bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Radiological appearance of hepatocellular carcinoma predicts the response to trans-arterial chemoembolization in patients undergoing liver transplantation
Authors: Zhang Wei , Xu An-Hui , Wang Wei , Wu Yan-Hui , Sun Qian-Ling , Shu Chang 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Background

The ultimate goal of locoregional therapy (LRT) to the liver is to induce total tumor necrosis. Trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the mainstay bridging therapy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) waiting for liver transplantation (LT). However, tumor response rate is variable. The purpose of this study was to correlate HCC radiological appearance with level of tumor necrosis during explant analysis from patients undergoing LT who received pre-LT TACE.

Methods

From March 2000 to March 2018, a total of 66 patients with HCC who had been treated prior to LT by means of TACE were analyzed. Diagnosis of HCC was made based on AASLD guidelines and confirmed via histopathology explant analysis. Radiologic tumor response after TACE was based on modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST). Degree of tumor necrosis was determined by histopathology analysis of liver explants. HCC radiological appearances on CT before TACE were assessed and correlated with histological findings after LT.

Results

Eighty nine TACE procedures (1.35±0.67; 1-4) were performed, of which 18 were repeated TACE (27.3%) procedures. In 56.1% of the patients, ≥90% (near-complete) tumor necrosis was achieved. Concordance between mRECIST criteria and pathology was observed in 63% of the patients, with an underestimation of tumor response in 18 (27%) patients and an overestimation in 6 (9.1%). Near-complete tumor necrosis upon pathological analysis was associated with tumor hyper-enhancement in the arterial phase (P=0.002), “typical tumor enhancement” (P=0.010) and smooth tumor margins (p=0.011). The multivariate analysis showed that well circumscribed HCCs with smooth margins and arterial hyper-enhancement independently correlated with post-TACE near-complete histological tumor necrosis.

Conclusions

The well circumscribed HCC lesions with arterial hyper-enhancement are more susceptible to TACE compared to lesions with arterial phase iso or hypo-enhancement and lesions with infiltrative appearance. Pre-TACE CT imaging may ease the selection of an optimal treatment strategy for bridging patients with HCC to liver transplantation.
KRAS and NRAS mutational gene profile of metastatic colorectal cancer patients in Jordan: Molecular spectrum, frequency and distribution pattern
Authors: Awidi Muhammad , Ababneh Nidaa , Shomaf Maha , Fararjeh Feras Al , Owaidi Laila , AlKhatib Mohammed , Tarawneh Buthaina , Awidi Abdalla 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Background

A constitutively active RAS protein in the absence of stimulation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is the result of mutations in KRAS and NRAS genes. Mutations in the KRAS exon 2 and outside exon 2 have been found to predict the resistance to anti-EGFR monoclonal therapy. A substantial proportion of metastatic colorectal cancer cases (mCRC) exhibit RAS mutations outside KRAS exon 2, particularly in KRAS exon 3 and 4 and NRAS exons 2, 3. No data about RAS mutations outside KRAS exon 2 are available for Jordanian patients with mCRC. We aim to study the molecular spectrum, frequency, and distribution pattern of KRAS and NRAS mutations in Jordanian patients with mCRC.

Methods

A cohort of 190 Jordanian metastatic colorectal cancer patients were enrolled in the trial. We detected mutations in exon 2 of the KRAS and NRAS gene as well as mutations outside of exon 2 using the StripAssay technique. The KRAS StripAssay covered 29 mutations and 22 NRAS mutations.

Results

Mutations were observed in 92 (48.42%) cases, and KRAS exon 2 accounted for 76 cases (83.69%). KRAS G12D was the most common mutation, occurring in 18 cases, followed by KRAS G12A in 16 cases, and G12T in 13 cases. Mutations outside of KRAS exon 2 represented 16.3% of the mutated cases. Among those, 6 cases (6.48%) carried mutations in NRAS exon 2, 3 and 10 cases (10.87%) in KRAS exon 3 and 4.

Conclusion

The frequency of NRAS and KRAS mutations outside of exon 2 appears to be higher in Jordanian patients in comparison with patients from western countries. KRAS mutations outside of exon 2 should be tested routinely to identify patients who should not be treated with anti-EGFR antibodies.
Enhancement of Aeribacillus pallidus lipase production through optimization of medium composition using Box behnken design and its application in detergents formulations
Authors: KTATA Ameni , aida karray , Mnif Ines , BEZZINE Sofiane 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Background

Alkaline, thermostable bacterial lipases are very interested at detergent applications, seen that they replace the use of synthetic detergents which cause substantial environmental problems. These enzymes based detergent are eco friendly and produce a waste water with low level of COD. The present study, investigates a newly isolated Aeribacillus pallidus strain produces, without induction, a novel halophilous, thermo-alkaline and detergent- tolerant lipase.

