bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Extracorporeal photopheresis in pediatric patients: Practical and technical considerations
Authors: DeSimone Robert A. , Schwartz Joseph , Schneiderman Jennifer 
Published: March 2017

AbstractIn adults, extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is widely utilized for a variety of indications, most commonly cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma, acute or chronic graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD), solid organ transplant rejection, and other autoimmune and T‐cell‐mediated disorders. In pediatric patients, the majority of case series and reports have focused on its use in the management of acute and chronic GVHD. Currently utilized ECP technologies were designed for adult patients and there are several challenges in adapting these technologies for use in children. In our review, we focus on practical considerations and procedural modifications for ECP use in pediatric patients, with special attention to patient safety.
Therapeutic plasma exchange versus double plasma molecular absorption system in hepatitis B virus‐infected acute‐on‐chronic liver failure treated by entercavir: A prospective study
Authors: Wan Yue‐Meng , Li Yu‐Hua , Xu Zhi‐Yuan , Yang Jing , Yang Li‐Hong , Xu Ying , Yang Jin‐Hui 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBackgroundTherapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) and double plasma molecular absorption system (DPMAS) were two extracorporeal liver support systems. Few studies compared their efficacy profile.ObjectiveThis study was to compare the efficacy of TPE and DPMAS on acute‐on‐chronic liver failure (ACLF) caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV‐ACLF).Methods60 HBV‐ACLF patients were enrolled and prospectively studied. All patients received entecavir therapy, and were assigned to TPE group (n = 33) and DPMAS group (n = 27). Primary end‐points were the effects of TPE and DPMAS on liver function and serum inflammatory markers.ResultsSerum procalcitonin, interleukin (IL)−6, and high sensitive C‐reactive protein (hsCRP) were significantly elevated in patients with HBV‐ACLF. TPE achieved significantly higher removal rates of total bilirubin (TBIL, P = .002), direct bilirubin (DBIL, P = .006), and hsCRP (P = .010) than DPMAS, but DPMAS displayed lower loss rate of albumin (P = .000). TPE and DPMAS resulted in similarly increased serum IL‐6 levels and comparable 12‐week survivals (P > .05). Multivariate analysis showed that hospital stay (Relative Risk [RR]: 1.062, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.011‐1.115, P = .016), prothrombin time (RR: 1.346, 95% CI: 1.077‐1.726, P = .010), and international normalized ratio (RR: 0.013, 95% CI: 0.006‐0.788, P = .041) were independent predictors for 12‐week survival. Both TPE and DPMAS treatments were well‐tolerated.ConclusionCompared to DPMAS, TPE was more efficient in eliminating TBIL, DBIL, and hsCRP, but it was associated with higher loss rate of albumin. TPE and DPMAS were similar in improving 12‐week survivals in HBV‐ACLF.
Pathological analysis of children with childhood central nervous system infection based on changes in chemokines and interleukin‐17 family cytokines in cerebrospinal fluid
Authors: Morichi Shinichiro , Urabe Tomomi , Morishita Natsumi , Takeshita Mika , Ishida Yu , Oana Shingo , Yamanaka Gaku , Kashiwagi Yasuyo , Kawashima Hisashi 
Published: March 2017

