bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
STACKing the odds for adolescent survival: health service factors associated with full retention in care and adherence amongst adolescents living with HIV in South Africa
Authors: Cluver Lucie , Pantelic Marija , Toska Elona , Orkin Mark , Casale Marisa , Bungane Nontuthuzelo , Sherr Lorraine 
Published: September 2018

AbstractIntroductionThere are two million HIV‐positive adolescents in southern Africa, and this group has low retention in care and high mortality. There is almost no evidence to identify which healthcare factors can improve adolescent self‐reported retention. This study examines factors associated with retention amongst antiretroviral therapy (ART)‐initiated adolescents in South Africa.MethodsWe collected clinical records and detailed standardized interviews (n = 1059) with all 10‐ to 19 year‐olds ever initiated on ART in all 53 government clinics of a health subdistrict, and community traced to include lost‐to‐follow‐up (90.1% of eligible adolescents interviewed). Associations between full self‐reported retention in care (no past‐year missed appointments and 85% past‐week adherence) and health service factors were tested simultaneously in sequential multivariate regression and marginal effects modelling, controlling for covariates of age, gender, urban/rural location, formal/informal housing, maternal and paternal orphanhood, vertical/horizontal HIV infection, overall health, length of time on ART and type of healthcare facility.ResultsAbout 56% of adolescents had self‐reported retention in care, validated against lower detectable viral load (AOR: 0.63, CI: 0.45 to 0.87, p = 0.005). Independent of covariates, five factors (STACK) were associated with improved retention: clinics Stocked with medication (OR: 3.0, CI: 1.6 to 5.5); staff with Time for adolescents (OR: 2.7, CI: 1.8 to 4.1); adolescents Accompanied to the clinic (OR: 2.3, CI: 1.5 to 3.6); enough Cash to get to clinic safely (OR: 1.4, CI: 1.1 to 1.9); and staff who are Kind (OR: 2.6, CI: 1.8 to 3.6). With none of these factors, 3.3% of adolescents reported retention. With all five factors, 69.5% reported retention.ConclusionsThis study identifies key intervention points for adolescent retention in HIV care. A basic package of clinic and community services has the potential to STACK the odds for health and survival for HIV‐positive adolescents.
Do Adult Equivalence Scales Matter in Poverty Estimates? A Northern Ghana Case Study and Simulation
Authors: Regier Greg , Zereyesus Yacob A. , Dalton Timothy J. , Amanor‐Boadu Vincent 
Published: September 2018

AbstractWe test the sensitivity of per capita expenditures to several methods of per adult equivalent expenditures to control for economies of scale and household composition. Simulation analysis determines the indifference point between per capita expenditures and per adult equivalent measures in order to identify the factors contributing to the dominance of one measure over another. Results indicate that overall poverty and inequality measures in northern Ghana are highly sensitive to the use of equivalence scales. Poverty measures for children and the elderly and in urban and rural areas are also sensitive to equivalence scales. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of Normal‐Appearing White Matter in Multiple Sclerosis Using Direct Visualization of Short Transverse Relaxation Time Component (ViSTa) Myelin Water Imaging and Gradient Echo and Spin Echo (GRASE) Myelin Water Imaging
Authors: Choi Joon Yul , Jeong In Hye , Oh Se‐Hong , Oh Chang‐Hyun , Park Na Young , Kim Ho Jin , Lee Jongho 
Published: September 2018

BackgroundIn multiple sclerosis (MS), not only lesions but also normal MRI‐appearing white matter (NAWM) may undergo demyelination.PurposeTo demonstrate the detection of NAWM demyelination using direct visualization of short transverse relaxation time component myelin water imaging (ViSTa‐MWI) and to compare the results with those of conventional gradient echo and spin echo (GRASE)‐MWI.Study TypeControl/cohort.PopulationTwenty‐five MS patients and 18 healthy controls (HC).Field Strength/Sequence3T/ViSTa and GRASE‐MWI.AssessmentUsing ViSTa and GRASE‐MWI, myelin water fraction (MWF) of NAWM or normal WM was compared between MS (all patients or early‐stage MS patients) and HC. The comparison was performed for a global WM mask and five regional WM masks.Statistical TestsA general linear model was applied for the comparison. A statistical power and a minimum sample size for the significant difference were obtained. Spearman's correlation coefficient was calculated between MWF and clinical measures and between ViSTa‐MWF and GRASE‐MWF for the global WM mask.ResultsMWFs of ViSTa were significantly lower in the MS patients than those in the HC in all masks (P < 0.001). GRASE‐MWI results revealed reduced MWFs only in global WM, genu, and optic radiation. ViSTa‐MWI had higher statistical powers than that of GRASE‐MWI (power: ViSTa = 99.2 ± 1.6% and GRASE = 75.5 ± 31.0%; sample size: ViSTa = 18 ± 9 and GRASE = 78 ± 75). In early‐stage MS, MWFs of ViSTa were significantly lower than those of the HC in all masks except for centrum semiovale; however, MWFs of GRASE MWI were significantly lower only in optic radiation. Disease duration was correlated with both MWIs (ViSTa; r = –0.437 and GRASE; r = –0.445). ViSTa and GRASE MWFs were significantly correlated in the HC (r = 0.664) and MS (r = 0.768).Data ConclusionViSTa‐MWI may detect a reduction of MWF in NAWM of MS.Level of Evidence: 3Technical Efficacy: Stage 1J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:1091–1098.
Metabolomics in the clinic: A review of the shared and unique features of untargeted metabolomics for clinical research and clinical testing
Authors: Kennedy Adam D. , Wittmann Bryan M. , Evans Anne M. , Miller Luke A.D. , Toal Douglas R. , Lonergan Shaun , Elsea Sarah H. , Pappan Kirk L. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractMetabolomics is the untargeted measurement of the metabolome, which is composed of the complement of small molecules detected in a biological sample. As such, metabolomic analysis produces a global biochemical phenotype. It is a technology that has been utilized in the research setting for over a decade. The metabolome is directly linked to and is influenced by genetics, epigenetics, environmental factors, and the microbiome—all of which affect health. Metabolomics can be applied to human clinical diagnostics and to other fields such as veterinary medicine, nutrition, exercise, physiology, agriculture/plant biochemistry, and toxicology. Applications of metabolomics in clinical testing are emerging, but several aspects of its use as a clinical test differ from applications focused on research or biomarker discovery and need to be considered for metabolomics clinical test data to have optimum impact, be meaningful, and be used responsibly. In this review, we deconstruct aspects and challenges of metabolomics for clinical testing by illustrating the significance of test design, accurate and precise data acquisition, quality control, data processing, n‐of‐1 comparison to a reference population, and biochemical pathway analysis. We describe how metabolomics technology is integral to defining individual biochemical phenotypes, elaborates on human health and disease, and fits within the precision medicine landscape. Finally, we conclude by outlining some future steps needed to bring metabolomics into the clinical space and to be recognized by the broader medical and regulatory fields.
Crotalus atrox disintegrin reduces hemorrhagic transformation by attenuating matrix metalloproteinase‐9 activity after middle cerebral artery occlusion in hyperglycemic male rats
Authors: MBride Devin W. , Gren Eric C. K. , Kelln Wayne , Hayes William K. , Zhang John H. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractHemorrhagic transformation after ischemic stroke is an independent predictor for poor outcome and is characterized by blood vessel rupture leading to brain edema. To date, no therapies for preventing hemorrhagic transformation exist. Disintegrins from the venom of Crotalus atrox have targets within the coagulation cascade, including receptors on platelets. We hypothesized that disintegrins from C. atrox venom can attenuate hemorrhagic transformation by preventing activation of matrix metalloproteinase after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in hyperglycemic rats. We subjected 48 male Sprague‐Dawley rats weighing 240–260 g to MCAO and hyperglycemia to induce hemorrhagic transformation of the infarction. At reperfusion, we administered either saline (vehicle), whole C. atrox venom (two doses were used), or fractionated C. atrox venom (HPLC Fraction 2). Rats were euthanized 24 hr post‐ictus for measurement of infarction and hemoglobin volume. Reversed‐phase HPLC was performed to fractionate the whole venom and peaks were combined to form Fraction 2, which contained the disintegrin Crotatroxin. Fraction 2 protected against hemorrhagic transformation after MCAO, and attenuated activation of matrix metalloproteinase‐9. Administering matrix metalloproteinase antagonists prevented the protection by Fraction 2. The results of this study indicate that disintegrins found in C. atrox venom may have therapeutic potential for reducing hemorrhagic transformation after ischemic stroke. Moreover, the RP‐HPLC fractions retained sufficient protein activity to suggest that gentler and less efficient orthogonal chromatographic methods may be unnecessary to isolate proteins and explore their function.
A study of contact properties between molybdenum and amorphous silicon tin oxide thin film transistors
Authors: Ning Honglong , Liu Xianzhe , Xu Hua , Lu Kuankuan , Zhang Hongke , Zhang Xiaochen , Yao Rihui , Fang Zhiqiang , Wang Xiaofeng , Peng Junbiao 
Published: September 2018

AbstractAmorphous silicon tin oxide (a‐STO) semiconductor is of increasing interest for fabricating thin film transistor. The contact properties of Mo source/drain electrode to a‐STO film subjected to different thermal annealing processes was investigated. The formation of molybdenum oxide interlayer between Mo and a‐STO film annealed in air ambient was confirmed by cross‐sectional transmission electron microscopy image, and the interlayer was formed by getting oxygen from a‐STO film in air annealing process. The formation of molybdenum oxide interlayer could provide not only an adhesive layer but also an intermediate barrier layer, and it hindered Mo atoms diffuse into a‐STO film, which would form a good quality of contact interface and facilitate the electron injection from Mo electrode into a‐STO film.
Resolving power in liquid chromatography: A trade‐off between efficiency and analysis time
Authors: Dores‐Sousa José Luís , De Vos Jelle , Eeltink Sebastiaan 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThis review describes chromatographic dispersion and different plate‐height models frequently used to assess the chromatographic performance of ultra‐high‐pressure liquid chromatography column technology. Furthermore, different performance indices, including the resolution, the separation impedance, and kinetic plots are discussed allowing to quantify and visualize the resolving power in liquid chromatography. The construction of kinetic plots is explained, and different visualization approaches are highlighted. Finally, key instrument and column‐technology developments to advance the kinetic performance limits are discussed and selected state‐of‐the‐art applications are highlighted.
The Burden of Sinusitis in Hematologic Transplant Patients: A National Perspective
Authors: Pandrangi Vivek , Reiter Evan R. 
Published: September 2018

Objectives/HypothesisTo determine the impact of sinusitis on outcomes of hematologic transplant procedures.Study DesignRetrospective analysis of a national hospital database.MethodsThe National Inpatient Sample database for 2012 to 2013 was queried using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes to identify patients undergoing hematologic transplants. Patients were divided based upon the presence or absence of a concomitant diagnosis of acute or chronic sinusitis. Patient demographics, clinical characteristics, discharge results, lengths of stay (LOS), and costs were compared between groups.ResultsThere were 7,069 hematologic transplant cases identified, 2.7% of which had a diagnosis of sinusitis. Sinusitis patients had a longer LOS after transplant (24.9 ± 15.9 days vs. 19.1 ± 17.4 days, P < .001) and higher total hospital charges ($487,941 ± $447,532 vs. $322,300 ± $369,596, P < .001) than nonsinusitis patients. There was no difference in mortality between the two groups (P = .75). The 23 (12%) sinusitis patients who underwent sinus procedures had a longer LOS after transplant (34.8 ± 25 days vs. 23.5 ± 13.7 days, P = .001) and higher total hospital charges ($857,891 ± $718,456 vs. $437,293 ± $372,075, P < .001) than sinusitis patients without sinus procedures. Linear regression showed that sinusitis patients had excess LOS after transplant of 2.442 days and cost of $82,000.098.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that presence of sinusitis in patients undergoing hematologic transplant is associated with increased LOS and higher total hospital charges. Increased focus on diagnosis and if possible treatment of sinusitis prior to admission for transplantation may help reduce the impact of sinusitis after hematologic transplant.Level of EvidenceNA Laryngoscope, 128:2688–2692, 2018
Fabrication of Thermally Crosslinked Hydrolyzed Polymers of Intrinsic Microporosity (HPIM)/Polybenzoxazine Electrospun Nanofibrous Membranes
Authors: Satilmis Bekir , Uyar Tamer 
Published: September 2018

AbstractIn this study, thermally crosslinked hydrolyzed polymers of intrinsic microporosity (HPIM)/polybenzoxazine electrospun nanofibrous membranes (NFMs) are successfully produced. The nanofibers having 800 ± 260 to 670 ± 150 nm average fiber diameters from HPIM and blends of HPIM/ benzoxazine (BA‐a) ranging from HPIM:(BA‐a) weight ratio of 9:1 to 2:1 w/w are produced by electrospinning. Self‐standing HPIM/(BA‐a) NFMs are thermally step‐wise cured resulting in crosslinked HPIM/Poly(BA‐a) NFMs. Structural characterization of as‐electrospun HPIM/(BA‐a) and crosslinked HPIM/Poly(BA‐a) NFM is conducted by FT‐IR spectroscopy to trace the ring opening and crosslinking reactions. Elemental analysis and XPS studies show an increase in carbon content and reduction in nitrogen content due to the crosslinking reaction. Decomposition temperature (T
d) of HPIM NFM increases from 218 to 270 °C with the crosslinking based on the DSC. DMA analysis shows that the mechanical strength of the NFMs has increased significantly with crosslinking. Young's moduli of HPIM NFM is increased from 16 ± 7 to 67 ± 1 MPa for crosslinked HPIM/Poly(BA‐a)%33 NFM. Similarly, higher storage modulus is observed for HPIM/Poly(BA‐a) NFMs compared to HPIM NFM. The crosslinked HPIM/Poly(BA‐a) NFMs keep their fibrous morphology after solvent treatment in dimethylformamide revealing their structural stability compared to pristine HPIM NFM.
Heparin‐Immobilized Polymeric Monolithic Column with Submicron Skeletons and Well‐Defined Macropores for Highly Efficient Purification of Enterovirus 71
Authors: Gu Huimin , Liu Yibin , Yin Dezhong , Cai LuKui , Zhang Baoliang , Zhang Qiuyu 
Published: September 2018

AbstractIn this study, glycidyl methacrylate‐based polymerized high internal phase emulsion monolithic column (polyHIPE) with submicron skeletons and well‐defined macropores is prepared and functionalized by immobilizing heparin to obtain a novel affinity chromatographic separation medium for effective purification of Enterovirus 71 (EV71). The pore structure of the obtained monoliths differs significantly from conventional polyHIPE monoliths. The prepared polyHIPE presents well‐defined 3D network skeletons of 0.2–0.5 µm, interconnected macropores of 0.5–2 µm, large specific surface area (47–61 m2 g−1), and excellent permeability (k = 1.0 × 10−13 m2). Further, successful immobilization of heparin is proved by FTIR and XPS and the monoliths display superiority in the purification of EV71 from culture supernatant. The final recovery and binding capacity of EV71 are calculated to be 60% and 152.8 ng per column, respectively. SDS‐PAGE gel electrophoresis and TEM analysis indicate a high efficiency in the removal of impurities from culture supernatant of EV71. This, together with easy fabrication, makes polyHIPE monolith a promising alternative to commercially available monolithic supports for virus purification.
Tough, Stimuli‐Responsive, and Biocompatible Hydrogels with Very High Water Content
Authors: Liu Tianqi , Lu Shuai , Peng Xin , Jiao Chen , Zhang Jianan , Han Mei , Wang Huiliang 
Published: September 2018

AbstractSome marine creatures like jellyfish have gel‐like bodies consisting mostly of water (above 95 wt%). Yet, their gel‐like bodies still show quite good mechanical properties and can respond to external stimuli. Artificial hydrogels with very high water content are generally extremely weak, and hence their practical applications are strongly limited. Inspired by jellyfish, tough and biocompatible poly(vinyl alcohol)/sodium polyacrylate (PVA/PAANa) hydrogels with very high equilibrium water content (98.23–99.58 wt%) are developed. The equilibrium swollen PVA/PAANa hydrogels show good mechanical properties, with elastic modulus, tensile strength, and elongation up to 0.046 MPa, 0.14 MPa, and 206%, respectively, very close to those of jellyfish mesoglea. Moreover, the PVA/PAANa hydrogels can respond to external multi‐stimuli distinctly, such as metal cations, pH, and salts. Very impressively, the PVA/PAANa hydrogel can easily distinguish tap water from deionized water, and its detection limit of metal cations can be as low as 10−4 mol L−1. Cell cytotoxicity tests and in vivo biocompatibility tests prove that the PVA/PAANa hydrogels have excellent biocompatibility. The tough, stimuli‐responsive, and biocompatible hydrogels with very high water content may find a variety of practical applications in load‐bearing biomaterials, detection, sensors, and agricultural fields.
Statistical learning in computed tomography image estimation
Authors: Bayisa Fekadu L. , Liu Xijia , Garpebring Anders , Yu Jun 
Published: September 2018

