bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Monocular diplopia‐associated migraine‐like headache induced by nicotine withdrawal
Authors: He Xiaoping , Munaf Alvina , Idrisov Evgeny , Everett George , Saikaly Sami K. , Kim Esther , Abusaada Khalid , Hsu Vincent 
Published: March 2017

Key Clinical MessageWe describe an extremely rare case of migraine‐associated monocular diplopia developed in a 23‐year‐old man after sudden cessation of smoking. The physical examination and brainMRIscan were unremarkable. The symptoms resolved after starting nicotine patch. We reviewed the literature and discussed the diagnosis and possible mechanism of this phenomenon.
Resorcinarene‐Based Facial Glycosides: Implication of Detergent Flexibility on Membrane‐Protein Stability
Authors: Hussain Hazrat , Du Yang , Tikhonova Elena , Mortensen Jonas S. , Ribeiro Orquidea , Santillan Claudia , Das Manabendra , Ehsan Muhammad , Loland Claus J. , Guan Lan , Kobilka Brian K. , Byrne Bernadette , Chae Pil Seok 
Published: March 2017

AbstractAs a membrane‐mimetic system, detergent micelles are popularly used to extract membrane proteins from lipid environments and to maintain their solubility and stability in an aqueous medium. However, many membrane proteins encapsulated in conventional detergents tend to undergo structural degradation during extraction and purification, thus necessitating the development of new agents with enhanced properties. In the current study, two classes of new amphiphiles are introduced, resorcinarene‐based glucoside and maltoside amphiphiles (designated RGAs and RMAs, respectively), for which the alkyl chains are facially segregated from the carbohydrate head groups. Of these facial amphiphiles, two RGAs (RGA‐C11 and RGA‐C13) conferred markedly enhanced stability to four tested membrane proteins compared to a gold‐standard conventional detergent. The relatively high water solubility and micellar stability of the RGAs compared to the RMAs, along with their generally favourable behaviours for membrane protein stabilisation described here, are likely to be, at least in part, a result of the high conformational flexibility of these glucosides. This study suggests that flexibility could be an important factor in determining the suitability of new detergents for membrane protein studies.
Influence of Different Baffle Variations on the Effectiveness of Multi‐Stage Agitated Vessels
Authors: Heyter Alexander , Wollny Stefan 
Published: March 2017

AbstractDie Ermittlung der Leistungskennzahl als Auslegungsparameter für mehrstufige Rührsysteme ist stark von den geometrischen Randbedingungen abhängig. Insbesondere bei axial fördernden Rührern ist aufgrund ihrer Interaktion der Abstand der Rührerebenen zueinander von Bedeutung. Des Weiteren zeigen unterschiedliche Bewehrungszustände eine Auswirkung auf den resultierenden Leistungseintrag. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird ein mehrstufiges axiales Rührsystem systematisch untersucht. Unter Variation der Bewehrung erfolgt eine Charakterisierung hinsichtlich des Leistungseintrages sowie des Homogenisierverhaltens.
Assessment of Ex Vivo Transport Function in Isolated Rodent Brain Capillaries
Authors: Chan Gary N.Y. , Cannon Ronald E. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe blood‐brain barrier plays an important role in neuroprotection; however, it can be a major obstacle for drug delivery to the brain. This barrier primarily resides in the brain capillaries and functions as an interface between the brain and peripheral blood circulation. Several anatomical and biochemical elements of the blood‐brain barrier are essential to regulate the permeability of nutrients, ions, hormones, toxic metabolites, and xenobiotics into and out of the brain. In particular, high expression of ATP‐driven efflux transporters at the blood‐brain barrier is a major obstacle in the delivery of CNS pharmacotherapeutics to the brain. The complete understanding of these elements can offer insights on how to modulate barrier functions for neuroprotection against CNS drug toxicity and to enhance drug delivery to the brain. In the literature, preclinical models of the blood‐brain barrier are widely utilized to predict drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics properties in the brain. In addition, these models are essential tools to investigate cellular mechanisms and novel interventions that alter barrier function and permeability. This unit presents procedures to isolate fresh and viable rodent brain capillaries for the assessment of ex vivo transport activity at the blood‐brain barrier. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A measurement‐based approach with accuracy evaluation and its applications to circuit analysis and synthesis
Authors: Oliveira Vilma A. , Alzate Ricardo , Bhattacharyya Shankar P. 
Published: March 2017

