bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Functional mapping of N deficiency‐induced response in wheat yield‐component traits by implementing high‐throughput phenotyping
Authors: Jiang Libo , Sun Lidan , Ye Meixia , Wang Jing , Wang Yaqun , Bogard Matthieu , Lacaze Xavier , Fournier Antoine , Beauchêne Katia , Gouache David , Wu Rongling 
Published: December 2018

AbstractAs overfertilization leads to environmental concerns and the cost of N fertilizer increases, the issue of how to select crop cultivars that can produce high yields on N‐deficient soils has become crucially important. However, little information is known about the genetic mechanisms by which crops respond to environmental changes induced by N signaling. Here, we dissected the genetic architecture of N‐induced phenotypic plasticity in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) by integrating functional mapping and semiautomatic high‐throughput phenotyping data of yield‐related canopy architecture. We identified a set of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that determined the pattern and magnitude of how wheat cultivars responded to low N stress from normal N supply throughout the wheat life cycle. This analysis highlighted the phenological landscape of genetic effects exerted by individual QTLs, as well as their interactions with N‐induced signals and with canopy measurement angles. This information may shed light on our mechanistic understanding of plant adaptation and provide valuable information for the breeding of N‐deficiency tolerant wheat varieties.
Nucleated red blood cells as a novel indicator of CD34+ cell content in umbilical cord blood
Authors: Galel David , Crisostomo Clarence , Ortega Jennifer , Peters Kirstin , Neveu Sara , Davila Carolina , Barlow James 
Published: December 2018

BACKGROUNDUmbilical cord blood (UCB) has become an important source of transplantable CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells. Cord blood banks (CBBs) can increase their efficiency by minimizing the processing of UCB units with low CD34+ content, which have a lower likelihood of transplant utilization. We sought to identify a readily available preprocessing metric that would correlate with CD34+ cell counts, without the cost of additional analysis.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSData were compiled for 131 UCB units processed at the regional CBB. Preprocessing hematologic metrics, including complete blood count and differential, were compared to postprocessing CD34+ cell quantities. The data were divided into six groups of varying preprocessing metrics, then compared for significant differences in postprocessing CD34+ cell quantities to develop a screening guidance.RESULTSUCB units with nucleated RBC (nRBC) content of 15% or greater were found to have a significant increase in CD34+ cell percentage (p < 0.00001) and total CD34+ cell content (p < 0.0001). Units with preprocessing total nucleated cell count (TNC) of ≥ 1.50 × 109 with nRBC content of 15% or greater, and for TNC ≥ of 2.00 × 109 with nRBC content less than15%, had a significant increase in CD34+ content (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). Applied as a screening guideline, these units had an increase in mean CD34+ content from 6.24 × 106 to 9.27 × 106. Units originally in the bottom and top quartiles of CD34+ content constitute 5% and 53% of processed units meeting these TNC/nRBC criteria, respectively.CONCLUSIONThese screening criteria utilizing nRBC provides a guideline that public CBBs may use to increase their efficiency by minimizing the processing of UCB units with lower CD34+ cell content.
Ultrasonographic features of superficial and nodular basal cell carcinoma
Authors: Khlebnikova Albina Nikolaevna , Molochkov Vladimir Alekseevich , Selezneva Elena Vladimirovna , Belova Lyubov Anatolevna , Bezugly Artur , Molochkov Anton Vladimirovich 
Published: December 2018

