bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Weaning from antiseizure drugs after new onset status epilepticus
Authors: Chakraborty Tia , Hocker Sara 
Published: April 2019

SummaryObjectiveIn patients with status epilepticus (SE) without prior epilepsy, there are limited data on the safety of discontinuing antiseizure drugs (ASDs) after seizure control. We aimed to describe seizure recurrence when weaning from ASDs following new onset SE (NOSE).MethodsRetrospective review of adult patients with NOSE admitted to Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota between January 1, 1990 and December 31, 2015 was performed. Weaning was defined as a discontinuation of ASDs following discharge. Patient demographics, SE characteristics, timing of ASD withdrawal, and seizure recurrence were collected.ResultsOne hundred seventy‐seven patients with mean age 63 ± 18 years were identified; 96 (54.2%) patients had refractory SE (RSE), and 81 (45.8%) had nonrefractory SE. Mean follow‐up was 3.8 ± 3.2 years for those successfully weaned off ASDs. One hundred thirty (73.4%) with outpatient follow‐up were included in the analysis; 128 (98.5%) patients were discharged on an ASD; 44 of 128 (34.4%) patients underwent weaning from at least 1 ASD following discharge, including 27 of 128 (21.1%) who were completely weaned off of all ASDs. Younger patients (P = 0.009) and those with RSE (P = 0.048, odds ratio = 2.12, 95% confidence interval = 1.00‐4.48) tended to undergo weaning. Six of 44 (13.6%) patients had seizure recurrence when weaned off of any ASD, and two of 27 (7.4%) patients completely weaned off all ASDs had seizure recurrence. Two of seven (28.6%) patients who underwent attempted barbiturate weaning experienced seizure recurrence.SignificanceWe found a rate of 13.6% for late seizure recurrence after weaning from at least one ASD in patients with NOSE; seizure recurrence was more likely in patients with RSE treated with barbiturates. Systematic collection of longitudinal data in patients requiring multiple ASDs for NOSE control will provide more conclusive guidance on weaning from ASDs.
Inflammation associated with chronic heart failure leads to enhanced susceptibility to depression
Authors: Su Jing , Wang Jinghui , Ma Yuanyuan , Li Qing , Yang Yufang , Huang Li , Wang Haoyue , Li Heng , Wang Zishan , Tong Jiabin , Huang Dongping , Bai Xiaochen , Yu Mei , Bu Liping , Fei Jian , Huang Fang 
Published: April 2019

Epidemiological and clinicopathological studies indicate that there is a high risk for chronic heart failure (CHF) in patients suffering from neuropsychiatric disorders, such as depression. However, it is unclear whether CHF causes depression, and the underlying mechanisms of this association remain largely unknown. In this study, mice with myocardial infarction and CHF were used to investigate behavioral alterations as well as changes in the brain‐heart axis. During the first 6 months, abnormalities in neuropsychiatric behaviors were detected in mice with CHF. Using the sucrose preference test, a 9 months course of CHF resulted in two subgroups: mice with a significant decrease in sucrose preference, defined herein as “susceptible” (Sus), and mice with a normal sucrose preference, defined herein as “resilient.” Compared to the resilient and sham‐operated animals, the Sus mice displayed imbalances in glutamate transmission and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis activation, abnormal synaptic plasticity, and increased inflammatory responses. Furthermore, abnormal kynurenine metabolism was detected in Sus mice. Our results suggest that long‐term CHF increases inflammatory responses in the central nervous system and leads to depression in Sus mice.
Conventional land‐use intensification reduces species richness and increases production: A global meta‐analysis
Authors: Beckmann Michael , Gerstner Katharina , Akin‐Fajiye Morodoluwa , Ceaușu Silvia , Kambach Stephan , Kinlock Nicole L. , Phillips Helen R. P. , Verhagen Willem , Gurevitch Jessica , Klotz Stefan , Newbold Tim , Verburg Peter H. , Winter Marten , Seppelt Ralf 
Published: April 2019

