bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dehydrogenation, Methyl Elimination and Insertion Reactions of the Agostic Methyl‐Bridged Complex [Mo2Cp2(μ‐κ1:η2‐CH3)(μ‐PtBu2)(μ‐CO)]
Authors: Alvarez M. Angeles , Casado‐Ruano Melodie , García M. Esther , García‐Vivó Daniel , Ruiz Miguel A.
Published: May 2018

The high unsaturation of the title complex enabled it to react with a wide variety of molecules under mild conditions, whereby the agostic methyl ligand underwent unusual or unprecedented processes. Methane elimination occurred in the reactions with PPh2H and SiPh2H2, this being followed in the latter case by Si−H bond oxidative addition to give the hydride silylene derivative [Mo2Cp2H(μ‐PtBu2)(μ‐SiPh2)(CO)]. Dehydrogenation, however, was the dominant process in the room temperature reaction with [Fe2(CO)9], to give the unsaturated methylidyne cluster [Mo2FeCp2(μ3‐CH)(μ‐PtBu2)(CO)5] (Mo−Mo=2.6770(8) Å). In contrast, PMe elimination took place in the reaction with P4, to give the unsaturated triphosphorus complex [Mo2Cp2(μ‐η3:η3‐P3)(μ‐PtBu2)] (Mo−Mo=2.6221(3) Å). Yet a most remarkable reaction occurred with BH3⋅THF, involving insertion of two BH3 units and dehydrogenation to yield [Mo2Cp2(μ‐B2H4Me)(μ‐PtBu2)(CO)], with the novel methyldiboranyl ligand acting as a 5‐electron donor due to the presence of two 3‐centre, 2‐electron B‐H‐Mo interactions, according to spectroscopic data and DFT calculations (Mo−Mo ca. 2.65 Å).
Stereoselective Photooxidations by the Schenck Ene Reaction
Authors: Bayer Patrick , Pérez‐Ruiz Raúl , Jacobi von Wangelin Axel
Published: May 2018

150 years after the first report of an organic reaction with singlet oxygen (1O2) and 70 years after the discovery of the singlet oxygen‐ene reaction (Schenck reaction) with alkenes, this allylic photooxidation has matured to a powerful transformation that enables access to diverse sets of allyl alcohol derivatives from ubiquitous starting materials. The reaction exhibits high sustainability (100 % atom economy, use of simple alkenes, air, metal‐free catalyst and visible light). Good levels of chemo‐, regio‐, and stereocontrol were observed in the synthesis of various fine chemical building blocks and biologically active molecules. This Minireview provides an overview of the key strategies that enable stereoselective oxygen‐ene reactions in the context of complex molecule syntheses including photo‐oxygenations of functionalized alkenes, cycloalkenes, and auxiliary‐based methods.
The diagnostic and cellularity yield of reverse bevel versus fork‐tip fine needle biopsy
Authors: Abdelfatah Mohamed M , Hamed Ahmed , Koutlas Nicholas J. , Aly F. Zahra
Published: May 2018

Introduction

Two new systems with a novel tip (Procore™ and SharkCore™) have been introduced for ultrasound‐guided fine needle biopsy (US‐FNB). Direct comparison of the diagnostic yield of these needles in the evaluation of pancreatic lesions is currently under investigation. This study aims to compare the diagnostic and cellular yields of the two needle systems.

Methods

Consecutive patients with upper gastrointestinal lesions undergoing EUS‐FNB using 22 gauge Procore™ (reverse bevel) or SharkCore™ (fork‐tip) needles were included in the study. Cytological rapid on‐site evaluation (ROSE) slides were scored on a numerical scale of diagnostic yield relative to the number of passes. Similarly, histology of biopsy material was assessed on diagnostic quality using a numeric score. The final diagnosis was based on resection specimens and/or follow‐up of clinical and imaging data of the subject.

Results

The diagnostic yield was similar between the fork‐tip and reverse bevel needles (125/163; 77% vs 103/139;74% with P = .60). Sub‐analysis for solid pancreatic masses demonstrated similar results (69/88; 78% vs. 83/107; 78% with P = .88). The fork‐tip needle had a lower mean number of passes (2.5 vs 3.1; P = .04) and ROSE was utilized in significantly less cases than in the reverse bevel needle group (77% versus 98.3%).

Conclusions

Although we observed no difference in the diagnostic yield using either the fork‐tip or the reverse bevel needle, the fork‐tip needle had significantly better performance with regards to achieving more adequate cytologic specimen in fewer number of passes while at the same time requiring fewer episodes of ROSE.
Neuronal Intrinsic Regenerative Capacity: The Impact of Microtubule Organization and Axonal Transport
Authors: Murillo Blanca , Mendes Sousa Mónica
Published: May 2018

In the adult vertebrate central nervous system, axons generally fail to regenerate. In contrast, peripheral nervous system axons are able to form a growth cone and regenerate upon lesion. Among the multiple intrinsic mechanisms leading to the formation of a new growth cone and to successful axon regrowth, cytoskeleton organization and dynamics is central. Here we discuss how multiple pathways that define the regenerative capacity converge into the regulation of the axonal microtubule cytoskeleton and transport. We further explore the use of dorsal root ganglion neurons as a model to study the neuronal regenerative ability. Finally, we address some of the unanswered questions in the field, including the mechanisms by which axonal transport might be modulated by injury, and the relationship between microtubule organization, dynamics, and axonal transport. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 00: 000–000, 2018
Futurecasting ecological research: the rise of technoecology
Authors: Allan Blake M. , Nimmo Dale G. , Ierodiaconou Daniel , VanDerWal Jeremy , Koh Lian Pin , Ritchie Euan G.
Published: May 2018

