bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Treatment of autonomic dysfunction in Parkinson disease and other synucleinopathies
Authors: Palma Jose‐Alberto , Kaufmann Horacio 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACTDysfunction of the autonomic nervous system afflicts most patients with Parkinson disease and other synucleinopathies such as dementia with Lewy bodies, multiple system atrophy, and pure autonomic failure, reducing quality of life and increasing mortality. For example, gastrointestinal dysfunction can lead to impaired drug pharmacodynamics causing a worsening in motor symptoms, and neurogenic orthostatic hypotension can cause syncope, falls, and fractures. When recognized, autonomic problems can be treated, sometimes successfully. Discontinuation of potentially causative/aggravating drugs, patient education, and nonpharmacological approaches are useful and should be tried first. Pathophysiology‐based pharmacological treatments that have shown efficacy in controlled trials of patients with synucleinopathies have been approved in many countries and are key to an effective management. Here, we review the treatment of autonomic dysfunction in patients with Parkinson disease and other synucleinopathies, summarize the nonpharmacological and current pharmacological therapeutic strategies including recently approved drugs, and provide practical advice and management algorithms for clinicians, with focus on neurogenic orthostatic hypotension, supine hypertension, dysphagia, sialorrhea, gastroparesis, constipation, neurogenic overactive bladder, underactive bladder, and sexual dysfunction. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Voluntary inhibitory motor control over involuntary tic movements
Authors: Ganos Christos , Rothwell John , Haggard Patrick 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACTInhibitory control is crucial for normal adaptive motor behavior. In hyperkinesias, such as tics, disinhibition within the cortico‐striato‐thalamo‐cortical loops is thought to underlie the presence of involuntary movements. Paradoxically, tics are also subject to voluntary inhibitory control. This puzzling clinical observation questions the traditional definition of tics as purely involuntary motor behaviors. Importantly, it suggests novel insights into tic pathophysiology. In this review, we first define voluntary inhibitory tic control and compare it with other notions of tic control from the literature. We then examine the association between voluntary inhibitory tic control with premonitory urges and review evidence linking voluntary tic inhibition to other forms of executive control of action. We discuss the somatotopic selectivity and the neural correlates of voluntary inhibitory tic control. Finally, we provide a scientific framework with regard to the clinical relevance of the study of voluntary inhibitory tic control within the context of the neurodevelopmental disorder of Tourette syndrome. We identify current knowledge gaps that deserve attention in future research. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Assessment of velopharyngeal function with dual‐planar high‐resolution real‐time spiral dynamic MRI
Authors: Feng Xue , Blemker Silvia S. , Inouye Josh , Pelland Catherine M. , Zhao Li , Meyer Craig H. 
Published: March 2018

PurposeTo develop a real‐time dynamic MRI method for comprehensive evaluation of velum movement during speech.MethodsDynamic MRI has been used to study velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) by imaging the movement of the velum during speech, because it can provide good anatomic details with no exposed radiation. To be able to comprehensively evaluate dynamic velum movement, a real‐time spiral non‐balanced SSFP sequence was developed with simultaneous dual‐planar coverage and improved spatial and temporal resolution using a combination of parallel imaging and spatial and temporal compressed sensing to achieve 6 × acceleration. New off‐resonance correction and post‐processing methods were also developed to reduce blurring and slice crosstalk.ResultsThe method demonstrated good image quality for visualizing dynamic velum movement with reduced blurring and improved image homogeneity. Spatial resolution of 1.2*1.2 mm2 with 150 mm FOV and temporal resolution of 20 frames‐per‐second with simultaneous dual‐planar coverage was achieved.ConclusionsThis work describes a new technique for studying speech disorders using dual‐planar accelerated spiral dynamic MRI.
Measurement of blood‐brain barrier permeability using dynamic contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging with reduced scan time
Authors: Bae Jonghyun , Zhang Jin , Wadghiri Youssef Zaim , Minhas Atul Singh , Poptani Harish , Ge Yulin , Kim Sungheon Gene 
Published: March 2018

