bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Validation and Clinical Utility of the hERG IC50:Cmax Ratio to Determine the Risk of Drug‐Induced Torsades de Pointes: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Lehmann David F. , Eggleston William D. , Wang Dongliang 
Published: January 2018

BackgroundUse of the QT interval corrected for heart rate (QTc) on the electrocardiogram (ECG) to predict torsades de pointes (TdP) risk from culprit drugs is neither sensitive nor specific. The ratio of the half‐maximum inhibitory concentration of the hERG channel (hERG IC50) to the peak serum concentration of unbound drug (Cmax) is used during drug development to screen out chemical entities likely to cause TdP.PurposeTo validate the use of the hERG IC50:Cmax ratio to predict TdP risk from a culprit drug by its correlation with TdP incidence.Data SourcesMedline (between 1966 and March 2017) was accessed for hERG IC50 and Cmax values from the antihistamine, fluoroquinolone, and antipsychotic classes to identify cases of drug‐induced TdP. Exposure to a culprit drug was estimated from annual revenues reported by the manufacturer.Study SelectionInclusion criteria for TdP cases were provision of an ECG tracing that demonstrated QTc prolongation with TdP and normal serum values of potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Cases reported in patients with a prior rhythm disturbance and those involving a drug interaction were excluded.Data Extraction and SynthesisThe Meta‐Analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology checklist was used for epidemiological data extraction by two authors.Main Outcome and MeasureNegligible risk drugs were defined by an hERG IC50:Cmax ratio that correlated with less than a 5% chance of one TdP event for every 100 million exposures (relative risk [RR] 1.0).ResultsThe hERG IC50:Cmax ratio correlated with TdP risk (0.312; 95% confidence interval 0.205–0.476, p<0.0001), a ratio of 80 (RR 1.0). The RR from olanzapine is on par with loratadine; ziprasidone is comparable with ciprofloxacin. Drugs with an RR greater than 50 include astemizole, risperidone, haloperidol, and thioridazine.ConclusionsThe hERG IC50:Cmax ratio was correlated with TdP incidence for culprit drugs. This validation provides support for the potential use of the hERG IC50:Cmax ratio for clinical decision making in instances of drug selection where TdP risk is a concern.
Synthesis and photovoltaic properties of copolymers with a fluoro quinoxaline unit
Authors: Song Suhee , Kim Seungmin , Kim Wonjun , Park Seong Soo , Park Sung Heum , Jin Youngeup 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTTwo novel accepter units, namely, difluoroquinoxaline and monofluoroquinoxaline, were prepared and used for the synthesis of the conjugated polymers containing electron donor–acceptor pairs for use in organic photovoltaics. The introduction of a fluorine atom into the quinoxaline moiety resulted in polymers with lowered highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy levels; this increased the open circuit voltage of the devices based on the synthesized polymers. The conjugated polymers containing difluoroquinoxaline and monofluoroquinoxaline, namely, thiophene and benzodithiophene, were synthesized using the Stille polymerization reaction to produce PEHBQxF2, PEHBQxF1, PEHBDTQxF2, and PEHBDTQxF1. The HOMO energy levels of PEHBQxF2, PEHBQxF1, PEHBDTQxF2, and PEHBDTQxF1 were determined to be −5.66, −5.52, −5.54, and −5.39 eV, respectively. The device with PEHBDTQxF2/PC71BM (1:2, w/w) and containing diiodooctane (3 vol %) exhibited the best photovoltaic performance, with its VOC being 0.79 V, JSC being 10.44 mA/cm2, FF being 68%, and PCE being 5.58%. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 821–830
Donor–acceptor photovoltaic polymers based on 1,4‐dithienyl‐2,5‐dialkoxybenzene with intramolecular noncovalent interactions
