bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pre‐operative oral nutritional supplementation with dietary advice versus dietary advice alone in weight‐losing patients with colorectal cancer: single‐blind randomized controlled trial
Authors: Burden Sorrel T. , Gibson Debra J. , Lal Simon , Hill James , Pilling Mark , Soop Mattias , Ramesh Aswatha , Todd Chris 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBackgroundPre‐operative weight loss has been consistently associated with increased post‐operative morbidity. The study aims to determine if pre‐operative oral nutritional supplements (ONSs) with dietary advice reduce post‐operative complications.MethodsSingle‐blinded randomized controlled trial. People with colorectal cancer scheduled for surgery with pre‐operative weight loss >1 kg/3–6 months were randomized by using stratified blocks (1:1 ratio) in six hospitals (1 November 2013–28 February 2015). Intervention group was given 250 mL/day ONS (10.1 KJ and 0.096 g protein per mL) and dietary advice. Control group received dietary advice alone. Oral nutritional supplements were administered from diagnosis to the day preceding surgery. Research team was masked to group allocation. Primary outcome was patients with one or more surgical site infection (SSI) or chest infection; secondary outcomes included percentage weight loss, total complications, and body composition measurements. Intention‐to‐treat analysis was performed with both unadjusted and adjusted analyses. A sample size of 88 was required.ResultsOf 101 participants, (55 ONS, 46 controls) 97 had surgery. In intention‐to‐treat analysis, there were 21/45 (47%) patients with an infection—either an SSI or chest infection in the control group vs. 17/55 (30%) in the ONS group. The odds ratio of a patient incurring either an SSI or chest infection was 0.532 (P = 0.135 confidence interval 0.232 to 1.218) in the unadjusted analysis and when adjusted for random differences at baseline (age, gender, percentage weight loss, and cancer staging) was 0.341 (P = 0.031, confidence interval 0.128 to 0.909). Pre‐operative percentage weight loss at the first time point after randomization was 4.1% [interquartile range (IQR) 1.7–7.0] in ONS group vs. 6.7% (IQR 2.6–10.8) in controls (Mann–Whitney U P = 0.021) and post‐operatively was 7.4% (IQR 4.3–10.0) in ONS group vs. 10.2% (IQR 5.1–18.5) in controls (P = 0.016).ConclusionsCompared with dietary advice alone, ONS resulted in patients having fewer infections and less weight loss following surgery for colorectal cancer. We have demonstrated that pre‐operative oral nutritional supplementation can improve clinical outcome in weight losing patients with colorectal cancer.
Impacts of projected precipitation changes on sugar beet yield in eastern England
Authors: Okom Stanley , Russell Andrew , Chaudhary Abdul J. , Scrimshaw Mark D. , Francis Robert A. 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACTProjected increasing temperatures and reduced summer rainfall in the United Kingdom pose a sustainability and food security challenge for the agricultural industry. This study investigates the potential impact of precipitation changes on eastern England sugar beet yield. Precipitation data over eastern England from weather stations (1971–2000) and a range of the 5th Phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) climate models (‘historical’ for 1971–2000; and Representative Concentration Pathways RCP45 and RCP85 for 2021–2050) were examined. A good agreement was found between the observations and the overlapping model grid cell. The study then investigated the impact of likely future rainfall changes on yield by applying controlled watering regimes informed by the CMIP5 projections to 150 sugar beet plants grown in a greenhouse, the use of CMIP5 projections in this way is a first. Watering regimes that represent ‘present day’ and ‘future’ precipitation characteristics were calculated: 0.46 L of water was applied every other day to each plant in the present day category; 0.39 L was applied every other day to each plant in the future category. This reflects the 16% reduction in future rainfall that was calculated from the climate models. Results from the greenhouse experiment showed a statistically significant (p < 0.01) reduction in soil moisture in the future category, which was related to a statistically significant (p < 0.05) reduction in mean tuber wet mass: a mean of 360 g for present day and 319 g for future. The results for dry mass were less significant (p = 0.11) but indicated a reduction in the future category (95.2 vs 88.2 g). These findings imply a potential yield reduction of 11% by 2050.
