bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tailoring far-infrared surface plasmon polaritons of a single-layer graphene using plasmon-phonon hybridization in graphene-LiF heterostructures
Authors: Hajian Hodjat , Serebryannikov Andriy E. , Ghobadi Amir , Demirag Yigit , Butun Bayram , Vandenbosch Guy A. E. , Ozbay Ekmel 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBeing one-atom thick and tunable simultaneously, graphene plays the revolutionizing role in many areas. The focus of this paper is to investigate the modal characteristics of surface waves in structures with graphene in the far-infrared (far-IR) region. We discuss the effects exerted by substrate permittivity on propagation and localization characteristics of surface-plasmon-polaritons (SPPs) in single-layer graphene and theoretically investigate characteristics of the hybridized surface-phonon-plasmon-polaritons (SPPPs) in graphene/LiF/glass heterostructures. First, it is shown how high permittivity of substrate may improve characteristics of graphene SPPs. Next, the possibility of optimization for surface-phonon-polaritons (SPhPs) in waveguides based on LiF, a polar dielectric with a wide polaritonic gap (Reststrahlen band) and a wide range of permittivity variation, is demonstrated. Combining graphene and LiF in one heterostructure allows to keep the advantages of both, yielding tunable hybridized SPPPs which can be either forwardly or backwardly propagating. Owing to high permittivity of LiF below the gap, an almost 3.2-fold enhancement in the figure of merit (FoM), ratio of normalized propagation length to localization length of the modes, can be obtained for SPPPs at 5–9 THz, as compared with SPPs of graphene on conventional glass substrate. The enhancement is efficiently tunable by varying the chemical potential of graphene. SPPPs with characteristics which strongly differ inside and around the polaritonic gap are found.
Polymorphisms of SLCO1B1 rs4149056 and SLC22A1 rs2282143 are associated with responsiveness to acitretin in psoriasis patients
Authors: Chen Wangqing , Zhang Xu , Zhang Wei , Peng Cong , Zhu Wu , Chen Xiang 
Published: August 2018

AbstractAcitretin is widely used to treat psoriasis, but the efficacy varies significantly among individuals. To explore the association between polymorphisms and acitretin efficacy, we enrolled 46 and 105 Chinese Han psoriasis vulgaris patients for discovery and validation phases, respectively. The patients were treated with acitretin (30 mg/day) and calcipotriol ointment for at least 8 weeks, and their genotypes were detected. The wild-type genes and variants were transfected into HEK293 cells, which were then incubated with acitretin. The cellular acitretin concentration was measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. We found that the polymorphisms rs4149056 in the SLCO1B1 gene and rs2282143 in the SLC22A1 gene were associated with efficacy, both in the discovery (P = 0.013 and P = 0.002) and validation phases (P = 0.028 and P = 0.014), based on a 50% reduction from before to after treatment of the psoriasis area severity index (PASI50). When the PASI75 was used as an efficacy cutoff, a similar conclusion was drawn. The uptake of acitretin was lower with the rs4149056C (P = 0.002) and rs2282143T alleles (P = 0.038) than the wild-type alleles. Our results imply that the rs4149056C and rs2282143T variants decrease the acitretin uptake, and significantly associated with clinical effective responsiveness.
Brain imaging reveals covert consciousness during behavioral unresponsiveness induced by propofol
Authors: Huang Zirui , Vlisides Phillip E. , Tarnal Vijaykumar C. , Janke Ellen L. , Keefe Kelley M. , Collins Margaret M. , McKinney Amy M. , Picton Paul , Harris Richard E. , Mashour George A. , Hudetz Anthony G. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractDetecting covert consciousness in behaviorally unresponsive patients by brain imaging is of great interest, but a reproducible model and evidence from independent sources is still lacking. Here we demonstrate the possibility of using general anesthetics in a within-subjects study design to test methods or statistical paradigms of assessing covert consciousness. Using noninvasive neuroimaging in healthy volunteers, we identified a healthy study participant who was able to exhibit the specific fMRI signatures of volitional mental imagery while behaviorally unresponsive due to sedation with propofol. Our findings reveal a novel model that may accelerate the development of new approaches to reproducibly detect covert consciousness, which is difficult to achieve in patients with heterogeneous and sometimes clinically unstable neuropathology.
Functional development of olfactory tubercle domains during weaning period in mice
Authors: Murofushi Wataru , Mori Kensaku , Murata Koshi , Yamaguchi Masahiro 
Published: August 2018

