bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pseudo-thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura presenting as multi-organ dysfunction syndrome: A rare complication of pernicious anemia
Authors: Kandel Saroj , Budhathoki Nibash , Pandey Shanta , Bhattarai Bikash , Baqui Aam , Pandey Ramesh , Salhan Divya , Enriquez Danilo , Quist Joseph , Schmidt Frances M 
Published: June 2017

Objective: We present a rare case of pernicious anemia presented as multi-organ dysfunction syndrome, later found to have pseudo-thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Methods: An 86-year-old female presented with respiratory distress, altered mental status, acute renal failure and was intubated in emergency room. She was found to have severe anemia, thrombocytopenia, high lactate, high lactate dehydrogenase and low haptoglobin. Peripheral smear revealed multilobulated neutrophils with schistocytes, poikilocytes and anisocytes. Results: She was admitted to intensive care unit for altered mental status, multi-organ dysfunction syndrome with severe metabolic acidosis in setting of hemolysis. She was intubated and managed with intravenous antibiotics and blood transfusion. Patient improved significantly after blood transfusion. Lactic acid normalized, acute kidney injury resolved and mentation improved after transfusion. Laboratory investigation revealed low vitamin B12, high methylmalonic acid, high homocysteine, high lactate dehydrogenase, low haptoglobin, high anti-parietal antibody and high anti-intrinsic factor antibody. Patient was diagnosed with pernicious anemia and pseudo-thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura with concomitant intramedullary hemolysis. Her hematological parameters and her clinical condition improved significantly after starting therapy with cyanocobalamin. Conclusion: Pernicious anemia is a chronic disease with subtle presentation but may present as life-threatening complications. Hemolysis and pseudo-thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura may present as multi-organ dysfunction syndrome which has dramatic response to appropriate therapy.
Elderly Age as a Risk Factor for 30-Day Postoperative Outcomes Following Elective Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion
Authors: Di Capua John , Somani Sulaiman , Kim Jun S. , Phan Kevin , Lee Nathan J. , Kothari Parth , Cho Samuel K. 
Published: June 2017

Study Design: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. Objective: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is one of the most commonly performed spinal procedures. Considering the high success and low complications rate of ACDF and high prevalence of age-related degeneration of the cervical spine, the rates of ACDF are expected to continually rise. The objective is to identify the association between patient age and 30-day postoperative outcomes following elective ACDF. Methods: The 2010-2014 ACS-NSQIP database was queried using Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes 22551 or 22554. Patients were divided into age quartiles (18-45, 46-52, 53-60, and ≥61 years). Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to quantify the increased risk of 30-day postoperative complications in the elderly patient population. Results: A total of 20 563 patients met the inclusion criteria for the study. The analyses found quartile 4 had an increased odds of length of stay (LOS) ≥5 days (odds ratio [OR] = 2.05, confidence interval [CI ] = 1.62-2.60), pulmonary complications (OR = 3.25, CI = 1.81-5.84), urinary tract infections (UTI) (OR = 2.25, 1.04-4.87, P = .038), cardiac complication (OR = 6.01, CI = 1.36-26.62, P = .018), and sepsis (OR = 4.38, CI = 1.30-14.70, P = .017). Quartiles 2 and 4 had an increased odds of venous thromboembolism (OR = 3.13, CI = 1.14-8.56, P = .026; OR = 3.83, CI = 1.44-10.20, P = .007). Quartiles 3 and 4 experienced an increased odds of unplanned readmission (OR = 1.44, CI = 1.01-2.05, P = .045; OR = 1.88, CI = 1.33-2.66). All P values are <.001 unless otherwise noted. Conclusion: Elderly patients experienced an increased odds of LOS ≥5 days, pulmonary complications, cardiac compilations, venous thromboembolism, UTI, sepsis, and unplanned readmission. Identification of these factors can improve the selection of appropriate surgical candidates and postoperative safety.
Revisiting nicotine’s role in the ageing brain and cognitive impairment
Authors: Majdi Alireza , Kamari Farzin , Vafaee Manouchehr Seyedi , Sadigh-Eteghad Saeed 
Published: June 2017

