bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adverse Outcome Pathways can drive non‐animal approaches for safety assessment
Authors: Burden Natalie , Sewell Fiona , Andersen Melvin E. , Boobis Alan , Chipman J. Kevin , Cronin Mark T. D. , Hutchinson Thomas H. , Kimber Ian , Whelan Maurice 
Published: May 2015

AbstractAdverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs) provide an opportunity to develop new and more accurate safety assessment processes for drugs and other chemicals, and may ultimately play an important role in regulatory decision making. Not only can the development and application of AOPs pave the way for the development of improved evidence‐based approaches for hazard and risk assessment, there is also the promise of a significant impact on animal welfare, with a reduced reliance on animal‐based methods. The establishment of a useable and coherent knowledge framework under which AOPs will be developed and applied has been a first critical step towards realizing this opportunity. This article explores how the development of AOPs under this framework, and their application in practice, could benefit the science and practice of safety assessment, while in parallel stimulating a move away from traditional methods towards an increased acceptance of non‐animal approaches. We discuss here the key areas where current, and future initiatives should be focused to enable the translation of AOPs into routine chemical safety assessment, and lasting 3Rs benefits. © 2015 The Authors. Journal of Applied Toxicology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
A quantitative approach for studying the bioactivity of nanohydroxyapatite/gold composites
Authors: Mostafa Amany A. , Oudadesse Hassane , El‐Sayed Mayyada M. H. 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACTThis work describes a quantitative kinetic approach to assess the in vitro bioactivity of gold‐doped hydroxyapatite‐polyvinyl alcohol nanocomposites. The surface morphology of the in situ prepared nanocomposites as characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed a rod‐like shape. Differential thermal analysis‐thermogravimetric (DTA–TG), and fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) as well as zeta potential measurements of the prepared nanocomposites were carried out. Uptake profiles of Ca and P were studied onto nanocomposites of different gold concentrations after their soaking in simulated body fluid and they best followed the pseudo second‐order kinetic model. The highest uptakes of both Ca and P were obtained using the nanocomposite with the lowest concentration of gold. Furthermore, sorption mechanism was described by the intraparticle diffusion model where pore diffusion was found to be the rate limiting step. The prepared nanocomposites have promising potential in orthopedic and tissue engineering applications because of their high capacity and fast uptake for Ca and P, which form apatite. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 3483–3492, 2015.
ATR‐FTIR measurements of albumin and fibrinogen adsorption: Inert versus calcium phosphate ceramics
Authors: Boix Marcel , Eslava Salvador , Costa Machado Gil , Gosselin Emmanuel , Ni Na , Saiz Eduardo , De Coninck Joël 
Published: May 2015

AbstractArthritis, bone fracture, bone tumors and other musculoskeletal diseases affect millions of people across the world. Nowadays, inert and bioactive ceramics are used as bone substitutes or for bone regeneration. Their bioactivity is very much dictated by the way proteins adsorb on their surface. In this work, we compared the adsorption of albumin and fibrinogen on inert and calcium phosphates ceramics (CaPs) using attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR‐FTIR) to follow in situ protein adsorption on these materials. To this effect, we developed a sol‐gel technique to control the surface chemistry of an ATR‐FTIR detector. Hydroxyapatite adsorbed more albumin and β‐tricalcium phosphate adsorbed more fibrinogen. Biphasic calcium phosphate presented the lowest adsorption among CaP for both proteins, illustrating the effect of surface heterogeneities. Inert ceramics adsorbed a lower amount of both proteins compared with bioactive ceramics. A significant change was observed in the conformation of the adsorbed protein versus the surface chemistry. Hydroxyapatite produced a larger loss of α‐helix structure on albumin and biphasic calcium phosphate reduced β‐sheet percentage on fibrinogen. Inert ceramics produced large α‐helix loss on albumin and presented weak interaction with fibrinogen. Zirconia did not adsorb albumin and titanium dioxide promoted huge denaturalization of fibrinogen. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 3493–3502, 2015.
