bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysis of antibody responses to selected Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface antigens in mild and cerebral malaria and associations with clinical outcomes
Authors: Mbengue B , Fall M M , Varela M -L , Loucoubar C , Joos C , Fall B , Niang M S , Niang B , Mbow M , Dieye A , Perraut R 
Published: December 2018

Summary
Merozoite surface proteins (MSPs) are critical for parasite invasion; they represent attractive targets for antibody-based protection against clinical malaria. To identify protection-associated target MSPs, the present study analysed antibody responses to whole merozoite extract (ME) and to defined MSP recombinant antigens in hospitalized patients from a low endemic urban area as a function of disease severity (mild versus cerebral malaria). Sera from 110 patients with confirmed severe cerebral malaria (CM) and 91 patients with mild malaria (MM) were analysed (mean age = 29 years) for total and subclass immunoglobulin (Ig)G to ME and total IgG to MSP1p19, MSP2, MSP3, MSP4 and MSP5 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Functional antibody responses were evaluated using the antibody-dependent respiratory burst (ADRB) assay in a subset of sera. There was a trend towards higher IgG1 and IgG4 levels to ME in CM compared to MM; only ME IgM responses differed significantly between fatal and surviving CM patients. Increased prevalence of IgG to individual MSPs was found in the CM compared to the MM group, including significantly higher levels of IgG to MSP4 and MSP5 in the former. Sera from fatal (24·5%) versus surviving cases showed significantly lower IgG to MSP1p19 and MSP3 (P &lt; 0·05). ADRB assay readouts correlated with high levels of anti-MSP IgG, and trended higher in sera from patients with surviving compared to fatal CM outcome (P = 0·07). These results document strong differential antibody responses to MSP antigens as targets of protective immunity against CM and in particular MSP1p19 and MSP3 as prognostic indicators.
Effect of activated carbon nanoparticles on lymph node harvest in patients with colorectal cancer
Authors: Tang L. , Sun L. , Zhao P. , Kong D. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractAimThe aim was to examine the effect of activated carbon nanoparticles (ACNs) on lymph node retrieval in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients.MethodsThis prospective randomized study of 80 subjects was performed between March 2016 and December 2016. Eighty patients with CRC were randomly divided into two groups, the ACN group and a control group. The patients in the ACN group were subjected to 1 ml of ACN injection in the subserosa around the tumour before colectomy and D3 lymphadenectomy. The patients in the control group received the same procedure without the injection of ACNs. After surgery, lymph nodes were isolated, and the greatest dimensions were measured by the same pathologist.ResultsThe average number of lymph nodes harvested from each patient was markedly more in the ACN group (31.3 ± 8.1) than in the control group (21.9 ± 5.3; P < 0.001), and the average number of lymph nodes less than 5 mm in greatest dimension was significantly more in the ACN group (11.9 ± 4.9) than in the control group (4.1 ± 2.4; P < 0.001). The ACN group (15/40) had a higher rate of Stage III patients compared to the control group (6/39; P = 0.026). Besides, the greatest dimension of 32.8% metastatic lymph nodes was less than 5 mm.ConclusionThere is significant upstaging following the use of ACNs, which could find more involved nodes. Therefore, ACNs can be used as a tracer to harvest more lymph nodes in CRC patients, with improvement in the accuracy of pathological staging.
Subglottic perioperative airway—tube inflation via randomized evaluation with variable syringe size (Spair‐Tire) study
Authors: Williams George W. , Artime Carlos A. , Mancillas Omar L. , Syed Tariq A. , Burnett Tyrone , Graham Russell , Tam Jason , Hagberg Carin A. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractIntroductionRisks of endotracheal tube cuff (ETTC) over inflation must be balanced with the need to achieve a minimum pressure of 20 cm H2O. Methods have been developed to estimate adequate ETTC pressurization but do not provide accurate endotracheal tube cuff pressure (ETCP) measurements. Hence, different sized syringes may play a role in determining ETCP.ObjectivesDetermine optimal syringe size for recommended ETCP.MethodsTwo hundred patients were randomized to use of either a 10‐mL syringe (standard syringe) or a 5‐mL syringe (study group) for ETTC inflation. Following the insertion of the endotracheal tube, the ETTC was inflated per the attending anesthesiologist. Within 10 minutes of intubation, ETCP was measured with a hospital‐provided manometer.ResultsThe percentage of in range cuff pressures for the 5‐mL group was 10.53% and 6.78% for the 10‐mL group. 84.21% (n = 64) of the study group and 91.53% (n = 54) of the control group had cuff pressures exceeding 30 cmH2O. Although our study did not demonstrate that syringe size was predictive of ideal cuff pressure ranges, the average cuff pressure for the 5‐mL group was 55.8 cm H2O versus 68.8 cm H2O in the 10‐mL group.ConclusionAlthough both 5‐ and 10‐mL syringes resulted in elevated cuff pressures after intubation, 5‐mL syringes resulted in a lower degree of elevation. Use of a 5‐mL syringe should be considered when inflating the endotracheal cuff to possibly reduce patient harm secondary to elevated cuff pressures. Further studies assessing smaller syringe sizes to reduce cuff pressures are warranted.
