bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lower sperm quality and testicular and epididymal structural impairment in adult rats exposed to rosuvastatin during prepuberty
Authors: Leite Gabriel Adan Araújo , Sanabria Marciana , Cavariani Marilia Martins , Anselmo‐Franci Janete Aparecida , Pinheiro Patrícia Fernanda Felipe , Domeniconi Raquel Fantin , Kempinas Wilma De Grava 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe increase of obesity, bad eating habits and the lack of physical exercises are highly related to dyslipidemias. Rosuvastatin is a lipid‐lowering drug and has been indicated to prevent cardiovascular diseases and to treat dyslipidemias due to its higher efficiency to reduce serum cholesterol concentrations. This study aimed to evaluate the reproductive adverse effects on sexual maturity due to rosuvastatin exposure in juvenile male rats during prepuberty. Three groups were randomly formed with newly weaned rats: control, whose rats received saline solution 0.9% and rosuvastatin at doses of 3 or 10 mg kg–1 day–1, administered orally by gavage, from postnatal day 21 until preputial separation (average of 45 days for controls and 49 days for statin‐treated animals), indicative of puberty onset. Male rats were maintained until sexual maturity and were killed on postnatal day 110. In the rosuvastatin‐treated groups, the results showed diminished follicle‐stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and testosterone concentrations, increased estradiol and prolactin concentrations, histopathologic alterations on testis and epididymis and decreased sperm quality. Moreover, statin‐exposed groups showed decreased expression of androgen receptor on testis and epididymis and lower expression of aquaporin‐9 on epididymal epithelium. In conclusion, administration of rosuvastatin to prepubertal male rats provoked long‐term hormonal deregulation and impaired reproduction at adulthood.
Construction of bionic tissue engineering cartilage scaffold based on three‐dimensional printing and oriented frozen technology
Authors: Xu Yuanyuan , Guo Xiao , Yang Shuaitao , Li Long , Zhang Peng , Sun Wei , Liu Changyong , Mi Shengli 
Published: February 2018

AbstractArticular cartilage (AC) has gradient features in both mechanics and histology as well as a poor regeneration ability. The repair of AC poses difficulties in both research and the clinic. In this paper, a gradient scaffold based on poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA)‐extracellular matrix was proposed. Cartilage scaffolds with a three‐layer gradient structure were fabricated by PLGA through three‐dimensional printing, and the microstructure orientation and pore fabrication were made by decellularized extracellular matrix injection and directional freezing. The manufactured scaffold has a mechanical strength close to that of real cartilage. A quantitative optimization of the Young's modulus and shear modulus was achieved by material mechanics formulas, which achieved a more accurate mechanical bionic and a more stable interface performance because of the one‐time molding process. At the same time, the scaffolds have a bionic and gradient microstructure orientation and pore size, and the stratification ratio can be quantitatively optimized by design of the freeze box and temperature simulation. In general, this paper provides a method to optimize AC scaffolds by both mechanics and histology as well as a bionic multimaterial scaffold. This paper is of significance for cell culture and clinical transplantation experiments. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 1664–1676, 2018.
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Biologics for Inflammatory Bowel Disease: An Answer to Optimized Treatment?
Authors: Hoseyni Hannah , Xu Yan , Zhou Honghui 
Published: February 2018

AbstractTherapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), or the measurement of drug concentrations in blood and antidrug antibodies, for biologic therapies used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an area of growing interest within the IBD community. When there is a definable relationship between drug concentration and clinical effect, blood concentration of biologics (and antidrug antibodies assessment) could be used to predict patient response and to titrate the biologics to maximize therapeutic benefit. This dose individualization has been proven to be more efficacious and cost‐effective than empiric dose adjustment and can better guide therapeutic decisions regarding therapy withdrawal or switch. Appropriate implementation and interpretation of drug concentration measurement in TDM are essential to ensure full clinical benefit. Factors that need to be considered include sources of variability, timing of blood sampling, dosing history, analytical performance, immunogenicity, comedications, and clinical status of the patients. Desired target concentrations for biologics used in IBD have not been clearly determined yet. Published concentration thresholds differed widely for a given biologic, indicating a lack of consistent information. Factors other than drug concentration that may contribute to the dose‐response variation are largely missing in the current TDM setting. A target range is likely preferable to a single value for TDM of biologics in IBD, and additional prospective research needs to be conducted in order to establish these ranges. Moving forward, TDM may be combined with pharmacodynamic end points and modeling and simulation tools for improved therapeutic benefit in IBD.
