bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improvement in Quality of Life and Decrease in Large‐Volume Paracentesis Requirements With the Automated Low‐Flow Ascites Pump
Authors: Wong Florence , Bendel Emily , Sniderman Kenneth , Frederick Todd , Haskal Ziv J. , Sanyal Arun , Asrani Sumeet K. , Capel Jeroen , Kamath Patrick S. 
Published: January 2020

The automated low‐flow ascites pump (alfapump) is an implantable device that drains ascites directly into the urinary bladder. We studied its safety (absence of serious complications) and efficacy (decreased large‐volume paracentesis [LVP] requirement and improved quality of life [QoL]) in the management of ascites in a cohort of North American patients with cirrhosis and recurrent ascites ineligible for transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). QoL was measured by the Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ) and Ascites Questionnaire (Ascites Q). Following alfapump implantation, patients were monitored for ascites control, laboratory abnormalities, QoL, adverse events, and survival at 12 months. A total of 30 patients (60.0 ± 9.9 years; 57% male; Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease score, 11.4 ± 2.7) received an alfapump, mostly by an interventional radiology approach (97%), followed by longterm prophylactic antibiotics. The alfapump removed a mean ascites volume of 230.6 ± 148.9 L/patient at 12 months, dramatically reducing the mean LVP frequency from 2.4 ± 1.4/patient/month before pump implantation to 0.2 ± 0.4/patient/month after pump implantation. All surviving patients had improved QoL (baseline versus 3 months; CLDQ, 3.9 ± 1.21 versus 5.0 ± 1.0; Ascites Q, 51.7 ± 21.9 versus 26.7 ± 18.6; P < 0.001 for both) and a better biochemical index of nutritional status (prealbumin 87.8 ± 37.5 versus 102.9 ± 45.3 mg/L at 3 months; P = 0.04). Bacterial infections (15 events in 13 patients), electrolyte abnormalities (11 events in 6 patients), and renal complications (11 events in 9 patients) were the most common severe adverse events. By 12 months, 4 patients died from complications of cirrhosis. Alfapump insertion may be a definitive treatment for refractory ascites in cirrhosis, especially in patients who are not TIPS candidates.
On the pitting corrosion behavior of ultrafine‐grained aluminum processed by ECAP: A statistical analysis
Authors: Quartiermeister Marcelo V. , Magalhães Danielle C. C. , Vacchi Guilherme S. , Braga Diogo P. , Silva Rodrigo , Kliauga Andréa M. , Sordi Vitor L. , Rovere Carlos A. D. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe effect of the equal‐channel angular pressing (ECAP) process on the pitting corrosion behavior of ultrafine‐grained aluminum was evaluated based on statistical analysis. The microstructural evolution, mechanical properties, and corrosion behavior were investigated. ECAP breakdowns/redistributes intermetallic particles, which contributes to a decrease in the local chemical heterogeneity. Higher average pitting potential (Epit) values were observed after processing, but this improvement was neither significant nor sequential with each ECAP pass. Finally, the statistical analysis of the data and their dispersion did not lead to the conclusion that ECAP improves the corrosion resistance of aluminum, in view of the widely varyingEpitvalues observed.
Valine derived poly (acetylenes) as versatile chiral lyotropic liquid crystalline alignment media for RDC‐based structure elucidations
Authors: Krupp Alexis , Noll Markus , Reggelin Michael 
Published: February 2020

AbstractAnisotropic samples of lyotropic liquid crystalline (LLC) phases of valine derived polyaryl acetylenes were employed as chiral alignment media for the measurement of residual dipolar couplings (RDCs) of 12 small, chiral, organic molecules. The quadrupolar splitting of the deuterium signal of CDCl3 can be adjusted by temperature and concentration changes from 0 to 350 Hz. The LLC phases showed excellent orienting properties for all analytes bearing various functional groups. The precise extraction of RDCs in the range of up to ±30 Hz from F2‐coupled HSQC spectra was possible. Additionally, the chiral environment led to diastereomorphous interactions with the enantiomers of chiral analytes leading to two different sets of RDCs. This differential order effect was particularly pronounced with H‐bond donors like alcohols and 2° amines.
