bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Perioperative Dexamethasone and Different NSAIDs on Anastomotic Leak Risk: A Propensity Score Analysis
Authors: Rushfeldt Christian Fredrik , Agledahl Uwe Conrad , Sveinbjørnsson Baldur , Søreide Kjetil , Wilsgaard Tom 
Published: July 2016

AbstractBackgroundPerioperative use of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is associated with risk of anastomotic leak (AL). However, concomitant use of other drugs could infer a bias in risk assessment. Thus, we aimed to interrogate the risk of AL associated with NSAIDs and steroids used perioperatively.MethodsThis study includes a consecutive series of patients having surgery involving an intestinal anastomosis from Jan 2007 to Dec 2009. Data records included demographic, perioperative, and surgical characteristics; AL rates; and use of NSAIDs and steroids. Risk of leak were estimated using unadjusted and multivariable (propensity score)‐adjusted logistic regression models and reported as odds ratios (ORs).ResultsA total of 376 patients underwent 428 operations of which 67 (15.7 %) had AL. With no medication receivers as reference, the OR for leak when adjusted for age, sex, and propensity score was 1.07 (p = 0.92) for ketorolac, 1.63 (p = 0.31) for diclofenac and 0.41 (p = 0.19) for dexamethasone. Risk was increased for malignancy (OR 1.88, p = 0.023), use of a vasopressor (OR 2.52, p = 0.007), blood transfusions (OR 1.93, p = 0.026), and regular use of steroids (OR 7.57, p = 0.009).ConclusionsOther factors than perioperative drugs are crucial for risk of AL. Perioperative dexamethasone was associated with a nonsignificant reduced risk of AL.
Synthesis and Characterization of Estolide Esters Containing Epoxy and Cyclic Carbonate Groups
Authors: Doll Kenneth M. , Cermak Steven C. , Kenar James A. , Isbell Terry A. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe unsaturated sites in oleic 2‐ethylhexyl estolide esters (containing 35 % monoenic fatty acids) were converted into epoxide and five‐membered cyclic carbonate groups and the products characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), 1H, and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopies. Epoxidation of the alkene bonds was accomplished using performic acid generated in situ from formic acid and hydrogen peroxide. Greater than 90 % alkenes were converted into their corresponding epoxide groups as determined by oxirane values and the epoxide ring structure was confirmed by 1H and 13C NMR. The estolide ester epoxide material was subsequently reacted with supercritical carbon dioxide in the presence of tetrabutylammonium bromide catalyst to produce the corresponding estolide ester containing the cyclic carbonate group. The signals at 1,807 cm−1 and δ 82 ppm in the FTIR and 13C‐NMR spectra, respectively, confirmed the desired cyclic carbonate was produced. The carbonated estolide ester exhibited a dynamic viscosity, at 25 °C, of 172 mPa·s as compared to 155 mPa·s for the estolide ester starting material. The estolide ester structure of these new derivatives was shown to be consistent throughout their synthesis.
Abdominal wall recurrence following laparoscopic surgical treatment of colorectal cancer – case report
Authors: Kock Kaiser de Souza , Reis Matheus da Silva Pacheco dos , Uliano Estevão José Muller , Rech Fernanda Maraschin 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe treatment of colorectal diseases by videolaparoscopy (VL) began in the 1990s, bringing multiple advantages in the treatment of cancers in general, especially benign tumors. Specifically, in case of colorectal cancer (CRC), the laparoscopic approach offers very attractive prospects, such as the staging of advanced lesions and palliative management of patients with incurable CCR. The most controversial aspect of this technique is the use of VL in curative resections. One questions the possibility of metastasis in portals related to tumor recurrence, as well as the violation of oncological principles. The mechanisms responsible for this phenomenon may be related to pneumoperitoneum, tissue manipulation, and biological factors.
Community Mediation as a Hybrid Practice: The Case of Mediation Boards in Sri Lanka
Authors: WELIKALA Sepalika 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThrough an empirical study of the state-sponsored community mediation programme in Sri Lanka known as Mediation Boards (MBs), this paper examines this local-level mediation as a hybrid practice. Established as an Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism, the MBs were initiated as a more effective and efficient alternative to the formal courts for local and minor disputes. In the case-study conducted on an MB, it was found that there is extensive replication of formal legal procedures alongside the mediators’ own cultural interpretations of disputes. By locating this hybrid practice theoretically within the framework of legal pluralism and its broad definition of law, an attempt is made to expand the scope of the pluralistic nature of law not only to include alternative forms of law, but also to understand the dynamic interactions between multiple normative orderings.
