bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trauma Incidents Attended by Emergency Medical Services in Victoria, Australia
Authors: Boyle Malcolm J. , ClinEpi M , Smith Erin C. , Archer Frank L. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractIntroduction:International literature describing the profile of trauma patients attended by a statewide emergency medical services (EMS) system is lacking. Most literature is limited to descriptions of trauma responses for a single emergency medical service, or to patients transported to a specific Level-1 trauma hospital. There is no Victorian or Australian literature describing the type of trauma patients transported by a state emergency medical service.Purpose:The purpose of this study was to define a profile of all trauma incidents attended by statewide EMS.Methods:A retrospective cohort study of all patient care records (PCR) for trauma responses attended by Victorian Ambulance Services for 2002 was conducted. Criteria for trauma categories were defined previously, and data were extracted from the PCRs and entered into a secure data repository for descriptive analysis to determine the trauma profile. Ethics committee approval was obtained.Results:There were 53,039 trauma incidents attended by emergency ambulances during the 12-month period. Of these, 1,566 patients were in physiological distress, 11,086 had a significant pattern of injury, and a further 8,931 had an identifiable mechanism of injury. The profile includes minor trauma (n = 9,342), standing falls (n = 20,511), no patient transported (n = 3,687), and deceased patients (n = 459).Conclusions:This is a unique analysis of prehospital trauma. It provides a baseline dataset that may be utilized in future studies of prehospital trauma care. Additionally, this dataset identifies a ten-fold difference in major trauma between the prehospital and the hospital assessments.
Neuropsychological Functioning in Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Associations with Performance Validity, Comorbidities, and Functional Outcomes
Authors: Wrocklage Kristen M. , Schweinsburg Brian C. , Krystal John H. , Trejo Marcia , Roy Alicia , Weisser Valerie , Moore Tyler M. , Southwick Steven M. , Scott J. Cobb 
Published: February 2016

AbstractObjectives: Numerous studies have shown that individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) display reduced performances on neuropsychological tests, although most prior research has not adequately accounted for comorbidities or performance validity concerns that are common in this population and could partially account for the observed neurocognitive findings. Moreover, few studies have examined the functional implications of neuropsychological results in PTSD. Methods: We examined neuropsychological functioning in 44 veterans with PTSD and 40 veteran trauma comparison (TC) participants with combat exposure and no PTSD. Results: After excluding four veterans with PTSD for performance validity concerns, multivariate analyses of variance by neurocognitive domain revealed significantly worse performance by the PTSD group in the domains of speed of information processing (p=.035) and executive functions (p=.017), but no group differences in attention/working memory, verbal/language functioning, visuoconstruction, or episodic memory. Group differences by PTSD status were still present after covarying for depression, a history of head injuries, and substance use disorders. Executive functioning performance was associated with poorer self-reported occupational functioning and physical health-related quality of life, while speed of information processing performance was associated with poorer physical health-related quality of life. Discussion: These results are generally consistent with a fronto-limbic conceptualization of PTSD-associated neuropsychological dysfunction and show that cognitive functioning may be associated with critical functional outcomes. Taken together, results suggest that consideration of neurocognitive functioning may enhance the clinical management of individuals with PTSD. (JINS, 2016, 22, 399–411)
A robust nitrifying community in a bioreactor at 50 °C opens up the path for thermophilic nitrogen removal
Authors: Courtens Emilie N P , Spieck Eva , Vilchez-Vargas Ramiro , Bodé Samuel , Boeckx Pascal , Schouten Stefan , Jauregui Ruy , Pieper Dietmar H , Vlaeminck Siegfried E , Boon Nico 
Published: February 2016