PurposeTo investigate the feasibility of measuring the subtle disruption of blood‐brain barrier (BBB) using DCE‐MRI with a scan duration shorter than 10 min.MethodsThe extended Patlak‐model (EPM) was introduced to include the effect of plasma flow (Fp) in the estimation of vascular permeability–surface area product (PS). Numerical simulation studies were carried out to investigate how the reduction in scan time affects the accuracy in estimating contrast kinetic parameters. DCE‐MRI studies of the rat brain were conducted with Fisher rats to confirm the results from the simulation. Intracranial F98 glioblastoma models were used to assess areas with different levels of permeability. In the normal brain tissues, the Patlak model (PM) and EPM were compared, whereas the 2‐compartment‐exchange‐model (TCM) and EPM were assessed in the peri‐tumor and the tumor regions.ResultsThe simulation study results demonstrated that scan time reduction could lead to larger bias in PS estimated by PM (>2000%) than by EPM (<47%), especially when Fp is low. When Fp was high as in the gray matter, the bias in PM‐PS (>900%) were larger than that in EPM‐PS (<42%). The animal study also showed similar results, where the PM parameters were more sensitive to the scan duration than the EPM parameters. It was also demonstrated that, in the peri‐tumor region, the EPM parameters showed less change by scan duration than the TCM parameters.ConclusionThe results of this study suggest that EPM can be used to measure PS with a scan duration of 10 min or less.
Accelerated 4D phase contrast MRI in skeletal muscle contraction
Authors: Mazzoli Valentina , Gottwald Lukas M. , Peper Eva S. , Froeling Martijn , Coolen Bram F. , Verdonschot Nico , Sprengers Andre M. , van Ooij Pim , Strijkers Gustav J. , Nederveen Aart J. 
Published: March 2018

Purpose3D time‐resolved (4D) phase contrast MRI can be used to study muscle contraction. However, 3D coverage with sufficient spatiotemporal resolution can only be achieved by interleaved acquisitions during many repetitions of the motion task, resulting in long scan times. The aim of this study was to develop a compressed sensing accelerated 4D phase contrast MRI technique for quantification of velocities and strain rate of the muscles in the lower leg during active plantarflexion/dorsiflexion.MethodsNine healthy volunteers were scanned during active dorsiflexion/plantarflexion task. For each volunteer, we acquired a reference scan, as well as 4 different accelerated scans (k‐space undersampling factors: 3.14X, 4.09X, 4.89X, and 6.41X) obtained using Cartesian Poisson disk undersampling schemes. The data was reconstructed using a compressed sensing pipeline. For each scan, velocity and strain rate values were quantified in the gastrocnemius lateralis, gastrocnemius medialis, tibialis anterior, and soleus.ResultsNo significant differences in velocity values were observed as a function acceleration factor in the investigated muscles. The strain rate calculation resulted in one positive (s+) and one negative (s−) eigenvalue, whereas the third eigenvalue (s3) was consistently 0 for all the acquisitions. No significant differences were observed for the strain rate eigenvalues as a function of acceleration factor.ConclusionsData undersampling combined with compressed sensing reconstruction allowed obtainment of time‐resolved phase contrast acquisitions with 3D coverage and quantitative information comparable to the reference scan. The 3D sensitivity of the method can help in understanding the connection between muscle architecture and muscle function in future studies.
Inhibitory effects of silodosin on the bladder mechanosensitive afferent activities and their relation with bladder myogenic contractions in male rats with bladder outlet obstruction
Authors: Aizawa Naoki , Watanabe Daiji , Fukuhara Hiroshi , Fujimura Tetsuya , Kume Haruki , Homma Yukio , Igawa Yasuhiko 
Published: March 2018

