bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Involvement of Src signaling in the synergistic effect between cisplatin and digoxin on cancer cell viability
Authors: Pereira Duane G. , Salgado Mariana A.R. , Rocha Sayonarah C. , Santos Hérica L. , Villar José A.F.P. , Contreras Rubén G. , Fontes Carlos F.L. , Barbosa Leandro A. , Cortes Vanessa F.
Published: November 2017

Cisplatin and other platinum‐containing drugs have played a crucial role in anticancer treatments for over 30 years. However, treatment with cisplatin may cause serious side effects, such as myelosuppression, nausea, ototoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and cell resistance processes. In addition, cardiotonic steroids, particularly digoxin, have recently been suggested to exert potent anticancer effects. Therefore, it is possible that the combined treatment of HeLa cells with cisplatin and digoxin can ameliorate the cytotoxic effects and decrease the side effects of cisplatin. In this study, we demonstrated that the interaction between cisplatin and digoxin had a synergistic effect on cervical cancer cells and a significantly positive cytotoxic and antiproliferative effect on this cell line compared to the control and single cisplatin treatments. Although a decrease in the Na,K‐ATPase α1 subunit expression was observed in total extracts, its expression remains unchanged in the membrane, as does the Na,K‐ATPase activity. The antiproliferative effect of the synergistic treatment appears to depend on Src kinase activation, indicating the possible involvement of the Scr‐EGFR‐ERK1/2 pathway in the antitumor effect. The inhibition of ERK1/2 provoked the same synergism with 1 μM cisplatin as that observed with 1 nM digoxin plus 1 μM cisplatin but not with 1 nM digoxin. Pretreatment with PP2 during combined treatment abolished the synergistic effect on the antiproliferative activity. Cisplatin and digoxin are already used in the clinical setting; therefore, this study opens possibilities for future clinical trials of combined treatments to improve treatment outcomes with a lower incidence of toxicity and side effects.
Resveratrol pretreatment enhanced homing of SDF‐1α‐preconditioned bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells in a rat model of liver cirrhosis
Authors: Hajinejad Mehrdad , Pasbakhsh Parichehr , Omidi Ameneh , Mortezaee Keywan , Nekoonam Saied , Mahmoudi Reza , Kashani Iraj Ragerdi
Published: November 2017

Stromal cell‐derived factor‐1α (SDF‐1α) has been known to implicate in homing of MSCs, and resveratrol has been reported to have a positive influence on SDF‐1 level in the site of injury. In this study, a combined strategy was applied to evaluate bone marrow‐derived MSCs (BMSCs) homing to the rat model of liver cirrhosis induced by common bile duct ligation (CBDL): (1) pretreatment delivery of resveratrol into the cirrhotic liver, and (2) transplantation of ex vivo BMSC preconditioning with SDF‐1α. BMSCs were preconditioned with 10 ng/µL SDF‐1α for 1 h and then labeled with the CM‐Dil. Cirrhosis was induced by CBDL. Animals received intraperitoneal injection of resveratrol for 7 days, started on day 28 of CBDL post‐operative. On day 36 post‐operative, 1 × 106 of SDF‐1α‐preconditioned BMSCs was injected via caudal vein. Animals were sacrificed at 72 h post‐cell transplantation. Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry assessments showed that the BMSC+SDF+RV group had an increased rate of homing into the liver, but it had a decreased rate of homing into the lung and spleen, as compared with the other groups (P < 0.05). The BMSC+SDF+RV group showed high protein expression of SIRT1, but low protein expression of p53 in the liver (P < 0.05 vs other groups). CXCR4 and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐9 highly expressed in SDF‐1α‐preconditioned BMSCs in vitro, and that AKTs and CXCL12 expressed in injured liver undergoing resveratrol injection. Our findings suggest that reseveratrol pretreatment prior to SDF‐1α preconditioning could be a promising strategy for designing cell‐based therapies for liver cirrhosis.
Mesenchymal splice isoform of CD44 (CD44s) promotes EMT/invasion and imparts stem‐like properties to ovarian cancer cells
Authors: Bhattacharya Rahul , Mitra Tulika , Ray Chaudhuri Susri , Roy Sib Sankar
Published: November 2017

Increased metastasis and a precipitous recurrence contribute to the lethality of ovarian cancer (OC). Several molecular mechanisms including aberrant‐splicing have been closely associated with the extent of cancer progression. Numerous gene transcripts are differentially spliced in cancer cells, CD44 being one of them. CD44 splice isoforms contribute to the aggressiveness and gain of stem‐like properties in different cancer types, but their role in ovarian cancer remains to be elucidated. We observed augmented CD44 levels in human ovarian cancer patient samples correlated with enhanced expression of the mesenchymal spliced variant CD44s (standard) and a concurrent decrease in the epithelial variants (CD44v). Moreover, CD44s was upregulated upon TGFβ1‐induced EMT, which was mediated through the downregulation of the splicing factor, ESRP1. Furthermore, overexpression of this mesenchymal isoform in the OC cells induced EMT and invasion, followed by the gain of stem‐like characteristics and chemoresistance. Since all these phenomena render lethality to this disease type, CD44s can be attributed for playing a major role in deregulated‐splicing mediated ovarian cancer progression.
The mitochondrial metabolic reprogramming agent trimetazidine as an ‘exercise mimetic’ in cachectic C26‐bearing mice
Authors: Molinari Francesca , Pin Fabrizio , Gorini Stefania , Chiandotto Sergio , Pontecorvo Laura , Penna Fabio , Rizzuto Emanuele , Pisu Simona , Musarò Antonio , Costelli Paola , Rosano Giuseppe , Ferraro Elisabetta
Published: November 2017

