bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A case off TTP temporally associated with cocaine use: Implications for treatment of suspected DITMA
Authors: Regner Sean R. , Lerfald Nathan 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThrombotic microangiopathies are rare diseases associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The treatment of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and drug‐induced thrombotic microangiopathy (DITMA) remains a diagnostic dilemma as they present similarly but respond differently to standard treatment with plasma exchange. TTP is a deficiency of a disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type 1 motif 13 resulting in von Willebrand factor aggregates. DITMA is due to vascular and platelet toxicity. Our case contradicts a notion in current literature that suggests supportive therapy when there is high suspicion for DITMA. We present what appears to be the second published case of cocaine temporally associated with TTP. Our case responded to therapy. We propose this case should influence weighing the risks and benefits of treatment of suspected DITMA and reinforces current official guidelines that suggest treating cases of suspected DITMA as TTP until the diagnosis is confirmed.
Curcumin ameliorated myocardial infarction by inhibition of cardiotoxicity in the rat model
Authors: Rahnavard Mehdi , Hassanpour Mehdi , Ahmadi Mahdi , Heidarzadeh Morteza , Amini Hassan , Javanmard Masoumeh Zirak , Nouri Mohammad , Rahbarghazi Reza , Safaie Nasser 
Published: February 2019

AbstractCardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death globally. Many attempts have been done to ameliorate the pathological changes after the occurrence of myocardial infarction. Curcumin is touted as a polyphenol phytocompound with appropriate cardioprotective properties. In this study, the therapeutic effect of curcumin was investigated on acute myocardial infarction in the model of rats. Rats were classified into four groups; control, isoproterenol hydrochloride (ISO) (100 mg/kbw), curcumin (50 mg/kbw), and curcumin plus ISO treatment groups. After 9‐day administration of curcumin, levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) were determined. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were measured to investigate the oxidative status in infarct rats received curcumin. By using H & E staining, tissue inflammation was performed. Masson’s trichrome staining was conducted to show cardiac remodeling and collagen deposition. The number of apoptotic cells was determined by using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay. Data showed the serum decrease of LDH, CK, and cTnI in infarct rats after curcumin intake compared to the rats given (ISO) (
P < 0.05). Curcumin was found to reduce oxidative status by reducing SOD and MDA contents (
P < 0.05). Gross and microscopic examinations revealed that the decrease of infarct area, inflammation response and collagen deposition in rats given ISO plus curcumin (
P < 0.05). We noted the superior effect of curcumin to reduce the number of apoptotic cardiomyocytes after 9 days. Data point the cardioprotective effect of curcumin to diminish the complication of infarction by the reduction of cell necrosis and apoptosis in a rat model of experimental infarction.
Retracted: MicroRNA‐493‐5p inhibits proliferation and metastasis of osteosarcoma cells by targeting Kruppel‐like factor 5
Authors: Zhang Zaiqing , Luo Gongzeng , Yu Chuandong , Yu Guisheng , Jiang Rui , Shi Xuefeng 
Published: February 2019