Separation of quadrupolar and paramagnetic shift interactions with TOP‐STMAS/MQMAS in solid‐state lighting phosphors
Authors: Carvalho José P. , Jaworski Aleksander , Brady Michael J. , Pell Andrew J. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractA new approach for processing satellite‐transition magic‐angle spinning (STMAS) and multiple‐quantum magic‐angle spinning (MQMAS) data, based on the two‐dimensional one‐pulse (TOP) method, which separates the second‐rank quadrupolar anisotropy and paramagnetic shift interactions via a double shearing transformation, is described. This method is particularly relevant in paramagnetic systems, where substantial inhomogeneous broadening may broaden the lineshapes. Furthermore, it possesses an advantage over the conventional processing of MQMAS and STMAS spectra because it overcomes the limitation on the spectral width in the indirect dimension imposed by rotor synchronization of the sampling interval. This method was applied experimentally to the
Al solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance of a series of yttrium aluminum garnets (YAGs) doped with different lanthanide ions, from which the quadrupolar parameters of paramagnetically shifted and bulk unshifted sites were extracted. These parameters were then compared with density functional theory calculations, which permitted a better understanding of the local structure of Ln substituent ions in the YAG lattice.
An exploration of the role of Sertoli cells on fetal testis development using cell ablation strategy
Authors: Wang Yu‐Qian , Cheng Jin‐Mei , Wen Qing , Tang Ji‐Xin , Li Jian , Chen Su‐Ren , Liu Yi‐Xun 
Published: February 2020

AbstractSertoli cells (SCs) are presumed to be the center of testis differentiation because they provide both structural support and biological regulation for spermatogenesis. Previous studies suggest that SCs control germ cell (GC) count and Leydig cell (LC) development in mouse testes. However, the regulatory role of SCs on peritubular myoid (PTM) cell fate in fetal testis has not been clearly reported. Here, we employed Amh‐Cre; diphtheria toxin fragment A (DTA) mouse model to selectively ablate SCs from embryonic day (E) 14.5. Results found that SC ablation in the fetal stage caused the disruption of testis cords and the massive loss of GCs. Furthermore, the number of α‐smooth muscle actin‐labeled PTM cells was gradually decreased from E14.5 and almost lost at E18.5 in SC ablation testis. Interestingly, some Ki67 and 3β‐HSD double‐positive fetal LCs could be observed in Amh‐Cre; DTA testes at E16.5 and E18.5. Consistent with this phenomenon, the messenger RNA levels of Hsd3b1, Cyp11a1, Lhr, Star and the protein levels of 3β‐HSD and P450Scc were significantly elevated by SC ablation. SC ablation appears to induce ectopic proliferation of fetal LCs although the total LC number appeared reduced. Together, these findings bring us a better understanding of SCs’ central role in fetal testis development.
Reconstruction of undersampled 3D non‐Cartesian image‐based navigators for coronary MRA using an unrolled deep learning model
Authors: Malavé Mario O. , Baron Corey A. , Koundinyan Srivathsan P. , Sandino Christopher M. , Ong Frank , Cheng Joseph Y. , Nishimura Dwight G. 
Published: February 2020

PurposeTo rapidly reconstruct undersampled 3D non‐Cartesian image‐based navigators (iNAVs) using an unrolled deep learning (DL) model, enabling nonrigid motion correction in coronary magnetic resonance angiography (CMRA).MethodsAn end‐to‐end unrolled network is trained to reconstruct beat‐to‐beat 3D iNAVs acquired during a CMRA sequence. The unrolled model incorporates a nonuniform FFT operator in TensorFlow to perform the data‐consistency operation, and the regularization term is learned by a convolutional neural network (CNN) based on the proximal gradient descent algorithm. The training set includes 6,000 3D iNAVs acquired from 7 different subjects and 11 scans using a variable‐density (VD) cones trajectory. For testing, 3D iNAVs from 4 additional subjects are reconstructed using the unrolled model. To validate reconstruction accuracy, global and localized motion estimates from DL model‐based 3D iNAVs are compared with those extracted from 3D iNAVs reconstructed with ‐ESPIRiT. Then, the high‐resolution coronary MRA images motion corrected with autofocusing using the ‐ESPIRiT and DL model‐based 3D iNAVs are assessed for differences.Results3D iNAVs reconstructed using the DL model‐based approach and conventional ‐ESPIRiT generate similar global and localized motion estimates and provide equivalent coronary image quality. Reconstruction with the unrolled network completes in a fraction of the time compared to CPU and GPU implementations of ‐ESPIRiT (20× and 3× speed increases, respectively).ConclusionsWe have developed a deep neural network architecture to reconstruct undersampled 3D non‐Cartesian VD cones iNAVs. Our approach decreases reconstruction time for 3D iNAVs, while preserving the accuracy of nonrigid motion information offered by them for correction.
