bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of short‐term omission of daily medication on the pathophysiology of heart failure
Authors: Dovancescu Silviu , Pellicori Pierpaolo , Mabote Thato , Torabi Azam , Clark Andrew L. , Cleland John G.F. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractAimsPharmacological therapies for heart failure (HF) aim to improve congestion, symptoms, and prognosis. Failing to take medication is a potential cause of worsening HF. Characterizing the effects of short‐term medication omission could inform the development of better technologies and strategies to detect and interpret the reasons for worsening HF. We examined the effect of planned HF medication omission for 48 h on weight, echocardiograms, transthoracic bio‐impedance, and plasma concentrations of NT‐proBNP.Methods and resultsOutpatients with stable HF and an LVEF <45% were assigned to take or omit their HF medication for 48 h in a randomized, crossover trial. Twenty patients (16 men, LVEF 32 ± 9%, median NT‐proBNP 962 ng/L) were included. Compared with regular medication, omission led to an increase in NT‐proBNP by 99% (from 962 to 1883 ng/L, P < 0.001), systolic blood pressure by 16% (from 131 to 152 mmHg, P < 0.001), and left atrial volume by 21% (from 69 to 80 mL, P = 0.001), and reductions in transthoracic bio‐impedance by 10% (from 33 to 30 Σ, P = 0.001) and serum creatinine by 8% (from 135 to 118 µmol/L, P = 0.012). No significant changes in body weight, heart rate, or LVEF were observed.ConclusionsThe characteristic pattern of response to short‐term medication omission is of increasing congestion but, in contrast to the pattern reported for disease progression, with a rise in blood pressure and improved renal function. In stable HF, weight is not a sensitive marker of short‐term diuretic omission.
Breaking the “Adopt, Attack, Abandon” Cycle: A Case for Improvement Science in K–12 Education
Authors: Rohanna Kristen 
Published: March 2017

AbstractSchool reform efforts have collectively failed to find sustainable solutions to education's most pressing problems. Researchers and education practitioners have both vocalized these challenges. The difficulty of fitting proven reforms to local school contexts often leads to a cycle of “adopt, attack, and abandon.” This chapter discusses the potential power of improvement science to break the cycle in education. In doing so, the research aims to understand the school leader's perspective when improvement science processes were employed at their sites. The research examined three school cases, as principals used rapid cycles of evaluations, using the improvement science PDSA model. In addition to providing a better understanding of what factors facilitate or constrain the implementation of rapid cycles of evaluation in school sites, the research offers insight into how evaluators can use improvement science methods to adapt interventions or practices to local context.
Controls on spatial and temporal variations in sand delivery to salmonid spawning riffles
Authors: Milan David 
Published: March 2017

AbstractFine sediment infiltration into gravel interstices is known to be detrimental to incubating salmonid embryos. Infiltration into spawning riffles can show large spatial variations at the scale of a morphological unit and over time, with significant implications for embryo survival. Furthermore, some process‐based infiltration studies, and incubation‐to‐emergence models assume that fines are delivered to redds via suspension rather than bedload. This process‐based 12‐month study examined spatial patterns of predominantly sand infiltration into gravels in an upland trout stream, using infiltration baskets. An assessment of Rouse numbers for infiltrated sand indicated that it was transported predominantly as bedload at flow peaks. Clear temporal and spatial patterns existed, with highest rates of infiltration strongly associated with higher discharges (r2 = 0.7, p < .05). Seasonal variations in the delivery of different grain sizes were also a feature, with enhanced contributions of 0.5–2 mm sediment during elevated winter flows and 0.125–0.5 mm sediment during spring and summer; the latter is potentially harmful to the later stages of embryo incubation. Clear spatial patterns were also evident across riffles, with highest rates of infiltration tending to occur in areas of lower relative roughness—the areas competent to transport sand for longer periods. Incubation‐to‐emergence models should take into consideration spatial patterns of fine sediment dynamics at the pool–riffle scale, to improve prediction.
Thiol‐based copper handling by the copper chaperone Atox1
Authors: Hatori Yuta , Inouye Sachiye , Akagi Reiko 
Published: March 2017