Aim: To describe the ultrasonographic findings of surface and nodular basal cell skin cancer (BCC) using high frequency ultrasonography.Materials and methods: We examined 60 primary BCCs in different locations with the High Frequency Ultrasound (HFU) system DUB Skin Scanner using 75 MHz and 30 MHz probes. Epidermis, dermis, and depth of tumors spread in the region of interest (ROI) were measured. Visually unchanged, contralateral skin areas were examined as the control. Results: The surface BCC most often had elongated contours, clear margins and hypoechoic structure, while the nodular BCC had round or oval outlines and diffusely hypo-heterogeneous structure with clear margins. Sclerodermiform BCCs were visualized as hypoechoic areas of irregular shape penetrating in the dermis, with wavy fuzzy margins. The average thickness of the surface BCC in the US examination was 556.28±136.95 μ, the nodular BCC thickness was 2439.71±865.92 μ and the sclerodermiform thickness was 1500±325.33 μ. A statistically significant increase in the average thickness of tumors of the nodularand scleroderma forms was observed in comparison with the surface clinical variant (p<0.05). Hyperechoic inclusions were observed in 11% of the surface BCC’s and in the 100% of the nodular BCC’s. Their average number was 2±0.57 and 4±4.8, with the average area of 0.03±0.02 mm2 and 0.04±0.03 mm2 (p>0.05), respectively. In the surface BCC, they were mainly located along the periphery of the hypoechoic zones. In nodular BCC, the inclusions had a peripheral and combined (center and peripheral) distribution.Conclusions: Ultrasound allows differentiating BCC as diffuse-heterogeneous, hypoechoic, formations in the dermis with distinct contours. Depending on the clinical picture, they differ in form, depth of bedding, as well as in the quantitative ratio and distribution of the point hyperechoic structures in them.
Evaluation of regional myocardial perfusion in methamphetamine abusers using real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography
Authors: Zheng Xiao-Zhi , Shi Yun-Yan , Chen Ke-Qi , Qiao Xiao-Ling , Wang Lian-You 
Published: December 2018

Aims: To evaluate the feasibility of assessing regional myocardial perfusion using real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) at rest for detecting coronary microcirculation abnormalities in methamphetamine abusers.Material and methods: Twenty-two male methamphetamine abusers (11 without chest pain, 11 with chest pain), free of ascertained coronary artery disease, were enrolled in this study. A control group of 22 age-matched male healthy participants was studied for comparison. Standard 2D, flow and tissue Doppler echo with measurements of cardiac morphologic and functional indicators,MCE with measurements of regional myocardial perfusion were performed, respectively.Results: Compared to healthy participants, methamphetamine abusers had higher blood pressure, greater left ventricular mass index and more impaired diastolic function, with preserved cardiac sizes and systolic function. Methamphetamine abusers with chest pain had a faster heart rate than those without chest pain and healthy participants. MCE in methamphetamine abusers, especially with chest pain, had significant longer contrast agent arrival times, less functional capillary blood volumes, slower microvascular flow velocities and less myocardial perfusion than healthy participants (p<0.05). Moreover, along with the increases of dosage and duration of use (from group A to group C, group A: 1-2 g/day, <2 years; group B: 2-3 g/day, 2-5 years; group C: >3 g/day, >5 years) the reductions in the myocardial perfusion indices were more significant (p<0.01). The cutoff value with 5.1 dB2/s of the myocardial perfusion at the left ventricular apex had a sensitivity of 87.5%, specificity of 75.2% and accuracy of 81.9% for differentiating methamphetamine abusers from normal subjects.Conclusions: Real-time MCE can effectively detect coronary microcirculation abnormalities in methamphetamine abusers at rest and myocardial perfusion is significantly reduced in methamphetamine abusers. This finding may be involved in the occurrence and development of cardiac damage.
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound performance in predicting blunt splenic injuries requiring only observation and monitoring
Authors: Tagliati Corrado , Argalia Giulio , Giuseppetti Gian Marco 
Published: December 2018

Aims: To assess contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) performance in the prediction of non-operatively managed blunt spleen injuries requiring only observation and monitoring during follow-up and to evaluate if CEUS accuracy was higher than conventional ultrasound (US) in this field.Material and methods: In 112 hemodynamic stable blunt spleen trauma patients, CEUS was performed for follow-up after computed tomography evaluation in the emergency department. CEUS and US performance were assessed considering as true negative cases patients that had not underwent interventional or surgical treatment during follow-up and were assessed as negative for splenic complications respectively by CEUS or US examinations.Results: CEUS showed sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 96.1%, positive predictive value of 69.2%, negative predictive value of 100.0% and accuracy of 96.4%. CEUS showed a significantly higher accuracy than conventional US (p=0.013).Conclusions: CEUS is a very useful imaging modality during follow-up of blunt splenic trauma non-operatively managed, allowing an efficientprediction of splenic injuries requiring only observation and monitoring during follow-up.
Enterovirus and parechovirus meningitis in infants younger than 90 days old in the UK and Republic of Ireland: a British Paediatric Surveillance Unit study
Authors: Kadambari Seilesh , Braccio Serena , Ribeiro Sonia , Allen David J , Pebody Richard , Brown David , Cunney Robert , Sharland Mike , Ladhani Shamez 
Published: December 2018

