bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Locoregional recurrences after transanal total mesorectal excision of rectal cancer during implementation
Authors: Oostendorp S E , Belgers H J , Bootsma B T , Hol J C , Belt E J T H , Bleeker W , Den Boer F C , Demirkiran A , Dunker M S , Fabry H F J , Graaf E J R , Knol J J , Oosterling S J , Slooter G D , Sonneveld D J A , Talsma A K , Van Westreenen H L , Kusters M , Hompes R , Bonjer H J , Sietses C , Tuynman J B 
Published: April 2020

Abstract

Background
Transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) has been proposed as an approach in patients with mid and low rectal cancer. The TaTME procedure has been introduced in the Netherlands in a structured training pathway, including proctoring. This study evaluated the local recurrence rate during the implementation phase of TaTME.

Methods
Oncological outcomes of the first ten TaTME procedures in each of 12 participating centres were collected as part of an external audit of procedure implementation. Data collected from a cohort of patients treated over a prolonged period in four centres were also collected to analyse learning curve effects. The primary outcome was the presence of locoregional recurrence.

Results
The implementation cohort of 120 patients had a median follow up of 21·9 months. Short-term outcomes included a positive circumferential resection margin rate of 5·0 per cent and anastomotic leakage rate of 17 per cent. The overall local recurrence rate in the implementation cohort was 10·0 per cent (12 of 120), with a mean(s.d.) interval to recurrence of 15·2(7·0) months. Multifocal local recurrence was present in eight of 12 patients. In the prolonged cohort (266 patients), the overall recurrence rate was 5·6 per cent (4·0 per cent after excluding the first 10 procedures at each centre).

Conclusion
TaTME was associated with a multifocal local recurrence rate that may be related to suboptimal execution rather than the technique itself. Prolonged proctoring, optimization of the technique to avoid spillage, and quality control is recommended.
Evaluation of exosome loading characteristics in their purification via a glycerol‐assisted hydrophobic interaction chromatography method on a polyester, capillary‐channeled polymer fiber phase
Authors: Huang Sisi , Wang Lei , Bruce Terri F. , Marcus R. Kenneth 
Published: April 2020

