bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mapping B‐cell epitopes of major and minor peanut allergens and identifying residues contributing to IgE binding
Authors: Mishra Ankita , Jain Anuja , Arora Naveen 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDEpitope identification provides valuable information essential for understanding antigen components involved in food allergic reactions. In the present study, an in silico approach is employed to map IgE binding epitopes of major and minor peanut allergens.RESULTSB‐cell epitopes were identified for peanut (Arachis hypogaea) allergens, namely Ara h 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11. A total of 10 web servers were used in the study and 26 linear and 18 conformational epitopes were predicted by a combination of methods. The majority of the predicted B‐cell residues were present in the coil regions and the highest percentage of hydrophilic residues were observed for Ara h 6 (70.49%). The absolute solvent accessibility for all the B‐cell epitopes was >70%, indicating antibody recognition. The property distance index assessed for the predicted epitopes using SDAP showed that six linear epitopes shared similarity with soybean, hazelnut, tomato, maize, apple and banana allergens.CONCLUSIONThese findings suggest that the identified regions may share cross‐reactivity with some of the known food allergens or may act as novel antigenic determinants. Further, B‐cell epitopes of Ara h 1, 2 and 3 identified by in silico methods correlated well with the experimentally identified regions. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Characterization of the Chemical Composition Distribution of Ethylene/1‐Alkene Copolymers with HPLC and CRYSTAF—Comparison of Results
Authors: Chitta Rajesh , Macko Tibor , Brüll Robert , Boisson Christophe , Cossoul Emilie , Boyron Olivier 
Published: February 2015

A series of copolymers of ethylene with propene, 1‐hexene, 1‐octene, and 1‐octadecene is characterized by size‐exclusion chromatography (SEC), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), crystallization analysis fractionation (CRYSTAF), and high‐temperature interactive liquid chromatography. Four different solvent pairs are used as the mobile phase, while porous graphite is used as the column packing. The elution volumes of the polymer samples do not correlate with their average molar mass (SEC); however, they correlate with the average chemical composition (NMR). High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) enables separation of the copolymers over the full range of their composition and independent of their crystallinity. Dependence between the elution volume and the average chemical composition distribution (CCD) of the copolymer is linear and it is a function of the length of branches as well as the type of the mobile phase. The CCDs of copolymers derived from HPLC profiles are similar to, yet broader than the CCDs obtained with CRYSTAF.
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The therapeutic potential of cannabinoids for movement disorders
Authors: Kluger Benzi , Triolo Piera , Jones Wallace , Jankovic Joseph 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTThere is growing interest in the therapeutic potential of marijuana (cannabis) and cannabinoid‐based chemicals within the medical community and, particularly, for neurological conditions. This interest is driven both by changes in the legal status of cannabis in many areas and increasing research into the roles of endocannabinoids within the central nervous system and their potential as symptomatic and/or neuroprotective therapies. We review basic science as well as preclinical and clinical studies on the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids specifically as it relates to movement disorders. The pharmacology of cannabis is complex, with over 60 neuroactive chemicals identified to date. The endocannabinoid system modulates neurotransmission involved in motor function, particularly within the basal ganglia. Preclinical research in animal models of several movement disorders have shown variable evidence for symptomatic benefits, but more consistently suggest potential neuroprotective effects in several animal models of Parkinson's (PD) and Huntington's disease (HD). Clinical observations and clinical trials of cannabinoid‐based therapies suggests a possible benefit of cannabinoids for tics and probably no benefit for tremor in multiple sclerosis or dyskinesias or motor symptoms in PD. Data are insufficient to draw conclusions regarding HD, dystonia, or ataxia and nonexistent for myoclonus or RLS. Despite the widespread publicity about the medical benefits of cannabinoids, further preclinical and clinical research is needed to better characterize the pharmacological, physiological, and therapeutic effects of this class of drugs in movement disorders. © 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Aberrant cortical associative plasticity associated with severe adult Tourette syndrome
Authors: Martín‐Rodríguez Juan Francisco , Ruiz‐Rodríguez María Adilia , Palomar Francisco J. , Cáceres‐Redondo María Teresa , Vargas Laura , Porcacchia Paolo , Gómez‐Crespo Mercedes , Huertas‐Fernández Ismael , Carrillo Fátima , Madruga‐Garrido Marcos , Mir Pablo 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBackgroundRecent studies have shown altered cortical plasticity in adult patients with Tourette syndrome. However, the clinical significance of this finding remains elusive.MethodsMotor cortical plasticity was evaluated in 15 adult patients with severe Tourette syndrome and 16 healthy controls using the paired associative stimulation protocol by transcranial magnetic stimulation. Associations between paired associative stimulation–induced plasticity and relevant clinical variables, including cortical excitability, psychiatric comorbidities, drug treatment and tic severity, were assessed.ResultsMotor cortical plasticity was abnormally increased in patients with Tourette syndrome compared with healthy subjects. This abnormal plasticity was independently associated with tic severity.ConclusionPatients with severe Tourette syndrome display abnormally increased cortical associative plasticity. This aberrant cortical plasticity was associated with tic severity, suggesting an underlying mechanism for tic pathophysiology. © 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Patterns of cortical thickness associated with impulse control disorders in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Biundo Roberta , Weis Luca , Facchini Silvia , Formento‐Dojot Patrizia , Vallelunga Annamaria , Pilleri Manuela , Weintraub Daniel , Antonini Angelo 
Published: February 2015

