bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Production of naringenin from D‐xylose with co‐culture of E. coli and S. cerevisiae
Authors: Zhang Wei , Liu Hong , Li Xia , Liu Duo , Dong Xiu‐Tao , Li Fei‐Fei , Wang En‐Xu , Li Bing‐Zhi , Yuan Ying‐Jin 
Published: May 2017

AbstractHeterologous production of naringenin, a valuable flavonoid with various biotechnological applications, was well studied in the model organisms such as Escherichia coli or Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In this study, a synergistic co‐culture system was developed for the production of naringenin from xylose by engineering microorganism. A long metabolic pathway was reconstructed in the co‐culture system by metabolic engineering. In addition, the critical gene of 4‐coumaroyl‐CoA ligase (4CL) was simultaneously integrated into the yeast genome as well as a multi‐copy free plasmid for increasing enzyme activity. On this basis, some factors related with fermentation process were considered in this study, including fermented medium, inoculation size and the inoculation ratio of two microbes. A yield of 21.16 ± 0.41 mg/L naringenin was produced in this optimized co‐culture system, which was nearly eight fold to that of the mono‐culture of yeast. This is the first time for the biosynthesis of naringenin in the co‐culture system of S. cerevisiae and E. coli from xylose, which lays a foundation for future study on production of flavonoid.
Effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on improvement of cognition in elderly patients with cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Cheng Calvin Pak Wing , Wong Corine Sau Man , Lee Kelsey Kimyin , Chan Alfred Pui Kam , Yeung Jerry Wing Fai , Chan Wai Chi 
Published: May 2017

ObjectiveThis systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to examine the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on cognitive function in older patients with cognitive impairment.MethodsA literature search was performed for articles published in English using the 10 databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, INSPEC, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature Plus, AMED, Biological Sciences, ClinicalTrials.gov, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews) from their inception to May 2016. The primary outcome was cognitive function as measured by the Mini‐Mental State Examination or the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale‐cognitive subscale.ResultsSeven RCTs were included in the meta‐analysis, with a sample of 107 active and 87 sham rTMS. Active rTMS was found to be more effective in improving cognition (Hedges' g = 0.48; 95% confidence interval 0.12 to 0.84).ConclusionsHigh‐frequency rTMS showed a benefit on cognition amongst older patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. rTMS was shown to have great potential as a safe and well‐tolerated alternative intervention for cognition. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Perioperative practices in thyroid surgery: An international survey
Authors: Maniakas Anastasios , Christopoulos Apostolos , Bissada Eric , Guertin Louis , Olivier Marie‐Jo , Malaise Jacques , Ayad Tareck 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBackgroundPerioperative practices in thyroid surgery vary from one specialty, institution, or country to the next. We evaluated the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative practices of thyroid surgeons focusing on preoperative ultrasound, vocal cord evaluation, wound drains, and hospitalization duration, among others.MethodsA survey was sent to 7 different otolaryngology and endocrine/general surgery associations.ResultsThere were 965 respondents from 52 countries. Surgeon‐performed ultrasound is practiced by more than one third of respondents. Otolaryngologists perform preoperative and postoperative vocal cord evaluation more often than endocrine/general surgeons (p < .001). Sixty percent of respondents either never place drains or place drains <50% of the time in thyroid lobectomies (43% for total thyroidectomies). Outpatient thyroid surgery is most frequently performed by surgeons in the United States (63%).ConclusionThis epidemiologic study is the first global thyroid survey of its kind and clearly demonstrates the variability and evolving trends in thyroid surgery. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 39: 1296–1305, 2017
Combination diagnosis of multi‐slice spiral computed tomography and secretary phospholipase A2‐IIa for solitary pulmonary nodules
Authors: Hou Hongjun , Xu Zushan , Zhang Hongsheng , Xu Yan 
Published: May 2017