AbstractHuman antioxidant protein 1 (Atox1) plays a crucial role in cellular copper homeostasis. Atox1 captures cytosolic copper for subsequent transfer to copper pumps in trans Golgi network, thereby facilitating copper supply to various copper‐dependent oxidereductases matured within the secretory vesicles. Atox1 and other copper chaperones handle cytosolic copper using Cys thiols which are ideal ligands for coordinating Cu(I). Recent studies demonstrated reversible oxidation of these Cys residues in copper chaperones, linking cellular redox state to copper homeostasis. Highlighted in this review are unique redox properties of Atox1 and other copper chaperones. Also, summarized are the redox nodes in the cytosol which potentially play dominant roles in the redox regulation of copper chaperones. © 2016 IUBMB Life, 69(4):246–254, 2017
BEX4 upregulation alters Sertoli cell growth properties and protein expression profiles: An explanation for cadmium‐induced testicular Sertoli cell injury
Authors: Yu Wu , Yaping Liu , Mingjun Wu , Jie Hao , Xiaogang Liao , Gang Li 
Published: March 2017

AbstractIncreasing evidence has demonstrated that cadmium (Cd) may induce testicular dysfunction by targeting genes that are expressed in the testis. Here, we demonstrated that BEX4 is expressed in testis Sertoli cells, and its expression was significantly upregulated by CdCl2 treatment through activating the p38 signaling pathway. To investigate whether augmented BEX4 expression affects Sertoli cell growth and function, BEX4‐overexpressing TM4 Sertoli cells were established. Proteomics analysis identified 85 differentially expressed proteins in BEX4‐overexpressing cells. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that most of the significantly upregulated proteins had functional implications in cellular metabolic processes, whereas those that were downregulated were mostly related to cell cycle and cell communication. Therefore, the present study provides the first evidence that BEX4 upregulation induces alterations in Sertoli cell growth properties and protein expression profiles, which may be an explanation for Cd‐induced testicular Sertoli cell injury.
Kinetics of Absorption of Carbon Dioxide into Sodium Metaborate Solution
Authors: Uysal Duygu , Dogan Özkan Murat , Uysal Bekir Zühtü 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACTCarbon dioxide capture potential of sodium metaborate, which is the main product of the process by means of which hydrogen is obtained from sodium borohydride, was investigated. This work aims at both carbon dioxide capture and finding an alternative use for sodium metaborate. The products of this chemical absorption are sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, and boric acid; all of which are industrially important chemicals. In this study, the kinetics of the reaction between sodium metaborate and carbon dioxide was investigated at atmospheric pressure and temperatures between 17 and 50°C while initial sodium metaborate concentration was changed as 0.5, 1, and 2.5 wt%. The frequency factor and activation energy for this reaction were found as 1.97 × 10−3 m3/mol‐s and 18,062 J/mol, respectively.
Polyvalent 2D Entry Inhibitors for Pseudorabies and African Swine Fever Virus
Authors: Ziem Benjamin , Rahn Jessica , Donskyi Ievgen , Silberreis Kim , Cuellar Luis , Dernedde Jens , Keil Günther , Mettenleiter Thomas C. , Haag Rainer 
Published: March 2017

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is one of the most dangerous viruses for pigs and is endemic in Africa but recently also spread into the Russian Federation and the Eastern border of the EU. So far there is no vaccine or antiviral drug available to curtail the infection. Thus, control strategies based on novel inhibitors are urgently needed. Another highly relevant virus infection in pigs is Aujeszky's disease caused by the alphaherpesvirus pseudorabies virus (PrV). This article reports the synthesis and biological evaluation of novel extracellular matrix‐inspired entry inhibitors based on polyglycerol sulfate‐functionalized graphene sheets. The developed 2D architectures bind enveloped viruses during the adhesion process and thereby exhibit strong inhibitory effects, which are equal or better than the common standards enrofloxacin and heparin as demonstrated for ASFV and PrV. Overall, the developed polyvalent 2D entry inhibitors are nontoxic and efficient nanoarchitectures, which interact with various types of enveloped viruses. Therefore they prevent viral adhesion to the host cell and especially target viruses that rely on a heparan sulfate‐dependent cell entry mechanism.
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Hyperbranced Polymers by Photoinduced Self‐Condensing Vinyl Polymerization Using Bisbenzodioxinone
Authors: Aydogan Cansu , Ciftci Mustafa , Kumbaraci Volkan , Talinli Naciye , Yagci Yusuf 
Published: March 2017

