bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of nationwide health insurance coverage for non‐invasive prenatal testing
Authors: Vinante Valentina , Keller Bettina , Huhn Evelyn A. , Huang Dorothy , Lapaire Olav , Manegold‐Brauer Gwendolin 
Published: December 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo describe the changes in women's choices for prenatal testing after the introduction of nationwide health insurance coverage for non‐invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) in Switzerland.MethodsThe present retrospective study reviewed data from all women with singleton pregnancies who presented at the prenatal unit of Basel University Hospital, Switzerland, for first‐trimester screening between July 15, 2014, and December 31, 2015. Women were divided into three categories according to their risk for aneuploidy, and the uptake of NIPT in the period before and after the introduction of the nationwide coverage for NIPT was compared.ResultsOverall, 887 women were included in the study: 573 screens were carried out before (group 1) and 314 after (group 2) the introduction of insurance coverage for NIPT. In group 1, 53 (9.2%) had NIPT as compared with 72 (22.9%) in group 2. Among women with intermediate risk for aneuploidies and basic insurance coverage, NIPT increased by 56% (12/88 [14%] vs 32/46 [70%]; P<0.001).ConclusionThere was a notable increase in the uptake of NIPT; uptake was most significant among women with basic health insurance and intermediate risk for aneuploidy.
Nootkatone confers hepatoprotective and anti‐fibrotic actions in a murine model of liver fibrosis by suppressing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis
Authors: Kurdi Amani , Hassan Kamal , Venkataraman Balaji , Rajesh Mohanraj 
Published: December 2017

AbstractIn this study, the hepatoprotective and anti‐fibrotic actions of nootkatone (NTK) were investigated using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)‐induced liver fibrosis in mice. CCl4 administration elevated serum aspartate and alanine transaminases levels, respectively. In addition, CCl4 produced hepatic oxidative and nitrative stress, characterized by diminished hemeoxygenase‐1 expression, antioxidant defenses, and accumulation of 4‐hydroxynonenal and 3‐nitrotyrosine. Furthermore, CCl4 administration evoked profound expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokine expressions such as tumor necrosis factor‐α, monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1, and interleukin‐1β in hepatic tissues, which corroborated with nuclear factor κB activation. Additionally, CCl4‐treated animals exhibited higher apoptosis, characterized by increased caspase 3 activity, DNA fragmentation, and poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase activation. Moreover, histological and biochemical investigations revealed marked fibrosis in the livers of CCl4‐administered animals. However, NTK treatment mitigated CCl4‐induced phenotypic changes. In conclusion, our findings suggest that NTK exerts hepatoprotective and anti‐fibrotic actions by suppressing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis.
miR‐424‐5p reduces ribosomal RNA and protein synthesis in muscle wasting
Authors: Connolly Martin , Paul Richard , Farre‐Garros Roser , Natanek Samantha A. , Bloch Susannah , Lee Jen , Lorenzo Jose P. , Patel Harnish , Cooper Cyrus , Sayer Avan A. , Wort Stephen J. , Griffiths Mark , Polkey Michael I. , Kemp Paul R. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBackgroundA loss of muscle mass occurs as a consequence of a range of chronic and acute diseases as well as in older age. This wasting results from an imbalance of protein synthesis and degradation with a reduction in synthesis and resistance to anabolic stimulation often reported features. Ribosomes are required for protein synthesis, so changes in the control of ribosome synthesis are potential contributors to muscle wasting. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are known regulators of muscle phenotype and have been shown to modulate components of the protein synthetic pathway. One miRNA that is predicted to target a number of components of protein synthetic pathway is miR‐424‐5p, which is elevated in the quadriceps of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).MethodsTargets of miR‐424‐5p were identified by Argonaute2 pull down, and the effects of the miRNA on RNA and protein expression were determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting in muscle cells in vitro. Protein synthesis was determined by puromycin incorporation in vitro. The miRNA was over‐expressed in the tibialis anterior muscle of mice by electroporation and the effects quantified. Finally, quadriceps expression of the miRNA was determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction in patients with COPD and intensive care unit (ICU)‐acquired weakness and in patients undergoing aortic surgery as well as in individuals from the Hertfordshire Sarcopenia Study.ResultsPull‐down assays showed that miR‐424‐5p bound to messenger RNAs encoding proteins associated with muscle protein synthesis. The most highly enriched messenger RNAs encoded proteins required for the Pol I RNA pre‐initiation complex required for ribosomal RNA (rRNA) transcription, (PolR1A and upstream binding transcription factor). In vitro, miR‐424‐5p reduced the expression of these RNAs, reduced rRNA levels, and inhibited protein synthesis. In mice, over‐expression of miR‐322 (rodent miR‐424 orthologue) caused fibre atrophy and reduced upstream binding transcription factor expression and rRNA levels. In humans, elevated miR‐424‐5p associated with markers of disease severity in COPD (FEV1%), in patients undergoing aortic surgery (LVEF%), and in patients with ICU‐acquired weakness (days in ICU). In patients undergoing aortic surgery, preoperative miR‐424‐5p expression in skeletal muscle was associated with muscle loss over the following 7 days.ConclusionsThese data suggest that miR‐424‐5p regulates rRNA synthesis by inhibiting Pol I pre‐initiation complex formation. Increased miR‐424‐5p expression in patients with conditions associated with muscle wasting is likely to contribute to the inhibition of protein synthesis and loss of muscle mass.
