bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Technical assessment of a mobile CT scanner for image‐guided brachytherapy
Authors: Chernavsky Nicole E. , Morcos Marc , Wu Pengwei , Viswanathan Akila N. , Siewerdsen Jeffrey H. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractPurposeThe imaging performance and dose of a mobile CT scanner (Brainlab Airo®, Munich, Germany) is evaluated, with particular consideration to assessment of technique protocols for image‐guided brachytherapy.MethodDose measurements were performed using a 100‐mm‐length pencil chamber at the center and periphery of 16‐ and 32‐cm‐diameter CTDI phantoms. Hounsfield unit (HU) accuracy and linearity were assessed using materials of specified electron density (Gammex RMI, Madison, WI), and image uniformity, noise, and noise‐power spectrum (NPS) were evaluated in a 20‐cm‐diameter water phantom as well as an American College of Radiology (ACR) CT accreditation phantom (Model 464, Sun Nuclear, Melbourne, FL). Spatial resolution (modulation transfer function, MTF) was assessed with an edge‐spread phantom and visually assessed with respect to line‐pair patterns in the ACR phantom and in structures of interest in anthropomorphic phantoms. Images were also obtained on a diagnostic CT scanner (Big Bore CT simulator, Philips, Amsterdam, Netherlands) for qualitative and quantitative comparison. The manufacturer’s metal artifact reduction (MAR) algorithm was assessed in an anthropomorphic body phantom containing surgical instrumentation. Performance in application to brachytherapy was assessed with a set of anthropomorphic brachytherapy phantoms — for example, a vaginal cylinder and interstitial ring and tandem.ResultNominal dose for helical and axial modes, respectively, was 56.4 and 78.9 mGy for the head protocol and 17.8 and 24.9 mGy for the body protocol. A high degree of HU accuracy and linearity was observed for both axial and helical scan modes. Image nonuniformity (e.g., cupping artifact) in the transverse (x,y) plane was less than 5 HU, but stitching artifacts (~5 HU) in the longitudinal (z) direction were observed in axial scan mode. Helical and axial modes demonstrated comparable spatial resolution of ~5 lp/cm, with the MTF reduced to 10% at ~0.38 mm−1. Contrast‐to‐noise ratio was suitable to soft‐tissue visualization (e.g., fat and muscle), but windmill artifacts were observed in helical mode in relation to high‐frequency bone and metal. The MAR algorithm provided modest improvement to image quality. Overall, image quality appeared suitable to relevant clinical tasks in intracavitary and interstitial (e.g., gynecological) brachytherapy, including visualization of soft‐tissue structures in proximity to the applicators.ConclusionThe technical assessment highlighted key characteristics of dose and imaging performance pertinent to incorporation of the mobile CT scanner in clinical procedures, helping to inform clinical deployment and technique protocol selection in brachytherapy. For this and other possible applications, the work helps to identify protocols that could reduce radiation dose and/or improve image quality. The work also identified areas for future improvement, including reduction of stitching, windmill, and metal artifacts.
Dosimetric quality and delivery efficiency of robotic radiosurgery for brain metastases: Comparison with C‐arm linear accelerator based plans
Authors: Zhang Shuming , Yang Ruijie , Wang Xin 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe incidence of brain metastases is increasing and various treatment modalities exist for brain metastases. The aim of this study was to investigate the dosimetric quality and delivery efficiency of robotic radiosurgery (CyberKnife) for multiple brain metastases compared with C‐arm linear accelerator (linac) based plans. C‐arm linac based plans included intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and non‐coplanar VMAT with 1, 3 and 5 non‐coplanar arcs, respectively (NC1, NC3 and NC5). For 20 patients, six plans with a prescription dose of 30 Gy in three fractions were generated. The gradient index (GI), conformity index (CI), maximum dose (Dmax) of organs at risk (OARs), normal brain tissue volume (V3 Gy–V24 Gy), monitor units (MUs) and beam on time (BT) were evaluated. The GI of CyberKnife plans (3.60 ± 0.70) was lower than IMRT (6.21 ± 2.26, P < 0.05), VMAT (6.04 ± 1.93, P < 0.05), NC1 (5.16 ± 1.71, P < 0.05), NC3 (5.02 ± 1.59, P < 0.05) and NC5 (5.03 ± 1.72, P < 0.05). The CI of the VMAT plans (both coplanar and non‐coplanar) was larger than IMRT and CK plans. The Dmax for most OARs of the CyberKnife plan was lower than the C‐arm linac based plans, although some differences were not statistically significant. The normal brain tissue volume of CyberKnife plan was lower than the C‐arm linac based plans, and the normal brain tissue volume of non‐coplanar VMAT plans was lower than IMRT and VMAT plans at high‐moderate dose level. However, the MUs and BT of CyberKnife plans was more than C‐arm linac based plans. CyberKnife plan was better than C‐arm linac based plans in protecting normal brain tissue and OARs for patients with multiple brain metastases. C‐arm linac based plan with non‐coplanar arc provided better protection of normal brain tissue than coplanar plan. However, the BT of CyberKnife plan was longer than C‐arm linac based plans.
