bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HIV‐1Tat regulation of dopamine transmission and microglial reactivity is brain region specific
Authors: Miller Douglas R. , Shaerzadeh Fatemeh , Phan Leah , Sharif Nesrin , Gamble‐George Joyonna , McLaughlin Jay P. , Streit Wolfgang J. , Khoshbouei Habibeh
Published: May 2018

The transactivator of transcription protein, HIV‐1 Tat, is linked to neuroAIDS, where degeneration of dopamine neurons occurs. Using a mouse model expressing GFAP‐driven Tat protein under doxycycline (Dox) regulation, we investigated microglial‐neuronal interactions in the rostral substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). Immunohistochemistry for microglia and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) showed that the ratio of microglia to dopamine neurons is smaller in the SNc than in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and that this difference is maintained following 7‐day Dox exposure in wild type animals. Administration of Dox to wild types had no effect on microglial densities. In addressing the sensitivity of neurons to potentially adverse effects of HIV‐1 Tat, we found that HIV‐1 Tat exposurein vivoselectively decreased TH immunoreactivity in the SNc but not in the VTA, while levels of TH mRNA in the SNc remained unchanged. HIV‐1 Tat inductionin vivodid not alter the total number of neurons in these brain regions. Application of Tat (5 ng) into dopamine neurons with whole‐cell patch pipette decreased spontaneous firing activity. Tat induction also produced a decline in microglial cell numbers, but no microglial activation. Thus, disappearance of dopaminergic phenotype is due to a loss of TH immunoreactivity rather than to neuronal death, which would have triggered microglial activation. We conclude that adverse effects of HIV‐1 Tat produce a hypodopamine state by decreasing TH immunoreactivity and firing activity of dopamine neurons. Reduced microglial numbers after Tat exposurein vivosuggest impaired microglial functions and altered bidirectional interactions between dopamine neurons and microglia.
Sox2 conditional mutation in mouse causes ataxic symptoms, cerebellar vermis hypoplasia, and postnatal defects of Bergmann glia
Authors: Cerrato Valentina , Mercurio Sara , Leto Ketty , Fucà Elisa , Hoxha Eriola , Bottes Sara , Pagin Miriam , Milanese Marco , Ngan Chew‐Yee , Concina Giulia , Ottolenghi Sergio , Wei Chia‐Lin , Bonanno Giambattista , Pavesi Giulio , Tempia Filippo , Buffo Annalisa , Nicolis Silvia K.
Published: May 2018

Sox2 is a transcription factor active in the nervous system, within different cell types, ranging from radial glia neural stem cells to a few specific types of differentiated glia and neurons. Mutations in the human SOX2 transcription factor gene cause various central nervous system (CNS) abnormalities, involving hippocampus and eye defects, as well as ataxia. Conditional Sox2 mutation in mouse, with different Cre transgenes, previously recapitulated different essential features of the disease, such as hippocampus and eye defects. In the cerebellum, Sox2 is active from early embryogenesis in the neural progenitors of the cerebellar primordium; Sox2 expression is maintained, postnatally, within Bergmann glia (BG), a differentiated cell type essential for Purkinje neurons functionality and correct motor control. By performing Sox2 Cre‐mediated ablation in the developing and postnatal mouse cerebellum, we reproduced ataxia features. Embryonic Sox2 deletion (with Wnt1Cre) leads to reduction of the cerebellar vermis, known to be commonly related to ataxia, preceded by deregulation of Otx2 and Gbx2, critical regulators of vermis development. Postnatally, BG is progressively disorganized, mislocalized, and reduced in mutants. Sox2 postnatal deletion, specifically induced in glia (with GLAST‐CreERT2), reproduces the BG defect, and causes (milder) ataxic features. Our results define a role for Sox2 in cerebellar function and development, and identify a functional requirement for Sox2 within postnatal BG, of potential relevance for ataxia in mouse mutants, and in human patients.
Incompletely treated malignancies of the major salivary gland: Toward evidence‐based care
Authors: Tam Samantha , Sandulache Vlad C. , Metwalli Kareem A. , Rock Crosby D. , Eraj Salman A. , Sheu Tommy , El‐Naggar Adel K. , Fuller Clifton D. , Weber Randal S. , Lai Stephen Y.
Published: May 2018

Background

Unexpected malignancy is common in major salivary gland tumors due to variability of workup, creating challenging treatment decisions. The purpose of this study was to define treatment‐related outcomes for patients with incompletely treated major salivary gland tumors.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was completed of patients with incompletely treated major salivary gland tumors. Tumor burden at presentation was established and treatment categorized. The Cox Proportional Hazards model was used to determine predictors of survival and failure.

Results

Of the 440 included patients, patients with gross residual or metastatic disease had a worse overall survival (OS; P < .001). Presentation status was an independent predictor of OS on multivariate analysis (gross residual disease adjusted hazard ratio [HRadjusted] 2.55; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.20‐5.30; metastatic disease HRadjusted 9.53; 95% CI 3.04‐27.06).

