bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Application of area scaling analysis to identify natural killer cell and monocyte involvement in the GranToxiLux antibody dependent cell‐mediated cytotoxicity assay
Authors: Pollara Justin , Orlandi Chiara , Beck Charles , Edwards R. Whitney , Hu Yi , Liu Shuying , Wang Shixia , Koup Richard A. , Denny Thomas N. , Lu Shan , Tomaras Georgia D. , DeVico Anthony , Lewis George K. , Ferrari Guido 
Published: March 2018

AbstractSeveral different assay methodologies have been described for the evaluation of HIV or SIV‐specific antibody‐dependent cell‐mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). Commonly used assays measure ADCC by evaluating effector cell functions, or by detecting elimination of target cells. Signaling through Fc receptors, cellular activation, cytotoxic granule exocytosis, or accumulation of cytolytic and immune signaling factors have been used to evaluate ADCC at the level of the effector cells. Alternatively, assays that measure killing or loss of target cells provide a direct assessment of the specific killing activity of antibodies capable of ADCC. Thus, each of these two distinct types of assays provides information on only one of the critical components of an ADCC event; either the effector cells involved, or the resulting effect on the target cell. We have developed a simple modification of our previously described high‐throughput ADCC GranToxiLux (GTL) assay that uses area scaling analysis (ASA) to facilitate simultaneous quantification of ADCC activity at the target cell level, and assessment of the contribution of natural killer cells and monocytes to the total observed ADCC activity when whole human peripheral blood mononuclear cells are used as a source of effector cells. The modified analysis method requires no additional reagents and can, therefore, be easily included in prospective studies. Moreover, ASA can also often be applied to pre‐existing ADCC‐GTL datasets. Thus, incorporation of ASA to the ADCC‐GTL assay provides an ancillary assessment of the ability of natural and vaccine‐induced antibodies to recruit natural killer cells as well as monocytes against HIV or SIV; or to any other field of research for which this assay is applied. © 2018 The Authors. Cytometry Part A published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of ISAC.
Manual dexterity in young and healthy older adults. 2. Association with cognitive abilities
Authors: Vasylenko Olena , Gorecka Marta M. , Rodríguez‐Aranda Claudia 
Published: March 2018

AbstractCurrently, little is known about the cognitive constraints underlying manual dexterity decline in aging. Here, we assessed the relationship between cognitive function and dexterity in 45 young and 55 healthy older adults. Effects of gender on the cognition‐dexterity association were also explored. Cognitive assessment comprised neuropsychological tests of executive function, working memory, attention, and memory. Dexterity assessment included evaluation of movement times and kinematics during performance of unimanual and bimanual tasks of the Purdue Pegboard Test. Cognitive and dexterity group differences were established. Thereafter, regression analyses showed that executive function best predicted movement times and to some extent path lengths for the left hand in the older group. No gender differences were found in older participants. The findings confirm the involvement of executive function in manual dexterity in aging and suggest that movement times and path length may be useful parameters to assess the cognition‐dexterity association in older adults.
The effects of capillary transit time heterogeneity on the BOLD signal
Authors: Angleys Hugo , Jespersen Sune N , Østergaard Leif 
Published: March 2018

AbstractNeurovascular coupling mechanisms give rise to vasodilation and functional hyperemia upon neural activation, thereby altering blood oxygenation. This blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) contrast allows studies of activation patterns in the working human brain by functional MRI (fMRI). The BOLD‐weighted fMRI signal shows characteristic transients in relation to functional activation, such as the so‐called initial dip, overshoot, and post‐stimulus undershoot. These transients are modulated by other physiological stimuli and in disease, but the underlying physiological mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Capillary transit time heterogeneity (CTH) has been shown to affect oxygen extraction, and hence blood oxygenation. Here, we examine how recently reported redistributions of capillary blood flow during functional activation would be expected to affect BOLD signal transients. We developed a three‐compartment (hemoglobin, plasma, and tissue) model to predict the BOLD signal, incorporating the effects of dynamic changes in CTH. Our model predicts that the BOLD signal represents the superposition of a positive component resulting from increases in cerebral blood flow (CBF), and a negative component, resulting from elevated tissue metabolism and homogenization of capillary flows (reduced CTH). The model reproduces salient features of BOLD signal dynamics under conditions such as hypercapnia, hyperoxia, and caffeine intake, where both brain physiology and BOLD characteristics are altered. Neuroglial signaling and metabolism could affect CBF and capillary flow patterns differently. Further studies of neurovascular and neuro‐capillary coupling mechanisms may help us relate BOLD signals to the firing of certain neuronal populations based on their respective BOLD “fingerprints.”
