bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A reduction of the spectrum problem for odd sun systems and the prime case
Authors: Buratti Marco , Pasotti Anita , Traetta Tommaso 
Published: October 2020

AbstractA k‐cycle with a pendant edge attached to each vertex is called a k‐sun. The existence problem for k‐sun decompositions of Kv, with k odd, has been solved only when k = 3 or 5. By adapting a method used by Hoffmann, Lindner, and Rodger to reduce the spectrum problem for odd cycle systems of the complete graph, we show that if there is a ‐sun system of ( odd) whenever lies in the range and satisfies the obvious necessary conditions, then such a system exists for every admissible . Furthermore, we give a complete solution whenever k is an odd prime.
Expansion of human mesenchymal stem/stromal cells on temporary liquid microcarriers
Authors: Hanga Mariana P , Nienow Alvin W , Murasiewicz Halina , Pacek Andrzej W , Hewitt Christopher J , Coopman Karen 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDTraditional large‐scale culture systems for human mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (hMSCs) use solid microcarriers as attachment substrates. Although the use of such substrates is advantageous because of the high surface‐to‐volume ratio, cell harvest from the same substrates is a challenge as it requires enzymatic treatment, often combined with agitation. Here, we investigated a two‐phase system for expansion and non‐enzymatic recovery of hMSCs. Perfluorocarbon droplets were dispersed in a protein‐rich growth medium and were used as temporary liquid microcarriers for hMSC culture.RESULTShMSCs successfully attached to these liquid microcarriers, exhibiting similar morphologies to those cultured on solid ones. Fold increases of 3.03 ± 0.98 (hMSC1) and 3.81 ± 0.29 (hMSC2) were achieved on day 9. However, the maximum expansion folds were recorded on day 4 (4.79 ± 0.47 (hMSC1) and 4.856 ± 0.7 (hMSC2)). This decrease was caused by cell aggregation upon reaching confluency due to the contraction of the interface between the two phases. Cell quality, as assessed by differentiation, cell surface marker expression and clonogenic ability, was retained post expansion on the liquid microcarriers. Cell harvesting was achieved non‐enzymatically in two steps: first by inducing droplet coalescence and then aspirating the interface. Quality characteristics of hMSCs continued to be retained even after inducing droplet coalescence.CONCLUSIONThe prospect of a temporary microcarrier that can be used to expand cells and then ‘disappear’ for cell release without using proteolytic enzymes is a very exciting one. Here, we have demonstrated that hMSCs can attach and proliferate on these perfluorocarbon liquid microcarriers while, very importantly, retaining their quality.
What are the factors that cause emergency home visit in home medical care in Japan?
Authors: Kuroda Kaku , Miura Taro , Kuroiwa Shota , Kuroda Moe , Kobayashi Naoko , Kita Keiichiro 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundIn the home medical care setting, the factors causing emergency home visits (EHV) remain unclear. This study aimed to determine those factors and examine their relationship with EHV requests.MethodsThis is a single‐center retrospective observational study from data obtained from a home medical care clinic. We assessed the association between frequency of EHV and age, gender, level of care‐needed, cancer, and medical device in use with using Poisson regression analysis.ResultsA total of 608 EHV in 214 patients were analyzed. Common chief complaints were fever, death, and dyspnea. As factors that affect frequency of EHV because of fever, higher care‐needed level (RR: 3.35; 95% CI: 1.95‐5.74, P < .001), urinary catheter use (RR: 1.94; 95% CI: 1.22‐3.08, P = .005), and central venous port use (RR: 2.39; 95% CI: 1.44‐3.96, P = .001) showed significant correlation. Regarding EHV because of dyspnea, lung tumor (RR: 2.71; 95% CI: 1.26‐5.84, P = .011) and home oxygen use (RR: 3.96; 95% CI: 2.05‐7.68, P < .001) showed significant correlation. Regarding EHV because of all chief complaints, higher care‐needed level (RR: 1.59; 95% CI: 1.12‐2.26, P = .009), urinary catheter use (RR: 1.78; 95% CI: 1.13‐2.93, P = .014), and central venous port use (RR: 1.75; 95% CI: 1.04‐2.93, P = .034) showed positive correlation.ConclusionThe factors associated with frequency of EHV because of fever or all chief complaints were urinary catheter use, central venous port use, and higher care‐needed level. As for dyspnea, they were lung cancer and home oxygen use. Our study suggests that the burdens on medical staffs, patients, and their families can be reduced through recognizing these risk factors.
