bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of treatment expertise on the outcome of patients with head and neck cancer treated within 6 randomized trials
Authors: Bossi Paolo , Miceli Rosalba , Benasso Marco , Corvò Renzo , Bacigalupo Andrea , Sanguineti Giuseppe , Fallai Carlo , Merlano Marlo C. , Infante Gabriele , Dani Carla , Di Giannantonio Valerio , Licitra Lisa 
Published: November 2018

AbstractBackgroundWe evaluated the impact of center expertise, in terms of number of patients treated, on the overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS) of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).MethodsWe performed a pooled analysis including data from 6 randomized trials in head and neck SCC conducted in Italy. We evaluated the association between OS or PFS and the number of patients recruited by the center.ResultsThe outcome of 903 patients who had received radiotherapy (RT) was analyzed (median follow‐up 76 months). The hazard ratio (HR) comparing the third and the first quartiles of the distribution of number of patients per center showed an advantage in PFS (HR 0.59, range 0.53‐0.65, P < .0001) and in OS (HR 0.70, 0.60‐0.81, P < .0001) for centers with a higher number of patients recruited. A similar benefit was observed in PFS (HR 0.63, 0.60‐0.66) and OS (HR 0.74, 0.69‐0.79) considering the mean number of patients per year.ConclusionsThe PFS and OS were longer for patients treated in high‐case‐volume centers.
Use of the shock index to predict maternal outcomes in women referred for postpartum hemorrhage
Authors: Lee Se‐Young , Kim Ho‐Yeon , Cho Geum‐Joon , Hong Soon‐Cheol , Oh Min‐Jeong , Kim Hai‐Joong 
Published: November 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical significance of various vital signs in women referred for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH).MethodsThis retrospective study included patients with primary PPH who were referred to Korea University Medical Center, Ansan, between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2016. We analyzed data for systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and shock index (heart rate divided by systolic blood pressure) at time of arrival. Significant morbidity, such as massive transfusion, invasive procedures, and admission to the intensive care unit were reviewed. We used the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) for each vital sign to predict adverse maternal outcomes. Sensitivity, specificity, and negative and positive predictive values were assessed.Results118 women with PPH were identified. The shock index had the highest AUROC to predict massive transfusion (0.815, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.727–0.883). A shock index greater than 0.9 had 93.8% (95% CI 69.8–99.8) sensitivity and 51.2% (35.1–67.1) specificity for prediction of massive transfusion, and 93.6% (78.6–99.2) sensitivity and 31.0% (15.3–50.8) specificity for prediction of invasive procedures.ConclusionThe shock index has significant ability to predict adverse outcomes of PPH compared with other initial vital signs when patients are referred.
Three‐dimensional Doppler ultrasonography for the assessment of fetal liver vascularization in fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction
Authors: Molina Giraldo Saulo , Alfonso Ayala Diana A. , Arreaza Graterol Mortimer , Perez Olivo Jose L. , Solano Montero Armicson F. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo demonstrate changes in hepatic volume and vascular indices in fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) compared with normal‐growth fetuses, using a noninvasive method (three‐dimensional power Doppler ultrasound).MethodsThe present cross‐sectional study was conducted between September 1 and November 30, 2014, at a maternal–fetal medicine unit in Bogotá, Colombia; it included consecutive women at 24–34 weeks of pregnancy. The fetal liver volume and indices of hepatic vascularization were determined with three‐dimensional power Doppler ultrasonography and compared between fetuses with and without a diagnosis of IUGR.ResultsA total of 119 women met study inclusion criteria; 97 fetuses had no growth restriction, whereas 22 fetuses had IUGR. The latter group had decreased liver volume (57.85 ± 29.71 mL vs 86.99 ± 31.24 mL; P=0.010) and increased vascular indices (vascularization index, 47.92 ± 34.44 versus 22.46 ± 18.95; flow index, 71.39 ± 42.01 versus 41.11 ± 23.24; vascularization flow index, 47.94 ± 47.96 versus 13.67 ± 22.38; P=0.003 for all comparisons).ConclusionLiver volume was decreased and liver vascular indices values were increased in fetuses with IUGR. These findings imply that evaluation of hepatic vascularization with three‐dimensional hepatic Doppler could be useful in the diagnosis of IUGR.
Brewing and malting technology by‐products as raw materials in L‐(+)‐lactic acid fermentation
Authors: Radosavljević Miloš , Pejin Jelena , Pribić Milana , Kocić‐Tanackov Sunčica , Mladenović Dragana , Djukić‐Vuković Aleksandra , Mojović Ljiljana 
Published: November 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDBrewer's spent grain (BSG), brewer's yeast (BY), malt rootlets (MR), and soy lecithin (SL) are valuable and abundant by‐products obtained from brewing, malting, and oil industry, respectively. L‐(+)‐lactic acid (LA) is organic acid that has a wide range of application. In this study hydrolysate obtained from BSG and MR mixture (BSGMR), was used in combination with SL and BY extract (BYE) in LA fermentation. The aim was to evaluate the effect and to optimize the addition of SL (0.1% and 0.2%) or BYE (10% and 20%) compared with Tween 80 (0.1%) and yeast extract (0.8%), in batch and fed‐batch LA fermentation.RESULTSUsing optimal SL and BYE concentrations (0.19% and 19.12%, respectively) obtained by response surface methodology (RSM), the highest LA concentration, yield, and volumetric productivity of 28.43 g L−1, 93.03%, and 1.04 g L−1 h−1, respectively, were achieved in batch fermentation, with further increase using fed‐batch fermentation (70.17 g L−1, 94.57%, and 1.22 g L−1 h−1, respectively).CONCLUSIONThe results achieved indicated that the combination of industrial by‐products, BSG, MR, SL, and BYE can be used as very suitable fermentation media for LA production, and that SL and BYE could be used as cheap replacements for Tween 80 and YE without decreasing fermentation efficiency. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Diabetic retinopathy detection and classification using hybrid feature set
Authors: Amin Javeria , Sharif Muhammad , Rehman Amjad , Raza Mudassar , Mufti Muhammad Rafiq 
Published: November 2018

AbstractComplicated stages of diabetes are the major cause of Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) and no symptoms appear at the initial stage of DR. At the early stage diagnosis of DR, screening and treatment may reduce vision harm. In this work, an automated technique is applied for detection and classification of DR. A local contrast enhancement method is used on grayscale images to enhance the region of interest. An adaptive threshold method with mathematical morphology is used for the accurate lesions region segmentation. After that, the geometrical and statistical features are fused for better classification. The proposed method is validated on DIARETDB1, E‐ophtha, Messidor, and local data sets with different metrics such as area under the curve (AUC) and accuracy (ACC).
Substitution reactions of gaseous ions in a three‐dimensional quadrupole ion trap
Authors: Parchomyk Tobias , Koszinowski Konrad 
Published: November 2018

AbstractSubstitution reactions between gaseous ions and neutral substrate molecules are of ongoing high interest. To investigate these processes in a qualitative and quantitative manner, we have constructed a device, with which a defined amount of a volatile substrate can be mixed with a defined amount of helium gas and added into a three‐dimensional quadrupole ion trap. From the known inner volume of the device, the known ratio nsubstrate:nHe of the mixture, and the determined absolute partial pressure of helium in the ion trap, we can derive the partial pressure of the substrate in the ion trap and, thus, convert the directly observable pseudo–first‐order rate constants of the substitution reactions into absolute bimolecular rate constants. We have tested the device by investigating a series of SN2 reactions of Br− and CF3CH2O− anions as well as ligand exchange reactions of ligated Na+ cations. As the obtained results suggest, the described device makes it possible to determine the bimolecular rate constants of substitution reactions as well as other ion‐molecule reactions with satisfactory accuracy and reliability.
Metabolic syndrome and periodontitis: A structural equation modeling approach
Authors: Nascimento Gustavo G. , Leite Fábio R. M. , Peres Karen G. , Demarco Flávio F. , Corrêa Marcos B. , Peres Marco A. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractBackgroundThis study aimed to investigate the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and periodontitis among young adults, and also to compare results using observed and latent variables for MetS and periodontitis.MethodsData from the 1982 Pelotas Birth Cohort, Brazil, were used. Metabolic syndrome at the age of 23 years was measured using clinical and biochemical analysis and set as the main exposure. Periodontitis at the age of 31 years was clinically measured and set as the outcome. Confounding variables included sex and maternal education, assessed at birth, family income at 23 years, and smoking status at the age of 23 and 30 years. Factor analyses (exploratory and confirmatory) were performed to define latent variables for MetS and periodontitis. In addition, both conditions were also defined as categorical observed variables. The association between MetS and periodontitis was tested in structural equation models.ResultsTwo latent periodontal variables were identified: “initial” and “advanced” periodontitis, while one latent variable was identified for MetS. Metabolic syndrome is positively associated with “advanced” (coefficient 0.11; P value < 0.01), but not with “initial” (coefficient ‐0.01; P value = 0.79) periodontitis. When MetS and periodontitis were set as observed variables in the structural equation models, no association was found irrespective of the criteria used for periodontitis classification.ConclusionsThere was a positive association between metabolic syndrome and “advanced” periodontitis, when the multiple dimensions of both diseases were accounted in latent variables. Nevertheless, when MetS and periodontitis were treated as observed variables, no association was detected irrespective of the criteria used for periodontitis classification.
Smoking confounds the periodontal diagnostics using saliva biomarkers
Authors: Lahdentausta Laura , Paju Susanna , Mäntylä Päivi , Buhlin Kåre , Pietiäinen Milla , Tervahartiala Taina , Nieminen Markku S. , Sinisalo Juha , Sorsa Timo , Pussinen Pirkko J. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractBackgroundSmoking is a risk factor for periodontal disease because of its complex impact on the inflammatory response in the periodontium. We investigated the effect of smoking on salivary periodontal biomarkers, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐8, MMP‐9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)‐1 and myeloperoxidase (MPO).MethodsSaliva biomarkers were analyzed in the Parogene population (n = 480) comprising a random cohort of patients that have undergone coronary angiography and oral examination. The effect of time since cessation and pack years of smoking on biomarkers were investigated.ResultsSaliva MMP‐8, MMP‐9, TIMP‐1, and MPO concentrations distinguished periodontitis patients significantly from patients without periodontitis. When the time since cessation was considered, the area‐under‐the‐curve values (p‐value) for periodontitis were 0.76 (<0.001), 0.74 (<0.001), 0.70 (<0.001), and 0.76 (<0.001), respectively. Adding information about smoking habits in the models improved slightly the sensitivities of all biomarkers. In logistic regression model saliva, MMP‐8 was mainly affected by pack years of smoking, whereas saliva MMP‐9, TIMP‐1, and MPO were mostly affected by time since cessation, especially if smoking currently or quit recently (<1 year ago).ConclusionSmoking confounds the salivary diagnostics of periodontitis and should be considered when interpreting the results obtained by potential diagnostic tests.
Rootstock effects on grape anthocyanins, skin and seed proanthocyanidins and wine color and phenolic compounds from Vitis vinifera L. Merlot grapevines
Authors: Gutiérrez‐Gamboa Gastón , Gómez‐Plaza Encarna , Bautista‐Ortín Ana B , Garde‐Cerdán Teresa , Moreno‐Simunovic Yerko , Martínez‐Gil Ana M 
Published: November 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDRootstocks affect vegetative and reproductive parameters of the scion. However, limited knowledge exists on the effects of the adoption of a specific rootstock on grape and wine phenolic composition, which contribute to certain sensory attributes such as color, body and astringency of wine. These compounds are mainly affected by the variety, viticultural management and rootstock. The aim of this work was to study the influence of eight rootstocks on grape anthocyanin content, skin and seed proanthocyanidins and wine chromatic characteristics obtained from Merlot vines.RESULTSGrapevines grafted onto SO4 rootstock, in general, presented a higher concentration of total proanthocyanidins in skins and seeds compared to the rest of the rootstocks, whereas grapevines grafted onto Gravesac presented a lower concentration of proanthocyanidins in skins and seeds. These differences were found in the wines developed from grapevines grafted onto SO4. Wines from grapevines grafted onto SO4, 140 Ruggeri, Gravesac and 4453 M rootstocks presented, in general, better chromatic characteristics and a higher anthocyanin and tannin content than the rest of the samples.CONCLUSIONThis work gives additional information concerning the influence of rootstock on grape and wine phenolic composition. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Malprogramming of Hepatic Lipid Metabolism due to Excessive Early Cholesterol Exposure in Adult Progeny
Authors: Dumolt Jerad H. , Browne Richard W. , Patel Mulchand S. , Rideout Todd C. 
