bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Delineating the Application of Ultrasound in Detecting Synovial Abnormalities of the Subtalar Joint in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Authors: Lanni Stefano , Bovis Francesca , Ravelli Angelo , Viola Stefania , Magnaguagno Francesca , Pistorio Angela , Michele Magnano Gian , Martini Alberto , Malattia Clara 
Published: January 2016

ObjectiveTo investigate the frequency of ultrasound (US)–detectable involvement of the subtalar joint (STJ), to compare clinical versus US assessment of the STJ, and to compare different scanning approaches to the STJ in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).MethodsClinical and US assessments were performed independently in 50 ankles with clinically active JIA. US abnormalities of the STJ were investigated using a lateral, medial, and posterior scanning approach and scored semiquantitatively. Agreement was tested using kappa statistics. A control group of 10 healthy subjects was examined.ResultsClinical and US evaluations detected synovitis in 24 of 50 (48.0%) and 27 of 50 (54.0%) of STJs, respectively. US detected synovitis in 10 of 26 STJs (38.5%) recorded as normal on clinical evaluation, but was negative in 7 of 24 STJs (29.2%) diagnosed as having involvement on clinical examination. Agreement between clinical and US assessments was fair (κ = 0.32). US abnormalities were more frequently detectable using the lateral scanning approach. All patients with US abnormalities in the medial and/or posterior side of the STJ had also US abnormalities on the lateral scanning approach, but the reverse was not true. Intra‐ and interobserver agreements for the lateral scanning approach were satisfactory for both detecting involvement and scoring US abnormalities. None of the 17 STJs of healthy controls showed US abnormalities.ConclusionUS may increase the precision of the evaluation of the STJ in JIA. The observed high frequency of STJ involvement on US suggests to include this joint in US scanning protocols devised for children with JIA. Synovitis is more frequently detected using the lateral scanning approach.
Hearing difficulty and tinnitus among U.S. workers and non‐workers in 2007
Authors: Masterson Elizabeth A. , Themann Christa L. , Luckhaupt Sara E. , Li Jia , Calvert Geoffrey M. 
Published: January 2016

BackgroundHearing loss and tinnitus are two potentially debilitating physical conditions affecting many people in the United States. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of hearing difficulty, tinnitus, and their co‐occurrence within U.S. populations.MethodsData from the 2007 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) were examined. Weighted prevalence and adjusted prevalence ratios for self‐reported hearing difficulty, tinnitus, and their co‐occurrence were estimated and compared by demographic, among workers with and without occupational noise exposure, and across industries and occupations.ResultsSeven percent of U.S. workers never exposed to occupational noise had hearing difficulty, 5% had tinnitus and 2% had both conditions. However, among workers who had ever been exposed to occupational noise, the prevalence was 23%, 15%, and 9%, respectively (P < 0.0001).ConclusionsHearing difficulty and tinnitus are prevalent in the U.S.; especially among noise‐exposed workers. Improved strategies for hearing conservation or better implementation are needed. Am. J. Ind. Med. 59:290–300, 2016. Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Foraging with finesse: A hard‐fruit‐eating primate selects the weakest areas as bite sites
Authors: Barnett Adrian A. , Bezerra Bruna M. , Santos Paulo J. P. , Spironello Wilson R. , Shaw Peter J.A. , MacLarnon Ann , Ross Caroline 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTObjectivesFruit husks are rarely uniformly hard, varying in penetrability via sulci and changes in thickness. We tested whether a hard‐food specialist primate i) bites randomly on food fruit husk surfaces to access seeds, or ii) selects areas most easily penetrated by canines. We consider this would occur so as to minimize deployed mechanical force, energetic expenditure and risk of dental breakage when feeding.MethodsA sulcus is the natural line of weakness where a dehiscent fruit breaks open. Using fruits dentally opened for seeds by golden‐back uacaris (Cacajao ouakary) we: 1) analysed bite mark distribution on surface of four fruits types (hard‐with‐sulcus, soft‐with‐sulcus, hard‐no‐sulcus, soft‐no‐sulcus); 2) quantified the force needed to penetrate hard and soft fruits at sulci and elsewhere on fruit surface; 3) measured fruit wall thickness and correlated it with bite‐mark distribution in all four categories of fruit.Results1) Bite marks were distributed at random only on surfaces of soft fruits. For other fruits types, bite locations were concentrated at the thinnest areas of husk, either over the entire surface (non‐sulcate fruits), or at sulci (sulcate fruits). 2) For hard‐husked fruits, areas where uacaris concentrated their bites were significantly easier to penetrate than those where they did not.ConclusionsThis hard‐fruit feeding specialist primate is not biting at random on the surface of diet fruits. To access seeds they are focusing on those areas requiring less force to penetrate. This may be to save energy, to minimize the risk of breaking teeth used in food processing, or a combination of both. The study shows, for the first time, the subtlety by which these powerfully‐jawed animals process their diet items. Am J Phys Anthropol 160:113–125, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Novel green surface modification of metallocene polyethylene by steam to enhance its hemocompatible properties
