bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness and Safety of Transcatheter Patent Foramen Ovale Closure for Migraine (EASTFORM) Trial
Authors: Xing Ying-qi , Guo Yu-Zhu , Gao Yong-Sheng , Guo Zhen-Ni , Niu Peng-Peng , Yang Yi 
Published: December 2016

AbstractWe evaluated the safety and effectiveness of transcatheter patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure for the treatment of migraine in a Chinese population. This non-randomized clinical trial enrolled 258 consecutive substantial or severe migraineurs with a right-to-left shunt (RLS) (grade II–IV) and grouped subjects according to their election or refusal of PFO closure. Migraine was diagnosed according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders III-beta and evaluated using the Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6). In total, 241 participants (125 in the transcatheter closure group and 116 in the control group) were included in the study. In general, the PFO closure procedure was found to be safe. At 1 month after closure, 76.1% of patients returned for c-TCD evaluation; of these, 85.7% were downgraded to negative status or a grade-I shunt. Residual shunts and placebo effects were thought to resolve by 12 months post-procedure, when migraine impact was reported to decrease by 73.6%. Transcatheter PFO closure was demonstrated to be effective for the treatment of migraine by comparing HIT-6 scores between the transcatheter closure and control groups (p < 0.001). Our results suggest that transcatheter PFO closure is a safe and effective approach for the treatment of migraine in the Chinese population, especially in females with constant RLS. Clinical trial no. NCT02127294 (registered on April 29, 2014).
Diagnostic test accuracy of loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay for Mycobacterium tuberculosis: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Nagai Kenjiro , Horita Nobuyuki , Yamamoto Masaki , Tsukahara Toshinori , Nagakura Hideyuki , Tashiro Ken , Shibata Yuji , Watanabe Hiroki , Nakashima Kentaro , Ushio Ryota , Ikeda Misako , Narita Atsuya , Kanai Akinori , Sato Takashi , Kaneko Takeshi 
Published: December 2016

AbstractDiagnostic test accuracy of the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for culture proven tuberculosis is unclear. We searched electronic databases for both cohort and case-control studies that provided data to calculate sensitivity and specificity. The index test was any LAMP assay including both commercialized kits and in-house assays. Culture-proven M. tuberculosis was considered a positive reference test. We included 26 studies on 9330 sputum samples and one study on 315 extra-pulmonary specimens. For sputum samples, 26 studies yielded the summary estimates of sensitivity of 89.6% (95% CI 85.6–92.6%), specificity of 94.0% (95% CI 91.0–96.1%), and a diagnostic odds ratio of 145 (95% CI 93–226). Nine studies focusing on Loopamp MTBC yielded the summary estimates of sensitivity of 80.9% (95% CI 76.0–85.1%) and specificity of 96.5% (95% CI 94.7–97.7%). Loopamp MTBC had higher sensitivity and lower specificity for smear-positive sputa compared to smear-negative sputa. In-house assays showed higher sensitivity and lower specificity compared to Loopamp MTBC. LAMP promises to be a useful test for the diagnosis of TB, however there is still need to improve the assay to make it simpler, cheaper and more efficient to make it competitive against other PCR methods already available.
Enhanced Lithium Storage in Hierarchically Porous Carbon Derived from Waste Tea Leaves
Authors: Choi Changhoon , Seo Seung-Deok , Kim Byung-Kook , Kim Dong-Wan 
Published: December 2016

