bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the new restandardized Abbott Architect 25‐OH Vitamin D assay in vitamin D‐insufficient and vitamin D‐supplemented individuals
Authors: Annema Wijtske , Nowak Albina , von Eckardstein Arnold , Saleh Lanja 
Published: September 2017

BackgroundRecently, Abbott Diagnostics has restandardized the Architect 25(OH)D assay against the NIST SRM 2972. We have evaluated the analytical and clinical performance of the restandardized Architect 25(OH)D assay and compared its performance with a NIST‐traceable liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) method and the Roche total 25(OH)D assay in vitamin D‐insufficient individuals before and after vitamin D3 supplementation.MethodsFrozen serum samples were obtained from 88 healthy subjects with self‐perceived fatigue and vitamin D‐insufficiency <50 nmol L−1 who were randomized to receive a single 100 000 IU dose of vitamin D3 (n = 48) or placebo (n = 40). Total 25(OH)D concentrations were measured before and 4 weeks after supplementation by the restandardized Architect 25(OH)D assay, LC‐MS/MS, and Roche assay.ResultsThe Architect 25(OH)D assay showed an intra‐ and inter‐assay imprecision of <5%. Comparison of the Architect assay with the LC‐MS/MS method showed a good correlation in both vitamin D‐insufficient and vitamin D‐supplemented subjects, however, with a negative mean bias of 17.4% and 8.9%, respectively. As compared to the Roche assay, the Abbott assay underestimated 25(OH)D results in insufficient subjects (<50 nmol L−1) with a mean negative bias of 17.1%, this negative bias turned into a positive bias in supplemented subjects. Overall there was a moderate agreement in classification of vitamin D‐insufficient and ‐supplemented individuals into different vitamin D states between the Architect 25(OH)D method and LC‐MS/MS.ConclusionThe routine use of the restandardized Architect 25(OH)D results in a slight underestimation of circulating total 25(OH)D levels at lower concentrations and thus potential misclassification of vitamin D status.
Bones Morphogenic Protein‐4 and retinoic acid combined treatment comparative analysis for in vitro differentiation potential of murine mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow and adipose tissue into germ cells
Authors: Shirzeyli Maryam H. , Khanlarkhani Neda , Amidi Fardin , Shirzeyli Farshad H. , Aval Fereydoon S. , Sobhani Aligholi 
Published: September 2017

AbstractNowadays, infertility is no longer considered as an unsolvable disorder due to progresses in germ cells derived from stem lineage with diverse origins. Technical and ethical challenges push researchers to investigate various tissue sources to approach more efficient gametes. The purpose of the current study is to investigate the efficacy of a combined medium, retinoic acid (RA) together with Bone Morphogenic Protein‐4 (BMP4), on differentiation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells (BMMSCs) and adipose‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) into germ cells. Murine MSCs were obtained from both Bone Marrow (BM) and Adipose Tissue (AT) samples and were analyzed for surface markers to get further verification of their nature. BMMSCs and ADMSCs were induced into osteogenic and adipogenic lineage cells respectively, to examine their multipotency. They were finally differentiated into germ cells using media enriched with BMP4 for 4 days followed by addition of RA for 7 days (11 days in total). Analyzing of differentiation potential of BMMSCs‐ and ADMSCs were performed via Immunofluorescence, Flowcytometry and Real time‐PCR techniques for germ cell‐specific markers (Mvh, Dazl, Stra8 and Scp3). Mesenchymal surface markers (CD90 and CD44) were expressed on both BMMSCs and ADMSCs, while endothelial and hematopoietic cell markers (CD31 and CD45) had no expression. Finally, all germ‐specific markers were expressed in both BM and AT. Although germ cells differentiated from ADMSCs showed faster growth and proliferation as well as easy collection, they significantly expressed germ‐specific markers lower than BMMSCs. This suggests stronger differentiation potential of murine BMMSCs than ADMSCs.
