bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pharmacokinetic Characteristics and Clinical Outcomes of Vancomycin in Young Children With Various Degrees of Renal Function
Authors: Zhang Huanian , Wang Yang , Gao Ping , Hu Jiasheng , Chen Yujun , Zhang Long , Shen Xiantao , Xu Hua , Xu Qiong 
Published: October 2015

AbstractAlthough vancomycin pharmacokinetics are affected by age and renal function in adults and older children, its pharmacokinetics in children aged 1 month to 2 years remained unclear. We investigated clinical outcome and nephrotoxicity in younger children with renal insufficiency who were treated with vancomycin. One hundred and ten children aged 1 month to 2 years were enrolled, and they were divided into 3 groups: normal renal function (group A), mild renal insufficiency (group B), and moderate renal insufficiency (group C). A population pharmacokinetic model was established. Significant differences were observed for trough concentration, AUC0–24 h, CL, and t1/2 in the 3 groups. When given at 40 mg/kg per day, 36.4%, 62.5%, and 85.0% of children achieved the target of AUC/MIC ≥ 400, and 47.0%, 70.8%, and 95% of children obtained early good clinical outcomes in groups A, B, and C (P < .05), respectively. One child in group A and 4 children in group C suffered from acute kidney injury. These results indicated that children with renal insufficiency readily achieved the target AUC/MIC but were at increased risk of nephrotoxicity. Vancomycin clearance and creatinine clearance were not correlated with each other in children with renal insufficiency, indicating that both renal function and serum concentration should be monitored during vancomycin therapy.
Homogenization and analysis of an expanded long‐term monthly rainfall network for the Island of Ireland (1850–2010)
Authors: Noone S. , Murphy C. , Coll J. , Matthews T. , Mullan D. , Wilby R. L. , Walsh S. 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACTLong‐term precipitation series are critical for understanding emerging changes to the hydrological cycle. To this end we construct a homogenized Island of Ireland Precipitation (IIP) network comprising 25 stations and a composite series covering the period 1850–2010, providing the second‐longest regional precipitation archive in the British‐Irish Isles. We expand the existing catalogue of long‐term precipitation records for the island by recovering archived data for an additional eight stations. Following bridging and updating of stations HOMogenisation softwarE in R (HOMER) homogenization software is used to detect breaks using pairwise and joint detection. A total of 25 breakpoints are detected across 14 stations, and the majority (20) are corroborated by metadata. Assessment of variability and change in homogenized and extended precipitation records reveal positive (winter) and negative (summer) trends. Trends in records covering the typical period of digitization (1941 onwards) are not always representative of longer records. Furthermore, trends in post‐homogenization series change magnitude and even direction at some stations. While cautionary flags are raised for some series, confidence in the derived network is high given attention paid to metadata, coherence of behaviour across the network and consistency of findings with other long‐term climatic series such as England and Wales precipitation. As far as we are aware, this work represents the first application of HOMER to a long‐term precipitation network and bodes well for use in other regions. It is expected that the homogenized IIP network will find wider utility in benchmarking and supporting climate services across the Island of Ireland, a sentinel location in the North Atlantic.
Hepatocyte growth factor/c‐met promotes proliferation, suppresses apoptosis, and improves matrix metabolism in rabbit nucleus pulposus cells in vitro
