bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pharmacokinetic Variability of Mycophenolic Acid in Pediatric and Adult Patients With Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Zhang Daping , Renbarger Jamie L. , Chow Diana S‐L. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetic variations of mycophenolic acid (MPA), the active metabolite of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), in both pediatric and adult patients following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Twenty pediatric patients with a median age of 3 years (range 0.2‐12 years) and 13 adult patients with a median age of 54 years (range 18‐63 years) were enrolled. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 7, 14, 21, and 30 after allogeneic HSCT. Total and free (unbound) MPA as well as MPA 7‐O‐glucuronide (MPAG) were quantified using a validated LC‐MS/MS assay. The plasma protein binding of MPA and MPAG did not change significantly in pediatric patients over the 1‐month sampling period post‐HSCT. However, it increased in adult patients from day 7 to day 30 post‐HSCT, from 97.3 ± 0.8% to 98.3 ± 0.6% for MPA (P < .05), and 74.6 ± 9.4% to 82.9 ± 8.1% for MPAG (P < .05). The plasma protein binding of MPA was significantly higher in males compared to females in both pediatric (98.3 ± 1.1% vs 97.4 ± 1.1%) and adult (98.1 ± 0.7% vs 97.4 ± 1.2%) patients (P < .05). The MPAG/MPA ratios on a milligram‐per‐kilogram dose basis in adult patients were significantly higher than those in pediatric patients (4.3 ± 3.4 vs 2.4 ± 2.6; P < .05). Time‐dependent plasma protein binding and age‐related differences in MPA metabolism at least in part impact the reported large intra‐ and interindividual variability in MPA pharmacokinetics. These patient and pharmacologic factors, if incorporated into MMF regimen design and modification, may contribute to the rational dose selection of MMF in HSCT patients.
Microfluidic synthesis of monodisperse pectin hydrogel microspheres based on in situ gelation and settling collection
Authors: Kim Chaeyeon , Park Ki‐Su , Kim Jongmin , Jeong Seong‐Geun , Lee Chang‐Soo 
Published: April 2016

AbstractBACKGROUNDGeneration of monodisperse hydrogel microspheres is needed to make exquisite microenvironments, provide effective delivery system, and obtain reliable results. In this work, we present a simple microfluidic approach for the preparation of monodisperse pectin hydrogel microspheres because of efficient collection and shape of hydrogel.RESULTSBased on the mechanism of in situ gelation and efficient collection, aqueous droplets of pectin polysaccharides are continuously generated in an immiscible continuous phase dissolving divalent metal ions, such as calcium. Under in situ gelation conditions, calcium ions are diffused into the interface between the continuous phase and the aqueous droplets, which triggers gelation of the pectin polysaccharides. The settling collection method, which involves dropping consecutive hydrogels from the outlet hole, is able to maintain the shape of the soft pectin hydrogels. Thus, pectin microspheres produced show high monodispersity (a coefficient of variation of 3.5%). In addition, the stiffness of the pectin hydrogels produced can be manipulated by a simple change of the concentration of pectin in the aqueous phase. The control of the mechanical properties can also be confirmed by measurement of the deformation of the pectin hydrogels using the micropipette aspiration method. Furthermore, the versatility of this approach enables the preparation of monodisperse pectin hydrogels with the capability to encapsulate or release nanoparticles on demand under mild conditions. The pectin microspheres are freely manipulated by the control of magnetic fields.CONCLUSIONWe believe that the in situ microfluidic synthesis method combined with settling collection provides an efficient approach for the preparation of soft, monodisperse hydrogel microspheres. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Novel process for immobilizing an enzyme on a bacterial cellulose membrane through repeated absorption
Authors: Wu Sheng‐Chi , Wu Sian‐Ming , Su Feng‐Min 
Published: April 2016

