bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A long‐term follow‐up study of subtotal splenectomy in children with hereditary spherocytosis
Authors: Rosman C. W. K. , Broens P. M. A. , Trzpis M. , Tamminga R. Y. J. 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTBackgroundHereditary spherocytosis (HS) is a heterogeneous hemolytic anemia treated with splenectomy in patients suffering from severe or moderate disease. Total splenectomy, however, renders patients vulnerable to overwhelming postsplenectomy infection despite preventive measures. Although subtotal splenectomy has been advocated as an alternative to total splenectomy, long‐term follow‐up data are scarce. We investigated how often hematologic recurrences requiring secondary total splenectomy occurred.ProcedureWith a follow‐up of at least 5 years, we analyzed the data of 12 patients, aged 11 years maximum (median 6.5 years), who had undergone intended subtotal splenectomy, and 9 patients (median age 11.9 years), who had undergone total splenectomy. We compared their hematologic results and searched for factors associated with secondary spleen surgery.ResultsHemolysis was reduced after subtotal splenectomy and absent after total splenectomy. Subtotal splenectomy was not successful in three children because no functional splenic remnant remained after 6 months (one conversion at surgery; one necrosis of splenic remnant; one early secondary splenectomy). Four children required secondary splenectomy after a median of 5 years for hematologic recurrence. In the remaining five patients, a functional splenic remnant was present for at least 5.5 years. The median time to secondary total splenectomy after intended subtotal splenectomy was 5.2 years. In all patients requiring secondary total splenectomy, increased reticulocyte levels within 2 years indicated hematologic recurrence.ConclusionsSubtotal splenectomy can be an alternative for total splenectomy in young patients with HS. It allows for hematologic improvement and may preserve splenic immune function for as many as 5 years.
Experience of carrier couples identified through a population‐based carrier screening pilot program for four founder autosomal recessive diseases in Saguenay–Lac‐Saint‐Jean
Authors: Tardif Jessica , Pratte Annabelle , Laberge Anne‐Marie 
Published: April 2017

AbstractA pilot population‐based carrier screening program started in 2010 in the Saguenay–Lac‐Saint‐Jean region of Quebec, Canada, for four recessive diseases with local founder effects (tyrosinemia type I, autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix‐Saguenay, congenital lactic acidosis, and Andermann syndrome).ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to describe the experience of carrier couples identified through this program.MethodsSemi‐structured interviews were performed with carrier couples. Thematic analysis of interview transcripts was performed to identify emerging themes.ResultsInterviews were performed with 15 carrier couples (56% response rate). Carrier couples had little knowledge about the target diseases before being identified as carriers, despite pre‐test education sessions. The main motivation for screening was a recommendation by a peer who had been screened, even for those with a positive family history of one of the target conditions. Couples perceived themselves at low risk of being a carrier couple, whatever their family history. Being found to be a carrier couple was initially a shock, illustrating how ill prepared they were for such a result, but carrier couples appreciated knowing their status.ConclusionOur results emphasize the informational needs of couples to make informed decisions and the importance of post‐test counseling for those with positive results. Our findings can inform counseling procedures in expanded carrier screening. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The role of body image dissatisfaction in the association between treatment‐related scarring or disfigurement and psychological distress in adult survivors of childhood cancer
Authors: Vuotto Stefanie C. , Ojha Rohit P. , Li Chenghong , Kimberg Cara , Klosky James L. , Krull Kevin R. , Srivastava Deo Kumar , Robison Leslie L. , Hudson Melissa M. , Brinkman Tara M. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the potential mediating role of body image dissatisfaction on the association between treatment‐related scarring/disfigurement and psychological distress in adult survivors of childhood cancer.MethodsParticipants included 1714 adult survivors of childhood cancer (mean [SD] age at evaluation = 32.4 [8.0] years, time since diagnosis = 24.1 [8.1] years) enrolled in the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study. Survivors completed measures of body image, emotional distress, and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). Body image dissatisfaction (BID) was categorized into 2 groups (cancer‐related and general) based on factor analysis. Using causal mediation analysis, we estimated the proportion of psychological distress associated with treatment‐related scarring/disfigurement that could be eliminated by resolving BID through a hypothetical intervention.ResultsAmong survivors with scarring/disfigurement of the head, a sizable proportion of the relative excess of psychological distress could be eliminated if BID was successfully treated (males: [cancer‐related BID: depression: 63%; anxiety: 100%; PTSS: 52%]; [general BID: depression: 70%; anxiety: 100%; PTSS: 42%]; females: [cancer‐related BID: depression: 20%; anxiety; 36%; PTSS: 23%]; [general BID: depression: 32%; anxiety: 87%; PTSS: 38%]). The mediating effect of BID was less pronounced for the association between scarring/disfigurement of the body and psychological distress for both males and females.ConclusionsBody image dissatisfaction mediates the association treatment‐related scarring/disfigurement and psychological distress among adult survivors of childhood cancer, particularly among survivors with scarring/disfigurement of the head and male survivors. Successful treatment of body image dissatisfaction has the potential to eliminate a substantial proportion of psychological distress related to scarring/disfigurement among adult survivors of childhood cancer.
A qualitative study of doctors' and nurses' barriers to communicating with seriously ill patients about their dependent children
Authors: Dencker Annemarie , Rix Bo Andreassen , Bøge Per , Tjørnhøj‐Thomsen Tine 
Published: April 2017