AimsWe investigated the effects of silodosin, an α1A‐adrenoceptor (AR) antagonist, on bladder function, especially on non‐voiding contractions (NVCs), in a male rat model of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) by evaluating cystometry (CMG) findings and bladder mechanosensitive single‐unit afferent activities (SAAs), related with microcontractions, which may be similar with NVCs and to be of myogenic origin, in the rat model.MethodsBOO was created by partial ligation of the posterior urethra. At 4 days after surgery for BOO, an osmotic pump filled with silodosin (0.12 mg/kg/day) or its vehicle was subcutaneously implanted. At 10 days after surgery, CMG and SAAs measurements were taken under conscious and urethane‐anesthetized conditions, respectively. The SAAs of Aδ‐ and C‐fibers, which were identified by electrical stimulation of the pelvic nerve and by bladder distention, and intravesical pressure were recorded during constant bladder‐filling with saline. Microcontractions were divided into three phases: “ascending,” “descending,” and “stationary.”ResultsThe silodosin‐treated group showed a smaller number of NVCs in CMG measurements and lower SAAs of both Aδ‐ and C‐fibers than the vehicle‐treated group during bladder‐filling. Moreover, in the vehicle‐treated groups, the SAAs of both fibers for the ascending phase of microcontractions were significantly higher than those for the other two phases. On the contrary, no significant change was found between any of these three phases in the silodosin‐treated group.ConclusionThe present results suggest that silodosin inhibits the SAAs of mechanosensitive Aδ‐ and C‐fibers at least partly due to suppressing myogenic bladder contractions in male BOO rats.
Pyloric metaplasia, pseudopyloric metaplasia, ulcer‐associated cell lineage and spasmolytic polypeptide‐expressing metaplasia: reparative lineages in the gastrointestinal mucosa
Authors: Goldenring James R 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe gastrointestinal mucosae provide a critical barrier between the external and internal milieu. Thus, damage to the mucosa requires an immediate response to provide appropriate wound closure and healing. Metaplastic lineages with phenotypes similar to the mucous glands of the distal stomach or Brunner's glands have been associated with various injurious scenarios in the stomach, small bowel, and colon. These lineages have been assigned various names including pyloric metaplasia, pseudopyloric metaplasia, ulcer‐associated cell lineage (UACL), and spasmolytic polypeptide‐expressing metaplasia (SPEM). A re‐examination of the literature on these various forms of mucous cell metaplasia suggests that pyloric‐type mucosal gland lineages may provide a ubiquitous response to mucosal injury throughout the gastrointestinal tract as well as in the pancreas, esophagus, and other mucosal surfaces. While the cellular origin of these putative reparative lineages likely varies in different regions of the gut, their final phenotypes may converge on a pyloric‐type gland dedicated to mucous secretion. In addition to their healing properties in the setting of acute injury, these pyloric‐type lineages may also represent precursors to neoplastic transitions in the face of chronic inflammatory influences. Further investigations are needed to determine how discrete molecular profiles relate to the origin and function of pyloric‐type metaplasias previously described by histological characteristics in multiple epithelial mucosal systems in the setting of acute and chronic damage. Copyright © 2018 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stigma and its influencing factors among Chinese patients with stoma
Authors: Yuan Jing Min , Zhang Jun E , Zheng Mei Chun , Bu Xiu Qing 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundAlthough stomas are necessary for disease treatment, they unavoidably affect patients' lives from physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and familial perspectives and contribute to feelings of embarrassment and shame. This study explored the current status and factors influencing stigma among Chinese patients with stoma.MethodsA total of 209 patients with stoma at the stoma clinic of a tertiary cancer centre in Guangzhou, China, were recruited and investigated by using the Social Impact Scale, the Coping Self‐Efficacy Scale, the State Self‐Esteem Scale, and a demographic questionnaire. Multivariate linear regression was used to identify the factors influencing stigma.ResultsThe mean Social Impact Scale score was 69.65 ± 13.18, which represents a moderate effect; specifically, 44% of the patients experienced high levels of stigma. Stoma patients with the following characteristics had high levels of stigma: young, low coping self‐efficacy, low stoma acceptance by one's spouse or other family members, poor perceived body image, stool leakage, and no experience of participating in activities with other stoma patients.ConclusionsMedical staff members should pay more attention to stigma in stoma patients. Coping self‐efficacy, family members' acceptance of the stoma, and participation in activities with other stoma patients are influencing factors that protect these patients against stigma, whereas body image loss and stool leakage place them at higher risk for stigma. Interventions aimed at improving protective factors and decreasing risk factors should be considered to reduce the level of stigma in patients with stoma.
Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance Enhanced Singlet Oxygen Generation and Light Absorption Based on Black Phosphorus@AuNPs Nanosheet for Tumor Photodynamic/Thermal Therapy
Authors: Zhang Da , Lin Xiao , Lan Shanyou , Sun Haiyan , Wang Xuandong , Liu Xiaolong , Zhang Yun , Zeng Yongyi 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAlthough photodynamic therapy is an efficient therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment, it always suffers from the low singlet oxygen (1O2) yields owing to the weak absorption in optical transparent window of biological tissues. Herein, the black phosphorus (BP) nanosheet is integrated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to simultaneously enhance the singlet oxygen generation and hyperthermia by localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) in cancer therapy. In the design, BP nanosheet employed as two‐dimension (2D) inorganic photosensitizer is hybridized with AuNPs through polyetherimide (PEI) as bridge to form BP‐PEI/AuNPs hybrid nanosheet. Such hybridation not only significantly increases the 1O2 production of BP nanosheet through maximizing the local field enhancement of AuNPs, but also significantly enhances the light absorption of BP nanosheet to promote photothermal effect by LSPR. Accordingly, about 3.9‐fold enhancement of 1O2 production and 1.7‐fold increasement of photothermal conversion efficiency are achieved compared with BP‐PEI alone upon single 670 nm laser irradiation. As a proof‐of‐concept model, BP‐PEI/AuNPs hybrid nanosheet with simultaneous dual‐modal phototherapy functions result in effective suppression of tumor growth with minimized side effects both in vitro and in vivo, indicating the great potential of the BP‐PEI/AuNPs hybrid nanosheet as an effective strategy to enhance the cancer therapy efficiency.
Verification in the presence of observation errors: Bayesian point of view
Authors: Duc Le , Saito Kazuo 
Published: March 2018

