bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thermodynamics of Nuclear Waste Reprocessing: Separation of
Lanthanides Using Liquid Metals and Alloys
Authors: Melchakov Stanislav Yu. , Yamshchikov Leonid F. , Volkovich Vladimir A. , Osipenko Alexander G. 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
Thermodynamics of separation of praseodymium and neodymium employing liquid low-melting metals and alloys is considered. Pr/Nd separation factors on liquid Ga, In, Bi, and Ga-In eutectic were calculated from the thermodynamic data. The obtained results are compared with the literature data on experimentally determined separation factors on “traditional” liquid metals: Bi, Zn, and Cd. It is shown that one-stage selective extraction of praseodymium or neodymium from the mixture using any of the mentioned metals is not possible. In the separation process of lanthanides from minor actinides using a chloride molten salt–liquid metal system, cerium group lanthanide fission products will be accumulated in the salt phase.
Objective function to obtain multiple representative waveforms for a novel helical CT scan protocol
Authors: Ruan Dan , Thomas David , Low Daniel A. 
Published: February 2015

Purpose:To develop objective functions for selecting multiple representative respiratory waveforms. A specific application considered is to reduce the number of swiping scans in a novel helical CT scan protocol to harvest efficiency and dose reduction benefit.Methods:The authors consider a general class of potential objective functions consisting of weighted norms on pointwise profile differentials. The authors utilize the Lagrangian approach and derive proper conditions on the formulation based on first and second order optimality conditions. The derived objective functions are applied to clinically acquired respiratory trajectories for swipe subset selection to verify the validity and generality of the proposed rationale. An end‐to‐end 4DCT reconstruction comparison is performed using a swipe subset of data corresponding to 3 out of the full 25 waveforms to assess the consequence in image quality and dose.Results:Their results show that maximizing the proposed objective function with the suggested parameters yields maximal spread of trajectories among the selected subset. 4DCT Reconstruction using the chosen subset of data indicates the potential for further dose reduction by about 5 to 10 folds without significant sacrifice in image quality. Experimental results also support further generalization to include slice prioritization.Conclusions:The authors have derived a formulation that is both simple and general as a metric to quantify the spread of a set of respiratory trajectories, which can be used for subset selection with potential computation and dose reduction benefit when applied to a newly developed helical 4DCT scan protocol.
Effects Of Need-Supportive Physical Activity Counseling on Well-Being: A 2-Year Follow-Up Among Sedentary Older Adults
Authors: Van Hoecke Ann-Sophie , Delecluse Christophe , Bogaerts An , Boen Filip 
Published: February 2015

Background:This study evaluated the long-term effectiveness of multiple physical activity counseling strategies on subjective health among older adults.Methods:Sedentary older adults (n = 442) were randomized to 3 programs: (1) a one-contact referral to locally organized physical activities, (2) a one-contact provision of a walking program, (3) a 10-week multiple-contact physical activity coaching based on the Self-Determination Theory. Self-reports on well-being, trait anxiety and physical activity were completed at baseline (pretest), and 10 weeks after (10-week follow-up), 1 year after (1-year follow-up) and 2 years after (2-year follow-up) pretests.Results:All 3 programs yielded improvements in well-being and trait anxiety from pretest to 10-week follow-up and to 1-year follow-up. From pretest to 2-year follow-up, no changes emerged in well-being whereas trait anxiety increased significantly. Changes over time in well-being and anxiety were not significantly different between the programs. Changes in physical activity contributed significantly to the prediction of changes in well-being and trait anxiety.Conclusions:The findings demonstrate the year-round effectiveness of physical activity counseling on subjective health among older adults, irrespective of counseling strategy. However, a relapse to baseline level occurred 2 years after the intervention. Physical activity appears to be an important determinant of older adults’ well-being.
Pedometer Assessed Physical Activity in Urban Pubertal Children: First Report From India
Authors: Contractor Aashish , Bhanushali Aparna , Changrani Jyotsna , Angadi Siddhartha , Das Bibhu R. 
Published: February 2015

