bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of human papillomavirus infection in women in Bulgaria: A 2017 update
Authors: Kovachev Stefan , Slavov Victor
Published: February 2018

The distribution and prevalence of 33 high‐, medium‐, and low‐risk HPV genotypes were surveyed in women aged between 15 and 54 years and with normal cytology in the biggest cities and regions in Bulgaria (viz., Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, and Burgas) and in two smaller communities (viz., Pleven and Vidin). This survey was also intended to update previous data collected in 2012 and to assess the results of a national campaign to immunize all 12‐year‐old girls against HPV, which was also started in 2012. The GenoFlow HPV Array Test Kit was used to analyze HPV status in cervical samples collected in 2012‐2016 from 5277 women who had visited 47 gynecological clinics across the study sites. HPV infection was confirmed in 1570 (29.8%). The most common infecting genotype was HPV‐16, which was detected in 687 women (13%), followed by HPV‐56 in 333 women (6.3%), HPV‐33 in 209 cases (4%), and HPV‐31 in 190 subjects (3.6%). This is the second study to assess the prevalence of HPV infection in larger Bulgarian cities including the capital and to draw attention to the unusually high proportion of specific infecting genotypes.
Resveratrol derivative‐rich melinjo seed extract induces healing in a murine model of established periodontitis
Authors: Ikeda Eri , Ikeda Yuichi , Wang Yongqiang , Fine Noah , Sheikh Zeeshan , Viniegra Ana , Barzilay Oriyah , Ganss Bernhard , Tenenbaum Howard C. , Glogauer Michael
Published: February 2018

Background

Products of internal defense systems, like pro‐inflammatory cytokines, reactive oxygen species, and leukocytes, are released which attack periodontal bacteria in periodontitis, but at the same time, lead to tissue destruction as well. We hypothesize that resveratrol derivative‐rich melinjo seed extract (MSE), an edible plant extract that has antioxidant properties, should promote healing of periodontal bone loss and modulating immune‐inflammatory systems that leads periodontal tissue destruction.

Methods

We used an experimentally induced periodontitis (EP) model in mice. Ligatures were placed first for development of EP (15 days). MSE was intraperitoneally administrated (0.001% (w/w)) to reverse bone loss that had already occurred in established EP and mice were then sacrificed (day 17, 20 and 22).

Results

Morphometric outcomes revealed lower bone‐loss in the MSE groups compared to control. Immunohistochemistry assays demonstrated lower oxidative stress in MSE groups. MSE also inhibited M‐CSF/sRANKL mediated osteoclast formation and down‐regulated osteoclast activity.

Conclusions

Treatment with MSE in EP actually caused healing of bone, and these effects are probably related to decreases in local oxidative damage and osteoclast activity. Given MSE's positive effects on osteodifferentiation as well, these findings suggest that MSE could be a useful therapeutic agent for the management of periodontitis.
Multivariate approaches for stability control of the olive oil reference materials for sensory analysis – part II: applications
Authors: Valverde‐Som Lucia , Ruiz‐Samblás Cristina , Rodríguez‐García Francisco P , Cuadros‐Rodríguez Luis
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUND

The organoleptic quality of virgin olive oil depends on positive and negative sensory attributes. These attributes are related to volatile organic compounds and phenolic compounds that represent the aroma and taste (flavour) of the virgin olive oil. The flavour is the characteristic that can be measured by a taster panel. However, as for any analytical measuring device, the tasters, individually, and the panel, as a whole, should be harmonized and validated and proper olive oil standards are needed.

RESULTS

In the present study, multivariate approaches are put into practice in addition to the rules to build a multivariate control chart from chromatographic volatile fingerprinting and chemometrics. Fingerprinting techniques provide analytical information without identify and quantify the analytes. This methodology is used to monitor the stability of sensory reference materials.

CONCLUSION

The similarity indices have been calculated to build multivariate control chart with two olive oils certified reference materials that have been used as examples to monitor their stabilities. This methodology with chromatographic data could be applied in parallel with the ‘panel test’ sensory method to reduce the work of sensory analysis. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Near‐infrared spectroscopic models for analysis of winter pea (Pisum sativumL.) quality constituents
Authors: Saha Uttam , Vann Rachel A , Chris Reberg‐Horton S , Castillo Miguel S , Mirsky Steven B , McGee Rebecca J , Sonon Leticia
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUND

Winter pea (Pisum sativumL.) grows well in a wide geographic region, both as a forage and cover crop. Understanding the quality constituents of this crop is important for both end uses; however, analysis of quality constituents by conventional wet chemistry methods is laborious, slow and costly. Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) is a precise, accurate, rapid and cheap alternative to using wet chemistry for estimating quality constituents. We developed and validated NIRS calibration models for constituent analysis of this crop.

RESULTS

Of the 11 constituent models developed, nine constituents including moisture, dry‐matter, total‐nitrogen, crude protein, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, AD‐lignin, cellulose and non‐fibrous carbohydrate had low standard errors and a high coefficient of determination (R2= 0.88–0.98; 1 – VR, which is the coefficient of determination during cross‐validation = 0.77–0.92) for both calibration and cross‐validation, indicating their potential for quantitative predictability. The calibration models for ash (R2= 0.65; 1 – VR = 0.46) and hemicellulose (R2= 0.75; 1 – VR = 0.50) also appeared to be adequate for qualitative screening. Predictions of an independent validation set yielded reliable agreement between the NIRS predicted values and the reference values with low standard error of prediction (SEP), low bias, high coefficient of determination (r2= 0.82‐0.95), high ratios of performance to deviation (RPD = SD/SEP; 2.30–3.85) and high ratios of performance to interquartile distance (RPIQ = IQ/SEP; 2.57–7.59) for all 11 constituents.

