bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multilayer open flow model: A simple pressure correction method for wave problems
Authors: Prokofev Vladimir 
Published: September 2017

SummaryThis paper describes a pressure correction method for single‐ and multilayer open flow models. The method does not require any complex procedures to solve the discretization of the Poisson equation and is distinguished by a high computational efficiency. The algorithm can easily be adapted to irregular meshes and parallelized. Parabolic interpolation of the pressure profile is used for the free surface. The discretization of the Poisson equation is written in a matrix form, allowing its usage also in the case of basic function expansion of the depth pressure profile. The paper presents the results of algorithm verification where experimental data sensitive to the numerical dissipation of the calculation model was used. Iteration convergence is high including problems with dry‐bed flooding. The complete described technique of pressure correction is implemented in OpenCL on the GPU. Computation time for a test problem solved using CPU and GPU is compared.
“Enticing case study” or “celebrated anomaly”? Policy learning from the Cuban health system
Authors: Baggott Rob , Lambie George 
Published: September 2017

SummaryCuba is regarded as having achieved very good health outcomes for its level of economic development. It has adopted policies and programs that focus on prevention, universal access to healthcare, a strong primary care system, the integration of health in all policies, and public participation in health. It has also established a strong and accessible system of medical education and provides substantial medical aid and support to other countries. Why then, it may be asked, has the Cuban experience not had greater influence on health policies and reforms elsewhere? This article, based on a literature review and new primary sources, analyzes various factors highlighted in the policy transfer literature to explain this. It also notes other factors that have created greater awareness of Cuban health achievements in some countries and which provide a basis for learning lessons from its policies.
RGD‐functionalized polyethylene glycol hydrogels support proliferation and in vitro chondrogenesis of human periosteum‐derived cells
Authors: Kudva Abhijith K. , Luyten Frank P. , Patterson Jennifer 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe combination of progenitor cells with appropriate scaffolds and in vitro culture regimes is a promising area of research in bone and cartilage tissue engineering. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), when encapsulated within hydrogels composed of the necessary cues and/or preconditioned using suitable culture conditions, have been shown to differentiate into bone or cartilage. Here, we utilized human periosteum‐derived cells (hPDCs), a progenitor cell population with MSC characteristics, paired with protease‐degradable, functionalized polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogels to create tissue‐engineered constructs. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of scaffold composition, exploring the addition of the cell‐binding motif Arginine‐Glycine‐Aspartic Acid (RGD), in combination with various in vitro culture conditions on the proliferation, chondrogenic gene expression, and matrix production of encapsulated hPDCs. In growth medium, the hPDCs in the RGD‐functionalized hydrogels maintained high levels of viability and demonstrated an enhanced proliferation when compared with hPDCs in non‐functionalized hydrogels. Additionally, the RGD‐containing hydrogels promoted higher glycosaminoglycan (GAG) synthesis and chondrogenic gene expression of the encapsulated hPDCs, as opposed to the non‐functionalized constructs, when cultured in two different chondrogenic media. These results demonstrate the potential of hPDCs in combination with enzymatically degradable PEG hydrogels functionalized with adhesion ligands for cartilage regenerative applications. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 33–42, 2018.
Neuronal differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells in response to the domain size of graphene substrates
Authors: Lee Yoo‐Jung , Seo Tae Hoon , Lee Seula , Jang Wonhee , Kim Myung Jong , Sung Jung‐Suk 
Published: September 2017

AbstractGraphene is a noncytotoxic monolayer platform with unique physical, chemical, and biological properties. It has been demonstrated that graphene substrate may provide a promising biocompatible scaffold for stem cell therapy. Because chemical vapor deposited graphene has a two dimensional polycrystalline structure, it is important to control the individual domain size to obtain desirable properties for nano‐material. However, the biological effects mediated by differences in domain size of graphene have not yet been reported. On the basis of the control of graphene domain achieved by one‐step growth (1step‐G, small domain) and two‐step growth (2step‐G, large domain) process, we found that the neuronal differentiation of bone marrow‐derived human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) highly depended on the graphene domain size. The defects at the domain boundaries in 1step‐G graphene was higher (×8.5) and had a relatively low (13% lower) contact angle of water droplet than 2step‐G graphene, leading to enhanced cell‐substrate adhesion and upregulated neuronal differentiation of hMSCs. We confirmed that the strong interactions between cells and defects at the domain boundaries in 1step‐G graphene can be obtained due to their relatively high surface energy, which is stronger than interactions between cells and graphene surfaces. Our results may provide valuable information on the development of graphene‐based scaffold by understanding which properties of graphene domain influence cell adhesion efficacy and stem cell differentiation. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 43–51, 2018.
