bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of various culture conditions on pluripotent stem cell derivation from chick embryos
Authors: Farzaneh Maryam , Zare Masoumeh , Hassani Seyedeh‐Nafiseh , Baharvand Hossein 
Published: February 2018

AbstractPluripotent stem cell (PSC) lines derived from embryonated avian eggs are a convenient platform for production of various recombinant proteins and vaccines. In chicks, both embryonic stem cells (ESC) and embryonic germ cells (EGC) are considered to be pluripotent cells obtained from early blastodermal cells (stage X) and gonadal tissues (stage HH28), respectively. However, the establishment and long‐term maintenance of avian PSC lines faces several challenges and differs in efficiency between chick strains. This study aims to determine the effects of PSC culture media, including serum‐based and serum‐free media as well as various feeder layers, growth factors, and small molecules on derivation and maintenance of avian embryonic derived‐PSCs. Our results have shown that among the different culture conditions, N2B27 serum‐free medium supplemented with PD0325901 and SB431542, MEK and TGFβ chemical inhibitors, named as R2i and cytokine leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) improved PSC derivation from stages X‐ and HH28 embryos. The application of N2B27/R2i + LIF medium validates the effect of defined pluripotency supporting medium on efficient derivation of chick PSCs and facilitates the use of these cells in biotechnology and biobanking of valuable species.
A multilateral investigation of the effects of zinc level on pregnancy
Authors: Özgan Çelikel Özgül , Doğan Özlem , Aksoy Nurkan 
Published: February 2018

BackroundThe relationship between maternal zinc level and birth weight, birth week, delivery type, garvida, maternal age, etc., contribute to diagnosis and clinical follow‐up.MethodMultivariate investigated for data of 275 patients were obtained during their pregnancy periods until birth. 3 cc blood samples were centrifuged for 15 minutes at 2500 g within a period of 30 minutes and were stored at −80°C until the time of analysis. The zinc levels of the patients were found to be within the range of 49‐129 μg/dL. Patients were divided into 8 groups according to their zinc levels (49‐59, 60‐69, …, 120‐129) and the relationships of zinc level with the parameters related to the mode of delivery, week of delivery, birth weight, age, early membrane rupture, live‐stillbirth, and gravid were statistically analyzed to determine differences between the groups.ResultsThere was a significant difference between the live births and stillbirths with a 95% confidence level regarding the zinc level. The zinc level affected the live‐stillbirth status; patients with a zinc level of 49‐59 μg/dL had stillbirths, the live birth rate for 59‐69 μg/dL was approximately 50%, whereas it was approximately 88% for in the patients with a zinc level of 109‐119 μg/dL. All patients with a zinc level of 119 μg/dL and above had live births.ConclusionBased on the results of this study, it is suggested that zinc supplementation may be an appropriate treatment for the pregnant women with low zinc levels to provide the realization of live births.
Determinants of muscle preservation in individuals with cerebral palsy across the lifespan: a narrative review of the literature
Authors: Verschuren Olaf , Smorenburg Ana R.P. , Luiking Yvette , Bell Kristie , Barber Lee , Peterson Mark D. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIn individuals with cerebral palsy (CP), smaller muscle and atrophy are present at young age. Many people with CP also experience a decline in gross motor function as they age, which might be explained by the loss of muscle mass. The clinical observation of muscle wasting has prompted a comparison with sarcopenia in older adults, and the term accelerated musculoskeletal ageing is often used to describe the hallmark phenotype of CP through the lifespan. However, there has been very little research emphasis on the natural history of ageing with CP and even less with respect to the determinants or prevention of muscle loss with CP.Considering the burgeoning interest in the science of muscle preservation, this paper aims to (i) describe the characteristics of accelerated musculoskeletal ageing in people with CP, (ii) describe the pathophysiology of sarcopenia and parallels with CP, and (iii) discuss possible therapeutic approaches, based on established approaches for sarcopenia.