AbstractMost current research on land‐use intensification addresses its potential to either threaten biodiversity or to boost agricultural production. However, little is known about the simultaneous effects of intensification on biodiversity and yield. To determine the responses of species richness and yield to conventional intensification, we conducted a global meta‐analysis synthesizing 115 studies which collected data for both variables at the same locations. We extracted 449 cases that cover a variety of areas used for agricultural (crops, fodder) and silvicultural (wood) production. We found that, across all production systems and species groups, conventional intensification is successful in increasing yield (grand mean + 20.3%), but it also results in a loss of species richness (−8.9%). However, analysis of sub‐groups revealed inconsistent results. For example, small intensification steps within low intensity systems did not affect yield or species richness. Within high‐intensity systems species losses were non‐significant but yield gains were substantial (+15.2%). Conventional intensification within medium intensity systems revealed the highest yield increase (+84.9%) and showed the largest loss in species richness (−22.9%). Production systems differed in their magnitude of richness response, with insignificant changes in silvicultural systems and substantial losses in crop systems (−21.2%). In addition, this meta‐analysis identifies a lack of studies that collect robust biodiversity (i.e. beyond species richness) and yield data at the same sites and that provide quantitative information on land‐use intensity. Our findings suggest that, in many cases, conventional land‐use intensification drives a trade‐off between species richness and production. However, species richness losses were often not significantly different from zero, suggesting even conventional intensification can result in yield increases without coming at the expense of biodiversity loss. These results should guide future research to close existing research gaps and to understand the circumstances required to achieve such win‐win or win‐no‐harm situations in conventional agriculture.
Tax increment financing: Capturing or creating growth?
Authors: Hicks Michael J. , Faulk Dagney , Devaraj Srikant 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThis research examines tax increment financing (TIF), a widely used economic development tool, and property values to determine whether TIFs capture activity that would have occurred anyway. Using 2003–2012 data from Indiana counties, we test a two‐stage model focusing on TIF adoption (stage 1) and impact on assessed value within the TIF district and outside the TIF district (stage 2). Model results show that TIF adoption is positively related to TIF use in surrounding counties, median household income and employment growth, which suggests that TIF is used to capture existing growth. The results of the impact model show that as the share of county assessed value in TIF increases, assessed value in non‐TIF areas decreases and assessed value within TIF districts does not increase, which raises concerns about the efficacy of TIF.
Effect of bioaugmentation on biochemical characterisation and microbial communities in Daqu using Bacillus, Saccharomycopsis and Absidia
Authors: Song Jiankun , Tang Hanlan , Liang Hebin , Luo Lixin , Lin Weifeng 
Published: April 2019

SummaryDaqu, a saccharifying and fermenting agent for the production of Chinese vinegar and liquor, is manufactured through a spontaneous solid‐state fermentation process (SSF). To investigate the influence of bioaugmentation with native microorganisms on Daqu SSF process, physicochemical properties, microbial biomass, volatile compounds and microbial communities were analysed in laboratory‐scale Daqu. The results showed that the amylase activity of Daqu enhanced 6.35% ± 0.74% by inoculating Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Saccharomycopsis fibuligera and Absidia corymbifera. Obviously higher microbial richness was found in the Daqu with bioaugmentation, although the microbial community structure remained relatively stable. Moreover, a total of twenty‐two volatile compounds were detected in the mature Daqu. Slightly increase in the content of alcohols was found in the enhanced group by fungal inoculation, including ethanol (46.58 ± 1.36 mg kg−1), isobutanol (0.19 ± 0.04 mg kg−1) and isoamyl alcohol (1.55 ± 0.13 mg kg−1). This study demonstrated that bioaugmentation had a positive effect on the amylase activity, main volatile compounds and microbial community richness.
A biased‐randomized algorithm for redistribution of perishable food inventories in supermarket chains
Authors: Estrada‐Moreno Alejandro , Fikar Christian , Juan Angel A. , Hirsch Patrick 
Published: April 2019

AbstractIn supermarkets, perishable products need to be sold to consumers before a given deadline, after which their monetary value is significantly diminished or even completely lost. In the case of valuable products that should not be wasted, the following operational decision needs to be made as this deadline approaches: which is the best way to reallocate products from stores with surplus inventories to stores with unsatisfied demand? This question results in an optimization problem in which the goal is to minimize total transport cost plus opportunity cost associated with a reduction in market value of products being delivered after a given deadline. Our paper examines this inventory reallocation problem, which is modeled as an extension of the multi‐depot vehicle routing problem with soft deadlines, that is, delivery deadlines can be violated by incurring an opportunity or penalty cost. Being an NP‐hard optimization problem, a metaheuristic algorithm using biased‐randomization techniques is proposed as an effective solution approach. A series of computational experiments contribute to validate our algorithm and to illustrate the potential benefits that can be obtained by reallocating perishable and valuable products in various problem settings.
A novel pale‐yellow Ba2ZnGe2O7:Bi3+ phosphor with site‐selected excitation and small thermal quenching
Authors: Wu Quansheng , Chen Xi , Chen Hande , Zhang Hanqiang , Zhou Jiangcong 
Published: April 2019

