bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preparation of Organophilic Nanohybrid Kaolinite and Application to the Electrochemical Detection of Organic Pesticide
Authors: Ngassa Guy B. P. , Fafard Jonathan , Detellier Christian 
Published: September 2017

AbstractNovel organophilic nanohybrid materials (K‐TDD) were obtained by the grafting of 1,2‐tetradecanediol (TDD) onto the surface of kaolinite (K). XRD, IR, TGA‐DTG, and SEM characterization showed that TDD grafting results in a partial exfoliation of kaolinite layers. This material was used to modify a glassy carbon electrode (GCE/K‐TDD) and applied for the trace analysis of methyl parathion (MP). The signal of MP recorded on GCE/K‐TDD was more intense compared to the unmodified GCE or to one modified with a film of natural kaolinite. Several parameters that can affect the stripping response were systematically investigated to optimize the sensitivity of the organokaolinite‐modified electrode. A linear calibration curve for MP was obtained in the concentration range from 2×10−6 to 14×10−6 mol .L−1 in acetate buffer (pH 6), giving a detection limit of 9×10−8 mol .L−1. The sensitivity of the method was found to be 2.42 μA/μM for the range of concentrations that gives a linear calibration curve. The electrode was shown to be very stable, with the electrochemical response of MP decreasing by only 1.5 % after a series of nine measurements. The interference of various inorganic ions and organic compounds likely to influence the stripping determination of the MP were also examined. The results showed that the GCE/K‐TDD electrode was effective in solutions containing interfering species and could be applied for the quantification of MP pesticide in natural water.
Inhibition shapes the organization of hippocampal representations
Authors: McKenzie Sam 
Published: September 2017

AbstractHippocampal neurons become tuned to stimuli that predict behaviorally salient outcomes. This plasticity suggests that memory formation depends upon shifts in how different anatomical inputs can drive hippocampal activity. Here, I present evidence that inhibitory neurons can provide such a mechanism for learning‐related changes in the tuning of pyramidal cells. Inhibitory currents arriving on the dendrites of pyramidal cells determine whether an excitatory input can drive action potential output. Specificity and plasticity of this dendritic modulation allows for precise, modifiable changes in how afferent inputs are integrated, a process that defines a neuron's receptive field. In addition, feedback inhibition plays a fundamental role in biasing which excitatory neurons may be co‐active. By defining the rules of synchrony and the rules of input integration, interneurons likely play an important role in the organization of memory representation within the hippocampus.
Neurologic injury and patient displacement in gynecologic laparoscopic surgery using a beanbag and shoulder supports
Authors: Treszezamsky Alejandro D. , Fenske Suzanne , Moshier Erin L. , Ascher‐Walsh Charles J. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo quantify the incidence of peripheral neuropathy in gynecologic laparoscopic surgery using a combination of beanbag, eggcrate foam, and shoulder supports; and to assess patient displacement during surgery in a steep Trendelenburg position and determine variables correlated with displacement.MethodsA retrospective study included all gynecologic laparoscopic surgeries performed by one high‐volume surgeon at a US center between September 15, 2007, and September 15, 2012. Data included neurologic deficits or extremity pain, any other complications, and—for the final study year—surgical time as well as patient and beanbag displacement.ResultsAmong 967 patients, no long‐term neuropathy was reported, 6 (0.6%) patients had transient shoulder pain beyond the first 24 hours (resolved by initial postoperative visit), and 7 (0.7%) were lost to follow‐up. No neurologic complications were reported. Median beanbag and total patient displacement were 0 cm (interquartile range 0–0) and 0 cm (interquartile range 0–2), respectively. Patient displacement relative to the table was correlated with the total surgical time (P=0.025) and patient weight (P=0.023). The median displacement was greater in hysterectomy than non‐hysterectomy procedures (P=0.003).ConclusionUse of beanbags with shoulder supports and convoluted foam armboard pads was associated with minimal patient displacement and risk of arm and leg neurologic injury.
Synthesis and bioactivity assessment of high silica content quaternary glasses withCa:Pratios of 1.5 and 1.67, made by a rapid sol‐gel process
Authors: Ben‐Arfa Basam A. E. , Fernandes Hugo R. , Miranda Salvado Isabel M. , Ferreira José M. F. , Pullar Robert C. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractSol‐gel glasses in quaternary silica–sodium–calcium–phosphorous systems have been synthesized using a rotary evaporator for rapid drying without ageing. This novel fast drying method drastically decreases the total drying and ageing time from several weeks to only 1 hour, thus overcoming a serious drawback in sol‐gel preparation procedures for bioglasses. This work investigates the bioactivity behavior of two glasses synthesized by this fast method, with Ca:P ratios of 1.5, and 1.67. X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Inductive coupled plasma, Fourier‐transform infrared, and Raman spectroscopy were used to confirm the bioactivity of the synthesized powders. MAS‐NMR was also used to assess the degree of silica polymerization. The composition with a higher Ca:P = 1.67 ratio showed better bioactivity in comparison to the one with Ca:P = 1.5, which exhibited little bio‐response with up to 4 weeks of immersion in SBF (simulated body fluid). It was also found that an orbital agitation rate of 120 rpm favors the interfacial bio‐mineralization reactions, promoting the formation of a crystalline hydroxyapatite (HAp) layer at the surface of the (Ca:P = 1.67) composition after 2 weeks immersion in SBF. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 510–520, 2018.
N,N'‐methylenebis(acrylamide)‐crosslinked poly(acrylic acid) particles as doxorubicin carriers: A comparison between release behavior of physically loaded drug and conjugated drug via acid‐labile hydrazone linkage
Authors: Modarresi‐Saryazdi Seyedeh Mahnaz , Haddadi‐Asl Vahid , Salami‐Kalajahi Mehdi 
Published: September 2017

