bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
siRNAzos: A New Class of Azobenzene‐Containing siRNAs that Can Photochemically Regulate Gene Expression
Authors: Hammill Matthew L. , Isaacs‐Trépanier Cameron , Desaulniers Jean‐Paul 
Published: October 2017

AbstractFine‐tuning the activity of short‐interfering RNAs (siRNAs) with light could help overcome several obstacles related to potency, delivery, and off‐target effects. In this study, we chemically modify siRNAs that contain azobenzene derivative spacers within the sense strand. These molecules are called siRNAzos and they are successfully accommodated within the RNAi pathway as measured by gene‐silencing dose‐dependent knockdown. In addition to its RNAi biocompatibility, we are able to photochemically control the activity of the siRNAzos that contain the azobenzene within the central region of the sense strand. We demonstrate it is possible to both inactivate and reactivate several siRNAzos with ultraviolet and visible light, respectively.
The preventive effects of edible folic acid on cardiomyocyte apoptosis and survival in early onset triple‐transgenic Alzheimer's disease model mice
Authors: Lin Kuan‐Ho , Chiu Chih‐Hao , Kuo Wei‐Wen , Ju Da‐Tong , Shen Chia‐Yao , Chen Ray‐Jade , Lin Chien‐Chung , Viswanadha Vijaya Padma , Liu Jian‐Sheng , Huang Rwei‐Fen S. , Huang Chih‐Yang 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIn recent years, neuropathological and epidemiological studies have indicated an association between Alzheimer's disease (AD) and several cardiovascular risk factors. In this study, the cardio‐protective effects of folic acid (FA) in early stage AD was elucidated using a triple‐transgenic (3xTg) Alzheimer's mouse model. Eleven‐month‐old C57BL/6 mice and 3xTg mice were assigned to five groups. During the four‐month treatment period, the low‐FA treatment group received FA through their diet, and the high‐FA treatment groups received 3 mg/dl folate in drinking water and were also gastric‐fed 1.2 mg/kg folate every day. In the C57B1/6J mice, treatment with high doses of FA (HFA) did not show any considerable effect compared to the control group or the low‐dose dietary FA treatment group. However, Alzheimer's mice treated with HFA showed enhanced cardio‐protection. Western blot analysis revealed that FA treatment restored SIRT1 expression, which was suppressed in 3xTg mice, through enhanced AMPK expression. FA significantly enhanced the IGF1 receptor survival mechanism in the hearts of the 3xTg mice and suppressed the expression‐intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis‐associated proteins. The results suggest that FA intake may significantly alleviate cellular pathological events in the heart associated with AD.
Impact of Trauma System Structure on Injury Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Moore Lynne , Champion Howard , Tardif Pier‐Alexandre , Kuimi Brice‐Lionel , O’Reilly Gerard , Leppaniemi Ari , Cameron Peter , Palmer Cameron S. , Abu‐Zidan Fikri M. , Gabbe Belinda , Gaarder Christine , Yanchar Natalie , Stelfox Henry Thomas , Coimbra Raul , Kortbeek John , Noonan Vanessa K. , Gunning Amy , Gordon Malcolm , Khajanchi Monty , Porgo Teegwendé V. , Turgeon Alexis F. , Leenen Luke ,   International Injury Care Improvement Initiative
Published: October 2017

