bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phenomenon of Endothelial Antibody Capture: Principles and Potential for Locoregional Targeting of Hepatic Tumors
Authors: Winkler Nora , Strübing Felix , Groß Wolfgang , Mier Walter , Ryschich Eduard
Published: May 2018

The systemic drug circulation represents a source of adverse effects during tumor targeting. We studied the binding efficacy of endothelium‐specific antibodies after a very short contact with an antigen target, along with assessing the intravascular capture and targeting potential of these antibodies after locoregional injection. Fast‐binding anti–CD 146 (clone ME‐9F1) and anti‐CD31 (clone 390) antibodies were selected based on histological analysis of their binding activity. The efficacy of antibody capture by hepatic endothelium under different conditions was analyzed using an isolated liver perfusion model. The local enrichment of R‐phycoerythrin and 125I‐conjugated antibody was studied in vivo in two hepatic tumor models using biodistribution, scintigraphic imaging, and fluorescence microscopy. Upon injection into the tumor‐feeding artery, the antibody was immediately captured in the microvasculature during the first passage. At doses not exceeding the saturation level of endothelial epitopes, the capture efficacy was almost 90%. We showed that the efficacy of endothelial capture is controlled by factors such as antibody affinity, number of binding sites on the endothelium, and microvascular flow rate. The targeting potential of endothelial capture was experimentally proven in vivo using scintigraphic imaging and biodistribution analysis after locoregional intra‐arterial injection of 125I‐labeled antibodies in hepatic tumor models. Conclusion: The unique phenomenon of endothelial capture can broadly prevent systemic circulation of the antibody or antibody–drug conjugates applied by intravascular injection and may have specific relevance for targeting of hepatic tumors.
Hepatitis B Virus Serum DNA andRNA Levels in Nucleos(t)ide Analog‐Treated or Untreated Patients During Chronic and Acute Infection
Authors: Butler Emily K. , Gersch Jeffrey , McNamara Anne , Luk Ka‐Cheung , Holzmayer Vera , de Medina Maria , Schiff Eugene , Kuhns Mary , Cloherty Gavin A.
Published: May 2018

Treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) suppresses hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA synthesis but does not affect synthesis of HBV pregenomic RNA (pgRNA). Hepatitis B virus pgRNA is detectable in the serum during NA treatment and has been proposed as a marker of HBV covalently closed circular DNA activity within the infected hepatocyte. We developed an automated assay for the quantification of serum HBV pgRNA using a dual‐target real‐time quantitative PCR approach on the Abbott m2000sp/rt system. We demonstrate accurate detection and quantification of serum HBV RNA. Hepatitis B virus DNA was quantified using the Abbott RealTime HBV viral load assay. We further compared serum nucleic acid levels and kinetics in HBV‐positive populations. Samples included on‐therapy CHB samples (n = 16), samples (n = 89) from 10 treatment naïve CHB subjects receiving 12 weeks of NA treatment with 8‐week follow‐up, hepatitis B surface antigen–positive blood donor samples (n = 102), and three seroconversion series from plasmapheresis donors (n = 79 samples). Conclusion: During NA treatment of CHB subjects, we observed low correlation of HBV DNA to pgRNA levels; pgRNA concentration was generally higher than HBV DNA concentrations. In contrast, when NA treatment was absent we observed serum pgRNA at concentrations that correlated to HBV DNA and were approximately 2 log lower than HBV DNA. Importantly, we observe this trend in untreated subject samples from both chronic infections and throughout seroconversion during acute infection. Results demonstrate that the presence of pgRNA in serum is part of the HBV lifecycle; constant relative detection of pgRNA and HBV DNA in the serum is suggestive of a linked mechanism for egress for HBV DNA or pgRNA containing virions.
Nutrients excretion by zooplankton in two brackish water bodies
Authors: Gutkowska Agnieszka , Paturej Ewa , Bowszys Magdalena
Published: May 2018

Excretion of nutrients by zooplankton is a complex process crucial for the functioning of aquatic ecosystems. Most of the available literature data concern excretion in freshwater or marine ecosystems, but little is known about the nutrients regeneration in brackish water bodies, and the described research results are often inconclusive. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the intravital release of nitrogen and phosphorous in brackish water bodies and to analyze the effect of salinity levels on the process of excretion. Studies on excretion were based on laboratory experiments. In 2010, the rate of intravital release of nutrients by zooplankton sampled from the natural environment of the Vistula Lagoon and Lake Łebsko was analyzed in order to estimate the rate of excretion of nitrogen and phosphorus depending on the salinity level. A similar experiment was also carried out on monocultures of Brachionus calyciflorus. Results from studies on natural populations revealed variable rates of nutrients excretion for different levels of salinity. This correlation, however, was not statistically significant. Experiments on B. calyciflorus monocultures showed a significant (p < 0.05) linear correlation between salinity and excretion. The study demonstrated that higher concentrations of salts dissolved in water accelerate the rate of nutrients regeneration by zooplankton. The investigated process is determined by many factors, and for the reliable estimation of the excretion rate a multivariate analysis should be performed.
Wear properties of poly‐ether‐ether‐ketone bearing combinations under zero and cross shear kinematics in total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Chamberlain Kathryn A. , Rankin Kenneth S. , Briscoe Adam , Deehan David , Hyde Philip J.
Published: May 2018

