bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improvement of renal function estimation equations for elderly Japanese people
Authors: Kaburaki Soyoko , Yoshimura Eri , Kojima Nozomi , Ueno Hidefumi , Sugawara Mitsuru , Takekuma Yoh 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackground and aimThe Cockcroft‐Gault (C‐G) equation for estimation of creatinine clearance (CCr) is still used in a clinical setting for drug dosage adjustment. Because differences between measured and estimated CCr values have been reported, particularly for Japanese elderly people, the aim of this study was to improve the accuracy of CCr estimation equations, such as C‐G and Orita‐Horio, by fitting to newly obtained data. Also, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimation equations, such as the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD), the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD‐EPI), and the eGFR equation for Japanese people, were studied to compare with measured CCr.MethodData from 313 subjects over the age of 40 years with laboratory data available were used for analysis in this study. Special attention was paid to elderly people, and approximately 70% of the subjects were over the age of 65 years.ResultsThe accuracy of estimation by the two conventional (C‐G, Orita‐Horio) CCr estimation equations was greatly improved by introducing adjusted body weight for which the degree of obesity is over 30% instead of measured body weight. By fitting the coefficients of the estimation equations to the present population, the mean error was reduced by almost half, particularly for people over the age of 75. Although all the values calculated by the GFR estimation equations were underestimated compared with measured CCr due to secretion, a coefficient of determination of above 0.65 was obtained for all GFR estimation equations.ConclusionsImprovement of the fitted CCr estimation equations suggests that reconstruction of renal function estimation equations is required, especially for old people. Further work is required to find optimal renal function (CCr and/or GFR) estimation equations for drug dosage adjustment.
Perception and knowledge of early pregnancy assessment units among perinatal practitioners in Europe
Authors: Blavier Frédéric , Cosyns Stefan , Dony Noëlie , Faron Gilles , Parra José , Gucciardo Leonardo 
Published: September 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate perceptions of early pregnancy assessment units (EPAUs) among perinatal practitioners working in Belgium, France, and Switzerland.MethodsA prospective multinational survey was conducted between September 1, 2015, and May 21, 2016. Obstetricians, gynecologists, medical doctors, radiologists, and midwives were recruited during meetings, via e‐mail invitations, or through the websites of regional obstetrics and gynecology scientific societies. The survey comprised 17 questions that assessed the participants’ knowledge, interest, and management of early pregnancy.ResultsOf the 871 individuals invited to participate in the survey, 306 (35.1%) responded. Most of the participants were gynecologists and/or obstetricians (225 [73.5%]). A total of 258 (84.3%) participants had no or limited knowledge about EPAUs. Furthermore, 211 (69.0%) participants reported incorrect management when they visualized a gestational sac without embryo and 265 (86.6%) misinterpreted changes in serum levels of chorionic gonadotropin during early pregnancy. In all, 201 (65.7%) participants were interested in collaboration with an EPAU; however, only 125 (40.8%) had sufficient time and resources available to support a patient's psychological distress after early pregnancy loss or salpingectomy.ConclusionKnowledge about early management of pregnancy was limited among the perinatal practitioners surveyed; however, the concept of EPAUs was welcomed by many.
Using historical normals to improve modern monthly climate normal surfaces for Madagascar
Authors: Stalenberg Eleanor , Hutchinson Michael F. , Foley William J. 
Published: September 2018

High‐resolution, spatially continuous climate models are an essential first step in assessing fine‐scale impacts of climate and projected future climates. Observational weather station networks supporting such models are often inadequate and are spread unevenly throughout the globe, particularly in developing regions such as Madagascar, since network establishment and maintenance requires significant investment. Quality climate models are greatly needed for the assessment of conservation, agricultural productivity and socio‐economic studies of climate vulnerability.With the aim of generating improved modern climate normal surfaces for Madagascar, we have developed a method for augmenting the existing sparse climate normal network with spatial patterns of climate change derived from more densely distributed historical climate normals. Thin plate smoothing splines and kriging were applied to the spatial analysis of the climate difference patterns and their performances were compared.We found that the augmented data improved the spatial consistency of the climate interpolations when compared with the interpolations using only the existing observed data. Our analysis confirmed the robustness and accuracy of thin plate spline interpolation when applied to long‐term differences in climate normals. Further, the investigation indicated that long‐term differences in rainfall normals have broader spatial coherence and are less susceptible to local differences when compared to temperature normals. This suggests that long term change patterns in rainfall are better supported by sparse data networks, despite the usually acknowledged greater inherent spatial and temporal variability of rainfall.The augmented data capture distinct spatial patterns in temperature and rainfall that differ markedly from the patterns in interpolations of observed data alone. The derived change patterns are consistent with observed global trends. This technique might be used to improve understanding of the current climate in other data‐poor regions and the outputs used in spatial environmental and socio‐economic studies, such as species distribution mapping and climate change resilience mapping.
