bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Perinatal outcomes and intrauterine complications following fetal intervention for congenital heart disease: systematic review and meta‐analysis of observational studies
Authors: Araujo Júnior E. , Tonni G. , Chung M. , Ruano R. , Martins W. P. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo assess perinatal outcomes and intrauterine complications following fetal intervention for congenital heart disease (CHD).MethodsA systematic review and meta‐analysis were performed following an electronic search of PubMed and Scopus databases (last searched August 2015). Perinatal outcomes that were assessed included fetal death, live birth, preterm delivery < 37 weeks' gestation and neonatal death. Intrauterine complications that were assessed included bradycardia requiring treatment and hemopericardium requiring drainage. Estimated proportions were reported as mean (95% CI). Inconsistency was assessed using the I2 statistic.ResultsAn electronic search identified 2279 records, of which 29 studies (11 retrospective cohort and 18 case reports) were considered eligible for analysis. Fetal death after treatment of CHD by aortic valvuloplasty was reported in three studies, with a rate of 31% (95% CI, 9–60%), after pulmonary valvuloplasty in one study, with a rate of 25% (95% CI, 10–49%), after septoplasty in one study, with a rate of 14% (95% CI, 6–28%) and after pericardiocentesis and/or pericardioamniotic shunt placement in 24 studies, with a rate of 29% (95% CI, 18–41%). Bradycardia requiring treatment was reported after aortic valvuloplasty in two studies, with a rate of 52% (95% CI, 16–87%), after pulmonary valvuloplasty in one study, with a rate of 44% (95% CI, 23–67%), and after septoplasty in one study, with a rate of 27% (95% CI, 15–43%).ConclusionsCurrent evidence on the effectiveness of prenatal intervention for CHD derives mostly from case reports and a few larger series; no study was randomized. Although the results of the meta‐analysis are encouraging in terms of perinatal survival, they should be interpreted with caution when comparing with procedures performed after delivery. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Vitamin E supplementation fails to impact measures of oxidative stress or the anaemia of feline chronic kidney disease: a randomised, double‐blinded placebo control study
Authors: Timmons Rebecca M. , Webb Craig B. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThis study was designed to test the hypothesis that supplementation with vitamin E, an antioxidant, in cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD), would reduce oxidative stress and its impact on RBC membrane fragility, resulting in these cats maintaining a greater packed cell volume (PCV) compared with CKD cats not receiving supplementation.Thirty‐six cats with CKD were randomly assigned to receive either daily vitamin E or a placebo for 3 months in a double‐blinded study design.History and physical examination, blood pressure, complete blood count (CBC), PCV, biochemical profile and urinalysis (UA) were determined. Parameters of oxidative stress and osmotic fragility were measured. Cats were administered vitamin E or placebo once daily for 3 months. Cats were then reassessed and the diagnostics were repeated.Twenty‐four cats completed the study, 11 in the vitamin E group and 13 in the placebo group. There were no significant differences between the two groups at the start, or upon completion of the study with regard to biochemical parameters, oxidative stress, erythrocyte osmotic fragility or PCV. None of these parameters changed significantly in either group over the treatment period.Daily supplementation with 30 IU of vitamin E did not affect the measures of oxidative stress or the anaemia seen in cats with CKD.
Prototype‐based models in machine learning
Authors: Biehl Michael , Hammer Barbara , Villmann Thomas 
Published: January 2016

An overview is given of prototype‐based models in machine learning. In this framework, observations, i.e., data, are stored in terms of typical representatives. Together with a suitable measure of similarity, the systems can be employed in the context of unsupervised and supervised analysis of potentially high‐dimensional, complex datasets. We discuss basic schemes of competitive vector quantization as well as the so‐called neural gas approach and Kohonen's topology‐preserving self‐organizing map. Supervised learning in prototype systems is exemplified in terms of learning vector quantization. Most frequently, the familiar Euclidean distance serves as a dissimilarity measure. We present extensions of the framework to nonstandard measures and give an introduction to the use of adaptive distances in relevance learning. WIREs Cogn Sci 2016, 7:92–111. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1378This article is categorized under:

