bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rehospitalization after intermittent levosimendan treatment in advanced heart failure patients: a meta‐analysis of randomized trials
Authors: Silvetti Simona , Belletti Alessandro , Fontana Antonella , Pollesello Piero 
Published: June 2017

AbstractAimsIntermittent levosimendan administration has been suggested to improve survival in patients with advanced heart failure (AdHF). Quality of life is a key issue for AdHF patients and is negatively affected by frequent hospitalizations.Methods and resultsCENTRAL, Google Scholar, MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of clinical trials (updated 15/1/2017) were searched for randomized controlled trials investigating the effect of intermittent levosimendan administration in patients with AdHF. The primary outcome was the number of patients requiring rehospitalization 3 months after the end of treatment. A total of 319 patients from six trials were included. Overall pooled analysis showed that the use of levosimendan was associated with a significant reduction in the number of rehospitalizations at 3 months: 33/207 (16%) vs. 39/113 (35%), risk ratio 0.40, 95% confidence interval 0.27–0.59, P < 0.001, I2 = 0%. This result was confirmed by sensitivity analyses.ConclusionsWithin the limitations of this meta‐analysis including also studies in which endpoints were not independently adjudicated and not clearly specified, repetitive or intermittent administration of levosimendan for patients with AdHF was associated with a reduction in the rehospitalization rate at 3 months. Large, high‐quality randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm this finding.
Effects of DNA Probe Length on the Performance of a Dynamics‐based Electrochemical Hg(II) Sensor
Authors: Wu Yao , Baker Savannah L. , Lai Rebecca Y. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractWe investigated the effects of DNA probe length on the performance of a dynamics‐based electrochemical metal ion (E‐ION) Hg(II) sensor. A systematic comparison of three versions of the Hg(II) sensor fabricated using oligothymine (oligo‐T) probes of different lengths (6, 12, and 18 bases) is presented here. Independent of the probe length, the sensing mechanism of the sensor remains the same. It is based on the specific interactions between Hg(II) and thymine (T), formation of the T‐Hg(II)‐T complexes rigidifies the methylene blue (MB)‐modified oligo‐T probes, resulting in a concentration‐dependent reduction in the MB signal. Although there are noted differences in sensor characteristics such as the limit of detection and dynamic range, all three sensors have demonstrated to be specific and selective. Thus, depending on the specific sensor properties that are required for the analysis, a shorter or longer oligo‐T probe should be employed. With further optimization, this sensor could find applications in real time detection of Hg(II) in environmental samples.
Accumulation of non‐numerical evidence during nonsymbolic number processing in the brain: An fMRI study
Authors: Leibovich Tali , Ansari Daniel 
Published: June 2017

AbstractBehavioral evidence has shown that when performing a nonsymbolic number comparison task (e.g., deciding which of two dot arrays contains more dots), participants' responses are sensitive to affected by both numerical (e.g., number of items) and non‐numerical magnitudes (i.e., area, density, etc.). Thus far it is unclear what brain circuits support this process of accumulating non‐numerical variables during nonsymbolic number processing. To investigate this, 21 adult participants were asked to engage in a dot comparison task. To measure the neural correlates of accumulating numerical and non‐numerical variables, we manipulated the number of the non‐numerical magnitudes that were congruent (correlated with number) or incongruent (anticorrelated with number). In a control task, participants were asked to choose the darker of two gray rectangles (brightness task). The tasks were matched in terms of their difficulty. The results of a whole brain analysis for regions sensitive to the congruity of numerical and non‐numerical magnitudes revealed a region in the right inferior frontal gyrus (rIFG). Activation in this region was found to be correlated with the relative congruency of numerical and non‐numerical magnitudes. In contrast, this region was not modulated by difficulty of the brightness control task. Accordingly in view of these findings, we suggest that the rIFG supports the accumulation of non‐numerical magnitudes that are positively correlated with number. Therefore taken together, this study reveals a brain region whose pattern of activity is influenced by the congruency between numerical and non‐numerical variables during nonsymbolic number judgments. Hum Brain Mapp 38:4908–4921, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
How do hospital‐specialty characteristics influence health system responsiveness? An empirical evaluation of in‐patient care in the Italian region of Emilia‐Romagna
Authors: Fiorentini Gianluca , Robone Silvana , Verzulli Rossella 
Published: June 2017

