bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Visual Macroprudential Surveillance of Banks
Authors: Sarlin Peter 
Published: May 2016

SummaryWe create a tool for visual surveillance of the European banking system from a macroprudential perspective. The tool performs visual dynamic clustering with the self‐organizing time map (SOTM) to visualize evolving multivariate data from two viewpoints: (i) multivariate cluster structures, and (ii) univariate drivers of changes in structures. In assessing the European banking system, the main tasks the SOTM can be used for are (i) identifying structural changes and breaking points in a large number of risk indicators, and their specific location in the cross‐section, and (ii) identifying the build‐up of, or generally changes in, individual risk indicators in the banking system as a whole. While the former view provides indications of changes in the banking system, the latter describes the sources of these changes. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of the Larval Amphibian Growth and Development Assay: effects of chronic 4‐tert‐octylphenol or 17β‐trenbolone exposure in Xenopus laevis from embryo to juvenile
Authors: Haselman Jonathan T. , Kosian Patricia A. , Korte Joseph J. , Olmstead Allen W. , Iguchi Taisen , Johnson Rodney D. , Degitz Sigmund J. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe Larval Amphibian Growth and Development Assay (LAGDA) is a globally harmonized test guideline developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in collaboration with Japan's Ministry of the Environment. The LAGDA was designed to evaluate apical effects of chronic chemical exposure on growth, thyroid‐mediated amphibian metamorphosis and reproductive development. During the validation phase, two well‐characterized endocrine‐disrupting chemicals were tested to evaluate the performance of the initial assay design: xenoestrogen 4‐tert‐octylphenol (tOP) and xenoandrogen 17β‐trenbolone (TB). Xenopus laevis embryos were exposed, in flow‐through conditions, to tOP (nominal concentrations: 0.0, 6.25, 12.5, 25 and 50 µg l–1) or TB (nominal concentrations: 0.0, 12.5, 25, 50 and 100 ng l–1) until 8 weeks post‐metamorphosis, at which time growth measurements were taken, and histopathology assessments were made of the gonads, reproductive ducts, liver and kidneys. There were no effects on growth in either study and no signs of overt toxicity, sex reversal or gonad dysgenesis. Exposure to tOP caused a treatment‐related decrease in circulating thyroxine and an increase in thyroid follicular cell hypertrophy and hyperplasia (25 and 50 µg l–1) during metamorphosis. Müllerian duct development was affected after exposure to both chemicals; tOP exposure caused dose‐dependent maturation of oviducts in both male and female frogs, whereas TB exposure caused accelerated Müllerian duct regression in males and complete regression in >50% of the females in the 100 ng l–1 treatment. Based on these results, the LAGDA performed adequately to evaluate apical effects of chronic exposure to two endocrine‐active compounds and is the first standardized amphibian multiple life stage toxicity test to date. Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Development of a nanofibrous wound dressing with an antifibrogenic properties in vitro and in vivo model
Authors: Poormasjedi‐Meibod Malihe‐Sadat , Pakyari Mohammadreza , Jackson John K. , Salimi Elizei Sanam , Ghahary Aziz 
Published: May 2016

AbstractDermal fibrosis, characterized by excessive extracellular matrix (ECM), is a pathological condition with limited effective therapeutic modalities. Lack of an antiscarring dressing further impedes the preventive measures for this condition. Here, we develop a new antiscarring dressing and investigate its potential as a slow‐releasing vehicle for kynurenic acid (KynA), an antifibrotic agent. KynA was incorporated into polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) nanofibers, containing increasing concentration of polyethylene glycol (PEG). Fibre morphology, water absorption capacity, surface hydrophilicity, in vitro drug release profile, and in vivo antifibrotic effects were investigated. Increasing concentrations of PEG (1–20%) significantly increased surface hydrophilicity, water absorption capacity, and drug release. Based on the obtained release profiles, PMMA + 10% PEG was the preferred formulation for sustained KynA release up to 120 hours. In vitro studies confirmed the preservation of KynA antifibrotic properties during electrospinning, indicated by fibroblasts proliferation suppression and ECM expression modulation. In vivo application of KynA‐incorporated films significantly inhibited collagen (23.89 ± 4.79 vs. 6.99 ± 0.41, collagen‐I/β‐actin mRNA expression, control vs. treated) and fibronectin expression (7.18 ± 1.09 vs. 2.31 ± 0.05, fibronectin/β‐actin mRNA expression, control vs. treated) and enhanced the production of an ECM‐degrading enzyme (2.03 ± 0.88 vs. 11.88 ± 1.16 MMP‐1/β‐actin mRNA expression, control vs. treated). The fabricated KynA‐incorporated films can be exploited as antifibrotic wound dressings. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 2334–2344, 2016.