Spatiotemporal changes in the length and heating degree days of the heating period in Northeast China
Authors: Shen Xiang‐Jin , Liu Bin‐Hui , Zhou Dao‐Wei 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACTAs the coolest region in China, Northeast China has long and severe winters and is a main region for the use of central heating. Accurately predicting the heating energy consumption in Northeast China is very important for energy management and planning. Based on daily mean temperature data from 70 weather stations, this study investigated the spatiotemporal changes in the starting date for heating (HS), the end date for heating (HE), and the length (HL) and the heating degree days (HDD) of the heating period in Northeast China. Over Northeast China, regional averaged HS has become later by 0.77 days decade−1 and HE has become earlier by 1.19 days decade−1 during 1960–2011. Accordingly, regional averaged HL and HDD decreased significantly by 1.97 days decade−1 and 66.28 °C decade−1 respectively; this implies a decreasing demand for heating throughout the region. Spatially, the temporal trends of each heating variable varied in different locations. The spatial patterning of the HL trend was unlike that of the HDD trend due to different responses of HL and HDD to climate change. Temperature increase seems to have larger impacts on HL in warm south localities but more obvious effects on HDD in cold north localities of Northeast China. These different sensitivities of HL and HDD to temperature change should be considered when attempts are made to predict heating energy consumption in Northeast China in a changing climate.
Electron spin resonance studies on deuterated nitroxyl spin probes used in Overhauser‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: David Jebaraj D. , Utsumi Hideo , Milton Franklin Benial A. 
Published: January 2017

The electron spin resonance studies were carried out for 2 mm concentration of 14N‐labeled and 15N‐labeled 3‐carbamoyl‐2,2,5,5‐tetramethyl‐pyrrolidine‐1‐oxyl, 3‐carboxy‐2,2,5,5‐tetramethyl‐pyrrolidine‐1‐oxyl, 3‐methoxycarbonyl‐2,2,5,5‐tetramethyl‐pyrrolidine‐1‐oxyl and their deuterated nitroxyl radicals using X‐band electron spin resonance spectrometer. The electron spin resonance line shape analysis was carried out. The electron spin resonance parameters such as linewidth, Lorentzian component, signal intensity ratio, rotational correlation time, hyperfine coupling constant and g‐factor were estimated. The deuterated nitroxyl radicals have narrow linewidth and an increase in Lorentzian component, compared with undeuterated nitroxyl radicals. The dynamic nuclear polarization factor was observed for all nitroxyl radicals. Upon 2H labeling, about 70% and 40% increase in dynamic nuclear polarization factor were observed for 14N‐labeled and 15N‐labeled nitroxyl radicals, respectively. The signal intensity ratio and g‐value indicate the isotropic nature of the nitroxyl radicals in pure water. Therefore, the deuterated nitroxyl radicals are suitable spin probes for in vivo/in vitro electron spin resonance and Overhauser‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging modalities. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preoperative education prior to elective knee arthroplasty surgery does not change patient outcomes
Authors: Moulton Lawrence Stephen , Evans Peter A. , Starks Ian , Smith Tony 
Published: January 2017

AbstractEnhanced recovery programmes have improved outcomes following elective arthroplasty surgery. There are few studies assessing the role of patient education. In our enhanced recovery programme, all patients are offered the chance to attend a preoperative education class. Not all patients attend, enabling a comparison of outcomes. We have published data demonstrating that patients undergoing hip arthroplasty have improved outcomes. In the present article, we present data for total knee arthroplasty. Using a prospectively collected database, we identified all patients undergoing elective primary total knee arthroplasty. Data were assessed to look at patient outcomes. This was analysed using non‐parametric tests. Between April 2009 and March 2013, 563 patients underwent elective total knee replacement. A total of 503 attended the class and 60 did not. Patients attending had a reduced length of stay when compared with the non‐attenders but this did not reach statistical significance (4.13 days versus 4.57 days; p = 0.118). The spread of length of stay was slightly larger in the group that attended. Our analysis demonstrated that, for these patients, there is no statistically significant difference in length of stay or outcome scores. Therefore, in tougher economic times it may be prudent to focus preoperative education on total hip arthroplasty patients if resources are limited.
