bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Minimizing revision rates with the “Π” technique for bilateral vocal fold immobility: A new technique combining carbon dioxide and diode laser
Authors: Karkos Petros D. , Stavrakas Marios 
Published: December 2015

AbstractBackgroundFor more than 25 years, posterior laser transverse cordotomy has been generally considered the ideal endoscopic minimally invasive procedure of choice for bilateral vocal fold immobility. The main drawback of this procedure, when compared to more aggressive “glottic aperture improvement” operations, is the high revision rates, caused by granulations, adhesion, and scar, for example.MethodsWe describe a technique using a combination of conventional and flexible lasers. Our technique seems to minimize the revision rates.ConclusionThis new technique combining CO2 and diode laser is a safe alternative for treating bilateral vocal fold palsies. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: 801–803, 2016
The exponential decline in saturated hydraulic conductivity with depth: a novel method for exploring its effect on water flow paths and transit time distribution
Authors: Ameli A. A. , McDonnell J. J. , Bishop K. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe strong vertical gradient in soil and subsoil saturated hydraulic conductivity is characteristic feature of the hydrology of catchments. Despite the potential importance of these strong gradients, they have proven difficult to model using robust physically based schemes. This has hampered the testing of hypotheses about the implications of such vertical gradients for subsurface flow paths, residence times and transit time distribution. Here we present a general semi‐analytical solution for the simulation of 2D steady‐state saturated‐unsaturated flow in hillslopes with saturated hydraulic conductivity that declines exponentially with depth. The grid‐free solution satisfies mass balance exactly over the entire saturated and unsaturated zones. The new method provides continuous solutions for head, flow and velocity in both saturated and unsaturated zones without any interpolation process as is common in discrete numerical schemes. This solution efficiently generates flow pathlines and transit time distributions in hillslopes with the assumption of depth‐varying saturated hydraulic conductivity. The model outputs reveal the pronounced effect that changing the strength of the exponential decline in saturated hydraulic conductivity has on the flow pathlines, residence time and transit time distribution. This new steady‐state model may be useful to others for posing hypotheses about how different depth functions for hydraulic conductivity influence catchment hydrological response. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Long‐term administration of a Niemann‐Pick C1‐like 1 inhibitor, ezetimibe, does not worsen bile lithogenicity in dyslipidemic patients with hepatobiliary diseases
Authors: Kishikawa Nobusuke , Kanno Keishi , Sugiyama Akiko , Yokobayashi Kenichi , Mizooka Masafumi , Tazuma Susumu 
Published: December 2015

AbstractBackgroundCertain lipid‐lowering drugs increase bile lithogenicity. Here we investigated whether long‐term administration of ezetimibe, a new class of hypocholesterolemic agents designed to inhibit intestinal cholesterol absorption by inhibiting Niemann‐Pick C1‐like 1, alters bile lithogenicity in patients with hepatobiliary diseases.MethodsEleven dyslipidemic patients with gallstones and/or fatty liver diseases were treated with ezetimibe (10 mg/day) for 12 months. Bile samples were collected by nasal endoscopy before and after 3 and 12 months of treatment. Serum and bile lipids and serum metabolic parameters were analyzed.ResultsSerum levels of campesterol, total cholesterol, and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly decreased after 3 and 12 months of treatment. In contrast, serum lathosterol levels increased gradually. The lithogenic index of bile was unsaturated and unchanged in patients who were previously and concomitantly receiving ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). In patients who were not receiving UDCA, bile was initially supersaturated, but eventually was unsaturated. However, ezetimibe tended to elevate bile lithogenicity in cholecystectomy patients.ConclusionsLong‐term treatment with ezetimibe improves lipid metabolism without significantly altering the bile lithogenicity. Therefore, inhibiting intestinal cholesterol absorption in dyslipidemic patients with hepatobiliary diseases is a safe therapeutic strategy without worsening biliary physiology.
Systematic review and meta‐analysis of the accuracy of MRI to diagnose appendicitis in the general population
Authors: Repplinger Michael D. , Levy Joseph F. , Peethumnongsin Erica , Gussick Megan E. , Svenson James E. , Golden Sean K. , Ehlenbach William J. , Westergaard Ryan P. , Reeder Scott B. , Vanness David J. 
Published: December 2015

PurposeTo perform a systematic review and meta‐analysis of all published studies since 2005 that evaluate the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in the general population presenting to emergency departments.Materials and MethodsAll retrospective and prospective studies evaluating the accuracy of MRI to diagnose appendicitis published in English and listed in PubMed, Web of Science, Cinahl Plus, and the Cochrane Library since 2005 were included. Excluded studies were those without an explicitly stated reference standard, with insufficient data to calculate the study outcomes, or if the population enrolled was limited to pregnant women or children. Data were abstracted by one investigator and confirmed by another. Data included the number of true positives, true negatives, false positives, false negatives, number of equivocal cases, type of MRI scanner, type of MRI sequence, and demographic data including study setting and gender distribution. Summary test characteristics were calculated. Forest plots and a summary receiver operator characteristic plot were generated.ResultsTen studies met eligibility criteria, representing patients from seven countries. Nine were prospective and two were multicenter studies. A total of 838 subjects were enrolled; 406 (48%) were women. All studies routinely used unenhanced MR images, although two used intravenous contrast‐enhancement and three used diffusion‐weighted imaging. Using a bivariate random‐effects model the summary sensitivity was 96.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 92.3%–98.5%) and summary specificity was 95.9% (95% CI: 89.4%–98.4%).ConclusionMRI has a high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of appendicitis, similar to that reported previously for computed tomography. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;43:1346–1354.
Long‐term trends in precipitation and temperature across the Caribbean
Authors: Jones Philip D. , Harpham Colin , Harris Ian , Goodess Clare M. , Burton Aidan , Centella‐Artola Abel , Taylor Michael A. , Bezanilla‐Morlot Arnoldo , Campbell Jayaka D. , Stephenson Tannecia S. , Joslyn Ottis , Nicholls Keith , Baur Timo 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACTThis study considers long‐term precipitation and temperature variability across the Caribbean using two gridded data sets (CRU TS 3.21 and GPCCv5). We look at trends across four different regions (Northern, Eastern, Southern and Western), for three different seasons (May to July, August to October and November to April) and for three different periods (1901–2012, 1951–2012 and 1979–2012). There are no century‐long trends in precipitation in either data set, although all regions (with the exception of the Northern Caribbean) show decade‐long periods of wetter or drier conditions. The most significant of these is for the Southern Caribbean region which was wetter than the 1961–1990 average from 1940 to 1956 and then drier from 1957 to 1965. Temperature in contrast shows statistically significant warming everywhere for the periods 1901–2012, 1951–2012 and for over half the area during 1979–2012. Data availability is a limiting issue over much of the region and we also discuss the reliability of the series we use in the context of what is known to be available in the CRU TS 3.21 data set. More station data have been collected but have either not been fully digitized yet or not made freely available both within and beyond the region.
Pilot‐scale radio frequency pasteurisation of chili powder: heating uniformity and heating model
Authors: Li Yukun , Zhang Yongdi , Lei Yujie , Fu Hongfei , Chen Xiangwei , Wang Yunyang 
Published: December 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDMicrobial contamination is a vital obstacle needed to overcome for food safety of condiments. Radio frequency (RF) pasteurisation is a new technology to solve this obstacle. Temperature distribution and heating uniformity of sample, which are influenced by different factors, are the most important things affecting the nutritional ingredients and microbial safety of sample in the process of RF pasteurisation. This study demonstrated the location of cold spot in chili powder by analysing temperature distribution in horizontal and vertical direction. The related models were established and the accuracy was verified.RESULTSCold spot located on the centre of sample surface in the process of RF pasteurisation. The averaged temperature of sample increased linearly. The uniformity index decreased as the averaged temperature increased. Both the correlation coefficient of two equations were greater than 0.91. The error value of heating rate and heating uniformity index was 0.54% and 0.75% between the measured value and predicted value.CONCLUSIONElectric field was not uniformly distributed between RF parallel‐plate electrodes in the RF pasteurisation of chili powder. The heating models were reliable to predict experiment results with high precision and accuracy. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Supraglottoplasty for laryngomalacia with obstructive sleep apnea: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Camacho Macario , Dunn Brandyn , Torre Carlos , Sasaki Jodie , Gonzales Raymond , Liu Stanley Yung‐Chuan , Chan Dylan K. , Certal Victor , Cable Benjamin B. 
Published: December 2015

Objectives/HypothesisTo determine if apnea‐hypopnea index (AHI) and lowest oxygen saturation (LSAT) improve following isolated supraglottoplasty for laryngomalacia with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children.Study DesignSystematic review and meta‐analysis.MethodsNine databases, including PubMed/MEDLINE, were searched through September 30, 2015.ResultsA total of 517 studies were screened; 57 were reviewed; and 13 met criteria. One hundred thirty‐eight patients were included (age range: 1 month–12.6 years). Sixty‐four patients had sleep exclusive laryngomalacia, and in these patients: 1) AHI decreased from a mean (M) ± standard deviation (SD) of 14.0 ± 16.5 (95% confidence interval [CI] 10.0, 18.0) to 3.3 ± 4.0 (95% CI 2.4, 4.4) events/hour (relative reduction: 76.4% [95% CI 53.6, 106.4]); 2) LSAT improved from a M ± SD of 84.8 ± 8.4% (95% CI 82.8, 86.8) to 87.6 ± 4.4% (95% CI 86.6, 88.8); 3) standardized mean differences (SMD) demonstrated a small effect for LSAT and a large effect for AHI; and 4) cure (AHI < 1 event/hour) was 10.5% (19 patients with individual data). Seventy‐four patients had congenital laryngomalacia, and in these patients: 1) AHI decreased from a M ± SD of 20.4 ± 23.9 (95% CI 12.8, 28.0) to 4.0 ± 4.5 (95% CI 2.6, 5.4) events/hour (relative reduction: 80.4% [95% CI 46.6, 107.4]); 2) LSAT improved from a M ± SD of 74.5 ± 11.9% (95% CI 70.9, 78.1) to 88.4 ± 6.6% (95% CI 86.4, 90.4); 3) SMD demonstrated a large effect for both AHI and LSAT; and 4) cure was 26.5% (38 patients with individual data).ConclusionSupraglottoplasty has improved AHI and LSAT in children with OSA and either sleep exclusive laryngomalacia or congenital laryngomalacia; however, the majority of them are not cured. Laryngoscope, 126:1246–1255, 2016
Selective tissue ablation using laser radiation at 355 nm in lead extraction by a hybrid catheter; a preliminary report
Authors: Herzog Amir , Bogdan Stefan , Glikson Michael , Ishaaya Amiel Abraham , Love Charles 
Published: December 2015

BackgroundCurrent lead extraction (LE) devices can harm the blood vessel endothelium, increasing the risk of perforation.ObjectiveProof of concept for using a solid‐state pulsed laser at 355 nm with a hybrid catheter in LE.MethodsA hybrid catheter was used comprising optical fibers for the delivery of 355 nm laser pulses at 30 Hz and 6 J/cm2 combined with a blunt mechanical blade. Specific parameters were chosen to enable selectivity in ablation, thereby reducing the risk of blood vessel perforation. The design exploits differences in the mechanical properties of the fibrotic tissue and the normal blood vessel. Ex vivo ablation was performed to evaluate a hybrid catheter operation on various tissues. Two ex/in vivo pig studies used a free‐floating electrode to which three bovine tendon pieces were glued. Finally, two in vivo dog model studies were performed on specimens with 4‐5‐year‐old pacing lead implants, followed by a histopathology study.ResultsCatheter penetration rate in the ex vivo experiments was 0.1 mm/seconds for bovine tendon, 0.025 mm/seconds for porcine superior vena cava and 0.033 mm/seconds for porcine aorta. In the ex/in vivo pig study, the three tissue blocks were successfully dissected. In the in vivo dog study, the two leads were successfully extracted. In all in vivo tests, hemodynamic stability was maintained. Gross histopathology did not reveal any injury.ConclusionsAblation using 355 nm laser pulses in combination with a mechanical blunt blade may potentially constitute a viable alternative for LE. Lasers Surg. Med. 48:281–287, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Solar Light Responsive Polymer Composites with Three Shape‐Memory Effects
Authors: Fang Liang , Fang Tianyu , Fang Zhenggang , Lu Chunhua , Xu Zhongzi 
Published: December 2015