AbstractStudies of health system responsiveness mostly focus on the demand side by investigating the association between sociodemographic characteristics of patients and their reported level of responsiveness. However, little is known about the influence of supply‐side factors. This paper addresses that research gap by analysing the role of hospital‐specialty characteristics in explaining variations in patients' evaluation of responsiveness from a sample of about 38,700 in‐patients treated in public hospitals within the Italian Region of Emilia‐Romagna. The analysis is carried out by adopting a 2‐step procedure. First, we use patients' self‐reported data to derive 5 measures of responsiveness at the hospital‐specialty level. By estimating a generalised ordered probit model, we are able to correct for variations in individual reporting behaviour due to the health status of patients and their experience of being in pain. Second, we run cross‐sectional regressions to investigate the association between patients' responsiveness and potential supply‐side drivers, including waiting times, staff workload, the level of spending on non‐clinical facilities, the level of spending on staff education and training, and the proportion of staff expenditure between nursing and administrative staff. Results suggest that responsiveness is to some extent influenced by the supply‐side drivers considered.
Evaluation of a new methodology to simulate damage and wear of polyethylene hip replacements subjected to edge loading in hip simulator testing
Authors: Partridge Susan , Tipper Joanne L. , Al‐Hajjar Mazen , Isaac Graham H. , Fisher John , Williams Sophie 
Published: June 2017

AbstractWear and fatigue of polyethylene acetabular cups have been reported to play a role in the failure of total hip replacements. Hip simulator testing under a wide range of clinically relevant loading conditions is important. Edge loading of hip replacements can occur following impingement under extreme activities and can also occur during normal gait, where there is an offset deficiency and/or joint laxity. This study evaluated a hip simulator method that assessed wear and damage in polyethylene acetabular liners that were subjected to edge loading. The liners tested to evaluate the method were a currently manufactured crosslinked polyethylene acetabular liner and an aged conventional polyethylene acetabular liner. The acetabular liners were tested for 5 million standard walking cycles and following this 5 million walking cycles with edge loading. Edge loading conditions represented a separation of the centers of rotation of the femoral head and the acetabular liner during the swing phase, leading to loading of the liner rim on heel strike. Rim damage and cracking was observed in the aged conventional polyethylene liner. Steady‐state wear rates assessed gravimetrically were lower under edge loading compared to standard loading. This study supports previous clinical findings that edge loading may cause rim cracking in liners, where component positioning is suboptimal or where material degradation is present. The simulation method developed has the potential to be used in the future to test the effect of aging and different levels of severity of edge loading on a range of cross‐linked polyethylene materials. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 1456–1462, 2018.
Retracted: microRNA‐145‐3p inhibits non‐small cell lung cancer cell migration and invasion by targeting PDK1 via the mTOR signaling pathway
Authors: Chen Gui‐Min , Zheng A‐Juan , Cai Jing , Han Ping , Ji Hong‐Bo , Wang Le‐Le 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is dysregulated in more than 50% of all human malignancies and is a major target in cancer treatment. In this study, we explored the underlying mechanism involving microRNA‐145‐3p (miR‐145‐3p) in the development and progression of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by targeting PDK1 via the mTOR signaling pathway. NSCLC tissues and adjacent normal tissues were obtained from 83 NSCLC patients. miR‐145‐3p, PDK1, and mTOR levels were determined by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) and immunohistochemistry. Human NSCLC cell lines A549 and H1299 were transfected with miR‐145‐3p and siPDK1 to confirm the effect of miR‐145‐3p and PDK1 on NSCLC cells in vitro. Cell growth was evaluated by a CCK8 assay. Cell motility and chemotaxis analysis were determined by the scratch test and chemotaxis assay, respectively. The protein levels of PDK1 and mTOR were measured using the western blotting. Results showed lower level of miR‐145‐3p and higher levels of PDK1 and mTOR in NSCLC tissues compared to the adjacent normal tissues. In vitro results showed that cell growth, cell motility, and chemotaxis were all inhibited in cells transfected with miR‐145‐3p and those transfected with siPDK. Additionally, dual luciferase reporter gene assay helped confirmed that PDK1 is a target of miR‐145. Finally, levels of PDK1, mTOR, and phosphorylated‐mTOR were lower in cells transfected with miR‐145‐3p as well as those with siPDK1. These findings indicate that miR‐145‐3p may inhibit cell growth, motility, and chemotaxis in NSCLC by targeting PDK1 through suppressing the mTOR pathway.
A fast autofocus sharpness function of microvision system based on the Robert function and Gauss fitting
Authors: Sha Xiaopeng , Wang Pu , Shan Peng , Li Huiguang , Li Zhiquan 
Published: June 2017