Functional characterization of a pheromone-binding protein from rice leaffolderCnaphalocrocis medinalisin detecting pheromones and host plant volatiles
Authors: Sun X. , Zhao Z.-F. , Zeng F.-F. , Zhang A. , Lu Z.-X. , Wang M.-Q. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractPheromone-binding proteins (PBPs) are believed to be involved in the recognition of semiochemicals. In the present study, western blot analysis, fluorescence-binding characteristics and immunolocalization of CmedPBP4 from the rice leaffolder,Cnaphalocrocis medinalis, were investigated. Western blot analysis revealed that CmedPBP4 showed obvious antenna-specific expression patterns in female and male antenna, and made a clearly different sex-biased expression. Immunocytochemical labeling revealed that CmedPBP4 showed specific expression in the trichoid sensilla. Competitive fluorescence binding assays indicated that CmedPBP4 could selectively recognize three sex pheromone components (Z13-18:Ac, Z11-16:Al and Z13-18:OH) and eleven rice plant volatiles, including cyclohexanol, nerolidol, cedrol, dodecanal, ionone, (−)-α-cedrene, (Z)-farnesene, β-myrcene, R-(+)-limonene, (−)-limonene, and (+)-3-carene. Meanwhile the CmedPBP4 detection of sex pheromones and host odorants was pH-dependent. Our results, for the first time, provide further evidence that trichoid sensilla might be play an important role in detecting sex pheromones and host plant volatiles in theC. medinalismoth. Our systematic studies provided further detailed evidence for the function of trichoid sensilla in insect semiochemical perception.
Commission incomplete: exploring the new model for purchasing public services from the third sector
Authors: REES JAMES , MILLER ROBIN , BUCKINGHAM HEATHER 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe concept of commissioning has risen in prominence in recent years as a result of ongoing reforms to the funding and delivery of public services in the UK. The model of commissioning constructed by policy has however been overlaid on existing practices, which themselves differ between different service areas. This paper, focusing on commissioning of third sector organisations (TSOs) in the field of community mental health services, shows that its introduction has not led to the straightforward public sector ‘marketisation’ that advocates desire or that critics fear. Instead, commissioning has led to an indeterminate outcome or ‘halfway house’ position in which the status and role of commissioning remains somewhat muddled – both internally to participants within public sector organisations and externally in terms of the experience of the interface by TSOs. We found that commissioning as it is actually practiced remains contested and political – it is a highly relational process dependent on personal practices and skills and on personal relationships between stakeholders – and is therefore not fully managerialised or marketised. This has implications for the policy and practice of commissioning and the interpretation of more ‘open’ public services.
Industrial compliant robot bases in interaction tasks: a force tracking algorithm with coupled dynamics compensation
Authors: Roveda Loris , Pedrocchi Nicola , Vicentini Federico , Molinari Tosatti Lorenzo 
Published: July 2016

SUMMARYLight-weight manipulators are used in industrial tasks mounted on mobile platforms to improve flexibility. However, such mountings introduce compliance affecting the tasks. This work deals with such scenarios by designing a controller that also takes into account compliant environments. The controller allows the tracking of a target force using the estimation of the environment stiffness (EKF) and the estimation of the base position (KF), compensating the robot base deformation. The closed-loop stability has been analyzed. Observers and the control law have been validated in experiments. An assembly task is considered with a standard industrial non-actuated mobile platform. Control laws with and without base compensation are compared.
Multimodal research: Addressing the complexity of multimodal environments and the challenges for CALL
Authors: Tan Sabine , O’Halloran Kay L. , Wignell Peter 
Published: July 2016

AbstractMultimodality, the study of the interaction of language with other semiotic resources such as images and sound resources, has significant implications for computer assisted language learning (CALL) with regards to understanding the impact of digital environments on language teaching and learning. In this paper, we explore recent manifestations of CALL in 3-D virtual worlds, illustrated by the example ofSecond Life. The multimodal analyses of a conventional face-to-face lesson and three language learning activities inSecond Lifehighlight some of the affordances and challenges presented by 3-D virtual environments. The results suggest that while multimodal resources integrate naturally to facilitate language teaching and learning in an orderly, structured and goal-orientated manner in classroom lessons, the often uncoordinated use (or absence) of avatars’ gaze, facial expression, body posture, gesture, as well as the unclear proxemics and use of space pose problems for effective communication in a 3-D virtual world. In addition, a “technology-oriented” register, alongside traditional instructional and regulative genres and registers, is introduced to help students cope with the demands of learning a language in a 3-D virtual environment. The study raises the issue of the relative effectiveness of 3-D virtual worlds for language teaching and learning. In doing so, a digital approach to multimodal research is proposed in order to address the complexity of multimodal learning environments and the various challenges for CALL.
Protecting humanity from the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons: Reframing the debate towards the humanitarian impact
Authors: Slade Richard , Tickner Robert , Wynn-Pope Phoebe 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe international community has been struggling to reach agreement on the non-proliferation and elimination of nuclear weapons since they were first used in 1945. Encouragingly, recent global debate has, for the first time, focused on the devastating humanitarian consequences that the use of nuclear weapons will have not only for nuclear weapons States but for all humanity. The fact that the risks and overwhelming humanitarian consequences of a nuclear event are so high, combined with the inability of the global community to adequately respond to the needs of victims, has compelled policy-makers to consider new ways to work towards the prohibition of the use of nuclear weapons under international law. This article examines how the “humanitarian initiative” has reframed the nuclear weapons debate away from the traditional realm of State security, deterrence and military utility, and towards the grim reality of the humanitarian impacts that would confront humankind if nuclear weapons were ever used again.
The human costs and legal consequences of nuclear weapons under international humanitarian law
Authors: Maresca Louis , Mitchell Eleanor 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe potential use of nuclear weapons has long been a global concern. This article highlights the principal rules of international humanitarian law (IHL) governing the conduct of hostilities applicable to nuclear weapons, and the issues and concerns that would arise were such weapons ever to be used again, in particular the severe and extensive consequences for civilians, civilian objects, combatants and the environment.In recent years, increased attention has been paid to the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons. Based on what has been learned from extensive research on the humanitarian and environmental effects of nuclear weapons since they were first used in 1945, and the accompanying implications for IHL, it seems appropriate to conclude that the use of nuclear weapons in or near a populated area would amount to an indiscriminate attack and that there should also be a presumption of illegality with regard to the use of nuclear weapons outside such areas.
Die E–Zigarette – Verbreitung, Konsummuster und Nutzermotive bei Siebt- und Achtklässlern
Authors: Schneider Sven , Görig Tatiana , Herr Raphael , Herth Felix J. , Bauer-Kemény Claudia , Huerkamp Robert , Diehl Katharina 
Published: July 2016

Zusammenfassung. Zielsetzung: E–Zigaretten erfreuen sich weltweit zunehmender Beliebtheit. In der vorliegenden Studie haben wir ein vergleichsweise junges Kollektiv deutscher Schülerinnen und Schüler nach Bekanntheit, Konsum und Konsummustern befragt, typische Nutzergruppen identifiziert und Motive der Nutzung untersucht. Methodik: Im Rahmen der hier erstmals vorgestellten PrevEND study II wurden zwischen 10/2014 und 03/2015 insgesamt 840 Schülerinnen und Schüler aus siebten und achten Klassen der Metropolregion Rhein-Neckar anonym mittels eines standardisierten Fragebogens zu E–Zigaretten (einschließlich E–Shishas) befragt. Ergebnisse: Nahezu alle befragten Schülerinnen und Schüler kannten die E–Zigarette (98 %) und 16 % hatten schon mindestens einmal eine E–Zigarette benutzt. Es zeigt sich ein sozialer Gradient, wonach 9 % aller Gymnasiasten und Gesamtschüler und 17 % aller Real- und 33 % aller Werkreal- und Hauptschüler schon einmal E–Zigaretten konsumiert hatten (p < 0,001). Nutzer von E–Zigaretten waren mehrheitlich Nichttabakraucher. E–Zigarettenkonsum in der Peergroup ist die bedeutendste Determinante des eigenen Konsums. Außerdem war die Lebenszeitprävalenz für E–Zigarettenkonsum höher als die Lebenszeitprävalenz für den Konsum von Tabakzigaretten. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Ergebnisse zeigen eine weite Verbreitung der E–Zigarette unter Jugendlichen und legen u. a. ein bundesweites Monitoring sowie eine weitere Untersuchung des Risikoprofils dieser Produktinnovation nahe.
