bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quaternary ammonium salts substituted by 5‐phenyl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole‐2‐thiol as novel antibacterial agents with low cytotoxicity
Authors: Wang Chun‐Hua , Xie Xian‐Rui , Liu Wen‐Shuai , Hou Gui‐Ge , Sun Ju‐Feng , Zhao Feng , Cong Wei , Li Hong‐Juan , Xin Wen‐Yu 
Published: May 2017

Twenty‐one novel 5‐phenyl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole‐2‐thiol (POT) substituted N‐hydroxyethyl quaternary ammonium salts (6a–g, 7a–g, 8a–g) were prepared and characterized by FTIR, NMR, and elemental analysis. Compounds 6a, 6c, and 8a were confirmed by X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction. They display the unsurpassed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, α‐H‐tococcus, Escherichia coli, P. aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris, Canidia Albicans, especially 6g, 7g, 8g with dodecyl group. Compounds 8a–d with N,N‐dihydroxyethyl and POT groups display unsurpassed antibacterial activity and non‐toxicity. The structure–activity relationships indicate that POT and flexible dihydroxyethyl group in QAS are necessary for antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity. SEM and TEM images of E. coli morphologies of 8d show the antibacterial agents can adhere to membrane surfaces to inhibit bacterial growth by disrupting peptidoglycan formation and releasing bacterial cytoplasm from cell membranes.
Quality of life of primary caregivers of children with cerebral palsy: a comparison between mother and grandmother caregivers in Anhui province of China
Authors: Wu J. , Zhang J. , Hong Y. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe aims of the study are to evaluate the quality of life of mother and grandmother primary caregivers of children with cerebral palsy (CP) and to compare the difference between these two groups of caregivers.MethodsWe recruited 125 mother and 52 grandmother primary caregivers of children with CP. All the primary caregivers were interviewed with the short‐form 36 (SF‐36) health survey version 2.0 and with researcher‐designed questionnaires for family background. As for the children, social‐demographic characteristics, medical history and the result of a physical examination performed by a paediatric specialist in neurological rehabilitation were also collected.ResultsMother and grandmother caregivers scored lower than their counterparts in the general population in both summary scores. Grandmother caregivers had lower scores than mother caregivers in all eight domains and in the two summary scores, with all differences being statistically significant (P < 0.05), except for the domain of the mental component summary score (P = 0.618). The differences were found particularly remarkable in the domains of physical functioning, role physical, bodily pain and also the physical component summary score (P < 0.001).ConclusionsThe quality of life is significantly unsatisfactory in both mother and grandmother primary caregivers of children with CP; this research provides evidence for the need of the monitoring of these caregivers.
Reconstitution of immune cell populations in multiple sclerosis patients after autologous stem cell transplantation
Authors: Karnell F G , Lin D , Motley S , Duhen T , Lim N , Campbell D J , Turka L A , Maecker H T , Harris K M 
Published: May 2017

Summary
Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory T cell-mediated autoimmune disease. In a Phase II clinical trial, high-dose immunosuppressive therapy combined with autologous CD34+ haematopoietic stem cell transplant resulted in 69·2% of subjects remaining disease-free without evidence of relapse, loss of neurological function or new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesions to year 5 post-treatment. A combination of CyTOF mass cytometry and multi-parameter flow cytometry was used to explore the reconstitution kinetics of immune cell subsets in the periphery post-haematopoietic cell transplant (HSCT) and the impact of treatment on the phenotype of circulating T cells in this study population. Repopulation of immune cell subsets progressed similarly for all patients studied 2 years post-therapy, regardless of clinical outcome. At month 2, monocytes and natural killer (NK) cells were proportionally more abundant, while CD4 T cells and B cells were reduced, relative to baseline. In contrast to the changes observed at earlier time-points in the T cell compartment, B cells were proportionally more abundant and expansion in the proportion of naive B cells was observed 1 and 2 years post-therapy. Within the T cell compartment, the proportion of effector memory and late effector subsets of CD4 and CD8 T cells was increased, together with transient increases in proportions of CD45RA-regulatory T cells (Tregs) and T helper type 1 (Th1 cells) and a decrease in Th17·1 cells. While none of the treatment effects studied correlated with clinical outcome, patients who remained healthy throughout the 5-year study had significantly higher absolute numbers of memory CD4 and CD8 T cells in the periphery prior to stem cell transplantation.
