bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of obesity on CD47 expression in erythrocytes
Authors: Wiewiora Maciej , Piecuch Jerzy , Sedek Lukasz , Mazur Bogdan , Sosada Krystyn 
Published: April 2015

BackgroundTo investigate the effects of obesity on CD47, phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure, and Caspase‐8 and Caspase‐3 activities in erythrocytes.MethodsThe study included 25 morbidly obese patients and 20 healthy people as the control group. We evaluated CD47 expression on the red blood cell (RBC) membrane surface and eryptosis markers such as PS externalization and caspase activity using flow cytometric analyses.ResultsCD47 expression on the RBC surface was significantly lower in obese patients than in the control group (P = 0.000001). We did not find significant differences in the Caspase‐3 and Caspase‐8 activities between the obese and nonobese control groups. Additionally, we did not find differences in PS exposure on erythrocyte membranes. The fibrinogen levels were higher in the obese group than they were in the control group (P = 0.00002). Correlations between CD47 expression and body mass index (r = −0.65; P = 0.0004), waist circumference (r = −0.54; P = 0.0052), and fibrinogen (r = 0.57; P = 0.0024) were found. Univariate analyses revealed that body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, and fibrinogen levels were potential predictors of CD47 expression. Multivariate analyses found that fibrinogen levels (β = 0.4708; P = 0.045) independently predicted CD47 expression.ConclusionsThe study demonstrated that CD47 expression is decreased on the surface of RBCs in obese subjects. These changes in CD47 expression on the RBC surface may be an adaptive response to hyperfibrinogenemia associated with obesity. © 2015 International Clinical Cytometry Society
Consensus guidelines for myeloma minimal residual disease sample staining and data acquisition
Authors: Stetler‐Stevenson Maryalice , Paiva Bruno , Stoolman Lloyd , Lin Pei , Jorgensen Jeffrey L. , Orfao Alberto , Van Dongen Jacques , Rawstron Andy C. 
Published: April 2015

BackgroundFlow cytometric (FC) detection of minimal residual disease (MRD) in multiple myeloma (MM) is prognostic and predictive of response to therapy. Therefore, standardization of FC MM MRD testing is vital to ensure better and uniform assessment of response to therapy and clinical prognostication. The International Clinical Cytometry Society and European Society for Clinical Cell Analysis, recognizing the need for standardized FC approaches, organized a working group to develop consensus guidelines on good clinical practice in FC MM MRD. Consensus guidelines are presented for specimen quality, staining process, reagent combinations, and the data acquisition process, all key factors in achieving high quality FC MM MRD testing.MethodsA group of eight flow cytometrists currently performing FC testing in MM evaluated available literature on FC MM MRD testing. A document presenting best practice was developed and reviewed in successive rounds until consensus was reached.Results/ConclusionThe consensus on best practice for detection of MRD in MM is that CD38, CD138, and CD45 are analyzed in combination with CD19, CD56, CD27, CD81, and CD117. Consensus guidelines on acceptable specimen quality, staining procedures, panel design, and data acquisition were developed. © 2015 International Clinical Cytometry Society
Risk stratification using cytomorphologic features in endoscopic ultrasonographic‐guided fine‐needle aspiration diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Huffman Brandon M. , Esebua Magda , Layfield Lester J. , Witt Benjamin L. , Schmidt Robert L. 
Published: April 2015

