bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization of acute TLR-7 agonist-induced hemorrhagic myocarditis in mice by multiparametric quantitative cardiac magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Baxan Nicoleta , Papanikolaou Angelos , Salles-Crawley Isabelle , Lota Amrit , Chowdhury Rasheda , Dubois Olivier , Branca Jane , Hasham Muneer G. , Rosenthal Nadia , Prasad Sanjay K. , Zhao Lan , Harding Sian E. , Sattler Susanne 
Published: July 2019

ABSTRACT
Hemorrhagic myocarditis is a potentially fatal complication of excessive levels of systemic inflammation. It has been reported in viral infection, but is also possible in systemic autoimmunity. Epicutaneous treatment of mice with the Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR-7) agonist Resiquimod induces auto-antibodies and systemic tissue damage, including in the heart, and is used as an inducible mouse model of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Here, we show that overactivation of the TLR-7 pathway of viral recognition by Resiquimod treatment of CFN mice induces severe thrombocytopenia and internal bleeding, which manifests most prominently as hemorrhagic myocarditis. We optimized a cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) tissue mapping approach for the in vivo detection of diffuse infiltration, fibrosis and hemorrhages using a combination of T1, T2 and T2* relaxation times, and compared results with ex vivo histopathology of cardiac sections corresponding to CMR tissue maps. This allowed detailed correlation between in vivo CMR parameters and ex vivo histopathology, and confirmed the need to include T2* measurements to detect tissue iron for accurate interpretation of pathology associated with CMR parameter changes. In summary, we provide detailed histological and in vivo imaging-based characterization of acute hemorrhagic myocarditis as an acute cardiac complication in the mouse model of Resiquimod-induced SLE, and a refined CMR protocol to allow non-invasive longitudinal in vivo studies of heart involvement in acute inflammation. We propose that adding T2* mapping to CMR protocols for myocarditis diagnosis improves diagnostic sensitivity and interpretation of disease mechanisms.
This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Relationship between heart rate and optimal reconstruction phase in coronary CT angiography performed on a 256-slice multidetector CT
Authors: Yang Ching-Ching , Law Wei-Yip , Lu Kun-Mu , Wu Tung-Hsin 
Published: July 2019

Objective:
This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between heart rate (HR) and optimal reconstruction phase in prospectively electrocardiogram (ECG)-triggered coronary CT angiography (CCTA) performed on a newly introduced 256-slice multidetector CT (MDCT).

Methods:
All the cases were selected retrospectively from the patients scheduled for CCTA in our department between January and April 2017. The scanner selected the optimal exposure phase based on 10 s ECG recordings. To ensure the success of CCTA, the operator also checked patient's age, breathing control, emotional status and past medical history to decide whether the automatically selected scan phase needs manual adjustment or not. Images were reconstructed in 1% steps of the R–R interval to determine the cardiac phase with least coronary motion. If CCTA images showed moderate motion blurring or discontinuity in the course of coronary segments, a cardiac motion correction algorithm was applied to the reconstructed images. Subjective diagnostic image quality was evaluated with 4-point grading scale.

Results:
A total of 87 consecutive CCTA examinations were investigated in this study. Diastolic reconstruction was applied to all vessel segments in patients with HR &lt;63 bpm, where 36.5 and 77.8% of vessel segments were reconstructed with the use of motion correction in HR ≤57 and 58–62 bpm, respectively. As for patients with HR ≥63 bpm, 89.3 and 71.7% of vessel segments were reconstructed in diastole in HR 63–67 and ≥68 bpm, respectively, while 81 and 100% of vessel segments were reconstructed with the use of motion correction in the same HR groups.

Conclusion:
Based on our results, a HR less than 67 bpm can be used to identify appropriate patients for diastolic reconstruction. Although the motion correction algorithm is an effective approach to reduce the impact of cardiac motion in CCTA, HR control is still important to optimize the image quality of CCTA. The relationship between HR and optimal reconstruction phase established in this study could be further used to tailor the ECG pulsing window for dose reduction in patients undergoing CCTA performed on the 256-slice MDCT.

