bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Eating‐related Environmental Factors in Underweight Eating Disorders and Obesity: Are There Common Vulnerabilities During Childhood and Early Adolescence?
Authors: Krug I. , Villarejo C. , Jiménez‐Murcia S. , Perpiñá C. , Vilarrasa N. , Granero R. , Cebolla A. , Botella C. , Montserrat‐Gil de Bernabe M. , Penelo E. , Casella S. , Islam M. A. , Orekhova E. , Casanueva F. F. , Karwautz A. , Menchón J. M. , Treasure J. , Fernández‐Aranda F.
Published: November 2012

Objective

This study aimed to examine whether there is an association between individual, social and family influences and dysfunctional eating patterns early in life and the likelihood of developing a subsequent underweight eating disorder (ED) or obesity.

Method

The total sample comprised 152 individuals (underweight ED, n = 45; obese patients, n = 65; healthy controls; n = 42) from Barcelona, Spain. The Cross‐Cultural Questionnaire (CCQ) was used to assess early eating influences as well as individual and family eating patterns and attitudes towards food.

Results

Even though a few shared eating influences emerged for both groups, unique factors were also observed. Whereas relationship with friends, teasing about eating habits by family members and the mass media were of specific relevance to the underweight ED group, the patient's own physical appearance, body dissatisfaction, teasing about eating habits by friends, teasing about body shape by family members and dysfunctional eating patterns were unique to obesity.

Conclusions

Overlapping environmental risk factors provide evidence for integral prevention and intervention approaches that simultaneously tackle a range of weight‐related problems. The unique factors might be important for targeting high‐risk individuals. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Central Coherence in Full Recovery of Anorexia Nervosa
Authors: Lindner Susanne E. , Fichter Manfred M. , Quadflieg Norbert
Published: November 2012

Objective

This study examined central coherence as a possible endophenotype in a large sample of women recovered from anorexia nervosa (rec AN). Recovery was defined by considering physiological, behavioural and psychological variables.

Method

A total of 100 rec AN women and 100 healthy women completed the Rey Complex Figure Test, a measure for visual–spatial central coherence. The participants were matched 1:1 for age and educational level.

Results

Compared with the healthy control group, the rec AN group showed better accuracy in the copy condition. There was a trend for a local strategy in the rec AN group compared with a global strategy in the healthy control group.

Conclusions

This sample of rec AN women showed no inefficiencies in global processing but a superior local processing after full recovery from AN. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Farnesoid X receptor inhibits gankyrin in mouse livers and prevents development of liver cancer
Authors: Jiang Yanjun , Iakova Polina , Jin Jingling , Sullivan Emily , Sharin Vladislav , Hong Il-Hwa , Anakk Sayee , Mayor Angela , Darlington Gretchen , Finegold Milton , Moore David , Timchenko Nikolai A.
Published: November 2012

One of the early events in the development of liver cancer is a neutralization of tumor suppressor proteins Rb, p53, hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α), and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) α. The elimination of these proteins is mediated by a small subunit of proteasome, gankyrin, which is activated by cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the mechanisms that repress gankyrin in quiescent livers and mechanisms of activation of gankyrin in liver cancer. We found that farnesoid X receptor (FXR) inhibits expression of gankyrin in quiescent livers by silencing the gankyrin promoter through HDAC1-C/EBPβ complexes. C/EBPβ is a key transcription factor that delivers HDAC1 to gankyrin promoter and causes epigenetic silencing of the promoter. We show that down-regulation of C/EBPβ in mouse hepatoma cells and in mouse livers reduces C/EBPβ-HDAC1 complexes and activates the gankyrin promoter. Deletion of FXR signaling in mice leads to de-repression of the gankyrin promoter and to spontaneous development of liver cancer at 12 months of age. Diethylnitrosoamine (DEN)-mediated liver cancer in wild-type mice also involves the reduction of FXR and activation of gankyrin. Examination of liver cancer in old mice and liver cancer in human patients revealed that FXR is reduced, while gankyrin is elevated during spontaneous development of liver cancer. Searching for animal models with altered levels of FXR, we found that long-lived Little mice have high levels of FXR and do not develop liver cancer with age and after DEN injections due to failure to activate gankyrin and eliminate Rb, p53, HNF4α and C/EBPα proteins.

Conclusion
: FXR prevents liver cancer by inhibiting the gankyrin promoter via C/EBPβ-HDAC1 complexes, leading to subsequent protection of tumor suppressor proteins from degradation. (Hepatology 2013)
The level of consumer information about health insurance in Nanjing, China
Authors: Xu Weiwei , Van de Ven Wynand P. M. M.
Published: November 2012

The Chinese government is considering a (regulated) competitive healthcare system. Sufficient consumer information is a crucial pre‐condition to benefit from such a change. We conducted a survey on the level of consumer information regarding health insurance among the insured population in Nanjing, China in 2009. The results from descriptive analysis and binary logistic regression demonstrate that the current level of consumer information about health insurance is low. The level of consumer information is positively correlated with the subscribers' motivation to obtain the information and its availability. The level of searching for health insurance information is also low; moreover, even upon searching, the chance of finding relevant information is less than 25%. We conclude that the level of consumer information is currently insufficient in China. If the Chinese government is determined to adopt market mechanisms in the healthcare sector, it should take the lead in making valid and reliable information publicly available and easily accessible. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Longitudinal patterns of analgesic and central acting drug use and associated effectiveness in fibromyalgia
Authors: Wolfe F. , Walitt B.T. , Katz R.S. , Lee Y.C. , Michaud K.D. , Häuser W.
Published: November 2012

Background

We describe the changing pattern of analgesic and new central acting drug (NCAD) use (pregabalin, duloxetine, milnacipran) in fibromyalgia and measure NCAD effectiveness in clinical practice.

