bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Asthma and atopic dermatitis after early‐, late‐, and post‐term birth
Authors: Korhonen Päivi , Haataja Paula , Ojala Riitta , Hirvonen Mikko , Korppi Matti , Paassilta Marita , Uotila Jukka , Gissler Mika , Luukkaala Tiina , Tammela Outi 
Published: January 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the incidence and risk factors of asthma and atopic dermatitis by seven years of age after early‐term (ET) (37+0‐38+6 weeks), full‐term (FT) (39+0‐40+6 weeks), late‐term (LT) (41+0‐41+6 weeks), and especially post‐term (PT) (≥42 weeks) birth.MethodsAltogether, 965 203 infants born between 1991 and 2008 in Finland were investigated in ET, FT, LT, and PT groups. Data on asthma medication reimbursement and hospital visits for atopic dermatitis were retrieved from national health databases.ResultsThe frequencies of asthma medication reimbursement in the ET, FT, LT, and PT groups were 4.5%, 3.7%, 3.3%, and 3.2%, respectively. Hospital visits due to atopic dermatitis were most common after PT birth. Compared with FT births, ET births were associated with an increased risk of asthma (adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.20, 1.17‐1.23), while LT (aOR, 95%CI 0.91, 0.89‐0.93) births and PT (aOR, 95%CI 0.87, 0.83‐0.92) births decreased this risk. PT birth (aOR, 95%CI 1.06, 1.01‐1.10) predicted atopic dermatitis. From a population point of view, the most relevant risk factors for asthma were male sex, ET birth, smoking during pregnancy and birth by elective cesarean section, and for atopic dermatitis male sex, first delivery, birth in a level II hospital and birth by cesarean section.ConclusionsEarly‐term birth was a predictor of asthma, and PT birth was associated with atopic dermatitis. Counseling against smoking and following strict indications for planned ET deliveries and cesarean sections may be means to reduce the risk of later asthma.
Histological and quantitative analyzes of the stromal and acinar components of normal human prostate zones
Authors: Alves Edilaine F. , de Freitas Ribeiro Bruno Leonardo M. , Costa Waldemar S. , Gallo Carla B. M. , Sampaio Francisco J. B. 
Published: January 2018

BackgroundMcNeal divided the human prostate into three major anatomical areas: the peripheral zone (PZ), the central zone (CZ), and the transition zone (TZ). Each of these areas is biologically and histologically distinct. The PZ and TZ have clinical significance and are associated with prostate cancer (PC) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), respectively. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to quantitatively and qualitatively analyze the parenchymal and stromal components that constitute the different prostate zones.MethodsWe assessed 19 samples from each prostate zone. The samples were obtained from necropsies of young people between 18 and 32 years of age with intact urogenital tracts. The samples were fixed in 4% buffered formalin and processed for paraffin embedding. Sections with a thickness of five micrometres were obtained from each sample. The sections were stained using histochemical and immunohistochemical techniques to identify the acinar and stromal components of each zone. Photomicrographs were obtained for morphometric analysis using an algorithm based on color segmentation. Data were analyzed using one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with the Bonferroni post‐test. Differences with P < 0.05 were regarded as statistically significant.ResultsCollagen fibres were more numerous in the TZ (+40.26%; P = 0.0230) than in the PZ. Muscle fibres were also more numerous in the TZ (+47.05%; P = 0.0120) than in the PZ. Elastic system fibres in the TZ significantly differed from those in the PZ (+84.61%; P = 0.0012) and the CZ (+61.66%; P = 0.0074). Similarly, nerves in the PZ (−42.86%; P = 0.0107) significantly differed from nerves in the CZ. Epithelial height was lower in the TZ than in the PZ (−30.17%; P = 0.0034) and the CZ (−25.01%; P = 0.0330).ConclusionOur objective, quantitative data regarding the various elements that constitute the normal prostate stroma allowed us to reveal differences among prostate zones. This study established patterns for normal parameters and may be used for posterior comparisons in histopathological analysis.
