bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Conjugated bilirubin as a reflex test for increased total bilirubin in apparently healthy population
Authors: Zhang Guo‐Ming , Hu Zhi‐De 
Published: May 2017

BackgroundTotal, unconjugated and conjugated bilirubin levels are usually ordered together in health check‐up populations. The aim of this study was to investigate whether using increased total bilirubin (TBIL) as a reflex test can reduce conjugated bilirubin (CBIL) test.MethodsMedical records of 8433 males and 4496 females who visited Shuyang People's Hospital for health check‐ups were retrospectively reviewed and the fasting serum TBIL, unconjugated bilirubin (UBIL) and CBIL of patients were extracted. Reference intervals for TBIL, UBIL, CBIL and C/TBIL were established using Q2.5 to Q97.5. The relationship between TBIL and CBIL was analyzed by Spearman's approach. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the predictive accuracy of TBIL for abnormal CBIL and UBIL.ResultsThe reference intervals for TBIL in males and females were 6.9‐29.3 μmol/L and 6.1‐23.8 μmol/L, respectively. For CBIL, the reference intervals were 1.9‐10.4 μmol/L and 1.6‐8.8 μmol/L for males and females, respectively. CBIL was significantly positively correlated with TBIL, either in males (r=.75) or females (r=.73). Area under curve (AUC) of TBIL for predicting abnormal CBIL was 0.99 in both male and females. The optimal threshold of TBIL for predicting abnormal CBIL and UBIL were 21.0 μmol/L in males and 17.0 μmol/L in females. At these thresholds, <2% of subjects with abnormal CBIL or CBIL might be missed, but approximately 87% of the CBIL test could be eliminated.ConclusionConjugated bilirubin measurement is not needed for the apparently healthy males with TBIL <21.0 μmol/L or females with TBIL <17.0 μmol/L.
Alkaline fermentation and elutriation of waste activated sludge for short chain fatty acids abstraction
Authors: Li Xiao‐Ling , Zhang Liang , Li Bai‐Kun , Wu Chang‐Yong , Peng Yong‐Zhen 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDAlkaline fermentation of waste activated sludge (WAS) is feasible to recover carbon for biological nutrients removal. However, it is difficult to abstract the soluble organics from the fermented mixture since sludge dewaterability is deteriorated after fermentation. In this study, a novel system consisting of complete mixing fermentation, water elutriation and settling reactor was developed to produce and abstract short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) from waste activated sludge through an alkaline fermentation process.RESULTSFor the novel system, 57% of sludge solubilization and 327 mg COD g−1 VS of SCFAs production were achieved in the fermentation zone, resulting in a sludge reduction of 54%. In the elutriation zone, nearly 70% of soluble organics was recovered when the water exchange ratio was 33.3%. Moreover, mass balance of the system was calculated and the results showed that C, N, and P element were converted into the liquors phase in the fermentation process with proportions of 54%, 30%, and 16%, respectively.CONCLUSIONThis work successfully developed a novel process for wasted sludge fermentation and soluble organic carbon separation. Effective results were obtained in the system, indicating it is favorable for pilot and full scale application. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Interdecadal change between the Arctic Oscillation and East Asian climate during 1900–2015 winters
Authors: Liu Yang , He Shengping , Li Fei , Wang Huijun , Zhu Yali 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACTUsing the ERA‐20th century reanalysis data for the period 1900–2009 and NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data for the period 1948–2016, this work inspects the interdecadal variations between Arctic Oscillation (AO) and the surface air temperature (SAT) in East Asia, then investigates possible mechanisms, and finally considers a recent switch of the AO–SAT relationship. It is revealed that the AO–SAT relationship is statistically significant during 1928–1948 and 1975–1995. It means that positive AO is associated with significant weakening of the sea level pressure (SLP) gradient over East Asia, East Asian trough, and East Asian jet stream. However, the AO–SAT relationship is statistically insignificant and there is little significance in the AO‐related circulation during 1905–1925 and 1950–1970. Further examination revealed that the unstable AO–SAT relationship might be attributable to the interdecadal change of AO's Azores center. During 1928–1948/1975–1995 winters, the SLP anomalies of Azores high in the positive phase of AO are robust and lead to upper‐level convergence anomalies, which can induce obvious significant Rossby wave source (RWS) anomalies over the Mediterranean and northeastern Atlantic. During 1905–1925/1950–1970, however, the SLP anomalies of Azores high in the positive AO phase become weaker. As a result, the convergence and RWS anomalies at upper level are mainly confined to the Mediterranean region and the associated wave activity is weaker compared with that in 1928–1948/1975–1995. Since the AO–SAT relationship has experienced two significant periods and two insignificant periods, it suggests a weakening of the AO–SAT relationship in recent two decades.
Raman study of graphene nanoribbon analogs confined in single‐walled carbon nanotubes and their high‐pressure transformations
Authors: Yang Xigui , Yao Mingguang , Zhang Jing , Yao Zhen , Chen Shuanglong , Du Mingrun , Li Haiyan , Shen Pengfei , Liu Ran , Cui Tian , Sundqvist Bertil , Liu Bingbing 
Published: May 2017

