bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neuronal expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor in the injured telencephalon of adult zebrafish
Authors: Cacialli Pietro , D'angelo Livia , Kah Olivier , Coumailleau Pascal , Gueguen Marie‐Madeleine , Pellegrini Elisabeth , Lucini Carla 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe reparative ability of the central nervous system varies widely in the animal kingdom. In the mammalian brain, the regenerative mechanisms are very limited and newly formed neurons do not survive longer, probably due to a non‐suitable local environment. On the opposite, fish can repair the brain after injury, with fast and complete recovery of damaged area. The brain of zebrafish, a teleost fish widely used as vertebrate model, also possesses high regenerative properties after injury. Taking advantage of this relevant model, the aim of the present study was to investigate the role of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the regenerative ability of adult brain, after stab wound telencephalic injury. BDNF is involved in many brain functions and plays key roles in the repair process after traumatic brain lesions. It has been reported that BDNF strengthens the proliferative activity of neuronal precursor cells, facilitates the neuronal migration toward injured areas, and shows survival properties due to its anti‐apoptotic effects. BDNF mRNA levels, assessed by quantitative PCR and in situ hybridization at 1, 4, 7, and 15 days after the lesion, were increased in the damaged telencephalon, mostly suddenly after the lesion. Double staining using in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry revealed that BDNF mRNA was restricted to cells identified as mature neurons. BDNF mRNA expressing neurons mostly increased in the area around the lesion, showing a peak 1 day after the lesion. Taken together, these results highlight the role of BDNF in brain repair processes and reinforce the value of zebrafish for the study of regenerative neurogenesis.
Identifying unique subtypes of spinal afferent nerve endings within the urinary bladder of mice
Authors: Spencer Nick J. , Greenheigh Sarah , Kyloh Melinda , Hibberd Tim J. , Sharma Harman , Grundy Luke , Brierley Stuart M. , Harrington Andrea M. , Beckett Elizabeth A. , Brookes Simon J. , Zagorodnyuk Vladimir P. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractSpinal afferent neurons are responsible for the transduction and transmission of noxious (painful) stimuli and innocuous stimuli that do not reach conscious sensations from visceral organs to the central nervous system. Although the location of the nerve cell bodies of spinal afferents is well known to reside in dorsal root ganglia (DRG), the morphology and location of peripheral nerve endings of spinal afferents that transduce sensory stimuli into action potentials is poorly understood. The individual nerve endings of spinal afferents that innervate the urinary bladder have never been unequivocally identified in any species. We used an anterograde tracing technique developed in our laboratory to selectively label only spinal afferents. Mice were anesthetized and unilateral injections of dextran‐amine made into lumbosacral DRGs (L5‐S2). Seven to nine days postsurgery, mice were euthanized, the urinary bladder removed, then fresh‐fixed and stained for immunoreactivity to calcitonin‐gene‐related‐peptide (CGRP). Four distinct morphological types of spinal afferent ending in the bladder were identified. Three types existed in the detrusor muscle and one major type in the sub‐urothelium and urothelium. Most nerve endings were located in detrusor muscle where the three types could be identified as having: “branching”, “simple”, or “complex” morphology. The majority of spinal afferent nerve endings were CGRP‐immunoreactive. Single spinal afferent axons bifurcated many times upon entering the bladder and developed varicosities along their axon terminal endings. We present the first morphological identification of spinal afferent nerve endings in the mammalian urinary bladder.