AbstractMammals shift their feeding habits from mother’s milk to environmental foods postnatally. While this weaning process accompanies the acquisition of attractive behaviour toward environmental foods, the underlying neural mechanism for the acquisition is poorly understood. We previously found that adult mouse olfactory tubercle (OT), which belongs to the olfactory cortex and ventral striatum, has functional domains that represent odour-induced motivated behaviours, and that c-fos induction occurs mainly in the anteromedial domain of OT following learned odour-induced food seeking behaviour. To address the question whether the anteromedial OT domain is involved in the postnatal acquisition of food seeking behaviour, we examined OT development during weaning of mice. Whereas at postnatal day 15 (P15), all mice were attracted to lactating mothers, P21 mice were more attracted to familiar food pellets. Mapping of c-fos induction during food seeking and eating behaviours showed that while c-fos activation was observed across wide OT domains at P15, the preferential activation of c-fos in the anteromedial domain occurred at P21 and later ages. These results indicate that preferential c-fos activation in the anteromedial OT domain occurred concomitantly with the acquisition of attractive behaviour toward food, which suggests the importance of this domain in the weaning process.
Protist species richness and soil microbiome complexity increase towards climax vegetation in the Brazilian Cerrado
Authors: de Araujo Ademir Sergio Ferreira , Mendes Lucas William , Lemos Leandro Nascimento , Antunes Jadson Emanuel Lopes , Beserra Jose Evando Aguiar , de Lyra Maria do Carmo Catanho Pereira , Figueiredo Marcia do Vale Barreto , Lopes Ângela Celis de Almeida , Gomes Regina Lucia Ferreira , Bezerra Walderly Melgaço , Melo Vania Maria Maciel , de Araujo Fabio Fernando , Geisen Stefan 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBiodiversity underlies ecosystem functioning. While aboveground biodiversity is often well studied, the belowground microbiome, in particular protists, remains largely unknown. Indeed, holistic insights into soil microbiome structures in natural soils, especially in hyperdiverse biomes such as the Brazilian Cerrado, remain unexplored. Here, we study the soil microbiome across four major vegetation zones of the Cerrado, ranging from grass-dominated to tree-dominated vegetation with a focus on protists. We show that protist taxon richness increases towards the tree-dominated climax vegetation. Early successional habitats consisting of primary grass vegetation host most potential plant pathogens and least animal parasites. Using network analyses combining protist with prokaryotic and fungal sequences, we show that microbiome complexity increases towards climax vegetation. Together, this suggests that protists are key microbiome components and that vegetation succession towards climax vegetation is stimulated by higher loads of animal and plant pathogens. At the same time, an increase in microbiome complexity towards climax vegetation might enhance system stability.
Cross‐pol long‐cable transponder for bistatic ground‐based synthetic aperture radar
Authors: Pieraccini M. , Miccinesi L. 
Published: August 2018

A transponder consisting of two antennas and an amplifier allows a ground‐based synthetic aperture radar to operate as a bistatic system. In such a way, it is able to detect two displacement components of targets in its field of view. An enhanced transponder is proposed. Its special features are (i) cross‐polarised antennas and (ii) antennas separated by a long RF cable (35 m). This transponder is able to provide 82 dB gain without triggering auto‐oscillations. Monostatic and bistatic images have been obtained in an urban scenario.
Konservative Therapiemöglichkeiten bei Osteoporose und osteoporosebedingten Gestaltveränderungen
Authors: Regenspurger Katja , Delank Karl-Stefan 
Published: August 2018

