bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hippocampal formation alterations differently contribute to autobiographic memory deficits in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Hirjak Dusan , Wolf Robert C. , Remmele Barbara , Seidl Ulrich , Thomann Anne K. , Kubera Katharina M. , Schröder Johannes , Maier‐Hein Klaus H. , Thomann Philipp A. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractAutobiographical memory (AM) is part of declarative memory and includes both semantic and episodic aspects. AM deficits are among the major complaints of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) even in early or preclinical stages. Previous MRI studies in AD patients have showed that deficits in semantic and episodic AM are associated with hippocampal alterations. However, the question which specific hippocampal subfields and adjacent extrahippocampal structures contribute to deficits of AM in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD patients has not been investigated so far. Hundred and seven participants (38 AD patients, 38 MCI individuals and 31 healthy controls [HC]) underwent MRI at 3 Tesla. AM was assessed with a semi‐structured interview (E‐AGI). FreeSurfer 5.3 was used for hippocampal parcellation. Semantic and episodic AM scores were related to the volume of 5 hippocampal subfields and cortical thickness in the parahippocampal and entorhinal cortex. Both semantic and episodic AM deficits were associated with bilateral hippocampal alterations. These associations referred mainly to CA1, CA2‐3, presubiculum, and subiculum atrophy. Episodic, but not semantic AM loss was associated with cortical thickness reduction of the bilateral parahippocampal and enthorinal cortex. In MCI individuals, episodic, but not semantic AM deficits were associated with alterations of the CA1, presubiculum and subiculum. Our findings support the crucial role of CA1, presubiculum, and subiculum in episodic memory. The present results implicate that in MCI individuals, semantic and episodic AM deficits are subserved by distinct neuronal systems.
Doppler assessment of patients with twin‐to‐twin transfusion syndrome and survival following fetoscopic laser surgery
Authors: Gil Guevara Enrique , Pazos Andrea , Gonzalez Otilia , Carretero Pilar , Molina Francisca S. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate fetal‐survival rates following laser surgery for twin‐to‐twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) and the impact of Doppler analysis.MethodsThe present retrospective single‐center study included data from patients with pregnancies exhibiting TTTS treated with fetoscopic laser surgery between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2016. Perinatal outcomes were examined and variables were compared between the donor and recipient fetuses that survived and died, respectively.ResultsThere were 86 pregnancies exhibiting TTTS treated with fetoscopic laser surgery included in the study. The median length of pregnancy at the time of surgery was 21.1 weeks. Both twin fetuses and at least one fetus survived in 61 (71%) and 73 (85%) pregnancies, respectively. Among recipient fetuses, ductus venosus a‐wave anomalies (P=0.026), shorter cervical length (P=0.044), and a greater than 25% discrepancy in the estimated weight of the twin fetuses (P=0.045) were associated with reduced survival.ConclusionAmong pregnancies exhibiting TTTS, laser surgery was associated with significant dual‐fetus survival. Preoperative ductus venosus anomalies were associated with lower survival among recipient fetuses, and 1‐week postsurgical ultrasonography data demonstrated lower survival among recipient fetuses with persistent anomalous ductus venosus compared with normalized ductus venosus.
Retrospective comparison of perinatal outcomes following emergency cervical cerclage with or without prolapsed membranes
Authors: Steenhaut Patricia , Hubinont Corinne , Bernard Pierre , Debiève Frédéric 
Published: March 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo compare perinatal outcomes following emergency cerclage between patients with singleton pregnancies with prolapsed and non‐prolapsed membranes.MethodsThe present retrospective cohort study included data from women who underwent physical examination‐indicated emergency cerclage at between 15 and 25 weeks of pregnancy at Saint Luc University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium, between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2014. Outcomes were compared based on the presence of prolapsed or non‐prolapsed membranes. The primary outcome measures were the duration of pregnancy at delivery and the interval between cerclage and delivery. Secondary outcomes included delivery weight, fetal or neonatal death, and neonatal morbidity, including neonatal intensive care unit admission.ResultsData were included from 140 patients with cervical dilation of at least 1 cm; 85 women had non‐prolapsed membranes and 55 women had prolapsed membranes. Among patients with non‐prolapsed membranes, the mean duration of pregnancy at delivery was later (P<0.001), the latency between cerclage and delivery was longer (P<0.001), neonatal survival was higher (P=0.036), mean delivery weight was higher (P<0.001), the prevalence of preterm delivery was lower (P<0.001), and severe neonatal morbidity and neonatal intensive care unit admission were lower (P<0.001).ConclusionHaving non‐prolapsed membranes was associated with improved perinatal outcomes following emergency cerclage.