AbstractBackground
The effectiveness of trauma systems in decreasing injury mortality and morbidity has been well demonstrated. However, little is known about which components contribute to their effectiveness. We aimed to systematically review the evidence of the impact of trauma system components on clinically important injury outcomes.
Methods
We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL, and BIOSIS/Web of Knowledge, gray literature and trauma association Web sites to identify studies evaluating the association between at least one trauma system component and injury outcome. We calculated pooled effect estimates using inverse‐variance random‐effects models. We evaluated quality of evidence using GRADE criteria.ResultsWe screened 15,974 records, retaining 41 studies for qualitative synthesis and 19 for meta‐analysis. Two recommended trauma system components were associated with reduced odds of mortality: inclusive design (odds ratio [OR] = 0.72 [0.65–0.80]) and helicopter transport (OR = 0.70 [0.55–0.88]). Pre‐Hospital Advanced Trauma Life Support was associated with a significant reduction in hospital days (mean difference [MD] = 5.7 [4.4–7.0]) but a nonsignificant reduction in mortality (OR = 0.78 [0.44–1.39]). Population density of surgeons was associated with a nonsignificant decrease in mortality (MD = 0.58 [−0.22 to 1.39]). Trauma system maturity was associated with a significant reduction in mortality (OR = 0.76 [0.68–0.85]). Quality of evidence was low or very low for mortality and healthcare utilization.ConclusionsThis review offers low‐quality evidence for the effectiveness of an inclusive design and trauma system maturity and very‐low‐quality evidence for helicopter transport in reducing injury mortality. Further research should evaluate other recommended components of trauma systems and non‐fatal outcomes and explore the impact of system component interactions.
Use of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRs) in the biopharmaceutical industry for real-time determination of critical process parameters and integration of advanced feedback control strategies using MIDUS control
Authors: Vann Lucas , Sheppard John 
Published: October 2017

Abstract
Control of biopharmaceutical processes is critical to achieve consistent product quality. The most challenging unit operation to control is cell growth in bioreactors due to the exquisitely sensitive and complex nature of the cells that are converting raw materials into new cells and products. Current monitoring capabilities are increasing, however, the main challenge is now becoming the ability to use the data generated in an effective manner. There are a number of contributors to this challenge including integration of different monitoring systems as well as the functionality to perform data analytics in real-time to generate process knowledge and understanding. In addition, there is a lack of ability to easily generate strategies and close the loop to feedback into the process for advanced process control (APC). The current research aims to demonstrate the use of advanced monitoring tools along with data analytics to generate process understanding in an Escherichia coli fermentation process. NIR spectroscopy was used to measure glucose and critical amino acids in real-time to help in determining the root cause of failures associated with different lots of yeast extract. First, scale-down of the process was required to execute a simple design of experiment, followed by scale-up to build NIR models as well as soft sensors for advanced process control. In addition, the research demonstrates the potential for a novel platform technology that enables manufacturers to consistently achieve “goldenbatch” performance through monitoring, integration, data analytics, understanding, strategy design and control (MIDUS control). MIDUS control was employed to increase batch-to-batch consistency in final product titers, decrease the coefficient of variability from 8.49 to 1.16%, predict possible exhaust filter failures and close the loop to prevent their occurrence and avoid lost batches.
Peer Comparison of Anti-MRSA Agent Prescription in the Inpatient Setting
Authors: Bork Jacqueline T. , Morgan Daniel J. , Heil Emily L. , Pineles Lisa , Kleinberg Michael 
Published: October 2017

Peer comparison has potential as an effective antimicrobial stewardship intervention in the inpatient setting. We report a new metric, days of therapy per 100 service days, for comparing antibiotic utilization. Among 14 prescribers on the primary infectious diseases service during a 6-month period, we identified 1 outlier for each anti-MRSA agent.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:1506–1508
HEALTH RISK TRANSITION AND LOW MORTALITY PATTERNS AMONG A NATIONAL COHORT OF ASPIRATIONAL THAI OPEN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
Authors: Kelly Matthew , Rao Chalapati , Seubsman Sam-Ang , Sleigh Adrian 
Published: October 2017