AbstractN,N'‐methylenebis(acrylamide) (MBA)‐crosslinked poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) particles with low degree of cross‐linking were synthesized using distillation precipitation polymerization. Size and size distribution of particles were obtained using dynamic light scattering and field emission scanning electron microscopy( and results showed that microspheres had a narrow size dispersity. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance results indicated that amount of cross‐linker in structure of particles is a little more than the molar percentage of feeded MBA because of greater activity ratio of MBA than AA. pH‐responsive behavior of samples was investigated using UV‐vis. absorption at 480 nm where each sample showed a sudden deplete in UV absorbance at a peculiar pH. Synthesized particles were used as carriers of anti‐cancer drug doxorubicin using two different approaches including physically loading of drug and drug conjugation via an acid‐labile hydrazone linkage. Release results showed that in the first case, amount of released drug has an inverse relationship with the amount of cross‐linker in the structure and also, by adding an acid‐labile linkage, the amount of burst release decreased drastically. Also, the amount of released drug for conjugated systems was much lesser than particles with physically loaded drug. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 342–348, 2018.
Biomechanical properties and healing effects of chitin patch in a rat full‐thickness abdominal wall defect model
Authors: Qiao Jing , Jiang Zhiwen , Liang Xuyue , Yang Yan , Liu Wanshun , Han Baoqin 
Published: September 2017

AbstractHernia repair is usually accompanied with the implantation of a synthetic mesh, which frequently results in a foreign body response and serious complications. In the present study, a novel biodegradable chitin‐based hernia patch was prepared and characterized. Biomechanical properties and biodegradability of the chitin patch were quantifiedin vitroandin vivo. In repair of the rat abdominal wall full‐thickness defect model, the chitin patch induced more abundant new blood vessels with milder tissue inflammation and fibrosis compared with polypropylene mesh. Chitin patch effectively inhibited excessive secretion of inflammation‐associated cytokines (IL‐6 and TNF‐α) (p < 0.01) and significantly increased the secretion of healing‐related cytokines (FGF1 and TGF‐β1) (p < 0.01). Accompanied by biodegradation of the chitin patch, intra‐abdominal adhesions caused by the chitin patch decreased significantly, and the tensile strength of the repaired site could meet the biomechanical requirements of human abdominal wall. After the one‐year observation period, the defected abdominal wall returned to the appropriate thickness with no obvious complication or hernia occurrence. In a conclusion, the newly designed chitin patch showed good biomechanical properties and satisfactory healing effects on the full‐thickness defect of abdominal wall, which makes it promising candidate for clinical hernia treatment. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 1349–1357, 2018.
Reference intervals for serum bilirubin, urea, and uric acid in healthy Chinese geriatric population
Authors: Yang Yuanqing , Jiang Hongmin , Tang Aiguo , Xiang Zhongyuan 
Published: September 2017

