bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recombination analysis of autosomal short tandem repeats in Chinese Han families
Authors: Liu Qiu‐Ling , Luo Hong , Zhao Hu , Huang Xiao‐Ling , Cheng Jian‐Ding , Lu De‐Jian
Published: November 2013

Recombination fractions between forensic STRs can be extrapolated from the International HapMap Project, but the concordance between recombination fractions predicated from genetic maps and derived from observation of STR transmissions in families is still ambiguous for autosomal STRs because of limited family studies. Therefore, the main goal of this study is to compare recombination fractions estimated by pedigree analysis with those derived from HapMap phase SNP data. Genotypes of nine autosomal STR pairs (TPOX‐D2S1772, D5S818‐CSF1PO, D7S3048‐D7S820, D8S1132‐D8S1179, TH01‐D11S2368, vWA‐D12S391, D13S325‐D13S317, D18S51‐D18S1364, and D21S11‐PentaD) from 207 two‐generation families with two to five children (the number of families with five, four, three, and two children was 2, 3, 20, and 182, respectively) were used to analyze the recombination. The linkage analysis showed that significant linkage was observed at six STR pairs (D5S818‐CSF1PO, D8S1132‐D8S1179, TH01‐D11S2368, vWA‐D12S391, D13S325‐D13S317, and D18S51‐D18S1364) with genetic distances <36.22 cM in HapMap. Their recombination fractions calculated from family data were very close to those derived from HapMap. However, three STR pairs of TPOX‐D2S1772, D7S3048‐D7S820, and D21S11‐PentaD showed no significant linkage with genetic distances from 43.38 to 91.49 cM. Our results indicate that recombination fractions extrapolated from HapMap can provide a substitute if empirical data are unavailable for the linkage STR pair with a genetic distance spanned <36.22 cM.
Capillary electrophoresis of natural products: 2011–2012
Authors: Tubaon Ria Marni S. , Rabanes Heide , Haddad Paul R. , Quirino Joselito P.
Published: November 2013

Bioactive natural products are major sources of lead compounds for drug discovery and pharmaceutical development, therefore, innovative and current separation and characterization techniques are important for these compounds. Here, CE methods applied for the analysis of natural products published during 2011–2012 are reviewed. This is an updated version of an earlier review paper in this journal, which highlighted developments during 2006–2010. The major method developments over the review period centered on derivatization, chiral analysis, modes of detection, stacking or on‐line sample concentration, and sample preparation (predominantly using extraction methods). The samples analyzed were herbal products, foods, soil, and biological samples. Developments also occurred in the areas of quality control, toxicology assessment, and enzyme‐inhibitor screening. A table that summarizes the areas, source of natural product, nature of the bioactive analyte, CE conditions, LODs, and corresponding reference is provided. A short description on the theory of CE and insights on future activities of CE on natural products are also presented.
Techno‐economic assessment of nonfossil ammonia production
Authors: Tunå Per , Hulteberg Christian , Ahlgren Serina
Published: November 2013

The production of nitrogen fertilizers are almost exclusively based on fossil feedstocks such as natural gas and coal. Nitrogen fertilizers are a necessity to maintain the high agricultural production that the world's population currently demands. Ammonia produced from nonfossil‐based feedstocks would enable renewable production of ammonia. Renewable feedstocks are one thing, but perhaps even more important in the future are the security of supply that decentralized production enables. In this study, the techno‐economic evaluation of production of ammonia from various renewable feedstocks and for several plant sizes was investigated. The feedstocks included in this study are grid‐based electricity produced from wind power, biogas, and woody biomass. The feedstocks differed in exergy, and to make a fair comparison, the electric equivalence ratios method was used. The results showed that the energy consumption for biogas and electricity is the same at 42 GJ/tonne ammonia. When using the electric equivalence comparison for the same cases, the results are 26 and 42 GJ/tonne, respectively. Biomass‐based production has an energy consumption of 58 GJ/tonne and 31 GJ/tonne when using the electric equivalence comparison, which should be compared with the industrial average of 37 GJ (or 21 GJ electric equivalence) per tonne of ammonia. Monte Carlo simulations were used to vary the inputs to the process to evaluate the production cost. The ammonia production cost ranged from $680 to 2300/tonne ammonia for the various cases studied. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 33: 1290–1297, 2014
Presence of severe neuroinflammation does not intensify neurofibrillary degeneration in human brain
Authors: Streit Wolfgang J. , Xue Qing‐Shan , Braak Heiko , del Tredici Kelly
Published: November 2013