BackgroundEndoscopic ultrasonographic‐guided fine‐needle aspiration (EUS‐FNA) is the procedure of choice for the investigation of pancreatic lesions. It shows good sensitivity and excellent specificity. Diagnostic criteria have been published but not statistically validated for the diagnosis of malignancy and stratification of risk for malignancy.MethodsA training set of 57 EUS‐FNAs and the validation set of 107 EUS‐FNAs were selected. Slides were independently evaluated by three pathologists. Sixteen morphologic features were evaluated in the training set. Average absolute agreement, kappa scores, and association with malignancy were statistically evaluated. Recursive partitioning and multivariant analyses were performed on the features tested in the training set. Agreement data, univariate‐odds ratios, and discriminatory power were calculated for the diagnostic features selected from the training set. The selected morphologic features formed a scoring rule that was then applied to the validation set.ResultsThe average absolute agreement in the training set was 72%. Anisonucleosis, nuclear crowding, macro nucleoli, single atypical epithelial cells, and intracytoplasmic mucin showed the highest interrater reliability. Anisonucleosis, macronucleoli, single atypical epithelial cells, and intracytoplasmic mucin were most predictive of malignancy. A simple scoring rule was developed combining these morphologic features and applied to the validation set. Analysis of the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve confirmed the statistical validity of the scoring rule.ConclusionA scoring system utilizing the presence or absence of anisonucleosis, macronucleoli, single atypical epithelial cells, and mucinous metaplasia yielded good discriminatory power (area under ROC curve = 0.87). Diagn. Cytopathol. 2015;43:613–621. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The evolution of pattern camouflage strategies in waterfowl and game birds
Authors: Marshall Kate L. A. , Gluckman Thanh‐Lan 
Published: April 2015

AbstractVisual patterns are common in animals. A broad survey of the literature has revealed that different patterns have distinct functions. Irregular patterns (e.g., stipples) typically function in static camouflage, whereas regular patterns (e.g., stripes) have a dual function in both motion camouflage and communication. Moreover, irregular and regular patterns located on different body regions (“bimodal” patterning) can provide an effective compromise between camouflage and communication and/or enhanced concealment via both static and motion camouflage. Here, we compared the frequency of these three pattern types and traced their evolutionary history using Bayesian comparative modeling in aquatic waterfowl (Anseriformes: 118 spp.), which typically escape predators by flight, and terrestrial game birds (Galliformes: 170 spp.), which mainly use a “sit and hide” strategy to avoid predation. Given these life histories, we predicted that selection would favor regular patterning in Anseriformes and irregular or bimodal patterning in Galliformes and that pattern function complexity should increase over the course of evolution. Regular patterns were predominant in Anseriformes whereas regular and bimodal patterns were most frequent in Galliformes, suggesting that patterns with multiple functions are broadly favored by selection over patterns with a single function in static camouflage. We found that the first patterns to evolve were either regular or bimodal in Anseriformes and either irregular or regular in Galliformes. In both orders, irregular patterns could evolve into regular patterns but not the reverse. Our hypothesis of increasing complexity in pattern camouflage function was supported in Galliformes but not in Anseriformes. These results reveal a trajectory of pattern evolution linked to increasing function complexity in Galliformes although not in Anseriformes, suggesting that both ecology and function complexity can have a profound influence on pattern evolution.
Validation of a simple risk stratification tool for patients implanted with Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: the VALID‐CRT risk score
Authors: Gasparini Maurizio , Klersy Catherine , Leclercq Cristophe , Lunati Maurizio , Landolina Maurizio , Auricchio Angelo , Santini Massimo , Boriani Giuseppe , Proclemer Alessandro , Leyva Francisco 
Published: April 2015

AimsMortality after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is difficult to predict. We sought to design and validate a simple prognostic score for patients implanted with CRT, based on readily available clinical variables, including age, gender, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, presence/absence of atrial fibrillation, presence/absence of atrioventricular junction ablation, coronary heart disease, diabetes, and implantation of a CRT device with defibrillation.MethodsFor predictive modelling, 5153 consecutive patients enrolled in 72 European centres (79% male; LVEF 25.9 ± 6.85%; NYHA class III–IV 77.5%; QRS 158.4 ± 32.3 ms) were randomly split into derivation (70%) and validation (30%) samples. The primary endpoint was total mortality and the secondary endpoint was cardiovascular mortality. The final predictive model fit was assessed by plotting observed vs. predicted survival.ResultsIn the entire cohort, 1004 deaths occurred over a follow‐up of 14 409 person years. Total mortality ranged from 3.1% to 28.2% at 2 years in the first and fifth quintile of the risk score, respectively. At 5 years, total mortality was 10.3%, 18.6%, 27.6%, 36.1%, and 58.8%, from the first to the fifth quintile. Compared with the lowest quintile (Q), total mortality was significantly higher in the other four quintiles [Q2 hazard ratio (HR) = 1.71; Q3 HR = 2.20; Q4 HR = 4.03; Q5 HR = 8.03; all P < 0.001). The final model, which was based on the entire cohort using the above variables, showed a good discrimination (Harrell's c = 0.70) and high explained variation (0.26). The mean predicted survival fitted well with the observed survival for up to 6 years of follow‐up.ConclusionsThe VALID‐CRT risk score, which is based on routine, readily available clinical variables, reliably predicted the long‐term total and cardiovascular mortality in patients undergoing CRT. While this score cannot be used to predict the benefit of CRT, it may be useful for predicting survival after CRT. This may have useful implications for follow‐up.
Effects of Co/Ni Ratio on the Supercapacitive Properties of α‐Form Hydroxides
Authors: Liu Lan , Ma Ke‐Yuan , Liu Fu , Zhang Xiao‐Bin , Cheng J. P. 
Published: April 2015