Hip Fracture in Patients With Non-Dialysis-Requiring Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Kim Sun Moon , Long Jin , Montez-Rath Maria , Leonard Mary , Chertow Glenn M 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACT

Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are at a high risk for hip fracture. Little is known about the risk for, and consequences of, hip fracture among patients with non-dialysis-requiring chronic kidney disease (CKD). We examined the incidence of hip fracture, in-hospital mortality, length of stay, and costs among patients with ESRD, non-dialysis-requiring CKD, and normal or near normal kidney function. Using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's Nationwide Inpatient Sample, a nationally representative database, we identified hospitalizations for hip fracture in 2010. We incorporated data from the United States Renal Data System (USRDS) and the US census to calculate population-specific rates. Age-standardized incidence of hip fracture was highest among patients with ESRD (3.89/1000 person-years), followed by non-dialysis-requiring CKD (1.81/1000 persons) and patients with normal or near normal kidney function (1.18/1000 persons). In-hospital mo rtality (odds ratio [OR] = 1.69, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.46 to 1.96), lengths of stay (median [10th, 90th percentiles] 5 [3 to 11] versus 5 [3 to 10] days) and costs (median $14,807 versus $13,314) were significantly higher in patients with non-dialysis-requiring CKD relative to patients with normal or near normal kidney function. In summary, non-dialysis-requiring CKD is associated with higher age-standardized rates of hip fracture and post-hip fracture mortality and higher resource utilization. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Structural changes in female‐to‐male sex‐reversing gonads of Rana RUGOSA
Authors: Sakamoto Daiki , Cho Ayumi , Abe Taishiro , Nakamura Yoriko , Oike Akira , Kodama Maho , Nakamura Masahisa 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTThe phenotypic sex of many species of amphibians is subject to reversal by steroid hormones. The mechanism of this process, however, still remains largely unknown. As a step toward understanding the histological changes during sex reversal in amphibians, we analyzed two‐ and three‐dimensional (2D and 3D) structures of sex‐reversing gonads in Rana rugosa frogs. 2D views revealed that many oocytes in the wild‐type ovary disappeared during female‐to‐male sex‐reversal concomitant with the emergence of Vasa‐positive small germ cells. Some of the germ cells were labeled with BrdU. BrdU‐positive germ cells were few in the testosterone (T) treated ovaries at days 8 and 16, which resembled wild‐type ovaries. Basement membranes became disrupted by day 24 in T‐treated ovaries. However, the membranes were later reconfigured into testis‐like gonadal structures 40 days after T treatment. 3D imaging of the sex‐reversing gonad using serial immunostained sections showed that germ cells were organized in linear fashion extending out from where the sex‐reversing gonad attached to the mesorchium 24 days after T treatment. Germ cells were increased in number by 40 days and were localized to the cortex of the gonads. In a T‐untreated testis at day 24, many germ cells were distributed throughout the cortex except in the central space, while the efferent duct ran between two sheets of the mesorchium. These results, taken together, suggest that the mesorchium plays an important role in the organization of testicular structure. This is the first report showing germ cell ontogeny and organization in the female‐to‐male sex‐reversing gonad in a vertebrate species.