Advances in knowledge:
The HR thresholds to identify patients who are the best suitable candidates for diastolic or systolic reconstruction are scanner specific. This study investigated the relationship between HR and optimal reconstruction phase in prospectively ECG-triggered CCTA for a newly introduced 256-slice MDCT. Once the relationship is established, it could be used to tailor the ECG pulsing window for radiation dose reduction.
Radiation-induced optic neuropathy after pencil beam scanning proton therapy for skull-base and head and neck tumours
Authors: Kountouri Melpomeni , Pica Alessia , Walser Marc , Albertini Francesca , Bolsi Alessandra , Kliebsch Ulrike , Bachtiary Barbara , Combescure Christophe , Lomax Antony J. , Schneider Ralf , Weber Damien Charles 
Published: July 2019

Objective:
To assess the radiation-induced optic neuropathy (RION) prevalence, following high dose pencil beam scanning proton therapy (PBSPT) to skull base and head and neck (H&N) tumours

Methods:
Between 1999 and 2014, 216 adult patients, median age 47 years (range, 18–77), were treated with PBS PT for skull base or H&N malignancies, delivering ≥45 GyRBE to the optic nerve(s) (ON) and/or optic chiasma (OC). The median administered dose to the planning target volume was 74.0 GyRBE (range, 54.0–77.4). The median follow-up was 5.3 years (range, 0.8–15.9).

Results:
RION was observed in 14 (6.5%) patients at a median time of 13.2 months (range, 4.8–42.6) following PBSPT. Most (92.9%) of RION were symptomatic. Most affected patients (11/14; 79%) developed unilateral toxicity. Grade 4, 3, 2 and 1 toxicity was observed in 10, 2, 1 and 1 patients, respectively. On univariate analyses, age (&lt;70 vs ≥70 years; p &lt; 0.0001), hypertension (﻿p = 0.0007) and tumour abutting the optic apparatus (p = 0.012) were associated with RION. OC’s V60 GyRBE was of border line significance (p = 0.06). None of the other evaluated OC–ON dose/volume metrics (Dmax, Dmean, V40-60) were significantly associated with this complication.

Conclusion:
These data suggest that high-dose PBS PT for skull base and H&N tumours is associated with a low prevalence of RION. Caution should be however exercised when treating elderly/hypertensive patients with tumours abutting the optic apparatus.

Advances in knowledge:
This is the first study reporting the risk of developing RION following proton therapy with PBS technique, demonstrating the safety of this treatment.
Age and sex estimation based on pulp cavity volume using cone beam computed tomography: development and validation of formulas in a Brazilian sample
Authors: Andrade Vanessa M , Fontenele Rocharles C , de Souza Andreia CB , Almeida Casimiro AP de , Vieira Andrea CD , Groppo Francisco C , Freitas Deborah Q , Junior Eduardo D 
Published: July 2019

Objectives: To develop and validate formulas for age and sex estimation based on the pulp cavity volume of teeth using cone beam CT. Methods: The sample was composed of 116 cone beam CT scans from Brazilian individuals of both sexes, ranging in age from 13 to 70 years. A total of 232 teeth (upper central incisors and canines) were evaluated. Two calibrated examiners determined pulp cavity volumes using the ITK-SNAP software. Pearson’s correlation test was used to assess the correlation between chronological age and pulp volume. Linear and logistic regression models were developed for age and sex estimation, respectively, and were validated in another sample of 72 teeth. Results: Pearson’s correlation coefficients between age and pulp volume were negative and significant (p < 0.0001) for both teeth (r = −0.8782 for central incisors and r = −0.8738 for canines). The age estimation formulas showed good determination coefficients (adjusted R² = 0.7614 to 0.8367). For sex estimation, when the age was known, the coefficients were also good (adjusted R² = 0.649 to 0.812). However, when the age was unknown, the coefficients of the sex estimation formulas were low (adjusted R² = 0.047 to 0.393). Validation showed high accuracy of age estimation in individuals older than 35 years, as well as high accuracy of sex estimation when the age was known. Conclusions: Our formulas provided excellent results and can be applied to the Brazilian population. The best results were observed for age estimation in females and for sex estimation when the age was known.
Examining the “Repletion Reflex”: The Association between Serum Potassium and Outcomes in Hospitalized Patients with Heart Failure
Authors: O'Sullivan Kevin F , Kashef Mohammad Amin , Knee Alexander B , Roseman Alexander S , PhD Penelope S Pekow , Stefan Mihaela S , Shieh Meng‐Shiou , Pack Quinn R , MD Peter K Lindenauer , MD Tara Lagu 
Published: July 2019

