 mL, and the USG volume was 3.67 ± 1.59 mL; a high correlation was found between both methods (r = 0.842; P < .05). In adults, the mean actual volume of 70 tonsils was measured as 5.15 ± 2.25 mL, and the USG volume was 5.71 ± 2.98 mL; a moderate correlation was found between the methods (r = 0.589; P < .05). In children, a moderate correlation was found between the Friedman grading and the USG (r = 0.532; P < .05), and actual (r = 0.549; P < .05) tonsil volumes. In adults, a low correlation was found between the Friedman grading and the USG (r = 0.363; P < .05) and actual (r = 0.384; P < .05) tonsil volumes.ConclusionsUltrasonography is a useful, accessible, and noninvasive imaging method for objective measurement of tonsil volume in adults and children.
Cricotracheal resection for adult subglottic stenosis: Factors predicting treatment failure
Authors: Jethwa Ashok R. , Hasan Wael , Palme Carsten E. , Mäkitie Antti A. , Espin‐Garcia Osvaldo , Goldstein David P. , Gilbert Ralph W. , Keshavjee Shaf , Pierre Andrew , Gullane Patrick J. 
Published: September 2019

Objectives/HypothesisIdentify predictors of decannulation failure after cricotracheal resection (CTR) and thyrotracheal anastomosis (TTA) in patients with subglottic stenosis (SGS).Study DesignRetrospective cohort study.MethodsCharts of patients undergoing CTR and TTA for SGS at the University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada between 1988 and 2017 were reviewed. Patient, pathology, treatment, and outcome data were collected. The end points for statistical analysis were development of restenosis and permanent tracheostomy.ResultsOne hundred fourteen patients (n = 114) were eligible for inclusion in this review. The mean age at primary resection was 46.9 years, 95 (83%) were females, and 19 (17%) were males. The rate of restenosis and permanent tracheostomy was 13% and 5%, respectively. Sixty‐two patients (54%) underwent a CTR and TTA, and 52 patients (46%) underwent a CTR, laryngofissure, and TTA. Traumatic stenosis (odds ratio [OR] = 10.3, P = .017), longer T‐tube duration (OR = 1.2, P = .011), combined glottic/subglottic stenosis (OR = 10.47, P = .010), start of the stenosis at the vocal cords (OR = 6.6, P = .029), postoperative minor complications (OR = 13.6, P = .028), and need for repeat surgery (OR = 44.1, P < .001) were associated with an increased risk of requiring permanent tracheostomy.ConclusionsCTR and TTA are excellent surgical approaches for adult patients with subglottic stenosis. In this study, 5% of patients required permanent tracheostomy. Factors predicting treatment failure include traumatic stenosis, longer T‐tube duration, combined glottic/subglottic stenosis, start of stenosis at the level of vocal cords, postoperative minor complications, and need for repeat surgery.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 130:1634–1639, 2020
Safety‐relevant environmental sound identification in cochlear implant candidates and users
Authors: Hamel Benjamin L. , Vasil Kara , Shafiro Valeriy , Moberly Aaron C. , Harris Michael S. 
Published: September 2019

Objectives/HypothesisTo compare the identification of safety‐relevant environmental sounds between experienced cochlear implant (CI) users and CI candidates.Study DesignCross‐sectional.MethodsA sample of 19 adult, postlingually deaf CI candidates (CI‐Cs), 47 experienced CI users (CI‐Es), and a control group of 37 age‐matched normal‐hearing adults were assessed using the Familiar Environmental Sounds Test–Identification (FEST‐I). A subset of 11 sounds relevant for safety were selected for analysis in the current study.ResultsAnalysis of safety‐relevant sound identification accuracy revealed no significant difference in safety‐relevant environmental sound identification skills between CI‐E and CI‐C participants, with average scores of 68.1% and 67.9%, respectively. Both performed substantially lower than age‐matched normal hearing adults (95.1%). A significant moderate negative correlation (–0.4) was found between safety‐relevant sound accuracy and chronological age only in one group, the CI‐E group (r = –0.4, P < .005).ConclusionsThese findings fail to demonstrate superior performance in safety‐relevant environmental sound identification among CI‐Es compared with CI‐Cs. Although preliminary, these findings suggest that identification of safety‐relevant sounds is a significant area of weakness for both CI‐Es and CI‐Cs, both of whom may benefit from rehabilitation.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 130:1547–1551, 2020
Quantitative evaluation of pore characteristics of sodic soils reclaimed by flue gas desulphurization gypsum using X‐ray computed tomography
Authors: Liao Renkuan , Yu Haoliang , Yang Peiling , Lin Henry 
Published: September 2019