Authors: John Agnes Aruna , Jaganathan Saravana Kumar , Supriyanto Eko , Khudzari Ahmad Zahran Md , Muhamad Ida Idayu 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTSteam treatment is a green surface modification technique that was used to improve the surface characteristics and hemocompatibility of metallocene polyethylene (mPE). In this study, a sharp decrease in the mean contact angle of steam‐exposed mPE compared to that of untreated mPE showed enhanced hydrophilicity. The increased surface roughness was demonstrated by atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and Hirox three‐dimensional microscopy. The average roughness of the control mPE (2.757 nm) was enhanced to 8.753 nm by steam treatment. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis illustrated no chemical changes, but the changes in the absorbance intensity ensured morphological changes. Blood compatibility studies were assessed by coagulation assays, hemolysis, and platelet adhesion tests. The mean number of platelets adhered to the steam‐treated sample (11) was half of the number of platelets adhered to the untreated mPE surface (22). The clotting time on the steam exposed surface was delayed, hemolysis and platelet adhesion were significantly reduced. The green surface modification of mPE with steam enhanced its surface properties and hemocompatibility. The improved blood compatibility of mPE may help in the efficient designing of hemocompatible biomaterials such as cardiovascular implants. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43395.
Gasoline desulfurization by a TiO2‐filled ethyl cellulose pervaporation membrane
Authors: Hou Yingfei , Liu Min , Huang Yiqing , Zhao Lili , Wang Jinfeng , Cheng Qiang , Niu Qingshan 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTThe TiO2 nanoparticles were incorporated into an ethyl cellulose (EC) matrix to improve the pervaporation (PV) performance of the membrane for gasoline desulfurization. The microstructures of different EC membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X‐ray and transmission electron microscopy. The PV experiments showed that the hybrid membrane of EC/TiO2 demonstrated an improved permeation flux (J) of 7.58 kg m−2 h−1 and a sulfur enrichment factor (α) of 3.13 in comparison with the pure EC membrane, with a J of 3.73 kg m−2 h−1 and an α of 3.69. In addition, the effects of the operating conditions, including the operating temperature, layer thickness, crosslinking time, feed flow rate, and feed sulfur content level, on the PV performance of the EC/TiO2 membrane were investigated. Under a 100 mL/min feed flow rate and a 85 μg/g sulfur content, J of the 10 μm thick membrane increased to 7.58 kg m−2 h−1 with α of 3.13 compared to the pure EC membrane (3.73 kg m−2 h−1, 3.69) at 80 °C with 30 min of crosslinking time. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017: 134, 43409.
High elongation thermoplastic Polyester‐urethanes based on widely available diacid intermediates
Authors: Tharcis Marion , Badel Thierry , Jéol Stéphane , Fleury Etienne , Méchin Françoise 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTA series of new α,ω‐dihydroxy terminated polyester oligomers are synthesized from the condensation reaction of various aliphatic diols with a mixture of diacids rich in 2‐methylglutaric acid, MGA, an abundant and well‐defined industrial product. Their adipic acid (AA)‐based counterparts are also prepared and the physico‐chemical properties of both types of polyols are thoroughly characterized. All these polyester polyols are then used to prepare segmented polyurethanes following a two‐stage process, by reacting them successively with 4,4′‐diphenylmethane diisocyanate, and 1,4‐butanediol. The resulting materials are then evaluated with respect to their thermal and dynamic or static mechanical properties. The observed characteristics and behaviors are quite similar between AA‐ or MGA‐based polyurethanes, except for the tendency of AA‐based samples to display partially crystallized soft domains. Such a phenomenon is prevented in MGA‐based samples because of the methyl side group, resulting in remarkably higher ultimate elongations for the new thermoplastic polyurethanes derived from MGA. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43410.
