bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Behavioural responses of the whooper swansCygnus cygnusto human disturbance and their adaptability to the different habitats in the Rongcheng lagoon of China
Authors: Liu Yuhong , Lu Ying , Chen Cheng , Zhang Guiwen , Wang Qianzu , Xu Zhen , Wang Zhongsheng
Published: July 2018

With urbanization influences and economic development, the area and integrity of coastal wetlands are suffering destruction in China, which would affect waterfowl wintering. The Rongcheng Lake is an important wintering ground for migratory birds in Central Asia, especially for whooper swansCygnus cygnus. In this study, we investigated the numbers and behaviours of the whooper swans in the different habitats of the Swan Lake from November in 2015 to April in 2016, collected 72 water samples in the estuaries, and carried out food addition experiments in order to analyse the behavioural responses and adaptability of the whooper swans to the changing environment. Our results showed that the dominant behaviour of the whooper swans was resting, followed by feeding and locomotion and the whooper swans mainly distributed in the beach, estuary, and lagoon. Moreover, their distributions were affected by fresh water and food availability, whereas the human disturbance played an important role in their distributions and behavioural variations. To adapt to the changing environment, different wintering strategies were adopted by the whooper swans during the different overwintering period. The estuary protection and human feeding were very vital tools to help the whooper swans adjust their body to prepare for migrating next year.
Haemodynamic effects of percutaneous mitral valve edge‐to‐edge repair in patients with end‐stage heart failure awaiting heart transplantation
Authors: Geis Nicolas A. , Pleger Sven T. , Bekeredjian Raffi , Chorianopoulos Emmanuel , Kreusser Michael M. , Frankenstein Lutz , Ruhparwar Arjang , Katus Hugo A. , Raake Philip W.J.
Published: July 2018

Aims

Functional mitral regurgitation is complicating end‐stage heart failure and potential heart transplantation by increasing pulmonary artery pressures. The aim of the present study was to investigate feasibility and haemodynamic effects of percutaneous mitral valve edge‐to‐edge repair using the MitraClip™ device in patients with end‐stage heart failure awaiting heart transplantation.

Methods and results

In this retrospective study, we identified nine patients suffering from end‐stage heart failure listed for heart transplantation in whom moderate–severe or severe functional mitral regurgitation was recognized and treated with percutaneous mitral valve edge‐to‐edge repair. Twenty‐two patients listed for heart transplantation and presenting with moderate–severe or severe functional mitral regurgitation treated in the pre‐MitraClip™ era served as controls. Patients were analysed at two separate time points: MitraClip™ group: pre‐procedure and post‐procedure (follow‐up: 215 ± 53 days) and control group: study entry with recognition of moderate–severe or severe functional mitral regurgitation (follow‐up: 197 ± 47 days). Percutaneous mitral valve edge‐to‐edge repair with the MitraClip™ was feasible and safe in our high‐risk end‐stage heart failure population. The intervention resulted in significant reduction of mitral regurgitation (grade 3.0 [0.5] to 1.5 [0.5]; P = 0.009), left atrial diameter (51 mm [16] to 49 mm [4]; follow‐up MitraClip™ vs. control group P = 0.0497), pulmonary artery pressures (sPA 50 mmHg [15] to 45 mmHg [10]; P = 0.02; mPA 34 mmHg [8] to 30 mmHg [10]; P = 0.02), and New York Heart Association class (3.5 [1.0] to 3.0 [0.5]; P = 0.01) and improved mixed‐venous oxygen saturation (57% [11] to 55% [7]; follow‐up MitraClip™ vs. control group P = 0.02). No changes in the control group were observed.

Conclusions

MitraClip™ implantation as ‘bridge‐to‐transplant’ strategy in patients with end‐stage heart failure and severe functional mitral regurgitation awaiting heart transplantation is feasible and appears to result in favourable haemodynamic effects.
Re‐identifying residential mixing: Emergent identity dynamics between incomers and existing residents in a mixed neighbourhood in Northern Ireland
Authors: Stevenson Clifford , McNamara Niamh , Kellezi Blerina , Easterbrook Matthew , Shuttleworth Ian , Hyden Deborah
Published: July 2018

Research on residential diversification has neglected its impact on neighbourhood identity and overlooked the very different identity‐related experiences of new and existing residents. The present research examines how incoming and established group members relate to their changing neighbourhood in the increasingly desegregated city of Belfast, Northern Ireland. Thematic analysis of interviews with 24 residents (12 Protestant long‐term residents, 12 Catholic incomers) from an increasingly mixed neighbourhood identified asymmetrical concerns and experiences: Incomers reported undergoing an ‘identity transition’ between local communities, while long‐term residents faced an ‘identity merger’ within their neighbourhood. Where their identity concerns diverged, emergent intergroup perceptions of the residents were negative and divisive; where they accorded, positive intergroup perceptions and a shared neighbourhood identity evolved. From this, we propose a Social Identity Model of Residential Diversification (SIMRD) to encourage future research into how different identity concerns shape emergent intergroup dynamics between long‐term residents and incomers within diversifying neighbourhoods.
Fabrication of Sulfonated Poly (ether ether ketone)/Sulfonated Fully Aromatic Polyamide Composite Membranes for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFCs)
Authors: Li Cuicui , Liu Xupo , Zhang Yunfeng , Dong Jiaming , Wang Jiaying , Yang Zehui , Cheng Hansong
Published: July 2018