AbstractA novel pale‐yellow Ba2ZnGe2O7:Bi3+ phosphor with site‐selected excitation and small thermal quenching was synthesized by conventional solid‐state sintering. The crystal structure and luminescence properties have been investigated in detail for the first time using XRD patterns, photoluminescence spectra, diffuse reflection spectra, decay curves, and temperature‐dependent emission spectra. The results reveal that the excitation spectrum of Ba2ZnGe2O7:Bi3+ phosphor locates in the near‐ultraviolet region of 300‐400 nm, and its emission shows an obvious site‐selective excitation phenomenon since Bi3+ ions occupy two different crystallographic sites in the Ba2ZnGe2O7 host. When excited under 360 nm, the phosphors show a pale‐yellow emission in the range of 400‐700 nm with the maximum peaking at 520 nm, while when excited under 316 nm, the phosphors show a blue emission in the range of 400‐700 nm with the maximum peaking at 480 nm. In addition, the emission of Ba2ZnGe2O7:Bi3+ can also be easily controlled by changing the Bi3+ concentration. The Ba2ZnGe2O7:Bi3+ phosphor has small thermal quenching, and its emission intensity only decreases by 2% at 200°C. The results indicate that this novel pale‐yellow Ba2ZnGe2O7:Bi3+ phosphor could be conducive to the development of white light‐emitting diodes.
Otolith shape analysis and daily increment validation during ontogeny of larval and juvenile European chub Squalius cephalus
Authors: Bounket Bernadette , Gibert Pierre , Gennotte Vincent , Argillier Christine , Carrel Georges , Maire Anthony , Logez Maxime , Morat Fabien 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThis assesses features of otoliths from laboratory‐reared embryos, larvae and juvenile European chub Squalius cephalus from hatching to 180 days post‐hatching (dph). We observed the development of the three pairs of otoliths (lapilli, sagittae and asterisci) and more precisely shape changes, as well as timing and deposition rate of increments of the lapilli. The lapilli and the sagittae were present at hatching, whereas the asterisci formed between 20 and 30 dph. The lapillus and sagitta shapes were round until 20 dph. From 60 dph the anterior and the posterior rostra of the sagittae were well developed, but very thin, making this otolith too fragile to manipulate for further studies of shape and validation of otolith increment deposition rate. The lapilli provided reliable age estimates for free embryos, larvae and juveniles up to 120 dph. However, caution should be taken when ageing fish older than 150 dph as an underestimation was noticeable. The regression of the number of otolith increments on age showed a slope and an intercept not significantly different from 1 and 0, respectively, which indicated that otolith growth increments were deposited on a daily basis, with the first microincrement occurring at hatching. Increment counts were consistent between three interpreters, indicating a consistent and reliable age estimate. This study validates that the otolith increment deposition rate can be used to assess hatching dates and daily growth of wild S. cephalus under 150 dph and in environments similar to the conditions used in this study.
Functional Outcomes After Hip Fracture in Independent Community‐Dwelling Patients
Authors: Ouellet Jennifer A. , Ouellet Gregory M. , Romegialli Alison M. , Hirsch Marilyn , Berardi Lisa , Ramsey Christine M. , Cooney Jr Leo M. , Walke Lisa M. 
Published: April 2019

