bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Flow cytometric fingerprinting for microbial strain discrimination and physiological characterization
Authors: Buysschaert Benjamin , Kerckhof Frederiek‐Maarten , Vandamme Peter , De Baets Bernard , Boon Nico 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe analysis of microbial populations is fundamental, not only for developing a deeper understanding of microbial communities but also for their engineering in biotechnological applications. Many methods have been developed to study their characteristics and over the last few decades, molecular analysis tools, such as DNA sequencing, have been used with considerable success to identify the composition of microbial populations. Recently, flow cytometric fingerprinting is emerging as a promising and powerful method to analyze bacterial populations. So far, these methods have primarily been used to observe shifts in the composition of microbial communities of natural samples. In this article, we apply a flow cytometric fingerprinting method to discriminate among 29 Lactobacillus strains. Our results indicate that it is possible to discriminate among 27 Lactobacillus strains by staining with SYBR green I and that the discriminatory power can be increased by combined SYBR green I and propidium iodide staining. Furthermore, we illustrate the impact of physiological changes on the fingerprinting method by demonstrating how flow cytometric fingerprinting is able to discriminate the different growth phases of a microbial culture. The sensitivity of the method is assessed by its ability to detect changes in the relative abundance of a mix of polystyrene beads down to 1.2%. When a mix of bacteria was used, the sensitivity was as between 1.2% and 5%. The presented data demonstrate that flow cytometric fingerprinting is a sensitive and reproducible technique with the potential to be applied as a method for the dereplication of bacterial isolates. © 2017 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Safety profile and efficacy of ivabradine in heart failure due to Chagas heart disease: a post hoc analysis of the SHIFT trial
Authors: Bocchi Edimar Alcides , Rassi Salvador , Guimarães Guilherme Veiga ,   Argentina, Chile, and Brazil SHIFT Investigators
Published: December 2017

AbstractAimsThe SHIFT trial showed that ivabradine reduced heart rate (HR) and the risk of cardiovascular outcomes. Concerns remain over the efficacy and safety of ivabradine on heart failure (HF) due to Chagas disease (ChD). We therefore conducted a post hoc analysis of the SHIFT trial to investigate the effect of ivabradine in these patients.Methods and resultsSHIFT was a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial in symptomatic systolic stable HF, HR ≥ 70 b.p.m., and in sinus rhythm. The ChD HF subgroup included 38 patients, 20 on ivabradine, and 18 on placebo. The ChD HF subgroup showed high prevalence of bundle branch right block and, compared with the overall SHIFT population, lower systolic blood pressure; higher use of diuretics, cardiac glycosides, and antialdosterone agents; and lower use of angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin II receptor blocker or target daily dose of beta‐blocker. ChD HF presented a poor prognosis (all‐cause mortality at 2 years was ~60%). The mean twice‐daily dose of ivabradine was 6.26 ± 1.15 mg and placebo 6.43 ± 1.55 mg. Ivabradine reduced HR from 77.9 ± 3.8 to 62.3 ± 10.1 b.p.m. (P = 0.005) and improved functional class (P = 0.02). A trend towards reduction in all‐cause death was observed in ivabradine arm vs. placebo (P = 0.07). Ivabradine was not associated with serious bradycardia, atrioventricular block, hypotension, or syncope.ConclusionsChD HF is an advanced form of HF with poor prognosis. Ivabradine was effective in reducing HR in these patients and improving functional class. Although our results are based on a very limited sample and should be interpreted with caution, they suggest that ivabradine may have a favourable benefit–risk profile in ChD HF patients.
Self‐Powered Low‐Platinum Nanorod Alloy Monoelectrodes for Rain Energy Harvest
Authors: Duan Yanyan , Duan Jialong , Zhao Yuanyuan , Tang Qunwei , He Benlin 
Published: December 2017

AbstractHere self‐powered low‐platinum coated copper nanorod alloy monoelectrodes are designed to generate electricity from rain, assisted by poly(ethylene oxide)/polyaniline conductive adhesive. Arising from charging/discharging processes of the electric double‐layer pseudocapacitance at electron‐enriched monoelectrode/rainwater interfaces, the monoelectrode yields a current signal of several microamps under dripping simulated raindrops. By optimizing stoichiometric Cu/Pt ratio, dripping velocity, cation concentration, and cation species, the current outputs are maximized.
Common terms for rare epilepsies: Synonyms, associated terms, and links to structured vocabularies
Authors: Grinspan Zachary M. , Tian Niu , Yozawitz Elissa G. , McGoldrick Patricia E. , Wolf Steven M. , McDonough Tiffani L. , Nelson Aaron , Hafeez Baria , Johnson Stephen B. , Hesdorffer Dale C. 
Published: December 2017