Single wall carbon nanotubes with a diameter distribution from 1.30 to 1.55 nm filled with perylene molecules were synthesized via a vapor‐phase encapsulation method. The perylene molecules formed short‐chain nanoribbon analogs inside the tubes by polymerization. The polymerization of perylene molecules is found to be dependent on the annealing temperature and thus the length of the formed nanoribbons. High‐pressure transformation of the formed hybrid nanostructure has been studied by means of Raman spectroscopy combined with theoretical simulation. It is found that the encapsulated nanoribbon analogs can act as a probe for identifying the structural transitions of the host nanotubes. In comparison to empty carbon nanotube, filling with nanoribbon analogs into the nanotubes decreases the collapse pressure of the nanotubes, which can be explained in terms of their inhomogeneous interactions between the fillers and carbon nanotubes. Our theoretical calculation gives further insight into the experimental observations. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of Enzyme Loaded Polyion Complex Vesicle (PICsome): Thermal Stability of Enzyme in PICsome Compartment and Effect of Coencapsulation of Dextran on Enzyme Activity
Authors: Tang Hengmin , Sakamura Yuki , Mori Takeshi , Katayama Yoshiki , Kishimura Akihiro 
Published: May 2017

Applications of enzymes are intensively studied, particularly for biomedical applications. However, encapsulation or immobilization of enzymes without deactivation and long‐term use of enzymes are still at issue. This study focuses on the polymeric vesicles “PICsomes” for encapsulation of enzymes to develop a hecto‐nanometer‐scaled enzyme‐loaded reactor. The catalytic activity of a PICsome‐based enzyme nanoreactor is carefully examined to clarify the effect of compartmentalization by PICsome. Encapsulation by PICsome provides a stability enhancement of enzymes after 24 h incubation at 37 °C, which is particularly helpful for maintaining the high effective concentration of β‐galactosidase. Moreover, to control the microenvironment inside the nanoreactor, a large amount of dextran, a neutral macromolecule, is encapsulated together with β‐galactosidase in the PICsome. The resulting dextran‐coloaded nanoreactor contributes to the enhancement of enzyme stability, even after exposure to 24 h incubation at −20 °C, mainly due to the antifreezing effect.
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Fluorinated PEG‐Polypeptide Polyplex Micelles Have Good Serum‐Resistance and Low Cytotoxicity for Gene Delivery
Authors: Wu Ting , Wang Longhai , Ding Shenggang , You Yezi 
Published: May 2017

A novel PEGylation polypeptide, poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly(l‐lysine)‐b‐poly(l‐cysteine) (PEG‐PLL‐PCys) triblock copolymer is synthesized via the sequential ring‐opening polymerization of amino acid N‐carboxyanhydrides initiated by methoxypolyethylene glycol amine (mPEG‐NH2, Mw is 2 kDa). Subsequently, the obtained polypeptide is partially conjugated with fluorocarbon chains via disulfide exchange reaction. PLL segment can condense plasmid DNA through an electrostatic force to form a complex core, PEG segment surrounding the complex like a corona can prevent the complex from precipitation and reduce the adsorption of serum, while PCys segment with fluorocarbon can enhance the cellular uptake and the stability of the formed polyplex micelles in physiological conditions. Experiment results exhibit that the fluorinated polypeptides have low cytotoxicity and good gene transfection efficiency even in the presence of 50% fetal bovine serum.
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Well‐Defined High‐Molecular‐Weight Polyacrylonitrile Formation via Visible‐Light‐Induced Metal‐Free Radical Polymerization
Authors: Niu Tengfei , Jiang Jiayu , Li Siyuan , Ni Bangqing , Liu Xuemin , Chen Mingqing 
Published: May 2017