BackgroundIn this study, the pathologies of acute meningitis and encephalopathy were investigated, and biomarkers useful as prognostic indices were searched for.MethodsThe subjects were 31 children with meningitis, 30 with encephalopathy, and 12 with convulsions following gastroenteritis. Control group consisted of 24 children with non‐central nervous system infection. Cerebrospinal fluid cytokine analysis was performed.ResultsChemokines significantly increased in the bacterial meningitis group compared with those in viral meningitis and encephalopathy groups. On comparison of interleukin(IL)‐17, it increased in cases with status epilepticus in influenza‐associated encephalopathy group. In the rotavirus encephalopathy and convulsions following gastroenteritis groups, IL‐17 particularly increased in the convulsions following gastroenteritis group. IL‐8 increased in all cases irrespective of the causative virus.ConclusionsIn the encephalopathy group, IL‐8 may serve as a neurological prognostic index. IL‐17 was increased in the convulsions following gastroenteritis group, particularly in cases with status epilepticus, suggesting its involvement as a convulsion‐related factor.
Distinguishing the Chinese materia medica Tiepishihu from similar Dendrobium species of the same genus using histological and microscopic method
Authors: Yu Kun‐Zi , Yan Hua , Tai Hai‐Chuan , Zhang Nan‐Ping , Cheng Xian‐Long , Guo Zeng‐Xi , Ma Shuang‐Cheng , Wei Feng 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe Chinese Materia Medica, Tiepishihu, used as a tonic for over one thousand years, is a well‐known precious medicine in China. According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, its source is the species Dendrobium officinale Kimura et Migo, which is distinguished from other species in Dendrobium genus. However, these species from the same genus are similar with Tiepishihu and caused confusion in the market. To find a quick and simple method to distinguish Tiepishihu from other similar species, histologic and microscopic methods were combined together to investigate the transverse section of stem of Tiepishihu and other similar species. Phloroglucinol test solution with hydrochloric acid was used to reveal the lignified tissue by staining the transverse section of Tiepishihu and similar species. Results revealed the unique identification characteristics to distinguish Tiepishihu from similar species, which were difficult to distinguish by other methods. The identification characteristics of Tiepishihu include the cells of vascular bundle sheath were stained red, parenchyma cells were not stained red. What's more, other species can be distinguished from each other with microscopic and histological characteristics. These characteristics proved stable and can be easily observed by normal light microscopic examination. This method is rapid, accurate, stable, and inexpensive.
Lutetium 177 PSMA radionuclide therapy for men with prostate cancer: a review of the current literature and discussion of practical aspects of therapy
Authors: Emmett Louise , Willowson Kathy , Violet John , Shin Jane , Blanksby Ashley , Lee Jonathan 
Published: March 2017

