bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Salivary levels of phosphorus and urea as indices of their plasma levels in nephropathic patients
Authors: Bilancio Giancarlo , Cavallo Pierpaolo , Lombardi Cinzia , Guarino Ermanno , Cozza Vincenzo , Giordano Francesco , Palladino Giuseppe , Cirillo Massimo
Published: March 2018

Background

Phosphorus and urea are measurable in saliva. Measurements of saliva phosphorus (S‐Pho) and saliva urea (S‐Urea) could be useful because of low invasivity. Data are limited to saliva tests methodology and to correlations between plasma and saliva compositions. S‐Pho and S‐Urea were investigated focusing on blind duplicates, differences between collection sites, differences between collection times, freezing‐thawing effects, and plasma‐saliva correlations.

Methods

Tests were performed using fresh saliva collected by synthetic swap early morning after overnight fast (standard). Methodology was investigated in fifteen healthy volunteers. Plasma‐saliva correlations were investigated in thirty nephropathic outpatients.

Results

S‐Pho and S‐Urea in all measurements ranged above detection limits (0.3 mmol/L). In healthy volunteers, S‐Pho and S‐Urea were similar in duplicates (results for S‐Pho and S‐Urea: % difference between samples ≤ 4.85%; R between samples ≥ .976, P < .001), in samples from different mouth sites (≤4.24%; R ≥ .887, P < .001), and in samples of different days (≤5.61%; R ≥ .606, P < .01) but, compared to standard, were substantially lower in after‐breakfast samples (−28.0% and −21.3%; R ≥ .786, P < .001) and slightly lower in frozen‐thawed samples (−12.4% and −5.92%; R ≥ .742, P < .001). In nephropathic patients, S‐Pho was higher than but correlated with plasma phosphorus (saliva/plasma ratio 4.80; R = .686, P < .001), whereas S‐Urea and plasma urea were similar and correlated with each other (saliva/plasma ratio 0.96; R = .944, P < .001). Post‐dialysis changes in S‐Pho and S‐Urea paralleled post‐dialysis changes in plasma phosphorus and urea.

Conclusion

S‐Pho and S‐Urea reflect plasma phosphorus and plasma urea. Early morning fasting fresh samples are advisable because collection time and freezing‐thawing affect saliva tests.
Socioeconomic status, multiple autonomy support attunement, and early adolescents' social development
Authors: Simões Francisco , Calheiros Maria Manuela , Alarcão e Silva Madalena Moutinho
Published: March 2018

This study explores the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES), multiple autonomy support attunement (MASA), and social development indicators (antisocial behavior, prosociality, and self‐regulation), considering the concurrent effects of structural (gender and age) and social factors (social networks’ size and orientation). MASA describes patterns of autonomy support provided by different sources, which, in this case, were parents, teachers, and mentors. Participants were 645 adolescents (mean = 12.30; standard deviation = .60; 55.35% girls). Using latent class analysis, a 4‐class solution for MASA presented the best fit. A generalized linear model approach revealed that lower SES was associated with greater antisocial behavior, while MASA was linked to improved prosociality and self‐regulation when youths were included in a high‐attuned multiple autonomy support class, compared to other MASA classes. Thus, optimal levels of MASA can represent an asset for training, implementation, and assessment stages of interventions aimed at improving early adolescents’ positive social development.
Neighborhood disadvantage, residents' distress, and online social communication: Harnessing Twitter data to examine neighborhood effects
Authors: Booth Jaime M. , Lin Yu‐Ru , Wei Kai
Published: March 2018

This study aims to examine the role of place‐based online social communications in buffering the relationship between neighborhood disadvantage and psychological distress using geo‐located Twitter feeds. We collected 1,981,802 geo‐tagged tweets posted within the physical boundaries of 78 neighborhoods located in Pittsburgh for 16 consecutive months, beginning July 15, 2013. Psychological distress was measured using sentiments expressed in tweets, and within‐ and between‐neighborhood online social communications were assessed using users’ Twitter activity. This study reveals differential effects of within‐ and between‐neighborhood online social communications. More online social communications within a neighborhood were associated with increased psychological sadness, anxiety, and distress in high‐poverty neighborhoods; a relationship that was not found in low‐poverty neighborhoods. This study suggests the buffering effects of online social communications may follow the same patterns as off‐line social support in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Considering the interactions between online spaces and neighborhoods may be important for planning and implementing neighborhood‐level interventions.
Information‐seeking tactics and sense of workplace community in Korea
Authors: Shin Yongjun , Park Hee Sun , Han Seung Soo , Chang Woo‐Sung
Published: March 2018

This research examined how information‐seeking tactics and sense of workplace community are related to one another. Data from Korea showed that workers (n = 314) who preferred overt tactics of seeking information (i.e., direct questioning) also reported a stronger sense of workplace community. Information types and sources did not moderate the relationship between information‐seeking tactics and sense of workplace community. Information types, however, moderated the relationship between importance of information and sense of workplace community and the relationship between coworker availability as an information source and sense of workplace community.
Bully victimization, depression, and the role of protective factors among college LGBTQ students
Authors: Moran Theresa E. , Chen Cliff Yung‐Chi , Tryon Georgiana Shick
Published: March 2018

This study surveyed 347 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning college students from across the United States concerning their bully victimization, depressive symptoms, and sources of support. Participants responded to an online survey that asked them about their victimization experiences during the 3 months prior to the survey. The results indicate that four types of bully victimization (verbal, relational, cyber, and physical) occur during the college years, and that victimization relates positively to depressive symptomatology in sexual minority college students. The 4 forms of bullying did not relate to depression in the same manner for each of the 5 sexual minority subgroups. Peer support, but not family and campus support, provided a buffer against depression for lesbian, gay, and bisexual students. This study involved a sample exclusively comprising sexual minority college students, and the findings show the need for colleges to address bully victimization and its effects in this population.
The Loss of Loss Aversion: Will It Loom Larger Than Its Gain?
Authors: Gal David , Rucker Derek D.
Published: March 2018

