bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictors of postoperative overall and severe complications after surgical treatment for endometrial cancer: The role of the fragility index
Authors: Giannini Andrea , Di Donato Violante , Schiavi Michele C. , May James , Panici Pierluigi Benedetti , Congiu Mario A. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the predictive value of obesity, comorbidities, and fragility on overall and severe complication rate and survival among patients surgically treated for endometrial cancer.MethodsConsecutive patients with endometrial cancer treated at the Royal Infirmary Hospital of Edinburgh from June 1, 2015, to June 30, 2017, were retrospectively enrolled in an observational study. Considering pre‐existing medical conditions, comorbidities, and complications, modified fragility index (mFI) was calculated. Logistic regression was used to evaluate predicting variables of overall (G1–G4) and severe (G3–G4) complication rate.ResultsOne hundred patients were surgically treated for endometrial cancer. Elevated mFI >3 was related to a statistically higher access rate to the high dependency unit (HDU) or intensive care unit (ITU) (33.3% vs 6.6%, P=0.013). Overall, 31 women had postoperative complications. Using multivariate analysis, it was shown that undergoing laparotomy (odds ratio [OR] 7.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.52–19.71; P<0.001) and having an mFI >3 (OR 7.19, 95% CI 1.43–36.25; P=0.021) were independent predictors of overall complications (G1–G4). Moreover, only smoking (OR 5.01, 95% CI 1.15–21.75; P=0.031) and mFI >3 (OR 5.16, 95% CI 1.07–24.94; P=0.047) were independent factors for severe complications (G3–G4).ConclusionModified fragility index was an important predictor of complications among patients treated for endometrial cancer and could be a useful tool for assisting clinicians in perioperative management.
A benefits framework for public access ICT4D programmes
Authors: Uys Corrie , Pather Shaun 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThere have been expectations across the developing world that information and communications technologies (ICTs) will deliver benefits to marginalised people. Despite many programmes related to the promotion of Internet uptake and usage amongst poorer communities, evidence regarding such benefit is lacking, and there is little agreement in respect of frameworks and metrics to evaluate the benefits thereof. This paper reports on a case study that investigated the nature of a public access information and communication technologies for development (ICT4D) programme and presents a framework for assessing the associated benefits in the South African context. The capability approach is used as a lens to assess the process of providing opportunities to ordinary citizens through ICT access and use. By operationalising agency and conversion factors, the study identified inhibitors and enhancers of opportunities and choices in realising benefits. Through the application of a critical realism paradigm and a mixed method analytical approach, perceptions of a changed life, aspirations for a better life, and “hope” emerged as key intangible benefits. The paper presents an ICT benefits framework, which serves as an important contribution to the ICT4D evaluation field. A novel outcome of the study is that it provides evidence of constructs that to date have been considered as intangible benefits in the literature.
Photobiomodulation therapy for repeated closed head injury in rats
Authors: Yang Baocheng , Xu Juanyong , Li Yong , Dong Yan , Li Yuyu , Tucker Lorelei , Yang Luodan , Zong Xuemei , Wu Chongyun , Xu Tie , Hu Shuqun , Zhang Quanguang , Yan Xianliang 
Published: October 2019

AbstractRepeated traumatic brain injury, leads to cumulative neuronal injury and neurological impairments. There are currently no effective treatments to prevent these consequences. Growing interest is building in the use of transcranial photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy to treat traumatic brain injury. Here, we examined PBM in a repeated closed head injury (rCHI) rat model. Rats were administered a total of three closed head injuries, with each injury separated by 5 days. PBM treatment was initiated 2 hours after the first injury and administered daily for a total of 15 days. We found that PBM‐treated rCHI rats had a significant reduction in motor ability, anxiety and cognitive deficits compared to CHI group. PBM group showed an increase of synaptic proteins and surviving neurons, along with a reduction in reactive gliosis and neuronal injury. These findings highlight the complexity of gliosis and neuronal injury following rCHI and suggest that PBM may be a viable treatment option to mitigate these effects and their detrimental consequences.
Practical one‐pot, two‐step protocol for the ultrasound‐assisted synthesis of new mono‐ and bis‐pyrrolidine‐2,5‐diones containing sulfonamide moiety
Authors: Alioua Sabrina , Bougheloum Chafika , Benali Nesma , Messalhi Abdelrani 
Published: October 2019

AbstractA simple and efficient preparation of novel series of mono‐ and bis‐pyrrolidine‐2,5‐diones containing sulfonamide moiety was described. The strategy involved sequential one‐pot sulfonylation‐nucleophilic substitution procedure and was found effective under ultrasound activation and used for the first time. This approach allows the synthesis of products in good to excellent yields in short reaction time.
Grazing pressure interacts with aridity to determine the development and diversity of biological soil crusts in Patagonian rangelands
Authors: Velasco Ayuso Sergio , Oñatibia Gastón R. , Maestre Fernando T. , Yahdjian Laura 
Published: October 2019

AbstractGrazing is directly related to land degradation and desertification in global drylands. Grazing impacts on vascular plants, reasonably well‐known, depend on its intensity and are modulated by local aridity conditions. However, we do not know how the interplay of grazing intensity and aridity affect biocrusts, topsoil assemblages dominated by cyanobacteria, lichens, and mosses that provide key ecosystem services in drylands. Here, we determined how grazing affects biomass, total cover, and richness of biocrust structural types across a regional aridity gradient in the Patagonian steppe. On average, grazing by sheep reduced biocrust biomass, total cover and richness of structural types by 55, 90, and 59%, respectively. In general, high grazing pressures had a larger impact on biocrusts than moderate or light grazing pressures. For example, biocrust cover was reduced by 85, 89, and 98% by light, moderate, and high grazing pressures, respectively. Although a slightly different response to grazing was observed under low aridity conditions, these more benign climatic conditions did not compensate for the negative effects of trampling by domestic animals on biocrusts. Nonetheless, estimated biocrust recovery rates under medium aridity conditions were faster than previously thought: it took 24, 18, and 58 years to double biocrust biomass, total cover, and richness of structural types. Sheep cannot be just removed in Patagonian rangelands because the production of meat and wool represents the main local economic activity. But landowners must consider our results to protect the ecosystem functions and services provided by biocrusts for future generations to come.
Development of Polymer Coacersome Structure with Enhanced Colloidal Stability for Therapeutic Protein Delivery
Authors: Jo Heejung , Gajendiran Mani , Kim Kyobum 
Published: October 2019

AbstractPoly(ethylene arginyl aspartate diglyceride) (PEAD) polycation is widely used to prepare coacervate particles by electrostatic complexation with an anionic heparin (HEP) in aqueous environments, for controlled release of therapeutic proteins. However, coacervate complexes aggregate randomly due to particle–particle charge interactions. Herein, a new term “coacersome” is introduced to represent a stable polyplex formed by complexation of mPEGylated PEAD and HEP. Methoxy polyethylene glycol (mPEG)‐b‐cationic PEAD diblock copolymers are synthesized and complexed with HEP to create a stable “coacersome” structure. Water‐soluble mPEG moiety assembles on the surface of coacersomes in aqueous conditions and creates a steric barrier to avoid aggregation of coacersomes. The coacersomes are able to maintain their initial spherical morphology and size for longer durations in the presence of competing ions, such as 0.3 m NaCl. Additionally, the coacersomes exhibit biocompatibility toward human dermal fibroblasts, a high loading efficiency (>96%) for encapsulation of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP‐2), and a sustained release profile up to 28 days. The BMP‐2‐loaded coacersomes further exhibit increased osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). The developed coacersome structures have the potential to be utilized as effective carriers for therapeutic protein delivery.