Cephalic muscle development in the Australian lungfish,Neoceratodus forsteri
Authors: Ziermann Janine M. , Clement Alice M. , Ericsson Rolf , Olsson Lennart 
Published: December 2017

AbstractLungfishes are the extant sister group of tetrapods. As such, they are important for the study of evolutionary processes involved in the water to land transition of vertebrates. The evolution of a true neck, that is, the complete separation of the pectoral girdle from the cranium, is one of the most intriguing morphological transitions known among vertebrates. Other salient changes involve new adaptations for terrestrial feeding, which involves both the cranium and its associated musculature. Historically, the cranium has been extensively investigated, but the development of the cranial muscles much less so. Here, we present a detailed study of cephalic muscle development in the Australian lungfish,Neoceratodus forsteri, which is considered to be the sister taxon to all other extant lungfishes.Neoceratodusshows several developmental patterns previously described in other taxa; the tendency of muscles to develop from anterior to posterior, from their region of origin toward insertion, and from lateral to ventral/medial (outside‐in), at least in the branchial arches. The m.protractor pectoralis appears to develop as an extension of the most posterior m.levatores arcuum branchialium, supporting the hypothesis that the m.cucullaris and its derivatives (protractor pectoralis, levatores arcuum branchialium) are branchial muscles. We present a new hypothesis regarding the homology of the ventral branchial arch muscles (subarcualis recti and obliqui, transversi ventrales) in lungfishes and amphibians. Moreover, the morphology and development of the cephalic muscles confirms that extant lungfishes are neotenic and have been strongly influenced via paedomorphosis during their evolutionary history.
Understanding the cascade of GCM and downscaling uncertainties in hydro‐climatic projections over India
Authors: Sharma Tarul , Vittal H. , Chhabra Surbhi , Salvi Kaustubh , Ghosh Subimal , Karmakar Subhankar 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACTIndia is a major agrarian country strongly impacted by spatio‐temporal variations in the Indian monsoon. The impact assessment is usually accomplished by implementing projections from general circulation models (GCMs). Unfortunately, these projections cannot capture the dynamicity of the monsoon and require either statistical (SD) or dynamical (DD) downscaling of the GCM projections to a finer resolution. Both downscaling techniques can capture the spatio‐temporal variation in climatic variables but are marred by uncertainty in the projections resulting from the choice of the GCM and downscaling method, which affects climate change adaptations. Here, we assessed uncertainties in the projections of hydro‐climatic variables over India by considering multiple downscaling techniques, multiple GCMs, and their combined effects (referred as the total uncertainty). Multiple hydrological variables were simulated by implementing the variable infiltration capacity model that considered outputs from DD (derived by the coordinated regional climate downscaling experiment, CORDEX) and SD forced with multiple GCM simulations. Our results showed that the SD projections captured the observed spatio‐temporal variability of hydro‐climatic variables more efficiently than the DD projections. Importantly, contribution from the downscaled projections to the total uncertainty was significantly smaller compared to the inter‐GCM uncertainty.We believe uncertainty analysis is an important component of good scientific practice; however, several researchers appear to be rather reluctant to embrace the concept of uncertainty in making projections, predictions, and forecasting. It remains a common practice to show climate change exercises to decision‐makers/stakeholders, without uncertainty bounds. Here, a successful attempt was made to identify the key sources of uncertainty and adequately bracket the uncertainty, indicating a requirement of the code of practice to provide formal guidance, particularly for climate‐change impact assessments. This consequently emphasized the importance of follow‐up research to understand the inter‐GCM uncertainty, which has a significant impact on sustainable agriculture and water resources management in India.