Methods

About 3123 US adult patients with fibromyalgia participated in an 11‐year longitudinal study of fibromyalgia outcomes. We assessed severity‐adjusted treatment prevalence and measured the effect of any use of NCAD on pain and fatigue, and functional status using the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) disability index.

Results

In 2010, 46.7% of patients used opioids, including 12.5% who used strong opioids. During the 11 years, severity‐adjusted strong opioid use increased from 6.3% to 11.7% and any opioid use from 40.0% to 46.6%. Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) use decreased from 74% to 44%. Tricyclic use dropped in half, from 27% to 15%, while NCAD use increased from less than 10% to 39%. The estimated 25th and 50th percentiles for NCAD discontinuation time were 1 and 2.5 years. Overall pain, fatigue and HAQ scores were unchanged over the 11 years. For patients treated with NCAD, pain scores were reduced significantly by 0.17 (0.03, 0.30) units following the start of NCAD, an improvement of 2.8%. Some sensitivity analyses showed improvements of up to 4.3%. There was no significant improvement in fatigue or functional status.

Conclusions

There is a changing pattern of drug treatment in fibromyalgia, consisting mostly of decreased NSAID and amitriptyline use and an increase in NCAD. Drug costs are substantially higher because of NCAD use, but we found no evidence of clinical benefit for NCAD compared with prior therapy.
The relationship between acceptance, catastrophizing and illness representations in chronic pain
Authors: Gillanders D.T. , Ferreira N.B. , Bose S. , Esrich T.
Published: November 2012

Background

Cognitive‐ and acceptance‐based approaches are used to help people live with chronic pain. Little is known about how these constructs relate to each other. In this study, we examined how cognitive representations of chronic pain relate to interpersonal styles such as catastrophizing and the behavioural process of acceptance of chronic pain. This study further examined how these processes relate to emotional and physical functioning in chronic pain.

Methods

A cross‐sectional design, employing validated questionnaires, was used to measure pain, emotional and physical dysfunction, illness representations, catastrophizing and acceptance in a heterogeneous sample of 150 chronic pain sufferers.

Results

The psychological variables significantly mediated the impact of pain severity on both emotional and physical dysfunction. In addition, a distinct pattern of mediation was observed. The relationship between pain and emotional dysfunction was mediated by representations of pain as a highly emotive experience and by catastrophizing; acceptance did not mediate this relationship. By contrast, the relationship between pain and physical dysfunction was mediated by acceptance and representations of high consequences of chronic pain, but not by catastrophizing.

Conclusions

Pain severity itself is a relatively poor predictor of emotional and physical dysfunction in chronic pain states. These relationships are significantly mediated by psychological variables. Different approaches to chronic pain rehabilitation emphasize different targets (changing illness representations and reducing catastrophizing vs. acceptance and behavioural activation). This cross‐sectional study suggests that these processes may differentially influence outcomes, but that they are complex and overlapping. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed.
Conservative treatment of early endometrial cancer
Authors: Bovicelli Alessandro , D'Andrilli Giuseppina , Giordano Antonio , De Iaco Pierandrea
Published: November 2012

Endometrial cancer is the most common cancer of the female genital tract in Europe and in the United States. Endometrial cancer has increased 21% in incidence since 2008, and the death rate has increased more than 100% over the past two decades. Approximately 15% of patients with endometrial cancer are pre‐menopausal. The aim of this review is to discuss the conservative management of endometrial cancer. A number of studies largely support the conservative treatment of endometrial carcinoma (EC) in women desiring future fertility. We focus on the role of progestin hormonal therapy, including the risks associated with non‐standard care, appropriate candidate selection, expected outcomes, various progestin agents and recommended follow‐up. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 1154–1158, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Suppressing the growth of rectal cancer xenografts derived from patient tumors by an adenovector expressing small hairpin RNA targeting Bcl‐XL
Authors: Zhu Hongbo , Zhou Wei , Hu Jingzi , Huang Zhongting , Lao Weifeng , Huang Xuefeng , He Chao
Published: November 2012

Background

Bcl‐XL, a mitochondria membrane protein, is overexpressed in colorectal cancers and promotes cell survival. We have previously shown that the adenovector expressing small hairpin (sh)RNA targeting Bcl‐XL could induce significantly apoptosis in colon cancer cells. In the present study, we aimed to further detect the anti‐cancer effect of adenovector expressing the shRNA targeting Bcl‐XL (Ad/Bcl‐XL shRNA) on rectal cancer xenografts that were derived from patient tumors.

Methods

We first established three rectal cancer xenografts. These xenografts were subsequently treated with Ad/Bcl‐XL shRNA alone or in combination with 5‐fluouracil (5‐Fu). Finally, the inhibition of tumor growth, survival time and induction of apoptosis were analyzed.