Psychology > Development and Aging
Psychology > Learning
Surgical Results and Oncologic Outcomes for Rectal Cancer with Tailored Mesorectal Excision over Two Decades
Authors: Law Wai Lun , Foo Dominic C. C. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractObjectiveThis study aimed to compare the characteristics of the tumors, the management strategy, and oncologic outcomes of patients with rectal cancer surgery in these two periods: period 1 (1993–2001) and period 2 (2002–2011).MethodsAll patients who underwent radical resection of rectal cancer from 1993 to 2011 were included. Comparisons of the patients’ demographics, characteristics, operating results, and oncologic outcome between the two periods were undertaken.Results
Radical resection for rectal cancer was performed in 1611 patients (993 men). Patients were significantly older and more had comorbid medical diseases in period 2. More laparoscopic resections were performed and more patients had preoperative chemoradiation in period 2. The postoperative mortality was significantly lower and the hospital stay was significantly shorter in period 2. In those with non‐metastatic cancer, the 5‐year local recurrences of patients in period 1 and period 2 were 11.9 and 5.9 %, respectively. (p = 0.002) The patients in period 2 had significantly better 5‐year overall (68.1 vs. 60.2 %, p = 0.003) and 5‐year cancer‐specific survival (76.1 vs. 69.4 %, p < 0.001) when compared with those treated in period 1. The improvement occurred mainly in patients with abdominoperineal resection and those with stage III diseases. In the multivariate analysis, among the other histological factors, operations performed in period 2 and laparoscopic surgery were independent factors associated with better overall survival.ConclusionsSignificant improvement in the surgical outcomes in terms of a lower recurrence rate and better survival was achieved in the recent years with the increase in neoadjuvant therapy and the application of laparoscopic surgery.
Surgical Apgar Score Predicted Postoperative Morbidity After Esophagectomy for Esophageal Cancer
Authors: Eto Kojiro , Yoshida Naoya , Iwatsuki Masaaki , Kurashige Junji , Ida Satoshi , Ishimoto Takatsugu , Baba Yoshifumi , Sakamoto Yasuo , Miyamoto Yuji , Watanabe Masayuki , Baba Hideo 
Published: January 2016

AbstractBackgroundRecently, a simple and easy complication prediction system, the Surgical Apgar Sore (SAS) calculated by three intraoperative parameters (estimated blood loss, lowest mean arterial pressure, and lowest heart rate), has been proposed for general surgery. This study aimed to determine if the SAS could accurately predict perioperative morbidity in patients undergoing esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.MethodsWe investigated 399 patients who underwent esophagectomy at the Kumamoto University Hospital between April 2007 and March 2015. Clinical data, including intraoperative parameters, were collected retrospectively. Patients had postoperative morbidities classified as Clavien–Dindo grade III or more. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to elucidate factors that affected the development of complications.ResultsThe mean age of the study population was 65.7 years, 357 patients (89.5 %) were male. The frequency of any morbidity was 32.3 %. Univariate analyses showed that the SAS as well as preoperative chemotherapy, volume of bleeding, and reconstruction of organs were associated with morbidities. Multivariate analysis showed that a SAS < 5 was found to be an independent risk factor for morbidities.ConclusionThe SAS is considered to be useful for predicting the development of postoperative morbidities after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.
The Yeast ATF1 Acetyltransferase Efficiently Acetylates Insect Pheromone Alcohols: Implications for the Biological Production of Moth Pheromones
Authors: Ding Bao‐Jian , Lager Ida , Bansal Sunil , Durrett Timothy P. , Stymne Sten , Löfstedt Christer 
Published: January 2016

