bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mast Cell Proteases as Key Clinical Markers and New Targets for Drug Development in Allergic Disease: Implications for Anti-Doping Policy
Authors: Goda Sayed K , Al-Yafei Afrah , Al Sulaiti Haya , Kyyaly Araf , Alsayrafi Mohammed , Walls Andrew 
Published: July 2019

There have been dramatic increases in the prevalence of allergic conditions throughout the world. Until recently conditions such as allergic asthma and rhinitis, and life-threatening anaphylaxis were relatively rare in Qatar and the Gulf states, but the proportion of the population affected now seem to be approaching the high levels of many Western countries. There is a pressing need for better means for effective diagnosis, for the prediction of those who are at risk of serious reactions and for new treatments.Our studies focus on the mast cell, a cell type of pivotal importance in mediating allergic disease. Mast cells release a range of potent proteases and other mediators of inflammation. Three unique mast cell proteases, carboxypeptidase, tryptase and chymase may be valuable as markers for anaphylaxis; and even in asymptomatic subjects serum concentrations may be related to susceptibility to severe reactions. We propose to evaluate specific immunoassays for these enzymes as new laboratory tests.These three genes encoding the three proteases have been codon optimized and synthesized for maximum expression in either E. coli or Pichia pastoris.The carboxypeptidase A was sub cloned and overexpressed in E. coli using the pET28a. Two variants of human mast cell Tryptase and two variants of human mast cell Chymase were sub cloned into Pichia pasoris vectors pPIC9 or pPICZ alpha for expression.Native proteases have also been produced from human lung mast cell.Molecular characterizations of the three recombinant proteases are being done.The potential for these three proteases as a novel target for therapeutic intervention in allergic disease will be carefully assessed. As drugs taken for allergic conditions are have attracted attention for their potential to lead to enhanced performance in athletes, the studies should be of relevance in the formulation of anti-doping policy.
Reversal of Right Ventricular Hypertrophy and Dysfunction by Treprostinil in a Rat Model of Severe Angioproliferative Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Al Ghouleh Imad 
Published: July 2019

PurposePulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a devastating cardiovascular disease of the pulmonary vasculature that remains poorly understood. Despite a number of available FDA approved drugs, survival remains low, reaching an estimated 5-year survival as low as 27%. This severe disease is characterized by dysfunction and eventual failure of the right ventricle (RV) of the heart. The main focus of therapeutic strategies thus far has been to target the pathways of pulmonary vascular remodeling that lead to the hypertensive phenotype. It is not known however, if there is an added therapeutic benefit in targeting the RV directly. Prostacyclin analogues are among the most widely used therapies for PAH. However, it is unknown whether they confer protection exclusively via attenuating pulmonary vascular remodeling and constriction or if RV myocardio-specific mechanisms are also involved. Moreover, their use in severe models of PAH has not been adequately tested. Insight into these two major unknowns could not only blaze the trail of new effective therapies for PAH to improve survival, but would also open new avenues for targeting other major forms of heart failure. To address gaps in knowledge of the underlying responses to prostacyclin, the analogue treprostinil was used in a pre-clinical rat Sugen-hypoxia (SuHx) model of angioproliferative severe PAH that closely resembles the human disease.MethodsMale Sprague-Dawley rats (300g) were implanted with ALZET osmotic pumps containing vehicle or treprostinil (900 ng/kg/min), injected concurrently with a bolus of Sugen (SU5416; 20 mg/Kg) and exposed to 3 wk hypoxia (10% O2) followed by 3 wk normoxia (21% O2). RV function was assessed using pressure-volume loops measured using an admittance catheter and hypertrophy assessed by Fulton Index (FI; RV/LV+Septum wet weight).ResultsTreprostinil significantly reduced SuHx-associated RV hypertrophy and rise in systolic pressure (FI: 0.26 ± 0.02, 0.58 ± 0.04 & 0.37 ± 0.05, P
Body Mass Index and Pattern of Diabetes in Qatar – A Retrospective Study of 529 Patients with Obesity
Authors: Sharma Manik , Al Kaabi Saad , Singh Rajvir 
Published: July 2019

