bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preoperative staging of gallbladder carcinoma using biliary MR imaging
Authors: Kim Soo Jin , Lee Jeong Min , Lee Eun Sun , Han Joon Koo , Choi Byung Ihn 
Published: January 2014

PurposeTo evaluate the performance of biliary MRI, including unenhanced imaging, gadolinium‐enhanced (Gd‐E) dynamic imaging, and MR cholangiography, for the preoperative staging of gallbladder cancer (GBC).Materials and MethodsOur institutional review board approved this retrospective study. Eighty‐six, consecutive patients with surgically resected and pathologically confirmed GBCs and who underwent preoperative MRI, including unenhanced T1‐ and T2‐weighted images, MR cholangiography, and dynamic imaging, were enrolled in this study. Two observers independently evaluated the biliary MR images regarding the T‐ and N‐staging of GBCs and graded their diagnostic confidence for the staging using a 5‐point scale. Receiver operating curve analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of MR in the staging of GBC. Interobserver agreement was evaluated using kappa statistics.ResultsThe overall accuracy of T‐ and N‐staging using biliary MRI was 84.9% and 77.9% for observer 1 and 69.8% and 74.4% for observer 2. There was good interobserver agreement regarding the T stage (k = 0.828). The Az (AUC: area under the curve) values of the diagnostic ability of MRI to differentiate ≥ T1b from ≤ T1a lesions, were 0.979 and 0.955 for both observers (P < 0.0001).ConclusionBiliary MRI with MR cholangiography allows moderately accurate preoperative T staging and N staging of GBCs. It also shows an excellent diagnostic ability for differentiating ≥ T1b lesions from ≤ T1a lesions, which can be helpful for preoperative planning. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;41:314–321.© 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Perioperative survival of elderly head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients
Authors: Stokes William A. , Fuller Collin , Day Terry A. , Gillespie Marion B. 
Published: January 2014

Objectives/HypothesisTo evaluate the survival benefit of surgery for elderly head and neck cancer (HNC) patients.Study DesignRetrospective national database cohort study of HNC patients.MethodsThe study is a retrospective cohort review of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End‐Results (SEER) database from 2004 to 2009. We developed an estimated perioperative window, based on the institutional database at a tertiary academic center. The average time to surgery among HNC patients at this center correlated with SEER's 3‐month post diagnosis. From this estimate, we calculated postoperative (3 months), 2‐year, and 5‐year overall survival (OS) for patients receiving HNC surgery from 2004 to 2009 in the SEER database. Patients were matched for sex, tumor grade/stage, primary location, and radiation treatment status.ResultsOverall, after matching we found a statistically significant decrease in 3‐month OS for the elderly patients versus younger controls who received surgery (P < .05). However, a matched analysis of elderly patients alone found a significant increase in OS for elderly patients who received surgery compared to those who did not (P < .05).ConclusionsSurgery appears to offer overall benefit to elderly HNC patients. These patients have a significantly worse postoperative OS than their younger counterparts, but the clinical significance appears to be limited. The improved survival among elderly patients who receive surgery compared to those who do not suggests that surgery should be offered to properly selected patients regardless of age.Level of Evidence2b Laryngoscope 124:2281–2286, 2014
Growth of Long Triisopropylsilylethynyl Pentacene (TIPS‐PEN) Nanofibrils in a Polymer Thin Film During Spin‐Coating
Authors: Park Minwoo , Min Yuho , Lee Yu‐Jeong , Jeong Unyong 
Published: January 2014

This study demonstrates the growth of long triisopropylsilyethynyl pentacene (TIPS‐PEN) nanofibrils in a thin film of a crystalline polymer, poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL). During spin‐coating, TIPS‐PEN molecules are locally extracted around the PCL grain boundaries and they crystallize into [010] direction forming long nanofibrils. Molecular weight of PCL and weight fraction (α) of TIPS‐PEN in PCL matrix are key factors to the growth of nanofibrils. Long high‐quality TIPS‐PEN nanofibrils are obtained with high‐molecular‐weight PCL and at the α values in the range of 0.03–0.1. The long nanofibrils are used as an active layer in a field‐effect organic transistor.
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Individually Addressable Thermo‐ and Redox‐Responsive Block Copolymers by Combining Anionic Polymerization and RAFT Protocols
Authors: Schmidt Bernhard V. K. J. , Elbert Johannes , Barner‐Kowollik Christopher , Gallei Markus 
Published: January 2014