CONCLUSION

Precise, accurate and rapid analysis of winter pea for major forage and cover crop quality constituents can be performed at a low cost using the NIRS calibration models developed. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Influence of the feed pipe position of an industrial scale two‐phase decanter on extraction efficiency and chemical‐sensory characteristics of virgin olive oil
Authors: Caponio Francesco , Squeo Giacomo , Brunetti Lucio , Pasqualone Antonella , Summo Carmine , Paradiso Vito M , Catalano Pasquale , Bianchi Biagio
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUND

Nowadays, olive oil extraction is basically achieved by means of two‐phase decanters, which allow a reduction of water consumption and the leaching of phenolic compounds. Despite this, most of the working settings derive from studies carried out on three‐phase decanters. Hence, the aim of the present study was to assess the influence of two‐phase decanter feed pipe position (FP) on the extraction efficiency and chemical‐sensory characteristics of virgin olive oil. Three different positions were considered: at 825 mm (FP1), 610 mm (FP2) and 520 mm (FP3) from the outlet of the oily phase.

RESULTS

Position FP3 allowed the highest oil recovery (up to 10%), the lowest percentage of oil in the olive pomace and, in general, a regular trend in terms of oil extraction efficiency. However, the oily must that came out of the decanter was not completely clean in terms of residual content of solid sediment and water. The feeding position partially affected the profile of antioxidant compounds.

CONCLUSION

In two‐phase decanters, loading the olive paste close to the outlet of the oily phase is recommended to increase the extraction efficiency without jeopardizing the chemical‐sensory characteristics of virgin olive oil. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of Irpex lacteus, Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus cystidiosus pretreatment of corn stover on its improvement of the in vitro rumen fermentation
Authors: Zuo Sasa , Niu Dongze , Zheng Mingli , Jiang Di , Tian Pengjiao , Li Rongrong , Xu Chuncheng
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUND

The present work investigated changes in corn stover pretreated with different white rot fungi. Corn stover was inoculated with Irpex lacteus, Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus cystidiosus prior to incubation under solid‐state fermentation conditions at 28 °C for 42 days. Changes in the chemical composition, in vitro rumen degradability, lignocellulolytic enzyme activity and multi‐scale structure of the corn stover were analysed.

RESULTS

Content of all lignocellulose components decreased to a certain extent after fungal pretreatment. The total gas production of sterilized corn stover treated with I. lacteus for 42 days increased from 200 to 289 mL g−1 organic matter. Moreover, the cellulase activity was highest at the later stage of I. lacteus pretreatment. Multi‐scale structural analysis indicated that white rot fungal pretreatment, and in particular that of I. lacteus, increased and enlarged substrate porosity and caused changes in the structure of corn stover.

CONCLUSION

Irpex lacteus pretreatment improved the nutritional value of corn stover as a ruminant feed by degrading both cellulose and acid‐insoluble lignin as well as changing the structure of the cell walls. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Starch digestibility: past, present, and future
Authors: Bello‐Perez Luis A , Flores‐Silva Pamela C , Agama‐Acevedo Edith , Tovar Juscelino
Published: February 2018

In the last century, starch present in foods was considered to be completely digested. However, during the 1980s, studies on starch digestion started to show that besides digestible starch, which could be rapidly or slowly hydrolysed, there was a variable fraction that resisted hydrolysis by digestive enzymes. That fraction was named resistant starch (RS) and it encompasses those forms of starch that are not accessible to human digestive enzymes but can be fermented by the colonic microbiota, producing short‐chain fatty acids. RS has been classified into five types, depending on the mechanism governing its resistance to enzymatic hydrolysis. Early research on RS was focused on the methods to determine its content in foods and its physiological effects, including fermentability in the large intestine. Later on, due to the interest of the food industry, methods to increase the RS content of isolated starches were developed. Nowadays, the influence of RS on the gut microbiota is a relevant research topic owing to its potential health‐related benefits. This review summarizes over 30 years of investigation on starch digestibility, its relationship with human health, the methods to produce RS and its impact on the microbiome. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
From Robinia pseudoacacia L. nectar to Acacia monofloral honey: biochemical changes and variation of biological properties
Authors: Gismondi Angelo , De Rossi Silvia , Canuti Lorena , Novelli Silvia , Di Marco Gabriele , Fattorini Laura , Canini Antonella
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUND

Robinia pseudoacacia L. nectar and its derivative monofloral honey were systematically compared in this study, to understand how much the starting solution reflected the final product, after re‐elaboration by Apis mellifera ligustica Spinola.

