bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Kinetic Investigation of Pd(II)-Catalyzed Ortho C-H Iodination of Benzamide with I2
Authors: Aizawa Sen-ichi , Takeuchi Yoichi 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Intimate kinetic investigation of Pd(II)-catalyzed ortho C-H iodination of benzamide substrate via cyclopalladation was performed for the first time by using molecular I2 as a sole oxidant and acetate as a base. The reaction rate of the cyclopalladation step is independent of benzamide concentration but increased with an increase in acetate concentration and then gradually decreased due to blocking on coordination sites of Pd(II) by acetate. On the other hand, the reaction rate of the subsequent iodination step was first-order with respect to I2 concentration. Though the total activation energies of the cyclopalladation and iodination processes are comparable, it is reasonable that the cyclopalladation appears to be the rate-determining step of Pd(II)-catalyzed ortho C-H iodination, in which substrates, I2, and acetate are used in large excess. From the present results, it can be proposed that a minimum amount of acetate required for deprotonation of amide and ortho proton for cyclopalladation and rather excess I2 should be used to provide acceleration and high performance of Pd(II)-catalyzed ortho C-H iodination.
Quantifying MRI T
1 relaxation in flowing blood: implications for arterial input function measurement in DCE-MRI
Authors: Gwilliam Matthew N , Collins David J , Leach Martin O , Orton Matthew R 
Published: January 2021

Objectives:
To investigate the feasibility of accurately quantifying the concentration of MRI contrast agent in flowing blood by measuring its T1 in a large vessel. Such measures are often used to obtain patient-specific arterial input functions for the accurate fitting of pharmacokinetic models to dynamic contrast enhanced MRI data. Flow is known to produce errors with this technique, but these have so far been poorly quantified and characterised in the context of pulsatile flow with a rapidly changing T1 as would be expected in vivo.

Methods:
A phantom was developed which used a mechanical pump to pass fluid at physiologically relevant rates. Measurements of T1 were made using high temporal resolution gradient recalled sequences suitable for DCE-MRI of both constant and pulsatile flow. These measures were used to validate a virtual phantom that was then used to simulate the expected errors in the measurement of an AIF in vivo.

Results:
The relationship between measured T1 values and flow velocity was found to be non-linear. The subsequent error in quantification of contrast agent concentration in a measured AIF was shown.

Conclusions:
The T1 measurement of flowing blood using standard DCE- MRI sequences are subject to large measurement errors which are non-linear in relation to flow velocity.

Advances in knowledge:
This work qualitatively and quantitatively demonstrates the difficulties of accurately measuring the T1 of flowing blood using DCE-MRI over a wide range of physiologically realistic flow velocities and pulsatilities. Sources of error are identified and proposals made to reduce these.
Investigation and management of iron deficiency anaemia in a specialist palliative care setting and the role of intravenous iron: a descriptive analysis of hospice data
Authors: Steele Thomas , Bonwick Helen , Nwosu Amara Callistus , Chapman Laura 
Published: January 2021

Background: Anaemia is common in hospice populations and associated with significant symptom burden. Guidelines recommend investigating for and treating iron deficiency (ID), but there is little evidence of this practice in palliative care populations. This report describes the results of investigations for and subsequent management of ID in a UK hospice. Methods: This is a descriptive study of routine clinical data. Laboratory and clinical records were reviewed retrospectively for 12 months following the implementation, in August 2018, of routine investigation for ID amongst patients with clinically relevant anaemia in whom treatment would be considered. Absolute (AID) and functional iron deficiency (FID) were diagnosed using established definitions and treatments recorded. Results: Iron status was evaluated in 112 cases, representing 25/110 (22.7%) of those with mild, 26/76 (60.5%) moderate and 41/54 (75.9%) severe anaemia. Twenty-eight (25%) were defined as having AID, 48 (42.8%) FID and 36 (32%) no ID. There was a significant difference between groups in symptoms triggering haemoglobin check and diagnosis, with a higher proportion of patients with classic symptoms of anaemia and gastrointestinal malignancy in those with AID. Intravenous iron was given on 12 occasions in the hospice with no major adverse events. Subjective symptom benefit in 7 cases and a significant increase in overall mean haemoglobin were observed. Conclusions: This report describes the outcome of investigations for iron deficiency in patients with clinically significant anaemia in a UK hospice. Results indicate iron deficiency is common and can be safely treated with intravenous iron replacement, within current guidelines, in a hospice setting. Further research should define the optimum use of this approach in palliative care patients.
Complex haploinsufficient interaction between APC11 and CYCLIN A1;2/TARDY ASYNCHRONOUS MEIOSIS in embryo development and seed germination in Arabidopsis
Authors: Yang Ming , Wang Yixing , Guo Lei , Liu Chun-Ming 
Published: January 2021

Background:Complex haploinsufficiency is characterized by individuals with two heterozygous loci producing a phenotype that is not seen in either of the corresponding single-locus heterozygous individuals. The mutants of the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) subunit geneAPC11and the mitotic cyclin geneCYCLIN A1;2/TARDY ASYNCHRONOUS MEIOSIS(TAM) inArabidopsis thalianaare embryo-lethal and defective in meiosis, respectively, but their heterozygous single mutants do not exhibit defective embryo development and seed germination.Methods:Crosses between two heterozygousapc11mutant alleles and two homozygoustammutant alleles, and between two heterozygousapc11mutant alleles and aTAM:TAM-GFPline were conducted. Phenotypes of the F1seeds were analyzed by light microscopy.Results:We found that F1embryos from the crosses between heterozygousapc11-1(APC11/apc11-1) and homozygoustam-2(tam-2/tam-2) or betweenAPC11/apc11-2andtam-2/tam-2were morphologically normal but all the seeds failed to germinate. F1embryos from the crosses betweenAPC11/apc11-2andtam-1/tam-1(weaker allele thantam-2) produced morphologically normal seeds that germinated to form mature plants. However, F1embryos from the crosses betweenAPC11/apc11-1andtam-1/tam-1were abnormal and the seeds failed to germinate. Moreover, F1embryos from the crosses betweenAPC11/apc11-1and aTAM:TAM-GFPline were arrested at early developmental stages while F1embryos from the crosses betweenAPC11/apc11-2and theTAM:TAM-GFPline appeared fully developed but the seeds failed to germinate.Conclusions:Our observations indicate that theapc11andtammutants have an allele-dependent complex haploinsufficient relationship in embryo development and seed germination.
Impact of somatosensory interventions on upper limb function in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy: a single-subject design study
Authors: Khoshbakht Moloud , Raji Parvin , Ansari Noureddin Nakhostin , Mahmodian Mahmoud 
Published: January 2021

Background/aims Hemiplegia is one of the most common types of cerebral palsy. Upper limb dysfunction in these children can affect their quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of somatosensory interventions on upper extremity sensory and motor functions in spastic hemiplegic children. Methods This single-subject study was performed in the occupational therapy clinic of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Three participants (two boys and one girl) aged 8–12 years with spastic hemiplegia were assessed during baseline, treatment and follow-up phases. During the treatment phase, the children received 12 tactile and proprioceptive stimulation (active, passive and playful) sessions over 4 weeks. Four sensory measures (tactile localisation, stereognosis, two-point discrimination, proprioception) and one motor measure (Box and Block Test) were assessed during each phase. Results Improvement in function was seen in all three children based on visual analysis, with significant differences between the baseline and treatment scores in the majority of measures for all participants. Changes were sustained at follow up for most tests. The effect size was large for all three children. Conclusions Despite the small number of participants, sensory intervention with a focus on sensory deficits could help to improve upper extremity sensory and motor function in children with spastic hemiplegia.
Effect of incentive spirometer exercise combined with physical therapy on pulmonary functions in children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Atia Doaa Tammam , Tharwat Mohamed Mohamed 
Published: January 2021

Background/aimsChildren with cerebral palsy have poorer pulmonary function than average healthy people because they typically have decreased mobility of the chest wall, deviation of chest wall structure and weak respiratory muscles. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the incentive spirometer exercise on pulmonary functions in children with cerebral palsy, and the effects of the incentive spirometer exercise according to Gross Motor Function Classification System level.MethodsA total of 50 patients with spastic cerebral palsy aged between 8 and 12 years were randomly divided into two groups: the study group and the control group. Both groups received a physiotherapy exercise programme with the aim of enhancing gross motor and respiratory function for 60 minutes a day, 3 days a week for 8 weeks. The study group received the additional incentive spirometer exercise. Both groups had pulmonary function testing before the study (baseline), halfway through the intervention (at 4 weeks) and then at the end of the intervention (after 8 weeks).ResultsSignificant improvements in forced expiratory volume in 1 second, forced vital capacity and maximal mid-expiratory flow were found in the study group, but not in the control group.ConclusionsThe incentive spirometer exercise, along with physiotherapy exercises, are effective in improving pulmonary functions than physiotherapy exercises alone.
Machine learning regression for QoT estimation of unestablished lightpaths
Authors: Ibrahimi Memedhe , Abdollahi Hatef , Rottondi Cristina , Giusti Alessandro , Ferrari Alessio , Curri Vittorio , Tornatore Massimo 
Published: January 2021

Estimating the quality of transmission (QoT) of a candidate lightpath prior to its establishment is of pivotal importance for effective decision making in resource allocation for optical networks. Several recent studies investigated machine learning (ML) methods to accurately predict whether the configuration of a prospective lightpath satisfies a given threshold on a QoT metric such as the generalized signal-to-noise ratio (GSNR) or the bit error rate. Given a set of features, the GSNR for a given lightpath configuration may still exhibit variations, as it depends on several other factors not captured by the features considered. It follows that the GSNR associated with a lightpath configuration can be modeled as a random variable and thus be characterized by a probability distribution function. However, most of the existing approaches attempt to directly answer the question “is a given lightpath configuration (e.g., with a given modulation format) feasible on a certain path?” but do not consider the additional benefit that estimating the entire statistical distribution of the metric under observation can provide. Hence, in this paper, we investigate how to employ ML regression approaches to estimate the distribution of the received GSNR of unestablished lightpaths. In particular, we discuss and assess the performance of three regression approaches by leveraging synthetic data obtained by means of two different data generation tools. We evaluate the performance of the three proposed approaches on a realistic network topology in terms of root mean squared error and R2 score and compare them against a baseline approach that simply predicts the GSNR mean value. Moreover, we provide a cost analysis by attributing penalties to incorrect deployment decisions and emphasize the benefits of leveraging the proposed estimation approaches from the point of view of a network operator, which is allowed to make more informed decisions about lightpath deployment with respect to state-of-the-art QoT classification techniques.
Influence of single nucleotide polymorphisms among cigarette smoking and non-smoking patients with coronary artery disease, urinary bladder cancer and lung cancer
Authors: Laytragoon Lewin Nongnit , Karlsson Jan-Erik , Robinsson David , Fagerberg Matida , Kentsson Magnus , Sayardoust Shariel , Nilsson Mats , Shamoun Levar , Andersson Bengt-Åke , Löfgren Sture , Rutqvist Lars Erik , Lewin Freddi 
Published: January 2021

Introduction
Cigarette smoke is suggested to be a risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD), urinary bladder cancer (UBCa) or lung cancer (LCa). However, not all heavy smokers develop these diseases and elevated cancer risk among first-degree relatives suggests an important role of genetic factor.

Methods
Three hundred and ten healthy blood donors (controls), 98 CAD, 74 UBCa and 38 LCa patients were included in this pilot study. The influence of 92 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and impact of cigarette smoking were analysed.

Results
Out of 92 SNPs tested, differences in distribution of 14 SNPs were detected between controls and patient groups. Only CTLA4 rs3087243 showed difference in both CAD and UBCa patient group compared to control group. Stratified by smoking status, the impact of smoking was associated to frequencies of 8, 3 and 4 SNPs in CAD, UBCa, LCa patients, respectively. None of these 92 SNPs showed a statistically significant difference to more than one type of disease among smoking patients. In non-smoking patients, 7, 3 and 6 SNPs were associated to CAD, UBCa, LCa, respectively. Out of these 92 SNPs, CTLA4 rs3087243 was associated to both non-smoking CAD and UBCa. The XRCC1 rs25487 was associated to both non-smoking UBCa and LCa.

Conclusion
SNPs might be important risk factors for CAD, UBCa and LCa. Distribution of the SNPs was specific for each patient group, not a random event. Impact of cigarette smoking on the disease was associated to the specific SNP sequences. Thus, smoking individuals with SNPs associated to risk of these serious diseases is an important target group for smoking cessation programs.
The correlation of salivary telomere length and single nucleotide polymorphisms of the ADIPOQ, SIRT1 and FOXO3A genes with lifestyle-related diseases in a Japanese population
Authors: Han Xiao , Kubota Ryo , Tanaka Ken-ichi , Hayashi Hiroyuki , Seki Miyuki , Sakai Nobue , Kawaguchi-Ihara Noriko , Arakawa Kyoko , Murohashi Ikuo 
Published: January 2021

BackgroundIt has been reported that genetic factors are associated with risk factors and onset of lifestyle-related diseases, but this finding is still the subject of much debate.ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to investigate the correlation of genetic factors, including salivary telomere length and three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that may influence lifestyle-related diseases, with lifestyle-related diseases themselves.MethodsIn one year at a single facility, relative telomere length and SNPs were determined by using monochrome multiplex quantitative polymerase chain reaction and TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assays, respectively, and were compared with lifestyle-related diseases in 120 Japanese individuals near our university.ResultsIn men and all participants, age was inversely correlated with relative telomere length with respectivepvalues of 0.049 and 0.034. In men, the frequency of hypertension was significantly higher in the short relative telomere length group than in the long group with unadjustedpvalue of 0.039, and the difference in the frequency of hypertension between the two groups was of borderline statistical significance after adjustment for age (p= 0.057). Furthermore, in men and all participants, the sum of the number of affected lifestyle-related diseases, including hypertension, was significantly higher in the short relative telomere length group than in the long group, withpvalues of 0.004 and 0.029, respectively. ForADIPOQ rs1501299, men’s ankle brachial index was higher in the T/T genotype than in the G/G and G/T genotypes, withpvalues of 0.001 and 0.000, respectively. ForSIRT1 rs7895833, men’s body mass index and waist circumference and all participants’ brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity were higher in the A/G genotype than in the G/G genotype, with respectivepvalues of 0.048, 0.032 and 0.035. ForFOXO3A rs2802292, women’s body temperature and all participants’ saturation of peripheral oxygen were lower in the G/T genotype than in the T/T genotype, with respectivepvalues of 0.039 and 0.032. However, relative telomere length was not associated with physiological or anthropometric measurements except for height in men (p= 0.016).ADIPOQ rs1501299in men, but not the other two SNPs, was significantly associated with the sum of the number of affected lifestyle-related diseases (p= 0.013), by genotype. For each SNPs, there was no significant difference in the frequency of hypertension or relative telomere length by genotype.ConclusionRelative telomere length and the three types of SNPs determined using saliva have been shown to be differentially associated with onset of and measured risk factors for lifestyle-related diseases consisting mainly of cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
Joint effect of alcohol drinking and tobacco smoking on all-cause mortality and premature death in China: A cohort study
Authors: Hongli Zhang , Bi Xueyuan , Zheng Nanbo , Li Chao , Yan Kangkang 
Published: January 2021

Background
Tobacco smoking and alcohol drinking are associated with several diseases, and studies on the joint effects of smoking and drinking are rare.

Objective
This study investigates the joint effects of tobacco smoking and alcohol drinking on all-cause and premature mortality in a contemporary cohort.

Methods
The China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) is an ongoing nationally representative survey of subjects aged over 45 years in China that was performed every two years for a total of three waves from 2011 to 2015 in China. We used weighted logistic regression models to estimate the joint effects of tobacco smoking and alcohol drinking on all-cause and premature mortality.

Results
After adjusting for prespecified confounders, the odds ratios (ORs) of all-cause mortality were 1.51 (95% CI: 1.09–2.10) and 1.47 (95% CI: 1.03–2.08) in smokers and smokers/drinkers, respectively. Compared with nonsmokers/nondrinkers, the OR of smokers/drinkers for premature death was 3.14 (95% CI: 1.56–6.34). In the female subgroup, there was an approximately 5-fold (OR = 4.95; 95% CI: 2.00–12.27) odds of premature mortality for smokers/drinkers compared to nonsmokers/nondrinkers.

Conclusion
This study found a joint effect of tobacco smoking and alcohol drinking on all-cause and premature mortality among a contemporary and nationally representative cohort in China. Our results suggested that the joint effects were more pronounced in women, but further research is needed.
Risk factors associated with congenital anomalies among newborns in southwestern Ethiopia: A case-control study
Authors: Abebe Soressa , Gebru Girmai , Amenu Demisew , Mekonnen Zeleke , Dube Lemessa 
Published: January 2021

IntroductionHuman embryo is well protected in the uterus by the embryonic membrane, although teratogens may cause developmental disruptions after maternal exposure to them during early pregnancy. Most of the risk factors contributing to the development of congenital anomalies are uncertain; however, genetic factors, environmental factors and multifactorial inheritance are found to be risk factors. Regardless of their clinical importance, there are little/no studies conducted directly related to predisposing risk factors in southwestern Ethiopia.ObjectiveThe study aimed to determine the associated risk factors with congenital anomalies among newborns in southwestern Ethiopia.MethodsCase—control study was conducted on newborns and their mothers in six purposively selected hospitals in southwestern Ethiopia from May 2016 to May 2018. Data was collected after evaluation of the neonates for the presence of congenital anomalies using the standard pretested checklist. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. P <0.01 was set as statistically significant.ResultsRisk factors such as unidentified medicinal usage in the first three months of pregnancy (AOR = 3.435; 99% CI: 2.012–5.863), exposure to pesticide (AOR = 3.926; 99% CI: 1.266–12.176), passive smoking (AOR = 4.104; 99% CI: 1.892–8.901), surface water as sources of drinking (AOR = 2.073; 99% CI: 1.221–3.519), folic acid supplementation during the early pregnancy (AOR = 0.428; 99% CI: 0.247–0.740) were significantly associated with the congenital anomalies.ConclusionsIn this study, risk factors such as passive smoking, exposure to pesticides, chemicals and use of surface water as a source of drinking during early pregnancy had a significant association with congenital anomalies. There is a need to continuously provide health information for the community on how to prevent and control predisposing risk factors.
The prognostic impact of lymphocyte-to-C-reactive protein score in patients undergoing surgical resection for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: A comparative study of major representative inflammatory / immunonutritional markers
Authors: Noguchi Daisuke , Kuriyama Naohisa , Nakagawa Yuki , Maeda Koki , Shinkai Toru , Gyoten Kazuyuki , Hayasaki Aoi , Fujii Takehiro , Iizawa Yusuke , Tanemura Akihiro , Murata Yasuhiro , Kishiwada Masashi , Sakurai Hiroyuki , Mizuno Shugo 
Published: January 2021

Background
In many malignancies including intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), prognostic significance of host-related inflammatory / immunonutritional markers have attracted a lot of attention. However, it is unclear which is the strongest prognostic indicator for iCCA among these markers. The aim of this study was to firstly evaluate the prognostic utility of inflammatory / immunonutritional markers in resected iCCA patients using a multiple comparison in addition to a new marker, lymphocyte-to-C-reactive protein (CRP) score.

Methods
A total of sixty iCCA patients, who underwent surgical resection between October 2004 and April 2019, were enrolled in this study. Their clinical and pathological data were retrospectively assessed using univariate and multivariate analysis to determine prognostic predictors for disease specific survival (DSS). Moreover, these patients, who were divided into high and low groups based on lymphocyte-to-CRP score, were compared these survival outcomes using Kaplan-Meier analysis with a log-rank test.

Results
In multivariate analysis, the significant prognostic factors were preoperative lymphocyte-to-CRP score (p = 0.008), preoperative CRP-to-albumin ratio (CAR; p = 0.017), pathological T category (p = 0.003), and pathological vascular invasion (p < 0.001). Resected iCCA patients with a low lymphocyte-to-CRP score (score 0) had significant better prognosis than patients with a high score (score 1 or 2) (p = 0.016). Notably, the mortality of the high lymphocyte-to-CRP score group did not show statistically difference from the poor mortality of unresected iCCA patients (p = 0.204).

Conclusions
Preoperative lymphocyte-to-CRP score was the strongest prognostic indicator in iCCA patients with surgical resection. In these patients, early intervention with nutritional support should be considered prior to operation.