AbstractBrain ageing is a complex process which in its pathologic form is associated with learning and memory dysfunction or cognitive impairment. During ageing, changes in cholinergic innervations and reduced acetylcholinergic tonus may trigger a series of molecular pathways participating in oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, amyloid-β toxicity, apoptosis, neuroinflammation, and perturb neurotrophic factors in the brain. Nicotine is an exogenous agonist of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and acts as a pharmacological chaperone in the regulation of nAChR expression, potentially intervening in age-related changes in diverse molecular pathways leading to pathology. Although nicotine has therapeutic potential, paradoxical effects have been reported, possibly due to its inverted U-shape dose-response effects or pharmacokinetic factors. Additionally, nicotine administration should result in optimum therapeutic effects without imparting abuse potential or toxicity. Overall, this review aims to compile the previous and most recent data on nicotine and its effects on cognition-related mechanisms and age-related cognitive impairment.
Episodic Tags Enhance Striatal Valuation Signals during Temporal Discounting in pathological Gamblers
Authors: Wiehler Antonius , Petzschner Frederike Hermi , Stephan Klaas Enno , Peters Jan 
Published: June 2017

AbstractSimilar to many addiction disorders, pathological gambling is associated with an increased preference for immediate rewards (steep temporal discounting). In healthy participants, episodic future thinking has been shown to reduce impulsivity during intertemporal choice. Here, we examine for the first time a modulation of temporal discounting via episodic future thinking in a group of pathological gamblers. We investigated a sample of 24 pathological gamblers and 24 matched healthy controls with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Participants made intertemporal choices in two experimental conditions. In the control condition, delayed monetary rewards were offered with the respective amount and delay. In the episodic condition, rewards were additionally associated with participant-specific personal future events. We replicated previous findings of increased temporal discounting in pathological gambling. On a trend level, episodic future thinking attenuated discounting across all participants. We found that pathological gamblers could successfully recruit a prospection related network during decision-making in the presence of episodic information. The episodic condition modulated the functional connection between ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and ventral striatum, a mechanism that might support the increase in striatal value coding observed in the episodic condition in gamblers. However, in controls, but not in gamblers, valuation signal changes in the hippocampus were associated with less impulsive behavior. We provide first evidence that by episodic cues during intertemporal decision-making striatal valuation signals can be enhanced in pathological gamblers. Further research is needed to explore interventions that reliably reduce impulsive choice behavior in pathological gambling.
Stacked Metal Layers as Gates for MOSFET Threshold Voltage Control
Authors: Gao Wei , Conley John F. , Sharp Yoshi Ono 
Published: June 2017

