bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Direct comparison between apparent diffusion coefficient and macromolecular proton fraction as quantitative biomarkers of the human fetal brain maturation
Authors: Korostyshevskaya Alexandra M. , Prihod'ko Irina Yu. , Savelov Andrey A. , Yarnykh Vasily L. 
Published: January 2019

BackgroundApparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) is known as a quantitative biomarker of prenatal brain maturation. Fast macromolecular proton fraction (MPF) mapping is an emerging method for quantitative assessment of myelination that was recently adapted to fetal MRI.PurposeTo compare the capability of ADC and MPF to quantify the normal fetal brain development.Study TypeProspective.PopulationForty‐two human fetuses in utero (gestational age [GA] = 27.7 ± 6.0, range 20–38 weeks).Field Strength/Sequence1.5 T; diffusion‐weighted single‐shot echo‐planar spin‐echo with five b‐values for ADC mapping; spoiled multishot echo‐planar gradient‐echo with T1, proton density, and magnetization transfer contrast weightings for single‐point MPF mapping.AssessmentTwo operators measured ADC and MPF in the medulla, pons, cerebellum, thalamus, and frontal, occipital, and temporal cerebral white matter (WM).Statistical TestsMixed repeated‐measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with the factors of pregnancy trimester and brain structure; Pearson correlation coefficient (r); Hotelling–Williams test to compare strengths of correlations.ResultsFrom the 2nd to 3rd trimester, ADC significantly decreased in the thalamus and cerebellum (P < 0.005). MPF significantly increased in the medulla, pons, thalamus, and cerebellum (P < 0.005). Cerebral WM had significantly higher ADC and lower MPF compared with the medulla and pons in both trimesters. MPF (r range 0.83, 0.89, P < 0.001) and ADC (r range –0.43, –0.75, P ≤ 0.004) significantly correlated with GA and each other (r range –0.32, –0.60, P ≤ 0.04) in the medulla, pons, thalamus, and cerebellum. No significant correlations or distinctions between regions and trimesters were observed for cerebral WM (P range 0.1–0.75). Correlations with GA were significantly stronger for MPF compared with ADC in the medulla, pons, and cerebellum (Hotelling–Williams test, P < 0.003) and similar in the thalamus. Structure‐averaged MPF and ADC values strongly correlated (r = 0.95, P < 0.001).Data ConclusionMPF and ADC demonstrated qualitatively similar but quantitatively different spatiotemporal patterns. MPF appeared more sensitive to changes in the brain structures with prenatal onset of myelination.Level of Evidence: 2Technical Efficacy Stage: 2J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;50:52–61.
Multimodality treatment of oligometastatic anal squamous cell carcinoma: A case series and literature review
Authors: Sclafani Francesco , Hesselberg Gina , Thompson Stephen R. , Truskett Philip , Haghighi Koroush , Rao Sheela , Goldstein David 
Published: January 2019

Background and ObjectivesThere is limited evidence to guide the management of patients with oligometastatic anal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). We aimed to address this question by reporting the outcome of SCC patients who were treated with organ‐directed therapies at two large cancer centers.MethodsPatients with advanced anal SCC who were treated with surgery, stereotactic radiotherapy, or radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with a curative intent from 2008 to 2017 were retrospectively identified from the institutional electronic patient records.ResultsEight patients with liver or lung metastases met the study inclusion criteria. Seven were treated with surgery while one received RFA and radiotherapy. Median progression‐free survival was 5 months (range, 4‐39). Three patients underwent repeat organ‐directed treatment upon failure of the initial surgery with no evidence of further recurrent disease at the last follow‐up. Median overall survival from the time of the first organ‐directed therapy was 31 months (range, 11‐96) with two out of eight patients being alive and disease‐free at 5 years.ConclusionsOur study confirms that consideration should be given to the adoption of a multidisciplinary treatment approach in carefully selected, oligometastatic anal SCC patients as organ‐directed therapies may offer the chance of achieving a relatively long disease control.
Changes in high endothelial venules in lymph nodes after vascularized and nonvascularized lymph node transfer in a murine autograft model
Authors: Ishikawa Kosuke , Funayama Emi , Maeda Taku , Hayashi Toshihiko , Murao Naoki , Osawa Masayuki , Ito Riri , Furukawa Hiroshi , Oyama Akihiko , Yamamoto Yuhei 
Published: January 2019

