bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Operant self‐administration of pregabalin in a mouse model of neuropathic pain
Authors: Bura S.A. , Cabañero D. , Maldonado R. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBackgroundPregabalin is a first‐line agent for neuropathic pain treatment whose abuse liability remains controversial. Surprisingly, studies exploring the reinforcing properties of pregabalin in operant mouse models are missing.MethodsWe evaluated the acquisition of operant pregabalin self‐administration in mice exposed to a partial sciatic nerve ligation (PSNL) or a sham operation. After surgery, mice were trained in operant boxes to intravenously self‐administer pregabalin at 1.5 or 3 mg/kg/inf or saline during 10 days. Thermal and mechanical sensitivity were assessed before and after self‐medication, and depressive‐like behaviour was evaluated after discontinuation of the treatment.ResultsPartial sciatic nerve ligation and sham‐operated mice exposed to pregabalin at 3 mg/kg/inf showed higher active responding compared to mice exposed to saline. The differences in active responding were more robust in nerve‐injured than in sham‐operated mice. Self‐medication at either dose of pregabalin partially inhibited thermal hypersensitivity, whereas only self‐medication at 3 mg/kg/inf reduced mechanical sensitivity. Finally, a depressive‐like behaviour was revealed after saline treatment in nerve‐injured mice, and this emotional manifestation was abolished after pregabalin treatment at the high dose.ConclusionsPregabalin showed reinforcing effects both in PSNL and sham‐operated mice and attenuated the nociceptive and emotional manifestations of neuropathic pain in mice self‐administering this drug. Therefore, pregabalin self‐administration was related to neuropathic pain relief, but also to reinforcing properties related to psychotropic drug effects. This study reveals the improvement in nociceptive and emotional manifestations of neuropathic pain after operant pregabalin self‐medication in mice and suggests the reinforcing effects of this drug in an operant paradigm.SignificanceThis study shows that mice with a nerve injury self‐administer pregabalin at doses effective reducing nociceptive hypersensitivity and depressive‐like behaviour associated with the neuropathic pain model. Interestingly, mice without neuropathy also develop operant self‐administration behaviour, suggesting potential abuse liability of this first‐line drug for neuropathic pain treatment.
Biomodification Strategies for the Development of Antimicrobial Urinary Catheters: Overview and Advances
Authors: Anjum Sadiya , Singh Surabhi , Benedicte Lepoittevin , Roger Philippe , Panigrahi Manoj , Gupta Bhuvanesh 
Published: December 2017

AbstractMicrobial burden associated with medical devices poses serious health challenges and is accountable for an increased number of deaths leading to enormous medical costs. Catheter‐associated urinary tract infections are the most common hospital‐acquired infections with enhanced patient morbidity. Quite often, catheter‐associated bacteriuria produces apparent adverse outcomes such as urosepsis and even death. Taking this into account, the methods to modify urinary catheters to control microbial infections with relevance to clinical drug resistance are systematically evaluated in this review. Technologies to restrict biofilm formation at initial stages by using functional nanomaterials are elucidated. The conventional methodology of using single therapeutic intervention for developing an antimicrobial catheter lacks clinically meaningful benefit. Therefore, catheter modification using naturally derived antimicrobials such as essential oils, curcumin, enzymes, and antimicrobial peptides in combination with synthetic antibiotics/nanoantibiotics is likely to exert sufficient inhibitory effect on uropathogens and is extensively discussed. Futuristic efforts in this area are projected here that demand clinical studies to address areas of uncertainty to avoid development of bacterial resistance to the new generation therapy with minimum discomfort to the patients.