AbstractFor the microvision system, a new autofocus evaluation function based on the Robert function is proposed by increasing the threshold value. Compared with the traditional evaluation function, the new focus function reduces the local extreme value and increases the steepness of the focusing curve. According to the characteristics of the focusing evaluation function, the focus curve can be divided into two stages: the gentle area and the steep area. In the gentle area, there will be set a large step‐length to realize the fast search. In the steep area, the data will be fitted by Gauss method, and on the basis of the fitting results, the motor of microvision system was directly driven to achieve the focal plane and this method has been improved in real‐time and accuracy.
Biased Duplications and Loss of Members in Tdrd Family in Teleost Fish
Authors: Chen Feng , Luo Majing , Lai Fengling , Yu Chunlai , Cheng Hanhua , Zhou Rongjia 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACTGene expansion and contraction are important evolution events. Some tdrd genes, especially multi‐Tudor members, participate in Piwi‐interacting RNA pathway and spermatogenesis. However, tdrd evolution and their functions in teleost fish are poorly understood. Here, we identified 14 tdrds in the teleost fish, swamp eel, which were clustered into 12 tdrd branches. Comparative synteny showed biased duplications and loss of members in the tdrd family. Both tdrd6 and tdrd7 were duplicated in the teleost fish, whereas tdrd8 was lost from the original locus. Expression analysis at both RNA and protein levels showed that tdrd6l, a duplicated multi‐Tudor member, was gonad enriched. Expression pattern of tdrd6l in follicular epithelium and seminiferous epithelium during sex reversal supports its potential role in genome defense in germline.
Modeling, design, and simulation of a radio frequency microelectromechanical system capacitive shunt switch
Authors: Jmai Bassem , Anacleto Pedro , Mendes Paulo , Gharsallah Ali 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThis tutorial paper presents an empirical model of a capacitive radio frequency microelectromechanical system switch in the microwave domain. The simulation results of the mechanical and electrical aspects of the proposed model were computed with Matlab. The mechanical modeling is validated by COMSOL software through the finite element method to determine the spring constant and the necessary applied voltage. The electromagnetic simulation results are validated by 3 different software: the High‐Frequency Structure Simulator based on the finite element method, the Computer Simulation Technology based on finite integration technique method, and the Advanced Design System based on the method of moments. The obtained results are performed in both down (OFF) and up (ON) states in the frequency range of 1 to 40 GHz, and the considered performance benchmarks are the insertion loss, return loss, isolation, and phase.
Use of Contrast‐Enhanced Ultrasound for Confirmation of Central Venous Catheter Placement: Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis
Authors: Bou Chebl Ralph , Kiblawi Shafeek , El Khuri Christopher , El Hajj Nadine , Bachir Rana , Aoun Roni , Abou Dagher Gilbert 
Published: June 2017