Background and objectivesVascularized lymph node transfer (LNT) is gaining popularity in the treatment of lymphedema. However, it is unclear whether the vascularization of transferred lymph nodes (LNs) contributes to functional improvement. High endothelial venules (HEVs) are specialized vessels that allow lymphocytes to enter LNs. In this study, we compared the numbers of HEVs and lymphocytes in LNs after vascularized and nonvascularized LNT.MethodsFifty mice were divided into three groups (group 1, pedicled vascularized LNT; group 2, pedicled nonvascularized LNT; group 3, free nonvascularized LNT). Afferent lymphatic reconnection was confirmed by patent blue staining. The transferred LNs were harvested 4 weeks after surgery. HEVs, B‐cells, and T‐cells were subjected to immunohistochemical staining and quantified.ResultsAfferent lymphatic reconnection was observed in 13 of 20 transferred LNs in group 1, 11 of 15 in group 2, and 7 of 15 in group 3. The ratio of dilated/total HEVs in transferred LNs with afferent lymphatic reconnection was significantly higher in group 1 than in groups 2 and 3. No significant differences in numbers of B‐cells and T‐cells were found in the transferred LNs.ConclusionsWe found that more functional HEVs were preserved in cases with successful afferent lymphatic reconnection after vascularized LNT than after nonvascularized LNT.
Total pancreatectomy for pancreatic malignancy with preservation of the spleen
Authors: Yang Feng , Jin Chen , Warshaw Andrew L. , You Li , Mao Yishen , Fu Deliang 
Published: January 2019

BackgroundTotal pancreatectomy may be necessary to achieve margin‐negative resection for pancreatic cancer. However, despite the desirability of saving the spleen, the feasibility, safety, and oncological outcomes of spleen‐preserving total pancreatectomy have not been studied in patients with malignancy involving the pancreatic neck or proximal body. The aim of this study was to report the efficacy of spleen‐preserving total pancreatectomy using the Warshaw technique for patients with pancreatic malignancies.MethodsA retrospective analysis of patients who underwent total pancreatectomy for malignant pancreatic diseases between December 2006 and January 2018 focused on comparing the clinical outcomes between conventional operations with splenectomy and spleen‐preserving total pancreatectomy using the Warshaw technique.ResultsThirty‐eight patients among a total of 59 total pancreatectomies had the spleen preservation by the Warshaw operation. In this series, the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas resected with the Warshaw technique were of smaller tumor size but had greater rates of vascular invasion, resulting in the more frequent vascular resection. No patients had splenic complications requiring splenectomy, but two patients intended to have the Warshaw operation were converted to splenectomy because of splenic malperfusion. Asymptomatic perigastric varices were noted in 4 patients. Postoperative morbidity and mortality were comparable between the Warshaw and conventional operation groups. Recurrence‐free and overall survival was similar in both groups.ConclusionIn patients with pancreatic malignancy, total pancreatectomy with preservation of the spleen using the Warshaw technique achieves outcomes comparable with conventional total pancreatectomy with splenectomy in selected patients.
The suffering company: Consumer compassion towards companies exposed to negative events
Authors: Meyer Frederik , Huber Frank , Huber Stephanie 
Published: January 2019

AbstractWhen a company commits misconduct, it will usually suffer; for example, in the form of a short‐term decline in sales, a medium‐term loss of reputation, or a long‐term drop in its bottom line. But when a company is involved in a negative event for which it is fully responsible, for example, public customer agitations due to false expectations, some consumers might feel compassion for the company. In turn, they might aim to help the company overcome its period of suffering; for example, by making supportive recommendations. Drawing upon deservingness theory and previous findings on these issues, the authors propose a causal model suggesting antecedents of compassion and subsequent helping behaviors towards the company. A main finding is that the emergence of helping behaviors as a result of consumers’ compassion depends largely on company reputation. Self‐efficacy is a further focal construct influencing the intensity of felt compassion and helping behaviors depending on company reputation, suggesting that consumers apply emotion regulation strategies in such incidents.
Sex Differences in the Gut Microbiota as Potential Determinants of Gender Predisposition to Disease
Authors: Santos‐Marcos Jose A. , Haro Carmen , Vega‐Rojas Ana , Alcala‐Diaz Juan F. , Molina‐Abril Helena , Leon‐Acuña Ana , Lopez‐Moreno Javier , Landa Blanca B. , Tena‐Sempere Manuel , Perez‐Martinez Pablo , Lopez‐Miranda Jose , Perez‐Jimenez Francisco , Camargo Antonio 
Published: January 2019

