bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pregnant patients' risk perception of prenatal test results with uncertain fetal clinical significance: ultrasound versus advanced genetic testing
Authors: Richards Elliott G. , Sangi‐Haghpeykar Haleh , McGuire Amy L. , Van den Veyver Ignatia B. , Fruhman Gary 
Published: August 2015

AbstractObjectiveA common concern of utilizing prenatal advanced genetic testing is that a result of uncertain clinical significance will increase patient anxiety. However, prenatal ultrasound may also yield findings of uncertain significance, such as ‘soft markers’ for fetal aneuploidy, or findings with variable prognosis, such as mild ventriculomegaly. In this study we compared risk perception following uncertain test results from each modality.MethodsA single survey with repeated measures design was administered to 133 pregnant women. It included ‘intolerance of uncertainty’ questions, two hypothetical scenarios involving prenatal ultrasound or advanced genetic testing, and response questions. The primary outcome was risk perception score.ResultsRisk perception did not vary significantly between ultrasound and genetic scenarios (p = 0.17). The genetic scenario scored a higher accuracy (p = 0.04) but lower sense of empowerment (p = 0.01). Furthermore, patients were more likely to seek additional testing after an ultrasound than after genetic testing (p = 0.05). There were no differences in other secondary outcomes including perception of life‐altering consequences and hypothetical worry, anxiety, confusion, or medical care decisions.ConclusionsOur data suggest that uncertain findings on prenatal genetic testing do not elicit a higher perception of risk or anxiety when compared to ultrasound findings of comparable uncertainty. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Progressive Burning Performance of Deterred Oblate Spherical Powders with Large Web Thickness
Authors: Xiao Zhenggang , Ying Sanjiu , Xu Fuming 
Published: August 2015

AbstractIn order to obtain progressive burning of single‐base oblate spherical powders with a large web thickness, an internal porous structure and outer deterred shell are introduced into its preparation and deterring process. The preparation process comprised pore‐making, sphere‐shaping, shell forming and the subsequent deterring of outer surface of single‐base oblate spherical powders. The combustion characteristics of prepared single‐base oblate spherical powders with a large web thickness were tested by closed bomb tests. The influence of the type and content of deterrent, i.e. the small molecular weight deterrent dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and polymer deterrent poly(ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) (PEGDMA), and the preparation parameters on the burning progressivity were investigated. It was shown that a progressive burning single‐base oblate spherical powder can be prepared by the methods described in this study.
Protective effect of hydroxyfasudil, a Rho kinase inhibitor, on ventral prostatic hyperplasia in the spontaneously hypertensive rat
Authors: Holmström Felix , Shimizu Shogo , Shimizu Takahiro , Higashi Youichirou , Martin Darryl T. , Honda Masashi , Saito Motoaki 
Published: August 2015