RESULTS

Subjected to dehydration in the hive, nectar changed in its water and sugar content when transformed into honey, as physicochemical and gas chromatographic–mass spectrometric analyses revealed. Spectrophotometric measurements and characterization by high‐performance liquid chromatography–diode array detection of 18 plant molecules demonstrated honey to be richer than nectar in secondary metabolites. For the first time, the hypothesis of the existence of a nectar redox cycle in R. pseudoacacia was reported, as previously described for Nicotiana sp., based on 1D‐protein profiles, western blot analysis and detection of H2O2 and ascorbate. The bioactivity of both matrices was also investigated. Antiradical in vitro tests showed that Acacia honey was more antioxidant than nectar, which was even able to induce oxidative stress directly in a eukaryotic cell system. Antimicrobial assays demonstrated that nectar was bacteriostatic, due to H2O2 activity, whereas honey was even bactericidal.

CONCLUSION

All these data support the ecological role of nectar and honey in nature: protection of the gynoecium from pathogens and preservation from degradative processes, respectively. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Ultrasound improving the physical stability of oil‐in‐water emulsions stabilized by almond proteins
Authors: Zhu Zhenbao , Zhao Cui , Yi Jianhua , Cui Leqi , Liu Ning , Cao Yungang , Decker Eric Andrew
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUND

Vegetable proteins are increasingly used to stabilize oil‐in‐water (O/W) emulsions. However, emulsions are thermodynamically unstable. Recently, high‐intensity ultrasound (US) has been used to enhance the stability of emulsions. For these reasons, and considering almond (Prunus dulcis L.) as a good source of high‐quality proteins, the aim of this work was to investigate the effect of US treatment on the stability of pre‐emulsification O/W emulsions coated with almond protein isolate (API).

RESULTS

The influence of API concentration (0.25–2.0 g L−1), ion strength (0–500 mmol L−1 NaCl), and pH (3.0–7.0) on the stability of US‐treated emulsions was evaluated. US treatment (200–600 W, 25 kHz, 15 min) led to a significant reduction in the particles size of droplets in emulsions, increased critical osmotic pressure and additional protein interfacial adsorption, and thus the formation of more stable emulsions. The more unfolded and random coil structures of the proteins were detected at higher US power, facilitating protein interfacial adsorption. Increasing API concentrations resulted in higher stability of US‐treated emulsions against untreated counterparts. The US‐treated emulsions were more resistant to salt than untreated samples. In the range from pH 3.0 to7.0, US treatment also enhanced the physical stability of emulsions compared with untreated emulsions.

CONCLUSION

US technology could be applied to produce more stable O/W food emulsions stabilized by proteins. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Upper airway obstruction in neonates: Does sleep exacerbate symptoms?
Authors: Van Heest Tyler , Ebert Bridget , Roby Brianne Barnett , Sidman James
Published: February 2018

Objective

Describe the factors that exacerbate upper airway obstructions (UAOs) in neonates.

Study Design

Retrospective chart review.

Setting

Pediatric tertiary care hospital.

Subjects and Methods

All neonates hospitalized between 1/1/2010 and 12/31/2014 diagnosed with either: 1) laryngomalacia, 2) Pierre Robin sequence, or 3) vocal cord paralysis were included in this study. Patient charts were reviewed to determine factors that exacerbated symptoms of airway obstruction. The independent variable was patient diagnosis, and the outcome measure was exacerbating factors.

Results

In patients with laryngomalacia (n = 31), 41.9% worsened with agitation, 38.7% worsened with feeding, 16.1% worsened with positioning, 0.0% worsened during sleep, and 25.8% had no aggravating factors. In Pierre‐Robin patients (n = 31), 48.4% worsened with agitation, 16.1% worsened with feeding, 61.3% worsened with positional changes, 0.0% worsened during sleep, and 12.9% had no aggravating factors. In vocal cord paralysis patients (n = 25), 72.0% worsened with agitation, 8.0% worsened with feeding, 20.0% worsened with positional changes, 4.0% worsened during sleep, and 24.0% had no aggravating factors.

Conclusion

Airway obstruction was not reliably exacerbated during sleep for any of the diagnoses studied in this review. Our findings show that agitation exacerbates airway obstruction in most patients with vocal cord paralysis, and positioning exacerbates airway obstruction in the majority of patients with PRS. Aggravating factors in laryngomalacia are variable. These findings question the utility of polysomnography as a diagnostic tool for hospitalized neonates with these conditions.

Level of Evidence

4.
Radical solutions: Principles and application of electron‐based dissociation in mass spectrometry‐based analysis of protein structure
Authors: Lermyte Frederik , Valkenborg Dirk , Loo Joseph A. , Sobott Frank
Published: February 2018

In recent years, electron capture (ECD) and electron transfer dissociation (ETD) have emerged as two of the most useful methods in mass spectrometry‐based protein analysis, evidenced by a considerable and growing body of literature. In large part, the interest in these methods is due to their ability to induce backbone fragmentation with very little disruption of noncovalent interactions which allows inference of information regarding higher order structure from the observed fragmentation behavior. Here, we review the evolution of electron‐based dissociation methods, and pay particular attention to their application in “native” mass spectrometry, their mechanism, determinants of fragmentation behavior, and recent developments in available instrumentation. Although we focus on the two most widely used methods—ECD and ETD—we also discuss the use of other ion/electron, ion/ion, and ion/neutral fragmentation methods, useful for interrogation of a range of classes of biomolecules in positive‐ and negative‐ion mode, and speculate about how this exciting field might evolve in the coming years.
Reconstruction of the plantar toe with a distal reverse instep sensory island flap
Authors: Hosseinian Mohammad Ali , Gharibi Loron Ali , Nemati Honar Behzad
Published: February 2018

Background

Plantar toe ulcers are a challenging surgical problem. There are several methods for reconstruction, but no attention has been given to the preservation of sensation. This report proposes a method to provide protective sensation for the reconstructed area.

