bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of multidimensional frailty score, grip strength, and gait speed in older surgical patients
Authors: Choi Jung‐Yeon , Kim Kwang‐il , Choi YoungRok , Ahn Sang‐Hoon , Kang Eunyoung , Oh Heung‐Kwon , Kim Duck‐Woo , Kim Eun‐Kyu , Yoon Yoo‐Seok , Kang Sung‐Bum , Kim Hyung‐Ho , Han Ho‐Seong , Kim Cheol‐Ho 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundFrail older adults are at increased risk of post‐operative morbidity compared with robust counterparts. Simple methods testing frailty such as grip strength or gait speed have shown promising results for predicting post‐operative outcome, but there is a debate regarding the most appropriate and precise frailty assessment method. We compared the predictive value of multidimensional frailty score (MFS) with grip strength, gait speed, or conventional risk stratification tool for predicting post‐operative complications in older surgical patients.MethodsFrom January 2016 to June 2017, 648 older surgical patients (age ≥ 65 years) were included for analysis. MFS was calculated based on the preoperative comprehensive geriatric assessment. Grip strength and gait speed were measured before surgery. The primary outcome was a composite of post‐operative complications (e.g. pneumonia, urinary tract infection, delirium, acute pulmonary thromboembolism, and unplanned intensive care unit admission). The secondary outcome was the 6 month all‐cause mortality.ResultsAmong 648 patients (mean age 76.6 ± 5.4 years, 52.8% female), 66 (10.2%) patients experienced post‐operative complications, and the 6 month mortality was 3.9% (n = 25). Grip strength, gait speed, MFS, and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification could predict post‐operative complication but only MFS (hazard ratio = 1.581, 95% confidence interval 1.276–1.959, P < 0.001) could predict 6 month mortality after adjustment. MFS (C‐index = 0.750) had a superior prognostic utility compared with age (0.638, P = 0.008), grip strength (0.566, P < 0.001), and ASA classification (0.649, P = 0.004). MFS improved the predictive value on age [C‐index of 0.638 (age) vs. 0.758 (age + MFS), P < 0.001] and ASA classification [C‐index of 0.649 (ASA) vs. 0.765 (ASA + MFS), P < 0.001] for post‐operative complication; however, gait speed or grip strength did not provide additional prognostic value in both age and ASA.ConclusionsMultidimensional frailty score based on preoperative comprehensive geriatric assessment showed better utility than age, grip strength, gait speed, or ASA classification for predicting post‐operative complication and 6 month mortality. MFS also showed incremental predictive ability for post‐operative complications with the addition of age and ASA classification. Accordingly, MFS is superior to grip strength or gait speed for predicting complications among older surgical patients.
Synthesis of mitomycin analogs catalyzed by coupling of laccase with lipase and the kinetic model
Authors: Zhang Yuanyuan , Sun Yangjian , Ren Wenjie , Zhao Qiuxiang , Lv Kuiying , Tang Hui , Gao Xin , Yang Fengke , Wang Fanye , Liu Junhong 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDMitomycin C (MMC) is one of the most important members of the mitomycin family that have been widely used as a strong antineoplastic antibiotic for treating various tumors. In this study, enzymatic oxidation/amination reaction of 2‐methyl‐1,4‐hydroquinone with n‐butylamine was carried out to synthesize 2‐methyl‐3‐n‐butylaminoyl‐1,4‐benzoquinone mitomycin analogs.RESULTSA kinetic model was developed based on an ordered sequential mechanism for this cascade reaction system catalyzed by two enzymes, which revealed that the limiting step of the system was the laccase‐mediated oxidation of 2‐methyl‐3‐n‐butylaminoyl‐4‐hydro‐1‐quinone and removing the limiting step resulted in a yield increase from 88.3% to 96.7%.CONCLUSIONThe developed kinetic model fitted the test data very well, indicating that the reactions catalyzed by coupling of laccase with lipase might follow the ordered sequential mechanism with product inhibition. Synthesis of mitomycin analogs catalyzed by coupling of laccase with lipase has great potential for practical application. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Rapid detection of foodborne bacterial pathogens using visual high‐throughput microfluidic chip