SummaryIdentifying individuals with rare epilepsy syndromes in electronic data sources is difficult, in part because of missing codes in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) system. Our objectives were the following: (1) to describe the representation of rare epilepsies in other medical vocabularies, to identify gaps; and (2) to compile synonyms and associated terms for rare epilepsies, to facilitate text and natural language processing tools for cohort identification and population‐based surveillance. We describe the representation of 33 epilepsies in 3 vocabularies: Orphanet, SNOMED‐CT, and UMLS‐Metathesaurus. We compiled terms via 2 surveys, correspondence with parent advocates, and review of web resources and standard vocabularies. UMLS‐Metathesaurus had entries for all 33 epilepsies, Orphanet 32, and SNOMED‐CT 25. The vocabularies had redundancies and missing phenotypes. Emerging epilepsies (SCN2A‐, SCN8A‐, KCNQ2‐, SLC13A5‐, and SYNGAP‐related epilepsies) were underrepresented. Survey and correspondence respondents included 160 providers, 375 caregivers, and 11 advocacy group leaders. Each epilepsy syndrome had a median of 15 (range 6–28) synonyms. Nineteen had associated terms, with a median of 4 (range 1–41). We conclude that medical vocabularies should fill gaps in representation of rare epilepsies to improve their value for epilepsy research. We encourage epilepsy researchers to use this resource to develop tools to identify individuals with rare epilepsies in electronic data sources.
A functional near‐infrared spectroscopic investigation of speech production during reading
Authors: Wan Nick , Hancock Allison S. , Moon Todd K. , Gillam Ronald B. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis study was designed to test the extent to which speaking processes related to articulation and voicing influence Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) measures of cortical hemodynamics and functional connectivity. Participants read passages in three conditions (oral reading, silent mouthing, and silent reading) while undergoing fNIRS imaging. Area under the curve (AUC) analyses of the oxygenated and deoxygenated hemodynamic response function concentration values were compared for each task across five regions of interest. There were significant region main effects for both oxy and deoxy AUC analyses, and a significant region × task interaction for deoxy AUC favoring the oral reading condition over the silent reading condition for two nonmotor regions. Assessment of functional connectivity using Granger Causality revealed stronger networks between motor areas during oral reading and stronger networks between language areas during silent reading. There was no evidence that the hemodynamic flow from motor areas during oral reading compromised measures of language‐related neural activity in nonmotor areas. However, speech movements had small, but measurable effects on fNIRS measures of neural connections between motor and nonmotor brain areas across the perisylvian region, even after wavelet filtering. Therefore, researchers studying speech processes with fNIRS should use wavelet filtering during preprocessing to reduce speech motion artifacts, incorporate a nonspeech communication or language control task into the research design, and conduct a connectivity analysis to adequately assess the impact of functional speech on the hemodynamic response across the perisylvian region.
A LONGITUDINAL, PERSON‐CENTERED ANALYSIS OF EARLY HEAD START MOTHERS’ PARENTING
Authors: Paschall Katherine W. , Mastergeorge Ann M. 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACTThis study used a person‐centered approach to examine stability and change in parenting typologies across early childhood. Profiles were associated within and across time with contextual covariates, including demographic characteristics, risk factors, and Early Head Start participation. Participants were drawn from the Early Head Start Research and Evaluation Project (N = 2, 876). Parenting profiles were identified based on observed parenting dimensions at 14, 24, and 36 months, and pre‐Kindergarten (pre‐K). Results suggested a four‐profile solution at each time point: Supportive, Lukewarm (14 & 24 months)/Sufficient (36 months and pre‐K), Harsh, and Detached. Supportive was the largest, most stable, and most likely transitioned into profile while Harsh and Detached represented rare profiles with moderate to low membership stability across time. Depression and family conflict emerged as important correlates of unsupportive parenting profiles both within and across time. Findings are discussed in terms of their relevance for both policy and implementation practices for low‐income mothers with young children.
Efficient preparative separation of β‐cypermethrin stereoisomers by supercritical fluid chromatography with a two‐step combined strategy
Authors: Yan Yilun , Fan Jun , Lai Yecai , He Jianfeng , Guo Dong , Zhang Hui , Zhang Weiguang 
Published: December 2017

