bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Sectoral Analysis of Vessel Density Measurements in Perimetrically Intact Regions of Glaucomatous Eyes: An Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Study
Authors: Pradhan Zia S. , Dixit Shivani , Sreenivasaiah Shruthi , Rao Harsha L. , Venugopal Jayasree P. , Devi Sathi , Webers Carroll A.B. 
Published: March 2018

Purpose:
To study sectoral vessel density (VD) and structural alterations in the peripapillary and parafoveal hemiretina corresponding to perimetrically intact regions of glaucomatous eyes with hemifield defects and to compare these with healthy eyes using optical coherence tomography.

Methods:
This cross-sectional study included 37 eyes with open-angle glaucoma having visual fields defects restricted to 1 hemifield and 45 age-matched controls. Peripapillary VD and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness were measured in 8 sectors. Parafoveal VD and ganglion cell complex thickness were measured in the superior and inferior hemispheres of the macula. These parameters were compared between the intact hemiretinae of glaucomatous eyes and corresponding sectors of healthy eyes using the t test.

Results:
Within the perimetrically intact regions of glaucomatous eyes, the mean VD and RNFL thickness were significantly reduced in inferotemporal, superonasal, and nasal upper peripapillary sectors as compared with healthy eyes (P<0.008). The temporal upper sector had reduced mean VD (60.3% vs. 62.9%, P=0.04) despite similar mean RNFL thickness (P=0.18). The superotemporal sector had decreased mean RNFL thickness (121 vs. 138 µm, P=0.0001) despite similar VD (P=0.06). At the macula, ganglion cell complex thickness was reduced in the superior and inferior hemispheres, but mean VD was reduced in the superior parafoveal region only.

Conclusions:
Peripapillary and parafoveal vascular changes precede functional decline. The extent of VD reduction and RNFL thinning varies in different peripapillary sectors and longitudinal studies are required to better understand the temporal relationship of vascular and RNFL loss.
A Xenograft Model of Vestibular Schwannoma and Hearing Loss
Authors: Dinh Christine T. , Bracho Olena , Mei Christine , Bas Esperanza , Fernandez-Valle Cristina , Telischi Fred , Liu Xue-Zhong 
Published: March 2018

Hypothesis:
Microsurgical implantation of mouse merlin-deficient Schwann cells (MD-SC) into the cerebellopontine angle of immunodeficient rats will initiate tumor formation, hearing loss, and vestibular dysfunction.

Background:
The progress in identifying effective drug therapies for treatment of Neurofibromatosis type II (NF2) is limited by the availability of animal models of VS that develop hearing loss and imbalance.

Methods:
A microsurgical technique for implanting MD-SCs onto the cochleovestibular nerve of rats was developed. Ten Rowett Nude rats were implanted with either ∼105 MD-SCs expressing luciferase (N = 5) or vehicle (N = 5). Rats received bioluminescence imaging, auditory brainstem response testing, and were observed for head tilt every 2 weeks after surgery, for a total of 6 weeks. Tumors were harvested and processed with hematoxylin & eosin staining and immunohistochemistry was performed for S100.

Results:
Rats implanted with MD-SCs developed significantly higher tumor bioluminescence measurements and hearing threshold shifts at multiple frequencies by the 4th and 6th weeks post-implantation, compared with control rats. Rats implanted with MD-SCs also developed gross tumor. The tumor volume was significantly greater than nerve volumes obtained from rats in the control group. All rats with tumors developed a head tilt, while control rats had no signs of vestibular dysfunction. Tumors demonstrated histological features of schwannoma and express S100.

Conclusion:
Using this microsurgical technique, this xenograft rat model of VS develops tumors involving the cochleovestibular nerve, shifts in hearing thresholds, and vestibular dysfunction. This animal model can be used to investigate tumor-mediated hearing loss and perform preclinical drug studies for NF2.
Hydrophilic Polymer Embolism: Implications for Manufacturing, Regulation, and Postmarket Surveillance of Coated Intravascular Medical Devices
Authors: Mehta Rashi I. , Mehta Rupal I. 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
Hydrophilic polymers are ubiquitously applied as surface coatings on catheters and intravascular medical technologies. Recent clinical literature has heightened awareness on the complication of hydrophilic polymer embolism, the phenomenon wherein polymer coating layers separate from catheter and device surfaces, and may be affiliated with a range of unanticipated adverse reactions. Significant system barriers have limited and delayed reporting on this iatrogenic complication, the full effects of which remain underrecognized by healthcare providers and manufacturers of various branded devices. In 2015, the United States Food and Drug Administration acknowledged rising clinical concerns and stated that the agency would work with stakeholders to further evaluate gaps that exist in current national and international device standards for coated intravascular medical technologies. The present article reviews current knowledge on this complication as well as factors that played a role in delaying detection and dissemination of information and new knowledge once hazards and clinical risks were identified. Furthermore, organ-specific effects and adverse reaction patterns are summarized, along with implications for device manufacturing, safety assurance, and regulation. Qualitative and quantitative particulate testing are needed to optimize coated intravascular device technologies. Moreover, general enhanced processes for medical device surveillance are required for timely adverse event management and to ensure patient safety.
Reliability and Criterion-Related Validity of the Seated Posture Scale
Authors: Barks Lelia , Garvan Cynthia , Crane Barbara , Peterson Matthew , Brown Lisa M. , Powell-Cope Gail 
Published: March 2018

Abstract

Purpose
Earlier, we reported development and initial testing of a rapid, low burden measure of wheelchair seated posture (the Seated Posture Scale [SPS]) for research and clinical use. The purpose of this study was to test the intrarater reliability, interrater reliability, and criterion related validity of the SPS.

Design
We used a descriptive design to test and develop the instrument.

Methods
We used the method described by Walter, Donner, and Eliasziw to determine 46 participants were needed, from two Veterans Administration nursing homes or CLCs (community living centers). Using a digital goniometer to score rapidly and with two trained raters, we scored individual participants simultaneously and again in succession. For criterion related concurrent validity, we also scored each participant with Section 2 of the Seated Postural Control Measure for Adults. Intrarater reliability, interrater reliability, and criterion related, concurrent validity were assessed using kappa statistics for individual instrument items (and corresponding 95% confidence intervals where appropriate) and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) for total scores.

Findings
The intrarater intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was .995; interrater ICC was .80; interrater reliability kappas ranged from −.03 to .80. Criterion-related, concurrent validity kappas ranged from .13 to .91. ICC for total scores was .85.

Conclusion
The SPS has sufficient preliminary validity and reliability to support measurement of wheelchair-seated posture in outcomes research and clinical use.

Clinical Relevance
In the future, rehabilitation nurses may use the SPS to improve management of wheelchair seated posture, to improve clinical outcomes, particularly for those who do not reposition themselves.
Current Management and Predictive Factors of Lymph Node Metastasis of Appendix Neuroendocrine Tumors
Authors: Rault-Petit Bérénice , Do Cao Christine , Guyétant Serge , Guimbaud Rosine , Rohmer Vincent , Julié Catherine , Baudin Eric , Goichot Bernard , Coriat Romain , Tabarin Antoine , Ramos Jeanne , Goudet Pierre , Hervieu Valérie , Scoazec Jean-Yves , Walter Thomas 
Published: March 2018

Objective:
The primary endpoint was to analyze the predictive factors of lymph node involvement (LN+).

Background:
Indications for additional right hemicolectomy (RHC) with lymph node (LN) resection after appendectomy for appendix neuroendocrine tumor (A-NET) remain controversial, especially for tumors between 1 and 2 cm in size.

Methods:
National study including all patients with nonmetastatic A-NET diagnosed after January, 2010 in France.