Branched polymers with different branching densities and their cross‐linked analogues are synthesized by photoinduced self‐condensing vinyl polymerization via benzodioxinone photochemistry. Thus, methyl methacrylate is copolymerized with two different comonomers, namely, 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and 2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate in the presence of bisbenzodioxinone (BBNZ) under UV light. Upon irradiation, BBNZ undergoes irreversible decomposition leading to the formation of benzophenone photosensitizer and bisketene. The released benzophenone is further photoexcited at the same wavelength to give the initiating radicals through hydrogen abstraction from the inimer. In the case of HEMA, additional branching sites are formed by the reaction of bisketene with the hydroxyl functionalities of HEMA.
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Dual‐Physical Cross‐Linked Tough and Photoluminescent Hydrogels with Good Biocompatibility and Antibacterial Activity
Authors: Hu Chen , Wang Mei Xiang , Sun Lei , Yang Jian Hai , Zrínyi Miklós , Chen Yong Mei 
Published: March 2017

Development of novel photoluminescent hydrogels with toughness, biocompatibility, and antibiosis is important for the applications in biomedical field. Herein, novel tough photoluminescent lanthanide (Ln)‐alginate/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogels with the properties of biocompatibility and antibiosis have been facilely synthesized by introducing hydrogen bonds and coordination bonds into the interpenetrating networks of Na‐alginate and PVA, via approaches of frozen‐thawing and ion‐exchanging. The resultant hydrogels exhibit high mechanical strength (0.6 MPa tensile strength, 5.0 tensile strain, 6.0 MPa compressive strength, and 900 kJ m−3 energy dissipation under 400% stretch), good photoluminescence as well as biocompatibility and antibacterial activity. The design strategy provides a new avenue for the fabrication of multifunctional photoluminescent hydrogels based on biocompatible polymers.
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Rotigotine Effects on Bladder Function in Patients with Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Brusa Livia , Petta Filomena , Farullo Giuseppe , Iacovelli Valerio , Ponzo Viviana , Iani Cesare , Stanzione Paolo , Agró Enrico Finazzi 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe objective of this study was to assess the effect of rotigotine treatment on bladder function in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) who have urinary urgency.Methodsin total, 20 patients with PD underwent urodynamic evaluation and completed International Prostate Symptoms questionnaires in off‐rotigotine condition and after 3 months of rotigotine patch monotherapy administration. In both sessions, clinical motor condition was evaluated with the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale, Part III (motor part).ResultsRotigotine administration significantly ameliorated the first sensation of bladder filling, the neurogenic detrusor overactive contractions threshold and bladder capacity compared with the off‐treatment condition. Moreover, the total score on the International Prostate Symptoms questionnaire revealed a decrease of filling (irritative) symptoms after rotigotine treatment compared with the off‐treatment condition.ConclusionThe positive effects of rotigotine may be due to its balanced agonism to D1 and D2 receptors and in particular to its stimulation of D1 receptors in the anterior cingulate cortex and insula, which are known as areas involved in bladder‐inhibitory functions.
Optimal reconstruction and quantitative image features for computer‐aided diagnosis tools for breast CT
Authors: Lee Juhun , Nishikawa Robert M. , Reiser Ingrid , Boone John M. 
Published: March 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to determine the optimal representative reconstruction and quantitative image feature set for a computer‐aided diagnosis (CADx) scheme for dedicated breast computer tomography (bCT).MethodWe used 93 bCT scans that contain 102 breast lesions (62 malignant, 40 benign). Using an iterative image reconstruction (IIR) algorithm, we created 37 reconstructions with different image appearances for each case. In addition, we added a clinical reconstruction for comparison purposes. We used image sharpness, determined by the gradient of gray value in a parenchymal portion of the reconstructed breast, as a surrogate measure of the image qualities/appearances for the 38 reconstructions. After segmentation of the breast lesion, we extracted 23 quantitative image features. Using leave‐one‐out‐cross‐validation (LOOCV), we conducted the feature selection, classifier training, and testing. For this study, we used the linear discriminant analysis classifier. Then, we selected the representative reconstruction and feature set for the classifier with the best diagnostic performance among all reconstructions and feature sets. Then, we conducted an observer study with six radiologists using a subset of breast lesions (N = 50). Using 1000 bootstrap samples, we compared the diagnostic performance of the trained classifier to those of the radiologists.ResultThe diagnostic performance of the trained classifier increased as the image sharpness of a given reconstruction increased. Among combinations of reconstructions and quantitative image feature sets, we selected one of the sharp reconstructions and three quantitative image feature sets with the first three highest diagnostic performances under LOOCV as the representative reconstruction and feature set for the classifier. The classifier on the representative reconstruction and feature set achieved better diagnostic performance with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.94 (95% CI = [0.81, 0.98]) than those of the radiologists, where their maximum AUC was 0.78 (95% CI = [0.63, 0.90]). Moreover, the partial AUC, at 90% sensitivity or higher, of the classifier (pAUC = 0.085 with 95% CI = [0.063, 0.094]) was statistically better (P‐value < 0.0001) than those of the radiologists (maximum pAUC = 0.009 with 95% CI = [0.003, 0.024]).ConclusionWe found that image sharpness measure can be a good candidate to estimate the diagnostic performance of a given CADx algorithm. In addition, we found that there exists a reconstruction (i.e., sharp reconstruction) and a feature set that maximizes the diagnostic performance of a CADx algorithm. On this optimal representative reconstruction and feature set, the CADx algorithm outperformed radiologists.
Influence of the film‐forming process on the nanostructuration of Pebax®/1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium triflate ionic liquid: Consequences on the thermal, mechanical, gas, and water transport properties
Authors: Magana S. , Sudre G. , Gouanvé F. , Cousin F. , Espuche E. 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACT1‐Ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium triflate ionic liquid (IL) was incorporated in Pebax® MV 3000 copolymer through solvent cast (SC) or melt blending (MB) for composition from 0 to 30 wt % IL. The morphology was investigated by small angle neutron scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. The SC copolymer film exhibited a lower mean correlation distance (D = 87 Å) and smoother transition between the rigid and soft phases in comparison with the MB film (D = 103 Å). By dissolving in the copolymer soft phase, IL acted as a plasticizer, impeded soft segments crystallization and led to linear increase of D. The differences observed in morphology as a function of the film process impacted the mechanical and gas transport properties: below 20 wt % IL, all SC films sustained thermomechanical properties up to 120 °C and exhibited lower permeability than MB films. IL adding made permeability decrease up to 60%, depending on the gas nature and IL amount. Hydration of the films was investigated by sorption and SANS analyses. The impact of water uptake on swelling was similar for all membranes whereas water diffusion depended on the film morphologies and IL amount. Interesting mechanical and transport properties were obtained for IL content up to 20 wt %. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2017, 55, 778–788
High Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Activity Identifies a Subset of Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells with Vascular Regenerative Potential
Authors: Sherman Stephen E. , Kuljanin Miljan , Cooper Tyler T. , Putman David M. , Lajoie Gilles A. , Hess David A. 
Published: March 2017