Development of mesoporous titanium dioxide hybrid poly(vinylidene fluoride) ultrafiltration membranes with photocatalytic properties
Authors: Zhao Jianquan , Liao Chanjuan , Liu Jing , Shen Xinyu , Tong Hua 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTA photocatalytic activity ultrafiltration membrane (UFM) was prepared by the blending of a poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) polymer with mesoporous titanium dioxide (M‐TiO2) particles via the phase‐inversion method. The microstructure of the membrane and Ti element distribution were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. Their properties were also determined by thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, tensile stress tests, contact angle tests, bovine serum albumin retention, water flux, and permeation flux. When the M‐TiO2 concentration reached 1 wt %, the thermal stability, mechanical properties, hydrophilicity, flux, and antifouling performance of the M‐TiO2/PVDF UFM were improved to an optimal value with the M‐TiO2 particles successfully entrapped and evenly distributed throughout the PVDF polymer matrix. Compared with the P25‐modified PVDF UFM (1 wt %), the M‐TiO2‐modified PVDF UFM (1 wt %) exhibited better photocatalytic activity and wonderful stability in the UV photocatalytic degradation of the organic dye Rhodamine B. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43427.
Mixed Sex Effects on the Second‐to‐Fourth Digit Ratio of Túngara Frogs (Engystomops pustulosus) and Cane Toads (Rhinella marina)
Authors: Beaty Lynne e. , Emmering Quinn C. , Bernal Ximena E. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTSexual dimorphism in the ratio of digit lengths has been correlated to behavioral, physiological, and morphological traits in a variety of taxa. While sexual dimorphism in the second‐to‐fourth digit length ratio (2D:4D) is a well‐established indicator of prenatal androgen exposure in mammals, investigations into the patterns of 2D:4D and the drivers of such variation in other taxa are lacking. We used linear mixed effects models to gain a mechanistic understanding of the factors that drive variation in the scaling relationship between the lengths of the second and fourth digits in two species of anurans: túngara frogs (Engystomops pustulosus) and cane toads (Rhinella marina). We found evidence for sexual dimorphism of the 2D:4D scaling relationship on the front feet of túngara frogs, with female frogs having a larger ratio than males resulting from a relatively longer second digit on females. To our knowledge, this mammal‐like pattern of sex differences in digit ratio has not yet been reported for anurans. However, given the reduced number of digits on the front feet of anurans, and uncertainty about which digit was lost during evolutionary history, this apparent sexual dimorphism in the front feet of túngara frogs should be treated with caution. In contrast, we found no evidence of sexual dimorphism in 2D:4D on either the front or rear feet of cane toads. This study highlights ambiguities in 2D:4D across taxa and suggests that further research is needed to evaluate the effect of androgens on 2D:4D in animals other than placental mammals. Anat Rec, 299:421–427, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Prospective Validation of the Lupus Impact Tracker: A Patient‐Completed Tool for Clinical Practice to Evaluate the Impact of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Jolly Meenakshi , Kosinski Mark , Garris Cindy P. , Oglesby Alan K. 