Breaking self-tolerance during autoimmunity and cancer immunity: Myeloid cells and type I IFN response regulation
Authors: Tarbell Kristin V , Egen Jackson G 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
The generation and regulation of innate immune signals are key determinants of autoimmune pathogenesis. Emerging evidence suggests that parallel processes operating in the setting of solid tumors can similarly determine the balance between tolerance and immunity and ultimately the effectiveness of the antitumor immune response. In both contexts, self-specific responses start with innate immune cell activation that leads to the initial break in self-tolerance, which can be followed by immune response amplification and maturation through innate-adaptive crosstalk, and finally immune-mediated tissue/tumor destruction that can further potentiate inflammation. Of particular importance for these processes is type I IFN, which is induced in response to endogenous ligands, such as self-nucleic acids, and acts on myeloid cells to promote the expansion of autoreactive or tumor-specific T cells and their influx into the target tissue. Evidence from the study of human disease pathophysiology and genetics and mouse models of disease has revealed an extensive and complex network of negative regulatory pathways that has evolved to restrain type I IFN production and activity. Here, we review the overlapping features of self- and tumor-specific immune responses, including the central role that regulators of the type I IFN response and innate immune cell activation play in maintaining tolerance, and discuss how a better understanding of the pathophysiology of autoimmunity can help to identify new approaches to promote immune-mediated tumor destruction.
Nutrition‐Focused Quality Improvement Program Results in Significant Readmission and Length of Stay Reductions for Malnourished Surgical Patients
Authors: Sriram Krishnan , Sulo Suela , VanDerBosch Gretchen , Kozmic Sarah , Sokolowski Malgorzata , Summerfelt Wm. Thomas , Partridge Jamie , Hegazi Refaat , Nikolich Sanja 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBackgroundAddressing nutrition needs of inpatients results in improved health outcomes. We conducted a post hoc analysis of previously published data. The aim of this analysis was to evaluate the clinical benefits of a nutrition quality improvement program (QIP) in surgical patients when compared with medical patients.MethodsData were collected from 1269 QIP patients and 1319 historical controls. These combined 2588 patients were categorized into surgical (390, 15%) and medical (2198, 85%) patient subgroups.ResultsReadmission rate relative risk reductions were significantly higher among surgical patients when compared with the medical patients (46.9% vs 20.6%, P < .001). Average length of stay decreased significantly for both groups (29.0% and 29.6%, P = .8).ConclusionMalnourished hospitalized surgical and medical patients experienced improved readmission rates and length of stay. However, surgical patients saw a significantly greater reduction in the readmission rate when compared with the medical patients, thus highlighting the importance of nutrition on surgical outcomes. The ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier for this study is NCT02262429.
The application of pomelo peel as a carrier for adsorption of epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate
Authors: Zhang Guoying , Sun Yun , Guo Yaling , Liu Jianghong , Wu Liangyu , Lin Jinke 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDPomelo (Citrus grandis) is the largest citrus fruit, the peel of which is a well‐known agricultural wastes. Disposal of pomelo peel after consumption is a serious environment problem. As a natural, versatile bio‐absorbent, pomelo peel has shown excellent adsorption capacity for several pollutants, attributed to its micro‐pores; however, there is no relevant report on its adsorption capacity for natural products or food ingredients. The ability of pomelo peel to adsorb epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG) was examined in this study. The physicochemical characterizations of pomelo peel were determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and high‐performance liquid chromatography. The adsorption process of EGCG onto pomelo peel from aqueous solution was carried out at a range of concentrations (50–800 mg L−1) and temperatures (25, 40 and 55 °C).RESULTSThe main components of pomelo peel are composed of dietary fiber, which provide sufficient adsorption sites during the adsorption process. The adsorption of EGCG onto pomelo peel showed excellent fitness with a pseudo‐second‐order model. Both Langmuir and Freundlich models were able to describe the isothermal adsorption of EGCG onto pomelo peel. The results of thermodynamic analysis suggested that adsorption is spontaneous and endothermic in nature, and that the process is likely to be dominated by a physisorption mechanism.CONCLUSIONThe results of this study indicate that pomelo peel has potential adsorption capacity for EGCG, which can be used as an effective, low‐cost carrier for delivery of natural products in functional food and dietary supplement applications. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Synergy of two fatty acids as additives on lubricity of a nematic liquid crystal 5CB
