bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Third Repeat Microvascular Reconstruction in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Aged 65 Years and Older: A Longitudinal and Sequential Analysis
Authors: Löfstrand Jonas , Chang Kai-Ping , Lin Jennifer An-Jou , Loh Charles Yuen Yung , Chou Hsuan-Yu , Kao Huang-Kai 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPerforming a sequential third free flap for reconstruction of a head and neck defect after cancer resection can be challenging, and the problem is further compounded in elderly patients. The outcomes in this clinical scenario are currently unknown and this study aims to compare the results in elderly patients with younger patients in a high-volume microsurgical unit. A retrospective review of 126 consecutive patients who had undergone three sequential free flap reconstructions after head and neck cancer was performed. The patients were divided into two groups – older or younger than 65 years old (n = 105 and n = 21, respectively). Patient demographics, intraoperative and postoperative outcomes were noted and analyzed. The overall flap success in this patient cohort was 94.4% (7 flap losses in 126 patients). Cardiovascular complications were significantly more common in the older group (19% vs. 1.9%, p = 0.001). Delirium occurred more frequently in the older group compared with the younger group (23.8% vs. 6.7%, p = 0.023). There were no significant differences regarding surgical complications. With adequate planning, a sequential third free flap can be performed safely and successfully in patients who are more than 65 years of age. Particular attention to the perioperative morbidity in elderly patients is crucial for successful outcomes.
Previous crop and rotation history effects on maize seedling health and associated rhizosphere microbiome
Authors: Benitez Maria-Soledad , Osborne Shannon L. , Lehman R. Michael 
Published: November 2017

AbstractTo evaluate crop rotation effects on maize seedling performance and its associated microbiome, maize plants were grown in the greenhouse in soils preceded by either maize, pea, soybean or sunflower. Soils originated from a replicated field experiment evaluating different four-year rotation combinations. In the greenhouse, a stressor was introduced by soil infestation with western corn rootworm (WCR) or Fusarium graminearum. Under non-infested conditions, maize seedlings grown in soils preceded by sunflower or pea had greater vigor. Stress with WCR or F. graminearum resulted in significant root damage. WCR root damage was equivalent for seedlings regardless of soil provenance; whereas F. graminearum root damage was significantly lower in maize grown in soils preceded by sunflower. Infestation with WCR affected specific microbial taxa (Acinetobacter, Smaragdicoccus, Aeromicrobium, Actinomucor). Similarly, F. graminearum affected fungal endophytes including Trichoderma and Endogone. In contrast to the biological stressors, rotation sequence had a greater effect on rhizosphere microbiome composition, with larger effects observed for fungi compared to bacteria. In particular, relative abundance of Glomeromycota was significantly higher in soils preceded by sunflower or maize. Defining the microbial players involved in crop rotational effects in maize will promote selection and adoption of favorable crop rotation sequences.
Pain dilates time perception
Authors: Rey Amandine E. , Michael George A. , Dondas Corina , Thar Marvin , Garcia-Larrea Luis , Mazza Stéphanie 
Published: November 2017