Optimal Perceived Timing: Integrating Sensory Information with Dynamically Updated Expectations
Authors: Di Luca Massimiliano , Rhodes Darren 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe environment has a temporal structure and knowing when a stimulus will appear translates into increased perceptual performance. Here we investigated how the human brain exploits temporal regularity in stimulus sequences for perception. We find that the timing of stimuli that occasionally deviate from a regularly paced sequence is perceptually distorted. Stimuli presented earlier than expected are perceptually delayed, whereas stimuli presented on time and later than expected are perceptually accelerated. This result suggests that the brain regularizes slightly deviant stimuli with an asymmetry that leads to the perceptual acceleration of expected stimuli. We present a Bayesian model for the combination of dynamically-updated expectations, in the form of a priori probability of encountering future stimuli, with incoming sensory information. The asymmetries in the results are accounted for by the asymmetries in the distributions involved in the computational process.
Systems view of adipogenesis via novel omics-driven and tissue-specific activity scoring of network functional modules
Authors: Nassiri Isar , Lombardo Rosario , Lauria Mario , Morine Melissa J. , Moyseos Petros , Varma Vijayalakshmi , Nolen Greg T. , Knox Bridgett , Sloper Daniel , Kaput Jim , Priami Corrado 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe investigation of the complex processes involved in cellular differentiation must be based on unbiased, high throughput data processing methods to identify relevant biological pathways. A number of bioinformatics tools are available that can generate lists of pathways ranked by statistical significance (i.e. by p-value), while ideally it would be desirable to functionally score the pathways relative to each other or to other interacting parts of the system or process. We describe a new computational method (Network Activity Score Finder - NASFinder) to identify tissue-specific, omics-determined sub-networks and the connections with their upstream regulator receptors to obtain a systems view of the differentiation of human adipocytes. Adipogenesis of human SBGS pre-adipocyte cells in vitro was monitored with a transcriptomic data set comprising six time points (0, 6, 48, 96, 192, 384 hours). To elucidate the mechanisms of adipogenesis, NASFinder was used to perform time-point analysis by comparing each time point against the control (0 h) and time-lapse analysis by comparing each time point with the previous one. NASFinder identified the coordinated activity of seemingly unrelated processes between each comparison, providing the first systems view of adipogenesis in culture. NASFinder has been implemented into a web-based, freely available resource associated with novel, easy to read visualization of omics data sets and network modules.
Utilizing the micron sized non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma inside the animal body for the tumor treatment application
Authors: Mirpour Shahriar , Piroozmand Somayeh , Soleimani Neda , Jalali Faharani Neda , Ghomi Hamidreza , Fotovat Eskandari Hoda , Sharifi Ali Mohammad , Mirpour Sahar , Eftekhari Mohammad , Nikkhah Maryam 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of micron sized non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma inside the animal body on breast cancer tumor. The μ-plasma jet consists of micron sized hollow tube in which pure helium gas is ionized by high voltage (4 kV) and high frequency (6 kHz). The efficiency of the plasma treatment in killing cancer cells was first investigated by cell viability measurements of treated 4T1 cells using flow cytometry and cell cycle analysis. For exploration of the in vivo effects of the plasma treatment, the BALB/c mice inoculated by 4T1 cell lines were exposed subcutaneously to plasma for 3 minutes. In addition, H&E staining, TUNEL and Western blotting assays were performed in order to observed the effects of the non-thermal plasma on the tumor cells. The results showed that the efficiency of the plasma in suppression of the tumor growth is comparable to that of a typical chemotherapy drug. Moreover, the results indicated that the plasma induces apoptosis in the tumor tissue and increases the ratio of the apoptotic to anti-apoptotic protein expression. We believe that these findings presented herein may extend our knowledge of the mechanisms by which the plasma exerts its promising anti-cancer effects.