SummaryIn this paper, we evaluate a useful general model for linear direct current (DC) networks, containing design parameters, multiple inputs and outputs. The outputs are rational multivariate functions of the parameters and linear functions of the inputs. For an unknown linear system, the unknown coefficients of these functions can be determined by taking a suitable number of measurements and solving a set of linear equations constructed from selected measurement data. The rational functions are useful to support the design such that outputs can be constrained to a desired interval. An interesting result was the particular case where the parameter varied is located at the output terminal. This is an alternative way to estimate the Thévenin equivalent of a circuit. Real data are in general noisy with accuracy dependent on the tolerance of components and on the measurement device used. We present a detailed analysis of the application of the measurement‐based approach under real experiments. Initially, a resistive DC circuit case is presented, and the results are verified by simulation and experimental laboratory data. Finally, practical circuits, such as a conditioning signal stage with an operational amplifier, and a boost DC–DC converter are considered. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Incident microalbuminuria and complement factor mannan‐binding lectin‐associated protein 19 in people with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes
Authors: Østergaard J.A. , Thiel S. , Hoffmann‐Petersen I.T. , Hovind P. , Parving H.‐H. , Tarnow L. , Rossing P. , Hansen T.K. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBackgroundEvidence links the lectin pathway of complement activation to diabetic kidney disease. Upon carbohydrate‐recognition by pattern‐recognition molecules, eg, mannan‐binding lectin (MBL), the MBL‐associated serine protease (MASP‐2) is activated and initiates the complement cascade. The MASP2 gene encodes MASP‐2 and the alternative splice product MBL‐associated protein 19 (MAp19). Both MAp19 and MASP‐2 circulate in complex with MBL. We tested the hypothesis that MAp19 and MASP‐2 concentrations predict the risk of incident microalbuminuria.MethodsBaseline MAp19 and MASP‐2 were measured in 270 persons with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes tracked for incidence of persistent microalbuminuria in a prospective observational 18‐year‐follow‐up study.ResultsSeventy‐five participants (28%) developed microalbuminuria during follow‐up. MBL‐associated protein 19 concentrations were higher in participants that later progressed to microalbuminuria as compared with those with persistent normoalbuminuria (268 ng/mL [95% CI, 243‐293] vs 236 ng/mL [95% CI, 223‐250], P = .02). Participants with MAp19 concentration within the highest quartile of the cohort had an increased risk of microalbuminuria as compared with participants with MAp19 concentration within the combined lower 3 quartiles in unadjusted Cox analysis, hazard ratio 1.86 ([95% CI, 1.17‐2.96], P = .009). This remained significant in adjusted models, eg, adjusting for age, sex, HbA1c, systolic blood pressure, urinary albumin excretion, smoking, serum creatinine, and serum cholesterol. MBL‐associated serine protease concentration was not associated with incidence of microalbuminuria.ConclusionsIn conclusion, the results show an association between baseline MAp19 concentration and the incidence of microalbuminuria in an 18‐year‐follow‐up study on persons with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes.
Lixisenatide as add‐on treatment among patients with different β‐cell function levels as assessed by HOMA‐β index
Authors: Bonadonna Riccardo C. , Blonde Lawrence , Antsiferov Mikhail , Berria Rachele , Gourdy Pierre , Hatunic Mensud , Mohan Viswanathan , Horowitz Michael 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe effect of lixisenatide—a prandial once‐daily glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist—on glycaemic control in patients with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), stratified by baseline β‐cell function, was assessed.MethodsThe 24‐week GetGoal‐M, ‐P and ‐S trials evaluated the efficacy and safety of lixisenatide in combination with oral antidiabetic agents. This post hoc analysis used data from patients receiving lixisenatide in these trials, divided into matched cohorts by propensity scoring, and stratified according to baseline homeostasis model assessment of β‐cell function (HOMA‐β) index levels, high HOMA‐β: > median HOMA‐β (28.49%); low HOMA‐β: ≤ median.ResultsThe matched “low” and “high” HOMA‐β index cohorts (N = 546 patients) had comparable baseline parameters. Mean change from baseline in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) was −0.85% and −0.94% for low and high HOMA‐β cohorts, respectively (P = .2607). Reductions from baseline in fasting plasma glucose (FPG; −0.77 vs −1.04 mmol/L; P = .1496) and postprandial plasma glucose (PPG; −5.82 vs −5.61 mmol/L; P = .7511) were similar in the low versus high HOMA‐β index cohorts. Reduction in body weight was significantly greater in the low versus high HOMA‐β index cohort (–2.06 vs –1.13 kg, respectively; P = .0006).ConclusionsIn patients with T2DM, lixisenatide was associated with reduction in HbA1c and improvements in both FPG and PPG, regardless of β‐cell function, indicating that lixisenatide is effective in reducing hyperglycaemia, even in patients with more advanced stages of T2DM and poor residual β‐cell function.
Oral absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of icaritin in rats by Q‐TOF and UHPLC–MS/MS
Authors: Zhang Shuang‐Qing , Zhang Shi‐Zhong 
Published: March 2017