ScopeDysbiosis of gut microbiota is involved in metabolic syndrome (MetS) development, which has a different incidence between men (M) and women (W). The differences in gut microbiota in MetS patients are explored according to gender, and whether consuming two healthy diets, Mediterranean (MED) and low‐fat (LF), may, over time, differentially shape the gut microbiota dysbiosis according to gender is evaluated.Materials and MethodsAll the women from the CORDIOPREV study whose feces samples were available and a similar number of men, matched by the main metabolic variables (N = 246, 123 women and 123 men), and categorized according to the presence or not of MetS are included. Gut microbiota is analyzed at baseline and after 3 years of dietary intervention.ResultsHigher abundance of Collinsella, Alistipes, Anaerotruncus, and Phascolarctobacterium genera is observed in MetS‐W than in MetS‐M, whereas the abundance of Faecalibacterium and Prevotella genera is higher in MetS‐M than in MetS‐W. Moreover, higher levels of Desulfovibrio, Roseburia, and Holdemania are observed in men than in women after the consumption of the LF diet.ConclusionThe results suggest the potential involvement of differences in gut microbiota in the unequal incidence of metabolic diseases between genders, and a sex‐dependent effect on shaping the gut microbiota according to diet.
Glucose Appearance Rate Rather than the Blood Glucose Concentrations Explains Differences in Postprandial Insulin Responses between Wholemeal Rye and Refined Wheat Breads—Results from A Cross‐Over Meal Study
Authors: Östman Johnny R. , Müllner Elisabeth , Eriksson Jan , Kristinsson Hjalti , Gustafsson Jan , Witthöft Cornelia , Bergsten Peter , Moazzami Ali A. 
Published: January 2019

ScopeIngestion of rye bread leads to lower postprandial plasma insulin concentrations than wheat bread ingestion, but most often not too different glucose profiles. The mechanism behind this discrepancy is still largely unknown. This study investigates whether glucose kinetics may explain the observed discrepancy.Methods and resultsNine healthy men participated in a crossover study, eating 50 g of available carbohydrates as either refined wheat (WB) or traditional wholemeal rye bread (WMR) during d‐[6,6‐2H2]glucose infusion. Labeled glucose enrichment is measured by an HPLC‐TOF‐MS method. The calculated rate of glucose appearance (RaE) is significantly lower after ingestion of WMR during the initial 15 min postprandial period. Additionally, the 0‒90 min RaE area under the curve (AUC) is significantly lower after ingestion of WMR, as is plasma gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) at 60 and 90 min. Postprandial glycemic responses do not differ between the breads. Postprandial insulin is lower after ingestion of WMR at 45 and 60 min, as is the 0‒90 min AUC.ConclusionIngestion of WMR elicits a lower rate of glucose appearance into the bloodstream compared with WB. This may explain the lower insulin response observed after rye bread ingestion, commonly known as the rye factor.
Lactobacillus sakei Alleviates High‐Fat‐Diet‐Induced Obesity and Anxiety in Mice by Inducing AMPK Activation and SIRT1 Expression and Inhibiting Gut Microbiota‐Mediated NF‐κB Activation
Authors: Jang Hyo‐Min , Han Sang‐Kap , Kim Jeong‐Kyung , Oh Seong‐Jun , Jang Hwan‐Bong , Kim Dong‐Hyun 
Published: January 2019

ScopeLong‐term feeding of a high‐fat diet (HFD) causes gastrointestinal inflammation and gut microbiota disturbance, leading to the increased occurrence of obesity and anxiety. In the present study, the effects of heat‐labile Lactobacillus sakei OK67, tyndallized OK67 (tOK67), and heat‐stable Lactobacillus sakei PK16 on HFD‐induced obesity and anxiety in mice are examined.Methods and resultsObesity is induced in mice by feeding with HFD. Oral administration of live OK67, tOK67, or PK16 reduces HFD‐induced body and liver weights and blood triglyceride, total cholesterol, corticosterone, and lipopolysaccharide levels. These treatments also suppress HFD‐induced NF‐κB activation and increased HFD‐suppressed AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation and SIRT‐1 expression in the liver. OK67 or PK16 treatment alleviates HFD‐induced anxiety‐like behaviors and increases BDNF expression and NF‐κB activation in the hippocampus. Moreover, OK67 or PK16 treatment suppresses HFD‐induced colitis and suppresses the Proteobacteria population and fecal lipopolysaccharide levels in mice. OK67 or PK16 treatment inhibits NF‐κB activation and induced AMPK activation and SIRT‐1 expression in lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated Caco‐2 cells. Overall, the antiobesity and anxiolytic effects of live OK67 are more potent than those of tOK67.ConclusionLactobacillus sakei can alleviate HFD‐induced obesity, colitis, and anxiety by regulating gut microbiota‐mediated AMPK and NF‐κB activation and SIRT‐1 expression.
B‐scan wave outline analysis in numerical modeling of ground‐penetrating radar response from layered rough interfaces
Authors: Liu Ying , Guo Li‐Xin 
Published: January 2019