Background

Cancer cachexia is characterized by muscle depletion and exercise intolerance caused by an imbalance between protein synthesis and degradation and by impaired myogenesis. Myofibre metabolic efficiency is crucial so as to assure optimal muscle function. Some drugs are able to reprogram cell metabolism and, in some cases, to enhance metabolic efficiency. Based on these premises, we chose to investigate the ability of the metabolic modulator trimetazidine (TMZ) to counteract skeletal muscle dysfunctions and wasting occurring in cancer cachexia.

Methods

For this purpose, we used mice bearing the C26 colon carcinoma as a model of cancer cachexia. Mice received 5 mg/kg TMZ (i.p.) once a day for 12 consecutive days. A forelimb grip strength test was performed and tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius muscles were excised for analysis. Ex vivo measurement of skeletal muscle contractile properties was also performed.

Results

Our data showed that TMZ induces some effects typically achieved through exercise, among which is grip strength increase, an enhanced fast‐to slow myofibre phenotype shift, reduced glycaemia, PGC1α up‐regulation, oxidative metabolism, and mitochondrial biogenesis. TMZ also partially restores the myofibre cross‐sectional area in C26‐bearing mice, while modulation of autophagy and apoptosis were excluded as mediators of TMZ effects.

Conclusions

In conclusion, our data show that TMZ acts like an ‘exercise mimetic’ and is able to enhance some mechanisms of adaptation to stress in cancer cachexia. This makes the modulation of the metabolism, and in particular TMZ, a suitable candidate for a therapeutic rehabilitative protocol design, particularly considering that TMZ has already been approved for clinical use.
Effect of novel chelating agents on the push‐out bond strength of calcium silicate cements to the simulated root‐end cavities
Authors: Ballal Nidambur Vasudev , Ulusoy Özgür İlke , Chhaparwal Shubha , Ginjupalli Kishore
Published: November 2017

To compare the effects of different chelating agents on the push‐out bond strength of calcium silicate‐based cements to the simulated root‐end cavities. Root‐end cavities were prepared on the roots of fifty extracted maxillary anterior teeth. The specimens were then randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 10) based on the final irrigation regimen: Group 1: 17% EDTA, Group 2: 7% maleic acid, Group 3: QMix, Group 4: 2.25% peracetic acid (PAA), Group 5: 0.9% saline. Then, the samples from each group were subdivided into two groups (n = 5) based on the apical filling material. In group 1, root‐end cavities of all samples were filled with Biodentine and in group 2, with MTA. Each sample was horizontally sectioned to produce two discs of ∼1 mm thick per specimen. The maximum load required for the dislodgement of 100 retrofillings was recorded. The specimens were examined under scanning electron microscope after debonding to assess the type of bond failure. Data were statistically analyzed using Kruskal Wallis and Mann Whitney U tests. Irrigation with saline resulted in higher bond strength compared to the other irrigants in the retrograde cavities obturated with MTA or Biodentine (p < .05). In MTA group, there was no significant difference between the test irrigants (p > .05). EDTA and PAA groups showed higher dislodgement resistance values than the other test irrigants, when Biodentine was used as a filling. The type of irrigation solution influences the bond strength of the root‐end fillings.
Relationship between preoperative breast MRI and surgical treatment of non‐metastatic breast cancer
Authors: Onega Tracy , Weiss Julie E. , Goodrich Martha E. , Zhu Weiwei , DeMartini Wendy B. , Kerlikowske Karla , Ozanne Elissa , Tosteson Anna N.A. , Henderson Louise M. , Buist Diana S.M. , Wernli Karen J. , Herschorn Sally D. , Hotaling Elise , O'Donoghue Cristina , Hubbard Rebecca
Published: November 2017

Background and Objectives

More extensive surgical treatments for early stage breast cancer are increasing. The patterns of preoperative MRI overall and by stage for this trend has not been well established.

Methods

Using Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium registry data from 2010 through 2014, we identified women with an incident non‐metastatic breast cancer and determined use of preoperative MRI and initial surgical treatment (mastectomy, with or without contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM), reconstruction, and breast conserving surgery ± radiation). Clinical and sociodemographic covariates were included in multivariable logistic regression models to estimate adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals.

Results

Of the 13 097 women, 2217 (16.9%) had a preoperative MRI. Among the women with MRI, results indicated 32% higher odds of unilateral mastectomy compared to breast conserving surgery and of mastectomy with CPM compared to unilateral mastectomy. Women with preoperative MRI also had 56% higher odds of reconstruction.