AbstractObjectiveResearch indicates that health personnel caring for seriously ill patients with dependent children aged 0 to 18 years often avoid discussing with them the challenges of being a family with a parent in treatment. Children of seriously ill patients risk serious trauma and emotional difficulty later in life and depend on adult support to minimize these consequences. Patients suffer anxiety about supporting their children during their illness. Because of their potentially pivotal role in supporting patients in enabling parent‐child communication, we examined HP's structural and emotional barriers to communicating with patients about their children.MethodsThe study was based on 49 semi‐structured, in‐depth interviews with doctors and nurses working with haematology, gynaecological cancer, and neurointensive care. Both interviews and analysis addressed emotional and structural barriers, drawing on the theoretical framework of Maturana's domains.ResultsThe study found structural barriers (eg, lack of space in the medical recording system, professional code, time pressure, and lack of training) and emotional barriers (eg, the painful nature of the situation and the perceived need of keeping professional distance). We found that emotional barriers tended to grow when structural barriers were not addressed.ConclusionsOur study indicates (1) the need to use templates and manual procedures to gather and process information about children in medical records; (2) the need for managerial backing for addressing children of seriously ill patients and time spent on it; and (3) the need for future HP training programmes to include how to implement procedures and how to address all barriers.
Physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling of tea catechin mixture in rats and humans
Authors: Law Francis C. P. , Yao Meicun , Bi Hui‐Chang , Lam Stephen 
Published: April 2017

AbstractAlthough green tea (Camellia sinensis) (GT) contains a large number of polyphenolic compounds with anti‐oxidative and anti‐proliferative activities, little is known of the pharmacokinetics and tissue dose of tea catechins (TCs) as a chemical mixture in humans. The objectives of this study were to develop and validate a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model of tea catechin mixture (TCM) in rats and humans, and to predict an integrated or total concentration of TCM in the plasma of humans after consuming GT or Polyphenon E (PE). To this end, a PBPK model of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg) consisting of 13 first‐order, blood flow‐limited tissue compartments was first developed in rats. The rat model was scaled up to humans by replacing its physiological parameters, pharmacokinetic parameters and tissue/blood partition coefficients (PCs) with human‐specific values. Both rat and human EGCg models were then extrapolated to other TCs by substituting its physicochemical parameters, pharmacokinetic parameters, and PCs with catechin‐specific values. Finally, a PBPK model of TCM was constructed by linking three rat (or human) tea catechin models together without including a description for pharmacokinetic interaction between the TCs. The mixture PBPK model accurately predicted the pharmacokinetic behaviors of three individual TCs in the plasma of rats and humans after GT or PE consumption. Model‐predicted total TCM concentration in the plasma was linearly related to the dose consumed by humans. The mixture PBPK model is able to translate an external dose of TCM into internal target tissue doses for future safety assessment and dose‐response analysis studies in humans. The modeling framework as described in this paper is also applicable to the bioactive chemical in other plant‐based health products.
Second‐order sliding mode controller design subject to mismatched unbounded perturbations
Authors: Liu Lu , Ding Shihong 
Published: April 2017

