bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
MR lymphography in patients with upper limb lymphedema: The GPS for feasibility and surgical planning for lympho‐venous bypass
Authors: Zeltzer Assaf A. , Brussaard Carola , Koning Merel , De Baerdemaeker Randy , Hendrickx Benoit , Hamdi Moustapha , de Mey Johan 
Published: August 2018

Background and ObjectivesLymphedema is caused by insufficient lymphatic drainage leading to abnormal accumulation of interstitial fluid within soft tissues. Lympho‐venous anastomosis (LVA), as a surgical option for selected patients, is widely applied. Through preoperative localization of functional lymphatics with indocyanine green, real time visualization of functioning lymphatic vessels is possible. This examination is time consuming and operator dependant and is not suitable to differentiate the ratio of fat hypertrophy to liquid edema.We investigated whether MR lymphangiography is accurate for imaging functional lymphatics and adjacent veins in arms. Furthermore, we investigated the accuracy and predictability of preoperative mapping for the feasibility of performing LVA and the preoperative decision making in lymphedema surgery.MethodsA prospective study was performed in which 25 patients suffering from lymphedema of the upper extremity were examined. MR lymphography with contrast agent injection in a deep dermal plane was performed.ResultsPrecise localization of lymphatic vessels crossing a vein was achieved in 18 of 25 arms. In 16 of the 18 patients in whom functional lymphatics were localized with an adjacent vein on MRI an LVA was performed successfully.ConclusionsMR lymphangiography is an accurate and reproducible method for imaging and mapping of lymphatic channels in the lymphedemateous limb.
The prognostic value of serum thyroid‐stimulating hormone level post‐lobectomy in low‐ and intermediate‐risk papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Park Jae Hyun , Lee Yu‐mi , Lee Yi Ho , Hong Suck Joon , Yoon Jong Ho 
Published: August 2018

Background: This study was undertaken to determine the optimal thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) value associated with structural recurrence in patients with low‐risk or intermediate‐risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) who underwent thyroid lobectomy.Methods: Patients with PTC (n = 1047) who received thyroid lobectomy and central compartment node dissection were included in the study.Results: Structural recurrence occurred in 42 of the patients (4.0%), and no patient died of PTC. Multivariate analysis showed a primary tumor size (with a cut‐off of 0.85 cm) and serum TSH level measured 1 year after the initial surgery (cut‐off 1.85 mU/L) independently predicted structural recurrence.Conclusions: TSH levels during the early postoperative period need to be monitored and maintained in the lower normal range even in patients with low‐ or intermediate‐risk PTC undergoing thyroid lobectomy.
Oncologic outcomes after robot‐assisted versus laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy: Analysis of the National Cancer Database
Authors: Raoof Mustafa , Nota Carolijn L. M. A. , Melstrom Laleh G. , Warner Susanne G. , Woo Yanghee , Singh Gagandeep , Fong Yuman 
Published: August 2018

BackgroundHow the oncologic outcomes after robotic distal pancreatectomy (RDP) compare to those after laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) remains unknown.MethodsUsing the National Cancer Database (NCDB), we analyzed all patients undergoing LDP or RDP for resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma over a 4‐year period (2010‐2013).ResultsOf the 704 eligible patients, 605 (86%) underwent LDP and 99 (14%) underwent RDP. The median follow‐up for patients was 25 months. There were no differences in the two groups with respect to sociodemographic, clinicopathologic, or treatment characteristics. On comparing LDP versus RDP, there was no difference in the margin‐positive rate (15% vs 16%; P = 0.84); lymph nodes examined (12 vs 11; P = 0.67); overall survival (hazard ratio [HR], 1.1, 95% confidence intervals [CI], 0.7 to 1.7; 28 vs 25 months; P = 0.71); hospital stay (6 vs 5 days; P = 0.14); time to chemotherapy (50 vs 52 days; P = 0.65); 30‐day readmission (9.4% vs 9.1%; P = 0.92); and mortality (1% vs 0%; P = 0.28). Patients undergoing LDP had a significantly higher conversion rate to open or minimally invasive pancreatic cancer resections compared with RDP (27% vs 10%; P < 0.001).ConclusionThe early national experience with RDP demonstrates similar oncologic outcomes to LDP, with a significantly lower conversion rate.
Patterns of failure following the excision of in‐transit lesions in melanoma and the influence of excisional margins
Authors: Gonzalez Alexandra B. , Baum Christian L. , Brewer Jerry D. , Arpey Christopher J. , Harmsen William S. , Suman Vera J. , Markovic Svetomir N. , Jakub James W. 
Published: August 2018