Results

The results obtained demonstrated that Ad/Bcl‐XL shRNA could effectively suppress the tumor growth of all three rectal cancer xenografts and prolong their survival time. After being combined with 5‐Fu, the suppressing effect of Ad/Bcl‐XL shRNA was enhanced further. In addition, the data also showed that Ad/Bcl‐XL shRNA combined with 5‐Fu could significantly increase the apoptotic ratio in the rectal cancer xenograft.

Conclusions

These data indicate that Ad/Bcl‐XL shRNA with or without 5‐Fu has effective anti‐tumor effects on the patient tumor‐derived rectal cancer xenografts, suggesting that it could be a potential strategy for rectal cancer therapy. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of T2 decay on carotid artery wall thickness measurements
Authors: Qiao Ye , Steinman David A. , Etesami Maryam , Martinez‐Marquese Alex , Lakatta Edward G. , Wasserman Bruce A.
Published: November 2012

Purpose:

To investigate the impact of T2 relaxation of the carotid wall on measurements of its thickness.

Materials and Methods:

The common carotid artery wall was imaged using a spin echo sequence acquired at four echo times (17 ms to 68 ms) in 65 participants as part of VALIDATE study. Images were acquired transverse to the artery 1.5 cm proximal to the flow divider. Mean wall thickness, mean wall signal intensity, lumen area, and outer wall area were measured for each echo. Contours were also traced on the image from the fourth echo and then propagated to the images from the preceding echoes. This was repeated using the image from the first echo. Mean wall signal intensity measurements at the four echo times were fit to a mono‐exponential decay curve to derive the mean T2 relaxation time for each set of contours.

Results:

Mean wall thickness decreased with increasing echo time, with an average thickness reduction of 8.6% between images acquired at the first and last echo times (TE) (0.93 mm at TE 17 ms versus 0.85 mm at TE 68 ms, P < 0.001). Average T2 relaxation time of the carotid wall decreased by 3% when the smaller contours from the last echo were used, which excluded the outer‐most layer (54.3 ± 7.6 ms versus 52.7 ± 6.6 ms, P = 0.03).

Conclusion:

Carotid wall thickness measurements decrease with echo time as expected by the fast T2 relaxation time of the outer‐most layer, namely the adventitia. A short echo time is needed for thickness measurements to include adventitia, which plays an important role in plaque development. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;37:1493–1498. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Pulmonary vein morphology by free‐breathing whole heart magnetic resonance imaging at 3 tesla versus breathhold multi‐detector computed tomography
Authors: Fodi Eszter , McAreavey Dorothea , Abd‐Elmoniem Khaled Z. , Ohayon Jacques , Saba Magdi , Elagha Abdalla , Pettigrew Roderic I. , Gharib Ahmed M.
Published: November 2012

Purpose:

To compare pulmonary vein and left atrial anatomy using three‐dimensional free‐breathing whole‐heart magnetic resonance imaging (MR) at 3 Tesla (T) and multi‐detector computed tomography (MDCT).

Materials and Methods:

Thirty‐three subjects (19 male, age 49 ± 12 years) underwent free‐breathing 3T MR and contrast‐enhanced MDCT during inspiratory breath hold. Pulmonary vein parameters (ostial areas, diameters, angles) were measured.

Results:

All pulmonary veins and anomalies were identified by 3T MR and by MDCT. The right‐sided pulmonary veins were directed more posteriorly, the right superior pulmonary vein more inferiorly, and the right inferior pulmonary vein more superiorly by 3T MR when compared with MDCT. The cross‐sectional area, perimeters and minimum diameters of right‐sided pulmonary vein ostia were significantly larger by MR, as were the maximum diameters of right and left inferior pulmonary veins. There were no significant differences between techniques in distance to first pulmonary vein branch.

Conclusion:

Pulmonary vein measurements demonstrated significant differences in angulations and dimensions when 3T MR is compared with MDCT. These differences likely represent hemodynamic and respiratory variation during free‐breathing with MR versus breath‐holding with MDCT. MR imaging at 3T during free‐breathing offers an alternate method to define pulmonary vein and left atrial anatomy without exposure to radiation. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;37:846–852. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Automatic model‐based analysis of skeletal muscle BOLD‐MRI in reactive hyperemia
Authors: Schewzow Kiril , Andreas Martin , Moser Ewald , Wolzt Michael , Schmid Albrecht I.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

To propose a quantitative model for a reliable and operator independent estimation of parameters describing blood oxygen‐level dependent (BOLD) MRI time course in calf muscles during reactive hyperemia.

Materials and Methods

Echo planar imaging‐based BOLD‐MRI of the human calf were acquired during and after cuff‐induced ischemia of the leg. Regions of interest were drawn in soleus, gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles. A gamma‐variate plus a sigmoidal function were fitted to the reactive hyperemia time courses and parameters including time to peak (TTP), hyperemic peak value (HPV), peak area, and peak width were calculated. In addition, the TTP and HPV parameters were estimated manually by two operators to validate the reliability of the fitting procedure.

Results

The model function was fitted successfully to all data with a minimum reduced R2 around 0.9. The in vivo results were in agreement with manually determined values (r ≥ 0.69), although significant inter‐operator differences were observed.

Conclusion

The proposed method allows for rapid, operator independent and robust quantification of muscle BOLD signal during reactive hyperemia. The model worked equally well over a wide range of imaging parameters and data quality. This approach should contribute significantly to the standardization of skeletal muscle BOLD‐MRI, an important step toward its clinical application. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;38:963–969. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reproducibility of hepatic fat fraction measurement by magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Mashhood Arian , Railkar Radha , Yokoo Takeshi , Levin Yakir , Clark Lisa , Fox‐Bosetti Sabrina , Middleton Michael S. , Riek Jonathan , Kauh Eunkyung , Dardzinski Bernard J. , Williams Donald , Sirlin Claude , Shire Norah J.
Published: November 2012

Purpose:

To evaluate the reproducibility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐determined hepatic fat fraction (%) across imaging sites with different magnet types and field strength. Reproducibility among MRI platforms is unclear, even though evaluating hepatic fat fractions (FFs) using MRI‐based methods is accurate against MR spectroscopy.

Materials and Methods:

Overweight subjects were recruited to undergo eight MRI examinations at five imaging centers with a range of magnet manufacturers and field strengths (1.5 and 3 T). FFs were estimated in liver and in fat‐emulsion phantoms using three methods: 1) dual‐echo images without correction (nominally out‐of‐phase [OP] and in‐phase [IP]); 2) dual‐dual‐echo images (two sequences) with T2* correction (nominally OP/IP and IP/IP); and 3) six‐echo images with spectral model and T2* correction, at sequential alternating OP and IP echo times (Methods 1, 2, and 3, respectively).

Results:

Ten subjects were recruited. For Methods 1, 2, and 3, respectively, hepatic FF ranged from −2.5 to 27.0, 1.9 to 29.6, and 1.3 to 34.4%. Intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.85, 0.89, and 0.91 for each method, and within‐subject coefficients of variation were 18.5, 9.9, and 10.3%, respectively. Mean phantom FFs derived by Methods 2 and 3 were comparable to the known FF for each phantom. Method 1 underestimated phantom FF.

Conclusion:

Methods 2 and 3 accurately assess FF. Strong reproducibility across magnet type and strength render them suitable for use in multicenter trials and longitudinal assessments. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;37:1359–1370. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Intravoxel incoherent motion imaging of focal hepatic lesions
Authors: Ichikawa Shintaro , Motosugi Utaroh , Ichikawa Tomoaki , Sano Katsuhiro , Morisaka Hiroyuki , Araki Tsutomu
Published: November 2012

Purpose:

To compare diffusivity values between malignant and benign focal hepatic lesions using the intravoxel incoherent motion model.

Materials and Methods:

This study included 84 focal hepatic lesions in 84 patients. Final diagnoses were as follows: hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 45), cholangiocarcinoma (n = 6), metastatic liver tumor (n = 3), cyst (n = 20), hemangioma (n = 5), inflammatory pseudotumor (n = 2), abscess (n = 2), and focal nodular hyperplasia (n = 1). Diffusion‐weighted images at 12 b‐values were used to obtain the diffusion coefficient of pure molecular diffusion (D), diffusion coefficient of microcirculation or perfusion‐related diffusion (D*), and perfusion‐related diffusion fraction (f). Parameters of malignant and benign focal hepatic lesions were compared using the Wilcoxon test. The diagnostic performance for distinguishing between malignant and benign hepatic lesions was also analyzed.

Results:

Both the D value (1.15 ± 0.21 × 10−3 mm2/s [mean ± standard deviation]) and D* value (62.7 ±12.7 × 10−3 mm2/s) in malignant lesions was significantly lower than that in benign lesions (D value [2.46 ± 0.45× 10−3 mm2/s], P < 0.0001; D* value [87.6 ± 35.3 × 10−3 mm2/s], P = 0.0008). The f value did not differ significantly between malignant (25.0 15.1 ± 15.1%) and benign lesions (30.1 ± 16.3%).

Conclusion:

D* and D values were suppressed in malignant lesions. However, the D value was more reliable for distinguishing between malignant and benign focal hepatic lesions. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;37:1371–1376. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Enhanced fat suppression technique for breast imaging
Authors: Miyazaki Mitsue , Wheaton Andrew , Kitane Shinichi
Published: November 2012

Purpose

To evaluate a new fat suppression technique using multiple fat suppression pulses intended for breast dynamic contrast‐enhanced (DCE) imaging using segmented three‐dimensional fast field echo (FFE).

Materials and Methods

The effect of multiple spectrally‐selective fat suppression radiofrequency pulses was modeled using numerical Bloch‐equation solutions for the following fat suppression techniques: spectral‐selective inversion recovery (SPIR: one pulse), double fat suppression (DFS: two pulses, combining one SPIR pulse and one CHESS pulse), and triple fat suppression (TFS: three pulses, combining one SPIR pulse and two CHESS pulses). The simulation data were evaluated in terms of fat suppression performance, scan time, and specific absorption rate (SAR) relative to the SPIR technique. The DFS technique was selected as the optimal technique based on the efficacy of fat suppression versus the costs of scan time and SAR. The DFS technique was compared with SPIR in six volunteer studies using segmented T1‐weighted three‐dimensional FFE.

Results

The DFS technique produced sufficient fat suppression using only two segments (two fat suppression shots). Breast DCE precontrast images using DFS presented uniform fat suppression compared with SPIR in both axial and sagittal scans in all six volunteers.