Potential of all‐cellulose composites in corrugated board applications: Comparison of chemical pulp raw materials
Authors: Tervahartiala Tero , Hildebrandt Nils C. , Piltonen Petteri , Schabel Samuel , Valkama Jukka‐Pekka 
Published: January 2018

All‐cellulose composites (ACCs) were produced using various commercially available chemical pulps by partial dissolution method using an aqueous zinc chloride (ZnCl2) solvent. Characterization methods used for defining material performance, keeping especially corrugated board products in mind, were as follows: scanning electron microscopy, tensile strength, 2‐point bending stiffness, concora medium test, and short‐span crush test. Hardwood (bleached eucalyptus), softwood (bleached spruce, bleached and unbleached pine), speciality softwood pulps (sulphite dissolving with 530 and 398 mL/g intrinsic viscosities), and annual plant pulp (bleached abaca) were investigated to give a broad overview of the potential for making ACCs. Softwood pulps, especially bleached, showed highest increase in mechanical properties across the board. Hardwood pulp showed relatively good results, and the selected annual plant pulp (abaca) responded partially negatively to treatment. Comparing unbleached and bleached softwood ACCs, it seems that bleaching is beneficial for tensile properties. However, when material comes under compressive or bending loads, unbleached pulp performs very well. Comparing sulphite dissolved pulps, it could be proven that pulps with higher intrinsic viscosities, thus higher polymerization grade, respond better to partial dissolution. It was proven that a wide set of pulps, also of lesser cellulose purity, used in the paper industry are viable for ACC production. Furthermore, results from short‐span crush test and concora medium tests show high potential of ACCs for corrugated board applications.
Microdialysis sampling combined with ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of geniposide in dialysate of joint cavities in adjuvant arthritis rats
Authors: Wang Wen‐Yu , Wang Wei , Wu Hong , Li Shu‐Ping , Wang Rong , Dai Li , Zhang Zheng‐Rong , Fu Jun , Deng Ran , Li Feng 
Published: January 2018

RationaleMicrodialysis has been used to detect the concentrations of drugs in tissues. Geniposide (GE), an iridoid glycoside compound, is the main bioactive component of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis fruit. We previously demonstrated that GE could control the activity of cytokines and reduce levels of inflammation in adjuvant arthritis (AA) rats, but the topic of concentration changes over time in the joint synovia of AA has rarely been studied.MethodsIn this study, a microdialysis technique combined with ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC/ESI‐MS/MS) was set up and confirmed to assay GE in the dialysate of the joint cavity in AA rats. Mass detection was conducted in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode with negative ESI, and paeoniflorin (Pae) was used as an internal standard (IS).ResultsA lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) of 5 ng/mL was found using this method and with good linearity in the range of 5–4000 ng/mL. All the validation data including accuracy, precision, intra and inter‐day repeatability and stability meet the requirements. The relative recoveries of GE were determined at approximately 40.01%.ConclusionsThe measurements based on microdialysis combined with UHPLC/ESI‐MS/MS provide a method for sampling and rapid sensitive analysis of GE in the dialysate of the joint cavity in AA rats. This method should be considered for future pharmacokinetics studies.
Optimization problem formulation framework with application to engineering systems
Authors: Crossley William A. , Luan Siyao , Allison James T. , Thurston Deborah L. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractEngineering systems require considering technical, social, economic, and environmental issues on a large and interconnected scale. Addressing engineering systems problems challenges the limits of analytic methods; this paper focuses on optimization as the method. Traditional normative optimization addresses objective trade‐off issues by quantifying the relationships among decision‐maker choices and system performance. Engineering systems can present options and trade‐offs that are outside traditional analysis boundaries and often require different domain expertise. The usual response is to expand the frame of analysis, relying on expert heuristic rules of thumb to make the task manageable. However, these heuristics can create irrelevant constraints, lead to cognitive biases, or result in unnecessarily suboptimal solutions. This paper presents an initial framework to encourage explicit examination of decisions made when framing and formulating an engineering systems‐relevant optimization problem. This includes consciously determining when to keep heuristics for efficiency and when to replace them with a more normative approach. The paper provides two examples that use optimization in two different roles. The first uses an optimization problem in a simulation tool that predicts future CO2 emissions from commercial aviation for scenarios with different technology and economic inputs. The second example is based on an actively controlled wind turbine and demonstrates how a reasonable‐seeming heuristic for defining the objective can lead to a result that is suboptimal in terms of the true system performance objective. These examples demonstrate the explicit examination of the framing and formulation to achieve a good combination of normative and heuristic approaches.