Self‐reported use of natural health products among rheumatology patients: A cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Hall Jill J. , Dissanayake Tharindri D. , Lau Darren , Katz Steven J. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractObjectivesTo describe the self‐reported use of natural health products (NHPs) and identify characteristics that predict selected NHP use in rheumatology patients.MethodsWe conducted a cross‐sectional survey of consecutive rheumatology patients in two major clinics in Edmonton, Alberta. Survey items included demographic data, rheumatologic diagnoses, prescribed medications, NHPs, and information regarding patients' use of NHPs. Selected NHPs of interest – defined to include joint‐specific products, oils with putative joint benefits, and other non‐vitamin, non‐mineral products – were classified by 2 reviewers. The characteristics of selected NHP users and non‐users were compared using chi‐squared and ANOVA tests, followed by multivariable‐adjusted logistic regression.Results1063 patients completed the survey (response rate = 36%, mean age 53 [sd 15], 70% female). 36% of respondents reported using one or more of a wide range of selected NHPs (mean 1.8, range 1‐9). The most common source of NHP recommendations for selected NHP users were physicians (42%). Significant predictors of selected NHP use were: being female (aOR 1.41, 95%CI [1.05‐1.90], p = 0.02), having a post‐secondary degree (aOR 1.60 [1.15‐2.22], p = 0.005), and the number of non‐rheumatic medications (aOR 1.08 [ 1.00‐1.15], p = 0.03) and NSAIDs (aOR 1.32 [1.06, 1.63], p = 0.01). Similar findings were observed among only inflammatory arthritis patients.ConclusionsOur study confirms the frequent use of selected NHPs, possibly to mitigate persistent symptoms of rheumatologic illness. Rheumatologists appear to be trusted sources of advice and recommendations on NHP use and should provide balanced counselling for their patients.
Perioperative Inotrope Therapy and Atrial Fibrillation Following Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: Evidence of a Racial Disparity
Authors: Efird Jimmy T. , Kiser Andy C. , Crane Patricia B. , Landrine Hope , Kindell Linda C. , Nelson Margaret‐Ann , Jindal Charulata , Sarpong Daniel F. , Griffin William F. , Ferguson T. Bruce , Chitwood W. Randolph , Davies Stephen W. , Kypson Alan P. , Gudimella Preeti , Anderson Ethan J. 
Published: January 2017

Background and ObjectiveFollowing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, mortality rates are significantly higher among black patients who experience postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF). Perioperative inotropic therapy (PINOT) was associated with POAF in previous reports, but the extent to which race influences this association is unknown. In the present study, the relationship between PINOT, race, and POAF was examined in patients undergoing CABG surgery.Methods and SettingClinical records were examined from a prospectively maintained cohort of 11,855 patients (median age 64 yrs; 70% male; 16% black) undergoing primary isolated CABG at a large cardiovascular institute in the southeastern region of the United States. Relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed using log‐binomial regression.Main ResultsThe association between PINOT and POAF was significantly increased among black patients (adjusted RR 1.7, CI 1.4–2.0) compared with white patients (adjusted RR 1.3, CI 1.2–1.4) (pinteraction = 0.013).ConclusionsThese findings suggest that PINOT may be disproportionately associated with POAF among black patients undergoing CABG surgery. Additional studies are needed to examine further the potential underlying mechanisms of this association.