A proton exchange membrane with low dimensional swelling and fuel crossover plays a critical role in improving the performance of fuel cells. Here, we present a facile way to overcome the high dimensional swelling and fuel crossover issues of the sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) membranes at a high ion exchange capacity (IEC) level by incorporation of sulfonated fully aromatic polyamide (S‐fa‐PA). A series of the S‐fa‐PA/SPEEK composite membranes (S‐fa‐PASPs) with various amount of the S‐fa‐PA were prepared. The influence of the S‐fa‐PA on thermal stability, mechanical stability, water uptake, dimensional swelling both in water and methanol aqueous solution, proton conductivity and methanol permeability was systematically investigated and compared. The excellent dimensional stabilities both in water and methanol aqueous solution of the S‐fa‐PASP membranes were obtained. The almost an order of magnitude lower methanol permeability than that of Nafion 117 was obtained for the S‐fa‐PASP membranes, suggesting that the study provides an effective approach for promoting the practical application of the SPEEK based membranes in DMFCs.
Comparative analysis of human and mouse transcriptional cofactors (TcoFs) with special emphasis on intrinsically disordered regions and their associated regulating post‐translational modifications
Authors: D Kamalesh , C Sudandiradoss
Published: July 2018

Drugs targeting transcriptional cofactors (TcoFs) function well in mouse models but fail to replicate their efficacy in human beings. Thus, we performed a comparative study on the TcoFs of humans and mice to find the similarity and dissimilarity between them. We observed high similarity in protein sequence and interacting domains between humans and mice. At the same time, dissimilarity was gradually increased in terms of interacting motifs, post‐translational modifications, and molecular switches. Indeed, some of the post‐translational modifications and molecular switches present in human beings are preferentially exempted in mice. Thus, structure‐specific drugs designed to target TcoFs are functional in mice but fail in human beings, because the absence of some molecular switches in mice offers a particular conformation on the interacting motifs, which might facilitate drug binding. But in humans, owing to the presence of molecular switches, drug binding is not possible. From molecular dynamics simulation analysis, we inferred 8 different molecular switches on 3 proteins and found that 5 molecular switches influenced structural change in interacting motifs and revealed the reason for the functioning of drug in mice but not in human beings. From protein interaction network analysis, we find that a few interacting partners in mice are exempted in humans, and in both the cases the interacting partners are high when the domains are highly structured and the interacting partners are low when the domains are highly disordered. Hence, we are sure that our investigations will provide a promising support in future for designing drugs with high translational efficiency from mice models to human clinical trials.
Retracted: Baicalin prevents tumor necrosis factor‐α−induced apoptosis and dysfunction of pancreatic β‐cell line Min6 via upregulation of miR‐205
Authors: You Wenjun , Wang Kun , Yu Changhong , Song Lijuan
Published: July 2018

Baicalin (BAI), one major flavonoid from Scutellaria baicalensis, possesses anticancer and anti‐inflammatory properties. However, the effect of BAI on diabetes mellitus has not been investigated. This study explored the antidiabetic effect of BAI on pancreatic β‐cell line Min6. Min6 cells were treated with tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) to mimic β‐cell destruction in type 1 diabetes mellitus. The effects of BAI on viability and apoptosis of Min6 cells were analyzed by the cell counting kit‐8 assay and Annexin V‐fluoresceine isothiocyanate/propidium iodide staining method. The insulin secretion of Min6 cells was determined using radioimmunoassay. Expression of apoptosis‐associated proteins and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and activation of phosphatidylinositol 3ʹ‐kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) and nuclear factor ΚB (NF‐κB) pathways were analyzed by Western blot analysis. Relative microRNA‐205 (miR‐205) expression was determined by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction. TNF‐α treatment inhibited cell growth and insulin secretion, but promoted iNOS expression. All of these effects were reversed by BAI treatment. BAI promoted viability; suppressed apoptosis; regulated caspase‐3, B‐cell lymphoma 2 and Bcl‐2‐associated X protein; decreased iNOS level; and increased insulin production. BAI protected Min6 cells by upregulating miR‐205. Besides, the Min6 cell‐protective effect of BAI was PI3K/AKT pathway and NF‐κB pathway dependent. BAI activated the PI3K/AKT pathway and inhibited the NF‐κB pathway by regulating miR‐205. In conclusion, BAI protected Min6 cells from TNF‐α‐induced injury by upregulating miR‐205, which acts, at least in part, via activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway and inactivation of the NF‐κB pathway.
MiR‐28‐5p relieves neuropathic pain by targeting Zeb1 in CCI rat models
Authors: Bao Yongfen , Wang Suhan , Xie Yushuang , Jin Kehua , Bai Yuting , Shan Shigang
Published: July 2018