Background and ObjectivesTo describe the patterns of failure in patients with in‐transit (IT) melanoma undergoing surgical excision.MethodsA retrospective review of patients who underwent their first IT lesion(s) resection between May 2005 and September 2014. Cumulative incidence of local failure (new lesion within 2 cm of IT resection) was estimated. Associations between clinicopathologic characteristics, local failure, and any recurrence were analyzed.ResultsOne hundred and thirty patients presented to our institution with IT disease over the study period and met the inclusion criteria. The 2‐year cumulative incidence of local failure was 19.5%. Twenty‐four patients developed disease within 2 cm of the resected IT disease; however, only eight were isolated local events. Cumulative incidence of local failure and of any disease differed with respect to less than 1 year disease‐free interval (DFI) from primary melanoma to first IT event, and having greater than 1 IT lesion at presentation. Incidence of local failure was not found to differ with respect to gross margin greater than 5 mm, after adjusting for DFI and greater than 1 IT lesions.ConclusionsPatients with greater than 1 IT lesion and a DFI less than 1 year are at a higher risk of failure after surgical excision of a first IT event. Very few failures were isolated local disease within 2 cm of the IT resection scar, regardless of IT excision margin.
Immediate lymphatic reconstruction
Authors: Johnson Anna Rose , Singhal Dhruv 
Published: August 2018

AbstractAlthough surgical and medical treatment options are available for the treatment of chronic lymphedema, there is no cure. Recent advances in microsurgery have provided an opportunity to perform immediate lymphatic reconstruction after lymphadenectomy for disease prevention. In this review, we provide the historical background leading to a paradigm shift in performing this procedure. We will also discuss the current evidence for immediate lymphatic reconstruction, potential oncologic procedures amenable to this approach, and detail ongoing challenges.
Occupancy, habitat, and abundance of the Sacramento Valley red fox
Authors: Black Kathleen M. , Preckler‐Quisquater Sophie , Batter Tom J. , Anderson Stacy , Sacks Benjamin N. 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACTThe Sacramento Valley red fox (Vulpes vulpes patwin) is a native subspecies of conservation need endemic to the northern portion of California's Central Valley, USA. We conducted an occupancy survey to investigate habitat use and obtain a crude, range‐wide estimate of abundance. We used 2 previously developed red fox distribution models based on presence‐only data to stratify sampling of 107 sites with baited cameras for ≥90 days during March 2013–June 2016, resulting in red fox detections at 30 sites. All detections occurred in 1 of the 93 sites where 1 or both previous presence‐only models predicted occurrence. Red fox occurrence was positively associated with dry agriculture, human development, and proximity to grassland, and negatively associated with wetlands and flooded agriculture. The models predicted that 34.21% of the 12,000‐km2 Sacramento Valley landscape contained red foxes, which we estimate corresponded to approximately 1,600 breeding individuals. This estimate is comparable to that of the federally endangered California San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica), underscoring its potential vulnerability and conservation need. Targeted efforts to enhance its habitat, such as juxtaposition of grassland patches with agricultural and rural residential structures through conservation easements, could benefit conservation of the Sacramento Valley red fox. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
Forms and vertical distributions of soil phosphorus in newly formed coastal wetlands in the Yellow River Delta estuary
Authors: Qu Fanzhu , Shao Hongbo , Meng Ling , Yu Junbao , Xia Jiangbao , Sun Jingkuan , Li Yunzhao 
Published: August 2018

