bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Distinct Biomarker Profiles and Clinical Characteristics in T1‐T2 Glottic and Supraglottic Carcinomas
Authors: Wachters Jan E. , Kop Emiel , Slagter‐Menkema Lorian , Mastik Mirjam , van der Wal Jacqueline E. , van der Vegt Bert , de Bock Geertruida H. , van der Laan Bernard F.A.M. , Schuuring Ed 
Published: February 2020

BackgroundIn early stage laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) radiotherapy with curative intent is a major treatment modality. TNM classification is used to define patients eligible for radiotherapy. Studies in early stage glottic LSCC identified several predictive biomarkers associated with local control. However, we recently reported that this predictive value could not be confirmed in supraglottic LSCC.ObjectiveTo examine whether clinical behavior and protein expression patterns of these biomarkers differ between glottic and supraglottic LSCC.Study DesignRetrospective cohort study.MethodsTumor tissue sections of 196 glottic and 80 supraglottic T1‐T2 LSCC treated primarily with RT were assessed immunohistochemically for expression of pAKT, Ki‐67 and β‐Catenin. Expression data of HIF‐1α, CA‐IX, OPN, FADD, pFADD, Cyclin D1, Cortactin and EGFR in the same cohort of glottic and supraglottic LSCC, were retrieved from previously reported data. The relationship between glottic and supraglottic sublocalization and clinicopathological, follow‐up, and immunohistochemical staining characteristics were evaluated using logistic regression and Cox regression analyses.ResultsGlottic LSCC were correlated with male gender (P = .001), hoarseness as a primary symptom (P < .001), T1 tumor stage (P < .001), negative lymph node status (P < .001), and an older age at presentation (P = .004). Supraglottic LSCC patients developed more post‐treatment distant metastasis when adjusted for gender, age, and T‐status. While supraglottic LSCC was associated with higher expression of HIF‐1α (P = .001), Cortactin (P < .001), EGFR (P < .001), and Ki‐67 (P = .027), glottic LSCC demonstrated higher expression of CA‐IX (P = .005) and Cyclin D1 (P = .001).ConclusionDifferences in clinicopathological and immunohistochemical staining characteristics suggest that T1‐T2 glottic and supraglottic LSCC should be considered as different entities.Level of EvidenceN/A. Laryngoscope, 2020
Outcomes of Two Treatments for Uncomplicated Pilonidal Sinus Disease: Karydakis Flap Procedure and Sinus Tract Ablation Procedure Using a 1,470 nm Diode Laser Combined With Pit Excision
Authors: Yardimci Veysi Hakan 
Published: February 2020

Background and ObjectivesAn ideal treatment for pilonidal disease should feature a low recurrence rate, minimal incision, and rapid return to daily activities. We compared the outcomes of the well‐defined Karydakis technique (KT) and a combination of pit excision (PE) and sinus tract ablation using 1,470‐nm diode laser.Study Design/Materials and MethodsIn this study, from January 2016 to January 2018, patients diagnosed with uncomplicated early‐stage pilonidal sinus disease were enrolled and were treated randomly, using KT (n = 28) or a PE/laser ablation technique (PE + LAT; n = 30).ResultsThe mean operative times were 36.4 (25–45) minutes in the KT group and 15.1 (12–20) minutes in the PE + LAT group. Postoperative Visual Analog Scale pain scores were 4.4 in the KT group and 2.1 in the PE + LAT group. The time periods to return to normal daily activities were 2.6 (1–5) days in the PE + LAT group and 12.8 (10–20) days in the KT group. The mean Likert satisfaction scores were 3.8 in the KT group and 4.8 in the PE + LAT group. The groups did not differ in terms of recurrence.ConclusionsCompared with the KT, the PE + LAT was associated with a shorter operative time, a more rapid return to normal activities, less pain, and a higher level of subjective satisfaction. We found that the PE + LAT was better than the KT for patients with early‐stage disease. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
3D‐Printed Titanium Cage with PVA‐Vancomycin Coating Prevents Surgical Site Infections (SSIs)
Authors: Li Yuan , Li Litao , Ma Yiguang , Zhang Kuo , Li Guang , Lu Bin , Lu Chenglin , Chen Cheng , Wang Lei , Wang Hao , Cui Xu 
Published: February 2020

AbstractMany coating materials have been studied to prevent surgical site infections (SSIs). However, antibacterial coating on surfaces show weak adhesion using the traditional titanium (Ti) cage, resulting in low efficacy for preventing SSIs after spinal surgery. Herein, a 3D‐printed Ti cage combined with a drug‐releasing system is developed for in situ drug release and bacteria killing, leading to prevention of SSIs in vitro and in vivo. First, a 3D‐printed Ti cage is designed and prepared by the Electron Beam Melting (EBM) method. Second, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) containing hydrophilic vancomycin hydrochloride (VH) is scattered across the surface of 3D‐printed porous Ti (Ti‐VH@PVA) cages. Ti‐VH@PVA cages show an efficient drug‐releasing profile and excellent bactericidal effect for three common bacteria after more than seven days in vitro. In addition, Ti‐VH@PVA cages exhibit reliable inhibition of inflammation associated with Staphylococcus aureus and effective bone regeneration capacity in a rabbit model of SSIs. The results indicate that Ti‐VH@PVA cages have potential advantages for preventing SSIs after spinal surgery.
