bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Maternal factors associated with the occurrence of gastroschisis
Authors: Baer Rebecca J. , Chambers Christina D. , Jones Kenneth Lyons , Shew Stephen B. , MacKenzie Tippi C. , Shaw Gary M. , Jelliffe‐Pawlowski Laura L. 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTWe sought to identify age group specific maternal risk factors for gastroschisis. Maternal characteristics and prenatal factors were compared for 1,279 live born infants with gastroschisis and 3,069,678 without. Data were obtained using the California database containing linked hospital discharge, birth certificate and death records from 1 year prior to the birth to 1 year after the birth. Backwards‐stepwise logistic regression models were used with maternal factors where initial inclusion was determined by a threshold of p < 0.10 on initial crude analyses. Due to the strong association of gastroschisis with young maternal age, models were stratified by age groups and odds ratios were calculated. These final models identified maternal infection as the only risk factor common to all age groups and a protective effect of obesity and gestational hypertension. In addition, age specific risk factors were identified. Although gestation at the time of infection was not available, a sexually transmitted disease complicating pregnancy was associated with increased risk in the less than 20 years of age grouping whereas viral infection was associated with increased risk only in the 20–24 and more than 24 years of age groupings. Urinary tract infection remained in the final logistic model for women less than 20 years. Short interpregnancy interval was not found to be a risk factor for any age group. Our findings support the need to explore maternal infection by type and gestational timing. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Does moderate iron deficiency protect against childhood illness? A test of the optimal iron hypothesis in Tanzania
Authors: Hadley Craig , DeCaro Jason A. 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo test the hypothesis that moderate iron deficiency among children is associated with lower likelihood of infection.Materials and MethodsWe use data from a population representative cross sectional study of 1164 Tanzanian children aged 6–59 months from the Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey. Respondents' iron levels were assessed through serum transferrin receptor (sTfR) and anemia was assessed using hemoglobin. C‐reactive protein (CRP) was used as a marker of infection.ResultsNearly 25% of the children were categorized as normal (iron replete, non‐anemic); 45% were IDE (low iron, non‐anemic), 24% were classified as IDA (low iron, anemic), and 69 children (5.9%) were anemic but had no evidence of iron deficiency. IDE was not associated with a lower likelihood of elevated CRP compared to iron replete, non‐anemic children; 45% of normal children had elevated CRP compared to 51% of IDE children (P = 0.10). IDA, by contrast, was associated with a higher likelihood of elevated CRP (68%, P < 0.001). These results were unchanged when child, maternal, and household controls were added to a logistic regression model.DiscussionOur results do not support the optimal iron hypothesis as conventionally formulated. The fact that we did not find an effect where some other studies have may be due to differences in study design, sample (e.g., age), or the baseline pathogenic ecology. Alternatively, it may be more fruitful to investigate iron regulation as an allostatic system that responds to infections adaptively, rather than to expect an optimal pre‐infection value. Am J Phys Anthropol 157:675–679, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The impact of diabetes mellitus on outcomes of endoscopic sinus surgery: a nested case‐control study
Authors: Hajjij Amal , Mace Jess C. , Soler Zachary M. , Smith Timothy L. , Hwang Peter H. 
Published: April 2015

BackgroundGiven the immune impairment associated with diabetes mellitus (DM), its impact on chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a potentially relevant concern; however, it has not been well‐studied. A single retrospective study reported worse postoperative quality of life outcomes in DM patients with CRS. Our study evaluated the effect of comorbid DM on outcomes of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) using a prospective study design.MethodsUsing a multicentered, prospective cohort of patients (n = 437) undergoing ESS for recalcitrant CRS, a nested case‐control comparison was performed between 20 adult DM patients (cases) and 20 non‐DM patients (controls), matched 1:1 for age and Lund‐Mackay computed tomography (CT) scores. Outcome measures included 22‐item Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT‐22), Rhinosinusitis Disability Index (RSDI), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ‐2), and Brief Smell Identification Test (BSIT).ResultsMean follow‐up was similar between cases (mean ± standard deviation: 12.6 ± 6.0 months) and controls (12.9 ± 5.9 months; p = 0.862). All preoperative scores were statistically equivalent between DM and non‐DM cohorts. Both cohorts showed significant post‐ESS improvement in SNOT‐22 (p = 0.001) and RSDI scores (p < 0.001), and no significant change in PHQ‐2 or BSIT scores. The magnitude of score changes was statistically equivalent between the 2 cohorts for all outcome measures with no differences in postoperative score changes between insulin‐dependent DM patients and those managed by oral hypoglycemics or dietary restriction (p ≥ 0.444).ConclusionDM patients with CRS experience similar degrees of symptomatic benefit from ESS compared to controls. Insulin dependence does not appear to adversely affect surgical outcome but a larger cohort would better assess the effect of DM type and control on surgical outcomes in CRS.
