bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum and Urinary Interferon‐Gamma‐Inducible Protein 10 in Lupus Nephritis
Authors: El‐Gohary Ahmed , Hegazy Ann , Abbas Mostafa , Kamel Noha , Nasef Samah Ismail 
Published: May 2016

BackgroundLupus nephritis is a serious manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The objective of this study was to identify the sensitivity, specificity, and cut‐off values of IP‐10 in the serum and urine of patients with lupus nephritis compared to renal biopsy, albumin/creatinine ratio, and serum anti‐dsDNA.MethodsThirty female SLE patients were included. SLEDAI was calculated and blood and urine samples were collected. Patients were divided into 10 SLE patients with renal involvement (six active and four inactive), 10 active SLE, and 10 inactive SLE patients. Ten age‐matched healthy (control) were included. Serum and urinary levels of IP‐10 were measured by ELISA. Anti‐dsDNA, urine albumin/creatinine ratio were performed.ResultsSerum and urinary IP‐10 in active SLE patients had significantly increased levels as compared to inactive SLE patients (P = 0.015, P = 0.033, respectively). However, there was no difference in serum and urinary levels between active renal and active non‐renal patients. Albumin/creatinine ratio is a better marker in differentiating between lupus nephritis and SLE with no renal involvement. Any of serum and urinary IP‐10, albumin/creatinine ratio, and anti‐dsDNA did not correlate with the class of lupus nephritis in renal biopsy.ConclusionUrinary and serum IP‐10 are useful markers of lupus activity, but not indicative of renal activity. Albumin/creatinine ratio is superior in identifying lupus nephritis and renal activity.
External validation of risk stratification strategy in the use of renal ultrasonography in the evaluation of acute kidney injury
Authors: Ip Ivan K. , Silveira Patricia C. , Alper Emily C. , Benson Carol B. , Khorasani Ramin 
Published: May 2016

BACKGROUNDPer the American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria, renal ultrasound is the most appropriate imaging examination to evaluate patients with acute kidney injury. However, recent studies suggest that renal ultrasound may be more selectively performed, which could lead to reductions in the use of medical imaging.OBJECTIVEEvaluate a published risk stratification prediction model (the Licurse model) for using renal ultrasound in hospitalized patients with acute kidney injury.DESIGNProspective, observational cohort study.SETTINGA 793‐bed, quaternary care, academic hospital.PATIENTSAll adult hospitalized patients who underwent renal ultrasound for the indication of acute kidney injury.INTERVENTION/EXPOSURENone.MEASUREMENTSPrimary outcome was rate of hydronephrosis diagnosed on ultrasound. Secondary outcome was rate of hydronephrosis resulting in urologic intervention.RESULTSOf 778 patients who underwent renal ultrasonography to evaluate acute kidney injury, hydronephrosis was present in 106 (13.6%); urologic intervention was performed in 23 patients (3.0%). The Licurse model had sensitivity of 91.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 73.2%‐97.6%) for urologic intervention and 93.4% (95% CI: 87.2%‐96.8%) for hydronephrosis, respectively. Specificity was low for urologic intervention (23.0% [95% CI: 20.2‐26.2]) and hydronephrosis (25.1% [95% CI: 22.0‐28.6]). We estimated that for 22.6% of patients, hydronephrosis could be ruled out based on clinical predictors.CONCLUSIONSWe found that the Licurse renal ultrasonography risk stratification model was sufficiently accurate in classifying patients at risk for ureteral obstruction among hospitalized patients with acute kidney injury. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:763–767. © 2016 Society of Hospital Medicine
Ultrastructural characterization of the pronephric glomerulus development in zebrafish
Authors: Zhu Xiaodong , Chen Zhaohong , Zeng Caihong , Wang Ling , Xu Feng , Hou Qing , Liu Zhihong 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTThe zebrafish pronephros is a valuable model for studying kidney development and diseases. Ultrastructural studies have revealed that zebrafish and mammals share similarities in nephron structures such as podocytes, slit diaphragms, glomerular basement membrane, and endothelium. However, the basic ultrastructural features of the pronephric glomerulus during glomerulogenesis have not been characterized. To understand these features, it is instructive to consider the developmental process of the pronephros glomerulus. Here, we describe the ultrastructural features of pronephric glomerulus in detail from 24 h hours post‐fertilization (hpf) to 144 hpf, the period during which the pronephric glomerulus develops from initiation to its mature morphology. The pronephric glomerulus underwent progressive morphogenesis from 24 to 72 hpf, and presumptive glomerular cells were observed ventral to the aorta region at 24 hpf. The nascent glomerular basement membrane and initial lumen were formed at 36 hpf. A lumen was clearly visible in the region of the pronephros at 48 hpf. At 60 hpf, the pronephric glomerulus contained more patches of capillaries. After these transformations, the complex capillary vessel networks had formed inside the glomerulus, which was surrounded by podocyte bodies with elaborate foot processes as well as well‐formed glomerular basement membrane by 72 hpf. The number of renal glomerular cells rapidly increased, and the glomerulus presented its delicate structural features by 96 hpf. Morphogenesis was completed at 120 hpf with the final formation of the pronephric glomerulus. J. Morphol. 277:1104–1112, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Calcium hydroxide as a processing base in alkali‐aided pH‐shift protein recovery process
Authors: Paker Ilgin , Jaczynski Jacek , Matak Kristen E 
Published: May 2016