Authors: Tadokoro Chiharu , Araya Shoki , Watanabe Masaya , Okubo Hikaru , Nakano Ken , Sasaki Shinya 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIn examining the lubricity of a nematic liquid crystal (4‐pentyl‐4′‐cyanobiphenyl [5CB]), synergy of 2 fatty acids (stearic acid [C18] and behenic acid [C22]) as additives was observed. In “friction measurements” using a ball‐on‐plate‐type tribometer, the friction coefficient for the “mixed‐additive” lubricant (5CB‐C18‐C22) was lower than those for the “single‐additive” lubricants (5CB‐C18 and 5CB‐C22). This synergy mechanism was discussed with considering the results obtained in other tests: “orientation observations” in a stationary cell using polarising microscopy and “surface topography measurements” of adsorbed films using atomic force microscopy. As a result, it is believed that the microscopic patterned surface formed by the mixed additive strengthens the surface anchoring of 5CB, which leads to increase in the effective viscosity of 5CB and therefore to decrease in the macroscopic friction coefficient in the mixed lubrication regime.
Poly(N‐methylvinylamine)‐Based Copolymers for Improved Gene Transfection
Authors: Dréan Mathilde , Debuigne Antoine , Jérôme Christine , Goncalves Cristine , Midoux Patrick , Rieger Jutta , Guégan Philippe 
Published: February 2018

AbstractPoly(N‐methylvinylamines) with secondary amines can form complexes with plasmid DNA (pDNA) and provide transfection efficiency in HeLa cells in the same order as linear polyethyleneimine but with higher cell viability. Chemical modifications of poly(N‐methylvinylamine) backbones are performed to further improve transfection efficiency while maintaining low degree of cytotoxicity. In a first type of polymer, primary amino groups are incorporated via a copolymerization strategy. In a second one, primary amino and imidazole groups are incorporated also via a copolymerization strategy. In a third one, secondary amino groups are substituted with methylguanidine functions through a postpolymerization reaction. Thus, novel polymers of various molecular masses are synthesized, characterized, and their interaction with pDNA studied. Then, their transfection efficiency and cytotoxicity are tested in HeLa cells. Two polymethylvinylamine‐based copolymers, one containing 20% of imidazole moieties and another one composed of 12% of guanidinyl units allow remarkable transfection efficiency of HeLa, pulmonary (16HBE), skeletal muscle (C2C12), and dendritic (DC2.4) cells. Overall, this work thus identifies new promising DNA carriers and chemical modifications that improve the transfection efficiency while maintaining low degree of cytotoxicity.
Highly Loaded Semipermeable Nanocapsules for Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Schlegel Isabel , Renz Patricia , Simon Johanna , Lieberwirth Ingo , Pektor Stefanie , Bausbacher Nicole , Miederer Matthias , Mailänder Volker , Muñoz‐Espí Rafael , Crespy Daniel , Landfester Katharina 
Published: February 2018

AbstractMagnetic resonance imaging has become an essential tool in medicine for the investigation of physiological processes. The key issues related to contrast agents, i.e., substances that are injected in the body for imaging, are the efficient enhancement of contrast, their low toxicity, and their defined biodistribution. Polyurea nanocapsules containing the gadolinium complex Gadobutrol as a contrast agent in high local concentration and high relaxivity up to 40 s−1 mmol−1 L are described. A high concentration of the contrast agent inside the nanocapsules can be ensured by increasing the crystallinity in the shell of the nanocapsules. Nanocapsules from aliphatic polyurea are found to display higher crystallinity and higher relaxivity at an initial Gadobutrol concentration of 0.1 m than aromatic polyurea nanocapsules. The nanocapsules and the contrast agent are clearly identified in cells. After injection, the nanocarriers containing the contrast agent are mostly found in the liver and in the spleen, which allow for a significant contrast enhancement in magnetic resonance imaging.