Profibrotic transforming growth factor beta 1 and activin A are increased in nasal polyp tissue and induced in nasal polyp epithelium by cigarette smoke and Toll‐like receptor 3 ligation
Authors: Yamin Moshe , Holbrook Eric H. , Gray Stacey T. , Busaba Nicolas Y. , Lovett Brooke , Hamilos Daniel L. 
Published: April 2015

BackgroundThe mechanism of airway remodeling in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) remains unknown. We wished to determine whether profibrotic transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF‐β1) and activin A and their downstream signaling proteins are increased in CRSwNP and if they are regulated in epithelial cells by noxious or inflammatory stimuli.MethodsFrozen tissue from CRSwNP patients, healthy control (HC) middle turbinates, and sinus tissue from CRS without NP (CRSsNP) patients were immunostained for TGF‐β1, activin A, and downstream signaling proteins. Primary nasal epithelial cells (PNECs) from HCs and CRSwNP patients were cultured in media, cigarette smoke extract (CSE), or double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) (a ligand for Toll‐like receptor‐3) and examined for inflammatory and profibrotic genes using real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).ResultsCRSwNP patients showed increased TGF‐β1 and activin A in the stroma, increased TGF‐β1 signaling (phosphorylated Smad2/3) in the stroma and epithelium, and increased Smad3‐dependent Snail1 in the stroma. Immunostaining for TGF‐β1, pSmad2/3, and Snail1 in CRSwNP patients was highly correlated. Immunostaining for pSmad2/3 and Snail1 was similar in CRSwNP and CRSsNP patients. Compared to HCs, PNECs from CRSwNP patients were more responsive to CSE and dsRNA in terms of TGF‐β1 and activin A and more strongly induced by dsRNA in terms of chemokines.ConclusionIncreased TGF‐β1 and activin A and increased downstream TGF‐β1 signaling is present in CRSwNP patients, primarily in the stroma. This may contribute to features of airway remodeling previously described. PNECs from CRSwNP patients are induced to produce TGF‐β1 and activin A by CSE and dsRNA, suggesting that cigarette smoke and viral infection might also contribute to airway remodeling.
Aberrant astrocytes impair vascular reactivity in Huntington disease
Authors: Hsiao Han‐Yun , Chen Yu‐Chen , Huang Chien‐Hsiang , Chen Chiao‐Chi , Hsu Yi‐Hua , Chen Hui‐Mei , Chiu Feng‐Lan , Kuo Hung‐Chih , Chang Chen , Chern Yijuang 
Published: April 2015

ObjectiveHuntington disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disease caused by the mutant huntingtin gene (mHTT), which harbors expanded CAG repeats. We previously reported that the brain vessel density is higher in mice and patients with HD than in controls. The present study determines whether vascular function is altered in HD and characterizes the underlying mechanism.MethodsThe brain vessel density and vascular reactivity (VR) to carbogen challenge of HD mice were monitored by 3D ΔR2‐mMRA and blood oxygenation level–dependent (BOLD)/flow‐sensitive alternating inversion recovery (FAIR) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), respectively. The amount of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‐A and the pericyte coverage were determined by immunohistochemistry and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in human and mouse brain sections, primary mouse astrocytes and pericytes, and human astrocytes derived from induced pluripotent stem cells.ResultsExpression of mHTT in astrocytes and neurons is sufficient to increase the brain vessel density in HD mice. BOLD and FAIR MRI revealed gradually impaired VR to carbogen in HD mice. Astrocytes from HD mice and patients contained more VEGF‐A, which triggers proliferation of endothelial cells and may be responsible for the augmented neurovascular changes. Moreover, an astrocytic inflammatory response, which reduces the survival of pericytes through an IκB kinase–dependent pathway, mediates the low pericyte coverage of blood vessels in HD brains.InterpretationOur findings suggest that the inflammation‐prone HD astrocytes provide less pericyte coverage by promoting angiogenesis and reducing the number of pericytes and that these changes can explain the inferior VR in HD mice. The resultant impaired VR might hinder cerebral hemodynamics and increase brain atrophy during HD progression. Ann Neurol 2015;78:178–192