ObjectivesThis study aimed to prospectively collect detailed clinical information for all enterovirus (EV) and human parechovirus (HPeV) meningitis cases in infants aged <90 days in the UK and Ireland.Participants, design and settingProspective, active national surveillance during July 2014 to July 2015 through the British Paediatric Surveillance Unit. Reporting paediatricians completed questionnaires requesting information on clinical presentation, investigations, management and outcomes at hospital discharge and after 12 months.Main outcome measuresTo describe the clinical burden of EV and HPeV meningitis in infants aged <90 days.ResultsDuring the 13-month surveillance period, 703 cases (668 EV, incidence0.79/1,000 live- births; 35 HPeV, 0.04/1,000 live-births) were identified. The most common clinical presentations were fever (EV: 570/668(85%); HPeV: 28/35(80%)), irritability (EV: 441/668(66%); HPeV: 23/35(66%)) and reduced feeding (EV: 363/668(54%); HPeV 23/35(66%)). Features of circulatory shock were present in 27% (182/668) of EV and 43% (15/35) of HPeV cases. Overall, 11% (76/668) of EV and 23% (8/35) of HPeV cases required intensive care support. Nearly all cases (678/703, 96%) were confirmed by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) PCR, with 52% (309/600) having normal CSF white cell count for age. Two infants with EV meningitis died (2/668, 0.3%) and four survivors (4/666, 0.6%) had long-term complications at 12 months’ follow-up. Infants with HPeV meningitis survived without sequelae. Overall 189 infants had a formal hearing test and none had sensorineural hearing loss.ConclusionThe incidence of laboratory-confirmed EV/HPeV meningitis in young infants is more than twice that for bacterial meningitis. Less than 1% will develop severe neurological complications or die of their infection. Further studies are required to formally assess long-term neurodevelopmental sequelae.
Patterns of performance and improvement in US Medicare’s Hospital Star Ratings, 2016–2017
Authors: Chatterjee Paula , Joynt Maddox Karen 
Published: December 2018

BackgroundPublicly reported quality data can help consumers make informed choices about where to seek medical care. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services developed a composite Hospital Compare Overall Star Rating for US acute-care hospitals in 2016. However, patterns of performance and improvement have not been previously described.ObjectiveTo characterise high-quality and low-quality hospitals as assessed by Star Ratings.DesignWe performed a retrospective cross-sectional study of 3429 US acute-care hospitals assigned Overall Star Ratings in both 2016 and 2017. We used multivariable logistic regression models to identify characteristics associated with receiving 4 or 5 stars.ResultsSmall hospitals were more likely to receive 4 or 5 stars in 2016 (33% of small hospitals, 26% of medium hospitals and 21% of large hospitals, OR for medium 0.78, p=0.02, and for large, 0.61, p=0.003). Non-profit status (OR 1.37, p=0.01), midwest region (OR=2.30, p<0.001), west region (OR 1.30 in 2016, p=0.06) and system membership (OR 1.33, p=0.003) were associated with higher odds of achieving a higher Star Rating. Hospitals with the most Medicaid patients were markedly less likely to receive 4 or 5 stars (OR for highest quartile=0.32, p<0.001), and hospitals with the highest proportion of Medicare patients were somewhat less likely to do so (OR for highest quartile=0.68, p=0.01). These associations remained largely consistent over the first two years of reporting and were also associated with the highest likelihood of improvement.ConclusionsSmall hospitals with fewer Medicaid patients had the highest odds of performing well on Star Ratings. Further monitoring of these trends is needed as patients, clinicians and policymakers strive to use this information to promote high-quality care.
New generation of headgear for rugby: impact reduction of linear and rotational forces by a viscoelastic material-based rugby head guard
Authors: Ganly Mark , McMahon Jill Mary 
Published: December 2018