Authors: Chen Xue‐Qiang , Yao Xiang , Bai Tianwen , Ling Jun , Xiao Wen‐Jing , Wang Jiandong , Wu Si‐Cheng , Liu Li‐Na , Xie Guanghui , Li Jingjing , Lu Zhengquan , Visoly‐Fisher Iris , Katz Eugene A. , Li Wei‐Shi 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTDonor–acceptor (D–A) conjugated polymers bearing non‐covalent configurationally locked backbones have a high potential to be good photovoltaic materials. Since 1,4‐dithienyl‐2,5‐dialkoxybenzene (TBT) is a typical moiety possessing intramolecular S…O interactions and thus a restricted planar configuration, it was used in this work as an electron‐donating unit to combine with the following electron‐accepting units: 3‐fluorothieno[3,4‐b]thiophene (TFT), thieno‐[3,4‐c]pyrrole‐4,6‐dione (TPD), and diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) for the construction of such D–A conjugated polymers. Therefore, the so‐designed three polymers, PTBTTFT, PTBTTPD, and PTBTDPP, were synthesized and investigated on their basic optoelectronic properties in detail. Moreover, using [6,6]‐phenyl‐C71‐butyric acid methyl ester (PC71BM) as acceptor material, polymer solar cells (PSCs) were fabricated for studying photovoltaic performances of these polymers. It was found that the optimized PTBTTPD cell gave the best performance with a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 4.49%, while that of PTBTTFT displayed the poorest one (PCE = 1.96%). The good photovoltaic behaviors of PTBTTPD come from its lowest‐lying energy level of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) among the three polymers, and good hole mobility and favorable morphology for its PC71BM‐blended film. Although PTBTDPP displayed the widest absorption spectrum, the largest hole mobility, and regular chain packing structure when blended with PC71BM, its unmatched HOMO energy level and disfavored blend film morphology finally limited its solar cell performance to a moderate level (PCE: 3.91%). © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 689–698
Monitoring photopolymerization reactions through thermal imaging: A unique tool for the real‐time follow‐up of thick samples, 3D printing, and composites
Authors: Garra Patxi , Bonardi Aude‐Héloïse , Baralle Alexandre , Al Mousawi Assi , Bonardi Fabien , Dietlin Céline , Morlet‐Savary Fabrice , Fouassier Jean‐Pierre , Lalevée Jacques 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTThe ever increasing applications of photopolymers from historical thin (<50 µm) coatings to very deep samples (>1 cm) require the development of robust 4D monitoring strategies able to assess photopolymerization efficiencies (first dimension) as a function of time (second dimension) and position (third and fourth dimensions). Therefore, here, we demonstrated that thermal imaging is a valuable photopolymerization monitoring device showing: (a) very high response times (<1 s); (b) high repeatability of the measurement; (c) strong adaptability of the setup to various conditions (e.g., onto irregular surfaces or inside a real time Fourier transformed infrared spectrometer (RT‐FTIR)); (d) extremely deep photopolymerization follow‐ups (and subsequent rationalization) with good resolution in time and in space (real‐time thermal imaging microscopy experiments); (e) adaptability to applied materials. This monitoring strategy was found particularly robust when taking into account all the heat generating phenomena (i.e., direct heating from the lamp vs. temperature raised due to monomer conversion). As a result, we propose thermal imaging as the next reference monitoring system for the new ranges of thick and/or filled samples (e.g., 3D objects, composites) and/or applied photopolymerizations (e.g., 3D printing) more and more present in the literature. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 889–899
An experimental and numerical study on tactile neuroimaging: A novel minimally invasive technique for intraoperative brain imaging
Authors: Sadeghi‐Goughari Moslem , Qian Yanjun , Jeon Soo , Sadeghi Sohrab , Kwon Hyock‐Ju 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe success of tumour neurosurgery is highly dependent on the ability to accurately localize the operative target, which may shift during the operation. Performing intraoperative brain imaging is crucial in minimally invasive neurosurgery to detect the effect of brain shift on the tumour's location, and to maximize the efficiency of tumour resection.MethodThe major objective of this research is to introduce tactile neuroimaging as a novel minimally invasive technique for intraoperative brain imaging. To investigate the feasibility of the proposed method, an experimental and numerical study was first performed on silicone phantoms mimicking the brain tissue with a tumour. Then the study was extended to a clinical model with the meningioma tumour.ResultsThe stress distribution on the brain surface has high potential to intraoperatively localize the tumour.ConclusionResults suggest that tactile neuroimaging can be used to provide non‐invasive and real‐time intraoperative data on a tumour's features.