Enhanced peripheral nerve regeneration through asymmetrically porous nerve guide conduit with nerve growth factor gradient
Authors: Oh Se Heang , Kang Jun Goo , Kim Tae Ho , Namgung Uk , Song Kyu Sang , Jeon Byeong Hwa , Lee Jin Ho 
Published: September 2017

AbstractIn this study, we fabricated a nerve guide conduit (NGC) with nerve growth factor (NGF) gradient along the longitudinal direction by rolling a porous polycaprolactone membrane with NGF concentration gradient. The NGF immobilized on the membrane was continuously released for up to 35 days, and the released amount of the NGF from the membrane gradually increased from the proximal to distal NGF ends, which may allow a neurotrophic factor gradient in the tubular NGC for a sufficient period. From the in vitro cell culture experiment, it was observed that the PC12 cells sense the NGF concentration gradient on the membrane for the cell proliferation and differentiation. From the in vivo animal experiment using a long gap (20 mm) sciatic nerve defect model of rats, the NGC with NGF concentration gradient allowed more rapid nerve regeneration through the NGC than the NGC itself and NGC immobilized with uniformly distributed NGF. The NGC with NGF concentration gradient seems to be a promising strategy for the peripheral nerve regeneration. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 52–64, 2018.
Alginate hydrogels of varied molecular weight distribution enable sustained release of sphingosine‐1‐phosphate and promote angiogenesis
Authors: Williams Priscilla A. , Campbell Kevin T. , Silva Eduardo A. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAlginate hydrogels have been widely validated for controlled release of growth factors and cytokines, but studies exploring sustained release of small hydrophobic lipids are lacking. Sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P), a bioactive lipid, is an appealing small molecule for inducing blood vessel formation in the context of ischemic conditions. However, there are numerous biological and engineering challenges associated with designing biomaterial systems for controlled release of this lipid. Thus, the objective of this study was to design an injectable, alginate hydrogel formulation that provides controlled release of S1P to establish locally sustained concentration gradients that promote neovascularization. Herein, we varied the molecular weight distribution of alginate polymers within the hydrogel to alter the resultant mechanical properties in a manner that provides control over S1P release. With increasing high molecular weight (HMW) content, the hydrogels exhibited stiffer material properties and released S1P at slower rates. Accordingly, S1P released from hydrogels with 100% HMW content led to enhanced directed migration of outgrowth endothelial cells and blood vessel development assessed using a chick chorioallantoic membrane assay as compared to hydrogels with less HMW content. Overall, this study describes how alginate hydrogels of varied molecular weight may be used to control S1P release kinetics for therapeutic applications. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 138–146, 2018.
