bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Non‐covalent Functionalization of Multi‐wall Carbon Nanotubes with Polyarginine: Characterization and Analytical Applications for Uric Acid Quantification
Authors: Gutiérrez Alejandro , Gutierrez Fabiana , Eguílaz Marcos , Parrado Concepción , Rivas Gustavo A. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractWe report for the first time the non‐covalent functionalization of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with polyarginine (Polyarg), the modification of glassy carbon electrodes (GCE) with the resulting Polyarg‐MWCNTs dispersion and the analytical application of Polyarg‐MWCNTs‐modified GCE for the quantification of uric acid. The optimum MWCNT‐Polyarg dispersion was obtained by sonicating for 5.0 min the mixture of 0.75 mg mL−1 MWCNTs and 0.50 mg mL−1 Polyarg. The dispersion was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, electrophoretic mobility, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and amperometry. The presence of MWCNT‐Polyarg at GCE surface produced a drastic decrease in the overvoltages for the oxidation of hydrogen peroxide (300 mV) ascorbic acid (281 mV) and uric acid (70 mV) and for the reduction of hydrogen peroxide (200 mV), as well as an important decrease in the charge transfer resistances for hydrogen peroxide, hydroquinone/quinone and ferricyanide/ferrocyanide markers. The strong adsorption of uric acid at GCE/MWCNT‐Polyarg made possible the highly sensitive detection of this biomarker at nanomolar levels even in the presence of 1.0×10−4 M ascorbic acid by Adsorptive Stripping with medium exchange and linear scan voltammetry transduction. The quantification of uric acid in untreated human urine was very successful, demonstrating an excellent correlation (98 %) with the reference method used in clinical laboratories (Uricostat, Wiener Lab).
Electrochemistry Study of Antineoplastic Raltitrexed Oxidation Mechanism and its Interaction with DNA
Authors: Queiroz Nathalia L. , Nascimento Maysa L. , Nascimento José A. M. , Nascimento Valberes B. , Oliveira Severino Carlos B. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractRaltitrexede (RTX) is a folate analogue that belongs to the antimetabolites family and has antineoplastic activity correlated to inhibition of the thymidylate synthase (TS) enzyme. This study addresses the electrochemical characterization of RTX at a glassy carbon electrode, on a wide interval of pH, using voltammetric techniques. The interaction between RTX and double helix DNA (dsDNA) in physiological medium is also addressed, using a DNA‐electrochemical biosensor. A mechanism for the electrochemical oxidation of RTX is proposed. RTX is irreversibly electroxidized under a predominantly diffusion controlled and pH‐dependent process. The oxidation process in acid and physiological media occurs in two consecutive steps. The first oxidation step is pH‐independent and associated with the transfer of one electron of the nitro group at N10 position by releasing a methyl cation. The second oxidation step is pH‐dependent and occurs with the transfer of one electron and one proton from the carbon at C9 position, followed by a direct attack by a water molecule leading to an irreversible dissociation of an oxidation product of RTX. A strong interaction between RTX and dsDNA was revealed by using a multilayer dsDNA electrochemical biosensor. The experiments demonstrated that RTX interacts and binds to the dsDNA helix by different interaction modes, suggesting an intercalation in between the DNA base pairs leading to defects in its secondary structure.
Detection of Rocuronium in Whole Blood Using a Lipid‐bonded Conducting Polymer and Porous Carbon Composite Electrode
Authors: Chung Saeromi , Hwang Boo‐Young , Naveen M. H. , Shim Yoon‐Bo 
Published: March 2018

AbstractRocuronium is a neuromuscular blocking agent used in anesthesia to facilitate tracheal intubation by muscle relaxation. A fast and sensitive amperometric sensor was developed for the detection of rocuronium in human whole blood samples. The sensor probe was fabricated using phosphatidylinositol lipid (PI) bonded 3′‐(2‐aminopyrimidyl)‐2,2′ : 5′,2′′‐terthiophene and porous carbon, which revealed the enhanced response to the rocuronium oxidation. The modified sensor layers were characterized by electrochemical and surface analysis experiments. The experimental parameters affecting the rocuronium analysis were studied in terms of PI concentration, amount of porous carbon, pH, temperature, and interferences. A dynamic range was observed between 0.025 to 10 μg/mL with the detection limit of 3.83±0.21 ng/mL. The reliability of proposed sensor was successfully demonstrated through the detection of rocuronium in clinical samples without pre‐treatment.
