bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exercise worsening of electromechanical disturbances: A predictor of arrhythmia in long QT syndrome
Authors: Charisopoulou Dafni , Koulaouzidis George , Rydberg Annika , Michael Henein Y. 
Published: December 2018

BackgroundElectromechanical (EM) coupling heterogeneity is significant in long QT syndrome (LQTS), particularly in symptomatic patients; EM window (EMW) has been proposed as an indicator of interaction and a better predictor of arrhythmia than QTc.HypothesisTo investigate the dynamic response of EMW to exercise in LQTS and its predictive value of arrhythmia.MethodsForty‐seven LQTS carriers (45 ± 15 years, 20 with arrhythmic events), and 35 controls underwent exercise echocardiogram. EMW was measured as the time difference between aortic valve closure on Doppler and the end of QT interval on the superimposed electrocardiogram (ECG). Measurements were obtained at rest, peak exercise (PE) and 4 minutes into recovery.ResultsPatients did not differ in age, gender, heart rate, or left ventricular ejection fraction but had a negative resting EMW compared with controls (−42 ± 22 vs 17 ± 5 ms, P < 0.0001). EMW became more negative at PE (−89 ± 43 vs 16 ± 7 ms, P = 0.0001) and recovery (−65 ± 39 vs 16 ± 6 ms, P = 0.001) in patients, particularly the symptomatic, but remained unchanged in controls. PE EMW was a stronger predictor of arrhythmic events than QTc (AUC:0.765 vs 0.569, P < 0.001). B‐blockers did not affect EMW at rest but was less negative at PE (BB: −66 ± 21 vs no‐BB: −113 ± 25 ms, P < 0.001). LQT1 patients had worse PE EMW negativity than LQT2.ConclusionLQTS patients have significantly negative EMW, which worsens with exercise. These changes are more pronounced in patients with documented arrhythmic events and decrease with B‐blocker therapy. Thus, EMW assessment during exercise may help improve risk stratification and management of LQTS patients.
Multimedia psychoeducation for patients with cancer who are eligible for clinical trials: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Kamen Charles S. , Quinn Gwendolyn P. , Asare Matthew , Heckler Charles E. , Guido Joseph J. , Giguere Jeffrey K. , Gilliland Kari , Liu Jane Jijun , Geer Jodi , Delacroix Scott E. , Morrow Gary R. , Jacobsen Paul B. 
Published: December 2018

BackgroundSupporting patients’ decision making about clinical trials may enhance trial participation. To date, few theory‐based interventions have been tested to address this issue. The objective of the current study was aimed to evaluate the effect of a multimedia psychoeducation (MP) intervention, relative to a print education (PE) intervention, on patients’ decision support needs and attitudes about clinical trials.MethodsPatients with cancer who were eligible for participation in a National Cancer Institute therapeutic cancer clinical trial were recruited through the nationwide University of Rochester Cancer Center National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program from 2014 to 2016 and were randomized to the MP or PE intervention. Assessments at baseline (before intervention), postintervention, and at a 2‐month follow‐up visit included patients’ decision support needs, attitudes regarding clinical trials, and clinical trial participation.ResultsIn total, 418 patients with various types of cancer were recruited (ages 26‐89 years). Relative to the PE intervention, the MP intervention did not significantly affect decision support needs. However, patients in the MP arm reported significantly more positive attitudes about clinical trials and were more likely to participate in a clinical trial than those in the PE arm (69% vs 62%; P = .01). Furthermore, an improvement in attitudes about clinical trials significantly mediated the effect of the intervention on participation in clinical trials.ConclusionsThe MP intervention was able to improve patient attitudes toward clinical trials compared with the PE intervention, and this improvement led to increased rates of participation in trials. The MP intervention could be disseminated to improve attitudes about clinical trials among patients with cancer.
A High‐Lignin‐Content, Removable, and Glycol‐Assisted Repairable Coating Based on Dynamic Covalent Bonds
Authors: Hao Cheng , Liu Tuan , Zhang Shuai , Brown Lucas , Li Ran , Xin Junna , Zhong Tuhua , Jiang Long , Zhang Jinwen 
Published: December 2018

