bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
First‐in‐man allopregnanolone use in super‐refractory status epilepticus
Authors: Vaitkevicius Henrikas , Husain Aatif M. , Rosenthal Eric S. , Rosand Jonathan , Bobb Wendell , Reddy Kiran , Rogawski Michael A. , Cole Andrew J. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractSuper‐refractory status epilepticus (SRSE) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Treatment of SRSE is complicated by progressive cortical hyperexcitability believed to result in part from synaptic GABA receptor internalization and desensitization. Allopregnanolone, a neurosteroid that positively modulates synaptic and extrasynaptic GABAA receptors, has been proposed as a novel treatment. We describe the first two patients with SRSE who were each successfully treated with a 120‐h continuous infusion of allopregnanolone. Both patients recovered from prolonged SRSE with good cognitive outcomes.
Intersphincteric resection for very low rectal cancer: A review of the updated literature
Authors: Shirouzu Kazuo , Murakami Naotaka , Akagi Yoshito 
Published: April 2017

AbstractIntersphincteric resection (ISR) has rapidly increased worldwide including laparoscopic surgery. However, there are some concerns for the definition of ISR, surgical technique, oncological outcome, anal function, and quality of life (QoL). The aim of the present study is to evaluate those issues. A review of this surgical technique was carried out by searching English language literature of the PubMed online database and appropriate articles were identified. With regard to open‐ISR, the morbidity rate ranged from 7.5% to 38.3%, with lower mortality rates. Local recurrence rates varied widely from 0% to 22.7%, with a mean follow‐up duration of 40–94 months. Disease‐free and overall 5‐year survival rates were 68–86% and 76–97%, respectively. Those outcomes were equivalent to laparoscopic‐ISR. Surgical and oncological outcomes of ISR were generally acceptable. However, accurate evaluation of anal function and QoL was difficult because of a lack of standard assessment of various patient‐related factors. The surgical and oncological outcomes after ISR seem to be acceptable. The ISR technique seems to be valid as an alternative to abdominoperineal resection in selected patients with a very low rectal cancer. However, both necessity for ISR and expectations of QoL impairment as a result of functional disorder should be fully discussed with patients before surgery.
Clinical significance of circulating tumor cells in blood from patients with gastric cancer
Authors: Arigami Takaaki , Uenosono Yoshikazu , Yanagita Shigehiro , Okubo Keishi , Kijima Takashi , Matsushita Daisuke , Amatatsu Masahiko , Kurahara Hiroshi , Maemura Kosei , Natsugoe Shoji 
Published: April 2017

AbstractCirculating tumor cells (CTC) have been focused on as a target for detecting occult tumors, predicting therapeutic responses and prognoses, and monitoring postoperative recurrence in the clinical management of patients with various malignancies, including gastric cancer. Recent advances in molecular diagnostic tools have contributed to high sensitivity and specificity for the detection of CTC. A conspicuous disparity exists in the incidence of CTC among studies. However, a close relationship has been reported between positivity for CTC and well‐known prognostic clinicopathological factors including depth of tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis, stage, and lymphatic and venous invasion in patients with gastric cancer. According to most studies published on the clinical impact of CTC, the presence of CTC negatively affects the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer. Moreover, the study of CTC based on a meta‐analysis demonstrated their importance as a poor prognostic indicator. In clinical management, pre‐ and post‐therapeutic monitoring of CTC using liquid biopsy may be useful for early detection of subclinical patients or disease recurrence, prediction of tumor progression, and administrative control of adjuvant chemotherapy. Although their functional properties remain unclear, molecular profiling of CTC may contribute to the development of personalized treatment that effectively inhibits tumor progression in patients with advanced gastric cancer. We herein review the clinical significance of CTC as a promising blood marker and therapeutic target in patients with gastric cancer.
Gastroenterological surgery in Japan: The past, the present and the future
Authors: Colvin Hugh , Mizushima Tsunekazu , Eguchi Hidetoshi , Takiguchi Shuji , Doki Yuichiro , Mori Masaki 
Published: April 2017

