bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relationship Between Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder and Sjögren's Syndrome: Central Nervous System Extraglandular Disease or Unrelated, Co‐Occurring Autoimmunity?
Authors: Birnbaum J. , Atri N. M. , Baer A. N. , Cimbro R. , Montagne J. , Casciola‐Rosen L. 
Published: October 2016

ObjectiveSjögren's syndrome (SS) patients may be affected by the neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), a severe demyelinating syndrome associated with anti–aquaporin 4 antibodies (anti‐AQP‐4 antibodies). The relationship between SS and NMOSD has been a sustained focus of investigation. Among SS patients, anti‐AQP‐4 antibodies have been detected exclusively in those with NMOSD. It has therefore been speculated that NMOSD is not a neurologic complication of SS. However, such studies evaluated small numbers of SS patients, often mixed with other inflammatory disorders.MethodsWe compared frequencies of anti‐AQP‐4 and SS‐associated antibodies in 109 SS patients, including 11 with NMOSD, 8 with non‐NMOSD demyelinating syndromes, and 90 without demyelinating syndromes.ResultsWhen assessed using a fluorescence‐activated cell sorting (FACS) assay, anti‐AQP‐4 antibodies were seen exclusively in those SS patients with NMOSD (72.7%), but not in SS patients without NMOSD (P < 0.01). In contrast, anti–Ro 52, anti–Ro 60, and other autoantibodies were not more prevalent in SS patients with NMOSD versus those without. Anti‐AQP‐4 antibodies were detected more frequently among NMOSD patients by FACS assay than with a commercial immunohistochemical assay (72.7% versus 54.5%), despite assessment after a more prolonged period of immunosuppressive therapy (median 38 months versus 5 months; P < 0.01).ConclusionThe syndrome‐specificity of anti‐AQP‐4 antibodies, along with an otherwise similar antibody profile in SS NMOSD patients, indicates that NMOSD is not a direct central nervous system manifestation of SS. Anti‐AQP‐4 antibodies can persist and be refractory to prolonged immunosuppressive therapy.
Effectiveness of Ultrasound‐Guided Compared to Blind Steroid Injections in the Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Authors: Evers Stefanie , Bryan Andrew J. , Sanders Thomas L. , Selles Ruud W. , Gelfman Russell , Amadio Peter C. 
Published: October 2016

ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of ultrasound‐guided injections to blind injections in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in a large community‐based cohort.MethodsThis study evaluated residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota, treated with a corticosteroid injection for CTS between 2001 and 2010. The proportion of patients receiving retreatment and the duration of retreatment‐free survival between blind and ultrasound‐guided injections were compared. Propensity score matching was used to control for confounding by indication.ResultsIn the matched data set consisting of 234 (of 600) hands treated with a blind injection and 87 (of 89) ultrasound‐guided injection cases, ultrasound guidance was associated with a reduced hazard of retreatment (hazard ratio 0.59 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.37–0.93]). In addition, ultrasound guidance was associated with 55% reduced odds of retreatment within 1 year compared to blind injections (adjusted odds ratio 0.45 [95% CI 0.24–0.83]).ConclusionThis study indicates that ultrasound‐guided injections are more effective in comparison to blind injections in the treatment of CTS.
Secukinumab for Long‐Term Treatment of Psoriatic Arthritis: A Two‐Year Followup From a Phase III, Randomized, Double‐Blind Placebo‐Controlled Study
Authors: Kavanaugh Arthur , Mease Philip J. , Reimold Andreas M. , Tahir Hasan , Rech Jürgen , Hall Stephen , Geusens Piet , Wang Zailong , Pricop Luminita , Mpofu Shephard ,   for the FUTURE‐1 Study Group
Published: October 2016