AbstractConventional thermoset coatings cannot be easily repaired and removed owing to their highly crosslinked structure. The investigation of repairable or removable coatings has been receiving extensive attention, but few reported coatings possess both features. In this work, a repairable and removable coating was developed through the curing of a modified Kraft lignin (L‐COOH) with poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether (PEG‐epoxy) in the presence of zinc catalyst. The L‐COOH was prepared by functionalization of Kraft lignin with carboxylic acid groups. The cured material had a high lignin content (>47 wt %). At elevated temperatures (>140 °C), dynamic transesterification in the cured network was activated, which resulted in fast stress relaxation and imparted excellent repairability. If the vitrimer system was used as a coating for tin plates, it provided adequate hardness and adhesion properties. In addition, the lignin‐PEG coating could be easily removed from the tin plate by using a mild (0.01–0.1 m) NaOH aqueous solution owing to the unique swelling ability of the coating in alkaline aqueous solution. With the assistance of ethylene glycol, this coating could achieve stress‐free repairability in 15 min. This work demonstrates the first lignin‐based repair‐ and removable epoxy coating based on vitrimer chemistry.
Novel method for transferring access control list rules to synchronize security protection in a locator/identifier separation protocol environment with cross‐segment host mobility
Authors: Lu Ta‐Te 
Published: December 2018

SummaryExtended access control lists (ACLs) are used to filter packets for network security. However, in current network frameworks, ACL rules are not transferred simultaneously with devices that move across network segments. The Internet Engineering Task Force proposed the Locator/Identifier Separation Protocol (LISP), which enables routers (xTRs) to configure ACL rules for blocking immobile endpoint identifiers (EIDs). However, when an EID moves from the original xTR to a new xTR, the ACL rules at the original xTR cannot be transferred with the EID. Thus, the new xTR lacks the corresponding ACL rules to effectively block the EID, resulting in security risks. The highlights of this study are as follows. First, a method is proposed for dynamically transferring ACL rules in LISP environments and frameworks. Second, the map‐register and map‐notify protocols were combined to encapsulate and transfer the ACL rules and thus obviate an additional process required to transfer these rules. Third, the experimental results verified that the proposed method can be used to achieve synchronized security protection in an LISP environment involving cross‐segment EID movements.
Stabilizing intransitive loops: self‐organized spatial structure and disjoint time frames in the coffee agroecosystem
Authors: Vandermeer John , Jackson Doug 
Published: December 2018

AbstractIt is familiar knowledge that population dynamics occur in both time and space. In this work, we incorporate three distinct but related theoretical schemata to qualitatively interrogate the complicated structure of part of a real agroecosystem. The three schemata are first, local dynamics translated into intransitive oscillators through spatial movement, second, stabilizing the system through spatial pattern, and third, formation of a self‐organized spatial pattern. The real system is the well‐studied autonomous pest control in the coffee agroecosystem, in which five insect species (one of which is a pest) are involved in creating a complex community structure that keeps the pest under control (the five species are an ant, Azteca sericeasur, a phorid fly parasitoid, Pseudacteon sp., a hymenopteran parasitoid, Coccophagus sp., a beetle predator, Azya orbigera, and the pest itself, the green coffee scale, Coccus viridis). We use the qualitative framing of the three theoretical schemata to develop a cellular automata model that casts the basic predator/prey (natural enemy/pest) system as an intransitive oscillator, and then explore the interaction of the two basic predator/prey systems as coupled oscillators within this model framework. We note that Gause's principle of competitive exclusion is not violated with this basic framing (i.e., the two control agents cannot coexist theoretically), but that with a change in the spatial structure of the background habitat, coexistence can be maintained through the tradeoff between regional dispersal and local consumption. Finally, we explore how the other oscillator in the system (the ant and its phorid parasitoid) can act as a pilot system, creating the spatial structure in which the other two oscillators operate, but only in the context of disjoint time frames (between the two control agents and the pilot subsystem).
Exploring variation in phyllosphere microbial communities across four hemlock species
Authors: Rogers Timothy J. , Leppanen Christy , Brown Veronica , Fordyce James A. , LeBude Anthony , Ranney Thomas , Simberloff Daniel , Cregger Melissa A. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) is an insect native to Asia and likely western North America. First reported in eastern North America in 1951, it has devastated eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) populations. Loss of hemlock will greatly affect the structure and function of eastern forests. Susceptibility to adelgid infestation varies within eastern hemlocks and across other hemlock species. Our study was conducted to determine whether eastern hemlocks share a similar stem (phyllosphere) microbial community with other co‐occurring hemlocks and whether community‐level shifts are associated within trees of the same species based on HWA infestation. Surprisingly, we found no difference in microbial community composition or diversity between trees of the same species based on the level of HWA infestation. However, microbial communities varied significantly across the four hemlock trees sampled, nativeT. canadensisand three non‐natives:Tsuga chinensis,Tsuga dumosa, andTsuga sieboldii. Within these tree hosts, microbial communities fromT. dumosaandT. chinensisclustered together, and microbial communities fromT. canadensisandT. sieboldiiclustered separately from all other tree species. Additionally, specific indicator taxa were identified for all the tree species sampled. These results indicate that Asian hemlocks might not fill the same niche in eastern forests as the native eastern hemlock. Further work should be conducted to determine how differences in hemlock species and associated microbial communities might scale up to alter organismal interactions involving hemlocks.
The consecutive disparity index, D: a measure of temporal variability in ecological studies
Authors: Fernández‐Martínez Marcos , Vicca Sara , Janssens Ivan A. , Carnicer Jofre , Martín‐Vide Javier , Peñuelas Josep 
Published: December 2018