Mitochondrial oxidative stress and dysfunction induced by single‐ and multiwall carbon nanotubes: A comparative study
Authors: Ghanbari Fatemeh , Nasarzadeh Parvaneh , Seydi Enayatollah , Ghasemi Alireza , Taghi Joghataei Mohammad , Ashtari Khadijeh , Akbari Mohsen 
Published: March 2017

AbstractWith the ever‐increasing use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in health‐related and engineering applications, the hazardous risks of this material have become a major concern. It is well known that CNTs accumulate with cytotoxic and genotoxic levels within vital organs. It has also been shown that treating cell cultures with CNTs resulted in cell‐cycle arrest and increased apoptosis/necrosis. The goal of this pilot study is to perform a comprehensive comparative study on the toxicity of single‐wall (SW) and multiwall (MW) CNTs in rat skin cells. Our results confirm a dose‐dependent toxicity of SWCNTs and MWCNTs due to the loss of mitochondrial activity, increase in mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, and mitochondrial membrane potential collapse before mitochondrial swelling. Moreover, disturbance in the oxidative phosphorylation is observed by a decrease in ATP level. These events induced the release of cytochrome c via outer membrane rupture or MPT pore opening and subsequently programmed cell death of all doses compared to control group. Our results demonstrate that although MWCNTs can be very toxic, SWCNTs cause more mitochondrial damage to the cells. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 2047–2055, 2017.
A new material for tissue engineered vagina reconstruction: Acellular porcine vagina matrix
Authors: Zhang Jing‐Kun , Du Run‐Xuan , Zhang Lin , Li Ya‐Nan , Zhang Ming‐Le , Zhao Shuo , Huang Xiang‐Hua , Xu Yan‐Fang 
Published: March 2017

AbstractAcellular matrix materials have been widely used to repair various tissues and organs. According to the plastic principle, when a part of the body is lost, it should be replaced with a similar material. Therefore, the use of a homologous organ‐specific acellular vaginal tissue in vagina reconstruction repair surgery may show good results. However, the acellular vagina matrix (AVM) form large vertebrates is difficult to isolate. In this study, we described a multistep method to prepare porcine AVM and evaluated the efficacy of acellularization. We also investigated the biomechanical properties, biological activity elements, and biocompatibility of the porcine AVM. We then used this material to reconstruct a rat vagina and performed further morphologic and functional analyses. Small intestinal submucosa (SIS), which is a commonly used acellular matrix material, was used in a control group. Histological examination, DNA content analysis, and agarose gel electrophoresis revealed that the decellularization procedure was effective. The AVM had acceptable biomechanical properties and sufficient growth factor production (VEGF, FGF, TGF‐β1, and PDGF‐BB) compared with that of the SIS. Subcutaneous transplantation in rats showed that the AVM had good biocompatibility. The tissue‐engineered vagina using the AVM more resembled normal‐appearing tissue than did that using SIS following morphologic and functional analyses. The AVM has great potential for application in vaginal reconstructive surgery. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 1949–1959, 2017.