BackgroundQatar ranks among the top countries with highest prevalence of diabetes and obesity. Obesity is generally measured by a Body mass index (BMI). BMI has been found to be independent risk factor for development of diabetes. Also, diabetes when associated with obesity leads not only to its poor control but also causes increased long-term complications from diabetes.AimTo delineate the pattern of obesity among residents of Qatar and to classify them as per World Health Organization criteria. Secondary objectives included assessing the pattern of diabetes with increasing body mass index.MethodAll consecutive obese adult patients attending pre-surgical screening endoscopy clinic over an 18 months period were included. Patients under 14 years of age and those who had previous surgical treatment were excluded. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as per standard criteria [weight (Kg)/Height (meters) 2] and was then classified as per World Health Organization criteria. Overweight, Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3 obesity was defined as BMI more than >25, >30, >35 and >40 respectively. Diabetes was defined as fasting plasma glucose ≥ 7 mmol/l. All patients underwent gastroduodenoscopy to assess the presence of helicobacter infection and evidence of mucosal inflammation prior to surgical treatment of obesity.ResultsA total of 529 patients with a mean age of 36.8 years were included 31.4% of obese patients were in 15–30 year age group. The mean weight, height and BMI were 123.6 Kg, 1.65 meters and 45.2 respectively. Overweight, Type I, II and III obesity was seen in 3 (0.6%), 30 (5.6%), 95(17.8%) and 401 (76%) patients respectively. Overall 34.5% had associated comorbid diseases. Type 2 Diabetes were seen in 11.1% of the patients. Diabetes was seen in 0%, 26.7%, 8.4% and 6.7% in overweight, Type I, Type II, Type III obesity respectively. Diabetes was significantly lower among very severely obese patients (Type III) as compared to those with overweight, moderately and severely obese patients (Overweight, Type I and II) (27/401, 6.7% versus 16/84,19% p = . 03).No correlation was found related to age, sex or helicobacter infection.ConclusionsAmong the residents of Qatar, 11% of obese patients were found to have diabetes. The highest prevalence of diabetes was seen in people with BMI of 25–30 (type 1 obese people). Diabetes prevalence did not increase with increasing obesity.
Governing the Ethical Conduct of Health Research: A Systematic Model in the State of Qatar
Authors: Sadoun Eman T 
Published: July 2019

Learning ObjectivesQatar systematic model for governing the ethical conduct of health research in Qatar 2. The inclusion of core Islamic ethical principles in the current regulatory policies. 3. Promulgation of existing regulations into a health research Governance law. Qatar-Research In recent years, Qatar has placed a great emphasis on education and research. The country has embarked on an ambitious national research program to build a knowledge-based economy.Qatar-Research GovernanceThe Supreme Council of Health (“SCH”) has the highest authority in health care services and research governance. The mission of the Research Department (RD) at SCH is to ensure that research is carried out with the highest scientific and ethical standards in order to provide high quality research directed at improving the effectiveness and quality of health care. The Research Department at SCH has been successful in setting forth a research governance model to enable ethical and scientifically robust research practices, in protecting research participants through processes and guidelines, and in detecting research misconduct through systematic auditing SCH systematic model of research governance Establishment of Qatar National Research Ethics Committee (QNREC) Development of national policies and regulations Coducting an auditing program to ensure IRB compliance with SCH regulations Initiating a legislative act for human subject protection law Research Governance Challenges: Localization of regulations. The core Islamic ethical principles such as equity; consent; privacy; ownership; intervention; and public benefit, need to be embedded in the national health research's regulations and policies.ConclusionResearch regulation in Qatar overcomes the challenge of adapting international regulations by customizing its regulations according to cultural and religious concerns. Via stakeholder exchange mechanism, small-scale panels, and open public seminars, critical remarks have been raised and proposed plans for future actions have been established. A research governance law has been developed to implement the regulations and to ensure safety and wellbeing of research participants is in place.
El Montepio General de Economía de los Servidores del Estado y el Imperio Brasileño (1835/1883)
Authors: Saraiva Luiz Fernando , Almico Rita de Cássia da Silva 
Published: July 2019