Conclusion

Failure to achieve gross total resection during initial surgery resulted in worse OS. Adequate preoperative planning is required for initial surgical management to optimize tumor control and survival.
Comparison of tumor volume, thickness, and T classification as predictors of outcomes in surgically treated squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue
Authors: Mair Manish , Nair Deepa , Nair Sudhir , Malik Akshat , Mishra Aseem , Kannan Sadhana , Bobdey Saurabh , Singhvi Hitesh , Chaturvedi Pankaj
Published: May 2018

Background

As per TNM classification, superficial tumors with a favorable prognosis are fallaciously clubbed together with unfavorable, deeply infiltrating lesions in the same classification.

Methods

This is a retrospective study of 588 patients with treatment‐naive oral tongue cancers. Binary logistic regression was used to identify predictors of nodal metastasis and extracapsular spread (ECS) using tumor volume and thickness as separate models. The C‐index was generated to quantify predictive accuracy of T classification, thickness, and tumor volume for survival.

Results

Compared to T classification, tumor volume and thickness were better predictors of nodal metastasis and ECS. Predictive accuracy for disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) given by C‐index was equal and better for thickness (0.60 and 0.69) and tumor volume (0.61 and 0.69) as compared to T classification (0.59 and 0.64, respectively). For early‐stage T1 to T2 oral tongue cancer, thickness is a better predictor of nodal metastasis as compared to tumor volume and T classification.

Conclusion

Concordance between the tumor thickness and volume proves that tumor thickness can be taken as a surrogate and reliable predictor of outcomes instead of calculating the tumor volume.
Impact of school health management committees on health services delivery in Ghana: A national level assessment
Authors: Bowman Angela S. , Owusu Andrew , Trueblood Amber B. , Bosumtwi‐Sam Cynthia
Published: May 2018

Objectives

To examine the prevalence, determinants, and impact of local school health management committees on implementation of minimum‐recommended school health services delivery among basic and secondary schools in Ghana.

Methods

National level cross‐sectional data from the first‐ever assessment of Ghana Global‐School Health Policies and Practices Survey was utilized. Complex sample analyses were used to quantify school‐level implementation of recommended minimum package for health services delivery.

Results

Of 307 schools, 98% were basic and government run, and 33% offered at least half of the recommended health service delivery areas measured. Schools with a school health management committee (53%) were 4.8 (95% CI = 3.23–5.18) times as likely to offer at least 50% of the minimum health services package than schools that did not.

Conclusions

There is significant deficit concerning delivery of school health services in schools across Ghana. However, school health management committees positively impact implementation of health service delivery.

Policy implications

School health management committees provide a significant impact on delivery of school health services; thus, it is recommended that policy makers and programmers place greater emphasis on the value and need for these advisory boards in all Ghanaian schools.
Influence of climate on alpine stream chemistry and water sources
Authors: Foks Sydney S. , Stets Edward G. , Singha Kamini , Clow David W.
Published: May 2018

The resilience of alpine/subalpine watersheds may be viewed as the resistance of streamflow or stream chemistry to change under varying climatic conditions, which is governed by the relative size (volume) and transit time of surface and subsurface water sources. Here, we use end‐member mixing analysis in Andrews Creek, an alpine stream in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, from water year 1994 to 2015, to explore how the partitioning of water sources and associated hydrologic resilience change in response to climate. Our results indicate that four water sources are significant contributors to Andrews Creek, including snow, rain, soil water, and talus groundwater. Seasonal patterns in source‐water contributions reflected the seasonal hydrologic cycle, which is driven by the accumulation and melting of seasonal snowpack. Flushing of soil water had a large effect on stream chemistry during spring snowmelt, despite making only a small contribution to streamflow volume. Snow had a large influence on stream chemistry as well, contributing large amounts of water with low concentrations of weathering products. Interannual patterns in end‐member contributions reflected responses to drought and wet periods. Moderate and significant correlations exist between annual end‐member contributions and regional‐scale climate indices (the Palmer Drought Severity Index, the Palmer Hydrologic Drought Index, and the Modified Palmer Drought Severity Index). From water year 1994 to 2015, the percent contribution from the talus‐groundwater end member to Andrews Creek increased an average of 0.5% per year (p < 0.0001), whereas the percent contributions from snow plus rain decreased by a similar amount (p = 0.001). Our results show how water and solute sources in alpine environments shift in response to climate variability and highlight the role of talus groundwater and soil water in providing hydrologic resilience to the system.
Numerical studies on the influences of the South‐to‐North Water Transfer Project on groundwater level changes in the Beijing Plain, China
Authors: Zhang Menglin , Hu Litang , Yao Lili , Yin Wenjie
Published: May 2018

Groundwater is an important component of the water supply, and overexploitation has triggered many problems in the Beijing Plain. The South‐to‐North Water Transfer Project has been proposed as a promising solution to alleviate these problems. Evaluation of different scenarios of groundwater management after the implementation of the South‐to‐North Water Transfer Project is necessarily required. In this study, a numerical model of groundwater flow was established using FEFLOW software and was well calibrated by parameter optimization and groundwater withdrawal inversion in the Beijing Plain. Sixteen scenarios that considered groundwater exploitation, artificial recharge, and precipitation were designed to simulate the groundwater dynamics after 11 years of the project. The results showed that the groundwater level in the study area would recover to various degrees due to the reductions of groundwater withdrawal and the increments of infiltration; additionally, it was concluded that groundwater was significantly affected by precipitation. Generally, in the designed scenarios, the groundwater‐level increment in the upper streams of the model area was higher than that in the lower streams. The groundwater level would obviously increase from artificial recharge in the immediate and adjacent areas. In addition, modes of reducing exploitation had no significant influence on the change in groundwater level during the 11‐year study period. The developed model offers a reliable and effective way to improve groundwater management.
The response of nitrogen fixing cyanobacteria to a reduction in nitrogen loading
Authors: Kolzau Sebastian , Dolman Andrew M. , Voss Maren , Wiedner Claudia
Published: May 2018