Abstractα‐Form CoxNi1–xhydroxides with different Co/Ni ratios were synthesized by a chemical co‐precipitation method under mild conditions. The effects of Co/Ni ratio on the structure, morphology, and supercapacitive properties of α‐form CoxNi1–xhydroxides were investigated in detail. α‐Form CoxNi1–xhydroxides had structures similar to those of hydrotalcite and α‐Co(OH)2, and they exhibited better electrochemical performance than α‐Co(OH)2on testing by XRD, FTIR, and electrochemical performance (whenx≠ 0). The highest specific capacitance at 1 A g–1for α‐form CoxNi1–xhydroxides (forx= 0.2) is 1696.7 F g–1. An asymmetric supercapacitor packaged with Co0.6Ni0.4hydroxide and activated carbon as positive and negative material, respectively, had an energy density of 23.5 Wh kg–1at a power density of 412.5 W kg–1.
Potent Reactivity in Solubilised Oxo‐Titanium Polymers
Authors: Nielson Alastair J. , Waters Joyce M. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractInvited for the cover of this issue are Al Nielson and Joyce Waters from Massey University at Auckland, New Zealand. The cover image shows a titanium–salicylaldimine–oxo polymer being chopped up by an aldehyde molecule into a fiery reactive entity, which, on cooling, gives rise to complexes indicating that both polymer degradation and new carbon‐based chemistry habe taken place.
Suzuki–Miyaura Reactions of Halospirooxindole Derivatives
Authors: El Bouakher Abderrahman , Allouchi Hassan , Abrunhosa‐Thomas Isabelle , Troin Yves , Guillaumet Gérald 
Published: April 2015

AbstractStarting from 5,5′‐dihalo‐1′‐pentyl‐2H‐spiro[furo[2,3‐b]pyridine‐3,3′‐indolin]‐2′‐one, various 5,5′‐di(het)aryl‐1′‐pentyl‐2H‐spiro[furo[2,3‐b]pyridine‐3,3′‐indolin]‐2′‐ones were synthesized through palladium‐catalysed cross‐coupling reactions. A large panel of boronic acids (aryl or heteroaryl) could easily be introduced, leading to a library of new 5‐ or 5′‐monosubstituted and 5,5′‐disubstituted 1′‐pentyl‐2H‐spiro[furo[2,3‐b]pyridine‐3,3′‐indolin]‐2′‐ones.
Adaptive workflow scheduling for diverse objectives in cloud environments
Authors: Ji Haoran , Bao Weidong , Zhu Xiaomin 
Published: April 2015

