bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improved efficacy of antifungal drugs in combination with monoterpene phenols against Candida auris
Authors: Shaban Siham , Patel Mrudula , Ahmad Aijaz 
Published: January 2020

AbstractEmergence of Candida auris has been described as a global health threat due to its ability to cause invasive infections with high mortality rate and multidrug resistance. Novel drugs and therapies are required to target this organism and its pathogenicity. Anti-virulence approach and combination therapy have been proposed as alternatives in recent years. This study evaluated the virulence factors in C. auris, combination antifungal activity of phenolic compounds with antifungal drugs and determined effect of the most active compound on positive pathogenicity markers of C. auris. Antifungal susceptibility profile of 25 clinical isolates of C. auris against antifungal agents as well as against phenolic compounds was obtained using CLSI guidelines. Combination of the most active phenolic compound with antifungal drugs was determined. Effect of carvacrol on the virulence factors was also studied. Carvacrol was the most active phenol with median MIC of 125 µg/ml and its combination with fluconazole, amphotericin B, nystatin and caspofungin resulted synergistic and additive effects in 68%, 64%, 96% and 28%, respectively. Combination also reduced the MIC values of the drugs. All test strains showed adherence ability to epithelial cells and 96% of strains produced proteinase. None of the strains produced hyphae and phospholipase. At low concentrations, carvacrol significantly inhibited the adherence ability and proteinase production (both p < 0.01). Carvacrol has antifungal and anti-virulence activity against C. auris. It also showed an enhanced antifungal activity in combination with antifungal agents. Therefore it has potential to be developed into a novel antifungal agent.
Validation of MRI quantitative susceptibility mapping of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for hyperthermia applications in live subjects
Authors: Deh Kofi , Zaman Marjan , Vedvyas Yogindra , Liu Zhe , Gillen Kelly McCabe , O’ Malley Padraic , Bedretdinova Dina , Nguyen Thanh , Lee Richard , Spincemaille Pascal , Kim Juyoung , Wang Yi , Jin Moonsoo M. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe use of magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH) for cancer therapy has shown promise but lacks suitable methods for quantifying exogenous irons such as superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles as a source of heat generation under an alternating magnetic field (AMF). Application of quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) technique to prediction of SPIO in preclinical models has been challenging due to a large variation of susceptibility values, chemical shift from tissue fat, and noisier data arising from the higher resolution required to visualize the anatomy of small animals. In this study, we developed a robust QSM for the SPIO ferumoxytol in live mice to examine its potential application in MFH for cancer therapy. We demonstrated that QSM was able to simultaneously detect high level ferumoxytol accumulation in the liver and low level localization near the periphery of tumors. Detection of ferumoxytol distribution in the body by QSM, however, required imaging prior to and post ferumoxytol injection to discriminate exogenous iron susceptibility from other endogenous sources. Intratumoral injection of ferumoxytol combined with AMF produced a ferumoxytol-dose dependent tumor killing. Histology of tumor sections corroborated QSM visualization of ferumoxytol distribution near the tumor periphery, and confirmed the spatial correlation of cell death with ferumoxytol distribution. Due to the dissipation of SPIOs from the injection site, quantitative mapping of SPIO distribution will aid in estimating a change in temperature in tissues, thereby maximizing MFH effects on tumors and minimizing side-effects by avoiding unwanted tissue heating.