Due to their competitive advantage when inorganic nitrogen (N) sources are scarce, it is widely assumed that the abundance and N2‐fixation rate of N2‐fixing cyanobacteria (Nostocales) would increase in response to reduced N loading. If realized, this response would render efforts to improve water quality by N reduction ineffective. To assess this, we performed a microcosm experiment using water from an N limited lake, Langer See, in which phosphorus loading was held constant, while a gradient of decreasing N loading was simulated. Nostocales biovolume increased over time in all microcosms, regardless of the N addition rate, so that no difference in Nostocales biovolume developed between high and low N microcosms. In contrast, the biovolumes of other taxa (especially non‐fixing cyanobacteria) were lower at low N addition rates. N2‐fixation increased in low N microcosms, compensating for 36% of the difference in N addition by day 6. However, this compensation rate was achieved at Nostocales biovolumes far higher than those typical in the studied lake. At biovolumes typical for summer the compensation rate would only account for 7% of the omitted N. If these results were to hold over longer time scales, in shallow polymictic lakes like Langer See, reduced N loading may lower both in‐lake N concentrations and biovolumes of non‐fixing phytoplankton without significantly impacting Nostocales biovolume.
Prevalence and Risk of Vertebral Fractures in Primary Hyperparathyroidism: A Nested Case-Control Study
Authors: Ejlsmark-Svensson Henriette , Bislev Lise Sofie , Lajlev Siv , Harsløf Torben , Rolighed Lars , Sikjaer Tanja , Rejnmark Lars
Published: May 2018

Prevalence of vertebral fractures (VFx) in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) remains uncertain. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of VFx, investigate potential risk factors associated with VFx, and whether bone mineral density (BMD) differs between PHPT and osteoporotic patients with VFx. Through the Danish National Patient Register, we identified patients diagnosed with PHPT from 2005 to 2015. The diagnosis was verified by reviewing biochemical findings, and X-ray reports were reviewed by two investigators. Osteoporotic patients with VFx were identified from our outpatient clinic and matched on age and sex with PHPT patients with VFx. We identified 792 PHPT patients among whom spine X-ray was available from 588 patients. VFx were present in 122 (21%) patients and were equally frequent among sexes (77% females). Fractured patients were older (70 versus 63 years) and had lower heights (163 versus 166 cm) compared with nonfractured patients (p all < 0.02). After stratification by age groups, the prevalence of VFx differed significantly between sexes (p < 0.01). Ionized calcium and parathyroid hormone did not differ between groups. BMD at total hip and forearm were lower in fractured compared with nonfractured patients (p < 0.03 for both) after adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). Compared with osteoporotic patients with VFx (n = 108), BMD at the lumbar spine was higher in PHPT patients with VFx (n = 108) (p < 0.01). This did not change by excluding patients with lumbar VFx (p < 0.01). The severity of PHPT assessed by biochemistry does not seem to be associated with risk of VFx. Compared with osteoporosis, VFx seems to occur at a higher BMD in PHPT. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Don't Count Calorie Labeling Out: Calorie Counts on the Left Side of Menu Items Lead to Lower Calorie Food Choices
Authors: Dallas Steven K. , Liu Peggy J. , Ubel Peter A.
Published: May 2018

Providing calorie counts on restaurants’ menus/menu boards is one of the most prominent policy interventions that has been implemented to combat the obesity epidemic in America. However, previous research across multiple disciplines has found little effect of providing calorie counts on calories ordered, leading some to call calorie provision a failed policy. The authors propose that this failure is partly due to not considering how people process information when making food choices: Americans read from left‐to‐right, processing calorie information only after processing the food item's name. Thus, the authors test a simple way to improve the effectiveness of calorie counts: display calorie counts to the left (vs. right) of food items. A field study and a laboratory study with American participants found that calorie counts to the left (vs. right) decreased calories ordered by 16.31%. A final laboratory study demonstrated that this effect is reversed among Hebrew‐speakers, who read from right‐to‐left, providing further evidence that the order in which calorie information is processed matters. Accordingly, calling calorie labeling a policy failure may be premature.
The chemokine fragment CXCL9(74–103) diminishes neutrophil recruitment and joint inflammation in antigen-induced arthritis
Authors: Boff Daiane , Crijns Helena , Janssens Rik , Vanheule Vincent , Menezes Gustavo B , Macari Soraia , Silva Tarcilia A , Amaral Flavio A , Proost Paul
Published: May 2018