AbstractProstate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a receptor on the surface of prostate cancer cells that is revolutionising the way we image and treat men with prostate cancer. New small molecule peptides with high‐binding affinity for the PSMA receptor have allowed high quality, highly specific PET imaging, in addition to the development of targeted radionuclide therapy for men with prostate cancer. This targeted therapy for prostate cancer has, to date, predominately used Lutetium 177 (Lu) labelled PSMA peptides. Early clinical studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of Lu PSMA therapy have demonstrated promising results with a significant proportion of men with metastatic prostate cancer, who have already failed other therapies, responding clinically to Lu PSMA. This review discusses the practical issues of administering Lu PSMA, and gives an overview of the findings from currently published trials in regards to treatment response rates, expected toxicities and safety.
Characteristics of precipitation extremes in Malaysia associated with El Niño and La Niña events
Authors: Tangang Fredolin , Farzanmanesh Raheleh , Mirzaei Ali , Supari  , Salimun Ester , Jamaluddin Ahmad Fairudz , Juneng Liew 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACTThis study investigates the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO)‐related seasonal variations in precipitation extremes based on the observed daily precipitation dataset of 23 meteorological stations in Malaysia, spanning a period of 46 years from 1966 to 2011. The extreme indices were a subset of the Expert Team for Climate Change Detection and Indices (ETCCDI) that covers the duration, frequency and intensity aspects of precipitation extremes. Seasonal composites of ‘El Niño minus neutral’ and ‘La Niña minus neutral’ years of these indices were computed based on El Niño and La Niña occurrences during the period. The results showed that the ENSO‐related variations in precipitation extremes were generally coherent with the variations in total precipitation. Generally, dry (wet) precipitation extremes tended to enhance during El Niño (La Niña); however, this was dependent on season and location. The El Niño and La Niña influences on precipitation extremes were not entirely linear. While the impacts of El Niño and La Niña were generally opposite for most locations and seasons, there were cases where both exerted in‐phase influences. The impacts were also dependent on the intensity of the event itself. While the El Niño impacts were generally coherent across different intensities, La Niña can have entirely different impacts among different categories. During December–January–February (DJF), strong (moderate) La Niña caused a significant decrease (increase) in wet precipitation extremes over the Peninsular Malaysia. This was related to the broadening (narrowing and westward displacement) of the anomalous cyclonic circulation over the western north Pacific during strong (moderate) La Niña. Hence, the likelihood for widespread flooding over the east coast of the Peninsular Malaysia during DJF increases during moderate but not during strong La Niña events.
Changes of effective temperature and cold/hot days in late decades over China based on a high resolution gridded observation dataset
Authors: Wu Jia , Gao Xuejie , Giorgi Filippo , Chen Deliang 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACTThe effective temperature (ET) is employed to investigate observed changes of thermal comfort conditions over China during the late decades of the historical observational period. ET considers the aggregate effects of temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed to describe the human thermal sensitivity to weather and climate. The data used in the study is the recently produced gridded daily scale dataset CN05.1, which covers the period of 1961–2014 at a resolution of 0.25° latitude by 0.25° longitude. Results show a general increase of ET in both December‐January‐February (DJF) and June‐July‐August (JJA). The increase is mostly caused by an increase of temperature and a decrease of wind speed, while the contribution from relative humidity is small. As measured by ET, China is a cold country with many more cold days than hot days. Large decreases of cold days and increases of hot days are found following the increase of ET. The number of comfortable days shows larger values in the warm areas and during the warm seasons. During the analysis period, the number of annual comfortable days shows an increasing trend when considering the China‐wide average. However, the number of annual comfortable days during JJA decreases over warm areas.
Effects of the addition of blood plasma proteins on physico‐chemical properties of emulsion‐type pork sausage during cold storage
Authors: Kim Sungho , Jin Sangkeun , Choi Jungseok 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDMost slaughter blood is discarded, resulting in problems related to costs for wastewater disposal and environmental pollution. However, animal blood contains various proteins such as albumin, globulin and globin and can be used as a natural emulsifier, stabiliser and colour additive. Thus, this study was carried out to investigate the effect of blood plasma proteins on the physico‐chemical properties of emulsion‐type pork sausages stored at 4°C over 5 weeks.RESULTSThe emulsion‐type pork sausages with plasma powders had higher pH than the other treatments during week 5, and higher shear force than the control (P < 0.05). The lightness values of the sausages with plasma powders were lower than the other treatments, whereas the redness and yellowness values were similar with those of the others. The sausages with plasma powders (cattle plasma powder and commercial pig plasma powder) had respectively increased texture properties. In the sensory evaluation, all proteins did not have significant impact on sensory of pork sausages.CONCLUSIONThe results confirmed that plasma protein powders can be considered as a binder for the production of excellent meat products compared to other binders. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Rapid and efficient one‐step purification of a serralysin family protease by using a p‐aminobenzamidine‐modified affinity medium
Authors: Li Shangyong , Wang Linna , Lin Shengxiang , Yang Juan , Ma Zibin , Wang Yuejun , Liu Junzhong , Hao Jianhua , Sun Mi 
Published: March 2017

The metalloproteinase MP belongs to the serralysin family, which is involved in important functions such as nutrient acquisition and infection pathogenesis. Serralysin proteases in highly purified form are commonly used at the industrial level with several purposes. In this study, we set up an efficient and rapid purification protocol for MP using a p‐aminobenzamidine‐modified affinity chromatography. The affinity medium was synthesized by using p‐aminobenzamidine as affinity ligand immobilized via cyanuric chloride spacer to Sepharose 6B sorbent carrier. According to the adsorption analysis, the dissociation constant Kd and theoretical maximum adsorption Qmax of this medium were 24.2 μg/mL and 24.1 mg/g wet sorbent, respectively. The purity of MP was assessed by a high‐performance liquid chromatography on a TSK3000SW column and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, revealing values of 98.7 and ∼98%, respectively. The specific activity of purified MP was 95.6 U/mg, which is similar to values obtained through traditional purification protocols. In conclusion, our protocol could be easily employed for the rapid isolation of MP with high purity, and could be implemented for other serralysin family proteases.
Development and validation of a UHPLC–MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of five bioactive flavonoids in rat plasma and comparative pharmacokinetic study after oral administration of Xiaochaihu Tang and three compatibilities
Authors: Bo Yunhai , Wang Lijuan , Wu Xiao , Zhao Longshan , Yang Jingyu , Xiong Zhili , Wu Chunfu 
Published: March 2017

