bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel contaminants identified in fish kills in the Red River watershed, 2011–2013
Authors: Jones-Lepp Tammy L. , Taguchi Vince , Sovocool Wayne , Betowski Don , DeArmond Patrick , Schumacher Brian , Winnik Witold , McMillin Rick , Armstrong Chris
Published: September 2017

Provisional molecular weights and chemical formulas were assigned to 4 significant previously unidentified contaminants present during active fish kills in the Red River region of Oklahoma. The provisional identifications of these contaminants were determined using high-resolution liquid chromatography–time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-TOFMS), LC-Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (LC-FTICRMS), and LC-ion trap mass spectrometry (LC-ITMS). Environmental water samples were extracted using a solid-phase extraction (SPE) method, and sediment samples were extracted using a modified sonication liquid extraction method. During screening of the samples, 2 major unknown chromatographic peaks were detected at m/z 624.3 and m/z 639.3. The peak at m/z 639.3 was firmly identified, through the use of an authentic standard, as a porphyrin, specifically chlorin-e6-trimethyl ester, with m/z 639.31735 (M + H)+ and molecular formula C37H43N4O6. The other major peak, at m/z 624.3 (M + H)+, was identified as an amide-containing porphyrin. It was discovered that the amide compound was an artifact created during the SPE process by reaction of ammonium hydroxide at 1 of 3 potential reaction sites on chlorin-e6-trimethyl ester. Other unique nontargeted chemicals were also detected and the importance of their identification is discussed. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:336–344. Published 2017 Wiley Periodicals Inc. on behalf of SETAC. This article is a US government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.

Abstract
Effects of household washing on bacterial load and removal of Escherichia coli from lettuce and “ready‐to‐eat” salads
Authors: Uhlig Elisabeth , Olsson Crister , He Jiayi , Stark Therese , Sadowska Zuzanna , Molin Göran , Ahrné Siv , Alsanius Beatrix , Håkansson Åsa
Published: September 2017

Customer demands for fresh salads are increasing, but leafy green vegetables have also been linked to food‐borne illness due to pathogens such as Escherichia coli O157:H7. As a safety measure, consumers often wash leafy vegetables in water before consumption. In this study, we analyzed the efficiency of household washing to reduce the bacterial content. Romaine lettuce and ready‐to‐eat mixed salad were washed several times in flowing water at different rates and by immersing the leaves in water. Lettuce was also inoculated with E. coli before washing. Only washing in a high flow rate (8 L/min) resulted in statistically significant reductions (p < .05), “Total aerobic count” was reduced by 80%, and Enterobacteriaceae count was reduced by 68% after the first rinse. The number of contaminating E. coli was not significantly reduced. The dominating part of the culturable microbiota of the washed lettuce was identified by rRNA 16S sequencing of randomly picked colonies. The majority belonged to Pseudomonadaceae, but isolates from Enterobacteriaceae and Staphylococcaceaceae were also frequently found. This study shows the inefficiency of tap water washing methods available for the consumer when it comes to removal of bacteria from lettuce. Even after washing, the lettuce contained high levels of bacteria that in a high dose and under certain circumstances may constitute a health risk.
Fluid Dynamic Modeling for Microbial Fuel Cell Based Biosensor Optimization
Authors: Massaglia G. , Gerosa M. , Agostino V. , Cingolani A. , Sacco A. , Saracco G. , Margaria V. , Quaglio M.
Published: September 2017

The present work investigates the fluid dynamic distribution in two different geometries of Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs), a squared shape MFC and a drop‐like one, and explores their use as possible biosensors. For both architectures, air‐cathode single chamber microbial fuel cells (SCMFCs) with an inner volume of 12.5 mL have been developed. Simulations based on Navier‐Stokes equations were used to investigate the motion of fluid, i.e., the electrolyte, inside the MFCs. The aim was to define the effective exposed area for each introduced architecture, and to correlate this parameter to the variation of the device performances in terms of current densities, together with their response to the variation of sodium acetate concentration. For this purpose, the fluid dynamic simulations have been implemented using two different flow rate values, namely, 12.5 mL h−1 and 100 mL h−1. The experimental amperometric response of drop‐like SCMFCs and squared shape SCMFCs, fabricated by 3D printing, have been correlated with the variation of sodium acetate concentration and the relative sensitivity analyzed. The optimized drop‐like SCMFC showed the better behavior, with an effective concentration of sodium acetate close to the nominal one and an improved sensitivity for high flow rates.
The megalithic necropolis of Panoria, Granada, Spain: Geoarchaeological characterization and provenance studies
Authors: Aranda Jiménez Gonzalo , Lozano Jose A. , Pérez Valera Fernando
Published: September 2017