Authors: Ishibashi Hidenobu , Tonomura Hitoshi , Ikeda Takumi , Nagae Masateru , Sakata Munehiro , Fujiwara Hiroyoshi , Tanida Takashi , Mastuda Ken‐Ichi , Kawata Mitsuhiro , Kubo Toshikazu 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACTThe etiology of intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is closely related to apoptosis and extracellular matrix degradation in nucleus pulposus (NP) cells. These defects in NP cells are induced by excessive external stressors such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory cytokines. Recently, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has been shown to repair damage in various diseases through anti‐apoptotic and anti‐inflammatory activity. In this study, we investigated the effects of HGF on NP cell abnormality caused by ROS and inflammatory cytokines by using primary NP cells isolated from rabbit IVD. HGF significantly enhanced the proliferation of NP cells. Apoptosis of NP cells induced by H2O2 or TNF‐α was significantly inhibited by HGF. Induction of mRNA expression of the inflammation mediators cyclooxygenase‐2 and matrix metalloproteinase‐3 and ‐9 by TNF‐α was significantly suppressed by HGF treatment. Expression of c‐Met, a specific receptor for HGF, was confirmed in NP cells and was increased by TNF‐α, suggesting that inflammatory cytokines increase sensitivity to HGF. These findings demonstrate that activation of HGF/c‐Met signaling suppresses damage caused by ROS and inflammation in NP cells through multiple pathways. We further suggest the clinical potential of HGF for counteracting IVD degradation involved in NP cell abnormalities. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:709–716, 2016.
Modification of gelatin–DNA interaction for optimised DNA extraction from gelatin and gelatin capsule
Authors: Mohamad Nurhidayatul Asma , Mustafa Shuhaimi , El Sheikha Aly Farag , Khairil Mokhtar Nur Fadhilah , Ismail Amin , Ali Md Eaqub 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDPoor quality and quantity of DNA extracted from gelatin and gelatin capsules often causes failure in the determination of animal species using PCR. Gelatin, which is mainly derived from porcine and bovine, has been a matter of concern among customers in order to fulfill religious obligation and safety precaution against several transmissible infectious diseases associated with bovine species. Thus, optimised DNA extraction from gelatin is very important for successful real‐time PCR detection of gelatin species. In this work, the DNA extraction method was optimised in terms of lysis incubation period and inclusion of pre‐treatment pH modification of samples.RESULTSThe yield of DNA extracted from porcine gelatin was significantly increased when the pH of the samples was adjusted to pH 8.5 prior to DNA precipitation with isopropanol. The optimal pH for DNA precipitation from bovine gelatin solution was then determined at the original pH range of solution: pH 7.6 to 8. A DNA fragment of approximately 300 base pairs was available for PCR amplification.CONCLUSIONDNA extracted from gelatin and commercially available capsules has been successfully utilised for species detection using real‐time PCR assay. However, significant adulterations of porcine and bovine in pure gelatin and capsules have been detected, which require further analytical techniques for validation. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Determining the arsenic, cadmium, lead, copper and chromium contents by atomic absorption spectrometry inPangasiusfillets from Vietnam
Authors: Molognoni Luciano , Vitali Luciano , Ploêncio Leandro AS , Santos Jacson N , Daguer Heitor 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDPangasiusis a fish produced on a large scale in Vietnam and exported to many countries. Since river contamination from human activities can affect the safety of this food, fish consumption can cause exposure to potentially toxic elements for humans. The aim of this study, therefore, was to assess arsenic, cadmium, lead, copper and chromium contents by atomic absorption spectrometry inPangasiusfillet produced in the provinces of Dong Thap and Can Tho (Vietnam) and exported to Brazil.RESULTSThe limits of detection were: arsenic 0.5443 µg kg−1, cadmium 0.0040 mg kg−1, chromium 0.0004 mg kg−1, copper 0.0037 mg kg−1and lead 0.0284 mg kg−1. Analysis of 20 samples showed results below the limit of detection for arsenic, chromium and lead, while copper average concentration was 0.0234 mg kg−1. Cadmium average concentration was 0.0547 mg kg−1, with no significant difference between the two regions studied.CONCLUSIONThe samples ofPangasiushad no detectable concentrations of arsenic, chromium, copper and lead, and do not represent a hazard to public health. However, cadmium analysis revealed non‐compliant samples, demonstrating the importance of monitoring the quality of imported Pangasius fish. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Ginzburg–Landau turbulence in quasi‐CW Raman fiber lasers
Authors: Sugavanam Srikanth , Tarasov Nikita , Wabnitz Stefan , Churkin Dmitry V. 
Published: October 2015