AbstractImaging of rough interfaces in a layered structure requires full understanding of the characteristics of their ground penetrating radar (GPR) echoes. In this study, a finite‐difference time‐domain computational model using a uniaxial perfectly matched layer boundary for GPR demining of layered rough interfaces is constructed. On the basis of this model, the numerical results of B‐scan echoes from two‐layered and three‐layered rough interfaces with different degrees of roughness are obtained and compared with the profiles of corresponding rough surfaces. These results and comparisons highlight the relationship between the B‐scan wave outlines and the profile of the layered rough interfaces. The effect of roughness of the interface on the B‐scan echoes are analyzed, and the influence of the upper rough surface profile on the shape of the B‐scan wave outline from the lower rough surface is discussed.
Effect of dielectric materials on integrated lens antenna for millimeter wave applications
Authors: Kamran Saleem Muhammad , Xie Mingyang , Alkanhal Majeed A. S. , Saadi Muhammad 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe effect of different dielectric materials on the performance of integrated lens antenna (ILA) operating in millimeter wave region (60 GHz) is presented. The ILA is composed of a rectangular microstrip antenna and an extended hemispherical dielectric lens. The gain of microstrip patch antenna (MPA) operating in 60 GHz band (58.25‐62.5 GHz) is enhanced from 7.4 to 15 dBi by integrating an extended hemispherical dielectric lens having a radius of 1 λo. The effect on ILA with different dielectric materials that is, teflon, rexolite, ABS (3D printed), polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene is studied. A prototype ILA, consisting of MPA integrated with extended hemispherical dielectric (teflon) lens is developed and tested to validate simulation results. The results of change in dielectric lens size (radius, height) are also presented.
Assessing the accuracy of neuromuscular ultrasound for inclusion body myositis
Authors: Karvelas Kristopher R. , Xiao Ted , Langefeld Carl D. , Walker Francis O. , Pathak Sapna , Caress James B. , Baute Vanessa , Cartwright Michael S. 
Published: January 2019

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Inclusion body myositis (IBM) can have clinical and electrodiagnostic features similar to other neuromuscular diseases, making it a diagnostic challenge. This prospective study was designed to determine the accuracy of forearm ultrasound for IBM. Methods: Sixty adults were recruited (15 with IBM, 15 with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS], 15 with other myopathies, and 15 healthy controls), and each underwent ultrasound of the bilateral forearms (imaging the flexor digitorum profundus and flexor carpi ulnaris muscles). Three clinicians with varying ultrasound expertise assigned a diagnosis of IBM, ALS, other myopathy, or control, based on images alone. Results: Intrarater reliability was moderately strong. Interrater reliability varied based on clinician experience. Sensitivity was 73.33% and 66.67% for the expert raters. Specificity was strong for all 3 clinicians (93.33%, 84.44%, and 91.11%). Discussion: Neuromuscular ultrasound of the forearm is reliable and accurate for the diagnosis of IBM, although sensitivity was higher among experienced clinicians. Muscle Nerve 59:478–481, 2019
Use of bone age for evaluating bone density in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: A preliminary report
Authors: Al‐Zougbi Asma , Mathews Katherine D. , Shibli‐Rahhal Amal 
Published: January 2019

ABSTRACTIntroductionPatients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) exhibit low bone mineral density and increased fracture risk. Because glucocorticoid therapy results in delayed puberty and short stature, it is important to account for delayed skeletal development when interpreting patients’ bone mineral density.MethodsTwelve glucocorticoid‐treated patients with DMD were evaluated by dual x‐ray absorptiometry scans and wrist x‐rays to estimate bone density and bone age, respectively. Z‐scores were determined on the basis of chronological age. Each patient was assigned a “corrected” birth date that was calculated according to bone age, and a bone‐age‐corrected z‐score was determined.ResultsZ‐scores adjusted for chronological age were lower than those adjusted for bone age.DiscussionWe suggest the use of bone age as an alternative to chronological age for analysis of bone mineral density in glucocorticoid‐treated patients with DMD. Additional research is required to determine the optimal method to predict fracture risk in this patient group. Muscle Nerve 59:422–425, 2019
Three‐dimensional virtual traveling navigation and three‐dimensional printing models of a normal fetal heart using ultrasonography data
Authors: Werner Heron , Lopes Jorge , Ribeiro Gerson , Raposo Alberto Barbosa , Trajano Evaldo , Araujo Júnior Edward 
Published: January 2019

What's already known about this topic?