Patients and Methods

The ulcers of seven patients ranged from 2 × 3 to 7 × 3 cm with defects of the plantar first toe and distal metatarsus, including four burns, a trauma, a diabetic ulcer, and a neuropathy injury reconstructed with a distal reverse instep sensory island (DRISI) flap. The patients were 21‐38 years old. The second metatarsus medial nerve was co‐opted using the end‐to‐side method to the adjacent lateral nerve, then its proximal stump provided the donor nerve for the sensation of the flap. Patients were assessed in terms of protective sensory functions, including touch, pain, dermatomeric somatosensory‐evoked potentials (SEP), thermal sensation and Semmes‐Weinstein monofilament (SWM) light touch.

Results

The flaps ranged from 2 × 3 to 7 × 3 cm. All transferred flaps to the plantar first toe survived. No complications were observed at the donor and flap sites. Patients were followed‐up 8–24 months. Except for two cases, all nerves of the donor and flap sites exhibited protective sensation, including positive SEP responses between 44 and 50 ms and positive SWM responses ≤ 3.84.

Conclusion

The DRISI flap can be used for the reconstruction of various plantar first toe defects with acceptable protective sensation. End‐to‐side neurorrhaphy provides a sensory nerve end to subsequent end to end co‐optation to the flap nerve for protective sensation.
Cholesterol Absorption and Synthesis in Vegetarians and Omnivores
Authors: Lütjohann Dieter , Meyer Sven , von Bergmann Klaus , Stellaard Frans
Published: February 2018

Scope

Vegetarian diets are considered health‐promoting; however, a plasma cholesterol lowering effect is not always observed. We investigate the link between vegetarian‐diet‐induced alterations in cholesterol metabolism.

Methods and results

We study male and female omnivores, lacto‐ovo vegetarians, lacto vegetarians, and vegans. Cholesterol intake, absorption, and fecal sterol excretion are measured as well as plasma concentrations of cholesterol and noncholesterol sterols. These serve as markers for cholesterol absorption, synthesis, and catabolism. The biliary cholesterol secretion rate is estimated. Flux data are related to body weight. Individual vegetarian diet groups are statistically compared to the omnivore group. Lacto vegetarians absorb 44% less dietary cholesterol, synthesized 22% more cholesterol, and show no differences in plasma total and LDL cholesterol. Vegan subjects absorb 90% less dietary cholesterol, synthesized 35% more cholesterol, and have a similar plasma total cholesterol, but a 13% lower plasma LDL cholesterol. No diet‐related differences in biliary cholesterol secretion and absorption are observed. Total cholesterol absorption is lower only in vegans. Total cholesterol input is similar under all vegetarian diets.

Conclusions

Unaltered biliary cholesterol secretion and higher cholesterol synthesis blunt the lowered dietary cholesterol intake in vegetarians. LDL cholesterol is significantly lower only in vegans.
Improving chemical shift encoding‐based water–fat separation based on a detailed consideration of magnetic field contributions
Authors: Diefenbach Maximilian N. , Ruschke Stefan , Eggers Holger , Meineke Jakob , Rummeny Ernst J. , Karampinos Dimitrios C.
Published: February 2018

Purpose

To improve the robustness of existing chemical shift encoding‐based water–fat separation methods by incorporating a priori information of the magnetic field distortions in complex‐based water–fat separation.

Methods

Four major field contributions are considered: inhomogeneities of the scanner magnet, the shim field, an object‐based field map estimate, and a residual field. The former two are completely determined by spherical harmonic expansion coefficients directly available from the magnetic resonance (MR) scanner. The object‐based field map is forward simulated from air–tissue interfaces inside the field of view (FOV). The missing residual field originates from the object outside the FOV and is investigated by magnetic field simulations on a numerical whole body phantom. In vivo the spatially linear first‐order component of the residual field is estimated by measuring echo misalignments after demodulation of other field contributions resulting in a linear residual field. Gradient echo datasets of the cervical and the ankle region without and with shimming were acquired, where all four contributions were incorporated in the water–fat separation with two algorithms from the ISMRM water–fat toolbox and compared to water–fat separation with less incorporated field contributions.

Results

Incorporating all four field contributions as demodulation steps resulted in reduced temporal and spatial phase wraps leading to almost swap‐free water–fat separation results in all datasets.

Conclusion

Demodulating estimates of major field contributions reduces the phase evolution to be driven by only small differences in local tissue susceptibility, which supports the field smoothness assumption of existing water–fat separation techniques.
Retrospective multi‐phase non‐contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (ROMANCE MRA) for robust angiogram separation in the presence of cardiac arrhythmia
Authors: Kim Hahnsung , Park Suhyung , Kim Eung Yeop , Park Jaeseok
Published: February 2018

Purpose

To develop a novel, retrospective multi‐phase non‐contrast‐enhanced MRA (ROMANCE MRA) in a single acquisition for robust angiogram separation even in the presence of cardiac arrhythmia.