Continuous prediction of clay‐bed stream erosion in response to climate model output for a small urban watershed
Authors: Brennan Colin P. , Parsapour‐Moghaddam Parna , Rennie Colin D. , Seidou Ousmane 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe response of the semi‐alluvial clay‐bed Watts Creek is assessed subject to climate change. Climate impacts are expected to have regional variability, and few studies have assessed the impacts of future climate in a small urban watershed. The 21‐km2 watershed located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, is highly urbanized (68%) and agricultural (20%) with limited forest cover (12%). Continuous simulations were performed using the SWMHYMO lumped hydrologic modelling platform for the open water year, excluding spring freshet (April 1 to October 31). A shear stress exceedance and stream power erosion routine was added to the platform to calculate erosion potential. To account for uncertainty in the collected data, 9 different field datasets were used to calibrate the model, each leading to a distinct set of calibrated parameter values. The difference between the datasets lies in the choice of the rating curves and calibration period. The 2041–2080 precipitation outputs of the 4th version of the Canadian Regional Climate Model (CanRCM4) ran under representative concentration pathways (RCPs) 4.5 and 8.5 at the MacDonald Cartier International Airport were downscaled using quantile matching and then used as input to the continuous hydrologic model. For each set of calibrated parameters, a cumulative effective work index based on the reach‐averaged shear stress was calculated for Watts Creek using both the historic (1967–2007) and projected future (2041–2080) flows, using a bed material critical shear stress for entrainment of 3.7 Pa. These results suggest an increase of 75% (respectively 139%) under RCP4.5 (respectively RCP8.5) in cumulative effective work index compared with historic conditions for the average measured bed strength. The work index increase is driven by an increased occurrence of above‐threshold events and, more importantly, by the increased frequency of large events. The predicted flow regime under climate change would significantly alter the erosion potential and stability of Watts Creek.
Retrospective cohort study comparing the adverse reactions and efficacy of intravenous iron polymaltose with ferric carboxymaltose for iron deficiency anemia
Authors: Gilmartin Christine E. , Hoang Thu , Cutts Briony A. , Leung Laura 
Published: March 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and the efficacy of intravenous iron polymaltose and ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) among gynecology/obstetric patients with anemia.MethodsThe present retrospective observational study examined data from anemic obstetrics and gynecology patients who received either iron polymaltose or FCM between January 1, 2011, and April 30, 2015, at The Royal Women's Hospital, Victoria, Australia. Patient demographic data, dosage, ADR documentation, and hemoglobin levels were collected from medical records and compared.ResultsThe study included 221 patients; 111 and 110 received iron polymaltose and FCM, respectively. ADRs were documented for 18 (16.2%) patients in the iron polymaltose group and 2 (1.8%) in the FCM group (P<0.001), with no incidences of anaphylaxis. Both formulations achieved increased hemoglobin levels within 12 weeks (P<0.001 for both). Mean hemoglobin level increases were similar in both groups among non‐pregnant patients (P=0.186), but were greater in the iron polymaltose cohort among pregnant patients (P=0.005). FCM dose compliance was suboptimal, with 8 of 57 (14%) patients who required second visits for doses greater than 1000 mg returning for the infusion.ConclusionFCM was associated with a lower incidence of ADRs than iron polymaltose. Patients receiving FCM infusions were less likely to receive their total required iron dose. Further randomized prospective studies are required to compare clinical efficacy of iron polymaltose versus FCM.
Glioma infiltration sign on high b‐value diffusion‐weighted imaging in gliomas and its prognostic value
Authors: Zeng Qiang , Ling Chenhan , Shi Feina , Dong Fei , Jiang Biao , Zhang Jianmin 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundGlioma cells may infiltrate beyond the tumor margins revealed on conventional structural images.PurposeTo investigate whether the presence of a glioma infiltration sign on high b‐value diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) can predict the prognosis of gliomas.Study TypeRetrospective cohort.SubjectsFifty‐two patients with gliomas (14 WHO grade II; 13 WHO grade III; 25 WHO grade IV).Field Strength/Sequence3.0T, including a T1‐weighted contrast‐enhanced (T1w‐CE) sequence, contrast‐enhanced T2‐flair sequence, and a DWI sequence.AssessmentT1w‐CE images and contrast‐enhanced T2‐flair images were used for identifying the tumor region for enhancing and nonenhancing gliomas, respectively. The glioma infiltration sign was defined as the presence of a peritumoral abnormal high signal region on DWI map, which was adjacent to the tumor region and had higher signal than surrounding areas. This sign was assessed on a high b‐value DWI map with b = 3000 s/mm2. For patients with glioma infiltration sign, DWI3000max, DWI1000max, ADC3000min, and ADC1000min were measured by drawing a region of interest over the peritumoral abnormal high signal region.Statistical TestsSurvival analysis was conducted by using Cox regression.ResultsGlioma infiltration sign was observed in 28 (53.8%) patients. The occurrence rate of this sign was 92.0% in grade IV gliomas, 30.8% in grade III gliomas, and 7.1% in grade II gliomas. The glioma infiltration sign could independently predict both the progression‐free survival (hazard ratio [HR], 95% confidence interval [CI] = 8.58 [3.19–23.03], P < 0.001) and overall survival (HR, 95% CI = 11.90 [3.41–41.55], P < 0.001) after adjustment. For patients with glioma infiltration sign, DWI3000max (P = 0.005) and ADC3000min (P = 0.008) were both independent predictors of overall survival after adjustment, while DWI1000max and ADC1000min were not.Data ConclusionThe glioma infiltration sign on high b‐value DWI is an independent predictor of poor prognosis in glioma patients. High b‐value DWI might be a convenient method to detect glioma infiltration.Level of Evidence: 3Technical Efficacy: Stage 2J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;48:643–651.
High‐resolution multiple reaction monitoring method for quantification of steroidal hormones in plasma
Authors: Peti Ana Paula Ferranti , Locachevic Gisele Aparecida , Prado Morgana Kelly Borges , de Moraes Luiz Alberto Beraldo , Faccioli Lúcia Helena 
Published: March 2018

AbstractMultiple reaction monitoring (MRM) is one of the most powerful modes of analysis in liquid chromatographic tandem mass spectrometry for quantification of low‐concentration metabolites in biological samples. The advances in mass spectrometry enabled the development of high‐resolution multiple reaction monitoring (MRMHR) and became suitable for the more specific analysis of target analytes. This is important for lipidomic studies and contributes in the medical and pharmaceutical fields, primarily in investigating alterations in cells or fluids relevant to various diseases. Therefore, this work proposes the development of the MRMHR method for quantification of circulating steroids. We focused on the determination of corticosterone, 11‐dehydrocorticosterone (11‐DHC), cortisol, cortisone, aldosterone, and progesterone concentration in serum, by using 129sv male mice exposed to chronic unpredictable stress to validate the quantification. The method was conducted according to the ANVISA normative, adopting a coefficient of variation, as well as relative standard deviation and relative error lower than 15% in linearity, intraday and interday precision, and accuracy. For cortisol, corticosterone, and their inert metabolites (cortisone and 11‐DHC), the lower limit of quantification was 3.9 ng· mL−1, while that for progesterone and aldosterone was 7.8 and 15.6 ng· mL−1, respectively. MRMHR analysis showed that animals submitted to stressors have 4.5 times more corticosterone in their serum than nonstressed mice. However, 11‐DHC concentration does not vary significantly in response to stress for these animals. The results indicate that the method can be applied for quantification of steroids in several biological samples, such as human plasma.