The characterization of materials used in the construction of megalithic monuments can be considered a key aspect for a better understanding of the social behavior of past societies. The excavation of four dolmens and one small cist in 2015 at the megalithic necropolis of Panoria (Granada, Spain) offered an excellent opportunity to explore the geological properties and potential source area(s) of the uprights used in their construction. All the stone slabs came from the same raw material: fine‐grained, beige to pink limestones that occasionally show red and black chert nodules, with wavy stratifications and a packstone texture. Comparison with the geological properties of the surrounding outcrops matches a lithostratigraphy known as the Ammonitico Rosso Formation. Thus, it seems safe to say that the quarry area was located next to the necropolis. Explanations other than the traditional practical reasons have been put forward to understand why the stone slabs were quarried from the same mountain in which the tombs were located.
Mechanical plasticity during oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination
Authors: Domingues Helena S. , Cruz Andrea , Chan Jonah R. , Relvas João B. , Rubinstein Boris , Pinto Inês Mendes
Published: September 2017

In the central nervous system, oligodendrocyte precursor cells are exclusive in their potential to differentiate into myelinating oligodendrocytes. Oligodendrocyte precursor cells migrate within the parenchyma and extend cell membrane protrusions that ultimately evolve into myelinating sheaths able to wrap neuronal axons and significantly increase their electrical conductivity. The subcellular force generating mechanisms driving morphological and functional transformations during oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination remain elusive. In this review, we highlight the mechanical processes governing oligodendrocyte plasticity in a dynamic interaction with the extracellular matrix.
Decoding the neural representation of story meanings across languages
Authors: Dehghani Morteza , Boghrati Reihane , Man Kingson , Hoover Joe , Gimbel Sarah I. , Vaswani Ashish , Zevin Jason D. , Immordino‐Yang Mary Helen , Gordon Andrew S. , Damasio Antonio , Kaplan Jonas T.
Published: September 2017

Drawing from a common lexicon of semantic units, humans fashion narratives whose meaning transcends that of their individual utterances. However, while brain regions that represent lower‐level semantic units, such as words and sentences, have been identified, questions remain about the neural representation of narrative comprehension, which involves inferring cumulative meaning. To address these questions, we exposed English, Mandarin, and Farsi native speakers to native language translations of the same stories during fMRI scanning. Using a new technique in natural language processing, we calculated the distributed representations of these stories (capturing the meaning of the stories in high‐dimensional semantic space), and demonstrate that using these representations we can identify the specific story a participant was reading from the neural data. Notably, this was possible even when the distributed representations were calculated using stories in a different language than the participant was reading. Our results reveal that identification relied on a collection of brain regions most prominently located in the default mode network. These results demonstrate that neuro‐semantic encoding of narratives happens at levels higher than individual semantic units and that this encoding is systematic across both individuals and languages. Hum Brain Mapp 38:6096–6106, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Atypical neuronal activation during a spatial working memory task in 13‐year‐old very preterm children
Authors: Arthursson Pia‐Maria S. H. , Thompson Deanne K. , Spencer‐Smith Megan , Chen Jian , Silk Tim , Doyle Lex W. , Anderson Peter J.
Published: September 2017

Children born very preterm (VP; <32 weeks' gestational age) are at risk for unfavorable outcomes in several cognitive domains, including spatial working memory (WM). The underlying neural basis of these cognitive impairments is poorly understood. We investigated differences in neuronal activation during spatial WM using a backward span (BS) task relative to a control (C) task in 45 VP children and 19 term‐born controls aged 13 years. VP children showed significantly more activation in the bilateral superior frontal gyrus and significantly less activation in the left parahippocampal gyrus compared with controls. We further explored the distinct contributions of maintenance and manipulation processes of WM using forward span (FS)>C and BS > FS, respectively. There were no significant group differences in neuronal activation for FS > C. However, BS > FS revealed that VP children had significantly greater activation in the left middle frontal gyrus, in the left superior parietal gyrus and right cerebellar tonsil, and significantly less activation in the right precentral and postcentral gyrus and left insula compared with controls. Taken together these results suggest that VP children at 13 years of age show an atypical neuronal activation during spatial WM, specifically related to manipulation of spatial information in WM. It is unclear whether these findings reflect delayed maturation and/or recruitment of alternative neuronal networks as a result of neuroplasticity. Hum Brain Mapp 38:6172–6184, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Dynamic functional connectivity and individual differences in emotions during social stress
Authors: Tobia Michael J. , Hayashi Koby , Ballard Grey , Gotlib Ian H. , Waugh Christian E.
Published: September 2017

Exposure to acute stress induces multiple emotional responses, each with their own unique temporal dynamics. Dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) measures the temporal variability of network synchrony and captures individual differences in network neurodynamics. This study investigated the relationship between dFC and individual differences in emotions induced by an acute psychosocial stressor. Sixteen healthy adult women underwent fMRI scanning during a social evaluative threat (SET) task, and retrospectively completed questionnaires that assessed individual differences in subjectively experienced positive and negative emotions about stress and stress relief during the task. Group dFC was decomposed with parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) into 10 components, each with a temporal signature, spatial network of functionally connected regions, and vector of participant loadings that captures individual differences in dFC. Participant loadings of two networks were positively correlated with stress‐related emotions, indicating the existence of networks for positive and negative emotions. The emotion‐related networks involved the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, cingulate cortex, anterior insula, and amygdala, among other distributed brain regions, and time signatures for these emotion‐related networks were uncorrelated. These findings demonstrate that individual differences in stress‐induced positive and negative emotions are each uniquely associated with large‐scale brain networks, and suggest that dFC is a mechanism that generates individual differences in the emotional components of the stress response. Hum Brain Mapp 38:6185–6205, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Do public hospitals respond to changes in DRG price regulation? The case of birth deliveries in the Italian NHS
Authors: Di Giacomo Marina , Piacenza Massimiliano , Siciliani Luigi , Turati Gilberto
Published: September 2017