Species‐ and habitat‐specific otolith chemistry patterns inform riverine fisheries management
Authors: Radigan W.J. , Carlson A.K. , Kientz J.L. , Chipps S.R. , Fincel M.J. , Graeb B.D.S. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractGeology and hydrology are drivers of water chemistry and thus important considerations for fish otolith chemistry research. However, other factors such as species and habitat identity may have predictive ability, enabling selection of appropriate elemental signatures prior to costly, perhaps unnecessary water/age‐0 fish sampling. The goal of this study was to develop a predictive methodology for using species and habitat identity to design efficient otolith chemistry studies. Duplicate water samples and age‐0 fish were collected from 61 sites in 4 Missouri River reservoirs for walleye Sander vitreus and one impoundment (Lake Sharpe, South Dakota) for other fishes (bluegill Lepomis macrochirus, black crappie Pomoxis nigromaculatus, gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum, largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides, smallmouth bass M. dolomieu, white bass Morone chrysops, white crappie P. annularis, and yellow perch Perca flavescens). Water chemistry (barium:calcium [Ba:Ca], strontium:calcium [Sr:Ca]) was temporally stable, spatially variable, and highly correlated with otolith chemistry for all species except yellow perch. Classification accuracies based on bivariate Ba:Ca and Sr:Ca signatures were high (84% across species) yet varied between floodplain and main‐channel habitats in a species‐specific manner. Thus, to maximize the reliability of otolith chemistry, researchers can use species classifications presented herein to inform habitat selection (e.g., study reservoir‐oriented species such as white bass in main‐channel environments) and habitat‐based classifications to inform species selection (e.g., focus floodplain studies on littoral species such as largemouth bass). Overall, species and habitat identity are important considerations for efficient, effective otolith chemistry studies that inform and advance fisheries and aquatic resource management.
‘Posidonia meadows calling’: a ubiquitous fish sound with monitoring potential
Authors: Di Iorio Lucia , Raick Xavier , Parmentier Eric , Boissery Pierre , Valentini‐Poirier Cathy‐Anna , Gervaise Cédric 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIn the Mediterranean Sea, the seagrass Posidonia oceanica plays a key ecological role, and is protected by a range of legislation. Standard Posidonia monitoring programmes generally focus on the plant at different spatial and short temporal scales, without considering the organisms dependent on the ecosystem. Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) has a high potential to non‐intrusively monitor biological activities and biodiversity at high temporal resolution, and to assess ecosystem health. This is particularly relevant considering that Posidonia meadows host numerous sound‐producing fish species. In this study, bottom‐moored hydrophones were deployed in nine Western Mediterranean meadows covering a distance of more than 200 km to identify acoustic features potentially relevant to monitor this critical habitat. Among eight identified fish sound categories, we found a single type of sound (that we will refer to as /kwa/) dominating the soundscape of Posidonia meadows over a time span of 7 months. Compared to other low‐frequency sounds, the /kwa/ presented unique characteristics that suggest it is produced by a fish via fast contracting muscles. The /kwa/ was the only sound detectable under anthropogenic noise conditions, and little affected by it. Cluster analyses performed on 13 acoustic features revealed a high degree of call diversity. /kwa/ diversity, combined with its large‐scale (all meadows), long‐term (7 months) occurrence and low noise interference, make the /Kwa/ a promising candidate for PAM of Posidonia meadows. Furthermore, variability in acoustic features suggests a central role of the /kwa/ in communication. Overall, this work sets the basis for establishing the relevance of the /kwa/ in monitoring P. oceanica meadows and developing PAM techniques for this critical habitat.
In Situ Tissue Regeneration of Renal Tissue Induced by Collagen Hydrogel Injection
Authors: Lee Sang Jin , Wang Hung-Jen , Kim Tae-Hyoung , Choi Jin San , Kulkarni Gauri , Jackson John D. , Atala Anthony , Yoo James J. 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
Host stem/progenitor cells can be mobilized and recruited to a target location using biomaterials, and these cells may be used for in situ tissue regeneration. The objective of this study was to investigate whether host biologic resources could be used to regenerate renal tissue in situ. Collagen hydrogel was injected into the kidneys of normal mice, and rat kidneys that had sustained ischemia/reperfusion injury. After injection, the kidneys of both animal models were examined up to 4 weeks for host tissue response. The infiltrating host cells present within the injection regions expressed renal stem/progenitor cell markers, PAX-2, CD24, and CD133, as well as mesenchymal stem cell marker, CD44. The regenerated renal structures were identified by immunohistochemistry for renal cell specific markers, including synaptopodin and CD31 for glomeruli and cytokeratin and neprilysin for tubules. Quantitatively, the number of glomeruli found in the injected regions was significantly higher when compared to normal regions of renal cortex. This phenomenon occurred in normal and ischemic injured kidneys. Furthermore, the renal function after ischemia/reperfusion injury was recovered after collagen hydrogel injection. These results demonstrate that introduction of biomaterials into the kidney is able to facilitate the regeneration of glomerular and tubular structures in normal and injured kidneys. Such an approach has the potential to become a simple and effective treatment for patients with renal failure.
