bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of Frailty and Reliability of Established Frailty Instruments in Adult Elective Colorectal Surgical Patients: a Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Howell Simon James , Baker Oliver , Burke Dermot , MacLaine Thomas Dale 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Background: Frailty is associated with adverse outcome in older surgical patients but the strength of the association varies widely between studies. This may be due in part to the wide range of instruments used to assess frailty. Large population studies now demonstrate that frailty is prevalent in all adult age groups. However, there are limited data on the association between frailty and surgical outcome in younger patients. We studied the agreement between three established frailty instruments and their predictive value for postoperative complications in an adult colorectal surgery population. Methods: We studied patients aged 18 years or over presenting for elective colorectal surgery at a major teaching hospital. Preoperative frailty assessments were performed using the clinical frailty scale (CFS), accumulation deficit (AD) and frailty phenotype (FP) instruments. Data were collected on postoperative complications, length of stay, and readmission. The correlation and agreement between the frailty measures was examined in pairwise comparisons. Measures of association and prediction for postoperative complications were calculated and compared for the instruments. Results: Frailty scores were recorded in 200 patients (91 male), mean(range) age 57(18-92) years. The prevalence of pre-frailty was 52-67% and that of frailty 2-32% depending on the instrument used. Agreement between the instruments was poor, kappa 0.08 to 0.17 in pairwise comparisons. Outcome data were available on 160 patients. Only the frailty phenotype was significantly associated with adverse outcomes, odds ratio 6.1(1.5-24.5) for postoperative complications. The three frailty scoring instruments studies had good sensitivity (CFS-90%, AD-96%, FP-97%) but poor specificity (CFS-12%, AD-13%, FP-18%) for the prediction of postoperative complications. All three instruments were poorly predictive of adverse outcomes with likelihood ratios of CFS-1.03, AD-1.03 and FP-1.12. Conclusions: This study showed a significant prevalence of pre-frailty and frailty in adult colorectal surgical patients of all ages. There was poor agreement between three established frailty scoring instruments. Our data do not support the use of current frailty scoring instruments in all adult colorectal surgical patients. However, the significant prevalence of pre-frailty and frailty across all age groups of adult surgical patient justifies further research to refine frailty scoring in surgical patients.
Clinical course of grafted cartilage in osteoarticular frozen autografts for reconstruction after resection of malignant bone tumor involving an epiphysis
Authors: Hayashi Katsuhiro , Yamamoto Norio , Takeuchi Akihiko , Miwa Shinji , Igarashi Kentaro , Higuchi Takashi , Abe Kensaku , Taniguchi Yuta , Aiba Hisaki , Araki Yoshihiro , Yonezawa Hirotaka , Morinaga Sei , Tsuchiya Hiroyuki 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Background: There are several options for biological reconstruction after bone tumor resection. If the tumor invades an epiphysis, the reconstruction is far more complicated because there is no option to restore large joint cartilage using currently available medical techniques. Frozen autograft with liquid nitrogen has been used as recycled autologous bone graft and the purpose of the present study was to assess the outcome of grafted cartilage in osteoarticular frozen autografts used in the treatment of patients with bone and soft-tissue sarcoma.
Method: We have treated 27 patients with cases of bone tumor resection involving an epiphysis where frozen autografts were used for reconstruction. If the tumor was located in a limited part of the epiphysis, partial resection of the epiphysis was performed to preserve the healthy part of the cartilage in 4 cases. The survival of grafted frozen cartilage was assessed by X-ray imaging. The end point was defined as grade IV of the Kellgren and Lawrence osteoarthritis grading system and was recorded using the Kaplan–Meier method. In case of removal of grafted bone after the surgery, pathological findings were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining of sections of resected cartilage in available cases to observe the fate of grafted cartilage over time.
Result: The postoperative mean follow-up period was 94.0 months. Grade IV osteoarthritis occurred in 12 patients. All patients in the partial epiphyseal freezing group survived compared with only 1 patient in the total epiphyseal freezing group who had survived to the final follow up (p < 0.01). Resected specimens with grafted cartilage were examined histologically. A sample excised after 14 months had dead cartilage with empty lacunae and the surface of the cartilage had reactive fibrous tissue.
Conclusion: Grafted cartilage of frozen osteoarticular autografts was worn out over time. However, intraepiphyseal resection preserving partial healthy cartilage resulted in excellent survival. This technique requires careful planning of the surgery but might be an alternative to megaprosthesis.
