bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Use of Shear Wave Elastography in the Sonographic Triage of Thyroid Nodules: Feasibility Study in a Series of Lesions Already Selected for Fine Needle Aspiration
Authors: Ippolito Davide , Galimberti Stefania , Leni Davide , Vacirca Francesco , Nasr Ahmed , Bragazzi Nicola Luigi , Spiga Sara , Schiavone Valentina , Pincelli Angela Ida , Garancini Mattia , Leone Biagio Eugenio , Pagni Fabio 
Published: November 2018

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate the application of shear wave elastography (SWE) in the routine management of thyroid nodules, as a possible additional tool to the standard sonographic triage.MethodsA total of 248 consecutive patients scheduled for ultrasound‐guided thyroid fine‐needle aspiration were included in the study. The presence of a pure colloid lesion was an exclusion criterion. Absolute and relative SWE stiffness measurements on color‐coded elastograms, expressed in kilopascals and meters per second, were correlated with radiologic and pathologic features.ResultsSWE values in thyroid nodules were significantly higher than normal thyroid tissue (P = .0001), proving the different elastic properties of the pathologic tissues. Regarding the radiologic characteristics of the nodules, SWE highest values were associated with the largest lesions (P = .0105) but independent from sonographic and Doppler findings. The SWE elasticity was not influenced by the characteristics of the biopsy smears. The final correlation between the SWE results and the pathologic diagnoses showed a trend in stiffness from tender tumors (follicular adenoma) to papillary thyroid carcinoma (P = .016).ConclusionsSWE allows the identification of nodules within normal parenchyma; however, the present study does not confirm the potential role in differentiating between benign and malignant thyroid nodules.
Clinicopathologic and Ultrasound Variables Associated With a Heavy Axillary Nodal Tumor Burden in Invasive Breast Carcinoma
Authors: Li Jia‐wei , Tong Yu‐yang , Jiang Yi‐zhou , Shui Xu‐juan , Shi Zhao‐ting , Chang Cai 
Published: November 2018

ObjectivesTo identify clinicopathologic and ultrasound (US) variables that were associated with a heavy nodal tumor burden, which was defined as 3 or more lymph nodes involved with metastasis to the axilla after invasive breast carcinoma.MethodsWith ethical approval, 621 patients with a pathologic diagnosis of invasive breast carcinoma were retrospectively analyzed for clinical, pathologic, and US data. Pathologic findings were ascertained by the final paraffin pathologic analysis. Ultrasound characteristics were evaluated on the basis of the American College of Radiology's Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI‐RADS). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess the clinicopathologic and US variables that were associated with a heavy nodal tumor burden at the axilla.ResultsThere were 107 cases (17.2%) of invasive breast carcinoma with a heavy tumor burden at the axilla. The independent clinicopathologic variables for a heavy tumor burden at the axilla included a tumor size of 2 to 5 cm (odds ratio [OR], 1.86; P = .036), the presence of lymphovascular invasion (OR, 23.52; P < .001), the presence of papillary invasion (OR, 2.93; P = .043), and a non–triple‐negative subtype (OR, 2.34; P = .04). The independent US features of breast tumors that were associated with a heavy tumor burden at the axilla included BI‐RADS category 5 (OR, 5.50; P = .024) and a posterior acoustic shadow (OR, 1.94; P = .024).ConclusionsA large tumor size, lymphovascular invasion, papillary invasion, and a non–triple‐negative subtype on the pathologic analysis as well as BI‐RADS category 5 and a posterior acoustic shadow on a US assessment were associated with a heavy nodal tumor burden at the axilla. These US characteristics of the primary breast carcinoma might provide additional information to axillary US for the prediction of axillary nodal tumor loads.
Smartphone telemedical emergency department consults for screening of nonacute dizziness
Authors: Shah Manan U. , Lotterman Seth , Roberts Daniel , Eisen Marc 
Published: November 2018