BACKGROUNDRho kinase (ROCK) pathway is associated with various cellular functions, such as smooth muscle contraction, inflammatory response, and cell proliferation. The spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) is commonly used genetically hypertensive rat model which develops hyperplastic morphological abnormalities in the ventral prostate. We investigated whether administration of hydroxyfasudil, a ROCK inhibitor, could reduce the levels of growth factors, inflammatory markers, and morphological abnormalities in the ventral prostate of the SHR.METHODSTwelve‐week‐old SHRs were treated with hydroxyfasudil (1 mg/kg/day, i.p.) or vehicle once daily for another 6 weeks. Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats treated with vehicle were used as normotensive controls. At 18 weeks of age, blood pressure and heart rate were measured by the tail cuff method. Then the rats were sacrificed, and the ventral prostates were removed. The levels of ROCK activity, growth factors (TGF‐β1 and bFGF), a smooth muscle differentiation marker (α‐SMA) and an inflammatory cytokine (IL‐6) in the ventral prostate were measured by ELISA and western blot. A histological evaluation in each group was also performed.RESULTSThere were significant increases in blood pressure, prostate weight, prostate body weight ratio, and tissue levels of ROCK activity, TGF‐β1, bFGF, α‐SMA, and IL‐6 in the SHR compared to the WKY rat. Histological examination of the ventral prostate showed morphological abnormalities such as a higher degree of proliferation in the glandular epithelial and stromal area in the SHR compared to the WKY rat. Treatment with hydroxyfasudil reduced the elevated ROCK activity, TGF‐β1, bFGF, α‐SMA, and IL‐6 found in the ventral prostate of the SHR. Moreover, treatment with hydroxyfasudil decreased the morphological abnormalies in the SHR ventral prostate.CONCLUSIONSTreatment with hydroxyfasudil decreased the growth factors, an inflammatory cytokine, and morphological abnormalies in the SHR ventral prostate. These results suggest that chronic treatment with hydroxyfasudil may inhibit the progression of prostatic hyperplasia in the SHR. Prostate 75:1774–1782, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
In Vivo Identification and Induction of Articular Cartilage Stem Cells by Inhibiting NF-κB Signaling in Osteoarthritis
Authors: Tong Wenxue , Geng Yiyun , Huang Yan , Shi Yu , Xiang Shengnan , Zhang Ning , Qin Ling , Shi Qin , Chen Qian , Dai Kerong , Zhang Xiaoling 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a highly prevalent and debilitating joint disorder characterized by the degeneration of articular cartilage. However, no effective medical therapy has been found yet for such condition. In this study, we directly confirmed the existence of articular cartilage stem cells (ACSCs) in vivo and in situ for the first time both in normal and OA articular cartilage, and explored their chondrogenesis in Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) induced inflammation environment and disclose whether the inhibition of NF-κB signaling can induce ACSCs activation thus improve the progression of experimental OA. We found an interesting phenomenon that ACSCs were activated and exhibited a transient proliferative response in early OA as an initial attempt for self-repair. During the in vitro mechanism study, we discovered IL-1β can efficiently activate the NF-κB pathway and potently impair the responsiveness of ACSCs, whereas the NF-κB pathway inhibitor rescued the ACSCs chondrogenesis. The final in vivo experiments further confirmed ACSCs' activation were maintained by NF-κB pathway inhibitor, which induced cartilage regeneration, and protected articular cartilage from injury in an OA animal model. Our results provided in vivo evidence of the presence of ACSCs, and disclosed their action in the early OA stage and gradual quiet as OA process, presented a potential mechanism for both cartilage intrinsic repair and its final degradation, and demonstrated the feasibility of inducing endogenous adult tissue-specific mesenchymal stem cells for articular cartilage repair and OA therapy. Stem Cells 2015;33:3125–3137
Characterization of the wind speed variability and future change in the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands
Authors: Gómez Guillermo , Cabos William David , Liguori Giovanni , Sein Dmitry , Lozano‐Galeana Sergio , Fita Lluís , Fernández Jesús , Magariño María Eugenia , Jiménez‐Guerrero Pedro , Montávez Juan Pedro , Domínguez Marta , Romera Raquel , Gaertner Miguel Ángel 
Published: August 2015

AbstractWind energy is susceptible to global climate change because it could alter the wind patterns. Then, improvement of our knowledge of wind field variability is crucial to optimize the use of wind resources in a given region.Here, we quantify the effects of climate change on the surface wind speed field over the Iberian Peninsula and Balearic Islands using an ensemble of four regional climate models driven by a global climate model.Regions of the Iberian Peninsula with coherent temporal variability in wind speed in each of the models are identified and analysed using cluster analysis. These regions are continuous in each model and exhibit a high degree of overlap across the models. The models forced by the European Reanalysis Interim (ERA‐Interim) reanalysis are validated against the European Climate Assessment and Dataset wind. We find that regional models are able to simulate with reasonable skill the spatial distribution of wind speed at 10 m in the Iberian Peninsula, identifying areas with common wind variability.Under the Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (SRES) A1B climate change scenario, the wind speed in the identified regions for 2031–2050 is up to 5% less than during the 1980–1999 control period for all models. The models also agree on the time evolution of spatially averaged wind speed in each region, showing a negative trend for all of them. These tendencies depend on the region and are significant at p = 5% or slightly more for annual trends, while seasonal trends are not significant in most of the regions and seasons. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Syntheses, Crystal Structures, and Thermal Expansion Properties of Three‐Dimensional Cyanide‐Bridged Compounds Zn(4, 4′‐bpy)(H2O)2M(CN)4 (4, 4′‐bpy = 4, 4′‐bipyridine; M = Ni, Pd, Pt)
Authors: Tian Xiao‐Yan , Hu Ai‐Yun , Yuan Ai‐Hua , Chen Qi , Yang Dan , Yang Fei‐Lin 
Published: August 2015