Repetitive jumping and sprinting until exhaustion alters hamstring reflex responses and tibial translation in males and females
Authors: Behrens Martin , Mau‐Moeller Anett , Wassermann Franziska , Plewka Antje , Bader Rainer , Bruhn Sven 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACTThe incidence of anterior cruciate ligament injuries is considerably higher in females than in males and the underlying mechanisms are still under debate. Research indicates that the neuromuscular system of females and males might respond differently to the same fatigue protocol due to differences in muscle activation during movement tasks. This study analyzed sex differences in hamstring reflex responses and posterior‐anterior tibial translation (TT) before and after fatiguing exercise. We measured the isolated movement of the tibia relative to the femur as a consequence of mechanically induced TT in standing subjects as well as muscle activity of the hamstrings before and after repetitive jumping and sprinting until exhaustion. Muscle fatigue delayed reflex onset latencies in females and males. A reduction in reflex responses associated with an increased TT was observed after fatiguing exercise for both sexes. Data indicate that the used fatigue protocol altered the latency and magnitude of reflex responses as well as TT in females and males. Based on the results of previous research and the outcome of this study, it might be that sex‐specific effects of fatigue on reflex activity and mechanical stability of the knee depend on the kind of fatiguing exercise. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 33:1687–1692, 2015.
Quantitative and functional pulsed arterial spin labeling in the human brain at 9.4 t
Authors: Bause Jonas , Ehses Philipp , Mirkes Christian , Shajan G. , Scheffler Klaus , Pohmann Rolf 
Published: May 2015

PurposeThe feasibility of multislice pulsed arterial spin labeling (PASL) of the human brain at 9.4 T was investigated. To demonstrate the potential of arterial spin labeling (ASL) at this field strength, quantitative, functional, and high‐resolution (1.05 × 1.05 × 2 mm3) ASL experiments were performed.MethodsPASL was implemented using a numerically optimized adiabatic inversion pulse and presaturation scheme. Quantitative measurements were performed at 3 T and 9.4 T and evaluated on a voxel‐by‐voxel basis. In a functional experiment, activation maps obtained with a conventional blood‐oxygen‐level‐dependent (BOLD)‐weighted sequence were compared with a functional ASL (fASL) measurement.ResultsQuantitative measurements revealed a 23% lower perfusion in gray matter and 17% lower perfusion in white matter at 9.4 T compared with 3 T. Furthermore almost identical transit delays and bolus durations were found at both field strengths whereas the calculated voxel volume corrected signal‐to‐noise ratio was 1.9 times higher at 9.4 T. This result was confirmed by the high‐resolution experiment. The functional experiment yielded comparable activation maps for the fASL and BOLD measurements.ConclusionAlthough PASL at ultrahigh field strengths is limited by high specific absorption rate, functional and quantitative perfusion‐weighted images showing a high degree of detail can be obtained. Magn Reson Med 75:1054–1063, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Independent validation of four‐dimensional flow MR velocities and vortex ring volume using particle imaging velocimetry and planar laser‐Induced fluorescence
Authors: Töger Johannes , Bidhult Sebastian , Revstedt Johan , Carlsson Marcus , Arheden Håkan , Heiberg Einar 
Published: May 2015

PurposeThis study aimed to: (i) present and characterize a phantom setup for validation of four‐dimensional (4D) flow using particle imaging velocimetry (PIV) and planar laser‐induced fluorescence (PLIF); (ii) validate 4D flow velocity measurements using PIV; and (iii) validate 4D flow vortex ring volume (VV) using PLIF.MethodsA pulsatile pump and a tank with a 25‐mm nozzle were constructed. PIV measurements (1.5 × 1.5 mm pixels, temporal resolution 10 ms) were obtained on two occasions. The 4D flow (3 × 3 × 3 mm voxels, temporal resolution 50 ms) was acquired using SENSE = 2. VV was quantified using PLIF and 4D flow.ResultsPIV showed excellent day‐to‐day stability (R2 = 0.99, bias −0.04 ± 0.72 cm/s). The 4D flow mean velocities agreed well with PIV (R2 = 0.95, bias 0.16 ± 2.65 cm/s). Peak velocities in 4D flow were underestimated by 7–18% compared with PIV (y = 0.79x + 2.7, R2 = 0.96, −12 ± 5%). VV showed excellent agreement between PLIF and 4D flow (R2 = 0.99, 2.4 ± 1.5 mL).ConclusionThis study shows: (i) The proposed phantom enables reliable validation of 4D flow. (ii) 4D flow velocities show good agreement with PIV, but peak velocities were underestimated due to low spatial and temporal resolution. (iii) Vortex ring volume (VV) can be quantified using 4D flow. Magn Reson Med 75:1064–1075, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Demonstration of nonlinearity bias in the measurement of the apparent diffusion coefficient in multicenter trials
Authors: Malyarenko Dariya I. , Newitt David , J. Wilmes Lisa , Tudorica Alina , Helmer Karl G. , Arlinghaus Lori R. , Jacobs Michael A. , Jajamovich Guido , Taouli Bachir , Yankeelov Thomas E. , Huang Wei , Chenevert Thomas L. 