Published: January 2016

ObjectiveTo evaluate the reliability, validity, responsiveness, and utility of the Lupus Impact Tracker (LIT).MethodsThis was a prospective longitudinal study with 20 North American sites participating. Consenting patients completed the LIT, Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (version 2), Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ‐9), LupusQoL, and patient LIT feedback questionnaire. Rheumatologists completed the Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus National Assessment (SELENA) version of the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index, and physician LIT feedback questionnaire. The reliability, convergent validity, construct validity, and responsiveness of the LIT were evaluated.ResultsOf the 325 SLE patients enrolled, 90% were female, 53% were white, and 33% were African American. Their mean age was 42 years. The mean ± SD baseline physician's global assessment and total SELENA–SLEDAI scores were 1.04 ± 0.8 and 4.28 ± 3.8, respectively, while 3‐month scores were 0.94 ± 0.73 and 4.09 ± 3.79, respectively. Internal consistency reliability was high (>0.9) at both visits. LIT scores correlated highly with other measures of patient‐reported outcomes, and construct validity was established against clinical measures. The LIT was highly responsive to patient‐reported changes in SLE health status; however, LIT scores were not as responsive to changes in the SELENA–SLEDAI score. The majority of patients and physicians found LIT to be acceptable and feasible to administer in a clinical setting.ConclusionThe LIT is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing the impact of SLE on patients and captures unique and important information not included in physician assessments of disease. It may be useful in clinical practice to facilitate communication between the physician and the patient and enable efficient incorporation of the patient's perspective in disease management.
Critical Role of Glucose Metabolism in Rheumatoid Arthritis Fibroblast‐like Synoviocytes
Authors: Garcia‐Carbonell Ricard , Divakaruni Ajit S. , Lodi Alessia , Vicente‐Suarez Ildefonso , Saha Arindam , Cheroutre Hilde , Boss Gerry R. , Tiziani Stefano , Murphy Anne N. , Guma Monica 
Published: January 2016

ObjectiveUp‐regulation of glucose metabolism has been implicated not only in tumor cell growth but also in immune cells upon activation. However, little is known about the metabolite profile in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), particularly in fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (FLS). This study was undertaken to evaluate whether changes in glucose metabolism in RA FLS could play a role in inflammation and joint damage.MethodsSynovium and FLS were obtained from patients with RA and patients with osteoarthritis (OA). The rate of glycolysis after stimulation of FLS with lipopolysaccharide and platelet‐derived growth factor BB was measured using glycolysis stress test technology. FLS function was evaluated using a glycolysis inhibitor, 2‐deoxy‐d‐glucose (2‐DG). After stimulation of the FLS, a migration scratch assay, MTT assay, and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay were performed to measure the effect of 2‐DG on FLS migration, viability of the FLS, and cytokine secretion, respectively. IRDye 800CW 2‐DG was used to assess glucose uptake in the arthritic joints and stromal cells of mice after K/BxN mouse serum transfer. The mice were injected daily, intraperitoneally, with 3‐bromopyruvate (BrPa; 5 mg/kg) to assess the effect of inhibition of glycolysis in vivo.ResultsCompared to human OA FLS, the balance between glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation was shifted toward glycolysis in RA FLS. Glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) messenger RNA (mRNA) expression correlated with baseline functions of the RA FLS. Glucose deprivation or incubation of the FLS with glycolytic inhibitors impaired cytokine secretion and decreased the rate of proliferation and migration of the cells. In a mouse model of inflammatory arthritis, GLUT1 mRNA expression in the synovial lining cells was observed, and increased levels of glucose uptake and glycolytic gene expression were detected in the stromal compartment of the arthritic mouse joints. Inhibition of glycolysis by BrPa, administered in vivo, significantly decreased the severity of arthritis in this mouse model.ConclusionTargeting metabolic pathways is a novel approach to understanding the mechanisms of disease. Inhibition of glycolysis may directly modulate synoviocyte‐mediated inflammatory functions and could be an effective treatment strategy for arthritis.