ObjectiveTo assess the 2‐year efficacy and safety of the interleukin‐17A inhibitor, secukinumab, in active psoriatic arthritis (PsA).MethodsIn the FUTURE‐1 study, 606 patients with active PsA were randomized to secukinumab 10 mg/kg intravenously at baseline, and at weeks 2 and 4, followed by 150 mg or 75 mg subcutaneously (SC) every 4 weeks from week 8, or matching placebo. Patients receiving placebo were re‐randomized to secukinumab 150 mg or 75 mg SC from week 16 or week 24, depending upon clinical response. Treatment continued to week 104. Exploratory analysis of all primary and secondary end points, on an intent‐to‐treat basis, continued to week 104.ResultsA total of 476 patients (78.5%) completed 104 weeks of treatment. Secukinumab showed sustained efficacy across multiple domains of PsA through week 104, including signs and symptoms, disease activity, quality of life, physical function, skin symptoms, dactylitis, and enthesitis. American College of Rheumatology criteria for 20% improvement response rates were 66.8% with secukinumab 150 mg and 58.6% with secukinumab 75 mg at week 104; Psoriasis Area and Severity Index criteria for 75% improvement response rates were 74.6% and 63.0%, respectively (multiple imputed data). At week 104, 84.3% of patients in the secukinumab 150 mg group and 83.8% in the secukinumab 75 mg group showed no radiographic disease progression (observed data). No new or unexpected safety signals were reported during 2 years of treatment. Immunogenicity to secukinumab was low.ConclusionSecukinumab provided sustained improvements in PsA at 2 years, with very little radiographic progression. Treatment was well tolerated over the long term.
Prescribed performance bound‐based adaptive path‐following control of uncertain nonholonomic mobile robots
Authors: Wang Wei , Huang Jiangshuai , Wen Changyun 
Published: October 2016

SummaryIn this paper, we consider the transient performance of path‐following control of nonholonomic mobile robots with parametric uncertainties. By incorporating prescribed performance bound (PPB) technique, the transient performances on position and orientational tracking errors will be guaranteed with convergence rates no less than certain pre‐specified values and sufficiently small maximum overshoots. We also extend the proposed scheme to solve the formation control problem for a group of N unicycle‐type mobile robots without inter‐robot communications. It is ensured that all the robots can track their references with arbitrarily small errors and no collision will occur between any two robots. Simulation studies verify the established theoretical results. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effectiveness of community and volunteer based coral reef monitoring in Cambodia
Authors: Savage Jessica M. , Osborne Patrick E. , Hudson Malcolm D. 
Published: October 2016

Abstract

Globally, coral reef monitoring programmes conducted by volunteer‐based organizations or local communities have the potential to collect large quantities of marine data at low cost. However, many scientists remain sceptical about the ability of these programmes to detect changes in marine systems when compared with professional techniques.
A limited number of studies have assessed the efficacy and validity of volunteer‐based monitoring, and even fewer have assessed community‐based methods.
This study in Cambodia investigated the ability of surveyors of different levels of experience to conduct underwater surveys using a simple coral reef methodology. Surveyors were assigned to four experience categories and conducted a series of six 20 × 5 m belt transects using five benthic indicator species.
Results show decreased variation in marine community assessments with increasing experience, indicating that experience, rather than cultural background, influences survey ability. This suggests that locally based programmes can fill gaps in knowledge with suitable ongoing training and assessment.
Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Genome‐Wide Association Study of Radiographic Knee Osteoarthritis in North American Caucasians
Authors: Yau Michelle S. , Yerges‐Armstrong Laura M. , Liu Youfang , Lewis Cora E. , Duggan David J. , Renner Jordan B. , Torner James , Felson David T. , McCulloch Charles E. , Kwoh C. Kent , Nevitt Michael C. , Hochberg Marc C. , Mitchell Braxton D. , Jordan Joanne M. , Jackson Rebecca D. 
Published: October 2016