Background:Inadequate physical activity is a risk factor for several lifestyle diseases. In the current study we have tried to evaluate the physical activity levels in urban Indian pubertal children as well as investigate the relationship between step counts and body composition.Methods:A total of 1032 children aged 12 to 15 years wore pedometers for 2 weekdays and 2 weekend days, the final cohort included 910 subjects with 467 boys and 443 girls.Results:Mean weekday steps were 11,062 ± 4741 for boys and 9619 ± 4144 for girls; weekend steps were 10,842 ± 5034 for boys and 9146 ± 5159 for girls, which were both significantly different. The weekend steps were consistently lower in both genders. Analysis of children not meeting a cut-off of 10,000 steps indicated that 45% of the boys aged 12; 54% aged 13; 43% to 48% aged 14 and 50% in the aged 15 did not meet the cut-off. In girls higher levels of inactivity were seen with 58% to 65% aged 12; 69% to 73% aged 13; 49% to 58% aged 14 and 50% to 100% in age-group 15 did not meet the cut-off on weekdays and weekends respectively.Conclusions:The high level of physical inactivity in the representative urban Indian children is a cause of grave concern and necessitates urgent intervention strategies to be formulated.
Body Mass Index and its Correlates in 1,212 Ultramarathon Runners: Baseline Findings From the ULTRA Study
Authors: Hoffman Martin D. , Chen Linjun , Krishnan Eswar 
Published: February 2015

Background:Little is known about the sociodemographics and lifestyle behaviors of ultramarathon runners, and the effects of these characteristics on body weight and body mass index (BMI).Methods:We cross-sectionally analyzed baseline data of 1212 ultramarathoners on sociodemographics, lifestyle behaviors and BMI from the initial 12-month enrollment period in a longitudinal observational study.Results:The ultramarathoners were mostly middle-aged men who were more educated, more likely to be in a stable relationship, and more likely to use over-the-counter vitamins/supplements than the general population. They appear to gain less body weight with advancing age than the general population. Factors with the greatest effect on current BMI were BMI at 25 years of age and sex, which explained 48% and 3% of the variance. Negligible, but statistically significant direct relationships, with BMI were observed for age, work hours per week, television watching hours per week, and composite fat consumption frequency score. Negligible, but statistically significant inverse relationships, with BMI were observed for running distance during the prior year, and composite fruit and vegetable consumption frequency score.Conclusions:While lifestyle decisions were found to impact BMI within this group of ultramarathoners, BMI at age 25 was the strongest predictor of current BMI.
A small-molecule inhibitor of the aberrant transcription factor CBFβ-SMMHC delays leukemia in mice
Authors: Illendula Anuradha , Pulikkan John A. , Zong Hongliang , Grembecka Jolanta , Xue Liting , Sen Siddhartha , Zhou Yunpeng , Boulton Adam , Kuntimaddi Aravinda , Gao Yan , Rajewski Roger A. , Guzman Monica L. , Castilla Lucio H. , Bushweller John H. 
Published: February 2015

Toward drugging the undruggable in cancerMany human cancers are characterized by inappropriate activity of transcription factors. These proteins are attractive drug targets in principle, but normalizing their function requires drugs that modulate specific protein-protein interactions, a goal that has been challenging. In acute myeloid leukemia, a chromosomal translocation creates an aberrant form of the transcription factor CBF-beta, which outcompetes “normal” CBF-beta for binding to another transcription factor called RUNX1, thereby deregulating its activity. Illendulaet al.identified and chemically optimized a small molecule that selectively disrupts the interaction between the aberrant CBF-beta and RUNX1 (see the Perspective by Koehler and Chen). This molecule restored normal gene expression patterns and delayed leukemia progression in mice. Thus, transcription factors may not be as undruggable as once thought.Science, this issue p.779; see also p.713
Molecular and Biochemical Characterization of CTX-M-131, a Natural Asp240Gly Variant Derived from CTX-M-2, Produced by a Providencia rettgeri Clinical Strain in São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Dropa Milena , Ghiglione Barbara , Matté Maria Helena , Balsalobre Livia Carminato , Lincopan Nilton , Matté Glavur Rogério , Gutkind Gabriel , Power Pablo 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACT

CTX-M-131 is a natural Asp240Gly variant from the CTX-M-2 group detected in a
Providencia rettgeri
clinical strain from Brazil. Molecular analysis showed that
bla
CTX-M-131
was inserted in a complex class 1 integron harbored by a 112-kb plasmid, which has not been previously described as a platform for CTX-M-encoding genes with the Asp240Gly mutation. Steady-state kinetic parameters showed that the enzyme has a typical cefotaximase catalytic profile and an enhanced activity against ceftazidime.
Efficacy and Immunogenicity of Single-Dose AdVAV Intranasal Anthrax Vaccine Compared to Anthrax Vaccine Absorbed in an Aerosolized Spore Rabbit Challenge Model
Authors: Krishnan Vyjayanthi , Andersen Bo H. , Shoemaker Christine , Sivko Gloria S. , Tordoff Kevin P. , Stark Gregory V. , Zhang Jianfeng , Feng Tsungwei , Duchars Matthew , Roberts M. Scot 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTAdVAV is a replication-deficient adenovirus type 5-vectored vaccine expressing the 83-kDa protective antigen (PA83) fromBacillus anthracisthat is being developed for the prevention of disease caused by inhalation of aerosolizedB. anthracisspores. A noninferiority study comparing the efficacy of AdVAV to the currently licensed Anthrax Vaccine Absorbed (AVA; BioThrax) was performed in New Zealand White rabbits using postchallenge survival as the study endpoint (20% noninferiority margin for survival). Three groups of 32 rabbits were vaccinated with a single intranasal dose of AdVAV (7.5 × 107, 1.5 × 109, or 3.5 × 1010viral particles). Three additional groups of 32 animals received two doses of either intranasal AdVAV (3.5 × 1010viral particles) or intramuscular AVA (diluted 1:16 or 1:64) 28 days apart. The placebo group of 16 rabbits received a single intranasal dose of AdVAV formulation buffer. All animals were challenged via the inhalation route with a targeted dose of 200 times the 50% lethal dose (LD50) of aerosolizedB. anthracisAmes spores 70 days after the initial vaccination and were followed for 3 weeks. PA83 immunogenicity was evaluated by validated toxin neutralizing antibody and serum anti-PA83 IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). All animals in the placebo cohort died from the challenge. Three of the four AdVAV dose cohorts tested, including two single-dose cohorts, achieved statistical noninferiority relative to the AVA comparator group, with survival rates between 97% and 100%. Vaccination with AdVAV also produced antibody titers with earlier onset and greater persistence than vaccination with AVA.
Candida Colonization as a Risk Marker for Invasive Candidiasis in Mixed Medical-Surgical Intensive Care Units: Development and Evaluation of a Simple, Standard Protocol
Authors: Lau Anna F. , Kabir Masrura , Chen Sharon C.-A. , Playford E. Geoffrey , Marriott Deborah J. , Jones Michael , Lipman Jeffrey , McBryde Emma , Gottlieb Thomas , Cheung Winston , Seppelt Ian , Iredell Jonathan , Sorrell Tania C. 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACT

Colonization with
Candida
species is an independent risk factor for invasive candidiasis (IC), but the minimum and most practicable parameters for prediction of IC have not been optimized. We evaluated
Candida
colonization in a prospective cohort of 6,015 nonneutropenic, critically ill patients. Throat, perineum, and urine were sampled 72 h post-intensive care unit (ICU) admission and twice weekly until discharge or death. Specimens were cultured onto chromogenic agar, and a subset underwent molecular characterization. Sixty-three (86%) patients who developed IC were colonized prior to infection; 61 (97%) tested positive within the first two time points. The median time from colonization to IC was 7 days (range, 0 to 35). Colonization at any site was predictive of IC, with the risk of infection highest for urine colonization (relative risk [RR] = 2.25) but with the sensitivity highest (98%) for throat and/or perineum colonization. Colonization of ≥2 sites and heavy colonization of ≥1 site were significant independent risk factors for IC (RR = 2.25 and RR = 3.7, respectively), increasing specificity to 71% to 74% but decreasing sensitivity to 48% to 58%. Molecular testing would have prompted a resistance-driven decision to switch from fluconazole treatment in only 11% of patients infected with
C. glabrata
, based upon species-level identification alone. Positive predictive values (PPVs) were low (2% to 4%) and negative predictive values (NPVs) high (99% to 100%) regardless of which parameters were applied. In the Australian ICU setting, culture of throat and perineum within the first two time points after ICU admission captures 84% (61/73 patients) of subsequent IC cases. These optimized parameters, in combination with clinical risk factors, should strengthen development of a setting-specific risk-predictive model for IC.
Competitive Fitness of Influenza B Viruses with Neuraminidase Inhibitor-Resistant Substitutions in a Coinfection Model of the Human Airway Epithelium
Authors: Burnham Andrew J. , Armstrong Jianling , Lowen Anice C. , Webster Robert G. , Govorkova Elena A. 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACT
Influenza A and B viruses are human pathogens that are regarded to cause almost equally significant disease burdens. Neuraminidase (NA) inhibitors (NAIs) are the only class of drugs available to treat influenza A and B virus infections, so the development of NAI-resistant viruses with superior fitness is a public health concern. The fitness of NAI-resistant influenza B viruses has not been widely studied. Here we examined the replicative capacity and relative fitness in normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells of recombinant influenza B/Yamanashi/166/1998 viruses containing a single amino acid substitution in NA generated by reverse genetics (rg) that is associated with NAI resistance. The replication in NHBE cells of viruses with reduced inhibition by oseltamivir (recombinant virus with the E119A mutation generated by reverse genetics [rg-E119A], rg-D198E, rg-I222T, rg-H274Y, rg-N294S, and rg-R371K, N2 numbering) or zanamivir (rg-E119A and rg-R371K) failed to be inhibited by the presence of the respective NAI. In a fluorescence-based assay, detection of rg-E119A was easily masked by the presence of NAI-susceptible virus. We coinfected NHBE cells with NAI-susceptible and -resistant viruses and used next-generation deep sequencing to reveal the order of relative fitness compared to that of recombinant wild-type (WT) virus generated by reverse genetics (rg-WT): rg-H274Y > rg-WT > rg-I222T > rg-N294S > rg-D198E > rg-E119A ≫ rg-R371K. Based on the lack of attenuated replication of rg-E119A in NHBE cells in the presence of oseltamivir or zanamivir and the fitness advantage of rg-H274Y over rg-WT, we emphasize the importance of these substitutions in the NA glycoprotein. Human infections with influenza B viruses carrying the E119A or H274Y substitution could limit the therapeutic options for those infected; the emergence of such viruses should be closely monitored.

IMPORTANCE
Influenza B viruses are important human respiratory pathogens contributing to a significant portion of seasonal influenza virus infections worldwide. The development of resistance to a single class of available antivirals, the neuraminidase (NA) inhibitors (NAIs), is a public health concern. Amino acid substitutions in the NA glycoprotein of influenza B virus not only can confer antiviral resistance but also can alter viral fitness. Here we used normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells, a model of the human upper respiratory tract, to examine the replicative capacities and fitness of NAI-resistant influenza B viruses. We show that virus with an E119A NA substitution can replicate efficiently in NHBE cells in the presence of oseltamivir or zanamivir and that virus with the H274Y NA substitution has a relative fitness greater than that of the wild-type NAI-susceptible virus. This study is the first to use NHBE cells to determine the fitness of NAI-resistant influenza B viruses.
Ebola Virus Disease in Mice with Transplanted Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Authors: Lüdtke Anja , Oestereich Lisa , Ruibal Paula , Wurr Stephanie , Pallasch Elisa , Bockholt Sabrina , Ip Wing Hang , Rieger Toni , Gómez-Medina Sergio , Stocking Carol , Rodríguez Estefanía , Günther Stephan , Muñoz-Fontela César 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACT
The development of treatments for Ebola virus disease (EVD) has been hampered by the lack of small-animal models that mimick human disease. Here we show that mice with transplanted human hematopoetic stem cells reproduce features typical of EVD. Infection with Ebola virus was associated with viremia, cell damage, liver steatosis, signs of hemorrhage, and high lethality. Our study provides a small-animal model with human components for the development of EVD therapies.
A Single Phosphorodiamidate Morpholino Oligomer Targeting VP24 Protects Rhesus Monkeys against Lethal Ebola Virus Infection
Authors: Warren Travis K. , Whitehouse Chris A. , Wells Jay , Welch Lisa , Heald Alison E. , Charleston Jay S. , Sazani Pete , Reid St. Patrick , Iversen Patrick L. , Bavari Sina 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACT

Ebola viruses (EBOV) cause severe disease in humans and nonhuman primates with high mortality rates and continue to emerge in new geographic locations, including several countries in West Africa, the site of a large ongoing outbreak. Phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs) are synthetic antisense molecules that are able to target mRNAs in a sequence-specific fashion and suppress translation through steric hindrance. We previously showed that the use of PMOs targeting a combination of VP35 and VP24 protected rhesus monkeys from lethal EBOV infection. Surprisingly, the present study revealed that a PMO
plus
compound targeting VP24 alone was sufficient to confer protection from lethal EBOV infection but that a PMO
plus
targeting VP35 alone resulted in no protection. This study further substantiates recent data demonstrating that VP24 may be a key virulence factor encoded by EBOV and suggests that VP24 is a promising target for the development of effective anti-EBOV countermeasures.

IMPORTANCE
Several West African countries are currently being ravaged by an outbreak of Ebola virus (EBOV) that has become a major epidemic affecting not only these African countries but also Europe and the United States. A better understanding of the mechanism of virulence of EBOV is important for the development of effective treatments, as no licensed treatments or vaccines for EBOV disease are currently available. This study of phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs) targeting the mRNAs of two different EBOV proteins, alone and in combination, demonstrated that targeting a single protein was effective at conferring a significant survival benefit in an EBOV lethal primate model. Future development of PMOs with efficacy against EBOV will be simplified if only one PMO is required instead of a combination, particularly in terms of regulatory approval.
Assessing the effect of unilateral cerebral revascularisation on the vascular reactivity of the non-intervened hemisphere: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Sam Kevin , Poublanc Julien , Sobczyk Olivia , Han Jay S , Battisti-Charbonney Anne , Mandell Daniel M , Tymianski Michael , Crawley Adrian P , Fisher Joseph A , Mikulis David J 
Published: February 2015

ObjectivesUnilateral haemodynamically significant large-vessel intracranial stenosis may be associated with reduced blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR), an indicator of autoregulatory reserve. Reduced CVR has been associated with ipsilateral cortical thinning and loss in cognitive function. These effects have been shown to be reversible following revascularisation. Our aim was to study the effects of unilateral revascularisation on CVR in the non-intervened hemisphere in bilateral steno-occlusive or Moyamoya disease.Study DesignA retrospective observational study.SettingA routine follow-up assessment of CVR after a revascularisation procedure at a research teaching hospital in Toronto (Journal wants us to generalise).ParticipantsThirteen patients with bilateral Moyamoya disease (age range 18 to 52 years; 3 males), seven patients with steno-occlusive disease (age range 18 to 78 years; six males) and 27 approximately age-matched normal control subjects (age range 19–71 years; 16 males) with no history or findings suggestive of any neurological or systemic disease.InterventionParticipants underwent BOLD CVR MRI using computerised prospective targeting of CO2, before and after unilateral revascularisation (extracranial–intracranial bypass, carotid endarterectomy or encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis). Pre-revascularisation and post-revascularisation CVR was assessed in each major arterial vascular territory of both hemispheres.ResultsAs expected, surgical revascularisation improved grey matter CVR in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory of the intervened hemisphere (0.010±0.023 to 0.143±0.010%BOLD/mm Hg, p<0.01). There was also a significant post-revascularisation improvement in grey matter CVR in the MCA territory of the non-intervened hemisphere (0.101±0.025 to 0.165±0.015%BOLD/mm Hg, p<0.01).ConclusionsNot only does CVR improve in the hemisphere ipsilateral to a flow restoration procedure, but it also improves in the non-intervened hemisphere. This highlights the potential of CVR mapping for staging and evaluating surgical interventions.