Crocin Suppresses Constitutively Active STAT3 Through Induction of Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase SHP‐1
Authors: Kim Buyun , Lee Ki Yong , Park Byoungduck 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACTThe aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of a natural compound crocin, one of the active components of saffron, on human multiple myeloma cells. Crocin effectively suppressed constitutive STAT3 activation, translocation of STAT3 to the nucleus, and its target gene expression. The suppression of STAT3 was mediated through the inhibition of activation of protein tyrosine kinases JAK1, JAK2, and c‐Src. We found that crocin induced the expression of SHP‐1, a tyrosine protein phosphatase, and pervanadate treatment reversed the crocin‐induced downregulation of STAT3, suggesting the involvement of a protein tyrosine phosphatase. Moreover, suppression of SHP‐1 by its inhibitor overturned the effect of crocin on induction of SHP‐1 and the inhibition of STAT3 activation. Finally, crocin downregulated the expression of STAT3‐mediated gene products including anti‐apoptotic (Bcl‐2), pro‐apoptotic (BAX), invasive (CXCR4), angiogenic (VEGF), and cell cycle regulator (cyclin D1), which are correlated with suppression of proliferation, the accumulation of cells in sub‐G1 phase of cell cycle, and induction of apoptosis. Overall, our results suggested that crocin is a novel inhibitor of STAT3 activation pathway and thus may have potential in prevention and treatment of human multiple myeloma. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 3290–3298, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Endothelial Progenitor Cell Mobilization in Preterm Infants With Sepsis Is Associated With Improved Survival
Authors: Siavashi Vahid , Asadian Simin , Taheri‐Asl Masoud , Keshavarz Samaneh , Zamani‐Ahmadmahmudi Mohamad , Nassiri Seyed Mahdi 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACTMicrovascular dysfunction plays a key role in the pathology of sepsis, leading to multi‐organ failure, and death. Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (cEPCs) are critically involved in the maintenance of the vascular homeostasis in both physiological and pathological contexts. In this study, concentration of cEPCs in preterm infants with sepsis was determined to recognize whether the EPC mobilization would affect the clinical outcome of infantile sepsis. One hundred and thirty‐three preterm infants (81 with sepsis and 52 without sepsis) were enrolled in this study. The release of EPCs in circulation was first quantified. Thereafter, these cells were cultivated and biological features of these cells such as, proliferation and colony forming efficiency were analyzed. The levels of chemoattractant cytokines were also measured in infants. In mouse models of sepsis, effects of VEGF and SDF‐1 as well as anti‐VEGF and anti‐SDF‐1 were evaluated in order to shed light upon the role which the EPC mobilization plays in the overall survival of septic animals. Circulating EPCs were significantly higher in preterm infants with sepsis than in the non‐sepsis group. Serum levels of VEGF, SDF‐1, and Angiopoietin‐2 were also higher in preterm infants with sepsis than in control non‐sepsis. In the animal experiments, injection of VEGF and SDF‐1 prompted the mobilization of EPCs, leading to an improvement in survival whereas injection of anti‐VEGF and anti‐SDF‐1 was associated with significant deterioration of survival. Overall, our results demonstrated the beneficial effects of EPC release in preterm infants with sepsis, with increased mobilization of these cells was associated with improved survival. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 3299–3307, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ameloblastin Upregulates Inflammatory Response Through Induction of IL‐1β in Human Macrophages
Authors: Otsuka Mai , Okinaga Toshinori , Ariyoshi Wataru , Kitamura Chiaki , Nishihara Tatsuji 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACTAmeloblastin (AMBN) is an enamel matrix protein that has various biological functions such as healing dental pulp and repairing bone fractures. In the present study, we clarified the effect of AMBN on the expression of an inflammatory cytokine, interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐treated human macrophages. Real‐time RT‐PCR analysis showed that LPS treatment upregulated expression of the IL‐1β gene in U937 cells. Interestingly, AMBN significantly enhanced IL‐1β gene expression in LPS‐treated U937 cells as well as the secretion of mature IL‐1β into culture supernatants by these cells. AMBN also activated caspase‐1 p10 expression in LPS‐treated U937 cells. Pretreatment with a caspase‐1 inhibitor, Z‐YVAD‐FMK, downregulated the mature IL‐1β expression enhanced by AMBN treatment in LPS‐treated U937 cells. A co‐immunoprecipitation assay showed that treatment with LPS and AMBN upregulated toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) and myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88) interactions, but there was no significant difference compared with LPS treatment alone in U937 cells. In contrast, western blot analysis revealed that AMBN remarkably prolonged the phosphorylation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), a member of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) family. An ERK1/2‐selective inhibitor, U0126, suppressed expression of the IL‐1β gene as well as its protein expression in U937 cells treated with LPS and AMBN. Taken together, these results indicate that AMBN enhances IL‐1β production in LPS‐treated U937 cells through ERK1/2 phosphorylation and caspase‐1 activation, suggesting that AMBN upregulates the inflammatory response in human macrophages and plays an important role in innate immunity. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 3308–3317, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Associations Between Army National Guard Versus Active Duty Soldier Status and Perceived Burdensomeness, Thwarted Belongingness, and Acquired Capability
Authors: Podlogar Matthew C. , Houtsma Claire , Khazem Lauren R. , Ringer Fallon , Mofield Thomas , Green Bradley A. , Anestis Michael D. , Lim Ingrid C. , Joiner Thomas E. 
