bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of old age on resectable colorectal cancer outcomes
Authors: Fu Jianfei , Ruan Hang , Zheng Hongjuan , Cai Cheng , Zhou Shishi , Wang Qinghua , Chen Wenbin , Fu Wei , Du Jinlin 
Published: February 2019

ObjectiveThis study was performed to identify a reasonable cutoff age for defining older patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and to examine whether old age was related with increased colorectal cancer-specific death (CSD) and poor colorectal cancer-specific survival (CSS).MethodsA total of 76,858 eligible patients from the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results (SEER) database were included in this study. The Cox proportional hazard regression model and the Chow test were used to determine a suitable cutoff age for defining the older group. Furthermore, a propensity score matching analysis was performed to adjust for heterogeneity between groups. A competing risk regression model was used to explore the impact of age on CSD and non-colorectal cancer-specific death (non-CSD). Kaplan–Meier survival curves were plotted to compare CSS between groups. Also, a Cox regression model was used to validate the results. External validation was performed on data from 1998 to 2003 retrieved from the SEER database.ResultsBased on a cutoff age of 70 years, the examined cohort of patients was classified into a younger group (n= 51,915, <70 years of old) and an older group (n= 24,943, ≥70 years of old). Compared with younger patients, older patients were more likely to have fewer lymph nodes sampled and were less likely to receive chemotherapy and radiotherapy. When adjusted for other covariates, age-dependent differences of 5-year CSD and 5-year non-CSD were significant in the younger and older groups (15.84% and 22.42%,P< 0.001; 5.21% and 14.21%,P< 0.001). Also an age of ≥70 years remained associated with worse CSS comparing with younger group (subdistribution hazard ratio, 1.51 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.45–1.57],P< 0.001). The Cox regression model as a sensitivity analysis had a similar result. External validation also supported an age of 70 years as a suitable cutoff, and this older group was associated with having reduced CSS and increased CSD.ConclusionsA total of 70 is a suitable cutoff age to define those considered as having elderly CRC. Elderly CRC was associated with not only increased non-CSD but also with increased CSD. Further research is needed to provide evidence of whether cases of elderly CRC should receive stronger treatment if possible.
In vitro Cercaricidal Activity of Fractions and Isolated Compounds of Erythrophleum ivorense (Fabaceae) Root Bark against Schistosoma haematobium
Authors: Armah Francis A. , Amoani Benjamin , Henneh Isaac T. , Dickson Rita A. , Adokoh Christian K. , Amponsah Isaac K. , Adu-Gyamfi Cecilia , Acheampong Desmond O. 
Published: February 2019

Introduction: Schistosoma haematobium is one of the species of Schistosoma responsible for schistosomiasis in humans, a major public health problem worldwide. Praziquantel, the most effective drug against all adult stages of human schistosomiasis, faces the threat of resistance and also has sub-optimal efficacy against cercaria, an immature form of schistosomiasis. This underscores the need to search for an alternative anti-schistosomal drug with pronounced activity particularly against cercaria.
Aim: This study investigated anti-cercarial activity of total crude (70% ethanolic extract), fractions (methanolic, ethyl acetate and petroleum ether) and isolated bioactive compounds from the root bark of Erythrophleum ivorense.
Study Design: In vitro anti-cercarial activity was evaluated using 20 freshly shed cercariae from Schistosoma haematobium species transferred into 20 well plates. Cercaricidal effect of the various concentrations (15.6, 31.3, 62.5, 125.0, 250.0 and 500.0 µg/mL) of test extracts and compounds were observed for 3 hours using an inverted microscopy. The results showed that extracts and compounds of the plant decreased percentage viability of cercariae in a dose-dependent manner.
Results: Within two hours of incubation, all cercariae died at the various concentrations of test compounds and extracts with the exception of methanol extract and the bioactive compound erythroivorensin at 15.6
Prevalence Study of Antibiotic Usage and Health Care Associated Infections in Northern Cyprus
Authors: Jame Wissal , Abdi Abdikarim Mohamed , Süer Hüseyin Kaya , Çakir Nedim , Basgut Bilgen 
Published: February 2019