Parameter optimization framework on wave gradients of Wave‐CAIPI imaging
Authors: Wang Haifeng , Qiu Zhilang , Su Shi , Jia Sen , Li Ye , Liu Xin , Zheng Hairong , Liang Dong 
Published: October 2019

PurposeTo propose a parameter optimization framework on wave gradients of Wave‐CAIPI imaging for decreasing g‐factor penalty and reducing reconstruction artifacts.Theory and MethodsThe influences of parameters on g‐factor are theoretically analyzed. The average g‐factor is chosen as a metric for parameter optimization, and then a fast calculation method is proposed to approximately and ultra‐fast calculate the average g‐factor. Based on this, a set of points in the function of the average g‐factor with respect to the wave gradient parameters is calculated, and the optimal wave gradient parameters are found according to these points.ResultsIn vivo human brain experiments were performed on 3T MR scanners for the comparison experiments. The results show that the proposed parameter optimization framework is able to efficiently obtain optimal wave gradient parameters, which can achieve decreased g‐factor penalty and less artifacts of reconstructions than the empirical parameters.ConclusionThe proposed parameter optimization framework is computationally efficient and can optimize the wave gradient parameters of Wave‐CAIPI imaging for better image quality than before.
MEGA‐PRESS of GABA+: Influences of acquisition parameters
Authors: Deelchand Dinesh K. , Marjańska Małgorzata , Henry Pierre‐Gilles , Terpstra Melissa 
Published: October 2019

γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) was the first molecule that was edited with MEGA‐PRESS. GABA edited spectroscopy is challenged by limited selectivity of editing pulses. Coediting of resonances from macromolecules (MM) is the greatest single limitation of GABA edited spectroscopy. In this contribution, relative signal contributions from GABA, MM and homocarnosine to the total MEGA‐PRESS edited signal at ~3 ppm, i.e., GABA+, are simulated at 3 tesla using several acquisition schemes. The base scheme is modeled after those currently supplied by vendors: it uses typical pulse shapes and lengths, it minimizes the first echo time (TE), and the delay between the editing pulses is kept at TE/2. Edited spectra are simulated for imperfect acquisition parameters such as incorrect frequency, larger chemical shift displacement, incorrect transmit B1‐field calibration for localization and editing pulses, and longer TE. An alternative timing scheme and longer editing pulses are also considered. Additional simulations are performed for symmetric editing around the MM frequency to suppress the MM signal. The relative influences of these acquisition parameters on the constituents of GABA+ are examined from the perspective of modern experimental designs for investigating brain GABA concentration differences in healthy and diseased humans. Other factors that influence signal contributions, such as T1 and T2 relaxation times are also considered.
Possible neurogenic disorder in a female buried in the monastic cemetery at Ghazali (ca. 670–1270 CE), northern Sudan
Authors: Ciesielska Joanna A. , Stark Robert J. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractDuring the archaeological excavations of a Christian monastic cemetery in northern Sudan, a double‐vaulted tomb was discovered housing the remains of three individuals, among them a 50+‐year‐old female. The skeletal remains of this individual displayed significant asymmetry of the lower limbs, with apparent muscle atrophy and shortening of the left extremity, in combination with other symptoms suggestive of a neurogenic background of the condition. This paper presents a differential assessment, considering various possible etiologies of the observed lesions, including poliomyelitis, cerebral palsy, and Rasmussen's encephalitis. The morphology and patterning of the observed lesions suggest the first known occurrence of poliomyelitis from medieval Sudanese contexts.
Anesthetic management of children with congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis
Authors: Qiu Yongsheng , Zhao Liyuan , Yao Dongdong , Jia Yingping 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACTIntroductionCongenital analgesia is a rare autosomal recessive hereditary disease. The primary damage of congenital analgesia is central structure damage of comprehensive pain perception.Case presentationA 1‐year‐old Han Chinese boy was admitted to hospital because of a tongue bite. He had no response to noxious stimulation of the body surface and was diagnosed with congenital analgesia. A small dose of remifentanil was intravenously injected during anesthetic induction to reduce the stress response caused by endotracheal intubation. A certain depth of anesthesia should be guaranteed during anesthetic induction and surgery to alleviate the stress response induced by endotracheal intubation and the operation.ConclusionOpioid analgesics are not required for general anesthesia in patient with congenital insensitivity to pain. With a heat dissipation barrier in patients with congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis, body temperature, end‐tidal carbon dioxide and bispectral index should be monitored.
