bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Micellar electrokinetic chromatographic method for the dabrafenib determination in biological samples
Authors: Rodríguez Juana , Castañeda Gregorio , Muñoz Lorena , Lizcano Isabel , Berciano Miguel A. 
Published: February 2016

Two different micellar electrokinetic chromatographic methods to determine dabrafenib in urine and serum, both using borate buffer (pH 9.2, 20 mM) and SDS as separation electrolyte, are developed and validated. The analyses were carried out in a fused‐silica capillary of 75 μm of internal diameter and total length of 47 and 37 cm for urine and serum determination, respectively. The detection of the target compound was performed at 227 nm in urine samples and at 251 nm in serum samples. The linearity range was from 1 to 21 mg/L of dabrafenib in urine and from 2 to 40 mg/L in serum. In all cases, inter‐ and intraday RSDs were <4%. Sample preparation of serum samples consists of an only step of 1:1 dilution with water before its injection in the electrophoretic system. These simple, sensitive, accurate, and cost‐effective methods can be used in routine clinical practice to monitor dabrafenib concentrations in urine and serum of metastatic melanoma skin cancer patients.
Salvage total laryngectomy after external‐beam radiotherapy: A 20‐year experience
Authors: Sandulache Vlad C. , Vandelaar Laura J. , Skinner Heath D. , Cata Juan , Hutcheson katherine , Fuller Clifton David , Phan Jack , Siddiqui Zuhair , Lai Stephen Y. , Weber Randal S. , Zafereo Mark E. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe purpose of this study was to present our evaluation of the clinical and functional outcomes after salvage total laryngectomy (STL).MethodsWe conducted a retrospective review of 218 patients who underwent STL between 1994 and 2014.ResultsSeventy percent of patients originally had T1 or T2, N0 tumors and 73% had definitive external‐beam radiotherapy (EBRT) alone. A majority utilized tracheoesophageal prosthesis (77%) and were gastrostomy free (80%) at last follow‐up. The 5‐year disease control and overall survival (OS) rates were 65% and 57%, respectively. Patients with a disease‐free interval after initial treatment <2 years were more likely to develop a recurrence (p = .001) and die of disease (p = .032) after STL. The disease‐free interval after EBRT impacted disease control (p < .001), with 5‐year disease control of 92% for >5‐year disease‐free interval and 60% for <2‐year disease‐free interval.ConclusionMost patients remain disease‐free after STL, achieve intelligible tracheoesophageal speech, and maintain an oral diet. Delayed recurrence after initial treatment portends better survival and may indicate a distinct biological profile. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E1962–E1968, 2016
The synergistic effect of surface topography and sustained release of TGF‐β1 on myogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Moghadasi Boroujeni Samaneh , Mashayekhan Shohreh , Vakilian Saeid , Ardeshirylajimi Abdolreza , Soleimani Masoud 
Published: February 2016

AbstractA combination of topographical cues and controlled release of biochemical factors is a potential platform in controlling stem cells differentiation. In this study the synergistic effect of nanotopography and sustained release of biofunctional transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF‐β1) on differentiation of human Wharton's Jelly‐derived mesenchymal stem cell (hWJ‐derived UC‐MSCs) toward myogenic lineage was investigated. In order to achieve a sustained release of TGF‐β1, this factor was encapsulated within chitosan nanoparticles. Afterwards the aligned composite mats were fabricated using poly‐ɛ‐caprolacton (PCL) containing TGF‐β1‐loaded chitosan nanoparticles and poly‐L‐lactic acid (PLLA). The nanofiber topography notably up‐regulated the expressions of calponin1 and SM22α compared with tissue culture polystyrene (TCP). Moreover, the combination of nanofiber topography and sustained TGF‐β1release resulted in more significant enhancement of SMC marker, in particular smooth muscle α‐actin (ASMA) expression, compared with bolus delivery despite lower amounts of TGF‐β1 (>10 times lower). Additionally, immunofluorescence staining showed that ASMA and desmin were expressed at higher intensity in cells exposed to controlled TGF‐β1 delivery rather than bolus delivery. These results demonstrated the importance of combined effect of topography and drug delivery in directing stem cell fate and the potential of such biofunctional scaffolds for cell transplantation applications in bladder tissue engineering. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 1610–1621, 2016.