This study investigates if treatment with a peptide corresponding to the 30 C-terminal amino acids of CXCL9, CXCL9(74–103), ameliorates joint inflammation in a murine model of antigen-induced arthritis (AIA). AIA was induced in male C57BL/6J mice. Intravenous injection of CXCL9(74–103), simultaneously performed with a tibiofemoral challenge with methylated BSA (mBSA) as antigen in mice immunized with mBSA, diminished the accumulation of leukocytes, in particular neutrophils, in the synovial cavity. The levels of the chemokines CXCL1, CXCL2, and CXCL6 and of the cytokine IL-6 were decreased in inflamed periarticular tissue of mice treated with the CXCL9-derived peptide compared to non-treated AIA mice. In addition, CXCL9(74–103) treatment substantially reduced joint and cartilage damage. CXCL9(74-103) competes with CXCL6 and CCL3 for binding to the glycosaminoglycans heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate in vitro. In vivo, CXCL9(74-103) quickly binds to blood vessels in joints as observed by confocal microscopy. Next, we evaluated if later treatment with CXCL9(74–103) had a beneficial impact on joint inflammation. CXCL9(74-103) injection 6 h after mBSA challenge still reduced neutrophil accumulation in the joint, although it did not reduce chemokine and IL-6 concentrations. However, a delay of treatment until 12 h after challenge had no effect on cell recruitment and chemokine and IL-6 levels. Taken together, we demonstrated that treatment with a peptide, which interferes with the interaction between chemokines and glycosaminoglycans, from the beginning of the disease controlled the massive accumulation of neutrophils in the joint of AIA mice, greatly impacting on joint inflammation and tissue damage.

Inhibition of chemokine-glycosaminoglycan interactions with the CXCL9-derived peptide CXCL9(74-103) reduces neutrophil influx and chemokine production in the joint of mice subjected to antigen-induced arthritis.
Indeed, IL-18 is more than an inducer of IFN-γ
Authors: Dinarello Charles Anthony , Kaplanski Gilles
Published: May 2018

Neutralizing IL 18 with IL 18BP likely is effective in congenital HLH syndromes/acquired MAS and preventing MAS in systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis/adult-onset Still’s disease.
Patterns of growth in the presacral vertebral column of the leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius)
Authors: Powell George Lawrence , Russell Anthony P. , Sutey Jennifer
Published: May 2018

Postnatal growth patterns within the vertebral column may be informative about body proportions and regionalization. We measured femur length, lengths of all pre‐sacral vertebrae, and lengths of intervertebral spaces, from radiographs of a series of 21Eublepharis macularius, raised under standard conditions and covering most of the ontogenetic body size range. Vertebrae were grouped into cervical, sternal, and dorsal compartments, and lengths of adjacent pairs of vertebrae were summed before analysis. Femur length was included as an index of body size. Principal component analysis of the variance‐covariance matrix of these data was used to investigate scaling among them. PC1 explained 94.19% of total variance, interpreted as the variance due to body size. PC1 differed significantly from the hypothetical isometric vector, indicating overall allometry. The atlas and axis vertebrae displayed strong negative allometry; the remainder of the vertebral pairs exhibited weak negative allometry, isometry or positive allometry. PC1 explained a markedly smaller amount of variance for the vertebral pairs of the cervical compartment than for the remainder of the vertebral pairs, with the exception of the final pair. The relative standard deviations of the eigenvalues from the PCAs of the three vertebral compartments indicated that the vertebrae of the cervical compartment were less strongly integrated by scaling than were the sternal or dorsal vertebrae, which did not differ greatly between themselves in their strong integration, suggesting that the growth of the cervical vertebrae is constrained by the mechanical requirements of the head. Regionalization of the remainder of the vertebral column is less clearly defined but may be associated with wave form propagation incident upon locomotion, and by locomotory changes occasioned by tail autotomy and regeneration. Femur length exhibits negative allometry relative to individual vertebral pairs and to vertebral column length, suggesting a change in locomotor requirements over the ontogenetic size range.
Morphology of reproductive accessory glands in female Sepia pharaonis (Cephalopoda: Sepiidae) sheds light on egg encapsulation
Authors: Huang Jing‐Duan , Lee Shin‐Yu , Chiang Tzu‐Yin , Lu Chung‐Cheng , Lee Mong‐Fong
Published: May 2018

The pharaoh cuttlefish, Sepia pharaonis, is an important cephalopod fishery species in southeastern Asia, with understudied reproductive physiology. The present study aimed to investigate the cellular characteristics of epithelial cells found in the nidamental glands (NGs) and accessory NGs (ANGs), as well as the structural connections between these two glands in mature female S. pharaonis. A histological analysis revealed two types of epithelial cells in NGs: Alcian blue‐positive, PAS‐negative mucosubstance‐secreting cells and eosinophilic, PAS‐positive granule‐secreting cells. Using transmission electron microscopy, three types of epithelial cells were identified: cells with electron‐dense granules, cells with electron‐lucent granules, and cells with both cilia and microvilli in the apex. Mature ANGs contain an abundance of tubular units composed of epithelial cells resting on a thin layer of basal lamina. Innervated muscle cells are tightly adhered to the basal lamina. In addition, we observed epithelial canalization of ANG tubules penetrating through the connective tissue linking NGs and the walls of the tubules in ANGs, which allows the contents of the ANG tubules to be transported to the NGs. Our results suggest that ANGs participate in the encapsulation of the ova via the same pathway as NGs, which provides an important basis for future studies on the mechanism of protection provided by NGs and ANGs during embryonic development in S. pharaonis.
Oxygenation‐sensitive cardiovascular magnetic resonance in hypertensive heart disease with left ventricular myocardial hypertrophy and non‐left ventricular myocardial hypertrophy: Insight from altered mechanics and cardiac BOLD imaging
Authors: Chen Bing‐Hua , Wu Rui , An Dong‐Aolei , Shi Ruo‐Yang , Yao Qiu‐Ying , Lu Qing , Hu Jiani , Jiang Meng , Deen James , Chandra Ankush , Xu Jian‐Rong , Wu Lian‐Ming
Published: May 2018

Background

BOLD (blood oxygen level dependent) MRI can detect regional condition of myocardial oxygen supply and demand by means of paramagnetic properties.