Comparison of ZnO nanofillers of different shapes on physical, thermal and gas transport properties of PEBA membrane: experimental testing and molecular simulation
Authors: Asghari Morteza , Sheikh Mahdi , Dehghani Mostafa 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDPEBA and nano‐ZnO have been discussed for membrane modification and for gas separation in different studies and in mixed matrix membranes (i.e. PEBA/TiO2, PE/ZnO); however, no report has been published on the gas transport properties of ZnO/PEBA hybrid membranes.RESULTSMolecular simulation and experimental approaches were done using PEBA 1657 mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) loaded with ZnO nanorod‐ and nanosphere shaped nanomaterials at 0.5 wt% and 1 wt% loading to investigate the gas separation properties of these MMMs. Structural characterizationwas carried out by FESEM, AFM, BET and FTIR on synthesized membranes, and FFV and WAXD on the simulated membrane cells to study their structural properties. Thermal analysis was carried out by TGA, DMTA and calculation of the glass transition temperature to investigate the thermal properties of the MMMs. The results showed that the addition of ZnO filler significantly improved both the physical and thermal properties of the MMMs based on the characterization tests. The transport properties of the MMMs for three single light gas molecules (CO2, CH4and N2) were investigated using experimental set‐up testing (permeability and selectivity), and also by molecular dynamic and Monte Carlo approaches in molecular simulation (diffusivity and solubility). The addition of ZnO nanomaterials in both shapes to the polymeric membrane significantly increased the transport properties; for example, CO2permeability increased from 120 for membrane without nanomaterial to 135 barrer for membrane with 0.5 wt% of nanosphere ZnO and 157 barrer for membrane with 0.5 wt% nanorod ZnO.CONCLUSIONThe permeability of CH4and N2gases into all samples showed no significant change with an increase in pressure or ZnO loading which is likely due to the penetration paths in the membranes. The membrane with 1 wt% ZnO nanorods had the best performance in the Robeson upper bound 2008 diagram. This sample is thus suggested for industrial development. The simulation results showed a similar trend for the membranes and gas molecules, with an error of 25% to 65% from experimental results. We conclude that the PEBA/1 wt% ZnO nanorods membrane could be an ideal solid polymer membrane for gas separation applications. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Preparation and preliminary in vivo evaluation of 166Ho‐labeled microspheres for possible use in radioembolic therapy of liver cancer
Authors: Subramanian Suresh , Vimalnath K.V. , Dash Ashutosh 
Published: February 2018

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or liver cancer is an increasingly prevalent and highly morbid disease with critical significance in the Asian and African subcontinents. Among the various therapies currently used in the clinic to combat the global menace of HCC, radioembolization with suitable therapeutic isotopes is an effective targeted approach. In the Indian context, the significant cost and logistical disadvantage of imported radioembolic formulations for HCC therapy make it essential to develop more feasible indigenous alternatives—using locally available radioisotopes and microspheric carriers—that can serve the nuclear medicine community. With this aim Ho‐166 was produced with good specific activity (>13 GBq mg−1) and purity (>99%) by reactor irradiation. Various commercially available microspheres were labeled with this therapeutic radioisotope, characterized for yield and stability of the radiolabeling, and tested for their in vivo retention and stability in Wistar rat model by viable surgery. Under the optimized reaction conditions, 166Ho‐labeled microspheres were prepared with high yield (>94%‐99%) and in vitro stability (>95%) in saline and serum. Retention studies in animal model showed that 166Ho‐labeled microspheres remained stable in vivo and showed excellent retention in the site of interest (~95% at 72‐hour p.i.). The study indicates good potential and warrants further investigation for application of these indigenous radiolabeled microspheres for HCC therapy. The successful application of this technology in the clinic would lead to logistically advantageous and cost‐effective indigenous alternatives to expensive imported therapeutic solutions.