AbstractMany moth pheromones are composed of mixtures of acetates of long‐chain (≥10 carbon) fatty alcohols. Moth pheromone precursors such as fatty acids and fatty alcohols can be produced in yeast by the heterologous expression of genes involved in insect pheromone production. Acetyltransferases that subsequently catalyze the formation of acetates by transfer of the acetate unit from acetyl‐CoA to a fatty alcohol have been postulated in pheromone biosynthesis. However, so far no fatty alcohol acetyltransferases responsible for the production of straight chain alkyl acetate pheromone components in insects have been identified. In search for a non‐insect acetyltransferase alternative, we expressed a plant‐derived diacylglycerol acetyltransferase (EaDAcT) (EC 2.3.1.20) cloned from the seed of the burning bush (Euonymus alatus) in a yeast system. EaDAcT transformed various fatty alcohol insect pheromone precursors into acetates but we also found high background acetylation activities. Only one enzyme in yeast was shown to be responsible for the majority of that background activity, the acetyltransferase ATF1 (EC 2.3.1.84). We further investigated the usefulness of ATF1 for the conversion of moth pheromone alcohols into acetates in comparison with EaDAcT. Overexpression of ATF1 revealed that it was capable of acetylating these fatty alcohols with chain lengths from 10 to 18 carbons with up to 27‐ and 10‐fold higher in vivo and in vitro efficiency, respectively, compared to EaDAcT. The ATF1 enzyme thus has the potential to serve as the missing enzyme in the reconstruction of the biosynthetic pathway of insect acetate pheromones from precursor fatty acids in yeast.
Temperature‐Dependent Mechanism of Antioxidant Activity of o‐Hydroxyl, o‐Methoxy, and Alkyl Ester Derivatives of p‐Hydroxybenzoic Acid in Fish Oil
Authors: Farhoosh Reza , Sharif Ali , Asnaashari Maryam , Johnny Saeed , Molaahmadibahraseman Najme 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe autoxidation of purified fish oil in the presence of different concentrations of o‐hydroxyl, o‐methoxy, and alkyl ester derivatives of p‐hydroxybenzoic at 35–55 °C was evaluated by different kinetic parameters including the stabilizing factor as a measure of effectiveness, the oxidation rate ratio as a measure of strength, and the antioxidant activity which combines the two parameters. Methyl gallate as the most reactive antioxidant participated only in the main reaction of chain termination (ROO· + InH ROOH + In·). Gallic acid, ethyl protocatechuate, protocatechuic acid, vanillic acid, and syringic acid, were able to protect fish oil against oxidation in terms of the extent of their participation in the pro‐oxidative side reactions of chain initiation (InH + ROOH In· + RO· + H2O and InH + O2 In· + HOO·) and the antioxidative side reactions of chain propagation (In· + ROO· In‐OOR and In· + In· products).
Low protein diet during gestation and lactation increases food reward seeking but does not modify sucrose taste reactivity in adult female rats
Authors: da Silva Amanda Alves Marcelino , Oliveira Mayara Matias , Cavalcante Taisy Cinthia Ferro , do Amaral Almeida Larissa Cavalcanti , de Souza Julliet Araújo , da Silva Matilde Cesiana , de Souza Sandra Lopes 
Published: January 2016

AbstractIntroductionNutritional deficiencies during neural development may lead to irreversible changes, even after nutritional rehabilitation, promoting morphological and functional adaptations of structures involved with various behaviours including feeding behaviour. However, the ability of the exposure low protein diet during gestation and lactation to affect the hedonic component of food intake is still poorly understood, especially in females.MethodsWistar rats were divided into two groups according to the diet offered to the dams during pregnancy and lactation: control female (CF; diet with 17% protein, n = 7) and low protein female (LPF; diet with 8% protein, n = 7). The following parameters were evaluated: (a) body weight during weaning, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 days of life; (b) standard diet intake from 110 to 132 days of life; (c) fat diet and consumption of simple carbohydrates (HFHS) for 1 h at 145 days of life; (d) incentive runway task 60 days after 82 days of life; (e) taste reactivity at 90 days of life; and (f) neuronal activation in the caudate putamen, amygdala, paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus under stimulus HFHS at 145 days of life.ResultsThe exposure, a low protein diet during gestation and lactation, decreased the body weight throughout the study period from weaning to 90 days of life. However, there was no significant change in the body weight of low protein females from 110 to 132 days of life compared with the control females. There was an increase in the rate of the search for reward and reduced the latency of the perception of bitter taste. The exposure, a low protein diet during gestation and lactation, also promoted hypophagy in adult females compared with control animals. The low protein female had increased HFHS diet consumption compared with the control. Undernutrition increased neuronal activation in response to HFHS diet consumption compared with female controls in the amygdala and in the caudate putamen.ConclusionFemales subjected to the exposure, a low protein diet during gestation and lactation, exhibit hypophagy on a standard diet but a higher consumption of a diet rich in lipids and simple carbohydrates. And also were more motivated by the pursuit of reward and reduced latency of the bitter taste reactivity, and increased the number of immunoreactive cells c‐fos protein activated in the caudate putamen, amygdala and paraventricular nucleus.
Blood metabolite markers of preclinical Alzheimer's disease in two longitudinally followed cohorts of older individuals
Authors: Casanova Ramon , Varma Sudhir , Simpson Brittany , Kim Min , An Yang , Saldana Santiago , Riveros Carlos , Moscato Pablo , Griswold Michael , Sonntag Denise , Wahrheit Judith , Klavins Kristaps , Jonsson Palmi V. , Eiriksdottir Gudny , Aspelund Thor , Launer Lenore J. , Gudnason Vilmundur , Legido Quigley Cristina , Thambisetty Madhav 
Published: January 2016