AbstractAbstract. Three cyanide‐bridged compounds Zn(4, 4′‐bpy)(H2O)2M(CN)4 (4, 4′‐bpy = 4, 4′‐bipyridine; M = Ni (1), Pd (2), Pt (3)) were synthesized by self‐assembly of Zn2+ ions, pillar ligands 4, 4′‐bpy and [M(CN)4]2–. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed that compounds 1–3 are isostructural and belong to monoclinic space group C2/c. The zinc atom is located in a distorted octahedral arrangement, whereas the central nickel atom adopts square‐planar arrangement. The central Zn and Ni atoms are linked alternatingly through two cis cyanide groups, generating zigzag chains. The adjacent chains are further connected along two different directions by 4, 4′‐bpy ligands to form a three‐dimensional framework. Thermal expansion (TE) analyses of compounds 1–3 showed that both a and c axes are positive TE coefficients, compared to the near zero TE one along the b axis.
Synthesis and Structures of Ruthenium and Iron Complexes Bearing an Unsymmetrical Pincer‐type Ligand with Protic Pyrazole and Tertiary Aminoalkyl Arms
Authors: Toda Tatsuro , Kuwata Shigeki , Ikariya Takao 
Published: August 2015

AbstractA protic pyrazole‐armed NNN‐type pincer ligand 2‐(5‐tert‐butylpyrazol‐3‐yl)‐6‐(diethylaminomethyl)pyridine (LH) with a tertiary aminomethyl tether was synthesized as a new template for metal‐ligand bifunctional catalysts furnished with proton‐responsive pyrazole and hemilabile amine as the cooperating units. Treatment of LH with trans‐[RuCl2(Me2SO)4] and anhydrous FeCl2 led to the formation of the pincer‐type ruthenium complex [RuCl2(Me2SO‐S)(LH)] (2) and iron complex [FeCl2(LH)] (3), respectively. Detailed structures of 2·CH2Cl2 and 3 were determined by X‐ray crystallography. The Brønsted acidic pyrazole NH group proved to be engaged in intra‐ or intermolecular hydrogen bonding. Catalytic hydrogenation of acetophenone with the protic pincer‐type complexes 2 and 3 was also investigated.
Characterization of a novel alkaline arylsulfatase from Marinomonas sp. FW-1 and its application in the desulfation of red seaweed agar
Authors: Wang Xueyan , Duan Delin , Xu Jiachao , Gao Xin , Fu Xiaoting 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
A bacterial strain capable of hydrolyzing sulfate ester bonds of p-nitrophenyl sulfate (pNPS) and agar was isolated from the coast area of Qingdao, China. It was identified as Marinomonas based on its 16S rRNA gene sequence and named as Marinomonas sp. FW-1. An arylsulfatase with a recovery of 13 % and a fold of 12 was purified to a homogeneity using ion exchange and gel filtration chromatographies. The enzyme was composed of a single polypeptide chain with the molecular mass of 33 kDa estimated using SDS-PAGE. The optimal pH and temperature of arylsulfatase were pH 9.0 and 45, respectively. Arylsulfatase was stable over pH 8–11 and at temperature below 55 °C. The K m and V max of this enzyme for the hydrolysis of pNPS were determined to be 13.73 and 270.27 μM/min, respectively. The desulfation ratio against agar from red seaweed Gelidium amansii and Gracilaria lemaneiformis were 86.11 and 89.61 %, respectively. There was no difference between the DNA electrophoresis spectrum on the gel of the arylsulfatase-treated G. amansii agar and that of the commercial agarose. Therefore, this novel alkaline arylsulfatase might have a great potential for application in enzymatic conversion of agar to agarose.
Useful Functional Outcome Can be Achieved after Motor Nerve Transfers in Management of the Paralytic Hand. An Observational Study
Authors: Sallam Asser A. , El-Deeb Mohamed S. , Imam Mohamed A. 
Published: August 2015