Purpose

Noninvasive assessment of myocardial oxygenation by BOLD MRI in hypertensive patients with hypertension (HTN) left ventricular myocardial hypertrophy (LVMH) and HTN non‐LVMH and its correlation with myocardial mechanics were performed.

Study Type

Prospective.

POPULATION

Twenty patients with HTN LVMH, 21 patients with HTN non‐LVMH, and 23 normotensive controls were enrolled.

Field Strength/Sequence

Cine imaging, T2* and T1 mapping sequences were achieved at 3.0T.

Assessment

Dedicated T1 mapping, T2*, and cine imaging analysis were performed by two radiologists using cvi42.

Statistical Tests

One‐way analysis of variance, Kruskal‐Wallis test, Bland‐Altman analysis, Pearson's correlation coefficient, Spearman's rank correlation.

Results

T2* values of HTN LVMH group were significantly lower versus the controls (23.78 ± 3.09 versus 30.77 ± 2.71; P < 0.001) and HTN non‐LVMH group (23.78 ± 3.09 versus 28.64 ± 4.23; P < 0.001). Left ventricular peak circumferential strain were reduced in HTN LVMH patients compared with other two groups (−11.32 [−15.64, −10.3], −16.78 [−19.35, −15.34], and −19.73 [−20.57, −18.73]; P < 0.05); and longitudinal strain of HTN LVMH patients were lower than other two groups (−11.31 ± 2.91, −15.1 ± 3.06, and −18.85 ± 1.85; P < 0.05); radial strain of HTN LVMH patients were also lower than other two groups (25.03 ± 16, 40.95 ± 17.5 and 47.9 ± 10.23; P < 0.05). Extracellular volume correlated with peak circumferential, longitudinal, and radial strain (spearman rho = 0.6, 0.64, and −0.69; P < 0.05), respectively; T2* negatively correlated with peak circumferential and longitudinal strain (spearman rho = −0.43 and −0.49; P < 0.05), respectively. Patients with lower T2* values had significant decreases in myocardial mechanics (P < 0.05).

Data Conclusion

HTN LVMH patients have both impaired myocardial mechanics and decreased T2* values compared with HTN non‐LVMH and normotensive groups. BOLD MRI could provide a feasible assessment modality for detecting altered T2* due to the change of de‐oxygenated hemoglobin and hence to the change of signal intensity in oxygenation‐sensitive images.

Level of Evidence: 1

Technical Efficacy: Stage 3

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:1297–1306.
Pseudoprogression of brain tumors
Authors: Thust Stefanie C. , van den Bent Martin J. , Smits Marion
Published: May 2018

This review describes the definition, incidence, clinical implications, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of pseudoprogression of brain tumors, in particular, but not limited to, high‐grade glioma. Pseudoprogression is an important clinical problem after brain tumor treatment, interfering not only with day‐to‐day patient care but also the execution and interpretation of clinical trials. Radiologically, pseudoprogression is defined as a new or enlarging area(s) of contrast agent enhancement, in the absence of true tumor growth, which subsides or stabilizes without a change in therapy. The clinical definitions of pseudoprogression have been quite variable, which may explain some of the differences in reported incidences, which range from 9–30%. Conventional structural MRI is insufficient for distinguishing pseudoprogression from true progressive disease, and advanced imaging is needed to obtain higher levels of diagnostic certainty. Perfusion MRI is the most widely used imaging technique to diagnose pseudoprogression and has high reported diagnostic accuracy. Diagnostic performance of MR spectroscopy (MRS) appears to be somewhat higher, but MRS is less suitable for the routine and universal application in brain tumor follow‐up. The combination of MRS and diffusion‐weighted imaging and/or perfusion MRI seems to be particularly powerful, with diagnostic accuracy reaching up to or even greater than 90%. While diagnostic performance can be high with appropriate implementation and interpretation, even a combination of techniques, however, does not provide 100% accuracy. It should also be noted that most studies to date are small, heterogeneous, and retrospective in nature. Future improvements in diagnostic accuracy can be expected with harmonization of acquisition and postprocessing, quantitative MRI and computer‐aided diagnostic technology, and meticulous evaluation with clinical and pathological data.

Level of Evidence: 3

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;48:571–589.
Esophageal carcinoma: Intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion‐weighted MRI parameters and histopathological correlations
Authors: Zhu Shaocheng , Wei Yi , Gao Feifei , Li Linlin , Liu Yuehua , Huang Zixing , Tang Hehan , Zheng Dandan , Wei Xiaocheng , Sun Tingyi , Song Bin
Published: May 2018

Background

The pathological grade of esophageal carcinoma is highly determinant of patient prognosis, but it still cannot be adequately evaluated preoperatively. Compared with conventional diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI), intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) diffusion‐weighted MRI can separate true molecular diffusion and perfusion in tissues and has been shown to be useful in characterizing malignant tumors. There is no report that compared IVIM and conventional DWI in grading esophageal carcinoma.