AbstractIn the last two centuries, there has been remarkable progress in the field of gastroenterological surgery, including the curative resection of cancers, replacement of failed organs through transplantation, increased safety of undergoing major surgeries and decreased operative morbidity through developments in minimal access surgery. Japan has very much been at the forefront of these advances, as is evident from the present review, from advancing the surgical management of gastric cancer to the pioneering work in live‐donor transplantation. This review also highlights many instances where surgical management of the same pathologies has evolved differently between Japan and the West. It is encouraging that many procedures established in Japan are eventually taken up by the West, often after rigorous assessment affirming the quality and applicability of such techniques. In Japan, many of the crucial issues in gastroenterological surgery are increasingly addressed through large multi‐institutional prospective control trials, ensuring that Japanese surgeons continue to contribute to the advances in gastroenterological surgery.
Synthesis of Phosphaisoquinolin‐1‐one by Annulation of Aryl Phosphinamides with Allenes through a Cobalt‐Promoted C−H Functionalization
Authors: Yao Xia , Jin Lu , Rao Yu 
Published: April 2017

AbstractAn efficient and convenient cobalt‐promoted annulation reaction has been established for the synthesis of biologically relevant phosphaisoquinolin‐1‐ones, which represents the first example of a transition‐metal‐promoted C−H/N−H functionalization of aryl phophinamides with allenes. Through this strategy, three different types of novel phosphaisoquinolin‐1‐one derivatives can be readily prepared in good yields. This new strategy exhibited several advantages, including easily accessible starting materials, good functional group tolerance, and excellent reactivity.
Perfectly Alternating and Regioselective Copolymerization of Carbonyl Sulfide and Epoxides by Metal‐Free Lewis Pairs
Authors: Yang Jia‐Liang , Wu Hai‐Lin , Li Yang , Zhang Xing‐Hong , Darensbourg Donald J. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe preparation of perfectly alternating and regioslective copolymers derived from the copolymerization of carbonyl sulfide (COS) and epoxides by metal‐free Lewis pair catalysts composed of a Lewis base (amidine, guanidine, or quaternary onium salts) and a Lewis acid (triethyl borane) is described. Colorless and highly transparent copolymers of poly(monothiocarbonate) were successfully obtained with over 99 % tail‐to‐head content and high molecular weight (up to 92.5 kg mol−1). In most instances, oxygen–sulfur exchange reactions (O/S ERs), which would generate random thiocarbonate and carbonate units, were effectively suppressed. The turnover frequencies (TOF) of these Lewis pair catalyzed processes were as high as 119 h−1 at ambient temperature.
Improved processability and performance of biomedical devices with poly(lactic acid)/poly(ethylene glycol) blends
Authors: Zhang Jianming , Wang Shiwei , Zhao Dongzhe , Zhang Yankun , Pang Wenbo , Zhang Binbin , Li Qian 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTTo improve the processability of micropolymer‐based devices used for biomedical applications, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) was melt‐blended with poly(ethylene glycol)s (PEGs) of different molecular weights (MWs; weight‐average MWs = 200, 800, 2000, and 4000; these PEGS are referred to as PEG200, PEG800, PEG2000, and PEG4000, respectively, in this article). The thermal properties, mechanical properties, and rheological properties of the PLA and the PLA–PEG blends were investigated. The tensile samples’ morphologies showed that the low‐MW PEGs filled molds well. The rheological properties confirmed that the low‐MW PEGs decreased the complex viscosity, and improved the processability. With decreasing PEG MW, the PLA glass‐transition temperature decreased. The nanoindenter data show that the addition of PEG decreased the modulus and hardness of PLA. The morphologies of the tensile samples showed that with increasing PEG MW, the thicknesses of the core layers increased gradually. The elongation at break was improved by approximately 247% with the addition of PEG200. Such methods can produce easily processed biological materials for producing biomedical products. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45194.
Production and application of a thermostable lipase from Serratia marcescens in detergent formulation and biodiesel production
Authors: García‐Silvera Edgar Edurman , Martínez‐Morales Fernando , Bertrand Brandt , Morales‐Guzmán Daniel , Rosas‐Galván Nashbly Sarela , León‐Rodríguez Renato , Trejo‐Hernández María R. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractIn this study, extracellular lipase was produced by Serratia marcescens wild type and three mutant strains. The maximum lipase activity (80 U/mL) was obtained with the SMRG4 mutant strain using soybean oil. Using a 22 factorial design, the lipase production increased 1.55‐fold (124 U/mL) with 4% and 0.05% of soybean oil and Triton X‐100, respectively. The optimum conditions for maximum lipase activity were 50 °C and pH 8. However, the enzyme was active in a broad range of pH (6–10) and temperatures (5–55 °C). This lipase was stable in organic solvents and in the presence of oxidizing agents. The enzyme also proved to be efficient for the removal of triacylglycerol from olive oil in cotton cloth. A Box–Behnken experimental design was used to evaluate the effects of the interactions between total lipase activity, buffer pH, and wash temperatures on oil removal. The model obtained suggested that all selected factors had a significant impact on oil removal, with optimum conditions of 550 U lipase, 45 °C, pH 9.5, with 79.45% removal. Biotransformation of waste frying oil using the enzyme and in presence of methanol resulted in the synthesis of methyl esters such as methyl oleate, methyl palmitate, and methyl stearate.
Neurological and immunological dysfunction in two patients with Bartonella henselae bacteremia
Authors: Kaufman David L. , Kogelnik Andreas M. , Mozayeni Robert B. , Cherry Natalie A. , Breitschwerdt Edward B. 
Published: April 2017

Key Clinical MessageRecently, BAPGM enrichment culture has documented Bartonella bacteremia in previously healthy, “nonimmunocompromised” patients following arthropod exposures. Neurobartonellosis should be among the differential diagnoses for patients with persistent or recurrent neurological symptoms of undetermined etiology. Microbiological and immunological testing should be concurrently pursued to determine whether defective immune function accompanies Bartonella bacteremia.
Chemically Treated Rice Husk Blends as Green Desiccant Materials for Industrial Application
Authors: Emdadi Zeynab , Asim Nilofar , Ambar Yarmo Mohd , Ebadi Mehdi , Mohammad Masita , Sopian Kamaruzzaman 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe use of rice husks (RHs), treated RHs, and blends thereof as desiccants was studied. Bare RHs, treated RHs, and blends were characterized, and their water absorbances compared. Acid‐treated RHs showed better moisture absorbance than alkali‐treated RHs and hence were used to prepare blends. Moisture absorption of RH materials and silica gel were compared. Blends with a higher content of acid‐treated RHs showed higher water and moisture absorbency. The moisture absorbency of the blends was enhanced, and they exceeded the silica‐gel limit at 48 h of exposure time. The higher absorbency in blends with higher contents of acid‐treated RHs is likely due to higher porosity and improved adhesion properties owing to surface OH groups. Moreover, RH blends require shorter regeneration times than silica gel.
Catalytic Pyrolysis of Bituminous Coal under Pyrolysis Gas over a Ni/MgO Catalyst
Authors: Zhu Ping , Yu Zhengpeng , Zhang Jinli , Dai Bin , Zhang Jianshu , Liang Peng , Lei Zhiping 
Published: April 2017

AbstractTo improve the yield and quality of coal pyrolysis tar while using pyrolysis gas (PG), a Ni/MgO catalyst was introduced to catalyze the pyrolysis of bituminous coal under a PG atmosphere. The effects of pyrolysis temperature, gas flow rate, catalyst packing methods, and atmosphere composition on coal pyrolysis were investigated. The yield and quality of tar obtained from Shihezi (SHZ) bituminous coal pyrolysis under N2, PG, and PG over a Ni/MgO catalyst were found to vary with the increase of pyrolysis temperature. The catalyst packed in the upper layer results in higher tar yields, but mixing the catalyst and coal leads to an increase in the maltene yield. The components in PG improved the tar yield and tar quality. Finally, a higher tar yield can be obtained from SHZ coal pyrolysis under CO/H2, CO2/H2, and CO2/CH4 atmospheres using a Ni/MgO catalyst.
Factors affecting reverse knowledge transfer from subsidiaries to multinational companies: Focusing on the transference of local market information
Authors: Oh Kum‐Sik , Anchor John 
Published: April 2017

AbstractAlthough research on reverse knowledge transfer (RKT) from subsidiaries to headquarters is increasingly prominent, the debate concerning the primary determinants influencing RKT has not reached an academic consensus. Therefore, we have attempted to draw an overall picture for RKT by using both knowledge transfer capacity and relational capital as overarching theoretical lenses. In a sample of South Korea, we find that knowledge development capability, subsidiary willingness, and autonomy are critical factors affecting the reverse transfer of local market information within MNC networks. Furthermore, both the knowledge integration mechanism and trust are facilitators for improving relational capital between subsidiaries and MNCs. This factor facilitates RKT from the former to the latter. Copyright © 2017 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Correlation between genetic polymorphisms within the MAPK1/HIF‐1/HO‐1 signaling pathway and risk or prognosis of perimenopausal coronary artery disease
Authors: Guo Nan , Zhang Nan , Yan Liqiu , Cao Xufen , Wang Jiawang , Wang Yunfei 
Published: April 2017

BackgroundMitogen‐activated protein kinase‐1 (MAPK1), as well as its downstream factors of hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1 (HIF‐1) and heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1), have been documented to be involved in modulating development of coronary artery disease (CAD).HypothesisGenetic mutations within the MAPK1/HIF‐1/HO‐1 signaling pathway could alter the risk of perimenopausal CAD in Chinese patients.MethodsPeripheral blood samples were gathered from 589 CAD patients and 860 healthy controls, and 12 potential single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were obtained from HapMap database and previously published studies. Genotyping of SNPs was implemented with the TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assays. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were utilized to evaluate the correlations between SNPs and CAD risk.ResultsRegarding
MAPK1
, rs6928 (OR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.47‐1.98, P < 0.05), rs9340 (OR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.73‐0.99, P < 0.05), and rs11913721 (OR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.52‐0.95, P < 0.05) were remarkably associated with susceptibility to perimenopausal CAD. Of these, rs9340 and rs11913721 were also regarded as protective factors for perimenopausal CAD patients. Moreover, results of HIF‐1 indicated noticeable correlations between combined SNPs of rs1087314 and rs2057482 and risk of perimenopausal CAD (OR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.01‐1.53, P < 0.05; and OR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.55‐0.91, P < 0.05, respectively). Nonetheless, rs2071746 in HO‐1 was found to be only associated with perimenopausal CAD risk (OR: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.58‐0.78, P < 0.05).ConclusionsThe genetic mutations within MAPK1 (rs6928, rs9340, rs11913721), HIF‐1 (rs1087314, rs2057482), and HO‐1 (rs2071746) could alter susceptibility to perimenopausal CAD in this Chinese population.
Geographic characteristics of sable (Martes zibellina) distribution over time in Northeast China
Authors: Zhang Rui , Yang Li , Ai Lin , Yang Qiuyuan , Chen Minhao , Li Jingxi , Yang Lei , Luan Xiaofeng 
Published: April 2017

AbstractUnderstanding historical context can help clarify the ecological and biogeographic characteristics of species population changes. The sable (Martes zibellina) population has decreased dramatically in Northeast China since the l950s, and understanding the changes in its distribution over time is necessary to support conservation efforts. To achieve this goal, we integrated ecological niche modeling and historical records of sables to estimate the magnitude of change in their distribution over time. Our results revealed a 51.71% reduction in their distribution in 2000–2016 compared with the potential distribution in the 1950s. This reduction was related to climate change (Pearson's correlation: Bio1, −.962, p < .01; Bio2, −.962, p < .01; Bio5, .817, p < .05; Bio6, .847, p < .05) and human population size (−.956, p < .01). The sable population tended to migrate in different directions and elevations over time in different areas due to climate change: In the Greater Khingan Mountains, they moved northward and to lower elevations; in the Lesser Khingan Mountains, they moved northward; and in the Changbai Mountains, they move southward and to higher elevations. Active conservation strategies should be considered in locations where sable populations have migrated or may migrate to.
Application of regional flow‐ecology relationships to inform watershed management decisions: Application of the ELOHA framework in the San Diego River watershed, California, USA
Authors: Stein Eric D. , Sengupta Ashmita , Mazor Raphael D. , McCune Kenny , Bledsoe Brian P. , Adams Stephen 
Published: April 2017

AbstractRelationships between changes in streamflow and changes in biological condition are important considerations for water resources management decisions. The Ecological Limits of Hydrologic Alteration (ELOHA) framework offers a way to protect stream health by managing flow conditions. We demonstrate application of a regionally derived ELOHA framework to inform stakeholder defined management challenges in the San Diego River Watershed in southern California, USA—a large semi‐urbanized watershed that is undergoing land use changes. Using previously defined flow‐ecology relationships based on benthic invertebrate community composition, we: (1) assess how future land use changes will affect flow conditions and impact biological endpoints in the watershed; (2) demonstrate how flow–ecology relationships can be used to prioritize regions of the watershed into various flow management classes that can inform future planning decisions; and (3) evaluate how two future management decisions (specifically, modification of reservoir operations and implementation of low impact development strategies to reduce stormwater runoff) will affect in‐stream flow conditions in the watershed. Our study shows a successful transition of regionally derived flow targets to inform local decisions at a catchment or watershed scale, thereby avoiding the need to develop local flow–ecology relationships for every stream of interest (as would be required by other instream flow methods). Case studies are a critical bridge between the science of flow‐ecology and real‐world implementation, and this work illuminates an example of how to navigate technical and management challenges and provide road maps for broader applications by including local stakeholders in defining, interpreting, and implementing products of flow‐ecology analyses.
Landscape‐level wolf space use is correlated with prey abundance, ease of mobility, and the distribution of prey habitat
Authors: Kittle Andrew M. , Anderson Morgan , Avgar Tal , Baker James A. , Brown Glen S. , Hagens Jevon , Iwachewski Ed , Moffatt Scott , Mosser Anna , Patterson Brent R. , Reid Douglas E. B. , Rodgers Arthur R. , Shuter Jen , Street Garrett M. , Thompson Ian D. , Vander Vennen Lucas M. , Fryxell John M. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractPredator space use influences ecosystem dynamics, and a fundamental goal assumed for a foraging predator is to maximize encounter rate with prey. This can be achieved by disproportionately utilizing areas of high prey density or, where prey are mobile and therefore spatially unpredictable, utilizing patches of their prey's preferred resources. A third, potentially complementary strategy is to increase mobility by using linear features like roads and/or frozen waterways. Here, we used novel population‐level predator utilization distributions (termed “localized density distributions”) in a single‐predator (wolf), two‐prey (moose and caribou) system to evaluate these space‐use hypotheses. The study was conducted in contrasting sections of a large boreal forest area in northern Ontario, Canada, with a spatial gradient of human disturbances and predator and prey densities. Our results indicated that wolves consistently used forest stands preferred by moose, their main prey species in this part of Ontario. Direct use of prey‐rich areas was also significant but restricted to where there was a high local density of moose, whereas use of linear features was pronounced where local moose density was lower. These behaviors suggest that wolf foraging decisions, while consistently influenced by spatially anchored patches of prey forage resources, were also determined by local ecological conditions, specifically prey density. Wolves appeared to utilize prey‐rich areas when regional preferred prey density exceeded a threshold that made this profitable, whereas they disproportionately used linear features that promoted mobility when low prey density made directly tracking prey distribution unprofitable.
Biodiversity and ecosystem function: making sense of numerous species interactions in multi‐species communities
Authors: Brophy Caroline , Dooley Áine , Kirwan Laura , Finn John A. , McDonnell Jack , Bell Thomas , Cadotte Marc W. , Connolly John 
Published: April 2017

AbstractUnderstanding the biodiversity and ecosystem function relationship can be challenging in species‐rich ecosystems. Traditionally, species richness has been relied on heavily to explain changes in ecosystem function across diversity gradients. Diversity–Interactions models can test how ecosystem function is affected by species identity, species interactions, and evenness, in addition to richness. However, in a species‐rich system, there may be too many species interactions to allow estimation of each coefficient, and if all interaction coefficients are estimable, they may be devoid of any sensible biological meaning. Parsimonious descriptions using constraints among interaction coefficients have been developed but important variability may still remain unexplained. Here, we extend Diversity–Interactions models to describe the effects of diversity on ecosystem function using a combination of fixed coefficients and random effects. Our approach provides improved standard errors for testing fixed coefficients and incorporates lack‐of‐fit tests for diversity effects. We illustrate our methods using data from a grassland and a microbial experiment. Our framework considerably reduces the complexities associated with understanding how species interactions contribute to ecosystem function in species‐rich ecosystems.