Background Nerve transfers have demonstrated encouraging outcomes in peripheral nerve reconstructions compared with the conventional direct repair or grafting. Questions/Purposes We aimed to identify whether the patient's demographics, delay to surgery, degree of loss of grip and pinch strengths, mechanism of injury, and compliance to hand therapy have an impact on the functional outcome of motor nerve transfers in patients with paralytic hand. Methods Fifty-five patients with a mean age of 31.05 (18–48) years with complete isolated high injuries of radial, ulnar, and median nerves, who underwent motor nerve transfers, were reviewed. The outcome was assessed using the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale and measurement of grip and pinch strengths of the hand at minimum 1-year follow-up (mean of 14.4 (12–18) months). Patient's age and gender, delay to surgery, body mass index (BMI), degree of loss of grip and pinch strengths, educational level, occupation, mechanism of injury, and compliance to hand therapy were analyzed to determine their impact on the extent of recovery of hand function. Results Forty of fifty five (72.73%) patients regained useful functional recovery (M3–M4) with satisfactory grip hand functions. Worse motor recovery was observed in older ages, delayed surgical intervention, higher BMI, and greater postoperative loss of grip and pinch strengths in comparison to the healthy opposite hand. Better outcomes are significantly associated with higher educational level and postoperative compliance to hand therapy. Contrarily, there was no significant association between gender, occupation, mechanism of injury, and achievement of useful functional recovery. Conclusions Successful nerve transfers are expected with experienced skilled surgeons. However, outstanding outcomes are not the standard, with about one fourth failing to achieve M3 grade. The educational level, hand dominance, compliance to hand therapy, loss of grip and pinch strengths, age, injury-surgery interval, and BMI are possible predictors of patients’ outcome.
Calcite Flotation in Potassium Oleate/Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate System
Authors: El‐Mofty Salah El‐Din , El‐Midany Ayman 
Published: August 2015

AbstractCalcite flotation in acidic media is a difficult task due to the solubility of calcite and consequently the release of calcium ions in the flotation pulp. In addition, the interaction of calcium ions with the flotation reagents requires the correct selection of these reagents. In this study, potassium oleate and potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4) were used as collector and depressant, respectively. Micro‐flotation experiments were conducted to probe the effect of these chemical reagents as well as their interaction on calcite flotation using H2SO4 as a pH regulator. In addition, to elucidate the depressing action of KH2PO4 on calcite, electrokinetic properties of calcite have been measured in relation to pH and in the absence and presence of KH2PO4. Moreover, thermodynamic calculations were used to rationalize the reasons for calcite depression as well as the adsorption mechanism of KH2PO4 onto the calcite surface.
Bilateral Retinal Detachments Caused by Severe Preeclampsia Diagnosed with Point-of-Care Ultrasound
Authors: Chenkin Jordan , Heslop Claire L. , Atlin Cori R. , Romano Michael , Jelic Tomislav 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBilateral retinal detachments are a rare complication of preeclampsia. We present a case report of a patient with an unknown pregnancy who presented with acute bilateral vision loss and elevated blood pressure. Point-of-care ocular ultrasound revealed bilateral retinal detachments. She was diagnosed with severe preeclampsia and taken for an urgent caesarean section with the delivery of a 26-week-old infant.
Information for global mental health
Authors: Lora A. , Sharan P. 
Published: August 2015