Loss aversion, the principle that losses loom larger than gains, is among the most widely accepted ideas in the social sciences. The first part of this article introduces and discusses the construct of loss aversion. The second part of this article reviews evidence in support of loss aversion. The upshot of this review is that current evidence does not support that losses, on balance, tend to be any more impactful than gains. The third part of this article aims to address the question of why acceptance of loss aversion as a general principle remains pervasive and persistent among social scientists, including consumer psychologists, despite evidence to the contrary. This analysis aims to connect the persistence of a belief in loss aversion to more general ideas about belief acceptance and persistence in science. The final part of the article discusses how a more contextualized perspective of the relative impact of losses versus gains can open new areas of inquiry that are squarely in the domain of consumer psychology.
Culturally Contingent Cravings: How Holistic Thinking Influences Consumer Responses to Food Appeals
Authors: Hildebrand Diogo , Harding R. Dustin , Hadi Rhonda
Published: March 2018

While prior literature has often conceptualized Eastern consumers as archetypes of resolute discipline and self‐control, the authors of this manuscript demonstrate that holistic thinking (a well‐established characteristic of Eastern culture) can pose a liability to consumers’ self‐control efforts by increasing their desire for indulgent foods under certain conditions. Specifically, this research reveals that when an indulgent food is advertised with a cue that sets the occasion for consumption (i.e., an occasion‐setting cue), holistic (vs. analytic) thinking increases craving and subsequent purchase likelihood for the featured product. Evidence for this effect is found across three studies using both self‐reported and physiological measures of craving. Furthermore, the effect holds regardless of whether holistic thinking is measured or manipulated. Finally, this research provides evidence for the underlying mechanism and establishes important boundary conditions for the interactive effect.
Some Hedonic Consequences of Perspective‐Taking in Recommending
Authors: Yeomans Michael
Published: March 2018

What do people enjoy about making recommendations? Although recommendation recipients can gain useful information, the value of these exchanges for the information provider is less clear in comparison. In this article we test whether a common recommendation heuristic—egocentric projection—also has hedonic consequences, by conducting experiments that compare recommendations (suggestions for another person) to reviews, in which people merely express their own preferences. Over five studies, people preferred reviewing over recommending. Recommenders enjoyed themselves less when they had to take their recipients' perspective, to the extent that the recipients' tastes were different from their own. These results suggest that self‐expression can be intrinsically rewarding for recommendation makers, and that recommendation seekers can elicit more information by asking for reviews instead.
Intensification and microbial pathways of simultaneous nitrification–denitrification in a sequencing batch biofilm reactor for seawater‐based saline wastewater treatment
Authors: Lu Yi , Feng Lijuan , Yang Guangfeng , Yang Qiao , Zhang Xiaoling , Mu Jun
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND

The optimum condition and potential mechanism of simultaneous nitrification–denitrification (SND) in a sequencing batch biofilm reactor (SBBR) have not been fully classified under salinity stress using real coastal seawater. In this study, a SBBR system under salinity stress was operated to optimize SND performance by changing the intermittent aeration intensity and drainage ratio (DR), and the microbial pathway of optimum SND was examined.

RESULTS

Results showed that the increase in salinity with coastal seawater ratio of no more than 50% obviously decreased SND efficiency from 66.4 ± 7.3% to 51.3 ± 7.4% mainly due to the decline of denitrification activity. The optimum SND performance of 68.1 ± 7.6% was observed when dissolve oxygen (DO) level decreased from 5.55 ± 0.31 mg L−1to 2.21 ± 0.42 mg L−1 in the aerobic phase of intermittent aeration and DR increased from 0.14 to 0.23. More functional bacteria including anoxic and aerobic denitrifiers coexisted under the optimum condition. Also, heterotrophic nitrifiers rather than autotrophic nitrifiers mainly contributed to nitrification under salinity stress in the optimum system.

CONCLUSIONS

A SBBR system showed efficient SND under salinity stress by control of DR and intermittent aeration intensity due to the enhancement of functional bacteria including anoxic and aerobic denitrifiers and heterotrophic nitrifiers. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Prevalence and risk factors of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in Bangladesh
Authors: Alam Shahinul , Fahim Shah Mohammad , Chowdhury Muhammad Abdul Baker , Hassan Md. Zakiul , Azam Golam , Mustafa Golam , Ahsan Mainul , Ahmad Nooruddin
Published: March 2018

Background and Aim

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a significant cause of hepatic dysfunction and liver‐related mortality. As there is a lack of population‐based prevalence data in a representative sample of general population, we aimed to estimate the prevalence and risk factors of NAFLD in Bangladesh.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted both in urban and rural areas of Bangladesh from December 2015 to January 2017. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire followed by ultrasonography of hepatobiliary system for screening of NAFLD. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate the risk factors of NAFLD.

Results

A total of 2782 (1694 men and 1088 women) participants were included in the study, with a mean age of 34.21 (±12.66) years. The overall prevalence of NAFLD was 33.86% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 32.12, 35.64). Females living in the rural areas and midlife adults (45–54 years) had the highest prevalence of NAFLD (P < 0.05). Multivariable logistic regression model demonstrated that increasing age, diabetes, elevated body mass index, and married individuals are significantly associated with NAFLD. Individuals with diabetes (adjusted odds ratio: 2.71, 95% CI: 1.85, 3.97) and hypertension were at a higher risk of having NAFLD. The odds of having NAFLD were 4.51 (95% CI: 3.47, 5.86) and 10.71 (95% CI: 7.80, 14.70) times higher among overweight and obese participants, respectively, as compared to normal‐weight participants.