SummaryThe dynamics of the second‐order sliding mode (SOSM) can be obtained by directly taking the second derivative on the sliding variable when it has a relative degree of 2 with respect to the control input. However, there will always appear some state‐dependent certain or uncertain terms in the first derivative of the sliding variable, and the derivative directly imposed on these terms could enlarge the uncertainties in the control channel. One method to reduce the uncertainties in the control channel is to hold this information in the dynamics of the first derivative of the sliding variable, while the original SOSM dynamics could be transformed to be a SOSM system with a mismatched unbounded perturbation. This paper focuses on the controller design problem for SOSM dynamics subject to mismatched unbounded perturbation. By using Lyapunov analysis, a novel backstepping‐like design methodology will be proposed. The rigorous mathematical proof will show that under the derived SOSM controller, the closed‐loop sliding mode dynamics is globally finite‐time stable. Meanwhile, the frequently used constant upper bound assumptions for the standard SOSM system can also be extended to the state‐dependent hypotheses in this paper. An academic example is illustrated to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Three‐Dimensional Carbon@Fe2O3@SnO2 Hierarchical Inverse Opals Arrays as Li–ion Battery Anode with Improved Cycling Life and Rate Capability
Authors: Zhu Xiuting , Ren Weina , Cheng Chuanwei , Yang Yaping 
Published: April 2017

AbstractWe report a novel three‐dimensional (3D) cabon@Fe2O3@SnO2 hierarchical composite inverse opals arrays electrode for binder‐free Li‐ion battery anode. In this electrode design, the ordered macroporous SnO2 acts as conductive skeletons for supporting the 1D Fe2O3 nanorods, offering a high specific surface area and fast pathways for both electron and ion transport, while the carbon coated on the Fe2O3 surfaces works as a buffer layer to improve the conductivity and structural stability. Benefiting from this smart design, the hierarchical carbon@Fe2O3@SnO2 composite inverse opals electrode as a Li ion battery anode exhibits a high discharge capacity of 1021 mAh/g at a current density of 100 mA/g, better cycling life (capacity retaining at 388 mAh/g after 200 cycles) and excellent rate capability, which is superior to those of individual SnO2 inverse opals and SnO2@Fe2O3 inverse opals electrodes.
Reverse Intramolecular Stacking in o‐Xylene Bridge Symmetrical Dimers of 2‐Thiopyridine Derivative: Assessment of the Conformational Stability
Authors: Kumar Ranjeet , Gaurav Archana , Pal Shiv , Kumar Krishnan R. , Sridhar Balasubramanian , Tewari Ashish K. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractHerein, we report o‐xylene based symmetrical dimers of 2‐thiopyridine derivative for studies of intramolecular stacking and conformational analysis 1‐3. The conformational analyses of all compounds have been carried out in solid, solution and gaseous states. Interestingly, all compounds showed reverse intramolecular stacked conformation between contiguous rings. Among all, compound 3 has shown polymorphism properties that also shown reverse intramolecular stacked conformation. The polymorphic studies have been achieved through single crystal X‐ray diffraction, intermolecular interactions in their crystal packing, overlay diagram, DSC analysis and Hirshfeld surface analysis.
Distinguishing Liquid from Solid by Atom Transport Coefficient Distribution: Predicting Melting Point of Ionic Liquids as an Example
Authors: Xu Liancai , Wang Guoqing , Jiang Ling , Chen Junli , Huang Gailing , Zhang Zhiqiang 
Published: April 2017

