bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A multivariate assessment of the Dali hominin cranium from China: Morphological affinities and implications for Pleistocene evolution in East Asia
Authors: Athreya Sheela , Wu Xinzhi 
Published: October 2017

AbstractObjectivesA nearly complete hominin fossil cranium from Dali in Shaanxi Province, China was excavated in 1978. We update and expand on previous research by providing a multivariate analysis of the specimen relative to a large sample of Middle and Late Pleistocene hominins.Materials and MethodsWe apply principal components analysis, discriminant function analysis, and a method of assessing group membership based on a soft independent model of class analogy (SIMCA) to the study of Dali's cranial morphology. We evaluate Dali's affinities within the context of Middle and Late Pleistocene Homo patterns of craniofacial morphology.ResultsWhen just the facial skeleton is considered, Dali aligns with Middle Paleolithic H. sapiens and is clearly more derived than African or Eurasian Middle Pleistocene Homo. When just the neurocranium is considered, Dali is most similar to African and Eastern Eurasian but not Western European Middle Pleistocene Homo. When both sets of variables are considered together, Dali exhibits a unique morphology that is most closely aligned with the earliest H. sapiens from North Africa and the Levant.DiscussionThese results add perspective to our previous view of as Dali a “transitional” form between Chinese H. erectus and H. sapiens. Athough no taxonomic allocation is appropriate at this time for Dali, it appears to represent a population that played a more central role in the origin of Chinese H. sapiens. Dali's affinities can be understood in the context of Wu's Continuity with Hybridization scenario and a braided‐stream network model of gene flow. Specifically, we propose that Pleistocene populations in China were shaped by periods of isolated evolutionary change within local lineages at certain times, and gene flow between local lineages or between Eastern and Western Eurasia, and Africa at other times, resulting in contributions being made in different capacities to different regions at different times.
Ein antibakterielles β‐Lacton bekämpft Mycobacterium tuberculosis durch Infiltration der Mykolsäurebiosynthese
Authors: Lehmann Johannes , Cheng Tan‐Yun , Aggarwal Anup , Park Annie S. , Zeiler Evelyn , Raju Ravikiran M. , Akopian Tatos , Kandror Olga , Sacchettini James C. , Moody D. Branch , Rubin Eric J. , Sieber Stephan A. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractEine der größten Herausforderungen für die Behandlung von Infektionen mit Mykobakterium tuberculosis ist Resistenzverbreitung. Des Weiteren ist die Aktivität vieler Wirkstoffe durch die limitierte Durchlässigkeit der Mykomembran eingeschränkt. Etablierte Antibiotika setzen daher auf die Lahmlegung der Mykomembranbiosynthese und führen zu einem schnellen Sterben der Zellen. Dieser Wirkmechanismus lieferte die Motivation, β‐Lactone als mögliche Mykolsäuremimetika einzusetzen und so Serinhydrolasen, die in den Biosyntheseweg involviert sind, zu inhibieren. Tests an einer Sammlung von β‐Lactonen brachten eine Verbindung hervor, die vielversprechende mykobakterielle und bakteriolytische Wirkung zeigte. Chemische Proteomanalysen mithilfe einer alkinhaltigen Sonde ließen auf die Serinhydrolasen Pks13 und Ag85 als Hauptziele schließen. Durch Enzymstudien und eine neuartige Methode zur 13C‐Markierung von Metaboliten wurde gezeigt, dass beide Enzyme durch das β‐Lacton funktionell inhibiert wurden. In Kombination mit Antibiotika konnte zudem eine mehr als 100‐fach gesteigerte antibakterielle Aktivität gezeigt werden, was ein therapeutisches Potenzial für die Inhibition der Mykomembranbiosynthese birgt.
One‐step in situ growth of magnesium ferrite nanorods on graphene and their microwave‐absorbing properties
Authors: Chen Wei , Liu Qingyun , Zhu Xixi , Fu Min 
Published: October 2017