Conclusion

DFS is a promising fat suppression technique for breast imaging even in regions with B1+ inhomogeneity. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;38:981–986. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
High‐risk nodules detected in the hepatobiliary phase of Gd‐EOB‐DTPA‐enhanced mr imaging in cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis: Incidence and predictive factors for hypervascular transformation, preliminary results
Authors: Higaki Atsushi , Ito Katsuyoshi , Tamada Tsutomu , Teruki Sone , Yamamoto Akira , Higashi Hiroki , Kanki Akihiko , Sato Tomohiro , Noda Yasufumi
Published: November 2012

Purpose:

To evaluate the incidence and predictive factors of hypervascular transformation during follow‐up of “high‐risk nodules” detected in the hepatobiliary phase of initial Gd‐EOB‐DTPA‐enhanced MRI in chronic liver disease patients.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 109 patients with chronic liver disease who underwent Gd‐EOB‐DTPA‐enhanced MRI several times were investigated. Of these, 43 patients had 76 high‐risk nodules with both hypointensity in the hepatobiliary phase and hypovascularity in the arterial phase of initial MRI. These nodules were observed until hypervascularity was detected. MRI and clinical findings were compared to assess the incidence and potential predictive factors for hypervascular transformation between the group showing hypervascular transformation and the group not showing hypervascularization.

Results:

The median observation period was 242.5 ± 203.2 days (range, 47–802 days). Overall, 24 of 76 high‐risk nodules (31.6%) showed hypervascular transformation during follow‐up (median observation period, 186.0 ± 190.3 days). The growth rate of the nodules (P < 0.001), the presence of fat within nodules (P = 0.037), and hyperintensity on T1‐weighted images (P = 0.018) were significantly correlated with hypervascularization.

Conclusion:

Subsets of high‐risk nodules tended to show hypervascular transformation during follow‐up, with an increased growth rate, the presence of fat, and hyperintensity on T1‐weighted images as predictive factors. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;37:1377–1383. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Venous and arterial flow quantification are equally accurate and precise with parallel imaging compressed sensing 4D phase contrast MRI
Authors: Tariq Umar , Hsiao Albert , Alley Marcus , Zhang Tao , Lustig Michael , Vasanawala Shreyas S.
Published: November 2012

Purpose:

To evaluate the precision and accuracy of parallel‐imaging compressed‐sensing 4D phase contrast (PICS‐4DPC) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) venous flow quantification in children with patients referred for cardiac MRI at our children's hospital.

Materials and Methods:

With Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance, 22 consecutive patients without shunts underwent 4DPC as part of clinical cardiac MRI examinations. Flow measurements were obtained in the superior and inferior vena cava, ascending and descending aorta, and the pulmonary trunk. Conservation of flow to the upper, lower, and whole body was used as an internal physiologic control. The arterial and venous flow rates at each location were compared with paired t‐tests and F‐tests to assess relative accuracy and precision.

Results:

Arterial and venous flow measurements were strongly correlated with the upper (ρ = 0.89), lower (ρ = 0.96), and whole body (ρ = 0.97); net aortic and pulmonary trunk flow rates were also tightly correlated (ρ = 0.97). There was no significant difference in the value or precision of arterial and venous flow measurements in upper, lower, or whole body, although there was a trend toward improved precision with lower velocity‐encoding settings.

Conclusion:

With PICS‐4DPC MRI, the accuracy and precision of venous flow quantification are comparable to that of arterial flow quantification at velocity‐encodings appropriate for arterial vessels. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;37:1419–1426. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Liver and heart MR relaxometry in iron loading: Reproducibility of three methods
Authors: Ferguson Mark R. , Otto Randolph K. , Bender Michael A. , Kolokythas Orpheus , Friedman Seth D.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

To compare the derived T2* values and reproducibility of three methods used to assess iron‐loading in heart and liver.

Materials and Methods

In 23 pediatric patients, liver and cardiac gradient‐echo imaging datasets (within‐exam repeated sequence pairs) were evaluated. Data analyses compared derived relaxation values (average of pairs) and coefficient of variation (reproducibility of pairs).

Results

T2* values showed differences across methods, with pixel‐wise mean > average fit > pixel‐wise median. Coefficient of variation was found to be lower (better) with pixel‐wise median and average fit methods compared to the pixel‐wise mean technique. Maximum coefficient of variation values were lowest for the pixel‐wise median approach in both the heart and liver.

Conclusion

Differences in derived T2* values between methods must be considered when comparing values to established magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐biopsy formulas. The pixel‐wise median and average fit methods demonstrate substantial benefits in reproducibility compared to the pixel‐wise mean method. Since minimal variation in measurement is critical for patient care, median processing of relaxometry data may be preferable in both tissue types. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;38:987–990. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Combination of multichannel single‐voxel MRS signals using generalized least squares
Authors: An Li , Willem van der Veen Jan , Li Shizhe , Thomasson David M. , Shen Jun
Published: November 2012

Purpose:

To propose using the generalized least square (GLS) algorithm for combining multichannel single‐voxel magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) signals.

Materials and Methods:

Phantom and in vivo brain MRS experiments on a 7 T scanner equipped with a 32‐channel receiver coil, as well as Monte Carlo simulations, were performed to compare the coefficient of variation (CV) of the GLS method with those of two recently reported spectral combination methods.