Different outcomes, psychopathological features, and comorbidities in patients with eating disorders reporting childhood abuse: A 3‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Castellini Giovanni , Lelli Lorenzo , Cassioli Emanuele , Ciampi Eleonora , Zamponi Francesco , Campone Beatrice , Monteleone Alessio Maria , Ricca Valdo 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the role of childhood adversities in long‐term outcomes in eating disorders (EDs). One hundred thirty‐three eating disorder patients were studied by means of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐IV and psychometric tests, at baseline, at the end of individual cognitive behavioural therapy, and at 3‐year follow‐up. As compared with the other patients, those reporting childhood abuse (overall: 24.8%; physical abuse: 20.3%; sexual abuse: 13.6%) showed higher impulsivity, psychiatric comorbidity, lower full recovery at follow‐up (12.1% vs. 31%), and higher diagnostic crossover (39.4% vs. 13.0%). The different rates of recovery were mostly due to a higher persistence of depression in abused patients (77.8% vs. 26.7%). Patients with both abuse and neglect had a higher probability of dropout. Eating disorder patients with childhood abuse represent a group of persons with more complex psychopathological features and a worse long‐term outcome, thus requiring specific treatment strategies.
Constraining the denudation process in the eastern Sichuan Basin, China using low‐temperature thermochronology and vitrinite reflectance data
Authors: Zhu Chuanqing , Qiu Nansheng , Liu Yifeng , Xiao Yao , Hu Shengbiao 
Published: March 2018

The temperature history of samples and maximum palaeogeothermal profiles of boreholes were reconstructed based on low‐temperature thermochronology and vitrinite reflectance data, and the results provide limits for the timescale and amount of uplift–denudation of the eastern Sichuan Basin. The thermal history showed that the uplifting and cooling of eastern Sichuan Basin began around the Late Cretaceous (approximately 100–80 Ma). The region had experienced a continuous cooling process from the Late Cretaceous until the present, with the geothermal gradient decreasing from 32–36 °C/km to 20–23 °C/km. The amount of denudation at the Puguang region in north‐eastern Sichuan was approximately 2.3 km, whereas that at south‐eastern Sichuan was 1.9 km, and the erosion thickness in the eastern Sichuan fold belt that was revealed via the field samples is 2.3 ± 0.3–2.6 ± 0.3 km. The north‐eastern Sichuan experienced sustained cooling with inconspicuous fluctuations, whereas the thrust belt and the south‐eastern Sichuan Basin presented 2–4 stages with different cooling rates. It may indicate that the eastern Sichuan fold belt experienced a complex structural evolution, characterized by episodic upliftings and deformations since Late Cretaceous, while a different and gentle deformation took place in the northeastern Sichuan Basin.
Listening under difficult conditions: An activation likelihood estimation meta‐analysis
Authors: Alain Claude , Du Yi , Bernstein Lori J. , Barten Thijs , Banai Karen 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe brain networks supporting speech identification and comprehension under difficult listening conditions are not well specified. The networks hypothesized to underlie effortful listening include regions responsible for executive control. We conducted meta‐analyses of auditory neuroimaging studies to determine whether a common activation pattern of the frontal lobe supports effortful listening under different speech manipulations. Fifty‐three functional neuroimaging studies investigating speech perception were divided into three independent Activation Likelihood Estimate analyses based on the type of speech manipulation paradigm used: Speech‐in‐noise (SIN, 16 studies, involving 224 participants); spectrally degraded speech using filtering techniques (15 studies involving 270 participants); and linguistic complexity (i.e., levels of syntactic, lexical and semantic intricacy/density, 22 studies, involving 348 participants). Meta‐analysis of the SIN studies revealed higher effort was associated with activation in left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), left inferior parietal lobule, and right insula. Studies using spectrally degraded speech demonstrated increased activation of the insula bilaterally and the left superior temporal gyrus (STG). Studies manipulating linguistic complexity showed activation in the left IFG, right middle frontal gyrus, left middle temporal gyrus and bilateral STG. Planned contrasts revealed left IFG activation in linguistic complexity studies, which differed from activation patterns observed in SIN or spectral degradation studies. Although there were no significant overlap in prefrontal activation across these three speech manipulation paradigms, SIN and spectral degradation showed overlapping regions in left and right insula. These findings provide evidence that there is regional specialization within the left IFG and differential executive networks underlie effortful listening.
