bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparative effectiveness of telemedicine strategies on type 2 diabetes management: A systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Lee Shaun Wen Huey , Chan Carina Ka Yee , Chua Siew Siang , Chaiyakunapruk Nathorn 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe effects of telemedicine strategies on the management of diabetes is not clear. This study aimed to investigate the impact of different telemedicine strategies on glycaemic control management of type 2 diabetes patients. A search was performed in 6 databases from inception until September 2016 for randomized controlled studies that examined the use of telemedicine in adults with type 2 diabetes. Studies were independently extracted and classified according to the following telemedicine strategies: teleeducation, telemonitoring, telecase-management, telementoring and teleconsultation. Traditional and network meta-analysis were performed to estimate the relative treatment effects. A total of 107 studies involving 20,501 participants were included. Over a median of 6 months follow-up, telemedicine reduced haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) by a mean of 0.43% (95% CI: −0.64% to −0.21%). Network meta-analysis showed that all telemedicine strategies were effective in reducing HbA1c significantly compared to usual care except for telecase-management and telementoring, with mean difference ranging from 0.37% and 0.71%. Ranking indicated that teleconsultation was the most effective telemedicine strategy, followed by telecase-management plus telemonitoring, and finally teleeducation plus telecase-management. The review indicates that most telemedicine strategies can be useful, either as an adjunct or to replace usual care, leading to clinically meaningful reduction in HbA1c.
Cancer-associated fibroblasts support vascular growth through mechanical force
Authors: Sewell-Loftin Mary Kathryn , Bayer Samantha Van Hove , Crist Elizabeth , Hughes Taylor , Joison Sofia M. , Longmore Gregory D. , George Steven C. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe role of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) as regulators of tumor progression, specifically vascular growth, has only recently been described. CAFs are thought to be more mechanically active but how this trait may alter the tumor microenvironment is poorly understood. We hypothesized that enhanced mechanical activity of CAFs, as regulated by the Rho/ROCK pathway, contributes to increased blood vessel growth. Using a 3D in vitro tissue model of vasculogenesis, we observed increased vascularization in the presence of breast cancer CAFs compared to normal breast fibroblasts. Further studies indicated this phenomenon was not simply a result of enhanced soluble signaling factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and that CAFs generated significantly larger deformations in 3D gels compared to normal fibroblasts. Inhibition of the mechanotransductive pathways abrogated the ability of CAFs to deform the matrix and suppressed vascularization. Finally, utilizing magnetic microbeads to mechanically stimulate mechanically-inhibited CAFs showed partial rescue of vascularization. Our studies demonstrate enhanced mechanical activity of CAFs may play a crucial and previously unappreciated role in the formation of tumor-associated vasculature which could possibly offer potential novel targets in future anti-cancer therapies.
Dark current reduction in microjunction-based double electron barrier type-II InAs/InAsSb superlattice long-wavelength infrared photodetectors
Authors: Chevallier Romain , Haddadi Abbas , Razeghi Manijeh 
Published: September 2017