Theoretical treatment of anharmonicity of vibrational modes of single‐walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Wang Hengjia , Dickel Doyl , Daw Murray S. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractWe report a computational study, using the “moments method” [Y. Gao and M. Daw, Modell. Simul. Mater. Sci. Eng. 23 045002 (2015)], of the anharmonicity of the vibrational modes of single‐walled carbon nanotubes. We find that modes with displacements largely within the wall are more anharmonic than modes with dominantly radial character, except for a set of modes that are related to the radial breathing mode that are the most anharmonic of all. We also find that periodicity of the calculation along the tube length does not strongly affect the anharmonicity of the modes but that the tubes with larger diameter show more anharmonicity. Comparison is made with available experiments and other calculations.
Synthesis, Characterization and Evaluation of Surface and Thermal Properties of 3‐Cyclohexyloxy‐2‐Hydroxypropyl Pyridinium and Imidazolium Surface‐Active Ionic Liquids
Authors: Aggarwal Rajni , Singh Sukhprit 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIn this work, 1‐halo‐3‐(cyclohexyloxy)propan‐2‐ol (3a/3b) were reacted with N‐methylimidazole (4) or pyridine (5) to yield the respective 3‐(3‐(cyclohexyloxy)‐2‐hydroxypropyl)‐1‐methyl‐1H‐imidazol‐3‐ium (6a/6b) or pyridinium (7a/7b) surface‐active ionic liquids (SAIL). The self‐aggregation behavior of these ionic liquids (IL) was evaluated by conductometric and tensiometric methods. The thermal stability and size of the micelles were determined by thermogravimetric analysis and dynamic light scattering studies, respectively. The investigated IL were found to exhibit very low cytotoxicity as evaluated by MTT (3‐(4, 5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2, 5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay on the C6 glioma cell line, indicating that the investigated SAIL can be considered for biological applications like drug and gene delivery. The conventional IL 3‐methyl‐1‐octyl imidazolium bromide (C
8mimBr) was used for comparison in property evaluations.
Development of Bigels Based on Stearic Acid–Rice Bran Oil Oleogels and Tamarind Gum Hydrogels for Controlled Delivery Applications
Authors: Paul Suprio R. , Qureshi Dilshad , Yogalakshmi Yamini , Nayak Suraj K. , Singh Vinay K. , Syed Irshaan , Sarkar Preetam , Pal Kunal 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIn the last few decades, different types of gels have been widely studied as potential drug delivery carriers. In this paper, we propose the synthesis of an oleogel, a tamarind gum hydrogel, and bigels for applications as drug delivery matrices. The oleogel was prepared by mixing stearic acid and rice bran oil, whereas the hydrogel was prepared by mixing tamarind gum with a hydroethanolic solution. Hydrogel‐in‐oleogel and oleogel‐in‐hydrogel bigels were prepared by mixing the hydrogel and the oleogel. The suitability of the formulations for controlled drug release applications was thoroughly examined using microscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, as well as mechanical, electrical, thermal, drug release, and antimicrobial studies. An alteration in the microarchitecture of the bigels is observed when the oleogel and the hydrogel are mixed in varying proportions. The associative interactions within the formulations increase with the increase in the hydrogel content. The bigels exhibit the presence of stearic acid melting endotherm (associated with the oleogel) and water evaporation endotherm (associated with the hydrogel). This study suggests that the hydrogel has lowest bulk resistance compared to the other formulations. The structural breakdown of the bigels is composition‐dependent, and the bulk electrical resistance is mainly governed by the oleogel phase. An increase in the diffusion of the moxifloxacin HCl from the formulations is observed with the increase of the hydrogel proportion, which in turn increases the rate of release of the drug. The proposed formulations also exhibit good antimicrobial efficacy. The analysis of these properties suggests that specific formulations can be tailored by need‐based applications of the drug release rate.