Epoxy Nanocomposites Filled with Carbon Nanoparticles
Authors: Martin‐Gallego M. , Yuste‐Sanchez V. , Sanchez‐Hidalgo R. , Verdejo R. , Lopez‐Manchado M.A. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractOver the past decades, the development of high performance lightweight polymer nanocomposites and, in particular, of epoxy nanocomposites has become one the greatest challenges in material science. The ultimate goal of epoxy nanocomposites is to extrapolate the exceptional intrinsic properties of the nanoparticles to the bulk matrix. However, in spite of the efforts, this objective is still to be attained at commercially attractive scales. Key aspects to achieve this are ultimately the full understanding of network structure, the dispersion degree of the nanoparticles, the interfacial adhesion at the phase boundaries and the control of the localization and orientation of the nanoparticles in the epoxy system. In this Personal Account, we critically discuss the state of the art and evaluate the strategies to overcome these barriers.
Halloysite Nanotubes for Cleaning, Consolidation and Protection
Authors: Cavallaro Giuseppe , Lazzara Giuseppe , Milioto Stefana , Parisi Filippo 
Published: January 2018

AbstractHerein, we report our recent research concerning the development of halloysite based protocols for cleaning, consolidation and protection purposes. Surface modification of halloysite cavity by anionic surfactants was explored to fabricate inorganic micelles able to solubilize hydrophobic contaminants. Hybrid dispersions based on halloysite and ecocompatible polymers were tested as consolidants for paper and waterlogged archaeological woods. Encapsulation of deacidifying and flame retardant agents within the halloysite lumen was conducted with aim to obtain nanofiller with a long‐term protection ability. The results prove the suitability and versatility of halloysite nanotubes, which are perspective inorganic nanoparticles within materials science, remedation and conservation of cultural heritage fields.
Butyl paraben promotes apoptosis in human trophoblast cells through increased oxidative stress‐induced endoplasmic reticulum stress
Authors: Yang Changwon , Lim Whasun , Bazer Fuller W. , Song Gwonhwa 
Published: January 2018

AbstractButyl paraben (BP) has antimicrobial effects and is widely used as a preservative in cosmetics, foods, and pharmaceuticals. It is also absorbed into various tissues of the human body. It is known that BP is measurable in maternal and fetal tissues during pregnancy, but the effects of BP on placental development, essential for maintaining normal pregnancy, are unclear. Therefore, we investigated the effect of BP on the proliferation, apoptosis, and invasiveness of human trophoblast cells, using an HTR8/SVneo cell line. BP inhibited cell proliferation and induced both apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress. In addition, BP promoted the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species, increased Ca2+ concentration in HTR8/SVneo cells, and induced mitochondrial membrane depolarization. BP also inhibited the activation of PI3K/AKT pathways including AKT, ribosomal protein S6, P70 S6 kinase, and glycogen synthase kinase 3β. Furthermore, pretreatment of cells with LY294002 (an AKT inhibitor) and U0126 (ERK1/2 inhibitor) revealed that ERK1/2 activity is also involved in BP‐mediated signal transduction in HTR8/SVneo cells. We therefore suggest that exposing human trophoblast cells to BP diminishes normal physiological activity, leading to apoptosis and problems with early placental development.