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are recognized as significant regulators of neuropathic pain. Moreover, neuroinflammation can contribute a lot to the progression of neuropathic pain. MiR‐28‐5p has been reported to be involved in many pathological diseases. However, little is known about the function of miR‐28‐5p in neuropathic pain development. Our current study was designed to investigate the biological roles of miR‐28‐5p in neuropathic pain in a rat model established by chronic sciatic nerve injury (CCI). Here, we observed that miR‐28‐5p was decreased in CCI rats. MiR‐28‐5p overexpression was able to alleviate neuropathic pain behaviors including mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia. Meanwhile, inflammation‐correlated biomarkers such as Cyclooxygenase 2 (Cox‐2), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), and IL‐1β were greatly promoted in CCI rats and they were inhibited by miR‐28‐5p upregulation. In addition, zinc finger E‐box‐binding homeobox 1 (Zeb1) is a kind of transcription factor that is involved in various diseases. Here, in our study, Zeb1 was predicted as a downstream target of miR‐28‐5p. miR‐28‐5p can bind with the 3′‐untranslated region of Zeb1, which was validated by carrying out dual‐luciferase reporter assay. Moreover, we found that Zeb1 was significantly increased in CCI rats and miR‐28‐5p can modulate Zeb1 expression negatively. Theoverexpression of Zeb1 can disturb neuropathic pain development, which was repressed by the increase of miR‐28‐5p by upregulating Cox‐2, IL‐6, and IL‐1β levels. By taking all of these together, it was indicated in our study that miR‐28‐5p can reduce neuropathic pain progression by targeting Zeb1 in vivo. Our data implied that miR‐28‐5p/Zeb1 axis can be a novel therapeutic target for neuropathic pain treatment.
Epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate inhibited cancer stem cell–like properties by targeting hsa‐mir‐485‐5p/RXRα in lung cancer
Authors: Jiang Pan , Xu Chuyue , Chen Lijun , Chen Aochang , Wu Xiaoyue , Zhou Ming , Haq Ijaz Ul , Mariyam Zahula , Feng Qing
Published: July 2018

Non–small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) appears to be a significant threat to public health worldwide. MicroRNAs have been identified as significant regulators for the development of NSCLC. Previous reports have suggested that hsa‐mir‐485‐5p is dysregulated in various cancers. RXRα, as a kind of nuclear receptor, is an effective target of cancer treatment. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are recognized as the main cause for tumor metastasis, recurrence, and chemotherapy resistance. However, the mechanism by which hsa‐mir‐485‐5p and RXRα modulate CSCs in NSCLC remains unknown. Here, we found that hsa‐mir‐485‐5p was decreased in serum samples from patients with NSCLC and NSCLC cells. Meanwhile, epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG), an effective anticancer compound extracted from green tea, can enhance hsa‐mir‐485‐5p expression. Hsa‐mir‐485‐5p mimics markedly inhibited NSCLC cell growth and induced cell apoptosis. However, inhibition of hsa‐mir‐485‐5p significantly enriched CSC‐like traits. Moreover, bioinformatics analysis predicted the binding correlation between hsa‐mir‐485‐5p and RXRα, which was confirmed by a dual‐luciferase reporter assay. We observed that RXRα was increased in NSCLC and EGCG could inhibit RXRα levels dose dependently. In addition, RXRα upregulation or activation expanded the CSC‐like properties of NSCLC cells, whereas RXRα inhibition or inactivation could exert a reverse phenomenon. Consistently, in vivo experiments also validated that EGCG could repress the CSC‐like characteristics by modulating the hsa‐mir‐485‐5p/RXRα axis. Our findings may reveal a novel molecular mechanism for the treatment of NSCLC.
Association between neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio and nutritional status in geriatric patients
Authors: Kaya Tezcan , Açıkgöz Seyyid Bilal , Yıldırım Mehmet , Nalbant Ahmet , Altaş Ayfer Erdoğan , Cinemre Hakan
Published: July 2018

Background

Neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and presence of malnutrition have been found to be associated with mortality and morbidity in various clinical conditions. We investigated the association between NLR and nutritional status in geriatric patients.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study included 95 geriatric (age ≥ 65 years) patients from general internal medicine outpatient clinic of a university hospital. Nutritional status of the patients was evaluated using Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index, albumin, total cholesterol, body mass index, mid‐arm circumference, and calf circumference. NLR was calculated from the complete blood count results.

Results

A total of 59 patients were female, and the mean age was 73 ± 9.8 years. According to the MNA, 51.6% of patients had a normal nutritional status, and 48.4% were malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. The mean NLR of patients with malnourished or at risk of malnutrition was significantly higher than that of patients with normal nutritional status (P = 0.004). There was a negative correlation between NLRs and the MNA scores (r = −0.276, P = 0.007). Optimal NLR cutoff point for patients with malnourished or at risk of malnutrition was 1.81 with 71.7% sensitivity and 63.3% specificity [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.562‐0.780, P = 0.004]. Logistic regression analysis revealed that elevated NLR was an independent factor in prediction of malnutrition or risk of malnutrition in geriatric patients.

Conclusion

These results demonstrated that NLR was associated with the nutritional status of geriatric patients. NLR may be a useful nutritional marker for evaluating the nutritional status of geriatric outpatients.
Small molecule inhibitor RepSox prevented ovariectomy‐induced osteoporosis by suppressing osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption
Authors: Mei Liangwei , Sang Wenhua , Chen Zhenzhong , Zheng Lin , Jin Kangtao , Lou Chao , Huang Wenjun , He Dengwei
Published: July 2018