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) with high molecular weight and low dispersity is successfully synthesized by visible‐light‐induced metal‐free radical polymerization at room temperature. This polymerization technique uses organic dye Eosin Y as photocatalyst and benzenediazonium tetrafluoroborates as initiator. Gel permeation chromatography‐multiangle laser light scattering shows the absolute molar weight of the PAN more than 1.50 × 105 g mol−1 with a polydispersity index < 1.3 while MALDI‐TOF MS and 19F NMR spectroscopy indicate the F‐chain‐end process. The first‐order kinetic behavior, molecular weight distributions shifting, and “ON/OFF” experiment results suggest this reaction may follow the atom‐transfer‐like radical polymerization mechanism. In addition, this new approach allows for the efficient synthesis of well‐defined random copolymers.
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Acute Levodopa Challenge Test in Patients with de novo Parkinson's Disease: Data from the DeNoPa Cohort
Authors: Schade Sebastian , Sixel‐Döring Friederike , Ebentheuer Jens , Schulz Xenia , Trenkwalder Claudia , Mollenhauer Brit 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe precise clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD) can be difficult in the early stages. Diagnostic criteria include the response of key motor features to levodopa as a supportive prospective criterion. Data are sparse on the diagnostic value of the acute levodopa challenge test (LDCT) in patients with de novo PD. The objective of this study was to validate the LDCT as a tool in the early clinical diagnosis of PD.MethodsWe performed the standardized LDCT with 250 mg levodopa in the prospective longitudinal cohort study “DeNoPa,” comprising 159 patients with de novo PD, and carried out longitudinal clinical follow‐up for 24 months. Motor assessments at baseline using the motor part (part III) of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale before and 1 hr after drug administration were documented. The optimal cutoff score on the LDCT was calculated using the Youden index.ResultsClinical reassessment of 144 patients who returned for follow‐up confirmed the diagnosis of PD in 120 patients (83%). In 24 patients (17%), the initial diagnoses were revised and classified as other neurologic disorders. The optimal cutoff at 33% improvement of motor symptoms on the part 3 of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale during the LDCT reached a sensitivity of 70% a specificity of 71%. The positive and negative predictive values were 92% and 32%, respectively. Sensitivity (91%), specificity (79%), and positive/negative (96%/63%) predictive values improved with the addition of further clinical information (urinary incontinence, fainting, asymmetric tremor, and amount of further drug‐intake).ConclusionsThe LDCT is a reliable tool in the early diagnosis of PD. The accuracy of this test can be further improved by additional, easy‐to‐acquire clinical information provided by patients. © 2017 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Statistical analysis of the atmospheric ion concentrations and mobility distributions at a tropical station, Pune
Authors: Gautam Alok S. , Siingh Devendraa , Kamra A. K. 
Published: May 2017