The magnesium ferrite nanorods/graphene (MgFe2O4 NR/G) composites were prepared by a facile one‐step surfactant‐assisted solvothermal method. The structure and morphology of as‐prepared composite materials were characterized by electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometry, Raman spectrometry, X‐ray diffraction, FT‐IR and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The homogeneous MgFe2O4 nanorods with a typical diameter of about 100 nm were well distributed on graphene. The electromagnetic parameters were measured using a vector network analyzer. A minimum reflection loss (RL) of −40.3 dB was observed at 14.9 GHz with a thickness of 3 mm, and the effective absorption frequency (RL  <   − 10 dB) ranged from 12.0 to 18.0 GHz, indicating the remarkable microwave absorption performance of the MgFe2O4 NR/G composites. The absorbing property of as‐obtained composites was better than that of the pure MgFe2O4 nanorods. The synergistic effect of MgFe2O4 and graphene was responsible for the enhanced absorbing performance.
One‐step Preparation of Carbon‐based Solid Acid Catalyst from Water Hyacinth Leaves for Esterification of Oleic Acid and Dehydration of Xylose
Authors: Laohapornchaiphan Jutitorn , Smith Christopher B. , Smith Siwaporn Meejoo 
Published: October 2017

AbstractCarbon‐based solid acid catalysts were successfully obtained via one‐step hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of water hyacinth (WH) in the presence of p‐toluenesulfonic acid (PTSA). Increasing the HTC temperature from 180 to 240 °C resulted in carbonaceous materials with increased sulfur content and less adsorbed water. The material obtained at 220 °C (WH‐PTSA‐220) contains the highest amount of acid sites and promotes the highest initial rate of two transformations, that is, methanolysis of oleic acid and dehydration of xylose to furfural. While all PSTA‐treated WH catalysts gave comparable fatty acid conversions (≈97 %) and furfural yields (≈60 %) after prolonged reaction times, the WH‐PTSA‐240 system bearing a relatively low acid density maintains the most favorable reusability profile. Higher HTC temperatures (220–240 °C) improved the catalyst reusability profiles due to graphitization and hydrophobicity of the carbon surface. The catalyst systems derived herein from biomass may have potential applications in biorefining platforms, utilizing the conversion of waste biomass to chemicals.
Prediction errors for state occupation and transition probabilities in multi‐state models
Authors: Spitoni Cristian , Lammens Violette , Putter Hein 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIn this paper, we consider the estimation of prediction errors for state occupation probabilities and transition probabilities for multistate time‐to‐event data. We study prediction errors based on the Brier score and on the Kullback–Leibler score and prove their properness. In the presence of right‐censored data, two classes of estimators, based on inverse probability weighting and pseudo‐values, respectively, are proposed, and consistency properties of the proposed estimators are investigated. The second part of the paper is devoted to the estimation of dynamic prediction errors for state occupation probabilities for multistate models, conditional on being alive, and for transition probabilities. Cross‐validated versions are proposed. Our methods are illustrated on the CSL1 randomized clinical trial comparing prednisone versus placebo for liver cirrhosis patients.
Polypeptoid polymers: Synthesis, characterization, and properties
Authors: Chan Brandon A. , Xuan Sunting , Li Ang , Simpson Jessica M. , Sternhagen Garrett L. , Yu Tianyi , Darvish Omead A. , Jiang Naisheng , Zhang Donghui 
Published: October 2017

AbstractPolypeptoids, a class of peptidomimetic polymers, have emerged at the forefront of macromolecular and supramolecular science and engineering as the technological relevance of these polymers continues to be demonstrated. The chemical and structural diversity of polypeptoids have enabled access to and adjustment of a variety of physicochemical and biological properties (eg, solubility, charge characteristics, chain conformation, HLB, thermal processability, degradability, cytotoxicity and immunogenicity). These attributes have made this synthetic polymer platform a potential candidate for various biomedical and biotechnological applications. This review will provide an overview of recent development in synthetic methods to access polypeptoid polymers with well‐defined structures and highlight some of the fundamental physicochemical and biological properties of polypeptoids that are pertinent to the future development of functional materials based on polypeptoids.
Bioprosthetic tricuspid valve thrombosis: Percutaneous PFO closure to improve hypoxia and respiratory failure
Authors: Flueckiger Peter , Singleton Matthew , Vasu Sujethra , Zhao David 
Published: October 2017

AbstractProsthetic valve thrombosis (PVT) is an increasingly recognized complication of bioprosthetic valve replacement, often resulting in abnormal hemodynamic, endothelial, and hemostatic conditions. Bioprosthetic PVT may lead to significant hemodynamic and clinical effects. In hemodynamically stable patients, first‐line treatment for bioprosthetic PVT is systemic anticoagulation. However, concomitant cardiovascular pathology may lead to additional clinical sequalae that requires acute therapeutic interventions. We describe two cases in which bioprosthetic PVT leads to hemodynamically significant intracardiac shunting through pre‐existing patent foramen ovales requiring percutaneous closure with a Cribriform AMPLATZER occluder device. We also review the treatment for bioprosthetic PVT and discuss important clinical and hemodynamic considerations.
Percutaneous transcatheter aortic valve replacement induces femoral artery shrinkage: angiographic evidence and predictors for a new side effect
Authors: Shoeib Osama , Burzotta Francesco , Aurigemma Cristina , Paraggio Lazzaro , Viccaro Fausta , Porto Italo , Leone Antonio Maria , Bruno Piergiorgio , Trani Carlo 
Published: October 2017