Authors: Jin Zengjun , Ding Guotao , Li Guiying , Yang Guoxing , Han Yonghong , Hao Ning , Deng Jian , Zhang Yan , Zhang Wei , Li Weihao 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDFoodborne diseases are a major global public health concern. It is urgent to monitor foodborne pathogens from contaminated foods based on multi‐target detection.RESULTSIn this work, a self‐priming compartmentalization (SPC) microdevice made of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was developed and integrated into a loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) system for performing high‐throughput visual detection. The microfluidic chip is a self‐filling microwell array which can introduce reaction solution only through an access hole in a vacuum pumping system. The independent and closed wells can avoid cross‐contamination and ensure the accuracy of the results. The approach was able to perform the simultaneous identification of six foodborne pathogens (Salmonella typhimurium, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Yersinia enterocolitica, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Listeria monocytogenes) within 1 h. The results demonstrated that the method could specifically recognize the six foodborne pathogens.CONCLUSIONThe use of a LAMP‐based microdevice can be a faster alternative to conventional methods to detect pathogens in food samples, especially for those foods in which no pathogen is allowed (S. aureus), or foods for infant use. The simplicity and portability of the device can provide an alternative platform for foodborne pathogens where food safety needs accurate and timely detection confirmation. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Microscopic and spectroscopic characterization of rice and corn starch
Authors: Govindaraju Indira , Pallen Sparsha , Umashankar Suchitta , Mal Sib Sankar , Kaniyala Melanthota Sindhoora , Mahato Dhani Ram , Zhuo Guan‐Yu , Mahato Krishna Kishore , Mazumder Nirmal 
Published: January 2020

AbstractStarch granules from rice and corn were isolated, and their molecular mechanism on interaction with α‐amylase was characterized through biochemical test, microscopic imaging, and spectroscopic measurements. The micro‐scale structure of starch granules were observed under an optical microscope and their average size was in the range 1–100 μm. The surface topological structures of starch with micro‐holes due to the effect of α‐ amylase were also visualized under scanning electron microscope. The crystallinity was confirmed by X‐ray diffraction patterns as well as second‐harmonic generation microscopy. The change in chemical bonds before and after hydrolysis of the starch granules by α‐ amylase was determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Combination of microscopy and spectroscopy techniques relates structural and chemical features that explain starch enzymatic hydrolysis which will provide a valid basis for future studies in food science and insights into the energy transformation dynamics.
Bond strength and adaptation of pulp capping materials to dentin
Authors: Karadas Muhammet , Atıcı Makbule Gamze 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThis study evaluated the shear bond strength (SBS) and internal marginal adaptation of pulp‐capping materials to dentin. Flat occlusal deep dentin surfaces were produced and randomly assigned to two groups (sound or artificial caries‐affected dentin). The specimens in each group were assigned to one of seven subgroups according to the materials used: Biodentine, Theracal LC, Ultra‐Blend plus, Calcimol LC, ApaCal ART, EQUIA Forte, and Ionoseal. Buildups (3‐mm inner diameter and 2‐mm deep) were made over the dentin surfaces. The bonded specimens were tested under shear forces at a crosshead speed of 0.8 mm/min and fracture modes were determined using a stereomicroscope at 25× magnification. The materials were applied to the pulp floor of prepared Class I cavities and then the cavities were restored with composite resin. Restored molar teeth were subjected to 5,000 thermocycles and sectioned in a bucco–lingual direction. Resin replicas were made to determine the adaptation at the pulp floor with scanning electron microscopy. Significant differences were determined among both bond strengths and gap formations of the materials. EQUIA Forte applied to both dentin substrates had a significantly higher SBS than the other materials. The bond strength of each material was not influenced by the dentin condition. Biodentine (3.03%), EQUIA Forte (7.83%), and Theracal LC (13.37%) had lower gap formations compared to other materials but were not significantly different from each other.