AbstractMicrojunction InAs/InAs1−xSbx type-II superlattice-based long-wavelength infrared photodetectors with reduced dark current density were demonstrated. A double electron barrier design was employed to reduce both bulk and surface dark currents. The photodetectors exhibited low surface leakage after passivation with SiO2, allowing the use of very small size features without degradation of the dark current. Fabricating microjunction photodetectors (25 × 25 µm2 diodes with 10 × 10 µm2 microjunctions) in combination with the double electron barrier design results in a dark current density of 6.3 × 10−6 A/cm2 at 77 K. The device has an 8 µm cut-off wavelength at 77 K and exhibits a quantum efficiency of 31% for a 2 µm-thick absorption region, which results in a specific detectivity value of 1.2 × 1012 cm·Hz1/2/W.
The High Temperature Tensile and Creep Behaviors of High Entropy Superalloy
Authors: Tsao Te-Kang , Yeh An-Chou , Kuo Chen-Ming , Kakehi Koji , Murakami Hideyuki , Yeh Jien-Wei , Jian Sheng-Rui 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThis article presents the high temperature tensile and creep behaviors of a novel high entropy alloy (HEA). The microstructure of this HEA resembles that of advanced superalloys with a high entropy FCC matrix and L12 ordered precipitates, so it is also named as “high entropy superalloy (HESA)”. The tensile yield strengths of HESA surpass those of the reported HEAs from room temperature to elevated temperatures; furthermore, its creep resistance at 982 °C can be compared to those of some Ni-based superalloys. Analysis on experimental results indicate that HESA could be strengthened by the low stacking-fault energy of the matrix, high anti-phase boundary energy of the strengthening precipitate, and thermally stable microstructure. Positive misfit between FCC matrix and precipitate has yielded parallel raft microstructure during creep at 982 °C, and the creep curves of HESA were dominated by tertiary creep behavior. To the best of authors’ knowledge, this article is the first to present the elevated temperature tensile creep study on full scale specimens of a high entropy alloy, and the potential of HESA for high temperature structural application is discussed.
Association of residual feed intake with growth and slaughtering performance, blood metabolism, and body composition in growing lambs
Authors: Zhang Xiaoxue , Wang Weimin , Mo Futao , La Yongfu , Li Chong , Li Fadi 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine the association of residual feed intake (RFI) with growth performance, blood metabolic parameters, and body composition factors in growing lambs. Individual body weight (BW) and dry matter intake (DMI) were determined in 137 male Hu lambs that were given a pellet feed four times a day for 50 d. RFI did not show a correlation with metabolic BW (MBW) or average daily gain (ADG), but it showed a positive correlation with DMI and feed conversation ratio (FCR). Organ weight and intestine length had a large influence on RFI in lambs. The low-RFI lambs have smaller rumen and longer duodenum indicating the less feed intake and more sufficient absorption rate of low-RFI lambs. The smaller organs like liver, lung and kidney in low-RFI lambs may be related to lower energy consumption and slower metabolic rate. The observed bigger testis was in low-RFI lambs was another cause of the improved feed efficiency. Finally, the plasma concentrations of thyroxine (T4) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) were lower in the ELow-RFI group than in the EHigh-RFI group. This study provides new insight into the biological processes underlying variations in feed efficiency in growing lambs.
Meta-analysis of the efficacies of amiodarone and nifekalant in shock-resistant ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia
Authors: Sato Shiho , Zamami Yoshito , Imai Toru , Tanaka Satoshi , Koyama Toshihiro , Niimura Takahiro , Chuma Masayuki , Koga Tadashi , Takechi Kenshi , Kurata Yasuko , Kondo Yutaka , Izawa-Ishizawa Yuki , Sendo Toshiaki , Nakura Hironori , Ishizawa Keisuke 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAmiodarone (AMD) and nifekalant (NIF) are used in the treatment of ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia; however, only few studies have been conducted on their efficacies. Therefore, a meta-analysis was conducted. Relevant sources were identified from PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Igaku Chuo Zasshi. The outcomes were short-term and long-term survival in patients with shock-resistant ventricular fibrillation /pulseless ventricular tachycardia. Thirty-three studies were analysed. The results showed that, compared to the control treatment, AMD did not improve short-term survival (odds ratio (OR): 1.25, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.91–1.71) or long-term survival (OR: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.63–1.57). However, compared to the control treatment, NIF significantly improved short-term survival (OR: 3.23, 95% CI: 2.21–4.72) and long-term survival (OR: 1.88, 95% CI: 1.36–2.59). No significant difference was observed in short-term survival (OR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.63–1.15) or long-term survival (OR: 1.25, 95% CI: 0.67–2.31) between AMD- and NIF-treated patients. The results suggest that NIF is beneficial for short-term and long-term survival in shock-resistant ventricular fibrillation/pulseless ventricular tachycardia; however, the efficacy of AMD in either outcome is not clear.
Microbial functional genes elucidate environmental drivers of biofilm metabolism in glacier-fed streams
Authors: Ren Ze , Gao Hongkai , Elser James J. , Zhao Qiudong 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBenthic biofilms in glacier-fed streams harbor diverse microorganisms driving biogeochemical cycles and, consequently, influencing ecosystem-level processes. Benthic biofilms are vulnerable to glacial retreat induced by climate change. To investigate microbial functions of benthic biofilms in glacier-fed streams, we predicted metagenomes from 16s rRNA gene sequence data using PICRUSt and identified functional genes associated with nitrogen and sulfur metabolisms based on KEGG database and explored the relationships between metabolic pathways and abiotic factors in glacier-fed streams in the Tianshan Mountains in Central Asia. Results showed that the distribution of functional genes was mainly associated with glacier area proportion, glacier source proportion, total nitrogen, dissolved organic carbon, and pH. For nitrogen metabolism, the relative abundance of functional genes associated with dissimilatory pathways was higher than those for assimilatory pathways. The relative abundance of functional genes associated with assimilatory sulfate reduction was higher than those involved with the sulfur oxidation system and dissimilatory sulfate reduction. Hydrological factors had more significant correlations with nitrogen metabolism than physicochemical factors and anammox was the most sensitive nitrogen cycling pathway responding to variation of the abiotic environment in these glacial-fed streams. In contrast, sulfur metabolism pathways were not sensitive to variations of abiotic factors in these systems.
Increased expression of Fibrinogen-Like Protein 2 is associated with poor prognosis in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Tang Ming , Cao Xu , Li Peng , Zhang Kun , Li You , Zheng Quan-you , Li Gui-qing , Chen Jian , Xu Gui-lian , Zhang Ke-qin 
Published: September 2017