AbstractObjectivesWe sought to investigate the possible impact of transaortic valve replacement (TAVR) on common femoral artery (CFA) integrity as assessed by angiography.BackgroundCFA represents the most adopted access for TAVR but various degrees of vascular damage may be induced by the procedure.MethodsPatients underwent percutaneous transfemoral TAVR who had both pre‐ and post‐TAVR access‐site angiography were retrospectively selected. Clinical and procedural data (including technique and complications) were prospectively recorded into a structured TAVR database. Pre‐TAVR and post‐TAVR angiograms were analyzed using a quantitative angiographic analysis software to assess reference diameters, minimum luminal diameter (MLD), and percentage of diameter stenosis (DS).ResultsA total of 124 patients entered the study (mean age: 85 years, mean Euroscore II: 10%). ProStar (13.5%) and double ProGlide (82.2%) preclosure were the main hemostatic techniques. CFA exhibited a significant shrinkage with TAVR as assessed by significant MLD reduction (5.6 mm after TAVR vs. 6.8 mm before, P < .001) and DS increase (30.3% after vs. 17.0%, P < .001). Such differences remained statistically significant after exclusion of 18 patients (14.2%) who had (minor or major) vascular complications. At multivariable analysis, pre‐TAVR DS (P = .03) and history of peripheral arterial disease (P = .01), were significantly associated with vascular complications.ConclusionsPercutaneous TAVR induces an angiographically detectable CFA lumen reduction. Such findings call for further studies assessing clinical impact of this phenomenon and open the door for further refinements of the TAVR access management aimed at preserving vessel integrity.
Use of systemic bivalirudin with catheter‐directed thrombolysis in a patient with heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia: A case report
Authors: Badreldin Hisham A. , Rimsans Jessica , Connors Jean M. , Wiviott Stephen D. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIn patients with submassive pulmonary embolism, the use of catheter‐directed thrombolysis (CDT), using low‐dose alteplase is associated with improvement in overall hemodynamics. The data for use of CDT in patients with heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia are limited. We report a case of CDT in a patient with HIT using bivalirudin anticoagulation. Data of the use of bivalirudin and argatroban for systemic anticoagulation with CDT are limited.
A case of bronchopericardial fistula with tension pneumopericardium closed successfully by transpericardial intervention: A novel procedure
Authors: Shelke Abhijeet B. , Kawade Ramesh , Gandhi Sourabh 
Published: October 2017

AbstractA pneumopericardium is a collection of air or gas in the pericardial sac which may cause cardiac tamponade, known as tension pneumopericardium. Tension pneumopericardium is a rare and lethal presentation of bronchopericardial fistula. There are very few reports in the literature of patients surviving with this condition, although prompt diagnosis and early intervention are important. Treatment options are limited. We present a rare case of tension pneumopericardium with cardiogenic shock due to bronchopericardial fistula in a patient with bronchogenic carcinoma who was successfully treated with transpericardial intervention.
Clinical and procedural outcomes with the SAPIEN 3 versus the SAPIEN XT prosthetic valves in transcatheter aortic valve replacement: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Tummala Ramyashree , Banerjee Kinjal , Sankaramangalam Kesavan , Mick Stephanie , Krishnaswamy Amar , White Jonathon , Fares Maan , Mehta Anand , Popovic Zoran , Svensson Lars G. , Kapadia Samir R. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractObjectivesThe SAPIEN 3 valve (S3V) was designed to overcome the shortcomings of its predecessor, the SAPIEN XT (SXT) valve. We conducted a meta‐analysis to compare their clinical outcomes and procedural characteristics.MethodsPUBMED, EMBASE, and Cochrane CENTRAL were searched by two independent reviewers. The clinical outcomes of interest were paravalvular leakage (PVL), major vascular complications (MVC), bleeding, acute kidney injury (AKI), device success, need for post dilation all‐cause mortality and procedural details.ResultsFifteen observational cohort studies were included in the analysis involving a total of 4,496 patients. Of these, 1,700 were S3V recipients and 2,796 were SXT recipients. The S3V group showed fewer complications compared to the SXT group with respect to PVL (5.58% vs. 19.35%, OR: 0.27, P: 0.000), MVC (4.07% vs. 9.13%, OR: 0.44, P: 0.002), bleeding (6.40% vs. 12.03%, OR: 0.50, P: 0.003), 30‐day mortality (3.29% vs. 5.68%, OR: 0.51, P: 0.000), and stroke (1.48% vs. 2.86%, OR: 0.49, P: 0.014). Device success was higher in the S3V (98.18% vs. 93.76%, OR: 3.14, P: 0.000). Cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction, AKI and post‐dilatation were not significantly different. Permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) was higher in S3V recipients (13.29% vs. 9.23%, OR: 1.58, P: 0.000). Procedure time was shorter for the S3V (71.94 vs. 86.85, P: 0.016) and used less contrast volume (129.36 vs. 161.18, P: 0.049).ConclusionsPatients receiving the S3V had lower risk of PVL, MVC, bleeding, mortality, and stroke. PPI was somewhat higher in the S3V group. S3V implantation was faster and used less contrast.
ortho‐Quinones and Analogues Thereof: Highly Reactive Intermediates for Fast and Selective Biofunctionalization
Authors: Bruins Jorick J. , Albada Bauke , van Delft Floris 
Published: October 2017

