bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biodegradable cell‐laden starch foams for the rapid fabrication of 3D tissue constructs and the application in neural tissue engineering
Authors: Wen Xiaoxiao , Shen Minjie , Bai Yanjie , Xu Changlu , Han Xinglong , Yang Huilin , Yang Lei 
Published: March 2019

AbstractCells encapsulation by biomaterials has been widely studied as a strategy of building tissue construct in tissue engineering. Conventional encapsulation of cells using hydrogels often needs the polymerization process or relatively complex molding process. In this study, we developed a facile strategy for the in situ fabrication of biodegradable cell‐laden starch foams. By utilizing the unique gelatinization property of starch, cell‐laden starch foams with tunable architecture were rapidly prepared in a green and biological‐friendly process. The bubble size and stiffness of starch foams could be tuned by controlling the content of premixed starch in the cell culture medium. Cells were encapsulated in situ during the foaming process, and the resultant starch foams could be used as building blocks to fabricate three‐dimensional tissue construct. The potential application of the cell‐laden starch foams in neural tissue engineering was also validated. RSC96 Schwann cells were encapsulated in the starch foams and revealed good viability. Due to the serum‐induced degradation of the starch, RSC96 Schwann cells could be released from the starch foams in a controlled manner while remaining high viability. Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons co‐cultured with the cell‐laden starch foams extended significantly longer neurites compared with neurons cultured in minimum Eagle's medium (664.88 ± 190.39 μm vs. 311.19 ± 105.25 μm). DRG neurons retained high viability even after encapsulation in the starch foams for 3 days. This facile strategy of rapidly fabricating cell‐laden starch foams can be further extended to construct centimeter‐scale micro‐tissue for tissue engineering applications. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 108B:104–116, 2020.
Targeting AMPK signaling pathway by natural products for treatment of diabetes mellitus and its complications
Authors: Joshi Tanuj , Singh Amit Kumar , Haratipour Pouya , Sah Archana Negi , Pandey Abhay K. , Naseri Rozita , Juyal Vijay , Farzaei Mohammad H. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractDiabetes affects a large population of the world. Lifestyle, obesity, dietary habits, and genetic factors contribute to this metabolic disease. A target pathway to control diabetes is the 5′‐adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway. AMPK is a heterotrimeric protein with α, β, and γ subunits. In several studies, AMPK activation enhanced glucose uptake into cells and inhibited intracellular glucose production. Impairment of AMPK activity is present in diabetes, according to some studies. Drugs used in the treatment of diabetes, such as metformin, are also known to act through regulation of AMPK. Thus, drugs that activate and regulate AMPK are potential candidates for the treatment of diabetes. In addition, many patients encounter important adverse effects, like hypoglycemia, while using allopathic drugs. As a result, the investigation of plant‐derived natural drugs that lack adverse side effects and treat diabetes is necessary. Natural products like berberine, quercetin, resveratrol, and so forth have shown significant potential in regulating and activating the AMPK pathway which can lead to manage diabetes mellitus and its complications.
Cerebral folate deficiency: Analytical tests and differential diagnosis
Authors: Pope Simon , Artuch Rafael , Heales Simon , Rahman Shamima 
Published: March 2019

AbstractCerebral folate deficiency is typically defined as a deficiency of the major folate species 5‐methyltetrahydrofolate in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the presence of normal peripheral total folate levels. However, it should be noted that cerebral folate deficiency is also often used to describe conditions where CSF 5‐MTHF is low, in the presence of low or undefined peripheral folate levels. Known defects of folate transport are deficiency of the proton coupled folate transporter, associated with systemic as well as cerebral folate deficiency, and deficiency of the folate receptor alpha, leading to an isolated cerebral folate deficiency associated with intractable seizures, developmental delay and/or regression, progressive ataxia and choreoathetoid movement disorders. Inborn errors of folate metabolism include deficiencies of the enzymes methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, dihydrofolate reductase and 5,10‐methenyltetrahydrofolate synthetase. Cerebral folate deficiency is potentially a treatable condition and so prompt recognition of these inborn errors and initiation of appropriate therapy is of paramount importance. Secondary cerebral folate deficiency may be observed in other inherited metabolic diseases, including disorders of the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation system, serine deficiency, and pyridoxine dependent epilepsy. Other secondary causes of cerebral folate deficiency include the effects of drugs, immune response activation, toxic insults and oxidative stress. This review describes the absorption, transport and metabolism of folate within the body; analytical methods to measure folate species in blood, plasma and CSF; inherited and acquired causes of cerebral folate deficiency; and possible treatment options in those patients found to have cerebral folate deficiency.