ObjectivesThe study aims to establish the reference intervals (RIs) for total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), urea (UR), and uric acid (UA) in healthy Chinese geriatric population.MethodsEight hundred and twenty cases from six representative geographical regions in China (including male 413 cases and female 407 cases) of apparently healthy individuals aged 60‐96 years were recruited. Serum TBIL, DBIL, UR, and UA were analyzed by automatic biochemical analyzer and RIs were determined following CLSI C28‐A3 guidelines using a non‐parametric method.ResultsIn apparently healthy Chinese geriatric population of China, the RIs of TBIL, DBIL, UR, and UA were 6.6~21.8 μmol/L, 1.9~8.0 μmol/L, 3.60~9.51 mmol/L, 179.2~460.9 μmol/L in males and 6.1~20.0 μmol/L, 1.8~7.1 μmol/L,3.35~8.89 mmol/L, 130.2~443.4 μmol/L in females, respectively.ConclusionsThe RIs of TBIL, DBIL, UR, and UA were established within apparently healthy geriatric Chinese population according to CLSIC28‐A3 document, providing a reference for the clinical.
Blinatumomab Pharmacodynamics and Exposure–Response Relationships in Relapsed/Refractory Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Zhu Min , Kratzer Andrea , Johnson Jessica , Holland Chris , Brandl Christian , Singh Indrajeet , Wolf Andreas , Doshi Sameer 
Published: September 2017

AbstractWe evaluated blinatumomab pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics (CD3+ T‐cell, CD19+ B‐cell, and cytokine levels), and their associations with efficacy or safety in relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Blinatumomab pharmacokinetics (continuous intravenous infusion) from a phase 2 study (n = 189; NCT01466179) were assessed noncompartmentally. Associations between steady‐state concentration (Css) and efficacy (complete remission [CR] or CR with partial hematologic recovery [CRh]) or safety (cytokine release syndrome [CRS] and neurologic events [NEs]) were evaluated with statistical models. Blinatumomab mean ± SD Css was 621 ± 502 pg/mL (28 μg/day dose). Cytokines were transiently elevated in >50% of patients; B‐cell levels decreased in most patients. Lower B‐cell and bone marrow (BM) blast percentages and higher T‐cell percentages were associated with higher CR/CRh (P < .001) in univariate analysis. Higher Css (OR, 1.90; 95%CI, 1.12‒3.21), higher peak IL‐10 level (1.59; 1.13‒2.22), and lower BM blast percentage (0.78; 0.69‒0.89) were associated with higher CR/CRh in multivariate analysis. Higher Css (HR, 1.40; 1.01–1.94) and lower B‐cell level (0.90; 0.84‒0.97) were associated with shorter time to NEs. Cytokine peaks were not associated with NEs or CRS. In conclusion, blinatumomab led to T cell‐mediated depletion of target B cells in blood and blasts in the bone marrow. Immune system effectiveness was important for treatment responses.
RNA Therapeutics in Oncology: Advances, Challenges, and Future Directions
Authors: MacLeod A. Robert , Crooke Stanley T. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractRNA‐based therapeutic technologies represent a rapidly expanding class of therapeutic opportunities with the power to modulate cellular biology in ways never before possible. With RNA‐targeted therapeutics, inhibitors of previously undruggable proteins, gene expression modulators, and even therapeutic proteins can be rationally designed based on sequence information alone, something that is not possible with other therapeutic modalities. The most advanced RNA therapeutic modalities are antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and small interfering RNAs. Particularly with ASOs, recent clinical data have demonstrated proof of mechanism and clinical benefit with these approaches across several nononcology disease areas by multiple routes of administration. In cancer, next‐generation ASOs have recently demonstrated single‐agent activity in patients with highly refractory cancers. Here we discuss advances in RNA therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and the challenges that remain to solidify these as mainstay therapeutic modalities to bridge the pharmacogenomic divide that remains in cancer drug discovery.
Repeated immune challenges affect testosterone but not sperm quality
Authors: Needham Katie B. , Kucera Aurelia C. , Heidinger Britt J. , Greives Timothy J. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractMounting an immunological response is energetically demanding and necessarily redirects allocation of resources toward immune system activation and away from other energetically expensive processes, such as reproduction. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a major component of the outer membrane of the cell wall of Gram‐negative bacteria Escherichia coli, mimics a bacterial infection without producing the cost of replicating the pathogen and is one of the most commonly used agents to induce an acute phase immune response. Here, we ask if a trade‐off can be induced between activation of the acute phase immune response and sperm function, a key indicator of sperm competitive ability. Further, we ask whether repeated exposure to this endotoxin in a social species such as the house sparrow (Passer domesticus), where repeated pathogen exposure may be common, may have a more pronounced effect. To address our questions, we exposed individuals to two rounds of LPS treatment or control, to mimic a repeated pathogen exposure in the wild. We predicted that repeated pathogen exposure would have detrimental effects on sperm quality, and therefore, reproductive success. We compared a measure of sperm quality (straight‐line velocity) in captive male house sparrows between LPS‐treated and control individuals. We found that although LPS treatment impaired circulating testosterone and induced a hypothermic state when compared with controls, it did not affect sperm quality within days or weeks following a single or repeated LPS exposure.
Analysis of the spotted gar genome suggests absence of causative link between ancestral genome duplication and transposable element diversification in teleost fish
Authors: Chalopin Domitille , Volff Jean‐Nicolas 
Published: September 2017