Melanocortin receptor subtypes are expressed on cells in the oligodendroglial lineage and signal ACTH protection
Authors: Benjamins Joyce A. , Nedelkoska Liljana , Lisak Robert P. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractACTH, a melanocortin peptide used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) relapses, acts by stimulating adrenal corticosteroid (CS) production via melanocortin receptor 2 (MC2R), but it may also exert a therapeutic effect independent of CS by stimulating other melanocortin receptors (MCR) distributed in many tissues, including the brain. We reported that oligodendroglia (OL) and oligodendroglial precursor cells (OPC) express MC4R, and that ACTH 1‐39 protects OL and OPC in vitro from cell death induced by mechanisms likely involved in white matter damage in MS. This study investigates expression of MC1R, MC2R, MC3R and MC5R in OL and MC4R in OPC using immunocytochemistry with MCR subtype specific antibodies. OL express surface MC1R, MC3R and MC5R, in addition to MC4R. To investigate whether these receptors are functional, we asked if signaling through MCR is involved in ACTH protection of cultured rat OL from apoptosis (staurosporine), or cell death induced by excitotoxicity (glutamate), reactive oxygen species (ROS), or an inflammatory mediator (quinolinic acid). Like ACTH 1‐39, MCR subtype specific agonists for MC1R, MC3R, MC4R and MC5R all protected OL from these insults. Conversely, antagonists for MC3R and MC4R blocked ACTH protection of OL. We then investigated the role of MC4R, as a prototype MCR, in protection and proliferation of OPC; MC4R agonists protected OPC and increased their proliferation, while antagonists blocked these effects. Our results demonstrate that MCR on OL and OPC are functional and activate signaling pathways that protect against mechanisms involved in OL damage in MS, suggesting potential beneficial effects in neurologic diseases.
Antibiotic elution from acrylic bone cement loaded with high doses of tobramycin and vancomycin
Authors: Slane Joshua , Gietman Bradley , Squire Matthew 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACTTwo‐stage revision treatment of prosthetic joint infection (PJI) frequently employs the use of a temporary bone cement spacer loaded with multiple antibiotic types. Tobramycin and vancomycin are commonly used antibiotics in cement spacers, however, there is no consensus on the relative concentrations and combinations that should be used. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of dual antibiotic loading on the total antibiotic elution and compressive mechanical properties of acrylic bone cement. Varying concentrations of tobramycin (0–3 g) and vancomycin (0–3 g) were added either alone or in combination to acrylic cement (Palacos R), resulting in 12 experimental groups. Samples were submerged in 37°C saline for 28 d and sampled at specific time points. The collected eluent was analyzed to determine the cumulative antibiotic release. In addition, the cement's compressive mechanical properties and porosity were characterized. Interestingly, the cement with the highest concentration of antibiotics did not possess the best elution properties. Cement samples containing both 3 g of tobramycin and 2 g vancomycin demonstrated the highest cumulative antibiotic release after 28 d, which was coupled with a significant decrease in the mechanical properties and an increased porosity. The collected data also suggests that tobramycin elutes more effectively than vancomycin from cement. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that high antibiotic loading in cement does not necessarily lead to enhanced antibiotic elution. Clinically this information may be used to optimize cement spacer antibiotic loading so that both duration and amount of antibiotics eluted are optimized. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:1078–1085, 2018.
An audit of medicines information quality in electronically generated discharge summaries – evidence to meet the Australian National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards
Authors: Gilbert Alice V. , Patel Bhavini K. , Roberts Michael S. , Williams Desmond B. , Crofton Jackie H. , Morris Nicola M. , Wallace Joanna , Gilbert Andrew L. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBackgroundProblems with achieving the continuum of medicines management are long‐standing. Audits are valuable in improving medication management and the quality and safety of healthcare systems.AimTo evaluate the accuracy and timeliness of electronic discharge summaries (EDS) provided to patients and their primary care providers at discharge. This was a forerunner to the study hospital's National Accreditation Examination and for routine safety and quality evaluation.MethodsThis study was a retrospective audit using an adaptation of the NSW indicator 5.3, ‘Percentage of discharge summaries that include medication therapy changes and explanations for changes’ (National quality use of medicines indicators for Australian Hospitals. ACSQHC, Sydney, NSW, 2014). The additions to the NSW tool included: assessing the completion and timeliness of delivery to primary health care providers, and the accuracy of the information.ResultsIn patients leaving hospital, 75% had a hospital EDS completed, with 46% completed within the recommended 48 h from discharge. For an EDS to be delivered, a primary healthcare provider must be nominated by the patient. This occurred in 53% of our sample. Accuracy of information on what medicines patients should use post‐discharge was also assessed. It indicated 46% accuracy, with the majority of errors being omissions of required medicines. None of the EDSs included documented reasons for changes to medicines, in the provided table, to the primary healthcare provider. In patients on a short‐term therapy, such as antibiotics, 71% of EDSs had documented a plan for short‐term therapies to be completed in the community.ConclusionThe lack of information on the primary care provider recorded in the patient's clinical system and discharge summaries, limited the timely transfer of essential information on post‐discharge medicine management to the patient's primary care provider. Work has commenced on an educational program to improve data entry of the patient's primary care provider when they are admitted, and plans to improve compliance with the EDS policy.