Hormonal Responses to Noncontact Aggression in Convict Cichlid Fish
Authors: Scarsella Grace E. , Duque Kevin S. , Wong Stephanie C. , Sivaraman Boopathy , Earley Ryan L. 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTThis study explored whether convict cichlid fish mount a hormonal response to aggressive encounters where dominance status remains unresolved. Hormone samples were collected at two time points before an aggressive interaction to obtain confinement‐induced and baseline measures, and at one time point following a contest across a clear partition (experimental) or exposure to an opaque partition with an opponent on the opposite side (control). There was no overall significant effect of treatment (control vs. experimental) on hormone release rates but there were trends for cortisol and testosterone (T). A priori linear contrasts showed that individuals that engaged in aggressive interactions had lower postfight cortisol and T release rates than controls, suggesting that aggression, in this context, might attenuate the synthesis of both hormones. Cortisol decreased significantly between initial confinement and baseline, indicating that individuals habituate to the water‐borne hormone collection procedure. Contrary to expectation, individuals with higher baseline T and 11‐ketotestosterone (KT) release rates took longer to initiate conflict. None of the other measures of behavior were predicted by baseline hormone release rates, and contest behavior did not predict postfight hormone release rates. There was a significant positive relationship between KT and T at all time points. As with studies that employ mirror image stimulation, we found no hormonal response to unresolved contests despite high levels of aggressive behavior. Our study is unique because we demonstrate that animals engaged in conflict with live opponents also do not mount a significant hormonal response when clear dominance relationships are not established.
Dual secretion locations on type II cells in the avian lung suggest local as well as general roles of surfactant
Authors: Bódi Ildikó , Kocsis Katalin , Benyeda Zsófia , Fejszák Nóra , Molnár Dávid , Nagy Nándor , Oláh Imre 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTTransmission electron microscopy indicates that the avian lung surfactant may be secreted in two directions: a) into air passages of parabronchus, atrium and infundibulum where it forms a trilaminar substance serving the respiratory role and b) to the basolateral surface—intercellular space—of type II pneumocytes, contributing to the innate and adoptive immune responses of lung. Basolateral secretion may be confirmed by the presence of trilaminal substance in the intercellular space of type II pneumocytes. Fusion of surfactant containing vesicles with the lateral plasma membrane may result in membrane fusion of neighboring cells and subsequently formation of multinucleated giant cell. The indistinct and in some places discontinuous basal lamina in the parabronchial atrium and infundibulum permits the hydrophilic surfactant proteins to spread into the interstitium of air‐blood capillary region. The hydrophilic surfactant proteins may activate lung interstitial macrophages to migrate into the air passages where they appear as “free avian respiratory macrophages.” Therefore, in the interstitium the hydrophilic surfactant proteins are essential soluble components of innate immunity. J. Morphol. 277:1062–1071, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Early development and replacement of the stickleback dentition
Authors: Ellis Nicholas A. , Donde Nikunj N. , Miller Craig T. 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTTeeth have long served as a model system to study basic questions about vertebrate organogenesis, morphogenesis, and evolution. In nonmammalian vertebrates, teeth typically regenerate throughout adult life. Fish have evolved a tremendous diversity in dental patterning in both their oral and pharyngeal dentitions, offering numerous opportunities to study how morphology develops, regenerates, and evolves in different lineages. Threespine stickleback fish (Gasterosteus aculeatus) have emerged as a new system to study how morphology evolves, and provide a particularly powerful system to study the development and evolution of dental morphology. Here, we describe the oral and pharyngeal dentitions of stickleback fish, providing additional morphological, histological, and molecular evidence for homology of oral and pharyngeal teeth. Focusing on the ventral pharyngeal dentition in a dense developmental time course of lab‐reared fish, we describe the temporal and spatial consensus sequence of early tooth formation. Early in development, this sequence is highly stereotypical and consists of seventeen primary teeth forming the early tooth field, followed by the first tooth replacement event. Comparing this detailed morphological and ontogenetic sequence to that described in other fish reveals that major changes to how dental morphology arises and regenerates have evolved across different fish lineages. J. Morphol. 277:1072–1083, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mercury content in Atlantic sediments as a new indicator of the enlargement and reduction of Northern Hemisphere ice sheets
Authors: Kita I. , Yamashita T. , Chiyonobu S. , Hasegawa H. , Sato T. , Kuwahara Y. 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTThe total mercury content of Quaternary sediments over the last 1.1 Ma from IODP Site U1308 drilled in the North Atlantic Ocean has changed, varying with periodicities of 100 000 and 41 000 years. The Hg content of the sediment increased during glacial periods, associated with increases in ice‐rafted debris (IRD), and correlates positively with the total organic carbon (TOC) content and inversely with the absolute abundance of surface‐dwelling nannoplankton species. TOC/total nitrogen ratios and δ13Corg values of TOC indicate that the TOC deposited during glacial periods was marine and associated with increased Hg deposition. These observations suggest that marine Hg is incorporated into the organic matter produced by deep‐dwelling phytoplankton in the lower photic zone. Mercury‐ and IRD‐bearing icebergs flowed out to this area during glacial periods melt, increasing the Hg content of photic water, and depositing IRD on the ocean floor, where increased marine Hg during glacial periods was consumed by deep‐dwelling phytoplankton. Therefore, the change in the sediment Hg content from the North Atlantic Ocean is controlled by climatic change and can be used as a chemical indicator of Northern Hemisphere ice sheet variability.