Purpose

To prospectively determine the diagnostic performance of conventional DWI and IVIM models in differentiating the pathological differentiated grade of esophageal carcinoma.

Study Type

Prospective.

Population

A cohort comprising 81 patients with newly diagnosed esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) between December 2015 and August 2017 were evaluated.

Field Strength/Sequence

3.0T, axial echo‐planer imaging, fast spin echo (FSE) sequence, IVIM sequence (b = 0, 20, 50, 80, 100, 150, 200, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1200).

Assessment

Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), true ADC (ADCslow), pseudo ADC (ADCfast), and perfusion fraction (f) of each tumor were calculated by two independent radiologists. Histopathologic grade was used as the reference standard.

Statistical Tests

Games‐Howell test; diagnostic accuracy; Spearman correlation; intraclass correlation coefficient; and Bland–Altman analysis. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves.

Results

ADCslow demonstrated the highest area under curve (AUC) with a value of 0.830 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.730–0.904) and 0.816 (95% CI: 0.714–0.893) by two radiologists, followed by ADC with a value of 0.754 (95% CI: 0.646–0.843) and 0.761 (95% CI: 0.653–0.848). Good correlation was obtained between the histologic grade and ADCslow (r(R1) = 0.748, r(R2) = 0.720) and ADC (r(R1) = 0.576, r(R2) = 0.571).

Data Conclusion

ADCslow and ADC had a significantly higher performance than the ADCfast and f, and ADCslow had a significantly higher performance than the ADC.

Level of Evidence: 1

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:253–261.
Radiomic features from pretreatment biparametric MRI predict prostate cancer biochemical recurrence: Preliminary findings
Authors: Shiradkar Rakesh , Ghose Soumya , Jambor Ivan , Taimen Pekka , Ettala Otto , Purysko Andrei S. , Madabhushi Anant
Published: May 2018

Background

Radiomics or computer‐extracted texture features derived from MRI have been shown to help quantitatively characterize prostate cancer (PCa). Radiomics have not been explored depth in the context of predicting biochemical recurrence (BCR) of PCa.

Purpose

To identify a set of radiomic features derived from pretreatment biparametric MRI (bpMRI) that may be predictive of PCa BCR.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Subjects

In all, 120 PCa patients from two institutions, I1 and I2, partitioned into training set D1 (N = 70) from I1 and independent validation set D2 (N = 50) from I2. All patients were followed for ≥3 years.

Sequence

3T, T2‐weighted (T2WI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps derived from diffusion‐weighted sequences.

Assessment

PCa regions of interest (ROIs) on T2WI were annotated by two experienced radiologists. Radiomic features from bpMRI (T2WI and ADC maps) were extracted from the ROIs. A machine‐learning classifier (CBCR) was trained with the best discriminating set of radiomic features to predict BCR (pBCR).

Statistical Tests

Wilcoxon rank‐sum tests with P < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Differences in BCR‐free survival at 3 years using pBCR was assessed using the Kaplan–Meier method and compared with Gleason Score (GS), PSA, and PIRADS‐v2.

Results

Distribution statistics of co‐occurrence of local anisotropic gradient orientation (CoLlAGe) and Haralick features from T2WI and ADC were associated with BCR (P < 0.05) on D1. CBCR predictions resulted in a mean AUC = 0.84 on D1 and AUC = 0.73 on D2. A significant difference in BCR‐free survival between the predicted classes (BCR + and BCR–) was observed (P = 0.02) on D2 compared to those obtained from GS (P = 0.8), PSA (P = 0.93) and PIRADS‐v2 (P = 0.23).

Data Conclusion

Radiomic features from pretreatment bpMRI can be predictive of PCa BCR after therapy and may help identify men who would benefit from adjuvant therapy.

Level of Evidence: 4

Technical Efficacy: Stage 5

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;48:1626–1636
Design and analysis of multi‐stage PID controller for frequency control in an islanded micro‐grid using a novel hybrid whale optimization‐pattern search algorithm
Authors: Khadanga Rajendra Kumar , Padhy Sasmita , Panda Sidhartha , Kumar Amit
Published: May 2018

In this research work, a maiden approach is made for the frequency control in an islanded AC Microgrid (MG) by considering a hybrid Whale Optimization Algorithm and Pattern Search (hWOA‐PS) algorithm based multi‐stage Proportional Integrator Derivative controller. A MG may be formed by combining some of the unique assets like renewable energy sources, wind electricity era, and the sun electricity irradiation. Variation in any of the source influences the system frequency, and thus frequency control issue in MG is always a challenge for the researchers. In light of these difficulties, this paper considers a multi‐stage PID controller for the secondary frequency control of the islanded MGs, and a novel hWOA‐PS algorithm is used to tune the controller parameters. The proposed hybrid controller is inspected on a MG test system, and the robustness and execution are assessed by considering different disturbances and parametric variations. In order to show the effectiveness of the proposed hybrid algorithm based multi‐stage Proportional Integrator Derivative controller, it is being compared with some conventional controllers like Integral (I), Proportional Integral (PI), and Proportional Integral and Derivative (PID) controller.
Discrete mitochondrial aberrations in the spinal cord of sporadic ALS patients
Authors: Delic Vedad , Kurien Crupa , Cruz Josean , Zivkovic Sandra , Barretta Jennifer , Thomson Avery , Hennessey Daniel , Joseph Jaheem , Ehrhart Jared , Willing Alison E. , Bradshaw Patrick , Garbuzova‐Davis Svitlana
Published: May 2018