Early hospital readmission after kidney transplantation under a public health care system
Authors: Tavares Melissa Gaspar , Cristelli Marina Pontello , Ivani de Paula Mayara , Viana Laila , Felipe Claudia Rosso , Proença Henrique , Aguiar Wilson , Wagner Santos Daniel , Tedesco‐Silva Junior Hélio , Medina Pestana Jose Osmar 
Published: December 2018

AbstractEarly hospital readmission (EHR) is associated with increased mortality after kidney transplantation. This is influenced by population demographics and the comprehensiveness of the healthcare system. We investigated the incidence and risk factors associated with EHR and 1‐year patient and graft survivals.MethodsWe included all recipients of kidney transplant between 2011 and 2012. We excluded recipients younger than 18 years, retransplants and who died or lost the graft during the index hospital admission.ResultsAmong 1175 recipients, the incidence of EHR was 26.6%. The main reasons for EHR were infection (67%), surgical complications (14%), and metabolic disturbances (11%). Independent risk factors associated with EHR were recipient age (OR = 1.95, 95% CI 1.46‐2.63, P < 0.001), CMV serology negative (OR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.31‐3.65, P = 0.003), use of rabbit anti‐thymocyte globulin (OR = 2.06, 95% CI 1.33‐3.13, P < 0.001), treatment for acute rejection during index hospitalization (OR = 1.68, 95% CI 1.15‐2.47, P = 0.008), and length of stay (OR = 1.72, 95% CI 1.18‐2.5, P = 0.005). Patient (88.8% vs 97.6%, P < 0.001) and death‐censored graft (97.4% vs 99.0%, P < 0.001) survivals were inferior comparing patients with and without EHR.ConclusionEHR was independently associated with mortality (OR 4.01, 95% CI 2.13‐7.54, P < 0.001), but its incidence and causes are directly related to the local characteristics of the population and healthcare system.
Effects of saxagliptin on adipose tissue inflammation and vascular function in overweight and obese people: a placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Koska J. , Osredkar T. , D'Souza K. , Sands M. , Sinha S. , Zhang W. , Meyer C. , Reaven P. D. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractAimsTo test the effect of the dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitor saxagliptin on adipose tissue inflammation and microvascular function, and whole‐body postprandial endothelial function.MethodsA randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, parallel study was conducted between June 2013 and November 2016 in 44 overweight or obese people without diabetes (saxagliptin, n=28; placebo, n=16). Subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue biopsies, a 4‐h fat‐enriched meal test and peripheral arterial tonometry for measurement of endothelial function were performed at baseline and after 6 weeks of treatment with saxagliptin (5 mg/day) or matching placebo.ResultsForty participants were analysed (saxagliptin, n=26; placebo, n=14). Secretion of interleukin‐8 from adipose tissue explants was reduced after saxagliptin (median fold‐change from baseline: 0.8 saxagliptin vs 3.3 placebo; P=0.02). Adipose tissue expression of thioredoxin‐inhibitory protein (TxNIP) was lower after saxagliptin (0.75 vs 1.0; P=0.02), while there were no significant differences in adipose tissue secretion of interleukin‐1b, interleukin‐6 or macrophage chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP‐1), adipose tissue macrophage content, adipose tissue mRNA levels of mcp1, cd36, cd68, il6, il8, txnip and adpq, and activation of adipose tissue inflammatory pathways [extracellular signal‐regulated kinase, c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) and nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐ κB)] or insulin‐induced vasodilation of adipose tissue arterioles. Postprandial plasma glucose was slightly lower (by an estimated 0.3 mmol/l; P=0.01), while postprandial insulin, triglyceride levels and endothelial function were unchanged after saxagliptin.ConclusionsThe effect of saxagliptin on adipose tissue inflammation was relatively modest, with many inflammatory markers unchanged. We also found no evidence that saxagliptin therapy improved adipose tissue arteriole vasodilation or postprandial endothelial function.
