bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Local and systemic coagulation marker response to musculocutaneous flap ischemia–reperfusion injury and remote ischemic conditioning: An experimental study in a porcine model
Authors: Krag Andreas Engel , Hvas Christine Lodberg , Kiil Birgitte Jul , Eschen Gete Toft , Damsgaard Tine Engberg , Hvas Anne‐Mette 
Published: January 2018

BackgroundRemote ischemic conditioning (RIC) administered by non‐lethal periods of extremity ischemia and reperfusion attenuates ischemia–reperfusion injury. We aimed to investigate the local and systemic coagulation marker response to flap ischemia–reperfusion injury, and the effects of RIC on coagulation markers following flap ischemia–reperfusion injury.MethodsA musculocutaneous latissimus dorsi flap was subjected to 4 h of ischemia followed by 7 h of reperfusion in 16 female Danish Landrace pigs (39 kg). Systemic venous blood samples were collected 1 h before flap reperfusion. Flap and systemic venous blood samples were collected at reperfusion and hourly during reperfusion. We measured thrombin generation, fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor, antithrombin, thrombin‐antithrombin complex, activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and prothrombin time (PT). RIC was performed 1 h before flap reperfusion in the intervention group by three 10‐min periods of hind limb ischemia and reperfusion (n = 8). RIC was not performed in the control group (n = 8).ResultsLocal and systemic coagulation marker changes were comparable following flap ischemia–reperfusion injury. Flap ischemia–reperfusion injury reduced thrombin generation lag time from 2.0 ± 0.3 to 1.6 ± 0.3 min (P < .001), time‐to‐peak thrombin from 3.5 ± 0.3 to 3.0 ± 0.5 min (P = .001), peak thrombin from 79.6 ± 8.1 to 74.5 ± 7.1 nM (P = .033), endogenous thrombin potential from 211 ± 24 to 197 ± 19 nM × min (P = .01), antithrombin from 0.91 ± 0.07 to 0.79 ± 0.06 103 IU/l (P = .002), and aPTT from 37 ± 21 to 21 ± 9 s (P = .017). RIC increased peak thrombin (P < .001), endogenous thrombin potential (P < .001), and aPTT (P = .019).ConclusionsThe local coagulation marker response to musculocutaneous flap ischemia–reperfusion could be measured systemically by moderate hypercoagulation. RIC did not substantially influence coagulation markers following musculocutaneous flap ischemia–reperfusion injury.
A collagen‐coated PGA conduit for interpositional‐jump graft with end‐to‐side neurorrhaphy for treating facial nerve paralysis in rat
Authors: Niimi Yosuke , Matsumine Hajime , Takeuchi Yuichi , Hironobu Osaki , Tsunoda Satoshi , Miyata Mariko , Yamato Masayuki , Sakurai Hiroyuki 
Published: January 2018

PurposeThis study investigated the potential of collagen‐coated polyglycolic acid (PGA) tube with interpositional jump graft (IPJG) in rat.Materials and MethodsA total of 16 Lewis rats were used in this study. Facial nerve paralysis was created by ligating facial nerve trunk with a ligature clip. The rats were divided into 3 groups. Nerve conduit group (n = 6) were treated by IPJG with collagen‐coated PGA tubes between the facial nerve trunks and the hypoglossal nerves. Autograft group (n = 6) were treated by IPJG with the greater auricular nerves. As the control group (n = 4), non‐treated‐model rats with facial nerve paralysis were used. The number of myelinated fibers, fiber diameter, axon diameter, myelin thickness, and g‐ratio, were analyzed histologically at 13 weeks after surgery. Compound muscle action potential (CMAP) and retrograde tracing were measured.ResultAlthough the number of myelinated fibers in autograft group (1957 ± 775) had significantly higher than that of nerve conduit group (90 ± 41, P < .05), the nerve conduit group showed the regeneration of myelinated nerve axons. CMAP amplitude values of the autograft (4706 ± 1154 µV) and the nerve conduit groups (4119 ± 1397 µV) were significantly higher than that of the control group (915 ± 789 µV, P < .05). Retrograde tracing confirmed the double innervation of mimetic muscles by the facial and hypoglossal nucleus in both groups.ConclusionThis study showed histologically and physiologically the superior effectiveness of performing IPJG with a collagen‐coated PGA conduit in a rat model.
De Novo Design of Bioactive Small Molecules by Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Merk Daniel , Friedrich Lukas , Grisoni Francesca , Schneider Gisbert 
Published: January 2018