Results

Considerable interest has been given to this lipase by the improvement of its production by the optimization of the pH, the (C/N) ratio and the inoculums size, using the response surface methodology based on the Box-Behnken Design of experiments. A total of 16 experiments were conducted, and the optimized pH, (C/N) ratio and inoculums size were 10, 1 and 0,3 respectively. The results of the analysis of variance (ANOVA) test indicated that the established model was significant (p value < 0.05).

Conclusions

A 6,68-fold of increase in enzyme activity was revealed under the optimized conditions with the maximum activity of 68 U/ml. Additionally, lipase of Aeribacillus pallidus is considered as a potential candidate for applications in detergent formulations since it displayed a good stability towards detergents and wash performance.
High-level soluble expression and enzymatic characterization of Burkholderia sp. lipase with steryl ester hydrolysis activity in E. coli
Authors: Shu Zhengyu , Li Feng , Jia Wenjing , Mu Xiangduo , Lin Hong , Liu Yanru , Huang Jianzhong 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Background

Burkholderia cepacia lipase is an important industrial biocatalyst for biodiesel production and chiral pharmaceutical synthesis. Heterologous soluble expression of lipase lipA gene from B. cepacia in Escherichia coli highly depends on co-expression of its cognate foldase gene, lipB. However, the interaction between recombinant lipase LipA and chaperonin LipB is rather complicated and confusing. In this research, various systems of lipA/lipB co-expression combinations are investigated to obtain high-level soluble expression of lipA, respectively.

Results

The best co-expression combination system for lipA and lipB is E. coli Origami 2 (DE3)/pETDuet-lipB(MCS1)/lipA(MCS2). The soluble expression level of lipA is 100.4 U/OD600 towards 4-nitrophenyl laurate hydrolysis. The recombinant LipA can be rapidly isolated from cell-free supernatant of recombinant E. coli lysate using HisTrap HP affinity chromatography column, and the lipA/LipB complex is obtained. Enzymatic characterization analysis shows that the purified LipA is a mesothermal and alkaline enzyme. LipA displays preference for medium-chain-length acyl groups (C10-C12) and sn-1,3 regioselectivity. Besides triacylglycerol hydrolase activity (EC. 3.1.1.3), LipA also displays steryl ester hydrolase activity (EC. 3.1.1.13). The specific activity of LipA towards 4-nitrophenyl decanoate and cholesterol linoleate are 638.9 U/mg and 1111.5 mU/mg, respectively.

Conclusions

Host strain E. coli Origami 2 (DE3), lipB locus at MCS1 on the dual expression cassette plasmid pETDuet, and low-temperature induction contribute to the soluble expression of lipA. Recombinant LipA displays both triacylglycerol hydrolase activity and steryl ester hydrolase activity.
Clinical evaluation of ultrasonic subgingival debridement and ultrasonic subgingival scaling combined with manual root planning in patients with periodontitis: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Yan Yue , Zhan Yalin , Wang Xian'e , Hou Jianxia 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Background: Periodontal diseases are regarded as the most common diseases of mankind. The prevalence rate of periodontal disease assumes the obvious growth tendency in the whole world, increased by 57.3% from 1990 to 2010. Thereby, effective periodontal therapy is still a long-term task and tricky problem. The goals of periodontal therapy are to eliminate the infectious and inflammatory processes. Root planning, in order to eliminate the “infected cementum”, is an important step in treatment of periodontitis since 1970s. Along with the understanding of endotoxin’s feature on root surface, the necessity of manual root planing has been gradually queried. Ultrasonic instruments wouldn’t remove the cementum excessively, which are more time-saving and labor-saving compared to hand instruments as well. Hence, an increasing number of dentists prefer to scaling with ultrasonic instruments only. However, the necessity of root planing has still been emphasized in the international mainstream views of periodontal mechanical treatment. Therefore, this study is devoted to compare the clinical effect of ultrasonic subgingival debridement and ultrasonic subgingival scaling combined with manual root planing, which taking the implementation of root planing as the only variable and more in line with the clinical situation, hoping to provide some reference to dentists.
Methods/design: Forty adult patients who fit the inclusion criteria are being recruited from the Peking University Hospital of Stomatology (Beijing, China). By means of randomization tables, one quadrant of the upper and lower teeth is the test group and the other is the control group. Test group: ultrasonic subgingival scaling combined with manual root planing. Control group: ultrasonic subgingival debridement. In a 24-weeks follow-up period, plaque index, probing depth, clinical attachment loss, bleeding index, furcation involvement, mobility, and patient-reported outcome (visual analog scale for pain and sensitivity) will be observed and documented.
Discussion: This study evaluates the effectiveness of ultrasonic subgingival scaling combined with manual root planing and ultrasonic subgingival debridement alone in nonsurgical treatment of periodontitis with a split-mouth design after 1, 3 and 6 months. The result of the trial will potentially contribute to an advanced treatment strategy of periodontitis with ideal clinical outcome.
Trial registration: The study has been registered in International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) under the identifier number ChiCTR1800017122. Registered on 12 July 2018.
Keywords: Peridontitis, Non-surgical periodontal therapy, Ultrasonic subgingival debridement, Root planing
Effectiveness of an online self-management tool for people with rheumatoid arthritis: a research protocol
Authors: Tam Johnathan , Lacaille Diane , Liu-Ambrose Teresa , Shaw Chris D , Xie Hui , Backman Catherine L , Esdaile John M , Miller Kimberly , Petrella Robert , Li Linda C 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Background. Active self-management is a process where patients are fully engaged in managing their health in daily life by having access to contextualized health data and tailored guidance to support a healthy lifestyle. The current study aims to determine whether an e-health intervention which incorporates symptom/disease activity monitoring and physical activity counselling can improve self-management ability in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods. The Empowering active self-management of arthritis: Raising the bar with OPERAS (an On-demand Program to EmpoweR Active Self-management) project is a randomized controlled trial which uses a delayed control design. 134 participants with RA will be randomized to either start the intervention immediately (Immediate Group) or start 6 months later (Delayed Group). The intervention involves: 1) use of a Fitbit-compatible web app to record and monitor their RA disease activity, symptoms and time spent on physical activity and a Fitbit; 2) group education and individual counselling by a physiotherapist (PT), and 3) 6 phone calls with a PT. The primary outcome measure is self-management ability measured by the Patient Activation Measure. Secondary outcome measures include disease status, fatigue, pain, depressive symptoms, and characteristics of habitual behavior. In addition, time spent in physical activity and sedentary activity with a wearable multi-sensor device (SenseWear Mini). Following the 6-month intervention, we will interview a sample of participants to examine their experiences with the intervention.

