bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quadriceps weakness preferentially predicts detrimental gait compensations among common impairments after total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Christensen Jesse C. , Mizner Ryan L. , Foreman Kenneth Bo , Marcus Robin L. , Pelt Christopher E. , LaStayo Paul C. 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTPatients with total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have large deficits in physical performance in comparison to their healthy age‐matched peers. Limb asymmetry stemming from less relative load borne by the surgical limb during daily mobility is associated with diminished performance and worsens with greater mobility demands. How common targets of postoperative care, such as muscle weakness, lower limb extension power, residual knee pain, and poor balance confidence can influence asymmetrical limb loading remains unclear. Forty‐six patients with unilateral TKA underwent testing of impairments and motion analysis during 10° decline walking at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. At 3 months, only quadriceps femoris strength asymmetry was found to be significantly related to both total support moment (MT) (β = 0.431; p < 0.001) and knee extensor moment (MK) (β = 0.493; p < 0.001) asymmetry. Again at 6 months, only quadriceps strength asymmetry was related to MT (β = 0.432; p < 0.001) and MK (β = 0.534; p < 0.001) asymmetry. Quadriceps strength significantly improved over time in both limbs, however, deficits between limbs remained. Persistent quadriceps weakness is a key factor associated with walking compensation patterns that are limiting the capacity for greater physical performance of patients with TKA. The pronounced asymmetry in limb and knee loading at 3 months remains unchanged until at least 6 months after surgery, and its association with quadriceps strength asymmetry does not substantially change over time. While other factors may also prompt gait compensations, emphasis on improved quadriceps strength should be a focus of efforts to resolve gait compensations and enhance physical performance outcomes. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:2355–2363, 2018.
Holocene tephrostratigraphy in Vestfirðir, NW Iceland
Authors: Gudmundsdóttir Esther Ruth , Schomacker Anders , Brynjólfsson Skafti , Ingólfsson Ólafur , Larsen Nicolaj K. 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTWe present a tephra stratigraphical and tephrochronological record from eight lakes in Vestfirðir, NW Iceland. About 50 tephra units have been identified, representing nearly 30 eruptive events originating from five volcanic systems: Hekla, Katla, Snæfellsjökull, Grímsvötn and Veiðivötn‐Bárðarbunga. Most of the tephra layers originate from Grímsvötn, although there is a prominent presence of andesitic to basaltic tephra layers from Hekla in the record. We propose that the previously described Brattihjalli tephra is actually the 6060‐year‐old Hekla Ö tephra marker layer, recording a more north‐westerly dispersal than before and providing new correlation possibilities across Iceland. Thus, the Hekla Ö tephra covers as large an area in Iceland as the Hekla 5, Hekla 4, Hekla 3 and Hekla 1104 tephra layers, emphasizing its importance as a chronological marker. The tephra markers Hekla 1693, V877/Settlement layer, Sn‐1, Hekla 3 and Hekla 4 have been found and, additionally, our study identifies four potential tephra markers, the Katla D1 ∼2750 cal a BP, Katla D2 ∼3700 cal a BP, Reykjarfjörður tephra ∼8800 cal a BP and Dagverðardalur tephra ∼9300–9500 cal a BP. Our data reveal several new tephra layers in Vestfirðir, including chronological markers important for dating and correlation.
Paraglacial coasts responses to glacier retreat and associated shifts in river floodplains over decadal timescales (1966–2016), Kongsfjorden, Svalbard
Authors: Bourriquen Marine , Mercier Denis , Baltzer Agnès , Fournier Jérôme , Costa Stéphane , Roussel Erwan 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe aim of this paper is to quantify and map the impact of the post‐Little Ice Age climate change on the coastal evolution on three glacier catchments in the Kongsfjorden area in Svalbard. Climatic data at Ny‐Ålesund indicate an increase in the annual mean air temperature of +4 °C from 1969 to 2016 and an increase in precipitation. On the northern coast of the Brøgger Peninsula, the Austre Lovénbreen, Midtre Lovénbreen, and Vestre Lovénbreen glaciers have experienced a net retreat in response to changing meteorological conditions. Because of this retreat, the glaciers have disclosed a large area of 7 km2 composed of terrigenous sediments. These sediments are transported by runoff and created coastal sandur deltas. Channel network behavior has been studied using the computation of the active floodplain width by photointerpretation, which decreased in average from 1966 to 2010. This demonstrated a contraction of the active braided belt and a decrease in the number of braided channels. A photointerpretation analysis combined with acquisition of dGPS data during field work shows a mean shoreline progradation of +0.16 m a−1 from 1966 to 2016, with a maximal advance of +82 m seaward. Since 1966, coastal progradation has decreased in time with higher mean values at the beginning of the studied period and an erosional trend from 1990. The sublittoral area was studied using analog side scan sonar in 2009, 2011, 2012, and 2017. Three prodeltas were identified and underwent a huge extension from 2009 to 2017. In the light of this knowledge, our main conclusion is that, by retreating, glaciers have an impact on the sediment availability and on the capacity of the fluvial system to effectively transport sediment to the shoreline. These two factors control the overall coastal evolution by regulating the sediment supply to the coastal area. The coastal zones that were fed with sediments by runoff have experienced a coastal progradation, and those that lost this supply have undergone a coastal recession. Due to the contraction of proglacial floodplains, current progradation concerns restricted coastal areas.