Epidemiology and treatment of beta thalassemia major in China
Authors: Xu Xiaoxiao , Wu Xuedong 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThalassemia, classified as the main types α‐ and β‐thalassemia, is a single gene disorder resulting from globin chain synthesis impairment through the mutation or deletion of globin genes. The incidence of thalassemia is high worldwide, with high associated mortality. Therefore, treatment is important to improve patient outcomes. This paper reviews the current status of β‐thalassemia major in China, including its epidemiology and treatment.
Distribution and risk factor analysis for Clostridium difficile‐associated diarrhea among hospitalized children over one year of age
Authors: Zhao Chunna , Guo Shu , Jia Xiaoyun , Xu Xiwei 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACTImportanceClostridium difficile‐associated diarrhea (CDAD) is a severe type of antibiotic‐associated diarrhea (AAD). However, the risk factors for CDAD in children with AAD have not yet been clarified.ObjectiveTo investigate the distribution and risk factors for CDAD among hospitalized children in Beijing Children’s Hospital.MethodsStool samples from 197 children with AAD were tested for the C. difficile pathogenic genes (tcdA, tcdB, tcdC, tcdD, tcdE, cdtA, and cdtB) using polymerase chain reaction between January 2011 and January 2014. Children who tested positive for tcdA or tcdB were included in the CDAD group, and those remaining comprised the non‐CDAD group.ResultsThe rate of CDAD among the 197 children with AAD was 42.6% (84/197). The age distribution was 1–15.6 years, among which the majority of children (54.8%, 46/84) were aged 1–4 years. Differences in the CDAD‐positive rates among AAD children belonging to different age groups were not statistically significant. Univariate analysis revealed that the duration of antibiotic therapy, the length of hospitalization prior to diarrhea, and gastrointestinal tract operations were significant risk factors (P < 0.05). Children with CDAD underwent more antibiotic therapy and had longer periods of hospitalization prior to diarrhea onset than children in the non‐CDAD group. Using multivariate regression analysis, hospitalization for ≥ 10 days prior to diarrhea was found to be an independent risk factor for CDAD.InterpretationThis study revealed that the length of hospitalization (≥ 10 days) prior to diarrhea was an independent risk factor for CDAD in children with AAD.
Scalable Data Analysis in Proteomics and Metabolomics Using BioContainers and Workflows Engines
Authors: Perez‐Riverol Yasset , Moreno Pablo 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe recent improvements in mass spectrometry instruments and new analytical methods are increasing the intersection between proteomics and big data science. In addition, bioinformatics analysis is becoming increasingly complex and convoluted, involving multiple algorithms and tools. A wide variety of methods and software tools have been developed for computational proteomics and metabolomics during recent years, and this trend is likely to continue. However, most of the computational proteomics and metabolomics tools are designed as single‐tiered software application where the analytics tasks cannot be distributed, limiting the scalability and reproducibility of the data analysis. In this paper the key steps of metabolomics and proteomics data processing, including the main tools and software used to perform the data analysis, are summarized. The combination of software containers with workflows environments for large‐scale metabolomics and proteomics analysis is discussed. Finally, a new approach for reproducible and large‐scale data analysis based on BioContainers and two of the most popular workflow environments, Galaxy and Nextflow, is introduced to the proteomics and metabolomics communities.