This study investigated the allegedly causal relationship between microglial activation and neurofibrillary degeneration (NFD) typical of Alzheimer's disease (AD) by determining if presence of extreme microglial activation coincides with intensified NFD. We performed comparative histopathological analyses of NFD and microglial reactivity in 18 primary subjects ranging from 4 to 51 years of age. Ten of these subjects (median age 34) died from infectious disease (HIV, sepsis) and CNS trauma, while eight subjects (median age 32.5) died from non‐infectious conditions (controls). Second, we also examined two 52‐year‐old subjects with Down syndrome where one had comorbid sepsis and the other one did not. We found that all 10 subjects with infectious/traumatic diagnoses showed severe neuroinflammation, while the 8 control subjects completely lacked neuroinflammatory changes. However, all 18 primary subjects were found to show the same early‐stage, pretangle neuropathology of Braak stage 1a and 1b, that is, they exhibited primarily subcortical NFD in the locus coeruleus and sporadic lesions in the transentorhinal cortex. Similarly, the two subjects with Down syndrome showed the same high levels of NFD (Braak stage VI) irrespective of the comorbid sepsis‐related neuroinflammation present in one of these individuals. Collectively, our findings show that despite rampant microglial activation in all subjects with neuroinflammatory conditions the extent of NFD is at the same level as seen in non‐inflamed controls. These findings demonstrate that microglial activation does not initiate or exacerbate NFD, and we conclude that CNS inflammation is unlikely to be causally involved in the development of NFD characteristic of AD dementia. GLIA 2013;62:96–105
Novel markers of kidney injury in bipolar patients on long‐term lithium treatment
Authors: Rybakowski Janusz K. , Abramowicz Maria , Chłopocka‐Wozniak Maria , Czekalski Stanislaw
Published: November 2013

Objectives

We assessed kidney function in long‐term lithium‐treated bipolar patients compared with age‐matched patients not taking lithium, including novel markers of kidney injury such as plasma neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (NGAL) and urinary beta‐2 microglobulin (β2‐MG)

Methods

The study comprised 120 patients with bipolar disorder of which 90 (30 males and 60 females) have been receiving lithium for 5–38 (mean 16) years, and 30 (10 males and 20 females) have never been exposed to lithium.

Results

Lithium‐treated patients, both men and women, showed significantly higher plasma NGAL and urinary β2‐MG and lower urine specific gravity and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), compared with patients not taking lithium. In these patients, serum NGAL did not correlate with any clinical feature or other parameter of kidney function. Urinary β2‐MG correlated with serum creatinine and eGFR in the whole group of lithium‐treated patients and in addition, in males, with duration of illness, duration of lithium treatment, and urine specific gravity.

Conclusions

Lithium treatment causes an impairment of kidney function reflected also by abnormal levels of novel markers of kidney injury. Of these, urinary β2‐MG, as a marker of tubular function seems to be better predictor than serum NGAL in lithium‐treated patients because it shows multiple clinical and biochemical correlations, especially in men. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Methylphenidate‐osmotic‐controlled release oral delivery system treatment reduces parenting stress in parents of children and adolescents with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Hwang Jun‐Won , Kim Bongseog , Kim Yeni , Kim Tae‐Ho , Seo Wan‐Seok , Shin Dong‐Won , Woo Young‐Jae , Yoo Heejeong , Lee Jeong‐Seop , Lee Jong‐Hun , Lim Myung‐Ho , Chung Young‐Chul , Jung Chul‐Ho , Yoo Hanik K.
Published: November 2013

Objective

The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of methylphenidate‐osmotic release oral delivery system (MPH‐OROS) treatment on parenting stress in parents of children and adolescents with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Methods

Four hundred and ninety‐five children and adolescents (391 boys and 104 girls), aged 7 to 18 years who met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition criteria for ADHD, were recruited at 48 psychiatric outpatient clinics across South Korea. Children's symptoms, parenting stress, and parental depression were assessed at baseline, week 4, and week 8 of MPH‐OROS treatment using the Korean version of the DuPaul's ADHD Rating Scale (ARS), the Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Parenting Stress Index, Short Form (PSI‐SF).

Results

We found significantly decreased scores of ARS, parental BDI, and PSI‐SF from baseline to week 4 and from week 4 to week 8. Also, there were positive correlations among baseline PSI‐SF, ARS, and BDI scores. The changes in BDI and ARS scores were significantly associated with the PSI score changes, accounting for 20.1% and 10.0%, respectively.

Conclusions

We suggest that the increased parenting stress and depression in parents of children and adolescents with ADHD can be improved following the treatment with MPH‐OROS. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecular pathology via IR and Raman spectral imaging
Authors: Diem Max , Mazur Antonella , Lenau Kathleen , Schubert Jen , Bird Ben , Miljković Milo , Krafft Christoph , Popp Jürgen
Published: November 2013

During the last 15 years, vibrational spectroscopic methods have been developed that can be viewed as molecular pathology methods that depend on sampling the entire genome, proteome and metabolome of cells and tissues, rather than probing for the presence of selected markers. First, this review introduces the background and fundamentals of the spectroscopies underlying the new methodologies, namely infrared and Raman spectroscopy. Then, results are presented in the context of spectral histopathology of tissues for detection of metastases in lymph nodes, squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinomas, brain tumors and brain metastases. Results from spectral cytopathology of cells are discussed for screening of oral and cervical mucosa, and circulating tumor cells. It is concluded that infrared and Raman spectroscopy can complement histopathology and reveal information that is available in classical methods only by costly and time‐consuming steps such as immunohistochemistry, polymerase chain reaction or gene arrays. Due to the inherent sensitivity toward changes in the bio‐molecular composition of different cell and tissue types, vibrational spectroscopy can even provide information that is in some cases superior to that of any one of the conventional techniques. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A New Method for the Facile Synthesis of Hydroxylated Flavones by Using Allyl Protection
Authors: Nawghare B. R. , Sakate S. S. , Lokhande P. D.
Published: November 2013