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an adult onset neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive motor neuron degeneration in the brain and spinal cord leading to muscle atrophy, paralysis, and death. Mitochondrial dysfunction is a major contributor to motor neuron degeneration associated with ALS progression. Mitochondrial abnormalities have been determined in spinal cords of animal disease models and ALS patients. However, molecular mechanisms leading to mitochondrial dysfunction in sporadic ALS (sALS) patients remain unclear. Also, segmental or regional variation in mitochondrial activity in the spinal cord has not been extensively examined in ALS. In our study, the activity of mitochondrial electron transport chain complex IV was examined in post‐mortem gray and white matter of the cervical and lumbar spinal cords from male and female sALS patients and controls. Mitochondrial distribution and density in spinal cord motor neurons, lateral funiculus, and capillaries in gray and white matter were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Results showed that complex IV activity was significantly decreased only in gray matter in both cervical and lumbar spinal cords from ALS patients. In ALS cervical and lumbar spinal cords, significantly increased mitochondrial density and altered distribution were observed in motor neurons, lateral funiculus, and cervical white matter capillaries. Discrete decreased complex IV activity in addition to changes in mitochondria distribution and density determined in the spinal cord in sALS patients are novel findings. These explicit mitochondrial defects in the spinal cord may contribute to ALS pathogenesis and should be considered in development of therapeutic approaches for this disease.
Sterigmatocystin production is restricted to hyphae located in the proximity of hülle cells
Authors: Ámon Judit , Keisham Kabichandra , Bokor Eszter , Kelemen Evelyn , Vágvölgyi Csaba , Hamari Zsuzsanna
Published: May 2018

Aspergillus nidulans produces sterigmatocystin, a secondary metabolite mycotoxin, for the protection of its reproductive structures. Previous studies on grazing behavior of fungivore arthropods, regulation of sexual development, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis have revealed the association of sterigmatocystin biosynthesis with sexual reproduction, but the spatial distribution of sterigmatocystin producing hyphae within the colony has never been investigated. In this work, we aimed to locate the site of sterigmatocystin production within the colony by employing a yCFP reporter system. We demonstrated that the stcO promoter is active only in vegetative hyphae that surround groups of hülle cells and the activity decreases and eventually ceases as the distance between the hypha and the hülle cells increases. This phenomenon indicates that the vegetative mycelium might consist of morphologically uniform, but functionally different hyphae.
Updating chromatographic predictions by accounting ageing for single and tandem columns
Authors: Alvarez‐Segura Tamara , Torres‐Lapasió José Ramón , García‐Alvarez‐Coque María Celia
Published: May 2018

The most efficient optimization methodologies in liquid chromatography are based on the modeling and prediction of the chromatographic behavior for each compound in the sample. However, when the column suffers some ageing after the modeling process, predictions may differ significantly from the actual separation. Repeating the modeling is especially troublesome when several columns are involved, as is the case of coupled columns. We propose a shortcut to correct the time and peak profiles in these situations, after evaluating the effects of ageing. The original models are corrected by introducing parameters accounting for column ageing, obtained using the data of a small subset of compounds from those used to model the brand‐new column. The ageing parameters are fitted from the discrepancies between the data predicted with the original retention models for the brand‐new column and the experimental data measured for the aged column. The approach was developed and tested to predict the chromatographic behavior of 15 sulfonamides, analyzed with individual and tandem columns, using isocratic and gradient elution. Chromatograms more in line with the aged column performance were predicted. The agreement between predictions and experimental data in the aged columns was excellent.
Clinical Contribution of Wrist and Hand Sonography: Pilot Study
Authors: Tagliafico Alberto , Bignotti Bianca , Rossi Federica , Rubino Maurizio , Civani Alessandro , Martinoli Carlo
Published: May 2018

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical contribution of wrist and hand sonography.

Methods

This study was performed in a tertiary academic medical center. Institutional review board approval was obtained. Data collection was done retrospectively from January 2012 to December 2016 and prospectively from January 2017 to July 2017. The study included 112 consecutive patients (52 men and 60 women; mean age, 47 ± 16 years; range, 15–87 years). A total of 126 examinations were performed. All ultrasound examinations were done with high‐resolution probes with up‐to‐date protocols. The clinical contribution of wrist and hand sonography was assessed (ultrasound examinations contributive/noncontributive). Descriptive statistic and nonparametric tests were used.

Results

In 96 of 126 (76%) examinations, sonography proved to be contributive, and in 30 of 126 (24%) examinations, sonography proved to be noncontributive. The contributive/noncontributive ratio was 3.2 (96/30). A total of 51 of 126 (40%) examinations were performed in patients with a history of previous trauma. Sonography proved to be significantly more contributive in a posttraumatic setting (chi‐square, 9.2; P = .0023).