Fiber lasers operating via Raman gain or based on rare‐earth‐doped active fibers are widely used as sources of CW radiation. However, these lasers are only quasi‐CW: their intensity fluctuates strongly on short time scales. Here the framework of the complex Ginzburg–Landau equations, which are well known as an efficient model of mode‐locked fiber lasers, is applied for the description of quasi‐CW fiber lasers. The vector Ginzburg–Landau model of a Raman fiber laser describes the experimentally observed turbulent‐like intensity dynamics, as well as polarization rogue waves. Our results open debates about the common underlying physics of operation of very different laser types – quasi‐CW lasers and passively mode‐locked lasers.
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Treatment of keloid scars with a 1210‐nm diode laser in an animal model
Authors: Philandrianos Cécile , Bertrand Baptiste , Andrac‐Meyer Lucile , Magalon Guy , Casanova Dominique , Kerfant Nathalie , Mordon Serge 
Published: October 2015

Background and ObjectiveA temperature increase can improve wound healing by activation of heat shock protein 70 and stimulation of fibroblasts. Since keloids are a dysfunction of collagen fiber synthesis and organization, this study aimed to evaluate if a 1,210 nm diode laser could have effects in a new animal model of keloid scars.Study Design/Materials and MethodsA total of 39 nude mice were used for this study. Phototypes IV and V human keloids were grafted into their backs and after 1 month of healing, the mice were divided into four groups: Control, Laser, Resection, Resection/Laser. In the Laser group, the keloids were treated with a 1,210‐nm diode‐laser with the following parameters: 4 W; 10 seconds; fluence: 51 J/cm2; spot: 18.9 × 3.7 mm2. In the Resection group, surgical intra‐lesional excision was performed. In the Resection/Laser group, keloids were treated with the 1,210‐nm laser‐diode after surgical intra‐lesional excision. Temperature measurements were made during the laser treatment. Clinical examination and histological study were performed on the day of treatment and 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months later.ResultsMean temperature measurement was of 44.8°C (42–48°) in the Laser groups. No healing complications or keloid proliferation was observed in any group. Keloid histologic characters were confirmed in all grafts. No histologic particularity was observed in the laser groups in comparison with the Control and Resection groups.ConclusionFirst, this keloid animal model appears to be adapted for laser study. Secondly, the 1,210‐nm diode laser does not induce keloid thermal damage in vivo. Further studies with different 1,210‐nm laser diode parameters should be performed in order to observe significant effects on keloids. Lasers Surg. Med. 47:798–806, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
On the adaptive finite element analysis of the Kohn–Sham equations: methods, algorithms, and implementation
Authors: Davydov Denis , Young Toby D. , Steinmann Paul 
Published: October 2015

SummaryIn this paper, details of an implementation of a numerical code for computing the Kohn–Sham equations are presented and discussed. A fully self‐consistent method of solving the quantum many‐body problem within the context of density functional theory using a real‐space method based on finite element discretisation of realspace is considered. Various numerical issues are explored such as (i) initial mesh motion aimed at co‐aligning ions and vertices; (ii) a priori and a posteriori optimization of the mesh based on Kelly's error estimate; (iii) the influence of the quadrature rule and variation of the polynomial degree of interpolation in the finite element discretisation on the resulting total energy. Additionally, (iv) explicit, implicit and Gaussian approaches to treat the ionic potential are compared. A quadrupole expansion is employed to provide boundary conditions for the Poisson problem. To exemplify the soundness of our method, accurate computations are performed for hydrogen, helium, lithium, carbon, oxygen, neon, the hydrogen molecule ion and the carbon‐monoxide molecule. Our methods, algorithms and implementation are shown to be stable with respect to convergence of the total energy in a parallel computational environment. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Nyquist stability criterion in the Nichols chart
Authors: Garcia‐Sanz Mario 
Published: October 2015