Adsorption and Photocatalytic Degradation of Anionic and Cationic Surfactants on Nitrogen‐Modified TiO2
Authors: Kuźmiński Kamil , Morawski Antoni W. , Janus Magdalena 
Published: September 2018

AbstractAdsorption and photocatalytic decomposition of anionic and cationic surfactants are presented. Two different types of photocatalysts were studied, commercial TiO2‐P25 (Evonik) with pHpzc = 5.65 and nitrogen‐modified TiO2/N pHpzc = 6.7 (point of zero charge). Two different types of surfactants were used: anionic surfactant NaDBS (sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate) and cationic surfactant BtCl (benzethonium chloride). Obtained adsorption isotherms of NaDBS and BtCl comply with the conditions of monolayer Langmuir model isotherms. The maximal anionic surfactant adsorption took place at acidic pH and it was higher for TiO2/N (196 mg g−1) than for commercial TiO2‐P25 (140 mg g−1). There was the opposite situation in the case of cationic surfactants, higher adsorption took place at alkaline condition and it was higher for TiO2/N (100 mg g−1) than for commercial TiO2‐P25 (85 mg g−1). Photocatalytic degradation has been found to be more effective in neutral and high than in low pH solutions for both surfactants. It is mainly the difference between charges of the surface of photocatalysts and ionic parts of individual surfactants that determined the effectiveness for each of them.
Computed tomography or contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography for follow‐up of liver metastases after Cyberknife therapy?: A prospective pilot study
Authors: Marsico Maria , Gabbani Tommaso , Lunardi Sarah , Lei Barbara , Lucarini Matteo , Cuffari Biagio , Curatolo Angela , Biagini Maria Rosa , Annese Vito 
Published: September 2018

ObjectivesContrast‐enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) allows the study of vascularization of secondary liver lesions. The Cyberknife (Accuray, Inc, Sunnyvale, CA) is a therapeutic method that allows a tumor target to be subjected to a high radiant dose gradient. This prospective pilot study aimed to demonstrate the concordance of CEUS versus contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CECT) in determining the stability or disease progression of secondary liver lesions after treatment with the Cyberknife.MethodsTwenty‐four patients were consecutively enrolled, and 3 different operators evaluated the CEUS images and the intermodality concordance with CECT. All patients received CEUS at 1 and 2 months after the Cyberknife therapy. The intermodality agreement was evaluated by the Cohen κ coefficient and a multivariate analysis according to the method of Janson and Olsson (Educ Psychol Meas 2001; 61:277–289).ResultsForty secondary liver lesions were detected and treated. Forty‐one CECT and 51 CEUS examinations were performed without any adverse events in the 24 patients. The intermodality agreement rates, calculated for the operators as Cohen κ values, were κ = 1.00, 0.881, and 0.767, respectively. The multivariate analysis of intermodality agreement showed an almost perfect value (ι = 0.841).ConclusionsThis pilot study found excellent diagnostic correspondence between CEUS and CECT in the evaluation of local disease stability or progression after Cyberknife therapy in liver metastases. These findings suggest that CEUS could play an important role in the surveillance of these patients because of its high accuracy and reproducibility, thus reducing the need for CECT.