An accurate, rapid, and reliable ultra high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of baicalin, wogonoside, baicalein, wogonin, and oroxylin A in rat plasma. Then, the stability of baicalin and baicalein in the preparation of plasma sample was systematically investigated. The Waters BEH C18 column was used with a gradient mobile phase system of acetonitrile and water containing 0.1% formic acid. The analytes were detected in the multiple reaction monitoring mode with positive electrospray ionization. 100 μL fresh plasma was added with 50 μL antioxidant reagent (1 mol/L HCl containing 0.5% Vitamin C), and liquid–liquid extraction with ethyl acetate was used to extract the analytes from plasma. Lower limits of quantification of baicalin, wogonoside, baicalein, wogonin, and oroxylin A were 21.9, 4.80, 1.20, 0.848, and 0.800 ng/mL, respectively. The mean extract recoveries of five flavonoids were 69.1∼89.2%, and the precision and accuracy were within the acceptable limits. This method was further successfully applied to the comparative pharmacokinetic study of these five flavonoids in rats after oral administration of Xiaochaihutang and three compatibilities. The obtained results may be helpful to reveal the mechanism of Xiaochaihutang formula compatibility.
Insertion depth impacts speech perception and hearing preservation for lateral wall electrodes
Authors: O'Connell Brendan P. , Hunter Jacob B. , Haynes David S. , Holder Jourdan T. , Dedmon Matt M. , Noble Jack H. , Dawant Benoit M. , Wanna George B. 
Published: March 2017

Objectives1) Examine angular insertion depths (AID) and scalar location of Med‐El (GmbH Innsbruck, Austria) electrodes; and 2) determine the relationship between AID and audiologic outcomes controlling for scalar position.Study DesignRetrospective review.MethodsPostlingually deafened adults undergoing cochlear implantation with Flex 24, Flex 28, and Standard electrode arrays (Med‐El) were identified. Patients with preoperative and postoperative computed tomography scans were included so that electrode location and AID could be determined. Outcome measures were 1) speech perception in the cochlear implant (CI)‐only condition, and 2) short‐term hearing preservation.ResultsForty‐eight implants were included; all electrodes (48 of 48) were positioned entirely within the scala tympani. The median AID was 408° (interquartile [IQ] range 373°–449°) for Flex 24, 575° (IQ range 465°–584°) for Flex 28, and 584° (IQ range 368°–643°) for Standard electrodes (Med‐El). The mean postoperative CNC score was 43.7% ± 21.9. A positive correlation was observed between greater AID and better CNC performance (r = 0.48, P < 0.001). Excluding patients with postoperative residual hearing, a strong correlation between AID and CNC persisted (r = 0.57, P < 0.001). In patients with preoperative residual hearing, mean low‐frequency pure‐tone average (PTA) shift was 27 dB ± 14. A correlation between AID and low‐frequency PTA shift at activation was noted (r = 0.41, P = 0.04).ConclusionFavorable rates of scala tympani insertion (100%) were observed. In the CI‐only condition, a direct correlation between greater AID and CNC score was noted regardless of postoperative hearing status. Deeper insertions were, however, associated with worse short‐term hearing preservation. When patients without postoperative residual hearing were analyzed independently, the relationship between greater insertion depth and better performance was strengthened.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 127:2352–2357, 2017
Key differences between lakes and reservoirs modify climate signals: A case for a new conceptual model
Authors: Hayes Nicole M. , Deemer Bridget R. , Corman Jessica R. , Razavi N. Roxanna , Strock Kristin E. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractLakes and reservoirs are recognized as important sentinels of climate change, integrating catchment and atmospheric climate change drivers. Climate change conceptual models generally consider lakes and reservoirs together despite the possibility that these systems respond differently to climate‐related drivers. Here, we synthesize differences between lake and reservoir characteristics that are likely important for predicting waterbody response to climate change. To better articulate these differences, we revised the energy mass flux framework, a conceptual model for the effects of climate change on lentic ecosystems, to explicitly consider the differential responses of lake versus reservoir ecosystems. The model predicts that catchment and management characteristics will be more important mediators of climate effects in reservoirs than in natural lakes. Given the increased reliance on reservoirs globally, we highlight current gaps in our understanding of these systems and suggest research directions to further characterize regional and continental differences among lakes and reservoirs.
Fluorescent and lasing whispering gallery mode microresonators for sensing applications
Authors: Reynolds Tess , Riesen Nicolas , Meldrum Al , Fan Xudong , Hall Jonathan M. M. , Monro Tanya M. , François Alexandre 
Published: March 2017

AbstractWhispering gallery modes (WGMs) have been exploited for a broad range of sensing applications. However, the vast majority of WGM sensors consist of passive resonators, requiring complex interrogation systems to be employed, ultimately limiting their practicality. Active resonators containing a gain medium, allowing remote excitation and collection of the WGM‐modulated fluorescence spectra, have emerged as an alternative to passive resonators. Although research is still in its infancy, recent progress has reduced the performance gap between the two paradigms, fueled by the potential for new applications that could not previously be realized. Here, recent developments in sensors based on active WGM microresonators are reviewed, beginning with a discussion of the theory of fluorescence‐based and lasing WGMs, followed by a discussion of the variety of gain media, resonator architectures, and emerging sensing applications. We conclude with a discussion of the prospects and future directions for improving active WGM sensors.image
Synthesis and Self‐Assembly of Amphiphilic Block Copolymers from Biobased Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose and Poly(l‐lactide)
Authors: Wang Jielin , Caceres Marleny , Li Suming , Deratani André 
Published: March 2017

A series of well‐defined hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose‐block‐poly(l‐lactide) (HPMC‐b‐PLLA) diblock copolymers are synthesized via UV‐initiated thiol‐ene click reaction of thiol‐terminated HPMC with different block lengths and allyl‐terminated PLLA, using 2,2‐dimethoxy‐2‐phenylacetophenone as photocatalyst. The former is obtained by coupling the reducing aldehyde endgroup of short chain HPMC with the amine group of cysteamine, and the latter by ring‐opening polymerization of l‐lactide in the presence of allyl alcohol. Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), and diffusion ordered spectroscopy NMR confirm the successful coupling of both blocks. The molar mass of the resulting copolymers ranges from 7000 to 12 800 g mol−1 as determined by size exclusion chromatography. The copolymers are able to self‐assemble in aqueous medium, yielding micelles of 50–100 nm with core–shell structure as evidenced by dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and 1H NMR. The critical micelle concentration of copolymers ranges from 0.12 to 0.15 mg mL−1. Last but not the least, the copolymers exhibit thermoresponsive behavior with a lower critical solution temperature around 80 °C.
image
Improving left ventricular segmentation in four‐dimensional flow MRI using intramodality image registration for cardiac blood flow analysis
Authors: Gupta Vikas , Bustamante Mariana , Fredriksson Alexandru , Carlhäll Carl‐Johan , Ebbers Tino 
Published: March 2017

PurposeAssessment of blood flow in the left ventricle using four‐dimensional flow MRI requires accurate left ventricle segmentation that is often hampered by the low contrast between blood and the myocardium. The purpose of this work is to improve left‐ventricular segmentation in four‐dimensional flow MRI for reliable blood flow analysis.MethodThe left ventricle segmentations are first obtained using morphological cine‐MRI with better in‐plane resolution and contrast, and then aligned to four‐dimensional flow MRI data. This alignment is, however, not trivial due to inter‐slice misalignment errors caused by patient motion and respiratory drift during breath‐hold based cine‐MRI acquisition. A robust image registration based framework is proposed to mitigate such errors automatically. Data from 20 subjects, including healthy volunteers and patients, was used to evaluate its geometric accuracy and impact on blood flow analysis.ResultsHigh spatial correspondence was observed between manually and automatically aligned segmentations, and the improvements in alignment compared to uncorrected segmentations were significant (P < 0.01). Blood flow analysis from manual and automatically corrected segmentations did not differ significantly (P > 0.05).ConclusionOur results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed approach in improving left‐ventricular segmentation in four‐dimensional flow MRI, and its potential for reliable blood flow analysis. Magn Reson Med 79:554–560, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.