PurposeThere is increasing interest in computed tomography (CT) image estimations from magnetic resonance (MR) images. The estimated CT images can be utilized for attenuation correction, patient positioning, and dose planning in diagnostic and radiotherapy workflows. This study aims to introduce a novel statistical learning approach for improving CT estimation from MR images and to compare the performance of our method with the existing model‐based CT image estimation methods.MethodsThe statistical learning approach proposed here consists of two stages. At the training stage, prior knowledge about tissue types from CT images was used together with a Gaussian mixture model (GMM) to explore CT image estimations from MR images. Since the prior knowledge is not available at the prediction stage, a classifier based on RUSBoost algorithm was trained to estimate the tissue types from MR images. For a new patient, the trained classifier and GMMs were used to predict CT image from MR images. The classifier and GMMs were validated by using voxel‐level tenfold cross‐validation and patient‐level leave‐one‐out cross‐validation, respectively.ResultsThe proposed approach has outperformance in CT estimation quality in comparison with the existing model‐based methods, especially on bone tissues. Our method improved CT image estimation by 5% and 23% on the whole brain and bone tissues, respectively.ConclusionsEvaluation of our method shows that it is a promising method to generate CT image substitutes for the implementation of fully MR‐based radiotherapy and PET/MRI applications.
Implementation of planar proton minibeam radiation therapy using a pencil beam scanning system: A proof of concept study
Authors: De Marzi Ludovic , Patriarca Annalisa , Nauraye Catherine , Hierso Eric , Dendale Rémi , Guardiola Consuelo , Prezado Yolanda 
Published: September 2018

PurposeProton minibeam radiation therapy (pMBRT) is an innovative approach that combines the advantages of minibeam radiation therapy with the more precise ballistics of protons to further reduce the side effects of radiation. One of the main challenges of this approach is the generation of very narrow proton pencil beams with an adequate dose‐rate to treat patients within a reasonable treatment time (several minutes) in existing clinical facilities. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of implementing pMBRT by combining the pencil beam scanning (PBS) technique with the use of multislit collimators. This proof of concept study of pMBRT with a clinical system is intended to guide upcoming biological experiments.MethodsMonte Carlo simulations (TOPAS v3.1.p2) were used to design a suitable multislit collimator to implement planar pMBRT for conventional pencil beam scanning settings. Dose distributions (depth‐dose curves, lateral profiles, Peak‐to‐Valley Dose Ratio (PVDR) and dose‐rates) for different proton beam energies were assessed by means of Monte Carlo simulations and experimental measurements in a water tank using commercial ionization chambers and a new p‐type silicon diode, the IBA RAZOR. An analytical intensity‐modulated dose calculation algorithm designed to optimize the weight of individual Bragg peaks composing the field was also developed and validated.ResultsProton minibeams were then obtained using a brass multislit collimator with five slits measuring 2 cm × 400 μm in width with a center‐to‐center distance of 4 mm. The measured and calculated dose distributions (depth‐dose curves and lateral profiles) showed a good agreement. Spread‐out Bragg peaks (SOBP) and homogeneous dose distributions around the target were obtained by means of intensity modulation of Bragg peaks, while maintaining spatial fractionation at shallow depths. Mean dose‐rates of 0.12 and 0.09 Gy/s were obtained for one iso‐energy layer and a SOBP conditions in the presence of multislit collimator.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the feasibility of implementing pMBRT on a PBS system. It also confirms the reliability of RAZOR detector for pMBRT dosimetry. This newly developed experimental methodology will support the design of future preclinical research with pMBRT.
Multi‐modal functional MRI to explore placental function over gestation
Authors: Hutter Jana , Slator Paddy J. , Jackson Laurence , Gomes Ana Dos Santos , Ho Alison , Story Lisa , O’Muircheartaigh Jonathan , Teixeira Rui P. A. G. , Chappell Lucy C. , Alexander Daniel C. , Rutherford Mary A. , Hajnal Joseph V. 
Published: September 2018

PurposeTo investigate, visualize and quantify the physiology of the human placenta in several dimensions ‐ functional, temporal over gestation, and spatial over the whole organ.MethodsBespoke MRI techniques, combining a rich diffusion protocol, anatomical data and T2* mapping together with a multi‐modal pipeline including motion correction and extracted quantitative features were developed and employed on pregnant women between 22 and 38 weeks gestational age including two pregnancies diagnosed with pre‐eclampsia.ResultsA multi‐faceted assessment was demonstrated showing trends of increasing lacunarity, and decreasing T2* and diffusivity over gestation.ConclusionsThe obtained multi‐modal acquisition and quantification shows promising opportunities for studying evolution, adaptation and compensation processes.