Graphene Metamaterials for Intense, Tunable, and Compact Extreme Ultraviolet and X‐Ray Sources
Authors: Pizzi Andrea , Rosolen Gilles , Wong Liang Jie , Ischebeck Rasmus , Soljačić Marin , Feurer Thomas , Kaminer Ido 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe interaction of electrons with strong electromagnetic fields is fundamental to the ability to design high‐quality radiation sources. At the core of all such sources is a tradeoff between compactness and higher output radiation intensities. Conventional photonic devices are limited in size by their operating wavelength, which helps compactness at the cost of a small interaction area. Here, plasmonic modes supported by multilayer graphene metamaterials are shown to provide a larger interaction area with the electron beam, while also tapping into the extreme confinement of graphene plasmons to generate high‐frequency photons with relatively low‐energy electrons available from tabletop sources. For 5 MeV electrons, a metamaterial of 50 layers and length 50 µm, and a beam current of 1.7 µA, it is, for instance, possible to generate X‐rays of intensity 1.5 × 107 photons sr−1 s−1 1%BW, 580 times more than for a single‐layer design. The frequency of the driving laser dynamically tunes the photon emission spectrum. This work demonstrates a unique free‐electron light source, wherein the electron mean free path in a given material is longer than the device length, relaxing the requirements of complex electron beam systems and potentially paving the way to high‐yield, compact, and tunable X‐ray sources.
The effects of natural substrate discontinuities on the quadrupedal gait kinematics of free‐rangingSaimiri sciureus
Authors: McNamara Allison , Dunham Noah T. , Shapiro Liza J. , Young Jesse W. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractWild primates encounter complex matrices of substrates that differ in size, orientation, height, and compliance, and often move on multiple, discontinuous substrates within a single bout of locomotion. Our current understanding of primate gait is limited by artificial laboratory settings in which primate quadrupedal gait has primarily been studied. This study analyzes wildSaimiri sciureus(common squirrel monkey) gait on discontinuous substrates to capture the realistic effects of the complex arboreal habitat on walking kinematics. We collected high‐speed video footage at Tiputini Biodiversity Station, Ecuador between August and October 2017. Overall, the squirrel monkeys used more asymmetrical walking gaits than symmetrical gaits, and specifically asymmetrical lateral sequence walking gaits when moving across discontinuous substrates. When individuals used symmetrical gaits, they used diagonal sequence gaits more than lateral sequence gaits. In addition, individuals were more likely to change their footfall sequence during strides on discontinuous substrates. Squirrel monkeys increased the time lag between touchdowns both of ipsilaterally paired limbs (pair lag) and of the paired forelimbs (forelimb lag) when walking across discontinuous substrates compared to continuous substrates. Results indicate that gait flexibility and the ability to alter footfall patterns during quadrupedal walking may be critical for primates to safely move in their complex arboreal habitats. Notably, wild squirrel monkey quadrupedalism is diverse and flexible with high proportions of asymmetrical walking. Studying kinematics in the wild is critical for understanding the complexity of primate quadrupedalism.
The Hepatic Central Vein: Structure, Fibrosis, and Role in Liver Biology
Authors: Mak Ki M. , Png C. Y. Maximilian 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACTThe hepatic central vein is a primary source of Wnt2, Wnt9b, and R‐spondin3. These angiocrines activate ß‐catenin signaling to regulate hepatic metabolic zonation and perivenous gene expression in mice. Little is known about the central vein ultrastructure. Here, we describe the morphological–functional correlates of the central vein and its draining and branching patterns. Central vein fibrosis occurs in liver disease and is often accompanied by perivenous perisinusoidal fibrosis, which may affect perivenous gene expression. We review the biological properties of perivenous hepatocytes and glutamine synthetase that serve as a biomarker of perivenous hepatocytes. Glutamine synthetase and P4502E1 are indicators of ß‐catenin activity in centrilobular liver injury and regeneration. The Wnt/ß‐catenin pathway is the master regulator of hepatic metabolic zonation and perivenous gene expression and is modulated by the R‐spondin‐LGR4/5‐ZNRF3/RNF43 module. We examined the structures of the molecules of these pathways and their involvements in liver biology. Central vein‐derived Wnts and R‐spondin3 participate in the cellular–molecular circuitry of the Wnt/ß‐catenin and R‐spondin‐LGR4/5‐ZNRF3/RNF43 module. The transport and secretion of lipidated Wnts in Wnt‐producing cells require Wntless protein. Secreted Wnts are carried on exosomes in the extracellular matrix to responder cells. The modes of release of Wnts and R‐spondin3 from central veins and their transit in the venular wall toward perivenous hepatocytes are unknown. We hypothesize that central vein fibrosis may impact perivenous gene expression. The proposal that the central vein constitutes an anatomical niche of perivenous stem cells that subserve homeostatic hepatic renewal still needs studies using additional mouse models for validation. Anat Rec, 2019. © 2019 American Association for Anatomy Anat Rec, 303:1747–1767, 2020. © 2019 American Association for Anatomy
Morphological and Histochemical Description of Quail Feather Development
Authors: Soliman Soha Abdellateif 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACTThe current study investigated the macroscopic and microscopic differences between pennaceous and plumulaceous feathers. The morphology of the barbules distinguished pennaceous and plumulaceous feathers, particularly the shape of barbules during their development. In pennaceous feathers, the initial barbules were large and elongated or pyriform in shape, while plumulaceous feathers had small, thin, elongated initial barbules. The spinous barbules were characteristic of pennaceous feathers. The histochemical reactivity of both feather types for Mallory trichrome, orange G, and acridine orange, safranin O, PAS, and methylene blue was determined. Keratin was detected by Mallory trichrome, orange G, and acridine orange. In conclusion, the histochemical properties of pennaceous and plumulaceous feathers of quail, particularly the distribution and nature of keratin during development, should be considered in future studies. The unique morphological features of pennaceous and plumulaceous feathers could be used as a guide for phylogenetic identification. Anat Rec, 2019. © 2019 American Association for Anatomy Anat Rec, 303:1865–1883, 2020. © 2019 American Association for Anatomy
CD133: An emerging prognostic factor and therapeutic target in colorectal cancer
Authors: Akbari Morteza , Shomali Navid , Faraji Afsaneh , Shanehbandi Dariush , Asadi Milad , Mokhtarzadeh Ahad , Shabani Aliakbar , Baradaran Behzad 
Published: October 2019

AbstractColorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Recently, the role of cancer stem cells (CSCs) has been highlighted as a crucial emerging factor in chemoresistance, cancer relapse, and metastasis. CD133 is a surface marker of CSCs and has been argued to have prognostic and therapeutic values in CRC along with its related pathways such as Wnt, Notch, and hedgehog. Several studies have successfully applied targeted therapies against CD133 in CRC models namely bispecific antibodies (BiAbs) and anti‐Wnt and notch pathways agents. These studies have yielded initial promising results in this regard. However, none of the therapeutics have been used in the clinical setting and their efficacy and adverse effects profile are yet to be elucidated. This review aims to gather the old and most recent data on the prognostic and therapeutic values of CD133 and CD133‐targeted therapies in CRC.