Conclusion

Preoperative MRI in women with DCIS and early stage invasive breast cancer is associated with more frequent mastectomy, CPM, and reconstruction surgical treatment. Use of more extensive surgical treatment and reconstruction among women with DCIS and early stage invasive cancer whom undergo MRI warrants further investigation.
Inspiring hope—A physician's responsibility, translating the science into clinical practice
Authors: Temple Walley J.
Published: November 2017

Giving hope to patients is our responsibility. It is the essence of a meaningful practice in medicine. Science now allows us to understand this complex and multidimensional human dynamic, and translate it into clinical practice. Quantitative research has shown hope is strong even in terminal illness. Through qualitative methodology hope fostering strategies and hope hindering behaviors have been identified. This exciting new knowledge facilitates the challenging task of disclosure of bad news while enabling hope.
Critical evaluation of the American Joint Commission on Cancer (AJCC) 8th edition staging system for patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC): A Surveillance, Epidemiology, End Results (SEER) analysis
Authors: Kamarajah Sivesh K. , Frankel Timothy L. , Sonnenday Christopher , Cho Clifford S. , Nathan Hari
Published: November 2017

Background

Recently, the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) released its 8th edition changes to the staging system for hepatocellular cancer (HCC). We sought to validate the 8th edition staging system and compare the performance to the 7th edition using a population‐based data set.

Methods

Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database (1998‐2013), patients undergoing resection or transplant for non‐metastatic HCC were identified. Overall survival was estimated using the Kaplan‐Meier method and compared using log‐rank tests. Concordance indices (c‐indices) were calculated from Cox proportional hazards models to evaluate discriminatory power.

Results

The study included 8918 patients resected (63%) or transplanted (37%) for HCC. Nodal staging was performed in 19%, of whom 5% had positive nodes. The c‐index for the AJCC 8th edition staging system was 0.60, similar to that for the 7th edition (0.59). Survival was better for solitary tumors >2 cm with vascular invasion than for multifocal tumors <5 cm (median not reached vs 57 months, P < 0.0001), although the staging system groups these tumors together as T2. For multifocal tumors ≤5 cm, those with vascular invasion had worse survival than those without (median 42 vs 50 months, P < 0.001), although the staging system draws no such distinction.

Conclusion

The AJCC 8th edition staging system for HCC performs similarly to the 7th edition. Future revisions should consider substratification of early HCC, specifically by distinguishing solitary tumors >2 cm from multifocal tumors ≤5 cm, and by considering the prognostic impact of vascular invasion in multifocal tumors ≤5 cm. Future studies should aim to validate these findings.
Acoustic Characterization and Enhanced Ultrasound Imaging of Long‐Circulating Lipid‐Coated Microbubbles
Authors: Li Hongbo , Yang Yanye , Zhang Meimei , Yin Liping , Tu Juan , Guo Xiasheng , Zhang Dong
Published: November 2017

Objectives

A long‐circulating lipid‐coated ultrasound (US) contrast agent was fabricated to achieve a longer wash‐out time and gain more resistance against higher–mechanical index sonication. Systemic physical, acoustic, and in vivo imaging experiments were performed to better understand the underlying mechanism enabling the improvement of contrast agent performance by adjusting the physical and acoustic properties of contrast agent microbubbles.

Methods

By simply altering the gas core, a kind of US contrast agent microbubble was synthesized with a similar lipid‐coating shell as SonoVue microbubbles (Bracco SpA, Milan, Italy) to achieve a longer wash‐out time and higher inertial cavitation threshold. To bridge the structure‐performance relationship of the synthesized microbubbles, the imaging performance of the microbubbles was assessed in vivo with SonoVue as a control group. The size distribution and inertial cavitation threshold of the synthesized microbubbles were characterized, and the shell parameters of the microbubbles were determined by acoustic attenuation measurements. All of the measurements were compared with SonoVue microbubbles.

Results

The synthesized microbubbles had a spherical shape, a smooth, consistent membrane, and a uniform distribution, with an average diameter of 1.484 μm. According to the measured attenuation curve, the synthesized microbubbles resonated at around 2.8 MHz. Although the bubble's shell elasticity (0.2 ± 0.09 N/m) was comparable with SonoVue, it had relatively greater viscosity and inertial cavitation because of the different gas core. Imaging studies showed that the synthesized microbubbles had a longer circulation time and a better chance of fighting against rapid collapse than SonoVue.

Conclusions

Nano/micrometer long‐circulating lipid‐coated microbubbles could be fabricated by simply altering the core composition of SonoVue microbubbles with a higher–molecular weight gas. The smaller diameter and higher inertial cavitation threshold of the synthesized microbubbles might make it easier to access deep‐seated organs and give prolonged imaging enhancement in the liver.
Ecotypic variation in population dynamics of reintroduced bighorn sheep
Authors: Bleich Vernon C. , Sargeant Glen A. , Wiedmann Brett P.
Published: November 2017

Selection of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) for translocation historically has been motivated by preservation of subspecific purity rather than by adaptation of source stocks to similar environments. Our objective was to estimate cause‐specific, annual, and age‐specific mortality of introduced bighorn sheep that originated at low elevations in southern British Columbia, Canada (BC ecotype), or in the Missouri River Breaks region of central Montana, USA (MT ecotype). In North Dakota, USA, mortality was similar and typically low for adult female bighorn sheep from Montana (0.09 ± 0.029 [SE]) and British Columbia (0.08 ± 0.017) during 2000–2016. Median life expectancy was 11 years for females that reached adulthood (2 yrs old); however, mortality accelerated with age and reached 86% by age 16. Mortalities resulted primarily from low rates of predation, disease, accidents, and unknown natural causes (<0.04 [upper 90% CI]). Similar survival rates of female bighorn sheep from female bighorn sheep from British Columbia and Montana, coupled with greater recruitment of bighorn sheep from Montana, resulted in a greater projected rate of increase for the MT ecotype (λ = 1.21) than for the BC ecotype (1.02), and a more youthful age structure. These results support translocation of bighorn sheep from areas that are environmentally similar to areas that will be stocked. Potential benefits include more rapid population growth, greater resilience to and more rapid recovery from density‐independent losses, an increased possibility that rapidly growing populations will expand into adjacent habitat, increased hunter opportunity, increased connectivity among herds, and a more complete restoration of ecosystem processes. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.
Vantage point counts and monitoring roe deer
Authors: Zaccaroni Marco , Dell'Agnello Filippo , Ponti Giulia , Riga Francesco , Vescovini Chiara , Fattorini Lorenzo
Published: November 2017

