bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Behavioural, morphological and electrophysiological assessment of the effects of type 2 diabetes mellitus on large and small nerve fibres in Zucker diabetic fatty, Zucker lean and Wistar rats
Authors: Garcia‐Perez E. , Schönberger T. , Sumalla M. , Stierstorfer B. , Solà R. , Doods H. , Serra J. , Gorodetskaya N. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractBackgroundPeripheral neuropathy is a common complication in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The most common presentation is in the form of a distal axonal sensory‐motor polyneuropathy that involves large and small nerve fibres in variable proportion.MethodsZucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF), Zucker Lean (ZL) and Wistar Han (WH) rats were used to assess the behavioural, morphological and electrophysiological effects that T2DM have on peripheral large and small nerve fibres of 6‐ to 40‐week‐old rats.ResultsZDF rats presented mechanical hypersensitivity that initially worsened in parallel to the progression of diabetes and eventually reverted at later stages of the disease. The reversal from hypersensitivity to hyposensitivity paralleled a reduction in the number of intraepithelial skin nerve terminals and in the nerve fibre lengths. However, no increased levels of degeneration of dorsal root ganglion neurons were observed. Nerve conduction studies showed a reduction in sensory and motor nerve conduction velocity (CV) in hyperglycaemic ZDF rats. Microneurography showed significant alterations in several parameters of activity‐dependent slowing (ADS) of mechano‐insensitive C‐nociceptors in ZDF rats. Surprisingly, some of these changes were also observed in ZL rats. Moreover, we found spontaneous activity in all three strains implying that C‐nociceptors become hyperexcitable and spontaneously active not only in ageing hyperglycaemic ZDF rats but also in age‐matched and apparently normoglycaemic ZL and WH rats fed with the same diet.ConclusionsZDF rats presented a diabetic neuropathy involving large and small nerve fibres; additionally, ZL and WH rats also showed early small abnormalities in C‐fibres, clearly detected by microneurographySignificanceThis study provides a functional description of large and small nerve fibre function in a diabetic model that recapitulates many of the findings observed in patients suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Occupational functional plasticity revealed by brain entropy: A resting‐state fMRI study of seafarers
Authors: Wang Nizhuan , Wu Huijun , Xu Min , Yang Yang , Chang Chunqi , Zeng Weiming , Yan Hongjie 
Published: April 2018

AbstractRecently, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has been increasingly used to assess brain function. Brain entropy is an effective model for evaluating the alteration of brain complexity. Specifically, the sample entropy (SampEn) provides a feasible solution for revealing the brain's complexity. Occupation is one key factor affecting the brain's activity, but the neuropsychological mechanisms are still unclear. Thus, in this article, based on fMRI and a brain entropy model, we explored the functional complexity changes engendered by occupation factors, taking the seafarer as an example. The whole‐brain entropy values of two groups (i.e., the seafarers and the nonseafarers) were first calculated by SampEn and followed by a two‐sample t test with AlphaSim correction (p < .05). We found that the entropy of the orbital‐frontal gyrus (OFG) and superior temporal gyrus (STG) in the seafarers was significantly higher than that of the nonseafarers. In addition, the entropy of the cerebellum in the seafarers was lower than that of the nonseafarers. We conclude that (1) the lower entropy in the cerebellum implies that the seafarers’ cerebellum activity had strong regularity and consistency, suggesting that the seafarer's cerebellum was possibly more specialized by the long‐term career training; (2) the higher entropy in the OFG and STG possibly demonstrated that the seafarers had a relatively decreased capability for emotion control and auditory information processing. The above results imply that the seafarer occupation indeed impacted the brain's complexity, and also provided new neuropsychological evidence of functional plasticity related to one's career.