Craniocerebral metastases from a supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma: A case report and literature review
Authors: León‐Ruiz Moisés , Benito‐León Julián 
Published: October 2019

AbstractCraniocerebral metastases as the initial spread of supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are exceptional. The presence of several months' history of dysphagia, dyspnea, cachexia, tobacco/alcohol abuse, and seizure(s) is suspicious of craniocerebral metastases from an advanced‐stage supraglottic SCC. Physicians should be aware since early diagnosis and treatment may increase patient survival.
Development and Characterization of Lignin‐Based Hydrogel for Use in Agricultural Soils: Preliminary Evidence
Authors: Mazloom Najmeh , Khorassani Reza , Zohuri Gholam Hossein , Emami Hojat , Whalen Joann 
Published: October 2019

AbstractIn arid and semi‐arid regions of the world, agricultural production is greatly limited by water scarcity and inefficient water use. Water‐absorbent hydrogels are a technological solution that can retain soil water for plants. A lignin‐based hydrogel as a natural plant‐based water absorbent is prepared from lignin alkali polymers and poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether (PEGDGE) in adjusted alkali (NaOH) solution. The maximum swelling capacity of the hydrogel is achieved in 1.5 m NaOH with 0.5 mmol PEGDGE g. Water swelling capacity is 34 g g dry weight of hydrogel in distilled water, which is reduced to 53% and 64% in 0.1 m NaCl and 0.1 m CaCl2 solution, respectively. Biodegradability and phytotoxicity tests show that 6.5% of the sample mass decomposed after 40 days of incubation in soil solution media and the hydrogel is not phytotoxic to wheat seeds. These findings support the use of the lignin‐based hydrogel as an environmentally friendly additive to promote water retention in dry, saline soils. Due to the limitations of this study, further assessments are needed in order to understand the efficiency of lignin‐based hydrogel application in different soils with different biota.
Patient‐reported outcomes and inflammatory biomarkers in patients with locally advanced/metastatic urothelial carcinoma treated with durvalumab in phase 1/2 dose‐escalation study 1108
Authors: O'Donnell Peter H. , Arkenau Hendrick Tobias , Sridhar Srikala S. , Ong Michael , Drakaki Alexandra , Spira Alexander I. , Zhang Jingsong , Gordon Michael S. , Degboe Arnold N. , Gupta Ashok K. , Mukhopadhyay Pralay , Huang Wenmei , Abdullah Shaad E. , Angra Natasha , Roskos Lorin K. , Guo Xiang , Friedlander Terence 
Published: October 2019

BackgroundDurvalumab has shown meaningful clinical activity in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) in Study 1108 (NCT01693562). An important focus in treatment is health‐related quality of life (HRQOL). Here, patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) from Study 1108 and their relationship with inflammatory biomarkers are explored.MethodsDisease‐related symptoms, functioning, and HRQOL were assessed with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Bladder (FACT‐Bl) and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (QLQ‐C30). Relationships between PRO improvements and the best changes in the tumor size, albumin level, and neutrophil‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were assessed with Spearman correlation analysis.ResultsThe mean FACT‐Bl total score improved from 107.5 (standard deviation [SD], 23.0) at the baseline to 115.4 (SD, 22.6) on day 113, with similar increases found for the Trial Outcome Index (TOI) and Bladder Cancer Subscale (BLCS) scores. The mean FACT‐Bl total scores improved over time, and the FACT‐Bl TOI scores significantly improved by day 113 (P < .05). The mean EORTC QLQ‐C30 Global Health Status/Quality of Life score improved from 57.1 (SD, 24.8) at the baseline to 69.0 (SD, 21.4) on day 113; the functional scale and symptom scores (day 113) were higher than the baseline scores (P < .05) for EORTC Social Functioning. The FACT‐Bl total, BLCS, and TOI scores improved in 32.6%, 34.9%, and 32.6% of the patients by day 113; 26.3% to 37.8% of the patients exhibited improvements in EORTC QLQ‐C30 functional scores. The best tumor shrinkage and posttreatment improvements in serum albumin and NLR correlated with increases in FACT‐Bl total, TOI, and BLCS scores and in EORTC Physical Functioning and Role Functioning scores (P < .05).ConclusionsDurvalumab was associated with improvements in disease‐related symptoms, functioning, and HRQOL in patients with mUC. Improvements in systemic inflammation may contribute to PRO improvements in these patients.