Association between fetal fraction on cell‐free DNA testing and first‐trimester markers for pre‐eclampsia
Authors: Rolnik D. L. , da Silva Costa F. , Lee T. J. , Schmid M. , McLennan A. C. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo evaluate the association between fetal fraction on cell‐free DNA (cfDNA) testing and first‐trimester markers for pre‐eclampsia, and to investigate the possible association of low fetal fraction with increased risks for pre‐eclampsia (PE) and fetal growth restriction (FGR).MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study including all women with a singleton pregnancy who had risk calculation for PE and FGR between 11 + 0 and 13 + 6 weeks' gestation and who also had cfDNA as a primary or secondary screening test for chromosomal abnormalities at any gestational age at two fetal medicine clinics in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia, between March 2013 and May 2017. Logarithmically transformed fetal fraction results were adjusted for gestational age and maternal characteristics. Associations with mean arterial pressure (MAP), mean uterine artery pulsatility index (UtA‐PI), pregnancy‐associated plasma protein A (PAPP‐A), placental growth factor (PlGF), and risks for PE < 34 weeks, PE < 37 weeks and FGR < 37 weeks were analyzed using correlation analysis and univariable and multivariable linear regressions.ResultsIn total, 4317 singleton pregnancies that underwent cfDNA testing with fetal fraction reported were included. Significant prediction of fetal fraction was provided by gestational age, conception by in‐vitro fertilization, maternal age, body mass index, chronic hypertension, diabetes mellitus, South Asian ethnicity and being parous without history of PE or FGR. Fetal fraction was associated inversely with MAP and UtA‐PI and associated positively with PAPP‐A and PlGF. The lower the fetal fraction, the higher were the risks for PE < 34 weeks, PE < 37 weeks and FGR < 37 weeks (P < 0.001 for all).ConclusionsThere is a significant association between fetal fraction result and first‐trimester markers for adverse pregnancy outcome. Low fetal fraction is associated with an increased risk for pregnancy complication, but its capacity to act an as independent first‐trimester marker in an algorithm for screening for PE and FGR requires further research. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Dynamic behavior of wind turbines influenced by aerodynamic damping and earthquake intensity
Authors: Yang Yang , Ye Kehua , Li Chun , Michailides Constantine , Zhang Wanfu 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIn the present paper the effects of aerodynamic damping and earthquake loads on the dynamic response of flexible‐based wind turbines are studied. A numerical analysis framework (NAF) is developed and applied. NAF is based on a user‐compiled module that is developed for the purposes of the present paper and is fully coupled with an open source tool. The accuracy of the developed NAF is validated through comparisons with predictions that are calculated with the use of different numerical analysis methods and tools. The results indicate that the presence of the aerodynamic loads due to the reduction of the maximum displacement of the tower attributed to the dissipation of earthquake excitation energy in fore‐aft direction. Emergency shutdown triggered by strong earthquakes results to a rapid change of aerodynamic damping, resulting to short‐term instability of the wind turbine. After shutdown of the wind turbine, enhanced dynamic response is observed. For the case where the wind turbine is parked, the maxima displacement and acceleration of tower‐top increase linearly with the peak ground acceleration. With the use of the least‐square method a dimensionless slope of tower‐top displacements is presented representing the seismic response coefficient of tower that can be used to estimate the tower‐top acceleration demand. Moreover, on the basis of the seismic response coefficient, an improved model for the evaluation of load design demand is proposed. This model can provide accurate predictions.
Misidentification of genome assemblies in public databases: The case of Naumovozyma dairenensis and proposal of a protocol to correct misidentifications
Authors: Stavrou Aimilia A. , Mixão Verónica , Boekhout Teun , Gabaldón Toni 
Published: January 2018

AbstractOnline sequence databases such as NCBI GenBank serve as a tremendously useful platform for researchers to share and reuse published data. However, submission systems lack control for errors such as organism misidentification, which once entered in the database can be propagated and mislead downstream analyses. Here we present an illustrating case of misidentification of Candida albicans from a clinical sample as Naumovozyma dairenensis based on whole‐genome shotgun data. Analyses of phylogenetic markers, read mapping and single nucleotide polymorphisms served to correct the identification. We propose that the routine use of such analyses could help to detect misidentifications arising from unsupervised analyses and correct them before they enter the databases. Finally, we discuss broader implications of such misidentifications and the difficulty of correcting them once they are in the records.