Haploidentical Related Donor versus Matched Sibling Donor Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome Aged Over 50 Years: A Single-Center Retrospective Study.
Authors: Huang Jiafu , Huang Fen , Fan Zhiping , Xu Na , Xuan Li , Liu Hui , Shi Pengcheng , Jiang Ling , Zhang Yu , Sun Jing , Liu Qifa 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
BACKGROUND Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is a potentially curative therapeutic option for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Increasing data supports the utility of haploidentical related donor (HID) HSCT in fit older patients and resulting in improvement of outcomes. This study compared the outcomes of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients age ≥50 years underwent haploidentical related donor (HID) or matched sibling donor (MSD) allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).METHODS We provided HID transplantation to 38 patients of AML/MDS age ≥50 years and compared their outcomes with 55 patients of the same ages who underwent matched sibling donor (MSD) transplantation.RESULTS The 100-day cumulative incidence of II-IV° acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) were 34.2 ± 7.7% and 23.6 ± 5.7%, respectively, in HID and MSD groups (P = 0.189), and III-IV° acute GVHD were similar between two groups (5.3% and 7.3%, respectively, P=0.700). The 2-year cumulative incidence of limited and extensive chronic GVHD was not statistically different in HID and MSD groups(22.8 ± 10.8% vs. 18.2 ± 6.0% and 18.3 ± 10.4% vs. 22.1 ± 6.8%, P = 0.890 and P=0.424, respectively). The 2-year cumulative incidences of relapse (29.5±10.3% and 20.7 ±6.1%, P=0.458), 2-year overall survival (58.5±9.7% and 67.9±6.8%, P=0.373), 2-year transplant-related mortality (17.3±6.4% and 15.0±5.3%, P=0.717), 2-year progression free survival (56.8±9.7% and 64.6±7.4%, P=0.312) were similar in the two groups.CONCLUSION We conclude that HID allo-SCT is feasible and safe for elderly AML/MDS patients.
Synergistic effect of low doses of Chlorhexidine and Clotrimazole against Candida spp.
Authors: Feng Shijun , Li Huarui , Ai Dongfang , Yan Hua , Zhang Guangjing , Wang Zhengxiang , Ma Jing 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Objectives Systemic diseases or oral situation changes can result in oral infections like candidiasis. Mouthwash is the most prevalent method to prevent or cure these infections. To formulate a more effective mouthwash, we combined Clotrimazole with a low dose of Chlorhexidine to investigate the in vitro effect against Candida spp.Methods and Materials Combinations of Chlorhexidine (0.03-16ug/ml) and Clotrimazole (0.03-16ug/ml) were tested against Candida spp. by microdilution chequerboard technique and disk diffusion method.Results From the chequerboard combination assay, the MICs of Chlorhexidine and Clotrimazole against Candida spp. decreased from >16µg/ml to 2–1µg/ml and from 2-0.25µg/ml to 0.5–0.125µg/ml, respectively, demonstrating favorable synergistic effects against 21 (84%) strains of Candida spp. The disk diffusion method showed an increase in halo size for the combination group when compared to the Clotrimazole alone group.Conclusions Studies have shown that combinations of antiseptic and antifungal agents are effective in nature. In our study, we found that low concentrations of Chlorhexidine can enhance the antifungal effect of Clotrimazole against Candida spp.. We predict that the mechanism of this synergism could be due to the increased penetration of Clotrimazole brought about by the binding of Chlorhexidine to the cell membrane. Further studies to determine the mechanism and in vivo effects could increase its probable usage in clinical studies.
A hybrid hydraulic model for gradual transition from intermittent to continuous water supply in Amman, Jordan: a theoretical study
Authors: El Achi Nassim , Rouse Michael J. 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Intermittent water supply (IWS) is associated with numerous negative consequences with respect to health and access along with technical impacts that aggravate the sustainable supply of water, thus rendering Sustainable Development Goal 6.1 (SDG 6.1) hardly achievable. The gradual, or zone-by-zone, transition from IWS to continuous water supply is very effective in terms of economic scarcity. This work focused on designing a theoretical ‘hybrid’ hydraulic model where both types of services, intermittent and continuous, were included in the modelling. The preliminary, not calibrated model, which was applied in a district in Amman, has shown to be efficient on both the technical and economic sides as it achieves independent district metering areas. Sustainable access to water, however, necessitates an integrated solution taking into account the technical, economic, social and psychological factors along with the modelling aspect highlighted in this work.
Comparative iTRAQ Proteomic Analysis Provides the Molecular Basis of the Metabolites in Cultivated Glycyrrhiza uralensis and its Wild-Type
Authors: Wang Chengcheng , Chen Lihong , Cai Zhichen , Feng Sijing , Yue Moyi , Yang Jiaojiao , Zou Lisi , Liu Xunhong 
Published: October 2019