Osteoporosis (OP) is a serious metabolic disease that, due to the increased number or function of osteoclasts, results in increased bone brittleness and, therefore, fragile fracture. Some recent studies report the importance of the transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) pathway in bone homeostasis. RepSox is a small molecule inhibitor of TGFβRI that has a wide range of potential application in clinical medicine, except OP. The aim of our study is to evaluate the effects of RepSox on the differentiation and bone resorption of osteoclasts in vitro and in vivo in an ovariectomy (OVX)‐induced OP model. An initial analysis showed TGFβRI messenger RNA expression in both bone samples and bone cells. In the in vitro study, RepSox inhibited the receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL)‐induced osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption activity. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis showed that RepSox suppressed osteoclastic marker gene expression in both dose‐dependent and time‐dependent manners. In addition, RepSox did not affect osteoblast differentiation, migration or osteoblastic‐specific gene expression in vitro. Furthermore, western blot analysis indicated the underlying mechanisms of the RepSox suppression of osteoclastogenesis via the Smad3 and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase/activator protein‐1 (JNK/AP‐1) signaling pathways. Finally, our animal experiments revealed that RepSox prevented OVX‐induced bone loss in vivo. Together, our data suggest that RepSox regulates osteoclast differentiation, bone resorption, and OVX‐induced OP via the suppression of the Smad3 and JNK/AP‐1 pathways.
Effects of retinoids on physiologic and inflammatory osteoclastogenesis in vitro
Authors: Lionikaite Vikte , Westerlund Anna , Conaway H Herschel , Henning Petra , Lerner Ulf H
Published: July 2018

Increased intake of vitamin A (retinoids) is associated with decreased bone mass and increased fracture risk in humans. Mechanistic studies in rodents have shown that hypervitaminosis A results in decreased bone mass caused by an increase in periosteal osteoclasts while simultaneously decreasing endocortic osteoclasts. In vivo and ex vivo bone organ cultures have demonstrated that excess retinoids increase osteoclast formation due to increased receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B-ligand (RANKL) expression. In vitro, studies using murine bone marrow macrophages (BMM) have shown that retinoids inhibit osteoclast formation induced by recombinant RANKL. These opposing in vivo/ex vivo versus in vitro effects may elucidate why excess retinoids affect periosteal and endocortic osteoclast formation differently. In addition, it has been reported that retinoids can inhibit osteoclast formation under inflammatory conditions such as experimentally induced arthritis in mice. In the present study, we have compared the effect of all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) on physiologically and inflammatory induced osteoclastogenesis. ATRA inhibited physiologically induced (RANKL) osteoclast formation of human peripheral blood monocytes and mouse BMM as well as human monocytes stimulated with the pro-inflammatory compounds, TNF-α and LPS. The inhibition was due to impeded differentiation, rather than fusion, of mononucleated progenitor cells. ATRA disrupted differentiation by interfering with osteoclastogenic intracellular signaling. In line with this view, overexpression of Tnfrsf11a (encodes for RANK) in BMM could not overcome the inhibition of osteoclastogenesis by ATRA. The data suggest that ATRA inhibits both physiologic and inflammatory osteoclast differentiation of progenitors from the bone marrow and peripheral blood.

Retinol inhibits physiological and inflammatory induced osteoclastogenesis in vitro through RARα due to the inhibition of differentiation of mononucleated progenitor cells.
Effects of Threat Context, Trauma History, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Status on Physiological Startle Reactivity in Gulf War Veterans
Authors: Niles Andrea N. , Luxenberg Adam , Neylan Thomas C. , Inslicht Sabra S. , Richards Anne , Metzler Thomas J. , Hlavin Jennifer , Deng Jersey , O'Donovan Aoife
Published: July 2018

In the current study, we explored exaggerated physiological startle responses in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and examined startle reactivity as a biomarker of PTSD in a large veteran sample. We assessed heart rate (HR), skin conductance (SC), and electromyographic (EMG) startle responses to acoustic stimuli under low‐, ambiguous‐, and high‐threat conditions in Gulf War veterans with current (n = 48), past (n = 42), and no history of PTSD (control group; n = 152). We evaluated PTSD status using the Clinician‐Administered PTSD Scale and trauma exposure using the Trauma History Questionnaire. Participants with current PTSD had higher HR, ds = 0.28–0.53; SC, d = 0.37; and startle responses than those with past or no history of PTSD. The HR startle response under ambiguous threat best differentiated current PTSD; however, sensitivity and specificity analyses revealed it to be an imprecise indicator of PTSD status, ROC AUC = .66. Participants with high levels of trauma exposure only showed elevated HR and SC startle reactivity if they had current PTSD. Results indicate that startle is particularly elevated in PTSD when safety signals are available but a possibility of danger remains and when trauma exposure is high. However, startle reactivity alone is unlikely to be a sufficient biomarker of PTSD.
The Relative Impact of Traumatic Experiences and Daily Stressors on Mental Health Outcomes in Sri Lankan Adolescents
Authors: Ponnamperuma Thyagi , Nicolson Nancy A.
Published: July 2018

Prior trauma, current stress, and poor social support contribute to youth mental health problems. As daily stressors often increase in the aftermath of traumatic events, trauma could plausibly impact psychopathology not only directly but also indirectly via ongoing stress. In this study, we examined the relative roles of trauma and daily stressors in mental health outcomes in 753 Sri Lankan adolescents residing in areas impacted by the 2004 tsunami. In 2008, participants completed measures of trauma exposure, daily stressors, social support, posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), emotional and behavioral problems (EBP), and functional impairment; a subsample (n = 89) repeated these assessments 16 months later. Regression models revealed positive associations between cumulative trauma and all three mental health measures. Significant variance in these associations could be explained indirectly, via daily stressors. For PTSS, the indirect effect accounted for 26.1% of the total effect of trauma, unstandardized coefficient ab = 0. 739, 95% CI [0.459, 1.122]. For EBP this percentage was 42.4%, ab = 0.287, 95% CI [0.189, 0. 404], and for functional impairment 70.0%, ab = 0.072, 95% CI [0.049, 0.121]. Indirect effects on impairment were strongest when perceived social support was low. Although we also present evidence that pathways between stressors and psychopathology may have been bidirectional, findings support the notion that adolescents' daily stressors are important transmitters of the impact of traumatic events and highlight the need for interventions focused not only on trauma processing but also on reducing current stress and improving social support.
Mapping the Mental Health of Residents After the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombings
Authors: Jose Rupa
Published: July 2018