Methods

In the proposed ROMANCE MRA, data were continuously acquired over all cardiac phases using retrospective, multi‐phase flow‐sensitive single‐slab 3D fast spin echo (FSE) with variable refocusing flip angles, while an external pulse oximeter was in sync with pulse repetitions in FSE to record real‐time information on cardiac cycles. Data were then sorted into k‐bin space using the real‐time cardiac information. Angiograms were reconstructed directly from k‐bin space by solving a constrained optimization problem with both subtraction‐induced sparsity and low rank priors. Peripheral MRA was performed in normal volunteers with/without caffeine consumption and a volunteer with cardiac arrhythmia using conventional fresh blood imaging (FBI) and the proposed ROMANCE MRA for comparison.

Results

The proposed ROMANCE MRA shows superior performance in accurately delineating both major and small vessel branches with robust background suppression if compared with conventional FBI. Even in the presence of irregular heartbeats, the proposed method exhibits clear depiction of angiograms over conventional methods within clinically reasonable imaging time.

Conclusion

We successfully demonstrated the feasibility of the proposed ROMANCE MRA in generating robust angiograms with background suppression.
Phase‐correcting non‐local means filtering for diffusion‐weighted imaging of the spinal cord
Authors: Kafali Sevgi Gokce , Çukur Tolga , Saritas Emine Ulku
Published: February 2018

Purpose

DWI suffers from low SNR when compared to anatomical MRI. To maintain reasonable SNR at relatively high spatial resolution, multiple acquisitions must be averaged. However, subject motion or involuntary physiological motion during diffusion‐sensitizing gradients cause phase offsets among acquisitions. When the motion is localized to a small region, these phase offsets become particularly problematic. Complex averaging of acquisitions lead to cancellations from these phase offsets, whereas magnitude averaging results in noise amplification. Here, we propose an improved reconstruction for multi‐acquisition DWI that effectively corrects for phase offsets while reducing noise.

Theory and Methods

Each acquisition is processed with a refocusing reconstruction for global phase correction and a partial k‐space reconstruction via projection‐onto‐convex‐sets (POCS). The proposed reconstruction then embodies a new phase‐correcting non‐local means (PC‐NLM) filter. PC‐NLM is performed on the complex‐valued outputs of the POCS algorithm aggregated across acquisitions. The PC‐NLM filter leverages the shared structure among multiple acquisitions to simultaneously alleviate nuisance factors including phase offsets and noise.

Results

Extensive simulations and in vivo DWI experiments of the cervical spinal cord are presented. The results demonstrate that the proposed reconstruction improves image quality by mitigating signal loss because of phase offsets and reducing noise. Importantly, these improvements are achieved while preserving the accuracy of apparent diffusion coefficient maps.

Conclusion

An improved reconstruction incorporating a PC‐NLM filter for multi‐acquisition DWI is presented. This reconstruction can be particularly beneficial for high‐resolution or high‐b‐value DWI acquisitions that suffer from low SNR and phase offsets from local motion.
Unveiling a hidden 31P signal coresonating with extracellular inorganic phosphate by outer‐volume‐suppression and localized 31P MRS in the human brain at 7T
Authors: Ren Jimin , Shang Ty , Sherry A. Dean , Malloy Craig R.
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The study was undertaken to demonstrate that there is more than 1 component in the extracellular Pi 31P signal (
) acquired from human head using nonlocalized 31P MRS.

Methods

Outer‐volume‐suppression (OVS) saturation and 1D/2D 31P CSI were utilized to reveal the presence of an additional component in the
signal.

Results

67% of the head extracellular Pi signal was attenuated upon OVS saturation of the peripheral meningeal tissues, likely reflecting elimination of the Pi signal in the meningeal fluids (the blood and CSF). Localized 1D/2D CSI data provided further support for this assignment. Upon correction for the meningeal contribution, the extracellular Pi concentration was 0.51 ± 0.07 mM, whereas the intracellular Pi was 0.85 ± 0.10 mM. The extracellular pH was measured as 7.32 ± 0.04 when using OVS, as compared to 7.39 ± 0.03 when measured without OVS (N = 7 subjects).

Conclusion

The extracellular Pi signal acquired from the human head using nonlocalized 31P MRS contains a significant component likely contributed by peripheral blood and CSF in meninges that must be removed in order to use this signal as an endogenous probe for measuring extracellular pH and other properties in the brain.
Dynamic 2D self‐phase‐map Nyquist ghost correction for simultaneous multi‐slice echo planar imaging
Authors: Yarach Uten , Tung Yi‐Hang , Setsompop Kawin , In Myung‐Ho , Chatnuntawech Itthi , Yakupov Renat , Godenschweger Frank , Speck Oliver
Published: February 2018

Purpose

To develop a reconstruction pipeline that intrinsically accounts for both simultaneous multislice echo planar imaging (SMS‐EPI) reconstruction and dynamic slice‐specific Nyquist ghosting correction in time‐series data.

Methods

After 1D slice‐group average phase correction, the separate polarity (i.e., even and odd echoes) SMS‐EPI data were unaliased by slice GeneRalized Autocalibrating Partial Parallel Acquisition. Both the slice‐unaliased even and odd echoes were jointly reconstructed using a model‐based framework, extended for SMS‐EPI reconstruction that estimates a 2D self‐phase map, corrects dynamic slice‐specific phase errors, and combines data from all coils and echoes to obtain the final images.