Poly‐ether‐ether‐ketone (PEEK), having shown favorable biocompatibility in spinal applications is being considered as an alternative biomaterial in orthopaedics, either as part of an all‐polymer bearing couple, or a replacement for the metallic component in hard‐on‐soft bearings. Throughout the literature ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene exhibits a range of wear behavior dependent upon the amount of cross shear (CS) present in the bearing motion; in comparison, the behavior of PEEK bearing combinations subject to cross shear conditions is less understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of cross shear on PEEK‐on‐PEEK and PEEK‐on‐Metal bearing couples. Wear tests were conducted using a four station pin‐on‐plate rig capable of uni‐directional motion (zero cross shear) and multidirectional motion (cross shear); reciprocation (1 Hz), rotation (0 or 1 Hz), with gravimetric wear analysis used to determine the wear factors. The combined wear factors from the PEEK pins articulating on either PEEK or metal plates in this study suggest that it is preferable to use PEEK‐on‐Metal bearing couples under zero cross shear kinematic conditions and PEEK‐on‐PEEK for high cross shear applications. PEEK appears to demonstrate a CS dependency when articulating on hard surfaces. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 107B: 445–453, 2019.
Dynamic Analyses of the Short‐Term Effects of Different Bisphosphonates Using Intravital Two‐Photon Microscopy
Authors: Kikuta Junichi , Shirazaki Mai , Sudo Takao , Mizuno Hiroki , Morimoto Akito , Suehara Riko , Minoshima Masafumi , Kikuchi Kazuya , Ishii Masaru
Published: May 2018

Bisphosphonates are commonly used for the treatment of bone disorders such as osteoporosis; however, the mechanism by which they affect the dynamics of living mature osteoclasts in vivo remains unknown. Here, we describe the short‐term effects of different bisphosphonates on controlling the bone resorptive activity of mature osteoclasts in living bone tissues of mice using intravital two‐photon microscopy with a pH‐sensing chemical fluorescent probe. Three types of nitrogen‐containing bisphosphonates, risedronate, alendronate, and minodronate, inhibited osteoclastic acidification during osteoporotic conditions just 12 hours after i.v. injection. Among the three types of drugs, risedronate was the most effective at increasing osteoclast motility and changing the localization of proton pumps, which led to an inhibition of bone resorption. Together, these results demonstrate that the intravital imaging system is a useful tool for evaluating the similarities and differences in currently used antibone resorptive drugs. © 2018 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Postnatal Skeletal Deletion of Dickkopf-1 Increases Bone Formation and Bone Volume in Male and Female Mice, Despite Increased Sclerostin Expression
Authors: Colditz Juliane , Thiele Sylvia , Baschant Ulrike , Niehrs Christof , Bonewald Lynda F , Hofbauer Lorenz C , Rauner Martina
Published: May 2018

The Wnt antagonist Dickkopf-1 (Dkk1) is a negative regulator of osteoblast function and bone mass. However, because of the lack of appropriate models, many aspects of its role in the regulation of postnatal bone turnover and its cellular source have remained unknown. In this study, we deleted Dkk1 postnatally and in different cell types using various Cre-drivers (Rosa26-ERT2-Cre, Osx-cre, Dmp1-Cre) and assessed to which extent cells of the osteoblastic lineage contribute to the effects of Dkk1 on bone turnover and homeostasis. Female and male mice were examined at 12 weeks of age. Mice with a global or cell type–specific deletion of Dkk1 showed a two- to threefold higher bone volume compared with their Cre-negative littermates. The mineral apposition rate and the bone formation rate were increased two- to fourfold in all three mouse lines, despite a significant increase in systemic and skeletal levels of sclerostin. Dkk1 deletion further reduced the number of osteoclasts about twofold, which was accompanied by a strong decrease in the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand/osteoprotegerin mRNA ratio in femoral bone. Despite similar increases in bone mass, the deletion of Dkk1 in osterix-expressing cells reduced circulating Dkk1 significantly (males, –79%; females, –77%), whereas they were not changed in Dkk1fl/fl;Dmp1-Cre mice. However, both lines showed significantly reduced Dkk1 mRNA levels in bone. In summary, we show that lack of Dkk1 in cells of the osteoblastic lineage leads to high bone mass with increased bone formation, despite increased levels of sclerostin. Moreover, the majority of systemic Dkk1 appears to originate from osteoprogenitors but not from mature osteoblasts or osteocytes. Nevertheless, the amount of Dkk1 produced locally by more mature osteogenic cells is sufficient to modulate bone mass. Thus, this study highlights the importance of local Wnt signaling on postnatal bone homeostasis. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Facile preparation of a high‐capacity boronate‐affinity adsorbent based on low‐cost commercial supports for selective enrichment of cis‐diol‐containing biomolecules
Authors: Li Chunyan , Wang Chaozhan , Wei Yinmao
Published: May 2018

Boronate‐affinity adsorbents have been regarded as favorable extraction adsorbents for the pretreatment of cis‐diol‐containing biomolecules owning to their specific selectivity, but most of them have low adsorption capacity and a tedious synthesis methods. In this study, a new boronate‐affinity material (PGMA@FPBA) with high adsorption capacity was synthesized via a “one‐pot” method based on a low‐cost commercial support. The PGMA@FPBA was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and nitrogen adsorption/desorption measurements. The as‐prepared adsorbent showed good selectivity, high adsorption capacity (448 μmol/g for catechol), and fast adsorption equilibration (1 min) for cis‐diol‐containing biomolecules. Subsequently, as an example for application, the obtained PGMA@FPBA was used as a dispersive solid‐phase extraction (d‐SPE) adsorbent for enrichment of quercetin in red wine. The results indicated that the facile‐prepared boronate‐affinity adsorbent has great potential application for separation and enrichment of cis‐diol‐containing biomolecules in complex samples.
Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Tolerability of Concomitant Multiple Dose Administration of Verinurad (RDEA3170) and Allopurinol in Adult Male Subjects With Gout
Authors: Kankam Martin , Hall Jesse , Gillen Michael , Yang Xiaojuan , Shen Zancong , Lee Caroline , Liu Sha , Miner Jeffrey N. , Walker Susan , Clauson Vicki , Wilson David , Nguyen Mai
Published: May 2018