Forecasting casino revenue by incorporating Google trends
Authors: Kim Woo‐Hyuk , Malek Kristin 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis study investigates whether Google Trends has predictive power for improving casino‐revenue forecasting. More specifically, the present study aims to (a) examine the value of using readily available Google Trends data to improve predictive accuracy in the forecasting of casino revenue and (b) compare domestic casinos and foreigner‐only casinos given the significantly different spending patterns of such casinos' patrons. Accordingly, this research utilizes time‐series analyses that incorporate Google Trend data into five steps: the selection of keywords, the processing of search data, indexing construction, the prediction casino revenues, and evaluations of forecast accuracy. The evidence collected suggests that forecasting models using Google Trends data do significantly improve forecasting models for casino revenue. This study provides discussions of and implications for this type of methodology, for casino research, and for better industry practices.
Are we doing enough for visual research in tourism? The past, present, and future of tourism studies using photographic images
Authors: Park Eerang , Kim Sangkyun 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe importance of visuality in tourism has increased the number of studies that situate photography into the discourse of visual images. However, the majority of studies continue to be qualitative research. This paper highlights how visual research in tourism has not yet widened the scope of research and has overlooked a variety of photographic content that has the potential to inform other important aspects of visuality in tourism research. It attempts to make a particular contribution to tourism visual research by bridging the research gaps in the relevant tourism literature through corroborating innovative approaches from both theoretical and empirical perspectives.
Influence of Ulipristal Acetate Therapy on Uterine Fibroid‐Related Symptoms and on Uterine and Fibroid Volumes and Vascularity Indices Assessed by Ultrasound
Authors: Baggio Silvia , Pomini Paola , Galeone Fabiana , Presti Francesca , Santi Lorenza , Raffaelli Ricciarda , Franchi Massimo 
Published: March 2018

ObjectivesTo investigate the modifications of uterine and fibroid volume, to study Doppler changes in uterine arteries and fibroid‐supplying vessels, and to assess possible symptomatic relief after 3 months of treatment with ulipristal acetate.MethodsForty‐two premenopausal women with symptomatic fibroids were included in the study. They were evaluated clinically for the symptoms reported and underwent ultrasound examinations before starting treatment and after 3 months of therapy with ulipristal acetate. Transvaginal scanning was performed by the same sonographer, who measured the uterine volume and uterine artery pulsatility index and resistive index. Considering that some patients had more than 1 fibroid, the vascularization (supplying vessel pulsatility and resistive indices), locations, and sizes of a total of 73 fibroids were also recorded.ResultsAfter 3 months of ulipristal acetate, patients had a significant improvement of all symptoms (P < .05). The percentage of uterine volume reduction was 14% (P = .03), with fibroid volume reduction of 32.8% (P = .01). Uterine artery vascular indices decreased after treatment, but their reduction did not reach significant results, whereas all fibroid vascular indices decreased significantly after 3 months of ulipristal acetate (P < .05). When the fibroids were divided according to their localization, all had significant volume reduction after therapy, but type 5 had the highest decrease (42%) compared to other fibroid types (P = .03).ConclusionsFibroid treatment with ulipristal acetate resulted in a significant improvement of fibroid‐related symptoms; moreover, it proved to be effective in decreasing both uterine and fibroid volumes and fibroid vascularization. Type 5 fibroids seem to have the most major response to treatment.
Uniform rotundity of Orlicz function spaces equipped with the ‐Amemiya norm
Authors: Kaczmarek Radosław 
Published: March 2018

AbstractNecessary and sufficient conditions for uniform rotundity of Orlicz function spaces equipped with the p‐Amemiya norm are presented. The obtained results unify, complete and widen the characterization of uniform rotundity of Orlicz spaces. In the case of the ∞‐Amemiya (i.e. the Luxemburg) norm or the 1‐Amemiya (i.e. the Orlicz) norm, these results were known earlier. Some connections with the fixed point theory and the best approximation theory are presented.
Estimating correlations among cardiovascular patients' psychiatric and physical symptom indicators: The biplot in correspondence analysis approach
Authors: Kim Se‐Kang , Annunziato Rachel A. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractObjectivesWe employed the correspondence analysis (CA) biplot to estimate correlations between gender–age levels of cardiovascular disease patients and their psychiatric and physical symptoms. Utilization of this correlation estimation can inform clinical practice by elucidating associations between certain psychiatric or physical symptoms and specific gender–age levels.MethodThe CA biplot utilized here was designed to visually inspect row–column category associations in a 2‐dimensional plane and then to numerically estimate the category associations with correlations. To do so, we (a) estimated dimensions from row and column categories with CA; (b) verified statistical significance of dimensions with a permutation test; (c) projected row and column categories in a plan constructed with the first 2 dimensions that were statistically significant; (d) visually inspected category associations in the plane; and (e) numerically estimated category associations with correlations.ResultsConsistent with the previous results, female cardiovascular disease patients were more likely to experience psychiatric symptoms than the male patients. However, when examining the results by gender and age, both female and male patients in their 50s and 60s tended to experience elevated rates of the psychiatric symptoms.ConclusionsThe CA biplot can be useful for isolating key clinical concerns among any medical populations.