AbstractFast, selective and facile functionalization of biologically relevant molecules is a pursuit of ever‐growing importance. A promising approach in this regard employs the high reactivity of quinone and quinone analogues for fast conjugation chemistry by nucleophilic addition or cycloadditions. Combined with in situ generation of these compounds, selective conjugation on proteins and surfaces can be uniquely induced in a time and spatially resolved manner: generation of a quinone can often be achieved by simple addition of an enzyme or stoichiometric amounts of chemoselective oxidant, or by exposure to light. In this Minireview, we discuss the generation and subsequent functionalization of quinones, iminoquinones, and quinone methides. We also discuss practical applications regarding these conjugation strategies.
Myc binding protein 2 suppresses M2‐like phenotypes in macrophages during zymosan‐induced inflammation in mice
Authors: Pierre Sandra , Zhang Dong Dong , Suo Jing , Kern Katharina , Tarighi Neda , Scholich Klaus 
Published: October 2017

AbstractMYCBP2 is an E3 ubiquitin ligase, which is well characterized as a key element in the inhibition of neuronal growth, synapse formation and synaptic strength by regulating several signaling pathways. Although MYCBP2 was suspected to be expressed also in immune cells, to date nothing is known about its role in inflammation. We used Multi‐epitope ligand cartography (MELC), a method for multiple sequential immunohistology, to show that MYCBP2 is strongly expressed in monocyte‐derived macrophages during zymosan‐induced inflammation. We generated a myeloid‐specific knockout mouse and found that loss of MYCBP2 in myeloid cells reduced nociceptive (painful) behavior during the resolution phase (1–3 days after zymosan injection). Quantitative MELC analyses and flow cytometric analysis showed an increased number of CD206‐expressing macrophages in the inflamed paw tissue. Fittingly, CD206 and arginase 1 expression was upregulated in MYCBP2‐deficient bone marrow‐derived macrophages after polarization with IL10 or IL4. The regulation of protein expression in these macrophages by MYCBP2 varied depending on the polarization signal. The increased IL10‐induced CD206 expression in MYCBP2‐deficient macrophages was mediated by p38 MAPK, while IL4‐induced CD206 expression in MYCBP2‐deficient macrophages was mediated by protein kinase A.
The immunoproteasome subunit LMP7 is required in the murine thymus for filling up a hole in the T cell repertoire
Authors: Basler Michael , Mundt Sarah , Groettrup Marcus 
Published: October 2017