ZusammenfassungOsteoporosebedingte Beschwerden resultieren zum einen aus frischen Wirbelkörperfrakturen und zum anderen aus typischen osteoporotischen Gestaltveränderungen mit zunehmender thorakaler Kyphosierung, Körperlotventralisation und Verschlechterung der posturalen Stabilität. Daraus resultieren Gangstörungen und eine erhöhte Sturzgefährdung. Statische Veränderungen bedingen zudem Veränderungen der Muskelaktivierung mit daraus resultierenden Funktionsstörungen. Zusätzlich besteht eine enge altersbedingte Korrelation zwischen dem Auftreten einer Osteoporose und einer Sarkopenie. Im konservativen Management osteoporosebedingter Beschwerden stehen im Falle von frischen Frakturen die rasche Schmerzlinderung und die schnellstmögliche Mobilisation im Fokus der Bemühungen. Das Management chronischer Schmerzen und funktioneller Defizite erfordert eine multimodale Vorgehensweise mit Bewegungstherapie und Krafttraining mit besonderem Fokus auf posturaler Stabilität, auch als Ganzkörpervibrationstraining, manueller Therapie und physikalischen und medikamentösen Maßnahmen der Schmerztherapie unter Beachtung von biopsychosozialen Zusammenhängen.
Ramadan Observance during Pregnancy in Germany: a Challenge for Prenatal Care
Authors: Leimer Birgit , Pradella Fabienne , Fruth Anja , Queißer Annette , van Ewijk Reyn 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
Introduction Fasting during Ramadan while pregnant has been shown to have long-term negative effects on the offspringʼs physical and cognitive health. Even though most Muslims do not believe pregnant women are obligated to fast during Ramadan, fasting rates of up to 87% have been reported for pregnant women. No data exists to date about Ramadan adherence and behavior in Germany.
Methods The Mainz Study of Ramadan and Pregnancy surveyed pregnant Muslims and new Muslim mothers in Mainz between October 2016 and January 2017 and collected information on Ramadan adherence and behavior. We also collected data on personal characteristics and opinions, to identify determinants of fasting using statistical analysis.
Results We found that 43% of pregnant Muslim women fasted at least one day during Ramadan 2016. Women who fasted were significantly younger and less educated. There was no significant difference in terms of country of origin between those women who fasted and those who did not. Only 49% of women who fasted and 38% of women who did not fast discussed their Ramadan behavior with their doctor. Less than 2% of women reported being proactively approached by their doctor.
Conclusion To ensure that pregnant Muslim women living in Germany can make their fasting decision based on objective information, it is necessary to raise awareness about Ramadan fasting during pregnancy among medical professionals in Germany.
A Novel Technique for Mapping the Vascularity of Labia Minora Prior to Labiaplasty: Cold Light Illumination
Authors: Kaya Aski , Dogan Ozan , Yassa Murat , Basbug Alper , Çalışkan Eray 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
Objective Aim of the study was to assess the feasibility of a novel technique to determine the vascularity of labia minora prior to labiaplasty.
Methods A cold light source employed in laparoscopic procedures was used to illuminate the outer surface of the labia minora as described in this prospective descriptive study.
Results Of the patients, 46.1% (n = 41) had upper third prominence, 36% (n = 32) had middle third prominence, and 18% (n = 16) had lower third prominence according to the Banwell classification of morphologies. Right labia minora width was 0 – 2 cm in 51.7% (n = 46), 2 – 4 cm in 47.2% (n = 42) and > 4 cm in 1.1% (n = 1) of cases. Left labia minora width was 0 – 2 cm in 52.8% (n = 47), 2 – 4 cm in 41.6% (n = 37) and > 4 cm in 5.6% (n = 5) of cases. The incidence of Anterior 2 and Posterior 1 vessels in the different morphologies were statistically significantly different (p = 0.007, p = 0.018). The Anterior 2 vessel was higher in the lower morphology group whereas the Posterior 1 vessel was higher in the upper morphology group. A central vessel was observed in 93.3% (n = 83) of patients in the left labium minus and the right labium minus. The incidence of the Posterior 1 vessel was significantly higher in the left labium minus than in the right labium minus (p = 0.021).
Discussion This novel technique to assess labial vascularity using a cold light source could be very useful to reduce dehiscence by avoiding excessive resection of highly vascularized tissue. Most units can easily access a cold light source, which can be used to assess labial vascularity prior to labiaplasty.
The impact of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of lymph nodes on subsequent positron emission tomography/computed tomography imaging: a prospective study
Authors: Bjerring Ole , Hess Søren , Fristrup Claus , Høilund-Carlsen Poul , Mortensen Michael 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
Background Modern cancer diagnostic work-up is based on multiple modalities within a short
time period. The interplay between these modalities is complex and not well known. Performing biopsy procedures prior to (18)F-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is considered to pose a risk of false-positive imaging results; however, this is not based on solid scientific evidence. The use of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is commonly used in upper gastrointestinal malignancies, is proven safe, and has very little risk of complications. This study aimed to assess whether EUS-FNA induces inflammation that would increase FDG uptake on subsequent PET/CT.
Methods 27 patients who were referred for upper gastrointestinal EUS for different reasons initially underwent FDG-PET/CT to detect biopsy-eligible lymph nodes with no FDG uptake. Patients then underwent EUS-FNA of the benign lymph nodes, with a minimum of three passes. Patients were re-evaluated with FDG-PET/CT 1 week later, with specific emphasis on the biopsied lymph nodes.
Results None of the biopsied lymph nodes showed increased FDG uptake on follow-up FDG-PET/CT. No adverse events occurred.
Conclusion EUS-FNA prior to FDG-PET/CT did not lead to false-positive FDG uptake. The interpretive impact of minor procedures prior to FDG-PET/CT needs to be re-evaluated.
A 21st Century Embarrassment of Riches: The Balance Between Health Data Access, Usage, and Sharing
Authors: Holmes John , Soualmia Lina , Séroussi Brigitte 
Published: August 2018