AbstractBACKGROUNDIn enzyme immobilization, one crucial step is carrier selection; the immobilization efficiency is a major factor. It should be improved since enzyme is one of the expensive components in the procedure. Most carriers need to be activated before immobilization and the immobilized efficiency is low, especially using bacterial cellulose (BC). In this study, the immobilized efficiency of BC was improved by the special physical property, high water capacity.RESULTSLipase was used as a model enzyme for immobilizing BC membranes. After investigating different immobilization procedures, a two‐step absorption method consisting of activation in the first step and enzyme attachment in the second step was determined to be the most favorable. The immobilized enzyme exhibits 93.5% high activity compared with the free enzyme. The activity performance at various pH values and temperatures was similar for the immobilized and free enzymes. Therefore, the environment created using immobilization in BC membranes is similar to the reaction solution of the free enzyme. Regarding the reuse stability, the immobilized lipase retained 60% of the original activity after 15 repeated usages.CONCLUSIONThe two‐step absorption method on BC membranes is potentially effective for preparing immobilized lipase. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Querying the Questions: Student Responses and Reasoning in an Active Learning Class
Authors: Koretsky Milo D. , Brooks Bill J. , White Rachel M. , Bowen Alec S. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractBackgroundWe investigated student responses to multiple‐choice concept questions during active learning activities where students write justifications for their answer choices.PurposeWe selected two questions that asked students to apply the same concept in the same way but that have different surface features. We characterized students' responses to reveal how question attributes influence student thinking.Design/MethodIn Study 1, we compared responses from students who wrote justifications with those who did not. In Study 2, we modified one of the questions so the cues of the two questions better align. Data included the students' answers and their written justifications. We applied open coding to the written justifications to develop hierarchical categories common to both questions.ResultsFor the Expanding Piston question, students who wrote justifications chose the correct answer more often; in the Balloon Rising question, less often. Analyses of justifications indicate that in the latter question, students activated more sophisticated reasoning processes, but did not choose the correct answer. We attribute half the difference between percentage correct in Study 1 to question cues and the remaining difference to an unfamiliar context.ConclusionsWe encourage instructors to solicit written justifications to multiple‐choice concept questions and to look for cases where students choose the correct answer using incorrect reasoning, ask students to construct graphics as they respond to text‐only concept questions, and seek ways to help students recognize how core concepts apply to a broad range of contexts.
Measuring Undergraduate Students' Engineering Self‐Efficacy: A Validation Study
Authors: Mamaril Natasha A. , Usher Ellen L. , Li Caihong R. , Economy D. Ross , Kennedy Marian S. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractBackgroundSelf‐efficacy has been shown to be positively related to undergraduate engineering students' achievement. Designing self‐efficacy measures to assess the multifaceted skills required of engineers could improve the predictive relationship between efficacy beliefs and performance.PurposeThis study evaluates the factor structure, validity, and reliability of general and skill‐specific engineering self‐efficacy measures created for use with undergraduate engineering students.Design/MethodSelf‐efficacy items used for the measures were created and adapted from those used previously. Survey responses were collected from engineering students attending two southeastern universities. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to determine factor structure. Multiple regression analyses examined the relationship between engineering self‐efficacy and academic achievement and intent to persist in engineering, both uniquely and when considering other motivation variables.ResultsFactor analysis results suggested two self‐efficacy scales. The General Engineering Self‐Efficacy Scale is unidimensional; the Engineering Skills Self‐Efficacy Scale is multidimensional with three factors representing experimental skills, tinkering skills, and design. General engineering self‐efficacy predicted academic achievement, even when prior achievement was controlled. Students' intrinsic value in engineering predicted their intentions to persist in the engineering profession.ConclusionsWe found evidence for the reliability, validity, and predictive utility of the engineering self‐efficacy scales. These scales can be used to assess undergraduate students' beliefs in their capabilities to perform tasks in their coursework and future roles as engineers and to investigate the association between self‐efficacy and academic outcomes of interest.
