bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Specific RANK Cytoplasmic Motifs Drive Osteoclastogenesis
Authors: Li Yuyu , Shi Zhenqi , Jules Joel , Chen Shenyuan , Kesterson Robert A , Zhao Dongfeng , Zhang Ping , Feng Xu 
Published: June 2019

ABSTRACT
Upon receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) binding, RANK promotes osteoclast formation through the recruitment of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factors (TRAFs). In vitro assays identified two RANK intracellular motifs that bind TRAFs: PVQEET560–565 (Motif 2) and PVQEQG604–609 (Motif 3), which potently mediate osteoclast formation in vitro. To validate the in vitro findings, we have generated knock-in (KI) mice harboring inactivating mutations in RANK Motifs 2 and 3. Homozygous KI (RANKKI/KI) mice are born at the predicted Mendelian frequency and normal in tooth eruption. However, RANKKI/KI mice exhibit significantly more trabecular bone mass than age- and sex-matched heterozygous KI (RANK+/KI) and wild-type (RANK+/+) counterparts. Bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) from RANKKI/KI mice do not form osteoclasts when they are stimulated with macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and RANKL in vitro. RANKL is able to activate the NF-κB, ERK, p38, and JNK pathways in RANKKI/KI BMMs, but it cannot stimulate c-Fos or NFATc1 in the RANKKI/KI cells. Previously, we showed that RANK signaling plays an important role in Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg)-mediated osteoclast formation by committing BMMs into the osteoclast lineage. Here, we show that RANKL-primed RANKKI/KI BMMs are unable to differentiate into osteoclasts in response to Pg stimulation, indicating that the two RANK motifs are required for Pg-induced osteoclastogenesis. Mechanistically, RANK Motifs 2 and 3 facilitate Pg-induced osteoclastogenesis by stimulating c-Fos and NFATc1 expression during the RANKL pretreatment phase as well as rendering c-Fos and NFATc1 genes responsive to subsequent Pg stimulation. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) conjugated with RANK segments containing Motif 2 or 3 block RANKL- and Pg-mediated osteoclastogenesis. The CPP conjugates abrogate RANKL-stimulated c-Fos and NFATc1 expression but do not affect RANKL-induced activation of NF-κB, ERK, p38, JNK, or Akt signaling pathway. Taken together, our current findings demonstrate that RANK Motifs 2 and 3 play pivotal roles in osteoclast formation in vivo and mediate Pg-induced osteoclastogenesis in vitro.
Application of amino‐based chitosan cyclodextrin derivatives for the extraction of catechins in green tea with high‐performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Dai Yunliang , Row Kyung Ho 
Published: June 2019

AbstractChitosan derivatives have been studied widely, but poor solubility in water restricts their applications. In this study, four types of amine‐based chitosan derivatives were prepared and modified further with beta‐cyclodextrin. The sequential microextraction of catechins ((+)‐catechin and (−)‐epigallocatechin gallate) from green tea powder by an optimized solid‐phase extraction method using these four derivatives was investigated. The optimal conditions for the extraction of catechins were 60°C for a 40 min extraction period. The purity and amount of each catechin were determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography. The different amines strengthened the extraction capacity of chitosan. Among the four types of amines, ethylene diamine grafted chitosan beta‐cyclodextrin had the highest extraction capacity to catechins. Therefore, this material was used in the extraction assay, and the standard curves of (+)‐catechin and (−)‐epigallocatechin gallate were linear over the concentration range, 0.25–500 µg/mL, after assaying five data points in duplicate. Solid‐phase extraction with the amino‐based chitosan beta‐cyclodextrin system is a new application of chitosan, which has potential applications in the extraction of bioactive compounds from plant materials or the removal of different impurities from specific extracts.
Correlation between hearing loss and middle ear volume in patients with a tympanic membrane perforation
Authors: Casale Garrett , Shaffrey Ellen , Kesser Bradley W. 
Published: June 2019