Effect of Jeffamine®‐Modified Phosphotungstic Acid on Porphyrin Synthesis in Water
Authors: Suppan Thangamani , Kunjunni Meenu K. , Barik Atanu , Bhattacharjee Rama R. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractSynthesis of porphyrin derivatives in water can be challenging due to the inimical conditions associated with the initial condensation equilibrium. Here in, we report the synthesis of meso‐tetraphenyl porphyrin (H2TPP) in water in presence of phosphotungstic acid (PTA) and its liquid‐derivative with a polyether amine (Jeffamine®). The PTA‐Jeffamine® derivative was found to simultaneously catalyze both the condensation as well as oxidation stages of H2TPP formation. Few other derivatives of H2TPP were synthesized. All the products were characterized by UV‐vis, FTIR and NMR spectroscopy. Singlet oxygen efficiency of the catalytically synthesized H2TPP matched well with that of H2TPP obtained from conventional process. The PTA‐Jeffamine® derivative showed better yield compared to the reaction with pure PTA.
Fast Synthesis of Spherical Silica Aerogel Powders by Emulsion Polymerization from Water Glass
Authors: Lee Kyoung‐Jin , Kim Young H. , Lee Je K. , Hwang Hae‐Jin 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIn this study, a fast synthesis technique for silica aerogel powder was proposed that reduces the length of the tedious surface modification and solvent exchange processes. Spherical silica aerogel powder could be fabricated by an emulsion polymerization method from water glass and n‐hexane. A stable water glass‐in‐hexane emulsion with a water glass to hexane ratio of 5:5 was fabricated using the surfactant, sorbitan monooleate (Span80). It was found that acetic acid and isopropanol catalysts for the hydrolysis and condensation of water glass droplets dispersed in the emulsion were crucial for the synthesis of the spherical silica aerogel powder with a narrow particle size distribution and for reducing production time. In addition, the particle size of the spherical silica aerogel could be controlled by changing the water glass droplet size.
The Viridin Biosynthesis Gene Cluster of Trichoderma virens and Its Conservancy in the Bat White‐Nose Fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans
Authors: Bansal Ravindra , Sherkhane Pramod D. , Oulkar Dasharath , Khan Zareen , Banerjee Kaushik , Mukherjee Prasun K. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractViridin group of furano‐steroidal antibiotics are known to function as anti‐fungal and anti‐cancer agents, in addition to their roles as radio‐ and chemo‐sensitizers. Discovered in 1945 as a metabolite of Trichoderma virens, viridins continue to receive significant attention of several synthetic chemists and clinicians as a very strong PI3 kinase inhibitor. However, till date, researchers have not been able to discover a single gene that is involved in viridin biosynthesis. In this study, we present the complete gene cluster for the biosynthesis of viridin in T. virens, and provide genetic evidence of its involvement in viridin formation. Also, we show that the same cluster is present in a distantly related fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans that causes bat white‐nose disease, which is leading to the devastation of the bat population in North America. Our findings, thus, pave not only the way for further research on the elucidation of the complete biosynthesis pathway and possible tuning of viridin production in the plant beneficial fungus Trichoderma virens, but also are expected to trigger investigations on the role of this gene cluster in pathogenicity of the devastating bat pathogen.