Verinurad (RDEA3170) is a selective uric acid reabsorption inhibitor in clinical development for treatment of hyperuricemia and gout. This phase 1b, multiple‐dose, drug‐drug interaction study evaluated the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and tolerability of verinurad in combination with allopurinol. Adult males with gout were randomized to receive once‐daily oral doses of allopurinol 300 mg or verinurad 10 mg alone for 7 days, allopurinol 300 mg + verinurad 10 mg on days 8 to 14, and the alternative single agent on days 15 to 21. Colchicine 0.6 mg was taken prophylactically for gout flares. Plasma/serum and urine samples were assayed for verinurad, allopurinol, oxypurinol (allopurinol active metabolite), colchicine (plasma only), and uric acid. Safety was assessed by adverse events (AEs) and laboratory tests. Verinurad plasma exposure was unaffected by allopurinol. Verinurad increased the maximum observed plasma concentration (Cmax) for allopurinol by 33%; the area under the plasma concentration‐time curve (AUC) was unaffected. Oxypurinol Cmax and AUC were reduced 32% and 38%, respectively, by verinurad. Colchicine plasma exposure was unaltered by verinurad. The maximum decrease in serum urate was greater with verinurad + allopurinol (65%) than with verinurad (51%) or allopurinol (43%) alone. Compared with the baseline rate, the maximum rate of uric acid excreted in urine was +56% with verinurad, −46% with allopurinol, and unchanged with verinurad + allopurinol. No serious AEs, discontinuations due to AEs, or clinically significant laboratory abnormalities were noted. Despite decreased systemic exposure of allopurinol and oxypurinol in the presence of verinurad, the combination resulted in greater serum urate reduction compared with either drug alone and was well tolerated at the studied doses.
The Effect of Lesinurad in Combination With Allopurinol on Serum Uric Acid Levels in Patients With Gout
Authors: Baumgartner Scott , Yeh Li‐Tain , Shen Zancong , Kerr Bradley , Manhard Kimberly , Quart Barry
Published: May 2018

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of lesinurad, a selective uric acid uptake inhibitor, alone and in combination with the xanthine oxidase inhibitor allopurinol, on serum uric acid and urinary urate excretion in patients with gout and hyperuricemia. A phase 1b, multicenter, open‐label, multiple‐dose study was carried out in patients with gout with serum uric acid ≥8 mg/dL following washout of urate‐lowering therapy. Patients were treated with allopurinol 300 mg/day alone in week 1; lesinurad 400 or 600 mg/day was added in week 2, followed by lesinurad 400 or 600 mg/day alone in week 3. Serum uric acid and urine uric acid were evaluated each week. Safety was assessed throughout the study. Lesinurad 400 or 600 mg/day added to allopurinol 300 mg/day reduced serum uric acid by 60% and 72%, respectively, versus allopurinol alone (37%) or lesinurad 400 mg/day (44%) or 600 mg/day (47%) alone. A 100% response rate of serum uric acid <6 mg/dL was achieved by all combinations (serum uric acid <5 mg/dL by 50%‐90%). Mean 24‐hour urate excretion compared with baseline was –35% with allopurinol, +36% and +56.5% with lesinurad 400 mg/day and 600 mg/day, respectively, and –11.6% and –7.1% with the respective combination therapies. Treatments were well tolerated. In this phase 1 trial, lesinurad added to allopurinol resulted in greater serum uric acid reduction than did allopurinol or lesinurad monotherapy.
PAF‐11/poly (dimethylsiloxane) mixed matrix pervaporation membranes for dealcoholization of aqueous solutions
Authors: Jia Zhiqian , Hao Shuang , Jiang Mingchen
Published: May 2018

BACKGROUND

Porous aromatic frameworks (PAFs) have received considerable attention due to their designable framework topologies and high stability. In this work PAF‐11 particles were synthesized and incorporated in poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) matrix for dealcoholation of aqueous solutions for the first time. The effects of PAF‐11 loading on the hydrophobilicity, sorption degree, partition coefficient and pervaporation (PV) performance of mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) were studied.

RESULTS

It was found that, with the increased PAF‐11 loading, the contact angle of MMMs with water increased whereas the sorption degree in water, ethanol and n‐butanol declined, demonstrating the improved swelling stability of MMMs. Pristine PDMS and MMMs displayed alcohol sorption‐selectivity, and the partition coefficients of ethanol and n‐butanol in MMMs increased with PAF‐11 loading. In the pervaporation of ethanol and n‐butanol aqueous solutions, the MMMs showed an increase in permeation fluxes and separation factor, as well as good stability in long‐term running, demonstrating anti‐trade‐off effects and good application prospects.