AbstractFibrinogen-like protein 2 (FGL2) is highly expressed in various tumour tissues and plays a vital role in tumour initiation and progression. This study evaluated the clinical significance of FGL2 in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). FGL2 expression in fresh and 170 archived paraffin-embedded ccRCC tissues was measured by quantitative RT-PCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemitry. FGL2 expression was significantly upregulated in ccRCC. Statistical analyses by using Kaplan–Meier method showed that high FGL2 expression was associated with poor overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) of patients with ccRCC. Multivariate analyses indicated that FGL2 was as an independent prognostic factor of survivaland that tumoural FGL2 levels could significantly predict the prognosis of patients with early-stage ccRCC. Nomogram systems, which integrated FGL2 expression and other clinical parameters, were established and were found to be better than TNM staging in predicting the OS and RFS of patients with ccRCC. FGL2 silencing led to a significant reduction in cells viability and increase in cells apoptosis, accompanied with a reduced ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK activation, in ccRCC cells. Thus, our results suggest that high FGL2 expression is a novel, independent, and an adverse prognostic factor of clinical outcomes in patients with ccRCC.
Cannabidiol and palmitoylethanolamide are anti-inflammatory in the acutely inflamed human colon
Authors: Couch Daniel G. , Tasker Chris , Theophilidou Elena , Lund Jonathan N. , O’Sullivan Saoirse E. 
Published: September 2017

Objective: We sought to quantify the anti-inflammatory effects of two cannabinoid drugs, cannabidiol (CBD) and palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), in cultured cell lines and compared this effect with experimentally inflamed explant human colonic tissue. These effects were explored in acutely and chronically inflamed colon, using inflammatory bowel disease and appendicitis explants.Design: Caco-2 cells and human colonic explants collected from elective bowel cancer, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or acute appendicitis resections, and were treated with the following drug treatments: vehicle, an inflammatory protocol of interferon γ (IFNγ) and tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα; 10 ng/ml), inflammation and PEA (10 µM), inflammation and CBD (10 µM), and PEA or CBD alone, CBD or vehicle were added simultaneously with IFNγ. Nine intracellular signalling phosphoproteins were determined by multiplex. Inflammatory cytokine secretion was determined using ELISA. Receptor mechanisms were investigated using antagonists for CB1, CB2, PPARα, PPARγ, TRPV1 and GPR55.Results: IFNγ and TNFα treatment increased phosphoprotein and cytokine levels in Caco-2 cultures and colonic explants. Phosphoprotein levels were significantly reduced by PEA or CBD in Caco-2 cultures and colonic explants. CBD and PEA prevented increases in cytokine production in explant colon, but not in Caco-2 cells. CBD effects were blocked by the CB2 antagonist AM630 and TRPV1 antagonist SB366791. PEA effects were blocked by the PPARα antagonist GW6471. PEA and CBD were anti-inflammatory in IBD and appendicitis explants.Conclusion: PEA and CBD are anti-inflammatory in the human colon. This effect is not seen in cultured epithelial cells. Appropriately sized clinical trials should assess their efficacy.
High selective compact dual‐band filter using ring resonator with quarter‐wavelength stubs
Authors: Peng Yatao , Zhang Lijun , Zheng Zhanqi , Leng Yongqing 
Published: September 2017