Published: March 2017

ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine if levels of thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and acquired capability significantly differed between guardsmen and active duty soldiers.MethodMultivariate analysis of covariance was used to test for differences between active duty Army (n = 1,393) and Army National Guard (n = 623) groups, before and after controlling for the effects of age, gender, race, marital status, level of education, and deployment history.ResultsGuardsmen reported significantly higher mean levels of thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness than did active duty soldiers, even after adjusting for demographic differences. Guardsmen also reported slightly lower levels of acquired capability, though this effect was accounted for by demographic differences.ConclusionThese findings support the notion that National Guard and active duty soldiers differ on perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness. Additional research investigating sources of perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness among guardsmen is needed.
UV/Vis spectroscopy combined with chemometrics for monitoring solid‐state fermentation with Rhizopus microsporus var. oligosporus
Authors: Ito Shuri , Barchi Augusto César , Escaramboni Bruna , de Oliva Neto Pedro , Herculano Rondinelli Donizetti , Azevedo Borges Felipe , Romeiro Miranda Matheus Carlos , Fernández Núñez Eutimio Gustavo 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDDifficulties in bioprocess monitoring are a drawback of solid‐state fermentation (SSF). Specifically, monitoring of enzyme activities in SSF is not an easy task. This work aimed to calibrate partial least squares (PLS) and artificial neural network (ANN) models for inferring protease and amylase activities, as well as protein concentration, from UV‐Vis spectra of aqueous extracts of samples removed during SSF using Rhizopus microsporus var. oligosporus.RESULTSSSFs were performed using single agro‐industrial wastes (wheat bran, type II wheat flour, sugarcane bagasse and soybean meal) and ternary mixtures of them. Enzyme activities and protein concentrations in the aqueous extracts were quantified biochemically. The corresponding UV‐Vis spectra of diluted extracts were also collected. The prediction quality of the ANN was higher than that of the PLS model. The relative errors considering the range for amylolytic and proteolytic enzymes were 4% (3–442 U g−1) and 6% (0–256 U g−1), respectively, for the best ANN architectures (8 and 6 neurons in hidden layer, respectively).CONCLUSIONThese results, in combination with correlation coefficients (R > 0.94), suggest that this approach is suitable for developing a chemosensor for monitoring SSFs, reducing the analytical work for quantification of enzyme activities. No satisfactory results were obtained for protein concentration. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Packing Countably Many Branchings with Prescribed Root‐Sets in Infinite Digraphs
Authors: Joó Attila 
Published: March 2017

AbstractWe generalize an unpublished result of C. Thomassen. Let be a digraph and let be a multiset of subsets of V in such a way that any backward‐infinite path in D meets all the sets . We show that if all is simultaneously reachable from the sets by edge‐disjoint paths, then there exists a system of edge‐disjoint spanning branchings in D where the root‐set of is .