A Comparative Numerical Study on Piezoelectric Energy Harvester for Self‐Powered Pacemaker Application
Authors: Kumar Anuruddh , Kiran Raj , Kumar Sidhant , Chauhan Vishal S. , Kumar Rajeev , Vaish Rahul 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis study proposes the design of a micro‐spiral‐shaped piezoelectric energy harvester that scavenges energy from blood pressure variation in the cardiac cycle. The harvester can be a miniaturized perennial source of power that could even eliminate the need for replacement of conventional batteries used in current pacemaker technology. The concept of a 25 µm thin spiral‐based piezoelectric energy harvester with a diameter of 6 mm satisfying the dimensional constraints has been proposed. A number of lead‐free materials have been used along with Pb[ZrxTi1−x]O3 (PZT‐5A) to compare the performance. The harvester has been designed in such a way that the natural frequency of the structure remains in the range of 1.1–1.3 Hz, which is equivalent to 66–78 heart beats min−1 of humans. The obtained alternating electric current from piezoelectric materials is converted into direct current. The maximum open‐circuit voltage obtained is ≈0.9 V, which is not sufficient for charging a pacemaker battery. Therefore, boost converter circuit is employed to step up the voltage. It is found that K0.475Na0.475Li0.05(Nb0.92Ta0.05Sb0.03)O3 (KNLNTS) has the best performance as compared to other materials under study. The boosted voltage obtained from KNLNTS is ≈6 and ≈7 V for 80 and 90% duty cycle, respectively, which are sufficient for pacemaker battery charging.
Left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex atrophy is associated with frontal lobe function in Alzheimer's disease and contributes to caregiver burden
Authors: Matsuoka Kiwamu , Yasuno Fumihiko , Hashimoto Akiko , Miyasaka Toshiteru , Takahashi Masato , Kiuchi Kuniaki , Iida Junzo , Kichikawa Kimihiko , Kishimoto Toshifumi 
Published: December 2017

ObjectiveCaregivers of patients with dementia experience physical and mental deterioration. We have previously reported a correlation between caregiver burden and the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) total scores of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), especially regarding the dependency factor from the Zarit Burden Interview. The present study aimed to identify an objective biomarker for predicting caregiver burden.MethodsThe participants were 26 pairs of caregivers and patients with AD and mild‐to‐moderate dementia. Correlations between regional gray matter volumes in the patients with AD and the FAB total scores were explored by using whole‐brain voxel‐based morphometric analysis. Path analysis was used to estimate the relationships between regional gray matter volumes, FAB total scores, and caregiver burden based on the Zarit Burden Interview.ResultsThe voxel‐based morphometric revealed a significant positive correlation between the FAB total scores and the volume of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. This positive correlation persisted after controlling for the effect of general cognitive dysfunction, which was assessed by using the Mini‐Mental State Examination. Path analysis revealed that decreases in FAB scores, caused by reduced frontal lobe volumes, negatively affected caregiver burden.ConclusionsThe present study revealed that frontal lobe function, based on FAB scores, was affected by the volume of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Decreased scores were associated with greater caregiver burden, especially for the dependency factor. These findings may facilitate the development of an objective biomarker for predicting caregiver burden.
UNDERSTANDING THE CONNECTION BETWEEN ATTACHMENT TRAUMA AND MATERNAL SELF‐EFFICACY IN DEPRESSED MOTHERS
Authors: Brazeau Natalie , Reisz Samantha , Jacobvitz Deborah , George Carol 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACTMaternal self‐efficacy predicts sensitive and responsive caregiving. Low maternal self‐efficacy is associated with a higher incidence of postpartum depression. Maternal self‐efficacy and postpartum depression can both be buffered by social support. Maternal self‐efficacy and postpartum depression have both been linked independently, albeit in separate studies, to the experience of violent trauma, childhood maltreatment, and spousal abuse. This study proposed a model in which postpartum depression mediates the relation between attachment trauma and maternal self‐efficacy, with emotional support as a moderator. Participants were 278 first‐time mothers of infants under 14 months. Cross‐sectional data were collected online. Mothers completed questionnaires on attachment trauma, maternal self‐efficacy, postpartum depression, and emotional support. A moderated mediation model was tested in a structural equation modeling framework using Mplus’ estimate of indirect effects. Postpartum depression fully mediated the relation between trauma and maternal self‐efficacy. Emotional support moderated only the pathway between postpartum depression and maternal self‐efficacy. Attachment trauma's implications for maternal self‐efficacy should be understood in the context of overall mental health. Mothers at the greatest risk for low maternal self‐efficacy related to attachment trauma also are those suffering from postpartum depression. Emotional support buffered mothers from postpartum depression, though, which has implications for intervention and future research.