AbstractGenerative artificial intelligence offers a fresh view on molecular design. We present the first‐time prospective application of a deep learning model for designing new druglike compounds with desired activities. For this purpose, we trained a recurrent neural network to capture the constitution of a large set of known bioactive compounds represented as SMILES strings. By transfer learning, this general model was fine‐tuned on recognizing retinoid X and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor agonists. We synthesized five top‐ranking compounds designed by the generative model. Four of the compounds revealed nanomolar to low‐micromolar receptor modulatory activity in cell‐based assays. Apparently, the computational model intrinsically captured relevant chemical and biological knowledge without the need for explicit rules. The results of this study advocate generative artificial intelligence for prospective de novo molecular design, and demonstrate the potential of these methods for future medicinal chemistry.
On a generalized variable‐coefficient Gardner equation with linear damping and dissipative terms
Authors: de la Rosa R. , Recio E. , Garrido T. M. , Bruzón M. S. 
Published: January 2018

SummaryIn this paper, a generalized variable‐coefficient Gardner equation which involves a linear damping term and a dissipative term is studied. This equation broadens out a large number of equations previously considered. The equivalence group is used to simplify the analysis of the equation. The gauging of arbitrary elements of the family allows us to perform an exhaustive study of the Lie symmetries admitted by the family. Finally, by means of the multiplier method, we classify all low‐order conservation laws of the equations that have been obtained by applying the gauging.
NMR‐based approach reveals seasonal metabolic changes in mate (Ilex paraguariensis A. St.‐Hil.)
Authors: Freitas Deisy dos Santos , Nunes Wilian da Silva , do Prado Apparecido Rafael , Lopes Thiago Inácio Barros , Alcantara Glaucia Braz 
Published: January 2018

Ilex paraguariensis (mate) is a species native to South America and is widely consumed in countries such Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil. Mate consumption is associated with several phytotherapeutic functions, in addition to its cultural and regional importance. However, the harvest period can affect the properties of the mate, due to variations in the constituent proportions, as a consequence of seasonal changes. In this work, we employed nuclear magnetic resonance and chemometrics to evaluate the chemical variations in leaf extracts of I. paraguariensis over the four seasons of the year. We found significant changes in the levels of glucose, myo‐inositol, caffeine, theobromine, and fatty acids. These changes can be related to resource allocation for the flowering period, or to responses to environmental stresses, such as temperature.
Dynamic measurement of oxygen extraction fraction using a multiecho asymmetric spin echo (MASE) pulse sequence
Authors: Yin Yayan , Zhang Yaoyu , Gao Jia‐Hong 
Published: January 2018

