bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mindfulness meditation is associated with decreases in partner negative affect in daily life
Authors: May Christopher J. , Ostafin Brian D. , Snippe Evelien 
Published: May 2019

AbstractTo date, very little research has examined the extrapersonal effects of mindfulness meditation practice. In this study, we investigated whether individual meditation practice exerted an influence on friends or romantic partners. Thirty‐five dyads completed an 8‐week single‐subject protocol using an A‐B‐A‐B design to compare non‐meditation phases with meditation phases. One member of each pair was randomly assigned to meditate daily for 15 min during the B‐phases of the study; the other dyad member did not meditate in either the A or B phases. Daily diaries for each participant assessed negative affect, positive affect, and facets of mindfulness. For participants in the intermittent meditation condition, meditation was associated with decreased negative affect, increased positive affect, and higher scores on the mindfulness facets of observing, describing, and nonreactivity to inner experience. Results further demonstrated that the negative affect of non‐meditating partners decreased during the weeks that their partner meditated and was lower on days that their partner meditated. We did not find similar results for positive affect or mindfulness at the group level. Exploratory analyses suggested that the extrapersonal effects of meditation days on a partner's negative affect might be stronger in romantic couples. This study indicates that 15 min of daily meditation in novice meditators can decrease the negative affect of relationship partners.
Differential Pulse Voltammetry Determination of Ofloxacin in Human Serum and Urine Based on a Novel Tryptophan‐graphene Oxide‐carbon Nanotube Electrochemical Sensor
Authors: Zhu Yuqiu , Li Chengkun , Wang Lumin , Chen Miao , Yu Jingang , Liu Qi , Chen Xiaoqing 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe highly sensitive determination of ofloxacin (OFL) in human serum and urine was achieved on a novel tryptophan‐graphene oxide‐carbon nanotube (Trp‐GO‐CNT) composite modified glassy carbon electrode (Trp‐GO‐CNT/GCE). The Trp‐GO‐CNT composite was fabricated, and its morphologies and surface functional groups were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy. The electrochemical properties of Trp‐GO‐CNT/GCE were investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The superior electrochemical behaviors of Trp‐GO‐CNT/GCE toward OFL can be mainly assigned to the excellent electrocatalytic activity of Trp, the great conductivity and high surface area of GO and CNT, and the synergistic effect between Trp, GO and CNT. Under optimum conditions, a wide and valuable linear range (0.01–100 μM), a low detection limit (0.001 μM, S/N=3), a good linear relationship (R2>0.999), good stability and repeatability were obtained for the quantitative determination of OFL. Furthermore, the Trp‐GO‐CNT electrochemical sensor was successfully applied to the determination of OFL in human serum and urine samples, and satisfactory accuracy and recovery could be obtained.
Rapid electrophoretic recovery of DNA from dried blood spots
Authors: Machado Mary C. , Vimbela Gina V. , Nilsson Michael , Dallaire Stephanie , Wu Rongcong , Tripathi Anubhav 
Published: May 2019

AbstractLarge‐scale genetic screening of neonatal dried blood spots for episomal DNA has a great potential to lower patient mortality and morbidity through early diagnosis of primary immunodeficiencies. However, DNA extraction from the surface of dried blood spots remains one of the most time consuming, costly, and labor‐intensive parts of DNA analysis. In the present study, we developed and optimized a rapid methodology using only 50 V and heat to extract episomal DNA from dried blood spots prepared from diagnostic cord blood samples. This electric field DNA extraction is the first methodology to use an electric field to extract episomal DNA from a dried blood spot. This 25‐minute procedure has one of the lowest times for the extraction of episomal DNA found within the literature and this novel procedure not only negates the need for costly treatment and wash steps, but reduces the time of manual procedures by more than 30 min while retaining the 75–80% of the yield. Combined with real‐time PCR, this novel method of electric field extraction not only provides an effective tool for the large scale genetic analysis of neonates, but a key step forward in the simplification and standardization of diagnostic testing.
Damage‐induced permeability model of coal and its application to gas predrainage in combination of soft coal and hard coal
Authors: Lu Shouqing , Zhang Yongliang , Sa Zhanyou , Si Shufang , Shu Longyong , Wang Li 
Published: May 2019

