bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prognostic significance of long noncoding RNA Z38 as a candidate biomarker in breast cancer
Authors: Nie Zhen‐Lin , Wang Yi‐Shan , Mei Yan‐Ping , Lin Xin , Zhang Guo‐Xing , Sun Hui‐Ling , Wang Yi‐Lian , Xia Yong‐Xiang , Wang Shu‐Kui 
Published: March 2017

BackgroundLong noncoding RNA (lncRNA) Z38 has been shown to promote cell proliferation and tumorigenesis in breast cancer. However, expression pattern and prognostic value of lncRNA Z38 in breast cancer patients remain elusive.MethodsThe expression levels of SPRY4‐IT1 in 110 self‐paired specimens of breast cancer and adjacent normal breast tissues were measured by quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR), and its correlation with overall survival of patients with breast cancer was further statistically analyzed.ResultsCompared with normal breast tissues, Z38 was upregulated in breast cancer tissues. Furthermore, of 110 breast cancer patients, high Z38 expression was significantly associated with tumor‐node‐metastasis stage and lymph node metastasis. Further analysis using the Cox regression model revealed that Z38 expression was an independent prognostic factor of overall survival in patients with breast cancer (hazard ratio=4.74, 95% confidence interval 2.41‐9.32). The nomogram presents a good prediction of the probability of overall survival of breast cancer patients (c‐index: 0.792), and its predictive efficiency was further confirmed by the calibration curve.ConclusionOur data highlighted the potential of lncRNA Z38 as novel candidate biomarker to identify patients with breast cancer at high risk of tumor death.
C‐reactive protein, symptoms and activity of daily living in patients with advanced cancer receiving palliative care
Authors: Amano Koji , Maeda Isseki , Morita Tatsuya , Baba Mika , Miura Tomofumi , Hama Takashi , Mori Ichiro , Nakajima Nobuhisa , Nishi Tomohiro , Sakurai Hiroki , Shimoyama Satofumi , Shinjo Takuya , Shirayama Hiroto , Yamada Takeshi , Ono Shigeki , Ozawa Taketoshi , Yamamoto Ryo , Yamamoto Naoki , Shishido Hideki , Kinoshita Hiroya 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe association between C‐reactive protein (CRP) level, symptoms, and activities of daily living (ADL) in advanced cancer patients is unclear.MethodsSecondary data analysis of a multicenter prospective cohort study consisted of 2426 advanced cancer patients referred to palliative care settings was conducted to examine the cross‐sectional relationships between CRP level, symptoms, and ADL disabilities. Laboratory data, symptoms, ADL, and manual muscle testing (MMT) results were obtained at baseline. Participants were divided into four groups: low (CRP < 1 mg/dl), moderate (1 = < CRP <5 mg/dl), high (5 = < CRP < 10 mg/dl), and very high CRP (10 mg/dl = < CRP). The proportions of eight symptoms, five ADL disabilities, and three categories of MMT according to the CRP groups were tested by chi‐square tests. Multiple‐adjusted odd ratios (ORs) were calculated by using ordinal logistic regression after adjustment for age, gender, site of primary cancer, metastatic disease, performance status, chemotherapy, and setting of care.ResultsA total of 1702 patients were analysed. Positive rates of symptoms and ADL disabilities increased with increasing CRP level. In the very high‐CRP group, rates of positivity for anorexia, fatigue, and weight loss were 89.8%, 81.0%, and 79.2%, respectively, and over 70% of patients received assistance for bathing, dressing, going to the toilet, and transfer. The grade of MMT also deteriorated with increasing CRP level. Adjusted ORs for the accumulated symptoms significantly increased with increasing CRP level in the moderate‐CRP, high‐CRP, and very high‐CRP groups [1.6 (95% confidence interval 1.2–2.0), P < 0.001; 2.5 (1.9–3.2), P < 0.001; 3.5 (2.7–4.6), P < 0.001, respectively]. Adjusted ORs for the accumulated ADL disabilities significantly increased in the very high‐CRP groups [2.1 (1.5–2.9), P < 0.001].ConclusionsAssociations between CRP level, symptoms, and ADL were observed in advanced cancer patients receiving palliative care.