Why Profit Doesn't Translate Into Cash
Authors: Tomas Lee Reginald 
Published: February 2016

In this article, the author suggests there is a disconnect between profit and cash flow. Ultimately, you will need to build models to help you understand and manage cash flow. Central to this insight will be capacity modeling. Capacity is the largest expenditure of most companies, yet most fail to realize and manage capacity. Most accounting approaches fail to accomplish this. Additionally, understanding the difference between cash outlay cost (cost
c
) and noncash cost (cost
nc
) will be important, as only one is cash, and you cannot add dissimilar numbers together mathematically. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Enhancing hepatic fibrosis in spontaneously hypertensive rats fed a choline‐deficient diet: a follow‐up report on long‐term effects of oxidative stress in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Yamamoto Hiroya , Kanno Keishi , Ikuta Takuya , Arihiro Koji , Sugiyama Akiko , Kishikawa Nobusuke , Tazuma Susumu 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBackgroundWe previously reported a model of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) using spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), fed a choline‐deficient (CD) diet for 5 weeks, that hepatic steatosis but not fibrosis is developed through oxidative stress. To determine the relationship between hypertension and hepatic fibrosis in NAFLD, we examined whether long‐term CD diet leads to hepatic fibrosis through oxidative stress.MethodsEight‐week‐old male SHR and normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKYs) were fed a CD diet for 5 or 20 weeks, then liver histology and hepatic expression of genes related to lipid metabolism, fibrosis, and oxidative stress were assessed. Oxidative stress was assessed by hepatic thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) levels.ResultsAfter 5 weeks on CD diet, prominent hepatic steatosis and decrease in expression of genes for lipid metabolism were observed in SHRs as compared with WKYs. SHRs on a CD diet demonstrated a downregulated expression of genes for antioxidants, along with significant increases in hepatic TBARS. After 20 weeks on CD diet, SHRs demonstrated severe liver fibrosis and upregulated expressions of genes for fibrosis when compared with WKY.ConclusionHypertension precipitated hepatic steatosis, and further, acts as an enhancer in NAFLD progression to liver fibrosis through oxidative stress.
Potential impacts of forestation on future climate change in Southern Africa
Authors: Naik Myra , Abiodun Babatunde J. 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACTMany studies have projected future climate changes over Southern Africa, but without including the influence of on‐going forestation activities in the region. The present study investigates how the forestation activities may alter the projected climate change. For the study, two regional climate models (RegCM and WRF) were applied to simulate the present‐day climate (1970–2004) and future climate (2030–2064; IPCC RCP 4.5), with and without forestation. The simulations account for the potential impacts of natural bush encroachment and commercial forestation activities over the eastern part of South Africa. The results agree with previous studies that found that the RCP4.5 emission scenario would induce warming over Southern Africa in the future, but the results further indicate that forestation would enhance the warming over the forested area and induce cooling elsewhere. The additional warming over the forested area is due to the albedo effect of the forestation, while the cooling is due to the dynamic feedback of the local warming induced by the forestation. For similar reasons, the forestation would induce wet and dry conditions over different areas in the sub‐continent in the future. As a result of its combined influences on rainfall and temperature, the forestation would enhance summer drought frequency over some areas but reduce it over other areas in Southern Africa. The simulations suggest that using forestation to mitigate the impacts of global warming may produce unintended climate impacts over some areas in Southern Africa. Hence, before embarking on large‐scale forestation, the biophysical effects of forestation in Southern Africa should be weighed against the biogeochemical benefits.