A UK community‐based survey on the prevalence of rhinosinusitis
Authors: Sami A.S. , Scadding G.K. , Howarth P. 
Published: May 2017

ObjectivesThere is limited information about the prevalence of rhinosinusitis in the UK community. This study aimed to identify its prevalence and investigate any association with demographic variables. The secondary aims were to determine the degree of impairment, impact on quality of life and any costs incurred by patients.DesignWe used a modified version (MSNOT‐20) of a quality‐of‐life instrument, the sinonasal outcome test‐20 (SNOT‐20), in a small and successful pilot project. It was then used in a community‐based survey and a second phase 6 months later to test repeatability. Nasal examination and comparison of its quality‐of‐life section with other health‐related quality‐of‐life tools occurred in the second phase.Setting and ParticipantsThe questionnaire was administered by post to 2000 Farnborough (UK) residents, selected through stratified randomisation. The relation of an abnormal MSNOT‐20 score with hay fever, asthma, smoking, food allergy, work productivity and social limitation was also analysed.Main Outcome and ResultsThe response rate was 79.8%; over thirty per cent of the community suffer from upper respiratory tract symptoms with impact on multiple domains of quality of life including emotional, financial costs and loss of days at work. The MSNOT‐20 provided a more sensitive assessment of health‐related quality of life than the Short Form 36 questionnaire.ConclusionRhinosinusitis is prevalent in the Farnborough community and associated with significant morbidity and impairment on quality of life. The MSNOT‐20 is a useful disease‐specific quality‐of‐life tool in rhinosinusitis.
Health utility reporting in chronic rhinosinusitis patients
Authors: Bewick J. , Morris S. , Hopkins C. , Erskine S. , Philpott C.M. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractObjectivesDirect comparison of different diseases allows clinicians and researchers to place the burden of symptoms and impact on quality of life of each condition in context. Generic health‐related quality‐of‐life assessment tools allow such analysis, and limited data are available for British patients with chronic rhinosinusitis.DesignAs part of a larger feasibility study, patients underwent baseline assessment using the SNOT‐22, SF‐12 and EQ‐5D‐5L tools. Data were analysed using Microsoft Excel and algorithms available for the analysis of the later two tools. We plotted EQ‐5D‐5L VAS and utility scores and SF‐12 MCS and PCS scores separately against SNOT‐22 scores and quantified associations using bivariate ordinary least squares regression analysis.SettingPatients were prospectively recruited from six UK outpatient clinics.ParticipantsAdult patients with chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (CRSsNPs).Main Outcome measuresBaseline SNOT‐22, SF‐12 and EQ‐5D‐5L scores.ResultsFifty‐two adults were recruited with a mean age of 55 years, 51% were male. The mean SNOT‐22 score was 43.82. Mental and physical component scores of the SF‐12 were 46.53 and 46, respectively. Mean index score computed form the EQ‐5D‐5L was 0.75. Worse (higher) SNOT‐22 scores were associated with lower EQ‐5D‐5L VAS and utility scores and SF‐12 MCS and PCS scores.ConclusionThe EQ‐5D‐5L suggests that British CRSsNPs patients are negatively impacted with regards to quality of life. We found the SF‐12 to be less sensitive and conclude that the EQ‐5D‐5L tool is a quick and accessible method for assessing QOL in order it can be compared with other disease states.
Current knowledge on biomarkers for contact sensitization and allergic contact dermatitis
Authors: Koppes Sjors A. , Engebretsen Kristiane A. , Agner Tove , Angelova‐Fischer Irena , Berents Teresa , Brandner Johanna , Brans Richard , Clausen Maja‐Lisa , Hummler Edith , Jakasa Ivone , Jurakić‐Tončic Ružica , John Swen M. , Khnykin Denis , Molin Sonja , Holm Jan O. , Suomela Sari , Thierse Hermann‐Josef , Kezic Sanja , Martin Stefan F. , Thyssen Jacob P. 
