bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lasers, Birthmarks, and Sturge‐Weber Syndrome: A Pilot Survey
Authors: Sabeti Sara , Tackett Kelly J. , Ball Karen L. , Terrell Julia , Kelly Kristen M. , Burkhart Craig 
Published: September 2020

Background and ObjectivesThere is limited or no data on the experience of patients with Sturge‐Weber Syndrome (SWS) and/or their parents who seek out laser treatments for their port‐wine birthmark (PWB). Our study aimed to develop a survey to understand patient perspectives on laser therapy and subsequent behaviors while focusing on three elements of the health belief model: perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits, and perceived barriers.Study Design/Materials and MethodsA 31 item survey was developed and sent to 650 members of the Sturge‐Weber Foundation. The survey included questions regarding four domains: demographics, disease severity, laser experience, and perceptions and behaviors. Logistic regression models and bivariate analyses were conducted to analyze the results.ResultsAmong the 123 respondents, earlier initiation of laser treatments was associated with greater birthmark satisfaction. Overall satisfaction increased up to 20 treatments and then leveled off. Color satisfaction increased up to 100 laser treatments; however, the flatness of the PWB was not associated with the number of laser treatments. The perceived benefits of lasers were not associated with the number of lifetime treatments or with spending. However, the perceived susceptibility was associated with greater spending on travel and medical expenses.ConclusionThe results of our survey provide insight into SWS patient experiences, beliefs, and behaviors regarding laser therapy. Further exploration of these variables may allow for the improvement of the care experience. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC
A New Two‐Step Strategy for Encapsulating Amorphous Polymer Chains in Thiourea Crystals
Authors: Li Shanshan , Lv Dongxu , Ai Ning , Shen Jialong , Tonelli Alan E. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe establishment of methodologies for encapsulating polymers in small molecular hosts is not only highly desirable to facilitate new material functions but also very important for the development of fundamental science. Herein a new strategy for encapsulating noncrystalline polymer chains with bulky side groups in thiourea (TU) crystals is disclosed. In the process, the noncrystalline polymer is first complexed with TU and 1,4‐dioxane molecules, forming a crystalline metastable complex structure with melting temperature below 110 °C. Subsequent removal of 1,4‐dioxane through heating the complex at 120 °C collapses the metastable complexes, but surprisingly affords a polymer‐TU inclusion compound (IC) structure, as demonstrated by infrared radiation, differential scanning calorimetry, and X‐ray powder diffraction. The strategy is applicable to both atactic‐poly (methyl methacrylate) and ‐polystyrene, suggesting that it might be a universal method for encapsulating noncrystalline polymer chains in thiourea crystal canals.
In Vitro Biocompatibility of Diazirine‐Grafted Biomaterials
Authors: Djordjevic Ivan , Wicaksono Gautama , Solic Ivan , Steele Terry W. J. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractPhotoactivation of aryl‐diazirines is an emerging method of rapid, covalent crosslinking under ambient conditions. These attributes make those compounds candidates for grafting onto inert polymer backbones in order to produce stimuli‐sensitive biomaterials. However, no risk assessments are available to gauge the toxicity of the leachable components after crosslinking activation. Herein, a stimuli‐sensitive biomaterial is formulated from diazirine‐grafted polycaprolactone tetrol. Also known as CaproGlu, this biomaterial undergoes UVA‐activated crosslinking, with many positive attributes toward bioadhesive applications; hydrophobic, solvent‐free, liquid at room temperature, and transitions into a foam biorubber after mild UVA illumination. As a model diazirine‐grafted biomaterial, hydrolyzed CaproGlu leachates are evaluated for genotoxicity and skin sensitization, namely, Ames test, direct peptide reactivity, and ARE‐Nrf2 luciferase assays. The degradation products of diazirine‐mediated crosslinking observe little to no risk of in vitro genotoxicity or skin sensitization.