Increasingly complex research questions and global challenges (e.g., climate change and biodiversity loss) are driving rapid development, refinement, and uses of technology in ecology. This trend is spawning a distinct sub‐discipline, here termed “technoecology.” We highlight recent ground‐breaking and transformative technological advances for studying species and environments: bio‐batteries, low‐power and long‐range telemetry, the Internet of things, swarm theory, 3D printing, mapping molecular movement, and low‐power computers. These technologies have the potential to revolutionize ecology by providing “next‐generation” ecological data, particularly when integrated with each other, and in doing so could be applied to address a diverse range of requirements (e.g., pest and wildlife management, informing environmental policy and decision making). Critical to technoecology's rate of advancement and uptake by ecologists and environmental managers will be fostering increased interdisciplinary collaboration. Ideally, such partnerships will span the conception, implementation, and enhancement phases of ideas, bridging the university, public, and private sectors.
PRAME peptide‐specific CD8+ T cells represent the predominant response against leukemia‐associated antigens in healthy individuals
Authors: Matko Sarah , Manderla Julia , Bonsack Maria , Schmitz Marc , Bornhauser Martin , Tonn Torsten , Odendahl Marcus
Published: May 2018

Antigen‐specific T cells isolated from healthy individuals (HIs) have shown great therapeutic potential upon adoptive transfer for the treatment of viremia in immunosuppressed patients. The lack of comprehensive data on the prevalence and characteristics of leukemia‐associated antigen (LAA)‐specific T cells in HIs still limits such an approach for tumor therapy. Therefore, we have investigated T‐cell responses against prominent candidates comprising Wilms’ tumor protein 1 (WT1), preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma (PRAME), Survivin, NY‐ESO, and p53 by screening PBMCs from HIs using intracellular IFN‐γ staining following provocation with LAA peptide mixes. Here, we found predominantly poly‐functional effector/effector memory CCR7−/CD45RA+/−/CD8+ LAA peptide‐specific T cells with varying CD95 expression in 34 of 100 tested HIs, whereas CD4+ T cells responses were restricted to 5. Most frequent LAA peptide‐specific T cell responses were directed against WT1 and PRAME peptides with a prevalence of 20 and 17%, respectively, showing the highest magnitude (0.16% ± 0.22% (mean ± SD)) for PRAME peptides. Cytotoxicity of PRAME peptide‐specific T cells was demonstrated by specific killing of PRAME peptide‐pulsed T2 cells. Furthermore, the proliferative capacity of PRAME peptide‐specific T cells was confined to HIs responsive toward PRAME peptide challenge corroborating the accuracy of the screening results. In conclusion, we identified PRAME as a promising target antigen for adoptive leukemia therapy.
Sequence‐based US population data for the SE33 locus
Authors: Borsuk Lisa A. , Gettings Katherine B. , Steffen Carolyn R. , Kiesler Kevin M. , Vallone Peter M.
Published: May 2018

A set of 1036 U.S. Population Samples were sequenced using the Illumina ForenSeq DNA Signature Prep Kit. This sample set has been highly characterized using a variety of marker systems for human identification. The FASTQ files obtained from a ForenSeq DNA Signature Prep Kit experiment include several STR loci that are not reported in the associated software. These include SE33, DXS8377, DXS10148, DYS456, and DYS461. The sequence variation within the autosomal STR marker SE33 was evaluated using a customized bioinformatic approach to identify and characterize the locus in the 1036 data set. The analysis identified 53 unique alleles by length and 264 by sequence. An additional 10 alleles were detected when selected extended flanking regions were examined to resolve discordances. Allele frequencies and SE33 sequence motif patterns are reported for the 1036 data set. The comparison of numerical allele calls derived from sequence data to the allele calls obtained from commercial capillary electrophoresis‐based STR typing kits resulted in 100% concordance, after manual data review and confirmation sequencing of three flanking region deletions. The analysis of this data set involved significant manual sequence curation and information support from length‐based genotypes to ensure high confidence in the sequence‐based allele calls. The challenges of interpreting the sequence data for SE33 consisted of high sequence noise, allele‐size dependent variance in coverage, and heterozygote imbalance. As allele length increased, sequence depth of coverage and quality decreased at the terminal end. Accordingly, heterozygous genotype imbalance increased in proportion to increased distance between alleles.
Fish‐smart seawalls: a decision tool for adaptive management of marine infrastructure
Authors: Morris Rebecca L , Porter Augustine G , Figueira Will F , Coleman Ross A , Fobert Emily K , Ferrari Renata
Published: May 2018

Infrastructure is increasingly being built in marine habitats, with extensive ecological consequences for benthic and fish assemblages alike. The practice of ecological engineering attempts to mitigate the negative impacts of infrastructure through the design of artificial structures that benefit both humans and nature. Although research has primarily focused on the benefits for invertebrates and algae, fish also respond to changes in habitat complexity and benthic biodiversity. We surveyed the scientific literature on natural and artificial reefs to identify key habitat features that fish respond to, and propose a decision tool for ecologists and managers to tailor the structural complexity of marine infrastructure for fish. Inevitably, natural habitats will increasingly be replaced with artificial ones, making ecologically sensitive designs essential for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services. Using lessons from natural and artificial reefs, we show that existing and new infrastructure could be designed not only to reduce negative impacts but also to foster positive effects on fish assemblages.
Galerkin local maximum entropy method
Authors: Dreier Nils‐Arne , Engwer Christian , Hartmann Dirk
Published: May 2018

