bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Determination of Electrochemical Interaction between 2‐(1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐yl) Phenol and DNA Sequences
Authors: Topkaya Seda Nur , Cetin Arif E. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractA benzimidazole derivate, 2‐(1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐yl) phenol (2‐Bip) and its interaction mechanism with sequence specific DNA was examined with Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV). We, for the first time, investigated the effect of 2‐Bip on sequence specific DNA with electrochemical methods by evaluating both guanine and 2‐Bip oxidation signal changes. In the study, probe sequences were immobilized to the surface of the electrodes and then hybridization was achieved by sending the complementary target onto the probe modified electrodes. Following the hybridization, 2‐Bip solution was interacted with probe and hybrid sequences to see the effect of 2‐Bip on different DNA sequences. The binding constant (K), toxicity (S%) and thermodynamic parameters, i. e., Gibbs free energy (ΔG°) of 2‐Bip‐DNA complexes were evaluated. K was calculated as 5×105 and the change in the ΔG° was found as −32.50 kJ mol−1, which are consistent well with the literature. Furthermore, S% showed that 2‐Bip is moderately toxic to single stranded DNA (ssDNA) and toxic to double stranded DNA (dsDNA). From our experimental data, we made four conclusions (i) 2‐Bip affects both ssDNA and dsDNA, (ii) 2‐Bip interaction mode with DNA could be non‐covalent interactions, (iii) 2‐Bip could be used as new DNA hybridization indicator due to its distinct effects on ssDNA and dsDNA, (iv) 2‐Bip could be used as a drug molecule for its DNA effect.
Influence of torrefaction after densification on the fuel characteristics and the inherited gasification kinetics of Erianthus arundinaceus energy grass
Authors: Qadi Nasim , Kobayashi Makoto , Takeno Keiji 
Published: May 2019

AbstractIn this study, a mixture of breeding lines of Erianthus arundinaceus energy grass was pretreated prior to gasification. Although biomass torrefaction and subsequent pelletizing of torrefied biomass (TOP process) have been studied in details, the torrefaction of pellets (TAP process) still in its infancy. Therefore, samples prepared by TAP, torrefaction‐only and pelletizing‐only were compared in terms of fuel characteristics and gasification kinetics. Results showed that the mass yield decreased with increasing torrefaction temperature, whereas the higher heating value (HHV) continued to increase with temperature, which can be seen in the evolution of O/C and H/C atomic ratios. Tradeoff between mass yield and HHV points to 250°C as the optimum torrefaction temperature, as mass yield above 76% could be achieved. TAP process was superior not only in terms of producing fuel with higher energy density, but also the gasification reactivity was higher than that of torrefied‐only or densified‐only samples, suggesting TAP is promising to be employed within the gasification process. Yet, conducting TAP under higher torrefaction temperatures may weaken the reactivity due to the more release of potassium during pyrolysis. Lastly, gasification kinetics data revealed that the pretreated samples exhibited slightly higher activation energy.
Low‐Cost and High‐Efficiency Solar‐Driven Vapor Generation Using a 3D Dyed Cotton Towel
Authors: Yang Yudi , Sui Yujin , Cai Zaisheng , Xu Bi 
Published: May 2019

