bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Randomized clinical trial comparing two vessel-sealing devices with crush clamping during liver transection
Authors: Ichida A , Hasegawa K , Takayama T , Kudo H , Sakamoto Y , Yamazaki S , Midorikawa Y , Higaki T , Matsuyama Y , Kokudo N 
Published: September 2016

Abstract

Background
Previous RCTs have failed to demonstrate the usefulness of combining energy devices with the conventional clamp crushing method to reduce blood loss during liver transection. Here, the combination of an ultrasonically activated device (UAD) and a bipolar vessel-sealing device (BVSD) with crush clamping was investigated.

Methods
Patients scheduled to undergo hepatectomy at the University of Tokyo Hospital or Nihon University Itabashi Hospital were eligible for this parallel-group, single-blinded randomized study. Patients were assigned to a control group (no energy device used), an UAD group or a BVSD group. The primary endpoint was the volume of blood loss during liver transection. Outcomes of the control group and the combined energy device groups (UAD plus BVSD) were first compared. Pairwise comparisons among the three groups were made for outcomes for which the combined energy device group was superior to the control group.

Results
A total of 380 patients were enrolled between July 2012 and May 2014; 116 patients in the control group, 122 in the UAD group and 123 in the BVSD group were included in the final analysis. Median blood loss during liver transection was lower in the combined energy device group (245 patients) than in the control group (116 patients): median 190 (range 0–3575) versus 230 (range 3–1570) ml (P = 0·048). Pairwise comparison revealed that blood loss was lower in the BVSD group than in the control group (P = 0·043).

Conclusion
The use of energy devices combined with crush clamping reduced blood loss during liver transection. Registration number: C000008372 (www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index.htm).
Impact of hospital volume on risk-adjusted mortality following oesophagectomy in Japan
Authors: Nishigori T , Miyata H , Okabe H , Toh Y , Matsubara H , Konno H , Seto Y , Sakai Y 
Published: September 2016

Abstract

Background
Previous studies have reported that patients undergoing oesophagectomy in high-volume hospitals experience lower mortality rates. However, there has been ongoing discussion regarding the validity of evidence for this association. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between hospital volume and risk-adjusted mortality following oesophagectomy in Japan, using a nationwide web-based database.

Methods
The study included patients registered in the database as having undergone oesophagectomy with reconstruction between 2011 and 2013. Outcome measures were 30-day and operative mortality rates. Logistic regression analysis was used to adjust for hospital volume, surgeon volume and risk factors for mortality after oesophagectomy.

Results
A total of 16 556 oesophagectomies at 988 hospitals were included; the overall unadjusted 30-day and operative mortality rates were 1·1 and 3·0 per cent respectively. The unadjusted operative mortality rate in hospitals performing fewer than ten procedures per year (5·1 per cent) was more than three times higher than that in hospitals conducting 30 or more procedures annually (1·5 per cent). Multivariable models indicated that hospital volume had a significant effect on 30-day (odds ratio 0·88 per 10-patient increase; P = 0·012) and operative (odds ratio 0·86 per 10-patient increase; P &lt; 0·001) mortality.