Novel histone deacetylase inhibitors bearing a 4‐piperidin‐4‐yl‐triazole scaffold as antitumor agents
Authors: Wang Yan , Su Li , Wang Qiang , Zhang Li , Luan Yepeng 
Published: October 2019

AbstractHistone deacetylases have proven to be promising targets for the development of anticancer drugs. In this work, we reported the design and synthesis of a series of 20 novel hydroxamic acid‐based histone deacetylase inhibitors with 4‐piperidin‐4‐yl‐triazole as the core structure. Five newly obtained compounds displayed excellent HDAC6 inhibitory activities. Among them, compounds WY‐12 and WY‐15 also exhibited excellent antiproliferative activities against six human tumor cell lines. WY‐15 could increase the level of acetylated histone H3 in a dose‐dependent manner. Furthermore, WY‐15 remarkably induced cell cycle arrest of Sy5y cancer cells in G0/G1 phase. Finally, the high potency of compound WY‐15 toward HDAC6 was rationalized by molecular docking study.
Nesting success of wood‐cavity‐nesting bees declines with increasing time since wildfire
Authors: Simanonok Michael P. , Burkle Laura A. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBees require distinct foraging and nesting resources to occur in close proximity. However, spatial and temporal patterns in the availability and quantity of these resources can be affected by disturbances like wildfire. The potential for spatial or temporal separation of foraging and nesting resources is of particular concern for solitary wood‐cavity‐nesting bees as they are central‐place, short‐distance foragers once they have established their nest. Often the importance of nesting resources for bees have been tested by sampling foraging bees as a proxy, and nesting bees have rarely been studied in a community context, particularly postdisturbance. We tested how wood‐cavity‐nesting bee species richness, nesting success, and nesting and floral resources varied across gradients of wildfire severity and time‐since‐burn. We sampled nesting bees via nesting boxes within four wildfires in southwest Montana, USA, using a space‐for‐time substitution chronosequence approach spanning 3–25 years postburn and including an unburned control. We found that bee nesting success and species richness declined with increasing time postburn, with a complete lack of successful bee nesting in unburned areas. Nesting and floral resources were highly variable across both burn severity and time‐since‐burn, yet generally did not have strong effects on nesting success. Our results together suggest that burned areas may provide important habitat for wood‐cavity‐nesting bees in this system. Given ongoing fire regime shifts as well as other threats facing wild bee communities, this work helps provide essential information necessary for the management and conservation of wood‐cavity‐nesting bees.
Performance of a good‐emulsification‐oriented surfactant‐polymer system in emulsifying and recovering heavy oil
Authors: Wang Yefei , Li Zongyang , Ding Mingchen , Yu Qun , Zhong Dong , Cao Xulong 
Published: October 2019

AbstractConsidering the significant importance of emulsification for heavy oil recovery, a good‐emulsification‐oriented (GEO) (rather than the conventional ultralow interfacial tension (IFT) oriented) surfactant‐polymer (SP) system was employed to remove heavy oil. Specifically, the emulsification behavior and viscosity‐reduction property of heavy oil in porous media were first studied by flood tests. Then, such a GEO SP was used to displace heavy oil for recovery measurement. It is found that first, as migration increases in porous media, the in situ emulsified oil droplets evolve into smaller and more uniform droplets (without coalescence), thus, exhibit self‐adjustment ability to match with, and plug, the pores. An increase in surfactant content and seepage velocity also makes the emulsion's particles smaller and more uniformly distributed. Second, such oil‐in‐water emulsification indeed helps to reduce heavy oil viscosity in porous media and there is an optimal surfactant content for such viscosity reduction: The lower the water cut, the greater the optimal surfactant content, the worse the viscosity‐reduction effect. Third, on its own, the GEO surfactant performs very poorly in recovering heavy oil and is even worse than the single polymer; therefore, such a surfactant should be jointly used with a polymer in an SP system instead of on its own, but an excessive surfactant content in the SP seems to hinder the recovery, while the large slug size tends to contribute significantly to an improved oil recovery.