bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
MicroRNA‐186 is associated with hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α expression in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Lin Li , Sun Juan , Wu Duoyi , Lin Daobo , Sun Dingwei , Li Quanni , Chen Jiannan , Niu Huan , He Ping , Ding Yipeng 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackgroundMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a family of small noncoding RNAs and are essential in the regulation of gene expression. Their impacts on gene expression have been reported in various diseases. The role of hypoxia‐inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF‐1α) in the development and progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has also been demonstrated. However, the role of microRNA‐186 (miR‐186) in relation to HIF in COPD is unknown.MethodsCell culture experiments were performed using human lung fibroblast cells (MRC‐5). Cell viability was determined by MTT and flow cytometry assays. Reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and Western blot analysis were used to assess the expression levels of HIF‐1α and inflammatory cytokines. Dual‐luciferase reporter assays were used to reveal the correlation between miR‐186 and HIF‐1α.ResultsAfter miR‐186 transfection, the cell lines showed reduced proliferation and increased apoptosis. After overexpression of miR‐186, we found that the HIF‐1α expression level was reduced in MRC‐5 cells. We found that miR‐186 can affect apoptosis of inflammatory fibroblasts through the regulation of HIF‐1α and affect the downstream signaling pathways.ConclusionsThese data suggested that miR‐186 contributes to the pathogenesis of COPD and that miRNA‐186 may also affect the HIF‐1α‐dependent lung structure maintenance program.
Miniaturized quadrature hybrid couplers based on novel U‐shaped transmission lines
Authors: Olukoya Oludotun , Ilic Andjelija , Basu Ananjan , Budimir Djuradj 
Published: December 2018

AbstractIn this paper, a miniaturized microstrip quadrature hybrid coupler (QHC) using U‐shaped transmission lines (USTLs) is presented. The proposed approach replaces all arms of the conventional QHC with its equivalent USTL to achieve compactness. The proposed coupler structure is designed to operate in the 1.5 GHz (1427‐1518 [MHz]) band which is one of the 5G bands of interest. At such low RF/microwave bands below 3‐4 GHz, the size of the conventional coupler is considerably very large which raises a concern for the next generation networks. The proposed coupler is designed, simulated and fabricated using Rogers 5880 with thickness of 0.79 mm, dielectric constant (εr) of 2.2 and loss tangent of 0.0021. The proposed QHC size is 70% smaller in circuit area (30% relative area) than the conventional equivalent. Simulation and measured results are presented and good matching between the results is observed, confirming the outstanding coupler performance properties. The proposed miniaturized QHC structure will play a vital role for next generation 4G and 5G wireless communication systems operating below 6 GHz.
Pulmonary nodule segmentation with CT sample synthesis using adversarial networks
Authors: Qin Yulei , Zheng Hao , Huang Xiaolin , Yang Jie , Zhu Yue‐Min 
Published: December 2018

PurposeSegmentation of pulmonary nodules is critical for the analysis of nodules and lung cancer diagnosis. We present a novel framework of segmentation for various types of nodules using convolutional neural networks (CNNs).MethodsThe proposed framework is composed of two major parts. The first part is to increase the variety of samples and build a more balanced dataset. A conditional generative adversarial network (cGAN) is employed to produce synthetic CT images. Semantic labels are generated to impart spatial contextual knowledge to the network. Nine attribute scoring labels are combined as well to preserve nodule features. To refine the realism of synthesized samples, reconstruction error loss is introduced into cGAN. The second part is to train a nodule segmentation network on the extended dataset. We build a three‐dimensional (3D) CNN model that exploits heterogeneous maps including edge maps and local binary pattern maps. The incorporation of these maps informs the model of texture patterns and boundary information of nodules, which assists high‐level feature learning for segmentation. Residual unit, which learns to reduce residual error, is adopted to accelerate training and improve accuracy.ResultsValidation on LIDC‐IDRI dataset demonstrates that the generated samples are realistic. The mean squared error and average cosine similarity between real and synthesized samples are and 0.9534, respectively. The Dice coefficient, positive predicted value, sensitivity, and accuracy are, respectively, 0.8483, 0.8895, 0.8511, and 0.9904 for the segmentation results.ConclusionsThe proposed 3D CNN segmentation framework, based on the use of synthesized samples and multiple maps with residual learning, achieves more accurate nodule segmentation compared to existing state‐of‐the‐art methods. The proposed CT image synthesis method can not only output samples close to real images but also allow for stochastic variation in image diversity.
Thymectomy may not be associated with clinical improvement in MuSK myasthenia gravis
Authors: Clifford Katherine M. , Hobson‐Webb Lisa D. , Benatar Michael , Burns Ted M. , Barnett Carolina , Silvestri Nicholas J. , Howard James F. , Visser Amy , Crum Brian A. , Nowak Richard , Beekman Rachel , Kumar Aditya , Ruzhansky Katherine , Chen I‐Hweii Amy , Pulley Michael T. , Laboy Shannon M. , Fellman Melissa A. , Howard Diantha B. , Kolb Noah A. , Greene Shane M. , Pasnoor Mamatha , Dimachkie Mazen M. , Barohn Richard J. , Hehir Michael K. 
Published: December 2018

ABSTRACTIntroduction: A randomized trial demonstrated benefit from thymectomy in nonthymomatous acetylcholine receptor (AChR)‐antibody positive myasthenia gravis (MG). Uncontrolled observational and histologic studies suggest thymectomy may not be efficacious in anti–muscle‐specific kinase (MuSK)‐MG. Methods: The therapeutic impact of thymectomy was evaluated from data collected for a multicenter, retrospective blinded review of rituximab in MuSK‐MG. Results: Baseline characteristics were similar between thymectomy (n = 26) and nonthymectomy (n = 29) groups, including treatment with rituximab (42% vs. 45%). At last visit, 35% of thymectomy subjects reached the primary endpoint, a Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) post‐intervention status (PIS) score of minimal manifestations (MM) or better, compared with 55% of controls (P = 0.17). After controlling for age at onset of MG, rituximab, prednisone, and intravenous immunoglobulin/plasma exchange treatment, thymectomy was not associated with greater likelihood of favorable clinical outcome (odds ratio = 0.43, 95% confidence interval 0.12–1.53, P = 0.19). Discussion: Thymectomy was not associated with additional clinical improvement in this multicenter cohort of MuSK‐MG patients. Muscle Nerve 59:404–410, 2019
Intravesical injections of platelet‐rich plasma is effective and safe in treatment of interstitial cystitis refractory to conventional treatment—A prospective clinical trial
Authors: Jhang Jia‐Fong , Lin Teng‐Yi , Kuo Hann‐Chorng 
Published: December 2018

AimsCurrent treatments for interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) are usually unsuccessful in achieving long‐term bladder pain relief and irritable symptom improvement. This study investigated the clinical efficacy of platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) intravesical injections on IC/BPS patients refractory to conventional therapies.MethodsForty patients received four monthly intravesical injections of 10 mL PRP extracted from 50 mL of whole blood. The primary end‐point was Global Response Assessment (GRA) at 3 months after the 4th PRP injection. Secondary endpoints included changes in O'Leary‐Sant symptom score (OSS), visual analog scale (VAS) of pain, daily frequency, nocturia, functional bladder capacity (FBC), maximum flow rate, voided volume, post‐void residual volume (PVR) from baseline to 3 months after the 4th PRP injection.ResultsAll 40 patients (37 women and 3 men, aged 55.5 ± 11.1 years) completed the four injections and follow‐up visits. GRA improved after the 1st PRP injection and the satisfaction persists till the primary end‐point. The success rate was 45%, 52%, 70%, 70%, and 67.5% after the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 3 months after the 4th PRP injection, respectively. OSS and VAS also significantly decreased. The PVR did not change after repeated PRP injections, FBC increased, frequency, and nocturia were decreased after PRP injections. All patients were free of urinary tract infection or difficulty urinating.ConclusionThe study demonstrated that repeated intravesical injections of autologous PRP can increase bladder capacity and provide IC symptom improvement in patients with IC/BPS refractory to conventional therapy. Autologous PRP injection is safe and effective in selected patients.
Elevated ductility, optical, and air barrier properties of poly (butyleneadipate‐co‐terephthalate) bio‐based films via novel thermoplastic starch feature
Authors: Zhang Shuidong , Lin Zesheng , Li Jun , Jiang Guo , Hu Changying 
Published: December 2018

It is important to develop high performances biodegradable polymers to eliminate the “white pollution” evoked by petroleum‐based polymer. Thermoplastic starch (TPS) with nano‐ellipse configuration was fabricated to reinforce the performances of poly (butylene adipate co‐terephthalate) (PBAT) biocomposites. Effects of tartaric acid (TA) (0.5% wt) on the structure of TPS and compatibility for PBAT were evaluated by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), viscosity and rheological measurement, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), respectively. They revealed that TA reduced the molecular weight of starch and shear viscosity of TPS were beneficial for TPS dispersing in PBAT matrix with 184‐nm averaged diameter. PBAT/TPS‐TA (70:30 wt%) biocomposite films were blew with different blow‐up ratio. The morphology of films presented that nano‐TPS‐TA wrapped in the PBAT matrix and deformed from ball to capsule feature without agglomeration. Compared with those of PBAT film, the increment in elongation at break of PBAT/TPS‐TA film was 100%. The air permeability and UV‐VIS transmittance of PBAT/TPS‐TA films decreased from 6.92 × 10−9 to 3.72 × 10−9 cm3·cm·cm−2 s−1 Pa−1 and 47.6% to 23.5%, respectively. This study proposed a facile approach to fabricate low‐cost PBAT films with significant improved mechanical, optical, and air barrier properties for commercial application. Mechanism for nanoparticles of TPS‐TA motivated the elevated performances was proposed, synchronously.
Inter‐ and intra‐tumoural heterogeneity in cancer‐associated fibroblasts of human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Neuzillet Cindy , Tijeras‐Raballand Annemilaï , Ragulan Chanthirika , Cros Jérôme , Patil Yatish , Martinet Matthieu , Erkan Mert , Kleeff Jörg , Wilson Jeremy , Apte Minoti , Tosolini Marie , Wilson Abigail S , Delvecchio Francesca R , Bousquet Corinne , Paradis Valérie , Hammel Pascal , Sadanandam Anguraj , Kocher Hemant M 
Published: December 2018

AbstractCancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAF) are orchestrators of the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) microenvironment. Stromal heterogeneity may explain differential pathophysiological roles of the stroma (pro‐ versus anti‐tumoural) in PDAC. We hypothesised that multiple CAF functional subtypes exist in PDAC, that contribute to stromal heterogeneity through interactions with cancer cells. Using molecular and functional analysis of patient‐derived CAF primary cultures, we demonstrated that human PDAC‐derived CAFs display a high level of inter‐ and intra‐tumour heterogeneity. We identified at least four subtypes of CAFs based on transcriptomic analysis, and propose a classification for human PDAC‐derived CAFs (pCAFassigner). Multiple CAF subtypes co‐existed in individual patient samples. The presence of these CAF subtypes in bulk tumours was confirmed using publicly available gene expression profiles, and immunostainings of CAF subtype markers. Each subtype displayed specific phenotypic features (matrix‐ and immune‐related signatures, vimentin and α‐smooth muscle actin expression, proliferation rate), and was associated with an assessable prognostic impact. A prolonged exposure of non‐tumoural pancreatic stellate cells to conditioned media from cancer cell lines (cancer education experiment) induced a CAF‐like phenotype, including loss of capacity to revert to quiescence and an increase in the expression of genes related to CAF subtypes B and C. This classification demonstrates molecular and functional inter‐ and intra‐tumoural heterogeneity of CAFs in human PDAC. Our subtypes overlap with those identified from single‐cell analyses in other cancers, and pave the way for the development of therapies targeting specific CAF subpopulations in PDAC. © 2018 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
The role of respiratory viruses in children with humoral immunodeficiency on immunoglobulin replacement therapy
Authors: Benavides‐Nieto Marta , Méndez‐Echevarría Ana , del Rosal Teresa , García‐García María Luz , Casas Inmaculada , Pozo Francisco , de la Serna Olga , Lopez‐Granados Eduardo , Rodriguez‐Pena Rebeca , Calvo Cristina 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe role of viruses in children with respiratory tract infections and humoral immunodeficiencies has hardly been studied. We have evaluated these infections in children with humoral immunodeficiencies who required immunoglobulin replacement therapy, considering their relationship with symptoms, lung function, bacterial co‐infection, and outcomes.MethodsWe conducted a prospective case‐control study during a 1‐year period, including children with humoral immunodeficiencies receiving immunoglobulin replacement therapy. For each patient, at least one healthy family member was included. Respiratory samples for viral detection were taken every 1‐3 months, and in case of respiratory tract infections. Symptoms questionnaires were filled biweekly. Spirometry and sputum culture were performed in every episode.ResultsSixty‐six episodes were analyzed in 14 patients (median age 12 years; IQR 7‐17), identifying 18 respiratory viruses (27.3%), being rhinovirus the most frequently isolated one (12/18; 66%). Positive viral episodes were associated with clinical symptoms (89% vs 43%), more frequent antibiotic treatment (44% vs 15%) or hospital admission (22% vs 0%) than negative ones. Patients with positive viral detection showed impaired lung function, with lower FEV1 and FVC values.ConclusionsIn our experience, viral respiratory tract infections can cause significant respiratory symptoms and impaired lung function, in children with HID, despite immunoglobulin replacement therapy. These patients could benefit from the monitoring of viral infections, as these may be a gateway for ongoing lung damage.
Serum neurotrophins at birth correlate with respiratory and neurodevelopmental outcomes of premature infants
Authors: Simpson Samantha L. , Grayson Stephanie , Peterson Jennifer H. , Moore John J. , Mhanna Maroun J. , Perez Miriam K. , Rezaee Fariba , Piedimonte Giovanni 
Published: December 2018

AbstractObjectivePreterm birth is a significant cause of infant morbidity and mortality, which are primarily the result of respiratory and neurodevelopmental complications. However, no objective biomarker is currently available to predict at birth the risk and severity of such complications. Thus, we sought to determine whether serum neurotrophins concentrations measured at birth correlate with risk for later development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and long‐term neurodevelopmental outcomes.MethodsThis study prospectively included 223 newborns admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICU) and divided into three groups: (i) preterm infants who developed BPD; (ii) preterm infants who did not develop BPD; (iii) term infants. An exploratory cohort was enrolled in West Virginia, followed by a validation cohort recruited in four NICUs in Ohio. Specimens for serum and tracheal neurotrophins concentrations were collected within 48 h of admission. Infants requiring a fraction of inspired oxygen >0.21 for at least 28 days were diagnosed with BPD. Neurodevelopmental outcomes were extrapolated from Bayley Scales of Infant Development—Third Edition (BSID‐III) administered at the 24‐month follow‐up visit.ResultsSerum brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentration at birth had significant negative correlation with later diagnosis of BPD (P = 0.011) and with duration of invasive ventilation and oxygen supplementation (P = 0.009 and 0.015, respectively). Serum nerve growth factor (NGF) concentration at birth had significant positive correlation with BSID‐III cognitive and language composite scores at 24 months (P < 0.001 and 0.010, respectively).ConclusionsThese data suggest that serum neurotrophins concentrations measured at birth provide prognostic information on subsequent respiratory and neurodevelopmental outcomes.
The asymmetric eddy–background flow interaction in the North Pacific storm track
Authors: Zhao Yuan‐Bing , Liang X. San , Guan Zhaoyong , Hodges Kevin I. 
Published: December 2018

Using a recently developed methodology, namely the multiscale window transform (MWT) and the MWT‐based theory of canonical transfer and localized multiscale energetics analysis, we investigate in an eddy‐following way the nonlinear eddy–background flow interaction in the North Pacific storm track, based on the ERA‐40 reanalysis data from the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts. It is found that more than 50% of the storms occur on the northern flank of the jet stream, about 40% are around the jet centre, and very few (less than 5%) happen on the southern flank. For storms near or to the north of the jet centre, their interaction with the background flow is asymmetric in latitude. In higher latitudes, strong downscale canonical available potential energy transfer happens, especially in the mid‐troposphere, which reduces the background baroclinicity and decelerates the jet; in lower latitudes, upscale canonical kinetic energy transfer intensifies at the jet centre, accelerating the jet and enhancing the middle‐level baroclinicity. The resultant effect is that the jet strengthens but narrows, leading to an anomalous dipolar pattern in the fields of background wind and baroclinicity. For the storms on the southern side of the jet, the baroclinic canonical transfer is rather weak. On average, the local interaction begins about 3 days before a storm arrives at the site of observation, achieves its maximum as the storm arrives, and then weakens.
Parameter estimation for load‐sharing system subject to Wiener degradation process using the expectation‐maximization algorithm
Authors: Xu Jianyu , Liu Bin , Zhao Xiujie 
Published: December 2018