ObjectivesThe purpose of this meta‐analysis was to determine the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (US) for confirming the tip location and placement of central venous catheters in adult patients.MethodsA systematic review was performed using electronic databases, including MEDLINE, ClinicalTrials.gov, Cochrane, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus. Inclusion criteria were studies conducted on adult patients receiving an internal jugular or a subclavian central venous catheter in the emergency department or intensive care unit. Furthermore, the catheter tip location had to be checked with the use of the agitated saline contrast‐enhanced US technique.ResultsA total of 2245 articles were screened by title and abstract. Seventeen articles were retrieved and assessed for the predefined inclusion criteria. Four articles and 1 abstract were used in the final analysis. Contrast‐enhanced US showed pooled sensitivity of 72% (95% confidence interval, 44%–91%), pooled specificity of 100% (95% confidence interval, 99%–100%), a positive predictive value of 92.1%, and a negative predictive value of 98.5% compared with chest radiography for confirming the placement of central venous catheters.ConclusionsIn the setting of central venous catheter placement, postprocedural contrast‐enhanced US imaging is a safe, efficient, and highly specific confirmatory test for the catheter tip location compared with chest radiography.
Relative variations of gut microbiota in disordered cholesterol metabolism caused by high‐cholesterol diet and host genetics
Authors: Bo Tao , Shao Shanshan , Wu Dongming , Niu Shaona , Zhao Jiajun , Gao Ling 
Published: June 2017

AbstractRecent studies performed provide mechanistic insight into effects of the microbiota on cholesterol metabolism, but less focus was given to how cholesterol impacts the gut microbiota. In this study, ApoE−/− Sprague Dawley (SD) rats and their wild‐type counterparts (n = 12) were, respectively, allocated for two dietary condition groups (normal chow and high‐cholesterol diet). Total 16S rDNA of fecal samples were extracted and sequenced by high‐throughput sequencing to determine differences in microbiome composition. Data were collected and performed diversity analysis and phylogenetic analysis. The influence of cholesterol on gut microbiota was discussed by using cholesterol dietary treatment as exogenous cholesterol disorder factor and genetic modification as endogenous metabolic disorder factor. Relative microbial variations were compared to illustrate the causality and correlation of cholesterol and gut microbiota. It turned out comparing to genetically modified rats, exogenous cholesterol intake may play more effective role in changing gut microbiota profile, although the serum cholesterol level of genetically modified rats was even higher. Relative abundance of some representative species showed that the discrepancies due to dietary variation were more obvious, whereas some low abundance species changed because of genetic disorders. Our results partially demonstrated that gut microbiota are relatively more sensitive to dietary variation. Nevertheless, considering the important effect of bacteria in cholesterol metabolism, the influence to gut flora by “genetically caused cholesterol disorder” cannot be overlooked. Manipulation of gut microbiota might be an effective target for preventing cholesterol‐related metabolic disorders.
Development of a flattening filter free multiple source model for use as an independent, Monte Carlo, dose calculation, quality assurance tool for clinical trials
Authors: Faught Austin M. , Davidson Scott. E. , Popple Richard , Kry Stephen F. , Etzel Carol , Ibbott Geoffrey S. , Followill David S. 
Published: June 2017

PurposeThe Imaging and Radiation Oncology Core‐Houston (IROC‐H) Quality Assurance Center (formerly the Radiological Physics Center) has reported varying levels of compliance from their anthropomorphic phantom auditing program. IROC‐H studies have suggested that one source of disagreement between institution submitted calculated doses and measurement is the accuracy of the institution's treatment planning system dose calculations and heterogeneity corrections used. In order to audit this step of the radiation therapy treatment process, an independent dose calculation tool is needed.MethodsMonte Carlo multiple source models for Varian flattening filter free (FFF) 6 MV and FFF 10 MV therapeutic x‐ray beams were commissioned based on central axis depth dose data from a 10 × 10 cm2 field size and dose profiles for a 40 × 40 cm2 field size. The models were validated against open‐field measurements in a water tank for field sizes ranging from 3 × 3 cm2 to 40 × 40 cm2. The models were then benchmarked against IROC‐H's anthropomorphic head and neck phantom and lung phantom measurements.ResultsValidation results, assessed with a ±2%/2 mm gamma criterion, showed average agreement of 99.9% and 99.0% for central axis depth dose data for FFF 6 MV and FFF 10 MV models, respectively. Dose profile agreement using the same evaluation technique averaged 97.8% and 97.9% for the respective models. Phantom benchmarking comparisons were evaluated with a ±3%/2 mm gamma criterion, and agreement averaged 90.1% and 90.8% for the respective models.ConclusionsMultiple source models for Varian FFF 6 MV and FFF 10 MV beams have been developed, validated, and benchmarked for inclusion in an independent dose calculation quality assurance tool for use in clinical trial audits.
Medial prefrontal cortex deficits correlate with unrefreshing sleep in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome
Authors: Shan Zack Y. , Kwiatek Richard , Burnet Richard , Del Fante Peter , Staines Donald R. , Marshall‐Gradisnik Sonya M. , Barnden Leighton R. 
Published: June 2017