Conclusion

Wrist and hand sonography significantly influences the diagnostic and therapeutic path, especially in a posttraumatic setting.
Feeding strategies for the acquisition of high‐quality food sources in stream macroinvertebrates: Collecting, integrating, and mixed feeding
Authors: Guo Fen , Bunn Stuart E. , Brett Michael T. , Fry Brian , Hager Hannes , Ouyang Xiaoguang , Kainz Martin J.
Published: May 2018

Aquatic macroinvertebrates play an important functional role in energy transfer in food webs, linking basal food sources to upper trophic levels that include fish, birds, and humans. However, the trophic coupling of nutritional quality between macroinvertebrates and their food sources is still poorly understood. We conducted a field study in subalpine streams in Austria to investigate how the nutritional quality (measured by long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, LC‐PUFAs) in macroinvertebrates changes relative to their basal food sources. Samples of macroinvertebrates, periphyton, and leaves were collected from 17 streams in July and October 2016 and their fatty acid (FA) composition was analyzed. Periphyton FA varied strongly with time and space, and their trophic effect on macroinvertebrate FA differed among functional feeding groups. The match between periphyton FA and macroinvertebrate FA decreased with increasing trophic levels, but LC‐PUFA content increased with each trophic step from periphyton to grazers and finally predators. Macroinvertebrates fed selectively on, assimilated, and/or actively controlled their LC‐PUFA, especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20 : 5ω3) relative to their basal food sources in the face of spatial and temporal changes. Grazer FA profiles reflected periphyton FA with relatively good fidelity, and especially their EPA feeding strategy was primarily linked to periphyton FA variation across seasons. In contrast, shredders appeared to preferentially assimilate more EPA over other FA, which was determined by the availability of high‐quality food over seasons. Predators may more actively control their LC‐PUFA distribution with respect to different quality foods and showed less fidelity to the basal FA profiles in plants and prey. Overall, grazers and shredders showed relatively good fidelity to food FA profiles and performed as both “collectors” and “integrators” for LC‐PUFA requirements across seasons, while predators at higher trophic levels were more “integrators” with added metabolic complexity leading to somewhat more divergent FA profiles. These results are potentially applicable for other aquatic consumers in freshwater and marine ecosystems.
An autonomous, in situ light‐dark bottle device for determining community respiration and net community production
Authors: Collins James R. , Fucile Paul D. , McDonald Glenn , Ossolinski Justin E. , Keil Richard G. , Valdes James R. , Doney Scott C. , Van Mooy Benjamin A. S.
Published: May 2018

We describe a new, autonomous, incubation‐based instrument that is deployed in situ to determine rates of gross community respiration and net community production in marine and aquatic ecosystems. During deployments at a coastal pier and in the open ocean, the PHORCYS (PHOtosynthesis and Respiration Comparison‐Yielding System) captured dissolved oxygen fluxes over hourly timescales that were missed by traditional methods. The instrument uses fluorescence‐quenching optodes fitted into separate light and dark chambers; these are opened and closed with piston‐like actuators, allowing the instrument to make multiple, independent rate estimates in the course of each deployment. Consistent with other studies in which methods purporting to measure the same metabolic processes have yielded divergent results, respiration rate estimates from the PHORCYS were systematically higher than those calculated for the same waters using a traditional two‐point Winkler titration technique. However, PHORCYS estimates of gross respiration agreed generally with separate incubations in bottles fitted with optode sensor spots. An Appendix describes a new method for estimating uncertainties in metabolic rates calculated from continuous dissolved oxygen data. Multiple successful, unattended deployments of the PHORCYS represent a small step toward fully autonomous observations of community metabolism. Yet the persistence of unexplained disagreements among aquatic metabolic rate estimates—such as those we observed between rates calculated with the PHORCYS and two existing, widely accepted bottle‐based methods—suggests that a new community intercalibration effort is warranted to address lingering sources of error in these critical measurements.
The adsorption of dissolved organic carbon onto glass fiber filters and its effect on the measurement of particulate organic carbon: A laboratory and modeling exercise
Authors: Novak Michael G. , Cetinić Ivona , Chaves Joaquín E. , Mannino Antonio
Published: May 2018

Particulate organic carbon (POC) represents a small portion of total carbon in the ocean. However, it plays a large role in the turnover of organic matter through the biological pump and other processes. Early on since the development of the POC measurement technique in the 1960s, it was known that dissolved organic carbon (DOC) adsorbs and is retained both on and in the filter. That retained DOC is measured as if it was part of the particulate fraction, an artifact that can cause significant overestimates of POC concentration. We set out to address the long‐standing question of whether the magnitude of the DOC adsorption is affected by the quantity and quality of the dissolved organic matter in the sample. However, our results precluded an unequivocal answer to that question; nevertheless, the experimental data generated did allow us to develop and test predictive models that relate the mass of carbon adsorbed to the volume of sample filtered. The results indicate that the uptake of DOC can be predicted using an exponential model and that a saturation point is approached when approximately a half‐liter of water is filtered. This model can be a valuable tool for correcting existing POC data sets that did not account for DOC adsorption. Nonetheless, this approach should not be regarded as a substitute for collecting in situ filter blanks in parallel with POC samples to properly correct for this artifact.