Abstract
The increasing production of nitrogen-containing fertilizers is crucial to meet the global food demand, yet high losses of reactive nitrogen associated with the food production/consumption chain progressively deteriorate the natural environment. Currently, mesophilic nitrogen-removing microbes eliminate nitrogen from wastewaters. Although thermophilic nitrifiers have been separately enriched from natural environments, no bioreactors are described that couple these processes for the treatment of nitrogen in hot wastewaters. Samples from composting facilities were used as inoculum for the batch-wise enrichment of thermophilic nitrifiers (350 days). Subsequently, the enrichments were transferred to a bioreactor to obtain a stable, high-rate nitrifying process (560 days). The community contained up to 17% ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOAs) closely related to ‘Candidatus Nitrososphaera gargensis’, and 25% nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOBs) related to Nitrospira calida. Incorporation of 13C-derived bicarbonate into the respective characteristic membrane lipids during nitrification supported their activity as autotrophs. Specific activities up to 198±10 and 894±81 mg N g−1 VSS per day for AOAs and NOBs were measured, where NOBs were 33% more sensitive to free ammonia. The NOBs were extremely sensitive to free nitrous acid, whereas the AOAs could only be inhibited by high nitrite concentrations, independent of the free nitrous acid concentration. The observed difference in product/substrate inhibition could facilitate the development of NOB inhibition strategies to achieve more cost-effective processes such as deammonification. This study describes the enrichment of autotrophic thermophilic nitrifiers from a nutrient-rich environment and the successful operation of a thermophilic nitrifying bioreactor for the first time, facilitating opportunities for thermophilic nitrogen removal biotechnology.
Dissolution and ionization of sodium superoxide in sodium–oxygen batteries
Authors: Kim Jinsoo , Park Hyeokjun , Lee Byungju , Seong Won Mo , Lim Hee-Dae , Bae Youngjoon , Kim Haegyeom , Kim Won Keun , Ryu Kyoung Han , Kang Kisuk 
Published: February 2016

AbstractWith the demand for high-energy-storage devices, the rechargeable metal–oxygen battery has attracted attention recently. Sodium–oxygen batteries have been regarded as the most promising candidates because of their lower-charge overpotential compared with that of lithium–oxygen system. However, conflicting observations with different discharge products have inhibited the understanding of precise reactions in the battery. Here we demonstrate that the competition between the electrochemical and chemical reactions in sodium–oxygen batteries leads to the dissolution and ionization of sodium superoxide, liberating superoxide anion and triggering the formation of sodium peroxide dihydrate (Na2O2·2H2O). On the formation of Na2O2·2H2O, the charge overpotential of sodium–oxygen cells significantly increases. This verification addresses the origin of conflicting discharge products and overpotentials observed in sodium–oxygen systems. Our proposed model provides guidelines to help direct the reactions in sodium–oxygen batteries to achieve high efficiency and rechargeability.
Discovering gene re-ranking efficiency and conserved gene-gene relationships derived from gene co-expression network analysis on breast cancer data
Authors: Bourdakou Marilena M. , Athanasiadis Emmanouil I. , Spyrou George M. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractSystemic approaches are essential in the discovery of disease-specific genes, offering a different perspective and new tools on the analysis of several types of molecular relationships, such as gene co-expression or protein-protein interactions. However, due to lack of experimental information, this analysis is not fully applicable. The aim of this study is to reveal the multi-potent contribution of statistical network inference methods in highlighting significant genes and interactions. We have investigated the ability of statistical co-expression networks to highlight and prioritize genes for breast cancer subtypes and stages in terms of: (i) classification efficiency, (ii) gene network pattern conservation, (iii) indication of involved molecular mechanisms and (iv) systems level momentum to drug repurposing pipelines. We have found that statistical network inference methods are advantageous in gene prioritization, are capable to contribute to meaningful network signature discovery, give insights regarding the disease-related mechanisms and boost drug discovery pipelines from a systems point of view.
Solitary Wave in One-dimensional Buckyball System at Nanoscale
Authors: Xu Jun , Zheng Bowen , Liu Yilun 
Published: February 2016

