bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of baseline cigarette smoking status on clinical outcome after transcatheter aortic valve replacement
Authors: Abawi Masieh , van Gils Lennart , Agostoni Pierfrancesco , van Mieghem Nicolas M. , Kooistra Nynke H. M. , van Dongen Charlotte S. , van Jaarsveld Romy C. , de Jaegere Peter P. T. , Doevendans Pieter A. F. M. , Stella Pieter R. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractObjectivesTo explore the prevalence of smoking, and its association with clinical and mortality outcome among patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).BackgroundLess data exist regarding the effect of baseline smoking status on clinical and mortality outcome among patients undergoing TAVR.MethodsConsecutive patients who underwent TAVR at two high volume Dutch centers were included. Smoking status was prospectively questioned by a structured interview at admission. Primary endpoint was 1‐year all‐cause mortality after TAVR.ResultsA total of 913 consecutive patients (80.1 ± 7.6 years; logistic EuroSCORE: 16.5 ± 9.9%) who underwent TAVR for severe aortic valve stenosis were included. There were 47% (n = 432) males, and 57% (n = 522) never‐smokers, and 35% (n = 317) prior‐smokers, and 8% (n = 74) current‐smokers. Smokers (i.e., prior‐smokers or current‐smokers) were younger compared to never‐smokers (78.9 ± 7.9 and 76.4 ± 8.0 vs. 81.3 ± 7.1, P < 0.000, respectively). Median follow‐up time was 365 (interquartile range [IQR]: 280–365) days. Overall, prior‐smoking was not associated with all‐cause mortality at 1‐year following TAVR (hazard ratio [HR] 0.83, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.55–1.23). After stratification according to sex, male prior‐smokers showed better 1‐year survival after TAVR than male never‐smokers (12% vs. 20%; P = 0.018, respectively, HR 0.52, 95% CI 0.29–0.89), while this reversed effect was not observed among female prior‐smokers versus female never‐smokers after TAVR (HR 1.70, 95% CI 0.95–3.05).ConclusionsOverall, baseline prior‐smokers had similar 1‐year mortality outcome after TAVR compared with baseline never‐smokers. However, there was a reversed association between baseline prior‐smoking status and 1‐year mortality after TAVR among males, which could partially be explained due to the favorable baseline characteristics.
Acute dyspnoea due to an unusual giant thymic cyst
Authors: Boultadakis Evangelos , Samanidis George , Karampinis Ioannis , Misthos Panagiotis , Lioulias Achilleas 
Published: March 2019

Key Clinical MessageDoes a percutaneous needle aspiration of thymic cyst should be considered? In case when a surgical excision is contradicted, the percutaneous needle aspiration should be performed. Surgical resection can be performed with a thoracotomy or a videothoracoscopic procedure, but sometimes, a median sternotomy is unavoidable.
Obstructive sleep apnea in a Chihuahua successfully managed with ondansetron
Authors: Kopke Matthew A. , Wightman Paul , Ruaux Craig G. 
Published: March 2019

Key Clinical MessageWhile the persistence of clinical signs related to brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, particularly sleep‐disordered breathing patterns following appropriate surgical management is likely to be relatively rare, this potential sequela needs to be considered, along with being aware of possible medical management options such as serotonin antagonists.
Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation for treating acute asthmatic attacks in three pregnant women with dyspnea and hypoxemia
Authors: Sekiguchi Hiroshi , Kondo Yutaka , Fukuda Tatsuma , Hanashiro Kazuhiko , Baba Motoo , Sato Yoko , Kukita Ichiro , Matumoto Tuyoshi 
Published: March 2019

Key Clinical MessageIn our case reports, we mentioned about the utility of NPPV therapy in addition to standard pharmacologic therapy for acute asthma exacerbations in pregnant women with dyspnea and hypoxemia compared with that of oxygen therapy alone. Careful patient selection and clinicians’ NPPV experience are crucial in optimizing patient outcomes.
Soft‐Templated Synthesis of Sheet‐Like Nanoporous Nitrogen‐Doped Carbons for Electrochemical Supercapacitors
Authors: Allah Abeer Enaiet , Yamauchi Yusuke , Wang Jie , Bando Yoshio , Tan Haibo , Farghali Ahmed A. , Khedr Mohamed Hamdy , Alshehri Abdulmohsen , Alghamdi Yousef Gamaan , Martin Darren , Wahab Mohammad A. , Hossain Md. Shahriar A. , Nanjundan Ashok Kumar 
Published: March 2019

AbstractNitrogen‐doped nanoporous sheet‐like carbons are promising electrode materials for high‐performance supercapacitors because of their unique properties that aid electrolyte access/ion diffusion to the electrode surface. Herein, a soft‐templated synthesis strategy based on an organic‐assembly process through the co‐assembly of triblock copolymer micelles and phenol‐formaldehyde resin in aqueous solution is utilized to prepare nitrogen‐doped nanoporous carbons with sheet‐like morphology. Further carbonization and activation yield a high‐surface‐area carbon with significantly improved porosity. The activated nanoporous carbon electrode exhibits a high specific capacitance of 543 F g−1 at a current density of 0.5 A g−1 with good cycling stability in an aqueous electrolyte.
Nickel Nanocrystal Assemblies as Efficient Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen Evolution from pH‐Neutral Aqueous Solution
Authors: Abdullah Muhammad Imran , Hameed Asima , Zhang Ning , Ma Mingming 
Published: March 2019

AbstractEarth‐abundant elements based efficient and stable electrocatalyst for hydrogen generation from pH‐neutral aqueous solutions is highly desired, but still a momentous task. Herein, we report a nickel nanocrystal assembled nanoparticles (Ni−SP) synthesis through a simple solution phase ultrasonic‐assisted chemical reduction method. The addition of tungsten (W) metal as a non‐3d high valency element and non‐metals (B and P) as low valency element could modulate the hydrogen adsorption energy for efficient catalysis of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). For HER in pH‐neutral buffer solution, the Ni−SP needs 38 and 214 mV overpotential to drive 10 and 100 mA cm−2 current densities, respectively. Moreover, the catalytic activity of Ni−SP remains unaffected after 10 h of hydrogen production at 100 mA cm−2 current density, presenting superior stability and activity as compared to Pt/C.
Perfluorophenyl‐Directed Giant Porphyrin J‐Aggregates
Authors: Morisue Mitsuhiko , Ueno Ikuya , Muraoka Kunihiko , Omagari Shun , Nakanishi Takayuki , Hasegawa Yasuchika , Hikima Takaaki , Sasaki Sono 
Published: March 2019

AbstractQuadrupolar interactions of porphyrin bearing two pentafluorophenylethynyl terminals (1) drove the formation of a successive one‐dimensional staircase structure, i.e., J‐aggregates, to yield millimeter‐length needles with a single‐crystalline character in methylcyclohexane solution. In contrast, π‐stacked interactions of porphyrin bearing two nonfluorinated phenyl terminals (2) formed no aggregates in solution. A spin‐cast film of 1 also showed bathochromic shift of the Soret and Q bands, indicating the formation of J‐aggregates. The molecular arrangement of the J‐aggregates was revealed by microbeam glazing‐incidence wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (GIWAXD), and was in good agreement with the optimized structure generated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations.
Modeling and Parameter Identification for a Biofilm in a Microbial Fuel Cell
Authors: Kubannek Fabian , Krewer Ulrike 
Published: March 2019

AbstractA dynamic physical model of a microbial fuel cell (MFC) anode is presented and parameterized. It describes the evolution of current density and biofilm mass over time as a function of substrate concentration. The model is particularly useful for process monitoring or control purposes because it reproduces the dynamics of the MFC anode and contains comparatively few parameters. Parameters are identified using data from the response of the MFC to a substrate concentration pulse. Theoretical and practical identifiability of the parameters is evaluated, and parameter confidence intervals are determined.
Pharmacokinetic Profile of a Generic Formulation of Sofosbuvir and Its Metabolite GS‐331007 in Healthy Chinese Subjects
Authors: Shen Zhenwei , Zhu Xiaoxue , Zhang Hong , Chen Hong , Niu Junqi , Chen Guiling , Li Xiaojiao , Ding Yanhua 
Published: March 2019

AbstractSofosbuvir is an NS5B nucleotide inhibitor for the treatment of hepatitis C viral infection. In this study the pharmacokinetics (PK) and safety of single and multiple doses of generic sofosbuvir were investigated in healthy Chinese subjects. Twelve subjects (6 male and 6 female) were enrolled in this study. The PK parameters of sofosbuvir and its metabolite (GS‐331007) in both blood and urine samples were analyzed after dosing by the established liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry analytical method. The safety/tolerability assessment consisted of documenting adverse events, vital signs, electrocardiogram, and laboratory test results. Sofosbuvir was well tolerated. Major PK parameters of the generic formulation of sofosbuvir were similar to those found in previous reports. These data support further clinical evaluation of this generic formulation of sofosbuvir.
FDSTDL: Low‐power technique for FinFET domino circuits
Authors: Garg Sandeep , Gupta Tarun K. 
Published: March 2019

SummaryMajor issues in designing low‐power high‐speed VLSI circuits are propagation delay, power consumption, and noise tolerance. This paper describes fin field‐effect transistor (FinFET) technology for the design of low‐power VLSI circuits. FinFET uses two gates (front and back) in place of a single gate as in complementary metal‐oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) technology for better control of the channel. A new technique foot driven stack transistor domino logic (FDSTDL) is proposed for designing domino logic circuits in order to reduce leakage power and propagation delay. In this paper, 2‐, 4‐, 8‐, and 16‐input domino OR gates are designed and simulated using existing and proposed techniques in CMOS and FinFET technology. Simulation is done on the 32 nm predictive technology model (PTM) node using HSPICE on a direct current (DC) supply voltage of 0.9 V. The proposed circuit is simulated in two modes of FinFET, short gate (SG) mode, and low power (LP) mode. The proposed technique shows maximum power reduction of 43.45% in SG mode in comparison with conditional stacked keeper domino logic (CSK‐DL) technique and maximum delay reduction of 38.66% in LP mode in comparison with coarse‐mesh finite difference (CMFD) technique at a frequency of 200 MHz.
Anti‐doping analytes in serum: A comparison of SST and SST‐II Advance blood collection tubes
Authors: Miller Geoffrey D. , Cox Holly D. , Nair Vinod , Eichner Daniel 
Published: March 2019

AbstractSerum insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1), procollagen type III N‐terminal peptide (PIIINP), and human growth hormone (hGH) isoforms were analyzed in identical serum samples collected into BD Vacutainer® SST and BD Vacutainer® SST‐II Advance serum separator tubes. Comparing the serum collected into each tube, measurement correlation was high (R2 > 0.83) and percent bias was minimal (<|3.2%|) for all analytes measured using World Anti‐Doping Agency (WADA)‐approved tests. As such, it is recommended that both SST and SST‐II Advance tubes can be used interchangeably for anti‐doping purposes.
Enantioselective capillary electrophoresis for pharmacokinetic analysis of methadone and 2‐ethylidene‐1,5‐dimethyl‐3,3‐diphenylpyrrolidine in equines anesthetized with ketamine and isoflurane
Authors: Theurillat Regula , Sandbaumhüter Friederike A. , Gittel Claudia , Larenza Menzies M. Paula , Braun Christina , Thormann Wolfgang 
Published: March 2019

AbstractAn enantioselective assay for the determination of methadone and its main metabolite 2‐ethylidene‐1,5‐dimethyl‐3,3‐diphenylpyrrolidine in equine plasma based on capillary electrophoresis with highly sulfated γ‐cyclodextrin as chiral selector and electrokinetic analyte injection is described. The assay is based on liquid/liquid extraction of the analytes at alkaline pH from 0.1 mL plasma followed by electrokinetic sample injection of the analytes from the extract across a buffer plug without chiral selector. Separation occurs cationically at normal polarity in a pH 3 phosphate buffer containing 0.16% (w/v) of highly sulfated γ‐cyclodextrin. The developed assay is precise (intra‐ and interday RSD < 4% and < 7%, respectively), is capable to determine enantiomer levels of methadone and 2‐ethylidene‐1,5‐dimethyl‐3,3‐diphenylpyrrolidine in plasma down to 2.5 ng/mL, and was successfully applied to monitor enantiomer drug and metabolite levels in plasma of a pony that was anesthetized with racemic ketamine and isoflurane and received a bolus of racemic methadone and a bolus followed by constant rate infusion of racemic methadone. The data suggest that the assay is well suited for pharmacokinetic purposes.
Ecotoxicity of Nitrogen, Sulfur, or Oxygen Heterocycles and Short-Chained Alkyl Phenols Commonly Detected in Contaminated Groundwater
Authors: Brinkmann Markus , Schneider Anna-Lena , Bluhm Kerstin , Schiwy Sabrina , Lehmann Gunnar , Deutschmann Björn , Müller Axel , Tiehm Andreas , Hollert Henner 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
Nitrogen, sulfur, or oxygen heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NSO-HETs) and short-chained alkyl phenols (SCAPs) are commonly detected in groundwater at contaminated sites and in the surrounding environment. It is now scientific consensus that these chemicals pose a risk to human and ecosystem health. However, toxicity data are comparably fragmentary, and only few studies have addressed the ecotoxicity of NSO-HETs and SCAPs in a systematic and comparative fashion. To overcome this shortcoming, we tested 18 SCAPs, 16 NSO-HETs, as well as the homocyclic hydrocarbons indane and indene in the Microtox® assay with Aliivibrio fischeri, the growth inhibition test with Desmodesmus subspicatus, the acute immobilization assay with Daphnia magna, as well as the fish embryo toxicity test with embryos of the zebrafish (Danio rerio). Because of the physicochemical properties of the tested chemicals (limited water solubility, volatility, and sorption to test vessels), actual exposure concentrations in test media and their dissipation over time were analytically quantified by means of gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. Analytically corrected effect levels (median effect and lethal concentrations) ranged from 0.017 to 180 mg L–1, underlining the environmental relevance of some NSO-HETs and SCAPs. Para-substituted phenols showed the overall greatest toxicities in all 4 toxicity tests. We provide, for the first time, a complete high-quality data set in support of better environmental risk assessments of these chemicals. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:1343–1355. © 2019 SETAC
Perfluorophenyl‐Bifuran: A Stable and Fluorescent Material Exhibiting Mechanofluorochromic Behavior
Authors: Yakir Hadar R. , Shimon Linda J. W. , Gidron Ori 
Published: March 2019

Abstractπ‐Conjugated oligomers and polymers consisting of bifuran units are applied in optoelectronic devices, because bifuran units endow such devices with superior properties compared with their thiophene analogs. However, as is true for most furan oligomers, bifuran oligomers suffer from low photostability, which restricts their application. In this work, we present the synthesis and the photophysical and structural characterization of perfluorinated phenyl bifuran (PFB‐2F), which displays high photostability, while maintaining strong fluorescence quantum efficiency in both solution and the solid state. X‐Ray crystallography reveals that, unlike its thiophene analog, PFB‐2F has a completely planar backbone, with slip‐stacked packing and short interplanar distances. PFB‐2F crystals display mechanofluorochromic behavior, which renders perfluorophenyl‐substituted oligofurans potential candidates for both stable optoelectronic devices and responsive optical materials.
Intergenerational effects of old‐age pension on children's health and well‐being
Authors: Ko Hansoo 
Published: March 2019

SummaryThis study estimates the impacts of the basic old‐age pension reform in South Korea on childhood/adolescent health and well‐being. Facing a rapidly aging population and the increasing demand for social security for the elderly, the government introduced the basic pension program in 2007, which covered 70% of citizens 65 years or older. Information is obtained from a nationally representative panel of school‐aged children from 2006 to 2012. A difference‐in‐differences approach exploiting within‐person variation in exposure to the old‐age pension program is used. The unconditional cash transfers for the elderly have substantial impacts on the health of grandchildren. In particular, there is gender‐specific differential impacts. While grandmothers' pensions have positive impacts on granddaughters' heights and drinking participation, grandfathers' pension incomes lower smoking participation of grandsons. Results suggest that grandmothers and grandfathers put their resources for their grandchildren in a different way. It also indicates that household is not a unitary entity.
Preference Transaction Avoidance in Ghana: Has the Liquidator's burden changed?
Authors: Adarkwah Samuel 
Published: March 2019

