bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Three‐dimensional echocardiography for the assessment of the tricuspid valve
Authors: Peters Andrew C. , Gong Fei Fei , Rigolin Vera H. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractTricuspid valve pathology is increasingly recognized as an important contributor to patient morbidity. Accordingly, interest in transcatheter interventions for tricuspid valve disease has continued to grow. Echocardiographic imaging of the tricuspid valve has therefore become an integral component of patient assessment and the essential imaging modality for interventional procedures. The need for improved tricuspid valve imaging has highlighted the variability in tricuspid valve anatomy and the difficulties of using two‐dimensional (2D) echocardiography alone to determine the location and type of tricuspid valve disease. Here, three‐dimensional (3D) imaging using tools such as biplane imaging, multiplanar reconstruction and live 3D acquisition allow a more accurate and efficient evaluation of the tricuspid valve. The 3D imaging of the tricuspid valve is often focused on transesophageal echocardiography, but the more anterior location of the tricuspid valve also lends itself to assessment with transthoracic echocardiography. In this review, we will examine how 3D imaging can complement and enhance the information obtained from 2D echocardiography, and present novel applications for the quantitation of valvular disease and its utility in intraprocedural imaging.
Assessment of left atrial volume and function in patients with Sjögren's syndrome using three‐dimensional echocardiography
Authors: Hidayet Şiho , Yağmur Jülide , Karaca Yücel , Bayramoğlu Adil , Yolbaş Servet , Hidayet Emine , Ulutaş Zeynep , Pekdemir Hasan 
Published: April 2020

AbstractObjectiveWe used real time, three‐dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (3DTTE) to evaluate left atrial (LA) volume and mechanical function in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS).MethodsWe prospectively included 42 consecutive patients with primary SS and 42 controls who were similar in terms of basal characteristics. 3DTTE was used to assess LA function.ResultsMaximum LA volume, minimum LA volume, pre‐atrial contraction LA volume, LA Active Stroke Volume (ASV), LA Total Stroke Volume (TSV), maximal left atrial volume index (LAVImax), Left atrial pre‐contraction volume index, and Left atrial minimum volume index, ASV index, and TSV index were significantly higher in the SS group, and the LA Total Emptying Fraction, LA Expansion Index, and LA Passive Emptying Fraction were significantly lower. Although the active emptying fraction was higher in the SS group, the difference was not statistically significant. LAVImax was positive correlated with disease duration (r = .753).ConclusionLeft atrial function is impaired in SS patients and serves as an early marker of subclinical cardiac involvement.
Brain‐synthesized oestrogens regulate cortical migration in a sexually divergent manner
Authors: Sellers Katherine J. , Denley Matthew C.S. , Saito Atsushi , Foster Evangeline M. , Salgarella Irene , Delogu Alessio , Kamiya Atsushi , Srivastava Deepak P. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractOestrogens play an important role in brain development where they have been implicated in controlling various cellular processes. Several lines of evidence have been presented showing that oestrogens can be synthesized locally within the brain. Studies have demonstrated that aromatase, the enzyme responsible for the conversion of androgens to oestrogens, is expressed during early development in both male and female cortices. Furthermore, 17β‐oestradiol has been measured in foetal brain tissue from multiple species. 17β‐oestradiol regulates neural progenitor proliferation as well as the development of early neuronal morphology. However, what role locally derived oestrogens play in regulating cortical migration and, moreover, whether these effects are the same in males and females are unknown. Here, we investigated the impact of knockdown expression of Cyp19a1, which encodes aromatase, between embryonic day (E) 14.5 and postnatal day 0 (P0) had on neural migration within the cortex. Aromatase was expressed in the developing cortex of both sexes, but at significantly higher levels in male than female mice. Under basal conditions, no obvious differences in cortical migration between male and female mice were observed. However, knockdown of Cyp19a1 resulted in an increase in cells within the cortical plate, and a concurrent decrease in the subventricular zone/ventricular zone in P0 male mice. Interestingly, the opposite effect was observed in females, who displayed a significant reduction in cells migrating to the cortical plate. Together, these findings indicate that brain‐derived oestrogens regulate radial migration through distinct mechanisms in males and females.