AbstractWe have studied the stress wave propagation in one-dimensional (1-D) nanoscopic buckyball (C60) system by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and quantitative modeling. Simulation results have shown that solitary waves are generated and propagating in the buckyball system through impacting one buckyball at one end of the buckyball chain. We have found the solitary wave behaviors are closely dependent on the initial temperature and impacting speed of the buckyball chain. There are almost no dispersion and dissipation of the solitary waves (stationary solitary wave) for relatively low temperature and high impacting speed. While for relatively high temperature and low impacting speed the profile of the solitary waves is highly distorted and dissipated after propagating several tens of buckyballs. A phase diagram is proposed to describe the effect of the temperature and impacting speed on the solitary wave behaviors in buckyball system. In order to quantitatively describe the wave behavior in buckyball system, a simple nonlinear-spring model is established, which can describe the MD simulation results at low temperature very well. The results presented in this work may lay a solid step towards the further understanding and manipulation of stress wave propagation and impact energy mitigation at nanoscale.
Revisiting the link between hypertension and hemifacial spasm
Authors: Leong Jia-Li , Li Hui-hua , Chan Ling-Ling , Tan Eng-King 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe relationship between hypertension and hemifacial spasm (HFS) has been debated. Microvascular decompression surgery is effective in some HFS patients with uncontrolled hypertension. To address current gaps in knowledge, we conducted a meta-analysis of case-control studies that have examined the prevalence of hypertension in HFS patients compared to non-HFS controls. We also evaluated the implications and limitations of the pooled studies. We identified 62 studies from PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Scholar.google.com and six studies that fit our inclusion criteria were included. A random-effects model was used to derive the pooled estimate of the Odds Ratio. The data was plotted on a Forest plot. A pooled analysis involving 51585 subjects, 549 cases, 720 neurological controls and 50316 controls from the general population, showed that HFS patients had a higher chance of developing hypertension (OR = 1.72, 95% CI = (1.12, 2.31), p-value  <0.001). The prevalence of hypertension was higher in HFS patients as compared to non-HFS patients. This meta-analysis highlights a positive correlation between hypertension and HFS. Blood pressure should be closely monitored during the follow-up of HFS patients. Preliminary links between ventrolateral medullary (VLM) compression and HFS should be further evaluated in future studies.
Differential effects of gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial products on morphine induced inhibition of phagocytosis
Authors: Ninkovic Jana , Anand Vidhu , Dutta Raini , Zhang Li , Saluja Anuj , Meng Jingjing , Koodie Lisa , Banerjee Santanu , Roy Sabita 
Published: February 2016

AbstractOpioid drug abusers have a greater susceptibility to gram positive (Gram (+)) bacterial infections. However, the mechanism underlying opioid modulation of Gram (+) versus Gram (−) bacterial clearance has not been investigated. In this study, we show that opioid treatment resulted in reduced phagocytosis of Gram (+), when compared to Gram (−) bacteria. We further established that LPS priming of chronic morphine treated macrophages leads to potentiated phagocytosis and killing of both Gram (+) and Gram (−) bacteria in a P-38 MAP kinase dependent signaling pathway. In contrast, LTA priming lead to inhibition of both phagocytosis and bacterial killing. This study demonstrates for the first time the differential effects of TLR4 and TLR2 agonists on morphine induced inhibition of phagocytosis. Our results suggest that the incidence and severity of secondary infections with Gram (+) bacteria would be higher in opioid abusers.
Purity matters: A workflow for the valid high-resolution lipid profiling of mitochondria from cell culture samples
Authors: Kappler Lisa , Li Jia , Häring Hans-Ulrich , Weigert Cora , Lehmann Rainer , Xu Guowang , Hoene Miriam 
Published: February 2016

AbstractSubcellular lipidomics is a novel field of research that requires the careful combination of several pre-analytical and analytical steps. To define a reliable strategy for mitochondrial lipid profiling, we performed a systematic comparison of different mitochondria isolation procedures by western blot analyses and comprehensive high-resolution lipidomics. Using liver-derived HepG2 cells, we compared three common mitochondria isolation methods, differential centrifugation (DC), ultracentrifugation (UC) and a magnetic bead-assisted method (MACS). In total, 397 lipid species, including 32 cardiolipins, could be quantified in only 100 μg (by protein) of purified mitochondria. Mitochondria isolated by UC showed the highest enrichment in the mitochondria-specific cardiolipins as well as their precursors, phosphatidylglycerols. Mitochondrial fractions obtained by the commonly used DC and the more recent MACS method contained substantial contaminations by other organelles. Employing these isolation methods when performing lipidomics analyses from cell culture mitochondria may lead to inaccurate results. To conclude, we present a protocol how to obtain reliable mitochondria-specific lipid profiles from cell culture samples and show that quality controls are indispensable when performing mitochondria lipidomics.
Tunable integration of absorption-membrane-adsorption for efficiently separating low boiling gas mixtures near normal temperature
Authors: Liu Huang , Pan Yong , Liu Bei , Sun Changyu , Guo Ping , Gao Xueteng , Yang Lanying , Ma Qinglan , Chen Guangjin 
Published: February 2016