Effect of Empty Fruit Brunch reinforcement in PolyButylene-Succinate/Modified Tapioca Starch blend for Agricultural Mulch Films
Authors: Ayu Rafiqah S. , Khalina Abdan , Harmaen Ahmad Saffian , Zaman Khairul , Mohd Nurrazi N. , Isma Tawakkal , Lee Ching Hao 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIn this study, it focused on empty fruit brunch (EFB) fibres reinforcement in polybutylene succinate (PBS) with modified tapioca starch by using hot press technique for the use of agricultural mulch film. Mechanical, morphological and thermal properties were studied. Mechanical analysis showed decreased in values of modulus strength for both tensile and flexural testing for fibres insertion. Higher EFB fibre contents in films resulted lower mechanical properties due to poor fibre wetting from insufficient matrix. This has also found evident in SEM micrograph, showing poor interfacial bonding. Water vapour permeability (WVP) shows as higher hydrophilic EFB fibre reinforcement contents, the rate of WVP also increase. Besides this, little or no significant changes on thermal properties for composite films. This is because high thermal stability PBS polymer show its superior thermal properties dominantly. Even though EFB fibres insertion into PBS/tapioca starch biocomposite films have found lower mechanical properties. It successfully reduced the cost of mulch film production without significant changes of thermal performances.
Ultra high damage threshold optics for high power lasers
Authors: Michine Yurina , Yoneda Hitoki 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe output energies of lasers have increased year-by-year since their invention. Compared to this increase of laser energies, the damage threshold of optical components has not strongly changed. Therefore, the size of optics in high-energy laser system increases. This situation could change dramatically if optics with higher damage threshold were developed. Here, we propose a high damage threshold optics using a neutral gas as an active medium. More than 95% diffraction efficiency has been achieved. The damage threshold for a 6 ns laser pulse is measured to be 1.6 kJ/cm2. The aperture size of the present system is about 60 mm2. Based on this result, we anticipate that control of a 1 kJ laser beam may be achievable using 1 cm sized optics, driven by a < 50 mJ ultraviolet laser, making this scheme promising in high power laser applications.
Isolated boost converter based high step‐up topologies for PV microinverter applications
Authors: Andrade António Manuel Santos Spencer , da Silva Martins Mário Lúcio 
Published: January 2020

In this study, a family of isolated boost DC–DC converters is proposed and evaluated. This family is built by the combination of an isolated current fed converter with high‐voltage gain techniques. The evaluated cells are switched inductor, switched capacitors, reduced redundant power processing and a mixed of switched inductor and switched. So, the proposed family has four different isolated high step‐up DC–DC converters. To evaluate this family, a comparative study of the significant features was performed. This study comprises features such as principle of operation, derivation of static voltage gain, current and voltage stress on the components, component stress factor, number of components, power losses, power density and cost. By these evaluations, the key features, limitations and restrictions of each converter were acknowledged. In this way, one can gather all the theoretical knowledge of each of the analysed converters and estimate which one will have better performance in the laboratory. To validate the theoretical analysis, four prototypes were built according to PV AC‐module specifications 200 W.
Improving transit characterisation with Gaussian process modelling of stellar variability
Authors: Barros S. C. C. , Demangeon O. , Díaz R. F. , Cabrera J. , Santos N. C. , Faria J. P. , Pereira F. 
Published: January 2020

Context.New photometric space missions to detect and characterise transiting exoplanets are focusing on bright stars to obtain high cadence, high signal-to-noise light curves. Since these missions will be sensitive to stellar oscillations and granulation even for dwarf stars, they will be limited by stellar variability. Therefore, it is crucial and timely to develop robust methods to account for and correct for stellar variability.Aims.We tested the performance of Gaussian process (GP) regression on the characterisation of transiting planets, and in particular to determine how many components of variability are necessary to describe high cadence, high signal-to-noise light curves expected from CHEOPS and PLATO. To achieve this, we selected a sample of bright stars observed in the asteroseismology field of CoRoT at high cadence (32 s) and high signal-to-noise ratio (S/N).Methods.We used GPs to model stellar variability including different combinations of stellar oscillations, granulation, and rotational modulation models. We preformed model comparison to find the best activity model fit to our data. We compared the best multi-component model with the usual one-component model used for transit retrieval and with a non-GP model.Results.We found that the best GP stellar variability model contains four to five variability components: one stellar oscillation component, two to four granulation components, and/or one rotational modulation component, which is consistent with results from asteroseismology. However, this high number of components is in contrast with the one-component GP model (1GP) commonly used in the literature for transit characterisation. Therefore, we compared the performance of the best multi-component GP model with the 1GP model in the derivation of transit parameters of simulated transits. We found that for Jupiter- and Neptune-size planets the best multi-component GP model is slightly better than the 1GP model, and much better than the non-GP model that gives biased results. For Earth-size planets, the 1GP model fails to retrieve the transit because it is a poor description of stellar activity. The non-GP model gives some biased results and the best multi-component GP is capable of retrieving the correct transit model parameters.Conclusions.We conclude that when characterising transiting exoplanets with high S/Ns and high cadence light curves, we need models that couple the description of stellar variability with the transits analysis, like GPs. Moreover, for Earth-like exoplanets a better description of stellar variability (achieved using multi-component models) improves the planetary characterisation. Our results are particularly important for the analysis of TESS, CHEOPS, and PLATO light curves.