Verification in the presence of observation errors is approached from the Bayesian point of view. Like data assimilation (DA), Bayesian verification is shown to have a robust foundation established by Bayesian inference. Together, DA and Bayesian verification form two difference levels of Bayesian inference. Evaluation of a model is equivalent to inference on the plausibility of this model given observations. Relative performances between different models are measured by ratios of posterior plausibilities, which becomes ratios of likelihoods in the case of no prior information. These ratios are called the Bayes factors and are the standard verification method in Bayesian model comparison. Since verification scores are used intensively in numerical weather prediction, the verification scores derived from likelihoods are proposed to replace the Bayes factors in Bayesian verification. With two requirements that the verification scores are both strictly proper and local, the logarithm score, i.e. log‐likelihood, and its linear transformation are shown to be the unique class.Log‐likelihoods in Bayesian verification are determined by the form of forecast probability distributions from models. The empirical form is preferable because of its flexibility in incorporating not only observation errors but also other uncertainties in observation biases or observation error variances into calculation to obtain closed forms for log‐likelihoods. When applied to observations with Gaussian errors, the logarithm score induces the weighted mean‐squared error which is non‐dimensional and can be used for both univariate and multivariate observations. The most interesting application of Bayesian verification is to offer a new explanation for rank histograms and quantify flatness of rank histograms by a metric which turns out to be the Kullback–Leibler divergence between the rank distribution observed in reality and a uniform rank distribution. It is worthy of note that the two very different metrics come from the logarithm score.
Visible‐Light‐Driven Carbon Dioxide Reduction Coupled with Water Oxidation by a Composite Soft‐Oxometalate (SOM) System
Authors: Biswas Subharanjan , Pochamoni Ramudu , Roy Soumyajit 
Published: March 2018

