bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Roche Immunoturbidimetric Albumin Method on Cobas c 501 Gives Higher Values Than the Abbott and Roche BCP Methods When Analyzing Patient Plasma Samples
Authors: Helmersson‐Karlqvist Johanna , Flodin Mats , Havelka Aleksandra Mandic , Xu Xiao Yan , Larsson Anders 
Published: May 2016

BackgroundSerum/plasma albumin is an important and widely used laboratory marker and it is important that we measure albumin correctly without bias. We had indications that the immunoturbidimetric method on Cobas c 501 and the bromocresol purple (BCP) method on Architect 16000 differed, so we decided to study these methods more closely.MethodA total of 1,951 patient requests with albumin measured with both the Architect BCP and Cobas immunoturbidimetric methods were extracted from the laboratory system. A comparison with fresh plasma samples was also performed that included immunoturbidimetric and BCP methods on Cobas c 501 and analysis of the international protein calibrator ERM‐DA470k/IFCC.ResultsThe median difference between the Abbott BCP and Roche immunoturbidimetric methods was 3.3 g/l and the Roche method overestimated ERM‐DA470k/IFCC by 2.2 g/l. The Roche immunoturbidimetric method gave higher values than the Roche BCP method: y = 1.111x – 0.739, R² = 0.971.ConclusionThe Roche immunoturbidimetric albumin method gives clearly higher values than the Abbott and Roche BCP methods when analyzing fresh patient samples. The differences between the two methods were similar at normal and low albumin levels.
Temporal Expression of the Clock Genes in the Water Flea Daphnia pulex (Crustacea: Cladocera)
Authors: Bernatowicz Piotr P. , Kotwica‐Rolinska Joanna , Joachimiak Ewa , Sikora Anna , Polanska Marta A. , Pijanowska Joanna , Bębas Piotr 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTThe timekeeping mechanisms that operate at the core of circadian clocks (oscillators) are based on interacting molecular feedback loops consisting of clock and clock‐associated genes. However, there is a lack of comprehensive studies on the expression of clock genes (particularly those forming its core) in single crustacean species at the mRNA and protein levels, and these studies could serve as a basis for constructing a model of the crustacean molecular oscillator. Studies on Daphnia pulex are well suited to fill this gap because this species is the only representative crustacean whose genome has been sequenced.We analyzed the abundance of 20 gene transcripts throughout the day in the whole bodies of D. pulex (single clone); we found that 15 of these genes were transcriptionally active, and most had daily expression level changes. According to the functional classification of their homologues in insects, these genes may represent elements of the Daphnia molecular oscillator core and its input and output pathways. Studies of PERIOD (PER) protein, one of the main clock components, revealed its rhythmic expression pattern in the epidermis, gut, and ovaries. Finally, the cycling levels of many of these clock components observed in animals reared in continuous light led to the conclusion that the Daphnia oscillator, even if it is structurally similar to the oscillators of other arthropods, can be considered a particularly important adaptive mechanism for living in environments with extreme photoperiods.
Relative Growth by the Elongated Jaws of Gars: A Perspective on Polyphasic Loglinear Allometry
Authors: Packard Gary C. 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTNonlinear regression was used to fit power functions with different forms for random error to data for length of the upper jaw versus length of the rest of body in two species of gars. Growth by the jaws of these species was reported earlier to conform to a pattern of polyphasic loglinear allometry indicative of relatively rapid growth by the jaw in small individuals (allometric exponent greater than 1) and relatively slow growth by the jaw in larger ones (allometric exponent less than 1). The new analyses revealed, however, that the pattern of relative growth by jaws of these fishes does not change with body size: the jaws grow more slowly than the rest of the body throughout life. The flaw in earlier investigations was the unrealistic assumption that data comprising a single sample in log domain form two (or more) statistically distinct distributions when expressed in arithmetic domain. The paradigm used in the current study provides a simple way to fit and compare different power functions, with different forms for random error, directly to raw data and thereby obviates the use of logarithmic transformations in allometric research.
Promising Materials for High Power Laser Isolators
Authors: Stevens Kevin T. , Schlichting Wolfgang , Foundos Gregory , Payne Alexis , Rogers Evan 
Published: May 2016