SummaryIn the last 50 years Thailand has achieved advanced demographic and health transitions. Many infectious diseases are controlled and infant and maternal mortality rates are among the lowest in the region. Within such a low mortality setting, however, substantial variations in health persist, with education being a major driver. This paper assesses the ongoing mortality transition in Thailand, examining relationships between risk factors and mortality outcomes among a large nationwide cohort of distance-learning Open University students, as well as examining the differential mortality benefit enjoyed by this educated group when compared with the general Thai population. The cohort comprised 87,151 participants, who in 2005 completed a questionnaire collecting detailed information on socio-demographics, health behaviours and health outcomes. Participants were aged 15–87 at baseline and lived in all regions of the country. Cohort members’ citizen identification numbers were matched with official death registration records to identify mortality among participants. A total of 1401 deaths were identified up to November 2016. Results show cohort study participants experiencing mortality at approximately one-third of the rate of the general population in the same age and sex groups. The gap between the mortality rates in the two groups widened with increased age. Differential risk factor prevalence among the two populations, particularly lower overweight and obesity prevalence and lower cigarette smoking rates in the cohort, can explain some of this variation. The largely unmeasurable effect of aspiration for life improvement through distance education while embedded in their communities is shown by this study to have a powerful effect on mortality risk. With overall education levels, including higher education, rising in Thailand this growing group of educated aspirational Thais may represent future trends in Thai mortality. Identifying the drivers and characteristics of this mortality variation can help inform policies to provide health services and to help reduce mortality in the whole population.
Assessing changes in distribution of the Endangered snow leopardPanthera unciaand its wild prey over 2 decades in the Indian Himalaya through interview-based occupancy surveys
Authors: Ghoshal Abhishek , Bhatnagar Yash Veer , Pandav Bivash , Sharma Koustubh , Mishra Charudutt , Raghunath R. , Suryawanshi Kulbhushansingh R. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractUnderstanding species distributions, patterns of change and threats can form the basis for assessing the conservation status of elusive species that are difficult to survey. The snow leopardPanthera unciais the top predator of the Central and South Asian mountains. Knowledge of the distribution and status of this elusive felid and its wild prey is limited. Using recall-based key-informant interviews we estimated site use by snow leopards and their primary wild prey, blue sheepPseudois nayaurand Asiatic ibexCapra sibirica, across two time periods (past: 1985–1992; recent: 2008–2012) in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India. We also conducted a threat assessment for the recent period. Probability of site use was similar across the two time periods for snow leopards, blue sheep and ibex, whereas for wild prey (blue sheep and ibex combined) overall there was an 8% contraction. Although our surveys were conducted in areas within the presumed distribution range of the snow leopard, we found snow leopards were using only 75% of the area (14,616 km2). Blue sheep and ibex had distinct distribution ranges. Snow leopards and their wild prey were not restricted to protected areas, which encompassed only 17% of their distribution within the study area. Migratory livestock grazing was pervasive across ibex distribution range and was the most widespread and serious conservation threat. Depredation by free-ranging dogs, and illegal hunting and wildlife trade were the other severe threats. Our results underscore the importance of community-based, landscape-scale conservation approaches and caution against reliance on geophysical and opinion-based distribution maps that have been used to estimate national and global snow leopard ranges.
EXPLORATION AND PREFERENTIAL RANKING OF PATIENT BENEFITS OF MEDICAL DEVICES: A NEW AND GENERIC INSTRUMENT FOR HEALTH ECONOMIC ASSESSMENTS
Authors: Lesén Eva , Björholt Ingela , Ingelgård Anders , Olson Fredrik J. 
Published: October 2017

Objectives: For medical devices, benefits other than direct clinical effects may have a large impact on the patients’ well-being, but a standardized method for measuring these benefits is unavailable. The objective was to explore potential patient benefits provided by medical devices, and to assess the relative preferences of these benefits in the general Swedish population.Methods: To identify attributes of patient benefit, healthcare personnel within a wide range of disease areas were interviewed. The generalized attributes were then validated among healthcare personnel, patient organizations, and manufacturers; in two pilot studies in the general population; and in two rounds of cognitive interviews. The general population's preferences of the attributes were measured with a usability-tested questionnaire in a final responding sample of 3,802 individuals, representative of the Swedish population.Results: Twenty attributes were identified, encompassing aspects of integrity, sense of security, social participation, and convenience. When measuring the relative preferences, the response rate was 37.0 percent, and the results showed that the attributes with the highest preferences concerned reliability, reduced need for assistance, and sense of control of the illness/disability.Conclusions: A set of twenty attributes of patient benefit relevant to users of medical devices was identified and validated. A questionnaire for patient-reported assessment of the benefits provided by a medical device was developed, based on the attributes. The questionnaire, designated MedTech20, provides a generic measurement method for the evaluation of medical devices used in a wide range of diseases/disabilities.
Why do children pay more attention to grammatical morphemes at the ends of sentences?
Authors: SUNDARA Megha 
Published: October 2017