Direct care nurses and support staff thoughts and feelings about the reasons patients fall at a cancer center
Authors: McDonald Kathie , Vonnes Cassandra , Hartranft Susan 
Published: January 2020

AbstractExtensive research addresses the prevalence and high fall risk for cancer patients related to age, diagnosis, treatment side effects, pharmacological side effects, and cognitive and/or motor deficits. The purpose of the study was to explore the thoughts and feelings that inpatient and outpatient oncology direct care nurses (registered nurses) and support staffs have about reasons patients fall; as well as their thoughts on what might be done to prevent falls. This descriptive qualitative study used focus groups as the method for discovery. Six themes were identified: Effect on Me, Guilt, Noncompliance, Poor Choices, Inconsistency, and No Authority.This study is significant and relevant because there is little previous research addressing staff thoughts and feelings about why patients fall and what additional interventions they think can be implemented to prevent falls. Findings from this study may be helpful in developing and/or refining current fall policies. Existing research suggests unlicensed patient care providers often have minimal participation in postfall reviews. This study suggests they can provide insight into why patients fall. Additionally, both registered nurses and unlicensed providers describe barriers that often impede their ability to work as a team to prevent patient falls. Findings from this study identified the need for the patient care team to strengthen collaborative work to create safer patient environments.
Viral load assay performs comparably to early infant diagnosis assay to diagnose infants with HIV in Mozambique: a prospective observational study
Authors: Vubil Adolfo , Nhachigule Carina , Loquiha Osvaldo , Meggi Bindiya , Mabunda Nedio , Bollinger Timothy , Sacks Jilian A , Jani Ilesh , Vojnov Lara 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIntroductionViral load testing is essential to manage HIV disease, especially in infants and children. Early infant diagnosis (EID) is performed using nucleic‐acid testing in children under 18 months. Resource‐limited health systems face severe challenges to scale‐up both viral load and EID to unprecedented levels. Streamlining laboratory systems would be beneficial to improve access to quality testing and to increase efficiency of antiretroviral treatment programmes. We evaluated the performance of viral load testing to serve as an EID assay in children younger than 18 months.MethodsThis study was an observational, prospective study, including children between one and 18 months of age who were born to HIV‐positive mothers in 134 health facilities in Maputo City and Maputo Province, Mozambique. Dried blood spot specimens from heel or toe pricks were collected between January and April 2018, processed using SPEX buffer for both assays, and tested for routine EID and viral load testing using the Roche CAP/CTM HIV‐1 Qualitative v2 and Roche CAP/CTM HIV‐1 Quantitative v2 assays respectively. The sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values were estimated using the EID results as the reference standard.ResultsA total of 1021 infants were included in the study, of which 47% were female. Over 95% of mothers and children were on antiretroviral treatment or received antiretroviral prophylaxis respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of using the viral load assay to detect infection were 100% (95% CI: 96.2 to 100%) and 99.9% (95% CI: 99.4 to 100%). The positive and negative predictive values were 99.0% (95% CI: 94.3 to 100%) and 100% (95% CI: 99.6 to 100%). The McNemar’s test was 1.000 and Cohen’s kappa was 0.994.ConclusionsThe comparable performance suggests that viral load assays can be used as an infant diagnostic assay. Infants with either low levels of viraemia or high cycle threshold values should be repeat tested to ensure the result is truly positive prior to treatment initiation, regardless of assay used. Viral load assays could replace traditional EID testing, substantially streamlining molecular laboratory services for children and lowering costs, with the additional advantage of providing baseline viral load results for antiretroviral treatment management.