Highly miniaturized wideband 3‐dB branch‐line hybrid with second harmonic‐suppression
Authors: Barik Rusan K. , Cheng Qingsha S. , Pradhan Nrusingha C. , Subramanian Karthikeyan S. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractIn this article, a highly miniaturized second harmonic suppressed 3‐dB branch‐line hybrid (BLH) with wideband performance is developed by employing a novel transmission‐line architecture (TLA). The proposed architecture consists of a coupled‐line, a series microstrip‐line and two open‐ended stubs. The even‐odd mode technique is used to formulate the required design equations. In order to reduce the size of the BLH, the internal areas between the branches are properly utilized for accommodating the proposed TLA structures with parameter values calculated using the derived formulas. To demonstrate this technique, a wideband three‐section BLH operating at 0.9 GHz is designed and fabricated. The measurement results show the proposed technique reduces the total circuit‐area of the BLH by 90.24% compared to the traditional three‐section hybrid while maintaining a fractional bandwidth greater than 53%. In addition, the second harmonic is eliminated utilizing the spurious response produced by the open‐ended stubs.
Optimization of the electrospinning process variables for gelatin/silver nanoparticles/bioactive glass nanocomposites for bone tissue engineering
Authors: Akturk Aysen , Erol Taygun Melek , Goller Gultekin 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe current research focuses on the findings of an investigation on optimizing of an electrospun antibacterial gelatin nanocomposite membrane for bone tissue engineering applications. For this reason, soluble starch coated silver nanoparticles (Ag‐NPs) and bioactive glass particles (BG) were incorporated in to gelatin (Gt) to fabricate Gt/Ag‐NPs/BG nanocomposite membranes. Employing Box‐Behnken design, second‐order models have been successfully obtained to evaluate the statistical significance of individual and interaction effects of applied voltage, tip‐to‐collector distance (TCD), and flow rate on fiber diameter. There was a reasonable agreement between the regression R2 value (0.9542), R2 predicted value (0.8768), and the R2 adjusted value (0.9286) across the entire factor space with identical observations for the experimental and model values. Under optimum conditions (applied voltage of 26 kV, TCD of 180 mm, and flow rate of 0.5 mL/h), the nanocomposite membrane with similar fiber size of bone tissue extracellular matrix can be fabricated with the predicted value of 557 nm obtained by the proposed model. The optimized nanofiber membrane was fabricated under these conditions and average fiber diameter of this membrane was found as 472 ± 94 nm. The characterization studies of this nanofiber suggest that obtained nanocomposite is a potential candidate for bone tissue engineering applications.
Fetal lower urinary tract obstruction: What should we tell the prospective parents?
Authors: Ibirogba Eniola Raheem , Haeri Sina , Ruano Rodrigo 
Published: February 2020

AbstractFetal lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO), which often results in marked perinatal morbidity and mortality, is caused by a heterogeneous group of anatomical defects that lead to blockage of the urethra. The classic prenatal presentation of LUTO includes megacystis with hydronephrosis. While mild forms of the disease can be associated with favorable outcomes, more severe disease commonly leads to dysplastic changes in the fetal kidneys, and ultimately oligohydramnios, which can result in secondary pulmonary hypoplasia and renal failure at birth. The aim of this review is to provide practitioners with a general overview of the diagnosis and treatment of LUTO based on disease severity, along with some points to consider when counseling prospective parents of fetuses with this condition.