Influence of processing conditions on polymorphic behavior, crystallinity, and morphology of electrospun poly(VInylidene fluoride) nanofibers
Authors: Baqeri Maedeh , Abolhasani Mohammad Mahdi , Mozdianfard Mohammad Reza , Guo Qipeng , Oroumei Azam , Naebe Minoo 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTThe polymorphism and crystallinity of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membranes, made from electrospinning of the PVDF in pure N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) and DMF/acetone mixture solutions are studied. Influence of the processing and solution parameters such as flow rate, applied voltage, solvent system, and mixture ratio, on nanofiber morphology, total crystallinity, and crystal phase content of the nanofibers are investigated using scanning electron microscopy, wide‐angle X‐ray scattering, differential scanning calorimetric, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results show that solutions of 20% w/w PVDF in two solvent systems of DMF and DMF/acetone (with volume ratios of 3/1 and 1/1) are electrospinnable; however, using DMF/acetone volume ratio of 1/3 led to blockage of the needle and spinning process was stopped. Very high fraction of β‐phase (∼79%–85%) was obtained for investigated nanofiber, while degree of crystallinity increased to 59% which is quite high due to the strong influence of electrospinning on ordering the microstructure. Interestingly, ultrafine fibers with the diameter of 12 and 15 nm were obtained in this work. Uniform and bead free nanofiber was formed when a certain amount of acetone was added in to the electrospinning solution. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42304.
Tracking the chemical surface properties of racemic thalidomide and its enantiomers using a biomimetic functional surface on a quartz crystal microbalance
Authors: Suksuwan Acharee , Lomlim Luelak , Dickert Franz L. , Suedee Roongnapa 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTWe present details of the chemical surface properties of the molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) on quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) for the tracking of the chiral recognition of racemic thalidomide and its (R)‐enantiomer. We investigate the assembly and specific patterns of enantiomer and racemate of thalidomide on the poly(urethane) coating consisted of the synthetic‐estrogen bisphenol A (BPA) on a QCM electrode by infrared spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM), which confirmed the surface properties of these materials. The BPA present on the surface of the coating layer revealed a positive frequency response for the racemic thalidomide that eventually appeared. This involved a negative shift of 80 Hz for a 200 µg mL−1 racemic thalidomide, and in all cases, a negative shift of 200 Hz for a 100 µg mL−1 (R)‐thalidomide. The affinity constants (Ka) for the racemate adsorbed onto the polymer layer imprinted with (R)‐thalidomide were lower than those for the (R)‐thalidomide. Also, the binding energy involved a different binding process of the chiral forms and indicated that the two enantiomers had a twofold difference in their binding energies. Thus, the advantage of the use of BPA is proven that will function as hydrogen‐bond donors in the enantioselective recognition site of the MIP. The data of functional analysis demonstrated that the biomimetic detection using molecular imprinting turn out to a study of the pharmaceutical effects of a pharmaceutically chiral compound on natural receptor functions. This approach is highly useful that highlight an enhanced understanding of the mechanism of stereochemistry required for biological controls. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42309.
Structural studies and cytotoxicity assays of “aggregation‐prone” IAPP8–16 and its non‐amyloidogenic variants suggest its important role in fibrillogenesis and cytotoxicity of human amylin
Authors: Louros Nikolaos N. , Tsiolaki Paraskevi L. , Zompra Aikaterini A. , Pappa Eleni V. , Magafa Vassiliki , Pairas George , Cordopatis Paul , Cheimonidou Christina , Trougakos Ioannis P. , Iconomidou Vassiliki A. , Hamodrakas Stavros J. 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTAmyloid deposits to the islets of Langerhans are responsible for the gradual loss of pancreatic β‐cells leading to type II diabetes mellitus. Human mature islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP), a 37‐residue pancreatic hormone, has been identified as the primary component of amyloid fibrils forming these deposits. Several individual segments along the entire sequence length of hIAPP have been nominated as regions with increased amyloidogenic potential, such as regions 8–20, 20–29, and 30–37. A smaller fragment of the 8–20 region, spanning residues 8–16 of hIAPP has been associated with the formation of early transient α‐helical dimers that promote fibrillogenesis and also as a core part of hIAPP amyloid fibrils. Utilizing our aggregation propensity prediction tools AmylPred and AmylPred2, we have identified the high aggregation propensity of the 8–16 segment of hIAPP. A peptide analog corresponding to this segment was chemically synthesized and its amyloidogenic properties were validated using electron microscopy, X‐ray fiber diffraction, ATR FT‐IR spectroscopy, and polarized microscopy. Additionally, two peptides introducing point mutations L12R and L12P, respectively, to the 8–16 segment, were chemically synthesized. Both mutations disrupt the α‐helical properties of the 8–16 region and lower its amyloidogenic potential, which was confirmed experimentally. Finally, cytotoxicity assays indicate that the 8–16 segment of hIAPP shows enhanced cytotoxicity, which is relieved by the L12R mutation but not by the L12P mutation. Our results indicate that the chameleon properties and the high aggregation propensity of the 8–16 region may significantly contribute to the formation of amyloid fibrils and the overall cytotoxic effect of hIAPP. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 104: 196–205, 2015.
Intraventricular cerebrospinal fluid temperature analysis using MR diffusion‐weighted imaging thermometry in Parkinson's disease patients, multiple system atrophy patients, and healthy subjects
Authors: Sumida Kaoru , Sato Noriko , Ota Miho , Sakai Koji , Nippashi Yasumasa , Sone Daichi , Yokoyama Kota , Ito Kimiteru , Maikusa Norihide , Imabayashi Etsuko , Matsuda Hiroshi , Yamada Kei , Murata Miho , Kunimatsu Akira , Ohtomo Kuni 
Published: April 2015

AbstractPurposeWe examined the temperature of the intraventricular cerebrospinal fluid (Tv) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and those with multiple system atrophy (MSA) in comparison with healthy subjects, and we examined normal changes in this temperature with aging.MethodsTv was estimated by magnetic resonance (MR) diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) thermometry in 36 PD patients (19 males, 17 females), 34 MSA patients (17 males, 17 females), 64 age‐matched controls (27 men, 37 women), and 114 all‐age adult controls (47 men, 67 women; 28–89 years old). The volume of lateral ventricles was also estimated using FreeSurfer in all subjects. Tv and ventricular volume data were compared among the PD and MSA patients and age‐matched controls. We also evaluated the relationship between Tv and age in the 114 all‐age controls, controlling for ventricular volume. Men and women were analyzed separately.ResultsThe male PD and MSA patients had significantly higher Tv values compared to the male controls, with no significant difference in ventricular volume among them. There was no significant difference in Tv between the female patients and controls. In the all‐age male controls, there was a significant negative correlation between Tv and age controlling for ventricular volume, and this was not observed in the women.ConclusionDWI thermometry is a useful and easy method for demonstrating an altered intracranial environment in male patients and healthy controls, but not in females. DWI thermometry can thus be used to help to explore the pathophysiology of Parkinsonian syndromes and to differentiate individuals affected by neurodegenerative disease with autonomic dysfunction from those without it.