Plant volatiles induced by herbivore eggs prime defences and mediate shifts in the reproductive strategy of receiving plants
Authors: Pashalidou Foteini G. , Eyman Lisa , Sims James , Buckley James , Fatouros Nina E. , De Moraes Consuelo M. , Mescher Mark C. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractPlants can detect cues associated with the risk of future herbivory and modify defence phenotypes accordingly; however, our current understanding is limited both with respect to the range of early warning cues to which plants respond and the nature of the responses. Here we report that exposure to volatile emissions from plant tissues infested with herbivore eggs promotes stronger defence responses to subsequent herbivory in two Brassica species. Furthermore, exposure to these volatile cues elicited an apparent shift from growth to reproduction in Brassica nigra, with exposed plants exhibiting increased flower and seed production, but reduced leaf production, relative to unexposed controls. Our results thus document plant defence priming in response to a novel environmental cue, oviposition‐induced plant volatiles, while also showing that plant responses to early warning cues can include changes in both defence and life‐history traits.
Semiologic subgroups of insulo‐opercular seizures based on connectional architecture atlas
Authors: Wang Haixiang , McGonigal Aileen , Zhang Kai , Guo Qiang , Zhang Bingqing , Wang Xiu , Wang Xiao , Lin Jiuluan , Song Xiancheng , Feng Qian , Wang Siyu , Wang Mengyang , Shao Xiaoqiu , Liu Xiaoyan , Wang Liang , Zhou Wenjing 
Published: April 2020

AbstractObjectiveInsulo‐opercular seizures are characterized by diverse semiology, related to the insula's multiple functional roles and extensive connectivity. We aimed to identify semiologic subgroups and correlate these with insulo‐opercular subregions based on connectional architecture.MethodsWe retrospectively collected a large series of 37 patients with insulo‐opercular seizures explored by stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) from three epilepsy centers. A new human brain atlas (Brainnetome Atlas, BNA) based on both anatomic and functional connections was employed to segment insulo‐opercular cortex. Semiology and SEEG changes were carefully reviewed and quantified. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis were used to correlate semiologic characteristics with insulo‐opercular subregions.ResultsFour main semiologic subgroups were identified, organized along an anteroventral to posterodorsal axis based on BNA. Group 1 was characterized by epigastric sensation and/or integrated gestural motor behaviors with or without feelings of fear or rage, involving the anteroventral insular regions and mesial temporal lobes. Group 2 was characterized by auditory sensations and symmetric proximal/axial tonic signs involving the posteroventral temporal operculum. The characteristics of group 3 were orofacial and laryngeal signs, involving the intermediate insulo‐opercular regions. The features of group 4 were somatosensory signs followed by nonintegrated gestural motor behaviors and/or asymmetric tonic signs involving the posterodorsal insulo‐opercular regions with propagation to the mesial frontal lobes. Thus anteroventral seizure organizations predominantly showed limbic system semiology, whereas more posterodorsal regions were associated with semiology involving mainly the sensorimotor system. Subjective symptoms proved to be particularly discriminating factors.SignificanceInsulo‐opercular seizures can be categorized in terms of clinical semiology and correlate with connectional architecture subregions along an anteroventral‐posterodorsal axis in line with the cytoarchitectonic gradient rather than the gyral anatomy of the insula cortex. This provides new insights into facilitating differential diagnosis and presurgical localization but also highlights the importance of considering connectional architecture in determining neural correlates of complex semiologic patterns.
Circulating miR‐146a and miR‐134 in predicting drug‐resistant epilepsy in patients with focal impaired awareness seizures
Authors: Leontariti Maria , Avgeris Margaritis , Katsarou Martha‐Spyridoula , Drakoulis Nikolaos , Siatouni Anna , Verentzioti Anastasia , Alexoudi Athanasia , Fytraki Aggeliki , Patrikelis Panayiotis , Vassilacopoulou Dido , Gatzonis Stylianos , Sideris Diamantis C. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractObjectiveEpilepsy is one of the most prevalent neurologic disorders, causing serious psychological problems and reducing quality of life. Although 20 different antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 30% of patients have drug‐resistant epilepsy (DRE). Considering the role of miR‐146a and miR‐134 in neuroinflammation and dendritic functionality, respectively, the aim of this study was the clinical evaluation of circulating miR‐146a and miR‐134 as novel noninvasive molecular markers for the prognosis of refractory epilepsy.MethodsThe study included 162 patients with focal impaired awareness seizures. Total RNA was extracted from serum samples spiked with synthetic cel‐miR‐39‐3p for normalization purposes. First‐strand complementary DNA (cDNA) synthesis was performed using microRNA‐specific stem‐loop primers, and hsa‐miR‐134/146a levels were quantified by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). DRE was used as clinical end point event. Internal validation was performed by bootstrap analysis, and decision curve analysis was used to evaluate the clinical benefit on disease prognosis.ResultsThe circulating levels of both miR‐134 and miR‐146a were elevated in patients with drug‐resistant seizures. The receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) curve and logistic regression analysis demonstrated that patients with increased circulating miR‐134/146a levels are at significantly higher risk for developing DRE, independently of temporal lobe sclerosis, epilepsy duration, familial history, age at first seizure, age, body mass index (BMI), smoking behavior, and gender. Finally, decision curve analysis highlighted that the evaluation of circulating miR‐134/146a led to superior clinical benefit for DRE prognosis and patients' risk stratification.SignificanceElevated serum miR‐134/146a levels are associated with a higher risk for AED‐resistant epilepsy and could constitute novel noninvasive molecular markers to improve disease early prognosis and support precision medicine.
The fixed set search applied to the power dominating set problem
Authors: Jovanovic Raka , Voss Stefan 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIn this article, we focus on solving the power dominating set problem and its connected version. These problems are frequently used for finding optimal placements of phasor measurement units in power systems. We present an improved integer linear program (ILP) for both problems. In addition, a greedy constructive algorithm and a local search are developed. A greedy randomised adaptive search procedure (GRASP) algorithm is created to find near optimal solutions for large scale problem instances. The performance of the GRASP is further enhanced by extending it to the novel fixed set search (FSS) metaheuristic. Our computational results show that the proposed ILP has a significantly lower computational cost than existing ILPs for both versions of the problem. The proposed FSS algorithm manages to find all the optimal solutions that have been acquired using the ILP. In the last group of tests, it is shown that the FSS can significantly outperform the GRASP in both solution quality and computational cost.
Increased soluble (pro)renin receptor protein by autophagy inhibition in cultured cancer cells
Authors: Endo Moe , Ohba Koji , Sato Shigemitsu , Yokota Yurina , Takahashi Kazuhiro 
Published: April 2020

Abstract(Pro)renin receptor ((P)RR) regulates the renin–angiotensin system and functions as an essential accessory subunit of vacuolar H+‐ATPase. There is accumulating evidence that shows close relationship between (P)RR and autophagy. Soluble (P)RR consisting of the extracellular domain of (P)RR is generated from (P)RR by proteolytic enzymes. The aim of the present study was to clarify the influence of autophagy inhibition on soluble (P)RR expression in cancer cells. Autophagy was inhibited by treatment of bafilomycin A1 or chloroquine in MCF‐7 and A549 cells for 72 hr. Western blot analysis showed that protein levels of soluble (P)RR were markedly elevated by autophagy inhibition, whereas no noticeable increases were observed in full‐length (P)RR. Secretion of soluble (P)RR into the medium was increased dose‐dependently by bafilomycin A1 or chloroquine. Autophagy inhibition was confirmed by enhanced accumulation of autophagy‐related proteins, LC3, p62 and LAMP1 in intracellular vesicles. Increased amount of soluble (P)RR by autophagy inhibition was decreased by site‐1 protease inhibitor, whereas no noticeable increase in site‐1 protease immunoreactivity was observed in cells with autophagy inhibition by immunocytochemistry. These findings suggest that soluble (P)RR protein accumulates by autophagy inhibition, possibly because of the reduced degradation of soluble (P)RR in the intracellular vesicles during autophagy inhibition.