Detailed spatiotemporal brain mapping of chromatic vision combining high‐resolution VEP with fMRI and retinotopy
Authors: Pitzalis Sabrina , Strappini Francesca , Bultrini Alessandro , Di Russo Francesco 
Published: March 2018

AbstractNeuroimaging studies have identified so far, several color‐sensitive visual areas in the human brain, and the temporal dynamics of these activities have been separately investigated using the visual‐evoked potentials (VEPs). In the present study, we combined electrophysiological and neuroimaging methods to determine a detailed spatiotemporal profile of chromatic VEP and to localize its neural generators. The accuracy of the present co‐registration study was obtained by combining standard fMRI data with retinotopic and motion mapping data at the individual level. We found a sequence of occipito activities more complex than that typically reported for chromatic VEPs, including feed‐forward and reentrant feedback. Results showed that chromatic human perception arises by the combined activity of at the least five parieto‐occipital areas including V1, LOC, V8/VO, and the motion‐sensitive dorsal region MT+. However, the contribution of V1 and V8/VO seems dominant because the re‐entrant activity in these areas was present more than once (twice in V8/VO and thrice in V1). This feedforward and feedback chromatic processing appears delayed compared with the luminance processing. Associating VEPs and neuroimaging measures, we showed for the first time a complex spatiotemporal pattern of activity, confirming that chromatic stimuli produce intricate interactions of many different brain dorsal and ventral areas.
Postoperative mechanical bowel obstruction after pharyngolaryngectomy for hypopharyngeal cancer: Retrospective analysis using a Japanese inpatient database
Authors: Suzuki Sayaka , Yasunaga Hideo , Matsui Hiroki , Fushimi Kiyohide , Ando Mizuo , Yamasoba Tatsuya 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundData have been limited on donor‐site mechanical bowel obstruction after pharyngolaryngectomy with free jejunum graft reconstruction.MethodsUsing a nationwide Japanese inpatient database, we extracted data on patients who underwent pharyngolaryngectomy for hypopharyngeal cancer between July 2007 and March 2014. A Cox proportional hazard model was used to determine the association between background characteristics and the occurrence of mechanical bowel obstruction.ResultsAmong the 3320 eligible patients from 332 hospitals, 108 patients (3.3%) developed mechanical bowel obstruction after a median 88 (interquartile range 26‐217) postoperative days. Multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that older age (≥60 years old) was independently associated with an increased risk of mechanical bowel obstruction, whereas sex, body mass index [BMI], smoking status, comorbidity at admission, blood transfusion, history of surgery, and hospital type were not.ConclusionIn pharyngolaryngectomy, careful attention should be paid to the risk of abdominal complications and, thus, to the graft choice, especially in elderly patients.
Circulating tumor DNA as a biomarker and liquid biopsy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Payne Karl , Spruce Rachel , Beggs Andrew , Sharma Neil , Kong Anthony , Martin Timothy , Parmar Satyesh , Praveen Prav , Nankivell Paul , Mehanna Hisham 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe use of circulating biochemical molecular markers in head and neck cancer holds the promise of improved diagnostics, treatment planning, and posttreatment surveillance. In this review, we provide an introduction for the head and neck surgeon of the basic science, current evidence, and future applications of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) as a biomarker and liquid biopsy to detect tumor genetic heterogeneity in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
Cost‐effectiveness analysis of salvage therapies in locoregional previously irradiated head and neck cancer
Authors: Kim HaYeon , Vargo John A. , Beriwal Sushil , Clump David A. , Ohr James P. , Ferris Robert L. , Heron Dwight E. , Huq M. Saiful , Smith Kenneth J. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe purpose of this study was to present our evaluation of the cost‐effectiveness of salvage therapies for patients with recurrent head and neck cancer.MethodsA Markov model was developed with 5 salvage treatment strategies: (1) platinum‐based chemotherapy alone; (2) chemotherapy plus cetuximab; (3) stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) alone; (4) SBRT plus cetuximab; and (5) intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) plus chemotherapy. Clinical parameters were obtained from comprehensive literature review and 2016 Medicare reimbursement. Strategies were compared using the incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio (ICER), with effectiveness in quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs), and evaluated with a willingness‐to‐pay (WTP) threshold of $100 000 per QALY gained.ResultsIn the base case analysis, no treatment strategy was cost‐effective at a WTP threshold. The most cost‐effective therapy was SBRT alone with $150 866 per QALY gained. If median survival of SBRT alone was ≥11 months, SBRT was considered to be cost‐effective.ConclusionNone of the treatment strategies were cost‐effective. However, SBRT‐based reirradiation has potential to be cost‐effective.