AbstractCloud computing environments facilitate applications by providing virtualised resources through the network and serve the clients by the pay‐as‐you‐go mechanism. It is based on the rapid development of the network. Normally, economic cost is the most important factor of providing cloud services. However, under some special conditions, the objectives may change. In this scenario, it is impractical to reset the scheduling mechanism only for an occasional incident. So an adaptive scheduling mechanism is needed to address the issues of scheduling under different conditions. To the best of our knowledge, no works have well solved this problem. In this paper, we convert the problem to a multi‐objective scheduling problem with varying objective weights and propose a two‐phase algorithm, which is called adaptive priority‐based workflow scheduling (DRAWS) algorithm. The algorithm will self regulate the priorities of tasks to adapt to different objectives. In the experimental part, simulation environments are set up and three classic workflows are used to evaluate the performance. Four comparing algorithms of resource sensitive scheduling algorithm, Best Fit‐millions of instructions per second, Best Fit‐random‐access memory and Best Fit‐Bandwidth are used to evaluate the performance of DRAWS. It is demonstrated that each phase of our algorithm would optimise the scheduling. Furthermore, we obtain the conclusion that DRAWS algorithm shows superior than the comparing algorithms. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improved CO2 separation performance of Matrimid®5218 membrane by addition of low molecular weight polyethylene glycol
Authors: Loloei Mahsa , Moghadassi Abdolreza , Omidkhah Mohammadreza , Amooghin Abtin Ebadi 
Published: April 2015

AbstractPolyethylene glycols have received worldwide attention as a highly permeable CO2‐philic polymer in carbon dioxide separation applications. In this study, we investigated the influence of a low molecular weight polyethylene glycol (PEG 200) on physicochemical, morphological, and gas separation properties of Matrimid®5218 as a novel polymer blend. Both symmetric and asymmetric Matrimid flat sheet membranes with 0–20 wt.% PEG were prepared via a dense film‐casting method. The miscibility of blends at low PEG concentrations (3–5 wt.%) was confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarized light microscopy (PLM). Moreover, the blends were partially miscible at higher PEG concentrations (10–20 wt.%). Matrimid/PEG molecular interactions were further studied by FTIR and XRD analysis. SEM images indicated an impressive influence of PEG on the symmetric structure of Matrimid membrane. An asymmetric structure with a dense thin skin layer and a highly porous sub‐layer was observed for the blends containing 10–20 wt.% PEG. The CO2 permeability and CO2/CH4 selectivity of the best‐yield CO2‐selective blend membrane (Matrimid/PEG (95:5)) incvreased about 25% (from 7.68 to 9.62 Barrer) and 15% (from 35 to 40) compared to pure Matrimid, respectively. Furthermore studying the plasticization pressures of the membranes revealed that the more PEG content in blend the less the plasticization pressure obtained. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Modulation of protein synthesis by polyamines
Authors: Igarashi Kazuei , Kashiwagi Keiko 
Published: April 2015

AbstractPolyamines are ubiquitous small basic molecules that play important roles in cell growth and viability. Since polyamines mainly exist as a polyamine‐RNA complex, we looked for proteins whose synthesis is preferentially stimulated by polyamines at the level of translation, and thus far identified 17 proteins in Escherichia coli and 6 proteins in eukaryotes. The mechanisms of polyamine stimulation of synthesis of these proteins were investigated. In addition, the role of eIF5A, containing hypusine formed from spermidine, on protein synthesis is described. These results clearly indicate that polyamines and eIF5A contribute to cell growth and viability through modulation of protein synthesis. © 2015 IUBMB Life, 67(3):160–169, 2015
Treg‐specific demethylated region activity in isolated regulatory t lymphocytes is a surrogate for disease severity in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Liu Hao‐Run , Li Wei‐Min 
Published: April 2015

AbstractIn certain unique conditions like viral infections of the liver like hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV), activation of Tregs may be associated with chronicity of the viral infections and subsequent predisposition to development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by the integrated viral genome. In parallel, potential persistence of Tregs activity may lead to immune evasion of cancerous cells and thus persistence of the carcinomatous conditions. In this study, we hypothesized that although the relative proportions of Tregs may remain unaltered in HCC, persistence of activity of Tregs may lead to immune evasion in advanced stages of HCC. To examine the issue of activation of Treg in liver cancer pathogenesis, we obtained liver biopsy and peripheral blood samples from patients with advanced grades of HCC, isolated Tregs, and examined the methylation status of “Treg‐specific demethylated region” (TSDR), a key region whose methylation suppresses Treg activity and demethylation stimulates its genomic activity. This study provides evidence of demethylation of TSDR, increased gene expression examined by luciferase assays, and nuclear translocation of key transcription factors that function as gene enhancers in CD4+CD25+FoxP3 regulatory T cells in advanced grades of HCC. © 2015 IUBMB Life, 2015 67(5):355–360, 2015
Laser speckle spatiotemporal variance analysis for noninvasive widefield measurements of blood pulsation and pulse rate on a camera‐phone
Authors: Remer Itay , Bilenca Alberto 
Published: April 2015