Mindfulness facets predict quality of life and sleep disturbance via physical and emotional distresses in Chinese cancer patients: A moderated mediation analysis
Authors: Fong Ted C. T. , Ho Rainbow T. H. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractObjectiveColorectal cancer survivors are at risk of symptom burden and emotional distress. Dispositional mindfulness has been linked with better sleep quality and quality of life (QoL) in these patients. This longitudinal study aimed to examine the associations among mindfulness facets, symptom burden, emotional distress, and functional outcomes.MethodsStudy sample of this three‐wave, 2‐month survey was 127 Chinese colorectal cancer survivors. The participants completed the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and SF‐12 health survey. Moderated mediation analyses examined the direct and indirect effects of mindfulness facets on QoLs and sleep quality via symptom burden and emotional distress, using acting with awareness as a moderator.ResultsThe mindfulness facets had no significant direct effects on functional outcomes 2 months later. Awareness and nonreacting showed significant and positive indirect effects on physical and mental QoL via symptom burden and emotional distress 1 month later, respectively. Awareness, nonjudging, and nonreacting significantly predicted better sleep quality indirectly via emotional distress. Nonreacting showed stronger indirect effects on the functional outcomes among patients with greater awareness.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates longitudinal linkages between dispositional mindfulness and functioning in cancer survivors via symptom burden and emotional distress. Acting with awareness and nonreacting are the two facets that displayed clinical relevance in predicting better sleep quality and QoL.
Global Proteomic Analyses of STING‐Positive and ‐Negative Macrophages Reveal STING and Non‐STING Differentially Regulated Cellular and Molecular Pathways
Authors: Aryal Uma K. , Hedrick Victoria , Onyedibe Kenneth Ikenna , Sobreira Tiago Jose Paschoal , Sooreshjani Moloud Aflaki , Wang Modi , Gürsoy Ulvi Kahraman , Sintim Herman O. 
Published: February 2020

PurposeCyclic guanosine monophosphate‐adenosine monophosphate and other bacterial‐derived cyclic di‐guanosine monophosphate or cyclic di‐adenosine monophosphate trigger innate immune responses through binding to stimulator of interferon genes (STING). Thus in chronic infection, such as in periodontitis, immune cells can be exposed to bacterial DNA and/or cyclic dinucleotides, potentially activating STING to cause inflammation. Thus far the cyclic GMP‐AMP synthase‐STING‐ TANK‐binding kinase 1 pathway has been well characterized but a global perspective of how the presence or lack of STING affect the proteome is lacking. The aim of this study is to identify macrophage proteins that are affected by STING.Experimental DesignProteins are extracted from a macrophage cell line harboring STING (RAW‐Blue ISG) as well as a STING knockout (STING KO) cell line (RAW‐Lucia ISG‐KO‐STING) and global proteomics analyses are performed.ResultsProteins related to kinase and phosphatase signaling, spliceosome, terpenoid backbone biosynthesis, glycosylation, ubiquitination, and phagocytosis are affected by STING knock out.Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceSTING pathway in macrophages is related to the regulation of several proteins that are known as potent biomarkers of various cancers and autoimmune diseases. Moreover, the relation between STING and phagocytosis is demonstrated for the first time. Further validation studies will help identify molecules and pathways that may function as diagnostic or therapeutic targets.
Analysis of phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations in the Great Miami and Little Miami basins in Ohio, USA from 2015 to 2017
Authors: Salas Eric Ariel L. , Subburayalu Sakthi Kumaran 
Published: February 2020

AbstractConcentrations of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) in the Great Miami (GM) and Little Miami (LM) basins still remain among the highest detected in the United States. The recent nutrient analysis from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency revealed slightly above average P and N for the recorded period. To assess the temporal changes of nutrient concentrations, this short communication examined datasets collected in the GM and LM basins for three consecutive years—from 2015 to 2017. Our results indicated abrupt spikes of N concentrations in 2017 for six sample sites. By mapping 3 years of data, we found high annual differences in levels of P in the middle and southeast zones of the watersheds. The concentration levels of N did not change much over 3 years, except for specific hotspots in the middle section of the region. Our results could benefit environmental scientists and watershed managers in identifying optimum conditions and adopting new strategies and tools to further mitigate the input of P and N nutrients into the river systems of the GM and LM basins.