Comparison of observed to predicted outcomes using the ACS NSQIP risk calculator in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy
Authors: Mogal Harveshp D. , Fino Nora , Clark Clancy , Shen Perry 
Published: May 2016

BackgroundPostoperative outcomes predicted by the ACS NSQIP universal risk calculator have not been validated for specific procedures like pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).MethodsA random sample of 400 PD patients from the NSQIP database was analyzed. Patients were categorized into four groups of 100 each based on ICD‐9 diagnosis (211.6, 157.0, 156.2, and 577.1). Estimated risks of postoperative outcomes recorded by the calculator were compared to observed outcomes using the Brier Score (BS). The calculated BS was compared to a null model BS. A BS of zero indicated perfect prediction, while a BS of one indicated the poorest prediction.ResultsBS for all groupings was generally low, reflecting good prediction. BS for any and major complications was higher (0.23 and 0.22, respectively). This was also seen within ICD‐9 subgroups. For patients with ampullary cancer, BS for these outcomes was higher (0.27 and 0.26, respectively). Comparison to the null model BS (0.24 and 0.24, respectively) correlated lesser predictive accuracy of the calculator for this subgroup.ConclusionsThe ACS NSQIP risk calculator, although accurate in predicting outcomes in patients undergoing PD, shows variation when accounting for specific ICD‐9 diagnoses. Incorporating the diagnosis may better guide surgeons and patients preoperatively in making informed decisions. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:157–162. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Impact Modification and Fracture Mechanisms of Core–Shell Particle Reinforced Thermoplastic Protein
Authors: Smith Matthew J. , Verbeek Casparus J. R. 
Published: May 2016

Mechanical properties and fracture mechanisms of Novatein thermoplastic protein and blends with core–shell particles (CSPs) have been examined. Novatein is brittle with low impact strength and energy‐to‐break. Epoxy‐modified CSPs increase notched and unnotched impact strength, tensile strain‐at‐break, and energy‐to‐break, while tensile strength and modulus decrease as CSP content increases. Tg increases slightly with increasing CSP content attributed to physical crosslinking. Changes to mechanical properties are related to the critical matrix ligament thickness and rate of loading. Novatein control samples display brittle fracture characterized by large‐scale crazing. At high CSP content a large plastic zone and a slow crack propagation zone in unnotched and tensile samples are observed suggesting increased energy absorption. Notched impact samples reach critical craze stresses easily regardless of CSP content reducing impact strength. It is concluded that the impact strength of thermoplastic protein can be modified in a similar manner to traditional thermoplastics.
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Self‐Cleaning, Thermoresponsive P(NIPAAm‐co‐AMPS) Double Network Membranes for Implanted Glucose Biosensors
Authors: Fei Ruochong , Means A. Kristen , Abraham Alexander A. , Locke Andrea K. , Coté Gerard L. , Grunlan Melissa A. 