CONCLUSIONS

It was deduced that, in the pervaporation removal of organics from aqueous solutions, anti‐trade‐off effects could be fulfilled by introducing hydrophobic fillers with pore sizes larger than molecules of water and organics. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Influence of organic matter type in wastewater on soluble microbial products production and on further ultrafiltration
Authors: Ferrer‐Polonio Eva , Fernández‐Navarro Julian , Alonso‐Molina José L , Bes‐Piá Amparo , Mendoza‐Roca José A
Published: May 2018

BACKGROUND

Membrane fouling is the main limiting factor for the application of ultrafiltration (UF) to wastewater treatment as tertiary treatment or in membrane bioreactors. Soluble microbial products (SMP) play the more important role on membrane fouling. In this work, four sequencing batch reactors were operated in parallel using two different simulated wastewaters under operating conditions maximizing and minimizing SMP production. The aim was to study the influence of the wastewater type, which until now has hardly been considered, on SMP production and, consequently, on membrane fouling.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Results showed that organic matter (OM) type in wastewater greatly influenced SMP production and composition (protein : carbohydrate ratio). The food‐to‐microorganisms (F : M) ratio also significantly influenced SMP production. The lowest protein : carbohydrate ratio was achieved for wastewater containing sodium acetate as OM source at a F : M = 0.2. Finally, both mixed liquor and treated effluent were subjected to an ultrafiltration (UF) process and it was confirmed that the carbohydrate concentration in SMP was the main parameter influencing membrane fouling when the reactor effluent was fed to the UF process. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Mechanisms of reproductive allocation as drivers of developmental plasticity in reptiles
Authors: Van Dyke James U. , Griffith Oliver W.
Published: May 2018

Developmental plasticity in offspring phenotype occurs as a result of the environmental conditions embryos experience during development. The nutritional environment provided to a fetus is an important source of developmental plasticity. Reptiles are a particularly interesting system to study this plasticity because of their varied routes of maternal nutrient allocation to reproduction. Most reptiles provide their offspring with all or most of the nutrients they require in egg yolk (lecithotrophy) while viviparous reptiles also provide their offspring with nutrients via a placenta (placentotrophy). We review the ways in which both lecithotrophy and placentotrophy can lead to differences in the nutrients embryonic reptiles receive, and discuss how these differences lead to developmental plasticity in offspring phenotype. We finish by reviewing the ecological and conservation consequences of nutritional‐driven developmental plasticity in reptiles. If nutritional‐driven developmental plasticity has fitness consequences, then understanding the basis of this plasticity has exciting potential to identify how reptile recruitment is affected by environmental changes in food supply. Such knowledge is critical to our ability to protect taxa threatened by environmental change.
The second biennial meeting of the Pan‐American Society for Evolutionary Developmental Biology
Authors: Callier Viviane
Published: May 2018

Evodevo is concerned with understanding how phenotypes develop and evolve, how organismal diversity is generated and maintained, and how evolutionary innovations originate. The second Pan‐American Society for Evolutionary Developmental Biology (PASEDB) meeting in Calgary, Canada, showcased a great variety of species and study systems, and a variety of approaches to address these questions. Although there were, like at the first PASEDB meeting, many developmental genetic and genomic studies, much of the work moved beyond comparative developmental genetics toward more integrative studies that seek explanations at different levels of the organismal hierarchy.
Oxidative damage of SP-D abolishes control of eosinophil extracellular DNA trap formation
Authors: Yousefi Shida , Sharma Satish K , Stojkov Darko , Germic Nina , Aeschlimann Salome , Ge Moyar Q , Flayer Cameron H , Larson Erik D , Redai Imre G , Zhang Suhong , Koziol-White Cynthia J , Karikó Katalin , Simon Hans-Uwe , Haczku Angela
Published: May 2018

The asthmatic airways are highly susceptible to inflammatory injury by air pollutants such as ozone (O3), characterized by enhanced activation of eosinophilic granulocytes and a failure of immune protective mechanisms. Eosinophil activation during asthma exacerbation contributes to the proinflammatory oxidative stress by high levels of nitric oxide (NO) production and extracellular DNA release. Surfactant protein-D (SP-D), an epithelial cell product of the airways, is a critical immune regulatory molecule with a multimeric structure susceptible to oxidative modifications. Using recombinant proteins and confocal imaging, we demonstrate here that SP-D directly bound to the membrane and inhibited extracellular DNA trap formation by human and murine eosinophils in a concentration and carbohydrate-dependent manner. Combined allergic airway sensitization and O3 exposure heightened eosinophilia and nos2 mRNA (iNOS) activation in the lung tissue and S-nitrosylation related de-oligomerisation of SP-D in the airways. In vitro reproduction of the iNOS action led to similar effects on SP-D. Importantly, S-nitrosylation abolished the ability of SP-D to block extracellular DNA trap formation. Thus, the homeostatic negative regulatory feedback between SP-D and eosinophils is destroyed by the NO-rich oxidative lung tissue environment in asthma exacerbations.

Demonstration that specific carbohydrate-dependent inhibition of murine and human eosinophil extracellular DNA trap release is abolished by s-nitrosylation of the SP-D molecule.
Assessment of breast mass morphology with diffusion‐weighted MRI: Beyond apparent diffusion coefficient
Authors: Kul Sibel , Metin Yavuz , Kul Musa , Metin Nurgul , Eyuboglu Ilker , Ozdemir Oguzhan
Published: May 2018

Background

Diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) is a noncontrast‐enhanced MRI technique. There are new promising studies on the use of DWI as a part of the enhanced or unenhanced abbreviated breast MRI protocols.