Vantage point counts (VPCs) are adopted to estimate the densities of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) populations for harvest management. Thus, counts should be performed only within blocks without woodlands where it is possible to relate counts to block sizes. Alternatively, if VPCs are simply carried out on all blocks in a study region, the expectations of total counts could be used as relative abundance indices. In most cases, surveying all blocks is too demanding because of the number of observers required, time, and organization. Therefore, VPCs are performed only on a portion of the blocks, and relative abundance indices are estimated from these counts. If the blocks are selected by means of probabilistic sampling schemes, then statistically sound estimators of total count expectations can be adopted. Therefore, the estimation of the sampling errors, construction of confidence intervals, and assessment of change are possible, together with a post hoc power analysis for evaluating the probability of failing to detect a change in the expectations. Our objective in this study is to consider sampling strategies that allow the performance of all these statistical steps and to check the performance of these strategies on a hunting district located in Tuscany, Italy, in which all the blocks were surveyed in 2013 and 2014. The results provide evidence of the imprecision of the estimators. Even for large sampling fractions of 40–50%, the relative standard errors never decreased below 20%, and the corresponding powers in detecting a change of 30% at a level were <0.65. Our results highlight the need for efficient and robust alternative strategies. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.
The Gordian knot of mountain lion predation and bighorn sheep
Authors: Rominger Eric M.
Published: November 2017

The objective of this review is to generate a synthesis of research conducted on predation of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) and to suggest directions for future research relative to current knowledge gaps and a novel hypothesis. This review is primarily based on literature from the last 60 years on desert bighorn sheep (O. c. nelsoni), Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (O. c. canadensis), and mountain lion (Puma concolor) predation. Although, many predators kill bighorn sheep, only mountain lions are currently considered to be the primary proximate cause of mortality for many bighorn sheep populations. The ultimate cause of this phenomenon has vexed wildlife managers for >40 years. There are 3 primary reasons for increased predation on bighorn sheep by mountain lions. First, there is an increased presence of mountain lions in habitats where they were historically absent or rare because of the expansion of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) following the extensive conversion of fire‐maintained grasslands to shrublands in the late‐1800s. Second, is the extirpation of the 2 dominant apex carnivores (wolves [Canis lupus] and grizzly bears [Ursus arctos]) during this same time period and a hypothesized numerical response of mountain lions to those extirpations. Finally, the response of mountain lions to the cessation of >70 years of intensive predator control has often resulted in unsustainable mountain lion‐bighorn sheep ratios, especially for desert bighorn sheep. Additionally, the effect of mountain lion predation is exacerbated by declines in bighorn sheep that do not result in declines in mountain lions because of their ability to prey switch to mule deer, elk (Cervus canadensis), or domestic cattle; kleptoparasitism of mountain lions kills, by ursids and canids, resulting in higher kill rates for mountain lions; and a possible ecological trap where adaptations derived over evolutionary time are no longer adaptive because of human‐induced changes in the sympatric apex predator guild. Control of mountain lions, when mountain lion‐ungulate ratios are high, might be required to protect small or endangered bighorn sheep populations, and to produce bighorn sheep for restoration efforts. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.
Head and neck paragangliomas: A two‐decade institutional experience and algorithm for management
Authors: Smith Joshua D. , Harvey Rachel N. , Darr Owen A. , Prince Mark E. , Bradford Carol R. , Wolf Gregory T. , Else Tobias , Basura Gregory J.
Published: November 2017

Objectives

Paragangliomas of the head and neck and cranial base are typically benign, slow‐growing tumors arising within the jugular foramen, middle ear, carotid bifurcation, or vagus nerve proper. The objective of this study was to provide a comprehensive characterization of our institutional experience with clinical management of these tumors and posit an algorithm for diagnostic evaluation and treatment.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing treatment for paragangliomas of the head and neck and cranial base at our institution from 2000–2017. Data on tumor location, catecholamine levels, and specific imaging modalities employed in diagnostic work‐up, pre‐treatment cranial nerve palsy, treatment modality, utilization of preoperative angiographic embolization, complications of treatment, tumor control and recurrence, and hereditary status (ie, succinate dehydrogenase mutations) were collected and summarized.

Results

The mean (SD) age of our cohort was 51.8 (±16.1) years with 123 (63.4%) female patients and 71 (36.6%) male patients. Catecholamine‐secreting lesions were found in nine (4.6%) patients. Fifty‐one patients underwent genetic testing, with mutations identified in 43 (20 SDHD, 13 SDHB, 7 SDHD, 1 SDHA, SDHAF2, and NF1). Observation with serial imaging, surgical extirpation, radiation, and stereotactic radiosurgery were variably employed as treatment approaches across anatomic subsites.