Results:

Compared to the two existing methods, the GLS method significantly reduced CV values for the simulation, phantom, and in vivo experiments.

Conclusion:

The GLS method can lead to improved precision of peak quantification. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;37:1445–1450. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Improved correction for gradient nonlinearity effects in diffusion‐weighted imaging
Authors: Tan Ek T. , Marinelli Luca , Slavens Zachary W. , King Kevin F. , Hardy Christopher J.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

To provide an improved correction for gradient nonlinearity (GN) effects in diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI). These effects produce spatially varying apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), a result that will be significant in large field‐of‐view imaging, and may be confounded by distortion and concomitant fields related to the DWI acquisition.

Materials and Methods

The effect of more accurate gradient field maps on GN correction (GNC) of ADC was evaluated. A simulation compared GN effects in commonly imaged anatomy. A temperature‐controlled phantom was imaged at positions 0 cm and 11 cm from isocenter and in two whole‐body MRI systems at 1.5T with different patient bore diameters (55 cm and 60 cm). Varying correction methods were applied to determine the errors from spatial variance and interscanner reproducibility.

Results

As compared to conventional fifth‐order spherical harmonics, a seventh‐order GNC improved ADC accuracy by 1%. The combination of GNC with a dual‐spin‐echo pulse sequence and a retrospective concomitant field correction reduced ADC error due to spatial variance from 9.5% to 1.8% (55 cm bore) and from 4.2% to 1.8% (60 cm bore). The error in ADC attributed to interscanner reproducibility was reduced from 5.8% to 0.15% (at isocenter) and from 10% to 0.63% (11 cm from isocenter).

Conclusion

GNC in DWI improved spatial accuracy and interscanner reproducibility of ADC. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;38:448–453. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever nosocomial infection in a immunosuppressed patient, Pakistan: Case report and virological investigation
Authors: Hasan Zahra , Mahmood Faisal , Jamil Bushra , Atkinson Barry , Mohammed Murtaza , Samreen Azra , Altaf Lamia , Moatter Tariq , Hewson Roger
Published: November 2012

Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is endemic in the Baluchistan province, Pakistan. Sporadic outbreaks of CCHF occur throughout the year especially in individuals in contact with infected livestock. Nosocomial transmission remains a risk due to difficulties in the diagnosis of CCHF and limited availability of facilities for the isolation of suspected patients. Rapid diagnosis of CCHF virus infection is required for early management of the disease and to prevent transmission. This study describes the case of a 43‐year‐old surgeon who contracted CCHF during a surgical procedure in Quetta, Baluchistan and who was transferred to a tertiary care facility at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi within 1 week of contracting the infection. Diagnosis of CCHF was made using a rapid real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) assay for CCHF viral RNA. The patient had chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis D infection for which he had previously received a liver transplant. He proceeded to develop classic hemorrhagic manifestations and succumbed to the infection 14 days post‐onset of disease. There was no further nosocomial transmission of the CCHF during the hospital treatment of the surgeon. Early diagnosis of CCHF enables rapid engagement of appropriate isolation, barrier nursing and infection control measures thus preventing nosocomial transmission of the virus. J. Med. Virol. 85:501–504, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Increasing heterosexual transmission of HIV‐1 subtype C in Inland Central Western Brazil
Authors: Alcântara Keila Correia , Reis Monica Nogueira Guarda , Cardoso Ludimila Paula Vaz , Bello Gonzalo , Stefani Mariane Martins Araújo
Published: November 2012

The molecular epidemiology of HIV‐1 in Brazil is complex and heterogeneous because several subtypes co‐circulate with some important regional differences. This study evaluated HIV‐1 subtypes amongst pregnant women living in the metropolitan area and in the interior cities from central western Brazil. From June 2008 to June 2010, 86.9% of confirmed cases of HIV‐1 infection amongst pregnant women (172 out of 198 cases) were recruited in Goiania/Goias state. The HIV‐1 pol gene was sequenced after nested‐PCR. HIV‐1 subtypes were assigned by REGA, phylogenetic, and bootscan analyses. The median age of participants was 26 years (15–41 years range); 58.7% of participants were diagnosed during prenatal care and 51.7% of participants came from >50 interior cities within Goias state. Amongst the 131 HIV‐1 pol sequences, 64.9% were subtype B, 13.0% were BF1 recombinant, 11.4% were subtype C, 7.6% were subtype F1, and 2.3% were BC recombinant. According to the HIV‐1 diagnosis date (1994–2010), a significant increase in subtype C and a decrease of BF1 mosaics were observed over time. All subtype C patients lived in interior cities where the highest prevalence of subtype C outside southern Brazil was observed (18.4%). Phylogenetic analysis revealed multiple independent introductions of the Brazilian subtype C clade from the southern/southeastern regions of Brazil. The HIV‐1 epidemic in women from central western Brazil infected by the heterosexual route is characterized by an unexpectedly high prevalence of subtype C viruses highly related to those circulating in southern/southeastern Brazil. These findings highlight the importance of molecular surveillance programs outside large metropolitan regions in Brazil. J. Med. Virol. 85:396–404, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
SOX2 expression is upregulated in adult spinal cord after contusion injury in both oligodendrocyte lineage and ependymal cells
Authors: Lee Hyun Joon , Wu Junfang , Chung Jumi , Wrathall Jean R.
Published: November 2012