Purpose: This study aims to provide a prevalence survey of antibiotic usage and HAIs and evaluate the cost of antibiotic therapy.
Methods: All inpatients on surgery, paediatrics, medicine, and ICU specialities were surveyed within a period of one week, April 2016 at Near East University hospital in Northern Cyprus. ACross-sectional study was performed and desired data on antibiotic use and HAIs were collected and analysed.
Results: Out of 137 inpatients, 39.4% (n=54) were on one or two antibiotics. The usage of antibiotic was appropriate in 70% of the patients while it was inappropriate in the remaining 30%. The most common appropriate use was seen in empirical (80.6%) and prophylaxis (69.2%), while in definitive therapy cases (60.0%), the usage of antibiotics was irrationally inappropriate. Overall, 10.9% of hospitalized patients developed HAI. The most prevalent infection was UTI (urinary tract infections) (33.3%). Prevalence of HAIs was high in patients over 30 years old and in those who stay in hospital more than 10 days. The overall daily cost of antibiotic therapy was $919.61 per day, while the total daily cost for hospital infections was $482.
Conclusion: Irrational antibiotic use was seen mostly in definitive therapy, continuous use of empirical therapy without carrying microbiological test was commonly observed. The prevalence of HAI was relatively high which led to more hospitalization and more cost.
Bacterial Membrane Transport: Secondary Transport Proteins
Authors: Padan Etana 
Published: February 2019

Abstract

Membrane transport proteins enable cells to accumulate nutrients, extrude unwanted by‐products and maintain cytoplasmic content of protons and salts conducive to growth and development. Bacterial secondary active transporters for which crystal structures have recently been determined produced major breakthroughs in the study of transporters, opening the field to diverse disciplines such as structural biology, biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology and computation. The insights derived from these structures are particularly important in light of the fact that many of the structurally deciphered bacterial transporters have eukaryotic orthologues that play crucial roles in health and disease and are important drug targets.

Key Concepts

Transport of solutes across bacterial membrane.

The different transport proteins.

Primary and secondary active transport in bacteria.

Possible evolution of transporters.

Crystal structure of transporters, a breakthrough in transport research.
Radially Oriented Single‐Crystal Primary Nanosheets Enable Ultrahigh Rate and Cycling Properties of LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 Cathode Material for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Xu Xing , Huo Hua , Jian Jiyuan , Wang Liguang , Zhu He , Xu Sheng , He Xiaoshu , Yin Geping , Du Chunyu , Sun Xueliang 
Published: February 2019

AbstractNi‐rich Li[NixCoyMn1−x−y]O2 (x ≥ 0.8) layered oxides are the most promising cathode materials for lithium‐ion batteries due to their high reversible capacity of over 200 mAh g−1. Unfortunately, the anisotropic properties associated with the α‐NaFeO2 structured crystal grains result in poor rate capability and insufficient cycle life. To address these issues, a micrometer‐sized Ni‐rich LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 secondary cathode material consisting of radially aligned single‐crystal primary particles is proposed and synthesized. Concomitant with this unique crystallographic texture, all the exposed surfaces are active {010} facets, and 3D Li+ ion diffusion channels penetrate straightforwardly from surface to center, remarkably improving the Li+ diffusion coefficient. Moreover, coordinated charge–discharge volume change upon cycling is achieved by the consistent crystal orientation, significantly alleviating the volume‐change‐induced intergrain stress. Accordingly, this material delivers superior reversible capacity (203.4 mAh g−1 at 3.0–4.3 V) and rate capability (152.7 mAh g−1 at a current density of 1000 mA g−1). Further, this structure demonstrates excellent cycling stability without any degradation after 300 cycles. The anisotropic morphology modulation provides a simple, efficient, and scalable way to boost the performance and applicability of Ni‐rich layered oxide cathode materials.
Forcespinning technique for the production of poly(d,l‐lactic acid) submicrometer fibers: Process–morphology–properties relationship
Authors: Padilla‐Gainza Victoria , Morales Graciela , Rodríguez‐Tobías Heriberto , Lozano Karen 
Published: February 2019