BACKGROUNDIn patients hospitalized with heart failure (HF) exacerbations, physicians routinely supplement potassium to maintain levels ≥4.0 mEq/L. The evidence basis for this practice is relatively weak. We aimed to evaluate the association between serum potassium levels and outcomes in patients hospitalized with H F.METHODSWe identified patients admitted with acute HF exacerbations to hospitals that contributed to an electronic health record‐derived dataset. In a subset of patients with normal admission serum potassium (3.5‐5.0 mEq/L), we averaged serum potassium values during a 72‐hour exposure window and categorized as follows: <4.0 mEq/L (low normal), 4.0‐4.5 mEq/L (medium normal), and >4.5 mEq/L (high normal). We created multivariable models examining associations between these categories and outcomes.RESULTSWe included 4,995 patients: 2,080 (41.6%), 2,326 (46.6%), and 589 (11.8%) in the <4.0, 4.0‐4.5, and >4.5 mEq/L cohorts, respectively. After adjustment for demographics, comorbidities, and presenting severity, we observed no difference in outcomes between the low and medium normal groups. Compared to patients with levels <4.0 mEq/L, patients with a potassium level of >4.5 mEq/L had a longer length of stay (median of 0.6 days; 95% CI: 0.1 to 1.0) but did not have statistically significant increases in mortality (OR [odds ratio] = 1.51; 95% CI: 0.97 to 2.36) or transfers to the intensive care unit (OR = 1.78; 95% CI: 0.98 to 3.26).CONCLUSIONSInpatients with heart failure who had mean serum potassium levels of <4.0 showed similar outcomes to those with mean serum potassium values of 4.0‐4.5. Compared with mean serum potassium level of <4.0, mean serum levels of >4.5 may be associated with increased risk of poor outcomes.
Iris recognition under the influence of diabetes
Authors: Azimi Mohammadreza , Rasoulinejad Seyed Ahmad , Pacut Andrzej 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
In this study, iris recognition under the influence of diabetes was investigated. A new database containing 1318 pictures from 343 irides – 546 images from 162 healthy irides (62% female users, 38% male users, 21% <20 years old, 61% (20) < 40 years old, 12% (40) <60 years old and 6% more than 60 years old) and 772 iris images from 181 diabetic eyes but with a clearly visible iris pattern (80% female users, 20% male users, 1% <20 years old, 17.5% (20) <40 years old, 46.5% (40) <60 years old and 35% more than 60 years old) – were collected. All of the diabetes-affected eyes had clearly visible iris patterns without any visible impairments and only type II diabetic patients with at least 2 years of being diabetic were considered for the investigation. Three different open source iris recognition codes and one commercial software development kit were used for achieving the iris recognition system’s performance evaluation results under the influence of diabetes. For statistical analysis, the t-test and the Kolmogorov-Simonov test were used.
Remarks on the self-shrinking Clifford torus
Authors: Evans Christopher G. , Lotay Jason D. , Schulze Felix 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
On the one hand, we prove that the Clifford torus in

ℂ
2

{\mathbb{C}^{2}}

is unstable for Lagrangian mean curvature flow under arbitrarily small Hamiltonian perturbations, even though it is Hamiltonian F-stable and locally area minimising under Hamiltonian variations. On the other hand, we show that the Clifford torus is rigid: it is locally unique as a self-shrinker for mean curvature flow, despite having infinitesimal deformations which do not arise from rigid motions. The proofs rely on analysing higher order phenomena: specifically, showing that the Clifford torus is not a local entropy minimiser even under Hamiltonian variations, and demonstrating that infinitesimal deformations which do not generate rigid motions are genuinely obstructed.
Translators asymptotic to cylinders
Authors: Hershkovits Or 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
We show that the Bowl soliton in

ℝ
3

{\mathbb{R}^{3}}

is the unique translating solution of the mean curvature flow whose tangent flow at