The effects of acute alcohol withdrawal on sleep
Authors: Hodges Christopher J. , Ogeil Rowan P. , Lubman Dan I. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractObjectivesAlthough sleep disturbances are prominent during alcohol withdrawal, less is known about the specific components of sleep that are disturbed prior to and during acute detoxification. This study aimed to determine whether specific sleep components are affected prior to and during acute detoxification and their relationship to psychological distress.MethodsTwenty‐nine participants were recruited from a residential detoxification service in Melbourne, Australia, and completed both subjective methods of sleep and distress, in addition to wearing an actigraphy device.ResultsDaytime dysfunction, sleep quality, and sleep disturbances were the components that were most disturbed in the month prior to admission, and poor sleep efficiency was detected during acute withdrawal using actigraphy. A significant association was found between sleep and psychological distress in this group.ConclusionsSpecific disturbances in sleep are experienced prior to and during acute alcohol withdrawal, suggesting that tailored interventions may be effective in the treatment of sleep deficits during these periods.
Molecular characteristics of antimicrobial resistance and virulence determinants of Staphylococcus aureus isolates derived from clinical infection and food
Authors: Luo Kui , Shao Fuye , Kamara Kadijatu N. , Chen Shuaiyin , Zhang Rongguang , Duan Guangcai , Yang Haiyan 
Published: April 2018

BackgroundStaphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is an important human etiologic agent. An investigation of the characteristics of common genotypes of S. aureus relating to pathogenicity and antibiotic resistance may provide a foundation to prevent infection.MethodsThis study collected 275 S. aureus isolates from Zhengzhou city in China, including 148 isolates from patient samples and 127 isolates from ready‐to‐eat food samples. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the broth dilution method. Molecular characteristics of antimicrobial resistance, virulence, and genotypes were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).ResultsIn total, 34.18% (94/275) of S. aureus isolates were MRSA. Compared with food isolates, clinical isolates had significantly higher antibiotic resistance rates, carrying resistance genes such as acc(6′)/aph(2′), aph(3′)‐III, ermA, and ermB and virulence genes such as tetM, sea, seb, pvl, and etb. MRSA‐t030‐agrI‐SCCmecIII and MSSA‐t002‐agrII were the most common strain types among clinical strains, and MRSA‐t002‐agrII‐SCCmecIII and MSSA‐t002‐agrII were the most common strain types among food strains. Additionally, some strains in the agr group were also spa type‐specific, suggesting that there may be phenotypic consistency.ConclusionClinical isolates contained higher numbers of resistance genes and demonstrated higher antibiotic resistance, while 2 source strains exhibited high toxicity. These results indicate that bacteria with different origins may have undergone different evolutionary processes. As resistance and virulence factors in food bacteria can be transmitted to humans, food handlers should strictly follow hygienic measures during food production to ensure the safety of human consumers.
The application of convergent beam electron diffraction (CBED) analysis on transformation‐induced plasticity (TRIP) steels
Authors: Tsai Shao‐Pu , Tsai Shih‐Ning , Tsai Yu‐Ting , Chen Yu‐Wen , Tung Po‐Yen , Yang Jer‐Ren , Chen Hsueh‐Ren , Chen Chih‐Yuan , Wang Yuan‐Tsung , Huang Ching‐Yuan 
Published: April 2018

AbstractConvergent beam electron diffraction (CBED) in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was applied to determine local carbon concentrations in low‐carbon transformation‐induced plasticity (TRIP) steels. High‐order Laue‐zone (HOLZ) lines were experimentally obtained for comparison with simulation results. A new procedure for calculating carbon content is thus proposed. Retained austenite (RA) is classified into three types by morphology; the relationship between the carbon content and the corresponding RA morphology is discussed based on CBED results. Furthermore, results of X‐Ray diffractometry measurements are also used for comparison.
Ant diversity as a direct and indirect driver of pselaphine rove beetle (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) functional diversity in tropical rainforests, Sabah, Malaysian Borneo
Authors: Psomas Elizabeth , Holdsworth Sholto , Eggleton Paul 
Published: April 2018

AbstractPselaphinae is a species‐rich beetle subfamily found globally, with many exhibiting myrmecophily—a symbiotic association with ants. Pselaphine–ant associations vary from facultative to obligate, but direct behavioral observations still remain scarce. Pselaphines are speciose and ecologically abundant within tropical leaf litter invertebrate communities where ants dominate, implying a potentially important ecological role that may be affected by habitat disturbances that impact ants. In this study, we measured and analyzed putative functional traits of leaf litter pselaphines associated with myrmecophily through morphometric analysis. We calculated “myrmecophile functional diversity” of pselaphines at different sites and examined this measure's relationship with ant abundance, in both old growth and logged rainforest sites in Sabah, Borneo. We show that myrmecophile functional diversity of pselaphine beetles increases as ant abundance increases. Old growth rainforest sites support a high abundance of ants, which is associated with a high abundance of probable myrmecophilous pselaphines. These results suggest a potential link between adult morphological characters and the functional role these beetles play in rainforest litter as ecological interaction partners with ants.