Abstract
During culture expansion, multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) differentially express aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), an intracellular detoxification enzyme that protects long-lived cells against oxidative stress. Thus, MSC selection based on ALDH-activity may be used to reduce heterogeneity and distinguish MSC subsets with improved regenerative potency. After expansion of human bone marrow-derived MSCs, cell progeny was purified based on low versus high ALDH-activity (ALDHhi) by fluorescence-activated cell sorting, and each subset was compared for multipotent stromal and provascular regenerative functions. Both ALDHl° and ALDHhi MSC subsets demonstrated similar expression of stromal cell (&gt;95% CD73+, CD90+, CD105+) and pericyte (&gt;95% CD146+) surface markers and showed multipotent differentiation into bone, cartilage, and adipose cells in vitro. Conditioned media (CDM) generated by ALDHhi MSCs demonstrated a potent proliferative and prosurvival effect on human microvascular endothelial cells (HMVECs) under serum-free conditions and augmented HMVEC tube-forming capacity in growth factor-reduced matrices. After subcutaneous transplantation within directed in vivo angiogenesis assay implants into immunodeficient mice, ALDHhi MSC or CDM produced by ALDHhi MSC significantly augmented murine vascular cell recruitment and perfused vessel infiltration compared with ALDHl° MSC. Although both subsets demonstrated strikingly similar mRNA expression patterns, quantitative proteomic analyses performed on subset-specific CDM revealed the ALDHhi MSC subset uniquely secreted multiple proangiogenic cytokines (vascular endothelial growth factor beta, platelet derived growth factor alpha, and angiogenin) and actively produced multiple factors with chemoattractant (transforming growth factor-β, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1, 2, and 3 (GRO), C-C motif chemokine ligand 5 (RANTES), monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), interleukin [IL]-6, IL-8) and matrix-modifying functions (tissue inhibitor of metalloprotinase 1 & 2 (TIMP1/2)). Collectively, MSCs selected for ALDHhi demonstrated enhanced proangiogenic secretory functions and represent a purified MSC subset amenable for vascular regenerative applications.
Prognostic and predictive value of circulating tumor cells and CXCR4 expression as biomarkers for a CXCR4 peptide antagonist in combination with carboplatin-etoposide in small cell lung cancer: exploratory analysis of a phase II study
Authors: Salgia Ravi , Weaver R. Waide , McCleod Michael , Stille John R. , Yan S. Betty , Roberson Stephanie , Polzer John , Flynt Amy , Raddad Eyas , Peek Victoria L. , Wijayawardana Sameera R. , Um Suzane L. , Gross Steve , Connelly Mark C. , Morano Carrie , Repollet Madeline , Sanders Renouard , Baeten Kurt , D’Haese David , Spigel David R. 
Published: March 2017

