bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Monitoring of starter culture‐initiated liquid wheat and teff sourdough fermentations by selected ion flow tube‐mass spectrometry
Authors: Van Kerrebroeck Simon , Harth Henning , Comasio Andrea , De Vuyst Luc 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDSelected ion flow tube–mass spectrometry (SIFT‐MS) is a direct‐injection mass spectrometric technique that has been introduced recently into the field of food and flavor analysis. It also shows potential for use in the monitoring of food fermentations. Therefore, this study aimed at the online monitoring of different volatile compounds produced during starter culture‐initiated liquid sourdough fermentations by SIFT‐MS, for which a new workflow was developed.RESULTSThe online monitoring of the volatile sample compounds acetoin and ethyl acetate, diacetyl, and ethanol was made possible during the production of sourdoughs obtained through fermentation with several interesting strains belonging to the species Lactobacillus crustorum, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus hilgardii, Lactobacillus nagelii, Lactobacillus sakei, and Gluconobacter oxydans. Acetoin and ethyl acetate could not be distinguished based solely on SIFT‐MS data. Diacetyl production was monitored in the case of Lb. crustorum LMG 23699 as a starter culture strain, thereby making the distinction between those volatiles produced in sourdough without extra ingredients added or after the addition of citrate or malate.CONCLUSIONStarter culture‐initiated liquid sourdough fermentations were monitored successfully. The volatile compound production of the different starter culture strains tested reflected differences in their metabolism and/or competitiveness in a sourdough matrix. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Adjuvant radiation therapy improves patient survival in early‐stage merkel cell carcinoma: A 15‐year single‐institution study
Authors: Han Albert Y. , Patel Pratik B. , Anderson Mitchell , Diaz Miguel F. P. , Chin Robert , St. John Maie A. 
Published: January 2018

Objectives/HypothesisMerkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive neuroendocrine neoplasm of the skin. Growing evidence supports the benefit of postoperative adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) for locoregional control, but whether it improves overall survival (OS) has been debated. Our objective was to compare the OS of MCC patients who received postoperative RT with those who received surgery alone.Study DesignRetrospective case series.MethodsCases of MCC between 2001 and 2016 at the University of California, Los Angeles Health System were reviewed. We identified 87 unique cases of MCC. Among the patients, 74% were identified as male and 26% as female. The average age at diagnosis was 71.2 years. The median survival was 48.0 months. The OS of all the patients at 2 years, 5 years, and 10 years was 54%, 46%, and 26%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that stage, T stage, N stage, and M stage were significant determinants of OS. The inclusion of RT was not found to be a determinant; however, when restricting the analysis to early‐stage MCC (stages I and II), postoperative adjuvant RT was associated with significantly improved OS. A Cox regression model confirmed that inclusion of RT was an independent prognosticator of OS even when controlled for overall stage and negative margin status. The small sample size and retrospective nature of this study limit its statistical power.ConclusionsMCC is an aggressive tumor with a poor prognosis for survival especially in elderly patients. In this study, we found that RT during early‐stage MCC improves OS. Prospective randomized control trials are necessary to validate the observed benefit for MCC patients.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 1862–1866, 2018
Meta‐analysis of subjective complaints of vertigo and vestibular tests after cochlear implantation
Authors: Hänsel Toni , Gauger Ulrich , Bernhard Nikolai , Behzadi Nina , Romo Ventura Maria Eugenia , Hofmann Veit , Olze Heidi , Knopke Steffen , Todt Ingo , Coordes Annekatrin 
Published: January 2018