The protective effects of Sauropus spatulifolius on acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide
Authors: Wei Xiaochen , Li Yanmei , Li Meng , Min Chunyan , Lu Hui , Li Qirun , Yuan Jie , Chen Chen , Li Heran , Zhang Jian 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDSauropus spatulifolius Beille (named ‘Long‐Li‐Ye’ in China) is used to make ‘herbal tea’ to prevent pneumonia. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant activities in vitro and the protective effects of Long‐Li‐Ye on acute lung injury (ALI) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS).RESULTSThe supernatant after ethanol addition to Long‐Li‐Ye water extract (LLYCSL) and the resin eluting fraction of LLYCSL (LLY40) showed strong antioxidant activities in vitro. LLYCSL and LLY40 could attenuate ALI via decreasing myeloperoxidase activity, increasing superoxide dismutase activity and decreasing the levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α), interleukin 1β (IL‐1β) and IL‐6. In addition, LLY40 could increase catalase activity, increase the levels of IL‐10, IL‐4 and IL‐13 and decrease the TNF‐α/IL‐10 ratio.CONCLUSIONLong‐Li‐Ye could be used as a natural antioxidant for food production and functional food or dietary supplementation for people with ALI. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Distinguishing between northern salt marsh and western harvest mice
Authors: Sustaita Diego , Brown Sarah K. , Barthman‐Thompson Laureen , Estrella Sarah , Patterson Laura , Finfrock Patty Q. , Villablanca Francis X. 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTThe northern subspecies of the salt marsh harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys raviventris halicoetes) is morphologically similar to the western harvest mouse (R. megalotis) with which it co‐occurs in the Suisun Marsh, California, USA, and therefore they are difficult to distinguish in the field. The salt marsh harvest mouse is a federal and California state‐listed endangered species, whereas the western harvest mouse has no special status. Thus, our objective was to identify the most effective field metrics that distinguish the species. First we identified a barcode of life and restriction fragment length polymorphism approach for genetically distinguishing between the species. Then we performed univariate tests to examine variation in standard external morphological traits within and between species, and found that differences between species were confounded by sex and age. We then used discriminant function analysis and multiple logistic regression (MLR) to find combinations of characters that resulted in the highest percentages of correct classification based on a data set of individuals with genetically verified species identity. The best model (MLR) correctly classified 90.1 ± 3.5% ( ± SD) of individuals, though all approaches performed relatively poorly with smaller, ostensibly younger, mice. Therefore, tail length, body length, and tail diameter, if treated in a comprehensive multivariate context, can yield substantial accuracy for distinguishing between coexisting northern salt marsh and western harvest mice. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
3D Printing/Interfacial Polymerization Coupling for the Fabrication of Conductive Hydrogel
Authors: Fantino Erika , Roppolo Ignazio , Zhang Dongxing , Xiao Junfeng , Chiappone Annalisa , Castellino Micaela , Guo Qiuquan , Pirri Candido Fabrizio , Yang Jun 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIn this study, 3D printing is coupled with interfacial polymerization to obtain electroactive hydrogels with complex and defined geometry. Conductive hydrogels are created through a two‐step procedure: first a digital light processing 3D printing system is used to fabricate poly(ethylene glycol)diacrylate 3D structure and then pyrrole is oxidized to polypyrrole (PPY), exploiting an interfacial polymerization mechanism through which PPY can be formed in the poly(ethylene glycol) matrix, thus creating a conductive phase.