Icaritin (ICT) displays numerous pharmacological activities for the treatment of various cancers, osteoporosis, inflammation, and angiocardiopathy. The absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of ICT still remain unknown. ICT was administered to rats at 2 mg/kg for intravenous injection or 40 mg/kg for oral route. Major metabolite of ICT was identified using quadrupole time‐of‐flight (Q‐TOF), and ICT and its major metabolite were quantified in plasma, tissues, urine, faeces, and bile by ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS). A total of 24 metabolites of ICT in plasma were identified and mono C‐7 glucuronide glucuronidated icaritin (GICT) was the major metabolite of ICT after oral administration. The absolute bioavailability of ICT was 4.33% although ICT was rapidly absorbed into the blood. For oral administration, concentrations of GICT at various time points was 6.38–8.81‐fold higher than those of ICT, and the area under the curve (AUC) of GICT was about 8‐fold higher than that of ICT, while AUC values of ICT and GICT were almost equal for intravenous injection. Approximately 65.7% ICT and 42.7% GICT were distributed in liver and kidney, respectively. Unabsorbed ICT was mainly excreted as the parent form in faeces with at least 60% of administered dose during 24 h, whereas absorbed ICT was predominantly excreted as GICT from urine with 2.74% of administered dose accounting for 63.28% of absorbed drug. ICT was rapidly absorbed into the blood although a large amount of ICT remained unabsorbed, and then rapidly and mainly metabolized to GICT. ICT mainly distributed in liver, while GICT predominantly distributed in kidney. Absorbed ICT and GICT were predominantly excreted via urine, and unabsorbed ICT was mainly excreted as the parent form in faeces. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intensive agriculture and insect prey availability influence oxidative status and return rates of an aerial insectivore
Authors: Stanton Rebecca , Clark Robert G. , Morrissey Christy A. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBirds breeding in agricultural landscapes contend with potential reductions in prey availability that may alter behavior and incur physiological costs. Individuals may need to increase foraging intensity, producing elevated reactive oxygen species involved in oxidative damage. Food scarcity or low food quality may also reduce levels of diet‐derived antioxidants. Here, we tested whether short‐term changes in insect biomass on agricultural sites produce changes in the oxidative status of tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor), with the potential to influence return rates. We sampled 368 adult and 374 nestling swallows at five agricultural cropland and grassland‐dominated sites over three years from 2012 to 2014. Blood plasma was assessed for antioxidant capacity (OXY) and reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs), a marker for oxidative damage. Overall, males appeared to have higher oxidative damage and therefore oxidative stress (calculated as the ratio between ROMs and OXY) than females. Consistent with our hypothesis, aerial insect biomass was a strong predictor of oxidative status in swallows. Adult plasma antioxidants were higher with greater insect biomass, while nestling plasma antioxidants, oxidative damage, and oxidative stress exhibited negative relationships with insect biomass. Annual return rates of adults were predicted by site type, age, fledging success, and oxidative status. In 2013, adult return rates were higher at grassland sites (41%) than at cropland sites (25%) and birds with lower plasma antioxidants the previous year were more likely to return. In 2014, adults were more likely to return if they had fledged more nestlings the previous season and if they had lower levels of oxidative damage the previous year. We conclude that even subtle changes in insect prey availability in agricultural landscapes caused by pesticides, intense cropping, and natural habitat loss can play a key role in swallow oxidative status, with subsequent effects on local return rates.
Synthesis and curing performance of a novel bio‐based epoxy monomer from soybean oil
Authors: Li Yantao , Yang Liting , Zhang Hui , Tang Zijian 
Published: March 2017