A ring resonator loaded with five open stubs is proposed for the design of dual‐band bandpass filters. To shrink the filter layout, a pair of loaded quarter‐wavelength stubs is utilised to produce the first passband. On the other hand, the introduced coupling between the quarter‐wavelength stubs and the ring resonator produced transmission zeros for enhancing the selectivity. Both bandwidth and central frequency ratio of the two passbands can be adjusted freely by the circuit parameters. Two coupling lines are added beside the resonator as feed‐lines to construct a filter with high selectivity and compact size. A filter at 1.57/2.45 GHz is designed, fabricated and measured for verification.
Modelling and experimental demonstration of a litz coil‐based high‐temperature induction heating system for melting application
Authors: Patidar Bhupendra , Hussain Md. Mozahir , Jha Sanjeev K. , Dikshit Biswaranjan , Sharma Archana 
Published: September 2017

This study presents analytical and numerical modelling and experimental demonstration of a litz wire‐based induction heating system suitable for high‐temperature application such as melting. The use of litz wire in induction heating coil minimises the skin effect and proximity effect and in turn improves the system efficiency. This makes it superior compared with a solid wire and copper tube induction coil. However, the limitation of litz wire is temperature withstanding capacity of the strand insulation material as a result of which it is rarely used in high‐temperature applications (>700°C). Numerical modelling of induction heating process was done by using magnetic vector potential formulation and Fourier equations. Temperature‐dependent material properties were taken account to precisely model the induction heating process. Analytically estimated and measured equivalent impedances of litz coil were compared at different frequency (1–20 kHz) for initial validation of simulation. The number of turns and frequency were selected as per required litz coil efficiency and induced power in crucible. Finally during the experimental demonstration, crucible and litz coil temperatures were measured by ‘K’ type thermocouples and were compared with simulation results. The maximum temperature of ∼750°C could be attained in the design while limiting the litz coil temperature within 85°C.
Decentralized Rather than Centralized Pediatric Surgery Care in Germany
Authors: Rolle Udo , Schmedding Andrea 
Published: September 2017

Introduction Pediatric surgery has emerged from general surgery to take better care of the needs of surgically ill children. The development of pediatric surgery in Germany started in the early 19th century and is still ongoing. This study was performed to investigate how pediatric surgery is organized in Germany.
Materials and Methods Data were obtained from the following sources: German Society, Information System of the Federal Health Monitoring, German Medical Association, Joined Federal Committee, Federal Bureau of Statistics, and Perinatal Centers.
Results Pediatric surgery in Germany was started in the beginning of the 19th century. In 1962, there were approximately 20 units. The number increased to 98 in 2005 and to 129 in 2017. Presently, there are 769 pediatric surgeons registered in Germany. The current growth of pediatric surgery is attributed to a political decision of implementing centers for the care of preterm babies who need pediatric surgeons. Most work performed by pediatric surgeons in Germany can be categorized as low-risk, high-volume surgery. Currently, there is a trend of spontaneous centralization for some high-risk, low-volume pediatric surgical procedures.
Conclusion Pediatric surgery in Germany shows a development toward a nearly complete coverage of the country, thus providing increasing number of children with specialist care. Rare diseases, such as in oncology or newborn surgery, are generally not centralized and rarely performed by small units. New approaches for better quality measurements may lead to centralization even without political action in the future.
Digitale Anwendungen im Praxisalltag: Yes we (s)can oder wie weit wollen wir gehen?
Authors: Graf Simon 
Published: September 2017

ZusammenfassungDie Digitalisierung ist ein Trend, der zunehmend auch den Bereich der klinischen Kieferorthopädie erobert. Die unglaublich raschen Entwicklungen auf dem Gebiet der technischen Herstellungsverfahren bedeuten zugleich auch Zeitersparnis und eine geringere Belastung für den Patienten. Selten war es mit so wenig Aufwand möglich, so viele unterschiedliche Aspekte einer einfachen kieferorthopädischen Apparatur mit nur einem Tastenklick zu verändern und individuell anzupassen. Wie sieht also die Praxis der Zukunft aus? Der vorliegende Artikel gibt konkrete Einblicke in die wunderbare Welt der digitalen Praxis und beleuchtet aus der Sicht eines Kieferorthopäden die verschiedenen Aspekte der digitalen Einflüsse und gibt Beispiele für die digitale Umsetzung.
Lungenkrebsfrüherkennung: eine Bestandsaufnahme
Authors: Hoffmann Hans , Heußel Claus , Eichhorn Martin 
Published: September 2017

