bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CD34+ cells seeded in collagen scaffolds promote bone formation in a mouse calvarial defect model
Authors: Hertweck Jens , Ritz Ulrike , Götz Hermann , Schottel Patrick C , Rommens Pol Maria , Hofmann Alexander 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBone tissue engineering (BTE) holds promise for managing the clinical problem of large bone defects. However, clinical adoption of BTE is limited due to limited vascularization of constructs, which could be circumvented by pre‐cultivation of osteogenic and endothelial derived cells in natural‐based polymer scaffolds. However, until now not many studies compared the effect of mono‐ and cocultures pre‐seeded in collagen before implantation. We utilized a mouse calvarial defect model and compared five groups of collagen scaffolds: a negative control of a collagen scaffold alone, a positive control treated with BMP‐7, monocultures of either human osteoblasts (hOBs) or CD34+ cells, and a coculture of hOB and CD34+ cells. Each pre‐seeded collagen scaffold was implanted in mice. After 6 weeks mice were sacrificed and their skulls prepared for volumetric and histologic analysis. We found that a monoculture of CD34+ cells and a coculture of hOB and CD34+ cells pre‐cultured in the collagen scaffold increased bone regeneration to a similar extend. In these groups, greater amounts of new bone were found compared with hOB monocultures. Interestingly, monoculture of CD34+ cells demonstrated better fracture healing than monoculture of hOBs, emphasizing the possible role of angiogenesis. Our results are promising regarding a cellular based collagen BTE construct, but more work is needed to understand the complex interaction between the osteogenic and endothelial cells. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 1505–1516, 2018.
Trends and variability in absolute indices of temperature extremes over Nigeria: linkage with NAO
Authors: Abatan Abayomi A. , Abiodun Babatunde J. , Gutowski William J. , Rasaq‐Balogun Saidat O. 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACTThe present study examines trends in extreme temperature absolute indices [warmest day (TXx), coldest day (TXn), warmest night (TNx) and coldest night (TNn)] using the newly homogenized daily minimum and maximum temperature series from 21 stations in Nigeria for the period 1971–2012. The indices provide an understanding of the characteristics of changing temperature, in light of the present anthropogenic global warming. Trends in the indices and the statistical significance are obtained using the modified Mann–Kendall test in the R‐package. The results show that many of the stations have significant increasing trends in the absolute indices, with the warming most pronounced in Southern Nigeria. Averaged over the country, the TXx, TXn, TNx and TNn have absolute warming trends of 0.59, 0.17, 0.67and 0.97 °C, respectively, for the 42 years since 1971. The warming rate is highest during the winter (DJF) season for TNn. The present study also examines the possible influence of large‐scale teleconnection patterns on extreme temperature variations by determining the correlation between the absolute indices and the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index on monthly, seasonal and annual timescales. Our results show that warming over Nigeria during the dry season months from November to February is significantly correlated with NAO. The NAO has significant correlation with TXx and TXn in the north, and with TNx and TNn in the south. The analysis is repeated with ERA‐20C‐gridded data set, and similar correlations are found. The warming nights, in particular, in Nigeria can lead to sleeplessness and widespread mosquito‐related diseases as the mosquito population and its parasites thrive in warmer conditions. The results of the analyses are relevant for decision‐making process, especially for the development of early warning systems for extreme heat events.