Published: May 2016

A self‐cleaning membrane that periodically rids itself of attached cells to maintain glucose diffusion could extend the lifetime of implanted glucose biosensors. Herein, we evaluate the functionality of thermoresponsive double network (DN) hydrogel membranes based on poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) and an electrostatic co‐monomer, 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS). DN hydrogels are comprised of a tightly crosslinked, ionized first network [P(NIPAAm‐co‐AMPS)] containing variable levels of AMPS (100:0–25:75 wt% ratio of NIPAAm:AMPS) and a loosely crosslinked, interpenetrating second network [PNIPAAm]. To meet the specific requirements of a subcutaneously implanted glucose biosensor, the volume phase transition temperature is tuned and essential properties, such as glucose diffusion kinetics, thermosensitivity, and cytocompatibility are evaluated. In addition, the self‐cleaning functionality is demonstrated through thermally driven cell detachment from the membranes in vitro.
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Electrically Triggered Actuation of Plasticized Thermoplastic Polyurethane Gels
Authors: Xia Hong , Hashimoto Yoshio , Ni Qing‐Qing 
Published: May 2016

Thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) are copolymers with hard and soft segments. They have excellent physical properties and good biocompatibility. In particular, their shape memory properties and compatibility with plasticizers make TPU gels suitable for use as soft actuator materials. In this work, a plasticizer, dibutyl adipate (DBA), is added to four types of TPU to form gels. All the TPUs form transparent soft gels with different DBA contents. Their dielectric and mechanical properties are significantly improved by DBA addition, and the TPUs are changed from insulators to electrical actuation materials. Polyether TPU/DBA gels show the most significant changes. The bending distance of a TPU/6DBA gel tip (dimensions 20 × 5 × 0.3 mm3) is about 15 mm when the gel is sandwiched between soft electrodes and an electric field of less than 3 V μm–1 is applied. The developed materials show large deformations at low energies, and will make a significant contribution to the field of actuation materials. It is believed that TPU/DBA gels can be used as photovoltaic, dielectric, artificial muscle, robotic, and other smart materials.
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Gas‐Permeable Cellulose Template for Reduction of Template Damage and Gas Trapping in Microimprint Lithography of High Volume Manufacturing
Authors: Takei Satoshi , Nakajima Shinya , Sugahara Kigen , Hanabata Makoto , Matsumoto Yoko , Sekiguchi Atsushi 
Published: May 2016

A gas‐permeable cellulose template for microimprint lithography has been synthesized and characterized for the reduction of template damage and gas trapping caused by solvents and oxygen generated from cross‐linked materials. The 5 μm line‐pattern failure of the microimprinted UV cross‐linked liquid materials with 4.7 wt% acetone as a volatile solvent is solved by using the gas‐permeable cellulose template because of its increased oxygen permeability. The gas‐permeable cellulose template also allows the use of volatile solvents with high coating property and solubility into the microimprinted materials instead of the compounds and plastic resins conventionally used in mold injection.
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Cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases—From pathophysiology to clinical practice
Authors: Blennow Kaj , Biscetti Leonardo , Eusebi Paolo , Parnetti Lucilla 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThis review provides an update on the role, development, and validation of CSF biomarkers in the diagnosis and prognosis of Alzheimer's disease and PD. Some recent developments on novel biomarkers are also discussed. We also give an overview of methodological/technical factors still hampering the global validation and standardization of CSF Alzheimer's disease and PD biomarkers. CSF biomarkers have the potential to improve the diagnostic accuracy at the early stages not only for Alzheimer's disease but also for PD. This step is essential in view of the availability of disease‐modifying treatments. Our vision for the future is that analyzing biomarker panels on a minute amount of CSF could provide important information on the whole spectrum of the molecular pathogenic events characterizing these neurodegenerative disorders. CSF core biomarkers have already been included in the diagnostic criteria for Alzheimer's disease, and they are also under consideration as tools to monitor the effects of disease‐modifying drugs. With respect to PD, their potential for improving diagnostic accuracy in early diagnosis is under intense research, resembling the same path followed for Alzheimer's disease. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society