bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Incidence and impact of cardiorenal anaemia syndrome on all‐cause mortality in acute heart failure patients stratified by left ventricular ejection fraction in the Middle East
Authors: Al‐Jarallah Mohammed , Rajan Rajesh , Al‐Zakwani Ibrahim , Dashti Raja , Bulbanat Bassam , Sulaiman Kadhim , Alsheikh‐Ali Alawi A. , Panduranga Prashanth , AlHabib Khalid F. , Al Suwaidi Jassim , Al‐Mahmeed Wael , AlFaleh Hussam , Elasfar Abdelfatah , Al‐Motarreb Ahmed , Ridha Mustafa , Bazargani Nooshin , Asaad Nidal , Amin Haitham 
Published: October 2018

AbstractAimsThis study aims to evaluate the incidence and impact of cardiorenal anaemia syndrome (CRAS) on all‐cause mortality in acute heart failure (AHF) patients stratified by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) status in the Middle East.Methods and resultsData were analysed from 4934 consecutive patients admitted to 47 hospitals in seven Middle Eastern countries (Saudi Arabia, Oman, Yemen, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Bahrain) with AHF from February to November 2012. CRAS was defined as AHF with estimated glomerular filtration rate of <60 mL/min and low haemoglobin (<13 g/dL for men or <12 g/dL for women). Analyses were performed using univariate and multivariate statistical techniques. The overall mean age of the cohort was 59 ± 15 years, 62% (n = 3081) were men, and 27% (n = 1319) had CRAS. Co‐morbid conditions were common including hypertension (n = 3014; 61%), coronary artery disease (n = 2971; 60%), and diabetes mellitus (n = 2449; 50%). A total of 79% (n = 3576) of the patients had AHF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) (LVEF < 50%). CRAS patients were associated with major bleeding (1.29% vs. 0.6%; P = 0.017), blood transfusion (10.1% vs. 3.0%; P < 0.001), higher re‐admission rate for AHF at 3 months' follow‐up (27.6% vs. 18.8%; P < 0.001) and at 12 months' follow‐up (34.3% vs. 26.2%; P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that patients with CRAS were associated with higher odds of all‐cause mortality during hospital admission [adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 2.10; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.34–3.31; P = 0.001], at 3 months' follow‐up (aOR, 1.48; 95% CI: 1.07–2.06; P = 0.018), and at 12 months' follow‐up (aOR, 1.45; 95% CI: 1.12–1.87; P = 0.004). Stratified analyses showed that CRAS patients with HFrEF were associated with higher odds of all‐cause mortality during hospital admission (aOR, 2.03; 95% CI: 1.20–3.45; P = 0.009) and at 12 months' follow‐up (aOR, 1.42; 95% CI: 1.06–1.89; P = 0.019) but not at 3 months' follow‐up (aOR, 1.43; 95% CI: 0.98–2.09; P = 0.063). However, in AHF patients with preserved ejection fraction (LVEF ≥ 50%), CRAS was not associated with higher odds of all‐cause mortality not only during hospital admission (aOR, 2.15; 95% CI: 0.84–5.55; P = 0.113) but also at 3 months' follow‐up (aOR, 1.87; 95% CI: 0.93–3.76; P = 0.078) and at 12 months' follow‐up (aOR, 1.59; 95% CI: 0.91–2.76; P = 0.101).ConclusionsThe incidence of CRAS was 27%. CRAS was associated with higher odds of all‐cause mortality in AHF patients in the Middle East, especially in those with HFrEF.
Investigating plant root effects on soil electrical conductivity: An integrated field monitoring and statistical modelling approach
Authors: Ni Jun‐Jun , Cheng Yi‐Feng , Bordoloi Sanandam , Bora Himashree , Wang Qin‐Hua , Ng Charles‐Wang‐Wai , Garg Ankit 
Published: October 2018

AbstractPlants have been shown to affect soil water content and temperature. Previous studies were conducted mainly in forestry and agricultural soils, where conditions of soil and vegetation are different from those in an urban landscape. In an urban landscape, the influence of plant roots on electrical conductivity, soil water content and temperature is still not clear. This study aims to investigate the effects of soil water content and temperature on electrical conductivity in vegetated soils through an integrated field monitoring and computational modelling approach. A new relationship between soil electrical conductivity and water content as well as temperature is proposed. Field monitoring was conducted in both vegetated (tree species) and bare soils. The monitoring included measurements of soil water content, soil temperature and soil electrical conductivity. This was followed by response surface regression modelling. Measured results show that soil temperature at shallow depths was lower in vegetated soil than that in the bare soil. This observation was also consistent with the higher soil water content and hence, higher electrical conductivity under tree canopy. The model developed could predict nonlinear relationships between electrical conductivity and soil temperature and water content. Uncertainty analysis indicated normal distribution for electrical conductivity under variation of soil temperature and water content. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Altered neurovascular coupling in neuromyelitis optica
Authors: Guo Xi , Zhu Jiajia , Zhang Ningnannan , Zhang Linjie , Qi Yuan , Cai Huanhuan , Zhang Xue , Sun Jie , Wang Qiuhui , Yang Li , Shi Fu‐Dong , Yu Chunshui 
Published: October 2018

AbstractNeurovascular coupling reflects the close relationship between neuronal activity and cerebral blood flow (CBF), providing a new mechanistic insight into health and disease. Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an autoimmune inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system and shows cognitive decline‐related brain gray matter abnormalities besides the damage of optic nerve and spinal cord. We aimed to investigate neurovascular coupling alteration and its clinical significance in NMO by using regional homogeneity (ReHo) to measure neuronal activity and CBF to measure vascular response. ReHo was calculated from functional MRI and CBF was computed from arterial spin labeling (ASL) in 56 patients with NMO and 63 healthy controls. Global neurovascular coupling was assessed by across‐voxel CBF‐ReHo correlations and regional neurovascular coupling was evaluated by CBF/ReHo ratio. Correlations between CBF/ReHo ratio and clinical variables were explored in patients with NMO. Global CBF‐ReHo coupling was decreased in patients with NMO relative to healthy controls (p = .009). Patients with NMO showed decreased CBF/ReHo ratio (10.9%–17.3% reduction) in the parietal and occipital regions and increased CBF/ReHo ratio (8.0%–13.3% increase) in the insular, sensorimotor, temporal and prefrontal regions. Some of these abnormalities cannot be identified by a single CBF or ReHo analysis. Both abnormally decreased and increased CBF/ReHo ratios were correlated with more severe clinical impairments and cognitive decline in patients with NMO. These findings suggested that patients with NMO show abnormal neurovascular coupling, which is associated with disease severity and cognitive impairments.
Synthesis of 2,2‐diarylvinyl phenyl selenides by dehydration of 2‐hydroxyalkyl phenyl selenides
Authors: Stuhr‐Hansen Nicolai 
Published: October 2018

AbstractA novel route to 2,2‐diarylvinyl phenyl selenides is reported by dehydration of the corresponding 2,2‐diaryl‐2‐hydroxyethyl phenyl selenides, prepared by oxyphenylselenenylations of the corresponding 1,1‐diarylethylenes, upon treatment with p‐toluenesulfonic acid.
Rainfall and fog interception at the lower and upper altitudinal limits of cloud forest in Veracruz, Mexico
Authors: González‐Martínez Teresa Margarita , Holwerda Friso 
Published: October 2018

AbstractComparisons of rainfall and fog interception among different types of tropical montane cloud forest usually reveal large differences, but the variation in these processes within a given forest type has rarely been studied. In the present study, the altitudinal variation of rainfall (Ip) and fog (If) interception was investigated for a lower montane cloud forest in central Veracruz, Mexico. For this, rainfall (P), net rainfall, fog presence (visibility), and meteorological variables were measured in the “Santuario” natural reserve (1,300 m asl) during two sampling periods that were representative of the dry and wet seasons, respectively. In addition, the canopy water storage capacity (Cm) was determined. The results were then compared with data published for the “Cortadura” reserve (2,170 m). There was no evidence of If in Santuario, whereas it was estimated at 8% of the dry‐season P in Cortadura. In Santuario, relative Ip was 22% and 9% of P during the dry and wet seasons, respectively (compared with 20% and 18% of P, respectively, in Cortadura). Average rainfall event size and Cm were the main factors determining the relative Ip at both sites. Cm was much lower in Santuario (1.0 mm) than in Cortadura (3.9 and 2.8 mm in the wet and dry seasons, respectively). However, because during the dry season the average rainfall event size was much lower in Santuario, relative Ip was similar between sites. In contrast, during the wet season, the average event size was similar between sites, so that the difference in Cm caused an important altitudinal variation in relative Ip.
Multimodal neurological image fusion based on adaptive biological inspired neural model in nonsubsampled Shearlet domain
Authors: Singh Sneha , Anand R. S. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractMultimodal medical image fusion (MMIF) has a significant role for a better visualization of the diagnostic statistics, those help the medical professionals in the precise diagnosis of several critical diseases. This paper presents an improved fusion framework that uses the entire features extracted by the nonsubsampled shearlet transform (NSST) and adaptive biologically inspired neural model. The proposed scheme retains the required information without losing the resolution of the disease morphology. In the proposed method, the adaptive neural model based on local visibility and log Gabor energy based rules are applied to low and high‐frequency components, respectively. The better fusion results obtained by the proposed approach are confirmed by a large extent of simulations on the different MR‐SPECT and CT‐MR neurological images. Based on all these simulated results, it states that the proposed approach is superior than the other approaches as it produces better visually fused images with improved computational measures.
Edge detection using Chebyshev's orthogonal polynomial and brain extraction from magnetic resonance images of human head
Authors: Somasundaram K. , Kalaividya P. A. , Kalaiselvi T. , Krishnamoorthy R. , Praveenkumar S. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractIn this article, we propose a new edge detecting method based on the transform coefficients obtained by a point spread function constructed out of Chebyshev's orthogonal polynomials. This edge detector finds edges similar to that of Prewitt and Roberts but is robust against additive and multiplicative noises. We also propose a new scheme to extract brain portion from the magnetic resonance images (MRI) of human head scan by making use of the of the new edge detector. The proposed scheme involves edge detection, morphological operations, and largest connected component analysis. Experiments conducted by applying the proposed scheme on 19 volumes of MRI collected from Internet Brain Segmentation Repository (IBSR) show that the proposed brain extraction scheme performed better than the popular Brain Extraction Tool (BET). The performance of the proposed scheme is measured by computing the Dice coefficient (D) and Jaccard similarity index (J). The proposed method produced a value of 0.9068 for D and 0.8321 for J.
A case of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis which was diagnosed with progressive dysphagia and muscle atrophy
Authors: Komata Tadashi 
Published: October 2018

AbstractA 79‐year‐old man presented to our outpatient clinic with symptoms of dysphagia, dysarthria, and muscle atrophy of the trunk and upper extremities. These symptoms were gradually progressive, and he had lost substantial weight―20 kg in 2 years. One month later, he was admitted due to dehydration and received tube feeding. The presence of “split hand” suggested amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Finally, the patient was diagnosed with ALS by two neurologists. When elderly patients present with progressive dysphagia and muscle atrophy, especially with “split hands,” ALS should be included as a differential diagnosis.
Blood–brain barrier disruption and angiogenesis in a rat model for neurocysticercosis
Authors: Carmen‐Orozco Rogger P. , Dávila‐Villacorta Danitza G. , Cauna Yudith , Bernal‐Teran Edson G. , Bitterfeld Leandra , Sutherland Graham L. , Chile Nancy , Céliz Rensson H. , Ferrufino‐Schmidt María C. , Gavídia Cesar M. , Sterling Charles R. , García Héctor H. , Gilman Robert H. , Verástegui Manuela Renee 
Published: October 2018

AbstractNeurocysticercosis (NCC) is a helminth infection affecting the central nervous system caused by the larval stage (cysticercus) of Taenia solium. Since vascular alteration and blood–brain barrier (BBB) disruption contribute to NCC pathology, it is postulated that angiogenesis could contribute to the pathology of this disease. This study used a rat model for NCC and evaluated the expression of two angiogenic factors called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF‐A) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF2). Also, two markers for BBB disruption, the endothelial barrier antigen and immunoglobulin G, were evaluated using immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence techniques. Brain vasculature changes, BBB disruption, and overexpression of angiogenesis markers surrounding viable cysts were observed. Both VEGF‐A and FGF2 were overexpressed in the tissue surrounding the cysticerci, and VEGF‐A was overexpressed in astrocytes. Vessels showed decreased immunoreactivity to endothelial barrier antigen marker and an extensive staining for IgG was found in the tissues surrounding the cysts. Additionally, an endothelial cell tube formation assay using human umbilical vein endothelial cells showed that excretory and secretory antigens of T. solium cysticerci induce the formation of these tubes. This in vitro model supports the hypothesis that angiogenesis in NCC might be caused by the parasite itself, as opposed to the host inflammatory responses alone. In conclusion, brain vasculature changes, BBB disruption, and overexpression of angiogenesis markers surrounding viable cysts were observed. This study also demonstrates that cysticerci excretory‐secretory processes alone can stimulate angiogenesis.
Acidulant effect on greening, reducing capacity, and tryptophan fluorescence of sunflower butter cookie dough during refrigerated storage
Authors: Atonfack Joele T , Ataman Zeynep A , Were Lilian M 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDSunflower seed derived butter can be a source of protein and phenolic antioxidants in refrigerated dough. Chlorogenic quinone‐amino acid induced greening can however occur at alkaline pH, which could result in less bioavailable conjugated phenol‐amino acids. Acidulants were tested as potential anti‐greening ingredients in refrigerated chemically leavened cookie dough. Effect of refrigerated storage time, leavening agents and acidulants on tryptophan fluorescence (λex = 280 nm, λem = 300–500 nm), color (hunter L*, a*, b* color scale), reducing capacity [1,1′‐diphenyl‐2‐picryl‐hydrazyl (DPPH) and Folin–Ciocalteu reducing capacity (FCRC)], and hydroxycinnamic acids were measured.RESULTSThe pH range of acidified doughs was 4.83–6.98 compared to 7.65–9.18 in non‐acidified leavened doughs after 24 days. Greening was higher in baking soda dough control (a* = −0.54) than baking powder dough control (a* = 2.98) after 24 days, attributed to higher pH (9.18) of the former compared to pH 7.14 in the later. Tryptophan fluorescence intensity in baking soda dough decreased in the order: control > glucono‐delta lactone ≈ citric acid after 24 days. The DPPH and FCRC of acidified doughs were greater than corresponding control doughs.CONCLUSIONThe use of acidulants would prevent greening in sunflower dough without lowering its phenolic concentration, making use of sunflower butter in refrigerated dough for baked goods feasible. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Potential of Physalis peruviana calyces as a low‐cost valuable resource of phytoprostanes and phenolic compounds
Authors: Medina Sonia , Collado‐González Jacinta , Ferreres Federico , Londoño‐Londoño Julián , Jiménez‐Cartagena Claudio , Guy Alexandre , Durand Thierry , Galano Jean‐Marie , Gil‐Izquierdo Ángel 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDIn Colombia, agro‐industrial residues represent an enormous economic and environmental problem, which could be reduced if different techniques for the addition of value to such residues were implemented by this industrial sector. One of the fruits with the highest export rates is Physalis peruviana (goldenberry); however, this fruit is generally marketed without its calyx, generating a large amount of residues. To develop a strategy to add value to these residues, it is essential to know their chemical composition.RESULTSIn the present work, phytoprostanes (PhytoPs) – new active oxylipins – have been detected for the first time in Physalis peruviana calyces by ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐QqQ‐MS/MS), F1t‐phytoprostanes and D1t‐phytoprostanes being the predominant and minor classes, respectively. In addition, we were able to characterize the phenolic compounds profile of this matrix using LC‐IT‐DAD‐MS/MS, describing six phenolic derivatives for the first time therein.CONCLUSIONSThis study increases our knowledge of the chemical composition of the calyces of this fruit and thereby supports the recycling of this class of residue. Consequently, goldenberry calyces could be used as phytotherapeutic, nutraceutic, or cosmetic ingredients for the development of diverse natural products. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Target separation of flavonoids from Saxifraga tangutica using two‐dimensional hydrophilic interaction chromatography/reversed‐phase liquid chromatography
Authors: Dang Jun , Zhang Li , Wang Qilan , Mei Lijuan , Yue Huilan , Liu Zenggen , Shao Yun , Gao Qingbo , Tao Yanduo 
Published: October 2018