We study how changes in Diagnosis‐Related Group price regulation affect hospital behaviour in quasi‐markets with exclusive provision by public hospitals. Exploiting a quasi‐natural experiment, we use a difference‐in‐differences approach to test whether public hospitals respond to an exogenous change in Diagnosis‐Related Group tariffs by increasing C‐section rates and/or by upcoding. Controlling for a detailed set of mother characteristics, we find that price changes did not affect the probability of a C‐section. We do however find evidence of upcoding: Conditional on the birth delivery method (either a C‐section or a vaginal delivery), public hospitals experiencing the largest price change exhibit a higher probability of treating patients coded as complicated. This finding suggests that even public hospitals may be sensitive to market incentives.
Will you still need me, will you still feed me when I'm 64? The health impact of caregiving to one's spouse
Authors: de Zwart P.L. , Bakx P. , van Doorslaer E.K.A.
Published: September 2017

Informal care may substitute for formal long‐term care that is often publicly funded or subsidized. The costs of informal caregiving are borne by the caregiver and may consist of worse health outcomes and, if the caregiver has not retired, worse labor market outcomes. We estimate the impact of providing informal care to one's partner on the caregiver's health using data from the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe. We use statistical matching to deal with selection bias and endogeneity. We find that in the short run caregiving has a substantial effect on the health of caregivers and, for female caregivers, on their health care use. These effects should be taken into account when comparing the costs and benefits of formal and informal care provision. The health effects may, however, be short‐lived, as we do not find any evidence that they persist after 4 or 7 years.
The effect of waiting times on demand and supply for elective surgery: Evidence from Italy
Authors: Riganti Andrea , Siciliani Luigi , Fiorio Carlo V.
Published: September 2017

Waiting times are a major policy concern in publicly funded health systems across OECD countries. Economists have argued that, in the presence of excess demand, waiting times act as nonmonetary prices to bring demand for and supply of health care in equilibrium. Using administrative data disaggregated by region and surgical procedure over 2010–2014 in Italy, we estimate demand and supply elasticities with respect to waiting times. We employ linear regression models with first differences and instrumental variables to deal with endogeneity of waiting times. We find that demand is inelastic to waiting times while supply is more elastic. Estimates of demand elasticity are between −0.15 to −0.24. Our results have implications on the effectiveness of policies aimed at increasing supply and their ability to reduce waiting times.
Determinants of transient and persistent hospital efficiency: The case of Italy
Authors: Colombi Roberto , Martini Gianmaria , Vittadini Giorgio
Published: September 2017

In this paper, we extend the 4‐random‐component closed skew‐normal stochastic frontier model by including exogenous determinants of hospital persistent (long‐run) and transient (short‐run) inefficiency, separated from unobserved heterogeneity. We apply this new model to a dataset composed by 133 Italian hospitals during the period 2008–2013. We show that average total inefficiency is about 23%, higher than previous estimates; hence, a model where the different types of inefficiency and hospital unobserved characteristics are not confounded allows us to get less biased estimates of hospital inefficiency. Moreover, we find that transient efficiency is more important than persistent efficiency, as it accounts for 60% of the total one. Last, we find that ownership (for‐profit hospitals are more transiently inefficient and less persistently inefficient than not‐for‐profit ones, whereas public hospitals are less transiently inefficient than not‐for‐profit ones), specialization (specialized hospitals are more transiently inefficient than general ones; i.e., there is evidence of scope economies in short‐run efficiency), and size (large‐sized hospitals are better than medium and small ones in terms of transient inefficiency) are determinants of both types of inefficiency, although we do not find any statistically significant effect of multihospital systems and teaching hospitals.
Spatial effects in hospital expenditures: A district level analysis
Authors: Lippi Bruni Matteo , Mammi Irene
Published: September 2017

We use spatial econometric methods to analyse spillovers in hospital expenditures across Health Districts of the Emilia‐Romagna Region (Italy). We estimate spatial models that allow for global spillovers and distinguish between the expenditures associated with potentially inappropriate hospitalizations and those associated with complex medical procedures. We also investigate the relative contribution of geographical and institutional proximity in explaining spatial dependence, by explicitly modelling different connectivity structures and exploiting them to build alternative spatial weight matrices. We find that interactions largely differ between types of expenditures, with positive spatial effects for potentially inappropriate admissions, the effect being generally not significant for high‐complexity expenditure. Relying on the estimated direct and indirect effects, we also test for the presence of spatial spillovers across districts. Finally, the paper draws policy implications for the public health planner.
Parent‐implemented behavioral skills training of social skills
Authors: Dogan Rebecca K. , King Melissa L. , Fischetti Anthony T. , Lake Candice M. , Mathews Therese L. , Warzak William J.
Published: September 2017