AbstractTeleost fish have been shown to contain many superfamilies of transposable elements (TEs) that are absent from most tetrapod genomes. Since theories predict an increase in TE activity following polyploidization, such diversity might be linked to the 3R whole‐genome duplication that occurred approximately 300 million years ago before the teleost radiation. To test this hypothesis, we have analyzed the genome of the spotted gar Lepisosteus oculatus, which diverged from the teleost lineage before the 3R duplication. Our results indicate that TE diversity and copy numbers are similar in gar and teleost genomes, suggesting that TE diversity was ancestral and not linked to the 3R whole‐genome duplication. We propose that about 25 distinct superfamilies of TEs were present in the last ancestor of gars and teleost fish about 300 million years ago in the ray‐finned fish lineage.
Impact of dietary beliefs and practices on patients with inflammatory bowel disease: An observational study from India
Authors: Tomar Sanjeevani K , Kedia Saurabh , Upadhyay Ashish D , Bopanna Sawan , Yadav Dawesh P , Goyal Sandeep , Jain Saransh , Makharia Govind , Ahuja Vineet , Singh Namrata 
Published: September 2017

Background and AimPatients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at a risk of nutritional deficits because of poor dietary beliefs and practices. There are no data on this aspect from Asia, which is experiencing a rise in IBD incidence. We aimed to establish dietary beliefs and practices in patients of IBD from India.MethodsPatients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) followed up between November 2016 and March 2017 were included. A questionnaire extracted information on the patients' sociodemographic, nutritional and disease profile, smoking and drinking habits, dietary beliefs and practices, current dietary preferences, intake and avoidance, dietary changes made after diagnosis of IBD, dietary changes made during relapse, frequency of consumption of major food groups, and the attitudes toward dietary advice.ResultsA total of 316 patients (218 UC and 98 CD; mean age: 38.5 ± 12.2 years) were included. Forty‐four percent patients perceived food as a risk factor for IBD, 52% felt dietary habits to have a more important role than medicines in disease control, 77% reported certain foods improve symptoms during relapse, 86% had modified their diet since the diagnosis of IBD (UC > CD, P = 0.04), 90% imposed food restrictions, and <50% had received dietary counseling. About 40% of patients could not meet their dietary requirements and 66% had decreased their dietary intake since diagnosis, which further decreased during relapse (85%).ConclusionDietary beliefs and practices play a central role in perception of disease in IBD patients. A large majority of them make dietary changes which can lead to undernutrition. Proper dietary counseling is required in these patients to prevent malnutrition.
Drug resistance in intestinal tuberculosis: A reason to worry?
Authors: Sonambekar Ajinkya , Desai Devendra , Abraham Philip , Mehta Vatsal , Samant Hrishikesh , Joshi Anand , Gupta Tarun , Rodrigues Camilla 
Published: September 2017