El artículo aborda la evolución del Montepío General de Economía de los Servidores del Estado desde su creación, en 1835, hasta su primera gran crisis, en 1883, cuando el Estado intervino para mantener su funcionamiento. En esta trayectoria, vamos a discutir algunas características de los modelos de asociativismo de la sociedad brasileña y el papel ejercido por el Estado en ese proceso, tanto en relación al montepío que es objeto principal de ese artículo, cuanto a otras instituciones de la misma naturaleza asociativa.
The article approaches the subject of the evolution of the General Economic Montepio of the State Servers since its creation, in 1835, until its first great crisis, in 1883, when the State intervened to maintain its operation. In this trajectory, we intend to discuss some characteristics of the associativism models in the Brazilian society and the role played by the State in this process, both in relation to the montepio, that is the main object of this article, as well as the others institutions of the same associative nature.
L’Algérie, de l’émigration ouvrière a la mobilité des compétences a la lumière de la globalisation ? Logiques et déterminants de mobilités transnationales
Authors: Hadibi Zahir 
Published: July 2019

Le présent article repose sur une restitution des discours d’une poignée d’universitaires algériens ayant choisi l’émigration comme un chemin de vie. Il s’agit d’investiguer sur les motivations, trajectoires et raisons profondes qui exhortent ces jeunes à construire des projets de vie sous d’autres cieux. Après une vue rétrospective sur la configuration de la migration algérienne durant son histoire contemporaine, nous comptons analyser les récits d’un collectif d’étudiants en faisant des recoupements de leurs motivations partagées de vouloir émigrer pour la réalisabilité de leurs postérités, pour ce faire, nous nous sommes appuyés sur la théorie « push pull » pour recenser les facteurs répulsifs et attractifs comme des déterminants du processus migratoire.
Este artículo se basa sobre una restitución de los discursos de un puñado de universitarios argelinos que han elegido la emigración como un camino de vida, se trata de investigar sobre las motivaciones, las trayectorias y las razones profundas que instan a estos jóvenes a construir proyectos de vida bajo otros cielos. Después de una mirada retrospectiva de la configuración de la emigración argelina durante su historia contemporánea, contamos analizar las historias de un colectivo de estudiantes haciendo cruzamientos de sus motivaciones compartidas y deseos de emigrar para la realizabilidad de su posteridad, para hacerlo, nos apoyamos sobre la teoría «push pull» para identificar los factores repulsivos y atractivos como determinantes del proceso migratorio.De hecho, estos jóvenes universitarios están enfrentados a un entorno carente de perspectivas en sus países de origen, pero no solo eso. se proyectan en un país de acogida para su concretización y afirmación en un intento de superación de la frontera simbólica y física entre los dos mundos, el de origen y de acogida.
This article is based on a presentation from several academics’ speeches who have chosen emigration as a way of life. It aims to investigate the motivations, trajectories and reasons that urge these young people to build another life overseas. After a retrospective view on the configuration of Algerian emigration during its contemporary history, we intend to analyse the stories of a group of students by linking their shared motivations and wish to emigrate. In order to do this, we relied on the push pull theory to identify positive and negative factors as determinants of the migration process. Indeed, these young academics are confronted with a lack of prospects in their countries of origin, but not only that. They project themselves into a host country attempting to integrate and overcome the symbolic and physical border between the two worlds; the one of origin and the host country.
Characterization and Application of New Apatitic Materials Synthesized from Hahotoé-Kpogamé Phosphate Rock
Authors: Zounon Dodji , Koriko Moursalou , Kodom Tomkouani , Tchegueni Sanonka , Tchangbedji Gado 
Published: July 2019