Published: November 2018

ScopeThe programming of hepatic lipid dysfunction in response to early cholesterol exposure and the influencing effects of postnatal diet is evaluated in apoE−/− mice.Methods and resultsIn two separate studies, female mice are assigned to a standard chow (S) or a cholesterol‐enriched chow (C) diet during gestation and lactation. Male offspring from each dam are weaned on a postnatal S or a hypercaloric western (W) diet resulting in four experimental groups: S–S and C–S (Experiment 1) and S–W and C–W (Experiment 2). At weaning, litters from hypercholesterolemic mothers weighed less (p < 0.05) and pups had higher blood lipids, glucose, and hepatic cholesterol compared with pups from S‐fed mothers. Adult C–S offspring demonstrate an atherogenic lipid profile and increased (p < 0.05) hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride content with altered lipid regulatory mRNA expression and protein content compared with S–S offspring. Alternatively, no difference (p > 0.05) is observed between S–W and C–W in serum and hepatic lipid profiles; however, serum AST and ALT are higher (p < 0.05) in C–W versus S–W offspring.ConclusionThe degree of hepatic lipid deposition observed in adult offspring exposed to excessive early cholesterol is influenced by the postnatal diet.
Evaluation of tumor coverage after MR‐guided prostate focal laser ablation therapy
Authors: Knull Eric , Oto Aytekin , Eggener Scott , Tessier David , Guneyli Serkan , Chatterjee Aritrick , Fenster Aaron 
Published: November 2018

PurposeProstate cancer is the most common noncutaneous cancer among men in the USA. Focal laser thermal ablation (FLA) has the potential to control small tumors while preserving urinary and erectile function by leaving the neurovascular bundles and urethral sphincters intact. Accurate needle guidance is critical to the success of FLA. Multiparametric magnetic resonance images (mpMRI) can be used to identify targets, guide needles, and assess treatment outcomes. In this study, we evaluated the location of ablation zones relative to targeted lesions in 23 patients who underwent FLA therapy in a phase II trial. The ablation zone margins and unablated tumor volume were measured to determine whether complete coverage of each tumor was achieved, which would be considered a clinically successful ablation.MethodsPreoperative mpMRI was acquired for each patient 2–3 months preceding the procedure and the prostate and lesion(s) were manually contoured on 3 T T2‐weighted axial images. The prostate and ablation zone(s) were also manually contoured on postablation 1.5 T T1‐weighted contrast‐enhanced axial images acquired immediately after the procedure intraoperatively. The lesion surface was nonrigidly registered to the postablation image using an initial affine registration followed by nonrigid thin‐plate spline registration of the prostate surfaces. The margins between the registered lesion and ablation zone were calculated using a uniform spherical distribution of rays, and the volume of intersection was also calculated. Each prostate was contoured five times to determine the segmentation variability and its effect on intersection of the lesion and ablation zone.ResultsOur study showed that the boundaries of the segmented tumor and ablation zone were close. Of the 23 lesions that were analyzed, 11 were completely covered by the ablation zone and 12 were partially covered. A shift of 1.0, 2.0, and 2.6 mm would result in 19, 21, and all tumors completely covered by the ablation zone, respectively. The median unablated tumor volume across all tumors was 0.1 with an IQR of 3.7 , which was 0.2% of the median tumor volume (46.5 with an IQR of 46.3 ). The median extension of the tumors beyond the ablation zone, in cases which were partially ablated, was 0.9 mm (IQR of 1.3 mm), with the furthest tumor extending 2.6 mm.ConclusionIn all cases, the boundary of the tumor was close to the boundary of the ablation zone, and in some cases, the boundary of the ablation zone did not completely enclose the tumor. Our results suggest that some of the ablations were not clinically successful and that there is a need for more accurate needle tracking and guidance methods. Limitations of the study include errors in the registration and segmentation methods used as well as different voxel sizes and contrast between the registered T2 and T1 MRI sequences and asymmetric swelling of the prostate postprocedurally.