AbstractIn practice, many systems exhibit load‐sharing behavior, where the surviving components share the total load imposed on the system. Different from general systems, the components of load‐sharing systems are interdependent in nature, in such a way that when one component fails, the system load has to be shared by the remaining components, which increases the failure rate or degradation rate of the remaining components. Because of the load‐sharing mechanism among components, parameter estimation and reliability assessment are usually complicated for load‐sharing systems. Although load‐sharing systems with components subject to sudden failures have been intensely studied in literatures with detailed estimation and analysis approaches, those with components subject to degradation are rarely investigated. In this paper, we propose the parameter estimation method for load‐sharing systems subject to continuous degradation with a constant load. Likelihood function based on the degradation data of components is established as a first step. The maximum likelihood estimators for unknown parameters are deduced and obtained via expectation‐maximization (EM) algorithm considering the nonclosed form of the likelihood function. Numerical examples are used to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Cisplatin‐Loaded Polymeric Micelles with Aggregation‐Induced Emission Feature for Cellular Imaging and Chemotherapy
Authors: Li Li-Ping 
Published: December 2018

AbstractImaging‐guided disease theranostic nanoplatforms based on polymeric micelles have drawn a broad attention because of their clear visualization, reduced systemic toxicity, enhanced utilization of drugs, and suppressed chemoresistance of tumors, which makes them possess potential application for cancer therapy. Herein, we synthesized a polymeric nanoparticles (Poly(MAD‐alt‐OCE)‐PTZ‐PEG) with novel aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) characteristic based on cheap commercial polymer by the simple and environmental method. These Poly(MAD‐alt‐OCE)‐PTZ‐PEG nanoparticles (NPs) show excellent biocompatibility and fluorescence property, which makes them huge application potential for cellular imaging. Furthermore, the antitumor drug cisplatin Pt(IV) can be loaded efficiently onto the surface of Poly(MAD‐alt‐OCE)‐PTZ‐PEG NPs due to the existence of abundant carboxyl groups on the NPs surface. The well‐controlled Pt(IV)‐loaded yield and great acid‐responsive drug release of these polymeriec micelles enhance cytotoxicity against cancer cells in vitro. Given the cheap raw materials, eco‐friendly method, excellent AIE property, efficient antitumor drug delivery and pH‐controlled drug release, these polymeric NPs would be a potential candidate for cancer diagnosis and therapy in the future.
Conductive 2D Metal‐Organic Frameworks Decorated on Layered Double Hydroxides Nanoflower Surface for High‐Performance Supercapacitor
Authors: Li Yanli , Li Qin , Zhao Shihang , Chen Chen , Zhou Jiaojiao , Tao Kai , Han Lei 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe conductive two‐dimensional metal‐organic framework (Ni‐CAT) nanocones were decorated on the flower petals surface of layered double hydroxide (NiCo‐LDH) based nanoflowers, just like the surface microstructure of lotus leaves. This interesting composite structure displays excellent specific capacitance of 882 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1, resulting from the synergistic between Ni‐CAT and NiCo‐LDH. An assembled asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) using NiCo‐LDH@Ni‐CAT as positive electrode, which also diaplays high energy density of 23.5 Wh kg−1 at power density of 394.6 W kg−1 and long‐term cycling stability up to 82% after 10,000 cycles. Therefore, this work demonstrates an excellent method of the designing and fabricating hybrid electrode materials based on conductive two‐dimensional metal‐organic frameworks and layered double hydroxides to apply in supercapacitors.
Ricinoleic Acid as a Green Alternative to Oleic Acid in the Synthesis of Doped Nanocrystals
Authors: Mensah Michael B. , McNaughter Paul D. , McAdams Simon G. , Tuna Floriana , Lewis David J. , Awudza Johannes A. M. , Revaprasadu Neerish , O'Brien Paul 
Published: December 2018

AbstractRicinoleic acid, extracted from the castor bean, is a cheap, abundant and naturally sourced capping agent for nanocrystals that offers the ability to functionalise the as‐synthesized nanocrystals through the use of the hydroxyl group, an advantage over oleic acid obtained from olives. In this work, we demonstrate the use of zinc and manganese ricinoleate complexes as green precursors for the synthesis of manganese‐doped zinc sulphide, MnxZn1‐xS. The metal ricinoleate complexes perform well as precursors for MnxZn1‐xS making the parent binary materials and alloys up to approx.x=0.07. The MnxZn1‐xS nanocrystals behave in the same manner as demonstrated previously in the literature with the photoluminescent performance decreasing and the EPR signals undergoing spectral line broadening with increased Mn doping beyond the dilute limit,i. e. x> 0.02.