Impairment in social skills is a primary feature of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). Research indicates that social skills are intimately tied to social development and negative social consequences can persist if specific social behaviors are not acquired. The present study evaluated the effects of behavioral skills training (BST) on teaching four parents of children with ASDs to be social skills trainers. A nonconcurrent multiple baseline design across parent–child dyads was employed and direct observation was used to assess parent and child behaviors Results demonstrated substantial improvement in social skills teaching for all participants for trained and untrained skills. Ancillary measures of child performance indicated improvement in skills as well. High levels of correct teaching responses were maintained at a 1 month follow‐up. This study extends current literature on BST while also providing a helpful, low‐effort strategy to modify how parents can work with their children to improve their social skills.
The effects of preference assessment type on problem behavior
Authors: Tung Sara Beth , Donaldson Jeanne M. , Kahng SungWoo
Published: September 2017

Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who engage in problem behavior maintained by access to tangibles may exhibit more problem behavior during certain preference assessments. We compared three common preference assessments to determine which resulted in fewer problem behaviors. The paired stimulus and multiple‐stimulus without replacement assessments produced higher rates of problem behavior than the free operant (FO) assessment, suggesting that the FO assessment may be the most appropriate assessment for individuals who engage in problem behavior maintained by access to tangibles.
Go/no‐go procedure with compound stimuli with children with autism
Authors: Silva Rafael Augusto , Debert Paula
Published: September 2017

The go/no‐go with compound stimuli is an alternative to matching‐to‐sample to produce conditional and emergent relations in adults. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of this procedure with two children diagnosed with autism. We trained and tested participants to respond to conditional relations among arbitrary stimuli using the go/no‐go procedure. Both learned all the trained conditional relations without developing response bias or responding to no‐go trials. Participants demonstrated performance consistent with symmetry, but not equivalence.
Cytoprotective effects of xanthohumol against methylglyoxal‐induced cytotoxicity in MC3T3‐E1 osteoblastic cells
Authors: Suh Kwang Sik , Chon Suk , Choi Eun Mi
Published: September 2017

Methylglyoxal (MG) has been suggested to be a major source of intracellular reactive carbonyl compounds, and has been implicated in increasing the levels of advanced glycation end products in age‐related diseases. Xanthohumol is a prenylated flavonoid found in hops (Humulus lupulus) and beer. In the present study, we investigated the effects of xanthohumol on MG‐induced cytotoxicity in osteoblastic MC3T3‐E1 cells. Xanthohumol attenuated MG‐induced cytotoxicity, as evidenced by improved cell viability, and prevented MG‐induced MG‐protein adducts, inflammatory cytokines, reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial superoxide production. In addition, xanthohumol increased glyoxalase I activity, glutathione, heme oxygenase‐1 and nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 levels in the presence of MG. Pretreatment with xanthohumol before MG exposure reduced MG‐induced mitochondrial dysfunction. Furthermore, xanthohumol treatment resulted in a significant reduction in the levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress and autophagy induced by MG. Notably, the autophagy‐reducing effect of xanthohumol was abolished after the addition of Ex527, a selective inhibitor of sirtuin 1, suggesting that xanthohumol is an effective sirtuin 1 activator for reducing autophagy. Taken together, our findings suggest xanthohumol as a promising new strategy for preventing diabetic osteopathy.
Substrate stiffness regulated migration and angiogenesis potential of A549 cells and HUVECs
Authors: Zhao Dan , Xue Changyue , Li Qianshun , Liu Mengting , Ma Wenjuan , Zhou Tengfei , Lin Yunfeng
Published: September 2017

Tumor tissue tends to stiffen during solid tumor progression. Substrate stiffness is known to alter cell behaviors, such as proliferation and migration, during which angiogenesis is requisite. Mono‐ and co‐culture systems of lung cancer cell line A549 and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), on polydimethylsiloxane substrates (PDMS) with varying stiffness, were used for investigating the effects of substrate stiffness on the migration and angiogenesis of lung cancer. The expressions of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and angiogenesis‐related growth factors were up‐regulated with the increase of substrate stiffness, whereas that of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMPs) were down‐regulated with increasing substrate stiffness. Our data not only suggested that stiff substrate may promote the migration and angiogenesis capacities of lung cancer, but also suggested that therapeutically targeting lung tumor stiffness or response of ECs to lung tumor stiffness may help reduce migration and angiogenesis of lung tumor.
Instrument visualization using conventional and compressed sensing SEMAC for interventional MRI at 3T
Authors: Sonnow Lena , Gilson Wesley D. , Raithel Esther , Nittka Mathias , Wacker Frank , Fritz Jan
Published: September 2017

Background

Interventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 3T benefits from higher spatial and temporal resolution, but artifacts of metallic instruments are often larger and may obscure target structures.

Purpose

To test that compressed sensing (CS) slice‐encoding metal artifact correction (SEMAC) is feasible for 3T interventional MRI and affords more accurate instrument visualization than turbo spin echo (TSE) and gradient echo (GRE) techniques, and facilitates faster data acquisition than conventional SEMAC.

Study Type

Prospective.

Phantom and Subjects

Cadaveric animal and 20 human subjects.

Field Strength/Sequence

TSE (acquisition time 31 sec), GRE (28–33 sec), SEMAC (128 sec), and CS‐SEMAC (57 sec) pulse sequences were evaluated at 3T.

Assessment

Artifact width and length, signal‐to‐noise (SNR), and contrast‐to‐noise (CNR) ratios of 14–22G MR‐conditional needles were measured in a phantom. Subsequently, high‐bandwidth TSE and CS‐SEMAC sequences were assessed in vivo with 20 patient procedures for the size of the metal artifact, image sharpness, image noise, motion artifacts, image contrast, and target, instrument, and structural visibility.

Statistical Tests

Repeated‐measures‐analysis‐of‐variances and Mann–Whitney U‐tests were applied. P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

CS‐SEMAC and SEMAC created the smallest needle artifact widths (3.2–3.3 ± 0.4 mm, P = 1.0), whereas GRE showed the largest needle artifact widths (8.5–8.6 ± 0.4 mm) (P < 0.001). The artifact width difference between high‐bandwidth TSE and CS‐SEMAC was 0.8 ± 0.6 mm (P < 0.01). SEMAC and CS‐SEMAC created the lowest average needle tip errors (0.3–0.4 ± 0.1 mm, P = 1.0). The average tip error difference between high‐bandwidth TSE and SEMAC/CS‐SEMAC was 2.0 ± 1.7 mm (P < 0.01). SNR and CNR were similar on TSE, SEMAC, and CS‐SEMAC, and lowest on GRE. CS‐SEMAC yielded smaller artifacts, less noise, less motion, and better instrument visibility (P < 0.001); high‐bandwidth TSE showed better sharpness (P < 0.001) and targets visibility (P = 0.007); whereas image contrast (P = 0.273) and structural visibility (P = 0.1) were similar.

Data Conclusion

CS‐SEMAC is feasible for interventional MRI at 3T, visualizes instruments with higher accuracy than high‐bandwidth TSE and GRE, and can be acquired 55% faster than conventional SEMAC.

Level of Evidence: 2

Technical Efficacy: Stage 6

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:1306–1315.
Chronic kidney disease: Pathological and functional evaluation with intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion‐weighted imaging
Authors: Mao Wei , Zhou Jianjun , Zeng Mengsu , Ding Yuqin , Qu Lijie , Chen Caizhong , Ding Xiaoqiang , Wang Yaqiong , Fu Caixia
Published: September 2017

Background

Because chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a worldwide problem, accurate pathological and functional evaluation is required for planning treatment and follow‐up. Intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion‐weighted imaging (IVIM‐DWI) can assess both capillary perfusion and tissue diffusion and may be helpful in evaluating renal function and pathology.

Purpose

To evaluate functional and pathological alterations in CKD by applying IVIM‐DWI.

Study Type

Prospective study.

Subjects

In all, 72 CKD patients who required renal biopsy and 20 healthy volunteers.

Field Strength

1.5T.

Assessment

All subjects underwent IVIM‐DWI of the kidneys, and image analysis was performed by two radiologists. The mean values of true diffusion coefficient (D), pseudo diffusion coefficient (D*), and perfusion fraction (f) were acquired from renal parenchyma. Correlation between IVIM‐DWI parameters and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), as well as pathological damage, were assessed.

Statistical Tests

One‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA), paired sample t‐test and Spearman correlation analysis.

Results

The paired sample t‐test revealed that IVIM‐DWI parameters were significantly lower in medulla than cortex for both patients and controls (P < 0.01). Regardless of whether eGFR was reduced, ANOVA revealed that f values of renal parenchyma were significantly lower in patients than controls (P < 0.05). Spearman correlation analysis revealed that there were positive correlations between eGFR and D (cortex, r = 0.466, P < 0.001; medulla, r = 0.491, P < 0.001), and between eGFR and f (cortex, r = 0.713, P < 0.001; medulla, r = 0.512, P < 0.001). Negative correlations were found between f and glomerular injury (cortex, r = −0.773, P < 0.001; medulla, r = −0.629, P < 0.001), and between f and tubulointerstitial lesion (cortex, r = −0.728, P < 0.001; medulla, r = −0.547, P < 0.001).

Data Conclusion

IVIM‐DWI might be feasible for noninvasive evaluation of renal function and pathology of CKD, especially in detection of renal insufficiency at an early stage.

Level of Evidence: 1

Technical Efficacy: Stage 3

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:1251–1259.
Bacterial communities in ancient permafrost profiles of Svalbard, Arctic
Authors: Singh Purnima , Singh Shiv M. , Singh Ram N. , Naik Simantini , Roy Utpal , Srivastava Alok , Bölter Manfred
Published: September 2017

Permafrost soils are unique habitats in polar environment and are of great ecological relevance. The present study focuses on the characterization of bacterial communities from permafrost profiles of Svalbard, Arctic. Counts of culturable bacteria range from 1.50 × 103 to 2.22 × 105 CFU g−1, total bacterial numbers range from 1.14 × 105 to 5.52 × 105 cells g−1 soil. Bacterial isolates are identified through 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Arthrobacter and Pseudomonas are the most dominant genera, and A. sulfonivorans, A. bergeri, P. mandelii, and P. jessenii as the dominant species. Other species belong to genera Acinetobacter, Bacillus, Enterobacter, Nesterenkonia, Psychrobacter, Rhizobium, Rhodococcus, Sphingobacterium, Sphingopyxis, Stenotrophomonas, and Virgibacillus. To the best of our knowledge, genera Acinetobacter, Enterobacter, Nesterenkonia, Psychrobacter, Rhizobium, Sphingobacterium, Sphingopyxis, Stenotrophomonas, and Virgibacillus are the first northernmost records from Arctic permafrost. The present study fills the knowledge gap of culturable bacterial communities and their chronological characterization from permafrost soils of Ny‐Ålesund (79°N), Arctic.
Soil bacterial diversity changes in different broomcorn millet intercropping systems
Authors: Cao Xiaoning , Liu Sichen , Wang Junjie , Wang Haigang , Chen Ling , Tian Xiang , Zhang Lijun , Chang Jianwu , Wang Lun , Mu Zhixin , Qiao Zhijun
Published: September 2017

Plants growing in soil and the diverse microorganisms with which they are in direct contact have adapted to exploit their close association for mutual benefit. Various intercropping systems have been used to control plant disease and improve productivity in fields. Although high‐throughput sequencing approaches have provided new insights into the soil bacterial community, current knowledge of intercropping of broomcorn millet with different leguminous plants is limited. In this study, characterization of different bacterial communities of monoculture and intercropping systems was achieved by deep sequencing. A total of 4684 operational taxonomic units were classified to the species level with good sampling depth and sequencing coverage. The abundance of Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Gemmatimonadetes varied at different growth stages and was related to growth of the intercropped plant. According to diversity analyses, Glycomyces, Aeromicrobium, Adhaeribacter, and Streptomyces were the dominant genera. In addition, we predicted functional gene composition based on bacterial OTUs present. Functional results showed that membrane transport and nutrient metabolism was highly abundant in all samples, although abundance varied at different growth stages, which indicated these pathways might be affected by the dominant categories of bacterial community. The dynamic changes observed during intercropping of broomcorn millet with different leguminous plants suggest that soil bacterial community structure exhibits a crop species‐specific pattern. Further, agronomic trait data from different broomcorn millet intercropping systems were consistent with functional results and suggest that agronomic traits may be influenced by soil bacterial communities.
Seasonal rainfall patterns classification, relationship to ENSO and rainfall trends in Ecuador
Authors: Tobar Vladimiro , Wyseure Guido
Published: September 2017

Water is one of Ecuador's most important natural resources, whose management should rely on good information and adequate models for the water balance. Although there are many studies focusing on rainfall and temperatures, most of them are localized for specific projects or study basins. The convergence of factors like its location in the Intertropical Convergence Zone, the Amazon River basin, the complex topography of the Andes, and being next to the Pacific Ocean impacted by the El Niño Southern Oscillation, modelling climate in Ecuador is a challenging task.

The aim of this research was to classify seasonal rainfall patterns, using robust procedures to deal with missing values and outliers. The selected database contained 319 stations with monthly rainfall from 1982 to 2011. A hierarchical clustering technique applied to the proportion of monthly rainfall percentiles allowed identifying four clusters that, when compared to a digital elevation model, resulted geographically related to Sierra, Coast, Amazon and Coast Orographic Sierra (COS). Coast shows strong seasonality with the dry season from June to November, while COS presents a similar pattern with moderate seasonality, the Amazon exhibits mild to no seasonality and the Sierra with a moderate seasonality. Interestingly, the Amazon seasonality enters rather deep into the Sierra through large river valleys. Cumulative differential plots of the standardized deleted deviations of monthly rainfall aided detecting cluster dependent El Niño effects in rainfall for Coast and COS. Correlations of rainfall versus SST at El Niño regions were also cluster dependent, with low to no significant correlations for Amazon, higher correlations for Coast and COS and moderate correlations for Sierra. Monthly rainfall trends assessed by the non‐parametric method of Sen's slopes, showed overall decreasing trends for September and October rainfall and increasing from February to April, thus suggesting a strengthening of seasonality.
A comprehensive view on trends in extreme precipitation in Nepal and their spatial distribution
Authors: Bohlinger Patrik , Sorteberg Asgeir
Published: September 2017

We investigate trends in monsoon and extreme precipitation in Nepal based on rain gauge measurements. We find that precipitation amounts in Nepal vary considerably in space and time. The number of occurring extremes and the amount of precipitation are controlled mainly by the Indian summer monsoon. Almost all extreme precipitation events, recorded by 98 considered meteorological stations, occur during the Indian summer monsoon with the maximum in July. For Nepal in general, we find that the amount of precipitation and number of extreme events per station are neither significantly increasing nor decreasing between 1971 and 2010. However, on a regional scale we identify areas with positive and negative trends. A comparison of the combined precipitation time series with the ENSO 3.4 index reveals a connection between ENSO and the variability in monsoon precipitation. The correlation with the number of monsoon extremes vanishes for increasing percentiles. We investigate trends of upper percentiles of daily precipitation which pinpoint regions of increasing and decreasing extremes. These patterns are similar to spatial patterns in mean monsoon precipitation trends, whereas the median of the precipitation distribution undergoes only minor changes. Further analysis using extreme value theory confirm the prevailing trends from quantile regression for most stations and depict strong changes in return levels. Especially for Far‐West Nepal, we find robust evidence for a systematic increase in extreme precipitation.
Blockchain and the (re)imagining of trusts jurisprudence
Authors: Herian Robert
Published: September 2017

There are important synergies between the trust of blockchain and that of trusts law.