Lifetime exposure to estrogen and progressive supranuclear palsy: Environmental and Genetic PSP study
Authors: Park Hee Kyung , Ilango Sindana , Charriez Christina M. , Checkoway Harvey , Riley David , Standaert David G. , Bordelon Yvette , Shprecher David R. , Reich Stephen G. , Hall Deborah , Kluger Benzi , Marras Connie , Jankovic Joseph , Dubinsky Richard , Litvan Irene ,   on behalf of the ENGENE‐PSP Study
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTBackgroundStudies suggesting a protective effect of estrogen in neurodegenerative diseases prompted us to investigate this relationship in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP).MethodsThis case‐control study evaluated the self‐reported reproductive characteristics and estrogen of 150 women with PSP and 150 age‐matched female controls who participated in the Environmental Genetic‐PSP study. Conditional logistic regression models were generated to examine associations of PSP with estrogen.ResultsThere was no association between years of estrogen exposure duration and PSP. There was a suggestion of an inverse association between composite estrogen score and PSP that did not reach statistical significance (P = .06). Any exposure to estrogen replacement therapy halved the risk of PSP (odds ratio = 0.52; 95% confidence interval = 0.30‐0.92; P = .03). Among PSP cases, earlier age at menarche was associated with better performance on Hoehn and Yahr stage (β = −0.60; SE = 0.26; P = .02) and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale II score (β = −5.19; SE = 2.48; P = .04) at clinical examination.ConclusionsThis case‐control study suggests a protective role of lifetime estrogen exposure in PSP. Future studies will be needed to confirm this association. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Comparing pharmacological treatments for cocaine dependence: Incorporation of methods for enhancing generalizability in meta‐analytic studies
Authors: Susukida Ryoko , Crum Rosa M. , Hong Hwanhee , Stuart Elizabeth A. , Mojtabai Ramin 
Published: February 2018

AbstractObjectivesFew head‐to‐head comparisons of cocaine dependence medications exist, and combining data from different randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is fraught with methodological challenges including limited generalizability of the RCT findings. This study applied a novel meta‐analytic approach to data of cocaine dependence medications.MethodsData from 4 placebo‐controlled RCTs (Reserpine, Modafinil, Buspirone, and Ondansetron) were obtained from the National Institute of Drug Abuse Clinical Trials Network (n = 456). The RCT samples were weighted to resemble treatment‐seeking patients (Treatment Episodes Data Set‐Admissions) and individuals with cocaine dependence in general population (National Survey on Drug Use and Health). We synthesized the generalized outcomes with pairwise meta‐analysis using individual‐level data and compared the generalized outcomes across the 4 RCTs with network meta‐analysis using study‐level data.ResultsWeighting the data by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health generalizability weight made the overall population effect on retention significantly larger than the RCT sample effect. However, there was no significant difference between the population effect and the RCT sample effect on abstinence. Weighting changed the ranking of the effectiveness across treatments.ConclusionsApplying generalizability weights to meta‐analytic studies is feasible and potentially provides a useful tool in assessing comparative effectiveness of treatments for substance use disorders in target populations.
Neuromuscular dysfunction in the cancer patient: Evaluation and treatment
Authors: Baima Jennifer A. , Silver Julie K. , Most Mathew 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTCancer is a common diagnosis. In conjunction with various anti‐neoplastic therapies delivered sequentially or concurrently, it makes oncology patients among the most complex to treat. This review uses a series of case studies to discuss the diagnosis and treatment of cancer‐related nerve and muscle disorders. Oncologic treatment interventions such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy, often have predictable side‐effects, and sometimes their associated disability can be mitigated, especially if recognized early. Disease progression can mimic other diagnoses. The case studies provide a lens through which to study the presenting symptoms, differential diagnoses, diagnostic evaluation, and treatment interventions. These are all considered within the context of the patient's prognosis and health‐related quality of life. Muscle Nerve 58: 335–343, 2018
Gender and quality of life in myasthenia gravis patients from the myasthenia gravis foundation of America registry
Authors: Lee Ikjae , Kaminski Henry J. , Xin Haichang , Cutter Gary 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Quality of life (QOL) has been poorly characterized among patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) other than assessments performed within the clinical setting. Methods: Patients age ≥ 18 years who were diagnosed with MG and registered with the MG patient registry between July 1, 2013, and June 30, 2016, were included. Demographic information, disease related history, and QOL were compared between men and women using multivariable analysis. Results: A total of 1,315 subjects (827 women) were included. Women were significantly younger, had a younger age at symptom onset, and were more likely to have thymoma and thymectomy. The 15‐item Myasthenia Gravis Quality of Life scale (MG‐QOL15) was significantly worse in women. MG‐QOL15 score was comparable between women who had thymectomy and men with or without thymectomy. Discussion: QOL among MG patients is worse in women compared with men, but this disparity is eliminated in women who have undergone thymectomy. Muscle Nerve 58: 90–98, 2018