Background:
Licorice is an herbal medicine applied extensively worldwide, and most of the
licorice for clinical consumption is provided by Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. Evidence suggests that
there is a significant difference in the metabolite composition of licorice from different ecotypes.

Objective:
To better understand the proteomic changes and molecular mechanisms of metabolite formation
in wild and cultivated Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch.

Methods:
Firstly, we established a proteome database by annotating protein sequences according to the
genomic and transcriptomic data of G. uralensis. Then, iTRAQ and LC-MS/MS were applied to detect
significant protein changes between cultivated and wild G. uralensis. A total of 2751 validated proteins
were obtained with high confidence, and 333 were differentially expressed. Differentially expressed
proteins were identified and analysed by GO, KEGG, and STRING for network and pathway enrichment.
Ultimately, we combined the iTRAQ results with our previous investigation on metabolites to
understand the molecular mechanisms underlying metabolite accumulation.

Results:
The results showed that differentially expressed proteins were mainly involved in the anabolism
of carbohydrates and important amino acids that participate in primary metabolism and secondary
metabolite synthesis. Another important pathway is the synthesis of flavonoids, which are generally accepted
as important bioactive constituents of G. uralensis, and the accumulation of flavonoids in different
synthesis stages in two ecotypes of G. uralensis was diverse. Therefore, the differentially abundant proteins
in wild and cultivated G. uralensis possibly resulted in differences in medicinal compounds.

Conclusion:
Our study will provide novel clues for revealing the molecular mechanism of secondary
metabolite synthesis as well as quality formation in wild and cultivated G. uralensis.
Integrative Analysis of Whole-genome Expression Profiling and Regulatory Network Identifies Novel Biomarkers for Insulin Resistance in Leptin Receptor-deficient Mice
Authors: Zhang Yuchi , Wu Xinyu , Zhao Cong , Li Kai , Zheng Yi , Zhao Jing , Ge Pengling 
Published: October 2019

Background:
Molecular characterization of insulin resistance, a growing health issue
worldwide, will help to develop novel strategies and accurate biomarkers for disease diagnosis and
treatment.

Objective:
Integrative analysis of gene expression profiling and gene regulatory network was exploited
to identify potential biomarkers early in the development of insulin resistance.

Methods:
RNA was isolated from livers of animals at three weeks of age, and whole-genome expression
profiling was performed and analyzed with Agilent mouse 4×44K microarrays. Differentially
expressed genes were subsequently validated by qRT-PCR. Functional characterizations of
genes and their interactions were performed by Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and gene regulatory
network (GRN) analysis.

Results:
A total of 197 genes were found to be differentially expressed by fold
change ≥2 and P < 0.05 in BKS-db +/+ mice relative to sex and age-matched controls. Functional
analysis suggested that these differentially expressed genes were enriched in the regulation of
phosphorylation and generation of precursor metabolites which are closely associated with insulin
resistance. Then a gene regulatory network associated with insulin resistance (IRGRN) was constructed
by integration of these differentially expressed genes and known human protein-protein
interaction network. The principal component analysis demonstrated that 67 genes in IRGRN
could clearly distinguish insulin resistance from the non-disease state. Some of these candidate
genes were further experimentally validated by qRT-PCR, highlighting the predictive role as biomarkers
in insulin resistance.