Clinical relevance of hypercoagulability and possible hypofibrinolysis associated with estrone and estriol
Authors: Swanepoel Albe C. , Naidoo Priyaa , Nielsen Vance G. , Pretorius Etheresia 
Published: March 2017

AbstractEstrone (E1) and Estriol (E3) are endogenous female hormones, present in increased concentrations during female specific physiological processes (menopause and pregnancy respectively) that are associated with increased venous thrombotic risk. These hormones are also used as hormone therapies that are also associated with increased thromboembolism risk. Viscoelastic analysis revealed no significant difference to clot formation after hormone addition, however morphological analysis showed that the addition of both E1 and E3 result in fibrin clots composed of thinner fibrin fibers arranged in dense matted networks. These changes to the fibrin network ultrastructure are indicative of a prothrombotic state but may also indicate hypofibrinolysis. We therefore conclude that the increased risk of venous thrombosis during pregnancy and menopause may originate from a combination of hypercoagulation and a possible hypofibrinolytic mechanism of these hormones. Therefore females with a hypercoagulable tendency that fall pregnant or enter menopause need to be monitored to prevent venous thrombotic events. The decision to use hormone therapies during and after menopause should not be taken lightly and the risk‐reward scale should be closely examined to ensure it does not tip towards thrombosis and subsequent thrombotic events that ultimately could have been prevented.
Atmospheric dynamics and internal processes during organization and intensification of Boreal Summer Intraseasonal Oscillation (BSISO) based on TRMM and reanalyses data
Authors: Sarkar Sahadat , Mukhopadhyay Parthasarathi , Dutta Somenath 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACTBoreal summer intraseasonal oscillations (BSISOs) show a meridional propagation from the Indian Ocean (IO) region to the continental India. The BSISOs are the main source of rainfall variability over the Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM) region. The recent research has revealed a basic understanding of the scale selection and northward propagation of the BSISOs. But the complete understanding about the organization and intensification of BSISOs remains elusive. This study uses observation and reanalysis data that covers summers (June–September) of 1998–2013 to investigate the dynamical and atmospheric internal processes during the organization and intensification of BSISOs. Based on rainfall analyses, two types of BSISOs are defined, one with weaker and the other with stronger intensity. Stronger BSISOs show persisting lower level moisture convergence to the north of the convection centre (CC) and a strong vertical velocity collocated with CC. The analysis of mean kinetic energy (MKE) budget suggests that MKE significantly increases during the organization of the strong BSISOs but the strength is relatively weaker during the evolution of weak BSISOs. The enhanced MKE during the strong events is supported by the increase of baroclinic energy conversion from mean available potential energy (MAPE) to MKE but the MAPE to MKE conversion is significantly weak during the evolution of weak BSISOs. There is conversion from MKE to eddy kinetic energy (EKE) during organization of strong BSISOs and the conversion increases as the events approach towards the organized and intense phase. The eddy momentum‐vertical wind shear interaction is the significant contributor for conversion of MKE to EKE during the organization of strong BSISOs. The eddy momentum‐mean flow divergence interaction and eddy momentum–vorticity interaction at the lower level support to enhance EKE as the strong BSISOs approach the organized and intense phase. But the above interactions are weak during evolutions of the weak BSISOs.
Pro‐inflammatory M1 macrophages promote Osteogenesis by mesenchymal stem cells via the COX‐2‐prostaglandin E2 pathway
Authors: Lu Laura Y. , Loi Florence , Nathan Karthik , Lin Tzu‐hua , Pajarinen Jukka , Gibon Emmanuel , Nabeshima Akira , Cordova Luis , Jämsen Eemeli , Yao Zhenyu , Goodman Stuart B. 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACTBone fractures are among the most common orthopaedic problems that affect individuals of all ages. Immediately after injury, activated macrophages dynamically contribute to and regulate an acute inflammatory response that involves other cells at the injury site, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). These macrophages and MSCs work in concert to modulate bone healing. In this study, we co‐cultured undifferentiated M0, pro‐inflammatory M1, and anti‐inflammatory M2 macrophages with primary murine MSCs in vitro to determine the cross‐talk between polarized macrophages and MSCs and their effects on osteogenesis. After 4 weeks of co‐culture, MSCs grown with macrophages, especially M1 macrophages, had enhanced bone mineralization compared to MSCs grown alone. The level of bone formation after 4 weeks of culture was closely associated with prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) secretion early in osteogenesis. Treatment with celecoxib, a cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) selective inhibitor, significantly reduced bone mineralization in all co‐cultures but most dramatically in the M1‐MSC co‐culture. We also found that the presence of macrophages reduced the secretion of osteoprotegerin (OPG), the decoy RANKL receptor, suggesting that macrophages may indirectly modulate osteoclast activity in addition to enhancing bone formation. Taken together, these findings suggest that an initial pro‐inflammatory phase modulated by M1 macrophages promotes osteogenesis in MSCs via the COX‐2‐PGE2 pathway. Understanding the complex interactions between macrophages and MSCs provide opportunities to optimize bone healing and other regenerative processes via modulation of the inflammatory response. This study provides one possible biological mechanism for the adverse effects of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs on fracture healing and bone regeneration. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:2378–2385, 2017.
Critical dimensions of trans‐sacral corridors assessed by 3D CT models: Relevance for implant positioning in fractures of the sacrum
Authors: Wagner Daniel , Kamer Lukas , Sawaguchi Takeshi , Geoff Richards R. , Noser Hansrudi , Uesugi Masafumi , Ossendorf Christian , Rommens Pol M. 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACTTrans‐sacral implants can be used alternatively to sacro‐iliac screws in the treatment of osteoporosis‐associated fragility fractures of the pelvis and the sacrum. We investigated trans‐sacral corridor dimensions, the number of individuals amenable to trans‐sacral fixation, as well as the osseous boundaries and shape of the S1 corridor. 3D models were reconstructed from pelvic CT scans from 92 Europeans and 64 Japanese. A corridor of <12 mm was considered critical for trans‐sacral implant positioning, and <8 mm as impossible. A statistical model of trans‐sacral corridor S1 was computed. The limiting cranio‐caudal diameter was 11.6 mm (±5.4) for S1 and 14 mm (±2.4) for S2. Trans‐sacral implant positioning was critical in 52% of cases for S1, and in 21% for S2. The S1 corridor was impossible in 26%, with no impossible corridor in S2. Antero‐superiorly, the S1 corridor was limited not only by the sacrum but in 40% by the iliac fossa. The statistical model demonstrated a consistent oval shape of the trans‐section of corridor S1. Considering the variable in size and shape of trans‐sacral corridors in S1, a thorough anatomical knowledge and preoperative planning are mandatory using trans‐sacral implants. In critical cases, S2 is a veritable alternative. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:2577–2584, 2017.
Modification and application of an in vitro assay to examine inositol phosphate degradation in the digestive tract of poultry
Authors: Sommerfeld Vera , Schollenberger Margit , Hemberle Luca , Rodehutscord Markus 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDAn in vitro assay was modified to study the disappearance of inositol hexakisphosphate (InsP6) and the formation of lower inositol phosphate (InsP) isomers in the poultry digestive tract, and three experiments investigated the influence of diets with different ingredients and additives. Using the poultry diet as a matrix, the assay simulated the conditions (e.g. pH, temperature, proteolytic enzymes, water content, and retention time) of the crop, stomach, and small intestine, and extraction and analysis of InsP isomers were immediately conducted.RESULTSThe assay produced highly reproducible results with coefficients of variation ≤10% for an InsP isomer concentration ≥0.4 µmol g−1 DM (n = 3), and it was sensitive to the factors that varied in the three experiments.CONCLUSIONThe described assay is a suitable tool that can be used to screen feed enzymes and to investigate the effects of supplements in the absence of endogenous phytases. The ease of handling and high reproducibility of the assay indicated that the assay is a rapid and feasible method that can be used to examine the degradation pathway of phytate in feed under gastrointestinal conditions. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Amino Acid Block Copolymers with Broad Antimicrobial Activity and Barrier Properties
Authors: Bevilacqua Michael P. , Huang Daniel J. , Wall Brian D. , Lane Shalyn J. , Edwards Carl K. , Hanson Jarrod A. , Benitez Diego , Solomkin Joseph S. , Deming Timothy J. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractAntimicrobial properties of a long‐chain, synthetic, cationic, and hydrophobic amino acid block copolymer are reported. In 5 and 60 min time‐kill assays, solutions of K100L40 block copolymers (poly(l‐lysine·hydrochloride)100‐b‐poly(l‐leucine)40) at concentrations of 10–100 µg mL−1 show multi‐log reductions in colony forming units of Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria, as well as yeast, including multidrug‐resistant strains. Driven by association of hydrophobic segments, K100L40 copolymers form viscous solutions and self‐supporting hydrogels in water at concentrations of 1 and 2 wt%, respectively. These K100L40 preparations provide an effective barrier to microbial contamination of wounds, as measured by multi‐log decreases of tissue‐associated bacteria with deliberate inoculation of porcine skin explants, porcine open wounds, and rodent closed wounds with foreign body. Based on these findings, amino acid copolymers with the features of K100L40 can combine potent, direct antimicrobial activity and barrier properties in one biopolymer for a new approach to prevention of wound infections.
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Parameter Estimation for an Inverse Nonlinear Stochastic Problem: Reactivity Ratio Studies in Copolymerization
Authors: Du Yuncheng , Budman Hector , Duever Thomas 
Published: March 2017

A generalized polynomial chaos (gPC)‐based methodology is developed to estimate the reactivity ratio in copolymerization, where the reactivity ratio is assumed to be stochastic unknown and determined by comparing model predictions with limited experimental data. The estimation step is formulated as a stochastic inverse problem of finding the distributional stochastic reactivity ratio parameters with a maximum likelihood function. The results show that the gPC‐based reactivity ratio estimation is efficient and powerful, since it simultaneously provides the best estimates and their corresponding variances. Beyond achieving accurate estimation results, it is shown that the computational cost of the gPC‐based methodology is significantly lower than Markov chain Monte Carlo simulations, thus demonstrating the potential of the gPC method for dealing with other more complicated nonlinear problems.
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The challenge of bias‐free coil combination for quantitative susceptibility mapping at ultra‐high field
Authors: Bollmann Steffen , Robinson Simon Daniel , O'Brien Kieran , Vegh Viktor , Janke Andrew , Marstaller Lars , Reutens David , Barth Markus 
Published: March 2017

PurposeQuantitative susceptibility mapping is a technique to estimate the magnetic property of tissue with particularly high sensitivity at ultra‐high field. However, a key challenge at ultra‐high field is the combination of phase data acquired using phased array receive coils. Several methods for combining phase data have been proposed, but the influence of coil combination choices on susceptibility quantitation has not been studied systematically.MethodsWe combined phase data using COMPOSER (COMbining Phase data using a Short Echo‐time Reference scan) and a reference‐free channel‐by‐channel method. We investigated the effect of the chosen combination method on susceptibility results in a group of 28 participants at 7 Tesla.ResultsOur results show that reference scans can bias susceptibility values. Although the proposed reference‐free channel‐by‐channel method cannot remove transmit field phase, it shows comparable results to the COMPOSER method in which a high‐resolution ultrashort echo‐time reference scan was used.ConclusionsWe conclude that ultrashort echo‐time reference scans reduce quantitation bias and remove the transmit field phase when using COMPOSER to combine phase data, and not combining the phase data before susceptibility processing avoids this bias, resulting in comparable results. Magn Reson Med 79:97–107, 2018. © 2017 InternationalSociety for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Interleaved neuromuscular electrical stimulation after spinal cord injury
Authors: Bergquist Austin J. , Wiest Matheus J. , Okuma Yoshino , Collins David F. 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACTIntroductionNeuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) over a muscle belly (mNMES) recruits superficial motor units (MUs) preferentially, whereas NMES over a nerve trunk (nNMES) recruits MUs evenly throughout the muscle. We performed tests to determine whether “interleaving” pulses between the mNMES and nNMES sites (iNMES) reduces the fatigability of contractions for people experiencing paralysis because of chronic spinal cord injury.MethodsPlantar flexion torque and soleus electromyography (M‐waves) were recorded from 8 participants. A fatigue protocol (75 contractions; 2 s on/2 s off for 5 min) was delivered by iNMES. The results were compared with previously published data collected with mNMES and nNMES in the same 8 participants.ResultsTorque declined ∼40% more during mNMES than during nNMES or iNMES. M‐waves declined during mNMES but not during nNMES or iNMES.DiscussionTo reduce fatigability of electrically evoked contractions of paralyzed plantar flexors, iNMES is equivalent to nNMES, and both are superior to mNMES. Muscle Nerve 56: 989–993, 2017
Silane surface modification of boron nitride for high thermal conductivity with polyphenylene sulfide via melt mixing method
Authors: Ryu Seokgyu , Kim Kiho , Kim Jooheon 
Published: March 2017

Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) is a promising engineering polymer, which is used for various industrial applications. In this study, we developed a highly thermally conductive PPS composite containing boron nitride (BN) as a thermally conductive ceramic filler. (3‐Aminopropyl) triethoxysilane was doped onto the surface of hydroxyl‐functionalized BN using a simple sol–gel process. The modified BN particles were embedded in a PPS matrix via a melt mixing process using a twin extruder to form BN‐Si composites. The maximum thermal conductivity 3.09 W/m·K was exhibited by the surface‐modified BN‐Si containing 60 wt%. This value was 116% higher than the thermal conductivities of the pristine BN and PPS matrix, respectively. The surface‐treated composites also showed an improved storage modulus because of an improvement in the interfacial adhesion and interaction between the BN filler and the PPS matrix. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design, synthesis and insecticidal activity of novel hydrocarbylidene nitrohydrazinecarboximidamides
Authors: Xu Yong , Yang Dong‐yan , Zou Xiang‐gao , Rui Chang‐hui , Zhou Zi‐yuan , Ma Yong‐qiang , Qin Zhao‐hai 
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUNDNeonicotinoids, among the most important pesticides in recent decades, have played pivotal roles in controlling agricultural pests. However, the toxicity to some environmentally beneficial insects is a cause of concern. The development of novel insecticides safer to these insects is increasingly urgent.RESULTSA novel series of hydrocarbylidene nitrohydrazinecarboximidamides were designed and synthesised, starting from S‐methylisothiourea sulphate. Preliminary bioassays showed that the target molecules exhibited good activities against Lipaphis erysimi (turnip aphid) and Myzus persicae. As shown by initial insecticidal activity data, most of the target compounds had moderate to excellent activities at a concentration of 600 mg L−1 against L. erysimi, and the lethal rate of most compounds exceeded 90%. They were also highly effective against M. persicae. Some of them have shown excellent insecticidal activities, for example, the LC50 values of compounds Ie‐02 to Ie‐07 were found to be 3.8, 3.0, 2.5, 3.1, 4.1 and 4.0 mg L−1 respectively.CONCLUSIONStructure–activity relationship analysis indicated that a suitable flexible alkyl chain at the imine point and a Cl‐substituted pyridine ring are the most crucial factors affecting the activity. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Political Parties' Rhetoric Signaling of Sustainable Development
Authors: Fleig Andreas , Tosun Jale 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThis study analyzes how frequently political parties in Austria, Germany, Ireland, the United Kingdom and Switzerland referred to the concept of sustainable development in their manifestos for national elections from 1976 to 2011. Has the frequency of reference to the concept grown over time? Does an increase in frequency still allow for a clear demarcation between political parties representing different ideologies? These two research questions guide our empirical analysis, which strives to integrate sustainability research with comparative politics. Using automated content analysis, we demonstrate that all political parties – irrespective of their placement on the ideology scale – have made increasing rhetoric use of sustainable development over time. Our findings indicate that sustainable development does not serve as a dimension for competition among political parties. Since all political parties send the same rhetoric signals, voters must rely on alternative voting cues than a parties' rhetorical reference to the concept of sustainable development. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Rethinking Reader Response With Fifth Graders’ Semiotic Interpretations
Authors: Barone Diane , Barone Rebecca 
Published: March 2017

AbstractFifth graders interpreted the bookDoll Bonesby Holly Black through visual representations from the beginning to the end of the book. Each visual representation was analyzed to determine how students responded. Most frequently, they moved to inferential ways of understanding. Students often visually interpreted emotional plot elements and incorporated words, graffiti, and graphic organizers into their responses.