bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of supplements during the cold season on the reproductive system in prepubertal Tibetan sheep ewes
Authors: Jing Xiaoping , Peng Quanhui , Hu Rui , Wang Hongze , Yu Xiaoqiang , Degen Allan , Zou Huawei , Bao Shanke , Zhao Suonan , Wang Zhisheng 
Published: January 2017

AbstractWe examined the development of the reproductive system in prepubertal Tibetan sheep ewes when fed only oat hay (CON) or supplemented with either lick blocks (BS) or concentrate feed (CS) during the cold season. The average daily gain of the CS ewes was greater than that of the BS ewes (P < 0.05), which was greater than that of the CON ewes. The same pattern was observed in the number of ovarian follicles (P < 0.001), that is, CS > BS > CON. Serum concentrations of gonadotropin‐releasing hormone, follicle‐stimulating hormone, luteotrophic hormone, estradiol and progesterone in the CS and BS groups were higher than in the CON group (P < 0.05). The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of KiSS‐1, GPR54 (G protein‐coupled receptor 54), ERα (estradiol receptor α) in the hypothalamic anteroventral periventricular area of the CS group were higher than in both the BS and CON groups (P < 0.05), while the BS group was higher than in the CON group (P < 0.05). Similar differences among groups were observed for gonadotropin‐releasing hormone receptor mRNA expression in the pituitary, follicle‐stimulating hormone receptor and luteinizing hormone receptor mRNA expression in the ovary. These results indicated that the KiSS1/GPR54 system was more active with nutrition or trace mineral supplementation during the cold season. The system stimulated the hypothalamic–pituitary‑gonadal axis and enhanced folliclar development in prepubertal Tibetan sheep ewes. We concluded that energy, protein and trace minerals supplements could improve the reproductive performance of Tibetan sheep on the Qinghai‐Tibetan plateau.
Einsatz und Wirksamkeit von Systemtherapien bei Erwachsenen mit schwerer Neurodermitis: Erste Ergebnisse des deutschen Neurodermitis‐Registers TREATgermany
Authors: Schmitt Jochen , Abraham Susanne , Trautmann Freya , Stephan Victoria , Fölster‐Holst Regina , Homey Bernhard , Bieber Thomas , Novak Natalija , Sticherling Michael , Augustin Matthias , Kleinheinz Andreas , Elsner Peter , Weidinger Stephan , Werfel Thomas 
Published: January 2017