Photoplethysmography is a well‐established technique for the noninvasive measurement of blood pulsation. However, photoplethysmographic devices typically need to be in contact with the surface of the tissue and provide data from a single contact point. Extensions of conventional photoplethysmography to measurements over a wide field‐of‐view exist, but require advanced signal processing due to the low signal‐to‐noise‐ratio of the photoplethysmograms. Here, we present a noncontact method based on temporal sampling of time‐integrated speckle using a camera‐phone for noninvasive, widefield measurements of physiological parameters across the human fingertip including blood pulsation and resting heart‐rate frequency. The results show that precise estimation of these parameters with high spatial resolution is enabled by measuring the local temporal variation of speckle patterns of backscattered light from subcutaneous skin, thereby opening up the possibility for accurate high resolution blood pulsation imaging on a camera‐phone.
Camera‐phone laser speckle imager along with measured relative blood perfusion maps of a fingertip showing skin perfusion response to a pulse pressure applied to the upper arm. The figure is for illustration only; the imager was stabilized on a stand throughout the experiments.magnified imageCamera‐phone laser speckle imager along with measured relative blood perfusion maps of a fingertip showing skin perfusion response to a pulse pressure applied to the upper arm. The figure is for illustration only; the imager was stabilized on a stand throughout the experiments.
Long‐term cardiac safety and tolerability of fingolimod in multiple sclerosis: A postmarketing study
Authors: Paolicelli Damiano , Manni Alessia , Direnzo Vita , D'Onghia Mariangela , Tortorella Carla , Zoccolella Stefano , Trojano Maria 
Published: April 2015

AbstractFingolimod is the first oral disease‐modifying therapy approved for multiple sclerosis (MS). The risks associated with the use of fingolimod include cardiovascular adverse events (AEs). First‐dose observation (FDO) is required for all patients for at least 6 hours. We describe FDO data and long‐term cardiac tolerability in a cohort of fingolimod‐treated relapsing MS patients. Two hundred and twelve patients started fingolimod 0.5 mg once daily. Before the first administration, all subjects had an electrocardiogram (ECG) with cardiologist interpretation. Following administration they were monitored for 6 hours and underwent a cardiac monitoring every 3 months. In this cohort, there was a heart rate reduction at the VI hour of 9.6 ± 8 beats per minute (P < .001). Fifty‐four individuals (25.5%) presented an abnormal ECG during the 6 hours. We experienced 1 case (0.22%) of symptomatic second‐degree atrioventricular block. The mean follow‐up period was 1.5 ± 0.7 years. During this period, 1 patient showed atrial fibrillation that needed to be treated. We also observed 5 cases of persistent increase in blood pressure. This postmarketing study shows that fingolimod is well tolerated and tha tcardiologic AEs are generally self‐limited in the long term.
An Algebraic Formulation of the Graph Reconstruction Conjecture
Authors: Oliveira Igor C. , Thatte Bhalchandra D. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe graph reconstruction conjecture asserts that every finite simple graph on at least three vertices can be reconstructed up to isomorphism from its deck—the collection of its vertex‐deleted subgraphs. Kocay's Lemma is an important tool in graph reconstruction. Roughly speaking, given the deck of a graph G and any finite sequence of graphs, it gives a linear constraint that every reconstruction of G must satisfy. Let be the number of distinct (mutually nonisomorphic) graphs on n vertices, and let be the number of distinct decks that can be constructed from these graphs. Then the difference measures how many graphs cannot be reconstructed from their decks. In particular, the graph reconstruction conjecture is true for n‐vertex graphs if and only if . We give a framework based on Kocay's lemma to study this discrepancy. We prove that if M is a matrix of covering numbers of graphs by sequences of graphs, then . In particular, all n‐vertex graphs are reconstructible if one such matrix has rank . To complement this result, we prove that it is possible to choose a family of sequences of graphs such that the corresponding matrix M of covering numbers satisfies .