AbstractAn orthogonally (80.3%) preparative two‐dimensional hydrophilic interaction chromatography/reversed‐phase liquid chromatography method has been established for the isolation and purification of flavonoids from Saxifraga tangutica. Initially, flavonoids were enriched by means of a middle‐pressure chromatographic tower (containing middle chromatogram isolated gel). In the first dimension, a XION preparative column was used to separate the flavonoid fractions under the guidance of characteristic ultraviolet absorption spectra of flavonoids and nine flavonoid fractions were obtained. Then, the coeluted flavonoid fractions were selected for further purification via reversed‐phase liquid chromatography with the parent ion peak of quercetin (303), kaempferol (287), or isorhamnetin (317). Several flavonoids could be separated from each hydrophilic interaction chromatography fraction; furthermore, flavonoids with poor resolution in one‐dimensional liquid chromatography were isolated in two‐dimensional liquid chromatography due to the orthogonality. In addition, this technique was valuable for trace flavonoids, which were concentrated in the first stage and separated in the second stage. In total, 18 flavonoids with either quercetin, kaempferol, or isorhamnetin parent nuclei were targetedly obtained, and 15 flavonoids were obtained for the first time from S. tangutica. These results established that the off‐line two‐dimensional hydrophilic interaction chromatography/reversed‐phase liquid chromatography technique was efficient for the isolation of flavonoids from Saxifraga tangutica.
Validation of the OMNI vocal effort scale in the treatment of adductor spasmodic dysphonia
Authors: Shoffel‐Havakuk Hagit , Marks Katherine L. , Morton Mariah , Johns Michael M. , Hapner Edie R. 
Published: October 2018

ObjectivesTo establish the validity of the OMNI Vocal Effort Scale (OMNI‐VES) for resistance exercise, a single‐question pictorial scale, in voice‐related perceived exertion. Additionally, the study aimed to assess the role of the OMNI‐VES as an outcome measurement in the treatment of adductor spasmodic dysphonia (ADSD).MethodsA prospective validation study was conducted on 226 participants. The case group was comprised of 178 patients receiving botulinum toxin (BTX) injections for ADSD and 48 controls without a voice disorder. Prior to a planned injection, the participants were asked to complete the OMNI‐VES and the Voice‐Related Quality‐of‐Life (V‐RQOL) questionnaires, and the clinician completed the Consensus Auditory‐Perceptual Evaluation of Voice (CAPE‐V). A subgroup of 17 patients were administered a repeat assessment 1 month after injection.ResultsThere was a weak correlation between the OMNI‐VES and the V‐RQOL score (Tau‐b = −0.252, P < 0.001), and no significant correlation with the CAPE‐V. Participants with ADSD had significantly higher OMNI‐VES scores compared with normal controls, 5.07 ± 2.18 and 1.47 ± 2.28, respectively (P value < 0.0001). The average OMNI‐VES score significantly improved 1 month following a BTX injection, from 6 ± 2.4 to 3.4 ± 2.8 (P value = 0.0003). Eighty‐eight percent of the patients demonstrated a decrease in the OMNI‐VES score following injection, whereas only 47% demonstrated an improvement in the V‐RQOL score.ConclusionThe OMNI‐VES is a validated tool for rating perceived voice‐related exertion in people with ADSD and can be used for evaluating response to BTX injection treatment.Level of Evidence2b Laryngoscope, 129:448–453, 2019
Long‐term neurological morbidity following endoscopic transnasal resection of juvenile angiofibroma
Authors: Mattavelli Davide , Rampinelli Vittorio , Ferrari Marco , Schreiber Alberto , Guarneri Bruno , Nicolai Piero 
Published: October 2018

Objectives/HypothesisAlthough transnasal endoscopic resection (TER) of juvenile angiofibroma (JA) is unquestionably less invasive than traditional external approaches, several endonasal and neurovascular structures are sacrificed during the procedure. The aim of this study was to evaluate long‐term neurological morbidity and related quality of life following TER of JA.Study DesignRetrospective cohort study.MethodsAll patients who underwent TER for JA at the Unit of Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery of the University of Brescia from 1994 to 2016 were contacted to know their availability to undergo a battery of tests aimed to assess lacrimal secretion (Schirmer test), impairment of sensitive nerves (electrophysiological threshold test), and impact on quality of life of tearing reduction and sensitivity impairment with the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) and visual analogue scale (VAS) (0–10), respectively.ResultsThirteen patients were included. Mean follow‐up was 77 months (range, 19–156 months). The median Schirmer test value was 5.5 mm and 28.5 mm for the treated and untreated sides, respectively (P = .003). Analysis of sensitivity revealed significant impairment only in the hard palate. The mean OSDI score was 6.8 (normal). The mean values of the VAS scores for hard palate, buccal mucosa, gum, and premaxillary skin were 1.7, 1.7, 1.2, and 2.3, respectively.ConclusionsTER for JA can result in objective reduction of lacrimal secretion and sensitivity impairment; nevertheless, their impact on quality of life is negligible. The predictable neurological morbidity of TER should be discussed during preoperative counseling.Level of Evidence4Laryngoscope, 129:2184–2188, 2019