Conclusions:
Our study provides new insight into the pathogenesis and treatment of insulin resistance
and also reveals potential novel molecular targets and diagnostic biomarkers for insulin resistance.
Dairy Safety Prediction Based on Machine Learning Combined with Chemicals
Authors: Chen Jiahui , Zhou Guangya , Xie Jiayang , Wang Minjia , Ding Yanting , Chen Shuxian , Xia Sijing , Deng Xiaojun , Chen Qin , Niu Bing 
Published: October 2019

Background:
Dairy safety has caused widespread concern in society. Unsafe dairy
products have threatened people's health and lives. In order to improve the safety of dairy products
and effectively prevent the occurrence of dairy insecurity, countries have established different prevention
and control measures and safety warnings.

Objective:
The purpose of this study is to establish a dairy safety prediction model based on machine
learning to determine whether the dairy products are qualified.

Methods:
The 34 common items in the dairy sampling inspection were used as features in this
study. Feature selection was performed on the data to obtain a better subset of features, and different
algorithms were applied to construct the classification model.

Results:
The results show that the prediction model constructed by using a subset of features including
“total plate”, “water” and “nitrate” is superior. The SN, SP and ACC of the model were
62.50%, 91.67% and 72.22%, respectively. It was found that the accuracy of the model established
by the integrated algorithm is higher than that by the non-integrated algorithm.

Conclusion:
This study provides a new method for assessing dairy safety. It helps to improve the
quality of dairy products, ensure the safety of dairy products, and reduce the risk of dairy safety.
Total-dose Effects on Power MOSFET in SEPIC Converter for Nanosatellite Applications
Authors: Krishnamurthy Saranya , Kannan Ramani , Mohamad Faidhi F.A. , Ahmad Muhamad S. , Abdullah Yusof 
Published: October 2019

Background:
Power converters used in nanosatellite application required to be more tolerant
to radiations including proton, electron and heavy-ion radiation.

Methods:
A Single-Ended Primary Inductance Converter (SEPIC) is selected for the nanosatellite
application because of the availability to step up and down the input voltage as well as having a
non-inverting polarity between the input and output voltage. In this paper, remodeled SEPIC converter
proposed with an improved performance at radiation environment to work for nanosatellite
application. In addition, the analysis is carried out for the irradiated power MOSFET in SEPIC converter
to check its impact on converter behavior.

Results:
Experiments conducted with the help of power MOSFET switch used in converter, irradiated
with Cobalt60 gamma ray dose level from 50krad to 300krad and output characteristics analyzed
by chancing the duty cycle of converter. Investigations shown that conventional converter
output characteristics were virtually constant from 10% to 60% duty cycle when different radiated
MOSFETs used in the converter.

Conclusion:
The electrical characteristics started to fluctuate at 60% duty cycle and onwards, while
the remodeled converter circuit was less distorted when increasing the radiation dose.
The Multi-step Transformation Control and Exponentially Stability for Linear Discrete-time Systems with Additional Control Delay
Authors: Zhu Qixin , Liu Hongli , Zhu Yonghong 
Published: October 2019

Background:
Few results about the controller of linear discrete-time system with control
delay are reported.

Methods:
By means of the multi-step transformation with memory, the linear discrete-time systems
with additional control delay can be transformed to the equivalent linear discrete-time systems without
control delay, and the dimension of the transformed system is not increased. By designing the
optimal controller of the finite horizon optimal controller of linear discrete time systems without
time delay, the controller of linear discrete time systems with additional control delay can be obtained.
At the same time, by designing the optimal controller of the infinite horizon optimal controller
of linear discrete time systems without time delay, the controller of linear discrete time systems
with additional control delay can be obtained as well.

Results:
The corresponding finite horizon optimal controller has proved to render the closed-loop
system exponentially stable. And the corresponding infinite horizon optimal controller has proved to
render the closed-loop system exponentially stable when the open-loop system is either controllable
or stabilizable. Finally, two examples are used to verify the theoretical results of this paper.