We propose a new particle‐based method for simulating incompressible Navier‐Stokes flows. It is based on a reinterpretation of the optimal transportation meshfree method within the context of Galerkin discretization. This enables us to introduce the incompressibility constraint into the formulation. Furthermore, we present convergence test and illustrate the usability of the method along several test problems.
Effects of health insurance on birth weight in Mexico
Authors: Kumar Santosh , Gonzalez Fidel
Published: May 2018

This paper estimates the effect of mother's insurance coverage on neonatal outcomes in Mexico using hospital‐based administrative data. Using an instrumental variable approach to identify the causal effects of health insurance on infant health, we find that mother's insurance coverage has positive impacts on neonatal outcomes. Children born to insured mothers weighed 108 g higher and had reduced probability of low birth weight by 7.5 percentage points. These effects appear to be stronger for mothers with higher levels of education and in municipalities with a higher development index. Findings indicate that expanding insurance coverage could be helpful in improving neonatal outcomes in resource‐constrained countries.
Comparison of five snow water equivalent estimation methods across categories
Authors: Yao Huaxia , Field Timothy , McConnell Christopher , Beaton Andy , James April L.
Published: May 2018

Snow water equivalent (SWE) is an important indicator used in hydrology, water resources, and climate change impact. There are various methods of estimating SWE (falling in 3 categories: indirect sensors, empirical models, and process‐based models), but few studies that provide comparison across these different categories to help users make decisions on monitoring site design or method selection. Five SWE estimation methods were compared against manual snow course data collected over 2 years (2015–2016) from the Dorset Environmental Science Centre, including the gamma‐radiation‐based CS725 sensor, 3 empirical estimation models (Sexstone snow density model, McCreight & Small snow density model, and a meteorology‐based model), and the University of British Columbia Watershed Model snow energy‐balance model. Snow depth, density, and SWE were measured at the Dorset Environmental Science Centre weather station in south‐central Ontario, on a daily basis over 6 winters from 2011 to 2016. The 2 snow density‐based models, requiring daily snow depth as input, gave the best performance (R2 of .92 and .92 for McCreight & Small and Sexstone models, respectively). The CS725 sensor that receives radiation coming from soil penetrating the snowpack provided the same performance (R2 = .92), proving that the sensor is an applicable method, although it is expensive. The meteorology‐based empirical model, requiring daily climate data including temperature, precipitation and solar radiation, gave the poorest performance (R2 = .77). The energy‐balance‐based University of British Columbia Watershed Model snow module, only requiring climate data, worked better than the empirical meteorology‐based model (R2 = .9) but performed worse than the density models or CS725 sensor. Given differences in application objectives, site conditions, and budget, this comparison across SWE estimation methods may help users choose a suitable method. For ongoing and new monitoring sites, installation of a CS725 sensor coupled with intermittent manual snow course measurements (e.g., weekly) is recommended for further SWE method estimation testing and development of a snow density model.
Storage, mixing, and fluxes of water in the critical zone across northern environments inferred by stable isotopes of soil water
Authors: Sprenger Matthias , Tetzlaff Doerthe , Buttle Jim , Carey Sean K. , McNamara James P. , Laudon Hjalmar , Shatilla Nadine J. , Soulsby Chris
Published: May 2018

Quantifying soil water storage, mixing, and release via recharge, transpiration, and evaporation is essential for a better understanding of critical zone processes. Here, we integrate stable isotope (2H and 18O of soil water, precipitation, and groundwater) and hydrometric (soil moisture) data from 5 long‐term experimental catchments along a hydroclimatic gradient across northern latitudes: Dry Creek (USA), Bruntland Burn (Scotland), Dorset (Canada), Krycklan (Sweden), and Wolf Creek (Canada). Within each catchment, 6 to 11 isotope sampling campaigns occurred at 2 to 4 sampling locations over at least 1 year. Analysis for 2H and 18O in the bulk pore water was done for >2,500 soil samples either by cryogenic extraction (Dry Creek) or by direct equilibration (other sites). The results showed a similar general pattern that soil water isotope variability reflected the seasonality of the precipitation input signal. However, pronounced differences among sampling locations occurred regarding the isotopic fractionation due to evaporation. We found that antecedent precipitation volumes mainly governed the fractionation signal, temperature and evaporation rates were of secondary importance, and soil moisture played only a minor role in the variability of soil water evaporation fractionation across the hydroclimatic gradient. We further observed that soil waters beneath conifer trees were more fractionated than beneath heather shrubs or red oak trees, indicating higher soil evaporation rates in coniferous forests. Sampling locations closer to streams were more damped and depleted in their stable isotopic composition than hillslope sites, revealing increased subsurface mixing towards the saturated zone and a preferential recharge of winter precipitation. Bulk soil waters generally comprised a high share of waters older than 14 days, which indicates that the water in soil pores are usually not fully replaced by recent infiltration events. The presented stable isotope data of soil water were, thus, a useful tool to track the spatial variability of water fluxes within and from the critical zone. Such data provide invaluable information to improve the representation of critical zone processes in spatially distributed hydrological models.
Preterm delivery is associated with an increased risk of epithelial ovarian cancer among parous women
Authors: Sköld Camilla , Bjørge Tone , Ekbom Anders , Engeland Anders , Gissler Mika , Grotmol Tom , Madanat‐Harjuoja Laura , Gulbech Ording Anne , Stephansson Olof , Trabert Britton , Tretli Steinar , Troisi Rebecca , Sørensen Henrik Toft , Glimelius Ingrid
Published: May 2018