A joint‐space numerical model of metabolic energy expenditure for human multibody dynamic system
Authors: Kim Joo H. , Roberts Dustyn 
Published: April 2015

SummaryMetabolic energy expenditure (MEE) is a critical performance measure of human motion. In this study, a general joint‐space numerical model of MEE is derived by integrating the laws of thermodynamics and principles of multibody system dynamics, which can evaluate MEE without the limitations inherent in experimental measurements (phase delays, steady state and task restrictions, and limited range of motion) or muscle‐space models (complexities and indeterminacies from excessive DOFs, contacts and wrapping interactions, and reliance on in vitro parameters). Muscle energetic components are mapped to the joint space, in which the MEE model is formulated. A constrained multi‐objective optimization algorithm is established to estimate the model parameters from experimental walking data also used for initial validation. The joint‐space parameters estimated directly from active subjects provide reliable MEE estimates with a mean absolute error of 3.6 ± 3.6% relative to validation values, which can be used to evaluate MEE for complex non‐periodic tasks that may not be experimentally verifiable. This model also enables real‐time calculations of instantaneous MEE rate as a function of time for transient evaluations. Although experimental measurements may not be completely replaced by model evaluations, predicted quantities can be used as strong complements to increase reliability of the results and yield unique insights for various applications. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspiration biopsy for thyroid nodules three centimeters or larger in size
Authors: Ucler Rıfkı , Usluogulları Celil Alper , Tam Abbas Ali , Ozdemir Didem , Balkan Fevzi , Yalcın Samet , Kıyak Gulten , Ersoy Pamir Eren , Guler Gulnur , Ersoy Reyhan , Cakır Bekir 
Published: April 2015

Background and PurposeWhether under ultrasonography (US) guidance or not, fine‐needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) has some limitations, particularly in larger nodules. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of US‐guided fine‐needle aspiration biopsy (US‐FNAB) in thyroid nodules equal to or larger than 3 cm.Materials and MethodsData of 267 patients operated for nodular goiter in the period of January 2006 and March 2012 were reviewed retrospectively. The study group (40 males, 104 females; mean age 42.3 ± 12.3, between 17 and 71) consisted of patients with nodules with a diameter of 3 cm or larger. Patients with nodules less than 3 cm in diameter were considered as the control group (27 males, 96 females; mean age 44.4 ± 11.9, between 18 and 71).ResultsFor nodules smaller than 3 cm, US‐FNAB had an accuracy rate of 60% and a false negativity rate of 21.9%. In nodules equal to or larger than 3 cm, the accuracy rate of US‐FNAB was 80%, with a false negativity rate of 6.7%. Malignancy was observed in 16% of the study group and 42.3% of the control group.ConclusionThis study showed that increased nodule diameter is not associated with limitations in the diagnostic value of US‐FNAB. We also found that the malignancy rate was smaller for larger nodules. This finding reflects the importance of accurate and rational diagnostic work‐up and clinical management for detecting malignancy and surgical decision‐making. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2015;43:622–628. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hippocampal neuron populations are reduced in vervet monkeys with fetal alcohol exposure
Authors: Burke Mark W. , Ptito Maurice , Ervin Frank R. , Palmour Roberta M. 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTPrenatal exposure to beverage alcohol is a major cause of mild mental retardation and developmental delay. In nonendangered alcohol‐preferring vervet monkeys, we modeled the most common nondysmorphic form of fetal alcohol syndrome disorder with voluntary drinking during the third trimester of pregnancy. Here, we report significant numerical reductions in the principal hippocampal neurons of fetal alcohol‐exposed (FAE) offspring, as compared to age‐matched, similarly housed conspecifics with isocaloric sucrose exposure. These deficits, particularly marked in CA1 and CA3, are present neonatally and persist through infancy (5 months) and juvenile (2 years) stages. Although the volumes of hippocampal subdivisions in FAE animals are not atypical at birth, by age 2, they are only 65–70% of those estimated in age‐matched controls. These data suggest that moderate, naturalistic alcohol consumption during late pregnancy results in a stable loss of hippocampal neurons and a progressive reduction of hippocampal volume. © 2015 The Authors. Developmental Psychobiology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 57:470𠄃485, 2015.
Adult‐born dentate neurons are recruited in both spatial memory encoding and retrieval
Authors: Tronel Sophie , Charrier Vanessa , Sage Cyrille , Maitre Marlene , Leste‐Lasserre Thierry , Abrous Djoher N. 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTAdult neurogenesis occurs in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus, which is a key structure in learning and memory. Adult‐generated granule cells have been shown to play a role in spatial memory processes such as acquisition or retrieval, in particular during an immature stage when they exhibit a period of increased plasticity. Here, we demonstrate that immature and mature neurons born in the DG of adult rats are similarly activated in spatial memory processes. By imaging the activation of these two different neuron generations in the same rat and by using the immediate early gene Zif268, we show that these neurons are involved in both spatial memory acquisition and retrieval. These results demonstrate that adult‐generated granule cells are involved in memory beyond their immaturity stage. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.