A homozygous loss‐of‐function mutation in PDE2A associated to early‐onset hereditary chorea
Authors: Salpietro Vincenzo , Perez‐Dueñas Belen , Nakashima Kosuke , San Antonio‐Arce Victoria , Manole Andreea , Efthymiou Stephanie , Vandrovcova Jana , Bettencourt Conceicao , Mencacci Niccolò E. , Klein Christine , Kelly Michy P. , Davies Ceri H. , Kimura Haruhide , Macaya Alfons , Houlden Henry 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTBackground: We investigated a family that presented with an infantile‐onset chorea‐predominant movement disorder, negative for NKX2‐1, ADCY5, and PDE10A mutations. Methods: Phenotypic characterization and trio whole‐exome sequencing was carried out in the family. Results: We identified a homozygous mutation affecting the GAF‐B domain of the 3’,5’‐cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase PDE2A gene (c.1439A>G; p.Asp480Gly) as the candidate novel genetic cause of chorea in the proband. PDE2A hydrolyzes cyclic adenosine/guanosine monophosphate and is highly expressed in striatal medium spiny neurons. We functionally characterized the p.Asp480Gly mutation and found that it severely decreases the enzymatic activity of PDE2A. In addition, we showed equivalent expression in human and mouse striatum of PDE2A and its homolog gene, PDE10A. Conclusions: We identified a loss‐of‐function homozygous mutation in PDE2A associated to early‐onset chorea. Our findings possibly strengthen the role of cyclic adenosine monophosphate and cyclic guanosine monophosphate metabolism in striatal medium spiny neurons as a crucial pathophysiological mechanism in hyperkinetic movement disorders. © 2018 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Analytical incorporation of fractionation effects in probabilistic treatment planning for intensity‐modulated proton therapy
Authors: Wahl Niklas , Hennig Philipp , Wieser Hans‐Peter , Bangert Mark 
Published: February 2018

PurposeWe show that it is possible to explicitly incorporate fractionation effects into closed‐form probabilistic treatment plan analysis and optimization for intensity‐modulated proton therapy with analytical probabilistic modeling (APM). We study the impact of different fractionation schemes on the dosimetric uncertainty induced by random and systematic sources of range and setup uncertainty for treatment plans that were optimized with and without consideration of the number of treatment fractions.MethodsThe APM framework is capable of handling arbitrarily correlated uncertainty models including systematic and random errors in the context of fractionation. On this basis, we construct an analytical dose variance computation pipeline that explicitly considers the number of treatment fractions for uncertainty quantitation and minimization during treatment planning. We evaluate the variance computation model in comparison to random sampling of 100 treatments for conventional and probabilistic treatment plans under different fractionation schemes (1, 5, 30 fractions) for an intracranial, a paraspinal and a prostate case. The impact of neglecting the fractionation scheme during treatment planning is investigated by applying treatment plans that were generated with probabilistic optimization for 1 fraction in a higher number of fractions and comparing them to the probabilistic plans optimized under explicit consideration of the number of fractions.ResultsAPM enables the construction of an analytical variance computation model for dose uncertainty considering fractionation at negligible computational overhead. It is computationally feasible (a) to simultaneously perform a robustness analysis for all possible fraction numbers and (b) to perform a probabilistic treatment plan optimization for a specific fraction number. The incorporation of fractionation assumptions for robustness analysis exposes a dose to uncertainty trade‐off, i.e., the dose in the organs at risk is increased for a reduced fraction number and/or for more robust treatment plans. By explicit consideration of fractionation effects during planning, we demonstrate that it is possible to exploit this trade‐off during optimization. APM optimization considering the fraction number reduced the dose in organs at risk compared to conventional probabilistic optimization neglecting the fraction number.ConclusionAPM enables computationally efficient incorporation of fractionation effects in probabilistic uncertainty analysis and probabilistic treatment plan optimization. The consideration of the fractionation scheme in probabilistic treatment planning reveals the trade‐off between number of fractions, nominal dose, and treatment plan robustness.