Aims: Phosphorus and phosphate are broadly used in many areas ranging from advance researches to manufacturing companies for regular use purposes. In Togo, the raw phosphate is exploited and exported to serve as an ingredient in chemical fertilizers, detergents, phosphoric acid synthesis, etc. The aim of the present work is an investigation of alternative valuation of the raw phosphate of Hahotoé-Kpogamé in Togo.
Methodology: The study consists of the transformation of the raw phosphate into hydroxyapatite by dissolution followed by a precipitation. The hydroxyapatite thus obtained can be used, for example as a conditioning matrix of industrial waste, as a catalyst support, or for the depollution of water etc. The characterization was carried out by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction, Thermogravimetric Analysis coupled to Thermal Differential Analysis and Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy.
Results: These analyses revealed that the materials are predominantly of non-stoichiometric hydroxyapatite and minority of phosphate tricalcium and impurities. The synthesized materials (calcined and uncalcined) were applied as adsorbent and as coadsorbent of a photocatalyst (TiO2) for methylene blue removal. The study of the adsorption of the methylene blue was carried out in a batch mode. The adsorption of methylene blue on the synthesized materials gave a low yield (15 to 20%). However, used as in the mixture with titanium dioxide, the adsorption rate of methylen blue was increased significantly (57% of removal rate with 0.5 g synthesized materials + 2 g of TiO2 P25).
Conclusion: uncalcined hydroxyapatite obtained from raw phosphate can be used as an efficient co-adsorbent of titanium dioxide leading to an alternative valorization of this natural phosphate.
The influence of the thermal modification of pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) wood on the creation of fine dust particles in plane milling
Authors: Piernik Magdalena , Rogoziński Tomasz , Krauss Andrzej , Pinkowski Grzegorz 
Published: July 2019

Abstract

Objectives
The aim of the study was to determine the effect of parameters of the thermal modification process and machining on the size distribution of dust particles of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) generated during lengthwise milling.

Method
Unmodified wood and thermally modified wood at temperatures of 130, 160, 190, and 220°C were milled lengthwise at cutting depths of 0.5 and 2 mm. Particle size analysis was done using the sieving method. The content of the finest particles was measured using the laser diffraction method.

Results
The results indicate that at smaller cutting depths, more smaller particles were formed regardless of the wood modification temperature. Thermal treatment of wood does not cause significant differences in the general particle size distribution of dust. However, the content of the finest dust particles depends on the temperature of wood modification. When machined, wood thermally modified at higher temperatures results in the formation of more dust particles that may pose health risks to employees. This is particularly noticeable at a smaller cutting depth.

Conclusion
With the increase of the temperature of the modification, the share of the finest dust particles, which are a potential threat to the health of employees, increases. To reduce dust emissions during milling of thermally modified wood, the highest possible cutting depth should be used.
Three IMRT advanced planning tools: A multi‐institutional side‐by‐side comparison
Authors: Lu Lan , Sheng Yang , Donaghue Jeremy , Liu Shen Zhilei , Kolar Matt , Wu Q. Jackie , Xia Ping 
Published: July 2019