Results

The percentage ghost‐to‐signal ratios (%GSRs) and its temporal variations for MB3Ry2 with a field of view/4 shift in a human brain obtained by the proposed dynamic 2D and standard 1D phase corrections were 1.37 ± 0.11 and 2.66 ± 0.16, respectively. Even with a large regularization parameter λ applied in the proposed reconstruction, the smoothing effect in fMRI activation maps was comparable to a very small Gaussian kernel size 1 × 1 × 1 mm3.

Conclusion

The proposed reconstruction pipeline reduced slice‐specific phase errors in SMS‐EPI, resulting in reduction of GSR. It is applicable for functional MRI studies because the smoothing effect caused by the regularization parameter selection can be minimal in a blood‐oxygen‐level–dependent activation map.
Spin‐lock imaging of 3‐o‐methyl‐D glucose (3oMG) in brain tumors
Authors: Zu Zhongliang , Jiang Xiaoyu , Xu Junzhong , Gore John C.
Published: February 2018

Purpose

To evaluate the ability of spin‐lock imaging to detect the uptake of 3‐o‐methyl‐D‐glucose (3oMG) in normal brain and brain tumors in animals.

Methods

Measurements of the longitudinal relaxation rate in the rotating frame (R1ρ) were made over a range of spin‐lock powers in rat brains bearing 9L tumors. The dispersion of R1ρ values was quantified by ΔR1ρ, the difference of R1ρ values acquired with low and high locking powers. The glucose analogue 3oMG was administered intravenously and the differences of ΔR1ρ values (
) before and as a function of time after administration were calculated to isolate the contribution of 3oMG to the dispersions, which at high fields primarily reflects chemical exchange effects. In addition, the ratio of image signals from low and high locking fields (the spin‐lock ratio, SLR), which requires fewer acquisitions and varies directly with ΔR1ρ, was computed as an alternative measure of the variation with locking power, and changes in SLR (SLRdiff) after 3oMG were evaluated.

Results

Both
and SLRdiff in tumors increased rapidly after injection, whereas intact brain showed a gradual increase up to 1 h. The
and SLRdiff were significantly different between tumors and contralateral normal tissues.

Conclusion

Spin‐lock methods can be used to detect 3oMG in vivo after injection, and appropriate analyses of MRI signals allow tumors to be distinguished from normal brain.
Feasibility of in vivo measurement of glucose metabolism in the mouse hypothalamus by 1H‐[13C] MRS at 14.1T
Authors: Lizarbe Blanca , Lei Hongxia , Duarte Joao M.N. , Lanz Bernard , Cherix Antoine , Gruetter Rolf
Published: February 2018

Purpose

Determine the feasibility of 1H‐[13C] MRS in the mouse hypothalamus using a 14.1T magnet.

Methods

We optimized the design of a 1H‐[13C] surface coil to maximize the signal‐to‐noise ratio of 1H‐[13C] MRS in the mouse hypothalamus. With enhanced signal, 13C accumulation in glucose metabolites was measured in a 8.7 µL voxel in the hypothalamus of 5 healthy mice during the continuous administration of [1,6‐13C2]glucose.

Results

Accumulation of 13C label in glucose C6 and lactate C3 was visible in the hypothalamus 11 min after glucose administration. The 13C fractional enrichment (FE) curves of lactate C3, glutamate and glutamine C4, glutamate+glutamine C3 and C2, GABA C2, C3, and C4, and aspartate C3 were measured with a time resolution of 11 min over 190 min. FE time‐courses and metabolic pool sizes were averaged to fit a novel one‐compartment model of brain energy metabolism that incorporates the main features of the hypothalamus.

Conclusion

Dynamic 1H‐[13C] MRS is able to measure in vivo brain metabolism in small and deep areas of the mouse brain such as the hypothalamus, and it can be used to calculate metabolic fluxes, including glutamatergic and GABAergic metabolism as well as the contribution of metabolic sources other than glucose.
Volumetric wireless coil based on periodically coupled split‐loop resonators for clinical wrist imaging
Authors: Shchelokova Alena V. , van den Berg Cornelis A.T. , Dobrykh Dmitry A. , Glybovski Stanislav B. , Zubkov Mikhail A. , Brui Ekaterina A. , Dmitriev Dmitry S. , Kozachenko Alexander V. , Efimtcev Alexander Y. , Sokolov Andrey V. , Fokin Vladimir A. , Melchakova Irina V. , Belov Pavel A.
Published: February 2018

Purpose

Design and characterization of a new inductively driven wireless coil (WLC) for wrist imaging at 1.5 T with high homogeneity operating due to focusing the B1 field of a birdcage body coil.

Methods

The WLC design has been proposed based on a volumetric self‐resonant periodic structure of inductively coupled split‐loop resonators with structural capacitance. The WLC was optimized and studied regarding radiofrequency fields and interaction to the birdcage coil (BC) by electromagnetic simulations. The manufactured WLC was characterized by on‐bench measurements and in vivo and phantom study in comparison to a standard cable‐connected receive‐only coil.

Results

The WLC placed into BC gave the measured
increase of the latter by 8.6 times for the same accepted power. The phantom and in vivo wrist imaging showed that the BC in receiving with the WLC inside reached equal or higher signal‐to‐noise ratio than the conventional clinical setup comprising the transmit‐only BC and a commercial receive‐only flex‐coil and created no artifacts. Simulations and on‐bench measurements proved safety in terms of specific absorption rate and reflected transmit power.