AbstractAn efficient two‐step method has been developed for the separation of β‐cypermethrin stereoisomers by supercritical fluid chromatography with polysaccharide chiral stationary phases. With respect to retention, selectivity, and resolution of β‐cypermethrin, the effects of chiral stationary phases, cosolvents, mobile phases, and column temperature have been studied in detail. Through a two‐step separation, β‐cypermethrin was firstly separated by using a cellulose‐derived chiral stationary phase to obtain two stereoisomeric pairs, and further resolved on an amylose‐based chiral stationary phase to produce four enantiopure stereoisomers. The electronic circular dichroism patterns of the first‐ and the third‐eluted isomers in methanol solution showed the mirror image of each other in the wavelength range 200∼300 nm, indicating that they were a pair of enantiomers. Moreover, the second‐ and the fourth‐eluted isomers were also enantiomers. This proposed two‐step strategy showed low solvent consumption, fast separation speed, and high‐purity, which may provide an effective approach for preparative separation of compounds with multiple chiral centers and difficult‐to‐separate multicomponent samples.
Prevention of tracheal inflammation and fibrosis using nitinol stent coated with doxycycline
Authors: Choi Jeong‐Seok , Kim Jeong‐Mi , Kim Ji‐Won , Kim Young‐Mo , Park In Suh , Yang Su‐Geun 
Published: December 2017

ObjectivesThis study was conducted to determine whether a nitinol stent coated with doxycycline prevents tracheal inflammation and fibrosis in a rabbit.MethodsA nitinol stent coated with doxycycline was designed by us. Twelve rabbits were divided into three groups: normal, control (nondoxycycline‐coated stent), and doxycycline‐coated stent group. The stents were inserted into the tracheal lumen through the oral cavity. Tracheal granulation was evaluated and graded by laryngoscopy. Histological examinations evaluated the inflammatory response and fibrosis. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot assessed the changes to the extracellular matrix (ECM).ResultsEndoscopic findings showed that the nitinol stent coated with doxycycline resulted in lesser granulation tissue in the trachea than the noncoated stent. Histologic examination further revealed that the doxycycline‐coated stent was associated with decreased inflammatory cells and reduced fibrosis, compared to the noncoated stent. In PCR and Western blot, the doxycycline‐coated stent showed lower expression of ECM components inducing fibrosis.ConclusionA nitinol stent coated with doxycycline showed favorable effects in reducing tracheal inflammation and fibrosis in a rabbit model. Further research is required to study the beneficial effects of local application of doxycycline for prevention of tracheal stenosis.Level of EvidenceNA. Laryngoscope, 128:1558–1563, 2018
Marine bacterial richness increases towards higher latitudes in the eastern Indian Ocean
Authors: Raes Eric J. , Bodrossy Levente , van de Kamp Jodie , Bissett Andrew , Waite Anya M. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractWe investigated the bacterial community structure in surface waters along a 2500 km transect in the eastern Indian Ocean. Using high throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, we measured a significant latitudinal increase in bacterial richness from 800 to 1400 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) (42% increase; r2 = 0.65; p < 0.001) from the tropical Timor Sea to the colder temperate waters. Total dissolved inorganic nitrogen, chlorophyll a, phytoplankton community structure, and primary productivity strongly correlated with bacterial richness (all p < 0.01). Our data suggest that primary productivity drives greater bacterial richness. Because, N2‐fixation accounts for up to 50% of new production in this region we tested whether higher N2‐fixation rates are linked to a greater nifH diversity. The nifH diversity was dominated by heterotrophic Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, and Gammaproteobacteria. We did not find any mechanistic links between nifH amplicon data, bacterial richness, and primary productivity due to the overall low nifH evenness in this region.
Solvability near the characteristic set for a class of first‐order linear partial differential operators
Authors: Cerniauskas Wanderley A. , Dattori da Silva Paulo L. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractIn this work we deal with solvability of first‐order differential equations in the form , where L is a planar complex vector field, elliptic everywhere except along a simple closed curve Σ on which it is tangent and vanishes of order . In contrast with the local solvability, it is shown that the zero order term p has influence in the solvability in a full neighborhood of Σ.
Simultaneous multi‐slice combined with PROPELLER
Authors: Norbeck Ola , Avventi Enrico , Engström Mathias , Rydén Henric , Skare Stefan 
Published: December 2017