ObjectiveTo investigate a possible correlation between the degree of conductive hearing loss (CHL) caused by an isolated tympanic membrane (TM) perforation and mastoid‐middle ear volume.Study DesignRetrospective chart, audiometry, and computed tomography (CT) imaging review.MethodsAdult patients with a diagnosis of isolated TM perforation between 2010 and 2018 were identified and their audiometric data collected. Mastoid‐middle ear volume (MMEV) was then calculated based on segmentation analysis from the patient's head or temporal bone CT. Calculated MMEV was compared to MMEV derived by tympanometry. A Student's t‐test was performed to determine a correlation between the calculated MMEV on CT imaging and the degree of conductive hearing loss as measured by the air bone gap on standard audiometry.ResultsThere was a statistically significant difference between MMEV as determined by segmentation analysis compared to that determined by tympanometry (absolute average percent difference = 33.8%; range ‐49.5% to +155.2%; P = .03). Greater MMEV determined by segmentation analysis correlated with smaller air bone gap; this trend approached but did not reach statistical significance (P = .09).ConclusionsCalculated MMEV by segmentation analysis on CT imaging may be a more accurate estimate of MMEV than tympanometry. MMEV may be correlated to the degree of conductive hearing loss in the setting of isolated TM perforation where greater volume was associated with better hearing.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 130:E228–E232, 2020
α‐Mannosyl‐Functionalized Cationic Nanohydrogel Particles for Targeted Gene Knockdown in Immunosuppressive Macrophages
Authors: Leber Nadine , Kaps Leonard , Yang Aiting , Aslam Misbah , Giardino Mariacristina , Klefenz Adrian , Choteschovsky Niklas , Rosigkeit Sebastian , Mostafa Asmaa , Nuhn Lutz , Schuppan Detlef , Zentel Rudolf 
Published: June 2019

AbstractImmunosuppressive M2 macrophages govern the immunophathogenic micromilieu in many severe diseases including cancer or fibrosis, thus, their re‐polarization through RNA interference is a promising concept to support combinatorial therapies. For targeted siRNA delivery, however, safe and stable carriers are required that manage cell specific transport to M2 macrophages. Here, siRNA‐loaded cationic nanogels are reported with α‐mannosyl decorated surfaces that target and modify M2 macrophages selectively. Via amphiphilic precursor block copolymers bearing one single α‐mannosyl moiety at their chain end mannosylated cationic nanohydrogel particles (ManNP) were obtained of 20 nm diameter determined by dynamic light scattering and cryogenic electron transmission microscopy. α‐Mannosyl surface modification is confirmed by agglutination with concanavalin A. SiRNA‐loaded ManNP preferentially targets the overexpressed mannose receptor CD206 on M2 macrophages, as shown by in vitro cell uptake studies in M2 polarized primary macrophages. This specificity is confirmed, since ManNP uptake could be reduced by blocking of CD206 with mannan. Effective ManNP‐guided siRNA delivery is confirmed by sequence‐specific gene knockdown of CSF‐1R in M2‐type macrophages exclusively, while the expression levels in M1‐polarized macrophages is not affected. In conclusion, α‐mannosyl‐functionalized ManNPs are promising universal siRNA carriers for targeted immunomodulatory treatment of immunosuppressive macrophages.
Selenium in Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Wendt Sebastian , Schomburg Lutz , Manzanares William , Stoppe Christian 
Published: June 2019

AbstractSelenium (Se) is an essential trace element that plays a pivotal role in many of the body's regulatory and metabolic functions, especially during times of stress. After uptake, Se is incorporated into several Se‐dependent proteins, which have potent anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant capacities. Several observational clinical studies have demonstrated that Se deficiency can cause chronic cardiovascular diseases and aggravate organ dysfunction after cardiac surgery and that low levels of Se may be independently associated with the development of organ dysfunction after cardiac surgery. Based on these findings, several studies have investigated the effects of a perioperative Se supplementation strategy. Therefore, the present review describes in depth the pathophysiology and harmful stimuli during cardiac surgery, how Se may counteract these injuries, the different types of Se supplementation strategies that have been evaluated, and current evidence of its clinical significance.
A new 3D equilibrated residual method improving accuracy and efficiency of flux‐free error estimates
Authors: Parés Núria , Díez Pedro 
Published: June 2019

