bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Early and late complications in the reconstructed mandible with free fibula flaps
Authors: van Gemert Johannes T.M. , Abbink Jan H. , van Es Robert J.J. , Rosenberg Antoine J.W.P. , Koole Ron , Van Cann Ellen M. 
Published: February 2018

Background and ObjectivesEvaluation of mandibular reconstructions with free fibula flaps. Identification of factors associated with major recipient site complications, that is, necessitating surgical intervention under general anaesthesia.MethodsSeventy‐nine reconstructions were included. The following factors were analyzed: fixation type, number of osteotomies, site of defect (bilateral/unilateral), surgeon, sex, ASA classification, continuous smoking, pathological N‐stage, age, defect size, flap ischemic time, and postoperative radiotherapy. Proportional hazards regression was used to test the effect on the time between reconstruction and intervention.ResultsSixty‐nine (87%) of the 79 fibula flaps were successful at the last follow‐up. Forty‐eight major recipient site complications occurred in 41 reconstructions. Nineteen complications required surgical intervention within six weeks and were mostly vascular problems, necessitating immediate intervention. These early complications were associated with defects crossing the midline, with an estimated relative risk of 5.3 (CI 1.1‐20, P = 0.01). Twenty‐nine complications required surgical intervention more than 6 weeks after the reconstruction. These late complications generally occurred after months or years, and were associated with smoking, with an estimated relative risk of 2.8 (CI 1.0‐8.3, P = 0.05).ConclusionsFibula flaps crossing the midline have a higher risk of early major recipient site complications than unilateral reconstructions. Smoking increases the risk of late complications.
The value of additional bevacizumab in patients with high‐risk stroma‐high colon cancer. A study within the QUASAR2 trial, an open‐label randomized phase 3 trial
Authors: Huijbers Anouck , van Pelt Gabi W. , Kerr Rachel S. , Johnstone Elaine C. , Tollenaar Rob A.E.M. , Kerr David J. , Mesker Wilma E. 
Published: February 2018

IntroductionPatients with a high stroma percentage within the primary tumor have a poor prognosis. In this study, we investigate whether anti‐angiogenic therapy might improve survival of patients with a stroma‐high profile with potentially increased angiogenesis.Materials and MethodsTissue samples of the primary tumor of 965 colon cancer patients participating in the QUASAR2 trial were analyzed for tumor‐stroma ratio (TSR). Stroma‐high (>50%) and stroma‐low (≤50%) groups were evaluated with respect to survival.ResultsDisease free survival (DFS) was significantly lower in the stroma‐high group (HR 1.53, 95%CI 1.19‐1.95, P = 0.001). No difference in DFS was seen with respect to treatment with capecitabine alone (CAP) or capecitabine with bevacizumab (CAPBEV) (Stroma‐high HR 1.00, 95%CI 0.69‐1.46, P = 0.996; stroma‐low HR 1.02, 95%CI 0.75‐1.41, P = 0.883). A significant difference in survival was seen comparing groups with or without vascular invasion (DFS P < 0.001). A correlation between vascular invasion and stroma‐high was seen (χ2‐test P = 0.043).Discussion and ConclusionsThe TSR confirmed to be a strong prognosticator for disease‐free survival in a selected high‐risk patient population. No benefit was found in response to treatment with bevacizumab when stratified for TSR. TSR showed to have an additional prognostic value in patients with vascular invasion present in the primary tumor.
Retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy with transient renal artery occlusion for large adrenal tumors (≥8 cm)
Authors: Gong Binbin , Ma Ming , Xie Wenjie , Yang Xiaorong , Sun Ting 
Published: February 2018

ObjectivesTo analyze our experience in retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy (RLA) with transient renal artery occlusion for large adrenal tumors (≥8 cm) and to explore the safety and feasibility of this surgical procedure.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted with a surgical data review of 18 patients with large adrenal tumors who underwent RLA with transient renal artery occlusion in our hospital.ResultsEighteen patients were treated by RLA with transient occlusion of the renal artery, and none were converted to open adrenalectomy. The renal artery occlusion time, operative time, estimated blood loss, perirenal drainage time, postoperative hospital stay, and postoperative drainage were 7.6 ± 1.0 min, 176.3 ± 49.7 min, 247.2 ± 274.1 mL, 4.1 ± 1.02 days, 6.3 ± 1.4 days, and 73.6 ± 47.9 mL, respectively. No severe complications occurred, with the exception of hemodynamic instability in one patient with a pheochromocytoma and one transfusion during the operation. Only one case of adrenal crisis occurred postoperatively. Pathological examination revealed 9 cases of pheochromocytoma, 6 cases of adrenal myelolipoma, 1 case of adrenal ganglioneuroma, 1 case of hygromata, and 1 case of adrenal teratoma. No recurrence or evidence of metastasis was observed during the 7‐to‐30‐month follow‐up period.ConclusionRLA with transient renal artery occlusion is a feasible, effective, and safe treatment for large adrenal tumors (≥8 cm).
Prognostic significance of poorly differentiated clusters and tumor budding in colorectal liver metastases
Authors: Fonseca Gilton M. , de Mello Evandro S. , Faraj Sheila F. , Kruger Jaime A. P. , Coelho Fabricio F. , Jeismann Vagner B. , Lupinacci Renato M. , Cecconello Ivan , Alves Venancio A. F. , Pawlik Timothy M. , Herman Paulo 
Published: February 2018

BackgroundHistomorphological features have been described as prognostic factors after resection of colorectal liver metastases (CLM). The objectives of this study were to assess the prognostic significance of tumor budding (TB) and poorly differentiated clusters (PDC) among CLM, and their association with other prognostic factors.MethodsWe evaluated 229 patients who underwent a first resection of CLM. Slides stained by HE were assessed for TB, PDC, tumor border pattern, peritumoral pseudocapsule, peritumoral, and intratumoral inflammatory infiltrate. Lymphatic and portal invasion were evaluated through D2‐40 and CD34 antibody.ResultsFactors independently associated with poor overall survival were nodules>4 (P = 0.002), presence of PDC G3 (P = 0.007), portal invasion (P = 0.005), and absence of tumor pseudocapsule (P = 0.006). Factors independently associated with disease‐free survival included number of nodules>4 (P < 0.001), presence of PDC G3 (P = 0.005), infiltrative border (P = 0.031), portal invasion (P = 0.006), and absent/mild peritumoral inflammatory infiltrate (P = 0.002). PDC and TB were also associated with histological factors, as portal invasion (TB), peritumoral inflammatory infiltration (PDC), infiltrative border, and absence of tumor pseudocapsule (TB and PDC).ConclusionsThis is the first study demonstrating PDC as a prognostic factor in CLM. TB was also a prognostic factor, but it was not an independent predictor of survival.
Application of off‐line two‐dimensional high‐performance countercurrent chromatography on the chloroform‐soluble extract of Cuscuta auralis seeds
Authors: Rho Taewoong , Yoon Kee Dong 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIn this study, the chloroform‐soluble extract of Cuscuta auralis was separated successfully using off‐line two‐dimensional high‐performance countercurrent chromatography, yielding a γ‐pyrone, two alkaloids, a flavonoid, and four lignans. The first‐dimensional countercurrent separation using a methylene chloride/methanol/water (11:6:5, v/v/v) system yielded three subfractions (fractions I–III). The second‐dimensional countercurrent separations, conducted on fractions I–III using n‐hexane/ethyl acetate/methanol/water/acetic acid (5:5:5:5:0, 3:7:3:7:0, and 1:9:1:9:0.01, v/v/v/v/v) systems, gave maltol (1), (−)‐(13S)‐cuscutamine (2), (+)‐(13R)‐cuscutamine (3), (+)‐pinoresinol (4), (+)‐epipinoresinol (5), kaempferol (6), piperitol (7), and (9R)‐hydroxy‐d‐sesamin (8). To the best of our knowledge, maltol was identified for the first time in Cuscuta species. Furthermore, this report details the first full assignment of spectroscopic data of two cuscutamine epimers, (−)‐(13S)‐cuscutamine and (+)‐(13R)‐cuscutamine.
Seasonal plasticity in photoprotection modulates UV‐induced hsp gene expression in copepods from a clear lake
Authors: Tartarotti B. , Alfreider A. , Egg M. , Saul N. , Schneider T. , Sommaruga R. , Tischler A. , Vetter J. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractZooplankton from clear alpine lakes is exposed to stressful levels of solar UV radiation (UVR). As these pelagic organisms experience high UVR and large changes in solar radiation conditions between ice‐free and ice‐cover periods, they have evolved various strategies to minimize UVR exposure and damage. Here, we studied the relation between photoprotection levels (mycosporine‐like amino acids, carotenoids), antioxidant capacities, and gene expression of heat shock proteins (hsps) as indicator of stress in the copepod Cyclops abyssorum tatricus during the course of a year. Expression of hsp60, hsp70, and hsp90 was measured in the field (baseline expression [BE]) and after UVR exposure in the laboratory. The BE differed among genes and seasons (hsp60: high during summer, hsp70 and hsp90: high during the ice‐cover period). The gene expression of hsp70 was upregulated after exposure to UVR (up to 5.2‐fold change), while hsp60 and hsp90 were only constitutively expressed. A strong seasonal pattern was found in the photoprotective compounds and antioxidant capacities, with highest levels during the ice‐free period. The extent of upregulation of hsp70 gene expression increased with decreasing photoprotection levels and peaked 24 h post UVR exposure (9.6‐fold change) at the time of lowest photoprotection (February). Our data suggest that hsp70 gene expression is modulated by seasonal plasticity in photoprotection. This ability of adequate stress response is essential for survival in highly variable ecosystems such as alpine lakes.
Sulfur Radical Transfer and Coupling Reaction to Benzoxazine Groups: A New Reaction Route for Preparation of Polymeric Materials Using Elemental Sulfur as a Feedstock
Authors: Lin Ho‐Keng , Liu Ying‐Ling 
Published: February 2018

AbstractA novel approach to preparing polymeric materials using elemental sulfur as a feedstock through the newly developed sulfur radical transfer and coupling (SRTC) reaction is reported herein. Polybenzoxazines with high sulfur contents are prepared using the SRTC reaction with benzoxazine compounds as the radical acceptors. The reactions between elemental sulfur and benzoxazine rings are analyzed with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), 1H NMR, and 13C DEPT spectroscopies to elucidate the SRTC reaction mechanism. Moreover, the prepared polybenzoxazine–sulfur hybrid materials show attractive repairing properties based on the dynamic S–S linkages. An effective reaction mechanism and the prepared repairable sulfur‐possessing polymeric materials are demonstrated.
Lipid‐Modifying Effects of Chitosan Supplementation in Humans: A Pooled Analysis with Trial Sequential Analysis
Authors: Huang Haohai , Zou Ying , Chi Honggang , Liao Dan 
Published: February 2018

ScopeWe performed a pooled analysis with trial sequential analysis (TSA) to evaluate the efficacy and safety of chitosan supplementation on serum lipids in humans.Methods and resultsMedline, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases were queried. Impact was expressed as a weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Sensitivity analysis was conducted using the leave‐one‐out method. Statistical heterogeneity, publication bias, TSA, and subgroup analyses were also assessed. Fourteen trials (21 treatment arms) encompassing 1108 participants were suitable for statistical pooling. Chitosan supplementation significantly improved the total cholesterol (TC) and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) concentrations in all patients. The WMDs were −0.20 mmol L−1 (95% CI, −0.35 to −0.05; p = 0.009) for TC, and −0.20 mol L−1 (95% CI, −0.26 to −0.15; p = 0.0001) for LDL‐C, respectively. TSA demonstrated that the cumulative Z‐curve crossed the trial sequential monitoring boundary for benefit providing conclusive evidence for the benefit of chitosan. However, no significant changes were seen with high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) and triglycerides. Our findings were robust after sensitivity analyses, and no serious adverse events were reported with chitosan intake.ConclusionSupplementation with chitosan effectively reduces plasma concentrations of TC and LDL‐C. Current evidence indicates daily chitosan supplementation as a candidate for therapeutic lipid management strategies.
High spatiotemporal resolution bSSFP imaging of hyperpolarized [1‐13C]pyruvate and [1‐13C]lactate with spectral suppression of alanine and pyruvate‐hydrate
Authors: Milshteyn Eugene , von Morze Cornelius , Gordon Jeremy W. , Zhu Zihan , Larson Peder E.Z. , Vigneron Daniel B. 