Conclusions

The results showed that the proposed WLC could be an alternative to standard cable‐connected receive coils in clinical magnetic resonance imaging. As an example, with no cable connection, the WLC allowed wrist imaging on a 1.5 T clinical machine using a full‐body BC for transmitting and receive with the desired signal‐to‐noise ratio, image quality, and safety.
Motor unit number index: Guidelines for recording signals and their analysis
Authors: Nandedkar Sanjeev D. , Barkhaus Paul E. , Stålberg Erik V. , Neuwirth Christoph , Weber Markus
Published: February 2018

Introduction: This study proposes guidelines for motor unit number index (MUNIX) recording and analysis. Methods: MUNIX was measured in control participants and in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Changes in MUNIX values due to E1 electrode position, number of surface electromyography interference pattern (SIP) epochs, SIP epoch duration, force of contraction, and outlier data points were investigated. Results: MUNIX depends on optimized compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude. Individual muscles showed variations when the number of epochs was low or when the SIP duration was short. Longer SIP duration allowed better recognition of artifacts. MUNIX results were affected by SIP values at all force levels but was more affected when SIP area was low. Discussion: We recommend changing the E1 electrode position to maximize CMAP amplitude. Twenty or more SIP signals of 500‐ms duration should be recorded by using force levels ranging from slight to maximum. Traces should be reviewed to identify and exclude signals with tremor or solitary spikes. Muscle Nerve 58: 374–380, 2018
The effect of tramadol on sneeze‐induced urethral continence reflex through μ‐opioid receptors in the spinal cord in rats
Authors: Ashikari Asuka , Miyazato Minoru , Kimura Ryu , Oshiro Takuma , Saito Seiichi
Published: February 2018

Aims

We examined the efficacy of tramadol on the urethral reflex during sneezing, as well as the role of µ‐opioid receptors in the spinal cord, in rats.

Methods

Forty‐one female Sprague‐Dawley rats were used. The rats were divided into normal female rats and rats with vaginal distension (VD), which mimics stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in humans. Under urethane anesthesia, the sneeze‐induced amplitude of urethral responses (AUR) and baseline pressure (BP) were examined after intravenous injection of tramadol using a microtransducer‐tipped catheter in both rat groups. The effect of intrathecal cyprodime, a selective µ‐opioid receptor antagonist, following intravenous tramadol injection was examined in normal rats. The tilt leak point pressure (tilt LPP) after intravenous tramadol injection was also evaluated in both groups.

Results

In normal rats, tramadol enhanced the AUR and BP by 33.2% and 19.5%, respectively. Tramadol also increased BP by 13.9% in rats with VD, but it did not change AUR. Intrathecal cyprodime alone did not change AUR, but it decreased BP. However, tramadol‐provoked increments in AUR were blocked by intrathecal cyprodime, while BP was recovered to the level that it was before administration of cyprodime. Tramadol was associated with a significant elevation in tilt LPP: 24.8% and 19.5% in normal and VD rats, respectively.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that tramadol effectively enhances the AUR at the spinal level and BP peripherally. Therefore, stimulation of the spinal µ‐opioid receptors may be useful for the treatment of SUI.
Enteral Nutrition: Options for Short‐Term Access
Authors: Pash Elizabeth
Published: February 2018

The preferred method of nutrition support in the presence of a functional gastrointestinal tract is enteral nutrition (EN). Many factors contribute to the selection process for the type of enteral access device to be used. Short‐term enteral access tubes are placed into the nares or, sometimes, orally, usually at bedside. The short‐term access provides a means to meet patient nutrient needs and can provide a chance to assess tolerance of the tube feedings if more permanent long‐term placement is determined to be required. Access for nutrition support does not come without a risk; it can be challenging, requiring an individualized approach for each patient. The selection type and access location can greatly impact the success of EN. The most advantageous tube choice must be determined carefully, taking into account the multiple considerations reviewed in this paper.
No More Sunburn
Authors: Reble Carina , Meinke Martina , Rass Jens
Published: February 2018

A UV‐LED based system was developed that allows to determine the sun protection factor (SPF) of sunscreen lotions in a non‐invasive way in vivo. This method is faster and reduces the medical risk for the test subjects
The Largest Eye That Humankind Has Cast into the Heavens
Authors: Knauer Doris , Dietzel Oliver
Published: February 2018

The resolution of earthbound telescopes can be improved by large primary mirrors, which can only be realized as segmented mirrors. In order for these giant mirrors to maintain their form despite the wind load and the effect of gravity, their individual segments require stiff drives that work with a large travel on the one hand and allow nanometer‐precise positioning on the other. So‐called hybrid drives that combine a spindle‐motor drive with a piezoelectric actuator are the optimum choice for meeting these requirements.
Knowledge corruption and governance in academic knowledge‐intensive organizations: The case of molecular mutations research
Authors: Okada Ellie
Published: February 2018