Conclusion
In Japan, high-volume hospitals had lower risk-adjusted 30-day and operative mortality rates following oesophagectomy compared with low-volume hospitals.
The full blood count as a biomarker of outcome and toxicity in ipilimumab‐treated cutaneous metastatic melanoma
Authors: Khoja Leila , Atenafu Eshetu G. , Templeton Arnoud , Qye Ye , Chappell Mary Anne , Saibil Sam , Hogg David , Butler Marcus O. , Joshua Anthony M. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractIpilimumab produces durable responses in some metastatic melanoma patients. Neutrophil, platelet, and eosinophil to lymphocyte ratios (NLR, PLR, and ELR) may be associated with the immune response in cancer thereby acting as biomarkers of toxicity and efficacy in ipilimumab‐treated patients. Data were collected on clinical characteristics and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), NLR, PLR, and ELR at baseline, post cycle 2 and at the end of treatment for 183 patients treated with ipilimumab between 2008 and 2015 at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. Associations between clinical characteristics, LDH, NLR, PLR, and ELR with toxicity or survival outcomes of progression‐free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were assessed using univariable and multivariable analysis. Prognostic models of outcome at each time point were determined. Of the 183 patients included, the median age was 58, 85% had M1c disease, 58% were performance status 1, and 64% received ipilimumab as second line therapy. Median follow up was 7.5 months (range: 0.3–49.5), median PFS was 2.8 months (95% confidence intervals (CI): 2.8–3.2), and median OS was 9.6 months (95% CI: 7.9–13.2). Prognostic factors for OS by multivariable analysis were LDH and NLR at all‐time points. Prognostic models using LDH (× 2 upper limit of normal) and NLR 4) differentiated patients into high, moderate, and low risk of death prior to or on ipilimumab treatment (P < 0.0001 for each model). No factors were associated with toxicity. Prognostic models based on NLR and LDH values at baseline and on treatment differentiate patients into good, intermediate, and poor prognostic groups and may be relevant in patient management.
Essential Oils Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Six Conifers Harvested in Lebanon
Authors: Fahed Layal , Khoury Madona , Stien Didier , Ouaini Naïm , Eparvier Véronique , El Beyrouthy Marc 
Published: September 2016

The chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oils (EOs) of six conifers harvested in Lebanon, Abies cilicica, Cupressus sempervirens, Juniperus excelsa, Juniperus oxycedrus, Cedrus libani and Cupressus macrocarpa gold crest, were investigated. The EOs were obtained by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger‐type apparatus and characterized by GC and GC/MS analyses. A principal components analysis based on Pearson correlation between essential oils chemical analyses was also conducted. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of these essentials oils were determined against a range of bacteria and fungi responsible for cutaneous infections in human, using the broth microdilution technique. The EOs showed the most interesting bioactivity on the dermatophytes species (MIC values 32 – 64 μg/ml). Each of the major compounds of C. macrocarpa as well as an artificial reconstructed EO were tested on Trichophyton rubrum showing a contribution of the minor components to the overall activity.
Risk stratification for the primary prevention of arrhythmic sudden cardiac death in postinfarction patients
Authors: Arsenos P. , Sideris S. , Gatzoulis K. A. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractSudden cardiac death (SCD) threatens ischemic cardiomyopathy patients. Antiarrhythmic protection may be provided to these patients with implanted cardiac defibrillators (ICD), after an efficient risk stratification approach. The proposed risk stratifier of an impaired left ventricular ejection fraction has limited sensitivity. Current risk stratification strategies focus on markers that, by identifying the arrhythmic substrate and the severity of the arrhythmia mechanisms present, are also considered to quantify the risk of SCD. Such markers reflect: (1) myocardial substrate lesions and postinfarction fibrosis (LVEF, QRS, LBBB, SAECG, fragmented QRS, CMR, PVBs, NSVT), (2) abnormal repolarization (QT, QTd, T‐wave alternans, QT/RR, QTVI, TWV), (3) impaired autonomic nervous system function (HR, heart rate variability (HRV), HRT, deceleration capacity (DC), BRS, HR recovery after exercise), and (4) inducibility on programmed ventricular stimulation during electrophysiological testing. Ventricular tachyarrhythmias have a strong dynamic component because transient and unpredictable factors can trigger a fatal arrhythmic episode. For this reason, SCD risk stratification is not simple and no ideal marker or a completely successful predictive model is existing. The evolution of technology made possible all the noninvasive markers to be incorporated in the Holter software. Noninvasive risk stratification has been simplified. Innovative Holter technology enforced the doctors, providing them with the tools for primarily screening their patients through the ICD protection process.Answer questions and earn CME: https://wileyhealthlearning.com/Activity2/4469459/Activity.aspx
Risk stratification for the primary prevention of arrhythmic sudden cardiac death in post‐infarction patients
Authors: Arsenos P. , Sideris S. , Gatzoulis K. A. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractCurrent trends on Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) Risk Stratification complementary to the conventional markers that were presented in Part I, are Cardiac Magnetic Resonance that detects and quantifies the post‐infarct tissue heterogeneity and the invasive method of Programmed Ventricular Stimulation on Electrophysiological study that reveals the vulnerable and inducible myocardial substrate. While the first generation of Risk Stratification trials examined one simple prognostic marker each time, the second generation of trials investigated in past combinations of SCD prediction markers and prognostic models reflecting different arrhythmogenesis mechanisms. The third generation of trials currently utilizes Risk Stratification strategies to indentify high‐risk patients before an ICD prophylactic implantation connecting the Risk Stratification process with the ICD therapy. Intensive research on SCD is also nowadays directed to the unexplored era of patients with a Preserved Ejection Fraction and to the era of early post‐myocardial infarction period. Both these subgroup patients are not protected by the current ICDs implantation guidelines because of gap in evidence. Research is going to fill in this gap.Answer questions and earn CME: https://wileyhealthlearning.com/Activity2/4469470/Activity.aspx
Invasive management of atrial fibrillation
Authors: Vlachos K. , Letsas K. P. , Efremidis M. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractAtrial fibrillation (AF), the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia, affects 1% of the general population with increased incidence in the elderly population and is an important contributor to population morbidity and mortality. This article reviews the current invasive management of AF. Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is the cornerstone of current ablation techniques for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). Despite proven PVI, a subset of patients still experience recurrent arrhythmia, mostly due to a higher prevalence of non‐PV triggers. PVI is associated with worse arrhythmia‐free survival in patients with persistent AF than those with paroxysmal AF. Accumulating data have shown that elimination of atrial fibrillation 9 (AF) sources (rotors or rotational activity, drivers, electrograms with continuous activity) should be the goal in persistent AF ablation. Pulmonary vein isolation, linear lesions, and complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAEs) ablation have shown limited efficacy in patients with persistent AF. A combined approach using voltage, CFAEs, and dominant frequency (DF) mapping may be helpful for the identification of AF sources and subsequent focal substrate modification. The fibrillatory activity is maintained by intramural reentry centered on fibrotic patches. Voltage mapping may assist in the identification of fibrotic areas. Stable rotors display the higher DF and possibly drive AF. Furthermore, the single rotor is usually consistent with organized AF electrograms without fractionation. It is therefore quite possible that rotors are located at relatively “healthy islands” within the patchy fibrosis. This is supported by the fact that high DF sites have been negatively correlated with the amount of fibrosis. CFAEs are located in areas adjacent to high DF. In conclusion, patchy fibrotic areas displaying the maximum DF along with high organization index and the lower fractionation index are potential targets of ablation. Prospective studies are required to validate the efficacy of substrate modification in left atrial ablation outcomes.Answer questions and earn CME: https://wileyhealthlearning.com/Activity2/4469458/Activity.aspx
Performance Enhancement of Reduced Graphene Oxide‐Modified Carbon Electrodes for Vanadium Redox‐Flow Systems
Authors: Chakrabarti Barun , Nir Dan , Yufit Vladimir , Tariq Farid , Rubio‐Garcia J. , Maher Robert , Kucernak Anthony , Aravind P.V. , Brandon Nigel 
Published: September 2016