Purpose

To evaluate the ability of breast DWI in the assessment of mass morphology and determine the contribution of this morphologic evaluation in their characterization.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Population

In all, 213 consecutive women were breast MR imaged and had a later confirmed diagnosis.

Field Strength/Sequence

Breast dynamic contrast‐enhanced‐MRI (DCE‐MRI) and DWI at 1.5T.

Assessment

After Institutional Review Board approval, two radiologists first independently, and later in consensus, evaluated the visibility and morphology of the 143 malignant, 70 benign masses on DWI and DCE‐MRI in separate sessions, blindly. Shape, margin, and internal pattern of the masses were evaluated according to BI‐RADS lexicon. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and tumor size were measured by one radiologist.

Statistical Tests

Consistency between imaging methods and readers was evaluated with Cohen's kappa statistics. Multivariate analysis was applied to find the best predictors of malignancy.

Results

Tumor visibility on DWI was high to moderate in at least 88% of cases. Consistency between DWI and DCE‐MRI was substantial (kappa ≥0.757) for shape and margin and moderate (kappa = 0.505) for internal pattern. Interobserver agreement was substantial to moderate for all morphologic parameters (kappa ≥0.596). Morphology evaluated on DWI provided 83–84% accuracy in discriminating malignant from benign masses. ADC alone provided 90–91% accuracy. Both morphologic parameters and ADC were significantly associated with malignancy on multivariate analysis and provided 91–93% accuracy.

Data Conclusion

DWI might be used not only for ADC evaluation but also for the morphological evaluation of breast masses to characterize them.

Level of Evidence: 3

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;48:1668–1677
Role of dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI in evaluating the association between contralateral parenchymal enhancement and survival outcome in ER‐positive, HER2‐negative, node‐negative invasive breast cancer
Authors: Shin Gi Won , Zhang Yang , Kim Min Jung , Su Min‐Ying , Kim Eun‐Kyung , Moon Hee Jung , Yoon Jung Hyun , Park Vivian Youngjean
Published: May 2018

Background

Background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) on dynamic contrast‐enhanced (DCE)‐MRI has been associated with breast cancer risk, both based on qualitative and quantitative assessments.

Purpose

To investigate whether BPE of the contralateral breast on preoperative DCE‐MRI is associated with therapy outcome in ER‐positive, HER2‐negative, node‐negative invasive breast cancer.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Population

In all, 289 patients with unilateral ER‐positive, HER2‐negative, node‐negative breast cancer larger than 5 mm.

Field Strength/Sequence

3T, T1‐weighted DCE sequence.

Assessment

BPE of the contralateral breast was assessed qualitatively by two dedicated radiologists and quantitatively (using region‐of‐interest and automatic breast segmentation).

Statistical Tests

Cox regression analysis was used to determine associations with recurrence‐free survival (RFS) and distant metastasis‐free survival (DFS). Interobserver variability for parenchymal enhancement was assessed using kappa statistics and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

Results

The median follow‐up time was 75.8 months. Multivariate analysis showed receipt of total mastectomy (hazard ratio [HR]: 5.497) and high Ki‐67 expression level (HR: 5.956) were independent factors associated with worse RFS (P < 0.05). Only a high Ki‐67 expression level was associated with worse DFS (HR: 3.571, P = 0.045). BPE assessments were not associated with outcome (RFS [qualitative BPE: P = 0.75, 0.92 for readers 1 and 2; quantitative BPE: P = 0.38‐0.99], DFS, [qualitative BPE: P = 0.41, 0.16 for readers 1 and 2; quantitative BPE: P = 0.68‐0.99]). For interobserver variability, there was good agreement between qualitative (κ = 0.700) and good to perfect agreement for most quantitative parameters of BPE.

Data Conclusion

Contralateral BPE showed no association with survival outcome in patients with ER‐positive, HER2‐negative, node‐negative invasive breast cancer. A high Ki‐67 expression level was associated with both worse recurrence‐free and distant metastasis‐free survival.

Level of Evidence: 3

Technical Efficacy: Stage 4

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;48:1678–1689
Creators and Presses: The Person–Situation Interaction in Negative Creativity
Authors: Kapoor Hansika , Khan Azizuddin
Published: May 2018

Given the recent emphasis on exploring valence in creative behavior, this study examines negative creativity via a person–situation interactionist perspective. By manipulating goal valence (uses or misuses) and object valence (positive or negative), four conditions of an adapted Divergent Thinking task were used to predict positive and negative creativity. Participants (N = 178, 103 females, Mage = 23.82, SD = 4.03, range: 18–38) responded to a single condition along with the Big Five and Dark Triad personality scales in a between‐groups design. Hierarchical multiple regressions revealed that goal and object valence significantly explained variance in valences of creative responses, beyond individual differences of personality. Furthermore, the congruence between goal and object valence predicted valenced creativity; that is, the positive objects and goals condition yielded more positive‐original ideas, and the negative objects and goals condition yielded more negative‐original ones. Object valence alone (material presses) did not contribute significantly to explaining valenced creativity. Negative‐original responses were inversely related to conscientiousness, and directly to intellect/imagination and secondary psychopathy. Thus, negative creativity was attributed relatively more to person as compared to situation variables. Results are discussed from a valence‐based and interactionist perspective.
Adsorption of glycerophosphate on goethite (α‐FeOOH): A macroscopic and infrared spectroscopic study
Authors: Li Hailan , Wan Biao , Yan Yupeng , Zhang Yanyi , Cheng Wei , Feng Xionghan
Published: May 2018