IntroductionThis study was aimed to compare the diagnostic value of multi‐slice spiral computed tomography (CT) and secretary phospholipase A2‐IIa (sPLA2‐IIa) in differentiating between malignant and benign solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs).MethodsA total of 223 patients with SPNs (91 patients with malignant SPNs and 132 patients with benign SPNs) were included from Weihai Central Hospital during October 2014 to December 2016. SPN diagnosis was confirmed in all patients using needle biopsy, surgery and bronchoscopy. The patients were managed with dynamic multi‐slice CT scans, and their sPLA2‐IIa levels were also detected. By selecting the area of interest of focus, the perfusion parameters of multi‐slice CT targeting the focus were obtained.ResultsThe levels of MTT, PS, BV, BF and sPLA2‐IIa significantly increased with increasing severity of SPNs (P<.05). Notably, BV (area under the ROC curve [AUC]=0.915; 95%CI: 0.88‐0.95; sensitivity=91.21%; specificity=78.79%) showed a higher potential to discriminate patients with malignant SPNs from those with benign SPNs than did BF (AUC=0.712; 95%CI: 0.65‐0.78; sensitivity=72.50%; specificity=59.10%), PS (AUC=0.772; 95%CI: 0.71‐0.84; sensitivity=65.93%; specificity=82.58%) and MTT (AUC=0.600; 95%CI: 0.52‐0.68; sensitivity=52.75%; specificity=78.03%). Finally, the combined diagnostic value of BV and sPLA2‐IIa was quite ideal (AUC=0.947; 95%CI: 0.92‐0.97; sensitivity=85.70%; specificity=92.70%) for malignant and benign SPNs.ConclusionsThe combined diagnostic value of BV and sPLA2‐IIa appeared as a desirable detection method for malignant and benign SPNs.
Characterization of a sandwich ELISA for the quantification of all human periostin isoforms
Authors: Gadermaier Elisabeth , Tesarz Manfred , Suciu Andreea Ana‐Maria , Wallwitz Jacqueline , Berg Gabriela , Himmler Gottfried 
Published: May 2017

BackgroundPeriostin (osteoblast‐specific factor OSF‐2) is a secreted protein occurring in seven known isoforms, and it is involved in a variety of biological processes in osteology, tissue repair, oncology, cardiovascular and respiratory systems or allergic manifestations. To analyze functional aspects of periostin, or the ability of periostin as potential biomarker in physiological and pathological conditions, there is the need for a precise, well‐characterized assay that detects periostin in peripheral blood.MethodsIn this study the development of a sandwich ELISA using monoclonal and affinity‐purified polyclonal anti‐human periostin antibodies was described. Antibodies were characterized by mapping of linear epitopes with microarray technology, and by analyzing cross‐reactive binding to human periostin isoforms with western blot. The assay was validated according to ICH/EMEA guidelines.ResultsThe monoclonal coating antibody binds to a linear epitope conserved between the isoforms. The polyclonal detection antibody recognizes multiple conserved linear epitopes. Therefore, the periostin ELISA detects all known human periostin isoforms. The assay is optimized for human serum and plasma and covers a calibration range between 125 and 4000 pmol/L for isoform 1. Assay characteristics, such as precision (intra‐assay: ≤3%, inter‐assay: ≤6%), spike‐recovery (83%‐106%), dilution linearity (95%‐126%), as well as sample stability meet the standards of acceptance. Periostin levels of apparently healthy individuals are 864±269 pmol/L (serum) and 817±170 pmol/L (plasma) respectively.ConclusionThis ELISA is a reliable and accurate tool for determination of all currently known periostin isoforms in human healthy and diseased samples.
Endoscopic ultrasound‐guided retrieval of a toothpick embedded in the stomach wall
Authors: Hu Jinlong , Sun Siyu 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACTPatients with the complaint of ingested foreign body commonly present in the emergency department. Radiographic imaging is always done for the purpose of localization. However, radiolucent materials like wood are not easily picked up on CT scan. We report the case of a 33‐year‐old male patient who presented with the complaint of progressive abdominal pain and history of ingestion of a toothpick. It was removed by endoscopic ultrasound‐guided localization‐assisted targeted endoscopic dissection. Endoscopic ultrasound‐guided localization reduced the length and depth of the required incision and helped to minimize the risk of damage to the surrounding tissue. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 45:603–604, 2017
Age‐related changes of gustatory function depend on alteration of neuronal circuits
Authors: Iannilli Emilia , Broy Franziska , Kunz Severine , Hummel Thomas 
Published: May 2017