Epithelial ovarian cancer is a fatal disease of largely unknown etiology. Higher parity is associated with reduced risk of ovarian cancer. However, among parous women, the impact of pregnancy‐related factors on risk is not well understood. This population‐based case–control study included all parous women with epithelial ovarian cancer in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden during 1967–2013 (n = 10,957) and up to 10 matched controls (n = 107,864). We used conditional logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for pregnancy‐related factors and ovarian cancer risk by histological subtype. Preterm delivery was associated with an increased risk [pregnancy length (last pregnancy) ≤30 vs. 39–41 weeks, OR 1.33 (95% CI 1.06–1.67), adjusted for number of births]; the OR increased as pregnancy length decreased (p for trend < 0.001). Older age at first and last birth was associated with a decreased risk [first birth: 30–39 vs. <25 years: adjusted OR 0.76 (95% CI 0.70–0.83); last birth 30–39 vs. <25 years: adjusted OR 0.76 (95% CI 0.71–0.82)]. Increasing number of births was protective [≥4 births vs. 1; OR 0.63 (95% CI 0.59–0.68)] for all subtypes, most pronounced for clear‐cell tumors [OR 0.30, (95% CI 0.21–0.44), pheterogeneity < 0.001]. No associations were observed for multiple pregnancies, preeclampsia or offspring size. In conclusion, in addition to high parity, full‐term pregnancies and pregnancies at older ages were associated with decreased risk of ovarian cancer. Our findings favor the cell clearance hypothesis, i.e. a recent pregnancy provides protection by clearing of precancerous cells from the epithelium of the ovary/fallopian tubes, mediated by placental or ovarian hormones.
Peri‐prosthetic tissue reaction to discontinuation of negative pressure wound therapy around porous titanium percutaneous devices
Authors: Pawar Divya R.L. , Mitchell Saranne J. , Jeyapalina Sujee , Hawkes Jason E. , Florell Scott R. , Bachus Kent N.
Published: May 2018

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has been reported to limit epithelial downgrowth, one of the failure mechanisms of percutaneous devices. In a previous study, when NPWT was applied for 4 weeks (NPWT Group) to porous coated titanium percutaneous devices, downgrowth (5 ± 4%; mean ± one SD) was significantly reduced compared to untreated controls (Untreated Group) (16 ± 6%; p ≤ 0.01). However, it was unclear whether this beneficial effect was sustained when NPWT was discontinued. In order to test this, porous coated titanium percutaneous devices were implanted into 6 hairless guinea pigs. Post‐surgery, animals received 4 weeks of NPWT treatment followed by 4 weeks of no treatment (Discontinued Group). At necropsy, the devices and surrounding tissues were harvested and processed. Quantitative downgrowth measurements and qualitative analyses of tissue characteristics were performed, and compared to historical controls (NPWT and Untreated Groups). The Discontinued Group, at 8 weeks, had significantly more downgrowth than the NPWT Group at 4 weeks (23 ± 3% vs. 5 ± 4%; p ≤ 0.01). At 8 weeks, the Discontinued Group qualitatively appeared to exhibit reduced numbers of blood vessels and increased degree of fibrosis compared to the NPWT Group at 4 weeks. This study suggests that NPWT will only be an effective treatment for limiting downgrowth if used continuously. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 564–572, 2019.
‐stimulated crosslinking of catechol‐conjugated hydroxyethyl chitosan as a tissue adhesive
Authors: Peng Xiaoting , Peng Yanfei , Han Baoqin , Liu Wanshun , Zhang Fuming , Linhardt Robert J
Published: May 2018

Catechol‐functionalized polymers are of particular interest because of their strong water‐resistant adhesive properties. Hydroxymethyl chitosan (HECTS) has been used as an implantable biomaterial having good water solubility, biodegradability and biocompatibility. Here, hydrocaffeic acid (HCA) grafted HECTS (HCA‐g‐HECTS) was prepared through carbodiimide coupling and the tethered catechol underwent periodate ()‐stimulated mono and double cross‐linking with genipin. The gelation time of these cross‐linked HCA‐g‐HECTS hydrogels decreased with increasing molar ratio of cross‐linker to grafted catechol group, increasing temperature, or the addition of genipin. Under the same molar ratio of cross‐linker to catechol, ‐induced cross‐linked HCA‐g‐HECTS hydrogels exhibited much stronger storage modulus and temperature stability than hydrogels made by Fe3+‐triggered cross‐linking. The ‐stimulated HCA‐g‐HECTS hydrogels were biocompatible on a cellular level when the molar ratio of to catechol group was less than 0.5:1. The hydrogels prepared with a 0.125:1 molar ratio of to catechol group exhibited high adhesion strength of 73.56 kPa against wet rat skin, and a higher adhesion strength than sutures in a rat wound closure model. This biocompatible ‐stimulated HCA‐g‐HECTS hydrogel may represent a promising new tissue adhesive. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 582–593, 2019.
Evidence That Rat Chondrocytes Can Differentiate Into Perichondrial Cells
Authors: Späth Stephan‐Stanislaw , Andrade Anenisia C. , Chau Michael , Baroncelli Marta , Nilsson Ola
Published: May 2018