Objectives/HypothesisEach year, the United States spends over $4 billion on emergency department visits for evaluation of dizziness. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a common cause of dizziness that can easily be diagnosed by observing characteristic eye movements during the Dix‐Hallpike test (DHT). The DHT is easily performed; however, interpretation requires more advanced training. This may be part of the reason it is not commonly performed in emergency departments, and instead, patients undergo costly imaging tests. We evaluated whether smartphone‐based video recordings of DHT could be assessed telemedically for screening of nonacute dizziness.Study DesignFeasibility study.MethodsDizzy patients underwent objective vestibular testing, but also had videos of their eye movements recorded via a smartphone during the DHT. The videos were remotely reviewed by two neuro‐otologists for BPPV screening and were compared to objective and in‐person exam findings.ResultsOverall, 30 dizzy patients were evaluated with seven cases of BPPV. The sensitivity for diagnosing BPPV via a smartphone‐recording of eye movements of the DHT was 92.86%, with a specificity of 100% and a negative predictive value of 97.87%.ConclusionsOur initial proof‐of‐concept study shows that remote screening of BPPV is possible with high specificity. Because the DHT is easily taught, having a remote otolaryngologist interpret the resulting eye movements may increase usage of the test and may lead to cost savings.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 129:466–469, 2019
Antileukotrienes improve naso‐ocular symptoms and biomarkers in patients with NARES and asthma
Authors: De Corso Eugenio , Anzivino Roberta , Galli Jacopo , Baroni Silvia , Di Nardo Walter , De Vita Carla , Salvati Antonio , Autilio Chiara , Settimi Stefano , Mele Dario , Paludetti Gaetano , Mullol Joaquim 
Published: November 2018

ObjectiveThe aim of our study was to analyze the montelukast effectiveness in improving oculonasal symptoms, patient‐reported outcomes (PROs), and eosinophilic biomarkers in patients with nonallergic rhinitis eosinophilic syndrome (NARES).MethodsWe enrolled prospectively 80 symptomatic patients treated with 10 mg once a day of montelukast in monotherapy for 2 months. All patients were investigated before and after treatment. Nasal symptoms (nasal obstruction, rhinorrhoea, sneezing, nasal itching), ocular symptoms (redness/puffiness, watery eyes), and other PROs (olfactory dysfunction, difficulty going to sleep, nighttime awakenings, and nasal congestion on awakening) were scored by visual analogic scale. The following clinical scores were assessed: Total Nasal Symptom Score (T4NSS), Total Ocular Symptom Score (T2OSS), Total Symptom Score of Patient‐Reported Outcomes (TSS‐PROs), and a Composite Symptoms Score (CSS). Patients were classified as responders when a reduction of at least 50% of the CSS was observed. Before and after treatment, the eosinophilic biomarkers in nasal lavage were analyzed: nasal eosinophilia (number of eosinophils per high power field), eotaxin‐1 and eotaxin‐2.ResultsAfter treatment, significant reductions were observed for all the symptom scores. Forty‐two of 78 patients were considered responders. A significant reduction of eosinophils in nasal mucosa and of levels of eotaxin‐1 and eotaxin‐2 in nasal lavage were observed after treatment in responder patients. Patients with asthma had an increased probability to be responders.ConclusionNARES patients may benefit from treatment with montelukast. In particular, the presence of concomitant asthma may be predictive of a greater efficacy.Level of Evidence2 Laryngoscope, 129:551–557, 2019
Surgery of the major salivary glands and its impact on salivary flow—A review
Authors: Burghartz Marc , Hackenberg Stephan , Sittel Christian , Hagen Rudolf 
Published: November 2018

