bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictors of Perceived Educational Value in Emergency Medicine Residency Simulation Cases
Authors: Spencer Taylor R. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractObjectivesThis study was designed to identify characteristics associated with the perceived educational value of simulation cases in an emergency medicine residency curriculum.MethodsFollowing 17 individual emergency medicine simulation cases, a standard feedback questionnaire was completed by emergency medicine residents. Multiple linear regression was performed to identify significant variables that predict perceived educational value.ResultsA total of 374 feedback responses were analyzed from 60 residents over a 2‐year period. Complete data for inclusion in a regression analysis were available for 288 responses. The linear regression has an R2 value of 0.979, indicating that the model explains nearly 98% of the variation. The perceived usefulness of the simulation cases, PGY, and the reported the stressfulness of the exercise were all positively associated with perceived benefit. Familiarity with the clinical scenario, role of team leader, and perceived difficulty of the scenario did not influence the residents’ perception of benefit.ConclusionsMultiple variables related to the scenario and the participants contribute to the perceived educational value of simulation cases in an emergency medicine residency curriculum. Specific predictors of educational value were PGY, stressfulness, and perceived utility. Being team leader, the familiarity of the scenario, or the perceived difficulty of the case did not influence the reported educational value. Recognition of these variables should help educators involved in the creation of educationally valuable simulation cases in the future.
Development of rapid bioconversion with integrated recycle technology for ethanol production from extractive ammonia pretreated corn stover
Authors: Jin Mingjie , Liu Yanping , da Costa Sousa Leonardo , Dale Bruce E. , Balan Venkatesh 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTHigh enzyme loading and low productivity are two major issues impeding low cost ethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass. This work applied rapid bioconversion with integrated recycle technology (RaBIT) and extractive ammonia (EA) pretreatment for conversion of corn stover (CS) to ethanol at high solids loading. Enzymes were recycled via recycling unhydrolyzed solids. Enzymatic hydrolysis with recycled enzymes and fermentation with recycled yeast cells were studied. Both enzymatic hydrolysis time and fermentation time were shortened to 24 h. Ethanol productivity was enhanced by two times and enzyme loading was reduced by 30%. Glucan and xylan conversions reached as high as 98% with an enzyme loading of as low as 8.4 mg protein per g glucan. The overall ethanol yield was 227 g ethanol/kg EA‐CS (191 g ethanol/kg untreated CS). Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2017;114: 1713–1720. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of plant density on recombinant hemagglutinin yields in an Agrobacterium‐mediated transient gene expression system using Nicotiana benthamiana plants
Authors: Fujiuchi Naomichi , Matsuda Ryo , Matoba Nobuyuki , Fujiwara Kazuhiro 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTAgrobacterium‐mediated transient expression systems enable plants to rapidly produce a wide range of recombinant proteins. To achieve economically feasible upstream production and downstream processing, it is beneficial to obtain high levels of two yield‐related quantities of upstream production: recombinant protein content per fresh mass of harvested biomass (g gFM−1) and recombinant protein productivity per unit area‐time (g m−2/month). Here, we report that the density of Nicotiana benthamiana plants during upstream production had significant impacts on the yield‐related quantities of recombinant hemagglutinin (HA). The two quantities were smaller at a high plant density of 400 plants m−2 than at a low plant density of 100 plants m−2. The smaller quantities at the high plant density were attributed to: (i) a lower HA content in young leaves, which usually have high HA accumulation potentials; (ii) a lower biomass allocation to the young leaves; and (iii) a high area‐time requirement for plants. Thus, plant density is a key factor for improving upstream production in Agrobacterium‐mediated transient expression systems. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2017;114: 1762–1770. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Anterior spinal artery syndrome after double valve replacement and coronary artery bypass surgery
Authors: Subramaniam Ashwin , Pick Adrian , Tiruvoipati Ravi 
Published: April 2017

Key Clinical MessageSpinal infarction is a rare and devastating complication of open‐heart surgery, especially in the context of perioperative hemodynamic instability in patients requiring high dose of inotropes and vasoconstrictors. Our report highlights that spinal infarction can occur in such circumstances following a valve replacement surgery.
Upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase triggers transdifferentiation of retinal pigmented epithelial cells inXenopus laevis: A Link between inflammatory response and regeneration
Authors: Naitoh Hanako , Suganuma Yukari , Ueda Yoko , Sato Takahiko , Hiramuki Yosuke , Fujisawa‐Sehara Atsuko , Taketani Shigeru , Araki Masasuke 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTIn adultXenopuseyes, when the whole retina is removed, retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells become activated to be retinal stem cells and regenerate the whole retina. In the present study, using a tissue culture model, it was examined whether upregulation of matrix metalloproteinases (Mmps) triggers retinal regeneration. Soon after retinal removal,Xmmp9andXmmp18were strongly upregulated in the tissues of the RPE and the choroid. In the culture,Mmpexpression in the RPE cells corresponded with their migration from the choroid. A potent MMP inhibitor, 1,10‐PNTL, suppressed RPE cell migration, proliferation, and formation of an epithelial structure in vitro. The mechanism involved in upregulation ofMmpswas further investigated. After retinal removal, inflammatory cytokine genes,IL‐1βandTNF‐α, were upregulated both in vivo and in vitro. When the inflammation inhibitors dexamethasone or Withaferin A were applied in vitro, RPE cell migration was severely affected, suppressing transdifferentiation. These results demonstrate thatMmpsplay a pivotal role in retinal regeneration, and suggest that inflammatory cytokines triggerMmpupregulation, indicating a direct link between the inflammatory reaction and retinal regeneration. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 77: 1086–1100, 2017
Zebrafish Mecp2 is required for proper axonal elongation of motor neurons and synapse formation
Authors: Nozawa Keisuke , Lin Yanbin , Kubodera Ryota , Shimizu Yuki , Tanaka Hideomi , Ohshima Toshio 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTRett syndrome is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder. It is caused by a mutation in methyl‐CpG binding protein 2 (MecP2), a transcriptional regulator that recruits protein complexes involved in histone modification and chromatin remodeling. However, the role of Mecp2 in Rett syndrome remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the function of Mecp2 in neuronal development using zebrafish embryos. Mecp2 expression was detected ubiquitously in the central nervous system and muscles at 28 h postfertilization (hpf). We injected an antisense morpholino oligonucleotide (AMO) to induce Mecp2 knockdown phenotype. In mecp2 morphants (embryos with Mecp2 knockdown by AMO) at 28 and 72 hpf, we found an increase in abnormal axonal branches of caudal primary motor neurons and a decrease in motor activity. In mecp2 morphants at 24 hpf, we observed an increase in the expression of an mecp2 downstream candidate gene, brain derived neurotrophic factor (bdnf). In mecp2 morphants at 72 hpf, the presynaptic area stained by an anti‐SV2 antibody was increased at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). Interestingly, the size of SV2‐positive presynaptic area at the NMJ was also increased following bdnf mRNA injection, while it was normalized in a double knockdown of mecp2 and bdnf. These results imply that Mecp2 is an important functional regulator of bdnf gene expression during neural circuit formation in zebrafish embryo. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 77: 1101–1113, 2017
Implications of guppy (Poecilia reticulata) life‐history phenotype for mosquito control
Authors: Warbanski Misha L. , Marques Piata , Frauendorf Therese C. , Phillip Dawn A. T. , El‐Sabaawi Rana W. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractGuppies (Poecilia reticulata) are frequently introduced to both natural and artificial water bodies as a mosquito control. Laboratory studies have demonstrated that guppies can consume large numbers of larval mosquitoes. Our study investigates how intraspecific variability in guppy phenotype affects their importance as a mosquito biocontrol and how habitat conditions (natural ponds vs. water storage containers) may influence insect biomass and guppy feeding. Using a blocked experimental design, we established stream‐side mesocosm ponds with half receiving gravel substrate to simulate pond‐bottom habitat. To provide realistic diet choices and insect abundances, we allowed the mesocosms to colonize naturally with aquatic insect larvae for 1 month before introducing guppies. We tested two distinct guppy phenotypes (from high‐ and low‐predation streams) alongside fish‐free controls. After 1 month, we measured insect biomass in the mesocosms and examined guppy gut contents to document direct predation. While overall insect biomass was not significantly different across the three fish treatments, we observed a significant reduction in mosquito biomass in fish treatments compared to fish‐free controls, as well as intraspecific differences in feeding. Overall insect biomass was significantly higher in mesocosms without gravel, while habitat condition had no effect on mosquito biomass. As guppy phenotype responds to changes in their environments, it is an important consideration for biocontrol policy to anticipate potential ecosystem effects. We close by relating our findings to other studies and by discussing the implications and potential risks of using guppies to control mosquitoes.