SummaryThe paper presents a novel strategy providing fully computable upper bounds for the energy norm of the error in the context of three‐dimensional linear finite element approximations of the reaction‐diffusion equation. The upper bounds are guaranteed regardless the size of the finite element mesh and the given data, and all the constants involved are fully computable. The upper bound property holds if the shape of the domain is polyhedral and the Dirichlet boundary conditions are piecewise‐linear. The new approach is an extension of the flux‐free methodology introduced by Parés and Díez in the paper “A new equilibrated residual method improving accuracy and efficiency of flux‐free error estimates”, which introduces a guaranteed, low‐cost, and efficient flux‐free method substantially reducing the computational cost of obtaining guaranteed bounds using flux‐free methods while retaining the good quality of the bounds. Besides extending the 2D methodology, specific new modifications are introduced to further reduce the computational cost in the three‐dimensional setting. The presented methodology also provides a new strategy to obtain equilibrated boundary tractions, which improves the quality of standard techniques while having a similar computational cost.
A remarkable case of gout in the Imperial Rome: Surgery and diseases in antiquity by osteoarchaeological, paleopathological, and historical perspectives
Authors: Fornaciari Gino , Marinozzi Silvia , Messineo Daniela , Caldarini Carla , Zavaroni Federica , Iorio Silvia , Sveva Longo , Capuani Silvia , Catalano Paola , Gazzaniga Valentina 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThis study is the result of a multidisciplinary approach and focuses on a case of considerable historical and medical interest. The work originally stemmed from findings at a funerary site in the area of Casal Bertone in Rome (Italy), regards an individual in a tomb identified simply by the number “75.” The skeletal alterations that were later discovered gave rise a debate among the members of the team. Challenges in identifying the pathology have brought historians, anthropologists, and radiologists into the field with the use of sophisticated equipment, including CT scans and X‐ray equipment, as well as some analyses carried out with the latest spectrometers. Consequently, the most likely diagnostic hypothesis resulted in gout. During this work, each area of study dealt with the problem in a different manner, allowing for a greater understanding of gout at this point in history, how this pathology might have influenced a person's life, as well as the medical approaches and techniques used to treat it in the imperial age of the second century BCE.
Cultivating identity through private land conservation
Authors: Gooden Jennifer L. 
Published: June 2019

Abstract

Private land conservation is driven by a variety of influences. As a voluntary action undertaken by landowners, it is influenced not only by external factors such as financial incentives, but also by personal and psychological factors.

Using William James’s concept of the “extended self”, this study investigates how protected land becomes a part of landowners’ identity. The study is based on narrative interviews with 27 landowners who had purchased or created a privately conserved area in one of 13 countries.

The analysis highlights three facets of these nature reserves that enable incorporation into a landowner’s sense of self: place, possession and project. Drawing on Breakwell’s identity theory, Belk’s analysis of possessions, and Little’s project analytic theory, findings illustrate the various functions land serves in the expression and development of identity. The present research draws attention to aspects of land as possession and land as project, which have received little attention in conservation research.

This study points to new directions for inquiry into the relationship between land, nature, identity and self and to practical applications for program design, including implications for knowledge sharing, toolkits, networks and communication.
What are women saying about noninvasive prenatal testing? An analysis of online pregnancy discussion forums
Authors: Crabbe Rebecca E.S. , Stone Peter , Filoche Sara K. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study was to explore what women are saying about noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) in online discussion forums.MethodsInductive thematic analysis of content from 13 open‐access discussion forums written in English from 11 popular maternity websites from four different countries (the United Kingdom, United States, New Zealand, and Australia) between 2013 to 2017 (n = 127 women).ResultsThe forums were a space where women were provided with emotional support and advice in making their decision about NIPT as screening option. Justifications were made for paying for NIPT with terminology echoing commercial advertising “price was high … well worth the peace of mind.” Paying for NIPT was referred to as a shopping exercise to find the “best deal.” Women in the United States often talked about having to choose between NIPT and a scan because their insurance “won't pay for both.” Commercial influence on maternity care providers' preference for different brands of NIPT was evident: “my doctor only uses [brand]. He said it's the best one on the market.”ConclusionOur findings highlight women's need for experiential information in prenatal screening counselling and how NIPT commercialization influences both routinized perspectives, and access, which may affect informed choice and best evidence screening practice.
Understanding hydrophobicity variations in dense medium ferrosilicon from different production routes
Authors: Otunniyi Iyiola Olatunji , Oluokun Oluwayimika O. 
Published: June 2019