Solar light responsive polymer composites which can deform their shape according to the variation in sunlight power density are prepared by incorporating the solar light photothermal filler of Sm0.5Sr0.5CoO3 (SSC) into crosslinked poly[ethylene‐ran‐(vinyl acetate)] (EVA). Dual shape‐memory effect, temperature‐memory effect, and reversible bidirectional shape‐memory effect are all achieved in such EVA‐SSC composites. Dual shape‐memory effect with fixation ratio over 99% and recovery ratio over 95% is presented, while the responsive power density is adjusted from 0.4 to 0.1 w cm−2 by simply decreasing the programming temperature from 140 to 50 °C. Furthermore, during a cyclic variation in power density from 0 to 0.3 w cm−2 and back to 0 w cm−2 in 6 min, the composite specimens show a reversible angle deformation. Finally, a sunlight‐adaptive circuit switch is demonstrated using such composites, automatically turning off the LED lamp and turning on the motor fan according to the sunlight power density.
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Lysosomal alterations in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of Parkinson's disease patients
Authors: Papagiannakis Nikolaos , Xilouri Maria , Koros Christos , Stamelou Maria , Antonelou Roubina , Maniati Matina , Papadimitriou Dimitra , Moraitou Marina , Michelakakis Helen , Stefanis Leonidas 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACTBackgroundReduced expression of lysosomal‐associated membrane protein 2a and heatshock‐cognate 70 proteins, involved in chaperone‐mediated autophagy and of glucocerebrosidase, is reported in PD brains. The aim of this study was to identify systemic alterations in lysosomal‐associated membrane protein 2a, heatshock cognate‐70, and glucocerebrosidase levels/activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from PD patients.MethodsProtein/mRNA levels were assessed in PD patients from genetically undetermined background, alpha‐synuclein (G209A/A53T), or glucocerebrosidase mutation carriers and age‐/sex‐matched controls.ResultsHeatshock cognate 70 protein levels were reduced in all PD groups, whereas its mRNA levels were decreased only in the genetically undetermined group. Glucocerebrosidase protein levels were decreased only in the genetic PD groups, whereas increased mRNA levels and decreased activity were detected only in the glucocerebrosidase mutation group.ConclusionsReduced heatshock cognate‐70 levels are suggestive of an apparent systemic chaperone‐mediated autophagy dysfunction irrespective of genetic background. Glucocerebrosidase activity may serve as a screening tool to identify glucocerebrosidase mutation carriers with PD. © 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
CISD1 in association with obesity‐associated dysfunctional adipogenesis in human visceral adipose tissue
Authors: Moreno‐Navarrete José María , Moreno María , Ortega Francisco , Sabater Mònica , Xifra Gemma , Ricart Wifredo , Fernández‐Real José Manuel 
Published: December 2015

ObjectiveTo investigate CISD1 mRNA and protein in human adipose tissue in association with obesity and adipogenesis.MethodsSubcutaneous (SAT) and visceral (VAT) adipose tissue CISD1 gene expression (real‐time PCR) and protein (Western blot) levels were investigated in human adipose tissue and during human adipocyte differentiation.ResultsSAT and VAT CISD1 mRNA and protein levels were significantly decreased in subjects with obesity and negatively correlated with BMI after controlling for age and sex. In participants with morbid obesity, VAT CISD1 gene expression was positively correlated with insulin sensitivity (r = 0.47, P = 0.01), and bariatric surgery‐induced weight loss led to increased SAT CISD1 mRNA levels. In both VAT and SAT, CISD1 gene expression was significantly associated with SIRT1, ISCA2, and mitochondrial biogenesis‐related (PPARGC1A, TFAM, and MT‐CO3) and browning‐related (PRDM16 and UCP1) gene expression. In addition, VAT CISD1 gene expression was significantly associated with adipogenic and iron metabolism‐related genes. Importantly, these correlations were replicated in a second cohort. At the cellular level, CISD1 gene expression increased during human adipocyte differentiation in correlation with adipogenic genes (r > 0.60, P < 0.005).ConclusionsThese data suggest a possible role of CISD1 in obesity‐associated dysfunctional adipogenesis in human VAT.
HER2 overexpression and amplification as a potential therapeutic target in colorectal cancer: analysis of 3256 patients enrolled in the QUASAR, FOCUS and PICCOLO colorectal cancer trials
Authors: Richman Susan D , Southward Katie , Chambers Philip , Cross Debra , Barrett Jennifer , Hemmings Gemma , Taylor Morag , Wood Henry , Hutchins Gordon , Foster Joseph M , Oumie Assa , Spink Karen G , Brown Sarah R , Jones Marc , Kerr David , Handley Kelly , Gray Richard , Seymour Matthew , Quirke Philip 
Published: December 2015