A novel diblock copolymer consisting of poly(vinylferrocene) (PVFc) and poly(N,N‐diethylacrylamide) (PDEA) is synthesized via a combination of anionic and RAFT polymerization. The use of a novel route to hydroxyl‐end‐functionalized metallopolymers in anionic polymerization and subsequent esterification with a RAFT agent leads to a PVFc macro‐CTA ( = 3800 g mol−1; Đ = 1.17). RAFT polymerization with DEA affords block copolymers as evidenced by 1H NMR spectroscopy as well as size exclusion chromatography (6400 ≤ ≤ 33700 g mol−1; 1.31 ≤ Đ 1.28). Self‐assembly of the amphiphilic block copolymers in aqueous solution leads to micelles as shown via TEM. Importantly, the distinct thermo‐responsive and redox‐responsive character of the blocks is probed via dynamic light scattering and found to be individually and repeatedly addressable.
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One‐dimensional image‐selected in vivo spectroscopy localized phosphorus saturation transfer at 7T
Authors: Valkovič Ladislav , Bogner Wolfgang , Gajdošík Martin , Považan Michal , Kukurová Ivica Just , Krššák Martin , Gruber Stephan , Frollo Ivan , Trattnig Siegfried , Chmelík Marek 
Published: January 2014

PurposeTo evaluate the feasibility of a one‐dimensional image‐selected in vivo spectroscopy (1D‐ISIS) saturation transfer (ST) sequence at 7T for localized in vivo measurements of energy metabolism in different tissues in clinically reasonable examination times.MethodsThe performance of a gradient offset independent adiabacity‐based 1D‐ISIS localization was tested on phantom and the localized ST sequence was compared with the nonlocalized version in vivo. We performed localized measurements of basal metabolism of human liver and different muscle groups of the calf. Localized ST experiments took 15–25 minutes.ResultsThe selectivity of the 1D‐ISIS sequence was 81.63% and the outer volume suppression was 97.57%. The ST parameters acquired with the 1D‐ISIS sequence and with the nonlocalized acquisition in the muscle were not statistically different. The forward rate constants for phosphocreatine (PCr)–adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and inorganic phosphate (Pi)–ATP exchange reactions were measured in the soleus (kCK = 0.30 ± 0.06 s−1 and kATP = 0.11 ± 0.02 s−1, respectively) and in the medial gastrocnemius (kCK = 0.27 ± 0.06 s−1 and kATP = 0.09 ± 0.03s−1, respectively) in 15 minutes per muscle group. The corresponding fluxes were FCK = 6.26 ± 1.28 μmol/g/s, FATP = 0.22 ± 0.05 μmol/g/s and FCK = 6.29 ± 1.66 μmol/g/s, FATP = 0.21 ± 0.07 μmol/g/s, for soleus and gastrocnemius, respectively. The hepatic ATP synthesis measurement was feasible in 24 minutes.ConclusionThe fast assessment of PCr–ATP and Pi–ATP exchange rates at 7T makes the 1D‐ISIS ST sequence a promising tool for examining local resting‐state metabolism in clinically acceptable measurement times. Magn Reson Med 72:1509–1515, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The relationship between body fat mass percentiles and inflammation in children
Authors: Singer Kanakadurga , Eng Donna S. , Lumeng Carey N. , Gebremariam Achamyeleh , M. Lee Joyce 
Published: January 2014