Discussion. The results of this study will help to determine whether this technology-enhanced self-management intervention improves self-management ability and their health outcomes for people living with RA. A limitation of this study is that participants will need to self-report their symptoms, disease status, and treatment use through questionnaires on the OPERAS web app. The user-friendly interface, reminder emails from the research staff, and tailored guidance from PTs will encourage participants to actively engage with the app.

Trial Registration. Date of last update in ClinicalTrials.gov: January 2, 2019
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03404245
Effects of TangWang prescription intervention in type 2 non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy：a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Huang WenJing , Jin De , Meng Xiang , Yang Fan , Zheng Yu-jiao , Bao Qi , Zhang Mei-zhen , Yang Ya-nan , Lian Feng-Mei , Tong Xiao-Lin , Ni Qing 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Background: Presently, the efficacy of drug treatments for diabetic retinopathy (DR) is not satisfactory. This study is designed to provide evidence that a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulation delays the development of DR.
Methods: This study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel-group, multicenter clinical trial, consisting of 384 participants to be randomized in a 1:1 ratio in the treatment and control groups, and receive a basic treatment. Furthermore, the treatment and control groups will be administered the TangWang prescription and the placebo, respectively, each at a dose of one bag twice a day. The study period will last for 48 weeks. The primary outcome measure will be the changes in the degree of retinal microvascular lesions before and after treatment. The secondary outcome will be changes in the degree of hemangioma, microvascular bleeding, microvascular leakage, macular edema, and vision. All statistical tests will be two-sided, and a P < 0.05 will be considered statistically significant.
Discussion: We hypothesize that the patients with DR will benefit from TangWang prescription, and in addition to the central random system and platform of dynamic information collection, the patients’ conditions will be monitored and the data collected for analysis. If successful, this study will provide evidence that the TCM formulation delays the development of DR.
Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03025399. Registered on January 19 2017.
Keywords: Diabetic retinopathy, TangWang prescription, randomized controlled trial, traditional Chinese medicine
Perioperative patient blood management during parallel transverse uterine incision cesarean section in patient with pernicious placenta previa: A retrospective cohort analysis
Authors: Ma Yushan , Luo Xi , Lin Xuemei , Jiang xiaoqin , Liu Hui , Wu Lan 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Background

Pernicious placenta previa (PPP) is the main cause of severe obstetric postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and hysterectomy and often requires donor blood transfusion. Prophylactic internal iliac artery (IIA) balloon occlusion (BO) combined with cell salvage is increasingly being deployed in parallel transverse uterine incision (PTUI) cesarean section (CS). The aim of this study was to explore the differences in blood management in PTUI CS with or without prophylactic IIA BO and to evaluate the safety and efficacy of cell salvage to reduce the need for donor blood transfusion during PTUI CS.