PurposeThe oxygen extraction fraction (OEF), an important parameter for assessing brain oxygen metabolism, is a key marker of brain health. Dynamic measurement of the OEF is currently limited by the long acquisition time. In this study, a noninvasive method for rapidly and effectively assessing dynamic changes in the OEF during brain stimulation is proposed.MethodsA novel pulse sequence using the multi‐echo asymmetric spin echo with an echo‐planar imaging acquisition scheme was developed to improve the temporal resolution of functional OEF measurements. A theoretical formulation that describes the multi‐echo asymmetric spin echo signal dephasing phenomena in the presence of deoxygenated hemoglobin was established. A functional motor experiment was performed using human subjects, in which both OEF maps using the multi‐echo asymmetric spin echo sequence and blood oxygenation level–dependent maps using a
‐weighted gradient‐echo echo‐planar imaging sequence were generated and compared.ResultsThe activation maps for both OEF and blood oxygenation level–dependent maps revealed significant changes in the motor cortex. Our results, which were consistent with the previous reports, showed that the average relative changes in the OEF and blood oxygenation level–dependent signal were −22% and 2.0%, respectively.ConclusionObtaining dynamic OEF measurements during functional experiments with the proposed multi‐echo asymmetric spin echo method is feasible. Magn Reson Med 80:1118–1124, 2018. © 2018 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Time‐course study of macrophage infiltration and inflammation in cast immobilization–induced atrophied muscle of mice
Authors: Kawanishi Noriaki , Funakoshi Tomoko , Machida Shuichi 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Macrophage infiltration may play an important role in mediating the development of muscle atrophy. However, temporal differences in the activation of muscle atrophy signaling pathways and the progress of macrophage infiltration during the atrophic phases of cast immobilization are currently unknown. Methods: C57BL/6J mice were euthanized after cast immobilization at 1, 3, 7, and 14 days. Results: Skeletal muscle macrophage numbers were unchanged on days 1 and 3 after immobilization, but were elevated on days 7 (2.7‐fold, P < 0.01) and 14 (4.1‐fold, P < 0.01). Ubiquitin ligase expression was increased 1 and 3 days after cast immobilization, as was the LC3‐II/LC3‐I ratio. Discussion: Atrophy signaling pathway activation, but not macrophage infiltration, was observed during the early phase after cast immobilization. Our findings indicate that macrophage infiltration may contribute very little to the early phase of muscle atrophy after cast immobilization. Muscle Nerve 57: 1006–1013, 2018
Multiband diffusion‐weighted MRI of the eye and orbit free of geometric distortions using a RARE‐EPI hybrid
Authors: Paul Katharina , Huelnhagen Till , Oberacker Eva , Wenz Daniel , Kuehne André , Waiczies Helmar , Schmitter Sebastian , Stachs Oliver , Niendorf Thoralf 
Published: January 2018

Diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) provides information on tissue microstructure. Single‐shot echo planar imaging (EPI) is the most common technique for DWI applications in the brain, but is prone to geometric distortions and signal voids. Rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement [RARE, also known as fast spin echo (FSE)] imaging presents a valuable alternative to DWI with high anatomical accuracy. This work proposes a multi‐shot diffusion‐weighted RARE‐EPI hybrid pulse sequence, combining the anatomical integrity of RARE with the imaging speed and radiofrequency (RF) power deposition advantage of EPI. The anatomical integrity of RARE‐EPI was demonstrated and quantified by center of gravity analysis for both morphological images and diffusion‐weighted acquisitions in phantom and in vivo experiments at 3.0 T and 7.0 T. The results indicate that half of the RARE echoes in the echo train can be replaced by EPI echoes whilst maintaining anatomical accuracy. The reduced RF power deposition of RARE‐EPI enabled multiband RF pulses facilitating simultaneous multi‐slice imaging. This study shows that diffusion‐weighted RARE‐EPI has the capability to acquire high fidelity, distortion‐free images of the eye and the orbit. It is shown that RARE‐EPI maintains the immunity to B0 inhomogeneities reported for RARE imaging. This benefit can be exploited for the assessment of ocular masses and pathological changes of the eye and the orbit.
Locally Refined T‐splines
Authors: Chen L. , de Borst R. 
Published: January 2018

SummaryWe extend Locally Refined (LR) B‐splines to LR T‐splines within the Bézier extraction framework. This discretization technique combines the advantages of T‐splines to model the geometry of engineering objects exactly with the ability to flexibly carry out local mesh refinement. In contrast to LR B‐splines, LR T‐splines take a T‐mesh as input instead of a tensor‐product mesh. The LR T‐mesh is defined, and examples are given how to construct it from an initial T‐mesh by repeated meshline insertions. The properties of LR T‐splines are investigated by exploiting the Bézier extraction operator, including the nested nature, linear independence, and the partition of unity property. A technique is presented to remove possible linear dependencies between LR T‐splines. Like for other spline technologies, the Bézier extraction framework enables to fully use existing finite element data structures.
Optimal control of nonlinear dynamical systems based on a new parallel eigenvalue decomposition approach
Authors: Jajarmi Amin , Baleanu Dumitru 
Published: January 2018

SummaryThis manuscript aims to investigate a new approach based on the modal series method and eigenvalue decomposition technique to solve a class of nonlinear optimal control problems. For this purpose, a sequence of decoupled linear two‐point boundary value problems is solved iteratively instead of solving the coupled nonlinear two‐point boundary value problem derived from the maximum principle. The convergence analysis of the suggested technique is also investigated. In addition, the problem that needs to be solved at each iteration is composed of lower‐order decoupled subproblems; hence, they can be solved in parallel. Thus, the new scheme has a parallel computing property improving its computational effectiveness. Numerical simulations and comparative results show that the proposed approach is efficient and provides satisfactory results.
High breakdown strength and low loss binary polymer blends of poly(vinylidene fluoride‐trifluoroethylene‐chlorofluoroethylene) and poly(methyl methacrylate)
Authors: Liu Feihua , Li Zeyu , Wang Qing , Xiong Chuanxi 
Published: January 2018

Dielectric materials with high breakdown strength and low loss are of crucial importance in capacitive energy storage electronics. Herein, a kind of polymer blend composed of poly(vinylidene fluoride‐trifluoroethylene‐chlorofluoroethylene) ferroelectric terpolymer and linear dielectric poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is presented. The polymer blend shows a breakdown strength of 733 MV/m and a charge‐discharge efficiency over 90% at 200 MV/m with optimized PMMA content, which are 101% and 28% higher than that of neat terpolymer. Moreover, microsecond discharge time of 2.26 μs, along with a power density that is 3.6 times that of the current commercially available biaxially oriented polypropylene, as well as great cyclic performance, has been achieved under an electric field of 200 MV/m. The findings of this research demonstrate that the incorporation of linear dielectric PMMA into poly(vinylidene fluoride)‐based ferroelectric polymer provides a new strategy in designing high breakdown strength low loss dielectric materials for reliable compact flexible film capacitors.
Systemic therapy of aggressive fibromatosis in children and adolescents: Report of the Cooperative Weichteilsarkom Studiengruppe (CWS)
Authors: Sparber‐Sauer Monika , Seitz Guido , von Kalle Thekla , Vokuhl Christian , Leuschner Ivo , Scheer Monika , Münter Marc , Ljungman Gustaf , Bielack Stefan S. , Niggli Felix , Ladenstein Ruth , Klingebiel Thomas , Fuchs Joerg , Koscielniak Ewa ,   On Behalf of the CWS Study Group
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundTreatment algorithms for patients with aggressive fibromatosis (AF) are challenging. There are limited data available about the use of systemic therapy (ST) in pediatric patients with AF.MethodsPatient‐, tumor‐, and treatment‐related factors of 90 children and adolescents with AF treated on multiple prospective trials of the Cooperative Weichteilsarkom Studiengruppe (1981–2015) were analyzed with focus on response and outcome of ST.ResultsMedian age was 9.48 years (0.02–18.05). Primary resection was performed in 54 patients and ST was administered in 29 of 54 patients because of disease progression or relapse. In 35 patients, ST was the initial treatment modality. A secondary resection was performed in 21 of 35 patients after ST. A total of 64 patients received ST, mainly methotrexate and vinblastine (40%) with a median duration of 380 days. The most frequent radiological response to ST was stable disease at 3 months (39%) and partial response at 6 months (53%). Radiotherapy was administered to 15 of 90 patients. One patient remained on observation only. The 5‐year overall survival was 100% and the 5‐year event‐free survival (EFS) was 44%. Patients who had a primary resection showed a 5‐year EFS of 35% versus 59% in patients who had received primary ST (P = 0.08). Functional deficiencies as long‐term sequelae following resection occurred in 11 patients. At a median follow‐up of 5.05 years (0.25–14.88), complete remission was achieved in 51 patients and partial remission in 28 patients.ConclusionsST seems appropriate if a primary complete resection is not feasible and at relapse/progression after resection.
Problem‐solving skills, parent–adolescent communication, dyadic functioning, and distress among adolescents with cancer
Authors: Viola Adrienne , Taggi‐Pinto Alison , Sahler Olle Jane Z. , Alderfer Melissa A. , Devine Katie A. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractSome adolescents with cancer report distress and unmet needs. Guided by the disability‐stress‐coping model, we evaluated associations among problem‐solving skills, parent–adolescent cancer‐related communication, parent–adolescent dyadic functioning, and distress in adolescents with cancer. Thirty‐nine adolescent–parent dyads completed measures of these constructs. Adolescents were 14–20 years old on treatment or within 1 year of completing treatment. Better problem‐solving skills were correlated with lower adolescent distress (r = −0.70,P < 0.001). Adolescent‐reported cancer‐related communication problems and dyadic functioning were not significantly related to adolescent distress (rs < 0.18). Future work should examine use of problem‐solving interventions to decrease distress for adolescents with cancer.
Hydrogen's isotopic exchange reaction in the C‐methyl sides in the medicinal agent xymedon: NMR spectroscopy and ab initio calculations