-
∞

{-\infty}

is the shrinking cylinder. As an application, we show that for a generic mean curvature flow, all (non-static) translating limit flows are the bowl soliton. The crucial point is that we do not make any global convexity assumption, while as the same time, the asymptotic requirement is very weak.
Chromatographic Examinations in the Gas Network Odourised by Tetrahydrothiophene
Authors: Juszczak Magdalena , Szyłak-Szydłowski Mirosław 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
The paper presents the results of the spread of the tetrahydrothiophene (THT) - used as odourant - in the gas network. Such analyses allow quick detection of leaks in networks, systems and devices of gas supply directly to consumers. The main goal of the study was to determine the effectiveness of the use of portable chromatograph and comparing it with a stationary odourant concentration analyser. Based on these studies, an attempt to determine the odouration zone for the selected city have been also taken. For this purpose, three series of measurements were made - in each series 13 points were analysed. Obtained results confirmed the effectiveness of the measurement a concentration of odourant in the gas network using a portable gas chromatograph - difference in relation to the stationary chromatograph ranged from 1.91 to 2.55 %.
The Possibility of Contamination of Water-Soil Environment as a Result of the Use of Pig Slurry
Authors: Marszałek Marta , Kowalski Zygmunt , Makara Agnieszka 
Published: July 2019

AbstractPig slurry is a heterogeneous mixture of faeces, urine, undigested remains of feed items and water used for flushing of animal excrement and to maintain the proper hygiene of livestock housing. It is formed on farms which use the non-bedding system of pig breeding i.e. animals are kept on the partially or fully slatted floors. According to the Polish law pig slurry is defined as a liquid natural fertilizer intended for agricultural use. The storage and application of pig slurry on arable land affect the surroundings and may create a number of serious risks related to, among others, the pollution of water-soil environment with biogenic elements, heavy metals, pathogens and pharmaceuticals. The article presents the reasons for the occurrence of excessive amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, copper, zinc and antibiotics in pig slurry. The possibility of microbial and pharmaceutical contamination of water, soil and plants as well as their pollution with biogens and heavy metals as a result of improper storage and excessive spreading of pig slurry have been characterized. Moreover, methods of preventing the above-mentioned threats with reference to Polish and EU legal acts have been discussed.
New Approaches in Biological Wastewater Treatment Aimed at Removal of Organic Matter and Nutrients
Authors: Sabliy Larisa , Kuzminskiy Yevgeniy , Zhukova Veronika , Kozar Marina , Sobczuk Henryk 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
The article presents the developed anaerobic-aerobic wastewater treatment technologies. These technologies aimed at removing the organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus by means of microorganisms immobilized on fibrous carrier surfaces. The results of the laboratory research show the high efficiency of milk wastewater treatment. The following degrees of reduction were achieved for the pollutant indicators: COD -86.7-93 %, total nitrogen - 96.9-97.9 %. Compared to the traditional treatment technologies applied in Ukraine, these values are high. The concentration of organic matters and biomass of not attached bacteria decreased in bioreactor chambers. When the purification process ends, a small amount of excess biomass remains; therefore, its self-oxidation and self-regulation occurs as a result of consumption by the organisms occupying higher levels of trophic chains. The use of anaerobic-aerobic bioreactors system for the treatment of wastewater enables achieving high outflow quality and prevents the suspended substances from slipping. Immobilization of microorganisms on the first stage of the technology prevents the formation of big amount of excessive sludge and removes biomass from the bioreactor, which allows the technology even for the heavily polluted wastewater. In reactors containing immobilized microorganisms, the organic matter compounds used in subsequent reactors for phosphate accumulation are split. The presented biotechnology saves electric energy, provides sufficient quality of treatment, and ensure the compliance of treated wastewater with the effluent standards.
Groups with vanishing class size 𝑝
Authors: Bianchi Mariagrazia , Lewis Mark L. , Pacifici Emanuele 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Let G be a finite group.
A conjugacy class of G is said to be vanishing if there exists an irreducible character of G which takes the value 0 on the elements of this class.
In this note, we describe the groups whose vanishing classes all have size p for some prime p.
Asymptotic analysis of solving an inverse boundary value problem for a nonlinear singularly perturbed time-periodic reaction-diffusion-advection equation
Authors: Lukyanenko Dmitry V. , Shishlenin Maxim A. , Volkov Vladimir T. 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
In this paper, a new asymptotic-numerical approach to solving an inverse boundary value problem for a nonlinear singularly perturbed parabolic equation with time-periodic coefficients is proposed.
An unknown boundary condition is reconstructed by using known additional information about the location of a moving front.
An asymptotic analysis of the direct problem allows us to reduce the original inverse problem to that with a simpler numerical solution.
Numerical examples demonstrate the efficiency of the method.
High Speed Passive Optical Network Based Elastic Optical Communication System
Authors: Mishra Nikhlesh Kumar , Upadhyay Kamal Kishore , Shukla N. K. 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
For addressing needs of modern day communication needs, new type of networks are required to be evolved to cater the demand of high data rates. Use of survivable elastic-optical-network (EON) with existing passive-optical-networks (PON) may provide the solution for this. The present work focus on employing EON–PON based wave-length-division multiplexing enabled communication system comprises of 2×5 Gbps for downlink and 2×1 Gbps for uplink over a single-mode-fibre of length 100 km. The results are the evaluated via bit-error-rate analyser, q factor and eye diagrams.
Benefits of aerobic training in girls with precocious puberty: involvement of CRP and cortisol
Authors: Heidarianpour Ali , Shokri Elnaz , Baghian Tayebe , Shokri Behnaz 
Published: July 2019

Abstract

Background
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 12 weeks of aerobic training, 4 weeks of detraining and use gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) on serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and cortisol levels in girls with central precocious puberty (CPP).

Methods
Forty-five girls (aged 6–8 years) with precocious puberty were randomly divided into three groups (medication, training and medicine + training groups). Fifteen healthy girls (without precocious puberty) were also included as the control group. Serum CRP and cortisol levels were measured at baseline by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Then, the experimental groups performed an aerobic training program for 3 days/week 20–75 min per day at 45–75% maximum heart rate for 12 weeks. The medication groups also received GnRHa during the study, once a month (1 mL every 4 weeks) by intramuscular injection. Serum CRP and cortisol levels were measured again 48 h after the last training session and also after 4 weeks of detraining.

Results
Analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures showed a significant decrease in CRP (p = 0.02) and cortisol levels (p = 0.01) in the training group and the medicine + training group. Detraining led to return of CRP and cortisol levels to the pre-training levels (p = 0.001). No significant difference in serum CRP (p = 0.43) and cortisol levels (p = 0.06) was observed in the medication group. Further, no significant difference was observed between groups in CRP and cortisol.

Conclusions
Long-term regular moderate training decreases inflammation indices, and detraining eliminates the benefits of training in girls with precocious puberty.
Future glycemic control of children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus at toddler and preschool/school age
Authors: Aeppli Tim R.J. , Mahler Fiona L. , Konrad Daniel 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe main objective of this study was to compare future glycemic control in children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) at toddler age and preschool/school age. In addition, we aimed to examine risk factors known to be associated with future glycated hemoglobin A1c(HbA1c)levels in children diagnosed with T1DM.MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort study of 85 patients diagnosed with T1DM at toddler age (group 1; 0–2.9 years; n = 36) or preschool/school age (group 2; 5–6.9 years; n = 49) who were followed up at the University Children’s Hospital in Zurich for at least 10 consecutive years or until the age of 15 years.ResultsThe mean HbA1clevel in the first year after diagnosis had a highly predictive value about glycemic control in the following 6 years. In addition, a longer duration of T1DM was associated with higher HbA1cvalues. HbA1cvalues did not differ significantly within 11 years after diagnosis between children in the two age groups. Neither was a difference found when comparing the two groups in respect to their chronological age, although a trend was noted (p = 0.09). This trend is very likely due to a longer duration of diabetes in group 1.ConclusionsHbA1clevel in the first year predicts glycemic control for the next 6 years and deterioration of HbA1cvalues can be noted with longer duration of T1DM. Moreover, our study demonstrated similar future glycemic control in patients diagnosed with T1DM at toddler age and preschool/school age.