A novel bio‐based epoxy monomer (EP) was obtained from the reaction of modify soybean oil and epichlorohydrin (ECH). And EP blended with bisphenol‐A epoxy oligomer (DGEBA) to form the epoxy networks using triethylene tetramine as curing agent. The weight fraction of EP affects the performance of epoxy networks have been studied. The structures of the monomers and networks were studied by Fourier transformation infrared spectrometer (FTIR), and were consistent with the theoretical structures. Thermo‐gravimetric analysis (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry analysis (DSC) were used to determine the thermal properties of the epoxy networks, indicating that glass transition temperature (Tg) and thermal stability decreased with increasing EP content. Mechanical properties analysis showed that the elongation at break and impact strength of the epoxy networks increased with the increasing EP content, while the tensile strength decreased. Dynamic non‐isothermal curing test and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis revealed that there was no obvious phase separation and formed homogeneous crosslinking network structure. The properties of the epoxy networks were hard and brittle in low EP content, and presented strong flexible or soft flexible in high EP content.Practical applications:Soybean oil is one of the most interesting environmental resources for the synthesis of monomers, because of the aliphatic chain and functional groups contribute as a primary element to the backbone of polymer. It has received much attention as a renewable resource to replace petroleum resource for preparing chemicals and polymers, due to its environmental advantages, renewable and economic. The bio‐based epoxy resin can be used to modify the commercial bisphenol‐A epoxy resin to overcome the weaknesses of brittleness of the cured networks. As a novel epoxy monomer, it can be used in many fields which the traditional epoxy resins were used, such as paint, coatings, adhesives, electronic materials, and structural materials. Also, it can be used as a modifier to modify other industrial epoxy resins, due to the flexible aliphatic chain structure and low viscosity property. The bio‐based may degrade after discarding and come into environmental cycle.Soybean oil has received much attention as a renewable resource to replace petroleum resource for preparing chemicals and polymers, due to its environmental advantages, renewable and economic. In this paper, a novel polyols is derived from soybean oil and used for the preparation of aliphatic epoxy monomer. And then the bio‐based epoxy monomer is used to modify the commercial bisphenol‐A epoxy oligomer to overcome the weaknesses of brittleness of the cured networks. The epoxy monomer and epoxy networks prepared from soybean oil are environmentally friendly materials. It may degrade after discarding and come into environmental cycle.
An investigation of two‐stage thermophilic and mesophilic fermentation process for the production of hydrogen and methane from palm oil mill effluent
Authors: Krishnan Santhana , Singh Lakhveer , Sakinah Mimi , Thakur Sveta , Nasrul Mohd , Otieno Andrew , Wahid Zularisam A. 
Published: March 2017

The two‐stage process of combined hydrogen and methane production with the recirculation of digestate sludge using palm oil mill effluent as substrate was investigated. During the first stage, an up‐flow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor (UASB) was operated at thermophilic conditions [hydraulic retention time (HRT)−2 days, organic loading rate −75 gCOD L−1d−1] for hydrogen production. The operation performance at short HRT and low pH was useful to separate the acidogenesis from methanogenesis. The effluents from UASB reactor containing mainly acetate and butyrate were fed into a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) for methane production under the mesophilic temperature at two different HRTs (5 and 3 days). Both UASB and CSTR reactors were operated for 120 days continuously and a stable production of the hydrogen and methane was obtained simultaneously. The total hydrogen and methane yields obtained were 215 L H2 kgCOD−1 and 320 L CH4 kgCOD−1, respectively with the total COD removal efficiency of 94% in the two stage process. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 36: 895–902, 2017
The Environmental Liabilities of a Bankruptcy Estate
Authors: Linna Tuula 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe conflict between the bankruptcy creditors and the environmental responsibilities of a bankruptcy estate is discussed globally. The creditors' receivables are usually included in the protection of property rights regulated by Constitution. On the other hand, one can ask whether the bankruptcy estate is breaking the law as an operator by refusing to abolish the harmful environmental pollution. The bankruptcy estate is deemed to be an operator when it has the legal and factual possibility of taking the necessary environmental actions. Accordingly, the costs of the environmental measures taken by authorities instead of the bankruptcy estate must be paid with a super priority from the assets of the bankruptcy estate. Instead, the question concerning the priority status of private environmental damages is a political matter. The argumentation presented in the article may contribute new legislation concerning the environmental liabilities of bankruptcy estates. Copyright © 2017 INSOL International and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mean platelets volume and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio as predictors of stroke
Authors: Farah Raymond , Samra Nava 
Published: March 2017

BackgroundMean platelets volume (MPV) is a marker, which indicates platelet function, and is a potential link between inflammation and thrombosis. Previous studies have found a relation between high MPV levels and high risk of stroke. Another factor that has been associated with the risk of stroke is neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR). Several studies have reported an association between increased NLR and increased risk of cerebrovascular disease. It was found that NLR levels have a relation to the prognosis as well. Since both NLR and MPV have been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, together they may predict the risk of stroke and the prognosis with higher sensitivity and specificity.MethodsThis is a descriptive retrospective study. Data were gathered from medical records of patients who applied the Ziv medical center and were diagnosed with stroke. Stroke severity was evaluated using the NIHSS (national institutes of health stroke scale). MPV and NLR levels of patients with stroke were compared to those of 30 healthy individuals.ResultsNeutrophil to lymphocyte ratio levels were found significantly higher in patients with stroke compared with healthy individuals. NLR was also found higher in patients with moderate/severe stroke compared with those with minor stroke. No association was found between MPV level, the risk of stroke, and stroke prognosis. Moreover, an interaction effect between MPV and NLR level was not found.ConclusionNeutrophil to lymphocyte ratio is a good predictive factor of stroke and stroke prognosis. Further prospective studies are needed to establish the relationship between the MPV level and the risk of stroke. NLR and MPV interaction effect can be tested again in the future after establishing the association between MPV, the risk of stroke, and stroke prognosis.
The study of biochemical profile of cyst fluid and diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging in differentiating hepatic hydatid cysts from liver simple cysts
Authors: Shanshan Wang , Hui Li , Yan Liu , Li Wang , Yongfang Ren , Yan Wang , Kader Muhetarjiang , Wenxiao Jia 
Published: March 2017

PurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate the value of biochemical profile of cyst fluid and diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) in differentiating hepatic hydatid cysts (HCs) from liver simple cysts.Materials and methodsForty‐six patients underwent MR imaging. Twenty‐nine patients had 29 hydatid cysts and 17 patients had liver simple cysts. Thirteen patients with hydatid cysts and seven patients with liver simple cysts were evaluated with cyst fluid biochemical analysis. The concentration of glucose, protein, calcium ion (Ca2+) electrolyte, macroscopic appearance, and parasitological sediment were evaluated in this study.ResultsIn the respect of biochemical analysis cyst fluid, the concentration of glucose and calcium ion of HCs was significantly higher than that of the liver simple cysts. In the respect of DWI, in the b 1000 s/mm2 value in respect of mean application data center (ADC) values, there was a statistically significant difference between HCs group (the mean value was (2.50±0.79)×10−3 mm/s2) and liver simple cysts group (the mean value was (2.92±0.66)×10−3 mm/s2). However, no statistically significant results were obtained in the ADC measurements of b 500 s/mm2 between two groups.ConclusionThe analysis of cyst fluid combined with the measurement of ADC values in the b 1000 s/mm2 value could be considered a promising parameter as an alternative to the differential diagnosis of hepatic hydatid cysts from liver simple cysts.