ObjectiveA major barrier to genetic studies of osteoarthritis (OA) is the need to obtain large numbers of individuals with standardized radiographic evaluations for OA. To address this gap, we performed a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) of radiographically defined tibiofemoral knee OA in 3,898 cases and 3,168 controls from 4 well‐characterized North American cohorts, and we performed replication analysis of previously reported OA loci.MethodsWe performed meta‐analysis using a 2‐stage design. Stage 1 (discovery) consisted of a GWAS meta‐analysis of radiographic knee OA carried out in the Osteoarthritis Initiative and the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project. Knee OA was defined as definite osteophytes and possible joint space narrowing or total joint replacement in one or both knees. Stage 2 (validation) was performed in the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study and the Genetics of Osteoarthritis study. We genotyped lead meta‐analysis variants (P ≤ 1 × 10−4) from stage 1 and tested the association between these variants and knee OA. We then combined results from all cohorts in a meta‐analysis.ResultsLead variants from stage 1, representing 49 unique loci, were analyzed in stage 2; none met genome‐wide significance in the combined analysis of stage 1 and stage 2. We validated 1 locus (rs4867568 near LSP1P3) with nominal significance (P < 0.05), which was also our top finding in the combined meta‐analysis (odds ratio [OR] 0.84 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.79–0.91], P = 3.02 × 10−6). We observed nominally significant associations (P < 0.05) with 3 previously reported OA loci: rs143383 in GDF5 (OR 1.12 [95% CI 1.04–1.21], P = 2.13 × 10−3), rs835487 in CHST11 (OR 0.93 [95% CI 0.85–0.99], P = 0.03), and rs8044769 in FTO (OR 1.10 [95% CI 1.03–1.19], P = 6.13 × 10−3).ConclusionThese findings provide suggestive evidence of a novel knee OA locus and confirm previously reported associations in GDF5, CHST11, and FTO.
In Vivo Role of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Antiphospholipid Antibody–Mediated Venous Thrombosis
Authors: Meng He , Yalavarthi Srilakshmi , Kanthi Yogendra , Mazza Levi F. , Elfline Megan A. , Luke Catherine E. , Pinsky David J. , Henke Peter K. , Knight Jason S. 
Published: October 2016

ObjectiveAntiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a leading acquired cause of thrombotic events. Although antiphospholipid antibodies have been shown to promote thrombosis in mice, the role of neutrophils has not been explicitly studied. The aim of this study was to characterize neutrophils in the context of a new model of antiphospholipid antibody–mediated venous thrombosis.MethodsMice were administered fractions of IgG obtained from patients with APS. At the same time, blood flow through the inferior vena cava was reduced by induction of stenosis. Resulting thrombi were characterized for size and neutrophil content. Circulating factors and the vessel wall were also assessed.ResultsAs measured by both thrombus weight and thrombosis frequency, mice treated with IgG from patients with APS (APS IgG) demonstrated exaggerated thrombosis as compared with control IgG–treated mice. Thrombi in mice treated with APS IgG were enriched for citrullinated histone H3 (a marker of neutrophil extracellular traps [NETs]). APS IgG–treated mice also demonstrated elevated levels of circulating cell‐free DNA and human IgG bound to the neutrophil surface. In contrast, circulating neutrophil numbers and markers of vessel wall activation were not appreciably different between APS IgG–treated mice and control mice. Treatment with either DNase (which dissolves NETs) or a neutrophil‐depleting antibody reduced thrombosis in APS IgG–treated mice to the level in control mice.ConclusionThese data support a mechanism whereby circulating neutrophils are primed by antiphospholipid antibodies to accelerate thrombosis. This line of investigation suggests new, immunomodulatory approaches for the treatment of APS.
L2‐gain analysis and anti‐windup design of switched linear systems subject to input saturation
Authors: Zhang Xinquan 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe problem of L2‐gain analysis and anti‐windup compensation gains design is studied for a class of switched linear systems with actuator saturation via the multiple Lyapunov functions approach. When a set of anti‐windup compensation gains are given, a sufficient condition on tolerable disturbances is obtained, under which the state trajectory starting from the origin will remain inside a bounded set. Then over this set of tolerable disturbances, we obtain the upper bound of the restricted L2‐gain. Furthermore, the anti‐windup compensation gains and the switched law, which aim to determine the maximum disturbance tolerance capability and the minimum upper bound of the restricted L2‐gain, are presented by solving a convex optimization problem with linear matrix inequality (LMI) constraints. Finally we give a numerical example to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Esterase EstK from Pseudomonas putida mt‐2: An enantioselective acetylesterase with activity for deacetylation of xylan and poly(vinylacetate)
Authors: Millar Robert , Rahmanpour Rahman , Yuan Eugenie Wei Jia , White Catharine , Bugg Timothy D. H. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractAn extracellular esterase gene estK was identified in Pseudomonas putida mt‐2 and overexpressed at high levels in Escherichia coli. The recombinant EstK enzyme was purified and characterized kinetically against p‐nitrophenyl ester and other aryl–alkyl ester substrates and found to be selective for hydrolysis of acetyl ester substrates with high activity for p‐nitrophenyl acetate (kcat 5.5 Sec−1, KM 285 µM). Recombinant EstK was found to catalyze deacetylation of acetylated beech xylan, indicating a possible in vivo function for this enzyme, and partial deacetylation of a synthetic polymer (poly(vinylacetate)). EstK was found to catalyze enantioselective hydrolysis of racemic 1‐phenylethyl acetate, generating 1R‐phenylethanol with an enantiomeric excess of 80.4%.
Nano‐mechanical characterization of disassembling amyloid fibrils using the Peak Force QNM method
Authors: Wang Wenpin , Guo Zongxia , Sun Jing , Li Zhibo 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe comprehensive understanding of disassembly mechanism of amyloid fibrils requires nano‐scale characterization of the mechanical properties of amyloid fibrils during the disassembly process. In this work, gemini surfactant C12C6C12Br2 micelles were used as a probe to disassemble Aβ(1‐40) fibrils. The microstructure evolution and nano‐mechanical properties of Aβ(1‐40) fibrils during the disassembly process were systematically investigated by the Peak Force Quantitative Nano‐mechanical (PF‐QNM) technique. The results show an obvious decrease in Young's modulus of mature fibrils with high β‐sheet contents (2.4 ± 1.0 GPa) in comparison to the resulting peptide/surfactant complexes (1.1 ± 0.8 GPa) with loose surface structures. Interestingly, the Young's modulus of spherical peptide/surfactant complexes on the core was more than 3 GPa. This strategy can be used as a standard protocol to investigate the interaction mechanism between amyloid fibrils and small molecules, which may open up new possibilities to explore the mechanism of relevant human diseases.
Integrating Behavioural and Branding Perspectives to Maximize Green Brand Equity: A Holistic Approach
Authors: Butt Muhammad Mohsin , Mushtaq Saadia , Afzal Alia , Khong Kok Wei , Ong Fon Sim , Ng Pui Fong 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe aim of this study is to expand the existing understanding of green consumers' behaviour by proposing and testing an integrated conceptual model that explores the influence of consumers' personal concerns for the environment and general attitudes towards green products on brand‐related knowledge structures (image and associations) and relationship preferences (trust and brand equity) for green brands. A questionnaire‐based survey method was used to collect data using convenience sampling. One hundred and ninety‐nine usable responses were obtained. A structural equation modelling procedure was used to test the proposed hypotheses. The results confirmed that a positive relationship exists between consumer concern for environmental values and general attitudes towards green products. Both these constructs influence consumers' knowledge structure of a green brand (image and associations). Furthermore, a strong relationship exists between consumers' knowledge structure (image and associations) and their relational preference (trust and brand equity) with green brands. These findings are important for business strategy formulation by providing empirical support for the idea that a firm should invest its resources not only to project its environmentally friendly brands but also to build consumers' concern for environmental values and their attitude towards green products. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Recombinant exochitinase of the thermophilic mould Myceliopthora thermophila BJA: Characteristics and utility in generating N‐acetyl glucosamine and in biocontrol of phytopathogenic fungi
Authors: Dua Ashima , Joshi Swati , Satyanarayana T. 
Published: October 2016

