bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The prognostic utility of the “Tumor Burden Score” based on preoperative radiographic features of colorectal liver metastases
Authors: Sasaki Kazunari , Margonis Georgios A. , Andreatos Nikolaos , Zhang Xu‐Feng , Buettner Stefan , Wang Jaeyun , Deshwar Amar , He Jin , Wolfgang Christopher L. , Weiss Matthew , Pawlik Timothy M. 
Published: May 2017

BackgroundRecently, a tumor‐burden “metro ticket” score (TBS) based on final pathology was proposed to predict outcome following resection of colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM). We sought to validate the TBS prognostic tool using preoperative radiologic cross‐sectional imaging.MethodsImaging TBS was defined on a Cartesian plane that incorporated both maximum tumor size (x‐axis) and lesion number (y‐axis) assessed by pre‐operative imaging. The discriminatory power (area under the curve [AUC]) and goodness‐of‐fit (Harrel's C statistic and Somer's D statistics) of the imaging TBS model was assessed.ResultsImaging and pathologic TBS correlated strongly (r = 0.76, P < 0.01). Among patients treated with neoadjuvant therapy, the correlation was strongest among patients with progressive disease/stable disease (PD/SD) (r = 0.81). Discriminatory power of the imaging‐based versus pathology‐based TBS models were comparable (AUC 0.64 vs. 0.67, respectively P > 0.05). An incremental worsening of long‐term survival was noted as the imaging TBS increased (5‐year OS: Zone1, Zone2, and Zone3—61.3%, 46.7%, and 38.5%, respectively; P = 0.03). The imaging‐based TBS model outperformed the “classic” pathology‐based Fong score (Harrel's C‐index: imaging TBS‐0.56 vs. Fong score‐0.53; Somers'D‐index: imaging TBS‐012 vs. Fong score‐0.06).ConclusionsImaging‐based TBS was superior to traditional tumor size and number and was comparable to pathology‐based TBS. Imaging‐based TBS may have the potential to facilitate improved preoperative risk stratification of patients with CRLM.
Sterilization of tumor‐positive lymph nodes of esophageal cancer by neo‐adjuvant treatment is associated with worse survival compared to tumor‐negative lymph nodes treated with surgery first
Authors: Mantziari Styliani , Allemann Pierre , Winiker Michael , Sempoux Christine , Demartines Nicolas , Schäfer Markus 
Published: May 2017

Background and ObjectivesLymph node (LN) involvement by esophageal cancer is associated with compromised long‐term prognosis. This study assessed whether LN downstaging by neoadjuvant treatment (NAT) might offer a survival benefit compared to patients with a priori negative LN.MethodsPatients undergoing esophagectomy for cancer between 2005 and 2014 were screened for inclusion. Group 1 included cN0 patients confirmed as pN0 who were treated with surgery first, whereas group 2 included patients initially cN+ and down‐staged to ypN0 after NAT. Survival analysis was performed with the Kaplan‐Meier and Cox regression methods.ResultsFifty‐seven patients were included in our study, 24 in group 1 and 33 in group 2. Group 2 patients had more locally advanced lesions compared to a priori negative patients, and despite complete LN sterilization by NAT they still had worse long‐term survival. Overall 3‐year survival was 86.8% for a priori LN negative versus 63.3% for downstaged patients (P = 0.013), while disease‐free survival was 79.6% and 57.9%, respectively (P = 0.021). Tumor recurrence was also earlier and more disseminated for the down‐staged group.ConclusionsDownstaged LN, despite the systemic effect of NAT, still inherit an increased risk for early tumor recurrence and worse long‐term survival compared to a priori negative LN.
Sensitivity of 3‐Dimensional Sonography in Preoperative Evaluation of Parathyroid Glands in Patients With Primary Hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Frank Susan J. , Goldman‐Yassen Adam E. , Koenigsberg Tova , Libutti Steven K. , Koenigsberg Mordecai 
Published: May 2017