Studies on age‐related gustatory function report a reduction of the taste function, but the degeneration of the peripheral papillae alone cannot explain this reduction.In the present study, we apply psychophysics and gustatory event–related potentials (gERPs) to explore age‐related differences in the processing of gustatory information as indicated by the cerebral sources of the gERP. A total of 96 subjects (47 female), subdivided into four groups with increasing age, participated in the study. After olfactory and gustatory screening for normal function, the subjects were invited to two sessions of gERP acquisition. They received a randomized combination of five isointense basic tastants that were presented at a medium level. At the same time, we recorded scalp electroencephalography (EEG) from 128 scalp locations.Psychophysical testing for smell and taste function exhibited a significant decrease with age. Topographical analyses of the EEG delineated four basic topographical maps that explained the processing of taste in the pre‐decline age range, with sources inside the relevant gustatory areas. The age‐related change of gustatory processing was associated with the absence of a specific map with sources inside the cerebellum and posterior insula, and the temporal broadening of a map with sources in the bilateral inferior frontal gyrus. These results confirm the hypothesis that the reduction of taste function with aging is not only due to degradation of gustatory peripheral tissues but is also related to different neural signatures in the central nervous system.
Treadmill exercise attenuates 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine‐induced memory impairment through a decrease apoptosis in male rat hippocampus
Authors: Gharebaghi Alireza , Amiri Iraj , Salehi Iraj , Shahidi Siamak , Komaki Alireza , Mehdizadeh Mehdi , Moravej Fahimeh Ghasemi , Asl Sara Soleimani 
Published: May 2017

Abstract3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) leads to apoptosis in the hippocampus with consequent induction of learning and memory impairment. In this study, we have investigated the effects of treadmill exercise on memory in relation to apoptosis and oxidative stress in the hippocampi of MDMA‐treated rats. Male Wistar rats received multiple intraperitoneal (IP) injections of MDMA (10 mg/kg) and exercised for one month on a treadmill (simultaneously or asynchronously with MDMA). We assessed memory function with the Morris water maze (MWM) test. Lipid peroxidation (LPO) and expression of caspase 3, Bax, and Bcl‐2 were examined by the thiobarbituric acid assay (TBA) and western blot, respectively. Our results showed that asynchronous treadmill exercise could significantly improve MDMA‐induced memory impairment in the MWM test. Caspase 3 expression decreased in the exercise group compared to the MDMA group. Although MDMA treatment caused an increase in the Bax/Bcl‐2 ratio, the treadmill exercise reduced this ratio. Simultaneous exercise caused a reduction in lipid peroxidation in the hippocampus.This data suggests that treadmill exercise can be a useful strategy for treating memory impairment in persons with neurodegenerative disease and stimulant drug users. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A large eddy simulation study of the formation of deep chlorophyll/biological maxima in un‐stratified mixed layers: The roles of turbulent mixing and predation pressure
Authors: Lewis D. M. , Brereton A. , Siddons J. T. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractRecent experimental measurements of fluorescence values and turbulent energy dissipation rates, recorded in weakly stratified boundary layers in the open ocean, have highlighted a significant correlation between the formation of deep chlorophyll maxima (DCM) and turbulent mixing. Specifically, the depth of many DCM are observed to lie below, but within about one standard deviation, of the point at which the energy dissipation rate profile reaches its maximum. This correlation of DCM and turbulent mixing is both exciting and curious, as conventional thinking tends to see the latter as a destructive rather than a constructive agent in regards to the formation of deep biological maxima (DBM), for which DCM data is usually interpreted as a proxy. In order to investigate this phenomenon, a three‐dimensional large eddy simulation (LES) of the ocean boundary layer was combined with a generic nutrient‐phytoplankton‐zooplankton (NPZ) type biological model, in order establish what mechanisms might be driving the experimental observations. Simulations of the LES‐NPZ model, based upon various sets of generic biological parameters, demonstrate DCM/DBM formation occurs at normalized depths close to those seen in the experimental observations. The simulations support the hypothesis that the DBM are generated by a combination of zooplankton predation pressure curtailing phytoplankton growth near the surface, and a decline in the strength of the vertical mixing processes advecting nutrient through the boundary layer. In tandem, these produce a region of the water column in which predation pressure is relatively low and nutrient aggregation relatively high, suitable conditions for DBM formation.
Noninvasive carotid artery elastography using multielement synthetic aperture imaging: Phantom and in vivo evaluation
Authors: Nayak Rohit , Schifitto Giovanni , Doyley Marvin M. 
Published: May 2017