Long‐term outcomes of elders discharged on antipsychotics
Authors: Loh Kah Poh , Ramdass Sheryl , Garb Jane L. , Thim Monica , Brennan Maura J. , Lindenauer Peter K. , Lagu Tara 
Published: April 2016

BACKGROUNDDespite limited evidence of efficacy, antipsychotics (APs) are commonly used to treat delirium. There has been little research on the long‐term outcomes of patients who are started on APs in the hospital.METHODSUsing a previously described retrospective cohort of 300 elders (≥65 years old) who were newly prescribed APs while hospitalized between October 1, 2012 and September 31, 2013, we examined the 1‐year outcomes of patients alive at the time of discharge. We examined number of readmissions, reasons for readmission, duration of AP therapy, use of other sedating medications, and incidence of readmission. We used the National Death Index to describe 1‐year mortality and then created a multivariable model to identify predictors of 1‐year mortality.RESULTSThe 260 patients discharged alive from their index admissions had a 1‐year mortality rate of 29% (75/260). Of the 146/260 patients discharged on APs, 60 (41%) patients experienced at least 1 readmission. At the time of first readmission, 65% of patients were still taking the same APs on which they had been discharged. Eighteen patients received new APs during the readmission hospitalizations. Predictors of death at 1 year included discharge to postacute facilities after index admission (odds ratio [OR]: 2.28; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.10‐4.73, P = 0.03) and QT interval prolongation >500 ms during index admission (OR: 3.41; 95% CI: 1.34‐8.67, P = 0.01).CONCLUSIONSInitiating an AP in the hospital is likely to result in long‐term use of these medications. Patients who received an AP during a hospitalization were at high risk of death in the following year. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:550–555. © 2016 Society of Hospital Medicine
Muscle architectural changes after massive human rotator cuff tear
Authors: Gibbons Michael C. , Sato Eugene J. , Bachasson Damien , Cheng Timothy , Azimi Hassan , Schenk Simon , Engler Adam J. , Singh Anshuman , Ward Samuel R. 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACTRotator cuff (RC) tendon tears lead to negative structural and functional changes in the associated musculature. The structural features of muscle that predict function are termed “muscle architecture.” Although the architectural features of “normal” rotator cuff muscles are known, they are poorly understood in the context of cuff pathology. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of tear and repair on RC muscle architecture. To this end thirty cadaveric shoulders were grouped into one of four categories based on tear magnitude: Intact, Full‐thickness tear (FTT), Massive tear (MT), or Intervention if sutures or hardware were present, and key parameters of muscle architecture were measured. We found that muscle mass and fiber length decreased proportionally with tear size, with significant differences between all groups. Conversely, sarcomere number was reduced in both FTT and MT with no significant difference between these two groups, in large part because sarcomere length was significantly reduced in MT but not FTT. The loss of muscle mass in FTT is due, in part, to subtraction of serial sarcomeres, which may help preserve sarcomere length. This indicates that function in FTT may be impaired, but there is some remaining mechanical loading to maintain “normal” sarcomere length‐tension relationships. However, the changes resulting from MT suggest more severe limitations in force‐generating capacity because sarcomere length‐tension relationships are no longer normal. The architectural deficits observed in MT muscles may indicate deeper deficiencies in muscle adaptability to length change, which could negatively impact RC function despite successful anatomical repair. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:2089–2095, 2016.
Immune modulation with primed mesenchymal stem cells delivered via biodegradable scaffold to repair an Achilles tendon segmental defect
Authors: Aktas Erdem , Chamberlain Connie S. , Saether Erin E. , Duenwald‐Kuehl Sarah E. , Kondratko‐Mittnacht Jaclyn , Stitgen Michael , Lee Jae Sung , Clements Anna E. , Murphy William L. , Vanderby Ray 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACTTendon healing is a complex coordinated series of events resulting in protracted recovery, limited regeneration, and scar formation. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy has shown promise as a new technology to enhance soft tissue and bone healing. A challenge with MSC therapy involves the ability to consistently control the inflammatory response and subsequent healing. Previous studies suggest that preconditioning MSCs with inflammatory cytokines, such as IFN‐γ, TNF‐α, and IL‐1β may accelerate cutaneous wound closure. The objective of this study was to therefore elucidate these effects in tendon. That is, the in vivo healing effects of TNF‐α primed MSCs were studied using a rat Achilles segmental defect model. Rat Achilles tendons were subjected to a unilateral 3 mm segmental defect and repaired with either a PLG scaffold alone, MSC‐seeded PLG scaffold, or TNF‐α‐primed MSC‐seeded PLG scaffold. Achilles tendons were analyzed at 2 and 4 weeks post‐injury. In vivo, MSCs, regardless of priming, increased IL‐10 production and reduced the inflammatory factor, IL‐1α. Primed MSCs reduced IL‐12 production and the number of M1 macrophages, as well as increased the percent of M2 macrophages, and synthesis of the anti‐inflammatory factor IL‐4. Primed MSC treatment also increased the concentration of type I procollagen in the healing tissue and increased failure stress of the tendon 4 weeks post‐injury. Taken together delivery of TNF‐α primed MSCs via 3D PLG scaffold modulated macrophage polarization and cytokine production to further accentuate the more regenerative MSC‐induced healing response. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:269–280, 2017.