AbstractTo study the forms and vertical distributions of soil phosphorus (P) in a newly formed coastal wetland in the Yellow River Delta estuary, China, two transects from the Yellow River bank to the bare beach that encompassed a variety of vegetation covers were selected for soil sampling and field monitoring. A modified sequential fractionation method was used to partition the soil P, and the related properties were measured. The soils in this newly formed estuarine coastal wetland, only covered by salt‐tolerant plant communities, are strongly alkaline (pH 8.4–9.2) with high soil salinity (mean, 6.23‰). The content of total P (Pt) ranged from 548.3 to 728.5 mg kg−1 in these soils. Dil.HCl‐Pi (extracted with 1 M HCl) was the highest P fraction (mean, 58.1–72.8%), whereas NaHCO3‐Pi was the lowest fraction (mean, 0.4–1.7%) of all the P forms. Vertical distributions showed a surface accumulation of Resin‐P. Resin‐P, NaHCO3‐Pi, NaOH‐Pi, and Conc.HCl‐Pi (extracted with 11.3 M HCl) were positively or negatively correlated with some properties. Attributed to the spatial deposition and hydrology, Dil.HCl‐Pi presented a poor correlation with Ca. The results also showed some clear differences in the P forms and P availability among vegetation covers. The vegetation cover could modify the soil quality, and Suaeda heteroptera, as the pioneer plant community species, significantly enhanced the freely exchangeable Pi and increased P availability, providing important ideas for salt‐soil sustainable use.
Agroforestry systems: Meta‐analysis of soil carbon stocks, sequestration processes, and future potentials
Authors: Shi Lingling , Feng Wenting , Xu Jianchu , Kuzyakov Yakov 
Published: August 2018

AbstractAgroforestry (AF) has the potential to restore degraded lands, provide a broader range of ecosystem goods and services such as carbon (C) sequestration and high biodiversity, and increase soil fertility and ecosystem stability through additional C input from trees, erosion prevention, and microclimate improvement. Advantages and processes for global C sequestration in AF are unknown. We used a meta‐analysis of 427 soil C stock data pairs grouped into four main AF systems—alley cropping, windbreaks, silvopastures, and homegardens—and evaluated changes in AF and adjacent control cropland or pasture. Mean soil C stocks in AF (1‐m depth) were 126 Mg C·ha−1, which is 19% more than that in cropland or pasture. The highest C stocks in soil were in subtropical homegardens, AF with younger trees, and topsoil (0–20 cm). Increased soil C stocks in AF were lower than aboveground C stocks in most AF systems, except alley cropping. Homegardens stored the highest C in both aboveground and belowground, especially in the subsoil (20–100 cm). Advantages of AF ecosystem services focusing on mechanisms of belowground C sequestration were analyzed. AF could store 5.3 × 109 Mg additional C in soil on 944 Mha globally, with most in the tropics and subtropics. AF systems could greatly contribute to global soil C sequestration if used in larger areas. Future investigations of AF should include (a) mechanistic‐ and process‐based studies (instead of common monitoring and inventories), (b) models linking forest and crop growth with soil water and C and nutrient cycling, and (c) accurate assessments of the AF area worldwide based on the remote sensing approaches.
Multipurpose Antifouling Coating of Solid Surfaces with the Marine‐Derived Polymer Fucoidan
Authors: Jeong Yeonwoo , Thuy Le Thi , Ki So Hyun , Ko Sangwon , Kim Suyeob , Cho Woo Kyung , Choi Joon Sig , Kang Sung Min 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe control of biofouling, which is the unwanted adsorption of biomolecules and organisms on solid surfaces, is a prerequisite for wider applicability of the functional materials that are currently being used in biomedical industries. One of the frequently used methods for controlling biofouling is the use of surface coatings with antifouling materials. Herein, fucoidan, which is a marine‐derived polysaccharide, is reported as a new type of antifouling material that is safe and broadly applicable. Fucoidan is conjugated with catechols, which are known to act as adhesives for grafting functional molecules onto solid substrates. Fucoidan catechol (FD‐C) is subsequently utilized for robust fucoidan coatings of solid substrates, and the FD‐C‐coated surfaces show excellent antifouling capability for fouling organisms, including platelets and bacteria. The FD‐C coating is also confirmed to be nonirritating upon skin contact, demonstrating its potential use in public places for inhibiting contagions.
Hydrolytic Stability of Methacrylamide and Methacrylate in Gelatin Methacryloyl and Decoupling of Gelatin Methacrylamide from Gelatin Methacryloyl through Hydrolysis
Authors: Zheng Jing , Zhu Mengxiang , Ferracci Gaia , Cho Nam‐Joon , Lee Bae Hoon 
Published: August 2018