Endoscopic sentinel lymph node biopsy using indocyanine green‐neomannosyl human serum albumin
Authors: Park Young Min , Quan Yu Hua , Kwon Ki Hyeok , Cho Jae‐Gu , Woo Jeong‐Soo , Kim Beop‐Min , Lee Yun‐Sang , Jeong Jae Min , Kim Hyun Koo , Song Jae‐Jun 
Published: December 2017

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine the possibility of endoscopic sentinel lymph node biopsy of the head and neck region using indocyanine green‐neomannosyl human serum albumin (ICG:MSA) and a custom‐made intraoperative color‐and‐fluorescence‐merged imaging system (ICFIS).MethodsUsing mouse and rabbit models of tongue cancer, we performed sentinel lymph node biopsy using an ICG:MSA tracer and custom imaging system equipped with an endoscope.ResultsICG:MSA was localized to the cervical lymph node on the ipsilateral side for up to 30 minutes compared to ICG tracer (ICG n = 3, IGC:MSA n = 3). Detection of sentinel lymph nodes was attempted after injecting ICG:MSA in the mouse tongue cancer model (n = 3). During the operation, lymph nodes were easily identified and resected using ICFIS without the aid of other magnifiers. In the rabbit tongue cancer model (n = 3), the ICFIS equipped with 30‐degree endoscopy was used to confirm the feasibility of endoscopic sentinel lymph node biopsy. The entire sentinel lymph node biopsy procedure was performed using the ICFIS with the 30‐degree endoscope. We detected and dissected sentinel lymph nodes in the rabbit model without the other sentinel lymph node detection tools.ConclusionWe confirmed the usefulness of sentinel lymph node biopsy using a near infrared fluorescence technique and endoscopic system. Avoidance of radiation exposure and shine‐through phenomena, which are problems of sentinel lymph node biopsy using conventional radioisotopes, are advantages of our surgical technique. By combining the endoscopic system with a sentinel lymph node biopsy procedure, we avoided visible neck scars, which lead to excellent cosmetic outcomes.Level of EvidenceNA. Laryngoscope, 128:E135–E140, 2018
Pedicled iliac crest bone flap transfer for the treatment of upper femoral shaft fracture nonunion: An anatomic study and clinical applications
Authors: Zhao Dewei , Cao Meng , Wang Tienan , Wang Benjie , Liu Baoyi , Lineaweaver William C. 
Published: December 2017

PurposeWe present the results of a study on the anatomy of the ascending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery (AB‐LCFA) and the use of the pedicled iliac bone flap transfer perfused by AB‐LCFA combined with external fixation for the treatment of the nonunion of upper femoral shaft fractures.MethodsThe orientation, diameter, length, and distribution of the AB‐LCFA from 40 lower limbs of adult cadavers were dissected and measured. From 2000 to 2012, 13 patients with nonunion of upper femoral shaft fractures underwent pedicled iliac bone flap transfer perfused by the AB‐LCFA combined with external fixation. The time of bone fracture union was recorded based on X‐ray examination. The functional results of the femoral shaft were evaluated by the Klemm classification.ResultsThe lateral circumflex femoral artery (LCFA) divided into ascending, transverse, and descending branches in 32 specimens (80%). The diameter of the AB‐LCFA at the origin was 3.15 ± 0.9 mm and the length of the AB‐LCFA was 8.51 ± 3.06 cm. The postoperative course of the procedure was uneventful in all 13 patients. The average follow‐up was 15 months. Bone union was achieved in all patients and the average union time was 5.3 months. 12 patients achieved excellent or good functional results based on the Klemm classification.ConclusionThe AB‐LCFA has a consistent orientation and abundant blood flow. The transfer of the iliac crest bone flap perfused by the AB‐LCFA while combined with external fixation could be an option for treating the nonunion of upper femoral shaft fractures.