Published: May 2017

SummaryContact sensitization is common and affects up to 20% of the general population. The clinical manifestation of contact sensitization is allergic contact dermatitis. This is a clinical expression that is sometimes difficult to distinguish from other types of dermatitis, for example irritant and atopic dermatitis. Several studies have examined the pathogenesis and severity of allergic contact dermatitis by measuring the absence or presence of various biomarkers. In this review, we provide a non‐systematic overview of biomarkers that have been studied in allergic contact dermatitis. These include genetic variations and mutations, inflammatory mediators, alarmins, proteases, immunoproteomics, lipids, natural moisturizing factors, tight junctions, and antimicrobial peptides. We conclude that, despite the enormous amount of data, convincing specific biomarkers for allergic contact dermatitis are yet to be described.
An objective definition for clinical suspicion of T‐cell‐mediated rejection after liver transplantation
Authors: Rodríguez‐Perálvarez Manuel , De Luca Laura , Crespo Gonzalo , Rubin Ángel , Marín Sandra , Benlloch Salvador , Colmenero Jordi , Berenguer Marina , Navasa Miguel , Tsochatzis Emmanuel , De la Mata Manuel 
Published: May 2017

AbstractA uniform definition of clinical suspicion of T‐cell‐mediated rejection (TCMR) in liver transplantation (LT) is needed to homogenize clinical decisions, especially within randomized trials. This multicenter study included a total of 470 primary LT recipients. The derivation cohort consisted of 142 patients who had clinically driven liver biopsies at any time after LT. The external validation cohort included 328 patients who underwent protocol biopsies at day 7‐10 after LT. The rates of moderate‐severe histological TCMR were 33.8% in the derivation cohort and 43.6% in the validation cohort. Independent predictors (ie, risk factors) of moderate‐severe TCMR in the derivation cohort were as follows: serum bilirubin >4 mg/dL (OR=5.83; P<.001), rising bilirubin within the 4 days prior to liver biopsy (OR=4.57; P=.003), and blood eosinophils count >0.1×109/L (OR=3.81; P=.004). In the validation cohort, the number of risk factors was an independent predictor of moderate‐severe TCMR (OR=1.74; P=.001), after controlling for hepatitis C status. The number of risk factors paralleled the rates of moderate‐severe TCMR in the derivation and validation cohorts (P<.001 in both comparisons). In conclusion, increased serum bilirubin, rising bilirubin and eosinophilia are validated risk factors for moderate‐severe histological TCMR and could be used as objective criteria to select candidates for liver biopsy.
Responding to Shipment Delays: The Roles of Operational Flexibility & Lead‐Time Visibility
Authors: Jain Aditya 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACTWe consider inventory management of a firm that orders periodically from a distantly located supplier and faces random delays in shipment. We analyze various response strategies that the firm may employ to mitigate the risk of demand–supply mismatch resulting from shipment delays. We categorize these strategies along two dimensions: operational flexibility, defined by the flexible resource employed; and lead‐time visibility, defined by the availability of information on shipment delays. For each of the response strategies, we provide analytical characterization of the optimal inventory policy. By comparing the optimal policies across response strategies, we offer insights into the effect of operational flexibility and lead‐time visibility on firm's inventory performance. Using an extensive set of numerically solved examples, we provide cost comparison across these strategies—we show that while the operational flexibility mitigates the adverse effect of long lead‐times, the lead‐time visibility provides protection from lead‐time uncertainty. Further, operational flexibility and lead‐time visibility enhance each other's values, hence must be employed together to gain their full benefits.
Hypoglycaemia seriousness and weight gain as determinants of cardiovascular disease outcomes among sulfonylurea users
Authors: Nunes Anthony P. , Iglay Kristy , Radican Larry , Engel Samuel S. , Yang Jing , Doherty Michael C. , Dore David D. 