AbstractGelatin methacryloyl (GelMA; GM) is a promising nature‐derived photocurable material that can mimic the extracellular matrix because GelMA features tailorable mechanical properties, proteolytic degradation, and good cell adhesion. GelMA contains not only methacrylamide but also methacrylate. However, the hydrolytic stability of methacrylamide and methacrylate groups of GelMA in aqueous solutions has not been scrutinized. Here, the structural change of GelMA through hydrolysis is investigated for the first time. The structural change of hydrolyzed GelMA is quantitatively identified using colorimetric and 1H NMR methods. The methacrylate groups decompose markedly at high pH solutions, but the methacrylamide groups remain stable. Further, pure gelatin methacrylamide is successfully decoupled from GelMA for a better understanding of GelMA structure and future use for biomedical applications.
Highly Flame Retardant Melamine‐Formaldehyde Cross‐Linked Cellulose Nanofibrils/Sodium Montmorillonite Aerogels with Improved Mechanical Properties
Authors: Wang Liang , Cui Lingyan , Sánchez‐Soto Miguel , Shou Wan , Xia Zhaopeng , Liu Yong 
Published: August 2018

AbstractA facile cross‐linking strategy to construct flame retardant cellulose nanofibril (CNF)/sodium montmorillonite (MMT) aerogels with improved mechanical properties, by incorporating melamine‐formaldehyde (MF) resins into precursor suspensions followed by a freeze‐drying process, is reported in this work. Scanning electron microscopy images indicate that MF cross‐linking does not significantly change the microstructures of CNF and CNF/MMT aerogels. However, the cross‐linking improves the materials' mechanical and flame properties. By incorporating 50 wt% of MF, the compression moduli and compressive stress of CNF aerogels increase by 316% and 114%, respectively. The limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of CNF aerogels also increases from 17.1% to 23.4%. Further addition of MMT increases the CNF aerogels' LOI value to 57% and increases the maximum decomposition temperature by nearly 20 °C. This occurs because MMT and MF induce a synergistic effect which improves the flame retardant properties of the CNFs aerogels. In CNF/MMT composite aerogels, the introduction of 34 wt% of MF leads to a 54.6% reduction of the peak of heat release rate and a 53.2% decrease in total heat release. CNF aerogels made from sustainable feedstocks with excellent mechanical properties and high flame retardancy, like those discussed herein, show promise as fire resistant biofoams.
Fourier amplitude sensitivity test applied to dynamic combined finite‐discrete element methods–based simulations
Authors: Godinez Humberto C. , Rougier Esteban , Osthus Dave , Lei Zhou , Knight Earl , Srinivasan Gowri 
Published: August 2018

SummaryFracture propagation plays a key role for a number of applications of interest to the scientific community, from dynamic fracture processes like spallation and fragmentation in metals to failure of ceramics, airplane wings, etc. Simulations of material deformation and fracture propagation rely on accurate knowledge of material characteristics such as material strength and the amount of energy being dissipated during the fracture process. Within the combined finite‐discrete element method (FDEM) framework material fracture behavior is typically described through a parametrized softening curve, which defines a stress‐strain relationship unique to each material. We apply the Fourier amplitude sensitivity test to explore how each of these parameters influences the simulated damage processes and to determine the key input parameters that have the most impact on the model response. We present several sensitivity numerical experiments for the simulation of a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) test for weathered granite samples using different combinations of model parameters. We validate the obtained results against SHPB experimental data. The experiments show that the model is mostly sensitive to parameters related to tensile and shear strengths, even in the presence of other parameter perturbations. The results suggest that the specification of tensile and shear strengths at the interfaces dominate the stress‐time history of the FDEM simulation of SHPB test.
Accelerating the iterative solution of convection–diffusion problems using singular value decomposition
Authors: Pitton G. , Heltai L. 
Published: August 2018