Size‐dependent mechanical properties of glassy polymer nanofibers via molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Deng Shengwei , Arinstein Arkadii , Zussman Eyal 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACTThe microstructure of polymer matrix under cylindrical confinement is key to understanding the size‐dependent thermomechanical behavior of electrospun nanofibers. Coarse‐grained molecular dynamics simulation was applied here to probe polymer systems under cylindrical confinement, prepared with or without pre‐stretching. Simulation results showed that below a certain radius, a noticeable increase of the elastic modulus is observed with the decrease of the radius of cylindrical confinement. This size‐dependent mechanical behavior correlated to the degree of polymer chain orientation. Modulation of density and bond orientation in the radial direction was observed: the density and bond orientation began to oscillate, increasing the oscillation amplitudes with decreases in the radius. Such behavior suggests that the cylindrical confinement enhances the bond alignment of the entire fiber and not in the near‐surface layers only. The unstretched fibers had uniform density distribution along the fiber axis, while the stretched fibers demonstrated a fluctuation in density distribution. The crossover radius of size‐dependent behavior was two orders of magnitude smaller than observed in real experiments, demonstrating that the confinement affects some internal fiber scale, which exceeds the scale of individual macromolecules, and this internal scale may be related to supramolecular structures of the polymer matrix rather than the individual macromolecules. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2017, 55, 506–514
Fear of new or recurrent melanoma after treatment for localised melanoma
Authors: Bell Katy J.L. , Mehta Yachna , Turner Robin M. , Morton Rachael L. , Dieng Mbathio , Saw Robyn , Guitera Pascale , McCaffery Kirsten , Low Donald , Low Cynthia , Jenkins Marisa , Irwig Les , Webster Angela C. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo estimate the amount of fear of new or recurrent melanoma among people treated for localised melanoma in an Australian specialist centre.MethodsWe randomly selected 400 potential participants from all those treated for localised melanoma at the Melanoma Institute Australia during 2014 (n = 902). They were asked to complete an adapted version of the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory (FCRI). We calculated summary statistics for demographics, clinical variables and total FCRI and subscale scores.ResultsTwo hundred fifteen people (54%) completed the FCRI questionnaire. The overall mean severity subscale score was 15.0 (95% CI 14.0‐16.1). A high proportion of participants had scores above a proposed threshold to screen for clinical fear of cancer recurrence (77% and 63% of participants with and without new or recurrent melanoma had severity subscale scores ≥13). Most participants also had scores above a threshold found to have high specificity for clinical fear of cancer recurrence (65% and 48% of participants with and without new or recurrent melanoma had severity subscale scores ≥16). The severity subscale appeared to discriminate well between groups with differing levels of risk of new or recurrent melanoma.ConclusionsThere is a substantial amount of fear of new or recurrent melanoma among this population, despite most having a very good prognosis.
Electron dynamics in transport and optical measurements of self‐assembled quantum dots
Authors: Kurzmann Annika , Merkel Benjamin , Marquardt Bastian , Beckel Andreas , Ludwig Arne , Wieck Andreas D. , Lorke Axel , Geller Martin 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe tunneling dynamics between self‐assembled quantum dots (QDs) and a charge reservoir can be measured in an all‐electrical or optical detection scheme. In all‐electrical transconductance spectroscopy, a two‐dimensional electron gas is used to probe the evolution of the many‐particle states inside an ensemble of QDs from non‐equilibrium to equilibrium. The optical detection scheme measures the tunneling dynamic into a single self‐assembled dot. The work done and results obtained using these different measurement techniques are reviewed and compared within this article. We will show that transconductance spectroscopy is sensitive to a time‐dependent density of states and enables preparation of non‐equilibrium charge and spin states for future applications in quantum information processing. The optical resonance fluorescence measurements on the electron dynamics demonstrates the influence of the exciton states on the charge‐carrier dynamics and enables a systematic study of the Auger recombination in self‐assembled dots.
Emerging of Inorganic Hole Transporting Materials For Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Rajeswari Ramireddy , Mrinalini Madoori , Prasanthkumar Seelam , Giribabu Lingamallu 
Published: January 2017

AbstractHole transporting material (HTM) is a significant component to achieve the high performance perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Over the years, inorganic, organic and hybrid (organic‐inorganic) material based HTMs have been developed and investigated successfully. Today, perovskite solar cells achieved the efficiency of 22.1 % with with 2,2’,7,7’‐tetrakis(N,N‐di‐p‐methoxyphenyl‐amine) 9,9‐spirobifluorene (spiro‐OMeTAD) as HTM. Nevertheless, synthesis and cost of organic HTMs is a major challenging issue and therefore alternative materials are required. From the past few years, inorganic HTMs showed large improvement in power conversion efficiency (PCE) and stability. Recently CuOx reached the PCE of 19.0% with better stability. These developments affirms that inorganic HTMs are better alternativesto the organic HTMs for next generation PSCs. In this report, we mainly focussed on the recent advances of inorganic and hybrid HTMs for PSCs and highlighted the efficiency and stability of PSCs improved by changing metal oxides as HTMs. Consequently, we expect that energy levels of these inorganic HTMs matches very well with the valence band of perovskites and improved efficiency helps in future practical deployment of low cost PSCs.