Surface Roughness Gradients Reveal Topography‐Specific Mechanosensitive Responses in Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Hou Yong , Xie Wenyan , Yu Leixiao , Camacho Luis Cuellar , Nie Chuanxiong , Zhang Man , Haag Rainer , Wei Qiang 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe topographic features of an implant, which mechanically regulate cell behaviors and functions, are critical for the clinical success in tissue regeneration. How cells sense and respond to the topographical cues, e.g., interfacial roughness, is yet to be fully understood and even debatable. Here, the mechanotransduction and fate determination of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on surface roughness gradients are systematically studied. The broad range of topographical scales and high‐throughput imaging is achieved based on a catecholic polyglycerol coating fabricated by a one‐step‐tilted dip‐coating approach. It is revealed that the adhesion of MSCs is biphasically regulated by interfacial roughness. The cell mechanotransduction is investigated from focal adhesion to transcriptional activity, which explains that cellular response to interfacial roughness undergoes a direct force‐dependent mechanism. Moreover, the optimized roughness for promoting cell fate specification is explored.
Computational framework for interactive architecting of complex systems
Authors: Guenov Marin D. , Riaz Atif , Bile Yogesh H. , Molina‐Cristobal Arturo , van Heerden Albert S.J. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractPresented is a novel framework for interactive systems architecture definition at early design stages. It incorporates graph‐theoretic data structures, entity relationships, and algorithms that enable the systems architect to operate interactively and simultaneously in different domains. It explicitly captures the “zigzagging” of the functional reasoning process, including not only allocated, but also the derived functions. A prototype software tool, AirCADia Architect, was implemented, which allowed the framework to be demonstrated to and tried hands‐on by practicing aircraft systems architects. The tool enables architects to effectively express their ideas when interactively synthesizing new architectures, while still retaining control over the process. The proposed approach was especially acknowledged as the way forward for rationale capture.
Deep learning–based automatic bird identification system for offshore wind farms
Authors: Niemi Juha , Tanttu Juha T. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractPractical deterrent methods are needed to prevent collisions between birds and wind turbine blades for offshore wind farms. It is improbable that a single deterrent method would work for all bird species in a given area. An automatic bird identification system is required in order to develop bird species–level deterrent methods. This system is the first and necessary part of the entirety that is eventually able to automatically monitor bird movements, identify bird species, and launch deterrent measures. A prototype system has been built on Finnish west coast.In the proposed system, a separate radar system detects birds and provides WGS84 coordinates to a steering system of a camera. The steering system consists of a motorized video head and our software to control it. The steering system tracks flying birds in order to capture series of images by a digital single‐lens reflex camera. Classification is based on these images, and it is implemented by convolutional neural network trained with a deep learning algorithm. We applied to the images our data augmentation method in which images are rotated and converted into different color temperatures. The results indicate that the proposed system has good performance to identify bird species in the test area. Aiming accuracy for the video head was 88.91 %. Image classification performance as true positive rate was 0.8688.
Combinatory effects of cereulide and deoxynivalenol on in vitro cell viability and inflammation of human Caco-2 cells
Authors: Beisl Julia , Pahlke Gudrun , Abeln Helen , Ehling-Schulz Monika , Del Favero Giorgia , Varga Elisabeth , Warth Benedikt , Sulyok Michael , Abia Wilfred , Ezekiel Chibundu N. , Marko Doris 
Published: February 2020

AbstractDeoxynivalenol (DON), one of the most abundant mycotoxins in cereal products, was recently detected with other mycotoxins and the emetic bacterial toxin cereulide (CER) in maize porridge. Within a cereal-based diet, co-exposure to these toxins is likely, hence raising the question of combinatory toxicological effects. While the toxicological evaluation of DON has quite progressed, consequences of chronic, low-dose CER exposure are still insufficiently explored. Information about the combinatory toxicological effects of these toxins is lacking. In the present study, we investigated how CER (0.1–100 ng/mL) and DON (0.01–10 µg/mL) alone and in a constant ratio of 1:100 (CER:DON) affect the cytotoxicity and immune response of differentiated human intestinal Caco-2 cells. While DON alone reduced cell viability only in the highest concentration (10 µg/mL), CER caused severe cytotoxicity upon prolonged incubation (starting from 10 ng/mL after 24 h and 48 h, 2.5 ng/mL and higher after 72 h). After 72 h, synergistic effects were observed at 2.5 ng/mL CER and 0.25 µg/mL DON. Different endpoints of inflammation were investigated in interleukin-1β-stimulated Caco-2 cells. Notably, DON-induced interleukin-8 transcription and secretion were diminished by the presence of 10 and 25 ng/mL CER after short-term (5 h) incubation, indicating immunosuppressive properties. We hypothesise that habitual consumption of cereal-based foods co-contaminated with CER and DON may cause synergistic cytotoxic effects and an altered immune response in the human intestine. Therefore, further research concerning effects of co-occurring bacterial toxins and mycotoxins on the impairment of intestinal barrier integrity, intestinal inflammation and the promotion of malnutrition is needed.