Adsorption, desorption, and precipitation reactions at environmental interfaces govern the bioavailability, mobility, and fate of organic phosphates in terrestrial and aquatic environments. Glycerophosphate (GP) is a common environmental organic phosphate, however, surface adsorption reactions of GP on soil minerals have not been well understood. The adsorption characteristics of GP on goethite were studied using batch adsorption experiments, zeta (ζ) potential measurements, and in situ attenuated total reflectance‐Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR‐FTIR). GP exhibited fast initial adsorption kinetics on goethite, followed by a slow adsorption. The maximum adsorption densities of GP on goethite were 2.00, 1.95, and 1.44 μmol m−2 at pH 3, 5, and 7, respectively. Batch experiments showed decreased adsorption of GP with increasing pH from 3 to 10. Zeta potential measurements showed a remarkable decrease in the goethite isoelectric point upon GP adsorption (from 9.2 to 5.5), suggesting the formation of inner‐sphere surface complexes. In addition, the ATR‐FTIR spectra of GP sorbed on goethite were different from those of free GP at various pH values. These results suggested that GP was bound to goethite through the phosphate group by forming inner‐sphere surface complexes.
Lung Ultrasonography for Assessing Lung Aeration in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Narrative Review
Authors: Bello Gabriela , Blanco Pablo
Published: May 2018

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) constitutes a high burden for intensive care units. Although several methods are proposed to monitor aeration in ARDS, availability, costs, simplicity, and hazards (eg, ionizing radiation) limit the use of many of them at patients' bedsides. Given the widespread use of lung ultrasonography (US) in intensive care units, research is growing regarding its use to monitor aeration in patients with ARDS. We reviewed the actual role of lung US in ARDS and its potential impact in practice. Lung US can be readily used for assessing aeration, although, as a main limitation, a normal lung cannot be distinguished from hyperinflation. Additionally, an improvement in aeration by lung US does not always correlate with an increase in oxygenation. Lung US can be considered the main imaging method for monitoring aeration in ARDS, but in view of its limitations, it should not be used in isolation. Further studies are needed to validate lung US in large ARDS populations.
Transvaginal Ultrasound Shear Wave Elastography for the Evaluation of Benign Uterine Pathologies: A Prospective Pilot Study
Authors: Zhang Man , Wasnik Ashish P. , Masch William R. , Rubin Jonathan M. , Carlos Ruth C. , Quint Elisabeth H. , Maturen Katherine E.
Published: May 2018

Objectives

This study evaluated the diagnostic performance of transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) shear wave elastography (SWE) for evaluating uterine adenomyosis and leiomyomas.

Methods

Institutional Review Board approval was obtained for prospective enrollment of 34 premenopausal women with pelvic pain and/or bleeding between January 2015 and June 2016. TVUS SWE was performed with regions of interest in multiple uterine segments and shear wave velocities(SWVs) were recorded. Reference pelvic magnetic resonance examinations were performed and reviewed without access to the ultrasound results.

Results

Continuous variables were analyzed using means, t tests, and analysis of variance. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed adenomyosis in 6 women (12 uterine segments) and leiomyomas in 12 women (28 segments). On a per‐patient basis, mean SWV in 16 women with no adenomyosis or leiomyoma was 4.3 ± 1.7 m/s, compared with 5.7 ± 2.3 m/s in 18 women with a magnetic resonance diagnosis of myometrial pathology (P < .0002; 95% confidence interval, −2.2, −0.6). On a per‐segment basis, SWV in normal myometrium was 4.8 ± 1.9 m/s, compared with 4.9 ± 2.5 m/s in adenomyosis and 5.6 ± 2.5 m/s in leiomyoma (P = .34 by one‐way analysis of variance). In pairwise comparison, SWV for adenomyosis and leiomyoma did not differ significantly (P = .40).

Conclusions

TVUS SWE did not distinguish adenomyosis from leiomyoma. However, our pilot study demonstrated that myometrial SWVs were higher in uteri with adenomyosis and leiomyomas than in uteri with myometrium with no abnormalities suggesting a potential role for SWE in treatment response assessment.
Noninvasive Measurement of Sciatic Nerve Stiffness in Patients With Chronic Low Back Related Leg Pain Using Shear Wave Elastography
Authors: Neto Tiago , Freitas Sandro R. , Andrade Ricardo J. , Vaz João R. , Mendes Bruno , Firmino Telmo , Bruno Paula M. , Nordez Antoine , Oliveira Raúl
Published: May 2018

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to determine whether sciatic nerve stiffness is altered in people with chronic low back–related leg pain by using shear wave elastography.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional study, the sciatic nerve shear wave velocity (ie, an index of stiffness) was measured in both legs of 16 participants (8 with unilateral low back–related leg pain and 8 healthy controls). Sciatic stiffness was measured during a passive ankle dorsiflexion motion performed at 2°/s in an isokinetic dynamometer. The ankle range of motion and passive torque, as well as muscle activity, were also measured.

Results

In people with low back–related leg pain, the affected limb showed higher sciatic nerve stiffness compared to the unaffected limb (+11.3%; P = .05). However, no differences were observed between the unaffected limb of people with low back–related leg pain and the healthy controls (P = .34).