ZusammenfassungDie Evidenz für den Nutzen und die Risiken eines Lungenkarzinomscreenings stützt sich im Wesentlichen auf eine einzelne große randomisiert-kontrollierte Studie, in der eine signifikante Reduktion der Lungenkrebssterblichkeit bei Risikopersonen für ein Lungenkarzinom in der Gruppe mit CT-Screening im Vergleich zur Kontrollgruppe gezeigt wurde. Dem nachgewiesenen Nutzen stehen signifikante Risiken gegenüber. Die große – und bisher ungelöste – Problematik beim CT-Screening für Lungenkrebs ist die hohe Rate an falsch positiven Befunden. Die Abklärung dieser Befunde erfordert oft auch invasive diagnostische Prozeduren. Dabei auftretende Komplikationen stellen das Hauptrisiko dar, das mit einem CT-Screening für das Lungenkarzinom verbunden ist. Die deutschen und europäischen Fachgesellschaften halten sich derzeit mit einer Empfehlung für ein flächendeckendes CT-Screening für das Lungenkarzinom noch zurück. Das Nutzen-Risiko-Verhältnis wird als ungünstig beurteilt. Die für Ende 2018 angekündigten Ergebnisse der derzeit laufenden europäischen Studien (insbesondere „NELSON“ in den Niederlanden und „LUSI“ in Deutschland) sollen zunächst abgewartet werden. Es werden insbesondere Daten zu effektiveren Abklärungsalgorithmen mit niedrigeren Raten an falsch positiven Befunden und damit geringeren Komplikationsraten erwartet. Mit diesen Daten wird es eine neue Nutzen-Risiko-Abwägung geben.
Impact of difructose anhydride III, raffinose, and fructooligosaccharides on energy intake, gut hormones, and cecal fermentation in rats fed a high-fat and high-sucrose diet
Authors: Hira Tohru , Yanagihara Kurumi , Koga Toshiki , Takahashi Keisuke , Nagura Taizo , Uchino Hirokatsu , Hara Hiroshi 
Published: September 2017

AbstractWe investigated the effects of dietary supplementation of difructose anhydride III (DFA III), raffinose (Raf), and fructooligosaccharides (FOS) on diet-induced obesity development. Male rats were fed normal or high-fat and high-sucrose (HFS) diet, with or without supplementing (3%) DFA III, Raf, or FOS, for 8 or 5 weeks. Supplementing DFA III to the HFS diet decreased energy intake compared to the non-supplemented HFS diet. Accordingly, body weight gain and fat accumulation reduced in DFA III-fed rats. Cecal acetate production and plasma glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and peptide-YY (PYY) were elevated in DFA III-fed rats, while Raf and FOS partially affected these parameters. These results demonstrate that DFA III has suppressive effect on excessive energy intake driven by the palatable obesogenic diet, possibly due to combined effects of increased anorexigenic factors such as cecal acetate production and GLP-1/PYY secretion.
Do the physical and environment PETTLEP elements predict sport imagery ability?
Authors: Anuar Nurwina , Williams Sarah E. , Cumming Jennifer 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe present study aimed to examine whether physical and environment elements of PETTLEP imagery relate to the ability to image five types of sport imagery (i.e. skill, strategy, goal, affect and mastery). Two hundred and ninety participants (152 males, 148 females; Mage = 20.24 years, SD = 4.36) from various sports completed the Sport Imagery Ability Questionnaire (SIAQ), and a set of items designed specifically for the study to assess how frequently participants incorporate physical (e.g. ‘I make small movements or gestures during the imagery’) and environment (e.g. ‘I image in the real training/competition environment’) elements of PETTLEP imagery. Structural equation modelling tested a hypothesised model in which imagery priming (i.e. the best fitting physical and environment elements) significantly and positively predicted imagery ability of the different imagery types (skill, β = 0.38; strategy, β = 0.23; goal, β = 0.21; affect, β = 0.25; mastery, β = 0.22). The model was a good fit to the data: χ2 (174) = 263.87, p < .001, CFI = .96, TLI = .95, SRMR = .09, RMSEA = 0.05 (90% CI = 0.03–0.05). Findings displayed that priming imagery with physical and environment elements is associated with better skill, strategy, goal, affect and mastery imagery ability. The findings extend models of imagery use by indicating that how athletes images may influence their imagery ability.