31P T2s of phosphomonoesters, phosphodiesters, and inorganic phosphate in the human brain at 7T
Authors: van der Kemp Wybe J.M. , Klomp Dennis W.J. , Wijnen Jannie P. 
Published: December 2017

PurposeTo determine the phosphorus‐31 T2s of phosphomonoesters, phosphodiesters, and inorganic phosphate in the healthy human brain at 7T.MethodsA 3D chemical shift imaging multi‐echo sequence with composite block pulses for refocusing was used to measure one free induction decay (FID) and seven full echoes with an echo spacing of 45 ms on the brain of nine healthy volunteers (age range 22–45 years; average age 27 ± 8 years). Spectral fitting was used to determine the change in metabolic signal amplitude with echo time.ResultsThe average apparent T2s with their standard deviation were 202 ± 6 ms, 129 ± 6 ms, 86 ± 2 ms, 214 ± 10 ms, and 213 ± 11 ms for phosphoethanolamine, phosphocholine, inorganic phosphate, glycerophosphoethanolamine, and glycerophosphocholine, respectively.ConclusionThe determined apparent T2 for phosphoethanolamine, glycerophosphocholine, and glycerophosphoethanolamine is approximately 200 ms. The lower apparent T2 value for phosphocholine is attributed to the overlap of this resonance with the 3‐phosphorous resonance of 2,3‐diphosphoglycerate from blood, with an apparent shorter T2. Omitting the FID signal and the first echo of phosphocholine leads to a T2 of 182 ± 7 ms, whereas a biexponential analysis leads to 203 ± 4 ms. These values are more in line with phosphoethanolamine and the phosphodiesters. The short T2 of inorganic phosphate is subscribed to the fast reversible exchange with γ‐adenosine triphosphate, which is mediated by glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase and phosphoglycerate kinase within the glycolytic pathway. Magn Reson Med 80:29–35, 2018. © 2017 The Authors Magnetic Resonance in Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes.
Dual strategy for 2‐dimensional PDE optimal control problem in the reheating furnace
Authors: Luo Xiaochuan , Yang Zhi 
Published: December 2017

SummaryIn this paper, the dual strategy is used to solve the 2‐dimensional partial differential equation optimal control problem by introducing the adjoint problem approach to the optimization model. It is proved that the Fr
chet gradient of the cost functional could be written via the weak solution of the adjoint problem, and then, Lipschitz continuity of the gradient is derived. An improved conjugate gradient algorithm is used to solve this problem. Then, the proposed method is applied to obtain the reference values of the optimal furnace zone temperatures and achieve the desired temperature for steel slabs in the reheating furnace. Model validation and comparison between the mathematical model and the experiment results indicate that the present heat transfer model works well for the prediction of thermal behavior about the slab in the reheating furnace. Results of some computational experiments in the simulations of the A3 slab are illustrated, which verifies the effectiveness of the proposed method.
N‐Type Doped Silicon Thin Film on a Porous Cu Current Collector as the Negative Electrode for Li‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Mukanova Aliya , Nurpeissova Arailym , Kim Sung‐Soo , Myronov Maksym , Bakenov Zhumabay 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis work reports the preparation of a three‐dimensional Si thin film negative electrode employing a porous Cu current collector. A previously reported copper etching procedure was modified to develop the porous structures inside a 9 μm thick copper foil. Magnetron sputtering was used for the deposition of an n‐type doped 400 nm thick amorphous Si thin film. Electrochemical cycling of the prepared anode confirmed the effectiveness of utilizing the approach. The designed Si thin film electrode retained a capacity of around 67 μAh cm−2 (1675 mAh g−1) in 100th cycle. The improved electrochemical performance resulted in an enhancement of both areal capacity and capacity retention in contrast with flat and rough current collectors that were prepared for comparison.