The iodine‐induced oxidative cyclization of 2′‐hydroxychalcones provides a simple, highly efficient approach to various hydroxy flavones and analogues. This process is run under mild conditions, tolerates various functional groups, and provides hydroxy flavones in good to excellent yield. The allyl‐protected acetophenones and benzaldehydes were smoothly deallylated under similar conditions.
The ultrastructure of spermatid development during spermiogenesis within the rosebelly lizard, Sceloporus variabilis (Reptilia, Squamata, Phrynosomatidae)
Authors: Gribbins Kevin M. , Matchett Caroline L. , DelBello Kathryn A. , Rheubert Justin , Villagrán‐SantaCruz Maricela , Granados‐González Gisela , Hernández‐Gallegos Oswaldo
Published: November 2013

Several recent studies have mapped out the characters of spermiogenesis within several species of squamates. Many of these data have shown both conserved and possibly apomorphic morphological traits that could be important in future phylogenetic analysis within Reptilia. There, however, has not been a recent study that compares spermiogenesis and its similarities or differences between two species of reptile that reside in the same genus. Thus, the present analysis details the changes to spermiogenesis in Sceloporus variabilis and then compares spermatid morphologies to that of Sceloporus bicanthalis. Many of the morphological changes that the spermatids undergo in these two species are similar or conserved, which is similar to what has been reported in other squamates. There are six main character differences that can be observed during the development of the spermatids between these two sceloporid lizards. They include the presence (S. variabilis) or absence (S. bicanthalis) of a mitochondrial/endoplasmic reticulum complex near the Golgi apparatus during acrosome development, a shallow (S. variabilis) or deep (S. bicanthalis) nuclear indentation that accommodates the acrosomal vesicle, filamentous (S. variabilis) or granular (S. bicanthalis) chromatin condensation, no spiraling (S. variabilis) or spiraling (S. bicanthalis) of chromatin during condensation, absence (S. variabilis) or presence (S. bicanthalis) of the longitudinal manchette microtubules, and the lack of (S. variabilis) or presence (S. bicanthalis) of nuclear lacunae. This is the first study that compares spermiogenic ultrastructural characters between species within the same genus. The significance of the six character differences between two distantly related species within Sceloporus is still unknown, but these data do suggest that spermiogenesis might be a good model to study the hypothesis that spermatid ontogeny is species specific. J. Morphol. 275:258–268, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The ventral nerve cord in Cephalocarida (Crustacea): New insights into the ground pattern of Tetraconata
Authors: Stegner Martin E.J. , Brenneis Georg , Richter Stefan
Published: November 2013

Cephalocarida are Crustacea with many anatomical features that have been interpreted as plesiomorphic with respect to crustaceans or Tetraconata. While the ventral nerve cord (VNC) has been investigated in many other arthropods to address phylogenetic and evolutionary questions, the few studies that exist on the cephalocarid VNC date back 20 years, and data pertaining to neuroactive substances in particular are too sparse for comparison. We reinvestigated the VNC of adult Hutchinsoniella macracantha in detail, combining immunolabeling (tubulin, serotonin, RFamide, histamine) and nuclear stains with confocal laser microscopy, complemented by 3D‐reconstructions based on serial semithin sections. The subesophageal ganglion in Cephalocarida comprises three segmental neuromeres (Md, Mx1, Mx2), while a separate ganglion occurs in all thoracic segments and abdominal segments 1–8. Abdominal segments 9 and 10 and the telson are free of ganglia. The maxillar neuromere and the thoracic ganglia correspond closely in their limb innervation pattern, their pattern of mostly four segmental commissures and in displaying up to six individually identified serotonin‐like immunoreactive neurons per body side, which exceeds the number found in most other tetraconates. Only two commissures and two serotonin‐like immunoreactive neurons per side are present in abdominal ganglia. The stomatogastric nervous system in H. macracantha corresponds to that in other crustaceans and includes, among other structures, a pair of lateral neurite bundles. These innervate the gut as well as various trunk muscles and are, uniquely, linked to the unpaired median neurite bundle. We propose that most features of the cephalocarid ventral nerve cord (VNC) are plesiomorphic with respect to the tetraconate ground pattern. Further, we suggest that this ground pattern includes more serotonin‐like neurons than hitherto assumed, and argue that a sister‐group relationship between Cephalocarida and Remipedia, as favored by recent molecular analyses, finds no neuroanatomical support. J. Morphol. 275:269–294, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quantitative hepatic perfusion modeling using DCE‐MRI with sequential breathholds
Authors: Bultman Eric M. , Brodsky Ethan K. , Horng Debra E. , Irarrazaval Pablo , Schelman William R. , Block Walter F. , Reeder Scott B.
Published: November 2013

Purpose

To develop and demonstrate the feasibility of a new formulation for quantitative perfusion modeling in the liver using interrupted DCE‐MRI data acquired during multiple sequential breathholds.

Materials and Methods

A new mathematical formulation to estimate quantitative perfusion parameters using interrupted data was developed. Using this method, we investigated whether a second degree‐of‐freedom in the tissue residue function (TRF) improves quality‐of‐fit criteria when applied to a dual‐input single‐compartment perfusion model. We subsequently estimated hepatic perfusion parameters using DCE‐MRI data from 12 healthy volunteers and 9 cirrhotic patients with a history of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); and examined the utility of these estimates in differentiating between healthy liver, cirrhotic liver, and HCC.