Conclusion

An algorithmic approach to clinical management of these tumors, derived from our longitudinal institutional experience and current empiric evidence, may assist otolaryngologists, radiation oncologists, and geneticists in the care of these complex neoplasms.

Level of Evidence

4
Perception and Respiratory Responses of the Upper Airway Mechanism to Added Resistance With Aging
Authors: Murtolahti Siiri , Crouse Ulla K. , Pahkala Riitta , Warren Donald W. , Laine‐Alava Maija T.
Published: November 2017

Objectives

To assess breathing behaviors and perception of added respiratory loads in young compared to old individuals, and to determine whether aging affects the perception and response to changes in nasal airway resistance.

Study design

In a clinical study, 40 young (11–20 years) and 40 older (59–82 years) subjects were evaluated during rest breathing and during the application of added airway resistance loads.

Methods

The pressure‐flow technique was used to measure airflow rate (mL/s) and oral‐nasal pressures (cmH2O) to calculate nasal resistance (cmH2O/L/s). To create calibrated resistance loads for the test conditions, we used a device modified from a precision iris diaphragm.

Results

During rest breathing airflow rate was significantly lower for the younger group compared to older group. Using the loading device, 11–20‐year‐olds detected increased resistance at the level of 2.26 cmH2O/L/s compared to 4.55 cmH2O/L/s in 59–82‐year‐olds. In contrast to the younger group, mean airflow rate was higher during expiration than during inspiration among 59–82‐year‐olds except at rest breathing.

Conclusions

The data revealed that the perception and respiratory response to increased airway resistance changed with aging. Younger subjects were more sensitive to changes within the airway. In both groups, subjects responded to increased airway resistance by decreasing airflow rate. However, expiratory phase became more active than inspiratory phase only in the older group.

Level of Evidence

N/A
Molecular mobility in several imidazolium‐based ionic liquids according to data of 1H and 13C NMR relaxation
Authors: Matveev Vladimir V. , Markelov Denis A. , Ievlev Alexandr V. , Brui Ekaterina A. , Tyutyukin Konstantin V. , Lähderanta Erkki
Published: November 2017

Temperature dependences are compared for 1H and 13C NMR 1/T1 curves relaxation rates in three imidazolium‐based ionic liquids (ILs), namely, in [bmim]PF6, [bmim]BF4, and [emim]CH3COO. 13C curves show alike behavior for all three ILs and follow a well‐known Bloembergen‐Pound‐Purcell (BPP) equation. On the contrary, an essential part of 1H curves differ strongly from corresponding 13C ones and also have different shapes for different ILs. For the first time, we have detected the specific, two‐maximum shape of 1H relaxation curve for hydrogen atom of C(2)H group of the [emim]CH3COO. Assuming that this maximum reflects the correlated rotation of several adjoining ion pairs, we have tried to destroy this rotation by addition of glycerol to the [emim]CH3COO. The second, high‐temperature maximum has disappeared in the [emim]CH3COO–glycerol mixture, and this fact confirms our assumption. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Phase processing for quantitative susceptibility mapping of regions with large susceptibility and lack of signal
Authors: Fortier Véronique , Levesque Ives R.
Published: November 2017

Purpose

Phase processing impacts the accuracy of quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM). Techniques for phase unwrapping and background removal have been proposed and demonstrated mostly in brain. In this work, phase processing was evaluated in the context of large susceptibility variations (Δχ) and negligible signal, in particular for susceptibility estimation using the iterative phase replacement (IPR) algorithm.

Methods

Continuous Laplacian, region‐growing, and quality‐guided unwrapping were evaluated. For background removal, Laplacian boundary value (LBV), projection onto dipole fields (PDF), sophisticated harmonic artifact reduction for phase data (SHARP), variable‐kernel sophisticated harmonic artifact reduction for phase data (V‐SHARP), regularization enabled sophisticated harmonic artifact reduction for phase data (RESHARP), and 3D quadratic polynomial field removal were studied. Each algorithm was quantitatively evaluated in simulation and qualitatively in vivo. Additionally, IPR‐QSM maps were produced to evaluate the impact of phase processing on the susceptibility in the context of large Δχ with negligible signal.

Results

Quality‐guided unwrapping was the most accurate technique, whereas continuous Laplacian performed poorly in this context. All background removal algorithms tested resulted in important phase inaccuracies, suggesting that techniques used for brain do not translate well to situations where large Δχ and no or low signal are expected. LBV produced the smallest errors, followed closely by PDF.

Conclusion

Results suggest that quality‐guided unwrapping should be preferred, with PDF or LBV for background removal, for QSM in regions with large Δχ and negligible signal. This reduces the susceptibility inaccuracy introduced by phase processing. Accurate background removal remains an open question. Magn Reson Med 79:3103–3113, 2017. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Relationship between extensibility and collagen expression in immobilized rat skeletal muscle
Authors: Honda Yuichiro , Tanaka Miho , Tanaka Natsumi , Sasabe Ryo , Goto Kyo , Kataoka Hideki , Sakamoto Junya , Nakano Jiro , Okita Minoru
Published: November 2017

Introduction

This study investigated longitudinal changes in muscle extension and collagen expression in an immobilized rat soleus muscle, and assessed the relationship between both elements.