Development of HADIS Algorithm for Deficit Irrigation Scheduling
Authors: Asgharzadeh Mohammad Ali , Heidarpour Manouchehr , Shayannejad Mohammad , Rasti‐Barzoki Morteza 
Published: December 2017

AbstractEffective management of water resources and their efficient use in drought conditions are very important in the agricultural sector. Deficit irrigation is an optimal solution to produce crops under these conditions. It requires integrated, accurate and efficient management which is quite different from classic irrigation management. An irrigation manager must determine what rate of deficit irrigation is to be applied at each stage of growth; in the other words, deficit irrigation scheduling (DIS) should provide the water requirements of plants during the growing season based on water resources in a way which leads to maximum efficiency. In this study, a DIS heuristic algorithm called HADIS is developed, which is able to estimate the time, frequency and depth of irrigation events according to the crop water production function (CWPF) and FAO 56, leading to maximum yield and water productivity. HADIS is written using the C# language in Visual Studio 2010. In addition, in order to optimize CWPF, GAMS 24.1 software along with Lindo Global Solver is used and SQL Server 2008 is employed as the database. The results of implementing different water, soil and crop scenarios proved the capability of HADIS to achievE maximum crop productivity. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Irrigation Management Assessment from Land Fragmentation Perspective in the Nile Delta
Authors: Abou El Hassan Waleed H. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractSustainable increases in water productivity and water use efficiency at different levels can be achieved by optimizing water uses that are suitable for local farmers, especially those who own small‐scale farms. There has been continuous land fragmentation mainly due to land inheritance over generations. A historical assessment of land fragmentation (1994–2013) was evaluated in relation to water management such as pump operation hours. In the Nile Delta, 90% of farm areas are less than 2.1 ha and 59% of these are small‐scale areas, ≤0.42 ha. Those small‐scale farmers decide on crop patterns and are mainly dependent on the rice crop, which yields the highest net profit income. As a result of land fragmentation, the total number of irrigation events in 2013 was higher than in 2006 and is higher than the number of irrigation events of 1994. Therefore, the total water applied for irrigating crops in 2013 was higher than 2006 (+10.5%) and 1994 (+12.6%). Currently, farmers tend to irrigate their fields for longer periods due to land fragmentation. It is suggested that irrigation improvement as well as a farm contracting system could be the best countermeasures to mitigate the impact of land fragmentation and decrease water losses. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Estrogen Deficiency–Mediated M2 Macrophage Osteoclastogenesis Contributes to M1/M2 Ratio Alteration in Ovariectomized Osteoporotic Mice
Authors: Dou Ce , Ding Ning , Zhao Chunrong , Hou Tianyong , Kang Fei , Cao Zhen , Liu Chuan , Bai Yun , Dai Qijie , Ma Qinyu , Luo Fei , Xu Jianzhong , Dong Shiwu 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACT

In this study, for the first time we discovered that the M1/M2 macrophage phenotype ratio is increased in bone marrow of ovariectomized (OVX) osteoporotic C57BL/6 mice. Considering estrogen is the main variable, we assumed that estrogen participated in this alteration. To determine whether and how estrogen contributes to the change of the M1/M2 ratio, we first isolated bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) from mice femur and stimulated the cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/interferon γ (IFN-γ) for M1 polarization and interleukin 4 (IL-4)/IL-13 for M2 polarization. M1 and M2 macrophages were then exposed to RANKL stimulation, we found that M2 macrophage but not M1 macrophage differentiated into functional osteoclast leading to increased M1/M2 ratio. Intriguingly, 17β-estradiol (E2) pretreatment prevented osteoclastogenesis from M2 macrophages. By constructing shRNA lentivirus interfering the expression of different estrogen receptors in M2 macrophages, we found that estrogen protects M2 macrophage from receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) stimulation selectively through estrogen receptor α (ERα) and the downstream blockage of NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation. Animal studies showed that ERα selective agonist 4,4′,4″-(4-propyl-[1H]-pyrazole-1,3,5-triyl) trisphenol (PPT) was able to replicate the therapeutic effects of E2 in treating osteoporotic OVX mice. Together, our findings reveal that estrogen deficiency–mediated M2 macrophage osteoclastogenesis leads to increased M1/M2 ratio in OVX mice. Reducing the M1/M2 ratio is a potential therapeutic target in treating postmenopausal osteoporosis. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Bone Tissue Collagen Maturity and Mineral Content Increase With Sustained Hyperglycemia in the KK-Ay Murine Model of Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Hunt Heather B , Pearl Jared C , Diaz David R , King Karen B , Donnelly Eve 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACT

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) increases fracture risk for a given bone mineral density (BMD), which suggests that T2DM changes bone tissue properties independently of bone mass. In this study, we assessed the effects of hyperglycemia on bone tissue compositional properties, enzymatic collagen crosslinks, and advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) in the KK-Ay murine model of T2DM using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) imaging and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Compared to KK-aa littermate controls (n = 8), proximal femoral bone tissue of KK-Ay mice (n = 14) exhibited increased collagen maturity, increased mineral content, and less heterogeneous mineral properties. AGE accumulation assessed by the concentration of pentosidine, as well as the concentrations of the nonenzymatic crosslinks hydroxylysylpyridinoline (HP) and lysyl pyridinoline (LP), did not differ in the proximal femurs of KK-Ay mice compared to controls. The observed differences in tissue-level compositional properties in the KK-Ay mice are consistent with bone that is older and echo observations of reduced remodeling in T2DM. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Effects of Gastric Bypass Surgery on Bone Mass and Microarchitecture Occur Early and Particularly Impact Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Schafer Anne L , Kazakia Galateia J , Vittinghoff Eric , Stewart Lygia , Rogers Stanley J , Kim Tiffany Y , Carter Jonathan T , Posselt Andrew M , Pasco Courtney , Shoback Dolores M , Black Dennis M 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACT

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery is a highly effective treatment for obesity but negatively affects the skeleton. Studies of skeletal effects have generally examined areal bone mineral density (BMD) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), but DXA may be inaccurate in the setting of marked weight loss. Further, as a result of modestly sized samples of mostly premenopausal women and very few men, effects of RYGB by sex and menopausal status are unknown. We prospectively studied the effects of RYGB on skeletal health, including axial and appendicular volumetric BMD and appendicular bone microarchitecture and estimated strength. Obese adults (N = 48; 27 premenopausal and 11 postmenopausal women, 10 men) with mean ± SD body mass index (BMI) 44 ± 7 kg/m2 were assessed before and 6 and 12 months after RYGB. Participants underwent spine and hip DXA, spine QCT, radius and tibia HR-pQCT, and laboratory evaluation. Mean 12-month weight loss was 37 kg (30% of preoperative weight). Overall median 12-month increase in serum collagen type I C-telopeptide (CTx) was 278% (p &lt; 0.0001), with greater increases in postmenopausal than premenopausal women (p = 0.049). Femoral neck BMD by DXA decreased by mean 5.0% and 8.0% over 6 and 12 months (p &lt; 0.0001). Spinal BMD by QCT decreased by mean 6.6% and 8.1% (p &lt; 0.0001); declines were larger among postmenopausal than premenopausal women (11.6% versus 6.0% at 12 months, p = 0.02). Radial and tibial BMD and estimated strength by HR-pQCT declined. At the tibia, detrimental changes in trabecular microarchitecture were apparent at 6 and 12 months. Cortical porosity increased at the radius and tibia, with more dramatic 12-month increases among postmenopausal than premenopausal women or men at the tibia (51.4% versus 18.3% versus 3.0%, p &lt; 0.01 between groups). In conclusion, detrimental effects of RYGB on axial and appendicular bone mass and microarchitecture are detectable as early as 6 months postoperatively. Postmenopausal women are at highest risk for skeletal consequences and may warrant targeted screening or interventions. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Characterization of natural Yemeni zeolites as powder sorbents for ammonium valorization from domestic waste water streams using high rate activated sludge processes