The upregulation of genes normally associated with development may occur in the adult after spinal cord injury (SCI). To test this, we performed real‐time RT‐PCR array analysis of mouse spinal cord mRNAs comparing embryonic day (E)14.5 spinal cord with intact adult and adult cord 1 week after a clinically relevant standardized contusion SCI. We found significantly increased expression of a large number of neural development‐ and stem cell‐associated genes after SCI. These included Sox2 (sex determining region Y‐box 2), a transcription factor that regulates self‐renewal and potency of embryonic neural stem cells and is one of only a few key factors needed to induce pluripotency. In adult spinal cord of Sox2‐EGFP mice, Sox2‐EGFP was found mainly in the ependymal cells of the central canal. After SCI, both mRNA and protein levels of Sox2 were significantly increased at and near the injury site. By 1 day, Sox2 was upregulated in NG2+ oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPC) in the spared white matter. By 3 days, Sox2‐EGFP ependymal cells had increased proliferation and begun to form multiple layers and clusters of cells in the central lesion zone of the cord. Expression of Sox2 by NG2+ cells had declined by 1 week, but increased numbers of other Sox2‐expressing cells persisted for at least 4 weeks after SCI in both mouse and rat models. Thus, SCI upregulates many genes associated with development and neural stem cells, including the key transcription factor Sox2, which is expressed in a pool of cells that persists for weeks after SCI. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Temperature‐dependent Raman spectroscopy of BaTiO3 nanorods synthesized by using a template‐assisted sol–gel procedure
Authors: Gajović Andreja , Pleština Jelena Vukajlović , Žagar Kristina , Plodinec Milivoj , Šturm Sašo , Čeh Miran
Published: November 2012

In the present work, multiphase polycrystalline BTO nanorods were synthesized using template‐assisted sol–gel deposition and their structural evolution was studied using thermo Raman spectroscopy, X‐ray diffractometry and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). In the BTO nanorods, the tetragonal phase was the dominant one, while both Raman and HRTEM indicated a coexistence with the high‐temperature hexagonal polymorph. This phase was stable across the whole of the investigated temperature range (from −95 °C to 200 °C). The investigated nanorods underwent a diffuse phase transition from tetragonal to cubic with respect to the temperature, whereas the final phase‐transition temperature was shifted to higher values compared to that expected for BTO. The low‐temperature orthorhombic‐to‐rhombohedral phase transition was also shifted to higher temperatures. These differences could be explained by the strain induced by the presence of hexagonal nanolamellas intergrown within the tetragonal nanocrystals. This result indicates that the temperature of the ferroelectric phase transition in polycrystalline BTO nanorods can be manipulated by introducing a stable hexagonal phase. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Toward underlying reasons for rice starches having low viscosity and high amylose: physiochemical and structural characteristics
Authors: Zhang Changquan , Zhu Lijia , Shao Ke , Gu Minghong , Liu Qiaoquan
Published: November 2012

BACKGROUND

To understand the reasons for low starch viscosity in rice variety Q11 (Qing‐lu‐zhan 11), the physiochemical and structural characteristics of flours and starches were investigated and compared with another rice cultivar with similar high amylose but normal viscosity.

RESULTS

Our results showed that residual α‐amylase activity and proteins were not the major causes of low starch viscosity in Q11 rice. Homogeneous small granule size and lower swelling power of high‐amylose Q11 rice starches was one reason for the low swelling volume and thus the low pasting property. Q11 starch paste contained some partially swollen granules, which could increase the fluidity and thus cause the low paste viscosity. The small gelatinization enthalpy might be due to the lower crystallinity in Q11 starches. Moreover, Q11 starches consisted of more amylose with short chains, but also amylopectin with fewer short chains (DP 11–21) and more long chains (DP 22–54), which might be other important factors contributing to the low viscosity of Q11 starches.

Conclusion

These data can add to our understanding of the relationships between low viscosity and physiochemical properties, and will be helpful in elucidating the underlying mechanism of formation of low starch viscosity, as well as applications for low‐viscosity rice starches. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Xylanase supplementation improves the nutritive value of diets containing high levels of sorghum distillers' dried grains with solubles for broiler chickens
Authors: Barekatain Mohammad Reza , Choct Mingan , Iji Paul A
Published: November 2012

BACKGROUND

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of sorghum distillers' dried grains with solubles (sDDGS) and xylanase supplementation in broiler chicken diets. A total of 432 Cobb‐500 day‐old male broiler chicks were used in a 4 × 2 factorial design (0, 100, 200 or 300 g kg−1 sDDGS with or without xylanase supplementation). Each treatment was replicated six times with nine birds per replicate in a 35 day study.

RESULTS

Feed intake was increased (P < 0.001) throughout the study with the inclusion of dietary sDDGS. Body weight gain (BWG) was unaffected except for the last 2 weeks of study, when birds that received 200 and 300 g kg−1 sDDGS had higher (P < 0.001) BWG. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) increased (P < 0.05) as sDDGS in the diet rose to 100 g kg−1 during the starter phase and the whole period of study. Over the starter period, xylanase supplementation improved (P < 0.05) FCR, particularly for the highest inclusion of sDDGS. Protein digestibility deteriorated (P < 0.001) as sDDGS in the diet rose to 300 g kg−1. Xylanase reduced (P < 0.001) the concentration of xylose in the ileum of birds. The activities of sucrase and maltase in the jejunal mucosa were reduced when birds were offered 200 and 300 g kg−1 sDDGS. Incorporation of sDDGS increased (P < 0.01) the total short‐chain fatty acid concentration in the caeca.