Methods

Soleus muscles of the control and immobilization groups (1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks) were used for analysis of muscle extensibility and collagen expression.

Results

The slope value/physiological cross‐sectional area (PCSA; a parameter for muscle extensibility) and hydroxyproline (a parameter for collagen expression) were significantly higher in the immobilization group than in the control group for all experimental time points. In the immobilization group, both factors were significantly higher at 4, 8, and 12 weeks than at 1 and 2 weeks after immobilization. A significant positive correlation was observed between the slope value/PCSA and hydroxyproline expression.

Discussion

The present study indicated that a decrease in muscle extensibility depended on collagen overexpression in immobilized rat soleus muscles. Muscle Nerve 57: 672–678, 2018
Peripheral nerve ultrasound in Friedreich ataxia
Authors: Mulroy Eoin , Pelosi Luciana , Leadbetter Ruth , Joshi Purwa , Rodrigues Miriam , Mossman Stuart , Kilfoyle Dean , Roxburgh Richard
Published: November 2017

Introduction

Sensory impairment in Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is generally accepted as being due to a ganglionopathy. The degree of contribution from axonal pathology remains a matter of debate. Nerve ultrasound may be able to differentiate these processes.

Methods

The ultrasound cross‐sectional area of median, ulnar, tibial, and sural nerves of 8 patients with FRDA was compared with 8 age‐ and gender‐matched healthy controls and with reference values in our population.

Results

The nerves of the patients with FRDA were significantly larger than those of healthy controls at all upper limb sites (P < 0.05) but not significantly different in the lower limbs.

Discussion

Our findings add additional weight to the theory that dorsal root ganglionopathy is not the sole cause of peripheral sensory loss in FRDA. Peripheral neuropathic processes are also likely to play a role. Muscle Nerve 57: 852–856, 2018
Cardiac involvement in the muscular dystrophies
Authors: Silvestri Nicholas J. , Ismail Haisam , Zimetbaum Peter , Raynor Elizabeth M.
Published: November 2017

Cardiac disease is a common clinical manifestation present in a variety of neuromuscular disorders, most notably the muscular dystrophies. Heart disease may produce the presenting or predominant symptoms in these disorders but more often not does not result in clinical features at the time of initial presentation. Cardiac involvement in the muscular dystrophies results from pathologic changes in the myocardium and the cardiac conduction system, leading to cardiomyopathy and/or rhythm disturbances including supraventricular arrhythmias, life‐threatening ventricular arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. This Review covers the spectrum of cardiac dysfunction in these inherited muscle disorders and proposes practical recommendations for monitoring and management. Muscle Nerve 57: 707–715, 2018
Narrated video demonstrating the procedure of videourodynamics
Authors: Cardozo Linda , Shakir Fevzi , Araklitis George , Rantell Angie , Robinson Dudley
Published: November 2017

Aims

To present a narrated video designed to demonstrate the steps involved in the procedure of videourodynamics.

Methods

The technique shown and described in this teaching video is that performed in the urogynaecology Department at King's College Hospital, London. The equipment utilizes fluid filled lines and external pressure transducers which provide accurate and consistent results.

Results

The advantage of videocystourolodraphy is that as well as incorporating screening fluoroscopy with a cystometric trace, simultaneous assessment of lower urinary tract anatomy and morphology and function is possible.

Conclusion

Videourodynamics or videocystourogrpahy is a diagnostic tool that incorporates urodynamics with imaging of the lower urinary tract which occurs simultaneously. Thus both functional anatomy and physiology can be assessed.
A re‐adjustable sling for female recurrent stress incontinence and intrinsic sphincteric deficiency: Long‐term results in 205 patients using the Remeex sling system
Authors: Errando‐Smet Carlos , Ruiz Cristina Gutiérrez , Bertrán Pedro Arañó , Mavrich Humberto Villavicencio
Published: November 2017

Aims

To evaluate the outcomes and complications at long‐term follow‐up after a Remeex re‐adjustable sling for recurrent stress urinary incontinence (rSUI) and intrinsic sphincteric deficiency (ISD) in women.

Methods

Two hundred thirty women with SUI were evaluated after undergoing a re‐adjustable sling operation. Twenty‐five patients were lost to follow‐up, 205 were classified by Q‐tip, urodynamic, and clinical criteria into ISD (109) and rSUI (96). Outcome measures included number of pads, 1 h pad‐test, urodynamics and subjective satisfaction index with the procedure.

Results

After a mean follow‐up of 89 months (26‐159), 165 patients were cured of SUI (71.7% in the intention to treat analysis (itt), 80.5% in per protocol analysis (pp)). Forty patients remained incontinent (17.4% in itt, 19.5 in pp). Thirty‐one patients (15.1%) had detrusor overactivity (DH) incontinence, 21 (10.2%) with de‐novo DH and 10 with previous urodynamic mixed incontinence. Eighty‐eight patients required re‐adjustment of the sling during the follow‐up. The tension was increased in 82 cases due to recurrence of SUI and reduced in six due to outlet obstruction. The overall complications rate was 28.8%, (3.4% clavien III).