AbstractNorthrop Grumman Synoptics is developing the growth of large singlecrystal fluoride materials for Faraday rotator / isolator applications. These materials exhibit smaller nonlinear refractive index and thermo‐optic coefficients, while maintaining Verdet constants near those of the commonly used terbium gallium garnet (TGG) crystals. In particular, the cubic potassium terbium fluoride, KTF (KTb3F10) crystal has low absorption and thermo‐optic coefficients. The crystal growth and performance of these single‐crystal fluoride materials will be discussed as well as recent improvements to the performance of TGG crystals.
Dynamics of extracellular superoxide production by Trichodesmium colonies from the Sargasso Sea
Authors: Hansel C. M. , Buchwald C. , Diaz J. M. , Ossolinski J. E. , Dyhrman S. T. , Van Mooy B. A. S. , Polyviou Despo 
Published: May 2016

AbstractReactive oxygen species (ROS) are key players in the health and biogeochemistry of the ocean and its inhabitants. The vital contribution of microorganisms to marine ROS levels, particularly superoxide, has only recently come to light, and thus the specific biological sources and pathways involved in ROS production are largely unknown. To better understand the biogenic controls on ROS levels in tropical oligotrophic systems, we determined rates of superoxide production under various conditions by natural populations of the nitrogen‐fixing diazotroph Trichodesmium obtained from various surface waters in the Sargasso Sea. Trichodesmium colonies collected from eight different stations all produced extracellular superoxide at high rates in both the dark and light. Colony density and light had a variable impact on extracellular superoxide production depending on the morphology of the Trichodesmium colonies. Raft morphotypes showed a rapid increase in superoxide production in response to even low levels of light, which was not observed for puff colonies. In contrast, superoxide production rates per colony decreased with increasing colony density for puff morphotypes but not for rafts. These findings point to Trichodesmium as a likely key source of ROS to the surface oligotrophic ocean. The physiological and/or ecological factors underpinning morphology‐dependent controls on superoxide production need to be unveiled to better understand and predict superoxide production by Trichodesmium and ROS dynamics within marine systems.
Insight into the quantitative metrics of chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) imaging
Authors: Heo Hye‐Young , Lee Dong‐Hoon , Zhang Yi , Zhao Xuna , Jiang Shanshan , Chen Min , Zhou Jinyuan 
Published: May 2016

PurposeTo evaluate the reliability of four CEST imaging metrics for brain tumors, at varied saturation power levels and magnetic field strengths (3−9.4 Tesla (T)).MethodsA five‐pool proton exchange model (free water, semisolid, amide, amine, and NOE‐related protons) was used for the simulations. For the in vivo study, eight glioma‐bearing rats were scanned at 4.7 T. The CEST ratio (CESTR), CESTR normalized with the reference value (CESTRnr), inverse Z‐spectrum‐based (MTRRex), and apparent exchange‐related relaxation (AREX) were compared.ResultsThe simulated CEST signal intensities using MTRRex and AREX were substantially increased at relatively high radiofrequency (RF) saturation powers at 3 T and 4.7 T, whereas CESTR and CESTRnr metrics remained relatively stable. There were tremendously high MTRRex and AREX signals around the water frequency at all field strengths because of the small denominators. In the rat tumor study at 4.7 T, both CESTR and CESTRnr showed clear contrasts in the tumor with respect to the normal tissue across all saturation power levels (0.5−3 μT), whereas the AREX showed negligible to negative insignificant contrasts.ConclusionsCEST metrics must be carefully selected based on the different experimental settings. CESTR and CESTRnr are more reliable at 3 T (a clinical field strength) and 4.7 T. Magn Reson Med 77:1853–1865, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
Identification and application of dynamic uncoupling between modifications to vibrating systems
Authors: Wixom Andrew S. , McDaniel J. Gregory 
Published: May 2016