A fast 4D IMRT/VMAT planning method based on segment aperture morphing
Authors: Klawikowski Slade , Tai An , Ates Ozgur , Ahunbay Ergun , Li X. Allen 
Published: February 2018

PurposeFour‐dimensional volumetric modulated arc therapy (4D VMAT) and four‐dimensional intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (4D IMRT) are developing radiation therapy treatment strategies designed to maximize dose conformality, minimize normal tissue dose, and deliver the treatment as efficiently as possible. The patient's entire breathing cycle is captured through 4D imaging modalities and then separated into individual breathing phases for planning purposes. Optimizing multiphase VMAT and IMRT plans is computationally demanding and currently impractical for clinical application. The purpose of this study is to assess a new planning process decreasing the upfront computational time required to optimize multiphased treatment plans while maintaining good plan quality.MethodsOptimized VMAT and IMRT plans were created on the end‐of‐exhale (EOE) breathing phase of 10‐phase 4D CT scans with planning tumor volume (PTV)‐based targets. These single‐phase optimized plans are analogous to single‐phase gated treatment plans. The simulated tracked plans were created by deformably registering EOE contours to the remaining breathing phases, recalculating the optimized EOE plan onto the other individual phases and realigning the MLC's relative positions to the PTV border in each of the individual breathing phases using a segment aperture morphing (SAM) algorithm. Doses for each of the 10 phases were calculated with the treatment planning system and deformably transferred back onto the EOE phase and averaged with equal weighting simulating the actual delivered dose a patient would potentially receive in a tracked treatment plan.ResultsPlan DVH quality for the 10‐phase 4D SAM plans were comparable with the individual EOE optimized treatment plans for the PTV structures as well as the organ at risk structures. SAM‐based algorithms out performed simpler isocenter‐shifted only approaches. SAM‐based 4D planning greatly reduced plan computation time vs individually optimizing all 10 phases. In addition, since this technique allows irradiation during all 10 breathing phases it will also decrease the treatment times required to treat each fraction in comparison to the gated treatment planning approach.ConclusionsSegment aperture morphing (SAM) can successfully be used to transfer radiation therapy plans originally planned on a single breathing phase image set to other patient breathing phase image sets. SAM is a useful tool for the fast creation of 4D, multibreathing phase radiation therapy treatment plans.
The New York City Mental Health Needs Assessment Study (MHNAS): Objectives, design, and methods
Authors: Norman Christina C. , McDonald Kate , Schneider Amanda E. , Malinovsky Igor , Goldmann Emily , Blauschild Michael K. , Driver Cynthia 
Published: February 2018

AbstractObjectivesThis paper describes the objectives, design, and methods of the Mental Health Needs Assessment Study (MHNAS). The objective of the MHNAS was to assess the needs of individuals transitioning to the community following psychiatric hospitalization and again 3–5 months later to inform community service planning. Needs were defined broadly to include domains like housing, employment, treatment, and social support.MethodsThe MHNAS used a 2‐stage clustered sampling approach where the primary sampling units were hospitals and secondary sampling units were patients. The study included an in‐person patient interview, an assessment of need from a key hospital worker, and a follow‐up telephone interview 3–5 months after discharge.ResultsOne thousand one hundred twenty‐nine patients from 8 randomly selected hospitals participated. The overall response rate was 54.3% with a cooperation rate of 71.8%. The sample was similar to the overall population of psychiatric patients with respect to several key demographics.ConclusionThe MHNAS demonstrates the feasibility of conducting a needs assessment with a random sample of psychiatric inpatients in a large urban setting. Results from this study may improve community service planning to better meet individuals' needs, with the ultimate goal of reducing rehospitalization and promoting recovery.