ABSTRACTThis work addresses a systematic study for the process development and optimization of poly(d,l‐lactic acid) (PDLLA) submicrometer fibers utilizing the centrifugal spinning technique known as Forcespinning. This study analyzes the effect of polymer concentration (8, 10, and 12 wt %) and angular speed on the fiber morphology, diameter distribution, and fiber yield. The increase in polymer concentration and angular speed favored the formation of continuous and homogeneous submicrometer fibers with an absence of bead formation and higher output. The optimal conditions were established considering the morphological characteristics that exhibit a greater surface area (homogeneous and submicrometer fibers); and they were achieved at a polymer concentration of 10 wt % at an angular speed ranging from 8000 to 10 000 rpm. Optimization of PDLLA submicrometer fiber fabrication lays the groundwork for scaling up the process and serves as a platform to further develop promising applications of PDLLA nonwoven mats, particularly in the biomedical area such as in scaffolds for tissue engineering. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47643.
A phase III randomized controlled trial of radiation dose optimization in non‐Hodgkin lymphoma‐diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DOBL study): Study protocol and design
Authors: Goda Jayant S. , Lewis Shirly C. , Laskar Siddartha , Kannan Sadhna , Khanna Nehal , Jain Hasmukh , Bagal Bhausaheb , Epari Sridhar 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBackgroundRadiation therapy for diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) has shown improvement in progression free survival. There is uncertainty about the optimal radiation dose, with heterogeneous doses being used, ranging from 30 to 55 Gy. This trial tests the efficacy of using reduced radiation dose in DLBCL without compromising on long‐term outcomes.AimsThe primary aim is to assess the noninferiority, as assessed by 2‐year event free survival (EFS), of a dose de‐escalated dose (36 Gy) for DLBCL as compared with a standard dose (45 Gy).MethodsThe Dose Optimization in B cell Lymphomas (DOBL) study is a randomized phase‐III noninferiority trial in a uniform cohort of DLBCL patients receiving immunochemotherapy (R‐CHOP). Patients with stages I to IV of DLBCL eligible for radiotherapy (RT) after completion of at least four cycles of R‐CHOP will be included in the study. Patients will be randomized to standard RT dose of 45 Gy in 25 fractions or reduced dose of 36 Gy in 20 fractions using involved site radiotherapy (ISRT) technique. It is a noninferiority design using a 7% noninferiority margin with a hazard ratio of 1.3, α of 0.05, and β of 0.80. A total of 760 patients will be accrued. Two‐year EFS is the primary outcome measure that will be studied. The experimental arm will be stopped and switched over to control arm if on interim analysis, 25% events occur in the experimental arm.DiscussionThe study is designed to test the noninferiority of radiation dose de‐escalation in a uniform cohort of patients diagnosed with DLBCL and treated with R‐CHOP regimen in the post‐positron emission tomography (PET) era. The trial is rigorously designed and is straightforward to implement. It is statistically powered to answer if reducing the radiation doses does not compromise the clinical outcome in the given patient cohort. This trial will effectively set the standards in radiotherapy doses for DLBCL in the contemporary era.
Automatic cloud service testing and bottleneck detection system with scaling recommendation
Authors: Liu Xiaolong , Sheu Ruey‐Kai , Lo Win‐Tsung , Yuan Shyan‐Ming 
Published: February 2019