Long‐term outcome of expanded newborn screening at Boston children's hospital: benefits and challenges in defining true disease
Authors: Landau Yuval E. , Waisbren Susan E. , Chan Lawrence M. A. , Levy Harvey L. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractIntroductionThere is no universal consensus of the disorders included in newborn screening programs. Few studies so far, mostly short‐term, have compared the outcome of disorders detected by expanded newborn screening (ENBS) to the outcome of the same disorders detected clinically.MethodsWe compared the clinical and neurodevelopmental outcomes in patients with metabolic disorders detected by ENBS, including biotinidase testing, with those detected clinically and followed at the Metabolism Clinic at Boston Children's Hospital.ResultsOne hundred eighty‐nine patients came to attention from ENBS and 142 were clinically diagnosed. 3‐methylcrotonyl‐CoA carboxylase, biotinidase, and carnitine deficiencies were exclusively identified by ENBS and medium chain acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase (MCADD) and very long chain acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase deficiencies (VLCADD) were predominantly identified by ENBS whereas the organic acid disorders more often came to attention clinically. Only 2% of the ENBS‐detected cases had clinically severe outcomes compared to 42% of those clinically detected. The mean IQ score was 103 + 17 for the ENBS‐detected cases and 77 + 24 for those clinically detected. Those newly included disorders that seem to derive the greatest benefit from ENBS include the fatty acid oxidation disorders, profound biotinidase deficiency, tyrosinemia type 1, and perhaps carnitine deficiency.ConclusionAlthough the NBS‐identified and clinically‐identified cohorts were not completely comparable, this long‐term study shows likely substantial improvement overall in the outcome of these metabolic disorders in the NBS infants. Infants with mild disorders and benign variants may represent a significant number of infants identified by ENBS. The future challenge will be to unequivocally differentiate the disorders most benefitting from ENBS and adjust programs accordingly.
Comparative Fingerprint Changes of Toxic Volatiles in Low PUFA Vegetable Oils Under Deep‐Frying
Authors: Molina‐Garcia L. , Santos C. S. P. , Cunha S. C. , Casal S. , Fernandes J. O. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe volatile fraction of three vegetable oils recommended for deep‐frying due to their high MUFA:PUFA ratios, namely extra‐virgin olive oil, peanut oil and canola oil, was compared before and after frying potatoes, with a particular focus on toxic volatiles. For the purpose, a headspace solid‐phase‐micro extraction technique coupled with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry was optimized, with semi‐quantification achieved using two internal standards. Significant qualitative and quantitative differences were observed, both before and after frying. From a total of 51 compounds, aldehydes were the main group formed after deep‐frying, their nature and abundance being highly associated with the initial fatty acid composition, particularly linoleic acid (r2 = −0.999, p ≤ 0.001). Globally, extra‐virgin olive oil revealed fewer formations of unsaturated aldehydes, including toxic ones, and correlated with lower amounts of degradation indicators, as polar compounds (r2 = 0.998, p ≤ 0.001) and p‐anisidine value (r2 = 0.991, p ≤ 0.001). Despite the similarities in total unsaturation degree between canola and peanut oils, the former presented lower amount of volatiles, including E,E‐2,4‐decadienal and acrolein, the more toxic ones. These results highlight for the pertinence of volatile analyses to evaluate and compare oil degradation under thermal and oxidative stress, while complementing other degradation indicators. Additionally, the optimized methodology allows a direct comparison of different oil matrices, supporting further developments into more general methods for volatiles quantification, enabling more efficient comparison of results between research teams.