Dense medium ferrosilicon (FeSi) powders produced via submerged arc furnace smelting, granulation, and milling route show varying hydrophobicity, sometimes totally nonwetting, amounting to production losses. This does not occur in powders produced via induction furnace smelting and atomization. Although wetting is fundamentally a surface phenomenon, bulk property can dictate surface behavior. Hence, for detailed insight into the cause of the variation, particles of powders from different production routes were studied from surface to the core. Particle shapes differ clearly for the two production routes, but this was found inconsequential to the wetting behavior. Rather, size distribution, proportion of ultra‐fine particles in the powder, was seen to have effect, being more in the nonwetting sample. From the optical microscopy: in the granular particles (that is, before milling), it is visible that different phases formed from the Fe‐Si‐C system, and this will impact milling differently; particles from nonwetting milled powders show a notable surface layer, and in contrast, the atomized particles show more homogeneous equiaxed grains. From X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, argon ions sputtering, and depth composition profiling, graphitic carbon (C1s at 284.5 eV binding energy) was found on the surface for all samples at levels above bulk alloy composition but highest (65%) for the totally nonwetting sample. From these pointers, graphite coating on particles is responsible for varying hydrophobicity. Carbon affects solid FeSi microstructure, milling, and powder properties. Controlling carbon content from the smelting stands out for avoiding milled FeSi hydrophobicity. This is however not a straight forward minimization problem.
Dictating High‐Capacity Lithium–Sulfur Batteries through Redox‐Mediated Lithium Sulfide Growth
Authors: Zhao Meng , Peng Hong‐Jie , Wei Jun‐Yu , Huang Jia‐Qi , Li Bo‐Quan , Yuan Hong , Zhang Qiang 
Published: June 2019

AbstractRegulating the solid product growth is critical for achieving high capacities in rechargeable batteries based upon multiphase and multielectron dissolution–precipitation chemistries (e.g., lithium–sulfur chemistry). The intrinsic redox mediators, polysulfides, are insufficient for effective regulation due to the dynamically changed species and concentration. Herein cobaltocene (CoCp2) is introduced as a persistent extrinsic redox mediator to dictate an alternative growing pathway toward three‐dimensional lithium sulfide growth, which enables at most 8.1 times enhancement in discharge capacities at harsh conditions of high‐rate (>1 C) or electrolyte‐lean operation (electrolyte/sulfur ratio of 4.7 µL mgS−1). The faster kinetics and higher diffusivity of CoCp2 play an essential role in regulating lithium sulfide growth and increasing discharge capacities. This work not only illustrates an effective strategy to increase the capacity of high‐rate or electrolyte‐lean lithium–sulfur batteries but also paves a way toward the rational design of novel redox mediators for dissolution–precipitation energy chemistries.
Optimisation of design and operation of generators for offshore vertical axis wind turbines
Authors: Argent Michael , McDonald Alasdair , Leithead William , Giles Alexander 
Published: June 2019

AbstractA process for optimizing both the design and operation of the generator for a large offshore vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) is developed. The objectives of the optimization process are to minimize additional costs and losses in the generator to allow for a fair evaluation of the impact of the VAWT environment on the powertrain. A spectrum of torque control strategies was tested based on the ratio, q, of the allowed electrical torque variation to the inherent mechanical torque variation. Equations relating q to the generator losses were established. The effect of q on the energy extracted by the rotor was also investigated and incorporated into the optimization process. This work shows that a variable q strategy with respect to wind speed can improve turbine performance across the range of operational wind speeds depending on the torque loading from the rotor blades. In turn, this also allows for the torque rating of the generator to be reduced from the peak torque rating that would otherwise be expected, creating an opportunity to downscale the generator size, reducing costs. The optimization of powertrain design and operation should be carried out at as high level as is possible, ideally using the fully factored cost of energy (COE) to guard against unexpected losses because of excessive focus in one COE factor (for example reducing upfront cost but in turn reducing availability).
Theoretical analysis for static bending of circular Euler–Bernoulli beam using local and Eringen's nonlocal integral mixed model
Authors: Zhang Pei , Qing Hai , Gao Cunfa 
Published: June 2019