AbstractNature's energy needs are met by systems of renewable resources. Light is used to activate reduction of CO2 while water is oxidized producing energy storage molecules like carbohydrates. Emulating such systems is a challenge. Here we report a visible light driven hybrid soft‐oxometalate based catalyst system that couples CO2 reduction with water oxidation with the highest turnover number of over 1780 per mole and turnover frequency of 534 h−1 of catalyst.
Imaginative footbridge in Mikolajki, Poland
Authors: Malinowski Maciej , Banas Anna , Jeszka Marcin , Sitarski Arkadiusz 
Published: March 2018

AbstractWith authors' thanks to Dr.‐Ing. Karl‐Eugen Kurrer on closure of his service as Editor‐in‐Chief of STAHLBAUIn summer 2016, a new footbridge in the town of Mikołajki (Poland) was built over a stream connecting two adjacent lakes – Talty and Mikołajki. Its modern construction, based on the shape of a DN ice boat, makes it unique in Poland, and probably in the world as well. This novel and dynamic shape became a significant landmark associated not only with Mikołajki, but also with the whole region of Mazury, as well as with sailing itself. The system of footbridge illumination is innovative within Europe. With a blaze of lights, it not only emphasizes the bridge shape but also introduces interesting changes into the appearance of the surroundings. The bridge carrying structure is a two‐span cable‐stayed system suspended on a single pylon. Since on the one hand the city enjoys large numbers of tourist visitors, and on the other hand sailing had to be kept largely uninterrupted, steel as the principal material and a relevant construction technology had to be applied. The load tests performed gave positive confirmation of the bridge's safety.
Mining association rules for admission control and service differentiation in e‐commerce applications
Authors: Xue James , Jarvis Stephen 
Published: March 2018

Workload demands in e‐commerce applications are very dynamic in nature, therefore it is essential for internet service providers to manage server resources effectively to maximize total revenue in server overloading situations. In this paper, a data mining technique is applied to a typical e‐commerce application model for identification of composite association rules that capture user navigation patterns. Two algorithms are then developed based on the derived rules for admission control, service differentiation, and priority scheduling. Our approach takes the following aspects into consideration: (a) only final purchase requests result in company revenue; (b) any other request can potentially lead to final purchase, depending upon the likelihood of the navigation sequence that starts from current request and leads to final purchase; (c) service differentiation and priority assignment are based on aggregated confidence and average support of the composite association rules. As identification of composite association rules and computation of confidence and support of the rules can be pre‐computed offline, the proposed approach incurs minimum performance overheads. The evaluation results suggest that the proposed approach is effective in terms of request management for revenue maximization.This article is categorized under:

Application Areas > Science and Technology
Algorithmic Development > Association Rules
Algorithmic Development > Web Mining
Solving differential equations for Feynman integrals by expansions near singular points
Authors: Lee Roman N. , Smirnov Alexander V. , Smirnov Vladimir A. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractWe describe a strategy to solve differential equations for Feynman integrals by powers series expansions near singular points and to obtain high precision results for the corresponding master integrals. We consider Feynman integrals with two scales, i.e. non-trivially depending on one variable. The corresponding algorithm is oriented at situations where canonical form of the differential equations is impossible. We provide a computer code constructed with the help of our algorithm for a simple example of four-loop generalized sunset integrals with three equal non-zero masses and two zero masses. Our code gives values of the master integrals at any given point on the real axis with a required accuracy and a given order of expansion in the regularization parameter ϵ.