Monocyte polarization in children with falciparum malaria: relationship to nitric oxide insufficiency and disease severity
Authors: Weinberg J. Brice , Volkheimer Alicia D. , Rubach Matthew P. , Florence Salvatore M. , Mukemba Jackson P. , Kalingonji Ayam R. , Langelier Charles , Chen Youwei , Bush Margaret , Yeo Tsin W. , Granger Donald L. , Anstey Nicholas M. , Mwaikambo Esther D. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractWe earlier established that nitric oxide (NO) is protective against severe malaria and that arginine and NO levels are reduced in malaria patients. We now show that an M2-like blood monocyte phenotype is significantly associated with hypoargininemia, NO insufficiency, and disease severity in Tanzanian children with falciparum malaria. Compared to control children (n = 106), children with moderately severe (n = 77) and severe falciparum malaria (n = 129) had significantly higher mononuclear cell arginase 1 mRNA, protein, and enzyme activity; lower NOS2 mRNA; lower plasma arginine; and higher plasma IL-10, IL-13, and IL-4. In addition, monocyte CD206 and CD163 and plasma soluble CD163 were elevated. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed a significant correlation of risk of severe malaria with both plasma IL-10 and soluble CD163 levels. Monocyte M2 skewing likely contributes to NO bioinsufficiency in falciparum malaria in children. Treatments that reverse the M2 polarization may have potential as adjunctive treatment for malaria.
A native promoter and inclusion of an intron is necessary for efficient expression of GFP or mRFP in Armillaria mellea
Authors: Ford Kathryn L. , Baumgartner Kendra , Henricot Béatrice , Bailey Andy M. , Foster Gary D. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractArmillaria mellea is a significant pathogen that causes Armillaria root disease on numerous hosts in forests, gardens and agricultural environments worldwide. Using a yeast-adapted pCAMBIA0380 Agrobacterium vector, we have constructed a series of vectors for transformation of A. mellea, assembled using yeast-based recombination methods. These have been designed to allow easy exchange of promoters and inclusion of introns. The vectors were first tested by transformation into basidiomycete Clitopilus passeckerianus to ascertain vector functionality then used to transform A. mellea. We show that heterologous promoters from the basidiomycetes Agaricus bisporus and Phanerochaete chrysosporium that were used successfully to control the hygromycin resistance cassette were not able to support expression of mRFP or GFP in A. mellea. The endogenous A. mellea gpd promoter delivered efficient expression, and we show that inclusion of an intron was also required for transgene expression. GFP and mRFP expression was stable in mycelia and fluorescence was visible in transgenic fruiting bodies and GFP was detectable in planta. Use of these vectors has been successful in giving expression of the fluorescent proteins GFP and mRFP in A. mellea, providing an additional molecular tool for this pathogen.
Independent Tumor Origin in Two Cases of Synchronous Bilateral Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Ji Zhengguo , Zhao Jialu , Zhao Tian , Han Yuying , Zhang Yujun , Ye Haihong 
Published: July 2016

AbstractBilateral renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) pose a challenge for clinical treatment and management. Most bilateral RCCs are sporadic, and do not show a hereditary pattern indicative of VHL syndrome or other inherited cancers. The origin and evolution of these sporadic bilateral RCCs remains elusive. We obtained normal and tumor samples from two male patients suffering from early stage synchronous bilateral clear cell RCC (ccRCC), and analyzed genomic DNA using whole exome sequencing and bisulfite pyrosequencing. We detected distinct 3p loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in both tumors in each patient. Two tumors within the same patient harbored distinct driver mutations and different CpG hypermethylation sites in the VHL promoter. Moreover, tumors exhibit independent evolutionary trajectories. Therefore, distinct 3p LOH, combined with contingent driver gene mutations and independent VHL hypermethylation, led to independent tumor origin and parallel evolution of bilateral ccRCC in these two patients. Our results indicate that tumors in these two cases were not due to common germline oncogenic mutations. They were results of multiple de novo mutations in each kidney, rather than primary ccRCC with contralateral renal metastasis. Therefore, histopathologic and genetic profiling from single tumor specimen may underestimate the mutational burden and somatic heterogeneity of bilateral ccRCCs.