AbstractTemporal variability in ecological processes has attracted the attention of many disciplines in ecology, which has resulted in the development of several quantitative indices. The coefficient of variation (CV = standard deviation × mean−1) is still one of the most commonly used indices to assess temporal variability, despite being known to present several problems on its assessment (e.g., mean dependence or high sensitivity to rare events). The proportional variability (PV) index was developed to solve some of the CV's drawbacks, but, so far, no variability index takes into account the chronological order of the values in time series. In this paper, we introduce the consecutive disparity index (D), a temporal variability index that takes into account the chronological order of the values, assessing the average rate of change between consecutive values. We used computer simulations and empirical data for fruit production in trees, bird counts, and rodent captures to compare the behavior of D, PV, and CV under different scenarios. D was sensitive to changes in temporal autocorrelation in the negative autocorrelation range, and CV and PV were sensitive in the positive autocorrelation range despite not considering the chronological order of the values. The CV, however, was highly dependent on the mean of the time series, while D and PV were not. Our results demonstrate that, like PV, D solves many of the problems of the CV index while taking into account the chronological order of values in time series. The mathematical and statistical features of D make it a suitable index for analyzing temporal variability in a wide range of ecological studies.
HMGB1+ microparticles present in urine are hallmarks of nephritis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Burbano Catalina , Gómez‐Puerta Jóse A , Muñoz‐Vahos Carlos , Vanegas‐García Adriana , Rojas Mauricio , Vásquez Gloria , Castaño Diana 
Published: December 2018

AbstractNon‐classical monocytes infiltrate the kidney parenchyma and participate in tissue damage in patients with lupus nephritis (LN). Circulating microparticles (MPs) seem to play critical roles in the activation of monocytes in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. This study aims to characterize the phenotypes of MPs and monocyte subsets in LN patients and to determine their potential to discriminate between SLE patients with and without LN. Blood and urine samples from SLE patients were collected. In monocyte subsets from whole blood samples several phenotypic markers were evaluated. MPs were isolated from platelet‐poor plasma and urine by centrifugation. This phenotypic marker characterization was performed using multiparametric flow cytometry. We observed that patients with active LN have lower counts of non‐classical monocytes than do those without renal involvement. All monocyte subsets exhibited lower expression of CX3CR1 and ICAM‐1 in LN than in patients without LN. High frequencies of MP‐HMGB1+ and MP‐HLA‐DR+ were detected in circulation and urine of LN patients. Although MP‐HMGB1+, MP‐HLA‐DR+, and MP‐CX3CR1+ from urine were able to discriminate between patients with and without LN, only urinary MP‐HMGB1+ were different between patients with active and inactive LN. Therefore, these vesicles may be useful as biomarkers of LN.
Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Ethanol on Flexible Three‐dimensional Interconnected Nickel/Gold Composite Foams in Alkaline Media
Authors: Hatamie Amir , Rezvani Ehsan , Rasouli Armin Sedighian , Simchi Abdolreza 
Published: December 2018