Conclusion:
The controller design and the exponentially stability of discrete-time linear system
with additional state delay will be investigated in the future.
Santa Anna como Faetón en una caricatura de El Gallo Pitagórico (1845)
Authors: Bonilla Reyna Helia Emma 
Published: October 2019

<p>En este artículo se analiza una significativa caricatura publicada en <em>El Gallo Pitagórico</em>, libro escrito e impreso respectivamente por Juan Bautista Morales e Ignacio Cumplido en 1845, con el fin de impulsar los intereses del grupo liberal <em>moderado</em>, al cual ambos pertenecían. Puesta a la luz del trasfondo político, la imagen refleja las tensiones que vivieron al enfrentar a Santa Anna y sus seguidores.</p><p> </p><p>This article analyzes a significant caricature published in <em>El Gallo Pitagórico</em>, a book written and printed respectively by Juan Bautista Morales and Ignacio Cumplido in 1845. Viewed from a political context, the caricature promotes the interests of the <em>moderate</em> liberal group to which both belonged and reflects the tensions they experienced when confronting Santa Anna and his advocates. </p>
Changes in Consumption of Sugary Beverages and Artificially Sweetened Beverages and Subsequent Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: Results From Three Large Prospective U.S. Cohorts of Women and Men
Authors: Drouin-Chartier Jean-Philippe , Zheng Yan , Li Yanping , Malik Vasanti , Pan An , Bhupathiraju Shilpa N. , Tobias Deirdre K. , Manson JoAnn E. , Willett Walter C. , Hu Frank B. 
Published: October 2019

OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the associations of long-term changes in consumption of sugary beverages (including sugar-sweetened beverages and 100% fruit juices) and artificially sweetened beverages (ASBs) with subsequent risk of type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
We followed up 76,531 women in the Nurses’ Health Study (1986–2012), 81,597 women in the Nurses’ Health Study II (1991–2013), and 34,224 men in the Health Professionals’ Follow-up Study (1986–2012). Changes in beverage consumption (in 8-ounce servings/day) were calculated from food frequency questionnaires administered every 4 years. Multivariable Cox proportional regression models were used to calculate hazard ratios for diabetes associated with changes in beverage consumption. Results of the three cohorts were pooled using an inverse variance–weighted, fixed-effect meta-analysis.

RESULTS
During 2,783,210 person-years of follow-up, we documented 11,906 incident cases of type 2 diabetes. After adjustment for BMI and initial and changes in diet and lifestyle covariates, increasing total sugary beverage intake (including both sugar-sweetened beverages and 100% fruit juices) by &gt;0.50 serving/day over a 4-year period was associated with a 16% (95% CI 1%, 34%) higher diabetes risk in the subsequent 4 years. Increasing ASB consumption by &gt;0.50 serving/day was associated with 18% (2%, 36%) higher diabetes risk. Replacing one daily serving of sugary beverage with water, coffee, or tea, but not ASB, was associated with a 2–10% lower diabetes risk.

CONCLUSIONS
Increasing consumption of sugary beverages or ASBs was associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, albeit the latter association may be affected by reverse causation and surveillance bias.
Efficient optimum safety factor approach for system reliability-based design optimization with application to composite yarns
Authors: Kharmanda Gh. , Antypas I. R. 
Published: October 2019

Introduction. The integration of reliability and optimization concepts seeks to design structures that should be both economic and reliable. This model is called Reliability-Based Design Optimization (RBDO). In fact, the coupling between the mechanical modelling, the reliability analyses and the optimization methods leads to very high computational cost and weak convergence stability. Materials andMethods. Several methods have been developed to overcome these difficulties. The methods called Reliability Index Approach (RIA) and Performance Measure Approach (PMA) are two alternative methods. RIA describes the probabilistic constraint as a reliability index while PMA was proposed by converting the probability measure to a performance measure. An Optimum Safety Factor (OSF) method is proposed to compute safety factors satisfying a required reliability level without demanding additional computing cost for the reliability evaluation. The OSF equations are formulated considering RIA and PMA and extended to multiple failure case.Research Results. Several linear and nonlinear distribution laws are applied to composite yarns studies and then extended to multiple failure modes. It has been shown that the idea of the OSF method is to avoid the reliability constraint evaluation with a particular optimization process.Discussion and Conclusions. The simplified implementation framework of the OSF strategy consists of decoupling the optimization and the reliability analyses. It provides designers with efficient solutions that should be economic satisfying a required reliability level. It is demonstrated that the RBDO compared to OSF has several advantages: small number of optimization variables, good convergence stability, small computing time, satisfaction of the required reliability levels.