AbstractSeparation of low boiling gas mixtures is widely concerned in process industries. Now their separations heavily rely upon energy-intensive cryogenic processes. Here, we report a pseudo-absorption process for separating low boiling gas mixtures near normal temperature. In this process, absorption-membrane-adsorption is integrated by suspending suitable porous ZIF material in suitable solvent and forming selectively permeable liquid membrane around ZIF particles. Green solvents like water and glycol were used to form ZIF-8 slurry and tune the permeability of liquid membrane surrounding ZIF-8 particles. We found glycol molecules form tighter membrane while water molecules form looser membrane because of the hydrophobicity of ZIF-8. When using mixing solvents composed of glycol and water, the permeability of liquid membrane becomes tunable. It is shown that ZIF-8/water slurry always manifests remarkable higher separation selectivity than solid ZIF-8 and it could be tuned to further enhance the capture of light hydrocarbons by adding suitable quantity of glycol to water. Because of its lower viscosity and higher sorption/desorption rate, tunable ZIF-8/water-glycol slurry could be readily used as liquid absorbent to separate different kinds of low boiling gas mixtures by applying a multistage separation process in one traditional absorption tower, especially for the capture of light hydrocarbons.
35 Hz shape memory alloy actuator with bending-twisting mode
Authors: Song Sung-Hyuk , Lee Jang-Yeob , Rodrigue Hugo , Choi Ik-Seong , Kang Yeon June , Ahn Sung-Hoon 
Published: February 2016

AbstractShape Memory Alloy (SMA) materials are widely used as an actuating source for bending actuators due to their high power density. However, due to the slow actuation speed of SMAs, there are limitations in their range of possible applications. This paper proposes a smart soft composite (SSC) actuator capable of fast bending actuation with large deformations. To increase the actuation speed of SMA actuator, multiple thin SMA wires are used to increase the heat dissipation for faster cooling. The actuation characteristics of the actuator at different frequencies are measured with different actuator lengths and results show that resonance can be used to realize large deformations up to 35 Hz. The actuation characteristics of the actuator can be modified by changing the design of the layered reinforcement structure embedded in the actuator, thus the natural frequency and length of an actuator can be optimized for a specific actuation speed. A model is used to compare with the experimental results of actuators with different layered reinforcement structure designs. Also, a bend-twist coupled motion using an anisotropic layered reinforcement structure at a speed of 10 Hz is also realized. By increasing their range of actuation characteristics, the proposed actuator extends the range of application of SMA bending actuators.
Isolation and partial characterization of a highly divergent lineage of hantavirus from the European mole (Talpa europaea)
Authors: Gu Se Hun , Kumar Mukesh , Sikorska Beata , Hejduk Janusz , Markowski Janusz , Markowski Marcin , Liberski Paweł P. , Yanagihara Richard 
Published: February 2016

AbstractGenetically distinct hantaviruses have been identified in five species of fossorial moles (order Eulipotyphla, family Talpidae) from Eurasia and North America. Here, we report the isolation and partial characterization of a highly divergent hantavirus, named Nova virus (NVAV), from lung tissue of a European mole (Talpa europaea), captured in central Poland in August 2013. Typical hantavirus-like particles, measuring 80–120 nm in diameter, were found in NVAV-infected Vero E6 cells by transmission electron microscopy. Whole-genome sequences of the isolate, designated NVAV strain Te34, were identical to that amplified from the original lung tissue and phylogenetic analysis of the full-length L, M and S segments, using maximum-likelihood and Bayesian methods, showed that NVAV was most closely related to hantaviruses harbored by insectivorous bats, consistent with an ancient evolutionary origin. Infant Swiss Webster mice, inoculated with NVAV by the intraperitoneal route, developed weight loss and hyperactivity, beginning at 16 days, followed by hind-limb paralysis and death. High NVAV RNA copies were detected in lung, liver, kidney, spleen and brain by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Neuropathological examination showed astrocytic and microglial activation and neuronal loss. The first mole-borne hantavirus isolate will facilitate long-overdue studies on its infectivity and pathogenic potential in humans.
Lossless Airy Surface Polaritons in a Metamaterial via Active Raman Gain
Authors: Zhang Qi , Tan Chaohua , Huang Guoxiang 
Published: February 2016