Published: February 2018

PurposeThe balanced steady‐state free precession (bSSFP) acquisition enables high spatiotemporal resolution for hyperpolarized 13C MRI at 3T but is limited by spectral contamination from adjacent resonances. The purpose of this study was to develop a framework for in vivo dynamic high resolution imaging of hyperpolarized [1‐13C]pyruvate and [1‐13C]lactate generated in vivo at 3T by simplifying the spectrum through the use of selective suppression pulses.MethodsSpectral suppression pulses were incorporated into the bSSFP sequence for suppression of [1‐13C]alanine and [1‐13C]pyruvate‐hydrate signals, leaving only the pyruvate and lactate resonances. Subsequently, the bSSFP pulse width, time‐bandwidth, and repetition time were optimized for imaging these dual resonances.ResultsThe spectral suppression reduced both the alanine and pyruvate‐hydrate signals by 85.5 ± 4.9% and had no significant effect on quantitation of pyruvate to lactate conversion (liver: P = 0.400, kidney: P = 0.499). High resolution (2 × 2 mm2 and 3 × 3 mm2) subsecond 2D coronal projections and 3D 2.5 mm isotropic images were obtained in rats and tumor‐bearing mice with 1.8–5 s temporal resolution, allowing for calculation of lactate‐to‐pyruvate ratios and kPL.ConclusionThe developed framework presented here shows the capability for dynamic high resolution volumetric hyperpolarized bSSFP imaging of pyruvate‐to‐lactate conversion on a clinical 3T MR scanner.
Animal remains from Neolithic settlements of the Middle Dnieper area (Ukraine)
Authors: Kovalchuk O. , Gorobets L. , Veiber A. , Lukashov D. , Yanenko V. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe paper deals with the role of different branches of economy in the life of Neolithic people in Eastern Europe (within the Middle Dnieper area). For this purpose, analysis of the osteological and malacological materials was made, and manufacturing bones and other auxiliary finds were used. The studied settlements (Surskyi Island, Shulaiv Island, Vovnigi, and Buz'ki) were found on small islands and banks of the Dnieper River in Ukraine and excavated in the 1930–1950. It has been shown that the economic bases for their residents were fishing and hunting, supplemented by gathering and cattle breeding. The general species list of identified animals includes 2 species of molluscs, 9 freshwater fishes (sturgeons, carp fishes, catfish, pike, zander), 1 reptile (European pond turtle), 15 species of birds (diving waterfowl, mallard, coot, black grouse, owls, cormorants), and 17 species of mammals. The latter are predominantly represented by wild species (bison, red deer, roe deer, wolf, fox, wildcat, hare, beaver, marmot, and squirrel). The number of domesticated forms (cattle, sheep, goat/sheep, pig, and dog) is less significant. Numerous animal bones from the studied settlements bear traces of butchering. Some of them were used in manufacturing (harpoons, fishhooks, devices for weaving nets, borers, pendants, spearheads).
A novel synthetic strategy for preparing semi‐aromatic components modified polyamide 6 polymer
Authors: Peng Shumin , Peng Lu , Yi Chunwang , Zhang Wei , Wang Xi 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTIn this work, a novel synthetic path for preparing semi‐armotic components modified polyamide 6 was developed by caprolactam as solvent of purified terephthalic acid and 1,6‐hexanediamine. First, the ring opening reaction and poly‐addition of caprolactam were initiated by 1,6‐hexanediamine to generate a prepolymer containing amino groups in both ends, then followed by the poly‐condensation reaction with purified terephthalic acid, a long chain copolymer was produced, which the reaction time was reduced by 4 h compared with conventional hydrolytic ring‐opening polymerization of pure caprolactam. By varying the ratio of terephthalic acid and 1,6‐hexanediamine, a series of copolymers with different number average molecular weight and physical properties were prepared. Analytical results showed that the conversion percentage of caprolactam is significantly increased by the proposed method. Furthermore, this new copolymers exhibited excellent transparence and high decomposition temperature. Besides, the copolymers with average molecular weight ≥15,000 present good mechanical properties, making it a potentially useful application in plastics, textile yarn, and membranes. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 959–967
Ultrafast shock compression of PDMS‐based polymers