During early bone formation, mesenchymal cells condense and then differentiate into collagen type II‐expressing chondrocytes that make up the cartilaginous bone anlagen. This anlage then becomes enclosed by the perichondrium. The mechanisms by which the perichondrium forms are not known. The purpose of this study was to determine whether epiphyseal chondrocytes can differentiate into perichondrial cells. Novel perichondrium markers were identified by expression microarray of microdissected rat perichondrium and growth plate cartilage. A dissection method that allowed for removal of contaminating perichondrium was developed and the absence was confirmed by histological examination and by expression of perichondrium markers. Perichondrium formation surrounding chondrocyte pellets was studied using histology, real‐time PCR, and in situ hybridization for chondrocyte and perichondrium markers. Cultured chondrocyte pellets developed an exterior perichondrium‐like layer. This surrounding tissue did not express chondrocyte markers, collagen‐type II and type X, as assessed by in situ hybridization. Instead, perichondrium markers, periostin, Dickkopf 3 (Dkk3), roundabout 2, cadherin 2, L‐galectin 1 (Lgals1), and thrombospondin 2 (Thbs2) were upregulated following formation of the perichondrium‐like layer as assessed by real‐time PCR. Interestingly, markers specific for the cambium layer, Dkk3, Thbs2, and Lgals1, but not for the fibrous layer, collagen‐type XIV and decorin, were upregulated. The findings suggest that epiphyseal chondrocytes of postnatal animals retain the potential to differentiate into perichondrial cells, supporting the hypothesis that the perichondrium originates from collagen type II‐expressing chondrocytes at the periphery of the cartilaginous bone template. © 2018 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Soluble Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Receptor 1, Bone Resorption, and Bone Mineral Density in the Year Following Hip Fractures: The Baltimore Hip Studies
Authors: Salimi Shabnam , Shardell Michelle , Miller Ram , Gruber-Baldini Ann L , Orwig Denise , Fedarko Neal , Hochberg Marc C , Guralnik Jack M , Magaziner Jay
Published: May 2018

Although inflammation is known to influence bone turnover and bone mineral density (BMD), less is known about role of soluble tumor necrosis factor alpha receptor 1 (sTNFα-R1) in changes in bone turnover and BMD in the year after hip fracture. We studied 245 persons (117 men and 128 women) from the Baltimore Hip Studies. Bone turnover markers of resorption (carboxy-terminal type I collagen cross-links [CTX-I]) and formation (amino-terminal propeptide type I collagen [P1NP]), BMD of the contralateral hip, and sTNFα-R1 were measured within 15 days of hospitalization and 2, 6, and 12 months later. Latent class growth modeling was used to determine sTNFα-R1 trajectories. Weighted generalized estimating equations were used to examine the association of sTNFα-R1 trajectories with serum levels of CTX-I and P1NP and BMD; standardized beta coefficients (βˆ) are reported. Higher baseline sTNFα-R1 was significantly associated with a greater rate of CTX-I change (βˆ = 0.26, p = 0.004). Four distinct sTNFα-R1 trajectories were identified. The two groups with higher sTNFα-R1 levels during the year following fracture had faster increasing levels of CTX-I compared to the group with lowest sTNFα-R1 levels (men: group 3: βˆ = 0.76, p = 0.02; group 4: βˆ = 1.4, p < 0.001; women: group 3; βˆ = 0.67, p = 0.02; group 4: βˆ = 1.3, p = 0.004). Men in the highest sTNFα-R1 group had a greater decline in BMD compared to the lowest sTNFα-R1 group (2-month βˆ = –0.01, p = 0.01; 6-month: βˆ = –0.09, p = 0.001; 12-months: βˆ = –0.1, p < 0.001). An increasing rate of CTX-I was associated with a steeper decline in total hip BMD in those within higher sTNFα-R1 trajectory groups (p < 0.001). CTX-I was significantly increased with sTNFα-R1 in both sexes. CTX-I and the highest sTNFα-R1 trajectory were significantly associated with declines in total hip BMD in men. Interventions that reduce systemic inflammation should be explored to reduce bone resorption and prevent a decline in BMD after hip fracture. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Impact of Competing Risk of Mortality on Association of Cognitive Impairment With Risk of Hip Fracture in Older Women
Authors: Diem Susan J , Vo Tien N , Langsetmo Lisa , Schousboe John T , Yaffe Kristine , Ensrud Kristine E ,   for the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures (SOF) Research Group
Published: May 2018

Previous studies examining the association of cognitive impairment and dementia with fracture outcomes in older adults have usually used standard approaches that did not take into account the competing risk of mortality. However, ignoring mortality may not provide accurate estimates of risk of fracture because dementia in older adults strongly predicts death, making mortality a competing risk. A total of 1491 women (mean age 87.6 years) participating in the prospective Study of Osteoporotic Fractures (SOF) Year 20 exam were cognitively assessed and followed to ascertain vital status (deaths verified by death certificates) and hip fractures (confirmed by radiographic reports). Cognitive status was categorized as normal, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or dementia, based on a standardized evaluation. Absolute probability of hip fracture by category of cognitive function was estimated using traditional Kaplan-Meier method and cumulative incidence function accounting for competing mortality risk. Risk of hip fracture by cognitive function category was determined using conventional Cox proportional hazards regression and subdistribution hazards models with death as a competing risk. During an average follow-up of 5.6 years, 139 (9.3%) women experienced a hip fracture and 990 (66.4%) died before experiencing this outcome. Among women with dementia, the risk of hip fracture was 11.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 7.3–17.2) at 5 years and 18.6% (95% CI 9.1–30.9) at 10 years using traditional survival analysis versus 7.9% (95% CI 5.1–11.6) at 5 years and 8.8% (95% CI 5.8–12.8) at 9.8 years using a competing risk approach. Results were similar for women with MCI. Women with MCI and dementia have a higher risk of hip fractures than women with normal cognition. However, not taking into account the competing risk of mortality significantly overestimates the risk of hip fracture in women in the ninth and tenth decades of life with cognitive impairment. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Increased circulation mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells in preterm infants with retinopathy of prematurity
Authors: Babaei Homa , Alibabrdel Mahdi , Asadian Simin , Siavashi Vahid , Jabarpour Masoome , Nassiri Seyed Mahdi
Published: May 2018