AbstractWe propose a scheme to realize a lossless propagation of linear and nonlinear Airy surface polaritons (SPs) via active Raman gain (ARG). The system we suggest is a planar interface superposed by a negative index metamaterial (NIMM) and a dielectric, where three-level quantum emitters are doped. By using the ARG from the quantum emitters and the destructive interference effect between the electric and magnetic responses from the NIMM, we show that not only the Ohmic loss of the NIMM but also the light absorption of the quantum emitters can be completely eliminated. As a result, non-diffractive Airy SPs may propagate for very long distance without attenuation. We also show that the Kerr nonlinearity of the system can be largely enhanced due to the introduction of the quantum emitters and hence lossless Airy surface polaritonic solitons with very low power can be generated in the system.
Icariin displays anticancer activity against human esophageal cancer cells via regulating endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated apoptotic signaling
Authors: Fan Chongxi , Yang Yang , Liu Yong , Jiang Shuai , Di Shouyin , Hu Wei , Ma Zhiqiang , Li Tian , Zhu Yifang , Xin Zhenlong , Wu Guiling , Han Jing , Li Xiaofei , Yan Xiaolong 
Published: February 2016

AbstractIn this study, we investigated the antitumor activity of icariin (ICA) in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in vitro and in vivo and explored the role of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) signaling in this activity. ICA treatment resulted in a dose- and time-dependent decrease in the viability of human EC109 and TE1 ESCCs. Additionally, ICA exhibited strong antitumor activity, as evidenced by reductions in cell migration, adhesion and intracellular glutathione (GSH) levels and by increases in the EC109 and TE1 cell apoptotic index, Caspase 9 activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase activity. Furthermore, ICA treatments upregulated the levels of ERS-related molecules (p-PERK, GRP78, ATF4, p-eIF2α and CHOP) and a pro-apoptotic protein (PUMA) and simultaneously downregulated an anti-apoptotic protein (Bcl2) in the two ESCC cell lines. The downregulation of ERS signaling using eIF2α siRNA desensitized EC109 and TE1 cells to ICA treatment and the upregulation of ERS signaling using thapsigargin sensitized EC109 and TE1 cells to ICA treatment. In summary, ERS activation may represent a mechanism of action for the anticancer activity of ICA in ESCCs and the activation of ERS signaling may represent a novel therapeutic intervention for human esophageal cancer.
Volatile Oil of Acori Graminei Rhizoma-Induced Apoptosis and Autophagy are dependent on p53 Status in Human Glioma Cells
Authors: Chen Lu , Jiang Zhuyun , Ma Hui , Ning Ling , Chen Hongdan , Li Li , Qi Hongyi 
Published: February 2016

AbstractAcori Graminei Rhizoma is well known for the beneficial effects on CNS disorders in traditional medicine. Though it is frequently prescribed in formulations for brain tumors, the anti-glioma effect has not been examined. We used volatile oil of Acori Graminei Rhizoma (VOA) and human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cells in this study. We found that VOA exhibited greater growth suppression in p53 wild-type cells than p53 mutant cells and very low effect on fibroblasts and human glial HEB cells. Apoptosis was triggered by VOA with a caspase-dependent way in p53 wild-type A172 cells, while a caspase-independent way in p53 mutant U251 cells. Meanwhile, both A172 and U251 cells treated by VOA displayed autophagic features. Furthermore, p53 decrease was observed along with VOA-induced apoptosis and autophagy in A172 cells. VOA-induced autophagy was mediated through a p53/AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway in A172 cells, while an mTOR-independent signaling pathway in U251 cells. Finally, blockage of autophagy potentiated the proapoptotic effect in both A172 and U251 cells, indicating a protective role of autophagy in VOA-induced cell death. Together, VOA exhibited anti-tumor activity in human GBM cells and induced apoptotic cell death and protective autophagy, which is cell type specific and dependent on p53 status.