AbstractCoal permeability is a key parameter that affects the drainage of coal bed methane (CBM). Owing to the lower original permeability of coal seams in China, more attention was paid to the study of damage‐induced permeability laws. However, the theory of damage‐induced permeability still needs to be improved. In this paper, the permeability evolution experiments during the complete stress–strain process of coal were carried out firstly. The results are shown that with the increase in axial strain, the coal permeability decreases slowly at first, then increases rapidly, and finally increases slowly or even remains unchanged, and the peak stress point can be regarded as the extreme point of permeability. Then, the equivalent plastic strain was used to describe the damage of coal. Based on the above results, a new damage‐induced permeability model was developed, and the new model can match the experimental data of permeability very well. In addition, solid–gas coupling models of coal were developed based on the new permeability model, and the numerical results show that there is a region of sudden increase in permeability around the borehole where plastic failure occurs, which indicates that the damage‐induced permeability model is reasonable. Finally, the results of numerical simulation of gas predrainage in combination of soft coal and hard coal under different cases were used to optimize the borehole layout of gas predrainage in the field.
Coping strategies of cancer patients in Ukraine
Authors: Levenets Olena , Stepurko Tetiana , Polese Abel , Pavlova Milena , Groot Wim 
Published: May 2019

SummaryThis case study explores the coping strategies of oncology patients and their family members in Ukraine. These coping strategies are seen as an individual‐level response to the organizational and financial failures of the Ukrainian health care system. Based on semistructured interviews with medical doctors, patients, representatives of charitable foundations, and policy makers, we identify a variety of coping strategies, including personal connections and informal payments. Unequal access to diagnostic and treatment services is observed: coping strategies are developed by patients and their families taking into account the available financial and social capital. Importantly, we could not identify a typical path for cancer patients as cancer patients act in an environment of great uncertainty—in terms of their prognosis and in terms of the cost of treatment. With a weak state and financial uncertainty, patients and physicians perceive coping strategies rather positively as it may contribute to the chance of life.
Development and characterization of ZnO piezoelectric thin films on polymeric substrates for tissue repair
Authors: Costa José , Peixoto Tânia , Ferreira Armando , Vaz Filipe , Lopes Maria A. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractCurrently available scaffolds for tissue repair have shown very limited success, so many efforts have being put in the development of novel functional materials capable of regulating cell behavior and enhance the tissue healing rate. Piezoelectric materials, as zinc oxide (ZnO), can be a very interesting solution for scaffold development, as they can deliver electrical signals to cells upon mechanical solicitation, allowing the development of suitable microenvironments for tissue repair. This way, it is reported the deposition of ZnO thin films on a polymer by direct current magnetron sputtering, under different conditions, in order to obtain a piezoelectric ZnO thin film with potential for tissue repair applications. The obtained ZnO thin films were characterized in terms of morphology, crystallography, electrical conductivity, transmittance, piezoelectricity, and adhesion quality. The deposition process resulted in uniform films, with a very good adhesion to the substrate. The different deposition conditions influenced the evolution of the crystalline domains and preferential growths and consequently, the electrical properties of the films. One of the conditions resulted in a thin film with a high piezoelectric coefficient and a conductor behavior, being considered the most promising to act as a bioactive coating.
Increased expression of miR‐146a, miR‐10b, and miR‐21 in cancer stem‐like gastro‐spheres
Authors: Bakhshi Mahdieh , Asadi Jahanbakhsh , Ebrahimi Marzieh , Moradi Abdol‐Vahab , Hajimoradi Monireh 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackgroundGastric cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer‐associated mortalities globally. Accumulating evidence support the presence of gastric cancer stem cells (CSCs) and their role in the pathogenesis and therapeutic challenges of gastric cancer. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) may be influenced by the cellular differentiative state and as critical regulators of the cellular fate in development and cancer, can modulate the behavior of CSCs too. Here, we aimed to investigate the expression relevance of three prognostic miRNAs (miR‐21, miR‐10b, and miR‐146a) in CSCs of AGS and MKN‐45 gastric cancer cell lines.MethodsSerial sphere‐forming assay in serum‐free culture medium was used to enrich the cellular population with stem‐like properties. Gastro‐spheres were characterized by evaluating the stemness gene expression, clonogenicity, and resistance to docetaxel and cisplatin in comparison with their parental cells. The expression level of miRNAs in gastro‐spheres and their parental cells was measured using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.ResultsGastro‐spheres from both cell lines exhibit stem‐like properties: upregulated stemness associated genes (P < 0.05), more colonogenicity and more resistance to docetaxel (P < 0.05). MKN‐45 gastro‐spheres exhibited upregulated expression of miR‐21 (1.8‐folds), miR‐10b (1.34‐folds) and miR‐146a (4.8‐folds; P < 0.05) compared with the parental cells. AGS‐derived gastro‐spheres showed upregulation of miR‐21 (4.7‐folds; P < 0.01), miR‐10b (15.2‐folds; P < 0.001) and miR‐146a (39.3‐folds; P < 0.05).ConclusionOur data exhibited upregulation of miR‐21, miR‐10b, and miR‐146a in the stem‐like gastro‐spheres; however; their function in gastric CSCs remains to be verified by further experiments.
Mononuclear vs. binuclear carboxylates of copper(II) with 2,2′‐bipyridine: Synthesis, characterization, structural description, and properties
Authors: Iqbal Muhammad , Ali Saqib , Sohail Manzar , Tahir Muhammad N. , Anderson Paul A. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractTwo new copper(II) carboxylate complexes with 2,2′‐bipyridine and para‐nitrophenyl acetate (complex 1) and phenyl acetate (complex 2) have been synthesized; isolated in quantitative yield; and characterized using fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), electron paramagnetic resonance, absorption spectroscopy, electrochemistry, and powder and single crystal X‐ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. Being mononuclear, the geometry around copper in complex 1 is a Jahn–Teller distorted octahedral, while complex 2 is binuclear with slightly distorted square pyramidal geometry around both copper ions. Powder XRD indicated several peaks in spectra of both complexes, which coincided with their theoretical spectra. FT‐IR results of the carboxylate stretching frequency were in accordance with the single crystal structure data. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of complexes 1 and 2 yielded g┴ values of 2.06161 and 2.24623 and 1.94959, respectively, indicating a localized electron in b1 (d
x2–y2‐orbital). Ultra‐violet (UV)–visible spectroscopy and electrochemistry helped in characterization, as well as in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)‐binding ability of the complexes, yielding DNA‐binding constant values = 1.351 × 104 and 1.361 × 104 and 1.820 × 104 and 2.426 × 104 M−1, respectively, for complexes 1 and 2. The complexes demonstrate good biological potential.
Noninvasive prenatal testing detects microdeletion abnormalities of fetal chromosome 15
Authors: Yin Lianli , Tang Yinghua , Lu Qing , Shi Mingfang , Pan Aiping , Chen Danyun 
Published: May 2019

AbstractObjectiveNoninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is widely used in clinical detection of fetal autosomal duplications or deletions. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical application of NIPT for detection of chromosomal microdeletions.MethodsMicrodeletions of about 5 Mb in the long arm of chromosome 15 (q11.2‐q12) were detected by NIPT and were confirmed by karyotype analysis and copy number variation (CNV) analysis based on high‐throughput sequencing technology.ResultsThe CNV results of prenatal diagnosis showed that there were approximately 4.96 Mb of microdeletions in 15q11.2‐q13.1, which was consistent with the NIPT results. The karyotype analysis showed no abnormalities.ConclusionIn this study, the microdeletion fragment of fetal chromosome 15 was successfully detected and diagnosed using NIPT. This suggests that NIPT is an efficient method to gain genetic information about chromosomal abnormalities.
Genetic defects of thiamine transport and metabolism: A review of clinical phenotypes, genetics, and functional studies
Authors: Marcé‐Grau Anna , Martí‐Sánchez Laura , Baide‐Mairena Heidy , Ortigoza‐Escobar Juan D. , Pérez‐Dueñas Belén 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThiamine is a crucial cofactor involved in the maintenance of carbohydrate metabolism and participates in multiple cellular metabolic processes within the cytosol, mitochondria, and peroxisomes. Currently, four genetic defects have been described causing impairment of thiamine transport and metabolism: SLC19A2 dysfunction leads to diabetes mellitus, megaloblastic anemia and sensory‐neural hearing loss, whereas SLC19A3, SLC25A19, and TPK1‐related disorders result in recurrent encephalopathy, basal ganglia necrosis, generalized dystonia, severe disability, and early death. In order to achieve early diagnosis and treatment, biomarkers play an important role. SLC19A3 patients present a profound decrease of free‐thiamine in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and fibroblasts. TPK1 patients show decreased concentrations of thiamine pyrophosphate in blood and muscle. Thiamine supplementation has been shown to improve diabetes and anemia control in Rogers' syndrome patients due to SLC19A2 deficiency. In a significant number of patients with SLC19A3, thiamine improves clinical outcome and survival, and prevents further metabolic crisis. In SLC25A19 and TPK1 defects, thiamine has also led to clinical stabilization in single cases. Moreover, thiamine supplementation leads to normal concentrations of free‐thiamine in the CSF of SLC19A3 patients. Herein, we present a literature review of the current knowledge of the disease including related clinical phenotypes, treatment approaches, update of pathogenic variants, as well as in vitro and in vivo functional models that provide pathogenic evidence and propose mechanisms for thiamine deficiency in humans.
Feasibility of using dried blood spots for HIV viral load testing among HIV‐infected individuals in Thailand using QIAGEN QIAsymphony‐artus HIV‐1 platform
Authors: Thepbundit Viraporn , Ngo‐Giang‐Huong Nicole , Salvadori Nicolas , Laolue Auswin , Kunyanone Naowarat , Sata‐un Jaggrit , Jourdain Gonzague , Sirirungsi Wasna , Khamduang Woottichai 
Published: May 2019

AbstractIn settings where plasma preparation and sample centralization are not feasible or inconvenient, dried blood spots (DBS) could be used as an alternative specimen to plasma to assess antiretroviral treatment response among HIV‐infected individuals. This study was aimed to (1) validate the recent QIAsymphony‐artus assay for DBS HIV viral load (VL) and (2) assess the feasibility of measuring HIV VL on DBS using this assay in Thailand. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid‐blood samples from 99 HIV‐infected individuals were used to prepare paired DBS and plasma. Also, DBS samples were shipped to three distant hospitals in the northern region. After short‐term storage, DBS were returned by regular post to the AMS laboratory and were re‐tested for HIV VL using the same platform. HIV VL results were compared using Pearson's correlation and Bland‐Altman analysis. DBS HIV VL fairly correlated to plasma HIV VL (R = 0.62) with a mean difference of 0.02 log10IU/mL (SD = 1.06). A high correlation (R = 0.79) was observed between HIV VL in DBS before and after shipping (mean difference = 0.14 log10IU/mL, SD = 0.74), indicating good stability of HIV RNA in DBS. DBS can be used as an alternative specimen for HIV VL monitoring in Thailand. However, measurement of HIV VL with the QIAGEN QIAsymphony‐artus assay should be improved, especially the DBS pre‐extraction process.
A millimeter‐wave scalable small signal model of RF CMOS transistor against number of fingers
Authors: Bashir Muhammad Adil , Wu Yunqiu , Liu Jun , Zhao Chenxi , Tang Hongyan , Kang Kai 
Published: May 2019

AbstractA scalable small signal model for RF CMOS transistor is presented in this paper. The model consists of interconnects, substrate network, and intrinsic parameters. The proposed scaling rules characterize the transistors with different numbers of fingers. Based on this, the bias dependency, linear, and nonlinear behavior of all parasitic components are evaluated. A set of scalable RF CMOS models are validated by fabricating in the 90‐nm CMOS process, with gate width of 650 × 8 nm, 650 × 16 nm, 650 × 32 nm, and 650 × 64 nm, respectively. Further, the validity of the proposed model is carried out by comparing the calculated and measured results under different bias conditions up to 66 GHz. The root mean square errors calculated between measured and calculated results are within 0.0110 for S11, 0.0036 for S12, 0.0388 for S21, and 0.0106 for S22, respectively. A fairly good agreement predicts that the model is simple, scalable, and conducive for millimeter‐wave circuits.
Sentinel lymph node biopsy for management of the N0 neck in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Loree John T. , Popat Saurin R. , Burke Mark S. , Frustino Jennifer , Grewal Jeewanjot S. , Loree Thom R. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesThe management of the clinically N0 (cN0) neck is controversial for early stage squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (OSCC). This paper represents a single institution series analyzing the efficacy of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SNB) for early stage oral cavity cancers.MethodsFrom 2005 to 2017, 108 patients with cN0 OSCC were treated with primary resection and SNB. Patients with positive biopsy results proceeded to neck dissection with or without adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Mean follow‐up for the entire cohort was 50.8 months (range: 8‐147 months). Clinically, 56 patients were T1N0, 49 patients were T2N0, and three patients were T3N0 or greater.ResultsDisease‐specific survival was 93% within the entire cohort. Sentinel lymph nodes were identified in 95.4% of patients. Twenty one patients had a positive biopsy. There were seven false‐negative biopsies. The overall rate of nodal disease was 26%. Accuracy of node biopsy was 93%, with sensitivity of 75%, and negative predictive value of 91%. Recurrence rate was 19% (20/108), with an overall survival of 60% in this subgroup.ConclusionSNB is a safe, effective, and well tolerated method for staging cN0 OSCC.
Exploring the implications of wearable virtual reality technology for museum visitors' experience: A cluster analysis
Authors: Errichiello Luisa , Micera Roberto , Atzeni Marcello , Del Chiappa Giacomo 
Published: May 2019

AbstractDespite the spreading of virtual reality (VR) in tourism, little is known about the characteristics of different segments of tourists experiencing cultural tourism attractions through VR applications. This paper proposes to profile museum visitors based on their perceptions and attitudes towards VR applications and investigates whether they are significantly different in terms of socio‐demographic characteristics and emotional responses towards the VR‐mediated experience. With the use of exploratory factor‐cluster analysis of 287 visitors of a cultural attraction, three clusters were identified with significant differences in terms of attitudes and perceptions towards the VR‐mediated experience and emotional feelings. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Apoptotic protease activating factor‐1 negatively regulates Wnt signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Han Rui , Chen Xin‐Yi 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe current study aims to evaluate the mechanism of apoptotic protease activating factor‐1 (Apaf‐1) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells by verifying the regulation of the wnt/beta‐catenin signaling pathway via Apal‐1. Our data showed that transfection with Ad‐Apaf‐1 could inhibit the activity of a lymphoid enhancer factor (LEF) luciferase plasmid activated by β‐catenin. Overexpressing Apaf‐1 could suppress the β‐catenin‐induced LEF luciferase activity in a dose‐dependent manner. Western blot assays demonstrated that the overexpression of Apaf1 significantly suppressed the expression of Wnt/β‐catenin signaling‐related proteins. Further study demonstrated that Apaf‐1 suppressed HepG2 cell migration, invasion, and viability. Knocking down the expression of Apaf‐1 activated the wnt/β‐catenin pathway in HepG2 cells. In contrast, silencing β‐catenin decreased the activation of wnt/β‐catenin, even in the presence of si‐Apaf‐1. Cell cycle distribution analysis demonstrated a decrease in the number of cells in the G0/G1 phase in the Apaf‐1 silencing group. In contrast, knocking down the expression of β‐catenin increased the number of cells in the G0/G1 phase, even in the presence of si‐Apaf‐1. In summary, the Apaf‐1‐mediated suppression of HepG2 cell malignancy is achieved by inhibiting the wnt/β‐catenin pathway.
Preparation of All Polyester‐Based Semi‐IPN Elastomers Containing Self‐Associative or Non‐Associative Guest Chains via Post‐Blending Cross‐Linking
Authors: Hayashi Mikihiro , Sugimoto Kanta , Takasu Akinori 
Published: May 2019

AbstractMechanical properties of semi‐interpenetrating polymer network (semi‐IPN) elastomers consisting of chemical networks and self‐associative/non‐associative guest chains are demonstrated. Amorphous lowTgpolyesters with thiol side groups (PE‐SH) are first synthesized by melt polycondensation. PE‐SH are then converted to polyesters containing COOH side groups (PE‐COOH) and amide side groups (PE‐amide) through Michael addition reaction of thiol groups with acrylic acid and acrylamide, respectively. Homogeneous semi‐IPN elastomers are obtained by thermal cross‐linking for bulk mixtures of PE‐COOH and PE‐amide in the presence of diepoxy cross‐linkers, where COOH and epoxy groups are reacted to form chemical cross‐links while the amide units form self‐complementary hydrogen bonds. Another sample containing non‐associative chains is also prepared by using polyester withN,N‐dimethylamide units, instead of PE‐amide. Dynamic mechanical analysis reveals that guest chain incorporation systematically brings plateau modulus reduction and a unique relaxation with higher tan δ value depending on the fraction and nature of guest chains. Tensile properties are also affected by the fraction and nature of guest chains; the incorporation of hydrogen bonded chains are beneficial to enhance breaking elongation and toughness without the sacrifice of maximum stress. The knowledge found in this work will be thus beneficial for creating tough soft materials with damping applications.