Conclusions

About one‐third of the population of Bangladesh is affected by NAFLD. Individuals with higher body mass index (overweight and obese), diabetics, midlife adults, married individuals, and rural women were more at risk of having NAFLD than others.
Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with autoimmune hepatitis
Authors: Takahashi Atsushi , Arinaga‐Hino Teruko , Ohira Hiromasa , Abe Kazumichi , Torimura Takuji , Zeniya Mikio , Abe Masanori , Yoshizawa Kaname , Takaki Akinobu , Suzuki Yoshiyuki , Kang Jong‐Hon , Nakamoto Nobuhiro , Fujisawa Tomoo , Tanaka Atsushi , Takikawa Hajime ,   Japan AIH Study Group (JAIHSG)
Published: March 2018

Background and Aim

The incidence of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing all over the world. NAFLD develops in patients with liver disease, including patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). NAFLD and AIH have some similar laboratory and histological findings. The aim of this study was to elucidate the characteristics of AIH patients with NAFLD.

Methods

We re‐evaluated the nationwide survey performed in Japan in 2015 of AIH patients diagnosed between 2009 and 2013.

Results

A total of 1151 subjects (144 men and 1007 women) were enrolled in the present study. The overall prevalence of NAFLD was 17.0%. Compared to AIH without NAFLD, AIH patients with NAFLD had the following characteristics: (i) low female‐to‐male ratio, (ii) older age, (iii) mild elevation in hepatobiliary enzymes, (iv) histologically progressive fibrosis and mild plasma cell infiltration or mild lobular hepatitis, (v) lower prevalence of prednisolone administration and higher prevalence of ursodeoxycholic acid administration, (vi) higher levels of hepatic enzymes and immunoglobulin G after treatment, and (vii) similar prevalence of autoimmune and malignant complications.

Conclusion

AIH patients with NAFLD have many features that are different from AIH patients without NAFLD. Understanding these differences is essential for the proper diagnosis and treatment of AIH patients with NAFLD.
Implementation of a patient safety program at a tertiary health system: A longitudinal analysis of interventions and serious safety events
Authors: Cropper Douglas P. , Harb Nidal H. , Said Patricia A. , Lemke Jon H. , Shammas Nicolas W.
Published: March 2018

Background

We hypothesize that implementation of a safety program based on high reliability organization principles will reduce serious safety events (SSE).

Methods

The safety program focused on 7 essential elements: (a) safety rounding, (b) safety oversight teams, (c) safety huddles, (d) safety coaches, (e) good catches/safety heroes, (f) safety education, and (g) red rule. An educational curriculum was implemented focusing on changing high‐risk behaviors and implementing critical safety policies. All unusual occurrences were captured in the Midas system and investigated by risk specialists, the safety officer, and the chief medical officer. A multidepartmental committee evaluated these events, and a root cause analysis (RCA) was performed. Events were tabulated and serious safety event (SSE) recorded and plotted over time. Safety success stories (SSSs) were also evaluated over time.

Results

A steady drop in SSEs was seen over 9 years. Also a rise in SSSs was evident, reflecting on staff engagement in the program. The parallel change in SSEs, SSSs, and the implementation of various safety interventions highly suggest that the program was successful in achieving its goals.

Conclusion

A safety program based on high‐reliability organization principles and made a core value of the institution can have a significant positive impact on reducing SSEs.
Frontline Science: IL-18 primes murine NK cells for proliferation by promoting protein synthesis, survival, and autophagy
Authors: El-Darawish Yosif , Li Wen , Yamanishi Kyosuke , Pencheva Magdalena , Oka Naoto , Yamanishi Hiromichi , Matsuyama Tomohiro , Tanaka Yoshimasa , Minato Nagahiro , Okamura Haruki
Published: March 2018

Combined stimulation by IL-2 and IL-18 effectively promotes proliferation of NK cells, whereas singular stimulation does not. In this study, synergistic effects of these cytokines on NK cells proliferation was analyzed, focusing on the roles of IL-18. In splenic resting NK cells from IL-18KO mice, IL-18 rapidly activated NF-κB independently of IL-2, and activated or up-regulated various molecules downstream of PI3K/AKT and mTOR, including S6, Bcl-XL, ATG5, and LC3II, accompanying increases in cell growth and survival. Thus, IL-18 alone was revealed to augment various cellular processes (gene transcription, protein synthesis, survival) in the absence or presence of IL-2. Notably, combined IL-18 and IL-2 promoted autophagosome formation. In addition, priming NK cells with IL-18 augmented IL-2R, especially CD25, and enabled cells to respond to IL-2, resulting in activation of STAT3 and STAT5, followed by increase of cyclin B1 leading to proliferation. However, IL-2 alone failed to activate STAT3 or STAT5 in resting IL18KO NK cells. These results clarify the distinct roles of IL-2 and IL-18 in NK cell proliferation, and the intrinsic roles of IL-18 in various cellular processes, suggesting a range of functions of IL-18 expressed in an array of nonhematopoietic cells.