AbstractPurposeTo assess three advanced radiation therapy treatment planning tools on the intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) quality and consistency when compared to the clinically approved plans, referred as manual plans, which were planned without using any of these advanced planning tools.Materials and MethodsThree advanced radiation therapy treatment planning tools, including auto‐planning, knowledge‐based planning, and multiple criteria optimization, were assessed on 20 previously treated clinical cases. Three institutions participated in this study, each with expertise in one of these tools. The twenty cases were retrospectively selected from Cleveland Clinic, including five head‐and‐neck (HN) cases, five brain cases, five prostate with pelvic lymph nodes cases, and five spine cases. A set of general planning objectives and organs‐at‐risk (OAR) dose constraints for each disease site from Cleveland Clinic was shared with other two institutions. A total of 60 IMRT research plans (20 from each institution) were designed with the same beam configuration as in the respective manual plans. For each disease site, detailed isodoseline distributions and dose volume histograms for a randomly selected representative case were compared among the three research plans and manual plan. In addition, dosimetric endpoints of five cases for each site were compared.ResultsCompared to the manual plans, the research plans using advanced tools showed substantial improvement for the HN patient cases, including the maximum dose to the spinal cord and brainstem and mean dose to the parotid glands. For the brain, prostate, and spine cases, the four types of plans were comparable based on dosimetric endpoint comparisons.ConclusionWith minimal planner interventions, advanced treatment planning tools are clinically useful, producing a plan quality similarly to or better than manual plans, improving plan consistency. For difficult cases such as HN cancer, advanced planning tools can further reduce radiation doses to numerous OARs while delivering adequate dose to the tumor targets.
Single‐Crystalline Perovskite Microlasers for High‐Contrast and Sub‐Diffraction Imaging
Authors: Wang Kaiyang , Wang Shuai , Xiao Shumin , Zhang Nan , Wang Yujie , Yang Wenhong , Wang Yuhan , Zhang Chen , Sun Wenzhao , Song Qinghai 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBottom‐up synthesized single‐crystalline micro‐ and nanolasers have been intensively studied in past decades. While the potential of single‐crystalline lasers in integrated photonics has been seriously considered for years, their device performances are restricted by the scattering loss. Here, in contrast to the utilization of Q‐factor or laser linewidth, the ultrasmooth surfaces of lead halide perovskite microplate lasers are exploited and their potential in subdiffraction limit imaging is explored for the first time. The nanostructures on the surface of the microplate can effectively scatter the evanescent waves and make the corresponding subwavelength spatial information detectable at far field. With the assistance of perovskite microlasers, a 41 nm nanogap and complex nanostructures are resolved with a conventional microscope. Meanwhile, more than 1000 determinants within the lasing are imaged simultaneously and the image contrast is further improved by the amplification of perovskite microlasers. This work shall revolutionize the applications of single‐crystalline microlasers and subdiffraction limit imaging techniques.
Natural Polymer‐Based Hydrogels with Enhanced Mechanical Performances: Preparation, Structure, and Property
Authors: Bao Ziting , Xian Caihong , Yuan Qijuan , Liu Guiting , Wu Jun 
Published: July 2019

AbstractHydrogels based on natural polymers have bright application prospects in biomedical fields due to their outstanding biocompatibility and biodegradability. However, the poor mechanical performances of pure natural polymer‐based hydrogels greatly limit their application prospects. Recently, a variety of strategies has been applied to prepare natural polymer‐based hydrogels with enhanced mechanical properties, which generally exhibit stiffening, strengthening, and stretchable behaviors. This article summarizes the recent progress of natural polymer‐based hydrogels with enhanced mechanical properties. From a structure point of view, four kinds of hydrogel are reviewed; double network hydrogels, nanocomposite hydrogels, click chemistry‐based hydrogels, and supramolecular hydrogels. For each typical hydrogel, its preparation, structure, and mechanical performance are introduced in detail. At the end of this article, the current challenges and future prospects of hydrogels based on natural polymers are discussed and it is pointed out that 3D printing may offer a new platform for the development of natural polymer‐based hydrogels.
Directed Microwave‐Assisted Self‐Assembly of Au–Graphene–Au Plasmonic Dimers for SERS Applications
Authors: Ghosh Priyadarshini , Paria Debadrita , Balasubramanian Krishna , Ghosh Ambarish , Narayanan Ravishankar , Raghavan Srinivasan 
Published: July 2019

AbstractNoble metal dimers with sub‐nanometer separation support strong electromagnetic field enhancement which has practical applications in surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), photodetection, and photocatalysis. Monolayer graphene is an excellent spacer material to practically realize uniform separation between the dimers. Here, directed microwave‐assisted self‐assembly of Au nanoparticle dimers is reported, separated by graphene monolayer over 1 cm2 substrates. Detailed analytical models of Au particle formation kinetics explain the experimentally observed control of the density and selectivity of the dimer formation. SERS substrates with 7 × 106 cm−2 of Au–Graphene–Au dimers are obtained which yield a 35‐fold increase in the Raman spectral signal of graphene from a single dimer, and an enhancement factor in intensity per molecule of 107 allows ppb level detection of Rhodamine 6G. A system of such dimers can provide an efficient, reliable, and inexpensive solution for many nanophotonic applications that require ultrahigh field confinement, such as SERS and photodetection.