Feasibility of coal combustion fly ash alone and in combination with gypsum and green manure for reclamation of degraded sodic soils of the Indo‐Gangetic Plains: A mechanism evaluation
Authors: Mishra V.K. , Jha S.K. , Damodaran T. , Singh Yash P. , Srivastava Shefali , Sharma D.K. , Prasad Janki 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe disposal of coal combustion fly ash (FA) generated from thermal power plants is a worldwide problem. However, its low bulk density and presence of calcium and iron–aluminium sesquioxide make it a prospective ameliorant alternative to gypsum for amending degraded sodic soils. A field experiment consisting of eight treatments with variable doses of FA and gypsum along with green manure (GM) was conducted for evaluating the amelioration mechanism by measuring changes in pH, exchangeable sodium percentage, zeta (ζ) potential, and properties of meso‐aggregates (0.5–2.0 mm). The results showed that compared with control, FA significantly reduced ζ‐potential, bulk density, and pH. The GM with FA further decreased ζ‐potential and increased hydraulic conductivity. The hydrolysis of iron and aluminium sesquioxide, present in FA, functioned to lower soil pH, whereas the reduction in exchangeable sodium percentage is attributed to bioavailable Ca (27.4%). A lower FA application rate produced better crop yields. FA 2.5% (w/w) alone, compared to the FA 5% (w/w), resulted in higher yield of rice (1.96 tonnes ha−1), whereas 25% gypsum requirement (25GR) + FA 2.5% (w/w) and 25GR + FA 2.5% (w/w) + GM provided wheat yield on par with 50% gypsum requirement (50GR). The study identifies that where gypsum is scarce, the recommended amendment is 25GR + FA 2.5% or 25GR + FA 2.5% + GM when applied for sodic soil to achieve a similar yield response to standard 50GR. If gypsum is unavailable, a one‐time application of FA 2.5% (w/w) alone will improve the productivity of degraded sodic soils corresponding to more exchangeable calcium and organic carbon, which were found to be higher for meso‐aggregates (0.5–2.0 mm).
Uniparental isodisomy of chromosome 1 results in glycogen storage disease type III with profound growth retardation
Authors: Ponzi Emanuela , Alesi Viola , Lepri Francesca R. , Genovese Silvia , Loddo Sara , Mucciolo Mafalda , Novelli Antonio , Dionisi‐Vici Carlo , Maiorana Arianna 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBackgroundGlycogen storage disease type III (GSDIII) is caused by mutations of AGL gene with debranching enzyme deficiency. Patients with GSDIII manifest fasting hypoglycemia, hepatomegaly, hepatopathy, myopathy, and cardiomyopathy. We report on an 18‐year‐old boy with a profound growth retardation (<3 SD) besides typical clinical features of GSDIII, whereby endocrinological studies were negative.Methods and ResultsMolecular analysis of AGL gene revealed the homozygous reported variant c.3903_3904insA. Since discordant results from segregation studies showed the carrier status in one parent only, SNP array and short tandem repeats analyses were performed, revealing a paternal disomy of chromosome 1 (UPD1).ConclusionThis study describes the first case of GSDIII resulting from UPD1. UPD can play an important role even in case of imprinted genes. DIRAS3 is a maternally imprinted tumor suppressor gene, located on chromosome 1p31, and implicated in growth and oncogenesis. It can be speculated that DIRAS3 overexpression might have a role in the severe short stature of our patient. The study emphasizes the importance of parental segregation analysis especially in patients with recessive conditions to look for specific genetic causes of disease and to estimate properly the risk of family recurrence.