AbstractSolar‐driven vapor generation is a promising method to mitigate freshwater shortage and water contamination. However, most of the current highly efficient solar evaporators suffer from low robustness, tedious preparation procedures, and high cost. In this study, an easy‐to‐manufacture, low‐cost, and high‐reliability solar‐driven evaporator is designed using a black cotton towel with a hollow conical shape. The reactive dye molecules diffuse into the cotton and form strong covalent bonds with the fiber after dyeing, which firmly fixes light‐absorbing materials on the substrate. The looped pile structure of towels and hierarchical structure of yarns enable the evaporator enlarged surface area. The hollow conical shape of the cotton towel can effectively suppress the heat loss to the environment without compromising light absorption. The 3D vapor generator exhibits an evaporation rate of 1.40 and 1.27 kg m−2 h−1 for pure water and saline water, respectively. Meanwhile, this towel‐based solar‐driven evaporator exhibits a promising antifouling property as well as superior reusability and provides a reliable pathway in dealing with realistic waters, such as seawater and dyeing sewage. Therefore, the low‐cost, solar‐driven water evaporation system offers a complementary approach for high‐efficiency vapor generation and water purification in practical application.
The efficiency of the brain connectome is associated with cerebrovascular reactivity in persons with white matter hyperintensities
Authors: Reginold William , Sam Kevin , Poublanc Julien , Fisher Joe , Crawley Adrian , Mikulis David J. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the organization of the brain connectome and cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) in persons with white matter hyperintensities. Diffusion tensor and CVR mapping 3T MRI scans were acquired in 31 participants with white matter hyperintensities. In each participant, the connectome was assessed by reconstructing all white matter tracts with tractography and segmenting the whole brain into multiple regions. Graph theory analysis was performed to quantify how effectively tracts connected brain regions by measuring the global and local efficiency of the connectome. CVR in white matter and gray matter was correlated with the global and local efficiency of the connectome, while adjusting for age, gender, and gray matter volume. For comparison, white matter hyperintensity volume was also correlated with global and local efficiency. White matter CVR was positively correlated with the global efficiency (coefficient: 23.3, p = .005) and local efficiency (coefficient: 2850, p = .004) of the connectome. Gray matter CVR was positively correlated with the global efficiency (coefficient: 21.3, p < .001) and local efficiency (coefficient: 2670, p < .001) of the connectome. White matter hyperintensity volume was negatively correlated with global efficiency (coefficient: −0.0002, p = .003) and local efficiency (coefficient: −0.024, p = .003) of the connectome. The association between CVR and the brain connectome suggests that impaired cerebrovascular function may be part of the pathophysiology of the disruption of the brain connectome in persons with white matter hyperintensities.
Do differences in reported expenditures between household scanner data and expenditure surveys matter in health policy research?
Authors: Zhen Chen , Muth Mary , Okrent Abigail , Karns Shawn , Brown Derick , Siegel Peter 
Published: May 2019

AbstractHousehold scanner data are increasingly used to inform health policy such as sugar‐sweetened beverage taxes. This article examines whether differences in the level of reported expenditures between IRI Consumer Network scanner panel and the Consumer Expenditure Survey (CES) lead to important differences in demand elasticities and policy simulation outcomes. Using each dataset, we estimated a structural consumer demand system with seven food groups and a numéraire good. To compare the two datasets on a level playing field, we went to great lengths to ensure that the explanatory variables in the two demand models were comparably constructed. Results indicate that scanner data households are not consistently more price responsive than the general population and underreported Consumer Network expenditures do not seem to result in systematic differences in price elasticities. The income elasticities are uniformly lower in Consumer Network than in CES for higher income households because of the positive association between income and the degree of underreporting. This, however, has limited effects on uncompensated price elasticities and policy simulations because food budget shares are small for higher income households. Overall, these findings support continued use of household scanner data in health policy research related to effects of price (dis)incentives.
The potential therapeutic and prognostic impacts of the c‐MET/HGF signaling pathway in colorectal cancer
Authors: Parizadeh Seyed Mostafa , Jafarzadeh‐Esfehani Reza , Fazilat‐Panah Danial , Hassanian Seyed Mahdi , Shahidsales Soodabeh , Khazaei Majid , Parizadeh Seyed Mohammad Reza , Ghayour‐Mobarhan Majid , Ferns Gordon A. , Avan Amir 
Published: May 2019

AbstractColorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and a common cause of cancer‐related mortality globally. In spite of the improvements in the early diagnosis of CRC, approximately one‐third of patients develop metastasis and then have a very poor survival rate. The mesenchymal–epithelial transition factor (c‐MET) is a tyrosine kinase cell surface receptor activated by hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). Activation of c‐MET/HGF signaling pathway regulates a variety of biological processes including cell motility, cell proliferation, angiogenesis, the epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition, and the development and progression of cancer cells. Recent studies have suggested that the c‐MET/HGF signaling pathway is involved in the carcinogenesis of CRC. In this review, we summarize the main findings of recent studies investigating the role of c‐MET/HGF signaling pathway in CRC and the potential of the c‐MET/HGF signaling pathways in the diagnosis and treatment of CRC. © 2019 IUBMB Life, 2019
A comparative study of HAMSCs/HBMSCs transwell and mixed coculture systems
Authors: Bian Yifeng , Du Yifei , Wang Ruixia , Chen Ning , Du Xin , Wang Yuli , Yuan Hua 
Published: May 2019