Published: May 2015

PurposeCharacterize system‐specific bias across common magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) platforms for quantitative diffusion measurements in multicenter trials.MethodsDiffusion weighted imaging (DWI) was performed on an ice‐water phantom along the superior–inferior (SI) and right–left (RL) orientations spanning ±150 mm. The same scanning protocol was implemented on 14 MRI systems at seven imaging centers. The bias was estimated as a deviation of measured from known apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) along individual DWI directions. The relative contributions of gradient nonlinearity, shim errors, imaging gradients, and eddy currents were assessed independently. The observed bias errors were compared with numerical models.ResultsThe measured systematic ADC errors scaled quadratically with offset from isocenter, and ranged between −55% (SI) and 25% (RL). Nonlinearity bias was dependent on system design and diffusion gradient direction. Consistent with numerical models, minor ADC errors (±5%) due to shim, imaging and eddy currents were mitigated by double echo DWI and image coregistration of individual gradient directions.ConclusionThe analysis confirms gradient nonlinearity as a major source of spatial DW bias and variability in off‐center ADC measurements across MRI platforms, with minor contributions from shim, imaging gradients and eddy currents. The developed protocol enables empiric description of systematic bias in multicenter quantitative DWI studies. Magn Reson Med 75:1312–1323, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Avoiding War in Tarapacá (Northern Chile) During the Andean Late Intermediate Period (AD 1000–1450)
Authors: Pacheco Aryel , Retamal Rodrigo 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThe Late Intermediate period (LIP, AD 1000–1450) in the South Central Andes is commonly characterized by an increase in violence. Here, we analyse evidence to test whether the population that inhabited the oasis of Pica (Region of Tarapacá, Northern Chile) during LIP was engaged in violent warfare. The analysis of 96 individuals showed a low prevalence of violence‐related injuries (N = 6/96). Facial traumas observed on females could be a result of domestic violence, whereas nasal traumas found in males could be interpreted as a result of ritualized combats. One male exhibits a point embedded in his first right rib which is the only injury that can be attributed to open intergroup combat. These findings, combined with the mortuary characteristics of the Pica 8 cemetery, the lack of defensive constructions at the site, the settlement pattern and the iconography, do not support the existence of war at Pica during the LIP. The weapons found at Pica 8 cemetery are elaborately decorated, and many are clearly useless in combat so they were likely not made to be used in open conflicts. In addition, clothes considered to belong to warriors may be alternately interpreted as garments used for ceremonial purpose. Taking into account the belligerent climate in contemporaneous San Pedro de Atacama, we suggest that the Pica population employed ritualized violence as a means of avoiding larger conflicts or war. We propose that male violence in controlled scenarios permitted the sublimation of social inequalities or internal conflicts, and could have been used in order to create and maintain social stability. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fabrication of 5.2% efficient Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 solar cells using DC‐sputtered metal precursors followed by sulfo‐selenization
Authors: Yang Han Sung , Agawane Ganesh , Shin Seung Wook , Vanalakar Sharadrao , Jung Woo Lim , Kim Jin Hyeok 
Published: May 2015

AbstractIn this study, we report Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTSSe) thin films synthesized by using a rapid thermal annealing process of direct current sputtered precursors under a sulfur and selenium atmosphere. X‐ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy investigations showed formation of CZTSSe absorber layer without any secondary phase. X‐ray fluorescence spectroscopy showed a stoichiometric absorber layer has been formed which is suitable for use in solar cells. The best thin film solar cell of CZTSSe showed a photovoltaic performance of 5.2% efficiency (Voc: 585.0 mV, Jsc: 17.0 mA/cm2 and FF: 52.0%). This is the highest efficiency reported for CZTSSe prepared from sputtered Cu/Zn/Sn precursors followed by sulfo‐selenization using powder sources. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The cyclical nature of depressed mood and future risk: Depression, rumination, and deficits in emotional clarity in adolescent girls
Authors: Rubenstein Liza M. , Hamilton Jessica L. , Stange Jonathan P. , Flynn Megan , Abramson Lyn Y. , Alloy Lauren B. 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACTDeficits in emotional clarity, the understanding and awareness of one's own emotions and the ability to label them appropriately, are associated with increased depressive symptoms. Surprisingly, few studies have examined factors associated with reduction in emotional clarity for adolescents, such as depressed mood and ruminative response styles. The present study examined rumination as a potential mediator of the relationship between depressive symptoms and changes in emotional clarity, focusing on sex differences. Participants included 223 adolescents (51.60% female, Mean age = 12.39). Controlling for baseline levels of emotional clarity, initial depressive symptoms predicted decreases in emotional clarity. Further, rumination prospectively mediated the relationship between baseline depressive symptoms and follow‐up emotional clarity for girls, but not boys. Findings suggest that depressive symptoms may increase girls' tendencies to engage in repetitive, negative thinking, which may reduce the ability to understand and label emotions, a potentially cyclical process that confers vulnerability to future depression.
Subjective memory impairment: No suitable criteria for case‐finding of dementia in primary care
Authors: Eichler Tilly , Thyrian Jochen René , Hertel Johannes , Wucherer Diana , Michalowsky Bernhard , Reiner Katinka , Dreier Adina , Kilimann Ingo , Teipel Stefan , Hoffmann Wolfgang 
Published: May 2015

AbstractIntroductionSubjective memory impairment (SMI) might be used for the case‐finding of dementia. Present analyses aim to determine the diagnostic value and the predictive ability of SMI and related worries for the discrimination of patients screened positive or negative for dementia.MethodsThe analyses are based on data derived from the ongoing German general practioner (GP)‐based, randomized controlled trial DelpHi‐MV. A total of 5106 patients (age ≥ 70, living at home) were first asked for SMI and related worries and then screened for dementia in 110 participating GP practices (November 2011 to August 2014; preliminary data) using the DemTect.ResultsA total number of 2556 patients (50%) stated that they experience SMI and 892 patients (17%) screened positive for dementia. The sensitivity of SMI for the correct classification of positively screened patients was 54%, the positive predictive value (PPV) 19%. The specificity of SMI was 51%; the negative predictive value (NPV) 84%. Among 2480 patients with SMI, 45% reported SMI‐related worries (sensitivity 52%; specificity 57%; PPV 22%; NPV 84%). Receiver operating characteristics analyses showed no statistically significant improvement in the area under the curves when using SMI or related worries as predictors (additional to age and sex) for the discrimination between positively and negatively screened patients.DiscussionThe analyses showed that the risk of overlooking cognitive impairment in the subgroup of patients who state that they do not experience SMI would be unreasonable high. Thus, the results provide clear evidence that neither SMI nor related worries can be used as a valid criteria to decide whether an elderly primary care patient should be tested for dementia.Trials registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01401582.
Corticosteroid responses following hypoxic preconditioning provide neuroprotection against subsequent hypoxic‐ischemic brain injury in the newborn rats
Authors: Feng Yangzheng , Bhatt Abhay J. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractLimited research has evaluated the corticosteroids (CS) response in hypoxic preconditioning (PC) induced neuroprotection against subsequent hypoxic‐ischemic (HI) brain injury in newborns. To measure, CS response to hypoxic PC, at postnatal day 6 (P6), rat pups were randomly divided into sham, NoPC (exposure to 21% O2) and PC (exposure to 8% O2 for 3 h) groups. In a separate experiment, at P6, rat pups were randomly divided into three groups (sham, NoPC + HI, PC + HI). Rat pups in NoPC + HI and PC + HI groups, respectively had normoxic or hypoxic exposure for 3 h at P6 and then had the right carotid artery permanently ligated followed by 140 min of hypoxia at P7 (HI). Plasma CS levels were measured at 0.5, 1, 3, 6 and 12 h after hypoxic PC and hypoxic PC followed by HI. To investigate whether CS response to hypoxic PC provides neuroprotection against HI, at P6, rat pups were randomly divided into five groups. Fifteen minutes prior to PC or normoxic exposure, rat pups in DMSO + PC + HI and DMSO + NoPC + HI groups received DMSO while in RU486 + PC + HI and RU486 + NoPC + HI groups received RU486 (glucocorticoid receptor blocker, 60 mg/kg) s.c., respectively. Afterwards, rat pups were exposed to normoxia (DMSO + NoPC + HI, RU486 + NoPC + HI) or hypoxia (DMSO + PC + HI, RU486 + PC + HI) for 3 h and then HI 24 h later (P7). Rat pups at the corresponding age without any exposure to PC or HI or RU486/DMSO were used as sham. We found that hypoxic PC caused CS surge as well as augmented CS surge and preserved the glucocorticoid feedback regulation after HI. Hypoxic PC reduced HI induced early and delayed brain damage. RU486 partially but significantly inhibited hypoxic PC induced neuroprotection.
Fistula after attended delivery and the challenge of obstetric care capacity in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Benfield Nerys , Young‐Lin Nichole , Kimona Christophe , Kalisya Luc M. , Kisindja Rogatien M. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo analyze the history of women with fistula in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to understand the determinants of fistula development.MethodsIn a retrospective observational study, data were analyzed from a survey of all women who underwent surgical fistula repair at HEAL Africa Hospital, Goma, between April 1, 2009, and March 1, 2012. Characteristics and obstetric histories were obtained by self‐report.ResultsThe mean age of the 202 participants at treatment was 30.7 years (range 5–69). The mean duration of fistula was 45.6 months (range 0–600). In total, 171 (91.4%) fistulas were caused by obstructed labor, and 147 (86.5%) were vesicovaginal. Most women (129/175 [73.8%]) reported having received care during early labor under the supervision of a nurse or doctor in a healthcare facility. Among 176 women for whom delivery data were available, 102 (57.9%) delivered at a hospital, 42 (23.8%) at a health center, and 32 (18.2%) at home. Only 46 (26.3%) of 175 women were transferred to a higher level of care during labor.ConclusionsIn the eastern DRC, efforts to enable transport to a healthcare facility and to encourage attended births must be accompanied by improvements in the capacity of existing facilities and in the training of staff to enable the timely diagnosis of labor abnormalities and appropriate intervention.
Prevention of mother‐to‐child transmission of syphilis and HIV in China: What drives political prioritization and what can this tell us about promoting dual elimination?
Authors: Wu Dadong , Hawkes Sarah , Buse Kent 
Published: May 2015

AbstractObjectiveThe present study aims to identify reasons behind the lower political priority of mother‐to‐child transmission (MTCT) of syphilis compared with HIV, despite the former presenting a much larger and growing burden than the latter, in China, over the 20 years prior to 2010.MethodsWe undertook a comparative policy analysis, based on informant interviews and documentation review of control of MTCT of syphilis and HIV, as well as nonparticipant observation of relevant meetings/trainings to investigate agenda‐setting prior to 2010.ResultsWe identified several factors contributing to the lower priority accorded to MTCT of syphilis: relative neglect at a global level, dearth of international financial and technical support, poorly unified national policy community with weak accountability mechanisms, insufficient understanding of the epidemic and policy options, and a prevailing negative framing of syphilis that resulted in significant stigmatization.ConclusionA dual elimination goal will only be reached when prioritization of MTCT of syphilis is enhanced in both the international and national agendas.