IL-18 is critical factor for induction of cell growth and priming of NK cells for proliferation by induction of various cellular processes.
Apoptotic cells trigger the ABCA1/STAT6 pathway leading to PPAR-γ expression and activation in macrophages
Authors: Kim Myeong-Joo , Lee Ye-Ji , Yoon Young-So , Kim Minsuk , Choi Ji Ha , Kim Hee-Sun , Kang Jihee Lee
Published: March 2018

The signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) transcription factor activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ)-regulated gene expression in immune cells. We investigated proximal membrane signaling that was initiated in macrophages after exposure to apoptotic cells that led to enhanced PPAR-γ expression and activity, using specific siRNAs for ABCA1, STAT6, and PPAR-γ, or their antagonists. The interactions between mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages or RAW 264.7 cells and apoptotic Jurkat cells, but not viable cells, resulted in the induction of STAT6 phosphorylation as well as PPAR-γ expression and activation. Knockdown of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) after the transfection of macrophages with ABCA1-specific siRNAs reduced apoptotic cell-induced STAT6 phosphorylation as well as PPAR-γ mRNA and protein expression. ABCA1 knockdown also reduced apoptotic cell-induced liver X receptor α (LXR-α) mRNA and protein expression. Moreover, inhibition of STAT6 with specific siRNAs or the pharmacological inhibitor AS1517499AS reversed the induction of PPAR-γ, LXR-α, and ABCA1 by apoptotic Jurkat cells. PPAR-γ-specific siRNAs or the PPAR-γ antagonist GW9662 inhibited apoptotic cell-induced increases in LXR-α and ABCA1 mRNA and protein levels. Thus, these results indicate that apoptotic cells trigger the ABCA1/STAT6 pathway, leading to the activation of the PPAR-γ/LXR-α/ABCA1 pathway in macrophages.
Commercial scale production of RvD4 opens the resolving door to new research
Authors: Edin Matthew L , Zeldin Darryl C
Published: March 2018

Treatment with exogenous RvD4 reveals pro-resolving actions and suggests future therapies for treatment of acute inflammatory diseases.
Downregulated eosinophil activity in ulcerative colitis with concomitant primary sclerosing cholangitis
Authors: Lampinen Maria , Fredricsson Annika , Vessby Johan , Martinez Johana Fernandez , Wanders Alkwin , Rorsman Fredrik , Carlson Marie
Published: March 2018

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic bile duct inflammation strongly connected to ulcerative colitis (UC). PSC is associated with an increased risk of colon cancer, but the link between the intestinal and the bile duct inflammation is still unknown. Also, the involvement of intestinal immune cells in the pathogenesis of PSC remains to be determined. The eosinophil granulocyte is one of the immune cells implicated in the inflammatory process of ulcerative colitis. This study was performed to determine how the accumulation and activation of intestinal eosinophils may differ between UC with and without concomitant PSC, and how this may be influenced by the cytokine/chemokine profile of the intestinal compartment. Eosinophils from peripheral blood and multiple parts of the colon were analyzed by flow cytometry. The intestinal level of inflammatory mediators was assessed using a multiplex proximity extension assay and a quantitative immunoassay. We found that colonic eosinophils were more abundant in both UC and PSC-UC compared with controls, but that their expression of activation markers was significantly increased in UC only. The colonic level of pro-inflammatory cytokines was increased in active UC but not in PSC-UC. In conclusion, we show for the first time that eosinophil activation phenotype discriminates between UC and PSC-UC, and that this may depend on the local cytokine profile of the colonic mucosa.

Lower expression of activation markers on eosinophils in UC with concomitant PSC may depend on the local protein profile of the colonic mucosa.
Leukocyte extracellular vesicle concentration is inversely associated with liver fibrosis severity in NAFLD
Authors: Welsh Joshua A , Scorletti Eleonora , Clough Geraldine F , Englyst Nicola A , Byrne Christopher D
Published: March 2018

The enhanced liver fibrosis (LFS) score and the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) fibrosis score (NFS) are algorithmic-derived scores for diagnosing severe (F3/F4) liver fibrosis. In a pilot, substudy of the Wessex Evaluation of fatty Liver and Cardiovascular markers in NAFLD with OMacor thErapy (WELCOME) trial, we tested whether measurements of plasma platelet-, endothelial-, and leukocyte-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) counts are (a) associated with, and predict, F3/F4 fibrosis and (b) able to improve risk prediction of F3/F4 fibrosis in NAFLD, building upon LFS or NFS algorithms. Twenty-six individuals with NAFLD had liver fibrosis severity determined by Kleiner scoring after liver biopsy. Plasma samples stained with CD41a, CD42b, CD31, CD105, CD14, CD16, and CD284 antibodies were analyzed using flow cytometry to measure platelet-, endothelial-, and leukocyte-derived EVs counts. The independence of associations between EVs and F3/F4 fibrosis were tested using logistic regression. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate F3/F4 fibrosis prediction models. LFS was more strongly associated with F3/F4 fibrosis than NFS (χ2 = 15.403, P < 0.0001, and χ2 = 6.300, P = 0.012, respectively). The association between LFS and F3/F4 fibrosis was further improved by addition of CD14+ EVs (χ2 = 20.847, P = 0.016 vs. χ2 = 12.803 P = 0.015, respectively) or CD16+ EVs (χ2 = 22.205, P = 0.009 vs. χ2 = 17.559 P = 0.001, respectively), and the area under the ROC for LFS (AUC = 0.915, se = 0.055, P = 0.001) was increased by the addition of CD14+ or CD16+ EVs (AUC = 0.948, se = 0.042, and P < 0.001 and AUC = 0.967, se = 0.055, P < 0.001, respectively) as predictor variables. In this small preliminary study, CD14+ and CD16+ EV counts show potential to predict liver fibrosis severity with either marker improving the ability of the LFS to identify F3/F4 fibrosis in this small preliminary cohort study.

