bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Health-related quality of life among adults with and without hypertension: A population-based survey using EQ-5D in Shandong, China
Authors: Zhang Li , Guo Xiaolei , Zhang Jiyu , Chen Xi , Zhou Chengchao , Ge Dandan , Qian Yangyang 
Published: October 2017

AbstractPrevious studies have focused on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in hypertensive individuals, but few studies have attempted to compare HRQoL between hypertensive and normotensive individuals using the EQ-5D in China. Based on a survey of 3509 adults aged 18 + years, we compared HRQoL between hypertensive and normotensive individuals using a chi-square test, t-test and multi-linear regression model. The results indicated that HRQoL in hypertensive individuals was poorer than that of normotensive individuals in all domains of the EQ-5D and its utility index. In addition, education, complications, household income, and family history of HBP were associated with HRQoL among the hypertensive patients. Factors including age, education, household income, health expenditure, place of residence, and family history of high blood pressure (HBP) were found to be associated with HRQoL in normotensive individuals. Interventions targeting at-risk subgroups, such as modifying existing health insurance schemes to improve them for poor individuals, might be helpful to improve HRQoL.
High prevalence of inadequate sitting and sleeping postures: a three-year prospective study of adolescents
Authors: Noll Matias , Candotti Cláudia Tarragô , da Rosa Bruna Nichele , do Valle Marja Bochehin , Antoniolli Arthur , Vieira Adriane , Loss Jefferson Fagundes 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThere is a paucity of information regarding the development of body posture during adolescence. This three-year prospective study aimed to evaluate sitting and sleeping postures among adolescents, and to determine whether these postures are associated with age and sex. We assessed 525 adolescents aged 11–16 years from the fifth to eighth grades. These adolescents were reassessed three years later. The Back Pain and Body Posture Evaluation Instrument was used to evaluate the sleeping posture and three sitting positions: sitting to write, to use a computer, and during leisure activities. Our findings indicated a low prevalence of adequate sleeping and sitting postures at baseline, with a decrease in prevalence observed after three years for all postures. These changes were similar for both sexes. Moreover, we found a strong reduction of adequate posture prevalence for younger adolescents, but the oldest adolescents demonstrated no significant differences after three years. Early, rather than late, adolescence is a critical period for establishing inadequate sitting and sleeping postures. This has implications for posture throughout adulthood; hence, interventions targeted at this age group are needed.
Carbon Adsorbents With Dual Porosity for Efficient Removal of Uremic Toxins and Cytokines from Human Plasma
Authors: Pavlenko D. , Giasafaki D. , Charalambopoulou G. , van Geffen E. , Gerritsen K. G. F. , Steriotis T. , Stamatialis D. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe number of patients with chronic kidney disease increases while the number of available donor organs stays at approximately the same level. Unavoidable accumulation of the uremic toxins and cytokines for these patients comes as the result of malfunctioning kidneys and their high levels in the blood result in high morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, the existing methods, like hemodialysis and hemofiltration, provide only partial removal of uremic toxins and/or cytokines from patients’ blood. Consequently, there is an increasing need for the development of the extracorporeal treatments which will enable removal of broad spectrum of uremic toxins that are usually removed by healthy kidneys. Therefore, in this work we developed and tested ordered mesoporous carbons as new sorbents with dual porosity (micro/meso) that provide selective and efficient removal of a broad range of uremic toxins from human plasma. The new sorbents, CMK-3 are developed by nanocasting methods and have two distinct pore domains, i.e. micropores and mesopores, therefore show high adsorption capacity towards small water soluble toxins (creatinine), protein-bound molecules (indoxyl sulfate and hippuric acid), middle molecules (β-2-microglobulin) and cytokines of different size (IL-6 and IL-8). Our results show that small amounts of CMK-3 could provide selective and complete blood purification.
A compendium of geochemical information from the Saanich Inlet water column
Authors: Torres-Beltrán Mónica , Hawley Alyse K. , Capelle David , Zaikova Elena , Walsh David A. , Mueller Andreas , Scofield Melanie , Payne Chris , Pakhomova Larysa , Kheirandish Sam , Finke Jan , Bhatia Maya , Shevchuk Olena , Gies Esther A. , Fairley Diane , Michiels Céline , Suttle Curtis A. , Whitney Frank , Crowe Sean A. , Tortell Philippe D. , Hallam Steven J. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractExtensive and expanding oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) exist at variable depths in coastal and open ocean waters. As oxygen levels decline, nutrients and energy are increasingly diverted away from higher trophic levels into microbial community metabolism, resulting in fixed nitrogen loss and production of climate active trace gases including nitrous oxide and methane. While ocean deoxygenation has been reported on a global scale, our understanding of OMZ biology and geochemistry is limited by a lack of time-resolved data sets. Here, we present a historical dataset of oxygen concentrations spanning fifty years and nine years of monthly geochemical time series observations in Saanich Inlet, a seasonally anoxic fjord on the coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada that undergoes recurring changes in water column oxygenation status. This compendium provides a unique geochemical framework for evaluating long-term trends in biogeochemical cycling in OMZ waters.
Hybrid waveguide/coaxial feeder for dual‐pol Fabry‐Perot cavity antennas radiating omnidirectional TM/TE waves
Authors: Comite D. , De Santis P. , Burghignoli P. , Baccarelli P. , Galli A. 
Published: October 2017