Phosphorus speciation and high‐affinity transporters are influenced by humic substances
Authors: Jindo Keiji , Soares Tatiane Sanches , Peres Lázaro Eustáquio Pereira , Azevedo Inga Golçalvez , Aguiar Natália Oliveira , Mazzei Pierluigi , Spaccini Riccardo , Piccolo Alessandro , Olivares Fábio Lopes , Canellas Luciano Pasqualoto 
Published: April 2016

AbstractPhosphorus (P) is a limiting factor for plant growth, especially in highly weathered tropical soils. Plants have several mechanisms to overcome low P availability in soil, such as humic substances, that reduce phosphate (Pi) adsorption on oxide surfaces and enhance soil P availability. However, the direct influence of humic substances on Pi transporters in root cells or the distribution of P species in leaves remains unclear. Tomato seedlings were grown in a sand–vermiculite mixture with low or high P concentrations (10 or 100 mg kg−1 KH2PO4, respectively) and humic acids (0 or 48 mg C L−1) isolated from vermicompost. Plant responses were evaluated in the fifth week by measuring root and shoot weights and P concentration, and differential expression in the roots of the high‐affinity Pi transporter genes LePT1 and LePT2. In addition, the distribution of P species in the leaves was assessed using 31P‐NMR. Humic acids increased the root biomass and changed the distribution of P species in the leaves. Inorganic phosphate was the major compound in plants supplied with a high P concentration, whereas in plants supplied with a low P concentration, Pi was only identified in plants not treated with humic acids. Glycerophosphodiester and phosphorylcholine accumulated in plants treated with humic acid, indicating a modified metabolic pathway for economical P consumption at low P concentrations. High transcript accumulation of LePT2 was observed in roots treated with humic acids at both P concentrations. Our results show that humic substances are strategically involved in plant adaptation to P availability.
Factors influencing the adoption of soil conservation techniques in Northern Rwanda
Authors: Nahayo Alphonse , Pan Genxing , Joseph Stephen 
Published: April 2016

AbstractInadequate land management in the highlands of Rwanda has led to soil erosion which caused soil fertility decline. Farmers adopted the soil conservation techniques in order to mitigate the effects of soil erosion. The purpose of this study was to assess the factors that influence the adoption of soil conservation (SC) techniques in Gatebe sector located in N Rwanda. A survey was used for data collection among farmers. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression model. Results indicated that about 50% of farmers were aware of the causes of soil erosion such as cultivation on steep slope, frequent and intense rainfall and inadequate soil erosion control practices. In spite of the adoption of SC techniques such as agroforestry (90%), vegetative strips (80%), infiltration ditches, fence, and hedge rows (60%), the soil erosion persists because of over‐cultivation on small farmlands with steep slope, insufficient SC techniques, limited financial capacity, and inadequate practical training to maintain existing SC techniques. There was a significant positive influence of land acquisition means on the adoption of SC techniques. In fact, farmers who inherited or bought the land were 1.55 times more likely to adopt the SC techniques than those who borrowed or rented, because farmers who felt to have long‐ term use rights were more likely to invest in durable SC techniques. However, farmers who joined the land consolidation were 0.14 times likely not to adopt the SC techniques because there was a change of existing farming systems. Policymakers should focus on the improvement of farmers' awareness on soil erosion and efficient SC techniques through enhanced training, extension services and bottom‐up based support programs.