A single‐step synthesis of 1,3,4,6‐tetraaryl‐5‐aryliminopiperazin‐2‐one
Authors: El‐Araby Moustafa E. , Omar Abdelsattar M. E. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractChemical diversity is a strong driver in drug discovery, and chemical reactions that produce multi‐substituted heterocycles can result in significant chemical diversity. Here, we report a reaction that leads to highly substituted piperazinone derivatives in a single step. This was discovered accidently while reacting phenylglyoxal and anilines under Povarov conditions. We elucidated the structure of the compound formed when 2‐(4‐trifluoromethyphenyl)‐2‐oxoacetaldehyde was reacted with 4‐methoxyaniline as (1,4‐bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐5‐[(4‐hydroxyphenyl)imino]‐3,6‐diphenylpiperazin‐2‐one) (5e). The structure was confirmed after extensive spectral analyses, including correlation spectroscopy, nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy, heteronuclear single quantum correlation spectroscopy, and heteronuclear multiple‐bond correlation nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, in addition to high‐resolution mass spectrometry. This reaction is unprecedented and can potentially be exploited as a short route to highly diversified heterocycles.
The use of human biospecimens for research
Authors: Aaron Roy , Aaron David , Racine‐Avila Jennifer , Menikoff Jerry 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThis discussion presents many of the ethical, legal, and financial issues that underlie the contemporary regulatory framework for research with human biospecimens. Some considerations, such as claims of donor control over their biospecimens, could potentially constrain researchers’ freedom of action. We first consider concepts underlying consent to donate biospecimens for research. A requirement to obtain consent for donation of a biospecimen could conceptually be based upon the autonomy of the donor, or on property rights of the donor, or a combination of both concepts. If these concepts affect how consent is implemented, it could have significant downstream consequences for research and researchers. We present elements of the revision of the common rule that affect the use of human biospecimens including the current consent regulations based on transparency and autonomy, and the distinction between consent for, and ownership of, biospecimens. One of the major judicial opinions that denied property rights for biospecimens is described together with some implications for the research community of attributing ownership of biospecimens to their donors. We then consider transactional aspects of biospecimen donation. Considering biospecimens as a negotiable commodity presents both constraints and opportunities for donors and researchers. Compensation for biospecimens can be negotiated under contract law. Allowing donor control of the secondary research use of deidentified biospecimens could have an inhibiting effect on research. If donors possessed such control, even deidentification would not necessarily eliminate their ability to influence future research. Accordingly, new models of biospecimen donation are appearing in which the research community will have a substantial interest.
Health‐related quality of life and treatment modality among esophageal squamous cell carcinoma survivors: A prospective study using time to deterioration model analysis
Authors: Liu Shuang , Lin Zheng , Lin Jianbo , Chen Huilin , Xie Qianwen , Rao Wenqing , Chen Yuanmei , Yu Kaili , Hu Zhijian 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesThis study aimed to analyze the association between health‐related quality of life and treatment modality among esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) survivors.MethodsPatients completed the EORTC QLQ‐C30 and EORTC QLQ‐OES18 at baseline and follow‐up. A time to deterioration model analysis was performed to compare longitudinal EORTC QLQ‐C30/QLQ‐OES18 data between surgery alone and surgery with adjuvant chemotherapy.ResultsFor EORTC QLQ‐C30 scale, compared with surgery alone, significant delays in time to deterioration in role functioning (16.05 months vs. 15.00 months; p = .045), cognitive functioning (20.80 months vs. 16.26 months; p = .017), social functioning (19.09 months vs. 12.35 months; p = .001), and dyspnea (18.53 months vs. 14.62 months; p = .011) were observed for surgery with adjuvant chemotherapy. For QLQ‐OES18 scale, compared with surgery alone, significant delays in time to deterioration in dysphagia (13.75 months vs. 8.16 months; p = .005), choking when swallowing (20.67 months vs. 15.08 months; p = .001), and dry mouth (21.78 months vs. 17.28 months; p = .039) were observed for surgery with adjuvant chemotherapy.ConclusionsPatients who received postoperative chemotherapy had significant delay in time to deterioration in multiple ESCC‐related symptoms, functions of EORTC QLQ‐C30 and EORTC QLQ‐OES18.