SummaryThe discretization of convection–diffusion equations by implicit or semi‐implicit methods leads to a sequence of linear systems usually solved by iterative linear solvers such as the generalized minimal residual method. Many techniques bearing the name of recycling Krylov space methods have been proposed to speed up the convergence rate after restarting, usually based on the selection and retention of some Arnoldi vectors. After providing a unified framework for the description of a broad class of recycling methods and preconditioners, we propose an alternative recycling strategy based on a singular value decomposition selection of previous solutions and exploit this information in classical and new augmentation and deflation methods. The numerical tests in scalar nonlinear convection–diffusion problems are promising for high‐order methods.
Exploring ideas about isotopic variation in breastfeeding and weaning within and between populations: Case studies from the American midcontinent
Authors: Schurr Mark R. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractInfant feeding practices are partially constrained by the biological demands of infants and mothers but vary within those constraints based on factors such as subsistence practices, health, class and ethnic variations, and the presence or absence of foods that can be substituted for breastmilk. Over the past 20 years, nitrogen stable isotope ratios have been used to explore infant feeding practices in past populations. Recent studies have moved from normative approaches primarily focused on weaning time to examinations of intrapopulation variation. Juvenile and adult stable nitrogen isotope ratios from five sites in the midcontinental USA spanning almost 5,000 years provide an opportunity to examine the relationships between subsistence practices and social organization to juvenile diets reflected in nitrogen and carbon stable isotope ratios and how interpretations of juvenile isotopic variability have changed over time. Infant feeding practices were variable in all populations and between roughly contemporary groups with similar ways of life. As reported before, no change in weaning time was seen with the appearance of food production from Late Archaic hunter‐gatherers (Indian Knoll and Carlston Annis sites) to maize agriculturalists (Angel and Tinsley Hill sites), but carbon stable‐isotope ratios show differences in childhood diet and the consumption of supplemental foods by prehistoric maize agriculturalists. Variability at four prehistoric sites was much less than that seen in an early 19th century cemetery (Old Frankfort Cemetery). Although many juveniles at Old Frankfort followed a trajectory of breastfeeding and weaning similar to that seen at the prehistoric sites, there was an unusually large amount of variation in juvenile and adult diets at Old Frankfort Cemetery. Additional studies on early industrial multi‐ethnic frontier populations are needed to better understand the significance of the variation in this type of population.
Risk of hospital admission for liver injury in users of NSAIDs and nonoverdose paracetamol: Preliminary results from the EPIHAM study
Authors: Gulmez Sinem Ezgi , Unal Ulku Sur , Lassalle Régis , Chartier Anaïs , Grolleau Adeline , Moore Nicholas 
Published: August 2018

AbstractPurposeThe SALT study found similar per‐user risks of acute liver failure (ALF) leading to transplantation (ALFT) between NSAIDs and a threefold higher risk in nonoverdose paracetamol (NOP) users. The objective of EPIHAM was to identify the risks of hospital admission for acute liver injury (ALI) associated with NSAIDs and NOP.MethodsCase‐population study in the 1/97 sample of the French population claims database. Acute liver injury was identified from hospital discharge summaries, from 2009 to 2013. Exposure for cases was dispensing of NSAID or NOP resulting in exposure within 30 days before admission. Population exposure was the number of patients using the drugs over the study timeframe and total number of DDD dispensed.ResultsOf 63 cases of ALI, 13 had been exposed to NSAIDs and 24 to NOP. Events per million DDD (95% CI) ranged from 0.46 (0.09‐1.34) (ketoprofen) to 1.43 (0.04‐7.97) (diclofenac combinations), 0.43 (0.23‐0.73) all NSAIDs combined, 0.58 (0.37‐0.86) for NOP. There was no association with average duration of treatment. Per patient risk ranged from 19.5 (5.31‐49.9) (ibuprofen) per million users to 37.2 (19.8‐63.6) all NSAIDs combined, 58.0 (37.2‐86.3) for NOP. There was a linear relationship between average treatment duration and per‐user risk (R2 = 0.51, P < .05 for NSAIDs, R2 = 0.97, P < .01 for NOP).ConclusionsRisk of hospital admission for ALI with NSAIDs and NOP was similar and indicative of a dose and duration‐related effect (pharmacological) effect. Acute liver injury rates were not predictive of ALFT risk.