AbstractBACKGROUNDProtein may be recovered by using pH shifts to solubilize and precipitate protein. Typically, sodium hydroxide is used as the processing base; however, this has been shown to significantly increase sodium in the final recovered protein.RESULTSProtein was extracted from black bullhead catfish (Ameiurus melas) using a pH‐shift method. Protein was solubilized using either sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) and precipitated at pH 5.5 using hydrochloric acid (HCl). Protein solubility was greater when Ca(OH)2 was used compared to NaOH during this process. Using Ca(OH)2 as the processing base yielded the greatest lipid recovery (P < 0.05) at 77 g 100 g−1, whereas the greatest (P < 0.05) protein recovery yield was recorded as 53 g 100 g−1 protein using NaOH. Protein solubilized with Ca(OH)2 had more (P < 0.05) calcium in the protein fraction, whereas using NaOH increased (P < 0.05) sodium content.CONCLUSIONResults of our study showed that protein solubility was increased and the recovered protein had significantly more calcium when Ca(OH)2 was used as the processing base. Results showed both NaOH and Ca(OH)2 to be an effective processing base for pH‐shift protein recovery processes. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Structural characterization and bioactivity of proanthocyanidins from indigenous cinnamon (Cinnamomum osmophloeum)
Authors: Lin Gong‐Min , Lin Huan‐You , Hsu Chia‐Yun , Chang Shang‐Tzen 
Published: May 2016

AbstractBACKGROUNDBarks and twigs of common species of cinnamon with abundant proanthocyanidins are used as a spice, fold medicine or supplement. Cinnamomum osmophloeum is an endemic species in Taiwan and coumarin was not detected in the oil of the C. osmophloeum twig. The present study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the bioactivities and proanthocyanidins of C. osmophloeum twig extracts (CoTE). The n‐butanol soluble fraction from CoTE was divided into 10 subfractions (F1–F10) by Sephadex LH‐20 gel chromatography. The antihyperglycemic activities were examined by α‐glucosidase, α‐amylase and protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibitory assays. Total antioxidant activities were examined by 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging and ferrous ion‐chelating assays.RESULTSThe results revealed that subfractions F6–F10, with high proanthocyanidin contents, showed excellent antihyperglycemic and antioxidant activities. Subfractions F6–F10 were analyzed further by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization‐time of flight/mass spectrometry and thiolysis‐reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry methods. The results showed that the mean degrees of polymerization of proanthocyanidins in subfractions F6–F10 ranged from 3.5 to 5.1, with the highest degrees of polymerization of proanthocyanidins reaching 8 in subfractions F8–F10. Two compounds in F6 were identified as cinnamtannin B1 and parameritannin A1. These proanthocyanidins contained at least one A‐type and major B‐type linkages.CONCLUSIONThese results demonstrate that proanthocyanidins are associated with their antihyperglycemic and antioxidant activities in CoTE. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Preparation of five 3‐MCPD fatty acid esters, and the effects of their chemical structures on acute oral toxicity in Swiss mice
Authors: Liu Man , Liu Jie , Wu Yizhen , Gao Boyan , Wu Pingping , Shi Haiming , Sun Xiangjun , Huang Haiqiu , Wang Thomas TY , Yu Liangli(Lucy) 
Published: May 2016

AbstractBACKGROUND3‐monochloro‐1, 2‐propanediol fatty acid esters (3‐MCPDEs) comprise a group of food toxicants formed during food processing. 3‐MCPDEs have received increasing attention concerning their potential negative effects on human health. However, reports on the toxicity of 3‐MCPD esters are still limited. To determine the effects of fatty acid substitutions on the toxicity of their esters, 1‐stearic, 1‐oleic, 1‐linoleic, 1‐linoleic‐2‐palmitic and 1‐palmitic‐2‐linoleic acid esters of 3‐MCPD were synthesized and evaluated with respect to their acute oral toxicities in Swiss mice.RESULTS3‐MCPDEs were obtained through the reaction of 3‐MCPD and fatty acid chlorides, and their purities and structures were characterized by ultraperformance liquid chromatography‐quadrupole‐time of flight‐mass spectrometry (UPLC‐Q‐TOF‐MS), infrared, 1H and 13C spectroscopic analyses. Medial lethal doses of 1‐stearic, 1‐oleic, 1‐linoleic, 1‐linoleic‐2‐palmitic and 1‐palmitic‐2‐linoleic acid esters were 2973.8, 2081.4, 2016.3, 5000 and > 5000 mg kg−1 body weight. For the first time, 3‐MCPDEs were observed for their toxic effects in the thymus and lung. In addition, major histopathological changes, as well as blood urea nitrogen and creatinine, were examined for mice fed the five 3‐MCPDEs.CONCLUSIONThe results from the present study suggest that the degree of unsaturation, chain length, number of substitution and relative substitution locations of fatty acids might alter the toxicity of 3‐MCPDEs. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Individual changes in zooplankton pigmentation in relation to ultraviolet radiation and predator cues
Authors: Brüsin Martin , Svensson P. Andreas , Hylander Samuel 
Published: May 2016

AbstractCopepods are common crustaceans in aquatic systems and one of the most important producers of carotenoid astaxanthin pigments, which can enhance the animals' resistance against potentially damaging ultraviolet radiation (UVR), but at the same time, increases the risk of fish predation. Previous studies have demonstrated that copepods have different pigmentation levels matching the current threat level in terms of UVR and fish occurrence. However, these other studies have quantified population‐levels changes in pigmentation, making it difficult to disentangle the role of individual phenotypic colour changes from that of selection. We quantified carotenoid‐based pigmentation with colorimetric methods, which enabled us to track changes within individual copepods. Two species of copepods, Diaptomus castor and Eudiaptomus gracilis, were exposed to high and low UVR and fish cues in a factorial design. L*a*b* colour values (CIE; Commission International de l'Eclairage) were extracted from digital photographs of each copepod and used as proxies for carotenoid concentration. Our results showed that individual copepods significantly changed their pigmentation in response to both UVR and fish cues within a period of 2 weeks. However, the responses differed between sexes and between adults and juveniles. UVR effects were present in all life‐stages whereas fish effects were only detected in juveniles, with largest responses in D. castor. This confirms that carotenoid pigmentation is a phenotypically plastic trait, and highlights that strategies for trading off risks of UVR and predation differ between males and females as well as between life‐stages.
Temperature‐Controlled Antimicrobial Release from Poly(diethylene glycol methylether methacrylate)‐Functionalized Bottleneck‐Structured Porous Silicon for the Inhibition of Bacterial Growth
Authors: Müller Stephanie , Cavallaro Alex , Vasilev Krasimir , Voelcker Nicolas H. , Schönherr Holger 
Published: May 2016

Bacterial infections in wounds slow down the healing process and lead to increased morbidity in affected patients. Polymer coatings on porous membranes were investigated, which facilitate the in situ detection and treatment of, e.g., Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus infections. The theranostic approach relies on the thermoresponsive polymer poly(diethylene glycol methylether methacrylate) (PDEGMA). The increase of the wound temperature due to infection is targeted in this proof of concept study for triggering the release of the fluorescent antibiotic levofloxacin from bottle‐shaped porous silicon (pSi) membranes capped with PDEGMA brushes. Below their lower critical solution temperature (LCST) the PDEGMA brushes are expanded and the levofloxacin release is significantly retarded. By contrast, above the LCST the PDEGMA brushes collapse and levofloxacin is released rapidly, which is detectable in solution owing to its fluorescence properties. The concomitant inhibition of bacterial growth agrees favorably with the drug release determined by fluorescence spectroscopy.
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Facile Preparation of Monodisperse Poly(2‐hydroxyethyl acrylate)‐Grafted Poly(methyl methacrylate) Microspheres via Photoinitiated RAFT Dispersion Polymerization
Authors: Tan Jianbo , Peng Yicheng , Liu Dongdong , Huang Chundong , Yu Mingguang , Jiang Dan , Zhang Li 
Published: May 2016

Highly monodisperse poly(2‐hydroxyethyl acrylate)‐grafted poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) microspheres are prepared by a facile photoinitiated dispersion polymerization in ethanol/water mixtures at room temperature. Poly(2‐hydroxyethyl acrylate) homopolymers with different molecular weights are synthesized via reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) solution polymerization and employed as steric stabilizers in photoinitiated dispersion polymerization. The effect of macro‐RAFT agent (both concentration and molecular weight) on particle diameter is studied in detail. Kinetic study indicates that the polymerization proceeded rapidly with 96% yield being reached with 1 h of UV irradiation. Finally, the obtained hydroxyl‐rich PMMA microspheres are used as building blocks for the preparation of covalently cross‐linked colloidosomes.
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Effects of human serum and apo‐Transferrin on Staphylococcus epidermidis RP62A biofilm formation
Authors: She Pengfei , Chen Lihua , Qi Yong , Xu Huan , Liu Yuan , Wang Yangxia , Luo Zhen , Wu Yong 
Published: May 2016

AbstractBiofilm‐associated Staphylococcus epidermidis infections present clinically important features due to their high levels of resistance to traditional antibiotics. As a part of human innate immune system, serum shows different degrees of protection against systemic S. epidermidis infection. We investigated the ability of human serum as well as serum component to inhibit the formation of, and eradication of mature S. epidermidis biofilms. In addition, the synergistic effect of vancomycin combined with apo‐Transferrin was checked. Human serum exhibited significant antibiofilm activities against S. epidermidis at the concentration without affecting planktonic cell growth. However, there was no effect of human serum on established biofilms. By component separation, we observed that antibiofilm effect of serum components mainly due to the proteins could be damaged by heat inactivation (e.g., complement) or heat‐stable proteins ≥100 kDa. In addition, serum apo‐Transferrin showed modest antibiofilm effect, but without influence on S. epidermidis initial adhesion. And there was a synergistic antibiofilm interaction between vancomycin and apo‐Transferrin against S. epidermidis. Our results indicate that serum or its components (heat‐inactivated components or heat‐stable proteins ≥100 kDa) could inhibits S. epidermidis biofilm formation. Besides, apo‐Transferrin could partially reduce the biofilm formation at the concentration that does not inhibit planktonic cell growth.
Protest Policing in Hong Kong: Maintaining Professionalism and Solidarity in the Face of Renewed Political Challenges
Authors: Lin Tingjin , Burns John P. 
Published: May 2016

SummaryProtest has been a feature of Hong Kong political life since the mid‐1950s. The structure of protest policing in Hong Kong should be seen from institutional, organizational, and individual levels. We examine the norms and values, staffing, professionalism, and individual motivation of police officers. Based on a questionnaire and performance data, we seek to understand police behavior in the context of increasing protest in Hong Kong. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Policing Reform in the South Korean Maritime Police After the Sewol Ferry Disaster
Authors: Lim Seunghoo , Moon Jieun , Oh Youngmin 
Published: May 2016

SummaryThe disbanding of the Maritime Police was the Korean President's political attempt to avoid blame after the Sewol ferry accident. Under the government reorganization bill, which was drafted by the government and submitted to the National Assembly, the Maritime Police will be renamed the Maritime Safety Agency and put under the control of the newly created ministry of national safety. Furthermore, the Maritime Police's investigation and intelligence functions will be transferred to the National Police Agency, and its roles of rescue operations and maritime security will be moved to the new national safety body. The reality of this policing reform is closer to “organization succession” than it is to “organization termination.” Borrowing the concept of blame avoidance, we will examine the nature, causes, and consequences of the blame observed in this process of policing reform, which is intertwined with the historical background of the developmental state in South Korea. In this study, we expect to acquire important lessons about how the reformation of police organizations was used by the Korean government as an instrument for responding to disaster by providing new insights into the study of the complex forms of political interactions among multiple stakeholders in times of crisis. In particular, we will try to understand the causes and effects of this extreme case, the Sewol ferry accident, and the subsequent disintegration of the Maritime Police Agency through the perspective of the Korean police bureaucracy and the developmental states. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Politics and Management of Policing Reforms in Newly Industrialized, Industrializing and Developmental States: Introduction to the Special Issue
Authors: Collins Paul , Marenin Otwin , Chu Michael Chin‐Chih 
Published: May 2016