Results:
In all, 403 patients were included. A-NETs were: within tip (67%), body (24%) or base (9%) of the appendix; tumor size was < 1 cm (62%), 1 to 2 cm (30%), or >2 cm (8%); grade 1 (91%); mesoappendix involvement 3 mm (5%); lymphovascular (15%) or perineural (24%) invasion; and positive resection margin (8%). According to the European NeuroEndocrine Tumor Society (ENETS) recommendations, 85 patients (21%) should have undergone RHC. The agreement between ENETS guidelines and the multidisciplinary tumor board for complementary RHC was 89%. In all, 100 (25%) patients underwent RHC with LN resection, 26 of whom had LN+. Tumor size (best cut-off at 1.95 cm), lymphovascular and perineural invasion, and pT classifications were associated with LN+. Among the 44 patients who underwent RHC for a tumor of 1 to 2 cm in size, 8 (18%) had LN+. No predictive factor of LN+ (base, resection margins, grade, mesoappendix, lymphovascular, perineural involvement) was found in this subgroup of patients.

Conclusions:
In the largest study using the latest pathological criteria for completion RHC in A-NET, a quarter of patients had residual tumor. Further studies are warranted to demonstrate the survival impact of RHC in this setting.
Single Graft Utilization From Donors With Severe Acute Kidney Injury After Circulatory Death
Authors: Tomita Yusuke , Iwadoh Kazuhiro , Ogawa Yuichi , Miki Katsuyuki , Kai Kotaro , Sannomiya Akihito , Murakami Toru , Koyama Ichiro , Kitajima Kumiko , Nakajima Ichiro , Fuchinoue Shohei 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
Chronic shortages of organs for transplantation have led to the use of marginal kidneys from donors after circulatory death with acute kidney injury (AKI), but the utilization of kidneys with severe AKI is not well established. We retrospectively analyzed eight kidney transplantation (KTx) cases from donation after circulatory death (DCD) with terminal creatinine (t-Cr) concentrations higher than 10.0 mg/dL and/or oliguria for more than 5 days (AKI network criteria: stage III). Although all patients showed delayed graft function, no cases of primary nonfunction (PNF) were found. Five patients maintained stable renal function for approximately 15.5, 10, 10, 5, and 0.5 years after KTx. Only 1 patient showed biopsy-proven acute rejection. Also, 2 patients developed graft failure: one attributable to chronic antibody mediated rejection at 11.3 years after KTx, and one attributable to recurrence of IgA nephropathy at 4.6 years after KTx. Kidneys with AKI stage III yielded great outcomes without the risk of primary nonfunction and rejection. Although the AKI kidneys were associated with delayed graft function, these results suggest that even the most severe kidneys with AKI stage III from DCD donors can be considered a valid alternative for recipients on a waiting list for KTx.
MRI in multiple sclerosis: clinical and research update
Authors: Inglese Matilde , Petracca Maria 
Published: March 2018

Purpose of review
Clinical MRI is of paramount importance for multiple sclerosis diagnosis but lacks the specificity to investigate the pathogenic mechanisms underlying disease onset and progression. The application of advanced MR sequences allows the characterization of diverse and complex pathological mechanisms, granting insights into multiple sclerosis natural history and response to treatment.

Recent findings
This review provides an update on the most recent international guidelines for optimal standard imaging of multiple sclerosis and discusses advantages and limitations of advanced imaging approaches for investigating inflammation, demyelination and neurodegeneration. An overview is provided for methods devoted to imaging leptomeningeal enhancement, microglial activation, demyelination, neuronal metabolic damage and neuronal loss.

Summary
The application of magnetic resonance (MR) guidelines to standard-of-care MR protocols, although still limited, would substantially contribute to the optimization of multiple sclerosis management. From an academic perspective, different mechanism-specific imaging techniques are available and offer a powerful tool to elucidate multiple sclerosis pathogenesis, monitor disease progression and guide therapeutic choices.
The infection dynamics of vertically transmitted viruses in a two-population model
Authors: Strauß Jakob Friedrich , Chauvet Marina , Telschow Arndt 
Published: March 2018