AbstractWe have all experienced that time seems stretched during unpleasant situations. While there is evidence of subjective time overestimation when perceiving external unpleasant stimuli, no study has measured the dilation of time when individuals experience an unpleasant situation in their own body. Here we measured the time dilation induced by a painful homeostatic deviance using temporal bisection task. We show that being in pain leads to an expansion of subjective time whereby a stronger increase in pain perception relative to non-painful stimulation leads to a stronger time-estimate distortion. Neurophysiological studies suggest that time estimation and the perception of self might share a common neural substrate. We propose that, along with bodily arousal and attentional capture, the enhancement of self-awareness may be critical to support dilated subjective time when experiencing pain. As other homeostatic deviances, pain may induce a focus on ourselves contributing to the impression that “time stands still”.
Integrative taxonomy methods reveal high mealybug (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) diversity in southern Brazilian fruit crops
Authors: Pacheco da Silva Vitor C. , Kaydan Mehmet Bora , Malausa Thibaut , Germain Jean-François , Palero Ferran , Botton Marcos 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe Serra Gaúcha region is the most important temperate fruit-producing area in southern Brazil. Despite mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) infesting several host plants in the region, there is a lack of information about the composition of species damaging different crops. A survey of mealybug species associated with commercial fruit crops (apple, persimmon, strawberry and grapes) was performed in Serra Gaúcha between 2013 and 2015, using both morphology and DNA analyses for species identification. The most abundant species were Pseudococcus viburni (Signoret), found on all four host plant species, and Dysmicoccus brevipes (Cockerell), infesting persimmon, vines and weeds. The highest diversity of mealybug species was found on persimmon trees, hosting 20 different taxa, of which Anisococcus granarae Pacheco da Silva & Kaydan, D. brevipes, Pseudococcus sociabilis Hambleton and Ps. viburni were the most abundant. A total of nine species were recorded in vineyards. Planococcus ficus (Signoret) and Pseudococcus longispinus (Targioni Tozzetti) were observed causing damage to grapes for the first time. A single species, Ps. viburni, was found associated with apples, while both Ps. viburni and Ferrisia meridionalis Williams were found on strawberry. Four of the mealybug species found represent new records for Brazil.
Interpretation of dynamic tensile behavior by austenite stability in ferrite-austenite duplex lightweight steels
Authors: Park Jaeyeong , Jo Min Cheol , Jeong Hyeok Jae , Sohn Seok Su , Kwak Jai-Hyun , Kim Hyoung Seop , Lee Sunghak 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPhenomena occurring in duplex lightweight steels under dynamic loading are hardly investigated, although its understanding is essentially needed in applications of automotive steels. In this study, quasi-static and dynamic tensile properties of duplex lightweight steels were investigated by focusing on how TRIP and TWIP mechanisms were varied under the quasi-static and dynamic loading conditions. As the annealing temperature increased, the grain size and volume fraction of austenite increased, thereby gradually decreasing austenite stability. The strain-hardening rate curves displayed a multiple-stage strain-hardening behavior, which was closely related with deformation mechanisms. Under the dynamic loading, the temperature rise due to adiabatic heating raised the austenite stability, which resulted in the reduction in the TRIP amount. Though the 950 °C-annealed specimen having the lowest austenite stability showed the very low ductility and strength under the quasi-static loading, it exhibited the tensile elongation up to 54% as well as high strain-hardening rate and tensile strength (1038 MPa) due to appropriate austenite stability under dynamic loading. Since dynamic properties of the present duplex lightweight steels show the excellent strength-ductility combination as well as continuously high strain hardening, they can be sufficiently applied to automotive steel sheets demanded for stronger vehicle bodies and safety enhancement.
Stable ICG-loaded upconversion nanoparticles: silica core/shell theranostic nanoplatform for dual-modal upconversion and photoacoustic imaging together with photothermal therapy
Authors: Lv Ruichan , Wang Depeng , Xiao Liyang , Chen Guanying , Xia Jun , Prasad Paras N. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractWe report here the design and multiple functions of a new hierarchical nanotheronostic platform consisting of an upconversion nanoparticle (UCNP) core: shell with an additional mesoporous silica (mSiO2) matrix load shell containing sealed, high concentration of ICG molecules. We demonstrate that this UCNP@mSiO2-ICG nanoplatform can perform the following multiple functions under NIR excitation at 800 nm: 1) Light harvesting by the UCNP shell containing Nd and subsequent energy transfer to Er in the Core to produce efficient green and red upconversion luminescence for optical imaging; 2) Efficient nonradiative relaxation and local heating produced by concentration quenching in aggregated ICG imbedded in the mesopourous silica shell to enable both photoacoustic imaging and photothermal therapy. Compared to pure ICG, sealing of mesoporous silica platforms prevents the leak-out and improves the stability of ICG by protecting from rapid hydrolysis. Under 800 nm laser excitation, we performed both optical and photoacoustic (PA) imaging in vitro and in vivo. Our results demonstrated that UCNP@mSiO2-ICG with sealed structures could be systemically delivered to brain vessels, with a long circulation time. In addition, these nanoplatforms were capable of producing strong hyperthermia efforts to kill cancer cells and hela cells under 800 nm laser irradiation.
Activation of endogenous arginine vasopressin neurons inhibit food intake: by using a novel transgenic rat line with DREADDs system
Authors: Yoshimura Mitsuhiro , Nishimura Kazuaki , Nishimura Haruki , Sonoda Satomi , Ueno Hiromichi , Motojima Yasuhito , Saito Reiko , Maruyama Takashi , Nonaka Yuki , Ueta Yoichi 
Published: November 2017

AbstractVarious studies contributed to discover novel mechanisms of central arginine vasopressin (AVP) system responsible for the behaviour albeit endogenous vasopressin activation. We established a novel transgenic rat line which expresses both human muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (hM3Dq), of which ligand is clozapine-N-oxide (CNO), and mCherry fluorescence specifically in AVP neurons. The mCherry neurons that indicate the expression of the hM3Dq gene were observed in the suprachiasmatic (SCN), supraoptic (SON), and paraventricular nuclei (PVN). hM3Dq-mCherry fluorescence was localized mainly in the membrane of the neurons. The mCherry neurons were co-localized with AVP-like immunoreactive (LI) neurons, but not with oxytocin-LI neurons. The induction of Fos, which is the indicator for neuronal activity, was observed in approximately 90% of the AVP-LI neurons in the SON and PVN 90 min after intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of CNO. Plasma AVP was significantly increased and food intake, water intake, and urine volume were significantly attenuated after i.p. administration of CNO. Although the detailed mechanism has unveiled, we demonstrated, for the first time, that activation of endogenous AVP neurons decreased food intake. This novel transgenic rat line may provide a revolutionary insight into the neuronal mechanism regarding central AVP system responsible for various kind of behaviours.
Homocysteine in retinal artery occlusive disease: A meta-analysis of cohort studies
Authors: Huang Xuetao , Yang Yezhen , Duan Yiqin , Kuang Yi-Qun , Lin Ding 
Published: November 2017

AbstractFew studies have reported the relationship between retinal artery occlusion (RAO) and plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels. Our goal was to evaluate the association between the plasma Hcy level and the risk of RAO disease. Several databases were searched for all published studies that involved Hcy and RAO. Six studies evaluated hyperhomocysteinemia (hHcy) in retinal artery occlusion patients and controls; the incidence of hHcy in patients with RAO was higher than the control and the pooled odds ratio (OR) was 6.64 (95% confidence interval (CI): 3.42, 12.89). Subgroup analyses showed that the ORs were 4.77 (95% CI: 2.69, 8.46) in Western countries, 22.19 (95% CI: 2.46, 200.37) in Asian countries, 9.70 (95% CI: 4.43, 21.20) in the age matched group, 11.41 (95% CI: 3.32, 39.18) in the sex matched group, 9.70 (95% CI: 4.37, 21.53) in the healthy control group, and 6.82 (95% CI: 4.19, 11.10) in the sample size >30. The mean plasma Hcy level from 5 case-control studies was higher than controls, and the weighted mean difference (WMD) was 6.54 (95% CI: 2.79, 10.29). Retinal artery occlusion is associated with elevated plasma Hcy levels. Our study results suggest that hHcy is probably an independent risk factor for RAO.
Effects of waste sources on performance of anaerobic co-digestion of complex organic wastes: taking food waste as an example
Authors: Lu Xingang , Jin Wengang , Xue Shengrong , Wang Xiaojiao 
Published: November 2017

AbstractFew studies have addressed how to blend wastes for anaerobic co-digestion. This study investigated the effects of waste sources on anaerobic co-digestion (AcoD) performance, by varying the quality of food wastes (FWs) from six sources in Xi’an region, China that were individually co-digested with pre-treated corn straw and cattle manure. These effects were analysed in terms of their volatile solid (VS) ratios, C/N ratios, and the chemical composition of the FWs. The results indicated that the VS ratios were not suitable as a common mixture method because the VS ratios at which the best methane potentials occurred differed significantly among the six FW groups. The C/N ratios within a 17–24 range resulted in better methane potentials when the FWs were co-digested with other wastes. Synergistic effects were found among the carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids of the FWs; however, the optimum ratios of these components could not be determined. Thus, the C/N ratio is recommended as a mixture method when co-digesting FWs with other organic wastes in selected region.
Thickness Dependent Parasitic Channel Formation at AlN/Si Interfaces
Authors: Chandrasekar Hareesh , Bhat K. N. , Rangarajan Muralidharan , Raghavan Srinivasan , Bhat Navakanta 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe performance of GaN-on-Silicon electronic devices is severely degraded by the presence of a parasitic conduction pathway at the nitride-substrate interface which contributes to switching losses and lower breakdown voltages. The physical nature of such a parasitic channel and its properties are however, not well understood. We report on a pronounced thickness dependence of the parasitic channel formation at AlN/Si interfaces due to increased surface acceptor densities at the interface in silicon. The origin of these surface acceptors is analyzed using secondary ion mass spectroscopy measurements and traced to thermal acceptor formation due to Si-O-N complexes. Low-temperature (5 K) magneto-resistance (MR) data reveals a transition from positive to negative MR with increasing AlN film thickness indicating the presence of an inversion layer of electrons which also contributes to parasitic channel formation but whose contribution is secondary at room temperatures.
Efficient near infrared light emitting electrochemical cell (NIR-LEEC) based on new binuclear ruthenium phenanthroimidazole exhibiting desired charge carrier dynamics
Authors: Nemati Bideh Babak , Shahroosvand Hashem 
Published: November 2017

AbstractNear-infrared light-emitting electrochemical cell (NIR-LEEC) has emerged as a new and promising lighting sourcewhich could serve as low-cost alternatives in NIR light-emitting sources which are typically expensive. LECs were also shown advantages such as light weight, simplicity and low operation voltages. However, only a few examples of NIR-LEEC are reported in which external quantum efficiency(EQE) of devices limited to 0.1%. Here, we report, efficient NIR-LEEC based of two novel binuclear ruthenium phenanthroimidzole complex which differ by employing the type of ancillary ligand including 2, 2′bipyridine (bpy) (B1) and 4, 4′ dimethyl bpy (B2) that realize maximum EQE of 0.14 and 0.68% and extremely long excited state lifetimes of 220 and 374 ns for thin film were estimated, respectively, indicating that influences of substitution on ancillary ligand. Moreover, this substitution dramatically influences other electroluminescence metrics including decreasing turn on voltage from 4.5 to 3.1 V, increasing maximum luminance (Lmax) from 193to 742 cd.m−2and increasing lifetime from 539 to 1104 second, which are the best value among the binuclear ruthenium polypyridyl complexes to date.
Cryopreservation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells in an Allogeneic Bioscaffold based on Platelet Rich Plasma and Synovial Fluid
Authors: Gurruchaga Haritz , Saenz del Burgo Laura , Garate Ane , Delgado Diego , Sanchez Pello , Orive Gorka , Ciriza Jesús , Sanchez Mikel , Pedraz Jose Luis 
Published: November 2017

AbstractTransplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has emerged as an alternative strategy to treat knee osteoarthritis. In this context, MSCs derived from synovial fluid could provide higher chondrogenic and cartilage regeneration, presenting synovial fluid as an appropriate MSCs source. An allogeneic and biomimetic bioscaffold composed of Platelet Rich Plasma and synovial fluid that preserve and mimics the natural environment of MSCs isolated from knee has also been developed. We have optimized the cryopreservation of knee-isolated MSCs embedded within the aforementioned biomimetic scaffold, in order to create a reserve of young autologous embedded knee MSCs for future clinical applications. We have tested several cryoprotectant solutions combining dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), sucrose and human serum and quantifying the viability and functionality of the embedded MSCs after thawing. MSCs embedded in bioscaffolds cryopreserved with DMSO 10% or the combination of DMSO 10% and Sucrose 0,2 M displayed the best cell viabilities maintaining the multilineage differentiation potential of MSCs after thawing. In conclusion, embedded young MSCs within allogeneic biomimetic bioscaffold can be cryopreserved with the cryoprotectant solutions described in this work, allowing their future clinical use in patients with cartilage defects.
The influence of skin colour on the experience of ownership in the rubber hand illusion
Authors: Lira Marilia , Egito Julia H. , Dall’Agnol Patricia A. , Amodio David M. , Gonçalves Óscar F. , Boggio Paulo S. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractRacial prejudice is associated with a fundamental distinction between “us” and “them”—a distinction linked to the perceived overlap between representations of the self and others. Implicit prejudice has been shown to reduce the intensity of White individuals’ hand ownership sensation as induced by the Rubber Hand Illusion (RHI) with dark rubber hands. However, evidence for this link to implicit prejudice comes from self-report questionnaire data regarding the RHI. As an alternative, we assessed the onset time of the RHI. We hypothesized that onset time of the RHI would be higher for the black compared to the white RH, acting as the mediator between implicit prejudice and magnitude of the RH illusion and proprioceptive drift. As expected, participants took longer to incorporate the black RH and presented lower RH illusion magnitude and a smaller proprioceptive drift for the black RH. Mediation analysis revealed a significant indirect effect of implicit racial bias on proprioceptive drift and magnitude of illusion through onset time to illusion only for the black RH. These findings further illuminate the connection between implicit prejudice and embodied perception, suggesting new perspectives on how implicit biases operate.
Hepatic accumulation of S-adenosylmethionine in hamsters with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease associated with metabolic syndrome under selenium and vitamin E deficiency
Authors: Maria del Bas Josep , Rodríguez Benjamín , Puiggròs Francesc , Mariné Silvia , Rodríguez Miguel Angel , Moriña David , Armengol Lluís , Caimari Antoni , Arola Lluís 
Published: November 2017