Results

Quality‐of‐fit criteria in all groups were improved using a Weibull TRF (2 degrees‐of‐freedom) versus an exponential TRF (1 degree‐of‐freedom), indicating nearer concordance of source DCE‐MRI data with the Weibull model. Using the Weibull TRF, arterial fraction was greater in cirrhotic versus normal liver (39 ± 23% versus 15 ± 14%, P = 0.07). Mean transit time (20.6 ± 4.1 s versus 9.8 ± 3.5 s, P = 0.01) and arterial fraction (39 ± 23% versus 73 ± 14%, P = 0.04) were both significantly different between cirrhotic liver and HCC, while differences in total perfusion approached significance.

Conclusion

This work demonstrates the feasibility of estimating hepatic perfusion parameters using interrupted data acquired during sequential breathholds. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;39:853–865. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fast image reconstruction with L2‐regularization
Authors: Bilgic Berkin , Chatnuntawech Itthi , Fan Audrey P. , Setsompop Kawin , Cauley Stephen F. , Wald Lawrence L. , Adalsteinsson Elfar
Published: November 2013

Purpose

We introduce L2‐regularized reconstruction algorithms with closed‐form solutions that achieve dramatic computational speed‐up relative to state of the art L1‐ and L2‐based iterative algorithms while maintaining similar image quality for various applications in MRI reconstruction.

Materials and Methods

We compare fast L2‐based methods to state of the art algorithms employing iterative L1‐ and L2‐regularization in numerical phantom and in vivo data in three applications; (i) Fast Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping (QSM), (ii) Lipid artifact suppression in Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging (MRSI), and (iii) Diffusion Spectrum Imaging (DSI). In all cases, proposed L2‐based methods are compared with the state of the art algorithms, and two to three orders of magnitude speed up is demonstrated with similar reconstruction quality.

Results

The closed‐form solution developed for regularized QSM allows processing of a three‐dimensional volume under 5 s, the proposed lipid suppression algorithm takes under 1 s to reconstruct single‐slice MRSI data, while the PCA based DSI algorithm estimates diffusion propagators from undersampled q‐space for a single slice under 30 s, all running in Matlab using a standard workstation.

Conclusion

For the applications considered herein, closed‐form L2‐regularization can be a faster alternative to its iterative counterpart or L1‐based iterative algorithms, without compromising image quality. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;40:181–191 © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Real‐time and three‐dimensional MRI for diagnosis of pharyngoceles
Authors: Traser Louisa , Spahn Claudia , Richter Bernhard , Baumann Tobias , Schumacher Martin , Echternach Matthias
Published: November 2013

In the evaluation of patients with local pathologic dilatation inside the upper airway a pressure‐related testing seems important for understanding its pathophysiology and for developing a concept of intra‐individually adjusted therapy. Commonly used diagnostic techniques like endoscopy or medical imaging including ultrasound, barium swallow or computer‐assisted tomography (CT) have shown limitations either in evaluating a dynamic process or assessing the entirety of cervical structures. This article presents a case report of a professional trumpet player with bilateral pharyngoceles, introducing real‐time and three‐dimensional (3D) MRI as a helpful tool in the diagnosis of pressure dependent pathologies in the upper airway. With the use of MRI the complete sub‐ and supraglottic airway can be viewed simultaneously, avoiding the distortion which can occur with endoscopy. Thus, it was possible to evaluate the pharyngoceles pressure‐related pathophysiology, from which a successful therapy could be conceived which included modifying the musician's blowing technique. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;40:55–57. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Flip‐angle mapping of 31P coils by steady‐state MR spectroscopic imaging
Authors: Chmelík Marek , Považan Michal , Jírů Filip , Kukurová Ivica Just , Dezortová Monika , Krššák Martin , Bogner Wolfgang , Hájek Milan , Trattnig Siegfried , Valkovič Ladislav
Published: November 2013

Purpose

Phosphorus (31P) MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) is primarily applied with sensitive, surface radiofrequency (RF) coils that provide inhomogeneous excitation RF field (B1+) and rough localization due to their B1+ and sensitivity (B1−) profiles. A careful and time‐consuming pulse adjustment and an accurate knowledge of flip angle (FA) are mandatory for quantification corrections.

Materials and Methods

In this study, a simple, fast, and universal 31P B1+ mapping method is proposed, which requires fast steady‐state MRSI (typically one sixth of normal measurement time) in addition to the typical MRSI acquired within the examination protocol. The FA maps are calculated from the ratio of the signal intensities acquired by these two measurements and were used to correct for the influence of B1+ on the metabolite maps.

Results

In vitro tests were performed on two scanners (3 and 7 Tesla) using a surface and a volume coil. The calculated FA maps were in good agreement with adjusted nominal FAs and the theoretical calculation using the Biot‐Savart law. The method was successfully tested in vivo in the calf muscle and the brain of healthy volunteers (n = 4). The corrected metabolite maps show higher homogeneity compared with their noncorrected versions.