Unrefreshing sleep is a hallmark of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS). This study examined brain structure variations associated with sleep quality in patients with CFS. 38 patients with CFS (34.8 ± 10.1 years old) and 14 normal controls (NCs) (34.7 ± 8.4 years old) were recruited. All subjects completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Chalder Fatigue Scale (CFQ) questionnaires. Brain MRI measures included global and regional grey and white matter volumes, magnetization transfer T1 weighted (MT‐T1w) intensities, and T1 weighted (T1w) and T2 weighted spin echo signal intensities. We performed voxel based group comparisons of these regional brain MRI measures and regressions of these measures with the PSQI and CFQ scales adjusted for age, anxiety and depression, and the appropriate global measure. In CFS patients, negative correlations were observed in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) between PSQI and MT‐T1w intensities (family‐wise error corrected cluster, PFWE < 0.05) and between PSQI and T1w intensities (PFWE < 0.05). In the same mPFC location, both MT and T1w intensities were lower in CFS patients compared with NCs (uncorrected voxel P < 0.001). This study is the first to report that brain structural differences are associated with unrefreshing sleep in CFS. This result refutes the suggestion that unrefreshing sleep is a misperception in CFS patients and further investigation of this symptom is warranted.
A nonintrusive proper generalized decomposition scheme with application in biomechanics
Authors: Zou X. , Conti M. , Díez P. , Auricchio F. 
Published: June 2017

SummaryProper generalized decomposition (PGD) is often used for multiquery and fast‐response simulations. It is a powerful tool alleviating the curse of dimensionality affecting multiparametric partial differential equations. Most implementations of PGD are intrusive extensions based on in‐house developed FE solvers. In this work, we propose a nonintrusive PGD scheme using off‐the‐shelf FE codes (such as certified commercial software) as an external solver. The scheme is implemented and monitored by in‐house flow‐control codes. A typical implementation is provided with downloadable codes. Moreover, a novel parametric separation strategy for the PGD resolution is presented. The parametric space is split into two‐ or three‐dimensional subspaces, to allow PGD technique solving problems with constrained parametric spaces, achieving higher convergence ratio. Numerical examples are provided. In particular, a practical example in biomechanics is included, with potential application to patient‐specific simulation.
Motion control skill assessment based on kinematic analysis of robotic end‐effector movements
Authors: Liang Ke , Xing Yuan , Li Jianmin , Wang Shuxin , Li Aimin , Li Jinhua 
Published: June 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe performance of robotic end‐effector movements can reflect the user's operation skill difference in robot‐assisted minimally invasive surgery. This study quantified the trade‐off of speed–accuracy–stability by kinematic analysis of robotic end‐effector movements to assess the motion control skill of users with different levels of experience.MethodsUsing ‘MicroHand S’ system, 10 experts, 10 residents and 10 novices performed single‐hand test and bimanual coordination test. Eight metrics based on the movements of robotic end‐effectors were applied to evaluate the users' performance.ResultsIn the single‐hand test, experts outperformed other groups except for movement speed; in the bimanual coordination test, experts also performed better except for movement time and movement speed. No statistically significant difference in performance was found between residents and novices.ConclusionsThe kinematic differences obtained from the movements of robotic end‐effectors can be applied to assess the motion control skill of users with different skill levels.