AbstractTwo layer metal gate stacks allow the effective work function to be tuned by varying the thickness of the first metal layer. Metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) capacitors were fabricated by using two metals of very different work functions on thermal oxide gate dielectric where the bottom layer thickness is varied over a range from 0 to 50nm. Electrical and thermal stability measurements were performed on the Al on TaN metal gate stack. The effective workfunction is seen to shift from the value of one metal to the other rapidly as the thickness of the first metal layer is varied from 0 to approximately 10nm. The flat band voltage (Vfb) transition matches the workfunction difference of the two metals in the stack. The advantage of this approach when applied to metal-oxide-semiconductor-field-effect-transistors (MOSFETs) is that it allows the effective workfunction of the metal stack, and the threshold voltage (Vth) of the device to be fine tuned. It also allows for eventual dual gate complementary MOS (CMOS) device fabrication where two different work function metal stacks are necessary, without processing directly on the gate dielectric. A model is proposed to elucidate the workfunction tuning mechanism.
A Technique for Source/Drain Elevation using Implantation Mediated Selective Etching
Authors: Huda M. Q. , Sakamoto K. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractA process involving implantation mediated selective etching has been developed for Source/Drain elevation of CMOS devices. 100 nm thick epitaxial silicon/polysilicon layer was formed on patterned Si/SiO2 structure by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) at 700°C. Structural damage was selectively introduced in polysilicon layer by a low dose Argon implantation at 140 keV. Crystal damage in epitaxial silicon layer was kept minimum by aligning the implantation in vertical <100> channeling direction. A short duration post-anneal at 420°C was usedfor structural recovery of the silicon layer. Polysilicon layer was then removed by wet etching with more than an order of magnitude selectivity over epitaxial silicon. The resulting structure of elevated silicon is free from faceting effects. The process is independent of sidewall/isolation materials, and not bound by thickness limits.
Physical-Chemical Evolution of Hf-aluminates upon Thermal Treatments
Authors: Crivelli B. , Alessandri M. , Alberici S. , Brazzelli D. , Elbaz A. C. , Frabboni S. , Ghidini G. , Maes J. W. , Ottaviani G. , Pavia G. , Wiemer C. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThis study presents an investigation on physical-chemical stability of (HfO2)x(Al2O3 )1-x alloys upon prolonged post-deposition annealings. Two different Hf-aluminates were deposited by ALCVDTM, containing 34% and 74% Al2O3 mol% respectively. Post-deposition annealings (PDA) were carried out in O2 or N2 atmosphere, at 850°C and 900°C for 30 minutes. Interfacial layer (IL) increase after PDA was detected on all the samples, but with small differences between N2 and O2 treatments. Stack composition was characterized by means of XRR, XRF, RBS and TOF-SIMS. Growth of interface layer was justified by limited oxygen incorporation from external ambient. Silicon diffusion from the substrate into high-k material and aluminum/hafnium redistribution were observed and associated to annealing temperature. XRD and planar TEM analysis evidenced first grain formation and then, in the case of Hf-rich samples, almost complete crystallization. Overall, Hf-aluminates were found to remain XRD amorphous during high temperature prolonged treatments up to 900°C for 74% and 850°C for 34% alloys respectively. Differently from HfO2, (HfO2)0.66(Al2O3 )0.34 alloy was observed to crystallized in orthorhombic phase. Hf-aluminates were also electrically characterized by means of C(V) and I(V) measurements on basic capacitors. Variations in material electrical properties were found consistent with change in physical-chemical film structure. Increase in k value up to 30 was observed on Hf-rich samples crystallized in orthorhombic phase.
Impact of Gate Process Technology on EOT of HfO2 Gate Dielectric
Authors: Ha Daewon , Lu Qiang , Takeuchi Hideki , King Tsu-Jae , Onishi Katsunori , Kim Young-Hee , Lee Jack C. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractTo facilitate CMOS scaling beyond the 65 nm technology node, high-permittivity gate dielectrics such as HfO2 will be needed in order to achieve sub-1.3nm equivalent oxide thickness (EOT) with suitably low gate leakage, particularly for low-power applications. Polycrystalline silicon-germanium (poly-SiGe) is a promising gate material because it is compatible with a conventional CMOS process flow, and because it can yield significantly lower electrical gate-oxide thickness as compared with poly-Si. In this paper, the effects of the gate material (Si vs. SiGe) and gate deposition rate on EOT and gate leakage current density are investigated. Poly-Si0.75Ge0.25 gate material yields the lowest EOT and is stable up to 950°C for 30 seconds, providing 2 orders of magnitude lower leakage current compared to poly-Si gate material. A faster gate deposition rate (achieved by using S2H6 instead of SiH4 as the gaseous Si source) is also effective for minimizing the increases in EOT and leakage current with high-temperature annealing.
Formation of NiSi-Silicided p + n Shallow Junctions Using Implant Through Silicide and Low Temperature Furnace Annealing
Authors: Wang Chao-Chun , Lin Chiao-Ju , Chen Mao-Chieh 
Published: June 2017

AbstractNiSi-silicided p+n shallow junctions are fabricated using BF2+ implantation into/through thin NiSi silicide layer (ITS technology) followed by low temperature furnace annealing (from 550 to 800°C). The NiSi film agglomerates following a thermal annealing at 600°C, and may result in the formation of discontinuous islands at a higher temperature. The incorporation of fluorine atoms in the NiSi film can retard the formation of film agglomeration and thus improve the film's thermal stability. A forward ideality factor of about 1.02 and a reverse current density of about 1nA/cm2 can be attained for the NiSi(310Å)/p+n junctions fabricated by BF2+ implantation at 35 keV to a dose of 5×1015cm-2 followed by a 650°C thermal annealing; the junction formed is about 60nm measured from the NiSi/Si interface. Activation energy measurements show that the reverse bias junction currents are dominated by the diffusion current, indicating that most of the implanted damages can be recovered after annealing at a temperature as low as 650°C.
NiSi formation in the Ni(Ti) /SiO 2 /Si System
Authors: Lee R.T.P. , Chi D.Z. , Chua S.J. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractA NiSi silicide process employing a Ni(Ti) alloy has been investigated. It was experimentally demonstrated that a small amount of Ti in Ni could overcome the reaction-inhibiting effect of an interfacial oxide layer on Si. Ti in the deposited Nil film reacts with the interfacial oxide, yielding an altered oxide layer, which acts as a Ni-permeable diffusion membrane during silicidation. Good diode characteristics were obtained from p+/n silicided Ni(Ti)-diodes with an initial interfacial oxide. It is believed that the ability to form silicide effectively in the presence of a native oxide will greatly relieve constraints on processing conditions and significantly enhance manufacturing yield.
Ultrasound assessment of the outcomes of veno-venous bypass operations in postthrombotic disease
Authors: Ignat’ev I M , Fomina E E , Akhunova S Yu , Zanochkin A V 
Published: June 2017

Aim. Assessment of the function of veno-venous bypass operations in postthrombotic disease with the use of ultrasound duplex scanning.
Methods. The results of veno-venous bypass procedures are presented including crossover autovenous bypass for unilateral postthrombotic iliac vein obstructions (during short-term postoperative period in 56 patients, during long-term period - in 68) and saphenopopliteal bypass for femoral vein obstruction (in 12 patients).
Results. Functional tests making ultrasound duplex scanning more informative in assessment of the function of bypass operations were developed. It was determined that most of crossover grafts (70.6%) have a propensity to equal «physiological» dilation leading to the requisite venous drainage from an affected extremity. Some grafts (23.6%) undergo pathological transformations like local and diffused deformed dilation, сicatricial stenosis that diminish venous drainage and require reintervention on the graft. Venous hemodynamic studies of the affected extremity with the graft being open and cross-clamped showed that in 73% of the patients the major role in the maintenance of venous return is played by crossover bypass. Long-term outcomes in 56 patients after 15 years proved patency of crossover grafts in 43 patients (79.6%). In 11 out of 12 patients (91.7%) examined during long-term postoperative period saphenopopliteal grafts were patent. It was demonstrated that they are capable of prolonged functioning without pathological dilation. Long-term outcomes of the procedure proved reliable function of the grafts and improvement of regional venous hemodynamics.
Conclusion. Ultrasound duplex scanning is the optimal method of the assessment of short-term and long-term outcomes of reconstructive bypass operations due to their noninvasiveness, safety, and high resolving power and the possibility of repetitive qualitative and quantitative studies of venous system including those in community setting.
Use of bioresonance therapy in complex treatment of patients with diabetes mellitus type 2
Authors: Kir’yanova V V , Vorokhobina N V , Makhramov Z Kh 
Published: June 2017

Aim. To evaluate the effectiveness of bioresonance therapy use in complex treatment of patients with diabetes mellitus type 2.
Methods. The treatment scheme including bioresonance therapy is offered for patients with diabetes mellitus type 2. All 413 patients were assigned to 3 comparable groups: the study group included 198 patients, control group - 72 patients, placebo group - 143 patients. Duration of diabetes in the study group was 5.47±0.37 years, in control group - 4.03±0.46 years, in placebo group - 4.97±0.39 years. All patients were treated according to the traditional scheme of treatment of type 2 diabetes. The study group in addition to pharmacotherapy received bioresonance therapy. Control group received only drug treatment and placebo group received drug therapy and bioresonance simulation procedures. All patients were checked for glycated hemoglobin, fasting plasma glucose, blood glucose 2 hours after a meal, urine glucose, and body mass index on admission and 3 months after treatment.
Results. Results of glycated hemoglobin, fasting plasma glucose, blood glucose 2 hours after a meal, urine glucose, and body mass index revealed that initially studied parameters in all three groups were high. After the bioresonance therapy in complex treatment of patients with diabetes type 2 in the study group all studied parameters were statistically significantly lower compared to control and placebo groups.
Conclusion. The obtained results indicate the effectiveness of bioresonance therapy use in complex treatment of patients with diabetes mellitus type 2.
Posttraumatic heterotopic ossification of the elbow
Authors: Karalin A N , Ovechkin L A , Lavrent’ev A V , Lushin A V , Ivanov A P , Natural’nyy I A , Kazenov S A 
Published: June 2017