Postdisaster mental health is typically assessed and treated on an individual basis. Ecological assessments, however, can be a more cost‐effective means to identify and promote mental health after a disaster. In this study, the spatial patterning of acute stress scores, probable posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and fears and worries among a representative sample of Boston metropolitan area participants (N = 788) was examined using data collected 2–4 weeks to 2 years after the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings. Findings indicate significant clustering of acute stress scores, Moran's I = 0.24, z = 2.91, p = .004; fears and worries, Moran's I = 0.25, z = 2.39, p = .017; and probable PTSD at Wave 2, Moran's I = 0.49, z = 5.16; p < .001, and at Wave 5, Moran's I = 0.26, z = 2.51, p = .012, in the Boston metropolitan area, with high distress clusters found near downtown Boston and the attack site. These results suggest that disaster mental health is not uniformly distributed across space. Instead, patterns emerge to identify persons and neighborhoods at risk for poor mental health outcomes.
Predicting Avoidance Symptoms in U.S. Latino Youth Exposed to Community Violence: The Role of Cultural Values and Behavioral Inhibition
Authors: Schneider Aimee , Gudiño Omar G.
Published: July 2018

Not all youth exposed to violence are at equal risk for developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), reflecting potential variability in risk factors influencing the development of PTSD beyond exposure to violence. In particular, Latino youth have been found to be at a higher risk for developing PTSD after exposure to violence. Similarly, youth with high levels of behavioral inhibition appear to be at greater risk of developing PTSD following exposure to violence. In this study, we examined how Latino cultural values might be associated with behavioral inhibition and how these two factors together may interact to predict risk for developing PTSD avoidance symptoms, specifically. Data from a longitudinal sample of 168 Latino adolescents (11–15 years of age) indicated that Latino values were positively associated with behavioral inhibition, r = .26, p < .001, and that Latino values moderated the association between behavioral inhibition and avoidance symptoms, β = .16, p = .009, such that the association was stronger as Latino cultural values increased. Results from this study highlight the importance of considering cultural, individual, and contextual factors for understanding risk for PTSD. Future research should further assess the biological and cultural correlates of behavioral inhibition in order to improve understanding of risk and increase effectiveness of individualized intervention approaches.
Real‐time Tracheal Ultrasound for the Confirmation of Endotracheal Intubations in the Intensive Care Unit: An Observational Study
Authors: Arya Rohan , Schrift David , Choe Carol , Al‐Jaghbeer Mohammed
Published: July 2018

Objectives

Current methods to confirm endotracheal tube (ETT) placement have varying degrees of effectiveness and time to completion. We aimed to study the accuracy of real‐time tracheal ultrasound (US) to confirm ETT placement in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting.

Methods

This work was a prospective study completed at 2 academic tertiary care centers. Patients in the adult ICU requiring emergent intubation were enrolled in the trial. During the intubation process, a US team performed a tracheal US examination to determine, in real time, whether the ETT was placed into the trachea or the esophagus.

Results

A total of 75 patients were enrolled in the study and were available for analysis. There were 12 (16%) esophageal intubations and 63 (84%) tracheal intubations. One hundred percent of the tracheal intubations and 83% of the esophageal intubations were correctly identified. The positive and negative predictive values of US to detect an esophageal intubation were 100% and 97%, respectively.

Conclusions

Tracheal US can be highly accurate in identifying the location of the ETT, in real time, in ICU patients undergoing emergent intubation. Although our study shows a great potential of real‐time US use during emergent intubations, larger studies would be needed to further evaluate the accuracy of this technique.
Assessing the impact of land use change on aridification in semiarid land
Authors: Emadodin Iraj , Reinsch Thorsten
Published: July 2018

In this study, aridification as an environmental challenge was investigated in detail. Regional meteorological data and climate indices as diagnostic tools have been used to detect the temporal trend of aridification over the past six decades in Tehran City. For this purpose, annual time‐series (1951–2010) of temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, and visibility as well as the climate indices (Johansson continentality index, De Martonne aridity/humidity index, Pinna combinative index, discomfort index, and potential evapotranspiration) have been selected. The study focuses on Tehran, the largest urban area in western Asia and a complex socio‐economic region (with around 8.3 million people). Mann–Kendall test was used to determine temporal trends in the climate indices and meteorological data. The results show that the climate components are strongly affected by the rapid urbanization and land‐use change during the last six decades. The De Martonne and Pinna combinative indices show high variations in the analyzed periods. The results show positive trend in visibility and temperature. Discomfort condition and potential evapotranspiration have been calculated for two separate temporal periods (1951–1975 and 1976–2010). Temporal distribution of discomfort index shows more than half of the population feels discomfort in July after rapid urbanization during 1976–2010. The potential evapotranspiration shows an increase during 1976–2010 period compared with the 1951–1975 period. The threshold of growing aridity in the area under investigation is mainly due to an increase of annual temperature that effects on the potential evapotranspiration.
Interrelationships between terrace development, topography, soil erosion, and soil dislocation by tillage in Minchet Catchment, Ethiopian Highlands
Authors: Subhatu Alemtsehay , Speranza Chinwe Ifejika , Zeleke Gete , Roth Vincent , Lemann Tatenda , Herweg Karl , Hurni Hans
Published: July 2018