Objectives: To provide an introduction to the 2018 International Medical Informatics Association (IMIA) Yearbook by the editors.
Methods: This editorial provides an overview and introduction to the 2018 IMIA Yearbook which special topic is: “Between access and privacy: Challenges in sharing health data”. The special topic editors and section are discussed, and the new section of the 2018 Yearbook, Cancer Informatics, is introduced. Changes in the Yearbook editorial team are also described.
Results: With the exponential burgeoning of health-related data, and attendant demands for sharing and using these data, the special topic for 2018 is noteworthy for its timeliness. Data sharing brings responsibility for preservation of data privacy, and for this, patient perspectives are of paramount importance in understanding how patients view their health data and how their privacy should be protected.
Conclusion: With the increase in availability of health-related data from many different sources and contexts, there is an urgent need for informaticians to become aware of their role in maintaining the balance between data sharing and privacy.
Visions for IAHSI, the International Academy of Health Sciences Informatics
Authors: Haux Reinhold 
Published: August 2018

SummaryThese visions for IAHSI, the newly founded International Academy of Health Sciences Informatics (“the Academy”), include the following principles, in order of descending priority: (1) The Academy should attempt to contribute to the health of the people in our world, (2) the Academy should be engaged in advising governments and organizations on developing health and science through informatics, (3) the Academy should stimulate progress in informatics research, education, and practice, (4) Academy members should share and exchange knowledge, (5) the Academy's structure and organization should follow the tradition of scientific societies, (6) Academy membership is one of the highest honors in informatics internationally, (7) the Academy should meet where the International Medical Informatics Association meets, and (8) the Academy's structure and organization should be lean and unbiased. These visions have been put forward for discussion specifically but not exclusively to the inaugural class of the Academy, organized at the 2018 Medical Informatics Europe conference, with its distinguished members.
Consumer Health Informatics Adoption among Underserved Populations: Thinking beyond the Digital Divide
Authors: Huh Jina , Koola Jejo , Contreras Alejandro , Castillo Alanah , Ruiz Melissa , Tedone Keely , Yakuta Melissa , Schiaffino Melody 
Published: August 2018

Objectives: Underserved populations can benefit from consumer health informatics (CHI) that promotes self-management at a lower cost. However, prior literature suggested that the digital divide and low motivation constituted barriers to CHI adoption. Despite increased Internet use, underserved populations continue to show slow CHI uptake. The aim of the paper is to revisit barriers and facilitators that may impact CHI adoption among underserved populations.
Methods: We surveyed the past five years of literature. We searched PubMed for articles published between 2012 and 2017 that describe empirical evaluations involving CHI use by underserved populations. We abstracted and summarized data about facilitators and barriers impacting CHI adoption.
Results: From 645 search results, after abstract and full-text screening, 13 publications met the inclusion criteria of identifying barriers to and facilitators of underserved populations' CHI adoption. Contrary to earlier literature, the studies suggested that the motivation to improve health literacy and adopt technology was high among studied populations. Beyond the digital divide, barriers included: low health and computer literacy, challenges in accepting the presented information, poor usability, and unclear content. Factors associated with increased use were: user needs for information, user-access mediated by a proxy person, and early user engagement in system design.
Conclusions: While the digital divide remains a barrier, newer studies show that high motivation for CHI use exists. However, simply gaining access to technology is not sufficient to improve adoption unless CHI technology is tailored to address user needs. Future interventions should consider building larger empirical evidence on identifying CHI barriers and facilitators.
PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF REACTIVE AND NON-REACTIVE PLASMINOGEN ACTIVATOR INHIBITOR-1 (PAI-1) FROM HUMAN PLACENTA
Authors: Philips M , Juul A G , Thorsen S , Selmer J , Thim L 
Published: August 2018