Postglacial recolonization shaped the genetic diversity of the winter moth (Operophtera brumata) in Europe
Authors: Andersen Jeremy C. , Havill Nathan P. , Caccone Adalgisa , Elkinton Joseph S. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractChanges in climate conditions, particularly during the Quaternary climatic oscillations, have long been recognized to be important for shaping patterns of species diversity. For species residing in the western Palearctic, two commonly observed genetic patterns resulting from these cycles are as follows: (1) that the numbers and distributions of genetic lineages correspond with the use of geographically distinct glacial refugia and (2) that southern populations are generally more diverse than northern populations (the “southern richness, northern purity” paradigm). To determine whether these patterns hold true for the widespread pest species the winter moth (Operophtera brumata), we genotyped 699 individual winter moths collected from 15 Eurasian countries with 24 polymorphic microsatellite loci. We find strong evidence for the presence of two major genetic clusters that diverged ~18 to ~22 ka, with evidence that secondary contact (i.e., hybridization) resumed ~ 5 ka along a well‐established hybrid zone in Central Europe. This pattern supports the hypothesis that contemporary populations descend from populations that resided in distinct glacial refugia. However, unlike many previous studies of postglacial recolonization, we found no evidence for the “southern richness, northern purity” paradigm. We also find evidence for ongoing gene flow between populations in adjacent Eurasian countries, suggesting that long‐distance dispersal plays an important part in shaping winter moth genetic diversity. In addition, we find that this gene flow is predominantly in a west‐to‐east direction, suggesting that recently debated reports of cyclical outbreaks of winter moth spreading from east to west across Europe are not the result of dispersal.
The generation of power from a cement kiln waste gases: a case study of a plant in Kenya
Authors: Irungu Stanley Ngari , Muchiri Peter , Byiringiro Jean Bosco 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe cement production process is energy intensive both in terms of the thermal energy (firing the kiln, drying and De carbonation) and electrical energy for driving the numerous drives within the process line. The average specific power consumption of the case study plant was 111 kWh/ton of cement with an average peak demand of 9.7 MW. The high cost of electric power at 0.14 USD/kWh results in very high cost of production that significantly lowers the company's profit margin and limits its competitive advantage. The generation of electrical power from waste heat recovery would reduce the electricity power bill through partially substituting the power procured from the national grid. This research evaluated the potential that the plant has for generating electrical power from the hot waste gases vented into the atmosphere and it was found that the plant has the potential to generate 3.4 MWh of electrical power. This results to a net potential to generate 2.89 MWh of electrical power after factoring in the auxiliary power consumption by Waste heat recovery plant system at 15%. This ultimately gave a reduction of 33% in the electricity power bill of the case study plant. The paper recommends the installation of a steam rankine cycle for the power generating plant. In this work the authors designed the steam boilers for the waste heat recovery plant for conversion of thermal energy to electrical energy, selected a commercial steam turbine and evaluated its economic feasibility and established that the designed plant would have a simple payback period of 2.7 years.
Sequestration of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin by activated carbon eliminates bioavailability and the suppression of immune function in mice
Authors: Boyd Stephen A. , Sallach J. Brett , Zhang Yingjie , Crawford Robert , Li Hui , Johnston Cliff T. , Teppen Brian J. , Kaminski Norbert E. 