AbstractOur previous studies indicated that a coculture system containing human amnion‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (HAMSCs) and human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (HBMSCs) has the potential of application for bone regeneration. However, there is currently no enough comparative investigation between HAMSCs/HBMSCs transwell and mixed coculture systems. This study aimed to assess the phenotype and mechanisms regulated by indirect and direct coculture systems, respectively. Two in vitro models were employed with HAMSCs and HBMSCs at a ratio of 3:1, and then were analyzed by a series of processes, including flow cytometry, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) substrate assays, Alizarin red S staining, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR), and Western blot analysis. We found that cell proliferation, ALP activity, mineralized matrix formation, and osteoblast‐related mRNA expression were accelerated in transwell coculture system compared with mixed coculture system. Conditioned medium from transwell coculture system achieved an elevated level of vascular endothelial growth factor and induced more vascular structures in human umbilical vein endothelial cells than those of mixed coculture system. Moreover, we observed that transwell coculture system, promoted osteogenesis and angiogenesis by maintaining stemness through extracellular regulated protein kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. U0126, a selective inhibitor of ERK1/2 MAPK signaling, significantly suppressed maintaining of the stemness‐based effects on transwell coculture system. Taken together, our results compared the merits of two different models and clarified the role of HAMSCs/HBMSCs transwell coculture system in the development of bone tissue engineering. © 2019 IUBMB Life, 2019
Therapeutic plasma exchange for management of heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia: Results of an international practice survey
Authors: Onwuemene Oluwatoyosi A. , Zantek Nicole D. , Rollins‐Raval Marian A. , Raval Jay S. , Kiss Joseph E. , Ipe Tina S. , Kuchibhatla Maragatha , Pagano Monica B. , Wong Edward C. C. 
Published: May 2019

ABSTRACTIntroductionAnti‐heparin/platelet factor 4 antibody immune complexes resulting from heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) are removed by therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE). We sought to define TPE in HIT practice patterns using an international survey.MethodsA 31‐item online survey was disseminated through the American Society for Apheresis. After institutional duplicate responses were eliminated, a descriptive analysis was performed.ResultsThe survey was completed by 94 respondents from 78 institutions in 18 countries. Twenty‐nine institutions (37%) used TPE for HIT (YES cohort) and 49 (63%) did not (NO cohort). Most NO respondents (65%) cited “no requests received” as the most common reason for not using TPE. Of the 29 YES respondents, 10 (34%) gave incomplete information and were excluded from the final analysis, leaving 19 responses. Of these, 18 (95%) treated ≤10 HIT patients over a 2‐year period. The most common indications were cardiovascular surgery (CS; 63%) and HIT‐associated thrombosis (HT; 26%). The typical plasma volume processed was 1.0 (63% CS and 58% HT). For CS, the typical replacement fluid was plasma (42%) and for HT, it was determined on an individual basis (32%). For CS, patients were treated with a set number of TPE procedures (37%) or laboratory/clinical response (37%). For HT, the number of TPE procedures typically depended on laboratory/clinical response (42%).ConclusionIn a minority of responding institutions, TPE is most commonly used in HIT to prophylactically treat patients who will undergo heparin re‐exposure during CS. Prospective studies are needed to more clearly define the role of TPE in HIT.
Telemental health training in the Veterans Administration Puget Sound Health Care System
Authors: Caver Kelly A. , Shearer Erika M. , Burks Derek J. , Perry Kristen , De Paul Nicola F. , McGinn Meghan M. , Felker Bradford L. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAs a pioneer of training in the field of psychology, the Veterans Affairs (VA) HealthCare System serves as a leader in the training in and provision of Telemental Health (TMH) services in the United States. To meet goals toward continued expansion of these services, the VA TMH training program includes both web‐based didactic courses and a skills competency test at a basic level with supervision and consultation in TMH for more advanced training and is available to staff psychologists and psychologist trainees. Despite these efforts, barriers for training in and implementation of TMH occur at the provider, system, and patient level. At the national level, the VA is actively working to resolve these barriers and we share site‐specific examples implemented by the VA Puget Sound Health Care System promoting access through TMH team to further address barriers to training and implementation.
Wrapping With Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor‐Impregnated Collagen Sheet Reduces Rat Sciatic Nerve Allodynia
Authors: Mukai Michiaki , Uchida Kentaro , Hirosawa Naoya , Murakami Kenichi , Kuniyoshi Kazuki , Inoue Gen , Miyagi Masayuki , Sekiguchi Hiroyuki , Shiga Yasuhiro , Inage Kazuhide , Orita Sumihisa , Suzuki Takane , Matsuura Yusuke , Takaso Masashi , Ohtori Seiji 
Published: May 2019

ABSTRACTAutologous vein wrapping is used to treat recurrent chronic constriction neuropathy and traumatic peripheral nerve injury. However, its use is restricted due to the inability to obtain sufficiently long veins for larger grafts. We previously reported that vein‐derived basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) promotes heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1), which reduces allodynia via its anti‐inflammatory properties. To mimic vein wrapping, we developed a collagen sheet impregnated with bFGF. Chronic constriction injury (CCI) was induced in male Wistar rats as a model of sciatic nerve injury, and the rats were divided into three groups: (i) untreated after CCI surgery (control group), (ii) treated with a collagen sheet wrap impregnated with phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS/CS group), and (iii) treated with a collagen sheet wrap impregnated with bFGF (bFGF/CS group). Pain behavior (von Frey test) was evaluated on postoperative days (PODs) 1, 5, 7, and 14. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was conducted on sciatic nerve RNA to quantify HO‐1 gene, Hmox1, expression. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay were used to determine HO‐1 protein levels on POD 1. von Frey testing showed significantly greater pain hypersensitivity in the control and PBS/CS groups than the bFGF/CS group. In the bFGF/CS group, Hmox1 messenger RNA and HO‐1 protein levels were significantly increased in the sciatic nerve compared with the control and PBS/CS groups on PODs 1 and 5 and POD 1, respectively. The bFGF/CS group showed decreased allodynia and HO‐1 induction, as observed with vein wrapping. Therefore, local application of bFGF may be an alternative treatment strategy for compressive neuropathy and peripheral nerve trauma in clinical settings. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 37:2258–2263, 2019
Evaluation of the Suitability of Miniature Pigs as an Animal Model of Juvenile Osteochondritis Dissecans
Authors: Tóth Ferenc , Johnson Casey P. , Mills Benigno , Nissi Mikko J. , Nykänen Olli , Ellermann Jutta , Ludwig Kai D. , Tompkins Marc , Carlson Cathy S. 
Published: May 2019

ABSTRACTJuvenile osteochondritis dissecans (JOCD) is a developmental disease characterized by formation of intra‐articular (osteo)chondral flaps or fragments. Evidence‐based treatment guidelines for JOCD are currently lacking. An animal model would facilitate study of JOCD and evaluation of diagnostic and treatment approaches. The purpose of this study was to assess the suitability of miniature pigs as a model of JOCD at the distal femur. First, stifle (knee) joints harvested from three juvenile miniature pigs underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to establish the vascular architecture of the distal femoral epiphyseal cartilage. Second, vessels supplying the axial or abaxial aspects of the medial femoral condyle were surgically interrupted in four additional juvenile miniature pigs, and the developing epiphyseal cartilage lesions were monitored using three consecutive MRI examinations over nine weeks. The miniature pigs were then euthanized, and their distal femora were harvested for histological evaluation. Vascular architecture of the distal femoral epiphyseal cartilage in the miniature pigs was found to be nearly identical to that of juvenile human subjects, characterized by separate vascular beds supplying the axial and abaxial aspects of the condyles. Surgical interruption of the vascular supply to the abaxial aspect of the medial femoral condyle resulted in ischemic cartilage necrosis (a precursor lesion of JOCD) in 75% (3/4) of the miniature pigs. Cartilage lesions were identified during the first MRI performed 3 weeks post‐operatively. No clinically apparent JOCD‐like lesions developed. In conclusion, miniature pigs are suitable for modeling JOCD precursor lesions. Further investigation of the model is warranted to assess induction of clinically apparent JOCD lesions. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 37:2130–2137, 2019
Preoperative Tumor Staging of Gastric Cancer: Comparison of Double Contrast‐Enhanced Ultrasound and Multidetector Computed Tomography
Authors: He Ping , Miao Li‐ying , Ge Hui‐yu , Wang Tian‐li , Ye Ju‐xiang , Meng Ling‐mei , Xue Heng , Zhang Fan , Zhao Bo 
Published: May 2019