ObjectivesPreoperative localization of parathyroid adenomas in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism facilitates targeted surgery. We assessed the sensitivity of 3‐dimensional (3D) sonography for preoperative localization of abnormal parathyroid glands.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective review of patients who underwent parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism at a single site at our institution. We compared preoperative 2‐dimensional (2D) sonography, 3D sonography, and sestamibi scans with final gland localization at surgery. Two readers reviewed the sonograms to assess inter‐reader variability.ResultsFrom January 2010 through April 2015, 52 patients underwent parathyroidectomy after preoperative 2D sonography, 3D sonography, and sestamibi scans. Three‐dimensional sonography had sensitivity of 88–92% compared with 69–71% for 2D sonography for gland localization. In patients in whom sonography and sestamibi scans localized abnormalities to the same side, the sensitivities were 100% (43 of 43) for 3D sonography and 96% (48 of 50) for 2D sonography. Three‐dimensional sonography had significantly higher sensitivity for localization of glands smaller than 500 mg compared with 2D sonography (88% versus 58%; P = .012). There was better inter‐reader agreement between the radiologists when using 3D sonography (κ = 0.65) compared with 2D sonography (κ = 0.41).ConclusionsWe found a significantly higher sensitivity and better inter‐reader agreement for 3D sonography compared with 2D sonography for preoperative identification of abnormal parathyroid glands, especially among smaller glands.
Amyloid β Plaque Reduction With Antibodies Crossing the Blood‐Brain Barrier, Which Was Opened in 3 Sessions of Focused Ultrasound in a Rabbit Model
Authors: Alecou Tereza , Giannakou Marinos , Damianou Christakis 
Published: May 2017

ObjectivesThe main objective of this study was to remove amyloid β plaques by applying multiple sessions of focused ultrasound (US)‐induced blood‐brain barrier (BBB) opening using microbubbles with and without delivery of antibodies in a rabbit model.MethodsThe animal model was achieved by feeding a high‐cholesterol diet to rabbits for 4 months. Fifty‐two New Zealand White rabbits were divided into treatment groups: untreated control, high‐cholesterol diet only, antibodies only, focused US only, and focused US and antibodies. Three sessions of focused US were administered to the treatment groups.ResultsIt was shown that with this animal model, the plaques were 30 μm in diameter. By increasing the number of sessions, the number of plaques decreased (both for focused US only and focused US and antibodies). Without the application of focused US, the average number of plaques dropped from 200/cm2 (before treatment) to 170/cm2 (after treatment). The effect of treatment with focused US with antibodies was more drastic. With 3 BBB opening sessions, the average number of plaques was reduced from 200 to 78/cm2.ConclusionsThis feasibility study had demonstrated that by opening the BBB, it will be possible to deliver exogenous antibodies to the brain, thus eliminating amyloid β plaques. More importantly with repeated opening of the BBB (3 times in this study), the reduction in the number of plaques was increased.
4‐Styrenesulfonyl‐(2‐methyl)aziridine: The First Bivalent Aziridine‐Monomer for Anionic and Radical Polymerization
Authors: Gleede Tassilo , Rieger Elisabeth , Homann‐Müller Tatjana , Wurm Frederik R. 
Published: May 2017