AbstractIn this work, a porous and flexible three‐dimensional (3D) nickel/gold nanoparticle electrode (NiF/AuNPs) is presented as an efficient electrocatalyst for ethanol oxidation in alkaline media. The 3D nanocomposite electrode consists of interconnected porous nickel foam (NiF) with large pores (500±200 μm diameter) surrounded by interconnected struts (∼100 μm) that are decorated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs, 37±8 nm) through in‐situ electrochemical deposition. The catalytic performance of the 3D electrode was evaluated by different electrochemical methods. An enhancement in the performance (about 253 %) and a remarkable decline in onset potential (about ∼0.63 V) in comparison with pristine NiF for ethanol oxidation are demonstrated. This potential is lower than many reported results except palladium‐ and platinum‐based catalysts, which are expensive. It is shown that both hydroxyl anions and cations affect the ethanol oxidation on the 3D electrode. The interconnected porous structure provides efficient mass diffusivity, which along with its high specific surface area combined with the catalytic nature of AuNPs, may open new opportunities for in‐inexpensive and highly efficient electro‐oxidation of ethanol for energy applications.
The three‐dimensional cancer nucleus
Authors: Mai Sabine 
Published: December 2018

AbstractResearch into the three‐dimensional (3D) organization of the cancer cell genome started over 100 years ago. We follow an exciting avenue of research in this field, from Hansemann's early observations of aberrant mitoses and nuclei in cancer cells in the late 19th century to Boveri's theory of the cancer cell in the early 20th century, to current views of nuclear organization and its changes in cancer. Molecular and imaging methods go hand in hand with providing us with a better understanding of the spatial nature of the cancer cell genome. This has led to the concept that the structural order of the nucleus can be used as cancer cell biomarker.
AHNS series: Do you know your guidelines? Guideline recommendations for recurrent and persistent head and neck cancer after primary treatment
Authors: McSpadden Ryan , Zender Chad , Eskander Antoine 
Published: December 2018