SummaryThe Nyquist stability criterion is a widely used technique for determining in the complex s‐plane the stability of a dynamical system with feedback. This paper presents a practical and comprehensive method to compute the Nyquist stability criterion directly in the Nichols (magnitude/phase) chart. The proposed method also gives guidelines to design controllers to stabilize unstable plants when dealing with frequency domain techniques like the quantitative feedback theory robust control. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Delivery of human mesenchymal adipose-derived stem cells restores multiple urological dysfunctions in a rat model mimicking radical prostatectomy damages through tissue-specific paracrine mechanisms
Authors: Yiou René , Mahrouf-Yorgov Meriem , Trébeau Céline , Zanaty Marc , Lecointe Cécile , Souktani Richard , Zadigue Patricia , Figeac Florence , Rodriguez Anne-Marie 
Published: October 2015

AbstractUrinary incontinence (UI) and erectile dysfunction (ED) are the most common functional urological disorders and the main sequels of radical prostatectomy (RP) for prostate cancer. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy holds promise for repairing tissue damage due to RP. Because animal studies accurately replicating post-RP clinical UI and ED are lacking, little is known about the mechanisms underlying the urological benefits of MSC in this setting. To determine whether and by which mechanisms MSC can repair damages to both striated urethral sphincter (SUS) and penis in the same animal, we delivered human multipotent adipose stem cells, used as MSC model, in an immunocompetent rat model replicating post-RP UI and ED. In this model, we demonstrated by using noninvasive methods in the same animal from day 7 to day 90 post-RP injury that MSC administration into both the SUS and the penis significantly improved urinary continence and erectile function. The regenerative effects of MSC therapy were not due to transdifferentiation and robust engraftment at injection sites. Rather, our results suggest that MSC benefits in both target organs may involve a paracrine process with not only soluble factor release by the MSC but also activation of the recipient's secretome. These two effects of MSC varied across target tissues and damaged-cell types. In conclusion, our work provides new insights into the regenerative properties of MSC and supports the ability of MSC from a single source to repair multiple types of damage, such as those seen after RP, in the same individual.
RNA‐based regulation of transposon expression
Authors: Gebert Daniel , Rosenkranz David 
Published: October 2015

Throughout the domains of life, transposon activity represents a serious threat to genome integrity and evolution has realized different molecular mechanisms that aim to inhibit the transposition of mobile DNA. Small noncoding RNAs that function as guides for Argonaute effector proteins represent a key feature of so‐called RNA interference (RNAi) pathways and specialized RNAi pathways exist to repress transposon activity on the transcriptional and posttranscriptional level. Transposon transcription can be diminished by targeted DNA methylation or chromatin remodeling via repressive Histone modifications. Posttranscriptional transposon silencing bases on degradation of transposon transcripts to prevent either reverse transcription followed by genomic reintegration or translation into proteins that mediate the transposition process. In plants, Argonaute‐like proteins guided by short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are essential for transposon repression on the epigenetic and posttranscriptional level. In the germline of animals, these tasks are often assumed by a second subclass of Argonaute proteins referred to as Piwi‐like proteins, which bind a distinct class of small noncoding RNAs named piwi‐interacting RNAs (piRNAs). Though the principals of RNAi pathways are essentially the same in all eukaryotic organisms, remarkable differences can be observed even in closely related species reflecting the astonishing plasticity and diversity of these pathways. WIREs RNA 2015, 6:687–708. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1310This article is categorized under:

Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Biogenesis of Effector Small RNAs
Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > RNAi: Mechanisms of Action
Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Regulatory RNAs
Acculturation and Psychological Adjustment of Vietnamese Refugees: An Ecological Acculturation Framework
Authors: Salo Corrina D. , Birman Dina 
Published: October 2015