A simple unsymmetric 4‐node 12‐DOF membrane element for the modified couple stress theory
Authors: Shang Yan , Qian Zheng‐Hua , Cen Song , Li Chen‐Feng 
Published: March 2019

SummaryIn this work, the recently proposed unsymmetric 4‐node 12‐DOF (degree‐of‐freedom) membrane element (Shang and Ouyang, Int J Numer Methods Eng 113(10): 1589‐1606, 2018), which has demonstrated excellent performance for the classical elastic problems, is further extended for the modified couple stress theory, to account for the size effect of materials. This is achieved via two formulation developments. Firstly, by using the penalty function method, the kinematic relations between the element's nodal drilling DOFs and the true physical rotations are enforced. Consequently, the continuity requirement for the modified couple stress theory is satisfied in weak sense, and the symmetric curvature test function can be easily derived from the gradients of the drilling DOFs. Secondly, the couple stress field that satisfies a priori the related equilibrium equations is adopted as the energy conjugate trial function to formulate the element for the modified couple stress theory. As demonstrated by a series of benchmark tests, the new element can efficiently capture the size‐dependent responses of materials and is robust to mesh distortions. Moreover, as the new element uses only three conventional DOFs per node, it can be readily incorporated into the standard finite element program framework and commonly available finite element programs.
Artifact on MR imaging by a dental magnetic attachment keeper: Preliminary study on a new keeper removable phantom
Authors: Ogura Ichiro , Sugawara Yoshihiro , Nagata Kazuhiro , Watanabe Mitsuhiro 
Published: March 2019

AbstractAimsDental magnetic attachments with satisfactory retentive force and stability are now commercially available for dental treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate a new phantom for evaluation of the artifact on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging by a dental magnetic attachment keeper.Material and MethodsWe developed a new keeper removable phantom for evaluation of the artifact on MR imaging. A keeper was inserted in an acrylic pole in a PET bottle. The keeper from acrylic pole of the phantom was removable. The keeper with saline solution in the PET bottle with a head and neck coil underwent MR imaging at our university hospital. We measured the real size (unit: mm) of artifact of the phantom with the keeper using a DICOM viewer. Furthermore, the size of artifact of a patient's image with the same three keepers in the mouth was measured on the image using the DICOM viewer, too.ResultsIn MR images of the phantom with a keeper, the maximum size of artifact on axial T1‐weighted, T2‐weighted and STIR images were 78 mm, 85 mm, and 67 mm, respectively. Regarding MR images of the patient with three keepers, the maximum size of artifact on axial T1‐weighted, T2‐weighted and STIR images were 106 mm, 111 mm and 100 mm, respectively.ConclusionsWe investigated a new keeper removable phantom for evaluation of the artifact on MR imaging. The phantom can be used to evaluate the artifact on MR imaging by a dental magnetic attachment keeper.
Neonatal epignathus in the oral and pharyngeal regions: A case report
Authors: Sugiyama Madoka , Kanke Kosuke , Suenaga Hideyuki , Isojima Tsuyoshi , Fujishiro Jun , Hoshi Kazuto 
Published: March 2019

AbstractCongenital teratoma that arises in the oropharyngeal region is called epignathus. Here, we report a case in which large epignathus extending from the pharynx to the oral cavity was resected. A female fetus was found to have a mass extending on her face to the pharyngeal region during a sonographic examination performed at 33 weeks’ gestation. On the 9th day after birth, the tumor extending from the left nostril (10 cm) was excised by the pediatric surgeons. The residual tumor protruded from the oral cavity day by day. Pediatric and oral surgeons resected the tumor (14.5 cm). A bifid uvula was noted and submucosal cleft palate was suspected. No recurrence has been seen after 4 years’ follow‐up.
The Importance of Story Time for Brazilian Preservice Teachers
Authors: Peres Eliane 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe author teaches a literacy course for preservice teachers, which they take during the first year of their four‐year course of study. One of the most important activities in the course is Story Time, which consists of the author reading a children's book to preservice teachers during every class, followed by a discussion of the story. After the read‐aloud, they write a reflection emphasizing their feelings and thoughts. The author's primary goal is to invite these future teachers to experience the literature, not just discuss it. The result is a lived experience, not only a theoretical discussion. As future teachers encounter Story Time, the author hopes they begin to realize how reading literature with students is an aesthetic experience that plays an important role in the development of their subjectivity and opens their minds to new sociability.