Conclusion

The calculated FA maps helped with B1+ inhomogeneity corrections of acquired in vivo data, and should also be useful with optimization and testing of pulse performances, or with the construction quality tests of new dual‐channel 1H/31P coils. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;40:391–397. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Arterial spin labeling to determine tumor viability in head and neck cancer before and after treatment
Authors: Fujima Noriyuki , Kudo Kohsuke , Yoshida Daisuke , Homma Akihiro , Sakashita Tomohiro , Tsukahara Akiko , Tha Khin Khin , Zaitsu Yuri , Terae Satoshi , Shirato Hiroki
Published: November 2013

Purpose

To evaluate the feasibility of arterial spin‐labeling (ASL) in head and neck cancer for noninvasive measurement of tumor blood flow (TBF), by comparing 1) the TBF change before and after the treatment, and 2) posttreatment TBF and its reduction rate between residual and nonresidual tumors after treatment.

Materials and Methods

Twenty‐two patients with head and neck cancer were evaluated using ASL on 3.0‐T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before and after nonsurgical treatment. A pulsed ASL sequence with Look–Locker readout was used to calculate quantitative TBF. TBF reduction rates between pre‐ and posttreatment values were also calculated. Residual tumors were confirmed when present with either histopathologically or clinical follow‐up.

Results

Pre‐ and posttreatment mean TBF values were 121.4 ± 27.8 (standard deviation) and 24.9 ± 14.9 mL/100g/min, respectively. Pre‐ and posttreatment TBF differed significantly. Posttreatment TBF was significantly higher in patients with residual tumors (five patients, 46.9 ± 7.1 mL/100g/min) than in those without (17 patients, 18.4 ± 9.2 mL/100g/min). The TBF reduction rate was significantly lower in patients with residual tumors (0.540.55 ± 0.120.12) than in those without (0.85 ± 0.06).

Conclusion

ASL allows quantitative assessment of TBF in head and neck cancer. ASL may be useful for noninvasive assessment of tumor viability in head and neck cancer. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;40:920–928. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Postsurgical hemodynamics of the aortic valve bypass operation evaluated with phase contrast magnetic resonance
Authors: Lam Adrian , Clement‐Guinaudeau Stephanie , Padala Muralidhar , Eisner Robert L. , Thourani Vinod , Vadnais David , Hurst Stuart , Guyton Robert A. , Oshinksi John N.
Published: November 2013

Purpose

To characterize the postsurgical hemodynamics in aortic valve bypass (AVB) patients, and to determine the relationship between presurgical native aortic valve pressure gradient and postsurgical hemodynamics.

Materials and Methods

Twenty patients scheduled for AVB surgery underwent presurgical transthoracic Doppler echocardiography to assess the degree of aortic stenosis and postsurgical cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to acquire phase contrast magnetic resonance (PCMR) flow values along the ascending and descending aorta, and in the conduit. Net flow values were calculated from the PCMR images and compared to presurgical aortic valve pressure gradient measurements.

Results

PCMR showed that: 1) The blood flow split between the aorta and the conduit was 35%:65% of cardiac output and 2) 60% of patients had net retrograde blood flow in the superior thoracic aorta over the cardiac cycle. Patients with presurgical pressure gradient (ΔP) > 45 mmHg had significantly less blood flow out of the native aorta than patients with ΔP < 45 mmHg, and had significantly more retrograde flow in the superior thoracic aorta postsurgery.

Conclusion

In patients undergoing AVB, presurgical aortic valve pressure gradient is associated with the volume of blood flow out the aorta and the direction of blood flow in the superior thoracic aorta after conduit addition as measured by PCMR. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;40:899–905. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Investigation of brain hemodynamic changes induced by active and passive movements: A combined arterial spin labeling–BOLD fMRI study
Authors: Boscolo Galazzo Ilaria , Storti Silvia F. , Formaggio Emanuela , Pizzini Francesca B. , Fiaschi Antonio , Beltramello Alberto , Bertoldo Alessandra , Manganotti Paolo
Published: November 2013

Purpose

To assess the applicability of arterial spin labeling (ASL) in comparison to blood‐oxygenation‐level‐dependent (BOLD) contrast fMRI in detecting brain activations elicited by active and passive hand movements.

Materials and Methods

A block design for ASL and BOLD fMRI was applied in 8 healthy subjects using active and passive hand tasks. Data analyses were performed at individual and group level, comparing both the different movements and the performance of the two techniques.

Results

Group analyses showed involvement of the same areas during both tasks, as the contralateral sensorimotor cortex, supplementary motor area, cerebellum, inferior parietal lobes, thalamus. ASL detected smaller activation volumes than BOLD, but the areas had a high degree of colocalization. Few significant differences (P < 0.05) were found when the two tasks were compared for the number of activated voxels, coordinates of center of mass, and CBF estimates. Considering together all the areas, the mean %BOLD change was 0.79 ± 0.27 and 0.73 ± 0.24 for the active and passive movements respectively, while the mean %CBF changes were 34.1 ± 8.9 and 27.1 ± 14.8.

Conclusion

Our findings confirm passive and active tasks are strongly coupled, supporting the importance of passive tasks as a diagnostic tool in the clinical setting. ASL fMRI proved suitable for functional mapping and quantifying CBF changes, making it a promising technique for patient cohort applications. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;40:937–948. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quality of 186 child brain spectra using motion and B0 shim navigated single voxel spectroscopy
Authors: Hess Aaron T. , van der Kouwe André J.W. , Mbugua Kenneth K. , Laughton Barbara , Meintjes Ernesta M.
Published: November 2013

Purpose

To evaluate B0 shim and motion navigated single voxel spectroscopy in children. Assess the repeatability of metabolite concentrations in three regions: medial frontal grey matter, peritrigonal white matter, and basal ganglia. Determine the extent of intra‐ and interacquisition movement in this population.