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a result of increased pathological neoangiogenesis of the retina in preterm infants. Cells responsible for the pathogenesis of ROP are unclear, but some evidence indicates that bone marrow derived cells are involved in this disorder. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), play a role in angiogenesis in response to tissue ischemia or endothelial damage. In this study, the number of cEPCs in preterm infants with ROP was determined to identify whether the circulation mobilization of EPCs is associated with ROP. We evaluated 99 participants in this study: 22 preterm infants with ROP, 35 preterm infants without ROP, and 42 full‐term infants. The release of EPCs in the circulation was first quantified. Thereafter, cEPCs were harvested and cultivated, then the biological features of these cells including migratory, proliferative, and tubulogenic activities were analyzed. The mRNA levels of some proangiogenic factors were also measured in preterm infants. Our results showed greater numbers of cEPCs in infants with ROP, which was associated with increased serum concentrations of angiogenic factors and with augmented proliferative, migratory, and tubulogenic activity of these cells. Western blotting showed increased protein levels of VEGF and HIF‐α in cEPCs harvested from ROP infants. This study showed that ROP in preterm infants is associated with increased mobilization of EPCs into the circulation. Therefore, increased cEPCs along with elevated levels of angiogenic factors and tubulogenesis suggest that these cells may play a role in the development and progression of ROP.
Competing endogenous RNA network crosstalk reveals novel molecular markers in colorectal cancer
Authors: Samir Nehal , Matboli Marwa , El‐Tayeb Hanaa , El‐Tawdi Ahmed , Hassan Mohmed K. , Waly Amr , EL‐Akkad Hesham A. E. , Ramadan Mohamed G. , Al‐Belkini Tarek N. , El‐Khamisy Sherif , El‐Asmar Farid
Published: May 2018

The competing endogenous RNA networks play a pivotal role in cancer diagnosis and progression. Novel properstrategies for early detection of colorectal cancer (CRC) are strongly needed. We investigated a novel CRC‐specific RNA‐based integrated competing endogenous network composed of lethal3 malignant brain tumor like1 (L3MBTL1) gene, long non‐coding intergenic RNA‐ (lncRNA RP11‐909B2.1) and homo sapiens microRNA‐595 (hsa‐miRNA‐595) using in silico data analysis. RT‐qPCR‐based validation of the network was achieved in serum of 70 patients with CRC, 40 patients with benign colorectal neoplasm, and 20 healthy controls. Moreover, in cancer tissues of 20 of the 70 CRC cases were involved in the study. The expression of RNA‐based biomarker network in both CRC and adjacent non‐tumor tissues and their correlation with the serum levels of this network members was investigated. Lastly, the expression levels of the chosen ceRNA was verified in CRC cell line. Our results revealed that the three RNAs‐based biomarker network (long non‐coding intergenic RNA‐[lncRNA RP11‐909B2.1], Homo sapiens microRNA‐595 [hsa‐miRNA‐595], and L3MBTL1 mRNA), had high sensitivity and specificity for discriminating CRC from healthy controls and also from benign colorectal neoplasm. The data suggest that among these three RNAs, serum lncRNA RP11‐909B2.1 could be a promising independent prognostic factors in CRC. The circulatory RNA based biomarker panel can act as potential biomarker for CRC diagnosis and prognosis.
Prednisone Pharmacokinetics During Pregnancy and Lactation
Authors: Ryu Rachel J. , Easterling Thomas R. , Caritis Steve N. , Venkataramanan Raman , Umans Jason G. , Ahmed Mahmoud S. , Clark Shannon , Kantrowitz‐Gordon Ira , Hays Karen , Bennett Brooke , Honaker Matthew T. , Thummel Kenneth E. , Shen Danny D. , Hebert Mary F.
Published: May 2018

To evaluate the steady‐state pharmacokinetics of prednisone and its metabolite prednisolone in pregnant and lactating female subjects, 19 subjects received prednisone (4‐40 mg/day orally) in early (n = 3), mid (n = 9), and late (n = 13) pregnancy as well as postpartum with (n = 2) and without (n = 5) lactation. Serial blood and urine samples were collected over 1 dosing interval. Prednisone and its metabolite, prednisolone, steady‐state noncompartmental pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated. During pregnancy, prednisone apparent oral clearance increased with dose (35.1 ± 11.4 L/h with 5 mg, 52.6 ± 5.2 L/h with 10 mg, and 64.3 ± 6.9 L/h with 20 mg, P = .001). Similarly, unbound prednisone apparent oral clearance increased with dose. In addition, prednisolone renal clearance increased with dose (0.3 ± 0.3 L/h with 5 mg, 0.5 ± 0.4 L/h with 10 mg, and 1.3 ± 1.1 L/h with 20 mg, P = .002). Higher prednisone (r = 0.57, P ≤ .05) and prednisolone (r = 0.75, P ≤ .05) concentrations led to a higher percentage of unbound drug. Breast‐milk/plasma area under the concentration‐time curve ratios were 0.5‐0.6 for prednisone and 0.02‐0.03 for prednisolone. Relative infant doses were 0.35% to 0.53% and 0.09% to 0.18%, for prednisone and prednisolone, respectively. Prednisone and prednisolone exhibit dose‐ and concentration‐dependent pharmacokinetics during pregnancy, and infant exposure to these agents via breast milk is minimal.
Covert verbal mediation in arbitrary matching to sample
Authors: Sundberg Carl T. , Sundberg Mark L. , Michael Jack
Published: May 2018