Diagnostic performance of diffusion‐weighted imaging for differentiating benign and malignant gallbladder lesions: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: You Myung‐Won , Yun Seong Jong 
Published: April 2018

BackgroundAlthough diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) has been characterized as an alternative imaging modality for gallbladder (GB) lesions, it has not been routinely used in clinical practice because of relatively low signal‐to‐noise ratio.PurposeTo assess the sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic performance of DWI for differentiating benign and malignant GB lesions.Study TypeMeta‐analysis.PopulationPatients with GB lesions.Field Strength/SequenceDWI at 3.0T or 1.5T.AssessmentPubMed and EMBASE were searched following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses of Diagnostic Test Accuracy guidelines.Statistical TestsBivariate modeling and hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic (HSROC) modeling were performed to compare the overall diagnostic performance of DWI. Subgroup analyses were performed for qualitative and quantitative assessment of the DWI. Meta‐regression analyses were performed according to the characteristics of the patients, study, and MRI.ResultsEight studies (including 557 patients) were included. The DWI exhibited a pooled sensitivity of 91%, a pooled specificity of 87%, and HSROC of 0.95. In subgroup analyses, qualitative assessment (sensitivity, 90%; specificity, 87%; HSROC, 0.94) was more accurate than quantitative assessment (sensitivity, 82%; specificity, 86 %; HSROC, 0.88). On meta‐regression analysis, studies that used 3.0T field strength and thinner slices (≤5 mm) reported a significantly higher sensitivity (P ≤ 0.02) than those using only 1.5T field strength and thicker slices (>5 mm).Data ConclusionDWI can discriminate malignant from benign GB lesions with excellent diagnostic performance in both qualitative and quantitative assessments. To enhance the diagnostic ability of DWI, images obtained with thinner slices (≤5 mm) with 3T field strength and qualitative assessment are recommended.Level of Evidence: 3Technical Efficacy: Stage 2J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:1375–1388.
Chip‐based high resolution tandem mass spectrometric determination of fibroblast growth factor—chondroitin sulfate disaccharides noncovalent interaction
Authors: Robu Adrian C. , Popescu Laurentiu , Seidler Daniela G. , Zamfir Alina D. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractFibroblast growth factor‐2 (FGF‐2) is involved in wound healing and embryonic development. Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), the major components of the extracellular matrix (ECM), play fundamental roles at this level. FGF‐GAG noncovalent interactions are in the focus of research, due to their influence upon cell proliferation and tissue regeneration. Lately, high resolution mass spectrometry (MS) coupled with chip‐nanoelectrospray (nanoESI) contributed a significant progress in glycosaminoglycomics by discoveries related to novel species and their characterization. We have employed a fully automated chip‐nanoESI coupled to a quadrupole time‐of‐flight (QTOF) MS for assessing FGF‐GAG noncovalent complexes. For the first time, a CS disaccharide was involved in a binding assay with FGF‐2. The experiments were conducted in 10 mM ammonium acetate/formic acid, pH 6.8, by incubating FGF‐2 and CS in buffer. The detected complexes were characterized by top‐down in tandem MS (MS/MS) using collision induced‐dissociation (CID). CID MS/MS provided data showing for the first time that the binding process occurs via the sulfate group located at C4 in GalNAc. This study has demonstrated that chip‐MS may generate reliable data upon the formation of GAG‐protein complexes and their structure. Biologically, the findings are relevant for studies focused on the identification of the active domains in longer GAG chains.