AbstractChildren pay more attention to the beginnings and ends of sentences rather than the middle. In natural speech, ends of sentences are prosodically and segmentally enhanced; they are also privileged by sensory and recall advantages. We contrasted whether acoustic enhancement or sensory and recall-related advantages are necessary and sufficient for the salience of grammatical morphemes at the ends of sentences. We measured 22-month-olds’ listening times to grammatical and ungrammatical sentences with third person singular-s.Crucially, by cross-splicing the speech stimuli, acoustic enhancement and sensory and recall advantages were fully crossed. Only children presented with the verb in sentence-final position, a position with sensory and recall advantages, distinguished between the grammatical and ungrammatical sentences. Thus, sensory and recall advantages alone were necessary and sufficient to make grammatical morphemes at ends of sentences salient. These general processing constraints privilege ends of sentences over middles, regardless of the acoustic enhancement.
A broadly tunable synthesis of linear α-olefins
Authors: Gollwitzer Andreas , Dietel Thomas , Kretschmer Winfried P. , Kempe Rhett 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe catalytic synthesis of linear α-olefins from ethylene is a technologically highly important reaction. A synthesis concept allowing the formation of selective products and various linear α-olefin product distributions with one catalyst system is highly desirable. Here, we describe a trimetallic catalyst system (Y–Al–Ni) consisting of a rare earth metal polymerization catalyst which can mediate coordinative chain transfer to triethylaluminum combined with a simultaneously operating nickel β-hydride elimination/transfer catalyst. This nickel catalyst displaces the grown alkyl chains forming linear α-olefins and recycles the aluminum-based chain transfer agent. With one catalyst system, we can synthesize product spectra ranging from selective 1-butene formation to α-olefin distributions centered at 850 gmol−1 with a low polydispersity. The key to this highly flexible linear α-olefin synthesis is the easy tuning of the rates of the Y and Ni catalysis independently of each other. The reaction is substoichiometric or formally catalytic regarding the chain transfer agent.
Thiamine deficiency impairs common eider (Somateria mollissima) reproduction in the field
Authors: Mörner Torsten , Hansson Tomas , Carlsson Le , Berg Anna-Lena , Ruiz Muñoz Yolanda , Gustavsson Hanna , Mattsson Roland , Balk Lennart 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe Baltic Sea population of the common eider (Somateria mollissima) has declined dramatically during the last two decades. Recently, widespread episodic thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency has been demonstrated in feral birds and suggested to contribute significantly to declining populations. Here we show that the decline of the common eider population in the Baltic Sea is paralleled by high mortality of the pulli a few days after hatch, owing to thiamine deficiency and probably also thereby associated abnormal behaviour resulting in high gull predation. An experiment with artificially incubated common eider eggs collected in the field revealed that thiamine treatment of pulli had a therapeutic effect on the thiamine status of the brain and prevented death. The mortality was 53% in untreated specimens, whereas it was only 7% in thiamine treated specimens. Inability to dive was also linked to brain damage typical for thiamine deficiency. Our results demonstrate how thiamine deficiency causes a range of symptoms in the common eider pulli, as well as massive die-offs a few days after hatch, which probably are the major explanation of the recent dramatic population declines.
Determining the contents and cell origins of apoptotic bodies by flow cytometry
Authors: Jiang Lanzhou , Paone Stephanie , Caruso Sarah , Atkin-Smith Georgia K. , Phan Thanh Kha , Hulett Mark D. , Poon Ivan K. H. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractOver 200 billion cells undergo apoptosis every day in the human body in order to maintain tissue homeostasis. Increased apoptosis can also occur under pathological conditions including infection and autoimmune disease. During apoptosis, cells can fragment into subcellular membrane-bound vesicles known as apoptotic bodies (ApoBDs). We recently developed a flow cytometry-based method to accurately differentiate ApoBDs from other particles (e.g. cells and debris). In the present study, we aim to further characterize subsets of ApoBDs based on intracellular contents and cell type-specific surface markers. Utilizing a flow cytometry-based approach, we demonstrated that intracellular contents including nuclear materials and mitochondria are distributed to some, but not all ApoBDs. Interestingly, the mechanism of ApoBD formation could affect the distribution of intracellular contents into ApoBDs. Furthermore, we also showed that ApoBDs share the same surface markers as their cell of origin, which can be used to distinguish cell type-specific ApoBDs from a mixed culture. These studies demonstrate that ApoBDs are not homogeneous and can be divided into specific subclasses based on intracellular contents and cell surface markers. The described flow cytometry-based method to study ApoBDs could be used in future studies to better understand the function of ApoBDs.
Percutaneous ureteroscopy laser unroofing-a minimally invasive approach for renal cyst treatment
Authors: Hu Jia , Dirie Najib Isse , Yang Jun , Xia Ding , Lu Yuchao , Yu Xiao , Wang Shaogang 
Published: October 2017