Methods

This retrospective study included all women who were diagnosed with PPP and PA and underwent PTUI CS from October 1, 2016, to October 31, 2018. Sixty-four patients were included: 34 underwent prophylactic IIA BO (IIA group), while 30 were treated without prophylactic IIA BO (control group). The primary outcome was a composite measure of perioperative blood management outcomes, including the estimated blood loss (EBL), donor blood transfusion, salvaged blood returned, fresh frozen plasma (FFP), pre- and postoperative serum hemoglobin(Hb) and hematocrit (HCT). In addition, the baseline conditions of mother and neonates were compared.

Results

The EBL was significantly higher in the IIA group compared to the control group (2883.5 ML in the IIA group versus 1868.7 ML in the control group, P=0.001). Overall, the donor blood transfusion rate was 23.5% (8/34), averaging 4.2 U, in the IIA group versus 30% (9/30), averaging 3.4 U, in the control group, which were not significantly different. The FFP transfusion rate was 47%, averaging 765.6 ml, in the IIA group versus 20%, averaging 816.7 ml, in the control group. In the IIA group, 97.1% used cell savage and had salvaged blood returned, averaging 954.9 ml. In the control group, 90% had salvaged blood returned, averaging 617.9 ml. No cases of amniotic fluid embolism were observed with leukocyte depletion filters.

Conclusion

Prophylactic IIA BO during PTUI CS in women with PPP and PA does not lead to a statistically significant reduction in EBL. Cell salvage was associated with a reduction in the rate of donor blood transfusion during PTUI CS.
Sedentary behavior and its pattern are associated with postural balance and fear of falling in asymptomatic adults: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Ostolin Thatiane , Reina Mayara Boeira , Gonze Barbara de Barros , Sperandio Evandro Fornias , Dourado Victor Zuniga 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Objective: Sedentary behavior (SB) is an independent predictor of all-cause mortality when compared to moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). However, the influence of SB on the fear of falling (FOF) has not been investigated. We aimed to evaluate the association of SB and FOF in middle-aged and older adults. We conducted a cross-sectional study. FOF was achieved through the International Fall Efficiency Scale. SB and MVPA were obtained using triaxial accelerometers. Multiple linear regressions were performed to verify the association between SB, MVPA and FOF. Results: 75 middle-aged and older adults participated to the study. Sedentary breaks presented a more important role than the sedentary bouts and the MVPA in FOF. The SB and its pattern present a determinant association with postural balance and FOF in middle-aged and older adults. Hence, our findings reinforce the importance of middle-aged and older adults to perform the recommended amount of MVPA to maintain postural balance and reduce FOF.
Soil water movement model for deformable soils
Authors: Su Huidong , Jia Yangwen , Gan Yongde , Ni Guangheng , Niu Cunwen , Liu Huan , Jin Tiantian , Yao Yizhen 
Published: July 2019

AbstractTo simulate the soil water movement process of deformable soils, a modified Richards model considering soil deformation (RMSD) was established. In the model, new parameters were introduced, including deformable soil porosity, deformable soil saturated hydraulic conductivity and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of expansive soils, which varied with soil depth and time under the effect of soil deformation. The newly introduced parameters originated from physical properties of the soils and their calculation formulas were suggested. One-dimensional infiltration–runoff experiments were performed to evaluate the performance of the RMSD. The results showed that average relative errors (ARE) of simulated runoff intensity and cumulative infiltration (by the RMSD) ranged from −10.0% to −1.0% and from −1.0% to 11.0%, respectively, and Nash efficiency coefficients (NSE) of simulated cumulative infiltration (by the RMSD) were larger than 0.90. As the RMSD model is much better than the traditional Richards model (TRID) in fitting the observations of soil cumulative infiltration and runoff intensity, it is believed that the newly suggested model provides a suitable tool to depict the soil water movement in deformable soils.
Determination of the just suspended speed for solid particle in torus reactor
Authors: Alouache Ali , Selatnia Ammar , Lefkir Abdelouhab , Halet Farid , Sayah Houssem Eddine , Nadjemi Boubekeur 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
With the considerable use of pipelines and reactors in the engineering industry, determining the deposition velocity enabling hydraulic transport is of utmost importance. This has been investigated throughout the years, scrupulously in several types of reactors used in water treatment and solid transport. The primary focus has been extended to torus reactors, due to their significant advantage in chemical, biochemical and mixing processes. In the present work, we have studied the solid-liquid suspension in a torus reactor. We elaborated an experimental method based on visual assessment SBAM (Steady Bed Angle Method), which enabled us to analytically determine the just suspended speed ‘Njs’ at which no solid remains stationary at the bed and further parametrically study the effect of several parameters including solid loadings, particle sizes and densities. The just suspended speed values obtained experimentally have been compared to a modified Zwietering's correlation.