Repeated monitoring of organic carbon stocks after eight years reveals carbon losses from intensively managed agricultural soils in Western Germany
Authors: Steinmann Thomas , Welp Gerhard , Wolf Andreas , Holbeck Britta , Große‐Rüschkamp Thomas , Amelung Wulf 
Published: April 2016

AbstractPast land‐use changes, intensive cropping with large proportions of root crops, and preferred use of mineral fertilizer have been made responsible for proceeding losses of soil organic C (SOC) in the plough layer. We hypothesized that in intensive agriculturally managed regions changes in SOC stocks would be detectable within a decade. To test this hypothesis, we tracked the temporal development of the concentrations and stocks of SOC in 268 arable sites, sampled by horizon down to 60 cm in the Cologne‐Bonn region, W Germany, in 2005 and in 2013. We then related these changes to soil management data and humus balances obtained from farmers' surveys. As we expected that changes in SOC concentrations might at least in part be minor, we fractionated soils from 38 representative sites according to particle size in order to obtain C pools of different stability.We found that SOC concentrations had increased significantly in the topsoil (from 9.4 g kg−1 in 2005 to 9.8 g kg−1 in 2013), but had decreased significantly in the subsoil (from 4.1 g kg−1 in 2005 to 3.5 g kg−­1 in 2013). Intriguingly, these changes were due to changes in mineral‐bound SOC rather than to changes in sand‐sized organic matter pools. As bulk density decreased, the overall SOC stocks in the upper 60 cm exhibited a SOC loss of nearly 0.6 t C (ha · y)−1 after correction by the equivalent soil mass method. This loss was most pronounced for sandy soils [−0.73 t SOC (ha · y)−1], and less pronounced for loamy soils [−0.64 t SOC (ha · y)−1]; silty soils revealed the smallest reduction in SOC [−0.3 t SOC (ha · y)−1]. Losses of SOC occurred even with the overall humus balances having increased positively from about 20 kg C (ha · y)−1 (2003–2005) to about 133 kg C (ha · y)−1 (2005–2013) due to an improved organic fertilization and intercropping. We conclude that current management may fail to raise overall SOC stocks. In our study area SOC stocks even continued to decline, despite humus conservation practice, likely because past land use conversions (before 2005) still affect SOC dynamics.
Impact of spontaneous tumor rupture on prognosis of patients with T4 hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Chan Wen‐Hui , Hung Chien‐Fu , Pan Kuang‐Tse , Lui Kar‐Wai , Huang Yu‐Ting , Lin Shen‐Yen , Lin Yang‐Yu , Wu Tsung‐Han , Yu Ming‐Chin 
Published: April 2016

Background and objectivesCompare the outcomes of three groups of patients with T4 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): tumor rupture with shock (RS group), tumor rupture without shock (R group), and no tumor rupture (NR group).Materials and MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 221 patients with T4 HCC from 2010 to 2012. The clinical background and prognosis were analyzed.ResultsOverall in‐hospital mortality rate was 18.1%; overall median survival time was 4 months. The NR group were more likely to have multiple and infiltrative tumors (P < 0.001). Relative to the NR group, the R + RS group had better survival rates at 6 months (49.2% vs. 32.2%), 1 year (35.3% vs. 21.0%), 3 years (22.5% vs. 11.0%), and 5 years (17.7% vs. 5.5%) (P = 0.010). Patients in the RS group had a higher in‐hospital mortality rate, but significantly better long‐term survival than the NR and R group (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis indicated that Child‐Pugh class B or C, presence of portal venous thrombosis, and absence of shock were significantly associated with poor survival.ConclusionPatients with tumor rupture and shock had worse in‐hospital survival. However, patients without decompensated liver cirrhosis and portal venous thrombosis, and eligible for curative treatment had favorable long‐term outcome. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;113:789–795. © 2016 The Authors. Journal of Surgical Oncology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.