Infilling missing precipitation records using variants of spatial interpolation and data‐driven methods: use of optimal weighting parameters and nearest neighbour‐based corrections
Authors: Teegavarapu Ramesh S. V. , Aly Alaa , Pathak Chandra S. , Ahlquist Jon , Fuelberg Henry , Hood Jill 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACTVariants of spatial interpolation and data‐driven methods to fill gaps in daily precipitation records are developed and evaluated in this study. The evaluated methods include variations of inverse distance and correlation weighting procedures, linear weight optimization and artificial neural networks. An already existing method, support vector logistic regression‐based copula, is also assessed. Optimal weights are estimated using inverse distance and correlation‐based weighting methods, post‐corrections of spatially interpolated estimates for rain or no rain classifications using support vector machine (SVM), and variations of a single best classifier (SBC) are used. The optimal number of gauges for use in spatial interpolation methods and for artificial neural network‐based method are selected. Three benchmark methods provide a basis against which all the methods are compared: single best estimator (SBE), and spatial and climatological mean estimators (SME and CME). All of the methods are tested for estimating varying amounts of missing precipitation data at 53 rain gauges located in South Florida, USA. Results show that the linear weight optimization method with an SBE provides the best estimates of daily precipitation values based on several performance metrics. Results from evaluation of different methods and their variants indicate use of optimized exponents in distance and correlation‐based weighting methods, classifiers for rain or no rain conditions, and an optimal number of neighbours in spatial interpolation improve estimates of missing data. Corrections to missing data estimates using nearest neighbours can help in improving the accuracy of rain and no rain state determinations with a possibility of introducing bias in estimates.
Ocean–atmosphere conditions related to severe and persistent droughts in the Mexican Altiplano
Authors: Vega‐Camarena José Pablo , Brito‐Castillo Luis , Farfán Luis M. , Gochis David J. , Pineda‐Martínez Luis F. , Díaz Sara C. 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACTOcean and atmospheric patterns associated with the most severe and most persistent droughts in the Mexican Altiplano region are explored. The standardized precipitation index on a time scale of 12 months was used and compared with time series of other atmospheric conditions to identify major dry episodes from 1970 to 2012. The time series were derived from the second mode of a varimax‐rotated empirical orthogonal functional analysis from the mean summer rainfall series observed at weather stations located in the Mexican Altiplano from 1970 through 2000. The results showed that the longest and most persistent episode occurred from 1998 through 2001, while the most severe dry episode occurred in 2011–2012, when the Pacific Decadal Oscillation was in a negative phase and the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation in a positive phase, both in combination with a La Niña event. A large upper‐level anticyclone over the north‐central United States is related to droughts in the Altiplano. Under these conditions, the droughts were linked to a large anticyclone positioned over the central‐north of the United States, with consequent negative anomalies of specific humidity over central‐northern Mexico. Concurrent with droughts in the interior of Mexico, are positive rainfall anomalies along the central Pacific coast of Mexico near the study area. Under different atmospheric conditions, opposite anomalous behaviour between the coast and interior can exist. The mechanism driving this see‐saw behaviour between the west coast of Mexico and the Altiplano is explored.
Carbon‐ion radiotherapy for isolated para‐aortic lymph node recurrence from colorectal cancer
Authors: Isozaki Yuka , Yamada Shigeru , Kawashiro Shohei , Yasuda Shigeo , Okada Naomi , Ebner Daniel , Tsuji Hiroshi , Kamada Tadashi , Matsubara Hisahiro 
Published: July 2017

BackgroundThe safety and effectiveness of carbon‐ion radiotherapy (CIRT) for isolated para‐aortic lymph node (PALN) metastasis was evaluated retrospectively.MethodsCIRT for isolated PALN metastasis from CRC was performed in 34 cases from June 2006 to August 2015 in our institute. A median dose of 52.8 Gy(RBE) (range, 48‐52.8 Gy(RBE)) was delivered with a median daily dose of 4.4 Gy(RBE) (range, 4.0‐4.4 Gy(RBE)).ResultsThe median follow‐up duration for all patients was 24.4 months (range, 7‐82.8 months). There were 13 cases (38.2%) who achieved complete response after treatment. The local control rates at 2 and 3 years were 70.1% and 70.1%, respectively. The overall survival rates at 2 and 3 years were 83.3% and 63.0%, respectively. The 3‐year survival rates for Stage I‐III were 68.7%, while those for Stage IV was 0%. The overall survival of cases with rectal cancer or with high CA19‐9 values pre‐CIRT tended to be worse. The median survival period was 41.7 months. Twelve of the 34 patients survived for more than 3 years. There were no adverse effects of Grade 3 or higher.ConclusionsCIRT for isolated PALN recurrence after curative resection for CRC appears effective and safe, and it is considered a promising therapy.