PurposeSimultaneous multi‐slice (SMS) imaging is an advantageous method for accelerating MRI scans, allowing reduced scan time, increased slice coverage, or high temporal resolution with limited image quality penalties. In this work we combine the advantages of SMS acceleration with the motion correction and artifact reduction capabilities of the PROPELLER technique.MethodsA PROPELLER sequence was developed with support for CAIPIRINHA and phase optimized multiband radio frequency pulses. To minimize the time spent on acquiring calibration data, both in‐plane‐generalized autocalibrating partial parallel acquisition (GRAPPA) and slice‐GRAPPA weights for all PROPELLER blade angles were calibrated on a single fully sampled PROPELLER blade volume. Therefore, the proposed acquisition included a single fully sampled blade volume, with the remaining blades accelerated in both the phase and slice encoding directions without additional auto calibrating signal lines. Comparison to 3D RARE was performed as well as demonstration of 3D motion correction performance on the SMS PROPELLER data.ResultsWe show that PROPELLER acquisitions can be efficiently accelerated with SMS using a short embedded calibration. The potential in combining these two techniques was demonstrated with a high quality 1.0 × 1.0 × 1.0 mm3 resolution T2‐weighted volume, free from banding artifacts, and capable of 3D retrospective motion correction, with higher effective resolution compared to 3D RARE.ConclusionWith the combination of SMS acceleration and PROPELLER imaging, thin‐sliced reformattable T2‐weighted image volumes with 3D retrospective motion correction capabilities can be rapidly acquired with low sensitivity to flow and head motion. Magn Reson Med 80:496–506, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Diffusion tensor cardiovascular magnetic resonance with a spiral trajectory: An in vivo comparison of echo planar and spiral stimulated echo sequences
Authors: Gorodezky Margarita , Scott Andrew D. , Ferreira Pedro F. , Nielles‐Vallespin Sonia , Pennell Dudley J. , Firmin David N. 
Published: December 2017

PurposeDiffusion tensor cardiovascular MR (DT‐CMR) using stimulated echo acquisition mode (STEAM) with echo‐planar‐imaging (EPI) readouts is a low signal‐to‐noise‐ratio (SNR) technique and therefore typically has a low spatial resolution. Spiral trajectories are more efficient than EPI, and could increase the SNR. The purpose of this study was to compare the performance of a novel STEAM spiral DT‐CMR sequence with an equivalent established EPI technique.MethodsA STEAM DT‐CMR sequence was implemented with a spiral readout and a reduced field of view. An in vivo comparison of DT‐CMR parameters and data quality between EPI and spiral was performed in 11 healthy volunteers imaged in peak systole and diastasis at 3 T. The SNR was compared in a phantom and in vivo.ResultsThere was a greater than 49% increase in the SNR in vivo and in the phantom measurements (in vivo septum, systole: SNREPI = 8.0 ± 2.2, SNRspiral = 12.0 ± 2.7; diastasis: SNREPI = 8.1 ± 1.6, SNRspiral = 12.0 ± 3.7). There were no significant differences in helix angle gradient (HAG) (systole: HAGEPI = −0.79 ± 0.07 °/%; HAGspiral = −0.74 ± 0.16 °/%;P = 0.11; diastasis: HAGEPI = −0.63 ± 0.05 °/%; HAGspiral = −0.56 ± 0.14 °/%;P = 0.20), mean diffusivity (MD) in systole (MDEPI = 0.99 ± 0.06 × 10−3mm2/s, MDspiral = 1.00 ± 0.09 × 10−3mm2/s,P = 0.23) and secondary eigenvector angulation (E2A) (systole: E2AEPI = 61 ± 10 °; E2Aspiral = 63 ± 10 °;P = 0.77; diastasis: E2AEPI = 18 ± 11 °; E2Aspiral = 15 ± 8 °;P = 0.20) between the sequences. There was a small difference (≈ 20%) in fractional anisotropy (FA) (systole: FAEPI = 0.49 ± 0.03, FAspiral = 0.41 ± 0.04;P < 0.01; diastasis: FAEPI = 0.66 ± 0.05, FAspiral = 0.55 ± 0.03;P < 0.01) and mean diffusivity in diastasis (10%; MDEPI = 1.00 ± 0.12 × 10−3mm2/s, MDspiral = 1.10 ± 0.09 × 10−3mm2/s,P = 0.02).ConclusionThis is the first study to demonstrate DT‐CMR STEAM using a spiral trajectory. The SNR was increased by using a spiral rather than the more established EPI readout, and the DT‐CMR parameters were largely similar between the two sequences. Magn Reson Med 80:648–654, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
A diffusion‐based method for long‐T2 suppression in steady state sequences: Validation and application for 3D‐UTE imaging
Authors: Soustelle Lucas , Lamy Julien , Rousseau François , Armspach Jean‐Paul , Loureiro de Sousa Paulo 
Published: December 2017