SummaryThis Special Issue of Public Administration Development on The Politics and Management of Policing Reforms in Newly Industrialized, Industrializing and Developmental States was undertaken in co‐operation and with the support of the Central Police University in Taiwan by the Guest Editorial team of Paul Collins, Otwin Marenin and Michael Chin‐Chih Chu. In this Introduction, we first of all deal with the context in which policing reforms may arise the different types of policing, how reforms arise from multiple domestic and international sources and the differences in the level and degree of reforms. Next, we outline the Special Issue (SI) approach and focus, which is to build on what is already known and the lessons of past efforts seeking to establish and sustain more professional and democratic policing. The essence of the conceptual approach is that reforming policing systems is fundamentally a political process. We need to focus on specific policies, practices and behaviour and shifting the balance of policing toward more professional behaviour. A key element that follows from this balancing is then the possibilities of reforms taking hold in the long run and becoming sustained. Within this framework, the essays then summarized cover a wide variety of topics and geographical areas — Africa, Asia, Europe and Americas — countries on the way toward economic and political modernisation with a variety of backgrounds in authoritarianism. A number of emerging patterns and cross cutting issues emerge. The final section addresses needs for future research. The unaddressed or partially addressed aspects across all the essays suggest several matter, including the character of policing systems, police decision making at managerial and individual levels, how to assess police work and civilianization of police work, informal policing systems and the impact of security policies on policing — militarization and secrecy. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fetal brain imaging in isolated congenital heart defects – a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Jansen Fenna A. R. , Everwijn Sheila M. P. , Scheepjens Robert , Stijnen Theo , Peeters‐Scholte Cacha M. P. C. D. , van Lith Jan M. M. , Haak Monique C. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractCongenital heart defects (CHDs) are associated with neurodevelopmental (ND) delay. This study aims to assess evidence for impaired prenatal brain development, in fetuses with CHD. A systematical search was performed, and 34 studies evaluating the fetal brain [magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound] in isolated CHD were included (1990–2015). Data regarding cerebral abnormalities, head circumference growth and middle cerebral artery flow were extracted. Prenatal MRI was studied in ten articles (445 fetuses), resulting in a pooled prevalence of 18% (95%CI −6%; 42%) for combined structural and acquired cerebral abnormalities. Prenatal head circumference was studied in 13 articles (753 fetuses), resulting in a pooled z‐score of −0.51 (95%CI −0.84; −0.18). Doppler was studied in 21 articles (1412 fetuses), resulting in a lower middle cerebral artery pulsatility index (z‐score −0.70 95%CI −0.99; −0.41) in left‐sided CHD only. We conclude that prenatal MRI and ultrasound demonstrate brain abnormalities, delay in head growth and brainsparing in subgroups of CHD. However, large MRI studies are scarce, and ultrasound data are biased towards severe and left‐sided CHD. Long‐term follow‐up studies correlating prenatal findings with postnatal ND outcome are limited, and data are lacking to support counseling families regarding ND outcome based on prenatal findings suggestive of altered brain development. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
N‐acetylcysteine eradicates Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms in bone cement
Authors: Onger Mehmet Emin , Gocer Hasan , Emir Dilek , Kaplan Suleyman 
Published: May 2016

SummaryBiofilm is an example of bacterial group behavior. We investigated the effect of N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) alone and in combination with ciprofloxacin on Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation. Four groups (each contains six molds) of standardized bone cement molds were infected. NAC, ciprofloxacin each alone, and NAC/ciprofloxacin combination were evaluated in point of inhibiting and eradicating biofilm capacity using microbiological and electron microscopical evaluation techniques. Microbial counts and electron microscopical observations showed that the effect of NAC and ciprofloxacin combination on biofilm formation in bone cement is valuable. NAC enhances the beneficial effect of ciprofloxacin when used in combination with it in bone cement. SCANNING 38:766–770, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.