ObjectivesIn the aim to develop a usable and wearable head guard for rugby that could reduce impact energy and lessen the likelihood of concussive and subconcussive injury during play, a combination of viscoelastic materials was employed to develop a guard with similar dimensions to those currently used in international rugby.MethodsThe head guard was tested for impact energy reduction following linear acceleration, using drop tests, as required by World Rugby. The head guard was also subjected to pendulum tests, allowing acceleration to be simultaneously measured on two headforms, as well as repeated impacts to mimic ageing and repeated use. Impact following rotational acceleration was determined at two impact locations and at three impact velocities.ResultsThe viscoelastic head guard (N-Pro) was shown to reduce linear impacts by up to 75% in comparison to the use of a commercially available rugby head guard and repeated impacts did not impair the attenuation of impact energy. Rotational impact energy was also reduced by an average of 34% across three speeds and two sites of impact test sites, in comparison to tested bare headforms.ConclusionsThis heralds a new generation of soft-shelled headgear that could help reduce two primary risk factors in sports-induced mild traumatic brain injury: linear and rotational impacts to the head.
Muscle MRI in a large cohort of patients with oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy
Authors: Alonso-Jimenez Alicia , Kroon Rosemarie H M J M , Alejaldre-Monforte Aida , Nuñez-Peralta Claudia , Horlings Corinne G C , van Engelen Baziel G M , Olivé Montse , González Laura , Verges-Gil Enric , Paradas Carmen , Márquez Celedonio , Garibaldi Matteo , Gallano Pía , Rodriguez Maria José , Gonzalez-Quereda Lidia , Dominguez Gonzalez Cristina , Vissing John , Fornander Freja , Eisum Anne-Sofie Vibæk , García-Sobrino Tania , Pardo Julio , García-Figueiras Roberto , Muelas Nuria , Vilchez Juan Jesús , Kapetanovic Solange , Tasca Giorgio , Monforte Mauro , Ricci Enzo , Gomez María Teresa , Bevilacqua Jorge Alfredo , Diaz-Jara Jorge , Zamorano Ivonne Ingrid , Carlier Robert Yves , Laforet Pascal , Pelayo-Negro Ana , Ramos-Fransi Alba , Martínez Amaia , Marini-Bettolo Chiara , Straub Volker , Gutiérrez Gerardo , Stojkovic Tanya , Martín María Asunción , Morís Germán , Fernández-Torrón Roberto , Lopez De Munaín Adolfo , Cortes-Vicente Elena , Querol Luis , Rojas-García Ricardo , Illa Isabel , Diaz-Manera Jordi 
Published: December 2018

Background and objectiveOculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD) is a genetic disorder caused by an abnormal expansion of GCN triplets within thePABPN1gene. Previous descriptions have focused on lower limb muscles in small cohorts of patients with OPMD, but larger imaging studies have not been performed. Previous imaging studies have been too small to be able to correlate imaging findings to genetic and clinical data.MethodsWe present cross-sectional, T1-weighted muscle MRI and CT-scan data from 168 patients with genetically confirmed OPMD. We have analysed the pattern of muscle involvement in the disease using hierarchical analysis and presented it as heatmaps. Results of the scans were correlated with genetic and clinical data.ResultsFatty replacement was identified in 96.7% of all symptomatic patients. The tongue, theadductor magnusand thesoleuswere the most commonly affected muscles. Muscle pathology on MRI correlated positively with disease duration and functional impairment.ConclusionsWe have described a pattern that can be considered characteristic of OPMD. An early combination of fat replacement in the tongue,adductor magnusandsoleuscan be helpful for differential diagnosis. The findings suggest the natural history of the disease from a radiological point of view. The information generated by this study is of high diagnostic value and important for clinical trial development.
Face validity of the youth Multiple Errands Test (yMET) in the community: A focus group and pilot study
Authors: Hanberg Vanessa L , MacKenzie Diane E , Versnel Joan 
Published: December 2018