ObjectivePostoperative vertigo is a common complaint after cochlear implantation, but published incidence rates differ vastly. The aim of the present study was to investigate both subjective complaints of vertigo before and after cochlear implantation and related vestibular diagnostic tests on cochlear implant candidates.Data SourcesWe performed a systematic literature search according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses statement in PubMed, Cochrane Register, and EMBASE.Review MethodsWe presented 116 eligible studies investigating subjective complaints of vertigo after cochlear implantation and/or related vestibular diagnostic tests. We conducted three meta‐analyses of 46 eligible studies with matched pre‐ and postoperative data to calculate the odds ratio of new vertigo onset, as well as the impairment of vestibular receptors measured by nystagmography and cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMP). Postoperative vertigo was calculated from 95 studies and further subdivided by mean age with pooled data.ResultsWe observed a significant increase in postoperative vertigo and significant impairment of nystagmography and cVEMP detection. Vertigo after cochlear implantation was reported in 9.3% of the patients with a continuous increase in patient age at surgery. In a subgroup of studies, new onset of vertigo was found in 17.4% of the patients. In addition, 7.2% of the patients had persisting vertigo complaints, whereas 11.6% described an altered vertigo quality and 7.7% had their preoperative complaints resolved. A comparison of round window approach and cochleostomy revealed significantly increased vertigo after cochleostomy. Both insertion methods showed similar effects in nystagmography and cVEMP testing.ConclusionCochlear implantation has a significant impact on subjective vertigo and vestibular receptor function. This is affected by the patient's age at the time of surgery. The surgical technique (round window or cochleostomy) may influence the outcome, but this requires further investigation. Younger patients may compensate better following vestibular dysfunction. Perioperative testing is required to correlate vestibular impairment and subjective complaints.Laryngoscope, 2018Laryngoscope, 128:2110–2123, 2018
Esophagram findings in cervical esophageal stenosis: A case‐controlled quantitative analysis
Authors: West Jacob , Kim Cherine H. , Reichert Zachary , Krishna Priya , Crawley Brianna K. , Inman Jared C. 
Published: January 2018

ObjectiveCervical esophageal stenosis is often diagnosed with a qualitative evaluation of a barium esophagram. Although the esophagram is frequently the initial screening exam for dysphagia, a clear objective standard for stenosis has not been defined. In this study, we measured esophagram diameters in order to establish a quantitative standard for defining cervical esophageal stenosis that requires surgical intervention.Study DesignSingle institution case‐control study.MethodsPatients with clinically significant cervical esophageal stenosis defined by moderate symptoms of dysphagia (Functional Outcome Swallowing Scale > 2 and Functional Oral Intake Scale < 6) persisting for 6 months and responding to dilation treatment were matched with age, sex, and height controls. Both qualitative and quantitative barium esophagram measurements for the upper, mid‐, and lower vertebral bodies of C5 through T1 were analyzed in lateral, oblique, and anterior–posterior views.ResultsStenotic patients versus nonstenotic controls showed no significant differences in age, sex, height, body mass index, or ethnicity. Stenosis was most commonly at the sixth cervical vertebra (C 6) lower border and C7 upper border. The mean intraesophageal minimum/maximum ratios of controls and stenotic groups in the lateral view were 0.63 ± 0.08 and 0.36 ± 0.12, respectively (P < 0.0001). Receiver operating characteristic analysis of the minimum/maximum ratios, with a <0.50 ratio delineating stenosis, demonstrated that lateral view measurements had the best diagnostic ability. The sensitivity of the radiologists' qualitative interpretation was 56%. With application of lateral intraesophageal minimum/maximum ratios, we observed improved sensitivity to 94% of the esophagram, detecting clinically significant stenosis.ConclusionApplying quantitative determinants in esophagram analysis may improve the sensitivity of detecting cervical esophageal stenosis in dysphagic patients who may benefit from surgical therapy.Level of EvidenceIIIb. Laryngoscope, 128:2022–2028, 2018
Publication trends and levels of evidence in obstructive sleep apnea literature
Authors: Gouveia Christopher J. , Zaghi Soroush , Awad Michael , Camacho Macario , Liu Stanley Y. C. , Capasso Robson , Kern Robert C. 
Published: January 2018