Strategy for the separation of concentrated samples by capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Liang Shuang , Fu Xia , Xiao Hongting , Li Tianxiang , Xu Jun , Zhang Yong 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe use of concentrated samples is usually avoided during conventional separations since utilization of concentrated samples normally compromises the quality of separation. However, in case of the detection of low‐abundance components, highly concentrated samples are necessary, which leads to an extremely high concentration for high‐abundant components. This will make the separation difficult due to the serious longitudinal dispersion. Here, we developed a method to separate high concentration of components based on the modified capillary electrophoresis. The mechanism involves concentrated sample stretched into a wider zone in the higher electric field strength; the sample zone is fractionated into thin sections via a cutting effect; these thin sections are then separated. Based on this mechanism, we examined to separate an overloaded mixture of N,N′‐diphenylguanidine and N,N′‐di(o‐tolyl)guanidine. Baseline separation was achieved due to much small longitudinal dispersion. The theoretical plate numbers of peaks were around 3.5 × 105 m−1. The practicality of the new approach is demonstrated in the separation of a model protein mixture, containing lysozyme, bovine serum albumin, and ribonuclease A.
Ultrasound‐Guided Drainage for Pediatric Soft Tissue Abscesses Decreases Clinical Failure Rates Compared to Drainage Without Ultrasound: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Gaspari Romolo Joseph , Sanseverino Alexandra 
Published: July 2017

ObjectivesSoft tissue abscesses are common in the pediatric emergency department (ED). Ultrasound (US) can be used to both diagnose soft tissue abscesses as well as guide drainage. We hypothesized that clinical failure rates would be less in pediatric patients with suspected skin abscesses when evaluated with US.MethodsWe performed a retrospective review of suspected pediatric skin abscesses at 4 EDs over a 22‐month period. Cases were identified through electronic medical record descriptions, discharge diagnoses, and US database records. Data on US use, findings, and outcomes were abstracted to an electronic database. Comparisons between groups included US versus non‐US (primary outcome) as well as surgical drainage vs nonsurgical drainage (secondary outcome).ResultsA total of 377 patients were seen with concern for a potential skin abscess; 141 patients (37.4%) underwent US imaging during their visit, and 239 (63.4%) underwent incision and drainage (I&D) during their ED stay: 90 with US and 149 without. The failure rate for patients evaluated with US was significantly lower than that for those evaluated without US (4.4% versus 15.6%; P < .005). Thirty‐four (11.3%) of the 302 patients with a diagnosis of an abscess failed therapy: 19 (8.2%) after I&D and 15 (21.1%) after nonsurgical management. Failure after I&D was associated with a smaller abscess cavity on US imaging (17.2 versus 44.8 mm3; P < .05).ConclusionsThe use of US for patients with a suspected skin abscess was associated with a reduction in the amount of clinical failure rates after both surgical drainage and nonsurgical therapy. Ultrasound should be used when evaluating or treating patients with abscesses.
Weaning of proton pump inhibitors in patients with suspected laryngopharyngeal reflux disease
Authors: Lin R. Jun , Sridharan Shaum , Smith Libby J. , Young VyVy N. , Rosen Clark A. 
Published: July 2017

ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility of a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) weaning protocol in a cohort of patients following successful empiric treatment for suspected laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD).Study DesignRetrospective chart review.MethodsLPRD patients were weaned from PPIs using a standardized weaning protocol. Symptom recurrence rate following PPI wean and present PPI use were determined. All numeric data were analyzed. The setting was a tertiary laryngology practice. The subjects were patients who had a positive response to empiric treatment for LPRD and subsequently were weaned from PPI therapy.ResultsThirty‐five patients with suspected LPRD were instructed to wean from PPI after successful empiric treatment of their LPRD symptoms from July 2013 to September 2015. Twenty‐three patients (66%) remained symptom‐free post‐wean. Twelve patients (34%) had symptom recurrence post‐wean; of those, 11 of them (92%) needed to go back on a PPI. Median durations of follow‐up for the unsuccessful wean group and the successful wean group were 13 (range 6–29) months and 18 (range 6–38) months, respectively. Pre‐wean and post‐wean reflux symptom index (RSI) scores in the unsuccessful wean group were 7.7 ± 5.6 and 12.9 ± 6 (P = .11). Pre‐wean and post‐wean RSI scores in the successful wean group were 8.1 ± 6.5 and 8.1 ± 9.0 (P < .99). Body mass index (BMI) was found to be a significant predictor of failure to wean (odds ratio = 0.72, 95% confidence interval = 0.55–0.95) after controlling for age, sex, PPI treatment duration, and PPI regime. None of the other covariates were found to be significant predictors of failure of PPI wean.ConclusionApproximately 66% of patients who were on PPIs for LPRD were successfully weaned. High BMI was significantly predictive of failure to wean.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 128:133–137, 2018
Self‐perception of voice in transgender persons during cross‐sex hormone therapy
Authors: Bultynck Charlotte , Pas Charlotte , Defreyne Justine , Cosyns Marjan , den Heijer Martin , T'Sjoen Guy 
Published: July 2017

ObjectiveSelf‐perception of voice has a significant psychosocial impact on transgender persons. Research about the evolution of self‐perception of voice during cross‐sex hormone therapy (CSHT) is lacking.The aim of this study was to examine if self‐perception of voice changes during CSHT, and if a change of serum testosterone levels as a result of CSHT can predict a change of self‐perception of voice.Study DesignProspective longitudinal study.MethodsThe Transsexual Voice Questionnaire (TVQ), consisting of three factors—anxiety and avoidance (AA), gender identity (GI), and voice quality (VQ)—was used. Transgender persons completed the TVQ at baseline (80 trans men and 103 trans women), after 3 and 12 months of CSHT follow‐up.ResultsTrans men: From 0 to 3 months, 0 to 12 months, and 3 to 2 months of CSHT, the AA and GI scores improved. From 0 to 3 months of CSHT, the increasing testosterone level was predictive for the improvements of AA and GI scores. Trans women: From 0 to 3 months, the GI score improved. From 0 to 12 months, the AA, GI, and VQ scores improved. Improvements of self‐perception of voice could not be predicted by changing serum testosterone levels.ConclusionDuring CSHT, self‐perception of voice improves in both trans men and trans women. In trans men only, the improving self‐perception of voice during the first 3 months can be attributed to the CSHT. For trans women, this study supports that testosterone has acted irreversibly virializing to the voice before CSHT, if they already went through male puberty.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 127:2796–2804, 2017
Meta‐analysis of quality‐of‐life improvement after cochlear implantation and associations with speech recognition abilities
Authors: McRackan Theodore R. , Bauschard Michael , Hatch Jonathan L. , Franko‐Tobin Emily , Droghini H. Richard , Nguyen Shaun A. , Dubno Judy R. 
Published: July 2017

ObjectivesDetermine the impact of cochlear implantation on quality of life (QOL) and determine the correlation between QOL and speech recognition ability.Study DesignTwo authors independently searched PubMed, Medline, Scopus, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature to identify studies reporting hearing‐specific or cochlear implant (CI)–specific QOL outcomes before and after cochlear implantation, and studies reporting correlations between QOL and speech recognition after cochlear implantation. Data from the included articles were obtained independently by two authors. Standardized mean difference (SMD) for each measure and pooled effects were determined to assess improvement in QOL before and after cochlear implantation.ResultsFrom 14 articles with 679 CI patients who met the inclusion criteria, pooled analyses of all hearing‐specific QOL measures revealed a very strong improvement in QOL after cochlear implantation (SMD = 1.77). Subset analysis of CI‐specific QOL measures also showed very strong improvement (SMD = 1.69). Thirteen articles with 715 patients met the criteria to evaluate associations between QOL and speech recognition. Pooled analyses showed a low positive correlation between hearing‐specific QOL and word recognition in quiet (r = 0.213), sentence recognition in quiet (r = 0.241), and sentence recognition in noise (r = 0.238). Subset analysis of CI‐specific QOL showed similarly low positive correlations with word recognition in quiet (r = 0.213), word recognition in noise (r = 0.241), and sentence recognition in noise (r = 0.255).ConclusionsUsing hearing‐specific and CI‐specific measures of QOL, patients report significantly improved QOL after cochlear implantation. However, widely used clinical measures of speech recognition are poor predictors of patient‐reported QOL with CIs. Laryngoscope, 128:982–990, 2018