The effect of sulfamonomethoxine treatment on the gut microbiota of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
Authors: Ming Junchao , Fu Zhengyi , Ma Zhenhua , Zhou Lijun , Zhang Zongli , Song Chao , Yuan Xinhua , Wu Qinglong 
Published: September 2020

AbstractTo investigate the possible effects of sulfamonomethoxine (SMM) on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), we quantitatively evaluated the microbial shifts in the intestines of Nile tilapia in response to different doses of SMM (200 and 300 mg/kg) using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. At the phylum level, the control group (0 mg kg−1 SMM) was dominated by Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Firmicutes. In the treatment groups, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Chloroflexi were the dominant phyla. Cluster analysis indicated that the two groups treated with SMM clustered together. Similarly, the bacterial families that dominated the control group differed from those dominating the treatment groups. The changes in intestinal microbial composition over time were similar between the two SMM treatment groups. In both groups, the abundances of some families, including the Bacillaceae, Streptococcaceae, and Pseudomonadaceae, increased first and then decreased. Overall, the addition of SMM to the feed changed the structure of the intestinal microbiota in Nile tilapia. This study improves our understanding of the impact of SMM on the intestinal microenvironment of Nile tilapia. Our results provide guidelines for the feasibility of SMM use in aquaculture production.
Feasibility study of preoperative microvessel evaluation and characterization in perforator flaps using various modes of color‐coded duplex sonography (CCDS)
Authors: Kehrer Andreas , Lonic Daniel , Heidekrueger Paul , Bosselmann Talia , Taeger Christian D. , Lamby Philipp , Kehrer Michael , Jung Ernst Michael , Prantl Lukas , Platz Batista da Silva Natascha 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundColor‐coded duplex sonography (CCDS) is useful for perforator flap design showing the highest sensitivity in identifying microvessels. This prospective study evaluates the feasibility of different ultrasound (US) modes applied by the microsurgeon in daily practice suggesting quantifiable reference values.MethodsTwenty‐four patients aged between 17 and 68 years (mean 43.3 ± 14.2 years) with 18 anterolateral thigh (ALT) and 6 superficial circumflex iliac artery (SCIP) flaps were included. Indications were traumatic (n = 12), infectious (n = 6), ischemic (n = 4), or tumor‐associated defects (n = 2). Different US modes were evaluated regarding applicability using multifrequency linear probes (5–15 MHz). Vessels diameter, peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), and resistance index (RI) were measured. Preoperative results were correlated to intraoperative findings.ResultsIn the examined patient group with 24 perforator flaps a 100% correlation was seen when comparing perforators detected with CCDS/PD with intraoperative findings using optimized US settings. Sensitivity, PPV, and accuracy of CCDS were 100% respectively. Mean PSV of 16.99 ± 6.07 cm/s, mean EDV of 5.01 ± 1.84 cm/s and RI of 0.7 ± 0.07 were measured in microvessels (PW‐mode). CCDS proved to be superior compared to PD in correct diameter assessment showing a mean diameter of 1.65 ± 0.45 mm, compared to PD‐mode 1.31 ± 0.24 mm. Mean PSV and EDV were higher in ALT than in SCIP flaps, RI was slightly higher in SCIP flaps (p > .05). There were no significant differences in size of different flaps' perforators (p > .05).ConclusionCCDS represents a highly valuable tool in the daily practice of free flap reconstructions using optimized low flow US settings and multifrequency linear probes.
Pharmacoinformatic Investigation of Medicinal Plants from East Africa
Authors: Simoben Conrad V. , Qaseem Ammar , Moumbock Aurélien F. A. , Telukunta Kiran K. , Günther Stefan , Sippl Wolfgang , Ntie‐Kang Fidele 
Published: September 2020

AbstractMedicinal plants have widely been used in the traditional treatment of ailments and have been proven effective. Their contribution still holds an important place in modern drug discovery due to their chemical, and biological diversities. However, the poor documentation of traditional medicine, in developing African countries for instance, can lead to the loss of knowledge related to such practices. In this study, we present the Eastern Africa Natural Products Database (EANPDB) containing the structural and bioactivity information of 1870 unique molecules isolated from about 300 source species from the Eastern African region. This represents the largest collection of natural products (NPs) from this geographical region, covering literature data of the period from 1962 to 2019. The computed physicochemical properties and toxicity profiles of each compound have been included. A comparative analysis of some physico‐chemical properties like molecular weight, H‐bond donor/acceptor, logPo/w, etc. as well scaffold diversity analysis has been carried out with other published NP databases. EANPDB was combined with the previously published Northern African Natural Products Database (NANPDB), to form a merger African Natural Products Database (ANPDB), containing ∼6500 unique molecules isolated from about 1000 source species (freely available at http://african‐compounds.org). As a case study, latrunculins A and B isolated from the sponge Negombata magnifica (Podospongiidae) with previously reported antitumour activities, were identified via substructure searching as molecules to be explored as putative binders of histone deacetylases (HDACs).