Objectives/HypothesisExamine trends in clinical research and levels of evidence related to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in the medical literature. Describe the features and trends of OSA research within otolaryngology journals.Study DesignRetrospective analysis.MethodsReview of OSA research articles from 2006, 2011, and 2016 in four leading medical sleep and otolaryngology journals. Level of evidence was graded, and study characteristics were measured.ResultsSeven hundred eight total articles were reviewed. OSA articles significantly increased in both number and proportion of total articles in the medical sleep (P < .001) and otolaryngology (P = .004) journals. Surgically focused articles did not significantly increase in either literature. There was no significant difference between medical sleep and otolaryngology literature levels of evidence regarding OSA, and no trend toward higher levels of evidence over time. Medical sleep publications had significantly higher proportions of grant‐funded (P < .001) and National Institutes of Health (NIH)–funded (P < .001) publications versus otolaryngology journals. Over time, otolaryngology journals had decreasing numbers of grant‐funded and NIH‐funded projects.ConclusionsOSA research is increasingly present in medical sleep and otolaryngology literature. Levels of evidence are modest for the two specialties, and have shown no trend toward increasing over time. Concurrently, otolaryngologists are less likely to be grant funded than their medical colleagues, and sleep surgery has stagnated in the studied journals. This study encourages continued efforts to publish high‐quality research on OSA. It may also help guide our specialty when setting priorities regarding research funding and support for sleep surgeons.Level of EvidenceNA Laryngoscope, 128:2193–2199, 2018
Reducing rates of operative intervention for pediatric post‐tonsillectomy hemorrhage
Authors: Whelan Rachel L. , Shaffer Amber , Anderson Martin E. , Hsu Jessica , Jabbour Noel 
Published: January 2018

Objectives/HypothesisThe aims of this study were to determine the frequency of rebleeding in patients admitted for observation after presentation for nonactive hemorrhage in the post‐tonsillectomy period, compare rebleeding rates between patients managed with observation versus initial operative control, and describe the complication profile associated with observation as a management strategy for post‐tonsillectomy bleeding.Study DesignCase series with retrospective review of patients.MethodsPatients presenting from September 1, 2013 to August 31, 2015 for post‐tonsillectomy hemorrhage to a tertiary pediatric care center were evaluated for inclusion in the study. Inclusion criteria included patients ≤18 years of age without active bleeding at the time of the initial examination. Proportions were compared using χ2 and Fisher exact tests, whereas continuous data were compared using the Wilcoxon rank sum test.ResultsOf 3,866 tonsillectomy patients, 285 (7.4%) presented with concern for oropharyngeal bleeding in the postoperative period, of whom 224 were admitted for nonactive bleeding. Of patients with nonactive bleeding, 203 (90.6%) were managed with observation and 21 (9.4%) with operative intervention. Rate of rebleeding was 26/203 (12.8%) after inpatient observation and 3/21 (14.3%) after operative intervention (P = 1.000). Frequency of rebleeding requiring operative control in patients undergoing initial observation was 14/203 (6.9%).ConclusionsIn our pilot study, rates of rebleeding in patients observed for nonactive post‐tonsillectomy hemorrhage was not statistically different than those managed with initial operative exploration. Although preliminary in nature, our data suggest observation may have comparable safety and efficacy when compared to operative management for pediatric patients presenting with nonactive post‐tonsillectomy bleeding. Further data collection to establish an optimal management algorithm is ongoing.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 1958–1962, 2018
Economic evaluation of floseal compared to nasal packing for the management of anterior epistaxis
Authors: Le Andre , Thavorn Kednapa , Lasso Andrea , Kilty Shaun J. 
Published: January 2018

Objectives/HypothesisTo evaluate the cost‐effectiveness of Floseal, a topically applied hemostatic agent, and nasal packing for the management of epistaxis in Canada.Study DesignOutcomes research, a cost‐utility analysis.MethodsWe developed a Markov model to compare the costs and health outcomes of Floseal with nasal packing over a lifetime horizon from the perspective of a publicly funded healthcare system. A cycle length of 1 year was used. Efficacy of Floseal and packing was sought from the published literature. Unit costs were gathered from a hospital case costing system, whereas physician fees were extracted from the Ontario Schedule of Benefits for Physician Services. Results were expressed as an incremental cost per quality‐adjusted life year (QALY) gained. A series of one‐way sensitivity and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed.ResultsFrom the perspective of a publicly funded health are system, the Floseal treatment strategy was associated with higher costs ($2,067) and greater QALYs (0.27) than nasal packing. Our findings were highly sensitive to discount rates, the cost of Floseal, and the cost of nasal packing. The probabilistic sensitivity analysis suggested that the probability that Floseal treatment is cost‐effective reached 99% if the willingness‐to‐pay threshold was greater than $120,000 per QALY gained.ConclusionsPrior studies have demonstrated Floseal to be an effective treatment for anterior epistaxis. In the Canadian healthcare system, Floseal treatment appears to be a cost‐effective treatment option compared to nasal packing for anterior epistaxis.Level of Evidence2c Laryngoscope, 1778–1782, 2018
On the discretisation in time of the stochastic Allen–Cahn equation
Authors: Kovács Mihály , Larsson Stig , Lindgren Fredrik 
Published: January 2018

AbstractWe consider the stochastic Allen–Cahn equation perturbed by smooth additive Gaussian noise in a bounded spatial domain with smooth boundary in dimension , and study the semidiscretisation in time of the equation by an Euler type split‐step method with step size . We show that the method converges strongly with a rate . By means of a perturbation argument, we also establish the strong convergence of the standard backward Euler scheme with the same rate.
Algebraic cycles and EPW cubes
Authors: Laterveer Robert 
Published: January 2018

AbstractLet X be a hyperkähler variety with an anti‐symplectic involution ι. According to Beauville's conjectural “splitting property”, the Chow groups of X should split in a finite number of pieces such that the Chow ring has a bigrading. The Bloch–Beilinson conjectures predict how ι should act on certain of these pieces of the Chow groups. We verify part of this conjecture for a 19‐dimensional family of hyperkähler sixfolds that are “double EPW cubes” (in the sense of Iliev–Kapustka–Kapustka–Ranestad). This has interesting consequences for the Chow ring of the quotient , which is an “EPW cube” (in the sense of Iliev–Kapustka–Kapustka–Ranestad).
Indaceno‐Based Conjugated Polymers for Polymer Solar Cells
Authors: Yin Yuli , Zhang Yong , Zhao Liancheng 
Published: January 2018

AbstractPolymer solar cells have received considerable attention due to the advantages of low material cost, tunable band gaps, ultralight weight, and high flexible properties, and they have been a promising organic photovoltaic technology for alternative non‐renewable fossil fuels for the past decade. Inspired by these merits, numerous state‐of‐the‐art organic photovoltaic materials have been constructed. Among them, indaceno‐based polymer materials have made an impact in obtaining an impressive power conversion efficiency of more than 11%, which shows the momentous potential of this class of materials for commercial applications. In this review, recent progress of indaceno‐based organic polymer solar cells are reviewed, and the structure–property device performance correlations of the reported materials are highlighted. Then, common regularities of these successful cases are collected, and encouraging viewpoints on the further development of more exciting indaceno‐based organic photovoltaic materials are provided.
Integrating exome sequencing into a diagnostic pathway for epileptic encephalopathy: Evidence of clinical utility and cost effectiveness
Authors: Palmer Elizabeth E. , Schofield Deborah , Shrestha Rupendra , Kandula Tejaswi , Macintosh Rebecca , Lawson John A. , Andrews Ian , Sampaio Hugo , Johnson Alexandra M. , Farrar Michelle A. , Cardamone Michael , Mowat David , Elakis George , Lo William , Zhu Ying , Ying Kevin , Morris Paula , Tao Jiang , Dias Kerith‐Rae , Buckley Michael , Dinger Marcel E. , Cowley Mark J. , Roscioli Tony , Kirk Edwin P. , Bye Ann , Sachdev Rani K. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundEpileptic encephalopathies are a devastating group of neurological conditions in which etiological diagnosis can alter management and clinical outcome. Exome sequencing and gene panel testing can improve diagnostic yield but there is no cost‐effectiveness analysis of their use or consensus on how to best integrate these tests into clinical diagnostic pathways.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cost‐effectiveness study comparing trio exome sequencing with a standard diagnostic approach, for a well‐phenotyped cohort of 32 patients with epileptic encephalopathy, who remained undiagnosed after “first‐tier” testing. Sensitivity analysis was included with a range of commercial exome and multigene panels.ResultsThe diagnostic yield was higher for the exome sequencing (16/32; 50%) than the standard arm (2/32; 6.2%). The trio exome sequencing pathway was cost‐effective compared to the standard diagnostic pathway with a cost saving ofAU$5,236 (95% confidence intervals $2,482; $9,784) per additional diagnosis; the standard pathway cost approximately 10 times more per diagnosis. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that the majority of commercial exome sequencing and multigene panels studied were also cost‐effective. The clinical utility of all diagnoses was reported.ConclusionOur study supports the integration of exome sequencing and gene panel testing into the diagnostic pathway for epileptic encephalopathy, both in terms of cost effectiveness and clinical utility. We propose a diagnostic pathway that integrates initial rapid screening for treatable causes and comprehensive genomic screening. This study has important implications for health policy and public funding for epileptic encephalopathy and other neurological conditions.
Naringin Protects Pancreatic β‐Cells Against Oxidative Stress‐Induced Apoptosis by Inhibiting Both Intrinsic and Extrinsic Pathways in Insulin‐Deficient Diabetic Mice
Authors: Lim Ye Jin , Kim Jung Ho , Pan Jeong Hoon , Kim Jae Kyeom , Park Tae‐Sik , Kim Young Jun , Lee Jin Hyup , Kim Jun Ho 
Published: January 2018