OBJECTIVESTo determine predictors of new activities of daily living (ADLs) disability and worsened mobility disability and secondarily increased daily care hours received, in previously independent hip fracture patients.DESIGNRetrospective cohort study.SETTINGAcademic hospital with ambulatory follow‐up.PARTICIPANTSCommunity‐dwelling adults 65 years or older independent in ADLs undergoing hip fracture surgery in 2015 (n = 184).MEASUREMENTSBaseline, 3‐ and 6‐month ADLs, mobility, and daily care hours received were ascertained by telephone survey and chart review. Comorbidities, medications, and characteristics of hospitalization were extracted from patient charts. Models for each outcome used logistic regression with a backward elimination strategy, adjusting a priori for age, sex, and race.RESULTSPredictors of new ADL disability at 3 months were dementia (odds ratio [OR] = 11.81; P = .001) and in‐hospital delirium (OR = 4.20; P = .002), and at 6 months were age (OR = 1.04; P = .014), dementia (OR = 9.91; P = .001), in‐hospital delirium (OR = 3.00; P = .031) and preadmission opiates (OR = 7.72; P = .003). Predictors of worsened mobility at 3 months were in‐hospital delirium (OR = 4.48; P = .001) and number of medications (OR = 1.13; P = .003), and at 6 months were age (OR = 1.06; P = .001), preadmission opiates (OR = 7.23; P = .005), in‐hospital delirium (OR = 3.10; P = .019), and number of medications (OR = 1.13; P = .013). Predictors of increased daily care hours received at 3 and 6 months were age (3 months: OR = 1.07; P = .014; 6 months: OR = 1.06; P = .017) and number of medications (3 months: OR = 1.13; P = .004; 6 months: OR = 1.22; P = .013). The proportion of patients with ADL disability and care hours received did not change from 3 to 6 months, yet there were significant improvements in mobility.CONCLUSIONAge, dementia, in‐hospital delirium, number of medications, and preadmission opiate use were predictors of poor outcomes in independent older adults following hip fracture. Further investigation is needed to identify factors associated with improved mobility measures from 3 to 6 months to ultimately optimize recovery.
Chronic alcohol consumption changes blood marker profile and bone density in rats with apical periodontitis
Authors: Dal‐Fabbro Renan , Marques de Almeida Melyna , Cosme‐Silva Leopoldo , Neto Antonio H. C. , Salzedas Leda M. P. , Cintra Luciano T. A. , Filho João E. G. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractAimThe aim of the present study was to evaluate apical periodontitis (AP) development in rats under a chronic alcohol diet by calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase blood levels in addition to histological and radiographic analyses.MethodsThirty‐two rats were arranged into four groups: (a) group 1: without apical periodontitis and on a regular diet; (b) group 2: AP and on a regular diet; (c) group 3: alcoholic diet without apical periodontitis; and (d) group 4: alcoholic diet and apical periodontitis. Alcoholic solution at 20% was given throughout the 8‐week experiment. AP was induced in the first molars at the end of the 7th week. At the end, the animals were anesthetized for blood collection, followed by euthanasia, and jaws were removed for digital radiography and histological processing. The level of significance was 5%.ResultsCalcium levels remained constant in all groups (P > 0.05). Group 4 showed a higher phosphorous level than group 2 (P < 0.05). The alkaline phosphatase activity was higher in group 3 compared with group 1 (P < 0.05). Three animals in group 4 exhibited a severe inflammatory reaction, whereas the animals in group 2 did not demonstrate any reaction (P < 0.05). The lowest value of radiographic density was given by group 4 (P < 0.05).ConclusionsChronic alcohol consumption increased serum phosphorus and decreased bone density in the periapical region, favoring AP development.
Novel transforming growth factor beta receptor I kinase inhibitor galunisertib (LY2157299) in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Faivre Sandrine , Santoro Armando , Kelley Robin K. , Gane Ed , Costentin Charlotte E. , Gueorguieva Ivelina , Smith Claire , Cleverly Ann , Lahn Michael M. , Raymond Eric , Benhadji Karim A. , Giannelli Gianluigi 
Published: April 2019

AbstractBackground and AimsWe assessed the activity of galunisertib, a small molecule inhibitor of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF‐β1) receptor I, in second‐line patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in two cohorts of baseline serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP).MethodsPatients with advanced HCC who progressed on or were ineligible to receive sorafenib, Child‐Pugh A/B7 and ECOG PS ≤1 were enrolled into Part A (AFP ≥ 1.5× ULN) or Part B (AFP < 1.5× ULN). Patients were treated with 80 or 150 mg galunisertib BID for 14 days per 28‐day cycle. Endpoints were time‐to‐progression (TTP) and changes in circulating AFP and TGF‐β1 levels, as well as safety, pharmacokinetics, progression‐free survival and overall survival (OS).ResultsPatients (n = 149) were enrolled with median age 65 years. Median TTP was 2.7 months (95% CI: 1.5‐2.9) in Part A (n = 109) and 4.2 months (95% CI: 1.7‐5.5) in Part B (n = 40). Median OS was 7.3 months (95% CI: 4.9‐10.5) in Part A and 16.8 months (95% CI: 10.5‐24.4) in Part B. OS was longer in AFP responders (>20% decrease from baseline, Part A) compared to non‐responders (21.5 months vs 6.8 months). OS was longer in TGF‐β1 responders (>20% decrease from baseline, all patients) compared to non‐responders. The most common Grade 3/4 treatment‐related adverse events were neutropenia (n = 4) and fatigue, anaemia, increased bilirubin, hypoalbuminemia and embolism (each, n = 2).ConclusionsGalunisertib treatment had a manageable safety profile in patients with HCC. Lower baseline AFP and a response in AFP or TGF‐β1 levels (vs no response) correlated with longer survival. Trial Registration Number: NCT01246986 at ClinicalTrials.gov.
Long‐term outcomes of individualized treatment strategy in treatment of type I Budd‐Chiari syndrome in 456 patients
Authors: Ding Peng‐Xu , Han Xin‐Wei , Liu Chao , Zhang Yan , Cheng An‐Ling , Wu Yan , Liang Xiao‐Xue , Gao Xue‐Mei , Lee Edward Wolfgang 
Published: April 2019