The Efficacy of Whole-Body Vibration for Functional Improvement of
Stroke Patients: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Yue Lin , Chen Linglong , Zhou Rongrong 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe efficacy of whole-body vibration for functional improvement in stroke
patients remains controversial. We conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis
to explore the influence of whole-body vibration on functional improvement in
stroke patients.We search PubMed, EMbase, Web of science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library databases
through June 2018 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect
of whole-body vibration on functional improvement in stroke patients. This
meta-analysis is performed using the random-effect model.Eight RCTs are included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with control
group for stroke patients, whole-body vibration has no positive impact on
6 min walk test (6MWT) distance (standard mean difference (Std.
MD)=−0.28; 95% confidence interval
(CI)=−0.66 to 0.11; P=0.16), timed-up-and-go (TUG) test
(Std. MD=0.15; 95% CI=−0.54 to 0.84;
P=0.67), Fugl-Meyer assessment (Std. MD=0.33; 95%
CI=−0.23 to 0.89; P=0.25), Berg Balance Scale (Std.
MD=0.19; 95% CI=−0.43 to 0.80; P=0.55),
and activities specific balance (ABC) scale (Std. MD=−0.22;
95% CI=−0.62 to 0.17; P=0.26).Whole-body vibration shows no notable influence on 6MWT distance, TUG test,
Fugl-Meyer assessment, Berg Balance Scale, and ABC scale in stroke patients.
Cryoballoon ablation for gastric pouch and/or outlet reduction in patients with weight regain post Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
Authors: Fayad Lea , Trindade Arvind J. , Benias Petros C. , Simsek Cem , Raad Micheal , Badurdeen Dilhana , Hill Christine , Brewer Gutierrez Olaya I. , Fayad George , Dunlap Margo , Kalloo Anthony N. , Khashab Mouen A. , Thompson Christopher C. , Canto Marcia , Kumbhari Vivek 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background Cryoballoon ablation could induce stricture formation to achieve outlet and pouch reduction in patients regaining weight after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). This pilot study aimed to assess technical feasibility and short-term efficacy.
Methods A retrospective chart review (January – November 2018) at two academic centers identified patients with weight regain post-RYGB, treated with cryoablation if pouch > 4 cm and/or outlet > 15 mm. Patients were scheduled for surveillance endoscopies at 8 weeks.
Results 22 patients presented 10.5 years (SD 4.42) post-RYGB with weight regain of 30.9 kg (SD 13.7). Technical success was 89.5 % for outlet ablation and 93.0 % for pouch ablation. From baseline to 8 weeks, the outlet was reduced from 24.1 mm (95 % confidence interval [CI] 19.8 to 28.5) to 17.1 mm (95 %CI 13.1 to 21.1; P < 0.001), and pouch from 5 cm (95 %CI 4.1 to 5.9) to 3.9 cm (95 %CI 2.6 to 5.1; P < 0.05). Total body weight loss at 8 weeks was 8.1 % (SD 12.8 %).
Conclusion Cryoablation appears technically feasible and effective for outlet and/or pouch reduction in the short term.
Transsphenoidal Resection of Pituitary Tumors in the United States, 2009 to 2011: Effects of Hospital Volume on Postoperative Complications
Authors: Li Daphne , Johans Stephen , Martin Brendan , Cobb Adrienne , Kim Miri , Germanwala Anand V. 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Introduction Higher surgical volumes correlate with superior patient outcomes for various surgical pathologies, including transnasal transsphenoidal (TNTS) pituitary tumor resection. With the introduction of endoscopic approaches, there have been nationwide shifts in technique with relative declines in microsurgery. We examined the volume-outcome relationship (VOR) for TNTS pituitary tumor surgery in an era of increasingly prevalent endoscopic approaches.
Methods Patients who underwent TNTS pituitary tumor resection between 2009 and 2011 were retrospectively identified in the State Inpatient Database subset of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project. Generalized linear mixed-effect models were used to assess odds of various outcome measures. Institutions were grouped into quartiles by case volume for analysis.
Results A total of 6,727 patients underwent TNTS pituitary tumor resection between 2009 and 2011. White or Asian American patients and those with private insurance were more likely to receive care at higher volume centers (HVC). Patients treated at HVC (>60 cases/year) were less likely to have nonroutine discharges (3.9 vs. 1.9%; p = 0.002) and had shorter length of stay (LOS; 4 vs. 2 days; p = 0.001). Overall, care at HVC trended toward lower rates of postoperative complications, for example, a 10-case/year increase correlated with a 10% decrease in the rate of iatrogenic panhypopituitarism (odds ratio [OR] = 0.90, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.81–0.99; p = 0.04) and 5% decrease in likelihood of diabetes insipidus (OR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.90–0.99; p = 0.04) on multivariable analysis.
Conclusions Our analysis shows that increased case volume is related to superior perioperative outcomes for TNTS pituitary tumor resections. Despite the recent adoption of newer endoscopic techniques and concerns of technical learning curves, this VOR remains undisturbed.
Initial Observation among Patients with Vestibular Schwannoma
Authors: Ruiz-Garcia Henry , Peterson Jennifer , Leon Janet , Malouff Timothy , Vallow Laura , Lundy Larry , Chaichana Kaisorn L. , Vibhute Prasanna , Trifiletti Daniel M. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIntroduction Vestibular schwannomas (VS) are slow growing tumors. Although there are a wide variety of available treatment options, these tumors are often initially observed. We aimed to establish the presenting symptoms and outcomes of patients treated with initial observation at our institution.Methods The medical records of patients with radiographically diagnosed VS were reviewed from 1989 to 2018. Actuarial estimates of radiographic tumor control and freedom of local therapy were calculated and compared using Cox regression analyses.Results A total of 360 patients were diagnosed with VS at our institution from 1989 through 2018 with a median age of 59.9 years. After radiographic diagnosis, 243 patients (67.5%) opted for initial observation. Local control at 1, 5, and 10 years was 91, 67, and 58%, respectively. On multivariable analysis, factors associated with shorter time to radiographic tumor progression included younger patient age (p = 0.016) and tumors with an extracanalicular component (p = 0.032). Regarding time until definitive treatment only larger baseline American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) tumor size predicted for earlier initiation of therapy (p < 0.001), although this was restricted to tumors with an extracanalicular component (p = 0.004), as opposed to purely internal auditory canal tumors (p = 0.839).Conclusion Many patients who were initially observed continued to have satisfactory local control rates at 10 years. In patients with extracanalicular tumors, larger AAO-HNS tumor measurements were associated with earlier radiographic tumor progression and shorter time to local therapy, with 7 mm serving as a potential threshold value for extracanalicular tumors. Younger patients and tumors with primarily an extracanalicular portion may warrant closer observation.
Meningo-Orbital Foramen in South Gujarat population
Authors: Modasiya Umesh P , Kanani Sanjaykumar 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background & Aims: Meningo-orbital foramen is provides a route for an anastomosis between the meningo-orbital branch of the middle meningeal artery and recurrent meningeal branch of ophthalmic artery. Practical importance is emphasized when the middle meningeal artery has abnormal origin, in the cases of subtemporal epidural hematoma, tumors, vascular malformations and in the cases when the foramen spinosum is absent. Present study was undertaken in order to explore the frequency and positional anatomy of this foramen in ninety dry adult human skulls of south Gujarat population. Material & Method: This study was conducted on 90 dry skulls of human origin. Different parameters were noted. Result: Meningo-orbital foramen was absent bilaterally in 35[38.88%] of the skulls studied .The presence of the Meningo-orbital foramen was detected in the 55[61.11%] cases. It was present unilaterally in 30[33.33%] cases [10 on the right and 20 on the left side], and bilaterally in 25[27.77%] cases. Triple MOF were in 2 skulls on right orbit only. Largest variability was noted for distance from the lateral end of the superior orbital fissure. Conclusion: Knowledge of presence and variation in meningo-orbital foramen's anatomical parameter can be crucial for ophthalmologists and neurosurgeons.
Foramen magnum - Dry bone study and review of studies from India
Authors: S. Vidya C. , B. Madhu 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background and Aims: Of late, there is heightened interest in foramen magnum morphology and morphometry as evidenced by innumerable publications in most of the Indian and foreign research journals publishing anatomical studies. The main objective of our study was to report the morphometric data of foramen magnum from Indian population as evidenced by dry bone study. The objective of the review was to report morphometric studies from India and to compare the data between two regions. Methodology: Forty adult dry skulls were studied for morphometric data of foramen magnum. Antero-posterior diameter and width of the foramen were considered. An extensive search for articles with foramen magnum either in the title or keywords was done using PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, SciELO, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases was carried out in December 2017. Search terms restricted to foramen magnum morphometry in dry bones and CT scan studies. Results: The mean AP length and width of foramen magnum was 31.5 ± 3.4 mm and 27.1 ± 3 mm respectively. The mean of foramen magnum index was 1.2±0.2. Out of 37 records, 28 dry bone studies, 8 CT scan studies and one autopsy study was reviewed. A total of 2635 dry bones and 1165 CT scans were studied in 37 studies. Conclusions: There is unprecedented surge in published reports on morphometry of foramen magnum, both dry bone studies and radiological studies. There is no difference between morphometric data between dry bone studies and radiological studies. There is no significant difference between data from two states of India.
Can single cell gel electrophoresis [comet assay] predict the outcome in neonatal sepsis?
Authors: NA Priyadharshini , Chand Parkash , S. Vishnu Bhatt 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background & aim : Early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis is important for effective management and recovery. The available methods for diagnosis were not useful in predicting outcome. In the present study the technique of single cell gel electrophoresis [comet assay] which measures DNA damage was used to predict the outcome of neonatal sepsis. Material & methods : Comet Assay [single cell gel electrophoresis, SCGE] was used as a tool to assess the DNA damage in 3 5 term neonates with sepsis .The comet parameters were compared between those who recovered and expired due to sepsis neonatorum. Results were analysed using independent student t test with SPSS software version 19. p values <0.05 was taken as significant. Results : Comet length [174.57 ± 46.66pm] and Tail length [ 114.63 ± 52.92pm] are the prime indicator of DNA damage and were significantly [p Z < .05 ] higher among the expired cases when compared to the recovered cases [113.70 ±32.72 and 46.40±37.57 respectively]. Receiver Operating Characteristic [ROC] curve for comet length and tail length showed comet length and tail length are high. Area under the curve [AUC] 0.867 with cut off value of 140.06pm [71.4% sensitivity, 85.7% specificity] and 0.862 with cut off value of 63.12pm [85% sensitivity, 71.4% specificity] respectively. Conclusion :Weconclude that SCGE can be used for predicting mortality in neonatal sepsis