ScopeOxidative stress has been suggested to play a central role in the pathogenesis of diabetes, as well as other metabolic disorders. Naringin, a major flavanone glycoside in citrus species, has been shown to display strong antioxidant potential in in vitro and in vivo models of oxidative stress; however, the underlying protective mechanisms in diabetes are unclear.Methods and resultsTo study the protective effects and molecular mechanisms of naringin in preventing islet dysfunction and diabetes, we examined glucose homeostasis, β‐cell apoptosis, and inflammatory response in insulin‐deficient diabetic mice exposed to acute oxidative stress with streptozotocin (STZ). Naringin dose‐dependently ameliorated hyperglycemia and islet dysfunction in insulin‐deficient diabetic mice. Naringin counteracted STZ‐induced β‐cell apoptosis by inhibiting both the intrinsic (mitochondria‐mediated) and extrinsic (death receptor‐mediated) pathways. Furthermore, these protective effects were associated with suppression of DNA damage response and nuclear factor–kappa B– and mitogen–activated protein kinase–mediated signaling pathways, as well as reduction of reactive oxygen species accumulation and pro‐inflammatory cytokine production in the pancreas.ConclusionTaken together, our study provides insights into the underlying mechanisms through which naringin protects the pancreatic β‐cells against oxidative stress‐induced apoptosis.
Methods to reduce false reporting of substance abstinence in clinical research
Authors: Japuntich Sandra J. , Arditte Hall Kimberly A. , Joos Celina M. , Rasmusson Ann M. , Pineles Suzanne L. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractObjectivesSubstance use may influence study results in human subjects research. This study aims to report the concordance between self‐report and biochemical assessments of substance use and test the effect of methods to reduce false reports of abstinence in trauma‐exposed women participating in a research study.MethodsIn this pilot study, substance use was assessed during telephone prescreening and via self‐report and biochemical verification (i.e., urine toxicology and alcohol breathalyzer tests) at an in‐person evaluation. Due to the high number of participants who tested positive for substances despite self‐reporting abstinence during prescreening, study procedures were modified to disincentivize false self‐reports of substance use two thirds of the way through recruitment. New potential participants were explicitly informed during prescreening and informed consent that a positive drug or alcohol test during screening would result in exclusion from the study and withholding of payment.ResultsPrior to modifying study methods, 20% of participants who had reported abstinence during the telephone prescreen had a positive substance use test at the in‐person visit. Modifying study procedures resulted in an 81% decrease in positive substance use assessments.ConclusionsAdoption of this methodology may decrease inadvertent confounding of clinical research outcomes by undetected and/or misreported substance use.
A new impedance accounting for short‐ and long‐range effects in mixed substructured formulations of nonlinear problems
Authors: Negrello Camille , Gosselet Pierre , Rey Christian 
Published: January 2018

SummaryAn efficient method for solving large nonlinear problems combines Newton solvers and domain decomposition methods. In the domain decomposition method framework, the boundary conditions can be chosen to be primal, dual, or mixed. The mixed approach presents the advantage to be eligible for the research of an optimal interface parameter (often called impedance), which can increase the convergence rate. The optimal value for this parameter is usually too expensive to be computed exactly in practice: An approximate version has to be sought, along with a compromise between efficiency and computational cost. In the context of parallel algorithms for solving nonlinear structural mechanical problems, we propose a new heuristic for the impedance, which combines short‐ and long‐range effects at a low computational cost.