Methods

Linewidth and signal to noise ratio were calculated to assess spectral quality of 186 spectra at 3 Tesla. Repeatability was assessed on 31 repeat scans. Navigator images were used to assess localization errors, while navigator motion and shim logs were used to demonstrate the efficacy of correction needed during the scans.

Results

Average linewidths ± standard deviations of N‐acetyl aspartate are 3.8 ± 0.6 Hz, 4.4 ± 0.5 Hz, and 4.7 ± 0.8 Hz in each region, respectively. Scan‐to‐scan measurement variance in metabolite concentrations closely resembled the expected variance. A total of 73% and 32% of children moved before and during the acquisition, causing a voxel shift of more than 10% of the voxel volume, 1.5 mm. The predominant movement directions were sliding out of the coil and nodding (up–down rotation). First‐order B0 corrections were significant (>10 μT/m) in 18 % of acquisitions.

Conclusion

Prospective motion and B0 correction provides high quality repeatable spectra. The study found that most children moved between acquisitions and a substantial number moved during acquisitions. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;40:958–965. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Contrast enrichment of spinal cord MR imaging using a ratio of T1‐weighted and T2‐weighted signals
Authors: Teraguchi Masatoshi , Yamada Hiroshi , Yoshida Munehito , Nakayama Yoshiaki , Kondo Tomoyoshi , Ito Hidefumi , Terada Masaki , Kaneoke Yoshiki
Published: November 2013

Purpose

We aimed to assess if the T1‐weighted (T1w)/T2‐weighted (T2w) signal ratio could be used to improve image contrast in MR spinal cord imaging.

Materials and Methods

T1w and T2w cervical spinal cord MR images were acquired from 23 normal subjects using 3 Tesla (T) MR scanner. In addition, a multiple sclerosis patient, and a cervical spondylotic myelopathy patient were evaluated. White matter (WM) and gray matter (GM) signal intensities were measured for each image (T1w, T2w, and T1w/T2w) for seven cervical segments in each subject to calculate the contrast. Age‐related changes in signal intensity were assessed at each location (lateral column, anterior column, dorsal column, and GM) for each image. Additionally, the imaging results of two subjects with spinal diseases and the controls were numerically compared.

Results

The contrast between the WM and GM in the T1w/T2w ratio image was approximately twice as much as that in the T1w and T2w images (mean ± SD = 1.8 ± 0.4). The signal intensity ratio was related to age. For both clinical patients, the signal intensities were significantly lower in the lesion areas in the ratio images.

Conclusion

The T1w/T2w ratio images demonstrated increased image contrast compared with T1w and T2w images alone and, reduced inter‐individual signal intensity differences. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;40:1199–1207. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reducing hemorrhagic complication by dabigatran via neurovascular protection after recanalization with tissue plasminogen activator in ischemic stroke of rat
Authors: Kono Syoichiro , Deguchi Kentaro , Omote Yoshio , Yunoki Taijun , Yamashita Toru , Kurata Tomoko , Ikeda Yoshio , Abe Koji
Published: November 2013

This study assesses the risks and benefits of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) treatment under oral anticoagulation with dabigatran compared with warfarin or vehicle control in transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO). After pretreatment with warfarin (0.2 mg/kg/day), dabigatran (20 mg/kg/day), or vehicle (0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose sodium salt) for 7 days, tMCAO was induced for 120 min, followed by reperfusion and tPA (10 mg/kg/10 ml). Clinical parameters, including cerebral infarction volume, hemorrhagic volume, and blood coagulation, were examined. At 24 hr after reperfusion, markers for the neurovascular unit at the peri‐ischemic lesion were immunohistochemically examined in brain sections, and MMP‐9 activity was measured by zymography. Paraparesis and intracerebral hemorrhage volume were significantly improved in the dabigatran‐pretreated group compared with the warfarin‐pretreated group. A marked dissociation between astrocyte foot processes and the basal lamina or pericyte was observed in the warfarin‐pretreated group, which was greatly improved in the dabigatran‐pretreated group. Furthermore, a remarkable activation of MMP‐9 in the ipsilateral warfarin‐pretreated rat brain was greatly reduced in dabigatran‐pretreated rats. The present study reveals that the mechanism of intracerebral hemorrhage with warfarin‐pretreatment plus tPA in ischemic stroke rats is the dissociation of the neurovascular unit, including the pericyte. Neurovascular protection by dabigatran, which was first shown in this study, could partially explain the reduction in hemorrhagic complication by dabigatran reported from clinical study. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synoptic climatology of the Ross Ice Shelf and Ross Sea region of Antarctica: k‐means clustering and validation
Authors: Coggins Jack H. J. , McDonald Adrian J. , Jolly Ben
Published: November 2013