AbstractIntroductionRecently, quantitative metabolomics identified a panel of 10 plasma lipids that were highly predictive of conversion to Alzheimer's disease (AD) in cognitively normal older individuals (n = 28, area under the curve [AUC] = 0.92, sensitivity/specificity of 90%/90%).MethodsQuantitative targeted metabolomics in serum using an identical method as in the index study.ResultsWe failed to replicate these findings in a substantially larger study from two independent cohorts—the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging ([BLSA], n = 93, AUC = 0.642, sensitivity/specificity of 51.6%/65.7%) and the Age, Gene/Environment Susceptibility‐Reykjavik Study ([AGES‐RS], n = 100, AUC = 0.395, sensitivity/specificity of 47.0%/36.0%). In analyses applying machine learning methods to all 187 metabolite concentrations assayed, we find a modest signal in the BLSA with distinct metabolites associated with the preclinical and symptomatic stages of AD, whereas the same methods gave poor classification accuracies in the AGES‐RS samples.DiscussionWe believe that ours is the largest blood biomarker study of preclinical AD to date. These findings underscore the importance of large‐scale independent validation of index findings from biomarker studies with relatively small sample sizes.
Beta‐amyloid and cognitive decline in late middle age: Findings from the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer's Prevention study
Authors: Clark Lindsay R. , Racine Annie M. , Koscik Rebecca L. , Okonkwo Ozioma C. , Engelman Corinne D. , Carlsson Cynthia M. , Asthana Sanjay , Bendlin Barbara B. , Chappell Rick , Nicholas Christopher R. , Rowley Howard A. , Oh Jennifer M. , Hermann Bruce P. , Sager Mark A. , Christian Bradley T. , Johnson Sterling C. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractIntroductionThe present study investigated the relationship between beta‐amyloid (Aβ) and cognition in a late middle‐aged cohort at risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD).MethodsOne eighty‐four participants (mean age = 60; 72% parental history of AD) completed a [C‐11]Pittsburgh compound B positron emission tomography scan and serial cognitive evaluations. A global measure of Aβ burden was calculated, and composite scores assessing learning, delayed memory, and executive functioning were computed.ResultsHigher Aβ was associated with classification of psychometric mild cognitive impairment (MCI) at follow‐up (P < .01). Linear mixed effects regression results indicated higher Aβ was associated with greater rates of decline in delayed memory (P < .01) and executive functioning (P < .05). Apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 status moderated the relationship between Aβ and cognitive trajectories (P values <.01).DiscussionIn individuals at risk for AD, greater Aβ in late middle age is associated with increased likelihood of MCI at follow‐up and steeper rates of cognitive decline.
Presentation and Rehabilitation in a Patient With Toxoplasmosis Encephalitis: A Case Study and Review
Authors: Mattie Ryan , McCormick Zack , Huie Henry 
Published: January 2016

AbstractToxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic infection that often presents in the setting of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The infection can cause severe and potentially fatal encephalitis because of the reactivation of latent infections in the setting of immune suppression. Diagnosing toxoplasmosis encephalitis (TE) in immunocompromised patients often is difficult because the signs and symptoms can be nonspecific, but making a diagnosis of TE is even more challenging in a patient who is not known to have human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and shows no other signs of being immunocompromised. Early diagnosis and treatment can result in rapid radiologic and clinical improvement; however, no studies exist that evaluate the utility of functional rehabilitation for patients diagnosed with TE. Although previous studies report a good prognosis for patients who receive antibiotic treatment, they do not discuss the extent to which functional abilities lost during the infection are returned after their treatment. We discuss a case of stroke‐like presentation of cerebral TE in a patient whose human immunodeficiency virus status was previously unknown and report the functional improvements that were made during acute inpatient rehabilitation.
The Law and Politics of the Struggle for Universal Suffrage in Hong Kong, 2013–15
Authors: CHEN Albert H.Y. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractPost-1997 Hong Kong under the constitutional framework of “One Country Two Systems” has a political system that may be characterized as a “semi-democracy.” Hong Kong’s constitutional instrument—the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China—provides that the ultimate goal of the evolution of Hong Kong’s political system is the election of its Chief Executive by universal suffrage. Since 2003, a democracy movement has developed in Hong Kong that campaigned for the speedy introduction of such universal suffrage. In 2007, the Chinese government announced that universal suffrage for the election of the Chief Executive of Hong Kong may be introduced in 2017. In 2014, the Chinese government announced further details of the electoral model. The model was rejected by Hong Kong’s Legislative Council in 2015, with the result that the election of the Chief Executive in 2017 would not materialize. This article seeks to tell this story of Hong Kong’s quest for democratization, focusing particularly on the context and background of the “Occupy Central” Movement that emerged in 2013 and its aftermath. It suggests that the struggle for universal suffrage in the election of Hong Kong’s Chief Executive in 2017 and the obstacles it faced reveal the underlying tensions behind, and the contradictions inherent in, the concept and practice of “One Country, Two Systems,” particularly the conflict between the Communist Party-led socialist political system in mainland China and the aspirations towards Western-style liberal democracy on the part of “pan-democrats” and their supporters in Hong Kong.
Ultrasonography versus computed tomography for initial investigation of suspected nephrolithiasis
Authors: Lin Katie , Dowling Shawn 
Published: January 2016

Clinical questionIs ultrasonography a safe and practical alternative to computed tomography for the initial investigation of suspected nephrolithiasis?Article chosenSmith-Bindman R, Aubin C, Bailitz J, et al. Ultrasonography versus computed tomography for suspected nephrolithiasis. N Engl J Med 2014;371(12):1100-10.ObjectiveTo assess the safety and efficacy of ultrasonography as a first-line imaging investigation for patients with suspected nephrolithiasis.
A participatory approach to the development of a co-produced and co-delivered information programme for users of services and family members: the EOLAS programme (paper 1)
Authors: Higgins A. , Hevey D. , Gibbons P. , O'Connor C. , Boyd F. , McBennett P. , Monahan M. 
Published: January 2016

ObjectiveThe EOLAS programme is a peer and clinician-led mental health information programme on recovery from mental health difficulties, specifically for people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum or bipolar disorders, their family members and significant others.MethodThis article, the first of a two part series, outlines the background to and the rationale behind the EOLAS programme, and traces the participatory process used to inform the development and implementation of the pilot phase of the project. The aims of the programme, and the overarching principles that guided its development, delivery and evaluation, including the set-up of the project steering group are outlined and discussed.FindingsTwo separate programmes, one for family members and one for service users were designed. In addition, participant and facilitator handbooks were developed for each programme, including a training programme for facilitators.ConclusionCentral to a recovery oriented service is the involvement of service users and families in the design and delivery of services. EOLAS is one potential model for achieving this aim.
The Role of Discs in the Collapse and Fragmentation of Prestellar Cores
Authors: Lomax O. , Whitworth A. P. , Hubber D. A. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractDisc fragmentation provides an important mechanism for producing low-mass stars in prestellar cores. Here, we describe smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulations which show how populations of prestellar cores evolve into stars. We find the observed masses and multiplicities of stars can be recovered under certain conditions.First, protostellar feedback from a star must be episodic. The continuous accretion of disc material on to a central protostar results in local temperatures which are too high for disc fragmentation. If, however, the accretion occurs in intense outbursts, separated by a downtime of ~ 104yr, gravitational instabilities can develop and the disc can fragment.Second, a significant amount of the cores’ internal kinetic energy should be in solenoidal turbulent modes. Cores with less than a third of their kinetic energy in solenoidal modes have insufficient angular momentum to form fragmenting discs. In the absence of discs, cores can fragment but results in a top-heavy distribution of masses with very few low-mass objects.