AbstractIn this study, highly nanoporous carbon (HCl-TW-Car) was successfully synthesized using a facile procedure combining acid treatment with a carbonization process that uses waste tea leaves from spent tea bags as raw materials. The acid treatment not only promotes the efficient removal of unnecessary inorganic impurities but also increases the product porosity to enable synthesis of hierarchically porous carbon materials with various micro-, meso-, and macropores. When used as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries, HCl-TW-Car demonstrated a much higher discharge capacity than is theoretically possible using graphite [479 mAh g−1 after the 200th cycle at a rate of 0.2C (1C = 372 mA g−1)] and exhibited greater rate capabilities compared with those of carbonated products from tea waste without acid treatment. It was shown that the good electrochemical properties of HCl-TW-Car can be ascribed to large Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area, well-formed hierarchical pores, and the prevention of unexpected electrochemical reactions from the reduction of metallic atoms.
The hepatic and skeletal muscle ovine metabolomes as affected by weight loss: a study in three sheep breeds using NMR-metabolomics
Authors: Palma Mariana , Scanlon Tim , Kilminster Tanya , Milton John , Oldham Chris , Greeff Johan , Matzapetakis Manolis , Almeida André M. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractSheep are a valuable resource for meat and wool production. During the dry summer, pastures are scarce and animals face Seasonal Weight Loss (SWL), which decreases production yields. The study of breeds tolerant to SWL is important to understand the physiological mechanisms of tolerance to nutritional scarcity, and define breeding strategies. Merino, Damara and Dorper sheep breeds have been described as having different levels of tolerance to SWL. In this work, we assess their liver and muscle metabolomes, and compare the responses to feed restriction. Ram lambs from each breed were divided into growth and feed restricted groups, over 42 days. Tissue metabolomes were assessed by 1H-NMR. The Dorper restricted group showed few changes in both tissues, suggesting higher tolerance to nutritional scarcity. The Merinos exhibited more differences between treatment groups. Major differences were related to fat and protein mobilization, and antioxidant activity. Between the Damara groups, the main differences were observed in amino acid composition in muscle and in energy-related pathways in the liver. Integration of present results and previous data on the same animals support the hypothesis that, Dorper and Damara breeds are more tolerant to SWL conditions and thus, more suitable breeds for harsh environmental conditions.
Combination of dynamic transformation and dynamic recrystallization for realizing ultrafine-grained steels with superior mechanical properties
Authors: Zhao Lijia , Park Nokeun , Tian Yanzhong , Shibata Akinobu , Tsuji Nobuhiro 
Published: December 2016

AbstractDynamic recrystallization (DRX) is an important grain refinement mechanism to fabricate steels with high strength and high ductility (toughness). The conventional DRX mechanism has reached the limitation of refining grains to several microns even though employing high-strain deformation. Here we show a DRX phenomenon occurring in the dynamically transformed (DT) ferrite, by which the required strain for the operation of DRX and the formation of ultrafine grains is significantly reduced. The DRX of DT ferrite shows an unconventional temperature dependence, which suggests an optimal condition for grain refinement. We further show that new strategies for ultra grain refinement can be evoked by combining DT and DRX mechanisms, based on which fully ultrafine microstructures having a mean grain size down to 0.35 microns can be obtained without high-strain deformation and exhibit superior mechanical properties. This study will open the door to achieving optimal grain refinement to nanoscale in a variety of steels requiring no high-strain deformation in practical industrial application.
Harman Measurements for Thermoelectric Materials and Modules under Non-Adiabatic Conditions
Authors: Roh Im-Jun , Lee Yun Goo , Kang Min-Su , Lee Jae-Uk , Baek Seung-Hyub , Kim Seong Keun , Ju Byeong-Kwon , Hyun Dow-Bin , Kim Jin-Sang , Kwon Beomjin 
Published: December 2016

AbstractAccuracy of the Harman measurement largely depends on the heat transfer between the sample and its surroundings, so-called parasitic thermal effects (PTEs). Similar to the material evaluations, measuring thermoelectric modules (TEMs) is also affected by the PTEs especially when measuring under atmospheric condition. Here, we study the correction methods for the Harman measurements with systematically varied samples (both bulk materials and TEMs) at various conditions. Among several PTEs, the heat transfer via electric wires is critical. Thus, we estimate the thermal conductance of the electric wires, and correct the measured properties for a certain sample shape and measuring temperature. The PTEs are responsible for the underestimation of the TEM properties especially under atmospheric conditions (10–35%). This study will be useful to accurately characterize the thermoelectric properties of materials and modules.
Modeling quorum sensing trade-offs between bacterial cell density and system extension from open boundaries
Authors: Marenda Mattia , Zanardo Marina , Trovato Antonio , Seno Flavio , Squartini Andrea 
Published: December 2016