1AbstractThere is a growing interest in vertically transmitted viruses. Field studies show that virus infection frequency often varies in space and time. In order to understand the spatial variation of virus prevalence, we designed a mathematical model describing the infection dynamics of a biparentally inherited virus in a two-population model. Model parameters are paternal and maternal transmission rates, cost of infection, and up to two migration rates. We investigated three different population structures: (1) a single panmictic host population, (2) two populations connected by unidirectional migration (mainland-island model), and (3) two populations connected by two-way migration. According to the results, the parameter space can be divided in three zones: (1) viral spread, (2) no viral spread, (3) bistability (in a single population) or stable infection polymorphism (in the two-population models). The finding of bistability is interesting and new. It shows that infected and uninfected populations can stably coexist, if migration is below a critical value, and if the cost of infection is moderately high. In summary, our results show that spatial structure of host populations is an important factor in determining geographical differences of vertically transmitted viruses.
Holocene DNA sequences – a dream come true
Authors: Sanyal Anushree , Larsson Josefine , van Wirdum Falkje , Andrén Thomas , Moros Matthias , Lönn Mikael , Andrén Elinor 
Published: March 2018

AbstractMicroscopic marine planktons have played a major role in the Earth’s ecosystem and accounts for half the globe’s primary production. Predicting the fate of marine planktons is imperative to understanding how ocean life will change in future centuries and how organisms have adapted to changes in the past over long timescales (over thousands of years). Studies of revived resting spores of marine diatoms will serve as excellent proxies of environmental change in marine environments. Thus far, only about a century old marine diatom resting spores could be revived. This severely limited the use of diatom resting spores to investigate the effects of environmental perturbations over longer time scales. Here, we, for the first time report revival of thousands of years old resting spores from the deposits of ancient diatoms (Chaetoceros) in sub-seafloor sediments using a revival protocol that involved recreating the ancient environmental conditions (salinity, temperature and light). Our revived diatom resting spores samples range from recent (0-80 years) to ∼7200 years old. Importantly, we also extracted the DNA from the ancient resting spores ofChaetocerosspecies from the Baltic Sea. Our findings will enable us to compare DNA sequence data obtained from these natural archives of resurrected organisms and provide predictive models to forecast evolutionary responses of natural populations to environmental changes resulting from natural and anthropogenic stressors, including climate changeSignificance StatementOur results address the important topic of adaptive evolution in marine species due to climate and environmental change induced due to anthropogenic perturbations. We present a new model systemChaetoceros muelleriwhich will help us address important evolutionary and long-term adaptation questions across evolutionary timescales. Our study reports (1) the revival of recent (0-80 years) to ancient (7200 years old) resting spores ofChaetoceros(2) the extraction of DNA and amplification of chloroplast and ribosomal genes from recent and ancient (∼1300 years old) resting spores ofChaetoceros(3) Radiocarbon dating to determine age of sediments (4) Identification of species by reviving the resting spores (5) Baltic sea an excellent ecosystem to study long-term effects of environment on species adaptation
A genetic link between whole-plant water use efficiency and leaf carbon isotope composition in the C4 grass Setaria
Authors: Ellsworth Patrick Z. , Feldman Max J. , Baxter Ivan , Cousins Asaph B. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIncreasing whole plant water use efficiency (yield per transpiration; WUEplant) through plant breeding can benefit the sustainability of agriculture and improve crop yield under drought. To select for WUEplant, an efficient phenotyping method that reports on the genetic contribution of component traits such as transpiration efficiency (TEi; rate of CO2 assimilation per stomatal conductance) must be developed. Leaf carbon stable isotope composition (δ13Cleaf) has been proposed as a high-throughput proxy for TEi, and a negative correlation between δ13Cleaf and both WUEplant and TEi has previously been demonstrated in several C4 grass species. Therefore, the aim of the research presented here was to determine if the same loci control δ13Cleaf, WUEplant, and TEi under well-watered and water-limited conditions in a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population of closely related C4 grasses Setaria viridis and S. italica. Three quantitative trait loci (QTL) for δ13Cleaf were co-localized with transpiration, biomass, and a linear model of WUE. When WUEplant was calculated for allele classes based on the three QTL for δ13Cleaf, δ13Cleaf was negatively correlated with WUEplant as theory predicts when WUEplant is in part driven by differences in TEi. In any population, multiple traits can influence WUEplant; however, the analysis of δ13Cleaf in this RIL population demonstrates that there is genetic control of TEi that significantly contributes to WUEplant. Furthermore, this research suggests that δ13Cleaf can be used in marker-assisted breeding to select for TEi and as a tool to better understand the physiology and genetic architecture of TEi and WUEplant in C4 species.Significance StatementOverextended water resources and drought are major agricultural problems worldwide. Therefore, selection for increased plant water use efficiency (WUEplant) in food and biofuel crop species is an important trait in plant breeding programs. Leaf carbon isotopic composition (δ13Cleaf) has potential as a rapid and effective high throughput phenotyping method for intrinsic transpiration efficiency (TEi), an important leaf-level component trait of WUEplant. Our research shows that δ13Cleaf and WUEplant share a common genetic architecture through their shared relationship with TEi. This suggests that δ13Cleaf can be used as a screen for TEi in marker-assisted plant breeding programs to improve crop drought resistance and decrease agricultural water consumption.
The Genomic Prediction of Disease: Example of type 2 diabetes (T2D)
Authors: Sirovich Lawrence 
Published: March 2018

AbstractApplication of concepts from information theory have revealed new features of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) organization.. These features lead to effective classifiers by which to distinguish genomic sequences of contrasting phenotypes; as in case/control cohorts.When applied to a disease/control database, a disease classifier results; a parallel analysis leads to the determination of a wellness classifier. The classifiers have non-intersecting loci, and each involves roughly 100 alleles.The effectiveness of this framework is illustrated by application to adult onset, type 2, diabetes (T2D), as represented in the Wellcome Trust ((WT) Case/Control database.Simultaneous use of the two classifiers on the WT database leads to successful prediction of disease versus wellness; to the extent that near certain genomic forecasting is achieved.This framework gives a resolution to the oft posed uncertainty: “Where is the missing heritability?”Application of both classifiers on two additional T2D databases produced informative consequences.A fully independent, compelling, confirmation of the present results is obtained by means of the machine learning algorithm, Random Forests.The analytical model presented here is generalizable to other diseases.One Sentence SummaryDiscovery of intrinsic chromosomal SNP organizations leads to near certain genomic disease prediction.
Ipsilateral finger representations are engaged in active movement, but not sensory processing
Authors: Berlot Eva , Prichard George , O’Reilly Jill , Ejaz Naveed , Diedrichsen Jörn 
Published: March 2018

AbstractHand and finger movements are mostly controlled through crossed corticospinal projections from the contralateral hemisphere. During unimanual movements, activity in the contralateral hemisphere is increased while the ipsilateral hemisphere is suppressed below resting baseline. Despite this suppression, unimanual movements can be decoded from ipsilateral activity alone. This indicates that ipsilateral activity patterns represent parameters of ongoing movement, but the origin and functional relevance of these representations is unclear. Here, we asked whether human ipsilateral representations are caused by active movement, or whether they are driven by sensory input. Participants alternated between performing single finger presses and having fingers passively stimulated, while we recorded brain activity using high-field (7T) functional imaging. We contrasted active and passive finger representations in sensorimotor areas of ipsilateral and contralateral hemispheres. Finger representations in the contralateral hemisphere were equally strong under passive and active conditions, highlighting the importance of sensory information in feedback control. In contrast, ipsilateral finger representations were stronger during active presses. Furthermore, the spatial distribution of finger representations differed between hemispheres: the contralateral hemisphere showed the strongest finger representations in Brodmann area 3a and 3b, while the ipsilateral hemisphere exhibited stronger representations in premotor and parietal areas. This suggests that finger representations in the two hemispheres have different origins – contralateral representations are driven by both active movement and sensory stimulation, whereas ipsilateral representations are mainly engaged during active movement. This suggests that a possible contribution of the ipsilateral hemisphere lies in movement planning, rather than in the dexterous feedback control of the movement.Significance statementMovements of the human body are mostly controlled by contralateral cortical regions. However, activity in ipsilateral sensorimotor regions is also modulated during active movements. The origin and functional relevance of these ipsilateral representations is unclear. Here we used high-field neuroimaging to investigate how human contralateral and ipsilateral hemispheres represent active finger presses and passive finger stimulation. We report that while the contralateral hemisphere was equally strongly recruited during active and passive conditions, the ipsilateral hemisphere was mostly recruited during active movement. We propose that the ipsilateral hemisphere may play a role in bilateral movement planning.