AbstractReduced graphene oxide (rGO) suspended in an N,N′‐dimethylformamide (DMF) solvent underwent electrophoretic deposition (EPD) on carbon paper (CP) electrodes. X‐ray computed micro‐tomography (XMT) indicates a 24 % increase in the specific surface area of CP modified with rGO in comparison to the untreated sample. Furthermore, XMT confirms that the deposition also penetrates into the substrate. Raman analysis shows that the rGO deposited is more amorphous than the CP electrode. A significant reduction in charge‐transfer resistance of the VO2+/VO2+ reaction is also observed (from impedance measurements) in modified samples in comparison to untreated CP electrodes.
Intermolecular Amination of Unactivated C(sp3)−H Bonds with Cyclic Alkylamines: Formation of C(sp3)−N Bonds through Copper/Oxygen‐Mediated C(sp3)−H/N−H Activation
Authors: Gou Quan , Yang Yu‐Wen , Liu Zi‐Ning , Qin Jun 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe first example of intermolecular amination of unactivated C(sp3)−H bonds by cyclic alkylamines mediated by Cu(OAc)2/O2 is reported. This method avoids the use of benzoyloxyamines as the aminating reagent, which are normally prepared from alkylamines in extra steps. A variety of unnatural β2, 2‐amino acid analogues are synthesized by this simple and efficient procedure. This approach offers a solution to the previous unmet challenge of C(sp3)−H/N−H activation for the formation of C(sp3)−N bonds.
Stable Red‐Emissive Cationic Dithienotropylium Dyes
Authors: Asai Kengo , Fukazawa Aiko , Yamaguchi Shigehiro 
Published: September 2016