AbstractAcculturation to the culture of the host society as well as to one’s heritage culture have been shown to impact immigrants’ adjustment during the years following resettlement. While acculturation has been identified as an important factor in adjustment of Vietnamese immigrants (Birman and Tran in Am J Orthopsychiatr 78(1):109–120. doi:10.1037/0002‐9432.78.1.109, 2008), no clear pattern of findings has emerged and too few studies have employed an ecological approach. The purpose of this paper is to contextualize the study of acculturation and adjustment by taking an ecological approach to exploring these relationships across several life domains, using a bilinear scale, and examining mediators of these relationships for adult Vietnamese refugees (N = 203) in the United States. We call this approach the Ecological Acculturation Framework (EAF). Results of a structural equation model (SEM) showed that job satisfaction fully mediated the relationship between American acculturation and psychological distress, demonstrating that this relationship was specific to an occupational domain. However, while Vietnamese acculturation predicted co‐ethnic social support satisfaction, it did not predict reduced psychological distress. Implications for a life domains approach, including domain specificity, are discussed.
Generation of Bioactive Oxylipins from Exogenously Added Arachidonic, Eicosapentaenoic and Docosahexaenoic Acid in Primary Human Brain Microvessel Endothelial Cells
Authors: Aukema Harold M. , Winter Tanja , Ravandi Amir , Dalvi Siddhartha , Miller Donald W. , Hatch Grant M. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe human blood–brain barrier (BBB) is the restrictive barrier between the brain parenchyma and the circulating blood and is formed in part by microvessel endothelial cells. The brain contains significant amounts of arachidonic acid (ARA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which potentially give rise to the generation of bioactive oxylipins. Oxylipins are oxygenated fatty acid metabolites that are involved in an assortment of biological functions regulating neurological health and disease. Since it is not known which oxylipins are generated by human brain microvessel endothelial cells (HBMECs), they were incubated for up to 30 min in the absence or presence of 0.1‐mM ARA, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) or DHA bound to albumin (1:1 molar ratio), and the oxylipins generated were examined using high performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS/MS). Of 135 oxylipins screened in the media, 63 were present at >0.1 ng/mL at baseline, and 95 were present after incubation with fatty acid. Oxylipins were rapidly generated and reached maximum levels by 2–5 min. While ARA, EPA and DHA each stimulated the production of oxylipins derived from these fatty acids themselves, ARA also stimulated the production of oxylipins from endogenous 18‐ and 20‐carbon fatty acids, including α‐linolenic acid. Oxylipins generated by the lipoxygenase pathway predominated both in resting and stimulated states. Oxylipins formed via the cytochrome P450 pathway were formed primarily from DHA and EPA, but not ARA. These data indicate that HBMECs are capable of generating a plethora of bioactive lipids that have the potential to modulate BBB endothelial cell function.
Peroxidised dietary lipids impair intestinal function and morphology of the small intestine villi of nursery pigs in a dose-dependent manner
Authors: Rosero David S. , Odle Jack , Moeser Adam J. , Boyd R. Dean , van Heugten Eric 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe objective of this study was to investigate the effect of increasing degrees of lipid peroxidation on structure and function of the small intestine of nursery pigs. A total of 216 pigs (mean body weight was 6·5 kg) were randomly allotted within weight blocks and sex and fed one of five experimental diets for 35 d (eleven pens per treatment with three to four pigs per pen). Treatments included a control diet without added lipid, and diets supplemented with 6 % soyabean oil that was exposed to heat (80°C) and constant oxygen flow (1 litre/min) for 0, 6, 9 and 12 d. Increasing lipid peroxidation linearly reduced feed intake (P<0·001) and weight gain (P=0·024). Apparent faecal digestibility of gross energy (P=0·001) and fat (P<0·001) decreased linearly as the degree of peroxidation increased. Absorption of mannitol (linear,P=0·097) andd-xylose (linear,P=0·089), measured in serum 2 h post gavage with a solution containing 0·2 g/ml ofd-xylose and 0·3 g/ml of mannitol, tended to decrease progressively as the peroxidation level increased. Increasing peroxidation also resulted in increased villi height (linear,P<0·001) and crypt depth (quadratic,P=0·005) in the jejunum. Increasing peroxidation increased malondialdehyde concentrations (quadratic,P=0·035) and reduced the total antioxidant capacity (linear,P=0·044) in the jejunal mucosa. In conclusion, lipid peroxidation progressively diminished animal performance and modified the function and morphology of the small intestine of nursery pigs. Detrimental effects were related with the disruption of redox environment of the intestinal mucosa.