AbstractAimTo evaluate individualized treatment strategy (ITS) and long‐term outcomes of endovascular treatment of Budd‐Chiari syndrome (BCS) with obstructed inferior vena cava (IVC) based on different degrees of hepatic vein (HV) involvement.MethodsFrom January 2006 to June 2017, 456 consecutive patients with BCS with obstructed IVC underwent endovascular treatment with ITS. All patients received IVC recanalization. Then, 426 patients with at least one patent HV received no additional treatment. Twenty‐fivepatients with membranous or segmental occlusion of HVs underwent HV recanalization and for the remaining five patients with diffuse HVs occlusion, a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) was performed.ResultsThe endovascular treatment was technically successful in 455 of the 456 patients (99.8%). The complication rate was 5.0% (23/456), with major complications in 13 patients (2.8%) and minor complications in 10 patients (2.2%). Median follow‐up time was 60.5 months (range, 4‐120 months). The cumulative 1‐, 2‐, 5‐ and 10‐year primary vessel patency rates were 93.6%, 89.9%, 80.5% and 74.3% respectively and the cumulative 1‐, 2‐, 5‐, 10‐ year secondary patency rates were 99.8%, 99.8%, 98.2% and 97.2% respectively. The cumulative 1‐, 2‐, 5‐ and 10‐year survival rates were 98.4%, 95.8%, 91.2% and 76.5% respectively. Illness duration and decreased serum albumin were independent predictors of survival.ConclusionThe ITS for Asian BCS with obstructed IVC and varying degrees of HV involvement appears to be effective and with good long‐term outcomes.
Mechanical understanding of hunting waves generated by killer whales
Authors: You Hojung , Hwang Jin Hwan , Park Yong Sung 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe wave wash hunting employed by Orcinus orca, also known as killer whales, is unique in that the prey is hunted outside of the water by generating waves. To quantitatively analyze the specific mechanism of the wave wash, data were obtained using computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and wave theory was introduced as the theoretical background to clarify the mechanism. The relationships between the swimming characteristics and wave parameters are defined in this paper. The results obtained by numerical investigation revealed that the wavelength increased with the swimming speed. Additionally, the wave height increased as the swimming speed increased and the swimming depth became shallower, and subsequently converged to a maximum of 2.42 m. The success of hunting is determined by two wave parameters, which indicate the intensity of the wave wash: the wave height and force exerted on the prey. The metabolic rate and the drag force are considered to evaluate the efficiency of the locomotion, which varied according to the swimming speed (V) and swimming depth (d) of the whales. To generate hunting waves efficiently, the optimal ranges of V and d were estimated to be 3 ~ 5 m/s and 0.5 m ~ 1.1 m respectively.
Small molecule targeting of RNA structures in neurological disorders
Authors: Angelbello Alicia J. , Chen Jonathan L. , Disney Matthew D. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractAberrant RNA structure and function operate in neurological disease progression and severity. As RNA contributes to disease pathology in a complex fashion, that is, via various mechanisms, it has become an attractive therapeutic target for small molecules and oligonucleotides. In this review, we discuss the identification of RNA structures that cause or contribute to neurological diseases as well as recent progress toward the development of small molecules that target them, including small molecule modulators of pre‐mRNA splicing and RNA repeat expansions that cause microsatellite disorders such as Huntington's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The use of oligonucleotide‐based modalities is also discussed. There are key differences between small molecule and oligonucleotide targeting of RNA. The former targets RNA structure, while the latter prefers unstructured regions. Thus, some targets will be preferentially targeted by oligonucleotides and others by small molecules.