Three‐dimensional (3‐D) virtual and physical models based on magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasonography data have been used to model normal and abnormal fetuses.
3‐D virtual navigation has been used to model fetal cervical teratomas and lower urinary tract obstruction, and it possibly has clinical applications.
What does this study add?

3‐D physical models and virtual navigation based on the ultrasonography data of a normal fetal heart.
Micropatterning and nanopatterning with polymeric materials for advanced biointerface‐controlled systems
Authors: Li Ping , Dou Xiaoqiu , Schönherr Holger 
Published: January 2019

AbstractMicropatterning and nanopatterning with polymers has become a core technology for many industrially relevant areas and is also recognized as an enabling technology for research and development in many fields ranging from photonics to the biomedical field and beyond. In this review, established key lithographic techniques for patterning and structuring polymeric materials on micrometer and nanometer length scales are discussed and complemented by more recently developed approaches that either rely on polymers to fabricate functional microstructures and nanostructures or form micropatterned and nanopatterned polymers for specific applications with a particular focus on biointerface‐controlled systems. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Modification of narrow‐spectrum peptidomimetic polyurethanes with fatty acid chains confers broad‐spectrum antibacterial activity
Authors: Peng Chao , Zhang Tian , Ortiz‐Ortiz Deliris N , Vishwakarma Apoorva , Barton Hazel A , Joy Abraham 
Published: January 2019

AbstractEach year, thousands of patients die from antimicrobial‐resistant bacterial infections that fail to respond to conventional antibiotic treatment. Antimicrobial polymers are a promising new method of combating antibiotic‐resistant bacterial infections. We have previously reported the synthesis of a series of narrow‐spectrum peptidomimetic antimicrobial polyurethanes that are effective against Gram‐negative bacteria, such as Escherichia coli; however, these polymers are not effective against Gram‐positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus. With the aim of understanding the correlation between chemical structure and antibacterial activity, we have subsequently developed three structural variants of these antimicrobial polyurethanes using post‐polymerization modification with decanoic acid and oleic acid. Our results show that such modifications converted the narrow‐spectrum antibacterial activity of these polymers into broad‐spectrum activity against Gram‐positive species such as S. aureus, however, also increasing their toxicity to mammalian cells. Mechanistic studies of bacterial membrane disruption illustrate the differences in antibacterial action between the various polymers. The results demonstrate the challenge of balancing antimicrobial activity and mammalian cell compatibility in the design of antimicrobial polymer compositions. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Melting thermodynamics of oligonucleic acids conjugated with relatively solvophobic linear polymers: A coarse‐grained molecular simulation study
Authors: Prhashanna Ammu , Jayaraman Arthi 
Published: January 2019

ABSTRACTOligonucleic acids (ONAs), such as DNA and RNA, are used in various biotechnology and nanotechnology applications due to their ability to form a double helix that is stable at low temperature and melts at high temperatures. The melting temperature (Tm) of ONA duplexes can be tuned by the ONA composition, sequence, length and concentration, solvent quality, and salt concentration and by conjugation to other macromolecules. In this article, we use coarse‐grained (CG) molecular simulations to study ONAs conjugated with linear homopolymers that are relatively more solvophobic than the ONA. We study charged and stiff 8‐mer ONAs (e.g., DNA) and neutral and flexible 8‐mer ONAs (e.g., peptide nucleic acids or PNA), and vary the composition (or G‐C content) and sequence of ONA, conjugated homopolymer lengths and solvent quality for the polymer. For neutral and flexible ONAs, as the solvent quality worsens for the polymer, the ONA melting temperature increases from that of unconjugated ONA. The melting curves broaden with polymer length and worsening solvent quality, especially for ONAs with higher G‐C content. For charged and stiff ONAs, as the solvent quality worsens, the ONA melting temperature decreases compared to unconjugated ONA while the width of the melting curve remains the same. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys.2019,57, 1196–1208