This study assesses the interrelationships between terrace development and topographic factors, soil erosion, and soil dislocation by tillage in Minchet Catchment in the Ethiopian Highlands. Data were collected through a mix of modelling soil erosion using the Universal Soil Loss Equation adapted to Ethiopia, and measuring slope and soil deposition above the terraces. The terraces, which developed over 29 years following construction of fanya juu bunds on cropland, reduced the cropland's current slope gradient to half of its original slope, leading to about 39% less soil erosion. Currently, of the total 50 t · ha−1 · yr−1 soil deposition measured above the terraces, about 22 t · ha−1 · yr−1 was soil eroded by water, and the other 28 t · ha−1 · yr−1 was soil that had been dislocated by tillage. This shows that Soil and Water Conservation technologies in the study area are effective in reducing slope gradient and slope length, and thus also in trapping eroded soil, slowing soil movement by tillage, and ultimately, in reducing soil erosion. However, current soil loss from the fields still exceeds the soil formation rate of the study area. We thus highlight possible options to further reduce soil erosion in the crop fields, such as increasing the number of terraces in areas with wider spacing and growing multipurpose and productive grasses and trees on terraces.
Two threatened Caribbean coral species have contrasting responses to combined temperature and acidification stress
Authors: Langdon Chris , Albright Rebecca , Baker Andrew C. , Jones Paul
Published: July 2018

There is growing evidence that different coral species and algal symbionts (Symbiodinium spp.) can vary greatly in their response to rising temperatures and also ocean acidification. In a fully crossed factorial experimental design, two threatened Caribbean reef‐building coral species, Acropora cervicornis hosting a mixture of Symbiodinium clades A and C and Orbicella faveolata hosting Symbiodinium D, were exposed to combinations of a normal (26°C) and elevated (32°C) temperature and normal (380 ppm) and elevated (800 ppm) CO2 for 62 d and then recovered at 26°C and 380 ppm or 32°C and 380 ppm for an additional 56 d. CO2 enrichment did not confer enhanced thermal tolerance as had been suggested in other studies. A. cervicornis was more sensitive to heat stress (maximum monthly mean + 1.5°C) experiencing 100% mortality after 25 d while all O. faveolata survived. Conversely, O. faveolata was more sensitive to high CO2 experiencing a 47% reduction in growth while A. cervicornis experienced no significant reduction. It is predicted that A. cervicornis is unlikely to survive past 2035. O. faveolata with D symbionts might survive to 2060 and later but its abundance will be impacted by CO2 effects on recruitment potential.
Waters under Artificial Lights: Does Light Pollution Matter for Aquatic Primary Producers?
Authors: Grubisic Maja
Published: July 2018

Bright night lights have become a symbol of development and prosperity in the modern world. But have you ever wondered how artificial light at night (ALAN) may be affecting living beings in our cities, and how it may be affecting us? As artificial illumination is transforming nocturnal environments around the world, light pollution associated with its use is becoming a topic of increasing interest in the scientific and public communities. Light pollution disrupts natural light regimes in many regions of the world, raising concerns about ecological and health impacts of this novel anthropogenic pressure. Most obviously, ALAN can influence night‐active animals in urban and suburban areas, and most research in this growing field focuses on terrestrial organisms such as bats, birds, and insects. Effects on aquatic ecosystems are much less known. In particular, aquatic primary producers, such as microalgae, cyanobacteria, and plants, have rarely been studied despite their critical positioning in the base of aquatic food webs and the fundamental role that light plays in their ecology. For primary producers, light is a key source of both energy and environmental information; it influences their growth, production, and community structure. ALAN has therefore a large potential to influence their communities and induce bottom‐up changes to aquatic ecosystems and ecosystem functions.
Hybrid Polypeptide/Polylactide Copolymers with Short Phenylalanine Blocks
Authors: Mayans Enric , Murase Sara K. , Pérez‐Madrigal Maria M. , Cativiela Carlos , Alemán Carlos , Puiggalí Jordi
Published: July 2018

Hybrid copolymers constituted by short l‐phenylalanine (Phe) blocks (i.e., Phen with n ranging from 2 to 25) and l‐lactide blocks of different length are synthesized and characterized. The diblock structure is obtained by ring opening polymerization of lactide using a Phe‐oligopeptide as macroinitiator. The length of the poly(l‐lactide) (PLLA) block is controlled through the [lactide]/[macroinitiator] ratio. Morphologic studies of such hybrid copolymers indicate that the assembly of PLLA can be controlled by introducing short Phe blocks. Spherulites with both positive and negative birefringence are achieved in melt crystallization as a consequence of different lamellar distributions. Instead, a high variety of structures are detected in solution‐crystallized samples. Specifically, lozenge single crystals, flower‐like crystals, fibrillar structures, compact spheres, ringed sperulites, dendritic structures, microfibers, and braid‐like microstructures are observed. Some of the detected morphologies are characteristic of self‐assembled Phe‐oligopeptides, suggesting that Phe‐blocks play a crucial role in the self‐assembly properties.
Content overlap analysis of 64 (hypo)mania symptoms among seven common rating scales
Authors: Chrobak Adrian A. , Siwek Marcin , Dudek Dominika , Rybakowski Janusz K.
Published: July 2018

Objectives

Fried () quantified the overlap of items among seven widely used depression rating scales. The analysis revealed substantial heterogeneity of the depressive syndromes and a low overlap among the scales. To our best knowledge, there are no studies evaluating the content overlap of (hypo)mania scales. The goal of our study, therefore, is to quantify the overlap of items among seven widely used (hypo)manic scales, implementing the methodology developed by Fried ().