AbstractWe define a dynamics parameter, the atom transport coefficient Datom, which is extracted from molecular trajectory using the simple mean square displacement analysis. The Datom of a molecular system has a log‐normal distribution in a homogeneous phase, and the Mode of the log‐normal distribution presents an abrupt change between solid and liquid phase. The Datom can therefore serve as a practical probe for detecting phase transition, which has been validated by simulating melting points for a Lennard‐Jones model and three imidazolium‐based room temperature ionic liquids. Additionally, the molecular dynamics simulations for the melting points are crystal independent and force field non‐restricted. Thus, the presented use of Datom distribution is a new technique for phase transition studies.
Rationalizing the Low‐Spin Products Observed for the Reactions M+CH3CN (M=V, Nb,Ta) Through a Non‐Spin Flip Scheme.
Authors: Flores Iván , Torres Ana E. , Colmenares Fernando 
Published: April 2017

AbstractResults emerging from a CASSCF‐MRMP2 study are used to explain the products observed under matrix isolation conditions for the interactions M + CH3CN (M=V(4F), Nb(6D), Ta(4F)). A two‐reaction scheme is proposed to rationalize the low‐spin inserted species detected for the niobium and tantalum interactions, mainly the quadruplet CH3‐Nb‐NC and the doublet CH2=Ta‐(H)NC compounds, respectively. According to this scheme, the radicals CH3 + M‐NC are formed in each case from the ground state of the reactants. As these radical fragments remain trapped in the matrix they can recombine themselves in a second reaction, which evolves to the low‐spin observed products. The absence of inserted products for the vanadium reaction is also explained in terms of this scheme. The picture attained for the investigated reactions fits better with the available experimental data than previous descriptions based on spin‐flip models.
Stereoselective Synthesis of Chiral Isatin Containing Bisphosphonates as Potential Anti‐Resorption Bone Drugs
Authors: De Luca Lorena , Chiminazzo Andrea , Sperni Laura , Strukul Giorgio , Scarso Alessandro 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBisphosphonates are currently the major class of drugs used for the treatment of osteoporosis, a disease that leads to bone fragility and increase in fracture risk that affects hundreds of million elderly individual worldwide. All commercially available bisphosphonates are achiral albeit their activity is demonstrated to be related to inactivation of specific enzymes. Cinchona alkaloid urea derivatives are efficient organocatalysts for the asymmetric aldol reaction of ketones to an isatin containing bisphosphonate precursor to provide a class of new chiral enantioenriched potentially anti‐resorption bone drugs. High chemical yields were generally achieved in a wide array of substrates tested and in several cases ee′s in the 60–96 % range could be observed.
Synthesis of Various N‐Substituted 4‐Aryloxy/Thiophenoxy/Thioisopropyloxy‐Phthalimides
Authors: Kumar Vipan , Chand Karam , Chorell Erik 
Published: April 2017