Integration of arterial spin labeling into stereotactic radiosurgery planning of cerebral arteriovenous malformations
Authors: Ozyurt Onur , Dincer Alp , Erdem Yildiz Mehmet , Peker Selcuk , Yilmaz Meltem , Sengoz Meric , Ozturk Cengizhan 
Published: March 2017

PurposeTo test whether the combined use of 4D arterial spin labeling angiography (4D ASL) and contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (4D CE‐MRA) can work as a prospective alternative to digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for the delineation of the arteriovenous malformation (AVM) nidus in stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) planning.Materials and MethodsA custom 4D ASL sequence and a proof‐of‐concept software tool to integrate 4D ASL data to SRS planning were implemented. Ten AVM patients were scanned at 3T. Two observers independently contoured niduses in two separate sessions. Reference niduses were contoured using DSA, 4D ASL, and 4D CE‐MRA. Test niduses were contoured using 4D ASL and 4D CE‐MRA only. Reference and test niduses from both observers were compared in terms of volume, distance between centers of volumes (dCOV), and the Jaccard index (JI).ResultsIn volume comparisons, excellent intraobserver and interobserver agreements were obtained (intraclass correlation coefficients: 0.99 and 0.98, respectively). Median dCOV, JIs between reference and test niduses were 0.55 mm, 0.78 for Observer 1 and were 0.6 mm, 0.78 for Observer 2. None of the dCOV and JI parameters varied significantly among the delineation methods or the observers (P = 0.84, P = 0.39).ConclusionOur preliminary results indicate that reproducibility of the target volumes with high agreement levels is achievable without using DSA. The combined use of high temporal resolution 4D ASL and high spatial resolution and vessel‐to‐background contrast 4D CE‐MRA provided sufficient spatiotemporal angiographic information for the delineation of AVM niduses.Level of Evidence: 2Technical Efficacy: Stage 3J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;46:1718–1727.
Learning in the health care enterprise
Authors: Rouse William B. , Johns Michael M.E. , Pepe Kara M. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractIntroductionThe overall enterprise of health care delivery is considered. The 4 levels of the enterprise include clinical practices, processes that provide capabilities and information, structure that includes the business entities involved, and ecosystem that includes Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and Congress, as well as societal values and norms. It is argued that the enterprise of health care delivery needs to be transformed to enable high‐quality, affordable care for everyone.DiscussionThe constructs of enterprise transformation and organizational learning are reviewed. The distinction of single‐loop versus double‐loop learning is discussed and illustrated for all levels of the health care delivery enterprise. Three health care examples are used to elaborate this distinction—cancer, population health, and health IT. Four strategies are outlined that the health care delivery enterprise can use to more effectively learn at all levels of the enterprise.ConclusionsThis overall line of reasoning suggests several important research issues. The health care delivery enterprise involves much more than treating disease and paying for it. We need to improve our methods and tools for addressing the overall enterprise. Research is also needed on better means for portraying consequences of decisions to the full range of stakeholders in the enterprise. In general, the overall goal should be a healthy, educated, and productive population that is competitive in the global marketplace. We need to better understand the available levers for achieving this goal and how to best portray the intricacies of the overall enterprise to motivate those who can pull these levers to do so.
Improving Mechanical Properties of Carbon/Epoxy Composite by Incorporating Functionalized Electrospun Polyacrylonitrile Nanofibers
Authors: Neisiany Rasoul Esmaeely , Khorasani Saied Nouri , Naeimirad Mohammadreza , Lee Jeremy Kong Yoong , Ramakrishna Seeram 
Published: March 2017

Electrospun functionalized polyacrylonitrile grafted glycidyl methacrylate (PAN‐g‐GMA) nanofibers are incorporated between the plies of a conventional carbon fiber/epoxy composite to improve the composite's mechanical performance. Glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) is successfully grafted onto polyacrylonitrile (PAN) polymer powder via a free radical mechanism. Characterization of the electrospun PAN and PAN‐g‐GMA nanofibers indicates that the grafting of GMA does not significantly alter the tensile properties of the PAN nanofibers but results in an increase in the diameter of nanofibers. Statistical analysis of the mechanical characterization studies on PAN‐carbon/epoxy hybrid composites conclusively shows that the composite reinforced with functionalized PAN nanofibers has greater mechanical properties than that of both the neat PAN nanofiber enriched hybrid composite and control composite (without nanofibers). The improved performance is attributed to the grafted glycidyl groups on PAN, leading to stronger interactions between the nanofibers and the epoxy matrix. PAN‐g‐GMA nanofiber reinforced composite outperforms their neat PAN counterparts in tensile strength, short beam shear strength, flexural strength, and Izod impact energy absorption by 8%, 9%, 6%, and 8%, respectively. Compared to the control composite, the improvements resulting from the PAN‐g‐GMA nanofiber incorporation are even more pronounced at 28%, 41%, 32%, and 21% in the corresponding tests, respectively.
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