Acoustophoretic separation of infected erythrocytes from blood plasma in a microfluidic platform using biofunctionalized, matched‐impedance layers
Authors: Gupta Tamaghna , Ghosh Ritwick , Ganguly Ranjan 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAcoustophoresis is rapidly gaining prominence in the field of cell manipulation. In recent years, researchers have extensively used this method for separating different types of cells from the bulk fluid. In this paper, we propose a novel acoustophoresis‐based technique to capture infected or abnormal erythrocytes from blood plasma. A typical acoustic device consisting of a transducer assembly, microfluidic cavity, and a reflector is considered. Based on the concept of impedance matching, a pair of antibody‐coated polystyrene layers is placed in the nodal regions of an acoustic field within the cavity. This technique allows bi‐directional migration of the suspended cells to the biofunctionalized surfaces. Therefore, simultaneous capture of infected erythrocytes on both the layers is feasible. Finite element method is used to model the pressure field as well as the motion of erythrocytes under the influence of acoustic radiation, drag, and gravitational forces. A parametric analysis is done by varying the excitation frequency, driving voltage, and the thickness of the polystyrene layers. The resulting changes in the pressure amplitude and field pattern are investigated. The erythrocyte collection efficiency, rate of collection, and the cell distribution on the layer surfaces are also determined under different field conditions. The occurrence of transient cavitation in the blood plasma‐filled cavity at the chosen frequency is taken into account by using its threshold pressure value as the limiting factor of pressure amplitude. The study provides an insight into the phenomenon and serves as a guideline to fabricate low‐cost, multifunctional rapid diagnostic devices based on acoustophoretic separation.
Charging Load Aggregation Potential of Multiple Electric Vehicles Based on Road Traffic Census Data
Authors: TESHIGAWARA YU , IKEGAMI TAKASHI 
Published: November 2017

SUMMARYHigh penetration of renewable generation systems will lead to supply–demand imbalances, and will also require output curtailment of renewable power plants. We focused on management of electric vehicle fleet charging which can promote charging during specific time zone for reducing this curtailment. In this study, we evaluated the Charging Promoting Potential (CPP) of passenger electric vehicles (EVs) using optimization model based on the mixed‐integer linear programming. In addition, we also evaluated the CPP of other EVs, such as electric buses and electric trucks. We found that wider zone of the charging promoting time led effective concentration of charging load. Furthermore, we found that the CPP of the electric buses is higher than those of the passenger EVs and electric trucks.
Improved weighted average consensus in distributed cooperative spectrum sensing networks
Authors: Hernandes Aislan Gabriel , Proença Jr. Mario Lemes , Abrão Taufik 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThis work proposes a fully distributed improved weighted average consensus (IWAC) technique applied to a cooperative spectrum sensing (CSS) problem in cognitive radio systems. This method allows the secondary users to cooperate based on only local information exchange without a fusion centre. We have compared 4 rules of average consensus (AC) algorithms. The first rule is the simple AC without weights. The AC rule presents performance comparable to the traditional CSS techniques such as the equal gain combining rule, which is a soft combining centralised method. Another technique is the weighted AC (WAC) rule, using the weights based on the SUs' channel condition. This technique results in a performance similar to that of the maximum ratio combining with soft combining (centralised CSS). Two new AC rules are analysed, namely, WAC accuracy exchange (WAC‐AE) and IWAC; the former relates the weights to the channel conditions of the SUs' neighbours, whereas the latter combines the conditions of WAC and WAC‐AE in the same rule. All methods are compared with each other and with the hard combining centralised CSS. The WAC‐AE results in a similar performance of the WAC technique but with fast convergence, whereas the IWAC can deliver suitable performance with small complexity increment. Moreover, the IWAC method results in a similar convergence rate than the WAC‐AE method but slightly higher than the AC and WAC methods. Hence, the computational complexity of IWAC, WAC‐AE, and WAC is proven to be very similar. The analyses are based on numerical Monte Carlo simulations, whereas the algorithm's convergence is evaluated for both fixed and dynamic mobile communication scenarios and under additive white Gaussian noise and Rayleigh channels.
Multifactorial disease risk calculator: Risk prediction for multifactorial disease pedigrees
Authors: Campbell Desmond D , Li Yiming , Sham Pak C 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACTConstruction of multifactorial disease models from epidemiological findings and their application to disease pedigrees for risk prediction is nontrivial for all but the simplest of cases. Multifactorial Disease Risk Calculator is a web tool facilitating this. It provides a user‐friendly interface, extending a reported methodology based on a liability‐threshold model. Multifactorial disease models incorporating all the following features in combination are handled: quantitative risk factors (including polygenic scores), categorical risk factors (including major genetic risk loci), stratified age of onset curves, and the partition of the population variance in disease liability into genetic, shared, and unique environment effects. It allows the application of such models to disease pedigrees. Pedigree‐related outputs are (i) individual disease risk for pedigree members, (ii) n year risk for unaffected pedigree members, and (iii) the disease pedigree's joint liability distribution. Risk prediction for each pedigree member is based on using the constructed disease model to appropriately weigh evidence on disease risk available from personal attributes and family history. Evidence is used to construct the disease pedigree's joint liability distribution. From this, lifetime and n year risk can be predicted. Example disease models and pedigrees are provided at the website and are used in accompanying tutorials to illustrate the features available. The website is built on an R package which provides the functionality for pedigree validation, disease model construction, and risk prediction. Website: http://grass.cgs.hku.hk:3838/mdrc/current
Sox2 regulates astrocytic and vascular development in the retina
Authors: Kautzman Amanda G. , Keeley Patrick W. , Nahmou Michael M. , Luna Gabriel , Fisher Steven K. , Reese Benjamin E. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractSox2 is a transcriptional regulator that is highly expressed in retinal astrocytes, yet its function in these cells has not previously been examined. To understand its role, we conditionally deleted Sox2 from the population of astrocytes and examined the consequences on retinal development. We found that Sox2 deletion does not alter the migration of astrocytes, but it impairs their maturation, evidenced by the delayed upregulation of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) across the retina. The centro‐peripheral gradient of angiogenesis is also delayed in Sox2‐CKO retinas. In the mature retina, we observed lasting abnormalities in the astrocytic population evidenced by the sporadic loss of GFAP immunoreactivity in the peripheral retina as well as by the aberrant extension of processes into the inner retina. Blood vessels in the adult retina are also under‐developed and show a decrease in the frequency of branch points and in total vessel length. The developmental relationship between maturing astrocytes and angiogenesis suggests a causal relationship between the astrocytic loss of Sox2 and the vascular architecture in maturity. We suggest that the delay in astrocytic maturation and vascular invasion may render the retina hypoxic, thereby causing the abnormalities we observe in adulthood. These studies uncover a novel role for Sox2 in the development of retinal astrocytes and indicate that its removal can lead to lasting changes to retinal homeostasis.
Serum Lipid and Protein Changes in Healthy Dyslipidemic Subjects Given a Selective Inhibitor of p70 S6 Kinase‐1
Authors: Leohr Jennifer K. , Luffer‐Atlas Debra , Luo M. Jane , DeBrota David J. , Green Colin , Mabry Thomas E. , Suico Jeffrey G. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe safety, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic effects of LY2584702, a selective inhibitor for p70 S6 serine/threonine protein kinase‐1, were evaluated in healthy dyslipidemic volunteers. LY2584702 was tolerated well as a monotherapy and dose‐dependently reduced low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides by up to 60% and 50%, respectively, without significantly changing high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in plasma. LY2584702 also dose‐dependently decreased factor V activity. Alanine aminotransferase elevations were noted in 2 subjects when LY2584702 was given with atorvastatin. We suspect that the formation of 4‐aminopyrazolo[3,4‐d]pyrimidine (4‐APP) during metabolism may have contributed to some of the adverse effects of LY2584702, and the contribution of 4‐APP to the pharmacology merits further investigation. Although clinical investigation of LY2584702 has been terminated because of hepatotoxicity risk, we suggest that a selective inhibitor of p70 S6 serine/threonine protein kinase‐1 with a larger margin of safety and without the possibility of being metabolized to 4‐APP may be useful in the treatment of dyslipidemia.
Examining the impact of trust and perceived risk on purchase intentions of unscheduled medicines in supermarkets
Authors: Mortimer Gary 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundCommunity‐based pharmacies are facing the challenge of maintaining market share and consumer relevance as supermarkets continue to increase their product ranges of unscheduled and complementary medicines within their healthcare category.AimThe aim of this paper is to empirically explore the drivers and barriers of purchase intentions, namely trust and perceived risk, of unscheduled medicines in a supermarket.MethodData were collected via an in‐store, intercept survey of 310 supermarket shoppers in Australia. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) including a measurement and structural model test was employed using AMOS software package.Key findingsThis study found purchase intention of unscheduled medicines in a supermarket was associated with the competence of employees to provide products and the ability of supermarkets to effectively process transactions. Respondents indicated that the provision of information and benevolence were not drivers of purchase intention. Two barriers that negatively impacted on shoppers’ intentions were identified as psychological risk and social risk. Herein, shoppers indicated that purchasing unscheduled medicines in a supermarket did create mild anxiety and concerns about social acceptance. In contrast, time and physical risk were not considered barriers of purchase intentions.ConclusionsThis is the first study to examine the drivers and barriers of purchase intentions of unscheduled medicines in a supermarket. This present study provides a comprehensive model of purchase intentions of unscheduled medicines and recommends directions for pharmacy practitioners to compete against supermarkets.
Dispersive magnetic solid‐phase extraction of phthalate esters from water samples and human plasma based on a nanosorbent composed of MIL‐101(Cr) metal–organic framework and magnetite nanoparticles before their determination by GC–MS
Authors: Dargahi Rosa , Ebrahimzadeh Homeira , Asgharinezhad Ali Akbar , Hashemzadeh Alireza , Amini Mostafa M. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractIn this study, a magnetic metal–organic framework was synthesized simply and utilized in the dispersive magnetic solid‐phase extraction of five phthalate esters followed by their determination by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. First, MIL‐101(Cr) was prepared hydrothermally in water medium without using highly corrosive hydrofluoric acid, utilizing an autoclave oven heat supply. Afterward, Fe3O4 nanoparticles were decorated into the matrix of MIL‐101(Cr) to fabricate magnetic MIL‐101 nanocomposite. The nanocomposite was characterized by various techniques. The parameters affecting dispersive magnetic solid‐phase extraction efficiency were optimized and obtained as: a sorbent amount of 15 mg; a sorption time of 20 min; an elution time of 5 min; NaCl concentration, 10% w/v; type and volume of the eluent 1 mL n‐hexane/acetone (1:1 v/v). Under the optimum conditions detection limits and linear dynamic ranges were achieved in the range of 0.08–0.15 and 0.5–200 μg/L, respectively. The intra‐ and interday RSD% values were obtained in the range of 2.5–9.5 and 4.6–10.4, respectively. Ultimately, the applicability of the method was successfully confirmed by the extraction and determination of the model analytes in water samples, and human plasma in the range of microgram per liter and satisfactory results were obtained.
Application of pH‐zone‐refining countercurrent chromatography in the chiral separation of two β‐adrenergic blocking agents
Authors: Lv Liqiong , Bu Zhisi , Sun Wenyu , Wang Chaoyue , Xu Cong , Tong Shengqiang 
Published: November 2017

AbstractTwo β‐adrenergic blocking agents, 1‐[(1‐methylethyl)amino]‐3‐phenoxy‐2‐propanol (1) and 1‐[(1‐methylethyl)amino]‐3‐(3‐methylphenoxy)‐2‐propanol (2; Toliprolol), were enantioseparated by pH‐zone‐refining countercurrent chromatography. A two‐phase solvent system composed of chloroform containing 0.10 mol/L of di‐n‐hexyl l‐tartrate/0.10 mol/L of boric acid aqueous solution (1:1, v/v) was selected, in which 20 mmol/L triethylamine was added in the organic phase as a retainer and 2 mmol/L HCl was added in the aqueous phase as an eluter. Fifty milligrams of each racemate was completely enantioseparated by pH‐zone‐refining countercurrent chromatography to yield each enantiomer with a purity of more than 98%, and the recovery of each separated enantiomer reached around 76–82%.
Disorder‐ and Treatment‐Specific Therapeutic Competence Scales for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Intervention: Development and Psychometric Properties
Authors: Dittmann Clara , Müller‐Engelmann Meike , Stangier Ulrich , Priebe Kathlen , Fydrich Thomas , Görg Nora , Rausch Sophie , Resick Patricia A. , Steil Regina 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAlthough the assessment of therapeutic competence in psychotherapy research is essential for examining its possible associations with treatment outcomes, it is often neglected due to high costs and a lack of valid instruments. This study aimed to develop two therapeutic competence scales that assess disorder‐specific and treatment‐specific therapeutic competence, and to examine these scales’ psychometric properties along with those of the already established Cognitive Therapy Scale (CTS) in a posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) sample. Using an inductive procedure, two rating scales for assessing disorder‐specific and treatment‐specific competence were constructed. The psychometric properties of these scales and those of the CTS were assessed in a sample of 30 videotaped sessions of eight patients from a multicenter study in which PTSD related to child abuse was treated using cognitive processing therapy. Two raters assessed therapeutic competence in 30 videotaped psychotherapy sessions. Interrater reliability, internal consistency, and content validity were determined. The scales (all items and total scores) demonstrated good to excellent interrater reliability, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) = .67 to .97, and internal consistency, Cronbach's α = .73 to .92. The PTSD experts’ ratings confirmed good internal validity. We found statistically significant associations with therapeutic adherence, r = .62 to .85; p < .001; and therapeutic alliance, r = .47, p < .001. These preliminary data imply that the two newly developed competence scales and the CTS can be reliably used to assess different types of therapeutic competence in PTSD samples and may be useful as possible predictors of treatment outcomes.
Examination of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment System as a Measure of Disability Severity Among Veterans Receiving Cognitive Processing Therapy
Authors: Schumm Jeremiah A. , Gore Whitney L. , Chard Kathleen M. , Meyer Eric C. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractCognitive processing therapy (CPT) is effective for reducing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression among military veterans. However, studies have not examined whether CPT is associated with reductions in disability severity. The current study examines the association between disability severity and PTSD and depression among U.S. veterans who are receiving CPT. Veterans completed measures at pre‐ and posttreatment and received CPT through a Veterans Affairs PTSD outpatient (n = 155) or residential (n = 177) program. The World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) 2.0 was used to assess disability severity. The WHODAS 2.0 scores were positively correlated with clinician‐ and veteran‐rated PTSD and veteran‐rated depression at pre‐ and posttreatment (r = .22 to. 60). Compared with outpatients, veterans in residential treatment had worse scores on the WHODAS Mobility scale ( = .03), but on no other WHODAS 2.0 scales. Pre‐ to posttreatment reductions were found on all WHODAS 2.0 subscales ( = .03 to .15). Reductions in PTSD and depression were positively associated with improvements on the WHODAS 2.0 Summary scale and most subscales (r = .22 to. 52). Findings suggest that the WHODAS 2.0 is a promising disability severity measure for veterans in PTSD treatment. Findings also suggest that CPT may help veterans to achieve reductions in disability severity.
Micro‐Nanostructures of Cellulose‐Collagen for Critical Sized Bone Defect Healing
Authors: Aravamudhan Aja , Ramos Daisy M. , Nip Jonathan , Kalajzic Ivo , Kumbar Sangamesh G. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBone tissue engineering strategies utilize biodegradable polymeric matrices alone or in combination with cells and factors to provide mechanical support to bone, while promoting cell proliferation, differentiation, and tissue ingrowth. The performance of mechanically competent, micro‐nanostructured polymeric matrices, in combination with bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs), is evaluated in a critical sized bone defect. Cellulose acetate (CA) is used to fabricate a porous microstructured matrix. Type I collagen is then allowed to self‐assemble on these microstructures to create a natural polymer‐based, micro‐nanostructured matrix (CAc). Poly (lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) matrices with identical microstructures serve as controls. Significantly higher number of implanted host cells are distributed in the natural polymer based micro‐nanostructures with greater bone density and more uniform cell distribution. Additionally, a twofold increase in collagen content is observed with natural polymer based scaffolds. This study establishes the benefits of natural polymer derived micro‐nanostructures in combination with donor derived BMSCs to repair and regenerate critical sized bone defects. Natural polymer based materials with mechanically competent micro‐nanostructures may serve as an alternative material platform for bone regeneration.