Vertical Discretization Impact in Numerical Modeling of Matrix Diffusion in Contaminated Groundwater
Authors: Farhat Shahla K. , Adamson David T. , Gavaskar Arun R. , Lee Sophia A. , Falta Ronald W. , Newell Charles J. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractUnderstanding the effects of contaminants that can diffuse into low‐permeability (“low‐k”) zones is crucial for effective groundwater remedial decision‐making. Because low‐k zones can serve as low‐level sources of contamination to more transmissive zones over time, an accurate evaluation of the impacts of matrix diffusion at contaminated sites is vital. This study compared numerical groundwater flow and transport simulations using MODFLOW/RT3D at a hypothetical site using three cases, each with increasing discretization of the vertical 10‐m thick domain: (1) a coarse multilayer heterogeneous grid based on one layer for each of four different hydrogeological units, (2) a “low‐resolution” discretization approach where the low‐k units were divided into several sublayers giving the model 10 layers, and (3) a “high‐resolution” numerical model with 199 layers that are a few centimeters thick. When comparing the results of each case, significant differences were observed between the discretizations used, even though all other model input data were identical. The conventional grid models (Cases 1 and 2) appeared to underestimate groundwater plume concentrations by a factor ranging from 1.1 to 36 when compared to the high‐resolution grid model (Case 3), and underestimated predicted cleanup times by more than a factor of 10 for some of the hypothetical sampling points in the modeling domain. These results validate the implication of Chapman et al. (2012), that conventional vertical discretization of numerical groundwater flow and transport models at contaminated sites (with layers that are greater than 1 m thick) can lead to significant errors when compared to more accurate high‐resolution vertical discretization schemes (layers that are centimeters thick).
Fluoride‐Selective Electrode as a Tool to Evaluate the Degradation of PFAS in Groundwater: A Bench‐Scale Investigation
Authors: Stonebridge Janice , Baldwin Rachel , Thomson Neil R. , Ptacek Carol 
Published: April 2020

AbstractFluoride (F−) concentration in groundwater can be used as an independent measure of the degradation of per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at contaminated sites. This study assessed the impact of the groundwater matrix, oxidizing reagents, quenching agent, and sample handling procedures (filtration) on determinations of F−. F− was quantified using a fluoride‐selective electrode (FSE) using matrix spike recovery (acceptable range 75 to 125%) and electrode slope performance (ideal range −54 to −60 mV). For the unaltered aqueous matrices considered (ultrapure water, ultrapure water with sodium chloride, and simulated groundwater), matrix spike recoveries were greater than 93% and acceptable electrode slopes (−59.5 ± 0.2 mV) were obtained. Matrix spike recoveries and electrode slopes when persulfate or permanganate was added were 87 and 93%, and −58.4 ± 1.3 and −47.3 ± 2.2 mV, respectively. Therefore, quantifying F− in matrices containing permanganate should involve use of either a matrix‐matched calibration curve or the method of standard additions due to the low electrode slope. The addition of ascorbic acid as a quenching agent resulted in a decrease in matrix spike recoveries to <74% and suggests alternate quenching procedures should be used if an FSE is employed to measure F−. Removal of sediments by filtration prior to the addition of the fluoride spike led to improved matrix spike recoveries (>96%), which were otherwise underestimated using the FSE in the presence of sediments. While the FSE may be a quick and portable tool, its significant limitations need to be fully understood before it can be used to quantify the production of F− resulting from the potential degradation of PFAS at field sites.
Zircon U–Pb geochronology of “Sashu mylonite”, eastern extension of Higo Plutono‐metamorphic Complex, Southwest Japan: Implication for regional tectonic evolution
Authors: Kawaguchi Kenta , Hayasaka Yasutaka , Das Kaushik , Shibata Tomoyuki , Kimura Kosuke 
Published: April 2020

AbstractGeochronological and geochemical studies reveal the possible origin of the restricted body of mylonite rocks occurring at the eastern edge of Kyushu Island, Japan, just in contact with the Sashu Fault, a part of the Paleo‐Median Tectonic Line (Paleo‐MTL). The LA‐ICP‐MS zircon U–Pb dating of the quartz diorite mylonite in this mylonitic body indicates a crystallization age of 114.0 ±1.7 Ma. Moreover, the two tonalite samples appear as thin layers within the Permian fine‐grained mafic mylonite; a part of the same body yields the age of 113.7 ±2.3 Ma and 116.9 ±1.3 Ma, with extremely low Th/U ratio. These quartz diorite mylonite and tonalite are consistent with the late Early Cretaceous magmatism and coeval metamorphism similar to those in the Higo Plutono‐metamorphic Complex in western Kyushu, Japan. This newly characterized complex occurs just south of the Cretaceous Sambagawa metamorphic rocks. The newly characterized mylonitic rocks are lying structurally above the Sambagawa Metamorphic Complex and are distributed along the Paleo‐MTL. The extension of the Higo Plutonometamorphic Complex, as well as the structural relationship between this complex and the Sambagawa Metamorphic Complex, is still controversial but holds a key to reconstruct the tectonic evolution of Southwest Japan during the Late Mesozoic to Early Cenozoic period. Hence, this article provides new insight into the reconstruction of the evolution history of East Asia as an active convergent margin.