SummaryPerformance problems in a cloud service are difficult to diagnose because they may be caused by various system components. This study proposes an automatic cloud service testing and bottleneck detection system that is applicable to different types of services. With the proposed test module, the user can customize test scenarios to automatically test and collect the corresponding metrics of the target service. Afterward, the proposed bottleneck detection algorithm analyzes the collected metrics and determines whether a bottleneck is presented in the target system. The bottleneck detection module also provides a scaling recommendation for the service provider to facilitate the service system reconfiguration. The experimental results reveal that the proposed system could detect a potential bottleneck in a service system accurately. In accordance with the scaling recommendation, the performance of the target cloud service can be improved efficiently after reconfiguration. Therefore, usage of the proposed system can ensure a high quality of service, and the service level objective could be fulfilled.
Holocene tropical reef accretion and lagoon sedimentation: A quantitative approach to the influence of sea‐level rise, climate and subsidence (Belize, Maldives, French Polynesia)
Authors: Gischler Eberhard , Hudson J. Harold 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAccretion rates of Holocene tropical coral reefs in three areas in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans have been quantified in 79 dated core sections in 34 reef cores from Belize, the Maldives and French Polynesia. Holocene vertical reef accretion rate averages 5.05 m/kyr and has decreased during the past 10 kyr. Accretion rates in branched and massive coral facies are statistically similar. Reef accretion rate is positively correlated with the rate of sea‐level rise, that is the degree of creation of accommodation space, and with climate as expressed in a Holocene sea surface temperature anomaly. Accommodation space is also created by subsidence, but at a rate one to two orders of magnitude lower than that created by glacio‐eustasy (0.04 to 0.16 m/kyr). Lagoonal background sedimentation in adjacent reef lagoons averages 0.89 m/kyr as measured in 72 dated core sections in 28 cores. Lagoonal carbonate sedimentation on top of underlying mangrove peat usually starts after a considerable hiatus of ca 3 kyr on average. The lagoonal background sedimentation rate increased during the Holocene, probably due to deepening. The differences between vertical reef accretion and lagoonal background sedimentation rates are a major factor in the production of the widely known saucer shapes typical of tropical reefs and carbonate platforms, that is the creation of unfilled accommodation space. Reef core recovery, used as a proxy for reef consolidation, and core depth exhibit a statistically negative correlation based on data from 326 core barrels. Recovery and marine cement abundance (average volume 8.6%) also decrease from windward to leeward core positions. These observations are presumably a result of both a decrease in the rate of sea‐level rise that is the increase in time available for submarine cementation during the Holocene and the amount of flushing of reef interstices by marine waters.
Water Productivity: Revisiting the Concepts in Light of Water, Energy and Food Nexus an Overview of Question 60, 23rd Congress of ICID
Authors: Debbarh Abdelhafid 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) has organized its 23rd International Congress in Mexico City during the period 08–‐14 October 2017. Its overall theme was: Modernizing Irrigation and Drainage for a new Green Revolution. Two Questions 60 and 61 were addressed and concerned respectively the following issues: Question 60 on Water Productivity: Revisiting the concepts in light of water, energy and food nexus, and Question 61 on State of knowledge of irrigation techniques and practicalities within given socio‐economic settings. The present paper aims at giving a summary of the main axis covered by the various contributions on Question 60.In fact, 91 contributions from 27 countries analyzed and discussed the three following sub themes related to Question 60, namely: i) Emerging issues and challenges of water saving, including impact of transferring water out of agriculture; ii) Understanding water productivity, water and energy use efficiency and water footprint of crops; iii) Water security for growth and development.A summary of the main ideas and findings emerged, for each sub theme mentioned above, are herein presented. Majors conclusions and recommendations are also included at the end of this paper. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of heat treatment and aging on microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg‐1.8Zn‐0.7Si‐0.4Ca alloy
Authors: Shaeri M. , Taheri K.K. , Taheri A.K. , Shaeri M.H. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractIn order to optimize the aging treatment of Mg‐1.8Zn‐0.7Si‐0.4Ca alloy, different times and temperatures of solid solution and age hardening were applied to the alloy specimens. Microstructures and mechanical properties of the specimens were investigated using the optical microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy equipped with an energy dispersive x‐ray spectrometer, x‐ray diffraction, hardness, and shear punch tests. The lowest hardness and strength were achieved by solution treating of the alloy at 500 °C for 8 h, presenting the optimal condition for solution treatment of the alloy. The microstructural examinations revealed three different precipitates consisting of CaMgSi, Ca2Mg6Zn3, and Mg2Si in the solid solution specimens. It was found that the highest peak hardness and strength are obtained by aging the alloy at 150 °C for 16 h. This condition was confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) tests performed on the solid solution and aged specimens.
Localized deform behavior of AZ31B magnesium alloy by numerical simulation
Authors: Zhang F. , Liu Z. , Mao P. , Wang F. , Liu Y. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe dynamic compression behavior of AZ31B magnesium alloy with hat shaped specimen was investigated at high strain rate in this paper. Based on the Johnson‐cook constitutive model and fracture model, the interaction of temperature, stress and strain fields of AZ31B magnesium alloy with hat shaped specimen were numerically simulated by using ANSYS/LS‐DYNA software under different strain rates, which was validated by experiment. It is found that the plastic strain is highly concentrated on the corner of the hat shaped specimen, which leads to large localized deformation. The voids are nucleated and extended by compression stress. Work harden effect is caused by remained plastic strain, which is located around adiabatic shear band. The stress collapse is discovered in gauge section, which is also discovered in experiment. Thermal soften effect is suppressed with the strain rate increased.
Hierarchical p‐version C1 finite elements on quadrilateral and triangular domains with curved boundaries and their applications to Kirchhoff plates
Authors: Wu Yang , Xing Yufeng , Liu Bo 
Published: February 2019