This article critically examines the intersection between law and blockchain technology through an exploration of the notional impacts upon orthodox practices and principles of trusts law made by blockchain and other “disruptive” technologies, including smart property and the Internet of Things.
Visibility and digital art: Blockchain as an ownership layer on the Internet
Authors: McConaghy Masha , McMullen Greg , Parry Glenn , McConaghy Trent , Holtzman David
Published: September 2017

Visibility of digital art and its ownership can be achieved using blockchain technology as part of a broader solution for the identification, attribution, and payment for digital work. A case study is provided of a firm using the Bitcoin blockchain as part of an integrated solution to identify and authenticate ownership of digital property. An integrated ownership ledger allows for secure attribution, transfer, and provenance of digital property. Blockchain technology enables limited‐edition digital property, while Internet‐scale web crawl and machine learning shows where and how works are being used on the Internet.
Blockchain futures: With or without Bitcoin?
Authors: Kewell Beth , Michael Ward Peter
Published: September 2017

Blockchain technology is considered, in some quarters, to have outgrown its primary association with the Bitcoin payments ecosystem. This belief has fostered numerous predictions of blockchain futures, in which the Bitcoin ecosystem is largely absent. It is nevertheless wholly possible to imagine a future for blockchain in which Bitcoin plays a presiding role. In drawing attention to subtexts of this kind, expectations of the future can prove highly persuasive within the context of technology selection and adoption processes of the present, lending an invisible hand to the design of business models, while also guiding strategic choices and the purchasing decisions made by managers.
Disrupting governance with blockchains and smart contracts
Authors: Shermin Voshmgir
Published: September 2017

Blockchain as an engine for auto‐enforceable smart contracts could disrupt traditional governance structures by reducing bureaucracy through lower transaction costs, solving principal–agent issues, and subsequent moral hazard. While machine consensus can radically reduce transaction costs and disrupt traditional governance structures, there is a gap between initial conceptualizations of blockchains and their first instantiations. First use cases show that as circumstances change, protocols can become inappropriate for the new environment and require modification. Modification of blockchain code happens through majority consensus, but reaching consensus in a distributed multi‐stakeholder network with sometimes unaligned interests is complex, potentially introducing new agency issues.
Rare sugars, d‐allulose, d‐tagatose and d‐sorbose, differently modulate lipid metabolism in rats
Authors: Nagata Yasuo , Mizuta Narumi , Kanasaki Akane , Tanaka Kazunari
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND

Rare sugars including d‐allulose, d‐tagatose, and d‐sorbose are present in limited quantities in nature; some of these rare sugars are now commercially produced using microbial enzymes. Apart from the anti‐obesity and anti‐hyperglycaemic activities of d‐allulose, effects of these sugars on lipid metabolism have not been investigated. Therefore, we aimed to determine if and how d‐tagatose and d‐sorbose modulate lipid metabolism in rats. After feeding these rare sugars to rats, parameters on lipid metabolism were determined.

RESULTS

No diet‐related effects were observed on body weight and food intake. Hepatic lipogenic enzyme activity was lowered by d‐allulose and d‐sorbose but increased by d‐tagatose. Faecal fatty acid excretion was non‐significantly decreased by d‐allulose, but significantly increased by d‐sorbose without affecting faecal steroid excretion. A trend toward reduced adipose tissue weight was observed in groups fed rare sugars. Serum adiponectin levels were decreased by d‐sorbose relative to the control. Gene expression of cholesterol metabolism‐related liver proteins tended to be down‐regulated by d‐allulose and d‐sorbose but not by d‐tagatose. In the small intestine, SR‐B1 mRNA expression was suppressed by d‐sorbose.

CONCLUSION

Lipid metabolism in rats varies with rare sugars. Application of rare sugars to functional foods for healthy body weight maintenance requires further studies. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Tobacco exposure and wound healing in head and neck surgical wounds
Authors: Lassig Amy Anne D. , Bechtold Joan E. , Lindgren Bruce R. , Pisansky Andrew , Itabiyi Abayo , Yueh Bevan , Joseph Anne M.
Published: September 2017

Objective

Smoking impairs wound healing, yet the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are unclear. We evaluated tobacco‐altered healing in head and neck surgery by studying the association between biomarkers and tobacco exposure, as well as cutaneous perfusion by smoking status.

Study Design

Prospective cohort study, tertiary/academic care center, 2011 to present.

Methods

Patients who required head and neck surgery were enrolled prospectively. Postsurgical drain fluid was collected 24 hours postoperatively. Biomarkers associated with postulated mechanisms of smoking‐impaired healing were assayed. These included interleukin‐1, ‐6, and ‐8; tumor necrosis factor‐ alpha; transforming growth factor‐beta; epidermal growth factor (EGF); basic fibroblastic growth factor (bFGF); C‐reactive protein; vascular endothelial growth factor; soluble FMS‐like tyrosine kinase‐1 (sFLT‐1); and placental growth factor. Tobacco exposure and clinical outcomes were recorded. Two sample two‐sided t tests evaluated the differences in cytokine levels by tobacco exposure. In a second cohort, cutaneous vascular assessment via indocyanine green angiography was compared by smoking status.