Published: May 2017

AimsCertain treatments for type 2 diabetes mellitus cause hypoglycaemia and weight gain, and thus might counteract the benefits of intensive glucose control. We quantify the association of cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes with hypoglycaemia and weight gain among patients with type 2 diabetes treated with sulfonylureas.Materials and MethodsThis cohort study included patients from January 2009 through December 2014 who were selected from within a deidentified nationwide electronic health records repository, including multiple provider networks and electronic medical records systems. Hypoglycaemia measures from structured data fields and free text clinical notes were categorized as serious or non‐serious. Covariate adjusted Poisson regression analysis was used to assess the association between frequency of hypoglycaemia (by severity), or magnitude of weight change, and incidence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), congestive heart failure (CHF) and stroke.ResultsAmong 143 635 eligible patients, we observed 5669 cases of AMI, 14 109 incident cases of CHF and 7017 cases of stroke. Overall incidence rates were 1.53, 4.26 and 1.92 per 100 person‐years for AMI, CHF and stroke, respectively. The associations between overall hypoglycaemia and each of the CVD outcomes were positive, with stronger associations observed for serious hypoglycaemia and attenuated or null associations observed for non‐serious hypoglycaemia. Weight change exhibited a U‐shaped association with increased risks associated with both weight loss and weight gain relative to stable weight.ConclusionsThis study provides evidence of increased CVD risk associated with hypoglycaemia, especially with serious hypoglycaemia events. While associations were attenuated with non‐serious hypoglycaemia, the results were suggestive of a potential increased risk.
Streamflow environment predicts divergent life history phenotypes among populations of the Blacktail ShinerCyprinella venusta: Temporal stability of a large‐scale pattern
Authors: Heins David C. , Baker John A. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractEgg size variation among 16 Gulf Coast populations ofCyprinella venusta, the Blacktail Shiner, previously was shown to be significantly correlated with annual stream runoff. In this study, we examined egg size across multiple years and seasons in a subset of the original populations, focusing on three streams that differed widely in annual stream runoff. These populations appear to have been derived independently, possibly nearly synchronously in geological time, from an ancestral form. Thus, they can be considered statistically independent. Most of the variation in egg size was attributable to differences across the three populations. Although annual and seasonal variation was present, the three populations shifted similarly on both of these time scales. The results support an earlier hypothesis that streamflow, quantified using mean annual runoff, is a strong selective influence on egg size, hence offspring size, favouring larger egg size in populations inhabiting streams with greater levels of runoff.
Deletion of α5 nicotine receptor subunits abolishes nicotinic aversive motivational effects in a manner that phenocopies dopamine receptor antagonism
Authors: Grieder Taryn E. , George Olivier , Yee Mandy , Bergamini Michael A. , Chwalek Michal , Maal‐Bared Geith , Vargas‐Perez Hector , van der Kooy Derek 
Published: May 2017

AbstractNicotine addiction is a worldwide epidemic that claims millions of lives each year. Genetic deletion of α5 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunits has been associated with increased nicotine intake, however, it remains unclear whether acute nicotine is less aversive or more rewarding, and whether mice lacking the α5 nAChR subunit can experience withdrawal from chronic nicotine. We used place conditioning and conditioned taste avoidance paradigms to examine the effect of α5 subunit‐containing nAChR deletion (α5 −/−) on conditioned approach and avoidance behaviour in nondependent and nicotine‐dependent and ‐withdrawn mice, and compared these motivational effects with those elicited after dopamine receptor antagonism. We show that nondependent α5 −/− mice find low, non‐motivational doses of nicotine rewarding, and do not show an aversive conditioned response or taste avoidance to higher aversive doses of nicotine. Furthermore, nicotine‐dependent α5 −/− mice do not show a conditioned aversive motivational response to withdrawal from chronic nicotine, although they continue to exhibit a somatic withdrawal syndrome. These effects phenocopy those observed after dopamine receptor antagonism, but are not additive, suggesting that α5 nAChR subunits act in the same pathway as dopamine and are critical for the experience of nicotine's aversive, but not rewarding motivational effects in both a nondependent and nicotine‐dependent and ‐withdrawn motivational state. Genetic deletion of α5 nAChR subunits leads to a behavioural phenotype that exactly matches that observed after antagonizing dopamine receptors, thus we suggest that modulation of nicotinic receptors containing α5 subunits may modify dopaminergic signalling, suggesting novel therapeutic treatments for smoking cessation.