Correlation between PSA kinetics and PSMA‐PET in prostate cancer restaging: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Pereira Mestre Ricardo , Treglia Giorgio , Ferrari Matteo , Pascale Mariarosa , Mazzara Calogero , Azinwi Ngwa Che , Llado’ Anna , Stathis Anastasios , Giovanella Luca , Roggero Enrico 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackgroundSerum prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) may predict the risk of positive positron emission tomography/computed tomography with radiolabelled prostate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA‐PET/CT) in patients with biochemical recurrent prostate cancer (BRPCa). However, to date, there are no clear data regarding the correlation between PSA kinetics and PSMA‐PET findings. We performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis to provide evidence‐based data in this setting.MethodsA comprehensive literature search of studies published through October 2018 in PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane library databases was performed. A meta‐analysis to establish the detection rate (DR) of PSMA‐PET using different cut‐off values of PSA doubling time (PSAdt) and a pooled analysis to establish whether shorter PSAdt may predict positive PSMA‐PET results was performed in patients with BRPCa.ResultsTwelve articles were included in the systematic review, and eight articles (including about 1400 patients) were selected for the meta‐analysis. The pooled DR including 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) of PSMA‐PET in restaging prostate cancer (PCa) patients was 72% (95%CI:60%‐82%), increasing to 83% (95%CI:75%‐90%) when PSAdt was ≤6 months and decreasing to 60% (95%CI:37%‐80%) when PSAdt was >6 months, without a statistical significant difference. PSAdt ≤6 months may predict the positive result of PSMA‐PET (pooled odds ratio: 3.22; 95%CI:1.17‐8.88). Statistical heterogeneity among the included studies was found.ConclusionsPSA kinetics, and in particular shorter PSAdt, may be predictor of PSMA‐PET positivity in patients with BRPCa. Further larger studies in this setting are warranted.
Does oil substitute for patriarchy?
Authors: Simmons Joel W. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractCritics of Ross's (American Political Science Review, 102, 2008, 107) gendered resource curse thesis argue that culture trumps oil wealth as a determinant of female labor force participation (FLFP). Here, I argue that, while cultural attributes do indeed affect the female labor supply, oil wealth reduces the demand for female labor by hurting the export‐oriented industries that employ female labor intensively. By reducing the demand for female labor in this way, oil wealth undermines the positive effect of gender egalitarianism onFLFP. Thus, oil curses women. Using data from the World Values Survey and the World Bank, I find support for the argument.
Role of extracellular reactive sulfur metabolites on microbial Se(0) dissolution
Authors: Goff Jennifer , Terry Lee , Mal Joyabrata , Schilling Kathrin , Pallud Céline , Yee Nathan 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe dissolution of elemental selenium [Se(0)] during chemical weathering is an important step in the global selenium cycle. While microorganisms have been shown to play a key role in selenium dissolution in soils, the mechanisms of microbial selenium solubilization are poorly understood. In this study, we isolated aBacillusspecies, designated as strainJG17, that exhibited the ability to dissolve Se(0) under oxic conditions and neutralpH. Growth ofJG17 in a defined medium resulted in the production and accumulation of extracellular compounds that mediated Se(0) dissolution. Analysis of the spent medium revealed the presence of extracellular sulfite, sulfide, and thiosulfate. Abiotic Se(0) dissolution experiments with concentrations of sulfite, sulfide, and thiosulfate relevant to our system showed similar extents of selenium solubilization as the spent medium. Together, these results indicate that the solubilization of Se(0) byJG17 occurs via the release of extracellular inorganic sulfur compounds followed by chemical dissolution of Se(0) by the reactive sulfur metabolites. Our findings suggest that the production of reactive sulfur metabolites by soil microorganisms and the formation of soluble selenosulfur complexes can promote selenium mobilization during chemical weathering.