Natural kinds and dispositions: a causal analysis
Authors: van Rooij Robert , Schulz Katrin 
Published: March 2019

AbstractObjects have dispositions. Dispositions are normally analyzed by providing a meaning to disposition ascriptions like ‘This piece of salt is soluble’. Philosophers like Carnap, Goodman, Quine, Lewis and many others have proposed analyses of such disposition ascriptions. In this paper we will argue with Quine (‘Natural Kinds’, 1970) that the proper analysis of ascriptions of the form ‘xis disposed tom(when C)’, where ‘x’ denotes an object, ‘m’ a manifestation, and ‘C’ a condition, goes like this: (i) ‘xis of natural kindk’, and (ii) the generic ‘ks arem(when C)’ is true. For the analysis of the generic, we propose an analysis in terms of causal powers: ‘ks (when C) have the causal power tom’. The latter, in turn, is analyzed in a very precise way, making use of Pearl’s probabilistic graphical causal models. We will show how this natural kind-analysis improves on standard conditional analyses of dispositions by avoiding the standard counterexamples, and that it gives rise to precise observable criteria under which the disposition ascription is true.
Characterisation of the eddy dissipation model for the analysis of hydrogen-fuelled scramjets
Authors: Hoste J.J.O.E , Fossati M. , Taylor I.J. , Gollan R.J. 
Published: March 2019

ABSTRACTThe eddy dissipation model (EDM) is analysed with respect to the ability to address the turbulence–combustion interaction process inside hydrogen-fuelled scramjet engines designed to operate at high Mach numbers (≈7–12). The aim is to identify the most appropriate strategy for the use of the model and the calibration of the modelling constants for future design purposes. To this end, three hydrogen-fuelled experimental scramjet configurations with different fuel injection approaches are studied numerically. The first case consists of parallel fuel injection and it is shown that relying on estimates of ignition delay from a 1D kinetics program can greatly improve the effectiveness of the EDM. This was achieved through a proposed zonal approach. The second case considers fuel injection behind a strut. Here the EDM predicts two reacting layers along the domain which is in agreement with experimental temperature profiles close to the point of injection but not the case any more at the downstream end of the test section. The first two scramjet test cases demonstrated that the kinetic limit, which can be applied to the EDM, does not improve the predictions in comparison to experimental data. The last case considered a transverse injection of hydrogen and the EDM approach provided overall good agreement with experimental pressure traces except in the vicinity of the injection location. The EDM appears to be a suitable tool for scramjet combustor analysis incorporating different fuel injection mechanisms with hydrogen. More specifically, the considered test cases demonstrate that the model provides reasonable predictions of pressure, velocity, temperature and composition.
Outcomes from an inpatient beta-lactam allergy guideline across a large US health system
Authors: Blumenthal Kimberly G. , Li Yu , Hsu Joyce T. , Wolfson Anna R. , Berkowitz David N. , Carballo Victoria A. , Schwartz Jesse M. , Marquis Kathleen A. , Elshaboury Ramy , Gandhi Ronak G. , Lambl Barbara B. , Freeley Monique M. , Gruszecki Alana , Wickner Paige G. , Shenoy Erica S. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractObjective:To assess the safety of, and subsequent allergy documentation associated with, an antimicrobial stewardship intervention consisting of test-dose challenge procedures prompted by an electronic guideline for hospitalized patients with reported β-lactam allergies.Design:Retrospective cohort study.Setting:Large healthcare system consisting of 2 academic and 3 community acute-care hospitals between April 2016 and December 2017.Methods:We evaluated β-lactam antibiotic test-dose outcomes, including adverse drug reactions (ADRs), hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs), and electronic health record (EHR) allergy record updates. HSR predictors were examined using a multivariable logistic regression model. Modification of the EHR allergy record after test doses considered relevant allergy entries added, deleted, and/or specified.Results:We identified 1,046 test-doses: 809 (77%) to cephalosporins, 148 (14%) to penicillins, and 89 (9%) to carbapenems. Overall, 78 patients (7.5%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 5.9%–9.2%) had signs or symptoms of an ADR, and 40 (3.8%; 95% CI, 2.8%–5.2%) had confirmed HSRs. Most HSRs occurred at the second (ie, full-dose) step (68%) and required no treatment beyond drug discontinuation (58%); 3 HSR patients were treated with intramuscular epinephrine. Reported cephalosporin allergy history was associated with an increased odds of HSR (odds ratio [OR], 2.96; 95% CI, 1.34–6.58). Allergies were updated for 474 patients (45%), with records specified (82%), deleted (16%), and added (8%).Conclusion:This antimicrobial stewardship intervention using β-lactam test-dose procedures was safe. Overall, 3.8% of patients with β-lactam allergy histories had an HSR; cephalosporin allergy histories conferred a 3-fold increased risk. Encouraging EHR documentation might improve this safe, effective, and practical acute-care antibiotic stewardship tool.