AbstractOsteosarcoma, including spinal osteosarcoma, has properties of high degree of malignancy, high rate of recurrence, and high incidence of metastasis. microRNAs can exert oncogenic or tumor suppressive roles in cancer cells. This study explored the effects of microRNA‐493‐5p (miR‐493‐5p) on osteosarcoma cell viability, migration, invasion, and apoptosis, as well as the underlying possible mechanism. First, the expression of miR‐493‐5p in osteosarcoma tissues and cells was detected using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). Then, the effects of miR‐493‐5p overexpression (or suppression) on osteosarcoma cell viability, migration, invasion, and apoptosis, as well as Kruppel‐like factor 5 (KLF5) expression, were assessed using the Cell Counting Kit‐8 assay, two‐chamber transwell assay, Annexin V‐FITC/PI apoptosis detection kit, qRT‐PCR, and western blotting, respectively. Finally, the roles of KLF5 in miR‐493‐5p suppression‐induced U20S cell viability, migration, and invasion enhancement, as well as the PI3K/AKT pathway activation, were evaluated. We found that miR‐493‐5p had lower expression in tumor tissues of spinal osteosarcoma and osteosarcoma cells. Overexpression of miR‐493‐5p inhibited osteosarcoma U20S cell viability, migration, and invasion, but induced cell apoptosis. On the contrary, suppression of miR‐493‐5p‐promoted U20S cell viability, migration, and invasion. KLF5 was a direct target gene of miR‐493‐5p, which participated in the effects of miR‐493‐5p on U20S cell viability, migration, invasion, and apoptosis. Furthermore, suppression of the miR‐493‐5p activated PI3K/AKT pathway in U20S cells by upregulating KLF5. In conclusion, we revealed that miR‐493‐5p exerted tumor suppressive roles in spinal osteosarcoma and osteosarcoma cells. Overexpression of miR‐493‐5p inhibited proliferation and metastasis of osteosarcoma cells by downregulating KLF5 and inactivating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
The Effectiveness of a Vancomycin Dosing Guideline in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for Achieving Goal Therapeutic Trough Concentrations
Authors: Reilly Ashley M. , Ding Michelle X. , Rower Joseph E. , Kiser Tyree H. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractConcern for bacterial resistance and treatment failure with vancomycin trough concentrations < 10 μg/mL have led guidelines to increase goal concentrations. There is a paucity of data evaluating vancomycin dosage necessary to achieve goals in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). We aimed to evaluate the implementation of a new vancomycin dosing guideline in improving trough target attainment. This retrospective study evaluated neonates in the NICU treated with vancomycin between January 2009 and December 2015. Therapeutic trough concentration attainment (10–20 μg/mL) was compared between neonates receiving vancomycin per old versus new dosing guidelines. Vancomycin trough concentrations, modeled pharmacodynamic target attainment, and nephrotoxicity were compared between groups. A total of 212 vancomycin trough concentrations (n = 91 old and n = 121 new guideline) were evaluated in 182 unique neonates. The mean ± standard deviation trough concentration achieved was 18.0 ± 7.3 μg/mL vs 8.9 ± 4.8 μg/mL in the new and old guidelines, respectively (P < .01). The new guideline resulted in a higher percentage of neonates achieving trough concentrations of 10 to 20 μg/mL (62% vs 29%; P < .01) and decreased the percentage of neonates with subtherapeutic trough concentrations (9% vs 69%; P < .01). Pharmacokinetic modeling identified postmenstrual age, days of life, and urine output as predictors of vancomycin clearance and resultant trough and area under the curve values (P < .01 for all). Trough concentrations >10 μg/mL ensured area under the curve /minimum inhibitory concentration >400 in >90% of neonates when bacteria minimum inhibitory concentration was ≤ 1 μg/mL. Nephrotoxicity was similar between groups (8.3% vs 7.7%; P = .99). In conclusion, a vancomycin nomogram designed to achieve trough concentration of 10 to 20 μg/mL improves pharmacodynamic target attainment in neonates in the NICU.
Size Ramsey numbers of stars versus cliques
Authors: Miralaei M. , Omidi G.R. , Shahsiah M. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe size Ramsey number of two graphs and is the smallest integer such that there exists a graph on edges with the property that every red‐blue colouring of the edges of yields a red copy of or a blue copy of . In 1981, Erdős observed thaturn:x-wiley:03649024:media:jgt22453:jgt22453-math-0010 and he conjectured that this upper bound on is sharp. In 1983, Faudree and Sheehan extended this conjecture as follows:urn:x-wiley:03649024:media:jgt22453:jgt22453-math-0012 They proved the case . In 2001, Pikhurko showed that this conjecture is not true for and , by disproving the mentioned conjecture of Erdős. Here, we prove Faudree and Sheehan's conjecture for a given and .
Preoperative prediction of lymphovascular invasion in invasive breast cancer with dynamic contrast‐enhanced‐MRI‐based radiomics
Authors: Liu Zhuangsheng , Feng Bao , Li Changlin , Chen Yehang , Chen Qinxian , Li Xiaoping , Guan Jianhua , Chen Xiangmeng , Cui Enming , Li Ronggang , Li Zhi , Long Wansheng 
Published: February 2019

BackgroundLymphovascular invasion (LVI) status facilitates the selection of optimal therapeutic strategy for breast cancer patients, but in clinical practice LVI status is determined in pathological specimens after resection.PurposeTo explore the use of dynamic contrast‐enhanced (DCE)‐magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐based radiomics for preoperative prediction of LVI in invasive breast cancer.Study TypeProspective.PopulationNinety training cohort patients (22 LVI‐positive and 68 LVI‐negative) and 59 validation cohort patients (22 LVI‐positive and 37 LVI‐negative) were enrolled.Field Strength/Sequence1.5 T and 3.0 T, T1‐weighted DCE‐MRI.AssessmentAxillary lymph node (ALN) status for each patient was evaluated based on MR images (defined as MRI ALN status), and DCE semiquantitative parameters of lesions were calculated. Radiomic features were extracted from the first postcontrast DCE‐MRI. A radiomics signature was constructed in the training cohort with 10‐fold cross‐validation. The independent risk factors for LVI were identified and prediction models for LVI were developed. Their prediction performances and clinical usefulness were evaluated in the validation cohort.Statistical TestsMann–Whitney U‐test, chi‐square test, kappa statistics, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression, logistic regression, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, DeLong test, and decision curve analysis (DCA).ResultsTwo radiomic features were selected to construct the radiomics signature. MRI ALN status (odds ratio, 10.452; P < 0.001) and the radiomics signature (odds ratio, 2.895; P = 0.031) were identified as independent risk factors for LVI. The value of the area under the curve (AUC) for a model combining both (0.763) was higher than that for MRI ALN status alone (0.665; P = 0.029) and similar to that for the radiomics signature (0.752; P = 0.857). DCA showed that the combined model added more net benefit than either feature alone.Data ConclusionThe DCE‐MRI‐based radiomics signature in combination with MRI ALN status was effective in predicting the LVI status of patients with invasive breast cancer before surgery.Level of Evidence: 1Technical Efficacy Stage: 2J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;50:847–857.
Pulmonary vein isolation plus left atrial posterior wall isolation and additional nonpulmonary vein trigger ablation using high‐dose isoproterenol for long‐standing persistent atrial fibrillation
Authors: Takamiya Tomomasa , Nitta Junichi , Sato Akira , Inamura Yukihiro , Kato Nobutaka , Inaba Osamu , Negi Ken , Yamato Tsunehiro , Matsumura Yutaka , Takahashi Yoshihide , Goya Masahiko , Hirao Kenzo 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBackgroundLittle evidence exists regarding the endpoint and optimum approach to catheter ablation for long‐standing persistent atrial fibrillation (LSPAF). We examined the efficacy of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) plus left atrium posterior wall isolation (PWI) and additional non‐PV trigger ablation using high‐dose isoproterenol for LSPAF.MethodsOne‐hundred and fifty‐five patients (median AF duration, 36 months) underwent catheter ablation for LSPAF; After PVI plus PWI, they underwent provocation of non‐PV triggers by high‐dose isoproterenol and were divided into 3 groups based on the results: group A, PVI plus PWI alone, without induced non‐PV triggers (single procedure: 105 patients, multiple procedures: 90 patients); group B, mappable non‐PV triggers demonstrated and ablated (single procedure: 41 patients, multiple procedures: 45 patients); group C, if non‐PV triggers were unmappable or could not be induced in repeated procedures, adjunctive complex fractionated atrial electrogram ablation was performed (single procedure: 9 patients, multiple procedures: 20 patients).ResultsThe Kaplan‐Meier estimate of the 1‐year freedom from atrial tachyarrhythmias without antiarrhythmic drugs was 65% in all patients, (73%, 56%, and 11% in groups A, B, and C, respectively) after a single procedure, which improved to 86% in all patients (93%, 86%, and 53% in groups A, B, and C, respectively) after multiple procedures.ConclusionEven for LSPAF, in approximately 60% of patients, non‐PV triggers were not elicited, and PVI plus PWI alone achieved good outcomes. Although the inducibility of non‐PV triggers was associated with recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmias, additional non‐PV trigger ablation may improve the outcome after multiple procedures.
Synchronous hepatectomy and splenectomy vs hepatectomy for selected patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and clinically significant portal hypertension: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Kong Junjie , Shen Shu , Wang Wentao 
Published: February 2019

Abstract This review aimed to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and effectiveness of synchronous hepatectomy and splenectomy for selected patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and clinically significant portal hypertension compared to hepatectomy alone. A systematic search in electronic databases was conducted. A total of 8 studies including 1445 patients were reviewed. While perioperative safety was satisfactory, synchronous hepatectomy and splenectomy were associated with a significant improvement of 5‐year overall survival (odds ratio = 1.81; 95% confidence interval: 1.35, 2.42; P < 0.0001).
SCUBA Medicine for Otolaryngologists: Part II. Diagnostic, Treatment, and Dive Fitness Recommendations
Authors: Mallen Jonathan R. , Roberts Daniel S. 
Published: February 2019

ObjectivesChallenge current practices and misconceptions in treating recreational SCUBA (Self‐contained underwater breathing apparatus) divers. Differentiate patients who are fit to dive and those with relative and absolute contraindications. Redefine the standard of care for fitness to dive parameters based on the most up‐to‐date evidence.MethodsWe conducted a review of the available medical and diving literature in English, German, Spanish, Italian, Turkish, and French to determine the degree of evidence or lack thereof behind recommendations for treating SCUBA divers. The databases of PubMed, Ovid Medline, and Cochrane library, as well as available textbooks, were queried for relevant data.ResultsCurrent recommendations regarding fitness to dive are overly prohibitive given the available evidence. Insufficient evidence currently exists to justify the level of certainty with which some recommendations have been made previously. This is particularly true with regard to postsurgical patients, including those who have undergone stapedectomy or skull base repairs. Updated treatment guidelines, particularly those regarding the timely differentiation of barotrauma and decompression sickness, as well as clearance for return to diving following surgery or trauma, are presented herein.ConclusionCurrent guidelines for otorhinolaryngologists governing the diagnosis and treatment of SCUBA divers are lacking and in some instances founded on insufficient evidence. We present an up‐to‐date, comprehensive guide for otorhinolaryngologists to utilize going forward. Laryngoscope, 130:59–64, 2020
Estimation of soil organic carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus losses induced by wind erosion in Northern China
Authors: Du Heqiang , Wang Tao , Xue Xian , Li Sen 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe loss of nutrients induced by wind erosion causes serious land degradation. Northern China suffers from severe wind erosion that causes massive amounts of soil nutrients to be lost and results in land degradation. To thoroughly comprehend the mechanisms of land degradation in Northern China, the spatiotemporal distribution of nutrients losses induced by wind erosion must be considered. Therefore, in this study, a wind erosion model was employed to obtain the PM10 emissions in Northern China from 2001 to 2014, and the quantities of soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) entrained by PM10 were obtained using the integrated soil database of China. The results showed that the losses of SOC, TN, and TP induced by wind erosion were 0.894, 0.184, and 0.123 Tg/a, respectively, and the spatial distributions of these three nutrients differed from one another. According to the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer land‐cover data, the nutrients lost from desert ecosystems contributed the largest fractions of the total nutrients lost in Northern China, and the fractions of SOC, TN, and TP losses from the desert ecosystems all exceeded 50%. Following the desert ecosystems, the grassland ecosystems also had higher fractions of nutrients losses. The farmland ecosystems, which were the most severely impacted by human activities, contributed to less than 10% of the total nutrients losses.
Electrospun Bacteria‐Gold Nanoparticle/Polymer Composite Mesofiber Nonwovens for Catalytic Application
Authors: Reich Steffen , Agarwal Seema , Greiner Andreas 
Published: February 2019

AbstractPolymer composite nonwovens with living Micrococcus luteus (ML), a very common gram‐positive bacterium present on human skin, are prepared by electrospinning followed by coating via the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of poly(p‐xylylene) (PPX). The encapsulated living ML convert Au(III) ions to gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) when the composite nonwovens are dipped in an aqueous chloroauric acid solution. As a result of this process, AuNPs are formed on the ML. The ML‐immobilized AuNPs can be used for catalytic reactions with acetone as the solvent at a very low gold concentration. Despite the presence of acetone, ML survive the catalytic reaction. Interestingly, the catalytic reactions are possible only when the ML in the nonwovens are alive. In contrast, nonwovens with dead ML do not show any significant catalytic activity.
Antibacterial activity of synthetic 1,3‐bis(aryloxy)propan‐2‐amines against Gram‐positive bacteria
Authors: Serafim Mateus S. M. , Lavorato Stefânia N. , Kronenberger Thales , Sousa Yamara V. , Oliveira Graziele P. , dos Santos Simone G. , Kroon Erna G. , Maltarollo Vinícius G. , Alves Ricardo J. , Mota Bruno E. F. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractSynthetic 1,3‐bis(aryloxy)propan‐2‐amines have been shown in previous studies to possess several biological activities, such as antifungal and antiprotozoal. In the present study, we describe the antibacterial activity of new synthetic 1,3‐bis(aryloxy)propan‐2‐amines against Gram‐positive pathogens (Streptococcus pyogenes, Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus) including Methicillin–resistant S. aureus strains. Our compounds showed minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) in the range of 2.5–10 μg/ml (5.99–28.58 μM), against different bacterial strains. The minimal bactericidal concentrations found were similar to MIC, suggesting a bactericidal mechanism of action of these compounds. Furthermore, possible molecular targets were suggested by chemical similarity search followed by docking approaches. Our compounds are similar to known ligands targeting the cell division protein FtsZ, Quinolone resistance protein norA and the Enoyl‐[acyl‐carrier‐protein] reductase FabI. Taken together, our data show that synthetic 1,3‐bis(aryloxy)propan‐2‐amines are active against Gram‐positive bacteria, including multidrug–resistant strains and can be a promising lead in the development of new antibacterial compounds for the treatment of these infections.
An empirical validation and data‐driven extension of continuum approximation approaches for urban route distances
Authors: Merchán Daniel , Winkenbach Matthias 
Published: February 2019