Quantitative and qualitative evaluation of kernel anthocyanins from southwestern United States blue corn
Authors: Nankar Amol N , Dungan Barry , Paz Neil , Sudasinghe Nilusha , Schaub Tanner , Holguin F Omar , Pratt Richard C 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBACKGROUNDAnthocyanin‐rich blue corn is an emerging specialty crop in the USA. The antioxidant properties of blue corn offer health benefits in the human diet. The objectives of this study were to identify, characterize and quantify the anthocyanins from blue corn. Hypotheses tested were that total anthocyanin content was similar among southwestern US accessions and that it would vary across locations. It was also examined whether different anthocyanin components were unique to certain genotypes.RESULTSAcross all locations and accessions, an average of 0.43 g kg−1 total anthocyanin content (TAC) was observed. Accessions Santa Clara Blue and Ohio Blue displayed the highest TAC. The TAC of accession Flor del Rio was lower by nearly a factor of six. A total of five anthocyanin components were identified. Cyanidin 3‐glucoside was the most abundant, followed by pelargonidin and peonidin 3‐glucoside. Succinyl and disuccinyl glycosidic forms of cyanidin were also identified. Cyanidin 3‐disuccinylglucoside was newly identified as a novel form of anthocyanin.CONCLUSIONQuantitative and qualitative anthocyanin expression was determined to be relatively stable across multiple southwestern environments. Increased expression of red and purple pigmentation in accession Flor del Rio appeared to be associated more with reduced TAC and cyanidin 3‐glucoside than with elevated pelargonidin per se. A previously unreported anthocyanin component in blue corn, cyanidin 3‐disuccinylglucoside, is present in southwestern landraces. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Validation of “laboratory‐supported” criteria for functional (psychogenic) tremor
Authors: Schwingenschuh Petra , Saifee Tabish A. , Katschnig‐Winter Petra , Macerollo Antonella , Koegl‐Wallner Mariella , Culea Valeriu , Ghadery Christine , Hofer Edith , Pendl Tamara , Seiler Stephan , Werner Ulrike , Franthal Sebastian , Maurits Natasha M. , Tijssen Marina A. , Schmidt Reinhold , Rothwell John C. , Bhatia Kailash P. , Edwards Mark J. 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACTBackgroundIn a small group of patients, we have previously shown that a combination of electrophysiological tests was able to distinguish functional (psychogenic) tremor and organic tremor with excellent sensitivity and specificity.ObjectivesThis study aims to validate an electrophysiological test battery as a tool to diagnose patients with functional tremor with a “laboratory‐supported” level of certainty.MethodsFor this prospective data collection study, we recruited 38 new patients with functional tremor (mean age 37.9 ± 24.5 years; mean disease duration 5.9 ± 9.0 years) and 73 new patients with organic tremor (mean age 55.4 ± 25.4 years; mean disease duration 15.8 ± 17.7 years). Tremor was recorded at rest, posture (with and without loading), action, while performing tapping tasks (1, 3, and 5 Hz), and while performing ballistic movements with the less‐affected hand. Electrophysiological tests were performed by raters blinded to the clinical diagnosis. We calculated a sum score for all performed tests (maximum of 10 points) and used a previously suggested cut‐off score of 3 points for a diagnosis of laboratory‐supported functional tremor.ResultsWe demonstrated good interrater reliability and test‐retest reliability. Patients with functional tremor had a higher average score on the test battery when compared with patients with organic tremor (3.6 ± 1.4 points vs 1.0 ± 0.8 points; P < .001), and the predefined cut‐off score for laboratory‐supported functional tremor yielded a test sensitivity of 89.5% and a specificity of 95.9%.ConclusionWe now propose this test battery as the basis of laboratory‐supported criteria for the diagnosis of functional tremor, and we encourage its use in clinical and research practice. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
The pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus—A functional hypothesis from the comparative literature
Authors: Gut Nadine K. , Winn Philip 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACTWe present data from animal studies showing that the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus—conserved through evolution, compartmentalized, and with a complex pattern of inputs and outputs—has functions that involve formation and updates of action–outcome associations, attention, and rapid decision making. This is in contrast to previous hypotheses about pedunculopontine function, which has served as a basis for clinical interest in the pedunculopontine in movement disorders. Current animal literature points to it being neither a specifically motor structure nor a master switch for sleep regulation. The pedunculopontine is connected to basal ganglia circuitry but also has primary sensory input across modalities and descending connections to pontomedullary, cerebellar, and spinal motor and autonomic control systems. Functional and anatomical studies in animals suggest strongly that, in addition to the pedunculopontine being an input and output station for the basal ganglia and key regulator of thalamic (and consequently cortical) activity, an additional major function is participation in the generation of actions on the basis of a first‐pass analysis of incoming sensory data. Such a function—rapid decision making—has very high adaptive value for any vertebrate. We argue that in developing clinical strategies for treating basal ganglia disorders, it is necessary to take an account of the normal functions of the pedunculopontine. We believe that it is possible to use our hypothesis to explain why pedunculopontine deep brain stimulation used clinically has had variable outcomes in the treatment of parkinsonism motor symptoms and effects on cognitive processing. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Community prevalence of long‐term urinary catheters use in England
Authors: Gage Heather , Avery Miriam , Flannery Caragh , Williams Peter , Fader Mandy 
Published: February 2016

ObjectivesTo calculate the prevalence of long term catheter use in the community in two areas in the south and west of England.Subjects/patients (or materials) and methodsPeople in England register with general practices to access health care through a National Health Service. Catheters are provided by prescription free of charge. In 2008, patients using urinary catheters for over 3 months were identified, and demographic information collected, from databases of general practices, using catheter prescribing records. The age and sex distributions of people in each practice were obtained from capitation claims. Overall, and age and sex‐specific prevalence were calculated separately for each area, and compared.ResultsA total of 583 long term catheter users (329 south, 254 west) were identified from 404,328 people registered with practices. The overall population prevalence is similar in both locations (0.146% southern, 0.141% western). Extrapolating for the United Kingdom, this is over 90,000 long term catheter users. Prevalence increases with age (0.732% in over 70 years, 1.224% over 80), especially amongst men. Overall, higher proportions have neurological (vs. non‐neurological) reasons (62.9% vs. 37.1%) and use urethral (vs. suprapubic) catheters (59.7% vs. 40.3%). Compared to men, more women tend to use suprapubic (56.4% vs. 29.3%) and have a catheter for neurological reasons (71.8% vs. 56.2%, P = 0.053).ConclusionsPrevious evidence on prevalence of long term catheter use is sparse, and of variable quality. The strength of this study is utilisation of a reliable source of data (catheter prescriptions) from a large population of patients. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:293–296, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of bariatric surgery on male lower urinary tract symptoms and sexual function
Authors: Groutz Asnat , Gordon David , Schachter Pinhas , Amir Hadar , Shimonov Mordechai 
Published: February 2016

AimTo investigate the effect of bariatric surgery on male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and sexual function.MethodsFifty‐five consecutive obese men who underwent a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy were prospectively enrolled. Two validated questionnaires, the International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS) and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) were used to assess LUTS and sexual function, before and 3 months after surgery. Fifty‐three men (mean age 39 ± 12.5 years) completed all pre and postoperative questionnaires. Mean body mass index (BMI) before and 3 months after surgery was 42.8 ± 5.3 and 31.3 ± 5.4 kg/m2; respectively.ResultsPreoperatively, 41 (77%) men (mean age 40 ± 12.9, mean BMI 42.2 ± 5 kg/m2) had some degree of LUTS and 39 (74%) men (mean age 40.7 ± 12.4, mean BMI 42.8 ± 5.6 kg/m2) were sexually active. Postoperatively, the total IPSS score decreased significantly (5.5 ± 4.4 vs. 2.7 ± 2.6; P < 0.001), however this change was due to improvement in storage phase LUTS, measured by questions 2, 4, and 7 of the IPSS questionnaire. No statistically significant changes of voiding phase LUTS, measured by questions 1, 3, 5, 6 of the IPSS, were observed. Of the various aspects of sexual dysfunction, only erectile function, measured by questions 1–5 and 15 of the IIEF questionnaire was significantly improved (22.7 ± 7.2 vs. 26.1 ± 6.5, P = 0.02). Postoperative overall intercourse satisfaction (9.5 ± 4.2 vs. 11.5 ± 3, P = 0.01) and overall satisfaction (7.9 ± 2.5 vs. 8.9 ± 1.3, P = 0.02) were significantly improved as well.ConclusionMale storage phase LUTS and erectile function were significantly and rapidly improved following bariatric surgery. Larger and long‐term studies are required to investigate these apparently beneficial effects. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:636–639, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quantitative agreement between [15O]H2O PET and model free QUASAR MRI‐derived cerebral blood flow and arterial blood volume
Authors: Heijtel D.F.R. , Petersen E.T. , Mutsaerts H.J.M.M. , Bakker E. , Schober P. , Stevens M.F. , van Berckel B.N.M , Majoie C.B.L.M. , Booij J. , van Osch M.J.P. , van Bavel E.T. , Boellaard R. , Lammertsma A.A. , Nederveen A.J. 