Measurements of ion mobility spectra in the range of 0.00133–3.16 cm2 s−1 volt−1 were made at a tropical station, Pune, India from March 2010 to December 2012. A total of 12 004 hourly averaged ion mobility spectra were obtained over the entire period. The average mobility spectrum shows three distinct peaks for the traditional categories of small, intermediate and large ions. However, to understand the seasonal variability and statistical characteristics of ions that justify their further division into five different categories, we have divided our data into five mobility ranges of small cluster, big cluster, intermediate, light large and heavy large ions. Our results show that small ions in atmospheric conditions at Pune can be further divided into two classes with the boundary at a mobility of 1.78 cm2 s−1 volt−1 (diameter 0.66 nm) where relative standard deviation of ion concentrations starts increasing instead of decreasing with mobility. Some but not all small cluster ions of negative polarity are likely to grow to the intermediate ion size. Further, the growth from small to big cluster ions is faster for negative than positive ions. In contrast to the observations of higher mean values of ion concentration in warm season than in winter at a midlatitude station, our observations show higher mean values of ion concentration in winter than in the warm season at this tropical station. This contrast in observations at the two sites is explained by trapping of radioactive emanations by snow at the ground during winter at the midlatitude site.Our observations indicate that intermediate ions are generated by two independent processes, probably by growth of big cluster ions and by direct nucleation from trace gases. Further, the results indicate that the sources for light and heavy large ions are different.
Fertility preservation of patients with testicular cancer
Authors: Hamano Itsuto , Hatakeyama Shingo , Ohyama Chikara 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBackgroundTesticular cancer (TC) is one of the most common malignancies in young men of reproductive age. Although TC is a curable malignancy with a high survival rate, its treatment requires various cytotoxic modalities and negatively impacts spermatogenesis; therefore, the fertility preservation of patients with TC has been studied.MethodsIn order to give an overview of fertility preservation in patients with TC, the literature was reviewed. Original and review articles were identified and examined on the basis of PubMed database searches.ResultsChemotherapy and radiotherapy damage spermatogenesis and retroperitoneal lymph node dissection negatively impacts ejaculatory function. Testicular sperm extraction facilitates successful sperm retrieval in patients with TC with postchemotherapy azoospermia. Although preserved sperm is used with a very low frequency (8%), the conception rates in those who have used sperm are not inferior.ConclusionThe number of studies is limited, and because numerous treatment factors affect fertility, outstanding questions remain about preserving the fertility of patients with TC. Further studies are necessary in order to determine the best means of preventing and treating infertility in patients with TC.
The reliability and validity of three‐item screening measures for burnout: Evidence from group‐employed health care practitioners in upstate New York
Authors: Riley Moira R. , Mohr David C. , Waddimba Anthony C. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractWe investigate the psychometric validity and reliability of three‐item screening measures for emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal achievement comprising an abbreviated version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory®. Despite its utilization in multiple studies, the shortened instrument has not been sufficiently validated in diverse settings, populations, and organizational contexts. We examine its ability to assess burnout accruing from patient care practice in a rural, underserved area. Utilizing data from a cross‐sectional survey of 308 rural‐based medical professionals, we investigate how the three short‐form subscales of the nine‐item abbreviated inventory compare with their gold‐standard parent subscales from the original 22‐item human services scale in measuring corresponding dimensions of burnout. The findings provide significant evidence that the three‐item measures are valid and reliable proxies for the long‐form subscales. The short‐form measures are highly correlated with the original subscales and display high convergent and discriminant validity. Each of the abbreviated subscales manifests the kind of high sensitivity with adequate specificity that one would expect to see in a good screening instrument. We conclude that the short‐form measures can be utilized to rapidly screen human service professionals such as rural health care practitioners for symptoms of each of the three dimensions of burnout.
Cognitive ability in young adulthood and risk of dementia in a cohort of Danish men, brothers, and twins
Authors: Osler Merete , Christensen Gunhild T. , Garde Ellen , Mortensen Erik L. , Christensen Kaare 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIntroductionWe examined the association between cognitive ability in young adulthood and dementia in Danish men, brothers, and male twins.MethodsIn total, 666,986 men born between 1939 and 1959 were identified for dementia diagnosis in national registries from 1969 to 2016. The association between cognitive ability from draft board examination and dementia was examined using Cox regression.ResultsDuring a 44‐year follow‐up, 6416 (0.96%) men developed dementia, 1760 (0.26%) and 970 (0.15%) of which were classified as Alzheimer's and vascular dementia, respectively. Low cognitive ability was associated with increased risk of dementia (hazard ratio [HR]per SD decrease 1.33 [95% confidence interval {CI} = 1.30–1.35]) with the strongest associations for vascular dementia (HRper SD decrease 1.47 [95% CI = 1.31–1.56]) and a weaker for Alzheimer's disease (HRper SD decrease 1.07 [95% CI = 1.03–1.13]). The intrabrother and twin analyses (taking shared family factors into account) showed attenuated risk estimates but with wide CIs.DiscussionLow early‐life cognitive ability increases the risk of dementia before the age of 78 years. The association is partly explained by shared family factors.
Citrus consumption and incident dementia in elderly Japanese: the Ohsaki Cohort 2006 Study
Authors: Zhang Shu , Tomata Yasutake , Sugiyama Kemmyo , Sugawara Yumi , Tsuji Ichiro 
Published: May 2017