ZusammenfassungHintergrundVersorgungsregister dienen der Erfassung des Einsatzes und der Wirksamkeit von Therapien unter realen Versorgungsbedingungen und sind als Basis einer evidenzbasierten Gesundheitsversorgung unverzichtbar.MethodikDas deutsche Neurodermitis‐Register TREATgermany wurde als weltweit erstes Register für Patienten mit schwerer Neurodermitis 2011 initiiert. Erwachsene mit schwerer Neurodermitis (aktuelle/frühere antientzündliche Systemtherapie und/oder objektiver SCORAD ≥ 40) werden über einen Zeitraum von 24 Monaten prospektiv beobachtet. Anhand validierter Erhebungsinstrumente werden die klinische Erkrankungsschwere (EASI, SCORAD), Lebensqualität (DLQI), Symptome, globale Erkrankungsschwere sowie die Patientenzufriedenheit erfasst und die durchgeführten Therapien dokumentiert. Die vorliegende Analyse beschreibt die Charakteristika, Therapiewahl und Wirksamkeit der eingesetzten antiinflammatorischen Systemtherapien der bis Oktober 2014 eingeschlossenen Patienten.ErgebnisseAn fünf Zentren wurden insgesamt 78 Patienten (Durchschnittsalter 39 Jahre, 61 % männlich) eingeschlossen. Bei den Patienten besteht eine hohe Inanspruchnahme ambulanter und stationärer Leistungen. Ciclosporin war das am häufigsten eingesetzte Systemtherapeutikum und zeigte die höchste klinische Effektivität (EASI‐50‐Ansprechrate 51 %; EASI‐75‐Ansprechrate 34 % nach zwölfwöchiger Therapie). Azathioprin, Methotrexat (MTX), Prednisolon oral, Mycophenolat, Alitretinoin und Leflunomid wurden ebenfalls bei einzelnen Patienten eingesetzt.SchlussfolgerungenDie vorliegende Registerauswertung gibt wichtige Hinweise zur derzeitigen Versorgung von Erwachsenen mit schwerer Neurodermitis in Deutschland, dokumentiert die hohe Erkrankungslast, den Nutzen vorhandener Therapien und den Bedarf an weiteren, effektiven und in der Langzeitanwendung sicheren Therapieoptionen.
A robust sebum, oil, and particulate pollution model for assessing cleansing efficacy of human skin
Authors: Peterson G. , Rapaka S. , Koski N. , Kearney M. , Ortblad K. , Tadlock L. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractWith increasing concerns over the rise of atmospheric particulate pollution globally and its impact on systemic health and skin ageing, we have developed a pollution model to mimic particulate matter trapped in sebum and oils creating a robust (difficult to remove) surrogate for dirty, polluted skin.ObjectiveTo evaluate the cleansing efficacy/protective effect of a sonic brush vs. manual cleansing against particulate pollution (trapped in grease/oil typical of human sebum).MethodsThe pollution model (Sebollution; sebum pollution model; SPM) consists of atmospheric particulate matter/pollution combined with grease/oils typical of human sebum. Twenty subjects between the ages of 18–65 were enrolled in a single‐centre, cleansing study comparisons between the sonic cleansing brush (normal speed) compared to manual cleansing. Equal amount of SPM was applied to the centre of each cheek (left and right). Method of cleansing (sonic vs. manual) was randomized to the side of the face (left or right) for each subject. Each side was cleansed for five‐seconds using the sonic cleansing device with sensitive brush head or manually, using equal amounts of water and a gel cleanser. Photographs (VISIA‐CR, Canfield Imaging, NJ, USA) were taken at baseline (before application of the SPM), after application of SPM (pre‐cleansing), and following cleansing. Image analysis (ImageJ, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA) was used to quantify colour intensity (amount of particulate pollutants on the skin) using a scale of 0 to 255 (0 = all black pixels; 255 = all white pixels). Differences between the baseline and post‐cleansing values (pixels) are reported as the amount of SPM remaining following each method of cleansing.ResultsUsing a robust cleansing protocol to assess removal of pollutants (SPM; atmospheric particulate matter trapped in grease/oil), the sonic brush removed significantly more SPM than manual cleansing (P < 0.001). While extreme in colour, this pollution method easily allows assessment of efficacy through image analysis.
Low‐temperature synthesis of nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite: Effect of Mg and Sr content
Authors: Stipniece Liga , Narkevica Inga , Salma‐Ancane Kristine 
Published: January 2017

AbstractNanocrystalline Mg‐ or Sr‐containing hydroxyapatite powders were synthesized through low‐temperature chemical precipitation. The most significant factor for reduction in particle sizes included adjusting the reaction temperature between 0°C and 50°C. Syntheses products were characterized using several analytical tools to determine purity and influence of added amount (up to 15 mol%) of Mg or Sr on the composition and structure. Qualitative analysis by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and low intensity, broad X‐ray diffraction peaks indicated the presence of nanocrystalline and/or amorphous hydroxyapatite in all the products. Moreover, a significant decrease in the crystallinity was observed with increasing Mg (up to 2.8 ± 0.3 wt%) and Sr (up to 9.6 ± 1.0 wt%) concentration. N2 adsorption and scanning electron microscopy characterizations confirmed the nanocrystalline nature of the synthesized products. The synthesized products had nanosized spherical‐like particle morphology with the specific surface area ranging from 89 ± 7 to 150 ± 20 m2/g.
Preclinical Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamic Target of SCY-078, a First-in-Class Orally Active Antifungal Glucan Synthesis Inhibitor, in Murine Models of Disseminated Candidiasis
Authors: Wring Stephen A. , Randolph Ryan , Park SeongHee , Abruzzo George , Chen Qing , Flattery Amy , Garrett Graig , Peel Michael , Outcalt Russell , Powell Kendall , Trucksis Michelle , Angulo David , Borroto-Esoda Katyna 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACT

SCY-078 (MK-3118) is a novel, semisynthetic derivative of enfumafungin and represents the first compound of the triterpene class of antifungals. SCY-078 exhibits potent inhibition of β-(1,3)-
d
-glucan synthesis, an essential cell wall component of many pathogenic fungi, including
Candida
spp. and
Aspergillus
spp. SCY-078 is currently in phase 2 clinical development for the treatment of invasive fungal diseases.
In vitro
disposition studies to assess solubility, intestinal permeability, and metabolic stability were predictive of good oral bioavailability. Preclinical pharmacokinetic studies were consistent with once-daily administration to humans. After intravenous delivery, plasma clearance in rodents and dogs was low, representing <15% and <25% of hepatic blood flow, respectively. The terminal elimination-phase half-life was 5.5 to 8.7 h in rodents, and it was ∼9.3 h in dogs. The volume of distribution at steady-state was high (4.7 to 5.3 liters/kg), a finding suggestive of extensive tissue distribution. Exposure of SCY-078 in kidney tissue, a target organ for invasive fungal disease such as candidiasis, exceeded plasma by 20- to 25-fold for the area under the concentration-time curve from 0 h to infinity (AUC
0–∞
) and
C
max
. SCY-078 achieved efficacy endpoints following oral delivery across multiple murine models of disseminated candidiasis. The pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic indices
C
max
/MIC and AUC/MIC correlated with outcome. Target therapeutic exposure, expressed as the plasma AUC
0–24
, was comparable across models, with an upper value of 11.2 μg·h/ml (15.4 μM·h); the corresponding mean value for free drug AUC/MIC was ∼0.75. Overall, these results demonstrate that SCY-078 has the oral and intravenous (i.v.) pharmacokinetic properties and potency in murine infection models of disseminated candidiasis to support further investigation as a novel i.v. and oral treatment for invasive fungal diseases.
Some Synonymous and Nonsynonymous
gyrA
Mutations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis Lead to Systematic False-Positive Fluoroquinolone Resistance Results with the Hain GenoType MTBDR
sl
Assays
Authors: Ajileye Adebisi , Alvarez Nataly , Merker Matthias , Walker Timothy M. , Akter Suriya , Brown Kerstin , Moradigaravand Danesh , Schön Thomas , Andres Sönke , Schleusener Viola , Omar Shaheed V. , Coll Francesc , Huang Hairong , Diel Roland , Ismail Nazir , Parkhill Julian , de Jong Bouke C. , Peto Tim E. A. , Crook Derrick W. , Niemann Stefan , Robledo Jaime , Smith E. Grace , Peacock Sharon J. , Köser Claudio U. 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACT

In this study, using the Hain GenoType MTBDR
sl
assays (versions 1 and 2), we found that some nonsynonymous and synonymous mutations in
gyrA
in
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
result in systematic false-resistance results to fluoroquinolones by preventing the binding of wild-type probes. Moreover, such mutations can prevent the binding of mutant probes designed for the identification of specific resistance mutations. Although these mutations are likely rare globally, they occur in approximately 7% of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis strains in some settings.
Healthy Canadian adolescents’ perspectives of cancer using metaphors: a qualitative study
Authors: Woodgate Roberta Lynn , Busolo David Shiyokha 
Published: January 2017

ObjectivesCancer has been described using metaphors for over 4 decades. However, little is known about healthy adolescents’ perspectives of cancer using metaphors. This paper reports on findings specific to adolescents’ perspectives of cancer using metaphors. The findings emerged from a qualitative ethnographic study that sought to understand Canadian adolescents’ conceptualisation of cancer and cancer prevention.DesignTo arrive at a detailed description, data were obtained using individual interviews, focus groups and photovoice.Setting6 high schools from a western Canada province.Participants75 Canadian adolescents.ResultsUse of 4 metaphors emerged from the data: loss (cancer as the sick patient and cancer as death itself); military (cancer as a battle); living thing (haywire cells and other living things) and faith (cancer as God's will) metaphors, with the loss and military metaphors being the ones most frequently used by adolescents. Adolescents’ descriptions of cancer were partly informed by their experiences with family members with cancer but also what occurs in their social worlds including mass media. Adolescents related cancer to emotions such as sadness and fear. Accordingly, more holistic and factual cancer descriptions, education and psychosocial support are needed to direct cancer messaging and clinical practice.ConclusionsFindings from this study suggest that the public and healthcare providers be more aware of how they communicate cancer messages.
Insulin-Mediated Signaling Facilitates Resistance to PDGFR Inhibition in Proneural hPDGFB-Driven Gliomas
Authors: Almiron Bonnin Damian A. , Ran Cong , Havrda Matthew C. , Liu Huan , Hitoshi Yasuyuki , Zhang Zhonghua , Cheng Chao , Ung Matthew , Israel Mark A. 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
Despite abundant evidence implicating receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK), including the platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), in the pathogenesis of glioblastoma (GBM), the clinical use of RTK inhibitors in this disease has been greatly compromised by the rapid emergence of therapeutic resistance. To study the resistance of proneural gliomas that are driven by a PDGFR-regulated pathway to targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors, we utilized a mouse model of proneural glioma in which mice develop tumors that become resistant to PDGFR inhibition. We found that tumors resistant to PDGFR inhibition required the expression and activation of the insulin receptor (IR)/insulin growth-like factor receptor (IGF1R) for tumor cell proliferation and survival. Cotargeting IR/IGF1R and PDGFR decreased the emergence of resistant clones in vitro. Our findings characterize a novel model of glioma recurrence that implicates the IR/IGF1R signaling axis in mediating the development of resistance to PDGFR inhibition and provide evidence that IR/IGF1R signaling is important in the recurrence of the proneural subtype of glioma in which PDGF/PDGFR is most commonly expressed at a high level. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(4); 705–16. ©2017 AACR.
Automatic moment tensor determination for the Hellenic Unified Seismic Network.
Authors: Triantafyllis N. , Sokos E. , Ilias A. 
Published: January 2017