The surface wind regime of the Ross Ice Shelf (RIS) is dominated by northward outflow influenced by drainage from both East and West Antarctica and synoptic disturbances over the Ross Sea. To quantify the effects of the wind regime on the climate of the region, we produce a synoptic climatology of the RIS and Ross Sea via a k‐means clustering technique applied to surface (10 m) winds from the ERA Interim reanalysis (1979–2011). We describe the generation of the climatology and discuss composites of surface winds, mean sea‐level pressure and temperature, which show a high degree of internally consistent structure and are similar to previous synoptic climatologies. While some small‐scale features are not fully resolved by the reanalysis, such as the channelling of katabatic flows, we identify a high degree of coherence between clustering results and available in situ data sources, suggesting that the ERA Interim represents the region well. We find that the surface wind field of the ice shelf is highly sensitive to the strength and position of cyclonic disturbances in the Ross Sea, the presence of which can aid outflow from the continental interior. Temperature displays a high level of sensitivity to circulation conditions due to the effects of steep temperature gradients surrounding the shelf and advective heat transport. Cold temperatures on the ice shelf coincide with drainage from East Antarctica, while warmer periods coincide with West Antarctic drainage; this is particularly clear during RIS air stream (RAS) events. The warmest periods occur during southward transport from the Ross Sea. The sensitivity of temperature to the origin of flows suggests circulation changes in the region are likely to significantly impact surface climate. Analysis of the frequency of varying synoptic events and their persistence confirms RAS is a very common and persistent feature of the region.
An aqueous pomegranate seed extract ameliorates oxidative stress of human hepatoma HepG2 cells
Authors: Navarro Marta , Amigo‐Benavent Miryam , Mesias Marta , Baeza Gema , Gökmen Vural , Bravo Laura , Morales Francisco J
Published: November 2013

BACKGROUND

Aqueous pomegranate seed extract (PSE), a by‐product of the pomegranate juice industry, was recently identified as a potential antiglycative ingredient. Ellagic acid was proposed as the major polyphenol responsible for the antiglycative activity as exerted in in vitro models. However, there is no information on safety aspects of this extract in biological systems before its application as ingredient. The cytotoxicity of PSE (1–100 µg mL−1) was evaluated by determining its effect on cell viability and redox status of cultured HepG2 cells. The protective effect of the PSE against oxidative stress induced by tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (t‐BOOH) was also investigated.

RESULTS

No changes in cell integrity or intrinsic antioxidant status resulted from a direct treatment with aqueous PSE, even at high dosage. In addition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by t‐BOOH were reduced by 21% when cells were pretreated with 100 µg mL−1 of aqueous PSE at 180 min. The range of concentrations investigated was effective in decreasing the ROS formation but not in a dose‐dependent manner.

CONCLUSION

Aqueous pomegranate seed extract enhances human hepatoma cells integrity and resistance to cope with a stressful situation at concentration up to 100 µg mL−1. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Double‐Stimuli‐Responsive Spherical Polymer Brushes with a Poly(ionic liquid) Core and a Thermoresponsive Shell
Authors: Men Yongjun , Drechsler Markus , Yuan Jiayin
Published: November 2013

The synthesis of poly(ionic liquid) (PIL) nanoparticles grafted with a poly(N‐isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAM) brush shell is reported, which shows responsiveness to temperature and ionic strength in an aqueous solution. The PIL nanoparticles are first prepared via aqueous dispersion polymerization of a vinyl imidazolium‐based ionic liquid monomer, which is purposely designed to bear a distal atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiating group attached to the long alkyl chain via esterification reaction. The size of the PIL nanoparticles can be readily tuned from 25 to 120 nm by polymerization at different monomer concentrations. PNIPAM brushes are successfully grafted from the surface of the poly(ionic liquid) nanoparticles via ATRP. The stimuli‐responsive behavior of the poly(ionic liquid) nanoparticles grafted with PNIPAM brushes (NP‐g‐PNIPAM) in aqueous phase is studied in detail. Enhanced colloidal stability of the NP‐g‐PNIPAM brush particles at high ionic strength compared to pure PIL nanoparticles at room temperature is achieved. Above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of PNIPAM, the brush particles remain stable, but a decrease in hydrodynamic radius due to the collapse of the PNIPAM brush onto the PIL nanoparticle surface is observed.

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A Bioeconomic Forest Management Model for the Mediterranean Forests: A Multicriteria Approach
Authors: Martins Maria de Belém , Xavier António , Fragoso Rui
Published: November 2013

The management of forests in the Mediterranean basin is a complex problem, for which many political solutions have been used. In Portugal, these solutions tried to overcome the small property dimension, the elderly and/or absent owners and their relation with new functions and new approaches of forestry areas linked with changes on Common Agricultural Policy and the agriculture development paradigm. The solution must take into account the valorization of all economic activities that exist in the forest, but also the fire risk decreasing and the biodiversity preservation. This paper proposes a model that allows designing several economic scenarios, producing biodiversity and fire risk indicators, but also achieving the best compromise solution between these issues using compromise programming. The model was applied in a Forest Intervention Zone Arade‐Alte/S. B. Messines, in the South of Portugal. The results show that the model is able to provide important information by creating a complete management plan and simulating the best compromise solution among fire risk, economic result and the biodiversity indicator, providing an added background for the analysts. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A MOO‐based Methodology for Designing 3D Stacked Integrated Circuits
Authors: Doan N.A.V. , Milojevic D. , Robert F. , De Smet Y.
Published: November 2013