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to bring attention to a rather unnoted side effect of salivary gland surgery–reduced salivary flow.MethodsA systematic PubMed, Cochrane Library, LIVIVO, and Embase databases search was performed to identify relevant articles.ResultsEight studies matched the inclusion criteria. All studies described an association between salivary gland surgery and reduced salivary flow. In five of the eight studies, patients reported on xerostomia after salivary gland surgery.ConclusionsHead and neck surgeons should inform their patients more accurately about reduced salivary flow and possible xerostomia after salivary gland surgery, and focus more on conservative strategies and minimally invasive techniques.Laryngoscope, 129:2053–2058, 2019
Wave and tide‐driven flow act on multiple scales to shape the distribution of a juvenile fish (Albula vulpes) in shallow nearshore habitats
Authors: Haak Christopher R. , Cowles Geoffrey W. , Danylchuk Andy J. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractEnvironmental stress associated with incident flow is among the most fundamental physical factors structuring fish distributions. In shallow marine habitats, flow‐related stress arises through several distinct processes, yet their combined ramifications for habitat utilization by fishes are rarely evaluated concurrently. We used hydrodynamic models to resolve spatial and temporal variability in wave‐ and tide‐driven water velocities across the littoral zone of a subtropical island, and related these, along with other environmental predictors, to patterns in the abundance of a juvenile fish (Albula vulpes) as determined by 785 beach‐seine samples. Exerting universally negative effects on abundance, flow‐related predictors were among the most influential drivers of habitat use, particularly at landscape scales where contrasts were most apparent. Spatial gradients in the strength of wave‐induced and tide‐driven flow were pronounced and varied inversely across the study area, applying contradictory constraints on A. vulpes distributions and limiting juveniles to the small subset of habitats where near‐maximal wave and tide‐driven water velocities were mutually depressed over the long term. Meanwhile, within the few embayments where A. vulpes occurred with regularity, abundance was inversely related to short‐term fluctuations in wave‐driven water velocity, evidencing fine‐scale movements as fish presumably sought reduced rates of flow. Juveniles were consistently absent from the remaining majority of stations regardless of temporal variability, indicating that they were unable to exploit these areas even during periods of calm. Collectively, these observations are consistent with the hypothesis that spatial and temporal variability in incident flow act simultaneously at distinct scales to structure motile fish distributions.
3D Microfibrous Scaffolds Selectively Promotes Proliferation and Glial Differentiation of Adult Neural Stem Cells: A Platform to Tune Cellular Behavior in Neural Tissue Engineering
Authors: Patel Bhavika B. , Sharifi Farrokh , Stroud Daniel P. , Montazami Reza , Hashemi Nicole N. , Sakaguchi Donald S. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractBiomaterials are essential for the development of innovative biomedical and therapeutic applications. Biomaterials‐based scaffolds can influence directed cell differentiation to improve cell‐based strategies. Using a novel microfluidics approach, poly (ε‐caprolactone) (PCL), is used to fabricate microfibers with varying diameters (3–40 µm) and topographies (straight and wavy). Multipotent adult rat hippocampal stem/progenitor cells (AHPCs) are cultured on 3D aligned PCL microfibrous scaffolds to investigate their ability to differentiate into neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. The results indicate that the PCL microfibers significantly enhance proliferation of the AHPCs compared to control, 2D planar substrates. While the AHPCs maintained their multipotent differentiation capacity when cultured on the PCL scaffolds, there is a significant and dramatic increase in immunolabeling for astrocyte and oligodendrocyte differentiation when compared with growth on planar surfaces. Our results show a 3.5‐fold increase in proliferation and 23.4‐fold increase in astrocyte differentiation for cells on microfibers. Transplantation of neural stem/progenitor cells within a PCL microfiber scaffold may provide important biological and topographic cues that facilitate the survival, selective differentiation, and integration of transplanted cells to improve therapeutic strategies.
A QSAR Study for Analgesic and Anti‐inflammatory Activities of 5‐/6‐Acyl‐3‐alkyl‐2‐Benzoxazolinone Derivatives
Authors: Tugcu Gulcin , Koksal Meric 
Published: November 2018