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to compare the sensitivity and specificity of double contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in the preoperative tumor staging of gastric cancer (GC) to stratify patients for suitable treatment.MethodsFifty‐four patients with GC proved by histologic findings were included. The sensitivity and specificity of double CEUS and MDCT for tumor staging were calculated and compared. The differences between these methods were evaluated by using the area under the curve (AUC) from a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.ResultsThere were no significant differences in AUC values for T1 and T2 stages between double CEUS and MDCT (P = .190 and .256, respectively). However, the sensitivity of double CEUS in the detection of the T1 stage was higher than that of MDCT (88% versus 75%). The AUC values of MDCT for T3 and T4 stages were 0.833 and 0.905, which were both significantly higher than those of double CEUS (0.759 and 0.696; P < .05). The sensitivities of double CEUS and MDCT for the T3 stage were both 89%, but the accuracy and specificity of double CEUS were lower than those of MDCT (76% versus 83% and 63% versus 78%). The specificities of double CEUS and MDCT for the T4 stage were both 98%, but the accuracy and sensitivity of double CEUS were lower than those of MDCT (85% versus 94% and 42% versus 83%).ConclusionsMultidetector CT is superior to double CEUS for T3 and T4 GC, and double CEUS may be regarded as an important complementary method to MDCT.
A Prospective Study in the Treatment of Lentigines in Asian Skin Using 532 nm Picosecond Nd:YAG Laser
Authors: Chan Mandy W.M. , Shek Samantha Yee‐Nam , Yeung Chi Keung , Chan Henry Hin‐Lee 
Published: May 2019

Background and ObjectiveTo evaluate safety and efficacy of treatment with the picosecond Nd:YAG 532 nm for lentigines in Asian skin.Study Design/Materials and MethodsThis was a prospective, open‐label cohort study, using a novel picosecond 532‐nm laser for the treatment of facial lentigines. Subjects received up to three laser treatments every 4–6 weeks and were assessed at 4 and 12 weeks after final treatment. Primary endpoint was degree of improvement in lentigines at 12 weeks after the final treatment, assessed by treating investigator based on Physicians Global Assessment. Secondary end‐points included degree of improvement in lentigines at 12 weeks after final treatment, assessed by subject (Subject's Global Assessment), and change in mean relative Melanin index (MI) value at 3 months after final treatment as compared to baseline as assessed by mexameter measurement.ResultsA total of 20 patients (3 male, and 17 female) of Asian‐descent with Fitzpatrick skin type III and IV, with lentigines on the face were included in this study. A total of 89 lesions were treated with the laser setting of 532‐nm, 750 picoseconds, fluence of 0.2–0.5 J/cm
2, and spot size of 4 mm. One hundred and thirty‐seven treatment sessions were given in total. Eighteen patients (90%) achieved a moderate to significant improvement at 12‐week follow‐up based on a 5‐grade physician global assessment scale. The improvement rate of relative MI (MI in the lesion minus normal skin) was 33.30 ± 18.71 and 37.63 ± 19.25% at 4‐ and 12‐week follow‐up. Post‐inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) occurred in 14 of 137 sessions (10.2%), and hypopigmentation occurred in one patient with five lesions (3.6%).ConclusionThis study demonstrates that using picosecond Nd:YAG laser 532 nm for removal of solar lentigines in darker skin type appears to be safe and effective. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.LimitationsSmall study group.