AbstractExosomes are membrane‐secreted vesicles, with sizes ranging from 30 to 150 nm, which play key roles in intercellular communication. There is intense interest in developing methods to isolate and quantify exosomes toward clinical diagnostics, fundamental studies of intercellular processes, and use of exosomes as delivery vehicles for therapeutic agents. Current methods for exosomes isolation and quantification are time consuming and have operational high costs; few combine isolation and quantification into a singular operation unit. This report describes the use of hydrophobic interaction chromatography on a polyester capillary‐channeled polymer fiber column, employing a step gradient for exosome elution, including use of glycerol as a solvent modifier. The entire procedure is completed in 8 min, while maintaining the structural integrity and biological activity of the isolated exosomes. Electron microscopy was used to verify the size and structural fidelity of single exosomes. Absorbance response curves for a commercial exosome sample were used for exosome quantification in the chromatographic separations. In order to determine the dynamic loading capacity for exosomes, different volumes of Dictyostelium discoideum cell culture milieu supernatant were loaded at different column lengths (5–30 cm) and loading flow rates (0.2–0.5 ml/min). A loading capacity of 5.4 × 1012 exosomes derived from D. discoideum milieu was obtained on a 0.8 × 300 mm column; yielding recoveries of over 80%. It is believed that this isolation and purification strategy holds many advantages toward the use of exosomes across a wide breadth of medical and biotechnology applications.
Serum levels of 25‐hydroxy‐vitamin D in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma: Making a case for chemoprevention
Authors: Udeabor Samuel E. , Albejadi Abdullah M. , Al‐Shehri Waleed A. K. , Onwuka Chidozie I. , Al‐Fathani Saeed Y. , Al Nazeh Abdullah A. , Aldhahri Saleh F. , Alshahrani Faleh A. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractObjectivesSerum level of vitamin D has been used as a predictor for cancer development. We intend to measure the baseline vitamin D level in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and to compare same with non‐cancer controls to determine any association.Materials and methodsPatients with OSCC presenting to our clinics were included in this study. Their baseline serum vitamin D levels were measured prior to cancer treatment after obtaining their consents. These patients were then matched with at least 2 cancer‐free subjects to serve as controls and whose serum vitamin D levels were also measured. The serum vitamin D levels obtained for the two groups were then categorized into normal (>35 ng/ml), mild deficiency (25–35 ng/ml), moderate deficiency (12.5–25 ng/ml), and severe deficiency (<12.5 ng/ml). The data were analyzed statistically and the two groups compared.ResultsA total of 51 patients with OSCC (Male 22 [43%] and female 29 [57%]) and 113 cancer‐free controls (Male 36 [31.86%] and female 77 [68.14%]) were included in the study. The commonest site for OSCC was the tongue, accounting for 45% of the cancer cases. Mean age for cancer patients was 59.33 years ±12.54 and 49.24 years ±15.79 for the control. Among the OSCC patients, 74.51% had moderate to severe vitamin D deficiencies, whereas only 20.35% had a moderate deficiency in the control group with no severe deficiency.ConclusionLogistic regression analysis shows a positive association between vitamin D deficiency and OSCC risk especially in levels below 25 ng/ml. This further corroborates the assertion that vitamin D deficiency may be a useful indicator of OSCC. It may, therefore, be necessary to routinely prescribe vitamin D supplements to subjects with moderate to severe deficiencies in order to decrease the chances of OSCC development.
Mesoscale Reaction–Diffusion Phenomena Governing Lignin‐First Biomass Fractionation
Authors: Thornburg Nicholas E. , Pecha M. Brennan , Brandner David G. , Reed Michelle L. , Vermaas Josh V. , Michener William E. , Katahira Rui , Vinzant Todd B. , Foust Thomas D. , Donohoe Bryon S. , Román‐Leshkov Yuriy , Ciesielski Peter N. , Beckham Gregg T. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractLignin solvolysis from the plant cell wall is the critical first step in lignin depolymerization processes involving whole biomass feedstocks. However, little is known about the coupled reaction kinetics and transport phenomena that govern the effective rates of lignin extraction. Here, we report a validated simulation framework that determines intrinsic, transport‐independent kinetic parameters for the solvolysis of lignin, hemicellulose, and cellulose upon incorporation of feedstock characteristics for the methanol‐based extraction of poplar as an example fractionation process. Lignin fragment diffusion is predicted to compete on the same time and length scales as reactions of lignin within cell walls and longitudinal pores of typical milled particle sizes, and mass transfer resistances are predicted to dominate the solvolysis of poplar particles that exceed approximately 2 mm in length. Beyond the approximately 2 mm threshold, effectiveness factors are predicted to be below 0.25, which implies that pore diffusion resistances may attenuate observable kinetic rate measurements by at least 75 % in such cases. Thus, researchers are recommended to conduct kinetic evaluations of lignin‐first catalysts using biomass particles smaller than approximately 0.2 mm in length to avoid feedstock‐specific mass transfer limitations in lignin conversion studies. Overall, this work highlights opportunities to improve lignin solvolysis by genetic engineering and provides actionable kinetic information to guide the design and scale‐up of emerging biorefinery strategies.
Current concepts on how to optimise Skin Needling 2020: A personal experience: Part 2
Authors: Fernandes Desmond 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThis is a brief history of the beginnings of skin needling (collagen induction therapy) and Part 1 covers the original clinical work which was then validated by research primarily by Matthias Aust and team at Hanover Medical School, Germany. Skin needling became the very first medical procedure that induces regeneration instead of scar formation because it employs transforming growth factor‐β3 (TGF‐β3) and interleukin‐10 (IL‐10). We essay into methods to optimise the effects of skin needling. First by the depth of penetration into the skin which will depend on the condition treated. Wrinkles stretch marks, and so on only require 1.0 mm whereas burns scars acne scars, and so on require deeper penetration, that is, approximately 3.0 mm. In Part 2, we need to consider the use of topicals both before and after skin needling. Vitamins A and C are scientifically proven to almost quadruple the effects of needling. Selected peptides seem to further enhance results. Hyaluronic acid is best induced naturally but may be used topically for comfort. Finally, we examine the rationale of the intervals between needling. The best clinical results seem to come from treatments at 4 to 10 days intervals to take advantage of raised titres of TGF‐β3 and IL‐10. Other modalities such as red and infrared LED, platelet‐rich plasma and mild peeling are gaining appeal to give better results. Skin needling is the safest and most effective method to treat photoaging, lax skin, stretch marks, acne scars, and burn scars.
The influence of chemical modifications on the fragmentation behavior of fentanyl and fentanyl‐related compounds in electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Davidson J. Tyler , Sasiene Zachary J. , Jackson Glen P. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractFentanyl is a synthetic opioid that has been approved by the FDA as a general anesthetic because of its rapid onset and high potency. However, since 2013 an opioid epidemic involving fentanyl or fentanyl‐related compounds (FRCs) has swept the United States and caused numerous deaths in every state. The identification of novel FRCs is complicated by the rapid turnover of modifications to the core fentanyl structure. In this study, a series of 16 FRCs were analyzed using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS/MS) to gain a deeper understanding of the conserved and unique fragmentation behaviors associated with substitution to the core fentanyl structure. This work provides an approach, based on the product ions from ESI‐MS/MS, to identify the modification site(s) on the core fentanyl structure for FRCs. Five common locations of substitution to the core fentanyl structure were used to assess the effect of substitution on the fragmentation behavior of FRCs. The proposed fragmentation pathways are supported through the combination of isotopic labeling, multi‐stage mass spectrometry (MSn), and accurate mass measurements with high‐resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). The identification of primary product ions specific to regions of substitution provides an additional tool for the identification of the location of substitution to the core fentanyl structure, which ultimately will assist toxicologists and seized drug analysts in the identification of emerging FRCs.
Extraction of α‐neurotoxins from equine plasma by receptor based affinity purification
Authors: Timms Mark , Ganio Katherine , Steel Rohan 
Published: April 2020