Surgical management of hepatocellular carcinoma patients with portal vein thrombosis: The United States Safety Net and Academic Center Collaborative Analysis
Authors: Ryon Emily L. , Kronenfeld Joshua P. , Lee Rachel M. , Yopp Adam , Wang Annie , Lee Ann Y. , Luu Sommer , Hsu Cary , Silberfein Eric , Russell Maria C. , Goel Neha , Merchant Nipun B. , Datta Jashodeep 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundAlthough consensus guidelines generally discourage any surgical management (ASM; i.e., resection and/or transplantation) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and portal vein thrombosis (PVT), recent series from Asia have challenged this paradigm.MethodsPatients from the US Safety Net Collaborative database (2012–2014) with localized HCC and radiographically confirmed PVT were propensity‐score matched based on demographic and clinicopathologic factors associated with receipt of ASM and overall survival (OS). OS was compared between patients undergoing ASM and those not selected for surgery.ResultsOf 1910 HCC patients, 207 (14.5%) had localized disease and PVT. The majority received either liver‐directed therapies (LDTs; 34%) and/or targeted systemic therapies (36%). Twenty‐one patients (10.1%) underwent ASM (resection [n = 11], transplantation [n = 10]); a third experienced any complication with no 30‐day mortalities. Independent predictors of undergoing ASM were younger age, recent hepatology consultation, and lower model of end‐stage liver disease (MELD) score. After matching for age, comorbidities, MELD, tumor size, receipt of LDT, or systemic therapy, OS was significantly longer for patients selected for ASM versus non‐ASM patients (median not reached vs. 5.8 months, p < .001).ConclusionIn a large North American multi‐institutional cohort, a minority of HCC patients with PVT were selected for ASM. Resection or transplantation was associated with improved survival and may have a role in the multimodality management in selected patients.
Comparison of Contrast‐Enhanced Ultrasound Versus Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Detection and Characterization of Uterine Leiomyomas
Authors: Chhabra Pankaj , Daugherty Reza , LeNoir Ann Marie , Grilli Christopher , Makai Gretchen , Patel Nima , DeMauro Christopher 
Published: October 2020

ObjectivesUterine fibroids are common findings in women with pelvic pain and abnormal uterine bleeding. The reference standard test in the pretreatment evaluation of fibroids is contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. This study compared the number, size, location, and enhancement of uterine fibroids identified by contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and MR. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that CEUS performs similarly to MR and could be used as an alternative imaging modality.MethodsIn this prospective observational study, 26 women underwent transabdominal CEUS and MR examinations. Blinded to the original clinical MR interpretations, 2 readers reviewed the MR and CEUS studies for each patient. The number, size, location, and enhancement of each fibroid per patient were reported by MR and CEUS. A Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated for the number of fibroids identified by each modality.ResultsIn total, 126 fibroids were imaged: 115 (91.3%) were observed on both examinations; 9 (7.1%) were observed by MR only; and 2 (1.6%) were observed by CEUS only. A high correlation was found between the modalities for the number of fibroids identified per patient (r = 0.97; P < .001). There was also no significant difference between the modalities for each patient in the fibroid number, size, location, or enhancement.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that transabdominal CEUS may represent an alternative to MR in pretreatment evaluation of uterine fibroids and could serve as a test of choice in patients with a contraindication to MR.
Tubed Supraglottic Laryngeal Closure to Treat Chronic Aspiration After Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Ku Peter K. M. , Vlantis Alexander C. , Cho Ryan H. W. , Yeung Zenon W. C. , Ho Osan Y. M. , Hui Thomas S. C. , Abdullah Victor , van Hasselt Andrew , Tong Michael C. F. 
Published: October 2020

Objectives/HypothesisTo evaluate the long‐term swallowing outcomes after surgical treatment for chronic aspiration in patients treated with radiotherapy for head and neck cancer.Study DesignThis was a retrospective study.MethodsThe data of patients who underwent radiotherapy for head and neck cancer and who subsequently required a laryngectomy or a tubed supraglottic laryngeal closure (TSLC) for recurrent aspiration pneumonia between 2004 and 2017 were retrieved from a tertiary referral hospital dysphagia clinic. The Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) and the Swallowing Performance and Status Scale (SPSS) were used to assess swallowing function.ResultsOf the 17 patients who required surgery for chronic aspiration secondary to radiotherapy for head and neck cancer, two underwent a laryngectomy and 15 a TSLC. During a mean follow‐up of 77 months, the FOIS and SPSS scores significantly improved at 12, 24, and 36 months after laryngectomy and TSLC relative to the baseline (P < .05). Both patients who underwent laryngectomy and 11 of the 15 (73.3%) who underwent a TSLC resumed oral feeding. Both laryngectomy patients had episodes of recurrent aspiration pneumonia after surgery due to leakage through the tracheoesophageal puncture or prosthesis, whereas none of the TSLC patients had these episodes.ConclusionA tubed supraglottic laryngeal closure, which is a reversible procedure that preserves the larynx and allows for natural phonation, should be considered an alternative to laryngectomy for the control of chronic aspiration.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 131:E1234–E1243, 2021
Agricultural development risks increasing gully erosion and cumulative sediment yields from headwater streams in Great Barrier Reef catchments
Authors: Shellberg Jeffrey G. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractProtecting headwater streams is essential to minimise downstream sediment loads to rivers, estuaries, and oceans. This study analyses the gully and sheet erosion risk from a 33,000 ha agricultural development proposal in the Normanby catchment draining to the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) Lagoon, Australia. The slope‐area threshold for channel initiation was assessed for existing gully channel head locations using satellite images and a hydrologically enforced digital elevation model (SRTM). Thresholds were used to predict whether other stream lines (1:25k scale) were prone to gully incision under development. Results indicated that 430 km out of 1,200 km of streams were at risk of gullying, which could increase erosion by 2‐times, delivering 7,500 t yr−1locally and 1,700 t yr−1(worth A$1.8 million) to the GBR. Sheet erosion under agriculture is estimated (RUSLE) to increase by 13‐times from 0.12 to 1.5 t ha−1 yr−1, with 2,200 t yr−1to streams and 900 t yr−1(worth A$1 million) to the GBR. Buffering (±50 m) 560 km of headwater streams would cover 5,600 ha or 17% of the area. Precision agriculture using higher resolution topographic data (LiDAR) and improved slope‐area thresholds for gully erosion should be a minimum prerequisite for development, which would reduce but not eliminate increased sediment loads to the GBR. Forest clearance for agriculture is ongoing in Australia, but this first‐world country does not have effective policies or regulations to protect headwater streams or cumulative impacts to the World Heritage Great Barrier Reef, despite millions of dollars spent annually to reduce past land degradation.
Converting alfalfa pasture into annual cropland achieved high productivity and kept soil organic carbon in a semiarid area
Authors: Zhang Xu‐Long , Zhao Yang‐Yang , Gao Wen‐Juan , Song Xin , Zhang Xin‐Tan , Shi Xiao‐Yan , Li Feng‐Min 
Published: October 2020

AbstractConverting alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) into annual cropland (rotated cropland, RC) is commonly done to reuse degraded alfalfa pasture. However, it is a big challenge for RC to achieve high productivity and maintain high soil organic carbon (SOC) to the levels achieved by previous alfalfa pasture. We converted a long‐term alfalfa pasture into RC in 2010, and studied the effects of fertilization on soil moisture, crop productivity, and SOC in the RC and in continuous cropland (CC), both under plastic film mulching, from 2010 to 2018. Before the conversion, alfalfa pasture had a higher SOC (12.3%) and total N (7.7%) than CC. However, not only severe soil desiccation occurred, but the available P and inorganic‐N were only about 39.4 and 25.1% of levels for CC. After the conversion, soil moisture in RC (measured at 0–0.6 m depth) was up to CC levels only after 1 year, and was restored to 95.3 and 69.2% of CC levels at 0.6–2 and 2–5 m depths only after 9 years. Crop yield and biomass in RCF (RC with fertilization) were comparable to those for CCF (CC with fertilization) after two years from conversion due to the increased available P and inorganic‐N, and sufficient soil moisture restoration at 0–0.6 m depath. SOC in RC decreased by 8.1% over the 9 years, while RCF consistently kept SOC levels up to those of pre‐conversion alfalfa pasture. These findings help to eliminate concerns about the continuously low production and rapid decline of SOC in croplands converted from alfalfa and suggest ways to support sustainable high‐productivity and high SOC sequestration in dryland farming.
Adapting to the motion of multiple independent targets using multileaf collimator tracking for locally advanced prostate cancer: Proof of principle simulation study
Authors: Hewson Emily A. , Ge Yuanyuan , O'Brien Ricky , Roderick Stephanie , Bell Linda , Poulsen Per R. , Eade Thomas , Booth Jeremy T. , Keall Paul J. , Nguyen Doan T. 
Published: October 2020

PurposeFor patients with locally advanced cancer, multiple targets are treated simultaneously with radiotherapy. Differential motion between targets can compromise the treatment accuracy, yet there are currently no methods able to adapt to independent target motion. This study developed a multileaf collimator (MLC) tracking algorithm for differential motion adaptation and evaluated it in simulated treatments of locally advanced prostate cancer.MethodsA multi‐target MLC tracking algorithm was developed that consisted of three steps: (a) dividing the MLC aperture into two possibly overlapping sections assigned to the prostate and lymph nodes, (b) calculating the ideally shaped MLC aperture as a union of the individually translated sections, and (c) fitting the MLC positions to the ideal aperture shape within the physical constraints of the MLC leaves. The multi‐target tracking method was evaluated and compared with two existing motion management methods: single‐target tracking and no tracking. Treatment simulations of six locally advanced prostate cancer patients with three prostate motion traces were performed for all three motion adaptation methods. The geometric error for each motion adaptation method was calculated using the area of overexposure and underexposure of each field. The dosimetric error was estimated by calculating the dose delivered to the prostate, lymph nodes, bladder, rectum, and small bowel using a motion‐encoded dose reconstruction method.ResultsMulti‐target MLC tracking showed an average improvement in geometric error of 84% compared to single‐target tracking, and 83% compared to no tracking. Multi‐target tracking maintained dose coverage to the prostate clinical target volume (CTV) D98% and planning target volume (PTV) D95% to within 4.8% and 3.9% of the planned values, compared to 1.4% and 0.7% with single‐target tracking, and 20.4% and 31.8% with no tracking. With multi‐target tracking, the node CTV D95%, PTV D90%, and gross tumor volume (GTV) D95% were within 0.3%, 0.6%, and 0.3% of the planned values, compared to 9.1%, 11.2%, and 21.1% for single‐target tracking, and 0.8%, 2.0%, and 3.2% with no tracking. The small bowel V57% was maintained within 0.2% to the plan using multi‐target tracking, compared to 8% and 3.5% for single‐target tracking and no tracking, respectively. Meanwhile, the bladder and rectum V50% increased by up to 13.6% and 5.2%, respectively, using multi‐target tracking, compared to 2.7% and 1.9% for single‐target tracking, and 11.2% and 11.5% for no tracking.ConclusionsA multi‐target tracking algorithm was developed and tracked the prostate and lymph nodes independently during simulated treatments. As the algorithm optimizes for target coverage, tracking both targets simultaneously may increase the dose delivered to the organs at risk.
Screening Tests for Sarcopenia in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Jiang Keruo , Slee Adrian , Davenport Andrew 
Published: October 2020

BackgroundPatients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at increased risk of muscle wasting. Screening tools for sarcopenia, including the Sarc‐F questionnaire are now advocated for clinical practice. We wished to compare using the Sarc‐F tool with standard measurements of hand grip (HGS) strength and appendicular muscle mass index (APMI).MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed Sarc‐F questionnaires completed by patients with CKD, along with contemporaneous measurements of HGS and bioimpedance measured APMI.Results146 patients; 94 male (64.4%), mean age 70.5 ± 15 years, body mass index 28.7 ± 6.3 kg/m2 were screened, and 46 screened positive for sarcopenia, with a lower median HGS (19.3 (14.2–24.7) vs 25.6 (19.7–32) kg) and greater body fat (38.3 ± 11.5 vs 30.6 ± 11.5%), both p < 0.001,, with more non‐white ethnicity (63 vs 44%), p < 0.05, but there were no other differences. Step‐wise adding HGS, and then APMI cut offs, the prevalence of sarcopenia fell from 31.5% to 20.7–24.7% and 2.8–4.8% respectively, with 45.5–62.8% having reduced HGS strength and 11.0–28.1% reduced APMI, depending on which guidelines were applied. Using the most recent European, and ethnicity adjusted cut‐off values then there were no statistical differences in the prevalence of sarcopenia with or without the Sarc‐F screening tool.ConclusionsBy starting with the Sarc‐F screening tool, a number of our patients with CKD would then have been excluded from subsequent investigation for sarcopenia. However, overall screening with the Sarc‐F tool did not lead to a significant difference in the prevalence of sarcopenia, when using current and ethnicity adjusted guidelines, compared to combining HGS and APMI alone.