Aqueous enzymatic extraction of rosmarinic acid from Salvia officinalis: optimisation using response surface methodology
Authors: Su Chia‐Hung , Pham Thi Thanh Truc , Cheng Hsien‐Hao 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIntroductionRosmarinic acid is a bioactive compound with various pharmaceutical effects and applications.ObjectiveThis work developed a new approach for aqueous enzymatic extraction of rosmarinic acid from the leaves of Salvia officinalis.MethodsDifferent enzymes (proteases and cellulase) were evaluated for their extraction activity. Response surface methodology (RSM) was subsequently employed to optimise the extraction conditions. Thin layer chromatography was also used to identify rosmarinic acid in the extract of S. officinalis.ResultsAmong the tested enzymes, a Cellulase A and Protamex mixture (1:1, w/w) exhibited maximum effectiveness in the extraction. Through the use of RSM, the maximum rosmarinic acid content of 28.23 ± 0.41 mg/g was obtained with enzyme loading of 4.49%, water‐to‐sample ratio of 25.76 mL/g, temperature of 54.3°C, and extraction time of 2 h.ConclusionThis study suggests that S. officinalis is a promising source of rosmarinic acid and aqueous enzymatic extraction is an efficient and ecofriendly method for extracting rosmarinic acid, with a short extraction time and without the contamination of a toxic solvent.
Use of methylphenidate and risk for valvular heart disease: A case‐control study nested in the BIFAP cohort
Authors: Saiz Luis Carlos , Gil Miguel , Alonso Alvaro , Erviti Juan , Garjón Javier , Martínez Matilde 
Published: January 2020

AbstractPurposeTo examine the association between use of methylphenidate and the risk for valvular heart disease (VHD) in the Spanish primary care database BIFAP.MethodsCase‐control study nested in a cohort of patients aged 5 to 25 years between 2002 and 2014, based in a general practice research database. Cases were people with a validated diagnosis of VHD. Ten controls per case were matched on age, sex, and calendar year. Multivariable conditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) of VHD comparing patients ever treated with methylphenidate vs never users, as well as by time since last use, treatment duration, and variations in case inclusion criteria.ResultsFrom a cohort of 1 596 284 patients, we identified 262 valid cases of VHD. No difference in the incidence of VHD was observed when comparing “ever users” of methylphenidate with “never users” (adjusted OR 0.52, 95%CI 0.16‐1.69). A similar result was found comparing current, recent, or past users of methylphenidate. Differences were not significant when both valid and probable cases were included as events of interest (adjusted OR 0.59, 95%CI 0.22‐1.63).ConclusionsIn this first‐ever population‐based study on this issue, association between methylphenidate and the incidence of VHD among persons in the 5 to 25 years age range was neither confirmed nor excluded. Additional studies may be required to clarify the presence or absence of this relationship.
Thematic content of video narratives in patients and survivors of adolescent cancer
Authors: Pereira Lila M , Piela Gabrielle , DiCola Katie 
Published: January 2020

AbstractObjectiveModern day adolescents and young adults (AYAs) connect with their peers via a number of increasingly novel ways, many of which involve social media. These online relationships are often translated offline to increase one's social standing and quality of in‐person relationships. However, when an AYA is diagnosed with a chronic medical condition, like cancer, in‐person relationships with peers become difficult and the online component of socialization is all that is left. Video testimonials are a way that some AYAs have chosen to reach out to their peers; however, little is known about what AYAs are saying in these videos and how they are using them to connect with peers on a more intimate level.MethodsThis study examined the content of video testimonials of n = 25 AYA cancer patients and survivors. Transcripts of videos were coded by a team of researchers to identify themes and overall tone.ResultsResults suggested that films focused on struggles AYAs faced during their cancer journeys with a number of themes emerging; additionally, a hopeful tone was seen around the overall impact that cancer had on the patient's life.ConclusionsIt may be the case that video testimonials are an effective way to allow AYA patients with a cancer history to explore their thoughts about their illness experience and fill an important social gap not available to them as they undergo treatment.