Quantifying multiple pressure interactions affecting populations of a recreationally and commercially important freshwater fish
Authors: Gutowsky Lee F. G. , Giacomini Henrique C. , de Kerckhove Derrick T. , Mackereth Rob , McCormick Darren , Chu Cindy 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe expanding human global footprint and growing demand for freshwater have placed tremendous stress on inland aquatic ecosystems. Aichi Target 10 of the Convention on Biological Diversity aims to minimize anthropogenic pressures affecting vulnerable ecosystems, and pressure interactions are increasingly being incorporated into environmental management and climate change adaptation strategies. In this study, we explore how climate change, overfishing, forest disturbance, and invasive species pressures interact to affect inland lake walleye (Sander vitreus) populations. Walleye support subsistence, recreational, and commercial fisheries and are one of most sought‐after freshwater fish species in North America. Using data from 444 lakes situated across an area of 475 000 km2in Ontario, Canada, we apply a novel statistical tool, R‐INLA, to determine how walleye biomass deficit (carrying capacity—observed biomass) is impacted by multiple pressures. Individually, angling activity and the presence of invasive zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) were positively related to biomass deficits. In combination, zebra mussel presence interacted negatively and antagonistically with angling activity and percentage decrease in watershed mature forest cover. Velocity of climate change in growing degree days above 5°C and decrease in mature forest cover interacted to negatively affect walleye populations. Our study demonstrates how multiple pressure evaluations can be conducted for hundreds of populations to identify influential pressures and vulnerable ecosystems. Understanding pressure interactions is necessary to guide management and climate change adaptation strategies, and achieve global biodiversity targets.
Exploring the emergence of a biojet fuel supply chain in Brazil: An agent‐based modeling approach
Authors: Moncada Jorge A. , Verstegen Judith A. , Posada John A. , Junginger Martin , Lukszo Zofia , Faaij André , Weijnen Margot 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe aviation industry accounts for more than 2% of global CO2 emissions. Biojet fuel is expected to make an essential contribution to the decarbonization of the aviation sector. Brazil is seen as a key player in developing sustainable aviation biofuels owing to its long‐standing experience with biofuels. Nevertheless, a clear understanding of what policies may be conducive to the emergence of a biojet fuel supply chain is lacking. We extended a spatially explicit agent‐based model to explore the emergence of a biojet fuel supply chain from the existing sugarcane–ethanol supply chain. The model accounts for new policies (feed‐in tariff and capital investment subsidy) and new considerations into the decision making about production and investment in processing capacity. We found that in a tax‐free gasoline regime, a feed‐in tariff above 3 R$/L stimulates the production of biojet fuel. At higher levels of gasoline taxation (i.e., 2.46 R$/L), however, any feed‐in tariff is insufficient to ensure the production of biojet fuel. Thus, at these levels of gasoline taxation, it is needed to introduce regulations on the production of biojet fuel to ensure its production. Given the current debate about the future direction of the biofuel policy in Brazil, we recommend further research into the effect of market mechanisms based on greenhouse gas emissions on the emergence of a Brazilian biojet fuel supply chain.
A semiquantitative grading scale for frontal and vertex of androgenetic alopecia
Authors: Nie Jin , Hou Wei 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackgroundDepending on the severity and region of baldness, numerous researchers proposed different classifications of alopecia. However, these previous classifications have some limitations. The study aimed to establish a semiquantitative grading scale for frontal and vertex androgenetic alopecia (AGA) in both males and females.MethodsStandardized pictures from 1,602 AGA cases were obtained. Three sets of reference photographs with different alopecia extents from scale 0 to 5 were developed with detailed description. The photographs covered the vertex, frontal of men, and vertex + frontal (V+F) area of the scalp of women. Hair density and the ratio of vellus and terminal hairs in the alopecia area were quantitatively measured by DermDOC® dermoscopy. Hair coverage rate of alopecia area was calculated by Photoshop software. Multirater consensus method was used to test the reliability and validity of the alopecia scale.ResultsFleiss–Kappa coefficients of the three sets of reference photographs for interobserver analysis reached 0.81–0.89. The overall Kendall's coefficients for intraobserver assessment totaled 0.934–0.963.ConclusionThis new grading scale is a more sensitive and objective quantitative grading scale for alopecia and treatment response compared with the existing classification.
