bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Low dose radiotherapy is associated with local complications but not disease control in sacral chordoma
Authors: Houdek Matthew T. , Rose Peter S. , Hevesi Mario , Schwab Joseph H. , Griffin Anthony M. , Healey John H. , Petersen Ivy A. , DeLaney Thomas F. , Chung Peter W. , Yaszemski Michael J. , Wunder Jay S. , Hornicek Francis J. , Boland Patrick J. , Sim Franklin H. , Ferguson Peter C. ,   Other Members of the Sacral Tumor Society
Published: February 2019

AbstractBackgroundWe reviewed the disease control and complications of the treatment of sacrococcygeal chordoma from four tertiary cancer centers with emphasis on the effects of radiotherapy in surgically treated patients.MethodsA total of 193 patients with primary sacrococcygeal chordoma from 1990 to 2015 were reviewed. There were 124 males, with a mean age of 59 ± 15 years and a mean follow‐up of 7 ± 4 years. Eighty‐nine patients received radiotherapy with a mean total dose of 61.8 ± 10.9 Gy.ResultsThe 10‐year disease‐free and disease‐specific survival was 58% and 72%, respectively. Radiation was not associated with local recurrence (hazard ratio [HR], 1.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59‐2.17; P = 0.71), metastases (HR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.45‐1.91;
P = 0.85) or disease‐specific survival (HR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.46‐2.00;
P = 0.91). Higher doses (≥70 Gy; HR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.20‐1.32;
P = 0.17) may be associated with reduced local recurrence. Radiotherapy was associated with wound complications (HR, 2.76; 95% CI, 1.64‐4.82;,
P < 0.001) and sacral stress fractures (HR, 4.73; 95% CI, 1.88‐14.38;
P < 0.001).ConclusionsIn this multicenter review, radiotherapy was not associated with tumor outcome but associated with complications. The routine use of radiotherapy with en‐bloc resection of sacrococcygeal chordomas should be reconsidered in favor of a selective, individualized approach with a radiation dose of ≥70 Gy.
A systematic review and meta‐analysis of locoregional treatments for in‐transit melanoma
Authors: Read Tavis , Lonne Michael , Sparks David S. , David Michael , Wagels Michael , Schaider Helmut , Soyer H. Peter , Smithers B. Mark 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesIn‐transit melanoma (ITM) metastases present a therapeutic challenge and management decisions can be difficult. There are multiple treatments available, with differing efficacy, and supported by different levels of evidence. The primary objective was to perform a systematic review and where suitable, a meta‐analysis of the literature reporting on the use of locoregional treatments for the management of ITM.MethodsAn independent review was conducted including a comprehensive search of the National Library of Medicine using PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. Key data were tabulated, synthesized and pooled to calculate relevant weighted effect sizes for each therapy using random‐effect models. The statistical heterogeneity was calculated using the Higgins' method.ResultsOf the initial 32 612 articles identified, 57 original articles satisfied eligibility criteria. Eight treatment modalities were identified comprising: amputation (7); hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion (15); isolated limb infusion (8); carbon dioxide laser (9); PV‐10 intralesional therapy (5); IL‐2 intralesional therapy (8); imiquimod (7); diphenylcyclopropenone (3). Only amputation and topical imiquimod were suitable for formal meta‐analysis.ConclusionsAll of the assessed therapies have significant selection bias. Variable levels of evidence support the ongoing use of locoregional treatments and these may significantly improve disease‐free survival.
Comparative analysis of the main active components and hypoglycemic effects after the compatibility of Scutellariae Radix and Coptidis Rhizoma
Authors: Cui Xiang , Shen Yu‐meng , Jiang Shu , Qian Da‐wei , Shang Er‐xin , Zhu Zhen‐hua , Duan Jin‐ao 
Published: February 2019

AbstractIn this study, a rapid and highly sensitive ultra high performance liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry method with the mobile phase of acetonitrile and 0.1% aqueous formic acid was established and successfully applied to comparatively analyze main active components after their compatibility. Besides, the effects of Scutellariae Radix, Coptidis Rhizoma and combined extracts on type 2 diabetic rats induced by high‐fat diet along with low dose of streptozocin were investigated. Under the optimized chromatographic conditions, good separation of seven target components was achieved within 12 min. All calibration curves exhibited good linearity (R2 ≥ 0.999). The relative standard deviation of precision, repeatability and stability varied from 0.69 to 2.23, 0.98 to 2.56, and 0.92 to 2.57%, respectively. The recovery ranged from 91.11 to 105.35%. The contents of seven active components were notably reduced after compatibility; however, the hypoglycemic effect of combined extracts was stronger than single drug by decreasing the activities of fructose‐1,6‐bisphosphatase, glucose 6‐phosphatase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and increasing the activities of glucokinase, phosphofructokinase, pyruvate kinase. Accordingly, the established analytical method was accurate and sensitive enough for quantitative evaluation of seven investigated compounds. Moreover, the combined extract had definite effects on type 2 diabetes through multiple components against multiple targets.
Expansion of pinched hypersurfaces of the Euclidean and hyperbolic space by high powers of curvature
Authors: Kröner Heiko , Scheuer Julian 
Published: February 2019

AbstractWe prove convergence results for expanding curvature flows in the Euclidean and hyperbolic space. The flow speeds have the form , where and F is a positive, strictly monotone and 1‐homogeneous curvature function. In particular this class includes the mean curvature . We prove that a certain initial pinching condition is preserved and the properly rescaled hypersurfaces converge smoothly to the unit sphere. We show that an example due to Andrews–McCoy–Zheng can be used to construct strictly convex initial hypersurfaces, for which the inverse mean curvature flow to the power loses convexity, justifying the necessity to impose a certain pinching condition on the initial hypersurface.
Bioturbation of peanut worms Sipunculus nudus on the composition of prokaryotic communities in a tidal flat as revealed by 16S rRNA gene sequences
Authors: Li Junwei , Hu Ruiping , Guo Yongjian , Chen Suwen , Xie Xiaoyong , Qin Jian G. , Ma Zhenhua , Zhu Changbo , Pei Surui 
Published: February 2019

AbstractTo understand the impacts of peanut worms Sipunculus nudus on the prokaryotic community composition in a tidal flat, an onsite investigation was conducted in Suixi in the Beibu Gulf (109.82E, 21.35N) in the burrow sediments, non‐burrow sediments and the sediments without peanut worm disturbance (control). The16S rRNA gene Illumina MiSeq sequencing was used to investigate the microbial communities and their response to bioturbation by S. nudus in a sandy tidal flat. A total of 18 bacteria phyla were detected, and Proteobacteria and Cyanobacteria constituted the majority of the prokaryotic community in the samples. The distribution of the relative abundances of genera showed that approximately 6.99%–17% of the reads in the samples were classified into 25 known genera. Sulfate‐reducing bacteria (Desulfococcus and Desulfosarcina) were the most abundant taxa, followed by Thermodesulfovibrionaceae LCP‐6, indicating that sulfate reduction is the main process in the sandy tidal flat. The abundances of Desulfococcus, LCP‐6 and Cyanobacterium in the non‐burrow sediment were greater than in the burrow sediment, suggesting that the anoxic condition is more suitable for Desulfococcus and LCP‐6 when the activity of S. nudus is absent. The biomass of Cyanobacterium was decreased by the feeding bioturbation of S. nudus. Meanwhile, the relative abundance of the Bacteroidetes Luteimonas in the burrow sediments was significantly greater than in the non‐burrow sediment, and there was a strong relationship between S. nudus bioturbation and increased in oxygen contents and oxidation‐reduction potentials in the burrow sediment. The abundances of Desulfococcus and LCP‐6 were greater in the middle layer (20–30 cm) than in the top layer in the non‐burrow sediment. However, the middle and bottom layers (20–30, 30–40 cm) had higher abundances of these genera than did the upper layers (0–10, 10–20 cm) in the burrow sediments. The abundances of the Fusobacteria Propionigenium and the Spirochaetes Spirochaeta were greater in the middle and bottom layers (20–30 cm, 30–40 cm) than in the top layers (0–10, 10–20 cm) in the burrow sediment, but this phenomenon was not found in the non‐burrow sediment. This study demonstrates that bioturbation by S. nudus plays an important role in reshaping the bacterial community composition in intertidal regions.
Optimized culturing conditions for an algicidal bacterium Pseudoalteromonas sp. SP48 on harmful algal blooms caused by Alexandrium tamarense
Authors: Lyu Yi‐Hua , Zhou Yue‐Xia , Li Yi , Zhou Jin , Xu Yi‐Xiao 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBacteria play an important role in preventing algal blooms and reducing their harm to the environment. To improve the algicidal activity of Pseudoalteromonas SP48 which had an inhibition effect on dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarense, its growth medium and fermentation conditions were optimized for this bacterium. In this study, we used two steps to establish the optimum conditions. First, the proper proportion of medium was selected based on an orthogonal design. Then, the fermentation conditions were further optimized through uniform design in an enlarged 5L bioreactor. To test the algicidal ability of Pseudoalteromonas SP48 under the optimum conditions, algal cell morphology was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). After the orthogonal design, we found that the optimum medium was [0.7% (m/v) tryptone, 0.2% (m/v) soluble starch, 0.2% (m/v) sucrose, 0.1% (m/v) FeSO4, and 1.2% (m/v) K2HPO4] for Pseudoalteromonas SP48 growth. Based on these results, optimum fermentation conditions were further explored in a 5L fermentation cylinder using a uniform design; the influence of variables such as incubation time, carbon type, and rotation speed were tested. The optimal fermentation conditions were fermentation time (42 hr), tryptone (1.1%), seeding volume (1.4 × 1013 cells), and rotation speed (250 r/min). Under these established optimum conditions, the biomass of strain SP48 increased by 79.2% and its lethal dose 50% (LD50) decreased by 54.0%, respectively. The TEM results showed that compared with the control group, the cell wall and cell membrane of A. tamarense were significantly damaged, and the structure and shape of the organelles were destroyed by algicidal bacteria of Pseudoalteromonas SP48. Overall, our results demonstrate that the optimized culture conditions could significantly enhance the algicidal activity of Pseudoalteromonas SP48 against a harmful dinoflagellate, such as A. tamarense. It will effectively provide a scientific foundation for both production of algicidal substances and HABs control.
Predicting diagnosis of Parkinson's disease: A risk algorithm based on primary care presentations
Authors: Schrag Anette , Anastasiou Zacharias , Ambler Gareth , Noyce Alastair , Walters Kate 
Published: February 2019

ABSTRACTBackgroundDiagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD) is typically preceded by nonspecific presentations in primary care.ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to develop and validate a prediction model for diagnosis of PD based on presentations in primary care.SettingThe settings were general practices providing data for The Health Improvement Network UK primary care database.MethodsData from 8,166 patients aged older than age 50 years with incident diagnosis of PD and 46,755 controls were analyzed. Likelihood ratios, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for individual symptoms and combinations of presentations were calculated. An algorithm for risk of diagnosis of PD within 5 years was calculated using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Split sample analysis was used for model validation with a 70% development sample and a 30% validation sample.ResultsPresentations independently and significantly associated with later diagnosis of PD in multivariate analysis were tremor, constipation, depression or anxiety, fatigue, dizziness, urinary dysfunction, balance problems, memory problems and cognitive decline, hypotension, rigidity, and hypersalivation. The discrimination and calibration of the risk algorithm were good with an area under the curve of 0.80 (95% confidence interval 0.78‐0.81). At a threshold of 5%, 37% of those classified as high risk would be diagnosed with PD within 5 years and 99% of those who were not classified as high risk would not be diagnosed with PD.ConclusionThis risk algorithm applied to routine primary care presentations can identify individuals at increased risk of diagnosis of PD within 5 years to allow for monitoring and earlier diagnosis of PD. © 2019 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Icariin inhibits chondrocyte apoptosis and angiogenesis by regulating the TDP‐43 signaling pathway
Authors: Huang He , Zhang Zhao‐Fei , Qin Feng‐Wei , Tang Wang , Liu Dong‐Hua , Wu Pei‐Yu , Jiao Feng 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBackgroundThis study focused on the mechanisms where icariin inhibited chondrocyte apoptosis and angiogenesis by regulating the TDP‐43 signaling pathway.MethodsA rat osteoarthritis (OA) model was established by collagenase injection. Histological examination of the articular cartilage and synovial tissue was performed 6 weeks after operation. Cartilage cell line overexpressing TDP‐43 and mesenchymal stem cell line (TDP43‐MSCs) of the rat TDP43 gene were established.ResultsIn OA rats transplanted with TDP43‐mMSCs, TDP43 was highly expressed in chondrocytes (TDP43‐HC), while TDP43 expression was low in HC and MSCs‐HC (p < 0.05). After the intervention of MSCs‐TDP43, high expression of TDP43 induced the apoptosis and death of chondrocytes. After the addition of icariin, late apoptosis and death of TDP43‐HC were significantly attenuated. Apoptosis and death of HC, MSCs‐HC, and TDP43‐HC cells were effectively controlled with icariin, and no apparent cell death was found. ELISA showed that the VEGF and HIF‐1 alpha were significantly higher in the rat OA model than the normal control rats.ConclusionTDP43‐MSC transplantation interfered with the expression of TDP43 in the articular chondrocytes of OA rats, which may impact on inducing apoptosis of chondrocytes as well as inhibiting the proliferation of chondrocytes. Additionally, TDP43‐MSCs appeared to promote the formation of neovascularization in the synovial tissue, which could be significantly attenuated by icariin.
High frame rate doppler ultrasound bandwidth imaging for flow instability mapping
Authors: Yiu Billy Y. S. , Chee Adrian J. Y. , Tang Guo , Luo Wenbo , Yu Alfred C. H. 
Published: February 2019

PurposeFlow instability has been shown to contribute to the risk of future cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. Nonetheless, it is challenging to noninvasively detect and identify flow instability in blood vessels. Here, we present a new framework called Doppler ultrasound bandwidth imaging (DUBI) that uses high‐frame‐rate ultrasound and Doppler bandwidth analysis principles to assess flow instability within an image view.MethodsDoppler ultrasound bandwidth imaging seeks to estimate the instantaneous Doppler bandwidth based on autoregressive modeling at every pixel position of data frames acquired from high‐frame‐rate plane wave pulsing. This new framework is founded upon the principle that flow instability naturally gives rise to a wide range of flow velocities over a sample volume, and such velocity range in turn yields a larger Doppler bandwidth estimate. The ability for DUBI to map unstable flow was first tested over a range of fluid flow conditions (ranging from laminar to turbulent) with a nozzle‐flow phantom. As a further demonstration, DUBI was applied to assess flow instability in healthy and stenosed carotid bifurcation phantoms.ResultsNozzle‐flow phantom results showed that DUBI can effectively detect and visualize the difference in Doppler bandwidth magnitude (increased from 2.1 to 5.2 kHz) at stable and unstable flow regions in an image view. Receiver operating characteristic analysis also showed that DUBI can achieve optimal sensitivity and specificity of 0.72 and 0.83, respectively. In the carotid phantom experiments, differences were observed in the spatiotemporal dynamics of Doppler bandwidth over a cardiac cycle. Specifically, as the degree of stenosis increased (from 50% to 75%), DUBI showed an increase in Doppler bandwidth magnitude from 1.4 kHz in the healthy bifurcation to 7.7 kHz at the jet tail located downstream from a 75% stenosis site, thereby indicating flow perturbation in the stenosed bifurcations.ConclusionDUBI can detect unstable flow. This new technique can provide useful hemodynamic information that may aid clinical diagnosis of atherosclerosis.
Reducing the computational cost of NMR crystallography of organic powders at natural isotopic abundance with the help of 13C‐13C dipolar couplings
Authors: Thureau Pierre , Sturniolo Simone , Zilka Miri , Ziarelli Fabio , Viel Stéphane , Yates Jonathan R. , Mollica Giulia 
Published: February 2019

AbstractStructure determination of functional organic compounds remains a formidable challenge when the sample exists as a powder. Nuclear magnetic resonance crystallography approaches based on the comparison of experimental and Density Functional Theory (DFT)‐computed 1H chemical shifts have already demonstrated great potential for structure determination of organic powders, but limitations still persist. In this study, we discuss the possibility of using 13C‐13C dipolar couplings quantified on powdered theophylline at natural isotopic abundance with the help of dynamic nuclear polarization, to realize a DFT‐free, rapid screening of a pool of structures predicted by ab initio random structure search. We show that although 13C‐13C dipolar couplings can identify structures possessing long range structural motifs and unit cell parameters close to those of the true structure, it must be complemented with other data to recover information about the presence and the chemical nature of the supramolecular interactions.
Toward in vivo determination of peripheral nervous system immune activity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Schreiber Stefanie , Schreiber Frank , Garz Cornelia , Debska‐Vielhaber Grazyna , Assmann Anne , Perosa Valentina , Petri Susanne , Dengler Reinhard , Nestor Peter , Vielhaber Stefan 
Published: February 2019