Published: April 2017

Abstract

The effectiveness of activated carbon in reducing the bioavailability of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) was examined from the context of using in situ sorbent amendments to remediate soils/sediments contaminated with polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs). This technology has gained rapid acceptance based on observations that activated carbon amendments predictably lower PCDD/F concentrations in water and bioaccumulation by simple aquatic organisms and earthworms; it has been assumed that bioavailability to mammals is similarly reduced, although this has been disproven for other sorbent materials. In the present study TCDD was absorbed to a microporous activated carbon (TCDD-AC) using the incipient wetness method. An aqueous suspension of TCDD-AC and an equivalent dosage of TCDD in corn oil were administered by oral gavage to B6C3F1 mice. The relative bioavailability of TCDD-AC was determined by quantifying and comparing the hepatic induction of cyp1A1 (messenger ribonucleic acid) and suppression of the immunoglobulin M antibody-forming cell immune response by the 2 forms of TCDD. A concentration-dependent response was observed for both assays when TCDD in corn oil was administered to mice. However, when equivalent masses of TCDD were administered as TCDD-AC, no induction of cyp1A1 or suppression of the immunoglobulin M antibody-forming cell response was observed. The absence of these 2 sensitive aryl hydrocarbon receptor–mediated responses in mice provides the first direct evidence that activated carbon can sequester TCDD in a form that eliminates its bioavailability to mammals. These results support the premise that activated carbon can be used to reduce the bioeffective dose of TCDD delivered to mammals and that activated carbon amendments may provide a low-cost alternative to traditional remediation technologies. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:2671–2678. © 2017 SETAC
An immersed smoothed point interpolation method (IS‐PIM) for fluid‐structure interaction problems
Authors: Wang Shuangqiang , Zhang Guiyong , Zhang Zhiqian , Hui Da , Zong Zhi 
Published: April 2017

SummaryAn immersed smoothed point interpolation method using 3‐node triangular background cells is proposed to solve 2D fluid‐structure interaction problems for solids with large deformation/displacement placed in incompressible viscous fluid. In the framework of immersed‐type method, the governing equations can be decomposed into 3 parts on the basis of the fictitious fluid assumption. The incompressible Navier‐Stokes equations are solved using the semi‐implicit characteristic‐based split scheme, and solids are simulated using the newly developed edge‐based smoothed point interpolation method. The fictitious fluid domain can be used to calculate the coupling force. The numerical results show that immersed smoothed point interpolation method can avoid remeshing for moving solid based on immersed operation and simulate the contact phenomenon without an additional treatment between the solid and the fluid boundary. The influence from information transfer between solid domain and fluid domain on fluid‐structure interaction problems has been investigated. The numerical results show that the proposed interpolation schemes will generally improve the accuracy for simulating both fluid flows and solid structures.
Changes in Bone Mineral Density, Body Composition, Vitamin D Status, and Mineral Metabolism in Urban HIV-Positive South African Women Over 12 Months
Authors: Hamill Matthew M , Pettifor John M , Ward Kate A , Norris Shane A , Prentice Ann 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACT

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and antiretroviral therapy (ART) are associated with bone loss and poor vitamin D status in white populations, though their relative roles are not known. No previous studies have examined longitudinal changes in areal bone mineral density (aBMD), measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), or in vitamin D status in HIV-positive African women. Of 247 premenopausal, urban, black African women from Soweto, South Africa, initially recruited, 187 underwent anthropometry, DXA scanning and blood and urine collections at both baseline and 12 months. Of these, 67 were HIV-negative throughout (Nref), 60 were HIV-positive with preserved CD4 counts at baseline (Ppres), and 60 were HIV-positive with low CD4 counts at baseline, eligible for ART by South African standards of care at the time (Plow). No participant had been exposed to ART at baseline. By 12 months, 51 Plow women had initiated ART, &gt;85% of whom took combined tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), lamivudine, and efavirenz. By 12 months, Plow and Nref, but not Ppres, increased in body weight and fat mass (group-by-timepoint p ≤ 0.001, p = 0.002, respectively). Plow had significant decreases in aBMD of 2% to 3%, before and after size adjustment, at the femoral neck (p ≤ 0.002) and lumbar spine (p ≤ 0.001), despite significant weight gain. These decreases were associated with increased bone turnover but there were no significant differences or changes over time in vitamin D status, serum phosphate concentrations, or renal phosphate handling. Excluding data from nine Plow women unexposed to ART and 11 Ppres women who had initiated ART accentuated these findings, suggesting the bone loss in Plow was related to ART exposure. This is the first study describing DXA-defined bone loss in HIV-positive Sub-Saharan African women in association with ART. Further work is required to establish if bone loss continues with ongoing ART and, if so, whether this results in increased fracture rates. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Design of pH‐sensitive peptides from natural antimicrobial peptides for enhancing polyethylenimine‐mediated gene transfection
Authors: Zhang Shi‐Kun , Song Jin‐Wen , Li Su‐Bo , Gao Hong‐Wei , Chang Hong‐Yu , Jia Li‐li , Gong Feng , Tan Ying‐Xia , Ji Shou‐Ping 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBackgroundPoor endosomal release is a major barrier of polyplex‐mediated gene transfection. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are commonly used to improve polyethylenimine (PEI)‐mediated gene transfection by increasing endosomal release. In the present study, we designed novel pH‐sensitive peptides that highly enhance transfection efficiency compared to their parent peptides.MethodsTwo analogues of melittin (Mel) and RV‐23 (RV) were synthesized by replacing the positively‐charged residues in their sequences with glutamic acid residues. The pH‐sensitive lysis ability of the peptides, the effect of the peptides on physicochemical characteristics, the intracellular trafficking, the transfection efficiency, and the cytotoxicity of the polyplexes were determined.ResultsThe acidic peptides showed pH‐sensitive lytic activity. The hemolytic activity of acidic peptides at pH 5.0 was higher than that at pH 7.4. The incorporation of acidic peptides did not affect the DNA binding ability of PEI but affected the physicochemical characteristics of the PEI/DNA polyplexes, which may be beneficial for endosomal release and gene transfection. The incorporation of acidic peptides into PEI/DNA polyplexes enhanced the PEI‐mediated transfection efficiency corresponding to up to 42‐fold higher luciferase activity compared to that of PEI alone.ConclusionsThe results of the present study indicate that replacement of positively‐charged residues with glutamic acid residues in the AMP sequence yields pH‐sensitive peptides, which enhance the transfection efficiency of PEI/DNA polyplexes in various cell lines.
Infectious complications in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated with the Taiwan Pediatric Oncology Group protocol: A 16‐year tertiary single‐institution experience
Authors: Li Meng‐Ju , Chang Hsiu‐Hao , Yang Yung‐Li , Lu Meng‐Yao , Shao Pei‐Lan , Fu Chun‐Min , Chou An‐Kuo , Liu Yen‐Lin , Lin Kai‐Hsin , Huang Li‐Min , Lin Dong‐Tsamn , Jou Shiann‐Tarng 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBackgroundInfection is a major complication in pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia during chemotherapy. In this study, the infection characteristics were determined and risk factors analyzed based on the Taiwan Pediatric Oncology Group (TPOG) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) protocol.ProcedureWe retrospectively reviewed fever events during chemotherapy in 252 patients treated during two consecutive clinical trials at a single institution between 1997 and 2012. Patients were classified as standard, high, and very high risk by treatment regimen according to the TPOG definitions. We analyzed the characteristics and risk factors for infection.ResultsFever occurred in 219 patients (86.9%) with a mean of 2.74 episodes per person. The fever events comprised 64% febrile neutropenia, 39% clinically documented infections, and 44% microbiologically documented infections. The microbiologically documented infections were mostly noted during the induction phase and increased in very high risk patients (89 vs. 24% and 46% in standard‐risk and high‐risk patients, respectively). Younger age and higher risk (high‐risk and very high risk groups) were risk factors for fever and microbiologic and bloodstream infections. Female gender and obesity were additive risk factors for urinary tract infection (odds ratios = 3.52 and 3.24, P < 0.001 and P = 0.004, respectively).ConclusionsInfections developed primarily during the induction phase, for which younger age and higher risk by treatment regimen were risk factors. Female gender and obesity were additive risk factors for urinary tract infection.