Characteristics and trajectory of patients with pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: Wong Judith Ju‐Ming , Tan Herng Lee , Lee Siew Wah , Chang Kenneth Tou En , Mok Yee Hui , Lee Jan Hau 
Published: February 2020

AbstractObjectiveThis study delineates the disease trajectory of patients with pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome (PARDS) defined by the Pediatric Acute Lung Injury Consensus Conference (PALICC) definition, and evaluates the impact of comorbidities on outcomes.MethodsThis prospective study over November 2017‐October 2019 was conducted in a single‐center multidisciplinary pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and included patients <21years of age with PARDS. Clinical history of those requiring mechanical ventilation for <3 days was interrogated and cases in which the diagnosis of PARDS were unlikely, identified. The impact of chronic comorbidities on clinical outcomes, in particular, pulmonary disease and immunosuppression, were analyzed.ResultsEighty‐five of 1272 PICU admissions (6.7%) met the criteria for PARDS and were included. Median age and oxygenation indexes were 2.8 (0.6, 8.3) years and 10.6 (7.6, 15.4), respectively. Overall mortality was 12 out of 85 (14.1%). Despite fulfilling criteria in 6/85 (7.1%), hypoxemia contributed by bronchospasm, mucus plugging, fluid overload, and atelectasis was quickly reversible and PARDS was unlikely in these patients. Comorbidities (57/85 [67.1%]) were not associated with worsened outcomes. However, pre‐existing pulmonary disease and immunosuppression were associated with severe PARDS (12/20 [60.0%] vs 19/65 [29.2%]; P = .017), extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use (5/20 [25.0%] vs 3/65 [4.6%]; P = .016) and reduced ventilator free days (VFD) (15 [0, 19] vs 21 [6, 23]; P = .039), compared with those without them.ConclusionA small percentage of children fulfilling the PALICC definition had quickly reversible hypoxemia with likely alternate pathophysiology to PARDS. Patients with pulmonary comorbidities and immunosuppression had a more severe course of PARDS compared with others.
Observation of Variations in Condensed Carbon Morphology Dependent on Composition B Detonation Conditions
Authors: Hammons Joshua A. , Nielsen Michael H. , Bagge‐Hansen Michael , Lauderbach Lisa M. , Hodgin Ralph L. , Bastea Sorin , Fried Laurence E. , Cowan Matthew R. , Orlikowski Daniel A. , Willey Trevor M. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractCarbon particulates generated during detonation depend upon high explosive type, composition, and detonation conditions. Although explosive composition greatly affects particulates, the focus of this work is on how detonation geometries that induce much higher temperatures and pressures in the high explosive lead to differing particulate morphologies. In this study, two geometries were used: Detonations were initiated in Composition B cylinders at one end in conventional detonations and initiated at both ends to produce colliding detonations. Each of these detonations was observed on the sub‐μs timescale using fast radiography capturing images of the front moving through the cylinder, and colliding detonation fronts in real‐time. These imaging experiments were complemented with time‐resolved small‐angle x‐ray scattering (SAXS) experiments that were able to observe and determine the varying condensed carbon morphologies at different locations and times in each detonation. The detonations could be timed in such a way that the spatial and temporal dependence of the carbon morphology could be superimposed onto radiography images collected at the same point in time. The complementary approach is able to show that the carbon condensates are much larger when formed in the elevated temperature and pressure conditions near the location of colliding detonation fronts. Thermochemical modeling suggests that these larger particulates form either in the diamond phase or on the liquidus line of the carbon phase diagram. The increase in size observed by SAXS may correlate well with the increased residence time deeply in the diamond phase. These particulates can be described as nano‐sized phases with some surface texture or otherwise near‐surface intra‐particle heterogeneity.
How many bone metastases may be defined as high‐volume metastatic prostate cancer in Asians: A retrospective multicenter cohort study
Authors: Yamada Yasutaka , Sakamoto Shinichi , Rii Junryo , Yamamoto Satoshi , Kamada Shuhei , Imamura Yusuke , Nakamura Kazuyoshi , Komiya Akira , Nakatsu Hiroomi , Ichikawa Tomohiko 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundRecent landmark randomized trials (CHAARTED and LATITUDE studies) have highlighted potent upfront therapy for “high‐volume” and “high‐risk” metastatic castration‐naïve prostate cancer (mCNPC). However, treatment response shows racial differences. We aimed to propose a novel definition for “high‐volume” prostate cancer in Asians.MethodsWe retrospectively pursued 426 patients with de novo mCNPC from multiple institutions between 1999 and 2017. All patients received androgen deprivation therapy alone as initial treatment. We evaluated the number of bone metastases at diagnosis to clarify the clinical significance for progression‐free survival and overall survival (OS). Statistical analyses were conducted using the Mann‐Whitney U test, Cox proportional hazard models, and Kaplan‐Meier methods.ResultsMedian age and prostate‐specific antigen level were 73 years and 266.2 ng/ml, respectively. Median OS was 55.5 months in patients who met the CHAARTED high criteria (vs 33.1 months in the trial). We evaluated 5 thresholds in the number of bone metastases (≥4, ≥6, ≥11, ≥16, and ≥21) to investigate the prognostic values. Patients with ≥11 bone metastases showed the highest HR for OS (2.766). Patients with 11 to 20 bone metastases had a significantly shorter OS than those with ≤10 metastases (P = .0001). We, therefore, proposed modified CHAARTED and LATITUDE high criteria (extending bone metastases ≥11). In multivariate analysis, the modified criteria were the only independent prognostic factors for OS (P = .0272 and P = .042, respectively). Conversely, no significant differences in OS were seen between patients with 1 to 3 bone metastases and 4 to 10 (P = .7513).ConclusionOur exploratory study suggested ≥11 bone metastases as a suitable definition for “high‐volume” prostate cancer in Asians. A larger, prospective study is warranted to verify our findings.
Comparative studies on ion‐pair energetic, distribution among three domains of life: Archaea, eubacteria, and eukarya
Authors: Roy Chittran , Kumar Rajeev , Datta Saumen 
Published: January 2020

AbstractSalt‐bridges play a unique role in the structural and functional stability of proteins, especially under harsh environments. How these salt‐bridges contribute to the overall thermodynamic stability of protein structure and function across different domains of life is elusive still date. To address the issue, statistical analyses on the energies of salt‐bridges, involved in proteins' structure and function, are performed across three domains of life, that is, archaea, eubacteria, and eukarya. Results show that although the majority of salt‐bridges are stable and conserved, yet the stability of archaeal proteins (∆∆Gnet = −5.06 ± 3.8) is much more than that of eubacteria (∆∆Gnet = −3.7 ± 2.9) and eukarya (∆∆Gnet = −3.54 ± 3.1). Unlike earlier study with archaea, in eukarya and eubacteria, not all buried salt‐bridge in our dataset are stable. Buried salt‐bridges play surprising role in protein stability, whose variations are clearly observed among these domains. Greater desolvation penalty of buried salt‐bridges is compensated by stable network of salt‐bridges apart from equal contribution of bridge and background energy terms. On the basis proteins' secondary structure, topology, and evolution, our observation shows that salt‐bridges when present closer to each other in sequence tend to form a greater number. Overall, our comparative study provides insight into the role of specific electrostatic interactions in proteins from different domains of life, which we hope, would be useful for protein engineering and bioinformatics study.
Structural reliability assessment by salp swarm algorithm–based FORM
Authors: Zhong Changting , Wang Mengfu , Dang Chao , Ke Wenhai 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe first‐order reliability method (FORM) is well recognized as an efficient approach for reliability analysis. Rooted in considering the reliability problem as a constrained optimization of a function, the traditional FORM makes use of gradient‐based optimization techniques to solve it. However, the gradient‐based optimization techniques may result in local convergence or even divergence for the highly nonlinear or high‐dimensional performance function. In this paper, a hybrid method combining the Salp Swarm Algorithm (SSA) and FORM is presented. In the proposed method, a Lagrangian objective function is constructed by the exterior penalty function method to facilitate meta‐heuristic optimization strategies. Then, SSA with strong global optimization ability for highly nonlinear and high‐dimensional problems is utilized to solve the Lagrangian objective function. In this regard, the proposed SSA‐FORM is able to overcome the limitations of FORM including local convergence and divergence. Finally, the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed SSA‐FORM are compared with two gradient‐based FORMs and several heuristic‐based FORMs through eight numerical examples. The results show that the proposed SSA‐FORM can be generally applied for reliability analysis involving low‐dimensional, high‐dimensional, and implicit performance functions.