Aim. To evaluate the features of formation of posttraumatic heterotopic ossification of the elbow; to develop their classification allowing to differentially resolve the issues of tactics and treatment and outcome predicting.
Methods. 292 patients were observed with elbow fractures and fracture-dislocations (group B and C according to AO/ASIF classification). 40 (14%) of them were diagnosed with posttraumatic heterotopic ossification.
Results. This complication more frequently occurred in fracture-dislocations (23 patients, 57.5%) than in T-U-shaped fractures (13 patients, 32.5%). Thus, the factor of soft tissue trauma plays one of the key roles in the occurrence of this complication. Timelines of ossification occurrence also have some patterns causing a direct relationship with the severity of the damage. Indeed, in fracture-dislocations ossification within 5 weeks after the trauma was identified in 70% of cases, while in T-U-shaped fractures and other damage - only in 40%. Herewith, some correlation is identified for patient’s age and gender: ossification occurs in the early stages more often in men under the age of 30 years. We developed a classification of posttraumatic heterotopic ossification of the elbow allowing to effectively determine the tactics, treatment and prognosis of the outcomes of ossification. In case of mild and moderate severity of ossification management is conservative and functional and occupational prognoses are favorable. In case of severe ossification surgical treatment is recommended. Primary and secondary arthritic changes should be considered. Both functional and professional prognoses are unfavorable. Results of the treatment are: good - 70%, satisfactory - 25% and unsatisfactory - 5%.
Conclusion. Dependence of occurence of posttraumatic heterotopic ossification from a number of factors was determined (magnitude of anatomical damage of the soft tissues surrounding the joint, gender and age, treatment tactics, rehabilitation methods), suggested classification allows to differentially resolve the issues of treatment and outcome prediction.
Characteristics of bone metabolism parameters in urban citizens
Authors: Kabalyk M A 
Published: June 2017

Aim. To reveal the features of age-dependent changes of bone tissue in urban citizens.
Methods. The study of bone metabolism parameters was performed on 629 healthy subjects of middle, elderly and senile age living in Vladivostok for longer than 10 years (55 males and 573 females). Concentration of C-terminal telopeptide of type II collagen, osteocalcin, calcitonin, parathyroid hormone, 1,25(OH)2-vitamin D, and bone isoenzyme of alkaline phosphotase were measured by ELISA. Concentration of C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen was measured in urine.
Results. Biochemical markers of bone metabolism in older age groups are different from the parameters of middle age. In the second period of middle age statistically significant decrease of C-terminal telopeptides level (z=2.88, p
Analysis of surgical treatment results of macular holes in the Samara region
Authors: Petrachkov D V , Zolotarev A V , Zamytskiy P A , Karlova E V , Kazakov I S 
Published: June 2017

Aim. Analysis of anatomical and functional results of surgical treatment of full-thickness macular holes.
Methods. We conducted a retrospective analysis of medical records of 194 outpatients (194 eyes) on whom surgical treatment of macular hole was performed in Samara Clinical Ophthalmic Hospital n.a. T.I. Eroshevskiy during 2015-2016.
Results. On day 5 after surgery in 96 (97.9%) patients with a hole of more than 400 µm operated according to inverted flap technique, and in 93 (96.9%) patients with hole of less than 400 µm, on whom removal of the internal limiting membrane around the hole was performed, we observed macular hole closure. The best corrected visual acuity of patients with the hole of more than 400 µm increased to 0.18±0.13 (p