Organ preservation following radiation therapy and concurrent intra‐arterial low dose cisplatin infusion for advanced T2 and T3 laryngeal cancer: Long‐term clinical results from a pilot study
Authors: Ono Takeharu , Tanaka Norimitsu , Tanoue Syuichi , Miyata Yusaku , Muraki Koichiro , Tsuji Chiyoko , Ogo Etsuyo , Aso Takeichiro , Chitose Shun‐ichi , Shin Buichiro , Kakuma Tatsuyuki , Etoh Hidehiro , Hattori Chikayuki , Abe Toshi , Umeno Hirohito 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundThis pilot study evaluated the long‐term outcomes of patients with advanced T2 or T3 squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx (SCC‐L) who were treated with selective intra‐arterial cisplatin and concomitant radiotherapy (RADPLAT).MethodsWe retrospectively investigated the data of 49 patients with advanced T2 or T3 SCC‐L who received a RADPLAT regimen with low‐dose cisplatin.ResultsThe 5‐year locoregional control, disease‐specific survival, and overall survival rates were 83.3%, 88.1%, and 82.6%, respectively, while the 5‐year freedom from laryngectomy, laryngectomy‐free survival, and laryngo‐esophageal dysfunction‐free survival rates were 89.6%, 79.4%, and 77.1%, respectively. The incidences of grade 3‐4 hematologic and nonhematologic toxicities were 18% and 6%, respectively. Although two patients (4%) developed late toxicities within 5 years following RADPLAT, no other events were noted beyond 5 years.ConclusionThis pilot study demonstrated that RADPLAT is feasible and safe and yielded favorable survival outcomes and functional laryngeal preservation in patients with advanced T2 or T3 SCC‐L.Level of evidence3
Microplastic prevalence in two fish species in two U.S. reservoirs
Authors: Hurt Raven , O'Reilly Catherine M. , Perry William L. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractMicroplastics in the environment can impact feeding and physiological functions of organisms. Most studies have focused on marine systems, and studies of lacustrine organisms are less common. We examined microplastic concentration in 72 gizzard shad and 24 largemouth bass from two agricultural reservoirs in the midwestern U.S.A. with differing shoreline development. Microplastics were found in 100% of the fish, with 1–49 No. Fish−1, independent of shoreline development. Bass had higher concentrations overall than shad. For bass, microplastics were more concentrated in the guts rather than gills, but the opposite was the case for shad, suggesting that feeding guild may influence where microplastics accumulate in fishes. The prevalence and concentrations reported here are greater than reported in marine systems and higher than reported in riverine studies. Our results underscore the ubiquitous distribution of microplastics and suggest that lake ecosystems in agricultural landscapes may be particularly susceptible to microplastic contamination.
Wear study and EHD lubrication analysis on connecting rod big end bearings of off‐highway application engine
Authors: Nayak Nagaraj , Rane Santosh , A Anarghya , Kushwaha Rohit 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe connecting rod big end bearings are under dynamic lubrication during working cycle, and in most of the time, the con rod is subjected to compressive stress. The conventional method of performing an EHL analysis on a bearing involves development of complex mathematical equations and simplification of actual physical model. This paper presents a methodology to model and simulate the elastohydrodynamic lubrication and wear study of connecting rod big end bearings of off‐highway application engine using the application of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and computational structural dynamics (CSD) approaches. The pressure field for a full journal bearing operating under laminar flow regime with various eccentricities was obtained by CFD, and fluid pressure distribution and deformation in the bearing liner due to pressure were evaluated using FSI approach. Relevant parameters of lubrication characteristics were analyzed to optimize the eccentricity value. The maximum bearing load value of 21 kN was noticed at TDC position for the optimum eccentricity. The load distribution indicated critical points in the bearing, and the data obtained from bearing load and sliding velocity of journal were used in Archard's wear relation to determine the wear depth along the bearing width. The simulated wear results were compared with three‐cylinder off‐highway application engine con rod big end bearings, which ran for 1000 hours at full load condition, and satisfactory agreement was observed between experiment and simulation values.
Matching Static and Dynamic Compliance of Small‐Diameter Arteries, with Poly(lactide‐co‐caprolactone) Copolymers: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies
Authors: Behr Jean‐Marc , Irvine Scott Alexander , Thwin Chaw‐Su , Shah Ankur Harish , Bae Min‐Chul Kraun , Zussman Eyal , Venkatraman Subbu 
Published: January 2020

AbstractMechanical mismatch between vascular grafts and blood vessels is a major cause of smaller diameter vascular graft failure. To minimize this mismatch, several poly‐l‐lactide‐co‐ε‐caprolactone (PLC) copolymers are evaluated as candidate materials to fabricate a small diameter graft. Using these materials, tubular prostheses of 4 mm inner diameter are fabricated by dip‐coating. In vitro static and dynamic compliance tests are conducted, using custom‐built apparatus featuring a closed flow system with water at 37 °C. Grafts of PLC monomer ratio of 50:50 are the most compliant (1.56% ± 0.31∙mm Hg−2), close to that of porcine aortic branch arteries (1.56% ± 0.43∙mm Hg−2), but underwent high continuous dilatation (87 µm min−1). Better matching is achieved by optimizing the thickness of a tubular conduit made from 70:30 PLC grafts. In vivo implantation and function of a PLC 70:30 conduit of 150 µm wall‐thickness (WT) are tested as a rabbit aorta bypass. An implanted 150 µm WT PLC 70:30 prosthesis is observed over 3 h. The recorded angiogram shows continuous blood flow, no aneurysmal dilatation, leaks, or acute thrombosis during the in vivo test, indicating the potential for clinical applications.
Textile‐integrated waveguide switch for ISM band 5.8 GHz
Authors: Cupal Miroslav , Raida Zbyněk 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIn this article, a textile‐integrated waveguide (TIW) switch designed for the ISM band 5.8 GHz is presented. Conductive surfaces of the switch are manufactured by screen printing using a silver paste, and side walls of the TIW are sewed by a conductive thread. The switch is based on a common TIW T‐divider which is completed by controllable conductive posts in both branches. The controllable posts can be switched from the high‐impedance state to the low impedance state (and vice versa) by connecting or disconnecting them to the conductive layers by PIN diodes. Transmissions of the open branch of the switch and the closed one are |S21| = −1.5 dB and |S31| = −14.9 dB, respectively. If the manufactured switch is completed by transitions from TIW to coaxial line, the transitions of the open branch and the closed one are|S21| = −6.2 dB and |S31| = −15.6 dB, respectively.
Ultrawideband planar bow‐tie with curved directive strips for gain enhancement
Authors: Howlett Matthew , Park Hong S. , Hong Sun K. , Wheeler Edward 
Published: January 2020

AbstractA novel ultrawideband planar bow‐tie antenna with curved directive strips for gain enhancement is presented. The strips direct radiation to the plane perpendicular to the antenna, increasing the broadside gain over the antenna's impedance bandwidth with no increase to the radius of the sphere containing the antenna. To facilitate the use of the proposed antenna in various application scenarios, three different feeding mechanisms are presented. Accordingly, three antennas, each with their respective feeding structures are designed and tested via simulation and measurement with the results for each showing enhanced broadside gain over the antenna bandwidth.
NMR signal processing, prediction, and structure verification with machine learning techniques
Authors: Cobas Carlos 
Published: January 2020

AbstractMachine learning (ML) methods have been present in the field of NMR since decades, but it has experienced a tremendous growth in the last few years, especially thanks to the emergence of deep learning (DL) techniques taking advantage of the increased amounts of data and available computer power. These algorithms are successfully employed for classification, regression, clustering, or dimensionality reduction tasks of large data sets and have been intensively applied in different areas of NMR including metabonomics, clinical diagnosis, or relaxometry. In this article, we concentrate on the various applications of ML/DL in the areas of NMR signal processing and analysis of small molecules, including automatic structure verification and prediction of NMR observables in solution.
Computational and dynamic NMR investigation of 2,2‐dimesityl‐1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexamethyltrisilane
Authors: Winchester William R. , Seymour Jenna 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe structure and rotational barrier for the mesityl‐silicon bond of 2,2‐dimesityl‐1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexamethyltrisilane have been investigated by 1H‐ and 13C‐variable temperature nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) as well as by density functional theory structural calculations. The calculations show that the lowest energy structure has C2 symmetry with nonequivalent ortho methyl groups, consistent with the crystal structure and solution NMR. The nonequivalent ortho methyl groups exchange through a Cs transition state with a calculated relative free energy of 11.0 kcal mol−1. The barrier for this rotation found by dynamic NMR is 13.4 ± 0.2 kcal mol−1 at 298 K.