Negative priming effect of three kinds of biochar on the mineralization of native soil organic carbon
Authors: Liu Yuxue , Chen Ying , Wang Yuying , Lu Haohao , He Lili , Yang Shengmao 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThis study was conducted to improve our understanding of the effect of biochar on the degradation of original soil organic carbon (SOC) and the resulting net C sequestration. A 120‐day incubation experiment was conducted to detect the CO2 evolution from soil amended with three kinds of biochar, namely, rice husk biochar (RH), pecan shell biochar (PS), and bamboo biochar (BB), at biochar to soil ratios of 0% (as control), 1%, 2%, and 5%, as well as 100% pure biochar, and to evaluate their priming effect on SOC mineralization. Results showed that the cumulative mineralized amounts of SOC decreased by 7.95–10.7% with 5% RH, PS, and BB treatments, whereas there were no significant differences in 1% or 2% biochar treatments after 120 days of incubation compared with the control. Biochar had a suppressing influence on native SOC decomposition, and the effect increased with the amount of applied biochar increasing. The negative priming effect of biochar on the mineralization of SOC was mainly observed after 15 days of incubation and increased with incubation time. The negative effects of BB and RH were significantly stronger than that of PS at the 5% application ratio. This was mainly due to the less pores and smaller specific surface area of PS, which resulted in the weaker encapsulation and adsorption protection effect of PS than RH and BB, and inhibited the degradation of the adsorbed native SOC. Therefore, BB and RH have great potential for C sequestration and mitigation, especially in soils with low organic C.
Tilted‐CAIPI for highly accelerated distortion‐free EPI with point spread function (PSF) encoding
Authors: Dong Zijing , Wang Fuyixue , Reese Timothy G. , Manhard Mary Katherine , Bilgic Berkin , Wald Lawrence L. , Guo Hua , Setsompop Kawin 
Published: September 2018

PurposeTo develop a method for fast distortion‐ and blurring‐free imaging.Theory: EPI with point‐spread‐function (PSF) mapping can achieve distortion‐ and blurring‐free imaging at a cost of long acquisition time. In this study, an acquisition/reconstruction technique, termed “tilted‐CAIPI,” is proposed to achieve >20× acceleration for PSF‐EPI. The proposed method systematically optimized the k‐space sampling trajectory with B0‐inhomogeneity‐informed reconstruction, to exploit the inherent signal correlation in PSF‐EPI and take full advantage of coil sensitivity. Susceptibility‐induced phase accumulation is regarded as an additional encoding that is estimated by calibration data and integrated into reconstruction. Self‐navigated phase correction was developed to correct shot‐to‐shot phase variation in diffusion imaging.MethodsTilted‐CAIPI was implemented at 3T, with incorporation of partial Fourier and simultaneous multislice to achieve further accelerations. T2‐weighted, T2*‐weighted, and diffusion‐weighted imaging experiments were conducted to evaluate the proposed method.ResultsThe ability of tilted‐CAIPI to provide highly accelerated imaging without distortion and blurring was demonstrated through in vivo brain experiments, where only 8 shots per simultaneous slice group were required to provide high‐quality, high‐SNR imaging at 0.8–1 mm resolution.ConclusionTilted‐CAIPI achieved fast distortion‐ and blurring‐free imaging with high SNR. Whole‐brain T2‐weighted, T2*‐weighted, and diffusion imaging can be obtained in just 15–60 s.
A human cerebral and cerebellar 8‐channel transceive RF dipole coil array at 7T
Authors: Clément Jérémie D. , Gruetter Rolf , Ipek Özlem 
Published: September 2018

PurposeDipole antennas that provide high transmit field penetration with large coverage, and their use in a parallel transmit setup, may be advantageous in minimizing B‐field inhomogeneities at ultra‐high field, i.e 7T. We have developed and evaluated an 8‐channel RF dipole coil array for imaging the entire cerebral and cerebellar regions in man.MethodsA coil array was modeled with seven dipoles: six placed covering the occipital and temporal lobes; one covering the parietal lobe; and two loops covering the frontal lobe. Center‐shortened and fractionated dipoles were simulated for the array configuration and assessed with respect to B‐field at maximum specific absorption rate averaged over 10 g tissue regions in human brain. The whole‐brain center‐shortened dipoles with frontal loops coil array was constructed and its transmit properties were assessed with respect to MR images, B‐field, and homogeneity.ResultsIn simulations, the dipole arrays showed comparable performances to cover the whole‐brain. However, for ease of construction, the center‐shortened dipole was favored. High spatial resolution anatomical images of the human brain with the coil array demonstrated a full coverage of the cerebral cortex and cerebellum.ConclusionsThe 8‐channel center‐shortened dipoles and frontal loops coil array promises remarkable efficiency in highly challenging regions as the cerebellum, and phase‐only RF shimming of whole‐brain could greatly benefit ultra‐high field magnetic resonance imaging of the human brain at 7T.
Quantifying Uncertainty in Aquatic Telemetry: Using Received Signal Strength to Estimate Telemetry Error
Authors: Heim Kurt C. , Steeves Michael E. , McMahon Thomas E. , Ertel Brian D. , Koel Todd M. 
Published: September 2018

Abstract
Telemetry error is not regularly considered in aquatic studies; however, when it is considered, it is generally treated as a static value despite high variation that can occur even within a single tracking event. We describe a simple procedure for using received signal strength (RSS) to estimate telemetry error. We recorded the RSSs of ground- and air-based detections of large (11 g; 11 × 59 mm) and small (8 g; 11 × 43 mm) 172-MHz radio transmitters across a range of distances. Received signal strength was an excellent predictor of the distance to transmitter for ground tracking detections (large transmitter: r2 = 0.98; small transmitter: r2 = 0.97) and a fair predictor for aerial detections (large transmitter: r2 = 0.49; small transmitter: r2 = 0.57). We also manipulated transmitter antenna lengths and unexpectedly found that both transmitters performed better with shorter antennas relative to factory lengths. With calibrated models relating RSS to the distance to transmitter, RSSs from field-collected data can be used to approximate telemetry error and draw spatial confidence areas around location estimates for analysis and interpretation. During a concurrent movement study, we estimated telemetry error for 2,436 detections of fish at large. Ground tracking error estimates ranged from 1 to 131 m (median = 24 m), and aerial error estimates were most often less than 300 m but were as high as 1 km. The benefits of representing telemetry data as spatial confidence areas guided by the RSS of each detection are discussed. With appropriate caution, this method will provide a more robust alternative to the assumption that error is constant, negligible, or both.
Validation of the Diet Satisfaction Questionnaire: a new measure of satisfaction with diets for weight management
Authors: James B. L. , Loken E. , Roe L. S. , Myrissa K. , Lawton C. L. , Dye L. , Rolls B. J. 
Published: September 2018

SummaryObjectiveThe Diet Satisfaction Questionnaire was developed to fill the need for a validated measure to evaluate satisfaction with weight‐management diets. This paper further develops the questionnaire, examining the factor structure of the original questionnaire, cross‐validating a revised version in a second sample and relating diet satisfaction to weight loss during a 1‐year trial.MethodsThe 45‐item Diet Satisfaction Questionnaire (DSat‐45) uses seven scales to assess characteristics that influence diet satisfaction: Healthy Lifestyle, Convenience, Cost, Family Dynamics, Preoccupation with Food, Negative Aspects, and Planning and Preparation. It was administered five times during a 1‐year weight‐loss trial (n = 186 women) and once as an online survey in a separate sample (n = 510 adults). Confirmatory factor analysis was used to assess and refine the DSat‐45 structure, and reliability and validity data were examined in both samples for the revised questionnaire, the DSat‐28. Associations were examined between both DSat questionnaires and weight loss in the trial.ResultsInternal consistency (reliability) was moderate for the DSat‐45. Confirmatory factor analysis showed improved fit for a five‐factor structure, resulting in the DSat‐28 that retained four of the original scales and a shortened fifth scale. This revised questionnaire was reliable in both samples. Weight loss across the year‐long trial was positively related to satisfaction with Healthy Lifestyle, Preoccupation with Food, and Planning and Preparation in both versions of the questionnaire.ConclusionsMeasures of reliability and validity were improved in the more concise DSat‐28 compared to the DSat‐45. This shorter measure should be used in future work to evaluate satisfaction with weight‐management diets.
Ignition of Organic Explosive Materials by a Copper Oxide Film Absorbing a Laser Pulse
Authors: Dolgachev Vadim , Khaneft Alexander , Mitrofanov Anatoly 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThis work present experimental results of PETN ignition and of numerical simulations of PETN, RDX, HMX, and TATB ignition by a copper oxide (CuO) film heated using a millisecond fiber laser YLS‐150. It was established that the dynamic ignition threshold of organic explosive materials (EM) in a three‐layer system (glass – CuO – EM) by a laser pulse has a minimum at the CuO film thickness of 12
. The density of the critical ignition energy of EM is increasing in the sequence of PETN, RDX, HMX, and TATB with PETN having the smallest and TATB having the highest density of the critical ignition energy.