Effectiveness of individual face‐to‐face exercise counselling in changing exercise behaviours to relieve symptom distress in pregnant women
Authors: Lee Ching‐Fang , Huang Yao‐Chung , Wen Fur‐Hsing , Lin Chen‐Ju , Chi Li‐Kang , Chang Chun‐Wei 
Published: April 2020

AbstractAimThe present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of individualized exercise counselling in changing exercise behaviour and relieving pregnancy‐related distress symptoms in pregnant women.MethodsA quasi‐experimental design and convenience sampling technique were used. Participants were recruited from the prenatal outpatient departments of medical centre hospitals in Taipei, Taiwan. The experimental group (n = 52) received face‐to‐face exercise counselling followed by 8 weeks of exercise sessions in their homes. The control group (n = 49) received no exercise counselling. Pregnancy‐related distress symptoms were assessed before and after 8 weeks in both groups.ResultsThe after‐counselling scores of total (t = 2.46, P < 0.05) and physical (t = 3.18, P < 0.01) distress symptoms were significantly lower than the before‐counselling scores in the experimental group. The total, physical and psychological distress scores significantly differed between groups and before and after counselling. The adjusted R2 values for total, physical and psychological distress symptoms ranged from 0.59 to 0.70. Participants' exercise habits increased from prepregnancy (19.2%) to after counselling (71.2%).ConclusionExercise counselling may effectively increase exercise habits and reduce pregnancy‐related distress symptoms among pregnant women. Women with higher pretest symptom distress scores also had higher posttest symptom distress scores. Based on our outcomes, health care providers should routinely provide exercise counselling to pregnant women.
Perioperative and oncological outcomes of laparoscopic radical cystectomy with intracorporeal versus extracorporeal ileal conduit: A matched‐pair comparison in a multicenter cohort in Japan
Authors: Kanno Toru , Inoue Takahiro , Kawakita Mutsushi , Ito Katsuhiro , Okumura Kazuhiro , Yamada Hitoshi , Kubota Masashi , Fujii Masato , Shimizu Yosuke , Yatsuda Junji , Kobori Go , Moroi Seiji , Shichiri Yasumasa , Akao Toshiya , Sawada Atsuro , Saito Ryoichi , Kobayashi Takashi , Ogawa Osamu 
Published: April 2020

ObjectivesTo compare the perioperative and oncological outcomes of pure laparoscopic intracorporeal ileal conduit urinary diversion versus extracorporeal ileal conduit urinary diversion after laparoscopic radical cystectomy for bladder cancer in a multicenter cohort in Japan.MethodA total of 455 patients who underwent laparoscopic radical cystectomy carried out at 10 institutions were included in this retrospective study. The perioperative data of the intracorporeal ileal conduit urinary diversion and extracorporeal ileal conduit urinary diversion groups were compared using the propensity score matching method. The Kaplan–Meier curves were obtained to elucidate time to ureteroenteric stricture, reoperation, recurrence and survival.ResultsIn total, 72 matched pairs were evaluated for the final analysis. The median follow‐up period was 28 and 23 months in the intracorporeal ileal conduit urinary diversion and extracorporeal ileal conduit urinary diversion groups, respectively. The operative time in the intracorporeal ileal conduit urinary diversion group was approximately 1 h longer than that in the extracorporeal ileal conduit urinary diversion group. The early and late postoperative complication rates were similar in both groups, except for the reduced wound‐related complication rates in the intracorporeal ileal conduit urinary diversion group. The median days to regular oral food intake were 4 and 5 days in the intracorporeal ileal conduit urinary diversion and extracorporeal ileal conduit urinary diversion groups, respectively (P = 0.014). No significant difference was noted in the occurrence of ureteroenteric strictures and reoperation rate. Furthermore, recurrence‐free, cancer‐specific, and overall survival rates and recurrence patterns did not significantly differ.ConclusionsLaparoscopic intracorporeal ileal conduit urinary diversion is a safe, feasible and reproducible procedure with similar postoperative complication rates, ureteroenteric stricture rate and oncological outcomes when compared with extracorporeal ileal conduit urinary diversion, but faster postoperative bowel recovery and decreased wound‐related complication rates.