What drives patrolling behaviour by nasute termites? A model and an empirical assessment
Authors: Pequeno Pedro A. C. L. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractAnimals have evolved a number of antipredator strategies, which can reflect both intrinsic and extrinsic factors related to predation risk. In many termite species, a chemically armed soldier caste known as “nasute” engages in patrols upon breaching of foraging galleries, suggesting an adaptive response to imminent risk of mortality. However, the drivers of this collective behaviour are poorly understood. Here, I describe and test a qualitative model of patrolling behaviour upon gallery breaching by the arboreal termite Nasutitermes corniger (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae). Patrolling behaviour is postulated to change throughout colony ontogeny, thus scaling with colony size. Further, this pattern is expected to be modulated by extrinsic cues for predation risk. Accordingly, patroller number increased with tree circumference at breast height, a surrogate for colony size. However, for any tree size, more soldiers engaged in patrols after repeated breaching, suggesting sensitization to structural damage. In parallel, patrolling rate (i.e., patroller number per time unit) was higher in smaller trees due to a disproportionate increase in patrol duration with patroller number. However, this response only occurred after repeated breaching; otherwise, patrolling rate was constant across tree sizes. Overall, patrolling behaviour by N. corniger seems to reflect intrinsic risks related to colony growth, adjusted by the extrinsic risk imposed by structural damage.
Male–male interactions and male mating success in the leafhopper Aphrodes makarovi
Authors: Kuhelj Anka , Virant‐Doberlet Meta 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIn mating systems based on substrate‐borne vibrations, sexual communication often involves a reciprocal exchange of species‐ and sex‐specific vibrational signals and male is searching for a stationary female. In the leafhopper Aphrodes makarovi, female reply is essential for successful location of the female and its variable duration directly affects male's costs associated with signalling and searching. We studied male and female behaviour in a trio situation (two males and one female), and our results show that male–male competition had important effects on male mating success. Females replied equally to advertisement calls emitted by the winning and losing males and mated with the first male that located them, regardless of his investment in calling effort. Males eavesdropped to male–female duet maintained by the rival, and the winners were better at exploiting female replies to the rival's advertisement calls by silently approaching the female. To interfere with the ongoing male–female duet, males also emitted masking signals overlapping the latter part of the female reply. More overlapped female replies were registered in response to the losers and masking signals most likely delay the rival in reaching the female. Our study shows that a comprehensive understanding of male mating success and female preferences in vibrational duetting systems requires also investigations in more complex settings that more realistically represent the situation in nature.
Sympatric walleye Sander vitreus and sauger Sander canadensis in large reservoirs: Variable isotopic niche size and overlap across multiple time scales
Authors: Butt J. C. , Eberts R. L. , Somers C. M. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractWalleye Sander vitreus (Mitchill) and sauger Sander canadensis (Griffith & Smith) may occupy similar niches in sympatric populations, but their long‐term resource use is poorly studied. Multi‐tissue (liver, muscle and bone) isotopic niche analyses were used to compare resource use by these species in two large reservoirs in Saskatchewan, Canada. Population isotopic niches were larger for sauger (1.73‰2–3.60‰2) than walleye (0.51‰2–2.61‰2) in Lake Diefenbaker, but opposite in Tobin Lake (sauger = 0.54‰2–2.57‰2; walleye = 1.30‰2–2.94‰2). Analyses of population overlap suggest that these species co‐exist via niche partitioning, but partitioning was more pronounced in Lake Diefenbaker (overlap = 6%–38%; Tobin Lake overlap = 18%–62%). The size of individual niches and levels of intra‐ and interspecific overlap among individual fish also varied with reservoir. This study shows that walleye and sauger use different resources across different time scales, but the degree of partitioning can vary markedly with environment.