Human activity was a major driver of the mid‐Holocene vegetation change in southern Cumbria: implications for the elm decline in the British Isles
Authors: Grosvenor Mark J. , Jones Richard T. , Turney Chris S. M. , Charman Dan J. , Hogg Alan , Coward Dave , Wilson Ray 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACTThe dramatic decline in elm (Ulmus) across a large swathe of north‐west Europe in the mid‐Holocene has been ascribed to a number of possible factors, including climate change, human activity and/or pathogens. A major limitation for identifying the underlying cause(s) has been the limited number of high‐resolution records with robust geochronological frameworks. Here, we report a multiproxy study of an upland (Blea Tarn) and lowland (Urswick Tarn) landscape in southern Cumbria (British Isles) to reconstruct vegetation change across the elm decline in an area with a rich and well‐dated archaeological record to disentangle different possible controls. Here we find a two‐stage decline in Ulmus taking place between 6350–6150 and 6050–5850 cal a BP, with the second phase coinciding with an intensification of human activity. The scale of the decline and associated human impact is more abrupt in the upland landscape. We consider it likely that a combination of human impact and disease drove the Ulmus decline within southern Cumbria.
Management of primary malignant bone and soft tissue tumors of foot and ankle: Is it worth salvaging?
Authors: Özger Harzem , Alpan Buğra , Aycan Osman Emre , Valiyev Natig , Kir Mustafa Çağlar , Ağaoğlu Fulya 
Published: September 2017

Background and ObjectivePerforming limb salvage with safe margins and preserving meaningful function is very difficult in the setting of primary malignant bone and soft tissue tumors due to the complex and constrained anatomy of the foot and ankle. The study aims to evaluate the efficacy of limb salvage procedures in terms of functional and oncological outcomes.MethodsClinical data of 48 patients, who underwent surgical treatment between 1992 and 2015 in our institution, were retrospectively analyzed. Twenty‐one (43.7%) patients had unplanned resections elsewhere previously. Limb salvage surgery (LSS) was the index surgery in 43 (89.6%) patients. In the LSS group, 28 (65.1%) received preoperative radiotherapy and 13 (30.2%) underwent complex reconstruction. The functional outcomes were assessed with Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) scores. Limb survival and oncological outcomes were evaluated according to Kaplan‐Meier curves.ResultsThe mean follow‐up time was 32.7 (3‐115) months. Mild deformities and wound healing problems were the most common problems. While the functional scores were significantly higher in the LSS group, no significant difference was detected between amputation and LSS patients in terms of survival rates.ConclusionLSS performed in specialized centers is an effective treatment method for malignant tumors of the foot and ankle.