Association of overexpressed karyopherin alpha 2 with poor survival and its contribution to interleukin‐1β‐induced matrix metalloproteinase expression in oral cancer
Authors: Wang Chun‐I , Yu Chia‐Jung , Huang Yenlin , Yi Jui‐Shan , Cheng Hsing‐Wen , Kao Huang‐Kai , Lao William Wei‐Kai , Chang Kai‐Ping 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe purpose of this study was to elucidate the clinicopathological associations and molecular mechanisms of karyopherin alpha 2 (KPNA2) in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) progression.MethodsThe KPNA2 expressions were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in 209 tissues and 181 saliva samples, respectively. The functions of KPNA2 in migration and invasion were examined in KPNA2‐knowdown cells. The matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) levels were determined by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The subcellular fraction was used to obtain the nuclear distribution of nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB).ResultsThe KPNA2 overexpression was associated with extranodal extension (P < .05) and poor disease‐specific survival in patients with oral cavity SCC (P < .05). The salivary KPNA2 levels were elevated in patients with oral cavity SCC (P < .05). The KPNA2 knockdown reduced cell migration and invasion. This knockdown also suppressed the interleukin (IL)‐1β‐induced nuclear import of NF‐κB and MMP (MMP‐1, MMP‐3, and MMP‐9) transcription.ConclusionThe KPNA2 overexpression is an independent biomarker for poor prognosis of oral cavity SCC and is required for MMP‐mediated metastasis.
Pilot randomized controlled trial of a comprehensive smoking cessation intervention for patients with upper aerodigestive cancer undergoing radiotherapy
Authors: Rettig Eleni M. , Fakhry Carole , Hales Russell K. , Kisuule Flora , Quon Harry , Kiess Ana P. , Yin Linda X. , Zhang Yuehan , Blackford Amanda L. , Drummond M. Bradley , Gourin Christine G. , Koch Wayne M. , Eisele David W. , D'Souza Gypsyamber 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundSmoking among patients with cancer is associated with poor outcomes, however, smoking cessation interventions have had limited success.MethodsThis randomized controlled trial compared a novel smoking cessation intervention (“intervention”) with enhanced usual care (“control”). Participants were smokers with head and neck or thoracic malignancies undergoing radiation. Controls received brief counseling. Intervention participants received intensive counseling, pharmacotherapy, text‐messaging, and financial incentives. Biochemically confirmed 7‐day abstinence at 8 weeks was compared using Fisher's exact t test. Smoking abstinence and intensity were also analyzed using time‐series panel regression.ResultsThe study population comprised 19 intervention and 10 control participants. More intervention (74%) than control (30%) participants abstained from smoking at 8 weeks (P = .05). Intervention participants were significantly more likely to abstain (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 14.70; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.56‐60.76) and smoked fewer cigarettes (adjusted incidence rate ratio [IRR], 0.16; 95% CI 0.06‐0.40) during weeks 1 to 8.ConclusionThis intervention decreased smoking among patients with upper aerodigestive cancers during radiotherapy.