Abstract4‐Styrenesulfonyl‐(2‐methyl)aziridine (StMAz), the first orthogonal aziridine monomer, for both anionic ring‐opening and radical polymerization is presented. Both polymerization pathways are accessible without using protective groups. Aza‐anionic ring‐opening polymerization (A‐AROP) of StMAz and other methyl‐aziridine derivatives provide multifunctional polyaziridines. Molecular weights between 3000 and 13 000 g mol−1 are obtained with low molecular weight dispersities (Ð = 1.1). The amount of vinyl groups in linear polyaziridines from A‐AROP depends on the monomer/comonomer ratio. The vinyl groups of P(StMAz)‐ homo‐ or copolymers are entirely convertible by thiol‐ene addition. This allows modification with multiple functional groups. Free radical polymerization of StMAz leads to polyalkylenes with aziridine side groups, which are known to be efficiently addressable via nucleophiles. Polysulfonamides still belong to a rather new class of polymers accessible by anionic polymerization. Enlarging the scope of postpolymerization modifications on polyaziridines/‐sulfonamides is important for further macromolecular architectures. The aziridine and the vinyl group are combined to develop the first orthogonal monomer for aza‐anionic polymerization and radical polymerization.
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Evaluation of microstructural evolution during torsion fatigue and surface performance of high nitrogen stainless steels suitable for biomedical applications
Authors: Amer A.E. , Shash A.Y. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIn this contribution the microstructural changes of four different solution annealed face centered cubic/FCC materials subjected to torsion fatigue were studied. Standard materials X5CrNiMo17‐13‐2 (1.4441, AISI 316 L) and the Co‐base alloy CoCr29Mo6 in addition to two high‐nitrogen stainless steels X13CrMnMoN18‐14‐3 (1.4452) and X6CrNiMnMoN22‐10‐4‐3 were investigated. The torsional fatigue tests were carried out by means of stress controlled incremental step tests at 25 Hz and 3 Hz, respectively. Simultaneously the shear strains were measured in order to gain stress‐strain hysteresis at every 30th cycles. The solution annealed X13CrMnMoN18‐14‐3 (1.4452) and X6CrNiMnMoN22‐10‐4‐3 nitrogen containing steels as well as 316 L‐type stainless steels have been tested and their fatigue endurance limits were determined and compared to that of the CoCr alloy. Transmission electron microscope observations were carried out for the investigated materials before and after the fatigue tests. The results of Transmission electron microscope observations reveal the effect of further nitrogen additions on the fatigue properties. Microstructure observations depicted the effect of nitrogen additions on the modification of slip behavior and the role of the stacking fault energy herein. Wear tests for alloys with substantially more nitrogen than can be accommodated interstitially, form coarse CrN precipitates. These precipitates significantly influence the abrasive wear characteristics of the alloy, particularly when they are large (i. e., 50 μm in width).
Green innovation of green roof technology ‐ a case study
Authors: Yu W.D. , Cheng S.T. , Miao C.M. , Perng G.Y. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractAlthough providing both aesthetic and environmental benefits, previous research has identified limitations with the existing green roof technologies, including higher construction cost, long term maintenance requirements, damages to structure, roof leakage, among others. In order to break the above‐mentioned limitations, this paper presents the application of the generic eco‐innovation model to develop a design alternative of a green roof that is eco‐friendlier, more durable, and more cost‐effective, compared with existing ones. A case study incorporating building information modeling technology and energy consumption analysis software was conducted to demonstrate the benefits of the innovative green roof proposed by the generic eco‐innovation model. The case study results show that the proposed eco‐innovative alternative can reduce more than 20 % of energy consumption of traditional roof. It is thus concluded that the generic eco‐innovation model provides a promising tool for engineers/architect in achieving more sustainable construction during the design phase.
Ethical and Practical Realities of Using Letters for Recruitment in Bereavement Research
Authors: Butler Ashleigh E. , Hall Helen , Copnell Beverley 
Published: May 2017