Conclusions

The Remeex re‐adjustable sling provides a good cure rate for rSUI and ISD at long‐term follow‐up. The complications rate is acceptable since most complications are clavien II. The ability to re‐adjust the sling tension during the follow‐up allowed us to achieve cure for recurrence after the initial procedure, and to relieve obstruction in every case attempted.
Association of teen mothers’ and grandmothers’ parenting capacities with child development: A study protocol
Authors: Wilson Damali , Gross Deborah , Hodgkinson Stacy , Deater‐Deckard Kirby
Published: November 2017

Children born to teen mothers may experience less responsive and supportive parenting and are at heightened risk for a range of social, developmental, and health issues. There is literature to support the positive impact of grandmothers on teen parents and their children. However, what if the teen's mother is also limited in her parenting capacities? How do parenting capacities across these two generations of mothers affect the developing child? In this ongoing study we are examining two important aspects of parenting capacities, attachment quality and executive functioning, in teen mothers (TM) and their biological, co‐ residing mothers or grandmothers (GM or GGM). Both are essential components of effective parenting, but little is known about their impact on young children's development when raised by two generations of parents. In a cross‐ sectional, descriptive design, a convenience sample of 50 TM/GM dyads with children 1 to 3 years old is being recruited from two urban teen‐tot clinics. Participants complete a paper‐and‐pencil measure of attachment quality and a computerized measure of multiple aspects of executive function (working memory, inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility). A standardized maternal report measure is used to assess child developmental status. The biggest challenges of the study thus far include recruitment and transience of the study population. Progress to date and experiences from recruitment and data collection are discussed, as well as successful strategies to address challenges.
A dismantlable photoadhesion system fabricated by an anionic UV curing of epoxy resins with a base amplifier having a disulfide bond
Authors: Furutani Masahiro , Kakinuma Ayaru , Arimitsu Koji
Published: November 2017

A base amplifier (BA) that autocatalytically generates a diamine having a disulfide bond has been developed. Diamines generated from this BA are integrated into cross‐linked networks of epoxy resins that also have disulfide bonds. Anionic UV curing is performed using a photobase generator, the BA and the epoxy resins, and cured films are obtained after UV irradiation and subsequent heating at 160 °C. Furthermore, this curing system is applied successfully to adhesion of two stainless substrates, which is cancelled with gentle heating and a shear force. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 237–241
Fast and excellent healing of hydroxypropyl guar gum/poly(N,N‐dimethyl acrylamide) hydrogels
Authors: Zhu Jingjing , Guo Peipei , Chen Duhong , Xu Kun , Wang Pixin , Guan Shuang
Published: November 2017

In this article, a fast and high efficient healing hydroxypropyl guar gum (HPG)/poly(N,N‐dimethyl acrylamide) (PDMA) hydrogel is prepared by a facile synthesis method. HPG networks are formed through hydrogen‐bond interaction between the hydroxyl groups in the HPG chains, and PDMA networks are self‐crosslinked without any chemical crosslinker. The cut hydrogel could heal when nanosilica solution is chosen as the connector that is related to the adsorption of polymer to the surface of nanosilica. The fracture stress of the HPG/PDMA gels presents a fast and almost full recovery within a short time (1 min), while the recovery of fracture strain and elastic modulus is related to time in 2 h. The healing efficiency of HPG/PDMA gel is investigated as a function of healing time, HPG content, and N,N‐dimethyl acrylamide content. The microscopic healing process and healing mechanism are also discussed. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018, 56, 239–247
The challenge of modeling protein assemblies: the CASP12‐CAPRI experiment
Authors: Lensink Marc F. , Velankar Sameer , Baek Minkyung , Heo Lim , Seok Chaok , Wodak Shoshana J.
Published: November 2017

We present the quality assessment of 5613 models submitted by predictor groups from both CAPRI and CASP for the total of 15 most tractable targets from the second joint CASP‐CAPRI protein assembly prediction experiment. These targets comprised 12 homo‐oligomers and 3 hetero‐complexes. The bulk of the analysis focuses on 10 targets (of CAPRI Round 37), which included all 3 hetero‐complexes, and whose protein chains or the full assembly could be readily modeled from structural templates in the PDB. On average, 28 CAPRI groups and 10 CASP groups (including automatic servers), submitted models for each of these 10 targets. Additionally, about 16 groups participated in the CAPRI scoring experiments. A range of acceptable to high quality models were obtained for 6 of the 10 Round 37 targets, for which templates were available for the full assembly. Poorer results were achieved for the remaining targets due to the lower quality of the templates available for the full complex or the individual protein chains, highlighting the unmet challenge of modeling the structural adjustments of the protein components that occur upon binding or which must be accounted for in template‐based modeling. On the other hand, our analysis indicated that residues in binding interfaces were correctly predicted in a sizable fraction of otherwise poorly modeled assemblies and this with higher accuracy than published methods that do not use information on the binding partner. Lastly, the strengths and weaknesses of the assessment methods are evaluated and improvements suggested.
The evolution, seasonality and impacts of western disturbances
Authors: Hunt Kieran M. R. , Turner Andrew G. , Shaffrey Len C.
Published: November 2017