Authors: Armstrong Michael R. , Grivickas Paulius V. , Sawvel April M. , Lewicki James P. , Crowhurst Jonathan C. , Zaug Joseph M. , Radousky Harry B. , Stavrou Elissaios , Alviso Cynthia T. , Hamilton Julie , Maxwell Robert S. 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTThe shock response of polymers is important for a number of commercial and defense‐related applications, but it is difficult to obtain empirical shock response data over the wide range of preparations and aging conditions typically found in such applications. Ultrafast compression is useful to characterize polymer shock response over a wide range of polymer initial conditions due to the high throughput of this method. To establish greater confidence in ultrafast compression experiments and to characterize the detailed shock response of several variations in a single base polymer, the results of sub‐nanosecond shock compression experiments in ∼5 μm thick layers of the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)‐based elastomeric rubbers Sylgard‐184, SE1700, and an unfilled, end‐linked model PDMS network are presented. The results of conventional ultrafast shock etalon measurements to time‐of‐flight measurements for similar thickness layers of irradiated and unirradiated SE1700 are compared. Good agreement between the shock response measured by these two ultrafast shock methods, as well as consistency between ultrafast data and long time scale gas gun data is found. From measurements across a variety of PDMS formulations, a statistically significant variation in the shock response with the quasistatic elastic modulus is presented. Published 2018.† J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018, 56, 827–832
Silicon buckyballs versus prismanes: Influence of spatial confinement on the structural properties and optical spectra of the Si18H12 and Si19H12 clusters
Authors: Gordeychuk Mark V. , Katin Konstantin P. , Grishakov Konstantin S. , Maslov Mikhail M. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe genetic algorithm is combined with the density functional theory to predict how the cylindrical spatial confinement affects the structural characteristics and optical adsorption spectra of the low‐energy Si18H12 and Si19H12 isomers. Retrieved ground states (minimum energy states) of Si18H12 and Si19H12 isomers significantly differ from the earlier proposed “ultrastable” aromatic molecular systems and prismanes. According to our calculations, they are represented by the almost spherical endohedral buckyballs. In contrast to pure silicic clusters (Si18 or Si19), the most of Si atoms in the low‐energy Si18H12 and Si19H12 are four‐coordinated. Spatial confinement results in more oblong structures with the different optical spectra. Prismanes under confinement get some energy advantages over the spherical structures, but despite this they do not become the most energetically favorable ones. Thus, the current results warrant however further research on the spatial confinement of silicic prismanes, as our study suggests challenges in devising the method of their synthesis without additional chemical techniques.
Development and validation of a gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method for simultaneous quantitation of several antipsychotics in human plasma and oral fluid
Authors: Rosado Tiago , Oppolzer David , Cruz Belinda , Barroso Mário , Varela Samira , Oliveira Victor , Leitão Carlos , Gallardo Eugenia 
Published: February 2018

RationaleAntipsychotic drugs are prescription medications used to treat psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or psychotic depression. With several antipsychotic drugs currently available all over the world, this class of drugs has quickly gained importance in both the clinical and forensic context. This work describes the development and validation of a methodology for the determination of seven antipsychotic drugs in plasma and oral fluid samples.MethodsThe antipsychotic drugs (chlorpromazine, clozapine, haloperidol, olanzapine, quetiapine, cyamemazine and, levomepromazine) were isolated from 0.2 mL of oral fluid and 0.5 mL of plasma using solid‐phase extraction (SPE) following analysis by gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS). The method was validated according to the international guidelines in terms of selectivity, linearity, accuracy, precision and recovery.ResultsThe procedure was linear within 2–600 ng/mL (plasma) and 2–400 ng/mL (oral fluid), the intervals varying according to the compound; a mean R2 value of 0.99 was obtained and the calibrator's accuracy (mean relative error) was within a ±15 % interval for all concentrations. The limits of detection ranged from 1 to 10 ng/mL. Within‐ and between‐run precision and accuracy were acceptable for all studied compounds. The extraction efficiency of the process ranged from 79% to 95%. The method was applied to authentic specimens.ConclusionsThe described method was proven selective and sensitive for the determination of antipsychotics in low sample volumes using SPE and GC/MS/MS. This method was considered suitable not only for routine analysis of patients undergoing antipsychotic treatment (to evaluate compliance), but also in forensic scenarios where the studied compounds may be involved. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work that reports the determination of antipsychotic drugs in oral fluid using MS/MS.