Methods

Seven commonly used (hypo)manic scales underwent content analysis. Symptom overlap was evaluated with the use of the Jaccard index (0 = no overlap, 1 = full overlap). In case of every scale, rates of idiosyncratic symptoms and rates of specific versus compound symptoms were calculated.

Results

The seven scales gathered 64 hypo(manic) symptoms. The mean overlap among all of the instruments was low (0.35), the mean overlap of each scale with all others ranged from 0.29% to 0.48%, and the overlap among individual scales ranged from 0.20% to 0.65. Thirty‐six percent of symptoms appeared only on one scale. Only 6% of the symptoms appeared on all of the instruments.

Conclusions

We have shown that using (hypo)manic scales as interchangeable measurements may be problematic.
Homonuclear decoupling by projection reconstruction
Authors: Görling Benjamin , Bermel Wolfgang , Bräse Stefan , Luy Burkhard
Published: July 2018

Similar to J‐resolved spectroscopy, also, heteronuclear multiple bond correlation (HMBC), heteronuclear single bond correlation (HSBC), and heteronuclear multiple quantum coherence (HMQC) types of correlation experiments result in homonuclear tilted multiplet patterns. On the example of the high‐resolution heteronuclear single bond correlation (HR‐HSBC) pulse sequence, it is shown how the tilt angle can be varied within a wide range of positive and negative values. Projection along the tilt angles in all cases results in homonuclear decoupling. Using well‐known projection reconstruction techniques, the different tilt angles can be used to reconstruct a homonuclear decoupled two‐dimensional correlation spectrum. The concept is proven and further refined by segmental projection reconstruction and the use of a clean in‐phase heteronuclear single quantum correlation (CLIP‐HSQC) spectrum with an effective zero tilt angle for further filtering. The proof of principle, its application to one‐bond coupling measurement, as well as a basic HMBC, and a detailed discussion with comparison to other homodecoupling techniques are given.
Gradient‐controlled local Larmor adjustment (GC‐LOLA) for simultaneous multislice bSSFP imaging with improved banding behavior
Authors: Stäb Daniel , Speier Peter
Published: July 2018

Purpose

Simultaneous multislice (SMS) accelerated balanced SSFP (bSSFP) imaging can be impaired by off‐resonance effects, due to slice‐specific alterations in the frequency response. In this work, we introduce gradient‐controlled local Larmor adjustment as a means to restore the frequency response and to stabilize SMS‐accelerated bSSFP imaging with respect to banding artifacts.

Methods

Providing each simultaneously excited slice with an individual RF phase cycle in SMS‐accelerated bSSFP imaging results in the sequence's frequency response being shifted slice‐specifically along the off‐resonance axis. The net available pass‐band for imaging is effectively reduced, increasing the measurement's susceptibility toward B0 inhomogeneities. To overcome these issues, gradient‐controlled local Larmor adjustment modifies the Larmor frequency locally and aligns the slice‐specific frequency responses on resonance by (1) unbalancing the slice gradient by a small constant amount and (2) modifying the RF phase cycles homogeneously across all slices. The concept is investigated using simulations and phantom experiments and applied to SMS‐accelerated bSSFP cine cardiovascular MR at 3 T.

Results

Phantom and in vivo measurements demonstrate the successful removal of banding artifacts and restoration of the bSSFP frequency response using gradient‐controlled local Larmor adjustment. For large slice thicknesses and small slice distances, banding artifacts become slightly widened.

Conclusion

Gradient‐controlled local Larmor adjustment successfully restores the frequency response in SMS‐accelerated bSSFP imaging without increasing the sequence's susceptibility toward eddy current effects. The concept facilitates combinations of the different SMS encoding concepts and provides a powerful way to actively control off‐resonance effects in slice‐accelerated bSSFP imaging.
Black blood myocardialT2mapping
Authors: Wang Chengyan , Jang Jihye , Neisius Ulf , Nezafat Maryam , Fahmy Ahmed , Kang Jinkyu , Rodriguez Jennifer , Goddu Beth , Pierce Patrick , Berg Sophie , Zhang Jue , Wang Xiaoying , Nezafat Reza
Published: July 2018

Purpose

To develop a black blood heart‐rate adaptive T2‐prepared balanced steady‐state free‐precession (BEATS) sequence for myocardial T2mapping.

Methods

In BEATS, blood suppression is achieved by using a combination of preexcitation and double inversion recovery pulses. The timing and flip angles of the preexcitation pulse are auto‐calculated in each patient based on heart rate. Numerical simulations, phantom studies, and in vivo studies were conducted to evaluate the performance of BEATS. BEATS T2maps were acquired in 36 patients referred for clinical cardiac MRI and in 1 swine with recent myocardial infarction. Two readers assessed all images acquired in patients to identify the presence of artifacts associated with slow blood flow.