Covert verbal mediation was examined in an arbitrary matching‐to‐sample (MTS) preparation with a high‐verbal group (college students) and a low‐verbal group (adults with intellectual disabilities). Arbitrary relations were established between nonsense words, visual symbols, objects, and hand signs. Task difficulty was balanced for the groups based on errors during acquisition. All participants experienced a hand sign condition, and three MTS conditions each with a unique configuration of the comparison array: fixed location, random location, and all symbols the same. The same symbol condition was designed to impede a participant's ability to label individual symbols. The results showed that disrupting labeling adversely affected MTS performance for high‐verbal participants, but not for low‐verbal participants. The data suggest that high‐verbal participants depended on mediating verbal behavior and joint control to assist them in finding the correct comparison stimulus. Low‐verbal participants could not benefit from verbal mediating variables and likely relied on unmediated contingencies, or some form of nonverbal mediation. For the high‐verbal group, 19 different putative emergent relations were identified as occurring at various stages of acquisition between the sample stimulus and the selection response. These emergent relations likely provided supplementary sources of stimulus control that participated in evoking MTS selection behavior.
Changes in deciduous and permanent dentinal tubules diameter after several conditioning protocols: In vitro study
Authors: de los Angeles Moyaho‐Bernal María , Contreras‐Bulnes Rosalía , Rodríguez‐Vilchis Laura Emma , Rubio‐Rosas Efraín
Published: May 2018

Innovators conditioning protocols are emerged in permanent dentin, however for deciduous dentin the information is limited; the aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro diameter of deciduous and permanent dentinal tubules after several conditioning protocols. Eighty dentin samples were distributed in sixteen groups (n = 5 p/g) and dentin surface was conditioned as follow: G1D/G1P acid etching; G2D/G2P, self‐etch adhesive; G3D/G3P, G4D/G4P, Er: YAG laser irradiation at 200 mJ‐25.5 J/cm2 and 300 mJ‐38.2 J/cm2, at 10 Hz under water spray respectively; G5D/G5P, G6D/G6P, G7D/G7P, and G8D/G8P were irradiated under the same energy densities followed phosphoric acid or self‐etch adhesive conditioning. The sample dentin of deciduous and permanent teeth was analyzed with scanning electron microscopy and tubule diameter was evaluated by Image Tools Scandium program. Data were subjected to one‐way analysis ANOVA to compare among groups with a level of significance at p ≤ .05. For deciduous dentin, diameters were from 1.52 ± 0.32 µm in G3D to 3.88 ± 0.37 µm in G1D; narrowest and widest diameter, respectively (p < .000). While permanent dentin tubules exhibited diameters from 1.16 ± 0.16/1.19 ± 0.12 µm in G7P/G8P to 2.76 ± 0.28 µm in G6P; narrowest and widest diameter, respectively (p < .000). All dentin conditioning protocols produced more open dentin tubules (diameter size) in deciduous dentin than permanent, specific conditioning protocols are required for each tissue (deciduous or permanent dentin), since same protocol produced stronger effects on primary dentin, which is important for dental clinical success in children and adolescents.
Gross morphology and scanning electron microscopy of the Bagrus Bayad (Forskal, 1775) oropharyngeal cavity with emphasis to teeth‐food adaptation
Authors: Alsafy Mohamed A. M. , Bassuoni Naglaa F. , Hanafy Basma G.
Published: May 2018

Bagrus Bayad (Forskal, 1775) is a bottom feeder fish feeds on different food items. Its oral cavity anatomy has many types of teeth adapted to the capacity and varieties of feeding. The aim of the present study was to use the gross anatomy and scanning electron microscopy to identify the anatomical characteristic, especially of the teeth and taste buds distributed on the roof and floor of the oropharyngeal cavity. The results clarified that Bagrus Bayad has two types of teeth; curved pointed and blunt teeth of different sizes. The teeth appeared on epithelial protrusions. The pharyngeal region had upper and lower pharyngeal teeth, the upper arranged into two oval prominences while the lower ones arranged into two triangular areas. The higher number of the pointed teeth is prove the carnivorous nature of the Bagrus Bayad. Three types of taste bud (I, II, & III) were found in the oropharyngeal cavity. The tongue present in the floor and free from teeth and characterized by the presence of taste bud type I and II. Many microridges of different arrangement observed on the surface epithelium of oropharyngeal cavity. The upper and lower valve characterized by the microridges, pores and taste buds. The knowledge of the nature of the oropharyngeal cavity of the Bagrus Bayad helps in identifying new and better methods for feeding in aquaculture.
Using multidimensional topological data analysis to identify traits of hip osteoarthritis
Authors: Rossi‐deVries Jasmine , Pedoia Valentina , Samaan Michael A. , Ferguson Adam R. , Souza Richard B. , Majumdar Sharmila
Published: May 2018

Background

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a multifaceted disease with many variables affecting diagnosis and progression. Topological data analysis (TDA) is a state‐of‐the‐art big data analytics tool that can combine all variables into multidimensional space. TDA is used to simultaneously analyze imaging and gait analysis techniques.

Purpose

To identify biochemical and biomechanical biomarkers able to classify different disease progression phenotypes in subjects with and without radiographic signs of hip OA.

Study Type

Longitudinal study for comparison of progressive and nonprogressive subjects.

Population

In all, 102 subjects with and without radiographic signs of hip osteoarthritis.

Field Strength/Sequence

3T, SPGR 3D MAPSS T1ρ/T2, intermediate‐weighted fat‐suppressed fast spin‐echo (FSE).

Assessment

Multidimensional data analysis including cartilage composition, bone shape, Kellgren–Lawrence (KL) classification of osteoarthritis, scoring hip osteoarthritis with MRI (SHOMRI), hip disability and osteoarthritis outcome score (HOOS).