SummaryThis paper develops and demonstrates a strategy for identifying the lack of dynamic interaction, or coupling, between potential design modifications to a vibrating base structure. Such decoupling may be exploited to efficiently compare the performance of competing engineering designs. In particular, it is shown how different design modifications may be represented as the addition or removal of substructures. When these substructures are uncoupled according to the metric developed here, the computational cost of determining the optimal system design can be greatly reduced. For example, if a designer considers seven possible modifications and wishes to examine all possible combinations of the modifications, 128 possible structures must be analyzed. However, if all modifications are dynamically uncoupled, significant computational effort need only be spent on eight of the possible structures in order to generate the responses for all remaining designs. Example problems demonstrate this cost reduction and illustrate cases where dynamic uncoupling occurs. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Controlled synthesis of poly(vinyl acetate) by traditional radical emulsion polymerization
Authors: Guan Yu , Li Jingjing , Shao Leishan , Wang Fei , Dong Dongyu , Wang Yinghan 
Published: May 2016

AbstractA new redox initiation system, potassium persulfate/N,N‐dimethylethanolamine, was used to initiate traditional radical emulsion polymerization of vinyl acetate at low temperature. Polymers were characterized using gel permeation chromatography, scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. The results showed that poly(vinyl acetate) with high molar mass and small dispersity (Đ) was successfully synthesized. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Structure of the Escherichia coli ArnA N‐formyltransferase domain in complex with N5‐formyltetrahydrofolate and UDP‐Ara4N
Authors: Genthe Nicholas A. , Thoden James B. , Holden Hazel M. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractArnA from Escherichia coli is a key enzyme involved in the formation of 4‐amino‐4‐deoxy‐l‐arabinose. The addition of this sugar to the lipid A moiety of the lipopolysaccharide of pathogenic Gram‐negative bacteria allows these organisms to evade the cationic antimicrobial peptides of the host immune system. Indeed, it is thought that such modifications may be responsible for the repeated infections of cystic fibrosis patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. ArnA is a bifunctional enzyme with the N‐ and C‐terminal domains catalyzing formylation and oxidative decarboxylation reactions, respectively. The catalytically competent cofactor for the formylation reaction is N10‐formyltetrahydrofolate. Here we describe the structure of the isolated N‐terminal domain of ArnA in complex with its UDP‐sugar substrate and N5‐formyltetrahydrofolate. The model presented herein may prove valuable in the development of new antimicrobial therapeutics.
Critical assessment of methods of protein structure prediction: Progress and new directions in round XI
Authors: Moult John , Fidelis Krzysztof , Kryshtafovych Andriy , Schwede Torsten , Tramontano Anna 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTModeling of protein structure from amino acid sequence now plays a major role in structural biology. Here we report new developments and progress from the CASP11 community experiment, assessing the state of the art in structure modeling. Notable points include the following: (1) New methods for predicting three dimensional contacts resulted in a few spectacular template free models in this CASP, whereas models based on sequence homology to proteins with experimental structure continue to be the most accurate. (2) Refinement of initial protein models, primarily using molecular dynamics related approaches, has now advanced to the point where the best methods can consistently (though slightly) improve nearly all models. (3) The use of relatively sparse NMR constraints dramatically improves the accuracy of models, and another type of sparse data, chemical crosslinking, introduced in this CASP, also shows promise for producing better models. (4) A new emphasis on modeling protein complexes, in collaboration with CAPRI, has produced interesting results, but also shows the need for more focus on this area. (5) Methods for estimating the accuracy of models have advanced to the point where they are of considerable practical use. (6) A first assessment demonstrates that models can sometimes successfully address biological questions that motivate experimental structure determination. (7) There is continuing progress in accuracy of modeling regions of structure not directly available by comparative modeling, while there is marginal or no progress in some other areas. Proteins 2016; 84(Suppl 1):4–14. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Embracing the foreign: Cultural attractiveness and international strategy
Authors: Li Chengguang , Brodbeck Felix C. , Shenkar Oded , Ponzi Leonard J. , Fisch Jan Hendrik 
Published: May 2016