Tumor proportion in colon cancer: results from a semiautomatic image analysis approach
Authors: Martin Benedikt , Banner Bettina Monika , Schäfer Eva-Maria , Mayr Patrick , Anthuber Matthias , Schenkirsch Gerhard , Märkl Bruno 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe tumor stroma ratio (TSR) is a promising prognostic biomarker in colon cancer, which could provide additional risk stratification for therapy adaption. The objective of our study was the investigation of the prognostic significance of TSR at different tumor sites in a simple semiautomatic approach with the open-source program ImageJ. We investigated 206 pT3 and pT4 adenocarcinomas of no special type. According to our established thresholds, 31 tumors (15%) were classified as low tumor proportion (TP) (≤ 15% TP), 42 tumors (20%) were classified as high TP (≥ 54% TP), and 133 tumors (65%) were classified as medium TP. High and low TP were associated with an adverse overall survival in comparison to medium TP (p = 0.001 and p = 0.03). Furthermore, the TP was an independent risk factor of occurrence of distant metastasis next to T status, microsatellite status, and tumor budding. The 5-year survival rate was 49% in patients with high TP, 48% in patients with low TP, and 68% in patients with medium TP (p = 0.042, n = 160). Patients with a high TP had less often tumor budding (p = 0.012), lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.049), and less harvested lymph nodes (p = 0.042) in comparison to low TP tumors. The results provide first evidence that a high tumor proportion/low stroma proportion is also associated with an adverse prognosis and that this subgroup might be difficult to identify with other classical histopathologic characteristics that are linked to an adverse prognosis.
Community perception, adaptation and resilience to extreme weather in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
Authors: Metcalfe Sarah E. , Schmook Birgit , Boyd Doreen S. , De la Barreda-Bautista Betsabe , Endfield Georgina E. , Mardero Sofia , Manzón Che Maria , Medina González Roger , Munguia Gil Maria Teresa , Navarro Olmedo Santana , Perea Alejandra 
Published: February 2020

AbstractPerceptions of climate change, the impacts of and responses to climatic variability and extreme weather are explored in three communities in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, in relation to livelihood resilience. These communities provide examples of the most common livelihood strategies across the region: small-scale fisheries (San Felipe) and semi-subsistence small-holder farming (Tzucacab and Calakmul). Although the perception that annual rainfall is reducing is not supported by instrumental records, changes in the timing of vital summer rainfall and an intensification of the mid-summer drought (canicula) are confirmed. The impact of both droughts and hurricanes on livelihoods and crop yields was reported across all communities, although the severity varied. Changes in traditional milpa cultivation were seen to be driven by less reliable rainfall but also by changes in Mexico’s agricultural and wider economic policies. Diversification was a common adaptation response across all communities and respondents, resulting in profound changes in livelihood strategies. Government attempts to reduce vulnerability were found to lack continuity, be hard to access and too orientated toward commercial scale producers. Population growth, higher temperatures and reduced summer rainfall will increase the pressures on communities reliant on small-scale farming and fishing, and a more nuanced understanding of both impacts and adaptations is required for improved livelihood resilience. Greater recognition of such local-scale adaptation strategies should underpin the developing Mexican National Adaptation Policy and provide a template for approaches internationally as adaptation becomes an increasingly important part of the global strategy to cope with climate change.