Authors: Jmayai Amel , Hermassi Mehrez , Alouani Rabeh , Cortina Jose Luis , Amara Abdesslem Ben Hadj 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDIn this study three natural Yemeni zeolites (NZ1, NZ2 and NZ3) having major minerals such as clinoptilolite and mordenite, were evaluated as low cost sorbents for the removal and recovery of ammonium ions.RESULTSThe zeolite samples, with pHPZC = 9.1 ± 0.2, 7.9 ± 0.2 and 7.4 ± 0.2 for NZ1, NZ2 and NZ3, respectively, showed high ammonium sorption capacities. At pH 8, for treated waste waters: (i) with low NH4+ levels (from 25 to 100 mgNH4/L); and (ii) for concentrated NH4+ side streams generated from the anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge (from 400 up to 1500 mg L‐1), maximum loading capacities of 27 to 51 mgNH4 g‐1 were measured for the studied zeolites. Measured sorption isotherms, in the concentration range 0.05 to 5 g L‐1, were well described by the Langmuir isotherm. The ammonium sorption kinetics was controlled by particle diffusion and was well described by both the homogeneous diffusion (HPDM) and shell progressive (SPM) models.CONCLUSIONComparison of the equilibrium data with results for natural and synthetic zeolites demonstrate the higher performance of the studied zeolites providing low residual ammonium values <1 mgNH4 g‐1 and <10 mgNH4 g‐1 when treating both diluted and concentrated‐NH4+ streams, respectively. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Evaluation of a sequential biotrickling–biofiltration unit for removal of VOCs from the headspace of crude oil storage tanks
Authors: Khoramfar Shooka , Jones Kim D , Boswell James , Ghobadi Jalil , Paca Jan 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDPetrochemical refineries and production sites are considered to be the second greatest source of VOC emissions after vehicle exhausts. The feasibility and performance of a novel sequential biotrickling‐biofiltration unit for the treatment of a mixture of VOCs in the headspace of an oil and gas production tank battery was evaluated for three months at the Apache TAMU#2 well storage tank battery in Snook, Texas.RESULTSThe results demonstrated that the main VOC constituents of the headspace of the storage tanks were alkanes along with smaller amounts of aromatics such as benzene, toluene and xylenes. Monitoring results for the biotreatment unit showed an average removal efficiency of 50–60% at an empty bed residence time of 120 s in each tank of the unit. After inoculation of the system with wastewater from a sedimentation basin of a local refinery, the removal efficiency of the system increased dramatically which demonstrated the importance of inoculation to achieve a rapid and successful start‐up in industrial biofilters. The most optimal performance was achieved after 77 days, obtaining the highest elimination capacity of 23 g m‐3 h‐1 at total VOCs loading rate of 39 g m‐3 h‐1.CONCLUSIONThe operation of the field‐scale sequential BTF‐BF unit for more than three months demonstrated the robustness of this technology and the degradation capabilities of a combination of the suspended and attached growth treatment. The project results demonstrated the potential for even more optimization for improved effectiveness of this novel biological treatment technology for removal of highly variable aromatic VOC concentrations. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Magnetic glutamine‐grafted polymer for the sorption of U(VI), Nd(III) and Dy(III)
Authors: Hamza Mohammed F , Abdel‐Rahman Adel A‐H , Guibal Eric 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe nuclear power industry and other high‐tech industries require increasing quantities of uranium and rare‐earth elements (REEs). There is a need for materials that can competitively recover these metals from ore leachates (such as produced in the leaching of Egyptian ores).RESULTSA sorbent based on the chemical grafting of glutamine moieties on a magnetic polyacrylonitrile support was synthesized: polyacrylonitrile, crosslinked with 10% divinyl benzene in the presence of magnetite, was chemically modified by a series of grafting steps to produce a magnetic polyglutamine sorbent (MGLU). The sorbent was characterized by titration, elemental analysis, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier‐transform infra‐red (FTIR) spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The sorption properties were tested as a function of pH; the sorption isotherms were modeled using the Langmuir equation (maximum sorption capacities: 2 mmol U g‐1 and up to 3.5 mmol g‐1 for Nd(III) and Dy(III)). The equilibrium is achieved within 1 h of contact. Metal desorption and sorbent recycling are highly efficient using acidic solutions; sorption/desorption performance remains stable for a minimum of 5 cycles. MGLU was tested for metal binding in multi‐metal solutions at different pH values.CONCLUSIONThis sorbent could be used for the recovery of REEs and uranium from simulated ore leachates. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry