bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Physical activity, sleep, and fatigue in community dwelling Stroke Survivors
Authors: Shepherd Anthony I. , Pulsford Richard , Poltawski Leon , Forster Anne , Taylor Rod S. , Spencer Anne , Hollands Laura , James Martin , Allison Rhoda , Norris Meriel , Calitri Raff , Dean Sarah G. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractStroke can lead to physiological and psychological impairments and impact individuals’ physical activity (PA), fatigue and sleep patterns. We analysed wrist-worn accelerometry data and the Fatigue Assessment Scale from 41 stroke survivors following a physical rehabilitation programme, to examine relationships between PA levels, fatigue and sleep. Validated acceleration thresholds were used to quantify time spent in each PA intensity/sleep category. Stroke survivors performed less moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) in 10 minute bouts than the National Stroke guidelines recommend. Regression analysis revealed associations at baseline between light PA and fatigue (p = 0.02) and MVPA and sleep efficiency (p = 0.04). Light PA was positively associated with fatigue at 6 months (p = 0.03), whilst sleep efficiency and fatigue were associated at 9 months (p = 0.02). No other effects were shown at baseline, 6 or 9 months. The magnitude of these associations were small and are unlikely to be clinically meaningful. Larger trials need to examine the efficacy and utility of accelerometry to assess PA and sleep in stroke survivors.
Crystal structure of dihydrodipicolinate reductase (PaDHDPR) from Paenisporosarcina sp. TG-14: structural basis for NADPH preference as a cofactor
Authors: Lee Chang Woo , Park Sun-Ha , Lee Sung Gu , Park Hyun Ho , Kim Hak Jun , Park HaJeung , Park Hyun , Lee Jun Hyuck 
Published: May 2018

AbstractDihydrodipicolinate reductase (DHDPR) is a key enzyme in the diaminopimelate- and lysine-synthesis pathways that reduces DHDP to tetrahydrodipicolinate. Although DHDPR uses both NADPH and NADH as a cofactor, the structural basis for cofactor specificity and preference remains unclear. Here, we report that Paenisporosarcina sp. TG-14 PaDHDPR has a strong preference for NADPH over NADH, as determined by isothermal titration calorimetry and enzymatic activity assays. We determined the crystal structures of PaDHDPR alone, with its competitive inhibitor (dipicolinate), and the ternary complex of the enzyme with dipicolinate and NADPH, with results showing that only the ternary complex had a fully closed conformation and suggesting that binding of both substrate and nucleotide cofactor is required for enzymatic activity. Moreover, NADPH binding induced local conformational changes in the N-terminal long loop (residues 34–59) of PaDHDPR, as the His35 and Lys36 residues in this loop interacted with the 2′-phosphate group of NADPH, possibly accounting for the strong preference of PaDHDPR for NADPH. Mutation of these residues revealed reduced NADPH binding and enzymatic activity, confirming their importance in NADPH binding. These findings provide insight into the mechanism of action and cofactor selectivity of this important bacterial enzyme.
Northward shift of the agricultural climate zone under 21st-century global climate change
Authors: King Myron , Altdorff Daniel , Li Pengfei , Galagedara Lakshman , Holden Joseph , Unc Adrian 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAs agricultural regions are threatened by climate change, warming of high latitude regions and increasing food demands may lead to northward expansion of global agriculture. While socio-economic demands and edaphic conditions may govern the expansion, climate is a key limiting factor. Extant literature on future crop projections considers established agricultural regions and is mainly temperature based. We employed growing degree days (GDD), as the physiological link between temperature and crop growth, to assess the global northward shift of agricultural climate zones under 21st-century climate change. Using ClimGen scenarios for seven global climate models (GCMs), based on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and transient GHGs, we delineated the future extent of GDD areas, feasible for small cereals, and assessed the projected changes in rainfall and potential evapotranspiration. By 2099, roughly 76% (55% to 89%) of the boreal region might reach crop feasible GDD conditions, compared to the current 32%. The leading edge of the feasible GDD will shift northwards up to 1200 km by 2099 while the altitudinal shift remains marginal. However, most of the newly gained areas are associated with highly seasonal and monthly variations in climatic water balances, a critical component of any future land-use and management decisions.
Carrier thermometry of cold ytterbium atoms in an optical lattice clock
Authors: Han Chengyin , Zhou Min , Zhang Xiaohang , Gao Qi , Xu Yilin , Li Shangyan , Zhang Shuang , Xu Xinye 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe ultracold atomic gas serving as the quantum reference is a key part of an optical lattice clock, and the temperature of atoms in the optical lattice affects the uncertainty and instability of the optical lattice clocks. Since the carrier spectrum of the clock transition in the lattices reflects the thermal dynamics of cold atoms, the temperature of atoms can be extracted from the carrier spectrum in a non-magic wavelength lattice of ytterbium optical clocks. Furthermore, the temperatures obtained from the carrier spectra are in good agreement with the results obtained by the time-of-flight method and thermometry based on the sideband spectrum. In addition, the heating effects caused by the lattice laser are studied on the basis of the sample temperatures.
A novel microRNA signature predicts survival in liver hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy
Authors: Fu Qiang , Yang Fan , Xiang Tengxiao , Huai Guoli , Yang Xingxing , Wei Liang , Yang Hongji , Deng Shaoping 
Published: May 2018

AbstractLiver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer. In the current study, genome-wide miRNA-Seq and mRNA profiles in 318 LIHC patients derived from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were analysed to identify miRNA-based signatures for LIHC prognosis with survival analysis and a semi-supervised principal components (SPC) method. A seven-miRNA signature was confirmed for overall survival (OS) prediction by comparing miRNA profiles in paired primary tumour and solid tumour normal tissues. Thereafter, a linear prognostic model that consisted of seven miRNAs was established and used to divide patients into high- and low-risk groups according to prognostic scores. Subsequent Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the seven-miRNA signature correlated with a good predictive clinical outcome for 5-year survival in LIHC patients. Additionally, this miRNA-based prognostic model could also be used for OS prognosis of LIHC patients in early stages, which could guide the future therapy of those patients and promote the OS rate. Moreover, the seven-miRNA signature was an independent prognostic factor. In conclusion, this signature may serve as a prognostic biomarker and guide LIHC therapy, and it could even be used as an LIHC therapeutic target in the future.
Compensation of filter cascading effects and non‐linearities in flexible multi‐carrier‐based optical networks using a complex‐kernel‐based support vector machine
Authors: Jarajreh Mutsam A. 
Published: May 2018

Filter cascading effects are identified and compensated in flexible coherent multi‐carrier optical networks using, for the first time, a complex‐valued support vector machine (C‐SVM) non‐linear equaliser which is compared to phase‐conjugated subcarrier‐coding (PC‐SC)‐based non‐linearity compensation. The transmission performance of super‐channel‐based dual‐polarisation coherent multi‐band optical OFDM (DP‐MB‐OFDM) is analysed in a flexible network with two‐stage wavelength selective‐switch reconfigurable optical add‐drop multiplexer for coarse and fine switching granularity. It is shown that filter cascading effects have significant impact only on edge OFDM sub‐bands. On the other hand, C‐SVM outperforms PC‐SC resulting in an extension of the transmission‐reach, for instance, by 420 km when employing 32‐quadrature amplitude modulation at a targeted bit‐error‐rate of 10−3. This occurs since C‐SVM can compensate more effectively stochastic‐induced nonlinear cross‐talk effects. Moreover, the interplay between polarisation‐mode dispersion (PMD) and fibre non‐linearity is also investigated in DP‐MB‐OFDM, revealing that a high PMD causes time fluctuation on the non‐linear interaction affecting the balance of the ‘twin‐subcarriers’ in PS‐SC.
Toy model for the acceleration of blazar jets
Authors: Liodakis I. 
Published: May 2018

Context. Understanding the acceleration mechanism of astrophysical jets has been a cumbersome endeavor from both the theoretical and observational perspective. Although several breakthroughs have been achieved in recent years, on all sides, we are still missing a comprehensive model for the acceleration of astrophysical jets.
Aims. In this work we attempt to construct a simple toy model that can account for several observational and theoretical results and allow us to probe different aspects of blazar jets usually inaccessible to observations.
Methods. We used the toy model and Lorentz factor estimates from the literature to constrain the black hole spin and external pressure gradient distributions of blazars.
Results. Our results show that (1) the model can reproduce the velocity, spin and external pressure gradient of the jet in M 87 inferred independently by observations; (2) blazars host highly spinning black holes with 99% of BL Lac objects and 80% of flat spectrum radio quasars having spins a > 0.6; (3) the dichotomy between BL Lac objects and flat spectrum radio quasars could be attributed to their respective accretion rates. Using the results of the proposed model, we estimated the spin and external pressure gradient for 75 blazars.
Dynamic 4D-CT Angiography for Guiding Transarterial Chemoembolization: Impact on the Reduction of Contrast Material, Operator Radiation Exposure, Catheter Consumption, and Diagnostic Confidence
Authors: Albrecht Moritz , Vogl Thomas , Wichmann Julian , Martin Simon , Scholtz Jan-Erik , Fischer Sebastian , Hammerstingl Renate , Harth Marc , Nour-Eldin Nour-Eldin , Thalhammer Axel , Zangos Stephan , Bauer Ralf 
Published: May 2018

Purpose This study was carried out to investigate the impact of abdominal dynamic four-dimensional CT angiography (4D-CTA) for guiding transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) on the amount of contrast material used, operator radiation exposure, catheter consumption, and diagnostic confidence.
Materials and Methods Written consent was waived for this IRB-approved retrospective study. 29 patients (20 men; mean age: 65.7 ± 11.5 years) with malignant liver lesions underwent 4D-CTA, prior to initial TACE. Time-resolved volume-rendering technique (VRT), maximum-intensity projection (MIP), and multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) series were reconstructed, enabling a direct selective catheterization of the tumor-supplying artery without prior conventional digital subtraction angiography (DSA). 29 patients (16 men; mean age: 69.4 ± 13.9) who underwent traditional TACE served as the control group. The amount of administered contrast media, operator radiation exposure, and catheter consumption during TACE were compared. Two radiologists assessed diagnostic confidence in the exclusion of portal vein thrombosis.
Results 4D-CTA TACE resulted in a significant reduction in the amount of contrast media used, compared to traditional TACE (–61.0 ml/ –66.3 % intra-arterial, –12.8 ml/ –13.8 % overall; P < 0.001). The dose-area product indicating operator radiation exposure during intervention was reduced by 50.5 % (P < 0.001), and 0.7 fewer catheters on average were used (P = 0.063), while 4D-CTA data was available to guide TACE. Diagnostic confidence in the exclusion of portal vein thrombosis was significantly enhanced by 4D-CTA, compared to traditional DSA images (scores, 3.9 and 2.4, respectively; P < 0.001).
Conclusion Dynamic 4D-CTA enables TACE with a substantially reduced amount of contrast material, decreases operator radiation exposure, and increases diagnostic confidence in the exclusion of portal vein thrombosis.
Key points
Citation Format
Leishmanicidal Effects of Piperlongumine (Piplartine) and Its Putative Metabolites
Authors: Moreira Fernanda , Riul Thalita , Moreira Marcela , Pilon Alan , Dias-Baruffi Marcelo , Araújo Márcio , Lopes Norberto , de Oliveira Anderson 
Published: May 2018

AbstractPiperlongumine is an amide alkaloid found in Piperaceae species that shows a broad spectrum of biological properties, including antitumor and antiparasitic activities. Herein, the leishmanicidal effect of piperlongumine and its derivatives produced by a biomimetic model using metalloporphyrins was investigated. The results showed that IC50 values of piperlongumine in promastigote forms of Leishmania infantum and Leishmania amazonensis were 7.9 and 3.3 µM, respectively. The IC50 value of piperlongumine in the intracellular amastigote form of L. amazonensis was 0.4 µM, with a selectivity index of 25. The piperlongumine biomimetic derivatives, Ma and Mb, also showed leishmanicidal effects. We also carried out an in vitro metabolic degradation study showing that Ma is the most stable piperlongumine derivative in rat liver microsome incubations. The results presented here indicate that piperlongumine is a potential leishmanicidal candidate and support the biomimetic approach for development of new antileishmanial derivatives.
A Complementary Toolbox of Iterative Methods for the Stereo­selective Synthesis of Heteroatom-Rich Motives from C1-Building Blocks
Authors: Hirschhäuser Christoph , Kirupakaran Sujenth , Korth Hans-Gert 
Published: May 2018

The ability to assemble organic molecules one carbon atom at a time has been a long-held dream for chemists. Modern boronate homologations with chiral carbenoids allow for the assembly-line synthesis of long chiral alkyl chains with excellent control over individual stereocenters. Nevertheless, heteroatom rich motives present a serious synthetic challenge to this approach. Interestingly, older methods based on substrate-controlled homologations of chiral boronic esters or umpolung of a carbonyl nucleophile can offer complementary solutions. A combination of these approaches might thus extend the range of possible targets currently within grasp of a C1-based synthesis. Link to video abstract: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PH_HBrqQwtg .1	Introduction2	Substrate Control: Stereoselective Addition of d1-Reagents to Aldehydes­3	Stereocontrol by Chiral Auxiliary/Director: The Matteson Boronate Homologation4	Reagent Control: Moving Chiral Information to the Carbenoid5	Conclusions and Outlook
Contrecoup Acute Epidural Hematoma—A Rare Case Report
Authors: Banga Manpreet , Sandeep B. , Dixit Sourabh , Saha Suniti 
Published: May 2018