Risk modeling of communications, navigation, and surveillance complex systems of systems for future aviation
Authors: Lewis Bryan R. , Haimes Yacov Y. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe planned integration of Communications (C), Navigation (N), and Surveillance (S) by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) would convert their currently safely coordinated operations into a single vulnerable interdependent and interconnected CNS complex systems of systems (Complex SoS). We model the ensuing vulnerability of planned Complex SoS by tracing specific new interdependencies and interconnections manifested by their shared/common (i) States (variables), (ii) Decisions, (iii) Decision makers, and (iv) Resources (cyber‐physical) among the three C, N, and S systems?. Other contributions stem from our exploiting the use of fault trees (without the reliance on reliability data). Exploiting fault trees enabled us to quantify the accrued knowledge of interdependencies and interconnectedness tabulated in Tables 1–4 in terms of AND Gates (systems connected in Parallel), and OR Gates (systems connected in Series); and to discover dangerous shared C, N, and S systems on the critical path. Namely, if all systems (subsystems) in the minimal cut set fail, then the entire CNS Complex SoS would fail. Significantly, this modeling approach alerted the FAA on “what not to do” by identifying subsystems early in the planned integration of C, N, and S that would result in a single catastrophic failure of the planned CNS Complex SoS.
Evaluation of the UVB‐screening capacity and restorative effects exerted by farnesol gel on UVB‐caused sunburn
Authors: Wu Guan Xuan , Huang Han Hsiang , Chang Huoy Rou , Kuo Shyh Ming 
Published: January 2018

AbstractFarnesol, a natural 15‐carbon organic compound, has various microbiological and cellular activities. It has been found to exert apoptosis‐inducing effects against carcinoma cells as well as antiallergic and anti‐inflammatory effects in vivo. In the current study, a series of formulations composed of various concentrations of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) with the addition of hyaluronan (HA) and xanthan gum (XG) was designed to evaluate the UVB‐screening and H2O2‐eliminating effects of farnesol in normal fibroblasts. Farnesol at 0.005, 0.0075, and 0.01% exhibited significant capacity for H2O2 scavenging; at 0.0025%, it showed insignificant effects. Under 120‐min UVB exposure, screening with plural gel composed of 0.0025% farnesol, 0.5% HA, and 0.5% XG containing 1.5% or 2% HPMC retained normal fibroblast viability. After 60‐min exposure to UVB, screening with plural gel composed of farnesol, HA, XG, and 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, or 2% HPMC decreased the ratio of the G1 phase and increased ratio of the S phase in comparison with the accumulated cell cycle of the normal fibroblasts without screening. The gel with 2% HPMC displayed the strongest cell cycle‐reversal ability. In vivo histopathological results showed that the prepared plural gels with 0.5% or 2% HPMC and farnesol, HA, and XG had greater antiphotoaging and reparative effects against UVB‐induced changes and damage in the skin. In conclusion, the current in vitro and in vivo results demonstrated that the prepared plural composed of 0.0025% farnesol, 0.5% HA, 0.5% XG, and 2% HPMC possessed the greatest UVB‐screening capacity and the strongest restorative effects on UVB‐induced sunburned skin.
Children's at Home: Pilot Study Assessing Dedicated Social Media for Parents of Adolescents with Neurofibromatosis Type 1
Authors: Akre Christina , Polvinen Julie , Ullrich Nicole J. , Rich Michael 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe aim of this pilot study was to evaluate Children's at Home (C@H), a dedicated social media website for parents of adolescents with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). The interventional study included two phases: (1) creating video intervention/prevention assessment (VIA) visual narratives about having an adolescent with NF1 and (2) interacting on C@H, a secure, medically moderated social media website. C@H was evaluated qualitatively at three time points. At enrollment (T0, N = 17), participants reported needing C@H to break their isolation, connect with other families, and receive accurate information, advice, and support from others facing similar challenges. At T1, after creating VIA during 6 months (N = 13, 145 videos), participants mostly valued the opportunity to speak about the challenges they face with NF1 and their journey since diagnosis. At T2, after interacting on C@H for 7 weeks (N = 10, two sign‐ins/week/parent), participants reported connecting with other parents of children with NF1 for the first time, valuing the “real faces” and emotions of other parents with shared experiences providing a sense of normalcy. Qualitative analysis suggested that C@H decreased feelings of isolation, provided relief to talk about NF1 without having to explain it, provided new knowledge about NF1 and the opportunity to address non‐medical issues of NF1 never discussed in clinic, and helped participants with putting their lives into perspective. C@H allowed parents of adolescents with NF1 to overcome previous isolation and connect for the first time. Innovative applications of social media dedicated to those who care for children with chronic conditions can provide peer‐to‐peer support, shared experience, and reliable medical information.