In a small preliminary study, leukocyte extracellular vesicles show an inverse association with liver fibrosis in NAFLD, warranting their further investigation as biomarkers.
A novel Tc‐99m and fluorescence‐labeled arginine‐arginine‐leucine‐containing peptide as a multimodal tumor imaging agent in a murine tumor model
Authors: Kim Myoung Hyoun , Kim Seul‐Gi , Kim Dae‐Weung
Published: March 2018

We developed a Tc‐99m and TAMRA‐labeled peptide, Tc‐99m arginine‐arginine‐leucine (RRL) peptide (TAMRA‐GHEG‐ECG‐RRL), to target tumor cells and evaluated the diagnostic performance of Tc‐99m TAMRA‐GHEG‐ECG‐RRL as a dual‐modality imaging agent for tumor in a murine model. TAMRA‐GHEG‐ECG‐RRL was synthesized using Fmoc solid‐phase peptide synthesis. Binding affinity and in vitro cellular uptake studies were performed. Gamma camera imaging, biodistribution, and ex vivo imaging studies were performed in murine models with PC‐3 tumors. Tumor tissue slides were prepared and analyzed with immunohistochemistry using confocal microscopy. After radiolabeling procedures with Tc‐99m, Tc‐99m TAMRA‐GHEG‐ECG‐RRL complexes were prepared in high yield (>96%). The Kd of Tc‐99m TAMRA‐GHEG‐ECG‐RRL determined by saturation binding was 41.7 ± 7.8 nM. Confocal microscopy images of PC‐3 cells incubated with TAMRA‐GHEG‐ECG‐RRL showed strong fluorescence in the cytoplasm. Gamma camera imaging revealed substantial uptake of Tc‐99m TAMRA‐GHEG‐ECG‐RRL in tumors. Tumor uptake was effectively blocked by the coinjection of an excess concentration of RRL. Specific uptake of Tc‐99m TAMRA‐GHEG‐ECG‐RRL was confirmed by biodistribution, ex vivo imaging, and immunohistochemistry stain studies. In conclusion, in vivo and in vitro studies revealed substantial uptake of Tc‐99m TAMRA‐GHEG‐ECG‐RRL in tumors. Tc‐99m TAMRA‐GHEG‐ECG‐RRL has potential as a dual‐modality tumor imaging agent.
Understanding the mode of binding mechanism of doripenem to human serum albumin: Spectroscopic and molecular docking approaches
Authors: Maryam Lubna , Sharma Ashima , Azam Mohd W. , Khan Shahper N. , Khan Asad U.
Published: March 2018

The infections caused by multidrug resistant bacteria are widely treated with carabapenem antibiotics as a drug of choice, and human serum albumin (HSA) plays a vital role in binding with drugs and affecting its rate of delivery and efficacy. So, we have initiated this study to characterize the mechanism of doripenem binding and to locate its site of binding on HSA by using spectroscopic and docking approaches. The binding of doripenem leads to alteration of the environment surrounding Trp‐214 residue of HSA as observed by UV spectroscopic study. Fluorescence spectroscopic study revealed considerable interaction and complex formation of doripenem and HSA as indicated by Ksv and Kq values of the order of 104 M−1 and 1012 M−1 s−1, respectively. Furthermore, doripenem quenches the fluorescence of HSA spontaneously on a single binding site with binding constant of the order of 103 M−1, through an exothermic process. Van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonding are the major forces operating to stabilize HSA‐doripenem complex. Circular dichroism spectroscopic study showed changes in the structure of HSA upon doripenem binding. Drug displacement and molecular docking studies revealed that the binding site of doripenem on HSA is located on subdomain IB and III A. This study concludes that, due to significant interaction of doripenem on either subdomain IB or IIIA of HSA, the availability of doripenem on the target site may be compromised. Hence, there is a possibility of unavailability of threshold amount of drug to be reached to the target; consequently, resistance may develop in the bacterial population.
Seed point discontinuity‐based segmentation method for the substantia nigra and the red nucleus in quantitative susceptibility maps
Authors: Guo Tian , Song Yang , Li Jianqi , Fan Mingxia , Yan Xu , He Andi , Huang Dongya , Shen Chaomin , Zhang Guixu , Yang Guang
Published: March 2018

Background

The automatic segmentation of cerebral nuclei in the quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) images can provide assistance for surgical treatment and pathological mechanism studies. However, as the most frequently used segmentation method, the atlas method provides unsatisfactory results when segmenting the substantia nigra (SN) and the red nucleus (RN).

Purpose

To propose and evaluate an improved automatic method based on seed points‐discontinuity for segmentations of the SN and the RN in QSM images.

Study Type

Prospective.

Subjects

In all, 22 subjects, 11 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), and 11 healthy subjects (mean age of 68.0 ± 6.9 years) underwent MR scans.

Field Strength/Sequence

3T system and a 3D multiecho gradient echo sequence with monopolar readout gradient.

Assessment

Manual segmentations by two radiologists (both with over 10 years of experience in neuroimaging) were used to establish a baseline for assessment. The Dice coefficient and the center‐of‐gravity distance was employed to evaluate the segmentation accuracy.

Statistical Tests

The mean value and standard deviation of the Dice coefficient and center‐of‐gravity distance were calculated separately to compare segmentation results from the proposed method, the level set method, the atlas method (including the single‐atlas method and the multi‐atlas majority voting method).

Results

The statistical results of Dice coefficient of the SN and the RN between the ground truth and the segmentation were 0.79 ± 0.14 and 0.77 ± 0.06 for the proposed method, 0.40 ± 0.10 and 0.65 ± 0.09 for the level set method, 0.68 ± 0.09 and 0.64 ± 0.07 for the single‐atlas method, 0.70 ± 0.06 and 0.68 ± 0.05 for the multi‐atlas majority voting method, respectively. The proposed method also provides the lowest center‐of‐gravity distance value (1.05 ± 0.71 for the SN and 0.74 ± 0.35 for the RN).