Background and AimEmergence of drug resistance in intestinal tuberculosis (ITB) makes the treatment of this condition challenging. While there is growing evidence of multiple and extensive drug resistance in pulmonary and glandular tuberculosis (TB), literature regarding susceptibility and resistance patterns in ITB is scarce. The aim of the current paper was to study the prevalence of drug resistance in patients with ITB.MethodsAmong patients presenting to a tertiary care hospital in Mumbai between 2008 and 2016, records of all patients with ITB, whose mucosal biopsy (obtained at ileocolonoscopy) tissue culture was positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis and in whom drug sensitivity testing was performed, were retrospectively analyzed. Sensitivity and resistance to single or multiple anti‐TB drugs were noted.ResultsA total of 43 patients were included, of whom 10 (23.2%) patients were diagnosed to have resistance to at least one first‐line anti‐TB drug. Resistance to isoniazid was the most common (nine patients), followed by rifampicin (six), pyrazinamide (five), streptomycin and ethionamide (four each), ethambutol, moxifloxacin and ofloxacin (three each), and p‐amino salicylic acid (one). Six patients (13.9%) had multidrug‐resistant TB and needed second‐line anti‐TB therapy as per drug sensitivity pattern. There was no patient with extensive drug‐resistant TB.ConclusionTwenty‐three percent of our patients with ITB tested for drug resistance had drug resistance, 13.9% being multidrug resistant and needing second‐line anti‐TB therapy.
Liver stiffness measurement predicts hepatocellular carcinoma development in patients treated with direct‐acting antivirals
Authors: Tachi Yoshihiko , Hirai Takanori , Kojima Yuko , Ishizu Yoji , Honda Takashi , Kuzuya Teiji , Hayashi Kazuhiko , Ishigami Masatoshi , Goto Hidemi 
Published: September 2017

Background and AimPredictive factors for hepatocarcinogenesis following eradication of hepatitis C virus by direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs) are unknown. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationships between liver stiffness (LS) using acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) erastograghy and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients who achieved sustained virological response (SVR) treated with DAA.MethodsIn this prospective study, we enrolled 263 hepatitis C patients with SVR who underwent ARFI before DAA treatment. Thirty patients had previous HCC.ResultsThe median LS value according to ARFI measurements was 1.34 m/s (range: 0.67–4.35). During the follow‐up period (median: 18.1 months), development of HCC occurred in 19 patients (7.2%; HCC occurrence in 7 patients and HCC recurrence in 12 patients). By multivariate Cox regression analysis, HCC history (hazard ratio [HR]: 10.634; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.13–27.37; P = 0.001), older age (HR: 4.638; 95% CI: 1.63–13.61; P = 0.004) and higher total bilirubin levels (HR: 4.189; 95% CI: 1.66–10.60; P = 0.002) were independent predictors for the development of HCC, and higher LS value (≥1.73 m/s) at baseline was an independent predictor for HCC occurrence (HR: 8.350; 95% CI: 1.62–43.09; P = 0.011). The cumulative recurrence of HCC was statistically similar according to the degree of LS in patients who were previously treated for HCC.ConclusionThe LS value at baseline is useful for predicting HCC occurrence. Thus, even if SVR is achieved, patients with higher LS at baseline must be followed carefully for HCC occurrence.
Analyzing fatigue in prolonged watching of 3DTV with ReHo approach
Authors: Chen Chunxiao , Wang Jing , Liu Yupin , Chen Xin 
Published: September 2017

AbstractFatigue caused by the prolonged watching of 3DTV has been paid great attention about the safety for viewers. We used regional homogeneity (ReHo) to measure the local synchronization of resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging signals both before and after watching 2D or 3D television. Twenty normal subjects were all measured four times: scans before watching television (3D‐Pre/2D‐Pre) and immediately after watching television for 1 h (3D‐Post/2D‐Post). The variation of ReHo was investigated in 2D/3D groups, and then the influence of watching 2D/3D TV on the spectators was estimated. Compared with the 3D‐Pre, the 3D‐Post showed significantly higher ReHo in the right inferior occipital gyrus (BA18/19) and right middle occipital gyrus (BA18/19), left postcentral gyrus (BA2/3/4/7), and small area of BA9/10 in left frontal lobe. Additionally, increased ReHo regions in the 2D‐Post was observed in the left medial frontal gyrus (BA9/10/32), left cingulate gyrus (BA24), and right anterior cingulate (BA32) as compared with the 2D‐Pre. For the 2D group, subjects mainly feel mental fatigue, which could be caused by prolonged attention. For the 3D group, watching TV primarily causes visual fatigue because of the constant change of depth of focus and mild mental fatigue. The study indicates the adverse effects of 3DTV on visual function.