Impact of Extreme Obesity and Diet‐Induced Weight Loss on the Fecal Metabolome and Gut Microbiota
Authors: Nogacka Alicja M. , de los Reyes‐Gavilán Clara G. , Martínez‐Faedo Ceferino , Ruas‐Madiedo Patricia , Suarez Adolfo , Mancabelli Leonardo , Ventura Marco , Cifuentes Alejandro , León Carlos , Gueimonde Miguel , Salazar Nuria 
Published: September 2020

ScopeA limited number of human studies have characterized fecal microbiota and metabolome in extreme obesity and after diet‐induced weight loss.Methods and resultsFecal samples from normal‐weight and extremely obese adults and from obese participants before and after moderate diet‐induced weight loss are evaluated for their interaction with the intestinal adenocarcinoma cell line HT29 using an impedance‐based in vitro model, which reveals variations in the interaction between the gut microbiota and host linked to obesity status. Microbiota composition, short chain fatty acids, and other intestinal metabolites are further analyzed to assess the interplay among diet, gut microbiota, and host in extreme obesity. Microbiota profiles are distinct between normal‐weight and obese participants and are accompanied by fecal signatures in the metabolism of biliary compounds and catecholamines. Moderate diet‐induced weight loss promotes shifts in the gut microbiota, and the primary fecal metabolomics features are associated with diet and the gut–liver and gut–brain axes.ConclusionsAnalyses of the fecal microbiota and metabolome enable assessment of the impact of diet on gut microbiota composition and activity, supporting the potential use of certain fecal metabolites or members of the gut microbiota as biomarkers for the efficacy of weight loss in extreme obesity.
Development of high‐resolution YAP(Ce) x‐ray camera for the imaging of astatine‐211(At‐211) in small animals
Authors: Nakanishi Kouhei , Yamamoto Seiichi , Watabe Tadashi , Kaneda‐Nakashima Kazuko , Shirakami Yoshifumi , Ooe Kazuhiro , Toyoshima Atsushi , Shinohara Atsushi , Teramoto Takahiro , Hatazawa Jun , Kamada Kei , Yoshikawa Akira 
Published: September 2020

PurposeAstatine‐211 (At‐211) is a promising alpha emitter for radionuclide therapy. High‐resolution in vivo imaging of At‐211 in small animals is needed for the development of At‐211 radiopharmaceuticals. For this purpose, we developed a low‐energy x‐ray camera using a thin YAlO3:Ce (YAP(Ce)) plate to image the low‐energy x rays (73–87 keV) from the daughter radionuclide of At‐211 (Po‐211).MethodWe optically coupled a 38 × 38 × 1‐mm YAP (Ce) plate to a position‐sensitive photomultiplier (PSPMT) to develop an imaging detector. A pinhole or a parallel hole collimator was attached to the imaging detector, and the performance was measured for 60‐keV gamma photons. With the developed x‐ray camera, we carried out imaging of a mouse that had been administered At‐211‐NaAt.ResultsThe intrinsic spatial resolution of the YAP (Ce) x‐ray camera was approximately 1.2 mm FWHM, and the energy resolution was 22% FWHM. With a 5‐mm‐thick parallel hole collimator, the spatial resolution was 3.8 mm FWHM with a sensitivity of 8 × 10−4 at 10 mm, which is a typical distance from the surface of the collimator to a subject in mouse imaging. Using a 1‐mm diameter pinhole collimator, the spatial resolution was 1.8 mm FWHM with a sensitivity of 3.5 × 10−4 at 10 mm from the collimator. In the mouse images measured by the developed x‐ray camera, we could clearly observe that the At‐211 accumulated in the thyroid gland and the stomach of the mouse.ConclusionWe concluded that the YAP (Ce) x‐ray camera is useful for in vivo imaging of At‐211.
Effect of uncertainties in quantitative 18F‐FDG PET/CT imaging feedback for intratumoral dose‐response assessment and dose painting by number
Authors: Chen Shupeng , Yan Di , Qin An , Maniawski Piotr , Krauss Daniel J. , Wilson George D. 
Published: September 2020

PurposeIntratumoral dose response can be detected using serial fluoro‐2‐deoxyglucose‐(FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) imaging feedback during treatment and used to guide adaptive dose painting by number (DPbN). However, to reliably implement this technique, the effect of uncertainties in quantitative PET/CT imaging feedback on tumor voxel dose‐response assessment and DPbN needs to be determined and reduced.MethodsThree major uncertainties, induced by (a) PET imaging partial volume effect (PVE) and (b) tumor deformable image registration (DIR), and (c) variation of the time interval between FDG injection and PET image acquisition (TI), were determined using serial FDG‐PET/CT images acquired during chemoradiotherapy of 18 head and neck cancer patients. PET imaging PVE was simulated using the discrepancy between with and without iterative deconvolution‐based PVE corrections. Effect of tumor DIR uncertainty was simulated using the discrepancy between two DIR algorithms, including one with and one without soft‐tissue mechanical correction for the voxel displacement. The effect of TI variation was simulated using linear interpolation on the dual‐point PET/CT images. Tumor voxel pretreatment metabolic activity (SUV0) and dose–response matrix (DRM) discrepancies induced by each of the three uncertainties were quantified, respectively. Adverse effects of tumor voxel SUV0 and DRM discrepancies on tumor control probability (TCP) in DPbN were assessed.ResultsPartial volume effect and TI variations of 10 mins induced a mean ± standard deviation (SD) of tumor voxel SUV0 discrepancies to be −0.7% ± 9.2% and 0% ± 4.8%, respectively. Tumor voxel DRM discrepancies induced by PVE, tumor DIR discrepancy, and TI variations were 0.6% ± 8.9%, 1.7% ± 9.1%, and 0% ± 7%, respectively. Partial volume effect induced SUV0 and DRM discrepancies correlated significantly with the tumor shape and FDG uptake heterogeneity. Tumor DIR uncertainty‐induced DRM discrepancy correlated significantly with the tumor volume and shrinkage during treatment. Among the three uncertainties, PVE dominated the adverse effects on the TCP, with a mean ± SD of TCP reduction to be 12.7% ± 9.8% for all tumors if no compensation was applied for.ConclusionsEffect of uncertainties in quantitative FDG‐PET/CT imaging feedback on intratumoral dose–response quantification was not negligible. These uncertainties primarily caused by PVE and tumor DIR were highly dependent on individual tumor shape, volume, shrinkage during treatment, and pretreatment SUV heterogeneity, which can be managed individually. The adverse effects of these uncertainties could be minimized by using proper PVE corrections and DIR methods and compensated for in the clinical implementation of DPbN.
Anisotropic dual‐continuum representations for multiscale poroelastic materials: Development and numerical modelling
Authors: Ashworth Mark , Doster Florian 
Published: September 2020

SummaryDual‐continuum (DC) models can be tractable alternatives to explicit approaches for the numerical modelling of multiscale materials with multiphysics behaviours. This work concerns the conceptual and numerical modelling of poroelastically coupled dual‐scale materials such as naturally fractured rock. Apart from a few exceptions, previous poroelastic DC models have assumed isotropy of the constituents and the dual‐material. Additionally, it is common to assume that only one continuum has intrinsic stiffness properties. Finally, little has been done into validating whether the DC paradigm can capture the global poroelastic behaviours of explicit numerical representations at the DC modelling scale. We address the aforementioned knowledge gaps in two steps. First, we utilise a homogenisation approach based on Levin's theorem to develop a previously derived anisotropic poroelastic constitutive model. Our development incorporates anisotropic intrinsic stiffness properties of both continua. This addition is in analogy to anisotropic fractured rock masses with stiff fractures. Second, we perform numerical modelling to test the DC model against fine‐scale explicit equivalents. In doing, we present our hybrid numerical framework, as well as the conditions required for interpretation of the numerical results. The tests themselves progress from materials with isotropic to anisotropic mechanical and flow properties. The fine‐scale simulations show that anisotropy can have noticeable effects on deformation and flow behaviour. However, our numerical experiments show that the DC approach can capture the global poroelastic behaviours of both isotropic and anisotropic fine‐scale representations.