Conclusions

People with chronic low back–related leg pain have interlimb differences in sciatic nerve stiffness, as measured by a safe and noninvasive method: shear wave elastography. The changes found may be related to alterations in nerve mechanical properties, which should be confirmed by future investigations.
Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound in Peninsular Arab Patients With Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Adekile Adekunle , Hassan Meaad , Asbeutah Akram , Al‐Hinai Mohamed , Trad Omar , Farhan Nayef
Published: May 2018

Objectives

Transcranial Doppler ultrasound is used to identify patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) at risk for stroke. We performed transcranial Doppler studies in patients from 4 countries in the Arabian Peninsula (Kuwait, Oman, Iraq, and United Arab Emirates) to document the prevalence of abnormal transcranial Doppler findings.

Methods

The patients were recruited from outpatient clinics and studied in a steady state. Transcranial Doppler examinations were performed with standard equipment by experienced operators. The time‐averaged maximum mean velocity (TAMMV) was documented in the arteries of the circle of Willis. The hemoglobin (Hb) genotype was confirmed, and the fetal Hb level and complete blood counts were determined.

Results

There were 415 patients in the study, aged 2 to 18 years (mean ± SD, 8.6 ± 3.5 years). None of the patients had an abnormal TAMMV (ie, > 200 cm/s), whereas only 13 (3.1%), all from Iraq, had conditional values (170–200 cm/s) in the right middle cerebral artery and 7 (1.7%) in the left middle cerebral artery. There were no consistent TAMMV differences among male and female patients or in patients with different Hb genotypes (sickle cell anemia, sickle cell β0‐thalassemia, and sickle D). The use of hydroxyurea was associated with a lower TAMMV, whereas a blood transfusion history had no influence. Total hemoglobin, reticulocyte count, serum bilirubin, and fetal Hb values showed varying degrees of association with the TAMMV in the different vessels.

Conclusions

This study has demonstrated the rarity of abnormal transcranial Doppler findings among Peninsular Arab patients with SCD. The guidelines for transcranial Doppler screening in this population need further studies and recommendations.
Improvement in abdominal and flank contouring by a novel adipocyte‐selective non‐contact radiofrequency device
Authors: Choi Sun Young , Kim Young Jae , Kim So Yeon , Lee Woo Jin , Chang Sung Eun , Lee Mi Woo , Choi Jee Ho , Won Chonghyun
Published: May 2018

Background

The demand for undergoing subcutaneous fat reduction has been gradually increasing, and there are many methods and devices for performing non‐surgical and non‐invasive fat reduction, such as high‐intensity focused ultrasound, cryolipolysis, radiofrequency (RF) devices, and lasers.

Objectives

This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of a novel adipocyte‐selective non‐contact RF device for improving abdominal contouring in Asian subjects.

Methods

Twenty‐four Asian subjects with abundant subcutaneous abdominal and love handle fat tissues were enrolled in this prospective clinical study. They received six 45‐min weekly treatments with an RF field device over the abdominal and love handle regions. The body mass index and abdominal circumference were measured at baseline and at 4 and 8 weeks post the last treatment. The thickness of the abdomen and depth of subcutaneous abdominal fat tissue were respectively assessed using calipers and abdominal ultrasonography. A subset of 15 subjects was selected by randomization for fat volume measurement via abdominal CT. For safety evaluation, serum lipid, and liver‐related blood tests were performed at baseline and at the sixth treatment session. Subjects rated their heat perception level using a four point scale and their pain score using an 11‐point visual analog scale during RF treatment.

Results

Twenty‐four subjects (21 females and 3 males) completed this study with an 8‐week follow‐up. The average decreases in abdominal circumference at 4 and 8 weeks post treatment were 3.48 ± 2.11 cm (P < 0.001) and 5.12 ± 0.47 cm (P < 0.001), respectively. The average decreases in abdominal fat thickness at 4 and 8 weeks treatment were 0.27 ± 0.61 cm (P = 0.041) and 0.47 ± 0.60 cm (P = 0.001), respectively. The average decreases in subcutaneous fat tissue depth at 4 and 8 weeks post treatment were 0.16 ± 0.43 cm (P = 0.091) and 0.34 ± 0.39 cm (P < 0.001), respectively. However, there was no significant change in the subcutaneous fat tissue volume. The mean heat perception level was 2.24, and the mean pain score was 0.74. No serious adverse effects were observed during treatment and the follow‐up periods, and there were no clinically significant changes in lipid or liver‐related levels.

Conclusions

The adipocyte‐selective non‐contact RF field device appears to be effective and safe for improving abdominal contouring. Lasers Surg. Med. 50:738–744, 2018.© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cheminformatics Driven Development of Novel Therapies for Drug Resistant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Ban Fuqiang , Dalal Kush , LeBlanc Eric , Morin Hélène , Rennie Paul S. , Cherkasov Artem
Published: May 2018

Androgen receptor (AR) is a master regulator of prostate cancer (PCa), and therefore is a pivotal drug target for the treatment of PCa including its castration‐resistance form (CRPC). The development of acquired resistance is a major challenge in the use of the current antiandrogens. The recent advancements in inhibiting AR activity with small molecules specifically designed to target areas distinct from the receptor's androgen binding site are carefully discussed. Our new classes of AR inhibitors of AF2 and BF3 functional sites and DBD domains designed using cheminformatics techniques are promising to circumvent various AR‐dependent resistance mechanisms.
Polyphenol‐rich Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Ameliorate Functional Constipation Symptoms in Humans beyond Equivalent Amount of Fiber
Authors: Venancio Vinicius P. , Kim Hyemee , Sirven Maritza A. , Tekwe Carmen D. , Honvoh Gilson , Talcott Stephen T. , Mertens‐Talcott Susanne U.
Published: May 2018

Scope

Chronic constipation is a common gastrointestinal condition associated with intestinal inflammation and considerably impaired quality of life, affecting about 20% of Americans. Dietary fiber and laxatives aid in its treatment but do not fully address all symptoms, such as intestinal inflammation. Mango (Mangifera indica L.), a fiber‐ and polyphenol‐rich fruit may provide anti‐inflammatory effects in constipation.