Introduction During late adolescence and early adulthood, maturation of cognitive functions including executive functions are occurring. The multiple errands test is an assessment of real-world executive functions and, to date, non-virtual reality multiple errands test research has focused primarily on adults with acquired brain injury in hospital settings. There is poor evidence across multiple errands test studies for content and face validity and limited studies in the community. This study aimed to explore multiple errands test face validity for typically developing youth (age 16–24 years) and describe their community setting performance on a youth multiple errands test. Methods A youth focus group ( N = 5) was conducted to explore perceptions of the multiple errands test. From their input, the youth multiple errands test was developed and pilot tested ( N = 9) in a shopping mall. Results Two themes emerged from focus group analysis and limited changes, relevant to youth, were made to develop the youth multiple errands test. The focus group and pilot study found the youth multiple errands test was acceptable and cognitively challenging for youth, with older youth performing better than younger youth. Overall youth multiple errands test performance suggests similarities to healthy adults in previous studies. Conclusion Findings must be interpreted with caution since the sample was small, but preliminary results indicate that future studies with the youth multiple errands test are feasible and warranted.
Quantitative and Qualitative Assessment of the Posterior Medial Meniscus Anatomy: Defining Meniscal Ramp Lesions
Authors: DePhillipo Nicholas N. , Moatshe Gilbert , Chahla Jorge , Aman Zach S. , Storaci Hunter W. , Morris Elizabeth R. , Robbins Colin M. , Engebretsen Lars , LaPrade Robert F. 
Published: December 2018

Background: Meniscal ramp lesions have been defined as a tear of the peripheral attachment of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus (PHMM) at the meniscocapsular junction or an injury to the meniscotibial attachment. Precise anatomic descriptions of these structures are limited in the current literature. Purpose: To quantitatively and qualitatively describe the PHMM and posteromedial capsule anatomy pertaining to the location of a meniscal ramp lesion with reference to surgically relevant landmarks. Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Methods: Fourteen male nonpaired fresh-frozen cadavers were used. The locations of the posteromedial meniscocapsular and meniscotibial attachments were identified. Measurements to surgically relevant landmarks were performed with a coordinate measuring system. To further analyze the posteromedial meniscocapsular and meniscotibial attachments, hematoxylin and eosin and alcian blue staining were conducted on a separate sample of 10 nonpaired specimens. Results: The posterior meniscocapsular attachment had a mean ± SD length of 20.2 ± 6.0 mm and attached posteroinferiorly to the PHMM at a mean depth of 36.4% of the total posterior meniscal height. The posterior meniscotibial ligament attached on the PHMM 16.5 mm posterior and 7.7 mm medial to the center of the posterior medial meniscal root attachment. The meniscotibial ligament tibial attachment was 5.9 ± 1.3 mm inferior to the articular cartilage margin of the posterior medial tibial plateau. The posterior meniscocapsular attachment converged with the meniscotibial ligament at the most posterior point of the meniscocapsular junction in all specimens. Histological staining of the meniscocapsular and meniscotibial ligament PHMM attachments showed similar structure, cell density, and fiber directionality, with no qualitative difference in the makeup of their collagen matrices across all specimens. Conclusion: The anatomy of the area where a medial meniscal ramp tear occurs revealed that the 2 posterior meniscal attachments merged at a common attachment on the PHMM. Histological analysis validated a shared attachment point of the meniscocapsular and meniscotibial attachments of the PHMM. Clinical Relevance: The findings of this study provide the anatomic foundation for an improved understanding of the meniscocapsular and meniscotibial attachments of the PHMM, which may help provide a more precise definition of a meniscal ramp lesion.
Exploring the impacts of personal factors on clinical leadership in a university hospital
Authors: Budak Fatih , Özer Özlem 
Published: December 2018

Background Clinical leadership is one of the important issues that should be carefully discussed with clinicians in the health sector. Aims The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical leadership qualities of physicians and nurses and to examine effect variables such as age, gender, marital status, total working time, educational level, profession, working unit, formal education on management, leadership and clinical leadership on the subdimensions of clinical leadership. Methods Participants included physicians and nurses working in a university hospital in Ankara, Turkey, and 261 participants responded to the research instrument. Data were collected from January to March 2016. Descriptive statistics, the significance test of difference between two means, and one-way analysis of variance were used in the data analysis. Results The findings revealed that total working time in the health sector and in the current working unit affect all subdimensions of clinical leadership ( p < 0.05). Whereas the subdimension of managing services has the highest mean score, the subdimension of personal qualities has the lowest mean score in clinical leadership. Conclusion Clinicians must aspire to achieve professional and managerial levels, which can improve their clinical expertise and clinical leadership skills.