AbstractRecruitment of participants into bereavement research may present many challenges for the research team. At present, there is little consensus for researchers and ethics committees on the most appropriate method of recruitment. There is some evidence that participants prefer to be contacted about research studies via letters. However, recruitment involving the use of a letter can occur in a number of ways, each with ethical and practical benefits and limitations. In a study of the experiences of bereaved parents, we used letters in three ways: direct mailing from the research team with an opt‐out option; permission to mail letters obtained by social workers from a hospital‐based follow‐up program during routine contact; and letters mailed from the hospital's PICU research nurse at the hospital with instruction on how to opt in. In this paper, the practical and ethical realities of each method are highlighted, using examples from our own experiences. Nineteen parents also provided reflections in follow‐up phone calls. While direct researcher contact is perhaps the most feasible for researchers, ethical concerns may render it unacceptable. While contact via a known member of a follow‐up program is more ethically appropriate for participants, it also presents significant practical issues. We suggest that contact via a representative of the healthcare institution provides the best balance of ethical and practical acceptability for both participants and the research team, but responsiveness to the ethical and practical requirements of the study is crucial in ensuring it can be successfully undertaken. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The national healthcare system claims databases in France, SNIIRAM and EGB: Powerful tools for pharmacoepidemiology
Authors: Bezin Julien , Duong Mai , Lassalle Régis , Droz Cécile , Pariente Antoine , Blin Patrick , Moore Nicholas 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe French health care system is based on universal coverage by one of several health care insurance plans. The SNIIRAM database merges anonymous information of reimbursed claims from all these plans, linked to the national hospital‐discharge summaries database system (PMSI) and the national death registry. It now covers 98.8% of the French population, over 66 million persons, from birth (or immigration) to death (or emigration), making it possibly the world's largest continuous homogeneous claims database. The database includes demographic data; health care encounters such as physician or paramedical visits, medicines, medical devices, and lab tests (without results); chronic medical conditions (ICD10 codes); hospitalisations with ICD10 codes for primary, linked and associated diagnoses, date and duration, procedures, diagnostic‐related groups, and cost coding; date but currently not cause of death. The power of the database is correlatively great, and its representativeness is near perfect, since it essentially includes the whole country's population. The main difficulty in using the database, beyond its sheer size and complexity, is the administrative process necessary to access it. Recent legislative advances are making this easier.EGB (Echantillon Généraliste de Bénéficiaires) is the 1/97th random permanent representative sample of SNIIRAM, with planned 20‐year longitudinal data (10 years at this time). Access time is 1 to 3 months, but its power is less (780 000 subjects). This is enough to study common issues with older drugs but may be limited for new products or rare events.
Synthesis, theoretical studies, and effect on the photosynthetic electron transport of trifluoromethyl arylamides
Authors: Teixeira Róbson Ricardo , de Andrade Barros Marcus Vinícius , Bressan Gustavo Costa , Siqueira Raoni Pais , dos Santos Fabíola Suelen , Bertazzini Michele , Kiralj Rudolf , Ferreira Márcia Miguel Castro , Forlani Giuseppe 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe photosynthetic apparatus is targeted by various herbicides, including several amides such as diuron and linuron. Considering the need for the discovery of new active ingredients to cope with weed resistance, the synthesis of a series of trifluoromethyl aryl amides is herein described whose inhibitory properties were assessed in vitro on the photosynthetic electron transport chain, and in vivo on the growth of a model cyanobacterial strain. Theoretical studies were also carried out.RESULTSStarting with 1‐fluoro‐2‐nitro‐4‐(trifluoromethyl) benzene, the preparation of the amides was achieved via a three‐step sequence, namely nucleophilic aromatic substitution, reduction with SnCl2/HCl, and acylation reactions. The measurement of ferricyanide reduction by functionally intact spinach chloroplasts showed that several derivatives are capable of inhibiting the photosynthetic apparatus. The most active amides presented IC50 values close to 1 μmol L−1, and showed the presence of a 4‐bromophenyl group as a common structural feature. The addition of these brominated amides to the culture medium of a model cyanobacterial strain, Synechococcus elongatus PCC 6301, caused various degrees of growth inhibition. Theoretical studies (molecular modeling and quantitative structure–activity relationship) of all amides and their comparison with some known herbicides confirmed these experimental findings and provided more in‐depth information about the possible molecular target of these compounds.CONCLUSIONTrifluoromethyl amides herein described, which were shown to act at the PSII level, may represent a novel scaffold to be exploited aiming at the development of new active ingredients for weed control. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Robust control for uncertain linear delay systems via sliding mode control
Authors: Loukianov A. G. , Caballero‐Barragán H. , Osuna‐Ibarra L. , Espinosa‐Guerra O. , Castillo‐Toledo B. 
Published: May 2017

SummaryIn this paper, a novel discontinuous control strategy for robust stabilization of a class of uncertain multivariable linear time‐delay systems with delays in both the state and control variables is proposed. Two predictors are first designed to compensate the delay effect in the control input, and then an integral sliding mode control technique is applied to compensate partially the effect of the perturbation term. Finally, a nominal delay‐free component of the full control input is designed to stabilize the sliding mode dynamics. Conditions for the stability of the closed‐loop perturbed system are then derived. The proposed framework is then extended to the class of systems modeled in regular form. Some examples illustrate the feasibility of the proposed scheme. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Early Passage Mesenchymal Stem Cells Display Decreased Radiosensitivity and Increased DNA Repair Activity
Authors: Wu Po-Kuei , Wang Jir-You , Chen Cheng-Fong , Chao Kuang-Yu , Chang Ming-Chau , Chen Wei-Ming , Hung Shih-Chieh 
Published: May 2017

Abstract
Cell therapies using human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have received much attention in the past decade. In pursuit of the therapeutic potential of MSCs, cell expansion is required to generate a great number of cells with desired phenotype and functionality. Long-term expansion in vitro, however, can lead to altered functions. To explore the changes in DNA damage responses (DDR) in MSCs expanded, DDR pathways following irradiation were characterized in early- and late-passage bone marrow MSCs. Seventy-two hours after irradiation, the percentage of sub-G1 cells in early-passage MSCs did not change significantly. Reduced TUNEL staining was observed in early-passage MSCs compared to late-passage MSCs 4 h after irradiation. Comet assay also revealed that early-passage MSCs were more resistant to irradiation or DNA damages induced by genotoxic agents than late-passage MSCs. ATM phosphorylation and γ-H2AX and phospho-p53 increased in early-passage MSCs while decreased in late-passage MSCs. Through inhibition by KU55933, DDR pathway in early-passage MSCs was shown to be ATM-dependent. Higher levels of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) and PAR synthesis were observed in early-passage MSCs than in late-passage MSCs. Knockdown of PARP-1 in early-passage MSCs resulted in sensitization to irradiation-induced apoptosis. Overexpression of PARP-1 in late passage MSCs could render irradiation resistance. Lower activity of DDR in late-passage MSCs was associated with rapid proteasomal degradation of PARP-1. In conclusion, early-passage MSCs are more irradiation-resistant and have increased DDR activity involving PARP-1, ATM and their downstream signals.
Chemically Modified Indium‐Tin‐Oxide Electrodes for Heterojunction Organic Solar Cells Based on Different Organic Donors
Authors: Tumen‐Ulzii Ganbaatar , Altantsetseg Delgerjargal , Ochirkhuyag Nyamjargal , Byambasuren Delgertsetseg , Sakomura Masaru , Khayankhyarvaa Sarangerel , Chimed Ganzorig 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIn this study, we have examined the correlation between work function (WF) of indium‐tin‐oxide (ITO) and open‐circuit voltage (Voc) of heterojunction photovoltaic (PV) cells based on different donor materials. Device configurations of ITO(modified)/SubPc/C60/BCP/Al and ITO(modified)/ZnPc/C60/BCP/Al were used in this study. Surface modification of ITO electrode through p‐substituted benzenesulfonyl chlorides with different electron withdrawing terminal groups (C6H5‐, Cl‐ and NO2‐) has exploited to change the WF of ITO up to 5.28 eV with NO2‐. Chemically modified ITOs and SubPc, ZnPc were used as anode electrode and donor materials, respectively. In order to find the correlation of Voc, two different donor materials with different HOMO levels were used in PV cells. When the SubPc was used as a donor in PV cells, the Voc was strongly dependent on WF of ITO. However, for ZnPc, the Voc was almost independent on WF of ITO due to its low HOMO level and formed ohmic contact at the interface between chemically modified ITO electrodes and ZnPc.
A shortened, two-enzyme pathway for 2,3-butanediol production in Escherichia coli
Authors: Reshamwala Shamlan M S , Deb Shalini S , Lali Arvind M 
Published: May 2017

Abstract
The platform chemical 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BDO) is produced by a number of microorganisms via a three-enzyme pathway starting from pyruvate. Here, we report production of 2,3-BDO via a shortened, two-enzyme pathway in Escherichia coli. A synthetic operon consisting of the acetolactate synthase (ALS) and acetoin reductase (AR) genes from Enterobacter under control of the T7 promoter was cloned in an episomal plasmid. E. coli transformed with this plasmid produced 2,3-BDO and the pathway intermediate acetoin, demonstrating that the shortened pathway was functional. To assemble a synthetic operon for inducer- and plasmid-free production of 2,3-BDO, ALS and AR genes were integrated in the E. coli genome under control of the constitutive ackA promoter. Shake flask-level cultivation led to accumulation of ~1 g/L acetoin and ~0.66 g/L 2,3-BDO in the medium. The novel biosynthetic route for 2,3-BDO biosynthesis described herein provides a simple and cost-effective approach for production of this important chemical.