A mixed‐methods study of a social emotional curriculum for Black male success: A school‐based pilot study of the Brothers of Ujima
Authors: Graves Scott L. , Aston Candice 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of a social emotional learning curriculum, Brothers of Ujima, for children at risk for being referred for placement in emotional and behavioral support classrooms. The Brothers of Ujima is a strength‐based culturally relevant intervention for African American boys aged 10–14. The purpose of the 14‐week program is to strengthen positive self‐esteem, ethnic identity, and prosocial behaviors while reducing negative behaviors among boys. The curriculum objectives are for boys to critically assess myths and stereotypes of African Americans presented in the media, to help boys develop creative thinking and leadership skills, to increase appreciation of African and African American culture, and to learn adaptive coping skills when faced with discrimination. This study is the first to evaluate this curriculum in a school‐based setting. Fourteen 6th‐ and 7th‐grade students participated in the intervention. Results show that males demonstrated an increase in Afrocentric values, but not in racial identity or resiliency. Teacher interviews showed that the intervention was feasible for a school setting; however, modifications to format and lessons content should be undertaken for future studies.
Fatigue and photochromism S1 excited state reactivity of diarylethenes from QTAIM and the stress tensor
Authors: Yang Ping , Xu Tianlv , Momen Roya , Azizi Alireza , Kirk Steven R. , Jenkins Samantha 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe realization of technologically relevant functional systems from idealized photochromic compounds remains elusive due to the double requirement that such switches must possess both highly efficient photo‐isomerization reactivity and extremely low fatigue over a large number of switching cycles. Nowadays, improvements of the switching properties in complex diarylethene structures are mainly attained on a “trial and error” basis through chemical substitutions aimed at tuning the chemical properties of the core of the diarylethene. Therefore, we present new guiding principles to analyze the first excited state reactivity of diarylethenes based on the quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) including the stress tensor. This approach straightforwardly provides consistent theoretical justification to partner the already successful symmetric substitution patterns obtained from experiments. The guiding principles provided by QTAIM and stress tensor suggest more complex asymmetric patterns should be included for the systematic design of new technologically relevant functional compounds. The stress tensor trajectory Tσ(s) analysis is used to characterize the photochromism reaction as reusable and the fatigue reaction as irreversible and find candidate sites for alteration by future experiment.
Expression of the gonadotropin receptors during follicular development
Authors: Kishi Hiroshi , Kitahara Yoshikazu , Imai Fumiharu , Nakao Kohshiro , Suwa Hiroto 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBackgroundGonadotropins induce follicular development that leads to ovulation and luteinization. In women, the level of gonadotropins, along with the expression of their receptors, changes dynamically throughout the menstrual cycle. This study aimed to clarify the mechanisms underlying these phenomena.MethodsThe literature was reviewed, including that published by the authors.Main findings (Results)Follicle‐stimulating hormone receptor expression in the granulosa cells was induced by androgens that were derived from growth differentiation factor‐9‐stimulated theca cells. In the theca cells, luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) expression was noted from their appearance. In the granulosa cells, follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) stimulation was essential for LHR expression. However, FSH alone was not sufficient to respond to the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge for oocyte maturation, ovulation, and subsequent luteinization. To achieve these stages, various local factors that were derived from the granulosa and theca cells in response to FSH and LH stimulation had to work synergistically in an autocrine/paracrine manner to strongly induce LHR expression. Following the LH surge, the LHR expression decreased markedly; miRNAs were involved in this transient LHR downregulation. Following ovulation, LHR expression drastically increased again toward luteinization.ConclusionThe expression of gonadotropin receptors is controlled by sophisticated and complicated systems; a breakdown of this system could lead to ovulation disorders.
Finite‐time tracking control of uncertain nonholonomic systems by state and output feedback
Authors: Shi Shang , Xu Shengyuan , Yu Xin , Li Yongmin , Zhang Zhengqiang 
Published: December 2017

SummaryThis paper studies the finite‐time tracking control of nonholonomic systems in chained form with parameter uncertainties, unknown output gains, and mismatched uncertainties. To achieve the finite‐time tracking control of uncertain nonholonomic systems, we propose 2 types of controllers by state and output feedback, respectively. Both of the proposed 2 types of controllers can achieve the finite‐time output tracking control of the nonholonomic systems even in the presence of mismatched uncertainties and/or unknown gains. The effectiveness of our proposed controllers are illustrated with simulation examples.