Methods and results

The 4 week consumption of mango fruit (300 g) or the equivalent amount of fiber is investigated in otherwise healthy human volunteers with chronic constipation who are randomly assigned to either group. Blood and fecal samples and digestive wellness questionnaires are collected at the beginning and end of the study. Results show that mango consumption significantly improve constipation status (stool frequency, consistency, and shape) and increase gastrin levels and fecal concentrations of short chain fatty acid (valeric acid) while lowering endotoxin and interleukin 6 concentrations in plasma.

Conclusion

In this pilot study, the consumption of mango improves symptoms and associated biomarkers of constipation beyond an equivalent amount of fiber. Larger follow‐up studies would need to investigate biomarkers for intestinal inflammation in more detail.
Working Towards a Framework for Stock Evaluations in Data-Limited Fisheries
Authors: Sagarese Skyler R. , Rios Adyan B. , Cass-Calay Shannon L. , Cummings Nancie J. , Bryan Meaghan D. , Stevens Molly H. , Harford William J. , McCarthy Kevin J. , Matter Vivian M.
Published: May 2018

Data-limited approaches to managing fisheries are widespread in regions where insufficient data prevent traditional stock assessments from determining stock status with sufficient certainty to be useful for management. Where severe data limitations persist, a catch-only approach is commonly employed, such as in the U.S. Caribbean region. This approach, however, has not received the level of scrutiny required to determine the potential long-term risks (e.g., probability of overfishing) to fish stocks. In this study, we present a framework for comparison and implementation of data-limited methods, including the static Status Quo approach, which uses average catch landings. Candidate species for stock evaluation were identified through a data triage and included Yellowtail Snapper Ocyurus chrysurus (Puerto Rico), Queen Triggerfish Balistes vetula (St. Thomas and St. John), and Stoplight Parrotfish Sparisoma viride (St. Croix). Feasible data-limited methods, based on data availability and quality, included empirical indicator approaches using relative abundance (i.e., catch per unit effort) or mean length. Results from the management strategy evaluation support the use of adaptive data-limited methods, which incorporate feedback in contrast to the static Status Quo approach. The proposed framework can help guide the development of catch advice for dynamic fisheries management in data-limited regions.
Effect of Preservation in Formalin and Alcohol on the Growth Rate Estimates of Larval Northern Pike
Authors: Greszkiewicz Martyna , Fey Dariusz P.
Published: May 2018

Body length measurements and growth rate (GR) analysis are important steps in research on the ecology of early development stages of fish. In order to obtain accurate results, the lengths of field-collected and preserved larvae must be corrected for shrinkage. Northern Pike Esox lucius larvae were kept in the laboratory in freshwater conditions (300-L tank; temperature = 16°C), where they were fed six times a day ad libitum with aquaculture feed. Every 3 d over a period of 30 d, a subsample of approximately 30 larvae was collected, measured, and placed in separate vials in 96% alcohol and 4% formalin. All of the larvae (8.8–34 mm SL; n = 276) were measured again after 90 d of preservation. The shrinkage ranged from 0% to 11.6%, averaging 3.42% in alcohol (n = 134) and 3.74% in formalin (n = 139). The difference was not statistically significant. In both preservatives, the relative shrinkage (%) was higher for small fish than for large fish. The length correction for 8–34-mm SL fish in both alcohol and formalin should be done by adding 0.7 mm to the length measured after preservation. Shrinkage did not affect fish GRs estimated based on linear regression fitted to size-at-age data (0.645 mm/d for unpreserved larvae and 0.650 mm/d for preserved larvae). In the opposite case, when growth was estimated as mean GR between hatching and sampling, the shrinkage effect was significant: the mean GR was 0.604 mm/d for unpreserved larvae and 0.558 mm/d for preserved larvae. The presented shrinkage correction formula allows for obtaining accurate length and GR data for larval Northern Pike that should lead to conclusions that credibly support undertaking appropriate management strategies.
Compact representation of the full Broyden class of quasi‐Newton updates
Authors: DeGuchy Omar , Erway Jennifer B. , Marcia Roummel F.
Published: May 2018

In this paper, we present the compact representation for matrices belonging to the Broyden class of quasi‐Newton updates, where each update may be either rank one or rank two. This work extends previous results solely for the restricted Broyden class of rank‐two updates. In this article, it is not assumed that the same Broyden update is used in each iteration; rather, different members of the Broyden class may be used in each iteration. Numerical experiments suggest that a practical implementation of the compact representation is able to accurately represent matrices belonging to the Broyden class of updates. Furthermore, we demonstrate how to compute the compact representation for the inverse of these matrices and a practical algorithm for solving linear systems with members of the Broyden class of updates. We demonstrate through numerical experiments that the proposed linear solver is able to efficiently solve linear systems with members of the Broyden class of matrices with high accuracy. As an immediate consequence of this work, it is now possible to efficiently compute the eigenvalues of any limited‐memory member of the Broyden class of matrices, allowing for the computation of condition numbers and the ability to perform sensitivity analysis.