AbstractMost simple renal cysts rarely require therapy. When it grows to such a large size, regardless of the presence of symptomatology, surgical intervention is required. In this study, we explored a new approach called percutaneous ureteroscopy laser unroofing for treatment renal cysts and evaluated its safety and efficacy. 71 simple renal cyst patients with surgical indications were enrolled, including 6 patients with a peripelvic cyst and 5 patients coexisting ipsilateral calculi. Under ultrasound guidance, an eighteen-gauge needle was placed inside the cyst cavity, and a guidewire was introduced followed by sequential dilation up to 28 F. The extra-parenchymal portion of cyst wall was dissociated and incised using either a Thulium or Holmium laser, and a pathological examination was performed. Renal calculi were treated simultaneously. For peripelvic cyst patients, one end of a double-J stent was inserted into the cyst cavity to prevent auto-closure. Mean of 11.7 months follow-up, the results showed that the cyst was completely resolved in 53 patients, its size was reduced to less than 50% in 15 patients, and treatment failed in only 3 anterior cyst patients, suggesting that percutaneous ureteroscopy laser unroofing is an effective and less invasive alternative for treatment of renal cysts in selected patients.
Geometry-dependent band shift and dielectric modification of nanoporous Si nanowires
Authors: Yu W. B. , Ouyang G. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIn order to obtain a detailed understanding of the modulation of electronic properties in nanoporous Si (np-Si) nanowires with containing ordered, nanometer-sized cylindrical pores, we propose a theoretical method to clarify the band shift and associated with the dielectric modification determined by the geometrical parameters, including nanowire diameter, pore size, pore spacing and porosity, in terms of size-dependent surface energy and atomic-bond-relaxation correlation mechanism. Our results reveal that the self-equilibrium strain induced by the atoms located at inner and outer surfaces with high ratio of under-coordinated atoms as well as elastic interaction among pores in np-Si nanowires play the dominant role in the bandgap shift and dielectric depression. The tunable electronic properties of np-Si nanowires with negative curvature make them attractive for nanoelectronic and optoelectronic devices.
Orphaned female elephant social bonds reflect lack of access to mature adults
Authors: Goldenberg Shifra Z. , Wittemyer George 
Published: October 2017

AbstractCompensatory social behavior in nonhuman animals following maternal loss has been documented, but understanding of how orphans allocate bonding to reconstruct their social networks is limited. Successful social integration may be critical to survival and reproduction for highly social species and, therefore, may be tied to population persistence. We examined the social partners involved in affiliative interactions of female orphans and non-orphans in an elephant population in Samburu, northern Kenya that experienced heightened adult mortality driven by drought and intense ivory poaching. We contrasted partners across different competitive contexts to gain insight to the influence of resource availability on social interactions. Though the number of partners did not differ between orphans and non-orphans, their types of social partners did. Orphans interacted with sisters and matriarchs less while feeding than did non-orphans, but otherwise their affiliates were similar. While resting under spatially concentrated shade, orphans had markedly less access to mature adults but affiliated instead with sisters, bulls, and age mates. Orphan propensity to strengthen bonds with non-dominant animals appears to offer routes to social integration following maternal loss, but lack of interaction with adult females suggests orphans may experience decreased resource access and associated fitness costs in this matriarchal society.