A hybrid waveguide/coaxial transverse magnetic (TM)/transverse electric (TE) launcher is proposed as a feeder for planar Fabry‐Perot (FP) cavity antennas radiating omnidirectional beams. The structure is based on a pair of nested coaxial cables. The inner coax (TM launcher) operates on the standard TEM mode and feeds a vertical probe protruding into the antenna cavity through the ground plane. The outer coax (TE launcher) operates on the TE01 mode excited by an aperture‐coupled rectangular‐waveguide feeding network. Geometrical symmetry ensures high isolation between the TM and TE input ports, which can be alternatively excited to achieve dual‐pol operation with either horizontal or vertical linearly‐polarised far field. Good impedance matching and omnidirectional dual‐pol radiative features are demonstrated for an FP cavity antenna operating at 16 GHz and based on a thin periodic metal partially‐reflecting surface.
Quasi‐lumped dual‐mode reconfigurable eight‐way FPD
Authors: Zhu Chuanming , Kang Wei , Wu Wen 
Published: October 2017

A quasi‐lumped dual‐mode reconfigurable eight‐way filtering power divider (FPD) is presented. Two operating modes are one eight‐way tunable FPD and one all stopband filter (ASF) with high suppression. The measured eight‐way FPD can be tuned from 1.0 to 2.15 GHz, corresponding to the frequency tuning range (FTR) of 73%. The ASF is obtained by misaligning resonant frequencies of LC resonators and weakening their coupling. The proposed dual‐mode FPD has the advantage of wide FTR, compact size, high isolation, ultra‐wide isolation BW, and high suppression.
Bimetallic Ag–Ru/γ‐Al2O3 nanoparticles for selective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde to hydrocinnamaldehyde
Authors: Li Rongrong , Chen Hong , Gan Zhixing , Jiang Ming , Zhong Aiguo , Bao Huanhuan 
Published: October 2017

This work reports an efficient co‐catalyst of AgRu nanoparticles supported on γ‐Al2O3 for highly selective hydrogenation of the C=C bond of cinnamaldehyde (CAL) at 443 K, uncovering a catalytic route for selective hydrocinnamaldehyde production from the CAL. This kind of chemo‐selectivity of AgRu/γ‐Al2O3 catalyst seems unique since any competitive hydrogenation at the conjugated C=O bond was significant.
Mechanisms Involved in Premature Aging in the Heart—Is There an Implication for Cardiac Surgery?
Authors: Simm Andreas , Rohrbach Susanne , Niemann Bernd 
Published: October 2017

AbstractDuring the past century, life expectancy has risen in Germany from 35.6 and 38.5 years in men and women (1871/1881) to 78.2 and 83.1 years (2013/2015). In recent years, the dominance of chronic diseases as major contributors to total global mortality has emerged. The incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) increases in westernized societies and projected trends suggest that by 2030, CVD alone will also be responsible for more deaths in low-income countries than infectious diseases. The occurrence of CVD also seems to correlate to a further increase of biological age within westernized societies. Therefore, age-associated changes in the heart are an issue of high interest in cardiac surgery. The chronological age is a prognostic marker in some clinical scoring systems. However, it does not represent an adequate estimation of the biological age of patients or their perioperative risk. In fact, frailty might be a more powerful predictor for normal perioperative course or risk escalation. An unhealthy, sedentary lifestyle can induce premature aging of vessels and myocardium. Understanding the age-associated genetic, biochemical, and pathophysiological changes can help identify the therapeutic capability of aged myocardium. Future “therapeutic myocardial rejuvenation” may represent a powerful tool for the stabilization of the perioperative course in aged patients. In this review, we will focus on selected mediators or conditions with impact on age-associated myocardial changes with a major focus on obesity and discuss potential therapeutic strategies to utilize or modify these mediators.
Interprofessional Education and Practice: A Family-Centered Approach to Autism
Authors: Potvin Marie-Christine , Savard Liliane , Prelock Patricia 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe article discusses the role of interprofessional education (IPE) and interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP) in the delivery of service to a young child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and his family. An introduction to the concepts is provided with an outline of the strengths and challenges evident in implementing an IPCP approach to quality care. The core competencies for IPE and IPCP are also explained with examples of their application to children with ASD and their families. After reading this article, health care providers should be able to summarize their role in IPE and IPCP and identify their responsibility as a member of a collaborative team. The value of an interprofessional team in practice is emphasized, and ways to build successful teams are explained.
Effect of Preoperative Medical Status on Microsurgical Free Flap Reconstructions: A Matched Cohort Analysis of 969 Cases
Authors: Heidekrueger Paul , Ninkovic Milomir , Broer P. , Ehrl Denis 
Published: October 2017