AbstractFlue gas desulphurization (FGD) gypsum can effectively remediate sodic soils through improving two‐dimensional/three‐dimensional (3D) soil pore characteristics, especially vertical macroporosity. Understanding the response pattern of pore characteristics of sodic soils with different textures to FGD gypsum reclamation measures is critical to formulating appropriate improvement strategies for addressing growing challenges of land degradation. The objectives of this study were (a) to quantify the effect of FGD gypsum on two‐dimensional/three‐dimensional pore characteristics of amended sodic soils using X‐ray computed tomography (CT); and (b) to investigate the response pattern of different sodic soils to reclamation measures. Three types of intact sodic soils (sandy loam, silty loam, and silt soil) were collected from different sodic fields in north China for X‐ray CT image scan, and soil pore characteristic parameters (including porosity, pore network density, pore length density, and tortuosity) were measured. The results indicate that the high proportion of horizontal pores and lower pore length density are typical features in the sodic soils investigated. The responses of three sodic soils to reclamation measures demonstrate obvious variations that the 3D macroporosity of silt sodic soils was significantly increased (p < .05) by 53.7%, showing more sensitive and better effect than that of sandy loam (52.9%) and silty loam (20%) sodic soils, in which the reclamation improved the vertical macroporosity of silt sodic soil by 164.6%. It is speculated that the higher clay and silt contents in the silt sodic soils and their interaction with gypsum contribute to the expansion of pore size, and the formed macropore promotes the vertical migration of clay and silt particles to further increase the vertical macroporosity. In addition, FGD gypsum is beneficial for the formation of new pores in silt loam soils. The findings of this study confirm the feasibility of quantifying pore characteristics of sodic soils with the help of X‐ray CT images and suggest that it is necessary to adopt specific reclamation strategies for different degraded sodic soils.
Influence of the accuracy of reference crop evapotranspiration on drought monitoring using standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index in mainland China
Authors: Yao Ning , Li Yi , Dong Qin'ge , Li Linchao , Peng Lingling , Feng Hao 
Published: September 2019

AbstractReference crop evapotranspiration (ET0) estimation accuracy strongly affects the accuracy of drought monitoring using the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI). The FAO56 Penman–Monteith (the reference method here), Irmak, Berti, Priestley–Taylor, and Valiantzas methods were used to compute ET0 and subsequently SPEI at 1‐, 3‐, and 12‐month timescales during 1961–2016 at 763 weather stations in China. The spatiotemporal variations in the climatic variables and ET0, D (=P − ET0) and SPEI with five ET0 estimators (hereafter SPEIPM, SPEIIRA, SPEIPT, SPEIMHS, and SPEIVal) were investigated. The cumulative frequency and periods (using the Morlet wavelet analysis) of the annual SPEIs were analyzed. The results showed that, corresponding to the P, ET0, and D, drought severity was characterized by large seasonal and regional differences using SPEIPM, SPEIIRA, SPEIPT, SPEIMHS, or SPEIVal, especially in northwestern China, the Inner Mongolia region, and the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau (P < 500 mm/yr). Additionally, the effects of the different ET0 equations on the minimum SPEI and frequency values were large in these drier subregions but generally small in other regions. Meanwhile, an increased ET0 prediction accuracy did not automatically lead to an improved SPEI accuracy in regions P > 500 mm/yr. With respect to the averaged values for Subregion 1 (P < 134 mm/yr), although the vibration intensities and spectra were visually similar for different SPEIs, the periodical signals differed. Regional climatic conditions have a significant impact on the SPEI estimates in regions characterized by P (<500 mm/yr); we therefore suggest that the ET0 equations for drought analysis with SPEI should be carefully selected.
Sediment microbiomes associated with the rhizosphere of emergent macrophytes in a shallow, subtropical lake
Authors: Huang Rui , Zeng Jin , Zhao Dayong , Cook Katherine V. , Hambright K. David , Yu Zhongbo 
Published: September 2019