SummaryThis work focuses on the construction of p‐version finite elements that have curve boundaries for C1 problems. Both triangular and quadrilateral elements are constructed based on the C1‐version blending function interpolation methods that are developed in this work and in the literature. Orthogonal hierarchical bases are constructed and subsequently transformed into interpolative nodal bases to facilitate the imposition of boundary conditions and the implementation of C1 conformity on curvilinear domains. Nodal collocation strategies are also studied for improving the numerical performance, and novel nonuniformly distributed nodes, namely, Gauss‐Jacobi (GJ) points, are proposed. For parallelograms and straight‐sided triangular elements, C1 continuity is exactly satisfied between neighboring elements. The difficulty of C1 conformity for elements that have curved boundaries is circumvented by interpolating the normal derivatives at Gauss‐Lobatto nodes. Moreover, with the help of the blending function interpolation method, the bases on edges and the internal modes can differ in terms of approximation order. Therefore, local p‐refinements can be easily performed by these elements. Numerical results demonstrated that these elements are computationally inexpensive and converge fast for problems with regular and irregular domains.
Social defeat stress induces phosphorylation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase in the leptomeninges in mice
Authors: Okamura Satoshi , Nagai Hirotaka , Numa Chisato , Nagai Midori , Shinohara Ryota , Furuyashiki Tomoyuki 
Published: February 2019

AimsAnimal studies using various stress models have shown that excessive environmental stress induces depression? and anxiety?like behaviors through inflammatory responses in the brain and periphery. Although the leptomeningeal cells have multiple functions related to inflammatory responses in the brain, whether environmental stress influences the leptomeninges remains unknown. In this study, we aimed to examine phosphorylation of the extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) in the leptomeninges.MethodsWe subjected C57BL/6 male mice to a single episode of social defeat stress and analyzed the expression of phosphorylated ERK in the leptomeninges by immunohistochemistry.ResultsSocial defeat stress in mice induced phosphorylation of ERK in the leptomeninges, adjacent to vascular endothelial cells and the glia limitans. This ERK phosphorylation was maintained for at least one hour after the stress.ConclusionsThis study shows the effect of environmental stress on the leptomeninges for the first time and paves the way for elucidating its functional role in stress‐induced changes in neural functions.