Chitinase from the thermophilic mould Myceliopthora thermophila BJA (MtChit) is an acid tolerant, thermostable and organic solvent stable biocatalyst which does not require any metal ions for its activity. To produce high enzyme titres, reduce fermentation time and overcome the need for induction, this enzyme has been heterologously expressed under GAP promoter in the GRAS yeast, Pichia pastoris. The production medium supplemented with the permeabilizing agent Tween‐20 supported two‐fold higher rMtChit production (5.5 × 103 U L−1). The consensus sequences S(132)xG(133)G(134) and D(168)xxD(171)xD(173)xE(175) in the enzyme have been found to represent the substrate binding and catalytic sites, respectively. The rMtChit, purified to homogeneity by a two‐step purification strategy, is a monomeric glycoprotein of ∼48 kDa, which is optimally active at 55°C and pH 5.0. The enzyme is thermostable with t1/2 values of 113 and 48 min at 65 and 75°C, respectively. Kinetic parameters Km, Vmax, kcat, and kcat/Km of the enzyme are 4.655 mg mL−1, 34.246 nmol mg−1 s−1, 3.425 × 106 min−1, and 1.36 × 10−6 mg mL−1 min−1, respectively. rMtChit is an unique exochitinase, since its action on chitin liberates N‐acetylglucosamine NAG. The enzyme inhibits the growth of phytopathogenic fungi like Fusarium oxysporum and Curvularia lunata, therefore, this finds application as biofungicide at high temperatures during summer in tropics. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 33:70–80, 2017
Gastrointestinal follicular lymphoma: using primary site as a predictor of survival
Authors: Chouhan Jay , Batra Sachin , Gupta Rohan , Guha Sushovan 
Published: October 2016