Published: February 2016

The purpose of this study was to assess whether there was an agreement between quantitative cerebral blood flow (CBF) and arterial cerebral blood volume (CBVA) measurements by [15O]H2O positron emission tomography (PET) and model‐free QUASAR MRI. Twelve healthy subjects were scanned within a week in separate MRI and PET imaging sessions, after which quantitative and qualitative agreement between both modalities was assessed for gray matter, white matter and whole brain region of interests (ROI).The correlation between CBF measurements obtained with both modalities was moderate to high (r2: 0.28–0.60, P < 0.05), although QUASAR significantly underestimated CBF by 30% (P < 0.001). CBVA was moderately correlated (r2: 0.28–0.43, P < 0.05), with QUASAR yielding values that were only 27% of the [15O]H2O‐derived values (P < 0.001). Group‐wise voxel statistics identified minor areas with significant contrast differences between [15O]H2O PET and QUASAR MRI, indicating similar qualitative CBVA and CBF information by both modalities. In conclusion, the results of this study demonstrate that QUASAR MRI and [15O]H2O PET provide similar CBF and CBVA information, but with systematic quantitative discrepancies. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The impact of obstructive sleep apnea on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with severe obesity
Authors: Benotti Peter , Wood G. Craig , Argyropoulos George , Pack Allan , Keenan Brendan T. , Gao Xiang , Gerhard Glenn , Still Christopher 
Published: February 2016

ObjectiveObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is common among candidates for bariatric surgery. OSA and its associated intermittent hypoxia have been implicated in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. A large cohort of bariatric surgery patients was studied in an effort to explore the relationship between OSA severity, hypoxia, metabolic syndrome, and the severity of NAFLD.MethodsBariatric surgery candidates who underwent both polysomnography and liver biopsy were studied. The severity of OSA as determined by the apnea‐hypopnea index (AHI) and parameters of hypoxia was studied in relation to extent of abnormalities of liver histology as measured by the presence of hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis.ResultsThe study cohort included 362 patients with a mean age of 46.2 years and BMI of 49.9 kg/m2. On the basis of AHI, 26% of the cohort had no OSA, 32% mild OSA, 22% moderate OSA, and 20% severe OSA. For the study subjects without metabolic syndrome, positive correlations were found between OSA severity, as measured by AHI, and parameters of hypoxia, with the severity of NAFLD.ConclusionsOSA severity and its accompanying hypoxia are associated with the severity of NAFLD.
An evaluation of factors affecting preference for immediate, delayed or no breast reconstruction in women with high‐risk breast cancer
Authors: Flitcroft Kathy , Brennan Meagan , Costa Daniel , Wong April , Snook Kylie , Spillane Andrew 
Published: February 2016

AbstractObjectiveWomen with locally advanced breast cancer face many conflicting issues affecting their choice of immediate versus delayed versus no breast reconstruction (BR). This single‐centre pilot study assessed high‐risk women's reasons and priorities in choosing the timing and type of BR in a setting where all clinically feasible options were discussed with all women.MethodsFifty‐one women from a metropolitan breast oncology practice, who were likely to require post‐mastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT), were recruited after making their decision about BR. Participants completed a questionnaire (69% preoperatively), adapted from Reaby (1998), evaluating the factors affecting their decision. Responses were subsequently classified into eight issue‐based domains (feeling normal, feeling good, being practical, influence of others, expectations, fear, timing and unnecessary). Demographic and clinical data were also collected.ResultsThere were 32 immediate BR (IBR = 63%), seven delayed BR (DBR = 13%) and 12 no BR (NBR = 23%). Analysis using the chi square test showed women over 60 were more likely to choose NBR (p = 0.005), while women living with a partner were more likely to choose IBR (p = 0.032). The most relevant domains for both IBR and DBR were ‘feeling good’ and ‘feeling normal’; and for NBR were ‘unnecessary’ and ‘being practical’. Although all women understood pre‐operatively the potential aesthetic limitations of PMRT, 63% still chose IBR.ConclusionsThese data will enable clinicians, researchers and women with breast cancer to gain a clearer understanding of the factors that impact on the choice and timing of BR in women requiring PMRT, a major breast cancer survivorship decision. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.