PurposeVascular elastography can visualize the strain distribution in the carotid artery, which could be useful in assessing the propensity of advanced plaques to rupture. In our previous studies, we demonstrated that sparse synthetic aperture (SA) imaging can produce high quality vascular strain elastograms. However, the low output power of SA imaging may hamper its clinical utility. In this study, we hypothesize that multi‐element defocused emissions can overcome this limitation and improve the quality of the vascular strain elastograms.MethodsTo assess the impact of attenuation on the elastographic performance of SA and (multi‐element synthetic aperture) MSA imaging, we conducted experiments using heterogeneous vessel phantoms with ideal (0.1 dB cm−1 MHz−1) and realistic (0.75 dB cm−1 MHz−1) attenuation. Further, we validated the results of the phantom study in vivo, on a healthy male volunteer. All echo imaging was performed at a transmit frequency of 5 MHz, using a commercially available ultrasound scanner (Sonix RP, Ultrasonix Medical Corp., Richmond, BC, Canada).ResultsThe results from the phantom results demonstrated that plaques were visible in all strain elastograms, but those produced using MSA imaging had less artifacts. MSA imaging improved the elastographic contrast to noise ratio (CNRe) of the vascular elastograms by 14.58 dB relative to SA imaging, and 9.1 dB relative to compounded plane wave (CPW) imaging. Further, the results demonstrated that the elastographic performance of MSA imaging improved with increase in (a) the number of transmit‐receive events and (b) the size of the transmit sub‐aperture, up to 13 elements. Using larger sub‐apertures degraded the elastographic performance. The results from the in vivo study were in good agreement with the phantom results. Specifically, using a defocused multi‐element transmit sub‐aperture for SA imaging improved the performance of vascular elastography.ConclusionsThe results suggested that MSA imaging can produce reliable vascular stain elastograms. Future studies will involve using coded excitations to improve the CNRe and frame‐rate of the proposed technique for vascular elastography.
Burden of illness and healthcare resource use in United States patients with sporadic inclusion body myositis
Authors: Capkun Gorana , Callan Aoife , Tian Haijun , Wei Zhongyuan , Zhao Changgeng , Agashivala Neetu , Barghout Victoria 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACTIntroductionWe analyzed the burden of illness of sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM) patients and the costs to the healthcare system.MethodsA retrospective cohort analysis of 333 sIBM patients aged ≥ 50 years was performed using United States (U.S.) claims data. sIBM patients were matched in a 1:5 ratio to randomly selected individuals with ≥1 healthcare encounter within the year of index date.ResultssIBM patients presented with higher rates of disease‐ and muscle‐related conditions, such as myalgia, myositis, muscle weakness, dysphagia, pneumonia, and falls. Use of healthcare resources, including physical therapy, office visits, emergency room (ER) visits, and hospitalizations, was greater in sIBM patients. This was also reflected in significantly higher overall healthcare costs in the sIBM population driven mainly by more all‐cause office visits, all‐cause ER visits and hospitalizations.ConclusionssIBM imposes a substantial burden on U.S. patients in terms of additional healthcare usage and associated costs. Muscle Nerve 56: 861–867, 2017
Effects of an abbreviated obesity intervention supported by mobile technology: The ENGAGED randomized clinical trial
Authors: Spring Bonnie , Pellegrini Christine A. , Pfammatter Angela , Duncan Jennifer M. , Pictor Alex , McFadden H. Gene , Siddique Juned , Hedeker Donald 
Published: May 2017