PurposeTo introduce a novel method for long‐T2 signal physical suppression in steady‐state based on configuration states combination and modulation using diffusion weighting. Its efficiency in yielding a high contrast in short‐T2 structures using an ultrashort echo time acquisition module (Diff‐UTE) is compared to the adiabatically prepared Inversion‐Recovery‐UTE sequence (IR‐UTE).Theory and MethodsUsing a rectangular‐pulse prepared 3D‐UTE sequence, the possibility of long‐T2 component signal cancellation through diffusion effects is addressed, and the condition met for sets of sequence parameters. Simultaneously, the short‐T2 component signal is maximized using a Bloch equation‐based optimization process. The method is evaluated from simulations, and experiments are conducted on a phantom composed of short and long‐T2 components, as well as on an ex vivo mouse head.ResultsWithin equal scan times, the proposed method allowed for an efficient long‐T2 signal suppression, and expectedly yielded a higher signal to noise ratio in short‐T2 structures compared to the IR‐UTE technique, although an intrinsic short‐T2 signal loss is expected through the preparation module.ConclusionThe Diff‐UTE method represents an interesting alternative to the IR‐UTE technique. Diffusion weighting allowing for a long‐T2 suppression results in a less penalizing method to generate a high and selective contrast in short‐T2 components. Magn Reson Med 80:548–559, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Crystallization kinetics of poly(ethylene oxide) confined in semicrystalline poly(vinylidene) fluoride
Authors: Tamaño‐Machiavello Maria Noel , Costa Carlos Miguel , Romero‐Colomer Francisco José , María Meseguer Dueñas José , Lanceros‐Mendez Senentxu , Luis Gómez Ribelles José 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACTPolymer blends based on poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) have been prepared to analyze the crystallization kinetics of poly(ethylene oxide) confined in semicrystalline PVDF with different ratios of both polymers. Both blend components were dissolved in a common solvent, dimethyl formamide. Blend films were obtained by casting from the solution at 70 °C. Thus, PVDF crystals are formed by crystallization from the solution while PEO (which is in the liquid state during the whole process) is confined between PVDF crystallites. The kinetics of crystallization of the confined PEO phase was studied by isothermal and nonisothermal experiments. Fitting of Avrami model to the experimental DSC traces allows a quantitative comparison of the influence of the PVDF/PEO ratio in the blend on the crystallization behavior. The effect of melting and further recrystallization of the PVDF matrix on PEO confinement is also studied. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018, 56, 588–597
Small‐angle X‐ray and neutron scattering demonstrates that cell‐free expression produces properly formed disc‐shaped nanolipoprotein particles
Authors: Cleveland Thomas E. , He Wei , Evans Angela C. , Fischer Nicholas O. , Lau Edmond Y. , Coleman Matthew A. , Butler Paul 
Published: December 2017

AbstractNanolipoprotein particles (NLPs), composed of membrane scaffold proteins and lipids, have been used to support membrane proteins in a native‐like bilayer environment for biochemical and structural studies. Traditionally, these NLPs have been prepared by the controlled removal of detergent from a detergent‐solubilized protein‐lipid mixture. Recently, an alternative method has been developed using direct cell‐free expression of the membrane scaffold protein in the presence of preformed lipid vesicles, which spontaneously produces NLPs without the need for detergent at any stage. Using SANS/SAXS, we show here that NLPs produced by this cell‐free expression method are structurally indistinguishable from those produced using detergent removal methodologies. This further supports the utility of single step cell‐free methods for the production of lipid binding proteins. In addition, detailed structural information describing these NLPs can be obtained by fitting a capped core‐shell cylinder type model to all SANS/SAXS data simultaneously.