AbstractWe introduce a data‐driven extension to continuum approximation (CA)‐based methods used to predict urban route distances. This extension efficiently incorporates the circuity of the underlying road network into the approximation method to improve distance predictions in more realistic settings. The proposed extension significantly outperforms traditional methods, which build on the assumption of travel according to the rectilinear distance metric. While only marginally increasing the data collection effort, the proposed extension yields reductions of 26 percent points in mean absolute percentage error compared to traditional approximation methods. The obtained distance estimates are within 5%‐15% of near‐optimal solutions obtained with a large neighborhood search heuristic, depending on the circuity of the region and the density of stops. Further, by providing a real‐world validation of CA methods, we explore how novel sources of geo‐spatial and traffic‐related data can be efficiently leveraged to improve the predictive performance of CA methods. The proposed extension is particularly relevant to increase the real‐world validity of CA methods applied to large‐scale optimization problems in logistics system design and planning within urban areas.
Rice plants have three homologs of glutathione synthetase genes, one of which, OsGS2, codes for hydroxymethyl‐glutathione synthetase
Authors: Yamazaki Shinichi , Ochiai Kumiko , Matoh Toru 
Published: February 2019

AbstractGlutathione is a ubiquitous thiol tripeptide in land plants, and glutathione‐like tripeptides can also be found in some plant species. Rice (Oryza sativa) plants synthesize hydroxymethyl‐glutathione, in which the terminal glycine residue of glutathione is replaced by a serine residue; however, the biosynthetic pathway of hydroxymethyl‐glutathione has not been identified. We isolated three rice glutathione synthetase homologs, designated OsGS1, OsGS2, and OsGS3, and found that knockdown of OsGS2 via RNA interference markedly decreased hydroxymethyl‐glutathione concentration in rice plants. The in vitro enzyme assay, using purified recombinant protein, demonstrated that OsGS2 catalyzed the synthesis of hydroxymethyl‐glutathione from γ‐glutamylcysteine (γEC) and L‐serine in an ATP‐dependent manner. OsGS2 could also utilize glycine as a cosubstrate with γEC, but the enzyme‐substrate affinity for L‐serine was tenfold higher than that for glycine. These results indicate that OsGS2 codes for hydroxymethyl‐glutathione synthetase.
Size‐Dependent Quantization Effect in Optical Properties of MoS2 Nanostructures
Authors: Khan Majid 
Published: February 2019

AbstractIn this work, a facile chemical route is presented to prepare photoluminescent MoS2 quantum dots (QDs) and nanosheets (NSs) on a large‐scale. The strategy involves probe‐type sonication of bulk MoS2 sheets in ethanol/water mixture followed by refluxing in dimethylformamide (DMF) solution. This preparation route makes cleavage of the Van‐der‐Waal layers possible by exfoliation across the 2D planes and the complete breakup of bulk MoS2 sheets around the defects and edges. The as‐prepared MoS2 QDs and NSs exhibit size quantization effects in their optical absorption and emission spectra. The resultant MoS2 NSs consist of few layers with lateral size around ∼80 nm and exhibit excitation dependent blue emission. Whereas, most of the MoS2 QDs were measured around ∼4.8 nm in lateral size and showed distinct green emission upon excitation. This may be attributed to a combined contribution from the increase in the quantum‐sized core, edge defects, dangling bonds, and surface states recombination. The study thus provides a simple pathway for the preparation of monolayer QDs and few‐layer NSs of transition‐metal‐dichalcogenides (TMD) or other layered materials.