Background.Information is needed for development of mental health (MH) services; and particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LAMICs), where the MH systems are relatively weak. World Health Organization (WHO) has worked intensively during the last 15 years for developing a strategy in the field of MH information.Methods.The paper analyzes WHO instruments developed in this area [MH Atlas series and WHO Assessment Instrument for Mental Health Systems (WHO-AIMS)].Results.Data from Atlas series and WHO-AIMS demonstrated that the role of information is often neglected at all the steps: from data collection and processing to analysis, dissemination and utilization, particularly in LAMIC. By implementing several sets of feasible MH indicators WHO has technically supported the improvement of the MH information systems in LAMICs.Conclusions.In the last few years the importance of information in MH has increased and has been successfully highlighted; but a lot of work still needs to be done for achieving a minimum set of MH indicators and reliable data that can be used by both high-income countries and LAMIC.
Particle Dispersion Simulation in Turbulent Flow Due to Particle-Particle and Particle-Wall Collisions
Authors: Lin J.-H. , Chang K.-C. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractSimulation of the 3-D, fully developed turbulent channel flows laden with various mass loading ratios of particles is made using an Eulerian-Lagrangian approach in which the carrier-fluid flow field is solved with a low-Reynolds-number k-ε turbulence model while the deterministic Lagrangian method together with binary-collision hard-sphere model is applied for the solution of particle motion. Effects of inter-particle collisions and particle-wall collisions under different extents of wall roughness on particle dispersion are addressed in the study. A cost-effective searching algorithm of collision pair among particles is developed. It is found that the effects of inter-particle collisions on particle dispersion cannot be negligible when the ratio of the mean free time of particle to the mean particle relaxation time of particle is less or equal to O(10). In addition, the wall roughness extent plays an important role in the simulation of particle-wall collisions particularly for cases with small mass loading ratios.
Markers of iron status are associated with stage of pregnancy and acute-phase response, but not with parity among pregnant women in Guinea-Bissau
Authors: Kæstel Pernille , Aaby Peter , Ritz Christian , Friis Henrik 
Published: August 2015

While prenatal Fe supplementation prevents maternal Fe deficiency and anaemia, it is uncertain whether it improves infant health outcomes, at least when taken by Fe-replete women. Inflammation as well as physiological changes complicates the assessment of Fe status during pregnancy. In the present study, we measured the concentrations of serum ferritin and soluble transferrin receptors (sTfR), Hb and the acute-phase proteins C-reactive protein (CRP) and α1-antichymotrypsin (ACT) in a cross-sectional study among 738 pregnant women attending antenatal care in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify the predictors of Fe status markers. The mean gestational age was 23 (sd7) weeks. Serum ferritin values were lower with progressing gestation, from 27 % lower during weeks 16–20 of gestation up to 59 % lower after 29 weeks of gestation compared with early pregnancy. Using cut-off values for Fe deficiency as established in non-pregnant individuals, 52 % of the women had sTfR levels >2·3 mg/l, while only 25 % had serum ferritin levels < 12 μg/l. Serum ferritin but also sTfR levels were elevated at increased serum CRP and ACT levels. The proportion of sTfR >2·3 mg/l decreased to 47 % after adjustment for elevated serum CRP and ACT levels. On the contrary, the proportion of serum ferritin < 12 μg/l increased to 33 % after adjustment for ACT and CRP. The high proportion of elevated serum sTfR calls for pregnancy-specific cut-offs since increased erythropoiesis is expected in response to increased plasma volume of pregnancy. The present study further underlines the need to adjust for inflammation when serum sTfR and serum ferritin are used to assess Fe status in pregnancy.
B-1 cells contribute to susceptibility in experimental infection withLeishmania (Leishmania) chagasi
Authors: GONZAGA WAGNER FRANCISCO KENNERLY MARCONDES , XAVIER VANESSA , VIVANCO BRUNO CAMOLESE , LOPES JOSÉ DANIEL , XANDER PATRICIA 
Published: August 2015

SUMMARYThe immune response to leishmaniasis is complex, and the result of infection depends on both the genetic composition of theLeishmaniaspecies and the immunity of the host. Clinical and experimental evidence suggest that the activation of B cells leads to exacerbation of visceral leishmaniasis. However, the role of B-1 cells (a subtype of B lymphocytes) in the pathogenesis of experimental visceral leishmaniasis has not yet been elucidated. In this study, we investigated the importance of B-1 cells in experimental infection withLeishmania.(L.)chagasi. Our results showed that BALB/XID mice (X-linked immunodeficient mice which are genetically deficient in B-1 cells) infected withL.(L.)chagasifor 45 days had a significant reduction in parasite load in the spleen when compared with control mice. Cytokine analysis showed that the BALB/XID mice had lower amounts of IL-10 in their sera compared with control group. In addition, the transfer of B-1 cells from wild type mice into IL-10KO animals led to an increase in susceptibility toL.(L.)chagasiinfection in the IL-10KO mice, suggesting that the IL-10 produced by these cells is important in experimental infection. Our results suggest that B-1 cells may play an important role in susceptibility toL.(L.)chagasi.