ABSTRACTIntroduction: We sought to identify patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) who displayed suspected peripheral nervous system (PNS) inflammation to compare them to those with suspected PNS degeneration. Methods: We measured sonographic median and ulnar nerve cross‐sectional area (CSA) and cerebrospinal fluid albumin/serum albumin ratio (Qalb) in patients with ALS to classify them as having suspected PNS degeneration (small CSA/low Qalb) or inflammation (larger CSA/high Qalb). Results: Fifty‐seven percent of patients had suspected PNS degeneration, 21% had suspected PNS inflammation, and 21% displayed suspected “normal PNS state.” Suspected PNS degeneration was related to classic ALS, shorter disease duration, and a smaller hypoechoic nerve area. Suspected PNS inflammation was associated with men, longer disease duration, and a larger hypoechoic nerve area and was the dominant finding in superoxide dismutase 1 mutation carriers. Discussion: Our simple approach might aid in the in vivo differentiation of supposed ALS subtypes, those with suspected PNS degeneration vs. inflammation, for stratification in clinical trials. Muscle Nerve 59:567–567, 2019
Photo‐aligning of polyimide layers for liquid crystals
Authors: Song Yongzhi , Yuan Lili , Wang Zhiyuan , Yang Shiyong 
Published: February 2019

A series of soluble and highly transparent semi‐alicyclic polyimides (PIs) with designed flexible linkages have been synthesized derived from an alicyclic aromatic dianhydride (1,2,3,4‐cyclobutanetetracarboxylic dianhydride, CBDA) and various aromatic ether‐bridged diamines. The semi‐alicyclic PIs were evaluated as the photo‐alignment layers of liquid crystal (LC) molecules in liquid crystal display (LCD). Experimental results indicate that the photo‐alignment characteristics of LC molecules induced by the photo‐aligned PI layers and the electro‐optical (EO) properties of the LC cell devices are closely related with PI backbone structures. The retardation of the photo‐aligned PI layers is correlated with the ultraviolet (UV) absorption intensity of PI at 220 to approximately 330 nm. The higher UV absorption intensity PI has, the higher retardation and lower pre‐tilt angle the photo‐aligned PI layer exhibits. The defect‐free and photo‐aligned PI layer could result into the uniform LC texture, which is highly desired for in‐plane switching (IPS) mode LCD devices. In comparison, PI layer containing trifluoromethyl moiety shows poor photo‐aligning performance because of the strong electronic withdrawing effect of the fluorinated linkage.
L‐PGDS‐derived PGD2 attenuates acute lung injury by enhancing endothelial barrier formation
Authors: Horikami Daiki , Toya Naoki , Kobayashi Koji , Omori Keisuke , Nagata Nanae , Murata Takahisa 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAcute lung injury (ALI) is caused by various stimuli such as acid aspiration and infection, resulting in severe clinical outcomes with high mortality. Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) is a lipid mediator produced in the lungs of patients with ALI. There are two prostaglandin D synthases (PGDS), namely, lipocalin‐type PGDS (L‐PGDS) and hematopoietic PGDS (H‐PGDS). We previously reported the anti‐inflammatory role of H‐PGDS‐derived PGD2 in an endotoxin‐induced murine ALI model. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the role of L‐PGDS‐derived PGD2 in ALI in comparison to H‐PGDS‐derived PGD2. Intratracheal administration of HCl caused lung inflammation accompanied by tissue edema and neutrophil accumulation in mouse lungs. The deficiency of both L‐PGDS and H‐PGDS exacerbated HCl‐induced lung dysfunction to a similar extent. Furthermore, a detailed investigation revealed that L‐PGDS‐derived PGD2 inhibited lung edema, while H‐PGDS‐derived PGD2 inhibited neutrophil infiltration. Immunostaining showed that inflamed endothelial/epithelial cells express L‐PGDS, while macrophages and neutrophils express H‐PGDS. Hematopoietic reconstitution with WT bone marrow did not rescue the exacerbated lung edema in L‐PGDS deficient mice, indicating the importance of nonhematopoietic endothelial/epithelial cell‐expressing L‐PGDS for protection against ALI. A modified Miles assay showed that L‐PGDS deficiency accelerated vascular hyper‐permeability in the inflamed lung, which was suppressed by the stimulation of D prostanoid (DP) receptor, a PGD2 receptor. In vitro, DP agonism enhanced the barrier function of endothelial cells but not epithelial cells. Taken together, our results suggest that in the HCl‐induced murine ALI model PGD2 was produced locally by inflamed endothelial and epithelial L‐PGDS and this enhanced the endothelial barrier through the DP receptor. Copyright © 2019 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.