AbstractMany studies have shown that Eringen's differential nonlocal model leads to some inconsistencies for the cantilever beams, which indicates the necessity to adopt the original integral nonlocal model. In this paper, Eringen's two‐phase local/nonlocal model is applied to capture the size effect in the curved Euler‐Bernoulli beam. The governing equations of equilibrium and boundary conditions are derived on the basis of Hamilton's principle. The Fredholm type integral governing equations are transformed to Volterra integral equations of the second kind through simply adjusting the limit of integrals, and solved uniquely through the Laplace transformation with several unknown constants, which are determined through the boundary conditions and extra constrained equations. The Exact solutions for a curved microbeam bending are derived explicitly for different boundary conditions. The present model is validated against the straight Euler beam for large radius circular case. The numerical results from current model show that the consistent softening effect of the two parameters on the bending deflection of the microbeams is observed for all boundary conditions.
Perifovea retinal thickness as an ophthalmic biomarker for mild cognitive impairment and early Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Tao Rui , Lu Zhaozeng , Ding Ding , Fu Shuhao , Hong Zhen , Liang Xiaoniu , Zheng Li , Xiao Yiqin , Zhao Qianhua 
Published: June 2019

AbstractIntroductionThe aim of this study was to investigate retinal thickness as a biomarker for identifying patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD).MethodsThe retinal thickness, utilizing the spectral domain optical coherence tomography, was compared among 73 patients with AD, 51 patients with MCI, 67 cognitive normal control (NC) subjects.ResultsThe retinal thickness of ganglion cell complex and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer decreased in both AD and MCI patients, in comparison with NC subjects (AD vs. NC, P < .01; MCI vs. NC, P < .01). The inner retinal layers in macular area in MCI exhibited significant thinning compared with NC (P < .001). Remarkable association was found between the retinal thickness and brain volume (P < .05). Better correlation was seen between the inner perifovea retinal thickness and the hippocampal and entorhinal cortex volume (r: 0.427–0.644, P < .01).DiscussionThe retinal thickness, especially the inner retinal layer thickness, is a potentially early AD marker indicating neurodegeneration.
Validation of National Healthcare Safety Network–reported core elements of antimicrobial stewardship in Tennessee
Authors: Evans Christopher D. , Thure Katie A. , McDaniel Honour M. , Adre Cullen J. , Reed Vicky P. , Talley Pamela P. , Kainer Marion A. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractA survey of hospital antimicrobial stewardship programs was performed to validate core element achievement data from the National Healthcare Safety Network’s (NHSN) Patient Safety Component Annual Survey. In total, 89% of hospitals met all 7 core elements, compared to only 68% according to the NHSN survey.
A priori bounds and existence of non-real eigenvalues for singular indefinite Sturm–Liouville problems with limit-circle type endpoints
Authors: Sun Fu , Qi Jiangang 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe present paper deals with non-real eigenvalues of singular indefinite Sturm–Liouville problems with limit-circle type endpoints. A priori bounds and the existence of non-real eigenvalues of the problem associated with a special separated boundary condition are obtained.
Effects of Wire Length in Turbulence Investigations with a Hot-Wire Anemometer
Authors: Frenkiel F. N. 
Published: June 2019

SummaryThe paper discusses the influence of wire length on the characteristics of a turbulent flow as measured with a hot-wire anemometer. Most of the mathematical treatment can be directly applied to other problems of length correction, such as may occur, for instance, in problems of astrophysical turbulence, as well as to some problems related to measurements of random processes. The discussion will, however, use the example of a hot-wire anemometer with particular attention to the influence of the length of the wire on the measurement of the intensity of turbulence, correlation coefficients, and scale and microscale of turbulence.