Authors: Latypov Shamil K. , Kondrashova Svetlana A. , Galyametdinova Irina V. , Semenov Vyacheslav E. , Reznik Vladimir S. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe kinetics of intramolecular and intermolecular exchange processes in xymedon (1‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐4,6‐dimethyl‐1,2‐dihydropyrimidin‐2‐one, a regeneratory, wound‐healing drug) and its analogue were investigated in the solution. Hydrogen's mobility was detected in the C‐methyl sides of these compounds. This mobility was monitored via NMR in the hydrogen/deuterium exchange reaction in water. Two models were proposed as explanations for this hydrogen‐deuterium exchange. According to the main model, the key intermediates of these reactions are low‐energy tautomers of xymedon in which the N3 is protonated following which one proton leaves either 6‐Me or 4‐Me and thus its hybridization is changed. This hydrogen‐to‐deuterium exchange reaction is much faster under acidic conditions although it also occurs in alkaline conditions.Methylation via MeOTs or MeI leads to products with a quaternized ring N3 atom in which a hydrogen‐to‐deuterium exchange reaction also takes place, although the rates of the 6‐Me and 4‐Me hydrogens exchange are reversed.According to density functional theory calculations, the presence of methyl groups at the C4/C6 positions and of the C═O fragment is crucial to remarkably lower the energies of these “rare” tautomers. The exact position of the C═O in heterocycle is also very important in the tautomers' relative stability.
Arm‐first synthesis of star polymers with polywedge arms using ring‐opening metathesis polymerization and bifunctional crosslinkers
Authors: Learsch Robert , Miyake Garret M. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTThis work presents a two‐step, one‐pot process to make star polymers with polywedge arms. In a one‐pot reaction, after the polywedge arms are synthesized, crosslinker species are added to the reaction, rapidly forming star polymers. Crosslinker species with different degrees of conformational freedom were designed and synthesized and their capacity to generate star polymers was evaluated. Mass conversions up to 92% and stars with up to 17 arms were synthesized with the most rigid crosslinker. The effects of arm molecular weight and molar ratio of crosslinker to arm on mass conversion and arms per star were explored further. Finally, the size‐molecular weight scaling relationship for polywedges with linear and star architectures was compared, corroborating theoretical results regarding star polymers with arms much larger than their core. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 732–740
Continuous intravenous sildenafil as an early treatment in neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Authors: Kipfmueller Florian , Schroeder Lukas , Berg Christoph , Heindel Katrin , Bartmann Peter , Mueller Andreas 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundPulmonary hypertension (PH) is an important contributor of morbidity and mortality in infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Treatment options are limited, but sildenafil might improve oxygenation and PH in neonates with CDH.ObjectiveAim of this study is to assess effects of intravenous sildenafil on oxygenation and PH in neonates with CDH.MethodsA retrospective chart review was performed in all neonates with CDH born in our institution between September 2012 and December 2014. Indication for sildenafil was an OI > 15, PH > 2/3 systemic pressure, or a difference in pre‐ and postductal oxygen saturation (≥8%). A sildenafil bolus was administered followed by a maintenance infusion of 1.6 mg/kg/d. Primary outcome was improved oxygenation after starting sildenafil. Patients were compared according to improvement in oxygenation (responder vs non‐responder).ResultsA total of 26 of 44 neonates were treated with intravenous sildenafil and in all sildenafil were initiated within the first 24 h of life (median age 3.1 h). Improved oxygenation was observed in 11 infants (42.3%). Among the 15 non‐responders (57.6%) ECMO was started in 13 and two infants died without ECMO. Vasopressor support increased significantly during the first hours after commencing sildenafil in responders and non‐responders. Echocardiographic indices demonstrated an effect on pulmonary arterial pressure within the first 24 h after starting sildenafil.ConclusionsTreatment of neonates with intravenous sildenafil during the first day of life was associated with acute improvement in oxygenation in more than 40% of patients. However, a significant increase in vasopressor support was observed.