In the past decades, the micro‐electronic industry has been following the Moore's law to improve the performance of integrated circuits (ICs). However, it will probably be impossible to follow this law in the future due to physical limitations appearing with the miniaturization of the transistors below a certain threshold. In order to overcome this problem, new technologies have emerged, and among them the two‐dimensional stacked integrated circuits (3D‐SIC) have been proposed to keep the Moore's momentum alive. 3D‐SICs can bring numerous advantages in the design of future ICs but at the cost of additional design complexity due to their highly combinatorial nature, and the optimization of several conflicting criteria. In this paper, we present a first study of tools that can help the design of 3D‐SICs, using multi‐objective optimization (MOO). Our study has targeted one of the main issues in the design of 3D‐SICs: the floorplanning. This work shows that the use of MOO can provide relevant and objective analysis of the problem that may not be feasible with the current design methods. MOO can allow a quick design space exploration and an improvement of the current design flows. Also, with its flexibility, MOO can cope with the multiple degrees of freedom of 3D‐SICs, which enables more design possibilities. We believe that these promising results will help designers to overcome the main difficulties of designing 3D‐SICs. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of rasagiline on olfactory function in patients with Parkinson's disease
Authors: Haehner Antje , Hummel Thomas , Wolz Martin , Klingelhöfer Lisa , Fauser Mareike , Storch Alexander , Reichmann Heinz
Published: November 2013

Background

Impairment of olfactory function is a well‐recognized nonmotor manifestation of Parkinson's disease (PD). The aim of this investigation was to determine if the MAO‐B inhibitor rasagiline can improve olfaction in PD patients.

Methods

Thirty‐four PD patients participated in this single‐center, prospective, randomized, controlled, double‐blind study. Seventeen patients were randomly assigned to rasagiline and 17 patients to placebo. Ortho‐ and retronasal olfactory testing and recording of event‐related potentials were performed before and after 120 days of rasagiline versus placebo intake.

Results

When comparing olfactory score differences between baseline and after 120 days between the 2 groups, the level of significance was not reached.

Conclusions

The primary end point of the study was not reached, and therefore, a specific effect of rasagiline on olfactory function in PD could not be demonstrated. © 2013 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Primary sleep disorder prevalence in patients with newly diagnosed Parkinson's disease
Authors: Prudon Benjamin , Duncan Gordon W. , Khoo Tien K. , Yarnall Alison J. , Burn David J. , Anderson Kirstie N.
Published: November 2013

Background

Sleep disturbance occurs in up to 96% of patients with established Parkinson's disease (PD). We aimed to assess the prevalence of sleep disturbance in newly diagnosed PD.

Methods

Newly diagnosed PD patients and controls were recruited. Patients had motor, non‐motor, and sleep assessments, including sleep questionnaires, respiratory home monitoring, actigraphy, and sleep diaries. Controls completed cognitive assessments, sleep questionnaires, and diaries.

Results

A total of 106 patients and 99 controls participated. Sleep questionnaire scores were no different between patients and controls. Daytime naps were increased in PD patients on sleep diaries (P > 0.003). Sleepiness was not associated with any motor or non‐motor symptom. Periodic limb movements were increased but not associated with restless legs.

Conclusions

Newly diagnosed PD patients had minimal differences in subjective or objective sleep disturbance compared to controls apart from increased daytime naps and symptoms such as dream‐enacting behaviors of punching or grabbing. This contrasts with the literature assessing sleep in those with established PD.© 2013 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Modelling rigid line and Dirichlet boundary conditions with arbitrary geometry by intrinsic XFEM
Authors: Rashvand A.
Published: November 2013

The most difficult aspect of modelling discontinuity on complicated domains is the mesh. In the extended finite element method (XFEM), the FE mesh need not conform to the internal boundaries. In the intrinsic XFEM, no additional unknowns are introduced at the nodes. Some of these discontinuities such as cracks, voids were developed in earlier papers. In the current work, the FE mesh is allowed to be independent of the rigid line (fixed DOFs path). Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A goal‐oriented hp‐adaptive discontinuous Galerkin approach for biharmonic problems
Authors: Gonçalves João L. , Gomes Sônia M. , Devloo Philippe R.B.
Published: November 2013

A goal‐oriented algorithm is developed and applied for hp‐adaptive approximations given by the discontinuous Galerkin finite element method for the biharmonic equation. The methodology is based on the dual problem associated with the target functional. We consider three error estimators and analyse their properties as basic tools for the design of the hp‐adaptive algorithm. To improve adaptation, the combination of two different error estimators is used, each one at its best efficiency, to guide the tasks of where and how to adapt the approximation spaces. The performance of the resulting hp‐adaptive schemes is illustrated by numerical experiments for two benchmark problems. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
From Birth to School: Early Childhood Initiatives and Third‐Grade Outcomes in North Carolina
Authors: Ladd Helen F. , Muschkin Clara G. , Dodge Kenneth A.
Published: November 2013

This study examines the community‐wide effects of two statewide early childhood policy initiatives in North Carolina. One initiative provides funding to improve the quality of child care services at the county level for all children between the ages of 0 to 5, and the other provides funding for preschool slots for disadvantaged four‐year‐olds. Differences across counties in the timing of the rollout and in the magnitude of the state financial investments per child provide the variation in programs needed to estimate their effects on schooling outcomes in third grade. We find robust positive effects of each program on third‐grade test scores in both reading and math. These effects can best be explained by a combination of direct benefits for participants and spillover benefits for others. Our preferred models suggest that the combined average effects on test scores of investments in both programs at 2009 funding levels are equivalent to two to four months of instruction in grade 3.