Modern seismic networks with broadband sensors and real time digital telemetry made Moment Tensor (MT) determination a routine procedure. Automatic MT’s are now provided by global networks and a few very dense regional networks, within minutes after a significant event. An automatic MT determination wasn’t possible for the broader Hellenic area since seismic station density wasn’t sufficient. The creation of the Hellenic Unified Seismic Network (HUSN) provided the opportunity to apply an automated MT procedure using the available broad band data from almost one hundred stations. Thus the ISOLA code was extended towards the automatic operation based on Linux OS shell scripts, stand alone Fortran codes and SAC2000. Software supports both manual and automatic mode; at the first case, the user manually runs the program with the desired input parameters while at the latter, the system monitors a mailbox or RSS feed and if it receives an appropriate notification triggers the MT inversion procedure based on certain conditions. As it is setup now it calculates automatically the moment tensor of earthquakes larger than 3.5M w using data from HUSN. Application of an automated MT inversion procedure for HUSN will provide important real time information for studies like ground motion evaluation, tsunami warning etc.
Changes in flood mortality during the last 50 years in Greece.
Authors: Diakakis M. , Deligiannakis G. 
Published: January 2017

This work focuses on the changes that occur in the circumstances under which flood fatalities occur in Greece. To this aim, this paper develops and studies a database of 189 flood-related deaths, between 1960 and 2010, consisting of variables describing the conditions during the time of each incident. Changes in the number and the spatial distribution of fatalities, together with changes in the conditions, the surrounding environment and the demographics of the victims are investigated. Results showed that males, youngsters and elderly people presented an overrepresentation among the decedents, although individuals between 20 and 65 showed a significant increase among the victims, especially during the last decades of the study period. Fatal flood events were found to be approximately equally divided between urban and rural environments. However, fatal incidents appear to gradually migrate from urban centers to rural environments. Vehicle-related fatalities showed a gradual increase, whereas pedestrian victims and indoors incidents show an opposite trend. Fatalities per flood event presented a significant decline, although in absolute numbers, flood deaths did not show a respectively important decreasing trend. Among different causes of death drowning was found to be the most common throughout the study period.
Geophysical investigation and its geological interpretation in the frame of an intergrated survey prior to a dam construction in Plati River Valley, Rethymno, Greece.
Authors: Apostolopoulos G. , Pavlaki C. , Perleros V. , Amolochitis G. 
Published: January 2017

A geophysical survey using electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) method(25 ERT profiles of 240m total length and 2 ERT profiles of 1000m total length) in the area of Plati River valley gave valuable information regarding the stratigraphy, related to loose sediments, various faces of flysch and limestone, the tectonic status and the detection of areas of thick and extensive sheared siltstone, that geoelectrically is similar to clay,material useful for the core of the future dam. Both branches of river and valley and in greater detail the area near the position of the dam have detected showing the underground in a 2D and 3D manner. The thickness of neogene andflysch exceeds 40m. Alternations of siltstones-sandstones are met in flysch and in places cohesive sandstones are also met without continuation in an extended area. The siltstonelayers due to their shear character present clayey characteristics in respect of their resistivities. In general zones of limestone uplift have not been detected, which may create problems of leakages apart of the dam area where lateral inhomogeneity between flysch and limestone has been detected (probable fault). The various limestone bodies met in flysch or neogene do not have continuation in depth and they are isolated.
Seismic hazard assessment in the Northern Aegean Sea (Greece) through discrete Semi-Markov modeling.
Authors: Pertsinidou C. E. , Tsaklidis G. , Papadimitriou E. 
Published: January 2017