AbstractCells of hematopoietic origin express high levels of the immunoproteasome, a cytokine‐inducible variant of the proteasome which has been implicated in regulating inflammatory responses and antigen presentation. In the thymus, medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) and cortical thymic epithelial cells (cTECs) do express different proteasome subunits exerting chymotrypsin‐like activities suggesting distinct functions in thymic T cell selection. Employing the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection model, we could show that the immunoproteasome subunit LMP7 was absolutely required for the generation of LCMV GP118‐125‐specific T cells although the class I mediated presentation of GP118‐125 was not dependent on LMP7. Using bone marrow chimeras and adoptive transfer of LMP7‐deficient CD8+ T cells into RAG1‐deficient mice we show that LMP7‐deficient mice lacked GP118‐125‐specific T cell precursors and that LMP7 was required in radioresistant cells – most likely thymic epithelial cells ‐ to enable their selection. Since LMP7 is strongly expressed in negatively selecting mTECs but barely in positively selecting cTECs our data suggest that LMP7 was required to avoid excessive negative selection of GP118‐125‐specific T cell precursors. Taken together, this study demonstrates that the immunoproteasome is a crucial factor for filling up holes within the cytotoxic T cell repertoire.
Application of an Electrochemical Method to Evaluation of Amyloid‐β Aggregation Inhibitors: Testing the RGKLVFFGR‐NH2 Peptide Antiaggregant
Authors: Suprun Elena V. , Radko Sergey P. , Farafonova Tatiana E. , Mitkevich Vladimir A. , Makarov Alexander A. , Archakov Alexander I. , Shumyantseva Victoria V. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe aggregation of amyloid‐β peptide (Aβ) is believed to play a crucial role in the Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis and is considered as a therapeutic target for treating AD. The Aβ electrooxidation via a Tyr‐10 residue, sensitive to a depletion of a pool of Aβ monomers and oligomers in the course of Aβ aggregation, may be employed for testing natural and synthetic organic compounds (including short peptides) potentially able to inhibit the pathological Aβ aggregation (antiaggregants). In the present work, using the known peptide antiaggregant RGKLVFFGR‐NH2 (OR2) and its scrambled variant KGLRVGFRF‐NH2 as a control, we demonstrate that the electrochemical method based on electrooxidation of an Aβ42 Tyr‐10 residue, when combined with methods allowing for the evaluation of the Aβ42 aggregate structure and size, can provide essential information regarding the antiaggregant impact on Aβ42 aggregation. Electrochemical measurements were performed using square wave voltammetry on carbon screen printed electrodes whereas the Aβ42 aggregate structure and size were analyzed by means of the conventional thioflavin T (ThT) based fluorescence assay and dynamic light scattering. While inhibiting Aβ42 fibrillation as manifested by the unchanged level of ThT fluorescence, the OR2 peptide antiaggregant had no effect on the decrease of Aβ42 electrooxidation current in the course of Aβ42 aggregation. These observations suggest that OR2 does not stop the aggregation but redirects it into a pathway where amorphous rather than fibrillar aggregates are formed. Hence, the direct electrochemistry appears to offer a simple and cost‐effective approach for probing potential peptide antiaggregants, which is complementary to methods based on detecting Aβ aggregates.
Separation of chiral compounds using magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles as stationary phase by microchip capillary electrochromatography
Authors: Wu Lu‐Lu , Liang Ru‐Ping , Chen Juan , Qiu Jian‐Ding 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIn this work, a simple and rapid approach was developed for separation and detection of chiral compounds based on a magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer modified poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) microchip coupled with electrochemical detection. Molecularly imprinted polymers were prepared employing Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) as the supporting substrate and norepinephrine as the functional monomer in the presence of template molecule in a weak alkaline solution. After extracting the embedded template molecules, Fe3O4@polynorepinephrine NPs (MIP–Fe3O4@PNE NPs) showed specific molecular recognition selectivity and high affinity towards the template molecule, which were then used as stationary phase of microchip capillary electrochromatography for chiral compounds separation. Mandelic acid and histidine enantiomers were used as model compounds to test the chiral stationary phase. By using R‐mandelic acid as the template molecule, mandelic acid enantiomer was effectively separated and detected on the MIP‐Fe3O4@PNE NPs modified PDMS microchip. Moreover, the successful separation of histidine enantiomers on the MIP–Fe3O4@PNE NPs modified microchip using L‐histidine as template molecule was also achieved.
Electrothermal enrichment of submicron particles in an insulator‐based dielectrophoretic microdevice
Authors: Kale Akshay , Song Le , Lu Xinyu , Yu Liandong , Hu Guoqing , Xuan Xiangchun 
Published: October 2017

AbstractInsulator‐based dielectrophoresis (iDEP) exploits in‐channel hurdles and posts etc. to create electric field gradients for various particle manipulations. However, the presence of such insulating structures also amplifies the Joule heating in the fluid around themselves, leading to both temperature gradients and electrothermal flow. These Joule heating effects have been previously demonstrated to weaken the dielectrophoretic focusing and trapping of microscale and nanoscale particles. We find that the electrothermal flow vortices are able to entrain submicron particles for a localized enrichment near the insulating tips of a ratchet microchannel. This increase in particle concentration is reasonably predicted by a full‐scale numerical simulation of the mass transport along with the coupled charge, heat and fluid transport. Our model also predicts the electric current and flow pattern in the fluid with a good agreement with the experimental observations.