Drivers behind widespread informal payments in the Romanian public health care system: From tolerance to corruption to socio‐economic and spatial patterns
Authors: Horodnic Adrian V. , Mazilu Sorin , Oprea Liviu 
Published: March 2018

SummaryIn order to explain informal payments in public health care services in Romania, this paper evaluates the relationship between extra payments or valuable gifts (apart from official fees) and the level of tolerance to corruption, as well as the socio‐economic and spatial patterns across those individuals offering informal payments. To evaluate this, a survey undertaken in 2013 is reported. Using logistic regression analysis, the findings are that patients with a high tolerance to corruption, high socio‐economic risk (those divorced, separated, or with other form of marital status, and those not working), and located in rural or less affluent areas are more likely to offer (apart from official fees) extra payments or valuable gifts for health care services. The paper concludes by discussing the health policy implications.
Human resources for health: A narrative review of adequacy and distribution of clinical and nonclinical human resources in hospitals of Iran
Authors: Nobakht Samin , Shirdel Arash , Molavi‐Taleghani Yasamin , Doustmohammadi Mohammad M. , Sheikhbardsiri Hojjat 
Published: March 2018

SummaryIntroductionHuman resource supply is considered as one of the most vital factors in achieving organizational goals, and human resources are the most valuable factor in the production and delivery of services. Labor shortages and surpluses could downgrade the quality of services offered to patients. Considering the seriousness of this issue, this study aimed to investigate the status of human resources in Iran hospitals.MethodsThe narrative review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analyses guidelines. The key terms “Human Resource,” “Human Resource Management,” “Staff,” “Workforce,” “Hospital,” “emergency,” “staff nursing,” “medical,” “clinical personnel,” “administration,” “physician personnel,” “non clinical personnel,” “hospital personnel,” “human development,” and “Iran” were used in combination with Boolean operators OR and AND. The Institute for Scientific Information's Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Ovid, ProQuest, Wiley, Google Scholar, and the Persian database were searched.ResultsThe research findings revealed that Iran's hospitals have no uniform distribution of human resources. In spite of the concentration of labor forces in some positions (eg, laboratory, radiology, operating room, anesthesia, and midwifery), other positions occupied by physicians and nurses are experiencing serious shortages of human resources, affecting the quality of the provided services.ConclusionWith respect to the study findings, planning to compensate for staff shortages and achieving personnel standard levels as well as providing the grounds for training the heads of wards for proper human resource management and planning would lead to an increase in the efficiency and effectiveness of hospital activities.
Effects of levocetirizine and diphenhydramine on regional glucose metabolic changes and hemodynamic responses in the human prefrontal cortex during cognitive tasks
Authors: Kikuchi Asuka , Nasir Fairuz Binti Mohammadi , Inami Akie , Mohsen Attayeb , Watanuki Shoichi , Miyake Masayasu , Takeda Kazuko , Koike Daigo , Ito Takayasu , Sasakawa Junpei , Matsuda Rin , Hiraoka Kotaro , Maurer Marcus , Yanai Kazuhiko , Watabe Hiroshi , Tashiro Manabu 
Published: March 2018

AbstractObjectiveAntihistamines often have sedative side effects. This was the first study to measure regional cerebral glucose (energy) consumption and hemodynamic responses in young adults during cognitive tests after antihistamine administration.MethodsIn this double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, three‐way crossover study, 18 healthy young Japanese men received single doses of levocetirizine 5 mg and diphenhydramine 50 mg at intervals of at least six days. Subjective feeling, task performances, and brain activity were evaluated during three cognitive tests (word fluency, two‐back, and Stroop). Regional cerebral glucose consumption changes were measured using positron emission tomography with [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose. Regional hemodynamic responses were measured using near‐infrared spectroscopy.ResultsEnergy consumption in prefrontal regions was significantly increased after antihistamine administration, especially diphenhydramine, whereas prefrontal hemodynamic responses, evaluated with oxygenated hemoglobin levels, were significantly lower with diphenhydramine treatment. Stroop test accuracy was significantly impaired by diphenhydramine, but not by levocetirizine. There was no significant difference in subjective sleepiness.ConclusionsPhysiological “coupling” between metabolism and perfusion in the healthy human brain may not be maintained under pharmacological influence due to antihistamines. This uncoupling may be caused by a combination of increased energy demands in the prefrontal regions and suppression of vascular permeability in brain capillaries after antihistamine treatment. Further research is needed to validate this hypothesis.