Field remote Stokes/anti‐Stokes Raman characterization of sulfur in hydrothermal vents
Authors: Guimbretière G. , Duraipandian S. , Ricci T. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractTo study the dynamics of active volcanic environments, minerals involved in fresh lava flows are a nice probe and Raman spectroscopy is an excellent tool for their characterization. Because of the highly hostile environment linked to volcanic activity, studying lava cooling and weathering needs remote setups and specific procedures dedicated to medium‐high temperature targets. In this paper, we present the remote Raman characterization of sulfur produce by the fumarolic activity at Solfatara crater (Phlegraean Fields, Italy). Two medium temperature sites (280–380 K) were probed with two different Raman setups. For both, β‐sulfur is the prominent type in the entire temperature range and the absolute local temperature of the sulfur was remotely estimated by mean of a Stokes/anti‐Stokes procedure with ±10 K uncertainty. These results represent a good starting point for the development of new setups and protocols aimed to an increase of both measurement distance and temperature range.
Phenolic compounds can delay the oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids and the growth of Listeria monocytogenes: structure‐activity relationships
Authors: Pernin Aurélia , Dubois‐Brissonnet Florence , Roux Stéphanie , Masson Marine , Bosc Véronique , Maillard Marie‐Noëlle 
Published: April 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDPhenolic compounds present a potential solution to ensure food quality and safety. Indeed, they can limit oxidation reactions and bacterial growth in food products. Although their antioxidant mechanisms of action are well known, their antibacterial ones are less well understood, especially in light of their chemical structures. The aim of this study was first to quantify both aspects of a series of natural phenolic compounds and then link these activities to their chemical structure.RESULTSWe evaluated antioxidant activity by measuring the capacity of phenolic compounds to delay free linoleic acid oxidation caused by the action of a hydrophilic azo‐radical initiator (AAPH). We evaluated antibacterial activity by measuring the growth inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes and determining the non‐inhibitory and minimum inhibitory concentrations for each compound. Compounds with ortho‐diphenolic structures were the best antioxidants, whereas those belonging to the simple phenol category were the best antibacterial compounds.CONCLUSIONThe physico‐chemical properties of the compounds influenced both activities but not in the same way. The chemical environment of the phenolic group and the presence of delocalization structures are the most important parameters for antioxidant activity, whereas the partition coefficient, logP, is one of the most important factors involved in antibacterial activity. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
High‐temperature thin‐film barriers for foldable AMOLED displays
Authors: Akkerman Hylke B. , Pendyala Raghu K. , Panditha Pradeep , Salem Ahmed , Shen Jie , van de Weijer Peter , Bouten Piet C.P. , de Winter Suzanne H.P.M. , van Diesen‐Tempelaars Karin , de Haas Gerard , Steudel Soeren , Huang Ching‐Yu , Lai Ming‐Hsiang , Huang Yen‐Yu , Yeh Ming‐Hua , Kronemeijer Auke Jisk , Poodt Paul , Gelinck Gerwin H. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractWe present a thin‐film dual‐layer bottom barrier on polyimide that is compatible with 350°C backplane processing for organic light‐emitting diode displays and that can facilitate foldable active‐matrix organic light‐emitting diode devices with a bending radius of <2 mm. We demonstrate organic light‐emitting diodes that survive bending over 0.5 mm radius for 10.000× based on the high‐temperature bottom barrier. Furthermore, we show compatibility of the bottom barrier with the backplane process by fabricating active‐matrix organic light‐emitting diode displays on GEN1‐sized substrates.