Comparative study of the effect of disease causing and benign mutations in position Q92 on cholesterol binding by the NPC1 n‐terminal domain
Authors: Petukh Marharyta , Zhulin Igor B. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe Niemann‐Pick type C1 (NPC1) protein is a large transmembrane protein located in lysosomes/endosomes. NPC1 binds cholesterol (CLR) and transports it to cellular membrane and endoplasmic reticulum. Mutations in NPC1 cause Niemann‐Pick type C (NPC) disease, a rare autosomal disorder characterized by intracellular accumulations of CLR and subsequent neurodegeneration leading to premature death. Among known disease‐causing mutations in NPC1, Q92R is the one that is located in the N‐terminal cholesterol‐binding domain [NTD]. Here we study the effect of the mutation on the ability of NPC1 (NTD) to bind and retain CLR in the binding pocket using structural analysis. We compare characteristics of the Q92R and Q92S mutant type (MT) protein, which is predicted to be benign. We provide detailed investigation of the CLR‐NPC1 (NTD) binding process; and propose the mechanism, by which Q92R mutation causes NPC disease. We show that although Q92 residue neither directly participates in catalytic activity of the NPC1 (NTD), nor defines its CLR‐binding specificity ‐ it is important for the overall protein structure as well as for providing favorable electrostatic environment for CLR transfer. Our results suggest that a negative electrostatic potential of the CLR binding site (the S‐opening) might promote NPC2 interaction with NPC1 (NTD) and/or proper CLR orientation and its enforced transfer. We show that in contrast to the benign Q92S mutation, Q92R significantly reduces electrostatic potential around S‐opening, and thus likely affects NPC1 (NTD)‐NPC2 interaction and/or CLR transfer from NPC2 to NPC1.
Mesenchymal Stromal Cell-Seeded Biomimetic Scaffolds as a Factory of Soluble RANKL in Rankl-Deficient Osteopetrosis
Authors: Menale Ciro , Campodoni Elisabetta , Palagano Eleonora , Mantero Stefano , Erreni Marco , Inforzato Antonio , Fontana Elena , Schena Francesca , van’t Hof Rob , Sandri Monica , Tampieri Anna , Villa Anna , Sobacchi Cristina 
Published: September 2018

Abstract
Biomimetic scaffolds are extremely versatile in terms of chemical composition and physical properties, which can be defined to accomplish specific applications. One property that can be added is the production/release of bioactive soluble factors, either directly from the biomaterial, or from cells embedded within the biomaterial. We reasoned that pursuing this strategy would be appropriate to setup a cell-based therapy for RANKL-deficient autosomal recessive osteopetrosis, a very rare skeletal genetic disease in which lack of the essential osteoclastogenic factor RANKL impedes osteoclast formation. The exogenously administered RANKL cytokine is effective in achieving osteoclast formation and function in vitro and in vivo, thus, we produced murine Rankl−/− mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) overexpressing human soluble RANKL (hsRL) following lentiviral transduction (LVhsRL). Here, we described a three-dimensional (3D) culture system based on a magnesium-doped hydroxyapatite/collagen I (MgHA/Col) biocompatible scaffold closely reproducing bone physicochemical properties. MgHA/Col-seeded murine MSCs showed improved properties, as compared to two-dimensional (2D) culture, in terms of proliferation and hsRL production, with respect to LVhsRL-transduced cells. When implanted subcutaneously in Rankl−/− mice, these cell constructs were well tolerated, colonized by host cells, and intensely vascularized. Of note, in the bone of Rankl−/− mice that carried scaffolds with either WT or LVhsRL-transduced Rankl−/− MSCs, we specifically observed formation of TRAP+ cells, likely due to sRL released from the scaffolds into circulation. Thus, our strategy proved to have the potential to elicit an effect on the bone; further work is required to maximize these benefits and achieve improvements of the skeletal pathology in the treated Rankl−/− mice. Stem Cells Translational Medicine 2019;8:22–34