AbstractIn this publication, QSAR models were developed to predict analgesic and anti‐inflammatory activities of some 2‐benzoxazolinone derivatives using multiple linear regression method. The models were validated internally and externally according to the OECD principles. With the help of these models, pronounced molecular properties of these compounds related to activities were also explored. The developed models demonstrated that hydrophobicity, the number of halogens, and the shape of the molecular structure of these candidate drugs are prominent to represent analgesic and anti‐inflammatory activities. Based on the previously tested compounds and the developed models, 77 new compounds were designed as potential analgesic and anti‐inflammatory drugs. Majority of the newly designed compounds demonstrated promising analgesic and anti‐inflammatory activity.
Compact microstrip reconfigurable filter based on spiral resonators
Authors: Donelli Massimo , Manekiya Muhammedhusen , Menon Sreedevi K. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractIn this work, the design of a reconfigurable stop‐band filter based on a set of spiral microstrip resonators is proposed. In particular, a set of spiral resonators able to reject different Wi‐Fi channels are activated or deactivated by means of electronic switches based on pin diodes. A filter prototype composed of five resonating elements and coupled with a microstrip was fabricated and experimentally assessed. Good performances have been verified experimentally, with reference to the filter reject capabilities. The numerical and experimental results are in good agreement.
Integrated motion correction and dictionary learning for free‐breathing myocardial T1 mapping
Authors: Zhu Yanjie , Kang Jinkyu , Duan Chong , Nezafat Maryam , Neisius Ulf , Jang Jihye , Nezafat Reza 
Published: November 2018

PurposeTo develop and evaluate an integrated motion correction and dictionary learning (MoDic) technique to accelerate data acquisition for myocardial T1 mapping with improved accuracy.MethodsMoDic integrates motion correction with dictionary learning–based reconstruction. A random undersampling scheme was implemented for slice‐interleaved T1 mapping sequence to allow prospective undersampled data acquisition. Phantom experiments were performed to evaluate the effect of reconstruction on T1 measurement. In vivo T1 mappings were acquired in 8 healthy subjects using 6 different acceleration approaches: uniform or randomly undersampled k‐space data with reduction factors (R) of 2, 3, and 4. Uniform undersampled data were reconstructed with SENSE, and randomly undersampled k‐space data were reconstructed using dictionary learning, compressed sensing SENSE, and MoDic methods. Three expert readers subjectively evaluated the quality of T1 maps using a 4‐point scoring system. The agreement between T1 values was assessed by Bland‐Altman analysis.ResultsIn the phantom study, the accuracy of T1 measurements improved with increasing reduction factors (31 ± 35 ms, 13 ± 18 ms, and 5 ± 11 ms for reduction factor (R) = 2 to 4, respectively). The image quality of in vivo T1 maps assessed by subjective scoring using MoDic was similar to that of SENSE at R = 2 (P = .61) but improved at R = 3 and 4 (P < .01). The scores of dictionary learning (2.98 ± 0.71, 2.91 ± 0.60, and 2.67 ± 0.71 for R = 2 to 4) and CS‐SENSE (3.32 ± 0.42, 3.05 ± 0.43, and 2.53 ± 0.43) were lower than those of MoDic (3.48 ± 0.46, 3.38 ± 0.52, and 2.9 ± 0.60) for all reduction factors (P < .05 for all).ConclusionThe MoDic method accelerates data acquisition for myocardial T1 mapping with improved T1 measurement accuracy.
Outcomes of observation without empiric intravenous antibiotics in febrile, nonneutropenic pediatric oncology patients
Authors: Wu Natalie , Muller William , Morgan Elaine 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThere are no consensus guidelines for management of pediatric oncology patients presenting with fever and nonneutropenia, with limited research into the outcomes of withholding empiric i.v. antibiotics. We conducted a prospective cohort study assessing the safety and efficacy of observing well‐appearing patients presenting with fever and nonneutropenia (absolute neutrophil count ≥ 500 cells/mm3). Of 238 episodes, 82.7% patients were observed with no infectious complications and low overall incidence of bacteremia (3.4%). There were no significant differences in individual clinical variables. We propose that observation alone in some well‐appearing febrile pediatric oncology patients is safe and limits the use of unnecessary empiric antibiotics.
Characterization of natural and environmental flows in New Brunswick, Canada
Authors: El‐Jabi Nassir , Caissie Daniel 
Published: November 2018