CONCLUSION

The results showed that diets containing large amounts of sDDGS will benefit from xylanase supplementation, particularly in terms of FCR. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Totally organic biphasic solvent systems for extraction and descriptor determinations
Authors: Poole Colin F. , Karunasekara Thushara , Ariyasena Thiloka C.
Published: November 2012

Partition between two immiscible solvents is widely used in sample preparation procedures for matrix simplification and isolation of target analytes, for separations using countercurrent, centrifugal partition, and liquid–liquid chromatography, and as a method for determining descriptors for use in modeling chemical, biological, and environmental processes. Until recently, most applications employed water as one component of the biphasic system. For compounds of low water solubility or stability, a series of totally organic biphasic systems have been developed to enhance the application range of liquid–liquid partition methods. These systems, their characterization using the solvation parameter model, and applications to sample preparation and the determination of descriptors are described in this review.
Influence of Age and Gender Before and After Liver Transplantation
Authors: Burra Patrizia , Martin Eleonora De , Gitto Stefano , Villa Erica
Published: November 2012

Women constitute a particular group among patients with chronic liver disease and in the post–liver transplantation (LT) setting: they are set apart not only by traditional differences with respect to men (ie, body mass index, different etiologies of liver disease, and accessibility to transplantation) but also in increasingly evident ways related to hormonal changes that characterize first the fertile age and subsequently the postmenopausal period (eg, disease course variability and responses to therapy). The aim of this review is, therefore, to evaluate the role of the interplay of factors such as age, gender, and hormones in influencing the natural history of chronic liver disease before and after LT and their importance in determining outcomes after LT. As the population requiring LT ages and the mean age at transplantation increases, older females are being considered for transplantation. Older patients are at greater risk for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, osteoporosis, and a worse response to antiviral therapy. Female gender per se is associated with a greater risk for osteoporosis because of metabolic changes after menopause, the bodily structure of females, and, in the population of patients with chronic liver disease, the greater prevalence of cholestatic and autoimmune liver diseases. With menopause, the fall of protective estrogen levels can lead to increased fibrosis progression, and this represents a negative turning point for women with chronic liver disease and especially for patients with hepatitis C. Therefore, the notion of gender as a binary female/male factor is now giving way to the awareness of more complex disease processes within the female gender that follow hormonal, social, and age patterns and need to be addressed directly and specifically. Liver Transpl 19:122–134, 2013. © 2012 AASLD.
Incidence of death and potentially life-threatening near-miss events in living donor hepatic lobectomy
Authors: Cheah Yee Lee , Simpson Mary Ann , Pomposelli James J. , Pomfret Elizabeth A.
Published: November 2012

The incidence of morbidity and mortality after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is not well understood because reporting is not standardized and relies on single-center reports. Aborted hepatectomies (AHs) and potentially life-threatening near-miss events (during which a donor's life may be in danger but after which there are no long-term sequelae) are rarely reported. We conducted a worldwide survey of programs performing LDLT to determine the incidence of these events. A survey instrument was sent to 148 programs performing LDLT. The programs were asked to provide donor demographics, case volumes, and information about graft types, operative morbidity and mortality, near-miss events, and AHs. Seventy-one programs (48%), which performed donor hepatectomy 11,553 times and represented 21 countries, completed the survey. The average donor morbidity rate was 24%, with 5 donors (0.04%) requiring transplantation. The donor mortality rate was 0.2% (23/11,553), with the majority of deaths occurring within 60 days, and all but 4 deaths were related to the donation surgery. The incidences of near-miss events and AH were 1.1% and 1.2%, respectively. Program experience did not affect the incidence of donor morbidity or mortality, but near-miss events and AH were more likely in low-volume programs (≤50 LDLT procedures). In conclusion, it appears that independently of program experience, there is a consistent donor mortality rate of 0.2% associated with LDLT donor procedures, yet increased experience is associated with lower rates of AH and near-miss events. Potentially life-threatening near-miss events and AH are underappreciated complications that must be discussed as part of the informed consent process with any potential living liver donor. Liver Transpl 19:499–506, 2013. © 2012 AASLD.
Glycogen as a Biodegradable Construction Nanomaterial for in vivo Use
Authors: Filippov Sergey K. , Sedlacek Ondrej , Bogomolova Anna , Vetrik Miroslav , Jirak Daniel , Kovar Jan , Kucka Jan , Bals Sara , Turner Stuart , Stepanek Petr , Hruby Martin
Published: November 2012

It is demonstrated that glycogen as a biodegradable and inexpensive material coming from renewable resources can be used as a carrier for the construction of in vivo imaging nanoagents. The model system considered is composed of glycogen modified with gadolinium and fluorescent labels. Systematic studies of properties of these nanocarriers by a variety of physical methods and results of in vivo tests of biodegradability are reported. This represents, to the authors' best knowledge, the first such use of glycogen.

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