AbstractPrevious functional neuroimaging studies in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with impulse control disorders (ICDs) demonstrated dysfunction of the reward network, although the extent of anatomical changes is unclear. The aim of this study was to measure brain cortical thickness and subcortical volumes, and to assess their relationship with presence and severity of symptoms, in PD patients with and without ICDs. We studied 110 PD patients (N = 58 with ICDs) and 33 healthy controls (all negative for ICDs) who underwent an extensive neurological, neuropsychological, and behavioral assessment as well as structural 1.5 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Between‐group differences in brain cortical thickness and subcortical volumes, assessed with the FreeSurfer 5.1 tool, were analyzed. In patients with ICDs, we found significant cortical thinning in fronto‐striatal circuitry, specifically in the right superior orbitofrontal, left rostral middle frontal, bilateral caudal middle frontal region, and corpus callosum, as well as volume reduction in the right accumbens and increase in the left amygdala. Finally, we observed a positive association relationship between severity of impulsive symptoms and left rostral middle frontal, inferior parietal, and supramarginal areas. These results support the involvement of both reward and response inhibition networks in PD patients with ICDs. Moreover, their severity is associated with alterations in brain regions linked with reward and top‐down control networks. Increased understanding of the mechanisms underlying impulsive and compulsive behaviors might help improve therapeutic strategies for these important disorders. © 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Amantadine extended release for levodopa‐induced dyskinesia in Parkinson's disease (EASED Study)
Authors: Pahwa Rajesh , Tanner Caroline M. , Hauser Robert A. , Sethi Kapil , Isaacson Stuart , Truong Daniel , Struck Lynn , Ruby April E. , McClure Natalie L. , Went Gregory T. , Stempien Mary Jean 
Published: February 2015

AbstractADS‐5102 is a long‐acting, extended‐release capsule formulation of amantadine HCl administered once daily at bedtime. This study investigated the safety, efficacy, and tolerability of ADS‐5102 in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with levodopa‐induced dyskinesia. This was a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group study of 83 PD patients with troublesome dyskinesia assigned to placebo or one of three doses of ADS‐5102 (260 mg, 340 mg, 420 mg) administered daily at bedtime for 8 weeks. The primary efficacy analysis compared change from baseline to week 8 in Unified Dyskinesia Rating Scale (UDysRS) total score for 340 mg ADS‐5102 versus placebo. Secondary outcome measures included change in UDysRS for 260 mg, 420 mg, Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS‐UPDRS), patient diary, Clinician's Global Impression of Change, and Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ‐39). ADS‐5102 340 mg significantly reduced dyskinesia versus placebo (27% reduction in UDysRS, P = 0.005). In addition, ADS‐5102 significantly increased ON time without troublesome dyskinesia, as assessed by PD patient diaries, at 260 mg (P = 0.004), 340 mg (P = 0.008) and 420 mg (P = 0.018). Adverse events (AEs) were reported for 82%, 80%, 95%, and 90% of patients in the placebo, 260‐mg, 340‐mg, and 420‐mg groups, respectively. Constipation, hallucinations, dizziness, and dry mouth were the most frequent AEs. Study withdrawal rates were 9%, 15%, 14%, and 40% for the placebo, 260‐mg, 340‐mg, and 420‐mg groups, respectively. All study withdrawals in the active treatment groups were attributable to AEs. ADS‐5102 was generally well tolerated and resulted in significant and dose‐dependent improvements in dyskinesia in PD patients. © 2015 Adamas Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Quality Assessment of Predicted Protein Models Using Energies Calculated by the Fragment Molecular Orbital Method
Authors: Simoncini David , Nakata Hiroya , Ogata Koji , Nakamura Shinichiro , Zhang Kam YJ 
Published: February 2015

AbstractProtein structure prediction directly from sequences is a very challenging problem in computational biology. One of the most successful approaches employs stochastic conformational sampling to search an empirically derived energy function landscape for the global energy minimum state. Due to the errors in the empirically derived energy function, the lowest energy conformation may not be the best model. We have evaluated the use of energy calculated by the fragment molecular orbital method (FMO energy) to assess the quality of predicted models and its ability to identify the best model among an ensemble of predicted models. The fragment molecular orbital method implemented in GAMESS was used to calculate the FMO energy of predicted models. When tested on eight protein targets, we found that the model ranking based on FMO energies is better than that based on empirically derived energies when there is sufficient diversity among these models. This model diversity can be estimated prior to the FMO energy calculations. Our result demonstrates that the FMO energy calculated by the fragment molecular orbital method is a practical and promising measure for the assessment of protein model quality and the selection of the best protein model among many generated.
Combined gadoxetic acid and gadofosveset enhanced liver MRI: A feasibility and parameter optimization study
Authors: Bannas Peter , Motosugi Utaroh , Hernando Diego , Rahimi Mahdi Salmani , Holmes James H. , Reeder Scott B. 
Published: February 2015

PurposeDemonstration of feasibility and protocol optimization for the combined use of gadofosveset trisodium with gadoxetic acid for delayed T1‐weighted liver MRI.MethodsEleven healthy volunteers underwent hepatobiliary phase imaging at 3 Tesla (T) using gadoxetic acid. Multiple breathheld T1‐weighted three‐dimensional spoiled gradient echo sequences were performed at varying flip angles before and after injection of gadofosveset. Signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) and contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR) were measured to determine optimal T1‐weighting. Examples of three patients with focal liver lesions were acquired.ResultsThe addition of gadofosveset to the hepatobiliary phase of gadoxetic acid renders vessels isointense to liver tissue at low flip angles due to increased vessel SNR (P < 0.001). The lowest CNR of liver relative to portal vein (CNR = 15; 95% confidence interval [CI]: ‐14–44) was observed at a 10º flip angle. The highest CNR of liver relative to muscle (CNR = 214; 95% CI: 191–237) was observed at a 20º flip angle. The combined enhancement leads to homogenously enhanced liver tissue and liver vasculature. Cysts were detected in three volunteers and metastases were detected in two patients. In these anecdotal cases the cysts and metastases stood out as conspicuous focal hypointensities on combined gadoxetic acid and gadofosveset enhanced images.ConclusionCombined gadoxetic acid and gadofosveset enhanced liver MRI is feasible, with low flip angles minimizing contrast between vessels and liver. Further clinical studies are needed to confirm that low flip angles provide an optimal combination of sensitivity and specificity for lesion detection in patients. Magn Reson Med 75:318–328, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
POCS‐enhanced inherent correction of motion‐induced phase errors (POCS‐ICE) for high‐resolution multishot diffusion MRI
Authors: Guo Hua , Ma Xiaodong , Zhang Zhe , Zhang Bida , Yuan Chun , Huang Feng 
Published: February 2015

PurposeFor multishot diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), one of the challenges is to remove phase variations induced by physiological motion among different shots. In this study, a new method is proposed to iteratively solve the phase errors and DWI images simultaneously, for navigator‐free acquisitions.Theory and MethodsInstead of solving phase errors and the image sequentially in the two‐step parallel imaging, the proposed method, named POCS‐enhanced Inherent Correction of motion‐induced phase Errors (POCS‐ICE), treats both the phase and DWI image as unknowns and solves them simultaneously. Multishot DWI with constant density spiral trajectory served as a specific example. Simulation and in vivo experiments were performed to evaluate the proposed method.ResultsPOCS‐ICE shows improved image quality in terms of higher SNR and fewer artifacts than the compared method, SENSE+CG. The improvement becomes more conspicuous as the number of shots increases. The convergence behavior of POCS‐ICE was also shown to be more stable.ConclusionPOCS‐ICE can inherently and reliably correct motion‐induced phase errors in navigator‐free multishot DWI, and it is easier to determine the stopping criterion without manual interventions. The improved spatial resolution and image resolvability are beneficial to study of brain microstructures and physiological features for neuroscience. Magn Reson Med 75:169–180, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Treatment with rivastigmine or galantamine and risk of urinary incontinence: results from a Dutch database study
Authors: Kröger Edeltraut , Van Marum Rob , Souverein Patrick , Carmichael Pierre‐Hugues , Egberts Toine 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBackgroundTreatment of Alzheimer disease (AD) with cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) may increase the risk of urinary incontinence (UI).ObjectiveTo assess whether ChEI use was associated with the risk of UI among older patients with AD.MethodsA crossover cohort study using the PHARMO Record Linkage System included 10 years of data on drug dispensing histories for over two million Dutch residents. Included patients were aged 50 +, free of UI for the last 6 months, received a first ChEI prescription during the study period, had at least 12 months prior drug exposure history and one subsequent prescription of any drug. UI was defined as a first dispensing of a urinary spasmolytic or of incontinence products for at least 30 days. Cox regression with time‐varying covariates and multivariate adjustment allowed assessing whether UI incidence was associated with ChEI exposure.ResultsAmong 3154 patients there were 657 UI cases during a mean follow‐up of 5.1 years before a first ChEI dispensing, and 499 cases after ChEI initiation, during a mean follow‐up of 2.0 years. Among the 2700 participants free of UI one year before ChEI initiation, the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for UI was 1.13 (95% CI: 0.97–1.32) when periods with ChEI use were compared to periods without ChEI use. Sensitivity analyses may suggest an increased risk in the 1st month after ChEI initiation (HR: 1.72, p = 0.09)ConclusionWorsening AD may increase incidence of UI, but no firm association between ChEI treatment and risk of UI could be shown from these data. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Products containing microorganisms as a tool in integrated pest management and the rules of their market placement in the European Union
Authors: Matyjaszczyk Ewa 
Published: February 2015

AbstractProducts containing microorganisms (bacteria, fungi and viruses) can be used in plant production as an intervention as well as a prevention method for pest control. Their utilisation is strictly in line with the principles of integrated pest management, provided that they are effective and safe. The rules of registration of microorganisms for crop production in the European Union differ, depending on whether they are placed on the market as plant protection products or not. For over 20 years, uniform rules for registration of plant protection products have been in force. Currently, 36 microorganisms marked up to the strain are approved for use in pest control in the Community. The decision concerning market placement of plant protection products containing approved microorganisms is issued for each member state separately. The approaches to market placement of other products with microorganisms differ within theEU, ranging from a complete lack of requirements to long and costly registration procedures. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Leader–follower flocking based on distributed event‐triggered hybrid control
Authors: Yu Pian , Ding Li , Liu Zhi‐Wei , Guan Zhi‐Hong 
Published: February 2015

SummaryIn this paper, we proposed a new hybrid control algorithm to achieve leader–follower flocking in multi‐agent systems. In the algorithm, the position is transmitted continuously, whereas the velocity is utilized discretely, which is governed by a distributed event‐triggered mechanism, and the neighbors' velocity is not required to detect the event‐triggered condition for each agent. It is shown that stable flocking is achieved asymptotically while the connectivity of networks is preserved. A numerical example is provided to illustrate the theoretical results. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adaptive fault tolerant control for a class of input and state constrained MIMO nonlinear systems
Authors: Jin Xu 
Published: February 2015

SummaryIn this work, we present a novel adaptive fault tolerant control (FTC) scheme for a class of control input and system state constrained multi‐input multi‐output (MIMO) nonlinear systems with both multiplicative and additive actuator faults. The input constraints can be asymmetric, and the state constraints can be time‐varying. A novel tan‐type time‐varying Barrier Lyapunov Function (BLF) is proposed to deal with the state constraints, and an auxiliary system is designed to analyze the effect of the input constraints. We show that under the proposed adaptive FTC scheme, exponential convergence of the output tracking error into a small neighbourhood of zero is guaranteed, while the constraints on the system state will not be violated during operation. Estimation errors for actuator faults are bounded in the closed loop. An illustrative example on a two degree‐of‐freedom robotic manipulator is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed FTC scheme. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Maritime bewegliche Brücken
Authors: Trantow Dirk , Bernhardt Frank 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBewegliche Fähranleger haben eine Schlüsselfunktion innerhalb des zunehmenden Roll‐on‐Roll‐off‐Verkehrs im Seehandel. Die besonderen Anforderungen an die Planung und die Ausführung – auch im Hinblick sehr kurzer Planungsprozesse von nur einem Jahr vom Planungsbeginn bis zur Vergabe – zeigen, dass große gewerkübergreifende Projekte auch in Deutschland bewältigt werden können. Die interdisziplinäre Zusammenarbeit von Ingenieurbau, Wasserbau, Elektro‐ und Hydraulikplanung ist die Grundlage einer schnellen Realisierbarkeit solcher Bauvorhaben. Die besonderen technischen Anforderungen und Lösungen, insbesondere für den Stahlbrückenbau, sollen beispielhaft an den Doppeldeckfähranlegern in Rostock und Lübeck aufgezeigt werden. Dabei stellen die kinematischen Randbedingungen, die besonderen Lastsituationen und die hafentypischen Lastmodelle in Verbindung mit der gewichtsoptimierten Bauweise das Hauptaugenmerk dar. Die Frage, ob Fähranleger komplexe Brückenbauwerke oder Maschinenkonstruktionen sind, wird nachfolgend beantwortet.Maritime moveable bridges – Steel linkspans for Rostock Port and Lübeck Port Authority. Linkspans play a key role within the increasing RoRo traffic in sea trade. The particular requirements related to design and execution, also with regard to very short planning processes of only one year from the start of planning until contract awarding, indicate that large multi‐disciplinary projects can also be accomplished in Germany. The interdisciplinary cooperation in civil engineering, hydraulic engineering, electric and hydraulic planning forms the basis for a fast realization of such construction projects. The specific technical requirements and solutions, in particular for steel bridge construction, are demonstrated using the double‐deck linkspans in Rostock and Lübeck as examples. The main focus of this essay based on the kinematic boundary conditions, the specific load situations as well as on the typical harbor load models in connection with the weight‐optimizing construction method. The question will be answered whether linkspans are counted among complex bridge structures or machine constructions.