SummaryBackground Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 4 (CXCR4) expression in CTCs and tumor tissue were evaluated as prognostic or predictive markers of CXCR4 peptide antagonist LY2510924 plus carboplatin-etoposide (CE) versus CE in extensive-stage disease small cell lung cancer (ED-SCLC). Methods This exploratory analysis of a phase II study evaluated CXCR4 expression in baseline tumor tissue and peripheral blood CTCs and in post-treatment CTCs. Optimum cutoff values were determined for CTC counts and CXCR4 expression in tumors and CTCs as predictors of survival outcome. Kaplan-Meier estimates and hazard ratios were used to determine biomarker prognostic and predictive values. Results There was weak positive correlation at baseline between CXCR4 expression in tumor tissue and CTCs. Optimum cutoff values were H-score ≥ 210 for CXCR4+ tumor, ≥7% CTCs with CXCR4 expression (CXCR4+ CTCs), and ≥6 CTCs/7.5 mL blood. Baseline H-score for CXCR4+ tumor was not prognostic of progression-free survival (PFS) or overall survival (OS). Baseline CXCR4+ CTCs ≥7% was prognostic of shorter PFS. CTCs ≥6 at baseline and cycle 2, day 1 were prognostic of shorter PFS and OS. None of the biomarkers at their respective optimum cutoffs was predictive of treatment response of LY2510924 plus CE versus CE. Conclusions In patients with ED-SCLC, baseline CXCR4 expression in tumor tissue was not prognostic of survival or predictive of LY2510924 treatment response. Baseline CXCR4+ CTCs ≥7% was prognostic of shorter PFS. CTC count ≥6 at baseline and after 1 cycle of treatment were prognostic of shorter PFS and OS.
Simultaneous Enzymatic Transesterification and Esterification of an Acid Oil Using Fermented Solid as Biocatalyst
Authors: Aguieiras Erika C. G. , Cavalcanti‐Oliveira Elisa D. , de Castro Aline M. , Langone Marta A. P. , Freire Denise M. G. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThis work studied the enzymatic synthesis of fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) for potential use as biodiesel via simultaneous esterification and transesterification of acid oil from macaúba in a solvent‐free system. A fermented and dry babassu cake with lipase activity from Rhizomucor miehei was used as biocatalyst. FAEE content above 85% was achieved after 96 h of reaction with enzyme loading of 13 U per g of oil, 120 mmol of hydrous ethanol (95% ethanol and 5% water)/20 mmol of oil (molar ratio ethanol:oil of 6:1), at 40 °C. After two consecutive enzymatic reactions, 90.8 wt% FAEE content was obtained. These results demonstrate a promising transesterification/esterification method for FAEE production from an acid and low‐cost oil and the process has potential to decrease the costs of enzymatic biodiesel production.