Rational design of engineered microbial cell surface multi-enzyme co-display system for sustainable NADH regeneration from low-cost biomass
Authors: Han Lei , Liang Bo , Song Jianxia 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
As an important cofactor, NADH is essential for most redox reactions and biofuel cells. However, supply of exogenous NADH is challenged, due to the low production efficiency and high cost of NADH regeneration system, as well as low stability of NADH. Here, we constructed a novel cell surface multi-enzyme co-display system with ratio- and space-controllable manner as exogenous NADH regeneration system for the sustainable NADH production from low-cost biomass. Dockerin-fused glucoamylase (GA) and glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) were expressed and assembled on the engineered bacterial surfaces, which displayed protein scaffolds with various combinations of different cohesins. When the ratio of GA and GDH was 3:1, the NADH production rate of the whole-cell biocatalyst reached the highest level using starch as substrate, which was three times higher than that of mixture of free enzymes, indicating that the highly ordered spatial organization of enzymes would promote reactions, due to the ratio of enzymes and proximity effect. To confirm performance of the established NADH regeneration system, the highly efficient synthesis of l-lactic acid (l-LA) was conducted by the system and the yield of l-LA (16 g/L) was twice higher than that of the mixture of free enzymes. The multi-enzyme co-display system showed good stability in the cyclic utilization. In conclusion, the novel sustainable NADH system would provide a cost-effective strategy to regenerate cofactor from low-cost biomass.
Culture beats gender? The importance of controlling for identity‐ and parenting‐related risk factors in adolescent psychopathology☆
Authors: Seiffge‐Krenke Inge , Persike Malte , Besevegis Elias , Chau Cecilia , Karaman Neslihan Güney , Lannegrand‐Willems Lyda , Lubiewska Katharzyna , Rohail Iffat 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTThis study analyzed the unique effects of gender and culture on psychopathology in adolescents from seven countries after controlling for factors which might have contributed to variations in psychopathology. In a sample 2259 adolescents (M = 15 years; 54% female) from France, Germany, Turkey, Greece, Peru, Pakistan, and Poland identity stress, coping with identity stress, maternal parenting (support, psychological control, anxious rearing) and psychopathology (internalizing, externalizing and total symptomatology) were assessed. Due to variations in stress perception, coping style and maternal behavior, these covariates were partialed out before the psychopathology scores were subjected to analyses of variance with gender and country as factors. These analyses leveled out the main effect of country and revealed country‐specific gender effects. In four countries, males reported higher internalizing and total symptomatology than females. Partialing out the covariates resulted in a clearer picture of culture‐specific and gender‐dependent effects on psychopathology, which is helpful in designing interventions.
Predictors of length of stay in psychiatric inpatient units: Does their effect vary across countries?
Authors: Dimitri Giorgia , Giacco Domenico , Bauer Michael , Bird Victoria Jane , Greenberg Lauren , Lasalvia Antonio , Lorant Vincent , Moskalewicz Jacek , Nicaise Pablo , Pfennig Andrea , Ruggeri Mirella , Welbel Marta , Priebe Stefan 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundPrevious studies in individual countries have identified inconsistent predictors of length of stay (LoS) in psychiatric inpatient units. This may reflect methodological inconsistencies across studies or true differences of predictors. In this study we assessed predictors of LoS in five European countries and explored whether their effect varies across countries.MethodsProspective cohort study. All patients admitted over 14 months to 57 psychiatric inpatient units in Belgium, Germany, Italy, Poland and United Kingdom were screened. Putative predictors were collected from medical records and in face-to-face interviews and tested for their association with LoS.ResultsAverage LoS varied from 17.9 days in Italy to 55.1 days in Belgium. In the overall sample being homeless, receiving benefits, social isolation, diagnosis of psychosis, greater symptom severity, substance use, history of previous admission and being involuntarily admitted predicted longer LoS. Several predictors showed significant interaction effects with countries in predicting LoS. One variable, homelessness, predicted a different LoS even in opposite directions, whilst for other predictors the direction of the association was the same, but the strength of the association with LoS varied across countries.ConclusionsThe same patient characteristics have a different impact on LoS in different contexts. Thus, although some predictor variables related to clinical severity and social dysfunction appear of generalisable relevance, national studies on LoS are required to understand the complex influence of different patient characteristics on clinical practice in the given contexts.