Statistical Tests

Analysis done using TDA, Kolmogorov–Smirnov (KS) testing, and Benjamini‐Hochberg to rank P‐value results to correct for multiple comparisons.

Results

Subjects in the later stages of the disease had an increased SHOMRI score (P < 0.0001), increased KL (P = 0.0012), and older age (P < 0.0001). Subjects in the healthier group showed intact cartilage and less pain. Subjects found between these two groups had a range of symptoms. Analysis of this subgroup identified knee biomechanics (P < 0.0001) as an initial marker of the disease that is noticeable before the morphological progression and degeneration. Further analysis of an OA subgroup with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) showed anterior labral tears to be the most significant marker (P = 0.0017) between those FAI subjects with and without OA symptoms.

Data Conclusion

The data‐driven analysis obtained with TDA proposes new phenotypes of these subjects that partially overlap with the radiographic‐based classical disease status classification and also shows the potential for further examination of an early onset biomechanical intervention.

Level of Evidence: 2

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;48:1046–1058.
Blood perfusion of patellar bone measured by dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI in patients with patellofemoral pain: A case–control study
Authors: van der Heijden Rianne A. , Poot Dirk H.J. , Ekinci Melek , Kotek Gyula , van Veldhoven Peter L.J. , Klein Stefan , Verhaar Jan A.N. , Krestin Gabriel P. , Bierma‐Zeinstra Sita M.A. , van Middelkoop Marienke , Oei Edwin H.G.
Published: May 2018

Background

Altered perfusion might play an important role in the pathophysiology of patellofemoral pain (PFP), a common knee complaint with unclear pathophysiology.

Purpose

To investigate differences in dynamic contrast‐enhanced (DCE)‐MRI perfusion parameters between patients with PFP and healthy control subjects.

Population/Subjects/Phantom/Specimen/Animal Model

Thirty‐five adult patients with PFP and 44 healthy adult control subjects.

Field Strength/Sequence

3T DCE‐MRI consisting of a sagittal, anterior‐posterior, frequency‐encoded, fat‐suppressed 3D spoiled gradient‐echo sequence with intravenous contrast administration.

Assessment

Patellar bone volumes of interest (VOIs) were delineated by a blinded observer. Quantitative perfusion parameters (kep and ktrans) were calculated from motion‐compensated DCE‐MRI data by fitting Tofts' model. Weighted mean and unweighted median values of kep and ktrans were computed within the patellar bone VOIs.

Statistical Tests

Differences in patellar bone perfusion parameters were compared between groups by linear regression analyses, adjusted for confounders.

Results

Mean differences of weighted mean and unweighted median were 0.0039 (95% confidence interval [CI] –0.0013; 0.0091) and 0.0052 (95% CI –0.0078; 0.018) for ktrans, and 0.046 (95% CI –0.021; 0.11) and 0.069 (95% CI –0.017; 0.15) for kep, respectively.

All perfusion parameters were not significantly different between groups (P‐values: 0.32; 0.47 for ktrans, and 0.24; 0.15) for kep. However, a significant difference in variance between populations was observed for ktrans (P‐value 0.007).

Data Conclusion

Higher patellar bone perfusion parameters were found in patients with PFP when compared to healthy control subjects, but these differences were not statistically significant. This result, and the observed significant difference in ktrans variance, warrant further research.

Level of Evidence: 1

Technical Efficacy: Stage 3

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:1344–1350.
Diagnostic performance of intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion‐weighted imaging in the assessment of the dynamic status of myocardial perfusion
Authors: An Dong‐Aolei , Chen Bing‐Hua , Rui‐Wu  , Shi Ruo‐Yang , Bu Jun , Ge Heng , Hu Jiani , Xu Jian‐Rong , Wu Lian‐Ming
Published: May 2018

Background

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and places a significant financial burden on our society.

Purpose

To determine the feasibility of cardiac intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) in the consecutive evaluation of myocardial perfusion in myocardial infarction patients postpercutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and to investigate the dynamic biological phenomena in myocardial perfusion after AMI.

Study Type

Prospective observational study.

Population

Twenty ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients after reperfusion therapy and 12 healthy volunteers served as controls.

Field Strength/Sequence

Cardiac MRI at 3T, including steady‐state free precession (SSFP) cine imaging, T2‐short time inversion recovery (T2‐STIR), late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), T2 mapping, and IVIM diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) were performed.

Assessment

Myocardial T2 value and IVIM‐DWI‐associated parameters (ADCfast, ADCslow, and f value) of the infarcted myocardium at different timepoints, remote myocardium, and normal myocardium were analyzed by two experienced radiologists.

Statistical Tests

Independent sample's t‐test, Pearson's, and Spearman's correlation and interobserver variability were applied. P ≤ 0.05 was considered significant.

Results

The T2 value in ischemic myocardium measured on day 3 (73.58 ± 4.37 msec) was greater than at any other timepoint (24 hours, day 7, day 30; 66.66 ± 4.71 msec, 68.36 ± 4.18 msec, 64.98 ± 5.39 msec, respectively, P < 0.001). ADCfast and f values were significantly lower in ischemic myocardium than in the remote myocardium as well. The f value in ischemic myocardium at day 3 (0.0989 ± 0.02) was lower than at any other timepoint (24 hours, 7 day, 30 day; 0.1203 ± 0.02, 0.1109 ± 0.02, 0.1213 ± 0.02, respectively, P < 0.001.

Data Conclusion

This preliminary study demonstrated that a dynamic process exists in the status of myocardial edema and myocardial perfusion in MI patients after PCI. The findings suggest myocardial perfusion would be best evaluated between day 3 and day 7.

Level of Evidence: 2

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;48:1602–1609