AbstractA series of thiophene‐fused tropylium ions, containing various electron‐donating amino groups at the terminal positions, was synthesized. The fusion of the thiophene rings, as well as the presence of the terminal amino groups endows the cationic tropylium ion with excellent stability and high pKR+ values. X‐ray crystallographic analysis of these compounds revealed a pronounced quinoidal character for the amino‐substituted dithienotropylium skeletons. These compounds exhibit attractive photophysical properties such as strong absorption in the visible region combined with red fluorescence. Theoretical calculations suggested that the 3,3′‐bithiophene substructure should be crucial for attaining these photophysical properties.
Corticosterone: a costly mediator of signal honesty in sand lizards
Authors: Lindsay Willow R. , Wapstra Erik , Silverin Bengt , Olsson Mats 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe mechanisms underlying honest signal expression remain elusive and may involve the integration of social and physiological costs. Corticosterone is a socially modulated metabolic hormone that mediates energy investment and behavior and may therefore function to deter dishonest signal expression. We examined the relationship between corticosterone and green badge coloration in male sand lizards (Lacerta agilis), hypothesizing that physiological and behavioral costs resulting from elevated baseline glucocorticoids function in maintenance of honest signal expression. We found that large‐badged males had higher corticosterone titer, with this relationship apparent at the end of the season and absent early in the season. Large‐badged males also suffered higher ectoparasite load (number of tick nymphs), despite being in better condition than small‐badged males. Ectoparasite load was positively related to corticosterone titer early in the season at the time of badge formation. High‐condition individuals had lower corticosterone and lower numbers of ectoparasites than low‐condition individuals, suggestive of conditional variation in ability to withstand costs of corticosterone. We found an opposing negative relationship between corticosterone titer and endoparasite load. Corticosterone titer was also negatively associated with male mobility, a fitness‐determining behavior in this species. Because badge size is involved in mediating agonistic social interactions in this species, our results suggest that badge‐dependent variation in corticosterone is likely reflective of variation in social conditions experienced over the course of the season. Our results implicate corticosterone in maintenance of signal honesty, both early in the season through enforcement of physiological costs (ectoparasite load) and during the season through behavioral costs (male mobility). We propose that socially modulated variation in corticosterone critically functions in mediation of signal honesty without requiring a direct role for corticosterone in trait expression.
Prothonotary warbler nestling growth and condition in response to variation in aquatic and terrestrial prey availability
Authors: Dodson Jenna C. , Moy Nicholas J. , Bulluck Lesley P. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractAquatic prey subsidies entering terrestrial habitats are well documented, but little is known about the degree to which these resources provide fitness benefits to riparian consumers. Riparian species take advantage of seasonal pulses of both terrestrial and aquatic prey, although aquatic resources are often overlooked in studies of how diet influences the reproductive ecology of these organisms. Ideally, the timing of resource pulses should occur at the time of highest reproductive demand. This study investigates the availability of aquatic (mayfly) and terrestrial (caterpillar) prey resources as well as the nestling diet of the prothonotary warbler (Protonotaria citrea) at two sites along the lower James River in Virginia during the 2014 breeding season. We found large differences in availability of prey items between the two sites, with one having significantly higher mayfly availability. Nestling diet was generally reflective of prey availability, and nestlings had faster mean growth rates at the site with higher aquatic prey availability. Terrestrial prey were fed more readily at the site with lower aquatic prey availability, and at this site, nestlings fed mayflies had higher mean growth rates than nestlings fed only terrestrial prey. Our results suggest that aquatic subsidies are an important resource for nestling birds and are crucial to understanding the breeding ecology of riparian species.
Are U.S. national parks in the Upper Midwest acting as refugia? Inside vs. outside park disturbance regimes
Authors: Kirschbaum Alan A. , Pfaff Eric , Gafvert Ulf B. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractLandscape disturbances such as forest harvest, blowdowns, fire, and development activities create patches on the landscape that modify the structure and integrity of ecosystems. Understanding the agents of change, where they occur, and how much of the landscape they are affecting will assist resource managers in making difficult decisions. To fulfill this goal, the National Park Service implemented a long‐term monitoring program to quantify landscape dynamics across 1.5 million ha within and adjacent to eight national parks in the Upper Midwest United States using an automated satellite‐based change detection program called LandTrendr (Landsat‐based detection of trends in disturbance and recovery). The disturbance agents detected inside parks included beaver, blowdown, development, fire, flooding, insect/disease, and forest harvest. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore had the largest percentage of area affected inside a park (11.83%, 1.96% per yr), and Isle Royal National Park had the lowest percentage of land affected (0.03%, 0.05% per yr). Tree defoliation due to insect/disease affected the largest percentage of land inside parks (1.56%, or 0.26% per yr) but did not result in tree mortality. Adjacent to parks, disturbance agents detected included agriculture, beaver, blowdown, development, insect/disease, fire, flooding, and forest harvest. Lands adjacent to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore experienced the highest rate of disturbance (8.75%, 1.45% per yr), largely due to forest harvests. The lands adjacent to the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area experienced the lowest percentage of change (0.62%, 0.10% per yr), with development activities being responsible for most of the change. Forest harvesting was the major change agent outside six of the eight parks, an indication of how important the wood products industry is in the region and the level to which this region is forested. These national parks are acting as integral buffers from adjacent lands that either do not have the ability or lack the capacity to allow the ecosystem to function without intensive management efforts.
Lumican negatively controls the pathogenicity of murine encephalitic TH17 cells
Authors: Castillo Eliseo F. , Zheng Handong , Van Cabanlong Christian , Dong Fei , Luo Yan , Yang Yi , Liu Meilian , Kao Winston W.‐Y. , Yang Xuexian O. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractTH17 cells play an essential role in the development of both human multiple sclerosis and animal experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Nevertheless, it is not well understood how the pathogenicity of TH17 cells is controlled in the autoimmune neuroinflammation. In vitro, we found Lumican (Lum), an extracellular matrix (ECM) protein, is selectively expressed by TH17 cells among tested murine TH subsets. Lum deficiency leads to earlier onset and enhanced severity of EAE. This enhanced disease in Lum‐deficient mice is associated with increased production of IL‐17 and IL‐21 and decreased TH17 cell apoptosis. Dysregulation in cytokine production appears to be specific to TH17 cells as TH1 and TH2 cell polarization and/or cytokine production were unaltered. Furthermore, adoptive transfer of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein specific TH17 cells derived from Lum‐deficient mice led to earlier onset and increased severity of disease compared to controls highlighting a TH17‐cell‐intrinsic effect of Lum. Taken together, our results suggest that Lum negatively regulates encephalitic TH17 cells, implicating a potential therapeutic pathway in TH17 cell mediated autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.