AbstractEpidural hematoma (EDH) is a traumatic accumulation of blood between the inner table of the skull and the dural membrane. Contact-related skull deformation causes inbending or fracturing of cranium or both, leading to separation of the dura mater from inner table. This injures the dural arteries, veins, venous sinus, or diploid channels, producing EDH. They usually occur as a result of direct impact injuries to the head, ipsilateral to impact side. Incidence of epidural hematoma is 1 to 3% of all head injuries. Contrecoup EDH cases are rare. and because of its rarity, we present a case report of a 17-year-old boy with contrecoup EDH who sustained head injury due to road traffic accident. Computed tomography of the brain showed left occipital bone fracture and large contrecoup extradural hematoma in right frontal region associated with pneumocephalus and hemorrhagic contusional edema beneath it. The EDH was operated on, and the patient was discharged uneventfully.
Home Care of Patients with Head Injury: Are We Neglecting the Caregivers?
Authors: Shoaib Yawar , Dagar Amit , Reyaz Abraq 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIn the absence of professional long-term care facilities in India, home care to patients with head injury is usually provided by family members. In this scenario, the mental health of the caregivers remains an important issue. This factor is constantly neglected by the health care providers and the society alike. With the result, the caregivers are prone to depression, anxiety, and other forms of mental illnesses. This also has a negative impact on the recovery and rehabilitation of the head injury survivor. In this article, the authors have reviewed relevant literature to find out the extent and prevalence of this problem among home caregivers of patients with head injury. The authors have also highlighted the possible measures that the treating neurosurgeon and the society can take for effective management of these issues. Their aim is to make the neurosurgeon and other health care providers aware of this issue and its various ramifications.
Endovascular Occlusion of Traumatic Carotid Cavernous Fistula by Using Detachable Balloon in Various Ways: A Case Series
Authors: Srivastava Trilochan , Husain Shakir , Gandhi Ashok , Sinha Virendra 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
Introduction The detachable balloons are not frequently used nowadays for endovascular occlusion of carotid-cavernous fistula (CCF) because of lack of availability and supposed high risk of recurrence. This study describes the various way of detachable balloon embolization for traumatic CCF.
Materials and Methods We have used endovascular detachable balloon to occlude the traumatic CCF under local anesthesia in various ways in 12 traumatic cases of CCF from March 2013 to April 2015. Clinical and computed tomographic (CT) angiography follow-up was done at 6 and 12 months.
Results Clinical follow-up from 6 to 12 month showed persistent resolution of symptoms in 10 cases; 2 cases had developed slight proptosis and chemosis. CT angiography done in nine cases after 6 to 9 months showed no residual filling in CCF.
Conclusion The detachable balloon either single or double with or without coils can be used in the management of CCF by different methods. Detachable balloon is a cheaper alternative compared with coiling. It is technically easier to perform and can be performed under local anesthesia.
Utility of Transcranial Doppler in Estimating Cerebral Perfusion Pressure in Traumatic Brain Injury: A Prospective Observational Trial
Authors: Ramanan Rajagopal , Joseph Mathew 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
Title Utility of transcranial Doppler (TCD) in estimating cerebral perfusion pressure (eCPP) in traumatic brain injury—a prospective observational trial.
Aim To validate the utility of a noninvasive technique of eCPP estimation using transcranial Doppler (TCD).
Materials and Methods Eighteen patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) requiring intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring as per the Brain Trauma Foundation guidelines were prospectively recruited for the study. ICP was measured in all patients using an intraventricular catheter. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was recorded from an intra-arterial catheter. Cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) was calculated as the difference between MAP and ICP. Middle cerebral blood flow velocities were recorded using TCD, and CPP was estimated from the middle cerebral artery (MCA) flow velocities (eCPP) using the formula eCPP = (MAP × end diastolic velocity [EDV]/mean velocity [MV]) + 14. Total 185 simultaneous readings of CPP and eCPP were available for analysis. Reliability statistics between CPP and eCPP were computed to calculate the intraclass correlation (ICC).
Results The average CPP measured using intraventricular catheter was 73.2 (+/−12.4), and the mean estimated eCPP was 76.7 (+/−10.9). We found a very good Pearson's correlation between CPP and eCPP (r = 0.743) with a Cronbach's α of 0.843. In 86.2% of examinations, the estimation error of measuring CPP was within 10 mm Hg, and in 93.1% examinations, it was within 15 mm Hg.
Conclusion eCPP estimated using TCD can serve as reliable noninvasive alternative in situations in which ICP monitoring is not available, even in moderate or mild head injury.
Large Retropharyngeal Abscess Associated with Cervical Spine Tuberculosis
Authors: Agrawal Amit , Santhi Vissa , Kumar Gali , Sandeep Yashwanth 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe authors report a case of a 25-year-old man who presented with the history of neck pain and weakness of the right hand of 6-month duration. He had history of fever with evening rise in temperature, loss of weight, and cough. Radiologic investigations of the cervical spine showed collapse of the C5 vertebral body and partial destruction of the C4 and C6 vertebral bodies with kyphotic deformity and a large retropharyngeal hyperintense collection. The patient underwent drainage of the abscess, and the histopathology was suggestive of tuberculosis. He was started on antitubercular treatment and doing well at follow-up.
Anterior Cervical Corpectomy and the Operating Team: A Controversy?
Authors: Nikova Alexandrina , Birbilis Theodossios 
Published: May 2018

AbstractCervical myelopathy is multifactorial disease that can lead to many dysfunctions. Surgical treatment is believed to be the best healing choice. The authors searched the published data on Medline on this subject and found a difference between the neurosurgeons and orthopaedics on the topic of anterior corpectomy for cervical myelopathy. The difference between the orthopaedics and neurosurgeons is not big, but it could be relevant to the final outcome, which appears to be better in the neurosurgeons. The complication rate is also variable between the groups, with lower rates of complication reported by the neurosurgeons. Therefore, despite the fact that the postoperative outcome depends on many factors, such as preoperative condition, additional comorbidities, age, and lifestyle, this article also finds that the surgical team, after comparing basic techniques that the team used for anterior cervical corpectomy (ACC), is also responsible to some extent. This, however, is not a competition, and future cooperation between the teams might be beneficial for all.