AbstractVenoms were first identified as potential doping agents by the racing industry in 2007 when three vials of cobra venom were seized during an inspection of a stable at Keeneland Racecourse in the USA. Venoms are a complex mixture of proteins, peptides, and other substances with a wide range of biological effects, including inhibiting the transmission of nervous and muscular impulses. As an example of this, cobratoxin, an α‐neurotoxin found in cobra venom, is claimed to be an effective treatment for pain. Recent analysis of seized samples identified venom from two different species of snake. Proteomic analysis identified the first sample as cobra venom, while the second sample, in a vial labeled “Conotoxin”, was identified as venom from a many banded krait. Cobratoxin, conotoxins, and bungarotoxins (a component of krait venom) are all α‐neurotoxins, suggesting a common application for all three venom proteins as potential pain blocking medications. Using a peptide based on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, a one‐step affinity purification method was developed for the detection of α‐neurotoxins in plasma.
The diet of the striped hyena in Nepal's lowland regions
Authors: Bhandari Shivish , Morley Craig , Aryal Achyut , Shrestha Uttam Babu 
Published: April 2020

AbstractStriped hyenas (Hyaena hyaena) are extremely rare in Nepal, and only a few people have studied them in their natural forest and grassland habitat. Their rarity is due to anthropogenic pressures such as hunting, habitat modification, being killed on roads, and depletion of their natural prey. Here, we studied the feeding ecology of hyenas in lowland, Nepal. We employed an opportunistic sampling to collect hyena scats in a range of habitats and the line transect sampling to identify the prey of the hyena in the study site. We collected 68 hyena scats between 2015 and 2018. Most of the hyena scat (39.7%) was found in the Churia Hill forest followed by riverbed (26.4%), mixed forest (14.7%), Sal (Shorea robusta)‐dominated forest (11.7%), and grassland area (7.3%). We found eleven mammalian prey species, plants, and some unidentified items in the hyena scats. The frequency of occurrence and relative biomass of the medium‐sized wild boar (Sus scrofa) were higher than other smaller prey species such as hare (Lepus nigricollis) and rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta). Similarly, the proportion of large prey species such as nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus) in the hyena diet was lower compared with wild boar, hares, and rhesus macaques indicating medium‐sized wild boar is the most preferred prey species. Livestock contributed 17.3% of the total dietary biomass. Domesticated species such as goats, sheep, cows, and even dogs were found in the diet of hyenas. Predation of livestock by hyenas could cause conflict, especially if this ongoing issue continues in the future. Rather, more conservation effort is required in lowland areas of Nepal to protect the hyenas' natural prey species, particularly in wildlife habitats to reduce the lure of taking domestic livestock. Similarly, conservation education at the local level and active involvement of government authorities in the conservation of this species might be helpful to mitigate human–hyena conflict in the human‐dominated landscape.
Selective Removal of Photocatalytically Active Anatase TiO2 Phase from Mixed‐Phase TiO2‐ZnO Nanocomposites: Impact on Physicochemical Properties and Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Menon Nambath Gayathri , Tatiparti Sankara Sarma V. , Mukherji Suparna 
Published: April 2020

TiO2‐ZnO nanocomposites were synthesized by varying Ti:Zn molar ratio from 1:0.1 (TZ‐1:0.1) to 1:1 (TZ‐1:1). With increase in Zn content, from TZ‐1:0.1 to TZ‐1:0.2, anatase transformed to rutile phase. TZ‐1:0.3, which contained a blend of phases, including rutile and anatase TiO2, ZnO, and zinc titanates, exhibited the narrowest bandgap (2.5 ± 0.1 eV), and showed the highest photocatalytic activity. TZ‐1:1 was predominated by zinc titanates. All the nanocomposites exhibited narrower bandgaps compared to pure TiO2 nanoparticles, facilitating visible light activity. This study was designed to explore whether a method targeting the removal of a specific crystalline phase (anatase) influenced the properties and photocatalytic activity of the nanocomposite. Selective dissolution not only removed anatase phase, but also led to significant loss of crystallinity, widened the bandgap, and adversely affected photocatalytic performance, in nanocomposites that contained >80% anatase phase (TZ‐1:0.1 and TZ‐1:0.2). However, in nanocomposites that contained less of anatase phase (TZ‐1:0.3 and TZ‐1:1), the morphology, bandgap, crystallinity, and the extent of photocatalytic activity at the end of 240 min remained largely unaffected. Photocatalytic activity in TZ‐1:0.3 and TZ‐1:1 originated from a blend of phases comprising of less photocatalytically active phases, such as rutile TiO2, ZnTiO3, and Zn2TiO4, rather than from the anatase phase. The Ti:Zn molar ratio controlled the phases present in TiO2‐ZnO nanocomposites, which, in turn, controlled the physicochemical properties and visible light activity. Thus, in nanocomposites that contained a mix of several phases, the properties and photocatalytic activity were not dependent on anatase phase.
Recent Progress in Preparation and Application of Nano‐Chitin Materials
Authors: Yang Xuefei , Liu Jie , Pei Ying , Zheng Xuejing , Tang Keyong 
Published: April 2020

Chitin is a kind of natural macromolecule material which was first discovered in mushrooms and was widely found in the shells of crustaceans and arthropods, the cell walls of fungi (yeast and mold) and algae, and the mollusks. The original chitin in nature usually has an antiparallel molecular chain alignment forming nanofibers connected by inter‐ and intramolecular hydrogen bonds. These microfibers consist of nanofibers about 2‐5 nm in diameter, and about 300 nm long, embedded by protein matrices. Due to their unique dimensional, optical, mechanical, and other characteristics, the preparation of nano‐chitin materials is an important subject. It is possible to extract nano‐chitins from their sources with various methods, including acid hydrolysis, mechanical disintegration, TEMPO‐mediated oxidation, electrospinning, and others. In this article, the latest progress in recent years in the preparation and applications of nano‐chitin were reviewed. The morphology of the nano‐chitins obtained from the above methods was presented. The advantages and disadvantages of each method were analyzed. An overview of applications of nano‐chitins was discussed, including biomedicine, food applications, water treatment, green electronic materials, enzyme immobilization carriers, cotton textile materials, cosmetics, and others.
Impact of left atrial diameter on outcome in patients undergoing edge‐to‐edge mitral valve repair: results from the German TRAnscatheter Mitral valve Interventions (TRAMI) registry
Authors: Iliadis Christos , Baldus Stephan , Kalbacher Daniel , Boekstegers Peter , Schillinger Wolfgang , Ouarrak Taoufik , Zahn Ralf , Butter Christian , Zuern Christine S. , von Bardeleben Ralph Stephan , Senges Jochen , Bekeredjian Raffi , Eggebrecht Holger , Pfister Roman 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTBackgroundLeft atrial (LA) dimension is a marker of disease severity and outcome in primary and secondary mitral regurgitation. In transcatheter mitral valve repair, LA enlargement might additionally impact on device handling and technical success through an altered anatomy and atrial annular dilatation.Methods and resultsData from the multicentre German TRAnscatheter Mitral valve Interventions registry (TRAMI) were used to analyse the association of baseline LA diameter by tertiles with efficacy, safety and long‐term clinical outcome in patients undergoing edge‐to‐edge repair with MitraClip. In 520 of 843 patients prospectively enrolled in TRAMI, baseline LA diameter were reported [median (interquartile range) LA diameter in tertiles: 44 (40–46) mm, 51 (48–53) mm and 60 (55–66) mm]. Larger LA diameters were significantly associated with secondary aetiology of mitral regurgitation, lower ejection fraction, larger left ventricle, male sex and atrial fibrillation (all P < 0.05). Technical success was not different across tertiles (96%, 95.4% and 98.4%, respectively; P = 0.43) as were major in‐hospital cardiovascular and cerebral adverse events (mortality, myocardial infarction or stroke: 1.8%, 1.2% and 4.4%, respectively; P = 0.11 across tertiles). However, 4‐year mortality significantly increased with larger LA diameter (32.9%, 46.4% and 51.7%, respectively; P < 0.01), as did hospitalization in survivors (60%, 67.6% and 78.9%, respectively; P < 0.05). The association between LA diameter and outcome remained significant after multivariable adjustment including baseline left ventricular end‐diastolic diameter.ConclusionLeft atrial enlargement is a strong and independent predictor of adverse long‐term outcome after transcatheter mitral valve repair. Further study is warranted to examine whether timely intervention may have the potential to modify outcome.
Drivers of variability in large wood loads along the fluvial continuum of a Mediterranean intermittent river
Authors: Galia Tomáš , Macurová Tereza , Vardakas Leonidas , Škarpich Václav , Matušková Tereza , Kalogianni Eleni 
Published: April 2020

AbstractAlthough in‐channel and floodplain large wood (LW) has been recognized as an important component of lotic ecosystems, there is still limited knowledge on the recruitment, mobility and retention of LW in rivers with an intermittent hydrological regime. In this study, we analysed the LW characteristics and related reach‐scale variables of 22 reaches in a Mediterranean intermittent river (Evrotas, Greece) in order to identify predictors of in‐channel and floodplain LW distribution. Our results indicated high downstream variation in LW volumes in the fluvial corridor (0.05–25.51 m3/ha for in‐channel LW and 0–30.88 m3/ha for floodplain LW). In‐channel and floodplain LW retention was primarily driven by the hydrological regime of the studied reaches (i.e. perennial or non‐perennial) with higher volumes of LW observed in perennial sections. The width of the riparian corridor was an important predictor of LW storage at the reach scale. Non‐perennial reaches had a disproportionally larger number of relatively small‐diameter living trees at the expense of mature trees with larger diameters typical for riparian stands functioning as LW recruitment areas in perennial reaches. The smaller dimensions of in‐channel LW in non‐perennial reaches, coupled with the dominance of loose LW pieces, implies frequent LW transport during ordinary flood events. Nevertheless, overall low LW retention in the fluvial corridor under non‐perennial flow regime predicts low volumes of mobilized LW. In contrast, the recruitment of relatively long and large‐diameter LW from mature riparian stands in perennial reaches, together with additional LW stabilization by banks, bed sediments, living trees or other LW pieces decreases the potential for further LW transport. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.