ObjectiveObesity has been associated with markers of increased systemic inflammation in both human and animal studies. Increased inflammation is linked to metabolic and cardiovascular disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between percentile body fat and inflammation in a nationally representative sample of US children.Methods: 6,950 children 8‐18 years of age between 1999 and 2004 were studied. Measurement of body fat percentage was measured by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry scan and converted to an age‐ and sex‐adjusted percentile. The main outcome measures were abnormal c‐reactive protein (CRP > 1.0 mg/dl) and absolute neutrophil count (ANC > 6,600).ResultsChildren with higher levels of body fat (≥70th percentile) had a higher odds of having elevated CRP (OR 2.88‐10.69) and elevated ANC (OR 2.14‐3.24) compared with children with body fat <70th percentile.ConclusionsThe link between inflammation and body fat in children warrants further longitudinal research to understand the temporal relationship between overweight/obesity and inflammation in the pediatric obese population and its implications for chronic disease risk.
Association between vitamin D receptor activator and the risk of infection‐related hospitalizations among incident hemodialysis patients: a nested case–control study
Authors: Normand Isabelle , Elftouh Naoual , Laurin Louis‐Philippe , Ouimet Denis , Harrak Hind , Lafrance Jean‐Philippe 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTBackgroundPatients suffering from chronic kidney disease are at greater risk of developing infection than the normal population, and infections are the second cause of mortality after cardiovascular complications in this population. Some reports suggest that the intake of active vitamin D might be beneficial to prevent infections. Therefore, we aimed to determine if the oral intake of vitamin D receptor activator (VDRA) is associated with a lower risk of infection‐related hospitalization (IRH) among incident chronic hemodialysis patients.MethodsWe conducted a nested case–control study in a cohort of 4933 patients initiating chronic hemodialysis between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2007 in Quebec, Canada, using administrative databases. We identified cases of hospital admission indicating an infection as main diagnosis on the hospital's discharge sheet. Up to 10 controls were randomly selected for each case. Association between oral VDRA use and risk of IRH was estimated using conditional logistic regression.ResultsWe identified 1136 cases of IRH and 10 396 controls during the study period. The intake of VDRA was not associated with the risk of being hospitalized due to an infection (odds ratio [OR], 1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.95–1.20). Using the prior 6‐month cumulative dose of VDRA, we also found that a cumulative VDRA dose of less than 45 mcg (OR, 1.05; 95%CI, 0.92–1.19) or greater than 45 mcg (OR, 1.15; 95%CI, 0.96–1.36) was not associated with the IRH risk.ConclusionsThe oral intake of VDRA was not associated with the risk of IRH in incident hemodialysis patients. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Local sequence of protein β‐strands influences twist and bend angles
Authors: Fujiwara Kazuo , Ebisawa Shinichi , Watanabe Yuka , Toda Hiromi , Ikeguchi Masamichi 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTβ‐Sheet twisting is thought to be mainly determined by interstrand hydrogen bonds with little contribution from side chains, but some proteins have large, flat β‐sheets, suggesting that side chains influence β‐structures. We therefore investigated the relationship between amino acid composition and twists or bends of β‐strands. We calculated and statistically analyzed the twist and bend angles of short frames of β‐strands in known protein structures. The most frequent twist angles were strongly negatively correlated with the proportion of hydrophilic amino acid residues. The majority of hydrophilic residues (except serine and threonine) were found in the edge regions of β‐strands, suggesting that the side chains of these residues likely do not affect β‐strand structure. In contrast, the majority of serine, threonine, and asparagine side‐chains in β‐strands made contacts with a nitrogen atom of the main chain, suggesting that these residues suppress β‐strand twisting. Proteins 2014; 82:1484–1493. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
PRIMSIPLR: Prediction of inner‐membrane situated pore‐lining residues for alpha‐helical transmembrane proteins
Authors: Nguyen Duy , Helms Volkhard , Lee Po‐Hsien 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTTransmembrane proteins such as transporters and channels mediate the passage of inorganic and organic substances across biological membranes through their central pore. Pore‐lining residues (PLRs) that make direct contacts to the substrates have a crucial impact on the function of the protein and, hence, their identification is a key step in mechanistic studies. Here, we established a nonredundant data set containing the three‐dimensional (3D) structures of 90 α‐helical transmembrane proteins and annotated the PLRs of these proteins by a pore identification software. A support vector machine was then trained to distinguish PLRs from other residues based on the protein sequence alone. Using sixfold cross‐validation, our best performing predictor gave a Matthews's correlation coefficient of 0.41 with an accuracy of 0.86, sensitivity of 0.61, and specificity of 0.89, respectively. We provide a novel software tool that will aid biomedical scientists working on transmembrane proteins with unknown 3D structures. Both standalone version and web service are freely available from the URL http://service.bioinformatik.uni-saarland.de/PRIMSIPLR/. Proteins 2014; 82:1503–1511. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Speed tracking control of surface‐mounted permanent‐magnet synchronous motor with unknown exosystem
Authors: Ping Zhaowu , Huang Jie 
Published: January 2014