Semi-Markov chains are used for studying the evolution of seismicity in the Northern Aegean Sea (Greece). Their main difference from the Markov chains is that they allow the sojourn times (i.e. the time between successive earthquakes), to follow any arbitrary distribution. It is assumed that the time series of earthquakes that occurred in Northern Aegean Sea form a discrete semi-Markov chain. The probability law of the sojourn times, is considered to be the geometric distribution or the discrete Weibull distribution. Firstly, the data are classified into two categories that is, state 1: Magnitude 6.5 -7 and state 2 Magnitude>7, and secondly into three categories , that is state 1: Magnitude 6.5-6.7, state 2: Magnitude 6.8-7.1 and state 3: Magnitude 7.2-7.4 . This methodology is followed in order to obtain more accurate results and find out whether there exists an impact of the different classification on the results. The parameters of the probability laws of the sojourn times are estimated and the semi-Markov kernels are evaluated for all the above cases . The semi-Markov kernels are compared and the conclusions are drawn relatively to future seismic hazard in the area under study.
A Non-Extensive approach in investigating Greek seismicity.
Authors: Michas G. , Papadakis G. , Vallianatos F. 
Published: January 2017

In this work the Greek seismicity is being investigated by means of Non-Extensive Statistical Physics [NESP]. NESP is a generalization of Boltzmann-Gibbs statistical physics and has been successfully used for the analysis of a variety of complex dynamic systems, where fractality and long- range interactions are important. We use a non-extensive model that is derived from the first principles to describe thefrequency-magnitude distribution of the Greek seismicity for the period 1976-2009 by using a recent earthquake catalogue for the Hellenic region compiled by Makropoulos et al. (2012). The results indicate that the non-extensive model can describe quite well the observed magnitude distribution for the entire magnitude range. Furthermore, the q parameter of the non-extensive model, along with the bvalue of the Gutenberg-Richter relation, are being estimated for different time windows along the time expansion of the catalogue and the variations of these values are being discussed.
The earthquake intervent time distribution along the Hellenic subduction Zone.
Authors: Papadakis G. , Vallianatos F. , Michas G. 
Published: January 2017

The Hellenic Subduction Zone (HSZ) is the most seismically active region in Europe (Becker and Meier, 2010). The evolution of such an active region is characterized by complex phenomenology and is expressed through seismicity. Seismicity temporal patterns remain as one of the most important topics in earth sciences. The Weibull distribution has been used as a recurrence time model for large earthquakes (Rikitake, 1976; Rikitake, 1991). Moreover,Hasumi et al. (2009) used the Weibulllog Weibull distribution for the study of the interoccurrence times of earthquakes in Japan.The dataset formed in this study concerns the seismic belt of the HSZ during the period 1976-2009. We use the external seismic sources of shallow earthquakes in the Aegean and the surrounding area (Papaioannou and Papazachos, 2000) along with the updated and extended earthquake catalogue for Greece and adjacent areas (Makropoulos et al., 2012).The application of the Weibull distribution to the interevent times of the formed dataset is analyzed and discussed.
The web portal of the EUROSEISTEST strong ground motion database.
Authors: Pitilakis K. , Roumelioti Z. , Manakou M. , Raptakis D. , Liakakis K. , Anastasiadis A. , Pitilakis D. 
Published: January 2017

Strong motion data that have been recorded during the 20-years of operation of the permanent network of EUROSEISTEST (Mygdonia basin, Northern Greece) have been homogenized and organized in an easily accessible, via the web, database. The EUROSEISTEST web portal and the application server running underneath are based solely on free and open source software (F/OSS; MySQL v5.5; RubyOnRails,SAC, Gnuplot and numerous GNU supporting utilities). Its interface allows the user to easily search strong motion data from approximately 200 events and 26 strong motion stations using event-related, record-related or station-related criteria. Further investigation of the data is possible in a graphical environment which includesplots of processed and unprocessed acceleration waveforms, velocity and displacement time histories, amplitude Fourier and response spectra and spectrograms. A great effort was directed toward the inclusion of accurate and most updated earthquake metadata, as well as a wealth of stations related information such as geotechnicaland geophysical site characterization measurements, subsoil structure and site effects. Acceleration data can be easily downloaded in either SAC or ASCII format, while all stations metadata are also available to download.