Analysis of Contrast‐Enhanced Ultrasound Perfusion Patterns and Time‐Intensity Curves for Metastatic Lymph Nodes From Lung Cancer: Preliminary Results
Authors: Yin Shanshan , Cui Qiuli , Wang Song , Fan Zhihui , Yan Kun 
Published: September 2017

ObjectivesTo retrospectively summarize the similarities and differences in contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (US) findings for lymph node metastasis from adenocarcinoma, squamous carcinoma, and small cell lung cancer.MethodsPatients who had received contrast‐enhanced US examinations and had a histologic diagnosis of supraclavicular lymph node metastasis from lung cancer were included. The perfusion patterns on contrast‐enhanced US images and time‐intensity curve parameters were analyzed for the different pathologic types. The microvascular density and microvascular diameter were evaluated.ResultsTotally, 61 patients were enrolled in this study, including 26 cases with lung squamous carcinoma, 26 with lung adenocarcinoma, and 9 with small cell lung cancer. Contrast‐enhanced US perfusion showed no significant differences in enhancement uniformity during the arterial phase and in the presence of unenhanced areas of metastatic lymph nodes with the 3 different pathologic origins (P > .05), but fewer unenhanced areas could be seen in metastatic lymph nodes from adenocarcinoma. The analysis of the time‐intensity curve parameters showed that there were significant differences in the peak intensity between metastatic lymph nodes from lung squamous carcinoma and lung adenocarcinoma (P < .05). The microvascular density of metastatic lymph nodes from adenocarcinoma was significantly higher than that of metastatic lymph nodes from squamous carcinoma and small cell lung cancer (P < .001; P = .0444), whereas the microvascular diameter of metastatic lymph nodes from adenocarcinoma was significantly smaller than that from squamous carcinoma and small cell lung cancer (P = .0277; P < .001).ConclusionsEffects of the pathologic diagnosis should be considered when analyzing quantitative parameters of metastatic lymph nodes during contrast‐enhanced US examinations, even in the same organ.
Impact of Low Pressure Grazing on the Hydrological and Sediment Connectivity in Hillslopes under Contrasted Mediterranean Climatic Conditions (South of Spain)
Authors: Martínez‐Murillo Juan F. , Hueso‐González Paloma , Ruiz‐Sinoga José D. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractMany areas from the Mediterranean region are characterised by steep slope gradient, patchy vegetation cover and soil surface conditions prone to overland flow generation and sediment transport. This study evaluated the hydrological and sediment connectivity between sections (top, middle and bottom‐channel) from three low pressure grazed hillslopes located under contrasted Mediterranean climatic conditions in southern Spain. The aim was performed by installing rain‐gauge stations and opened‐plots in order to register overland flow and sediment concentration from February 2008 to January 2010. The results indicated that (i) major volumes of overland flow and sediment transport occurred more frequently in the humid and semiarid; (ii) the more frequent hydrological connectivity was observed between the middle and bottom‐channel sections, although the major values of overland flow and sediment concentration were registered in the upper sections; (iii) it was found very frequent those rainfall events in which all sections contributed with overland flow and sediment to the channel; (iv) the factors controlling hydrological and sediment connectivity varied from one site to another depending on the rainfall regime and vegetation cover, although the soil surface conditions (rock fragment cover either embedded or not embedded, crusts, annual plants, among others) were found as a key factor in all of them. In summary, the grazing activity, even being of low pressure, contributes to distance the hydrological and sediment connectivity from the response expected in the field sites, especially in that of humid Mediterranean climate: more overland flow and less sediment concentration and, vice versa, when becomes arid. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
EGFR Targeting and Shielding of pDNA Lipopolyplexes via Bivalent Attachment of a Sequence‐Defined PEG Agent
Authors: Morys Stephan , Urnauer Sarah , Spitzweg Christine , Wagner Ernst 
Published: September 2017

AbstractFor successful nonviral gene delivery, cationic polymers are promising DNA carrier, which need to comprise several functionalities. The current work focuses on the postincorporation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) targeted PEGylation agents onto lipopolyplexes for pDNA delivery. T‐shaped lipo‐oligomers are previously found to be effective sequence‐defined carriers for pDNA and siRNA. Here, the bis‐oleoyl‐oligoaminoethanamide 454 containing tyrosine trimer–cysteine ends is applied for complex formation with pDNA coding for luciferase or sodium iodide symporter (NIS). In a second step, the lipopolyplexes are modified via disulfide formation with sequence‐defined monovalent or bivalent PEGylation agents containing one or two 3‐nitro‐2‐pyridinesulfenyl (NPys)‐activated cysteines, respectively. For targeting, the polyethylene glycol (PEG) agents comprise the EGFR targeting peptide GE11. In comparison of all transfection complexes, 454 lipopolyplexes modified with the bidentate PEG–GE11 agent show the best, EGFR‐dependent uptake as well as luciferase and NIS gene expression into receptor‐positive tumor cells.