MALDI–MS Profiling to Address Honey Bee Health Status under Bacterial Challenge through Computational Modeling
Authors: Arafah Karim , Voisin Sébastien Nicolas , Masson Victor , Alaux Cédric , Le Conte Yves , Bocquet Michel , Bulet Philippe 
Published: October 2019

AbstractHoney bees play a critical role in the maintenance of plant biodiversity and sustainability of food webs. In the past few decades, bees have been subjected to biotic and abiotic threats causing various colony disorders. Therefore, monitoring solutions to help beekeepers to improve bee health are necessary. Matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization–mass spectrometry (MALDI–MS) profiling has emerged within this decade as a powerful tool to identify in routine micro‐organisms and is currently used in real‐time clinical diagnosis. MALDI BeeTyping is developed to monitor significant hemolymph molecular changes in honey bees upon infection with a series of entomopathogenic Gram‐positive and ‐negative bacteria. A Serratia marcescens strain isolated from one naturally infected honey bee collected from the field is also considered. A series of hemolymph molecular mass fingerprints is individually recorded and to the authors' knowledge, the first computational model harboring a predictive score of 97.92% and made of nine molecular signatures that discriminate and classify the honey bees’ systemic response to the bacteria is built. Hence, the model is challenged by classifying a training set of hemolymphs and an overall recognition of 91.93% is obtained. Through this work, a novel, time and cost saving high‐throughput strategy that addresses honey bee health on an individual scale is introduced.
Changing spatial interconnectivity during the “Great American Migration Slowdown”: A decomposition of intercounty migration rates, 1990–2010
Authors: DeWaard Jack , Fussell Elizabeth , Curtis Katherine J. , Ha Jasmine Trang 
Published: October 2019

AbstractPrior research on the “Great American Migration Slowdown,” or the declining rate of U.S. internal migration in recent decades, is dominated by two research foci. The first is concerned with the determinants of the migration slowdown. The second is concerned with spatial heterogeneity in the migration slowdown in and across places. With respect to the aim of this paper, many studies of spatial heterogeneity in the migration slowdown have implicitly raised questions about whether and to what extent places are connected to one another by migration flows, or the spatial interconnectivity of migration. The spatial interconnectivity of migration is a concrete manifestation of underlying spatial interdependence among places and, as such, deserves to be explicitly unpacked to further our understanding of the migration slowdown. Using county‐to‐county migration flow data from the Internal Revenue Service and a novel application of Das Gupta's demographic standardisation and decomposition procedures, we document changes in the spatial interconnectivity of migration during the migration slowdown between 1990 and 2010. We show that counties became more connected to one another by migration over time and that the increasing spatial interconnectivity of migration helped to keep the migration slowdown from slowing further. We also document changes in the spatial interconnectivity of migration for four types of migration flows: metro‐to‐metro, nonmetro‐to‐metro, metro‐to‐nonmetro, and nonmetro‐to‐nonmetro. Our work further elucidates the characteristics of the migration slowdown by describing changes in the spatial interconnectivity of migration. It also raises new questions for future research about the determinants and consequences of these changes.
Nonlinear logistic regression mixture experiment modeling for binary data using dimensionally reduced components
Authors: Stanfill Bryan A. , Piepel Greg F. , Vienna John D. , Cooley Scott K. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThis article motivates, presents, and illustrates an approach using nonlinear logistic regression (NLR) for modeling binary response data from a mixture experiment when the components can be partitioned into groups used to form dimensionally reduced components (DRCs). A DRC is formed from a linear combination of the components in a group having similar roles and/or effects of the same sign, where the linear combinations over all groups are normalized so that the DRC proportions sum to one. Linear combinations of a particular form provide for quantifying the effects of the remaining components in a group relative to a chosen component. This reason, plus dimensional reduction, are the primary motivations for the proposed DRC mixture experiment modeling approach. NLR is required because models expressed in terms of the DRCs are nonlinear in the parameters that specify the linear combinations. A method for obtaining nonparametric tolerance limits on the probability of a “success” for the binary response variable using a bootstrap approach is also presented. Finally, the article shows how DRCs provide for visualizing data and modeling results that otherwise would be impossible. A real database on the presence or absence of nepheline crystals in simulated nuclear waste glass is used to illustrate the NLR modeling and nonparametric tolerance limit approaches. The methodology is general and can be applied to other applications.