Reactive and non-reactive forms of PAI-1 have been identified in various biological materials. The structural differences between these forms remain to be determined.A monoclonal antibody specific for a non-reactive PAI-1 and a monoclonal antibody reacting with both the reactive and nonreactive form of the inhibitor were obtained by immunization with a tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA)-PAI-1 complex (Philips et al., Thromb Haemostas 1986; 55:213-7). These antibodies were used for the isolation of reactive and non-reactive PAI-1 by solid-phase immunoadsorption from extracts of human placenta. The inhibitor preparations were further purified by HPLC. Reactive and non-reactive PAI-1 both migrated with a Mr ∼ 52,000 when analyzed by SDS-PAGE. Furthermore, the two inhibitor forms were indistinguishable by N-terminal sequence analysis. Two N-terminal sequences were found in about equal ammounts for both the reactive and non-reactive PAI-1. They were Ser-Ala-Val-His-His-Pro-Pro- and a two residues shorter sequence (Val-His-His-Pro-Pro-). These sequences are in agreement with the published cDNA sequence of PAI-1 and shows that the inhibitor is N-terminally heterogeneously processed. The second order rate constant (ki) for the reaction between reactive PAI-1 and single-chain t-PA was about 6 106 M-1s-1. Treatment with 4 M guanidinium-HCl partially converted the non-reactive PAI-1 to a reactive form exhibiting a similar k1 for inhibition of single-chain t-PA. SDS-PAGE showed that the t-PA-PAI-1 complex could be dissociated by 1,5 M NH4OH/ 39 mM SDS resulting in the release of a PAI-1 with approximately the same Mr as native PAI-1. This indicates either that t-PA does not cleave the inhibitor or that it cleaves a peptide bond close to the C-terminus.In conclusion a non-reactive and a reactive form of PAI-1 can be purified from placenta. The two forms are distinguishable by monoclonal antibodies but they show similar Mr′ls and the same N-terminal sequences.
DETERMINATION OF INTERMEDIATES, PRODUCTS AND CLEAVAGE SITE IN THE REACTION BETWEEN PLASMINOGEN ACTIVATOR INHIBITOR 2 (PAI 2) AND UROKINASES
Authors: Kiso U , Kaudewitz H , Henschen A , Åstedt B , Kruithof E K O , Bachmann F 
Published: August 2018

Several specific inhibitors for both urokinase-type and tissue-type plasminogen activators have in recent years been isolated from various organs and cell lines. The inhibitors isolated from human placenta and from the human histiocytic lymphoma cell line U-937 have been shown to be immunologically related.They are denoted as plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 (PAI 2). It has earlier been demonstrated by gel electrophoresis that during the inhibition reaction at first complexes are formed between activator and inhibitor and then the inhibitor is cleaved and the complex can be dissociated.In the present study the reactions between urokinase aijd PAI 2 were analysed by means of reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and SDS-polyacrylamide gelelectrophoresis (PAGE). Both high-molecular-weight (54 kDa) and low-molecular weight (33 kDa) urokinase (UK) were used. The PAI 2 was derived from placenta and from U-937 cells. It has a molecular size of L5 kDa. Equimolar amounts of UK and PAI 2 were incubated for 15 min at room temperature. On HPLC and SDS-PAGE analysis new components, corresponding to the UK-PAI 2-complexes, appeared and both UK and PAI 2 disappeared. The apparent sizes of the complexes were approx. 82 kDa and 62 kDa, depending on the type of UK used. The HPLC retention times of the complexes were higher than those of UK or PAI 2. The complexes were stable under the conditions employed for the analyses, but could be completely dissociated by incubation for 1 h at pH 10 and 37°. The released UK behaved identical with the UK starting material. However, the released PAI 2 had decreased in molecular size according to the PAGE analysis, and on HPLC an additional component appeared. As PAI 2 has a blocked N-terminus and the new component shows an N-terminal sequence it must correspond to the C-terminal part of PAI 2. The sequence defines thus the reactive site for the cleavage by the plasminogen activator.