AbstractLocoregional recurrent/persistent head and neck cancer following primary treatment is a significant challenge as it is usually difficult to treat and has worse outcomes compared to the primary setting. Surgical resection of a local or regional recurrence offers the best chance of cure when feasible. Local recurrence outcomes vary by subsite with laryngeal recurrences having the best prognoses and hypopharynx having the worst. Instances of persistent neck masses following primary nonsurgical treatment can be evaluated with positron emission tomography (PET) with CT (PET‐CT) when there is no definitive diagnosis of a recurrence/persistence. Reirradiation with or without chemotherapy can be considered for primary treatment when surgery is not an option, for adjuvant treatment following salvage surgery, or for palliation. Immunotherapy represents a newer class of chemotherapeutic agents. Current guidelines recommend enrollment in clinical trials especially when surgery is not an option as outcomes remain universally poor in the recurrent/persistent setting.
Superior detection of metastatic cystic lymphadenopathy in patients with papillary thyroid cancer by utilization of thyroglobulin washout
Authors: Khadra Helmi , Mohamed Hossam , Al‐Qurayshi Zaid , Sholl Andrew , Killackey Mary , Kandil Emad 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackgroundFine‐needle aspiration (FNA) cytology has been the standard of care in the workup of cervical lymph nodes (LNs) in patients with recurrent papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and suspicious cervical LNs. Recently, FNA thyroglobulin (TG) washout measurement has been proposed as an adjunct in the management of these patients. We hypothesize that using FNA‐TG washout for suspicious cervical LNs would increase the accuracy of diagnosing metastatic disease especially in cystic and highly vascular cervical LN in patients with recurrent PTC.MethodsThis is a retrospective study of a prospectively collected database for patients with thyroid cancer who underwent preoperative FNA followed by selective neck dissection by one surgeon at an academic institution. FNA‐cytology and FNA‐TG washout were performed simultaneously. A total of 138 patients were included in our study, of which 92 (66.7%) had undergone surgical intervention. Results of both methods were then correlated with the final surgical pathology.ResultsFNA‐cytology alone showed a sensitivity of 80.0%, specificity of 100.0% with a negative predictive value (NPV) of 60.0%. By contrast, FNA‐TG washout had a sensitivity of 95.8%, specificity of 90.5% with a NPV of 86.4%. Combination of the FNA‐cytology with FNA‐TG washout of cystic/highly vascular LN increased the accuracy of diagnosis with a sensitivity of 98.2%, specificity of 100.00% with a NPV of 95.0%. All 14 malignant cervical LNs with false‐negative FNA‐cytology showed elevated FNA‐TG washout, 10 (71.4%) of which were cystic in nature and 4 were highly vascular on ultrasonography.ConclusionFNA‐TG washout increases the diagnostic accuracy in detecting metastatic disease in patients with recurrent thyroid cancer. FNA‐TG washout may be of special diagnostic importance in cystic or highly vascular LNs, which might have falsely negative cytology.Level of Evidence2B
Prognostic value of metabolic tumor burden calculated using dual‐time‐point 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT in patients with oropharyngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer
Authors: Kuwabara Hirofumi , Toriihara Akira , Yuasa‐Nakagawa Keiko , Toda Kazuma , Tateishi Ukihide , Yoshimura Ryoichi 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackgroundThis study investigates the prognostic value of metabolic tumor burden calculated using dual‐time‐point 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG‐PET)/CT in patients with locally advanced cancer.MethodsThis study examines 42 patients (35 men and 7 women, 38‐73 years old) with locally advanced oropharyngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer who had undergone FDG‐PET/CT before receiving chemoradiotherapy. Maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) were measured for the early and delayed phases. Statistical analyses included receiver operating characteristic curve, univariate and multivariate analysis.ResultsΔSUVmax, both phases of MTV2.5 and TLG2.5, early TLG40%, ΔTLG2.5, and ΔTLG40% were significantly associated with progression‐free survival (PFS). In multivariate analysis, early TLG2.5 (P = .005) was an independent prognostic factor of PFS.ConclusionNot the percent change but the value calculated in the early phase in several parameters using dual‐time‐point FDG‐PET/CT is significantly associated with the outcomes of patients with locally advanced oropharyngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer.
Prognostic performance of the American Joint Committee on Cancer 8th edition of the TNM staging system in patients with early oral tongue cancer
Authors: Amit Moran , Tam Samantha , Takahashi Hideaki , Choi Karen Y. , Zafereo Mark , Bell Diana , Weber Randal S. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer's (AJCC) staging system for oral cavity cancer incorporates pathological features. We aimed to assess whether these changes results in better risk stratification of patients with early oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC).MethodsOverall survival (OS) and disease‐specific survival (DSS) of 244 patients were calculated using the Kaplan‐Meier method. Multivariate analysis with stepwise selection was performed using Cox proportional hazards regression.ResultsSixty‐two patients (25%) were upstaged using the 8th edition. Multivariate analysis revealed that overall stage using the 8th edition of the AJCC staging system but not using the 7th edition was a significant predictor for both OS and DSS. The 8th edition had lower Akaike information criterion and improved concordance index values compared with the 7th edition.ConclusionThe 8th edition of AJCC allows better risk stratification and more precise counseling of patients with OTSCC who were previously considered at low risk.
Extent of lateral neck dissection for papillary thyroid microcarcinomas
Authors: Lee Joon‐Hyop , Chun Yong Soon , Chung Yoo Seung 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackgroundPapillary thyroid microcarcinomas (PTMCs) often demonstrate lateral lymph node (LN) metastasis. The purpose of this study was to assess whether the size of primary tumor should be considered in deciding lateral neck dissection extent.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective comparison of patients with PTMC and papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) larger than 1 cm who received lateral LN dissection from 2009 to 2015.ResultsPTMC group had more frequent metachronous metastasis, multifocality, less involvement of lower third thyroid, lower metastatic central LN counts and ratio, and lower metastatic total LN ratio. The two groups showed no difference in lateral LN metastatic pattern. Male and lymphovascular invasion were more often found in PTMCs with synchronous lateral LN metastatic events than metachronous presentations.ConclusionsRelying on the size of the tumor to determine lateral neck dissection extent could be unreliable, because there is no observed difference in lateral neck metastatic count and pattern between PTC and PTMCs.