Relationships between parasitic infection and natural antibodies, age, and sex in a long‐lived vertebrate
Authors: Stromsland Katie , Zimmerman Laura M. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractReptilian immune systems are believed to rely more heavily on the innate response than the adaptive response. Past research on reptilian immune systems has indicated that natural antibodies (NAbs) play an important role in fighting antigens as the first responder and initiating the innate immune response. However, there is a gap in research on NAbs in reptiles as there is little data on how they may influence parasite prevalence in reptiles. Furthermore, no studies have examined NAbs at mucosal sites, which represent an important point of entry for parasites. We investigated NAbs in male and female red‐eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta) in order to begin to fill this gap in our understanding. Plasma and mucosal samples were collected from T. scripta to determine total immunoglobulin levels in relation to intestinal parasite load, which was determined from fecal samples. We also determined antibody levels to various antigens to examine if NAbs are present in mucosal samples and how levels compare to plasma NAbs. In female turtles, parasite intensity decreased with increasing host age and mucosal antibody levels. We also found that the levels of antibodies that bind to a novel antigen and an antigen they are likely to have encountered were significantly related in both plasma and mucosal samples, indicating a NAb response. This study contributes to our understanding of how reptiles may rely on a broad innate response that allows them to resist potential pathogens while potentially avoiding some negative consequences of immunosenescence.
One‐step synthesis of [18F]cabozantinib for use in positron emission tomography imaging of c‐Met
Authors: Lien Vegard Torp , Klaveness Jo , Olberg Dag Erlend 
Published: September 2017

Cabozantinib is an FDA‐approved kinase inhibitor for the treatment of medullary thyroid cancer and advanced renal cell carcinoma, which exerts its therapeutic effect by inhibiting, among others, the tyrosine kinase c‐Met. Noninvasive imaging techniques are becoming increasingly important clinically to ensure drug efficacy, staging, monitoring, and patient stratification. PET isotope labelled tyrosine kinase inhibitors have, for the same reason, potential as PET tracers for imaging of various cancers. On the basis of cabozantinib, we synthesized the novel boronic acid pinacol ester 4 as a labelling precursor, where the boronic ester moiety replaces the fluorine native to this kinase inhibitor. By this, we wanted to explore whether recently developed Cu‐mediated fluorination methods are adaptable to more complex substrates and thereby provide easy access to [18F]cabozantinib directly. Hydrolysis was implemented before preparative purification due to challenges with on‐column hydrolysis of the precursor 4, and [18F]cabozantinib was obtained in ≥99% radiochemical purity and in 2.8 ± 0.05% (n = 4) isolated decay corrected yield in a synthesis time of 90 minutes. The molar activity of representative batches was determined to be 17 ± 8 GBq/μmol.
Developmental mechanisms of longitudinal stripes in the Japanese four‐lined snake
Authors: Murakami Arata , Hasegawa Masami , Kuriyama Takeo 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe developmental mechanisms of color patterns formation and its evolution remain unclear in reptilian sauropsids. We, therefore, studied the pigment cell mechanisms of stripe pattern formation during embryonic development of the snake Elaphe quadrivirgata. We identified 10 post‐ovipositional embryonic developmental stages based on external morphological characteristics. Examination for the temporal changes in differentiation, distribution, and density of pigment cells during embryonic development revealed that melanophores first appeared in myotome and body cavity but not in skin surface at Stage 5. Epidermal melanophores were first recognized at Stage 7, and dermal melanophores and iridophores appeared in Stage 9. Stripe pattern first appeared to establish at Stage 8 as a spatial density gradient of epidermal melanophores between the regions of future dark brown longitudinal stripes and light colored background. Our study, thus, provides a comprehensive pigment‐cell‐based understanding of stripe pattern formation during embryonic development. We briefly discuss the importance of the gene expression studies by considering the biologically relevant theoretical models with standard developmental staging for understanding reptilian color pattern evolution.
Response features for low‐cost statistical analysis and tolerance‐aware design of antennas
Authors: Koziel Slawomir , Bekasiewicz Adrian , Cheng Qingsha S. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractIn this work, we discuss a methodology for rapid statistical analysis of antenna structures. The approach exploits response features, which are appropriately selected characteristic points of the antenna response that are important to determine satisfaction/violation of given performance requirements. As the dependence of the feature point coordinates on antenna geometry parameters is much less nonlinear than for original responses (here, reflection versus frequency), a reliable surrogate can be constructed at the level of the features. The surrogate is further used to conduct fast yield estimation through Monte Carlo analysis and, when coupled with sequential approximate optimization, allows for rapid tolerance‐aware design. The purpose of the latter is to maximize the probability of satisfying given performance requirements under the assumed distribution of manufacturing tolerances. Our methodology is demonstrated using a planar dual‐band antenna and compared with direct EM‐based statistical analysis as well as yield estimation using data‐driven surrogates.
Evaluating reanalyses performance in the Baltic Sea region by using assimilated radiosonde data
Authors: Keernik Hannes , Jakobson Erko 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACTThe comparison between seven reanalyses – ERA‐Interim, National Centres for Environmental Predictions (NCEP)–National Center for Atmospheric Research reanalysis, NCEP Department of Energy reanalysis, NCEP–Climate Forecast System Reanalysis, Modern‐Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Application (MERRA), MERRA‐2 and JRA‐55 – and assimilated radiosonde measurements was performed for eight radiosonde stations in the Baltic Sea region during 1980–2015 at five levels. In addition to raw radiosonde measurements, data sets corrected for temperature‐dependence (TD) and time‐lag errors in RS80‐A humidity measurements were investigated. While temperature differences between reanalyses and radiosonde stayed below 0.1 °C at the higher levels, differences up to 1.2 and 2.3 °C were revealed for the 2 m level at 00 UTC and 12 UTC, respectively. At the same time, biases in relative humidity increased with height. The new techniques assimilated in reanalyses were found to be in a disagreement and in unison with radiosonde data, depending on the level, time of the day and reanalysis investigated. The RS80‐A TD correction had a significant effect on tropospheric humidity measurements, increasing specific humidity up to 0.3 g kg−1 at the 2 m level. Based on the ranking results, JRA‐55 is the most accurate reanalysis in representing the radiosonde measurements.
Methane delays the senescence and browning in daylily buds by re‐established redox homeostasis
Authors: Hu Huali , Liu Dan , Li Pengxia 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDDuring the postharvest senescence of fruits and vegetables, redox imbalance occurs. Although the release of methane (CH4) has been observed for a long time and its antioxidant properties have recently been demonstrated in animals and plants, the corresponding physiological role of CH4 in regulating plant senescence has not yet been elucidated.RESULTSOur results indicate that the postharvest deterioration of daylily buds during storage is greatly ameliorated by the exogenous application of CH4, particularly in the inhibition of tissue browning. The results are supported by a decrease in the degree of browning and by the corresponding phenotype, which are correlated with the suppressed polyphenoloxidase activity. CH4 also maintains the re‐establishment of redox balance, as indicated by the lower relative leakage rate, lipid peroxidation level, and reactive oxygen species accumulation in daylily buds. Furthermore, the decrease of the unsaturated/saturated fatty acid ratio and energy charge during storage was also attenuated.CONCLUSIONThese results clearly suggest that the postharvest treatment with CH4 is an effective means of prolonging the storage life of daylily buds. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
A design of high optical efficiency wedge type light guide plate adopting twin inclined cylindrical surface
Authors: Itoga Kenji , Takaira Kazutada , Sakai Seiji , Fujino Toshiaki , Satake Tetsuya , Yuuki Akimasa 
Published: September 2017

AbstractWe propose wedge type light guide plate (LGP) adopting twin inclined cylindrical surfaces (TICS) at the incident part of a LGP. It has higher optical efficiency than conventional wedge type LGP. In dimension of LGP which the thickness of incident part is 1.5 mm and that of luminance part is 0.7 mm, the optical efficiency of wedge type LGP adopting TICS is expected to be 96% in comparison with a normal flat LGP. In addition, there is an advantage to reduce the non‐uniformity of vicinity of light emitted diodes (LEDs) by TICS reflecting light laterally. However, it is necessary that the LED centers are aligned with the intersections of TICS. The misalignment of LED causes non‐uniformity of optical profile that is slightly larger than a normal LGP.
A study on a driving method of OLED displays for better motion image quality with adaptive temporal aperture control
Authors: Usui Takenobu , Takano Yoshimichi , Yamamoto Toshihiro 
Published: September 2017

AbstractDegradation of motion image quality by motion blur on hold‐type displays, such as liquid‐crystal displays and organic light‐emitting diode displays, is a well‐known issue. To improve motion image quality, a driving method with a shorter temporal aperture has been proposed. However, a shorter temporal aperture requires higher instantaneous luminance on displays. Higher instantaneous luminance accelerates the lifetime degradation of organic light‐emitting diode. Therefore, we have been developing a driving method with adaptive temporal aperture control for a longer lifetime and better motion image quality. However, two image quality degradations were perceived when this driving method was applied. One of these degradations was caused at the boundary between the different temporal apertures. The other degradation was caused by switching the temporal aperture between frames. Hence, we have also proposed transition area and period insertion methods to suppress these degradations. In this paper, we discuss the mechanism of these degradations and confirm the effectiveness of our proposed methods by subjective evaluations. In the results, the degradations were suppressed by inserting 80 lines of transition area and by inserting 50 frames of transition period.
Strategies for analysis of isomeric peptides
Authors: Jansson Erik T. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThis review presents an overview and recent progress of strategies for detecting isomerism in peptides, with focus on d/l epimerization and the various isomers that the presence of an aspartic acid residue may yield in a protein or peptide. While mass spectrometry has become a majorly used method of choice within proteomics, isomerism is inherently difficult to analyze because it is a modification that does not yield any change in mass of the analyte. Here, several techniques used for analysis of peptide isomerism are discussed, including enzymatic assays, liquid chromatography, and capillary electrophoresis. Recent progress in method development using mass spectrometry is also discussed, including labeling strategies, fragmentation techniques, and ion‐mobility spectrometry.
Evolution of the endoscopic modified Lothrop procedure: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Shih Liang‐Chun , Patel Vishal S. , Choby Garret W. , Nakayama Tsuguhisa , Hwang Peter H. 
Published: September 2017

ObjectiveSince first described in the 1990s, the endoscopic modified Lothrop procedure (EMLP) has been the subject of a growing body of literature. We performed a review to compare indications and outcomes of EMLP in an early cohort of publications (1990–2008) versus a contemporary cohort (2009–2016) and compare outcomes associated with follow‐up ≥2 years versus <2 years.Data SourcesPubMed, SCOPUS and Cochrane databases.Review MethodsAn English‐language search of the PubMed and Ovid databases was conducted to identify publications from 1990 to 2016 reporting clinical outcomes of EMLP. Meta‐analysis was performed using Statistical Analysis System 9.4.ResultsA total of 1,205 patients were abstracted from 29 articles with a mean follow‐up of 29.1 ± 10.3 months. The overall rate of significant or complete symptom improvement was 86.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 84.2%‐88.7%). The overall patency rate was 90.7% (95% CI: 89.1%‐92.3%), with a revision rate of 12.6% (95% CI: 10.6%‐14.3%). Compared to the early cohort, patients in the contemporary cohort underwent EMLP more often for tumors (P < .001), had higher rates of complete or significant symptom improvement (90.0% vs. 82.6 %, P < .001); and trended toward greater patency rates (92.1% vs. 88.6%, P = .052). Compared to the short‐term follow‐up cohort, the long‐term cohort showed no differences in symptom improvement or patency, but the revision rate was higher (14.5% vs. 9.2%, P = .016).ConclusionsIn the last decade, EMLP has been performed more frequently for tumors. Recent studies have demonstrated improved symptom outcomes and a trend toward improved patency rates. The revision rate increased significantly when follow‐up exceeded 2 years. Laryngoscope, 128:317–326, 2018
Processing of Highly Reflective Materials
Authors: Keller Christian 
Published: September 2017

AbstractFiber lasers have become more accepted for industrial laser applications all around the world. For many years, companies and universities have developed new generations of fiber lasers which compete with other laser types such as CO2 lasers. As the market for CO2 lasers shrinks, the solid‐state laser market expands due to advantages such as higher efficiency, high beam quality and the ability to process highly reflective material such as copper and copper‐alloys. Processing such materials would be difficult with a CO2 laser due to the lower absorption characteristics of these metals at their wavelength, but opens a whole new range of laser applications for fiber lasers.
Variations in carbon burial and sediment accretion along a tidal creek in a Florida salt marsh
Authors: Arriola Jill M. , Cable Jaye E. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractSalt marshes store large quantities of carbon in the form of buried organic matter (OM) and consequently play a major role in the global carbon cycle, yet vertical accretion and carbon burial rates (CBRs) can vary by orders of magnitude on small spatial scales. The goal of this study was to provide insight into carbon burial variability of a single tidal salt marsh. Six marsh sediment cores were collected along a tidal creek in the Big Bend of Florida from the mouth to the coastal forest within the marsh levee and plain. Each was analyzed for porosity, % OM, total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), δ13C, δ15N, and excess 210Pb to determine vertical accretion and CBRs. Porosity, % OM, and TOC and TN were found to be highest in the low marsh and within the marsh levee. Stable isotopes of OM indicate the source is dominated by C3 plant species in both the levee and plain. Average vertical accretion ranges from 0.9 mm yr−1 to 2.2 mm yr−1 with the slowest rates in the low marsh. Average carbon burial ranges from 49.5 g OC m−2 yr−1 to 109.5 g OC m−2 yr−1. High carbon burial associated with low sediment accumulation in the Low Marsh and low carbon burial associated with high sediment accumulation rates in the High Marsh are typical in this marsh. These variations imply that the highest carbon burial occurs in the zone most vulnerable to loss via inundation and erosion.
Investigating large‐scale invasion patterns using‐small scale invasion successions—phenotypic differentiation of the invasive round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) at invasion fronts
Authors: Thorlacius Magnus , Brodin Tomas 
Published: September 2017

AbstractSpecies invasions are an ever‐growing problem that increases with globalization through increased frequency of unintentional introductions. Between establishment and spread, a lag phase often occurs in which population growth is exponential and dispersal frequency low. Individual variation in behavioral traits, consistent through time and context, have been found crucial for understanding ecological processes such as density dependent dispersal during species invasions. In a previous study of the invasive round goby (Neogobius melanostomus), we found population differentiation between old and new populations in the Baltic Sea with individuals in new populations being more asocial, bold, and active. Here, we investigate if behavioral differentiations are created already during the initial spread from newly established populations. Hence, we monitored population growth and subsequent small‐scale spread (< 800 m) in two newly invaded areas, as well as the behavioral traits previously connected to dispersal, over two successional seasons. We found phenotypic differentiation between dispersing and resident individuals with small‐scale dispersers being smaller and more asocial. In addition, our catch‐per‐unit‐effort data suggest a lag‐phase of 3–5 yr, following initial colonization, before the round goby start spreading into the surrounding environment. This suggests that, at least in species that grow to high densities fast, sociability is more important than boldness and activity for triggering density‐dependent dispersal.
Photodissolution of copper from resuspended coastal marine sediments
Authors: Skrabal Stephen A. , McBurney Alyssa M. , Webb Linda A. , Brooks Avery G. , Kieber Robert J. , Mead Ralph N. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractTotal dissolved Cu (TDCu) was photoproduced from suspensions of estuarine and coastal marine sediments from varied biogeochemical settings after exposure to the equivalent of 1 day of sunlight. Net photorelease (defined as the difference between mean light and dark concentrations) of TDCu occurred in 10 of 13 experiments and ranged from 1.1 nM to 11.8 nM (0.88–46.1 nmol Cu g−1 dry sediment). Photorelease was observed over environmentally relevant total suspended sediment concentrations ranging from 38 mg L−1 to 460 mg L−1. The magnitude of photorelease was directly correlated to the 1 M HCl‐extractable Cu and Fe contents of sediments. Photoreleased Cu was likely associated with organic matter and/or Fe oxyhydroxides, both of which are photoreactive. Photoreleased TDCu persisted for at least 24 h after irradiation indicating that the Cu was not immediately scavenged back onto particles, most likely because it was stabilized by complexation with dissolved organic matter. Results of this study are important because a conservative estimate of the areal flux of TDCu from irradiation of a modest suspended sediment loading of 100 mg L−1 in the top 100 cm of a sunlit water column would be 460 nmol m−2 d−1, which is comparable to or significantly larger than benthic and riverine fluxes of the metal in estuarine and coastal environments. These results suggest that photolytic fluxes are a significant yet previously unrecognized source of bioactive Cu to natural waters.