From the synthesis and characterization of methacrylated fatty acid based precursors to shape memory polymers
Authors: Capiel Guillermina , Marcovich Norma E , Mosiewicki Mirna A 
Published: November 2018

AbstractFatty acid based precursors were synthesized by a one‐step reaction from oleic or lauric acids and glycidyl methacrylate to be used later in polymer formulations. Different times of reaction, amounts of catalyst and initial ratios of reactants were evaluated, obtaining conversions higher than 0.9 for the best conditions. The monomers obtained are interesting alternatives to synthetics since they combine low cost with environmental advantages (i.e. higher bio‐carbon content). These polymeric precursors were reacted separately in cationic and free radical polymerizations with styrene (50 wt%) to evaluate their potential as greener monomers. The lauric acid precursor and free radical polymerization were the alternatives that produced elastomeric materials with higher glass transition temperatures and storage moduli. These results were related to the lesser plasticizing effect of the shorter fatty acid chain, in comparison with that of the oleic acid based monomer, and to a lower free volume in the formed structure during curing. Moreover, all the obtained polymers exhibited shape memory properties that can be activated by temperature changes. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Experiences of patients with colorectal cancer from diagnosis until completion of treatment: A meta‐ethnography approach
Authors: Hildebrandt Christiane , Mayer Hanna , Koller Antje 
Published: November 2018

AbstractObjectiveThe purpose of this meta‐synthesis was to explore the experience of living with symptoms caused by colorectal cancer (CRC) and its treatment from the perspectives of those affected.MethodsIn a systematic search of qualitative studies published up to September 2017, 21 relevant papers were identified. The meta‐ethnography followed the approach developed by Noblit and Hare. To relate key themes from one paper to similar themes of different papers, a “reciprocal translation” was carried out.ResultsThrough synthesis, a new model was developed during treatment (“lines‐of‐argument synthesis”). Two constructs of experiences took place before the illness. Six third‐order constructs were developed to capture patients' experiences during treatment, including “disruption in life through CRC” as well as the complex and circular experiences summarized as “experiences of symptoms and challenges by CRC”. In contrast, experiences in dealing with changes that CRC and the treatment imply were “making sense of the experience”, “sharing the experience”, “experiences with controlling ones' body”, and “experiences with reforming life”.ConclusionsThis meta‐ethnography clarifies fundamental aspects of patients' experience in very different settings or starting points by specifying a more complete and holistic spectrum of experiences with CRC and its treatment.
Precipitation characteristic changes due to global warming in a high‐resolution (16 km) ECMWF simulation
Authors: Feng Xuelei , Liu Chuntao , Xie Feiqin , Lu Jian , Chiu Long S. , Tintera George , Chen Baohua 
Published: November 2018

Changes in precipitation amount, intensity and frequency in response to global warming are examined using global high‐resolution (16 km) climate model simulations based on the European Centre for Medium‐range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Integrated Forecast System (IFS) conducted under Project Athena.Our study shows the increases of zonal‐mean total precipitation in all latitudes except the northern subtropics (15°–30°N) and southern subtropics‐to‐midlatitudes (30°–40°S). The probability distribution function (PDF) changes in different latitudes suggest a higher occurrence of light precipitation (LP; ≤1 mm/day) and heavy precipitation (HP; ≥30 mm/day) at the expense of moderate precipitation reduction (MP; 1–30 mm/day) from Tropics to midlatitudes, but an increase in all categories of precipitation in polar regions.On the other hand, the PDF change with global warming in different precipitation climatological zones presents another image. For all regions and seasons examined, there is an HP increase at the cost of MP, but LP varies. The reduced MP in richer precipitation zones resides in the PDF peak intensities, which linearly increase with the precipitation climatology zones. In particular in the Tropics (20°S to 20°N), the precipitation PDF has a flatter distribution (i.e. HP and LP increases with MP reduction) except for the Sahara Desert. In the primary precipitation zones in the subtropics (20°–40°) of both hemispheres, precipitation over land switches toward higher intensity (HP increases, but MP and LP decrease) in both winter and summer, while precipitation over ocean in both seasons shows a flattening trend in the intensity distribution. For the major precipitation zones of the mid‐to‐high latitude belt (40°–70°), PDF of precipitation tends to be flatter over ocean in summer, but switches toward higher intensities over land in both summer and winter, as well as over ocean in winter.