Results

Phantom experiments showed that the BEATS sequence provided accurate T2values over a wide range of simulated heart rates. Black blood myocardial T2maps were successfully obtained in all subjects. No significant difference was found between the average T2measurements obtained from the BEATS and conventional bright‐blood T2; however, there was a decrease in precision using the BEATS sequence. A suppression of the blood pool resulted in sharper definition of the blood–myocardium border and reduced partial voluming effect. The subjective assessment showed that 16% (18 out of 108) of short‐axis slices have residual blood artifacts (12 in the apical slice, 4 in the midventricular slice, and 2 in the basal slice).

Conclusion

The BEATS sequence yields dark blood myocardial T2maps with better definition of the blood–myocardium border. Further studies are warranted to evaluate diagnostic accuracy of black blood T2mapping.
Motion compensation using principal component analysis and projection onto dipole fields for abdominal magnetic resonance thermometry
Authors: Tan Jeremy , Mougenot Charles , Pichardo Samuel , Drake James M. , Waspe Adam C.
Published: July 2018

Purpose

High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has the potential to locally and non‐invasively treat cancer with fewer side effects than alternative therapies. However, motion and tissue heterogeneity in the abdomen can compromise the HIFU focus and confound current thermometry methods.

Methods

The proposed thermometry method combines principal component analysis (PCA), as a multi‐baseline technique, and projection onto dipole fields (PDF), as a near‐referenceless method. PCA forgoes tracking tools by projecting incoming images onto a subspace spanning the motion history. PDF is subsequently used to synthesize the naturally feasible components of the residual phase using a magnetic dipole model. This leaves only the phase shifts that are induced by HIFU.

Results

With in vivo measurements, in porcine and human kidneys, the mean pixel‐wise temperature SD was 0.86 ± 0.41°C in selected regions of interest (ROIs) across all data sets, without any user‐interaction or supplementary tracking tools. This is an improvement over a benchmark hybrid method, which scored 1.36 ± 1.20°C on the same data. Uncorrected subtraction of the data yielded a score of 3.02 ± 2.87°C.

Conclusion

The PCA‐PDF hybrid method achieves superior artifact correction by exploiting the motion history and intrinsic magnetic susceptibility of the underlying tissue.
Evaluating the accuracy of multicomponent T2 parameters for luminal water imaging of the prostate with acceleration using inner‐volume 3DGRASE
Authors: Chan Rachel W. , Lau Angus Z. , Detzler Garry , Thayalasuthan Vivekanandan , Nam Robert K. , Haider Masoom A.
Published: July 2018

Purpose

Prostate cancer can be detected using a multicomponent T2 mapping technique termed luminal water imaging. The purpose of this study is twofold: 1) To accelerate the luminal water imaging acquisition by using inner volume selection as part of a gradient and spin echo sequence, and 2) to evaluate the accuracy of luminal water fractions and multicomponent T2 relaxation times.

Methods

The accuracy of parameter estimates was assessed using Monte Carlo simulations, in phantom experiments and in the prostate (in 5 healthy subjects). Two fitting methods, nonnegative least squares and biexponential fitting with stimulated echo correction, were compared.

Results

Results demonstrate that inner volume selection in a gradient and spin echo sequence is effective for accelerating prostate luminal water imaging by at least threefold. Evaluation of the accuracy shows that the estimated luminal water fractions are relatively accurate, but the short‐ and long‐T2 relaxation times should be interpreted with caution in noisy scenarios (SNR < 100) and when the corresponding fractions are small ( < 0.5). The mean luminal water fractions obtained at SNR above 100 are 0.27 ± 0.07 for the peripheral zone for both fitting methods, 0.16 ± 0.04 for the transition zone with nonnegative least squares, and 0.16 ± 0.03 for the transition zone with biexponential fitting including stimulated echo correction.

Conclusion

The shortened scan duration allows the luminal water imaging sequence to be easily integrated into a standard multiparametric prostate MRI protocol.
Dynamic off‐resonance correction for spiral real‐time MRI of speech
Authors: Lim Yongwan , Lingala Sajan Goud , Narayanan Shrikanth S. , Nayak Krishna S.
Published: July 2018

Purpose

To improve the depiction and tracking of vocal tract articulators in spiral real‐time MRI (RT‐MRI) of speech production by estimating and correcting for dynamic changes in off‐resonance.

Methods

The proposed method computes a dynamic field map from the phase of single‐TE dynamic images after a coil phase compensation where complex coil sensitivity maps are estimated from the single‐TE dynamic scan itself. This method is tested using simulations and in vivo data. The depiction of air–tissue boundaries is evaluated quantitatively using a sharpness metric and visual inspection.

Results

Simulations demonstrate that the proposed method provides robust off‐resonance correction for spiral readout durations up to 5 ms at 1.5T. In ‐vivo experiments during human speech production demonstrate that image sharpness is improved in a majority of data sets at air–tissue boundaries including the upper lip, hard palate, soft palate, and tongue boundaries, whereas the lower lip shows little improvement in the edge sharpness after correction.

Conclusion

Dynamic off‐resonance correction is feasible from single‐TE spiral RT‐MRI data, and provides a practical performance improvement in articulator sharpness when applied to speech production imaging.