Data Conclusion

The segmentation results of the proposed method performed well on the in vivo data and were closer to the manual segmentation than the atlas method.

Level of Evidence: 1

Technical Efficacy: Stage 1

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;48:1112–1119.
Comparison between 3D isotropic and 2D conventional MR arthrography for diagnosing rotator cuff tear and labral lesions: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Lee Sun Hwa , Yun Seong Jong , Jin Wook , Park So Young , Park Ji Seon , Ryu Kyung Nam
Published: March 2018

Background

Although 3D‐isotropic MR arthrography has been characterized as a substitute imaging tool for rotator cuff tear (RCT) and labral lesions, it has not been commonly used in clinical practice because of controversy related to image blurring and indistinctness of structural edges.

Purpose

To perform a comparison of the diagnostic performance of 3D‐isotropic MR arthrography and 2D‐conventional MR arthrography for diagnosis of RCT (solely RCT, full/partial‐thickness supraspinatus [SST]‐infraspinatus [IST] tear, or subscapularis [SSc] tear) and labral lesions.

Study Type

Meta‐analysis.

Population

Patients with shoulder pain.

Field Strength/Sequence

3D‐isotropic and 2D‐conventional MR arthrography at 3.0T or 1.5T.

Assessment

PubMed and EMBASE were searched following the PRISMA guidelines.

Statistical Tests

Bivariate modeling and hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic modeling were performed to compare the overall diagnostic performance of 3D‐isotropic and 2D‐conventional MR arthrography. Multiple‐subgroup analyses were performed for diagnosing RCT, full/partial‐thickness SST‐IST tear, SSc tear, and labral lesions. Meta‐regression analyses were performed according to subject, study, and MR arthrography characteristics including 3D‐isotropic sequences (turbo spine echo [TSE] vs. gradient echo [GRE]).

Results

Eleven studies (825 patients) were included. Overall, 3D‐isotropic MR arthrography had similar pooled sensitivity (0.90 [95% CI, 0.87–0.93]) (P = 0.95) and specificity (0.92 [95% CI, 0.87–0.95]) (P = 0.99), relative to 2D‐conventional MR arthrography (sensitivity, 0.91 [95% CI, 0.86–0.94]); specificity, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.87–0.95]). Multiple‐subgroup analyses showed that sensitivities (P = 0.13–0.91) and specificities (P = 0.26–0.99) on 3D‐isotropic MR arthrography for diagnosing RCT, full/partial‐thickness SST‐IST tear, SSC tear, and labral lesions were not significantly different from 2D‐conventional MR arthrography. On meta‐regression analysis, 3D‐TSE sequence demonstrated higher sensitivity (P < 0.01) than 3D‐GRE for RCT and labral lesions.

Data Conclusion

3D‐isotropic MR arthrography can replace 2D‐conventional MR arthrography. 3D‐isotropic MR arthrography using TSE sequence is recommended for more accurate diagnosis, as it demonstrates increased sensitivity.

Level of Evidence: 2

Technical Efficacy: Stage 3

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;48:1034–1045.
Prospective comparison of PI‐RADS version 2 and qualitative in‐house categorization system in detection of prostate cancer
Authors: Gaur Sonia , Harmon Stephanie , Mehralivand Sherif , Bednarova Sandra , Calio Brian P. , Sugano Dordaneh , Sidana Abhinav , Merino Maria J. , Pinto Peter A. , Wood Bradford J. , Shih Joanna H. , Choyke Peter L. , Turkbey Baris
Published: March 2018

Background

Prostate Imaging‐Reporting and Data System v. 2 (PI‐RADSv2) provides standardized nomenclature for interpretation of prostate multiparametric MRI (mpMRI). Inclusion of additional features for categorization may provide benefit to stratification of disease.

Purpose

To prospectively compare PI‐RADSv2 to a qualitative in‐house system for detecting prostate cancer on mpMRI.

Study Type

Prospective.

Population

In all, 338 patients who underwent mpMRI May 2015–May 2016, with subsequent MRI/transrectal ultrasound fusion‐guided biopsy.

Field Strength

3T mpMRI (T2W, diffusion‐weighted [DW], apparent diffusion coefficient [ADC] map, b‐2000 DWI acquisition, and dynamic contrast‐enhanced [DCE] MRI).

Assessment

One genitourinary radiologist prospectively read mpMRIs using both in‐house and PI‐RADSv2 5‐category systems.

Statistical Test

In lesion‐based analysis, overall and clinically significant (CS) tumor detection rates (TDR) were calculated for all PI‐RADSv2 and in‐house categories. The ability of each scoring system to detect cancer was assessed by area under receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC). Within each PI‐RADSv2 category, lesions were further stratified by their in‐house categories to determine if TDRs can be increased by combining features of both systems.

Results

In 338 patients (median prostate‐specific antigen [PSA] 6.5 [0.6–113.6] ng/mL; age 64 [44–84] years), 733 lesions were identified (47% tumor‐positive). Predictive abilities of both systems were comparable for all (AUC 76–78%) and CS cancers (AUCs 79%). The in‐house system had higher overall and CS TDRs than PI‐RADSv2 for categories 3 and 4 (P < 0.01 for both), with the greatest difference between the scoring systems seen in lesions scored category 4 (CS TDRs: in‐house 65%, PI‐RADSv2 22.1%). For lesions categorized as PI‐RADSv2 = 4, characterization of suspicious/indeterminate extraprostatic extension (EPE) and equivocal findings across all mpMRI sequences contributed to significantly different TDRs for both systems (TDR range 19–75%, P < 0.05).