Results

Twenty‐eight patients were enrolled with drain fluid collection. Twenty‐one subjects were current/former smokers, whereas seven were never smokers. EGF was higher in never smokers than smokers in a statistically significant manner (P = 0.030). Likewise, sFLT‐1 was significantly higher in never smokers (P = 0.011). Cutaneous angiography revealed nonsmokers to have significantly higher cutaneous perfusion than smokers.

Conclusion

In this head and neck surgical cohort, significantly higher EGF and sFLT‐1 levels in wound fluid were associated with never smoking, suggesting that smoking has adverse effects on the inflammatory phase of wound healing. Cutaneous angiography supports the detrimental effect of smoking on skin perfusion. These findings suggest the need for further study as well as therapeutic targets for smokers undergoing surgery.

Level of Evidence

2b. Laryngoscope, 128:618–625, 2018
Sandwich compression with rubbery tourniquet sheets and cotton balls for auricular pseudocyst
Authors: Wu Ming‐Ying , Chen Chun‐Bing , Chen Yi‐Hsi , Chang Catherine , Chan Kai‐Chieh
Published: September 2017

Objectives/Hypothesis

Pseudocyst of the auricle is a benign, noninflammatory cystic disease that is more common in Asians than in Caucasians. When managed conservatively, the results are often unsatisfactory and recurrences are common. We aimed to introduce a novel modified surgical method that involves a deroofing technique followed by a sandwich compression suture using two rubber tourniquet sheets and an iodine‐soaked cotton ball for the treatment of auricular pseudocysts and to ascertain its effectiveness.

Study Design

Case series with or without comparison.

Methods

The charts of 100 patients with auricular pseudocysts who were treated with this new method from 2004 to 2016 in a university‐affiliated tertiary teaching hospital were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed.

Results

The mean patient age was 37.7 years, and 84% were male. All of the patients had unilateral lesions, with right‐side lesions (53.0%) being slightly predominant. The cymba concha (44.1%) was the most common site. Seven patients (7.0%) had trauma to the ear within 3 months before presentation. Previous aspiration or drainage had been performed for the cysts in 35 patients (35.0%), and the recurrences had been treated conservatively. In comparison, 98 of the 100 patients recovered smoothly from surgery without further recurrence or complications after follow‐up for at least 1 year.

Conclusions

Based on our experience, not only does this surgical procedure yield reliable results in the treatment of pseudocysts of auricles, but it also has advantages such as using readily available materials, being simple to perform, improving efficacy, and lowering recurrence rates.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 128:1653–1657, 2018
Targeting metabolic abnormalities to reverse fibrosis in iatrogenic laryngotracheal stenosis
Authors: Murphy Michael K. , Motz Kevin M , Ding Dacheng , Yin Linda , Duvvuri Madhavi , Feeley Michael , Hillel Alexander T.
Published: September 2017

Objective

Management of laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS) remains primarily surgical, with a critical need to identify targets for adjuvant therapy. Laryngotracheal stenosis scar fibroblasts exhibit a profibrotic phenotype with distinct metabolic shifts, including an increased glycolysis/oxidative phosphorylation ratio. This study examines the effects of the glutamine antagonist 6‐diazo‐5‐oxo‐l‐norleucine (DON) on collagen production, gene expression, proliferation, and metabolism of human LTS‐derived fibroblasts in vitro.

Method

Paired normal and scar‐derived fibroblasts isolated from subglottic and proximal tracheal tissue in patients with iatrogenic laryngotracheal stenosis (iLTS) were cultured. Proliferation rate, gene expression, protein production, and cellular metabolism were assessed in two conditions: 1) fibroblast growth medium, and 2) fibroblast growth medium with 1 × 10−4 M DON.

Results

DON treatment reduced cellular proliferation rate (n = 7, P =  0.0150). Expression of genes collagen 1 and collagen 3 both were reduced (n = 7, P =  0.0102, 0.0143, respectively). Soluble collagen production decreased (n = 7, P =  0.0056). As measured by the rate of extracellular acidification, glycolysis and glycolytic capacity decreased (n = 7, P =  0.0082, 0.0003, respectively). adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production and basal respiration decreased (n = 7, P = 0.0045, 0.0258, respectively), determined by measuring the cellular rate of oxygen consumption.

Conclusion

The glutamine antagonist DON reverses profibrotic changes by inhibiting both glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation in iLTS scar fibroblasts. In contrast to untreated iLTS scar fibroblasts, collagen gene expression, protein production, metabolic rate, and proliferation were significantly reduced. These results suggest DON and/or its derivatives as strong candidates for adjuvant therapy in the management of iatrogenic laryngotracheal stenosis. Enzymes involved in glutamine metabolism inhibited by DON offer targets for future investigation.

Level of Evidence

NA. Laryngoscope, 128:E59–E67, 2018