AbstractBacterial communities undergo collective behavioural switches upon producing and sensing diffusible signal molecules; a mechanism referred to as Quorum Sensing (QS). Exemplarily, biofilm organic matrices are built concertedly by bacteria in several environments. QS scope in bacterial ecology has been debated for over 20 years. Different perspectives counterpose the role of density reporter for populations to that of local environment diffusivity probe for individual cells. Here we devise a model system where tubes of different heights contain matrix-embedded producers and sensors. These tubes allow non-limiting signal diffusion from one open end, thereby showing that population spatial extension away from an open boundary can be a main critical factor in QS. Experimental data, successfully recapitulated by a comprehensive mathematical model, demonstrate how tube height can overtake the role of producer density in triggering sensor activation. The biotic degradation of the signal is found to play a major role and to be species-specific and entirely feedback-independent.
Spatial distribution of planktonic bacterial and archaeal communities in the upper section of the tidal reach in Yangtze River
Authors: Fan Limin , Song Chao , Meng Shunlong , Qiu Liping , Zheng Yao , Wu Wei , Qu Jianhong , Li Dandan , Zhang Cong , Hu Gengdong , Chen Jiazhang 
Published: December 2016

AbstractBacterioplankton and archaeaplankton communities play key roles in the biogeochemical processes of water, and they may be affected by many factors. In this study, we used high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing to profile planktonic bacterial and archaeal community compositions in the upper section of the tidal reach in Yangtze River. We found that the predominant bacterial phyla in this river section were Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria, whereas the predominant archaeal classes were Halobacteria, Methanomicrobia, and unclassified Euryarchaeota. Additionally, the bacterial and archaeal community compositions, richnesses, functional profiles, and ordinations were affected by the spatial heterogeneity related to the concentration changes of sulphate or nitrate. Notably, the bacterial community was more sensitive than the archaeal community to changes in the spatial characteristics of this river section. These findings provide important insights into the distributions of bacterial and archaeal communities in natural water habitats.
Atmospheric Deposition-Carried Zn and Cd from a Zinc Smelter and Their Effects on Soil Microflora as Revealed by 16S rDNA
Authors: Shen Feng , Li Yanxia , Zhang Min , Awasthi Mukesh Kumar , Ali Amjad , Li Ronghua , Wang Quan , Zhang Zengqiang 
Published: December 2016

AbstractIn this study, we investigated the influence of heavy metals (HM) on total soil bacterial population and its diversity pattern from 10 km distance of a Zinc smelter in Feng County, Qinling Mountain, China. We characterized and identified the bacterial community in a HM polluted soil using 16S rDNA technology. Out results indicated that the maximum soil HM concentration and the minimum bacterial population were observed in S2 soil, whereas bacterial diversity raised with the sampling distance increased. The bacterial communities were dominated by the phyla Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria and Actinobacteria in cornfield soils, except Fimicutes phylum which dominated in hilly area soil. The soil CEC, humic acid (HA)/fulvic acid (FA) and microbial OTUs increased with the sampling distance increased. Shewanella, Halomonas and Escherichia genera were highly tolerant to HM stress in both cultivated and non-cultivated soil. Finally, we found a consistent correlation of bacterial diversity with total HM and SOM along the sampling distance surrounding the zinc smelter, which could provide a new insight into the bacterial community-assisted and phytoremediation of HM contaminated soils.
Ecology and biogeography of megafauna and macrofauna at the first known deep-sea hydrothermal vents on the ultraslow-spreading Southwest Indian Ridge
Authors: Copley J. T. , Marsh L. , Glover A. G. , Hühnerbach V. , Nye V. E. , Reid W. D. K. , Sweeting C. J. , Wigham B. D. , Wiklund H. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe Southwest Indian Ridge is the longest section of very slow to ultraslow-spreading seafloor in the global mid-ocean ridge system, but the biogeography and ecology of its hydrothermal vent fauna are previously unknown. We collected 21 macro- and megafaunal taxa during the first Remotely Operated Vehicle dives to the Longqi vent field at 37° 47′S 49° 39′E, depth 2800 m. Six species are not yet known from other vents, while six other species are known from the Central Indian Ridge, and morphological and molecular analyses show that two further polychaete species are shared with vents beyond the Indian Ocean. Multivariate analysis of vent fauna across three oceans places Longqi in an Indian Ocean province of vent biogeography. Faunal zonation with increasing distance from vents is dominated by the gastropods Chrysomallon squamiferum and Gigantopelta aegis, mussel Bathymodiolus marisindicus, and Neolepas sp. stalked barnacle. Other taxa occur at lower abundance, in some cases contrasting with abundances at other vent fields, and δ13C and δ15N isotope values of species analysed from Longqi are similar to those of shared or related species elsewhere. This study provides baseline ecological observations prior to mineral exploration activities licensed at Longqi by the United Nations.
Simulated effects of nitrogen saturation on the global carbon budget using the IBIS model
Authors: Lu Xuehe , Jiang Hong , Liu Jinxun , Zhang Xiuying , Jin Jiaxin , Zhu Qiuan , Zhang Zhen , Peng Changhui 
Published: December 2016

AbstractOver the past 100 years, human activity has greatly changed the rate of atmospheric N (nitrogen) deposition in terrestrial ecosystems, resulting in N saturation in some regions of the world. The contribution of N saturation to the global carbon budget remains uncertain due to the complicated nature of C-N (carbon-nitrogen) interactions and diverse geography. Although N deposition is included in most terrestrial ecosystem models, the effect of N saturation is frequently overlooked. In this study, the IBIS (Integrated BIosphere Simulator) was used to simulate the global-scale effects of N saturation during the period 1961–2009. The results of this model indicate that N saturation reduced global NPP (Net Primary Productivity) and NEP (Net Ecosystem Productivity) by 0.26 and 0.03 Pg C yr−1, respectively. The negative effects of N saturation on carbon sequestration occurred primarily in temperate forests and grasslands. In response to elevated CO2 levels, global N turnover slowed due to increased biomass growth, resulting in a decline in soil mineral N. These changes in N cycling reduced the impact of N saturation on the global carbon budget. However, elevated N deposition in certain regions may further alter N saturation and C-N coupling.
Arsenic resistance strategy in Pantoea sp. IMH: Organization, function and evolution of ars genes
Authors: Wang Liying , Zhuang Xuliang , Zhuang Guoqiang , Jing Chuanyong 
Published: December 2016

AbstractPantoea sp. IMH is the only bacterium found in genus Pantoea with a high As resistance capacity, but its molecular mechanism is unknown. Herein, the organization, function, and evolution of ars genes in IMH are studied starting with analysis of the whole genome. Two ars systems - ars1 (arsR1B1C1H1) and ars2 (arsR2B2C2H2) - with low sequence homology and two arsC-like genes, were found in the IMH genome. Both ars1 and ars2 are involved in the As resistance, where ars1 is the major contributor at 15 °C and ars2 at 30 °C. The difference in the behavior of these two ars systems is attributed to the disparate activities of their arsR promoters at different temperatures. Sequence analysis based on concatenated ArsRBC indicates that ars1 and ars2 clusters may be acquired from Franconibacter helveticus LMG23732 and Serratia marcescens (plasmid R478), respectively, by horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Nevertheless, two arsC-like genes, probably arising from the duplication of arsC, do not contribute to the As resistance. Our results indicate that Pantoea sp. IMH acquired two different As resistance genetic systems by HGT, allowing the colonization of changing ecosystems, and highlighting the flexible adaptation of microorganisms to resist As.
A single high dose of dexamethasone affects the phosphorylation state of glutamate AMPA receptors in the human limbic system
Authors: Lopes M W , Leal R B , Guarnieri R , Schwarzbold M L , Hoeller A , Diaz A P , Boos G L , Lin K , Linhares M N , Nunes J C , Quevedo J , Bortolotto Z A , Markowitsch H J , Lightman S L , Walz R 
Published: December 2016

AbstractGlucocorticoids (GC) released during stress response exert feedforward effects in the whole brain, but particularly in the limbic circuits that modulates cognition, emotion and behavior. GC are the most commonly prescribed anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant medication worldwide and pharmacological GC treatment has been paralleled by the high incidence of acute and chronic neuropsychiatric side effects, which reinforces the brain sensitivity for GC. Synapses can be bi-directionally modifiable via potentiation (long-term potentiation, LTP) or depotentiation (long-term depression, LTD) of synaptic transmission efficacy, and the phosphorylation state of Ser831 and Ser845 sites, in the GluA1 subunit of the glutamate AMPA receptors, are a critical event for these synaptic neuroplasticity events. Through a quasi-randomized controlled study, we show that a single high dexamethasone dose significantly reduces in a dose-dependent manner the levels of GluA1-Ser831 phosphorylation in the amygdala resected during surgery for temporal lobe epilepsy. This is the first report demonstrating GC effects on key markers of synaptic neuroplasticity in the human limbic system. The results contribute to understanding how GC affects the human brain under physiologic and pharmacologic conditions.
Vocabulary Development in European Portuguese: A Replication Study Using the Language Development Survey
Authors: Rescorla Leslie , Nyame Josephine , Dias Pedro 
Published: December 2016

Purpose
Our objective was to replicate previous cross-linguistic findings by comparing Portuguese and U.S. children with respect to (a) effects of language, gender, and age on vocabulary size; (b) lexical composition; and (c) late talking.

Method

We used the Language Development Survey (LDS; Rescorla, 1989) with children (18–35 months) learning European Portuguese (
n
= 181) and English (
n
= 206).

Results

In both languages, girls had higher vocabulary scores than boys and vocabulary scores increased with age. Portuguese LDS scores were significantly lower than English scores, but the effect size was small. Cross-linguistic concordance of percentage use scores yielded a
Q
correlation of .50, with 64 of the “top 100” words being exact matches. Cross-linguistic concordance was highest for the youngest age group. In both languages, vocabulary composition in late talkers (children ≥ 24 months with < 50 words) was highly correlated with composition in vocabulary size-matched younger children.

Conclusions
Results replicated previous Greek, Korean, and Italian LDS studies. The early lexicons of typical talkers and late talkers contained many of the same words, indicating considerable universality and suggesting good targets for clinical intervention.
Dilatation of Vascular Prostheses in Ascending Aortic Position: A Long-Term Follow-Up Computed Tomography Study with Comparison of Different Measurement Methods
Authors: Endlich Matthias , Krämer Christian , Probst Chris , Welz Armin , Wilhelm Kai , Schiller Wolfgang , Hamiko Marwan 
Published: December 2016

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term dilatation of Hemashield Gold and Hemashield Platinum vascular prostheses in ascending aortic position using different measurement methods to obtain precise results.
Methods Between 1999 and 2007, 73 patients with Stanford type A dissection received ascending aortic replacement with Hemashield Gold and Hemashield Platinum prostheses. Measurements were performed using multiplanar reconstruction mode of electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated, multislice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) in strictly orthogonal cross-sectional planes. Different methods of measurement were compared and maximum dilatation was estimated for different time spans.
Results Diameters calculated from the measured circumference showed a significant (p = 0.037) but clinically not relevant difference (0.1 mm) to the mean between the largest and the shortest cross-sectional diameter of the prosthesis. Dilatation after 24.2 ± 10.2 months was 8.5 ± 4.5%. Long-term dilatation after 91.8 ± 34 months amounted to 11.8 ± 4.2%.
Conclusion Based on ECG-gated MSCT images, the presented methods of measurement provided reliable results. Long-term analysis shows low dilatation rates for Hemashield prostheses, which therefore can be considered as safe from this point of view. Nevertheless, a maximal dilatation of 20% could be relevant in valve sparing root replacement. It remains unclear if a dilatation like this contributes to the formation of suture aneurysms.
Umstellung des Therapieschemas pro re nata (PRN) auf Treat and Extend (T&E) in der intravitrealen Therapie mit Anti-VEGF-Medikamenten in der Praxis oder kleineren Institutionen
Authors: Imesch P. , Sarra G.-M. 
Published: December 2016

ZusammenfassungIm klinischen Alltag ist das Pro-re-nata-Regime (PRN) weniger gut planbar, bedarf häufigerer Termine und bringt weniger gute klinische Ergebnisse als Treat and Extend (T&E). Aktuelle Literatur spricht für den Nutzen eines Regimewechsels, jedoch fehlt eine praktische Richtlinie. „Best-Practice“-Empfehlungen für die Praxis oder kleinere Institutionen werden hier für alle 3 Phasen angeboten: a) Vorbereitungsphase mit Ändern der Terminorganisation, Schulung von Personal und Patienten, Definieren von Qualitätsparametern, Definieren des Umstellungsschemas (Umstellung für alle zu Termin X oder individuell bei Verschlechterung); b) Umstellungsphase (erhöhter Ressourcenbedarf durch zunächst verkürzte Behandlungsintervalle) und c) Folgephase (Qualitätskontrolle).