bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Vasoreparative Function of Myeloid Angiogenic Cells Is Impaired in Diabetes Through the Induction of IL1β
Authors: Chambers Sarah E. J. , O'Neill Christina L. , Guduric-Fuchs Jasenka , McLoughlin Kiran J. , Liew Aaron , Egan Aoife M. , O'Brien Timothy , Stitt Alan W. , Medina Reinhold J. 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
Myeloid angiogenic cells (MACs) promote revascularization through the paracrine release of angiogenic factors and have been harnessed as therapeutic cells for many ischemic diseases. However, their proangiogenic properties have been suggested to be diminished in diabetes. This study investigates how the diabetic milieu affects the immunophenotype and function of MACs. Both MACs isolated from diabetic conditions and healthy cells exposed to a diabetic environment were used to determine the potential of MACs as a cell therapy for diabetic-related ischemia. MACs were isolated from human peripheral blood and characterized alongside proinflammatory macrophages M (LPS + IFNγ) and proangiogenic macrophages M (IL4). Functional changes in MACs in response to high-d-glucose were assessed using an in vitro 3D-tubulogenesis assay. Phenotypic changes were determined by gene and protein expression analysis. Additionally, MACs from type 1 diabetic (T1D) patients and corresponding controls were isolated and characterized. Our evidence demonstrates MACs identity as a distinct macrophage subtype that shares M2 proangiogenic characteristics, but can be distinguished by CD163hi expression. High-d-glucose treatment significantly reduced MACs proangiogenic capacity, which was associated with a significant increase in IL1β mRNA and protein expression. Inhibition of IL1β abrogated the antiangiogenic effect induced by high-d-glucose. IL1β was also significantly upregulated in MACs isolated from T1D patients with microvascular complications compared to T1D patients without microvascular complications or nondiabetic volunteers. This study demonstrates that Type 1 diabetes and diabetic-like conditions impair the proangiogenic and regenerative capacity of MACs, and this response is mediated by IL-1β.
Identification of Adult Mesodermal Progenitor Cells and Hierarchy in Atherosclerotic Vascular Calcification
Authors: Cho Hyun-Jai , Lee Jin-Woo , Cho Hyun-Ju , Lee Choon-Soo , Kim Hyo-Soo 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
The nature of calcifying progenitor cells remains elusive. In this study, we investigated the developmental hierarchy and dynamics of progenitor cells. In vitro and in vivo reconstitution assays demonstrated that Sca-1+/PDGFRα– cells in the bone marrow (BM) are the ancestors of Sca-1+/PDGFRα+ cells. Cells of CD29 + Sca-1+/PDGFRα– lineage in the BM showed both hematopoietic potential with osteoclastic differentiation ability as well as mesenchymal stem cell-like properties with osteoblastic differentiation potential. Clonally-isolated BM-derived artery-infiltrated Sca-1+/PDGFRα– cells maintained osteoblastic/osteoclastic bipotency but lost hematopoietic activity. In hypercholesterolemic apolipoprotein-E-deficient (Apoe-/-) mice, the mobilization from BM to peripheral circulation, followed by migration into atherosclerotic plaques of Sca-1+/PDGFRα– cells, but not Sca-1+/PDGFRα+ cells, were significantly decreased, and Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and Interleukin-5 (IL-5) mediated this response. Here, we demonstrated that Sca-1+/PDGFRα– cells are mesodermal progenitor cells in adults, and the dynamics of progenitor cells were regulated by atherosclerosis-related humoral factors. These results may contribute to better understanding of vascular homeostasis and assist in the development of novel therapies for atherosclerosis.
Synthesis, Characterization, Uses and Applications of Porous Clays Heterostructures: A Review
Authors: Cecilia J. A. , García‐Sancho C. , Vilarrasa‐García E. , Jiménez‐Jiménez J. , Rodriguez‐Castellón E. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractPorous clay heterostructures (PCH) are obtained by the insertion of an organic bulky cation in the interlayer spacing of a smectite, causing a swelling of the clay mineral. Right after, oxides species, mainly silicon oxide, are incorporated as pillars galleries between adjacent layers to form a porous structure after the removal of the template. The ordering of the clay mineral as well the organic cation incorporated in the synthetic step favors the modulation of the textural properties of the PCH. In addition, the incorporation of heteroatoms in the pillars galleries can also modulate the acidity of the PCH. The modulation of the pore size and the acid properties provides to these materials a wide range of applications in the fields of adsorption and catalysis. This paper carries out a detailed review of the synthesis of PCH, characterization as well as uses and application reported in the literature.
NF‐κB/p53‐activated inflammatory response involves in diquat‐induced mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis
Authors: Choi Su Eun , Park Yun Sun , Koh Hyun Chul 
Published: February 2018

AbstractInflammation generated by environmental toxicants including pesticides could be one of the factors underlying neuronal cell damage in neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms by which inflammatory responses contribute to apoptosis in PC12 cells treated with diquat. We found that diquat induced apoptosis, as demonstrated by the activation of caspases and nuclear condensation, inhibition of mitochondrial complex I activity, and decreased ATP level in PC12 cells. Diquat also reduced the dopamine level, indicating that cell death induced by diquat is due to cytotoxicity of dopaminergic neuronal components in these cells. Exposure of PC12 cells to diquat led to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the antioxidant N‐acetyl‐cystein attenuated the cytotoxicity of caspase‐3 pathways. These results demonstrate that diquat‐induced apoptosis is involved in mitochondrial dysfunction through production of ROS. Furthermore, diquat increased expression of cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) via inflammatory stimulation. Diquat induced nuclear accumulation of NF‐κB and p53 proteins. Importantly, an inhibitor of NF‐κB nuclear translocation blocked the increase of p53. Both NF‐κB and p53 inhibitors also blocked the diquat‐induced inflammatory response. Pretreatment of cells with meloxicam, a COX‐2 inhibitor, also blocked apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction. These results represent a unique molecular characterization of diquat‐induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells. Our results demonstrate that diquat induces cell damage in part through inflammatory responses via NF‐κB‐mediated p53 signaling. This suggests the potential to generate mitochondrial damage via inflammatory responses and inflammatory stimulation‐related neurodegenerative disease.
Accuracy and reproducibility of fetal‐fraction measurement using relative quantitation at polymorphic loci with microarray
Authors: Schmid M. , White K. , Stokowski R. , Miller D. , Bogard P. E. , Valmeekam V. , Wang E. 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTObjectivesVarious methods of fetal‐fraction measurement have been employed in conjunction with different approaches to cell‐free DNA testing for fetal aneuploidy. In this study, we determined the accuracy and reproducibility of fetal‐fraction measurement using polymorphic assays that are incorporated into the test design as part of the Harmony® prenatal test and evaluated whether the single nucleotide polymorphisms selected for and used in these assays can be applied broadly to all patient populations.MethodsClinical maternal plasma samples were assayed using a custom microarray with Digital ANalysis of Selected Regions (DANSR) assays designed to cover non‐polymorphic targets on chromosomes of interest for aneuploidy assessment (13, 18, 21, X and Y) and polymorphic targets for fetal‐fraction assessment. In a consecutive series of 47 512 maternal plasma samples, fetal‐fraction measurements based on polymorphic assays were compared with those from Y‐sequence quantitation. Reproducibility was examined between first‐ and second‐tube measurements for the same patient sample in 734 cases. The fraction of informative loci was calculated for 13 988 samples.ResultsThere was a strong correlation between fetal fractions determined using the polymorphic assays and using Y‐chromosome sequence quantitation (r = 0.97). Fetal‐fraction measurement between the first and second tubes was highly reproducible (r = 0.98). The fraction of informative loci observed in a clinical series was consistent with predictions based on assay design.ConclusionsThe method based on relative quantitation at polymorphic loci on a microarray is accurate and reproducible for fetal‐fraction estimation and is equally informative across global populations. This study provides a useful benchmark for ensuring the reliability and accuracy of fetal‐fraction measurement. © 2018 Roche Sequencing Solutions. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Outcome of fetuses with prenatal diagnosis of isolated severe bilateral ventriculomegaly: systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Carta S. , Kealin Agten A. , Belcaro C. , Bhide A. 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo quantify from the published literature survival and neurodevelopmental outcome of fetuses with prenatally detected isolated severe bilateral ventriculomegaly.MethodsMEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library were searched electronically. Only cases with a prenatal diagnosis of apparently isolated severe ventriculomegaly and postnatal neurodevelopmental assessment were selected and included. Severe ventriculomegaly was defined as enlargement of the ventricular atria, with a diameter of greater than 15 mm in the transventricular plane. All cases in which the investigators were unable to detect associated structural abnormality, chromosomal abnormality or fetal infection, and in which the ventriculomegaly was therefore regarded as apparently isolated, were included. Those for which the etiology was identified prenatally were excluded, whereas those with postnatal identification of the underlying cause were not excluded, since this information was not available prenatally. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS) for cohort studies. Pregnancy outcomes such as termination, stillbirth, neonatal survival and developmental outcome of the baby, were recorded. The degree of disability was classified as no, mild or severe disability. Statistical assessment was performed by meta‐analysis of proportions to combine data, weighting the studies using the inverse variance method and a random‐effects model. Proportions and CIs were reported.ResultsEleven studies including 137 fetuses were found. Twenty‐seven pregnancies underwent termination and were excluded. The remaining 110 fetuses with apparently isolated severe ventriculomegaly for which continuation of pregnancy was intended, form the study population. Overall quality assessed using NOS for cohort studies was good. Survival was reported in 95/110 (pooled proportion 87.9% (95% CI, 75.6–96.2%)) cases. In 15/110 (pooled proportion 12.1% (95% CI, 3.8–24.4%)), either stillbirth or neonatal demise was reported. No disability was reported in 41/95 survivors (pooled proportion 42.2% (95% CI, 27.5–57.6%)). However, 17/95 showed mild/moderate disability (pooled proportion 18.6% (95% CI, 7.2–33.8%)) and 37/95 were reported to have severe disability (pooled proportion 39.6% (95% CI, 30.0–50.0%)).ConclusionsFour‐fifths of fetuses with severe ventriculomegaly survive and, of these, just over two‐fifths show normal neurodevelopment. The overall survivors without disability account for more than one third of the total. Given that many cases undergo termination of pregnancy and require longer follow‐up in order to detect subtle abnormalities, mortality and prevalence of developmental delay may be even higher than that reported in this paper. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Substrate preferences of coexisting invasive amphipods, Dikerogammarus villosus and Dikerogammarus haemobaphes, under field and laboratory conditions
Authors: Clinton K. E. , Mathers K. L. , Constable D. , Gerrard C. , Wood P. J. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractTwo Ponto-Caspian amphipods, Dikerogammarus villosus and Dikerogammarus haemobaphes, have expanded their geographical ranges from eastern Europe into Great Britain in recent years. This study represents one of the first examining the distribution and habitat preferences of coexisting populations of D. haemobaphes and D. villosus via field and laboratory experiments in the UK. Field surveys of a recently invaded lowland reservoir in the UK are complimented with ex situ laboratory mesocosm experiments examining the substrate preferences of coexisting populations of D. villosus and D. haemobaphes. Results from the field study indicated that D. haemobaphes dominated the macroinvertebrate community within the reservoir and demonstrated a strong affinity for large cobble and artificial substrates. D. villosus occurred at lower abundances but displayed a strong preference for coarse cobble substrates. A third invasive amphipod, Crangonyx pseudogracilis, was largely confined to sand/silt habitats. Laboratory mesocosm experiments clearly supported the field observations of D. villosus and D. haemobaphes with both species demonstrating a preference for cobble substrates. Results from the study highlight the importance of characterising physical habitat when investigating biological invasions and suggest that habitat availability may influence the extent and speed at which range expansion of new amphipod invaders occurs.