Plasma Phytosterol Half‐Life and Levels Are Increased in Very Low Birth Weight Preterm Infants with Parenteral Nutrition‐Associated Cholestasis
Authors: Correani Alessio , Pignotti Azzurra , Marinelli Luisita , Biagetti Chiara , D'Ascenzo Rita , Vedovelli Luca , Verlato Giovanna , Cogo Paola , Rocchi Marco B L , Carnielli Virgilio P 
Published: September 2018

AbstractParenteral nutrition‐associated cholestasis (PNAC) has been linked to plasma accumulation of phytosterols in infants receiving vegetable‐oil‐based lipid emulsions (LE). To date, information on the ability of infants with PNAC to metabolize intravenous (IV) phytosterols has been very limited. We characterized plasma phytosterol half‐life in very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants with PNAC. As part of a prospective cohort study, VLBW infants with PNAC underwent serial blood sample measurements of sitosterol (Sito), campesterol (Camp), and stigmasterol (Stigma). Infants without PNAC served as controls (CTRL, control infants). Thirty‐seven PNAC infants and 14 CTRL were studied. On PN day 7 and PN day 14, PNAC infants had higher plasma phytosterol concentrations compared to those of CTRL (p < 0.05). A significant and positive correlation was found between plasma Camp, Stigma, Sito concentrations, and IV phytosterol intake from birth to PN day 7 (p = 0.001, p = 0.001, and p = 0.005, respectively). Stigma concentration was positively correlated with conjugated bilirubin on PN day 7 (p = 0.012). After stopping IV LE, half‐lives of Camp, Stigma, and Sito became significantly longer in PNAC infants than in CTRL (Camp: 18.8 ±6.2 vs 11.8 ±3.0 days, p = 0.001; Stigma: 13.8 ±5.8 vs 9.4 ±3.4 days, p = 0.023; Sito: 15.3 ±5.0 vs 9.8 ±3.0 days, p = 0.002). In conclusion, phytosterols increased earlier during PN and were eliminated slowly after stopping IV LE in PNAC infants than in CTRL. The Stigma concentration on PN day 7 could represent an early marker of cholestasis. Our results provide additional evidence on the relationship between IV phytosterols and PNAC.
An updated method for the calibration of transparent exopolymer particle measurements
Authors: Bittar Thais B. , Passow Uta , Hamaraty Liti , Bidle Kay D. , Harvey Elizabeth L. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractTransparent exopolymer particles (TEP) are biologically derived, polysaccharide‐rich, gel‐like particles that play important roles in ocean carbon cycling. The original spectrophotometric method for TEP quantification published in 1995 by Passow and Alldredge describes staining TEP with the dye Alcian Blue (AB), and calibration of the AB staining solution using a commercially available polysaccharide xanthan gum (XG) powder as the reference material. In the original method, a XG solution is prepared to create gel‐like particles that resemble TEP. The solution is filtered to collect the XG gels onto a filter, and the filters are stained with AB solution. However, recently, it has been found that the XG powder commercially available today has higher solubility and forms negligible amounts of gel particles in solution, which precludes its use as described in the original method. Here, we present an updated calibration method to generate reproducible XG calibration curves using the currently available XG powder, whereby a XG dilution series is stained with AB solution prior to filtration resulting in AB‐stained XG gels that are retained on a filter. Subsequent extraction and spectrophotometric analysis are performed as described in the original method. The updated calibration method described here yielded calibration curves consistent with those reported in the original method. The updated method should only be used in the preparation of a calibration curve when the new soluble XG is available, whereas samples for TEP quantification should be processed as described in the original method.
Fabrication of Nano‐Sized Hybrid Janus Particles from Strawberry‐Like Hierarchical Composites
Authors: Yang Qiuyan , Miao Xiaoming , Loos Katja 
Published: September 2018

AbstractJanus nanoparticles possess amphiphilic properties and thus exhibit vast applications in the field of catalysis, drug delivery, displays, and surface/interface stabilizers. Despite several successful approaches, that were developed for micro‐sized Janus particle fabrication, the achievement of nano‐sized Janus particles is still facing challenges due to the difficulty with nanoscale processing. Here, new options for the preparation of Janus nanoparticles are demonstrated from strawberry‐like hierarchical composites with designed surface functional groups for both “satellites” and spherical “core.” The “satellites” of the hierarchical composites can be freely varied, from iron oxide to silica nanoparticles. Results from transmission electron microscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermal gravimetric analysis measurements clearly prove the successful production of hybrid Janus silica nanoparticles coated by polystyrene and poly(acrylic acid). This technique demonstrates the vast flexibility of the abovementioned technique in terms of size, type, and surface chemistry design of Janus nanoparticles, which thus offers an additional approach to the current synthesis library of hybrid Janus nanoparticles.
Comparison of tractography‐assisted to atlas‐based targeting for deep brain stimulation in essential tremor
Authors: Fenoy Albert J. , Schiess Mya C. 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTBackgroundDirect targeting of the dentato‐rubro‐thalamic tract is efficacious in DBS for tremor suppression.ObjectivesWe sought to compare outcomes and optimal stimulation parameters for tremor control using the technique of directly targeting the dentato‐rubro‐thalamic tract to those who underwent indirect targeting of the ventral intermediate nucleus thalamus.MethodsTwenty consecutive essential tremor patients obtained preoperative diffusion MRIs, where the dentato‐rubro‐thalamic tract was individually drawn and used to directly target the ventral intermediate nucleus of the thalamus during surgery. These patients were compared to an earlier cohort of 20 consecutive patients who underwent surgery using atlas‐based coordinates. Baseline and 1‐year postsurgery tremor amplitude using The Essential Tremor Rating Assessment Scale was recorded, as were the parameters needed for successful tremor control.ResultsThe indirectly targeted group had greater baseline and postop tremor severity relative to those directly targeted (baseline, 2.9 vs. 2.6; P = 0.02; postop, 1.1 vs. 0.8; P = 0.03). Mean voltage, pulse width, and frequency for optimal tremor control in the directly targeted group (38 electrodes) = 2.8 V, 80 μs, 153 Hz; the parameters for the indirectly targeted group (38 electrodes) = 2.9 V, 86 µs, 179 Hz (significantly greater, P < 0.001). Both groups had significant improvement in arm tremor amplitude from baseline (P < 0.001) without sustained side effects.ConclusionDirect targeting of the dentato‐rubro‐thalamic tract provides excellent tremor control, comparable to indirectly targeting the ventral intermediate nucleus of the thalamus. Use of lower stimulation parameters, especially frequency, to control tremor in the directly targeted group suggests that it is a more efficient targeting methodology, which may minimize battery depletion. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Sonic hedgehog regulation of human rhabdosphincter muscle:Potential implications for treatment of stress urinary incontinence
Authors: Hehemann Marah , Kalmanek Elizabeth , Choe Shawn , Dynda Danuta , Hu Wen‐Yang , Quek Marcus L. , Harrington Daniel A. , Stupp Samuel I. , McVary Kevin T. , Podlasek Carol A. 
Published: September 2018

AimsRhabdosphincter (RS) muscle injury occurs during prostatectomy, and is a leading cause of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Current SUI treatments engender significant side effects, which negatively impact patient quality of life. Thus an unmet need exists to develop novel RS regeneration methods. We have shown that Sonic hedgehog (SHH) is a critical regulator of penile smooth muscle, and we have developed novel peptide amphiphile nanofiber hydrogel delivery of SHH protein to the penis to regenerate smooth muscle after prostatectomy induced injury. If similar SHH signaling mechanisms regulate RS muscle homeostasis, this innovative technology may be adapted for RS regeneration post‐prostatectomy. We examine the SHH pathway in human RS muscle.MethodsHuman RS obtained during radical cystoprostatectomy (n = 13), underwent SHH pathway analysis. Primary cultures were established (n = 5), and RS cells were treated with SHH protein, SHH inhibitor, or PBS (control). Immunohistochemical analysis for SHH pathway, skeletal muscle actin, and trichrome stain were performed. RS growth was quantified at 3 and 6 days.ResultsSHH, it is receptors patched and smoothened, and transcriptional activators, GLI proteins, were identified in human RS muscle. At 3 and 6 days, RS cells increased 62% and 78% (P = 0.0001) with SHH treatment and decreased 40% (P = 0.0001) and 18% (P = 0.039) with SHH inhibition.ConclusionsThe SHH pathway was identified in human RS. RS growth increased with SHH treatment, indicating intervention may be possible to enhance RS regeneration, and impact SUI. Peptide amphiphile delivery of SHH may be applicable for RS regeneration and SUI prevention.
Aggregating courier deliveries
Authors: Steele Patrick R. , Henderson Shane G. , Shmoys David B. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractWe consider the problem of efficiently scheduling deliveries by an uncapacitated courier from a central location under online arrivals. We consider both adversary‐controlled and Poisson arrival processes. In the adversarial setting we provide a randomized (3βΔ/2δ − 1)‐competitive algorithm, where β is the approximation ratio of the traveling salesman problem, δ is the minimum distance between the central location and any customer, and Δ is the length of the optimal traveling salesman tour overall customer locations and the central location. We provide instances showing that this analysis is tight. We also prove a 1 + 0.271Δ/δ lower‐bound on the competitive ratio of any algorithm in this setting. In the Poisson setting, we relax our assumption of deterministic travel times by assuming that travel times are distributed with a mean equal to the excursion length. We prove that optimal policies in this setting follow a threshold structure and describe this structure. For the half‐line metric space we bound the performance of the randomized algorithm in the Poisson setting, and show through numerical experiments that the performance of the algorithm is often much better than this bound.
Unexpected finding of uniparental disomy mosaicism in term placentas: Is it a common feature in trisomic placentas?
Authors: Van Opstal Diane , Diderich Karin E.M. , Joosten Marieke , Govaerts Lutgarde C.P. , Polak Joke , Boter Marjan , Saris Jasper J. , Cheung Wai Yee , van Veen Stefanie , van de Helm Robert , Go Attie T.J.I. , Knapen Maarten F.C.M. , Papatsonis Dimitri N.M. , Dijkman Anneke , de Vries Femke , Galjaard Robert‐Jan H. , Hoefsloot Lies H. , Srebniak Malgorzata I. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractObjectiveNon‐invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) detects placental chromosome aberrations. When amniocentesis reveals a normal karyotype, confined placental mosaicism (CPM) may be assumed. In order to confirm this, placental cytogenetic studies were performed.MethodNIPT was conducted in the course of the Dutch TRIDENT study. Placentas of 10 cases with NIPT results indicating an autosomal trisomy and showing a normal (N = 9) or low mosaic karyotype (N = 1) in amniotic fluid (AF) were investigated. The cytotrophoblast as well as the mesenchymal core of two to four placental chorionic villi biopsies were studied with single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array. Clinical outcome data were collected.ResultsIn 10/10 cases, CPM was proven. In 3/10 cases trisomy/uniparental disomy (UPD)/biparental disomy (BPD) mosaicism was discovered. In 2/3 cases, all three cell lines were present in the placenta, whereas BPD was found in AF. In 1/3 cases trisomy 22/UPD22 was present in AF while trisomy 22/BPD22 mosaicism was found in the placenta. Five of 10 pregnancies were affected with pre‐eclampsia, low birth weight, preterm delivery, and/or congenital malformations.ConclusionThe presence of trisomy/UPD/BPD mosaicism in 3/10 cases that we investigated proves that trisomic zygote rescue may involve multiple rescue events during early embryogenesis. UPD mosaicism, when present in crucial fetal tissues, may explain the abnormal phenotype in undiagnosed cases.
Placental volume at 11 to 14 gestational weeks in pregnancies complicated with fetal growth restriction and preeclampsia
Authors: Papastefanou Ioannis , Chrelias Charalambos , Siristatidis Charalambos , Kappou Dimitra , Eleftheriades Makarios , Kassanos Dimitrios 
Published: September 2018

AbstractObjectiveThe study aims to evaluate the predictive value of first trimester placental volume in pregnancies destined to develop fetal growth restriction (FGR) and preeclampsia (PE).MethodsProspective observational study including placentas from 34 FGR, 12 PE, 15 GH (gestational hypertension) pregnancies, and 265 controls. Placental volume (PV) was obtained using VOCAL technique, and a z score was calculated (z‐PV). The association of PV with other first trimester variables and maternal characteristics was assessed with Spearman's correlation.ResultsPV increased exponentially with crown‐rump length (CRL) and was unrelated to maternal factors (weight, age, parity, and smoking status) as well as first trimester uterine artery Doppler, free β‐hCG, nuchal translucency, or fetal heart rate. However, PV was positively associated with maternal height, CRL, PAPP‐A, and birth weight. z‐PV was a strong predictor for FGR with abnormal fetal Dopplers (AUC = 0.9472, P < 0.001). z‐PV provided moderate prediction of FGR with normal fetal Dopplers (AUC = 0.8396, P < 0.001), PE (AUC = 0.8312, P < 0.001), and GH (AUC = 0.7640, P < 0.001). The addition of maternal weight, PAPP‐A, β‐hCG, and uterine artery Doppler improved our models.ConclusionAt 11 to 14 weeks, PV is an independent predictor of pregnancy complications related to placental insufficiency, and the predictive ability is greater for FGR pregnancies with abnormal fetal Dopplers.
A novel PSMA/GCPII‐deficient mouse model shows enlarged seminal vesicles upon aging
Authors: Vorlová Barbora , Sedlák František , Kašpárek Petr , Šrámková Karolína , Malý Marek , Zámečník Josef , Šácha Pavel , Konvalinka Jan 
Published: September 2018

BackgroundProstate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA), also known as glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII), is an important diagnostic and therapeutic target in prostate cancer. PSMA/GCPII is also expressed in many healthy tissues, but its function has only been established in the brain and small intestine. Several research groups have attempted to produce PSMA/GCPII‐deficient mice to study the physiological role of PSMA/GCPII in detail. The outcomes of these studies differ dramatically, ranging from embryonic lethality to production of viable PSMA/GCPII‐deficient mice without any obvious phenotype.MethodsWe produced PSMA/GCPII‐deficient mice (hereafter also referred as Folh1−/− mice) by TALEN‐mediated mutagenesis on a C57BL/6NCrl background. Using Western blot and an enzyme activity assay, we confirmed the absence of PSMA/GCPII in our Folh1−/− mice. We performed anatomical and histopathological examination of selected tissues with a focus on urogenital system. We also examined the PSMA/GCPII expression profile within the mouse urogenital system using an enzyme activity assay and confirmed the presence of PSMA/GCPII in selected tissues by immunohistochemistry.ResultsOur Folh1−/− mice are viable, breed normally, and do not show any obvious phenotype. Nevertheless, aged Folh1−/− mice of 69‐72 weeks exhibit seminal vesicle dilation, which is caused by accumulation of luminal fluid. This phenotype was also observed in Folh1+/− mice; the overall difference between our three cohorts (Folh1−/−, Folh1+/−, and Folh1+/+) was highly significant (P < 0.002). Of all studied tissues of the mouse urogenital system, only the epididymis appeared to have a physiologically relevant level of PSMA/GCPII expression. Additional experiments demonstrated that PSMA/GCPII is also present in the human epididymis.ConclusionsIn this study, we provide the first evidence characterizing the reproductive tissue phenotype of PSMA/GCPII‐deficient mice. These findings will help lay the groundwork for future studies to reveal PSMA/GCPII function in human reproduction.
Evaluating the effect of measurement errors on the performance of the variable sampling intervals Hotelling's T2 control charts
Authors: Sabahno Hamed , Amiri Amirhossein , Castagliola Philippe 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe effect of measurement errors on the performance of multivariate adaptive control charts has not been considered yet. In this article, we investigate the effect of measurement errors on the performance of the variable sampling intervals (VSI) Hotelling's T2 control chart in the case of known parameters. A linearly covariate error model is used as the measurement error function. In order to measure the chart's performance, we use the average time to signal criterion, which is obtained by using a Markov Chain model. Through a numerical analysis, we evaluate the negative effect of measurement errors on the performance of the VSI Hotelling's T2 control chart, and we also investigate the effect of multiple measurements as well as the value of linearly covariate error model's parameters on the main properties of the VSI Hotelling's T2 control chart. At last, we present an illustrative example.