Non‐contrast MR imaging of blood‐brain barrier permeability to water
Authors: Lin Zixuan , Li Yang , Su Pan , Mao Deng , Wei Zhiliang , Pillai Jay J. , Moghekar Abhay , van Osch Matthias , Ge Yulin , Lu Hanzhang 
Published: March 2018

PurposeMany brain diseases are associated with an alteration in blood‐brain barrier (BBB) and its permeability. Current methods using contrast agent are primarily sensitive to major leakage of BBB to macromolecules, but may not detect subtle changes in BBB permeability. The present study aims to develop a novel non‐contrast MRI technique for the assessment of BBB permeability to water.MethodsThe central principle is that by measuring arterially labeled blood spins that are drained into cerebral veins, water extraction fraction (E) and permeability‐surface‐area product (PS) of BBB can be determined. Four studies were performed. We first demonstrated the proof‐of‐principle using conventional ASL with very long post‐labeling delays (PLD). Next, a new sequence, dubbed water‐extraction‐with‐phase‐contrast‐arterial‐spin‐tagging (WEPCAST), and its Look‐Locker (LL) version were developed. Finally, we demonstrated that the sensitivity of the technique can be significantly enhanced by acquiring the data under mild hypercapnia.ResultsBy combining a strong background suppression with long PLDs (2500–4500 ms), ASL spins were reliably detected in the superior sagittal sinus (SSS), demonstrating the feasibility of measuring this signal. The WEPCAST sequence eliminated partial voluming effects of tissue perfusion and allowed quantitative estimation of E = 95.5 ± 1.1% and PS = 188.9 ± 13.4 mL/100 g/min, which were in good agreement with literature reports. LL‐WEPCAST sequence shortened the scan time from 19 min to 5 min while providing results consistent with multiple single‐PLD acquisitions. Mild hypercapnia increased SNR by 78 ± 25% without causing a discomfort in participants.ConclusionA new non‐contrast technique for the assessment of global BBB permeability was developed, which may have important clinical applications.
Phase‐encoded xSPEN: A novel high‐resolution volumetric alternative to RARE MRI
Authors: Zhang Zhiyong , Lustig Michael , Frydman Lucio 
Published: March 2018

PurposeTo develop a rapid, non‐CPMG high‐resolution volumetric imaging approach, exhibiting a speed and in‐plane resilience to field inhomogeneities comparable to RARE/turbo‐spin‐echo (TSE) while endowed with unique downsampling characteristics.MethodsA multi‐scan extension of cross‐term spatiotemporal encoding (xSPEN) is introduced and analyzed. The method simultaneously yields ky/kz data containing low and high frequency components, as well as transposed, low‐resolution z/y images. This dual k‐/spatial‐domain information is captured by a multi‐scan procedure that phase‐encodes ky while simultaneously slice‐selecting z. A reconstruction scheme converting this information into high resolution 3D images with fully multiplexed volumetric coverage is introduced and exemplified.ResultsPhase‐encoded xSPEN was tested by human brain imaging at sub‐mm resolutions. The method exceeded 2D TSE's sensitivity by factors of ≈3–4, while providing similar resolution and SNR as 3D TSE in ≈50% acquisition times. The method's contrast is dominated by T2 and is free from “bright‐fat” effects associated to spin‐echo trains. Further acceleration is enabled by the method's downsampling abilities. Tradeoffs between encoding time, number of measurements, spatial resolution, SNR, and artifact levels are also laid out.ConclusionA new MRI strategy is introduced delivering high in‐ and through‐plane resolutions while enjoying full Fourier multiplexing, leading to fast acquisitions with high SNR.