AbstractGastrointestinal follicular lymphoma (GI‐FL) is a rare extranodal variant of follicular lymphoma (FL) that has been increasingly reported in the literature. An especially indolent course is linked to the disease after a lack of observed patient death in past studies. However, overall survival (OS) and associated prognostic factors remain unclear. A large population‐based database was utilized to identify demographic and clinicopathologic characteristics of GI‐FL, along with survival differences among primary sites. The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Registry was used to identify GI‐FL cases between the years of 1973 and 2012. Kaplan–Meier curves compared OS differences and Cox proportional hazard models analyzed prognostic factors. Final analysis included 1109 cases. Small intestinal cases, which included those with single‐site and multi‐segment involvement, were most common (63.6%) followed by gastric (18.2%) and colorectal cases (18.2%). Small intestinal GI‐FL presented more frequently with grade I histology, and less often with grade III histology (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Small intestinal cases had better outcomes (5‐year OS = 80.9%, P < 0.001) compared to cases involving the stomach (5‐year OS = 52.7%) and colorectum (5‐year OS = 71.5%). On multivariate analysis for predictors of mortality, small intestinal involvement predicted for better survival; hazard ratio (HR) 0.66 (95% CI: 0.51–0.85). Advanced age (≥66), grade (grade III), and stage (Ann Arbor Stage III/IV) predicted for mortality with HR 5.46 (95% CI: 3.80–7.84), 1.42 (95% CI: 1.10–1.83), 1.57 (95% CI: 1.15–2.16), respectively. GI‐FL has poorer outcomes than previously suggested. Small intestinal involvement has a better prognosis. A possible biological basis for this will require further investigations in the future.
Dipole Moment Effect on the Electrochemical Desorption of Self‐Assembled Monolayers of 310‐Helicogenic Peptides on Gold
Authors: Gobbo Pierangelo , Antonello Sabrina , Guryanov Ivan , Polo Federico , Soldà Alice , Zen Federico , Maran Flavio 
Published: October 2016

AbstractA series of 12 thiolated oligopeptides of α‐aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) were used to make self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) on carefully annealed gold plates. These peptides, which form 310‐helices and have a strong dipole moment along the main peptide axis, were devised to give rise from zero to seven C=O⋅⋅⋅H−N intramolecular hydrogen bonds. The orientation of the natural dipole moment of the peptide was controlled by linking the thiolated moiety to either the nitrogen or carbon terminus. To assess the interactions between the chains forming the monolayer and determine the effect of the peptide orientation, the SAMs were characterized by polarization‐modulation infrared‐reflection absorption spectroscopy, in comparison with the FTIR behavior of the free peptides in solution. The stability of the peptide SAMs toward electroreduction was studied by cyclic voltammetry in 0.1 m NaOH. We show that electrodesorption is significantly affected by both peptide length and orientation in a way consistent with a strong effect exerted by the dipole moment of the peptide.
Autoregulation of retinal homeobox (rax) gene promoter activity through a highly conserved genomic element
Authors: Kelly Lisa E. , Martinez‐De Luna Reyna I. , El‐Hodiri Heithem M. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe Retinal homeobox (rax) gene is expressed in vertebrate retinal progenitor and stem cells and is essential for retinal development. In frogs, rax is expressed in the ciliary marginal zone (CMZ), a region containing retinal progenitor and stem cells at the anterior of the eye. Little is known regarding regulation of rax transcription and regulation of transcription of rax targets. We found that three ultra‐conserved genomic elements (UCEs) flanking the rax coding region regulate expression of a rax promoter‐GFP transgene in Xenopus tadpoles. One of these elements, UCE1, regulates expression of the transgene in the dorsal CMZ. UCE1 contains a Rax binding site, PCE‐1. We demonstrate that rax regulates expression of the transgene through the PCE‐1 site found in UCE1. Therefore, rax transcription in the CMZ is controlled, in part, by autoregulatory mechanisms.