Research summary: Prior research focused on cultural differences and their impact on foreign direct investment (FDI), neglecting other potentially relevant variables attesting to the cultural interaction between a multinational enterprise and its host environment. In this article, we draw on interpersonal attraction research to develop a positive approach to cross‐cultural interaction with the cultural attractiveness (CA) construct, whereby members of a focal culture view another culture as desirable. We create a CA measure and establish its predictive validity with country reputation data. Using FDI data for 41 nations from 1985 to 2012 and performance data for 8,519 cross‐border acquisitions (CBA) for 40 nations from 1990 to 2009, we find that CA is a predictor of FDI inflows and CBA outcomes, whose explanatory power is superior to cultural difference measures.Managerial summary: Practitioners have traditionally emphasized potential difficulties of cross‐cultural interaction when dealing with culturally distant countries. In contrast, our study addresses the positive aspects of cultural differences and suggests that a lot can be gained from dealing with attractive cultures, even when they are different. This insight can be helpful, for example, in contemplating/managing international M&As. Managers of acquiring/merging firms can use our approach to identify whether their employees find the partner's culture desirable, and if they do, proceed with the takeover and then adopt the partner's organizational routines during post‐merger integration. This approach can help avoid conflicts, improve performance of home country expatriates, and ultimately, create value for acquiring firms. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Primary subacute hematogenous osteomyelitis in children: A clearer bacteriological etiology
Authors: Spyropoulou Vasiliki , Dhouib Chargui Amira , Merlini Laura , Samara Eleftheria , Valaikaite Raimonda , Kampouroglou Georgios , Ceroni Dimitri 
Published: May 2016

Background This study aimed to describe the spectrum of pediatric primary subacute hematogenous osteomyelitis (PSAHO) and to investigate its bacterial etiology. Methods Sixty-five consecutive cases of PSAHO admitted to our institution over a 16-year period (2000–2015) were retrospectively reviewed to assess their laboratory and radiographic imaging features, as well as their bacteriological etiology. Results On evaluation, white blood cell count and C-reactive protein were normal in 53 (81.5 %) and 34 cases (52.3 %), respectively, whereas the erythrocyte sedimentation rate was superior to 20 mm/h in 44 cases (72.1 %). Blood cultures failed to identify the pathogen in all but one patient, and classic bone sample cultures only managed to isolate the pathogen in five cases (11.6 %). Use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays on bone aspirates or blood allowed the causative microorganism to be isolated in a further 22 cases. Using classic cultures and PCR assays together resulted in pathogen detection in 27 cases (62.8 % of the children bacteriologically investigated), with Kingella kingae being the most frequently reported microorganism. Conclusions Two distinct forms of PSAHO should be distinguished on the basis of age of patients and bacteriological etiology. The infantile form affects children aged between 6 months and 4 years and is predominantly due to K. kingae. The juvenile form involves children aged >4 years and Staphylococcus aureus appears to be the main bacteriological etiology. Appropriate nucleic amplification assays drastically improve the detection rate of the microorganisms responsible for PSAHO. Level of evidence: Case series, level IV.
Trends of hospitalization for major bipolar II in USA: A Nationwide analysis
Authors: Rathod M. , Mansuri Z. , Shambhu S. , Sutaria A. , Karnik K. 
Published: May 2016