The Massive Online Needs Assessment (MONA) to inform the development of an emergency haematology educational blog series
Authors: Chan Teresa M. , Jo David , Shih Andrew W. , Bhagirath Vinai C. , Castellucci Lana A. , Yeh Calvin , Thoma Brent , Tseng Eric K. , De Wit Kerstin 
Published: February 2018

Background Online educational resources are criticized as being teacher-centred, failing to address learner’s needs. Needs assessments are an important precursor to inform curriculum development, but these are often overlooked or skipped by developers of online educational resources due to cumbersome measurement tools. Novel methods are required to identify perceived and unperceived learning needs to allow targeted development of learner-centred curricula.
Objectives To evaluate the feasibility of performing a novel technique dubbed the Massive Online Needs Assessment (MONA) for the purpose of emergency haematology online educational curricular planning, within an online learning community (affiliated with the Free Open Access Medical education movement).
Methods An online survey was launched on CanadiEM.org using an embedded Google Forms survey. Participants were recruited using the study website and a social media campaign (utilizing Twitter, Facebook, Blogs, and a poster) targeting a specific online community. Web analytics were used to monitor participation rates in addition to survey responses.
Results The survey was open from 20 September to 10 December 2016 and received 198 complete responses representing 6 medical specialties from 21 countries. Most survey respondents identified themselves as staff physicians (n = 109) and medical trainees (n = 75). We identified 17 high-priority perceived needs, 17 prompted needs, and 10 topics with unperceived needs through our MONA process.
Conclusions A MONA is a feasible, novel method for collecting data on perceived, prompted, and unperceived learning needs to inform an online emergency haematology educational blog.
i-Assess: Evaluating the impact of electronic data capture for OSCE
Authors: Monteiro Sandra , Sibbald Debra , Coetzee Karen 
Published: February 2018

Introduction Tablet-based assessments offer benefits over scannable-paper assessments; however, there is little known about the impact to the variability of assessment scores.
Methods Two studies were conducted to evaluate changes in rating technology. Rating modality (paper vs tablets) was manipulated between candidates (Study 1) and within candidates (Study 2). Average scores were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA, Cronbach’s alpha and generalizability theory. Post-hoc analyses included a Rasch analysis and McDonald’s omega.
Results Study 1 revealed a main effect of modality (F (1,152) = 25.06, p < 0.01). Average tablet-based scores were higher, (3.39/5, 95% CI = 3.28 to 3.51), compared with average scan-sheet scores (3.00/5, 95% CI = 2.90 to 3.11). Study 2 also revealed a main effect of modality (F (1, 88) = 15.64, p < 0.01), however, the difference was reduced to 2% with higher scan-sheet scores (3.36, 95% CI = 3.30 to 3.42) compared with tablet scores (3.27, 95% CI = 3.21 to 3.33). Internal consistency (alpha and omega) remained high (>0.8) and inter-station reliability remained constant (0.3). Rasch analyses showed no relationship between station difficulty and rating modality.
Discussion Analyses of average scores may be misleading without an understanding of internal consistency and overall reliability of scores. Although updating to tablet-based forms did not result in systematic variations in scores, routine analyses ensured accurate interpretation of the variability of assessment scores.
Conclusion This study demonstrates the importance of ongoing program evaluation and data analysis.
Comparing the Bioburden Measured by Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) Luminescence Technology to Contact Plate–Based Microbiologic Sampling to Assess the Cleanliness of the Patient Care Environment
Authors: Salsgiver Elizabeth , Bernstein Daniel , Simon Matthew S. , Greendyke William , Jia Haomiao , Robertson Amy , Salter Selma , Schuetz Audrey N. , Saiman Lisa , Furuya E. Yoko , Calfee David P. 
Published: February 2018

The correlation between ATP concentration and bacterial burden in the patient care environment was assessed. These findings suggest that a correlation exists between ATP concentration and bacterial burden, and they generally support ATP technology manufacturer-recommended cutoff values. Despite relatively modest discriminative ability, this technology may serve as a useful proxy for cleanliness.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2018;39:622–624
Dynamic stall in vertical axis wind turbines: scaling and topological considerations
Authors: Buchner Abel-John , Soria Julio , Honnery Damon , Smits Alexander J. 