ObjectiveTo determine the effects on weight loss of three abbreviated behavioral weight loss interventions with and without coaching and mobile technology.MethodsA randomized controlled efficacy study of three 6‐month weight loss treatments was conducted in 96 adults with obesity: 1) self‐guided (SELF), 2) standard (STND), or 3) technology‐supported (TECH). STND and TECH received eight in‐person group treatment sessions. SELF and STND used paper diaries to self‐monitor diet, activity, and weight; TECH used a smartphone application with social networking features and wireless accelerometer.ResultsWeight loss was greater for TECH and STND than SELF at 6 months (−5.7 kg [95% confidence interval: −7.2 to −4.1] vs. −2.7 kg [95% confidence interval: −5.1 to −0.3], P < 0.05) but not 12 months. TECH and STND did not differ except that more STND (59%) than TECH (34%) achieved ≥ 5% weight loss at 6 months (P < 0.05). Self‐monitoring adherence was greater in TECH than STND (P < 0.001), greater in both interventions than SELF (P < 0.001), and covaried with weight loss (r(84) = 0.36‐0.51, P < 0.001).ConclusionsAbbreviated behavioral counseling can produce clinically meaningful weight loss regardless of whether self‐monitoring is performed on paper or smartphone, but long‐term superiority over standard of care self‐guided treatment is challenging to maintain.
The outcomes and prognostic factors of fetal hydrothorax associated with trisomy 21
Authors: Yumoto Yasuo , Jwa Seung Chik , Wada Seiji , Takahashi Yuichiro , Ishii Keisuke , Kato Kiyoko , Usui Noriaki , Sago Haruhiko 
Published: May 2017

AbstractObjectivesTo determine the characteristics, outcomes, and prognostic factors of fetal hydrothorax (FHT) with trisomy 21.MethodsA nationwide survey was conducted on FHT fetuses with trisomy 21 delivered after 22 weeks' gestation between January 2007 and December 2011 at perinatal centers.ResultsThe 91 cases of FHT with trisomy 21 included 28 (30.8%) diagnosed in utero and 63 (69.2%) diagnosed after birth. The natural remission rate was 6.6% (6/91). Thoracoamniotic shunting was performed in 14.3% (13/91) of cases. The survival rates of the hydropic, nonhydropic, and total cases were 47.0% (31/66), 84.0% (21/25), and 57.1% (52/91), respectively. The crude odds ratio for death was 8.2 (p = 0.003) for fetuses diagnosed at 26–30 weeks of gestational age (vs ≥30 weeks), 5.9 (p = 0.003) for hydrops, 4.0 (p = 0.04) for bilateral pleural effusion, 0.68 (p = 0.42) for associated cardiovascular anomalies, and 2.1 (p = 0.26) for thoracoamniotic shunting (vs no fetal therapy).ConclusionsThe prognosis of FHT with trisomy 21 was not very poor, but it was still worse than that of primary FHT. Hydrops, an early gestational age at the diagnosis and bilateral effusion, but not associated anomalies, were risk factors for death. Fetal therapy showed no survival benefit for FHT with trisomy 21. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design of HAWT airfoils tailored for active flow control
Authors: Pereira R. , Timmer W.A. , de Oliveira G. , van Bussel G.J.W. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThis study describes a methodology for designing airfoils suitable to employ actuation in a wind energy environment. The novel airfoil sections are baptized wind energy actuated profiles (WAP). A genetic algorithm‐based multi‐objective airfoil optimizer is formulated by setting two cost functions: one cost function for wind energy performance and the other representing actuation suitability. The wind energy cost function compares the candidate airfoils' performance with ‘reference’ wind energy airfoils, considering a probabilistic approach to include the effects of turbulence and wind shear. The actuation suitability cost function is developed considering horizontal axis wind turbines active stall control, including two different control strategies designated by ‘enhanced’ and ‘decreased’ performance. Two different actuation types are considered, namely, boundary layer transpiration and dielectric barrier discharge plasma. Results show that using WAP airfoils provides much higher control efficiency than adding actuation on reference wind energy airfoils, without detrimental effects in non‐actuated operation. The WAP sections yield an actuator employment efficiency that is two to four times larger than those obtained with reference wind energy airfoils, at equivalent wind energy performance. Regarding geometry, and compared with typical wind energy airfoils, WAP sections for decreased performance display an upper surface concave aft region, while for increased performance, a convex upper surface aft region is obtained. The present study emphasizes that there is much to gain in designing airfoils from the beginning to include actuation effects, especially compared with employing actuation on already existing airfoils. The results demonstrate the potential of including actuation effects in the airfoil design process, thus enabling novel horizontal axis wind turbines control strategies. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.