Long‐term outcomes of transobturator midurethral slings: A critical evaluation of a real‐world population
Authors: Valadez Librado , Frilot Clifton F. , Gomelsky Alex 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAimsThe American Urological Association/Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine and Urogenital Reconstruction stress urinary incontinence (SUI) guidelines strongly recommend the midurethral sling (MUS) for the index female patient with SUI. While numerous studies report long‐term outcomes and complications for the retropubic MUS, these are largely absent for the transobturator MUS and are assessed in this study.MethodsThis is an Institutional Review Board approved retrospective chart review of all women who underwent a transobturator MUS at a single institution from 2004 to 2010. Pre‐ and postoperative assessment included a cough–stress test, SEAPI assessment, and validated quality‐of‐life (QoL) questionnaires. SUI resolution was defined as no subjective or objective SUI, and no additional surgery to achieve stress continence.ResultsOf 437 women, 305 (70%) had a minimum follow‐up of 48 months (mean 88; median 92). SUI was resolved in 69% of the entire cohort and 58% of the 78 women who had MUS only. The median time to SUI recurrence was 38 months in the entire cohort and 18 months in the MUS only group. Perioperative complications were infrequent and typically associated with concomitant surgery. A statistically significant improvement was observed in SEAPI scores and all QoL indices postoperatively.ConclusionsLong‐term resolution of SUI after the transobturator MUS is achieved by 69%, which is commensurate with success rates reported in the literature. Overall, women experience a significant improvement in their QoL after transobturator MUS; however, late recurrences and delayed sequelae may occur. Thus, long‐term follow‐up is warranted in this population.
Designing practical coordinating contracts in decentralized projects
Authors: Chen Shi , Klastorin Ted , Wagner Michael R. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractManaging decentralized projects (DPs) effectively is a critical issue today as projects have become increasingly complex, costly, and strategically important (especially IT and new product development projects). In this article, we consider a DP that is composed of n serial stages with stochastic durations; the project is planned, organized, and funded by a client organization that contracts the work at each stage to independent contractors. Following previous research and practice, we assume that the client and contractors incur time‐dependent costs (including indirect/overhead costs), resource‐related direct costs, and incentive payments. We initially propose a general linear time‐based incentive contract and show that a simplified version of this contract can indeed coordinate a DP when discounting is not considered. The proposed contract sets the penalty due date to the start of each contractor's stage, and the optimal penalty cost rate is set equal to the client's overhead/indirect cost; it actually implies that the contractor is required to compensate for the client's indirect/overhead cost for the duration of the stage. This greatly simplifies the design and implementation of an optimal (coordinating) contract in a DP as the coordinating contract does not require the contractor's private cost information. When discounting is present, we show that a nonlinear contract coordinates the project and provide numerical evidence for when the linear time‐based incentive contract is a good approximation.
Enhancing volunteers capacity in all‐volunteer nonprofit organizations: The role of volunteer leaders' reliance on effective management processes and (de)motivating leadership
Authors: De Clerck Tom , Aelterman Nathalie , Haerens Leen , Willem Annick 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAll‐volunteer nonprofit organizations rely solely on the commitment of volunteers to support their operations. As such, it is important that leaders of these organizations, even though they are volunteers themselves, rely on professional skills in order to optimize their organization's volunteers capacity. In the present study, we investigated how volunteer leaders' reliance on effective management processes and a (de)motivating leadership style related to volunteers capacity. To this end, we relied on the Competing Values Framework (CVF) and Self‐Determination Theory (SDT), respectively. Results revealed a positive (unique) association between (the sum score of) the management processes of the CVF models, as well as (the sum score of) the motivating leadership styles and volunteers capacity. Bivariate analyses indicated that the management processes of each CVF model (i.e., human relations model, internal process model, open system model, and rational goal model) and each motivating leadership style (i.e., an autonomy‐supportive and a structuring leadership style) related positively to volunteers capacity. These findings have important practical implications as they revealed that it is crucial for volunteer leaders to implement effective management processes, while adopting a motivating leadership style.