AbstractA good understanding of the natural flow regime plays an important role in many hydrological studies. Also important in such studies is the quantification of environmental flows. This study focuses on flow metrics that best describe the natural flow regime and the hydrological characteristics for rivers in New Brunswick (Canada) as well as quantifying environment flows for these rivers. New Brunswick rivers have a mean annual flow (MAF) of approximately 23 L s−1 km−2, which is also reflective of the water availability. The frequency analysis showed that low flows (T = 2–50 years, where T is the recurrence interval) were all below the 10% MAF. Environmental flow methods based on the MAF and flow duration analysis (median flow) showed good regional regression equations. However, flow duration methods showed high variability especially at flows between Q80 and Q100. Flow targets based on the 25% MAF, Q50 and 70% Q50 were used to estimate environmental flows, particularly during low‐flow periods (winter and summer). Results showed that the 70% Q50 method should be used with caution in summer as this method provided flows in the range of 15–16% of MAF. Other methods provided environmental flows higher than 15% MAF, thus, providing better flow protection for aquatic habitat. When comparing water availability for off‐stream use (river flow–environmental flow), different parts of New Brunswick were found to be deficient in flows (i.e., river flows less than environment flows—no extractable water) during the summer and winter low‐flow periods.
Location‐Controlled Synthesis of Hydrophilic Magnetic Metal‐organic Frameworks for Highly Efficient Recognition of Phthalates in Beverages
Authors: Lu Yujie , Wang Baichun , Yan Yinghua , Liang Hongze 
Published: November 2018

AbstractMOF‐modified magnetic composites have become a burgeoning star in modern materials science. However, most of these MOF‐modified magnetic composites are prepared by physical deposition of MOFs on the surface of magnetic particles, causing the MOFs layer nonuniform and unstable, which largely discounts the potential performance of such fuctional materials. In this work, we proposed a location‐controlled strategy for functionalization of hydrophilic magnetic graphene by ZIF‐8 MOF to construct uniform and robust nanosheets (magG@PDA@ZIF‐8). In this synthetic protocol, PDA provides not only excellent water dispersion, but also serves as a potential coordination site for Zn2+ chelation, which establishes site‐specified chemical bonding between ZIF‐8 MOF and matrix. The obtained nanosheets hold regular porous structure and large surface area with unique π‐π stacking electron system, strong magnetism and excellent water dispersibility. Chemically bonded structure contributes to the enhanced performance of the resulting magnetic composites in terms of stability, reliability and recyclibiity, when magG@PDA@ZIF‐8 is used to enrich 9 PAEs in real cola samples.
Sodium Ion Batteries using Ionic Liquids as Electrolytes
Authors: Hagiwara Rika , Matsumoto Kazuhiko , Hwang Jinkwang , Nohira Toshiyuki 
Published: November 2018

AbstractSodium ion batteries have been developed using ionic liquids as electrolytes. Sodium is superior to lithium as a raw material for mass production of large‐scale batteries for energy storage due to its abundance and even distribution across the earth. Ionic liquids are non‐volatile and non‐flammable, which improved the safety of the batteries remarkably. In addition, operation temperatures were extended to higher values, improving the performance of the batteries by facilitating the reaction at the electrode and mass transfer. Binary systems of sodium and quaternary ammonium salts, such as 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium and N‐methyl‐N‐propylpyrrolidinium bis(fluorosulfonyl)amide, were employed as electrolytes for sodium ion batteries. A series of positive and negative electrode materials were examined to be combined with these ionic liquid electrolytes. A 27 Ah full cell was fabricated employing sodium chromite (NaCrO2) and hard carbon as positive and negative electrode materials, respectively. The gravimetric energy density obtained for the battery was 75 Wh kg−1 and its volumetric energy density was 125 Wh L−1. The capacity retention after 500 cycles was 87 %. Further improvement of the cell performance and energy density is expected on development of suitable electrode materials and optimization of the cell design.