SummaryThe surface‐mounted permanent‐magnet synchronous motor is a two‐input, two‐output nonlinear system. The multi‐input, multi‐output nature of the system has posed some specific challenges to various control methods. Recently, the robust output regulation problem of the system subject to a known neutrally stable exosystem was studied. The problem came down to a global robust stabilization problem of an augmented system composed of the original plant and an internal model. In this paper, we will further study the robust output regulation problem of the system subject to an unknown neutrally stable exosystem. Like in the case where the exosystem is known, the current problem can be solved by globally stabilizing an augmented system. But unlike in the case where the exosystem is known, the augmented system takes a much more complicated form because of uncertainty in the exosystem than the case where the exosystem is known. In particular, the dynamic uncertainty in the current augmented system contains linearly parameterized uncertainty, and hence is not input‐to‐state stable. By utilizing some dynamic coordinate transformation technique, and combining some robust control and adaptive control techniques, we will solve the problem via a recursive approach. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Attitudes About Internet Support Groups Among Adolescents and Young Adults with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 and their Parents
Authors: Martin Staci , Wolters Pamela L. , Baldwin Andrea , Roderick Marie Claire , Toledo‐Tamula Mary Anne , Gillespie Andrea , Widemann Brigitte 
Published: January 2014

AbstractYouth with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) have multiple, complex symptoms associated with physical, social‐emotional, and cognitive difficulties. In addition, caring for a child with NF1 can be extremely challenging for parents. Since research with other chronic illness populations suggests that social support, including internet support groups (ISGs), can be beneficial, this survey study aimed to determine the attitudes and preferences of adolescents and young adults with NF1 and parents of a child with NF1 regarding ISGs. Thirty patients and 30 caregivers completed a 24‐item survey about ISGs. Many patients and parents are not aware of any ISGs for NF1, but are interested in using one in the future for a variety of reasons, including to get answers to their questions about NF1, to find out about research studies, and to discuss problems and concerns about NF1. Specific concerns of interest include physical, social‐emotional, and cognitive aspects of NF1. ISGs have potential as a social support intervention within the NF1 community. ISGs for the NF1 population should include patients with NF1 (or parents of children with NF1) as well as a health professional, and both chat rooms and discussion boards likely would be well‐received.
Stair falls: Caregiver's “missed step” as a source of childhood fractures
Authors: Pennock Andrew T. , Gantsoudes George D. , Forbes Jennifer L. , Asaro Amanda M. , Mubarak Scott J. 
Published: January 2014

Background The purpose of this study was to describe fractures sustained by children and to analyze the associated costs when a caretaker falls down stairs while holding a child. Materials and methods Between 2004 and 2012, 16 children who sustained a fracture after a fall down stairs while being carried by a caregiver were identified. Parents/caregivers were interviewed to see how the fall occurred, and a cost analysis was performed. Results The average age of the patients was 14.5 months (7–51 months). The lower extremity was involved in 15 of 16 fractures, with 8 involving the femur. The majority were buckle fractures, but all diaphyseal femur fractures were spiral. Three patients required a reduction in the operating room. All fractures healed with cast immobilization. Five patients underwent skeletal surveys, as the treating physicians were concerned about potential child abuse. The average cost of treatment was $6785 (range $948–45,876). Detailed histories from the caregivers showed that they “missed a step” due to the child being carried in front of the caregiver, obscuring their vision. Conclusions A fall in a caregiver's arms while going down stairs can result in multiple orthopedic injuries. The costs of treating these injuries are not insignificant, and the suspicion of child abuse can be both costly and unnecessary in the case of a true accident. While descending the stairs with a child in their arms, the caregiver should hold the child to the side so as not to obscure their vision of the step with one arm, ideally holding the handrail with the other. Level of evidence IV case series.
Cognitive/affective and somatic/affective symptoms of depression in patients with heart disease and their association with cardiovascular prognosis: a meta-analysis
Authors: de Miranda Azevedo R. , Roest A. M. , Hoen P. W. , de Jonge P. 
Published: January 2014

BackgroundSeveral prospective longitudinal studies have suggested that somatic/affective depressive symptoms, but not cognitive/affective depressive symptoms, are related to prognosis in patients with heart disease, but findings have been inconsistent. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of cognitive/affective and somatic/affective symptoms of depression with cardiovascular prognosis in patients with heart disease using a meta-analytic perspective.MethodA systematic search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE and PsycInfo. Thirteen prospective studies on symptom dimensions of depression and cardiovascular prognosis fulfilled the inclusion criteria, providing data on a total of 11 128 subjects. The risk estimates for each dimension of depressive symptoms, demographic and methodological variables were extracted from the included articles.ResultsIn least-adjusted analyses, both the somatic/affective [hazard ratio (HR) 1.30, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.19–1.41, p < 0.001] and cognitive/affective (HR 1.07, 95% CI 1.00–1.15, p = 0.05) dimensions of depressive symptoms were associated with cardiovascular prognosis. In fully adjusted analyses, somatic/affective symptoms were significantly associated with adverse prognosis (HR 1.19, 95% CI 1.10–1.29, p < 0.001) but cognitive/affective symptoms were not (HR 1.04, 95% CI 0.97–1.12, p = 0.25). An increase of one standard deviation (±1 s.d.) in the scores of the somatic/affective dimension was associated with a 32% increased risk of adverse outcomes (HR 1.32, 95% CI 1.17–1.48, p < 0.001).ConclusionsSomatic/affective depressive symptoms were more strongly and consistently associated with mortality and cardiovascular events in patients with heart disease compared with cognitive/affective symptoms. Future research should focus on the mechanisms by which somatic/affective depressive symptoms may affect cardiovascular prognosis.
Procedural learning across modalities in French-speaking children with specific language impairment
Authors: GABRIEL AUDREY , MEULEMANS THIERRY , PARISSE CHRISTOPHE , MAILLART CHRISTELLE 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTIt has been suggested that the language problems encountered in specific language impairment (SLI) arise from basal ganglia abnormalities that lead to impaired procedural memory. However, recent serial reaction time (SRT) studies did not reveal any differences between the SLI and typically developing (TD) groups on the measures of procedural memory linked to visual sequence learning. In this paper, 16 children with and without SLI were compared on two versions of SRT tasks: a visual task and an auditory one. The results showed that children with SLI were as fast as their TD peers in both modalities. All of the children obtained similar specific sequence learning indices, indicating that they were able to detect regularities in both modalities. Although children with SLI were as accurate as their TD peers for the visual SRT task, they made more errors than their TD peers in auditory SRT conditions. The results indicate that, in relation to procedural memory, the core of the impairment in SLI is not linked to difficulties in the detection of regularities. We argue that when children with SLI present some difficulties, the children's weaknesses might depend on the type of processing involved (e.g., tasks involving auditory sequences).
Labiatae of South-West Asia: diversity, distribution and endemism
Authors: Hedge I. C. 
Published: January 2014

SynopsisThe Labiatae of SW Asia arc analysed. There is a major development of the family in this area with c. 1100 species, much morphological diversity, many illuminating distribution patterns and very high endemism levels; species endemism averages over 70% in the medium-sized and large genera. Areas of high concentrations of endemic taxa are indicated. The very significant differences between the Labiate floras of Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan throw doubt on designating all the steppic part of the area as Irano-Turanian; there is a strong Mediterranean floristic connection throughout much of Turkey and little evidence of Irano-Turanian influence. There are numerous taxonomically very isolated genera and species; some of these genera have very restricted distributions, a few are almost cosmopolitan.
The subalpine thorn-cushion formations of western South-West Asia: ecology, structure and zonation
Authors: Kürschner Harald 
Published: January 2014

SynopsisThe distribution and ecological characteristics of the thorn-cushion formations (Tragacanthic vegetation) in the western part of SW Asia are discussed. The typical structure of this formation is illustrated by 2 examples from the mountains of the Antilebanon. These show a clear zonation in relation to the growth form. This, and the available micro-climatological data, show that thorn-cushions reach their ecological optimum on windswept slopes and hill tops. This growth form is obviously an adaptation for sites exposed to strong winds. Taxa with this growth form have a competitive advantage in such habitats.