AbstractAlthough some experimental biological studies have indicated that citrus may have preventive effects against cognitive impairment, no cohort study has yet examined the relationship between citrus consumption and incident dementia. In a baseline survey, we collected data on daily citrus intake (categorised as ≤2, 3–4 times/week or almost every day) and consumption of other foods using a FFQ, and used a self-reported questionnaire to collect data on other covariates. Data on incident dementia were retrieved from the Japanese Long-term Care Insurance database. A multivariate-adjusted Cox model was used to estimate the hazard ratios (HR) and 95 % CI for incident dementia according to citrus consumption. Among 13 373 participants, the 5·7-year incidence of dementia was 8·6 %. In comparison with participants who consumed citrus ≤2 times/week, the multivariate-adjusted HR for incident dementia among those did so 3–4 times/week and almost every day was 0·92 (95 % CI 0·80, 1·07) and 0·86 (95 % CI 0·73, 1·01), respectively (Ptrend=0·065). The inverse association persisted after excluding participants whose dementia events had occurred in the first 2 years of follow-up. The multivariate HR was 1·00 (reference) for ≤2 times/week, 0·82 (95 % CI 0·69, 0·98) for 3–4 times/week and 0·77 (95 % CI 0·64, 0·93) for almost every day (Ptrend=0·006). The present findings suggest that frequent citrus consumption was associated with a lower risk of incident dementia, even after adjustment for possible confounding factors.
Syllable Structure: The Speech Error Evidence
Authors: Laubstein Ann Stuart 
Published: May 2017

A competence grammar of English must account for the English speaker’s ability to predict the shape of the regular past tense morpheme on the basis of the stem-final segment, faced, for example, with a neologistic verb like*rolkor*glag. But whether efficient processing of known words routinely utilizes this creative ability is another matter. Efficient on-line processing may favour selection from a store over computation. To what extent selection and computation are balanced in on-line production may even be different from the balance required in efficient comprehension.It would appear therefore that not only is behaviour not a criterion for possession of knowledge — it is in fact only one kind of evidence for it — but also that the constructs required in characterizing competence cannot serve as the only criteria for determining the forms of processing. The evidence from both domains can support but not disconfirm the hypotheses of the other. Nevertheless, the grammars being produced within the generative paradigm are beginning to have the requisite richness of detail that must underly the capacity for language use. As such they provide independently motivated and sufficiently elaborate hypotheses regarding the structures and processes underlying production, allowing the production theorist a preliminary distinction between crucial facts and those best considered irrelevant.
Activities of rumen micro-organisms in water buffalo (Bos bubalusL.) and in Zebu cattle
Authors: Naga M. A. , el-Shazly K. 
Published: May 2017

SummaryTwo fistulated adult bulls of the Zebu breed and 2 fistulated adult buffalo steers were given a diet consisting of concentrate mixture (rice bran and cotton-seed cake in equal portions +2% calcium hydroxide + 1% common salt) and straw. This was later changed to an all-roughage diet of first cut berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) Samples of the rumen contents were taken for determination of protozoal differential counts, concentration and relative proportions of volatile fatty acids (VFA), rate of cellulose digestion, fermentation rate, and net growth of rumen micro-organisms. Further data were obtained for the 2 buffalo steers fed sweet Sudan grass. When the feed consisted of concentrate and straw there were significant differences in the numbers of protozoa and in volatile fatty acid concentration in the 2 species of animals. Higher protozoal counts were observed in the rumen of bulls (7·2−8·1 × 105organisms/ml) than in the rumen of buffaloes (2·6−3·6 × 105organisms/ml). Greater concentration of VFA was found in the rumen of buffaloes (5·3−11·2 mequiv/100 ml rumen liquor) than in bulls (4·8−10·4 m-equiv/100 ml rumen liquor). With berseem, the concentration of VFA in the rumen was generally higher (6·73−11·0 m-equiv/100 ml rumen liquor) and the protozoal counts were lower (2·8−5·2 × 105organisms/ml) but there were no significant differences between bulls and buffaloes.The rates of cellulose digestion and the maximum fermentation rates were similar in the 2 species indicating a microbial population of the same order. Higher rates of cellulose digestion and of maximum fermentation when the ration consisted of berseem than when it consisted of concentrate + straw indicated a higher concentration of micro-organisms, mostly bacteria.