AbstractFinancially distressed companies sometimes conceive plans to pay off certain creditors before petitioning the Court for winding up. This last‐minute payment referred to as a preference transaction puts the preferred creditor in a better position than the rest of the company's creditors because the distressed company may not have enough assets to satisfy everyone. Insolvency law frowns on such last‐minute transactions and provides the Liquidator with the power to avoid these transactions, to restore the asset to the company and distribute it to all the creditors. Preference avoidance forms an integral part of the corporate insolvency law in Ghana. These principles founded upon the common law of England are now provided for under the Bodies Corporate (Official) Liquidation Act 1963 (Act 180) of Ghana. This essay discusses preference avoidance under Ghanaian law. It also examines a recent judicial application of the law and finally suggest avenues for reform.
Inter‐arterial saphenofemoral junction: A rare anatomical variation
Authors: Idilman Ilkay S. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractSeveral anatomical variations involving the great saphenous vein have been described in the literature. Some of them concern the saphenofemoral junction, including duplication, ectasia, and different numbers of tributaries. In this case series, a rare, distinct variation, the inter‐arterial saphenofemoral junction was reported.
Treatment outcomes, 30‐day readmission and healthcare resource utilization after pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic malignancies
Authors: Peluso Heather , Jones Wesley B. , Parikh Alexander A. , Abougergi Marwan S. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBackgroundWe sought to determine treatment outcomes after pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic head and uncinate process malignancy and its impact on mortality, morbidity, and resource utilization.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study using the 2014 Nationwide Readmissions Database. Discharges were included if they had an ICD‐9 CM procedure code for pancreatoduodenectomy and any code for malignancy of the pancreas head and uncinate process. Independent predictors of readmission were identified using multivariable Cox regression analysis.ResultsA total of 4,445 patients were included. The surgical complication rate was 17.3%, and in‐hospital mortality rate was 3%. The 30‐day readmission rate was 19.7% with an in‐hospital mortality rate of 3.9%. The most common reason for readmission was postoperative infection. The mean length of stay during readmission was 6.50 days, while the mean total hospitalization costs and charges were $15,589 and $52,922, respectively. The number of hospital days associated with readmission was 5,548, with an in‐hospital economic burden of $12.9 million (costs) and $43.7 million (charges). Hospital volume and discharge disposition were independent predictors of 30‐day readmission.ConclusionsPancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic malignancies is still associated with significant morbidity, mortality and 30‐day readmission. Reducing readmission can impact mortality, quality of life, and healthcare economic burden in this setting.
An antiviral drug screening system for enterovirus 71 based on an improved plaque assay: A potential high‐throughput method
Authors: Yin Yingxian , Xu Yi , Ou Zhiying , Yang Xiangling , Liu Huanliang 
Published: March 2019

AbstractPlaque assay plays an irreplaceable role in a variety of virological studies, including determining titers of viruses. Our previous study showed that a simple and highly repeatable plaque assay could be used for enterovirus 71 (EV‐A71). Now, we show that using a subclone of a clinical EV‐A71 isolate and a rhabdomyosarcoma cell line (RD), a plaque assay based on an EV‐A71/RD model could exhibit the most rapid formation of plaques (<2 days), with much higher repeatability and consistency. Inspired by a plaque inhibitory test for testing ribavirin and interferon, as well as a plaque reduction neutralization test, this modified method has been used to establish a convenient system by using 96‐well plates for screening anti‐EV‐A71 drugs from a 130‐compound library containing multiple types of inhibitors. Nine candidate effective compounds for EV‐A71 have been screened out, and among them, nobiletin (flavonoid) was found to be a novel effective compound at the concentration of 10 μM. Our findings imply that this improved method based on an EV‐A71/RD model proved to be a potential high‐throughput method in screening novel antiviral drugs for EV‐A71. Undoubtedly, this method can also be applied to other viruses that can produce an obvious cytopathic effect.
The life cycles of two species of Myxomycetes in Physarales, Physarum rigidum and Didymium squamulosum
Authors: Zhu Xiangyang , Moodley Odeshnee , Wang Qi , Li Yu 
Published: March 2019

AbstractMyxomycetes are eukaryotic microorganisms containing characteristics akin to both fungi and amoebae. They can complete their whole life cycles while being cultured on agar media, and under‐laboratory conditions, which favors taxonomic, phylogenetic, and cytological researches. Here, we describe the life cycles of two such species: Didymium squamulosum collected from the field and Physarum rigidum cultured from moist chamber both belonging to the Order Physarales. Three per cent oat‐agar media (OAM) was used to culture the plasmodia until they aggregated and were almost starved. Natural light was then applied to the plasmodia to induce fructification. Their life cycles share the same common stages, namely: spore, myxamoebae, swarm cell, plasmodia, and sporulation. In this study, we describe the morphogenesis from spore to spore of two species by differential interference contrast (DIC) and stereoscopic microscopies, as well as discuss the differences between the development of both species and interspecies. We found that the spore germination method of both species was the same. However, there were differences noted in time taken and fruiting body formation. Unlike P. rigidum, the species D. squamulosum did not require natural light stimulation. Moreover, the maturation process of both species had similar color transitions but exhibited distinct morphology in each developmental stage except during the swarm cell stage.