Direct democracy and government size: evidence from Spain
Authors: Sanz Carlos 
Published: March 2019

AbstractI study the effects of direct democracy on economic policy in a novel setting. In Spain, national law determines that municipalities follow either direct or representative democracy, depending on their population size. Using a fixed-effect regression discontinuity design, I find that direct democracy leads to a smaller government, reducing public spending by around 8 percent. Revenues decrease by a similar amount and, therefore, there is no effect on budget deficits. These findings can be explained by a model in which direct democracy allows voters to enforce lower special-interest spending. I provide several additional results and discuss alternative mechanisms.
The impact of botfly parasitism on the health of the gracile mouse opossum (Gracilinanus agilis)
Authors: Zangrandi Priscilla Lóra , Mendonça André Faria , Cruz-Neto Ariovaldo Pereira , Boonstra Rudy , Vieira Emerson M. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractFragmented habitats generally harbour small populations that are potentially more prone to local extinctions caused by biotic factors such as parasites. We evaluated the effects of botflies (Cuterebra apicalis) on naturally fragmented populations of the gracile mouse opossum (Gracilinanus agilis). We examined how sex, food supplementation experiment, season and daily climatic variables affected body condition and haemoglobin concentration in animals that were parasitized or not by botflies. Although parasitism did not affect body condition, haemoglobin concentrations were lower in parasitized animals. Among the non-parasitized individuals, haemoglobin concentration increased with the increase of maximum temperature and the decrease of relative humidity, a climatic pattern found at the peak of the dry season. However, among parasitized animals, the opposite relationship between haemoglobin concentration and relative humidity occurred, as a consequence of parasite-induced anaemia interacting with dehydration as an additional stressor. We conclude that it is critical to assess how climate affects animal health (through blood parameters) to understand the population consequences of parasitism on the survival of individuals and hence of small population viability.
Becoming an Arctic Council NGO observer
Authors: Burke Danita Catherine , Phelps Bondaroff Teale N. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThis paper explores the question: How is the NGO observer application process to the Arctic Council influenced by perceptions of legitimacy of the applicant? Using information gleamed from numerous interviews we map out the application process for NGO observer status in the Arctic Council. In addition to the formal criteria, we argue that Arctic states have a set of informal criteria for evaluating NGO observer applications, and that the evaluation of these criteria are coloured by individual Arctic state and the Permanent Participant perceptions of the legitimacy of the NGO applicant. Reaching into the literature on NGO legitimacy, we develop a framework detailing four key components upon which the perceptions of the legitimacy of an NGO are generally formed. This framework is then incorporated into a broader model of the overall application process through which NGOs must submit in order to attempt to gain observer status at the Arctic Council.
Scanning electron microscope studies on laser ablation of solids
Authors: Shaheen Mohamed E. , Gagnon Joel E. , Fryer Brian J. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThis study investigates the interaction of picosecond laser pulses with sapphire and brass in air using scanning electron microscopy. A picosecond laser system operating at a wavelength of 785 nm, pulse width of 110 ps, and variable repetition rate (1–1000 Hz) was used in this study. The pulse width applied in this work was not widely investigated as it lies in the gap between ultrashort (femtosecond) and long (nanosecond) pulse width lasers. Different surface morphologies were identified using secondary electron and backscattered electron imaging of the ablated material. Thermal ablation effects were more dominant in brass than in sapphire. Exfoliation and fractures of sapphire were observed at high laser fluence. Compared with brass, multiple laser pulses were necessary to initiate ablation in sapphire due to its poor absorption to the incident laser wavelength. Ablation rate of sapphire was lower than that of brass due to the dissipation of a portion of the laser energy due to heating and fracturing of the surface.