Fine‐scale variability in elemental composition of estuarine water and otoliths: Developing environmental markers for determining larval fish dispersal histories within estuaries
Authors: Williams Joel , Jenkins Gregory P. , Hindell Jeremy S. , Swearer Steve E. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractOtolith chemistry has been widely used as a natural tag for determining environmental histories of fish that migrate across large distances and environmental gradients. However, it is not as well established as to whether otolith chemistry can be a useful tool for determining fine‐scale movement and dispersal patterns of fish, particularly larvae, within estuaries. In this study, we collected water samples and otoliths from larvae of black bream, Acanthopagrus butcheri, an estuarine resident fish, and analyzed each for a suite of trace elements to determine the degree of spatio‐temporal variability in elemental composition and which elements were incorporated into otoliths in relation to their associated water chemistry. We found that there were three distinct water layer signatures based on their Me : Cawater (Me = each element): a freshwater signature, a halocline signature, and a marine signature. There were also significant spatio‐temporal patterns in Me : Caotolith, most notably for Li : Ca, K : Ca, and Mn : Ca. This study provides encouraging evidence for the utility of intra‐estuary otolith chemistry to reconstruct environmental histories during larval development. This application will enable a better understanding of the abundance, timing, and duration of residency in particular water masses and locations that are important larval nursery habitats for species that develop within estuaries.
Addressing the unique healthcare needs of women: Opportunity for change exists at the intersection of precision health and learning health systems
Authors: Satveit Sonya 
Published: July 2017

AbstractIntroductionWomen have unique healthcare needs that are not well addressed by our current healthcare system and with healthcare transformation underway the opportunity exists to avoid weaving these age‐old problems into the fabric of the new healthcare design. myAva is an example of a learning health system integrated into a cloud‐based precision health platform. The goal of myAva is to integrate the tools of precision health and principals of a learning health system to improve care for women, starting with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).MethodsPutting patients at the center in designing a new style of healthcare has been an important concept underlying the development of myAva since inception. Understanding the needs of patients and providers is key to the development of myAva. Surveys were collected from members of the PCOS patient community and patient and medical advisory boards were recruited. For the pilot group comprehensive omic data, biometric and self‐reported data were collected and integrated into a personalized health dashboard enabling providers to formulate personalized treatment plans. The ongoing collection of data will create continuous improvement of healthcare.ResultsPrecision health for chronic issues faced is in its infancy and although myriad challenges exist the potential to improve health outcomes is great. myAva's providers, patients, and advisors are encouraged by the early outcomes of the program with improved health outcomes and an increased sense of empowerment reported. It is clear that designing and implementing this type of care requires collaboration, the involvement of all stakeholders, with patients at the center.
A Generalized Packing Model for Bulk Crystalline Regioregular Poly(3‐alkylthiophenes) with Extended Side Chains
Authors: Bohle Anne , Dudenko Dmytro , Koenen Nils , Sebastiani Daniel , Allard Sybille , Scherf Ullrich , Spiess Hans Wolfgang , Hansen Michael Ryan 
Published: July 2017

AbstractPoly(3‐alkylthiophenes) are one of the most frequently used conjugated polymer classes in organic photovoltaics. Here, a generalized packing model for the polythiophene main chains in the crystalline form I of high molecular weight regioregular poly(3‐alkylthiophenes) with extended side chains (pentyl through octyl) is reported. The model is based on structural constraints from solid‐state NMR: short internuclear distances of less than 4.0 Å of neighboring thiophene protons parallel to the stacking direction and the isotropic chemical shift for the thiophene protons is high‐field shifted by 0.9 ± 0.1 ppm. Nucleus‐independent chemical shift calculations show that only the most recent structure for P3HT (space group P21/c) is compatible with these structural constraints. On this basis, a generalized packing model is developed, showing that slipping parallel to the stacked polymer chains of up to 1.5 Å is allowed, while out‐of‐plane tilts perpendicular to the stacked chains are only tolerated up to 20°.