ObjectivesBipolar II (B-II) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. While B-II has been extensively studied in the past, the contemporary data for impact of B-II on cost of hospitalization are largely lacking.MethodsWe queried the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's Nationwide Inpatient Sample (HCUP-NIS) dataset between 1998–2011 using the ICD-9 codes. Severity of comorbid conditions was defined by Deyo modification of Charlson comorbidity index. Primary outcome was in-hospital mortality and secondary outcome was total charges for hospitalization. Using SAS 9.2, Chi2 test, t-test and Cochran-Armitage test were used to test significance.ResultsA total of 107,152 patients were analyzed; 62.61% were female and 31.39% were male (P < 0.0001); 78.19% were white, 11.44% black and 10.37% of other race (P < 0.0001). Rate of hospitalization increased from 866.87/million to 8156.03/million from 1998–2011. Overall mortality was 0.32% and mean cost of hospitalization was 19,447.89$. The in-hospital mortality increased from 0.00% to 0.07% (P < 0.0001) and mean cost of hospitalization increased from 7565.20$ to 26,511.95$. Total yearly spending on B-II related admissions have increased from $52.24 million/year to $1.6 billion/year.ConclusionsWhile mortality has slightly increased from 1998 to 2011, the cost has significantly increased from $52.24 million/year to $1.6 billion/year, which leads to an estimated $1.55 billion/year additional burden to US health care system. In the era of cost conscious care, preventing B-II related hospitalization could save billions of dollars every year. Focused efforts are needed to establish preventive measures for B-II related hospitalization.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Depression as an interdisciplinary problem
Authors: Vasileva A. , Neznanov N. 
Published: May 2016

Traditionally depression was defined as a mental illness. Acknowledgment of biopsychosocial model in modern medicine brought about a number of interdisciplinary studies. In the meantime, a number of correlations in the onset, cause and prognosis between depression and other somatic as well as mental illnesses were discovered. The research results showed that from one hand, depression could be an independent factor of the possible development of heart infarct, on the other hand it can influence the recovery process in cardiological patients. The conducted studies established some common pathways in depression and vascular diseases development. Psychoneuroimmunological research gives the data about the influence of anxiety and depression on the interleukine profile that could be a matter of further investigation of the possible links between depression and cancer diseases. The other dimension is the addiction impact on depression onset. The interrelationship between epilepsy as organic brain disease and depression is also worth of attentional. Hypercortisolemia and low-grade inflammation plays an important role both in depression and dementia. There is also a strong correlation between personality traits and depression itself and as response to unfavorable circumstances and somatic illness as well. We propose to apply to depression the principles of pathological stable circuits with the self-sustained reverbation engram chains mechanisms. All these data calls for consideration of depression as an interdisciplinary phenomena.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
A meta-analysis of gene (5-HTT) × environment interactions in eating pathology using secondary data analyses
Authors: Rozenblat V. , Ng D. , Fuller-Tyszkiewicz M. , Akkermann K. , Collier D. , Engels R. , Fernandez-Aranda F. , Harro J. , Karwautz A. , Homberg J. , Klump K. , Racine S. , Larson C. , Steiger H. , Richardson J. , Stoltenberg S. , van Strien T. , Wagner G. , Treasure J. , Krug I. 
Published: May 2016

BackgroundGene × environment (G × E) interactions in eating pathology have been increasingly investigated, however studies have been limited by sample size due to the difficulty of obtaining genetic data.ObjectiveTo synthesize existing G × E research in the eating disorders (ED) field and provide a clear picture of the current state of knowledge with analyses of larger samples.MethodComplete data from seven studies investigating community (n = 1750, 64.5% female) and clinical (n = 426, 100% female) populations, identified via systematic review, were included. Data were combined to perform five analyses: 5-HTTLPR × Traumatic Life Events (0–17 events) to predict ED status (n = 909), 5-HTTLPR × Sexual and Physical Abuse (n = 1097) to predict bulimic symptoms, 5-HTLPR × Depression to predict bulimic symptoms (n = 1256), and 5-HTTLPR × Impulsivity to predict disordered eating (n = 1149).ResultsThe low function (s) allele of 5-HTTLPR interacted with number of traumatic life events (P < .01) and sexual and physical abuse (P < .05) to predict increased likelihood of an ED in females but not males (Fig. 1). No other G × E interactions were significant, possibly due to the medium to low compatibility between datasets (Fig. 1).ConclusionEarly promising results suggest that increased knowledge of G × E interactions could be achieved if studies increased uniformity of measuring ED and environmental variables, allowing for continued collaboration to overcome the restrictions of obtaining genetic samples.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.