AbstractProgression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the context of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is only partially explored due to the lack of preclinical models. In order to study the alterations in hepatic metabolism that accompany this condition, we developed a model of MetS accompanied by the onset of steatohepatitis (NASH) by challenging golden hamsters with a high-fat diet low in vitamin E and selenium (HFD), since combined deficiency results in hepatic necroinflammation in rodents. Metabolomics and transcriptomics integrated analyses of livers revealed an unexpected accumulation of hepatic S-Adenosylmethionine (SAM) when compared with healthy livers likely due to diminished methylation reactions and repression of GNMT. SAM plays a key role in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis and cell cycle control. In agreement, analysis of over-represented transcription factors revealed a central role of c-myc and c-Jun pathways accompanied by negative correlations between SAM concentration, MYC expression and AMPK phosphorylation. These findings point to a drift of cell cycle control toward senescence in livers of HFD animals, which could explain the onset of NASH in this model. In contrast, hamsters with NAFLD induced by a conventional high-fat diet did not show SAM accumulation, suggesting a key role of selenium and vitamin E in SAM homeostasis. In conclusion, our results suggest that progression of NAFLD in the context of MetS can take place even in a situation of hepatic SAM excess and that selenium and vitamin E status might be considered in current therapies against NASH based on SAM supplementation.
Lower‐frequency feedback dual‐band PA with very high efficiency
Authors: Qi Tian , He Songbai 
Published: November 2017

A novel approach to achieve high‐efficiency dual‐band power amplifier (PA) is presented. Owing to the contradictions among the control of harmonics, most reported dual‐band or multi‐band PAs are intentionally avoiding the case when the higher‐frequency band overlaps the second harmonics of the lower‐frequency band, especially when . By introducing lower‐frequency feedback technique a method is proposed, make a compromise between high‐efficiency and power gain fluctuant, high‐efficiency dual‐band PA at the above condition can be achieved. To verify, a dual‐band PA operating at 1.7 and 3.4 GHz is fabricated and measured. The peak output powers of the dual‐band are 40.1 and 40.7 dBm with small signal gains 25 and 17 dB, and the drain efficiency at the peak output power reached 80.2 and 78.5%, respectively.
Extended Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis of the Hand
Authors: Irisarri Carlos , Yañez Calvo Javier 
Published: November 2017

AbstractWe present the case of a 36-year-old woman with pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) of the right hand. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed that the lesion had spread over an unusually wide area. Despite this, after one single operation, there has been no relapse after 5 years, with both the functional and cosmetic results remaining satisfactory.
Komplikationsmanagement der Pankreasanastomose
Authors: Weber Georg , Schmid Axel , Uder Michael , Grützmann Robert 
Published: November 2017

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund Die Pankreasanastomose gilt als die Achillesferse der Pankreaschirurgie. Durch die Ausbildung einer postoperativen Pankreasfistel (POPF) kommt es häufig zu mittel- bis schwergradigen, teilweise lebensbedrohlichen Folgekomplikationen.
Fragestellung Möglichkeiten der Prophylaxe, Diagnostik und Therapie der POPF und der POPF-assoziierten Komplikationen im interdisziplinären Management.
Ergebnisse Aktuelle Studienergebnisse zeigen, dass je nach Einteilung der POPF in Grad A – C unterschiedliche diagnostische und therapeutische Maßnahmen die Morbidität und Mortalität senken. Je nach Zeitpunkt und Schweregrad der POPF sowie der POPF-assoziierten Komplikationen ist ein konservatives/interventionelles Management oder chirurgisches Vorgehen indiziert.
Schlussfolgerung Durch die präzise Einteilung der POPF und der POPF-assoziierten Folgekomplikationen kann durch ein gezieltes interdisziplinäres diagnostisches und therapeutisches Vorgehen die Morbidität und Mortalität nach Pankreasoperationen gesenkt werden.