Data Conclusion

PI‐RADSv2 behaves similarly to an existing validated system that relies on the number of sequences on which a lesion is seen. This prospective evaluation suggests that sequence positivity and suspicion of EPE can enhance PI‐RADSv2 category 4 cancer detection.

Level of Evidence: 1

Technical Efficacy: Stage 3

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:1326–1335.
Variable impact of CSF flow suppression on quantitative 3.0T intracranial vessel wall measurements
Authors: Cogswell Petrice M. , Siero Jeroen C.W. , Lants Sarah K. , Waddle Spencer , Davis L. Taylor , Gilbert Guillaume , Hendrikse Jeroen , Donahue Manus J.
Published: March 2018

Background

Flow suppression techniques have been developed for intracranial (IC) vessel wall imaging (VWI) and optimized using simulations; however, simulation results may not translate in vivo.

Purpose

To evaluate experimentally how IC vessel wall and lumen measurements change in identical subjects when evaluated using the most commonly available blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow suppression modules and VWI sequences.

Study Type

Prospective.

Population/Subjects

Healthy adults (n = 13; age = 37 ± 15 years) were enrolled.

Field Strength/Sequence

A 3.0T 3D T1/proton density (PD)‐weighted turbo‐spin‐echo (TSE) acquisition with post‐readout anti‐driven equilibrium module, with and without Delay‐Alternating‐with‐Nutation‐for‐Tailored‐Excitation (DANTE) was applied. DANTE flip angle (8–12°) and TSE refocusing angle (sweep = 40–120° or 50–120°) were varied.

Assessment

Basilar artery and internal carotid artery (ICA) wall thicknesses, CSF signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR), and signal ratio (SR) were assessed. Measurements were made by two readers (radiology resident and board‐certified neuroradiologist).

Statistical Tests

A Wilcoxon signed‐rank test was applied with corrected two‐sided P < 0.05 required for significance (critical P = 0.008, 0.005, and 0.05 for SNR/CNR, SR, and wall thickness, respectively).

Results

A TSE pulse sweep = 40–120° and sweep = 50–120° provided similar (P = 0.55) CSF suppression. Addition of the DANTE preparation reduced CSF SNR from 17.4 to 6.7, thereby providing significant (P < 0.008) improvement in CSF suppression. The DANTE preparation also resulted in a significant (P < 0.008) reduction in vessel wall SNR, but variable vessel wall to CSF CNR improvement (P = 0.87). There was a trend for a difference in blood SNR with vs. without DANTE (P = 0.05). The outer vessel wall diameter and wall thickness values were lower (P < 0.05) with (basilar artery 4.45 mm, 0.81 mm, respectively) vs. without (basilar artery 4.88 mm, 0.97 mm, respectively) DANTE 8°.

Data Conclusion

IC VWI with TSE sweep = 40–120° and with DANTE flip angle = 8° provides the best CSF suppression and CNR of the approaches evaluated. However, improvements are heterogeneous, likely owing to intersubject vessel pulsatility and CSF flow variations, which can lead to variable flow suppression efficacy in these velocity‐dependent modules.

Level of Evidence: 2

Technical Efficacy: Stage 1

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;48:1120–1128.
Comparison between patients with norovirus‐related gastroenteritis and asymptomatic carriers with respect to distribution of antibody‐complexed viral particles and intestinal flora
Authors: Mori Kohji , Konishi Noriko , Suzuki Yasunori , Harada Sachiko , Maeda Masako , Akase Satoru , Obata Hiromi , Monma Chie , Nagano Miyuki , Kimoto Kana , Oda Mayuko , Somura Yoshiko , Hirai Akihiko , Shinkai Takayuki , Noda Mamoru , Sadamasu Kenji
Published: March 2018

Asymptomatic carriers have a major influence on the spreading of norovirus infections. The objective of this study was to examine the characteristics of patients and asymptomatic carriers affected by norovirus‐related community gastroenteritis outbreaks. No significant difference between the two groups was observed in terms of the number of norovirus‐antibody complexes with respect to total numbers. Principal coordinates analysis of the intestinal flora based on β‐diversity analysis, revealed a different bacterial composition between patients and asymptomatic carriers, particularly regarding the genera Pseudomonas, Bacteroides, and Erwinia, as well as the Ruminococcaceae family. Although the proportional changes between these intestinal microorganisms were not sufficient to explain gastroenteritis symptoms, they represent possible markers shared by asymptomatic norovirus carriers.
Relationship between serum quantitative HBsAg and HBV DNA levels in chronic hepatitis B patients
Authors: Yang Na , Feng Jin , Zhou Taicheng , Li Zhuoran , Chen Zhengyu , Ming Kaihua , Liang Guangtie , Lei Xiu‐xia , Xu Bang‐Lao
Published: March 2018

Serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) level has been developed as an important marker to predict treatment outcome recent years. The authors aimed to identify the correlation between quantitative HBsAg and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA level in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients and explore whether quantitative HBsAg can be used as a surrogate marker of serum HBV DNA for CHB patients. One hundred seventy‐three patients were included in this study. Patients were divided into two groups: Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positive and negative patients. There was a positive correlation between quantitative HBsAg and HBV DNA level in HBeAg positive patients (r = 0.509, P < 0.001) and poor correlation in HBeAg negative patients (r = 0.176, P = 0.096). Interestingly, completely no correlation (r = −0.01, P = 0.994) was found in younger HBeAg negative patients (<40 years old), whereas in older HBeAg negative patients (>40 years old) there is a positive correlation (r = 0.448, P = 0.003). Mean HBsAg titer and Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level were significantly higher in HBeAg positive group (3.81 log10 IU/mL; 105 IU/mL) than in negative group (2.85 log10 IU/mL; 32 IU/mL) (P <  0.001). We concluded that quantitative HBsAg could reflect HBV DNA level in HBeAg positive patients, but could not surrogate for HBV DNA level in HBeAg negative patients. Our study improves understanding of the relationship between HBsAg titers and HBV DNA levels in CHB patient and may have implications for future treatment algorithms evaluating the HBsAg titers in both HBeAg positive and negative patients.
Sequence analysis‐based characterization and identification of neurovirulence‐associated variants of 36 EV71 strains from China
Authors: Xu Jun , Wang Fang , Zhao Desheng , Liu Jiang , Su Hong , Wang Baolong
Published: March 2018

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is the main pathogen of hand‐foot‐mouth disease (HFMD) and causes several neurological complications. As new strains of EV71 are constantly discovered, it is important to understand the genomic characteristics of the viruses and the mechanism of virulence. Herein, we isolated five strains of EV71 from HFMD patients with or without neurovirulence and sequenced their whole genomes. We then performed whole genome sequence analysis of totally 36 EV71 strains. The phylogenetic analysis of the VP1 region revealed all five isolated strains are clustered into C4a of C4 subgenotype. In addition, by comparing the complete genome sequences of 36 strains, 253 variable amino acid positions were found, 14 of which were identified to be associated with neurovirulence (P < 0.05). Moreover, a similar pattern of amino acid variants combination was identified in four strains without neurovirulence, indicating this type of variant pattern might be associated with avirulence. The strains with neurovirulence appeared to be distinguished from those without neurovirulence by the variants in VP1 and P2 regions, implying VP1 and P2 are the important regions associated with neurovirulence. Indeed, 3‐D modeling of VP1 and P2 regions of non‐neurovirulent and neurovirulent strains revealed that the different variants resulted in different protein structures and amino acid composition of ligand binding site, which might account for their difference in neurovirulence. In summary, our study reveals 14 variable amino acid positions of VP1, P2 and P3 regions are related to the virulence and that mutations in the capsid proteins of EV71 might contribute to neurovirulence.
A perfectly matched layer formulation based on auxiliary differential equations for truncating radial point interpolation method meshless domains
Authors: de Oliveira Rodrigo M. S. , Brandão Marcelo B. S. , Sousa Washington
Published: March 2018

An auxiliary‐differential equation perfectly matched layer formulation is developed for the first time for truncating radial point interpolation method meshless domains. Absorption parameters are optimized, producing maximum relative reflection error of −84.14 dB when 10 layers are used. The developed formulation is also validated by calculating the radar cross section of a metallic cylindrical scatterer, which has a known analytical solution.
A review of weakly conditional stable finite‐difference time‐domain method for modeling electromagnetic problems with fine structures
Authors: Chen Juan , Mai Huanxiao
Published: March 2018

The finite‐difference time‐domain (FDTD) method has been proven to be an effective tool for simulating varieties of electromagnetic interaction problems. However, because the Courant‐Friedrich‐Levy condition must be satisfied in this method, its maximum time step size is limited by the minimum size of cell used in the computational domain. So, the FDTD method is inefficient to analyze the electromagnetic problem, which has very fine structures. To deal with this problem, the weakly conditional stable (WCS)‐FDTD method is developed. In the WCS‐FDTD method, the confinement of the fine spatial meshes on the time step size is removed by using the hybrid implicit explicit difference in the directions with fine structures. So, this method has much higher computational efficiency than the FDTD method and is extremely useful for the problems that have fine structures in 2 directions. In this paper, the fundamental theory, including the basic formulations, time stability condition, dispersion error, and absorbing boundary condition of the WCS‐FDTD method are presented. Some applications and important developments of this method are provided, and future possibilities of this method are discussed.
Evaluation of the atrial substrate based on low‐voltage areas and dominant frequencies after pulmonary vein isolation in nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation
Authors: Kumagai Koji , Minami Kentaro , Sugai Yoshinao , Oshima Shigeru
Published: March 2018

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the atrial substrate in the left atrium (LA) by low‐voltage areas (LVAs) and high‐dominant frequencies (DFs) after circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods

In 70 patients with nonparoxysmal AF patients (41 persistent AF), LA voltage maps were created during sinus rhythm by external cardioversion after PVI and DF mapping. The patients were divided into AF‐free and AF‐recurrent groups.

Results

The AF freedom rate without antiarrhythmic drugs was 69.0% after PVI after 1 procedure during a 12‐month follow‐up. There was a significant difference in the LVA (<0.5 mV)/LA surface area after PVI between the AF‐free and AF‐recurrent groups (15% vs 23%, P = .033). AF freedom was significantly greater in those with LVAs of ≤24% than in those with LVAs of >24% during 12 months of follow‐up (78.6% vs 53.8%, Log‐rank test P = .020). Fifty‐six (72%) of the 78 high‐DF sites (≥8 Hz) overlapped with LVAs. Thirty‐one (55%) of 56 high‐DF sites overlapped with LVAs that existed at LVA border zones. There were no significant differences in number of high‐DF sites that overlapped with LVAs in the LA between the two groups. However, in persistent AF patients, the max‐DF value in the LA exhibited a significant difference between the two groups (P = .008).

Conclusions

LVAs were associated with AF recurrences after PVI in nonparoxysmal AF patients and overlapped with many high‐DF sites. PVI alone may be enough to treat patients with mild‐to‐moderate extent (≤24%) of LVAs.