This paper aims to understand (a) what factors make academic knowledge‐intensive organizations (KIOs) susceptible to knowledge corruption and (b) when and how academic KIOs should introduce external governance of interdisciplinary academic knowledge production to ensure outcome quality. This study investigates molecular mutation research as an example of a body of research in which KIOs worked together with commercially motivated organizations and where this altered “ownership” claims made academic scientists less likely to focus on the truth. The paper presents propositions and hypotheses and conducts a retrospective study. The results contribute to governance frameworks of KIOs by providing evidence that questions into the prevailing arrangements for the academic science. Governance principles to be applied include the need for an overarching governance framework in which a field‐specific open approach with a methodological underpinning help to reduce corruptive forces.
Experimental and numerical investigations of kenaf natural fiber reinforced composite subjected to impact loading
Authors: Abu Seman Sareh Aiman Hilmi , Ahmad Roslan , Md Akil Hazizan
Published: February 2018

The aim of this work is to develop a Finite Element Model based on continuum damage mechanics to predict the structural response of Kenaf composite when subjected to high‐velocity impact. The stress–strain response of the Kenaf composite through the fiber direction was simulated to examine prediction accuracy of this simulation approach. A combined elastic‐damage material model, incorporating the 3D Hashin's failure criteria, was implemented into the ABAQUS/Explicit finite element code by user‐defined VUMAT material subroutines. The results from the model predictions were compared with experimental data obtained by SHPB compression testing. The developed Finite Element Model of the full‐scale test presented an accurate prediction of the strain waves in the bars and successfully replicated the structural impact response of Kenaf composite over the range of impact loadings studied. The model also provides a reasonably good agreement between numerical and experimental results on the effect of strain rate on the failure stress and failure strain. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:909–915, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Transparent and organosoluble cardo polyimides with different trans/cis ratios of 1,4‐diaminocyclohexane via aromatic nucleophilic substitution polymerization
Authors: Tang Yongmei , Li Lan , Ma Kai , Chen Guofei , Wang Wei , Fang Xingzhong
Published: February 2018

Two series of cardo polyimides were prepared from 1,4‐bis(4‐fluorophthalimide)cyclohexane with different trans/cis ratios and phenolphthalein/o‐cresolphthalein via aromatic nucleophilic substitution reaction. The inherent viscosities of the synthesized polymers were found to be 0.55–0.66 dL g−1 in N,N′‐dimethylacetamide. The cardo polyimides showed excellent solubility in organic solvents, high glass transition temperatures (Tg) of 275–312 °C and moderate thermal stability with 5% weight loss temperatures (Td5%) of 415–441 °C in nitrogen and 370–436 °C in air. The polyimide films exhibited high optical transparency with cut‐off wavelengths of 350–355 nm and moderate mechanical properties. The different properties of the polymers caused by trans and cis configurations of 1,4‐diaminocyclohexane were also investigated. It was found that with an increasing content of trans configuration of 1,4‐diaminocyclohexane in the polyimide backbone, Tg of the polyimides increased as well as Td5%, while the solubility gradually decreased. The polyimide films had good optical transparency regardless of trans/cis configuration. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Diffusion of low‐molecular‐weight permeants through semi‐crystalline polymers: combining molecular dynamics with semi‐empirical models
Authors: Prasad Krishnamurthy , Nikzad Mostafa , Doherty Cara M , Sbarski Igor
Published: February 2018

A molecular dynamics‐based computational approach was used to study the diffusion of oxygen through a model semi‐crystalline polymer, namely linear low‐density polyethylene. The simulated molecules were validated by comparing the predicted properties with experimental values of available free volumes, on atomic scale, using positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy and measured values of density. The semi‐crystalline polymer was considered as a composite network of a continuous amorphous phase and a dispersed crystalline phase. Based on this observation, the overall diffusion was simulated, including the diffusion through the crystalline phase, which has not been previously reported. A tight correlation was then achieved between experimental and simulated data by utilising several semi‐empirical and analytical models developed for composite materials. The proposed methodology in this work can be effectively used as a basis for designing polymer networks with controlled diffusion characteristics in a bottom‐up approach. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Resistance development, stability, cross‐resistance potential, biological fitness and biochemical mechanisms of spinetoram resistance in Thrips hawaiiensis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)
Authors: Fu Buli , Li Qiang , Qiu Haiyan , Tang Liangde , Zeng Dongqiang , Liu Kui , Gao Yulin
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUND

Spinetoram, a new type of spinosyn with novel modes of action, has been used in effective thrips control programs, but resistance remains a threat. In the present study, a laboratory Thrips hawaiiensis population was subjected to spinetoram for resistance selection to investigate resistance development, stability, cross‐resistance potential, biological fitness and underlying biochemical mechanisms.

RESULTS

Resistance to spinetoram in T. hawaiiensis rapidly increased 103.56‐fold (for 20 generations of selection with spinetoram) compared with a laboratory susceptible population, and the average realized heritability (h2) of resistance was calculated as 0.1317. Maintaining the resistant population for five generations without any further selection pressure resulted in a decline in the resistance ratio from 19.42‐ to 9.50‐fold, suggesting that spinetoram resistance in T. hawaiiensis is unstable. Moreover, the spinetoram‐resistant population exhibited a lack of cross‐resistance to other classes of insecticides, and showed biological fitness costs. The results of synergism experiments using enzyme inhibitors and biochemical analyses revealed that metabolic mechanisms might not be responsible for the development of spinetoram resistance in T. hawaiiensis.

CONCLUSION

The current study expands understanding of spinosyn resistance in thrips species, providing a basis for proposing better integrated pest management strageties for thrips control programs and defining the most appropriate tools for such resistance management. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry