bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association Between the Elasticity of Hip Muscles and the Hip Migration Index in Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Doruk Analan Pinar , Aslan Hulya 
Published: February 2019

ObjectivesCerebral palsy (CP) increases the risk of hip displacement during childhood. Abnormal hip muscle forces have been proposed as the predisposing factors. In CP, the amount of hip displacement is commonly evaluated by the Reimers hip migration index (MI) on an anteroposterior pelvic radiograph. To the best of our knowledge, the association between the elasticity of hip muscles measured by shear wave elastography and the MI has not been studied yet. Herein, we aimed to analyze the correlation between the elasticity of hip muscles and the MI.MethodsBilateral hips of 25 children with spastic CP were included prospectively in this study. Anteroposterior pelvic radiographs were used to measure the MI. Shear wave elastography was performed to evaluate the elasticity of muscles. The correlation between the MI and the elasticity of hip flexor and adductor muscle groups was assessed. Also, the association between the elasticity of agonist/antagonist muscles was analyzed.ResultsThe MI showed fair to good correlations with hip flexors and adductors for both readers (0.71 ≥ r ≥ 0.52). The mean MIs of the patients ± SDs were 22.64% ± 7.79% for reader 1 and 21.55% ± 8.83% for reader 2. The elasticity of agonist/antagonist muscle groups showed little/no to a weak correlation for both readers (0.32 ≥ r ≥ –0.07).ConclusionsAlthough, hip flexor and adductor muscle elasticity showed a correlation with MI, it seems very hard to say that increased elasticity of hip flexor and adductor muscles causes hip dislocation.
Temporal and spatial succession and dynamics of soil fungal communities in restored grassland on the Loess Plateau in China
Authors: Liu Yang , Chen Xiaotian , Liu Jiaxi , Liu Tingting , Cheng Jimin , Wei Gehong , Lin Yanbing 
Published: February 2019

AbstractNatural secondary succession of degraded soil has improved the ecological environment of the Loess Plateau, profoundly influencing the succession and dynamics of soil fungal communities restored grasslands in particular. This chronosequence and the varied topography of the Loess Plateau thus provide a unique opportunity to synchronously investigate the variation of soil quality and fungal communities as they develop over time and space. Here, we used high‐throughput sequencing of the ITS rRNA gene region to analyze the fungal community at a local scale. Edaphic variables and fungal community characteristics were compared among three restoration durations (5, 20, and 30 years), two soil layers (topsoil and subsoil), and different topographic factors (slope positions and aspects). Edaphic variables displayed varying patterns with significant differences among restoration durations and soil layers, but no such topographic patterns were found. As succession proceeded, alpha and beta diversities of fungal communities changed as space changed; whereas, over time, the discrepancy in community composition between the two soil layers declined. Constructed co‐occurrence networks of edaphic variables combined with fungal community composition and distribution patterns based on indicator and keystone species also varied among three durations. Fungal trophic guilds showed a contrasting distribution between the two soil layers, but they closely followed the soil nutrient conditions and metabolic characteristics of keystone species. Our results demonstrated that predictable spatial variation occurs in soil fungal communities in tandem with temporal succession and dynamics of indicator and keystone species in restored grassland on the Loess Plateau.
Efficacy of fractional CO2 laser in the treatment of genitourinary syndrome of menopause in Latin‐American Population: First Peruvian experience
Authors: Tovar‐Huamani Juan , Mercado‐Olivares Felipe , Grandez‐Urbina Jose Antonio , Pichardo‐Rodriguez Rafael , Tovar‐Huamani Marco , García‐Perdomo Herney 
Published: February 2019

ObjectiveThis PUBA study aimed to assess the efficacy of fractional CO2 laser in the treatment of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM).MethodsGSM symptoms were assessed before, 1 month after the first session and 1 month after the third session of laser (3 sessions with a 30 days interval between them) in 60 women (median, interquartile range: 55, 49–69). Subjective (visual analog scale) and objective (Vaginal Health Index, VHIS; Vaginal Maturity Index/Frost Index; Spanish Overactive Bladder Questionnaire‐Short Form, USMEX Spanish OAB‐qSF and Female Sexual Function Index, FSFI) measures were used during the study period to assess CO2 fractionated laser treatment outcomes compared to baseline.ResultsFractional CO2 laser treatment was effective to improve GSM symptoms (vaginal dryness, vaginal itching, vaginal burning, dyspaurenia, dysuria, urinary urgency; P < 0.001) after three sessions, as well as VHIS (median, interquartile range: 13, 10–15 at baseline vs. 21, 20–23 at the fourth month follow up; P < 0.001), Frost Index (median, interquartile range: 28, 24–31 at baseline vs. 8, 6–10 at the fourth month follow up; P < 0.001), USMEX (median, interquartile range: 56, 46–68 at baseline vs 14, 13–16 at the fourth month follow up: P < 0,001) and FSFI (median, interquartile range: 5, 2–14 at baseline vs 30, 28–32).ConclusionsIn this sample, the data suggests that fractionated CO2 laser is an effective alternative for GSM treatment with positive outcomes that persists over time. Lasers Surg. Med. 51:509–515, 2019. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
First Clinicogenetic Description of Parkinson's Disease Related to GBA Mutation S107L
Authors: Hertz Ellen , Thörnqvist Måns , Holmberg Björn , Machaczka Maciej , Sidransky Ellen , Svenningsson Per 
Published: February 2019

ABSTRACTBackgroundMutations in the glucocerebrosidase gene (GBA) are a common genetic risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD). Mutations in the N‐terminus part of GBA are less commonly found in association with PD than those in the C‐terminus. Phenotypic characterization of GBA‐related PD has been challenging, in part attributed to differential impact of distinct GBA mutations.AimTo provide a phenotypic description of two patients with PD heterozygous for the GBA mutation S107L. The S107L mutation is located in the catalytic domain of glucocerebrosidase and has not previously been reported in patients with PD.MethodsMotor and nonmotor symptoms (NMS) of PD were evaluated using established rating scales and questionnaires. The genotype was determined by Sanger sequencing.ResultsTwo half‐brothers, both heterozygous carriers of S107L, exhibited an early PD onset with several NMS.ConclusionsIn these patients, heterozygosity for S107L was associated with an early onset of PD with NMS.
Effect of the thymine‐DNA glycosylase rs4135050 variant on Saudi smoker population
Authors: Almutairi Mikhlid , Mohammad Alhadeq Abdullah , Almeer Rafa , Almutairi Mohammed , Alzahrani Mohammed , Semlali Abdelhabib 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBackgroundThymine‐DNA glycosylase (TDG) is an essential DNA‐repair enzyme which works in both epigenetic regulation and genome maintenance. It is also responsible for efficient correction of multiple endogenous DNA lesions which occur commonly in mammalian genomes. Research of genetic variants such as SNPs, resulting in disease, is predicted to yield clinical advancements through the identification of sensitive genetic markers and the development of disease prevention and therapy. To that end, the main objective of the present study is to identify the possible interactions between cigarette smoking and the rs4135050 variant of the TDG gene, situated in the intron position, among Saudi individuals.MethodsTDG rs4135050 (A/T) was investigated by genotyping 239, and 235 blood specimens were obtained from nonsmokers and smokers of cigarette respectively.ResultsT allele frequency was found which showed a significant protective effect on Saudi male smokers (OR = 0.64, p = 0.0187) compared to nonsmoking subjects, but not in female smokers. Furthermore, smokers aged less than 29 years, the AT and AT+TT genotypes decreased more than four times the risk of initiation of smoking related‐diseases compare to the ancestral AA homozygous genotype. Paradoxically, the AT (OR = 3.88, p = 0.0169) and AT+TT (OR = 2.86, p = 0.0420) genotypes were present at a higher frequency in smoking patients aged more than 29 years as compared to nonsmokers at the same ages.ConclusionDepending on the gender and age of patients, TDG rs4135050 may provide a novel biomarker for the early diagnosis and prevention of several diseases caused by cigarette smoking.
Conditional random fields for phase‐based lung feature tracking with ultra‐low‐dose x‐rays
Authors: Jerg Katharina I. , Lyatskaya Yulia , Stratemeier Johanna , Hesser Jürgen W. , Aschenbrenner Katharina P. 
Published: February 2019

PurposeDuring radiation therapy, a continuous internal tumor monitoring without additional imaging dose is desirable. In this study, a sequential feature‐based position estimation with ultra‐low‐dose (ULD) kV x rays using linear‐chain conditional random fields (CRFs) is performed.MethodsFour‐dimensional computed tomography (4D‐CTs) of eight patients serve as a‐priori information from which ULD projections are simulated using a Monte Carlo method. CRFs are trained with Local Energy‐based Shape Histogram features extracted from the ULD images to estimate one out of ten breathing phases from the 4D‐CT associated with the tumor position.ResultsCompared to a mean accuracy for ±1 breathing phase of 0.867 using a support vector machine (SVM), a mean accuracy of 0.958 results for the CRF with ten incident photons per pixel. This corresponds to a position estimation with a discretization error of 2.4–5.3 mm assuming a linear displacement relation between the breathing phases and a systematic error of 2.0–4.4 mm due to motion underestimation of the 4D‐CT.ConclusionsThe tumor position estimation is comparable to state‐of‐the‐art methods despite its low imaging dose. Training CRFs further allows a prediction of the following phase and offers a precise post‐treatment evaluation tool when decoding the full image sequence.
Improvement of in vitro and early in utero porcine clone development after somatic donor cells are cultured under hypoxia
Authors: Mordhorst Bethany R. , Benne Joshua A. , Cecil Raissa F. , Whitworth Kristin M. , Samuel Melissa S. , Spate Lee D. , Murphy Clifton N. , Wells Kevin D. , Green Jonathan A. , Prather Randall S. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractGenetically engineered pigs serve as excellent biomedical and agricultural models. To date, the most reliable way to generate genetically engineered pigs is via somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), however, the efficiency of cloning in pigs is low (1–3%). Somatic cells such as fibroblasts frequently used in nuclear transfer utilize the tricarboxylic acid cycle and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation for efficient energy production. The metabolism of somatic cells contrasts with cells within the early embryo, which predominately use glycolysis. We hypothesized that fibroblast cells could become blastomere‐like if mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation was inhibited by hypoxia and that this would result in improved in vitro embryonic development after SCNT. In a previous study, we demonstrated that fibroblasts cultured under hypoxic conditions had changes in gene expression consistent with increased glycolytic/gluconeogenic metabolism. The goal of this pilot study was to determine if subsequent in vitro embryo development is impacted by cloning porcine embryonic fibroblasts cultured in hypoxia. Here we demonstrate that in vitro measures such as early cleavage, blastocyst development, and blastocyst cell number are improved (4.4%, 5.5%, and 17.6 cells, respectively) when donor cells are cultured in hypoxia before nuclear transfer. Survival probability was increased in clones from hypoxic cultured donors compared to controls (8.5 vs. 4.0 ± 0.2). These results suggest that the clones from donor cells cultured in hypoxia are more developmentally competent and this may be due to improved nuclear reprogramming during somatic cell nuclear transfer.
Urethral regions with differential tissular composition may underlie urinary continence and voiding function in female rats
Authors: Mirto‐Aguilar Nancy , Palacios José L. , Munoz Alvaro , Juárez Margarita , Cruz Yolanda 
Published: February 2019

AimsTo analyze, in female rats, the anatomical and histological features of the urethra and its relationship with the vagina and clitoris, and its innervation.MethodsSeventeen adult female Wistar rats were used. Gross anatomy and acetylcholinesterase (AchE) histochemistry were performed to describe the urethral features, adjacent structures, and innervation. The histomorphometric characteristics of the urethra were determined in transversal, longitudinal, or coronal sections stained with Masson's Trichrome.ResultsThe female rat urethra is not a homogeneous tubular organ. The pre‐pelvic and pelvic regions are firmly attached to the vagina with belt‐like striated fibers forming a urethra‐vaginal complex. The bulbar regions have curved segments and a narrow lumen. The clitoral region is characterized by a urethra‐clitoral complex surrounded by a vascular plexus. The lumen area and thickness of the urethral layers significantly varied between regions (P < 0.05). Innervation of the urethra arrives from the major pelvic ganglion, the dorsal nerve of the clitoris (DNC), and the motor branch of the sacral plexus (MBSP).ConclusionsDifferential tissular composition of the urethra may underlie urinary continence and voiding dysfunction through different physiological mechanisms. The urethra‐vagina complex seems to be the main site controlling urinary continence through active muscular mechanisms, while the bulbar urethra provides passive mechanisms and the urethra‐clitoris complex seems to be crucial for distal urethral closure by means of a periurethral vascular network.
Comparison in the efficacy of fesoterodine or mirabegron add‐on therapy to silodosin for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia complicated by overactive bladder: A randomized, prospective trial using urodynamic studies
Authors: Matsukawa Yoshihisa , Takai Shun , Majima Tsuyoshi , Funahashi Yasuhito , Sassa Naoto , Kato Masashi , Yamamoto Tokunori , Gotoh Momokazu 
Published: February 2019

AimsTo compare the efficacy of fesoterodine or mirabegron add‐on therapy for persistent overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms despite silodosin monotherapy in men with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia, in both subjective and objective aspects.MethodsA total of 120 patients with persistent OAB symptoms despite silodosin monotherapy were randomized to receive add‐on therapy with fesoterodine (4 mg/day) or mirabegron (50 mg/day) for 12 weeks. At week 12, changes from baseline in patients’ subjective symptoms and voiding/storage functions, as assessed using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), OAB symptom score (OABSS), and urodynamic studies, were compared between the groups.ResultsThe final analysis included 50 and 52 patients in the fesoterodine and mirabegron groups, respectively. Although the IPSS and OABSS significantly improved in both groups, the fesoterodine (vs mirabegron) group showed significantly greater improvements in the OABSS‐total (−2.8 vs −1.5, P = 0.004), IPSS‐QOL (−1.5 vs −1.1, P = 0.04), and OABSS‐urgency score (−1.5 vs −0.9, P = 0.008) at 12 weeks. Regarding storage functions, although both groups showed significant improvements, the fesoterodine group demonstrated greater improvements in the detrusor overactivity alleviation rate (52.6% vs 28.9%, P = 0.03). Voiding functions did not deteriorate in either group at 12 weeks; no significant inter‐group differences were observed. Post‐void residual urine significantly increased by 16 mL only in the fesoterodine group.ConclusionAdd‐on therapy of fesoterodine to silodosin was more effective than adding mirabegron to silodosin for improving OAB symptoms and storage functions, without deteriorating voiding symptoms or functions.
Deep mining port scans from darknet
Authors: Lagraa Sofiane , Chen Yutian , François Jérôme 
Published: February 2019

SummaryTCP/UDP port scanning or sweeping is one of the most common technique used by attackers to discover accessible and potentially vulnerable hosts and applications. Although extracting and distinguishing different port scanning strategies is a challenging task, the identification of dependencies among probed ports is primordial for profiling attacker behaviors, with a final goal of better mitigating them. In this paper, we propose an approach that allows to track port scanning behavior patterns among multiple probed ports and identify intrinsic properties of observed group of ports. Our method is fully automated based on graph modeling and data mining techniques, including text mining.It provides to security analysts and operators relevant information about services that are jointly targeted by attackers. This is helpful to assess the strategy of the attacker by understanding the types of applications or environment he or she targets. We applied our method to data collected through a large Internet telescope (or darknet).
A novel similarity search approach for high‐performance thin‐layer chromatography (HPTLC) fingerprinting of medicinal plants
Authors: Ebrahimi‐Najafabadi Heshmatollah , Kazemeini Seyed Sina , Pasdaran Ardalan , Hamedi Azadeh 
Published: February 2019

AbstractIntroductionIn addition to the development of analytical equipment, another movement has also appeared in the field of computer assisted techniques for metabolite assessment. Although, some studies can be found in the literature there is still not available reliable and user‐friendly software which is coupled with a simple chromatography method for developing a database to identify medicinal plants.ObjectivesDeveloping a novel similarity search approach for high‐performance thin‐layer chromatography (HPTLC) fingerprinting.MethodsCombined HPTLC with image analysis approach was used for similarity assessment of 70 standard medicinal plants. Ethyl acetate–ethyl methyl ketone–formic acid 98%–water (50:30:10:10) were chosen among different examined mobile phases. Liebermann–Burchard and anisaldehyde reagents were chosen for HPTLC derivatisation for visualisation. Image analysis based on Cannys’ method was used to determine the spot size of each HPTLC image. A similarity search algorithm based on colour (RGB, HSV and Lab) information alone or together with retardation factor (Rf) and spot size information calculated with the software was built to assess the fingerprinting of medicinal plants.ResultsThe software was capable of calculating spots size and Rf values. It authenticated unknown samples based on comparing images information, spots size and/or Rf in the built database. Similarity values were 75–96% for the selected plants chromatograms with those of the same plant in the database. It presents better results than principal components analysis (PCA), classification and regression trees (CART) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS‐DA).ConclusionThe procedure paves the way for constructing a database of HPTLC images of medicinal plants.
Atlantoaxial Instability Resulting in Intractable Nausea in a Person with C5 Complete Spinal Cord Injury: A Case Report
Authors: Sinclair Katie , Emerson Jane A. , Tanaka Tomoko 
Published: February 2019

Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) have altered neurophysiology and present with symptoms that must be interpreted in the context of their specific neurologic injury. This is a case of a 16‐year‐old female adolescent with C5 American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale A SCI who presented with intractable nausea. Multiple etiologies for her nausea, including medication effect, metabolic and gastrointestinal disorders, autonomic dysreflexia, and mood disorder, were systematically ruled out. Due to the persistence of the patient's symptoms and suboptimal progression in her rehabilitation, a central nervous system etiology was investigated. Ultimately, atlantoaxial instability with odontoid compression on the medulla was identified and her refractory nausea resolved following an occiput to C2 fusion. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of atlantoaxial instability causing intractable nausea due to brain stem compression in a patient with SCI.
Level of Evidence: V
A Thermal Study of a Simple Al−CuO Pyrotechnic Crackle Composition
Authors: Harrison Richard 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe reaction temperature in ignited samples of a novel, chemically simple pyrotechnic crackle composition was monitored at 1 ms intervals by means of a small embedded thermocouple. Analysis of the results reveals that an exothermic reaction is detectable at temperatures as low as 500 K. The reaction is found to progress in at least three – and probably four – steps that correlate well with similar findings from the study of nanocomposites of the same composition. The first two steps are shown to be associated with the crackle's delay phase. The transition to the explosive phase is shown to occur at a temperature significantly above the melting point of aluminum, being triggered at or beyond the temperature of operation of the third reaction step. The results provide a behavioral baseline for the future study of more complex crackle compositions.
Intriguing electric field effect on magnetic spin couplings in dielectron clathrate hydrates
Authors: Luo Qi , Bu Yuxiang 
Published: February 2019

AbstractClathrate hydrates have appeared as promising icy materials as the radical, high‐spin molecule, and even electron clathrate hydrates are found. In particular, dielectron clathrate hydrates are expected to develop as structural units for a novel class of icy magnetic materials because of not only possible spin coupling interaction, but also very sensitive response to electric field of the loosely bound electrons. However, electric field responses concerning the magnetic properties of such hydrates have not been reported so far. In this work, three representative dielectron clathrate hydrate model clusters (e2@4668BB, e2@51262BB, and e2@4668AB) were considered for the exploration of their magnetic spin coupling properties, electron distributions, and energy responses to applied electric field. The results calculated at the density functional theory level show that the energies and electron spin coupling properties of these dielectron clathrate hydrate clusters are quite sensitive to applied electric field, presenting intriguing variations. Most importantly, applied electric field can regulate the strength of spin coupling between two trapped electrons, and even could realize the magnetic interconversion of such dielectron cluster structures between antiferromagnetic and paramagnetic or diamagnetic characteristics. Clearly, the intriguing variations should be attributed to the diffuse character, special mobility and polarizable properties of such trapped electrons, and especially the susceptible redistributions of two electrons (including the electron cloud shape and distance between two electron centers) to the electric field. This work opens up the possibility of designing novel icy magnetic materials with sensitive electric field responses of the magnetic properties.