Background Free tissue transfers have become standard for a wide variety of reconstructive purposes. In an era of increasing economic pressure, it is important to precisely define appropriate candidates and indications for a complex surgery to optimize efficiency and patient outcomes. This study evaluates the feasibility to perform microsurgical procedures in a medically compromised patient cohort at a major academic microsurgical center.
Methods Within 7 years, 897 patients underwent 969 microvascular free flap reconstructions. The data were retrospectively screened for patients' demographics, perioperative details, flap survival, surgical complications, and outcomes. The cases were divided into two groups in “low-risk” (American Society of Anesthesiologists [ASA] I and II) or “high-risk” (ASA III and IV) as per the preoperative medical status classified according to the ASA score of physical status.
Results Despite the significantly high prevalence of hypertension, peripheral artery disease, diabetes, obesity, and smoking status in the “high-risk” group (p < 0.05), there was no significant difference in the rate of surgical or medical complications, in operative times regarding overall as well as different flap entities, flap failures, need for revision surgery, or hospital length of stay between the two patient groups during our 3-months follow-up period (p > 0.05).
Conclusion In this study, free flap reconstruction in medically compromised patients was not associated with higher rates of revision surgeries, overall complication rates, or surgery-related costs. Complex microsurgical free flap reconstruction can therefore also be advocated in patients with high preoperative risk constellation.
Microsurgery Fellowships—Development of a Clinical Curriculum
Authors: Lam Wee-Leon , Rostom Mai 
Published: October 2017

Background Microsurgery fellowships have become an integral part of every plastic surgery training program. While each subspecialty differs in terms of reconstructive requirements, the basic tenets and skill sets remain the same. We explore the possibility of designing a clinical curriculum for microsurgery that can provide residents and fellows with a more foundational and structured approach to microsurgical training.
Methods Thirteen core and desired skills to accommodate an “ideal” microsurgery curriculum were listed and categorized according to the level of difficulty. The curriculum was then sent to plastic surgery trainees, fellows, and consultants within Scotland in the form of a survey. They were asked to assign a level of difficulty, basic, intermediate, or advanced, to each of the 13 skill sets.
Results A total of 27 surgeons were surveyed; the majority of which were plastic surgery registrars. Overall a broad, generic clinical curriculum was felt to be lacking, but would be beneficial at the start of training. The curriculum should emphasize a step-wise progression, starting from achieving competency in safe, efficient anastomosis at the basic level to eventually mastering the principles of complex reconstruction at a more advanced level.
Conclusions A generic clinical curriculum offers a framework for tracking progress, the potential for competency-based assessment, and aid in designing a microsurgery fellowship. The curriculum should reflect the evolving nature of the specialty and provide a foundational platform for future innovations.
Resternotomy Plus Left Thoracotomy Surgery after Previous Acute Type A Aortic Dissection Repair
Authors: Yoshida Takeshi , Kakii Bunpachi , Furui Masato , Uchino Gaku 
Published: October 2017

Background As the results of acute type A aortic dissection repair have improved, late reoperation for residual dissection has become increasingly important. We report our experience of graft replacement via extended approaches after a previous acute type A aortic dissection repair.
Methods From April 2003 to September 2016, 17 patients underwent reoperation via extended (repeat median sternotomy plus left thoracotomy) approaches after a previous repair of an acute type A aortic dissection at the Matsubara Tokushukai Hospital in Japan and were included in the analyses (males, 16; mean age at surgery, 60.0 ± 9.3 years).
Results The postoperative stroke and in-hospital mortality rates were 0 and 5.9%, respectively.
Conclusion Extended approach after a previous acute type A aortic dissection repair showed acceptable outcomes.
Präzisionstherapie beim kolorektalen Karzinom
Authors: Stintzing Sebastian 
Published: October 2017