Published: February 2018

Vertical axis wind turbine blades are subject to rapid, cyclical variations in angle of attack and relative airspeed which can induce dynamic stall. This phenomenon poses an obstacle to the greater implementation of vertical axis wind turbines because dynamic stall can reduce turbine efficiency and induce structural vibrations and noise. This study seeks to provide a more comprehensive description of dynamic stall in vertical axis wind turbines, with an emphasis on understanding its parametric dependence and scaling behaviour. This problem is of practical relevance to vertical axis wind turbine design but the inherent coupling of the pitching and velocity scales in the blade kinematics makes this problem of more broad fundamental interest as well. Experiments are performed using particle image velocimetry in the vicinity of the blades of a straight-bladed gyromill-type vertical axis wind turbine at blade Reynolds numbers of between 50 000 and 140 000, tip speed ratios between $\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}=1$ to $\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}=5$, and dimensionless pitch rates of $0.10\leqslant K_{c}\leqslant 0.20$. The effect of these factors on the evolution, strength and timing of vortex shedding from the turbine blades is determined. It is found that tip speed ratio alone is insufficient to describe the circulation production and vortex shedding behaviour from vertical axis wind turbine blades, and a scaling incorporating the dimensionless pitch rate is proposed.
Performance tests of IPPLM's krypton Hall thruster
Authors: Kurzyna Jacek , Jakubczak Maciej , Szelecka Agnieszka , Dannenmayer Käthe 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe Institute of Plasma Physics and Laser Microfusion's (IPPLM) Hall effect thruster (Krypton Large IMpulse Thruster, KLIMT) is a 500 W class plasma engine with a mean diameter of discharge channel of 42 mm. KLIMT was developed within ESA/PECS project aiming to provide relatively small thruster for satellites that would be able to effectively operate with krypton propellant. Being several times less expensive than xenon, which is regarded as a propellant of choice for electric propulsion of electrostatic type, krypton since years has been suggested as an attractive alternative. In this paper, a design as well as performance tests of the laboratory model of KLIMT are discussed. It is shown that precise adjustment of magnetic field topography results in the stable operation of the thruster in wide range of operating conditions providing similar thrust and specific impulse production for both propellants. Maximum thrust produced with the use of xenon and krypton reached about 16–17 mN for mass flow rate of 1.15–1.2 mg/s resulting in specific impulse in the range of 1300–1500 s (13–15 km/s). However, for krypton the anode efficiency drops by ~10% in comparison with xenon. For krypton plasma beam divergence as measured by an average half-angle with respect to the beam axis was found to remain within the range of 19–23° for the whole set of the examined operating conditions. The reported characteristics are reasonable for Hall thruster of the discussed size and power.
Clearance-driven motion planning for mobile robots with differential constraints
Authors: Plaku Evis , Plaku Erion , Simari Patricio 
Published: February 2018

SUMMARYThis paper presents an approach that integrates the geometric notion of clearance (distance to the closest obstacle) into sampling-based motion planning to enable a robot to safely navigate in challenging environments. To reach the goal destination, the robot must obey geometric and differential constraints that arise from the underlying motion dynamics and the characteristics of the environment. To produce safe paths, the proposed approach expands a motion tree of collision-free and dynamically feasible motions while maintaining locally maximal clearance. In distinction from related work, rather than explicitly constructing the medial axis, the proposed approach imposes a grid or a triangular tessellation over the free space and uses the clearance information to construct a weighted graph where edges that connect regions with low clearance have high cost. Minimum-cost paths over this graph produce high-clearance routes that tend to follow the medial axis without requiring its explicit construction. A key aspect of the proposed approach is a route-following component which efficiently expands the motion tree to closely follow such high-clearance routes. When expansion along the current route becomes difficult, edges in the tessellation are penalized in order to promote motion-tree expansions along alternative high-clearance routes to the goal. Experiments using vehicle models with second-order dynamics demonstrate that the robot is able to successfully navigate in complex environments. Comparisons to the state-of-the-art show computational speedups of one or more orders of magnitude.