Synthesis of a molecularly imprinted polymer on mSiO2@Fe3O4 for the selective adsorption of atrazine
Authors: Li Xin , Ma Xiaoguo , Huang Renfeng , Xie Xiaowen , Guo Lihui , Zhang Mengyuan 
Published: April 2018

AbstractAtrazine contamination of water is of considerable concern because of the potential hazard to human health. In this study, a magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer for atrazine was prepared by the surface‐imprinting technique using Fe3O4 as the core, mesoporous silica as the carrier, atrazine as the template, and itaconic acid as the functional monomer. The magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer was characterized by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and vibration‐sample magnetometry. The binding properties of the magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer toward atrazine were investigated by adsorption isotherms, kinetics, and competitive adsorption. It was found that the adsorption equilibrium was achieved within 2 h, the maximum adsorption capacity of atrazine was 8.8 μmol/g, and the adsorption process could be well described by the Langmuir isotherm model and pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model. The magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer exhibited good adsorption selectivity for atrazine with respect to structural analogues, such as cyanazine, simetryne, and prometryn. The reusability of the magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer was demonstrated for at least five repeated cycles without a significant decrease in adsorption capacity. These results suggested that the magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer could be used as an efficient material for the selective adsorption and removal of atrazine from water samples.
Miniaturized matrix solid‐phase dispersion coupled with supramolecular solvent‐based microextraction for the determination of paraben preservatives in cream samples
Authors: Yıldız Elif , Çabuk Hasan 
Published: April 2018

AbstractAn analytical method is presented for the determination of paraben preservatives in semisolid cream samples by matrix solid‐phase dispersion combined with supramolecular solvent‐based microextraction. Due to the oily and sticky nature of the sample matrix, parabens were first extracted from the samples by matrix solid‐phase dispersion using silica as sorbent material with a clean‐up performed with tetrahydrofuran in the elution step. The eluate (500 μL), 1‐decanol (120 μL), and water (4.4 mL) were then mixed in a polyethylene pipette to form supramolecular solvent. Finally, the analytes in the supramolecular solvent were separated and determined by liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. Under optimal extraction conditions, the extraction recoveries of the studied compounds were obtained in the range of 63–83%. The limits of detection for the analytes were between 0.03 and 0.04 μg/g. The precision of the method varied between 4.0–6.7 (intraday) and 6.2–7.9% (interday). Finally, the optimized procedure was applied to the determination of the target preservatives in a variety of cream samples (diaper rash, skin allergy, face and hand moisturizing) with satisfactory recoveries (86–102%).
Composite Polymeric Membranes with Directionally Embedded Fibers for Controlled Dual Actuation
Authors: Liu Li , Bakhshi Hadi , Jiang Shaohua , Schmalz Holger , Agarwal Seema 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIn this paper, preparation method and actuation properties of an innovative composite membrane composed of thermo‐ and pH‐responsive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐acrylic acid) fibers (average diameter ≈ 905 nm) embedded within a passive thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) matrix at different angles with degree of alignment as high as 98% are presented. The composite membrane has a gradient of TPU along the thickness. It has the capability of temperature‐ and pH‐dependent direction‐, and size‐controlled actuation in few minutes. The stresses generated at the responsive fiber and nonresponsive matrix provide actuation, whereas the angle at which fibers are embedded in the matrix controls the actuation direction and size. The temperature has no effect on actuation and actuated forms at pH 7 and above, whereas the size of the actuated forms can be controlled by the temperature at lower pH. The membranes are strong enough to reversibly lift and release ≈426 times weight of their own mass (2.47 g metal ring is lifted by a 5.8 mg membrane). Soft actuators are of interest as smart scaffolds, robotics, catalysis, drug release, energy storage, electrodes, and metamaterials.
Reconfigurable and Reprocessable Thermoset Shape Memory Polymer with Synergetic Triple Dynamic Covalent Bonds
Authors: Wang Yongwei , Pan Yi , Zheng Zhaohui , Ding Xiaobin 
Published: April 2018

AbstractDegradable shape memory polymers (SMPs), especially for polyurethane‐based SMPs, have shown great potential for biomedical applications. How to reasonably fabricate SMPs with the ideal combination of degradability, shape reconfigurability, and reprocessability is a critical issue and remains a challenge for medical disposable materials. Herein, a shape memory poly(urethane‐urea) with synergetic triple dynamic covalent bonds is reported via embedding polycaprolactone unit into poly(urethane‐urea) with the hindered urea dynamic bond. The single polymer network is biodegradable, thermadapt, and reprocessable, without sacrificing the outstanding shape memory performance. Such a shape memory network with plasticity and reprocessability is expected to have significant and positive impact on the medical device industry.