Western disturbances (WDs) are upper‐level synoptic‐scale systems embedded in the subtropical westerly jet stream (STWJ), often associated with extreme rainfall events in north India and Pakistan during boreal winter. Here, a tracking algorithm is applied to the upper‐tropospheric vorticity field for 37 years of ERA‐Interim reanalysis data, giving a catalogue of over 3000 events. These events are analysed in a composite framework: the vertical structure is explored across a large number of dynamic and thermodynamic fields, revealing a significant northwestward tilt with height, strong ascent ahead of the centre, which sits above the maximum surface precipitation, and a warm‐over‐cold, dry‐over‐moist structure, among other signatures of strong baroclinicity. Evolution of the structures of cloud cover and vertical wind speed are investigated as the composite WD passes across northern India. Cloud cover in particular is found to be particularly sensitive to the presence of the Himalayan foothills, with a significant maximum at 300 hPa approximately 1 day after the WD reaches peak intensity. k‐means clustering is used to classify WDs according to both dynamical structure and precipitation footprint and the relationship between the two sets of WDs is explored. Finally, the statistical relationship between the STWJ position and WDs on interannual time‐scales is explored, showing that WD frequency in north India is highly sensitive to the jet location over Eurasia. Years with a greater number of WDs feature a STWJ shifted to the south, a pattern that is substantially more coherent and reaches as far west as North America during boreal winter. This suggests that it may be possible to predict the statistics of western disturbance events on seasonal time‐scales if suitable indicators of jet position can also be predicted.
Role of moisture patterns in the backbuilding formation of HyMeX IOP13 heavy precipitation systems
Authors: Duffourg F. , Lee K.‐O. , Ducrocq V. , Flamant C. , Chazette P. , Di Girolamo P.
Published: November 2017

Mediterranean regions are regularly affected by heavy convective precipitation. During the Hydrological Cycle in the Mediterranean Experiment Intensive Observation Period 13 (HyMeX‐IOP13), the multi‐platform observation strategy allowed analysis of the backbuilding convective systems that developed on 14 October 2012, as well as the associated moisture structures in the environment upstream of convection.

The numerical simulation at 2.5 km horizontal resolution succeeds in reproducing the location and time evolution of the observed heavy precipitation systems and the main characteristics of the marine air mass. Convection develops in Southeastern France over the foothills closest to the coast when a moist conditionally unstable marine boundary layer topped by particularly dry air masses is advected inland. Cold air formed by evaporative cooling under the precipitating cells flows down the valleys, slowly shifting the location of the backbuilding convective cells from the mountainsides to the coast and over the sea. Surface observations confirm that these simulated backbuilding mechanisms describe the processes involved in maintenance of the heavy precipitation event realistically.

A Lagrangian analysis shows that the moisture supply to the convective system is provided by the moist conditionally unstable marine boundary layer, while the dry air masses above are involved in cold‐pool formation. Four days before the event, both dry and moist air masses come from the Atlantic Ocean in the lower half of the troposphere. The dry air mass involved in cold‐pool formation results from both the advection of mid‐level air masses and the drying of low‐level air masses lifted up over Spain. For the moist air mass feeding the backbuilding convective systems, most of the air parcels overpass France before travelling almost 48 h in the lowest 1000 m above the Mediterranean. About 50% of the moisture supply to the precipitating system originates from evaporation over the sea.
Cellwise robust regularized discriminant analysis
Authors: Aerts Stéphanie , Wilms Ines
Published: November 2017

Quadratic and linear discriminant analysis (QDAandLDA) are the most often applied classification rules under normality. InQDA, a separate covariance matrix is estimated for each group. If there are more variables than observations in the groups, the usual estimates are singular and cannot be used anymore. Assuming homoscedasticity, as inLDA, reduces the number of parameters to estimate. This rather strong assumption is however rarely verified in practice. Regularized discriminant techniques that are computable in high dimension and cover the path between the 2 extremesQDAandLDAhave been proposed in the literature. However, these procedures rely on sample covariance matrices. As such, they become inappropriate in the presence of cellwise outliers, a type of outliers that is very likely to occur in high‐dimensional datasets. In this paper, we propose cellwise robust counterparts of these regularized discriminant techniques by inserting cellwise robust covariance matrices. Our methodology results in a family of discriminant methods that (1) are robust against outlying cells, (2) cover the gap betweenLDAandQDA, and (3) are computable in high dimension. The good performance of the new methods is illustrated through simulated and real data examples. As a by‐product, visual tools are provided for the detection of outliers.
Skyrmions, Skyrme stars and black holes with Skyrme hair in five spacetime dimension
Authors: Brihaye Yves , Herdeiro Carlos , Radu Eugen , Tchrakian D.H.
Published: November 2017

Abstract

We consider a class of generalizations of the Skyrme model to five spacetime dimensions (d = 5), which is defined in terms of an O(5) sigma model. A special ansatz for the Skyrme field allows angular momentum to be present and equations of motion with a radial dependence only. Using it, we obtain: 1) everywhere regular solutions describing localised energy lumps (Skyrmions); 2) Self-gravitating, asymptotically flat, everywhere non-singular solitonic solutions (Skyrme stars), upon minimally coupling the model to Einstein’s gravity; 3) both static and spinning black holes with Skyrme hair, the latter with rotation in two orthogonal planes, with both angular momenta of equal magnitude. In the absence of gravity we present an analytic solution that satisfies a BPS-type bound and explore numerically some of the non-BPS solutions. In the presence of gravity, we contrast the solutions to this model with solutions to a complex scalar field model, namely boson stars and black holes with synchronised hair. Remarkably, even though the two models present key differences, and in particular the Skyrme model allows static hairy black holes, when introducing rotation, the synchronisation condition becomes mandatory, providing further evidence for its generality in obtaining rotating hairy black holes.