AbstractHER2 overexpression/amplification is linked to trastuzumab response in breast/gastric cancers. One suggested anti‐EGFR resistance mechanism in colorectal cancer (CRC) is aberrant MEK–AKT pathway activation through HER2 up‐regulation. We assessed HER2‐amplification/overexpression in stage II–III and IV CRC patients, assessing relationships to KRAS/BRAF and outcome. Pathological material was obtained from 1914 patients in the QUASAR stage II–III trial and 1342 patients in stage IV trials (FOCUS and PICCOLO). Tissue microarrays were created for HER2 immunohistochemistry. HER2‐amplification was assessed using FISH and copy number variation. KRAS/BRAF mutation status was assessed by pyrosequencing. Progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) data were obtained for FOCUS/PICCOLO and recurrence and mortality for QUASAR; 29/1342 (2.2%) stage IV and 25/1914 (1.3%) stage II–III tumours showed HER2 protein overexpression. Of the HER2‐overexpressing cases, 27/28 (96.4%) stage IV tumours and 20/24 (83.3%) stage II–III tumours demonstrated HER2 amplification by FISH; 41/47 (87.2%) also showed copy number gains. HER2‐overexpression was associated with KRAS/BRAF wild‐type (WT) status at all stages: in 5.2% WT versus 1.0% mutated tumours (p < 0.0001) in stage IV and 2.1% versus 0.2% in stage II–III tumours (p = 0.01), respectively. HER2 was not associated with OS or PFS. At stage II–III, there was no significant correlation between HER2 overexpression and 5FU/FA response. A higher proportion of HER2‐overexpressing cases experienced recurrence, but the difference was not significant. HER2‐amplification/overexpression is identifiable by immunohistochemistry, occurring infrequently in stage II–III CRC, rising in stage IV and further in KRAS/BRAF WT tumours. The value of HER2‐targeted therapy in patients with HER2‐amplified CRC must be tested in a clinical trial. © 2015 The Authors. Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
FN1–EGF gene fusions are recurrent in calcifying aponeurotic fibroma
Authors: Puls Florian , Hofvander Jakob , Magnusson Linda , Nilsson Jenny , Haywood Elaine , Sumathi Vaiyapuri P , Mangham D Chas , Kindblom Lars‐Gunnar , Mertens Fredrik 
Published: December 2015

AbstractCalcifying aponeurotic fibroma (CAF) is a soft tissue neoplasm with a predilection for the hands and feet in children and adolescents. Its molecular basis is unknown. We used chromosome banding analysis, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), mRNA sequencing (RNA‐seq), RT‐PCR, and immunohistochemistry to characterize a series of CAFs. An insertion ins(2;4)(q35;q25q?) was identified in the index case. Fusion of the FN1 and EGF genes, mapping to the breakpoint regions on chromosomes 2 and 4, respectively, was detected by RNA‐seq and confirmed by RT‐PCR in the index case and two additional cases. FISH on five additional tumours identified FN1–EGF fusions in all cases. CAFs analysed by RT‐PCR showed that FN1 exon 23, 27 or 42 was fused to EGF exon 17 or 19. High‐level expression of the entire FN1 gene in CAF suggests that strong FN1 promoter activity drives inappropriate expression of the biologically active portion of EGF, which was detected immunohistochemically in 8/9 cases. The FN1–EGF fusion, which has not been observed in any other neoplasm, appears to be the main driver mutation in CAF. Although further functional studies are required to understand the exact pathogenesis of CAF, the composition of the chimera suggests an autocrine/paracrine mechanism of transformation. Copyright © 2015 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polymers for application in organic solar cells: Bithiophene can work better than thienothiophene when coupled to benzodithiophene
Authors: Parenti Francesca , Ricciardi Rosa , Diana Rosita , Morvillo Pasquale , Fontanesi Claudio , Tassinari Francesco , Schenetti Luisa , Minarini Carla , Mucci Adele 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACTThe synthesis and characterization of two low band gap copolymers (P1 and P2) incorporating benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b']dithiophene unit substituted with octylsulfanylthienyl groups (OSBT) are here reported. These materials, designed to be employed in polymer solar cells (PSCs), were obtained from alternating OSBT and bithiophene (P1) or thienothiophene (P2) units. Their structural electrochemical and photophysical properties were investigated. They are thermally stable and soluble in organic solvents from which they easily form films. They also form π‐stacks in solution, in film and display a moderate solvatochromism. These polymers were tested with [70]PCBM in bulk‐heterojunction (BHJ) PSCs where they act as donor materials and [70]PCBM is the electron acceptor. The best device, obtained using a 1:3 weight ratio for the P1:[70]PCBM blend, shows a PCE around 1.5%. A broad response from 350 to 700 nm is also observed in the external quantum efficiency (EQE) curves, wider for P1 with respect to P2. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016, 54, 1603–1614