Revisiting aqueous alkaline silicates as precursors for sol‐gel optical coatings
Authors: Jaffrès Anaël , Boudot Mickaël , Chevalier Sylvain , Mohammedi Rabei , Maron Sébastien , Devys Lucie , Gacoin Thierry 
Published: December 2018

AbstractAlkaline silicates are well‐known soluble silica derivatives already widely used for industrial purposes. Nevertheless, their applications for the elaboration of functional optical coatings have largely been discarded by the sol‐gel community who mainly focused on alkoxide precursors. The objective of this work is to reconsider the alkaline silicates sol‐gel chemistry, targeting optical coatings of a few hundreds of nanometers. The structures of Li+, Na+, and K+ silicate coatings are discussed on the basis of spectroscopic characterizations. We show that a simple washing process allows a postdeposition removal of most alkaline ions, thus preventing the efflorescence effect and improving the aqueous stability of the films. Finally, several examples are shown for the application of alkaline silicates in the elaboration of functional optical coatings following conventional sol‐gel chemistry.
Transparent niobate glass‐ceramics for optical limiting
Authors: Shi Zhuo , Dong Ningning , Zhang Dingfeng , Jiang Xiaofang , Du Guanxin , Lv Shichao , Chen Jiejie , Wang Jun , Zhou Shifeng 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe construction of nonlinear optical materials featuring asymmetric transmission of light is of great technological importance for various applications, including optical switching and optical power limiting. A significant challenge is the scalable fabrication of material candidates with good photochemical stability, high optical transmittance, and excellent optical limiting performance. Here, we present a nanocrystallization avenue for constructing hybrid optical limiting materials that exhibit ultrafast and robust optical limiting performance. The experimental results show that the controllable relaxation of a niobate glass may lead to the clustering of Nb‐O units and contracting of the bandgap. It results in the notable improvement in nonlinear optical properties, including the enhanced saturation irradiance (380 GW/cm2), doubly increased nonlinear coefficient, and decreased limiting threshold (200 GW/cm2). Our results suggest a promising material that exhibits promising applications for protecting eyes and sensitive components from laser‐induced damage.
Dielectric relaxation properties of [001]c‐, [011]c‐, and [111]c‐oriented 0.24PIN‐0.47PMN‐0.29PT single crystals
Authors: Qi Xudong , Sun Enwei , Li Kai , Li Shiyang , Zhang Rui , Yang Bin , Cao Wenwu 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe dielectric relaxation properties and freezing behavior of polar nanoregions (PNRs) of 0.24Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3‐0.47Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3‐0.29PbTiO3 single crystals have been studied. The Burns temperature TB, permittivity maximum temperature Tm, and freezing temperature Tf were determined, respectively. It was found that the temperature‐dependent dielectric constant can be well described by the Lorenz‐type relationship in the ergodic phase due to the existence of PNRs. The diffuseness factor δ is >30 and is basically not dependent on crystal orientation. The frequency dependence of Tm obeys the Vogel‐Fulcher relationship. The residual effect of the poling electric field disappears and the remnant polarization has a sharp decrease near the freezing temperature Tf.
Stabilizing temperature‐capacitance dependence of (Sr, Pb, Bi)TiO3‐Bi4Ti3O12 solutions for energy storage
Authors: Wang Debin , Liu Jingsong , Zeng Mengshi , Zhang Chunmei , Li Huiqin , Yu Hongtao , Yuan Ying , Zhang Shuren 
Published: December 2018

Abstract(1‐x)Sr0.7Pb0.15Bi0.1TiO3‐xBi4Ti3O12 ((1‐x)SPBT‐xBIT, x = 0‐0.125) bulk ceramics were developed and calcined via the solid‐state method, aimed at the application of pulsed power capacitors. The phase structures, temperature stability, hysteresis loop, and discharge properties were systematically investigated. Considering both the temperature stability and dielectric properties, 0.925SPBT‐0.075BIT bulk ceramics with a capacitance variation satisfying the X7R specification were developed for pulsed power capacitors. The energy storage density was 0.252 J/cm3, and the ceramics showed high temperature stability at 80 kV/cm. The discharge current waveforms of the 0.925SPBT‐0.075BIT ceramics were recorded. A high discharge power density of approximately 1.01 × 108 W/kg with an 8 Ω load resistor and short discharge period of 84 ns were achieved at 50 kV/cm. The good temperature stability properties and high power density show that the 0.925SPBT‐0.075BIT ceramics are well suited for pulsed power capacitors with a wide temperature range.