AbstractN‐substituted phthalimides have been used to target many biological systems with examples that are clinically used as drugs. Furthermore, N‐substituted phthalimides can also be used in other settings such as in the preparation of polymers, as catalysts, and as protective groups. Because of all these important fields of application, the synthesis of phthalimides is well reported. However, synthetic methods to phthalimides with different heteroatom substituents in position 4 are lacking. The present work describes the development of robust synthetic methods to N‐substituted 4‐aryloxy/thiophenoxy/thioisopropyloxy‐phthalimides. The developed methods allow for the introduction of these substituents through an atom efficient one‐step synthesis, which gives good to excellent yields and tolerate a wide range of substituents.
Analysis of a tip correction factor for horizontal axis turbines
Authors: Wimshurst A. , Willden R. H. J. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractIt is imperative to include three‐dimensional tip flow corrections when using low‐order rotor models that rely on the flow independence principle to compute the blade forces. These corrections aim to account for the effect of pressure equalization at the tips and the accompanying spanwise pressure gradients on the outboard sections, by reducing the computed axial and tangential forces as the blade tips are approached. While Glauert‐type corrections are conventionally employed for actuator disc‐type computations, alternative corrections are required for actuator line computations as they use a finite blade representation. We present actuator line computations of the Model Rotor Experiments in Controlled Conditions (MEXICO) rotor to investigate tip corrections. Using the tip correction factor proposed by Shen et al. (Wind Energy 2005; 8:457–475), the actuator line computations show an improvement in accuracy over similar computations undertaken without a tip correction factor included. Further improvement to the blade loading is achieved by recalibrating the tip correction factor using data extracted from blade resolved computations of the model rotor experiments in controlled conditions rotor. From the rotor resolved computations, the tip loss (reduction in the blade loading on the outboard sections) is found to be more aggressive in the tangential direction than the axial direction. To account for this, we recalibrate the tip correction factor separately in the axial and tangential directions to develop new directionally dependent tip corrections. The resulting actuator line computations show a further improvement in accuracy of the tangential blade loading, resulting in better prediction of the rotor power. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Demographic consequences of translocation of overabundant Canada geese breeding in urban areas
Authors: Flockhart D. T. Tyler , Clarke Jared B. 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTTranslocation is a common tool for managing nuisance Canada geese (Branta canadensis) in urban areas across North America. However, no previous research has assessed how translocation affects survival and philopatry at donor and release sites. Such information is required for managers to decide if translocation is a suitable intervention to reach their management objectives. We used a joint multistate‐dead recovery mark‐recapture analysis to retrospectively measure the effects of translocation on survival and fidelity of immature and adult Canada geese (n = 2,946 marked individuals). Between 2009 and 2013, geese from Wascana Centre, an urban park in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, were subject to translocation to Cumberland Lake, a remote lake more than 400 km away. Survival varied between immature (mean annual survival = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.24–0.40) and adult (mean annual survival = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.69–0.75) geese, but translocation had no effect on survival probability. However, translocated immature geese had a lower mean probability of returning to Wascana (0.11, 95% CI = 0.07–0.18) compared to adult geese (0.83, 95% CI = 0.77–0.88). Translocation is unlikely to lead to a reduction in population density in our system given that translocation does not influence survival and adults return at high rates after being moved. If translocation is the only management option available, then the focus should be on immature geese. If translocation is used as a management option to minimize the number of geese that would need to be lethally removed, then managers should translocate immature geese and cull adult geese to reach management objectives. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.
Genetic analysis of α‐synuclein 3′ untranslated region and its corresponding microRNAs in relation to Parkinson's disease compared to dementia with Lewy bodies
Authors: Tagliafierro Lidia , Glenn Omolara‐Chinue , Zamora Madison E. , Beach Thomas G. , Woltjer Randy L. , Lutz Michael W. , Chiba‐Falek Ornit 
Published: April 2017

AbstractIntroductionThe α‐synuclein (SNCA) gene has been implicated in the etiology of Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB).MethodsA computational analysis of SNCA 3′ untranslated region to identify potential microRNA (miRNA) binding sites and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to determine their expression in isogenic induced pluripotent stem cell–derived dopaminergic and cholinergic neurons as a model of PD and DLB, respectively, were performed. In addition, we performed a deep sequencing analysis of the SNCA 3′ untranslated region of autopsy‐confirmed cases of PD, DLB, and normal controls, followed by genetic association analysis of the identified variants.ResultsWe identified four miRNA binding sites and observed a neuronal‐type–specific expression profile for each miRNA in the different isogenic induced pluripotent stem cell–derived dopaminergic and cholinergic neurons. Furthermore, we found that the short structural variant rs777296100‐polyT was moderately associated with DLB but not with PD.DiscussionWe suggest that the regulation of SNCA expression through miRNAs is neuronal‐type–specific and possibly plays a part in the phenotypic heterogeneity of synucleinopathies. Furthermore, genetic variability in the SNCA gene may contribute to synucleinopathies in a pathology‐specific manner.
The Architecture of International Migration Law: A Deconstructivist
Design of Complexity and Contradiction
Authors: Chetail Vincent 
Published: April 2017

International
migration law (hereinafter IML) can be described and conceptualized as
a deconstructivist architecture both literally and metaphorically. It
is an architecture of fragmentation based on dissonance and asymmetry that
questions the traditions of harmony, unity, and stability. Initiated by the
French philosopher Jacques Derrida, the deconstructivist architectural movement
distorts the conventional oppositions between form and function, center and
margin, outside and inside.