Delayed luminescence: an experimental protocol for Chinese herbal medicines
Authors: Sun Mengmeng , van Wijk Roeland , van Wijk Eduard , Wang Mei , van Wietmarschen Herman , Hankemeier Thomas , van der Greef Jan 
Published: January 2016

AbstractIn Chinese medicine, raw herbal materials are used in processed and unprocessed forms aiming to meet the different requirements of clinical practice. To assure the chemical quality and therapeutic properties of the herbs, fast and integrated systematic assays are required. So far, such assays have not been established. Delayed luminescence (DL) refers to a decaying long‐term ultraweak photon emission after exposure to light. Its decay kinetics under certain conditions may be a sensitive indicator reflecting the internal structural and chemical/physiological state of a biological system. DL measurements have been used in many applications for quality control. However, relatively little research has been reported on dried plant material such as Chinese herbs. The objective of the present study is to establish a protocol for direct and rapid DL measurements of dried Chinese herbal materials, including the determination of the dependence on: (a) the optimal excitation time utilizing a white light source; (b) the optimal size of the grinded herbal particle; and (c) the humidity conditions before and during measurement. Results indicate that stable and reproducible curves of DL photon emission depend mainly on the water content of herbal materials. To investigate the application of the established DL measurement protocol, non‐processed and processed Aconitum (Aconitum carmichaelii Debx.), wild and cultivated rhubarb (Rheum palmatum L.) and ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A.Mey) of different ages were measured using DL. The results suggest that DL technology is a potential tool for assessment of dried Chinese herb qualities. The results warrant a further exploration of this technique in relation to therapeutic properties of the herbs. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Raman spectroscopy detects phenotypic differences among Escherichia coli enriched for 1‐butanol tolerance using a metagenomic DNA library
Authors: Freedman Benjamin G. , Zu Theresah N. K. , Wallace Robert S. , Senger Ryan S. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractAdvances in Raman spectroscopy are enabling more comprehensive measurement of microbial cell chemical composition. Advantages include results returned in near real‐time and minimal sample preparation. In this research, Raman spectroscopy is used to analyze E. coli with engineered solvent tolerance, which is a multi‐genic trait associated with complex and uncharacterized phenotypes that are of value to industrial microbiology. To generate solvent tolerant phenotypes, E. coli transformed with DNA libraries are serially enriched in the presence of 0.9% (v/v) and 1.1% (v/v) 1‐butanol. DNA libraries are created using degenerate oligonucleotide primed PCR (DOP‐PCR) from the genomic DNA of E. coli, Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824, and the metagenome of a stream bank soil sample, which contained DNA from 72 different phyla. DOP‐PCR enabled high efficiency library cloning (with no DNA shearing or end‐polishing) and the inclusion un‐culturable organisms. Nine strains with improved tolerance are analyzed by Raman spectroscopy and vastly different solvent‐tolerant phenotypes are characterized. Common among these are improved membrane rigidity from increasing the fraction of unsaturated fatty acids at the expense of cyclopropane fatty acids. Raman spectroscopy offers the ability to monitor cell phenotype changes in near real‐time and is adaptable to high‐throughput screening, making it relevant to metabolic engineering.
C‐type natriuretic peptide in combination with sildenafil attenuates proliferation of rhabdomyosarcoma cells
Authors: Zenitani Masahiro , Nojiri Takashi , Uehara Shuichiro , Miura Koichi , Hosoda Hiroshi , Kimura Toru , Nakahata Kengo , Miyazato Mikiya , Okuyama Hiroomi , Kangawa Kenji 
Published: January 2016

AbstractRhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a malignant mesenchymal tumor and the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children. Because of several complications associated with intensive multimodal therapies, including growth disturbance and secondary cancer, novel therapies with less toxicity are urgently needed. C‐type natriuretic peptide (CNP), an endogenous peptide secreted by endothelial cells, exerts antiproliferative effects in multiple types of mesenchymal cells. Therefore, we investigated whether CNP attenuates proliferation of RMS cells. We examined RMS patient samples and RMS cell lines. All RMS clinical samples expressed higher levels of guanylyl cyclase B (GC‐B), the specific receptor for CNP, than RMS cell lines. GC‐B expression in RMS cells decreased with the number of passages in vitro. Therefore, GC‐B stable expression lines were established to mimic clinical samples. CNP increased cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels in RMS cells in a dose‐dependent manner, demonstrating the biological activity of CNP. However, because cGMP is quickly degraded by phosphodiesterases (PDEs), the selective PDE5 inhibitor sildenafil was added to inhibit its degradation. In vitro, CNP, and sildenafil synergistically inhibited proliferation of RMS cells stably expressing GC‐B and decreased Raf‐1, Mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase (MEK), and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation. These results suggested that CNP in combination with sildenafil exerts antiproliferative effects on RMS cells by inhibiting the Raf/MEK/ERK pathway. This regimen exerted synergistic effects on tumor growth inhibition without severe adverse effects in vivo such as body weight loss. Thus, CNP in combination with sildenafil represents a promising new therapeutic approach against RMS.