AbstractColorectal carcinoma (CRC) is a major cause for cancer related death in Western countries. Particularly in the metastatic stage (mCRC) 5-year survival rate remains low at around 15 %. Treatment decisions are influenced by tumor stage, location of the primary, and extend of metastases. The multidisciplinary tumor board with an experienced hepato-biliary surgeon, an interventional radiologist, the medical oncologist, the molecular pathologist and the radiation oncologist will gain further importance in the quest for the optimal treatment for each patient. In the adjuvant setting, next to the established clinical risk factors, individualization especially for UICC-stage II patients can be done according to the CDX2-expression, the MSI-status, and perhaps the PIK3-status. In the metastatic stage, RAS and BRAF mutational analyses are pivotal to choose the best treatment for our patients. Primary tumor location in RAS-wild-type patients is further helping the clinician to tailor first-line treatment. Ongoing phase-III-trials will further help the clinician to come to a personalized decision.
Zielgerichtete Therapie des Mammakarzinoms
Authors: Seiffert Katharina , Schmalfeldt Barbara , Müller Volkmar 
Published: October 2017

AbstractWithin the last years, significant improvements have been achieved in breast cancer treatment, particularly with the development of targeted therapies. Major progress has been made in identifying the drivers malignant growth in oestrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer and the mechanisms of resistance to endocrine therapy. This progress has translated into several targeted therapies that enhance the efficacy of endocrine therapy; inhibitors of the cyclin-dependent kinases CDK4 and CDK6 like palbociclib and inhibitors of mTOR substantially improve progression-free survival. For patients with HER2-positive disease the addition of Pertuzumab to Trastuzumab in combination with chemotherapy has been a significant improvement in anti-HER2 therapy in early as well as metastatic breast cancer. Evidence-based further line therapy options in the metastatic setting include T-DM1 and in later lines Lapatinib. For triple negative disease the angiogenesis inhibitor Bevacizumab is approved, which increases progression free survival. Immune checkpoint inhibitors, PARP-inhibitors or anti-androgens represent promising strategies, all of which are currently being evaluated in clinical trials. The development of predictive biomarkers to guide targeted therapies is still the subject of research.
Slow-growing amelanotic malignant melanoma of the esophagus with long survival: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Hirayama Yutaka , Masahiro Tajika , Tanaka Tsutomu , Ishihara Makoto , Ohnishi Sachiyo , Hara Kazuo , Mizuno Nobumasa , Hijioka Susumu , Okuno Nozomi , Abe Tetsuya , Uemura Norihisa , Kawakami Jiro , Kurahashi Shintarou , Shimizu Yasuhiro , Yatabe Yasushi , Niwa Yasumasa 
Published: October 2017

Abstract
Background and study aims We report a case of amelanotic malignant melanoma of the esophagus (AMME), an exceedingly rare disease. A 77-year-old Japanese woman presented to our hospital with features suggestive of a middle esophageal submucosal tumor, which was diagnosed pathologically as AMME. The patient underwent thoracoscopic resection of the esophagus and laparoscopic gastric tube reconstruction. Three years after surgery, computed tomography showed no recurrence. Generally, the prognosis of malignant melanoma of the esophagus is very poor. However, our patient had no recurrence, and is alive 3 years after surgery and 5 years after the tumor was first detected.
Evaluation of a novel, hybrid model (Mumbai EUS II) for stepwise teaching and training in EUS-guided biliary drainage and rendezvous procedures
Authors: Dhir Vinay , Itoi Takao , Pausawasdi Nonthalee , Khashab Mouen , Perez-Miranda Manuel , Sun Siyu , Park Do , Iwashita Takuji , Teoh Anthony , Maydeo Amit , Ho Khek 
Published: October 2017

Abstract
Background and aims EUS-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) and rendezvous (EUS-RV) are acceptable rescue options for patients with failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). However, there are limited training opportunities at most centers owing to low case volumes. The existing models do not replicate the difficulties encountered during EUS-BD. We aimed to develop and validate a model for stepwise learning of EUS-BD and EUS-RV, which replicates the actual EUS-BD procedures.
Methods A hybrid model was created utilizing pig esophagus and stomach, with a synthetic duodenum and biliary system. The model was objectively assessed on a grade of 1 – 4 by two experts. Twenty-eight trainees were given initial training with didactic lectures and live procedures. This was followed by hands-on training in EUS-BD and EUS-RV on the hybrid model. Trainees were assessed for objective criteria of technical difficulties.
Results Both the experts graded the model as very good or above for all parameters. All trainees could complete the requisite steps of EUS-BD and EUS-RV in a mean time of 11 minutes (8 – 18 minutes). Thirty-six technical difficulties were noted during the training (wrong scope position, 13; incorrect duct puncture, 12; guidewire related problems, 11). Technical difficulties peaked for EUS-RV, followed by hepaticogastrostomy (HGS) and choledochoduodenostomy (CDS) (20, 9, and 7, P = 0.001). At 10 days follow-up, nine of 28 trainees had successfully performed three EUS-RV and seven EUS-BD procedures independently.
Conclusions The Mumbai EUS II hybrid model replicates situations encountered during EUS-RV and EUS-BD. Stepwise mentoring improves the chances of success in EUS-RV and EUS-BD procedures.