AbstractRhizosphere microbiota has received much attention due to their associations with plant growth and their fundamental importance in terrestrial ecosystems. However, relatively few studies have focused on rhizosphere microbial communities associated with aquatic macrophytes in freshwater lakes. We hypothesized that the rhizosphere microbiome would reflect the presence of macrophyte roots and the concomitant microhabitat conditions the roots create. Here, high‐throughput sequencing and network analysis were employed to compare the composition and structure of bacterial communities in the rhizosphere of two common emergent macrophytes, Zizania latifolia and Phragmites australis, with the surrounding sediments in Lake Taihu (China). Results indicated that bacterial diversity, community composition, and co‐occurrence networks differed between the communities of bulk sediments and the communities of rhizosphere and surface sediments. Richness and phylogenetic diversity were higher and more taxa were enriched in the rhizosphere and surface sediment communities compared with bulk sediment communities. No differences were detected between bacterial communities in rhizosphere and surface sediments, nor between rhizospheres sediment communities of the two macrophyte species. Anaerobic taxa were more abundant in bulk sediment communities. Among the co‐occurrence networks, more nodes (operational taxonomic units) and edges (connections) with higher average degree as well as more topologically important nodes were found in rhizosphere and surface sediment communities relative to bulk communities. These findings suggest that rhizosphere microbiome communities are influenced by the presence of macrophyte roots, with oxygenated rhizosphere and surface sediment communities being more diverse, and organized into more interconnected co‐occurrence networks.
Identification and characterization of OmpT‐like proteases in uropathogenic Escherichia coli clinical isolates
Authors: Desloges Isabelle , Taylor James A. , Leclerc Jean‐Mathieu , Brannon John R. , Portt Andrea , Spencer John D. , Dewar Ken , Marczynski Gregory T. , Manges Amee , Gruenheid Samantha , Le Moual Hervé , Thomassin Jenny‐Lee 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBacterial colonization of the urogenital tract is limited by innate defenses, including the production of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) resist AMP‐killing to cause a range of urinary tract infections (UTIs) including asymptomatic bacteriuria, cystitis, pyelonephritis, and sepsis. UPEC strains have high genomic diversity and encode numerous virulence factors that differentiate them from non‐UTI‐causing strains, including ompT. As OmpT homologs cleave and inactivate AMPs, we hypothesized that UPEC strains from patients with symptomatic UTIs have high OmpT protease activity. Therefore, we measured OmpT activity in 58 clinical E. coli isolates. While heterogeneous OmpT activities were observed, OmpT activity was significantly greater in UPEC strains isolated from patients with symptomatic infections. Unexpectedly, UPEC strains exhibiting the greatest protease activities harbored an additional ompT‐like gene called arlC (ompTp). The presence of two OmpT‐like proteases in some UPEC isolates led us to compare the substrate specificities of OmpT‐like proteases found in E. coli. While all three cleaved AMPs, cleavage efficiency varied on the basis of AMP size and secondary structure. Our findings suggest the presence of ArlC and OmpT in the same UPEC isolate may confer a fitness advantage by expanding the range of target substrates.
Effects of CDKN2B‐AS1 polymorphisms on the susceptibility to coronary heart disease
Authors: Huang Kang , Zhong Jianghua , Li Qiang , Zhang Wei , Chen Zibin , Zhou Yilei , Wu Miao , Zhong Zanrui , Lu Shijuan , Zhang Shufang 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundCoronary heart disease (CHD) is one of the most severe cardiovascular diseases. Cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor 2B antisense RNA 1 (CDKN2B‐AS1) is a significant susceptibility locus for cardiovascular disease by regulating inflammation response and cell cycle. The aim of this study was to assess whether CDKN2B‐AS1 polymorphisms are associated with CHD risk in the Chinese Han population.MethodsA total of 501 CHD patients and 496 healthy controls were recruited from Central South University Xiangya School of Medicine Affiliated Haikou Hospital, five CDKN2B‐AS1 polymorphisms (rs10115049, rs75227345, rs2383205, rs10738606, and rs1333049) were analyzed by the Agena MassARRAY platform. The association of CDKN2B‐AS1 polymorphisms and CHD risk was determined by odd ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using logistic regression.ResultsCDKN2B‐AS1 rs10738606 was significantly associated with CHD under codominant (p = .03), dominant (p = .019), recessive (p = .010), additive (p = .003), and allele (p = .003) models. Gender‐based subgroup tests showed that four polymorphisms (rs75227345, rs2383205, rs10738606 and rs1333049) were associated with CHD in males (p < .05). And age‐based subgroup tests indicated that rs2383205 and rs10738606 were associated with CHD among individuals, respectively (p < .05). For CHD patients, rs1333049 decreased the risk of diabetes under heterozygote (p = .014) and dominant (p = .024) models.ConclusionsIn conclusion, CDKN2B‐AS1 polymorphisms were associated with CHD risk in the combined or subgroup tests, suggesting an important role of CDKN2B‐AS1 in CHD susceptibility.
Asymptotic tracking with funnel control
Authors: Trenn Stephan 
Published: September 2019

AbstractFunnel control is a strikingly simple control technique to ensure model free practical tracking for quite general nonlinear systems. It has its origin in the adaptive control theory, in particular, it is based on the principle of high gain feedback control. The key idea of funnel control is to chose the feedback gain large when the tracking error approaches the prespecified error tolerance (the funnel boundary). It was long believed that it is a theoretical limitation of funnel control not being able to achieve asymptotic tracking, however, in this contribution it will be shown that this is not the case.